SANITIZATION BOOTH

Abstract

A sanitization apparatus is provided. The sanitization apparatus includes a framework providing a sanitizing zone shaped and dimensioned to permit a person to pass therethrough while being sprayed with sanitizer; a plurality of sprayers arranged on the framework for spraying a sanitizer into the sanitizing zone to allow substantial sanitization of an outer surface of a person; a supply of sanitizer, including a liquid container for the sanitizer, wherein the liquid container is in a predetermined position relative to the orientation of the apparatus; and a flow communication unit for allowing flow communication between the sprayers and the supply of sanitizer via a fluid displacement unit.

Claims

1. A sanitization apparatus comprising: a framework providing a sanitizing zone shaped and dimensioned to permit a person to pass therethrough while being sprayed with sanitizer; a plurality of sprayers arranged on the framework for spraying a sanitizer into the sanitizing zone to allow substantial sanitization of an outer surface of a person; a supply of sanitizer, including a liquid container for the sanitizer, wherein the liquid container is in a predetermined position relative to the orientation of the apparatus; and a flow communication unit for allowing flow communication between the sprayers and the supply of sanitizer via a fluid displacement unit.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the framework is in the form of a doorway.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the framework is free standing.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the framework is operatively associated with a door frame, thereby enabling sanitization of a person passing through the door frame.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sprayers include nozzles located to spray the footwear of the person, including the soles thereof.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sprayers are located over a major portion of the framework so that they spray inwardly onto the person passing through the sanitizing zone from above, the sides, and from below thereby to allow a mist of sanitizer to be deposited onto an outer surface of a person, including his clothing, footwear, and the soles of the footwear, at least almost entirely.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the framework is in the form of a booth having an entrance and an exit, wherein a person entering into the booth remains in the booth to be sprayed, and then exits the booth, wherein the booth includes a hand sanitization portion which is arranged in flow communication with the supply of sanitizer and which is located at the entrance, or the exit, of the booth so as to facilitate sanitization of the person's hands, which may have been used to cover their eyes while in the booth.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes at least two side walls and a substantially perforated floor for allowing a sanitizer mist sprayed toward the person from below to pass through the floor to sanitize the soles of the footwear of the person, while also permitting drainage of sprayed sanitizer of the booth.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the floor is made of grating having a drip tray to contain any contaminated sanitizer after use.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the side walls and the perforated roof are made of one or more materials including at least one of: a webbing material and a metal sheeting made from a metal.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow communication unit is in the form of a liquid reticulation system, wherein the liquid reticulation system includes an intermediate zone for spraying a side of a person passing through the sanitization zone, a portion of the intermediate zone of the liquid reticulation system extending parallel to the direction of passage of a person passing through the sanitization zone.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow communication unit is in the form of a liquid reticulation system, wherein the liquid reticulation system includes an upper zone for spraying a person passing through the sanitization zone from above, the upper zone extending around a periphery of an upper portion of the framework so that the spray is directed at the person directly from above, as well as angularly from above.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow communication unit is in the form of a liquid reticulation system, wherein the liquid reticulation system includes a lower zone for spraying a person passing though the sanitization zone from below, the lower zone of the liquid reticulation system extending in an orientation selected from transversely and longitudinally to a floor of the framework, and wherein the lower zone of the liquid reticulation system extends around a periphery of a lower portion of the framework so that the spray is directed upwardly at the person as well as angularly from below to improve coverage by the sanitizer being sprayed onto the footwear and lower extremities of the person within the sanitization zone.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid displacement unit in the form of a pump is located on the framework in flow communication with an outlet of the container, an outlet of the pump being connected to the flow communication unit in the form of a liquid reticulation system to supply the liquid reticulation system with pressurized liquid sanitizer from the container.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pump is in the form of a dosing pump for allowing a pre-determinable quantity of sanitizer to be sprayed onto a person thereby to permit monitoring of a safe usage rate and consumption of the sanitizer.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a consumption monitoring means for monitoring consumption of the sanitizer so as to allow a pre-determinable quantity of sanitizer to be sprayed onto a person, wherein the consumption monitoring means is selected from the group including a flow meter, whereby the amount of sanitizer passing through the nozzles is recorded for control purposes, and level monitoring, whereby the change in level of the sanitizer is monitored and recorded.

17. A kit for assembly of a sanitization apparatus, the kit comprising: reticulation piping pre-manufactured in sections and pre-bent to match a framework to which it is to be attached and to facilitate assembly of the reticulation piping; and framework components which have a sleeve and shaft weldless assembly mechanism, having apertures through the sleeve and the shaft, which apertures are in register for securing in position by one or more securing means selected from bolts, detent pins, and spring pressed detents, thereby to facilitate assembly of the framework components for assembly of the framework.

18. The kit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the sanitization apparatus comprises: a framework, wherein the framework defines a sanitizing zone shaped and dimensioned to permit a person to pass therethrough while being sprayed with a sanitizer, sprayers arranged on the framework for spraying a sanitizer into the sanitizing zone to allow substantial sanitization of an outer surface of a person including his clothing, footwear and the soles of the footwear; and a flow communication means for allowing flow communication between the sprayers and a supply of sanitizer via a fluid displacement unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The present disclosure will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] In the Figures,

[0051] FIG. 1 shows an example of a booth of the present disclosure, also referred to as a detection and sanitization station, with the sheeting removed to show the interior thereof;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a reticulation diagram for the booth of FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows the booth of FIG. 1 with sheeting covering the sides and roof thereof;

[0054] FIG. 4 shows an example of a booth of FIG. 1 including a liquid container and a pump;

[0055] FIG. 5 shows an example of an apparatus of the present disclosure operatively associated with a doorway;

[0056] FIG. 6 shows an example of an apparatus of the present disclosure in the form of a doorway-like arch;

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a further example based on the example of FIG. 6, wherein a booth is formed from foldable panels;

[0058] FIG. 8 shows the reticulation system for the booth of FIG. 7;

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a high-volume booth similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 4 but designed for higher traffic of persons to be sanitized;

[0060] FIG. 10 shows an unassembled corner of a kit for a booth of the present disclosure;

[0061] FIG. 11 shows the corner of the kit for a booth of FIG. 10 assembled; and

[0062] FIG. 12 shows a booth framework assembled from a kit including the corner of FIGS. 10 and 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] In FIGS. 1 to 3, a framework in the form of a sanitization booth 10 has side walls 12 approximately twice as long as its entrance and exit openings 14, 16 are wide, to permit a person to step into the booth and pass therethrough while being sprayed or misted with a sanitization or disinfection liquid, from above 18, below 20, and the sides 22, by liquid sanitizer pumped through a reticulation pipe system 24 and through nozzles 26 along the extent thereof, thereby to sanitize the person, their clothing, as well as their footwear, including the soles thereof.

[0064] The booth 10 includes a hand sanitization portion 28 at the entrance 14 to the booth 10 so that the person who has been sanitized by passing through the booth also sanitizes their hands, which have been used to cover their eyes while in the booth.

[0065] The booth 10 has side walls 30, 32 made from stainless sheeting and a grated floor 34, whereby the mist or spray directed at the person from below 20 passes through the floor to wet the soles of the footwear of the person, while also permitting drainage of the booth.

[0066] The booth also includes a roof or ceiling 36 also made from the same sheeting so that the booth 10 has two open ends, the entrance and exit openings 14, 16 for the person to enter and exit the booth, while preventing the spray or mist from being distributed laterally and upwardly out of the booth.

[0067] An upper zone 38 of the liquid reticulation system 24 extends substantially around the periphery of an upper portion of the booth 10, in an “O” or rectangular fashion, so that the spray or mist is directed at the person in the booth from above, as well as angularly from above to improve coverage by the liquid. Likewise, the lower zone 40 of the liquid reticulation system 24 extends transversely relative to the floor 34 of the booth 10.

[0068] In FIG. 4, in an embodiment, a booth 50 (detection & sanitization station) has a steel frame 52 passageway, with open ends 54, 56 for person/s to step into, walk through, and exit on the opposite end. The booth 50 has a floor 58 which includes a non-slip grating seated in a steel drip tray/catchment area 60. The frame 52 has sheeting 62 all around, except for the entrance 54 and exit 56. On the right is a sub-frame 64 to support a 220V electric motor and pump system 66, with a liquid container 68 (header tank) mounted in flow communication and higher than an inlet of the pump 66.

[0069] The pump 66 is connected to, and feeds, a piping reticulation system 69 which distributes sanitization liquid solution from the container 68 to mist sprayers 70, which are distributed along the piping 69 above, along the sides, and from below, to achieve a 360 degree coverage and distribution of the liquid over the person/s inside the booth.

[0070] An infra-red camera 72 is mounted on the entrance 54 of the booth and is connected to a set of green, amber, and red indication lights (not shown) and wired to a control box mounted on the frame (not shown).

[0071] A motion sensor 74 is mounted on the ceiling of the frame 52 to detect when a person/s have entered the booth.

[0072] A flow meter (not shown) will be mounted to the pump 66 to record volume dispensed for control of efficacy of the booth.

[0073] The booth has five lockable wheels 76 mounted on the corners of the base 78 and one supporting the sub frame 80.

[0074] Thus, in use, a person/s will stand at the entrance of the “detection & sanitization station” booth and, during scanning or standby, the amber indication light will be illuminated. Once scanned, if the temperature detected is higher than the upper pre-set limit, the red indication light will be illuminated as an alarm, and the person/s will be asked to step aside for further examination. If cleared, the green indication light will illuminate allowing, the person/s to enter for sanitization at the entrance 54. The motion of the person entering the booth will trigger the motion sensor 74 mounted on the ceiling of the station, which will toggle the electric motor to “ON”, driving the pump 66, which will begin distributing the sanitization liquid solution for a pre-set time period to adequately sanitize the person/s inside the unit and, once the run cycle is complete, the motor will automatically switch off and the person/s can leave the station.

[0075] In order to ensure that there is no manipulation of the quality of the sanitizer or disinfectant, the container 68 is sealed and locked, and the key is kept by a responsible person to reduce the risk of tampering.

[0076] The outflow from the container 68 will be monitored through a flow meter to ensure that the sanitizer or disinfectant is correctly fed to the pump 66. The pump 66 may be a dosing-type pump. This is good for quality assurance as only the approved pre-mixed sanitizer or disinfectant will be utilized and records are kept and verified between the flow meter and the quantities supplied by the supplier. This will then allow for effective analysis of the amount of sanitizer or disinfectant used per person who went through the booth.

[0077] In another example, shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus 100, for example, for home use, is in the form of a framework 102 shaped and dimensioned similarly to a doorway 104 opening with which it is operatively associated so that a person passing through the doorway may be sanitized. The apparatus 100 includes nozzles 106 located to spray the footwear of the person, including soles thereof.

[0078] The apparatus 100 is configured to have nozzles 106 located at five locations over the extent of liquid reticulation tubing 108 built into the framework 102, so that they spray inwardly onto the person passing through the apparatus 100 from above, the sides, and from below, thereby to mist the person almost entirely or entirely.

[0079] This example includes a spray nozzle 110 for spraying a parcel or the hands of a person passing through the apparatus 100.

[0080] In use, the control box 112, mounted on the frame 102, has a start button 114, which is pushed for ten seconds for person full-body spray or two seconds for parcel spray operations.

[0081] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the home or office-use apparatus 120 of the invention is a self-supporting archway in the form of a free-standing tubular frame, 122 on which a reticulation system 124 is mounted with eight nozzles for spraying or misting into the archway from the top, bottom, and sides. A twenty-five liter sanitizing fluid tank 130 with a sight glass and sanitizing fluid pumping system 126 provides the pressurized sanitizing fluid so that the fluid may sprayed from above, laterally, and below the soles of footwear of a person passing therethrough. The pump has an enclosure 132 and an isolation switch 134. The entire enclosure 132 is removable for ease of assembly and disassembly of the apparatus 120.

[0082] The apparatus 120 includes a motion sensor 128 and an IR camera 131 for automated operation and symptom detection.

[0083] FIG. 7 shows an apparatus similar to that of FIG. 6, but converted to make a booth 200, having collapsible and detachable cladded panels 202 attached to a tubular frame 204, as well as piping 206 and ten nozzles 208, and typically holding the IR monitor and camera. As shown for FIG. 6, the nozzles are arranged for spraying or misting into the archway from the top, bottom (soles of shoes), and sides. A twenty-five liter sanitizing fluid tank 230 with a sight glass and sanitizing fluid pumping system 226 provides the pressurized sanitizing fluid so that the fluid may sprayed from above, laterally, and below the soles of footwear of a person passing therethrough. The pump has an enclosure 232 and an isolation switch 234. The entire enclosure 232 is removable for ease of assembly and disassembly of the booth 200.

[0084] In FIG. 8, the detail of the enhanced reticulation system of the booth of FIG. 7 over that of the apparatus of FIG. 6 is shown. The reticulation system 206 includes ten nozzles for spraying or misting into the booth from the top, bottom, and sides, as well as an additional overhead piping and nozzles ring main and a bottom section 208, including spray nozzles for the soles of shoes.

[0085] FIG. 9 is a high-volume booth similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 4, but designed for higher traffic of persons to be sanitized. This booth 300 is automated and intelligent, with a built in two-thousand liter tank 302 for long running capacity. The booth 300 is clad with cladding 303, has a motion detector and IR temperature scanner 304 to determine whether a person will be allowed to enter the booth and, if permitted to enter, to initialize sanitization. The user will see indication lights 306 which are green and red.

[0086] The booth 300 has a tubular frame 308 and a reticulation system 310 of piping with sixteen nozzles for misting from all directions inside the booth 300. The person to be sanitized stands on the grating 312 inside the booth 300 and excess liquid from the misting runs into a drip tray 314 and then out of a drip point 316.

[0087] The booth 300 is provided with a pump 318, for the sanitizing liquid from the tank 302, and an access ramp 322 into the booth. The booth 300 stands on wheels 320 for easy relocation.

[0088] An isolation panel and controls 324 with a programmable controller complete the package.

[0089] FIGS. 10 to 12 show an example of a kit 400 for assembly of a booth 410, such as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, wherein 120 mm length 32 mm×32 mm square tubing 402 is used as a shaft 404 which gets welded onto the 38 mm×38 mm square tubing 406 that makes up the framework 412. A sleeve 408 is made of 38 mm×38 mm square tubing 406 to connect sections of the 32 mm×32 mm shaft 404 to corresponding shafts 404, thereby to assemble the framework 412 of the booth 410. This thus forms a joint as the sleeve 408 slides over the shaft 404 and locks into position using bolts passing through the holes (not shown) and tightening the nuts so that the nuts and bolts are the securing means.

[0090] All the shafts 404 and the sleeves 408 have two holes 414 that are pre-drilled that are in register and line up perfectly when the shaft 404 and sleeve 408 are assembled. Once assembled, the booth framework 412 stands firm without the bolts being inserted and nuts tightened.

[0091] As can be seen in FIG. 10, the shaft 404 and sleeve 408 are aligned, and then the shaft 404 is inserted into the sleeve 408, so that the holes 414 are in register as seen in FIG. 11, and the corner of the booth framework 412 is assembled with only the nuts and bolts being inserted, thereafter, to secure the parts together.

[0092] This assembly procedure applies to all the joints of the framework 412 with the exception of the upper crown portion 416 on some models of the booth 410, as well as the tank and pump stands, which may have fully welded joints.

[0093] Once assembled, all the joints conceal the lug, which fits like a hand in a glove with the framework material.

[0094] This kit thus allows for quick assembly, and ease of dismantling, of the booth of the present disclosure.

[0095] Still further, the sleeves and shafts are standardized, which makes for ease of manufacture, maintenance, and parts supply in the event of any part of the framework being lost or damaged.

[0096] FIG. 12 shows, by means of arrows, the assembly of the booth framework from the sleeves and shafts described above and shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Advantages of the Invention as Illustrated

[0097] The advantages of the invention, as illustrated and described, are many and include:

[0098] To automatically scan and identify people with a fever or other identifiable symptoms.

[0099] To raise the alarm for such people so that they can be investigated further or be referred to further medical testing.

[0100] To count the number of people and keep a record and statistics of people with high temperature.

[0101] To provide full body disinfecting/sanitizing service of people in seconds, including the bottom of their feet up to the top of their heads, with little or no human interaction, thereby reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

[0102] To provide a dedicated automated hand sanitizing station.

[0103] It is foreseen that the invention will be useful at least for:

1. Healthcare workers before and after their shifts
2. Visitors to hospitals and other health centres (clinics etc.)
3. People in public buildings
4. People everywhere during times of viral outbreaks
5. Public and private office and buildings
6. Food production factories and general industry
7. Ports of entry (land borders, ports, airports)
8. Disinfecting people suspected to have been exposed to a virus (on board a bus, train, aircraft, and ships)