HAND SANITIZING STATION

Abstract

An apparatus for sanitizing hands comprising a base, wherein the base is configured to dispense towels; at least one dispensing chamber configured to store a viscous material comprising a conduit; at least one sensor activated pump mechanism comprising a sensor device connected to a circuit system, an actuator, and an energy source; and wherein when the sensor device is triggered, the sensor activated pump mechanism is configured to draw a predetermined volume of viscous material through the conduit and out the discharge nozzle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sanitizing hands comprising: a base, wherein the base is configured to dispense towels; wherein the base comprises a bottom wall, a back wall, at least one interior side wall, at least one exterior side wall, and a front wall; wherein the bottom wall includes a battery holder, switch, and a motor; at least one dispensing chamber configured to store a viscous material comprising a conduit; wherein the at least one dispensing chamber is connected to the base via the conduit; at least one chamber cap placed on top of the at least one dispensing chamber comprising a discharge nozzle and a sliding portion, at least one sensor activated pump mechanism comprising a sensor device connected to a circuit system, an actuator, and an energy source; and wherein when the sensor device is triggered, the sensor activated pump mechanism is configured to draw a predetermined volume of viscous material through the conduit and out the discharge nozzle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the viscous material is selected from the group consisting of soap, lotion, hand sanitizer, essential oil, foam, gel, shampoo, conditioner, topical medication, liquid baby powder, dye, hair mousse, toothpaste, mouthwash, liquid makeup, facial creams, sunscreen, detergent, and shaving cream.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sliding portion is configured to allow a user to select a predetermined volume of viscous material to be dispensed.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chamber cap may be configured to form a seal at the top of the at least one dispensing chamber for maintaining the viscous material within the at least one dispensing chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a compartment cover placed over the chamber cap that comprises a refill cap opening and refill cap, wherein the refill cap can be lifted to refill the at least one dispensing chamber with a viscous material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit system is selected from the group consisting of a circuit board, integrated circuit, and circuitry device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuit system has preset input that can switch the output of the energy source to provide operational power to the actuator when the sensor device is triggered.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator is an electric motor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor device is an infrared sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy source is a battery.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the battery is selected from a group consisting of nickel-metal-hydride batteries or lithium ion batteries.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to store a plurality of towels.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the towels are stored in the base in an interleaved manner or as a continuous roll.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a spring mechanism for dispensing the plurality of towels one by one.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one dispensing chamber is made from a material selected from the group consisting of vinyl, plastic, plastic polymers, copper, pewter, and stainless steel.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plastic polymers is selected from the group consisting of consisting of low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, and thermoplastic polyurethanes.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one dispensing chamber further comprises a back wall formed of a transparent material.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front wall includes a cutout extending no more than 3 inches from the top of the front wall.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit is covered by a conduit cover.

20. An apparatus for sanitizing hands comprising: a base configured to dispense towels comprising a bottom wall, a back wall, at least one interior side wall, at least one exterior side wall, and a front wall; wherein the back wall comprises a latch hook for loading towels into the base; wherein the bottom wall includes a battery holder, switch, and a motor; two dispensing chambers configured to store a viscous material, each dispensing chamber comprising a conduit; wherein each dispensing chamber is connected to opposite sides of the base via the conduit; two chamber caps placed on top of each dispensing chamber, each chamber cap comprising a discharge nozzle placed on an edge of each chamber cap, an opening for the viscous material to be poured into each dispensing chamber, and a sliding portion, wherein the sliding portion allows a user to select a predetermined volume of viscous material; two sensor activated pump mechanisms each consisting of a sensor device, an actuator, and an energy source; wherein when the sensor device is triggered, each sensor activated pump mechanism is configured to draw a predetermined volume of viscous material through the conduit and out the discharge nozzle; and wherein the sensor activated pump mechanisms are independently powered by separate energy sources and triggered by the actuator to dispense a predetermined quantity of viscous material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a hand sanitizing station according to an aspect of the present invention as it may appear when placed on a counter or other horizontal surface.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a base of the hand sanitizing station.

[0030] FIG. 3 Illustrates a side perspective view of a dispensing chamber.

[0031] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a top and side perspective view of a chamber cap.

[0032] FIG. 5A illustrates a top perspective view of a compartment cover.

[0033] FIG. 5B illustrates a top perspective view of a refill cap.

[0034] FIG. 5C illustrates a top perspective view of a compartment cover showing the refill cap attached and a conduit.

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates wiring and electronics for a sensor activated pump mechanism.

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates a configuration of a hand sanitizing station according to an aspect of the present invention with a transparent back chamber wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions.

[0038] The present technology provides at least one apparatus for use in washing and/or sanitizing the hands of a user.

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a hand sanitizing station 10 according to an aspect of the present invention as it may appear when placed on a counter or other horizontal surface.

[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hand sanitizing station 10 includes a base 20. The base 20 can take any shape but in the illustrated embodiment the base 20 has a substantially rectangular shape. However, in other non-illustrated embodiments, the base 20 may comprise different shapes to produce a different aesthetic. The base 20 may include a bottom wall 21, a back wall 22, at least one interior side wall 23, at least one exterior side wall 24, and a front wall 25. In some embodiments, the bottom wall 21 is no more than about 15 inches long and no more than about 4 in wide. In some embodiments, the back wall 22 is no more than about 15 inches long and no more than about 6 in high. In some embodiments, the interior side wall 23 is no more than about 6 inches high. In some embodiments, the exterior side wall 24 is no more than about 3 inches high. In some embodiments, the front wall 25 is no more than about 15 inches long and no more than about 6 in high.

[0041] In some embodiments, the front wall 25 also includes a cutout 26. The cutout 26 can take any shape, but in the illustrated embodiment, the cutout 26 has a substantially u-shape. However, in other non-illustrated embodiments, the cutout 26 may comprise different shapes to produce a different aesthetic. In some embodiments, the cut out 26 extends no more than about 3 inches from the top of the front wall 25.

[0042] In some embodiments, towels for drying are placed inside the base 20. In these embodiments, the cutout 26 allows a user to grab a towel for drying easily. In some aspects, the bottom wall 21 comprises a spring or similar device which pushes the towel for drying to the top of the base 20 so that a user does not need to reach far into the towel dispenser to dry their hands.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 21 may include a battery holder 31, switch, and a motor. The battery holder 31, switch, and a motor are connected using electrical wiring.

[0044] The hand sanitizing station 10 includes at least one dispensing chamber 40. In the illustrated embodiment the hand sanitizing station 10 includes two dispensing chambers 40. The dispensing chamber 40 in the illustrated embodiment is configured to store a viscous material, such as soap, lotion, hand sanitizer, essential oil, foam, gel, shampoo, conditioner, topical medication, liquid baby powder, dye, hair mousse, toothpaste, mouthwash, liquid makeup, facial creams, sunscreen, detergent, and shaving cream.

[0045] The dispensing chamber 40 can be any type of container or made from any type of material. In some embodiments, the dispensing chamber is made from vinyl, plastic, plastic polymers like low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, and thermoplastic polyurethanes, copper, pewter, stainless steel. In some embodiments, the dispensing chamber 40 is transparent. In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the dispensing chamber 40 includes a back wall 41 formed of a transparent material. In some embodiments, the dispensing chamber 40 is no more than about 3 in wide and no more than about 7 in tall. The dispensing chamber 40 is connected to the base 20 with a conduit 42. Any type or diameter of conduit can be used. In some embodiments, the conduit 42 is covered by a conduit cover.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the hand sanitizing station 10 includes at least one chamber cap 50. The chamber cap 50 may be configured to form a seal at the top of the dispensing chamber 40 for maintaining the viscous liquid within the dispensing chamber 40. The chamber cap 50 includes discharge nozzle 51. Any type of discharge nozzle can be used. In some embodiments, the discharge nozzle 51 is placed on the edge of the chamber cap 50 allowing a user to easily place their hands or another body part under the chamber cap 50 for easy dispensing of the viscous material. In some embodiments, the chamber cap 50 includes an opening 52 where the viscous material can be poured into the dispensing chamber. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the chamber cap 50 includes a sliding portion 53 which allows for a user to adjust the volume of viscous material dispensed. The sliding portion 53 may sit over the opening 52 of the chamber cap 50.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the hand sanitizing station 10 includes at least one compartment cover 60. The compartment cover 60 is placed over the chamber cap 50 covering the discharge nozzle 51 and sliding portion 53. The compartment cover 60 also includes a refill cap opening 61 and refill cap 62. The refill cap 62 can be lifted up to allow a user to refill the dispensing chamber 40 without the need to remove the chamber cap.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the hand sanitizing station 10 includes at least one sensor activated pump mechanism 70. The sensor activated pump mechanism 70 includes a sensor device 71, an actuator 72, and an energy source 73. In some embodiments, the sensor device 71 is an infrared sensor. In some embodiments, the energy source 73 is a battery. In some embodiments, the energy source 73 is a rechargeable battery. In another embodiment, the energy source 73 is a nonmemory-type battery is selected from a group consisting of nickel-metal-hydride batteries or lithium ion batteries. The sensor device 71 can be connected to a circuit system 74 such as a circuit board, integrated circuit, or circuitry device. The actuator 72 can be any type of actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator 72 is an electric motor. In some embodiments, the circuit system 74 has a preset input that can switch the output of the energy source 73 to provide operational power to the actuator 72 when the sensor device 71 is triggered. In some embodiments, when the sensor activated pump mechanism 70 is engaged the viscous material contained within the dispensing chamber 40 is drawn through the conduit 42 and out the discharge nozzle 51.

[0049] Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of a certain preferred embodiment and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiment to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Also, while several variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combination or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments or variations may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiment can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.