Lavatory system with integrated hand dryer

• US 10,294,642 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2017
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Inventors: Bayley, Graeme S., Figurski, Mark A., Loberger, John M., Rundberg, Michelle L., Kohlwey, Kevin M., Dhein, Theodore E., Kreitzer, Kenneth A., Kline, Kevin B., Renner, Jason M., Biba, Scott I., Boudreau, Cory R., McCallum, Terry Lee, Dommisse, Jon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skubinna, Christine J
• Application Number:
  US15/650,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20180030701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 4638
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/48 Drying by means of hot air hair-drying devices A45D20/00; curative hot-air baths A61H33/06; electric heating elements H05B
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2005/1218 Table mounted; Dispensers integrated with the mixing tap
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2210/00 Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/01 for combinations of baths, showers, sinks, wash-basins, closets, urinals, or the like combinations of baths, douches, or the like, A47K4/00; cell-like units for special technical purposes E04B1/34869; panels adapted for locating conduits E04C2/52; ducts for installation lines E04F17/08
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/181 Anti-splash devices in sinks, e.g. splash guards jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 21/12 Velocity of flow; Quantity of flow , e.g. by varying fan speed, by modifying cross flow area F26B21/004 takes precedence; changing air flow pattern F26B21/022

Abstract

A lavatory system includes a basin having a water collecting area having a back wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall. The back wall of the water collecting area is proximate the wall on which the lavatory system is mounted. Further, an opening may extend through the front wall. The lavatory system also includes a hand dryer having a blower located below the water collecting area and a first plenum having an input and an output. The input is connected to the blower to receive a first air flow from the blower, and the output is aligned with the opening in the front wall of the water collecting area to deliver the first air flow from the front wall over the water collecting area.

Claims

1. A lavatory system for mounting to a wall, the lavatory system comprising:

a basin having a water collecting area, including a back wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall, wherein the back wall of the water collecting area is proximate the wall on which the lavatory system is mounted, and wherein an opening extends through the front wall;

a hand dryer comprising;

a blower located below the water collecting area; and

a first plenum having an input connected to the blower to receive a first air flow from the blower and an output aligned with the opening in the front wall of the water collecting area to deliver the first air flow from the front wall over the water collecting area;

wherein the basin further includes a backsplash, and wherein the hand dryer further comprises a second plenum having an input connected to the blower to receive a second air flow from the blower and an output integrated with the backsplash.

2. The lavatory system of claim 1 wherein the first and second plenums of the hand dryer form a drying cavity configured to receive a user'"'"'s hands.

3. The lavatory system of claim 1 further comprising a faucet operably connected to the basin.

4. The lavatory system of claim 3 further comprising a soap dispenser operably connected to the basin.

5. The lavatory system of claim 3 wherein the basin further includes a drain located below the faucet.

6. The lavatory system of claim 3 further comprising:

a first sensor configured to generate a first signal to enable the faucet responsive to detecting a user'"'"'s hands proximate the faucet;

a second sensor configured to generate a second signal to enable the hand dryer responsive to detecting the user'"'"'s hands proximate the hand dryer; and

a controller receiving the first signal and the second signal, wherein the controller prevents simultaneous activation of the faucet and the hand dryer.

7. A lavatory system comprising:

a wash basin including a back wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall, wherein an opening extends through the front wall; and

a hand dryer integral with the wash basin, the hand dryer comprising;

a blower located below the wash basin; and

a first plenum including an input and an output, wherein;

the input is connected to the blower to receive a first airflow from the blower,

the output is aligned with the opening in the front wall of the wash basin,

the first plenum extends from the blower, along the bottom wall, and along the front wall to provide an air flow path between the input and the output, and

the opening allows air to flow from the output of the plenum into the wash basin.

8. The lavatory system of claim 7 wherein the wash basin further includes a backsplash;

and

wherein the hand dryer further comprises;

an upper portion extending from the backsplash of the wash basin; and

an upper air outlet integrated with the upper portion, wherein a hand drying cavity is defined over the wash basin between the opening in the front wall and the upper air outlet.

9. The lavatory system of claim 7 further comprising a faucet operably connected to deliver water into the wash basin, wherein the wash basin is configured to receive a user'"'"'s hands to receive the water from the faucet and to receive a user'"'"'s hands during drying.

10. The lavatory system of claim 9 further comprising:

a first sensor configured to generate a first signal to enable the faucet responsive to detecting the user'"'"'s hands proximate the faucet;

a second sensor configured to generate a second signal to enable the hand dryer responsive to detecting the user'"'"'s hands proximate the hand dryer; and

a controller receiving the first signal and the second signal, wherein the controller prevents simultaneous activation of the faucet and the hand dryer.

11. The lavatory system of claim 9 further comprising a soap dispenser operably connected to the wash basin.

12. The lavatory system of claim 7 wherein the output of the first plenum includes a plurality of air outlets.

13. A lavatory system comprising:

a faucet operable to deliver a water flow;

a wash basin operative to receive the water flow from the faucet; and

a hand dryer comprising;

an air supply;

a plenum having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to the air supply below the wash basin and the plenum extends along an underside of the wash basin to the output;

a hand-receiving cavity disposed above the wash basin; and

an opening extending through a front wall of the wash basin, wherein the opening is aligned with the output of the plenum to direct air to the hand-receiving cavity.

14. The lavatory system of claim 13 wherein the wash basin further includes a backsplash;

and

wherein the hand dryer further comprises;

a second plenum having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to the air supply; and

an upper air outlet extending through the backsplash, wherein the output of the second plenum is aligned with the upper air outlet to direct air to the hand-receiving cavity.

15. The lavatory system of claim 14 wherein the air supply of the hand dryer further includes a blower in fluid communication with the lower air outlet.

16. The lavatory system of claim 14 wherein the air supply and the opening extending through the front wall of the wash basin are fluidically coupled via a hose.

17. The lavatory system of claim 14 further comprising a faucet extending from a backslash of the wash basin.

18. The lavatory system of claim 14 further comprising a soap dispenser extending from the backsplash of the wash basin.

19. The lavatory system of claim 13 further comprising:

a first sensor configured to generate a first signal to enable the faucet responsive to detecting a user'"'"'s hands proximate the faucet;

a second sensor configured to generate a second signal to enable the hand dryer responsive to detecting the user'"'"'s hands proximate the hand dryer; and

a controller receiving the first signal and the second signal;

wherein the controller prevents simultaneous activation of the faucet and the hand dryer.