HAND DRYING APPARATUS

• US 20110023319A1
• Filed: 04/23/2008
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Fukaya, Yoshihiro, Kobayashi, Takaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,739,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/202
• 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

Abstract

A hand drying apparatus includes a main box body in which a hand insertion portion is provided for allowing insertion/pulling out of hands and a water pan is provided for collecting water drops blown away from hands. In the main box body, a drain tank is disposed for accumulating water that is collected in the water pan. The drain tank is attached to the main box body in a detachable manner. A first lock mechanism is disposed for restricting removal of the drain tank. Moreover, an operating unit is disposed for switching the operating state of the apparatus and is covered with an openable-closable operating unit cap. A third lock mechanism is disposed for restricting opening and closing of the operating unit cap.

Claims

1. A hand drying apparatus comprising:

a main box body that includes a hand insertion portion for allowing insertion/pulling out of hands and a water pan for collecting water drops blown away from hands;

a high-pressure airstream generating device housed in the main box body for generating a high-pressure airstream;

a nozzle through which a high-pressure airstream generated by the high-pressure airstream generating device is ejected inside the hand insertion portion; and

a drain tank for accumulating water that is collected in the water pan, wherein

the drain tank is attached to the main box body in a detachable manner, and

a first lock mechanism is disposed for restricting removal of the drain tank.

2. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air filter disposed at an air inlet of the main box body, wherein

the air filter is housed in a filter housing having an openable-closable housing cap,

an engaging unit is formed on the drain tank for restricting opening and closing of the housing cap and, only when the drain tank is removed, allowing the housing cap to open and close, and

the first lock mechanism also restricts opening and closing of the housing cap.

5. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a security alarm is disposed for ringing an audible alert if the drain tank is removed without correctly unlocking the first lock mechanism.

7. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air filter disposed at an air inlet of the main box body, wherein

the air filter is housed in a filter housing having an openable-closable housing cap, and

a second lock mechanism is disposed for restricting opening and closing of the housing cap.

8. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first lock mechanism and the second lock mechanism are unlocked by a single key.

11. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operating unit for switching an apparatus operating state, wherein

the operating unit is covered with an openable-closable operating unit cap, and

a third lock mechanism is disposed for restricting opening and closing of the operating unit cap.

12. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first lock mechanism and the third lock mechanism are unlocked by a single key.

15. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an operating unit for switching an apparatus operating state, wherein

the operating unit is covered with an openable-closable operating unit cap, and

a third lock mechanism is disposed for restricting opening and closing of the operating unit cap.

16. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 15, wherein at least two lock mechanisms from among the first lock mechanism to the third lock mechanism are unlocked by a single key.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. A hand drying apparatus comprising:

a main box body that includes a hand insertion portion for allowing insertion/pulling out of hands and a water pan for collecting water drops blown away from hands;

a high-pressure airstream generating device housed in the main box body for generating a high-pressure airstream;

a nozzle through which a high-pressure airstream generated by the high-pressure airstream generating device is ejected inside the hand insertion portion; and

an air filter disposed at an air inlet of the main box body, wherein

the air filter is housed in a filter housing having an openable-closable housing cap, and

a second lock mechanism is disposed for restricting opening and closing of the housing cap.

22. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a security alarm is disposed for ringing an audible alert if the housing cap is opened without correctly unlocking the second lock mechanism.

23. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising an operating unit for switching an apparatus operating state, wherein

the operating unit is covered with an openable-closable operating unit cap, and

a third lock mechanism is disposed for restricting opening and closing of the operating unit cap.

24. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the second lock mechanism and the third lock mechanism are unlocked by a single key.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. A hand drying apparatus comprising:

a main box body that includes a hand insertion portion for allowing insertion/pulling out of hands and a water pan for collecting water drops blown away from hands;

a high-pressure airstream generating device housed in the main box body for generating a high-pressure airstream;

a nozzle through which a high-pressure airstream generated by the high-pressure airstream generating device is ejected inside the hand insertion portion; and

an operating unit for switching an apparatus operating state, wherein

the operating unit is covered with an openable-closable operating unit cap, and

a third lock mechanism is disposed for restricting opening and closing of the operating unit cap.

30. The hand drying apparatus according to claim 27, wherein a security alarm is disposed for ringing an audible alert if the operating unit cap is opened without correctly unlocking the third lock mechanism.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)