Device for hand disinfection

• US 8,999,261 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2012
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrie De Nora S.p.A
• Original Assignee: Industrie De Nora S.p.A
• Inventors: Benedetto, Mariachiara
• Primary Examiner(s): CLEVELAND, TIMOTHY C
• Application Number:
  US13/555,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20120285825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 422/291, 422/292, 422 28- 30, 422/294, 422/297, 422/300, 422/305, 422/306, 204/275.1
• US Class Current: 422/305
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0088 Liquid substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/035 Electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/22 Phase substances, e.g. smokes, aerosols or sprayed or atomised substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for hand washing and disinfection by nebulization of an in-situ electrolyzed active solution. The dispensed solution contains active chlorine optionally added with ozone or peroxides.

Claims

1. An apparatus for hand disinfection comprising a rigid body provided with:

a recess for hand insertion;

an electrochemical cell provided with a timer, configured to produce an oxidant solution by electrolysis of an aqueous electrolytic medium during a predefined time;

a device for nebulizing the oxidant solution inside the recess for hand insertion;

at least one probe suitable for detecting hand insertion inside the recess;

an electronic control board configured to initiate upon activation the steps of;

uploading a predefined volume of the aqueous electrolytic medium inside the electrochemical cell,

subsequent timed execution of the electrolysis inside the electrochemical cell until a concentration of the oxidant solution containing from about 20 to about 300 ppm of active chlorine is maintained, and

subsequent nebulization of the oxidant solution;

wherein the activation of the electronic control board is based on the detection by the probe or consecutive triggering of an actuator a predetermined number of times, independently from the detection by the probe.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the oxidant solution further contains traces of ozone or peroxides.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predefined volume is from about 1 to about 20 ml.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predefined time is from 1 to about 5 seconds.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe suitable for detecting hand insertion comprises a photocell.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous electrolytic medium is an alkali chloride brine supplied to the electrochemical cell from a dispenser bottle.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous electrolytic medium is an alkali chloride brine supplied to the electrochemical cell from a disposable cartridge.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical power supply from grid, rechargeable batteries or solar panels, alone or in mutual combination.