Lavatory System with Hand Dryer

• US 20110271441A1
• Filed: 10/06/2010
• Published: 11/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation (Bradley Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bradley Corporation
• Inventors: Pelt, Thomas E., Figurski, Mark A., Kohlwey, Kevin M., Renner, Jason M., Dommisse, Jon A., Perrin, Timothy E., Loberger, John M., Bayley, Graeme S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,997,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/638
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 1/04 Basins connected to waste pipe E03C1/12; Jugs; Holding devices therefor
• 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 2210/00 Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers
• 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

Abstract

A lavatory system including a countertop and a first hand washing station is provided. The first hand washing station includes a basin supported by the countertop and a faucet supported by the countertop. The lavatory system also includes a hand dryer including a housing supported by the countertop. The housing defines a cavity in which a user'"'"'s hands are inserted during drying, and a motor configured to generate blown air which is supplied to the cavity. The housing is located such that the user'"'"'s hands may be inserted into the cavity without the user leaving the first hand washing station.

Claims

1. A lavatory system comprising;

a countertop;

a first hand washing station, the first hand washing station comprising;

a basin supported by the countertop;

a faucet supported by the countertop; and

a hand dryer comprising;

a housing supported by the countertop, the housing defining a cavity in which a user'"'"'s hands are inserted during drying, wherein the housing is located such that the user'"'"'s hands may be inserted into the cavity without the user leaving the first hand washing station;

a motor configured to generate blown air which is supplied to the cavity;

a first air outlet configured to direct blown air towards the user'"'"'s hands within the cavity;

a second air outlet configured to direct blown air toward the user'"'"'s hands within the cavity; and

wherein the first and second air outlets are positioned to direct blown air towards opposite sides of the user'"'"'s hands.

2. The lavatory system of claim 1, further comprising a first drain in fluid communication with the basin, wherein the hand dryer includes a reservoir configured to collect water removed from the user'"'"'s hands, the reservoir in fluid communication with the first drain.

3. The lavatory system of claim 2, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the basin such that water collected within the reservoir is permitted to flow from the reservoir into the basin and into the first drain.

4. The lavatory system of claim 3, wherein the countertop includes a first recessed portion defining the basin and a second recessed portion defining the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is sloped towards the basin, wherein the cavity is positioned above the reservoir.

5. The lavatory system of claim 4, wherein the first recessed portion is integral with the second recessed portion.

6. The lavatory system of claim 2, further comprising a second drain located within the reservoir and a conduit coupled between the first drain and the second drain such that water is permitted to flow from the reservoir, through the second drain and the conduit and into the first drain.

7. The lavatory system of claim 6, wherein the conduit is supported by the countertop and is located beneath the countertop.

8. The lavatory system of claim 6, further comprising a device to accelerate the passage of water from the reservoir into the second drain.

9. The lavatory system of claim 8, wherein the device is configured to create a pressure differential between the second drain and the reservoir.

10. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the housing is integral with the countertop.

12. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein both the first and second air outlets are positioned to direct blown air towards the rear of the cavity.

13. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the housing is shaped such that the cavity is configured to receive the user'"'"'s hands in an orientation wherein the user'"'"'s fingers are pointed substantially toward the rear of the cavity.

14. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the housing is shaped such that the cavity is configured to receive the user'"'"'s hands in a vertical orientation.

15. The lavatory system of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a left sidewall and a right sidewall, the left and right side walls positioned generally perpendicular to the countertop, wherein the first air outlet is positioned along the inner surface of the left sidewall and the second air outlet is positioned along the inner surface of the right sidewall.

16. The lavatory system of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises a center wall positioned substantially perpendicular to the countertop and located between the left and right sidewalls such that the inner surface of the left sidewall and left facing surface of the center wall define a left hand cavity and the inner surface of the right sidewall and the right facing surface of the center wall define a right hand cavity.

17. The lavatory system of claim 16, wherein the hand dryer further comprises a third air outlet located along the left facing surface of the center wall and a fourth air outlet located along the right facing surface of the center wall.

18. The lavatory system of claim 17, wherein the hand dryer further comprises a top wall and a fifth air outlet, wherein the fifth air outlet is positioned along a surface of the top wall.

19. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the housing is shaped such that the cavity is configured to receive the user'"'"'s hands in a horizontal orientation.

20. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the housing is shaped such that the cavity is configured to receive the user'"'"'s hands in an oblique orientation.

21. The lavatory system of claim of claim 1, wherein the first air outlet is positioned to direct air downward towards the user'"'"'s hands and the second air outlet is positioned to direct blown air upward towards the user'"'"'s hands, wherein both the first and second air outlets are positioned to direct blown air towards the rear of the cavity.

22. The lavatory system of claim 21, wherein the housing comprises a top wall and a front wall, wherein the first air outlet is positioned along a lower surface of the top wall and the second air outlet is positioned along a rear facing surface of the front wall, wherein the second air outlet is at a lower vertical position than the first air outlet.

23. The lavatory system of claim 21, wherein the housing comprises a top wall and a bottom wall, wherein the first air outlet is positioned along a lower surface of the top wall and the second air outlet is positioned along a surface of the bottom wall.

24. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a first cavity entrance generally facing the basin such that the user'"'"'s hands may be moved laterally from the basin through the first cavity entrance and into the cavity.

25. The lavatory system of claim of claim 24, wherein the housing further comprises a sidewall positioned on a side of the cavity opposite the first cavity entrance, wherein the sidewall blocks at least a portion of water or blown air from exiting the cavity in a direction opposite of the first cavity entrance.

26. The lavatory system of claim 25, further comprising a second hand washing station comprising a basin and a faucet, wherein the sidewall of the housing is positioned between the basin of the first hand washing station and the basin of the second hand washing station.

27. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the countertop comprises an aperture adjacent the basin, wherein at least a portion of the housing of the hand dryer is received within the aperture.

28. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the motor is supported by the countertop and is positioned below the countertop and at least a portion of the housing is positioned above the countertop.

29. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the hand dryer is configured to deliver a series of pulses of blown air towards the user'"'"'s hands within the cavity during a single drying operation.

30. The lavatory system of claim 29, wherein the hand dryer includes at least three air outlets positioned to direct blown air within the cavity, wherein the hand dryer is configured to deliver the series of pulses of blown air sequentially from the three air outlets.

31. The lavatory system of claim 30, wherein the series of pulses of blown air are delivered sequentially along the length of the user'"'"'s hand from wrist to the finger tips.

32. The lavatory system of claim 31, wherein the velocity of the pulses of blown air is sufficient to push water off of the user'"'"'s hands.

33. The lavatory system of claim 32, wherein the hand dryer further comprises a plenum to store pressurized air, wherein the pulses of blown air are released from the plenum.

35. The lavatory system of claim 1, wherein the hand dryer is an electric hand dryer and the motor is an electric motor.

36. The lavatory system of claim 1, further comprising a control system configured to control operation of the faucet and the hand dryer.

37. The lavatory system of claim 36, further comprising a first sensor associated with the faucet and a second sensor associated with the hand dryer, wherein the first sensor detects the presence of the user'"'"'s hands adjacent the faucet and the second sensor detects the presence of the user'"'"'s hands within the cavity of the hand dryer, wherein the control system is configured to activate the faucet in response to the first sensor detecting the presence of the user'"'"'s hands adjacent the faucet, wherein the control system is configured to activate the hand dryer in response to the second sensor detecting the presence of the user'"'"'s hands within the cavity of the hand dryer.

38. The lavatory system of claim 37, wherein the control system is configured to deactivate the faucet in response to at least one of (a) activation of the hand dryer and (b) the second sensor detecting the presence of the user'"'"'s hands within the cavity of the hand dryer.

11. (canceled)

34. A lavatory system comprising;

a countertop;

a first hand washing station, the first hand washing station comprising;

a basin supported by the countertop;

a faucet supported by the countertop; and

a hand dryer comprising;

a housing supported by the countertop, the housing defining a cavity in which a user'"'"'s hands are inserted during drying, wherein the housing is located such that the user'"'"'s hands may be inserted into the cavity without the user leaving the first hand washing station;

a motor configured to generate blown air which is supplied to the cavity; and

at least two air outlets spaced apart within the cavity and positioned along opposing surfaces of the cavity.

39. A lavatory system comprising;

a countertop;

a first hand washing station, the first hand washing station comprising;

a basin supported by the countertop;

a faucet supported by the countertop; and

a hand dryer comprising;

a housing supported by the countertop, the housing defining a cavity in which a user'"'"'s hands are inserted during drying, wherein the housing is located such that the user'"'"'s hands may be inserted into the cavity without the user leaving the first hand washing station;

a motor configured to generate blown air which is supplied to the cavity;

a first sensor associated with the faucet, wherein the first sensor detects the presence of the user'"'"'s hands adjacent the faucet;

a second sensor associated with the hand dryer, wherein the second sensor detects the presence of the user'"'"'s hands within the cavity of the hand dryer and is located toward the rear of the cavity and detects when the user'"'"'s hands are fully inserted into the cavity;

a third sensor associated with the hand dryer, wherein the third sensor is located near an entrance of the cavity configured to detect the user'"'"'s hands exiting the cavity; and

a control system configured to control operation of the faucet and the hand dryer, wherein the control system is configured to;

activate the faucet in response to the first sensor detecting the presence of the user'"'"'s hands adjacent the faucet;

activate the hand dryer in response to the second sensor detecting the presence of the user'"'"'s hands within the cavity of the hand dryer; and

deactivate the hand dryer in response to the third sensor detecting the user'"'"'s hands exiting the cavity.

40. A lavatory system comprising:

a basin;

a faucet adjacent the basin; and

a hand dryer comprising;

a housing coupled to the basin, the housing defining a cavity in which a user'"'"'s hands are inserted during drying;

a first air outlet positioned within the cavity;

a second air outlet positioned within the cavity; and

a device configured to generate moving air which is supplied to the first air outlet and the second air outlet;

wherein the first air outlet is positioned to direct moving air downward and rearward towards the user'"'"'s hands within the cavity; and

wherein the second air outlet is positioned within the cavity to direct moving air upward and rearward towards the user'"'"'s hands in the cavity.

41. The lavatory system of claim 40, wherein the housing is shaped such that the cavity is configured to receive the user'"'"'s hands in a horizontal position.

42. The lavatory system of claim 40, wherein the housing defines a first cavity entrance generally facing the basin and a second cavity entrance positioned to generally face the user.

43. The lavatory system of claim 42, wherein a horizontal dimension of the second cavity entrance is greater than a vertical dimension of the second cavity entrance.

44. The lavatory system of claim 43, further comprising a countertop, the countertop coupling the housing of the hand dryer to the basin, the countertop having a front edge, wherein the horizontal dimension of the second cavity entrance is substantially parallel to the front edge of the basin, wherein the second cavity entrance generally faces the front edge of the countertop.

45. The lavatory system of claim 44, wherein at least a portion of the housing of the hand dryer and at least a portion of the basin are integral with the countertop.

46. The lavatory system of claim 44, wherein the countertop includes an aperture adjacent the basin, wherein a portion of the housing of the hand dryer seats a portion of the countertop surrounding the aperture and at least a portion of the housing of the hand dryer extends through the aperture.

47. The lavatory system of claim 40, wherein the housing comprises a top wall, wherein the first air outlet is positioned along a surface of the top wall and the second air outlet is located below the first air outlet.

48. The lavatory system of claim 47, wherein the housing comprises a front wall, wherein the second air outlet is located along a surface of the front wall.

49. The lavatory system of claim 47, wherein the top wall is substantially horizontal.

50. The lavatory system of claim 40, wherein the shortest distance between a rim of the basin and an entrance to the cavity is less than about three feet.

51. A hand dryer for use with a lavatory system having a basin and a countertop, the hand dryer comprising:

a housing configured to be supported by the countertop, the housing defining a cavity in which a user'"'"'s hands are inserted during drying, wherein the housing is shaped to define the cavity configured to receive the user'"'"'s hands in a substantially horizontal orientation; and

a motor configured to generate blow air which is supplied to the cavity.

53. The hand dryer of claim 51, wherein the housing defines a first cavity entrance positioned to generally face the basin when the housing is supported by the countertop.

54. The hand dryer of claim 51, wherein the housing is configured to seat a portion of the countertop surrounding an aperture of the countertop such that the motor is positioned below the countertop and the cavity is positioned above the countertop.

56. The hand dryer of claim 51, further comprising a first air outlet and a second air outlet supported by the housing and positioned to direct air towards opposite sides of the user'"'"'s hands.

52. (canceled)

55. A hand dryer for use with a lavatory system having a basin and a countertop, the hand dryer comprising:

a housing configured to be supported by the countertop, the housing defining a cavity in which a user'"'"'s hands are inserted during drying;

a motor configured to generate blow air which is supplied to the cavity; and

at least two spaced apart, opposing air outlets positioned to direct blown air within the cavity.

57. A hand dryer for use with a lavatory system having a basin and a countertop, the hand dryer comprising:

a housing configured to be supported by the countertop, the housing defining a cavity in which a user'"'"'s hands are inserted during drying;

a motor configured to generate blow air which is supplied to the cavity; and

a first air outlet and a second air outlet supported by the housing and positioned to direct air towards opposite sides of the user'"'"'s hands;

wherein both the first air outlet and the second air outlet are positioned to direct blown air towards the rear of the cavity.