Automatic hand washing and drying apparatus including combined blow drying means and towel dispensing means

• US 5,727,579 A
• Filed: 05/29/1996
• Issued: 03/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 144 Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: 144 Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Chardack, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/654,693
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 134/901, 134/95.2, 134/113, 134/102.3, 134/115 R, 4/628, 4/630, 4/623, 4/619, 4/639, 15/312.1, 392/380
• US Class Current: 134/95.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/46 with means for storing soiled towels
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/485 combined with a textile or paper towel dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2210/00 Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers

Abstract

A hand washing and drying apparatus comprising a washing and drying chamber including at least one access port providing access for inserting at least one hand to be washed, wash liquid dispensing means in fluid communication with the interior of the washing and drying chamber for dispensing wash liquid within the washing and drying chamber, blow drying means in fluid communication with the interior of the washing and drying chamber for providing a directed supply of drying air within the washing and drying chamber, and towel dispensing means in communication with the interior of the washing and drying chamber for dispensing a towel, e.g., a disposable paper towel, within the chamber. The apparatus also may include vacuum disposal means for removing used towels from the washing and drying chambers and storing same. The apparatus further may include control means for controlling the operation of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A hand washing and drying apparatus comprising:

a washing and drying chamber including at least one access port providing access for inserting at least one hand to be washed;

wash liquid dispensing means for dispensing wash liquid within said washing and drying chamber;

blow drying means for providing a directed supply of drying air within said washing and drying chamber; and

towel dispensing means for dispensing a towel within said washing and drying chamber.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising vacuum disposal means for exhausting the interior of said washing and drying chamber.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said vacuum disposal means comprises a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with said washing and drying chamber through a vacuum port in a wall of said washing and drying chamber.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said vacuum disposal means further comprises a vacuum pump and a filter.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said blow drying means comprises an exhaust of said vacuum disposal means.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said blow drying means comprises an exhaust of said vacuum disposal means.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said blow drying means comprises an exhaust of said vacuum disposal means.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising control means for controlling an operation of said wash liquid dispensing means, said blow drying means, said towel dispensing means and said vacuum disposal means.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said control means includes sensor means for sensing the presence of a user'"'"'s hand within said washing and drying chamber.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising instruction means responsive to said control means for providing instructions for use of said apparatus.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said instruction means provides audio visual instructions for use of said apparatus.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said control means includes manual control means disposed exterior to said washing and drying chamber.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising instruction means for providing instructions for use of said apparatus.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said instruction means provides audio visual instructions for use of said apparatus.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a drain at the bottom of said washing and drying chamber.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, further comprising a screen disposed at a bottom portion of the interior of said washing and drying chamber.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said towel dispensing means comprises a storage container containing a plurality of towels.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said towel dispensing means further comprises a motor driven roller for dispensing at least one of said plurality of towels from the storage container.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said storage container stores said plurality of towels folded in an interleaved manner.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said storage container stores said plurality of towels as a continuous roll.

21. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said storage container comprises motor driven rollers for dispensing said plurality of towels one-by-one.

22. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said plurality of towels are paper towels.

23. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a reservoir for storing washing fluid.

24. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling an operation of said wash liquid dispensing means, said blow drying means and said towel dispensing means.

25. A hand washing and drying apparatus comprising:

a washing and drying chamber including at least one access port providing access for inserting at least one hand to be washed;

a wash liquid dispenser arranged in fluid communication with the interior of said washing and drying chamber to dispense wash liquid within said washing and drying chamber;

a blow dryer arranged in fluid communication with the interior of the washing and drying chamber to provide a directed supply of drying air within said washing and drying chamber; and

a towel dispenser arranged in communication with the interior of the washing and drying chamber to dispense a towel within said washing and drying chamber.

26. A hand washing and drying apparatus comprising:

a washing and drying chamber including at least one access port providing access for inserting at least one hand to be washed;

a wash liquid dispenser arranged in fluid communication with the interior of said washing and drying chamber to dispense wash liquid within said washing and drying chamber;

a blow dryer arranged in fluid communication with the interior of the washing and drying chamber to provide a directed supply of drying air within said washing and drying chamber;

a towel dispenser arranged in communication with the interior of the washing and drying chamber to dispense a towel within said chamber; and

a vacuum disposal arranged in fluid communication with said washing and drying chamber.