Apparatus, method, system and software product for hand sanitisation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for hand sanitisation by application of ozone. The apparatus includes a disinfecting chamber having at least one port for receiving a hand therein and a sensor for detecting entry or exit of the hand into the chamber. The apparatus delivers ozone water to the hand while a controller provides start and stop times for the delivery of the ozone water. This results in improved sanitisation of the hand or hands.

1 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) for hand sanitisation by application of ozone, the apparatus comprising,
 a disinfecting chamber ( 3 , 3 ′,  110 ) having
 at least one port ( 2 ) adapted for insertion of at least one hand into the disinfecting chamber ( 3 ,  110 ), 
 at least one sensor ( 4 ) adapted for detection of an entry and/or exit of the at least one hand ( 26 ) into the disinfecting chamber ( 3 ,  110 ), 
 at least one ozone water output ( 7 , 130 ) of an ozone water supply ( 8 ) that comprises an electrolytic ozone generator ( 18 ) and being arranged to deliver ozone water to the at least one hand ( 26 ) when inserted into the disinfecting chamber ( 3 , 3 ′,  110 ), 
 a control means ( 6 ) which
 is arranged to start a discharge of ozone water from the at least one ozone water output ( 7 , 130 ) into the disinfecting chamber ( 3 , 3 ′,  110 ) when the at least one sensor ( 4 ) detects entry of the at least one hand ( 26 ) into the disinfecting chamber ( 3 , 3 ′,  110 ), 
 is arranged to stop the discharge of ozone water from the at least one ozone water output ( 7 , 130 ) in response to an input from the control means ( 6 ), 
 comprises a timer ( 5 ) arranged to cooperate with the at least one sensor ( 4 ) to regulate a sanitisation timing of the at least one hand ( 26 ) inserted in the disinfecting chamber ( 3 ,  110 ), 
 
   wherein   the at least one ozone water output ( 7 , 130 ) of the disinfecting chamber ( 3 , 110 ) comprises a first plurality of ozone water delivery openings ( 33 ) arranged in a first pattern selected to deliver and spread a flow of ozone water over the palm of the inserted at least one hand ( 26 ) wherein said flow of ozone water is directed towards the palm to disinfect all areas of the inserted at least one hand from above, and/or a second plurality of ozone water delivery openings ( 34 ) arranged in a second pattern selected to deliver and spread a flow of ozone water over the back of the inserted at least one hand ( 26 ), wherein said flow of ozone water is directed towards the back of the hand to disinfect all areas of the inserted at least one hand from below.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the least one port ( 2 ) is dimensioned for entry and/or exit of the at least one hand ( 26 ) with an open palm but not with a clenched fist. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hand is a hand ( 26 ) that has been cleaned by washing before use of the apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ). 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a recognition device ( 9 ), arranged co-operative with the control means ( 6 ), suitable to detect and recognize at least one user whose at least one hand ( 26 ) is to be sanitised. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control means ( 6 ) further comprises means for storing data ( 10 ) related to at least one sanitisation for the at least one user. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the means for storing data ( 10 ) comprises at least one sanitisation protocol arranged to be implemented for the at least one user. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one user is a user unknown to the sanitisation protocol, a user unknown to the sanitisation protocol or belongs to a group of users having a common sanitisation protocol. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  6 , wherein the sanitisation protocol is customised to an individual user or to a group of users. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ozone generator ( 18 ) has a generator inlet connected to a water supply ( 8 ) and at least one generator outlet connected to the first plurality of ozone water delivery openings ( 33 ) and/or the second plurality of ozone water delivery openings ( 34 ) of the disinfecting chamber ( 3 , 110 ). 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the water supply is selected from a continuous water supply or a batch supply, optionally the water supply is tap water. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ozone water has a temperature below 37° C., alternatively below 30° C., alternatively below 25° C., optionally between 10° C. and 22° C. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting chamber ( 3 , 110 ) has an outlet connected to a drain. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control means ( 6 ) comprises failure detection means and/or failure alerting means. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting chamber ( 3 , 110 ) is further provided with at least one primer output ( 11 ) of a primer supply ( 12 ), arranged to deliver a release from the at least one primer output ( 11 ) arranged as regulated by the control means ( 6 ). 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus ( 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the release comprises a high pH wash, with a pH arranged >pH 7, or in a range between 8 and 12, between 9 and 11, or around 10 or 10.5. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the discharge of ozone water comprises ozone water with an ozone concentration arranged between 2 to 50 PPM, or between 3 and 30 PPM, or between 5 and 20 PPM, or between 10 and 15 PPM, or around 12 PPM. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the release from the at least one primer output ( 11 ) is arranged to be effected in a single continuous event or in a plurality of pulses. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the discharge of ozone water are arranged to be effected in a single continuous event or in a plurality of pulses. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a towel dispenser ( 14 ) arranged capable of providing a towel for drying the at least one hand. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a signal device ( 15 ) comprising light and/or sound and/or display and/or other signalling means arranged to draw the attention of the at least one user and/or provide information to the at least one user while the apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) is in operation and/or when at least one sanitisation is complete. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second plurality of ozone water delivery openings ( 33 ; 34 ) is provided in a matrix or an array. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second plurality of ozone water delivery openings ( 33 ; 34 ) are provided so that the individual openings of the plurality are spaced part along a manifold in form of one or more of a pipe or a tubing ( 37   a , 37 ; 38   a , 38   b ), or are distributed over a diffuser plate. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for adjusting the flow direction of the ozone water delivery openings ( 33 , 34 ). 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the means for adjusting the flow direction of the ozone water delivery openings ( 33 , 34 ) is selected to continuously change the flow direction, optionally according to a given controlled flow regime. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the means for adjusting the flow direction of the ozone water delivery openings ( 33 , 34 ) comprises a motor for varying the discharge angle (α) of at least one of the first and second plurality of ozone water delivery openings ( 33 ; 34 ) separately, or of the manifold as a combined unit. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a tube or pipe ( 37   a , 37   b ; 38   a , 38   b ) of a discharge arrangement ( 36 ) are pivotable about its longitudinal axis (A 1 ,A 2 ), optionally also moveable along said longitudinal axis (A 1 ,A 2 ). 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises guide plates ( 40 ) adjacent the first and second plurality of ozone water delivery openings ( 33 ; 34 ) for guiding the ozone water towards the inserted hand ( 26 ). 
     
     
         29 . A method of hand sanitisation comprising the steps of:
 providing the apparatus ( 1   a , 1   b , 13 , 25 ) according to  claim 1 ,   sensing the introduction of the at least one hand ( 26 ) in a port ( 2 ), suitable for insertion of at least one hand ( 26 ) into a disinfecting chamber ( 3 , 110 ), and   sanitising the at least one hand ( 26 ) with a discharge from at least one ozone water output ( 7 , 130 ).   
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising the step of recognising at least one user whose at least one hand ( 26 ) is going to be sanitised ( 100 ). 
     
     
         31 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising the step of timing at least one sanitising step to a set length of time ( 140 ). 
     
     
         32 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising the step of storing data related to an end of a timing of at least one sanitising step and/or a timing of a sanitisation cycle and/or the at least one user ( 150 ). 
     
     
         33 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising the step of sanitising the at least one hand ( 26 ) with a release from at least one primer output as a first prime ( 120 ). 
     
     
         34 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising the step of drying the at least one hand ( 26 ) by means of a towel after washing ( 160 ). 
     
     
         35 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising the step of alerting a user to an end of a timing of at least one sanitising step and/or a timing of a sanitisation cycle ( 170 ). 
     
     
         36 . A software product recorded on machine-readable data storage media, wherein said software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing a method as claimed in  claim 29 .