Cashier Station Vertical Air Curtain Attachment

Abstract

Provided is a cashier station attachment for creating a vertical air curtain between a retailer and a customer. The device includes a substantially planar body with an internal chamber and an open side with a diffuser, an attachment means for attaching the device to a cashier station, and a means for forcing air into the internal chamber and out of the diffuser. The forced air from the chamber creates an air curtain, which is an invisible barrier between a retailer and a customer. The air curtain prevents the spread of contaminants, pathogens, and the like that are expelled from the mouth or nose of a person on one side of the air curtain from contacting a person on the other side. The device can be retrofitted onto any preexisting cashier station and can be readily removed as desired.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A cashier station attachment for creating a vertical air curtain between a first person and a second person at a cashier station, said attachment comprising:
 a substantially planar body comprising an internal chamber and an open side comprising a diffuser;   an attachment means affixed to said substantially planar body for attaching said cashier station attachment to said cashier station;   a means for forcing air into said internal chamber and out said diffuser, such that said air forms an air curtain between said first person and said second person when expelled through said diffuser; and   a power source.   
     
     
         2 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said means for forcing air into said chamber further comprises a fan. 
     
     
         3 ) The device of  claim 2 , wherein said fan comprises a means of filtering or purifying air prior to entering said chamber. 
     
     
         4 ) The device of  claim 3 , wherein said means of filtering air comprises a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         5 ) The device of  claim 3 , wherein said means of purifying air comprises an ultraviolet sterilizer. 
     
     
         6 ) The device of  claim 2 , wherein said fan operates via an on-off switch, a preprogrammed timer, a motion sensor system, a remote control, a computer or smartphone application. 
     
     
         7 ) The device of  claim 6 , wherein said fan operates via a motion sensor system, wherein said motion sensor system activates the fan when a customer comes within a predefined distance of said cashier station. 
     
     
         8 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said cashier station attachment further comprises one or more advertising indicia display. 
     
     
         9 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said diffuser is positioned along the entire length of said planar body. 
     
     
         10 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said cashier station attachment is attached to a track adjacent to a cashier station conveyor belt using a pair of J-hooks or C-hooks. 
     
     
         11 ) A cashier station attachment for creating a vertical air curtain between a first person and a second person at a cashier station, said attachment comprising:
 a substantially planar body comprising an internal chamber and an open side comprising a diffuser with adjustable louvres;   a pair of J-hooks or C-hooks affixed to said substantially planar body for attaching said cashier station attachment to a track adjacent to the cashier station conveyor belt;   a fan for forcing air into said internal chamber and out said diffuser, such that said air forms an air curtain between said first person and said second person when expelled through said diffuser;   one or more advertising indicia display affixed to said internal chamber; and   a power source.   
     
     
         12 ) The device of  claim 11 , wherein said fan comprises a means of filtering or purifying air prior to entering said chamber. 
     
     
         13 ) The device of  claim 12 , wherein said means of filtering air comprises a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         14 ) The device of  claim 12 , wherein said means of purifying air comprises an ultraviolet sterilizer. 
     
     
         15 ) The device of  claim 11 , wherein said fan operates via an on-off switch, a preprogrammed timer, a motion sensor system, a remote control, a computer or smartphone application. 
     
     
         16 ) The device of  claim 11 , wherein said fan operates via a motion sensor system, wherein said motion sensor system activates the fan when a customer comes within a predefined distance of said cashier station. 
     
     
         17 ) The device of  claim 11 , wherein said diffuser is positioned along the entire length of said planar body.