[0001] This invention relates to a device for washing and rinsing hands, and is particularly
suitable for use in premises where food is prepared or in other premises where regular
hand washing is essential and needs to be monitored.
[0002] Hand washing units are known which include proximity sensors which automatically
switch on a watersupply when hands are inserted into a wash basin, thereby avoiding
the need for manual contact with any taps or switches and thus reducing the risk of
cross-contamination. In one known type of unit, the washing water supplied has a hand
washing detergent or disinfectant component dissolved in it, for example an iodophor.
[0003] Hygiene regulations in premises such as restaurants, shops and factories in which
food is handled have become increasingly stringent in recent years. Generally, the
management is held responsible for ensuring that all employees wash their hands properly,
for example after using the lavatory, before returning to work. It is however difficult
for hand washing regulations to be properly enforced unless it can be comprehensively
monitored. In particular, although an employee may be seen to visit a wash basin it
is difficult to ensure that he does more than run his fingers under the tap. Also,
it is difficult to ensure that soap is used during each hand wash, or indeed to provide
soap which can be used without the risk of cross-contamination.
[0004] This problem is solved by means of a hand washing and rinsing unit as described in
Claim 1.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supply of water and soap is controlled
by timing relays triggered by a proximity sensor so that water flows for an initial
period of a few seconds after which soap is fed to the mixing valve for a few seconds,
for example by means of a dosing pump, and thereafter water continues to flow for
a period of for example 30 to 40 seconds to enable the soap to be rinsed off.
[0006] The electronic monitoring system, which records each hand wash, may for example be
operated by means of user codes, so as to record the number of times each person working
on the premises uses the hand wash unit during the course of a day. The system can
be linked to a computer which records the name of each person using the unit and the
time and duration of each use.
[0007] In a simpler system, the proper use of the unit may be arranged simply to trigger
a counter so as to indicate to the management the frequency of use. The counter is
arranged not to register a use until soap has been dispensed.
[0008] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of a hand washing and rinsing unit having
conventionally placed proximity sensors;
FIG. 2 is a part sectional view along the line II-II in Fig. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing how the parts of the system of Figs. 1 and 2
interconnect; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hand washing and rinsing unit in accordance with
the invention.
[0009] Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, a hand wash unit comprises a basin 12 which may
suitably be made from stainless steel but could for example be made from aluminium
or glass fibre reinforced plastics. The basin is secured to a housing 10, suitably
of the same material, by means of screws 11 which pass through overlapping flanges
13 on each side of the basin.
[0010] The housing 10 is provided with means (not shown) for securing it to a wall. The
wash basin 12 is provided with a conventional waste water outlet 14 and sink trap
15.
[0011] The supply of water to the basin is by way of a mixer valve 16 through which passes
water from an inlet pipe 18 and which is arranged when required to mix into the water
a predetermined quantity of a liquid soap fed in through a conduit 24.
[0012] The water pipe 18 is fed by a cold water supply 21 and a hot water supply 23, both
of which pass through a thermostatically controlled mixer 22 which can be preset to
supply water to the basin at a suitable hand washing temperature such as 40 to 50°C.
The thermostatic control 22 is preferably of a fail-safe type so as to avoid scalding.
[0013] From the thermostatic mixer, the water flows at the required temperature through
an electrically controlled solenoid valve 20 which is arranged to turn the supply
on and off in response to control mechanisms to be described in more detail below.
[0014] Liquid soap is supplied from a container 28 to the inlet conduit 24 by means of an
electrically operated chemical dosing pump 26 which is arranged to be switched on
and off by a central control system described below, in accordance with a predetermined
programme.
[0015] On each of the inner side walls 29 of the basin there is provided an infrared proximity
sensor 30. Between them these two sensors can detect when hands are inserted into
the basin and send an electrical signal to the central control system to switch on
the water supply.
[0016] The central control for the system. generally indicated by 32, may suitably be provided
on a printed circuit board secured to the rear wall of the unit, with suitable protection
against water leaks.
[0017] The operation of the system will now be described in more detail with reference to
Fig. 3.
[0018] As shown in Fig. 3, the central control unit 32 is supplied by a mains transformer
36 which in turn is connected to an ordinary AC mains supply. The transformer also
provides the power necessary for the soap dosing pump 26. Connected to the unit 32
are the dosing pump 26, a user code input panel 34, the proximity sensors 30 and the
solenoid valve 20. An output line 40 from the control unit is connected to a computer
with a display screen and printer.
[0019] With the system switched on at the main by means of a main switch 39, an employee,
for example in a restaurant or food processing factory, keys in a personal code number
by pressing buttons on the panel 34. This code is recorded by the monitoring computer
via connection 40 and the system is then set to operate. Instead of a keyboard input,
the unit 34 could comprise a magnetic strip reader operated by personal user cards.
[0020] With the system activated, the employee inserts his hands into the wash basin 12,
causing one or both of the proximity sensors 30 to send a signal to the control unit
32. This activates a series of timer relays and first operates the solenoid valve
20 to switch on the water supply
via the mixer unit and nozzle 16.
[0021] After an initial "wetting" period of for example five to eight seconds, a second
timer relay switches on the dosing pump 26 to supply liquid soap to the mixer unit
16 so that a soap solution is fed on to the users hands. The initial running period
will have shown the user where the water jet is, ensuring that none of the soap need
be missed and thus flushed unused down the waste pipe. The flow of soap continues
for a period of for example four to six seconds. The pump 26 is then switched off
but water continues to flow into the basin for a period of some 25 to 40 seconds to
enable the hands to be washed properly and rinsed. If during this time the hands are
withdrawn from the basin, for example to brush finger nails, the supply cycle will
be interrupted, but will be started again from the same point when the hands are reinserted,
dispensing water only. At the end of the washing cycle the solenoid valve 20 is switched
off and the unit is ready for another user.
[0022] The whole washing cycle is monitored by the central computer
via the line 40. This will record the name of the user, as indicated by the user code
keyed in, and will also record the time of use. If the central computer is monitoring
more than one unit (and it could of course be monitoring a large number of units throughout
the building) it will also record the location of the unit used. The computer will
also record the total duration of the time during which the user's hands were in the
basin. If for example the user simply inserts his hands for a few seconds, not long
enough to start the soap supply, he will not be recorded as having washed his hands
at all. Having held his hands in the basin long enough to receive the soap solution,
the user will have little choice but to hold them there long enough to rinse the soap
off again.
[0023] The computer record can be monitored by the person responsible, who can for example
get the computer to print out a list of "defaulters" who have either not used the
system or have used it for a period insufficient to effect a proper wash.
[0024] In order to prevent the mixer unit 16 from becoming clogged with soap, for example
by drying of the liquid soap during an extended period of closure, the system can
be set to flush the unit through with water at predetermined intervals, for example
two hours. This flushing could also if desired be set to inject into the system a
dose of a suitable disinfectant so as to keep the mixer head and the waste outlet
free from microbial contamination.
[0025] Figure 4 shows a perspective view from below of a simplified wash and rinse unit
in accordance with the invention. This unit is designed to be positioned above a separate
wash hand basin, which may be of conventional design. The unit comprises a housing
50 containing the soap supply, valves and other components, which may be broadly as
described in connection with Figures 1 to 3. The housing has a forwardly projecting
hood 52 on the underside of which are provided a water outlet 56, a soap dispensing
outlet 58 and an infrared sensor 60. It will be noted that in this case the soap and
water are supplied separately, albeit through adjacent outlets, rather than through
a mixing valve. They are however sufficiently close to ensure that if the hands are
placed below the water outlet they will also catch the soap when it is dispensed.
[0026] Pipes 53 and 54 entering the housing at the bottom supply hot and cold water to the
device.
[0027] Positioned on the top of the housing is a digital counter 62, arranged to register
one wash each time the soap dispenser operates.
[0028] As in the case of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3, when hands are positioned below
the water outlet 56, the infrared proximity sensor switches on the water supply through
the outlet 56, the water being maintained at a suitable temperature such as 40°-50°C
by a thermostatic control. When the water has run for a period of a few seconds, suitably
for 5 to 8 seconds, a valve is automatically actuated to dispense a measured quantity
of liquid soap through the outlet 58. Once this has happened, and the user has soap
on his hands, the counter 62 registers one wash as having taken place since the flow
of water will continue and the user will have to keep his hands under the water supply
until the soap has been washed off.
[0029] A warning light may be provided, to be illuminated when the soap is dispensed.
[0030] In order to ensure that soap is always available, the soap reservoir, which may suitably
hold 3 to 5 litres of liquid soap, preferably incorporates a detector arranged to
be actuated when the soap level falls below a preset minimum such as 0.5 litres. The
detector can be arranged to operate a low soap warning light to alert staff. to top
up the soap reservoir. Should the warning light be ignored and the soap reservoir
run dry, the warning system may for example be arranged to flash or illuminate a verbal
message, and to shut down the system so that neither soap nor water is available.
Such an event preferably also triggers a signal elsewhere, for example, in the manager's
office so that action can immediately be taken.
1. A hand washing and rinsing unit for a wash basin, comprising a water supply (53),
a water outlet (56) with a water supply (53, 54) thereto, means (20, 32, 60) for automatically
switching on the water supply when hands are inserted below the water outlet, a liquid
soap dispenser (26, 28, 58) arranged to dispense soap onto a user's hands after water
has been dispensed through the water outlet for a predetermined period during a wash
cycle and an electronic monitoring system to record each hand wash, characterised
in that the water outlet (56) is positioned adjacent a soap outlet (58) and an infrared
proximity sensor (60) on an underside of a part (52) of a housing (50) which projects
forwardly above a hand wash basin and which contains the liquid soap dispenser, whereby
when hands are positioned below the water outlet the infrared proximity sensor causes
the water supply to be switched on, whereupon soap is dispensed through the soap outlet
onto the user's hands after said predetermined period, and in that the monitoring
system is arranged to record a wash only if, after the user's hands have been inserted
below the water outlet, the hands are kept below the water outlet and soap dispenser
until soap has been dispensed.
2. A hand washing and rinsing unit according to claim 1 wherein the supply of water and
soap is controlled by timing relays triggered by a proximity sensor (60) so that water
flows for a predetermined initial period, after which soap is dispensed for a predetermined
period and thereafter water continues to flow for a further predetermined period or
until hands are withdrawn from below the water outlet (56).
3. A hand washing and rinsing unit according to any preceding claim wherein the soap
is supplied by means of a dosing pump (26).
4. A hand washing and rinsing unit according to any preceding claim further comprising
an integral hand wash basin.
5. A hand washing and rinsing unit according to any preceding claim wherein the monitoring
system includes a digital display (62) to indicate the number of times the soap has
been dispensed.
6. A hand washing and rinsing unit according to any preceding claim wherein the electronic
monitoring system includes a central computer arranged to record the name of each
individual using the unit, electronic input means (34) being provided to enable the
user to enter a user code.
1. Ein Handwasch- und -spülgerät für ein Waschbecken, umfassend eine Wasserzufuhr (53),
einen Wasserauslass (56) mit einer Wasserzufuhr (53, 54) daran, Mittel (20, 32, 60)
zum automatischen Einschalten der Wasserzufuhr, wenn Hände unter den Wasserauslass
geführt werden, einen Spender für flüssige Seife (26, 28, 58), der so angeordnet ist,
dass er nach Abgabe von Wasser durch den Wasserauslass über eine vorbestimmte Zeitspanne
während eines Waschzyklus Seife auf die Hände eines Benutzers abgibt, und ein elektronisches
Überwachungssystem, das jede Handwäsche registriert, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Wasserauslass (56) neben einem Seifenauslass (58) und einem Infrarot-Näherungssensor
(60) auf einer Unterseite eines Teils (52) eines Gehäuses (50) positioniert ist, das
oberhalb eines Handwaschbeckens nach vorne vorsteht und das den Spender für flüssige
Seife beinhaltet, so dass, wenn Hände unterhalb des Wasserauslasses positioniert werden,
der Infrarot-Näherungssensor das Einschalten der Wasserzufuhr veranlasst, woraufhin
Seife durch den Seifenauslass auf die Hände des Benutzers nach der genannten vorbestimmten
Zeitspanne abgegeben wird, und dadurch, dass das Überwachungssystem so angeordnet
ist, dass es nur dann eine Wäsche registriert, wenn, nachdem die Hände des Benutzers
unter den Wasserauslass geführt wurden, die Hände unter dem Wasserauslass und dem
Seifenspender gehalten werden, bis Seife abgegeben wird.
2. Ein Handwasch- und -spülgerät nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Wasser- und Seifenzufuhr
durch von einem Näherungssensor (60) ausgelöste Zeitsteuerrelais so gesteuert wird,
daß während einer vorbestimmten anfänglichen Zeitspanne Wasser fließt, wonach während
einer vorbestimmten Zeitspanne Seife abgegeben wird und worauf Wasser während einer
weiteren vorbestimmten Zeitspanne oder bis die Hände von unterhalb des Wasserauslasses
(56) entfernt werden, weiterfließt.
3. Ein Handwasch- und -spülgerät nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem die Seife
mit Hilfe einer Dosierpumpe (26) geliefert wird.
4. Ein Handwasch- und -spülgerät nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, das des weiteren
ein integrales Handwaschbecken umfaßt.
5. Ein Handwasch- und -spülgerät nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem das Überwachungssystem
zwecks Anzeige der Anzahl von Seifenabgaben eine Digitalanzeigevorrichtung (62) umfaßt.
6. Ein Handwasch- und -spülgerät nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem das elektronische
Überwachungssystem einen zentralen Computer umfaßt, der so angeordnet ist, daß er
den Namen jeder das Gerät benutzenden Person registriert, wobei ein elektronisches
Eingabemittel (34) vorgesehen ist, das den Benutzer zur Eingabe eines Benutzercodes
befähigt.
1. Système de lavage et de rinçage des mains pour lavabo comprenant une alimentation
en eau (53), un orifice de sortie d'eau (56) avec une alimentation en eau (53, 54)
dudit orifice, un moyen (20, 32, 60) pour actionner automatiquement l'alimentation
en eau quand les mains sont introduites sous l'orifice de sortie d'eau, un distributeur
de savon liquide (26, 28, 58) agencé pour distribuer du savon sur les mains d'un utilisateur
après que l'eau a été fournie par l'orifice de sortie d'eau pendant une durée prédéterminée
pendant un cycle de lavage, et un système de contrôle électronique pour enregistrer
chaque lavage des mains, caractérisé en ce que l'orifice de sortie d'eau (56) est
positionné à proximité d'un orifice de sortie de savon (58) et d'un capteur de proximité
à infrarouge (60) sur le dessous d'une partie (52) d'un logement (50) qui dépasse
vers l'avant au-dessus d'un lavabo et qui contient le distributeur de savon liquide,
de telle sorte que lorsque les mains sont positionnées sous l'orifice de sortie d'eau,
le capteur de proximité à infrarouge fait actionner l'alimentation en eau, sur quoi
le savon est distribué par l'orifice de sortie de savon sur les mains de l'utilisateur
après ladite durée prédéterminée, et en ce que le système de contrôle est agencé pour
enregistrer un lavage seulement si, après que les mains de l'utilisateur ont été introduites
sous l'orifice de sortie d'eau, les mains de l'utilisateur sont tenues en dessous
de l'orifice de sortie d'eau et du distributeur de savon jusqu'à ce que le savon ait
été distribué.
2. Système de lavage et de rinçage des mains selon la revendication 1 dans lequel l'alimentation
en eau et en savon est commandée par des relais de temporisation déclenchés par un
détecteur de proximité (60) de telle sorte que l'eau coule pendant une période initiale
prédéterminée, après quoi le savon est distribué pendant une période prédéterminée,
puis l'eau continue de couler pendant une nouvelle période prédéterminée ou jusqu'à
ce que les mains soient retirées du dessous de l'orifice de sortie d'eau (56).
3. Système de lavage et de rinçage des mains selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes dans lequel le savon est fourni au moyen d'une pompe de dosage (26).
4. Système de lavage et de rinçage des mains selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, comprenant en outre un lavabo intégré.
5. Système de lavage et de rinçage des mains selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes dans lequel le système de contrôle comprend un affichage numérique (62)
pour indiquer le nombre de fois que le savon a été distribué.
6. Système de lavage et de rinçage des mains selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes dans lequel le système de contrôle électronique comprend un ordinateur
central agencé pour enregistrer le nom de chaque utilisateur du système, un moyen
d'entrée électronique (34) étant prévu pour permettre à l'utilisateur d'entrer un
code d'utilisateur.