Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a hand sanitization system and particularly to a system for dry hand wash using fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques.
Description of Related Art
[002] In contemporary society, hand sanitization stands as a crucial aspect of human existence. The global impact of COVID-19 has underscored the paramount importance of hand hygiene and the pivotal role it plays in eradicating harmful germs. Moreover, the existing methods of hand sanitation, including liquid hand sanitizers and soap-based hand washes, often require water and can be inconvenient in certain environments where water is scarce or unavailable. Additionally, these methods do not fully eliminate pathogens on the skin surface. Consequently, there exists a pressing demand for an effective and efficient method of hand sanitization. Therefore, there is a need for an alternative hand sanitation system that is efficient, waterless, and effective at disinfecting hands.
[003] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced system for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[004] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a system for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques. The system comprising: a hand washing unit. The hand washing unit comprising: an ultrasonic sensor adapted to sense a presence of a hand of a user under the hand washing unit. The hand washing unit further comprising: a fog machine integrated with an ultraviolet (UV) light source adapted to disinfect the hand of the user. The hand washing unit further comprising: a control unit communicatively connected to the ultrasonic sensor. The control unit is configured to: receive detection signals regarding the sensed presence of the hand of the user from the ultrasonic sensor; actuate a relay to activate the fog machine and the ultraviolet (UV) light source to disinfect the hand of the user, when the hand of the user is present under the hand washing unit; display a sanitization time based on the received detection signals on a display unit; and deactivating the fog machine and the ultraviolet (UV) light source upon withdrawing the hand of the user from the hand washing unit.
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for dry hand wash by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques using a system. The method comprising steps of: receiving detection signals regarding a sensed presence of a hand of a user from an ultrasonic sensor; actuating a relay to activate a fog machine and an ultraviolet (UV) light source to disinfect the hand of the user, when the hand of the user is present under the hand washing unit; displaying a sanitization time based on the received detection signals on a display unit; and deactivating the fog machine and the ultraviolet (UV) light source upon withdrawing the hand of the user from the hand washing unit.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques that reduce water consumption.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques that use 2-way sanitization.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques that incur low cost of production.
[0010] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0011] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a system for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit of the system for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for dry hand wash by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques using the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0018] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0019] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a system 100 for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may enable a user to dry wash and sanitize hand(s) to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a hand washing unit 102. The hand washing unit 102 may be adapted to disinfect the hand of the user without using water or soap, in an embodiment of the present invention. The hand washing unit 102 may be installed on-premises such as, but not limited to, a washroom, a restroom, an eatery, and so forth. The hand washing unit 102 may further provide a location or a cavity for the user to place the hand, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] According to embodiments of the present invention, the hand washing unit 102 may comprise an ultrasonic sensor 104, a fog machine 106, an ultraviolet (UV) light source 108, a control unit 110, a relay 112, a display unit 114, and a power supply unit 116.
[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensor 104 may be adapted to sense a presence of the hand of the user under the hand washing unit 102.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fog machine 106 may be integrated with the ultraviolet (UV) light source 108, and may be adapted to disinfect the hand of the user. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two fog machines may be integrated with a single ultraviolet (UV) light source 108. However, any number of fog machines may be integrated with any number of the ultraviolet (UV) light source 108, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be connected to the ultrasonic sensor 104. The control unit 110 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may be an Arduino UNO. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the relay 112 may be adapted to activate the fog machine 106 and the ultraviolet (UV) light source 108 to disinfect the hand of the user.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 114 may be adapted to display a sanitization time. The sanitization time may be a timer that may be activated upon initiation of the disinfection of the hand of the user, in an embodiment of the present invention. The timer may further continue until the user has not withdrawn the hands from the hand washing unit 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 114 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 116 may be adapted to supply operational power to the control unit 110.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit 110 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 110 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200, an actuation module 202, a display module 204, and a deactivation module 206.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive detection signals regarding the sensed presence of the hand of the user from the ultrasonic sensor 104. If the detection signals may establish the presence of the hand of the user under the hand washing unit 102, then the data receiving module 200 may transmit an actuation signal to the actuation module 202 and the display module 204. Otherwise, the data receiving module 200 may continue receiving the detection signals from the ultrasonic sensor 104.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the actuation signal from the data receiving module 200. The actuation module 202 may be configured to actuate the relay 112 to activate the fog machine 106 and the ultraviolet (UV) light source 108 to disinfect the hand of the user, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display module 204 may be activated upon receipt of the actuation signal from the data receiving module 200. The display module 204 may be configured to display the sanitization time based on the received detection signals on the display unit 114, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sanitization time may be calculated from the received detection signals upon the sensed presence of the hand of the user from the ultrasonic sensor 104.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the deactivation module 206 may be configured to deactivate the fog machine 106 and the ultraviolet (UV) light source 108, when the user withdraws the hand from the hand washing unit 102. Further, the deactivation module 206 may be configured to de-actuate the relay 112 when the ultrasonic sensor 104 may be unable to detect the presence of the hand of the user under the hand washing unit 102, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for dry hand wash using fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting machine using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] At step 302, the system 100 may receive the detection signals regarding the sensed presence of the hand of the user from the ultrasonic sensor 104.
[0035] At step 304, the system 100 may check if the hand of the user may be present under the hand washing unit 102. If the hand of the user is present under the hand washing unit 102, then the method 300 may continue to a step 306. Otherwise, the method 300 may revert to the step 302.
[0036] At step 306, the system 100 may actuate the relay 112 to activate the fog machine 106 and the ultraviolet (UV) light source 108 to disinfect the hand of the user.
[0037] At step 308, the system 100 may display the sanitization time based on the received detection signals on the display unit 114.
[0038] At step 310, the system 100 may check if the hand of the user is still present under the hand washing unit 102. If the hand of the user may still be present under the hand washing unit 102, then the method 300 may continue to a step 312. Otherwise, the method 300 may revert to the step 302.
[0039] At step 312, the system 100 may deactivate the fog machine 106 and the ultraviolet (UV) light source 108 upon withdrawing the hand of the user from the hand washing unit 102.
[0040] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0041] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for dry hand wash, by employing fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting techniques, the system (100) comprising:
a hand washing unit (102), comprising:
an ultrasonic sensor (104) adapted to sense a presence of a hand of a user under the hand washing unit (102);
a fog machine (106) integrated with an ultraviolet (UV) light source (108) adapted to disinfect the hand of the user; and
a control unit (110) communicatively connected to the ultrasonic sensor (104), characterized in that the control unit (110) is configured to:
receive detection signals regarding the sensed presence of the hand of the user from the ultrasonic sensor (104);
actuate a relay (112) to activate the fog machine (106) and the ultraviolet (UV) light source (108) to disinfect the hand of the user, when the hand of the user is present under the hand washing unit (102);
display a sanitization time based on the received detection signals on a display unit (114); and
deactivate the fog machine (106) and the ultraviolet (UV) light source (108) upon withdrawing the hand of the user from the hand washing unit (102).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is powered by a power supply unit (116).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to de-actuate the relay (112) when the ultrasonic sensor (104) is unable to detect the presence of the hand of the user under the hand washing unit (102).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is configured to calculate the sanitization time from the received detection signals upon the sensed presence of the hand of the user from the ultrasonic sensor (104).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit (114) is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) is an Arduino UNO.
7. A method (300) for dry hand wash using fog disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) lighting machine using a system (100), the method (300) is characterized by steps of:
receiving detection signals regarding a sensed presence of a hand of a user from an ultrasonic sensor (104);
actuating a relay (112) to activate a fog machine (106) and an ultraviolet (UV) light source (108) to disinfect the hand of the user, when the hand of the user is present under the hand washing unit (102);
displaying a sanitization time based on the received detection signals on a display unit (114); and
deactivating the fog machine (106) and the ultraviolet (UV) light source (108) upon withdrawing the hand of the user from the hand washing unit (102).
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display unit (114) is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
Date: May 24, 2024
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)