Hand disinfection device

The subject of the invention is a hand disinfection device which provides a rapid, effective, non-invasive and preferably contactless method of hand disinfection, whereby the device provides at least up to 90% effective destruction or deactivation of micro-organisms. The term disinfection in the context of the present invention includes both sanitisation and disinfection. The term micro-organisms in the context of the present invention also includes viruses. The device of the invention is at least up to 99.9% effective in inactivating mainly influenza viruses and coronavirus.

Inadequate hand hygiene is one of the most important contributors to the spread of micro organisms among people. The number of active micro-organisms on the surface of the hands can be reduced by physically removing the active micro-organisms from the surface or by deactivating the micro-organisms, wherein the latter remain on the surface of the hands after being deactivated. The most common way to ensure satisfactory hand hygiene is to wash hands with warm water, use different soaps, or apply different disinfectants or sanitisers directly to the hands, i.e. to the skin.

Micro-organisms are known to be sensitive to certain spectra of electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet light, and are therefore used to deactivate micro-organisms. The performance of disinfection by deactivation of micro-organisms on a surface by exposure to electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength or frequency depends on the amount of energy received per unit area, and therefore the performance depends, among other things, on the intensity of the source of electromagnetic radiation, i.e., photon energy, the distance between the source and the surface to be disinfected, the time of exposure to the radiation, and the angle at which the radiation hits the surface to be disinfected.

Solutions for maintaining hand hygiene by washing are known from prior art, allowing contactless water jet activation, contactless soap dispensing and contactless hand drying. A disadvantage of these solutions is that they involve the use of multiple devices. The prior art further provides sprayers for spraying disinfectants or sanitizers which allow contactless spraying of said agents on the hands.

The drawbacks of said solutions are that the use of all of them can pose a problem, especially for people having problematic skin. The use of said agents can have harmful effects on the skin. It is known that these agents can dry out the skin or cause allergic reactions on human skin. In addition, said solutions do not provide for a high efficiency of removal or deactivation of micro-organisms. Although the solutions presented allow contactless use, it may still happen that the user inadvertently touches the device, and as the devices themselves are not sterile, this may lead to the subsequent introduction of unwanted micro-organisms on the hands.

Said technical problems are solved by a device according to the invention which uses UV radiation to disinfect hands and which ensures at least 90% inactivation of micro-organisms.

The invention will be described in more detail hereinbelow and illustrated on the figures which show:

Figure 1 shows a device of the invention in cross-section Figure 2 shows a device of the invention in axonometric projection The device of the invention includes:

- a housing 1 comprising a front portion 1 a and a rear portion 1 b connected by a connecting portion 1c such that an irradiation chamber 2 is defined in the housing 1 into which the user inserts her/his hands, the irradiation chamber 2 being substantially U-shaped in cross- section, and the irradiation chamber being bounded by at least inner faces 2a, 2b of the front 1 a and rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 and by an upper face 2c of the connecting portion 1c, and an inlet opening 2d is formed at the top for insertion of hands into the irradiation chamber 2;

- at least one source 3 of disinfecting EM radiation, the source 3 of disinfecting EM radiation being located either in the front portion 1a of the housing 1 and positioned substantially parallel to the inner face 2a of the front portion 1 a of the housing 1 , or the source 3 of disinfecting EM radiation being located in the rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 and positioned substantially parallel to the inner face 2b of the rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 , wherein the source 3 of disinfecting EM radiation is positioned to radiate into the irradiation chamber 2 in each case;

- a power supply unit 4 for supplying the sources 3 of EM radiation and all electronic components of the device and

- a switch 5 for switching the sources 3 of EM radiation on and off, wherein the inner faces 2a, 2b of the front 1a and rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 are provided with windows 6a, 6b made of a material permeable to EM radiation in at least the portion where the EM radiation sources 3 are installed in the housing 1 .

In a preferred embodiment, the device includes at least two sources 3 of disinfecting EM radiation, which are arranged within the housing 1 , the first source 3 of disinfecting EM radiation being located in the front portion 1 a of the housing 1 and positioned substantially parallel to the inner face 2a of the front portion 1 a of the housing 1 , and the second source 3 of disinfecting EM radiation being located in the rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 and positioned substantially parallel to the inner face 2b of the rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 , such that the two sources 3 of disinfecting EM radiation lie within the housing 1 substantially opposite each other and substantially parallel to each other.

The housing 1 is formed to allow easy insertion of the hands into the irradiation chamber 2 and to prevent, as far as possible, radiation from leaving the area of the irradiation chamber 2, in particular in the direction of the user’s eyes.

This is achieved by the inner faces 2a, 2b of the front 1 a and rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 being formed aslant to the vertical V, wherein the angle a between the inner faces 2a, 2b and the vertical V is preferably between 20 and 40 degrees. By forming the inner faces 2a, 2b of the front 1 a and rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 aslant to the vertical V, the radiation area is optimised so that the scattering angles of the radiation are such that the radiation intensity outside the irradiation chamber 2, in particular towards the inlet opening 2d, is significantly reduced.

The inner faces 2a, 2b of the front 1 a and rear portion 1b of the housing 1 may be parallel to each other, in which case the angle a with respect to the vertical V is the same.

In order to further facilitate the insertion of the hands into the device, the hands being thicker in the wrist region than in the finger region, the irradiation chamber 2 is preferably formed slightly wider in the region of the hand insertion inlet opening 2d, so that the distance D1 between the inner faces 2a, 2b in the area of the inlet opening 2d is 1 .3 to 2 times greater, preferably 1 .5 times greater, than the distance D2 between the inner faces 2a, 2b in the lower portion of the irradiation chamber 2. As a consequence, the inner faces 2a, 2b of the front 1 a and rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 are not parallel to each other and, consequently, the angle a with respect to the vertical V is different. The depth and width of the irradiation chamber 2 are at least such that, when the hands are inserted into the irradiation chamber 2, the palms in the extended position of the hands are fully inside the irradiation chamber 2.

In one embodiment, the irradiation chamber 2 may also be configured to be laterally closed, either on one side or on the other side, or on both sides, thereby further preventing radiation from leaving the area of the irradiation chamber 2 on its sides. In this case, the housing 1 is provided, in the area of the side openings of the irradiation chamber 2, with at least one additional side face or both additional side faces between the front 1a and the rear portion 1 b of the housing 1.

As already mentioned, the windows 6a, 6b which are formed on the inner faces 2a, 2b of the front 1a and rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 and delimit the irradiation chamber 2 are formed of a material which is permeable to EM radiation. The preferred material for the windows 6a, 6b is borosilicate or quartz glass. Preferably quarz glass is coated with nanostructure to stop the unwanted wavelengths harmful to human and has additional protective layer for providing resistance from damage.

The function of the windows 6a, 6b is not only to be permeable to radiation into the irradiation chamber 2 but also to protect the sources 3 of EM radiation from possible hand contact (hand contact can reduce the lifetime of the sources 3 of EM radiation), while the windows 6a, 6b also protect the user from possible injury, as some parts of the device may become heated during operation.

Other parts of the housing 1 are made of a material or a combination of materials which completely or at least partially prevents radiation from escaping outside the housing 1 , such as metal, painted metal, opaque or transparent polymers.

The source 3 of disinfecting EM radiation preferably radiates ultraviolet light, more preferably UVC with a wavelength between 170 nm and 300 nm inclusive, most preferably with a wavelength of about 222 nm. In various embodiments, the source 3 of EM radiation is formed as a lamp or LED. The preferred source 3 of disinfecting EM radiation is a special lamp called an excimer, which emits UVC with a wavelength of about 222 nm. Narrowing the light spectrum emitted by the lamp to a wavelength range of about 222 nm is achieved by a special coating on the inside of the glass, which acts as a filter. This radiation does not penetrate the skin, does not cause harmful effects and has been proven to kill micro organisms with an effectiveness of at least 90%, preferably at least up to 99.9%. This means that practically all micro-organisms are deactivated on the hands by using these special excimer lamps.

The device may be switched on and off either manually, by pressing a main switch 14, or by a timer, which switches the device on and off depending on the intended working hours of use, e.g. shop opening hours.

The device can be in continuous operation, i.e. the lamps 3 are on all the time. The configuration of the device, in particular the shape of the irradiation chamber 2, ensures that the radiation intensity outside the area of the irradiation chamber 2 is significantly reduced. Even if the user keeps her/his hands in the irradiation chamber 2 for a prolonged period of time, this will not have any harmful effects on the user, since, as already mentioned, the radiation emitted by these special lamps 3 does not penetrate into the skin and does not cause any harmful effects. The information bar on the screen is informing user about the completed disinfection time and when to take hands out.

When the user wishes to disinfect her/his hands, she/he inserts her/his hands, i.e., the outstretched palms, into the irradiation chamber 2 and holds them in the irradiation chamber 2 for at least three seconds, which is sufficient to disinfect the surface of the hands with at least up to 99.9% efficiency. This method is applicable in places with a high frequency of use.

The device may also be configured in such a way that the lamps 3 are only switched on when the device is actually in use, otherwise the device is in sleep mode and the lamps 3 are not switched on. In this case, the device further comprises a sensor 7 for detecting when the user inserts the hands into the irradiation chamber 2, and a timer for pre-setting the optimum time of exposure of the user’s hands to the radiation, or for pre-setting the ON time of the lamps 3 for each use, which is connected to the switch 5 and the sensor 7. The sensor 7 is preferably positioned immediately above or below the inlet opening 2d and it starts to function only when both hands are present. The pre-set time and energy for operation cycle can be remotely altered according to the current epidemiological needs.

When the user wishes to disinfect her/his hands, she/he inserts her/his hands, i.e., the outstretched palms, into the irradiation chamber 2. When a hand is inserted into the operating area, the sensor 7 switches on the lamps 3 via the switch 5. A timer is triggered at the same time. It is sufficient for the user to hold the outstretched palms in the interior of the irradiation chamber 2 for three seconds and then to remove them; this is sufficient to disinfect the surface of the hands with 99.9% efficiency. The lamps 3 remain on for some time, the time being pre-set depending on the intended frequency of use. After the pre-set time has elapsed, the lights 3 are switched off via switch 5 and the device automatically returns to sleep mode and is ready for a new user.

The coupling of the switch 5, the sensor 7 and the timer may be implemented by a control circuit 8, which is for example a controller or a microprocessor.

In the case that excimer lamps 3 are used, each excimer lamp 3 has an associated power supply 11 through which the lamp 3 is switched on, the power supplies 11 being connected to the control circuit 8. The timer is integrated in the control circuit 8. When the user inserts her/his hands into the irradiation chamber 2, this is detected by the sensor 7 which transmits a signal to the control circuit 8 which switches on the power supply to the power supplies 11 of the lamps 3 and the lamps 3 are switched on. The timer is triggered at the same time. Since the full start-up time of excimer lamps is very short (less than 0.4 seconds), full irradiance is achieved almost instantaneously. After the pre-set time has elapsed, the control circuit 8 switches off the power supply of the power supplies 11 and the lamps 3, the lamps 3 are switched off and the device automatically returns to sleep mode and is ready for a new user.

The power supply unit 4 can be mains-connected and, optionally, the power supply unit 4 can be battery and/or accumulator-powered, allowing the device to operate without being connected to the mains.

The device may optionally also include a multi-function display 9. For example, to display notifications, disinfection process information, to display user instructions, to display advertising and commercial content, and so on. The display 9 is preferably an LED display and is arranged in the housing 1 in positions where the content is clearly visible to the user when using the device. Preferably, the display 9 is arranged at the top of the device.

Optionally, the device can also provide additional, more sophisticated functionalities, such as remote monitoring and control of individual components of the device, collection, transmission and processing of statistical data, such as the operating time of the device in active and stand-by state, setting of service intervals, etc. In this case, the device may include an additional control circuit 13, which is, for example, a microprocessor.

In case the device also provides additional, more sophisticated functionalities, the device additionally includes a communication module, for example based on WiFi or LTE technology. In order to prevent the interior of the housing 1 from heating up and thus to ensure the smooth operation of the device, since, as already mentioned, individual parts of the device may heat up, which may adversely affect the operation of the device itself, in particular the lifetime of the sources 3 of EM radiation, the housing 1 is additionally provided with mesh shaped cooling openings 10a, 10b. Preferably, one opening 10a is provided on the bottom face of the connecting portion 1c and the other opening 10b is provided on one of the side faces of the rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 .

Optionally, the device may also include a fan 12 arranged in the housing 1 adjacent to the cooling opening 10b to provide additional cooling to the interior of the device.

The device may be a standalone device or may be attached to a wall by known means, the attachment being made through the rear face of the rear portion 1b of the housing 1 by known means, such as screwing, hanging or gluing.

Embodiment

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the device includes four excimer lamps 3 with associated power supplies 11 of 15 W, emitting UVC with a wavelength of about 222 nm. A first pair of excimer lamps 3 with the associated power supplies 11 is located in the front portion 1a of the housing 1 , the lamps 3 being positioned parallel to the inner face 2a of the front portion 1 a of the housing 1 and parallel to each other, a second pair of excimer lamps 3 with the associated power supplies 11 is located in the rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 , the lamps 3 being positioned parallel to the inner face 2b of the rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 and parallel to each other. The first pair of lamps 3 is located in the housing 1 opposite the second pair of lamps 3, and the lamps 3 are arranged so as to radiate into the irradiation chamber 2. The power supplies 11 are connected to the control circuit 8.

The inner face 2a of the front portion 1a of the housing 1 is formed at an angle a of 33 degrees to the vertical V, the inner face 2b of the rear portion 1 b of the housing 1 is formed at an angle a of 23 degrees to the vertical V, so that the distance D1 between the inner faces 2a, 2b in the area of the inlet opening 2d is 1.5 times greater than the distance D2 between the inner faces 2a, 2b in the lower portion of the irradiation chamber 2.

The inner faces 2a, 2b of the front 1 a and rear portion 1b of the housing 1 are provided in the portion where the lamps 3 are arranged in the housing 1 with windows 6a, 6b made of quartz glass. The device includes a master switch 14 for switching the device on and off, located on the bottom face of the connecting portion 1c.

A sensor 7 is positioned immediately above the inlet opening 2d.

When the user wishes to disinfect her/his hands, she/he inserts her/his hands, i.e. the outstretched palms, into the irradiation chamber 2. This is detected by the sensor 7 which transmits a signal to the control circuit 8 which switches on the power supply to the power supplies 11 of the lamps 3 and the lamps 3 are switched on. The timer which is part of the control circuit 8 is triggered at the same time. It is sufficient for the user to hold the outstretched palms in the interior of the irradiation chamber 2 for three seconds and then to remove them; this is sufficient to disinfect the surface of the hands with 99.9% efficiency. The lamps 3 remain on for some time, the time being pre-set depending on the intended frequency of use. After the pre-set time has elapsed, the control circuit 8 switches off the power supply of the power supplies 11 and the lamps 3, the lamps 3 are switched off and the device automatically returns to sleep mode and is ready for a new user.

The device also includes a fan 12 arranged in the housing 1 adjacent to the cooling opening 10b to provide additional cooling to the interior of the device.

The device also includes an LED display 9 arranged on the top of the device for the display of notifications and/or advertisements. The LED display 9 is controlled by the processing unit 13. As the management system for these messages is managed via the cloud, the device is connected via a WiFi/LTE interface.

In this case, the power supply unit 4 supplies the control unit 8, the sensor 7, the power supplies 11 of the excimer lamps 3, the LED display 9, the processor unit 13 and the fan 12.

The device according to the invention is open and clearly laid out, can be completely contactless and requires no unwanted interaction. It does not cause anxiety in the user, as the hands are not placed in a closed room, but it is sufficient to place the hands in a clearly laid out irradiation chamber for a few seconds, in such a way that the entire surface of the skin of the hands is exposed to the rays, i.e. with the fingers spread apart, and, if possible, slightly pivoted, so that the entire surface of the hands is illuminated, the hands are exposed to the UVC light for at least three seconds, and the hands can then be pulled out of the chamber. The device disinfects the surface of the hands in three seconds with 99.9% efficiency. The device is suitable for use wherever a fast, effective, non-invasive and preferably contactless way of hand disinfection is required, for example in healthcare facilities, industry, offices, business premises, hotels, restaurants, shops, schools, public transport, etc.