This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 17/134,974, titled PROTECTIVE MOBILE HAND WASH STATION, filed Dec. 28, 2020, and U.S. Ser. No. 63/016,398, titled PROTECTIVE MOBILE HAND WASH STATION, filed Apr. 28, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference.
This invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods concerning public gatherings, social separation and hand washing.
The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the importance of protecting ourselves and others from the spread of germs. By “germs” it is meant bacteria, viruses, and other microscopic particles that cause illness in humans and animals. This protection is especially important in public settings where there is exposure to many others. Thus, “social distancing”—maintaining a safe distance from others—has become a popular activity. Gas stations, supermarkets and the like have begun to install barriers between workers and members of the public. The wearing of masks by medical workers, store workers and the general public has also become a common way to provide protection.
Another critical way to provide protection from germs is proper and frequent hand washing. It is, of course, well known to provide sinks which can be used for hand washing—both privately and publicly. What is needed, however, is a public handwashing station that provides individual protection beyond what is currently available.
According to some embodiments of this invention, a mobile hand wash station may include: a generally square cross-sectional shape having four sides defined as first, second, third and fourth non-coplanar sides; a structural frame; a first wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the first side; a second wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the second side; a third wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the third side; a fourth wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the fourth side; a first divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the first and second wash areas from each other; a second divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the second and third wash areas from each other; a third divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the third and fourth wash areas from each other; a fourth divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the fourth and first wash areas from each other; and a roof structure supported to the structural frame and defining a ceiling for each wash area. Each wash area may include: 1) a sink supported to a countertop and having: (a) a basin: and (b) a water supply implement; 2) a hand cleanser supply implement; and 3) a hand drying implement. Each divider wall may have a minimum vertical height above the corresponding countertop of at least 40 inches and a minimum width perpendicular to the vertical height of at least 30 inches. A portion of each divider wall may contact the roof structure. Each wash area may define a user location point that: 1) lies on a first plane that evenly and laterally bisects the corresponding side; 2) lies on a second plane that: (a) is parallel to the corresponding side; (b) is perpendicular to the first plane; and (c) is positioned 6 inches exterior to a perimeter of the countertop on the corresponding side; and 3) lies on a third plane that: (a) is perpendicular to the first plane; (b) is perpendicular to the second plane; and (c) is positioned vertically at 30 inches above the countertop on the corresponding side. A first line that intersects the user location point on the first side and the user location point on the second side may pass through the first divider wall. A second line that intersects the user location point on the second side and the user location point on the third side may pass through the second divider wall. A third line that intersects the user location point on the third side and the user location point on the fourth side may pass through the third divider wall. A fourth line that intersects the user location point on the first side and the user location point on the fourth side may pass through the fourth divider wall. The mobile hand wash station may be adapted to be easily movable from one location to another using wheels attached to the bottom of the mobile hand wash station.
According to some embodiments of this invention, a mobile hand wash station may include: a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape having four sides defined as first, second, third and fourth non-coplanar sides; a structural frame; a first wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the first side; a second wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the second side; a third wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the third side; a fourth wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the fourth side; a first divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the first and second wash areas from each other; a second divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the second and third wash areas from each other; a third divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the third and fourth wash areas from each other; a fourth divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the fourth and first wash areas from each other; and a light source for each wash area supported within each corresponding wash area. Each wash area may include: 1) a sink supported to a countertop and having: (a) a basin: (b) a water supply implement; 2) a hand cleanser supply implement; and 3) a hand drying implement. Each divider wall may have a minimum vertical height above the corresponding countertop of at least 40 inches and a minimum width perpendicular to the vertical height of at least 30 inches. Each wash area may define a user location point that: 1) lies on a first plane that evenly and laterally bisects the corresponding side; 2) lies on a second plane that: (a) is parallel to the corresponding side; (b) is perpendicular to the first plane; and (c) is positioned 6 inches exterior to a perimeter of the countertop on the corresponding side; and 3) lies on a third plane that: (a) is perpendicular to the first plane; (b) is perpendicular to the second plane; and (c) is positioned vertically at 30 inches above the countertop on the corresponding side. A first line that intersects the user location point on the first side and the user location point on the second side may pass through the first divider wall. A second line that intersects the user location point on the second side and the user location point on the third side may pass through the second divider wall. A third line that intersects the user location point on the third side and the user location point on the fourth side may pass through the third divider wall. A fourth line that intersects the user location point on the first side and the user location point on the fourth side may pass through the fourth divider wall. The mobile hand wash station may be adapted to be easily movable from one location to another.
According to some embodiments of this invention, a mobile hand wash station may include: a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape having four sides defined as first, second, third and fourth non-coplanar sides; a structural frame; a first wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the first side; a second wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the second side; a third wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the third side; a fourth wash area supported to the structural frame and positioned on the fourth side; a first divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the first and second wash areas from each other; a second divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the second and third wash areas from each other; a third divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the third and fourth wash areas from each other; and a fourth divider wall supported to the structural frame that separates the fourth and first wash areas from each other. Each wash area may include: 1) a sink supported to a countertop and having: (a) a basin: and (b) a water supply implement; 2) a hand cleanser supply implement; and 3) a hand drying implement Each divider wall may have a minimum vertical height above the corresponding countertop of at least 40 inches and a minimum width perpendicular to the vertical height of at least 30 inches. The mobile hand wash station may be adapted to be easily movable from one location to another.
According to some embodiments of this invention, a hand wash station may be mobile in that it is designed to be easily movable from one location to another.
According to some embodiments of this invention, a hand wash station may be designed to be fixed in place.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components,
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Numerous embodiments have been described herein. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the patent claims or the equivalents thereof. Further, the “invention” as that term is used in this document is what is claimed in the patent claims. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other inventions in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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20100078904 | Collins | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20180187402 | Chong et al. | Jul 2018 | A1 |
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4013210 | Oct 1991 | DE |
2008200394 | Sep 2008 | JP |
2008200394 | Sep 2008 | JP |
Entry |
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https://www.belson.com/4-Person-Wash-Hand-Washing-Station; Screenshot of a webpage of a 4 person hand washing station; Date: Unknown; 1 Page. |
https://www.youtube.comwatchv=-TV5mqEZTqqo; screenshot of a YouTube page for Soapwell by Elkay; Apr. 24, 2020; 5 pages. |
https://www.umci.com/news-views/news/supporting-communities-with-touch-free-wash-stations, Apr. 8, 2020. |
https://aaamobilesolutions.com/handwash-trailers/, date unknown. |
https://www.elkaycommercialsystems.com/us/en/products/soapwell.html, date unknown. |
Soapwell by Elkay, Touchless Hand Washing Station Model MHS2424HF Product Specification Sheet, date unknown. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63016398 | Apr 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17134974 | Dec 2020 | US |
Child | 17217372 | US |