U.S. patent application number 14/737845 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-31 for sink with undercounter hand drying apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is David Moe. Invention is credited to David Moe.
Application Number | 20150376881 14/737845 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54929924 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20150376881 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moe; David |
December 31, 2015 |
SINK WITH UNDERCOUNTER HAND DRYING APPARATUS
Abstract
A vanity unit with hand dryer includes a casement having a top,
a front and a back. A basin having a rim is carried by the casement
with the rim adjacent the top. A space is defined below the
casement top and the basin, and an aperture is formed proximate the
rim of the basin toward the front of the casement in communication
with the space below the top and the basin. A faucet is carried by
the casement intermediate the basin and the back, and a hand drying
assembly supplies air through the aperture from the space.
Inventors: |
Moe; David; (Scottsdale,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Moe; David |
Scottsdale |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54929924 |
Appl. No.: |
14/737845 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62017785 |
Jun 26, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/638 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/48 20130101;
E03C 1/14 20130101; A47K 2210/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/18 20060101
E03C001/18; A47K 10/48 20060101 A47K010/48; E03C 1/04 20060101
E03C001/04 |
Claims
1. A vanity unit with hand dryer comprising: a casement having a
top, a front and a back; a basin having a rim, the basin carried by
the casement with the rim adjacent the top; a space defined below
the casement top and the basin; an aperture formed proximate the
rim of the basin toward the front of the casement in communication
with the space below the top and the basin; a faucet carried by the
casement intermediate the basin and the back; and a hand drying
assembly supplying air through the aperture from the space.
2. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the aperture directs
air toward the back of the casement.
3. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the aperture is
provided between the rim of the basin and the top.
4. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 1 further including a
proximity sensor mounted proximate the aperture for activating the
hand drying assembly.
5. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hand drying
assembly comprises: an air supply system; and an air supply conduit
having an end coupled to the aperture and an opposing end coupled
to the air supply system.
6. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein the air supply
system includes an air drying unit for generating an airflow and
the air supply conduit includes a manifold positioned in the space
under the basin, the manifold having a nozzle end coupled to the
aperture and a coupling end coupled to the air drying unit.
7. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein the air supply
system comprises: an air compressor; the air supply conduit coupled
to the air compressor through a pressure regulator and a shut-off
valve movable between an normal closed position and an open
position; and the air supply conduit terminating in at least one
air nozzle extending through the aperture.
8. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein the air supply
system further includes a compressed air storage tank coupled
between the air compressor and the air supply conduit for receiving
and storing compressed air.
9. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein the air supply
system further includes a filter coupled to an intake of the
compressor for filtering incoming air.
10. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein the air supply
system further includes the air supply conduit including an inline
air heating tube.
11. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein the air supply
system further comprises: a control unit coupled to the shut-off
valve actuating the shut-off valve between the normal closed
position and the open position; and a proximity sensor positioned
proximate the rim of the basin and proximate the front, and coupled
to the control unit, wherein the proximity sensor sends a signal to
the control unit to move the shut-off valve to the open position
upon sensing an object.
12. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a second
air supply conduit coupled between the air compressor and a second
vanity unit.
13. A vanity unit with hand dryer comprising: a casement having a
top, a front and a back; a basin having a rim, the basin carried by
the casement with the rim adjacent the top; a space defined below
the casement top and the basin; an aperture formed proximate the
rim of the basin toward the front of the casement in communication
with the space below the top and the basin; a faucet carried by the
casement intermediate the basin and the back; a hand drying
assembly supplying air through the aperture from the space, the
hand drying assembly including an air supply system, and an air
supply conduit having an end coupled to the aperture and an
opposing end coupled to the air supply system; a proximity sensor
mounted proximate the aperture for activating the hand drying
assembly; and wherein the aperture directs air from the sir supply
system toward the back of the casement across the basin.
14. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 13 wherein the aperture is
provided between the rim of the basin and the top.
15. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 13 wherein the air supply
system includes an air drying unit for generating an airflow and
the air supply conduit includes a manifold positioned in the space
under the basin, the manifold having a nozzle end coupled to the
aperture and a coupling end coupled to the air drying unit.
16. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 13 wherein the air supply
system comprises: an air compressor; a compressed air storage tank
coupled to the air compressor for receiving and storing compressed
air; the air supply conduit coupled to the compressed air storage
tank through a pressure regulator and a shut-off valve movable
between an normal closed position and an open position; the air
supply conduit including an inline air heating tube having an on
state and an off state; the air supply conduit terminating in at
least one air nozzle extending through the aperture; a control unit
coupled to the shut-off valve actuating the shut-off valve between
the normal closed position and the open position and coupled to the
inline air heating tube; and a proximity sensor positioned
proximate the rim of the basin and proximate the front, and coupled
to the control unit, wherein the proximity sensor sends a signal to
the control unit to move the shut-off valve to the open position
and change the inline air heating tube to the on state upon sensing
an object.
17. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 16 wherein the air supply
system further includes a filter coupled to an intake of the
compressor for filtering incoming air.
18. A vanity unit as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a
second air supply conduit coupled between the air compressor and a
second vanity unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/017,785, filed 26 Jun. 2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to lavatory fixtures.
[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to hand
drying devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In the field bathroom fixtures, there have been numerous
attempts to provide devices for drying hands after washing. These
devices conventionally included towel dispensers and the like,
which result in large amounts of waste and must be replaced
frequently. Additionally, if positioned on a wall away from the
basin, trails of dripping water are left to cause an untidy
appearance if not dangerously slippery conditions on the flooring.
To overcome these problems, air blowers were introduced which use
forced air to strip water off of the hands presented to be dried.
While somewhat effective in eliminating waste and requiring
replacement of towels, these devices still require movement of the
user from the basin to the drying device, resulting in dripping and
dispersion of water. Attempts at solving this last problem include
mounting an air blower next to the faucet so the hands can be dried
after washing without moving. While somewhat successful, no
dripping on the floor, the blowers simply expel the water off of
the hands and onto the person. Additionally, these devices are
aesthetically displeasing, awkward, and clutter counter space. It
would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing
and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an air
blowing hand dryer in association with a sink basin.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
non-obtrusive hand dryer.
[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
hand dryer which expels water away from the individual using the
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of
the instant invention, provided is a vanity unit with a hand dryer.
The vanity unit with hand dryer includes a casement having a top, a
front and a back. A basin having a rim is carried by the casement
with the rim adjacent the top. A space is defined below the
casement top and the basin. An aperture is formed proximate the rim
of the basin toward the front of the casement in communication with
the space below the top and the basin. A faucet is carried by the
casement intermediate the basin and the back. A hand drying
assembly supplies air through the aperture from the space. The
aperture directs the supplied air toward the back of the casement
across the basin. A proximity sensor is mounted proximate the
aperture for activating the hand drying assembly. The hand drying
assembly includes an air supply system, and an air supply conduit
having an end coupled to the aperture and an opposing end coupled
to the air supply system.
[0009] In a specific aspect, the air supply system includes an air
drying unit for generating an airflow and the air supply conduit
includes a manifold positioned in the space under the basin. The
manifold has a nozzle end coupled to the aperture and a coupling
end coupled to the air drying unit.
[0010] In another aspect, the air supply system includes an air
compressor. The air supply conduit is coupled to the air compressor
through a pressure regulator and a shut-off valve movable between a
normal closed position and an open position. The air supply conduit
terminates in at least one air nozzle extending through the
aperture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing and further and more specific objects and
advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the
drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional side view of a vanity unit
with hand drying apparatus according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the vanity unit of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vanity unit with hand
drying apparatus and an air intake assembly according to the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the vanity unit of FIG.
3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial sectional side view of a vanity unit
having a self rim china bowl sink with hand drying apparatus;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial sectional side view of a vanity unit
having a self rim stainless steel sink with hand drying
apparatus;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial sectional side view of a vanity unit
having an under-mounted sink with hand drying apparatus;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial sectional side view of a vanity unit
having an under-mounted stainless steel sink with hand drying
apparatus;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a manifold according to the
present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a simplified schematic of a compressed air system
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Turning now to the drawings in which like reference
characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several
views, attention is directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate a
vanity unit 10 including a casement 12, a basin 14, a faucet 16,
and a hand drying assembly 20. In this description, casement 12 is
intended to include the structures of a vanity unit that support a
basin. These structures can vary greatly. In this embodiment,
casement 12 includes a front 22, a back 24 and a top 26. Casement
12 can be a conventional vanity casement, well known to those
skilled in the art, including a top and cabinetry. For purposes of
this invention, casement 12 can also be a simple arrangement
wherein top 26 is supported in some manner without accompanying
cabinetry, such as the arrangements found in public restrooms and
the like. Furthermore, top 26 can include substantially any kind of
counter top such as tile, metal, solid surface, natural stone,
engineered stone, and the like. It will also be understood that in
some circumstances, such as pedestal sinks and some trough sinks,
and the like, the expanded surfaces around the basin of the sink
are considered top 26 of casement 12, and front 22 and back 24 are
sometimes integrally formed with basin 14.
[0023] In this embodiment, basin 14 is carried by top 26 of
casement 12 intermediate front 22 and back 24. Faucet 16 is carried
by top 26 (which can be part of basin 14) intermediate basin 14 and
back 24. It will be understood that for purposes of orientation the
terms "front" and "back" are used to designate the position
relative a user. The "front" designates the side of the casement a
user stands at for use, and the term "back" is the side opposite
the user, where the faucet is positioned. Depending on the basin
type employed, top 26 may overly, underlie or be integrally formed
with a rim 30 of basin 14. In the embodiment illustrated, basin 14
includes rim 30 underlying vanity top 26, has upright sidewalls 33
and a bottom 35. Bottom 35 is sloped to a drain 36 formed therein,
proximate sidewall 33 and adjacent back 24 of casement 12. The
placement of basin 14 within casement 12 is variable, and can be
adjusted to the depth of substantially any vanity casement as with
any conventional basin. Basin 14 can be a conventional basin in
some instances, as will be described presently, and can be modified
for use in this specific application which will also be described
presently.
[0024] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, basin
14 is under-mounted to top 26. At rim 30 of basin 14 proximate
front 22, an aperture 38 is provided between rim 30 and top 26.
Aperture 38 is in communication with a space 31 defined by casement
12 below casement top 26 and basin 14. This aperture is preferably
elongate along a portion of rim 30 at front 22, and can be created
by removing material from rim 30, removing material from top 26,
forming basin 14 with a depression in rim 30 at the appropriate
location in front, or the like. Thus, a conventional basin 14 can
be employed, a modified basin 14 can be employed or a newly
fabricated basin 14 ban be used. Self rim sinks, those overlying
top 26, will require manufacturers to modify the sink to include an
aperture formed therein. For sinks with overflow openings in the
front, aperture 38 can be split and positioned on both sides
thereof or limited to one side or the other.
[0025] Hand drying assembly 20 supplies air through aperture 38,
and in this embodiment includes a manifold 40 having a nozzle end
42 and a coupling end 43, an air supply conduit 45 and an air
supply system consisting of an air drying unit 46 in this preferred
embodiment. Air drying unit 46 is a unit generating an airflow
which may be heated or unheated, and can be substantially any air
drying unit. Unit 46 is positioned proximate vanity casement 12,
and preferably under top 26 proximate back 24. Air supply conduit
45 is preferably a hose coupled to unit 46 and extending to
manifold 40. Conduit 45 is coupled to coupling end 43 and supplies
air from unit 46. It will be understood that positioning of
manifold 40 is important to the invention, while positioning of
unit 46 is not critical, but preferably is mounted out of sight and
out of the way. With specific reference to FIG. 2, manifold 40 is
positioned proximate bottom 35, under basin 14, and with nozzle end
42 positioned to direct air flow shown as arrowed lines A to
aperture 38. Thus, Nozzle end 42 is positioned under top 26 in
front of basin 14, rearward of front 22. In this manner, air is
directed from aperture 38 in a direction indicated by arrowed lines
B, rearwardly over basin 14. In the preferred embodiment, the air
is directed upwardly at approximately a 35 degree angle. While this
has been found to be the optimum angle, other angles will also
work. An individual will be able to air dry hands while remaining
before the basin. Any droplets or other dislodged water will be
directed away from the individual and generally into basin 14. With
additional reference to FIG. 9, manifold 40 can include diverters
and other structures to uniformly deliver air to a user over the
width of an elongated aperture 38.
[0026] With momentary reference to FIGS. 5-8, various types of
basins are illustrated. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate self rim basins
with rims 30 overlying top 26. In these instances, aperture 38 is
formed in the front of basin 14 below rim 30, so as to align with
nozzle 42. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate under-mount basins with rims 30
underlying top 26. In these instances, aperture 38 is formed in the
juncture between top 26 and rim 30. One or the other, or both are
beveled or grooved to form aperture 38 therebetween. In the case of
a stainless steel basin as illustrated in FIG. 8, rim 30 can bent
down to form the desired shape. In all cases the junction of top 26
and rim 30 are shaped to form aperture 38 align with nozzle 42.
[0027] A control process will limit hand drying assembly 20 to
specific operating times. For example, when faucet 16 is on and
water is running into basin 14, hand drying assembly 20 will remain
off. Motion sensors 54 or other switches can be employed to detect
motion proximate basin 14, and turn off assembly 20 if there is no
motion or activity, or a certain amount of time has expired. Air
flow from unit 46 can be adjusted by controls 50 at unit 46 as can
the temperature of the air generated. Additional features can
include heating elements 52 at nozzle end 42 to further heat the
air. It will be understood that a single unit 46 can be used to
supply air to multiple sinks if desired, and if the airflow
generated is sufficient.
[0028] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a vanity unit 110 including a
casement 112, a basin 114, and a hand drying assembly 120, is
illustrated. In this embodiment, hand drying assembly 120 includes
a manifold 140 having a nozzle end 142 and a coupling end 143, an
air supply conduit 145 and an air drying unit 146 as with the
previous embodiment. While basin 114 is illustrated as a unitary
element, casement 112 is integrated into basin 114 and includes a
front 122, a back 124 and a top 126. In the embodiment illustrated,
basin 114 includes rim 130 concurrent with top 126, has upright
sidewalls 133 and a bottom 135. In this embodiment, an aperture 138
is provided at the junction of rim 130 and top 126. This aperture
is preferably elongate along a portion of rim 130 at front 122.
[0029] Additionally, in the present embodiment, hand drying
assembly 120 includes an air intake slot 150 formed proximate a
back splash 152 extending upwardly from top 126 proximate back 124.
A return air duct 154 extends from intake slot 150 to air drying
unit 146. It will be understood that air intake slot 150 can also
be formed in stop 126 if desired, particularly when a back splash
152 is absent.
[0030] Vanity unit 10 and 110 can be provided with a hand drying
assembly 20 and 120 employing a different air supply system. While
the previous embodiments employ an air blower 46 and 146, the air
blower can be replaced with a compressed air system generally
designated 310. Turning to FIG. 10, compressed air system 310
includes an air compressor 312 and a compressed air storage tank
314 which can be located anywhere, but are preferably located
outside the room containing the vanity unit. In operation, air is
drawn through a fine air filter 315 and into air compressor 312
where it is compressed to approximately 130 psi+/-, and stored in
compressed air storage tank 314. Tank 314 is preferably of
approximately 80 gallon capacity, although this will depend upon
the number of units serviced and the volume of use. One or more air
supply tubes 316 are coupled to storage tank 314, each to supply
compressed air to a corresponding basin 318. A single compressor
and storage tank can be employed to service multiple basins, or a
single basin 318, as illustrated. It will be understood that basin
318 can be substantially any basin carried by a casement 320 having
a back side 330 and a front side 332, as described previously.
Basin 318 includes a rim 322, upright sidewalls 323 and a bottom
325. Bottom 325 is sloped to a drain 326 formed therein. A faucet
328 is positioned at basin 318 adjacent back side 330. Back side
330 is preferably positioned against a wall through which is passed
air supply tube 316.
[0031] Still referring to FIG. 10, air supply tube 316 is coupled
to a pressure regulator 340 which is set to reduce the air pressure
to 20-25 psi and then a shut-off valve 342. Shut off valve 342 is
preferably a 12 volt DC activated solenoid valve. Valve 342 is
moved between a normal closed position preventing air flow and an
open position to allow passage of compressed air. Air tube 316 is
then coupled to an inline air heating tube 344 (e.g. AHP series
from Omegalux) having a normal off state and an on state. In the on
state the passing air is heated and passed on through two air
nozzles 346 located at the rim 322 of a sink basin 318 adjacent
front side 332. Nozzles 346 are positioned to direct compressed air
across basin 318 toward rear side 330. As with the previous
embodiments, the nozzles can be mounted at the juncture of rim 322
and a counter top, fully in the top edge of the basin or a
combination, depending on the basin type and the vanity
arrangement. While a variety of nozzles can be employed hydrojet
nozzles from MTM Hydro, Inc. are exemplary.
[0032] A control unit 350, consisting primarily of a control
circuit board, is coupled to shut off valve 342 and controls the
flow of power to valve 342 from a power source 352. When control
unit 350 applies power to valve 342, valve 342 is moved from the
normal closed position to the open position, and remains open until
power supply is curtailed. Control unit 350 is also coupled to
inline air heating tube 344 and applies power thereto changing it
from the off state to the on state for heating the air passing
therethrough. A proximity sensor 354 (e.g. cable/sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F
analog distance sensor 4-30 cm) is mounted into rim 322 of basin
318 proximate front side 330, with a predetermined sensing distance
of approximately 11/2'', although this can be adjusted as desired.
Sensor 354 is coupled to control unit 350, and upon sensing a
user's hands, sends a signal to control unit 350 that, in turn,
provides power to valve 342 and heater tube 344, changing them from
the closed position and off state, to the open position and on
state, respectively. In this manner, after washing their hands, a
user simply pulls the hands toward themselves and towards rim 332
to trip sensor 354 and provide warm, clean air from nozzles
346.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment, two nozzles 354 are positioned
to provide shaped jets of compressed air which force water off the
user's hands as the user rotates their hands around the streams of
air. The water falls directly down into sink basin 318 and into
drain 326. In addition, the now heated air quickly evaporates any
remaining dampness. Forcing air through a specifically shaped and
slight nozzle aperture allows for fine tuning the precise shape of
the air stream with the corresponding correct air pressure to
achieve the greatest positive effect at the hands of the user. Air
blowers using integrated `blower style` vacuumed motor systems
cannot generate significant pressure and are therefore trapped to
comparatively large round openings or large slots and requiring
medium to high volumes of air to be effective with the inherent
noise pollution factor. Once the user has completed the drying
process and leaves the basin, the flow of heated air automatically
shuts down or shuts down after a timed interval. Control unit 350
can be used to shut down the electric switches for a number of
reasons including expired preset time, no movement detected, or
possible safety issues. When air pressure within tank 314 is
reduced to a predetermined level, compressor 312 starts and fills
tank 314 to capacity. This mechanism is mostly quiet other than
during the running of the compressor, which is preferably in a
remote location.
[0034] Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein
chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and
variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are
intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed
only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.
* * * * *