Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for cleaning particulate matter and chemical contaminants from a hand

US6706243B1 · kind B1 · utility

69Cited by
34References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 3, 2000
Grant dateMar 16, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 3, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61L2202/122
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus has a hand-cleaning volume sized to receive a gloved or ungloved human hand. The apparatus includes a mechanical-cleaning device and a chemical-cleaning device, operated sequentially to remove particles and chemical contaminants such as organics. The mechanical-cleaning device has a pressurized gas source positioned to direct a flow of pressurized activated gas into the hand-cleaning volume, and a gas-source vent communicating with the hand-cleaning volume to remove the pressurized activated gas after it has passed over the hand. The chemical-cleaning device has an activating nebulizer operable to emit an activated cleaning mist into the hand-cleaning volume so that the activated cleaning mist contacts the hand in the hand-cleaning volume. The hand is cleaned by directing a flow of pressurized ionized gas over the hand, and thereafter flowing a mist of activated cleaning solution over the hand. The cleaning solution preferably includes hydrogen peroxide.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.