FR3110071A1 - Self-supporting terminal for dispensing doses of disinfectant solution in sensitive areas or in outdoor areas - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a terminal for the distribution (10) of predefined doses of a disinfectant solution, in particular of hydroalcoholic gel, in a sensitive environment or in an outdoor space, in particular on public roads, the distribution terminal comprising a sensor for detecting presence of one or two hands in the dispensing volume (6) and a programmable controller (5) housed in a second housing of the barrel of the distribution terminal (10), said programmable controller (5) being configured for: i. control the automatic dispensing of a predefined dose of disinfectant solution if one or two hands are present in the dispensing volume (6); and ii. inhibit the distribution of disinfectant solution for a predefined timeout period following the distribution of a dose. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Freestanding terminal for dispensing doses of disinfectant solution in sensitive environments or in outdoor areas

The present invention relates to the field of hygiene in sensitive environments, such as outdoor space, in particular in the public domain, or such as a station hall, a metro station, etc.

More specifically, the invention relates to a self-supporting terminal for dispensing doses of disinfectant solution in a sensitive environment, that is to say in places crossed by a large flow of people, such as the outdoor area, station halls , metro stations, bus stations, for example.

STATE OF THE ART

With the so-called covid-19 health crisis, the need for a permanent presence of terminals for the distribution of disinfectant solution in sensitive environments, in other words in the outdoor area, on the public highway or in a place of passage such as a station hall or metro station for example, or around public and private buildings, to allow the public to wash their hands effectively, including in the street, for example after using public transport or before leaving. access a public place or a business.

However, such limits do not exist today.

According to the state of the art, we know of foot-operated or contactless hydroalcoholic gel dispensers installed in closed places, such as sanitary rooms fitted out inside public or private buildings, or sanisettes. Such distributors are generally fixed to a bearing, in particular a wall or a partition of the sanitary room or to furniture.

This type of dispenser is not suitable for use in sensitive environments without supervision such as outdoor areas. In addition, this type of dispenser intended for indoor use does not make it possible to ward off misuse or acts of vandalism. This type of dispenser is also not able to withstand bad weather, especially in the absence of waterproofing.

A current practice consists, at the heart of the crisis, in deploying personnel equipped, for example, with hydroalcoholic gel reservoirs integrated into backpacks to distribute doses of disinfectant solution to the public.

However, this immediate solution is not permanent. However, with regard to the aforementioned epidemic or future viral epidemics, serious or not, it is now clear that there is an urgent need to deploy, in particular in public spaces, means of distributing disinfectant solution so as to slow down such epidemics.

In this context, the present invention proposes a contactless disinfectant solution dispensing terminal suitable for use in a sensitive environment or in an outdoor space. More specifically, the present invention thus relates to a terminal, also referred to as a totem, for dispensing disinfectant solution, in particular hydroalcoholic gel, which, according to the embodiments, is weather-resistant, can be used without the need for supervision and has anti-corrosion functions. abuse, anticoagulation, resistance to vandalism and reporting of information on its use.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

• un fut ;
• un réservoir de solution désinfectante logé dans un premier logement du fut ;
• un orifice de distribution relié au réservoir et adapté pour distribuer une dose de solution désinfectante dans un volume de distribution ouvert dans lequel un utilisateur est susceptible d’engager une ou deux mains ;
• un capteur de détection sans contact de présence d’une ou deux mains dans le volume de distribution ;
• un automate programmable logé dans un deuxième logement du fut de la borne de distribution, ledit automate programmable étant configuré pour :
  1. commander la distribution automatique d’une dose prédéfinie de solution désinfectante en cas de présence d’une ou deux mains dans le volume de distribution ;
  2. inhiber la distribution de solution désinfectante pendant une durée de temporisation prédéfini suite à la distribution d’une dose.

In particular, the subject of the invention is a terminal for the distribution of predefined doses of a disinfectant solution, in particular of hydroalcoholic gel, in a sensitive environment or in an outdoor space, in particular on the public highway, the distribution terminal comprising:

• a barrel ;
• a reservoir of disinfectant solution housed in a first housing of the was;
• a dispensing orifice connected to the reservoir and adapted to dispense a dose of disinfectant solution into an open dispensing volume in which a user is likely to engage one or two hands;
• a contactless detection sensor for the presence of one or two hands in the dispensing volume;
• a programmable automaton housed in a second housing of the distribution terminal, said programmable automaton being configured for:
  1. control the automatic dispensing of a predefined dose of disinfectant solution in the event of the presence of one or two hands in the dispensing volume;
  2. inhibit the distribution of disinfectant solution for a predefined time delay following the distribution of a dose.

The disinfectant solution dispensing terminal according to the invention has the particular advantage of being robust and durable, so that it can be used in the public space and over time.

According to one embodiment, the distribution terminal comprises a communication module for transmitting information to a remote terminal, a tank filling level sensor, the programmable controller being configured to transmit tank filling level information to the remote terminal.

According to one embodiment, the programmable automaton comprising a counter of the number of doses dispensed, the programmable automaton being configured to transmit information on the number of doses dispensed to the remote terminal.

According to one embodiment, the programmable automaton comprising a calculation module configured to calculate the number of remaining doses likely to be further distributed according to a volume of the reservoir and the number of doses distributed since the last filling or the last replacement of the reservoir, the programmable automaton being configured to transmit information on the number of remaining doses to the remote terminal.

According to one embodiment, the programmable automaton is configured to automatically distribute at least one dose of disinfectant solution if a predefined period of inactivity elapses since the last distribution of a dose of disinfectant solution.

Advantageously, said distribution terminal being self-supporting.

According to one embodiment, the distribution terminal comprises autonomous means for producing photovoltaic electricity to supply the programmable automaton with electrical energy.

Advantageously, the was comprising a waterproof box housing the programmable controller.

Advantageously, the was comprising an access hatch to the tank to allow it to be filled or replaced, said access hatch being equipped with at least one anti-vandalism lock, for example of the compression type.

Advantageously, the dispensing terminal comprises a cover to close the barrel in a sealed manner.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects. and on which:

: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an example of a disinfectant solution dispensing terminal according to the invention;

: Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the same example of a distribution terminal, showing the interior volumes;

: Figure 3 shows a second example of a distribution terminal according to the invention.

It should be noted that the figures expose the invention in detail to enable the invention to be implemented, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The problem to be solved is in particular to distribute predefined doses of disinfectant solution in public spaces, without it being stolen or users being able to misuse it in order to fill containers. According to the embodiments, the distribution terminal according to the invention is contactless and its installation does not require civil engineering work or electrical connection. The invention allows in particular the monitoring of the filling level of the tank 4 and allows the timing of distribution and the control of the dosage of the quantity of disinfectant solution distributed to each user.

Referring to Figure 1, which shows an exemplary embodiment, the present invention relates to a terminal 10 for dispensing predefined doses of a disinfectant solution, for example hydroalcoholic gel. The distribution terminal 10 has a was 1 and a lid 3 to close the was 1 in a sealed manner. Said distribution terminal 10 can also be in one piece. It comprises at least one reservoir 4 of disinfectant solution connected by a dip tube and a pump to a dispensing orifice. The dispensing orifice opens outside the dispensing terminal 10, in particular overlooking a dispensing volume 6 in which the users will be invited to engage their hand. The distribution volume is for example defined by a distribution box 61 fixed to was 1 and inserted into a cavity of said was 1.

Referring to Figure 2, for example, tank 4 is housed in barrel 1 and barrel 1 is made of steel and has an access hatch 2 to said tank 4 in order to fill or replace it. Said access hatch 2 is for example equipped with one or more anti-vandalism locks, for example one or more compression locks, allowing the use of the distribution terminal 10 by the public in a sensitive environment or in an outdoor space, without special supervision. In particular, the distribution terminal 10 is for example made of steel of the high-strength steel type, in particular 4 mm thick, and is equipped with mechanical reinforcements, such as base plates and reinforcing disks. Distribution terminal 10 can also be coated with an anti-corrosion treatment and paint. Consequently, the robustness of the distribution terminal 10 and its resistance to possible acts of vandalism are improved.

The distribution terminal 10 is, according to a preferred embodiment, self-supporting, that is to say that it does not require, for its installation, the presence of a support, in particular a vertical support such as a wall , a partition or street furniture (bus shelter, etc.).

The distribution terminal 10 is then fixed to the ground directly, thanks to the shape of the lower portion of the shaft 1, without overhanging beyond the shaft 1, in particular by means of chemical anchors.

In particular, the distribution terminal 10 according to the invention comprises a programmable automaton 5 capable of controlling the distribution terminal 10, in particular according to sets of data from one or more sensors. In particular, the distribution terminal 10 comprises a housing, for example a box, in particular waterproof, housing and protecting the programmable logic controller 5 from rain and bad weather. Alternatively, barrel 1 is sealed together.

A presence sensor of one or two hands allows the programmable automaton 5 to automatically activate the distribution of a predefined dose of disinfectant solution when one hand or two hands are present in the distribution volume 6. The volume of said predefined dose is preconfigured and stored in a persistent memory, for example a flash type memory, of the programmable automaton 5.

The implementation of a presence sensor, the data of which is processed by the programmable automaton 5 to control the distribution of a dose of disinfectant solution, allows use of the distribution terminal 10 without contact, which is desirable with a view to improving safety in terms of health. The presence sensor can for example be an infrared sensor or an ultrasound sensor.

According to one embodiment, the presence sensor can be coupled to a motion sensor so as to generate a data set comprising both information on the presence of one or two hands and information on the approach or departure of said hands. In this case, the programmable automaton 5 is configured to synchronize the distribution of the dose of disinfectant solution to the confirmed presence of one or two hands after detection of its approach. The distribution of disinfectant solution is then inhibited until detection of the departure of the hand(s), the latter being assumed to have already received a dose of disinfectant solution.

Furthermore, the programmable automaton 5 can control, according to one embodiment, an anti-abuse device. The anti-abuse device may comprise a means for inhibiting the distribution of disinfectant solution for a predefined time delay period following the distribution of a dose. Thus, at the moment when the distribution terminal 10 delivers a predefined dose of disinfectant solution to a user, the programmable logic controller 5 triggers a time counter and the distribution terminal 10 does not again become able to distribute a new dose of disinfectant solution. only after the time counter has reached said predefined delay time. In particular, the inhibition means may consist of a means for deactivating the presence sensor of one or two hands in the dispensing volume 6. Consequently, the presence sensor is deactivated for a duration equal to the time delay duration preset after each dispensing of a dose. When the delay time has elapsed, the presence sensor is reactivated.

According to one embodiment, the programmable automaton 5 is also configured to control the level of filling of the tank 4 with disinfectant solution. To this end, said reservoir 4 can be equipped with a level sensor transmitting to said programmable automaton 5 data relating to the filling level of reservoir 4. For example, programmable automaton 5 is configured to detect when the filling level of the reservoir 4 passes below a predefined minimum threshold, said minimum threshold being predetermined in particular as a function of the total volume of reservoir 4 and stored in a memory of programmable logic controller 5, in particular a persistent memory, for example of the flash type.

When the programmable automaton 5 detects that the filling level of the tank 4 has fallen below the predefined minimum threshold or that the number of doses distributed configured to give this alert has been reached, the latter can raise an empty tank 4 or quantity information low in disinfectant solution. According to one embodiment, said alert is transmitted to a remote terminal, for example a server, a telephone or a computer, in particular by means of a wired network link - for example TCP/IP - or a wireless link - for example via a GSM network.

Alternatively or in addition, the programmable automaton 5 is configured, according to one embodiment, to count the number of doses of disinfectant solution delivered since the last filling of the tank 4 or since the last replacement of the tank 4 by a full tank. According to one embodiment, this number of doses delivered, which corresponds to a number of cycles of use of the distribution terminal 10, can be transmitted to a remote terminal in particular by means of a wired network link or a wireless link. thread.

In this case, the programmable automaton 5 can also be configured to determine according to the volume of the reservoir 4, this information being stored in a memory of the programmable automaton 5, for example a memory of the flash type, and according to the number of doses delivered since the last filling or the last replacement of the reservoir 4, the number of remaining doses likely to still be delivered by the dispensing terminal 10. Similarly, this information of the number of remaining doses can be transmitted to a remote terminal in particular by means of a wired network link or a wireless link.

According to one embodiment, the dispensing terminal 10 according to the invention may also include an anticoagulation function making it possible to prevent the disinfectant solution from coagulating in the reservoir 4; the solidification of the disinfectant solution in the tank 4 would in fact make it more difficult, if not impossible, to distribute doses of disinfectant solution and could require human intervention. In order to overcome this potential problem, provision may be made for the determination of a predefined period of inactivity since the last distribution of a dose, this period of inactivity at the end of which the programmable controller 5 controls the automatic distribution of a or several doses of disinfectant solution, even in the absence of a hand in the dispensing volume 6. For example, the predefined period of inactivity can be several hours, in particular 2 hours. This duration can be stored in a memory of the programmable logic controller, in particular a flash type memory. Thus, to perform the anticoagulation function, the programmable automaton 5 can comprise a dedicated time counter, which is reset to zero each time a dose of disinfectant solution is dispensed. If this dedicated time counter reaches the predefined period of inactivity, the programmable automaton 5 triggers the automatic distribution of one or more doses of disinfectant solution.

Figure 3 shows a second example of a distribution terminal according to the invention. The distribution terminal 100 shown in Figure 3 is a so-called "high" version of the distribution terminal according to the invention, while the distribution terminal 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a so-called "low" version.

The distribution terminal 100 is by definition higher and may in particular comprise, in the upper part, one or more reservoirs of additional disinfectant solution housed in a housing of the shaft 1 located behind the hatch 7.

In summary, the programmable automaton 5 comprises one or more of the following components:

a usage cycle counter, corresponding to the number of doses of disinfectant solution dispensed;

a reset (also called “reset” in English) of the counter, corresponding to the recording of the last filling or the last replacement of the tank 4;

a communication module, wired or not, in particular by TCP/IP or via a GSM network, to exchange information with a remote terminal, in particular to alert of a low filling level of the tank 4;

a calculation module, in particular to determine the number of remaining doses likely to be further distributed, depending on the volume of the reservoir 4 and depending on the number of doses already dispensed since the last filling of the reservoir 4 or since its last replacement by a full tank;

a time counter, in particular to inhibit the distribution of disinfectant solution for a predefined time delay following the distribution of a dose.

Programmable controller 5 receives data from its communication module or from one or more of the following sensors:

a presence sensor of one or two hands in a distribution volume 6, which is an open volume in which the user engages his hand to receive a dose of disinfectant solution; in particular, this presence sensor can be coupled to a motion sensor to detect the approach or departure of the hand;

a tank filling level sensor 4, the presence of which is optional.

Therefore, the distribution terminal 10 can report, by means of the communication module, one or more of the following information:

the filling level of tank 4;

an empty tank or low filling level of tank 4 alert;

a number of doses dispensed;

a number of remaining doses that may still be dispensed.

In addition, PLC 5 can be configured to implement one or more of the following functions:

an anti-abuse function, by applying a time delay, following the distribution of a dose, during which any distribution of disinfectant solution is inhibited;

an anticoagulation function, by means of the automatic distribution of doses after an adjustable period of inactivity has elapsed.

In a memory of the PLC, a set of predefined parameters are stored, including one or more of the following parameters:

the volume of tank 4 (in ml);

the volume of doses of disinfectant solution to be delivered (in ml);

the delay time (in seconds);

the type of electrical power supply (autonomous or connected to the mains).

The distribution terminal 10, in particular the programmable automaton 5, is supplied with electricity, by the electrical network or by solar energy thanks to autonomous means of photovoltaic electricity production.

The distribution terminal 10 can also include a battery.

Claims (10)

Distribution terminal (10) for predefined doses of a disinfectant solution, in particular hydroalcoholic gel, in a sensitive environment or in an outdoor space, in particular on public roads, the distribution terminal comprising:

• a barrel (1);
• a reservoir (4) of disinfectant solution housed in a first housing of the barrel (1);
• a dispensing orifice connected to the reservoir (4) and suitable for dispensing a dose of disinfectant solution into an open dispensing volume (6) in which a user is likely to engage one or two hands;
• a contactless detection sensor for the presence of one or two hands in the dispensing volume (6);
• a programmable automaton (5) housed in a second housing of the distribution terminal (10), said programmable automaton (5) being configured to:
  1. controlling the automatic dispensing of a predefined dose of disinfectant solution in the event of the presence of one or two hands in the dispensing volume (6);
  2. inhibit the distribution of disinfectant solution for a predefined time delay following the distribution of a dose.

Distribution terminal (10) according to claim 1, comprising a communication module for transmitting information to a remote terminal, a tank filling level sensor (4), the programmable automaton (5) being configured to transmit information filling level of the tank (4) at the remote terminal. Dispensing terminal (10) according to the preceding claim, the programmable automaton (5) comprising a counter of the number of doses dispensed, the programmable automaton (5) being configured to transmit information on the number of doses dispensed to the remote terminal. Dispensing terminal (10) according to the preceding claim, the programmable automaton (5) comprising a calculation module configured to calculate the number of remaining doses likely to be further distributed as a function of a volume of the reservoir (4) and of the number of doses dispensed since the last filling or the last replacement of the tank (4), the programmable automaton (5) being configured to transmit information on the number of remaining doses to the remote terminal. Dispensing terminal (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the programmable automaton (5) is configured to automatically dispense at least one dose of disinfectant solution if a predefined period of inactivity elapses since the last dispensing of a dose of disinfectant solution. Distribution terminal (10) according to one of the preceding claims, said distribution terminal being self-supporting. Distribution terminal (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising autonomous means for producing photovoltaic electricity to supply the programmable automaton (5) with electrical energy. Distribution terminal (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the was (1) comprising a box being sealed housing the programmable controller (5). Distribution terminal (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the was comprising an access hatch (2) to the tank (4) to allow its filling or replacement, said access hatch (2) being equipped with at least one compression type lock. Dispensing terminal (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a cover (3) for sealing the barrel.