Point of sale barrier

Abstract

A point of sale barrier includes an upright panel configured to separate a first person on a first side of the upright panel from a second person on a second side of the upright panel, an opening formed through the upright panel, and a dispenser positioned within the opening and movable relative to the upright panel between a first position, in which an object on the dispenser is accessible to the first person, and a second position, in which the object on the dispenser is accessible to the second person. The point of sale barrier also includes an actuator coupled to the dispenser and operable to move the dispenser between the first and second positions. The dispenser and the wall are shaped to inhibit free air flow through the opening as the dispenser moves between the first and second positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A point of sale barrier comprising:
 an upright panel configured to separate a first person on a first side of the upright panel from a second person on a second side of the upright panel;   an opening formed through the upright panel, the opening at least partially defined by a wall extending outwardly from the upright panel;   a dispenser positioned within the opening and movable relative to the upright panel between a first position, in which an object on the dispenser is accessible to the first person, and a second position, in which the object on the dispenser is accessible to the second person; and   an actuator coupled to the dispenser and operable to move the dispenser between the first and second positions;   wherein the dispenser and the wall are shaped to inhibit free air flow through the opening as the dispenser moves between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         2 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising an intercom supported by the upright panel to facilitate communication between the first and second sides. 
     
     
         3 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser is pivotable relative to the upright panel. 
     
     
         4 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 3 , wherein the dispenser is pivotable about a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 3 , wherein the dispenser is pivotable about a vertical axis. 
     
     
         6 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the wall extends outwardly from both the first side and the second side of the upright panel. 
     
     
         7 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser includes a first planar plate secured to a second planar plate. 
     
     
         8 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 7 , wherein when the dispenser is in the first position, the first planar plate is generally horizontal and the second planar plate blocks the opening, and wherein when the dispenser is in the second position, the second planar plate is generally horizontal and the first planar plate blocks the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 7 , wherein the first planar plate is angled at 90 degrees relative to the second planar plate. 
     
     
         10 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second planar plates are made of copper. 
     
     
         11 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a lever. 
     
     
         12 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising an apparatus for disinfecting paper, the apparatus including:
 a housing having a first port and a second port,   a conveyor positioned within the housing, the conveyor configured to move the paper from the first port to the second port, and   a disinfecting unit positioned within the housing, the disinfecting unit configured to kill bacteria and viruses on the paper.   
     
     
         13 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 12 , wherein the disinfecting apparatus is supported by the upright panel. 
     
     
         14 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 12 , wherein the disinfecting apparatus is spaced apart from the upright panel. 
     
     
         15 . The point of sale barrier of  claim 12 , wherein the disinfecting unit includes one selected from a group consisting of a light source, a heat source, and a spray unit. 
     
     
         16 . A point of sale barrier comprising:
 an upright panel configured to separate a first person on a first side of the upright panel from a second person on a second side of the upright panel;   an opening formed through the upright panel;   a dispenser positioned within the opening, the dispenser including a first planar plate secured to a second planar plate, the dispenser pivotable relative to the upright panel between a first position, in which the first planar plate is horizontal and the second planar plate blocks the opening, and a second position, in which the second planar plate is horizontal and the first planar plate blocks the opening; and   an actuator coupled to the dispenser and operable to move the dispenser between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for disinfecting paper, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing having a first port and a second port;   a conveyor positioned within the housing, the conveyor configured to move the paper from the first port to the second port; and   a disinfecting unit positioned within the housing, the disinfecting unit configured to kill bacteria and viruses on the paper.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the disinfecting unit includes one selected from a group consisting of a light source, a heat source, and a spray unit. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the disinfecting unit includes a light source operable to emit UVC light having a wavelength between 210 nm and 230 nm. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the disinfecting unit is one of a plurality of disinfecting units positioned within the housing, and wherein the plurality of disinfecting units is positioned on both sides of a path of travel for the paper through the housing.