Sanitization booth

Abstract

A sanitization apparatus is provided. The sanitization apparatus includes a framework providing a sanitizing zone shaped and dimensioned to permit a person to pass therethrough while being sprayed with sanitizer; a plurality of sprayers arranged on the framework for spraying a sanitizer into the sanitizing zone to allow substantial sanitization of an outer surface of a person; a supply of sanitizer, including a liquid container for the sanitizer, wherein the liquid container is in a predetermined position relative to the orientation of the apparatus; and a flow communication unit for allowing flow communication between the sprayers and the supply of sanitizer via a fluid displacement unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sanitization apparatus comprising:
 a framework providing a sanitizing zone shaped and dimensioned to permit a person to pass therethrough while being sprayed with sanitizer;   a plurality of sprayers arranged on the framework for spraying a sanitizer into the sanitizing zone to allow substantial sanitization of an outer surface of a person;   a supply of sanitizer, including a liquid container for the sanitizer, wherein the liquid container is in a predetermined position relative to the orientation of the apparatus; and   a flow communication unit for allowing flow communication between the sprayers and the supply of sanitizer via a fluid displacement unit.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the framework is in the form of a doorway. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the framework is free standing. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the framework is operatively associated with a door frame, thereby enabling sanitization of a person passing through the door frame. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sprayers include nozzles located to spray the footwear of the person, including the soles thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sprayers are located over a major portion of the framework so that they spray inwardly onto the person passing through the sanitizing zone from above, the sides, and from below thereby to allow a mist of sanitizer to be deposited onto an outer surface of a person, including his clothing, footwear, and the soles of the footwear, at least almost entirely. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the framework is in the form of a booth having an entrance and an exit, wherein a person entering into the booth remains in the booth to be sprayed, and then exits the booth, wherein the booth includes a hand sanitization portion which is arranged in flow communication with the supply of sanitizer and which is located at the entrance, or the exit, of the booth so as to facilitate sanitization of the person's hands, which may have been used to cover their eyes while in the booth. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes at least two side walls and a substantially perforated floor for allowing a sanitizer mist sprayed toward the person from below to pass through the floor to sanitize the soles of the footwear of the person, while also permitting drainage of sprayed sanitizer of the booth. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the floor is made of grating having a drip tray to contain any contaminated sanitizer after use. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the side walls and the perforated roof are made of one or more materials including at least one of: a webbing material and a metal sheeting made from a metal. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow communication unit is in the form of a liquid reticulation system, wherein the liquid reticulation system includes an intermediate zone for spraying a side of a person passing through the sanitization zone, a portion of the intermediate zone of the liquid reticulation system extending parallel to the direction of passage of a person passing through the sanitization zone. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow communication unit is in the form of a liquid reticulation system, wherein the liquid reticulation system includes an upper zone for spraying a person passing through the sanitization zone from above, the upper zone extending around a periphery of an upper portion of the framework so that the spray is directed at the person directly from above, as well as angularly from above. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow communication unit is in the form of a liquid reticulation system, wherein the liquid reticulation system includes a lower zone for spraying a person passing though the sanitization zone from below, the lower zone of the liquid reticulation system extending in an orientation selected from transversely and longitudinally to a floor of the framework, and wherein the lower zone of the liquid reticulation system extends around a periphery of a lower portion of the framework so that the spray is directed upwardly at the person as well as angularly from below to improve coverage by the sanitizer being sprayed onto the footwear and lower extremities of the person within the sanitization zone. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid displacement unit in the form of a pump is located on the framework in flow communication with an outlet of the container, an outlet of the pump being connected to the flow communication unit in the form of a liquid reticulation system to supply the liquid reticulation system with pressurized liquid sanitizer from the container. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the pump is in the form of a dosing pump for allowing a pre-determinable quantity of sanitizer to be sprayed onto a person thereby to permit monitoring of a safe usage rate and consumption of the sanitizer. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes a consumption monitoring means for monitoring consumption of the sanitizer so as to allow a pre-determinable quantity of sanitizer to be sprayed onto a person, wherein the consumption monitoring means is selected from the group including a flow meter, whereby the amount of sanitizer passing through the nozzles is recorded for control purposes, and level monitoring, whereby the change in level of the sanitizer is monitored and recorded. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for assembly of a sanitization apparatus, the kit comprising:
 reticulation piping pre-manufactured in sections and pre-bent to match a framework to which it is to be attached and to facilitate assembly of the reticulation piping; and   framework components which have a sleeve and shaft weldless assembly mechanism, having apertures through the sleeve and the shaft, which apertures are in register for securing in position by one or more securing means selected from bolts, detent pins, and spring pressed detents, thereby to facilitate assembly of the framework components for assembly of the framework.   
     
     
         18 . The kit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the sanitization apparatus comprises:
 a framework, wherein the framework defines a sanitizing zone shaped and dimensioned to permit a person to pass therethrough while being sprayed with a sanitizer, sprayers arranged on the framework for spraying a sanitizer into the sanitizing zone to allow substantial sanitization of an outer surface of a person including his clothing, footwear and the soles of the footwear; and   a flow communication means for allowing flow communication between the sprayers and a supply of sanitizer via a fluid displacement unit.