Think about washing your hands in a public restroom. You use the sink, and then have to walk over to the towel dispenser or air dryer to dry your hands, possibly waiting while your hands drip on the floor in front of you. Dyson has a better idea—combining the dryer with the sink to make hand washing a seamless process.

In its patent application filed Nov. 22, Dyson envisions a dual-purpose fixture, incorporating both a sink and a hand dryer that uses two or more nozzles—at least one for each of the user’s hands. Not only is the design more convenient, but it’s Earth-friendly—Dyson cites data showing every paper towel generates one half-ounce of carbon emissions.

Just like Dyson’s Airblade hand dryer, the design would automatically activate when a hand passes in between the two nozzles. And although most sensor-driven faucets and dryers are seriously below par,

Dyson’s Airblade has received good reviews. If the hybrid can made taps as efficient, it could show
up in public restrooms everywhere.

Now to get the same restrooms to install automatic doors…

[Image via Phys.org]