Jet Towel Smart set to expand hand drying revolution

Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new compact hands-under version of its Jet Towel high speed hand dryer, which can be installed in facilities that are constrained in terms of space.

Based on the same principle of high velocity laminar air flow as the original Jet Towel, the new model does not have a drying chamber but uses the popular hands-under configuration. Unlike a conventional dryer, which uses heat to evaporate moisture from hands, the Jet Towel Smart generates a curtain of air travelling at around 100 metres per second to wipe it off.

Hands are dried from as little as 10 seconds, a fraction of a hot air dryer. The short drying time, coupled with the energy efficient 490W drive motor means that power consumption is far lower than is normally expected. Thus, a significant reduction in electricity bills can be expected, especially in high usage installations.

The Jet Towel Smart can be used in more applications due to its smaller size. It is ideal for fitting into commercial spaces such as office buildings, restaurants and shops. It is also appealing for libraries, theatres, day care centres, and conference venues. The Smart is particularly attractive for sports stadia, cinemas and other high throughput locations where a robust and reliable design is essential - its strong impact resistant housing coupled with the rapid drying time , means fewer units are required to meet peak demand.

The Jet Towel Smart allows building owners and tenants to capitalise on previously unused wall space, such as areas above countertops. The Smart is quick and easy to install and helps maximise the efficiency of the facilities and make the most of available space, while its neat understated appearance and choice of neutral colours means it will complement any interior design scheme.

Mitsubishi Electric revolutionised hand drying in 1993 with the introduction of the Jet Towel, the original high speed dryer. Since then the design has developed and evolved steadily so that today it remains at the leading edge of hygiene technology. The new Smart complements this and opens up whole new areas of usage, including those where lower costs, high speed throughput and robustness are highly desirable.

Several discreet features have been incorporated in the design, which users may not spot but which will prove of great advantage to installers and facilities managers. The design is tamper proof, with no switches on view that unauthorised users can re-set. A silver ion anti bacterial surface coating combines with the non-contact operation for maximum hygiene security. Jet Towel Smart is fitted with highly responsive presence sensors which switch on the air flow within 0.1 seconds of hands being placed underneath, so that users do not become anxious and assume it isn't working especially at times of high demand.

Fawn Litchfield of Mitsubishi Electric says: "Jet Towel Smart is a very exciting development. We will now be able to offer all the performance benefits of Jet Towel to sectors that have previously been restricted in their choice of hand dryers to older technologies that are looking increasingly inappropriate for the 21st century."