Point-of-care hygiene compliance module

• US 10,045,667 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2016
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Wegelin, Jackson W., Archer, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carroll, Jeremy W
• Application Number:
  US15/386,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20170100002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 222 38, 222 52, 222 36, 222380
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1201 hand-carried
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1205 Dispensing from the top of the dispenser with a vertical piston
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1211 using pressure on soap, e.g. with piston A47K5/1201 takes precedence; by squeezing A47K5/122
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/27 for representing the result of count in the form of electric signals, e.g. by sensing markings on the counter drum
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/276 using mechanically-actuated contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A point-of-care hygiene compliance module includes a housing that is adapted to be attached to a dispensing container that dispenses material through a dispensing nozzle when actuated. The housing includes a pivoting actuation arm that is configured so as to be placed in operative contact with the dispensing nozzle. Thus, when the actuation arm is actuated, material is dispensed from the dispensing container, and a switch in operative contact with the actuation arm is actuated. The triggering of the switch updates a count value that is maintained by a controller, which may then be displayed or acquired by a remote computer to assess the amount of usage of the dispensing container.

Claims

1. A hygiene compliance module for a dispensing container that dispenses material through a dispensing nozzle when actuated, the hygiene compliance module comprising:

a housing having a receiving cavity for receiving a portion of the dispensing container therein;

an actuation arm pivotably carried by the housing, the actuation arm having a contact surface that is adapted to operatively contact the dispensing nozzle, the actuation arm comprising a first guide and a second guide attached to the contact surface, the first guide and the second guide spaced apart so as to receive the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing container, the dispensing nozzle disposed on a first side of the contact surface;

a switch carried by the housing and disposed on the first side of the contact surface, the switch in operative contact with the actuation arm, such that the switch is actuated when the actuation arm is actuated;

a controller coupled to the switch;

a memory unit coupled to the controller, the memory unit configured to store a count value that is updated when the switch is actuated; and

a communication interface coupled to the controller to communicate the count value to a remote computing device;

wherein when the actuation arm is actuated, the actuation arm actuates the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing container to dispense material therefrom, and actuates the switch to update the count value.

2. The hygiene compliance module of claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a wired connection.

3. The hygiene compliance module of claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless connection.

4. The hygiene compliance module of claim 1, wherein the first guide extends parallel to the second guide.

5. The hygiene compliance module of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first retention arm and a second retention arm, the first retention arm and the second retention arm spaced apart to define the receiving cavity so as to receive the portion of the dispensing container therein.

6. A hygiene compliance module for a dispensing container that dispenses material through a dispensing nozzle when actuated, the hygiene compliance module comprising:

a housing having a receiving cavity for receiving a portion of the dispensing container therein, the housing defining a switch aperture;

an actuation arm attached to the housing, the actuation arm adapted to operatively contact the dispensing nozzle when the actuation arm is actuated;

a contact arm attached to the actuation arm, the contact arm received within the switch aperture when the actuation arm is actuated; and

a monitoring device comprising a switch disposed within the housing;

wherein when the actuation arm is actuated;

the actuation arm actuates the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing container to dispense material therefrom; and

the contact arm is received within the switch aperture and actuates the switch, the monitoring device configured to track a count value that is updated when the switch is actuated.

7. The hygiene compliance module of claim 6, wherein the actuation arm has a contact surface that is adapted to operatively contact the dispensing nozzle when the actuation arm is actuated.

8. The hygiene compliance module of claim 7, wherein the contact arm is attached to the contact surface.

9. The hygiene compliance module of claim 6, wherein the actuation arm is pivotably attached to the housing.

10. The hygiene compliance module of claim 6, wherein:

when the actuation arm is actuated and in a first position, the contact arm is in contact with the switch; and

when the actuation arm is not actuated and in a second position, the contact arm is not in contact with the switch.

11. The hygiene compliance module of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises a first retention arm and a second retention arm, the first retention arm and the second retention arm spaced apart to define the receiving cavity so as to receive the portion of the dispensing container therein.

12. The hygiene compliance module of claim 11, the first retention arm and the second retention arm spaced a distance apart from the actuation arm.

13. A hygiene compliance module for a dispensing container that dispenses material through a dispensing nozzle when actuated, the hygiene compliance module comprising:

a housing having a receiving cavity for receiving a portion of the dispensing container therein;

an actuation arm attached to the housing, the actuation arm adapted to operatively contact the dispensing nozzle; and

a monitoring device comprising;

a switch disposed within the housing, the switch in operative contact with the actuation arm, such that the switch is actuated when the actuation arm is actuated;

a controller coupled to the switch; and

a memory unit coupled to the controller, the memory unit configured to store a count value that is updated when the switch is actuated;

wherein when the actuation arm is actuated, the actuation arm actuates the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing container to dispense material therefrom and actuates the switch to update the count value.

14. The hygiene compliance module of claim 13, wherein the housing defines an interior within which the monitoring device is received.

15. The hygiene compliance module of claim 13, wherein:

when the actuation arm is actuated and in a first position, the actuation arm is in contact with the switch; and

when the actuation arm is not actuated and in a second position, the actuation arm is not in contact with the switch.

16. The hygiene compliance module of claim 13, wherein the actuation arm has a contact surface that is adapted to operatively contact the dispensing nozzle when the actuation arm is actuated.

17. The hygiene compliance module of claim 16, wherein the dispensing nozzle is disposed on a first side of the contact surface.

18. The hygiene compliance module of claim 17, wherein the switch is disposed on the first side of the contact surface.

19. The hygiene compliance module of claim 13, wherein the housing comprises a first retention arm and a second retention arm, the first retention arm and the second retention arm spaced apart to define the receiving cavity so as to receive the portion of the dispensing container therein.

20. The hygiene compliance module of claim 13, wherein the communication interface comprises at least one of a wired connection or a wireless connection.