Hand antiseptic system and method

• US 20020000449A1
• Filed: 06/27/2001
• Published: 01/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Armstrong, David N.
• Original Assignee: Armstrong, David N.
• Inventors: Armstrong, David N.
• Granted Patent: US 6,577,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

A pair of sensors (20A and 20B) are mounted at the entrance to a germ sensitive area. When a person enters the area the sensors are activated in sequence, indicating the direction of movement of the person. An indicator, such as a light or sound alarm is mounted upon an antiseptic dispenser, located within the area. The alarm is actuated by the movement and is de-activated once antiseptic is dispensed from the unit. Likewise when the person moves out of the germ sensitive area, the alarm on a dispenser unit located outside the area is energized and is de-activated upon dispensing of antiseptic.

Claims

1. A sensing system for encouraging hand hygiene procedures, comprising:

a bi-directional sensor that includes a first sensor and a second sensor that are horizontally positioned in series with one another;

a first perceivable alarm actuated by triggering the bi-directional sensor;

a second perceivable alarm actuated if the first perceivable alarm is not de-activated after a predetermined time period; and

a dispensing system that includes a dispensing detector, wherein the dispensing system de-activates the first alarm after the dispensing detector is triggered, and wherein the dispensing system de-activates the second alarm after the dispensing detector is triggered.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional sensor is capable of determining the direction that a person is moving by the order in which the first sensor and second sensor are triggered.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system dispenses a hand hygiene agent when the dispensing detector is triggered.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system includes a first dispensing system and a second dispensing system, wherein the first dispensing system is located in a first area and the second dispensing system is located in an adjacent second area and wherein the bi-directional sensor is located in the first area.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the bi-directional sensor is capable of activating the first dispensing system if the first sensor is triggered before the second sensor.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the bi-directional sensor is capable of activating the second dispensing system if the second sensor is triggered before the first sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional sensor is capable of determining the number of targets entering an area.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional sensor is capable of determining the number of targets exiting an area.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional sensor includes a digital camera.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional sensor includes a sleep mode.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional sensor includes a radio frequency identification system.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are selected from passive infrared sensors, photoelectric proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, laser sensors, electromagnetic sensors, and ultrasonic sensors.

13. A method of alerting a person entering an area to clean their hands using a bi-directional sensor that includes a first sensor and a second sensor, comprising the steps of:

triggering a first sensor and a second sensor of the bi-directional sensor in sequence;

actuating a first alarm when the first sensor and second sensor are triggered in sequence and where the first sensor is triggered before the second sensor; and

actuating a second alarm after a predetermined time period has lapsed after the first alarm was actuated.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

resetting the first bi-directional sensor and the second bi-directional sensor;

resetting the first alarm and second alarm;

resetting the time period;

triggering a second sensor and a first sensor of a bi-directional sensor in sequence;

actuating a first alarm when the second sensor and first sensor are triggered in sequence and where the second sensor is triggered before the first sensor; and

actuating a second alarm after a predetermined time period has lapsed after the first alarm was actuated.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of deactivating the first alarm if a dispenser lever is activated.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of deactivating the first and second alarm if a dispenser lever is activated.

17. A method of alerting a person exiting an area to clean their hands using a bi-directional sensor that includes a first sensor and a second sensor, comprising the steps of:

triggering the second sensor and the first sensor of the bi-directional sensor in sequence;

actuating a first alarm when the second sensor and first sensor are triggered in sequence and where the second sensor is triggered before the first sensor; and

actuating a second alarm after a predetermined time period has lapsed after the first alarm was actuated.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of deactivating the first alarm if a dispenser lever is activated.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of deactivating the first and second alarm if a dispenser lever is activated.

20. A system of alerting a person entering an area to clean their hands using a bi-directional sensor that includes a first sensor and a second sensor, comprising:

means for triggering a first sensor and a second sensor of the bi-directional sensor in sequence;

means for actuating a first alarm when the first sensor and second sensor are triggered in sequence and where the first sensor is triggered before the second sensor; and

means for actuating a second alarm after a predetermined time period has lapsed after the first alarm was actuated.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

means for resetting the first bi-directional sensor and the second bi-directional sensor;

means for resetting the first alarm and second alarm;

means for resetting the time period;

means for triggering a second sensor and a first sensor of a bi-directional sensor in sequence;

means for actuating a first alarm when the second sensor and first sensor are triggered in sequence and where the second sensor is triggered before the first sensor; and

means for actuating a second alarm after a predetermined time period has lapsed after the first alarm was actuated.

22. A system of alerting a person exiting an area to clean their hands using a bi-directional sensor that includes a first sensor and a second sensor, comprising:

means for triggering the second sensor and the first sensor of the bi-directional sensor in sequence;

means for actuating a first alarm when the second sensor and first sensor are triggered in sequence and where the second sensor is triggered before the first sensor; and

means for actuating a second alarm after a predetermined time period has lapsed after the first alarm was actuated.