Clean hands assured with signal

• US 20050231373A1
• Filed: 04/04/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Squidsoap Limited
• Original Assignee: Squidsoap Limited
• Inventors: Lynn, John Morris, Newth, Kathryn Anne
• Granted Patent: US 7,425,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for helping assure the washing of a person'"'"'s hands. An easily identifiable substance is provided which may be removed by washing. A marking mechanism is coupled with or contains the easily identifiable substance and the hand of the person is then marked with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered. Substantially concurrent (or somewhat delayed) with the hand being marked a signal is given off which helps assure that the person actually uses the marking mechanism. Another way to coerce use of the marking mechanism and to allow authority figures to monitor use of the marking mechanism is a information recording device which tracks use of the marking mechanism.

Claims

1. A method of helping to assure that people wash their hands, comprising:

a) marking a hand of a person with an easily identifiable substance which can be washed off with a cleansing medium; and

b) signaling that the person'"'"'s hand has been marked with the easily identifiable substance.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

recording that the person has marked their hands.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

displaying the data concerning marking of the person'"'"'s hand.

4. An apparatus intended to help assure that people wash their hands, comprising:

a) an easily identifiable substance which can be washed off with a cleansing medium;

b) a marking mechanism coupled to the easily identifiable substance; and

c) a signal mechanism in communication with the marking mechanism which signals that the marking mechanism has been used and that the person'"'"'s hand has been marked with the easily identifiable substance.