Soap dispenser and method for helping assure clean hands

• US 20080290112A1
• Filed: 12/11/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Squidsoap Limited
• Original Assignee: Squidsoap Limited
• Inventors: Lynn, John Morris
• Application Number:
  US12/000,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20080290112A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/23
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap

Abstract

A method and apparatus for helping to assure cleaner hands using a soap dispenser are disclosed. The method includes marking a hand of a user with a slight indentation on their hand when they activate the dispenser, wherein the indentation lasts during the desired period of hand washing.

Claims

1. A cleaning composition dispenser, comprising:

a reservoir sized to receive an amount of cleaning composition; and

an activation mechanism by means of which cleaning composition is dispensed from the reservoir;

wherein the activation mechanism includes means for making a temporary indentation on a user'"'"'s skin that lasts for at least about 10 seconds.

2. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the activation mechanism is a mechanical dispenser.

3. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the activation mechanism is an electrical dispenser.

4. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the means for making a temporary indentation includes at least one raised surface.

5. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the means for making a temporary indentation includes at least one recessed surface.

6. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 1, wherein the activation mechanism is adapted to be pulled or depressed in order to dispense the cleaning composition.

7. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 6, wherein the activation mechanism is comprised of a means to resist pulling or depressing.

8. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 6, wherein the force required to pull or depress the activation mechanism is adjustable.

9. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 6, wherein the force required to pull or depress the activation mechanism is at least 3 pounds.

10. A cleaning composition dispenser, comprising:

a reservoir sized to receive an amount of cleaning composition; and

an activation mechanism by means of which cleaning composition is dispensed from the reservoir;

wherein the activation mechanism includes a textured or irregular surface for making a temporary indentation on a user'"'"'s skin that lasts for at least about 10 seconds.

11. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the activation mechanism is a mechanical dispenser.

12. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the activation mechanism is an electrical dispenser.

13. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the textured or irregular surface includes at least one raised surface.

14. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the textured or irregular surface includes at least one recessed surface.

15. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 10, wherein the activation mechanism is adapted to be pulled or depressed in order to dispense the cleaning composition.

16. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 15, wherein the activation mechanism includes a means to resist pulling or depressing.

17. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 15, wherein the force required to pull or depress the activation mechanism is adjustable.

18. The cleaning composition dispenser of claim 15, wherein the force required to pull or depress the activation mechanism is at least 3 pounds.

19. A method to assist in monitoring the time one takes to wash his/her hands, the method comprising the steps of:

activating a cleaning composition dispenser by means of an activation mechanism to dispense an amount of cleaning composition from the dispenser; and

making a temporary indentation in one'"'"'s skin that lasts at least about 10 seconds, wherein the temporary indention is made by the activation mechanism upon activation thereof.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising washing one'"'"'s hands until the temporary indentation disappears.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising removing any remaining cleaning composition left on one'"'"'s hands.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the force used to activate the dispensing mechanism is at least 3 pounds of force.

22. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of removing any remaining cleaning composition left on the hands is accomplished with water.