Apparatus and Method for Encouraging Hand Washing

• US 20090178217A1
• Filed: 01/12/2009
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Reiter, Thomas Alan Arnold
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Reiter, Thomas Alan Arnold
• Inventors: Reiter, Michael J., Arnold, Thomas Alan
• Application Number:
  US12/352,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20090178217A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/104.920
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1013 Brushes for cleaning fingers or finger nails
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel

Abstract

A device to encourage hand washing which provides visual feedback to a user who can control a video game or other visual feedback device while washing their hands. The device features at least one controller configured to operate when wet or continually doused with water while the user is washing their hands. The user may view a video or other means for visual interaction while washing their hands, and control a portion of the display with the controller. A video game or the like may thus be played by washing their hands thereby providing user encouragement to wash their hands. The controller may be employed with movement to provide a dermabrasive action against the palm of the user and with a surrounding skirt which is adapted to clean the back side of their hand while operating the controller.

Claims

1. An apparatus for hand washing comprising:

at least one controller, said controller configured to operate when wet or continually doused with water;

said controller generating a signal relative to hand movement by a user gripping said controller on a gripping surface; and

visual means for interaction, said visual means for interaction providing a visual feedback to said user relative to said signal generated by said controller, whereby said user gripping said controller in an as-used position, may concurrently wash their hand and operate said controller to interact with said visual means for interaction.

2. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 1 additionally comprising:

said signal being one of a hydraulic or a pneumatic signal generated by a means for pumping, said means for pumping in and engagement with said gripping surface; and

said visual means for interaction being a water filled cavity having glass on one side surface through which said user may view a movement of water or an object in said filled cavity caused by said signal from said controller.

3. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 1 additionally comprising:

said signal from said controller being electronic;

a microprocessor running software thereon, said microprocessor electrically engaged to receives said signal from said controller;

said visual means for interaction being a video display operatively engaged to said microprocessor;

said software displaying an interactive display on said video display; and

said visual feedback to said user provided by a portion of said interactive display reacting so said signal from said controller.

4. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 3 additionally comprising:

said interactive display being a video game.

5. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 1 additionally comprising:

said signal from said controller being electronic;

a microprocessor running software thereon, said microprocessor electrically engaged to receives said signal from said controller;

said visual means for interaction being a robotic plush toy or doll operatively engaged to said computer;

said software adapted to cause movement by said robotic plush toy or doll in a response to said signal from said controller; and

said visual feedback to said user provided by said plush toy or doll, said plush toy or doll having movements, said movements being relative to said signal from said controller.

6. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 1 additionally comprising:

a skirt, said skirt surrounding a portion of said gripping surface; and

said skirt having means to scrub said back side of said hand of said user in said as-used position.

7. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 2 additionally comprising:

a skirt, said skirt surrounding a portion of said gripping surface; and

said skirt having means to scrub said back side of said hand of said user in said as-used position.

8. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 3 additionally comprising:

a skirt, said skirt surrounding a portion of said gripping surface; and

said skirt having means to scrub said back side of said hand of said user in said as-used position.

9. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 4 additionally comprising:

a skirt, said skirt surrounding a portion of said gripping surface; and

said skirt having means to scrub said back side of said hand of said user in said as-used position.

10. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 5 additionally comprising:

a skirt, said skirt surrounding a portion of said gripping surface; and

said skirt having means to scrub said back side of said hand of said user in said as-used position.

11. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 1 additionally comprising:

means to generate a movement to said gripping surface while in said as-used position being gripped by the palm side of said user'"'"'s hand; and

said movement providing an abrasive action to said palm side of said hand thereby providing means to scrub said palm side of said hand in said as used position.

12. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 6 additionally comprising:

means to generate a movement to said gripping surface while in said as-used position being gripped by the palm side of said user'"'"'s hand; and

said movement providing an abrasive action to said palm side of said hand thereby providing means to scrub said palm side of said hand in said as used position.

13. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 7 additionally comprising:

means to generate a movement to said gripping surface while in said as-used position being gripped by the palm side of said user'"'"'s hand; and

said movement providing an abrasive action to said palm side of said hand thereby providing means to scrub said palm side of said hand in said as used position.

14. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 8 additionally comprising:

means to generate a movement to said gripping surface while in said as-used position being gripped by the palm side of said user'"'"'s hand; and

said movement providing an abrasive action to said palm side of said hand thereby providing means to scrub said palm side of said hand in said as used position.

15. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 9 additionally comprising:

means to generate a movement to said gripping surface while in said as-used position being gripped by the palm side of said user'"'"'s hand; and

said movement providing an abrasive action to said palm side of said hand thereby providing means to scrub said palm side of said hand in said as used position.

16. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 10 additionally comprising:

means to generate a movement to said gripping surface while in said as-used position being gripped by the palm side of said user'"'"'s hand; and

said movement providing an abrasive action to said palm side of said hand thereby providing means to scrub said palm side of said hand in said as used position.

17. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 12 additionally comprising:

said means to generate a movement being one or a combination of a motor, a vibrator, or a solenoid, thereby imparting one or a combination of movements to said gripping surface from a group of movements including rotation, vibration, and translation.

18. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 15 additionally comprising:

said means to generate a movement being one or a combination of a motor, a vibrator, or a solenoid, thereby imparting one or a combination of movements to said gripping surface from a group of movements including rotation, vibration, and translation.

19. The apparatus for handwashing of claim 16 additionally comprising:

said means to generate a movement being one or a combination of a motor, a vibrator, or a solenoid, thereby imparting one or a combination of movements to said gripping surface from a group of movements including rotation, vibration, and translation.

20. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 15 additionally comprising:

said skirt engaged to a electronic sensor;

said senor generating a second said signal relative to movements of said skirt; and

said portion of said interactive display also reacting to said second signal, whereby said user may generate both said signal and said second signal by movements of said gripping surface and said skirt respectively and receive said visual feedback from said portion of said interactive display reacting to both said signal from said controller and said second signal from said electronic sensor.