SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ENSURING THE APPROPRIATE DURATION FOR HANDWASHING

• US 20120002510A1
• Filed: 07/02/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Carl R. Berman Jr
• Original Assignee: Carl R. Berman Jr
• Inventors: Berman, Carl R. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US12/829,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20120002510A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

A method for automatically measuring elapsed time sufficient for complete hand washing, including actuating flowing of water, actuating a timer device, initiating washing hands, measuring a predetermined length of time, sounding an alarm when the predetermined length of time has elapsed, and ceasing washing hands after the alarm has sounded. The timer device further includes a housing portion, a timer portion positioned in the housing portion, a display portion positioned in the housing portion and operationally connected to the timer portion, and an alarm portion positioned in the housing portion and operationally connected to the timer portion. The timer portion is programmed to measure a predetermined length of time recommended for complete hand washing and actuates the alarm portion once the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

Claims

1. A system for automatically timing the duration of a hand-washing event to ensure thorough hand-washing, comprising:

a housing portion;

a timer portion positioned in the housing portion;

a display portion positioned in the housing portion and operationally connected to the timer portion; and

an alarm portion positioned in the housing portion and operationally connected to the timer portion;

wherein the timer portion is programmed to measure a predetermined length of time recommended for complete hand washing; and

wherein the timer portion actuates the alarm portion once the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

2. The system of claim 1 and further comprising a connection portion connected to the housing portion for attaching the housing portion to a wearer.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the timer portion is programmable to actuate the alarm portion at predetermined intervals.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the timer portion may actuate the alarm portion to emit different tones at different intervals, wherein each respective tone may be coupled with a different event.

5. The system of claim 1 and further comprising an actuator operationally connected to the timer portion for initiating measurement of the predetermined length of time.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the actuator is a switch.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the actuator is a moisture sensor.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the actuator is a motion sensor.

9. The system of claim 5 and further comprising a sensor operationally connected to the timer portion for detecting continuous hand-washing during the predetermined length of time.

10. The system of claim 5 and further comprising an RFID sensor operationally connected to the alarm portion for detecting an emitter and generating an alarm tone to prompt a hand washing event.

11. A method for automatically measuring elapsed time sufficient for complete hand washing, comprising:

a) actuating flowing of water;

b) actuating a timer device, wherein the timer device further comprises;

a housing portion;

a timer portion positioned in the housing portion;

a display portion positioned in the housing portion and operationally connected to the timer portion; and

an alarm portion positioned in the housing portion and operationally connected to the timer portion;

c) initiating washing hands;

d) measuring a predetermined length of time;

e) sounding an alarm when the predetermined length of time has elapsed;

f) ceasing washing hands after the alarm has sounded;

wherein the timer portion is programmed to measure a predetermined length of time recommended for complete hand washing; and

wherein the timer portion actuates the alarm portion once the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

12. The method of claim 11 and further comprising a connection portion connected to the housing portion for attaching the housing portion to a wearer.

13. The method of claim 11 and further comprising an actuator operationally connected to the timer portion for initiating measurement of the predetermined length of time.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the actuator is a switch.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the actuator is a moisture sensor.

16. The method of claim 13 and further comprising:

g) during d), monitoring continuous washing;

h) sounding an alert tone if continuous washing is interrupted before the predetermined length of time has elapsed; and

i) terminating the alert tone when continuous washing has resumed;

wherein the timer device further comprises a sensor portion operationally connected to the timer portion.

17. The method of claim 13 and further comprising:

j) sending a hand washing prompt signal when the timer device is proximate a predetermined location; and

k) terminating the hand washing prompt signal when the predetermined length of time has elapsed.

18. The method of claim 13 and further comprising:

l) remotely communicating with the timer device.

19. A method for automatically confirming hand-washing for sufficient time to substantially clean the hands, comprising:

a) actuating a water flow;

b) actuating a timer device, wherein the timer device further comprises;

a housing portion;

a timer portion positioned in the housing portion;

a display portion positioned in the housing portion and operationally connected to the timer portion;

an alarm portion positioned in the housing portion and operationally connected to the timer portion; and

a sensor portion positioned in the housing portion and operationally connected to the timer portion for detecting continuous hand washing;

c) washing hands;

d) measuring a predetermined length of time;

e) confirming continuous hand washing during the predetermined length of time;

f) sounding an alert tone if hand washing is discontinued during the predetermined length of time; and

g) sounding an alarm when the predetermined length of time has elapsed;

wherein the timer portion is programmed to measure a predetermined length of time recommended for complete hand washing; and

wherein the timer portion actuates the alarm portion once the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

20. The method of claim 19 and further compsiring:

h) sending a hand washing prompt signal when the timer device is proximate a predetermined location;

i) terminating the hand washing prompt signal when the predetermined length of time has elapsed; and

j) remotely communicating with the timer device.