PERSONAL COMPLIANCE DISPENSER

• US 20120256741A1
• Filed: 04/06/2012
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gotohti.Com Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gotohti.Com Inc.
• Inventors: Ophardt, Heiner
• Granted Patent: US 8,976,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/108 Means for counting the number of dispensing strokes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/62 Arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

A portable personal dispenser assembly comprising a combination of a dispenser and a communication enabled, portable handheld pocket-sized, personal computer in which the pocket-sized personal computer performs compliance monitoring of use of the dispenser and preferably controls and powers the use of the dispenser.

Claims

1. A personal hand hygiene compliance unit carried on a person for compliance monitoring of hand hygiene,

the unit comprising a hand sanitizing fluid dispenser and a communication enabled, portable handheld pocket-sized personal computing device,

the dispenser comprising a dispenser housing, a reservoir for containing a fluid, a pump and a discharge outlet,

the dispenser housing carrying the reservoir, the pump and the discharge outlet,

the pump coupled to the reservoir with the pump in communication with the fluid in the reservoir,

the pump capable of being activated to dispense the fluid from the reservoir out the discharge outlet,

the computing device having a computer housing, and within the computer housing a controller, a user interface, a battery and a data communication device for transmission of data from the smart phone,

the dispenser housing mechanically coupled to the computer housing,

the controller monitoring when the pump is activated and providing for the transmission via the data communication device of data regarding the activation of the pump to a remote computer for compliance monitoring.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein on each activation of the pump the dispenser provides a signal which is recognized by the computing device and used as an input towards compliance monitoring.

3. A personal hand hygiene compliance unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein

the pump comprising an electrically operated pump,

the pump electrically linked to the controller whereby the controller on receipt of input from a user from the user interface activates the pump to dispense fluid,

the controller providing for transmission via the data communication device of data regarding the activation of the pump to the remote computer for compliance monitoring.

4. A unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the computing device includes a power source,

the electrically activated pump is activated by electrical energy provided to the dispenser by the computing device.

5. A personal hand hygiene compliance unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein

the pump comprising a manually operated pump activated by manual forces applied to the pump by a hand of a user, wherein on activation the pump dispenses an allotment of the fluid,

wherein the mechanical movement of the pump produces a signal transmitted to the controller indicative of one activation of the pump.

6. A unit as claimed in claim 5 wherein:

the dispenser includes electronic circuitry,

electrical energy for the electronic circuitry of the dispenser is transferred to the dispenser from the computing device and used as an input towards compliance monitoring.

7. A unit as claimed in claim 5 wherein on each activation of the pump the dispenser provides a signal which is recognized by the computing device and used as an input towards compliance monitoring, the signal provided by the dispenser is a sound signal which is sensed by the computing device by a microphone.

8. A unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

the computing device includes a port for hardwired connection transfer of electronic input to or output from the computing device,

the dispenser includes a jack for coupling in the port for hardwired connection transfer with the electronic input or output to the dispenser.

9. A unit as claimed in claim 8 wherein the port is securely fixed to the computer housing and the jack is securely fixed to the dispenser housing, and

removably securing the jack in the port securely removably couples the dispenser housing to the computer housing against relative movement.

10. A unit as claimed claim 1 wherein the computing device has a removable battery cover covering a substantial portion of surface of the computing device, the dispenser fixedly secured against removal to the battery cover.

11. A unit as claimed in claim 1 including a stand coupled to the unit and movable between a closed position in which the stand lies proximate to the unit and an open position in which the stand extends away from the unit for engaging a horizontal support surface to support the unit on the support surface with the discharge outlet at a location relative the surface that fluid may be discharged from the dispenser onto a person'"'"'s hand adjacent the outlet and above the surface.

12. A unit as claimed in claim 11 wherein the stand is pivotally mounted to the dispenser for pivoting between the closed position and the open position.

13. A unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the computer housing includes a rigid outer casing, the dispenser casing carries a resilient clip mechanism to removably engage the casing to rigidly, removably secure the dispenser to computing device.

14. A unit as claimed in claim 13 wherein the computing device is communication enabled for Wi-Fi communication capability.

15. A unit as claimed claim 1 wherein the computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, smart phone and a personal digital assistant.

16. A unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein:

the computing device includes a port for hardwired connection transfer of electronic input to or output from the computing device,

the dispenser includes a jack for coupling in the port for hardwired connection of the electronic circuitry with the controller for transfer of electrical energy to the dispenser and electronic output from the dispenser.

17. A unit as claimed in claim 16 wherein the computing device is communication enabled for Wi-Fi communication capability.

18. A unit as claimed claim 17 wherein the computing device is selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, smart phone and a personal digital assistant.

19. A unit as claimed in claim 18 including a stand coupled to the unit and movable between a closed position in which the stand lies proximate to the unit and an open position in which the stand extends away from the unit for engaging a horizontal support surface to support the unit on the support surface with the discharge outlet at a location relative the surface that fluid may be discharged from the dispenser onto a person'"'"'s hand adjacent the outlet and above the surface.

20. A unit as claimed in claim 19 wherein the computer housing includes a rigid outer casing, the dispenser casing carries a resilient clip mechanism to removably engage the casing to rigidly, removably secure the dispenser to the computing device.