Wireless Touch-free Faucet Control for Hand Hygiene

• US 20130133762A1
• Filed: 11/14/2012
• Published: 05/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: UltraClenz LLC (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Snodgrass, David
• Application Number:
  US13/676,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20130133762A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/552.7
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2210/00 Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 3/02 with mechanical driving mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 3/08 Additional arrangements in connection with ordinary electric clocks for this purpose
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8208 Time

Abstract

A hand wash control system is provided, comprising a soap dispenser for dispensing soap; a dispenser beacon for detecting when soap has been dispensed by the soap dispenser; a faucet controller connected to a faucet for inhibiting the dispensing of water from a faucet; wherein the faucet controller inhibits the flow of water from the faucet for a certain time after the dispenser beacon detects soap being dispensed by the soap dispenser, to provide an appropriate lather period by a user before rinsing with water.

Claims

1. A hand wash control system, comprising:

a soap dispenser for dispensing soap;

a dispenser beacon for detecting when soap has been dispensed by the soap dispenser;

a faucet controller connected to a faucet for inhibiting the dispensing of water from a faucet;

wherein the faucet controller inhibits the flow of water from the faucet for a certain time after the dispenser beacon detects soap being dispensed by the soap dispenser, to provide an appropriate lather period by a user before rinsing with water.

2. The hand wash control system according to claim 1, wherein the faucet controller includes a sensor for detecting the pressure at a user'"'"'s hands and enables dispensing of water, except during said certain time period when the faucet controller inhibits the flow of water.

3. The hand wash control system according to claim 1, wherein said certain time period is adjustable.

4. The hand wash control system of claim 1, further including an indicator for indicating to a user that the faucet controller is inhibiting the flow of water.

5. The hand wash control system of claim 4, wherein the indicator is a visible colored light.

6. The hand wash control system of claim 1, wherein the indicator is an audible indicator.

7. The hand wash control system of claim 4, wherein the indicator is a countdown timer showing the time remaining in the certain time period.

8. The hand wash control system of claim 1, further including an indicator to inform a user that the certain time has elapsed and that the faucet controller is not inhibiting the flow of water.

9. The hand wash control system of claim 8, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator.

10. The hand wash control system of claim 8, wherein the indicator is an audible indicator.

11. The hand wash control system of claim 1, further including a controller for detecting whether a user has taken soap, and rinsed with water after the certain time period for lathering, to hereby indicate a compliant hand wash.

12. The hand wash control system of claim 1, further including a badge wearable by a user, which identifies the user, and

wherein the dispenser beacon communicates with the badge to determine the identity of the user performing a hand wash.

13. The hand wash control system of claim 11, wherein a compliant hand wash signal is generated and stored in response to a compliant hand wash being detected,

14. The hand wash control system of claim 13, wherein the generated compliant hand wash signal and the identity of the user is stored and date stamped.