HAND HYGIENE

• US 20140110427A1
• Filed: 10/23/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clifford Cawthon, Dean Cawthon, Ronald Bercaw, Wade Gagich
• Original Assignee: Clifford Cawthon, Dean Cawthon, Ronald Bercaw, Wade Gagich
• Inventors: Gagich, Wade, Bercaw, Ronald, Cawthon, Dean, Cawthon, Clifford
• Granted Patent: US 10,448,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 17/00 Other equipment , e.g. separate apparatus for deodorising, disinfecting or cleaning devices without flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers; Holders for toilet brushesportable urinating aids A61F5/4556; devices for receiving spittle A61J19/00 ; disinfecting apparatus for medical, surgical or hygienic purposes A61L; cleaning devices with flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers E03D9/00; for emptying or cleaning chamber-pots, bed pans, bed urinals or the like E03D11/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/022 Pedestrian barriers; Barriers for channelling or controlling crowds E01F13/024, E01F13/028 take precedence; corrals E04H17/18
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 11/08 Turnstiles; Gates for control of entry or exit of persons, e.g. in supermarkets control gates on vehicles B60N5/00 ; bank protection devices E05G5/00; with registering means G07C9/10 ; coin-freed facilities for turnstiles G07F17/14
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus for preventing one with dirty hands from entering or exiting an area without first using a hand washing system. Typical uses would be in hospitals, where patients are endangered by health care workers who may propagate microorganisms and thus illness from patient to patient. The subject technology seeks to stop one from passing by having a barrier block passage. Overrides for bypass system on an emergency basis or when hands are otherwise necessarily occupied, such as in carrying a tray or other objects. Sensors detect presence of obstructions in the movement of the barrier. Further, the barrier may be broken should an emergency arise. Current implementation presumes that one'"'"'s hands are dirty, and thus entry or exit is initially. Once hand washing has occurred, then entry or exit is allowed.

Claims

1. A hand hygiene device comprising

a body,

a reservoir attached to said body, said reservoir containing sanitizing material,

an arm attached to said body, said arm being movable to deter or to allow passage of one or more individuals,

said arm further being releasable and breakable to allow passage,

a means for sensing presence of an object in the path of said arm,

a means for sensing approach of one or more individuals,

control logic establishing a normal state in which passage is deterred,

said control logic further operating to deter passage of said one or more individuals unless said sanitizing material has been dispensed,

said control logic further operating to allow passage of said one or more individuals if said sanitizing material has been dispensed,

emergency mode to allow passage of said one or more individuals without sanitizing material being dispensed,

and said control logic further allowing passage to more than one individual before returning to said normal state.

2. A hand hygiene encouragement method comprising the steps of

initially deterring passage of an individual to or from an area, said step comprising a normal mode,

sensing the approach of said individual,

awaiting a request from said individual to receive hand sanitation services,

dispensing said hand sanitation services,

allowing passage of said individual to or from said area after providing said sanitation services,

if said individual indicates an emergency state, then allowing passage of said individual to or from said area without providing said sanitation services,

return to said normal mode after passage of said individual,

3. A hand hygiene system comprising

a dispensing device for dispensing hand sanitation services,

a deterrence device for controlling passage of one or more individuals to or from an area,

approach sensing means to determine presence of said one or more individuals,

hand sensing means to determine presence and location of hands to be sanitized,

control logic to operate said dispensing device and said deterrence device and using information from said approach sensing means and said hand sensing means,

said control logic further operating to deter passage of said one or more individuals to or from said area unless said hand sanitizing services have been performed,

and said control logic further operating to allow passage of said one or more individuals on an emergency basis without said hand sanitizing services have been performed.