Automated dispenser for disinfectant with proximity sensor
First Claim
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1. Automated dispensing apparatus comprising:
- a. a housing;
b. contained within the housing, a receptacle for liquid;
c. outlet means for conducting liquid from the receptacle to a dispensing location accessible to a user'"'"'s hands;
d. a first detector for producing an alarm-trigger signal in response to the presence of a user proximate to the housing;
e. alarm means for generating, in response to the alarm-trigger signal, a user perceivable alarm;
f. a second detector for producing a valve-actuation signal in response to the presence of a user'"'"'s hands in the dispensing location; and
g. a dispensing valve, interposed between the receptacle and the outlet means, for sending a predetermined volume of liquid through the outlet means in response to the valve-actuation signal.
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Abstract
A unit suitable for wall mounting contains a supply of disinfectant and a proximity detector that senses an individual'"'"'s approach. When an approaching individual is detected, the unit issues a visual and/or audible reminder to disinfect. A second proximity detector senses the presence of an individual'"'"'s hands beneath a disinfectant ejection outlet, and the unit thereupon dispenses a predetermined amount of disinfectant. The invention may display compliance information including a compliance rate based on the ratio of alarms to actual dispensations of disinfectant, and may store historical compliance information for subsequent analysis.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Automated dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a. a housing; b. contained within the housing, a receptacle for liquid; c. outlet means for conducting liquid from the receptacle to a dispensing location accessible to a user'"'"'s hands; d. a first detector for producing an alarm-trigger signal in response to the presence of a user proximate to the housing; e. alarm means for generating, in response to the alarm-trigger signal, a user perceivable alarm; f. a second detector for producing a valve-actuation signal in response to the presence of a user'"'"'s hands in the dispensing location; and g. a dispensing valve, interposed between the receptacle and the outlet means, for sending a predetermined volume of liquid through the outlet means in response to the valve-actuation signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of controllably dispensing a liquid, the method comprising:
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a. providing a receptacle containing a liquid and an outlet to the receptacle; b. providing means for dispensing a predetermined amount of the liquid through the outlet; c. sensing the proximity of a user to the receptacle and generating, in response thereto, a user-perceivable alarm; and d. sensing the presence of a user'"'"'s hands proximate to the outlet and, in response thereto, dispensing the predetermined amount of the liquid through the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification