Handwashing technique analysis

• US 5,900,067 A
• Filed: 07/11/1997
• Issued: 05/04/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jones C. Kerry
• Original Assignee: Jones C. Kerry
• Inventors: Jones, C. Kerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Pyon, Harold Y.
• Application Number:
  US08/891,677
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 134/1, 134/26, 134/42, 134/29, 128/633, 252/408.1, 252/301.16
• US Class Current: 134/1
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/06 containing organic luminescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6447 by visual observation

Abstract

A handwashing medium which may be in liquid, cream, powder or spray form is provided with a detection agent such as an invisible fluorescent or phosphorescent additive, which combination is then rubbed onto one'"'"'s hands using the individual'"'"'s handwashing technique. The individual'"'"'s hands are rinsed with water as in the normal handwashing fashion and the hands are then exposed to an activating agent such as an ultraviolet (UV) light source where the invisible detection agent is fluorescent. Areas missed during handwashing retain the fluorescent additive and are clearly visible due to fluorescence. In the case of a phosphorescent detection agent, an ultraviolet light source is not necessary as the phosphorescent detection agent will emit light on its own without any external light source in a reduced light environment. The method is useful in evaluating one'"'"'s handwashing technique and in the teaching of proper hygiene. The invisible fluorescent or phosphorescent additive in a handwashing medium may also be used in determining patterns of body part contact such as contact with one'"'"'s hands or feet in a given area by applying the invisible fluorescent or phosphorescent additive to a body part and either exposing the area to UV light or viewing the area of interest in reduced light to detect the presence of residue of the fluorescent or phosphorescent agent. The use of a phosphorescent additive in the handwashing medium may also be used in determining patterns of body part contact by viewing the area of interest in reduced light.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating a person'"'"'s handwashing technique comprising the steps of:

adding an invisible detection agent to a soap or detergent based handwashing medium, wherein said invisible detection agent is phosphorescent;

applying the handwashing medium containing the invisible phosphorescent detection agent to the person'"'"'s hands;

moving the person'"'"'s hands into contact with one another in accordance with the handwashing technique of the person so as to spread said handwashing medium over both hands of the person;

rinsing both hands in water so as to remove said handwashing medium from the hands; and

viewing the person'"'"'s hands in reduced light for determining the presence of any of said detection agent on the hands indicating an unwashed portion of the hands.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said handwashing medium is in liquid, cream, powder or spray form.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said detection agent is in liquid, cream, powder or spray form.

4. A method for indicating areas of body part contact on surface areas of a defined space such as a room, said method comprising the steps of:

adding an invisible detection agent to a handwashing medium, wherein said invisible detection agent is phosphorescent;

applying the invisible detection agent to a person'"'"'s body part by washing the body part with said handwashing medium;

allowing the person access to the defined space for the purpose of conducting activities therein; and

observing the defined space in reduced light for determining the presence of said detection agent indicating contact of the washed body part with any portion of the defined space on which said detection agent is located.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said handwashing medium is in liquid, cream, powder or spray form.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said detection agent is in liquid, cream, powder or spray form.

7. A composition for washing one'"'"'s hands and for indicating those portions of the hands which are not cleaned during the handwashing process, said composition comprising:

a soap or detergent based hand washing agent for cleaning the hands when applied to the hands and rinsed away with a solvent such as water; and

a phosphorescent detection agent disposed in said washing agent and generally invisible to the eye, wherein said phosphorescent detection agent remains on the hands after the hands are rinsed with water for indicating those portions of the hands which have not been cleaned during the handwashing process when viewed in reduced light.

8. The composition of claim 7 wherein said washing agent is in liquid, cream, powder or spray form.

9. The composition of claim 8 wherein said detection agent is in liquid, cream, powder or spray form.

10. A method of determining contact of various portions of an enclosure such as a room with body parts of persons within and moving about the room, said method comprising the steps of:

applying an invisible phosphorescent detection agent to selected areas in the room;

providing access to the room by persons conducting various activities in the room, wherein said invisible phosphorescent detection agent is spread from one of said selected areas by contact with a body part of a person in the room to another area of the room with which the body part comes in contact; and

viewing the room in reduced light for rendering said phosphorescent detection agent visible for determining areas of body part contact other than said selected areas.