Handwash apparatus

• US 5,954,069 A
• Filed: 12/15/1997
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HMSI Limited
• Original Assignee: HMSI Limited
• Inventors: Foster, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US08/990,686
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 134/56 R, 134/57 R, 134/58 R, 134/113, 4/623, 4/628
• US Class Current: 134/57.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2210/00 Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands

Abstract

An automatic handwash apparatus (1) is provided with an input device (50) so that a user can be identified after a handwash operation has been completed. Since the input device is used after each handwash, it does not become a vector for cross-contamination.

Claims

1. A handwash apparatus comprising:

water dispensing means;

soap dispensing means;

hands detecting means for detecting hands in position to receive soap and water;

control means operable to cause the water and soap dispensing means to operate according to a predetermined regime in dependence on the output of the hands detecting means; and

user identification means for producing a user identity signal in response to user input operation,

wherein the control means is responsive to completion of an instance of said predetermined regime to enable user identification by means of the user identification means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a body containing the water and soap dispensing means, wherein the user identification means comprises a keypad mounted to the body.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a first body containing the water and soap dispensing means and a second body to which the user identification means is mounted.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the user identification means comprises a keypad.

5. An apparatus to claim 3, including processing means mounted to the second body and communications means for providing a communication link between the first and second bodies, wherein the control means is configured to signal the completion of a handwash to the processing means by communications means.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the communication link comprises an IR communication link.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, including recording means for recording the time of competed handwash and the identity of the user completing the handwash.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording means comprises a computer remote from the means for producing a user identity signal.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording means comprises a printer.

10. A handwash apparatus comprising:

a water dispenser;

a soap dispenser;

a sensor for detecting hands in position to receive soap and water;

a controller operable to cause the water and the soap dispensers to operate according to a predetermined regime in dependence on the output of the hands detecting means; and

a user identification device for producing a user identity signal in response to a user input operation, wherein the controller is responsive to completion of an instance of said predetermined regime to enable user identification by means of the user identification device.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, including a body containing the water and soap dispensing means, wherein the user identification device comprises a keypad mounted to the body.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, including a body containing the water and soap dispensers, wherein the user identification device comprises a keypad mounted to the body.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the user identificaiton device comprises a keypad.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, including a processor mounted to the second body and a communications link between the first and second bodies, wherein the controller is configured to signal the completion of a handwash to the processor by the communications link.

15. An apparatus according to claims 14, wherein the communications link comprises and IR communications link.

16. An apparatus according to claim 10, including a data recorder for recording the time of a completed handwash and the identity of the user completing the handwash.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the data recorder comprises a computer remote from the user identification device.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the data recorder comprises a printer.