Method and apparatus for helping to assure the washing of hands

• US 6,147,607 A
• Filed: 08/11/1999
• Issued: 11/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Squidsoap Limited
• Original Assignee: John M. Lynn
• Inventors: Lynn, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/371,825
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 222/39, 106/31.32, 424/9.71, 428/61.1, 422/186, 422/291, 292/347
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/105 Toilet seat or toilet cover handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0069 Sanitary doorknobs or handles, e.g. comprising a disinfectant
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/82 Knobs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1443 Aluminum

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for helping to assure the washing of hands. An easily identifiable substance is provided which can be removed by washing, and a marking mechanism is coupled to the easily identifiable substance. A hand of a person is then marked with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered. In one embodiment, a flush mechanism of a toilet or urinal is equipped with the marking mechanism, and the marking mechanism is triggered when a person flushes the toilet or urinal. In another embodiment, a door handle is equipped with the marking mechanism, and the marking mechanism is triggered when a person uses the door handle.

Claims

1. A method for helping to assure washing of a person'"'"'s hands, comprising:

providing an easily identifiable substance which can be removed by washing with a sanitizing medium for a period of time sufficient to help assure sanitation of the person'"'"'s hands;

providing a marking mechanism coupled to the easily identifiable substance; and

marking a hand of the person with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered by an event where washing of the hands is desired.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling the marking mechanism to a door opening mechanism.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising using a water based product with pigment or dye added to form at least a portion of the easily identifiable substance.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning the marking mechanism so that the mark is placed on the palm of the hand or between the fingers of the hand or on the back of the hand or fingers or a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising using a composition, which is removable from clothing by washing the clothing, to form the easily identifiable substance.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling the marking mechanism to a toilet or urinal flushing mechanism.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising positioning the marking mechanism so that the mark is placed on the palm of the hand or between the fingers of the hand or on the back of the hand or fingers or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising using a water based product with pigment or dye added to form the easily identifiable substance.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising using a composition which is removable from clothing by washing the clothing, to form the easily identifiable substance.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing the easily identifiable substance using an alcohol based substance as the sanitizing medium.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising using hot water to provide at least a part of the sanitizing medium.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying the easily identifiable substance operable to quickly dry to the touch after the marking of the hand.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising washing the person'"'"'s hands for a period of time from approximately ten seconds to two minutes to help assure sanitation of the hands.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a mechanism to allow bypassing of the marking mechanism in order to distinguish between classes of persons associated with the event.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a mechanism to indicate when an attempt has been made to bypass the marking mechanism.

16. An apparatus for helping to assure the washing of a person'"'"'s hands, comprising:

an easily identifiable substance which can be removed by washing with a sanitizing medium for a period of time sufficient to help assure sanitation of the person'"'"'s hands;

a marking mechanism coupled with the easily identifiable substance;

an actuating mechanism associated with an event where washing of the person'"'"'s hands is desirable; and

the marking mechanism operable to mark a hand of the person with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered by the hand operating the actuating mechanism.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising the marking mechanism coupled to a door opening mechanism which forms at least a part of the actuating mechanism.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a bypass mechanism to allow opening the associated door without contacting the marking mechanism.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the easily identifiable substance further comprises a water based product with pigment or dye added.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprises the marking mechanism positioned relative to the actuating mechanism whereby the mark is placed on the palm of the hand or between the fingers of the hand or on the back of the hand or fingers or a combination thereof.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising the easily identifiable substance formed at least in part from a composition removable from clothing by washing the clothing.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising the actuating mechanism selected from the group consisting of a toilet flushing mechanism, a urinal flushing mechanism or a door opening mechanism.

23. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising the sanitizing medium selected from the group comprising hot water, an alcohol based solution or an antibacterial solution.

24. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

a first door operating mechanism having the marking mechanism coupled thereto; and

a second door operating mechanism to allow bypassing the first door operating mechanism.

25. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

a door opening mechanism having the marking mechanism coupled thereto; and

an unlocking mechanism positioned on the door opening mechanism to require that the person'"'"'s hand firmly engage the door opening mechanism to operate the door.

26. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a rough, hook-type surface mounted on the actuating mechanism to indicate if another material has been placed thereon to prevent the marking mechanism from marking the person'"'"'s hand.

27. An apparatus for helping to assure the washing of a person'"'"'s hands, comprising:

an easily identifiable substance which can be removed by washing to help assure sanitation of the person'"'"'s hands;

a marking mechanism and an actuating mechanism associated with an event where washing of the person'"'"'s hands is desirable;

the marking mechanism operable to mark a hand of the person with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered by the actuating mechanism responsive to said event; and

the easily identifiable substance disposed within a replaceable container coupled with the marking mechanism.

28. A replaceable container for use in an apparatus for helping to assure washing of a person'"'"'s hands, comprising:

an easily identifiable substance, which can be removed by washing to help assure sanitation of the person'"'"'s hands, disposed within the replaceable container; and

the replaceable container operable to be releasably secured within a marking mechanism to mark a hand of the person with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered by an event where washing of the hands is desired.