Method and apparatus for helping to assure the washing of hands

• US 6,211,788 B1
• Filed: 10/13/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Squidsoap Limited
• Original Assignee: John M. Lynn
• Inventors: Lynn, Fiona Armstrong, Lynn, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/417,959
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 15/1, 15/244.4, 15/245, 15/265.05, 428/41.1, 422/291, 422/292, 292/347, 222/92, 222/175, 424/405, 424/9.71, 16/412
• 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 a person'"'"'s hands. An easily identifiable substance is provided which may be removed by washing. A marking mechanism is coupled with or contains the easily identifiable substance. A hand of the 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 may be equipped with the marking mechanism. The marking mechanism is preferably triggered when the person flushes the toilet or urinal. In another embodiment, a door handle may be equipped with the marking mechanism, and the marking mechanism is triggered when the person uses the door handle. For some applications the marking mechanism may be releasably secured to an activating member.

Claims

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

an easily identifiable substance which may be removed by washing the hands;

a marking mechanism having at least a portion of the easily identifiable substance;

the marking mechanism releasably secured to an actuating member associated with an event that requires washing of the person'"'"'s hands; and

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

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuating member comprises a flushing mechanism of a toilet or urinal and triggered when the person flushes the toilet or urinal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the marking mechanism is releasably secured to the actuating member by a detachable attachment means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the marking mechanism comprises an absorbing material containing the easily identifiable substance.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the absorbing material comprises a stamp pad.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the marking mechanism releasably secured to a flush mechanism of a toilette or urinal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the marking mechanism comprises an absorbing material which contains the easily identifiable substances.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the absorbing material comprises a stamp pad.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the marking mechanism is releasably secured to the actuating member using a hook and loop type attachment means.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the marking mechanism comprises an absorbent pad.

11. A detachable marking mechanism for use in an apparatus for helping to assure washing of a person'"'"'s hands, comprising:

an easily identifiable substance, which is removable by washing to help assure sanitation of the person'"'"'s hands;

at least a portion of the easily identifiable substance contained with the detachable marking mechanism; and

the detachable marking mechanism operable to be releasably secured to an actuating member to mark at least one hand of the person with the easily identifiable substance when the actuating member is triggered by an event where washing of the hands is desired.

12. The marking mechanism of claim 11 further comprising a detachable attachment means for releasably securing the marking mechanism to a flushing mechanism of a toilet or urinal and triggered when the person flushes the toilet or urinal.

13. The marking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the detachable attachment means comprises tape.

14. The marking mechanism of claim 12 wherein the detachable attachment means comprises tape having a tab extending from the marking mechanism.

15. The marking mechanism of claim 11, further comprising a stamp pad containing the easily identifiable substance.

16. The marking mechanism of claim 11, further comprising an absorbent pad containing the easily identifiable substance.

17. The marking mechanism of claim 11 further comprising a film covering to delay drying of the easily identifiable substance.

18. A system for helping to assure washing of a person'"'"'s hands after an event whereby washing of the hands is desirable, comprising:

an easily identifiable substance which is removable by washing the hands;

a marking mechanism with at least a portion of the easily identifiable substance contained therein;

the marking mechanism releasably secured to an actuating member associated with the event that requires washing of the hands; and

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

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a detachable attachment means for releasably securing the marking mechanism to the actuating member.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the detachable attachment means comprises a double sided tape.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the detachable attachment means comprises a hook and logs type attachment means.