Dispenser having timing means, multisensory output and means of tracking usage number

• US 6,375,038 B1
• Filed: 06/12/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daansen USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Daansen USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Daansen, Warren S., Hock, Allan G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C
• Application Number:
  US09/591,751
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 222/39, 222/52, 222/638, 222/639, 222/644, 222/651, 434/236, 434/237, 434/238, 434/247, 434/258, 434/118, 434/308, 434/365, 434/169, 340/309.15, 340/573.1, 387/120
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/18 for washing or drying persons
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0076 Body hygiene; Dressing; Knot tying

Abstract

The invention in the simplest form is a dispenser that is a teaching tool and uses audio and visual means to promote compliance with proper washing techniques. A detection means is used to commence a time interval, and washing instructions are used to communicate with the user as an instructional tool in washing. There is a feedback response during the washing cycle to walk the user through the washing cycle and provide progress indicators during the cycle. A usage indicator tracks the number of usages as part of a management tool of assessing overall employee performance.

Claims

1. A dispenser for metering a liquid cleanser to a user and prompting said user in compliance with a recommended washing technique, comprising:

a container suitable for housing said liquid cleanser;

a power source;

a microcontroller connected to said power source;

an actuation means, wherein said actuation means is triggered by said user and dispenses said liquid cleanser, and wherein said actuation means initiates a washing cycle containing a plurality of washing steps;

a means for timing said washing cycle; and

a voice chip operatively connected to said microcontroller, wherein said voice chip output a plurality of aural instructional messages through a speaker for instructing said user during each of said plurality of washing steps.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said actuation means is a Hall effect sensor attached to said dispenser and a magnet attached to a pushbar, wherein said sensor is actuated when said pushbar is operated.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of washing step instructional messages for each of said washing steps, and said washing step instructional messages are randomly selected for outputting as said plurality of instructional messages.

4. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of instructional messages are in different languages.

5. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a means for determining realtime clock data, wherein said realtime clock data is obtained using communications circuitry.

6. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a means for calculating a refill date and communicating said refill date.

7. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of washing steps are lathering, scrubbing, and rinsing.

8. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser is manufactured using an Oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA) agent.

9. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a pushbar containing an Oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA) agent.

10. A dispenser for metering a liquid cleanser to a user and prompting said user in compliance with a recommended washing technique, comprising:

a container suitable for housing said liquid cleanser;

a power source;

a microcontroller connected to said power source;

an actuation means, wherein said actuation means is triggered by said user and dispenses said liquid cleanser, and wherein said actuation means initiates a washing cycle containing a plurality of washing steps;

a means for timing said washing cycle;

a means for indicating progress during said washing cycle;

a means for outputting a plurality of aural instructional messages for instructing said user during each of said plurality of washing steps; and

a means for tracking a number of usages.

11. A dispenser according to claim 10, wherein said means for indicating progress is a plurality of light emitting diodes.

12. A dispenser according to claim 10, further comprising a means for sensing a usage number request, wherein said number of usages is output as a verbal numeral.

13. A dispenser according to claim 10, further comprising a means for identifying a supervisor by voice recognition.

14. A dispenser according to claim 10, further comprising a means for customizing said plurality of instructional messages for instructing said user during each of said plurality of washing steps.

15. A dispenser according to claim 10, further comprising a means for timing of each of said instructional messages and said means of indicating progress.

16. A dispenser according to claim 10, wherein said power source is a gel pack.

17. A method for teaching proper hand washing using a soap dispenser, wherein said soap dispenser contains a processing means, wherein said processing means initiates a timed washing cycle containing a plurality of timed washing steps, said method comprising the steps of:

dispensing a liquid cleanser upon a user actuating a dispensing mechanism, wherein said actuating commences said timed washing cycle;

outputting a first aural instructional message during a first of said plurality of timed washing steps;

displaying a first progress indication;

outputting a second aural instructional message during a second of said plurality of timed washing steps;

displaying a second progress indication;

outputting a third aural instructional message during a third of said plurality of timed washing steps;

displaying a third progress indication; and

ending said timed washing cycle.