Cleaning management kit and method of use

• US 6,476,385 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Creative Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Peter M. Albert
• Inventors: Albert, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Application Number:
  US09/531,540
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 250/302, 250/301
• US Class Current: 250/302
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/91 using penetration of dyes, e.g. fluorescent ink

Abstract

A cleaning inspection kit inclusive of various compositions of water-soluble invisible fluorescent ink and various applicators therefor which are suited for a number of different surfaces, and a hand-held ultra-violet light. The appropriate applicator is used to mark an area with invisible compound prior to cleaning. After the area has been cleaned an inspection is made with the ultra violet light to expose the original area and to determine whether remnants of the original mark are still there. If so, the area could not have been properly cleaned. However, if the original mark is gone then the area was cleaned. The system allows management to inspect the quality of cleaning and maintenance services. The kit is simple to use as the inks are applied by convenient pen, powder or spray applicators, and a portable ultra-violet light is provided for fluorescing the inks. The method is non-destructive as all of the ink compositions wash away upon normal cleaning.

Claims

1. A method for verifying cleaning services using an ultraviolet light and a contact marker for applying invisible fluorescent compound to an area subject to periodic cleaning, said method comprising the following steps:

marking an area subject to periodic cleaning with said invisible fluorescent compound using said contact marker;

inspecting said area subject to periodic cleaning by illumination with said ultraviolet light sometime after the marking process to determine whether said invisible fluorescent compound is still present;

whereby a determination that said invisible fluorescent compound is no longer present indicates that said area was properly cleaned sometime between said steps of marking and inspecting, or a determination that said invisible fluorescent compound is still present indicates that said area was not properly cleaned sometime between said steps of marking and inspecting.

2. The method for verifying cleaning services according to claim 1, further comprising the step of testing a surface to be cleaned and inspected to determine an appropriate fluorescent compound and applicator prior to said marking step.