Commercially modeled portable towelette dispenser system with sensor means

• US 6,749,148 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2000
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr Beverly Helfer-Grand Lifeworks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dr Beverly Helfer-Grand Lifeworks Incorporated
• Inventors: Helfer-Grand, Beverly
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVERA, WILLIAM ARAUZ
• Application Number:
  US09/747,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20010006206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,270 Days
• Field of Search: 242/563, 242/563.2, 242/564.1, 242/564.4, 242/591, 222/192, 222/146.5, 239/239, 239/289, 239/135, 239/99, 219/214, 219/386, 219/521
• US Class Current: 242/564.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/46 with means for storing soiled towels
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/485 combined with a textile or paper towel dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2010/3266 Wet wipes

Abstract

A user-activated, dispenser of pre-moistened, antiseptic towelettes appropriate for hand cleansing use in such contexts as food service, health care, long-term care, child care, educational settings, industry, military, and public restrooms. The dispenser contains two compartments. One is used for towelette-dispensing and the other can be optionally used for housing hand drying means or for storing a reserve supply of towelettes. Each compartment is configured according to operant and classical conditioning strategies that motivate sustained positive changes in both the frequency and effectiveness of hand washing behavior. Optionally, the present invention dispenser can also comprise towelette warming means, a retractable handle, and a sanitary towelette or paper towel disposal assembly. A sensor on the dispenser, triggered by badge proximity to the dispenser housing can provide data for performance feedback and reinforcement/accountability strategies, the performance feedback being documented by research as essential for sustained changes in hand cleansing behavior. Alternative mounting means provide versatility in secure dispenser placement on counter/desks; under cabinets; on pedestals; and on either front, left or right facing walls in a bathroom stall.

Claims

1. A portable commercial hands-free portable towelette dispensing system for one-at-a-time dispensing of pre-moistened antiseptic towelettes from a web that allows pre-moistened antiseptic towelettes to be made available primarily for hand cleansing purposes in locations needing improved means for controlling the primary mode of the spread of infectious disease resulting from direct and indirect contact transmission of infectious pathogens which occurs primarily before eating by hand transmission via a fecal-to-oral route, with material components of said dispenser system being designed to implement classical and operant conditioning, wherein during use of said dispenser system classical and operant conditioning strategies function to change undesirable and unhealthy human hygiene habits of users into desirable and healthy hygiene habits, in terms of both frequency and effectiveness of hand decontamination, said dispenser system comprising:

a web of disposable towelettes configured for dispensing from a roll,

a moistening composition applied to said towelettes, with said moistening composition being adapted for preventing and treating dry skin, said moistening composition also having anti-microbial properties and demonstrating anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-protozoan, and anti-larval activity without host toxicity;

a housing formed with a towelette dispensing opening, and a first compartment adapted to contain and support said web of towelettes on a roll;

dispensing means associated with said housing, said dispensing means being adapted for user-activated drawing of an end-most one of said pre-moistened antiseptic towelettes from said roll and dispensing it through said dispensing opening;

mounting means configured for making said housing adaptable to different environmental settings and placing said dispensing opening in alternative orientations; and

a verification assembly associated with said housing that is configured to sense the presence of a user whereby usage trends revealed by said verification assembly can be employed to determine optimum housing locations and types of educational support needed for each environmental setting to change hand cleansing from a burden into an easy and pleasurable experience, toward the ultimate goal of a global reduction in the spread of infectious diseases caused by hand transmission of infectious pathogens via a fecal-to-oral route.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said verification assembly comprises sensor means selected from a group consisting of sensors adapted to record data, sensors adapted to distinguish between different users of said system, sensors adapted to record information categorized according to each user of said system and sensors adapted to interact with badges worn by individuals.

3. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said mounting means is selected from a group consisting of feet with rubber shoes, pedestals, and mounting means adapted for under-cabinet placement.

4. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a sanitary disposal assembly.

5. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a hinged panel adapted for providing access to said first compartment.

6. The dispensing system of claim 5 wherein said hinged panel is secured by a child-proof latch.

7. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a retractable handle.

8. The dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a towelette warming means.

9. The dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said dispensing system is coin operated.

10. The dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a paper towel holder attached externally to said housing.

11. The dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir configured for containing said moistening composition, and wherein said moistening composition in said reservoir is applied to each said towelette as it is dispensed.

12. The dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising at least one information message attached externally to said housing.

13. A method for dispensing pre-moistened antiseptic towelettes one-at-a-time from a roll primarily for hand cleansing purposes in locations needing improved means for controlling the primary mode of the spread of infectious disease resulting from direct and indirect contact transmission of infectious pathogens which occurs primarily before eating by hand transmission via a fecal-to-oral route, with said method incorporating classical and operant conditioning strategies to change undesirable and unhealthy human hygiene habits of users into desirable and healthy hygiene habits, in terms of both frequency and effectiveness of hand decontamination, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of webs of disposable antiseptic towelettes configured for dispensing from a roll, a moistening composition adapted for preventing and treating dry skin and also having anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-protozoan, and anti-larval activity properties without host toxicity;

a plurality of housings each having a towelette dispensing opening and a first compartment adapted to contain and support towelettes on a roll, towelette dispensing means associated with each of said housings, mounting means, pre-moistening means for said towelettes, and a plurality of verification assemblies that are configured to sense the presence of a user;

using said mounting means to adapt each of said housings to different environmental settings and place said dispensing opening into a pre-selected orientation selected to provide users with convenient access to said towelettes between the times of exposure to fecal contamination and commencement of eating;

affixing one of said verification assemblies to each of said housings in a position whereby the presence of a user attempting to access a towelette can be detected;

placing one of said webs of towelettes in each of said housings with the endmost one of said towelettes being positioned adjacent to said dispensing opening; and

adjusting said dispensing means so that said towelettes are dispensed one-at-a-time;

whereby as each of said towelettes is dispensed, user information is collected so that usage trends revealed by said verification assemblies can be employed to determine optimum housing locations and types of educational support needed for each environmental setting to change hand cleansing from a burden into an easy and pleasurable experience, toward the ultimate goal of a global reduction in the spread of infectious diseases caused by hand transmission of infectious pathogens via a fecal-to-oral route.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said verification assemblies each comprise sensor means selected from a group consisting of sensors adapted to record data, sensors adapted to distinguish between different users, sensors adapted to record information categorized according to each user, and sensors adapted to interact with a plurality of badges each configured for wearing by an individual.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising a step of providing a sanitary disposal assembly for each said housing, and a step of disposing used ones of said towelettes into said sanitary disposal assembly.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said towelette dispensing means further comprises a towelette warming means.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said towelette dispensing means is coin operated.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising a step of providing a paper towel holder for each said housing, and a step of attaching said paper towel holder externally to said housing.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising a step of providing a reservoir for each said housing that is configured for containing said moistening compositions, and a step adding said moistening composition to each said towelette as it is dispensed.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising a step of providing at least one information message for each said housing, and a step of attaching said information message externally to said housing.