Soap dispenser base system

• US 7,315,245 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Soap Time LLC
• Original Assignee: Healthmark LLC
• Inventors: Lynn, John Morris, Newth, Kathryn Anne
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu, Shirley
• Application Number:
  US11/139,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20050282142A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/573.1, 434/236, 434/238
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/12 for liquid or pasty soap
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0076 Body hygiene; Dressing; Knot tying

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed involving a soap dispenser base for helping assure the washing of a person'"'"'s hands. Pressure exerted on a soap dispenser in contact with the soap dispenser base activates a timing means coupled with the base which gives information to the soap dispenser user on the correct duration of time to wash their hands. The base may also include a signal means which helps verify to other parties that the soap dispenser has in fact been utilized. Additionally, the soap dispenser base product may also contain marking mechanisms which are designed to be placed on a variety of different styles of soap dispensers. The marking mechanisms contain an easily identifiable substance which can only be removed by effective hand washing.

Claims

1. An apparatus for helping to assure that people wash their hands more effectively, comprising a base adapted to be in contact with an independent soap dispenser whereby said base gives information on effective hand washing duration when pressure is exerted on the soap dispenser in contact with the base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the base has a top surface which is sized so that a number of different soap dispensers may be placed upon the top surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the top surface further comprises an attachment mechanism which allows a variety of different styles and sizes of soap dispensers to be detachably attached to the top surface of the base.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein the base is adapted to sit freely on a horizontal surface and the soap dispenser comprises a bottle and a pump which requires downward pressure on the pump to dispense the soap.

4. An apparatus for helping to assure that people wash their hands more effectively, comprising a base which (1) is adapted to be in contact with an independent soap dispenser whereby said base gives information on effective hand washing duration when pressure is exerted on the soap dispenser in contact with the base;

and (2) gives off a signal that the soap dispenser has been utilized.

5. A system for helping to assure that people effectively wash their hands, comprising:

a base which is adapted to be in contact with an independent soap dispenser whereby said base gives information on effective hand washing duration when pressure is exerted on the soap dispenser in contact with the base; and

(2) a marking mechanism which can be detachably attached to the soap dispenser and which contains an easily identifiable substance which is removable by hand washing.