Apparatus and method for encouraging hand washing

• US 8,474,083 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2011
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Reiter, Thomas A. Arnold
• Original Assignee: Michael Reiter, Thomas A. Arnold
• Inventors: Reiter, Michael, Arnold, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCDONALD, SHANTESE L
• Application Number:
  US13/008,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20110119825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 15/4, 15/211, 15/221
• US Class Current: 15/4
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/001 with integral reservoirs A46B11/0003, A46B11/0006 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0006 with a controlling brush technique device, e.g. stroke movement measuring device
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1013 Brushes for cleaning fingers or finger nails
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2210/00 Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8094 Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking

Abstract

A device to encourage hand washing which provides visual feedback to a user who can control a video game, blow bubbles, or view other visual feedback device while washing their hands. The device in one mode features at least one controller configured to operate when wet or continually doused with water while the user is washing their hands. The user may view a video or other means for visual interaction while washing their hands, and control a portion of the display with the controller. A video game or the like may thus be played by washing their hands thereby providing user encouragement to wash their hands. In a hand powered mode of the device, a compressible shell is employed to blow bubbles while squeezed and concurrently washing the user'"'"'s hands. The controller or the shell may be employed with components providing a dermabrasive action against the palm of the user.

Claims

1. An apparatus for hand washing and concurrently providing a visual interaction with a user, said apparatus having a hand washing component, comprising:

a substantially spherical shell having a sidewall with an exterior surface;

an interior cavity of said shell defined by said sidewall;

said shell formed of malleable material deformable by a hand compression of a user;

an exhaust aperture on a first side of said shell, said exhaust aperture communicating through said sidewall with said interior cavity;

projections extending from said exterior surface;

a bladder housed within said interior cavity, said bladder having an internal cavity surrounded by a bladder wall;

a gap between said bladder wall and said sidewall;

an intake conduit communicating through said sidewall with said internal cavity, said intake providing a path for air to enter said internal cavity;

an exhaust conduit communicating between said internal cavity and a one-way valve positioned in said exhaust aperture;

said exhaust conduit communicating air from said internal cavity through said one-way valve during a compression of said hand washing component by a squeeze of a user'"'"'s hand;

an aperture operatively positioned to receive exhausting air communicated from said internal cavity through said one-way valve, during a said squeeze;

means for a communication of a soapy solution to said aperture and said exterior surface of said shell;

said aperture configured to form a liquid film therein subsequent to a said communication of said soapy solution;

said liquid film adapted to form said visual interaction in the form of a bubble, using said exhausting air communicated there-against during a said squeeze; and

said projections providing means for a scrubbing of said user'"'"'s hand during said squeeze, whereby said user squeezing said hand washing component to form a said bubble is concurrently provided with said scrubbing of their hand.

2. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 1, additionally comprising:

an open cell foam membrane positioned in said gap;

at least one fluid aperture communicating through said sidewall between said gap and said exterior surface;

said fluid aperture providing means to communicate said soapy solution to said foam membrane;

said foam membrane configured to produce suds from said soapy solution, during a said squeeze by a user;

said fluid aperture providing means for communication of said suds to said hand of said user during a said squeeze; and

said suds providing means for an enhancement of said scrubbing of said user'"'"'s hand.

3. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 2, additionally comprising:

said intake conduit having a smaller diameter than said exhaust conduit;

said intake conduit exhausting a portion of said air during a said squeeze;

said portion of air exhausted providing means to regulate said exhausting air communicated against said liquid film to a maximum volume of said exhausting air; and

regulating said exhausting air to said maximum volume providing a means to enhance formation of said bubble through an elimination of excess said exhausted air likely to pop said bubble prematurely.

4. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 3 additionally comprising:

a diffuser centrally located in said aperture operatively positioned to receive exhausting air;

said diffuser having a perimeter edge substantially paralleling an aperture edge defining said aperture;

an annular gap formed between said perimeter edge of said diffuser and said aperture edge;

said film forming within said annular gap; and

said exhausting air communicating with said film after a first communication against said diffuser.

5. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 3, additionally comprising:

a base component, said base component configured for a mating with said hand washing component on said first side of said shell;

said base component having an interior cavity sized to hold a reservoir of said soapy solution; and

compression of said hand washing component against said base component in said mating providing means to activate said base component to communicate said soapy solution to said hand washing component.

6. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 4, additionally comprising:

a base component, said base component configured for a mating with said hand washing component on said first side of said shell;

said base component having an interior cavity sized to hold a reservoir of said soapy solution; and

compression of said hand washing component against said base component in said mating providing means to activate said base component to communicate said soapy solution to said hand washing component.

7. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 2 additionally comprising:

a diffuser centrally located in said aperture operatively positioned to receive exhausting air;

said diffuser having a perimeter edge substantially paralleling an aperture edge defining said aperture;

an annular gap formed between said perimeter edge of said diffuser and said aperture edge;

said film forming within said annular gap; and

said exhausting air communicating with said film after a first communication against said diffuser.

8. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 7, additionally comprising:

a base component, said base component configured for a mating with said hand washing component on said first side of said shell;

said base component having an interior cavity sized to hold a reservoir of said soapy solution; and

compression of said hand washing component against said base component in said mating providing means to activate said base component to communicate said soapy solution to said hand washing component.

9. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 7, additionally comprising:

said projections extending from said exterior surface being a plurality of elongated members extending from an attachment to a distal;

each of said elongated members projecting along an axis running substantially radially from said exterior surface;

said elongated members exerting a biasing force against any deflection from said projecting along a said axis of said elongated members during a said squeeze;

said biasing force providing means to enhance said scrubbing of said user'"'"'s hand by increasing a force of contact between said projections and said user'"'"'s hand.

10. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 2, additionally comprising:

a base component, said base component configured for a mating with said hand washing component on said first side of said shell;

said base component having an interior cavity sized to hold a reservoir of said soapy solution; and

compression of said hand washing component against said base component in said mating providing means to activate said base component to communicate said soapy solution to said hand washing component.

11. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 2, additionally comprising:

said projections extending from said exterior surface being a plurality of elongated members extending from an attachment to a distal;

each of said elongated members projecting along an axis running substantially radially from said exterior surface;

said elongated members exerting a biasing force against any deflection from said projecting along a said axis of said elongated members during a said squeeze;

said biasing force providing means to enhance said scrubbing of said user'"'"'s hand by increasing a force of contact between said projections and said user'"'"'s hand.

12. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 1, additionally comprising:

said intake conduit having a smaller diameter than said exhaust conduit;

said intake conduit exhausting a portion of said air during a said squeeze;

said portion of air exhausted providing means to regulate said exhausting air communicated against said liquid film to a maximum volume of said exhausting air; and

regulating said exhausting air to said maximum volume providing a means to enhance formation of said bubble through an elimination of excess said exhausted air likely to pop said bubble prematurely.

13. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 12 additionally comprising:

a diffuser centrally located in said aperture operatively positioned to receive exhausting air;

said diffuser having a perimeter edge substantially paralleling an aperture edge defining said aperture;

an annular gap formed between said perimeter edge of said diffuser and said aperture edge;

said film forming within said annular gap; and

said exhausting air communicating with said film after a first communication against said diffuser.

14. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 13, additionally comprising:

a base component, said base component configured for a mating with said hand washing component on said first side of said shell;

said base component having an interior cavity sized to hold a reservoir of said soapy solution; and

compression of said hand washing component against said base component in said mating providing means to activate said base component to communicate said soapy solution to said hand washing component.

15. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 12, additionally comprising:

a base component, said base component configured for a mating with said hand washing component on said first side of said shell;

said base component having an interior cavity sized to hold a reservoir of said soapy solution; and

compression of said hand washing component against said base component in said mating providing means to activate said base component to communicate said soapy solution to said hand washing component.

16. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 1 additionally comprising:

a diffuser centrally located in said aperture operatively positioned to receive exhausting air;

said diffuser having a perimeter edge substantially paralleling an aperture edge defining said aperture;

an annular gap formed between said perimeter edge of said diffuser and said aperture edge;

said film forming within said annular gap; and

said exhausting air communicating with said film after a first communication against said diffuser.

17. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 16, additionally comprising:

a base component, said base component configured for a mating with said hand washing component on said first side of said shell;

said base component having an interior cavity sized to hold a reservoir of said soapy solution; and

compression of said hand washing component against said base component in said mating providing means to activate said base component to communicate said soapy solution to said hand washing component.

18. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 16, additionally comprising:

said projections extending from said exterior surface being a plurality of elongated members extending from an attachment to a distal;

each of said elongated members projecting along an axis running substantially radially from said exterior surface;

said elongated members exerting a biasing force against any deflection from said projecting along a said axis of said elongated members during a said squeeze;

said biasing force providing means to enhance said scrubbing of said user'"'"'s hand by increasing a force of contact between said projections and said user'"'"'s hand.

19. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 1, additionally comprising:

a base component, said base component configured for a mating with said hand washing component on said first side of said shell;

said base component having an interior cavity sized to hold a reservoir of said soapy solution; and

compression of said hand washing component against said base component in said mating providing means to activate said base component to communicate said soapy solution to said hand washing component.

20. The apparatus for hand washing of claim 1, additionally comprising:

said projections extending from said exterior surface being a plurality of elongated members extending from an attachment to a distal;

each of said elongated members projecting along an axis running substantially radially from said exterior surface;

said elongated members exerting a biasing force against any deflection from said projecting along a said axis of said elongated members during a said squeeze;

said biasing force providing means to enhance said scrubbing of said user'"'"'s hand by increasing a force of contact between said projections and said user'"'"'s hand.