Automated monitoring and control of cleaning in a production area

• US 9,011,607 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation US (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation US (Sealed Air)
• Inventors: De Luca, Nicholas, Sato, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaudhry, Saeed T
• Application Number:
  US12/928,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20120085369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,594 Days
• Field of Search: 134/56.R, 134/57.R, 134/18, 134/42, 382/100, 382/107, 382/143, 382/162, 382/164, 382/165
• US Class Current: 134/18
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/08 the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect substances used, see the relevant classes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

An automated process for monitoring and controlling cleaning in a production area comprises tracking or identifying an object the production area, monitoring the movement of fluid in the production area, analyzing the interaction between the object and the fluid to determine a level of cleanliness achieved, and triggering an event based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of: (i) the interaction between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium and (ii) the level of cleanliness achieved. The event comprises at least one member selected from generating a report, activating an alarm, report, activating an alarm, inactivating equipment in the production area, and blocking access to at least a portion of the production area. The system employing a combination of computer(s), computer vision system(s), RFID tag(s), mechanical and electromechanical, chemical, electrical, or photonic device(s) to conduct the tracking, identifying, monitoring, and triggering.

Claims

1. An automated process for monitoring and controlling cleaning in a production area, comprising:

(A) tracking or identifying an object or body part in the production area;

(B) monitoring movement, displacement, velocity profile, or transfer of a fluid or fluid-like medium in the production area to determine contact between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium;

(C) analyzing physical interactions between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium that has contacted the object or body part to determine a level of cleanliness of the object or body part that has been achieved; and

(D) triggering an event based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of;

(i) the physical interactions between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium and

(ii) the level of cleanliness of the object or body part that has been achieved,

wherein the event comprises at least one member selected from generating a report, activating an alarm, inactivating equipment in the production area, and blocking access to at least a portion of the production area.

2. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the tracking or identifying is carried out using a computer vision camera.

3. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein an RFID tag is present on an object or body part, and the tracking or identifying includes sensing the presence of the RFID tag.

4. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the tracking or identifying is carried out with equipment comprising a biometric sensor.

5. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the tracking or identifying is carried out with equipment comprising a mechanical actuator or electromechanical actuator.

6. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the displacement, velocity profile, or acceleration of the fluid is carried out with equipment comprising a computer vision camera.

7. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein conductivity is used to measure the displacement or velocity profile or acceleration of the fluid.

8. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein electromechanical means is used to measure the displacement or velocity profile or acceleration of the fluid.

9. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein chemical or pH measurements are used to determine the displacement or velocity profile or acceleration of the fluid.

10. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the report includes date and/or time.

11. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the interaction between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium is carried out using a computer vision system in combination with at least one member selected from the group consisting of a conductivity sensor, an electromechanical system, a magnetometer, an electrostatic discharge coupler, and a chemical meter or pH meter.

12. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the interaction between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium is carried out using an RFID tag in combination with at least one member selected from the group consisting of a computer vision system, a conductivity sensor, an electromechanical system, a magnetometer, an electrostatic discharge coupler, a chemical meter, and a pH meter.

13. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the interaction between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium is carried out using a biometric sensor in combination with at least one member selected from the group consisting of a computer vision system, a conductivity sensor, an electromechanical system, a magnetometer, an electrostatic discharge coupler, a chemical meter, and a pH meter.

14. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the interaction between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium is carried out using mechanical or electromechanical activation in combination with at least one member selected from the group consisting of a computer vision system, a conductivity sensor, an electromechanical system, a magnetometer, an electrostatic discharge coupler, a chemical meter, and a pH meter.

15. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the report is accessible on an internet web page.

16. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the report comprises a printed report.

17. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol, acetone, petroleum distillate, steam, liquefied gas, hydrogen peroxide, salt solution, sugar solution, syrup, diluted alcohol, hypochlorous acid solution, liquefied metal, a granulated solid, emulsified food, acetic acid solution, fluoric acid solution, carbonic acid solution, and calcium carbonate solution.

18. The automated process according to claims 17, wherein the liquid comprises a dye or marker that is detectable to a camera.

19. The automated process according to claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises soap.

20. The automated process according to claims 19, wherein the liquid comprises a dye or marker that is detectable to a camera.

21. The automated process according to claim 1, further comprises triggering an event based on the assessment of the quality and/or frequency of the cleaning cycle.