Point-of-care hygiene compliance module

• US 9,770,141 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2016
• Issued: 09/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Wegelin, Jackson W., Archer, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carroll, Jeremy W
• Application Number:
  US14/995,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20160128520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 222 38, 222 55, 222 52, 222 36
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1201 hand-carried
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1205 Dispensing from the top of the dispenser with a vertical piston
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1211 using pressure on soap, e.g. with piston A47K5/1201 takes precedence; by squeezing A47K5/122
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1217 Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/27 for representing the result of count in the form of electric signals, e.g. by sensing markings on the counter drum
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/276 using mechanically-actuated contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• 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

A point-of-care hygiene compliance module includes a housing that is adapted to be attached to a dispensing container that dispenses material through a dispensing nozzle when actuated. The housing includes a pivoting actuation arm that is configured so as to be placed in operative contact with the dispensing nozzle. Thus, when the actuation arm is actuated, material is dispensed from the dispensing container, and a switch in operative contact with the actuation arm is actuated. The triggering of the switch updates a count value that is maintained by a controller, which may then be displayed or acquired by a remote computer to assess the amount of usage of the dispensing container.

Claims

1. A hygiene compliance module for a dispensing container that dispenses material through a dispensing nozzle when actuated, the hygiene compliance module comprising:

a support frame adapted to carry the dispensing container therein;

a housing removably attached to the support frame;

an actuation arm attached by at least one pivot to the housing, the actuation arm adapted to operatively contact the dispensing nozzle when the actuation arm is directly pressed by a user'"'"'s hand;

a switch in operative communication with the actuation arm;

a controller coupled to the switch;

a memory unit coupled to the controller, the memory unit configured to store a count value that is updated when the switch is actuated; and

a display coupled to the controller to display the count value;

wherein when the actuation arm is actuated, the actuation arm actuates the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing container to dispense material therefrom, and actuates the switch to update the count value; and

wherein the support frame includes a pair of spaced support arms, and the housing includes a pair of attachment clips that respectively attach to the support arms.

2. The hygiene compliance module of claim 1, further comprising a data port coupled to the controller, the data port adapted to communicate with a remote computing device to transfer the count value.

3. The hygiene compliance module of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a wire frame.

4. A hygiene compliance module for a dispensing container that dispenses material through a dispensing nozzle when actuated, the hygiene compliance module comprising:

a support frame adapted to carry the dispensing container therein;

a housing removably attached to the support frame;

an actuation arm attached by at least one pivot to the housing, the actuation arm adapted to operatively contact the dispensing nozzle when the actuation arm is pressed; and

a monitoring device comprising a switch in operative communication with the actuation arm, the monitoring device configured to track a count value that is updated when the switch is actuated by the actuation arm;

wherein when the actuation arm is actuated, the actuation arm actuates the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing container to dispense material therefrom and actuates the switch to update the count value; and

wherein the support frame comprises a wire frame.

5. The hygiene compliance module of claim 4, wherein the monitoring device comprises a controller coupled to the switch.

6. The hygiene compliance module of claim 5, wherein the monitoring device comprises a memory unit coupled to the controller, the memory unit configured to store the count value.

7. The hygiene compliance module of claim 5, comprising a display coupled to the controller to display the count value.

8. A hygiene compliance module for a dispensing container that dispenses material through a dispensing nozzle when actuated, the hygiene compliance module comprising:

a support frame adapted to carry the dispensing container therein;

a housing removably attached to the support frame, the housing defining a switch aperture;

an actuation arm attached to the housing, the actuation arm adapted to operatively contact the dispensing nozzle when the actuation arm is pressed;

a contact arm attached to the actuation arm, the contact arm removably received within the switch aperture when the actuation arm is pressed; and

a monitoring device comprising a switch disposed within the housing;

wherein when the actuation arm is actuated;

the actuation arm actuates the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing container to dispense material therefrom; and

the contact arm is received within the switch aperture and actuates the switch, the monitoring device configured to track a count value that is updated when the switch is actuated.

9. The hygiene compliance module of claim 8, wherein the monitoring device comprises a controller coupled to the switch.

10. The hygiene compliance module of claim 9, wherein the monitoring device comprises a memory unit coupled to the controller, the memory unit configured to store the count value.

11. The hygiene compliance module of claim 9, wherein the monitoring device comprises a data port coupled to the controller, the data port adapted to communicate with a remote computing device to transfer the count value.

12. The hygiene compliance module of claim 9, comprising a display coupled to the controller to display the count value.

13. The hygiene compliance module of claim 8, the actuation arm having a first side and a second side, the first side operatively contacting the dispensing nozzle when the actuation arm is pressed.

14. The hygiene compliance module of claim 13, the contact arm attached to the first side of the actuation arm.

15. The hygiene compliance module of claim 8, the actuation arm attached by at least one pivot to the housing.

16. The hygiene compliance module of claim 8, wherein the housing includes at least one attachment clip that attaches to the support frame.

17. The hygiene compliance module of claim 16, wherein the at least one attachment clip comprises a pair of attachment clips.

18. The hygiene compliance module of claim 8, wherein the support frame includes at least one support arm, the housing attached to the at least one support arm.

19. The hygiene compliance module of claim 18, wherein the at least one support arm comprises a pair of spaced support arms.