Patent EP0758702A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0758702A1
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Handwash station
Assignee: HMSI (EUROPE) LIMITED
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Filing: 1996-08-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A handwash station comprises a wall mounted cabinet (1) which contains soap and water despensing means (10,11), a proximity sensor (9) and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry controls the dispensing of soap and water in response to signals from the proximity sensor. A count of valid handwashes is incremented only if a user's hand is detected by the proximity sensor at certain key points. The key points comprise at least the start of a last soap dispensing step and a the start of a last rinsing water dispensing step. Differential valid handwash count values are stored periodically by the processing circuitry and can be downloaded to a central station for analysis.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:16
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/02; E03C1/05; E03C1/055; E03C1/057; A; A47; A47K; A47K2210/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A handwash station comprising a controllable soap dispensing means, a controllable water dispensing means, a counter means for counting handwashes, sensor means for detecting a hand in using relation to the station and a control means operable to control the soap and water dispensing means according to a predetermined cycle, the cycle including at least a soap dispensing step and a rinsing water dispensing step, wherein the counter means is incremented following a last rinsing step of the cycle if the sensor means has detected a hand at the start of each of the soap and water dispensing steps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
A handwash station according to claim 1, wherein said cycle includes two soap dispensing steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A handwash station according to claim 1 or 2, including memory means wherein the control means is operable to store periodically a count of handwashes completed in a predetermined period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A handwash station according to claim 1, 2 or 3, including a visible or audible warning means, wherein the control means operates the warning means when a user should place his hand or hands so as to be detected by the sensor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A handwash station comprising data collection means, wherein the data collection means is operable to store periodically a count of handwashes completed in a predetermined period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A handwash system comprising a handwash station having control means for controlling the operation of the station and communication means, and a portable programming unit having user input means and communication means for communicating with the communication means of the station, wherein, when the communication means are in operative relation, the control means is responsive to operation of the user input means to establish a handwashing program for the station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 6, the communication means cooperate to provide an electrical connection between the station and the programming unit for the supply of power to the programming means from the station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the station includes a display and the control means is responsive to the programming unit to cause the display to display instructional or informational matter in dependence on the operation of the user input means so as to provide for the interactive establishment of a handwashing program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 6, 7 or 8, comprising a portable code storing unit wherein the communication means of the station is operable to read a code from the portable code storing unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 9, wherein the station is responsive to a predetermined code being read from the portable code storing unit to perform a self-test routine.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
58 words
A system according to any one of claims 6 to 10, including a data transmission means for conveying data from the station's communication means to a remote station, wherein the station includes data logging means for logging handwashes carried out using the station and said transmission means is operative to send logged data to the data transmission means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 11, including encryption means for encrypting logged data for transmission.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the data transmission means comprises a transmission line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the data transmission means comprises a portable data carrier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 14, wherein the portable data carrier comprises a portable computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 14, wherein the portable data carrier comprises a memory, configured to be written to by said communication means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
25 words
A system according to any one claims 6 to 16, wherein the handwash station is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of monitoring handwashing activity comprising the steps of: determining whether a hand is in position to receive soap at a soap dispensing step; thereafter, determining whether a hand is in a position to receive rinsing water at a rinsing step; and incrementing a handwashes counter if a hand is determined to be in position at both the soap dispensing and rinsing steps.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 18, comprising the additional, preliminary steps of: determining whether a hand is in position to receive soap at a preliminary soap dispensing step; thereafter, determining whether a hand is in a position to receive rinsing water at a preliminary rinsing step.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 18 or 19, including the step of periodically storing a differential handwash count.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 20, including the step of communicating said stored counts to a central station.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein a handwash station ID code is communicated to the central station with said stored counts.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein communicated data encrypted before being dispatched.
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