CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/088,846, filed Dec 8 ^th , 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND

Hand hygiene awareness and the continued rise of health consciousness drive the market. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have declared hand hygiene alertness as an important factor in the infection control market. Infection outbreaks (e.g. H1N1, Ebola, etc) may result in dramatic increases in growth rates, as the irregular practice of good hand hygiene is believed to be responsible for the spread of hospital-acquired infections.

Hospital acquired infections are recognized globally as a major patient safety threat (in many cases, resulting in patient mortality). To this end, most hospital-acquired infections are spread by contact with the hands of a healthcare provider. While academic institutions and clinics alike strongly suggest healthcare providers comply with hand hygiene, rates of compliance are low. In addition to the aforementioned patient safety concerns, hospitals are burdened by increased costs of care as the rates of hospital- acquired infections increase.

Methods employed to improve patient safety outcomes that are mandatory for healthcare workers (e.g. mandatory flu vaccination) often leverage improved patient safety outcomes (reductions in flu-associated morbidity and mortality) at the expense of healthcare worker autonomy (coercion by administration).

There are numerous fluid dispensers available for hand care or sanitation. However, these dispensers are often enclosed in a drab, monochromatic housing that does not attract user attention. Fluid dispensers designed for the dispensing of hand sanitizer or soap are known that have a small light that blinks immediately upon activation, but this light is imperceptible to anyone but the user and does not persist. This limits the applicability of currently existing fluid dispensers for enhancing hygiene.

SUMMARY

In general, in an aspect, a fluid dispenser is described that has an indicium indicating whether the dispenser has been used within a predetermined period of time. In general, in an aspect, a fluid dispenser for dispensing of a fluid onto a user's hand is described, the dispenser having a visual indicium that indicates when the user is in proximity to the dispenser, wherein the user is reminded to use the dispenser. In general, in an aspect, a fluid dispenser for dispensing of a fluid onto a user's hand is described, the dispenser having a visual indicium that activates periodically for reminding a user to use the dispenser, whether a user is present or not.

Implementations of the above may include one or more of the following. The indicium is visual. The dispenser has a light source that illuminates with a color associated with inactivity, except within the predetermined period of when it illuminates with a color associated with activity. The fluid dispenser has multiple light sources, where one light source is only illuminated when the dispenser has been used within a predetermined period of time, and another light source is illuminated at other times. The predetermined period of time is over 5 minutes. The predetermined period of time is between 3 minutes and 5 minutes. The predetermined period of time is between 1 minute and 3 minutes. The predetermined period of time is between about 5 seconds and 1 minute. The predetermined period of time is under 5 seconds.

In general, in an aspect, a housing optionally translucent is described that has a bottom, where the housing is shaped so as to overlay a fluid dispenser, and the housing has one or more light sources, a proximity sensor mounted flush with its bottom, electronics operatively coupled to the light sources and sensor, and fasteners configured to attach to a fluid dispenser; so that when the housing overlays the fluid dispenser the sensor is positioned to determine whether a hand is under the dispenser. Implementations may include one or more of the following. The electronics are programmed to illuminate one of the light sources within a predetermined period of time since receiving a signal from the sensor, and to illuminate one of the other light sources at other times. The light sources are optionally mounted to the interior of the housing. The housing need not have a bottom or a proximity sensor, its proximity signal being received from the dispenser's proximity sensor. The housing need not have a bottom or a proximity sensor, its proximity signal being received via mechanical coupling to the non- automated dispenser's dispensing lever. The housing need not have a proximity sensor. In general, in an aspect, a kit is described that includes an apparatus as described above. Implementations may include one or more of the following. The kit has mounting hardware. The kit has instructions for installation and use. The kit is for installation on a pole and the mounting hardware is capable of attaching to the pole, and the kit also has a stop bar.

These and other features and aspects, and combinations of them, may be expressed as methods, systems, components, means and steps for performing functions, apparatus, articles of manufacture, compositions of matter, and in other ways.

Among other advantages, hand hygiene will be enhanced. A dispenser with indicia can utilize psychological conditioning to create a reminder of proper behavior and a reward for engaging in such behavior. These indicia, by indicating to individuals in the vicinity, will by extension remind persons to use it, and/or indicate whether the person most recently proximal to the dispenser had indeed used it. In environments where hygiene is considered critical, such as around the elderly, around the sick, or in a food preparation environment, these indicia will also enhance compliance with hand hygiene regimes through social pressure. For example, in hospital environments use of the dispenser is expected to promote hand sanitation and patient/consumer and healthcare worker engagement, since the provision of an indicium visible to everyone will empower patients to ask their healthcare workers whether their hands are clean. Hand hygiene can then be effectively enforced through social means rather than through complex and ineffective mandatory monitoring regimes.

Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and claims.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a commercial dispenser with translucent red (denoted by minus signs) or green (denoted by plus signs) indicia.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a fluid dispenser with indicia, with the interior on the left and the exterior housing (with translucent window) on the right.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram for programming of a color-changing fluid dispenser.

Parts Legend

101 Housing 103 Light source

105 Second light source

107 Dispensing equipment

109 Proximity sensor

111 Electronics

113 Hand(s)

A fluid dispenser is disclosed that provides hygiene-enhancing features over the prior art. These features include providing one or more indicia for a predetermined length of time so as to indicate to individuals in the vicinity whether it has been recently used. In some embodiments, the additional indicia include a periodic reminder color change or color sequence change, which may be the same or different from the indicium associated with use. In some embodiments, the one or more indicia take place when someone is in the vicinity of the dispenser regardless of whether it has been recently used.

In some embodiments, the indicia include a color change. In some embodiments, the color change is from red (un-used) to green (used), or from one color associated with inactivity to one color associated with activity; the specific colors may be chosen for maximal compliance to hygiene, taking into account, e.g., the local installation context or setting, or the national or cultural environment in which the dispenser will be located. In some embodiments, the color change is a transition from one color to another. In some embodiments, the color change is directly from one color to another and can be effected, for example, by use of a color-changing light source or by a switching mechanism, optionally electronic, between light sources. In some embodiments, the color sequence comprises a series of colors displayed in a predetermined order, intensity, and period, optionally including a period of transient zero intensity. In some embodiments, the color or color sequence is pulsed. In some embodiments, the indicia include an audible alarm, for example a tone that repeats periodically throughout the predetermined length of time. In some embodiments, the fluid dispenser is a hand sanitizer. In some embodiments, the fluid dispenser is a soap dispenser. In some embodiments, the fluid dispenser is a lotion dispenser. In some embodiments, the fluid dispenser is automated by way of proximity sensor that causes the dispenser to activate when the user's hand is under the dispenser. Fluid dispensers with proximity sensors are described in, for example, U.S. Patents 5,765,242; U.S. Patent Application Publications US2006/0243740; International Patent Application PCT/EP2013/053396; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

A color-changing embodiment is illustrated in FIGs 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, a fluid dispenser has a housing 101, one or more light sources 103 and 105, dispensing equipment 107, and one or more proximity sensors 109. The light source, dispensing equipment, and proximity sensor are powered either by a battery or by AC or DC mains power (not shown). Electronics 111 connect to the light sources, dispensing equipment, and proximity sensor. In some embodiments, the electronics 111 include a processor, either pre-loaded or capable of being loaded with program instructions or software upon power-up. In some embodiments, the program instructions or software generally follow the step sequence given in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, there is a single light source 103 capable of color change or color sequence change. In some embodiments, there are two or more light sources 103 and 105 configured to produce different colors or color sequences. In some embodiments, the light sources 103 and 105 are light emitting diodes.

In some embodiments, the light sources 103 and/or 105 are mounted on the outside of the housing 101. In some embodiments, the housing 101 is translucent and the light sources 103 and/or 105 are found inside the dispenser, such that the housing is illuminated by the light source. In some embodiments, the housing 101 is predominantly manufactured of a translucent material. In some embodiments, the housing 101 is manufactured of a translucent material within certain regions of the housing proximal to the light sources 103 and/or 105, e.g., within the top or bottom half. In some embodiments, the housing 101 is manufactured of translucent or transparent material of at least enough area to form a transparent or translucent window into, or band around, the dispenser. In some embodiments, the housing 101 has a coating applied to its interior or exterior such that illumination of the housing 101 by the light sources 103 and/or 105 will be enhanced without decreasing external translucency.

Dispensing equipment 107 is generally of a type described in the above references, which at a minimum includes a fluid reservoir connected to a pump such that upon activation of the pump, a predetermined amount of fluid from the reservoir is pumped out of the pump onto the user's hands 113. In some embodiments, there is no proximity sensor and the dispensing equipment includes a lever (not shown) to manually operate the pump. In some embodiments, the dispensing equipment is actuated by the electronics 111 in response to a signal from one or more proximity sensors 109, which are configured to detect the presence of a user's hands 113 positioned to receive the fluid.

The dispenser may also include a means for deterrrrining fluid levels and an indicium such as a light source for indicating low fluid level (not shown); in embodiments having a low fluid light source, it would be colored so as not to create confusion with the messages of light sources 103 and 105, or would cause the dispenser to cease illumination of light sources 103 and 105 until the reservoir is refilled. In some embodiments, the housing 101 is sufficiently translucent next to the reservoir such that a user can identify when fluid level is low.

FIG. 3 illustrates a potential programming implementation for a color-changing embodiment. As read from the top of FIG. 3, the dispenser begins normal operation in a wait condition at step 201 with an indicium associated with being not recently used; for example, light source 103 being illuminated and having a red color. At step 203, a proximity sensor 109 is polled to determine whether a user's hands have been placed under the dispenser; in embodiments with a manual dispensing function such as a lever, the state of the lever (resting or extended) may be polled instead. Upon activation of the proximity sensor 109, or other functionality supplied to detect a dispensing attempt by a user, the product is dispensed at step 205 and the indicium is changed to indicate recent use of the dispenser; for example, light source 103 is turned off and light source 105 having a green color is turned on. This begins a waiting period at step 207, which is a predetermined wait time during which the indicium remains in a recent use state. The waiting period may include a short period after dispensing during which the proximity sensor is not polled, the length of which is selected such that the likelihood of "double triggering" the same user's hands 113 is reduced. In some automated embodiments as shown in FIG. 2, the proximity sensor is not polled at any time during step 207, such that it will not dispense during the predetermined wait time. In some automated embodiments (not shown), the proximity sensor is polled during step 207 such that if activated, the dispenser returns to step 205 and the wait time will begin anew. Once the wait time is completed, step 209 is reached resulting in reset of both the proximity sensor and the indicium to a state indicating no recent use, e.g., light source 103. The dispenser then returns to step 201.

In some embodiments, the predetermined wait time is five minutes or longer. In some embodiments, the predetermmed wait time is between three and five minutes. In some embodiments, the predetermined wait time is between one and three minutes. In some embodiments, the predetermined wait time is between about five seconds and one minute. In some embodiments, the predetermined wait time is under about five seconds but long enough to be perceptible to those in the vicinity of the dispenser. In some embodiments, the predetermined wait time is longer than the time required to dispense but shorter than about five seconds. The wait time is predetermined on the basis of a number of factors including expected duty cycle / volume of operation and the intended installed setting of the dispenser.

Fluid dispensers are installed in nearly all health care settings. In this regard, the invention will be applicable for uptake in all health care settings where fluid dispensers are employed. Examples of such settings include hospitals, residential long-term care facilities, nursing homes, family and private practices, collaborative emergency centers, and community clinics. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is a hospital room. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is outside a hospital room. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is inside an operating room. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is outside an operating room. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is at a hospital entrance. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is within a high-traffic area of the hospital such as emergency room admitting, waiting area, or restroom. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is in a long-term care facility. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is outside or inside a bedroom or bathroom at a long-term care facility. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is outside or inside a bedroom or bathroom in a personal residence occupied by an ill individual. In some embodiments, the intended installed setting is next to or above a sink in a food preparation area, such as in a personal residence or restaurant. In some embodiments the dispenser is attached to a wall, backsplash, hutch, bedside table, or other flat surface, in a position with respect to occupants of the area that provides maximum visibility. In other embodiments it is attached to a standalone pole (see as an analogy U.S. Design Patent D671346, hereby incorporated by reference), optionally including a "stop bar" to enhance the psychological resemblance to a traffic control, thereby enhancing compliance. In some embodiments, the stop bar is a line drawn on the floor in imitation of a traffic intersection. In some embodiments, the stop bar is in imitation of a traffic barrier. In some embodiments, the stop bar has a sign in imitation of a "stop sign" or other traffic sign. In some embodiments, the dispenser is provided as a kit including the mounting brackets or other hardware required for attaching the back of the dispenser to either a flat surface and/or a pole. In some embodiments, the kit comprises the dispenser, written materials for installation and use, and mounting brackets or other hardware for attaching the dispenser to the surface at the intended installed setting.

In some embodiments intended for installation overtop of existing dispensers, a housing, with some translucence in the vicinity of its light source(s), has one or more light sources, one or more proximity sensors, electronics for controlling light sources and proximity sensors, and fasteners to overlay the housing upon a fluid dispenser such that the proximity sensor(s) are positioned in-register with the bottom of the dispenser; the housing's one or more proximity sensors are thus positioned such that they are activated when a user's hand is in the vicinity of the bottom of the dispenser and the electronics can be programmed according to FIG. 3 except that at step 205 no actual dispensing is commanded, as the dispensing is controlled by the fluid dispenser itself. In some embodiments, the housing need not be aligned in-register with the bottom of the dispenser because there is no proximity sensor on the housing, rather the proximity signal is received from the dispenser's proximity signal, e.g., through electronic means for synchronizing activation of dispenser with activation of the color change or color sequence change. In some embodiments with non-automated dispensers, the housing need not be aligned in-register with the bottom of the dispenser because there is no proximity sensor on the housing, rather the proximity signal is received by mechanical means of coupling to the lever such that use of the dispenser activates the color change or color sequence change. In some embodiments, the housing has a bottom even if no proximity sensor is present.

Other design variations are possible.