Hygiene compliance module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9633543-B2
Application number	US-201615137487-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 25, 2016
Priority date	Nov 8, 2010
Publication date	Apr 25, 2017
Grant date	Apr 25, 2017

Abstract

A hygiene compliance module is configured to be retrofit with a compatible dispenser to enable hygiene compliance monitoring functions. The hygiene compliance module is configured to be coupled to the dispenser via a communication interface to receive power, ground, and dispenser actuation signals therefrom. In addition, the hygiene compliance module is enabled to communicate with a wireless data tag that is worn by a user of the dispenser and with a remote hygiene compliance monitoring station.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A compliance monitoring system comprising:
a hygiene compliance monitoring station;
a soap or sanitizing dispenser;
the soap or sanitizing dispenser having
a housing;
a refill unit;
the refill including a container, a pump, and a soap or sanitizer;

a communication port located within the housing;
a dispenser power supply; and
a compliance module;
the compliance module having
a circuit board;
a module controller located on the circuit board;
a module housing;
a radio frequency transceiver; and
a connector for connecting to the communication port;
the connector having a power conductor;

wherein when the compliance module installed in the dispenser, the compliance module receives power from the dispenser power supply; and
a data tag;
the data tag having an radio frequency transceiver;
wherein the compliance module is intermittently in wirelessly communicates with at least one of the data tag and the hygiene compliance monitoring station.

2. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the connector for connecting to the communication port further comprises a ground conductor and an actuation signal conductor, wherein the actuation signal conductor provides a signal to the compliance module that is indicative of a dispense event.

3. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising replacement refill unit containing soap or sanitizer for replacing the refill unit.

4. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the module housing comprises plastic.

5. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of data tags, wherein each of the data tags is assigned to an individual.

6. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the data tag transmits a unique identification code associated with the data tag.

7. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the compliance module transmits a dispense event.

8. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the compliance module transmits a dispenser identification code.

9. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the compliance module transmits an identification code associated with a data tag.

10. The compliance monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the module housing comprises a front cover and a back cover.

11. The compliance monitoring system of claim 10 wherein the front cover is connected to the back cover with one or more screws.

12. A compliance monitoring system comprising:
a soap or sanitizing dispenser;
the soap or sanitizing dispenser having
a housing;
a dispenser power supply;
a refill unit located within the housing;
the refill unit including a container, a pump, and a soap or sanitizer;

a communication port located within the housing;
wherein at least one connector on the communication port receives power from the dispenser power supply;
a compliance module;
the compliance module having
a circuit board;
a module controller located on the circuit board;
a module housing;
module communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with one or more of a compliance monitoring station and a data tag; and
a connector for connecting to the communication port;
the connector having a power conductor, a ground connector, and a actuation signal connector;

wherein when the compliance module is installed in the dispenser, the power conductor receives power from the communication port to power to the compliance module.

13. The compliance monitoring system of claim 12 further comprising a data tag.

14. The compliance monitoring system of claim 13 wherein the data tag includes data tag wireless communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with the compliance module.

15. The compliance monitoring system of claim 12 further comprising a monitoring station located remote from the soap or sanitizer dispenser.

16. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 12 wherein the module housing comprises a front cover and a back cover.

17. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 16 wherein the front cover is connected to the back cover with one or more screws.

18. A soap or sanitizer dispenser comprising:
a housing;
the housing having a base and a cover;
a refill unit located within the housing;
the refill unit including a container, a pump, and a soap or sanitizer;

a communication port located within the housing;
a power source located in the dispenser for providing power to the dispenser;
a power conductor providing power to the communication port;
a dispenser controller in circuit communication with the communication port for providing a signal indicative of a dispense event to the communication port;
a removable compliance module;
the compliance module having
a circuit board;
a module controller located on the circuit board;
a module housing at least partially surrounding the module controller;
module communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with one or more of a compliance monitoring station and a data tag; and
a connector for releasably connecting to the communication port;
the connector having a power conductor, a ground conductor, and an actuation signal conductor for receiving a signal indicative of a dispense event from the controller;

wherein when the connector of the compliance module is installed in the communication port of the dispenser, the compliance module receives power from the dispenser power supply, and when the connector is unconnected from the communication port, the compliance module does not receive power.

19. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 18 further comprising a visual indication that the dispenser has dispensed soap or sanitizer to an individual wearing a data tag.

20. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 19 wherein the visual indicator is on the compliance module.

21. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 18 wherein the module housing comprises a front cover and a back cover.

22. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 21 wherein the front cover is connected to the back cover with one or more screws.

23. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 18 wherein the module housing comprises plastic.

24. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 18 wherein the module wireless communication circuitry comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

25. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 18 wherein the module wireless communication circuitry comprises an infrared transmitter.

26. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 18 further comprising a replacement refill unit for replacing the refill unit when the refill unit is empty.

27. The soap or sanitizer dispenser of claim 18 wherein the power source is a plurality of batteries located on a first side of the refill unit and the compliance module connector connects to a communication port on an opposite side of the refill unit.

Assignees

• Gojo Ind Inc

Inventors

• Wegelin Jackson W
• Archer Matthew J

Classifications

• A47K5/1217 Primary

  Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism · CPC title

• G07C3/00

  Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles · CPC title

• G07F9/10

  Casings {or parts thereof}, e.g. with means for heating or cooling · CPC title

• G08B21/245 Primary

  Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands · CPC title

• A47K5/1211

  using pressure on soap, e.g. with piston (A47K5/1201 takes precedence; using squeeze bottles or the like A47K5/122) · CPC title