Abstract:
A system for rewarding and encouraging compliance with a predetermined personal hygiene standard in a hygiene compliance program. The system comprises a fluid dispenser. The fluid dispenser includes an actuator. A sensor is connected to the actuator. A processor in electrical communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to increment a count when the sensor is actuated, relate the count to the identification code, and compare the count to a predetermined number.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to dispensers for hand soap, and more particularly to dispensers for hand soap that tracks usage for a reward program to positively reinforce clean hygiene. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Businesses in the food services industry, as well as businesses within other aspects of the hospitality industry, are becoming keenly aware of the need for their employees to maintain clean hygiene. Having workers frequently clean their hands is critical for providing customers with safe and sanitary food and dishes. Ensuring that a worker cleans their hands is especially important after events such as using the bathroom, taking smoking breaks, and handling cleaning supplies or other chemicals. 
     Maintaining clean hygiene is important because many contaminates that spread to food can cause illness to the customers who eat it. For example, a worker that does not wash his or her hands after using the rest room may spread fecal bacteria to the food that they handle. This bacteria can result in serious illness, or even death, if ingested. Other forms of bacteria and contaminates can cause a person to become ill as well. Having customers become ill from poor hygiene and contaminated food can result in bad publicity and the loss of business. Causing customers to become ill also can expose a business to law suits and financial liability. 
     Employers have tried many different devices to encourage workers to clean their hands. Examples of these techniques include electronics that track the number of times that soap is dispensed from a dispenser or mechanisms that sound an alarm if the bathroom door is opened before soap is dispensed from a dispenser. The difficulty with these devices is that they rely on negative reinforcement to maintain compliance with hygiene standards. If not managed properly, such devices can create an environment of mistrust for workers or cause workers to resist compliance with hygiene standards. Another approach to promote good hygiene is to make hand washing easier with dispensers that automatically dispense soap. The difficulty with these devices is that they fail to positively encourage, monitor, or enforce compliance. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a soap dispenser that positively reinforces compliance with hygiene standards. There is a related need for a soap dispenser that enables a program that rewards workers for good hygiene practices. There is also a related need for a soap dispenser that requires an employer to acknowledge a worker&#39;s compliance with hygiene standards. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for rewarding and encouraging compliance with a predetermined personal hygiene standard in a hygiene compliance program. The system comprises a fluid dispenser, which includes an actuator. A sensor is connected to the actuator. A processor in electrical communication with the sensor and is configured to increment a count when the sensor is actuated, relate the count to an identification code, and compare the count to a predetermined number. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for rewarding and encouraging compliance with a predetermined personal hygiene standard in a hygiene compliance program. The method utilizes an electronic fluid dispenser. The method comprises entering a unique identification code; activating the fluid dispenser; sensing activation of the dispensing mechanism; incrementing a count, the count corresponding to the number of times the fluid dispenser has been activated under the entered unique identification code; displaying a signal when the count equals a predetermined number. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a soap dispenser embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a diagram of the electronics included in the soap dispenser shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 3-6 are flowcharts illustrating the functionality of one possible program that controls the electronics shown in FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will be initially described in general terms. Various embodiments of the present invention, including the preferred embodiment, then will be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to the described embodiments is not meant to limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 
     In general terms, the present invention is directed to a dispenser that allows a person to enter an identification code. The dispenser keeps a running total of the number of times the person uses the dispenser and periodically displays a reward that acknowledges a person&#39;s use of the dispenser. In one possible embodiment, the dispenser is a soap dispenser that is useful for maintaining clean hygiene in restaurants and other establishments in the hospitality industry. 
     This invention has several advantages. For example, frequent usage of the dispenser is brought to the attention of employers. The employer can then use the dispenser as part of an employee incentive program to encourage compliance with high standards of hygiene cleanliness. This advantage is especially important given the increasing number of families and people that eat meals at restaurants or rely on prepared foods. These people are increasingly exposed to the risks of food borne contaminates, many of which can be prevented if food handlers simply wash their hands to maintain clean hygiene. The present invention can also be used in conjunction with other methods of control to cast hygiene enforcement into a more positive light. These and other advantages will become apparent from the following description. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, one possible embodiment of a soap dispenser  100  is illustrated. An alternative embodiment of a soap dispenser is illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/096,079 which was filed on Jun. 11, 1998 and entitled, USAGE COMPETENT HAND SOAP DISPENSER WITH DATA COLLECTION AND DISPLAY CAPABILITIES, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated. 
     The soap dispenser  100  has a rear mounting plate  102  and a cover  104 . The mounting plate  102  can be attached to a wall or other suitable surface with fasteners such as screws, clips, hooks, or adhesive tape. The cover  104  is attached to an upper portion of the mounting plate  102  at a pivot point  106  and can pivot open. The cover  104  defines a reservoir cavity  108  in which a plastic reservoir bag  110  of soap is stored. Although a bag  110  is shown in the figure, other embodiments could include other types of reservoirs such as cartridges that are inserted into the reservoir cavity  108 . Alternatively, a soap or other fluid could be poured directly into the reservoir cavity  108 , which serves as a reservoir itself. 
     The cover  104  has a lower portion  112 , an upper portion  114 , and a front portion  116 . The lower portion  112  defines a hole  118 . A small housing  120  extends from the front portion  116  of the cover  104  and defines an electronics cavity  122 . The housing  120  has a front face  124 . Electronics  126 , which are describe in more detail below, are positioned within the electronic cavity  122  and are electrically connected to a liquid crystal display (LCD)  128  and a push-button interface  130 . The LCD  128  and push-button interface  130  are mounted on the front portion  116  of the housing  120  for interaction with a user. If the electronics  126  are battery powered, the housing  120  provides access (not shown) to its electronics cavity  122  for battery changes. The housing  120  is sealed to protect the electronics  126  from water, soap, and other environmental hazards. 
     A projection  131  is formed in a lower portion of the mounting plate  102  and is positioned below the cover  104 . The projection  130  forms a first vertical pressure surface  132 . A push plate  134  is pivotally mounted to the lower portion  112  of the cover  104 . The push plate  134  has front and back surfaces  136  and  138 . A block  140  forming a second vertical pressure surface  142  is mounted to the back surface  138  of the push plate  134 . The push plate  134 , block  140  and second pressure surface  142  form an actuator for dispensing soap. 
     The second pressure surface  142  opposes the first pressure surface  132 . The first and second pressure surfaces  132  and  142  are spaced to provide passage for a dispensing tube  144 , which is described in more detail below. The first and second pressure surfaces  134  and  142  are positioned below and on opposite sides of the hole  118  formed in the lower portion  112  of the cover  104 . 
     A sensor such as a microswitch  146  is mounted to the second pressure surface  142  and has a movable contact or actuator  148  opposing the first pressure surface  132 . In this configuration, the movable contact  148  will engage the first pressure surface  132  and actuate the microswitch  146  when a user presses the push plate  134  to dispense soap. The microswitch  146  is in electrical communication with the electronics  126  with leads (not shown). 
     The replaceable reservoir bag  110 , which holds soap, is positioned in the reservoir cavity  108 . The dispensing tube  144  has lower and upper ends  150  and  152 , a lumen  154 , and extends through the hole  118  and between the first and second pressure surfaces  132  and  142 . The dispensing tube  144  is in fluid communication with, and extends from the bottom of, the reservoir bag  110 . The lower end  150  of the dispensing tube  144  is suspended below the first and second pressure surfaces  132  and  142 . 
     An upper one-way valve  156  is positioned in the lumen  154  and is adjacent the upper end  152  of the dispensing tube  144 . The upper one-way valve  156  is positioned above the first and second pressure plates  132  and  142 , and is oriented to permit soap flow from the reservoir bag  110  into the lumen  154 . A lower one-way valve  158  is positioned in the lumen  154  and is adjacent the lower end  150  of the dispensing tube  144 . The lower one-way valve  158  is positioned below the first and second pressure plates  132  and  142 , and is oriented to permit soap flow out the lower end  150  of the dispensing tube  144 . In use, when a worker presses the push plate, the first and second pressure surfaces cooperate to squeeze the dispensing tube  144  and force soap through the lower one-way valve  158  and out of the distal end. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the electronics  126  include a microcontroller  200 . The microswitch  146 , LCD  128 , and push-button interface  130  are in electrical communication with the microcontroller  200 . The push-button interface  130  has four push-button switches  202   a - 202   d,  each of which are labeled with a number  1 - 4 , respectively. Other embodiments could use different types or sizes of keypads. 
     The electronics  126  are powered by a 9 Volt battery that is electrically connected to a voltage regulator (not shown), a configuration that is well known in the art. The microcontroller  200  is loaded with a program that controls operation of the electronics  126  as described below. In one possible embodiment, the LCD  128  is 1×8 character display module, and the microcontroller  200  is a model 8051, which is manufactured by Intel Corporation. In another possible embodiment, the microcontroller  200 , LCD  128 , and push button interface  130  are integrated into a low-cost single piece or package that is suitable for battery operation such as the Microchip PIC series, which is manufactured by Microchip Corporation. In other possible embodiments, the microcontroller  200  can be replaced with a microcontroller configured with suitable memory, a microprocessor and suitable memory, or any other suitable processor. In all such embodiments, the code is programmed using any suitable computer language. 
     As will become apparent during the following description of the flowcharts, memory within the microcontroller  200  stores an ID code for each worker that corresponds to a unique sequence of the push-button switches  202   a - 202   d.  The program executed by the microcontroller  200  utilizes a set of variables named Dispense Count, Reward Count, Random Number, Mean Value, and Mean. Dispense Count is the number of times that a particular worker has used the soap dispenser. There are a plurality of values for Dispense Count, each value being associated with a particular ID code. Reward Count is the number of times that a worker must dispense soap to receive a reward. Random Number is a randomly generated number within a predetermined range such as 1 to 31. Mean Value is assigned one of several predetermined values. In one possible embodiment, Mean Value is assigned either 34, 84, or 184. Mean is used to determine Mean Value. 
     Reward Count is determined according to the equation: 
     
       
         Reward Count=Mean Value+Random Number 
       
     
     In an embodiment that uses the values set forth above, this calculation provides that the Reward Count is within one of three predetermined ranges: 35-65, 85-115, or 185-215. For each worker, the value for the Reward Count will fall within one of these ranges. An advantage of this configuration is that the Reward Count becomes more difficult to predict, which reduces the motivation for a worker to repeatedly dispense soap in an effort to reach the Reward Count. 
     Furthermore, these calculations are only one possible embodiment of the present invention. For example, other embodiments will use different ranges for the possible reward count, increase randomness by providing more values for the variable Mean Value, or increase randomness by providing a greater range for the possible values of the variable Random Num. Yet other possible embodiments might use a straight random number generator to determine the Reward Count. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, upon being booted, the program initially determines whether the watch dog timer within the microcontroller  200  was reset (Block  300 ). If the watch dog timer was reset, execution of the program automatically jumps to the code for reading inputs (Block  316 ). Otherwise, the program goes through its initialization (Block  302 ) at which time it initializes variables and executes appropriate diagnostics. The program then displays the current version of the software for a period of eight seconds (Blocks  304  and  306 ). The program clears the display (Block  308 ) and enters a sleep mode (Block  310 ). While in the sleep mode, the microcontroller  200  enters a state in which it conserves energy and waits for detection of an interrupt that is initiated by pressing one of the push-button switches  202   a - 202   d  (Block  312 ). 
     The microcontroller  200  wakes from the sleep mode upon receiving an interrupt (Block  314 ) and then reads the inputs (Block  316 ) to determine which push-button switches  202   a - 202   d  were activated. Upon reading the inputs, the program determines whether the low battery input is active (Block  318 ). If so, the program displays “LOW BAT” on the LCD  128  for approximately three seconds (Blocks  320  and  322 ). 
     The program then determines whether only one or more of the push-button switches  202   a - 202   d  were pressed (Block  324 ). If two or more push-button switches  202   a - 202   d  are simultaneously pressed, the program determines whether these switches  202   a - 202   d  match a predetermined code that is required to enter into a service mode (Block  326 ). If the predetermined combination of switches  202   a - 202   d  were pressed, the program enters into the service mode (Block  328 ), which is described in more detail below. For example, the code to enter the service mode might be set at one and four. If the user simultaneously presses the first and the fourth push-button switches  202   a  and  202   d,  the program will enter into the service mode. If two switches  202   a - 202   d  that do not match the code are simultaneously pressed, the LCD  146  is cleared (Block  330 ), the registers and transient variables are cleared (Block  332 ), and the microcontroller  200  enters into the sleep mode (Block  310 ). 
     When in the service mode, the employer can perform functions such as enabling or disabling the reward program, changing the value of Mean Value, viewing the values for Dispensed Count that are associated with each worker, and clearing the values for Dispensed Count. The service mode is described in more detail below. 
     If only one push-button switch  202   a - 202   d  is pressed (Block  324 ), the microcontroller saves the first ID digit that corresponds to that push-button switch  202   a - 202   d  and displays the ID digit on the LCD  146  (Block  334 ). For example, if the second push-button switch  202   b  is pressed, the program will save the number two and display that number two on the LCD  146 . When that push-button switch  202   b  is released (Block  336 ), the program enters into an eight-second time-out period (Block  338 ). If eight seconds elapses before a second push-button switch  202   a - 202   d  is pressed, the LCD  146  is cleared (Block  340 ), the registers and transient variables are cleared (Block  342 ), and the microcontroller  200  enters into the sleep mode (Block  310 ). 
     If a second push button switch  202   b  is subsequently entered within the eight-second time-out period (Block  344 ), the program saves the ID digit corresponding to the second push-button switch  202   b  (Block  346 ) in a register. The second ID digit can be the same as the first ID digit. When the second push-button switch  202   b  is released (Block  348 ), the first and second ID digits corresponding to the two push-button switches that were pressed is displayed on the LCD  146  (Block  350 ). The program also displays on the LCD  146  the value for Dispense Count that corresponds to that ID (Block  350 ). The current value of the Dispense Count is the number of times that the displayed ID was entered and soap was dispensed from the soap dispenser  100 . 
     After the two digit ID code is entered, the program enters into a second eight-second time-out period (Block  352 ) to determine whether the microswitch  146  was closed, which indicates that soap was dispensed. If the eight-second time-out period lapses without the microswitch  146  being closed, the LCD  146  is cleared (Block  354 ), the registers and transient variables are cleared (Block  356 ), and the microcontroller  200  enters the sleep mode (Block  310 ). If the microswitch  146  is closed (Block  358 ) before the eight-second time-out period lapses, the current value for the Dispense Count is increased by one for the current ID code (Block  360 ). If the reward is not enabled (Block  362 ), the current ID code is displayed and its incremented value for the Dispense Count is displayed on the LCD  146  for eight seconds (Blocks  364  and  366 ). After the eight-second time-out period lapses, the LCD  146  is cleared (Block  368 ), the registers and transient variables are cleared (Block  370 ), and the microcontroller  200  enters the sleep mode (Block  310 ). 
     If the reward program is enabled (Block  362 ), the program determines whether Dispense Count=Reward Count (Block  372 ). If the two values are not equal, the program displays the current ID CODE and the associated incremented Display Count for eight seconds (Blocks  364  and  366 ). The LCD  146  is then cleared (Block  368 ), the registers and transient variables are cleared (Block  370 ), and the microcontroller enters into the sleep mode (Block  310 ). If Dispense Count=Reward Count (Block  372 ), the program displays “WINNER” on the LCD  146  (Block  374 ). 
     The program then waits for the employer to press the first and second push-button switches  202   a  and  202   b,  or some other predetermined combination of switches  202   a - 202   d,  within two seconds of each other (Blocks  376  and  378 ). If these switches  202   a  and  202   b  are not pressed within two seconds of each other, the current ID CODE and associated value for Dispense Count are displayed on the LCD  146  (Block  380 ). If these switches  202   a  and  202   b  are not pressed within an additional two second delay (Blocks  382  and  384 ), the program redisplays “WINNER” on the LCD  146  (Block  374 ). The program then enters a loop in which the display of the current ID CODE and Dispense Count are alternated with display of the term “WINNER” (Blocks  374 - 384 ). When the first and second push-button switches  202   a  and  202   b  are finally pressed, the program clears the value for Dispense Count (Block  386 ) and recalculates Random Number and Reward Count (Block  388 ). The LCD  146  is then cleared (Block  368 ), the registers and transient variables are cleared (Block  370 ), and the microcontroller  200  enters the sleep mode (Block  310 ). 
     The goal reflected in Reward Count is thus reset for all workers, who must start over in their request to be a “WINNER”. In this embodiment, the workers compete against one another in an effort to reach the reward count. In an alternative embodiment, each individual worker has his/her own reward count and thus competes against themselves rather than each other. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, when the program enters the service mode (Block  328 ), it displays the term “Mode” on the LCD  146  (Block  400 ). The program enters a wait state until all of the push-button switches  202   a - 202   d  are released (Block  402 ). After all of the push-button switches  202   a - 202   d  are released, the program reads inputs to determine whether any push-button switches  202   a - 202   d  are subsequently pressed (Block  404 ). The program will read inputs for a period of eight seconds (Block  422 ). If no push-button switch  202   a - 202   d  is pressed, the LCD  146  is cleared (Block  424 ), the registers and transient variables are cleared (Block  426 ), and the microcontroller  200  enters the sleep mode (Block  310 ). 
     If the first push-button switch  202   a  was pressed within the eight-second time-out period (Block  406 ), the program enters a Readout Counts Mode (Block  408 ). In this mode, the program displays each ID CODE and its associated value for the Dispense Count on the LCD  146 . The program indexes through displaying each ID CODE and its a associated Dispense Count. If the second push-button switch  202   b  is pressed (Block  410 ), the program enters a Clear Counters Mode (Block  412 ). In this mode, the program automatically clears all of the values for the variable Dispense Count that are assigned to an ID CODE. If the third push-button switch  202   c  is pressed (Block  414 ), the program enters an Enable Reward Mode (Block  416 ). The Enable Reward Mode is described in more detail below. If the fourth push-button switch  202   d  is pressed (Block  418 ), the program enters a Set Mean Mode (Block  420 ), which is also explained below in more detail. After each of the program modes are complete (Blocks  408 ,  412 ,  416 , and  420 ), the LCD  146  is cleared, the registers and transient variables are cleared, and the microcontroller  200  enters the sleep mode. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, when the program enters the Enable Reward Mode (Block  416 ), it initially clears the display (Block  500 ) and immediately determines whether the Reward Mode is currently enabled (Block  502 ). If the program determines that the reward mode is enabled (Block  502 ), it initially displays the message “Rwd Y” on the LCD  146  (Block  518 ) and executes a random number algorithm that generates a value for Random Num. The random number algorithm (Blocks  520 - 526 ) is executed while the employer is pressing the third push-button switch (Block  414 ) to enter the Enable Reward Mode. The random number algorithm (Blocks  520 - 526 ) calculates Random Num according to the equation: Random Num=Random Num−1, which decrements the current value for Random Num (Block  520 ). If Random Num=0 (Block  522 ), the processor automatically resets Random Num=31 (Block  524 ). The random number algorithm then loops around and decrements Random Num again (Blocks  520 - 524 ) until the all of the bush-button switches are release (Block  526 ). This random number algorithm (Blocks  520 - 526 ) automatically generates the random number between a value of 1 and 31 whenever the third push-button switch is pressed to enter the Enabled Reward Mode (Block  416 ). 
     If the program determines that the reward mode is not enabled (Block  502 ), it initially displays the message “Rwd N” on the LCD  146  (Block  504 ). The program then reads the inputs (Block  506 ) to determine whether any push-button switches  202   a - 202   d  have been pressed. If the third push-button switch  202   c  is pressed within an eight second period (Blocks  508  and  510 ), the program again determines whether the reward mode is enabled (Block  512 ). If the reward program is enabled, the program disables the reward program (Block  514 ). If the reward program is not enabled, the program enables the reward program (Block  516 ), executes the random number algorithm (Blocks  520 - 526 ), and calculates Reward Count (Block  528 ) as described above. In this configuration, the push-button switch that is pressed to toggle the reward mode on and off (Block  508 ) is the same as the push-button switch used to enter the Enable Reward Mode (Block  414 ). 
     Basing the value of Reward Count on the automatic generation of Reward Count helps to maintain a level of randomness so that workers (and Employers) cannot predict when an employee will become entitled to a reward. This randomness discourages employees from trying to circumvent the reward program by repeatedly activating the soap dispenser. 
     In other embodiments, an employer enters the Enable Reward Mode and toggles between enabled and disabled states using a push-button switch, or switches, other than the third one. In yet other possible embodiments, the program is coded so that an employer enters the Enable Reward Mode and toggles the Reward Mode between enabled and disabled states using different push-button switches. In still other possible embodiments, the employer can manually enter a value for Reward Count. 
     After the eight-second period lapses without the third push-button switch  202   c  being activated (Block  510 ), the LCD  146  is cleared (Block  530 ), the registers and transient variables are cleared (Block  532 ), and the microcontroller  200  enters the sleep mode (Block  310 ), thereby exiting the Enable Reward Mode. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, when the employer presses the fourth push-button switch  202   d  to enter the Set Mean Mode (Block  420 ) as described above, the program immediately determines the current value for the variable Mean (Blocks  600 ,  606 ,  612 ). If Mean=50 (Block  600 ), the program displays the message “MN 50” on the LCD  146  (Block  602 ) and sets Mean Value=34 (Block  604 ). If Mean=100 (Block  606 ), the program displays the message “MN 100” on the LCD  146  (Block  608 ) and sets Mean Value=84 (Block  610 ). If Mean=200 (Block  612 ), the program displays the message “MN 200” on the LCD  146  (Block  614 ) and sets Mean Value=184 (Block  616 ). 
     After the value for Mean Value is set (Blocks  604 ,  610 ,  616 ), the program reads inputs (Block  618 ) for a period of eight seconds (Block  622 ) to determine whether the fourth push-button switch  202   d  is still being pressed or if it is being pressed again (Block  618 ). If the fourth push-button switch  202   d  is being pressed (Block  620 ), the program again determines the current value for the variable Mean (Blocks  624 ,  626 , and  628 ). If Mean=50 (Block  624 ), the program resets Mean=100 (Block  630 ). If Mean=100 (Block  626 ), the program resets Mean=200 (Block  632 ). If Mean=200 (Block  628 ), the program resets Mean=50 (Block  634 ). The program then loops and reassigns values for Mean Value (Blocks  604 ,  610 , and  616 ) depending on the newly assigned value for Mean (Blocks  600 ,  606 , and  612 ). 
     This loop within the Set Mean Mode (Block  420 ) automatically reassigns values for Mean Value, which is used in calculating the Reward Count as described above. Accordingly, another element of randomness is added to Reward Count. If Mean Value=34, then the value of Reward Count is between 35 and 65. If Mean Value=84, then the value of Reward Count is between 85 and 115. If Mean Value=184, then the value of Reward Count is between 185 and 215. Although examples of certain ranges are given, other embodiments include other ranges. In yet another possible embodiment, the employer can manually set a range of possible values for Reward Count. 
     After eight seconds lapses (Block  622 ), the LCD  146  is cleared (Block  636 ), the registers and transient variables are cleared (Block  638 ), and the microcontroller  200  enters the sleep mode (Block  310 ). 
     Although the description of the various embodiments and methods have been quite specific, it is contemplated that modifications could be made without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the present invention be dictated by the appended claims, rather than by the description of the various embodiments and methods.