Abstract:
A infection control station includes: a mounting unit; a cover rotatably attached to the mounting unit, adapted to transition between an open position and a closed position; a pump adapted to dispense the hand sanitizer; a site window to view the hand sanitizer when the cover is in the closed position; an aperture adapted to dispense the towel; and a site window to view the towel when the cover is in the closed position. The station may also include a hinge that pivotally attaches a first side of the cover to the mounting unit; a lock that releasably secures a second side of the cover against the mounting unit; and a shelf that is accessible when the cover is in the open position and is not accessible when the cover is in the closed position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/147,240, filed Jan. 26, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to infection control and more specifically to an infection control station. 
         [0003]    Existing systems do not combine both hand sanitizers and anti-microbial wipes in a single housing. These systems also do not have shelves or dispensers for first aid kits or gloves. 
         [0004]    It would be desirable to provide a station that includes both a towel dispenser and a hand sanitizer dispenser in a single unit. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a device includes: a housing adapted to be mounted on a wall; a hand sanitizer dispenser retained by the housing; and a towel dispenser retained by the housing. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, an infection control station that provides a hand sanitizer and a towel includes: a mounting unit; a cover rotatably attached to the mounting unit, adapted to transition between an open position and a closed position; a pump adapted to dispense the hand sanitizer; a site window to view the hand sanitizer when the cover is in the closed position; an aperture adapted to dispense the towel; and a site window to view the towel when the cover is in the closed position. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing a hand sanitizer and a towel includes: mounting a housing on a wall; retaining the hand sanitizer dispenser within the housing; dispensing the hand sanitizer dispenser; retaining the towel within the housing; and dispensing the towel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention with the cover closed; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a view of the inside an embodiment of  FIG. 1 , empty; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a view of the inside of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, including the best mode of carrying out the invention, are hereby described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned without undue experimentation. The figures are not drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms of “the invention,” is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner and process of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patent will be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed in the claims does not indicate that the steps must be performed in that order. 
         [0016]    An embodiment of the present invention generally provides an infection control station. Embodiments may be called “Classroom Caddy” or “Classroom Caddy—Infection Control Station.” Embodiments may include an infection control station that mounts on a wall of a classroom, fitness area, gym, healthcare facilities, etc. that contains anti-microbial products which can be used to disinfect working areas and proper hygiene for individuals of the learning or fitness environments while meeting state guidelines where necessary. 
         [0017]    An embodiment of the present invention may include a wall-mounted cabinet with a cover attached to a base mounting unit for movement longitudinally. The cover may carry a lock that aligns with the locking plate attached to the base mounting unit. The cover may have two sight windows, one enabling the viewing of the hand sanitizer and the other enabling the viewing of the refill canister of wipes when the cover is closed. The cover may also have two circular openings which align directly with the placement of two open canisters of wipes, or one open canister of wipes and one open package of tissues enabling retraction of wipes and/or tissue without opening the cover. An embodiment may also have an open space in the bottom between the cover and the base mounting unit enabling access of the hand sanitizer dispenser without opening the cover. 
         [0018]    Embodiments may include a base mounting unit, an inner shelving or shelf, a cover, a lock, a lock plate, and hinge pins. The cover, with a built-in hinge pin retainer located at the bottom of the cover, may be aligned with the other built-in hinge pin retainer located on the bottom of the base mounting unit and connected by way of a steel pin. The shelving may be placed in slot locked positions within the embodiment. The lock may be fastened in to the top of the cover, which aligns and locks in to the lock plate, which is fastened in to the top portion of the base mounting unit. 
         [0019]    Embodiments may have one or more of the following: a hand sanitizer dispenser mounted inside the embodiment; a towel dispenser attached or mounted on either side of the embodiment; and a glove dispenser attached to or mounted around the embodiment. A towel may be a wet wipe, an anti-microbial wipe, a tissue, a paper towel, or any other cloth or paper for cleaning, wiping or drying. 
         [0020]    As depicted in the figures, an embodiment  10  of the invention may include a base mounting unit or housing  20  that mounts to the wall through the mounting holes  26 . The base mounting unit  20  may include built-in shelving  22  and snap-in shelving  24 . The embodiment  10  may have a space for the instant hand sanitizer dispenser  30  which is accessed via the pump  32 , a refill unit of hand sanitizer  34 , two spaces for open canisters of disinfecting wipes  40  and one space for a wipe canister backup  42 . An individual wipe will be pulled out manually through the cover  60  of the embodiment  10 . The cover  60  carries a lock  50  that aligns with the lock plate  52  that is secured to the base mounting unit  20 . The embodiment  10  also may have space for a first aid kit  44  and a six pack of examination gloves  46 . The cover  60  may be connected to the base mounting unit  20  by built-in hinges and steel hinge pins  62  located at the bottom of the embodiment  10 . The cover  60  may have two sight windows  64  aligned with the wipe canister backup  42  and the hand sanitizer dispenser  30  for easy inventory check. The cover  60  also may have an area to be used for a nameplate/sticker  64  which will designate use for such areas as, but not limited to, the classroom, fitness area, health facility, jails, etc. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the base mounting unit  20  may be made of materials such as but not limited to plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), steel, aluminum (or any other metal or metal alloy). The shelving  22 ,  24  inserts may be made of materials such as but not limited to plastic, PVC, steel, aluminum, or any other metal or metal alloy. The cover  60  may be made of materials such as but not limited to plastic, PVC, steel, aluminum, or any other metal or metal alloy. The lock  50  may be made of materials such as but not limited to plastic, PVC, steel, aluminum (or any other metal or metal alloy). The lock plate  52  may be made of materials such as but not limited to plastic, PVC, steel, aluminum, or any other metal or metal alloy. The hinge pins  62  may be made of materials such as but not limited to plastic, PVC, steel, aluminum, or any other metal or metal alloy. The lock  50  may be attached to the cover  60  by means such as but not limited to screws, nuts and bolts, grommets, heat, various adhesives or friction. The lock plate  52  may be attached to the base mounting unit  20  by means such as but not limited to screws, nuts and bolts, grommets, heat, various adhesives or friction. The inner shelves  22 ,  24  may be attached to the base mounting unit  20  by means such as but not limited to screws, nuts and bolts, grommets, heat, adhesives or friction. The base mounting unit  20  may have built-in shelves  22 ,  24  sized to store a six pack of examination gloves, a first aid kit, three canisters of wipes and a refill of hand sanitizer  40 . Embodiments may be utilized as a hand sanitizer dispenser to be mounted inside the embodiment  10  with access from the outside without opening the cover  60 . Embodiments of the cover  60  may open a full 180 degrees due to hinge design and location. 
         [0022]    An embodiment of the invention includes a hand sanitizer  30 , disinfectant wipes  40 , and first aid kits  44 . The top area of the container has a lock  50  only accessible for the teachers. The bottom section is for general use by all students and faculty. 
         [0023]    An embodiment, which may be called a “Classroom Caddy Infection Control System (Caddy),” may include: a base mounting unit; inner shelving; a cover; a lock; a lock plate; and hinge pins. The bottom of the base mounting unit is attached to the bottom of the cover by way of hinges, the lock is secured to the cover, the lock plate is attached to the base mounting unit, and the inner shelving is attached to the base mounting unit. In an embodiment, the cover hinge halves and the base mounting unit hinge halves are pivotally attached using hinge pins thereto for movement between open and closed positions with respect thereto. In an embodiment, the lock is secured into the cover and movable between a position of engagement with the lock plate secured to the base mounting unit and a position out of engagement with the lock plate. In an embodiment, the inner shelving is secured to the base mounting unit by way of snapping into place with friction. In an embodiment, the cover hinge halves and base mounting unit hinge halves are part of the mold of the cover and base mounting unit. In an embodiment, the hinge pin is made of steel and secured by friction. In an embodiment, the lock is metal with key that when turned separates the two metal lock fingers allowing them to pass by the metal lock plate. In an embodiment, the lock is secured to the cover by screws, nuts and bolts, grommets, heat, various adhesives or friction. In an embodiment, the lock plate is secured to the base mounting unit by screws, nuts and bolts, grommets, heat, various adhesives or friction. 
         [0024]    Embodiments may be used in healthcare facilities, jails treatment centers, and other training room facilities. An embodiment may mount on the wall of classrooms. A PVC container that contains anti-microbial products students and faculty can use to disinfect the working areas of the learning environment.