Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for helping to assure the washing of hands

US6211788A · kind A · utility

94Cited by
15References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 13, 1999
Grant dateApr 3, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 13, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/1443
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for helping to assure the washing of a person's hands. An easily identifiable substance is provided which may be removed by washing. A marking mechanism is coupled with or contains the easily identifiable substance. A hand of the person is then marked with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered. In one embodiment, a flush mechanism of a toilet or urinal may be equipped with the marking mechanism. The marking mechanism is preferably triggered when the person flushes the toilet or urinal. In another embodiment, a door handle may be equipped with the marking mechanism, and the marking mechanism is triggered when the person uses the door handle. For some applications the marking mechanism may be releasably secured to an activating member.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.