CA2757195A1 - Contaminant sensing dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid dispenser including a contaminant sensor and methods of use of such a fluid dispenser to monitor contaminants either alone or in an array of similar dispensers within a facility.

Description

, CA 02757195 2011-11-04 Title CONTAMINANT SENSING DISPENSER
Scope of the Invention [0001] This invention relates to a contaminant sensing dispenser and, more particularly, to a dispenser to dispense product to a user which incorporates a contaminant sensor and provide indications of contaminant presence at a single dispenser and in an array of such dispensers within a facility. The invention more particularly relates to such a contaminant sensing dispenser, an array of such dispensers and methods of use of the dispenser and arrays of such dispensers.
Background of the Invention [0002] Fluid dispensers are known for dispensing cleaning and disinfecting fluids as liquids and foam for cleaning of a user's hands. Such dispensers are provided in many facilities such as in hospitals, health care premises, restaurants, food processing areas, office buildings, schools, airports and the like. Paper towel dispensers are known for dispensing paper towels as to persons in a washroom.

[0003] The growth and presence of contaminants in many facilities has become increasingly problematic. For example, the growth and presence of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses in hospitals has become a significant problem. Present methods of detection of such contaminants have disadvantages that they are not adequate and notably do not provide advance warnings of dangerous levels of contaminants. Present detection systems typically are so disadvantaged that warning of dangerous contaminant situations arises after patients have been negatively affected and exhibit symptoms of the pathogens.
Summary of the Invention [0004] To at least partially overcome these disadvantages of previously known devices, the present invention provides a dispenser including a contaminant sensor and methods of use of such a dispenser to sense contaminants either alone or in an array of similar dispensers within a facility.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispenser, preferably for dispensing product, particularly a dispenser for dispensing hand cleaning fluid or paper towels incorporating a contaminant sensor.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an array of dispensers each including a sensor with the dispensers in the array disposed at spaced locations within a facility to monitor contaminants within the facility.

[0007] Another object is to provide a method of operating a dispensing sensor alone or in an array of similar dispensers to advantageously monitor for a contaminant.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of monitoring a contaminant and or a physical property in a facility comprising:
providing a dispenser for dispensing personal products to a user, the dispenser including an external surface open to the environment about the dispenser and a sensor on the surface, the sensor capable of detecting the presence and relative level of the contaminant on the sensor or a physical property about the sensor, generating, for the dispenser periodically over time, signals representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor or the level of the physical property about the sensor or the level of the physical property about the sensor at different times, converting the signals to data representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor or the level of the physical property about the sensor at different times, and optionally comparing the level sensed with one or more thresholds and determining if the level meets the thresholds, the dispenser preferably selected from a paper towel dispenser and a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid including a liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispenser fluid from the reservoir.

[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of monitoring a contaminant in a facility comprising:
providing a plurality fluid dispensers at spaced locations about a facility including a plurality of fluid dispensers for dispensing fluid for cleaning persons hands, each dispenser comprising a liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, each dispenser including an external surface open to the environment about the dispenser and a sensor on the surface, the sensor capable of detecting the presence and relative level of the contaminant on the sensor, generating, for each dispenser periodically over time, signals representative of the level of the contaminant on each sensor at different times, converting the signals to data representative of the level of the contaminant on each sensor at different times, and optionally comparing the level of the contaminant sensed with one or more thresholds and determining if the level of contaminant does not meet the thresholds.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a contaminant sensing system for a facility comprising:
a common processor, a plurality of fluid dispensers located at spaced locations within the facility, each said dispenser comprising a replaceable liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, each reservoir including an external surface thereof opens to the environment about the dispenser, each reservoir including a sensor on the surface, the sensor sensing the presence of biologic contaminants, the biologic contaminants selected from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, the sensor generating a signal when a contaminant is sensed, each dispenser including a communications system for communicating the signal to a common processor, and the common processor monitoring the level of biologic contaminants on each dispenser periodically over time.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid for cleaning person's hands, the dispenser comprising a liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, the dispenser including an external surface open to the environment about the dispenser and a sensor on the surface, the sensor capable of detecting the presence and relative level of the contaminant on the sensor, a signal generator for generating a signal representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor, and a processor for converting the signal to data representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor at different times and for comparing the level of the contaminant sensed with one or more thresholds and providing a warning signal when the level of contaminant exceeds the thresholds.
Brief Description of the Drawings [0012] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a soap dispenser in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention schematically shown as being manually used by a user to dispense hand soap;

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the soap dispenser of Figure 1, however, with a nozzle shield in a raised, open position, the bottle removed and a pump mechanism being manually held by a user ready for insertion or removal;

[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the soap dispenser of Figure 1 in which the pump mechanism is coupled to the housing, the nozzle shield is in a closed position and a bottle is being replaced;

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the dispenser shown in Figure lwith the nozzle shield removed;

[0017] Figure 5 is a schematic, partially cut-away cross-sectional side view of the dispenser in Figure 1 with the nozzle shield in a closed position;

[0018] Figure 6 is a schematic flow diagram showing electrically connected elements of the dispenser of Figure 1;

[0019] Figure 7 is a plan view of a health care facility having an array of dispensers in accordance with the present invention;

[0020] Figure 8 is a schematic flow diagram showing an arrangement for monitoring and control of the array of dispensers in accordance with the present invention;

[0021] Figure 9 is a schematic flow diagram similar to Figure 1 but showing a different configuration of electrically powered elements of the dispenser of Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a soap dispenser similar to that shown in Figure 3 but with a modified bottle;

[0023] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the bottle shown in Figure 10 prior to coupling to the dispenser;

[0024] Figure 12 is a partial schematic pictorial view showing a modified bottle added to the dispenser housing with complementary electrical touch pads for electrical connection on coupling the bottle to the dispenser;

[0025] Figure 13 is a front perspective view of a soap dispenser in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention with a bottle attached thereto;

[0026] Figure 14 is a front perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 13 with the bottle removed;

[0027] Figure 15 is a front perspective view of an interior chassis of the dispenser of Figure 13;

[0028] Figure 16 is a rear perspective view of the chassis of Figure 15 with its back plate and selected other elements removed to facilitate understanding;
100291 Figure 17 is a schematic partial cross sectional plan view through the bottle sensor in Figure 15;
[0030] Figure 18 is a Figure 13 is a front perspective view of a soap dispenser in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;
[0031] Figure 19 is a schematic plan view of a sensing mechanism for a sensor carrying a plurality of individual sensing elements and schematically shown as coupled to a control module;
[0032] Figure 20 is a cross section similar to Figure 5 but showing a fan to blow air over a sensor provided on the bottom of the bottle; and [0033] Figure 21 is a schematic partial front and bottom perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the present invention showing an indirect optical color sensor.

Detailed Description of the Drawings [0034] Reference is made first to Figure 1 which illustrates a first embodiment of a fluid dispenser 10 similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,748,573, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The dispenser 10 is adapted to be secured to a wall not shown.
The dispenser 10 is schematically illustrated in Figure 1 as adapted for manual activation as by a user using one hand 11 to urge a lever 12 downwardly so as to dispense fluid 40 from a nozzle 13 onto the palm of the other user's hand 14.
[0035] The dispenser 10 of this application differs from the dispenser disclosed in U.S.
Patent 7,748,573 notably in providing on a surface 49 of the side wall 18 of the housing 16, a sensor 50. The surface 49 of the side wall 18 is an exterior surface which is open to the environment about the dispenser. The sensor 50 is preferably a sensor capable of sensing contaminants from the environment about the dispenser which come to engage the sensor 50.
The sensor 50 is preferably capable of detecting the presence of one or more contaminants on the sensor 50. The sensor 50 is preferably an electronic sensor requiring electrical power for its operation.
[0036] Reference is made to Figure 6 which schematically shows the sensor 50 and a control module 52 to control the sensor 50. The control module 52 is mounted to the housing 16 inside the upper interior of the housing as seen in Figure 4 rearward of a support member 22 and springs 26 within a rear space proximate a back plate 17 underneath a top 20 and between the side wall 18 and an opposite side wall 19. Figure 4 shows a conduit 54 connecting the sensor 50 to the control module 52.
[0037] In Figure 6, the control module 52 is schematically illustrated as a circuit board which carries a processor 55, a communication device 56 and a power source 54.
Each of the sensor 50, communication device 56 and power source 54 are connected to the processor 55.

The processor 55 controls the receipt and distribution of power from the power source to the other electronic components and preferably the operation of these other components.
[0038] In operation, the sensor 50 is controlled by the processor 55 to at times as determined by the processor 55 to detect the presence of a contaminant on the sensor 50 and to generate a signal representative of the level of contaminant on the sensor 50. The processor 55 controls the communication device 56 so as to communicate as desired the signal and/or other data. The processor 55 in the preferred embodiment controls the communication device 56 so as to send the signal and/or other data to a remote electronic device. In the preferred embodiment the communication device including a wireless transmitter for which an antenna 57 is shown mounted externally on the top 20 of the dispenser 10.
[0039] Reference is made to Figure 7 which shows a plan view of a health care facility 100 having a plurality of different dispensers 10 located at different locations within the facility100. The facility 100 has a number of areas and rooms indicated as 101 to 108 with passage there between permitted by doors 109. The dispensers 10 are located at various different locations including those near the entry or exit of most doors 109, and within the rooms. The dispensers 10 may be mounted to the walls, on freestanding supports or supported on desktops, countertops and the like. Multiple dispensers may be in any room as, for example, in a washroom with multiple toilets or sinks or wash stations, not shown.
[0040] Reference is made to Figure 8 which schematically illustrates a contaminant system 99. The system 99 includes the array of dispensers 10 from Figure 7 but Figure 8 shows for ease of illustration only three of the dispensers 10, each of which is schematically shown to have its respective communication device 56 wirelessly transmit information to a wireless router 58 which is connected to the Internet 59 which subsequently routes and transfers the information to a computer server 60.
[0041] The connection between each of the dispensers 10 and the router 58 need not be wirelessly and can be for one or more of the dispensers a hardwired connection. The preferred manner of communication from each dispenser 10 to the router 58 is wireless as, for example, preferably using a WiFi wireless system for communication between the , r CA 02757195 2011-11-04 communication device 56 and the router 58 which would comprise a WiFi router.
The communication between the router 58 and the computer server 60 preferably is through the Internet. While Figure 8 shows but three computers connected to a single router, it is to be appreciated that as many different dispensers 10 may be provided as desired for any facility 100 with each dispenser 10 communicating by a router and, of course, that a number of different routers 58 may be provided to service various of the dispensers 10.
The router 58 is shown as being connected to one computer server 60, however, one or more different computer servers 60 may be provided, however, preferably, all of the information which may be gathered from any particular facility may be adapted to be consolidated and monitored at a single server or central processor.
[0042] The facility 100 may comprise any areas whatsoever including, for example, areas about or within one or more buildings, areas accommodating people, areas for processing of food, transport ships, and transportation terminals, or any portion thereof.
[0043] The communication between each dispenser 10 and the computer server 60 is not limited. Each or some of the dispensers 10 could communicate with other dispensers. One of the dispensers 10 could function as a router for other of the dispensers. Each or some of the dispensers 10 could communicate with message collection devices or directly to a computer as through a LAIN as well as wireless router. Using the new IPV6 standard a dispenser 10 can be identified by its own IP address and can communicate to find a server in CLOUD and communicate information into the server in CLOUD. The communication is preferably provided at least one way from the dispenser 10 to the computer server 60, however, may also be two way with the dispenser 10 having capability to receive information from other devices, preferably from the computer server 60.
[0044] The particular manner that the signal from the sensor 50 is processed is not limited, and the signal may be processed in whole or in part in the dispenser 10 or in whole or in part in the computer server 60 or other remote processing device.
[0045] For example, in a first manner of operation, the processor in the dispenser 10 may send relatively unprocessed signals and data to the computer server 60 as to minimize processing within the dispenser 10 and thus reduce the need for processing capability and data storage in the dispenser 10. The computer server 60 would convert the signals and data received to data representative of the level of contaminant on the sensor 50.
In a second manner of operation, the processor 55 in the dispenser converts the signal generated by the sensor 50 to data representative of the level of contaminant on the sensor 50, and communicates this data to the computer server 60. In a third manner of operation, the processor 55 in the dispenser converts the signal generated by the sensor 50 and its signal generator to data representative of the level of contaminant on the sensor 50.
The processor 55 compares the level of contaminant sensed with one or more thresholds and makes ad determination as to whether the level of contaminant as sensed on the sensor exceeds one or more of these thresholds, and as well may provides a warning signal if the level of contaminant as sensed on the sensor is determined to exceeds one or more of these thresholds.
Dispenser [0046] Referring to Figure 4, the dispenser 10 includes the housing 16 having the back plate 17, the spaced side walls 18 and 19 and the top wall 20 which defining an interior 21 there between. The support member 22 is fixedly secured in the interior of the housing between the side walls 18 and 19 proximate the top wall 20. A lever mechanism including the lever 12 and a lever bridge plate 24 is pivotally mounted to the support member 22. The lever springs 26 are disposed between the lever bridge plate 24 and the support member 22 so as to bias the lever 12 to an upper raised position.
[0047] Figure 4 shows a nozzle shield 27 separate from the housing 16 and ready for manual coupling to the support member 22. Figure 2 illustrates the dispenser 10 with the nozzle shield 27 coupled to the support member 22 and placed in a raised open position in which position the nozzle shield 27 permits a pump mechanism 28 to be coupled or uncoupled to the support member 22 by sliding forwardly or rearwardly. In this regard, the support member 22 carries a support plate with a central slot 30 open at a forward end. As seen in Figure 2, vertical side walls 31 and 32 extend upwardly from the support plate 29 on each side thereof. The pump mechanism 28 is adapted to slide rearwardly into the central slot 30 with the slot 30 disposed about an enlarged radius cylindrical portion 33. A

rectangular plate 34 is carried on the pump mechanism 28 above the cylindrical portion 33.
The rectangular plate 34 is to be received above the support plate and located against rotation between the side walls 31 and 32.
[0048] Reference is made to Figure 3 which illustrates the dispenser 10 after the pump mechanism 28 has been applied as in Figure 2 and the nozzle shield 27 moved from the raised open position of Figure 2 to the closed position seen in Figure 3. A
bottle 35 with an open upper end 36 may be, when disposed at an angle, placed to have a dip tube 37 of the pump mechanism 28 inside its open end 36 and the bottle 35 then slid upwardly between the side walls 18 and 19 of the housing 16 upwardly about the dip tube 37 to a position where a bottom 38 of the bottle is disposed above a height of a support ledge 39 secured across the back of the housing 16. The bottom 38 of the bottle 35 may then be pushed rearwardly to rest on the support ledge 39. The bottle 35 serves as a removable and replaceable reservoir for the fluid to be dispensed. With the bottle 35 inserted and in the position, for example, as illustrated in Figure 1, pressing downwardly on the lever 12 will dispense fluid 40 out of the nozzle 13 of the pump mechanism 28. The pump mechanism 28 preferably comprises a piston pump assembly with the nozzle 13 comprising a forward hollow tubular extension from a piston 41 which is slidable within a piston chamber forming element 42 which has liquid fed to it from the bottle 38 via the dip tube 37. The piston 44 is reciprocally vertically displaced by the lever mechanism 23 to pump fluid.
[0049] Figures 2 and 3 show in solid lines one configuration in which the bottle 35 may be replaced independently of the pump mechanism 28, Figure 2 schematically illustrates, in dashed lines, a bottle 35 mechanically secured to the pump mechanism 28 forming together a replaceable unit that can as a unit be coupled to and uncoupled from the dispenser for al removed and replacement as a unit via the forward access provided to the interior 21 of the housing 16 when the nozzle shield 28 in a raised open position as seen in Figure 2.. The replaceable unit comprising the bottle 35 and the pump mechanism 28 is preferably disposable when empty.

Sensor Location [0050] The preferred embodiment of the dispenser 10 shown in Figures 1 to 5 illustrates a single sensor 50 carried on the exterior surface 49 of the side wall 18.
Sensors similar to the sensor 50 sensor 50 may be provided at other locations on the dispenser 10, including, for example, on an inside surface of the side wall 18; on an inside or an outside surface of the side wall 19, on the upper surface of the top 20, and on the nozzle shield 27 as, for example, on any of a top surface 64, side surface 66, front end surface 67 or under surfaces 68; on the activation lever12, on the pump mechanism 28 and on the bottle 35. A sensor could be provided on the lever 12 preferably on a forwardmost horizontal portion 70 of the lever 12 which is most likely to be contacted by the hand of a user. A sensor could be provided on the nozzle 13 preferably proximate where a fluid is discharged and there may be a likelihood of either contact by a user's hand or growth of biological contaminants.
[0051] The sensor may be provided secured to components of the dispenser 10 which are typically not replaced and such a sensor would need to have a relatively useful life. The sensor may, however, be provided to be removable and replaceable from the dispenser 10 so as to permit the use of a sensor whose sensing activities are only effective for a period of time or which degrades with time as, for example, as contaminants come to engage the surface of the sensor. In this regard, the sensor 50 of the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 preferably is a replaceable sensor as, for example, comprising a replaceable member which can be secured to the side wall 18 and releasably electrically connected to the control module 52 by the provision and use of a manually engageable end releasable plug 61 on the conduit 53 which releasably connects the sensor 50 to the control module 52.
In the preferred embodiment, the sensor 50 comprises a relatively flat planar member to be adhesively secured to the wall 18 with a release adhesive permitting later removal of the sensor 50. As seen in Figure 4, an opening 62 is provided through the wall 18 behind the sensor 50 through which the conduit 53 is passed to provide for connection of the sensor 50 shown in dashed lines in Figure 4 to the control module 52. Such as removable and replaceable sensor 50 may, for example, be provided in a kit with a replacement bottle 35 with a user on replacing an empty bottle 35 at the same time, manually replacing the sensor 50 with a new replacement sensor. The sensor 50 may, for example, be coupled to a replacement bottle 35 such that the removal of a closure on the bottle 35 to permit its insertion and use on a dispenser 10 also requires removal of the new sensor 50.
100521 Wherever the sensor 50 is located on the dispenser 10, it is within the scope of a person skilled in the art to provide a method for providing electrical power to the sensor 50 from the control module 52 to the site of the removable sensor 50 and to provide a mechanism for easy electrical connection. For example, at a location where any sensor is to be provided, electrical contact pads may be provided on the dispenser 10 to engage electrical contact pads carried on the sensor. Insofar as the sensor 50 is desired to be secured to the handle 12, insofar as the handle 12 is a hollow tube, then electric wiring can extend internally within the handle to a location where the sensor 50 is to be located. The handle 12 may be made from a left half portion and a right half portion, each as a metal rod or tube, and with a plastic spacer in the center of the forwardmost horizontal portion 70 which mechanically connect the two metal halves together while electrically separating them. A
sensor could be provided with a first electrical contact pad to engage the left half portion and a second electrical contact pad to engage the right half portion and thus the sensor will bridge between the two metal halves and complete an electrical conduit between the rear ends of each of the metal halves which are each to be electrically connected to the control module 52.
[0053] Preferably, a sensor timing arrangement is provided which will determine the time when a sensor is initially activated so as to first permit contaminants engage on its surface and with the sensor timing arrangement including a timing device such that signals from the sensor representative of the level of contamination of the sensor are provided with an indication as to relative time and the time from initial activation. Such a timing arrangement may arise, for example, in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 with the processor 55 including a timer and a capability to sense when the plug of a new sensor 50 is first connected to the control module 52. While not necessary, it is preferred that each sensor 50 may have an identification number and the control module 52 have a capability to determine the identification number of each sensor 50 and to determine the first time when any particular sensor 50 is sensed as being electrically connected and/or initially activated. Preferably, the , CA 02757195 2011-11-04 sensor 50 may have some protective mechanism to prevent contaminates from becoming engaged on the sensor 50 prior to electrical connection of the sensor and or activation. As schematically illustrated in Figure 3, a protective release sheet 80 is provided over the sensor 50 which release sheet 80 has a tab 81 to be manually engaged to remove the release sheet after electrical connection of the sensor 50 to the control module 52. By removing the release sheet 80, the sensor 50 would be initially activated, meaning that the surface of the sensor 50 would first come to become open to being engaged by contaminants.
The removal of the release sheet 80 and the initial activation of the sensor 50 could be assumed to occur at substantially the same time that the sensor 50 is electrically connected to the control module 52.
[0054] As another arrangement, the release sheet 80 could include an element which blocks electrical connection of the sensor 50 to the control module 52 or otherwise prevent the operation of the sensor 50 until such time as the release sheet is removed. With such an arrangement, removal of the release sheet 80 would initially activate the sensor 50 after the sensor 50 was previously electrically connected to the module 52. This would permit the dispenser 10 to have the sensor 50 removably attached with the release sheet 80 in place to be shipped and transported ready for use by installation of the dispenser 10 and removal of the release sheet 80.
[0055] The sensor 50 shown in Figure 3 is a relatively thin planar member which can be releasably secured to the side wall 18 as by a releasable adhesive on the rear of the sensor 50.
The release member 80 is preferably a thin sheet, for example, of plastic material which may be secured as over the forward surface of the sensor 50 by an adhesive, at least with the adhesive about a periphery of the front surface of the sensor so as to avoid sensory areas on the sensor which contaminants are to engage and be sensed. The sensor 50 preferably has electrical components and circuitry printed thereon. The release sheet 80 may have electrical components and circuitry printed thereon to be coupled with the electrical components and circuitry on the sensor 50 to blocking operation of the sensor 50 until the release sheet 80 is removed.

[0056] Various sensors are known which would be useful as a sensor 50 in accordance with the present invention. A sensor could be used which accurately senses the presence of one or more specific contaminants. Such sensors are often expensive and have difficulties in respect of accuracy and calibration. In the context of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention in which an array comprising a plurality of dispensers is provided within a facility, the invention permits the use of sensors which may not individually be accurate in predicting the presence of a contaminant. In accordance with the present invention, by providing an array of dispensers 10 in which a number of dispensers 10 are used in a facility 100, sensors 50 may be used which may not be considered particularly accurate or relatively accurately calibrated. Preferably, in accordance with the present invention, the array of dispensers 10 provided in a facility in a relatively large number of dispensers. The number of dispensers is preferably at least 25 and, more preferably, at least 50, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, at least 500 and, more preferably, at least 1000 dispensers. In accordance with the present invention, it is preferred that a relatively large number of the dispensers 10 are included in the array within the facility 100. The opportunity to have such a large number of arrays of dispensers 10 in a facility is readily achievable as, for example, in health care facilities and hospitals and where large number of dispensers is provided in relatively small areas. Insofar as the dispensers 10 carrying the sensors 50 are manually operated dispensers, there is an easy opportunity for easily providing large numbers such dispensers 10 in an array in the facility.
[0057] In many environments such as hospitals where there are concerns about contaminants, particularly biological contaminants, it is desired that the bottles 35 containing the fluid to be dispensed be changed relatively frequently, particularly where there is an opportunity or necessity for the dispenser to be engaged by a user in dispensing the fluid., and the dispenser may serve as allocation for the deposit, and transfer to others of contaminants. Preferably, each bottle 35 is replaced about every 14 to 30 days whether or not the bottle is empty of fluids. Such bottles 35 have preferred volumes in the range of 500 ml to 2 litres. A preferred bottle 35 has a volume of 500 ml which in many hospital and health care environments will result in the bottle, when placed in areas of a facility with average usage being typically emptied and replaced every two to three weeks.
The bottles 35 are also preferably available in larger sizes such as 1 litre and greater, which are advantageous for insertion into dispensers 10, in relatively high use areas, such that the bottles 35 may be expected to be emptied within one to four weeks. Preferably, a new replacement sensor 50 is provided and replaced each time the removable bottle 35 is replaced. In such an arrangement, the replaceable sensor 50 need only have, at most, a useful life which is the useful life of the average bottle which typically does not exceed two to four weeks. Providing a sensor 50 which would be active for merely two to four weeks would be useful in accordance with the invention of the present application and, again, facilitate the selection of a sensor by eliminating the need for long term useful sensing.
[0058] Moreover, in accordance with the present invention, in one preferred embodiment, the replaceable sensor 50 may only be useful to sense contamination for a relatively short period of time such as, for example, selected from a time period of a number of minutes, or hours, or days or weeks after activation. For example, a sensor might have a useful sensing life of but a few minutes, say, for example, 5, 15 or 30 minutes or, for example, one, two, six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four hours or thirty-six hours or two days, three days, four days, five days, six days or seven days or some time period, for example, between one day and fourteen days.
[0059] The preferred sensor 50 in accordance with the present invention is a sensor capable of sensing contaminants on the sensor. In the case of biologic contaminants, the presence of the biologic contaminants on the sensor 50 may increase with time as the biologic contaminants may grow and remain engaged on the sensor 50. Signals indicating the level of contaminants on the sensor may be provided over time from the time of activation onward. The speed at which the level of contaminants increase can be measured on the sensor during its useful life as one factor to indicate the relative level of contaminants in the environment about the dispenser. As an example of an array of dispensers 10 in accordance with the present invention, 1000 dispensers 10 can be provided in a hospital facility. Each sensor 50 with the various individual dispensers 10 will be replaced periodically and preferably randomly, upon replacement of the bottles 35. Each dispenser 10 = CA 02757195 2011-11-04 will provide data information to the central computer server 60 including the time when each sensor was initially activated, and levels of contaminant sensed at various times after initial activation. From such data, amongst other items, the speed at which the level of contaminant changes typically increases can be determined. The data received from the 1000 dispensers can be subjected to various data manipulation techniques such as statistical analysis, and averaging including techniques to disregard, for example, readings from sensors which are within either a bottom percentile of contamination level readings for all comparable dispensers such as, for example, in the bottom 10% or above a certain percentile of contamination level readings for all comparable dispensers such as above 90%.
The data may be collected from the dispensers 10 in the facility 100 over a period of time such as over a three, six or twelve month period of time to establish expected baselines and establish thresholds against which future data can be compared. Thereafter, data monitored from the array of dispensers as a whole and, as well, from individual groups of dispensers within the array or individual dispensers may be compared to the historical values to assist in generalized determinations as to whether or not there may be an increase in contaminants in the facility as a whole or certain areas in the facility or even at certain dispensers. Such data can serve as an early warning system towards giving notice and early warning of increasing contaminants. Data gathered from one facility such as a first hospital may be compared to data from another facility such as a second hospital.
[0060] Various algorithms such as statistical assessments will be apparent to a person skilled in the art as useful towards assessing the data received from the dispensers towards developing thresholds and assessing when reasonable thresholds for levels of contaminants have been exceeded or levels of contaminants are at acceptable levels.
[0061] The sensor 50 may be adapted to sense one or more contaminants. A
preferred sensor may be a relatively simple sensor which is adapted to sense one contaminant or type of contaminant. While there may be known contaminants which are of a particular concern as in a hospital environment such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type (strain) of staph bacteria that does not respond to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections and Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) bacteria, it would be , , CA 02757195 2011-11-04 preferred to use a sensor which would sense for the presence of any particular pathogen, this is not necessary for the invention to be carried out. One preferred embodiment of the invention is to utilize a sensor which senses an indicator contaminant which is reasonably expected to have a correlation to a contaminant of concern without directly sensing contaminant of concern. For example, in a hospital environment, while it might be difficult to have a sensor which senses MRSA, insofar as other biologic contaminants such as common E.coli bacteria are sensed, an increase in the level of E.coli bacteria is reasonably to be expected to be correlatable to a rise in other dangerous contaminants such as MRSA and C. difficile. A sensor for E.coli or other indicator contaminant which is more readily available and less expensive comprises a reasonable sensor to be used toward assisting and indicating general levels of contamination within a hospital facility and may be demonstrated by historical data to having a correlation to other unsensed contaminants.
[0062] In Figure 6, the control module 52 is shown as including a power source 54. One preferred power source is a removable and replaceable battery. The nature of the power source 54 to be used is not limited and would include, for example, mechanisms to generate power and mechanisms to store the power. Mechanisms to generate power can include light powered generators, such as solar generators, and generators which provide power on a user manually activating the dispenser as by moving the lever 12.
[0063] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the sensor 50 is hardwired to the control module 52 and receives electrical power from the control module 52.
Reference is made to Figure 9 which shows an alternate arrangement for the connection of the control module 52 and the sensor 50. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the sensor 50 is illustrated as a wireless sensor 50 having electrically connected elements comprising a sensor processor 75, a sensor communication device 76, a sensor power source 74 as well as a contaminant sensing mechanism 73. The sensor power source 74 preferably is a battery. The sensor communication device 76 is adapted to a wireless communicate with the communication device 56 on the control module 52. The nature of the wireless communication between the control module 52 and the sensor control device 76 is not limited but can preferably provide but one-way communication from the sensor 50 to the control module 52. The wireless , . CA 02757195 2011-11-04 communication between the control module 52 and the sensor control device 76 is preferably over but a very short distance. One preferred method of communication would be WiFi wireless communication. The communication device 56 of the control module 52 may use different wireless communication systems to communicate with the sensor communication device 76 than with other remote devices such as the wireless router 58.
[0064] The combination of the wireless sensor 50 and the control module 52 as shown in Figure 9 can advantageously be used as, for example, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 so as to, for example, avoid the need for a hardwired communication between the sensor 50 and the control module 52 and thus eliminate, for example, the conduit 53 and its plug as shown in Figure 4. Use of a wireless sensor 50 can facilitate the location of a sensor at virtually any location on the dispenser 10 and its components and facilitate the installation and removal of any sensor which is to be removable and replaceable. Insofar as the wireless sensor 50 is carried on the dispenser 10 in relative close proximity to the control module 52, the battery serving as the power source 77 for the wireless sensor need not have any substantial capacity to power communication. Preferably, in an arrangement as shown in Figure 9, the wireless sensor would be located within, at most, twelve inches, more preferably, at most, six inches or three inches from the control module 52.
The arrangement illustrated in Figure 9 is readily adapted for substitution for the sensor 50 and control module 52 as in Figure 4 eliminating the need for the hardwired conduit 53.
[0065] As another embodiment of the dispenser 10, a wireless sensor 50 as illustrated in Figure 9 could be provided in the dispenser 10 and communicate as, for example, wirelessly with the wireless router 58 as shown, for example, in Figure 8. In such a case, the control module 52 could be eliminated from the dispenser, however, the sensor processor 75 in that case would need to have the capability of controlling the sensor 50 and its operation and suitably transmitting acceptable signals and data to the router 58. Thus control module 52 could be eliminated from the dispenser 10 or at least not serve a purpose in the control of or communication with at least for the purpose of communicating with the sensor 50.
[0066] Reference is made to Figure 10 which is identical to Figure 3, however, shows a sensor 52 as applied to the bottle 35 on a front surface 80 of a front wall 81 of the bottle 35.

The sensor 50 shown in Figure 10 on the bottle is preferably a wireless sensor of the type illustrated in Figure 9 which may be provided in combination with a control module 52 of the type shown in Figure 9 carried internally within the dispenser for communication between the wireless sensor 50 and the control module 52 (not shown in Figure 10) or, alternatively, the sensor may comprise a stand alone sensor 50 of the type illustrated in Figure 9, however, with capability of transmitting directly from the sensor 50 to the wireless router 58 shown in Figure 8. Figure 9 continues to show a sensor 50 on the side wall 18 of the dispenser 10 in addition to the sensor 50on the bottle 35, although only one sensor is necessary.
[0067] Figure 11 shows the bottle 35 used in Figure 10, however, prior to coupling to the dispenser with a removable snap-off cap 90 sealing the opening to the bottle 35, the sensor 50 is shown as covered by the transparent removable release sheet 80 which on removal activates the sensor 50. The cap 90 needs to be removed prior to coupling of the bottle to the dispenser. A strap 91 mechanically couples the cap 90 to the release sheet 80 such that with removal of the cap 90 for use of the bottle 35, the release sheet 80 is automatically removed.
[0068] Reference is made to Figure 12 which illustrates a dispenser 10 similar to that shown in Figure 4 but in which a wired sensor 50 is provided on the front surface of the bottle 35 and in which connection wires 93 and 94 extend from the sensor 50, each to a respective metal electrical contact pad 95 and 96 provided on the bottom 38 of the bottle.
Corresponding electrical contact pads 97 and 98 are provided on a support ledge 39 secured across the back of the dispenser housing 16. When the bottle 35 is engaged on the housing in the manner as seen in side view in Figure 5, the contact pads 95 and 96 of the wireless sensor 50 carried on the bottle 35 will make electrical contact with the contact pads 96 and 97 on the support ledge 39. The contact pads 96 and 97 on the support ledge 39 have connection wires 87 and 88 which extend to the control module 52. This arrangement of Figure 12 provides for a removable bottle 35 with the sensor 50 attached to the bottle 35 and adapted to be hard wired to the control module 52 when the bottle 35 is engaged to the dispenser 10.
[0069] Figure 10 shows two sensors 50 on the dispenser, namely the sensor 50 on the side wall 18 of the dispenser 10 in addition to the sensor 50 on the bottle 35, although only one sensor is necessary. In accordance with the present invention, one, two, three or more sensors may be provided on the same dispenser. The various sensors 50 may be hardwired in an arrangement as illustrated in Figure 6 or wireless as in an arrangement in Figure 9. Some of the sensors may be hardwired and others may be wireless.
[0070] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a replaceable unit comprising not only the bottle 35 but also the pump 28 securely attached thereto. As in the manner illustrated in Figure 10 or Figure 12, a sensor 50 may be provided on the bottle 35 of the replacement unit shown in Figure 2 comprising the bottle 35 together with the pump 28. In another embodiment of such a replaceable unit, a sensor 50 can be applied onto the nozzle 13 and removable with the replaceable unit.
[0071] Reference is made to Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 showing a dispenser in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
[0072] In discussion of the second embodiment of Figures 13 to 17, the same reference numerals as used in Figures 1 to 12 are used to refer to similar elements. The dispenser 10 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the dispenser 10 of the first embodiment with the exception that a number of additional features are added. The dispenser has a chassis 130 within its housing 16. Most notably, as seen in Figure 16, the dispenser includes a generator 120 to generate electrical power on a user moving the lever 12. As seen in Figure 16, the left hand arm 122 of the lever 12 extends rearwardly for pivotal connection near a rear end 123 of the arm 122 to the upper end of a rigid link arm 124. A lower end 125 of the link arm 124 is pivotally connected to a first drive gear 126 by being engaged journalled for rotation in an opening extending axially through the a first drive gear 126 at a radial location spaced from the axis about which the first drive gear 126 rotates. The first drive gear 126 is connected by a series of gears 127 and 128 which are linked to a gear axle 129 on the generator 120. While not shown in Figures 13 to 17, the handle 12 is preferably biased to a raised upper position by springs such as the springs 26 shown in Figure 4. On movement of the handle 12 downwardly by a user to dispense fluid against the bias of the springs, the link arm 124 rotates the first gear 126 and hence rotates the gears of the gear train to rotate the generator to generate power. After a user has moved the lever 12 to a lower position in which the springs are compressed, on release of the lever 12 by the user, the lever will return . . CA 02757195 2011-11-04 to the raised position under the bias of the springs. In one preferred gearing arrangement, during movement of the lever 12 from the lower position to the upper position as under the influence of springs , the first gear is preferably mechanically disconnected from the generator 120 as by a one way clutch arrangement. In a second preferred gearing arrangement during movement of the lever 12 from the lower position to the upper position under the influence of springs, a mechanical gearing connection is maintained between the first gear and the generator 120 to harvest electrical energy from the movement of the lever 12. Such gearing arrangements are known to persons skilled in the art.
[0073] In the embodiment of Figures 13 to 16, the control module 52 as seen in Figure 16 as secured to the rear of the chassis 130. Electrical wires 131 deliver electrical power from the generator 120 to the control module 52. Referring to Figure 15, a bottle sensor 134 is provided. The bottle sensor 134 is schematically illustrated in a schematic cross-sectional plan view in Figure 17 as biased forwardly by a spring member 136 to an extended position shown in Figure 15. On a bottle 35 being coupled to the dispenser 10, a rear wall of the bottle 35 engages the bottle sensor 134 and urges the bottle sensor 134 rearwardly against the bias of the spring member 136. The forward and rearward movement of the bottle sensor 136 opens and closes an electrical switch 137 providing a signal to the control module 52 indicative of whether or not a bottle 35 is coupled to the dispenser 10.
[0074] As also seen in Figure 15, on the front of the chassis 130 above the support ledge 39 on either side, there are provided angled surfaces 140 and 141. On the surface 140 an infrared emitter 142 is provided and on the surface 141, an infrared sensor 143 is provided.
This emitter 142 and sensor 143 provide a level sensing mechanism which is adapted to sense the level of fluid in the bottle 35 and to provide a signal to the control module 52 indicative of whether or not the level of fluid in the bottle is above or below the height of the sensor 143.
[0075] As seen in Figures 13 and 14, a transparent window 145 is provided through the side wall 18 of the housing 16. Disposed on the chassis 130 inside this window145 are a series of LED lights 146, 147 and 148 as best seen in Figure 16. Each light is preferably capable if emitting light of different colors, preferably green, or yellow or red, and capable of being illuminated continuously or to flash intermittently. The lamps are preferably controlled by the control module 52 to provide visual signals to users as to the condition of the dispenser. One of the lights can, for example, emit, green, yellow or red light as, for example, to indicate that a level of contamination sensed by the sensor is, respectively acceptable, moderate or unacceptable. The lamps can also provide signals indicating that the bottle is empty of fluid or that there is some other malfunction or that the dispenser is operational.
[0076] In the second embodiment of Figures 13 to 16, in addition to the lights which indicate the status of the dispenser, a speaker indicated as 170 may be provided connected to the control module and adapted to be activated so as to provide, for example, spoken signals or direction to a user of the dispenser or a person replacing the bottle and/or sensor and/or warnings at different levels depending upon the status of the dispenser and the level of contaminant sensed.
[0077] Figure 13 illustrates a bottle 35 as coupled to the dispenser which bottle is substantially of the type illustrated in Figure 9, that is, with a sensor 50 carried on the front face of the bottle and coupled to the control module 52 either in a wired manner as illustrated in Figure 4 or 12 or an unwired manner as in Figure 9.
[0078] A dispenser in accordance with the present invention in the preferred embodiments illustrated comprises a manually operated dispenser. However, dispensers for use in accordance with the present invention are not so limited. A dispenser need not be manually activated. A dispenser may include an electronically activated dispenser in which, for example, dispensing of fluid is activated automatically by a sensor sensing the presence of a user's hand underneath a dispensing outlet. Such automatic dispensers which are preferably touchless include a control module for their operation and, in accordance with the present invention, a sensor would be provided on the dispenser to sense contaminants. The sensor may preferably communicate in a wired or wireless manner with the control module in the automatic dispenser or, as described alternatively, communicate directly with a wireless hub.

µ. CA 02757195 2011-11-04 [0079] Reference is made to Figure 18 which illustrates a touchless dispenser of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,980,421 to Ophardt et al. issued July 19, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, and which dispenser 10 has been modified merely to show a sensor 50 provided on a downwardly directed surface 200 proximate the discharge outlet 201 for fluid from the dispenser 10. Of course, additional sensors may be provided at different locations on such a dispenser.
100801 One preferred sensor for use in accordance with the present invention is a sensor which has a relatively limited lifetime over which the sensor is effective to sense a contaminant as, for example, with the sensor operative such that once a certain quantity of contaminants come to engage the surface of the dispenser, the dispenser is no longer operative to indicate changes in level of contamination. A preferred sensor 50 for use in the present invention may have a contaminant sensing mechanism 73 as seem in Figure 19 which comprises a circuit board 159 plurality of individual sensing areas or elements 160. Each individual sensing element 160 is each adapted to be independently electrically connected to the control module 52 via wires 165 and activated. The control module 52 is schematically shown in Figure 17 in dashed lines. Each sensing element 160 has a separate release member 80 covering it and preventing engagement of contaminants with the sensing element 160 until the release member 80 is removed. In Figure 17, an electrical heating element is provided underneath each sensing element 160 on the circuit board 159 with the electrical heating element electrically connected to the control module 52. For ease of illustration but one such electrical heating element 162 is shown in dashed lines with its connecting wires shown as 163. Each release member 80 is a sheet of material which is volatile when heated above room temperature. The control module 52 is capable of providing electrical energy to each heating element 162 to heat the release member 80 and have it sublimate and dissipate so that the underlying sensing element 160 is initially activated to receive contaminants. The control module 52 is to heat the heating element 162 for each of the individual sensing elements 160 at times when desired, preferably activating different of the individual sensing elements 160 at different desired times as, for example, in sequence over a period of time.

[0081] Other systems for time delayed and time staggered activation of the individual sensing elements 160 include the use of volatile release members 80 which at room temperature sublimate with time and which are provided to be of different initial thicknesses over different of the individual sensing elements 160, or of materials which dissipate at different rates over of the individual sensing elements, so as to provide for different of the individual sensing elements become open to receive contaminants at different times.
Preferably, with the control module 52 can determine the time when each of the individual sensing elements 160 are initially activated.
[0082] The individual sensing elements 160 can be relatively small, for example, of dimensions to provide a surface area of less than 1 square cm, more preferably less than .5 square cm, which assists I also providing for each sensor 50 to also be relatively small.
Preferred individual sensing elements 160 and other portions of a sensor 50 may be printed by various techniques such as to become OLED circuits as printed on a thin film such as on PET film. Such small sized individual sensing elements 160 and sensors 50 may be adapted as, for example, for location on relatively small sized areas as on the lever 12 or on the nozzle 13 shown in the embodiments of Figure 1 and 13 which may, for example, comprise tubular members of a diameter in the range of not grater than about Y4 inch.
[0083] A dispenser in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is capable of providing information as to the level of contaminant sensed by the dispenser over a period of time. The dispenser also has the capability for providing information as to the time when a bottle is replaced, the time when the bottle is empty and the number of activations of the pump. The number of activations of the pump can readily be sensed by sensing when power is provided from the generator 120 to the control module 52. As a result of this information, the level of activity of the dispenser can be known. The level of activity of the dispenser has a correlation to the number of times persons activate the dispenser to dispense fluid. The number of activations of a dispenser over time can be another factor to be used in comparing the dispenser and level of contaminants in any dispenser or group of dispensers within an array to any other dispenser or group of dispensers within the array.

, CA 02757195 2011-11-04 [0084] Information can be provided to a central server as to a specific location of any dispenser within a facility. Historical information about any dispensers at that same or proximate location including information about contaminant levels and activation levels can be useful in determining thresholds for comparing contamination levels of any particular dispenser or group of dispensers.
[0085] Of contaminants which may be adapted to be sensed by the sensors 50 on the dispensers 10, some contaminants may be airborne and other contaminants may be carried by persons as on their hands. The nature of the contaminant to be sensed can be a factor in determining where to locate the sensor on a dispenser. The nature of the contaminant to be sensed can also have a determination as to whether or not the number of activations is a significant factor in assessing levels of a contaminant with time at any particular dispenser.
Preferably, contaminants which are carried as, for example, on a user's hand will be placed on a dispenser at a location where the sensor is likely to be contacted by a user's hand.
Dispensers which are adapted to sense airborne contaminants may be located at different locations on the dispenser remote from possible contact by a user.
[0086] Reference is made to Figure 20 which shows an embodiment of a soap dispenser of the present invention similar to that shown in Figure 3 but in which a sensor 50 is provided on the bottom 38 of a bottle 35 so as to be located forwardly from the support ledge 39. An air fan 170 is provided to be secured to the back of the dispenser 10 underneath the support ledge 39 so as to blow air onto the sensor 50. The fan 170 is electrically powered and controlled by the control module 52 (not shown). The fan 170 may direct air onto the sensor 50 continuously or more preferably periodically for short intervals from time to time during the useful life of the sensor 50. In this manner, in a controlled manner, the sensor 50 may engage with air from about the dispenser 10 and more accurately provide for sensing of airborne contaminants.
[0087] As to the particular nature of the contaminants which the sensor 50 may sense, this is not limited. A most preferred application is the use of the sensors as in hospitals, food facilities, restaurants and the like to sense biologic contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, spores and other by products of fungi and molds. However, the sensors may . . CA 02757195 2011-11-04 also be adapted to sense other contaminants such as the relative levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxone, oxygen, nitrogen, natural gas and other gases. The sensors may also sense for smoke as by sensing carbon particles that may be airborne residue of a fire. The particular nature of the contaminants to be sensed is not limited. The sensors may also be used to sense other variables such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and light and noise levels.
[0088] The particular nature of the sensors to be used is not limited. The sensor may be a direct sensor or an indirect sensor. A direct sensor would provide a signal as to levels of contamination is preferred. Preferred direct sensors are electronic with a sensor identifying the presence of a contaminant on its surface and providing for an electronic signal. Such sensors are well known and include biosensors as applied to biochips. The biosensor is a device that includes a biological recognition system, often called a bioreceptor, and a transducer. The interaction of an analyte with the biosensor is designed to produce an effect measured by the transducer, which converts the information into a measurable effect, such as an electrical signal. Biosensors that include transducers based on integrated circuit microchips are often referred to as biochips. A biochip typically includes one or more in biosensors that can be individually monitored. Biosensors and biochips can be classified either by their bioreceptor or their transducer type. A bioreceptor is a biological molecular species or a living system that utilizes a biochemical mechanism for recognition. The sampling component of a biosensor can contain a bio-sensitive layer. The bioreceptors are the key to specificity for biosensors as they are responsible for the analyte of interest to the sensor for measurement. Biosensors can take many forms, however, include five major catagories: antibody/antigen, enzymes, nucleic acids/DNa, cellular structures/cells and biomimetic. Biosensors can also be classified based upon the transduction method.
Transduction can be accomplished by a great many methods. Most forms of transduction can be catagorized into one of the following classes; optical detection methods, electrochemical detection methods and mass deduction methods. Each of these three classes contain many different subclasses. An indirect sensor may also be used. An example of an indirect sensor is shown in Figure 21 which is similar to Figure 3. Figure 21 illustrates in a side view similar to Figure 3, a component of sensor 50 in the form of an indicator sheet 180 removably secured to the bottom 38 of the bottle 35. The indicator sheet 180 is a sheet material whose color changes as a contaminant comes to engage the sheet. The sheet 180 may, for example, be of an initial colour such as white and will change successfully from white to another colour such as, for example, a deep red when contaminant has come into contact with the sheet. The sheet 180 preferably changes gradually in colour from white to red passing, for example, through white, red or pink colours before it reaches a deep red colour. The extent to which the colour red is displayed by the sheet 180 is indicative of the level of contaminants that have cumulatively engaged the sheet 180.
[0089] Mounted on the dispenser 10, as carried by a flange 181 secured to the back of the dispenser housing 16 below the support ledge 39, there is provided an optical sensing element 182 directed to be in opposition to the sheet 180. The optical sensing element 182 is an electronic element which has a capability of sensing the colour of the sheet. The optical sensing element 182 is electrically controlled and connected to the control module 52 not shown. The optical sensing element 182 monitors the colour of the sheet and provides suitable signals indicating the colour of the sheet and thus a representation of the level of contaminants sensed. The indicator sheet 180 may have a lifetime until the cumulative contaminants engaged on it turn its colour to a deep red. The indicator sheet may be provided at various locations on the dispenser 10 or on the bottle 35 and can be removed and replaced.
[0090] If it is desired to protect any sensor, whether direct or indirect, from damage by contact with a person using the dispenser or fluids dispensed, the sensor can be provided at a protected location as, for example, in the middle of a rear wall of the bottle 35 and, if advantageous, have a air fan 170, for example, similar to that shown in Figure 19, direct air flow over the sensor 50 towards providing air from the environment in controlled contact with the sensor.
[0091] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, many modifications and variations will now occur to persons skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference is made to the appended claims.

Claims (49)

1. A method of monitoring a contaminant and/or a physical property in a facility comprising:
providing a dispenser for dispensing personal products to a user, the dispenser including an external surface open to the environment about the dispenser and a sensor on the surface, the sensor capable of detecting the presence and relative level of the contaminant on the sensor or a physical property about the sensor, generating, for the dispenser periodically over time, signals representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor or the level of the physical property about the sensor or the level of the physical property about the sensor at different times, converting the signals to data representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor or the level of the physical property about the sensor at different times, and optionally comparing the level sensed with one or more thresholds and determining if the level meets the thresholds, the dispenser preferably selected from a paper towel dispenser and a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid and including a liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispenser fluid from the reservoir.

2. A method of monitoring a contaminant in a facility comprising:
providing a plurality fluid dispensers at spaced locations about a facility including a plurality of fluid dispensers for dispensing fluid for cleaning persons hands, each dispenser comprising a liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, each dispenser including an external surface open to the environment about the dispenser and a sensor on the surface, the sensor capable of detecting the presence and relative level of the contaminant on the sensor, generating, for each dispenser periodically over time, signals representative of the level of the contaminant on each sensor at different times, converting the signals to data representative of the level of the contaminant on each sensor at different times, and optionally comparing the level of the contaminant sensed with one or more thresholds and determining if the level of contaminant does not meet the thresholds.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the contaminant is a biologic contaminant.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein each dispenser comprising a replaceable liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, the reservoir removably coupled to the dispenser for removal and replacement, the sensor removably coupled to the dispenser for removal and replacement, removing, from time to time, each reservoir and each sensor and replacing the removed reservoir and the removed sensor by with a replacement reservoir and a replacement sensor.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the dispenser includes housing and the reservoir is removably coupled to the housing, the pump is carried by the removable reservoir and removable therewith.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 including providing the dispenser with an actuator member for engagement by the user to activate the pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, providing the surface on the actuator member and the sensor mounted to the actuator on the surface.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 including providing each sensor to be mechanically linked to one said reservoirs against separation from the one said reservoir.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the surface is provided on the reservoir.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8 in which a user engages the surface to activate the pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, and in engaging the surface to activate the pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir the user engages the sensor.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8 and 9 including providing the dispenser with an actuator member for engagement by the user to activate the pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, providing the surface on the actuator member.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the dispenser includes housing and the reservoir is removably coupled to the housing, the pump is carried by the removable reservoir and removable therewith, and actuator member is carried by the removable reservoir and removable therewith.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the dispenser includes housing and the reservoir is removably coupled to the housing, the pump is carried by the removable reservoir and removable therewith, and actuator member is carried by the housing against removal, the sensor removable mounted to the actuator on the surface.

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12 including:
sensing the removal of or replacement of each reservoir and/or sensor on each dispenser as a function of time, utilizing the length of time from said removal or replacement of each reservoir and/or sensor as a factor in calculating the level of biologic contaminants on each dispenser periodically over time

14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12 including communicating the signals from the dispensers to a common processor, and monitoring the level of biologic contaminants on each dispenser periodically over time.

15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 14 including calculating periodically contaminant group levels for one or more groups of dispensers based on a function of the level of biologic contaminants on each dispenser over selected periods of time, comparing the contaminant group levels with said one or more thresholds and determining if the contaminant group levels do not meet the thresholds.

16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 15 including:
monitoring contaminant group levels over periods of time to determine changes in contaminant group levels with time.

17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 16 including providing the dispensers to include a plurality of manually operated dispensers, wherein the step of communicating the signals from each dispenser to the common processor comprises communicating the signals wirelessly from the dispenser.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17 including providing each sensor to sense biologic contaminants as the cumulative biologic contaminants on the sensor at any time.

19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 18 including providing each sensor with a communications capability and having each sensor communicate wirelessly the signals to at least one of a communications system on the dispenser housing and a remote communications system.

20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 19 including calculating periodically contaminant group levels for one or more groups of the dispensers based on a function of the level of biologic contaminants on each dispenser over selected periods of time, comparing the contaminant group levels for a first of said groups with the contaminant group levels for a second of said groups , and when the contaminant group levels for the first of said groups varies from the contaminant group levels for the second of said groups instituting a counter measure towards reducing contaminant group levels for one of the first of said groups and the second of said groups.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the counter measure is selected from the group of:
(a) increasing a dosage of fluid dispensed in a single activation of the pump for each dispenser in one of the first of said groups and the second of said groups over a dosage of fluid dispensed in a single activation of the pump for each dispenser in the other of the first of said groups and the second of said groups, (b) changing the fluid that each dispenser in one of the first of said groups and the second of said groups dispenses over the fluid that each dispenser dispenses in the other of the first of said groups and the second of said groups to have greater or different cleaning or disinfecting properties, (c) introducing different hygiene compliance policies in areas of the facility containing one of the first of said groups and the second of said groups over hygiene compliance policies in areas of the facility containing in the other of the first of said groups and the second of said groups, and (d) providing different vaccinations and or medication to persons in areas of the facility containing one of the first of said groups and the second of said groups over vaccinations and or medication provided to persons in areas of the facility containing the other of the first of said groups and the second of said groups.

22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 21 wherein the contaminant is selected from the group consisting of a biologic contaminant, a gas, and a by-product of combustion.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the contaminant is a biologic contaminant.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the biologic contaminant is selected from the group consisting bacteria and viruses.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the biologic contaminant is a bacterium.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the bacteria is selected from the group consisting E.coli bacteria and salmonella.

27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 26 wherein the sensor is an electronic sensor.

28. A method of monitoring the presence of biologic contaminants in a facility comprising:

providing a plurality fluid dispensers at spaced locations about a facility including a plurality of fluid dispensers for dispensing fluid for cleaning persons hands, each dispenser comprising a replaceable liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, each reservoir including an external surface thereof open to the environment about the dispenser, each reservoir including a sensor on the surface, the sensor capable of detecting the presence and relative level of biologic contaminants on the sensor, replacing, from time to time, the reservoirs on the dispensers with replacement reservoirs each having a sensor, generating, for each dispenser periodically over time, signals representative of the level of biologic contaminants on each sensor at different times, converting the signals to data representative of the level of biologic contaminants on each sensor at different times, and optionally comparing the level of biologic contaminants sensed with one or more thresholds and determining if the level of biologic contaminants does not meet the thresholds.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28 including communicating the signals from the dispensers to a common processor, and monitoring the level of biologic contaminants on each dispenser periodically over time.

30. A method as claimed in claim 28 or 29 including calculating periodically contaminant group levels for one or more groups of dispensers based on a function of the level of biologic contaminants on each dispenser over selected periods of time, optionally comparing the contaminant group levels with said one or more thresholds and determining if the contaminant group levels do not meet the thresholds.

31. A method as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 30 including providing the surface on each dispenser to be accessible for contact by a person using the dispenser.

32. A contaminant sensing system for a facility comprising:
a common processor, a plurality of fluid dispensers located at spaced locations within the facility, each said dispenser comprising a replaceable liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, each reservoir including an external surface thereof opens to the environment about the dispenser, each reservoir including a sensor on the surface, the sensor sensing the presence of biologic contaminants, the biologic contaminants selected from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, the sensor generating a signal when a contaminant is sensed, each dispenser including a communications system for communicating the signal to a common processor, the common processor monitoring the level of biologic contaminants on each dispenser periodically over time.

33. A contaminant sensing system as claimed in claim 32 including a reservoir sensing mechanism to sensing the removal of or replacement of a reservoir on one of the dispensers as a function of time, the system utilizing the length of time from said removal or replacement as a factor in calculating the level of biologic contaminants on each dispenser periodically over time.

34. A contaminant sensing system as claimed in claim 32 or 33 wherein the dispensers are activated to dispense fluid from the reservoir by a user engaging sensor on the surface.

35 35. A contaminant sensing system as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 34 wherein the dispensers are manually operated dispensers wherein the surface is provided on an activator movable to activate the pump to dispense.

36. A contaminant sensing system as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 35 wherein the communication system wirelessly communicates the signal to the common processor.

37. A fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid for cleaning person's hands, the dispenser comprising a liquid containing reservoir and a pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, the dispenser including an external surface open to the environment about the dispenser and a sensor on the surface, the sensor capable of detecting the presence and relative level of the contaminant on the sensor, a signal generator for generating a signal representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor, a processor for converting the signal to data representative of the level of the contaminant on the sensor at different times and for optionally comparing the level of the contaminant sensed with one or more thresholds and providing a warning signal when the level of contaminant exceeds the thresholds.

38. A fluid dispenser as claimed in claim 36 including a controller to operate the sensor to detect the contaminant at different times.

39. A fluid dispenser as claimed in claim 37 or 38 including a communications system for communicating one or more of the signal, the data and the warning to a remote computer.

40. A fluid dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 39 wherein the reservoir is coupled to the dispenser to be removable and replaceable.

41. A fluid dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 40 wherein the external surface and the sensor are provided on the reservoir, the sensor is removable and replaceable with the reservoir as a unit.

42. A fluid dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 41 wherein the dispenser includes an actuator member for engagement by the user to activate the pump to dispense fluid from the reservoir, the surface is on the actuator member, and the sensor is mounted to the actuator on the surface.

43. A fluid dispenser as claimed in claim 42 wherein the dispenser includes a housing, and the actuator member is carried by the housing against removal.

44. A fluid dispenser as claimed in claim 42 wherein the reservoir is coupled to the housing to be removable and replaceable, and and replaceable.the sensor is coupled to the actuator to be removable and replaceable removable

45. A fluid dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 44 wherein with the reservoir and sensor are mechanically coupled together as a replacement unit to be removable and replaceable together.

46. A fluid dispenser as claimed in claim 45 wherein the dispenser carries on the housing a processor and a housing communication device, the sensor is an electronic sensor, the replacement unit includes a sensor processor to control the operation of the sensor, a sensor communication device to communicate wirelessly with the housing communication device, and a power source to provide electrical current to power the sensor, sensor processor and sensor communication device.

47. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 31 in which the plurality of dispensers comprises a number of the dispensers which is selected from the group consisting of at least 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 1000.

48. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 31 and 47 including at least one of the following steps:
a. sensing the time of removal or replacement of each sensor and or when a sensor was initially activated, b. sensing the time of removal or replacement of each reservoir, c. sensing the time of each activation of the pump, and d. providing to the central processor the location of each dispenser in a facility '

49. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 31, 47 and 48 including modifying the thresholds to account for variances in one or more contaminant levels having regard to one or more of:
the length of time since the sensor was last replaced or activated, the number of activations, the length of time since the reservoir was last replaced, and the location of each dispenser in a facility.