Apparatus, method and system for standardizing hand care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand washing systems waste water and soap, and contribute to the spread of germs due to separate dispensing components and inefficient handling practices, leading to germ propagation and unsanitary environments.
Innovation Solution
A faucet-based system that integrates liquid and hand care product dispensing from a common point, using sensors and user interfaces to control and sequence dispensing operations, including temperature, pressure, and air flow for efficient hand washing and sanitizing, minimizing contact with germ-infested surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If separate dispensing components (faucet and soap dispenser) are used for hand washing, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but water and soap are wasted and germs spread due to extensive handling at different points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the faucet and soap dispenser into a single integrated dispensing component that delivers both liquid and soap from one location. This merging eliminates the need for users to handle multiple separate components, reducing both water/soap waste and germ transmission while maintaining functional optimization through a unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated dispensing component performs multiple functions simultaneously - delivering liquid, dispensing soap, and potentially providing drying functions - all from a single touch-free interface. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating what were previously separate optimized components into one universal device that handles the entire hand washing process.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate dispensing components are used, then each can be handled independently, but this extensive handling at different points contributes to the spread of germs
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the faucet and soap dispenser into one integrated component with a single touch-free interface, the patent eliminates the need for users to handle multiple separate components. This consolidation directly reduces germ spread while maintaining ease of operation through the unified touch-free activation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based operation with sensor-based detection and automated dispensing. Users activate the system by placing hands under the dispenser rather than touching handles or buttons, substituting mechanical interaction with a non-contact sensing system that prevents germ transmission while preserving operational ease.
3Productivity
If separate systems are used for water dispensing and soap dispensing, then each system can be controlled independently, but the distance between systems drives inefficiencies and compounds germ spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges liquid dispensing and soap dispensing systems into a single integrated unit with coordinated control. This consolidation improves hand washing efficiency by eliminating the time and movement required to transition between separate systems, while the unified design reduces overall system complexity compared to maintaining separate controlled systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system is pre-configured to deliver liquid and soap in a coordinated sequence through a single interface. The system anticipates user needs by providing the appropriate combination of liquid and soap automatically when hands are detected, eliminating the inefficiencies of separate systems where users must manually coordinate their use.
4Reliability
If traditional faucets and dispensers are used, then users must make multiple contacts with different surfaces, but this creates dangerous environments where hands drip on floors and germs propagate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact operation with sensor-based detection throughout the hand washing process. Users activate dispensing by placing hands under the unit rather than touching handles, and the system provides integrated drying functions, eliminating multiple contact points and creating a reliable hygiene-safe environment while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive hand-placement activation.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining washing and drying functions in one integrated unit with a single touch-free interface, the patent eliminates the need for users to contact separate faucets, soap dispensers, and towel dispensers. This consolidation improves hygiene safety by reducing contact points while maintaining operational ease through unified hand-placement-based control.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and system for providing and dispensing various hand care alternatives from a common point of dispension, such as a faucet, for standardizing the hand care, washing, sanitizing, and drying process is disclosed. Included is a liquid flow path having an inlet in fluid communication with a liquid source and an outlet in fluid communication with a user reception point. A secondary flow path has an inlet in communication with one or more hand care alternatives and an outlet in communication with the user reception point. A user-perceivable output provides notification of the hand care operation being provided at the user reception point.