GB2469482A

GB2469482A - Door control linked to operation of hand wash dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2469482A
Application number: GB0906457A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Harriman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-15
Filing date: 2009-04-15
Publication date: 2010-10-20
Also published as: GB0906457D0

Abstract

Door control apparatus 10 comprises an electrically controllable door lock 12 for locking a door 18 in a closed condition, a hand wash dispenser 14 having a dispenser unit (30, 32, fig.2) for dispensing hand wash, and a lock controller (16, fig.2) which is in communication with the dispenser unit for controlling the lock 12 based on an operation of the dispenser unit. Preferably, a pump and/or a pump controller of the hand wash dispenser 14 includes output means for outputting an activation signal to the lock controller; the output means may be a mechanical switch or flow sensor monitoring the flow of hand wash soap. An electronic override may be provided and controlled by an RFID device. The lock may be wirelessly controlled and include an alarm warning if the door is kept open for an excessive period of time. Using the apparatus which unlocks the door after the hand wash dispenser has been used forces users to wash their hands and may reduce infection in a hygienic environment such as hospitals and food preparation zones.

Description

Door Control Apparatus and Method The present invention relates to door control apparatus, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for use in a care environment, such as a hospital or care home, to a door being controllable by such door control apparatus, and to a method of reducing infection by use of such door control apparatus.

Infection rates in care environments have increased at an alarming rate over recent years, and such infections, for example, with the methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus bacterium, better known as MRSA, can result in death. In England and Wales alone, this is estimated to cost the national health service in the order of one billion pounds annually. A significant reason for this marked increase in infection rates is due to poor hygiene control. It is known that, on average, one in five clinical staff still fails to wash their hands thoroughly before attending to the next patient, thereby promoting cross-infection and contamination.

It is also important to keep ones hands as clean as possible in any hygienic environment, such as kitchens and restaurants. This is particularly important, for example, on ships and cruise liners where there is a closed community for periods of time allowing for the rapid spread of infection.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution which at least mitigates these problems, thereby reducing the potential for transmission and infection.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided door control apparatus comprising an electrically controllable lock for locking a door in a closed condition, a hand wash dispenser having a dispenser unit for dispensing hand wash, and a lock controller which is in communication with the dispenser unit for controlliig the lock based on an operation of the dispenser unit.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 14, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a door in combination with door control apparatus as in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, access through the door being controllable by use of the hand wash dispenser.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of reducing infection in a hygienic environment by use of door control apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of a) providing a hand wash dispenser on or adjacent to a lockable door in or at the hygienic environment, b) providing a lock controller for controlling a lock of the door, and c) operating the lock controller via the hand wash dispenser, so that access through the door occurs once hand wash has been dispensed.

The phrase hygienic environment' used herein and throughout is intended to encompass at least hospitals, care homes, kitchens and other food preparation areas, and any other environment typically requiring specific levels of hygiene.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of door control apparatus, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and shown in use; Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of a hand wash dispenser of the door control apparatus, in partial phantom to thus show internal components; Figure 3 shows an electromagnetic door lock of the door control apparatus; and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of door control apparatus, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and again shown in use.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown door control apparatus 10 which comprises an electromagnetic door lock 12, a hand wash dispenser 14, and a lock controller 16 for controlling the door lock 12 based on an operation of the hand wash dispenser 14.

The door lock 12 is provided at or adjacent to a door 18 and door frame 20 to hold the door 18 in a closed condition, thus preventing access. n this embodiment, the door lock 12 is of the electromagnetic kind having a ferrous plate 22 on or within the door 18, and an electromagnetic unit 24 on or in the frame 20 or close thereby. With the door 18 closed, the electromagnetic unit 24 is energised to hold the plate 22 and thus the door 18.

An indicator 26 may also be provided which indicates when the door lock 12 is energised and dccncrgised.

The hand wash dispenser 14 is preferably positioned adjacent to the door 18, typically on a wall to one side. The hand wash dispenser 14 includes a, typically moulded plastics, housing 28 in which is provided a dispenser unit comprising a hand wash reservoir 30, a pump, and a pump controller 32. The hand wash reservoir 30 typically includes an access opening at a top thereof for refilling with a hand wash sanitising liquid, and the housing 28 may be removable or include an access cover to access the access opening of the reservoir 30.

The pump is provided in or adjacent to the reservoir 30, and is preferably manually operable by the pump controller 32. The pump controller 32, in this case, is or includes a pump lever 34 which is manually pushed or pulled by a user to operate the pump, thus causing the flow of hand wash liquid from the reservoir 30 to a discharge outlet.

Although a manual pump, the pump may be electric and thus the pump controller 32 may simply be a push button or switch.

The lock controller 16 in this embodiment is also provided within the housing 28 of the hand wash dispenser 14. However, it may feasibly be separate or remote. The lock controller 16 comprises electronic control circuitry which provides an interface between the hand wash dispenser 14 and the door lock 12. Tn this case, a wired connection 36 is utilised from the lock controller 16 to the electromagnetic unit 24 of the door lock 12. A switch or other suitable activation device is provided on or at the pump lever 34 for sending a control signal to the lock controller 16. For example, as an alternative, an activation device comprising a flow sensor may be provided on a flow path of the hand wash liquid, either in the reservoir 30, the pump and/or at or adjacent to the discharge outlet. In this case, the flow sensor outputs a flow signal to the lock controller 16 when the pump is activated and the hand wash liquid is dispensed.

The door lock 12 and lock controller 16 are preferably mains powered. However, additionally or alternatively, a reusable energy source may be utilised to provide electricity.

In the event of an emergency, the lock controller 16 also includes an electronic override unit 38 which, in this case, is also provided within the housing 28 of the hand wash dispenser 14. The electronic override unit 38 includes an identification card reader 40, such as an RFID reader or scanner.

To allow a user to monitor a level of hand wash liquid in the reservoir 30, the reservoir may be formed from transparent or translucent material, or may include a window. A window 42 which is relatively low in a front surface of the housing 28 thus allows a person to see when a level drops and refilling is required. Other types of indicator 42 may be additionally or alternatively used. For example, a ball in tube indicator or even an electronic sensor can be considered.

In normal use, a user can only open the door 18 by activating the pump controller 32.

Once the pump controller 32 is operated, along with dispensing of the hand wash liquid an activation signal is outputted by the lock controller 16 to deactivate the electromagnetic unit 24 of the door lock 12. The door 18 can thus be opened, and the indicator 26 displays a corresponding signal, such as a light and/or a sound.

The door 18 is automatically locked by the door lock 12 once it swings back to.

If the door 18 remains open beyond a predetermined period, the alert circuit preferably outputs an alert signal to the lock controller 16, and a warning signal is outputted by the lock controller 16 to prompt closure of the door 18.

In the event of an emergency, a user with an appropriate ID can operate the lock controller 16 via the override unit 38 to release the door lock 12. Activation of the override unit 38 may be coupled to a fire alarm or other warning or emergency system.

On activation of the emergency system, the override unit 38 is also activated allowing release of the door lock 12 via an ID and without dispensing of the hand wash liquid. As a further option, to dissuade use of the override unit 38 during normal everyday use, the override unit 38 may be connected to the warning circuit so that a warning signal is outputted on use.

Although the lock controller 16 is hard wired to the electromagnetic unit 24 of the door lock 12, it is feasible that the lock controller 16 can include a wireless transmitter and the door lock 12 can include a wireless receiver, as shown as a second embodiment of the door control apparatus in Figure 4. A suitable wireless signal protocol, such as infra red, radio wave, microwave, or Bluetooth RTM can be conveniently used.

The door lock 12 may also include an alert circuit which sends an alert signal to the lock controller 16 if, after a predetermined time, the door 18 has not relocked after being opened. Tn this case, the lock controller 16 may include a warning circuit which, on receipt of the alert signal, outputs a visual and/or audible alert. If wireless communication is utilised, then the door lock 12 includes a wireless transmitter and the lock controller 16 includes a wireless receiver.

Preferably, a said hand wash dispenser is provided on both sides of the door. However, it may be provided on only one side so that entry or exit from a room can only be accomplished by cleansing of the hands. In the case of two hand wash dispensers, a common lock controller may be utilised, or a dedicated lock controller specific to each hand wash dispenser can be used.

The indicator may also be dispensed with, as necessity dictates.

Although an electromagnetic door lock is suggested above, any suitable electronic door lock can be utilised.

The door control apparatus may conveniently be used with one door or more than one door. In the latter case, the doors may share a common door frame, and thus be for example double doors, and/or may be separate doors in discreet door frames. In this latter case, the door control apparatus can be utilised, for example, to unlock a plurality of consecutive doors once a user has cleansed their hands.

It is thus possible to provide door control apparatus which controls a door lock based on the operation of a hand wash dispenser. This prompts a user to wash or cleanse their hands prior to entering and/or exiting a room. The apparatus and method of using the apparatus thus significantly improve hygiene and decreases the likelihood and prevalence of bacterial infection in care environments, such as hospitals and care homes, and other hygienic environments such as food preparation areas. The apparatus is cost-effective to produce and install, and can be easily rctro-fitted to existing doors and rooms.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Door control apparatus comprising an electrically controllable lock for locking a door in a closed condition, a hand wash dispenser having a dispenser unit for dispensing hand wash, and a lock controller which is in communication with the dispenser unit for controlling the lock based on an operation of the dispenser unit.
2. Door control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispenser unit includes a hand wash reservoir, a pump, and a pump controller operable by a user to dispense hand wash from an outlet of the reservoir.
3. Door control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dispenser unit further includes a housing in which is housed the hand wash reservoir, pump, and the lock controller.
4. Door control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the pump and/or the pump controller includes output means for outputting an activation signal to the lock controller.
5. Door control apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pump controller is a user operable lever, and the output means includes a switch which is connected to the lever.
6. Door control apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the output means includes a flow sensor for monitoring a flow of hand wash in the pump, the activation signal being outpuftable by the flow sensor.
7. Door control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock controller includes an electronic override unit.
8. Door control apparatus as claimed in clam 6, wherein the electronic override unit includes RFID apparatus for electronically reading a user's passcard.
9. Door control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock is an electromagnetic lock.
10. Door control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock includes a wireless receiver and the lock controller includes a wireless transmitter for wirelessly controlling the lock.
11. Door control apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lock includes an alert circuit and a wireless transmitter, and the lock controller includes a warning circuit and a wireless receiver, an alert signal being outputable by the alert circuit via the wireless transmitter to the wireless receiver of the lock controller after lapse of a predetermined lock reactivation period, and a warning signal being ouputtable by the warning circuit on receipt of the alert signal.
12. Door control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an indicator for at least visually indicating a status of the lock.
13. Door control apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the indicator is provided on the lock and/or on the hand wash dispenser.
14. Door control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in the form of a kit of parts.
15. Door control apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. A door in combination with door control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, access through the door being controllable by use of the hand wash dispenser.
17. A method of reducing infection in a hygienic environment by use of door control apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising the steps of a) providing a hand wash dispenser on or adjacent to a lockable door in or at the hygienic environment, b) providing a lock controller for controlling a lock of the door, and c) operating the lock controller via the hand wash dispenser, so that access through the door occurs once hand wash has been dispensed.