TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to dispensers, such as sanitizer dispensers. In particular, the present invention relates to portable dispensers capable of collecting hygiene compliance data. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable dispensers that collect and transmit hygiene compliance data to a remote monitoring station.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, the public has become increasingly concerned with disease and its transmission, and as such, there is an increased awareness of the importance of hand cleansing and hygiene in general. For example, with respect to the transmission ofE. coliin the food services industry, the rhinovirus in elementary schools, and nosocomial diseases within healthcare facilities, numerous studies have cited hand hygiene as an effective measure to guard against disease transmission. In response, health care, food service, and hotel and travel industries have been forced to examine their hygiene protocols and procedures to ensure that their personnel are adopting habits that are efficacious in the prevention of disease transmission.

In order to minimize the possibility of the transmission of bacteria or viruses by hand washing, full compliance with hand washing hygiene standards must be observed, as the failure of one individual to properly sanitize his or her hands can negate the efforts of others who come in contact with such individual. Thus, to ensure employees or other individuals have sufficient access to sanitizer, the current trend has been to permanently install full-size dispensers at designated areas throughout a building or work area. Such dispensers are rigidly affixed to a wall or counter and are capable of being refilled with sanitizer when they are emptied.

Unfortunately, such full-size fixed dispensers require that users return to them each time they are in need of sanitizer, which is inconvenient as users generally require multiple sanitizer applications throughout the day. Also, if the user is required to travel out of his or her way to obtain the sanitizer from the fixed dispenser, then he or she may be less inclined to sanitize their hands in accordance with predetermined hygiene protocols. In addition, installation of a sufficient quantity of fixed sanitizer dispensers to provide complete coverage throughout a facility, such as a hospital, would require a substantial cost. Moreover, in such a circumstance where there is a substantial number of full-size, fixed dispensers installed, an employee must periodically refill the sanitizer dispensers, which is costly and time consuming.

Alternatively, while portable dispensers are available, they are inconvenient to refill with liquid material, such as soap or sanitizer. In addition, such portable dispenser devices fail to acquire hygiene compliance data, which is desirable.

Therefore, there is a need for a portable compliance dispenser that is worn or carried by a user. In addition, there is a need for a portable compliance dispenser that is able to dispense liquid material, such as sanitizer, that collects and transmits hygiene compliance data to a remote monitoring station. Still yet, there is a need for a portable compliance monitor that dispenses liquid material, such as sanitizer, from a replaceable refill container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, a portable dispenser comprises a refill container defining an interior within which a material is contained and from which the material is dispensed. A compliance module is attached to the refill container. The compliance module comprises an attachment clip attached to the refill container. A tether is attached to the attachment clip. A carrying case is attached to the tether. The carrying case urges the tether into a retracted position in which the carrying case is adjacent to the refill container.

According to another example, a portable dispenser comprises a refill container defining an interior within which a material is contained and from which the material is dispensed. The portable dispenser comprises a compliance module attached to the refill container. The compliance module comprises an attachment clip attached to the refill container, a switch, and a tether. The tether has a first end, which is attached to the attachment clip, and a second end, which is attached to the switch. The tether is movable between a retracted position, in which the switch is in a first state, and an extended position, in which the switch is in a second state.

According to another example, a portable dispenser comprises a refill container defining an interior within which a material is contained and from which the material is dispensed. A compliance module is attached to the refill container. The compliance module comprises an attachment clip attached to the refill container, a magnet attached to the attachment clip, a magnetic switch, and a tether. The tether has a first end, which is attached to the magnet, and a second end, which is attached to the magnetic switch. The tether is movable between a retracted position, in which the magnetic switch is in a first state and detects the presence of the magnet, and an extended position, in which the magnetic switch is in a second state and does not detect the presence of the magnet.

