The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 22, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 23, 1996
Daniel C Shaw, Geneva, FL (US);
Lee M Adler, Altamonte Spring, FL (US);
Sloan Valve Company, Franklin Park, IL (US);
Abstract
A system and corresponding method for enhancing hygiene in a food handling environment include an indicator to be worn by a worker in the food handling area, an activating device located outside of the food handling area, a hand cleaning station located proximate or within the food handling area (remote from the restroom), and a deactivating device operatively associated with the hand cleaning station. Upon leaving the food handling area, the indicator worn by the worker is activated when the worker enters a predetermined area proximate the activating device. Thereafter, the indicator is deactivated by the deactivating device only when it is determined that the worker has utilized the hand cleaning station proximate the food handling area. In such a manner, the prior art problem of worker contamination occurring between, for example, the restroom and food handling area is substantially eliminated. According to alternative embodiments, the system and method may be used in hospital environments so as to prevent germs from spreading from one patient to another by way of medical personnel.