Musical soap dispenser

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing soap and encouraging washing hands long enough to kill germs and bacteria. The apparatus comprises a container having a predetermined size and a predetermined shape for holding a predetermined volume of a liquid soap mixture. A dispensing means is engageable with the container for delivering a predetermined quantity of the liquid soap mixture, the dispensing means includes a pump member. There is a chip member disposed in such dispensing means and connected for activation by the pump member for providing a musical reminder on the importance of cleanliness.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/668,008 filed Apr. 4, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a soap dispenser, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a soap dispenser with a chip disposed in the cap portion that provides a melody when such dispenser is used to encourage children and even adults to wash their hands for a predetermined time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It has widely recommended that all people wash their hands frequently to destroy many of the germs that cause viruses, colds and other diseases. However, even though this fact is well known many people, children and adults, merely go through the motion of washing their hands. Many just rinse their hands with water without using soap, while some merely wave their hands under a stream of water and go.

[0004] It is recommended by the CDC (Center For Disease Control) that people should wash their hands with an antibacterial soap and should wash their hands for a period of at least 15 seconds and probably even up to 20 seconds. It is difficult to get people to wash their hands for this period of time. For some people the 15 or 20 seconds may seem like an eternity. This problem is even more prevalent with children who are generally adverse to washing their hands anyway.

[0005] Thus, it would be advantageous if there were some means to encourage people, particularly children, to wash their hands and even more so to wash them long enough to kill germs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing soap and encouraging washing hands long enough to kill germs and bacteria. The apparatus comprises a container having a predetermined size and a predetermined shape for holding a predetermined volume of a liquid soap mixture. A dispensing means is engageable with the container for delivering a predetermined quantity of the liquid soap mixture, the dispensing means includes a pump member. There is a chip member disposed in such dispensing means and connected for activation by the pump member for providing a musical reminder on the importance of cleanliness.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a soap dispenser which when activated will play a musical reminder to wash hands properly.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a soap dispenser which will play music for a predetermined period of time.

[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a soap dispenser that will encourage children to wash heir hands.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a soap dispenser that is activated when a pump handle is depressed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a soap dispenser which will play the alphabet song so as to make washing hands appealing for young children.

[0011] These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the pump portion of the apparatus showing music coming from the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

[0015] The present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for dispensing soap and encouraging washing hands long enough to kill germs and bacteria. The apparatus 10 comprises a container 2 having a predetermined size and a predetermined shape for holding a predetermined volume of a liquid soap mixture. A dispensing means, generally designated 20, is engageable with the container for delivering a predetermined quantity of the liquid soap mixture, the dispensing means 20 includes a pump member 4. There is a chip member 6 disposed in such dispensing means 20 and connected for activation by the pump member 4 for providing a musical reminder on the importance of cleanliness.

[0016] Such chip member 6 when activated by depressing the handle 8 of the pump member 4 provides a musical reminder for a predetermined period of time. Such predetermined period of time is at least sufficient to kill most germs. It is generally believed by medical health personnel, such as the Center for Disease Control, that this time is a time of between about 15 and about 20 seconds.

[0017] Such pump member 4 has a handle 8 that is depressed to release the liquid antibacterial soap mixture as well as activating the musical chip member 6.

[0018] Such apparatus 10 is reusable. That is when the soap which is an antibacterial soap mixture is used up the apparatus can be refilled over and over again. Such container 2 is formed of one of plastic or glass. It is presently preferred that such container 2 is made of plastic and, further, that such plastic is blow molded.

[0019] It is also preferred that such musical reminder is a song. Since the apparatus 10 is primarily designed to encourage young children to wash their hands thoroughly it is recommended that such song be the alphabet song with possibly the following lyrics: [0020] "ABCDEFG HIJKLMNOP QRS and TUV WXY and Z Now I've washed my hands you see Aren't you very proud of me"

[0021] Children need encouragement to wash their hands and possibly the above lyrics may cause them to sing along while they wash their hands and thus wash for such predetermined time of between 15 and 20 seconds as recommended by the Center for Disease Control.

[0022] While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing soap and encouraging washing hands long enough to kill germs and bacteria, said apparatus comprising: (a) a container having a predetermined size and a predetermined shape for holding a predetermined volume of a liquid soap mixture; (b) a dispensing means engageable with said container for delivering a predetermined quantity of said liquid soap mixture, said dispensing means including a pump member; (c) a chip member disposed in said dispensing means and connected for activation by said pump member for providing a musical reminder on the importance of cleanliness.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said chip member when activated provides a musical reminder for a predetermined period of time.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined period of time is at least sufficient to kill most germs.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined period of time is a time between about 15 and about 20 seconds.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said pump member has a handle that is depressed to release said liquid soap mixture.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said chip member is activated when said pump handle is depressed.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is reusable.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said liquid soap mixture is an antibacterial soap mixture.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said container is one of plastic and glass.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said container is plastic.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said plastic is blow molded.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said musical reminder is a song.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein said song is an alphabet song.