Washing device

Abstract

A washing device comprising a housing provided with an opening to allow access to an internal cavity thereof, a first liquid inlet in an upper region of the housing, a second liquid inlet in a lower region of the housing, an outlet arranged to drain liquid from the housing, and structure for delivering liquid under pressure to the first and second inlets. The washing device is suitable for hand washing.

Description

The present invention relates to a washing device, useful for body parts such as hands and feet, or articles, such as small fragile or valuable items.

Hygiene in particular of the hands, is of great importance in today's world, and in particular in clinical or medical environments. Germs or other foreign particles on the hands, can be passed between individuals resulting in the spread of disease. Cuticles and nails are particular areas where germs etc. may be harboured. Conventional scrubbing or washing, involving mechanical action and friction, for example of one hand against another, to remove germs and dirt from these areas is not always entirely satisfactory or effective. In fact, scratches and abrasions produced as a result of scrubbing operations, for instance using a nail brush, may become more problematic in that they form further reservoirs where germs or other undesirables may lurk.

The use of large volumes of antiseptics can create problems, from an environmental point of view, as these are flushed into the drainage systems. In addition, excessive use may result in the development of resistance amongst the microbe population.

In addition persons with skin or joint of fracture problems or elderly can experience discomfort if hand or abrasive instruments are used to clean the hand surface or nail and cuticle. Similar problems occur when needing to clean feet.

Furthermore, small items such as jewellery, silverware etc. require cleaning under conditions which do not cause damage. The same is true for archeological finds and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,367 describes a surgical preparation hand cleaning device, in which water is directed horizontally and downwardly onto a persons hands within a sphere. However, the horizontal water flow is at the same level as the hand openings, causing a certain amount of “splash back”, particularly at high water pressures required. Furthermore, mechanical action is still required in order to ensure that all areas of the hands are cleaned.

The present invention provides a washing device comprising a housing provided with an opening to allow access to an internal cavity thereof, a first liquid inlet in an upper region of said housing, a second liquid inlet in a lower region of said housing, an outlet arranged to drain liquid from the housing, and means for delivering liquid under pressure to said first and second inlets.

By arranging at least one liquid inlet in the lower region of the housing, the problem of splash back is avoided.

Furthermore, the applicants have found that very efficient cleaning is possible, even in some cases, without needing to move the objects such as the hands placed in the housing.

In use, an article to be washed, such as hands or feet, are introduced into the cavity in the housing, and water under pressure, suitably of at least 1.5 bar, more suitably of at least 2 bar, is fed into the inlets of the housing. Inlets are suitably covered by a perforated cover so that the pressurised liquid is delivered in the form of a spray simultaneously both above and below the article. If required, each inlet may be provided with a plurality of jets, for example, with two jets, They may be arranged on a single inlet pipe or bar. The jets may be angled differently as required. Each jet may be provided with a perforated cover.

Suitably sized jets are 1501.5, 1502, 1502.5 and 1503.

Used water falls downwards and drains out of the housing through the outlet.

The directed spray of water produced in the device of the invention provides effective and efficient cleaning of the target area without causing abrasion or scratching and without the need for scrubbing. Thus efficient cleaning can be effected, even without mechanical action. This may be particularly useful, for example in hygiene situations when infants or children are involved, and where any mechanical action carried out during washing may not be reliable or effective.

Suitably the means for supplying liquid under pressure is adjustable, so that the water is delivered a pressure which is sufficient to effect good cleaning, but may not produce pain or discomfort to the user, where the article is part of the body such as hands or feet. This may be different depending upon the particular user, who may include infants or children, burns units patients, manual workers, food processors, and medical staff. Different water pressures may be required for each of these groups, as a result of different sensitivities and different types of detritus being removed. For most uses, pressures ranging from 1.5 bar to 6 bar are appropriate.

The perforation size of the spray heads may also be adjusted to ensure that the spray produced does not produce pain or discomfort to the user.

Suitably therefore, the spray heads covering the inlets are removable for replacement or cleaning purposes. They may therefore be fitted in place using screws or other connectors which can resist the liquid pressures used, or they may be fixable in position by screw threaded connection device. The spray heads may be of any suitable material such as metal, like aluminium, or plastics.

The inlet in the upper region of the housing is suitably located at the top of the housing in the centre, so that water is directly downwards onto the article to be washed. The inlet in the lower region of the housing is suitably positioned at the bottom of the housing, again in the centre, so that water is directed upwards to the article.

However, the precise position of the inlets may be varied somewhat to suit the particular end use, provided that they remain generally within the upper region for instance the upper third or the lower region, for instance the lower third, of the housing respectively. An important aspect of the invention however is that inlets are widely spaced from each other.

Suitably the lower inlet and the outlet are provided close to each other, so that the spray head for the inlet and a cover for the outlet may be combined in a single unit. In this case, the outlet cover may comprise large holes, for example 2 or more holes of 0.5 inches in diameter or more, whereas the spray head for the inlet comprises a series of small perforations.

If desired, further inlets may be provided spaced around the housing and arranged to direct water from additional directions. In this case, the means for supplying water under pressure to the inlets should be sufficiently powerful, to create the desired pressures at all inlets. Any additional inlets are suitably provided in the upper or lower regions of the housing.

In a particular embodiment, two angled water jets are provided on a single pipe or bar, which enters through each inlet.

Suitably, the housings should substantially completely surround the article to be washed. For this purpose, they may preferably be generally spherical in shape, but other shapes such as cylindrical or elliptical housings, also be suitable.

The size of the housings depend upon the intended purpose, but for hygiene purposes, the cavity within the housing should preferably be of sufficient size to accommodate human hands or feet, and in particular hands.

Alternatively, it may be required that only the nails are washed in this way, for example, prior to or as part of a manicure. In such cases, the housing may be smaller, allowing only the nail area to be accommodated therein.

The housing may be of any suitable material such as plastics or metals, but are preferably of transparent plastics material such as Perspex™ to allow the cleaning operation to be viewed.

The liquid pumped into the device of the invention is generally water, but this may be mixed with other components such as water softeners to prevent build-up of limescale, as well as detergents, disinfectants or the like, to assist in the cleaning operation. Where these are used, they are preferably contained within reservoirs and dispensed into the water just prior to use. The reservoirs may conveniently be located in a stand or support for the device. The support is suitably free standing to allow the device to be quite self-contained.

The stand may also accommodate a water tank, which preferably includes a thermostated heating element, to ensure that water is delivered into the housing at the desired temperature. Alternatively, water may be provided directly from a mains supply.

Drying means may also be included in the device. Suitably, these comprise a supply of hot air, preferably sterile hot air, which is delivered into the housing, preferably automatically, when a washing operation is complete. Suitably, the hot air is supplied behind a perforated baffle plate, located within the housing, spaced from the wall of the housing. The baffle plate may extend over an appropriate region of the housing, for example, in an upper region.

The device may be provided with a timing mechanism, so that a predetermined wash cycle is effected. For example, water, which may contain detergent, is delivered for a predetermined period of time. In some instances a wash cycle of as little as 5 seconds may be adequate, but generally a wash of at least 15 or even 30 seconds may be required. Thereafter, an optional timed rinse and or drying step may be carried out.

If desired the wash and/or dry cycle may be triggered automatically, for example on introducing an object such as hands into the housing. In this case, the introduction event is suitably detected for example using an electronic eye device. Alternatively, a cycle may be started manually, for example by means of an operating switch or button located on the outside of the housing. In this case, for hand washing, the device is suitably programmed so that there is a short delay for example of 1-5 seconds, before the wash cycle begins, in order to allow the user to introduce their hands into the housing.

Automatic timing of wash cycles in this way provides an efficient use of time and resource, such as water, power such as electricity for heating, and detergents and the like. By efficient utilisation of these resources, pollution from waste is kept to a minimum. For instance, a 15 second wash cycle using the device described above would generally use approximately 1 litre of water, whereas a 2 minute traditional wash would use 8 litres. In a hospital, a 6 minute scrub currently utilises approximately 24 litres of water.

Thus use of the device described above can result in substantial savings for organisations, such as industries and hospitals.

In one particular embodiment, the device further comprises an inner housing arranged substantially concentrically within said housing (which then can be regarded as an outer housing) and spaced therefrom. The inner housing has perforations across at least a portion of the surface thereof, and an outlet arranged to drain liquid from the inner housing. The inner housing is also provided with an opening corresponding to that of the outer housing, to allow access to the internal cavity of the inner housing. In this embodiment, liquid is fed under pressure through the inlets of the housing, where it gradually fills the gap between the inner and outer housings. It will pass through the perforations in the inner housing, so as to generate a spray which is distributed over the area of the inner housing.

The inner and outer housings are suitably spaced from each other by means of one or more spacers such as spacing rods arranged therebetween. The length of these spacers will determine the volume of the space between the inner and outer housings which will impact upon the pressure required to force water through the perforations. The size of the spacer will vary depending upon the dimensions of the device as a whole, the water pressure available etc. However, in general, it may be expected that the spacer would be such that the distance between the inner and outer housings is from 1 and 20 cm and preferably from 2 to 10 cm.

Suitably the housings will be of moulded plastics material. In order the construct the concentric arrangement, the outer housing at least is produced in modular form, for example as two hemispherical sections. These are connected together, for example either using adhesives, welding, or more preferably by means of a releasable connection such as a snap fit or screw threaded arrangement. The inner housing may be of similar construction. In this way, the device may be assembled by, if necessary, first constructing the inner housing, applying the, spacing rods, and thereafter assembling the outer housing around the inner housing.

In addition, the housings may be dismantled for cleaning. In some, cases, the inner housing and/or outer housing may be disposable in nature and supplied separately. Suitably, the inner housing may be disposable where it is going to be subject to heavy industrial use.

Thus a further aspect of the invention comprises inner or outer housings for use in the device described herein.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spacer is arranged in the region of, or more preferably integral with a connecting flange, used to connect the modular sections of either the inner or outer housing together.

The perforations may be uniformally distributed across all or substantially all of the surface of the inner housing. This will provide an evenly distributed complete cleaning action. Suitably the area covered by the spray will be equal to the average male hand or foot.

Alternatively, the perforations may be provided in a smaller area, so as to produce a more directed spray of water, which, for a given input water pressure, will be at a proportionately higher pressure. This arrangement may be particularly useful in some applications, for example in some professions or following manual work, where concentrated cleaning is required.

A particular embodiment intended for use in this way would have single band of perforations arranged in the housing so as to produce a series of linearly arranged needle jets of water. These may be set slightly below the middle of the inner housing. Such an arrangement would be particularly useful for hand washing, as hands can be moved so as to ensure that all areas are subjected to the relatively high pressure water jets.

Where the device is intended to wash feet, it may be desirable to provide a further row of needle jets set above the half way line in order to direct needle jets of water downwards onto the foot to avoid any areas being missed, as toes are not as flexible as fingers.

Other combinations or patterns of perforations intended to provide an appropriate cleaning pattern.

Optionally the opening of the device will be provided with a removable cover, such as a hinged door, which will act as a splash back. This may be particularly useful where the device is intended for use in cleaning articles as compared to body parts, as the item may be introduced into the inner housing, supported if necessary on a platform arranged therein, and the door closed to form a seal, before cleaning is commenced.

Alternatively, the device may be provided with more than one opening to accommodate multiple objects at the same time. For instance, it may be provided with a pair of openings, spaced so that two hands can be inserted into the device separately and individually. The size of the openings is suitably selected so that the hands pass through in a relatively snug fit, to minimise the possibility that any water will be able to splash back though the openings.

If desired, support means may be provided within the cavity in the housing to support, for example feet placed therein. The support means suitably comprises a series of moulded mounds, which include perforations, so that water is directed at the surface supported thereon. Suitably the perforations are arranged in troughs between mounds sq that water under pressure is delivered to the surface.

Water under pressure may be fed into the device of the invention from a tap, using normal water pressure where this is sufficient. In some cases, it may be desirable or necessary to increase the pressure at which water is fed into the device, for example using a pump which may be a conventional water pump.

If required, a filter may be provided across the outlet of the device to remove impurities and germs before the water is passed into the sewage system. This may be necessary where there is a risk of contamination with toxic organisms, or for example, in forensic investigations. In addition, where precious items such as jewellery is cleaned in the device of the invention, it would be necessary to ensure that any fragments such as gems which are accidentally dislodged during the cleaning process, are not lost.

The invention further provides a method of washing an object, in particular a pair of human hands, said method comprising introducing said object into a housing of a device as described above, and delivering water under pressure though the inlets of the housing.

As a result of the arrangement of the inlets, using this method, cleaning can be achieved whilst holding the hands substantially still within the housing during delivery of the water. The water may contain cleaning reagents such as detergents, water softeners and/or disinfectants as described above. The temperature and pressure of the water is suitably adapted for the particular cleaning purpose, also as described above. In a particular embodiment, the water is delivered for a predetermined period of time, so that uniform washing operations can be carried out effectively and efficiently.

The invention will now be particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a section through a device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the lower inlet and outlet cover of the device of FIG., 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a free-standing embodiment of the device of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially cut away view of the device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of a washing device of the invention;

FIG. 6 is, a view of the underside of the device of the FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a section on line X-X in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shows a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention, intended for washing feet;

FIG. 10 is a view of the underside of the device of the FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a section on line Y-Y in FIG. 9, and

FIG. 13 shows a form of the device with dual openings to accommodate hands individually.

The device of FIG. 1 comprises a substantially spherical housing (20), which is modular in nature, having an upper and lower inteconnected hemispherical sections (20A, 20B). The housing (20) is provided with an upper inlet (22) and a lower inlet (23) for liquid. In addition the housing is provided with an outlet (24) leading to a drain.

The inner cavity of the housing (20) is accessed through an opening (25) (not shown in FIG. 1, but see FIG. 3). The upper and lower inlets (22, 23) are covered with a perforated cover (28, 28A) constituting a spray head so that liquid passing through this is distributed in the form of a shower or spray. The outlet (24) is provided with a cover (29), which includes three drain holes (30), for example of 0.5 inches in diameter. This is integral with the lower inlet cover (FIG. 2).

This embodiment is provided with a perforated baffle plate (26) in the top half of the housing (20), spaced just inside the wall of the housing (20) and sealed against the housing at its upper and lower surface. A hot air supply feeds into the housing behind the baffle plate (26) through an air inlet (27). The baffle plate (26) is optional however, and other particular embodiments do not include it.

The device is suitably supported on a stand (31) (FIG. 3), which makes this embodiment a self-supporting unit. The stand may accommodate a hot water tank (32), as well as a pump (not shown) and dispensers (33, 34) for water softeners, and detergent or disinfectant.

In use, articles to be washed such as hands, are placed through the opening (25), (or in the case of the device illustrated ins FIG. 13, individually through the openings 25A and 25B), so that they are located within the housing (20). A wash cycle is then commenced, in which water, optionally including water softener and/or detergent or disinfectant, is pumped from the, tank (32) through the inlets (22, 23) and sprayed through the perforated covers (28, 28A) at a pressure of at least 1.5 bar, for example at least 3 bar. This results in a pressurised spray of liquid, both above and below the article, which removes grime and dirt therefrom. Used water drains away though the outlet (24).

After a predetermined period of time, for example from 5 to 30 seconds, and preferably about 10 or 15 seconds, the water supply is switched off. Then sterile hot air is pumped through the inlet (27), also for a predetermined optimum drying period. This air passes through the perforations in the baffle plate (26) and is directed towards the cleaned item.

At the end of this operation, the cleaned article can be removed from the housing.

The device of FIG. 5 comprises an outer modular spherical housing (1a, 1b) which has been constructed around an inner perforated spherical housing (2). The inner and outer housings are spaced from each other by means of a spacer (3), which is formed as an integral part of a flange, connecting the modules 1a and 1b of the outer housing. The spacer (3) is discontinuous around the circumference and suitably includes regularly spaced holes or gaps which allow water to flow between the upper and lower modules (1a, 1b) of the outer housing.

A corresponding opening (9) is provided in the front face of the inner and outer housings, which in this case is closeable by means of a flap or hinged door (4) provided on the inner housing (2).

Upper and lower water inlets (5, 5A) (FIGS. 5 and 7) are provided in the outer housing (1).

An outlet (6) is provided in the base of device (FIG. 6), leading from inside the inner housing to the drain (FIG. 8) The outlet may be covered by a filter (7) to remove impurities or to collect accidentally dislodged particles from the outlet water stream.

In use, the door (4) is opened and hands or the like which are to be washed are placed inside the inner housing (2). Water under pressure is fed through the inlets (5, 5A) into the space between the inner and outer housings (2,1). As the space fills with water, water under increasing pressure passes through the perforations in the inner housing (21 and so sprays the hands within the housing from substantially all direction.

The device of FIG. 9 has some common features as the device of FIGS. 5-8 and these carry similar reference numerals. In this case however, a larger opening (10) is provided and the housing (1) is of a sufficient size to accommodate human feet.

A series of moulded mounds (11) are provided as a support within the lower region of the inner housing (2), approximately level with the connecting flange/spacer arrangement (3). These are only partially shown in FIG. 10. In this case, perforations may be provided at the base of the mounds (11) in order to allow water under pressure to be forced into contact with the underside of the feet. Although not shown, in such a case, it may be preferable to shape the outer housing (1b) in the lower region to ensure that the space between the mounds and the outer housing is of the same order of that between the inner and outer housings (1a, 2) such that similar water pressure is achieved in this region.

EXAMPLE 1

A hand washing device comprising a spherical housing with two hand openings similar to those, illustrated in FIG. 13 was prepared. It was provided with four 1,501.5 quarter meg jets, two arranged on a single bar which entered the inlet at the top of the housing and two arranged on a bar which entered the, inlet at the bottom of the housing. Even-delivery of cold water for 30 seconds at pressures ranging from 1.5 bar to 6 bar was found to result in removal of 87% of detritus on hands placed in the housing. This was superior to the amount of material which was removed during a two minute mechanical wash, as recommended for food hygiene purposes.

Use of hot water and/or detergent would enhance this cleaning potential. Detergent, water and power use can be used efficiently and so pollutants minimised.

Using the device of the invention, safe and effective cleaning of a variety of articles can be achieved. The device is, particularly useful in hygiene applications.

Claims

1. A washing device comprising a housing provided with an opening to allow access to an internal cavity thereof, a first liquid inlet in an upper region of said housing, a second liquid inlet in a lower region of said housing, an outlet arranged to drain liquid from the housing, and means for delivering liquid under pressure to said first and second inlets.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein water is deliverable to the first and second inlets at a pressure of at least 1.5 bar.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means for supplying liquid under pressure is adjustable, so that the water may delivered at variable pressures.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein a perforated cover is provided over at least one inlet so that the pressurised liquid therefrom is delivered in the form of a spray.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the perforated cover is removable.

6. A device according to claim 1 where at least one further inlet is provided spaced around the housing and arranged to direct water from additional directions.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein water is delivered through a plurality of jets provided at each inlet.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein the housing is arranged to substantially completely surround the article to be washed.

9. A device according to claim 1 wherein the housing is generally spherical cylindrical or elliptical in shape.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the housing is generally spherical.

11. A device according to claim 1 wherein the housing is of a transparent plastics material.

12. A device according to claim 1 for the washing of hands, and having a pair of openings, arranged so that each hand can be inserted into the housing separately and individually.

13. A device according to claim 1, which further comprises one or more reservoirs of cleaning materials.

14. A device according to claim 1 which is mounted on a stand.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the stand accommodates a water tank.

16. A device according to claim 1 which further comprises drying means.

17. A device according to claim 16 where the drying means comprises a supply of hot air.

18. A device according to claim 1 which further comprises a timing mechanism, to control the period of time in which liquid is delivered to the inlets.

19. A device according to claim 1 which further comprises an inner housing arranged substantially concentrically within said housing and spaced therefrom, the inner housing has perforations across at least a portion of the surface thereof, and an outlet arranged to drain liquid from the inner housing.

20. A device according to claim 1 wherein the opening of the device is provided with a removable cover.

21. A device according to claim 1 wherein a filter is provided across the outlet of the device.

22. A method of washing an object, said method comprising introducing said object into a housing of a device according to claim 1, and delivering water under pressure though the inlets of the housing.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the said object is a pair of human hands.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the hands are held substantially still within the housing during delivery of the water.

25. A method according to claim 22 wherein the water further comprises a detergent, a water softener and/or a disinfectant.

26. A method according to 22 wherein the water is delivered for a predetermined period of time.