Portable Disposable Hand Washing Facility

Abstract

A portable washing facility for dispensation of soap, towels, and cleaning fluid for the washing of hands. The portable washing facility includes a liquid dispenser disposed within a housing. The liquid dispenser has a valve for regulating the flow of liquid from said liquid dispenser. The valve is adapted to be received by and to protrude through the housing. A soap dispenser and a towel dispenser are also carried by the housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/863,838, filed Nov. 1, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a device for hand washing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable device for dispensing cleaning agents for washing, particularly for hand washing.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is well accepted that disease-causing pathogens are often spread through contact with the hands. As such, frequent hand washing is accepted as an effective and sensible means to improve and protect the general public health, as well as the health of the individual. When participating in various activities, such as camping, picnicking, parties, sports events and other outdoor activities, the need and/or desire often arises to wash one's hands. However, such activities often take place in areas where hand washing facilities are unavailable, such as remote areas.

Several prior art devices exist which attempt to provide a free-standing sink for washing. For example, United States Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0019031, filed by Mosis, discloses a sink mounted on a rolling cabinet. The rolling cabinet contains a fresh water tank and a pump for passing water into the sink and transferring water from the sink to a used water tank. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,063 discloses a basin movably mounted within a housing. The basin is movable from within the housing to an extended position outside the housing, and a flexible spigot serves to direct fluid from a water tank into the basin. The basin includes a drain for directing used water to a storage tank disposed within the housing.

Devices existing in the prior art for providing a self-contained hand washing facility often include a basin or sink, a faucet, and a tank to store both fresh water and used water. Suitable plumbing is often included in such devices to convey water to various parts of the device. Such devices are often bulky and heavy, thus making transportation of such devices too impractical for true portable use, such as use outdoors or in remote locations. Moreover, such devices are often constructed from relatively costly materials, such as metal, wood and/or ceramics, thereby making the devices impractical to dispose of conveniently.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable washing facility is disclosed. The portable washing facility includes a housing having a plurality of walls defining a volume. A liquid dispenser is carried by the housing. The liquid dispenser includes a vessel disposed within the volume. The liquid dispenser further includes a valve secured to the vessel. The valve is configured to regulate liquid flow to and from the vessel. The valve is adapted to be selectively extendable through the housing. The portable washing facility further includes a soap dispenser and a towel dispenser. The soap dispenser and the towel dispenser are each carried by the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a portable disposable hand washing facility constructed in accordance with several features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable disposable hand washing facility of FIG. 1, showing the sixth and seventh perforated cutouts opened from the fourth wall and the eighth perforated cutout removed from the fourth wall;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the portable disposable hand washing facility of FIG. 2, showing the pump secured within the fourth wall;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the portable disposable hand washing facility of FIG. 1, showing the first perforated cutout opened from the first wall and the second perforated cutout removed from the first wall; and

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the portable disposable hand washing facility of FIG. 4, showing the valve secured within the first wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is depicted an exploded view of one embodiment of a portable disposable hand washing facility of the present invention. The portable disposable hand washing facility, or facility, is identified as 10 herein and in the accompanying figures. As will be discussed in further detail below, the facility 10 includes generally a liquid dispenser 14, a soap dispenser 22, and a towel dispenser 18. A housing 12 is provided for holding the various components of the facility 10. The housing 12 is generally adapted to define various openings for allowing access to the various components of the facility 10.

The liquid dispenser 14 includes a substantially flexible vessel 42 formed from a flexible membrane, such as thermoplastic, fabric, leather, polyester film, or other such material. In a preferred embodiment, the vessel 42 is formed from MYLAR® polyester film. The vessel 42 defines an interior liquid retaining cavity 44 having a variable volume which is dependent upon the specific geometric configuration of the vessel 42. In this manner, the vessel 42 is adapted to hold a measure of cleaning liquid 92. While it is contemplated that water is suitable for use as cleaning liquid 92, it is appreciated that other substances may be utilized as cleaning liquid without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, such substances may include alcohol, saline, ammonia, mineral spirits, or other such solvent liquids.

The vessel 42 defines at least one opening 46 allowing access to and from the interior liquid retaining cavity 44. The liquid dispenser 14 further includes a valve 16 received within the opening 46 so as to substantially fill the opening 46, thereby enclosing the interior liquid retaining cavity 44. The valve 16 is selectively openable and closeable such as to allow selective filling and draining of cleaning liquid from the interior liquid retaining cavity 44.

The liquid dispenser 14 is carried within the housing 12. The housing 12 includes a plurality of walls, identified in the figures as 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34, which cooperate to define a carrying space 56 therebetween. (See FIG. 4.) Each of the walls 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, is formed from a substantially rigid material, such as cardboard, thermoplastic, wood, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the walls 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, are formed from a disposable biodegradable material such as cardboard, wood or reinforced fabric. However, those skilled in the art will recognize other materials and compositions which are suitable for forming the housing 12, and such materials may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The walls 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 of the housing 12 define portions of the geometry of the housing 12, provide support for the housing 12, and form additional aspects of the present invention, as will further be discussed below. In the illustrated embodiment, a first wall 24 of the housing 12 defines a first flap 62 and a first cutout 64. The first flap 62 is adapted to separate at least partially from the first wall 24 along perforations 58, such as by folding the flap 62 away from the first wall 24, in order to provide access to the interior of the housing 12. As is discussed in further detail below, the first cutout 64 is adapted to separate at least partially from the first wall 24 along perforations 94, to define an opening in the first wall 24 of the housing 12.

A second of the plurality of walls defines a top panel 26. The top panel 26 includes second and third flaps 36, 38. The second and third flaps 36, 38 are adapted to separate at least partially from the top panel 26 along perforations 104, 106, such as by folding the flaps 36, 38 away from the top panel 26, in order to define a handle portion 40 of the top panel 26. The handle portion 40 provides a suitable gripping structure to allow a user to carry and thereby transport the facility 10.

Proximate a third wall 28 of the housing, a towel dispenser 18 is provided for holding a plurality of towels 20 and allowing for selective dispensation of at least one of the plurality of towels 20. The towel dispenser 18 includes a plurality of panels 48, 50, 52 which cooperate with a portion of the third wall 28 of the housing 12 to define a void space 54 therebetween. The towel dispenser 18 is adapted to carry the plurality of towels 20 within the void space 54 and to retain such towels 20 for selective dispensation. The towel dispenser 18 includes at least one opening suitable for allowing dispensation of towels therefrom. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the third wall 28 defines a fourth flap 60, which is adapted to separate at least partially from the third wall 28 along perforations 102. In this embodiment, the fourth flap 60 is selectively openable and closeable by folding the cutout 60 away from and toward the third wall 28 along fold line 114. In this manner, the fourth flap 60 allows access to towels disposed within the towel dispenser 18.

A fourth wall 30 of the housing 12 defines fifth and sixth flaps 84, 86, as well as a second cutout 88. The fifth and sixth flaps 84, 86, are each adapted to separate at least partially from the fourth wall 30 along perforations 96, 98, such as by folding the flaps 84, 86 away from the fourth wall 30 along fold lines 110, 112, in order to provide access to the interior of the housing 12. The second cutout 88 is adapted to separate from the fourth wall 30 along perforations 100. A soap dispenser 22 is disposed within the housing 12 proximate the fifth and sixth flaps 84, 86, and the second cutout 88. The soap dispenser 22 includes a container 70 defining an interior space for carrying a measure of fluid soap. The container 70 defines at least one opening 72 for allowing soap to flow outward from the interior space of the container 70. The soap dispenser 22 further includes a pump 74 secured within the opening 46 to regulate selective dispensation of soap from within the interior space of the container 70.

A dispenser carrier 76 is secured to a fifth wall 32 of the housing 12, adjacent the fifth and sixth flaps 84, 86, and the second cutout 88 of the fourth wall 30. The dispenser carrier 76 includes a plurality of members 78, 80, 82 which cooperate with a portion of the fourth wall 30 of the housing 12 to define a void space therebetween. Referring now to FIG. 2, the fifth and sixth flaps 84, 86, of the fourth wall 30 are selectively openable and closeable by folding the flaps 84, 86 away from and toward the fourth wall 30 along fold lines 110, 112. The second cutout 88 is selectively removable from the fourth wall 30 so as to define a pump opening 90. In use, upon selectively opening the fifth and sixth flaps 84, 86, the soap dispenser 22 is adapted to be removed from within the housing 12 and positioned within the dispenser carrier 76, such that the dispenser carrier 76 carries the pump 74 in a configuration proximate the pump opening 90. As shown in FIG. 3, upon selectively removing the second cutout 88 from the fourth wall 30, the fifth and sixth flaps 84, 86 are selectively closeable so as to secure the pump 74 within the pump opening 90. In this manner, the fifth and sixth flaps 84, 86, and the second cutout 88, cooperate with the dispenser carrier 76 to allow selective access to the pump 74 through the fourth wall 30.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the facility 10 shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the liquid dispenser 14 is carried within the carrying space 56 such that the valve 16 is disposed proximate the first flap 62 and the first cutout 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the first flap 62 is selectively openable and closeable by folding the cutout away from and toward the first wall 24 along fold line 108. The first cutout 64 is selectively removable from the first wall 24 so as to define a valve opening 66 in the first wall 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the valve 16 includes a collar 68 which is adapted to be received within the valve opening 66. In use, upon selectively opening the first flap 62 and removing the first cutout 64, the valve 16 is adapted to be extended from within the housing 12 and secured through the valve opening 66 by selectively closing the first flap 62, thereby positioning a portion of the collar 68 within the valve opening 66. In this manner, the first flap 62 and the first cutout 64 allow selective access to the valve 16 through the first wall 24.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exact configuration between the various flaps 36, 38, 60, 62, 84, 86, and cutouts 64, 88, and the plurality of walls 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 of the housing 12 may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. To this extent, in another embodiment, each of the various flaps 36, 38, 60, 62, 84, 86, and cutouts 64, 88 is defined by a single wall of the housing 12. In this embodiment, the towel dispenser 18 and the soap dispenser 22 are each disposed proximate the single wall of the housing 12, such as to allow access through respective perforated cutouts. Likewise, the liquid dispenser 14 is carried within the carrying space 56 such that the valve 16 is disposed proximate the single wall of the housing 12.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that a portable disposable hand washing facility 10 is disclosed. The portable disposable hand washing facility 10 provides a portable unit adapted to carry soap, towels, and cleaning liquid. Furthermore, the facility 10 allows for the selective dispensation of each of the soap, towels, and cleaning liquid so as to allow a user to engage in healthy hand washing practices. In several embodiments, the housing 12 of the facility is fabricated from a substantially biodegradable material, which encourages disposal of the facility 10 upon emptying the various soap, towel, and cleaning liquid dispensers.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A portable washing facility comprising:

a housing having a plurality of walls defining a volume;

a liquid dispenser carried by said housing, said liquid dispenser including a vessel disposed within said volume and a valve secured to said vessel and configured to regulate liquid flow to and from said vessel, said valve being adapted to be selectively extendable through said housing;

a soap dispenser carried by said housing; and

a towel dispenser carried by said housing.

2. The portable washing facility of claim 1 wherein said vessel is formed from a flexible membrane.

3. The portable washing facility of claim 1 wherein said vessel is formed from a polyester film.

4. The portable washing facility of claim 1, at least one of said plurality of walls defining a first cutout, said first cutout being at least partially separable from said at least one wall to define a first opening, said valve being selectively securable within said first opening.

5. The portable washing facility of claim 4, said valve further including a collar adapted to be selectively securable to said at least one wall proximate said first opening.

6. The portable washing facility of claim 1, said towel dispenser including a plurality of panels cooperating with at least one of said plurality of walls to define a space for holding a plurality of towels, said towel dispenser defining a towel opening for selective dispensation of at least one of said plurality of towels from within said space.

7. The portable washing facility of claim 1, said housing defining a handle flap, said handle flap being at least partially separable from said housing to define a handle.

8. The portable washing facility of claim 1, said soap dispenser having:

a container for carrying a measure of fluid soap, said container being disposed within said volume; and

a pump connected to said container for regulating selective dispensation of soap from within said container.

9. The portable washing facility of claim 8, at least one of said plurality of walls defining a second cutout, said second cutout being at least partially separable from said at least one wall to define a second opening, said pump being selectively securable within said second opening.

10. The portable washing facility of claim 9, at least one other of said plurality of walls defining a dispenser carrier adapted to receive said container and hold said container within said volume proximate said second opening.

11. A portable washing facility comprising:

a housing having at least a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, and a fifth wall, said housing defining a volume;

a liquid dispenser carried by said housing, said liquid dispenser having a vessel holding a measure of cleaning liquid, said vessel being disposed within said volume, said liquid dispenser further having a valve configured to selectively dispense at least a portion of said measure of cleaning liquid, said valve being adapted to be selectively extendable through said housing;

a soap dispenser carried within said volume, said soap dispenser carrying a measure of fluid soap, said soap dispenser being configured to selectively dispense at least a portion of said measure of fluid soap; and

a towel dispenser carried within said volume, said towel dispenser carrying a plurality of towels, said towel dispenser being configured to selectively dispense at least one of said plurality of towels.

12. The portable washing facility of claim 11 wherein said vessel is formed from a flexible membrane.

13. The portable washing facility of claim 11 wherein said vessel is formed from polyester film.

14. The portable washing facility of claim 11, said first wall defining a first cutout, said first cutout being at least partially separable from said first wall to define a first opening, said valve being selectively securable within said first opening.

15. The portable washing facility of claim 14, said valve further including a collar adapted to be selectively securable to said first wall proximate said first opening.

16. The portable washing facility of claim 11, said towel dispenser including a plurality of panels cooperating with said second wall to define a space for holding a plurality of towels, said towel dispenser defining a towel opening for selective dispensation of at least one of said plurality of towels from within said space.

17. The portable washing facility of claim 11, said third wall defining a handle flap, said handle flap being at least partially separable from said housing to define a handle.

18. The portable washing facility of claim 11, said soap dispenser having:

a container disposed within said volume and carrying said measure of fluid soap; and

a pump connected to said container, said pump being configured to selectively dispense at least a portion of said measure of fluid soap.

19. The portable washing facility of claim 18, at least one of said first, second, fourth, and fifth walls defining a second cutout, said second cutout being at least partially separable from said housing to define a second opening, said pump being selectively securable within said second opening.

20. The portable washing facility of claim 19, at least one of said first, second, fourth, and fifth walls defining a dispenser carrier adapted to receive said container and hold said container within said volume proximate said second opening.