Portable washing station

Abstract

A portable washing station which includes a covered jug/vessel for holding unused liquid, a receiving platform upon or over which the liquid is dispensed and a reservoir in which the dispensed liquid gathers, whereby the jug/vessel is adapted to cover and seal from spillage the reservoir when in place.

Description

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/620,543, filed Apr. 5, 2012

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to washing accessories and, more particularly, to a portable hand-washing station.

In religious practices, hand washing is often a very important practice. Some religions necessitate hand washing upon waking up or prior to eating bread or performing a ritual. In all of these cases, it would be convenient and useful to have a mobile washing station for washing at least one's hands. At present, a common practice is to provide a bowl and jug filled with water near a bed (e.g. on a night stand) for immediate washing upon waking. The hands are washed from the jug and the water received in the bowl. The water is later thrown out and the apparatus stored until the next evening. A common drawback to this practice is that the water is often upended—either before or after use. The resulting mess is both inconvenient as well as discouraging for practitioners.

Washing hands prior to eating or performing a ritual usually involves the individual, or entire party, stopping whatever they were doing prior to the eating or ritual, and going to the kitchen or other available washing area to wash bands.

In medical facilities and hospices as well as homes for the aged or incapacitated, there are often housed many members who are bedridden. The patients, residents and otherwise bedridden individuals are usually bed bathed by attending staff. A bed bath involves washing an individual while they remain in bed. To this end, the attendant uses a bowl filled with soapy water and a cleaning utensil such as a sponge. While attendants are usually very skilled at this practice, it is not unheard of for an attendant to accidentally upend the bowl of soapy water during the course of the bed bath.

U.S. Design Patent No. 397,508 to Rashid provides an ornamental design for a mobile bed/bath salon apparatus. The design does not provide a covering for the vessel containing the liquid that prevents spillage.

It would be highly advantageous to have a mobile or portable washing station which could hold liquid in a covered and sealed container which prevents the liquid from spilling or sloshing out before use. It would further be advantageous to have a system whereby the liquid which is used or dispensed liquid can gather in an area which can be closed, preferably with a watertight seal, to further prevent spillage of the liquid after use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable washing station which includes a covered jug/vessel for holding unused liquid, a receiving platform upon or over which the liquid is dispensed and a reservoir in which the dispensed liquid gathers, whereby the jug/vessel is adapted to cover and seal from spillage the reservoir when in place.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable washing station including: a dispensing vessel, and a receptacle including a reservoir, wherein the vessel is configured to cover the reservoir in a manner that provides a watertight seal.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below the vessel is conformed to rest in a mouth of the reservoir.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the reservoir has a containing volume substantially similar to a containing volume of the dispensing vessel.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the washing station further includes a sealing member disposed between a base of the vessel and a mouth of the reservoir, wherein the base and the sealing member form the watertight seal when positioned in the mouth of the reservoir.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the washing station further includes a lid, configured to seal the dispensing vessel.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the seal is a watertight seal.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the washing station further includes a non-leak partition, adapted to interpose between the lid and a rim of the dispensing vessel.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the receptacle includes a receiving surface that is shaped to direct liquid poured onto the receiving surface towards the reservoir.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the receptacle includes a retaining wall positioned along the circumference of the receiving surface.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the receptacle includes at least one supporting member having a height at least equal to a height of the reservoir.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one supporting member has coupled thereto a pocket structure.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one supporting member, together with a base of said reservoir, support the portable washing station.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments two supporting members, together with a base of the reservoir, provide a three-legged support for the portable washing station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1a-1e are various views of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2a-2d are various views of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3a-3d various views of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4a-4d are various views of a forth embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of a portable washing station according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1A is a front view of the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 1B is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 1C is an elevated isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 1D is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 1E is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a second embodiment of the current invention. FIG. 2B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2D is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a third embodiment of the current invention. FIG. 3B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3D is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A. FIG. 4A is likewise a side view of a forth embodiment of the current invention. FIG. 4B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4D is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A.

All four embodiments are substantially equivalent from a functional point of view, if not necessarily from the point of view of design and form. Therefore, while reference will be made specifically to the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A-1E, it is to be understood that the description applies substantially equally to the other embodiments of the invention.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A-1E, a portable washing station 1 of the current invention is depicted in various views. Washing station 1 consists of a pouring jug 110, a receptacle 120 and a reservoir 130, which is formed, in the currently described embodiments, within receptacle 120. In general, pouring jug/pouring vessel/dispensing vessel/vessel 110 is adapted to securely hold a given amount of liquid in a manner that prevents accidental spillage when not in use (e.g. if inadvertently upended or dropped in transit). To that end, jug 110 has a cover/lid 114 which locks over the opening/mouth of the jug, thereby providing a spill-safe, secure, cover for jug 110. In the preferred embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1, lid 114 provides a watertight seal when closed and locked in place. Furthermore, jug 110 is seated in the mouth of reservoir 130 submerging the base of jug 110 within the mouth of reservoir 130, to further prevent accidental spillage of the contents of jug 110. Receptacle 120 has a receiving area or surface 126 and reservoir 130 (seen at least in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1E). Receiving surface 126 is slanted, inclined or otherwise angled towards reservoir 130 so that all the liquid poured onto receiving surface 126 drains into receptacle 130. Reservoir 130 is shaped in a manner conforming to the shape of jug 110 so that the jug can be seated in the mouth of reservoir 130 before and after use.

In use, jug 110 is lifted from washing station 1 and used to pour the liquid contained therein for washing (or other cleaning activities) over receiving surface 126. The liquid is poured onto the object in need of cleaning (hand, sponge etc.) and subsequently received in receiving area 126 from where the dispensed liquid drains into the reservoir. In some embodiments of the invention, such as when washing station 1 is used for a bed bath, a sponge may be dipped in soapy water contained in pouring vessel 110, applied to the recipient of the bath and then squeezed out over receiving surface 126. In this manner, the sullied water is not returned to jug 110 to mix with the clean soapy water, but rather flushed out onto receptacle 120 and securely stored in reservoir 130.

Reservoir 130 is adapted to hold at least the entire contents of the jug, in the cavity of the reservoir below the jug, even when the jug is seated in the mouth of reservoir 130. Preferably, jug 110 includes one or two handles 112 to better facilitate pouring and otherwise handling of jug 110. A sealing member 124 is provided to form a watertight seal between receptacle 120/reservoir 130 and jug 110. The outer face of seal 124 is conformed to rest in the mouth of reservoir 130. The inner face of seal 124 is adapted to receive or be coupled to the base of jug 110. Seal 124 may be adapted to rest in the mouth of reservoir 130 or coupled to the base of jug 110. In either embodiment, seal 124 is adapted to interpose between the bottom edge of jug 110 and the mouth of reservoir 130 so as to provide a watertight seal for the liquid held in the reservoir after being poured from the jug. Seal 124 may be a rubber washer, gasket, O-ring or similar element as is well known in the art of water proofing and spill prevention.

Pouring jug 110 is depicted with two handles 112, although one or even no handles would be similarly functional, if not as convenient as the two handled embodiment depicted in the Figures. To ensure non-spillage/non-leakage of the liquid contents of jug 110, a non-leak partition 116 is interposed between a threaded rim 118 of jug 110 and a lid 114, so that lid 114 can be fastened in place when the jug is not in use. Non-leak partition 116 is of particular value, should washing station 1—robust construction notwithstanding—be unintentionally upended while jug 110 is full but not in use (e.g. if placed on a nightstand near a bed, where nighttime movement is likely to cause such a mishap). Alternatively, threaded rim 118 and lid 114 can be constructed with relevant materials and in a manner that would make the seal between the lid and lip watertight without the need for non-leak partition 116. Non-leak partition 116 may be a washer, gasket, O-ring or similar element as is well known in the art of water proofing and spill prevention.

In some embodiments of the invention, lid 114 is tethered to jug 110 by a tether 111. Tether 111 can be best seen in FIG. 1D, which is a top plan view of washing station 1.

Receptacle 120 has a receiving cavity or mouth 122 formed in receiving surface 126. Cavity 122 is conformed to the shape and size of the base of jug 110. This allows for jug 110 to be conveniently and comfortably seated in receptacle 120 when not in use. Reservoir 130 is located beneath cavity/mouth 122 and is an extension thereof. In some embodiments (not shown) the base or entire jug 110 is made of a material capable of forming a watertight seal with receptacle 120. This material may be rubber, silicone or some other resin readily known in the art. A jug 110 having such a base obviates the need for sealing member 124.

Receptacle 120 is designed to receive liquid from jug 110 and to direct the liquid to reservoir 130 beneath the surface of the receptacle. Support members 121 together with reservoir 130 serve to support washing station 1. In the currently described embodiment, two support members 121 together with reservoir 130 provide a three-legged support for washing station 1. Additional pocket structures 128 are disposed on both support members 121 supporting receptacle 120. In some embodiments, pockets 128 serve as holders for accessories such as a towel, soap, sponge, reading material (e.g. benedictions for ritual purposes) and the like. A retaining wall/lip 123 surrounds the circumference of receiving surface 126. Wall/lip 123 is sufficiently high so as to intercept spatter and surplus liquid not yet drained into the subsurface reservoir. As mentioned previously, the receiving area is slightly slanted so that all the liquid drains through the receiving cavity/reservoir mouth 122 into the reservoir 130.

The overall height and sturdy design allow for easy portability of washing station 1 prior to and following pouring liquid from the jug. Washing station 1 is preferably comprised of lightweight materials such as plastic or other polymers and resins. Furthermore, the height and design make the portable wash station ideal for placing on a table or nightstand with undue worry of upending the station. Once the contents or the jug have been expended, or when the reservoir is sufficiently full, a tethered plug is unstopped and the liquid drained through drainage hole(s) (not shown). Alternatively or additionally, the contents of the reservoir may be spilled into a basin or the like by tipping the station (without the jug) so that the liquid pours out.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, a portable washing station 2 of the current invention is depicted in various views. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 2A-2D, washing station 2 consists of a pouring jug 210, a receptacle 220 and a reservoir 230, which is formed, in the currently described embodiments, within receptacle 220. The base of reservoir 230 is seen in FIG. 2C and glimpsed in FIG. 2A.

As in the previously described embodiment, jug 210 includes a lid 214 which is adapted to be securely attached to jug 210, preferably in a watertight manner. Receptacle 220 includes a receiving surface 226 which has a bowl-like shape rising from the center of the surface where jug 210 rests in the mouth of reservoir 230 in a manner substantially similar to that described for jug 110 of washing station 1. The curved receiving area 226 also fulfills the function of retaining wall 123 of washing station 1 and obviates the need for such walls in the immediate embodiment.

Receptacle 220 further includes a supporting member 221 which extends downwards from the outer face of receiving surface 226 which curves upwards away from supporting member 221. Supporting member 221 is substantially circular, in keeping with the over all design of receiving surface 226 and jug 210 which are also both circular. Supporting member 221 includes three arches 225 which reach near the top of supporting member 221 (i.e. near the joining area where support member 221 is attached to receiving surface 226), dividing supporting member 221 into three sections. Supporting member 221 and the base of reservoir 230 serve as a sturdy support base for washing station 2.

Handles 212 are positioned opposite each other and intended to be used to lift and pour jug 210 is the usual manner.

The geometry of the design of the current embodiment of the invention (as well as the other embodiments of the invention) is intended to be pleasing to the eye of the beholder, but not limiting in any way. In a preferred embodiment, receptacle 220 is formed as a single piece, lightweight structure, from a plastic or other sturdy but light polymer. Alternatively, receptacle 220 may be assembled from separately formed pieces which lock, fit or are glued together. Furthermore, washing station 2, as with all the other embodiments of the invention, may be formed of any material including, but in no way limited to: metal, glass, ceramic, and the like. The washing stations, or parts thereof may be made from the same or different materials and may be adorned with decorations of any type.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, a portable washing station 3 is depicted in various views in the Figures. Washing station 3 is substantially similar to washing station 2 with only slight design modifications. Washing station 3 consists of a pouring jug 310, a receptacle 320 and a reservoir 330, which is formed, in the currently described embodiments, within receptacle 320. Receptacle 320 includes a receiving surface 326 which has a substantially similar design and function as receiving surface 226. By contrast, where receiving surface 226 rises smoothly from the center to the outer rim, receiving surface 326 has a shell-like, fluted surface where liquid falling on the surface flows in rivulets towards the mouth of reservoir 330, in which the expended liquid gathers. Likewise, receptacle 320 includes a support member 321 which has a substantially similar design and function to support member 221. By contrast, support member 321 includes three arches 325 which are similar, but formed somewhat lower in support member 321, than arches 225. Aside from the aforementioned design modifications, support member 321, together with the base of reservoir 330, provide a sturdy support for washing station 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4D, a portable washing station 4 is depicted in various views in the Figures. Washing station 4 is substantially similar to washing station 1 with only slight design modifications. Washing station 4 consists of a pouring jug 410, a receptacle 420 and a reservoir 430, which is formed, in the currently described embodiments, within receptacle 420. Receptacle 420 includes a receiving surface 426 which has a substantially similar design and function as receiving surface 126. By contrast, receiving surface 426 has a substantially square shape, like a baseball diamond, except that the corner diagonally opposite jug 410 is rounded. Furthermore, receiving surface 426 includes drainage furrows 427, burrowed in the angled surface to increase ability of receiving surface 426 to drain liquid that has fallen on the surface in reservoir 430. A retaining wall 423 set perpendicular to receiving surface 426 serves to retain liquid spilled on receiving surface 426 from spilling out of washing station 4. Retaining wall 423 has a substantially similar function to retaining wall 123 of washing station 1.

In keeping with the substantially square shape of platform 420, jug 410 is substantially square shaped. The square shape of jug 410 dictates that a lid 414 be square shaped as well. As a square lid cannot be screwed shut in the regular manner, lid 414 clips onto jug 410 in a secure and watertight manner. A sealing member (not shown) may be employed between lid 414 and jug 410 to ensure the watertight seal. Alternatively, one or both lid 414 and the rim of jug 410 may be formed from a polymer or other resin, allowing lid 414 to form a watertight and sturdy seal with jug 410 when fastened in place. As with washing station 1, washing station 4 includes additional receptacle 428 formed on support members 421. Support members 421 together with the base of reservoir 430 provide a study support base for washing station 4. Handles 412 serve jug (or pouring cup/vessel etc.) 410 in a substantially similar manner as handles 112 serve jug 110.

Although one or more features may be missing or otherwise modified in some embodiments of the invention, the most preferred embodiment has been described here and depicted in the Figures. While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the invention as disclosed, is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A portable washing station comprising:

(a) a dispensing vessel, and

(b) a receptacle including a reservoir, wherein said vessel is configured to cover said reservoir in a manner that provides a watertight seal.

2. The portable washing station of claim 1, wherein said vessel is conformed to rest in a mouth of said reservoir.

3. The portable washing station of claim 1, wherein said reservoir has a containing volume substantially similar to a containing volume of said dispensing vessel.

4. The portable washing station of claim 1, further comprising:

(c) a sealing member disposed between a base of said vessel and a mouth of said reservoir, wherein said base and said sealing member form said watertight seal when positioned in said mouth of said reservoir.

5. The portable washing station of claim 1, further comprising:

(c) a lid, configured to seal said dispensing vessel.

6. The portable washing station of claim 5, wherein said seal is a watertight seal.

7. The portable washing station of claim 5, further comprising:

(d) a non-leak partition, adapted to interpose between said lid and a rim of said dispensing vessel.

8. The portable washing station of claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes a receiving surface that is shaped to direct liquid poured onto said receiving surface towards said reservoir.

9. The portable washing station of claim 8, wherein said receptacle includes a retaining wall positioned along the circumference of said receiving surface.

10. The portable washing station of claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes at least one supporting member having a height at least equal to a height of said reservoir.

11. The portable washing station of claim 10, wherein said at least one supporting member has coupled thereto a pocket structure.

12. The portable washing station of claim 10, wherein said at least one supporting member, together with a base of said reservoir, support the portable washing station.

13. The portable washing station of claim 10, wherein two said supporting members, together with a base of said reservoir, provide a three-legged support for the portable washing station.