Portable Bidet System

Abstract

A portable bidet system comprises an adapter configured to secure a first end of a supply tube within a fluid container. A pump is operationally connected to a second end of the supply tube, and a disposable delivery tube is connected to an outlet of the pump.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application U.S. 62/745,874 filed on Oct. 15, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a personal portable ablution device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable ablution device with a disposable delivery tube.

BACKGROUND

Portable washing devices for personal hygiene while traveling or otherwise away from a bathroom are known. Some such devices, for example, portable bidets allow washing for sanitary hygiene after using the toilet. Other known devices, for example, portable wudu devices satisfy the requirements of Muslims to systematically wash before prayer.

Known portable washing devices typically include a bottle, sometimes a pump, and a delivery nozzle. The bottle in some devices is squeezable, but in others a pump is applied to a supply tube disposed within the bottle so that the bottle can be rigid or squeezable. The pump can be hand operated or battery operated to pump water out of the bottle into a delivery nozzle.

Though variations of the portable washing device are known, problems still exist in the art. For example, existing devices can be large or bulky to carry around, while those that are small or collapsible lack some of the components of the larger devices making them less useful overall. It would be advantageous to have a small number of components that disassemble for storage within a compact carrying case.

Also, given the repeated use of washing devices to wash one's private parts especially when on a trip or an extended time away from a home bathroom, the end of the delivery tube could become soiled with repeated use. It would therefore be advantageous to have a disposable delivery tube that one can replace with a new delivery tube prior to each use. The disposable delivery tube would advantageously be easy to collapse to a small size so that several could be carried in the compact carrying case. The disposable delivery tube would also advantageously be easy to attach and detach from the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a portable bidet system comprises an adapter configured to secure a first end of a supply tube within a fluid container. A pump is operationally connected to a second end of the supply tube, and a disposable delivery tube is connected to an outlet of the pump.

According to another aspect of the invention, a supply tube is affixed to an adapter configured to attach to the open end of a fluid container to secure the supply tube within the fluid container. A pump is operationally connected to the supply tube and has an outlet comprising a quick connector. A disposable delivery tube is operationally connected by the quick connector to the outlet.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an adapter is configured to attach to the open end of a fluid container. A first end of a supply tube is secured by the adapter within the fluid container. An electric pump is operationally connected to a second end of the supply tube, and a power bank and power cable are provided for supplying power to the electric pump. A disposable delivery tube is connected by a quick connector to an outlet of the pump. A carrying case having a closure that can be configured to be open or closed is sized to accommodate at least the adapter, the supply tube, the pump, the power bank and power cable, the quick connector, and a plurality of disposable delivery tubes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of components of an embodiment of a portable bidet system;

FIG. 1A is a view of an exemplary adapter attached to an open end of a fluid container;

FIG. 1B shows several embodiments of an adapter as used in the portable bidet system;

FIG. 1C shows an assembled view of an embodiment of the portable bidet system;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of components of another embodiment of a portable bidet system;

FIG. 3 is a view of an exemplary quick connector as used in the portable bidet system; and

FIG. 4 is an exemplary display of software for managing water flow from the portable bidet system.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, wherein similar structures have similar reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed embodiments presented herein are for illustrative purposes. That is, these detailed embodiments are intended to be exemplary of the present invention for the purposes of providing and aiding a person skilled in the pertinent art to readily understand how to make and use of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a portable bidet system 10 includes an adapter 20 (shown schematically in FIG. 1) configured to secure a first end 30 of a supply tube 40 within a fluid container 50. The fluid container 50 can be any sort of container for water, for example, a disposable water bottle, a reusable water bottle, a canteen style bottle, or any of the myriad of bottles known in the art. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the adapter 20 is configured to affix to the supply tube 40 and attach to an open end of the fluid container 50 so that the first end 30 of the supply tube 40 is secured within the fluid container 50. The adapter 20 is meant for use with a fluid container 50 to allow a user to acquire water when needed for washing without having to carry the water with them. Further, the adapter 20 is meant for use with any available fluid container 50 to allow the user to acquire any sort of fluid container 50 without having to find a particular size or shape for the fluid container 50.

Referring to FIG. 1B, several exemplary adapters 20 are illustrated without limitation. For example, in one embodiment, the adapter 20 has internal threads 21 and is sized to thread onto an open end of the fluid container 50 having complementary threads as known in the art (not shown). In another embodiment the adapter 20 is configured to have an internal surface 22 sized to press fit over the open end of the container 50. In another embodiment the adapter 20 is configured to have an external surface 23 sized to press fit inside of the open end of the container 50. In a further embodiment, the adapter 20 includes an internally facing bead 24 that snaps over an externally extending portion of the container 50 as known in the art (not shown) to snap fit the adapter 20 onto the container 50. In yet another embodiment the adapter 20 has an internal surface that accommodates the open end of the container 50 and further includes clamps 25 shown schematically in FIG. 1B, for example, over center clamps or hose clamps or other clamps as may be known in the art, that snap closed to squeeze the adapter 20 onto the open end of the container 50. In this embodiment, an internal surface 26 of the adapter 20 making contact with the container 50 may be compressible to allow for ease of sealing with the container 50. The adapter 20 is therefore universally attachable to any portable water bottle available by one of the types of connection described in the above embodiments or by other types of connection as may be known in the art.

A pump 60 shown schematically in FIG. 1 is operationally connected to a second end 70 of the supply tube 40. The pump 60 includes an inlet 80 and an outlet 90. The second end 70 of the supply tube 40 connects to the inlet 80.

Referring to FIG. 1C, an embodiment of the portable bidet system 10 is shown assembled into an operational state including the adapter 20 attached to an open end of the fluid container 50 so that the first end 30 of the supply tube 40 is secured within the fluid container 50. The second end 70 of the supply tube 40 is attached to the inlet 80 of the pump 60, a disposable delivery tube 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is attached to the outlet 90.

In one embodiment the pump 60 is a manually operated pump. In other embodiments the pump 60 is an electric pump that may, for example without limitation, be powered by a battery (not shown). The battery could be disposable or rechargeable as may be known in the art. In one embodiment the pump 60 is powered by a rechargeable battery and includes a charging port 108 that provides a path for power to be supplied the pump 60 and/or allows the rechargeable battery to be recharged by an external power source. For example without limitation the charging port 108 may be a female Universal Serial Bus (USB) port 110 or a female micro-USB port 112 or any other configuration of power port as may be known in the art for supplying power to the pump and/or for recharging a rechargeable battery from an external power source.

Referring to FIG. 2, in another embodiment of the portable bidet system 200 the external power source is for example without limitation a power bank 120 as is known in the art and commonly used to store and provide power for recharging smart phones and other small electronic devices. In some embodiments the power bank 120 connects to the pump 60 via a power cable 130. In some embodiments the power cable 130 is hard-wired to the power bank 120 and has a port on a free end to match the charging port 108 on the pump 60, for example, a female USB or micro-USB port 110, 112. In another embodiment, the cable 130 has ports on both ends to match the charging port 108 on the pump 60 and another charging port 109 on the power bank 120, for example without limitation, female USB or female micro-USB ports 110, 112. In other embodiments the power bank 120 connects directly to the pump 60, for example, via a male port 114 built into either the surface of the power bank 120 or the surface of the pump 60 and capable of mating with the charging port 108, 109, respectively, thus eliminating the need for a cable 130.

The disposable delivery tube 100 shown schematically in FIGS. 1, 1C, and 2 connects to an outlet 90 of the pump 60. In one embodiment, for example without limitation the disposable delivery tube 100 comprises flexible medical tubing. However, in other embodiments the disposable delivery tube 100 may be made from any material suitable for being compactly stored as may be known in the art. In one embodiment the portable bidet system 10 includes a plurality of disposable delivery tubes 100 so that after each use the used disposable delivery tube 100 can be discarded while the system 10 remains ready for a subsequent use with an unused disposable delivery tube 100.

In one embodiment the plurality of delivery tubes 100 comprises between about 2 and about 10 disposable delivery tubes 100. In another embodiment the plurality of delivery tubes 100 comprises more than about 10 disposable delivery tubes 100. In another embodiment the plurality of delivery tubes 100 comprises more than about 30 disposable delivery tubes 100. In yet another embodiment the plurality of delivery tubes 100 comprises more than about 100 disposable delivery tubes 100.

Connections between the supply tube 40 and the disposable delivery tube 100 and the other components are achieved by any suitable type of connection as is known in the art, for example without limitation, a press-fit, a threaded connection, a snap fit connection, a quick connector, or a clamped connection. Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment the disposable delivery tube 100 connects to the outlet 90, or to an outlet tube 95 connected to the outlet 90, by a quick connector 150 that may be integral to the outlet 90 or that may be detachable from the outlet 90. In an embodiment having an outlet tube 95 connected to the outlet 90, the connection between the outlet tube and the outlet 90 may be by any suitable type of connection as is known in the art, for example without limitation, a press-fit, a threaded connection, a snap fit connection, a quick connector, or a clamped connection.

Quick connectors of the sort used in this invention are known in the art for connecting the ends of one or more tubes together. In one embodiment, an exemplary quick connector 150 includes an open end 160 that is sized so that the disposable delivery tube 100 can be accommodated within as indicated by the arrow 170. In one embodiment the quick connector 150, may for example, include buckles or latches 180 that snap closed to create a press-fit between the open end 160 and the disposable delivery tube 100. In another embodiment, the quick connector 150 may include a spring-loaded sliding sleeve (not shown) having an internal detent that snaps over the disposable tube 100. In other embodiments the quick connectors 150 between the disposable delivery tube 100 and the pump 60 as well as any other quick connectors disposed between the supply tube 40 and the pump 60 or the adapter 20 could be any sort of suitable quick connector as is known in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the embodiment of a portable bidet system 200 includes a carrying case 210. In one embodiment, a top cover or flap 220 folds over a bottom portion 230 of the carrying case 210 to enclose the contents. The carrying case 210 has a closure 212, for example without limitation, a zipper 212 shown schematically that can be configured as is well known in the art to be opened or closed. When opened as shown in FIG. 2, a user may access an interior of the case 210. The carrying case 210 is sized to accommodate the adapter 20, the supply tube 40, the pump 60, and a plurality of disposable delivery tubes 100. In one embodiment, the carrying case 210 is further sized to accommodate the power bank 120, the power cable 130, and the quick connector 150.

In one embodiment, the pump 60 includes a communication circuit 65 shown schematically in FIG. 1 that can transmit and/or receive data allowing the pump 60 to be remotely controlled and monitored. For example, referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment software running on a smart phone, tablet, or laptop computer 250, for example, on an iOS phone or tablet or an Android phone or tablet communicates with the communication circuit 65 on the pump 60. In one embodiment, the software is an application configured to operate on the smart phone, tablet, or laptop computer 250, where the application communicates with the pump 60 and includes a display 260 having one or more control buttons 270 to manage water flow through the pump 60. For example, by contacting the one or more control buttons 270, a user could turn the pump 60 on or off or increase or decrease the pumping rate and therefore the water flow rate through the pump 60. In another embodiment, the application display includes a state of charge 280, for example, a fuel gauge 280 for the battery (or batteries) powering the pump 60.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The portable bidet system allows users to wash, for example without limitation, to perform ritual ablutions before prayer when traveling or otherwise not near plumbing. The system connects universally to all available containers of the sort used for providing water, thus eliminating the need to carry water. A disposable delivery tube allows for maintenance of proper hygiene on every use. The system is easily broken down for carrying in a compact carrying case with room for a plurality of disposable delivery tubes. The portable bidet system can be manufactured in industry and used by consumers.

Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. All patents, patent publications and applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Claims

1. A portable bidet system, comprising:

an adapter configured to secure a first end of a supply tube within a fluid container;

a pump operationally connected to a second end of the supply tube; and

a disposable delivery tube connected to an outlet of the pump.

2. The portable bidet system of claim 1, wherein:

the adapter attaches to the fluid container by a connection selected from the group of connections consisting of a threaded connection, a snap-on connection, a clamped connection, and a press fit connection.

3. The portable bidet system of claim 1, wherein the pump is an electric pump.

4. The portable bidet system of claim 3, wherein the electric pump is battery powered.

5. The portable bidet system of claim 3, wherein the electric pump further comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or a micro-USB port for supplying power to the pump.

6. The portable bidet system of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the pump comprises a quick connector that accepts and secures a free end of the disposable delivery tube therein.

7. The portable bidet system of claim 6, wherein the disposable delivery tube comprises flexible medical tubing.

8. A portable bidet system, comprising:

a supply tube affixed to an adapter configured to attach to the open end of a fluid container to secure the supply tube within the fluid container;

a pump operationally connected to the supply tube and having an outlet comprising a quick connector; and

a disposable delivery tube operationally connected by the quick connector to the outlet.

9. The portable bidet system of claim 8, wherein the outlet further comprises an outlet tube connected to the outlet and having a quick connector on a free end thereof.

10. The portable bidet system of claim 8, wherein the disposable delivery tube comprises flexible medical tubing.

11. The portable bidet system of claim 8, wherein the pump is a manually operated pump.

12. A portable bidet system, comprising:

an adapter configured to attach to the open end of a fluid container;

a first end of a supply tube secured by the adapter within the fluid container;

an electric pump operationally connected to a second end of the supply tube;

a power bank and power cable for supplying power to the electric pump;

a disposable delivery tube connected by a quick connector to an outlet of the pump; and

a carrying case having a closure that can be configured to be open or closed, the carrying case sized to accommodate at least the adapter, the supply tube, the pump, the power bank and power cable, the quick connector, and a plurality of disposable delivery tubes.