Washing device

• US 20050081291A1
• Filed: 02/11/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Safeway Hygiene Services Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Safeway Hygiene Services Ltd.
• Inventors: Otten, Andries
• Application Number:
  US10/503,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20050081291A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/621
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2210/00 Combinations of water taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/80 Implements for cleaning or washing the skin of surgeons or patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 35/006 for the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 35/008 for the head A61H35/02 and A61H35/04 takes precedence

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.

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.