Wash chamber for appendage-washing method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- providing an inner member and an outer member to form a wash chamber, the wash chamber including a first end and a second end, the second end being rotatably connectable to the automated cleaning station, the wash chamber having an axis of rotation, the wash chamber having an appendage receiving cavity and an annular cavity, the appendage receiving cavity located within the inner member, the appendage receiving cavity being accessible through an opening in the first end of the wash chamber, the appendage receiving cavity adapted to receive at least a portion of an appendage for washing, the annular cavity located between the inner member and the outer member, the annular cavity being radially symmetric with respect to the axis of rotation, the inner member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing the cylindrical cavity and the second surface facing the annular cavity; and
connecting a nozzle inlay to a nozzle inlay receiving member in the inner member, the nozzle inlay including a plurality of interconnected nozzles, the plurality of nozzles configured to be substantially flush with an adjacent portion of the first surface of the wash chamber, the plurality of nozzles adapted to receive the at least one fluid from the annular cavity and to project the at least one fluid into the appendage receiving cavity.
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Abstract
A method of using a wash cylinder or chamber for a cleaning station to clean an object or a person'"'"'s body part includes nozzles on the interior of the cylinder, the nozzles of one embodiment comprising an increasing roll angle providing a novel spray pattern. Additionally, embodiments of the invention include methods of using fluid guidance and conveyance structures, angled nozzles, sealing structures, finger guards, nozzle ribs, wash chamber seating mechanisms and drains, and nozzle inlays having a plurality of nozzles. Also disclosed are methods of washing an object or body part using a wash cylinder or chamber and methods of assembling a wash cylinder or chamber.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing an inner member and an outer member to form a wash chamber, the wash chamber including a first end and a second end, the second end being rotatably connectable to the automated cleaning station, the wash chamber having an axis of rotation, the wash chamber having an appendage receiving cavity and an annular cavity, the appendage receiving cavity located within the inner member, the appendage receiving cavity being accessible through an opening in the first end of the wash chamber, the appendage receiving cavity adapted to receive at least a portion of an appendage for washing, the annular cavity located between the inner member and the outer member, the annular cavity being radially symmetric with respect to the axis of rotation, the inner member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing the cylindrical cavity and the second surface facing the annular cavity; and connecting a nozzle inlay to a nozzle inlay receiving member in the inner member, the nozzle inlay including a plurality of interconnected nozzles, the plurality of nozzles configured to be substantially flush with an adjacent portion of the first surface of the wash chamber, the plurality of nozzles adapted to receive the at least one fluid from the annular cavity and to project the at least one fluid into the appendage receiving cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method, comprising:
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providing a cleaning station, comprising; a rotatable wash chamber, the rotatable wash chamber including first and second ends and having a constant radius along substantially all of a substantially cylindrical inner surface of the wash chamber; and an object receiving cavity located within and substantially enclosed by the wash chamber, the object receiving cavity being accessible by a portion of at least one object through an opening in the first end of the wash chamber; connecting a nozzle inlay to a nozzle inlay receiving member on the inner surface, the nozzle inlay including a plurality of interconnected nozzles disposed at selected locations on the nozzle inlay, wherein each of the plurality of nozzles is configured to be substantially flush with an adjacent portion of an inner surface of the wash chamber to inhibit contact of the nozzle with the at least a portion of the at least one object; and projecting at least one cleaning fluid through the plurality of nozzles into the object receiving cavity. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification