AU2001276812A1 - Handheld eye washing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Patent application of Kuldip Chand Tangri Title: Handheld Eye Washing Apparatus

Field of the invention

This invention relates to the maintenance and hygiene of the eye, specifically washing proteins, eyelash and foreign objects from the eye. Background—of the invention

Nature made eyes self-cleaning and lubricating. Sometimes due to unexplainable reasons or with aging it ceases to provide adequate tear flow which in turn causes the eyes to feel crusty and tired. A satisfactory hygienic apparatus for eye washing is not readily available in the marketplace at the present time. There are numerous apparatuses exist to wash the proteins from contact lenses for the eyes, but there is nothing currently available to wash the proteins from the actual eyes. The few eyecups, which do exist in the marketplace, are quite ineffective. A cursory search of the US issued patents revealed sprayers, mist generators and squeeze bottles, etc., but nothing close. Except U.S. Patent No. 4,758,237 (Sacks) discloses device with an eye chamber in which eyewash liquid moves in a direction transverse to the axis of the chamber opening and along the eye surface. Mr. Sacks tried to achieve an effective eye washer design but the design is still inadequate. It may be expensive to make. There are possibilities of flaws such as focusing of eyewash liquid towards the eye improperly and if filter 8 is clogged, it could damage the eyeball due to the pressure build up in chamber 3. Further possibilities of eyewash liquid contamination, high quantity of eyewash liquid utilization due to separate sump for the eyewash liquid and a pump to pump the eyewash liquid etc. Comparing to Mr. Sacks's device, The Handheld Eye Washing apparatus covers all of the eye and area around the eye. It is very inexpensive to make, no known flaws, adaptable due to its size, no liquid lines from the pump, no sump, no sump pump, no filter. Only one chamber, it is used similar to the traditional eyecup by filling with eyewash liquid except it has an agitator to stir the eyewash liquid in it. It makes a small quantity of eyewash liquid plentiful to flood the eye with it. Its rim and opening size is widened to gain the utmost comfort around the eye. Its size is little larger then an inhaler (a drug-dispensing device for the human lungs in

U.S.). It can be carried in a purse.

Summary

In this invention, an eyecup has a stirring mechanism to stir the eyewash liquid inside of it during utilization and it has an appropriate opening with an appropriate width rim contoured to fit the eye orbital. It has ample room for the eyelids and eyeball movement. Its rim compensates orbital variation, seals better and comforts around the eye. Further, an optional soft-liner may be added to the rim. The stirring mechanism consists of an agitator and a driver for the agitator. The agitator is inside and the driver and its operating necessities are outside the eyecup. In some cases eyecup is made separable from driver means as an adapter eyecup, similar to electric toothbrush head from the driver and electric toothbrush driver is used as a driver for this eyecup. Its access port is made according to the brand to be utilized. Last but not least an eyecup is built around the toothbrush head and bristles of the toothbrush head are replaced with an agitator. The contour of the left and right eyes is different. This device has a universal rim; it may be made contoured to the left and right eye individually or joint for both eyes. The eyecup of this apparatus has a grille between the rim and the agitator to protect the eye injury from the moving parts. A magnetic strip to attract ferrous Mattel during the utilization. To make it compact, components of the Handheld Eye Washing Apparatus may be laid out differently and an eyewash liquid warmer may be added to this apparatus. Depending on consumer and the manufacturing needs, this eyecup can be made in sections and assembled accordingly. Further, a single driver may be used with multi eyecups by making the driver detachable from the eyecup. To utilize user doesn't need to move head side to side or tilt backward. Just fill the eyecup with eyewash liquid or even with clean water at room temperature. Tilt the head forward to place the eyecup, rim matching against the eye orbital, hold it firmly, bring the head straight up, operate the stirring mechanism and it is done. To remove the eyecup for cleaning storage reverse the procedure.

Objects of invention

The object of this invention is to provide a handy, portable and an inexpensive hygiene-aiding apparatus for the eye and it is well achieved. It provides an effective flow of eyewash liquid to flush out the proteins and foreign materiel from the eye and it is a boon for the contact lens wearers. The description and the drawings of all the embodiments are included to justify the attached claims. Brief Description of the drawings

Fig.1 is a side elevation view of the present invention, applied to the eye. Fig.2 is a top view of the apparatus. Fig.3 is a bottom view of the apparatus. Fig.4, is a frontal view or view from the rim of the apparatus. Fig.5 is a rear view of the apparatus. Fig.6, 7, and 8 are shown disassembled apparatus to show the assembly achievement of the agitator in different situations. Fig.9, is an assembled device of embodiments shown in fig, 7 and 8; it is similar to the embodiment in fig.1 except aperture 45 in the driver housing 25 between the eyecup and the driver for the drainage. Fig.10 Handheld Eye Washing Apparatus is laid out differently and the outlook of the eyecup is different. Fig. 11 has a hand-operated driver and magnetic coupling between agitator and driver where agitator is ferrous metal impregnated. Fig.12 uses electromagnet as a driver and agitator is a ferrous metal impregnated straight blade mounted inside the eyecup. Fig. 13 is a detachable rim. Fig 14 is an eyecup where rim of fig. 13 fits. Fig.15 is an explicit view of the detachable eyecup from the driver. Fig. 16 is an assembly of fig. 15 and Fig 17 is the top view of the device in fig. 16. Fig 18 is one of the numerous drivers available in the market can be used with detachable eyecup. Description of the drawings

Fig.1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the apparatus. It is shown in use. It is a one-piece molded throwaway type where a user uses it a certain number of times and throws it away like a toothbrush. In this figure user fills the eyecup 21, with eyewash liquid 20, and places it on the eye orbital area by tilting the head forward and bringing the head straight up. Then pushes the momentary switch 24, to activate the driver 23, which is an electrical motor, electrical motor 23 activates agitator 22 inside of eyecup 21. Momentary switch 24 has an internal circuitry to stop the apparatus after a predetermined time even the switch is held on (close). To restart the driver the momentary switch must be released and pushed again. Driver 23, powering source and the momentary switch 24 are held accordingly in housing 25. Its access door 35 for batteries is watertight. Rim 27 of the eyecup 21 is contoured to fit the eye orbit. Grille 28 is a physical barrier within eyecup 21 to prevent the user's eye from inadvertently contacting the agitator 22. Magnetic strip 29 attached to the eyecup 21 closer to the bottom part of the rim, to attract and retain ferrous metal particles.

Fig.2 is the top view of the apparatus. It illustrates eyecup 21 with momentary switch 24 and housing 25 for the driver, powering source and the momentary switch for the driver. Rim 27 and magnetic strip 29 as dotted line.

Fig.3 it illustrates a bottom view of the apparatus. Eyecup21, rim 27 and magnetic strip 29.

Fig. 4 shows rim 27 and through this rim, a grille 28, further in is an agitator 22 and on the top housing 25 to hold the driver and required components for the driver. A momentary pushbutton switch 24.

Fig.5 is a posterior view of the apparatus, eyecup 21, rim 27 and housing 25.

Fig.6 illustrates detached driver 23 from the eyecup 21 and agitator 22 mounted on shaft 33. The shaft side of the driver 23 is watertight. When it is assembled the portion of the driver 23 is press fitted into the aperture 31 of the eyecup 21. In this fig. Assembly of agitator is achieved through the main opening that is through rim 27, grille 28 is snapped in afterwards and 29 is a magnetic strip.

Fig.7 illustrates an embodiment in which eyecup 21 consist of two detachable parts, that is front eyecup 51 and posterior eyecup 50, In this embodiment, shaft 33 of the driver 23 is detached from the agitator 22, and agitator remains within the interior of posterior eyecup 50. Seal 41 mounted in aperture 31. and when assembled, shaft 33 penetrates seal 41, thus preventing eyewash liquid leakage. As in previous diagrams rim 27, grille 28 and magnetic strip 29. It is shown assembled in figure 9. Fig.8 is similar to No.7 except the eyecup 21 does not come apart and the agitator 22 has an extended hollow shaft. It is extended out through seal 41 where seal 41 is mounted in the opening 31. When it is assembled shaft 33 of driver 23 enters the hollow shaft of the agitator 22. This embodiment of the apparatus is used to make internal parts of the apparatus corrosion resistive where the agitator is made of corrosion resistive material. In this embodiment grille 28 is snapped in from the main opening after the agitator is assembled, similar to fig.6.

Fig.9 this embodiment is similar to embodiment of Fig.1 except there is an aperture 45 in housing 25 between the driver 23 and the eyecup 21 to prevent eyewash liquid accumulation and reentering the eyecup 21 if seal 41 leaks. This seal is not shown in this Fig. And it is shown in Fig.7 and 8. Where this is an assembled embodiment of Fig.7 or Fig.8. 20 is liquid in the eyecup 21, an agitator 22 mounted on the shaft of motor 23, a momentary switch 24, housing 25 and battery access door35, rim 27, grille 28 and a magnetic strip 29.

Fig.10 is another embodiment of the apparatus where housing 25 for the driver 23, powering source and momentary switch 24 for the driver is laid out differently. The eyecup 21 is shaped different and it is detachable. Where 31 is an opening of the eyecup 21 and the eyecup can be detached from the housing 25. Agitator 22 stays on the driver 23. Further housing has a switching mechanism not to let the driver go on unless eyecup is attached to it. It is not shown. All other numbers correspond to embodiment of Fig.1.

Fig. 11 illustrates a hand operated driver 43 instead electric motor 23 of the preferred embodiment. Driver 43 is an arrangement of gears to get the proper speed for the agitator where a thumb wheel 44 operates driver 43. A hand crank or a spring-loaded hand winding mechanism is also appropriate in place of thumb wheel. It also uses magnetic coupling to transfer the power from driver to the agitator. In this embodiment, the disc 46 is impregnated with magnetic segments and it is installed on the shaft 33 of the driver 43. Further, it is aligned with agitator 42 to form a magnetic coupling to transfer the power from driver 43 to agitator 42. Agitator 42 is impregnated with ferrous metal. It can be impregnated with magnetic segments to match the disc 46 as well. This embodiment does not have any opening in the eyecup wall or a direct coupling between disc 46 and agitator 42 except magnetic force. 26 is an axle for the agitator attached to the wall of the eyecup 21. 36 are the magnetic impregnation. When it is assembled the magnetic force makes a coupling between agitator 42 and disc 46, driver 43 turns the disc 46 and it turns agitator 42 inside the eyecup 21. As in previous diagrams rim 27 and magnetic strip 29. 28 grille is eliminated. In this embodiment, switching and powering mechanism is not needed. Remaining assembly is similar to as in figure 1.

Fig. 12 has different agitator and driver where agitator 32 is a straight blade impregnated with ferrous metal mounted inside the eyecup 21 to stir the eyewash liquid. Outside of the eyecup 21 electromagnet driver 34 has an oscillator (not shown) to control its energizing frequency. When driver 34 is energized, it pulls the straight blade agitator 32 towards driver 34 and when it is de energized it releases the agitator 32 to move back to its original position. It causes the agitator 32 move back and forth and creates an agitation in the eyecup and to the eyewash liquid inside of the eyecup 21. Oscillator is not shown in the diagram because it is a well-known art. Rest powering, controlling and housing system for this driver is similar to the embodiment in Fig.l.

Fig.13 is a detachable adapter rim 37. It has a groove 47 to fit on the rim of a straight rim eyecup shown in fig.14. This detachable adapter rim may be made to use on the previously known eyecups or for the manufacturing conveniences.

Fig. 14 shows an eyecup without a wide rim 57, it is the rim where the groove 47 of the detachable adapter rim 37 shown in fig.13 fits. Remaining Numbers correspond to embodiment in Fig.l.

Fig. 15 in this seventh embodiment where driver 64 (Fig.18) is detachable in a manner similar to any off the shelf electric toothbrush [BraunD 8511]. In this particular embodiment, a family can have multi eyecups and a single driver. It illustrates an embodiment in which eyecup 21 comprises of two detachable parts similar to fig. 7. Front eyecup component 51 and posterior eyecup component 50. Rim 27 and magnetic strip 29 correspond to embodiment Fig.1. Driver 64 (fig. 18) doesn't operate in circular motion it operates back and forth with a limited stroke (sonic). To make eyecup detachable, adaptable and to stabilize the agitator for driver 64 (fig. 18) a gearbox 69 is added. It has its own gear arrangement to improve the stroke of the agitator, agitator shaft stabilization system and seals as needed. This gear box has agitator shaft 33 A, a skirt 62, inside of skirt 62 there is a sub skirt 61 and a port 63 for the movable shaft 67 of toothbrush driver 64 (fig.18). Skirt 62 and sub skirt 61 slide on the driver's non-moving part 66, 65 and beyond the moving part 67 until 67 engages into 63 which is powering port of the gear box 69. Skirt 62 and sub skirt 61 hold the eyecup in place on driver 64 while shaft 67 moves port 63 of gearbox 69. Port 63 is keyed to slid on shaft 67. Gearbox 69 shaft 33 A for the agitator fits into the eyecup through aperture 31. In simple this eyecup functionally slides on and off the driver (fig.18) as easy as its toothbrush.

Fig. 16 shows assembly of Fig. 15 all the numbers correspond to fig. 15 except 31, 61 and 63 are not shown and agitator 22 is in place.

Fig. 17 illustrates the components of Fig. 15 the seventh embodiment in top view. Rim 27, posterior eyecup component 50, front eyecup component 51, sub skirt 61, skirt 62, gearbox port 63 and gearbox 69.

Fig. 18 illustrates an electrical toothbrush driver 64(handle) its nonmoving parts 65,66 and moving part 67. It is Braun model number D8511. It also shows an eyecup is built around the toothbrush head and bristles of the toothbrush are replaced with an agitator. A seal or ring 38 is provided by the manufacturer. Body of the toothbrush head in this case may call eyecup detachment 48, agitator 49 and posterior eyecup 50. In all embodiments.

Eyewash liquid 20, an eyecup 21, agitator 22, motor 23, momentary switch 24, housing 25, rim 27, grille 28, magnetic strip 29.

Aperture 31, ferrous metal impregnated straight blade agitator 32, shafts 33 and 33 A, electromagnet driver 34, battery access door 35, magnetic segments 36, detachable rim 37 and a seal or a ring 38.

Seal 41, ferrous metal impregnated agitator blade 42, hand operable driver 43, thumb wheal 44, aperture in the housing 45, magnetic impregnated disc 46, groove on detachable rim 47 and eyecup detachment 48.

Eyecup 21 divided into two parts posterior 50, front 51, a place to fit detachable rim 57. Sub skirt 61, skirt 62, gearbox port for the driver 63, Braun electric tooth brush driver 64, nonmoving parts of the driver 65and66, moving part of driver 67 and gearbox 69.

In some cases aperture 31 has circular groove to compensate seal 41.

Assembly is achieved with all available options in the known art.

Handle is a name of the toothbrush driver picked by the manufacturer.

An agitator is a part of stirring mechanism.

Claims (5)

As I Claimed:

1. A hand held eye washing apparatus, comprising: a vessel having an appropriate opening equipped with wider rim, which is contoured to the eye orbital, is to be filled with eyewash liquid through the said opening, the said vessel is held straight up and moved upward until the eye is submerged into it by tilting the head forward and eye orbital rests on said rim which surrounds the entire eye leaving no room between, while said vessel held firmly against the orbital, then the head is returned to its normal position to wash the eye, procedure is reversed to remove said vessel from the eye orbital, means said vessel is installed and uninstalled vertically and utilized horizontally, a. said vessel of claim 1 may be made one piece or in sections further bonded together

2. Said vessel in claim 1 having a stirring mechanism to stir eyewash liquid vigorously inside of said vessel, a. said stirring mechanism in claim 2 having a driver means for moving said stirring mechanism, b. said driver in claim 2a. housed together with switching mechanism, power source which may be chargeable or replaceable batteries are attached to said stirring mechanism and mounted on the vessel in claim 2 accordingly, c. said housing in claim 2b having an excess door which is watertight,

Where by eyewash liquid will be stirred inside of said vessel vigorously to wash the eye

3. Said vessel may be built around the brush head of an electric toothbrush and brush bristles may be replaced with an appropriate agitator blade to get the right stirring momentum a. said vessel of claim 3 similar to vessel in claim 1 or divided in two parts as front and posterior eyecup b. to compensate said vessel depending on manufacturer and brand of toothbrush; toothbrush head may need justifiable alteration.

4. Said vessel in claim 1 having a wider rim to accommodate the eye orbital variations, eliminating the uncomfortable feeling around the eye and minimizing the eyewash liquid spilling, a. said rim in claim 3 having a soft-liner means a gasket made of soft material for further comforting and better sealing between said rim and the eye orbital, b. said vessel in claim 1 having a grille between said stirring mechanism and said rim to keep the user away from said stirring mechanism in claim 2, c. said vessel in claim 1 having a magnetic strip near the bottom portion of said vessel closer to said rim for attracting ferrous metal particles during eye washing.

4. Said driver in claim 2b having its own controlling system, may be detachable from said vessel leaving stirring mechanism with said vessel in claim 2 a. said vessel in claim 2 having stirring mechanism made adaptable to off the shelf toothbrush driver (handle).

5. A detachable rim comprises of a wide border having a hollow opening in the center for the eye where one side of said border is contoured to the eye orbital and the other side is equipped with an attaching mechanism to be fitted as an adapter rim to the vessel for manufacturing conveniences. a. said detachable rim of claim 5 further including a soft-liner means a gasket made of soft material attached to it, for further comforting and better sealing between the rim and eye orbital.