DK202100055U3 - Supply column for feeding vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

A supply column for a birthing vessel is described, which together with the birthing vessel constitutes a system for use by women in labor. The supply column comprises a frame and an outer enclosure mounted thereon in the form of a bottom wall, a top wall and a side wall connecting the top and bottom walls. Inside the enclosure are provided water pipes or hoses, mixer, valves, control unit and other devices for using the system. In the enclosure, controls are provided for controlling water supply and water drainage as well as other functions for using the feeding vessel, as well as connections for hoses or pipes for water supply and water drainage to and from the feeding vessel. The supply column is advantageous in that the side wall is formed by a flat front panel and possibly a flat back panel that extends in the width direction of the supply column and two removable U-shaped side panels that extend in the depth direction of the supply column. This creates easy access for servicing and assembly of units in the supply column.

Description

DK 202100055 U3 1 Supply column for birthing vessels Field of the invention The present invention relates to a supply column for birthing vessels, which together with the birthing vessel constitutes a system for use by women in labor, which supply column has a height, a width and a depth and comprises a frame and a fitted outer enclosure in the form of a bottom wall, a top wall and a side wall connecting the top and bottom walls, where water pipes or hoses, mixing battery, valves, control unit and other devices for use are provided inside the enclosure of the system, and where controls for controlling water supply and water drainage as well as other functions for use of the feeding vessel, as well as connections for hoses or pipes for water supply and water drainage to and from the feeding vessel are provided in the enclosure. Background of the invention It has long been known that staying in warm water has a pain-relieving effect. In the past, staying in warm water was used during the dilatation phase to relax and relieve the woman in labor. Recent experience shows that if you let the woman complete the entire birth in water, you achieve: - a much more comfortable birth situation, - pain relief, - fewer ruptures, and - faster births. It has been documented that giving birth in water is just as safe as giving birth on a traditional birth bed.

In the past, midwives used sole tubs, bathtubs and various shower devices to achieve the soothing and relaxing effect. The problem with these was that it was difficult for professional staff to control and support the birth, just as the ergonomics for both the staff and the birth were problematic. Staff had to kneel or bend over the parturient, with the risk of dangerous strain on the knees, feet and back. To relax

DK 202100055 U3 2 and pain relief with water was therefore difficult to practice for many midwives who could not stand having to carry out several water births in the course of a working day, These bathtubs and the like have, however, been replaced by a more modern delivery vessel that is flexible and ergonomically correct, both for the person giving birth and the midwives. This birthing vessel has been marketed for a number of years. However, the known birth vessel has a number of weaknesses. The feeding trough is associated with a number of disadvantages in controlling the supply and drainage of water as well as disadvantages in terms of hygiene.

The bottom drain and overflow of the feeding trough are difficult to clean. It is desirable that bottom drains and overflows from feeding vessels are arranged so that there is at least the possibility that secretions, blood threads and the like can be "hidden" in drains and pipe connections, and that these are difficult 13 ai to remove.

The supply of hot water takes place continuously while the birth is in progress, just as there is always a drain to achieve a replacement of the water.

The water supply is controlled with a valve that is operated with a handle. The replacement must be controlled so that the water temperature is kept at the desired level, just as the water level must be kept at a desired level.

Replacement can be done by water continuously flowing out of the overflow of the birthing vessel while the birth is in progress. There is a risk that secretions, blood threads and the like clog the overflow, so that water runs out onto the floor. This is of course undesirable partly for hygienic reasons and partly for safety reasons, as a wet floor can be very slippery. Emptying the birthing vessel is done by removing a bottom plug from the bottom drain when the woman has stood out of the birthing vessel after giving birth. The bottom plug can be difficult to remove. It can be completely or partially covered by secretions, blood threads and the like. At the same time, there will be a significant level of water in the birthing vessel, even after the woman has gotten out of the birthing vessel. Therefore, it can be difficult to reach the bottom plug without the person getting wet and for reasons of hygiene may even be forced to change clothes.

DK 202100055 U3 3 After use, the feeding vessel and the drainage system must be cleaned with disinfectants.

These cleaning agents typically have to be left in the pipes for 20-30 minutes to achieve full effect.

Overflows and overflow pipes in particular can be difficult to clean.

There has therefore been a desire to find new solutions that meet hygiene requirements as well as requirements for a safe and efficient management of the supply and drainage of water.

This is established with feeding vessels, which are described in DK 2014 00163 U9. This has proven to work satisfactorily, and the feeding vessel has gained traction in many countries.

The feeding vessel in question is connected to a so-called supply column and thus forms a complete system.

Thus, a delivery vessel for use with the supply column may be of a type that includes a container part which is designed so that a woman in labor can be placed therein, which container part includes a drain opening which allows for continuous drainage of water. .

This system also includes a water supply with means to regulate the water supply.

The water supply connected to the supply column may for example include a flexible hose with a hand shower.

The shower can be hand-held or designed to be hung on the edge of the feeding trough.

The feeding trough includes only one drain in the form of a bottom drain.

A drain valve is provided in the bottom drain.

A water level sensor for recording the water level in the feeding vessel is placed in the wall of the feeding vessel or in close proximity to it.

The system includes a control unit which can be placed in the supply column and which is arranged to receive input signals from the water level sensor, and which, on the basis of these received input signals, is arranged to send control signals to the drain valve for controlling the opening and closing of the drain valve.

The supply column is thus connected to the feeding vessel via hoses for supplying water to and draining water from the feeding vessel.

Operation of all functions is combined in the supply column.

DK 202100055 U3 4 Feeder and supply column are movable and can be easily moved from living room to living room. This is an advantage over moving a birthing person between different rooms. Although a system comprising the feed tank and supply column has been shown to work effectively, servicing and assembly has proved time-consuming, and there have been problems connecting filters to the water supply and still maintaining an easy-to-maintain system , servicing and cleaning, especially since it is desired to maintain a system where all functions are contained in the two units: the feed vessel and the supply column.

There are therefore requests for improved options for servicing and installing the supply column and to be able to equip the supply column with filters that can be easily replaced. Purpose of the invention It is thus the purpose of the present invention to provide a new improved supply column for use in a system that includes the supply column and a feeding vessel, and where the above wishes are fulfilled. Description of the invention This is achieved according to the present invention with a supply column that is new in that the side wall is formed by a flat front panel and possibly a flat back panel that extends in the width direction of the supply column, as well as two removable side panels that extend in the depth direction of the supply column , and that the side panels are U-shaped. As a supply column can be wall mounted, there is no need for a back panel. As long as the supply column is free-standing in a room, there will be both a front panel and a back panel to cover the interior of the supply column. These panels will typically be permanently mounted on the frame of the supply column. The removable side panels, which are U-shaped, create a large space for access to the interior of the supply column. The side panels will typically be attached with a single or a few screws to the frame that supports the U-shaped side panels as well as the front panel and back panel. By loosening a single

DK 202100055 U3 screw, the side panels can thus be removed Jet.

Typically, this is done by the side panels, after removing a screw, being lifted upwards, after which they can be swung out and removed from their position in the supply column.

When the side panels are removed, there is easy access to all elements inside the supply column.

This makes it easy to service units placed in the supply column, just as it is also easy to install, as the installer will have plenty of room to install elements in the frame part when removable U-shaped side panels are not yet 5 is fitted or has been removed.

Thus, the U-shaped side panels can have a greater or lesser extent in the width direction of a supply column, so that they create a greater or less open access to the interior of the supply column.

In the supply column, an operating panel for electrical switches will typically be located in a top wall or a top panel.

Controls for water supply and temperature regulation will typically be provided on the front panel.

In the front panel, there will also be a power plug for an external power supply as well as a multi-plug for use in controlling the feeding trough's functions.

If it is a wall-mounted model, a drain outlet for emptying a feeding vessel will also be located in the front panel.

Alternatively, a drain spigot can be located at the bottom 18 of the supply column, so that water can be led down a floor drain in the delivery room where the supply column is located.

The water supply typically takes place through the bottom of the supply column, as pipes and hoses are provided inside the supply column, which are equipped with a spigot that can be connected to an external water supply for hot and cold water.

A supply column which is intended to be free-standing may be fitted with wheels.

The supply column's wheels will typically be height-adjustable or elevable, so that they can be easily moved up and down for transport between different delivery rooms and be retracted so that the supply column rests on legs when it is placed in a delivery room where it is to be used.

It is thus easy to place a supply column and a feeding vessel in a delivery room, where only an external water supply for hot and cold water, as well as a drainage option for the water and an electricity supply, is provided.

DK 202100055 U3

6 In this way, the combined supply column and feeding vessel can easily be used in several delivery rooms, so that efficiency can be increased rather than a location where the combination of supply column and feeding vessel is fixed in one delivery room.

According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is distinctive in that the U-shaped side panels each extend over between 20 and 40%, preferably between 30 and 35% of the total width of the supply column.

As mentioned above, access for both assembly and servicing of elements in the supply column will be facilitated when the U-shaped side panels make up a larger part of the total width of the supply column.

It is thus preferred that each of the U-shaped side panels has an extent that can be between 20 and 40% of the total width of the supply column.

The U-shaped side panels do not have to be symmetrical, and thus one of the branches of the U-shaped side panels can have a longer extension than the other side branch.

In this way, for example, easier access to a front of the supply column can be created.

This is particularly advantageous if it is a wall-mounted model, where access for servicing from the front and sides of the supply column is particularly important.

According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is distinctive in that replaceable filter units are built into the supply column, which filter units are located in the U-shaped side panels, as they are mounted on opposite sides of the frame.

Since servicing is easy, it is possible to build replaceable filter units into the supply column.

The location of the filter units in the space covered by the U-shaped side panels makes it particularly easy to mount filter units when desired, and this also facilitates servicing of the filter units.

Filter units are typically provided with an inlet nozzle and an outlet nozzle for flushing after a defined operating period or a defined change in measurable parameters, such as, for example, pressure drop across the filter unit.

Since this must be done at regular intervals, it is particularly advantageous to be able to remove the U-shaped side panels in a supply column that is equipped with filter units.

DK 202100055 U3

7 Filter units can be placed only on the inlet for cold or hot water, but will typically be placed on both the inlet for hot water and cold water.

In this way, a filter unit can be placed in each of the U-shaped side panels, which are placed on opposite sides of the supply column frame.

The filter units can be attached directly to the piping for the water supply or can alternatively also be supported on the frame of the supply column and be attached to the water supply and mixer for water supply to the feed tank via hoses.

According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is characterized by the fact that inlets for cold and hot water to the mixer are connected with inlet pipes that extend into each of the U-shaped side panels, which inlet pipes are provided with first coupling means that cooperates with corresponding first coupling means on the filter units, which are connected via other coupling means to corresponding other coupling means on supply pipes for hot and cold water, so that water supplied to the mixer tap is filtered.

As mentioned above, the inlet pipe for hot and cold water can be fitted in each of the U-shaped side panels.

When these supply pipes are equipped with coupling devices that cooperate with corresponding coupling devices on the filter units, a supply column can be adapted in a very simple way, so that it is either supplied with filter units or supplied with piping that connects supply pipes with mixing batten - the pipe supply for hot and cold water.

It is preferred that the filter unit is positioned so that hot and cold water supplied to the mixer is filtered.

Alternatively, it is possible to place a filter unit after the mixer, so that it is the mixed and tempered water that is passed through a single filter.

According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is distinctive in that the filter unit is a salmonella filter.

Different filter units can be used in the supply column.

However, due to the quality of the water in the feeding tank, salmonella filters will typically be used in the filter units.

DK 202100055 U3 8 According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is distinctive in that the coupling means are quick couplings that can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools. If the coupling devices, which are placed between the filters and or pieces of pipe which are inserted between the mixer tap and supply pipes for hot and cold water, are made up of quick couplings, it will be possible to carry out a quick assembly, just as easy servicing is possible, since no tools are needed when mounting filter units or when servicing filter units. According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is distinctive in that the filter units are provided with pressure sensors for recording pressure drops across the filter unit or other types of sensors for recording other operating states in the filter, and that the sensors are connected to the control unit in order to perform automatic cleaning ning/rinsing of filters when predetermined limit values are registered. The filter units can be serviced by flushing and/or changing contents at regular intervals or based on a volume flow. Thus, a volume meter can be provided above the filters. Alternatively, pressure sensors can be provided, as the filter units are typically serviced when the flow rate is reduced.

A reduced flow rate can be detected in a simple way with a pressure sensor, which measures the pressure drop across the filter unit. Since sensors either for recording pressure drop or other operating conditions in the filter are connected to the control unit, it is possible to carry out an automatic cleaning/rinsing of the filters when predetermined limit values have been registered. It is thus possible that the control unit can set shut-off valves or the like on each side of the filter unit, after which an automatic activation of flushing can be carried out. According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is distinctive in that the control unit is connected to two upper water level sensors for recording an upper water level in the feed tank, and that the control unit is arranged so that it only establishes a control signal for opening the drain valve upon a signal from both upper water level sensors.

DK 202100055 U3 9 The control unit of the supply column is typically connected to a water level sensor for recording the water level in the feed tank. When two upper water level sensors are used, it will be possible in the control unit of the supply column to register a situation where a person is sitting on the edge of the feeding vessel, so that only one water level sensor is activated. This would not cause the tub to be emptied to avoid overflow. Only in a situation where both upper water level sensors register an upper water level, the control unit will issue a signal to open a drain valve, so that overflow from the feed tank is avoided. According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the supply column in its drain hose is provided with a non-return valve, which prevents rising sewage from reaching the feed vessel, and that an additional non-return valve is preferably provided between the supply column and the drain of the feed vessel.

Between the supply column and a floor drain in the room where the supply column is located, a non-return valve is provided in the drain hose, so that any rising sewage cannot be led through the drain hose and reach the feed tank.

In order to obtain the best possible safety, there will often be an additional non-return valve provided in the drain hose, which is located between the supply column and the drain of the feed vessel.

In this way, it is possible to completely seal off the feeding vessel from the sewer, and it is thus ensured that there is no contamination of the water in the feeding vessel.

According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the connection for hoses or pipes for water drainage from the feed tank is located in the flat front panel, and that the plug for the cable for electricity supply and control is also located in the flat front panel, and that the frame is arranged for wall mounting.

If the supply column is located in a room where a wall mounting of the supply column can be established, the connection of hoses or pipes for water drainage from the feed tank will be located in the flat front panel, just as the electrical plug and multi-plug for control are also located in the flat front panel. The drain spout from the supply column can be placed in the plane

DK 202100055 U3 10 front panel or can be fitted to go through the bottom of the supply column towards a floor drain in the delivery room. According to a further embodiment, the supply column according to the invention is distinctive in that the mixer has two outlets which are connected with hoses for supplying water to the feed vessel.

The supply column will typically be used for supplying water to the feeding vessel via a quick filler, which typically includes a U-shaped hanger that can be hung on the edge of the feeding vessel and establish a rapid filling of the feeding vessel in the same way as is known from a faucet in a regular bathtub. Likewise, the supply column will be equipped with a hand shower, which is also known from a bathtub. Such a hand shower will typically be hand-held and used to shower over a woman who is in the delivery vessel. It is therefore advantageous that the mixer tap has two outlets, each connected to the supply of water to the feed vessel. The two exits can be opened individually, so that you can use quick filling and showering at the same time or only one of the two possibilities. Drawing description The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, where Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a supply column connected to a feeding vessel, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a supply column according to a different embodiment than illustrated in fig. 1, Fig. 3-5 show different side views of the one in fig. 2 shown supply column, seen respectively from the front, from the side and from the rear, and Fig. 6 shows a partial view of a supply column with the front panel and side panels removed. Detailed description of the invention In what follows, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to a specific embodiment, and in the schematic drawings identical and corresponding elements are

DK 202100055 U3 11 indicated with the same reference designation. Thus, no specific explanation is given in connection with each individual figure. Fig. 1 shows a supply column 1 and a feeding vessel 2.

The supply column 1 has an outer enclosure 3 with a top wall 4, a bottom wall 5 and a side wall 6 that connects the top and bottom walls. The supply column is equipped with a hose 7 for quick filling of the feeding trough and a hose 8 which is connected to a shower 8" for showering over a person who is placed in the feeding trough. The hose 7 is connected to a hose clamp 7°, which is intended to be attached to the edge of the feeding vessel 2.

The feeding trough has a drain 9, which is connected via a pipe connection 10 to a valve 11, which is operated by a control unit 12. The valve 11 is connected to the supply column via an additional hose 13. In the supply column, the hose 13 is connected via a non-return valve 14 to a drain pipe 15, which leads to a floor drain (not shown).

Fig. 1 illustrates the supply column schematically, and subsequently a more detailed explanation of the supply column will be given with reference to fig. 2-6.

In fig. 2, it can be seen that the supply column 1 has a side wall 6, which is formed by a flat front panel 16, as well as two U-shaped side panels 17. Each side panel 17 is attached via a screw 18 to a frame 50 (see fig. 6), and by to release the screw 18, the side panel 17 can be lifted and swung outwards to be removed from the frame 50/supply column 1.

In fig. 5, which shows the supply column seen from the rear, it can be seen that there is no rear panel, as the model shown is intended for wall mounting.

Fig. 3 and 4 show that in the front panel 16 there is a control panel that includes a control handle 19 for water supply via a spigot 20, which is intended for connection with the hose 7 for quick filling of water in the feed tub. The control panel comprises an additional control handle 21 for connection with a connection spigot 22 which is intended to be connected to the hose 8 to the shower 8”, used in connection with the feeding tub.

DK 202100055 U3 12 The control panel also includes a temperature control 23, which ensures mixing of hot and cold water to a desired temperature.

The supply column 1 includes a holder 24 for hose for quick filling, and a holder 25 for hose for the shower unit.

In the front panel, there is an electrical plug 26 for connection to an electrical supply, a multi-plug 27 that connects the control unit with operating units and sensors in the feeding tank, and a drain nozzle 28 for connection to a drain hose that can lead water to a floor drain.

In fig. 3-5, a drain spout 29 can be seen at the bottom, which can be used to divert water from the feed tank directly to a floor drain, if a floor drain is provided under the supply column. The supply column has a width of 30, as indicated in fig. 3. It can be seen here that the U-shaped side panels 17 each extend over a distance 31, which is approx. 30% of the total width 30 of the supply column 1.

In fig. 4 illustrates the depth 32 and height 33 of the supply column. As can be seen from the figures, the supply column will appear as a column with a height that is significantly greater than both the width and the depth of the supply column.

In the embodiment shown, the supply column is shown without wheels. However, elevating wheels can be provided so that the supply column can be easily moved from delivery room to delivery room.

In fig. 5 shows the supply column from the back with a partial opening to the interior. Here you can see a box 34 for mixing battery and control unit. It can be seen that the mixer tap has an inlet pipe 35 for cold water and an inlet pipe 36 for hot water.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the supply column has a box 37 for electrical installation for multi-socket and a box 38 for a non-return valve, which is connected to the spigot 28 to be able to shut off the drain hose 13 from a sewer.

Fig. 6 shows the supply column 1 seen from the front without side panels and without front panel.

DK 202100055 U3 13 At the top, a mixer tap 39 is seen. At the top, the mixer tap is connected via a spigot 40 to a piping 41, which is connected to the spigot 20 for quick filling. The mixer tap has another nozzle 42, which is connected via a pipe 43 to the nozzle 22 for connection to the shower hose 7.

The mixer tap 39 is connected to the above mentioned supply pipes 35 and 36 for hot and cold water. Each of these pipes is connected to a quick coupling 44 which is connected to a filter unit 45 on both the cold water supply and the hot water supply.

At the bottom of the filter unit 45, an inlet pipe 46 for cold water and an inlet pipe 47 for hot water are provided. Each of the inlet pipes is connected via a quick coupling 48 to the filter unit 45. It is thus simple and quick to replace the filter unit in case of servicing, just as it is also easy to mount the filter unit.

As is clear from fig. 6, there is easy access to the units inside the supply column when the side panels are removed. Although fig. 6 illustrates a situation with disassembly of the front panel, it will appear that the front panel has an extent that is just a little bit wider than the mixer tap 39. Thus, disassembly of the side panels will be sufficient for easy servicing.

The access pipes 46, 47 are provided with sleeves 49 for connection to external water supply for hot and cold water.

The supply column 1 comprises a frame 50 on which the individual units in the supply column are mounted.

Each of the filter units 45 is connected to an inlet nozzle 51 and an outlet nozzle 52 for flushing the filters when they are stopped. Hoses for spigots 51 and 52 are not illustrated.

In the supply column shown in fig. 6, pressure sensors can be mounted for recording pressure drops across the filter units 45, and sensors can also be provided for recording operating states in the filters. These sensors will be connected to the control unit for automatic cleaning/rinsing of the filters.

DK 202100055 U3 14 The units referred to above are merely an illustration and description of the necessary details for building a supply column according to the invention.

In order to become fully functional, several construction details will thus be needed.

However, such further construction details will not be necessary for understanding the invention and the advantages of the supply column according to the invention.

Claims (10)

DK 202100055 U3 USE MODEL REQUIREMENT 1. Supply column for a delivery vessel, and which together with the delivery vessel constitutes a system for use by women in labor, which supply column has a height, a width and a depth and includes a frame and an outer enclosure mounted thereon in the form of a bottom wall, a top wall and a side wall connecting the top and bottom walls, where water pipes or hoses, mixer taps, valves, control unit and other devices for using the system are provided inside the enclosure, and where controls are provided in the enclosure for controlling water supply and water drainage as well as other functions for using the feeding vessel, as well as connection for hoses or pipes for water supply and water drainage to and from the feeding vessel, which supply column is characterized by the fact that the side wall is formed by a flat front panel and possibly a flat rear panel that extends in the width direction of the supply column, as well as two removable side panels that extend in the depth direction of the supply column, and that the side panels are U-shaped oath. 2. Supply column according to claim 1, characterized in that the U-shaped side panels each extend over between 20 and 40%, preferably between 30 and 35% of the total width of the supply column. 3. Supply column according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that replaceable filter units are built into the supply column, which filter units are located in the U-shaped side panels, as they are mounted on opposite sides of the frame. 4. Supply column according to claim 3, characterized in that inlets for cold and hot water to the mixer are connected with inlet pipes that extend into each of the U-shaped side panels, which inlet pipes are provided with first coupling means that cooperate with corresponding first coupling means on the filter units, which are connected via other coupling means to corresponding other coupling means on supply pipes for hot and cold water, so that water supplied to the mixer tap is filtered. 5. Supply column according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the filter unit is a salmonella filter. DK 202100055 U3 16 6. Supply column according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the coupling means are quick couplings that can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools. 7. Supply column according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that the filter units are provided with pressure sensors for recording pressure drops across the filter unit or other types of sensors for recording other operating states in the filter, and that the sensors are connected to the control unit in order to be able to carry out automatic cleaning/rinsing of filters when predetermined limit values are registered. 8. Supply column according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit is connected to two upper water level sensors for recording an upper water level in the feed tank, and that the control unit is designed so that it only establishes a control signal upon a signal from both upper water level sensors to open the drain valve. 9. Supply column according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply column is provided in its drain hose with a non-return valve which prevents rising sewage water from reaching the feed vessel, and that an additional non-return valve is preferably provided between the supply column and the drainage of the feeding vessel. 10. Supply column according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection for hoses or pipes for water drainage from the feed tank is located in the flat front panel, and that the plug for the cable for electricity supply and control is also located in the flat front panel, and that the frame is designed for wall mounting.