EP0685218A1 - First-aid portable apparatus for washing an eye and/or the skin - Google Patents

Abstract

The emergency bathing appts. comprises a liquid reservoir (1) under pressure equipped with an outlet valve (2) and a dispenser (3). The dispenser includes a regulating mechanism (6) for the jet of liquid issuing from the valve which is movable between one extreme position giving fine spray and a second extreme position giving a continuous flow. There can also be an intermediate position in which the outlet valve is not opened. The dispenser includes an eye bath (7) which functions when the regulator is in the second position to receive the dispensed liquid. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to improvements made to portable first aid devices for washing an eye and / or the skin, in particular following a projection of a chemical agent (acid, base, solvent, toxic) or '' a thermal burn.

• la fontaine occulaire composée d'une vasque dans laquelle est intégré au moins un gicleur ; le liquide libéré par le gicleur est en général de l'eau ;
• le réservoir rigide constitué par au moins un flacon auquel est raccordée une tubulure terminée par une oeillère ; le dispositif est lui-même maintenu à l'intérieur d'une enceinte plus ou moins étanche à la poussière; ce dispositif ne demande aucun branchement puisqu'il fonctionne par gravité et les flacons, ou au moins un flacon, peuvent contenir un produit spécifique, par exemple un anti-acide.

Various types of apparatus are known for washing an injured eye, among which the most commonly used are:

• the eye fountain composed of a basin in which is integrated at least one nozzle; the liquid released by the nozzle is generally water;
• the rigid reservoir consisting of at least one bottle to which is connected a tubing terminated by a blinker; the device is itself kept inside a more or less dustproof enclosure; this device does not require any connection since it works by gravity and the bottles, or at least one bottle, may contain a specific product, for example an antacid.

• ils se trouvent à des postes fixes et ne peuvent donc être portés individuellement, ce qui allonge le temps d'intervention sur l'oeil accidenté ; or un oeil atteint par un élément chimique ou par une brûlure thermique doit être lavé le plus rapidement possible pour limiter l'action et la pénétration du produit et éviter ainsi sa destruction partielle ou totale ;
• une personne dont un oeil a été atteint par un agent chimique n'a plus son acuité visuelle normale et doit se diriger éventuellement seule jusqu'au dispositif de lavage installé à poste fixe, ce qui risque d'entraîner encore un allongement du temps d'intervention ;
• le dispositif de lavage, qui n'est pas individuel, peut contribuer à une transmission microbienne ;
• l'action du jet de liquide dont l'intensité n'est pas réglable peut être traumatisante sur un oeil blessé.

The aforementioned devices have various drawbacks:

• they are located at fixed positions and cannot therefore be worn individually, which lengthens the intervention time on the injured eye; however, an eye affected by a chemical element or by a thermal burn must be washed as quickly as possible to limit the action and penetration of the product and thus avoid its partial or total destruction;
• a person whose eye has been hit by a chemical agent no longer has his normal visual acuity and must eventually go alone to the washing device installed at a fixed station, which risks further prolonging the time of intervention;
• the washing device, which is not individual, can contribute to microbial transmission;
• the action of the jet of liquid whose intensity is not adjustable can be traumatic on an injured eye.

There is also known a portable device composed of a flexible plastic bag containing the washing product and of a tubing terminated by a blind eye; this device works in the same way as previously by gravity. However, this portable device has the disadvantage that the flexible plastic bag may burst or be pierced during handling. In addition, its handling is not easy for a person affected by the eyes.

Also known (document FR-A-2 682 036) is an individual portable bottle provided with a large opening shaped to conform to the eye contour; the bottle is filled with a washing solution and is sealed until use. However, this single-use bottle only contains a sufficient amount of liquid for a first wash of an injured eye; in addition, it only makes it possible to carry out an eye bath and is not designed to project sprayed liquid onto the eye in order to accelerate the elimination of a foreign product.

Now for washing damaged skin, in particular by spraying with a chemical agent or by a burn, it is recommended to spray water in the form of a spray or mist which moistens regular and relatively homogeneous while leading to a lower consumption of liquid. But on the other hand, it is very difficult to project a jet of liquid, whether it is a continuous jet or a jet of sprayed liquid, directly into an eye because of the palpebral occlusion reflex.

The object of the invention is essentially to propose an improved device which eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks of the devices currently known and which gives better satisfaction to the various requirements of practice.

For these purposes, a portable first aid device as mentioned in the preamble, being arranged in accordance with the invention, is essentially characterized in that the dispensing device comprises a member for adjusting the jet of liquid leaving said valve, which member is able to be adjusted from a first extreme position for which the dispensing device projects a jet of finely atomized liquid to a second extreme position for which the dispensing device dispenses a substantially continuous flow of washing liquid; in addition, the dispensing device comprises a functionally active eyelet at least when the adjustment member is in the aforesaid second extreme position for collecting the liquid dispensed in continuous flow in order to allow a bath for the injured eye.

Thus constituted, the apparatus of the invention makes it possible to adapt the washing process according to the location (eye and / or skin) and the extent of the damage and in particular it offers the choice between spraying the washing which, flowing over the face, carries with it the foreign product or else a total washing by bathing the eye in an eye-cup which offers the advantage of complete and total contact of the washing liquid with the whole from the surface of the eye and the eyelid.

In addition, it is a device which can, technically, be made with a shape and dimensions making it easily portable by an individual (either in a garment pocket; either hung externally or internally on a part of clothing) , always being close at hand and ready to use.

In order to simplify the structure of the device as much as possible and therefore to allow relatively inexpensive manufacturing allowing wide distribution of this type of device, provision is preferably made for the adjusting member to be arranged to selectively occupy only two functional positions corresponding to the two aforementioned extreme positions. Optionally, it is also possible for the adjustment member to be arranged so as to be able to occupy a third intermediate, non-functional position, in which the outlet valve of the reservoir cannot be actuated upon opening.

In practice, it is advantageous, in such a simplified embodiment, that the dispensing device comprises a movable head capable of selectively occupying the two aforementioned functional positions, and that this movable head is traversed by at least one conduit which has an orifice. inlet capable of receiving the liquid leaving the tank outlet valve and which is capable of cooperating selectively with two respective outlet orifices arranged, the first, for projecting a jet of finely sprayed liquid and, the second, for receiving or constituting a eyecup and deliver a continuous flow of liquid therein. Advantageously then, the movable head is substantially cylindrical of revolution and is mounted for rotation in the body of the dispensing device.

Although it is technically possible to make a relatively compact dispensing device capable of covering the head of a can of pressurized washing liquid, the eyecup constitutes an organ forming a relatively bulky projection and the dimensions cannot be arbitrarily reduced with regard to the morphological dimensions of the human eye. We can therefore plan to make the eyecup in the form of a separate piece which is removably fitted into the second orifice and extends approximately radially on the movable head. We can then consider mounting the eyecup in the factory, the device then being marketed in its complete form, with the eyecup in place, but being relatively bulky, or else the marketing of the device in a less bulky configuration with the unassembled eyecup (placed for example in a pocket fixed to the pressurized liquid tank).

In an embodiment which does not seem to present significant difficulties in mass production and which is easy to use, the movable head is mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and the two outlet orifices are located on the side wall of the movable head with respective substantially horizontal axes; it can then be provided that the two outlet orifices are substantially diametrically opposite and that the passage of the movable head from one functional position to the other corresponds to a rotation of approximately 180 °.

In another possible embodiment, the movable head is mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and this movable head is, at least for the most part, embedded in the body of the dispensing device, in a configuration analogous to a wheel. In a first preferred exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the rotation rotation of the movable head to bring an outlet orifice selectively to the functional position is approximately 90 ° and that the outlet orifice made active is arranged with its substantially vertical axis. ; in a second embodiment, it is provided that the rotation of the movable head from one to the other of the two functional positions is approximately 45 °, that the two conduits are shaped so that the axes of their orifices of radially directed outlets are spaced approximately 135 ° apart, and that the continuous flow and spray outlet ports are substantially aligned and diametrically opposed on either side of the movable head.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté schématique illustrant la conception générale d'un appareil perfectionné conforme à l'invention ;
• les figures 2A et 2B sont des vues en coupe diamétrale d'un premier mode de réalisation du dispositif dispensateur, montré respectivement dans ses deux positions fonctionnelles, apte à équiper l'appareil de l'invention ;
• la figure 3A est une vue de côté, en coupe selon la ligne BB de la figure 3B, d'un mode de réalisation préféré du dispositif dispensateur montré dans une première position fonctionnelle ;
• la figure 3B est une vue de face, en coupe selon la ligne AA de la figure 3A, du dispositif de la figure 3A montré dans la même position fonctionnelle ;
• la figure 3C est une vue de face, en coupe diamétrale, de la seule tête mobile du dispositif des figures 3A et 3B montrée dans l'autre position fonctionnelle; et
• les figures 4A et 4B sont des vues en coupe, respectivement de côté et de face, d'encore un autre mode de réalisation du dispositif dispenssateur montré dans une des positions fonctionnelles.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of certain embodiments given solely by way of nonlimiting examples. In this description, reference is made to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic side view illustrating the general design of an improved apparatus according to the invention;
• FIGS. 2A and 2B are views in diametral section of a first embodiment of the dispensing device, shown respectively in its two functional positions, able to equip the device of the invention;
• FIG. 3A is a side view, in section along the line BB of FIG. 3B, of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device shown in a first functional position;
• Figure 3B is a front view, in section along line AA of Figure 3A, of the device of Figure 3A shown in the same functional position;
• FIG. 3C is a front view, in diametral section, of the single movable head of the device in FIGS. 3A and 3B shown in the other functional position; and
• Figures 4A and 4B are sectional views, respectively from the side and from the front, of yet another embodiment of the dispensing device shown in one of the functional positions.

In FIG. 1, to which reference is first made, are schematically represented, in side view, the general arrangements in accordance with the invention of a portable first aid device for washing an eye and / or skin, in particular following a projection of a chemical agent or a thermal burn. This device comprises a liquid reservoir 1 which contains washing liquid under pressure (for example under a pressure of the order of 10⁶ Pa) and which is shaped and arranged in any way appropriate to its function. The pressurized liquid consists of a liquid suitable for washing the eye or the skin (water or any suitable solution). The container 1 is equipped with an outlet valve which, being actuated for example by depressing the outlet nozzle 2, releases a spray of sprayed or atomized liquid.

In a current embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the reservoir 1 is of cylindrical shape of revolution and the outlet valve is arranged on its upper face (arrangement in "spray can").

On the top of the tank 1 is fixed, for example by interlocking, a device 3 for dispensing liquid which is functionally associated with the outlet valve to actuate the nozzle 2 thereof. This actuation function is symbolized, in FIG. 1, by an actuation button 4, the mechanical connection means between the button 4 and the end piece 2 not being shown, but may be of any type known to the 'Man of Art. Security means (not shown) can also be provided, for example in combination with button 4, to display the absence of prior use of the device.

The dispensing device 3 ends with a liquid outlet nozzle 5, of approximately horizontal axis (throughout the description, the vertical axis X of the reservoir 1 will be referred to as, for its use as a sprayer, is held approximately vertically, and by extension horizontal axis any axis perpendicular to the X axis); however, it will be understood that the orientation of the axis of the nozzle 5 is not critical.

Behind the outlet nozzle 5 is provided a member 6 for adjusting the jet of liquid coming from the valve. This adjusting member 6 is arranged to be moved between two extreme positions, namely a first extreme position for which the nozzle projects a jet of finely divided or sprayed liquid or even atomized in the form of a mist and a second extreme position for which the nozzle delivers drops of liquid, in particular in the form of a substantially continuous flow of liquid.

The adjusting member 6 can be produced for example in the form of a rotating ring actuating an internal mechanism located upstream of the nozzle 5.

The jet of sprayed liquid is projected towards the eye to entrain, by trickling, any trace of a foreign product.

As regards the continuous flow of liquid, it is intended to be collected in an eye-cup 7, so that the injured eye can be bathed completely by the liquid. The eyecup can be provided with a hole 8 in its lower part, so that the contaminated liquid flows through it in contact with the injured eye.

Between the two aforementioned extreme positions, the regulating member can adjust the power of the spray jet exiting from the nozzle 5.

It will be understood that, to facilitate the projection of the spray jet towards the eye, the outlet nozzle 5 can receive any suitable inclination other than horizontal, or even be vertical to facilitate the use of the eyecup.

In general, the apparatus, and in particular the dispensing device 2, can be arranged in any way suitable for facilitating the use thereof, on the one hand, and for facilitating the manufacture thereof with minimum cost, of somewhere else. In particular, the device can be made, in its entirety or at least for the most part, out of plastic material. Means of manufacture or attachment may be provided (clip or fastening strip integral with the reservoir 1) so that the device can be kept awaiting use in a garment pocket or hung on the back of a pocket, fixed around an arm or leg, etc. A protective cap (not shown) can also be provided. The eyecup 7 may be integral with the nozzle 5 or even be removable; it is then placed on the nozzle, for example by fitting, only if necessary and is hitherto kept in reserve in a pocket attached to the reservoir.

In the case where a device of very great distribution is considered more particularly which must therefore be able to be manufactured at a lower cost, the adjustment member 6 can be significantly simplified by providing an adjustment member which would only have two functional positions corresponding respectively to the two aforementioned extreme positions, namely a spraying position and a continuous flow position. Optionally, a third non-functional intermediate position can be provided in which the valve of the reservoir cannot be actuated, this third position, which constitutes a safety device, rendering the device inactive.

Still to simplify both the use and the manufacture of the dispensing device, provision may be made for the tank outlet valve to be actuated in a manner other than by means of an actuation button 4; in particular it may be the whole of the dispensing device 3 which can be arranged to be movable relative to the reservoir 1, either by rotation, or more commonly by vertical depression (that is to say along the axis X), to actuate the nozzle 2. Such arrangements are known to those skilled in the art.

In Figures 2A and 2B is shown a first embodiment of a dispensing device 3₁ arranged according to the arrangements which have just been indicated. The device 3₁ arranged according to the arrangements which have just been indicated. The device 3₁ comprises a body 9 suitable for covering the top of the reservoir and comprising means (not shown) cooperating with the end piece 2 to actuate the latter when it is pressed in relation to the reservoir 1. The body 9, in particular of revolution, is shaped to retain a movable head 10, substantially cylindrical of revolution, so that it can rotate on itself between two extreme positions, for example by rotation through 180 °. The movable head 10, which is substantially coaxial with the axis X of the reservoir 1, is crossed by a bent conduit 11. This conduit opens on the underside of the head 10 by an inlet orifice 12 coaxial with the axis 10 and therefore located in look of the nozzle 2; the conduit 11 opens onto the side wall of the head 10 through an outlet orifice 13.

Opposite the orifice 13 when the head 10 is in each of the two aforementioned functional positions, in particular diametrically opposite as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the body 9 has two outlet orifices 14 and 15 directed radially.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the orifice 14 is arranged for the exit of a continuous flow of liquid and it can in particular be shaped in the form of a housing of relatively large section suitable for receiving by fitting the cylindrical foot 16 an eyelet 7. In the functional position shown in FIG. 2A, the movable head 10 is oriented so that the outlet orifice 13 of the conduit 11 is located opposite the outlet orifice 14 of the device 3₁.

As now shown in FIG. 2B, the outlet orifice 15 is shaped for the projection of a jet of sprayed liquid. In this position, the movable head 10 having rotated 180 ° relative to the position of FIG. 2A, the duct 11 has its outlet orifice 13 situated opposite the outlet orifice 15 of the device 3₁. The outlet orifice 14 being inactive, the eyecup 7 may possibly not be in place.

The actuation of the nozzle 2 of the reservoir is carried out by pressing vertically on the device 3₁.

Indicator means, such as an arrow arranged on the upper face of the movable head 10, make it possible to identify the active output 14 or 15.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device designated here by the reference 3₂. The device comprises a body 17 suitable for being fitted onto the reservoir 1 and which has two inner cheeks 18 supporting the horizontal axis of rotation of a rotating head 20 in the form of a disc or a wheel. The body 17 is hollowed out at 21 upwards and on the side, facing the head 20, in correspondence with an angular sector of approximately 90 ° of said head. The rotating head 20 can be substantially flush with the level of the upper wall of the body 17, or even protrude substantially above the latter. The rotating head 20 is pierced with two substantially diametrical conduits 22 and 23, extending substantially 90 ° from one another, and offset axially with respect to one another so as not to communicate the one with the other. The conduit 22 ends with an outlet orifice 22₁ allowing the projection of a jet of sprayed liquid, while the conduit 23 ends with an outlet orifice 23₁ allowing a continuous flow of liquid. Thanks to this arrangement, one of the two conduits 22 or 23 can be brought selectively, by rotation of the head 20, in a vertical position approximately in the extension of the nozzle 2 of the valve of the reservoir 1.

In the position shown in Figures 3A and 3B, it is the conduit 22 provided for the projection of a jet of liquid sprayed from its orifice 22₁ which is in the functional position above the nozzle 2. In this mode the liquid jet is projected upwards. The presence of the eyecup 7 at the end 23₁ of the other conduit 23, which is inactive, is optional.

In FIG. 3C, only the head 20 shown in the second functional position is shown, that is to say with the conduit 23 situated vertically approximately in the extension of the end piece 2. At the upper end of the conduit 23, the outlet port 23₁ is shaped to receive the tubular base 16 of the eyecup 7 which, here, opens upwards.

It will be noted that the upper body 17 can, if desired, be shaped (in particular rounded) so that the rotating head 20 can be turned from one functional position to the other while the eyecup 7 remains in the position at the end of the corresponding conduit 23.

It will also be noted that, in this embodiment, the outlet orifices 22₁ and 23₁ of device 3₂ belong to the movable head 20, while in the previous device 3₁ (as well as in the following device 3₃) the outlet orifices are provided in the body.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate yet another embodiment of the dispensing device, designated by the reference 3₃, which combines the provisions of the previous devices 3₁ and 3₂. The device 3₃ comprises a body 24 arranged to fit onto the top of the tank 1. The body 24 has two outlet orifices, 25 and 26, approximately opposite one another and arranged respectively for the supply of a continuous flow of liquid (outlet 25) and for the supply of a spray of liquid spray (outlet 26). Here again, the outlet orifice 25 is arranged to receive the tubular base 16 of the eyecup 7.

The body 24 has two inner cheeks 27 supporting in rotation, by its horizontal axis 28, a rotating head 29 in the general form of a wheel. The body 24 is hollowed out, at its upper part, so that a small area of the head 29 is protruding for its actuation in rotation. The head 29 is crossed transversely by two bent conduits 30 and 31. The two conduits 30 and 31 respectively comprise two first sections 30₁ and 31₁ oriented approximately radially in the direction of the central axis of the head 29, being mutually inclined by approximately 45 °; the two sections 30₁ and 31₁ open at the lower part of the head 29 in a common chamber 32, open downwards extending angularly over approximately 45 °. The two conduits 30 and 31 also respectively comprise two second sections 30₂ and 31₂, at right angles to the respective first sections 30₁ and 31₁ and oriented radially by forming between them an angle of approximately 135 °; the two sections 30₂ and 31₂ open radially on the side wall of the movable head 29.

By rotation of the movable head by approximately 45 °, one passes from a first functional position shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B in which the duct 30 is active (section 30₁ substantially vertical and approximately in alignment with the end piece 2 of the reservoir and substantially horizontal section 30₂ cooperating with the outlet orifice 25 provided with the eyelet 7) in the second functional position in which the duct 31 is active (section 31₁ substantially vertical and approximately in the extension of the nozzle 2 of the reservoir and substantially horizontal section 31₂ cooperating with the outlet orifice 26 for projecting a jet of sprayed liquid).

Of course, the arrangement of the movable head is not limited to rotary heads and it is possible to envisage systems with tilting head, sliding head or the like.

As is obvious and as already follows from the above, the invention is in no way limited to those of its modes of application and embodiments which have been more particularly envisaged; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

Claims (12)

Portable first aid device for washing an eye and / or the skin with a washing liquid, said device comprising a reservoir (1) of pressurized liquid equipped with an outlet valve (2 ) and a liquid dispensing device (3, 3₁, 3₂, 3₃) functionally associated with said valve, characterized in that the dispensing device (3, 3₁, 3₂, 3₃) comprises a member (6, 10, 20, 29) for adjusting the jet of liquid leaving said valve, which member is capable of being adjusted from a first extreme position for which the dispensing device projects a jet of finely sprayed liquid to a second extreme position for which the dispensing device dispenses a substantially continuous flow of washing liquid, and in that the dispensing device comprises a functionally active eye (7) at least when the adjusting member is in the aforesaid second extreme position for collecting the l liquid dispensed in continuous flow to allow an accidental eye bath. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting member (10, 20, 29) is arranged to selectively occupy only two functional positions corresponding to the two above-mentioned extreme positions. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjusting member is arranged so as to be able to occupy a third intermediate, functional position in which the outlet valve of the reservoir cannot be actuated on opening. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the dispensing device (3₁, 3₂, 3₃) comprises a movable head (10, 20, 29) capable of selectively occupying the two above-mentioned non-functional positions and in that this head mobile is traversed by at least one conduit (11; 22, 23; 30; 31) which has an inlet orifice capable of receiving the liquid leaving the outlet valve (2) of the reservoir (1) and which is capable of cooperating selectively with two respective outlet orifices (14, 15; 22₁, 23₁; 25, 26) of the dispensing device which are arranged, the first, to project a finely sprayed liquid jet and, the second, for receiving or constituting an eyecup (7) and delivering a continuous flow of liquid therein. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the movable head (10, 20, 29) is substantially cylindrical of revolution and is mounted for rotation in the body of the dispensing device. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the eyecup (7) is removably fitted in the second opening and extends approximately radially on the movable head. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the movable head (10) is mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis (X) and in that the two outlet orifices (14, 15) are located on the side wall of the movable head with respective substantially horizontal axes. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the two outlet orifices (14, 15) are substantially diametrically opposite and in that the passage of the movable head (10) from one functional position to the other corresponds to a rotation about 180 °. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the movable head (20, 29) is mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and in that this movable head is, at least for the most part, embedded in the body (17, 24) of the dispensing device (3₂, 3₃) in a configuration similar to a thumbwheel. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the two outlet openings are provided on the movable head (20) and spaced from each other by an angular distance not exceeding about 90 °, in that the rotation of the movable head (20) for bringing an outlet orifice selectively to the functional position is approximately 90 ° and in that the outlet orifice made active is arranged with its substantially vertical axis. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotation of the movable head (29) from one to the other of the two functional positions is approximately 45 °, in that the two conduits (30, 31) are shaped so that the axes of their radially directed outlet openings are spaced apart by about 135 °, and in that the continuous flow outlet openings (25) and spray outlet openings (26) are substantially aligned and diametrically opposite from each other on either side of the movable head (29). Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the dispensing device comprises indicator means for identifying the active functional position of the adjustment member.

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