GB2316136A

GB2316136A - Portable sanitary device

Info

Publication number: GB2316136A
Application number: GB9616751A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas George Mccandlish
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-08-09
Filing date: 1996-08-09
Publication date: 1998-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-09
Also published as: GB9616751D0; GB2316136B

Abstract

A portable sanitary device (1) is provided for cleansing the buttocks and anal region of the user. The device has a housing (2) containing an electric pump (3) and a battery (4). The pump is activated by means of a switch (5) which is connected to the pump by a flying lead (6). The pump has an inlet (8) through which liquid is drawn, and the liquid is supplied from the pump outlet (9) via a silicone tube (11) to a lance (14) which includes a nozzle (17). In use, the inlet (8) is placed in a reservoir of cleansing liquid (21), the lance (14) is held or mounted in the desired position and the pump (3) is then activated which causes a fan-shaped spray (18) of the liquid to be supplied from the nozzle (17).

Description

Portable sanitary device The present invention relates to a portable sanitary device, and particularly to a portable sanitary device for cleansing the anal region.

An example of a conventional sanitary device designed for cleansing the anal region is a bidet.

However, bidets are relatively expensive to install, require additional plumbing and space, and are not portable. Also, bidets are separate from the toilet, requiring the user to move from the toilet onto the bidet, and therefore are not suitable for people who are capable of only limited movement, such as the elderly or disabled.

Another sanitary device for cleansing the anal region is disclosed in United Kingdom Patent No.

2233553, granted to the present applicant. This patent relates to a sanitary device comprising tubing for directing cleansing liquid at the anal region, the tubing being rotatably mounted in at least one mounting block of resiliently compressible material which is clamped in use between the toilet seat and toilet bowl.

Cleaning liquid may be supplied to the device from a conventional supply such as a cold or warm water supply, or from a portable storage tank by means of a handoperated pump.

If supplied with a conventional water supply, this prior art device is not portable and therefore cannot be used in locations away from the toilet, such as in a hospital bed, for example, where the user is unable to use a conventional toilet and must instead use a bed pan. The alternative portable tank and hand-operated pump arrangement of the prior art system is relatively bulky and must be filled and pressurised by the user before use, which might not be possible for an injured or disabled person.

Thus, the applicant has identified a need for a portable sanitary device which is simple to use and which can be employed in a number of situations either in or away from a toilet.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable sanitary device comprising: a housing containing an electric pump for pumping liquid from an inlet in the housing to an outlet and a power source for supplying power to the pump; a switch remote from the housing for activating the pump; and a tube leading from the outlet to a nozzle; the arrangement being such that when the inlet is placed in a liquid and the pump is activated, the liquid is pumped through the outlet to the nozzle to provide a cleansing jet of liquid.

The sanitary device of the present invention is readily portable as it includes a self-contained pumping unit. All that is needed is a container for the cleansing liquid, which can be a jug or bowl into which the inlet is placed. Alternatively, if the device is being used in a toilet or bathroom, an adjacent basin, bath or bidet could be used to provide a reservoir of cleansing liquid. The nozzle itself may be mounted on a hand-held lance or on a mounting on a toilet.

The remote switch allows the pump to be operated when the user is some distance from the liquid container in which the inlet is placed, without the user having to strain to reach the switch or move position completely.

In a preferred form, it is connected to the pump by a flying lead.

Preferably, the inlet is located in the base of the housing such that when the housing is placed in a liquid container, the inlet is automatically below the liquid level.

The inlet is preferably provided with a filter therein to prevent foreign matter from entering and damaging the pump or nozzle.

It is envisaged that the housing may be any suitable shape to perform the desired function, and may be elongate. Preferably, the housing is cylindrical in order to provide a shape which is easily gripped and simple to manufacture. The housing is preferably made from plastic.

Preferably, the tube connecting the outlet to the nozzle is made of a flexible material. This facilitates the use of the device in situations where access to the anal region may be restricted. Preferably, the tube material is silicone.

Any configuration of nozzle which provides a suitable jet or spray of liquid would be acceptable for use with the present invention. Preferably, however, the nozzle is adapted to provide a fan-shaped spray.

Such a spray is suitable for cleaning the entire crotch region between the buttocks while allowing other parts of the body which do not need cleaning to remain dry.

Preferably, the spray fans out in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle and tube, so that the nozzle, lance/tubing and arc of the spray extend in the same direction. Preferably, the device provides a spray having an arc of approximately 10cm when the nozzle is placed about that distance from the body.

It is envisaged that the fan-shaped spray may be achieved in any suitable manner. Preferably, the nozzle comprises a central chamber and an aperture from which the fan-shaped spray is delivered. The aperture is preferably formed from a cylindrical hole having a hemispherical top surface formed in the internal surface of the nozzle which is intersected by a straight-sided channel formed in the external surface of the nozzle.

Preferably, the nozzle is detachable from the tube, and may additionally be disposable. This will allow replacement of the nozzle when it becomes contaminated or defective.

The power source may comprise a battery of a conventional disposable type, but preferably comprises a re-chargeable battery.

Viewed from another aspect, the present invention provides a portable sanitary device for cleansing the buttocks and anal region of the user, comprising an electric pump and a battery, both located in a housing, a switch connected to the pump by a flying lead for activating the pump, and a nozzle connected to an outlet of the pump by a flexible tube, the arrangement being such that in use an inlet to the pump is able to be placed in communication with a reservoir of liquid, whilst the nozzle is able to be held or mounted in a desired position for use, the switch being operable to activate the pump to cause a cleansing jet of the liquid to be supplied from the nozzle.

Thus, the inlet may be placed in a liquid reservoir such as a bowl or jug, and the flying lead and tube run to suitable positions for the switch and nozzle. The user or a helper may hold the nozzle or lance in one hand and the switch in the other hand, for example.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows schematically a sanitary device according to the present invention; Fig. 2A shows a nozzle suitable for use in the present invention in longitudinal cross-section; and Fig. 2B shows a transverse cross-section along line 2B-2B in Fig. 2A.

With reference to Fig. 1, the sanitary device shown generally as 1 comprises a cylindrical elongate housing 2. Inside the housing 2 are mounted a pump 3 and a battery 4 which supplies power to the pump 3. In the preferred embodiment, the pump 3 is a conventional 12 volt submersible type and the battery 4 is a 12 volt rechargeable Ni-Cd battery. The battery 4 should ideally be in a water-tight compartment.

The pump 3 is turned on and off by means of a remote switch 5 which is connected to the battery 4 and pump 3 by a flying lead 6 and a socket 7. The socket 7 enables the switch 5 and lead 6 to be removed for storage.

The pump 3 has an inlet 8 adjacent the base of the housing 2 through which liquid is drawn. The pump outlet 9 is terminated in a female connector 10, to which is attached a length of flexible silicone tube 11 via a male connector 12. The other end of the silicone tube is terminated in another female connector 13, to which is attached a lance 14 via a male connector 15.

The lance 14 comprises a short straight length of silicone tube 16 and a nozzle 17, and can be detached and replaced when necessary. Preferably, the lance is designed and manufactured to be completely disposable such that it can be replaced at relatively low-cost.

This is particularly useful when the device is being used in hospitals or other care establishments. The silicone tube 16, which is where the user would normally grip the lance, is preferably more rigid than the tube 11 so as to allow for improved control over the spray direction.

Nozzle 17 is configured to provide a fan-shaped spray 18 of cleansing liquid when the pump is activated.

Optimally, the nozzle 17 provides a spray having an arc of approximately 10cm when placed approximately 10cm from the user's body.

A filter 19 is provided to prevent foreign matter from entering and damaging the pump or nozzle.

In use, the housing is placed in a sink or container such as 20, having cleansing liquid 21 therein. The liquid may be water, and may include cleaning agents or medication. On activation of the pump by means of the remote switch 5, the liquid 21 will be pumped to the nozzle 17 and cleaning can commence.

Nozzle 17 is shown in more detail in Figs. 2A and 2B. The nozzle is formed by injection moulding, which enables a large number to be produced in a simple and quick operation. Once the initial tooling costs have been paid for, the nozzles are also cheap to manufacture which is important if the nozzle 17 and/or lance 14 is to be readily disposable.

The nozzle is formed with a central chamber 22 and an aperture 23 from which the fan-shaped spray is delivered. The aperture 23 is formed from a cylindrical hole 24 having a hemispherical top surface which is intersected by a straight-sided channel 25. The resulting edge profile of the aperture is shown by line 26 in Fig. 2A, and it is this profile which causes the emerging liquid to form a fan-shaped spray 18 (Fig. 1) whose plane is in the axial direction of the nozzle and tube.

In order to provide a nozzle in which the spray emerges from the side of the nozzle and not the end, the aperture 23 must clearly be formed in the side of the nozzle. However, in order to form the cylindrical hole 24 with its hemispherical top end, the injection mould tool must access the inside surface of the nozzle in the region of the aperture 23. Therefore, it is necessary to form an access aperture 27 diametrically opposite aperture 23, through which the side core of the injection mould tool projects. Once the nozzle has been moulded and removed from the tool, the access aperture 27 is sealed with a plug 28.

The pump 3 is designed to deliver approximately one litre of cleansing liquid through the nozzle 17 in about 60 seconds. The battery 3 is of a sufficient specification to enable at least 40 such operations to be carried out before recharging is necessary.

The lance 14 of the present invention is primarily designed to be hand-held with the user directing the spray as required, although it is envisaged that the lance 14 may be mounted by means of a clip or other attachment to a toilet rim or seat. The lance 14 may also be designed to be suitable for use with a commode or bed pan. In the case of the conventional hospital bed pan, the lance and tubing can be inserted down the handle thereof.

The device may be supplied with a battery charger and optionally a second rechargeable battery in order that the device is available for use whilst the first battery is re-charging.

Claims

Claims:

1. A portable sanitary device comprising: a housing containing an electric pump for pumping liquid from an inlet in the housing to an outlet and a power source for supplying power to the pump; a switch remote from the housing for activating the pump; and a tube leading from the outlet to a nozzle; the arrangement being such that when the inlet is placed in a liquid and the pump is activated, the liquid is pumped through the outlet to the nozzle to provide a cleansing jet of liquid.

2. A portable sanitary device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet is located in the base of the housing.

3. A portable sanitary device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet is provided with a filter therein.

4. A portable sanitary device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the housing is cylindrical.

5. A portable sanitary device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is made from plastic.

6. A portable sanitary device according to any preceding claim, wherein the tube connecting the outlet to the nozzle is made of a flexible material.

7. A portable sanitary device according to any preceding claim, wherein the tube material is silicone.

8. A portable sanitary device according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is detachable from the tube.

9. A portable sanitary device according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is disposable.

10. A portable sanitary device according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is mounted on a hand-held lance on the end of the tube.

11. A portable sanitary device according to claim 10, wherein the lance is more rigid than the tube.

12. A portable sanitary device according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is adapted to provide a fan-shaped spray.

13. A portable sanitary device according to claim 12, wherein the spray fans out in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle and tube, such that the nozzle, lance/tubing and arc of the spray extend in the same direction.

14. A portable sanitary device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the device provides a spray having an arc of approximately 10cm when the nozzle is placed at about that distance from the body.

15. A portable sanitary device according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the nozzle comprises a central chamber and an aperture from which the fan-shaped spray is delivered.

16. A portable sanitary device according to claim 15, wherein the aperture is formed from a cylindrical hole having a hemispherical top surface formed in the internal surface of the nozzle which is intersected by a straight-sided channel formed in the external surface of the nozzle.

17. A portable sanitary device according to any preceding claim, wherein the power source comprises a re-chargeable battery.

18. A portable sanitary device for cleansing the buttocks and anal region of the user, comprising an electric pump and a battery, both located in a housing, a switch connected to the pump by a flying lead for activating the pump, and a nozzle connected to an outlet of the pump by a flexible tube, the arrangement being such that in use an inlet to the pump is able to be placed in communication with a reservoir of liquid, whilst the nozzle is able to be held or mounted in a desired position for use, the switch being operable to activate the pump to cause a cleansing jet of the liquid to be supplied from the nozzle.

19. A portable sanitary device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.