GB2439044A

GB2439044A - Apparatus for use in washing a persons hair intended to fit around the person's neck

Info

Publication number: GB2439044A
Application number: GB0611799A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Charles Sales
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-14
Filing date: 2006-06-14
Publication date: 2007-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-14
Also published as: GB2439044B; GB0611799D0

Abstract

Apparatus 2 for use in washing a person's hair comprises first 6 and second 8 trays with respective entrance portions 10,14 intended in use to fit around a person's neck and a collar 16 to secure the trays together such that the person's hair can be washed without water running onto those parts of the person located below the apparatus.

Description

1 2439044

APPARATUS FOR USE

IN WASHING A PERSON'S HAIR This invention relates to apparatus for use in washing a person's hair.

Able bodied persons tend to wash their own hair, for example whilst taking a shower, or by bending over a sink or a bath. Disabled persons may have to have someone else wash their hair for them. There are often occasions when the disabled persons cannot conveniently get to a sink or a bath. The hair washing then becomes a problem because of the need to dispose of the water used for washing the hair.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in washing a person's hair, which apparatus comprises a first tray, a second tray, a first entrance formation in the first tray for enabling the first tray to fit around the person's neck, a second entrance formation in the second tray for enabling the second tray to fit around the person's neck, and collar means for forming a water-tight seal between the person's neck and the apparatus, and the apparatus being such that the second tray fits on top of the first tray and enables the person's hair to be washed without water from the washing running onto parts of the person underneath the apparatus.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used in a wide variety of situations. For example, the apparatus may be used to wash the hair of disabled persons who have difficulty in controlling their movements and who thus cannot sit or stand still for the required amount of time. The apparatus may alternatively be used for persons who are bed-ridden and cannot get out of bed. The apparatus may also be used for persons who find difficulty in bending forwards into a sink or bath, or leaning backwards into a sink or bath. Generally, the apparatus of the present invention can be used as appropriate to assist in the washing of a person's hair who finds difficulty in washing their own hair and who needs their hair to be washed in a location where water from the hair washing would normally present a problem.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which the first entrance formation is of a V-shape leading to a first part-circular neck-receiving portion, and in which the second entrance formation is of a V-shape leading to a second part-circular neck-receiving portion, the first and the second part-circular neck-receiving portions being in registry when the second tray is on top of the first tray.

The apparatus may be one in which the first tray, the second tray, and the collar means are secured together with releasable members comprising a matrix of interlocking push/pull plastics members. Such interlocking push/pull plastics members are well known under the registered trade mark Velcro. Other types of securing means for securing the first tray, the second tray and the collar means together may be employed.

Usually, the first tray and the second tray will be made of a plastics material. The first and the second trays can then be made to be such that they are light and are easily dried and cleaned after use. Any suitable and appropriate plastics materials may be employed.

The collar means is preferably made of a rubber material or a plastics material. The collar means needs to be sufficiently flexible that it can be placed around the person's neck. Usually, the collar means will then extend over the second tray, and thereby over the first tray which will be underneath the second tray during use of the apparatus.

The first tray may advantageously include drain means for draining water from the apparatus.

The drain means may include an outlet stub from the first tray. An outlet pipe may be connected to the outlet stub.

The apparatus may be one in which the first tray and/or the second tray includes flow-directing means for directing the flow of water from the first tray and/or the second tray. The flow-directing means may comprise walls on the first tray and/or the second tray. Other types of flow-directing means may be employed.

The apparatus may include padding means for providing padding between the apparatus and the person having their hair washed. The padding means may provide extra comfort for the person during use of the apparatus. The padding means may be made of a foam material or any other suitable and appropriate material. Advantageously, the padding means, for example the foam material, has a continuous outer skin so that the padding means does not tend to absorb water that might get onto the padding means during use of the apparatus.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view showing the apparatus in use; Figure 2 is an end view looking in the direction of arrow A shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view looking in the direction of arrow B shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 but without the person's head; Figure 5 is a top plan view of a first tray used in the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a top plan view of a second tray used in the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a top plan view of collar means forming part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view showing how the first and the second trays fit together; and Figure 9 is a side view illustrating how the collar means fits around the person's neck; Referring to the drawings, there is shown apparatus 2 for use in washing a person's hair 4. The apparatus 2 comprises a first tray 6 and a second tray 8. As shown in Figure 5, the first tray 6 has a first entrance formation 10 for enabling the first tray 6 to fit around the person's neck 12.

As shown in Figure 6, the second tray 8 has a second entrance formation 14 for enabling the second tray 8 to fit around the person's neck 12.

The apparatus 2 also comprises collar means 16 for forming a water-tight seal between the person's neck 12 and the apparatus 2. The apparatus 2 is such that the second tray 8 fits on top of the first tray 6 and enables the person's hair 4 to be washed without water from the washing running onto parts of the person 18 underneath the apparatus 2.

The person 2 may be a disabled person who has difficulty washing their own hair, and who needs their hair 4 washed by another person (not shown). Thus, for example the person 18 may be a disabled person who suffers from continual jerky movements such as occurs with Parkinson's disease or St. Vitus's dance. Alternatively, the person 18 may be a person who is bed-ridden, for example due to a broken leg or a severe operation requiring a prolonged stay in bed.

As can best be appreciated from Figures 5, 6 and 8 the first entrance formation 10 is of a V-shape leading to a first part-circular neck-receiving portion 20. The second entrance formation 14 is also of a V-shape and it leads to a second part-circular neck-receiving portion 22. The first and second part-circular neck-receiving portions 20, 22 are in registry when the second tray 8 is on top of the first tray 6.

The first tray 6, the second tray 8, and the collar means 16 are secured together with releasable members comprising a matrix of interlocking push-pull plastics members such for example as those sold under the registered trade mark Velcro. As shown in Figure 5, the first tray 6 is provided with a strip 24 of the interlocking members. As shown in Figure 6, the second tray 8 is provided with a strip 26 of the interlocking plastics members. Figure 8 shows how the first and second trays 6, 8 are provided with pads 28 of the interlocking plastics members. Figure 7 shows how the collar means 16 is in the form of a circular device having ends 30, 32 which are able to overlap each other and be secured together by two strips 34, 36 of the interlocking members. By this means, the neck-receiving aperture 38 in the collar means 16 is able to be adjusted in size to closely fit around the person's neck 12, irrespective of the size of the person's neck 12. Thus the apparatus 2 can be used for washing the hair of different persons, for example by a nurse of care attendant washing the hair of different persons in a hospital or nursing home.

The first and the second trays 6, 8 are made of a plastics material.

The plastics material is able to be made thin so that the first and the second trays 6, 8 are light yet sufficiently rigid for their purpose. The collar means 16 is made of a rubber material or a plastics material. Neoprene is a presently preferred material.

As can best be appreciated from Figure 1, the first tray 6 is provided with drain means 40 for draining water from the apparatus 2. Water from washing the hair will usually run first into the second tray 8, and then into the first tray 6 where it may be removed via the drain means 40. The drain means 40 includes an outlet sub 42 extending from the bottom of the first tray 6.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the second tray 8 includes flow-directing means in the form of corner walls 44. The corner walls 44 direct the flow of water from the second tray 6 towards the drain means 40 which comprises an outlet hole 46 in the first tray 6.

As can be appreciated from Figures 1, 2, 3 and 8, the first tray 6 has sidewalls 48 which slope from a front end 50 to a rear end 52. The second tray 8 has side walls 54 but these side walls 54 slope from a rear end 56 down to a front end 58. The rear end 52 of the first tray 6 extends inwardly from the side walls 48 and then defines the opening for the first entrance formation 10. Similarly, the front end 58 of the second tray 8 extends inwardly from the side walls 54 and defines the second entrance formation 14.

As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 2 has a length of foam material 62 provided on the underneath surface 64 of the first tray 6. This strip of foam material 62 extends transversely of the first tray 6 and it is able to rest on a chest (not shown) of the person 18. This helps to make the apparatus 2 very comfortable for the person 18 whilst they are wearing the apparatus 2 and having their hair 4 washed. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the part-circular neck-receiving portions 20, 22 may be surrounded by foam material 66 in order to ensure that the person's neck 12 is not unduly pressed upon by the first and the second trays 6, 8.

The apparatus 2 is thus such that it can be made of a lightweight material and comfortable to wear. The apparatus 2 is efficient in removing washing water from the vicinity of the person 18. The apparatus 2 can be produced at an economical price, thereby making it suitable for use in persons' own homes, or in hospitals or nursing homes.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the first and the second trays 6, 8 and the collar means 16 may be of different shapes to those shown. A pipe (not shown) for draining purposes may be fitted to the outlet stub 44. The pipe may lead to a bucket, bowl or other container, If it is desired to spray water onto the person's hair 4, then this may be effected using pump means (not shown) pumping water from another container (not shown).

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for use in washing a person's hair, which apparatus comprises a first tray, a second tray, a first entrance formation in the first tray for enabling the first tray to fit around the person's neck, a second entrance formation in the second tray for enabling the second tray to fit around the person's neck, and collar means for forming a water-tight seal between the person's neck and the apparatus, and the apparatus being such that the second tray fits on top of the first tray and enables the person's hair to be washed without water from the washing running onto parts of the person underneath the apparatus.

2. Apparatus according to claim I in which the first entrance formation is of a V-shape leading to a first part-circular neck-receiving portion, and in which the second entrance formation is of a V-shape leading to a second part-circular neck-receiving portion, the first and second part-circular neck-receiving portions being in registry when the second tray is on top of the first tray.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the first tray, the second tray, and the collar means are secured together with releasable members comprising a matrix of interlocking push/pull plastics members.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first tray and the second tray are made of a plastics material.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the collar means is made of a rubber material or a plastics material.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first tray includes drain means for draining water from the apparatus.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the drain means includes an outlet stub from the first tray.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first tray and/or the second tray includes flow-directing means for directing the flow of water from the first tray and/or the second tray.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the flow-directing means comprises walls in the first tray and/or the second tray.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including padding means for providing padding between the apparatus and the person having their hair washed.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the padding means is a foam material.

12. Apparatus for use in washing a person's hair, substantially has herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.