GB2563938A

GB2563938A - First aid storage and dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2563938A
Application number: GB1710549.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-30
Filing date: 2017-06-30
Publication date: 2019-01-02
Also published as: GB201710549D0

Abstract

A first aid storage and dispensing apparatus (e.g. box) 10 has a receptacle 12 defining a volume for receiving at least one item such as an eyewash container and a lid 14 attached to the receptacle 12, the lid 14 having a first portion 48 and a second portion 50 at an angle to the first portion 48. The apparatus 10 can be moved between a closed condition (figure 1) in which the lid 14 covers the volume of the receptacle and in which a surface of the first portion 48 and a surface of the second portion 50 face the volume of the receptacle; and, an open condition (figure 4) in which an outer surface of the second portion 50 abuts an outer surface of the receptacle 12 such that the surface if the first portion 48 is substantially horizontal in use to provide a surface for handling e.g. eye wash.

Description

First aid storage and dispensing apparatus

The present invention is concerned with first aid storage and dispensing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a specific type of first aid apparatus known as an "eye wash station".

Eye wash stations are known in the art and are common in, for example, factories and industrial units where there is a risk of foreign materials entering workers' eyes. Eye wash stations typically hold a plurality of eye wash containers, each of which is sealed until use. Upon opening the eye wash is used to wash contaminants from the users' eye(s).

One known type of eye wash station comprises a flat, wall-mounted case having a mirror on the external surface thereof. Several individual eye wash containers are stacked within the case. Individual containers can be retrieved from a slot at the bottom of the case. Once retrieved, the container can be opened and the eye wash can be self-administered using the vertical mirror. A problem with this type of eye wash station is that there is no horizontal surface on which the user can rest or handle the eye wash container and any associated equipment such as an eye bath and / or dressings.

The same problem is evident in many first aid kits- although a container is provided, there is generally a lack of a clean area on which to handle the items within the kit, such as bandages etc.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate the afore mentioned problem with the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a first aid storage apparatus comprising: a receptacle defining a volume for receiving at least one item of first aid kit; a lid attached to the receptacle, the lid having a first portion and a second portion at an angle to the first portion; in which the first aid storage apparatus is movable between: a closed condition in which the lid covers the volume of the receptacle and in which a surface of the first portion and a surface of the second portion face the volume of the receptacle; and, an open condition in which the second portion abuts the receptacle such that the surface of the first portion is substantially horizontal to provide a surface for handling items of first aid kit.

This configuration has several advantages. Firstly, it presents the user with a flat horizontal surface for handling the items. Secondly, the surfaces (in particular the surface of the first portion, which is horizontal and upward facing in the open condition) are protected from e.g. dust and other contaminants in the closed condition. Therefore, they will be ready to use when the apparatus is opened. The abutment between the second portion of the lid and the receptacle also maintains the position of the first portion, even under load (making it more stable for supporting items from the kit).

The apparatus may be provided with a mirror. The mirror is provided to enable the user to self-administer first aid- in particular to the face. In the event that the apparatus is an eye wash station the mirror can be provided on the surface of the first portion such that it faces upwards in the open condition. This allows the user to look down into the mirror when inspecting their eyes. Alternatively, or in addition, a mirror could be provided on the surface of the second portion, and may be vertically disposed in the open condition.

Preferably the first and second portions are in the range of 60 - 120 degrees of each other.

Preferably the lid comprises a flange configured in the open condition to project upwardly around at least part of the surface of the first portion in use. This can prevent objects from falling from the lid in the open condition.

Preferably the flange surrounds surface of the first portion and meets the second portion to prevent liquid from spilling from the first portion in use.

Preferably which a ridge is defined on the receptacle and in which the flange abuts the ridge in the closed condition. This prevents over-closing and damage to the contents.

Preferably the lid is at least partially transparent.

Preferably the lid is rotatably attached to the receptacle.

Preferably the lid is rotatably attached to the receptacle to rotate towards a user from the closed condition to the open condition in use.

Preferably a front wall of the receptacle and the further surface of the second portion form a front wall of the station in the closed condition. Preferably a hinge is provided between the front wall of the receptacle and the further surface of the second portion. Preferably the hinge is a snap-fit hinge.

Preferably a removable divider is provided within the volume of the receptacle.

The apparatus may be an eyewash station configured to receive multiple pods and / or bottles.

An example eye wash station in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first aid storage and dispensing apparatus in accordance to the present invention in a closed condition;

Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear view of a part of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in an open condition; and,

Figure 5 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in an open condition.

Referring to the Figures a first aid storage and dispensing apparatus, specifically an eye wash station 10 comprises a receptacle 12 having a lid 14. The station 10 is typically mounted to a vertical surface 8 (see Figure 5) such as a wall. As such, the terms "top", "bottom", "vertical", "horizontal", "height", "front" and "rear" will be used in the context of the station 10 mounted in such a way in use.

The receptacle 12 comprises a base 16, two side walls 18, 20, a front wall 22 and a rear wall 24. The receptacle 14 defines an opening 26 opposite the base 16 to such that the receptacle 12 is in the form of an open box. The front wall 22 is shorter in height than the side walls 18, 20, by a distance DI as shown in Figure 1.

Proximate the upper edge of each of the side walls 18, 20 proximate the opening 26, each of the side walls defines an 'L' shaped ridge 28, 30 respectively. Each of the ridges 28 and 30 are spaced from the upper edge of the respective sidewall by a distance D (Figure 5). Each of the ridges 28, 30 extends parallel to the free edge of each sidewall 18, 20 from the rear wall 24 to the front wall 22 to form an inverted "L" shape.

Along the top edge of the front wall 22 adjacent the opening 26 there is provided a hinge attachment formation 32 which is suitable for forming a hinge along an axis X as shown Figure 1.

The rear wall 24 of the receptacle 12 is generally flat having two elongate protrusions 34, 36 which are spaced apart and generally vertically extending in use. Each of the protrusions 34, 36 is formed from a bead in the rear wall 24 and as such the protrusions 34, 36 are offset from the outer face of the rear wall 24. Each of the protrusions 34, 36 defines a pair of attachment holes 38, 40 respectively which can be used to attach the eye wash station 10 to the vertical surface 8 with mechanical fasteners.

On the inner surface of the rear wall 24 there is provided a divider receiving formation 42. Opposite the divider receiving formation 42 there is a divider receiving formation 44 on the front wall 22 of the receptacle 12. A divider 46 in the form of a flat plate can be inserted between the divider receiving formations 42, 44 to provide a division in the interior volume of the receptacle 12, as shown in Figure 4.

The receptacle 12 is constructed from an injection-moulded plastics material.

The lid 14 is generally 'L' shaped in cross section comprising a first portion 48 and a second portion 50 extending normal (i.e. at substantially 90 degrees) thereto (Figure 4). The first and second portions 48, 50 are attached via a radiused portion 52. A mirrored surface is provided on the first portion 48 in the form of a mirror 53 attached thereto. It will be noted that the mirror may be provided as a separate component which can be rested on, or subsequently attached to, the lid 14. Along the edge of the second portion 50 opposite the first portion 48 there is provided a hinge formation 54 which is snap-fitted to the hinge attachment formation 32 defined on the front wall 22 of the container 12, as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

The lid 14 comprises a flange 56 of depth D which extends all the way round its perimeter with the exception of the side on which the hinge formation 54 is defined.

The eye wash station 10 has two conditions shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4 respectively.

Figure 1 is the closed condition in which the lid 14 completely covers the opening 26 in the receptacle 12. The first portion 48 of the lid 14 is generally horizontal and parallel to the lower surface 16 of the receptacle 12 in this condition with the second portion 50 and the lid 14 extending vertically to cover the opening 26 between the top of the side walls 18, 20 and the top of the front wall 22. The flange 56 of the lid 14 bears on the outer surface of the sidewalls 18, 20 and the free end of the flange 56 bears against the ridges 28, 30 to hold the lid in the closed position and prevent over-closing. In this way, the eye wash station 10 is completely closed. It will be noted that this protects the eyewash containers which may be positioned within the receptacle, as well as protecting the interior surfaces of the lid 14.

In the open condition shown in Figure 4 the lid 14 has been rotated through 180 degrees about the axis X such that the second portion 50 bears against the exterior surface of the front wall 22 of the receptacle 12. In this position, the second portion 50 is again vertical but downwardly depending from the hinge axis X. The interior, mirrored, surface of the second portion 50 is exposed. The first portion 48 is in a horizontal position with its interior surface is now exposed with an upwardly depending flange 56.

In the open condition, a user can remove an eye wash container (not shown). The container can be handled and rested on the horizontal surface 48 of the lid 14. For example, that surface can be used to prepare an eye bath. The lip 56 prevents objects from falling from the lid 14, and also prevents liquids spilling therefrom which may otherwise create a slip hazard. The user can inspect the eye using the mirror 53. It will be noted that eye wash containers which are known in the art can be stored within the container 12 and separated by the divider 46 in both the open and closed configurations of the eye wash station.

Finally, it will be noted that the protrusions 38, 40 on the rear of the container 12 are advantageous to provide the free end of the lid 14 clearance when moving from the open to the closed position and vice versa.

In a preferred embodiment, the lid 14 is provided as a transparent component so that the user can easily see the contents of the container 12 which is useful for example for checking stock levels.

Although the surface 50 comprising the mirror 53 is horizontal in the open condition in this embodiment, this is not essential. The mirror 53 may be provided on the vertical surface of the lid, in addition to, or instead of, the horizontal surface. A vertical mirrored surface may be angled upwardly, for example if the station is mounted at a low position. In this case, the internal angle between the portions 48, 50 would be greater than 90 degrees. What is important is that the mirror 53 faces outwardly from the station 10 so the user can see what they are doing.

Although an eye wash station is described above, it will be noted that the apparatus can be used to store other first aid kit components such as dressings, bandages, shears, medicines and the like.

Claims

1. A first aid storage and dispensing apparatus comprising: a receptacle defining a volume for receiving at least one item of first aid kit; a lid attached to the receptacle, the lid having a first portion and a second portion at an angle to the first portion; in which the first aid storage and dispensing apparatus is movable between: a closed condition in which the lid covers the volume of the receptacle and in which a surface of the first portion a surface of the second portion face the volume of the receptacle; and, an open condition in which the second portion abuts the receptacle such that the surface of the first portion is substantially horizontal in use to provide a surface for handling items of first aid kit.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a mirrored surface on the surface of the first portion.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a mirrored surface on the surface of the second portion.

4. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the lid comprises a flange configured in the open condition to project upwardly around at least part of the surface of the first portion in use.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, in which the flange surrounds surface of the first portion and meets the second portion to prevent liquid from spilling from the first portion in use.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, in which a ridge is defined on the receptacle and in which the flange abuts the ridge in the closed condition.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the lid is at least partially transparent.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the lid is rotatably attached to the receptacle.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, in which the lid is rotatably attached to the receptacle to rotate towards a user from the closed condition to the open condition in use.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, in which a front wall of the receptacle and a further surface of the second portion form a front wall of the station in the closed condition.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, in which a hinge is provided between the front wall of the receptacle and the further surface of the second portion.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, in which the hinge is a snap-fit hinge.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a removable divider within the volume of the receptacle.

14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one eyewash bottle stored within the receptacle.