IE910161A1 - A disinfectant bath - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a bath for disinfecting comprising of a support means, a reservoir for disinfectant and a moveable lid for covering the reservoir. The support means comprises a thread for accommodating a foot (or other part of the body) , whereby pressure on the thread engages a linkage arm. This linkage arm (being connected from the base of the bath to the lid) forces the lid open, allowing access to the reservoir. On removal of this pressure, the linkage arm, controlled, if desired, by a pivot saddle (or using counter weights) engages the lid to the closed position thereby reducing the possibility of deleterious dilution of the disinfectant.

Description

The present invention relates to disinfectant baths and more particularly to a disinfectant bath for feet, hooves or the like .

In many instances the spread of viral, fungal and other infections are prevented by use of a disinfectant bath.

Where intensive farming of fowl or animals takes place a bath may be provided at the entrance and/or exit of an enclosure such that no infectious material is carried from one enclosure to the next. The entrance and/or exit of a controlled area may be provided with a trough or reservoir containing a disinfectant agent, for example a disinfectant liquid, such that access to or exit from an area cannot be achieved without the user passing through the disinfectant agent.

Disinfectant baths may be found in a wide range of locations ranging from farm yards and animal enclosures to swimming pools and ferry ports and docks. Disinfectant baths may be used for the whole or part of the body of a human or animal.

In general, disinfectant baths are used in open areas and are exposed to dilution of the disinfectant agent. For example, where a disinfectant bath is being used on a farm -8 ί ϋ : g -j or in other open areas rain water will dilute the disinfectant agent. The disinfectant agent of a bath may also be diluted where the bath is in use between a swimming pool and changing rooms which are regularly hosed with copious amounts of water some of which may flow into the bath. The activity of the disinfectant agent may be deleteriously affected or destroyed by dilution.

A known solution to the above disadvantage is to provide a 10 lid covering the reservoir of disinfectant liquid.

Unfortunately, lids are often left open after use. If lids are not left open animals will walk over said lids avoiding the disinfectant agent and possibly damaging the lids.

Where a bath is to be used by farm animals passing from one enclosure to another the lid must be left open for the animals to avail of the bath.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the disadvantages associated with prior art disinfectant baths.

The present invention provides a bath for disinfectant comprising a support means, a reservoir for a disinfectant substance, the reservoir defining an open mouth to provide access to the disinfectant substance for the feet or other part of the body of a user, a movable lid for covering the open mouth, and operating means for moving the lid in response to a foot or other part of the body engaging the support means and being removed therefrom for, respectively, opening and closing the lid.

Advantageously, the operating means is connected to the lid, and the operating means and support means are relatively movable, so that on one of said means being moved relative to the other, the operating means opens or closes the lid.

Preferably, the operating means comprises a linkage arm.

Conveniently, the support means is mounted on a base and is movable relative thereto in response to a foot or other part of the body being engaged with or removed from the support means, the linkage arm being connected to the base so that on movement of the support means relative to the base, the linkage arm opens or closes the lid.

Advantageously, the support means is pivotally mounted in the base and comprises a tread for accommodating a foot or other part of the body of the user whereby pressure on the tread forces the lid to open to allow access to the reservoir.

Preferably, the tread is provided intermediate the pivot connection of the support means and the reservoir. Advantageously, the lid is pivotally mounted on the reservoir with the pivot axis of the lid being parallel to the pivot axis connecting the base and the support means.

Advantageously, the lid is pivotally connected to the reservoir along an edge most remote from the pivot axis between the support means and the base. Conveniently, the linkage arm is pivotally connected to the lid, and the pivot axis of the linkage arm to the lid is parallel to the pivot axis of the lid. Preferably the pivot axis of the linkage arm is disposed intermediate the pivot axis of the lid and the pivot axis of the support means and the base.

Advantageously, the lid includes means for biasing the lid towards the closed position. Conveniently, the biasing means comprises a counterweight fixed to the lid remote from the pivot axis of the lid.

Advantageously, the support means comprises a housing which defines the reservoir. Preferably, a sponge mat is provided in the reservoir for storing the disinfectant. — 9 ί U i 5 1 The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, three embodiments of disinfectant bath according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a first embodiment of bath in an inoperational position; Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of the first 10 embodiment of bath in an operational position; Figure 3 is a plan view of the bath of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the bath of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of bath in an inoperational position; Figure 6 is a front elevation of the second embodiment of 20 bath in an operational position; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the bath of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of bath 25 in an inoperational position; and Figure 9 is a sectional side elevation of the third embodiment of bath in an operational position.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is illustrated a foot 5 bath according to a first embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 100 for a disinfectant for dipping feet or the like. The foot bath 100 comprises a base, namely, a ground engaging base 105 of stainless steel material. A support means comprising a housing 110 is pivotally connected to the base 105 along a pivot axis 115 along an edge where the base 105 and housing 110 meet. The housing 110 is pivotally connected to the base 105 by a hinge 115, in this case, a piano hinge. The housing 110 is of fibreglass material, and defines a reservoir 130 for receiving a disinfectant substance. The reservoir 130 is formed by a base 124, a pair of side walls 120 and 121 joined by end walls 122 and 123, all formed integrally together in the housing 110. The side and end walls 120, 121 and 123 define an open mouth to provide access to the interior of the reservoir 130 to a foot or the like.

A lid 145 pivotally connected to the housing 110 closes the open mouth. The lid 145 is also of fibreglass and is pivotally connected to the housing 110 by a pivot pin 147 which engages side lips of the lid 145 and is pivotally supported in the end wall 122 of the reservoir 130. Star washer caps 148 on the ends of the pivot pin 147 secure the pivot pin 147 in position. The pivot pin 147 defines a pivot axis of the lid 145 which is parallel to the pivot axis 115 of the hinge pivotally connecting the housing 110 to the base 105 . Furthermore, as can be seen, the lid 145 is pivoted to the reservoir 130 along the edge most remote from the pivot axis 115. A front lip 150 extending downwardly from the lid 145 joins the side lips and deflects water run-off from the lid away from the interior of the reservoir 130. A counterweight 160 mounted in the lid 145 adjacent the front lip 150 urges the lid 145 into the closed position illustrated in Figure 1 .

The side walls 120 and 121 of the reservoir extend towards the pivot axis 115. A flat portion of the housing 110 extending between the walls forms a foot tread 135 for engaging a foot or other part of the body.

Operating means for opening and closing the lid 145 in response to a foot being engaged on or removed from the tread 135, respectively, comprises a pair of linkage arms 155 pivotally connected to the base member 105 by a pivot r $ 3 -4' ί $ 1 saddle 157. The linkage arms 155 are also pivotally connected to the lid 145 about a pivot axis 162. The linkage arms 155 are formed in one piece and are bent to form a connecting member 159 extending between the linkage arms 155. The connecting member 159 is pivotally engaged in the saddle 157. The linkage arms 155 are bent to form pivot shafts 162 which pivotally engage pivot holes 163 in the side lips of the lid 145. The pivot shafts 162 define the pivot axis 162 which is parallel to the pivot axes 115 and 147 and is provided intermediate the two axes 115 and 147.

The pivot axis defined by the connecting member 159 is also parallel to the three pivot axes 115, 147 and 162.

The weight of the counterweight 160 is chosen so that the turning moment of the counterweight 160 about the pivot pin 147 acting to close the lid 145 is greater than the turning moment of the assembly of the housing 110, lid 145 and contents of the reservoir 130 acting about the pivot axis 115 urging the said assembly to lie parallel with the base 105. Accordingly, in its normal equilibrium position with the disinfectant in the reservoir 130, the lid 145 will be closed. Furthermore, the turning moment of the counterweight 160 about the pivot pin 147 is sufficiently low that on an individual placing his or her foot and at least part of the weight of their body on the tread 135 the fa : U housing 110 is pivoted downwardly to lie parallel to the base 105 as illustrated in Figure 2. Thereby, the linkage arm 155 opens the lid 145. On removal of the foot from the tread 135 or any other part of the housing 110, the moment of the counterweight 160 about the pivot shaft 147 causes the lid 145 to close, thereby raising the housing 110 into the position illustrated in Figure 1.

In this embodiment of the invention, a sponge mat (not 10 shown) is placed in the interior of the reservoir 130. A disinfectant liquid is impregnated in the sponge mat.

For convenience, the housing 110 is formed to shell like construction so that the walls 120, 121, 122, 123 and 124 are of double-skinned construction. Such shell construction will be well known to those skilled in the art.

In use, with the sponge (not shown) in the reservoir 130 impregnated with disinfectant, an individual places his or her foot on the tread 135, thereby pivoting the housing 110 about the pivot axis 115 into the position illustrated in Figure 2. With the lid 145 open, the other foot is dipped in the reservoir for disinfecting the shoe, boot or the like. The positions of the feet are then reversed so that the other foot can be dipped in the reservoir. On the individual removing his or her feet from the reservoir 130 and the the tread 135, the counterweight 160 pivots the lid closed, thus raising the housing 110 to the position illustrated in Figure 1 relative to the base 105.

While the housing and lid of the foot bath have been described as being of fibreglass material, the housing and lid may be of any other suitable material. Needless to say, the base may be of any other material besides stainless steel, as indeed, the linkage arms may also be of material other than stainless steel.

While the support means has been described as comprising a housing, while this is advantageous, it is not essential. Needless to say, instead of providing a counter weight for providing an urging means to close the lid, any other biasing means may be provided, for example, spring biasing or the like.

Additionally, any other arrangement of linkage arms may be provided and indeed, any other suitable operating means for opening and closing the lid may be provided. It will of course be appreciated that it is not essential that the housing be pivotally connected to the ground engaging base. The housing may be movably connected in any other ti \ Where the first embodiment of bath 100 is being used on a farm, or the like, boot scrapers and/or brushes may be provided to remove excess dirt before disinfecting said boots in the disinfectant agent, thus extending the usable life of the disinfectant.

A second embodiment of disinfecting bath 200 is shown in Figures 5 to 7. This arrangement of bath 200 may be used for farm animals such as cows, sheep and pigs which may be moved regularly from one enclosure to another. This bath may also be used where relatively large numbers of users are to avail of the bath, for example, between a swimming pool and changing/dressing rooms where entry/exit from a controlled area must be accompanied by a disinfecting wash.

The bath 200 comprises an elongate rectangular ground engaging base 205 which is pivotally mounted to a support means 210 by a pivot 215 along one side of the bath. The support means comprises four walls 220, 221, 222, 223, and a base 224 which together define the reservoir 230. Treads 235 are attached to the side walls 220, 221. Entrance and exit treads 235 are provided to actuate a lid 245 covering the reservoir. When a user approaches the disinfectant bath 200 they will step onto one of the treads 235 which opens the lid 245 in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment of bath 100. The lid 245 pivotally moves around a shank 247 which has stops 248 at each end. The shank is held by brackets 250 which are fixed to either the side walls 220, 221 or the rear wall 222. Linkage arms 255 are provided between the lid 245 and the base 205 where the linkage arm connection member 259 is held in retainer 257.

A damper (not shown) may be attached to the lid 245 such that animals using the bath will not be startled by sudden movements, for example, the motion of the lid, when they step on or off the entrance or exit treads 235.

Where the bath of the second embodiment is being used to disinfect animal hooves between controlled areas, brushes or the like may be provided on the entrance and/or exit treads such that excess dirt may be removed before the animal enters the bath.

Finally, with reference to Figures 8 to 9, a third 25 embodiment of bath 300 is shown comprising a ground engaging & Η 1 β 1 base 305 and a support means 310 which are relatively movable about a pivot 315. The support means 310 comprises side walls 320, 321, a rear wall 322 and a tread 335. The base 305 has a reservoir 330 attached thereto for a disinfecting agent. As in the first 100 and second 200 embodiments of the bath, the present disinfectant bath 300 has a lid 345 which is opened when a user steps onto the treads 335. The 345 lid pivots about a shank 347 which is held by a bracket 350 which is attached to the rear wall of the reservoir 330 or forms part of said rear wall. The lid 345 is attached to the rear wall 322 of the support means 310 by a communicating link. The link preferably comprises a double hinge 355. When a user steps onto the tread plate 335, the rear portion of the lid is dragged rearwardly and downwardly, towards the rear wall 322 of the support means and the free end of the lid 345 pivots upwardly exposing the reservoir 330 for use.

It will of course be obvious to those skilled in the art that the mechanism of the third embodiment of bath 300 may be applied to the arrangement of the second embodiment of bath 200.

The disinfectant baths of the present invention may be formed of galvanised metal, fibreglass, a plastics material or a combination of these materials.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS : 1. 0

1. A bath for disinfectant comprising a support means, a reservoir for a disinfectant substance, the reservoir

2. A bath as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating means is connected to the lid, and the operating means and support means are relatively movable, so that on one of

3. A bath according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the operating means comprises a linkage arm.

4. A bath as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support means is mounted on a base and is movable relative thereto in response to a foot or other part of the body being engaged with or removed from the support means, the 25 linkage arm being connected to the base so that on movement 5. Embodiments herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 4 or 5 to 7 or 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings .

5. A bath according to claim 4, wherein the support means is pivotally mounted in the base. 5 defining an open mouth to provide access to the disinfectant substance for the feet or other part of the body of a user, a movable lid for covering the open mouth, and operating means for moving the lid in response to a foot or other part of the body engaging the support means and being removed

6. A bath as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support means comprises a tread for accommodating a foot or other part of the body of the user whereby pressure on the tread forces the lid to open to allow access to the reservoir.

7. A bath according to claim 6, wherein the tread is provided intermediate the pivot connection of the support means and the reservoir. 8. ~ 8 1 Μ (Π 10. A bath as claimed in any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the linkage arm is pivotally connected to the lid, and the pivot axis of the linkage arm to the lid is parallel to the pivot axis of the lid.

8. A bath according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted on the reservoir with the pivot axis of the lid being parallel to the pivot axis connecting the base and the support means.

9. A bath as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lid is pivotally connected to the reservoir along an edge most remote from the pivot axis between the support means and the base. - 9 1 Π 'ιί 0 1 4 of the support means relative to the base, the linkage arm opens or closes the lid.

10. Therefrom for, respectively, opening and closing the lid.

11. A bath according to claim 10, wherein the pivot axis of the linkage arm is disposed intermediate the pivot axis of the lid and the pivot axis of the support means and the base .

12. A bath as claimed in claim 11, in which the lid includes means for biasing the lid towards the closed position. 15

13. A bath as claimed in claim 12, in which the biasing means comprises a counterweight fixed to the lid remote from the pivot axis of the lid.

14. A bath according to any of the preceding claims, 20 wherein the support means comprises a housing which defines the reservoir.

15. A bath as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a sponge mat is provided in the reservoir for 25 storing the disinfectant. ,. G ii 1 - , • - , ,- , 15 said means being moved relative to the other, the operating means opens or closes the lid.

16. A bath according to any preceding claim substantially as herein described.

17. A bath substantially in accordance with any of the

18. The features described in the foregoing specification, or any obvious equivalent thereof, in any novel selection.