Patent Application
20220369866
The present invention relates generally to a wash station in which a user can easily wash his or her hands. More specifically, the invention pertains to an assembly wash station in which a plurality of users can easily and quickly wash their hands simultaneously. Optionally, the wash station can be a mobile assembly wash station that is easily rollable to a desired location.
Wash stations configured so that a user can wash their hands have been known for some time. Moreover, there are known wash stations in which multiple users can wash their hands at the same time, such as in a stadium or arena restroom.
However, it can be desirable to have a mobile wash station that can easily be moved or positioned in a desired location. For example, the wash station could be positioned outside a factory so that each person entering the factory has clean hands upon entry. If conditions change so that less cleanliness is required before entering the factory, the mobile wash station can easily be repositioned or stored away for later use. In another example, the wash station could be positioned in or adjacent to a school cafeteria so that everyone entering the cafeteria can quickly and easily wash their hands. Again, if conditions change the mobile wash station can easily be repositioned or stored away for later use.
Disclosed herein is an assembly wash station that is easily movable to a desired location so that a plurality of users can use the station at the same time. Also disclosed herein is a method of washing the hands of a plurality of users at the same time.
In one aspect, an assembly wash station with which a plurality of users can easily and quickly wash the hands of the users is provided. The assembly wash station comprises a structural frame; a wash basin supported by the frame at a desired height relative to a surface upon which the wash station is positioned, wherein the wash basin comprises a lip, a first side and a second side; a water supply system configured to provide water to the assembly wash station, wherein at least a portion of the water supply system is positioned above the basin such that water ejected from the water supply system is usable to wash the hands of the users as the water falls towards the wash basin; and a soap dispenser securedly attached to the frame at a position adjacent to the basin, wherein the soap dispenser is configured to selectively supply soap to the plurality of users.
In another aspect, a method of easily and quickly washing the hands of a plurality of users at the same time is provided. The method comprises providing an assembly wash station comprising: a structural frame; a wash basin supported by the frame at a desired height relative to a surface upon which the wash station is positioned, wherein the wash basin comprises a lip, a first side and a second side; a water supply system configured to provide water to the assembly wash station, wherein at least a portion of the water supply system is positioned above the basin such that water ejected from the water supply system is usable to wash the hands of the users as the water falls towards the wash basin; and a soap dispenser securedly attached to the frame at a position adjacent to the basin, wherein the soap dispenser is configured to selectively supply soap to the plurality of users; positioning the assembly wash station at a desired location; and coupling the water supply system to a source of water such that water flows through the water supply system towards the wash basin.
Related methods of operation are also provided. Other apparatuses, methods, systems, features, and advantages of the assembly wash station will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional apparatuses, methods, systems, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the assembly wash station, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, and claims, and their previous and following description. Before the present system, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific systems, devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known aspect. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the aspects described, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an “element” includes aspects having two or more elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
This application relates to an assembly wash station. This application also relates to methods of making an assembly wash station, and well as methods of using an assembly wash station. In one aspect, and as illustrated in
In one aspect, the frame 12 can comprise a first frame portion 22 configured to rest on or near the ground or floor 30 and a second frame portion 24 configured to support the wash basin 14 at a predetermined height. That is, the frame 12 can have a first frame height 26 sized so that a lip 28 of the wash basin 14 is at a desired height relative to the surface 30 upon which the wash station 10 is positioned. For example, if an assembly wash station 10 is to be provided to an elementary school, the first frame height 26 can be less than the first frame height 26 of an assembly wash station 10 that is to be provided to a factory.
In another aspect, the frame 12 can further comprise a third frame portion 32 configured to support the water supply system 16, the soap dispenser and/or the drying device 20 at a predetermined height. That is, the frame 12 can have a second frame height 34 sized so that at least one of the water supply system 16, the soap dispenser 18 and the drying device 20 are at a desired height above the ground or floor 30. For example, the assembly wash station 10 for an elementary school can have a second frame height 34 that is less than the second frame height 34 of an assembly wash station 10 that is to be provided to a college. The second frame height 34 can be greater than the first frame height 26. It is contemplated that the frame 12 can further comprise a fourth frame portion, a fifth frame portion, or any number of frame portions in order to support other elements of the assembly wash station at a desired height relative to the ground or floor 30.
The frame 12 can be a substantially rigid frame sized and shaped to provide structural support to at least the wash basin 14. The frame 12 can be formed from any number of materials. For example and without limitation, the frame 12 can be formed from rigid materials such as wood, steel, aluminum and the like.
In one aspect, the frame 12 can comprise a plurality of wheels or casters 34 coupled to a portion of the first frame portion 22 to enable the wash station 10 to easily be rolled. The casters 34 can be securedly attached to a lower member 36 of the first frame portion 22. That is, the casters 34 can be coupled to the frame 12 such that the casters 34 are positioned between the frame 12 and the surface 30 upon which the wash station 10 is positioned. In another aspect, at least one of the casters 34 can be a locking caster 34 so that the once the assembly wash station 10 is positioned in a desired location, the caster can be locked to fix the wash station 10 in the desired location.
The wash basin 14 can be an elongate basin 14 sized and shaped so that multiple users can use the wash basin 14 at the same time. For example, the basin 14 can have a basin width 38 such that two, three, four, five or more than five users can wash their hands over the basin 14 simultaneously. At least one drain hole (not shown) can be defined in a lower surface 40 of the wash basin so that any water collected in the basin 14 can be directed through a drain pipe 42 to a suitable disposal site, such as a sewer system, a septic system and the like. In one aspect, the basin 14 can be formed from conventional materials that are easy to clean, such as stainless steel, porcelain, ceramics and the like.
The water supply system 16 comprises at least one supply pipe 44, such as a series of pipes coupled together. The at least one supply pipe 44 can be configured to provide water from a source of water, such as a well or a municipal water supplier, to the assembly wash station 10. The water supply system 16 can further comprise an elongate header 46 in fluid communication with the at least one supply pipe. In one aspect, the header 46 can be positioned above the basin 14 so that water exiting the header 46 drops into the wash basin 14. The elongate header 46 can have a header length 48 that is equal to or less than the basin width 38. In another aspect, a plurality of holes 50 can be defined in a lower portion 52 of the header 46 so that water in the header 46 can be ejected from the header 46 through the holes 50 towards the wash basin 14. The header 46 and/or the plurality of holes 50 can be sized, shaped and positioned so that an approximately equal volume of water is ejected through each hole 50 of the plurality of holes 50.
In one aspect, the plurality of holes 50 can be substantially evenly spaced along the elongate header length 48. For example, a hole of the plurality of holes 50 can be defined about one half of an inch from an adjacent hole 50. In other examples, a hole of the plurality of holes 50 can be defined about an inch, about 1.5 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, about 3 inches or more than about 3 inches from an adjacent hole 48. In another aspect, at least a portion of the plurality of holes 50 can be unevenly spaced along the elongate header length. For example, a first cluster of holes 50 can be evenly spaced from each other, and a second cluster of holes 50 can be evenly spaced from each other, while the first and second clusters of holes can be separated from each other by having no holes 50 in the elongate header 46 for a predetermined distance. For example, the last hole 50 of the first cluster can be unevenly spaced from the first hole 50 of the second cluster. In this aspect, the first cluster of holes 50 can define a first washing location along the elongate header 46 and the second cluster of holes 50 can define a second washing location along the header 46. As can be appreciated, there can be any numbers of clusters of holes and any number of washing locations defined along the elongate header 46.
In another aspect, each hole of the plurality of holes 50 can have a hole diameter sized such that a desired volume of water exits the hole per second. For example, the hole diameter can be about 1/16 inch, about ⅛ inch, about 3/16 inch, about ¼ inch, about 5/16 inch, about ⅜ inch, about 7/16 inch, about inch, or greater than inch.
The water supply system 16 can be configured so that water continuously flows from the holes 50 in the elongate header 46 to the wash basin 14. Optionally, the water supply system 16 can comprise a valve (not shown) positioned between the source of water and the header 46 that can selectively be closed to turn off the flow of water from the elongate header 46. In one aspect, the water supply system 16 can further comprise a motion detection sensor (not shown) that is configured to detect when the hands of a user are positioned under the header 46 and/or above the wash basin 14. In this aspect, the sensor can cause the flow of water to stop unless a user is using the assembly wash station 10.
The soap dispenser 18 can be configured to selectively supply soap to a user of the assembly wash station 10. In one aspect, the soap dispenser 18 can be securedly attached to the frame 12 at a position adjacent to the wash basin 14. For example, the soap dispenser 18 can be positioned adjacent to a first side 54 or a second side 56 of the basin 14. Optionally, the soap dispenser 18 can be positioned at a height above the lip 28 of the wash basin 14 so that it is easy for a user to access the soap dispenser 18.
The drying device 20 can be configured to help the user of the assembly wash station 10 dry his or her hands. For example, the drying device 20 can be a paper towel dispenser. In another example, the drying device 20 can be a forced-air hand dryer. In one aspect, the drying device 20 can be securedly attached to the frame 12 at a position adjacent to the wash basin 14. For example, the drying device 20 can be positioned adjacent to the first side 54 or the second side 56 of the basin 14. In one aspect, the drying device 20 can be positioned on an opposed side of the wash basin 14 from the soap dispenser 18. Optionally, the drying device 20 can be positioned at a height above the lip 28 of the basin 14 so that it is easy for a user to access the drying device 20.
To use the assembly wash station 10, the station can be rolled or carried to a desired location. The at least one supply pipe 44 can be fluidly coupled to a source of water, such as a well or a municipal water supplier and the like. The drain pipe 42 can be fluidly coupled to a water disposal site, such as a sewer system, a septic system and the like. Water can flow from the source of water, through the at least one supply pipe 44 to the header 46. The water can exit the header 46 through the plurality of holes 50 and fall into the wash basin 14. The drain pipe 42 can direct water from the basin 14 to be disposed of. Soap can be loaded into the soap dispenser 18 and the drying device 20 can be prepared. For example, if the drying device 20 is a paper towel dispenser, paper towels can be loaded into the paper towel dispenser. In another example, if the drying device 20 is a forced-air hand dryer, the forced-air hand dryer can be coupled to a source of electricity, such as a battery, municipal electricity provider and the like.
In use, a user can approach the assembly wash station 10 from the side of the station 10 upon which the soap dispenser 18 is positioned. The user can obtain soap from the soap dispenser 18 and move to a position adjacent the wash basin 14. The user can then wash his or her hands with the soap and the water ejected from the plurality of holes 50 towards the basin 14. After finished washing, the user can move to a position adjacent the drying device 20. If the drying device 20 is a paper towel dispenser, the user can obtain a paper towel to dry his or her hands. If the drying device 20 is a forced-air hand dryer, the user can position his or her hands under the dryer until they are dry.
As can be appreciated, the assembly wash station 10 can be a portable station 10 that allows a number of users to quickly and efficiently wash their hands. The assembly wash station 10 can be positioned indoors or outdoors. Optionally, because the assembly wash station 10 is mobile, it can be positioned indoors at times, and outdoors at times as necessary.
In one aspect, the assembly wash station 10 can be scaled up or down in size to accommodate different numbers of users. For example, in a small setting, the assembly wash station 10 can be sized so that one or two users can wash their hands adjacent to the wash basin 14 at the same time. In other examples though, the assembly wash station 10 can be scaled up so that ten ore more than ten users can wash their hands adjacent to the wash basin 14 at the same time. In this scenario, it is contemplated that multiple soap dispensers 18 and/or multiple drying devices 20 can be provided so that multiple users can obtain soap and/or dry their hands at the same time.
Although several aspects of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other aspects of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific aspects disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention.
