Patent Application
20210059479
A portable device that allows for on-site washing of bodies, conveniently, inexpensively and without the need for assistance from the body being washed, which may be incapacitated, immobile, resistive or dead.
There are a variety of circumstances where a need arises for a specialized type of wash basin because the thing to be washed cannot assist in the wash process, or in some cases, resists or otherwise makes the washing process more difficult than it should be. For example, disabled, incapacitated, older or invalid patients need to be washed and in many cases, cannot assist. Getting these bodies into a typical bathtub or shower can be difficult.
There is a very specialized circumstance requiring a specialized private washing station in the case of performing a Muslim Ghusl Mayyit. When a Muslim dies, it is the responsibility of his/her family or other Muslims within the local community to prepare a washing according to Islamic rites. Typically, several people will be involved. It is a requirement that the deceased body be washed in a clean, secluded and private place where clean water and soap are available. The body of the deceased should be washed with water, and, if possible, lotus leaves, or camphor in the final washing. The washing is performed according to a specific ritual and procedure wherein, private parts are washed first and then a wudu is performed. Then, the rest of the body is washed, dried with a clean cloth, and then the body is wrapped with three sheets of white cloth. Privacy for the deceased is a paramount consideration at all times during the Ghusl.
The steps of a Ghusl require that the deceased body be placed on a table or similar platform, clothes removed, and the body should be covered with a sheet of cloth at all times. The Auwra (private parts) of the deceased must also be covered at all times. The head and upper body should be raised on a slight incline to insure the washing water with exudations from the body flow away from the body. If there is any active bleeding or blood or other discharge, that should be padded and dressed to prevent continuing flow from the body. After the multiple washings, the body needs to be dried off with towels and prepared to be shrouded, always remaining covered. The shrouding should proceed immediately after the washing has been completed.
The foregoing is very difficult, if not impossible, to perform in a standard bathtub or shower. The procedure should be carried out as soon as possible and transporting a body to a location suitable for this procedure is also not ideal. The teachings here provide for embodiments of a device that is portable, suitable and convenient to bring to the location of the body to perform the ritual washing. Embodiments of the device as described herein are not limited to application of this type of ritual and may be desirable in any situation where an otherwise difficult washing is to be performed and thus, the Ghusl procedure is merely an exemplary use.
There have been many attempts to construct a better portable washing station. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,069 titled BATHTUB WITH VERTICAL MOVABLE PLATFORM FOR HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, discloses, “a bathing tub open atop a removable enclosure includes a vertically movable horizontal platform for supporting elderly or invalid persons and is vertically movable from a positions adjacent atop the enclosure down into the tub barrier. Provision is made for cleaning the tub by pivotally supporting the platform to the vertical position.”
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,252 titled SPONGE BATH AND RINSE PLATFORM, discloses, “a sponge bath and rinse platform on which the user (patient) lies for cleansing. The device is formed with a peripheral wall (defined by side walls, a head end wall, and a foot end wall) and a central area having a number of specially contoured areas for raising selected portions of the body above a gently sloping grade plane. The lowest region of the central area is located near the foot end wall, and defines a liquid collection area. The contoured areas define supports for the head, upper trunk, lower trunk, arms, and legs. Thus, the device includes a head support, an upper trunk support, a lower trunk support, first and second arm supports, and first and second leg supports. These are formed so that when the user's head is on the bead support, the arms held outwardly from the body on the arm supports, shoulder blade area on the upper trunk support, the lower back on the lower trunk support, and the legs in a spread apart position on the leg supports, the user's armpit and groin areas are elevated above the grade plane and freely accessible for cleansing.”
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,281 titled BATHING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR BATHING BABIES, discloses, a “device [comprising] a receptacle having a side wall with facing wall portions thereof being at different distances apart and delimiting an internal periphery of the receptacle, the device is characterized in that it further comprises a platform including a perforated bottom and having an external periphery which fits inside the internal periphery of the receptacle and which has portions that are complementary thereto, and in that the platform includes lifting means.”
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,724 titled BATHING PLATFORM FOR THE DISABLED discloses, “a bathing support device for use in bathing disabled persons that includes a water permeable platform upon which the disabled person can lay. The platform is supported a predetermined height over the bathtub by front and rear leg assemblies. The front leg assemblies extend from the platform and engage the floor proximate the front of the bathtub. As such, the front leg assemblies can cause no damage to the bathtub or its finish. The rear leg assembly extend from the platform and engage the bottom surface of the bathtub, which can support the forces applied by the rear leg assembly without damage. The orientation of the legs is designed to provide a stable support for the disabled person, thereby removing the concerns and dangers of having the support tip while the disabled person is supported by the platform.”
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,570 titled PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR GROOMING AND WASHING PETS, discloses, “a portable pet grooming center a tub removably mounted on a pedestal. The tub can be fastened to the pedestal for grooming pets, then removed and the pedestal nested in the tub for storage or transport. A platform is provided for installation in the tub when grooming a smaller pet. One end of the tub has a U-shaped cut out and a small stairway is provided so that a larger pet can walk: up the stairway and over the cut out into the tub. The tub slopes toward a drain at one end and a hose is connected to the drain. Preferred arrangements for releasably securing the tub to the pedestal includes over center clamps and slide together brackets.
In another example, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. US 2011/0023226 A1 titled BATHTUB INSERT FOR CHILDREN, discloses, a “child bath that can be used either as a stand alone bath or as a conversion unit for conventional bathtubs. The child bath includes a vertical front panel and a horizontal top panel with a wash basin that holds a smaller volume of water than a convention bathtub. A support frame provides structural support to the horizontal and front panels. In one embodiment of the invention, the support frame fits within a conventional bath tub and holds the horizontal panel across the top of the bathtub while holding the front panel in front of at least a portion of the side of the bathtub. In another embodiment of the invention the support frame holds the horizontal panel higher than the height of a conventional bathtub, thereby allowing an adult to stand next to the tub while bathing a child.”
Finally, in another example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,117,689 titled PORTABLE WASH BASIN CART AND DISPOSABLE PERSONAL WASH BASIN, discloses, “a wheeled cart is configured to removably carry a patient's personal wash basin. The cart includes a lid that covers the personal wash basin when the cart is moved from a bathroom to the patient so that liquid in the wash basin cannot splash out onto the floor if the cart strikes an obstruction. A flexible tube is provided for filling the basin from a sink. A drain pipe is provided to empty the wash basin without the need to lift the wash basin. A disposable thin personal wash basin having a funnel-shaped outlet may be used with the cart to minimize potential contamination.”
None of the foregoing references, alone or in combination, teach the salient and proprietary features or construction of the present disclosure, and as such, fail to be useful in the manner that devices constructed according to the present disclosure may be. While there are many attempts at providing portable wash basins that provide assistance in washing items that cannot assist themselves in the washing process, or may even resist the washing process, none of the references herein disclose a structure that accomplishes: (i) portability, (ii) a sturdy washing platform that is not all the way at the bottom of the permanent wash basin with which it is to be used, but just sufficiently depressed into the basin that splashing and drainage is not an issue, (iii) a sanitary nature, and (iv) an adaptability to situations and circumstances where there does not already exist any provision at all for washing.
The present disclosure teaches several embodiments that provide a very portable, stand-alone wash basin with a suitable and sturdy platform that can be brought and placed just about anywhere (a sufficient area to set up being the only real limitation), a washing procedure performed in a very convenient and sturdy manner, and then the basin removed, with or without first draining the used wash water, leaving behind no trace that any washing occurred.
The present disclosure teaches embodiments that utilize existing materials configured in such a way as to provide: (i) a tub comprising four side walls and a bottom connected at their respective edges with water tight joints or molded as one contiguous structure, said tub further comprising a drain valve, and said tub further comprising an at least one attachment device configured to serve as an entry port for a water source hookup, wherein said tub is of a size suitable for the washing of a body; and (ii) a sturdy tray comprising a flat sturdy surface having an area and shape that is similar to, but smaller in every planar dimension than, the surface area of the top opening of said tub such that said sturdy tray may be depressed a predefined distance down into said tub, said sturdy tray further comprising angled support hangers along two opposite edges of said sturdy tray configured to support said sturdy tray in said tub at said predefined distance below the top surface of said tub from the top rim of said tub, wherein at least one edge of said sturdy tray does not contact the inner surface of any wall of said tub.
In one embodiment, the tub and sturdy tray combination as described is portable and sturdy such that it may be easily transported to locations for use, used, and then transported away. The only requirements are that a source of water or other cleaning liquid is available, but such liquid may also be independently transported to the location of use and a suitable space for use.
In one embodiment, the tub and sturdy tray combination as described is manufactured from a material chosen from the following group: stainless steel, metal alloy, aluminum, titanium, plated metal, plastic, polycarbonate, PVC, composite resin, glass or glass alternative such as plexiglass and the like.
The present disclosure teaches a washing apparatus comprising:
In one embodiment, the tub may be reinforced with bottom supports.
In one embodiment, the tub may also contain handles welded, otherwise attached or molded as a contiguous unit on one or more edges or outer sides of the tub to facilitate carrying the tub and sturdy tray.
In one embodiment, the drain in the tub may also contain a shutoff valve to control the flow of liquid out of the tub. In this manner, the tub may be drained when convenient, on location into some other tub or sink, or transported away and drained at a later time. In one embodiment, the drain is a standard 1-inch drain port. In an alternate embodiment, the drain is a standard 2-inch drain port for faster draining. In an alternate embodiment, the drain may be of any suitable diameter based upon intended use locations and fittings.
In one embodiment, either or both ends of the tub may contain a device suitable for serving as a water hookup. Such device may facilitate the hookup of a hose or otherwise configured to control a flow of water from an existing spigot, sink, or plumbing outlet port onto the sturdy tray and then flowing off the sturdy tray into the tub. In one embodiment, such device may include an on/off control device to control the flow of water at the tub. Alternatively, the flow of water may be controlled at its source. Alternatively, a pail of water may be used and such device may simply be a pump or syringe like device to uptake the water from the pail and control the flow over the sturdy tray and into the tub.
In one embodiment, the angled support hangers on the sturdy tray fit over the edges of the top rim of the tub and the sturdy tray fits over the surface area of the tub and fits down into the tub at a predefined distance below the surface area opening of the tub. In one embodiment, this predefined distance is approximately two inches. In one embodiment, this predefined distance is approximately two and a half inches. In one embodiment, this predefined distance is sufficient to provide a minimal sidewall such that when water is poured over a body that is placed on the sturdy tray for washing, it does not flow over the sidewalls and out of the tub, but rather is trapped and flows into the tub to be later discarded; but also, not so deep that the body becomes difficult to wash because it is so submerged within the tub. In a preferred embodiment, all dimensions and angles are as described in
In one embodiment, the angled hangers are angled such that the sturdy tray is not completely horizontal but rather is angled a few degrees such that one end of the sturdy tray is ¼ inch to 1 inch lower in the tub than the other end. In an alternative embodiment, the sturdy tray itself is angled from its midpoint down a couple degrees towards the endpoints such that it slopes slightly downward from the midpoint towards both ends.
In one embodiment, the sturdy tray is almost the size of the full surface area of the tub opening at the top in order that a maximum surface support area is provided to support the entirety of the body or other object to be washed, but smaller enough than such surface area that the water flows easily off the edge as it washes the body or other object and gets trapped in the tub below for later discarding, and not pour over the edge of the wash basin supporting the sturdy tray.
In one embodiment, support rods consisting of three one-inch diameter metal crossbars, evenly spaced on the undersurface of the sturdy tray, provide additional structural integrity to the sturdy tray. In one embodiment, these support rods may be of any number, material, and/or placement to provide appropriate additional structural integrity to the sturdy tray.
For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments or applications of the present invention.
“tub” as used herein means a wash basin, sink or other enclosure with an open top suitable for containing liquid and capable of having a drain with a valve.
“sturdy tray” as used herein means a substantially flat, strong surface suitable for supporting an item or body to be washed, impervious to water or other washing liquids and capable of having affixed angled hangers along its edges to be supported over a tub.
“angled hangers” as used herein means secure, strong material with a formed angle capable of supporting a sturdy tray when affixed to at least two opposite edges of said sturdy tray and placed over the top edges of the sides of a tub.
The tub and sturdy tray as described herein are portable, sturdy and sanitary. The system apparatus can easily be transported to any typical location where a washing is desired. It is completely self contained such that it can be set up anywhere there is sufficient room, used, and then transported away. If there is an external drain in the room where it is used, it is easy to simply hook up a drain hose to the bottom drain port as described as comprised in the tub and let any used wash liquids simply drain away. Alternatively, if there is no drain apparatus, the washing liquid can be left in the tub and transported away with the tub. Typically, only a couple gallons of liquid would be used in any washing as described herein and would not prevent the tub from remaining fully portable. Moreover, the top sturdy tray would act as a lid to keep the used liquid from sloshing out during transport. In an alternative embodiment, the top sturdy tray could further be fitted with a rubber gasket around its edge to seal the minimal gap that exists from the sturdy tray being shorter in dimension than the top surface area of the tub to fully seal the used washing liquid within the tub for transport.
The sturdy tray is fit into the area of the opening of the tub and depressed a predefined distance down into the tub and supported in position with angled hangers. In this configuration, the sturdy tray is not so far down into the tub that the washing of the body placed on the sturdy tray is strenuous, nor too close to the top of the tub that washing liquid is not contained within the tub. Further, the sturdy tray is angled such that the washing liquid runs off of the sturdy tray into the tub as it is passed over the body and does not remain pooled on the sturdy tray itself. In an alternative embodiment, the sturdy tray could have perforations to allow the liquid to simply pass through like a sieve. However, it is believed that in this construction, it would both make the sturdy tray less sturdy and raise the cost of manufacture. It is believed that, although not obvious, keeping the sturdy tray solid and making it angled is the preferred embodiment.
The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited by, the following examples.
A typical use for the apparatus as described herein is for a Ghusal. Because the tub and sturdy tray are portable, sanitary, and capable of supporting an adult human body with minimal other provision, a tub and sturdy tray apparatus can be brought to the place of death of the adult human.
Because of the configuration of this tub and sturdy tray, it lends itself to being able to cover the body with a cloth or shroud for privacy while still maintaining an ability to wash and drain without spillage or undue strain, while also maximizing the flow of wash liquid away from the body after it has been used.
When the washing is concluded, because of the configuration of this tub and sturdy tray, the body is in perfect position to be dried and shrouded, which needs to occur immediately after the washing has concluded. Here, there is no need to move the body or reposition, it is already in position to have all facets of the ceremonial washing performed, all while remaining substantially covered, as required. No other tub/sturdy tray configuration would be suitable. A normal bathtub is impractical because the body would be too far down into the bottom of the tub to maneuver and the washing liquid would not drain as completely as in this configuration.
Publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although the various aspects of the invention have been illustrated above by reference to examples and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the following claims properly construed under principles of patent law.
Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually exclusive.
