BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable water storage and filtration systems. More specifically, the present invention provides a portable sink washing station including a filtration system configured to filter used water from a wastewater reservoir and return the water to the clean water reservoir for reuse.
Nurses are often hard-pressed to adequately care for bedridden patients, which includes ensuring the patient practices proper hygiene habits. Traditional methods of cleaning patients include transporting patients to shower facilities. The transportation of bedridden patients from the patients' room to a shower facility, however, can be time consuming or dangerous, since a patient may fall during transport. Given the sheer volume of patients with whom nurses are entrusted, it is difficult for nurses to provide the necessary time to effectively wash and clean patients. Accordingly, a device that quickly and safely enables a user to wash the hair of an individual on a desired surface is desired.
Devices have been disclosed in the art that relate to portable water storage and filtration devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to portable sink stations which allow for bedridden individuals to have their hair washed without having to be removed to a shower or wash area. These devices, however, fail to disclose a portable sink washing station including a filtration system configured to filter wastewater and return the filtered water to a clean water reservoir for reuse.
In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing rail mounted table devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of portable water storage and filtration devices now present in the known art, the present invention provides a new portable sink washing station wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when providing a mobile wash station for bedridden individuals wherein water may be filtered and reused without having to be changed between uses.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable sink washing station that has all of the advantages of the known art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable sink wash station having an enclosed housing structure defined by a plurality of sidewalls and a hingedly connected top surface, wherein a sink countertop with a contoured basin and faucet member is disposed thereunder. The faucet member is in liquid communication with one of two internal reservoirs wherein a first internal reservoir is adapted to hold and store clean water while a second is adapted to hold and store wastewater received therein from a drain disposed in the contoured basin. At least one filtration system is included while a pumping system supplies pressure to move the water between the reservoirs and out through the faucet member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable sink washing station wherein the hingedly connected top surface is adapted to pivot around its hinged connection to one of the sidewalls of the closed housing structure and rest on adjustable brackets to become a ramped support leading up to the sink countertop, having a foam padding on the interior for added comfort.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable sink washing station wherein a plurality of wheels are included on a bottom surface of the enclosed housing and at least one handle is disposed on the plurality of sidewalls and top surface for transport.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable sink washing station wherein a heating source, such as a heating coil or plate, is included to warm the clean water being emitted through the faucet member.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable sink washing station wherein the faucet member comprises a spray faucet connected to an elongated hose system to allow for additional mobility and ease of use.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station showing enclosed housing with hingedly connected top surface.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station with hingedly connected top surface in an opened position.
FIG. 3 shows a front view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station showing the internal components.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the electrical components of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station in an opened position with a ramped support.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station in a closed position for transport.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the portable sink washing station. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a portable sink for washing hands, hair, and the like. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station showing enclosed housing with hingedly connected top surface. The portable sink washing station 11 comprises an enclosed housing structure 12 having a top surface 13, a bottom surface 14, and a plurality of sidewalls 15 thereon. The housing structure 12 the illustrated embodiment has a substantially rectangular shape but may be of any suitable shape in other embodiments. The housing structure 12 defines an interior volume wherein the internal components of the portable sink washing station 11 are disposed. The top surface 13 of the housing structure 12 is hingedly connected to one of the sidewalls 15 wherein the top surface 13 may be opened along the hinges 16 when desired or closed for easier transport and storage. In the shown embodiment, the top surface 13 is hingedly affixed to a wall of the plurality of sidewalls 15 opposite a wall that includes a handle, thereby allowing users to easily access and open or close the top surface 13 while simultaneously grasping the handle for support. The interior volume may be accessed through multiple access doors 17 disposed on the plurality of sidewalls 15. These access doors 17 allow for a user to reach the internal components of the device 11 for things such as maintenance, repairs, and replacement. In the shown embodiment, the doors 17 are hingedly affixed to one of the sidewalls 15.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station with hingedly connected top surface in an opened position. When the top surface 13 of the housing structure 12 is in an open position, the sink countertop 18 beneath is exposed. The sink countertop 18 is affixed to the plurality of sidewalls 15 such that an upper surface of the sink countertop 18 is offset below the hingedly connected top surface 13. A contoured basin 19 is disposed in the sink countertop 18 and includes a recessed groove 20 extending between the contoured basin 19 and the sidewall 15 having the hingedly connected top surface 13. A faucet member 21 is also included on the sink countertop 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the faucet member 21 consists of a spray nozzle in liquid communication with an extendable hose system 22. In practice, the recessed groove 20 is adapted to receive the back surface of the neck of a user having their hair washed while their head rests over the contoured basin 19.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a front view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station showing the internal components. Two internal reservoirs 23 and 24 are disposed within the interior volume of the enclosed housing 12. A first internal reservoir 23 is adapted to hold and store clean water therein, while a second internal reservoir 24 is adapted to hold and store wastewater therein. At least one filtration system 25 is included within the interior volume. In the illustrated embodiment, the filtration system 25 comprises a reverse osmosis filtration system. In alternate embodiments, the filtration system 25 may comprise any suitable method of filtration, such as an activated charcoal system. A plurality of hoses 27 connect the internal reservoirs 23 and 24 with each other as well as the drain 26 and faucet member 21. The first and second internal reservoirs 23 and 24 may be accessed through the access doors disposed in the sidewalls to allow for refilling or draining the water in the system as well as cleaning, repairing, or replacing the other components such as the filtration system 25. The first internal reservoir 23 and second internal reservoir 24 can be removed from within the enclosed housing 12 entirely during the cleaning and placement process. In some embodiments, a drainage spout is included on a bottom portion of the first and second internal reservoirs 23 and 24 along with a removable lid for internal cleaning.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic diagram of the electrical components of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station. A circuit board 28 operably connected to a power source 29 provides the operational power for the electronic components of the portable sink washing station 11. The circuit board 28 and power source 29 are disposed within a control panel 30. The control panel 30 includes an actuator 31 wherein a user may selectively turn the portable sink washing station 11 on or off. A heating element 32 is operably connected to the circuit board 28 and disposed on a bottom surface of the first internal reservoir holding the clean water for washing. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 32 comprises a coil which may be heated through passing an electric current therethrough. In other embodiments of the portable sink washing station 11, the heating element 32 may comprise a plate disposed across the bottom surface of the first internal reservoir. The heating element 32 allows a user to warm the treated water stored within the first internal reservoir before being expelled through the faucet member onto the scalp or skin of one being washed. An electric pump 33 is also provided within the enclosed housing. The electric pump 33 is operably connected to the circuit board 28 and plurality of hoses connecting the internal components. The electric pump 33 creates pressure within the system to allow for the flow of water and wastewater from one area to the next within the portable sink washing station 11.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station in an opened position with a ramped support. In use, the portable sink washing station 11 may be transported wherever it may be needed to wash bedridden patients and those with limited mobility without having to physically transport them to designated wash areas. The hingedly connected top surface 13 may be opened and laid on a top portion of a bed to provide a ramped support surface toward the sink countertop 18. In practice, the top surface 13 may be rested flush upon the bed or kept at specific angles using brackets 34 on the sidewall 15. In some embodiments, the brackets 34 may be adjustable angle brackets wherein a hingedly connected lever is adapted to hold the top surface 13 at varying angles via toothed notches disposed in the bracket. A padded covering 35 is included on the inside portion of the top surface 13 to allow for added comfort when being used as a ramped support. While laying with their backs against the padded covering 35 of the top surface 13, persons having their hair washed will then rest their neck within the recessed groove 20 such that the rest of their head is within the contoured basin 19. A user will then activate the electric pump 33 using the actuator 31 on the control panel 30 to pressurize the system. Using the faucet member 21, a user will then dispense warm water for use in the washing process which will then drain into the second internal reservoir 24 to start the process of filtration and reuse.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable sink washing station in a closed position for transport. The portable sink washing station 11 includes a plurality of wheels 36 disposed on the bottom surface of the enclosed housing 12. The device 11 also includes at least one handle 37 disposed on the top surface 13 and plurality of sidewalls 15. This allows for easy handling and transport between washings. For example, the portable sink washing station 11 may be put in a closed position after washing a bedridden patient in a hospital or nursing home before being wheeled to the next room for washing by a nurse or other healthcare professional. In this way, the portable sink washing station 11 can be transported to its location of use and then stored when no longer needed.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20190343341
