Patent Application
20060080772
1. Field of the invention
The invention pertains to geriatric cleaning equipment and material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Known bathtubs display great disadvantages during their utilization by disabled people or by people with certain degree of movement limitations. Therefore, the person may have to resort to showers or refuse these methods of washing. Present bathtubs and showers do not include saunas nor they have the capability of drying people.
The present invention solves the above-noted inconveniences by providing a system for bathing, showering, drying massaging and sauna, which is equally useful for all types of people.
The system of bathing, showering, drying, massaging and sauna for people according to the invention includes a container of vertical arrangement, which has a door for allowing a user to enter the container. The door opening can even accommodate a wheelchair. In the contact zone of the door with the main body of the container a rubber seal is used which provides an excellent water seal.
An upper zone of the container can have a swinging cover or a rigid ceiling made up of the main body, in the latter case the upper zone is of greater length or height and adds an upper door that opens laterally by way of a hinge. In the case when the main body is shorter, it uses a stuffed foam rubber cover on its upper edge for a protection from bumping into. The container can have a cross-section that is rectangular, circular, square, oval or of circular sector of 90°, in the last case the geometry adapts to the corner of a bathroom. The cover and/or ceiling is used mainly to facilitate cleaning of the interior of the container and for using the sauna.
Two elastic elements have a central orifice although eccentric between themselves, it can also use two elastic membranes with two semicircles in their central edges that define a circular orifice that surrounds a user by their neck, both cases allow a user to maintain their head outside the zone of washing or sauna. The elastic elements are used for closing or sealing the container when not in use or during cleaning. The sauna can be taken with the body totally covered, using in this case, a nozzle with a tube that communicates with the outer air for providing a complete sauna that is healthier than the existing saunas.
The surface of the bottom of the container can be at the same level of the door in an open position thereof. The door has a slight ramp on its more external edge for meeting with the floor of the room. The bottom of the container has a small inclination descendent towards the drainage orifice. The door is fixed with pawls or iron straps that the door carries. The pawls or iron straps lodge and retain in a recess formed in the main body. Magnets are also used to maintain the door in a closed position.
The container has an integrated seat in its interior. The seat can be a plate that is introduced and moved in lateral slots, the plate can also tip-up and swing.
The doors can swing lateral or vertically and they can be sliding. In all the cases, the rubber seals prevent any water leakage. The main body of the container and the doors can be transparent or translucent.
Before opening the door a device opens the waste pipe for preventing any leaks.
The system has radial hot air blasts, pressurized water and water steam, mainly at the lateral inner side of the container at different heights. This is performed by a bath, showered, massage, sauna, drying and emptying program that is programmed and which is controlled from outside of the container by means of a microprocessor or an electric or electronic programmer. The electronic elements sending the air, water or steam blasts are sufficiently isolated and separated at a distance from the main container. The shower is provided with many nozzles for radial water blasts.
In order to facilitate the cleaning, any inner edges and corners of the container are rounded.
The cleaning of the main body of the container is performed with pressurized water and in a scheduled way once the washing is completed and the door has been closed.
The drainage orifice is connected to a waste pipe for removing large volumes of water by way of suction generated with a pump driven by an electric motor.
Temperature sensors control the water temperature or the temperature of the drying air, limiting it to non-harmful values for people.
The application of water and steam uses the pressure of the installation, or it can additionally be impelled with the use of pumps. The electric supply for the system is conveniently separated and isolated, it using transformers that isolate and reduce the voltage to very low and safe values for the personnel.
The present invention has the advantage that in some cases it allows use by disable personnel, even allowing entrance in wheelchair. It is practical, simple and economic. A variant of reduced size allows sitting down and it saves water and space.
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Spanish patent application P200402692 filed Oct. 18, 2004; the entire disclosure of the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| P200402692 | Oct 2004 | ES | national |
