SANITARY AND HYGENIC DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention consists of a device that is easily attached to a sanitary water supply and is placed atop a toilet bowl rim such that when utilized by the user, it provides a gentle stream of temperature-controlled clean water to the user's private areas. The device allows the user to cleanse his or her private areas after bodily elimination and allows the easy removal of remaining urine and fecal contaminants. The device also allows the user to gently cleanse private areas that may be affected by various medical conditions and/or surgical procedures that require consistent cleansing to promote healing and to avoid infection. Additionally, the present invention allows the easy introduction of medicine or specialized cleansing fluids in the device so that the user can achieve even greater cleansing and treatment benefits from the device. The present invention is also easily disassembled for cleaning, replacement of parts, and for stowing when not in use.

Claims

1. A sanitary and hygenic device for cleansing a human body, the sanitary and hygenic device comprising: a faucet adapter, a water tubing; a sprayer assembly, mountable between a toilet bowl rim and a toilet seat hinged thereto.

2. The sanitary and hygenic device of claim 1 wherein there is attached inline a backflow preventer with said water tubing and said faucet adapter.

3. The sanitary and hygenic device of claim 1 wherein said sprayer assembly comprises a sprayer bracket, a plurality of bumpers, a nozzle assembly, a conduit, and a T fitting.

4. The sanitary and hygenic device of claim 3 wherein said sprayer bracket has a first end and a second end, a top side and a bottom side.

5. The sanitary and hygenic device of claim 3 wherein said conduit has a first end and a second end and said T fitting has a first end, a second end and a top end.

6. The sanitary and hygenic device of claim 3 wherein said conduit is integrated and molded into said bottom side of said sprayer bracket and traverses from said first end of said sprayer bracket to said second end of said sprayer bracket.

7. (canceled)

8. The sanitary and hygenic device of claim 5 wherein said T fitting is located equidistant from said first end of said conduit and said second end of said conduit and having said first end of said T fitting connected to said conduit and said second end of said T fitting is connected to said conduit.

9. The sanitary and hygenic device of claim 5 wherein said top end of said T fitting projects through the midpoint of said sprayer bracket towards said top side of said sprayer bracket.

10. The sanitary and hygenic device of claim 4 wherein said nozzle assembly is attached to said top side of said sprayer bracket equidistant between said first end of said sprayer bracket and said second end of said sprayer bracket and is attached to said top end of said T fitting.

11. The sanitary and hygenic device of claim 4 wherein said plurality of bumpers is located on said bottom side of said sprayer bracket on said first end and said second end of said sprayer bracket.

12. An apparatus for cleansing a human body, said apparatus containing a faucet adapter, a hose, and a sprayer assembly, mountable between a toilet bowl rim and a toilet seat hinged thereto.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said faucet adapter is affixed to said hose.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said hose is attached to said sprayer assembly.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said sprayer assembly rests atop said toilet bowl rim.

16. An apparatus for delivering cleaning solution to a user's private area, the apparatus comprising: a faucet adapter, a hose, and a sprayer bracket, mountable between a toilet bowl rim and a toilet seat hinged thereto.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said sprayer bracket comprises an integrated conduit, an integrated plurality of bumpers, and an attached nozzle.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said hose is attached to a first end of said sprayer bracket.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said conduit, and said plurality of bumpers is molded into a bottom side of said sprayer bracket.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said attached nozzle is attached to a top side of said sprayer bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the device installed; and

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a frontal view of the device; and

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the device; and

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed side view of the device; and

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of a component of the device; and

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded detailed view of a component of the device; and

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed side view of the device; and

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the installed device; and

[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the device; and

[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the installed device in an open and closed position.

[0029] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is demonstrated and shows a sanitary and hygenic device 2 (the Device), said Device 2 comprising a Sink 4, a Faucet 6, a Toilet 12, a Water Tubing 22, a Sprayer Assembly 24 having a first end and a second end.

[0031] Sink 4 is commonly known in the industry and is typically known to be a bathroom lavatory and can really be any type of sanitary water source commonly found adjacent to a toilet and in the interior of a restroom/bathroom facility. Mounted atop the Sink 4 is the Faucet 6 and it too is very well known in the industry. There are many types of faucets found in restroom/bathroom facilities, but they commonly have a neck or spout extension of the faucet that locates the exit port the faucet generally away from the back and bottom interior of the lavatory sink bowl. The purpose of this spacing is to allow sufficient room for a user to have enough room to wash their hands when placed directly beneath the exit port of the faucet. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, Faucet 6 is a common, 4 on center, two handle bathroom faucet, but really can be a single or dual handle faucet. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, Faucet 6 could also be that of a tub spout like faucet commonly found directly placed above a bathroom tub. The purpose of this type of faucet is well-known in the industry and such a type of faucet provides the disposition of a large quantity of water, with a regulated temperature, into the interior of the bathroom tub.

[0032] Still referring to FIG. 1, attached to the Faucet 6, is a Faucet Adapter 8. Faucet Adapter 8 is well-known in the industry and is commonly found in various products marketed for the purpose of adding on a handheld sprayer attachment to a tub or bathroom faucet so that the user can direct a spray from the handheld sprayer to rinse off and wash small children, pets, and/or cleaning the tub. Faucet Adapter 8 is made from a pliable synthetic rubber material that when installed, completely envelops the mouth of the faucet in such a manner as to prevent water from escaping from the faucet or tub spout and the Faucet Adapter 8.

[0033] Still referring to FIG. 1, directed immediately off the Faucet Adapter 8, there is attached a Backflow Preventer 20. As is required by most plumbing codes, whenever a hose is attached to a water supply, there is a risk that due to the creation of a vacuum by the flow of water through the hose, there is a possibility that suction, and thus backflow, can be created. Backflow in Device 2 could potentially cause contaminated water (contaminated by urine, feces, or spent medicinal fluid) to enter into the sanitary water supply and cause various health issues for the user and others. The attachment means from Faucet Adapter 8 to the Backflow Preventer 20 can be that of various means including a simple hose barb, compression fitting, hose clamp, etc. Any means of attaching the Faucet Adapter 8 to the Backflow Preventer 20 that prevents liquid from escaping will work in the present embodiment of Device 2. In the preferred embodiment of Device 2, the ideal method for attachment would be that commonly known to be a dual-ended hose barb fitting. This allows the two components to be easily separated if needed to by the user and allows additional access by the user for cleaning and potential stowing when done with Device 2.

[0034] Still referring to FIG. 1, there is attached to the Backflow Preventer 20 and the Water Tubing 22 having a first end and a second end with the first end of Water Tubing 22 being attached to Backflow Preventer 20. The attachment means to the Backflow Preventer 20 can be that of various means including a simple dual-ended hose barb, compression fitting, hose clamp, etc. Any means of attaching the Water Tubing 22 to the Backflow Preventer 20 that prevents liquid from escaping will work in the present embodiment of Device 2. In the preferred embodiment of Device 2, the ideal method for attachment would be that commonly known to be a dual-ended hose barb fitting. This allows the two components to be easily separated if needed to by the user and allows additional access by the user for cleaning and potential stowing when done with Device 2.

[0035] Still referring to FIG. 1, on the second end of the Water Tubing 22 there is attached the first end of the Sprayer Assembly 24. The attachment means to the Water Tubing 22 to the Sprayer Assembly 24 can be that of various means including a simple dual-ended hose barb, compression fitting, hose clamp, etc. Any means of attaching the Water Tubing 22 to the Sprayer Assembly 24 that prevents liquid from escaping will work in the present embodiment of Device 2. In the preferred embodiment of Device 2, the ideal method for attachment would be that commonly known to be a dual-ended hose barb fitting. This allows the two components to be easily separated if needed to by the user and allows additional access by the use for cleaning and potential stowing when done with Device 2.

[0036] Sprayer Assembly 24 comprises a plurality of components to be described more in depth in later figures. The Sprayer Assembly 24 sits atop the Toilet 12. Toilet 12 comprises a Toilet Bowl Rim 18 located atop Toilet Bowl 16 and a Toilet Seat 14 that is mounted to the Toilet 12. Toilet 12 is commonly known in the industry and is used by humans for the purpose of elimination of bodily waste and the swift removal of the same from the Toilet 12 by flushing the Toilet 12. Toilet 12 can be of any configuration, flush size, water flow, flush size, ADA compliant, round or oval bowl configurations. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the overall dimensions of the Toilet 12 are not important. The only important feature of the Toilet 12 is the presence of the Toilet Bowl Rim 18, which also typically varies in widths as there is not believed to be an industry-standard dimension. The overall dimensions of the Towel Seat 14 are typically the same shape, round or oval, as the Toilet Bowl 16.

[0037] Still referring to FIG. 1, attached to the second end of the Sprayer Assembly 24, there is a Medicine Tubing 56. Medicine Tubing 56 will be described in more detail in further figures, but is used to demonstrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Now referring to FIGS. 2-7, the Sprayer Assembly 24 is best demonstrated. The Sprayer Assembly 24 comprises a Sprayer Bracket 26, a T Fitting 28, and a Nozzle Assembly 30. The overall shape of the Sprayer Assembly 24 is that of a U shaped with arms and having a top side and a bottom side and a first end and a second end. Located running adjacent to, and along the length of the bottom side of the Sprayer Bracket 26, from the first end to the second end, is a Conduit 48. The Conduit 48 is molded directly into the bottom side of the Sprayer Bracket 26 when it is formed and created during the manufacturing process. Located at the center of the bottom of the U, equidistant from the first end and the second end, there is the T Fitting 28 comprising three ends. Two of the ends of the T Fitting 28 are integrated into the Conduit 48 in such a manner as to create a continuous channel of flow through the entire length of Conduit 48 from the first end to the second end and through the longitudinal axis of the T Fitting 28. Located on the third end of the T Fitting 28 there is disposed male threading on this leg of the T Fitting 28. This leg of the T Fitting 28 allows the Nozzle Assembly 30 to be threaded on. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the interior diameter of Conduit 48 and T Fitting 28 would be which allows a sufficient flow of a Water 10 and/or a Medicine Source 58 through the Conduit 48 and through T Fitting 28 and through Nozzle Assembly 30.

[0039] On the first end of the Sprayer Bracket 26 is the first entrance orifice for Conduit 48. Disposed into this orifice is a Hose Barb 52. Hose Barb 52 is inserted into the orifice and provides a method for the attachment of the second end of the Water Tubing 22 to the first end of the Sprayer Assembly 24.

[0040] On the second end of the Sprayer Bracket 26 is the second entrance orifice for Conduit 48. Disposed into this orifice is a Clipable Barb 54. Clipable Barb 54 is inserted into the second entrance orifice for Conduit 48 and provides a method for the attachment of the first end of the Medicine Tubing 56 to the second end of the Sprayer Assembly 34. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, it may be desirable that in addition to cleansing oneself with sanitary water, the user may desire to incorporate a medicine or cleansing fluid into the washing cycle. Examples of the type of medicine or cleansing fluid could be, but would not be limited to, antibacterial soaps or rinses, saline solutions, or other topical medicine solutions as may be ordered by the user's physician. These types of medicine and cleansing solutions are typically contained in their own vessels and are found to be in bottles or traditional IV bags and is referred to here as the Medicine Source 58. The user would insert the exit orifice of the Medicine Source 58 into the second end of the Medicine Tubing 56. After removing the closed portion of the Clipable Barb 54, by either utilizing scissors or a knife or other similar means, the first end of the Medicine Tubing 56 is attached to the Clipable Bar 54. This process would be similar to that utilized to open a tube of silicone caulk. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the Clipable Barb 54 could already be in an open manner and could have a cap inserted thereon thus closing off the Clipable Barb 54. This cap would allow the user to easily remove the cap, and place the first end of the Medicine Tubing 56.

[0041] The user would then place themselves in position atop the Toilet Seat 14 and turn on the flow of the Water 10 from the Faucet 6. The flow of Water 10 through Conduit 48 and subsequently through the Nozzle Assembly 30, will create a siphon effect through the second end of the Conduit 48. This siphon effect promotes the flow of medicine or cleansing solution from Medicine Source 58, through Medicine Tubing 56, through Clipable Barb 54, through Conduit 48, through T Fitting 28 and out Nozzle Assembly 30 to the desired area of the User. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, Medicine Source 58 is typically a disposable unit with a single dosage or application of the Medicine Source 58. This allows the user to consume the entirety of the Medicine Source 58 and dispose of the container once done. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, Medicine Source 58 can contain its own backflow preventer and a means to meter out a dosage or application of Medicine Source 58 as may be directed by the user's physician. In another embodiment of the present invention, contained on Medicine Tubing 56, there is placed after Clipable Barb 54, a mechanical device that constricts the flow of Medicine Source 58 and allows the user to either completely shut off the flow of Medicine Source 58, or to regulate the flow rate of Medicine 58 through Device 2.

[0042] Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, Nozzle Assembly 30 and T Fitting 28 are best demonstrated. Nozzle Assembly 30 is well-known in the industry and is typically known to be a bathroom or kitchen aerator assembly that serves the purpose of restricting water consumption to promote water conservation and to introduce air into the flow of the water stream to make the stream more gentle at various pressures and flow rates. The user desires a gentler water stream of Water 10 on their private areas to that compared to the emission of a garden hose. This Nozzle Assembly 30 prevents a blasting of Water 10 to the user's private areas.

[0043] Looking now more closely at Nozzle Assembly 30, it comprises the following components: an Adapter 32, a Washer 34, a Flow Restrictor 36, a Mixer 38, a Bushing 40, a Screen 42, an Outer Housing 44 and an Aerator Body 46. Adapter 32 is a cylindrical object that has external male threads on the circumference and a hole in the center containing female threading. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ideal diameter of this hole would be or less. The external male threads are used to provide a means to thread into the internal threads of Aerator Body 46 to hold the entire Nozzle Assembly 30 together once assembled. The center hole of Adapter 32 provides a means to thread the entire Nozzle Assembly 30 onto the male threads of the T Fitting 28 and secures Nozzle Assembly 30 to Sprayer Bracket 26. Flow Restrictor 36 sits atop Mixer 38 and serves the purpose to physically restrict the amount of fluid flowing through Nozzle Assembly 30. Mixer 38 is designed such to allow the entry of ambient air into the flow of Water 10 through Nozzle Assembly 30 and thus creates a softer pressure feeling that associated with non-aerated water. Bushing 40 holds in place Mixer 38, which holds in place Flow Restrictor 36. Bushing 40 also holds in place Screen 42, which is used to capture various types of sediment that may be contained in Water 10. Outer Housing 44 holds in place inside of itself Flow Restrictor 36, Mixer 38, Bushing 40, and Screen 42. These components are then placed inside of Aerator Body 46. Once assembled, Washer 34 is placed atop Adapter 32 and Aerator Body 44 is threaded upon the exterior male threads of Adapter 32 holding the entire assembly together. The components of Nozzle Assembly 30 are well-known in the industry trod is old technology. Nozzle Assembly 30 and its subcomponents are typically manufactured from impermeable plastic materials and are easily disassembled and replaceable. Aerator Body 46 can also be made of plastic material, but is commonly made out of stainless steel or other similar metal material that matches the finish of the faucet that it is attached to. For the present invention, Aerator Body 46 can be stainless steel or any other material, but ideally would be impermeable plastic so that costs are reduced and it is easily cleanable after use as it would be contaminated with the user's feces, urine, or spent Medicine Source 58.

[0044] Now referring to FIG. 8, Device 2 is demonstrated to be placed atop Toilet Bowl Rim 18. Demonstrated in this view, one can see the incorporation of a plurality of a Bumper 50. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, Device 2 utilizes our Bumper 50's, with two Bumper 50's being on the first end of the bottom side of Sprayer Bracket 26 and two Bumper 50's being on the second end of the bottom side of Sprayer Bracket 26. The plurality of Bumper 50's sits directly atop Toilet Bowl Rim 18 and the bottom side of Sprayer Bracket 26 and prevents the first end and second end of Conduit 48 from being crushed by the application of Toilet Seat 14 and the user's weight. Additionally, the plurality of Bumper 50's holds Sprayer Assembly 24 in place between Toilet Bowl Rim 18 and Toilet Seat 14 when the user sits atop Toilet Seat 14. Bumper 50 is well known in the industry and the dimensions of Bumper 50 are that typically associated with a bumper found on the bottom side of any regular toilet seat. Due to the mounting configuration of most toilet seats, the hinge spacing of the toilet seat requires bumpers to raise the lowered position of the toilet seat and to make it level and parallel with the toilet bowl rim. With the overall dimension of Sprayer Bracket 26, it can be positioned atop Toilet Bowl Rim 18 in varying positions over the centerpoint of Toilet 12. This allows the user to position Nozzle Assembly 30 in particular locations of their private area that is being targeted for cleansing. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of Bumper 50's are moulded into the Sprayer Bracket 26 similarly to Conduit 48 and the entirety of this configuration, the Bumper 50's, Sprayer Bracket 26, Conduit 48 and T Fitting 28 are completely integrated and moulded in one piece.

[0045] Now referring to FIG. 9, an alternative view of Sink 4 is shown with Faucet 6 installed. Faucet Adapter 8 is in place to be mounted onto the spigot or Faucet 6 by slipping it onto Faucet 6. Also demonstrated is Backflow Preventer 20 and the first end of Water Tubing 22. When installed, the entrance orifice of Faucet Adapter 8 completely captures the spout on Faucet 6 and prevents any Water 10 from exiting Faucet Adapter 8 except through Backflow Preventer 20 as previously described.

[0046] Now referring to FIG. 10, Toilet 12 is shown with Device 2 installed and Water Tubing 22 going to the Sink 4. Toilet Seat 14 is in the semi-raised position. Also demonstrated in this figure is Toilet 12 with Toilet Seat 14 in the lowered position. As is shown, once lowered, Toilet Seat 14 sits atop Sprayer Bracket 26 and Sprayer Bracket 26 is held in place by the plurality of Bumper 50's resting atop Toilet Bowl Rim 18 and between Toilet Seat 14.

[0047] While this invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains, and to which the claims are directed. It is therefore intended that the present invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated herein, but should be construed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.