ANIMAL CLEANING, DRYING AND/OR TREATMENT APPARATUS

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus and a method for performing cleaning, treatment and/or drying of an animal, such as a pet animal, with the apparatus including a housing and base defining a cavity in which the said animal is located, a supply of liquid, means for dispensing the liquid into the said cavity and onto the said animal and a drainage assembly to allow the liquid to be removed from the said cavity. Drying means can also be provided to allow the animal's coat to be dried whilst in the cavity.

Claims

1. Apparatus for performing cleaning, treatment and/or drying of an animal, said apparatus including a housing and base defining a cavity in which the said animal is located, a supply of liquid, means for dispensing the liquid into the said cavity and onto the said animal and a drainage assembly to allow the liquid to be removed from the said cavity, wherein said base includes a floor on which the animal stands, sits or lies and a space below the floor in which the drainage assembly is located.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes an inlet for introducing pressurised air into the housing and directing means to direct the air onto the said animal while positioned in the cavity.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the said air is heated prior to being introduced to the apparatus or the apparatus includes at one heater through which the air passes so that heated air is applied to the animal.

4. (canceled)

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one portion of the housing is selectively moveable so as to allow the configuration of the cavity to be adjusted to the size of the animal located in the cavity at that time.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a member located on the said floor is selectively moveable and acts as a guide for the position of the animal within the cavity to provide the most effective washing, cleaning and/or treatment.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the side walls, end walls and top wall are located in an in use position by one or a plurality of support members which extend upwardly from the base.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 where in the housing walls are formed of a flexible sheet material.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing includes one or more doors which are capable of being moved between an opened position to allow access into and from the cavity and a closed position in which the cleaning, treatment and/or drying of the animal occurs.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the walls of the upper portion are provided of two layers which define a gap therebetween, a first layer forming the inner surface of the cavity walls and the second layer forming the external wall of the housing.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein connection tubes or pipes are connected with inlets for the supply of liquid and/or air from externally of the housing to dispensing means internally of the housing.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the said connecting pipes, inlets and outlets are located substantially within the base of the apparatus.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the connecting pipes or tubes extend from the said base into the housing so as to allow the dispensing and pattern of application of liquid and/or air to be across the surface of the animal when located in the cavity.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a wall of the housing includes an aperture through which the neck of the animal passes so that the animal's head is located outside of the housing and the remainder of the animal is located in the cavity during the washing treatment and/or drying.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is movable between storage and in-use conditions.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more containers are provided with the apparatus to receive therein a supply of shampoo, or other treatment materials for the animal.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes control means and a power supply which allow the user to control any or any combination of, the switching on or off of the apparatus, the selection of liquid and/or air which is to be applied, and/or the switching on and off of heating means.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the apparatus includes one or more predetermined settings which can be selected by the user to allow a predefined sequency of cleaning, treatment and/or drying to be performed.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid and/or air is dispensed into the cavity from one or more nozzles or outlets which are selectively located in a pre-set configuration and which face inwardly to the cavity.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the said nozzles and/or outlets, are located on support members which extend upwardly from the said base.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the user is able to place their hands internally of the housing during the cleaning, drying and/or treatment operation so as to manipulate the surface of the animal to cleaned, treat or dry the same and/or direct the flow of liquid and/or air onto the animal and/or calm the animal.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the upper portion includes one or more passages which allow a user to place their hand and part of their arm through the same and into the cavity with the hand exposed to manipulate the animal's surface.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the said passage incudes sealing means which seal against the portion of the arm so as to substantially prevent the movement of liquid from the cavity to the external environment.

24. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the walls of the housing is formed of a substantially transparent material to allow the user to view the cavity and the animal within the same and for the animal to view externally of the cavity

25. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a top wall includes or supports a module to allow water and/or air to be introduced from the top of the cavity downwardly into the cavity.

26. (canceled)

27. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein one or more of the walls of the housing are provided of a flexible sheet material such that when the animal is in position in the cavity, air is introduced to the cavity so as to cause the movement of the said sheet material away from the animal and allow the cavity to be formed in the in-use position.

28. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein at least the top wall and the other walls of the housing are double skinned and the gap between the layers is inflated by air which is introduced under pressure from an air source so as to maintain the housing in the in-use position.

29. (canceled)

30. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base also includes a reservoir for the storage of one or more cleaning and/or treatment liquids which can be selectively and progressively mixed with water which is introduced into the base from an external source and then introduced into the cavity of the housing to be applied to the coat of the animal.

31. (canceled)

32. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the support members are provided in an “n” shaped form with the free ends of the same located at or adjacent to the base and connected to allow the water, cleaning liquid and/or air to be moved from the base and through the support members to the outlet apertures and into the interior of the housing.

33. A method for performing a cleaning, treatment and/or drying procedure on an animal, said method comprising the steps of, providing apparatus including a base with a floor on which the animal is positioned when performing the said procedure, and wherein placing the animal on the floor with the housing in a storage, open position, moving the housing to an-in use closed position to form a cavity formed by the floor, side walls, end walls and top wall of the housing and in which the animal is located and enclosed, introducing cleaning and/or treatment liquid into the cavity to contact and clean and/or treat the coat of the animal, stopping the supply of said liquid and, if required, introducing air into the cavity under pressure to perform a drying procedure on the animal coat and when the procedure is completed, moving the housing to the storage open position and removing the animal from the apparatus.

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the person performing the procedure can place at least one hand through at least one port in the housing to contact the animal to reassure the animal and/or perform cleaning and/or treatment and/or drying operations.

35. (canceled)

Description

[0057] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying Figures; wherein

[0058] FIGS. 1a-g illustrate a first embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention;

[0059] FIGS. 2a-i illustrate details of the apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 1a-f;

[0060] FIGS. 3a-e illustrate the apparatus in a further embodiment of the invention in an open position ready for use;

[0061] FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus of FIGS. 3a-e in an intermediate position;

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates the apparatus in a closed in-use position;

[0063] FIG. 6 illustrates the components of apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

[0064] FIG. 7 illustrates apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 formed in an in use position;

[0065] FIG. 8 illustrates the manner in which a range of different sizes of apparatus can be provided in accordance with the invention;

[0066] FIGS. 9 illustrates the manner in which the apparatus of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 can be moved to a storage position;

[0067] FIG. 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention;

[0068] FIGS. 11a-d illustrates the air dispensing means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and

[0069] FIGS. 12a-d illustrate the movement of the apparatus of the embodiment of FIGS. 1a-2i between a storage, open position and a closed in-use position

[0070] Referring now to the FIGS. 1a-g and 2a-i, there is illustrated apparatus 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and which is shown in the closed in-use position. The apparatus includes a base 4 with support members in the form of upstanding n-shaped structures 6,8 which depend upwardly from the base 4 to define, in combination with a flexible sheet material envelope 11 a housing 12. The sheet material envelope is attached around the periphery 19 of the base. The floor 14 of the housing is formed as part of the base and is spaced from the lower wall 16 of the base so as to define, in combination with sidewalls 20,22, end walls 24,26 and top wall 27, a cavity 28.

[0071] The housing 12 flexible sheet material is held in the in use position by the upstanding structures 6,8 and is provided with a series of ports 30, which allow the passage of the persons hand and wrist into the cavity of the housing and a port 10 is also provided at the front end wall 24 to the animals head to pass out of the cavity 28. Flaps (not shown) are provided which located over the ports 30 when the hand and wrist not placed through the same to prevent the leakage of water therethrough.

[0072] Typically, a sealing mechanism, in this embodiment, zips 31, 33 are provided to retain the first and second parts 35, 37 of the housing in the closed sealed position.

[0073] FIGS. 2c and d show the apparatus with the sheet material of the housing removed and FIGS. 2e-g show the base with the floor 14 removed for ease of illustration. In FIGS. 2c and d the support member 6,8 and the cavity 28 are shown. The cavity 28 defines the area in which an animal is located so as to be washed, treated and/or dried. The particular location of the animal can be assisted by the provision of a portion or plate 34 located on the floor 14 and is adjustable between a number of possible positions to take account of different sizes of animal, by selective attachment to respective engagement apertures 39,41,43. The portion 24 is typically located so as to be positioned at the rear legs of the animal and therefore encourage the animal to be positioned towards the front wall 24 of the housing with their neck and head positioned through the port 10. The portion 34 may therefore be relatively moveable with respect to the floor 14 as indicated by arrow 36 so as to allow the adjustment of the same to take into account the size and/or type of animal which is to be washed at that time.

[0074] Provided in the floor 14 is a drainage aperture 45 and the floor surface is formed so as to encourage liquid on the floor to drain towards the aperture 45 and then subsequently be stored within the base or more typically drained from the base to an external drainage facility. In the base 4 in the space between the floor 14 and lower wall 16 is a reservoir container location 38 for location of a material such as soap or other shampoos and/or treatments which can be selectively placed therein as and when required by the user. A treatment selector mechanism 42 is provided so as to be selectively operated by the user to allow, when switched on, the introduction of the material from the reservoir 38 via the dispenser 44 into the water supply which enters the base at inlet 40 so that a water and the other material mixture is introduced into the cavity. When the selector 42 is switched off only water enters the cavity which is to be performed at that time.

[0075] Also provided in the space in the base 4, is the drainage outlet 46 which allows water which has been used and drained from the floor 14 through aperture 45, to be removed from the base via hose connection 49. Both the inlet and outlet can be provided with standard hose connections to allow the connection of external supply and drainage apparatus.

[0076] Also within the base space, there is provided a heater 64 to allow the water to be heated prior to entering the cavity and also movement means for the drying air, in the form of a blower 54, to allow pressurised air to be introduced into the cavity via flexible hose 52 which is attached to a hand held gripping portion 48 illustrated in FIGS. 11a-d and which has a strap 51 for reception of the users hand and on the opposing face passages 53 through which the air is blown. Ridges 55 can be provided to allow a massaging effect to be provided as the portion 48 is passed across the coat of the animal to dry the same. Attachment means (not shown) may be included on, for example, the support members at spaced locations, to allow the attachment of the hand held gripping portion 48 therewith so as to locate the same in a position to allow the air to be introduced into the cavity and also allow the user to use both hands to manipulate the coat of the animal.

[0077] In addition, there may also be provided a power point in the base for apparatus to be plugged in and be passed into the cavity to be used to defur the animal's coat. The apparatus can be operated using a switch 57 to control the operation between on and off conditions and also to selectively operate the heater and blower of the apparatus.

[0078] In this embodiment, the support members 6, 8, have passages therein which lead from openings 58 located within the base cavity as shown in FIG. 2h and which are formed along the interior of the structures to apertures 60 at spaced locations to which the water and/or treatment liquid passes so as to be and is dispensed into the cavity to be applied to the coat of the animal.

[0079] The operation of the apparatus may be manually controlled between off, washing, and drying modes or may be controlled to operate in pre-programmed sequences of operation which may be user selected with respect to, for example, the type of animal, the size of animal and/or cleanliness of the animal.

[0080] Referring now to the FIGS. 3-5 there is illustrated a further embodiment of apparatus 72 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus includes a base 74 which includes therein a drainage assembly which includes a tank 78. The apparatus also includes a cavity 76 located above the tank 8 and which is defined by a floor 80, side walls 82, 84, a front wall 86, a rear wall 88 and a top wall 90.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 3a-e which illustrates the apparatus in an open position, the front and rear walls are formed of two parts, as is the top wall and when in the open position the said parts are separated so as to allow access for an animal into and from the cavity 78.

[0082] The apparatus 72 is provided with an inlet 92 to allow a liquid, typically water, and which may be heated, to be passed into connecting pipes and hence reach dispensing means such as jets 94, 96 which are provided in a spaced array configuration on the interior of the side walls 82, 84, front and rear walls 86, 88 and top wall 90 in this embodiment. The connecting pipes 98, 98′ typically pass, as shown in broken lines from the inlet 92 to respective interfaces 100, 100′ between the base 74 and the side walls 84, 86 and which is closed and sealed when the apparatus is in the closed position. From the interfaces 100, 100′ the liquid passes to the dispensing means 96 typically passing between an inner layer which forms the wall of the cavity and an outer layer which forms the external surface of the apparatus housing 102.

[0083] With regard to the air inlet 104 then again connecting pipes 106, 106′ lead from the same to respective interfaces 108,108′ which again, when the apparatus is closed allow the passage of air into the side walls between the layers and to dispensing means in the form of jets 110 which, in this embodiment are formed in the side walls 84, 86.

[0084] The drainage assembly also includes an outlet 112 which allows the removal of waste water, debris and treatment chemicals from the tank 78 during the cleaning operation or afterwards.

[0085] In order to allow the waste liquid and debris to reach the tank, the floor 80 is formed with a plurality of drainage apertures 114 therein which allow the passage of the liquid from the cavity 76 into the tank 78.

[0086] When the animal which is to be washed, treated and/or dried is placed onto the floor 80 with the apparatus in the open position shown in FIGS. 3a-e the doors 116 and 118 can be moved about hinges 120, 122 as indicated by arrows 124, 126 in FIG. 4 to an intermediate position and then to the closed position shown in FIG. 5. In the closed position there is defined an aperture 128 at the apex between the front wall 86 and the top wall 90 through which the neck of the animal is positioned so as to allow the head of the animal to be positioned externally of the cavity during the cleaning.

[0087] In order to ensure that the animal is positioned correctly in the cavity 76 with respect to the location of the water and air dispensing means and also to ensure that the animal can be comfortably located with their neck passing through the aperture 128, the floor 80 height can be adjusted as indicated by arrow 128 in FIG. 3b and/or the length between the front 86 and rear 88 walls can be adjusted to allow the size dimensions of the cavity to be adjusted to suit the animal with which the apparatus is to be used.

[0088] Referring now to FIGS. 6,7 and 10 there is illustrated apparatus 132 with a base assembly 134 and a housing 136 in which sidewalls 138,140, end walls 142, 144 and top wall 146 are formed and which is formed of a flexible, transparent sheet material and which is provided to be attached to the base 148 assembly periphery 150 which is typically formed of a relative rigid material. The base assembly includes connection means for a series of components 152 to allow the drainage of the fluid which collects in the base to an external drainage apparatus. Also provided is a plate 154 with a series of apertures and the animal will stand on the base plate during use of the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0089] A module 156 is provided which is locatable on the top wall 146 of the housing as illustrated in FIG. 7 so as to allow the passage of water and/or air which is supplied to the module, from the module and downwardly as indicated by arrows 158 into the cavity which is formed when the sheet material of the housing is moved to the in use position as shown.

[0090] The material is typically moved to the in use position by the introduction of air into the cavity, typically via a pipe 160 as indicated by arrow 162 to thereby inflate the housing from the storage position shown in FIG. 6 to the position as shown in FIG. 7.

[0091] In the in-use position shown, the housing includes an aperture 164 for the passage therethrough of the neck 166 of the animal 168 as shown in FIG. 8 so that the body 170 of the animal is located within the cavity 172 formed between the base plate 154 and the walls of the housing 136. Also provided are a number of supply means 174 to allow air and/or water to pass through the sidewalls and into the cavity to allow the washing, treating and/or drying effect to be achieved and in FIG. 10, there is illustrated a module 176 which can be provided on the sidewall to allow the further introduction of water and/or air into the cavity 172.

[0092] Also provided, in this embodiment on the sidewalls 138,140, are a series of passages 174, which are normally held in a sealed position as shown, but which have cross slots or other means 176 to allow a person to move their hand and wrist through the passage and into the cavity 172 so as to allow them to contact the animal located therein, to perform washing, treating and/or drying manipulation on the animal's coat and/or to provide a calming effect on the animal when located in the cavity.

[0093] In one embodiment, the said walls of the housing are formed of a double ply sheet material so as to enable a sealing effect to be created around the wrist of the user when placing the same through the passage 174.

[0094] It will be appreciated that the apparatus can be provided in suitable dimensions for a particular range of animals and FIG. 9 illustrates a range of different sized apparatus 132 to suit different sizes, of, in this case, a dog.

[0095] FIG. 9 illustrates the manner in which the apparatus can be moved to a storage condition in which the housing 136 lies substantially flush with the top surface of the base assembly and this aids transportation and storage of a number of the apparatus as shown.

[0096] The apparatus, in which ever embodiment may also be used as a portable container which allows the container to be carried by hand to a particular location for use and, in one embodiment, the container can be used also as a means for transporting the animal, as well as a means for performing washing and cleaning operations on the animal once the apparatus is connected to a supply of fluid and air.

[0097] An example of moving the apparatus between storage, open; and closed, in use positions is shown FIGS. 12a-d and, is illustrated with regard to an embodiment of the apparatus which is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1a-2i and therefore uses the same reference numerals for the same parts. The apparatus is shown in the storage position in FIG. 12a and it will be appreciated that the same can be moved to a relatively small size by removing the support members 6,8 from the base and opening the zips 31 and 33 and folding down the parts 35, 37 of the sheet material envelope 11 towards the base 4. To move the apparatus to the in-use closed position then the support members 6, 8 are engaged with the base 4 as shown in FIG. 12b and the animal, in this case a dog 99, is moved onto the floor 14 of the base 4 to a position shown in FIG. 12c. When in position, the portions 35, 37 of the housing are moved upwardly and over the support members so that the sheet material 11 is supported and bring the zip edges of the parts 35, 37 into an adjacent position. When this is achieved, the zips 31, 33 are closed to engage the parts 35,37 together and thereby form the cavity 28 in which the animal is located, with the head and neck placed through the port 10 formed in the front wall 24 of the housing and between the ends of the zips 31,33 as shown in FIG. 12d. When this has been achieved, the apparatus is ready for the cleaning procedures, which typically will be an initial rinse and then shampoo and water followed by a rinse, and/or treatment which may be applied after the second rinse or, if no shampoo is used, after the first rinse, and then subsequent drying in which the liquid flow is stopped and the user can then move the hand held portion to direct the air over the coat of the animal to dry the same. When the procedures are completed the steps from 12d-b are performed so as to allow the free movement and removal of the animal from the apparatus.

[0098] It will therefore be appreciated that the apparatus may be provided in different versions. The different versions may be, for example, any or any combination of, different versions for use with different types of animal, different versions for specific size ranges of animal and/or different versions of control ranging from a manually operable version through to a versions which have pre-programmed control options for different cleaning and/or treatment options.

[0099] There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention apparatus which allows the controlled and less stressful performance of cleaning and/or treatment of an animal whilst improving the effectiveness of the performance of the cleaning and thereby reducing wastage of water and treatment chemicals and also reducing the risk of the animal causing damage to the premises after the cleaning has been performed.