Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – Particular construction or configuration details
Patent
1993-04-01
1995-01-17
Phillips, Charles E.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
Particular construction or configuration details
4490, A47K 302, B08B 908, E04H 416
Patent
active
053815661
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning bathtubs.
BACKGROUND
There are needs in this art to be able to supply liquid, as a rule water and/or cleaning liquid, to a bathtub in immediate association with the upper edge of the bathtub. In certain practical applications, the term cleaning liquid is taken to signify also liquid including disinfectant agents. Since the liquid is supplied in immediate association with the upper edge of the tub, complete cleaning of the tub will be facilitated, i.e. cleaning of all regions of the tub into which the bather may come into contact, or with which the bathing water may come into contact. In a medical care context, such a complete cleaning is a regularly recurring need. A distribution of the liquid supply such that this takes place along all parts of the upper edge of the tub also affords the advantage that, at peak working periods, cleaning of the bathtub may be postponed without the dirt/impurities coagulating on the surface of the bath, since there is the possibility of supplying liquid to the bathtub from time to time, thereby keeping the dirt/impurities damp. In order to achieve the above disclosed effects, it is necessary that the liquid be supplied in a uniform flow which covers all parts of the inner defining surface of the bathtub, so that the liquid, while on its passage towards the bottom and outlet of the tub, wets all parts of the inner surface of the bathtub.
For economic reasons, it is desirable that an apparatus for cleaning bathtubs supplies the cleaning liquid to the tub substantially fully automatically--as far as this is possible--and makes optimum use of the supplied cleaning liquid. Optimum utilization of the cleaning liquid requires that during each cleaning period only a minor volume of cleaning liquid is utilized, whereby contemplated environmental advantages will also be attained. In addition, it is necessary that the apparatus empties the bath of cleaning liquid and rinses the bath before the bath water is run into the bath.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide apparatus wherein the above-established requirement and needs will be satisfied. The above and further objects of the invention are satisfied by an apparatus for cleaning a bathtub comprising an upper defining edge of the bathtub provided with supply means for selectively discharging cleaning liquid or rinsing liquid in a thin sheet from said edge along an inwardly facing defining surface of the tub, a pump, at least one conduit connecting the pump to a tap point from which liquid is supplied to the apparatus, at least one further conduit connecting the pump to the bathtub to supply or remove liquid from the bathtub, a preparation device for cleaning liquid connected to at least one of said conduits at least one of the further conduits, being connected to said supply means for discharging the liquid via said supply means into the bathtub, valve means provided in at least one of the further conduits and in said at least one conduit, and control and regulator means for starting and stopping the pump for supply of cleaning liquid or rinsing liquid to the bathtub.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus according to the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a detail of the apparatus which shows a suction extraction device an enlarged scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention in which a bath tub 10 is provided with a device 11 for discharging liquid to the bathtub in immediate association with the upper edge of the tub. Hereinafter, this device will generally be referred to as supply means 11. The tub is fitted with a bottom outlet 13 and with a passage 70 disposed to permit liquid to pass both into and out of the tub. Hereinafter, the designation suction extraction device 70, will be empl
REFERENCES:
patent: 1563783 (1925-12-01), Paul
patent: 4383341 (1983-05-01), Altman
patent: 4530120 (1985-07-01), Etani
Olsson Jorgen
Sonesson Leif
Arjo Hospital Equipment AB
Phillips Charles E.
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