05/316675

04/23/1974

12/20/1972

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Forenade, Fabriksverken (Eskilstuna, SW)

4/616

A61H9/00; A47K1/04

4/167,168,159,169,166,178,180,184,1

3416517

Automatic shampoo apparatus

December 1968

Adams et al.

Artis, Henry K.

Fitch, Even, Tabin & Luedeka

The present application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 211,457 filed Dec. 23, 1971 and relates generally to washing apparatus, and more particularly to a portable washing apparatus for hygienically cleaning a patient with minimum disturbance of the patient.

I claim

1. Apparatus for washing a patient hygienically with a minimum disturbance of the patient, comprising, in combination, container means for receiving used washing medium, coupling assembly means supported by said container means and having a plurality of flow passages therein, receptacle means supported by said coupling assembly means and adapted to support a quantity of washing medium therein, a source of pressurized gas, at least one hand-manipulatable nozzle device, a source of suction, first means establishing communication between said pressurized gas and said receptacle means to pressurize said washing medium, second means adapted to establish flow communication between said washing medium and said nozzle device to discharge washing medium from said nozzle device for application to a patient's skin, and third means establishing communication between said nozzle device and said source of suction through said container means for effecting return of the discharged washing medium to said container means after application to the patient's skin.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling assembly means is seperable from said container means to facilitate cleaning and sterilizing of said coupling assembly means and said container means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means effects communication between said pressurized gas and said receptacle means through said coupling assembly means, wherein said second means is adapted to establish communication between said washing medium and said nozzle device through said coupling assembly means, and wherein said third means includes flow conduit means connecting said nozzle device to said container means through said coupling assembly means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said first, second and third means include conduit means releasably connected to said coupling assembly means to allow separation therefrom for cleaning and sterilizing of said coupling assembly means.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said washing medium comprises a liquid detergent compatible with human skin.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including portable carriage means supporting said container means, said carriage means further supporting said sources of pressurized gas and suction.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including valve means interposed between said receptacle means and said nozzle device for controlling the flow of washing medium to said nozzle device.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means includes flow conduit means releasably connected to said coupling assembly means, wherein said second means includes flow conduit means releasably connected to said coupling assembly means, and wherein said third means includes flow conduit means releasably connected to said coupling assembly means, said flow conduit means of said first, second and third means being releasable from said coupling assembly means to allow cleaning and sterilizing of said coupling assembly means.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said carriage means includes storage means for storing replacement nozzles and other materials desired for use in connection with said apparatus.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said nozzle device comprises a washing head device having a mixing chamber therein, and including means establishing communication between said washing head device and said source of pressurized gas in a manner to effect intermixing of gas and washing medium from said receptacle means within said mixing chamber to form a foam for discharge from said washing head device.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means loosely connecting said receptacle means to said coupling assembly means in a manner to substantially prevent transfer of vibrations from said coupling assembly means to said receptacle means whereby a washing medium container supported by said receptacle means will not be subjected to vibrations from said coupling assembly means.

12. In a patient cleaning apparatus having nozzle means for dispensing a washing medium onto a patient's skin for cleaning thereof, and flow conduit means connected at one end to said nozzle and adapted for connection at its opposite end to a source of washing medium; the improved combination therewith of washing medium supply means including a coupling assembly adapted for connection to said opposite end of said flow conduit means, bottle receptacle means supported by said coupling assembly, an inlet fitting mounted on said coupling assembly and projecting into the interior of said receptacle means, said receptacle means being adapted to support a washing medium container bottle therein with said inlet fitting communicating with the interior of said bottle, said inlet fitting and said coupling assembly having flow passage means therein adapted to effect fluid communication between the interior of said bottle and said flow conduit means when said bottle is inserted into said receptacle means.

13. The combination as defined in claim 12 including valve means supported by said coupling assembly and being cooperable with said flow passage means within said coupling assembly to selectively control the flow of washing medium from said bottle to said nozzle means through said flow conduit means.

14. The combination of claim 12 wherein said coupling assembly includes upper and lower portions, said lower portion having connector means thereon for connection to said opposite end of said flow conduit means, said bottle receptable means being supported by said upper portion of said coupling assembly in upstanding relation thereon.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14 wherein said upper portion of said coupling assembly is releasably connected to said lower portion of said coupling assembly such that said upper coupling portion and said bottle receptacle means may be removed from said lower coupling portion for cleaning.

16. The combination as defined in claim 14 including valve means mounted on said upper portion of said coupling assembly, and wherein said upper and lower portions of said coupling assembly define separate flow passages communicating with said flow conduit means, said valve means being adapted to selectively control the flow of washing medium through said diverse flow passages to said flow conduit means.

17. The combination of claim 12 wherein said coupling assembly defines a pair of flow passages providing flow communication between said inlet fitting and said flow conduit means, and including flow restrictor means in one of said pair of flow passages to effect a lesser flow rate therethrough than the other of said pair of flow passages, and valve means supported by said coupling assembly and operative to effect flow of washing medium through either of said pair of flow passages to said nozzle means.

18. The improvement of claim 12 wherein said bottle receptacle means is adapted to receive a totally sealed replaceable bottle having liquid washing medium therein, said bottle having a point of weakness therein positioned for engagement with said inlet fitting when said bottle is inserted into said bottle receptacle means to allow penetration of said inlet fitting into the interior of said bottle through said point of weakness.

19. The improvement of claim 18 wherein said bottle receptacle means has a generally rectangular configuration, and wherein said bottle has a corresponding exterior configuration adapted to be received within said bottle receptacle means, said bottle receptacle means and said bottle being cooperable to insure placement of said point of weakness on said bottle in a position to receive said inlet fitting therethrough.

20. The improvement as defined in claim 12 including an air inlet tube supported in coaxial relation with said inlet fitting and extending upwardly within said bottle receptacle, said air inlet tube being adapted to be received within said bottle when inserted within said receptacle over said inlet fitting, said air inlet tube having air passage means adapted for communication to a source of air pressure for selectively introducing air pressure into said bottle when inserted within said bottle receptacle means.

21. In a container for use with an apparatus for washing a patient hygienically, said container having a first opening therein adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum to effect communication between the interior of the container and the source of vacuum, said container having a second opening adapted to receive a foam therethrough when the interior of the container is subjected to vacuum, and said container being adapted to container a predetermined quantity of a liquid having a de-foaming agent therein, the combination therewith of foam distributor means disposed within the container, said distributor means including a depending hollow tube connected at one end to said second opening so that foam entering the container passes through said hollow tube, and foam strainer means secured to the opposite end of said tube and being positioned so as to be submerged in said predetermined quantity of liquid when introduced into said container, said foam strainer means cooperating with said container to define a chamber into which foam passes after passing through said tube, said strainer means having a plurality of openings therein of a size sufficient to disperse foam received within said chamber and passed upwardly through said openings.

22. The combination of claim 21 wherein said foam strainer means includes an upper plate portion connected to said opposite end of said tube, and a depending peripheral wall connected to the periphery of said plate portion and having a lower edge extending in close proximity to the bottom surface of the container.

23. The combination of claim 22 wherein said upper plate portion of said strainer means is connected at its center to said opposite end of said tube, and wherein said upper plate portion has a plurality of openings therethrough disposed in annular rings concentric with said center of said upper plate portion.

24. The combination as defined in claim 21 including liquid separator means disposed within said container in communication with said first opening to prevent liquid within the container from passing outwardly through said first opening.

25. The combination as defined in claim 24 wherein said liquid separator means comprises a first dish-shaped element having a generally flat upper surface and a depending peripheral wall, said flat upper surface of said first dish-shaped element having an opening therethrough in communication with said first opening in the container, said liquid separator means including a second dish-shaped element having a lower surface and an upstanding peripheral wall defining a chamber which receives the depending wall of said first element therein in radial spaced relation from the upstanding wall of said second element so as to define an air passage therebetween through which air may pass to said first opening toward said vacuum source while said liquid separator means prevents the passage of liquid outwardly of said first opening in the container.

26. In a container for use with an apparatus for washing a patient hygienically, said container adapted to contain a liquid and including an upper cover having a first opening therein adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum to effect communication between the interior of the container and the source of vacuum; the combination therewith of liquid separator means disposed within the container in communication with said first opening to prevent liquid within the container from passing outwardly through said first opening, said liquid separator means including a first inverted dish-shaped element having an upper plate portion and a depending wall defining with said upper plate portion a first chamber in communication with said first opening in the container, said liquid separator means including a second dish-shaped element having a lower plate portion and an upstanding wall having an upper edge disposed in close proximity to said upper cover, said upstanding wall defining with said lower plate portion of said second element a second chamber, said first and second elements being positioned such that the depending wall of said first element is received within said second chamber in inward spaced relation from said upstanding wall of said second element to define a flow passage between the spaced walls of said first and second elements to allow the passage of air through said first opening but preventing the flow of liquid through said first opening.

27. In a patient cleaning apparatus having a washing nozzle adapted to discharge a cleaning foam onto a patient's skin and withdraw the foam from the skin, a generally closed container adapted to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid having a de-foaming agent therein, conduit means connecting the nozzle to the interior of the container, a source of vacuum, and means connecting the source of vacuum to the interior of the container in a manner to draw foam discharged from the nozzle through said conduit means into the container by vacuum; the improved combination therewith of foam distributor means disposed within said container and comprising a depending tube having one end connected to the conduit means for receiving foam therein, and a strainer member secured to the opposite end of said depending tube in a position so as to be submerged in said predetermined quantity of liquid when introduced into the container, said strainer member comprising an inverted dish-shaped element having an upper surface and a peripheral depending wall defining a chamber within said strainer member, said upper surface being connected to said tube such that foam passing into said container through said tube enters into said chamber, said upper surface having a plurality of openings therein of sufficient size to disperse foam into said liquid as the foam passes upwardly from said chamber through said openings in said strainer member.

28. The combination of claim 27 including liquid separator means supported within said container and comprising a first inverted dish-shaped element having a generally flat upper plate portion and a depending wall defining with said upper plate portion a first chamber in communication with said source of vacuum, said liquid separator means including a second dish-shaped element having a lower plate portion and an upstanding peripheral wall defining a second chamber in said second element, said first and second elements cooperating to allow air flow from the container through said means connecting said container to said source of vacuum while preventing liquid within the container from passing outwardly of the container toward said source of vacuum.

29. The combination of claim 28 wherein said first and second elements of said separator means are positioned such that said depending wall of said first element is received within said second chamber in said second element, said depending and upstanding wall portions being in spaced relation to allow air flow therebetween.

Apparatus for cleaning surfaces such as walls, floors and carpeting which employ detergent foam generators are generally known. Vacuum aspiration and disposal of the used contaminated foam is also generally known. The known cleaning apparatus of this general type frequently include means for recycling the cleaning foam and are only suitable for comparatively heavy work such as the cleaning of corridor carpets, mats or other large textile surfaces. These known types of cleaning apparatus do not provide for readily sterilizing vital parts or elements of the apparatus, such as is necessary in hospital work and the like where cleaning apparatus are used to clean surfaces having excrement and often harmful bacteria and the like thereon.

The present invention is directed to an improved cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning patients. The apparatus includes a portable carriage which supports a "wet-part" comprising coupling assembly means having a plurality of flow passages therein selectively connected in communication with a washing nozzle, a washing medium receptacle, a source of air pressure, and a vacuum source. Valve means are operative to effect a discharge of washing medium from the washing nozzle in the form of a liquid or foam. An important feature of the present invention resides in the structural arrangement by which the various elements of the apparatus can be readily disassembled for cleaning and sterilizing.

Various objects and advantages of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable patient washing apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the so-called "wet-part" of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the manner of installing the waste container and coupling assembly of the apparatus onto the portable carriage;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view generally similar to FIG. 3 but showing attachment of the washing medium receptacle and the flow conduit which is connected at its opposite end to the washing head nozzle;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the patient washing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, the washing nozzle and associated flow conduit being detached;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6, and illustrates the washing medium control switch;

FIG. 8 is a plan view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the coupling assembly with the upper valve block portion being shown in phantom; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view showing the connection of the upper and lower portions of the coupling assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a portable apparatus for washing patients hygienically in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally at 10. The washing apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1 without a washing or cleaning nozzle and associated flow conduit attached to the apparatus, although the washing apparatus to be described hereinafter includes an application nozzle and connecting flexible flow conduit. The washing apparatus 10 includes a portable frame structure, indicated generally at 12, which is supported on wheels 14 to allow easy movement over a floor surface between bedridden patients.

The portable frame structure 14 has a horizontal support surface 16 thereon which serves to support what is termed the "wet-part" portion, indicated generally at 18, of the washing apparatus 10. Briefly, the "wet-part" portion 18 of the washing apparatus 10 includes a collector container, indicated generally at 20; coupling assembly means, indicated generally at 22, supported by the collector container 20; receptacle means, indicated generally at 24, for receiving a container of a washing medium such as a foamable liquid detergent compatible with human skin; washing or cleaning nozzle means, indicated generally at 26 in the schematic drawing in FIG. 2; and flow conduit means, indicated generally at 28, through which washing medium and compressed air may pass to the nozzle means 26, and through which contaminated or used washing medium may be drawn by suction means after application to the surface being cleaned, as will be described more fully below.

With reference to FIG. 1, taken in conjunction with FIG. 5, the portable carriage frame structure 12 supports a rearward storage section 30 which is supported on rearwardly extending lower frame members 32 and is releasably secured to the forward portion of the frame structure 12 by a connecting screw 34. The upper surface of the storage section 30 is open and has a plurality of compartments formed therein by partitions 36 for the storage of replacement washing or cleaning nozzles 26, sealed washing medium container bottles, spare gaskets, sterile towels and any other material desired for use in connection with the patient washing apparatus 10. The rearward vertical surface of the storage section 30 has a compartment 38 formed inwardly from the rearward vertical surface, which compartment 38 receives a hingedly connected generally rectangularly shaped rack or basket 40 into which may be deposited used and non-sterile materials after washing a patient. A push-handle 42 is secured to the storage section 30 adjacent the upper rearward edge surface thereof to facilitate pushing and maneuvering of the patient washing apparatus 10.

The collector container 20 of the "wet-part" portion 18 of the patient washing apparatus 10 includes a generally cylindrical tank or container 44 having a closed bottom which rests on the support surface 16 of the frame structure 12. Three upstanding retainer pins 45 are secured in spaced relation on the surface 16 and lie on a circle of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the tank 44 so as to engage the lower peripheral edge of the tank and retain it on the portable carriage 12 when positioned within the retainer pins 45. The cylindrical tank 44 is preferably of a volumetric size equivalent to approximately six quarts and serves for the collection of used washing medium during cleaning and washing of a patient. The tank 44 has a removable cover 46 to which is secured the upper end of a downwardly depending tube 48 having a foam strainer member, indicated generally at 50, secured to the lower end of the tube. The foam strainer 50 comprises an inverted generally dish-shaped member having a circular flat upper plate portion 52 and an integral annular depending wall 54 the lower edge of which is spaced in close proximity to the bottom of the container 44. The depending wall 54 and flat plate portion 52 define a chamber within the foam strainer. The circular plate portion 52 is connected at its center to the lower end of the tube 48 such that material passing downwardly within the tube 48 passes into the chamber within the foam strainer 50. The upper plate portion 52 of the foam strainer 50 has a plurality of openings therethrough, preferably in the form of four annular rows of openings 56 concentric with the center of the circular plate portion 52. The downwardly depending tube 48 and foam strainer member 50 define foam distributor means within the container 44 when the cover 46 is secured onto the upper end of the container 44.

As will become more apparent hereinbelow, the container 44 is filled with about two quarts of water, a quantity sufficient to cover the strainer member 50, and a de-foaming agent is added to the water prior to use of the washing apparatus 10. When the washing medium is applied by the washing nozzle 26 in the form of a foam, the discharge foam is returned to the container 44 by means of suction. The used foam passing downwardly within the tube 48 intermixes with the de-foaming agent within the container tank 44 and is reduced to a liquid. The strainer member 50 serves to prevent large globules of foam from passing upwardly through the strainer member and thus insures foam break-down into a liquid. It will be understood that the annular wall 54 could be eliminated and the upper plate portion 52 made of a size sufficient to extend substantially to the inner surface of the vertical wall of the tank 44.

The coupling assembly means 22 includes a lower portion comprising a junction block 58 fixedly secured to the upper surface of the removable cover 46 on the tank 44. The junction block 58 is of generally rectangular configuration except for an inclined surface 60 onto which is secured a hose coupling 62 which provides releasable connection means for the flow conduit means 28 as will be described more fully below. The junction block 58 has a flow passage 64 therethrough which is in communication with the upper end of the tubular member 48 and intersects the inclined surface 60, as best seen in FIG. 9.

The junction block 58 has a flow passage 66 therein communicating with a nipple 68 secured to the junction block and opening into the interior of the tank 44 when the cover 46 is secured thereon. The flow passage 66 also communicates with a tubular hose member 70 having one end secured to the junction block 58 and its opposite end connected through a quick-disconnect coupling 72 to a filter assembly 74. The side of the filter assembly 74 opposite the coupling 72 is connected through a conventional vacuum control valve 76 and a flow conduit 78 to a vacuum source which may comprise a diaphragm type vacuum or suction pump 80. The diaphragm pump 80 is supported on the frame members 32 within the portable frame structure 12. The filter assembly 74 has a conventional bacteria filter element therein which serves to sterilize air passing through the filter and into the suction pump 80.

The patient washing apparatus 10 has liquid separator means, indicated generally at 81, supported within the container 44 to prevent liquid within the container from passing outwardly through the opening in the nipple 68 toward the vacuum source 80. The liquid separator means 81 includes a first or upper separator element 82 of inverted dish-shape having a circular flat upper plate portion 83 and an integral depending annular wall 84. The upper plate portion 83 has an opening therein to receive the upper end of the tube member 48 therethrough. The upper plate portion 83 has a second opening therein which receives the nipple 68 therethrough, the nipple having a hex-head which retains the separator element 82 against the lower surface of the container cover 46. The liquid separator means 81 includes a second or lower separator element 85 of upright dish-shape having a circular lower plate portion 86 and an integral upstanding annular wall 87 the upper edge of which is in generally close proximity to the cover 46. The lower plate portion 86 is generally flat except for an upstanding tubular sleeve 88 which receives the tube member 48 therethrough. The lower separator element 85 receives the depending wall 84 of the upper separator element 82 therein, with the walls 84 and 87 being generally coaxial and radially spaced as shown in FIG. 5. The upper and lower separator elements 82 and 85 cooperate to allow air flow outwardly through the flow passage 66 in the junction block 58 but prevent liquid within the container 44 from passing outwardly through the passage 66 by means of suction.

The junction block 58 of the coupling assembly means 22 also has connected thereto a tubular quick-disconnect coupling 90 the interior of which is in communication with a flow passage 92 in the junction block 58. The coupling 90 provides means for releasably connecting a source of compressed air to the junction block 54. To this end, a flow conduit or hose 94 has one end connected to the coupling 90 and has its opposite end connected to the pressure side of a suitable air compressor 96 supported by the portable frame structure 12.

The coupling assembly means 22 includes an upper valve block 100 which is releasably connected to the junction block 58 and serves to support the receptacle means 24. With reference to FIG. 6, taken in conjunction with FIGS. 9 and 10, the valve block 100 includes a lower rectangular portion 102 having a lower planar surface 104. The lower portion 102 of the valve block 100 has a projecting lip 106 formed integrally therewith which is adapted to be received under an upstanding hook-shaped portion 108 on the junction block 58, as shown in FIG. 10. The side of the lower block portion 102 opposite the projecting lip 106 has an outward projection 110 having an angularly inclined upper surface 112. The projection 110 is adapted to be received between spaced upstanding locating members 114 and 116 on the junction block 58.

The spaced locating members 114 and 116 support a generally cylindrical locking pin 118 received through suitable horizontally aligned openings in the locating members. The locking pin 118 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and is fixed longitudinally relative to the locating members 114 and 116 by a cross-pin 120 adjacent one end of the locking pin, as shown in FIG. 9, and by an actuator plate 122 secured to the end of the locating pin opposite the cross-pin 120. The actuator plate 122 has a handle portion 124 allowing manual rotation of the locking pin. The locking pin 118 is recessed at 126 along the length thereof extending between the spaced locating pins 114 and 116 such that the locking pin may be rotated to a position allowing the projection 110 on the valve block 100 to be received between the locating members 114 and 116 on the junction block 58 while the projection 106 on the valve block is received beneath the hook-shaped portion 108 on the junction block. Thereafter, rotation of the locking pin 118 by means of the handle portion 124 will effect engagement of the periphery of the locking pin disposed between the locating members 114 and 116 with the upper surface 112 of the projection 110 to fixedly retain the valve block 100 in mounted position on the junction block 58. Prior to mounting the valve block 100 on the junction block 58, a gasket member 128, to be described more fully below, is positioned between the lower surface 104 of the valve block and the upper horizontal surface of the junction block 58 such that the valve block 100 is pressed downwardly against the upper surface of the gasket when it is assembled onto the junction block.

The valve block 100 has an upstanding wall portion 130 having a generally cylindrical outer peripheral configuration which receives a lower tubular end 132 of the receptacle means 24 in relatively loose fitting supporting relation thereon. The receptacle means 24 has an upper portion 134 of a cross sectional configuration conforming to the selected outer configuration of a washing medium container to be supported within the receptacle means 24. The upper portion 134 of the receptacle means 24 is open at its upper end and has elongated slots 136 extending longitudinally therealong. The upstanding wall 130 of the valve block 100 defines a cylindrical recess 138 which cooperates with the lower and upper portions 132 and 134, respectively, of the receptacle means 24 to receive a sealed plastic washing medium container bottle, indicated in phantom at 140, in inverted position within the receptacle means such that a sealed cap end 142 of the washing medium bottle is partially received within the recess 138 in the valve block 100. The sealed container bottle 140 is preferably transparent so that the washing medium therein, such as a foamable liquid detergent compatible with human skin, may be observed through the elongated slots 136 in the receptacle means 24. In the illustrated embodiment of the receptacle means 24, the upper portion 134 is rectangular in cross sectional configuration to receive a generally rectangularly shaped container bottle 140 therein. However, it will be understood that the receptacle means 24 may be of a configuration to receive a washing medium container bottle of cylindrical shape or other desired configuration.

The lower end 132 of the receptacle means 24 is received over the upstanding wall 130 of the valve block 100 in a loosely fitting relation and is retained on the wall 130 by attaching screws 144 (FIG. 10) received through elongated slots, one of which is shown at 146, in the lower tubular portion 132 of the receptacle means. The slots 146 are positioned such that the upper ends of the slots engage the shanks of the screws 144 which thus provide the vertical support for the receptacle means 24. The heads of the screws 144 are spaced slightly outwardly from the peripheral surface of the lower end 132 of the receptacle means 24 to insure a relatively loose fit on the wall 130 of the valve block 100. In this manner, vibrations of the valve block 100 are not transmitted through the receptacle means 24 to the container bottle 140, and adverse bottle leakage problems as might result from such vibrations are substantially eliminated.

The valve block 100 also supports an inlet fitting 144 in upstanding relation thereon within the recess 138. The inlet fitting 144 has an axial bore 146 which communicates with a cross-bore 148. The lower end of the inlet fitting 144 is threadedly secured within a threaded recess 150 in a manner to provide communication between the cross-bore 148 and a flow passage 152 in the lower portion 102 of the valve block 100. The valve block 100 also supports a tubular air inlet tube 154 in coaxial relation through the inlet fitting 144, the outer surface of the air inlet tube 154 being snugly received within a reduced diameter upper end portion of the axial bore 146. The air inlet tube 154 is pointed at its upper end and has a crossbore 156 communicating with the interior axial passage of the air inlet. The lower end of the air inlet tube 154 is threadedly secured within a tubular fitting 158 which, in turn, is secured within a threaded bore 160 in the lower portion 102 of the valve block 100 such that the interior of the air inlet tube 154 communicates with a chamber 162 defined within the gasket member 128, as best shown in FIG. 9.

The inlet fitting 144 and air inlet tube 154 are adapted to puncture the sealed plastic washing medium container bottle when the bottle is inserted into the receptacle means 24. For this purpose, the container bottle 140 preferably is provided with a region or point of weakness at 162 which is oriented upon inserting the bottle to receive the upper end of the air inlet tube 154 and the upper portion of the inlet fitting 144 therethrough. The inlet fitting 144 has a conical surface 164 which seats against and seals with the periphery of the puncture opening 162 in the container bottle 140 to prevent leakage from the container bottle when inserted into the receptacle means 24. In this manner, the washing medium contained within the bottle 140 may pass outwardly through the passages 146 and 148 in the fitting 144 and through the passage 152 in the valve block 100, while the cross-bore 156 in the air inlet tube 154 communicates with the interior of the bottle 140 to allow the entry of air or gas pressure therein as will become more apparent hereinbelow.

As noted, the flow passage 92 in the junction block 58 is connected to the air compressor 96. The flow passage 92 also intersects the upper surface of the junction block within the chamber 162 of the gasket 128 such that air pressure passing through flow passage 92 passes upwardly within the air inlet tube 154 to pressurize the washing medium within the container bottle 140. The pressurized washing medium is forced outwardly through the passages 148 and 146 in the inlet fitting 144 and through the flow passage 152 in the valve block 100 where it is controlled by valve means, indicated generally at 168, operative to control the flow of washing medium to the washing nozzle means 26. To this end, the valve means 168 includes a guide block 170 which is secured to a vertical side surface 172 of valve block 100 by screws 174. The guide block 170 supports a pair of longitudinally slidable valve members 176 within suitable bores in the guide block, the valve members 176 being laterally spaced and having enlarged end portions 178 adapted to be received within a recess 180 provided in the valve block 100. The enlarged end portions 178 of the valve members 176 selectively control fluid flow between the flow passage 152 in the valve block 100 and a pair of flow passages 182 and 184 provided in the valve block 100, as shown in FIG. 7.

Movement of the valve members 176 to open or close the associated flow passages 182 and 184 is effected by a valve control member 186 which is movable transversely of the longitudinal axes of the valve members 176 by a cover plate 188. The cover plate 188 is slidable along the guide member 170 in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the valve members 176 between limits established by a pin 190 secured within a suitable through-bore in the cover plate and received within an elongated slot 192 in the guide member 170. The valve control member 186 is interconnected to the cover plate 188 through a coupling screw 194 in the cover plate and is urged against the outer ends of the valve members 176 by compression springs 196 acting between the valve control memer 186 and adjustable screws 198 in the cover plate. The compression springs 196 also serve to urge the cover plate outwardly from the guide member 170 and thereby bias the pin 190 into a center detent or recess 200 in the slot 196 when the cover plate 188 is in a centered position relative to the guide member 170. It will be understood that the ends of the elongated slot 194 served to limit the extent of movement of the cover plate 188 relative to the guide member 170.

The valve control member 186 has a pair of laterally spaced recesses 204 therein which allow outward movement of either of the valve members 176 upon movement of the valve control member 186 to a position aligning one of the recesses 204 with the associated valve member 176. When the valve control member 186 is disposed in the position as shown in FIG. 7, washing medium is prevented from flowing between the flow passage 152 and either of the flow passages 182 or 184. Moving the cover plate 188 and the valve control member 186 to a position aligning either of the recesses 204 with its associated valve member 176 allows outward movement of such associated valve member to effect flow between the flow passage 152 and the thus opened flow passage 182 or 184.

The flow passages 182 and 184 intersect the lower surface 104 of the valve block 100 within a pair of spaced circular openings 202 and 204, respectively, in the gasket member 128. The flow passage 182 communicates through the opening 202 in the gasket 128 with a vertically disposed flow passage 206 in the junction block 58. The flow passage 184 communicates through the associated opening 204 in the gasket member 128 with a vertically disposed flow passage 208 in the junction block 58. Both of the flow passages 206 and 208 intersect a generally horizontal flow passage 210 in the junction block 58 which intersects the inclined surface 60 of the junction block. A similar horizontal flow passage 212 in the junction block 58 intersects the inclined surface 60 and communicates with a vertical flow passage 214 in the junction block which opens into the chamber 112 in the gasket 128. The flow passages 214 and 212 are thus in communication with the air pressure supply passage 92 such that a portion of the air under pressure passing through the flow passage 92 will flow directly outwardly of the flow passage 212 in the junction block 58, while a portion of the air supply will pass upwardly through the air inlet 154. Noting FIG. 6, a flow restrictor nozzle 216 is disposed within the flow passage 214 to insure air passage upwardly within the air inlet tube 150 as well as outwardly of the flow passage 212. A fluid filter and flow restrictor nozzle assembly 218 of conventional design is supported within the flow passage 208 and serves to filter and partially restrict fluid flow through the passage 208 from the flow passage 184 in the valve block 100, as will become more apparent hereinbelow.

The flow conduit means 28 may comprise a multi-channel flow conduit having three distinct flow conduits 220, 224 and 226 which are connected at one end to the nozzle means 28 and are connected at their opposite ends through the hose coupling 62 to the flow passage openings 64, 210 and 212, respectively, in the junction block 58. The washing or cleaning nozzle means 26 may take the form of a washing head device as disclosed in the copending application of Jan-Eric Engquist, Ser. No. 305,002, filed Nov. 9, 1972, or a cleaning device as disclosed in the copending application of Jan-Eric Engquist, Ser. No. 313,657 filed Dec. 11, 1972. When taking the form of a washing head device, the nozzle means 26 includes mixing chamber means therein for effecting mixing of washing medium from the washing medium bottle 140 and air from the air flow passage 212 to create a washing foam. Such washing head device has suitable discharge opening means in a surface 228 thereof for discharging the foam washing medium onto a patient's skin, and further includes suction passage means in the surface 228 for withdrawing the discharged foam washing medium from the skin surface through the suction conduit 220 into the collector tank 44. When taking the form of a cleaning device, the nozzle means 26 is adapted to discharge a washing medium in the form of a liquid spray under pressure to loosen any excrement or other matter on the patient's skin. The loosened material may then be removed through an aspirator trough in the surface 228 of the cleaning device when applied against the patient's skin. The cleaning device blocks air flow from the conduit 224.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the portable frame structure 12 of the patient washing apparatus 10 may include a retainer bracket 230 which is hingedly connected to a generally upstanding surface 232 of the frame structure 12 for movement between raised and lowered positions. The retainer bracket 230 is bifurcated at its outer end so as to receive the side surfaces of the junction block 58 therebetween and provide lateral stability when the collector container 20 and coupling assembly means 22 are positioned on the support surface 16 of the portable frame structure 12 with the hose coupling 62 directed outwardly from the retainer bracket 230. The retainer bracket 230 is adapted to cover the tubular hose 70, the filter assembly 74 and the quick-disconnect coupling 90 when in its lowered position, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this manner, when the container means 20 has become substantially full of used or waste washing medium after washing a number of patients, the retainer bracket 230 may be raised to a position as shown in FIG. 3 and the container means 20 and coupling assembly means 22 may be removed from the portable frame structure for emptying and sanitizing. Thereafter, the container means 20 and coupling assembly means 22 may be reassembled onto the portable frame structure 12 and the retaining bracket 230 brought downwardly to its lowered position. It will be understood that the filter assembly 74 could be supported rearwardly or behind the upstanding surface 232 of the carriage 12 so as to be hidden from view.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, its operation will now be briefly described. Firstly, a quantity of water and a de-foaming agent are deposited in the container tank 44 sufficient to insure coverage of the strainer member 50 when the cover 46 is placed onto the container tank. The lower junction block portion 58 of the coupling assembly 22 and the tank cover 46 are then secured onto the container tank 46, which is thereafter placed on the surface 16 of the carriage 12. The suction hose 70 on the junction block 58 is then connected to the quick-disconnect coupling 72, and the coupling 90 is connected to the flow passage 92 in the junction block. The bracket 230 is then moved downwardly over the junction block 58. The valve block 100, having the receptacle means 24 mounted thereon, is then secured onto the junction block 58 with the gasket 128 positioned therebetween as above described. A sealed washing medium container bottle 140 is then inverted and inserted into the receptacle means 24 to effect insertion of the air inlet tube 154 and inlet fitting 144 into the interior of the container bottle through the point of weakness 162 in the closed end 142 of the bottle, the end cap 142 adjacent the puncture opening 162 being sealed against the conical surface 164 on the fitting 144.

The flow conduits 220, 224 and 226 of the flow conduit means 28 are then connected through the coupling 62 to the junction block 58 to effect connection of the nozzle means 26 to the junction block. Thereafter, the vacuum pump 80 and air compressor 96 may be turned on such that air pressure passes upwardly within the air inlet tube 154 into the washing medium container bottle 140. Assuming the conduit means 28 has a washing head nozzle device connected to its outer end, air pressure also passes outwardly through the flow conduit 224 to the mixing chamber (not shown) within the washing head means 26. Movement of the cover plate 188 of the valve means 168 in the direction of the arrow associated with the term "foam" in FIG. 8 serves to effect passage of pressurized washing medium from the bottle 140 outwardly through the flow passage 210 in the junction block 58 and through the flow conduit 222 for mixutre with air from conduit 224 within the washing head nozzle means 26 to form a washing foam. Thereafter, the washing foam is discharged from the surface 228 of the washing nozzle means 26 onto the patient's skin and is withdrawn through suction ports in the nozzle surface 228 and through the suction hose 220 to the downwardly depending tube 48 of the foam distributor means within the container tank 44. The foam passing into the container tank 44 is reduced to a liquid state for retension within the tank 44. The liquid separator means 81 serves to prevent outward flow of waste liquid washing medium from the tank 44 toward the suction pump 80.

When the washing medium within the washing medium container bottle 140 has been substantially depleted, valve means 168 is moved to its "off" position and the empty container bottle is removed from the receptacle means 24. A new washing medium container bottle 140 can then be inserted into the receptacle means 24 as described. The valve means 168 may then again be positioned in its "foam" position to continue discharging a washing foam from the washing nozzle 26. The valve means 168 is also positioned in its "off" position when replacing the washing nozzle means 26 with another washing head or with a cleaning device of the type disclosed in the aforereferenced copending application of Jan-Eric Engquist.

When a cleaning device is connected to the outer end of the flow conduit means 28 to comprise the nozzle means 26, the cover plate 188 of the valve means 168 may be maintained in its "off" position and a pure suction action applied to the patient's skin to remove undesirable matter thereon through the suction conduit 220 in cooperation with the cleaning head device. Movement of the valve cover plate 188 to a "spray" position releases the valve member 176 from a blocking position with the flow passage 182 and effects flow of pressurized liquid washing medium through the flow passages 210 and 222 to the cleaning head device 26 where it is discharged as a spray onto the patient's skin. The liquid spray may be used to loosen dried matter on the patient's skin prior to removing the matter through the aspiration passage in the cleaning device.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and its broader aspects. Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.