BASIN FOR WASHING AND DRYING PETS

Abstract: A basin (1) for washing and drying pets combined with a basin support (11) in which there are contained devices for sucking water from the animal's fur and for drying it. These latter devices form preferably a unique ensemble comprising a suction section (13, 19, 27) which communicates with the hot air blowing section (12, 21, 22). The basin (1) preferably has an aperture on the front wall (1/b), with a removable part (2) which is inserted in said aperture. There are also provided means for filtering the impurities (hair, etc.) from the washing water and/or for deflecting the discharge liquid flow when said liquid contains toxic substances.

Description: Description Basin for washing and drying pets Technical Field The present invention relates to a basin provided with a basin support (pedestal) , to be used in shops or rooms for the toilet (care) of animals, in order to wash and dry dogs, cats or other animals. Background Art The basins used nowadays in rooms for the care of animals, are usual tubs for humans, connected to the wall at a required height, so as to let them become functional for the operator who has to wash the animal inside them (a dog, a cat, etc.). As known, the procedure used today for washing or drying an animal, consists in: - washing and rinsing the animal inside the basin; - removing it from the basin, placing it on a bracket or a table; - removing from the animal as much water as possible, using towels and/or buckskin; - completing the drying by means of an (hair) dryer (phon) having incorporated electric resistances and being of an industrial kind. All this results in« - waste of time (the towels and/or buckskin remove only 70% + 80% of the water; afterwards they must be washed and dryed on their turn in order to be reused) > - waste of energy and lack of hygiene (industrial dryers absorb 3000 + 4000 Watts; they cause air ionization; they spread in the environment hair and dead parasites which are not removed by the towels; usually they comprise materials giving rise to cancer, such as as asbestos, etc.; the drying time is considerable, since the water quantity which has remained on the animal is elevated) ; - physical effort due to the fact that the animal must be lifted in order to place it inside the basin and to remove it therefrom (it may weigh also 50 + 60 Kg); physical effort results also from the vigorous massage which is done by means of the towels; - the configuration and the characteristic features of the basins are not adequate for this particular application, i.e. washing of the animals (dogs slip inside the basin). Disclosure of Invention The object of the present is that of eliminating all the drawbacks which have been mentioned above, by realizing a basin conceived in an adequate way; said basin being provided with a basin support containing adequate devices for sucking water, hair and dead parasites from the animal , and for producing hot air under pressure in order to complete the drying operation; all this being realized so as to allow to completely wash, rinse and dry the animal inside the basin, eliminating the use of towels, and taking also account of the hygienic and sanitary standards which are required by actual laws. According to the present invention, these objects are attained by means of a basin provided with a basin support, having one or more of the following features: - it facilitates introduction and removal of the animal from the basin; - it facilitates drying of the animal; - it is provided with a sump (well) for collecting and discharging liquids, containing a removable grating for collecting hair and other solid impurities; - it is provided, on the discharge duct, with a three- way valve, allowing to separate polluted liquids from non-polluted ones; - it allows the introduction inside the basin, of panels having different heights, in order to facilitate washing and drying of small animals; - it is provided, inside the basin support, with: a) a rotary centrifugal compressor (or multistage centrifugal blower) , which: 1) at one end generates a vacuum in order to suck liquids and other dissimilar materials, through an appropriate hose and a connecting tube; 2) and, at the other end, transmits kinetic and compression energy to the air, in order to heat it up and convey it towards an utilization circuit, acting as a "hair dryer", b) A tank for collecting and retaining water, hair, etc. It is sufficient for the compressor to employ an electric power of only 1100 Watt. Brief Description of Drawings The features of the invention and its advantages will be more clearly understood by reading the following detailed description referring to the annexed drawings and given only for illustrative and non-limitative purposes, whereby: - Fig. 1 schematically shows, according to a perspective view, the basin of the present invention; - Fig. 2 shows the same basin, without the removable front wall portion; - Fig. 3 shows the same basin, according to a front view, without the removable front wall portion; - Figs. 4 and 5 are transversal cross sections which are respectively obtained on the planes a-a and b-b in Fig.3; - Fig. 6 shows the closure grating of the sump (well); - Fig. 7 shows the small filtration basket to be inserted inside the sump chamber; - Fig. 8 shows a small vessel to be introduced inside the sump chamber, instead of the small filtration basket of Fig. 7; - Fig. 9 shows, according to a front view, the removable front wall portion of the basin; - Fig. 10 shows the profile, i.e. the silhouette, of the removable wall portion illustrated in Fig. 9; - Fig. 11 is a transversal cross section along the plane indicated by c-c of Fig. 9; - Fig. 12 is a transversal cross section identical to Fig. i - Fig. 13 is a longitudinal (diametral) cross section taken along the plane indicated by d-d in Fig. 12; - Fig. 14 is a top view of Fig. 3; - Fig. 15 is a front view of the basin support; - Fig. 16 is a transversal (diametral) cross section taken along the plane e-e of Fig. 15; - Fig . 17 is a top view of Fig . 15 ; - Fig. 18 is a front view, like Fig. 1, wherein the front closure door is omitted, and the centrifugal compressor and the tank are made visible; - Fig. 19 shows the compressor and the tank, and the relative connecting tubes. Best Mode of Carrying out the Invention In the figures, the same alpha-numeric references designate the same parts or elements. With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 indicates the body of the basin, 2 the removable wall portion - which is connected by chains 3 to the basin body -, and 4 the sump or well through which water is discharged. A basin to be employed for washing dogs and/or other animals, does not need to be filled with water or to contain a minimal quantity of it; since the animal has to be wetted or soaked, rubbed with shampoo, and rinsed; water must be able to flow directly to the discharge duct without depositing itself on the bottom of the basin, Therefore, the basin of the present invention differs from known basins (consisting of a simple vessel provided with a water discharge hole) in that it has the following features: - a profile (Figs. 4, 5, 12, 13) without wide rounded regions between the walls and the basin's bottom, for preventing the animal to slip (as happens with conventional basins); - the wall 1/a, which contacts the room's wall, is straight and vertical; the front wall 1/b is slanted towards the operator; the basin's bottom 1/c is flat; the curved regions R between basins bottom and walls have a minimized extent; - the front wall 1/b has a removable portion 2 in order to facilitate, on the one hand, the introduction of the animal, which must not be lifted any more over the upper edge of the basin in order to place it inside the basin, but on the contrary, it often enters and gets off on its own; and on the other hand, in order to facilitate the drying operation performed on the animal (even on the legs) , since the basin wall does not hinder movements any more; - it is provided with a sump or well 4 (in the form of an insert or an integral part) in order to discharge the liquids (no known basin has a sump), this sump having a pierced closure grating 24 (Fig. 6). Inside the sump chamber there may be inserted: - a small filtration basket 25 (Fig. 7), which is used for retaining the hair and other solid impurities; - a small vessel 26 (Fig. 8) (instead of the small basket 25, Fig. 7), in order to retain the liquid, when using parasites killing substances. This liquid, after having been filled in appropriate containers, will be brought to plants for disposal of toxic products; - it is provided with guides or reliefs 5 (Fig.12), whereon it is possible to support one or more panels 6, which are spaced apart from the basin bottom, and on which small dimensioned animals may be placed, whereby said animals would be washed and dryed with difficulty if they were placed directly on the basin bottom; - it is conceived so as to be connected to or inserted on the basin support (Fig. 15 and following figures). Said features are advantageous for the basin in the following sense: - easiness of use during washing and drying of the animal; - advantages under the hygienic and sanitary point of view, since the liquids to be regenerated can be recovered; - advantages as regards prevention of injuries, since it is no more necessary to lift the animal in order to place it inside the basin; and further the animal does not slip any more, since the basin has a flat bottom without rounded regions, so that the animal will be relaxed and there is no possibility that it bites. The plate or removable part 2 (Figs. 9, 10, 11) which forms the movable part of the front wall of the basin, consists of a panel - like structure having projecting edges 2/a, 2/b on three sides thereof, said edges allowing to insert the panel 2 in the respective aperture obtained in the front wall of the basin, in such a way that the panel remains attached to it. The outside edge 2/b may project more then the edge 2/a, so as to provide a backing means against the basin body, facilitating its insertion. The basin support (Fig. 15 and following figures) is formed with a body 11 or supporting structure consisting of two lateral uprights 11/a - 11/bj a frame 11/c made up of tubular components connected to each other and to the uprights by welding; a semicircular sector 11/d forming an "L" -shaped section bar which is also integral with the frame 11/c. The number 12 indicates the radial centrifugal compressor, which is conventional, and is fixed to the frame 11/σ by means of screws; 13 designates an usual tank or can, used to suck liquids and which is inserted (not fixed) on the circular sector 11/d. The compressor 12 and the tank or can 13 connected to each other in a known manner, cooperate to form the liquid suction section, by means of which it is possible to realize the first step of the drying operation on the animal located inside the basin 1, after it has been washed and rinsed; whereas the outlet of the compressor produces a hot air jet and makes up the "hair-dryer" section. The ensemble formed by the compressor 12, the can 13 and the tubes lodged inside the basin support, is shown in Fig. 19. The suction or intake tube 27 having an end mouth 19, is attached to the part 20/a of a sleeve integral with the body 11 (Fig. 17). Outside, on the part 20/b of said sleeve, another tube (not shown) is attached thereto, which ends into a known hose used to suck liquids. The blowing tube 21, extending from the blowing outlet of the compressor 12, ends into a mouth 22 which is connected to the part 23/a of a second sleeve integral with the body 11, whereas on the part 23/b, a tube is attached (not shown), ending up into a frusto-conical hose which is used is a "hair-dryer" (Fig. 17). All mentioned tubes are flexible tubes. The construction of a basin for washing animals, with a basin support incorporating a device having a liquid suction and a hair-drying function, is an absolutely novel idea. The basin support is completed by: - a magnetothermic starter 15 to start the motor of the compressor 12; - a front door or cover 16, which is easily disassembled (or which is anyway openable) in order to facilitate removal of the can 13 for its daily emptying and for maintenance operations; - possible drawers 17 which contain combs, brushes, etc. - a rear closure panel 18. The inner space of the basin support also has the function of enclosing and hiding from the outside, the discharge duct of the basin 1 and its corresponding drain - trap, or anything else may be applied thereon, allowing to perform maintenance on these parts, for example a three-way valve used to separate polluted liquids from non-polluted ones, or possibly a container for collecting polluted liquids. Obviously the invention is not limited to the constructive details which have been illustrated and/or described herein, but it comprises also all those variants and equivalent embodiments which are realized starting from the present inventive concept, as for instance: - in the discharge duct of the basin sump, upstream of the drain-trap, there may be inserted a fluid flow deflector or a three way valve, which may be manually operable, automatic or semiautomatic, having the function of deflecting the non-polluted liquids towards the sewer or of deflecting polluted liquids towards an appropriate sump or container, avoiding the use of the vessel of Fig. 8; - it is possible to associate to the basin, according to the known art: a faucet set provided with a hot/cold water mixer, and a small shower comprising a flexible tube; or lateral support planes 8 - Fig. 1, or a collection tank for polluted liquids, including an overflow detector and a signaling device indicating that a predetermined level has been reached; or at last, a coin box for a timed operation of the compressor; - it is possible to introduce two separate known devices inside the basin support, in order to obtain the liquid suction and hair-dryer operation.

Claims: AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 01 August 1995 (01.08.95); original claims 1 and 2 amended; original claim 3 cancelled; original claim 6 amended and renumbered into new claim 5; original claims 4 and 5 and 7-12 renumbered into new claims 3 and 4 and 6-11, respectively. (4 pages)] 1. A basin (1) for washing, rinsing and drying pets, comprising anyone or a combination of the following features! - a profile or silhouette having walls (1/a, 1/b) and a basin bottom (1/c) substantially without rounded connection regions between them; - flat basin bottom (1/c) ; - a portion (2) of the side wall (1/b) which is removable from the basin body; - one or more brackets (6) to be mounted on, or inserted is the basin (1) so as to be used as a support for smaller animals, charaterized in that it comprises a basin support (11) provided with devices (12, 13) for sucking water from the animal 's fur and for completing the drying by means of a hot air jet. 2. A basin according to claim 1, characterized in that it has anyone of the following features, or any combination thereof: - a sump or well (4) for the discharge of liquids mounted on or integral with the basin (1); - a substantially vertical wall (1/a) for readily connecting the basin to a room wall; whereby the basin is fixed or applied on a basin support (11) having substantially a box-like shape and comprising: - a centrifugal radial compressor (12) ; - a can or tank (13) for containing water or other impurities sucked from the animal's fur; - a flexible tube (27) and first means (19; 20/a, 20/b) in order to connect, in known ways, the compressor (12), the can (13), and the suction hose, so as to obtain a liquid suction operation for removing water, hair, and dead parasites, from the animal's fur; - a flexible tube (21) and second means (22; 23/a, 23/b) to be connected to the outlet of the compressor, in order to obtain a drying operation of the animal's fur, by means of a hot air jet produced by the compressor (12) - hair-dryer system; - electrical control means (15) of said compressor; the water used during the washing and/or rinsing stage being discharged, in case it is not polluted directly to the sewer, without being filtered and utilized again. 3. A basin according to claim 2, characterized in that said liquid discharge sump or well (4) is closed upwardly by means of a removable grating. 4. A basin (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that inside said discharge sump (4) there may be 25 alterna ively introduced a pierced small basket (25) and a small vessel (26), whereby the first (25) operates as a filter in order to retain hair or other solid impurities, and the second is used in order to retain also possible toxic liquids. AMENDED SHEET AR ICLE 19) 5. A basin according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that to the outlet sleeve of the sump (4) there may be 5 applied a deflector, or a three-way valve, or any other kind of known device having the function of draining the liquid towards the sewer or an appropriate container, according to whether the liquid is or is not polluting, the liquid being in no case filtered and reused. 6. A basin according to claim 5, characterized in that said three-way valve may be manually operable, semiautomatic or automatic. 7. A basin according to claim 2, characterized in that 15 to said can (13) for containing the water, there may be applied an automatic steam trap. 8. A basin according to claim 1, characterized in that to said basin (1) there may be associated, according to 20 known techniques, a set of faucets - a mixer of hot/cold water and a small shower with corresponding flexible tube. 9. A basin according to claims 2 and 5, characterized 25 in that to said deflector to be applied on the sleeve of the discharge sump (4), there may be applied a toxic liquid collection tank of a known kind, provided with an overflow detector, and a signaling device indicating that a predetermined level has been reached. 10. A basin according to claim 2, characterized in that to said electric control means of said compressor (12), there may be added a coin box for a timed operation of the compressor. 11. A basin according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basin support (11) contains two different and separate devices of a known kind, wherein one of these devices is used for sucking liquids, and the other one as a "hair-dryer". STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE19 The amendment to the claims have been effected after having considered the relevant documents cited by the international search report.

Inventors: CUCCHI MASSIMO, RIPAMONTI OSCAR, ZAPPAROLI IVO, CUCCHI, MASSIMO, RIPAMONTI, OSCAR, ZAPPAROLI, IVO
Applicants: CUCCHI MASSIMO, RIPAMONTI OSCAR, ZAPPAROLI IVO, CUCCHI, MASSIMO, RIPAMONTI, OSCAR, ZAPPAROLI, IVO
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A01K13
IPC codes: A01K13