Abstract:
A cartridge for an emergency eyewash stations is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a housing having a front section and a back section that couple together. The front section has a surface defining an opening into the housing. A sealed, fluid-containing bladder having a dispensing port is contained within the housing. A bracket is configured and arranged to couple to the opening on the front section of the housing such that the dispensing port is captured in a fixed position between the bracket and the surface on the front section defining the opening.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/729,639, filed on Oct. 24, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to self-contained emergency eyewash stations and more particularly to an improved cartridge assembly containing a “sterile” eyewash fluid for such stations.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Government and employers are increasingly aware of the need for protecting the health and safety of workers. For this reason, it is common to find eye wash fountains at industrial work sites, laboratories, and other locations where workers are exposed to gaseous fumes, liquids or solid materials which can irritate or injure eyes upon contact therewith. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has made eye wash fountains mandatory for particular industrial work stations.  
         [0006]     Early installations of eye wash fountains employed sprays of regular tap water fed from regular plant plumbing connections. These devices were adequate for a period of time, but suffered from the drawbacks of using the regular water supply. For example, there could be contaminants and bacteria in regular plumbed water. Furthermore, the pressure of regular running water is inconsistent creating an uneven water flow, or in the event of a major facility accident, the water may not be running at all.  
         [0007]     Later devices, such as the eye wash fountains disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,798 to Liautaud and U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,146 to Liautaud, were self-contained, gravity-fed, and independent of any plumbing connections. These self-contained eye wash fountains typically included a reservoir (or bottle)s of wash fluid spaced above two opposed liquid spray nozzles. Upon activating the fluid flow, the wash fluid from the reservoir is fed solely by gravity to the nozzles to cause a gravity-induced spray of wash fluid from the nozzles. These stations provided improved safety in terms of the quality of the water utilized but suffered from low and/or inconsistent water pressure to properly flush the eyes.  
         [0008]     In an effort to encourage more suitable eye wash facilities, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) promulgated voluntary standards for portable eye wash fountains relating to flushing periods and the rate of flow of wash fluid. These standards dictate that portable eye wash fountains should deliver no less than 0.4 gallons per minute (1.5 liters per minute) of eye wash fluid for a time period of 15 minutes. Responsive to the new ANSI standard, several designs emerged that included means for maintaining a constant eye wash flow rate without any powered pumping mechanisms. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,406, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,124 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,641 all issued to Demeny et al, disclose an emergency eyewash station having a gravity assist mechanism that acts on a flexible reservoir contained in a disposable paperboard box. The self-contained emergency eye wash station generally comprises a housing, a reservoir, and a platen. The housing includes a shelf that supports a pair of flexible containers arranged in side-by-side relation. The flexible containers are of the type generally referred to as “bag-in-a-box” packaging, having an inner flexible plastic bag containing the eyewash fluid, and an outer cardboard box structure, which supports the flexible bag in a predetermined shape. The housing further supports a delivery platform including a nozzle, which is in fluid communication with the flexible container. The nozzle selectively dispenses the eye wash fluid from the flexible container when activated. The housing further includes a drain that captures the eye wash fluid dispensed from the nozzle and directs the eye wash fluid into the reservoir. The reservoir is slidably mounted to the housing and the platen is connected to the reservoir. As the reservoir fills, the platen presses downward on the flexible container with a downward force proportional to a weight of the eye wash fluid collected in the reservoir. The transfer of the weight of the eye wash fluid collected in the reservoir to the platen maintains a constant flow of eye wash fluid dispensed from the nozzle.  
         [0009]     The above-noted gravity assist configuration has been very successful in the marketplace and is still in widespread use today. Because the 6 gallons of fluid is divided into two smaller containers, the flexible reservoirs are relatively small and easily replaced by service personnel. In addition, the bag-in-a-box packaging technology is well established, and the costs for producing, maintaining and replacing the disposable cartridges at established intervals of time have heretofore been relatively inexpensive. The costs for this type of system are such that the manufacturer could cost effectively provide a pre-assembled delivery tube and nozzle assembly with each of the disposable cartridges, making installation and replacement that much easier.  
         [0010]     However, new ANSI and OSHA regulations have created new issues that will need to be addressed, and will require improvements to the existing designs to maintain compliance. In particular, upcoming OSHA regulations will soon require the use of “sterile” eye wash fluids. The regulatory and production requirements for “sterile” eyewash fluids are far greater than the previous “non-sterile” standards and will make the production of the existing cartridges cost prohibitive.  
         [0011]     Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for an improved cartridge assembly which can be filled with a sterile fluid, maintained in a sterile condition for the required shelf-life of the product, provide for safe shipment, handling and storage of the product, and provide for simple installation and replacement, and finally provide a reliable dispensing arrangement for emergency use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The improved cartridge assembly of the present invention addresses the problems of the prior art by providing an improved “bag-in-a-box” cartridge assembly comprising a rigid plastic, outer housing and a disposable flexible inner bladder or bag containing a sterilized eyewash fluid therein.  
         [0013]     The rigid plastic construction of the outer housing allows the flexible inner bag to be a larger size whereas, in contrast, the prior bag-in-a-box cartridges were limited in size by the strength of the outer cardboard box. The shipping of fluid products is somewhat complicated in that excess movement of the water within the containers can generate tremendous pressure within the container and can cause cardboard or paperboard containers to fail, breaking the inner bags and resulting in leakage or loss of the entire contents. Furthermore, the rupture of a single bag in a bulk shipment wets the cardboard containers of the other cartridges, weakens those cartridges and increases the chances of further ruptures. In the context of the less expensive “non-sterile” fluid products, occasional failures were tolerated. However, the significantly higher costs of the new “sterile” fluids, combined with the larger size and weight of the cartridge, warrants a higher level of protection, and hence the use of a reusable plastic housing.  
         [0014]     The housing is formed from two symmetrically identical housing sections each having interfitting mating formations that permit the housing sections to be snap-fit together and maintained in assembled relation.  
         [0015]     The flexible bag comprises a flexible plastic material configured for optimal displacement and capacity within the housing. The flexible bag is filled using a proprietary filling system and filling port that maintains sterility of the inside of the bag and the fluid during the filling process. The filling port includes a rigid plastic retaining collar having spaced flanges that are captured in an orifice formed between the mating halves of the housing. The filling port is thus captured in a fixed position for puncturing and dispensing of the fluid when mounted in a corresponding dispensing unit, i.e. emergency eyewash station.  
         [0016]     The cartridge further includes a movable platen with a pair of straps connected thereto to assist the gravity feed of the eyewash fluid during the operation of the emergency eyewash station. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the inner bladder and fill port;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the retaining bracket of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the retaining bracket shown in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side cross-section view through line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cartridge assembly of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  2 , the cartridge assembly of the present invention is shown generally at  10 . As will be described in greater detail below, the cartridge assembly  10  of the present invention includes an outer housing  12  having a front section  14  and a back section  16 . An inner bladder  18  containing eyewash fluid, which is best seen in  FIG. 6  and  7 , is contained within the outer housing  12 . The housing  12  further includes a retaining bracket  20  which cooperates with an edge of one of the housing sections to capture the fill port of the inner bladder.  
         [0028]     In the context of using the cartridge assembly  10  in a gravity assist eyewash system similar to the prior art, the cartridge assembly  10  further includes a platen  64  positioned at the top of the housing  12 , and a pair of straps  22  depending from the platen  64  and extending out of the housing  12  for engagement with a fluid collection container or reservoir (not shown).  
         [0029]     The front and back housing sections  14  and  16  are preferably molded from a rigid plastic material. Other rigid material having similar structural capabilities could also be utilized.  
         [0030]     The front section  14  and back section  16  of the outer housing  12  are box-shaped having an upper end and a lower end. Other shapes could also be used. Preferably, the front and back sections  14 ,  16  are symmetrical mirror images of each other and thus interchangeable. The upper end is slightly narrower than the lower end to facilitate the formation of hanging brackets  26 , which will be described more fully below. Each of the sections  14 ,  16  has a main panel  28  with four depending sidewalls (top  30 , left  32 , right  34  and bottom  36 ) depending therefrom. Each sidewall  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  is connected to the adjacent sidewall to form the box shape. The outer-most edge of the depending sidewalls  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  is turned outwardly away from each respective sidewall and then inwardly towards the main panel  28  to form a rim  38 . Near the upper end of each section and along the rim is a U-shaped section  40  that forms a hanging bracket. The U-shaped section  40  is formed by two sections  42  of the rim  28  extending therefrom near the narrow end of each section  14 ,  16 .  
         [0031]     The front and back sections  14 ,  16  are preferably snap-fit together with a number of reciprocal mating formations  44  aligned along the rims  28  of the front and rear sections  14 ,  16 . These mating formations  44  can best be seen in  FIGS. 3 , it being understood that the mating formations  44  are reciprocal to both sections  14 ,  16  of the outer housing  12  to facilitate the interlocking thereof.  
         [0032]     Although this configuration is preferred, many other structures can be used to retain the sections  14 ,  16  of the outer housing  12  together and the preferred embodiment is by way of example and not a limitation of the present invention.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the bottom sidewalls  36  of the front and back sections  14 ,  16  of the outer housing  12  have an opening  46  formed therein with a semi-circle shaped edge  48 . The retaining bracket  20 , best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , cooperates with the opening  48  to form a circular orifice  50  in the outer housing  12 . The orifice  50  selectively captures a flanged fill port  52  of the inner bladder  18  therebetween and holds it firmly in place (best seen in  FIG. 6 ).  
         [0034]     Referring back to  FIG. 5  and  6 , the retaining bracket  20  has mounting tabs  54  formed thereon to facilitate attachment of a dispensing apparatus (not shown) to the outer housing  12 . The retaining bracket  20  also includes a semi-circular shaped lip  56  that cooperates with the opening  48  to form the orifice  50 .  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 3, 4  and  8 , the inner bladder  18  fits snugly within the outer housing  12  with little room for the fluid to move within the confines of the housing  12 . The inner bladder  18  has a flanged fill port  52  having an upper flange  58  and a lower flange  60  extending from a dispensing spout  62 . As described briefly earlier, the upper and lower flanges  58 ,  60  fit within the orifice  50  thus trapping the flanged fill port  52  in a fixed position within the orifice  50 . The inner bladder  18  is preferably filled with a “sterile” eyewash fluid, which one skilled in the art would be able to select according to the specifications and uses that are desired. While the specification clearly identifies the use of a sterile eyewash fluid, the invention should not be limited to the type of fluid. It is contemplated that the improved bag-in-a-box cartridge system can be used for any type of material, which could be filled within the bladder.  
         [0036]     As briefly mentioned hereinabove, a platen  64  is positioned on top of the inner bladder  18 , near the upper end of the outer clamshell casing  12 . Two straps  22  loop through slots  66  in each end of the platen  64  and are threaded through slots  68  in the bottom of the outer housing  12 . During operation of an eyewash station, tension may be applied to the straps  22  by collecting the dispensed fluid in a container sitting on the straps, thus pulling the platen  64  downwardly and this exerting force a downward force on the inner bladder  18  to control the flow of eyewash fluid therefrom.  
         [0037]     It should be understood that the platen  64  and straps  22  are optional elements in the context of using the cartridge assembly in other industries and circumstances.  
         [0038]     After activation of the cartridge assembly  10 , the cartridge assembly  10  maybe replaced onsite by removing the retaining bracket  20  and disassembling the halves  14 ,  16  of the outer housing  12 . The inner bladder  18  may then be replaced with a fresh bladder and the cartridge  10  reassembled and reinstalled into the eyewash station. Alternatively, the exhausted cartridge assembly  10  may be collected and refurbished offsite.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an alternative embodiment of the cartridge assembly of the present invention is shown generally at  100 . The alternative embodiment  100  has housing with a front section  102  and back section  104  that interlock together, like the housing  12  of the preferred embodiment  10 . The alternative embodiment  100  housing also contains a bladder with a sealed filling port. However the bladder in this configuration has a dispensing hose  106  with a dispensing eyepiece  108  connected thereto. Like the preferred embodiment  10 , the alternative embodiment  100  may also include an internal platen for applying pressure to the bladder. The platen is forced downward by pulling on a number of straps  110  that are connected to the platen. The straps  110  have looped ends  112  to facilitate applying pressure to the bladder. In all other respects, the alternative embodiment  100  is the same as the preferred embodiment  10 .  
         [0040]     Therefore, it can be seen that the present invention provides a unique and improved alternative to the prior art by providing a cartridge assembly having a rigid plastic housing that firmly holds a dispensing spout of a flexible bag in place.  
         [0041]     It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, except insofar as limited by the appended claims.