Abstract:
A pet wash tub includes a funnel-type hair-diverter arrangement established at all corners near the drain, to slope from the front and sides of the tub, angled downwardly towards the drain. The tub is located inside a pet wash station, which includes a wash room and an equipment room. Specifically, the tub is located in the wash room that includes a floor with a slope that acts to rinse water spilled onto the floor under an opening under a dividing wall between the wash room and the equipment room. A collection trough is located in the equipment room to collect the water as it drains from the wash room. Further, the equipment room includes a control panel and hose extensions for air and washing water/soap such that a user can activate the various systems depending on preference while washing a pet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/518,201, filed May 2, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/518,202, filed May 2, 2011, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a pet wash tub which, while suitable for other uses, is particularly suitable to enable a user to wash his or her pet, and which, may be utilized in other arrangements, is especially suitable for use in a pet wash station. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Self-service pet washing facilities are not currently readily available to pet owners. Therefore, washing a pet typically requires the owner to pay the cost of taking the pet to a professional grooming establishment, or putting up with inconveniences of washing the pet at home. 
         [0004]    For example, washing a pet, particularly long-hair dogs and cats, can create a significant mess to clean up if done in one&#39;s own tub. And keeping a pet contained and out of the dirt until dry can be difficult if washing the pet outside. 
         [0005]    Thus, a pet wash station, configured to vend self-service pet wash capability to pet owners would be desirable to address the above described disadvantages and inconveniences typically associated with washing a pet. 
         [0006]    Conventional tubs in which pets are washed, including tubs in pet wash stations, can be difficult to clean after use. In particular, it can be difficult to keep a drain open because dog hair accumulates in the drain during use of the tub. The simplest way to clean hair from a pet wash tub is to rinse the hair down the drain, but this causes hair to become trapped in the corners of the tub near the drain, which increases the likelihood of clogging the drain. 
         [0007]    Thus, there is a need for a tub suitable for washing a pet that resists accumulation of hair in the corners near the drain, and resists clogging from hair when draining the tub and when cleaning the tub by rinsing the hair in the tub down the drain. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An objective of the invention is to provide a new and unique pet wash tub with improved drain characteristics that resists accumulation of hair in the corners near the drain, and clogging from hair when draining the tub and when cleaning the tub by rinsing the hair in the tub down the drain. 
         [0009]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a unique pet wash station, configured to vend self-service pet wash capability to pet owners, with a new and unique pet wash tub as described above. 
         [0010]    Yet another objective of the invention is to achieve the foregoing by providing a pet wash tub with a funnel-type hair-diverter arrangement established the corner(s) near the drain, to slope from position(s) on the front and sides of the tub, as applicable, downwardly towards the drain, in order to prevent hair from accumulating in the corner(s) of the tub and to direct hair immediately into the drain as it drains with water in the tub or is rinsed towards the end of the tub with the drain. 
         [0011]    The foregoing objectives are achieved, in one aspect, by an embodiment of a pet washing tub according to the teachings of the present invention. Such an embodiment of a tub includes a floor forming a bottom surface of the tub. A first retaining wall is located at one end of the tub and forms a corner with the floor. A second retaining wall is located at another end of the tub which is opposite the first retaining wall. First and second sidewalls extend from the floor in an opposed-spaced relationship and between the first and second retaining walls. A drain is positioned approximate the corner. The drain defines an opening for collection and routing of refuse from the tub. The first retaining wall includes at least one panel at an angle greater than 90° relative to the floor. The at least one panel converges towards the drain. 
         [0012]    In certain embodiments, the at least one panel extends from one of the first and second sidewalls and extends from the floor, and terminates at the opening of the drain. In certain other embodiments, the at least one panel comprises a first and a second panel each at an angle of greater than about 90° relative to the floor, with the drain interposed therebetween. 
         [0013]    In certain embodiments, the at least one panel also includes a third panel extending generally perpendicular to the floor. The third panel is interposed between the first and second sidewalls such that the second retaining wall, first and second sidewalls, and third panel geometrically form a generally rectangular solid shape. The first panel forms a corner with each of the floor, the first sidewall, and the third panel. The second panel forms a corner with each of the floor, the second sidewall, and the third panel. The first, second, and third panels form generally a funnel-shape relative to the floor. In certain embodiments, the first, second, and third panels form a generally continuous surface, wherein a portion of said continuous surface is perpendicular to the floor. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments, the third panel is arranged as a backing wall relative to the first and second panels such that the third panel extends to a height relative to the floor that is greater than or equal to a height that the first panel extends to relative to the floor, and a height that the second panel extends to relative to the floor. In certain embodiments, the tub also includes a lanyard attached to the tub for leashing a pet. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, the second retaining wall is of a decreased height relative to the first retaining wall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall such that the second retaining wall defines an entry way for a pet to enter the tub. In certain embodiments, the tub is elevated from a ground floor of the pet wash station. A step is located proximate the first retaining wall of the tub and disposed between a ground floor of the pet wash station and the floor of the tub. 
         [0016]    In another aspect, the foregoing objectives are achieved by a pet washing station. An embodiment of a pet washing station according to this aspect of the invention includes a wash room and an equipment room separated from the wash room by a common wall. A floor common to both the wash room and the equipment room extends through an opening proximate a bottom of the common wall. A drainage trough is formed in the floor in the equipment room. The drainage trough is operably configured to drain away refuse received therein. A tub configured for washing a pet therein is situated in the wash room and includes a drain in fluid communication with the drainage trough. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments, the pet washing station also includes a wash-water supply hose extending from the equipment room to the wash room through the common wall. The pet washing station also includes an air-supply hose extending from the equipment room to the wash room through the common wall. 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments, the tub includes a floor that forms a bottom surface of the tub. A first retaining wall is located at one end of the tub and forms a corner with the floor. A second retaining wall is located at another end of the tub opposite the first retaining wall. First and second sidewalls extend from the floor in an opposed-spaced relationship and between the first and second retaining walls. A drain is proximate the corner and defines an opening for collection and routing of refuse from the tub. The first retaining wall includes at least one panel at an angle greater than 90° relative to the floor. The at least one panel converges towards the drain. 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments, at least one of the floor of the tub and the floor of the pet washing station are sloped towards the drainage trough such that they are self-draining 
         [0020]    In certain embodiments, the pet washing station also includes a vending control unit that allows a user to control a pump that supplies wash water to the wash-water supply hose and a pump that supplies air to the air-supply hose. The vending control unit allows a user to choose between wash-water that is just water or wash-water that is a mixture of soap and water. 
         [0021]    These and other objectives and advantages achieved by the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pet wash station equipped with a pet wash tub, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of certain aspects of the pet wash station shown in  FIG. 1 , including a diverter arrangement and drain; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of certain additional aspects of the pet wash station shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , including a pet wash tub; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of certain aspects of the pet wash station shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the pet wash tub shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a control unit of the pet wash station of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0028]    While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain embodiment is shown in the drawings and described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and methods, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a pet wash station  10  equipped with a wash tub  18  according to the invention. The pet wash station includes a washroom  12  and an equipment room  14 . The wash room  12  is configured for and provided with means for manually washing, rinsing and optionally air drying a pet. The equipment room  14  houses operational and support equipment, electrical wiring and controls, electric power, water supply and sewer connections, and anything to which restricted access is to be established. The wash room  12  and equipment room  14  are separated by a common wall  16 . 
         [0030]    The wash room  12  and equipment room  14  are generally enclosures, each with a floor, a ceiling, surrounding sides, and a doorway, but are connected together to establish a self-contained vending unit that can be shipped as a single unit ready to be set into place and hooked up to site electrical power, water supply and sewer lines. 
         [0031]    The wash tub  18  is located in the wash room  12 , and is configured to place a pet into for washing. The wash room  12  is further provided with wash-water supply facility to enable manual washing the pet in the tub  18 , an optional air drying supply facility, and a vending control unit  20  for controlling availability of the wash water and, if applicable, the drying air in the wash room  12 . The wash tub  18  is positioned above the floor  30  of the wash room  12  so that the wash room floor  30  catches water that may splash from the tub  18 . 
         [0032]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a flexible liquid hose  22  extends from a pressurized wash-water supply unit  24  (See  FIG. 2 ) in the equipment room  14 , with the free end of the hose locatable above and proximate to the wash tub  18  for wash and rinse capability of a pet in the tub. A manually operable (e.g., trigger operated) spray head or nozzle  26  may be connected to the free end of the hose  22  for fine user flow control while washing the pet. 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the wash-water supply unit  24  may be, for example, a pump, connected to a water supply line to the pet wash station  10  (i.e., an external water source) to supply the user with clean water for both washing and rinsing the pet. The wash-water supply unit  24  may alternately be configured to provide both a washing mixture (e.g., shampoo and water) and clean rinse water, such as an electrically controlled mixing manifold responsive to user selected input at the vending control unit  20 . 
         [0034]    The wash tub  18  includes a drain  28  (See also  FIG. 4 ) configured to drain cleaning residue (water/soap/dirt) into a collection trough  32  in the floor of the equipment room  14  (See  FIG. 4 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wash room floor  30  slopes down towards and under the common wall  16  to the collection trough such that water on the wash room floor  30  flows (by gravity) through a space  40  between the common wall and the floor  30  to also drain into the collection trough  32 . The waste water in the collection trough  32  (from both the wash tub  18  and the wash room floor  30 ) is pumped through a filter to remove the hair and then into the outside sewer line (not illustrated). As shown schematically, the trough  32 , and particularly the drain associated therewith, is in fluid communication with a pumping system  38 . The pumping system  38  is sufficiently sized to facilitate the drainage of waste water and refuse which has collected on the wash room floor  30  and/or the tub  18 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the aforementioned grading or sloping of the wash room floor  30  for drainage under gravity need not be incorporated, as the pumping system  38  operates to actively remove a majority of standing waste water, with the remainder being pushed into trough  32  via a squeegee, mop, or the like. 
         [0035]    This wash room floor  30  drainage arrangement permits quick and easy floor  30  cleanup with a broom or floor squeegee or spray hose, by simply sweeping, pushing or spraying any water and hair on the floor  30  under the common wall  16  and into the collection trough  32 . 
         [0036]    The wash room  12  has a wash tub  18  and floor  30  combination that provide two alternate pet wash locations. In particular, the wash room floor  30  is sufficiently larger than the tub  18  (when viewed from above) so that a pet owner has room to wash a pet on the floor  30  rather than in the tub  18 . Configuring the wash room floor  30  as an alternate pet washing location is particularly useful for washing larger pets (who may be difficult for the user to lift into the tub  18 ) and pets who may resist staying in the tub  18 , after which, draining of the wash room floor  30  into the collection trough  32  in the equipment room  14 , enables the floor  30  to be quickly and easily cleaned by simply sweeping or pushing or spraying the hair and waste water on the floor  30  under the common wall  16  into the equipment room  14 . 
         [0037]    The optional drying air may be provided through a flexible air hose  34  connected at one end to a blower or other pressurized air supply unit  36  in the equipment room  14 , with the other end of this hose available in the wash room  12  (See  FIG. 1 ) to supply pressurized air to dry the pet after washing. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the wash tub  18  is illustrated and equipped with the drain  28  located in the center of the front lower corner, and a funnel-type hair-diverter arrangement is established in the two front side corners proximate to the drain  28 , to slope from positions on the front and sides of the tub, angled downwardly towards the drain  28 , in order to prevent hair from accumulating in the front corners of the tub and to direct hair immediately into the drain  28  as it drains with water in the tub  18  or is rinsed towards the end of the tub  18  with the drain  18 . 
         [0039]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the tub  18  includes a floor  70 , with first and second side walls  72 ,  74  which extend upwardly therefrom. The tub  18  also includes a first retaining wall  50  at one end of the tub  18  interposed between the first and second sidewalls  72 ,  74 . A second retaining wall  60  (See  FIG. 5 ) is situated at an end of the tub  18  opposite the first retaining wall  50 , and also interposed between the first and second sidewalls  72 ,  74 . The first retaining wall is generally funnel shaped, and the drain  28  extends therethrough as illustrated at  FIG. 4 . 
         [0040]    The first retaining wall  50  includes first and second panels  52 ,  54 , which extend at an angle of greater than about ninety degrees relative to the floor  70 , at an angle of greater than about ninety degrees relative to the first and second side walls  72 ,  74  (respectively), and also at an angle of greater than about ninety degrees relative to a third panel  56  positioned behind the first and second panels  52 ,  54 . The first retaining wall  50  is illustrated as joined to the common wall  16  (see  FIG. 1 ). However, in other embodiments, the first retaining wall  50  may be formed integrally with the common wall  16 . In a similar manner and in other embodiments, either of the side walls of the tub and/or the second retaining wall  60  can form an integral portion of the walls of the pet wash station  10 , as opposed to the stand alone configuration illustrated. 
         [0041]    In the illustrated embodiment, the third panel  56 , first and second side walls  72 ,  74 , second retaining wall  60  (see  FIG. 5 ), and floor  70  geometrically form a generally rectangular solid. The first and second panels  52 ,  54  are thereafter joined to the third panel  56  by any mechanical means including but not limited to welding. As a result, the first retaining wall  50  generally takes on a funnel shape when assembled with the first, second, and third panels  52 ,  54 ,  56 , with the third panel  56  functioning as a backing wall or support wall for the first and second panels  52 ,  54 . Those skilled in the art will additionally recognize that the first retaining wall  50  could be manufactured as a single, continuous piece such as by way of a sheet metal stamping or other similar metal working processes to form the first, second, and third panels  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and thereafter joined to a remainder of the tub  18 . Yet further, the tub  18  could be manufactured as a single molded component from any suitable material used in such processes. 
         [0042]    In view of the above, it will be recognized that the funnel-type arrangement of tub  18  directs water at an angle into the drain  28 . The first retaining wall  50  generally defines a continuous surface formed by the first panel, the exposed portion of the third panel  56 , and the second panel  54 . A portion of this continuous surface, indeed the exposed portion of the third panel  56 , is generally perpendicular to the floor  70 . Without the use of the aforementioned described configuration of a front retaining wall  50 , hair will otherwise accumulate at the ninety degree corners of a conventional tub. Although illustrated with the drain  28  generally centrally located along the front lower corner of the tub  18 , other drain locations are contemplated as described below. In the event of alternate drain  28  locations, tub  18  will nevertheless incorporate angled panels which will operate to funnel waste water and refuse towards the drain and away from corners of the tub  18 . 
         [0043]    Also as shown in  FIG. 4 , the tub  18  can also be equipped with collar lanyards  64  for leashing a pet to the tub  18 . These lanyards can be affixed to a metal ring that is in turn affixed to the tub. 
         [0044]    The pet wash tub  18  is constructed from stainless steel material, with stainless steel panels  52 ,  54  welded into position in the illustrated embodiment. As indicated above, the first retaining wall  50  may be manufactured from other materials, and via other processes such as for example stamping. Also as indicated above, the entire tub can be manufactured via other processes such as for example molding, etc. 
         [0045]    In a wash tub  18  with the drain  28  located in an alternate location, such as in the right most or left most bottom corner masked by the first and second panels  52 ,  54  in  FIG. 4 , hair-diverter is configured generally described above, but would only use the third panel  56 , and one of panels  52 ,  54  in an elongated form so that it would extend from either the first side wall  72  to the drain  28 , or the second side wall  74  to the drain  28 . Further, although illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  as passing through the third panel  56  of the first retaining wall  50 , drain  28  can instead be positioned at the corner between the first retaining wall  50  and floor  70  by extending through the floor  70 . 
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pet wash tub  18  is also equipped with a step  64  proximate the second retaining wall  60 . The second retaining wall  60  has a reduced height  62  that defines an entry way for a pet to enter the tub  18 . Legs extend downwardly and support the tub  18  at the second retaining wall  60 . However, in other embodiments, the legs may be omitted entirely such that the tub  18  extends in a cantilevered fashion from common wall  16 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the vending control unit  20  (See  FIG. 1 ) controls the availability of washing liquid and drying air (if applicable) responsive to user selected input. In particular, in a convention arrangement for self-service wash facilities, the vending control unit  20  accepts wash-cycle selection made by the user (e.g., by selection of option(s) with one or more control knobs  42 ,  44 ,  46 ), and responsive thereto controls the wash-water and air supply units,  24  and  36  respectively (See  FIG. 2 ), in the equipment room  14 , thus controlling the supply availability and length of time of the washing and rinsing fluid to the spray nozzle  26 , and if applicable, the control of the air to the drying hose  32 . The vending control unit accepts payment from the user in any convenient form (e.g., coins, paper, tokens, debit or credit cards, etc.) to activate its operational control functions. 
         [0048]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0049]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0050]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.