Patent Publication Number: US-7913329-B2

Title: Anal cleaning device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an anal cleaning device, preferably in the form of a personal hygiene device such as a mini bidet or douche. The anal cleaning device can be used as a hand held device, and may be used in conjunction with the normal low down flushing suite within a toilet facility. However it can also be used in conjunction with non flushing, open and squat down toilet pits as exist in some European and Asian countries, and in other toiletry contexts. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Anal cleaning falls into a number of categories:
         1) Wiping with paper is by far the most common method used and, whilst commonly accepted, has certain problems in as much as it can be messy, and normal hygiene requires the hands to be washed after the anus is wiped.       

     Wiping with paper is generally not a perfect way of cleaning the anal area. It can cause irritation and cross contamination to other areas. It can cause the spread of bacteria from hands to food when washing of one&#39;s hands is not performed or is inadequate. Also, paper in toilets is prone to run out especially in public toilets. Paper consumption for this operation is enormous. 
     Excessive use of paper by any one user can cause a blockage in the toilet bowl and happens quite frequently on sea going vessels. A person using this method also has to be of normal build proportions to be physically able to accomplish the reaching of the area concerned and completing the wiping operation. People with physical disabilities such as bad backs, arthritis, injured hands, wrists, arms, shoulders or any other injury which immobilises the dexterous side of the body are often unable to complete the task of wiping with paper. 
     For example a right-handed person who is post operational eg. from a right shoulder rotata cuff tendon syndrome, whereby the right arm is immobilised, can suddenly find the task most difficult and sometimes impossible to accomplish with the left hand. 
     2) Bidets use water jets in toilet bowls. This apparatus is used more frequently in Continental countries and is somewhat more hygienic. However there are certain difficulties experienced with this method, in as much as copious quantities of water are used and a large area has to be dried, using once again a lot of paper and/or a towel which then has to be washed. 
     Bidets are additionally installed dedicated devices which are generally more expensive than the normal low down flushing toilet suite. Bidet devices fitted to a low down flushing suite have a number of problems associated with the installation and use of the devices. The following documents are examples: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,818,388 U.S. Pat. No. 2,852,782 U.S. Pat. No. 3,425,066, U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,326, U.S. Pat. No. 3,513,487, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,754. 
     These bidet devices are designed to be retrofitted to conventional flushing toilet bowls and often require extensive modifications to the normal plumbing installations. Furthermore the spray heads of these devices and dedicated bidets are mounted in a fixed position necessitating the use of a copious quantities of water, wetting a large area in the endeavour to accomplish thorough cleaning of the anus. A question of the hygienic state of these devices also exists due to the possibility of improper cleaning of the device after each usage. 
     3) Hand Held Bidets and Douches are also known. 
     Examples include: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,110,038, U.S. Pat. No. 3,662, U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,481, U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,864, U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,742, U.S. Pat. No. 4,197,594, U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,402, U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,630, U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,058, AU-B-63102/90, CA2149839, DE4421424, JP2000-051313, JP09262187, JP2000-093483 and JP2000-070325. 
     The prior art hand held devices incorporating water sprays can be used to clean the anal area but are such that the positioning of the water spray is by the operation of the device and the sensitive feel of the water spray on the user&#39;s body skin. The operation of such devices whereby one cannot see the area to be cleaned requires guesswork and dexterity by the operator. 
     Such prior art hand held cleaning devices can cause damage if held in contact with the surface of body parts. Such prior art devices can also cause cross contamination and infection to other parts of the body. 
     Prior art hand held bidets and douches in the main tend to wet a large area which has to be dried. This in itself becomes a problem. 
     It would be advantageous if a device could be provided that is simple to manufacture and use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an anal cleaning device including:
         a fluid flow directing member connectable to a fluid source and having a fluid outlet for directing fluid from the source out of the member; and   a wall member projecting out from the flow directing member near the fluid outlet and positionable at a perinaeum of a user such that, when located thereat, the wall member spaces the fluid outlet from the user&#39;s anus and tends to prevent fluid from reaching that side of the wall member opposite to the fluid outlet side of the wall member.       

     The device can be provided in a personal hygienic hand held format for anal cleaning and can also be used in conjunction with a conventional toilet-flushing unit. Further, it can be used in other toilet facilities where there is a supply of pressurised water. Whilst typically the device is used for releasing liquids (such as water), it can also be used to direct gases (such as air) for anal drying, deodorising and sanitising purposes. 
     In accordance with the present invention advantageously the flow directing member and the wall member can be manufactured simply. In addition, the wall member can help locate the device (eliminating guesswork) and can prevent liquid and faeces splashing forwards toward the genital area. In this regard, the wall member of the present invention can enable easy and correct positioning of the device by allowing the user to feel that the device is in the correct position. This feature is even more important when the user has the use of only one arm. Also, as a hand held unit, the device can be easily positioned and operated efficiently and effectively, and used to wet only a small area. 
     Preferably the flow directing member is a cleaning head, with the wall member formed integrally with the head to project orthogonally therefrom and intermediate a first end connectable to a fluid source line and a second opposite end near which the fluid outlet is located. For example, the wall member can be moulded or formed integrally with the cleaning head (eg. from plastics, or cast from metal). 
     Preferably, the wall member is generally trapezoidal in shape, tapering outwardly from a relatively narrower base, mounted at the flow-directing member, to a relatively wider remote free end. 
     Preferably, the wall member remote end is an edge adapted for close (and thereby comfortable) positioning at the user&#39;s perineum. Preferably the edge is a curved and rounded, and also has a curvature along its length that is adapted for close positioning at the perineum. 
     Preferably the wall member is relatively stiff or inflexible. 
     Preferably the device is adapted for use with a conventional low down suite within a toilet facility. 
     Preferably the flow directing member is connected via a fluid conveying rod to a handle. In this regard, the handle typically comprises a separate component in the device, however can also be defined by a part of the conveying rod itself. Preferably the rod is also relatively inflexible such that, in conjunction with the handle, it can be used to position the wall member at the user&#39;s perineum. 
     Preferably the flow directing member is defined by or at a remote end of the fluid conveying rod away from the handle. Also, the rod can be bent intermediate its ends, to aid angled positioning of the wall member adjacent to the anus. 
     As an alternative, the wall member can be mounted at the rod remote end either directly or via a collar which is slidable along and selectively fastenable at the rod remote end. 
     Preferably the handle incorporates a means for controlling a supply of typically pressurised liquid from a flexible conduit attached to an inlet to the handle. Preferably the controlling means is a manually operated, easily opened, but normally biased-shut piston valve. 
     Preferably, the valve is configured such that differential forces from pressurised liquid within the handle, typically resulting from a pressurised liquid supply control tap being opened, keeps the valve normally shut. 
     Preferably the piston valve is opened with a force applied against a spring-return lever fitted into the handle. Preferably the lever pivots about a fulcrum point and, in so doing, an opposing end of the lever, which typically has toggle forked legs which straddle the piston valve, transfers such force, and the piston valve is then moved to an open position. 
     Preferably the volume of flow through the device is reduced by restricted passages within the piston valve. Preferably a body of the handle is through-bored, and in which bore the piston valve is arranged, the piston valve having a bore extending partway therethrough, the piston valve interacting with the handle such that, in a closed position, the piston valve closes the through-bore of the handle, and in an open position liquid flows through the handle via the bore of the piston valve, and thence out of the device. Thus, when the piston valve is open, liquid is supplied to the flow directing member, (eg. via the fluid conveying rod) and thence to the fluid outlet where it typically discharges as a jet or jets to the anus. 
     The device can be operated externally to the toilet bowl by depressing the lever within the handle, and the handle can be fixed at any rotational position to suit the user. In this regard, the handle can be assembled at any degree of angular rotation in relation to the anal cleaning head, as required by incapacitated people. 
     The anal cleaning device can include a fail-safe mechanism such that a small force only is required for the operation of the device, to ensure that the liquid supply is easily stopped. 
     The wall member is preferably sized and configured to prevent an end of the flow directing member from accidentally being directly inserted into any aperture of the body. 
     Preferably the cleaning device can be stored in a sanitary position outside the toilet bowl within easy reach of the user, preferably within the confines of a container in which is held a quantity of disinfectant solution for washing the cleaning head of the device. In this regard, preferably the hygienic storage container is either wall or floor mounted. The storage container preferably incorporates a sump of disinfectant solution so that the anal cleaning head can be dunked, before the device is located in a holding bracket to drip-dry for the next user. However, as stated above, the cleaning head and conveying rod can be easily disconnected for storage. 
     The cleaning head and fluid conveying rod may also be detached from the handle and, if necessary, washed over the low down suite bowl with the water spray from the handle, and then stored out of sight. This also allows for the use of various cleaning heads, and may be a preferred aesthetic feature for the user of the device. 
     The device can be economically viably manufactured as a personal hygienic device which is inexpensive to purchase and fit to a toilet suite and which, with modern production techniques, can be made lightweight (eg. mainly or entirely of plastics) and readily accessible for disabled people. 
     Advantageously, the device can be operated with one hand, thus allowing handicapped and disabled people usage thereof. The device can also reduce the use of toilet paper. 
     The pressurised liquid supplied to the device is preferably via a conveniently positioned wall mounted tap, preferably lever operated. For simplicity, and because domestic water pressure varies from one location to another, this tap can be opened to give approximately the liquid pressure desired by the user. Users can thereafter become familiar with their requirements. 
     Alternatively an installation can be provided that incorporates a pressure control valve and mixing device utilising eg. hot and cold water. 
     The fluid conveying rod can be made from aluminium for lightness or stainless steel if a more durable product is required. Preferably the whole device is lightweight. 
     Preferably the fluid conveying rod is of sufficient length to enable the device to be operated external to the toilet bowl, however may be shortened, eg. for users who prefer a shorter offset rod version. Typically the end of the conveying rod is an open tube for insertion into the cleaning head. Preferably the cleaning head has at least one fluid outlet in the form of an orifice which comes into communication with the liquid supply when the hand operated valve in the handle is opened. 
     Also, interchangeable cleaning heads having varying configurations of liquid jets can be provided, thus offering a user a choice of different cleaning actions, as may be required. 
     Preferably the wall member is located adjacent to the fluid outlet. Preferably the wall member is generally perpendicular to an axis of the fluid conveying rod. As stated above, the wall member may be separately affixed to the rod. The direction of the ensuing liquid jet exiting the fluid outlet is preferably perpendicular to a flow direction of fluid through the device or is angled slightly rearward of perpendicular. 
     Furthermore preferably all corners and edges of the device are preferably rounded so to prevent bodily damage. 
     Preferably the fluid conveying rod is a hollow circular-sectioned tube, but can be of any other shape as may be desired. 
     Preferably the fluid outlet (eg. orifice) is circular without limiting the use of other jet shapes which might be used. 
     Also, in certain installations it may be considered advantageous to have heated liquid supplied from a modern state of the art mixing device at a constant preset temperature and/or pressure. 
     Thus, in accordance with the present invention the wall member maintains a definite distance between the outlet and the surface of the anus. The device therefore prevents damage which could otherwise be caused if the spray jet were to be accidentally positioned to close or inserted into the anus, which is a possibility with many prior art devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first preferred anal cleaning device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows an end view of a cleaning head connection end of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side sectional view of the cleaning head taken on the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective detail of the rod and cleaning head; 
         FIG. 5  shows a side sectional view of a handle of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of a valve body part of the handle of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a side view of a control lever part of the handle of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows an end view of the lever of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of the device of  FIG. 1  in a stored position in a storage container; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a second alternative anal cleaning device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  shows an end view of another cleaning head for use with the device of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a side, partially sectioned detail of the cleaning head of  FIG. 11  located on a rod of the device; 
         FIG. 13  shows a side view of the device of  FIG. 10  in a stored position in a storage container; 
         FIG. 14  shows a side sectional view of a handle of the device of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of a valve body part of the handle of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of a control lever part of the handle of  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 17  shows an end view of the lever of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring firstly to  FIGS. 1 to 9 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first preferred anal cleaning device  1  in accordance with the present invention. The device  1  includes a handle  13  having various parts as shown in  FIGS. 5 to 8 . A flexible supply tube  14  is connected to the handle and pressurised water is supplied thereto, typically from a wall mounted tap, preferably of the lever operated type. 
     The device includes a fluid conveying rod in the form of a hollow cylindrical bent tube  12  (bent at  12   b ) with the length and bend being sufficient to allow for easy positioning of the device eg. with one&#39;s forearm resting on one&#39;s thigh. 
     The device also includes a flow directing member such as for example a cleaning head  2  having a partly hollow ( FIG. 3 ) cleaning head body  10 . A wall member in the form of flange  11  projects generally orthogonally from the body  10 . The flange  11  is typically integrally formed (e.g. moulded or machined) with body  10 , although it may be fitted separately to the device (e.g. by sliding a collar  11   c  ( FIG. 12 ) over the end of tube  12 ). A single orifice  10   a  is formed in the cleaning head body  10 , however, multiple orifices may be employed as appropriate. The cleaning head is further detailed in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an end view of the cleaning head at its connection end (ie. where it connects to tube  12 ). In this regard, the tube  12  is inserted snugly into a tubular recess  10   b  of body  10  ( FIG. 3 ) which in turn opens onto a narrower recess  10   c , defining a shoulder  10   d  against which an end of tube  12  can abut (eg. sealingly via an o-ring (not shown). Thus the head  2  can be permanently or releasably attached to the end of tube  12  via any suitable means including adhesive, welding, grub screw(s), screw threading, bayonet fitting, ball detent, interference, friction or snap-fitting etc. 
     The flange  11  is plate-like and generally trapezoidal in shape, having a rounded free end lip  11   a  and curved ends  11   b . Lip  11   a  functions as a positioning bar and accordingly is circular in cross section and rounded on the ends of the arc  11   d  as shown, to be optimally shaped to sit generally flush against a user&#39;s perineum. It can be seen in, for example,  FIGS. 2 to 4  that arc  11   d  is non-concentric with the central axis of tube  12  adjacent the flange  11 . 
     The orifice  10   a  is typically an upwardly directed jet, such that water which issues forth from the orifice  10   a  is directed parallel to and in-line with a centre line of the flange  11  (ie. in-line with the centre of the lip  11   a ). Alternatively the orifice can be defined such that exiting water is directed to issue back towards flange  11  (ie as an angled stream). The cleaning head and flange can be manufactured from stainless steel components, as a single piece polished investment casting, as cast porcelain or other ceramic, or preferably injection moulded from plastic material. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the tube  12  and cleaning head  2 . In this embodiment the flange and orifice are moulded integrally to form a unitary cleaning head. The tube  12  is then fastened into the cleaning head. 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional detailed view of the handle  13 , including a fragmentary sectional view of a piston valve  18  and operating trigger lever  17 .  FIG. 6  shows a side view of the piston valve body  18  and  FIG. 7  shows a side view of the operating lever  17  and a biasing lever spring  24  as a singular moulded piece.  FIG. 8  shows an end view of the operating lever showing the forked toggle  25  which straddles the piston valve  18 . 
     When assembled fulcrum bearings  17   a  of lever  17  fit into place on fulcrum pins moulded into the valve body recess for the operating lever. The handle is configured such that a light force is required to depress trigger lever  17 . When so depressed the lever pivots on fulcrum bearings  17   a , moving against biasing lever spring  24 , the end of which slides in recess  28 . In so pivoting the toggle legs  25 , which straddle the piston valve body  18  at recess  26 , urge the piston valve towards the handle inlet end I (so marked). 
     Valve body  18  is positioned to slide in this passage. A liquid flow passage  13   a  extends right through handle  13 . Valve body  18  has a longitudinal bore  29  extending almost completely therethrough, inwardly from its end adjacent inlet end I. A laterally extending passage  30  connects to bore  29  and opens onto an adjacent part of passage  13   a . The valve body  18  has a closed opposite plug end  31 , having an adjacent annular recess  32  into which a flexible sealing ring (eg. O-ring) can be located. In a normal orientation of the handle, the plug end  31  closes part of passage  13   a  (ie. the restricted part at shoulder  33 ) to prevent liquid flow therethrough. Thus, liquid leaving passage  30  is stagnant in the adjacent part of passage  13   a  so that the device is closed to fluid flow. However, when the lever  17  is depressed it urges the valve body towards inlet I. The plug end  31  opens the passage adjacent to shoulder  33 , thus bringing the inlet I into fluid communication with tube  12 , so that liquid can flow through the device, flowing through the valve body. 
     When lever  17  is released, water pressure moves piston  18  back and/or the spring  24  pivots the lever  17  back away from handle  13 , thus returning the valve body  18  to its position in  FIG. 5 , and returning plug end  31  into a sealing configuration. In this regard, spring  24  is typically a leaf spring which assists to close the piston valve when the liquid pressure is insufficient to close the piston valve by differential pressure, the leaf spring acting as a fail-safe mechanism. This again closes passage  13   a  to liquid flow therethrough. 
     The handle  13  has an externally threaded male connection  27  at the inlet end, which is compatible with and attachable to a flexible plumbing pressure hose (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The handle  13  is internally finished to accommodate the ready sliding of piston valve body  18  therein. Valve body  18  can also have either two or four O-rings  19 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , fitted at  19   a  and  19   b  (ie. on either side of toggle legs  25 ) to prevent liquid flow around its outside, thereby preventing loss of liquid through the operating lever aperture. The sealing ring at plug end  31  prevents flow in the closed position. 
     Tube  12  is a sliding fit in the recess provided in handle  13 . To connect tube  12  to handle  13 , a nut  22  having a conical female internal face  23  is tightened against a mating conical male thin-walled-section  34  in handle  13 . The internal face of the thin-walled conical section  34  is a close fit on the tube  12 . When tightened the conical sections provide a clamping effect on tube  12 . Screwed nut  22  has recessed grip sections  21  on its outer periphery and is a sliding fit on tube  12 . This arrangement thus supports the tube  12  in, and affixes it to, the handle  13 , but also allows it to be released therefrom for cleaning, servicing, interchange or replacement. 
       FIG. 9  shows a cross sectional view of a container  15  for the storage of the device between uses. The cross sectional shape of the container base  15   a  can be circular, square, rectangular or any other shape which fits the confines of a toilet area, in which the device is used. Disinfectant solution  16  is located in the receptacle defined by base  15   a , and into which the cleaning head  2  can be immersed and agitated for cleaning/disinfecting. A lateral bracket  15   b  supports the device above solution  16  so that it can drip dry prior to its next use. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 to 17 , where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts, alternative anal cleaning devices are depicted. 
     The handle  13  is essentially the same as the first embodiment except that leaf spring  24  is replaced by a helical spring captured within lever  17 . 
     In  FIG. 10  the cleaning head  2  is again fitted onto the end of tube  12  as shown, with the flange  11 ′ again extending out from body  10 : However, in  FIGS. 11 to 13  the tube  12  is closed at tube end  12   a , with the orifice  10 ′ a  being defined (eg. formed or drilled) into tube end  12   a  thereby forming the flow directing member. Thus, in this case the body  10 ″ is defined by tube end  12   a . Also, in this embodiment flange  11 ′ extends from a collar  11 ′ c  which is slid onto the tube end  12   a  and then fastened thereto adjacent orifice  10 ′ a  (e.g. via welding, adhesive, grub screw, screw thread etc). Thus, the tube  12  can be detached from the handle  13  as described above, and the flange  11 ′ can also be detached from the tube  12 , for cleaning, servicing, interchange, replacement etc. 
     Also, the flange  11 ′ of  FIGS. 10 to 13  is thinner in profile than flange  11  of the first embodiment. In other respects the cleaning devices are similar or the same. Arc  11   d  is again shown as being non-concentric with the central axis of tube  12  adjacent the flange  11 ′. 
     The tube  12  can be interchanged as described above so that shorter or longer, bent or straight tubes can be employed as appropriate. In addition, different flange sizes can be employed for different users. Also heads having multiple orifices can be employed. 
     The supply tube  14  can be connected to a toilet water supply and to a pressure regulator as appropriate. Alternatively it may be connected to a hot/cold water mixer for delivering cleaning water of appropriate temperature. It may also be able to be selectively connected to an air supply eg. from central heating, for anal drying after washing. 
     Typically many of the components are formed from injection moulded plastics or corrosion-resistant metals such as aluminium and stainless steel. 
     Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that it can be embodied in many other forms.