Patent Publication Number: US-2013240575-A1

Title: Systems and Methods for Producing Streams of Fluid

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of fluid stream producing devices, and more particularly to a portable device that can be used to produce conveniently streams of fluid, such as for washing body parts and objects. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
     Streams of fluid are used for many things. Streams of water are particularly useful for cleansing body parts and objects. However, one does not always have access to a source of water when cleansing an object or body part is desired. In particular, the problem of personal hygiene in public places is one that confronts people of all ages. Public bathrooms are usually not equipped with washing mechanisms such as bidets due to costs and maintenance concerns. Typically, the only available cleansing mechanism in the public bathroom is toilet paper. While acceptable to a significant portion of the public, toilet paper leaves residues that can adhere to undergarments, which can cause discomfort and irritation, particularly to individuals suffering from various medical conditions exacerbated by abrasive cleansing. Furthermore, physically disabled individuals often have difficulties in cleansing private body parts. 
     An alternative to the use of toilet tissue is to spray liquid onto body parts that require cleansing. Stationary bidets have been in use for some time and more recently, the need for relatively simple cost-effective hygienic devices has led to the development of a number of hand-held, portable bidets which have the advantage of being portable and allowing the user to control the temperature of the cleansing fluids. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,896 describes a large portable bidet apparatus with an integrally formed or separable reservoir. 
     U.S. Patent Publication No. 20050187526 describes a bidet device that is similar to commonly available laboratory squeeze bottles. 
     U.S. Patent Application No. 20060207007 describes another type of portable bidet device comprised of several different parts including a separable bottle and nozzle. 
     PCT Publication WO 03/086160 describes a battery-powered portable bidet that uses intricate pumping mechanisms in order to achieve a stream of water at the spray end. 
     Japanese Patent Application JP2007282973 describes a portable cleaning cap that comprises a threaded opening for screwing installation of cleaning liquid storage container like bag, pack, pouch, tube, or polyethylene terephthalate bottle with a single specific threaded opening. 
     JP2007307317 proposes a portable cleaning instrument for washing the private areas of a person. This device has an expandable and contractible accordion reservoir and a removable threaded nozzle. 
     JP2008284013, JP2008284014, and JP2008284015 are directed to different embodiments of a portable washing device for connecting to PET bottles of different sizes using different sized adapters, washers and collars, some of which are configured to grip to the annular flange of PET bottles. These embodiments require removable parts to couple different bottles to the device. 
     JP2006280834 describes a toilet shower device configured to be attached to the neck at the outlet of a PET bottle. 
     It is against this background that various embodiments of the present invention have been developed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a portable device and system for producing conveniently and easily a stream of fluid. In one embodiment, the present invention can be used for cleansing private body parts, which addresses heretofore unrecognized shortcomings of prior art portable bidet systems. It has been recognized that a wide variety of reusable containers are available. These containers have resilient and dependable closure systems that could be readily adapted to a simple portable bidet device to remove the need for transporting a bidet reservoir. 
     Such containers are in common use and readily obtained at supermarkets, convenience stores, or vending machines all over the world. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a portable fluid stream-producing device that can be combined with an easily obtainable container to provide a functional device that may be assembled, used, and easily disassembled. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable personal hygiene device of simple lightweight construction which eliminates the need for moving parts and is easily and inexpensively manufactured to specifications for attachment to the most commonly available containers, thereby providing significant advantages not contemplated by the portable bidet systems described in the prior art. 
     It is a further object of the invention to reduce the space required for storage and transport of a fluid steam-producing device in a pocket, purse, or handbag for example. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for producing a stream of fluid comprising a hollow body having a nozzle at a first end and a connector inlet at a second end, wherein said connector inlet is in the shape of a circular inner wall and a circular outer wall, said outer wall containing one or a plurality of o-ring grooves and o-rings for forming a substantially air tight seal between said second end to a container of fluid, so transmission of said fluid through said connector inlet, into said hollow body, and out of said nozzle to produce a stream of fluid can be effected. The inner wall and the outer wall may be substantially concentric. 
     Plastic bottles are convenient examples of portable containers that contain fluid. According to North American standards, most plastic bottles have outlets of two sizes, which are generally known as “wide-mouthed” and “narrow-mouthed” outlets. Examples of common product brands using wide-mouthed bottles include GATORADE™, AQUAFINA™, and VITAMIN WATER™. The narrow-mouthed bottle is in more common usage and one of the best-known product brands using this outlet size is the plastic COCA-COLA™ bottle. 
     In some embodiments, the hollow body is a rigid tubular body. In this embodiment, the nozzle may be disposed at a fixed angle projecting outwards from the elongate axis of the tubular body. 
     In other embodiments, the hollow body is an adjustable “accordion-type” body that is deformable along its elongate axis or in any other direction to facilitate the setting of the angle between the nozzle and the elongate body as desired for the process of directing the nozzle towards the desired location for cleansing of body parts and objects. 
     In some embodiments, the nozzle comprises a plurality of discharge orifices, which, in some embodiments are disposed in a cross-shaped pattern to increase the surface area of discharged fluids for cleansing body parts or objects. A person skilled in the art will realize that any number or pattern of discharge orifices are possible and are still within the scope of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, the hollow body and nozzle are of unitary construction while in other embodiments, the hollow body, nozzle, and connector end are separable components. In some embodiments of the device where the body and nozzle are separable, the nozzle is provided as a push-pull cap. When the push-pull cap is in the closed position, fluids are prevented from escaping from the nozzle. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a fluid stream producing system that represents the assembled combination of a fluid stream-producing device with a coupled container. The device has a hollow body having a nozzle at a first end and a connector inlet at a second end, wherein said connector inlet is in the shape of a circular inner wall and a circular outer wall, said outer wall containing one or a plurality of o-ring grooves and o-rings for forming a substantially air tight seal between said second end to a container of fluid, so transmission of said fluid through said connector inlet, into said hollow body, and out of said nozzle to produce a stream of fluid can be effected. The connector inlet can be configured for coupling of containers having different sized outlets and for transmission of fluid stored in the containers through the connector inlet into the hollow body to the nozzle for washing of body parts and objects. It is advantageous if the container used in the fluid stream producing system is configured to be deformable with a light squeezing action of the hand. The deformation of the container provides the pressure required to force the fluids from the container through the device connector inlet into the hollow body and through the nozzle. 
     Other embodiments of the present invention include systems corresponding to the devices described herein, as well as methods of utilizing the devices described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and features described above will become more readily apparent from the following description of an example embodiment, which is accompanied by the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable hygiene device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of the portable hygiene device taken along line  2 ′- 2 ′ of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows two examples of perspective views of portable hygiene systems constructed from an embodiment of a personal hygiene device in combination with two different bottles having different sized outlets. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the section labeled  4 ′ in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the section labeled  5 ′ in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the portable hygiene device. 
         FIG. 7  is a cut-away side view taken along line  7 ′- 7 ′ of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the portable hygiene device. 
         FIG. 9  is a cut-away side view of the second embodiment of the portable hygiene device taken along line  9 ′- 9 ′ of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view of the section labeled  10 ′ in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom perspective view of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  shows the third embodiment of  FIG. 13  being attached to a water bottle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     First Embodiment 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , there is shown one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is of a device of unitary construction that may be formed of moldable resin material. The skilled person will recognize that, while certain advantages are realized by embodiments of unitary construction, alternative constructions of the device which have separate parts are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as will be discussed in an additional embodiment below. 
     Advantageously, resin materials that may be used in forming the embodiment of the device having unitary construction are durable and produce a substantially smooth surface. The hollow body may be generally tubular and have a consistent or tapered diameter. The deformable container is advantageously a bottle, preferably constructed of disposable or recyclable plastic or resin, but the container may also be in the form of a bag or a box. It is advantageous if the plastic used in certain embodiments the fluid stream producing device is made from flexible medical-grade plastic that is resistant to bacterial growth by inclusion of anti-bacterial polymers such as MICROBAN™ that are compatible with plastics. This is an advantageous feature because the areas being cleansed may be susceptible to bacterial infections. 
     The perspective view of  FIG. 1  shows a portable hygiene device  10  with a main hollow body  12 , and a nozzle  14  having a front face defined by a plurality of orifices  15 . In this particular embodiment, the orifices  15  are disposed in a cross shaped pattern across the face of the nozzle  14 . The nozzle  14  is disposed at an angle relative to the elongate axis of the hollow body  12  with an elbow  17 . While in this embodiment, the angle of the nozzle  14  provided by the elbow  17  is slightly more than ninety degrees downward from the elongate axis of the hollow body  12  (as seen more clearly in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ), a wide range of nozzle angles are possible and are within the scope of the invention. For example, the hollow body  12  could end with an opening having threads for connection of a separate nozzle portion provided with a means for adjusting the nozzle angle (not shown). 
     In this particular embodiment, a flared base  16  is integrally formed at one end of the hollow body  12 . The base  16  has a tapered upper base wall  18  and outer base sidewall  20  that is substantially parallel to the elongate axis of the hollow body  12 . The cut-away perspective view of the device  10  of  FIG. 2  (along lines  2 ′- 2 ′ of  FIG. 1 ) exposes the interior of the hollow body  12  and details of a connector inlet  22  formed by the base  16 . A person skilled in the art will recognize that the base  16  represents a flared section. In alternative embodiments (not shown), a flared base section such as the base section  16  may not be necessary if the hollow body  12  is designed with a diameter that is sufficiently wide. Other embodiments that do not contain a flared base section are also within the scope of the invention. 
     The outer wall  20  is provided with o-ring grooves and o-rings to provide a substantially airtight seal with a container of fluid. Alternative embodiments of the present invention accommodate containers of different sizes by being made in different diameters. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of two variations of a fluid flow producing system  200  and  300  which are constructed from the fluid stream producing device  10  and either a wide-mouthed bottle  210  or a narrow-mouthed bottle  310 . Enlarged perspective views of sections  4 ′ and  5 ′ are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  respectively.  FIGS. 4 and 5  indicate the interactions of the o-rings with the wall of a bottle. The skilled person will recognize that coupling mechanisms other than the o-rings described herein may be incorporated into the fluid stream-producing device and are within the scope of the invention. 
     Second Embodiment 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 through 12 , there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention, which is constructed of separable parts that provide a streamlined design. 
     The perspective view of  FIG. 8  shows a fluid stream-producing device  510  with a main hollow body  512 , and a removable nozzle cap  514  having a front face defined by a plurality of orifices  515 . The removable nozzle cap  514  may be substituted with additional nozzle caps having different arrangements of orifices that will vary the spray of liquid from the device  510  when in use. Details with respect to the interface between the main hollow body  512  and the nozzle cap will be discussed in more detail below. 
     As described in the previous embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 7 , the orifices  515  of the device  510  are disposed in a cross shaped pattern across the face of the nozzle cap  514 . The nozzle cap  514  is disposed at an angle relative to the elongate axis of the hollow body  512  with an elbow  517 . 
     The fluid stream-producing device  510  has a flared base  516  integrally formed at one end of the hollow body  512 . The base  516  has a tapered upper base wall  518  and outer base sidewall  520  that is substantially parallel to the elongate axis of the hollow body  512 . The cut-away perspective view of the device  510  of  FIG. 9  (along lines  9 ′- 9 ′ of  FIG. 8 ) exposes the interior of the hollow body  512  and the interior structure of a connector inlet  522  formed by the base  516 . In alternative embodiments (not shown), a flared base section such as the base section  516  may not be necessary if the hollow body  512  is designed with a diameter sufficiently wide to accommodate differently sized outlets of different containers. Other embodiments that do not contain a flared base section are also within the scope of the invention. 
     In this embodiment, the body  512  has an upper opening  534  that is covered by nozzle cap  514  as shown in the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 11 . This provides the means to have interchangeable nozzle caps with different orifice sizes and/or patterns which may be useful when the fluid stream producing system  510  is used in various applications such as, for example, washing an individual&#39;s face or hair. In such an application, it may be desirable to have a more diffuse spray of liquid to cover a larger area of the body. A nozzle cap with larger orifices arranged uniformly across its face may be desirable in this case. The nozzle cap  514  has a hook  536  that engages a groove  538  in the outer wall of the main body  512  near the upper opening  534 . An o-ring groove  540  is formed in the main body  512  at the circumferential edge of the opening  534  to provide a seat for an o-ring  542  in order to prevent leakage of liquid at the interface of the opening  534  and the nozzle cap  514 . 
     While this embodiment employs a hook and groove coupling means, the device  512  could be readily modified with threads or other fastening means. 
     Third Embodiment 
     With reference to  FIGS. 13 through 16 , there is shown a third embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the nozzle  1302  is connected via a hallow body  1304  to connector inlet  1306  having a plurality of o-rings attached thereto. 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 13 . Element  1308  (not visible in  FIG. 13 ) shows an angled connection of the hallow body  1304  to the nozzle  1302 . 
       FIG. 16  shows the third embodiment of  FIG. 13  being attached to a water bottle. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the personal hygiene device  1602  is inserted into a water bottle  1604 , or other bottle, and the o-rings create a substantially watertight seal between the personal hygiene device  1602  and the bottle  1604 . 
     Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is a device for producing a stream of fluid, comprising: a hollow body having a nozzle at a first end and a connector inlet at a second end, wherein said connector inlet is in a shape of a circular inner wall and a circular outer wall, said outer wall containing one or a plurality of o-ring grooves and o-rings for forming a substantially air tight seal between said second end to a container of fluid, so transmission of said fluid through said connector inlet, into said hollow body, and out of said nozzle to produce a stream of fluid can be effected. 
     In one embodiment, said connector inlet, said hollow body, and said nozzle detach from each other. 
     In one embodiment, said device is used to wash body parts or any other objects. 
     In one embodiment, said hollow body has a flared base forming an outer edge of said connector inlet. 
     In one embodiment, said inner wall and said outer wall are substantially concentric. 
     In one embodiment, said hollow body is an accordion type body. 
     In one embodiment, said accordion type body is configured so an angle of said nozzle can be altered relative to an elongate axis of said accordion body. 
     In one embodiment, said nozzle comprises a plurality of discharge orifices. 
     In one embodiment, said orifices are disposed in a cross-shaped pattern. 
     In one embodiment, said nozzle, said hollow body, and said connector inlet are of unitary construction. 
     In one embodiment, said nozzle comprises a push-pull cap for opening and closing said nozzle. 
     In one embodiment, said nozzle can be disposed at an angle relative to an elongate axis of said hollow body. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing a stream of fluid and conserving fluids using a device, including the steps of: (1) utilizing a device having a hollow body having a nozzle at a first end and a connector inlet at a second end, wherein said connector inlet is in a shape of a circular inner wall and a circular outer wall, said outer wall containing one or a plurality of o-ring grooves and o-rings for forming a substantially air tight seal between said second end to a container of fluid, so transmission of said fluid through said connector inlet, into said hollow body, and out of said nozzle to produce a stream of fluid can be effected; (2) attaching said device to said container; and (3) deforming said container to cause a stream of fluid to emerge from said nozzle. 
     Example 
     Use of a Fluid Stream Producing Device in Combination with a Commercially Available Plastic Water Bottle for Personal Hygiene 
     In this example, it is described how an individual would use an embodiment of the fluid stream-producing device  10  described herein. The individual would have the device  10  on hand and stored in a pocket, handbag, or purse during transit. When the use of the device  10  is desired, the individual would purchase an available bottle of water. In this example, the retail establishment only has a product with a wide-mouthed bottle, for example a bottle of AQUAFINA™ water, in this case, exemplified by bottle  210  (the skilled person will recognize that other brands of products having wide-mouthed bottles would also have similar or identical dimensions to bottle  210 ). The closure would be unscrewed from the bottle  210  and the inlet connector  22  of the portable hygiene device  10  would be inserted into the opened bottle  210  to make a substantially airtight seal. This construction provides an example of personal hygiene system  200  shown in  FIG. 3 . The individual would squeeze the bottle  210  to force the water out of the bottle  210 , through the hollow body  12  of the device  10  such that the water sprays out of the orifices  15  and onto the body part for which cleansing is desired. If the individual desires to keep the required storage space to a minimum, disengaging the bottle  210  from the device  10  can disassemble the system  200 . The bottle  210  may be re-sealed for further use, discarded, or recycled. The device  10  could then be dried and stored until the next use is desired. 
     While the methods disclosed herein have been described and shown with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form equivalent methods without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the operations is not a limitation of the present invention. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.