Patent Publication Number: US-2023136174-A1

Title: Hand wash station

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/356,456, filed Jun. 23, 2021, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/043,710, filed on Jun. 24, 2020, and both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to hand wash stations, and more particularly to portable hand wash stations. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a need to provide temporary and/or portable hand wash stations in a variety of environments. For example, in a location where many people will gather, or near a portable restroom, there is a need for persons to sanitize their hands. In such locations, there may not be access to electrical power and water plumbing. The need for a hand wash station in such location may also not be permanent. Thus, it is known to provide a portable hand wash station that has onboard tanks for clean wash water and the used or waste water (greywater). There is a continuing need to improve the functionality, manufacturability and serviceability of portable hand wash stations. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides an improved portable hand wash station. In one example, a portable hand wash station includes a base that can be set upon the ground. A fresh water tank and greywater tank are disposed atop the base. A tank cover is disposed atop the tanks. The sink member is pivotally mounted to the tank cover with a plurality of hinges. The sink member defines two sink basins that oppose one another. Each sink basin can be shaped and sized to allow the user to wash their forearms. A backsplash member is secured to the sink member between the individual sink basins. The fresh water tank access can be secured by locking the sink member to the tank cover. A plurality of elongated rods secure the tanks in place between the base and tank cover without protruding into the tanks. 
     In another example, a portable hand wash station can include a base, a fresh water tank disposed atop the base, a greywater tank disposed atop the base and horizontally adjacent to the fresh water tank, a tank cover disposed atop the fresh water tank and the greywater tank, and a sink member disposed atop the tank cover and secured to the tank cover via a hinge. The hinge allows the sink member to pivot with respect to the tank cover. The sink member defines a pair of sink basins disposed opposite one another. 
     A backsplash member can be secured to the sink member and located horizontally between the pair of sink basins. The backsplash member can define a plurality of downwardly-protruding post portions. The sink member can define a plurality of recesses. Each of the plurality of downwardly-protruding post portions can be sized and shaped to mate with a respective one of the plurality of recesses. 
     One or more of a towel dispenser, a soap dispenser, and a hand sanitizer dispenser can be mounted to each of a pair of opposing sides of the backsplash member at a location vertically above the sink basins. A fresh water fill cap can be disposed in a top surface of the fresh water tank such that it protrudes vertically through the tank cover while being covered by the sink member when the sink member is in a non-pivoted state with respect to the tank cover. 
     The tank cover can define a trough that is located such that water from the pair of sink basis drains directly into the trough and is routed by the trough to a greywater inlet of the greywater tank. 
     A plurality of elongated rods can be provided that span from the tank cover to the base. The elongated rods secure the fresh water tank and the greywater tank in place atop the base. The plurality of rods never pass through a sidewall of either the fresh water tank or the greywater tank. 
     A first foot pump can be provided to the base on a first side and a second foot pump can be provided to the base on a second side that is opposite the first side. 
     A pair of faucets can be provided, wherein each one of the pair of faucets is disposed adjacent to a respective one of the pair of sink basins. 
     A locking latch can be located opposite the hinge to secure the sink member atop the tank cover such that the sink member cannot pivot with respect to the tank cover. 
     A tether can be secured to a top side of the tank cover and to the sink member. The tether defines a maximum pivot range of the sink member with respect to the tank cover. 
     A suction port can be defined in greywater tank at a location adjacent to the base. 
     A plurality of stake down holes can be defined in the base. 
     Each of the fresh water tank and the greywater tank can be configured to define an outwardly-facing recess in a sidewall to provide clearance for a portion of a toilet seat when the portable hand wash station is placed inside of a portable restroom with a door of the portable restroom closed. 
     Each of the fresh water tank, the greywater tank, the base, the tank cover and the sink member can be formed via a blow-molding process. 
     Each of the pair of sink basins can be elongated horizontally toward opposing lateral sides of the sink member sufficient to allow a forearm of an adult human to be washed in the sink basin. 
     In another example, a method of forming a hand wash station can include forming each of a fresh water tank, a greywater tank, a base, a tank cover and a sink member via a blow-molding process, disposing the fresh water tank atop the base, disposing the greywater tank atop the base such that the greywater tank is horizontally adjacent to the fresh water tank, disposing the tank cover atop the fresh water tank and the greywater tank, disposing the sink member atop the tank cover, and securing the fresh water tank and the greywater tank between the base and the tank cover with a plurality of rods spanning from the base to the tank cover such that none of the plurality of rods passes through a sidewall of either the fresh water tank or the greywater tank. 
     The sink member can be secured atop the tank cover via a pivotable hinge on a first side of the sink member and via a locking latch on an opposing second side of the sink member. 
     A backsplash member can be secured to the sink member at a position located horizontally between the pair of sink basins by mating a plurality of downwardly-protruding post portions of the backsplash member with a respective plurality of recesses defined in the sink member. 
     Additional features, benefits and examples are described in the Detailed Description section below and will be apparent from the appended drawings. 
     The above summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, or describe each embodiment, aspect, implementation, feature or advantage of the invention. The detailed technology and preferred embodiments for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a hand wash station according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a hand wash station according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the hand wash station of  FIG.  2    according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of the hand wash station of  FIG.  2    according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    is an opposing side view of the hand wash station of  FIG.  2    according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of the hand wash station of  FIG.  2    according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  7    is a rear view of the hand wash station of  FIG.  2    according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  8    is a bottom view of the hand wash station of  FIG.  2    according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  9    is a partial perspective view of a hand wash station according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  10 A  is a perspective view of a hand wash station according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  10 B  is a side view of a hand wash station according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  11    is a partial perspective view of a hand wash station according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective cross-sectional view of a hand wash station according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of the tanks for a hand wash station according to certain embodiments. 
         FIGS.  14 - 15    are perspective views of a hand wash station stored inside of a portable restroom according to certain embodiments. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 13   , a portable hand wash station  100  according to certain embodiments is shown. The hand wash station  100  generally comprises a base  102  that sets upon the ground. The fresh water tank  104  and greywater tank  106  are each disposed atop the base  102 . A tank cover  108  is disposed atop the fresh  104  and greywater  106  tanks. 
     The sink member  110  is pivotally mounted to the tank cover  108 , atop the tank cover  108 , with a plurality of hinges  112 . Three hinges  112  are depicted, but more or fewer number of hinges can be used as well. The sink member  110  defines two sink basins  114  that oppose one another. Each sink basin  114  can be shaped and sized to allow the user to wash their forearms. For example each sing basin  114  can be an oval or elliptical shape that spans the majority of the lateral width of the sink member  110 . 
     A backsplash member  116  is secured to the sink member  110  between the individual sink basins  114 . The sink member  110  and backsplash member  116  can also be formed as a single part. The backsplash member  116  extends horizontally the approximately the lateral width of the sink member  110  and vertically upward from the sink member  110 . The backsplash member  116  defines opposing surfaces to which accessories can be mounted, as will be explained later herein. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 - 8   , a reinforcing bracket  117  can be secured commonly to the lateral sides of the backsplash member  116  and the sink member  110  with a plurality of fasteners (e.g., screws) to enhance the rigidity of the backsplash member  116  atop the sink member  110 . The reinforcing brackets  117  can be metal plates or other stiff and durable material, such as certain plastics, fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc. 
     A faucet  118  is disposed adjacent to each sink basin  114 . The faucets  118  can be separate components secured to the sink member  110  and/or the backsplash member  116 , or the faucets  118  can be formed at least partially integrally with the backsplash member  116 . 
     Accessories such as towel dispenser  120  and soap dispenser  122  (or hand sanitizer dispenser) are mounted to each flat side of the backsplash member  116  above the sink basins  114 . 
     A foot pump  124  is provided to the base  102  on each side of the hand wash station. The foot pumps can be riveted directly to the base  102  for rugged assembly. The user pushes on the foot pump  124  to cause water from the fresh water tank to emit from the faucet  118  connected to that particular foot pump  124 . 
     The two water tanks  104 ,  106  are secured together between the base  102  and the top cover  108  via a plurality of elongated rods  126  spanning from the base  102  to the top cover  108 . Each rod  126  is positioned adjacent to an outer side surface of one of the tanks and secured on one end to the base  102  and the opposing end to the top cover  108  to sandwich the tanks  104 ,  106  there between. The rods  126  can be formed, for example, of rigid material such as a metal. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  8  and  11   , provisions are made for up to six rods  126  to be used to secure the tanks  104 ,  106 , base  102  and tank cover  108  together. Each end of each rod  126  is threaded so that a threaded nut can be used as a fastener. 
     The provision of the rods  126  discussed above creates a strong assembly without the need for fasteners going into or through a side of the tanks  104 ,  106 . This eliminates the possibility of tank leaks due to apertures necessary for the rods to pass through the sidewall of the tanks. In contrast, many conventional hand wash station designs have rods and/or fasteners passing through the tank sidewall, or that are molded into the tanks. These conventional configurations are prone to failure due to pulling out, stripping, cracking and/or leaking. 
     The hinged sink member can be secured in place atop the tank cover  108  to prevent users from accessing the fasteners, accessing the fresh water fill aperture, tampering with the hand wash station, and to improve aesthetics. For example, one or more rotary latches  128  are provided opposite the hinges  112  to allow the sink member  110  to be secured down on the tank cover  108 . Thus, users cannot gain access to the fresh water tank and/or the fasteners for the rods  126 . The latches  128  can be key-lockable or a padlock can be provided to enhance security. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10 A , the fresh water fill cap  130  for the fresh water tank  104  is hidden by and protected by the hinged sink member  110 . Thus, the fresh water tank is not accessible by public because it can be padlocked as described above.  FIG.  11    shows the fresh water fill aperture after the cap is removed. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B , a cable tether  131  can be provided between the tank cover  108  and the sink member  110  to keep the sink member  110  from pivoting too far (and possibly causing the portable sink to tip over) when the sink member  110  is pivoted open. The cable tether  131  is fastened through a bracket attached to the sink member  110  at the upper end and through the tank cover  108  at the lower end. 
     Also as can be seen in  FIG.  11   , the top side of the tank cover  108  defines a trough  132  into which both sink basins  114  drain. The trough  132  is positioned and sloped to drain both basins into the greywater (waste) tank  106 . This configuration eliminates the need for separate hoses to route the drain waste water from each sink basin  114  into the greywater tank. This configuration also can catch debris that passes through the sink basins&#39; drains before getting into the greywater waste tank  106 . 
     Referring back to  FIG.  2   , both tanks  104 ,  106  include a threaded drain plug  133 . The greywater tank  106  also includes a suction port  134  incorporated into the base  102 . 
     As shown particularly in  FIGS.  2  and  8   , the base  102  defines two opposing stake-down holes  136  that can be used to secure or stabilize the hand wash station  100  in place atop the ground with stakes, nails or other fastener passing through the stake-down holes  136 . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates the attachment of the backsplash member  116  to the sink member  110  in a cross-sectional view. The backsplash member  116  defines a pair of downwardly-protruding post portions  117 . The sink member  110  defines corresponding recesses  119  to receive the respective downwardly-protruding post portions  117 . Rivets can be used to secure the backsplash member  116  to the sink member  110 . A rivet can be provided into each downward protruding post portion  117  of the backsplash member to fasten the backsplash to the respective recesses  119  in the sink member  110 . The engagement of the downwardly-protruding post portions  117  into the respective recess  119  is at a slight interference fit to make a rigid structure. 
       FIG.  12    shows the backsplash member  116 , the sink member  110  and tank top cover  108  parts as solid, but they can also be hollow parts. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates the two tanks  104  and  106 . Both tanks are identical as they come out of the mold. They are then differentiated by receiving different trimming operations to make them either “fresh water” or “greywater” tanks. This allows use of two molds for manufacturing when demand is high, and only one mold when demand is low. This frees up a molding press for other products. 
     The fresh water tank  104  has a threaded neck that allows the fresh water fill cap  130  to be screwed on. The greywater tank  106  has this threaded neck cut off to leave an opening  138  into the tank. In addition, a smaller hole  140  allows routing the hose from the suction port into the waste water tank. The sink basins  114  drain into the opening  138  via the trough  132  in the tank cover  108  described above. The greywater tank  106  does not normally require a cap to seal the opening  138  because it is of little concern if the waste water is tampered with. There is a desire, however, to keep the fresh water protected. As described previously, the sink member  110  hinges open to provide access to the fresh water fill cap  130 , while providing a way to lock the sink member  110  down to prevent tampering. 
     Portable hand wash stations are often located nearby portable restrooms. It is desirable to transport the portable hand wash stations to their destination while located inside of a portable restrooms because of the space savings. However, the size of some conventional hand wash stations prevents service persons from being able to transport the hand wash station inside the restroom because the toilet seat protrudes toward the doorway, which pushes the hand wash station forward such that the restroom&#39;s door cannot fully close. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 15   , a further feature of certain embodiments of the hand wash station  100  is to define a recess  142  in the tanks  104 ,  106  to provide clearance for the toilet seat of a portable restroom to protrude inward of the outer perimeter of the hand wash station. This recess  142  allows the door of the restroom to close fully with the hand wash station disposed inside of the restroom. Thus the portable hand wash station can be transported inside of a conventional portable restroom. 
     The main components of the present hand wash station  100  (base  102 , fresh water tank  104 , greywater tank  106 , tank cover  108 , sink member  110 , and backsplash member  116 ) are configured to be formed of a plastic material via a blow-molding process. This is advantageous because the blow-molding process allows for far more units per day to be produced versus the conventional roto-molding processes typically used for producing plastic components of conventional hand wash stations. Blow-molding provides greatly-increased speed of production over rotational molding. For example a single set of molds for the blow-molding process can produce parts five times faster than rotational molding. 
     Other features and aspects of the invention can be appreciated from the depictions in the figures, even if not described in writing herein. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention.