Abstract:
A portable animal washing system having a means of dispensing a pressurized liquid cleaning agent, a means of dispensing a pressurized liquid rinsing agent, a means of extracting said liquid cleaning and rinsing agents as well as any dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, or foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat, and a means of drying the animal&#39;s coat. The device is designed in such a way that both the cleaning and the rinsing agents may be directed into and under the animal&#39;s coat and then be immediately extracted along with any dislodged dirt, debris, parasites or other foreign material. The device is also design in such a way as to direct a stream of heated forced air into and under the coat of the animal so as to dry the animal.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/923,562 filed Apr. 16, 2007 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to animal grooming devices, and more particularly, to an animal washing system. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Essential to the washing and drying of domesticated animals are five basic steps: 1) wetting the coat, 2) applying a cleaning agent such as a soap, shampoo, or detergent, 3) rinsing the cleaning agent, dirt, debris, parasites, and other foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat, 4) extracting any residual agents, dirt, debris, parasites, or foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat, and 5) drying the animal&#39;s coat. Traditional methods require considerable effort before, during and after the process. For example, before the washing and drying can begin, various items such as soap, brushes, hoses, buckets, towels, and the like are needed and must be gathered together. Once all the necessary items are assembled, the process tends to be very messy due to the splashing of water from scrubbing the animal and/or the spray of water due to the animal shaking. Then there is the cleanup after the process and some individuals consider that the worst part of the whole ordeal. 
     Also, the traditional methods of washing animals normally consumes large amounts of water that is not only relatively expensive but is also wasteful. Another issue with traditional animal washing methods is the effort that is required to apply a cleaning agent to the animal because considerable effort must be used with the hands to message the cleaning agent into the animal&#39;s coat. Not only can this be very time consuming it is often exhausting work. After the cleaning agent has been applied to the animal, particular attention must be paid to rinsing the animal because some animals are very sensitive to some cleaning agents and it is extremely important that the animal be thoroughly rinsed to ensure that there is no residual cleaning agent left that could cause irritation. Another aspect of the washing process that is very important to the well being of some animals is the drying process because if some animals are left wet, they can easily become sick. What is needed is a device and method that can help alleviate or reduce the above mentioned problems. It would be especially beneficial if the device and method could improve the rinsing and drying of the animal. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention solves the above-described problem by providing a device and method that includes a source of pressurized fluid and at least one nozzle to direct the pressurized fluid at least partially into and under an animal&#39;s coat and in one embodiment onto it&#39;s skin. In one embodiment, there are two sets of nozzles and the first set of nozzles is connected to a pressurized fluid source that contains a cleaning agent. The first set of nozzles is used to wet the animal&#39;s coat and skin and apply a cleaning agent. By way of example and not of limitation, the cleaning agent may be a mixture of water and soap, shampoo, detergent or some other cleaning agent used to clean an animal. In one embodiment, the cleaning agent is medicine, a therapeutic agent, or perfume or other aromatic agent. The second set of nozzles is connected to a pressurized fluid source that contains a rinsing agent such as water. The rinsing agent is used to rinse at least a portion of the cleaning agent, hair, dirt, debris, parasites, and other foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat and skin. 
     The invention also utilizes a means of suction to immediately extract at least a portion of the cleaning or rinsing agents, dirt, debris, parasites, or other foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat and skin. In one embodiment, to assist in drying the animal, the system contains a means of delivering heated forced air to dry the animal&#39;s coat and skin. 
     The first and second set of nozzles, suction means, and drying means are all contained in one cleaning head. In use, the cleaning head is moved along the animal&#39;s body in a solitary progressive motion such that the above described device and method accomplishes all five steps of the animal washing and drying process in one progressive motion while allowing the user to only use one hand to wash and dry an animal. The pressurized fluid supply, vacuum assembly, and forced air dryer functions can be operated together and swept over the animal such that the animal is washed, rinsed, and dried in one progressive motion. Alternatively, the pressurized fluid supply, vacuum assembly, and forced air dryer functions can be operated independently or in any combination depending on the circumstances. In addition, the system can use either hot, cold, or warm fluids depending on the need and availability of such fluids. 
     It has been found that the present invention allows the cleaning of animals much more efficiently than by traditional methods by reducing the amount of water and additives used. In addition, the present invention saves the user money on both the amount of water and the amount of energy it takes to heat up the water used. Also, the present invention is far more environmentally friendly than are traditional methods in that it requires less heating energy, less water purification, and creates fewer burdens on water supplies and water treatment facilities than the traditional method. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of an animal washing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the cleaning head assembly of the invention in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of a portable animal washing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram depicting the steps of using an animal washing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural, procedural and system changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference numerals. 
       FIG. 1  shows animal cleaner  102 . Animal cleaner  102  contains pressurized fluid connection assembly  104 , vacuum  106 , cleaning head  108 , and cleaning conduit  110 . Pressurized fluid connection assembly  104  is comprised of pressurized fluid source  112  and bypass valve  114 . Bypass valve  114  allows the pressurized fluid to be tested for the correct temperature and pressure and can be used as a bypass and keep the pressurized fluid from entering pressurized fluid supply conduit  116 . Pressurized fluid source  112  is any source able to supply a sufficient amount of pressure and fluid to enable animal cleaner  102  to function. By way of example and not of limitation, pressurized fluid source  112  may be a faucet, hydrant, or some other means of generating a pressurized fluid. In addition, pressurized fluid source  112  may be a portable source of pressurized fluid similar to the one shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  shows animal cleaner  102  containing portable pressurized fluid source  302 . 
     Portable pressurized fluid source  302  is able to create and maintain pressure on a fluid such that at least the minimum amount of pressurized fluid necessary for operation of the system can be delivered to animal cleaner  102 . In one embodiment, portable pressurized fluid source  302  contains fluid reservoir  304  and fluid pickup tube  306 . Fluid reservoir  304  contains the fluid used by animal cleaner  102 . Fluid pickup tube  306  transports the fluid to pump  308  where the fluid is pressurized and the pressurized fluid is delivered to pressurized fluid supply conduit  116 . In one embodiment, animal cleaner  102  contains universal valve  148  ( FIG. 1 ) that allows pressurized fluid supply conduit  116  to be attached to either pressurized fluid source  112  or portable pressurized fluid source  302  ( FIG. 2 ) relatively easily. Pump  308  may be located in portable pressurized fluid source  302  or may be in vacuum  106  and powered by motor  140 . In one embodiment, if vacuum  106  contains fan  310 , the back pressure of fan  310  may be used to cause fluid to be drawn into pickup tube  306  and delivered to pressurized fluid supply conduit  116 . Herein and throughout, unless stated otherwise, pressurized fluid source  112  and portable pressurized fluid source  302  can be used interchangeably as both function to deliver a pressurized fluid to pressurized fluid supply conduit  116 . 
     Pressurized fluid source  112  ( FIG. 1 ) delivers pressurized fluid to pressurized fluid supply conduit  116  and pressurized fluid supply conduit  116  allows the pressurized fluid from pressurized fluid source  112  to flow to cleaning head  108 . Cleaning conduit  110  contains pressurized fluid supply conduit  116  and vacuum conduit  118  and connects pressurized fluid supply conduit  116  and vacuum conduit  118  to cleaning head  108 . In one embodiment, cleaning conduit  110  is flexible such that cleaning conduit  110  and cleaning head  108  can be relatively easily moved around an animal as the animal is being washed. Cleaning head  108  is shown in to detail in  FIG. 2 . 
     Cleaning head  108  is comprised of pressurized fluid supply control valve  122 , cleaning agent receptacle  124 , at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128 , cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130 , at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132 , and rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134 . In one embodiment, cleaning head  108  contains contact sensor  126 . Contact sensor  126  is able to detect when cleaning head  108  is proximate to the animal&#39;s coat and activates cleaning agent spray nozzle  128 , rinsing agent spray nozzle  132 , cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130  and rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134  either separately or in combination. 
     In one embodiment, pressurized fluid supply control valve  122  splits the pressurized fluid from pressurized fluid supply conduit  116  into two streams. One stream is delivered to at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128  and the second stream is delivered to at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132 . Pressurized fluid supply control valve  122  controls the discharge of pressurized fluid from at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128  and at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132 . 
     In another embodiment, pressurized fluid supply control valve  122  controls whether the fluid from pressurized fluid supply conduit  116  is sent only to at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128 , only to at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132  or to both. In this manner, pressurized fluid supply control valve  122  can control whether pressurized fluid is only discharged from at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128 , only discharged from at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132 , or is discharged from both. In another embodiment, pressurized fluid supply control valve  122  controls the pressure of the pressurized fluid. In another embodiment, fluid supply control valve  122  controls the amount of fluid discharged and whether or not the fluid contains a cleaning agent from cleaning agent receptacle  124 . In another embodiment, there are multiple fluid supply control valves  122  and each fluid supply control valve  122  controls a nozzle and the pressure and/or fluid discharged from each fluid supply control valve  122 . In one embodiment contact sensor  126  is attached to fluid supply control valve  122  such that contact sensor  126  is a secondary valve wherein fluid pressurized fluid supply control valve  122  is activated upon activation of contact sensor  126 . 
     Before pressurized fluid is discharged from at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128 , it enters cleaning agent receptacle  124 . Cleaning agent receptacle  124  contains the cleaning agent that is used to clean the animal. By way of example and not of limitation, the cleaning agent may be a mixture of water and soap, shampoo, detergent or some other cleaning agent used to clean an animal. In one embodiment, cleaning agent receptacle  124  contains medicine, a therapeutic agent, or perfume or other aromatic agent. If cleaning agent receptacle  124  does contain medicine, a therapeutic agent, or perfume or other aromatic agent, then rinsing agent spray nozzle  132  and vacuum  106  would not be activated or vacuum  106  would only create a relatively low suction such that the desired amount of medicine, a therapeutic agent, or perfume or other aromatic agent would be applied to the animal and not removed by cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130  and rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134 . Once the pressurized fluid enters cleaning agent receptacle  124 , the cleaning agent contained in cleaning agent receptacle  124  becomes mixed with the pressurized fluid and the mixture is sent to at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128  where it is discharged onto the coat of the animal. 
     At least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132  discharges relatively clean pressurized fluid onto the animal such that the cleaning agent on the animal can be extracted. In one embodiment, at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128  and/or at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132  contain comb  148 . Comb  148  is used to assist in allowing at least a portion of the discharge from cleaning agent spray nozzle  128  and rinsing agent spray nozzle  132  into and under the animal&#39;s coat. In one embodiment, at least one comb  148  is located on cleaning head  108  proximate to at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128  and/or at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132 . 
     Cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130  and rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134  are attached to vacuum  106  and are located on cleaning head  108  such that at least a portion of the discharge from at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128  is collected by cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130  and at least a portion of the discharge from at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132  is collected by rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134 . 
     The discharged from at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128  is directed into and potentially under the animal&#39;s coat to rinse the cleaning agent, hair, dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat and skin. Then, immediately after the cleaning agent has been forced into and under the animal&#39;s coat it is extracted along with some cleaning agent, loose hair, dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat and skin via cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130 . 
     Also, the discharge from at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132  is directed into and potentially under the animal&#39;s coat to rinse the cleaning agent, hair, dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat and skin. Then, immediately after the rinsing agent has been forced into and under the animal&#39;s coat at least a portion is extracted along with some cleaning agent, loose hair, dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat via rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134 . 
     The vacuum action in cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130  and rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134  is created by vacuum  106  ( FIG. 1 ). Vacuum  106  is any device able to create a strong enough vacuum to collect at least a portion of the discharge from at least one cleaning agent spray nozzle  128  and at least a portion of the discharge from at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132 . In one embodiment vacuum  106  is able to create a relatively large vacuum action such that a relatively large amount of cleaning agent, loose hair, dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter is extracted from the animal&#39;s coat and skin. In another embodiment, the vacuum in cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130  is different from the vacuum in rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134 . In another embodiment, vacuum  106  is sonically insulated or muffled by mean of isolation, insulation, or sound wave interference or cancellation to reduce the sound so as not to frighten or adversely affect the animal. In another embodiment, vacuum  106  is located relatively far from cleaning head  108  or on the opposite side of a wall or structure such that the sound produced by vacuum  106  is relatively low and does not frighten or otherwise adversely affect the animal. 
     During use, the suction of vacuum  106  collects waste debris such as the cleaning agent, loose hair, dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter that is collected by cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130  and rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134 . In one embodiment, vacuum  106  contains fluid release mechanism  144  to assist in the disposal of the waste debris. Fluid release mechanism  144  is located proximate to the bottom of vacuum  106  and upon activation, allows the waste debris to flow out of the bottom of vacuum  106 . In one embodiment, fluid release mechanism  144  may have a mechanical action to help extract the waste debris from vacuum  106 . In one embodiment, fluid release mechanism is a fluid release ball valve or float as is known in the art. In one embodiment, the waste debris is cleaned and re-circulated back into the system. 
     In one embodiment animal cleaner  102  contains dryer  136 . Dryer  136  blows heated dry air under the animal&#39;s coat drying both its skin and hair. The heated air may be supplied by vacuum  106  through dryer conduit  120  or from some other source capable of producing heated dry air such as heating element  138 . In one embodiment, heating element  138  is located in vacuum  106  and in another embodiment, heating element  138  is located in dryer conduit  120 . In another embodiment, heating element  138  is located in cleaning head  108 . The temperature of the heated air is such that it will not burn, scald, or otherwise harm the animal. In one embodiment dryer  136  blows relatively hot, relatively warm or ambient air to dry the animal depending on the circumstances. 
       FIG. 4  shows the steps for using animal cleaner  102 . First, pressurized fluid source  112  is located, Step  402 . Pressurized fluid source may be a faucet, hydrant, or a self contained source of pressurized fluid similar to the one shown in  FIG. 3 . Pressurized fluid source  112  is then connected to pressurized fluid supply conduit  116  such that pressurized fluid can be delivered to pressurized fluid supply conduit  116 , Step  404 . Then, the animal to be washed is secured and prepared for washing, Step  408 . Because the system can be operated relatively easily with one hand, securing the animal may be relatively simple such as securing the animal with a free hand. Alternatively, the animal may be secured with a rope or leash attached to a relatively immobile object such that the user may use both hands to wash the animal or a free hand to sooth the animal. 
     Next, the cleaning agent that will be used to clean the animal is inserted into cleaning agent receptacle  124 , Step  410 . Then, vacuum  106  is activated, Step  412  and in one embodiment, dryer  136  is activated, Step  414 . Next, cleaning head  108  is positioned on the animals coat or fur, Step  416 . Upon activation of pressurized fluid supply control valve  122 , Step  418 , water and cleaning agent is at least partially forced into and under the animal&#39;s coat and in one embodiment onto it&#39;s skin. Next, cleaning head  108  is moved down the animal&#39;s body, Step  420  such that immediately after the cleaning agent has been forced at least partially into and under the animal&#39;s coat, and in one embodiment onto it&#39;s skin Step  422  at least a portion of the cleaning agent is extracted along with some dislodged hair, dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat and skin via cleaning agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  130 , Step  424 . Next, at least one rinsing agent spray nozzle  132  at least partially forces pressurized fluid into and under the animal&#39;s coat and in one embodiment onto it&#39;s skin, Step  426  and immediately after the rinsing agent has been at least partially forced into and under the animal&#39;s coat, it is at least partially extracted along with a portion of any remaining cleaning agent, loose hair, dislodged dirt, debris, parasites, and/or other foreign matter from the animal&#39;s coat and skin via rinsing agent/contaminated fluid extraction nozzle  134 , Step  428 . In one embodiment, dryer  136  blows warm air into and under the animal&#39;s coat, Step  430  thereby drying at least a portion of the animal&#39;s skin and hair such that all five steps of the cleaning and drying process take place almost simultaneously within the length of the cleaning head while it is being moved along the animal&#39;s body. Thereby, in a solitary progressive motion the cleaning and drying of the animal&#39;s coat and skin is performed in a single uninterrupted action. 
     There may be a time when the animal may just need to be dried off or given a quick rinse such as when the animal has been outside in the rain or playing in water. Therefore, in one embodiment, only the steps necessary for rinsing and drying the animal may be performed. In another embodiment, the pressurized fluid supply, vacuum assembly, and forced air dryer functions can be operated together or independently depending on the circumstances. In another embodiment, the system can use either hot, cold, or warm fluids depending on the need and availability of such fluids. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. Any attempt to construct a similar device within the spirit and scope of the present invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.