Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a portable hand-wash sink station which is sized to fit within a typical portable restroom. The hand-wash sink station comprises a vertically elongated used water storage tank and a fresh water tank is disposed within a central portion of the used water storage tank. The sink station further includes an upper column that serves as a sink top. The upper column includes two sink bowls which are formed in a lower portion on opposite sides of the sink station. Further, the upper column includes two faucets disposed above each sink bowl. Water is supplied from the freshwater tank to the faucets through a system which includes two foot-operated pumps to pump water through conduits when the user of the unit applies foot pressure upon the pumps.

The upper column is attached to the used water storage tank and may be tilted with respect to the used water storage tank by a hinge. The upper column may be secured to the used water storage tank through the use of a latch that may be further secured through the use of a lock to resist tampering. Maintenance personnel may pivot the upper column away from the used water storage tank for inspection or replenishment of the freshwater tank.

<CIT> discloses another hand was unit with a tank and a dispenser housing. The dispenser housing is pivotally connected by a hinge to an open-top container.

The above mentioned portable hand-wash sink stations are stand-alone units. However, in many occasions, a hand-wash station is to be installed inside a small mobile sanitary unit having sidewalls delimiting only a floor area of about <NUM><NUM>. Such a small sanitary unit includes a toilet seat and often also a urinal. A problem to many known hand wash sink stations is that such an object do not properly fit in such a small sized mobile sanitary unit. A configuration of a hand-wash sink station is desired which provides an improved fit in a mobile sanitary unit.

Regarding the above-mentioned prior art, it is remarked that any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like included in the present specification is for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention, and is not to be taken as an admission that any such matters form part of the prior art or were before the priority date of each claim of this application common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

The general object of the present invention is to at least partially eliminate the above mentioned drawback and/or to provide a usable alternative. More specific, it is an object of the invention to provide a hand wash station having a configuration which provides an improved fit of the hand wash station inside a mobile sanitary unit.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a handwash station according to claim <NUM>.

In use, a user stands in front of the handwash station. The handwash station has a front side, left side and a right side and is accessible from a user position in front of the handwash station. Preferably, the handwash station has a planar back side for placement of the handwash station against a wall.

The handwash station is formed by a base body and a sink unit. The sink unit is positioned on top of the base body. The sink unit is pivotally connected to the base body to allow access to an inner space of the base body. The inner space of the base body may include a water storage. By pivoting the sink unit away from the base body, an operator may get access to the inner space to carry out maintenance. The operator may empty or replenish the water storage while keeping the sink unit in an open position.

According to the invention, an improvement is obtained by providing a handwash station which is convertible from a left to a right version. Depending on a provided version, the sink unit is pivotable either to the left or to the right. In the left version of the handwash station, the sink unit is pivotable to the left side about a left pivot. In the right version of the handwash station, the sink unit is pivotable to the right side about a right pivot. The left pivot has a left pivot axis being situated at a left region of the handwash station, and the right pivot has a right pivot axis being situated at a right region of the handwash station. Each pivot includes a pivot member and a complimentary pivot member which form a pair of pivot members. The left and right pivot member are provided at a bottom region of the sink unit, and the left and right complementary pivot member are provided at a top region of the base body. Each of the left and right pivot can be formed by selectively connecting the pair of pivot members by a pivot shaft which defines the pivot axis. A selective connection of the pivot members of one of the left or right pivot by the pivot shaft determines whether a left or right version of the handwash station is obtained.

The available selection of a left or right version of the handwash station provides an advantage in placing the handwash station inside a portable restroom. Portable restrooms have a minimal floor area. Normally, the handwash station is positioned at a front region right behind a door of the portable restroom which necessitates a backwards directed pivoting movement of the sink unit to allow maintenance. Due to the possibility of a left or right version, the same handwash station is suitable to be placed to a left or right side wall of the portable restroom at the front region. Advantageously, the possibility to install the handwash station in a left or right version always allows the backwards directed pivoting movement of the sink unit in both situations.

In an embodiment of the handwash station according to the invention, each pivot comprises a pivot shaft which is releasable from the pair of pivot members by an operator to mount or demount the pivot to convert the handwash station from the left version to the right version and vice versa. Preferably, the pivot shaft is manually releasable without a need of a tool. A pivot shaft may be completely removable from the handwash station. Preferably, the pivot shaft is slidable connected to one of the sink unit and the base body, such that the pivot shaft can be shifted out of a pivot without being completely removed from either the base body or the sink unit. Beneficially, the non-removable pivot shaft cannot be loosened from the handwash station.

In an embodiment of the handwash station according to the invention, the pivot shaft is insertable into one of the left and right pivot from a back side of the base body. Through holes may be provided at the back side of the base body for receiving a pivot shaft to establish a connection between a pair of pivot members. The insertion of a pivot shaft from the backside of the base body is beneficial to keep the pivot shaft out of reach for a user. Herewith, the conversion of the handwash station is protected against vandalism.

In an embodiment of the handwash station according to the invention, the sink unit is out of centre positioned over a certain distance relative to the base body. In particular, the faucet for dispensing water is offset positioned from a centre line of the base body. Preferably, the sink unit has a sink portion which in a closed position of the handwash station protrudes from side wall of the base body. The sink portion is a lateral portion which may be part of the sink or provide a surface besides the sink. The protruding sink portion may serve as a stopper of the sink unit when moving the sink unit from the closed position to an open position. Preferably, the sink unit is rotated at least <NUM>°, in particular about <NUM>°, to get the sink unit in a stable position in which the sink portion abuts against a side wall of the base body. The stopper formed by the sink portion is beneficial in that a full access to the inner space of the base body is provided to an operator to carry out maintenance. The handwash station may remain free of obstructive additional items, like a chord or a link, to keep the sink unit in the open position.

In an embodiment of the handwash station according to the invention, each pivot is formed by a pair of pivot members including a V-shaped pivot member and a V -shaped complimentary pivot member. One of the pair of pivot members is formed by a V-shaped recess for receiving a V-shaped body. The V-shape of a pivot member is beneficial in aligning the sink unit with respect to the supporting base body. The V shape contributes in positioning the sink unit when moving down onto the base body.

In an embodiment of the handwash station according to the invention, the sink unit has a stack recess at a lateral side. The stack recess is configured to partly receive a faucet portion of another sink unit in a stack assembly. The faucet portion protrudes as an upper column above a sink unit. In the stack assembly, a sink unit can be sandwiched in between two neighbouring sink units, wherein the faucet portion of the sink unit is positioned in between stack recesses of the neighbouring sink unit. The faucet portion is enclosed by the neighbouring seal units which provides a protection of the faucet during transport.

Further, the invention relates to a portable restroom including a handwash station according to the invention. Portable restrooms in all kind of appearances are well known in the public area. The portable restroom provides a sanitary space including for example a toilet, urinal or lavatory. According to the invention, a portable restroom provided with a handwash station according to the invention is provided, wherein the handwash station has a back side which is positioned against a side wall of the sanitary space. A user position in front of the handwash station provides access to the sink unit of the handwash station. In particular, the handwash station is positioned at a corner of the sanitary space. The available convertibility of the handwash station allows an optimal placement in the corner of the sanitary space, wherein the sink unit is pivotable away from the base body in a direction away from the corner.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. The drawings show a practical embodiment according to the invention, which may not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Specific features may also be considered apart from the shown embodiment and may be taken into account in a broader context as a delimiting feature, not only for the shown embodiment but as a common feature for all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, in which:.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, a handwash station in an embodiment according to the invention is denoted overall by reference numeral <NUM>. Identical reference signs are used in the drawings to indicate identical or functionally similar components. To facilitate comprehension of the description and of the claims the words vertical, horizontal, longitudinal, cross-sectional and a coordinate system X,Y, Z shown in the drawings - with reference to gravity and normal placement of the hand wash station in use - are to be interpreted in a non-limiting way.

<FIG> show the coordinate system including a X-, Y-, Z-axis. The Z-axis defines a vertical direction or a height of the handwash station. The X- and Y-axis define a XY plane which is a horizontal plane, in which the X-direction defines a depth and the Y-direction defines a lateral direction, a width of the handwash station. The Y- and Z-axis define a YZ-plane which is a vertical plane in width direction.

The handwash station as shown in <FIG> is suitable to be placed inside a portable restroom, in particular an outdoor portable restroom, which are typically very narrow. The portable restroom provides a sanitary space with a floor and a side wall. The handwash station is placed against the side wall. Typically, the handwash station is structured by components made of a plastic material, in particular by moulding, more in particular by centrifugal plastic casting.

As shown in <FIG>, the handwash station <NUM> is accessible from a front side F. A user stands at a user position in front of the handwash station when washing his hands. The handwash station <NUM> has a planar back side B which is arranged to be placed against a wall. The handwash station <NUM> including the planar back is arranged to be placed inside a portable restroom against a side wall.

The handwash station has a user operable tool for operating a faucet <NUM> for dispensing water. Here, the handwash station has a foot pedal <NUM> at the front side F. The user may operate the foot pedal <NUM> or alternatively a manually operable stick or button for supplying water to the faucet <NUM> for dispensing water. The faucet <NUM> is positioned at a faucet portion <NUM> which protrudes above a sink <NUM> of the sink unit <NUM>. Here, the faucet portion <NUM> is centrally positioned adjacent the sink <NUM> at a back side of the sink unit.

The handwash station <NUM> has a base body <NUM> and a sink unit <NUM>. The base body <NUM> is arranged to support the sink unit <NUM>. The base body <NUM> and the sink unit <NUM> are separate items. The sink unit <NUM> is coupled to the base body <NUM>. The sink unit <NUM> is movable away from the base body <NUM>. Each of the base body <NUM> and the sink unit <NUM> have a planar back side which are in assembly aligned with each other. Herewith, the handwash station formed by the stacked base body <NUM> and sink unit <NUM> is suitable to be placed against a wall of a portable restroom.

In <FIG>, the handwash station <NUM> is shown in the closed position CP. The closed position CP is an operational configuration of the handwash station <NUM>. ln the closed position CP, the sink unit <NUM> is positioned on top of the base body <NUM>. The sink unit <NUM> closes an inner space of the base body <NUM>. The inner space of the base body <NUM> normally serves as a water storage. The inner space may form a water storage for clean and/or used water.

<FIG> shows a left and right version LV, RV of the handwash station <NUM>. The handwash station <NUM> according to the invention includes an improvement in that the handwash station <NUM> is convertible from a left to a right version LV, RV and vice versa. In the left version of the handwash station <NUM>, the sink unit <NUM> is pivotable about a left pivot <NUM> having a pivot axis <NUM> being positioned at a left region of the handwash station. In the right version RV of the handwash station <NUM>, the sink unit <NUM> is pivotable about a right pivot <NUM> having a pivot axis <NUM> which is positioned at a right region of the handwash station.

Here, in the left version LV, the sink unit <NUM> is positioned out of centre relative to the base body <NUM> over a distance 'd' to the left. In the left version LV, a sink portion <NUM> of the sink unit <NUM> protrudes at a left region from a side wall of the base body <NUM>. The right version RV of the handwash station <NUM> is obtained by an out of centre positioning of the sink unit <NUM> relative to the base body <NUM> over a distance 'd' to the right. In the right version RV, a sink portion <NUM> protrudes at a right region from the base body <NUM>. The sink portion <NUM> is a portion of the sink unit <NUM> which may include a portion of the sink <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the left version LV of the handwash station <NUM> in an open position OP. In the open position, a maintenance to the handwash station can be carried out. In the open position OP, an access is provided to the inner space of the base body <NUM>. An operator may empty or replenish a water storage inside the base body <NUM>. In the open position OP, the sink unit <NUM> is pivoted to the left L about the left pivot <NUM> having a left pivot axis <NUM> situated in a left region of the base body <NUM>. The sink unit <NUM> is pivoted about an angle of at least <NUM>°, in particular about <NUM>°, and has obtained a stable position in which the sink portion <NUM> abuts against a left side wall of the base body <NUM>. In <FIG>, a right pivot member <NUM> is visible which is decoupled from a complementary right pivot member <NUM> at the base body <NUM>.

<FIG> show several views of the right version RV of the handwash station <NUM> in an open position OP. In the open position OP, the sink unit <NUM> is pivoted about a right pivot axis <NUM> to the right side R. The sink unit <NUM> is pivoted about an angle of at least <NUM>° and has obtained a stable position in which the sink portion <NUM> abuts against a right side wall of the base body <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the left pivot member <NUM> is visible which is decoupled from a complementary left pivot member <NUM> at the base body <NUM>. Here, both pivot members <NUM>, <NUM> have a V-shape. The left pivot member <NUM> has a downwardly tapered shape. To couple the left pivot member <NUM> to the complementary left pivot member <NUM>, the left pivot member <NUM> is to be received in the complementary left pivot member <NUM> which is formed by a V-shaped recess which has an upwardly tapered shape.

A through hole <NUM>, <NUM> extending in the frontal direction is provided in the first and second pivot member <NUM>, <NUM> for receiving a pivot shaft (not shown). The complementary pivot members <NUM>, <NUM> have complementary holes for receiving the shaft. By mounting the shaft, a selective pivot member <NUM>, <NUM> can be coupled to the complementary left pivot member <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a rear view of the left version LV the handwash station <NUM> in the open position OP in which the sink unit <NUM> is rotated about the left pivot axis <NUM>. The complementary through holes <NUM>, <NUM> defining the left and right pivot axes <NUM>, <NUM> are visible from the rear of the handwash station. An operator may mount or demount the pivot shaft from the backside B of the handwash station to convert the handwash station to the left or right version LV, RV. Here, in the shown right version RV, the left pivot <NUM> defining the left pivot axis <NUM> is functionally coupled. The right pivot member <NUM> is decoupled from its complementary right pivot member <NUM> which renders the right pivot axis <NUM> out of function.

<FIG> shows the sink unit <NUM> in a perspective view. The sink unit <NUM> can be manufactured by blow moulding. The sink unit <NUM> has a sink <NUM> which is formed by a recess having a peripheral wall forming an outer contour of the sink unit. At a middle region, the sink unit has a faucet portion <NUM> protruding from the sink <NUM>. A faucet <NUM> is mounted to the faucet portion <NUM> and extends from the faucet portion <NUM> to a centre region of the sink <NUM>. At each lateral side L, V, the sink unit <NUM> is provided with a stack recess <NUM>. The stack recess <NUM> contributes to obtain a stable stack assembly for transport.

As shown in <FIG>, in stacking several sink units, the stack recess <NUM> of a particular sink unit is configured for partially receiving a faucet portion <NUM> of another sink unit in the stack assembly. In the stack assembly of sink units, the faucet portion <NUM> is positioned in between two stack recesses of neighbouring sink units. Advantageously, the faucet <NUM> is positioned in a protective manner to prevent damages to the faucet <NUM>.

<FIG> show a portable restroom <NUM> for providing a sanitary unit at an outdoor location. The portable restroom has a cabin including a left and right side wall <NUM>, <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM>, a door <NUM>, a bottom <NUM>, and a roof <NUM>. The cabin forms a sanitary space. The sanitary space is accessible for a user. Typically, the portable restroom is arranged to provide an outdoor sanitary unit in a public area. The bottom <NUM> has a pallet shape including two lower apertures for receiving forks of a forklift. The pallet-shaped bottom <NUM> allows an easy transport of the portable restroom. The bottom <NUM> provides a floor <NUM> inside the cabin. Typically, the floor has a floor area of about <NUM><NUM>. Inside the cabin, a toilet <NUM> is situated against the rear wall <NUM>.

The left and right side wall <NUM>, <NUM> are available for a placement of the convertible handwash station as shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the handwash station <NUM> is positioned -seen from the rear wall- against the left sidewall <NUM> in the left version LV of the handwash station. In the left version LV, the sink unit <NUM> is pivotable away from the door <NUM>. In <FIG>, the handwash station <NUM> is positioned -seen from the rear wall- against the right side wall <NUM> in the right version RV of the handwash station. In the right version RV, the sink unit <NUM> is also pivotable away from the door <NUM>. Hence, the convertibility of the handwash station allows a placement of the same handwash station against a selective left or right side wall <NUM>, <NUM>. The selective left or right version always enables a pivotable release of the sink unit for maintenance.

<FIG> shows the left version LV of the handwash station <NUM> as shown in <FIG> in an enlarged view. The handwash station <NUM> has a pivot axis <NUM> enabling the sink unit <NUM> to pivot to the left. The sink unit still has a stack recess <NUM> at a side portion at a front region of the sink unit <NUM>. The stacked recess <NUM> at the front region is beneficial to provide a space allowing a door latch <NUM> to tumble behind a door frame <NUM>.

Numerous variants are possible in addition to the embodiment shown in the figures. For example, in a variant of the illustrated embodiment of the handwash station, an alternative embodiment of the handwash station may comprise a centrally positioned sink unit on top of the base body without having a protruding sink portion at a lateral side of the base body. Although the present invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that all such changes and modifications be encompassed within the scope of the present claims.

Further, it is remarked that any feature of the system according to the invention which is described in the embodiments and/or mentioned in the dependent claims is in itself considered patentable without any dependency to another presented feature. In particular, any measure presented in a dependent claim is also considered patentable without dependency of the independent claim.

Thus, the invention provides a handwash station and a portable restroom provided with such a handwash station, wherein the handwash station is frontally accessible from a user position, in which the hand-wash station has a base body including a front side, left side, and right side, which base body supports a pivotally connected sink unit including a sink and a faucet for dispensing water. An improvement is provided in that the handwash station is convertible from a left to a right version. In the left version, the sink unit is pivotable to the left side about a left pivot, and in the right version, the sink unit is pivotable to the right side about a right pivot. Due to the convertibility, the same handwash station is suitable to be placed either against a left or a right side wall of a portable restroom.

Claim 1:
Handwash station (<NUM>) being frontally accessible from a user position, in which the hand-wash station has a base body (<NUM>) including a front side (F), a left side (L) and a right side (R), which base body (<NUM>) supports a pivotally connected sink unit (<NUM>) including a sink (<NUM>) and a faucet (<NUM>) for dispensing water, characterised in that the handwash station (<NUM>) is convertible from a left to a right version (LV, RV), wherein in the left version (LV), the sink unit (<NUM>) is pivotable to the left side (L) about a left pivot (<NUM>), and wherein in the right version (RV), the sink unit (<NUM>) is pivotable to the right side (R) about a right pivot (<NUM>).