Patent Description:
The present invention relates to portable hand wash stations.

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). <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose portable hand wash stations. There is a continuing need to improve the functionality, manufacturability and serviceability of portable hand wash stations.

Further developments are given in the dependent claims.

The 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 hinge or 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 can be 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 can secure the tanks in place between the base and tank cover without protruding into the tanks.

The portable hand wash station includes 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.

Further, in an unclaimed example, a method of forming a hand wash station is described. The method 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 without departing from the scope of the present invention that is defined by the appended claims.

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.

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 <FIG>, a portable hand wash station <NUM> according to certain embodiments is shown. The hand wash station <NUM> generally comprises a base <NUM> that sets upon the ground. The fresh water tank <NUM> and greywater tank <NUM> are each disposed atop the base <NUM>. A tank cover <NUM> is disposed atop the fresh <NUM> and greywater <NUM> tanks.

The sink member <NUM> is pivotally mounted to the tank cover <NUM>, atop the tank cover <NUM>, with a plurality of hinges <NUM>. Three hinges <NUM> are depicted, but more or fewer number of hinges can be used as well. The sink member <NUM> defines two sink basins <NUM> that oppose one another. Each sink basin <NUM> can be shaped and sized to allow the user to wash their forearms. For example each sing basin <NUM> can be an oval or elliptical shape that spans the majority of the lateral width of the sink member <NUM>.

A backsplash member <NUM> is secured to the sink member <NUM> between the individual sink basins <NUM>. The sink member <NUM> and backsplash member <NUM> can also be formed as a single part. The backsplash member <NUM> extends horizontally the approximately the lateral width of the sink member <NUM> and vertically upward from the sink member <NUM>. The backsplash member <NUM> defines opposing surfaces to which accessories can be mounted, as will be explained later herein.

As shown in <FIG>, a reinforcing bracket <NUM> can be secured commonly to the lateral sides of the backsplash member <NUM> and the sink member <NUM> with a plurality of fasteners (e.g., screws) to enhance the rigidity of the backsplash member <NUM> atop the sink member <NUM>. The reinforcing brackets <NUM> can be metal plates or other stiff and durable material, such as certain plastics, fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc..

A faucet <NUM> is disposed adjacent to each sink basin <NUM>. The faucets <NUM> can be separate components secured to the sink member <NUM> and/or the backsplash member <NUM>, or the faucets <NUM> can be formed at least partially integrally with the backsplash member <NUM>.

Accessories such as towel dispenser <NUM> and soap dispenser <NUM> (or hand sanitizer dispenser) are mounted to each flat side of the backsplash member <NUM> above the sink basins <NUM>.

A foot pump <NUM> is provided to the base <NUM> on each side of the hand wash station. The foot pumps can be riveted directly to the base <NUM> for rugged assembly. The user pushes on the foot pump <NUM> to cause water from the fresh water tank to emit from the faucet <NUM> connected to that particular foot pump <NUM>.

The two water tanks <NUM>, <NUM> are secured together between the base <NUM> and the top cover <NUM> via a plurality of elongated rods <NUM> spanning from the base <NUM> to the top cover <NUM>. Each rod <NUM> is positioned adjacent to an outer side surface of one of the tanks and secured on one end to the base <NUM> and the opposing end to the top cover <NUM> to sandwich the tanks <NUM>, <NUM> there between. The rods <NUM> can be formed, for example, of rigid material such as a metal.

As can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, provisions are made for up to six rods <NUM> to be used to secure the tanks <NUM>, <NUM>, base <NUM> and tank cover <NUM> together. Each end of each rod <NUM> is threaded so that a threaded nut can be used as a fastener.

The provision of the rods <NUM> discussed above creates a strong assembly without the need for fasteners going into or through a side of the tanks <NUM>, <NUM>. 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> are provided opposite the hinges <NUM> to allow the sink member <NUM> to be secured down on the tank cover <NUM>. Thus, users cannot gain access to the fresh water tank and/or the fasteners for the rods <NUM>. The latches <NUM> can be key-lockable or a padlock can be provided to enhance security.

Referring to <FIG>, the fresh water fill cap <NUM> for the fresh water tank <NUM> is hidden by and protected by the hinged sink member <NUM>. Thus, the fresh water tank is not accessible by public because it can be padlocked as described above. <FIG> shows the fresh water fill aperture after the cap is removed.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a cable tether <NUM> can be provided between the tank cover <NUM> and the sink member <NUM> to keep the sink member <NUM> from pivoting too far (and possibly causing the portable sink to tip over) when the sink member <NUM> is pivoted open. The cable tether <NUM> is fastened through a bracket attached to the sink member <NUM> at the upper end and through the tank cover <NUM> at the lower end.

Also as can be seen in <FIG>, the top side of the tank cover <NUM> defines a trough <NUM> into which both sink basins <NUM> drain. The trough <NUM> is positioned and sloped to drain both basins into the greywater (waste) tank <NUM>. This configuration eliminates the need for separate hoses to route the drain waste water from each sink basin <NUM> into the greywater tank. This configuration also can catch debris that passes through the sink basins' drains before getting into the greywater waste tank <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, both tanks <NUM>, <NUM> include a threaded drain plug <NUM>. The greywater tank <NUM> also includes a suction port <NUM> incorporated into the base <NUM>.

As shown particularly in <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM> defines two opposing stake-down holes <NUM> that can be used to secure or stabilize the hand wash station <NUM> in place atop the ground with stakes, nails or other fastener passing through the stake-down holes <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the attachment of the backsplash member <NUM> to the sink member <NUM> in a cross-sectional view. The backsplash member <NUM> defines a pair of downwardly-protruding post portions <NUM>. The sink member <NUM> defines corresponding recesses <NUM> to receive the respective downwardly-protruding post portions <NUM>. Rivets can be used to secure the backsplash member <NUM> to the sink member <NUM>. A rivet can be provided into each downward protruding post portion <NUM> of the backsplash member to fasten the backsplash to the respective recesses <NUM> in the sink member <NUM>. The engagement of the downwardly-protruding post portions <NUM> into the respective recess <NUM> is at a slight interference fit to make a rigid structure.

<FIG> shows the backsplash member <NUM>, the sink member <NUM> and tank top cover <NUM> parts as solid, but they can also be hollow parts.

<FIG> illustrates the two tanks <NUM> and <NUM>. 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 <NUM> has a threaded neck that allows the fresh water fill cap <NUM> to be screwed on. The greywater tank <NUM> has this threaded neck cut off to leave an opening <NUM> into the tank. In addition, a smaller hole <NUM> allows routing the hose from the suction port into the waste water tank. The sink basins <NUM> drain into the opening <NUM> via the trough <NUM> in the tank cover <NUM> described above. The greywater tank <NUM> does not normally require a cap to seal the opening <NUM> 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 <NUM> hinges open to provide access to the fresh water fill cap <NUM>, while providing a way to lock the sink member <NUM> 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's door cannot fully close.

Referring to <FIG>, a further feature of certain embodiments of the hand wash station <NUM> is to define a recess <NUM> in the tanks <NUM>, <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> (base <NUM>, fresh water tank <NUM>, greywater tank <NUM>, tank cover <NUM>, sink member <NUM>, and backsplash member <NUM>) 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.

Claim 1:
A portable hand wash station (<NUM>), comprising:
a base (<NUM>);
a fresh water tank (<NUM>);
a greywater tank (<NUM>) disposed horizontally adjacent to the fresh water tank (<NUM>);
a tank cover (<NUM>) disposed atop the fresh water tank (<NUM>) and the greywater tank (<NUM>); and
a sink member (<NUM>) disposed atop the tank cover (<NUM>), the sink member (<NUM>) defining a pair of sink basins (<NUM>) disposed opposite one another, wherein
the fresh water tank (<NUM>) is disposed atop the base (<NUM>),
the greywater tank (<NUM>) is disposed atop the base (<NUM>), and
the sink member (<NUM>) is secured to the tank cover (<NUM>) via a hinge (<NUM>) so that the sink member (<NUM>) can pivot with respect to the tank cover (<NUM>).