US2697341A - Washing device - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 21, 1954 5, THOMAS 2,697,341

WASHING DEVICE Filed Jan. 27, 1951 United States Patent Ofiice 2,697,341 Patented Dec. 21, 1954 WASHING DEVICE Albert G. Thomas, Lynchburg, Va.

Application January 27, 1951, Serial No. 208,110

1 Claim. cits-20s This invention relates to washing devices and has particular reference to a novel diaper washer.

In washing soiled baby diapers many mothers object to the disagreeable task of washing the diapers by hand, in the commode or elsewhere. This unsanitary, untidy practice has long been an unpleasant necessity. It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a simple, inexpensive washing device for cleaning baby diapers quickly and efliciently without the necessity of soiling the hands.

Another object is to provide a relatively cheap, easily handled diaper washer which can be readily manipulated.

A further object is to provide a diaper washer with a cover having at least a transparent portion through which the washing operation can be viewed.

An additional object is to provide a diaper washer with a cover that may be slippedback on a shower hose when desired.

A further object is to provide a diaper washer in which a diaper-supporting turntable is rotated beneath a spray by the force of the water.

A still further object is to provide a diaper washer in which a rotary sprinkler or spray head is revolved by reaction of issuing streams of water.

Other objects will appear in the following description:

In the drawings:

Figure l is a part sectional elevation of the diaper washer, showing a shower spray head, connected tubing, and a screen or apertured disc for supporting diapers.

Figure 2 is a part sectional elevation of a diaper washer having a rotary, apertured turntable for supporting diapers.

Figure 3 is a part sectional elevation of a cover for a diaper washer, the cover carrying a rotatable reaction type spray device.

In Figure 1, casing 1 is cylindrical but may be oblong, eliptical or any suitable shape. It may be made of aluminum, tinplate, galvanized iron or steel, or of plastic or other material and is preferably from 28 to 30 gauge in weight. Bottom 2 is seamed, soldered, or otherwise fastened to the cylindrical wall of casing 1 and slopes toward central drain opening 3 therein, having surrounding lip or spout 4 to direct flow of water downward.

Disc 5, of thin metal, wire, plastic or the like, has apertures 6 preferably from 1 to 4 square inches in area and of any suitable shape such a round, square, oblong or the equivalent. Legs 7 are preferably turned down at right angles to the plane of disc 5, out of the same material. Feet 8 are bent inward out of the material of legs 7 so that the apertured disc is supported a suitable distance above bottom 2, the feet 8 resting on the bottom. There are preferably 4 legs and associated feet.

Cylindrical cover 9 has rim 10 which may be tucked as at 11 to avoid a sharp edge. Casing 1 may similarly be tucked as at 12. Cover 9 has a relatively large central circular opening 13 which is covered underneath by transparent disc 14 of clear plastic such as cellulose acetate, methyl methacrylate or other suitable material. Rivets 15 passing through suitable holes in the cover and plastic disc, are used to fasten them together. Central hole 16 in the plastic disc is provided so that rubber tube 17 of smaller diameter placed therethrough and carrying spray head 18 may be adjusted at various angles to direct water issuing from the spray head against a diaper supported on disc 5. The other end of tube 17 has attached rubber flared sleeve 19 for connecting the shower spray to a faucet.

In use, the device, which may be called a diaper shower, is placed upon a commode, and rubber sleeve or connector 19 is slipped over a bathtube or other water faucet. Cover 9 is lifted and a diaper, preferably soiled side up, is spread out on apertured disc 5 and then the cover is replaced and the water faucet is opened so that a strong water spray issues from perforated spray head This spray can be manipulated and directed by manually adjusting tube 17 at various angles so that all parts of the diaper are washed relatively clean. If

there are folds in the diaper the cover can be slipped back on tube 17 and one hand can be used to re-arrange the diaper. By slipping the cover back the spray head can be moved freely above the diaper, reaching all parts, at close range if desired. In this case the flow of water can be reduced if spattering occurs. The flowing water and debris pass through opening 3 and into the commode.

In cleaning the diaper by means of the shower as described, it is helpful if a little powdered soap is sprinkled over the diaper. While this device is intended primarily as a preliminary washer, before sending the diapers out for further laundering, I have found that in many cases the cleansing action is good enough to obviate the neces sity for additional laundering. After the washing operation is finished the diaper is removed, the commode is flushed and the device is stored in a corner or elsewhere until needed again. The device is self-cleaning, due to the flowing water, and needs little attention.

By means of this washer, diapers-can be cleaned more quickly than formerly, and it is not necessary to soil the hands as in the past. The diapers. can be grasped by clean portions in handling them and in re-arranging them as described. While its use for diapers is depicted, the washer can be employed also for cleaning other clothes, or other objects. For instance, a dish washer based upon principles described could be made.

In Figure 2, a modified washing device is shown. In this case, central opening 13 of cover 9 is overlapped by solid transparent disc 14a of plastic material or the like. Closed-end pipe 20, having flange 21, is passed through an opening in the vertical cylindrical wall of casing 1 and is clamped in horizontal position, as shown, by nut 22 screwed onto the threaded end of pipe 20. A suitable rubber tube can be slipped over the threaded end of the pipe to supply water thereto. This pipe extends approximately to the center of the casing and has holes 23 therein arranged to discharge jets of water downward and at an angle so that apertured turntable 5a will be revolved by the force of the streams of water striking it. This turntable has apertures 6a and is attached at its center to stub shaft 24 which is freely rotatable in bearing 25 about a vertical axis. This bearing is seen endwise and is integral with an arm extending from ears 26 which are bolted to the vertical wall of casing 1.

In use, connected rubber tube 17, shown in fragmentary manner, is connected to a water faucet and a soiled diaper is spread over disc 5a, the rim 26a preventing the diaper from rubbing against the casing. Then cover 9 is placed over the device and the water is turned on, after placing the washer on a commode. The jets of water flowing from openings or orifices 23 strike the diaper and wash it, at the same time causing the diaper and supporting turntable to be revolved so that all parts are cleaned. If desired, another pipe similar to pipe 20 could be arranged beneath the turntable so that upward-directed jets of water would assist in the cleansing and rotating action.

This modification of the invention has the advantage that manual operation is largely dispensed with and it can be left to operate itself until the diaper is clean, at which time the water is cut ofi and the diaper is removed.

It is obvious that more than one diaper can be placed in either of the washers at one time but it is desirable to wash the diapers promptly.

In Figure 3, cover 9 has attached clear plastic disc 14 riveted to it and a central hole as in Fig. 1. Pipe 27 is clamped in this central hole by means of integral flange 28 and nut 29 screwed onto the threaded pipe. Hollow closed-end cup 30 is rotatably mounted on the end of pipe 27, in well known manner as in lawn sprinklers, and communicates with attached, hollow blades 31 having .discharge orifices for water in opposite faces of the blades so that the blades will be revolved by the reaction of downwardly directed jets of water. Therefore if pipe 27 is connected to a faucet by a suitable hose or pipe, this cover may then be placed over a casing holding a diaper which will be cleaned by the revolving jets of water. This construction also provides automatic operation.

in using any of the diaper washers described the hot and cold water faucets may be opened to provide an ample stream or streams of water. If clouding of the transparent disc occurs, due to condensed moisture, it is helpful to use cold water alone.

It is obvious that many changes of detail may readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

An article of manufacture conipri'singa di'ape'r' washer, including: a casing having a cylindrical portion and a bottom portion sloping downwardly toward a central drain opening therein, a closed-end pipe having its axis substantially at right angles to the axis of said cylindrical portion and passing through a hole in said cylindrical portion, said pipe having a flange thereon inside said casing and the projecting exterior portion of said pipe being threaded, a nut on said exterior p'ortionclamping said casing against said flange, the closed end of said pipe being situated substantially at the axis of said casing, said pipe having holes downwardly directed with their axes in a plane which is at an acute angle to the vertical for discharge of fluid therefrom, a circular apertured rack below said pipe and concentric with said cylindrical casing portion, a stub shaft attached to said rack beneath and concentric therewith, a bearing post for said shaft attached to said cylindrical portion, said stub shaft being detachably mounted in said bearing post, said pipe holes being positioned to discharge fluid downward upon a diaper held by said rack to cause rotation thereof, a loosely fitting cover for said casing, said cover comprising an annular outer portion having a depending rim with upturned bead and a central transparent disc riveted to said annular portion, the upper edge of said casing having a down-turned bead.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 383,110 Drake May 22, 1888 1,264,792 Hayward Apr. 30, 1918 1,382,915 Huggins June 28, 1921 1,441,816 Luttrell Jan. 9, 1923 1,623,182 Harvey Apr. 5, 1927 1,795,376 Paul Mar. 10, 1931 1,869,510 Saunders Aug. 2, 1932 2,168,770 Gunn Aug. 8, 1939 2,321,435 Swartz June 8, 1943 2,329,623 Judy Sept. 14, 1943 2,348,102 Baker May 2, 1944 2,562,076 Weisselberg July 24, 1951

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