US3484872A - Portable bath unit - Google Patents

Description

Dec- 23, 1969 F. T ROMBERGER, JR 3, 8 ,3

PORTABLE BATH UNIT Filed Jan. 19, 1967 Fig. 2.

INVENTOR. FLOYD 7T ROMBERGER,JR.

Wain/j WM add/2% United States Patent 2 Claim;

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The device of the present invention is a portable bidettype of bathing unit designed to promote feminine hygiene, for taking sitz baths and treating infections of the genital and perirectal areas. The device is adapted to be filled wtih a suitable liquid solution and to fit into the china bowl of a commode. The device has a -bowl portion and a flange integrally formed with the bowl. The flange seats over the rim of the china bowl, supporting the device within the bowl and affording minimal bodily contact against the top of the cold china bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a portable bidet-type of device adapted to fit into the china bowl of a commode.

There are a number of instances wherein taking a tub bath or shower is either inconvenient, diflicult or impossible, and wherein sponge baths are utilized in their stead. However, sponge baths may not always be completely satisfactory for maintaining a high state of feminine hygiene, particularly during the menstrual period and following childbirth. Nor are sponge baths" entirely satisfactory for maintaining a high state of hygiene for elderly people who find it either dilficult or impossible to get into a tub bath or shower.

There are also instances where hot sitz baths are prescribed by doctors to relieve discomfort and to promote a more rapid healing of vaginal and rectal areas following the incisions made at the time of childbirth and/or rectal surgery. Heretofore, it has been necessary to take sitz baths in the bath tube, which, if frequent sitz baths are required, is most inconvenient.

Certain pyogenic infections of the genital-perirectal areas are also effectively treated by hydrotherapy. However, the use of the bath tub for such therapy leads to the possibility of the spread of the infection to other members of the family using the tub.

Thus, there are a number of situations wherein a simple yet effective substitute for the bath tub is needed. The prior art has not satisfactorily met this need.

One of the more practical and eflicient solutions to the problem of hygiene has been provided by the device commonly known as the bidet which has gained widespread popularity in various parts of Europe and South America. However, the bidet has not been generally adopted in this country, nor is it usable in parts of the world which do not have indoor plumbing. Since homes, apartments, hospitals and the like are not equipped with bidets, the installation thereof would require considerable expense and inconvenience. The device of the present invention provides a solution to the above problems, obviating the necessity for the installation of the bidet.

SUMMARY The portable bidet-type device of the present invention includes a bowl which substantially conforms to the shape of a china bowl and is adapted to fit inside a commode. A flange is integrally formed with the bowl and is adapted to seat on the rim of the commode, thereby supporting the bowl of the device. The device is shallower at its for- "ice with a comfortable aid for completing their daily baths.-

This invention further provides a simple and convenient :means for taking hot sitz baths. The sitz baths are often prescribed by doctors as this type of therapy gives much relief from the discomfort of and promotes a more rapid healing of the vaginal and rectal areas, following incisions made at the time of childbirth or rectal surgery. The device may also be used to treat pyogenic infections of the vulvar and/ or rectal areas in women and the perirectal and/ or scrotal areas in men. Thus, the device is useful for men as well as for women.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved device for maintaining a high state of hygiene in the rectalgenital areas.

A further object is to provide a convenient means for maintaining feminine hygiene during menstruation or following childbirth.

A still further object is to provide: an effective and convenient means for cleansing the genital-rectal areas for elderly people who find it difficult or impossible to get into a tub or shower.

Another object is to provide a means for taking hot sitz baths to relieve post-partum discomfort encountered during the healing of episiotomy repairs.

Still another object is to provide a means for applying hydrotherapy to the anal area following rectal surgery.

A still further object is to provide a means for treating pyogenic infections of the vulvar and/or rectal areas in women and the rectal and/ or scrotal areas in men.

Thus, the portable bidet device of the present invention provides a greatly improved means of maintaining hygiene where it is inconvenient or impossible to use the tub or shower over the traditional sponge bath. It further provides a far more convenient means for accomplishing hydrotherapy than the prior tub methods, and, in the case of therapy for infections, eliminates the possibility of the infection being spread to other members of the family via the bath tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable bath unit positioned within a commode.

FIG. .2 is a framentary longitudinal section of the portable bath unit positioned in a commode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings, a portable bath unit according to the present invention is shown generally at 10. The bath unit is adapted to fit within the china bowl 12 of a commode 13 as shown in the drawings. The bath unit includes a bowl portion 14 and a flange 15 integrally formed therewith and extending outwardly therefrom. The flange seats on the rim 16 of the china bowl and is wide enough to afford minimal bodily contact against the cold china bowl.

The flange surrounds only the shallow front end wall 17 and the side walls 18. The back wall 19 is lowered below the flange level to provide an overflow while the bath unit is in use and to facilitate the emptying of the contents of the bath unit into the china bowl,

The bottom of the bowl has a first portion 20 which is a flatsurface inclined downwardly and inwardly from the shallow front wall, and a second portion 21 which is somewhat concave and inclined upwardly toward the rear wall. The flat, inclined surface of portion 20 of the bottom of the bowl is adapted to accommodate the use of the bath unit with commodes of various configurations. The bath unit may be stored by either standing the unit on the flat portion 20 of the bowl or by hanging the unit on a suitable hook via the aperture 22 which is located in the flange.

To use the portable bath unit, the unit is normally filled at the wash bowl and soap, douche powders or medicinal compositions added thereto if desired, The bath unit is then placed in the commode as shown in FIG. 1 and may be utilized either with the toilet seat 23 raised or lowered.

To empty the bath unit, the user tips the unit upward from the front portion thereof, thereby emptying the contents into the commode. The dotted lines in FIG. 2 illustrate the position of the unit to complete the emptying thereof. Since the flange is shortened beyond the overall length of the unit, there is no danger of spilling the contents outside of the commode while emptying the unit.

While the portable bath unit may be constructed of stainless steel and the like, the preferred embodiment utilizes an integrally formed plastic construction. Any plastic having a relatively high melting point so that the unit will withstand sterilization temperatures when used in hospitals, and further being able to withstand low temperatures without danger of breaking during shipping and the like is suitable. The use of plastic leads to a lightweight, inexpensive unit. The unit further has no sharp corners or crevices which would be diflicult to clean.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. A portable hygienic device adapted to fit into the china bowl of a commode, said device comprising: a bowl which is tapered at its forward end and ada ted to be filled with a fluid; a flange cooperatively associated with said bowl, said flange being adapted to seat on the rim of said china bowl,

wherein said bowl includes a front wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a rear wall, said flange surrounding said front wall and said side walls and terminating adjacent either end of said rear wall so that the contents of said device are emptied into said commode by lifting the forward portion of said device upwardly, the contents of said bowl thereby flowing over said rear wall of said bowl and into said commode.

2. A portable hygienic device in accord with claim 1 wherein said rear wall is lowered below the level of said flange thereby providing a means for allowing overflow of the contents of said device when a user is seated on said commode and for facilitating the emptying of said contents into said commode when said forward end of said device is lifted upwardly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,072,918 1/1963 McCall et a1 4-6 3,365,729 1/1968 Perlrnan 46 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,191,602 10/1959 France.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner

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