U.S. patent application number 10/104331 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for aircraft passenger cleansing system.
Invention is credited to Guerin, Jeanne, Prochaska, Charles R., Shimasaki, Kevin.
Application Number | 20030177572 10/104331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27788391 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030177572 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guerin, Jeanne ; et
al. |
September 25, 2003 |
Aircraft passenger cleansing system
Abstract
A method and apparatus for high speed cleansing of passengers
aboard an aircraft. A hanging room and adjacent cleansing room. The
cleansing room providing a cleansing process comprising a sequence
of steps limited timewise for speedily processing passengers,
sanitizing of the cleansing room through disinfection and drying
comprising the final step prior to entry of a next passenger into
the changing room.
Inventors: |
Guerin, Jeanne; (Mukilteo,
WA) ; Prochaska, Charles R.; (Greenbank, WA) ;
Shimasaki, Kevin; (Woodinville, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Conrad O. Gardner
7755 E. Marginal Way S., M/C 13-08
P.O. Box 3707
Seattle
WA
98124-2207
US
|
Family ID: |
27788391 |
Appl. No.: |
10/104331 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/662 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/02 20130101;
B64D 11/00 20130101; A47K 10/48 20130101; A47K 3/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/662 |
International
Class: |
A47K 004/00 |
Claims
1. A method for sequencing a plurality of passengers through a
cleansing system comprising: providing an aircraft lavatory;
providing a shower area adjacent said aircraft lavatory; wetting a
first of said plurality of passengers entering said shower area for
a passenger selectable time within a first predetermined time
period; washing said first of said plurality of passengers for a
passenger selectable time period within a second predetermined time
period; rinsing said first of said plurality of passengers for a
selectable time period within a third predetermined time period;
drying said first of said plurality of passengers for a passenger
selectable time period within a fourth predetermined time period;
exiting said first of said plurality of passengers; and, sanitizing
said shower area for a fifth predetermined time period prior to
entry of a second of said plurality of passengers.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said first time period
is less than 60 seconds; said second time period is less than 240
seconds, said third time period is less than 600 seconds, said
fourth time period is less than 600 seconds, said fifth time period
is less than 90 seconds.
3. In combination in an aircraft: a combination lavatory, shower,
and changing room having a toilet; controls in said lavatory,
shower, and changing room having a toilet; said controls operable
by an airline passenger for controlling time periods for
sequentially wetting, washing, rinsing, and drying said airline
passenger; and, said time periods selectable below predetermined
time limits for high speed cleansing of passengers during flight of
the aircraft.
4. A cleansing system in an aircraft comprising: a changing room
and adjacent cleansing chamber including a shower; controls in said
cleansing chamber; said controls operable by an airline passenger
for controlling time periods for sequentially wetting, washing,
rinsing, and drying said airline passenger; and, said time periods
selectable below predetermined time limits for high speed cleansing
of passengers during flight of the aircraft.
5. A high speed method for cleansing sequentially a plurality of
persons in a cleansing area, said method comprising: wetting a
person by spraying for a selectable time period less than a first
predetermined time period; washing said person for a selectable
time period less than a second predetermined time period; rinsing
said person for a selectable time period less than a third
predetermined time period; drying said person for a selectable time
period less than a fourth predetermined time period; and, then
sanitizing and drying said cleansing area for a period less than a
fifth predetermined time period.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to bathing systems and more
particularly to bathing in an aircraft environment.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] The patent literature includes single door entry bathing
chambers for sequencing bathing functions while in a sitting or
prone position, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,120 directed to a variety
of benefits such as steam generation, infra-red, and ultra-violet
light.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates specifically to an aircraft
passenger cleansing system wherein available space and time
limitations require high speed methods for cleansing passengers
while maintaining sanitation in the process to prevent transmission
of illnesses to passengers sequencing through the present
system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present
invention showing a cleansing system aboard an aircraft for
passengers including a lavatory, shower and changing room combined
in a single passenger floor area;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a floor plan of a further embodiment of the
present invention showing a cleansing system aboard the aircraft
having separate changing room and shower areas useable in aircraft
having increased floor space availability;
[0008] FIG. 3 is illustrative of the cleansing system of FIG. 2
however showing passenger utilization of changing room and shower
areas simultaneously by two passengers; and,
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus and passenger
operating controls for sequencing the cleansing process in the
shower areas of the embodiments of the present invention; and,
[0010] FIG. 5 is a system flow diagram illustrative of the present
aircraft passenger cleaning system process steps.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a passenger 1
standing in a single floor area including a lavatory toilet unit 3,
the passenger 1 facing sink. Horizontal arms 4 shown on the left of
passenger 1 (also described in more detail in FIG. 4) are utilized
in the cleaning process as described in the flow diagram of FIG.
5.
[0012] The cleansing system embodiment of FIG. 2 is utilized in
aircraft having more space available and located preferably
adjacent to the emergency escape doors while the aircraft is in
flight. The passenger utilizing shower 7 first enters changing room
5 provided with a seat 6 as seen also in FIG. 6. Once disrobed, the
passenger in changing room 5 enters cleansing chamber 7 utilizing
the operating controls shown in more detail in FIG. 4. Upon
completion of the cleansing process the passenger could exit
cleansing chamber 7 through exit 8 into an adjacent lavatory (not
shown) to dress. An unoccupied changing room 5 could also be used
to dress unless increased speed in processing passengers is desired
and a further passenger in changing room 5 is ready to use
cleansing chamber 7.
[0013] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is shown the structure and
operating controls for sequencing the cleansing process detailed in
the flow chart of FIG. 5. Three horizontal arms 4 are utilized to
dispense water, cleaning solution, and air drying (if that feature
is selected by the passenger).Three control buttons setting timers,
5, 10, and 11 are provided for the passenger being cleaned to make
the selections (within the limits shown in the flow chart of FIG.
5). The first timer 5 activates the cleansing system process and
starts the wetting process. Timing indicator 12 then shows progress
during the wetting cycle. Progress then proceeds through all four
stages of the cleansing cycle. If the wetting cycle is only fifty
percent complete and the passenger is thoroughly wetted, the
passenger can then activate the cleaning cycle by starting timer
control 10 which causes application of a cleansing agent followed
by a period allowing the person to apply the cleansing agent.
Again, as in the first step, the passenger can activate the next
timer 11 to activate the rinse cycle. The air drying process
follows (as seen in the flow chart of FIG. 5).
[0014] As seen in the flow chart of FIG. 5 upon exiting of the
passenger through door 8, the cleansing system operation is
completed through a sanitation step where shower unit 7 is
disinfected and dried. The individual cleaning process will vary
according to the individual passenger timing selections and will
usually take approximately 10 minutes but limits are set as shown
in the flow chart of FIG. 5 in the interest in maximizing the
number of passengers that can be processed. Waste water passing
through the drain shown in the bottom of cleansing chamber 7 of
FIG. 4 may be replaced or sanitized for reuse.
* * * * *