U.S. patent number 3,783,867 [Application Number 05/095,524] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-08 for woman's hygiene apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Beverly Enterprises. Invention is credited to Dietmar Nagel, E. John Summersby.
United States Patent |
3,783,867 |
Summersby , et al. |
January 8, 1974 |
WOMAN'S HYGIENE APPARATUS
Abstract
A woman's hygiene apparatus having a fluid container, nozzle,
pump, and motor. The nozzle has a hollow tubular structure with a
number of perforations at its extended end. The pump contains a
pressure relief mechanism to limit the maximum pressure output of
the pump, so that a user cannot inadvertently exceed the medically
determined maximum pressure and thereby cause injury.
Inventors: |
Summersby; E. John (Lawndale,
CA), Nagel; Dietmar (Redondo Beach, CA) |
Assignee: |
Beverly Enterprises (Pasadena
City, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22252397 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/095,524 |
Filed: |
December 7, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/118; 604/151;
601/160; 418/266 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
3/0258 (20130101); A61M 3/0216 (20140204); A61M
3/0208 (20140204) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
3/00 (20060101); A61M 3/02 (20060101); A61m
001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/230,251,66,229,224,239 ;418/266 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gaudet; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Yasko; J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kemmel, Jr.; William A.
Claims
We claim:
1. A woman's hygiene apparatus comprising:
a. a fluid container;
b. a nozzle having a hollow tubular structure with a number of
perforations at its extended end;
c. a pump having a pulsating discharge characteristic, and also
having a mechanism to limit the maximum output pressure during the
pumping cycle to prevent accidental damage to the body tissue, said
pump being a rotary pump having (1) a cylindrical chamber with
circumferentially separated input and output ports, (2) a rotor
eccentrically mounted in said chamber and having a predetermined
minimum spacing from the chamber wall between said ports on one
side of said chamber, (3) an elongated vane supported in a
longitudinal slot in said rotor, and (4) spring means in said slot
urging said vane against the chamber wall; said minimum spacing
serving to limit the maximum output pressure developed by said pump
by allowing substantial leakage of fluid therethrough within the
housing;
d. means providing fluid communication between said container and
said pump, and between said pump and said nozzle; and
e. a motor coupled to said pump for selectively driving said
pump.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 which additionally includes a reservoir
means communicating with said nozzle for supplying a cleanser to
said nozzle to mix with said fluid from said container.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said maximum output pressure
developed from said pump is about 3 pounds per square inch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a cleansing device and more particularly
to a vaginal cleansing device having a pulsating fluid
discharge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is replete with vaginal cleansing devices which have,
for one reason or another, proven to be inadequate for such reasons
as improper functioning, causing damage to the delicate vagina
tissue, being uneconomical to manufacture, proving difficult to
operate, or not providing a foolproof apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an economical, easily operated
vaginal cleansing device, comprising a casing; a container adapted
to contain a quantity of water mounted to said casing, said
container having a valve, means connected to said casing for
opening said valve of said container; a motor disposed within and
connected to said casing; a pump disposed within and connected to
said casing to provide a pulsating discharge; means connected to
said motor and said pump for transmitting rotational energy from
said motor to said pump; means for communicating said valve and
said pump for transmitting a fluid; an elongated nozzle for
directing said pulsating discharge; a flexible conduit connected to
said pump and said nozzle for transmitting said fluid; and
reservoir means communicating with said nozzle for supplying a
cleanser to said nozzle to mix with said fluid from said container.
As a subcombination the present invention also includes a pump
having a pressure release mechanism and being adapted to have a
pulsating fluid discharge comprising a generally tubular housing
having a central longitudinal axis, said housing also having an
input port and an output port; a rotor position within and
extending essentially the length of said housing and having a
central longitudinal axis parallel to and spaced from the central
longitudinal axis of said housing, said rotor and said housing
being relatively rotatable, said rotor having a longitudinally
extending slot, and said rotor having an outer surface spaced at a
predetermined minimum distance from the inner surface of said
tubular housing; a vane positioned within said slot and biased to
extend away from said rotor to contact said inner surface of said
tubular housing; and a spring disposed within said slot for biasing
said vane.
An object of the present invention is to provide an economical
cleansing device which is easy to operate and which will not harm
the delicate vaginal tissues.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pump which
has maximum output pressure limitation mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a hygiene apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the pump of the
hygiene apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pump.
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the pump of FIG. 2
illustrating one position of the rotor during a cycle of operation
of the pump.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to FIG. 4
illustrating a position of the rotor disposed 90.degree. from the
FIG. 4 position.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to FIG. 4
illustrating a position of the rotor disposed 180.degree. from the
FIG. 4 position.
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to FIG. 4
illustrating a position of the rotor disposed 270.degree. from the
FIG. 4 position.
FIG. 8 is a graphic display of pump characteristics where
rotational distance is plotted along the abscissa and output
pressure is plotted along the ordinate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the hygiene apparatus
10 which comprises a casing 12 of a molded synthetic resin
material, such as polyvinyl chloride, within which is mounted a
small electric motor 14 and a pump 16. The electric motor may be of
any suitable type, such as model No. FT 362880 sold by Marbuchi of
Japan. The motor 14 is operated by standard on-off switch 18, which
extends outside the casing 12 and causes the actuation of the
hygiene apparatus. The pump 16 has an input port 20, an output port
22, FIG. 2, and a driven shaft 24 which is connected to a driving
shaft 26 of the motor 14 through a reduction gear unit 28. As
presently contemplated, the motor 14 will operate at approximately
1,100 rpm, while the pump, which will be more fully described
hereinbelow, will operate at approximately 350 rpm to 450 rpm so
that the reduction gear unit 28 has a reduction ratio of about 3 to
1.
The motor 14 may be operated by ordinary household electrical
current so as to require an electrical cord connected to the motor
at one end and having the usual two-prong male connector at the
other end (not shown), or the motor may be operated from a battery
30 which may be of the rechargeable nickel-cadmium type. Such
batteries have a predictable power output for a predetermined
period of time and may be recharged by simply making proper
connection with the household electrical supply.
Mounted to the upper end of the casing 12 is a container 32 which
is adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of a fluid, such as
water. The container 32 has a lid 34 mounted at its upper end and a
valve 36 mounted within its bottom surface. A tube 38 connects the
valve 36 and the input port 20 of the pump 16 so as to communicate
the water contained within the container 32 to the pump. The valve
36 is of the type which will be forced closed when water occupies
the container because of the pressure exerted by the water on the
valve head. However, the casing is provided with a surface which
will provide an upward biasing force to open the valve when the
container is mounted to the casing.
The hygiene apparatus includes an elongated nozzle 40 for insertion
into a user's vagina which will direct the pulsating discharge from
the pump. The nozzle 40 is a hollow tubular structure and includes
a number of perforations 42 at its extended end. Communicating the
nozzle with the output port 22 of the pump is a flexible conduit
44, such as a suitable synthetic resin hose. Also, connected to the
nozzle 40 is a reservoir 46 which may contain a cleansing fluid or
solid and which is structured to allow a metered amount of the
cleanser to be mixed with the water pumped through the flexible
conduit 44 so that the product being emitted from the perforations
42 will be a liquid cleansing solution. It is, of course,
understood that the particular cleanser used does not bear upon the
principal structure of the invention herein, and therefore does not
limit the invention herein. The metered mixing of the cleansing
fluid and the water, for example, may be accomplished by providing
an orifice of predetermined size in the reservoir 46 which is
expoded to a region of low pressure created by the velocity of the
water passing through the conduit 44 and the nozzle. The low
pressure causes the cleansing fluid to be sucked through the
orifice to be mixed with the stream of water. The amount of
cleansing fluid which moves through the orifice is in part a
function of the velocity of the water stream and the size of the
orifice and may be determined empirically or theoretically.
In operation the user fills the container and the reservoir,
attaches the nozzle 40 to an end of the flexible conduit 44,
inserts the nozzle into the vagina, adjusting so as to have the
nozzle assume a comfortable position, and then moves the switch 18
to the "on" position. The motor will drive the pump 16 through the
reduction gear unit 28 so as to draw water from the container 32
through the input port 20 and discharge a pulsating stream of water
through the output port 22. As the stream of water passes the
reservoir 46, it draws out a predetermined amount of cleanser which
mixes with the water in the nozzle and which is finally emitted
through the perforations 42 at the nozzle end. Operation will
continue until the water within the container is dissipated, at
which time the switch is moved to the "off" position. The nozzle is
removed from the user, and then removed from the end of the
flexible conduit 44, cleaned and stored with the remainder of the
apparatus until its next use. It is expected that it may be
convenient for the apparatus to be located in a semi-permanent
position, that is, left in a conspicuous position within the
bathroom, for example; therefore, the casing 12 is designed with an
aesthetically pleasing appearance. It is understood the casing,
being of a molded synthetic resin, may have integrally molded
internal mounting projections, flanges, and the like, which will be
pre-engineered to accept specifically dimensioned components, such
as the motor, the pump and the battery.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated in greater
detail the pump 16 of the hygiene unit. The pump comprises a
housing 50 having the input port 20 and the output port 22. The
housing is tubular in shape having a smooth inner surface 52 which
has a generally circular cross section. A line 54 represents the
central longitudinal axis of the tubular housing and will be
referred to hereinbelow for reference purposes. Located within the
interior of the tubular housing 50 is a rotor 56, having a
generally cylindrical shape and extending substantially the length
of the housing. A line 58 represents the central longitudinal axis
of the rotor and is generally parallel to, but spaced from, the
longitudinal axis 54 of the housing, the rotor being rotatable
relative the housing about the longitudinal axis 58.
Because of the displacement of the central longitudinal axis of the
rotor from the central longitudinal axis of the housing the region
formed between an outer surface 60 of the rotor and the inner
surface 52 of the housing assume a distorted tubular shape where
the "wall" of this tubular region has a varying thickness from a
minimum distance designated 62 to a maximum distance designated 63.
The minimum distance 62 is set at a predetermined value to provide
a pressure relief mechanism by allowing "leakage" of the water (or
other fluid) within the housing.
The rotor 56 has a radial slot 64 extending the longitudinal length
of the rotor to act as a guide to a sliding vane 66 located within
the slot. The vane has one longitudinal edge 68 within the slot
abutting a spring 70, while a second longitudinal edge 72 contacts
the inner surface 52 of the housing 50. Because of the distorted
shape of the region between the outer surface 60 and the inner
surface 52, rotation of the rotor causes the vane to sweep the
inner surface 52 as well as experience a translational movement
relative the slot 64. The spring 70 provides a sufficient biasing
force on the vane so that the longitudinal edge 72 is always in
contact with the inner surface 52. The spring may be of any
convenient design and is shown as a small curved strip of material
which may be of any convenient spring material, such as spring
steel. The rotor is connected to the driven shaft 24 at one of its
ends and to a journal 74 at its other end. The journal 74 is
mateable with a bearing opening 76 in an end plate 78 which closes
one end of the tubular housing 50, while a similarly designed end
plate 79 having a properly sealed opening 77 to accommodate the
shaft 24 closes the opposite end of the housing.
Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 8, there follows an explanation of
the operation of the pump 16. For later reference purposes two
lines 80 and 82 are drawn through the mid-points of the ports 20
and 22, respectively, and intersect at the longitudinal axis 54 to
form an angle with the axis 54 as the vertex; the angle is labeled
theta, .theta.. It is noted that the position of the minimum
distance 62 is located within the region subtended by the angle. It
has been found desirable that a woman's hygiene apparatus have a
pulsating discharge characteristic; that is, there should be a
pressure variation during the pumping cycle. At the same time it
has been found that there is a requirement of some mechanism to
limit the maximum output pressure during the pumping cycle to
prevent accidental damage to the body tissue subjected to the
output pressure. As mentioned hereinabove, the minimum distance 62
provides the mechanism for limiting the pressure; the angular
distance separating the input port 20 from the output port 22
determines the output pressure characteristic. For example, when
the angle .theta. between the ports is 120.degree., symmetrical
about the minimum spacing 62, then an output pressure
characteristic curve 84, FIG. 8, is achieved where line 86, FIG. 4,
is the zero reference line. As the rotor 56 rotates in a
counterclockwise direction, there will be little or no pressure at
the output port between 0.degree. and 60.degree. and 300.degree.
and 360.degree.. Thus, the pump has a "discharge-no discharge"
characteristic dependent upon the angular distance between the
ports, where there will be no discharge when the vane is in the
region subtended by the angle .theta., and there will be a
discharge when the vane sweeps the remainder of the spacing between
the outer surface 60 and the inner surface 52.
Referring in sequence to FIGS. 4 through 7 and with reference to
the curve 84, FIG. 8, there is illustrated one complete cycle of
operation and the variation in pressure of the output.
When the rotor is in the position shown in FIG. 4 with the vane 66
coincident with the reference line 86, the spacing between the
outer surface 60 and the inner surface 52 in the region 88 outside
that subtended by the angle .theta. is filled with the water from
the container 32 which has entered through the port 20. As the
rotor rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the vane becomes
more extended, as shown in FIG. 5, where the vane is displaced
90.degree., and the fluid within the region 88 is pushed through
the output port 22. Concurrently, there is a complementary rise in
the output pressure. As the rotor continues rotation and the vane
becomes fully extended, such as shown in FIG. 6, where the vane is
displaced 180.degree. from line 86, maximum pressure is reached.
Further rotation causes the vane to retract, as shown in FIG. 7,
where the vane is displaced 270.degree. from the line 86, with a
corresponding drop in output pressure. Once the vane passes the
output port, discharge ceases until the vane passes the input port
in its next cycle. Of course, once the vane passes the input port,
as shown in FIG. 5, more water is supplied behind the moving vane
into the region which is designated 90 so that the vane may move
against this water during its next cycle.
Referring again to FIG. 6, it is to be noted that the water within
the region 88 has two paths of exit, one through the output port 22
and the other through the spacing 62. Once the diameter of the
housing, the diameter of the rotor, the dimension of the ports, and
the rotational speed of the rotor are fixed, the spacing 62 may be
calculated so as to relieve the pressure at the output port 22
above a predetermined upper limit. This upper limit is designated
by a horizontal line 92, parallel to the abscissa in the graph,
FIG. 8. Because the spacing 62 is part of the basic structure of
the pump, once the pump is built the pressure relief mechanism
becomes an inherent characteristic of the pump. Hence, a major
advantage is achieved because the pressure relief mechanism is
fool-safe; it cannot be changed without destroying the functioning
of the pump. Therefore, a user cannot inadvertently exceed the
medically determined maximum pressure and cause injury. A still
further advantage of the pump is that the pressure relief spacing
62 can never become clogged because in the operation of the pump
the vane 66 sweeps the spacing every cycle.
It is understood that changing the rpm of the rotor, the size of
the output port or the size of the spacing 62 will change the
pressure characteristic curve 84 from that shown in FIG. 8.
Additionally, because of the pump's basic design, it is easy to
change the structure slightly to achieve a different characteristic
curve. For example, simply by changing the location of the input or
output ports to a new location, such as shown with input port 20a,
FIGS. 4 through 7, drawn in phantom, which is at a location
approximately 120.degree. in a counterclockwise direction from the
reference line 86, a new characteristic curve 94 is achieved. With
the new embodiment the "no discharge" portion of the cycle extends
between 0.degree. and 120.degree. and between 300.degree. and
360.degree., while the maximum pressure reach would be somewhat
less than the first curve 84 since there would be less water moved
per cycle. (The output port 22 has remained in its same location,
about 300.degree. from line 86.) In a similar fashion, if only the
output port were relocated, such as output port 22a, drawn in
phantom, (the input port 20 remains in its location of about
60.degree. from line 86) then the pressure characteristic would
assume the curve 96 which has a "no discharge" cycle portion
between 0.degree. and 60.degree. and between 240.degree. and
360.degree..
While the above discussion dwells on the use of the pump 16 for the
woman's hygiene apparatus shown, it is to be understood that other
uses are contemplated wherever it is found desirable to have a
gentle pulsating discharge.
What is described hereinabove is a hygiene apparatus for the
cleansing of the vaginal canal, which will provide a gently
pulsating stream of water where the maximum pressure at the nozzle
will never exceed a predetermined maximum to insure against injury.
In one such pump having an inner surface 52 diameter of 0.650 inch,
a rotor 56 diameter of 0.500 inch, and a spacing 62 of 0.002 inch,
at 350 rpm, 3 pounds per square inch pressure was generated. It is,
of course, understood that changes in form and dimension may be
accomplished without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention herein. It is additionally understood that the pressure
characteristic curve, as displayed in FIG. 8, may be altered in any
desired way based on the teachings herein.
* * * * *