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  Hand-operated squeezable eye washerHand-operated squeezable eye washer description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070244450, Hand-operated squeezable eye washer. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/404,365, filed Apr. 14, 2006, entitled "Hand-Operated Squeezable Eye Washer", which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]This invention relates to portable eye washers for use in cleansing eyes in situations where undesired material or fluids impinge on an eye. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]In various environments, such as chemistry labs, workshops of various types, and other dangerous workplaces, materials or fluids may undesiredly impinge on the eye. For example, in a wood shop, wood shavings may be thrown off of motorized saws and impinge on the eye, especially when the operator fails to wear appropriate safety eyewear. In chemistry labs or other workplaces where chemicals are manipulated, occasional splashing of fluids may also result in fluid impingement on an operator's eyes. [0004]Prior eye washing devices are typically in the nature of modified faucets. Such devices often have two nozzles facing substantially upward or along a curve curving substantially upward and separated by about the distance between a typical operator's eyes. But these devices are not portable as they require a piped water supply. [0005]Other such devices employ cup-and-fluid-container combinations where eye washing fluid is provided with a cup that is specially designed for eye washing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]The present invention, in one aspect, is directed to a portable eye washer including a bladder, which may be disposable, filled with an eye-washing solution such as water or a solution specially-designed for cleaning eyes. The bladder may be made of rubber, a thin plastic, or other material so long as the bladder material is generally not permeable to water. [0007]Integral with or attached to the bladder are at least two nozzles. [0008]Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following. The bladder may be disposable More than one nozzle may be disposed on the bladder to accommodate operators with vastly differing distances between their eyes. For example, a child and an adult may use the same portable eye-washing device. [0009]In one aspect, the invention is directed to a device for washing eyes, including a bladder having sufficient flexibility such that when squeezed can compress to increase the pressure on contents within the bladder, and at least two nozzles in pressure communication with the bladder, each nozzle having at least one discharge hole defined therein, such that when the bladder is squeezed a sufficient amount, and the pressure on the contents of the bladder thus subsequently increased a sufficient amount, at least a portion of the contents of the bladder are forced through the discharge holes. The at least two nozzles are configured such that a portion of the contents of the bladder, when forced through the discharge holes, are between about 5 and 15 centimeters apart at a distance of between about 1 and 30 centimeters from the discharge holes. [0010]Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following. The bladder and/or nozzles may be made of a rubber-based, plastic, or polymer-based material. The discharge holes may have a diameter of between about 0.1 and 2 mm. The nozzles may be configured to be substantially closed when the pressure within the bladder is below a predetermined maximum and to be substantially open when the pressure within the bladder is above the predetermined maximum. The nozzles may further comprise a cover, where the cover is configured to be substantially closed when the pressure within the bladder is below a predetermined maximum and substantially open when the pressure within the bladder is above the predetermined maximum. The cover may also be a breakaway cover, where the cover is configured to break away when the pressure within the bladder exceeds a predetermined maximum. The breakaway cover may be affixed to the nozzle along a portion of its circumference such that the breakaway cover remains affixed to the nozzle at a location adjacent the discharge hole following its breakaway. The portion of its circumference may be less than 180 degrees of circumference. An eye wash solution may be disposed in the bladder, such as a water-based solution, water, or a saline-based solution. [0011]In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for making a portable eye wash device, including forming a hollow bladder; forming or mounting at least two nozzles in pressure communication with the hollow bladder; filling the hollow bladder with an eye wash solution; such that when the bladder is squeezed a sufficient amount, and the pressure on the eye wash solution in the bladder subsequently increased a sufficient amount, at least a portion of the eye wash solution in the bladder is forced through the discharge holes; and such that the at least two nozzles are configured such that a portion of the eye wash solution in the bladder, when forced through the discharge holes, is between about 5 and 15 centimeters apart at a distance of between about 1 and 30 centimeters from the discharge holes. [0012]Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following. The eye wash solution may be selected from the group consisting of water-based solutions, water, and saline solutions. The method may further comprise mounting a breakaway cover on the nozzles, substantially closing off the discharge holes, until removal of the breakaway cover occurs. The method may further comprise affixedly attaching the breakaway cover along a portion of its circumference to the nozzle such that the breakaway cover remains attached to the nozzle following removal from covering the discharge hole. [0013]Advantages of the invention may include one or more of the following. Certain embodiments are portable and easy-to-operate. The fluid pressure impinging on the operator's eyes is conveniently controllable by the user. The device may be refillable or may be completely disposable for sterility. Other advantages and features of the invention may be seen by reference to the below description, including the figures and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014]The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures: [0015]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable eye-washing device according to the present invention. [0016]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a portable eye-washing device according to the present invention. [0017]FIGS. 3(A) and (B) show side schematic view of nozzle structures according to embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018]Before the subject devices, systems and methods are described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. Continue reading about Hand-operated squeezable eye washer... Full patent description for Hand-operated squeezable eye washer Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Hand-operated squeezable eye washer patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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