| Handheld apparatus for personal hygiene -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Handheld apparatus for personal hygieneRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Flush Closet, Bowl, With Bidet NozzleHandheld apparatus for personal hygiene description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060021124, Handheld apparatus for personal hygiene. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is related and claims priority from U.S. Patent Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/592,486, filed on Jul. 30, 2004, and entitled "HANDHELD APPARATUS FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE," which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The invention relates generally to the field of personal hygiene and, more particularly, to a handheld apparatus for cleansing parts of a person's body. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A bidet is a well-known apparatus for cleansing the underside of a person's torso. The bidet includes a basin wherein a nozzle provides an upward fountain of water. The person positions herself over the basin and turns on the water to cause the water to be directed to the underside of the torso, thus cleansing the appropriate part of the body. [0004] Several attempts have been made to modify the well-known bidet to enable a user to have greater control over the cleansing operation. Since the bidet is a separate device and is typically mounted next to a standard toilet, several attempts have also been made to create a cleansing apparatus that would fit the standard toilet and would obviate the need for installation of a separate bidet. These attempts, however, describe devices connected with a bidet or a standard toilet, which appear to restrict user handling of the device and limit potential uses of the devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] A handheld apparatus for personal hygiene is described. The apparatus includes a handle having a fluid supply inlet and a fluid supply outlet, and a tube coupled to the fluid supply outlet of the handle to enable the flow of a first fluid through a nozzle coupled to one end of the tube and the flow of a second fluid through an opening on the surface of the tube, wherein the handle enables the user to direct the flow of the fluids to the underside of the user's torso for proper cleansing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a handheld apparatus for personal hygiene for use with a standard toilet system, according to one embodiment of the invention; [0007] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a handheld apparatus for personal hygiene for use with a standard toilet system, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention; [0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handheld apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention; [0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handheld apparatus, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention; [0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the handheld apparatus, according to another alternate embodiment of the invention; [0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the handheld apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention; and [0012] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a water supply and heating apparatus used with the handheld apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013] A handheld apparatus for personal hygiene is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. [0014] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a handheld apparatus for personal hygiene for use with a standard toilet system, according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, in one embodiment, a handheld apparatus 101 is coupled to a water supply and heating device 103 through a flexible tube 102. The handheld apparatus 101 and the water supply and heating device 103 will be described in further detail below in connection with FIGS. 2-6. [0015] In one embodiment, the apparatus 101 is used in conjunction with a standard toilet including a toilet seat 105 and a toilet water tank 104. The water supply and heating device 103 is mounted in close proximity to the standard toilet and is coupled to the toilet water tank 104 via a water supply adaptor and pressure control device 110, such as, for example, a T-shaped adaptor device 110. One or more fluids, such as, for example, water, air, and/or disinfectant fluid flow from the device 103 through the flexible tube 102 and through the apparatus 101 to enable the cleansing of the user's genital and anal body areas. A storage receptacle (not shown) may be mounted in close proximity to the toilet water tank 104 and the toilet seat 105 to enable the user to store the apparatus 101 within the storage receptacle when not in use. [0016] In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus 101 may be used in other environments, such as, for example, for cleansing of patients in hospitals, or for cleansing of one's body areas in connection with a shower. In these exemplary environments, the apparatus 101 is coupled to the water supply and heating device 103, which resides in the vicinity of such environments, such as in the patients' rooms or in the vicinity of a shower. [0017] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a handheld apparatus for personal hygiene for use with a standard toilet system, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. In the alternate embodiment, the apparatus 101 may be directly coupled to the toilet tank 104 via the flexible hose 102 and the pressure control device 110 such as, for example, a T-shaped adaptor device. A storage receptacle 112 is mounted in close proximity to the toilet water tank 104 and the toilet seat 105 and enables the user to store the apparatus 101 within the storage receptacle 112 when not in use. [0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handheld apparatus 101, according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus 101 includes a handle 210 coupled to a hollow tube 220, the tube 220 having a spray nozzle 230 at one end and an opening 231 situated on the surface of the tube 220. In one embodiment, the tube 220 is made out of plastic material. Alternatively, the tube 220 may be constructed out of any one of a number of known solid materials. Continue reading about Handheld apparatus for personal hygiene... Full patent description for Handheld apparatus for personal hygiene Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Handheld apparatus for personal hygiene 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Handheld apparatus for personal hygiene or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Compact drain-cleaning device with hair-snagging pad Next Patent Application: Swimming pool having adjustable sunshade Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Handheld apparatus for personal hygiene patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.39327 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
