Apparatus and method of moistening and heating washcloths

Abstract

An outer container forming a sealed casing. The casing holds a quantity of water, and a washcloth. An electrical heater element heats the water to a boil, and the steam is applied to the washcloth. After a period of time the washcloth is heated and moistened, and can be withdrawn from the casing, and used. Automatic shut-off controls are provided. The device is small and easily portable.

1 . A device for moistening and heating washcloth comprising, 
 an outer container capable of being closed to form a sealed interior,    the outer container including a first compartment for containing wash cloths,    the outer container having an opening for enabling wash cloths to be manually put into and withdrawn from the first compartment,    the outer container also including a second compartment for containing water,    the container including passages interconnecting the compartments,    means for heating the water to produce steam therefrom, and    the device including means for directing the steam onto the washcloths.    
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the device is self-contained except for circuit means for forming connection between an external electrical source and the heating means, and  
 the device is small and compact and adjusted to be carried by the hands of the user.  
 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the device includes a first inner container in the first compartment, adapted to receive and hold washcloths,  
 the first inner container being movable between an inner position in the first compartment and an outer position in the exterior exposing the washcloths to the exterior,  
 the device also includes a second inner container removably positioned in the outer container, for holding water to be released into the outer container.  
 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein, 
 the outer container has an opening for receiving the first inner container, and the first inner container is operable for closing that opening,  
 means for releasably locking the first inner container in the outer container, and  
 means responsive to the temperature in the outer container reaching a predetermined height for unlocking the locking means.  
 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein, 
 the heating means is positioned under the second inner container, and  
 a tube is included in the device, having an inner end positioned in the interior of the second inner container near the bottom of the latter for receiving water from the latter, and  
 the tube has an outer end portion positioned over the first inner container and having holes for directing water onto washcloths in the first inner container.  
 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5  wherein, 
 the device includes a manually activated pump for pumping water from the second inner container into the outer end portion of the tube, in bypassing relation to the inner end of the tube.  
 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 5  wherein, 
 the device includes a pump for pumping air into the second inner container for forcing water form the latter through the tube.  
 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the heating means includes a pair of electrical heating elements positioned in the second inner container, for immersion in water in the latter,  
 the heating elements each is connected at one end only to an electrical circuit, and  
 the heating elements are positioned relative to each other to develop an electrical current between themselves through a body of water in which they are immersed.  
 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the outer container is closed,  
 the first inner container is positioned below the second inner container,  
 the device includes tubes interconnecting the inner containers for passage of steam therebetween,  
 the outer container includes a top compartment above the second inner container and has openings enabling steam to flow from the second inner container into the top compartment, and condensed water to flow from the top compartment into the second inner container.  
 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein, 
 the outer container includes an openable cover containing the top compartment.  
 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein, 
 the outer casing is enclosed and the space is effectively continuous, whereby heat in any location in the space is capable of flowing to any other location therein, and  
 the device includes a temperature indicator for indicating the temperature of the air in the space.  
 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 11  wherein, 
 the temperature indicator is located so as to sense the temperature in the first inner container closely adjacent the washcloths.  
 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the second inner container includes a water bottle,  
 the device includes a well unit having a well for receiving the top open end of the water bottle and holding water flowing from the bottle,  
 the device includes a passage interconnecting the first inner container and the well,  
 the well is so positioned for controlling the flow of water from the bottle into the well to a predetermined level, and  
 the parts of the device are so dimensioned and arranged as to enable water to flow through the passage from the well into the first inner container to a level in the latter common to the level in the well.  
 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 13  and including, 
 a series of inserts of which one or more may be selected for predetermining the height of the water bottle in the well unit for controlling said common water level.  
 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the second inner container is arranged for maintaining water at a predetermined level interdependently of the first inner container, and  
 the heating means is directly under the second inner container, whereby to transmit moisture in the form of steam to the first inner container.  
 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the second inner container is higher than the first inner container, and  
 the heating means is directly under the first inner container.  
 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 13  and including, 
 a water bottle having a main body and an outlet unit,  
 the outlet unit including a tubular sleeve with a wide transverse head and a shank,  
 the outlet unit also including a stem with a ball secured thereto forming a closer,  
 the stem being fitted in the sleeve and extending out of the lower end of the sleeve with the ball positioned in the water bottle for closing the upper end of the tubular sleeve,  
 the first inner container having an extension reaching to a point under the water bottle,  
 the parts being constructed and arranged for the sleeve and stem therein to extend into said extension with the stem engorging the bottom of said extension to thereby open the tubular sleeve and control the flow of water out of the water bottle.  
 
     
     
         18 . A device for heating water for developing steam for treatment of an article comprising, 
 an outer container having a space for holding an article to be treated,    electrical circuiting including a pair of electrodes each having one end connected in the circuitry and the other end unconnected and free,    the water container having an inner container for holding water and adapted for depositing the electrodes therein in spaced apart relation, and    the outer container including construction forming passages leading from the inner container to location of the article to be treated.