Stand-alone wash apparatus

Abstract

A portable, stand-alone wash apparatus for washing the hands and feet of a user has a water tank, a support frame supporting the tank above a surface, and at least one water discharge outlet positioned generally below the tank and in flow communication with the tank. The frame can be of sufficient height to provide a cleaning bay generally below the discharge outlet.

1 . A portable, stand-alone wash apparatus for washing the hands and feet of a user, the apparatus comprising: 
 a) a water tank;    b) a support frame supporting the tank above a surface; and    c) at least one water discharge outlet positioned generally below the tank and in flow communication with the tank.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the frame is of sufficient height to provide a cleaning bay generally below the discharge outlet.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the cleaning bay is provided with an apertured floor supported by the frame.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein in the frame is collapsible.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tank comprises a lid that is of a comparatively large size relative to the tank so that opening the lid provides access to at least a majority of the interior of the tank.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the tank is of a generally transparent material.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a filtering element adjacent the discharge outlet  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tank comprises an inverted water bottle.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a valve positioned upstream of the at least one discharge outlet, the valve being adjustable between open and closed positions wherein, respectively, flow from the tank to the discharge outlet is allowed and prevented.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the valve comprises biasing means to bias the valve to the closed position.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a delay mechanism to temporarily hold the valve in at least a partially open position, resisting the closing force exerted by the biasing means.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the valve is provided with an actuator for moving the valve between the open and closed positions.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the actuator comprises a lever adapted for manipulation by the hand of a user.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the actuator comprises a pedal adapted to be manipulated by the foot of a user.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising water treatment means for treating the water in the tank.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the water treatment means comprises at least one of the group consisting of disinfectant, deodorizer, Epsom salt, and colouring.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the treatment means is provided in the form of a dissolving solid block placed in the tank.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising warming means for increasing the temperature of water in the tank.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the warming means comprises panels with a reflective surface mounted adjacent the water for directing and redirecting radiant energy towards water in the tank.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one discharge outlet comprises a sprinkler head having a plurality of dispensing apertures.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the position of the discharge outlet relative to the frame is adjustable.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein a pliant conduit extends between the tank and the discharge outlet, the conduit being deformable by manipulation by a user.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising two or more discharge outlets.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein at least two of the two or more discharge outlets are at different elevations, defining an upper outlet and a lower outlet.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising handles attached to the tank to facilitate carrying the tank.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising at least one washing accessory of the group consisting of towel hangers, soap dispensers, and a brush proximate the support frame.