Bathing bag for bedridden patients

Abstract

A bag for bathing bedridden patients, in the form of a water-resistant flaccid bag, with a water inlet at its bottom and a water outlet near its top. A water-resistant zipper assembly facilitates opening and closure of the bag. The front section of the bag has a neck collar with a hook and loop closure. The zipper assembly and neck collar define a continuous water-resistant barrier to retain bath water in the bag. A timer device/shut-off valve assembly may be provided, for controlling water flow into the bag. A disposable liner may be inserted into the bag.

1 . A bathing bag for bedridden patients comprising: 
 a bag constructed from a flaccid, durable, lightweight and water-resistant material, said bag comprising;    front and back substantially rectangular members, said front rectangular member having a slit along the longer axis thereof, and further having a substantially circular opening, said opening communicating with said slit at one end thereof, and;    an endless circumferential, substantially rectangular member, said endless circumferential member integrally connecting said front and back rectangular members, thereby forming opposingly disposed, substantially rectangular top and bottom sections and a pair of disposed, substantially rectangular side sections, said top and bottom sections each having apertures therein;    first and second adapters, said first adapter engaging said aperture defined by said bottom section, and said second adapter engaging said aperture defined by said top section;    a water inlet hose, having an end operably engaging said first adapter, and;    a water outlet hose, having an end insertably engaging said second adapter;    whereby said inlet hose conveys a fresh water from a water source, through said first adapter to the interior of said bag, permitting the water to wash a bedridden patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic motion, and thereafter used bath water moves towards said top section to exit said bag via said second adapter to travel through said outlet hose.    
   
   
       2 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 1 , further comprising a water-resistant zipper assembly, said water-resistant zipper assembly mounted onto abutting edges defining said slit, to facilitate opening and watertight closure of said bag.  
   
   
       3 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 1 , further comprising an openable neck collar integrally attached to said front rectangular member at the circumference of said circular opening and extending upwards therefrom, said neck collar having a hook and loop fastener, closing the collar, to stabilize the neck of a bedridden patient, and form a continuous water-resistant barrier with said zipper assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flow adjusting valve for controlling the rate of water flow to said bag.  
   
   
       5 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 4 , wherein said valve for controlling water flow to said bag further includes a timer device having a shut-off valve assembly, said timer device operably engaging said inlet hose to automatically discontinue water flow therefrom into said bag after a pre-set time period has elapsed, whereby possible overflow.  
   
   
       6 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 1 , further comprising a disposable liner inserted into the cavity of said bag, and having a substantially circular opening, said circular opening circumferentially engaging the inner surface of said first adapter to allow water flow from said inlet hose to the interior of said bag, whereby a patient-contacting surface is provided to better preserve the cleanliness of said bag.  
   
   
       7 . A bathing bag for bedridden patients comprising: 
 a bag constructed from a flaccid, durable, lightweight and water-resistant material, said bag comprising;    front and back substantially rectangular members, said front rectangular member having a slit along the longer axis thereof, and further having a substantially circular opening, said opening communicating with said slit at one end thereof, and;    an endless circumferential, substantially rectangular member, said endless circumferential member integrally connecting said front and back rectangular members, thereby forming opposingly disposed, substantially rectangular top and bottom sections and a pair of disposed, substantially rectangular side sections, said top and bottom sections each having apertures therein;    first and second adapters, said first adapter engaging said aperture defined in said back section, and said second adapter engaging said aperture defined by said top section;    a water inlet hose, having an end operably engaging said first adapter, and;    a water outlet hose, having an end insertably engaging said second adapter;    whereby said inlet hose conveys a fresh water from a water source, through said first adapter to the interior of said bag, permitting the water to wash a bedridden patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic motion, and thereafter used bath water moves towards said top section to exit said bag via said second adapter to travel through said outlet hose.    
   
   
       8 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 7 , wherein said back rectangular member aperture is located at a point proximate to said top section, and said end of said outlet hose insertably engaging said second adapter, whereby said inlet hose conveys a flow of fresh water from the water source, through said first adapter to the interior of said bag, to wash a bedridden patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic motion and the used bath water flows towards said top section to exit said bag via said second adapter.  
   
   
       9 . A bathing bag for bedridden patients comprising: 
 a bag constructed from a flaccid, water-resistant material, and having a top and a bottom, said bag comprising;    front and back members, said front member having a slit along the longer axis thereof, and further having a substantially circular opening, said opening communicating with said slit at one end thereof, and;    an endless member integrally connecting said front and back members, thereby forming top and bottom sections and a pair of side sections;    a pair of apertures formed in said bag near said bag top and bag bottom, respectively,    first and second adapters, said first adapter engaging said bag bottom aperture, and said second adapter engaging said bag top aperture;    a water inlet hose, having an end operably engaging said first adapter, and;    a water outlet hose, having an end insertably engaging said second adapter;    whereby said inlet hose conveys a fresh water from a water source, through said first adapter to the interior of said bag, permitting the water to wash a bedridden patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic motion, and thereafter used bath water moves towards said top section to exit said bag via said second adapter to travel through said outlet hose.    
   
   
       10 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 9 , wherein said second aperture is defined through said back member, near said bag top.  
   
   
       11 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 9 , wherein said second aperture is defined through said endless member top section.  
   
   
       12 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 9 , wherein said water inlet hose has a water flow valve therein.  
   
   
       13 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 12 , wherein said valve includes a timer shutoff therewithin.  
   
   
       14 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 9 , wherein said slit has a water resistant zipper closure.  
   
   
       15 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 9 , wherein said circular opening further comprises a collar for substantially watertight engagement with a patient's neck.  
   
   
       16 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 15 , wherein said collar further includes a hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       17 . The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to  claim 9 , further comprising a disposable liner inserted within the bag.