Hand-operated squeezable eye washer

Abstract

A portable eye washer is described 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 the eye washing solution.

1 . A device for washing eyes, comprising:
 a. a bladder having sufficient flexibility such that when squeezed can compress to increase the pressure on contents within the bladder; and   b. 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 subsequently increased a sufficient amount, at least a portion of the contents of the bladder are forced through the discharge holes.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is made of a rubber-based material. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzles are made of a rubber-based material. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder and nozzles are made of a plastic material. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder and nozzles are made of polymer-based materials. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the discharge holes have a diameter of between about 0.1 and 2 mm. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are 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. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzles further comprise a cover, and wherein the cover is 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. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the cover is a breakaway cover, and wherein the cover is configured to break away when the pressure within the bladder exceeds a predetermined maximum. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the breakaway cover is 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. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the portion of its circumference is less than 180 degrees of circumference. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an eye wash solution disposed in the bladder. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the eye wash solution is selected from the group consisting of water-based solutions, water, and saline solutions. 
   
   
       14 . A method for making a portable eye wash device, comprising:
 a. forming a hollow bladder;   b. forming at least two nozzles in pressure communication with the hollow bladder;   c. filling the hollow bladder with an eye wash solution;   d. 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.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the eye wash solution is selected from the group consisting of water-based solutions, water, and saline solutions. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising mounting a breakaway cover on the nozzles, substantially closing off the discharge holes, until removal of the breakaway cover occurs. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising 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. 
   
   
       18 . A method for making a portable eye wash device, comprising:
 a. forming a hollow bladder;   b. mounting at least two nozzles on the hollow bladder such that the at least two nozzles are in pressure communication with the hollow bladder;   c. filling the hollow bladder with an eye wash solution;   d. 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.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the eye wash solution is selected from the group consisting of water-based solutions, water, and saline solutions. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising mounting a breakaway cover on the nozzles, substantially closing off the discharge holes, until removal of the breakaway cover occurs.