Portable collapsible wash basin

Abstract

A portable collapsible wash basin wash basin is disclosed. The wash basin includes a flexible bag, wherein the bag with sidewalls defines an open end and a closed end and the sidewalls define two sidewall openings, an absorbent material, and a dry sheet soap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable collapsible wash basin comprising:
 a flexible bag, wherein the bag with sidewalls defines an open end and a closed end and the sidewalls define two sidewall openings,   an absorbent material, and a dry sheet soap.   
     
     
         2 . The wash basin of  claim 1  wherein the flexible bag defines four sidewalls of equal length and width, wherein two opposing sidewalls define the two sidewall openings, wherein the two sidewall openings are generally located in the middle of the length and in the middle of the width of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         3 . The wash basin of  claim 1  wherein sidewall openings defined as a series of slits in bag. 
     
     
         4 . The wash basin of  claim 3  wherein the corresponding remains created by slits minimize the amount of water which may escape the bag during operation of the wash basin. 
     
     
         5 . The wash basin of  claim 1  further comprising a frame assembly including a rod assembly, a lid and a funnel, and a plurality of clips, wherein the flexible bag includes four flaps located adjacent to the open end of the bag, wherein each of the four flaps are clipped to the rod assembly by clips, wherein the bag is supported by the rod assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The wash basin of  claim 5  wherein the rod assembly is comprised of a plurality of rods and a plurality of connectors, and wherein each connector is pivotally coupled to ends of at least two rods. 
     
     
         7 . The wash basin of  claim 5  wherein the lid and the funnel are supported by the rod assembly and are located over the open end of the bag. 
     
     
         8 . The wash basin of  claim 7  wherein lid includes top and lips, wherein lid defines depression and apertures through lid wherein depression and apertures are in fluid communication. 
     
     
         9 . The wash basin of  claim 8  wherein the bottom horizontal surface of top is supported by rod assembly, and wherein lips, the bottom horizontal surface of top, and the bottom vertical surface of lid complimentary to depression form a bracket to engage with the top row of horizontal rods in rod assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The wash basin of  claim 5  wherein the lid and funnel support up to 32 oz of water. 
     
     
         11 . The wash basin of  claim 5  wherein the rod assembly suggests user's hands access bag from longitudinal end openings of rod assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The wash basin of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent material and the dry sheet soap are each disposable and are each located in the bag near the closed end of the bag. 
     
     
         13 . The wash basin of  claim 1  wherein the bag is molded from a flexible food-grade material, non-toxic and odorless. 
     
     
         14 . The wash basin of  claim 1  wherein the bag is molded from plastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) without bisphenol A (BPA) and without Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), acrylic, or acrylic polymer. 
     
     
         15 . The wash basin of  claim 1  wherein the bag supports up to 0.5 gallons of water. 
     
     
         16 . A method of use of a wash basin, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a fully assembled wash basin to a user while the user is in bed, comprising the steps of:
 locating a flexible bag, an absorbent material, and a dry sheet soap, on the patient's bedside table, wherein the bag includes sidewalls, wherein the bag defines an open end and a closed end and the sidewalls define two sidewall openings, 
 providing a rod assembly and supporting the flexible bag, the absorbent material, and the dry sheet soap by the rod assembly, 
 providing a lid and funnel supported by the rod assembly to create the fully assembled wash basin, 
   adding water to the lid and funnel while the user's hand is inserted through the sidewall opening,   washing the user's hand utilizing the dry sheet soap, and   rinsing the user's hand utilizing the shower-like effect of the water.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of placing the absorbent material and the dry sheet soap in the bag near the closed end. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of discarding the bag, the absorbent material and the sheet soap.