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.

Description

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 404,365, filed Apr. 14, 2006, entitled “Hand-Operated Squeezable Eye Washer”, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to portable eye washers for use in cleansing eyes in situations where undesired material or fluids impinge on an eye.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In various environments, such as chemistry labs, workshops of various types, and other dangerous workplaces, materials or fluids may undesiredly impinge on the eye. For example, in a wood shop, wood shavings may be thrown off of motorized saws and impinge on the eye, especially when the operator fails to wear appropriate safety eyewear. In chemistry labs or other workplaces where chemicals are manipulated, occasional splashing of fluids may also result in fluid impingement on an operator's eyes.[0004]Prior eye washing devices are typically in the nature ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a portable eye washer that includes a flexible bladder filled with an eye-washing solution and at least two nozzles in pressure communication with the bladder. The bladder can compress to increase the pressure on the contents and the nozzles have discharge holes through which the contents can be forced. The nozzles are designed to discharge the contents at a distance of between about 1 and 30 centimeters from the discharge holes. The invention can be made of rubber, plastic, or polymer-based materials and the discharge holes have a diameter of between about 0.1 and 2 mm. The nozzles may be closed when the pressure within the bladder is below a predetermined maximum and opened when the pressure exceeds the maximum. The eye wash solution may be water-based, water, or saline-based. The invention is portable, easy-to-operate, and the fluid pressure impinging on the operator's eyes can be conveniently controlled by the user. It may be refillable or disposable for sterility."

Problems solved by technology

In various environments, such as chemistry labs, workshops of various types, and other dangerous workplaces, materials or fluids may undesiredly impinge on the eye.

For example, in a wood shop, wood shavings may be thrown off of motorized saws and impinge on the eye, especially when the operator fails to wear appropriate safety eyewear.

In chemistry labs or other workplaces where chemicals are manipulated, occasional splashing of fluids may also result in fluid impingement on an operator's eyes.

But these devices are not portable as they require a piped water supply.

Images