Sterile scrub apparatus with selection of washing liquid, and method

Claim 2

A process for providing washing liquid comprising the steps of: a. supplying each of a plurality of sources of washing liquid to a dispenser therefor through each of a plurality of valves, and holding each of said valves in normally closed position; b. creating and passing each of a plurality of sources of radiant energy into a sensing zone and to a sensing and control assembly therefor sensitive to a change thereof produced by the presence of a body member, said sensing and control assemblies being operatively connected to said plurality of valves; c. producing said change in one of said plurality of sources by the presence of a body member; and d. locating a switch means in active position in response to such change and thereby i. routing power from said switch means to one selection of said plurality of valves, and ii. disconnecting power to all other selections of said plurality of valves, and thereby iii. dispeNsing said washing liquids through said selection of said plurality of valves and discharging a selection of said washing liquids from the dispenser therefor.

Claim 3

Process as in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of a. removing said body portion from said sensing zone and b. relocating a body member in said sensing zone, thereby locating said switch means in another position, which connects power to all selections of said plurality of valves and c. stops said discharge of said selection of washing liquid.

Claim 4

Process as in claim 2 wherein said change is a momentary change and said disconnecting of power provides a stable state of disconnection of said power to said valves.

Claim 5

Process as in claim 3 comprising the further step of a. selectively locating a body member in another of said sensing zones and thereby b. locating another switch means in active position in response to such change and thereby i. routing power to another selection of said plurality of valves and ii. disconnecting power to all other selections of said plurality of valves and iii. dispensing another selection of said liquids through said another selection of said plurality of valves and discharging another selection of said washing liquids from the dispenser therefor.

Claim 6

Apparatus for sterile scrubbing comprising a housing assembly, a radiant energy interruption sensing and valve control assembly and a water supply and dispensing assembly, the radiant energy interruption sensing and valve control assembly located and supported in said housing assembly and said water supply and dispensing assembly being operatively connected to said radiant energy interruption sensing and valve control assembly, said radiant energy interruption sensing mechanism comprising a plurality of sets of a radiant energy source and a reverse electric circuit sensitive to such radiant energy therefor and spaced apart from each other in each set, a beam of radiant energy connecting each said radiant energy source and said circuit for each set, said valve control assembly comprising a plurality of valves, each said circuit including means responsive to temporary changes in said beam of radiant energy in said set and, for each set of radiant energy source and circuit, switch means connectable in each of a plurality of positions and connectable in one position to actuate one of a selection of said valve means and to disconnect power from all other selections of said plurality of valve means, said switch means being operatively connected to said means responsive to temporary changes in said beam of radiant energy in each said set of radiant energy source and electric circuit sensitive to said radiant energy.

Claim 7

Apparatus for sterile scrubbing comprising a housing assembly, a radiant energy interruption sensing and valve control assembly and a water supply and dispensing assembly, the radiant energy interruption sensing and valve control assembly located and supported in said housing assembly and said water supply and dispensing assembly being operatively connected to said radiant energy interruption sensing and valve control assembly, said radiant energy interruption sensing mechanism comprising a plurality of sets of a radiant energy source and a reverse electric circuit sensitive to such radiant energy therefor and spaced apart from each other in each set, a beam of radiant energy connecting each said radiant energy source and said circuit for each set, said valve control assembly comprising a plurality of valves, each said circuit including means responsive to temporary changes in said beam of radiant energy in said set and, for each set of radiant energy source and circuit, switch means connectable in each of a plurality of positions and connectable in one position to actuate one of a selection of said valve means and to disconnect power from all other selections of said plurality of valve means, said switch means being operatively connected to said means responsive to temporary changes in said beam of radiant energy in each said set of radiant energy source and electric circuit sensitive to said radiant energy.

Claim 8

Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein, for each set of radiant energy source and electric circuit sensitive thereto, visual indicator means are located on the outer surface of the housing near to the said source of radiant energy of said set and are operatively connected to the said switch means.

Claim 9

Apparatus as in claim 6 which includes means stably holding said switch means in one or another position with a force less than the force applied to the switch means by said means responsive to temporary changes in said beam of radiant energy.

Claim 10

Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said radiant energy interruption sensing and valve control assembly is a light interruption sensing and valve control assembly, and wherein said radiant energy interruption sensing mechanism is a light interruption sensing mechanism and comprises a plurality of sets of a light source and a reverse photoelectric circuit therefor, and wherein a beam of light connects each said light source and said circuit for each set, and wherein each said circuit includes a means responsive to temporary breaks in said beam of light in said set and, for each set of light source and circuit, said switch means is operatively connected to said means responsive to temporary breaks in said beam Of light in each of said set of light and photoelectric circuit.

Claim 11

Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein for each set of light source and electric circuit sensitive thereto, visual indicator means are located on the outer surface of the housing near to the said beam of light of said set and are operatively connected to the said switch means.

Claim 12

Apparatus as in claim 9 which includes means stably holding said switch means in one or another position with a force less than the force applied to the switch means by said means responsive to temporary breaks in said beam of light.

Claim 13

Process as in claim 1 wherein said each of said plurality of sources of radiant energy creates a beam of light and the location of a body member in said sensing zone for each of said plurality of beams breaks said light beam, each of said sensing and controlling assembly is sensitive to the breaking of the light beam thereto, and wherein said location of a body member in each of said plurality of zone breaks said light beam in said sensing zone and wherein said switch means is located in an active position in response to such breaking.

Claim 14

Process as in claim 11 comprising the additional steps of a. reforming said beam of light and b. selectively breaking said beam of light and thereby i. locating said switch means in another position and ii. connecting power to another selection of said plurality of valves and c. stopping said discharge of said selection of said washing liquids.

Claim 15

Process as in claim 12 wherein said such breaking of said beam of light is a momentary breaking and said disconnection of power provides a stable state of disconnection of said power to said valves.

Claim 16

Process as in claim 13 comprising the further step of a. selectively breaking another of said beams of light and thereby b. locating another switch means in active position in response to such breaking and thereby i. routing power to another selection of said plurality of valves and ii. disconnecting power to all other selections of said plurality of valves and iii. dispensing another selection of said liquids through said another selection of said plurality of valves and discharging another selection of said washing liquids from the dispenser therefor.