GB2464424A - Moveable enclosed dog wash - Google Patents

Abstract

A moveable enclosed dog wash that is preferably formed from a shipping container. The Dog wash includes low profile ascending steps 28, a preparation station 29, a wash station 30, a dry station 31 and descending steps 32. The shipping container may be provided with a roof, doors and skylight.

Description

Moveable enclosed dog wash

Background

This invention relates to a moveable enclosed dog wash. Washing dogs in bathrooms, kitchens and gardens creates a multitude of problems including water wastage and other environmentally unsavoury results. Grooming salons require appointments, drop-off, pick-up and strangers handling your dog. Grooming vans require appointments, usually someone to be home for the duration of the procedure, and strangers handling your dog. Outdoor forecourt self-serve kiosk-type dog washes have rigid washldry cycles, require drying in the same place as the washing, and are at the mercy of the weather.

Statement of Invention

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a customised shipping container enclosing a facility where dogs can be cleaned in an orderly, easy-to-use, flexible, one-stop procedure, year round.

Advantages The dog wash being enclosed and not requiring an appointment enables dog owners to use it when it suits them, without concern for the weather or the time of day or night.

Preferably the unit is comprised of at least one prep, one wash and one dry station.

The dog wash is an easily understood arrangement designed specifically for cleaning dogs away from home; ergonomic equipment and layout along with dog securing chains enable and encourage even the least skilled of dog owners to do it themselves.

Moveable enclosed dog wash This invention relates to a device for the self-serve cleaning of dogs in a moveable enclosed shipping container.

When dogs get dirty, owners can make an appointment at a grooming salon, call for a mobile grooming van, use an outdoor kiosk or wash the dog at home.

However, existing dog-cleaning technologies lead to a number of difficulties. When a grooming salon is used, the dog owner is often inconvenienced by having to make appointments and dedicated trips to and from the salon. Furthermore, dogs are frequently frightened when handled by strangers. When a mobile grooming van is used, the dog owner is often inconvenienced by having to schedule appointments and wait for the van to arrive; again, dogs are frequently frightened when handled by strangers. When an outdoor kiosk is used the dog owner is often inconvenienced when the weather and daylight are unaccommodating and nearby traffic and other disturbances can be distracting to both dog and owner. When the dog is washed at home, owners can become aggravated by the mess created in the kitchen, bathroom or garden -because these locations are not intended for the washing of dogs. To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a moveable enclosed dog wash with spacious ergonomic easy-to-understand equipment for the sole purpose of prepping, washing and drying dogs.

The moveable enclosed dog wash is preferably constructed from readily available shipping containers, although the enclosure can be fabricated from scratch using suitable materials.

The exterior façade is made from weather resistant composite materials, although it can be fabricated from other means, such as wood.

The interior layout is comprised of low profile non-slip steps and ergonomic non-slip prep station, wash station and dry station, although layouts, dimensions and additional components, such as electric hair clippers, may vary for specific users such as police canine departments, customs and other government agencies, and institutions such as Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a customised shipping container, Figure 2 shows the external façade and panel arrangement, Figure 3 shows the skylight box, Figure 4 shows the apex roof framework, Figure 5 shows the roof panels, skylight cover and triangular end panels, Figure 6 shows a plan view of the interior layout, Figure 7 shows the prep station and component layout, Figure 8 shows the wash station and component layout, Figure 9 shows the dry station and component layout, Figure 10 shows the internal dog wash ambience.

Exterior: Figure 1 shows a standard 20 foot or 40 foot shipping container that is cut down to 12' in length (1), utilizing the back end of the container as the back end of the Unit (7). The 8' wide front end of the Unit (2) is closed off and a personnel door (3) is installed on the right side.

The 12' left side of the Unit (4) has a 6'W x 18"l-I window frame (5) installed 6" down from the top of the container and centred and has 3 vertical security bars evenly spaced apart creating 4 separate framed windows made from high-impact clear Plexiglas. Nine inches to the left of the window frame and 6" down from the top of the Unit is a 12" x 12" framed louvred vent opening (6). The 8' wide back of the Unit (7) has an I 8"W x 24"H framed service opening (8) at the lower right corner. A hinged door is attached to the right side of the frame of the service opening. The 12' right side of the Unit (9) has a 12" x 12" framed louvred vent (10) 12" from the front of the Unit and 6" down from the top of the Unit. The roof of the Unit (11) has a 6'L x 2'W framed skylight opening (12), centred.

Figure 2 shows the four exterior walls of the Unit, including the personnel door, which are clad with 8' x 4' sheets of exterior grade plywood (13) framed on the back with 4" x /2" framing wood and faced on the front with cement-fibre composite wood-effect panels. Cut-outs for the window, vents and rear service door are removed. Each 8' x 4' panel has either 3" wide cement-fibre composite wood-effect dividers (14) covering the seams or, at the corners, 6" x 4" cement-fibre composite corner mouldings (15). The corresponding cut-outs for the window and vents have cement-fibre composite frames (16) with smoked Plexiglas for the window, louvred vents over the vent openings, and a hinged plywood-backed cement-fibre composite door (17) over the service opening. The front two 8' panels (including the personnel door) are painted in flat black paint to create the appearance of an arch-shaped opening (18) most commonly associated with a "doghouse".

Figure 3 shows a 6'L x 2'W apex-shaped four-sided box (19) which is constructed from plywood and placed on the top edge of the frame of the skylight opening on the roof of the Unit. Hinged on the right side and opening downward, a prism-shaped translucent skylight lens (20) is installed on the lower edge of said box. A double 4' long fluorescent light fixture (21) is attached and centred on the two inside sides of the skylight box. The skylight box is a centre support for the apex roof of the Unit.

Figure 4 shows the apex roof framework (22) and the skylight box (19) as part of the roof panel supports.

Figure 5 shows the left side and right side six roof panels (23) made from roofing plywood extending 9" out from and supported by the walls on all sides, the framework and the perimeter edge of the skylight box, and covered with heavy-duty roofing felt. There is a drip edge (24) around the circumference of the roof. A 6' long smoked Plexiglas skylight cover (25) is centred at the top of the apex extending down each side of the roof, covering the skylight opening. The front and rear triangular sections (26) created by the apex roof are covered with exterior grade plywood and faced with cement-fibre composite wood-effect panels to match the exterior walls. Centred and 6" down from the top of the apex on each end piece, a 6"W x 4"H hole is cut and a louvred vent cover (27) is placed over the opening.

On the inside of each vent opening is a water box to catch rainwater.

Interior: The interior four walls and ceiling are framed, wiring for the internal electrical components is installed (according to applicable codes), and insulation is placed within the framework and around the window, vents, skylight and service door opening. The walls and ceiling are covered with durable white semi-gloss panelling with cut-outs for certain components. A mini-blind is installed inside the window recess and a clear Plexiglas cover is installed over the frame, sandwiching the blind. A lowered lighting cove is installed on the ceiling at the left and rear sides of the unit extending out from the left and rear walls. Three low-voltage halogen lights are installed above each station, inset into the cove and wired (according to code). Security bars are attached to and hinged from the right lower skylight frame, allowing access to the hinged skylight lens and ultimately to the fluorescent light bulbs in the skylight box for replacement.

Figure 6 shows a plan view. Non-slip low profile ascending dog steps (28). The cabinet (29) housing the wetldry vacuum cleaner and related components supports the non-slip composite work surface for the prep station and the cabinet is insulated to reduce the sound of the equipment. The front of the cabinet has a hinged door to access the equipment and a louvred vent on the lower right side, by the dog steps, for air exhaust. The cabinet (30) housing the instantaneous water heater, plumbing and related components supports the non-slip tub and right and left-side draining boards and is insulated to reduce the sound of the equipment. The front of the cabinet has a hinged door to access the equipment. The cabinet (31) housing the blaster dryer and related components supports the non-slip composite work surface for the dry station and is insulated to reduce the sound of the equipment. The front of the cabinet has a hinged door to access the equipment and a louvred vent on the lower left side for air intake. The non-slip dog dismounting steps (32) lead to the personnel door (3).

The tabletops, tub and steps are colour-coordinated in grey non-slip to accommodate the visual limitations of dogs. The floor is covered with a single sheet of heavy-duty non-slip vinyl extending up the walls, steps and cabinet surfaces forming a watertight barrier.

Prep Station and Components Figure 7 shows the prep station (29) and component layout. Coinltoken timer (33), vacuum suction adjuster (34) and tool tray (35) are located on the right side rear wall above the prep table. The vacuum hose and brush (36) extend from an opening at the rear right side of the prep table. A rectangular polished stainless steel mirror (37) is installed on the wall behind the prep table. A D-shaped stainless steel bar (38) with adjustable securing chains is attached to the table and around the mirror, for placing the dog in a suitable position for prepping.

Wash Station and Components Figure 8 shows the wash station (30) and component layout. Coinltoken timer (33) and tool tray (35) are located on the right side rear wall above the tub. A commercial kitchen-style sprung showerhead (39) protrudes from the left side draining board and is attached to the rear wall for stability. Right and left-hand shower-guns (40) are located at the front left and right side draining boards. Attached to the inside upper edge and around the circumference of the tub is a pipe with sprinkler heads attached to the underside for disinfecting between dogs, operated by a 15 second urinal type push button (41) located on the rear right side draining board. Adjustable securing chains are attached to the rear of the left and right side draining boards, for placing the dog in a suitable position for washing. Soap and conditioner dispensers (42) are located on the rear wall behind the clear plastic splash curtain (43).

Privacy curtains (44) are installed on a D-shaped curtain rail attached to the wall and ceiling above the window (5).

Dry Station and Components Figure 9 shows the dry station (31) and component layout. Coinltoken timer (33), blower adjuster (34) and tool tray (35) are located on the left-side wall above the drying table, where the front and left walls meet. The blower hose (45) extends from an opening at the rear right side of the drying table. A rectangular polished stainless steel mirror (37) is installed on the wall behind the drying table. Adjustable securing chains are attached to the front wall to the left side of the drying table on an adjustable sailboat-style traveller (46) for securing the dog in a suitable position for drying.

Internal dog wash ambience Figure 10 shows the internal dog wash ambience, an incorporeal characteristic of the contents, configuration and presentation of the invention that is exciting and relevant to dog owners and increases confidence about the outcome by reducing stress on owner and dog.

Claims (4)

1. Claims I. A shipping container as a dog wash and a means for transporting said dog wash, comprising a moveable enclosure and internal dog wash layout.
2. 2. A shipping container according to claim I, in which external doghouse architecture and art are substantially comprised of wood or wood effect exterior panels, apex roof, and a flat black arch-shaped illusion of an opening at the front.
3. 3. A shipping container according to claim 2, in which internal layout is substantially comprised of low profile dog steps, prep station, wash station and dry station each having composite soft-impact surfaces, overhead lighting and safety components.
4. 4. A shipping container according to claim 3, with internal dog wash ambience.