Automated cleansing chamber

Claim 1

In a hand and forearm cleansing apparatus, a cylinder having an inner surface forming a cleaning chamber, said cylinder being rotatable about its axis and having an open end through which the hand and forearm of the user enters the cleansing chamber, nozzle means in the wall of said cylinder, said nozzle means presenting no significant protuberances on the inner surface of the cylinder, means for conveying cleansing fluid to said nozzle means, means for rotating said cylinder, said nozzle means further comprising a series of nozzles disposed in a helical array in the cylinder wall, the disposition of the helical array of nozzles and the direction of rotation of the cylinder is such that each longitudinal strip of forearm surface is subjected to a series of sprays of cleansing fluid from said nozzle means commencing near said open end of the cylinder and progressing toward the hand, said nozzle means further comprising a plurality of nozzles to direct water inwardly of the cylinder and away from said open end of the cylinder, the axis of said cylinder is at an angle to the horizontal with the open end elevated with respect to the opposite end and means of draining fluid from the region of the opposite end of the cylinder, the cylinder further comprising an outer liner and an inner liner, said liners having a space there between to permit cleansing fluid to pass therethrough to said nozzle means, the apparatus further comprising a stationary cleansing fluid conduit communicating with the space between said liners, and said cylinder is rotatably mounted on said conduit at the end thereof opposite said open end, the improvement comprising: said means for conveying cleansing fluid to said nozzle means further comprising a programmable controller which further comprises a programmable purge, wash, dwell, rinse and self clean cycle; said cycles further comprising a total duration of approximately ten seconds and a total fluid consumption of approximately 2000 ml.; said space there between further comprising a volume having a ratio of approximately 0.08 to the total fluid consumption; said stationary cleansing fluid conduit further comprising snap mounting means for quick disconnect; said snap mounting means further comprising a cylinder mount functioning to support said rotating cylinder; said means for rotating said cylinder further comprising a motor and a belt disposed about said open end of the cylinder; and said means for rotating further comprising external idler bearings.