Showering aid

Abstract

There is provided a wearable showering aid configured to spray a showering fluid on a user, the showering aid comprising: a garment configured to be worn by the user; a fluid inlet for receiving showering fluid; one or more fluid channels, wherein each fluid channel is connected to the fluid inlet, wherein each fluid channel is provided with at least one fluid outlet for spraying showering fluid on the user; and a control unit configured to control a flow of showering fluid to the one or more fluid channels.

Description

[0001] SH OWE RI NG AI D

[0002] TECH N ICAL FI ELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a showering aid, and in particular to a showering aid in the form of a wearable garment configured to spray showering fluid on a user when worn, and methods of controlling the same.

[0004] BACKG ROU N D

[0005] As the global population ages, the demand for effective caregiving solutions for elderly individuals is increasing. Among the many challenges caregivers face, assisting with personal hygiene, particularly during showering, stands out as a critical area of concern. Showering is not only a fundamental aspect of personal care but also a task that presents unique privacy and efficiency challenges for both the caregiver and the individual receiving care.

[0006] Maintaining the privacy and dignity of elderly individuals during showering is a significant concern. Traditional showering methods often require caregivers to be physically present in the shower area, which can inadvertently lead to breaches of privacy. For many individuals, especially those who are more conscious of their personal space, the presence of a caregiver in the shower area can be distressing or humiliating. This situation is further complicated when the caregiver is of a different gender than the individual being cared for, which can exacerbate feelings of discomfort and embarrassment.

[0007] Efficiency in caregiving during showering is another pressing issue. The process of assisting with showers is often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Caregivers must, for example, change their clothes before and after the showering so as to avoid getting their normal clothes wet.

[0008] Current solutions to these problems include various assistive devices and modifications, such as grab bars, shower chairs, and handheld showerheads. While these adaptations offer some improvements, they often do not fully address the combined issues of privacy and efficiency. For instance, while a shower chair can enhance safety and ease of use, it does not mitigate the challenge of maintaining privacy during the process. Similarly, while some devices aim to increase efficiency, they may not adequately address the discomfort or dignity concerns of the individuals being cared for.

[0009] There is a need for innovations that provide a more comprehensive approach to these challenges, offering both enhanced privacy and greater efficiency. Addressing these issues through novel solutions could significantly improve the quality of life for elderly individuals, as well as ease the burdens on caregivers, ultimately leading to a more dignified and effective caregiving experience.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention thus seek to provide enhanced showering aids and systems, methods and other implementations that improve the scope of caregiving and assistance with personal hygiene to address aspects of privacy and efficiency as well as providing new functionality and methods.

[0011] SU MMARY

[0012] The invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Additional features and advantages of the concepts disclosed herein are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the described technologies. The features and advantages of the concepts may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the described technologies will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed concepts as set forth herein.

[0013] In a first aspect, there is provided a wearable showering aid configured to spray a showering fluid on a user, the showering aid comprising: a garment configured to be worn by the user; a fluid inlet for receiving showering fluid; one or more fluid channels, wherein each fluid channel is connected to the fluid inlet, wherein each fluid channel is provided with at least one fluid outlet for spraying showering fluid on the user; and a control unit configured to control a flow of showering fluid to the one or more fluid channels.

[0014] The showering aid ensures the privacy of the user during the showering, which is particularly helpful for users who need assistance by, for example, a caregiver for personal hygiene matters. For instance, the showering aid may improve privacy aspects for disabled people, elderly people, children who lack the ability to take care of themselves, or other people who have difficulty in showering on their own.

[0015] Furthermore, the showering aid, improves the efficiency of the showering procedure for caregivers, reducing or removing the need to change clothing or the like before and after a showering of a caretaker. Additionally, the showering aid can automatically control the showering procedure, reducing the time spent by caregivers in showering caretakers. Hence, the overall efficiency of the healthcare and caregiving system can be increased.

[0016] Optionally, the control unit is configured to perform a shower program in which the first and second fluid channels are used individually during at least part of the wash program. The showering aid, and its showering program, may accordingly be configured to spend an appropriate amount of time in showering certain parts of the body, thus ensuring the efficiency and hygienic performance of the showering procedure.

[0017] Optionally, the fluid inlet is connectable to a tap or shower mixer for supply of the showering fluid. The showering aid may thus be connected to an existing water supply in any bathroom, allowing the aid to be installed in the home of the bather without any extensive modification to the bathroom.

[0018] Optionally, the showering aid comprises a dispenser unit arranged downstream of the fluid inlet and configured to dispense a cleaning agent into one or more of the fluid channels. The showering aid can thus automatically dispense soap, shampoo, shower gel, conditioner, or the like, during the showering procedure.

[0019] Optionally, the showering aid comprises a supplementary fluid outlet arranged upstream of the fluid channels, wherein the showering aid comprises a valve for selectively diverting showering fluid through the supplementary fluid outlet or to the fluid channels. The supplementary fluid outlet allows a user (e.g. the bather or a caregiver) to check the temperature of the showering fluid before the fluid is used in the showering aid and sprayed onto the bather. Optionally, wherein the valve in a default state is configured to divert the showering fluid through the supplementary fluid outlet. Thus, it is ensured that the bather is not accidentally sprayed with showering fluid at an inappropriate temperature, e.g. showering fluid that is too hot or cold.

[0020] Optionally, the fluid outlets are respectively formed by an orifice in a wall of the respective fluid channel. The orifices may have an asymmetrical shape, optionally a curved elongated shape. The fluid outlets may comprise a bending flap configured to bend under a pressure of the showering fluid when showering fluid is sprayed through the fluid outlet. The risk of blockage in the fluid outlets is thus reduced.

[0021] Optionally, at least one of the fluid channels is flexible and configurable between a default position and a curved position. The showering aid may comprise actuator means for moving said fluid channel between the default position and the curved position. For example, the actuator means may comprise fluid-controlled actuator means configured to be actuated by a fluid pressure. The curving fluid channel, which may be controlled by the actuator means, can, in the curved position, extend between the legs of the bather so as to shower the crotch of the bather. Hence, the hygienic performance of the showering aid is improved.

[0022] The actuator means may comprise hydraulic actuator means controlled by water supplied by the fluid supply. The water used in the hydraulic actuator means may therefore be drawn from the fluid inlet, and the flow of said water to the hydraulic actuator means may be controlled by the control unit.

[0023] Optionally, the garment is open at a lower portion. In other words, the garment may be unsealed at a lower end so as to leave the feet and / or part of the legs of the user uncovered. The showering fluid can accordingly drain freely from the garment to a drain of the shower (or the like) where it is installed. For example, the garment is a wrap-around garment or a pull-over garment. Hence, the garment can easily be put on by a bather (either on their own or with assistance from a caregiver) without the need for insertion of feet into the garment or similar troublesome clothing procedure which can be difficult for elderly or disabled people to undergo or perform.

[0024] Optionally, the control unit comprises a communication module for communication with one or more external devices, wherein the control unit is configured to transmit data relating to one or more shower parameters to the one or more external devices. The showering aid can accordingly share data relating to performed showering procedures with the external device(s). The system can thus keep track of how often and when a bather undergoes a showering procedure, e.g. to track that hygiene regulations (such as set by law or other agreement and followed by caregivers) are met.

[0025] In a second aspect, there is provided a showering aid system comprising: a showering aid according to the first aspect, and a hanging arrangement for hanging of the showering aid. The hanging arrangement allows the showering aid to hang to dry while still connected to the water tap or shower mixer.

[0026] In a third aspect, there is provided a method of operating a showering aid according to the first aspect, wherein the method comprises: connecting the fluid inlet to a fluid supply; putting on the garment by a user; and controlling a flow of showering fluid from the fluid inlet to fluid outlets of the one or more fluid channels.

[0027] BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF TH E DRAWI NGS

[0028] In order to best describe the manner in which the above-described embodiments are implemented, as well as define other advantages and features of the disclosure, a more particular description is provided below and is illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, the examples will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a showering aid according to embodiments;

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of an exemplary fluid outlet of a showering aid according to embodiments;

[0031] Fig. 3a shows a schematic view a curving fluid channel in a default position according to embodiments;

[0032] Fig. 3b shows a schematic view of a curved fluid channel in a curved position according to embodiments;

[0033] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a method of operating a showering aid according to embodiments; Fig. 5 shows a graph of an exemplary shower program according to embodiments.

[0034] Further, in the figures like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures. The first digit in the reference character denotes the first figure in which the corresponding element or part appears.

[0035] DETAI LE D DESCRI PTION

[0036] Various embodiments of the disclosed methods and arrangements are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components, configurations, and steps may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

[0037] Hereinafter, certain embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the inventive concept. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosed herein. It is to be understood that elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed or omitted, certain features may be utilized independently, and embodiments or features of embodiments may be combined, all as would be apparent to the skilled person in the art.

[0038] The embodiments herein are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept, and that the claims be construed as encompassing all modifications, equivalents and alternatives of the present inventive concept which are apparent to those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. If nothing else is stated, different embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0039] Although reference may be made to directions (e.g. left, right, up, down, upper, lower) as shown in the figures, it will be appreciated that these references are purely for illustrative purposes, and that embodiments are not limited to such directions.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a showering aid 100 in the form of a wearable garment 101 which is configured to be used to assist a user (hereinafter referred to as a bather) in showering. The garment 101 is intended to be worn by the bather when they take a shower and is configured to spray the bather with showering fluid (e.g. water with or without a cleaning agent or the like).

[0041] The showering aid 100 is particularly helpful when the bather needs assistance by, for example, a caregiver for personal hygiene matters, i.e. when the caregiver performs the showering of the bather. For instance, the showering aid 100 may be used for disabled people, elderly people, children who lack the ability to take care of themselves, or other people who have difficulty in showering on their own. In such a scenario, the bather simply puts on the wearable garment 101 and the showering aid 100 is turned on. The showering aid 100 is then configured to, in an at least partially automatic manner, shower the bather. Thus, the showering aid 100 assists the caregiver in performing the actual showering of the bather. Hence, the showering aid 100 reduces the active time spent by caregivers in showering people (e.g. elderly) allowing the caregivers to focus their time on other tasks as well as removing the need for caregivers to change into clothes appropriate for performing the showering. Thus, the overall efficiency of the healthcare and caregiving system can be increased.

[0042] The wearable garment 101 is configured to cover at least part of the bather’s body when worn, and in particular private parts of the bather's body. Thus, in addition to assisting the caregiver in performing the actual showering, the wearable garment 101 also acts as a means of covering the bather so as to give the bather privacy. In some embodiments the garment 101 is configured to cover substantially the entire body of the bather, while in some embodiments the garment 101 is only configured to cover selected areas of the body (e.g. one or more areas of the body where showering is particularly necessary such as the armpits, the crotch, the front and / or the back). In particular, the garment 101 may be configured to cover only a lower part of the body, only an upper part of the body, or both an upper and a lower part of the body.

[0043] The garment 101 may be provided in the form of any suitable piece of clothing covering a portion of the bather’s body that is intended to be showered, including but not limited to a robe, a poncho, a cape, a hoodie, a suit (e.g. a bathing suit), a skirt, a kilt, a jacket, a shirt, a top, pants, trousers, or the like. The garment 101 may be a wrap-around garment or a pull-over garment. The garment 101 may comprise a hood for covering the head of the bather. The garment 101 may comprise a zipper 102 or other means for joining two ends or sides of the garment 101 , e.g. to join two sides of a robe or the like.

[0044] In particular, the garment 101 may be open at a lower portion and / or at any sleeves allowing showering fluid sprayed by the showering aid 100 to drain freely from the garment 101 into a shower drain or the like.

[0045] The garment 101 may be made from a material or fabric that is water impermeable and / or water resistant. Thus, the garment material will not get damp when used in the showering procedure.

[0046] Alternatively, the garment 101 may be made from a material or fabric that dries relatively quickly. Hence, the garment 101 has a greater chance of drying completely between subsequent showering procedures to ensure that the bather does not need to put on a damp or wet garment 101 which would likely be uncomfortable for the bather. For example, the garment 101 may be made from a material or fabric comprising nylon, polyester and / or rubber (e.g. a synthetic rubber such as polychloroprene). The fabric or material may additionally or alternatively be a mesh material.

[0047] The garment 101 may be provided with one or more body-interaction portions 103 for allowing a user (e.g. the bather) to interact with and / or make contact with a portion of their body underneath the garment 101 while wearing the garment 101. The body-interaction portions 103 are accordingly configured to allow a user to interact with the body to ensure that the showering is satisfactorily performed and that all crevices, folds and the like in the skin of the body are washed.

[0048] The body-interaction portions 103 may be provided in the form of pockets or pocket-like structures. For example, an inner end of the pocket may be open to allow the user to reach through the opening to directly come into contact with the body, or the inside of the pocket may be lined with a thin and / or elastic material (i.e. a material with smaller thickness and / or higher elasticity than the rest of the garment 101) through which the user can interact with the body and move skin folds, crevices or the like. As an alternative to pockets, the body-interaction portions 103 may also be provided as window-like structures with thin and / or elastic material. Hence, a user may interact with the body while wearing the garment 101 and at the same time ensuring that the body is visually covered from the outside so as to provide privacy for the bather.

[0049] The garment 101 is provided with or lined with one or more fluid channels 104. In other words, one or more fluid channels 104 may be provided in or on the garment 101 , e.g. on a surface of the garment 101 facing the body of the bather when the garment 101 is worn by the bather (said surface may herein be referred to as a body facing surface 105).

[0050] Each fluid channel 104 may be formed by a hose or a pipe. The fluid channel 104 may be made from a plastic or rubber material. Preferably, the fluid channels 104 are flat hoses, e.g. made from a flexible material allowing them to expand (into nonflat cross-section) when under pressure from a fluid flowing therethrough.

[0051] The one or more fluid channels 104 may be connected in one end to a fluid inlet 106 where showering fluid is supplied to the showering aid (e.g. by receiving the showering fluid from a fluid supply 107 such as a tank, a water tap or the like) and each fluid channel 104 may be provided with at least one fluid outlet 108 for spraying the bather with the showering fluid. In particular, there may be provided a plurality of fluid outlets 108 along a length or part of length of each fluid channel 104. Hence, the fluid channel(s) 104 convey the fluid from the fluid inlet 106 to the fluid outlet(s) 108. A control unit 109 may be configured to control the flow of showering fluid to the fluid channels 104.

[0052] The fluid outlets 108 are arranged so as to face the bather’s body when the bather wears the garment 101. For instance, the fluid outlets may be provided on a body-facing surface 105 of the fluid channels 104 and / or garment 101. The fluid outlets (108) may be provided in positions corresponding to positions of the body where the bather has a particular need for showering, such as body parts that may be subject to sweating or the like. For instance, fluid outlets may be provided to cover the front, the back, the crotch, the armpits, or the like of the bather.

[0053] The fluid outlets 108 may be any suitable outlet or nozzle capable of spraying the (pressurised) showering fluid on the bather’s body. For example, at least some of the fluid outlets 108 may be formed by orifices or openings in the wall of the fluid channel 104 allowing showering fluid to be sprayed therethrough. Alternatively, or additionally, at least some of the fluid outlets 108 may be formed by nozzles or other mechanical ejection or spraying means. An exemplary embodiment of a fluid outlet 108 according to embodiments will be described in relation to Fig. 3.

[0054] In some embodiments, the showering aid 100 comprises a plurality of fluid channels 104, such as two fluid channels 104, three fluid channels 104, four fluid channels 104, or five or more fluid channels 104. Each fluid channel 104 may then be connected to the fluid inlet 106 via the control unit 109 which may be configured to control the flow of showering fluid to the different fluid channels 104.

[0055] Each of the plurality of fluid channels 104 may be configured to cover or shower a predetermined area of the bather’s body. For example, a first fluid channel 104, and its associated fluid outlet(s) 108, may be configured to shower a first part of the bather’s body, while a second fluid channel 104, and its associated fluid outlet(s) 108, may be configured to shower a second part of the bather’s body. For instance, the first fluid channel 104 may be configured to cover a front part of the bather’s body while the second fluid channel 104 may be configured to cover a back part of the bather's body.

[0056] The control unit 109 is, as already mentioned, configured to (automatically) control the flow of showering fluid in the fluid channel(s) 104. In particular, the control unit 109 may be configured to control the flow to the fluid channels 104 individually, for instance by restricting a flow to one or more fluid channels 104 while allowing a flow to one or more other fluid channels 104. Hence, the control unit 109 may be located upstream of the fluid channels 104 (e.g. between the fluid channels 104 and the fluid inlet 106) and comprise at least one valve 110, and preferably one valve 110 arranged in each fluid channel 104, allowing said control of fluid flow to the different fluid channels 104.

[0057] The control unit 109 may be configured to initiate and / or perform one or more pre-programmed shower programs with specific timings for fluid flow through the the various fluid channels 104 throughout a showering period. An example of such a shower program will be described in relation to Fig. 4. Hence, a user (e.g. the bather or the caregiver) may simply turn on the showering aid 100, after which the control unit 109 is configured to perform the shower program. The showering aid 100 may further comprise one or more sensors 111 for measuring a fluid parameter of the showering fluid. For example, the showering aid 100 may comprise a temperature sensor for measuring the fluid temperature, a pressure sensor for measuring the fluid pressure, a flow sensor for measuring the fluid flow rate, or any combination thereof.

[0058] The measurements from the sensor(s) 111 may be received by the control unit 109 allowing the control unit 109 to determine if the sensor readings are irregular or deviating from an expected value. The control unit 109 may then be configured to perform one or more actions in response to the irregular or deviating sensor readings.

[0059] For example, if a temperature measurement indicates that the fluid temperature is high (e.g. if the temperature is too high to be considered comfortable for the bather, such as if there is a risk of burns), the control unit 109 may be configured to (automatically) turn off the fluid flow to the fluid channels 104. As another example, if the fluid pressure and / or fluid flow rate changes (e.g. if the pressure increases and / or the fluid flow rate drops), the control unit 109 may be configured to notify a user that a fluid channel 104 may be blocked.

[0060] The control unit 109 may further comprise a communication module 112 for communication with one or more external devices 113. For example, the control unit 109 may be configured to communicate with an externally located controller, a central server, a cloud-computing system, a user or caregiver device (such as an app installed on a smartphone, tablet, or computer), or the like. The showering aid 100 may thus transmit data relating to the showering to the external device(s) 113. The data may include one or more shower parameters, including but not limited to a time and day of when the showering occurred, if the showering was successful or completed, which shower program was used, the length of the showering, which body parts that were covered by the showering, water temperature, water pressure, or the like, allowing the caregiver or its employer to log the different shower parameters to ensure that healthcare regulations are met.

[0061] Additionally, or alternatively, the control unit 109 may be configured to receive one or more control instructions from the external device(s) 113 relating to the control of the showering aid (e.g. for control or selection of a shower program, control of one or more shower parameters, and / or control of fluid flow to the different fluid channels 104 or the like). For example, the caregiver may on an external device 113 (such as a smartphone) select a shower program, which instruction is then sent to the control unit 109 after which the selected shower program is initiated. As another example, part of or the entire showering process may be remotely controlled by the external device 113 which can transmit control instructions to the control unit 109. The communication may be performed by wired or wireless communication means, including but not limited to a variety of custom or standard wireless protocols (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G / 4G / 5G wireless, or the like).

[0062] The showering aid 100 may further comprise a dispenser unit 114 for dispensing a cleaning agent into the showering fluid and / or one or more of the fluid channels 104. The cleaning agent may comprise soap, shampoo, shower gel, conditioner, or the like. The dispenser unit 114 may be controlled by the control unit 109. In other words, the control unit 109 may control when the cleaning agent is dispensed, into which fluid channel(s) 104 the cleaning agent is dispensed, and / or how much cleaning agent is dispensed. The dispenser unit 114 may introduce the cleaning agent into (at least some of) the fluid channels 104 directly, and / or upstream of the fluid channels 104 as shown in Fig. 1. The cleaning agent may accordingly be mixed with the water (or other showering fluid) flowing into and / or through the fluid channels 104.

[0063] Upstream of the fluid channels 104, and in particular upstream of the valves 110 of the control unit 109, there may be provided a supplementary fluid outlet 115 allowing a user to manually test the fluid temperature before a showering program is initiated. The supplementary fluid outlet 115 may comprise a tap, a shower head, or the like through which the showering fluid may be ejected, thus allowing a user (e.g. the bather or caregiver) to manually confirm if the temperature of the fluid is appropriate before the fluid is supplied to the fluid channels 104 and sprayed on the bather’s body.

[0064] Here, it may be noted that the temperature of the showering fluid is not typically controlled by the control unit 109, but rather by the fluid supply 107 to which the showering aid 100 is connected. For example, the fluid inlet 106 of the showering aid 100 may be connected to a shower mixer (e.g. by removing the shower head and connecting the fluid inlet 106 in its position), in which case the temperature is (manually) controlled at the shower mixer.

[0065] The supplementary fluid outlet 115 may comprise a manually adjusted valve 116 which, in its default position, is configured to direct the fluid through the supplementary fluid outlet 115 and to block fluid flow towards the control unit 109 and / or the fluid channels 104. Thus, when the fluid supply 107 is turned on, the fluid will by default flow through the supplementary fluid outlet 115 preventing fluid at an inappropriate temperature from being sprayed on the bather’s body through the fluid outlets 108 provided along the fluid channels 104. When the user has confirmed that the fluid temperature is appropriate, the user can adjust the manually adjusted valve 116 to a second position where fluid flow is allowed towards the control unit 109 and / or the fluid channels 104 (and blocking a flow through the supplementary fluid outlet 115 as such a flow would reduce the available water pressure). Importantly, the valve 116 may return to its default position once the showering is completed (i.e. when the shower program has finished and / or when the fluid supply 107 at the fluid inlet 106 is turned off). The valve 116 may thus be structurally similar to valves typically provided in bathtubs with an additional shower head for choosing between the tap of the bathtub and the shower head.

[0066] The showering aid 100 may be provided as part of a system comprising a hanging arrangement (e.g. comprising a hanger, a towel rack or the like) on which the wearable garment 101 may hang between showering procedures to allow the garment 101 to dry.

[0067] Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a fluid channel 104 provided with exemplary fluid outlets 108 according to embodiments. The fluid outlets 108 are formed by orifices (i.e. holes, apertures) in the wall of the fluid channel 104. The shape, spacing, orientation, and size of the fluid outlets 108 may be determined in dependence on the desired spraying pressure and velocity, the supply fluid pressure, the number of fluid outlets 108 and the like, as will be well within the capabilities of the skilled person.

[0068] The orifices may be at least partially asymmetrical or not fully rotationally symmetrical (such as an elongated shape, oval shape, irregular shape or the like). For instance, the orifice shape may be a thin arc or an elongated curved shape. Accordingly, the spraying direction can be determined by the orientation of the orifices. Thus, by varying the orientation of adjacent orifices, a range of spraying directions may be achieved, and a relatively large body area may therefore be covered.

[0069] The fluid outlets 108, and in particular a wall section (of the fluid channel 104) surrounding each orifice, may comprise one or more bending flaps 201 or tabs. The bending flaps 201 may be sufficiently flexible so as to bend outwards (i.e. at an angle relative to the plane of the surrounding fluid channel) when a fluid at some pressure is introduced into the fluid channel 104. In other words, when showering fluid is sprayed through the orifice, the pressurised fluid will cause the bending flaps 201 to bend in the fluid flow direction. Hence, an orifice area (or size) may be dynamically increased when showering fluid is sprayed through the orifice. This dynamic increase in area reduces the risk of blockage in the fluid outlets 108 as any dirt or the like getting stuck so as to block the opening may be released when the size of the orifice increases under pressure.

[0070] Figs. 3a to 3d show a curving fluid channel 300 according to embodiments. At least one of the fluid channels 104 of the showering aid 100 may be such a curving fluid channel 300. In particular, a fluid channel 104 covering a back portion (and in particular a lower back portion) of the bather’s body may be a curving fluid channel 300 as can be seen in Figs. 3c and 3d. It is noted that Figs. 3c to 3d only shows the curving fluid channel 300 and not any of the other components of the showering aid The curving fluid channel 300, or at least a lower portion of the curving fluid channel 300, is configured to shower a crotch area of the bather’s body. For instance, an upper portion of the curving fluid channel 300 may cover a back of the bather's body while a lower portion of the curving fluid channel 300 covers a crotch area.

[0071] As can be seen in the transition between Figs. 3a and 3b as well as between 3c and 3d, the curving fluid channel 300 is flexible and configurable between a default position (e.g. where the fluid channel 104 is substantially straight) as shown in Fig. 3a and a curved position where the fluid channel 104 is curved or bent as shown in Fig. 3b. In particular, the fluid channel 104 in the curved position is configured to be curved so as to extend between the legs of the bather underneath the crotch as shown in Fig. 3d. Thus, fluid outlets 108 provided in the curved portion of the fluid channel 104 can spray the crotch area of the bather from underneath.

[0072] The curving fluid channel 300 may comprise actuator means 301 for moving the curving fluid channel 300 between the default position and the curved position. In other words, the actuator means 301 may control the curvature of the curving fluid channel 300.

[0073] The actuator means 301 may be a manual actuator means allowing a user to manually actuate the curving fluid channel 300 from the default position to the curved position while wearing the garment 101. The manual actuator means may, for example, comprise a string or the like attached to a lower end of the curving fluid channel 300. The user (e.g. the bather) may thus pull the string upwards to curve the fluid channel 104 between the bather’s legs.

[0074] Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator means 301 may comprise controlled actuator means such as fluid-controlled actuator means. For instance, the fluid-con- trolled actuator means may be hydraulic actuator means and / or pneumatic actuator means. Here, fluid-controlled actuator means refers to actuator means using a fluid pressure to actuate the curving fluid channel 300. In particular, the fluid may be a liquid such as water in case of hydraulic actuator means and / or a gas such as air in case of pneumatic actuator means.

[0075] The fluid-controlled actuator means may comprise an actuator volume 302 attached to a side of the fluid channel 104 (e.g. a side opposite the fluid outlets 108). The actuator volume 302 is configured to be actuated by filling the actuator volume 302 with fluid. Accordingly, the actuator volume 302 is connected to a fluid supply (e.g. the same fluid supply 107 as is used to supply showering fluid to the showering aid 100), wherein said supply of fluid may be controlled by the control unit 109.

[0076] The actuator volume 302 may be enclosed by a smooth wall 303, which is the wall attached to the fluid channel 104, and an opposite expandable wall 304. The expandable wall 304 may be formed by a wrinkled or folded wall surface of flexible material, such that, when the actuator volume 302 is filled with fluid the wrinkles or folds in the expandable wall 304 are smoothed out thus causing the expandable wall 304 to expand (i.e. causing a length of the expandable wall 304 to increase). In the expanded state, the difference in length between the smooth wall 303 and the expandable wall 304 will cause the actuator volume 302 to curve or bend. Similarly, the expandable wall 304 may be a smooth wall made from a material with higher elasticity. Thus, when the actuator volume 302 is pressurized, the elasticity will cause the length of the expandable wall 304 to increase so as to curve the fluid channel 104.

[0077] Hence, the fluid channel 104 (which is attached to the actuator volume 302) can be actuated to curve by pressurizing the actuator volume 302.

[0078] It will, however, be appreciated that the actuator means 301 described herein are exemplary, and other actuator means 301 lie within the scope of embodiments.

[0079] Fig. 4 shows a method of showering using the showering aid 100 according to embodiments. The showering aid 100 is a showering aid as previously described.

[0080] In step 401 , the fluid inlet 106 of the showering aid 100 is connected to a fluid supply 107. For example, the fluid inlet 106 may be connected to a tap in a bathroom or shower, e.g. by removing the shower head and connecting the fluid inlet 106 directly to the shower mixer.

[0081] In step 403, a bather puts on the wearable garment 101 of the showering aid 100. This may involve closing one or more zippers 102 or other joining means of the wearable garment 101.

[0082] In step 405, the fluid temperature is checked using the supplementary fluid outlet 115. It will be understood that this step may be omitted, for example if the fluid temperature was checked before the showering aid 100 was connected to the fluid supply 107, or if the temperature setting has not been changed since a previous showering procedure.

[0083] In step 407, a shower program is started. In particular, a user (e.g. the bather or caregiver) may turn on the showering aid 100 and instruct the control unit 109 to initiate the shower program.

[0084] In step 409, a showering fluid flows through at least one fluid channel 104 to one or more of the associated fluid outlets 108 where the showering fluid is sprayed onto the bather’s body. The showering fluid may accordingly be sprayed on a first portion of the bather’s body.

[0085] In step 411 , a showering fluid flows through at least one other fluid channel 104 to one or more associated fluid outlets 108 where the showering fluid is sprayed onto the bather’s body. The showering fluid may accordingly be sprayed on a second portion of the bather’s body.

[0086] Either or both of steps 409 and 411 may comprise a step of introducing cleaning agent, by the dispenser unit 104, into the showering fluid. It will be appreciated that the dispensing of cleaning agent may be performed before and / or simultaneously with the supply of showering fluid in either or both of steps 409 and 411. It will also be appreciated that one or more of steps 409 and 411 may be repeated throughout the shower program, and that the order of these steps may be changed. For example, one or more of steps 409 and 411 may first be performed without any dispensing of cleaning agent (i.e. a rinsing step), followed by one or more of steps 409 and 411 being performed with dispensing of cleaning agent, optionally followed by one or more of steps 409 and 411 again being performed without any dispensing of cleaning agent (i.e. another rinsing step).

[0087] It will further be appreciated that embodiments include showering aids 100 with only one fluid channel 104 and / or showering aids 100 where all fluid channels 104 are used simultaneously (at least during part of the shower program), in which cases one of steps 409 and 411 may be omitted.

[0088] Fig. 5 shows a diagram of an exemplary shower program for a showering aid 100 according to embodiments. The showering aid 100 is a showering aid 100 as previously described with two fluid channels 104, denoted FCi and FC2. There is also provided a dispenser unit 114 denoted DU and a fluid-controlled actuator means 301 denoted ACT.

[0089] The horizontal axis denotes time elapsed from start of the shower program (at t0) to the end of the shower program (at IEND). The vertical axes respectively denote pressures in the fluid channels 104 (higher pressure indicating fluid flow to the respective fluid channel 104), the cleaning agent from the dispenser unit 114 (higher pressure indicating dispensing of cleaning agent), and in the fluid-controlled actuator means 301 (higher pressure indicating that the actuator means 301 are actuated).

[0090] The shower program may comprise a first time period (denoted Ti) where showering fluid (without cleaning agent) is sprayed by the fluid outlets 108 of the fluid channel FCi so as to rinse a first part of the body. The shower program may thereafter comprise a second time period (denoted T2) where showering fluid (without cleaning agent) is sprayed by the fluid outlets 108 of the fluid channel FC2so as to rinse a second part of the body.

[0091] Here it is noted that the second time period (denoted T2) may be of the same length, shorter, or longer than the first time period (denoted Ti), which may be determined in dependence on, for example, which body part(s) are showered by the respective fluid channels FCi and FC2. The same reasoning applies to the later time periods T3, T4and T5.

[0092] Thereafter, the showering program may comprise a third time period (denoted T3) at the start of which cleaning agent is introduced into the showering fluid which is sprayed by the fluid outlets 108 of the fluid channel FCi, followed by a fourth time period (denoted T4) where cleaning agent is introduced into the showering fluid which is sprayed by the fluid outlets 108 of the fluid channel FC2. The showering program may then complete by another rinsing period (denoted T5) using both the fluid channels FCi and FC2simultaneously with showering fluid without cleaning agent.

[0093] The fluid-controlled actuator means 301 may be configured to actuate the curving fluid channel 300 throughout the entire shower program (as shown in Fig. 5) or only during at least some of those time periods where showering fluid is supplied to the curving fluid channel 300 for showering. Here it is noted that the curving fluid channel 300 may be any or both of the fluid channels FCi and FC2.

[0094] It will be appreciated that the showering program of Fig. 5 (with two fluid channels 104 and five time periods) is purely exemplary provided for illustrative purposes only, and that the showering aid 100 may be programmed with various shower programs suitable for showering bathers in an effective manner.

[0095] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. For example, the principles herein may be applied to any showering aid, and not only those used by caregivers or the like. For example, the showering aid 100 may be used by anyone who desires assistance with showering, irrespective of age, sex, disabilities, or the like. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the present invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0096] It will also be appreciated that the showering aid of embodiments may comprise or be combined with other functionality such as massage elements, drying equipment (such as hair drying equipment), or the like, which is commonly performed before or after a showering procedure.

[0097] Throughout this specification, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than in the mandatory sense (i.e. meaning must).

[0098] Throughout this specification, the words “comprise”, “include”, and variations of the words, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, “including”, “includes”, do not exclude other elements or steps.

[0099] As used throughout this specification, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the”, include plural referents unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an” element includes a combination of two or more elements, notwithstanding use of other terms and phrases for one or more elements, such as “one or more” or “at least one”.

[0100] The term “or” is, unless indicated otherwise, non-exclusive, i.e. encompassing both “and” and “or”. For example, the feature “A or B” includes feature “A”, feature “B” and feature “A and B”.

[0101] Unless otherwise indicated, statements that one value or action is “based on”, “in response to” and / or “in dependence on” another condition or value or action, encompass both instances in which the condition or value or action is the sole factor and instances where the condition or value or action is one factor among a plurality of factors.

[0102] Unless otherwise indicated, statements that “each” instance of some collection have some property should not be read to exclude cases where some otherwise identical or similar members of a larger collection do not have the property, i.e. each does not necessarily mean each and every.

Claims

CLAI MS1. A wearable showering aid configured to spray a showering fluid on a user, the showering aid comprising: a garment configured to be worn by the user; a fluid inlet for receiving showering fluid; one or more fluid channels, wherein each fluid channel is connected to the fluid inlet, wherein each fluid channel is provided with at least one fluid outlet for spraying showering fluid on the user; and a control unit configured to control a flow of showering fluid to the one or more fluid channels.

2. The showering aid according to claim 1, wherein the one or more fluid channels comprises at least a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel, wherein the control unit is configured to individually control a flow of showering fluid to the first and second fluid channels.

3. The showering aid according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to perform a shower program in which the first and second fluid channels are used individually during at least part of the wash program.

4. The showering aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid inlet is connectable to a tap or shower mixer for supply of the showering fluid.

5. The showering aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the showering aid comprises a dispenser unit arranged downstream of the fluid inlet and configured to dispense a cleaning agent into one or more of the fluid channels.

6. The showering aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the showering aid comprises a supplementary fluid outlet arranged upstream of the fluid channels, wherein the showering aid comprises a valve for selectively diverting showering fluid through the supplementary fluid outlet or to the fluid channels.

7. The showering aid according to claim 6, wherein the valve in a default state is configured to divert the showering fluid through the supplementary fluid outlet.

8. The showering aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid outlets are respectively formed by an orifice in a wall of the respective fluid channel.

9. The showering aid according to claim 8, wherein the orifices have an asymmetrical shape, optionally a curved elongated shape.

10. The showering aid according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the fluid outlets respectively comprise a bending flap configured to bend under a pressure of the showering fluid when showering fluid is sprayed through the fluid outlet.11 . The showering ais according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the fluid channels is flexible and configurable between a default position and a curved position.

12. The showering aid according to claim 11 , wherein the showering aid comprises actuator means for moving the at least one fluid channel from the default position and the curved position.

13. The showering aid according to claim 12, wherein the actuator means comprises fluid-controlled actuator means configured to be actuated by a fluid pressure.

14. The showering aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the garment is open at a lower portion such that the showering fluid can drain freely from the garment, wherein optionally the garment is a wrap-around garment or a pull-over garment.

15. The showering aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit comprises a communication module for communication with an external device, wherein the control unit is configured to transmit data relating to one or more shower parameters to the external device.

16. A showering aid system comprising a showering aid according to any preceding claim, and a hanging arrangement for hanging of the showering aid.

17. A method of operating a showering aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the method comprises: connecting the fluid inlet to a fluid supply; putting on the garment by a user; and controlling a flow of showering fluid from the fluid inlet to fluid outlets of the one or more fluid channels.

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