GB2204236A

GB2204236A - Disposable bed pan

Info

Publication number: GB2204236A
Application number: GB08710505A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dawson Sellar
Original assignee: MILTON IND DEVELOPMENTS LIMITE
Current assignee: MILTON IND DEVELOPMENTS LIMITE
Priority date: 1987-05-02
Filing date: 1987-05-02
Publication date: 1988-11-09
Also published as: GB8710505D0

Abstract

A liner constituting a disposable bedpan which is pressed or moulded from a fibrous material such as pulp or paper comprises a dished centre portion defined by flat bottom (1) and outwardly inclined side and end walls (2, 3), and flanges (4, 6) extending laterally and outwardly from the upper ends of the walls (2, 3), at least one of the flanges being foldable inwardly to mask the centre portion. Flanges (4) may be provided with lines of weakness (5) for the latter purpose, and also with downturned edges (7) which may function as handles after folding of flanges (4). <IMAGE>

Description

LINERS This invention relates to liners constItuting disposable bedpans of the kind which are pressed or moulded from a fibrous material, such as cellulose pulp or paper, and which are intended to be disposed of in a hygienic manner after use by being disingretated or pulversed in a waste disposal unit.

Heretofore, after use of the bedpan the bedpan was usually covered in some manner to avoid spillage of the contents.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a disposable bedpan hicr, can be disposed of without having to cover the bedpan and contents first.

According to the present invent Ion, a disposable bedpan of the kind referred to comprises an elongate dished centre portion defined by a substantially flat bottom and generally outwardly inclined side and end walls, and flanges extending laterally and outwardly from the upper ends of the side walls and the end walls, at least one of the flanges being foldable inwardly to mask the centre portion.

Preferably, both the flanges on the side walls are foldable inwardly to mask the centre portion.

Preferably also, there is a line of weakness where each side flange joins its associated side wall, whereby to enable the flanges to be folded inwardly without becoming detached from the side walls.

One embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;- Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the disposable bedpan of the kind referred to with the centre portion unmasked.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the bedpan with the centre portion masked.

Referring to the drawings, the bedpan has an elongaged dished centre part defined by a substantially flat bottom 1 and generally outwardly inclined side walls 2 and end walls 3.

Extending laterally outwards from the upper ends of the side walls 2 are flanges 4, there being a line of weakness 5 where each side flange 4 joins its associated side wall 2.

Extending laterally outwards from the upper ends of the end walls 3 are flanges 6.

Each flange 4, 6 is formed at its free edge with a downturned web 7, 8 for engagement by the fingers of a hand.

In practice, the flanges 4, 6 serve as a support for a person using the bedpan, which is located on a support (not illustrated) from which the bedpan is removed after use. After use of the bedpan, the side flanges 4 are, as shown in Fig. 2, folded inwardly along the lines of weakness 5 to serve as flaps masking the centre part with the associated webs 7 abutting.

This abutting relationship cf the webs 7 assists in creating frictional restraint between the webs 7 to avoid the flaps disengaging and exposing the contents of the pan.

Also as shown in Fig. 2, the webs 7 may serve together as a lifting handle to enable the bedpan and contents to be lifted and removed for disposal and destruction substantially without spillage. Alternatively, the bedpan and contents may be lifted by inserting the fingers of two hands under the webs 8 at the ends of the pan.

It will be understood that the advantages of the invention are that the bedpan may be closed and the contents masked after use simply by folding the flanges 4 inwardly until the webs 7 abut, and then lifted either by using the webs 7 as a handle, or by gripping the webs 8 with the fingers.

Claims

1. A liner constituting a disposable bedpan of the kind referred to, comprising an elongated dished centre portion defined by a substantially flat bottom and generally outwardly inclined side and end walls, and flanges extending laterally and outwardly from the upper ends of the side walls and the end walls, at least one of the flanges being foldable inwardly to mask the centre portion.

2. A liner as claimed in Claim 1 in which both the flanges on the side walls are foldable inwardly to mask the centre port ion.

3. A liner as claimed in Claim 1 in which there is a line of weakness where each side flange joins its associated side wall, whereby to enable the flanges to be folded inwardly without becoming detached from the side walls.

4. A liner constituting a disposable bedpan of the kind referred to, substantially as herein described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.