US20090211048A1

US20090211048A1 - Disposable sanitation device

Info

Publication number: US20090211048A1
Application number: US12/035,105
Authority: US
Inventors: Anna Vilcone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-21
Filing date: 2008-02-21
Publication date: 2009-08-27

Abstract

A disposable sanitation device for cleaning an anal region is disclosed. The device includes a double ended band and a quantity of wiping paper wrapped around a section of the band. The band is held at each end and moved across the anal region, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region. The device can also include a bag of sufficient size to contain the sanitation device when the device is not in use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sanitation devices. More specifically, this invention relates to a disposable double-ended sanitation device having a quantity of wiping paper wrapped around a section of the device, which allows a physically impaired person to clean their anal region with comfort and convenience.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After defecating and/or urinating, people typically use toilet paper to cleanse their rectal and/or genital regions. The traditional method of using toilet paper requires the individual to hold the toilet paper in his or her hand while attempting to clean the anal areas. However, cleansing these areas can be very difficult for arthritic or handicapped people, including the physically impaired, that have restricted ranges of body movement. Also, obesity and the problems associated with this condition can sometimes make traditional after-toileting sanitation methods impossible.
When it is not possible to properly cleanse one self after defecating or urinating, personal hygiene suffers. Sometimes a second person, such as a family member or a hired caregiver, is required to do the cleaning. Either situation is unpleasant for the parties involved, and is humiliating for the person who requires assisted cleaning.
What is needed is a sanitation device to solve the problems involved which allows a physically challenged person to clean their anal region with comfort and convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a disposable sanitation device for cleaning an anal region. The device includes a double ended band and a quantity of wiping paper wrapped around a section of the band. The band is held at each end and moved or pulled in a back and forth motion across the anal region, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region.
The wiping paper can be one of: toilet paper, tissue paper, a dry wipe, a moist wipe, a moist towelette and variations thereof. A material for the double ended band can be selected from the group consisting of wax paper, plastic, paper and foil. The wiping paper can be permanently attached to the band. Alternatively, the wiping paper can be removable attached to the band.
In one embodiment, the present invention can include a bag of sufficient size to contain the sanitation device when the bag is not in use. The bag can be a container, a pouch, an envelope, sachet and packette. The bag can be sealable. The bag can also be disposable.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of cleaning an anal region using a disposable sanitation device is disclosed. The method comprises providing a double ended band; wrapping a quantity of wiping paper around a section of the band; and moving the band across the anal region while the holding the band at each end, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top view of a disposable sanitation device for cleaning an anal region, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a disposable sanitation device for cleaning an anal region, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a front view of a disposable sanitation device for cleaning an anal region, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disposable sanitation device for cleaning an anal region, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method of cleaning an anal region using a disposable sanitation device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention deployed for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a disposable sanitation device and method of cleaning an anal region. FIG. 1A shows a top view of a disposable sanitation device 100 for cleaning an anal region, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 includes a double ended band 120 and a quantity of wiping paper 150 wrapped around a section of the band 120, wherein the band 120 is held at each end (of the band) and pulled in a back and forth motion across the anal region, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region.
In describing the invention, it is to be understood that the term “anal” region refers to the rectal and/or genital regions of the body, human or animal, where fecal matter is excreted from the body. The term “fecal” matter refers to human or animal excreta, such as urination and/or defecation, composed of liquid, solid and/or semi-solid waste material. As such, the device 100 of the present invention can be used after urination and/or defecation, and may be useful for women during menstruation.
In accordance with the present invention, the wiping paper 150 is one of toilet paper, tissue paper, dry wipe, moist wipe, moist towelette and variations thereof. It should be understood that the wiping paper 150 can be any material or paper, and can include one or more varieties of color, decorations, and textures. The wiping paper 150 can vary in technical factors such as size, weight, roughness, softness, chemical residue, “finger breakthrough” resistance, and water-absorption. The wiping paper 150 can include one or more plies and can be quilted or rippled, perfumed, colored or patterned depending on individual preferences. Further, the wiping paper 150 can be either permanently or removably attached to the double ended band.
In accordance with the present invention, a material for the double ended band 120 can be wax paper, plastic, paper, cloth, foil, or any material with sufficient resistance to be gripped or held and pulled in a back and forth motion across the anal region. The double ended band 120 can be also vary in technical factors such as size, roughness, water-absorption, chemical residue, resistance, so long as the wiping paper 150 can be wrapped around the band 120 and held (and pulled) in a back and forth motion across the anal region. As used herein, the expression “wrapped around” means that the wiping paper 150 at least partially surrounds or extends around the surface area of the band 120 to enable a user to remove fecal matter from the anal region.
In accordance with the present invention, the device 100 can include a bag (not shown) of sufficient size to contain the sanitation device when the device is not in use. The bag can be one of a case, container, pouch, envelope, sachet and packette. The bag can be disposable and include an optional seal. The bag can also include a zipper handle in either an open or closed position.
FIG. 1B shows a side view of a disposable sanitation device 100 for cleaning an anal region, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 includes a double ended band 120 and a quantity of wiping paper 150 wrapped around a section of the band 120, wherein the band 120 is held at each end (of the band) and pulled in a back and forth motion across the anal region, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region.
FIG. 1C shows a front view of a disposable sanitation device 100 for cleaning an anal region, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 includes a double ended band 120 and a quantity of wiping paper 150 wrapped around a section of the band 120, wherein the band 120 is held at each end (of the band) and pulled in a back and forth motion across the anal region, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a disposable sanitation device for cleaning an anal region, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The device 200 includes a double ended band 220 and a quantity of wiping paper 250 wrapped around a section of the band 220, wherein the band 220 is held at each end (of the band) and pulled in a back and forth motion across the anal region, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region. The FIG. 2 shows the wiping paper 250 both before and after being wrapped around the band 220.
FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method 300 of cleaning an anal region using a disposable sanitation device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In 310, a double end band is provided. In 320, a quantity of wiping paper is wrapped around a section of the band. In 330, the band is pulled in a back and forth motion across the anal region while holding the band at each end. The method can also include providing a bag of sufficient size to contain the sanitation device when the device is not in use. The method can also include permanently attaching the wiping paper to the band. Alternatively, the method can include removably attaching the wiping paper to the band.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention deployed for use. A user is gripping a double ended band or strap 420 by a toilet and moving the strap 420 across an anal region, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region. The strap 420 includes a quantity of wiping or toilet paper 450 around a section of the strap 420.
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modification may be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A disposable sanitation device for cleaning an anal region comprising:

a. a double ended band; and

b. a quantity of wiping paper wrapped around a section of the band; wherein the band is held at each end and moved across the anal region, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the wiping piper is one of toilet paper, tissue paper, dry wipe, moist wipe, moist towelette and variations thereof.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein a material for the double ended band is selected from the group consisting of wax paper, plastic, paper, cloth, and foil.

4. The device of claim 1 further including a bag of sufficient size to contain the sanitation device when the device is not in use.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the bag is one of a case, container, pouch, envelope, sachet and packette.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the bag is sealable.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein the bag is disposable.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the wiping paper is permanently attached to the band.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the wiping paper is removably attached to the band.

10. A method of cleaning an anal region using a disposable sanitation device comprising:

a. providing a double ended band;

b. wrapping a quantity of wiping paper around a section of the band; and

c. moving the band across the anal region while holding the band at each end, thereby removing any fecal matter from the anal region.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the wiping paper is one of toilet paper, tissue paper, dry wipe, moist wipe, moist towelette and variations thereof.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein a material for the double ended band is selected from the group consisting of wax paper, plastic, paper, cloth and foil.

13. The method of claim 10 further including providing a bag of sufficient size to contain the sanitation device when the device is not in use.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the bag is one of a case, container, pouch, envelope, sachet and packette.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the bag is sealable.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the bag is disposable.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising permanently attaching the wiping paper to the band.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising removably attaching the wiping paper to the band.