AU2020103968A4

AU2020103968A4 - Container

Info

Publication number: AU2020103968A4
Application number: AU2020103968A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James Ernest Stafford
Original assignee: ATH Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ATH Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-19
Filing date: 2020-12-08
Publication date: 2021-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-11
Also published as: AU2020100739A4; AU2020100739B4

Abstract

CONTAINER ABSTRACT A container 100 comprising a base 102, side walls 104 extending away from the base to an open top 105 having a surrounding rim. The base, walls and rim defining a first measurement volume 116 and a first overflow volume 114, a second measurement volume 118 and a second overflow volume 120. The first and second measurement volumes being separated by a central internal divider 106 which extends from the base to the rim. A second divider 108 separates the first measurement volume and the first overflow volume. A third divider 110 separates the second measurement volume and the second overflow volume. The second and third dividers having raised edges 115 extending away from the side walls and rim to a cut out 122 therebetween. 09b 100 12ie0 IOU~ 212 5 UI 106 0A JOS 4 T 1u 2t.

Description

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CONTAINER FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to containers and in particular to containers to carry measured samples of a liquid.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Containers such as medical testing containers may be used to collect urine samples from patients. These patients may excrete through their urine the remnants of particular chemical compounds to indicate abnormal levels of cell growth. These medical testing containers are filled with a patient's urine and react to a reagent placed in the container. Commonly, the reaction will result in the urine changing colour to indicate to the patient or medical professional an abnormality or chemical compound present in the urine.

[0003] However, once a reaction occurs these testing containers generally do not allow for the urine sample to be compared to the urine sample before the reaction took place. Furthermore, it is difficult to regulate or control a measured volume of urine that will correspond to a control volume required for the reagent to work at its maximum efficiency or prevent cross contamination of samples.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] In an aspect of the invention there is provided a container comprising a base; side walls extending away from the base to an open top having a surrounding rim; the base, walls and rim defining a first measurement volume and a first overflow volume, a second measurement volume and a second overflow volume. The first and second measurement volumes being separated by a central internal divider which extends from the base to the rim. A second divider separates the first measurement volume and the first overflow volume, a third divider separates the second measurement volume and the second overflow volume. The second and third dividers having raised edges extending away from the side walls and rim to a cut out therebetween, the cut out providing a passage to permit liquid to move between the measurement volumes and the overflow volumes so that a precise measurement of liquid can be measured in said measurement volumes.

[0006] Preferably, the container includes a lid adapted to seal said volumes to prevent liquid from escaping the container, the lid having sealing members adapted to close off said cut outs to prevent liquid flow between the measurement volumes and overflow volumes.

[0007] Preferably, each of the passages defines the set liquid level thereby acting as overflows between volumes.

[0008] Preferably, the container includes a cover within which said container is located during transport.

[0009] Preferably, the cover can be used to collect liquid from a user and pour said liquid into said container.

[0010] There is also disclosed a container comprising: abase; aside wall extending upwards from the base, forming an internal volume with an open top; an internal divider dividing the internal volume; a first baffle and a second baffle, the first and second baffles extending upwards from the base with the first and second baffles being on either sides of the internal divider; an overflow first compartment between the side wall and the first baffle; a second compartment between the first baffle and internal divider; a third compartment between the internal divider and the second baffle; an overflow fourth compartment between the second baffle and the side wall and wherein; the first baffle has a passage via which liquid can be drained from the second compartment to the first compartment to thereby provide a maximum liquid level for the second compartment, and the second baffle having a passage which liquid can be drained from the third compartment to the fourth compartment to thereby provide a maximum liquid level for the third chamber.

[0011] Preferably, the side wall includes transparent potions that allow a user to view the liquid contained in the second and third compartments.

[0012] Preferably, each of the passages is provided by a ridge having a lower edge defining the maximum liquid level.

[0013] Preferably, the lower edge is positioned longitudinally below atop edge of the internal divider when the container rests on its base.

[0014] Preferably, each of the passages is an aperture positioned lower than atop edge of the internal divider defining the maximum liquid level.

[0015] Preferably, a reagent is applied to the base of the container.

[0016] Preferably, the reagent is only applied to the base of the second compartment or third compartment.

[0017] Preferably, a lid is provided in combination, wherein the lid closes the open top of the container.

[0018] Preferably, the lid includes atop wall, a first and second sealing member extending downwards from the top wall, and wherein the first and second sealing members seals off the first compartment from the second compartment, and the second sealing member seals off the third compartment from the fourth compartment.

[0019] Preferably, the lid further includes a skirt extending from the perimeter of the top wall.

[0020] Preferably, a collection jar is provided, with the collection jar providing a chamber within which the container and lid are received, and the container and lid frictional engage an internal surface of the jar to retain the container and lid in the jar.

[0021] Preferably, the jar has a bulbous portion and corners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] Figure 1B is a perspective transparent view of the container of Figure 1A;

[0025] Figure IC is a front transparent view of the container of Figure 1A;

[0026] Figure 2A is a perspective view of a lid provided with the container to be fitted onto the container of Figure 1A in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0027] Figure 2B is a front cross-sectional view of the lid of Figure 2A;

[0028] Figure 2C is a side cross-sectional view of the lid of Figure 2A; and

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a collection jar in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] Figure 4A - 4D are views of the container of Figure 1A fitted with the lid of Figure 2A moved into the enclosure of the collection jar of Figure 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] In the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a container 100, a lid 200 and a collection jar 300. The container 100 comprises a base 102. The base 102 may be at a bottom of the container 100 or the top of the container 100. Extending away from the base 102 (either upwardly or downwardly) is a side wall 104 having a partially transparent portion. The base 102 and the outer surface 104 form an internal volume 112 with an open top 105 having a rim. The container 100 also comprises an internal central divider 106 dividing the internal volume 112 into two substantially equal measured volumes (first measurement volume and second measurement volume). The internal divider 106 is at the same height as the side walls 104, open top 105 and rim to prevent cross contamination of samples. The internal volume 112 may alternatively be divided into two unequal volumes or any number of equal and unequal volumes. In one embodiment, the container 100 can stand on a surface.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1A, lB and IC, on either side of the internal central divider 106 there is a first overflow baffle 108 (spillway) and a second overflow baffle 110 (spillway) that extends from the base 102 and side wall 104. The baffles 108, 110 include raised ridges 115 extending away from the side walls 104 and rim to cutouts 109 therebetween. Accordingly, the internal volume 112 is split into four volumes: an overflow first compartment 114 between the side wall 104 and the first baffle divider 108, a second compartment 116 between the first baffle 108 and the internal divider 106, a third compartment 118 between the internal divider 106 and the second baffle divider 110, and an overflow fourth compartment 120 between the second baffle 110 and the side wall 104. As mentioned there could be any number of volumes and baffles. The compartments 114, 116, 118, 120 in the embodiment shown extend upwards from the base 102. Alternatively, a single overflow compartment may be utilized. This alternative embodiment is achieved by positioning an overflow compartment adjacent to both the second compartment 116 and the third compartment 118, such that the overflow compartment is positioned next to the internal divider 106. Accordingly, the alternative embodiment may operate with only three volumes rather than four.

[0033] As mentioned, the first divider baffle 108 and the second divider baffle 110 have passages 122 at their respective top ends opposite the base 102 and adjacent the rim. The passages 122 are defined by the raised ridges 115 and cutout (spillways) having lower edges 109 with respect to the rim. The passages 122 regulate the maximum amount of liquid, for example and used hereinafter 'urine', that may be held in either the second or third compartments 116, 118 (measurement volumes). That is, a measured amount. This is because the lower edges 109 are positioned lower than the topmost edge surface 124 of internal divider 106 when the container rests on the base 102. As a result, when urine is poured into the second or third compartment 116, 118 the urine will reach a maximum level 126 before flowing into the passages 122. Excess urine flowing through the passages 122 is collected in the adjacent overflow compartment volumes 114, 120. Alternatively, the cutouts may be of various shapes such as a circular aperture extending transversely through the baffles 108, 110 from raised ridges. The passage 122 as a circular aperture would also sit lower than the topmost edge surface 124 of the internal divider 106 to allow liquid to flow from the measurement compartments 116, 118 when filled up to the aperture. The baffles may each also include two or more passages/spillways. The raised ridges 115 on either side of the cut outs have a further advantage that they shut off or seal off with the lid 200 more effectively than having no raised ridges 115.

This provides more effective sealing of the liquid in the volumes preventing cross contamination.

[0034] The lid 200 has a top wall 202 with a circumference conforming with the open top 105 of the container 100. The top wall 202 has a skirt 204 extending downwards from the circumference of the top wall 202. The lid 200 furthermore comprises a first and second sealing member 206, 208. The first and second seal members 206, 208 have the same profile as the passages 122 of the first and second baffles 108, 110. When the lid is placed on the open top 105 of the container 100 the skirt member 204 in conjunction with the underside of the top wall 202 seals the internal volume 112 from the exterior of the container 100. Furthermore, the first and second sealing members 206, 208 seal off the passages 122 and isolate the overflow compartments 114, 120 from their adjacent compartments 116, 118. Alternatively, the sealing members 206, 208 may be in the form of tubes or other structures extending from the lid 200 to individually or in combination seal compartments 116, 118. In the case of a circular aperture the seal members completely impede the aperture.

[0035] The lid 200 fitted to the container 100 allows liquid held in the container 100 to be shaken without the liquid in compartments 114, 116, 118, 120 mixing with each other. Accordingly, the lid 200 provides a water-tight seal for all compartments 114, 116, 118, 120. Furthermore, the lid 200 when sealed to the container 100 provides additional volume to each of the second and third compartment 116, 118. This helps to assist mixing when the container is shaken when in use.

[0036] The lid 200 maybe separate component to the container 100 or conjoined to the container 100 via a connector such as a flexible strap, hinge or the like (not shown). The flexible strap is long enough to allow the lid 100 to completely seal and unseal the open top 105 of the container 100.

[0037] A reagent 130 and/or a gel is placed in both or either of the compartments 116, 118. In one embodiment, the reagent 130 is placed on the base 102 of the compartment 116 during manufacture of the container as shown in Figure lB. When the lid 200 is fitted onto the container 100 and the container 100 is shaken, the reagent 130 may undergo a chemical reaction with urine placed in the compartment 116. This chemical reaction may cause the urine to change colour if a certain parameter/compound is present in the urine. For example, the urine may change colour if: a distinct chemical is being produced by the body and has been excreted through the urine; blood is present in the urine; or a particular compound such as an illicit drug is present in the urine.

[0038] The collection jar 300 maybe used by a patient to collect urine and as a device to pour urine into the testing container 100. The collection jar 300 has comers 302 and end edges 306 to accommodate the insertion of the container 100 and lid 200 into the collection jar 300. The corners 302 also provide a spout-like configuration to aid a user pouring urine into the testing container 100 from the jar 300. When the container 100 with lid 200 is placed in the jar 300 internal surfaces 310 at end edges 306 of the jar 300 slidably engage with the container 100 and lid 200. The container 100 and lid 200 when inside the jar 300 are frictionally retained in the jar 300 by the internal surfaces 310. The collection jar 300 also has a bulbous portion 304 to help catch liquids such as urine being delivered into the jar 300. The bulbous portion 304 also provides an access aperture 308 as shown in Figure. 4D to aid a user's fingers in removing or placing the container 100 and lid 200 out of the jar 300.

[0039] Figures 4A-4D show the assembly of the container 100, lid 200 and jar 300 which may come as a prepackaged kit. In particular, Figure 4A shows the container 100 with lid 200 assembled in the jar 300 in a top view, Figure 4B shows the same assembly in a perspective view, Figure 4C shows a front view of the assembly and Figure 4D shows a side view of the assembly in. The container 100 and lid 200 are placed into the collectionjar 300 allowing easy storage and transportation. Furthermore, the invention is convenient as all components may be stored together. The container 100, lid 200 and the container 300 may have a textured surface to assist in the use of the kit.

[0040] In use, a patient is given a kit containing the container 100, the lid 200 and the collection jar 300 stored as shown in Figures 4A - 4D. The patient takes the collection jar 300 and fills the jar 300 with their urine to a level as indicated by a line located on the inside of the collection jar 300. The jar 300, testing container 100 and the lid 200 may be given to a medical professional to perform the urine test or the test may be conducted by the patient. The patient or a medical professional fills the second and third compartments 116, 118 of the container 100 with the collectionjar 300 to a required volume for optimal reaction with the reagent 130. In this embodiment, the required optimal volume of urine to mix with the reagent 130 is achieved by filling the second and third compartments with urine to the maximum liquid level 126. Any excess liquid poured into the second or third compartments 116, 118 is captured in the respective overflow compartments 114, 120.

[0041] The lid 200 is then fitted to the container 100 and the internal volume 112 is sealed from the exterior of the container 100. Furthermore, the lid 200 seals the compartments 114, the compartment 116, the compartment 118 and the compartment 120 all from each other. The container 100 is then shaken to allow the reagent 130 contained at the base 102 of the second compartment 116 to mix with the urine sealed in the compartment 116. A chemical reaction may take place resulting in the change of the colour of the urine in the compartment 116 therefore notifying the medical professional that a certain parameter or compound is present in the urine. The change of colour may be perceived through the transparent portion. The change in colour of the urine in the compartment 116 may be compared to the original colour of the urine in the second compartment 118. It is possible to use reagents 130 which can differ their tone of colour change depending on the quantity of the parameter or compound present in the urine.

[0042] Advantageously, the preferred forms of the invention provide an accurate, repeatable, quick and easy way for a patient to conduct a urine test without the need to separately source a reagent or determine how much urine is required to correctly perform the test. Additionally, the preferred forms of the invention provide a clean and hygienic solution to mobile urine testing in a compact form factor. The preferred forms of the invention may also be used in a non-medical situation to test different liquids which are not urine. Furthermore, the preferred form of the invention allows a patient to perform a urine test at home as no medical training is required in order to use the preferred form of the invention. In addition, the container 100, lid 200 and collection jar 300 is user friendly for both left and right-handed use and provides accuracy and repeatability of volume measure in a shake and mix style arrangement.

[0043] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

[0044] List of drawing reference numerals:

100 - Container 102 - Base 104 - Side wall 105 - Open top (rim) 106 - Internal central divider 108 - First overflow baffle divider (second divider) 109 - Lower edge 110 - Second overflow baffle divider (third divider) 112 - Internal Volume 114 - Overflow first compartment (first overflow volume) 115 - Raised ridges 116 - Second compartment (first measurement volume) 118 - Third compartment (second measurement volume) 120 - Overflow fourth compartment (second overflow volume) 122 - Passage (cut out) 124 - Topmost edge surface 126 - Maximum liquid level 130 - Reagent 200 - Lid 202 - Top wall 204 - Skirt 206 - First sealing member 208 - Second sealing member 300 - Collection jar 302 - Comers 304 - Bulbous portion 306 - End edges 308 - Access aperture 310 - Internal surface

Claims

1. A container comprising: a base; side walls extending away from the base to an open top having a surrounding rim, the base, walls and rim defining a first measurement volume and a first overflow volume, a second measurement volume and a second overflow volume, the first and second measurement volumes being separated by a central internal divider which extends from the base to the rim, a second divider separates the first measurement volume and the first overflow volume, a third divider separates the second measurement volume and the second overflow volume, the second and third dividers having raised edges extending away from the side walls and rim to a cut out therebetween, the cut out providing a passage to permit liquid to move between the measurement volumes and the overflow volumes so that a precise measurement of liquid can be measured in said measurement volumes.

2. The container of claim 1, including a lid adapted to seal said volumes to prevent liquid from escaping the container, the lid having sealing members adapted to close off said cut outs to prevent liquid flow between the measurement volumes and overflow volumes.

3. The container of claim 1 or 2, including a cover within which said container is located during transport.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the cover can be used to collect liquid from a user to be poured into said container in use.

5. The container of anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein a reagent is applied to the base of the container.

Arrow Plastics Pty Ltd

Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person

SPRUSON&FERGUSON

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