GB2603813A

GB2603813A - A sputum collecting device

Info

Publication number: GB2603813A
Application number: GB2102165.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francia Harve Sabria
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-16
Filing date: 2021-02-16
Publication date: 2022-08-17
Also published as: GB202102165D0

Abstract

A sputum collecting device comprises a mouthpiece 55 and a container (2, fig.1), wherein the mouthpiece 55 extends from a first end 10 to a second end 11, having an internal passage therebetween, wherein the second end 11 has a larger diameter than the first end 10, and wherein the container 2 has a sealable entrance 7 which fits over the second end. The container is preferably a flexible plastic pouch (or bag) with a resealable opening. Ideally, the mouthpiece possesses airflow vents 15 so that when a user places the spout 14 of the mouthpiece between their lip and spits, the air within can escape. Once used, the pouch with the sputum can be sealed and disposed of, while the mouthpiece is reused. A projecting ring 17 may be provided to allow the plastic pouch to hook onto the mouthpiece. A plastic cover 1 preferably keeps the mouthpiece clean. Lanyard from a sprung lanyard reel 3 may be attached to the mouthpiece.

Description

A SPUTUM COLLECTING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sputum collecting device, in particular a portable device for collection of sputum.

Background

Increasing hygiene levels in many societies mean that spitting in the street is often not acceptable.

However some individuals produce excess sputum and require a means of unobtrusively and discreetly disposing of the sputum in inconvenient locations.

Prior Art

CN 206 214 476 (QIAN) discloses a phlegm collector including inhaling phlegm pipe, sputum bottle, and negative pressure pipe, linked together through sputum bottle and 20 negative pressure pipe to inhale the phlegm pipe.

CN 2013 79 824 (WANG et al) discloses a portable phlegm suction device consists of a negative pressure ball and a phlegm suction pipe.

CN 2010 30 083 (WANG et al) discloses a disposable portable sputum aspirator arranged on a negative pressure branch pipe which is fixedly communicated and connected with a sputum-storing bag, and a sputum aspirating pipe.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing 30 devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a sputum collecting device 35 comprising a mouthpiece and a container, wherein the mouthpiece defines a first end and a second end, with a sputum passage extending internally from the first end to the second end, wherein the second end has a larger diameter than the first end; and the container has a sealable entrance arranged to fit over the second end of the mouthpiece.

In this way the device of the present invention may be envisaged to enable a user to spit through the passage into the container, so as to dispose of the sputum discreetly by disposal of the container.

In some embodiments the device may be envisaged to form part of an apparatus. The 10 apparatus may comprise a plurality of containers, which may be included within a carrier.

The containers may be envisaged to be single-use or disposable, after receipt of the sputum.

In some embodiments the mouthpiece may comprise a lanyard attachment point, which may be used to tether the mouthpiece to a belt, carabiner or similar.

In some embodiments therefore it may be envisaged that the containers are 20 biodegradable or formed of biodegradable or compostable materials.

In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a holder for the mouthpiece.

In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a cover for the mouthpiece.

In some embodiments the cover may be partially or wholly displaceable, for example being hinged to the mouthpiece.

In some embodiments the holder may comprise a clip or carabiner, which may be 30 envisaged to be operable with a lanyard attachment point on the mouthpiece in particular.

In some such embodiments the holder may be envisaged to comprise a cord or similar elongate tethering member. This cord may be envisaged to be attached to a reel or 35 similar. Such reel may be envisaged to be spring-biased.

In this way the device may be envisaged to be attached to a user's belt or similar so as to be readily available as required by the user, such that the user can pull the mouthpiece into a usable position when required, but the mouthpiece may be otherwise covered and unobtrusive when not required.

In some embodiments the second end may include a cap, which cap may be displaceable in part or in full, so as to allow the second end to be covered when a container is not in place.

In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a box or similar containing device for all parts of the apparatus so as to make transport and storage unobtrusive and easy.

Advantageously the device of the present invention: Gives people with excess phlegm and sputum a place to spit rather than the floor.

Could help reduce fines in certain areas as it would reduce the number of people spitting on the pavement.

Makes spitting in public more socially acceptable and reduces the potential risk of spreading diseases like tuberculosis and viral diseases such as COVID-19.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only 25 and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device 5 shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5 shows a sketch of a sectional view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures there is shown an embodiment of the sputum collecting device 99 generally comprising a mouthpiece 55 and a container 2, wherein the mouthpiece is arranged to extend from a first end 10 to a second end 11, with a sputum passage extending internally from the first end to the second end, wherein the second end has a larger diameter than the first end; and the container has a sealable entrance 7 arranged to fit over the second end 11 of the mouthpiece 55.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises an elongated mouthpiece, which is shown with a cover 1 in place over the first end and a container 2 placed over the second end.

The container is a flexible inelastic bag, formed in a plastics such as polyethylene. The 25 container has a seal entrance 7, formed as known in the art, as a zip-lock or resiliently deformable seal.

The mouthpiece is formed as a cylindrical part in an injection moulded plastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar, or alloy or metal.

The mouthpiece has a spout of narrow diameter, at the first end, into which a user expectorates in use. This spout has a tapered neck 14 which leads to a regular diameter body. The body has a projecting ring 17 at an intermediate height, over which the seal 7 of the container hooks in use, so as to hold the bag around the mouthpiece's second end.

The mouthpiece includes a lanyard attachment point 4 at an intermediate location on the external sidewall, near the top of the body.

As shown in the figures a lanyard 5 is passed through the lanyard attachment point, 5 and the device further includes a sprung lanyard reel 3, which in turn comprises a housing with an anchor bearing 6 for the lanyard, and a carabiner clip 8 for attachment to a belt or similar.

The cover 1 comprises a plastic domed cap, which cap is placed over the first end and 10 is arranged to make a tolerance or interference fit with the intersection 16 between the neck and the body.

Said intersection includes an area of lateral ridging which is envisaged to interfit with a corresponding area of lateral ridging on the inner surface at the perimeter of the 15 cover.

The neck includes four airflow vents 15 or channels, which are arranged to extend from the outer surface of a lower region of the neck, following the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece, through the wall of the neck so that when the user spits into the bag air is 20 able to escape.

The embodiment thereby provides a sanitary alternative to spitting, wherein the combination of the mouthpiece and collection bag gives users with excess phlegm and sputum a sanitary place to spit.

In use: 1. The user attaches the collection bag to the mouthpiece.

2. The bags are slid onto the mouthpiece and over the ridge to help secure it in place.

3. The user spits into the device where the sputum is collected in the bag.

4. The bag is then detached and sealed and disposed.

The retractable lanyard with carabiner clip allows the user to attach the device to their 35 clothes or bag for easy access.

The plastic translucent cover advantageously keeps the mouthpiece clean when away in bag or pocket.

The container may be a transparent biodegradable material with a grip seal wherein 5 transparent bags allow the user to examine sputum easily when in bag.

It may be envisaged in use that the user buys a mouthpiece and a pack of 10 single-use bags and one larger bag for putting used sputum bags in.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1 A sputum collecting device comprising a mouthpiece and a container, wherein the mouthpiece defines a first end and a second end, with a sputum passage extending internally from the first end to the second end, wherein the second end has a larger diameter than the first end; and the container has a sealable entrance arranged to fit over the second end of the mouthpiece.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the container is a plastic bag.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the mouthpiece includes a lanyard attachment point.
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the first end is provided with a displaceable cover.
5. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a lanyard and a sprung reel.
6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the sputum passage includes vents.