GB2606729A

GB2606729A - Bedpan

Info

Publication number: GB2606729A
Application number: GB2107056.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: E M S Alshaheen Khaled
Original assignee: Alshaheen Khaled E M S; Oncorner Ltd
Current assignee: Alshaheen Khaled E M S; Oncorner Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-18
Filing date: 2021-05-18
Publication date: 2022-11-23
Also published as: GB202107056D0

Abstract

In a first aspect a bedpan comprises a base 2; a perimeter wall 3, extending from the base and, together with the base, defining a cavity; and a rim 4 extending from the perimeter wall and defining an opening to the cavity; wherein the perimeter wall is curved such that portions of the perimeter wall extending in first (longways) and second (crossways) mutually orthogonal directions each comprise at least one inflection point between concave 3a and convex 3b portions of the perimeter wall. Preferably the wall curves in a substantially sinusoidal manner. The cavity may be wider at a first end and the wall may be higher at this end such that the rim slopes down towards the base towards the opposing end. In a second aspect a bedpan comprises recesses 5. Preferably these are circular recesses that correspond to aforementioned concave 3a sections. Preferably a channel 6 (figures 5-6) extends along the base in the first direction.

Description

BEDPAN

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bedpan

BACKGROUND ART

Bedpans are used to receive the bodily waste of bedridden patients, or those using a commode. Bedpans are typically substantially oval shaped and comprise a base, a perimeter wall and a rim. Bedpans are typically made from stainless steel, so that they can be cleaned and reused. However, single-use bedpans, e.g. made from wood pulp or recycled paper, are also widely used. These, of course, do not require cleaning. Existing single-use bedpans made from wood pulp are relatively weak and may break or collapse if a patient is too heavy.

The present disclosure aims to at least partially solve the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a bedpan comprising: a base; a perimeter wall, extending from the base and, together with the base, defining a cavity; and a rim extending from the perimeter wall and defining an opening to the cavity; wherein the perimeter wall is curved such that portions of the perimeter wall extending in first and second mutually orthogonal directions each comprise at least one inflection point between concave and convex portions of the perimeter wall.

Optionally, the portions of the perimeter wall extending in first and second mutually orthogonal directions each comprise at least two inflection points between concave and convex portions of the perimeter wall. Optionally, the portions of the perimeter wall extending in first and second mutually orthogonal directions, the at least two inflection points between concave and convex portions of the perimeter wall is an even number of inflection points. Optionally, the portions of the perimeter wall extending in first and second mutually orthogonal directions comprise two concave portions either side of n convex portions and n-1 further concave portions, where n is an integer greater than 0.

Optionally, a portion of the perimeter wall extending in the first direction comprises four inflection points. Optionally, a portion of the perimeter wall extending in the second orthogonal direction comprises two inflection points.

Optionally, the perimeter wall is substantially sinusoidal around the entre perimeter wall.

Optionally, the radius of curvature of concave portions of the perimeter wall is greater at one end of the first orthogonal direction than at the opposite end of the first orthogonal direction.

Optionally, the width of the cavity, in the second orthogonal direction, is greater at one end of the first orthogonal direction than the opposite end of the first orthogonal direction.

Optionally, the depth of the perimeter wall is greater at one end of the first orthogonal direction than the opposite end of the first orthogonal direction Optionally, the perimeter wall is sloped inward towards the base.

Optionally, the base comprises one or more recesses. Optionally, the recesses are located in portions of the base corresponding to concave portions of the perimeter wall.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided a bedpan comprising: a base; a perimeter wall, extending from the base and, together with the base, defining a cavity; and a rim extending from the perimeter wall and defining an opening to the cavity; wherein the base comprises one or more recesses In either aspect, optionally, the recesses are substantially circular in shape In either aspect, optionally, the base comprises at least one recessed channel extending in the first orthogonal direction, between two opposite portions of the perimeter wall extending in the second orthogonal direction. Optionally, the recessed channel is arranged substantially between recesses in the base either side of the channel in the second orthogonal direction.

In either aspect, optionally, the bedpan is longer in the first orthogonal direction than it is wide the second orthogonal direction.

In either aspect, optionally, the bedpan is formed from a cellulosic material, such as wood pulp.

BREW DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the disclosure will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example bedpan; Fig. 2 shows a top view of the example bedpan of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a bottom view of the example bedpan of Fig 1; Fig. 4 shows a side view of the example bedpan of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows a front view of the example bedpan of Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 shows a back view of the example bedpan of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figs. 1 to 6 show different orthographic views of an example bedpan 1. The bedpan 1 comprises a base 2, a perimeter wall 3 extending upward from the base 2, and a rim 4 extending from the top of the perimeter wall 3. The base 2 and perimeter wall 3 define a cavity for receiving the bodily waste of a user. The perimeter wall 3 and rim 4 support the user.

As shown, the bedpan I may be longer in a first orthogonal direction than a second orthogonal direction. The first orthogonal direction may corresponds to a front-to-back direction and the second orthogonal direction corresponds to a left-to-right direction, in normal use. Accordingly, the terms front, back, left right will be used hereinafter, but should be understood as interchangeably with locations in the first orthogonal direction and the second orthogonal direction The bedpan I may have a length, in the front-to-back direction, of between 300 mm and 400 mm, preferably around 350 mm. The bedpan 1 may have a width, in the left-to-right 10 direction of between 200 mm and 350 mm, preferably around 310 mm. Here, and throughout, the term "around" when used for a parameter may mean +/-5% As shown, the perimeter wall 3 may be curved such that portions of the perimeter wall 3 extending substantially in the first and second mutually orthogonal directions each comprise at least one inflection point between concave 3a and convex 3b portions of the perimeter wall 3. An inflection point in this context is a point at which the curvature of the perimeter wall changes from convex to concave. Accordingly, this requires the perimeter wall 3 to comprise at least one convex portion and at least one concave portion in portions extending in the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction A concave portion 3a may mean a curved portion for which a centre of curvature is located on a radial line from the perimeter wall 3 inward towards the cavity of the bedpan 1 (if the radius of curvature is longer then the bedpan 1, then the centre of curvature will be located outside the bedpan 1), A convex portion 3b may mean a curved portion for which a centre of curvature is located on a radial line from the perimeter wall 3 outwards away from the cavity of the bedpan I. Portions of the perimeter wall 3 extending in the front-to-back direction may be side (left and right) wall portions 3 L Portions of the perimeter wall 3 extending in the left-to-right direction may be a front wall portion 32a and a back wall portion 32b, respectively located at the front and back of the bedpan 1.

These wall portions 31, 32a, 32b may form a continuous, curved perimeter wall 3. For example, the perimeter wall 3may be substantially sinusoidal around the entre perimeter wall 3. There may be no corners to clearly delimit adjacent the wall portions from each other. Accordingly, the transition from a side wall portion 31 to a front 32a or back 32b wall portion may be a point at which the perimeter wall 3 transitions from extending substantially in the front-to-back direction to extending in substantially the left-to-right direction.

The shape of the perimeter wall 3 may increase the ability of the perimeter wall 3, and the bedpan I, to withstand compression in the rim-to-base direction, e.g. from the wright of a patient. The shape of the perimeter wall 3 may also increase the ability of the perimeter wall 3, and the bedpan 1, to withstand tension on the perimeter wall 3.

Preferably, the portions of the perimeter wall 3 extending substantially in the first 31 and the second 32a, 32b mutually orthogonal directions each comprise at least two inflection points between concave 3a and convex 3b portions of the perimeter wall 3. Preferably, the at least two inflection points is an even number of inflection points. Preferably still, each of the portions of the perimeter wall 3 comprise two concave portions 3a either side of n convex 3b portions and n-1 further concave portions 3a, where n is an integer greater than 0.

For example, as shown, the side wall portions 31 may comprise four inflection points between three concave portions 3a and two convex portions 3b. For example, as shown, the front 32a and back 32b wall portions may comprise two inflection points, between two concave portions 3a and one convex portion 3b.

The bedpan 1 may be relatively narrow at the front and relatively wide the back, as shown in Figs. Ito 3. The bedpan 1 may gradually narrow from the back to the front. The base 2, perimeter wall 3 and/or rim 4, may have these arrangements. The back wall portion 32b may be longer then the front wall portion 32a. The width of the cavity, in the left-to-right direction, may be greater at the back end of the bedpan 1 than the front end of the bedpan 1. These arrangements may improve comfort for the user.

The bedpan 1 may have a maximum width, in the left-to-right direction, of between 250 mm and 350 mm, preferably around 310 mm. The bedpan may have a minimum width of between 200 mm and 300 mm, preferably around 245 mm As shown, the radius of curvature of concave 3a and convex 3b portions of the perimeter wall 3 may be greater at the back end of the bedpan 1 than at the front end of the bedpan 1. The radius of curvature of concave 3a and convex 3b portions may gradually decrease from the back to the front.

The bedpan 1 may be relatively shallow at the front and relatively deep at the back, as shown in Fig. 4. The bedpan 1 may gradually shallow from the back to the front. The base 2, perimeter wall 3 and/or rim 4, may have these arrangements. The depth of the perimeter wall 3 may be greater at the back end of the bedpan 1 than at the front end of bedpan L These arrangements may improve comfort for the user and/or may allow the bedpan to be placed under a user more easily.

The bedpan 1 may have a maximum depth, in the rim-to-base direction, of between 50 mm and 150 mm, preferably around 95 mm. The bedpan 1 may have a minimum width of between 25 mm and 75 mm, preferably around 52 mm. The rim 4 may slope, in the frontto-back direction, by between 4 degrees and 15 degrees relative to the base 2, preferably by about 7 degrees.

The bedpan 1 may be relatively wide/long at the rim 3 and relatively narrow/short at the base 2, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6. The perimeter wall 3 may slope inwards towards the base 2 from the rim 3. This may enable to bedpan to withstand greater compressive forces in the rim-to-base direction. This may also enable the bedpan 1 to be stacked with other identical bedpans.

The perimeter wall 3 may slope in the rim-to-base direction by between 70 and 85 degrees, preferably about 81 degrees.

As shown, the rim 4 may extend outward from the perimeter wall 3, away from the cavity. This may enable the bedpan 1 to be stacked with other identical bedpans. However, the rim 4 may alternatively extend inward towards the cavity. The width of the rim 4 may be at least 20 mm in order to provide enough surface area to support a user, preferably about mm.

The edge of the rim 4 may comprise substantially straight portions extending in front-toback and left-to-right directions, but may have curved corner portions between the straight portions.

As shown, the base 2 may comprise one or more recesses 5. The recesses 5 provide deeper portions of the cavity. Walls of the recesses 5 may extend substantially in a rim-to-base direction of the bedpan 1. A base of the recesses 5 may be substantially flat, e.g. in a plane extending left-to-right and front-to-back. Such recesses 5 may retain human waste that would otherwise pool at a edge of the cavity and thus increases the useful capacity of the bedpan 1.

The recesses 5 may have a depth, relative to the rest of the base 2 of between 5 mm and 20 20 mm, preferably around 12 mm.

As shown, the recesses 5 may be located in portions of the base 2 corresponding to concave portions 3a of the perimeter wall 3. The recesses 5 may have a curved shape that corresponds to the curved shape of the corresponding concave portion 3a of the perimeter wall 3. For example, as shown, the recesses 5 may be substantially circular in shape, e.g. when the concave portions are of a substantially circular arc shape. Recesses 5 may be provided corresponding to each concave portion 3a of the perimeter wall 3. The recesses 5 are preferably distinct from one another. As shown, six recesses 5 may be provided, corresponding to six concave portions 3a of the perimeter wall 3. As shown these may be arranged substantially in a three On the front-to-back direction) by two On the left-to-right direction) grid.

As shown, the base 2 may comprise at least one recessed channel 6 extending in the frontto-back direction, between the front wall portion 32a and the back wall portion 32b of the perimeter wall 3. The channel 6 may be substantially straight in the front-to-back direction. The channel 5 may have a curved base, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. As shown, the recessed channel 6 may be arranged substantially between recesses 5. In other words, the channel may be flanked on the left and right by the recesses 5. The channel 6 may allow liquid waste to be move in the front-to-back/back-to-front direction. This may allow liquid waste to fill other recesses 5 when a first recess 5 is substantially fully filled. A top portion of each recess 5 may open into the channel 6. The curved base of the channel may also help to minimize the reflection of the liquid waste back towards the user.

The channel 6 may have a depth, relative to the rest of the base 2 of between 5 mm and 20 mm, preferably around 9 mm. Preferably, the depth of the channel 6 is less than the depth of the recesses 5, so as not to reduce the stability of the bedpan 1 As shown, the bedpan 1 may be substantially mirror-symmetrical about an axis in the front-to-back direction.

The bedpan 1 may be formed from a cellulosic material, such as wood pulp. For example 20 the bedpan may be formed from recycled paper, such as newspaper. The thickness of the material forming the bedpan may be between 1mm and 3mm, preferably 2 mm. Alternative materials may be used instead, such as stainless steel.

It should be understood that variations and examples other than those explicitly described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bedpan comprising: a base; a perimeter wall, extending from the base and, together with the base, defining a cavity; and a rim extending from the perimeter wall and defining an opening to the cavity, wherein the perimeter wall is curved such that portions of the perimeter wall extending in first and second mutually orthogonal directions each comprise at least one inflection point between concave and convex portions of the perimeter wall.
2. The bedpan of claim 1, wherein the portions of the perimeter wall extending in first and second mutually orthogonal directions each comprise at least two inflection points between concave and convex portions of the perimeter wall.
3. The bedpan of claim 2, wherein the portions of the perimeter wall extending in first and second mutually orthogonal directions, the at least two inflection points between concave and convex portions of the perimeter wall is an even number of inflection points.
4. The bedpan of claim 3, wherein the portions of the perimeter wall extending in first and second mutually orthogonal directions comprise two concave portions either side of n convex portions and n-1 further concave portions, where n is an integer greater than 0.
5. The bedpan of any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the perimeter wall extending in the first direction comprises four inflection points.
6. The bedpan of any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the perimeter wall extending in the second orthogonal direction comprises two inflection points
7 The bedpan of any preceding claim wherein the perimeter wall is substantially sinusoidal around the entre perimeter wall.
8. The bedpan of any preceding claim, wherein the radius of curvature of concave portions of the perimeter wall is greater at one end of the first orthogonal direction than at the opposite end of the first orthogonal direction.
9. The bedpan of any preceding claim, wherein the width of the cavity, in the second orthogonal direction, is greater at one end of the first orthogonal direction than the opposite end of the first orthogonal direction
10. The bedpan of any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the perimeter wall is greater at one end of the first orthogonal direction than the opposite end of the first orthogonal direction.
11. The bedpan of any preceding claim, wherein the perimeter wall is sloped inward towards the base.
12. The bedpan of any preceding claim, wherein the base comprises one or more recesses
13. The bedpan of claim 12, wherein the recesses are located in portions of the base corresponding to concave portions of the perimeter wall.
14. A bedpan comprising: a base; a perimeter wall, extending from the base and, together with the base, defining a cavity; and a rim extending from the perimeter wall and defining an opening to the cavity; wherein the base comprises one or more recesses.
15. The bedpan of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the recesses are substantially circular in shape.
16. The bedpan of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the base comprises at least one recessed channel extending in the first orthogonal direction, between two opposite portions of the perimeter wall extending in the second orthogonal direction.
17. The bedpan of claim 16, wherein the recessed channel is arranged substantially between recesses in the base either side of the channel in the second orthogonal direction.
18 The bedpan of any preceding claim, wherein the bedpan is longer in the first orthogonal direction than it is wide the second orthogonal direction.
19. The bedpan of any preceding claim, wherein the bedpan is formed from a cellulosic material, such as wood pulp.