US2580563A - Disposable toilet seat cover - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 1, 1952 LEVIN 2,580,553

DISPOSABLE TOILET SEAT coi ER Filed Oct. 10, 1947 2 SHEETSSHEET l Im/euiar Isadore L e'w'n I. LEVIN DISPOSABLE TOILET SEAT COVER Jan. 1, 1952 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Oct. 10, 1947 Isadore Lev/n INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,580,563 nisro'ssnrn TOILET SEAT oovER Isadore Levin, Washington, D. C. Application October 10, 1947, Serial No. 779,199 4 Claims; (01. 4:443)

This invention relates to a nova and unproven disposable cover for toilet seats and bedpans and appertains more specifically, to a cover Whih is especially made to adapt it fdr-bi actidal iise with a conventional=type bedpan, on the one hand, and a portable flush type eombmaami toilet and bedpan, on the other hand.

It is a matter of common knowledge that bedpans are generally constructed of sheet materials, usually metal, and are often, when used in hospitals, damp and frequently too cold and therefore uncomfortable to a patient. Because of such difliculties, it is common practice for nurses toplace hot water in the pan before it is delivered for use to a room patient, this to take the chill off the seating rim or surface. Usually, however, exterior surfaces are left damp and this condition, too, is objectionable, not only to a patient, but is bothersome in that the bed clothing gets uncomfortably wet. Then, too, bedpans are subject, before and after usage, to accumulation and retention of surface deposits of human excreta and dirt, and both patients and bed clothing are consequently subjected to obnoxious soilage. Therefore, and with the above and other objections in mind, I have devised a unique sanitary cover for use in hospitals and elsewhere whieh, it is believed, will, when properly used, overcoine such nuisances and will prove to be appreciably beneficial to all concerned.

In carrying out my aims, I contemplate the aaopti'on 'oi'a disposable paper or equivalent sheet which embodie an end portion function ing as "a seat coverfahda oorn'plemental end portion which is relatively long and constitutes a protective flap or shield, the latter serving to underlie the pan and to thus provide a protector for bed clothing.

another object or this inventioni's to provide a sanitary cover of the ty e stated which is so proportioned and made that it lends "itself to intimately effective time in conjunction with the reliable 'iiushable bedpan combination disclosed in Patent No. 2,423,462, granted tome under date ofo'ctober 7, 19 17, iii that it not only provides the stated protector flap but enables the free end ortion of thelatt'er to function as a drop-a ron to shield an edge "portion of the mattress, whereby to prevent the existing discharge hose connectibn ressing into direct Contact and soiling sa a e. 7

.'A still fii'rthr object of my invention is to bi'i'ii"g "iiit0 use a cover which, in addition to the stated features, is "to be made either with a ready-muse hole or with a suitably scored and readily euncturabie portion which serves to define the needed hole. I

Fiifthei'i'nore, it is an obfiect of the invention to -rbyiae neans either (in the pan or in the cover itself to assist in retaining *said cover against accidental slippage and displacement just prior to occupancy by the user,

Other objects'a'nd advantages of the {invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view showing a portion of a bed mattress, a sanitary cover constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and further illustrating one mode of use thereof to be hereinafter more explicitly explained.

Figure 2 is a view in section and elevation based on Figure 1 and showing, with greater particularity, the sanitary cover and how it is used.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing one embodi'me'nt of the cover.

Figure 4 is an edge elevational View showinga portion of a mattress, a conventional-type bedpan, the improved sanitary cover, and the manner in which the "same is applied and used.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of Figure 4, the mattress being omitted and the bedpan being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fragmentary type, showing a modified form of cover.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view showing a portion of the pancon'stituting a part of the portable flush-type toilet or bedpan seen in Figures 1 and 2. g

Reference is had first to Figure 1 which shows, in fragmentary perspective, my improved and novel toilet seat cover. The complete cover is denoted by the numeral 0 and comprises: a substantially rectangularsheet (Figure 3) of disposable sheet material. The latter may be paper stock or such other material as complies with the requirementof covers of the types under consideration. The seat covering flap is denoted by the numeral I I and this is provided, at a prescribed point, with a substantially oval hole or opening I2 which overlies the opening in the bedpan, permitting access to behad to "the receptacle portion of said pan. The end portion 139 is denoted as such to facilitate making 'a point later to be touched upon. It will be noticed that the cover, at the left-hand end, (Figure 3) embodies an extension whichm'ay be best defined as a mattress protector flap 14, the tree outer end thereof, as at l5yc0nstit'utihg a drop-apron.

As previously pointed out, the cover herein under advisement may be used in connection with an ordinary or conventional-type b'edpan, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, or may be used inconjunction with a portable flush-type bedpamtoilet which is disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,428,462. It is advisable that the reader refer to -the stated patent i'or an understanding and information in reference to the type of toilet cover and to better understand the abbreviated showing of certain parts of same in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 2, for example, We see the bowl or pan I Whose top portion Ilia is slidably mounted on relatively stationary standards or uprights II forming a part of the rollable or so-called rollaway carriage of said toilet structure. Specifically, the part Ita is provided with guide sleeves I8 which slide up and down on the standards I! to raise and lower the position of the pan. In the patented structure referred to, flush water is supplied to the pan by way of a delivery or supply line (a hose) I9 and the accumulated liquid and fecal matter is carried off by way of a discharge nipple 2tand a coacting hose 2I which conveys same to a soil pipe (not shown). Also, in the toilet stated, the bowl is used either as a bedpan resting directly on the mattress, or is lowered to a position beside the bed and is then used as a regular toilet. When used as a'bedpan, the uprights I! are pushed up close to the edge of the mattress 22. It will be observed, too, that the discharge nipple or member 2t often rides into direct contact with the mattress, and because of this and due to the fact that the cover herein shown is to be used in connection with the bowl or pan I6, provisions have beenniade to cope with all essential requirements. It Will be noted, in addition, that the top I6a of the bowl is provided with spring clips 23 and these are adapted to serve as retainers for the edge portion I3 of the seat covering flap.

Now, having described the cover and having given a brief description of the bed-toilet partly illustrated, it will be seen that, in practice, the seat covering flap II is placed on top of the bowl and is conveniently clipped in place. This step brings the opening I2 into registry with the entrance opening of the receptacle portion of the bowl I6. As a general proposition, the seat covering flap I I will be wider than the pan I6 so that the longitudinal edge portions I la may be folded down to provide extra protective faciltities. Then, the intermediate or medial portion 24 (Figure 2) is bent and drawn down to permit the mattress protector flap I4 to be brought into play. The flap It is interposed between bed clothing on the mattress (not shown) and the bottom of the pan It. In other words, it underlies the bottom of the pan and comes into contact with the bed clothing on the mattress. What is more, the end portion l5 extends out and beyond the mattress and drops down to function as an apron and to thus prevent contact of parts 2% and 2! of the portable toilet with the mattress. It follows that not only is the seating surface of the pan covered, but other major portions are likewise covered to prevent the bed clothing from becoming soiled. By forcibly-sinking the pan I6 into the mattress 22, the lower edges of the overhanging longitudinal edge portions Ila may be brought into close proximity with the underlying mattress flap I4, thus serving to effectively encase the coacting walls of the pan I8.

As previously pointed out, the sanitary cover is used also in connection with a regulation type of bedpan, the types commonly used in present-day hospitals. Reference is therefore had to Figure 4 wherein the bedpan is denoted by the numeral 25, the same being shown in position on a bed mattress 26. Here the same type of cover as is shown in Figure 3 isused and therefore the same as a general rule, the flaps'II and I4 and web 24 are simply wrapped around the pan 25 in the obvious manner shown.

In Figure 6, a slight modification in the construction is shown and the over-all seat cover is denoted by the numeral 21 and is also of elongated rectangular form and includes a seat covering fiap 28 and an extended flap portion 29, terminating in an apron portion 38. Here, the main access hole to the pan is struck out by the user. Therefore, an ovate score line is provided at 3| and this defines a sort of knock-out plug 32. This constitutes the puncturable portion referred to in the description and claims and is to be construed accordingly. In addition, I provide circular score lines 33 which define smaller puncturable portions and these define holes which are used (see Fig. 7) in connection with boss-like detents 34 provided, if desired, on the top of the pan I6. Thus, instead of using clips, the detents 34 may be employed to accommodate the puncturable portions 33.

Needless to say, I am aware that disposable paper stock sanitary covers for ordinary toilet seats of the stationary type are old and well known. Therefore, it will be evident that I am primarily concerned with an especially constructed cover which, while usable in connection with regular-type bedpans, is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the flush-type bedpan described in Patent No. 2,428,462. More specifically, novelty is predicated upon an elongated rectangular sheet of disposable material, preferably paper stock of an appropriate texture, which embodies at one end a cover proper, the seat covering flap I I, which may be either clipped in place or otherwise held and which is characterized by an extended free end or flap portion which is, in eiiect, not only a retaining flap but a protector as well and which fits with requisite nicety between the bed and the bottom of the pan.

Novelty is predicated upon not only the disposable toilet seat cover herein shown and described but on said cover in combination with a bedpan or a bed toilet, either one or both of the latter. In addition novelty appears to reside, it is submitted, in the combination of a bed or equivalent structure, a pan for use on and in connection with the bed, and protective means coacting with both bed and pan, said means serving to prevent soilage of the bed clothing from the pan, and also serving to protect the user from direct contact with seatingsurfaces of the pan.

The invention also contemplates covering means for a bedpan wherein said means is of disposable material and is sufficient in area coverage to fairly well enclose all major surfaces of the pan. For example in Figure 2, we see longitudinal edge portions Ila of the flap II of the cover draping down over the marginal sides of the pan and these depending edge portions may be considerably deeper than that illustrated in Figure 2. As a matter of fact, when the cover is properly applied and in use and Weight of the user is brought to bear on the pan, the latter sinks into the mattress and the cover marginal edge portions I Ia then are sufficient in coverage to virtually enclose the complemental wall surfaces of the pan.

Recapitulating, it will be seen that whereas I have revealed the utility of my sanitary cover in use with a so-called regular bedpan, I would stress the fact that it is expressly designed and" adapted for use in connection with the aforementioned roll-away flush-pan, particularly as depicted in Figure 2. The longitudinal dimension of the ordinary bedpan would, in use, be parallel with the length or marginal edge of the mattress of the bed. In the patented flush-pan I6, the longitudinal dimension is transverse or crosswise to the longitudinal dimension of the bed and mattress and therefore the main or top flap, which serves as a covering for the seat portion of the pan, extends longitudinally with one end attached to a transverse outer end of the pan and the other end is then folded and pulled tautly down, as brought out in Figure 3, where it is then drawn outwardly against the underside of the pan and thus converted into the lengthwise mattress protecting flap l4. Thus, the flap i4 is tucked in between the bottom of the pan and the mattress and the terminal end portion l5 then drapes down and provides a dropapron which is clamped and held in place by disposal hose means on the pan. It is also a matter of moment to keep in mind the fact that since the pan I6 is susceptible of being vertically adjusted in a horizontal plane and, in use is actually pressed down so that it sinks into the mat-,

tress, the overhanging edges Ila drape over and fit against the longitudinal sides of the rim or body portion of the pan and, while the pan is thus held in a sunken state, it is virtually enveloped as though it were in a bag.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skill in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A disposable cover for the seat portion of a rollable flush-pan having a discharge conduit comprising a rectangular sheet of disposable material embodying a seat covering flap and imperforate extended end and median portions defining a mattress protecting flap, said median portion being adapted to be drawn down over one transverse end of the flush-pan and said mattress protecting flap being adapted to be applied lengthwise along the elongated bottom of said flush-pan and an underlying mattress, the free end of said mattress protecting flap providing an apron which is adapted to hang down loosely over the edge portion of the mattress to minimize the likelihood of the latter becoming soiled by said discharge conduit.

2. A sanitary cover for individual use in connection with a rollable bedside flush-pan wherein the flush-pan, which is carried by a rollaway stand, overlies an edge portion of the bedmattress and is equipped with a depending disposal hose which abuts and contacts said edge portion; comprising a sheet of disposable material embodying an apertured seat covering flap adapted to be detachably fastened at its outer end to the corresponding transverse end or said nushpan, the inner end of said sheet, beyond said seat covering flap, being an elongated mattress covering flap of a length appreciably greater than the length of said seat flap, said mattress covering flap being adapted to be drawn down over the inner transverse end portion of said flush-pan and then tucked lengthwise between the lengthwise bottom surface of the latter and mattress to shield and protect said mattress, the outer extendable end of said mattress flap defining a drop-apron which may be draped over the mattress-edge to reside between the latter and said disposal hose, whereby one end portion of the sheet is thus clamped and held between the hose and mattress and the other end portion is held against displacement by the aforesaid detachable fastening means.

The structure defined in claim 2, wherein said covering flap is of a width greater than the width of said flush-pan and the overhanging edges are folded and pressed down against the coacting sides of said pan and wherein, when said pan is pressed to sink into the mattress, said overhanging edges partially encase the longitudinal sides of said pan.

4. A sanitary cover for individual use in connection with a rollable bedside flush-pan wherein the flush-pans, which is carried by a rollaway stand, overlies an edge portion of the bed mattress and is provided at its outer end portion with a depending disposal hose which, to allow the pan to take its proper position and to function satisfactorily, usually contacts the edge portion of a bed mattress; comprising a disposable protector embodying a flap for covering the seat portion of said fiush pan, said flap having a substantially ovate pan-exposing hole, said hole being disposed transversely in respect to the lengthwise dimension of the complete protector, said protector further including an integral covering flap for the bottom of the flush-pan adapted to take a position between the flush-pan and mattress, said second-named flap being imperforate and having an outer terminal end portion defining a drop-apron which hangs over and down in respect to the mattress-edge and resides between the latter and the stated disposal hose so that the disposal hose constitutes a satisfactory means for sustaining the second flap and apron in position, whereby to assist in avoiding displacement of the protector.

ISADORE KEVIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 190,187 Brown May 1, 1877 1,163,380 Spillane Dec. 7, 1915 1,221,661 Bloch Apr. 3, 1917 1,562,809 Thompson Nov. 24, 1925 1,632,645 De Luna June 14, 1927 2,139,273 Jones et al Dec. 6, 1938 2,169,834 Englert Aug. 15, 1939 2,251,732 Earle Aug. 5. 1941 2,428,462 Levin Oct. 7, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,065 Switzerland Apr. 5, 1897 14,820 Great Britain July 13, 1908 319,516 Great Britain Sept. 26, 1929

Images