US2893017A - Portable commode - Google Patents

Description

Filed Jan. 2.7, 1958 July 7, 1959 L. J. BECK PORTABLE COMMODEI vIS Sheets-*Sheet- 1 INVENTOR. ZAWRENCE J 550% 11 JMWaM ATMENEV y 7,1959 I L. J. BECK 2,893,017

PORTABLE COMMODE Filed Jdn. 27, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Y [AWkf/Vf J 5EcK BY zwwzm July 7, 1959 L. J. BECK PORTABLE COMMODE Filed Jan. 2?, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. [Au leave: J fi-"CK BY United States Pat enrfO Hanover Associates, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corpo- .1 ration of .New Jersey,

' Application January 27, 1958, Serial No. 711,355 sciaims. (Cl. 4-135 This invention relates to a portable commode made *np'a's'a travel kit and compo'sed preferably of inexpensive material such as paperboard or boxboard and which is "arranged-to'be used with a disposable receptacle of baglikeform and made of some suitable waterproof material.

It has now become quite common, particularly for couples with small children, to embark upon automobile 't'rips brotherexeursions where the ordinary toilet facilitie's,"-'especially}forthe children, are not readily available. Under such circumstances, a portable commode, such as is provided -'-by the present invention, is of the greatest "utility. Devices for 'thispurpose have been provided by the prior art, but only'in forms which are relatively'large, 1ieavy,-cumbersome andgenerally quite expensive as well as awkward to 'use.

'The present invention has as a primary purpose to provide a light, easily carried, portable commode arranged "for usewith disposable bag-like plastic or other waterproof receptacles and arranged, when in traveling -position,=to be relatively small and compact, and with emphasis on apleasing or decorative appearance.

While it has been proposed in the prior art to make portable 'com'modes of such rigid materials as plywood with metal fittings and a permanent-type receptacle, the present device 'is of very light but sturdy construction, being built up preferably of paperboard, such, for example, as display-type corrugated paperboard which is now alvailable and/orwhich maybe provided with coloran as well as sanitary surfaces, for exampl'e'including a decorative pattern. Such a device, constructed in accdrdance with the present invention, is simple and cheap to manufacture, and may betaken wherever it is desired "for use without "undue burdening to the user. Disposable receptacles of bag-like form for use therewith are now commer cially available, madeup of such plastic materials aspdlyethyl'en'el 'The'present device is adapted to the use *bf "such disposablereceptacles. r .A feature (of the-device of the presentinvention :is that sufiiciently i'strorig-so thatsit may have a "relatively ltlng life and yet beiquite light to carryfronr'place to place. This 'device?further2provides storage space for additional receptacles and "for other -items as .a mother might wish to carry for her child, as well as-space which may be bptionally used for :used receptacles pending an "opportunity for disposal thereof.

i-The present invention further provides a'type of const'ruction dfor .a device of this :kind including foldable blanks of :the paperboard material which, when suitably :folded and assembled together, make up "the present devicejall'without'the'use'ofimetal fastenings suchas could icauseqinjury'toia very young child who might seek to use it orotherwise :come into contact with it. The de- 1 i ice wh'en assembled is provided *with substantially finishe'd surfaces-an'd -yet'may 'bemade and .sold at a minifire device, which is described in detail hereinafter and which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention with the removable receptacle and the plastic band used therewith omitted for convenience of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a length of tubing which may be used as a support for the seat portion of the device;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, substantially in vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view substantially in perspective and with the parts separated and partially assembled, illustrating a preferred mode of constructing the device shown in Fig. '9; r

Fig. 5 is a more or less diagrammatic 'view in transvers vertical section showing a receptacle in place in the device and a part of the interior construction;

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of a C-shaped marginal band for the seat of the device of this invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view 'of a substantially cylindrical upright support for the seat of the present device,

this support being formed from a flat blank;

invention is to use a decorative display-type corrugated paperboard and to cut and fold it in such a manner that the device as finished has the desired decorative outer surface which is preferably also moisture-resistant Without requiring any subsequent printing or other surface treating operations or covering with a decorative layer of paper or other material.

Referring first particularly to Fig. 4, this device of the invention may comprise a box portion made up of a first blank 10 of corrugated paperboard of the conventional display type, which is preferably printed with decorative design on the outside. This blank 10, as shown in the partially assembled embodiment illustrated in Fig. '4, includes a bottom panel 11, side wall panels 12 and 13, a rear wall panel 14, a front wall panel 15, a seat panel 16, a rear flap 17 of the same transverse dimensions as the front wallpanel '15 and additional tabs and flanges as hereinafter set forth. These several panels, tabs and flanges are all integral parts of the blank 10-but separated from one another by single or double score lines, permitting the folding of the several panels in the manner generally illustrated in Fig. 4. Thus, as .shown in this figure, the rear wall panel 14 is folded upwardly with respect to the bottom wall panel 11 about a fold line 18; the side wall panels 12 and 13 are folded upwardly with respect to the bottom panel '11 about fold lines 19 and 20; and the front wall panel 15 is folded upwardly with respect to the bottom wall panel 11 about a fol'ddine '21. In addition to this, the 'seat panel '16 is connected to the front wall panel 15 at a fold line 22; while the rear flap 17 is connected to the seat panel at a fdld line 23.

The blank 1% is so cut out that the parts will-all fittogether with a minimum of overlap and in a=manner which will be neat and will not bulge unduly. To this end itiis desired that the parts, after the folding of the fold-over nesses only of the material of which the blanks are formed and particularly so that when there are two folded over portions which are folded at right angles to one another, they be so cut or shaped as to interfit with one another, so as to avoid substantial spaces therebe- 'tween when the assembly is completed. For this reason the side panels 12 and 13 are provided at their rear ends 1 with flap portions 24, which are arranged to overlie the rear side of the rear wall panel 14 and are cut out at their upperends at in a manner complementary to cut out portions 26 of a flap portion 27 which extends upwardly from the rear wall panel 14 and is joined to it at a fold 'line 28. An arrow on Fig. 4 shows how these parts are folded to fit together exactly and without overlapping on the rear side of the rear wall panel 14 when the parts are completely assembled.

The forward end portions of the side wall panels 12 and 13 are each provided with a front flap portion 29, which is arranged to be folded inwardly about a fold line 30 to the position shown for the flap portion 29 provide a finished appearance for the upper portions of the side walls and to provide a smooth, rounded folded edge at 33, at the upper portions of each of these walls when the device is completely assembled. Furthermore,

- in order that the forward edge portions of the end walls 12 and 13 may be similarly provided with rounded and finished edges as shown at 34, rather than a raw edge of the paperboard, fiap portions are provided extending forwardly from the end wall panels 12 and 13. Cut-out portions 36 are provided complementary to the portions 35 as shown, so that the parts, when folded, will fit together in a single uniform plane as indicated at 37 for the parts associated with the end wall panel 12. It will be understood that the parts 31 and 35, when folded over as indicated, will be retained in their assembled position by the use of a suitable adhesive.

The seat panel 16 and the rear flap 17 are maintained free for movement about the fold line 22, so as to permit access to the interior of the apparatus below the seat panel. In practice, this space, i.e. below the seat panel 16 and surrounding the circular member or members,

which aid in supporting the seat panel as hereinafter set forth, is intended for use as a storage space, either for unused or used receptacles or for other materials which it may be desired to store therein.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, one or more substantially cylindrical members as 38 may be employed. The

form shown in these figures indicates the use of two such members 38 and 39 respectively, with the member 39 being of somewhat larger diameter than the member 38 so as to surround it and assist it in supporting the seat panel 16. These two members are not necessarily concentrically arranged, but may be somewhat eccentric to one another so as to fit into the space provided. In lieu of a cylindrical member as 38, Fig. 2, it is contemplated to use a member 40, Fig. 7, which is a modified form thereof that may be made up by bending a strip of flexible material so that its ends overlap and securing these overlapping portions together by a suitable adhesive.

The one or more cylindrical members as 38, 39 and/or 40 may be secured to the bottom panel 11 by adhesive as indicated at 41, Fig. 5. An aperture 42 is provided centrally of the seat panel 16, this aperture being slightly non-circular in that the forward portion is formed fiat as shown at 43 so as to accommodate a shield as shown,

for. example, at 44 in Figs. 8 and 9, and particularly to 4 accommodate a U-shaped gripping portion 45 of that shield.

Another structural feature shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 is that the seat panel 16 is slightly narrower in the lateral direction than the front wall panel 15, which is effected by providing cut-out portions as indicated at 46. This accommodates the greater thickness of the combined side walls 12 and 13 with their doubled-over portions 31 and 35 and permits the free opening and closing of the seat panel.

The cover assembly as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 is generally indicated at 47 and includes a lid panel 48 which is formed integral with a rear wall panel 49 and with a front flap 50. There are also formed as parts of the cover assembly 47 suitable additional flaps or flange portions as will be hereinafter described. The lid panel 48 joins the rear wall panel 49 at a fold line 51 and joins the front flap 50 at a fold line 52.

The rear Wall panel 49 may be formed with finished rounded edges by providing a flange portion 53 contiguous with the panel 49 and joining it at a fold line 54, and lateral fold-over portions 55 on each end which are joined to the rear wall panel at fold lines 56. These portions are suitably provided with beveled and, as assembled, complementary meeting parts 57 as shown so that when they are folded together, they will all lie in a space corresponding to the thickness of one additional layer only of the paperboard of which the blank 47 is formed.

The side edges of the lid panel 48 are similarly made smooth and rounded by providing fold-over flap portions 58 joined to the lid panel 48 at fold lines 59 and having cut-outs at the ends thereof at 60 and 61 separating the portions 58 from the portions 55 and from similar portions 62 which are laterally joined to the front flap 50 and arranged to be folded over to provide finished side edge portions therefor. The portions 62 are joined to the lateral edges of the front flap 50 at the fold lines 63. These portions cooperate with a fold-over portion 64 which is joined to the outer edge of the front flap 50 at a fold line 65 and is provided with cut-outs at 66 to receive the complementarily shaped parts of the portions 62. It will be understood that these parts, when folded to the desired position, will be suitably held in place by adhesive material.

Once the cover assembly 47 is suitably folded and completed in itself, it may be adhesively secured to the rear wall portion 14 of the box portion or lower assembly after the latter has been similarly completed and the parts adhesively secured together as hereinabove taught and so that the rear wall portions 14 and 49 are coincident with one another.

The lid panel may be held in place for traveling by the use of a closure strap as shown at 67 in Fig. I, attachable by one or more snap buttons 68 or other fastening means on the outside of the device, and particularly to the side walls. It is contemplated, for example, that other types of means than the strap 67 may be used if desired, although this strap, if used, serves the double function of a closure means and also a carrying handle for the device.

Fig. 5 shows the positioning of the receptacle 69 in the commode 29. The receptacles 69 may be of any desired flexible and waterproof material, for example, of a plastic material as polyethylene. As shown, the seat panel 16 extends horizontally across the commode at a level below that of upper edges 33 of the side walls and parallel to the bottom panel 11 and is preferably additionally supported from the bottom panel 12 by an upright support 38, 39 or 40. The cylindrical members 38 or 40 form a central chamber 70 within the commode for the receptacle 69. The receptacle 69 extends into the chamber 70 through the aperture 42. A curved and substantially C-shaped band 71 of suitable resilient material such as plastic is adapted to fit in the aperture 42 and is provided with a rim or flange 72 abutting the upper surface of the seat panel 16 and a downwardly extending skirt 73 which depends into the chamber 70. This flexible bag or receptacle 69 is preferably wrapped around the band 71 as shown in Fig. 5, so that its outer edge passes beneath the under surface of the flange 72 which rests against the seat panel 16. The outer edge of the bag or receptacle 69 is introduced into the chamber 70 on the outside of the skirt 73. The main body of the receptacle 69 extends into the chamber 70 through the band 71 and rests on the bottom panel 11. The curved shape of the band 71 enables it to fit snugly in the aperture 42; and the flexible characteristics of the receptacle 69 cooperate to provide a tight closure of the aperture 42.

As shown in Fig. 6, the band 71 is substantially C- shaped, extending around the margin of the aperture 42. The band 71 has an open sector 74 at its front side as seen in Figs. 6 and 8. This open sector 74 of the band 71 is arranged opposite an uncovered section 43 of the edge of the aperture 42 in which a shield or deflector 44 may be mounted, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The deflector or shield 44, which may be of any suitable material, as plastic or metal, is mounted in its operative position on the seat panel 16 by the resilient clamping or gripping action of a U-shaped foot portion 45 thereof, the foot portion 40 embracing the seat panel 16.

The disposable receptacle 69 is easily detachable from the commode and the band 71. Any suitable means available may be used for tightly sealing the disposable receptacle after it has been used and removed from the commode, for example, by a number of folds of the open end of the receptacle 69, securely maintained by a clamping means, such as a tape, draw string or other means (not shown) fastened over the folds. Such means form per se no part of the present invention.

The device of this invention is simple, effective and foolproof in operation. It is normally maintained in closed position while travelling with the strap 67 fastened across the flap 50 to hold the lid panel 48 securely in position against the rectangular case. Simultaneously, the flap 50 is held in fixed position across the front of the front wall panel 15 and closes the front opening 75 formed by the discontinuity between the fold line 32 and the level of the upper edges 33 of the side panels 12 and 13. When the device is placed in use, detachment of the strap 67 as shown in Fig. 1 allows the lid panel 48 to be raised and uncovers the receptacle 69 positioned in the chamber 70.

It will be noted that space is provided below the seat for carrying extra bags or receptacles 69, paper, powder and other accessories. Similarly, the seat panel 16 is in effect hinged at 22, so that it may be raised and the area below the seat panel 16 and outside of the support 39 or 40 may be used for storage of accessories and of new and/ or used receptacles or bags 69.

It will be seen that there is provided, in accordance with the present invention a portable commode which may be easily and quickly fabricated and assembled, using adhesive throughout and without using types of fas-' tenings which could reasonably injure a small child. Sharp corners or other structures which could be harmful to such a child have ben practically eliminated throughout the construction of this device, so that it is as fool proof as it is reasonably possible to make such a device. At the same time, it is light in weight, relatively cheap to manufacture, of an attractive appearance and not unduly bulky, so that it may be taken wherever a family desires to go and used whenever necessary.

While there is herein shown and described but one embodiment of the invention, other embodiments, not necessarily restricted to use by small children, can be visualized from the particular teachings herein contained, I do not wish to be limited, therefore, except by the scope of the appended claims which are to be construed validly as broadly as the state of the prior art permits.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable commode, comprising a box portion made up from a folded blank of paperboard providing a bottom panel, two side wall panels, front and rear wall panels, a seat panel extending from said front panel, a rear flap extending from said seat panel and having the same width in a vertical direction when assembled as said front wall panel and serving to help support said seat panel, said panels having additional tabs and flanges arranged to overlap adjacent panels; said side wall panels being formed at least as to their upper portions by foldedover portions of said blank contiguous with said side wall panels, so that said folded-over portions will provide smooth rounded upper edges at the top of each of said side wall panels when the assembly of the commode is completed; a cover assembly made up from a second blank of paperboard and providing a panel portion forming a part of the rear wall of said commode, a movable lid panel connected at a fold line to said panel portion forming a part of the rear wall, and a front flap connected to said lid panel at a fold line; a central aperture formed in said seat panel in which a removable flexible receptacle is adapted to be placed for the use of the device as a commode; means for removably securing such a receptacle about the edge of said aperture in said seat panel and comprising a curved band of resilient material having a flange portion adapted to rest on said seat panel and another flange portion depending through said central aperture, said band being adapted to be completely enclosed in a part of said flexible receptacle while the commode is in use, and at least one substantially cylindrical wall member extending between said bottom panel and said seat panel and surrounding the space for a receptacle as aforesaid substantially in alignment with said central aperture, each said cylindrical member being secured to said bottom panel and serving to assist in supporting said seat panel.

2. A portable commode in accordance with claim 1, in which said curved band is substantially C-shaped with an open portion and is disposed with the open portion of the band toward the front of the commode, and a shield arranged to be disposed in the open portion of said C-shaped band, said shield having a U-shaped gripping part to engage a part of said seat panel and a plurality of thicknesses of the material of which said flexible receptacle is formed, so as to cooperate with said flexible receptacle in the use of said commode.

3. A portable commode in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a strap member arranged to be connected adjacent to its ends to said side panels, and in which at least one of the connections therefor is removable, said strap member being arranged in the traveling position of said commode to embrace said front flap and to hold said movable lid panel and said front flap in their closed position and also serving as a handle for carrying said commode.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,431,538 Brief et a]. Nov. 25, 1947 2,747,732 Fischer May 29, 1956 2,801,426 Gorce et al. Aug. 6, 1957

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