WO2011048355A1

WO2011048355A1 - Collecting biological human waste products in a toilet or commode

Info

Publication number: WO2011048355A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/001888
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enda Thomas
Original assignee: Enda Thomas
Priority date: 2009-10-22
Filing date: 2010-10-08
Publication date: 2011-04-28
Also published as: GB201017007D0; GB2474754A; GB2474755A; WO2011048356A1; GB201017012D0

Abstract

A waste disposal bag (1) adapted to receive biological human waste products in a toilet or commode has a first wall (2) having a first edge (3), an opposed second edge (4) remote from the first edge and side edges (5,6) connecting the first (3) and second (4) edges, and a second wall (2') also having a first edge (3'), an opposed second edge (4') remote from its first edge and side edges connecting its first and second edges. The respective second edges (4,4') of the first and second walls are coupled together by bottom structure to form a closed bottom for the bag. Each first edge is joined to a respective edge member (10) adapted for cooperation with a suspension member (23) of a mounting cradle (21) for the bag for suspension of the bag in the cradle. The edge members are more rigid than the material of the first and second walls, whereby the first edges remain substantially straight in use of the bag. Respective side edges of the first and second walls are coupled by a web (7,7') that allows the edge members to be moved in parallel towards and away from each other to provide a mouth for the bag. The material of the first and second walls and of the webs resists water penetration. One of the respective edge members and the respective first edges is provided with sealing means (16) adapted to form a seal at the mouth when the respective edge members are pressed together, whereby substantially to seal within the bag biological human waste products deposited in the bag when the mouth was open.

Description

COLLECTING BIOLOGICAL HUMAN WASTE PRODUCTS IN A TOILET OR

COMMODE

Background

This disclosure is concerned with the collection of biological human waste products in a toilet or commode. More specifically, it is concerned with waste disposal bags are disclosed for receiving biological human waste products in a toilet or commode. A number of proposals have previously been made in the Patent literature for systems which involve collection of biological human waste products in a toilet in bags or pouches. Examples include US 3619822 Carmichael, US 3648302 Winters, and US 5193231 Stender. Such prior proposed systems are often complicated and unreliable. There remains a need for a simple, clean and reliable system.

Summary

In accordance with a first aspect of this disclosure, a waste disposal bag adapted to receive biological human waste products in a toilet or commode comprises: a first wall having a first edge, an opposed second edge remote from the first edge and side edges connecting the first and second edges; and a second wall also having a first edge, an opposed second edge remote from its first edge and side edges connecting its first and second edges; the respective second edges of the first and second walls being coupled together by bottom structure to form a closed bottom for the bag; each first edge being joined to a respective edge member adapted for cooperation with a suspension member of a mounting cradle for the bag for suspension of the bag in the cradle, the said edge members being more rigid than the material of the first and second walls, whereby each said first edge remains substantially straight in use of the bag; and the respective side edges of the first and second walls being coupled by a web that allows the edge members to be moved in parallel towards and away from each other to provide a mouth for the bag; the material of the first and second walls and of the webs resisting water penetration; and one of the respective edge members and the respective first edges being provided with sealing means adapted to form a seal at the mouth when the respective edge members are pressed together, whereby substantially to seal within the bag biological human waste products deposited in the bag when the mouth was open.

Preferred embodiments of waste disposal bag have one or more of the following features: The first and second walls are formed integrally, the bottom structure comprising a transverse fold line separating the first wall from the second wall. Each web is formed as a pleated structure. The first and second walls and the webs are formed of plastics, preferably polyethylene, coated paper, and the edge members are formed of card. Each edge member comprises a first strip generally aligned with and joined to the respective wall at its first edge, a flange foldably joined to the first strip and extending at an angle thereto and adapted in use to rest upon a said suspension member, and an edge strip foldably joined to and extending at an angle to the flange and adapted in use to be selectively trapped between an edge of a said suspension member and a clamping member cooperating therewith. The interior of the bag is provided with a liquid absorbing pad. The interior of the bag is provided with water retaining crystals. The sealing means may comprise a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive guarded by a removable guard strip until a bag is mounted in a toilet or commode for use. Alternatively, the sealing means may comprise a heat sensitive adhesive adapted to be heated to form a seal when the respective edge members are pressed together in a toilet or commode.

Also described herein is a sanitary apparatus adapted to serve as a toilet or commode and suitable for use with the aforesaid bags, the apparatus comprising: a seat for a user provided with an opening therethrough; and a mounting cradle adapted to suspend a waste disposal bag beneath said opening for collection of said user's biological human waste when the apparatus is used as a toilet or commode for subsequent disposal of such waste; the mounting cradle being provided with two parallelly disposed suspension members each adapted to mount a respective edge portion of the bag, the suspension members being adapted for relative movement in parallel away from each other with a bag suspended between them to provide an open mouth for the biological human waste, and towards each other substantially to close a suspended said bag with such waste therewithin.

Preferred embodiments of the sanitary apparatus have one or more of the following features: Each suspension member has an associated clamp member separated from its suspension member by a closable gap adapted to receive the extreme edge of an edge portion of a bag whose edge portion is suspended over the suspension member and extends into said gap, for clamping said extreme edge between the clamp member and the suspension member. At least one of the clamps defined by a respective clamp member and suspension member is provided with a trigger-operated release mechanism for the clamp. The clamp member is adapted to clamp to the associated suspension member by magnetic attraction between a first magnet member and a second magnet member, the first magnet member being mounted on one of the clamp member and the suspension member and comprising a permanent magnet, and the second magnet member comprising a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material and being mounted on the other of the clamp member and the suspension member; and wherein the trigger-operated release mechanism comprises a spring loaded trigger adapted when triggered to force the first and second magnet members apart to release the clamp. The trigger associated with one said suspension member is positioned to operate automatically when the suspension members are pressed together, whereby to release the clamp associated with that suspension member to release an associated bag edge portion of a bag suspended by the suspension members, the clamp between the other suspension member and its clamp member being adapted to be released manually to allow removal of a suspended bag. The mounting cradle may be arranged to mount two said waste disposal bags alongside each other, the mounting cradle being adapted for movement under control of first drive along a path beneath the seat to present first one and then the other of the two said bags beneath the opening. In this case, the mounting cradle may define two bag mounting positions each defined between a said one suspension element and a said other suspension element, the mounting cradle including a central structure mounting said one suspension elements in fixed positions on said centre structure, and the other suspension elements being mounted for movement relative to the central structure under control of respective second drives. The sanitary apparatus may be combined with a bed selected from hospital beds and care home beds for use when required by an occupant of the bed, the apparatus being movable between a first position alongside the bed and a second stowed position beneath the bed. Alternatively, the sanitary apparatus may be configured as a commode, wherein a first said suspension member is mounted in fixed position beneath the seat, and the second said suspension member is coupled to a handle for manual movement thereof towards and away from the first said suspension member.

In a second and alternative aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a method of use for a waste bag as aforesaid, the method comprising the steps of: mounting the bag in a mounting cradle of sanitary apparatus adapted to serve as a toilet or commode, and having a seat for a user provided with an opening therethrough, the mounting cradle being disposed beneath the seat and being provided with two parallelly disposed suspension members each adapted to mount a respective edge portion of the bag; adjusting the positioning of at least one said suspension member so that the bag suspended between them is presented with an open mouth beneath the opening for receipt of biological human waste; moving one said suspension member relatively towards the other substantially to close a suspended said bag with such waste therewithin; pressing one said suspension member against the other with the bag suspended between them in a manner to cause the sealing means to form a seal at the mouth, whereby substantially to seal within the bag biological human waste products deposited in the bag when the mouth was open. Preferred embodiments of the method employ one or more of the following features: Each suspension member has an associated clamp member separated from its suspension member by a closable gap whereby respective edge strips of the bag are clamped between the clamp member and the suspension member when the bag is suspended with its mouth open, and when one suspension member is moved relatively to the other and the suspension members are subsequently pressed together to form said seal. Each clamp defined by a respective clamp member and suspension member is provided with a trigger-operated release mechanism for the clamp, and the action of pressing the two suspension members together triggers the release mechanism for one said clamp, whereby relative movement of one suspension member away from the other after forming said seal releases the edge strip from that clamp to leave the sealed bag suspended by the other said clamp for subsequent collection and disposal of the sealed bag.

Brief Description of the Drawings Reference may now be made to the description of preferred embodiments by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a waste disposal bag adapted to receive biological human waste products in a toilet or commode;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a toilet with the bag of Fig. 1 mounted therein;

Figs. 3 to 9 are diagrammatical views illustrating successive stages in use of the toilet of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 shows a diagrammatical cross-sectional view of a clamp in its open condition;

Fig. 1 1 shows the clamp of Fig. 10 in closed condition;

Fig. 12 shows a diagrammatical cross-sectional view of a second clamp in its closed condition;

Fig. 13 shows the clamp of Fig. 12 in its open condition;

Fig. 14 is a somewhat schematic perspective view showing a toilet unit as shown in Fig. 2 mounted beneath a bed in stowed condition;

Fig. 15 shows the toilet unit and bed of Fig. 14 with the toilet unit extended out from under the bed;

Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of a commode with the bag of Fig. 1 mounted therein;

Fig. 17 shows an exploded view of the commode and bag of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 shows the base of the commode of Figs 16 and 17 with the bag mounted therein with its mouth open;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18 with the mouth of the bag closed;

Figs. 20 to 26 are diagrammatical cross-sectional views with parts omitted for clarity showing successive stages in use of the commode of Figs 16 to 19;

Figs. 27a and 27b are diagrammatical views with parts omitted illustrating a double bag arrangement for a toilet similar to the single bag arrangement of Figs. 2 to 13, illustrating in section and in plan placement of two bags in the apparatus;

Figs. 28a and 28b are views similar to Figs. 27a and 27b showing the bags clamped in place;

Fig. 29 is a diagrammatical view similar to Fig. 27a showing a first bag ready to receive human waste products in a toilet;

Figs. 30a, 31a, 32a, 33a and 34a are views similar to Fig. 27a showing successive stages in use of the double bag arrangement; Figs. 30b, 31b, 32b, 33b and 34b are corresponding views similar to Fig. 27b showing the same successive stages in use of the double bag arrangement;

Fig. 35 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of waste disposal bag in its initial just open condition;

Figs. 36 and 37 are views similar to Fig. 35 showing successive stages in opening of the bag of Fig. 35;

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a toilet, shown generally schematically and with parts omitted to show internal structure, into which the bag of Figs. 35 to 37 may be mounted for use;

Figs. 39 and 40 are views similar to Fig. 38 showing successive stages in loading of the bag into a mounting cradle;

Fig. 41 is a view similar to Figs. 38, 39 and 40, with the bag open to receive human waste products;

Fig. 42 is a perspective view from a different direction illustrating a sealer for the mouth of a bag; and

Figs. 43 and 44 are perspective views of two further alternative waste disposal bags for receiving biological human waste products in a toilet or commode.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Turning first to Fig. 1 , a waste disposal bag 1 adapted to receive biological human waste products in a toilet or commode has first and second main walls 2 and 2' having respective first upper edges 3, 3' and respective second lower edges 4, 4'. Their respective side edges 5, 6 and 5', 6' are connected by respective webs 7, 7'. In this case, the main walls 2, 2' are formed integrally, the bottom structure of the bag consisting of a transverse fold line 8 separating the first wall from the second wall. Thus in this illustrated arrangement, the lower edges 4, 4' coincide with each other and with transverse fold 8. However, other arrangements are also contemplated. The two walls 2, 2' may be formed as separate pieces that are glued together at their lower ends 4, 4', optionally with an intermediate gusset or other bottom structure. In the illustrated arrangement, the webs 7, T are provided as fan-shaped pleated structures 9, 9', but may take any form that allows the upper edges 3, 3' of the bag 1 to be moved towards and away from each other. Upper edges 3, 3' of the main walls 2, 2' are joined to respective edge members 10, 10' which, as explained in detail below, are adapted for cooperation with a suspension member of a mounting cradle for the bag for suspension of the bag in the cradle to receive biological human waste products in sanitary apparatus adapted to serve as a toilet or commode. The edge members 10, 10' are sufficiently more rigid than the material of the walls 2, 2', that they maintain the upper edges of the walls substantially straight during use. The walls 2, 2' and webs 7, 7' are suitably formed of plastics coated paper, preferably polyethylene coated paper to resist liquid penetration, while the edge members 10, 10' may be formed of card. The ability of the bag to retain liquids may be enhanced by inserting or incorporating an absorbent pad in the bag. Such pads are widely used in female sanitary products and in disposable nappies (diapers), and any such pads will be suitable for present purposes and enhance use of the product. Alternatively, and as presently preferred by the present Inventor, so-called super-absorbent polymer crystals are inserted into the bag, either loosely or within a pouch. Such super-absorbent crystals are commercially available, for example from Town End (Leeds) pic, Silver Court, Intercity Way, Stanningley, Leeds LSI 3 4LY, UK under the Brand Name "Dyofix", and are commonly employed in retaining moisture in planted-up garden containers. They can absorb up to 250 times their weight of water. In practical embodiments, card has proved sufficiently rigid for the edge members

10, 10' for reliable use. The rigidity is enhanced by forming edge members 10, 10' with fold lines 1 1 and 12, which serve to define strips 13, 13' joined to the respective edges 3, 3', flanges 14, 14' at an angle to the strips 13, 13' and adapted to overlie suspension bars, as explained below, and edge strips 15, 15' extending generally at right angles to the flange. As explained below, strips 15 and 15' are arranged to be trapped in use between an edge of a said suspension member and a clamping member cooperating therewith. However, edge members 10, 10' are not completely rigid. As the bag is moved in use to open and close its mouth, the angles between strips 13, 13' and flanges 14, 14' and between flanges 14, 14' and edge strips 15, 15' will vary, but the edges defined by the edge members 10, 10' remain substantially straight and parallel to each other.

The mouth of the bag is provided with sealing means adapted to form a seal at the mouth when the respective edge members are pressed together substantially to seal within the bag biological human waste products deposited in the bag when the mouth was open. The sealing means may comprise a strip 16 of pressure sensitive adhesive on one edge member or adjacent the top edge of the wall. The strip 16 is suitably guarded by a removable peel-off guard strip until a bag is mounted in a toilet or commode for use. Alternatively, as explained below with reference to Fig. 43, the sealing means may comprise a strip of heat sensitive adhesive on one edge member adapted to be heated to form a seal when the respective edge members are pressed together in a toilet or commode.

Fig. 2 shows the bag 1 mounted in sanitary apparatus in the form of a toilet unit 17, which may be mounted on wheels 18 and combined with a bed 19 (Figs. 14 and 15). Bed 19 may be a hospital bed, but more preferably is a bed designed for use in a care-home such as a care-home for the elderly. The lavatory unit 17 has a first stowed position beneath the bed 19 and a second operative position alongside the bed, where it may be used by an occupant of the bed without the user needing to call a nurse, relative or care- worker to help them get out of bed to travel to a lavatory and then return. Movement of the toilet unit is suitably under control of a handset that the user can operate themselves. The same handset may be used to control operation of the lavatory unit itself, as explained in more detail below with reference to Figs. 3 to 13. A seat 20, here shown in a lifted condition to allow access to mounting cradle 21 in which the bag 1 is suspended, has a through opening 22. Mounting cradle 22 has a first suspension member 23 mounted in a generally fixed position within toilet unit 17 and a second suspension member 24 mounted in parallel to suspension member 23 on a moveable wheeled carriage 25 (Figs. 3 to 9) for movement in parallel to suspension member 23 with a bag suspended between the two suspension members away from suspension member 23 to provide an open mouth for the biological human waste, and towards suspension member 23 substantially to close a suspended said bag with such waste therewithin. Each suspension member 23, 24 has a respective associated clamp member 26, 27 separated from its suspension member by a closable gap. Edge members 10, 10' of the bag 1 are configured to fit over the suspension members 23, 24. Here flange 14 of edge member 10 overlies suspension member 23 with edge strip 15 at the extreme edge of edge member 10 extending into gap 28 between suspension member 23 and its clamp member 26, while the identical flange 14' on the opposing edge of the bag overlies suspension member 24 with edge strip 15' extending into gap 29 between suspension member 24 and its clamp member 27. The clamp defined by clamp member 26 and fixed suspension member 23 has a trigger-operated release mechanism shown in Figs. 10 and 1 1, while the clamp defined by clamp member 27 and moveable suspension member 24 has a trigger- operated release mechanism shown in Figs. 12 and 13.

With the bag mouth in open condition as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, it is ready to receive biological human waste products. After use of the toilet by a user, carriage 25 moves along track 30 under control of a drive 31 from the position shown in Fig. 3, successively through the positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5 until the mouth of the bag is closed in Fig. 6. In the position shown in Fig. 6, a spring-loaded trigger 32 associated with moveable suspension member 24 is pressed against the confronting surface of suspension member 23 to trigger release of the clamp between suspension member 24 and its clamp member 27 to open gap 29 and release edge strip 15'. The carriage continues moving to press suspension member 24 against suspension member 23 with edge members 10, 10' therebetween. A sealing strip 16 of pressure sensitive adhesive on one or other of edge members 10 and 10', revealed by removal of an associated guard strip when the bag was first mounted in the mounting cradle, causes strips 13, 13' of the two edge members 10, 10' to be sealed together, thereby substantially sealing the deposited human waste products within the bag 1. As the carriage 25 returns (Fig. 8) towards its starting position, edge strip 15 of edge member 10 is still clamped between clamp member 26 and fixed suspension member 23. However, as the gap 29 between moveble suspension member 24 and its clamp member 27 has opened to free edge strip 15', that strip is free to move by flexing at the fold lines between strip 13' and flange 14' and between flange 14' and edge strip 15' to free edge member 10' as a whole from suspension member 24, as shown in Fig. 8 to leave the filled and sealed bag 1 suspended by its other edge member 10 on fixed suspension member 23, allowing carriage 25 and moveable suspension member 24 to return to their original position as shown in Fig. 9.

Operation of the respective clamps will now be explained with reference to Figs. 10 to 13. A clamp 33 is mounted at each end of suspension member 23, as shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 10 and 1 1, a pin 34 mounts suspension member 23 in fixed position in a channel member 35 fixed to side wall 36 of toilet unit 17, and also couples one end 37 of a rod 38 to the suspension member 23. The other end 39 of rod 38 has an abutment 40. Clamp member 26 has an aperture through which rod 38 extends. A compression spring 41 is mounted about rod 38 being trapped between abutment 40 and clamp member 26. Compression spring 41 is highly compressed in the open condition of the clamp 33 (Fig. 1 1 ) and less compressed, but still sufficiently compressed to maintain a clamping effect, in the closed condition of the clamp 33 (Fig. 10). A permanent magnet 42 is carried by clamp member 26. It will be understood that the spring 41 serves to hold the clamp 33 closed to retain edge strip 15 of edge member 10 in the gap 28 between clamp member 26 and suspension member 23. The clamp 33 must be opened manually to release edge strip 15 of the sealed bag 1 in the condition shown in Fig. 9. As the clamp member 26 is drawn back to open gap 28, its magnet 42 approaches a freely mounted steel pin 43, the head 44 of which is supported on channel member 35. The magnetic force between permanent magnet 42 and steel pin 43 holds the clamp 33 in open condition against the enhanced compression of spring 41 seeking to return the clamp to its closed condition. With the clamp in open condition the sealed bag may be removed for disposal. A fresh bag may be inserted in its place. The magnetic force may be removed simply by lifting the head 44 of pin 43, whereupon the spring 41 closes the clamp to hold edge strip 15 of the fresh bag.

A clamp 45 is provided at either end of moveable suspension member 24, as shown in Fig. 2, and best illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. Moveable suspension member 24 is integrally formed with a steel plate 46 forming part of carriage 25, while clamp member 27 incorporates a permanent magnet 47. In the closed condition of clamp 45, magnet 47 is adjacent steel plate 46 maintaining the clamp closed against the bias of a compression spring 48 of a spring loaded trigger release mechanism 32. As can be seen in Figs. 12 and 13, a trigger pin 49 has one end fixed to clamp member 27 and extends through apertures in the suspension member 24 to stand proud thereof in the closed condition of the clamp. Compression spring 48 is mounted about trigger pin 49 between rear wall 50 of clamp member 27 and steel plate 46. When edge member 10' of a bag 1 is mounted on suspension member 24 with its edge strip 15' held in the gap 29 between suspension member 24 and its clamp member 27, the pressure against head 51 of trigger pin 49 is insufficient to overcome the magnetic force between permanent magnet 47 and steel plate 46. However, when the carriage 25 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 6, the head 51 of trigger pin 49 is pressed against the abutting face of suspension member 23 sufficiently to drive the pin inwardly to displace magnet 47 from steel plate 46, to release compression spring 48 to spring the clamp open to release edge strip 15' from gap 29.

Although the sanitary apparatus is preferably embodied as a toilet unit 17, especially in association with a care bed 19, it may alternatively be embodied as a commode 52 as shown in Figs. 16 to 26. A classic commode comprises a chair or similar furniture with a concealed basin for a user to relieve themselves of biological human waste products. When embodied as a chair, the commode will have a seat or cushion for normal seating that is removable to reveal a seat 53 with an opening 54 allowing use as a lavatory. Commode 52 shown in Figs. 16 to 26 has a mounting cradle 55 for a bag 1 in place of a classic commode basin. Seat 53 is suitably formed of moulded plastics material and is supported on metal framework 56 for the chair-commode which serves as the mounting cradle 55. Like reference numerals are used for like parts of mounting cradle 56 that correspond to parts of the mounting cradle 22 of toilet unit 17 described above. Thus a stationary suspension member 23 with associated clamp member 26 as in the toilet unit 17 described above is mounted in fixed position on the framework 56, and a moveable suspension member 24 and associated clamp member 27 are mounted in parallel to suspension member 23 for movement towards and away from suspension member 23. Framework 56 includes respective channel members 57 and 58 adjacent the front and rear of the framework. Respective ends of the moveable suspension member are mounted with wheels W constrained to run in channel members 57 and 58. A handle 59 is attached to moveable suspension member 24 to draw the moveable suspension member from the condition shown in Figs. 16 and 18 with the bag open for receipt of biological human waste products to that shown in Fig. 19 with the mouth of the bag closed. Reverse movement of suspension member 24 is achieved by pushing on handle 59.

Successive stages in movement of moveable suspension member 24 and operation of the respective clamps 33 and 45 are shown in Figs 20 to 26. It will be seen that the sequence of operations for commode 52 are identical to those for toilet unit 17, save for the fact that operation of the commode is entirely manual. A double bag unit, as shown in Figs. 27a to 34b avoids the necessity for a user of a toilet unit such as a unit combined with a bed to have to call upon a nurse, relative or care worker to remove a sealed bag and replace the bag with afresh one shortly after having used the toilet unit. The arrangement is similar to having two single bag arrangements alongside each other, except that there are no fixed suspension members in this arrangement. Like parts to those of unit 17 employ like reference numerals.

Referring first to Figs 27a and 27b which show the condition with all clamps in their open condition for mounting a pair of bags in place in moveable mounting cradle 60, suspension members 24 form part of a central console 61 and have clamps 45 between the suspension members 24 and associated clamping members 29 for clamping edge strips 15' of edge members 10' of the respective bags 1 , as in the previously described arrangements. Edge strips 15 of the other edge members 10 of bags 1 are received in gaps 62 between suspension members 63 and associated clamping members 64. The clamps 65 that clamp clamping members 64 to suspension members 63 differ from previously described clamps 33. The clamping force in clamps 65 is provided by magnetic attraction between permanent magnets 66 and the steel material of suspension members 63. Clamping members 64 are slidable relative to suspension members 63 along rods 67 mounted in suspension members 63, and compression springs 68 are interposed between suspension members 63 and clamping members 64. Thus manually pushing clamping members from the condition shown in Figs. 27a and 27b into contact with the suspension members, as shown in Figs. 28a and 28b compresses the springs 68 but the magnetic attraction created between permanent magnets 66 and suspension members 63 is sufficient to overcome the bias of springs 68 and maintain the clamps 65 closed.

With the begs clamped in position and with their mouths open, the mounting cradle 60 is moved as a whole to centre the left hand bag under opening 22 of a toilet seat 20 (Fig. 29) ready for use to receive biological human waste products. After use, a secondary drive causes relative movement between central console 61 and suspension member 63 associated with the left hand bag (Figs. 30a and 30b) until trigger pins 49 of the trigger release mechanisms of the clamps 45 associated with the left hand bag come into contact with suspension member 63 (Figs. 31a and 31b) and the clamps 45 associated with the left hand bag are released. Reversal of the secondary drive between central console 61 and the left hand suspension member 63 then releases one side of sealed left hand bag, with its other side remaining clamped between suspension member 63 and its associated clamp member 64 by clamps 65, and the mounting cradle 60 is moved as a whole to centre the right hand bag under opening 22 in seat 20 ready for use (Figs. 32a and 32b). The sequence of operations is repeated on the right hand side until the condition shown in Figs. 33a and 33b is reached with two sealed bags hanging from respective suspension members 63. Manual release of the clamps 65 by pulling the clamping members 64 back slightly to break the magnetic contact and allow the bias of the compression springs 68 to take over and push the clamping bars fully back (Figs. 34a and 34b) releases the bags for removal and disposal.

Other embodiments of waste disposal bag for receiving biological human waste products in a toilet or commode and that embody the present teachings are feasible. Thus, Figs. 35, 36 and 37 shows a bag 69 with first and second main walls 70 and 70' having respective first upper edges 71, 71 ' and respective second lower edges 72, 72'. Their respective side edges 73, 74 and 73', 74' are connected by respective webs 75, 75', which here take the form of a single fold pleat. As in the embodiment of Fig. 1 , the main walls 70, 70' are formed integrally, the bottom structure of the bag consisting of a transverse fold line 76 separating the first wall from the second wall. Upper edges 71, 71 ' of the main walls 70, 70" are joined to respective edge members 77, 77' which, while also adapted for cooperation with a suspension member of a mounting cradle, take a form that differs from that employed in the Fig. 1 embodiment. Here the edge members 77, 77' have fold lines 78, which serve to define strips 79, 79' joined to the respective edges 71, 71 ' and flanges 80, 80' at an angle to the strips 79, 79' and adapted for location on suspension bars, as explained below. Flanges 80, 80' are provided with locating means, here a single aperture 81 on each flange, although more than one such aperture could be provided.

The mouth of the bag is provided with sealing means adapted to form a seal at the mouth when the respective edge members are pressed together substantially to seal within the bag biological human waste products deposited in the bag when the mouth was open. In this case, as described in more detail below, a strip of heat sensitive adhesive is provided on one edge member or adjacent the top edge of the wall, and is arranged to be heated to form a seal when the respective edge members are pressed together in a toilet or commode.

Turning now to Figs. 38 to 42, which illustrate a toilet unit 82 in which the bags of Figs. 35 to 37 may be employed. The toilet unit has a seat 83 with a through opening 84. A mounting cradle 85 for a bag 69 is disposed beneath opening 84. Mounting cradle 85 has two parallelly disposed suspension members 86, 87 adapted to mount a respective edge portion of the bag. The suspension members 86, 87 are arranged for relative movement in parallel away from each other with a bag suspended between them to provide an open mouth for the biological human waste, and towards each other substantially to close a suspended said bag with such waste therewithin. In this case, suspension member 86 is fixed, while suspension member 87 is arranged for travel under control of a drive system 88. Each suspension member has a slot 89 adapted to receive a flange 80, 80'. Retractable pins not visible in the drawings are located in the slots 89 for engagement with apertures 81 to firmly hold the bag 69.

The toilet unit incorporates a bag loader 90, which comprises a frame 91 into which a fresh bag may be inserted to be suspended on the top 92 of each side of the frame 91 by its flanges 80, 80', as shown in Figs. 38 and 39. With the suspension members separated to the same extent as the two sides of the loader frame 91 , a manual pusher 93 capable of sliding along the top of the loader 90 is used to push the flanges 80, 80' lengthwise into the slots 89 (Fig. 40). Drive 88 is actuated to move suspension member 87 away from suspension member 86 to open the mouth of bag 69 (Fig. 41) for use. Reverse travel of suspension member 87 after use of the toilet brings the two edge members 77, 77' into contact with each other. While they are pressed together, a heat seal bar 94 (Fig. 42) is heated to heat the strip of heat sensitive adhesive and seal the mouth of bag 69. Upon opening of the suspension members 86, 87 again, the flanges 80, 80' are detached from retractable pins releasing the sealed bag. Further embodiments 95 and 96 of bag are shown in Figs. 43 and 44. It will be seen that these are generally similar to bag 69 except that they employ a greater number of smaller pleats. They also have separately formed main walls 70, 70'. As shown, transverse fold 76 is provided adjacent lower edge 97 of wall 70, and that edge passes under the bottom of the bag to overlap lower edge 97' of wall 70'. Although the bags of Figs. 43 and 44 are shown without apertures in their flanges, they may have apertures 81 as in the bag of Figs. 35 to 37. Alternatively, they may be employed with sanitary apparatus similar to Figs. 38 to 42, but where the sides of slots 89 are movable to clamp the flanges of the bag.

Claims

1. A waste disposal bag adapted to receive biological human waste products in a toilet or commode, the bag comprising: a first wall having a first edge, an opposed second edge remote from the first edge and side edges connecting the first and second edges; and a second wall also having a first edge, an opposed second edge remote from its first edge and side edges connecting its first and second edges; the respective second edges of the first and second walls being coupled together by bottom structure to form a closed bottom for the bag; each first edge being joined to a respective edge member adapted for cooperation with a suspension member of a mounting cradle for the bag for suspension of the bag in the cradle, the said edge members being more rigid than the material of the first and second walls, whereby each said first edge remains substantially straight in use of the bag; and the respective side edges of the first and second walls being coupled by a web that allows the edge members to be moved in parallel towards and away from each other to provide a mouth for the bag; the material of the first and second walls and of the webs resisting water penetration; and one of the respective edge members and the respective first edges being provided with sealing means adapted to form a seal at the mouth when the respective edge members are pressed together, whereby substantially to seal within the bag biological human waste products deposited in the bag when the mouth was open.

2. A waste disposal bag according to Claim 1 , wherein the first and second walls are formed integrally, the bottom structure comprising a transverse fold line separating the first wall from the second wall.

3. A waste disposal bag according to Claim 1, wherein each web is formed as a pleated structure.

4. A waste disposal bag according to Claim 1, wherein the first and second walls and the webs are formed of plastics, preferably polyethylene, coated paper, and wherein the edge members are formed of card.

5. A waste disposal bag according to Claim 1, wherein each edge member comprises a first strip generally aligned with and joined to the respective wall at its first edge, a flange foldably joined to the first strip and extending at an angles thereto and adapted in use to rest upon a said suspension member, and an edge strip foldably joined to and extending at an angle to the flange and adapted in use to be selectively trapped between an edge of a said suspension member and a clamping member cooperating therewith.

6. A waste disposal bag according to Claim 1 , wherein the interior of the bag is provided with a liquid absorbing pad.

7. A waste disposal bag according to Claim 1 , wherein the interior of the bag is provided with water retaining crystals.

8. A method of use for a waste disposal bag according to Claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: mounting the bag in a mounting cradle of sanitary apparatus adapted to serve as a toilet or commode, and having a seat for a user provided with an opening therethrough, the mounting cradle being disposed beneath the seat and being provided with two parallelly disposed suspension members each adapted to mount a respective edge portion of the bag; adjusting the positioning of at least one said suspension member so that the bag suspended between them is presented with an open mouth beneath the opening for receipt of biological human waste; moving one said suspension member relatively towards the other substantially to close a suspended said bag with such waste therewithin; pressing one said suspension member against the other with the bag suspended between them in a manner to cause the sealing means to form a seal at the mouth, whereby substantially to seal within the bag biological human waste products deposited in the bag when the mouth was open.

9. A method according to Claim 8 for use of a bag according to Claim 5, wherein each suspension member has an associated clamp member separated from its suspension member by a closable gap whereby respective edge strips of the bag are clamped between the clamp member and the suspension member when the bag is suspended with its mouth open, and when one suspension member is moved relatively to the other and the suspension members are subsequently pressed together to form said seal.

10. A method according to Claim 9, wherein each clamp defined by a respective clamp member and suspension member is provided with a trigger-operated release mechanism for the clamp, and wherein the action of pressing the two suspension members together triggers the release mechanism for one said clamp, whereby relative movement of one suspension member away from the other after forming said seal releases the edge strip from that clamp to leave the sealed bag suspended by the other said clamp for subsequent collection and disposal of the sealed bag.