WO2016162868A1

WO2016162868A1 - Collapsible cup for medical diagnosis

Info

Publication number: WO2016162868A1
Application number: PCT/IL2016/050366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yonatan Adiri; Ron Zohar
Original assignee: Ownhealth Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-04-07
Filing date: 2016-04-07
Publication date: 2016-10-13

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a collapsible cup that includes a base section; a series of circumferential pleated sleeve sections; and an opening section, wherein each of the circumferential pleated sleeve section comprises a pleat that protrudes outwardly from the sleeve section, and wherein in a collapsed state, the series of circumferential pleated sleeve sections occupy minimal volume being an accumulated thickness of the collapsed sleeves.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE CUP FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to containers for liquids and more specifically to collapsible cups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collapsible cups are useful for compact delivery and storage. Various such cups are known in the art and their structure differ based on their functionality.

However, currently available collapsible cups are too thick, in a collapsed state, to be inserted and delivered in a standard envelope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a collapsible cup that is ultra-thin in a collapsed state so as to enable mail delivery thereof in a standard envelope. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a collapsible cup that includes a base section; a series of circumferential pleated sleeve sections; and an opening section, wherein each of the circumferential pleated sleeve section comprises a pleat that protrudes outwardly from the sleeve section, and wherein in a collapsed state, the series of circumferential pleated sleeve sections occupy minimal volume being an accumulated thickness of the collapsed sleeves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. 1A and IB are side and top views of a collapsible cup in its spread state according to aspects of certain embodiments of the present invention;

Figs. 2A and 2B are side and top views of a collapsible cup in its collapsed state according to aspects of certain embodiments of the present invention; and

Figs. 3A and 3B are side and beneath views of a cover for a collapsible cup according to aspects of certain embodiments of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a collapsible cup that includes a base section; a series of circumferential pleated sleeve sections; and an opening section, wherein each of the circumferential pleated sleeve section comprises a pleat that protrudes outwardly from the sleeve section, and wherein in a collapsed state, the series of circumferential pleated sleeve sections occupy minimal volume being an accumulated thickness of the collapsed sleeves. In some embodiments of the present invention, the circumferential pleated sleeve sections have varying sizes and wherein the size of the circumferential pleated sleeve sections increases from the opening section towards the base section.

In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of: the base section and the opening section are collapsible.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the opening section is semi conical and shaped so as to reduce back spray of fluids inserted to the cup.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the thickness of the collapsible cup in a collapsed state is less than 15mm, and wherein the collapsible cup is capable of holding between 100ml to 200ml.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the circumferential pleated sleeve sections are connected to each other via rings.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the opening section is shaped to accommodate a lid.

Reference is now made to Figs. 1A and IB, which are side and top views, respectively, of a collapsible cup 100 in its spread state according to aspects of certain embodiments of the present invention. Cup 100 may include a collapsible base 10, a pleats section 11 and an opening section 12 that provides a cup opening 14. Base 10 may include, for example, a round bottom 10a and/or may be configured to enable cup 100 to steadily stand on a fiat horizontal surface, for example when cup 100 is filled with liquid to be tested, such as urine. Base 10 may include a perimeter rim 10b and a collapsible ring 10c, wherein ring 10c extends inwardly from perimeter rim 10b and is configured to be stretched away from bottom 10a.

Opening section 12 may include opening rim 16 and extensions 15, which may facilitate, for example, rotational mounting of a cup cover (shown in Figs. 3A and 3B). Additionally, opening section 12 may include an opening collapsible ring 12a, wherein ring 12a extends inwardly from rim 16 and is configured to be stretched away from rim 16.

Collapsible section 11 may include a series of accordion- like pleats 11a, lib, 11c, l id and l ie connected in series, although other types of pleats are contemplated. Although the drawing shows five pleats in section 11, the invention is not limited in that respect and section 11 may include any suitable number of pleats. Each pleat 11a, l ib, 11c, 1 Id and 1 le may include a pleat perimeter rim 21 and two pleat collapsible rings, bottom collapsible ring 22 and top collapsible ring 23. Rings 22 and 23 extend inwardly from perimeter rim 21 and are configured to be stretched away from rim 21 towards opposite sides of rim 21. In each of pleats 11a, l ib, 11c, 1 Id and 1 le, rim 21 and collapsible rings 22 and 23 may be similar in functioning but different in dimensions. Section 11 may be connected to opening section 12 by a linking rim 13f, which may be connected on one side to collapsible ring 12a and on its other (e.g., opposing) side to top collapsible ring 23 of pleat l ie. Section 11 may be connected to base 10 by a linking rim 13a, which may be connected on one side to bottom collapsible ring 22 of pleat 11a and on its other side to collapsible ring 10c of base 10. Pleats 11a, l ib, 11c, l id and l ie may be connected to each other in series by linking rims 13b, 13c, 13d and 13e, as shown in Fig 1A, wherein each of linking rims 13b, 13c, 13d and 13e may link a bottom collapsible ring 22 of one of pleats l ib, 11c, l id and l ie to a top collapsible ring 23 of a previous pleat 11a, l ib, 11c or l id, respectively. In exemplary embodiments, as shown in Fig. 1A, each pleat in section 11, starting from base 10, is larger in diameter than the previous pleat or equal in diameter to the previous pleat, so that the diameter of cup 100 increases towards opening section 12 and decreases towards base 10. That is, for example, pleat 1 le is larger in diameter than or equal in diameter to pleat 1 Id, pleat 1 Id is larger in diameter than or equal in diameter to pleat 1 lc, pleat 11c is larger in diameter than or equal in diameter to pleat l ib, and pleat l ib is larger in diameter than or equal in diameter to pleat 11a. Additionally, pleat 11a may be larger in diameter than or equal in diameter to base 10, which may have a diameter d of about 4-4.5 cm. Opening section 12 may be larger in diameter than or equal in diameter to pleat 1 le.

Cup 100 may reach a spread state, for example, as shown in Figs 1A and IB, by pulling opening section 12 away from base 10 when cup 100 is in its collapsed state, as shown in Figs. 2 A and 2B. When in its spread state, cup 100 may preferably enable a complete dipping of a laboratory testing stick, e.g., have a height H of at least 8 cm and more preferably about 10 cm. The cup may contain at least lOOcc of liquid to be tested (e.g. urine) and more preferably more than lOOcc and up to 200cc of liquid to be tested.

In preferred embodiments, the cup material should withstand and not contaminate urine. Additionally, collapsible cup 100 should be made from a material reasonably cheap and/or suitable for one-time use. Additionally, according to preferred embodiments, materials cup 100 may be made of a material, or materials, that ensures the highest clinical-grade quality.

Opening section 12, when in a spread state, may have a semi-conical tunnel shape, wherein a diameter W of opening rim 16 is larger than the diameter of linking rim 13f, and the diameter of collapsible ring 12a changes gradually between them, for example as shown in Fig. 1A. The semi-conical tunnel shape of opening section 12 enables efficient reception of fluids without, for example, spraying-back of fluid drops. The width W of opening rim 16 may be about 75-80 mm. Reference is now made to Figs. 2A and 2B, which are side and top views, respectively, of collapsible cup 100, as described in detail with reference to Figs. 1A and IB, in its collapsed state according to aspects of certain embodiments of the present invention.

The dimensions of cup 100, when in a collapsed state, may be suitable for delivery by mail such as, for example, within an envelope or thin package. The height h of collapsed cup 100 may be about 12-15 mm.

Figs. 3 A and 3B are side and beneath views, respectively, of a cover 110 for a collapsible cup 100 according to aspects of certain embodiments of the present invention. Cover 110 may include extensions 18 at its periphery, which are configured to adjoin to extensions 15 by rotation and/or to enable rotational mounting of cup cover 110 upon opening rim 16. The diameter D of cup 110 may be slightly larger than diameter W of rim 16, and/or may be, for example, of about 80 mm. the height hi of cover 110 may maintain the thin shape of cup 100 when collapsed and/or may be, for example, of about 6-7 mm.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to laboratory tests and/or to medical diagnosis. Embodiments of the present invention provide a collapsible cup that can be inserted to an envelope in its collapsed state and is usable in any suitable manner, for example, when fully extended.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible cup comprising:

a base section;

a series of circumferential pleated sleeve sections; and

an opening section,

wherein each of the circumferential pleated sleeve section comprises a pleat that protrudes outwardly from the sleeve section, and

wherein in a collapsed state, the series of circumferential pleated sleeve sections occupy minimal volume being an accumulated thickness of the collapsed sleeves.

2. The collapsible cup according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential pleated sleeve sections have varying sizes and wherein the size of the circumferential pleated sleeve sections increases from the opening section towards the base section.

3. The collapsible cup according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: the base section and the opening section are collapsible.

4. The collapsible cup according to claim 1 , wherein the opening section is semi conical and shaped so as to reduce back spray of fluids inserted to the cup.

5. The collapsible cup according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the collapsible cup in a collapsed state is less than 15mm, and wherein the collapsible cup is capable of holding between 100ml to 200ml.

6. The collapsible cup according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential pleated sleeve sections are connected to each other via rings.

7. The collapsible cup according to claim 1, wherein the opening section is shaped to accommodate a lid.