Abstract:
A collapsible, hands-free emesis container is provided with improved portability, deployment and emesis reception characteristics. The container includes a receptacle portion for receiving emesis, a chute portion for directing emesis and a retainer to maintain desired positioning of the container about a support structure, which may be the neck of an impaired patient. The container may be provided in a package having size characteristics for easy storage and access by emergency medical service personnel. The container may be formed as a single unitary member.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/714,949, filed 7 Mar. 2007, and entitled “Emesis Container.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to bodily fluid containment devices, and more specifically to a hands-free emesis container. 
         [0003]    Emergency medical service (EMS) workers frequently encounter situations where a patient is unconscious, semi-conscious, altered, weak or otherwise impaired. The workers must act quickly to evaluate and stabilize the patient, set up IVs, prepare the patient for transport, communicate with hospital emergency staff, administer medications, and monitor and transport the patient to the hospital. These situations frequently involve patients who are vomiting or are on the verge of vomiting. 
         [0004]    Emesis, or regurgitated contents of the stomach, is a medical treatment reality. Emesis further complicates emergency medical situations by distracting EMS workers from other important tasks. The workers suddenly find themselves juggling and holding traditional emesis basins or bags near the patient&#39;s face while simultaneously performing other lifesaving tasks, thereby reducing the multi-tasking efficiency of EMS workers. Despite a caregiver&#39;s best efforts, traditional emesis devices do not prevent patients from vomiting all over themselves while EMS workers are attending to other tasks. 
         [0005]    In general, emesis containers are known in the art. These devices have several drawbacks, however. Most of the prior devices are not collapsible. An emesis container that is not collapsible may be suitable for some environments, but in an emergency medical situation, such configuration is inconvenient. If a collapsible container was provided in the past, it consisted of multiple pieces that required assembly prior to use. Such assembly simply subtracts precious seconds from attending to other medical needs in an emergency situation. 
         [0006]    Additionally, prior devices did not address adequately the needs of a patient that is largely impaired. Most traditional emesis containers required, as previously noted, that the patient or caregiver support the container near the patient&#39;s mouth. While some devices offered supporting mechanisms, such as neckstraps, a minor patient head movement may remove the container from the flow path of the emesis, thereby allowing containment of only some of the fluid. 
         [0007]    Therefore, the field of emergency medicine would benefit from a hands-free, collapsible emesis container with improved deployment and emesis reception characteristics. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]    The present invention provides a hands-free, collapsible emesis container with improved deployment and emesis reception characteristics. 
         [0009]    The container is a unitary member comprised generally of a receptacle portion and a chute portion. The container may further comprise a retainer coupled to the container at retainer site. The receptacle portion is preferably a bag formed from a liquid impervious material, such as a translucent polyethylene, that may enable inspection of contents and may have volume demarcations thereon. The receptacle portion has an open end having a perimeter and a closed end. The chute portion has an entrance end and an exit end, the exit end being in fluid communication with the receptacle open end. The chute portion may extend around less than the entire receptacle open end perimeter. The chute is preferably a fluid impervious material and preferably includes a back panel, with a front surface and back surface, of substantial surface area and side panels extending from the bottom panel front surface. The junctions of the bottom panel and the side panels provide a fluid trough. 
         [0010]    If a retainer is provided, the retainer may be coupled to the chute portion by being integrally formed with the chute portion. The retainer may be a strap, which may have elastic properties. Alternatively, or additionally, the retainer may include an adhesive patch, provided on the back surface covered by a releasable liner. The retainer site, at which the retainer is coupled to the container, may include a stress riser for ease in releasing the retainer. At least one retainer site may be an aperture formed through the chute portion. The retainer site may additionally or alternatively include a fastener, such as, e.g., a staple, for maintaining the retainer in frictional contact with the chute portion. 
         [0011]    An emesis container according to the present invention may also include a reinforcement member coupled to the unitary member where the reinforcement member is adapted to maintain the open end of the receptacle portion in a substantially open configuration when the container is arranged for use. The reinforcement member may be coupled to an outer surface of the receptacle portion closer to the open end than to the closed end. The reinforcement member may be provided as a plastically deformable metal wire or even a cuff provided along at least a portion of the open end perimeter of the receptacle portion. 
         [0012]    The exact dimensions of a container according to the present invention are not limiting. A preferred receptacle portion may have a liquid capacity of at least 1200 milliliters. The open end perimeter of the receptacle may encompass at least thirty square inches and the back panel front surface of the chute portion may comprise a surface area of at least forty square inches. 
         [0013]    A container according to the present invention may be provided in a package surrounding and maintaining the emesis container in a folded configuration. The package may be airtight and have preferred dimensions of less than or equal to four inches long by less than or equal to four inches wide by less than or equal to one-half inch deep. The package may further contain instructions directed to the proper use of the container contained in the package. 
         [0014]    Thus, although emesis always complicates an emergency situation, the availability of a hands-free emesis container will help considerably. Such availability is provided by a preferred method of packaging the container, which allows the emesis container to be carried easily by emergency personnel in their starter boxes, fanny packs, shirt pockets or glove holsters. Quickly attaching a hands-free emesis container to a patient will enable EMS workers to multi-task more efficiently without being distracted by holding traditional emesis containers near the face of an impaired patient. Attachment of the device to a patient is enabled by the retainer, which is preferably adapted to be situated around the patient&#39;s head or neck. With the aid of a chute having an increased surface area and curbed side sections, EMS workers can attend to other life-saving tasks, even when the patient is incapable of holding a conventional emesis container or substitute device, such as a trash can or bag. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an emesis container according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of an emesis chute according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a close-up view of a retainer site on the chute of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3C  is a close-up of an alternate retainer site. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a front elevation view of a first assembly step in a first process for assembling the emesis container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a front elevation view of a second assembly step in the first process for assembling the emesis container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4C  is a front elevation view of a third assembly step in the first process for assembling the emesis container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4D  is a top perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-section view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a folded and packaged configuration. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is an anatomical right side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in use. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in use. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of an alternate or additional reinforcement member to be used in conjunction with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10A  is a back elevation view of a third embodiment of the present invention in a first assembly configuration. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10B  is a right elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10A  in a second assembly configuration. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10C  is a right elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10A  in a third assembly configuration. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10D  is a perspective view of a completed container according to the third embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a retainer mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a retainer mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 11C  is a perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of a retainer mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 11D  is a perspective view of a seventh preferred embodiment of a retainer mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11E  is a perspective view of a eighth preferred embodiment of a retainer mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 11F  is a perspective view of a ninth preferred embodiment of a retainer mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 11G  is a perspective view of a tenth preferred embodiment of a retainer mechanism according to the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 11H  is a perspective view of a eleventh preferred embodiment of a retainer mechanism according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0042]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of an improved emesis container  100  is shown. The container  100  includes a receptacle  102 , a chute  104 , and a retainer  106 . 
         [0044]    With reference also to  FIG. 2  the receptacle  102  is preferably in the form of a bag  108  having a back portion  108   a  and two side portions  108   b  extending between an open end  108   c  and a closed end  108   d.  The open end  108   c  of the bag  108  has a perimeter  110 . The bag  108  is preferably formed from a flexible, liquid impervious material, such as polyethylene. While it should be understood that the receptacle  102  may be of any desirable size, a preferred bag has a capacity of at least 1200 milliliters of liquid. Furthermore, to aid in monitoring a patient&#39;s condition, the receptacle  102  may be provided with volume demarcations  112 , which indicate the amount of liquid contained in the receptacle  102 . In addition, the receptacle  102  may be formed of a material that is transparent or translucent to allow quick visual inspection of the container contents. 
         [0045]    Coupled to the receptacle  102  is the chute  104 . Referring more specifically to  FIGS. 3A-C , in addition to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the chute  104  preferably comprises an entrance end  104   a  and an exit end  104   b,  with a back panel  114  and side panels  116  extending therebetween. The back panel  114  has a front surface  114   a  and a back surface  114   b.  The back panel front surface  114   a  is generally the receiving surface for emesis and, therefore, preferably has sufficient surface area to help collect the emesis. The preferred surface area comprises at least forty square inches. The side panels  116  preferably extend away from the back panel front surface  114   a,  perpendicularly or obliquely, along a panel junction  120 , which may be provided as a score or crease  146 . The side panels  116  may be formed integrally with the back panel  114  or attached thereto. To enable one method of assembly, the exit end  104   b  of the chute  104  is preferably formed with notches  122  proximate the panel junction  120 . The chute  104  preferably includes an attachment margin  124  including and extending from the exit end  104   b  towards the entrance end  104   a.  The chute  104  preferably extends around less than the entire bag open end perimeter  110 . The open end perimeter  110  preferably encompasses an area of at least thirty square inches. The chute  104  may be comprised of a material that is more rigid than the material comprising the receptacle  102 . The added rigidity helps to maintain the receptacle  102  in a wide open configuration when the device  100  is in use. 
         [0046]    To provide reinforcement that helps to maintain the receptacle  102  in an open configuration when the container  100  is in use, support tabs  118  are coupled to or formed integrally with the chute  104 . While it is preferred that the chute  104  not extend around the entire bag open end perimeter  110  (see  FIG. 1 ), the support tabs  118  may do so (not shown). To add further support to a coupling of the receptacle  102  and the chute  104 , a reinforcement member  126  may be used. While various reinforcement members  126  will occur to those having skill in the art, the preferred reinforcement member  126  is a plastically deformable member such as a metal wire  128  or flat metal strip (not shown). The plastic deformability of the wire  128  aids in positioning and maintaining the open end  108   a  of the receptacle  102  in a desirable wide open configuration. Furthermore, the chute  104  may be provided with score lines  146 , including the panel junctions  120 , to aid in manufacturing, folding and packaging the container  100 . A plurality of reinforcement members could also be used, such as foldable L- or U-shaped channel reinforcement structures (not shown) arranged over and supporting predetermined score lines  146 . 
         [0047]    To provide hands-free emesis collection by the container  100 , a retainer  106  is provided, which is coupled to the chute  104  at retainer sites  130 . While the retainer  106  may take many forms, the retainer  106  preferably comprises a flat strap  132 . As seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a first preferred retainer site  130  comprises an aperture  134  having a hole  136  and a slot  138 , and notches  140  cooperating with the aperture  134  to create a stress riser  142 . The shape of the hole  136  is not specific or limiting. Rather, the hole  136  provides an area of less frictional resistance—than the slot  138 —between the chute  104  and the retainer  106 . A second preferred retainer site  130  is provided in  FIG. 3C . In this embodiment, the retainer  106  is a flat strap  132  held in slidable, frictional contact with the chute  104  by a staple  144 . In this embodiment, the frictional resistance between the chute  104  and the retainer  106  is kept relatively constant. With an appropriate choice of retainer  106 , however, such as a strap  132  having elastic properties, when the retainer  106  is stretched, the friction lessens, enabling adjustment of the retainer  106  in the direction of the application of the stretching force. About the staple  144 , perforations  148  may be provided, thereby creating at least one stress riser to enable tearing or removal of a portion the chute material for a quick disconnect of the device  100  from a patient or other support. Further, if a staple  144  is used to maintain the strap  132  in contact with the chute  104 , the ends of the strap  132  may be provided with an inelastic portion or obstruction, such as a knot or aglet (not shown), that would prevent slippage through the staple  144 , thereby preventing accidental removal of the strap  132  from the retainer site  122 . In addition, an additional friction fit slot  149  may be provided in addition to the staple  144  to further reinforce the coupling of the retainer  106  to the chute  104 . 
         [0048]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4A-D , a preferred method of assembling an embodiment of an emesis container according to the present invention includes forming the receptacle  102 , the chute  104  and the retainer  106 , and then coupling the components together. The receptacle  102  is formed from raw materials. For instance, where the receptacle  102  is a bag  108 , polyethylene sheet material may be used. The chute  104  may be formed from a material suitable for liquid exposure over a determinable time. For example, the chute  104  may comprise a paperboard material having at least one side coated with a liquid impervious wax or plastic coating. The retainer  106  may be a simple flat strap portion cut from a spool of material. 
         [0049]    After the receptacle raw material is selected and the chute  104  is formed, the coupling of the bag  108  to the chute  104  is achieved preferably through the use of a thermal bonding process including a thermal press or crimp. While the bag material could simply be thermally pressed to the chute attachment margin  124  or other attachment points, it is preferred that the attachment margin  124  be folded towards the chute back panel back surface  114   b  (as shown) or folded towards the chute back panel front surface  114   a  (not shown). Into the fold, the material to comprise the bag  108  may be inserted and then heat bonded to both the chute attachment margin  124  and the chute back surface  104   b.  The sheet material is then folded over the attachment margin  124 , as is shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0050]    After the bag material has been heat sealed to the chute  104 , the chute  104  may be folded along a medial score  146 , thereby causing the sheet material to fold too, as seen in  FIG. 4B . A formed joint can be seen in  FIG. 5 . A desired shape of the bag  108  may be obtained by using a heat sealer, such as an L-bar heat sealer or heated wire in a desired shape, to seal and trim the bag  108 , as seen in  FIG. 4C , along a front seam  108   e  and the closed end  108   d,  and excess material may be trimmed from the open end  108   c  of the bag  108 . 
         [0051]    An emesis container according to the present invention is preferably packaged in a compact way that allows easy deployment by users in emergency medical situations, among others. The ease in deployment is facilitated by convenient packaging  150 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , an emesis container  100  is folded in such a way to allow compact packaging. The folding may be aided by the scoring or creases  146  provided in the chute  104 . The package  150  is preferably formed from a plastic sheet material as is well known. An emesis container  100  in a packaged configuration is preferably no larger than four inches long by four inches wide by one-half of an inch thick. Such a size enables convenient, easy storage of the devices. 
         [0052]    While the emesis container was designed to be rather self-explanatory to use, the packaging  150  may further contain instructions (not shown) directed to proper use of the container  100 , adjustment of the retainer  106 , and proper disposal methods. 
         [0053]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , to use an emesis container according to the present invention, a user removes a container  100  from its package  150 , unfolds the container  100 , and places the retainer  106  about a support structure, such as the neck of the patient  1 , to allow positioning of the chute  104  under the chin of the patient  1 . The retainer  106  maintains proximity between the emesis container  100  and the mouth of the patient  1 . Preferably, the patient  1  may be positioned in various poses and the retainer  106  will maintain such proximity, such as when the patient  1  is walking, standing, or sitting, or when the patient  1  is in a semi-Fowler&#39;s, a high-Fowler&#39;s, a left-lateral, or a right-lateral position. Indeed, the container  100  may even be used when the patient  1  is fitted with a cervical brace. 
         [0054]    The retainer  106  is adjusted to provide proper positioning. Where the retainer  106  is a flat strap  132 , the strap  132  may be adjusted a number of ways. While the strap  132  could be provided with an adjustment buckle, preferred adjustment is achieved by using the retainer site  130 . If the strap  132  is kept in frictional contact with the chute  104  by a staple  144 , the strap  132  may be pulled through the staple  144  to adjust positioning of the container  100 . 
         [0055]    A staple  144  may not work for some situations, however. For example, the retainer  106  may not be long enough to easily slip over a desired support structure. In such circumstances, the retainer  106  is preferably a flat strap  132  in cooperation with the chute  104  at a retainer site  130  having an aperture  134 . The strap  132  can be removed from the site  130 , threaded about a support member such as the neck of the patient  1 , and threaded back through a hole  136  of the aperture  134  from which it was removed. While the strap  132  is in the hole  136 , the strap  132  can move relatively freely through the aperture  134 , thereby allowing easy adjustment. When desired positioning is achieved, the strap  132  can be forced into the slot  138  of the aperture  134 . While the strap  132  is in the slot  138 , a friction fit is provided, thereby maintaining the desired positioning. 
         [0056]    To remove the container  100  from the patient  1 , one method involves lifting or supporting the container  100  while removing the retainer  106  from the support structure. For instance, if the retainer  106  is a strap  132 , the strap  132  may be lifted up and over the patient&#39;s head. Alternatively, the retainer  106  may be disconnected from one or both retainer sites  130 . If the retainer  106  is a strap  132  coupled to the chute  104  by a staple  144 , the strap  132  may be pulled out of the friction fit and the container  100  removed from the patient  1 . Alternatively, if a staple  144  is used, the retainer site  130  may be provided with the perforated section  148  to enable tearing or removal of a portion the chute material for a quick disconnect of the device  100  from a patient or other support upon the exertion of a determinable force. This method is preferred if the strap  132  includes an anti-slip mechanism, such as an aglet. In a similar fashion to using a strap  132  in combination with a staple  144 , if the retainer  106  is a strap  132  in frictional cooperation with an aperture  134  at a retainer site  130 , the strap  132  could be removed from the aperture  134 ; or the chute  104 , itself, may be caused to fail at a stress riser  142  formed by the aperture  134  and cooperating notches  140 . Once the container  100  is removed from the patient  1 , the container  100  is simply disposed of, preferably by being thrown into a biohazard receptacle. 
         [0057]    A second embodiment  200  of an emesis container according to the present invention is a container  200  that is formed substantially or completely as a unitary member, which may be seamless about the circumference of its receptacle  202 , as shown in  FIG. 9A . Like the first embodiment  100 , this embodiment  200  includes a receptacle  202 , a chute  204 , and preferably, though not necessarily, a retainer  206 . The receptacle  202  is preferably in the form of a bag  208  having a back panel  208   a,  two side panels  208   b,  and a front panel  208   e  extending between an open end  208   c  and a closed end  208   d . The front panel  208   e  may be provided with a crease  203  for collapsing the receptacle  202  into a planar configuration prior to use. The open end  208   c  of the bag  208  has a perimeter  210 . The bag  208  is preferably formed from a flexible, liquid impervious material, such as polyethylene. While various material thicknesses may be employed, a preferred thickness is three to five mils, which is preferably substantially uniform throughout the unitary member. While it should be understood that the receptacle  202  may be of any desirable size, a preferred bag  208  has a capacity of at least  1200  milliliters of liquid. Furthermore, to aid in monitoring a patient&#39;s condition, the receptacle  202  may be provided with volume demarcations  212 , which indicate the amount of liquid contained in the receptacle  202 . In addition, the receptacle  202  may be formed of a material that is transparent or translucent to allow quick visual inspection of the container contents. 
         [0058]    Coupled to the receptacle  202  is the chute  204 . Such coupling is preferably provided by the chute  204  being integrally formed with the receptacle  202 . The chute  204  preferably comprises an entrance end  204   a  and an exit end  204   b,  with a back panel  214  and side panels  216 , each having a side panel front surface  216   a  and a side panel back surface  216   b,  extending at least partially therebetween. The back panel  214  has a front surface  214   a  and a back surface  214   b.  The back panel front surface  214   a  is generally the receiving surface for emesis and, therefore, preferably has sufficient surface area to help collect the emesis. The preferred surface area of the back panel front surface  214   a  comprises at least thirty-six square inches. The side panels  216  preferably extend away from the back panel front surface  214   a,  perpendicularly or obliquely. The side panels  216  are preferably formed integrally with the back panel  214 . The chute  204  preferably extends around less than the entire bag open end perimeter  210 . The open end perimeter  210  preferably encompasses an area of at least thirty square inches. 
         [0059]    To provide hands-free emesis collection like the first embodiment  100 , a retainer  206  is provided for the second embodiment  200 , which is coupled to the chute  204  at retainer sites  230 . While the retainer  206  may take many forms, the retainer  206  preferably comprises a flat strap  232 . The strap  232  may be formed integrally with or otherwise coupled to the chute  204  at a first retainer site  230   a,  which is preferably provided towards the right side of the chute back panel  214 . The strap  232  may be accordion folded for convenience in packaging and deployment. The strap  232  is preferably adapted to engage the left portion of the chute  204  at a second retainer site  230   b , to form a loop. At the second retainer site  230   b , a strap adhesive patch  250  is preferably provided on the outer surface  216   b  of the side panel  216  on the left side of the chute  204 , the patch  250  being preferably protected by a removable liner (not shown). While various shapes would provide sufficient function, the strap adhesive patch  250  is preferably provided in the shape of a circle so as to provide substantially the same adhesive properties regardless of the application angle of the strap  232  to the patch  250 . A preferred strap  232  is between and including one-half inch to one inch wide by twenty-two inches long. 
         [0060]    Alternatively, the retainer  206  may be provided as a pair of flat straps formed integrally with, and extending from the entrance end  204   a  of the chute  204 . Though two straps may be formed integrally with the container  200 , they may, instead, be supplied separately from the container  200  and then coupled to the container  200 . One of the straps may be provided with an adhesive patch protected by a removable adhesive shield. In this way, when the retainer  206  is placed about a wearer&#39;s neck or other supporting structure, the adhesive shield may be removed and one strap may be adhered to the other to maintain the container  200  in a desired position. Alternatively, both straps may be provided with an adhesive patch that may be secured to the other, to themselves in a looping relationship, or to an alternate support structure, such as a cervical collar. 
         [0061]    The receptacle  202  may be integrally formed without a seam about its circumference such that there is a continuous and uniform construction throughout the panels  208   a,    208   b,  and  208   e.  That is, the container  200  may be created from an extruded tubular member, rather than from a folded sheet, resulting in a receptacle  202  that is seamless about its circumference. The container  200  may be formed of a polymer material including ethylene and/or propylene. Pellets of the polymer may be melted into a working composite mixture at about two hundred degrees Celsius, along with some additive agents for coloring purposes, if desired. This heated molten compound may be placed in a die where an extrusion process forms an open-ended tubular receptacle as the compound flows into gaps between an extruding member and the die. The extrusion process may take place at a controlled pressure of, e.g., 450 Bar. This process creates an open-ended tubular member with a seamless perimeter. After the extruded tubular member is formed, folds and creases may be formed, which convert the tubular member into a desired shape, such as a substantially rectangular shaped collapsible parallelepiped that folds into a flattened configuration. This step may be preferably done in an automated setting wherein a machine is utilized to create the folds and creases. 
         [0062]    Furthermore, portions of the tubular member may be removed to further alter the shape of the container  200 . In the preferred embodiment  200 , the chute  204  may be formed by cutting away undesired portions of the tubular member. The bottom  208   d  of the bag  208  is closed and sealed, preferably with a heat-press, at an edge of the tubular member to ensure that there can be no leakage through the bottom of the receptacle  202 . 
         [0063]    The second embodiment  200  may further include one or more reinforcement members  226 , which may be adapted to form a preferred structural shape before use and provide reinforcement to maintain the open end  208   c  of the receptacle  202  in a substantially open configuration during use. One type of reinforcement member  226  may be a plastically deformable metal wire  227 , such as that employed in commonly available twist ties, coupled to the bag  208 , which may be coupled to the receptacle front panel  208   e  and provided along at least a portion of the width of and near or at the open end  208   c  of the bag  208 . Additional reinforcement members  226  may also be used. For instance, a second wire  227  may be provided between the preferred bag crease  203  and the bottom  208   d  of the bag  208 . Although the wires  227  are shown to extend along only the front panel  208   e  of the bag  208 , the wires  227  may also extend onto the side panels  208   b  of the receptacle  202 . Alternatively or additionally, similar reinforcement members (not shown) may be provided coupled to the chute back panel  214  or receptacle back panel  208   a.  Also, alternatively or additionally, another type of reinforcement member  226  may be a plastically deformable metal wire  228  coupled to the bag  208  that spans at least partially across the width of the chute back panel  214  or receptacle back panel  208   a  and extends at least partially across one or both of the chute side panels  216  or receptacle side panels  208   b,  respectively. If desired, the wire  228  may span the entire width of the chute back panel  214  or receptacle back panel  208   a  as shown. 
         [0064]    Alternatively or additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9B , the reinforcement member  226  may be a cuff  229  provided about a portion of the perimeter  210  of the open end  208   c.  One way of forming the cuff  228  may be to simply slit the sides  208   b  of the bag  208 , thereby partially continuing a cut from a front edge of the chute side panels  216 , and folding the material between the slits outward and towards the bottom  208   d  of the bag  208 . Furthermore, the embodiment  200  may include a closure means  231 , such as an adhesive patch  233  disposed on the front panel  208   e  of the bag  208 . After use, the chute  204  may then be folded over the open end  208   c  of the bag  208  and adhered to the adhesive patch  233  after the selectively removable adhesive liner  234  has been removed. Another type of closure means that may be used is a plastically deformable wire (not shown), which may be coupled to the chute portion  204  near or at its entrance end  204   a.  In this way, after the container  200  has been used, the chute portion  204  may be folded over the open end  208   c  of the bag  208 , and the wire used to secure the container  200  in a closed configuration for disposal or transport. An emesis container  200  may be provided in a packaged configuration that is preferably no larger than six inches long by three inches wide by one-half of an inch thick. Such a size enables convenient, easy storage of the devices. 
         [0065]    Yet another embodiment  300  of an emesis container according to the present invention may be a container  300  that is formed substantially or completely as a unitary member having a shaped form, as shown in  FIGS. 10A-10D . This embodiment  300  may be formed from sheet material having been cut to a desired shape  301 , such as in  FIG. 10A , folded in half, as shown in  FIG. 10B , and then sealed and trimmed, such as by way of a heated wire arranged in a desired shape. A sealed and trimmed container  300  is shown in  FIG. 10C . Like the first embodiment  100 , this embodiment  300  includes a receptacle  302 , a chute  304 , and preferably, though not necessarily, a retainer  306 . The receptacle  302  is preferably in the form of a bag  308  having a back portion  308   a  and two side portions  308   b  extending between an open end  308   c  and a closed end  308   d.  The open end  308   c  of the bag  308  has a perimeter  310 . The bag  308  is preferably formed from a flexible, liquid impervious material, such as polyethylene. While it should be understood that the receptacle  302  may be of any desirable size, a preferred bag  308  has a capacity of at least  1200  milliliters of liquid. Furthermore, to aid in monitoring a patient&#39;s condition, the receptacle  302  may be provided with volume demarcations  312 , which indicate the amount of liquid contained in the receptacle  302 . In addition, the receptacle  302  may be formed of a material that is transparent or translucent to allow quick visual inspection of the container contents. 
         [0066]    Coupled to the receptacle  302  is the chute  304 . Such coupling is preferably provided by the chute  304  being integrally formed with the receptacle  302 . The chute  304  preferably comprises an entrance end  304   a  and an exit end  304   b,  with a back panel  314  and side panels  316  extending therebetween. The back panel  314  has a front surface  314   a  and a back surface  314   b.  The back panel front surface  314   a  is generally the receiving surface for emesis and, therefore, preferably has sufficient surface area to help collect the emesis. The preferred surface area comprises at least thirty-six square inches. The side panels  316  preferably extend away from the back panel front surface  314   a , perpendicularly or obliquely. The side panels  316  may be formed integrally with the back panel  314  or attached thereto. The chute  304  preferably extends around less than the entire bag open end perimeter  310 . The open end perimeter  310  preferably encompasses an area of at least thirty square inches. 
         [0067]    To provide hands-free emesis collection like the first embodiment  100 , a retainer  306  may be provided for the third embodiment  300 , which is coupled to the chute  304  at retainer sites  330 . While the retainer  306  may take many forms, the retainer  306  preferably comprises a flat strap  332  provided separately from, or formed integrally with, the chute  304 . A first preferred retainer site  330  comprises a hole  336 . The shape of the hole  336  is not specific or limiting. An end of the strap  332  may be provided with an adhesive patch  350  covered by an adhesive shield  352 . In this way, when the retainer  306  is placed about a wearer&#39;s neck or other supporting structure, the strap  332  may be slid through the hole  336  located at the retainer site  330 , the adhesive shield  352  may be removed and the strap  332  may be adhered to the chute  304  or even to itself  332  to maintain the container  300  in a desired position. Alternatively, both ends of the strap  332  may be provided with an adhesive patch  250  that may be secured to the chute  304 , to themselves in a looping relationship, or to an alternate support structure, such as a cervical collar. 
         [0068]    The third embodiment  300  may further include a reinforcement member  326  adapted to maintain the open end  308   c  of the bag  308  in an open configuration during use. Such reinforcement member  326  may be a plastically deformable metal wire  328 , such as, e.g., a common twist tie that has been coupled to the receptacle portion  302  or the chute portion  304 . The third embodiment  300  may also include reinforcement members similar or substantially identical to those discussed with reference to the second embodiment  200 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 11A-11H  provide examples of different retainers  406  that may be incorporated into an emesis container according to the present invention.  FIGS. 11A-11D  provide examples of a retainer  406  comprising a strap  432  coupled to a first retainer site  430   a  on the right side of the back panel  414  of the chute portion  404  and coupled to a second retainer site  430   b  on the left side of the back panel  414  of the chute portion  404 . Coupling at preferably one of the sites  430   a , 430   b , may be accomplished by having one end of the strap  432  integrally formed as a part of the unitary member, an example of which can be seen in  FIGS. 11A-11C . If an end of the retainer  406  is to be formed integrally with or otherwise relatively permanently attached to the unitary member, while it could be provided on either side, it may be preferable to do so on at the right-hand retainer site  430   a , as it is common for patients to be accessible primarily from their anatomical left side, such as when a patient is loaded into an ambulance. The strap  432  may be provided with an adhesive patch  450 , which is activated and then secured to the strap  432  itself, or to the chute portion  404 , as seen in  FIG. 11A . Alternatively, or additionally, the back panel  414  of the chute portion  404  may be provided with one or more adhesive patches  454  to which the strap  432  may be adhered, as seen in  FIGS. 11B-11D . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 11E-11H  provide examples of a retainer  406  comprising a strap  432  coupled to a first retainer site  430   a  on the right side panel  416  of the chute portion  404  and coupled to a second retainer site  430   b  on the left side panel  416  of the chute portion  404 . Coupling at preferably one of the sites  430   a , 430   b , may be accomplished by having one end of the strap  432  integrally formed as a part of the unitary member, an example of which can be seen in  FIGS. 11E-11G . The strap  432  may be provided with an adhesive patch  450 , which is activated and then secured to the strap  432  itself, or to the chute portion  404 , as seen in  FIG. 11E . Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the side panels  416  of the chute portion  404  may be provided with an adhesive patch  454  to which the strap  432  may be adhered, an example of which can be seen in  FIGS. 11F-11H . 
         [0071]      FIG. 11D  and  FIG. 11H  provide an alternate retainer  406  comprising a strap  432  provided separately from the unitary member and then coupled to the member at two retainer sites  430 . The retainer sites  430  could be provided anywhere preferably on the chute portion  404 , but more preferably on the side panels  416  thereof. Such coupling may be provided by, for example, an adhesive patch  454  may be affixed to the chute portion  404 , preferably on the side panels  416  near the entrance end  404   a  of the chute  404 . 
         [0072]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.