EMESIS CONTAINER WITH INTEGRAL SPOUTS AND HANDLES

An emesis container that has two diametrically opposed pour spouts which are integral to the body of the container and form handles by which the user may grip the emesis container is disclosed. Further disclosed is the improvement of integrating recessed areas into the junction of the spouts and the body of the emesis container. An alternate embodiment with additional features encouraging children to use the emesis container as designed is also disclosed. A lid can be mechanically affixed to the container for secure storage of the contents.

This invention relates to a container of the type usually referred to as an emesis container, used primarily for receiving, containing, and disposing of biological wastes produced by regurgitation, vomiting, coughing, or excessive nasal/sinus discharge. The emesis container has integrated spouts which also form handles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While the general use of containers to control and contain biological wastes expelled from the mouth and nose dates from time immemorial, containers specifically designed for this purpose and/or to encourage and ease the use of such containers are useful and highly desirable.

Many such containers have been marketed. These range from the classic “emesis basin,” or “kidney dish,” (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidney_dish) to special purpose containers or containment systems such as that disclosed by U.S. Design Pat. No. D612,181 (Tanguay) or U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,363 (Tanguay). However, for any given patient and/or clinical situation, any particular emesis container may not be the optimal solution. Novel emesis containers which are economical, styled appropriately for a particular patient demographic, and simple to use and maintain are always desirable to maximize clinical benefits, hygiene, and patient outcomes. The present invention addresses these concerns.

Furthermore, there is a non-clinical need for emesis containers. Emesis containers are useful at home and in automobiles and other modes of transportation. All demographics can utilize emesis containers. One particular demographic is children. When children are sick at home, they may not be able to reach a sink, garbage can, toilet, or other receptacle in a timely manner. Or, when children are in an automobile or other transportation vehicle, they may get motion sickness or general illness. In this situation, there may not be an appropriate receptacle to catch emesis or other bodily fluids. The present invention addresses these concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the many objectives of the present invention is the provision of an emesis container which has integrated spouts for efficient and hygienic emptying of the container.

Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an emesis container which has integrated handles to allow the safe and secure handling of the container by a person who is vomiting.

Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of an emesis container in which the integrated spouts and integrated handles are part of the same elements of the container.

Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of an emesis container which is easy for a child or other user with limited dexterity or strength to use.

These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims, and drawings as a whole) are met by providing an emesis container with integrated spouts and handles meant to be gripped by a person with limited strength or dexterity.

Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms are not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

The terms “vomit” and “vomiting” will be used throughout the description of the preferred embodiment(s). These terms should be taken to include the results of and the acts of vomiting, regurgitation, expectoration, and any other act of expelling vomitus, mucus, phlegm, fluids, wastes, or other materials (herein collectively, “waste”), from the mouth and/or nose. The invention may also be used to capture and contain other biological wastes, such as feces or urine, though this is not preferred.

Now addingFIG. 1to the consideration, the structure and function of the basic embodiment can be clearly understood. Emesis container10comprises a central containment area20or “body,” into which spouts12have been molded or formed during or after initial manufacture. It is preferred, but not required, that emesis container10have a non-uniform horizontal cross-section such that the bottom of the container is smaller than the top. This makes container10easier to hold. If container10will be used in an environment where tipping is a particular problem (e.g. on a seagoing vessel), it may be more preferred to reverse this such that the bottom is larger than the top to increase stability.

Spouts12form natural handles which make it easier to orient and hold on to emesis container10. Spouts12have pouring apexes14(seeFIGS. 2 and 3) which allow container10to be emptied neatly and efficiently by tipping it in the direction of either spout12. Rolled lip16goes around the circumference of the top of emesis container10, and both reinforces it and provides an additional element to make holding on to container10easier. Decoration18, which is not required, makes container10more visually appealing and comforting to youthful users. If primarily meant for use by children, container10can be sized appropriately for small hands, but even at a size suitable for most users, the features of the invention will increase the utility of emesis containers10for all users when applied.

Now addingFIG. 2to the consideration, an alternate perspective on emesis container10is provided. As can be seen, it is strongly preferred that spouts12project from emesis container10along its entire vertical length. This maximizes their utility as handles and allows the user to quickly orient container10no matter where on its vertical length their hands happen to make contact when container10is picked up. It is strongly preferred that spouts12have an upper termination which is in the same horizontal plane as opening22of emesis container10generally, so that they maximize waste retention while allowing quick and efficient emptying of container10. However, spouts12can project from container10for anywhere from at least fifty percent to the entire vertical length of container10.

Now addingFIG. 3to the consideration, the geometry of spouts12relative to the rest of emesis container10is disclosed. It is strongly preferred, but not required, that main body20of emesis container10be symmetrically elongated on the axis defined by pouring apexes14. This causes waste to flow naturally toward pouring apexes14when container10is tipped in the direction of spouts12and makes it easier and more natural to appropriately orient container10when emptied. It also encourages the user to hold container10in the most appropriate orientation. It is required that the elongation not be so pronounced as to make it difficult for the user to orient their mouth to opening22or to make it probable that waste will overshoot or undershoot the areas of opening22which are nearest to and/or farthest away from the user.

Now addingFIG. 4,FIG. 5, andFIG. 6to the consideration, the preferred embodiment is disclosed. Integrated grips40aand40con the right side and integrated grips40band40don the left side have been added to spouts12, or as is most preferred, into the area where spouts12join body20of emesis container10. The user's fingers and thumbs will naturally enter into the depressed areas of integrated grips40a,40b,40c, and40d. This will create a more robust grip on container10. It is strongly preferred, but not required, that the depressed areas of integrated grips40a,40b,40c, and40dhave a termination below the horizontal plane defined by the top of emesis container10. This will result, if configured as shown, in a natural “stop” which will give the user's uppermost finger, or their thumb, something to brace against and increase the stability of their grip. It will also help them locate their hands quickly and easily when picking up container10, since it is preferred to hold container10near, but not at the top, to maximize control and stability while minimizing the chances of getting waste on the user's hands. When emptying container10, use of integrated grips40aand40c(or vice versa) to hold container10while tipping in the direction of opposing spout12will maximize grip stability as well.

Now referring toFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the configuration of gripping surfaces on either side of container10is disclosed. If the user were to hold container10such that their right hand was gripping the side visible, their fingers will enter integrated grip40cwhile their thumb will enter integrated grip40a. Their index finger and their thumb will be braced against the uppermost area of the respective grips40aand40csuch that container10will be unlikely to slip downward and out of their grip, and the user's thumb and index finger will be prevented from reaching or even crossing opening22of container10and being exposed to wastes. It is strongly preferred, but not required, that spout12integrate both integrated grip40aand40c. If container10integrates only one, it is preferred, but not required, that container10integrate integrated grip40csuch that the fingertips enter integrated grip40cand the thumb can be braced against spout12. The reverse is true for the reverse side of container10and integrated grips40band40d.

Now referring toFIG. 6, the configuration of all integrated grips can be seen. Each spout12has two integrated grips, one on either side, preferably in the areas where spout12joins body20of container10. This produces the optimal configuration of the user's hands, allowing them to quickly and easily orient container10for maximum usefulness even if distressed or distracted by illness or discomfort. This configuration also makes it easier for visually impaired persons to quickly and correctly orient container10.

The remaining figures disclose additional information useful to those of reasonable skill in the relevant art and allow them to practice the invention, including an alternate embodiment, with reasonable effort.

Now addingFIG. 7to the consideration, lid70has been added. This is an optional enhancement to the preferred embodiment which increases the hygienic security of container10. Sidewall72extends downward to form an additional interfacing surface with body20of container10. It is preferred to add lid reinforcing lip74, which makes sidewall72stronger and more tolerant of repeated application/removal cycles by adding reinforcing mass to the bottom of sidewall72. Lid reinforcing lip74may be a separate component added to lid70during or after manufacture, or it may simply be a slightly increased volume of material created by the molding or manufacturing of lid70.

It is preferred, but not required, for body20of container10to taper negatively on the vertical axis: the top of container10is preferred to be somewhat larger in the horizontal plane than the bottom. If this is done, it is strongly preferred that sidewall72have a congruent taper, which will allow it to remain attached mechanically and provide a better seal between container10and lid70. If the taper of sidewall72is such that the diameter of the bottom of sidewall72and/or lid reinforcing lip74is smaller than the diameter of the opening of container10, it is required that sidewall72and/or lid reinforcing lip74have sufficient elasticity to allow sidewall72and/or lid reinforcing lip74to be pulled over the opening of container10. It is required that sidewall72not have a taper which is so much greater than the body of container10as to prevent lid70from being applied to container10.

As an alternative to the configuration discussed in the previous paragraph, lid70may simply snap over or otherwise engage rolled lip16or some other boss, member, or extrusion of body20of container10which is at or near opening22in body20of container10. Although it is preferred that some positive engaging means be used, lid70may simply engage by friction if it is appropriately sized. It is preferred, but not required, that such engagement be along the entire circumference of opening22to minimize the possibility of leaks and to retain any odors which may be present due to the waste.

This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.

Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this emesis container can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Modifications or alternate embodiments which might be practiced, whether or not claimed below, include but are not limited to:1) The container can be made of any desired and appropriate material, including either metal (e.g. stainless steel), thermoplastic, or disposable resin or pulp, depending on the intended use, environment, and economic value.2) The container can have an integrated hook or other hanging/support member to allow it to hang on a bedrail or other convenient place, or a separate mountable receiving element into which it could be placed when not in use.3) The container can be made of a material with antimicrobial properties or coated with such a material (e.g. the family of materials and additives/coatings sold under the trade name “Microban®” by Microban International, Ltd.).4) The surfaces of the integrated grips, and/or any other desired portion of the emesis container, can be formed with a non-slip texture and/or covered with a non-slip material.5) The bottom of the emesis container can be weighted so as to make it less likely to tip over while in use. It can even be magnetized to allow maximum stability on an appropriate surface.

Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.