Patent Publication Number: US-10772474-B2

Title: Commode wipes

Description:
This is a regular patent application based upon and claiming the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/663,617 filed on Apr. 27, 2018, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     This invention is a commode wipe that assists a person in removing excrement from the person&#39;s buttocks during a personal hygiene event. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There is a need for a completely disposable commode wipe that can be used by persons who cannot reach all or part of their anus, anal orifice and adjacent buttock regions with customary toilet tissue papers after a bowel movement. A wide variety of persons have such limited mobility issues. The present invention solves this problem with a completely disposable tissue-based structure that extends the reach of the person&#39;s hands with a shallow V-shaped commode wipe. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,127 to Jarosinski discloses a unitary hand-held wipe comprising a sheet of absorbent paper having a primary wiping layer defining a flat generally rectangular surface large enough to fully cover the fingers of a hand of average size said sheet including an extended length portion folded on a main fold line to form an overlying layer substantially covering the primary wiping layer and sealing means forming spaced seams binding the primary layer and the overlying layer said seams extending generally perpendicular to the main fold line and defining between said seams finger-receiving pockets. Jaronski &#39;127 does show a shallow V-shaped commode wipe with finger pockets and an outboard extension platform extending beyond the user&#39;s hand and fingers. Jarosinski explains: “In FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown yet another embodiment of the invention in which the wipe comprises a substantially full hand-covering mitt 43. The single unitary sheet 44 used to form the mitt 43 includes a primary wiping layer 44 and an extended length portion 45 similar to those shown in the FIG. 1 embodiment. The extended length portion 45 fans laterally outwardly to provide an increased lateral width piece which is folded on a main fold line 46 to provide an overlying layer 47 substantially covering the primary wiping layer 44. The overlying layer 47 is gathered and attached to the primary layer 44 with five spaced seams 48 lying generally perpendicular to the main fold line 46 and forming with the bound layers four finger pockets 50. The construction show in FIGS. 3 and 4 could also be used to form the pockets and eliminate the outer seams, as previously described.” Jaronski &#39;127 at Col. 4, lines 30-42. 
     U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0026679 to Widlund discloses a cellulose wipe for cleaning the genital and anal region, having tunnel-shaped gripping members for insertion of at least one finger and at most three fingers into the tunnel-shaped gripping member. The Widlund &#39;679 does not disclose a shallow V-shaped commode wipe wherein one leg of the V-shape is defined by the finger hole plate system and the other leg of the V-shape wipe extends outboard beyond the user&#39;s fingers. 
     Patent No. WO 2014022607A2 to Findlay et al. discloses a disposable cleaning paper such as paper towels or toilet paper in which the user inserts the hand or finger(s) into the sheet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,698,773 to Sotelo discloses a holder for hygienic wipes and the like including a triangular-shaped base member that is suitably sized and shaped for securing a wiping sheet thereto and having a handle hingedly connected to the base member, enabling the user to angle the base member for optimal contact and comfort. 
     U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0178222 to Flemister et al. discloses a personal flushable hygiene wipe comprising a fabric sheet 16 inches in length and having a fold along the length of the wipe which reduces its 6 inches in width to 3 inches in width, wherein the 3 inch width provides strength and wherein a hole at either end of the wipe pad attaches a 4 inch loop strap allowing hand or finger gripping which extends the reaching potential of its user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,598 to McDowell discloses a cellulosic personal hygiene device comprising thumb holes and wherein the distal ends of the first and second end portions are folded back toward the center of the flexible strip and affixed to the respective end portions to form respective reinforced ends including being folded over the middle portion so as to completely conceal the first side after use but prior to disposal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The commode wipe includes, in one embodiment, an elongated, shallow v-shaped wipe made of disposable tissue paper. The v-shaped wipe has a proximal end and a distal end. At the proximal end, left-side and right-side finger apertures are laterally spaced apart and are formed between respective upper and lower tissue layers. An angle control band limits the v-shape of the elongated, shallow v-shaped wipe. Additionally, a plurality of elongated corrugated ribs act as longitudinal support elements. The upper tissue layer of the left-side and right-side finger apertures form finger tents with a lower base tissue layer. These tents permit lateral expansion of the wipe. Further, the finger tents each have a pair of corrugated ribs further permitting lateral expansion. The wipe forms a distal excrement collection surface on a distal leg longitudinally spaced apart from a proximal leg of the wipe. The proximal leg terminates in the left-side and right-side finger tents. Usually, the angle control band is attached at one end to the distal leg and is attached at another end to the proximal leg such that the angle control band controls the angle between the distal leg and the proximal leg. 
     Another basic embodiment of the wipe includes an elongated, shallow v-shaped wipe made of disposable tissue paper with the wipe having a proximal end and a distal end. The wipe also has a tissue base sheet. At the proximal end, left and right side finger apertures are formed between respective upper tissue layers and the tissue base sheet. The finger apertures are laterally spaced apart. The upper tissue layer of the left-side finger aperture forming a left-side finger tent with an adjacent left segment of the tissue base sheet and the upper tissue layer of the right-side finger aperture forming a right-side finger tent with an adjacent right segment of the tissue base sheet. The left and right finger tents permit lateral expansion of the wipe. A plurality of elongated corrugated ribs act as longitudinal support elements within the wipe. Two elongated corrugated ribs are disposed intermediate the laterally spaced apart left-side finger tent and right-side finger tent thereby permitting the lateral expansion of the wipe between the left and right side finger tents. 
     Further, these finger tents are defined by respective pairs of elongated corrugated ribs which further permits lateral expansion of the wipe between the left-side finger tent and right-side finger tent. The v-shaped wipe forms a distal excrement collection surface on a distal leg of the wipe longitudinally spaced apart from a proximal leg of the wipe. The proximal leg terminates in the left and right side finger tents. A lateral fold detent may demarcate the distal leg from the proximal leg. The left and right side finger tents do not longitudinally extend into the distal leg. An angle control band controls the angle between the distal leg and the proximal leg. The angle control band is attached to the proximal and the distal legs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows the commode wipe in an operative, open manner or mode when fully extended to a shallow V-shape to remove excrement from the buttocks of a person. 
         FIG. 2  shows finger apertures in an open state, formed between the corrugated tissue ridges (CTRs) and corrugation ribs (CRs). 
         FIG. 3  diagrammatically shows the commode wipe in a collapsed state wherein tissue ridges CTRs are collapsed and corrugation ribs CRs are disposed somewhat adjacent each other. 
         FIG. 4  diagrammatically illustrates a top plan view of the commode wipe in a closed or collapsed shape wherein the collection side of the commode wipe is generally conical with a smooth curve at the posterior terminal end and a squared off terminal end at the anterior terminal end. 
         FIG. 5  shows the outer or anti-collection plan view showing the sanitary surface of the commode wipe and corrugation ribs CRs.  20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This invention relates to a commode wipe that assists a person in removing excrement from the person&#39;s buttocks during a personal hygiene event. 
       FIG. 1  shows the elongated commode wipe  10  in an operative, open manner or mode when fully extended to a shallow V-shape to remove excrement from the buttocks  33  of a person. In general and operationally, the user opens the folded commode wipe ( FIG. 3 , closed), opens the corrugated tissue ridges  22  ( FIG. 2 , finger apertures open), inserts his or her fingers into apertures  34 , and then opens the commode wipe into the V-shaped wipe shown in  FIG. 1 . The user&#39;s fingers are disposed in the finger apertures  34  at the right side of the V-shaped wipe and the user positions the outboard wing or posterior leg flap  38  of the commode wipe (the left side V-leg in  FIG. 1 ) at or near the location of the excrement on the buttocks  33 . The excrement is collected on the commode wipe  10  on excrement capture surface  42  atop the outboard V-leg  38  when surface  42  is moved over buttocks  33  in direction  30 . 
     The commode wipe  10  is an angled, shallow V-shaped structure. Leg  38  being distally disposed away from the user&#39;s fingers in apertures  34 . The fingers being proximally disposed in the wipe. The angular displacement of outboard posterior V-leg  38  is at an obtuse angle with respect to the inboard or proximal anterior V-leg  36  (atop the finger apertures  34 ). These flaps  36 ,  38  are disposed at an obtuse angle which angle is limited by an angle limiter band  40  extending between posterior flap  38  and anterior flap  36 . Alternatively, a smaller angle (normal or acute) may be used, dependent upon field test results. 
     As discussed later, the user places his or her fingers in finger aperture actuators  34  at the terminal end  11  of the anterior or inboard V-leg flap  36  and opens the commode wipe to open up and provide tissue ridges, herein called “corrugated ridges”. The term “corrugated ridges” is used as short-hand because the ridges form a “corrugated-like” wipe structure. With fingers inserted into the apertures  34 , corrugated tissue ridges CTRs  22  are formed on the upper operative surfaces of the wipe. See  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIG. 2  shows finger apertures  34  in an open state. These finger apertures  34  are formed between the corrugated tissue ridges  22  (CTRs  22 ) and corrugation ribs  20  (CRs  20 ). To open the CTRs, the user inserts his or her fingers into the rib apertures  34 . The plurality of elongated corrugated ribs CRs  20  are longitudinal support elements for the wipe  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are five ribs CRs  20 ; one central rib and two ribs on either side of the central rib. The central rib may be omitted or may be a double tissue layer. The proximal terminal end  11  of each respective outer pair of ribs CRs  20  (the CR pair on the left-side of the wipe compared to the laterally disposed pair of CRs on the right-side of the wipe) form the finger apertures  34  with the attached tissue sheets  46 ,  48  when the user places his or her finger into the finger apertures  34 . When open, tissue sheets  46 ,  48  open and form triangular shaped apertures  34  above the base tissue plate sheet  54 . At the proximal end where the fingers are inserted, a left-side finger aperture and a right-side finger aperture are laterally spaced apart and are formed between respective upper tissue layers and respective lower tissue layers. Attached tissue sheets  46 ,  48  (see left-side CTR  22 ) are upper tissue layers forming a tissue tent aperture above base tissue layer or tissue plate sheet  54 . The tissue finger tents may form a triangular shape for the fingers. 
       FIG. 3  diagrammatically shows the commode wipe in a collapsed state. In the collapsed state, the tissue ridges CTRs  22  are collapsed and corrugation ribs CRs  20  are disposed somewhat adjacent each other. When fingers are inserted into the apertures  34 , the ridges CTRs  22  open up when the user laterally moves ribs CRs  20  apart. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , and with respect to portions of the tissue plate sheet  54  on the left and right side of the central corrugation rib CR  20 , those laterally extending tissue plate sheets  71 ,  73  assist in the collection of excrement on the excrement capture surface. 
     It should be noted that two finger apertures  34  are needed for the inventive commode wipe but there may be many more than two apertures  34  and more than five (5) corrugation ribs  20 . Also, there may be as few as two (2) corrugation ribs  20 , each rib defining a portion of the laterally spaced apart finger apertures  34 . 
       FIG. 4  diagrammatically illustrates a top view of the commode wipe in a closed or collapsed shape. The overall shape or plan view of the collection side of the commode wipe  10  is generally conical with a smooth curve at the terminal end  81  of the posterior (outboard) V-leg flap  38  and a squared off terminal end  11  at the anterior (inboard) V-leg flap  36 . The commode wipe has a fold line detent  62  generally midway between the angle control band  40 . The fold line  62  generally defines the posterior V-leg flap  38  from the anterior V-leg flap  36 . In a complete compact shape, the operative collection surface of the posterior V-leg flap  38  is folded such that it is adjacent the operative collection surface of anterior V-leg flap  36 . Corrugation ribs CRs  20  are shown in the figure as is the insertion points for the user, that is, arrows  63 ,  65  for finger  1  and finger  2 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the outer or anti-collection, sanitary surface  72  (opposite collection surface or excrement capture surface  42  in  FIG. 1 ) of the commode wipe  10  and corrugation ribs CRs  20 .  FIG. 5  is a plan view. 
     In use, the commode wipe  10  is initially in a completely collapsed state wherein the posterior V-leg flap  38  is folded such that it is adjacent the anterior V-leg flap  36 . The user&#39;s interaction and the operation of the wipe is discussed above. The wipe  10  has an indeterminate length (see  FIGS. 4-5 ) that is generally based upon the user&#39;s needs (a larger person would use a longer commode wipe). The commode wipe  10  may be folded onto itself along fold line  62  thereby collapsing the anterior V-leg flap  36  onto the posterior V-leg flap  38 . Of course, in the collapsed state, the corrugated tissue ridges CTRs  22  are generally laterally collapsed next to each other as shown in  FIG. 3 . Also, the left and right tissue plate sheets  71 ,  73  are collapsed onto each other about the central corrugation rib CR  20 . In this collapsed state, the central CR  20  is laterally next to both the near left and the near right ribs CRs  20 . The result, in this collapsed shape, is a structure at least 6 tissue sheets thick (each CTR being 2 tissue sheets thick, see ridge-forming sheets  46 ,  48  on the left side of  FIG. 2 ). 
     When the user wants to deploy the commode wipe, the user pulls the commode wipe laterally open (opening left-side CR  10  from the right-side CR  20  and opening the wipe laterally away from the central CR  20 ), thereby opening both the corrugated tissue ridges  22  (see open sheets  46 ,  48 ) and partly opening the finger insertion actuator apertures  34  (the apertures initially generally flat in the pre-expanded, intermediate positional state). Then, the user inserts his or her fingers between the lower tissue plate sheet  54  and the tissue sheets or plates  46 ,  48  loosely separated by the laterally moving apart left-side corrugated tissue ridge CTR  22  and right side CTR  22 . This is the CTR operational positional state or mode. By inserting the user&#39;s fingers into the finger aperture actuator  34 , the user pops open the wipe and pops up the corrugated tissue ridges CTRs  22  (see  FIG. 2 ) and also unfolds the posterior leg flap  38  from the anterior leg flap  36 . Alternatively, the user may unfold the anterior flap  36  from the posterior flap  38  before opening the finger apertures  34 . The unfolded state is an unfolded operational positional mode shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Once the CTRs  22  are formed and the wipe is unfolded at the controlled angle (see  FIG. 1 , and the control angle band  40 ), the user then positions the commode wipe in a way such that excrement is collected on the capture surface  42  of the posterior V-leg flap  38 . After collection, the user can fold up the wipe  10  and cover capture surface  42  with anterior flap  36 . The user can then either dispose of the entire commode wipe into the commode or collapse it further as needed. 
     Importantly, the entire commode wipe is made of cellulose and is entirely biodegradable and disposable down typical toilet systems. Effectively, it is nothing more than common tissue with some limited structural elements. 
     The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes with the scope and spirit of the present invention.