Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6887222?dq=inassignee:doubleclick
Timestamp: 2014-10-21 00:53:13
Document Index: 328548920

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 26', 'arts 26', 'arts 26', 'art 28', 'art 26', 'art 28', 'art 26', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28']

Patent US6887222 - Ostomy pouch with bias members and closure means - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA drainable ostomy pouch having sidewalls of flexible sheet material defining a cavity therebetween and a downwardly-extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening that is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly and opened by unfolding the neck portion downwardly. Each of the sidewalls...http://www.google.com/patents/US6887222?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6887222 - Ostomy pouch with bias members and closure meansAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6887222 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/283,801Publication dateMay 3, 2005Filing dateOct 30, 2002Priority dateFeb 8, 2002Fee statusPaidAlso published asDE60231656D1, EP1471856A1, EP1471856B1, EP2050419A2, EP2050419A3, EP2050419B1, US7879016, US20030153882, US20060015079, WO2003065944A1Publication number10283801, 283801, US 6887222 B2, US 6887222B2, US-B2-6887222, US6887222 B2, US6887222B2InventorsTaras Mandzij, Michael A. Metz, Timothy A. Friske, Michael S. CherryOriginal AssigneeHollistser IncorporatedExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (16), Non-Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (10), Classifications (6), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetOstomy pouch with bias members and closure meansUS 6887222 B2Abstract A drainable ostomy pouch having sidewalls of flexible sheet material defining a cavity therebetween and a downwardly-extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening that is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly and opened by unfolding the neck portion downwardly. Each of the sidewalls of the neck portion is provided with a transversely-extending bias member that is formed of stiff but flexible, springlike plastic material. The bias members are normally flat so as to be in straight parallel closed condition but are openable under inwardly-directed finger pressure applied to their opposite ends to cause them to bow outwardly away from each other. The pouch also includes a two-part fastening system for holding the neck portion in upwardly-folded condition, the system including a first fastener part located along the outer surface of one of the sidewalls of the neck portion and a second fastener part located along the outer surface of the other sidewall of the neck portion, the fastener parts having outwardly-projecting interengageable locking elements that are brought into interlocking engagement when the neck portion is fully folded.
1. A drainable ostomy pouch having sidewalls of flexible sheet material which define a cavity therebetween and which define a downwardly extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening that is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly and opened by unfolding the neck portion downwardly for draining the contents from the cavity; wherein the improvement comprises a transversely-extending bias member integrally associated with each of the sidewalls adjacent the discharge opening such that the bias members are separated by the sidewalls; the bias members normally being flat so as to be in straight parallel closed condition but being moveable so as to be bowed away from each other and to have smoothly arched curvatures under inwardly directed finger pressure applied to opposite ends of the bias members to hold the discharge opening in an open position; the bias members comprising stiff but flexible, springlike shape-recoverable strips permitting selective control of the rate of discharge of the contents from the cavity by applying varying finger pressure to opposite ends thereof; and wherein the strips are generally rectangular and are offset in directions extending transversely of the neck portion so that each strip has one end portion extending beyond the corresponding end portion of the other of the offset strips.
2. The drainable ostomy pouch of claims 1, including a two-part fastening system for selectively and releasably holding the neck portion in upwardly folded condition; the system including a first fastener part located along the outer surface of one of the sidewalls of the neck portion and a second fastener part located along the outer surface of the other of the sidewalls of the neck portion; the first and second fastener parts being brought into mutual engagement and attachment when the neck portion is in its fully folded condition.
3. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 2 in which the fastener parts have outwardly-projecting interengagable locking elements that are brought into interlocking engagement when the neck portion has been folded upwardly at least twice.
4. The drainable ostomy pouch of claims 3 in which the fastener parts comprise plastic strips that have interengageable locking elements that are mushroom-shaped.
5. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 4 in which the fastener parts on opposite sidewalls of the neck portion have identical mushroom-shaped locking elements.
6. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 3 in which one of the fastener parts is located closer to the discharge opening than the other of the fastener parts; the other of the fastener parts having an integral extension that is exposed and extends upwardly beyond the folded neck portion when the neck portion is fully folded.
7. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 6 in which the integral extension is devoid of interlocking elements.
8. A drainable ostomy pouch having sidewalls of flexible sheet material which define a cavity therebetween and which define a downwardly-extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening that is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly and opened by unfolding the neck portion downwardly for draining the contents from the cavity; wherein the improvement comprises a two-part fastener system including a first fastener strip secured to the outer surface of the neck portion on one of the sidewalls of flexible sheet material and a second fastener strip secured to the outer surface of the neck portion on the other of the sidewalls of flexible sheet material; the first fastener strip being disposed closer to the discharge opening than the second fastener strip and defining first and second transverse fold lines for folding and unfolding the neck portion to close and open the discharge opening; the first and second fastener strips having outwardly-projecting interlockable elements that are brought into selective and releasable interlocking engagement when the neck portion has been folded upwardly at least twice about the first fastener strip to bring the first and second fastener strips into engagement.
9. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 8 in which the interlockable elements of the first and second fastener parts are identical.
10. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 9 in which the interlockable elements of the first and second fastener parts are mushroom-shaped.
11. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 8, 9 or 10 in which the sidewalls of the neck portion are each provided with a transversely-extending bias member located adjacent the discharge opening; the bias members normally being flat so as to be in straight parallel closed condition but being openable under inwardly-directed finger pressure applied to opposite ends of the bias members to cause the bias members to be bowed away from each other to hold the discharge opening in an open position for draining the contents from the cavity.
12. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 11 in which the bias members comprise closure strips of stiff but flexible, non-absorbent, springlike plastic material.
13. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 12 in which the closure strips are generally rectangular and are offset in directions extending transversely of the neck portion so that each strip has one end portion extending beyond the corresponding end portion of the other of the strips.
14. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 12 in which the strips are generally rectangular and conform in size and shape with each strip extending uninterruptably from one side edge to the other side edge of the neck portion.
15. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 12 in which the strips are generally rectangular and conform in size and shape, with each strip having a length measured transversely of the neck portion that is less than the width of the neck portion; the strips being centered relative to the neck portion and the discharge opening.
16. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 8 in which one of the fastener parts is located closer to the discharge opening than the other of the fastener parts; the other of the fastener parts having an integral extension that is exposed and extends upwardly beyond the folded neck portion of the pouch when the neck portion is fully folded.
17. The drainable ostomy pouch of claim 16 in which the integral extension is devoid of interlocking elements.
RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/355,489 filed Feb. 8, 2002.
BACKGROUND Drainable ostomy pouches are well known as shown, for example, in Nolan U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,534 and Jensen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,659. Such a pouch typically has flat opposing sidewalls secured together along their edges and defining a chamber for receiving body waste material. One of the walls is provided with a stoma-receiving opening, and means are provided for securing the pouch to a patient's abdomen so that waste discharge from the stoma is received in the cavity. At its lower end, the drainable pouch has a discharge opening for draining waste material, usually provided at the end of a narrowed neck portion. Closure means is provided for maintaining the discharge opening in sealed condition until such time as waste material is to be drained from the pouch. The closure means may take the form of a clamp, as in the aforementioned Nolan patent, or some device for securing the neck portion in upwardly-rolled condition. As will be appreciated, conventional wire ties or wraps have also been used for that purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The drainable ostomy pouch of the invention has conventional sidewalls of flexible sheet material joined along their edges to define a downwardly extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening. The discharge opening is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly and opened by folding the neck portion downwardly for draining the contents from the cavity. Each of the sidewalls of the neck portion is provided with a transversely-extending bias member in the form of a closure strip of flexible but stiff or springlike polymeric material. The strips located along opposite sidewalls adjacent to or near the discharge the opening are normally flat and disposed in straight parallel closed relation but are openable under inwardly directed finger pressure applied to opposite ends thereof. By applying inwardly directed finger pressure, the bias members or closure strips are caused to be bowed away from each other to hold the discharge opening in an open condition for draining the contents from the cavity.
DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a drainable ostomy pouch having bias members in the form of laterally offset flexible closure strips.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged and somewhat schematic cross-sectional view of the drainable ostomy pouch taken along the line 12�12 in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a drainable ostomy pouch having generally parallel sidewalls 12 and 14. The sidewalls 12 and 14 are joined along their edges as at 16 to define a cavity therebetween. They also define a downwardly-extending neck portion 18 which terminates in a discharge opening as at 20. The neck portion 18 is shown as non-symmetrical in the drawings although it will be understood that it can be symmetrical relative to the remainder of the pouch as this forms no part of the invention. As shown in the drawings, each of the sidewalls 12 and 14 of the neck portion 18 is provided along its outer surface with a transversely-extending and generally rectangular bias member in the form of closure strips 22 and 24. The strips are located at or adjacent to the discharge opening 20 so as to be in generally overlapping back-to-back parallel relation.
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate bias members or closure strips 122 and 124 which are normally flat, substantially conform with each other in size and shape, and extend continuously or uninterruptedly from edge to edge so as to be in straight parallel closed condition, i.e., adjacent one another but separated only by the sidewalls 12 and 14 to which they are secured. However, the closure strips 122 and 124 can be opened under inwardly-directed finger pressure applied to opposite ends of the strips to cause them to be bowed away from each other (FIG. 4C) and to hold the discharge opening in an open condition. As shown in FIG. 4C, inwardly directed finger pressure against the ends 122 a, 124 a and 122 b, 124 b of the strips causes the corresponding ends 122 a, 124 a and 122 b, 124 b to bear against one another to bow the closure strips 122 and 124 outwardly for holding the drainage opening 20 in open condition. Unlike the bias members 22 and 24 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B which are offset from one another, the bias members 122 and 124 may need slight manipulation, or the presence of at least a small amount of waste material in the neck portion, to cause them to start being bowed away from each other as endwise squeezing force is applied. FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate bias members in the form of closure strips 222 and 224 which are normally flat, substantially conform in size and shape, and are centered, but extend less than the entire distance between the edges of the neck portion 18 so as to be in straight parallel closed positions, i.e., adjacent each other but separated only by the sidewalls 12 and 14 to which they are secured. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4C, the bias members or closure strips 222 and 224 can be opened under inwardly directed finger pressure applied to opposite ends of the strips to cause them to be bowed away from each other to hold the discharge opening 20 in open position. As shown in FIG. 5C, and in essentially the same manner as in FIG. 4C, inwardly-directed finger pressure against the ends 222 a, 224 a and 222 b, 224 b of the bias members 222 and 224 causes the corresponding ends 222 a, 224 a and 222 b, 224 b to bear against one another to bow the bias members outwardly for holding the drainage opening 20 in open position. Unlike the bias members 22 and 24 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B which are offset from one another, the closure strips 222 and 224 which are centered relative to the edges may need slight manipulation or the presence of at least a small amount of waste material in the neck portion to cause them to start being bowed away from each other so as to open the discharge opening 20 as squeezing force is applied.
The closure strips 22,24; 122, 124; and 222, 224 are formed of any stiff but flexible polymeric material that is springlike and shape-recoverable to serve as bias members that return to straight, parallel and closed conditions in the absence of inwardly-directed finger pressure such as, for example, a polyolefin such as polypropylene. Since the springiness and shape-recoverability of the strips causes them to straighten when inwardly-directed finger pressure is reduced, a user, by varying such finger pressure, may easily and selectively control the rate of discharge of waste material through the discharge opening. Each strip is non-porous and non-absorbent, may be secured to the sidewalls 12 and 14 (preferably to the outer surfaces of those sidewalls) or may be imbedded in such sidewalls. Because such strips are stiff, and non-absorbent, they are readily manipulated in use and are generally incapable of absorbing liquid and solid waste material.
In a preferred embodiment, the first and second fastener parts 26 and 28 comprises a polypropylene fastener of the type sold under the trademark DUOTEC by G. Binder GmbH & Co. Holzgerlingen, Germany which is stated in product literature to work on the principle of interlocking mushroom elements. By using strips of this synthetic material for the first and second fastener parts 26 and 28, the discharge opening can be maintained in closed position (FIG. 6D) absent a disengagement force sufficient to overcome the retention force which produces an auditory and tactile disengagement indication. FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate that the interlocking first and second fastener parts 26 and 28 include spaced mushroom-shaped projections that are formed integrally with base layers 26 a and 28 a, respectively. Since the two interlocking components are identical, physically-distinguishable male/female components are not required. Also, because no absorbent or fabric-like material is utilized, the opposing surfaces, with their arrays of identical mushroom-shaped projections, do not absorb waste material and may be easily cleaned after a pouch-draining operation. Among the attributes for this material is its ability to provide a solid connection when pressed firmly together, its characteristic locking action that provides a user with a tactile (also audible) signal when the parts are interlocked, and its ability to be repeatedly reopened in lengthwise or crosswise directions. Accordingly, the utilization of fastener parts with identical arrays of mushroom-shaped interlocking elements constitutes an important feature of a drainable ostomy pouch embodying this invention, although it is to be understood that other types of fastening means may be used which lack at least some of the attributes and advantages described above such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners as marketed under the Velcro trademark, various snaps or interlocking fasteners, or pressure-sensitive adhesive coatings that permit repeated separation and reconnection.
The embodiment of FIGS. 7-9 is similar to those already discussed except that second fastener part 28 has a width (a dimension extending longitudinally and proximally relative to the neck portion 18) that is substantially greater than that of the first fastener part 26. Second fastener part 28′, like first fastener part 26, is preferably rectangular in shape with a distal edge 30 located as before immediately adjacent second fold line 38 (FIG. 8). When the neck portion 18 for the pouch is fully folded, as shown in FIG. 9, the second fastener part 28′ therefore has a proximal surface portion 29 that remains exposed. The exposed portion 29 constitutes a proximal and integral extension of part 28′ and provides visual and tactile indications that the folding of neck portion 28 has been properly completed, with the second fold 38 located immediately adjacent distal edge 30. In addition, the arrangement clearly exposes the region of the first fold 36 so that a user, by sliding his/her fingers downwardly along the surface of the exposed portion or extension 29, will encounter the second fold 36 and may easily commence an unfolding operation. Such contact may be made without risk that a user might otherwise make finger contact with proximal edge 31 and attempt to unfold the neck portion 18 by applying a lifting force directly to second fastener part 28′ in an effort to peel it away from pouch wall 12. Another important benefit of utilizing a tough polymeric material for fastener part 28′ is that the proximal extension 29, which is securely attached to wall 12 of the neck portion, acts to distribute forces on the wall of the pouch when the neck portion has been folded and is in use, thereby reducing localized forces that might, under extreme conditions, result in tearing of the pouch wall 12.
Like strips 22 and 24, closure strips 322 and 324 may be formed of nylon, polypropylene or any other suitable polymeric material that renders the strips stiff but flexible, non-absorbent, and generally springlike in character. It is to be understood that closure strips 322 and 324 may be configured and function in the same manner as the-described in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 3A-3C, 4A-4C, and 5A-5C. The size, shape, and composition of strips 322 and 324 may be identical to strips 22 and 24. They extend transversely across the neck portion 318 at its discharge end and are secured to the outer surfaces of the neck portion, and are normally straight and flat (or planar) but bow outwardly away from each other, and retain such outwardly bowed condition, as long as endwise squeezing force is applied and maintained.
In all embodiments of the invention, the drainable ostomy pouches are provided with flexible shape-recoverable and non-absorbent closure or stiffening strips extending transversely across each sidewall at or adjacent to the discharge opening at the end of the neck portions. Two or more folds are required to bring the first and second fastener parts into interlocking engagement. In all embodiments, such fastener parts are located along opposite sidewalls of the neck portion and have outwardly-projecting interlocking elements, ideally in the form of mushroom-shaped projections. The closure strips at the end of the neck portion facilitate opening of the discharge openings, to hold holding such openings in open condition. The closure strips also facilitate throttling and thereby controlling the rate of flow of waste material through the openings. The closure strips further define the folds as they occur and, when folding is substantially completed, help provide bulk and stiffness to the folded neck portion to assist a user in bringing the two fastener parts into interlocking engagement. The interlocking step is therefore the final step in a sequential folding operation with the interlocking occurring at the same time that the final fold is completed.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS3408705 *Jul 7, 1966Nov 5, 1968Minnesota Mining & MfgFastener articlesUS3523534Apr 5, 1967Aug 11, 1970Hollister IncClosure for drainage pouchUS3690320 *Oct 12, 1970Sep 12, 1972Int Paper CoOstomy bag and deodorizing packet thereforUS3825005Feb 26, 1973Jul 23, 1974Marlen Mfg And Dev CoResealable closure for ileostomy bagUS4233977 *Dec 28, 1978Nov 18, 1980Howmedica, Inc.Closure means for collection appliancesUS4441659Nov 17, 1980Apr 10, 1984Marklund Olle EArrangement in drum millsUS4869725 *Oct 14, 1986Sep 26, 1989Sherwood Medical CompanyEnteral feeding bagUS5457855Feb 28, 1994Oct 17, 1995Velcro Industries, B.V.Woven self-engaging fastenerUS5968024 *Feb 24, 1998Oct 19, 1999E. R. Squibb & Sons, Inc.Ostomy appliance and wound drainage device with self adhering drain systemUS6336918May 18, 2000Jan 8, 2002Coloplast A/SCollecting bag for human body wastes having an improved discharge meansUS6544241 *Jun 29, 2001Apr 8, 2003Jesse R. MortonOstomy appliance with integral closureUS6589221 *Jun 17, 1999Jul 8, 2003Coloplast A/SCollecting bag for human body wastesUS6726667 *Jun 13, 2002Apr 27, 2004Hollister IncorporatedDrainable ostomy pouch and closure means thereforUS20030028160 *Jun 13, 2002Feb 6, 2003Leise Walter F.Drainable ostomy pouch and closure means thereforGB2000683A Title not availableGB2346328A Title not available* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1International Search Report; PCT/US 02/34773 dated Feb. 26, 2003.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7306581 *Jun 26, 2003Dec 11, 2007Bristol-Myers Squibb CompanyPouch for collecting human wasteUS7879015 *Apr 7, 2003Feb 1, 2011Hollister IncorporatedDrainable ostomy pouch with integrated closureUS7915186Mar 13, 2007Mar 29, 2011Hollister IncorporatedSkin contacting product and method of making sameUS8206364 *Apr 4, 2007Jun 26, 2012Coloplast A/SCollecting bag having improved closure and method of manufacturing such a collecting bagUS8500707Apr 7, 2009Aug 6, 2013Convatec Technologies Inc.Drainable pouch with pocket for drain chuteUS8657981Mar 16, 2011Feb 25, 2014Hollister IncorporatedMethod of making a skin contacting productUS8672907Jul 26, 2010Mar 18, 2014Hollister IncorporatedDrainable ostomy pouchUS8821463Mar 16, 2010Sep 2, 2014Hollister IncorporatedDrainable ostomy pouchUS20090143755 *Apr 4, 2007Jun 4, 2009Lars Olav SchertigerCollecting Bag Having Improved Closure and Method of Manufacturing Such a Collecting BagEP2080493A1Oct 22, 2008Jul 22, 2009Hollister IncorporatedTwo chamber drainable ostomy pouch* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification604/332, 604/277International ClassificationA61F5/445, A61F5/44Cooperative ClassificationA61F5/4407European ClassificationA61F5/44E3Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionNov 5, 2012FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Oct 17, 2008FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Oct 11, 2005CCCertificate of correctionNov 25, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: HOLLISTER INCORPORATED, ILLINOISFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MANDZIJ, TARAS;METZ, MICHAEL A.;FRISKE, TIMOTHY A.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013531/0089Effective date: 20021107Owner name: HOLLISTER INCORPORATED 2000 HOLLISTER DRIVELIBERTYFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MANDZIJ, TARAS /AR;REEL/FRAME:013531/0089RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google