Abstract:
An article for collecting human feces has at least one projecting arm supporting at least a collection structure of the article within a toilet bowl above the water line therein. The collection structure of the article is disposed to receive and support the human feces for easy collection of a fecal sample.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain types of medical diagnostic procedures require a stool (fecal) sample. It is important to not contaminate the patient&#39;s fecal sample with urine or other materials. 
     As one might expect, this sample-gathering process is distasteful. Accordingly, a number of different articles to make this collection process more convenient and less distasteful have been developed. Many of these stool sample collection articles are not as convenient as one might wish. Some may allow the sample to be contaminated. 
     For example, one type of article design now in use at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. has a cardboard frame with a centrally located opening. A stool collection element formed of disposable tissue and easily detachable from the frame hangs below the opening. The cardboard frame is adhesively attached to the top surface of a toilet bowl rim, and is stiff enough to support the collection element above the water line. The collection element is attached to slots in the frame in a way allowing the collection element to be easily detached from the frame. After the sample is deposited and collected, the collection element is detached from the frame and then flushed in the normal way with the remainder of the sample. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     I have developed an improved article for collecting a fecal sample discharged by a human into a toilet bowl. The article is to be placed within a conventional toilet bowl of the type having an inwardly sloping internal surface and a water line. The article is to be supported by the internal surface of the toilet bowl in a position allowing a fecal sample discharged by a human into the toilet bowl to be collected and supported above the water line. 
     The article comprises a collection structure for supporting at least a portion of the fecal sample. The collection structure has a generally planar shape. At least one support arm projects from the collection structure. I prefer that at least a portion of each arm is generally coplanar with the collection structure, although this may not be necessary. Each support arm has a tip for engaging the bowl&#39;s internal surface for supporting the collection structure above the water line. 
     I have developed a number of variations for this article. In one embodiment the central structure has a peripheral frame generally defining the plane. The central structure comprises a collection element formed of a plurality of bars having ends unitary with the peripheral frame. The bars may be spaced from each other and extend across the central structure to define a plurality of slots between adjacent bars, or may intersect one or more of the other bars to create a lattice pattern. For this embodiment, the patient may for example place toilet paper on the bars to assist in supporting the stool while obtaining the sample. 
     Another embodiment of the article may have a frame comprising three side bars, each joined at the ends to the ends of two other side bars, so as to- generally defining a triangle. A support arm projects from the joined ends of two side bars 
     In another embodiment, the central structure may comprise a collection element such as a relatively flexible sheet having a relatively rigid peripheral frame with which each support arm is integral. The sheet may itself be integral with the peripheral frame. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top projective view of a first version of the article of the invention. 
     FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  show side projective views of different versions of the article of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a toilet bowl in which the article of FIG. 1 has been placed for use. 
     FIG. 4 shows details of a first type of the arm of the article of FIG. 1 for adjusting the length of the arm. 
     FIG. 5 shows details of a second type of the arm of the article of FIG. 1 for adjusting the length of the arm. 
     FIG. 6 is a first alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a second alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a third alternative embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The views of FIGS. 1 and 2 a  show a first embodiment of the invention as a fecal collection article  10  comprising a collection structure  20  having edge bars  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  18 . Edge bars  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  18  are arranged with each joined to two other of the edge bars  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  18  to form a generally trapezoidal structure lying in a plane, i.e., having a generally planar form. While a generally planar form is not necessary, such a form makes article  10  somewhat easier to store, ship, and use. 
     In FIG. 1, edge bar  16  is shown as arctuate, but may be straight as well. A number of shapes for collection structure  20  such as triangular, rather than the generally trapezoidal shape shown in FIG. 1, are also suitable. In FIG. 1, edge bars  14  and  15  have ends projecting a small amount past edge bar  16  to thereby form short arms. Edge bars  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  18  are relatively rigid members. 
     A plurality of interior bars  17  are joined to edge bars  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  18  and lie within the area defined by edge bars  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  18 . In the design shown, the interior bars  17  cooperate with edge bars  14 ,  15 , 16 ,  18  to form a lattice pattern for collection structure  20 . Interior bars  17  should be close enough to each other to support or retain at least a portion of any fecal material deposited thereon, perhaps 0.5-1.0 in (1.25-2.5 cm.). A user may find it convenient to lay toilet paper on bars  17  prior to use. In that case, the article  10  can simply be tilted after removing a portion of the sample to allow the remainder of the sample and the toilet paper to slide into the toilet  30  for disposal. In this way, article  10  may be reusable. 
     At least one support arm  13  projects from collection structure  20 , and may be integral therewith. Arm  13  has a tip  25  forming one point for supporting article  10 . Arm  13  preferably has a cross section creating greater stiffness when bending out of the plane of FIG. 1 than in the plane of FIG.  1 . Edge bars  14  and  15  are shown projecting past edge bar  16  so as to form two additional relatively short support arms, each also with a tip  25 . Three support points assure solid support. Note that arm  13  is angularly oriented by at least 90° from the two arms formed by the extensions of edge bars  14  and  15 . 
     Arm  13  can lie generally in the plane of collection structure  20 . (FIG. 2 a ) or can slant in a generally acute angle from this plane (FIG. 2 b ). It&#39;s not clear at this point if an angled arm  13  as in FIG. 2 b  has any advantages in use over a planar arm  13  as shown in FIG. 2 a.    
     Collection structure  20  and arm  13  should be stiff enough to support the weight of a typical fecal sample, perhaps several ounces (100 gm. or more). Referring to FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b,  edge bar  14  and arm  13  are shown with cross sections that are substantially deeper than they are thick, to provide adequate stiffness for opposing in-plane bending as shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  with a minimum of material. However, arm  13  must also be laterally stiff enough to avoid excessive lateral bending when supporting a fecal sample during use. A round or oval cross section is equally acceptable. I envision article  10  as molded from a suitable inexpensive plastic material that may have a relatively low modulus of elasticity, although metal such as iron may also be a suitable material from which to construct article  10 . Article  10  may also be formed of a combination of metal wire and plastic. 
     The tip of arm  13  and the extensions of edge bars  14  and  15  at  25  are intended to support article  10  by resting on the slanted inner surface of a standard toilet bowl  30  as shown in FIG. 3 in top projective view. Such a toilet bowl  30  conventionally has a thickened rim  33  and a generally conical interior surface  35 . Interior surface  35  slopes inwardly and downwardly to a drain  45  at the bottom of the bowl  30  providing for waste disposal. A rear surface  41  generally flush with rim  33  has a pair of holes  43  by which a toilet seat (not shown) may be attached. A water tank for holding flushing water is also not shown, but is attached at the rear of bowl  30  (above bowl  30  as shown in FIG.  3 ). 
     To limit escape of sewer gasses into the surrounding occupied space, toilet designs provide for diverting water during filling the tank after flushing to cover drain  45  to an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm.). The water surface creates a water line  38  on inner surface  35 . 
     In use, article  10  is placed within toilet bowl  30  with tips  25  engaging surface  35 . The inward and downward slant of surface  35  can support an article  10  more or less parallel to and an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm.) above the water surface. A person can easily position him- or herself to deposit a fecal sample on collection structure  20 . Three tips  25  will most firmly support collection structure  20  during use since all three tips  25  will naturally engage surface  35  without rocking. The use of a single arm  13  extending toward the front of toilet  30  makes it relatively easy for a user to avoid contaminating the fecal sample with urine. 
     Side edges  14  and  15  project past side edge  16  so that the tips  25  can engage surface  35  without interference from the curve of side edge  16 . If edge bar  16  is straight as shown in FIG. 6, edge bars  14  and  15  need not project past edge bar  16 . 
     I currently prefer dimensions for collection structure  20  of about 6-10 in. (15-25 cm.) wide (horizontal dimension in FIG. 1) and about 8-10 in. (15×15 cm.) long. I prefer a length for support arm  13  in the range of 4 to 8 in. (10 to 20 cm.) to position collection structure  20  properly within bowl  30 . The length of arm  13  should allow collection structure  20  to be located above water line  38  in an approximately horizontal position. 
     If arm  13  and collection structure  20  are made from any of the common structural plastics, arm  13  and edge bars  14  and  15  can be perhaps 0.125 in. wide (0.3 cm.) by 0.5 in. (1.25 cm.) deep. Interior bars  17  may be somewhat smaller in both width and depth. Adjacent parallel bars  17  may be spaced perhaps 1.0 in. (2.5 cm.) apart. 
     FIG. 4 shows a preferred version of arm  13  in greater detail, with a segment of edge bar  18  shown as well. The cross section of arm  13  is shown with a depth dimension substantially greater than the width dimension. Because of variations in the internal dimensions of various toilet bowls  30 , one may sometimes wish to shorten arm  13 . Arm  13  comprises a stub arm section  13   a  attached to the collection structure  20  and a sleeve section  44  having a bore into which the first section can slidingly fit. 
     In use, sleeve section  44  is slipped to a position on stub arm section  13   a  that positions article  10  horizontally above water line  38 . A score line  47  on stub arm section  13   a  allows stub section  13   a  to be easily broken when desired to reduce the size of article  10  for disposal. Sleeve section  44  should fit relatively snugly around stub arm section  13   a  so that sleeve section  44  slips under moderate force to a position that supports article  10  above water line  38 , and at the same time opposes slipping sufficiently to hold sleeve section  44  in the selected position on stub arm section  13   a.    
     FIG. 5 shows an arm  13  having score lines  46  placed as those shown near the tip  25  of the arm involved where little bending moment and shear load is present during use. Arm  13  can be laterally broken along any one of the score points  45  to adapt article  10  to the size of a particular toilet bowl  30 . A score line  47  for reducing the size of article  10  is also shown. 
     FIG. 6 shows a different version of a fecal collection article  10 ′ having a single arm  13 . Article  10 ′ of FIG. 6 has a collection structure  20  having four edge bars  16 ,  49 , etc. A grid material such as fabric or mesh  48  for fecal collection is stretched between the four edge bars  16 ,  49 , etc. Arm  13  has a tip  25  for engaging surface  35  of a toilet bowl  30 . Corners  56  provide two further support points for supporting article  10 ′ in a toilet bowl  30 . 
     FIG. 7 shows a version of the FIG. 1 article  10  having four legs  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54  for supporting a rectangular collection structure  59  above water line  38 . Edge bars  58 , etc. provide structural integrity and support a mesh or grid  55 . Fillets as at  57  may be present to stiffen and strengthen connection of each arm  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54  to collection structure  59 . Four legs may not always provide for totally solid support within every toilet bowl shape. On the other hand, the presence of two legs  51  and  53  may make it easier to avoid contaminating the fecal sample with urine. 
     FIG. 8 shows an article  10 ′ having a series of parallel bars  69  forming the collection structure  67 . Arms  61 ,  62  are to engage the interior of toilet owl  30 . Collection structure  71  comprises a plurality of transverse bars  69 . After article  10 ′ has been placed in a toilet bowl  30 , two or three layers of toilet paper can be laid on bars  69 . The sample may be taken from the stool collected on the toilet paper, and then the toilet paper can be pulled off article  10 ′ to fall into the water in bowl  30 . Bars  69  may have a cross section size similar to that of the bars  17  of FIG.  1 . Bars  69  may be spaced 0.5-1.0 in. (1.3-2.5 cm.) apart.