05/114210

08/08/1972

02/10/1971

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4/588

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A47K3/06; A47K3/02; A47K3/06

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3146784	Peripherally secured pleated shrouding	September 1964	Silver
3409917	Baby bath and dressing aid	November 1968	Howard
3469266	COLLAPSIBLE BATH TUB	September 1969	Hyde
3246346	Hospital bed bath	April 1966	Schmidt
3373451	Hospital bed bath	March 1968	Schmidt

Matteson, Frederick L.

Artis, Henry K.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application based upon my earlier filed application entitled Disposable Bath and Rinse (For Bed Patients), Ser. No. 53,067, filed July 8, 1970, now abandoned.

I claim

1. A frameless, self-supporting pliant bathing basin of compliant material adapted to contain a volume of water and a person for bathing comprising a sheet of pliant material forming a bottom panel of the basin, pliant panels secured along the sides and ends of said bottom panel and disposed to be drawn upwardly into confronting relation against the weight of the water and the person to form the side and end walls of said basin, the side and end panels forming a continuous water-tight boundary around said bottom panel to define a bathing zone bounded by said panels, and pliable ribbons secured to opposite side panels of said basin and secured together to form a combined length of ribbon which extends between said side panels and across a person in the bathing zone and which combined length is short enough to hold the side panels in their upwardly extended position against the weight of water and said person disposed within said zone, and pliable ribbons secured to opposite end panels of said basin and extending across an upper portion of said zone, the last named ribbons being secured to a said combined length of the first named ribbons and having a length when so secured serving to support and maintain the end panels in their upwardly extended positions against the weight of the water and said person disposed within said zone.

2. A frameless, self-supporting pliant bath and rinse basin of compliant material according to claim 1 wherein said side and end panels include an inflatable tubular wall portion therein, and further comprising an enlarged compliant drain tube sealed about an end thereof to the outer surface of one of said tubular wall portions and encompassing a relatively large area of said outer surface, the sealed end of said tube forming a large mouth disposed in position to permit the inner and outer walls of said tubular wall portion to be carelessly ruptured for draining liquid rapidly from said bathing zone into said drain tube without endangering the integrity of the drain tube.

3. A frameless, self-supporting pliant device for use in bathing a person supported on a mattress, comprising a flexible sheet of water-tight material having a base for overlaying the mattress and having side and end wall portions connected to surround said base in sealed relation thereto to form a water-tight basin, each of said side and end wall portions having an inflatable channel therein, valve means for inflating and deflating said channels, straps secured to the side wall portions at positions laterally across from each other and secured together to extend across said basin and form a combined length thereof which supports the side portions against the weight of water and the body of the person in said basin and end straps secured at one end to the end wall portions and having a length sufficient to attach their other ends to said combined length of straps while supporting the end wall portions against the weight of water and the person in said basin.

4. A device for use in bathing a person according to claim 3 further including a high capacity drain secured to said basin, said high capacity drain comprising an elongated tubular pliant sleeve and means forming a normally sealed flow passage therewith leading into said sleeve.

5. A device for use in bathing a person according to claim 3 further including a high capacity drain secured to the outer wall of said channel, the mouth of said drain being formed of pliable water-tight material secured to and enclosing a relatively large volume at the side of the outer wall of said channel so as to space the material of the drain wall substantially clear of the outer wall of said channel, said volume being bounded on one side by said outer wall and on the others by said material, said volume further being sufficient to accommodate careless puncturing of both the inner and outer walls of said channel thereat without endangering the integrity of said drain material forming said mouth.

6. A device for use in bathing a person according to claim 3 wherein pairs of said straps are disposed across from each other and secured to said opposite side wall portions for mutual engagement of said pairs of straps, each pair to form a combined length extending across the basin and serving to support the side wall portions, and pairs of said straps extending from said end wall portions and secured to said combined length of the first named pairs of straps, the length of the last named pairs of straps serving to support the end wall portions therefrom.

7. A device as in claim 6 wherein one of the straps of each of said pairs disposed on said side wall portions includes a permanent loop, the other strap of the same said pair being threaded through the loop for drawing the loop and its associated side wall portion toward the side wall portion of the other one of said side wall portions.

8. A device as in claim 1 further including elongated inwardly directed splash deflector means disposed along the upper edge of said side and end panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to collapsible bath and rinse receptacles or basins particularly useful, for example, in caring for bed patients.

Compliant bathtubs and the like have typically been supported by a framework usually of rigid members or ropes. Accordingly, it has been necessary to rely upon and have available such a supporting framework or the compliant bathtub cannot be utilized satisfactorily.

As disclosed herein, there is provided a self-supporting bath and rinse receptacle of compliant material whereby a patient in a hospital, for example, can readily be bathed without requiring the patient to leave his bed.

Further, as disclosed herein, the compliant self-supporting bathing receptacle is adjustable to and configured by the patient's body. The receptacle thus allows a person to be bathed with less water than would otherwise be needed in basins of rigid construction or requiring supporting elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS

A receptacle of a compliant material for bathing a person comprises a sheet of pliant material forming a bottom panel of a basin. Pliant panels are secured along the sides and ends of the bottom panel and are disposed so as to be drawn upwardly into confronting relation to form the side and end walls of the basin. The side and end panels form a continuous water-tight boundary around the bottom panel to define a bathing zone bounded by the panels. Pliable ribbons are secured to opposite side panels of the basin to extend across a person in the bathing zone to extend sufficiently so as to be secured together to hold the side panels in their upwardly extended position against the weight of water and the bather disposed within the bathing zone. Pliable ribbons are also secured to opposite end panels of the basin for attachment across an upper portion of the bathing zone for holding the end panels in their upwardly extended positions against the weight of water and the bather disposed within the bathing zone.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved, self-supporting bathing receptacle of compliant material.

It is another object of the invention to provide a self-supporting bathing receptacle which does not require or rely upon a rigid framework or other supporting elements in forming a basin for bathing and which can be configured to the size and shape of the bather.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein a high capacity drain is readily available simply by rupturing a portion of the bathing basin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bath and rinse receptacle disposed upon a mattress (as shown in phantom lines), according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a bath and rinse receptacle or basin of the type shown in FIG. 1 with portions of the receptacle fixed in place by tying pliable ties together;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and includes portions shown in phantom lines for describing the provision of a high capacity drain function;

FIG. 4 is an elevation section view of a detail of construction showing a valve secured to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 for inflating portions thereof;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged detail section views of a drain as utilized in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and respectively show a seal formed by a membrane across a drain and the rupturing of the sealing membrane for purposes of providing drainage;

FIG. 7 is a transverse section view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are end elevation section views diagrammatically showing the utilization of a larger version of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in conjunction with a mattress and box springs in both a stored condition (in FIG. 8) and in a water-containing condition (as shown in FIG. 9);

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment, according to the invention, utilizing a single thickness side wall construction with a patient located in place and relying upon the framework of a bed supporting an end of the bath and rinse receptacle at one end as desired; and

FIG. 11 discloses another embodiment, according to the invention, characterized by a single thickness of material and utilizing a side drain scheme employing a catch basin located at the side of the bathing receptacle.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A bathing receptacle 10 is shown best in FIG. 1 wherein a patient 11 is disposed within the basin formed by receptacle 10 for bathing purposes.

Accordingly, a sheet of pliant material forms a bottom panel 12 of the basin. While it will be readily evident from examination of FIG. 3 that the bottom panel 12 includes a double thickness of pliant material, this is not necessarily required as will be seen further below with respect to another embodiment, according to the invention.

Pliant panels 13, 14 are secured along the sides of bottom panel 12 and panels 15, 16 are secured along the ends of bottom panel 12 so as to form pairs of pliant side and end wall portions disposed to be drawn upwardly into confronting relation. It will be readily evident that the side and end panels 13-16 form a continuous water-tight boundary 17 around the bottom panel 12 so as to define a bathing zone 18 bounded by panels 12-16.

Pliable ribbons 19, 20 are secured to opposite side panels 13, 14 of the basin and have a length adequate to extend across a person such as patient 11 within the bathing zone 18. Ribbons 19, 20 constitute tensioning straps or ties which can be tied sufficiently tightly together so as to provide mutual support to the side panels 13, 14 against the weight of water disposed within the basin formed by side and end panels 13-16. Thus, straps 19 include a permanent loop 21 whereby the other strap 20 of its pair can be threaded through loop 21 for drawing loop 21 and its associated side wall portion of panel 13 toward the side wall portion formed of panel 14.

Preferably, straps 19, 20 are attached to a double thickness of material formed along the upper edge of wall portions 13, 14 so as to form an inwardly directed splash deflector 25 along the sides and a similar deflector 30 is formed at each end.

Similarly, in order to provide support to the upwardly extending end walls formed by panels 15, 16 of the basin, pliable ribbons 22, 23 are secured, as by means of a heat seal 24, to the upper edge of end panels 15, 16. The heat seal 24 is little more than the application of localized heat from a blade or roller to a conventional weldable plastic material utilized for the ribbons 22, 23 and the end panels 15, 16. The free ends of ribbons 22, 23 are secured tightly, as by means of tying a simple knot or otherwise to the transversely extending ribbons 19, 20 previously tied together.

In order to prevent the corners of the bathing receptacle 10 from drooping and permitting water to escape, additional ribbons or straps 26 have been provided at each of the four corners and heat sealed to the upper edge thereof by means of the heat seal 27 so that straps 26 hold from the upper edge of the basin at the corners. In addition, straps 26 can also extend further on around the end panels to be secured ultimately therebeneath so as to give support to the entire wall portion.

Accordingly, the pliable ribbons 19, 20, 22, 23, 26 extend across an upper portion of the bathing zone and the patient 11 for holding the side and end panels in their upwardly extending positions against the weight of water disposed within the bathing zone.

Further, it will be readily evident from this configuration of a self-supporting bathing receptacle, that, after the patient has been disposed within the bathing receptacle, the ribbons or straps can be tightened to draw the sides particularly close to the patient so as to minimize the volume of water needed in order to bathe the patient.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the embodiment thereshown includes an inflatable tubular wall portion in the side and end panels. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, any suitable valve stem 28 can be secured by conventional means to the outer side wall 29 of the receptacle 10, and since the tubular configuration of the side and end panels is continuously in open communication entirely around the bathing zone 18, only a single air passage is necessary.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of gaskets 31 is squeezed tightly together by a tightening nut 32 threaded onto the valve stem 28. In this manner, leakage past the valve stem at the point of entry into the tubular channel will be readily sealed off. Also, if desired, a heat seal style of sealing can be employed.

As shown in FIG. 4, valve stem 28 contains a typical air valve 33 of the type used in bicycle tires and the like and can be utilized herein where compressor type equipment is readily available. However, if it is desired to retain air within the tubular side walls of the bathing receptacle 10 without the air valve 33 present, then it is possible to utilize a flexible plastic or rubber sleeve 34 folded across the end of the valve stem 28 and held in place by a rubber band 36. It is to be understood, of course, that air valve 33, being of conventional type, is readily unscrewable from the interior of valve stem 28 in order to permit a person to inflate the tubular walls and ends of receptacle 10 by merely blowing it up using one's mouth.

Typically, means are provided for forming a water-proof "drain plug" or seal in the form of the sealing membrane 37 of a suitable plastic material capable of being readily ruptured upon protrusion of an article into it. Thus, membrane 37 is stretched across the top of a drain 38 provided with a retaining flange 38a under which the membrane 37 is captured. Thus, a retaining washer 41 is positioned about the threaded exterior of drain 38 and serves to compress the two plys 12a, 12b, of bottom panel 12 against the underfolded edge of membrane 37. More than one drain may be installed as described if desired.

In the upper edge of drain 38 beneath membrane 37 and at diametrically opposite dispositions of the circular opening within drain 38, a pair of notches 43 have been provided whereby, when it is desired to attach a drain hose 42 to the threaded end of drain 38, as for example, of the type having a simple garden hose connection or other simple type of connection to be attached thereto, a coin 44, such as a quarter or half dollar, can be inserted into notches 43 and thereby restrain drain 38 from rotating as the threaded attaching sleeve 46 is threaded into position. The remainder of the connection shown below sleeve 46, as well as sleeve 46, can be of any suitable design as noted above and in the present instance is indicated as simply the end of a garden hose.

Typically, drain 38 will be disposed beyond the foot of a mattress 47 whereby the foot end of receptacle 10 droops to form a catch basin region 48 into which liquid within receptacle 10 will drain.

When bathing a person lying within receptacle 10, a minimum of water can be utilized, as noted above, by drawing the sides of the receptacle relatively close to the body of the patient. Further, it will be readily evident that with using compliant material, the water can be manipulated by means of hand pressure applied variously on the external side of the walls.

Further, according to another embodiment wherein the width of the bottom panel 12 is substantially coextensive with the top surface of a mattress 47, it will be readily evident that the bath and rinse basin can be stored in its deflated form on the bed in which the patient will be resting under normal conditions. In this instance, the bottom panel 12' can serve as a water repellent sheet of material interposed between the mattress and the sheets of the bed.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a mattress 47 and a box spring 50 are disposed one atop the other and the bottom panel 12' overlays the top surface of mattress 47. In FIG. 8, the deflated side panels 13', 14' hang loosely alongside the mattress, and the straps and ribbons 19', 20' extend further downwardly or may be tucked between mattress and springs.

When it is desired to provide a bath for the patient lying upon mattress 12', the sheets are taken from the bed and the inflatable channel formed within each of the side panels 13', 14' and end panels (not shown) are inflated as described above. At the same time, these side and end panels are raised upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 9 and ribbons 19', 20' are interconnected as before.

While the drain 38 described above may be satisfactory in most instances for draining the contents of bathing zone 18, in some instances it may be desirable to drain the liquid from within bathing zone 18 at a high rate using a high capacity drain arrangement as now to be described.

Accordingly, an enlarged pliable drain tube 49 is attached as by means of heat seals 51 to the outer surface of one of the tubular wall portions formed by either the end or side panels, but preferably laterally adjacent drain 38 in the area of catch basin 48. The mouth of tube 49 is disposed in position to permit the inner and outer walls 14a, 14b of the wall portion formed by panel 14 to be ruptured as indicated by the arrows 52, 53 and in this manner serves to drain liquid rapidly from within the bathing zone 18. Drain 49 can also be located in the bottom of catch basin 48 if it is not desired to rupture the tubular inflated walls.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3 in phantom lines 14a', 14b', the inner and outer side wall portions are pressed together by hand to a relatively proximate position and a sharp instrument or the like can then be used to puncture both walls at the same time. At that point in time, the mouth of the drain encloses a relatively large volume so as to space the material of the drain wall 56 substantially clear of the outer wall 14b of the inflated side wall channel or tube. In this way, as soon as the outer wall 14b bursts, it is spaced sufficiently from drain wall 56 so that water pressure discharging into drain tube 49 will not press side wall 14b against wall 56 to reseal or block the opening 57.

Thus, the volume defined between the outer wall 14b and drain 56 also is sufficient to accommodate puncturing of both the inner and outer walls 14a, 14b without endangering the integrity of side wall 56. Therefore, it is desirable to provide means for expanding the scope and size of the high capacity drain volume, as by means of providing the pleat 58 as shown in FIG. 2. Upon deflation of the inflated tubular channel surrounding the bathing zone 18, it will be readily evident that straps 26 will support the corners of the receptacle while straps 19, 20 and 22, 23 support the sides and ends thereof so that the receptacle remains self-supporting notwithstanding the elimination of the inflated channel therearound.

According to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a single thickness sheet of material is formed to provide a bathing receptacle of the type described generally above. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, it will be readily evident that the catch basin 59 has been disposed at the side of the bed upon which the receptacle 61 has been disposed. In the case of the existence of a rigid framework of the type usually provided by the headboard of a bed, it can, for example, be somewhat useful in attaching the ties 62 for supporting the head end of receptacle 61.

Thus, the single thickness version shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is constructed from a single plastic sheet, heat sealed to comprise a rectangular receptacle having relatively high ends and sides with an extension on one side comprising an integral catch basin 59. Catch basin 59 includes both the general region of the receptacle 61 shown in FIG. 11 and the high capacity drain tube 63 leading to a collection vessel 64.

Erection of the receptacle is achieved by the use of cloth tape ties 66, or water repellent plastic ties as described above. The tape ties 66 are embedded into the outer uppermost edges of the ends and sides of receptacle 61.

When loosely tied to a patient's headboard and across the human form, the sides and ends are raised for depth and stability.

It will, of course, be readily evident that the size and thickness of the material can be varied as necessary to contain the weight of the required water and the human body when introduced into its bathing receptacle, and for special construction and application of this process to include greater durability.

It is also readily evident that a similar receptacle can be fashioned by using Origami-type folds and grommets in its assembly and thus reduce the number of heat seals in its fabrication. Furthermore, the receptacle need not be constructed of plastic, but may also be constructed of more readily combustible or soluble material which would allow reduction into an organic waste and therefore more easily disposable.

For transport and storage, each receptacle, of the type shown, for example, in FIGS. 10 and 11, can be folded to a relatively small flat square. When unfolded to its flat, rectilinear form, one edge can be tucked under the side of the bed patient, and the patient rolled and positioned on its proximate center. The sides and ends with their tape ties are then pulled from under the patient. The sides and ends are loosely tied together across the patient's body to achieve depth and stability and to form the receptacle as required to accommodate water and the particular size of the patient.

Introduction of the patient and water into the receptacle lends strength to its side walls and ends. The patient's head may be included or excluded from the confines of the receptacle by means of the tape ties as depicted in the above embodiments.

A minimum quantity of water is necessary since the receptacle is pliable and flexible to a degree that water can be squeezed to reach any portion of the patient's body. The patient is manually washed through the open top of the receptacle in the same manner as employed with a conventional bathtub. The water can be manipulated around the patient from within and by applying hand pressure toward the patient from outside the receptacle, as noted above. The amount required may be reduced.

Drainage is achieved by the attendant untying the center ties across the midpoint of the patient's body. The side containing the catch basin and drain is then lowered below the top edge of the mattress and the drain inserted into a common water container positioned under the bed. Simultaneously, the attendant maintains stability of the opposite side by pulling its strap up and over the patient's body. After the drain is inserted into vessel 64, the attendant squeezes and manipulates the pliable receptacle and depresses the mattress on the side containing the catch basin thus allowing the water to run downward to its lowest point and into the catch basin and drain. The little water remaining after this operation is readily absorbed by a bath towel in the process of drying the patient.

The patient is removed from the receptacle by untying all tape ties to collapse the receptacle which is then removed from under the patient in the same manner as removing a bedsheet, thus completing the bathing, rinsing and drying operation.

Subject to the strength of the materials employed and hygienic considerations, the receptacle of a type as shown, for example, in any of the foregoing embodiments may be reused a number of times, particularly by the same patient.

The plastic and cloth materials comprising the above receptacles preferably are combustible and thereby facilitate disposal and sanitation.

From the foregoing, it is readily evident that, while the above application is directed primarily, solely to use of the apparatus for bathing, the versatility of the receptacles for other uses, such as controlling the temperature of a patient by thermal or refrigerant inducing liquids, as a control of medicinal solutions used externally in the treatment of patients, as a shroud, and as a receptacle for use in mortuary operations, is not to be excluded.

Further, by eliminating all rigid structural supports, braces, props and the like hereto fore used, the receptacles disclosed herein become inherently safer for use in bathing patients having injuries, etc.