PARTRIDGE ANTONY JOHN (US)
| GB2220566A | 1990-01-17 | |||
| FR2563989A1 | 1985-11-15 | |||
| GB686682A | 1953-01-28 | |||
| EP0207730A1 | 1987-01-07 | |||
| FR1585769A | 1970-01-30 | |||
| DE2508054A1 | 1976-09-02 | |||
| DE1089532B | 1960-09-22 |
| 1. | A chamberpot comprising a plurality ot superimposed inflatable annular chambers, the uppermost chamber being circumferentially spaced inwardly relative to the bottom chamber when both chambers are inflated. |
| 2. | A chamberpot according to claim 1 in which the outer diameter of the uppermost chamber is between 5% and 20% less than the outer diameter of the bottom chamber. |
| 3. | A chamberpot according to claim 2 in which the reduction in diameter lies between 10% and 15%. |
| 4. | A chamberpot according to any one of the preceding claims in which the pot has only two of the said chambers and in which the height of the top chamber in crosssection is less than the corresponding height of the bottom chamber when both chambers are inflated. |
| 5. | A chamberpot according to any one of the preceding claims in which the ratio of the outer diameter of the bottom chamber to the overall height of the pot lies between 2:1 and 3:1. |
| 6. | A chamberpot according to claim 5 in which the ratio is approximately 5:2. |
| 7. | A chamberpot according to any one of the preceding claims in which the outer diameter of the bottom chamber lies between 280 and 300mm, and the overall height ot the pot lies between 110 and 125mm. |
| 8. | A chamberpot comprising two inflatable rings superimposed on one another with an intercommumcating air passage between the two rings, the rings being inflated through a valve fitted to one ot the rings, characterised in that the outer diameter of the bottom ring exceeds the outer diameter of the top ring when both rings are inflated. |
| 9. | A chamberpot according to claim 8 in which each ring comprises a pair of annular discs heat welded to one another around the inner and outer circumferences, the outer diameter of the two bottom discs exceeding the outer diameter of the two top discs. |
| 10. | A chamberpot according to claim 9 in which the bottom of the pot is formed by a circular disc heat welded to the underside of the bottom ring. |
| 11. | An inflatable chamberpot substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
This invention relates to an inflatable chamber-pot for children.
Portable chamber-pots for children, particular between the ages of 1 and 4 years, created out of plastic and known as "potties" are in constant use. However, a "potty" is often bulky and difficult to carry any distance. When a family is travelling, a traditional potty is a waste of space and clumsy to use.
It has been suggested that these drawbacks can be overcome by the use of an inflatable chamber-pot. Such pots are disclosed, for example, in GB-A-686,682 and EP-A-0207730. However, inflatable pots are inherently unstable and experience has shown that infants are reluctant to use pots which have a tendency to topple over or wobble from side to side. The infant needs a feeling of security.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inflatable chamber-pot which is particularly stable and comfortable to use.
According to the present invention, there is provided an inflatable chamber-pot wherein the top of the pot has a reduced diameter compared to that o± the bottom ot tne pot.
The pot preferably comprises a plurality of superimposed mt atable annular chambers, tne top cnamber being circumferential!Y spaced inwardly relative to tne pottorn chamber.
It has been found that this reduction m diameter produces a pot with enhanced stability. The reduction is preferably
achieved in a single step, and is preferably between 5% and 20% of the bottom diameter. Particularly good results have been achieved with a reduction of between 10% and 15%.
The relationship between the height of the pot and the diameter of the base is also of importance for stability. In particular, the ratio of the bottom diameter to the height preferably lies between 2:1 and 3:1, and particularly good results have been achieved when the ratio is approximately 5:2. For a base diameter of between 280 and 300mm, the overall height of the pot should preferably lie between 110 and 125mm. We have also found that the height of the top chamber in cross-section is advantageously less than the height of the bottom chamber.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an inflatable child's chamber¬ pot.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the pot shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the pot, and
Fiσ. 4 illustrates the components from which the pot is formed.
Referring to these drawings, the pot consists of two inflatable rings 10, 11 superimposed on one another and inflated through a common valve 12 fitted to the bottom ring 11. An inter-communicating air passage 13 is provided between the two rings.
The top ring 10 is formed from two annular plastic discs 14, 15 which are heat welded to one another around the inner and outer circumferences. The bottom ring 11 is similarly formed from annular discs 16, 17, the underside of the bottom disc 15 of the top ring being heat welded to the top disc 16 of the bottom ring.
The bottom of the pot is formed by a circular disc 18 which is heat welded to the underside of the bottom ring 11.
The bottom disc 15 of the top ring and the top disc 16 of the bottom ring include a pair of co-operating circular apertures 21 which are heat welded around their rims to form the inter-communicating passage 13.
The discs 14-18 are concentric with one another, but the outside diameter of the two upper discs 14, 15 is significantly less than the corresponding diameter of the lower discs 16, 17. In this particular example, the discs 14, 15 have a diameter of 268mm whereas the discs 16, 17 have a diameter of 292mm.
When inflated, the height of the bottom ring 11 in cross- section is approximately 60mm while the corresponding height of the top ring 10 is approximately 56mm.
The valve 12 is fitted to the disc 17 and the bottom disc 18 includes a cut-out 19 to accommodate the valve.
When inflated, the upper ring 10 provides a seat for the child using the pot, while the lower rinq 11 provides a base for the seat.
The hole 20 in the top ring is generally aLigned with the corresponding hole in the bottom rin to form a receDtacle
which is closed at the bottom by the disc 18. In practice, a disposable liner would be inserted in the receptacle before using the pot, the liner having a seal strip or tie so that it can be closed after use before disposing of it.