Field of Invention

This invention relates to bowls for use in hospitals and more particularly to a collapsible bowl for use in hospitals and/or a sterile field. The invention, however, is not limited to use in hospitals and /or a sterile field.

Background

In hospitals it is frequently necessary to provide a bowl in which fluid (usually liquid) or other material (such a consumables and equipment) is temporarily stored. The fluid way be water for washing or may be body fluids. At present hospitals use medical bowl stands that have a circular aperture in which a disposable or reusable rigid bowl is supported at its periphery and/or its base. Frequently the medical bowl stand is covered with a medical drape to prevent contamination of the stand and the rigid bowl then supported in the aperture. The sterile bowl may have been wrapped in the drape. This drape and bowl then creates the sterile field and also protects the bowl stand from contamination.

The use of rigid bowls has a number of disadvantages. Rigid bowls inherently occupy a significant volume, which creates storage, handling and disposal issues as well as increased packaging, sterilization, storage, transport and handling costs.

If reusable they are bulky to wash, package, sterilize and store.

The rigid bowl is also heavy when filled with fluid and unless emptied with a suction device can cause Occupational Health and Safety (OH & S) risks such as spillage which could potentially cause a splash or slip hazard. Further, a rigid bowl, if reusable, will be biologically contaminated until sterilised for re use and so presents a risk of cross contamination, however low.

Summary of the Invention

In an attempt to ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages the present invention provides a collapsible bowl assembly comprising: a support member adapted to be supported on a medical stand about an opening in the stand, and a liquid impervious flexible portion supported by the support member and adapted to be passed through the opening to defining at least part of a bowl shaped recess.

In another form the invention provides a collapsible bowl and drape for use with a medical stand having an opening for supporting a medical bowl, the collapsible bowl and drape comprising: a liquid impervious flexible bowl portion adapted to be passed through the opening to define at least part of a bowl shaped recess; a drape portion extending around the bowl portion to cover part of the a medical stand, and a stiffening portion located at the base of the bowl shaped recess that is stiffer than the flexible bowl portion.

In another form the invention provides a collapsible bowl and drape for use with a medical stand having an opening for supporting a medical bowl, the collapsible bowl and drape comprising: a liquid impervious flexible bowl portion adapted to be passed through the opening to define at least part of a bowl shaped recess, and a drape portion extending around the bowl portion, wherein the bowl shaped recess is of sufficient strength to be used as a bowl without requiring a bowl to support the bowl shaped recess. In one form the flexible portion is comprised of material such as a fabric or plastics sheet. The fabric may be a woven or non-woven material.

The flexible portion may define all of the bowl shaped recess.

Preferably the collapsible bowl assembly has a stiffening portion located at the base of the bowl shaped recess that is stiffer than the flexible portion. In a preferred form the stiffening portion is substantially rigid.

The stiffening portion may be a separate component to the flexible portion or may be a part of the flexible portion that has different characteristics.

Where the stiffening portion is a separate component it may be an unattached item that is inserted into the bowl shaped recess. Alternatively, the stiffening portion may be attached to the flexible portion. The stiffening portion may be attached to the underneath of the flexible portion, i.e. outside the bowl shaped recess.

The stiffening portion may be attached within the bowl shaped recess or form part of the bowl shaped recess. The flexible material may by itself form a liquid impervious recess and extend underneath the stiffening portion. Alternatively, the flexible material and stiffening portion together may define the recess. The material of the flexible portion may extend underneath the rigid stiffening portion, with the flexible portion secured to the rigid stiffening portion in a liquid impervious manner. Preferably the collapsible bowl assembly includes a drape portion that may extend over a bowl stand with which it is used.

The invention may include a support member adapted to be supported on a medical stand about the opening in the stand for the bowl shaped portion. The flexible bowl portion may define an open end and the support member may extend around the open end.

The support member may include a portion of flexible material extending around the open end.

The portion of flexible material extending around the open end and the flexible portion bowl portion may be formed of a single piece of material.

The support member may include a ring of material attached on an underside of a portion of flexible material extending around the open end.

The drape portion preferably connects to the support member but may be the support member. Preferably the drape portion and the flexible wall portion are contiguous. The drape portion and the flexible wall portion may each be formed of a single portion of material or multiple portions of material. The drape portion and the flexible wall portion may be formed of a single portion of material. All or part of the drape portion may be formed of the same or different material to all or part of the flexible wall portion. Where the drape portion and the flexible wall portion are separate components but contiguous, preferably the two components are joined with impervious seam(s).

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view from the side of a collapsible bowl assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention in use on a bowl stand. Figure 2 is a cross sectional view from the side of the bowl assembly of figure 1 before use.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view from the side of a collapsible bowl assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of Preferred and other Embodiments

Referring to figure 1 there is shown a collapsible bowl assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention supported on a bowl stand 11.

The bowl assembly 10 has a support member 12 which is sized and shaped to be supported by existing bowl stands. Most bowls are circular and so the support member 12 is ring shaped, but need not be. The support member 12 may have ridges on its underside to aid retention on the stand.

Extending downwards from the support member 12 and within the ring shaped support member 12 is a flexible wall portion 14. In this embodiment the wall portion 14 is formed of polyvinylchloride (PVC) and is flexible and thin enough such that it may be collapsed, as seen in figure 2.

In this embodiment the flexible wall portion 14 forms a continuous bowl shaped surface 16 and any material placed in the recess 15 formed by the flexible wall portion 14 is retained. In the drawing the flexible wall portion 14 has distinct side and base walls 18 and 20, respectively but the flexible wall portion 14 may be formed with a continuously curved surface similar to existing rigid medical bowls.

In this embodiment the diameter of the recess 15 is about 30 cm at its opening, reducing to about 25 cm at the base 20. The support ring has an external diameter of about 34.5 cm. The recess is about 12 cm deep. The flexible wall portion 1 may be formed of a single piece of material but may be formed of two or more pieces.

The collapsible bowl assembly 10 also includes a stiffening portion 22 that is stiffer than the wall portion 14. The stiffening portion 22 may be substantially rigid. The stiffening portion 22 is generally planar and has relatively little height. The stiffening portion 22 may include stiffening ribs and/or recesses to provide stiffness. In the preferred embodiment the stiffening portion 22 is generally circular in plan view and has a diameter sized so that it is a snug fit on the base wall 20 and within the recess 15 formed by the flexible wall portion 14.

The flexible wall portion 1 forms a continuous surface and the stiffening portion is effectively an insert that is supported on the base wall 20 of flexible wall portion. The stiffening portion 22 may be secured within the recess 5 to the flexible wall 14 portion or may be a loose item. If desired the base 22 may be secured to the underside of the base wall 20 of flexible wall portion 4 so that the surface of the recess 15 exposed to the user is the continuous surface 16 of the flexible wall 14 whilst still providing a rigid base surface.

A drape portion 30 extends downwards from the support member 12 in a sleeve fashion creating a liquid impervious cover for the stand 11.

The drape portion 30 and the flexible wall portion 14 preferably form a continuous surface to prevent contamination of a sterile field and the stand 11. The drape portion 30 may be a continuation of the flexible wall portion 14 or may be formed of one or more separate components joined to the support member 12 and /or flexible wall portion 14. In the preferred form the drape portion 30 is formed of conventional impervious medical drape material. A portion of hook and loop fastener material 34 is positioned and secured on or near the support member 12 with a complimentary portion (not shown). This may be used for the support of equipment and/or leads.

Referring to figure 2, before use, the collapsible bowl may be packaged flat. The bowl portion 14 may be folded against itself so as to occupy little vertical height. The drape portion 30 may be folded over the support portion. The stiffening portion or base of the collapsible bowl sits flat and is ready for placement on the bowl stand. The drape portion is folded in a manner in order for it to be pushed down like a sleeve covering the bowl stand with the flexible bowl sitting within the frame of the stand and supported by the bowl stand ring.

In figure 2 the folds of material are shown separated and so the height of the folded assembly is shown greater than in practice.

In use the collapsible bowl assembly 10 is placed with the support portion 12 on the bowl stand 11. The drape portion 30 is then pushed down like a sleeve over the stand 11. The user can then push the bowl portion 14 downwards through the opening 32 towards the base of stand 11 so as to form the bowl shaped recess 15. Where a more rigid base is included the user may push downwards against the rigid portion so as to form the recess 15, whether the base is integral, loose or secured within or outside the recess 15.

The collapsible may then be used in a similar manner to a conventional rigid bowl and drape. It is inherent that in the preferred embodiments the material of the bowl portion 14 is sufficiently strong to not need a bowl to provide support or to require any other additional support. The flexible nature of the assembly 10 presents a significant disincentive to a user to carry the assembly 10 to dispose of its contents, encouraging the correct disposal method and reducing OH&S risk. This is particularly so if the assembly 10 includes drape portion 30.

After use, once any liquid has been substantially removed, a user may fold the drape portion 30 back over the support 12 and recess 5 enclosing the recess 15. The previously inside and uncontaminated surface of the drape 30 is now on the outside of the assembly 10 forming a bag suitable for disposal of contaminated rubbish that may have been left in the recess 15. As the drape 30 and recess portion 15 are preferably liquid impervious this creates a substantially leak proof bag that can be tied at the top for disposal.

The assembly and any non-fluid waste contained within it may be disposed of in a suitable hospital waste receptacle without significant risk of

contamination through spillage, leakage or other means.

A portion of hook and loop fastener material 34 be provided on the flexible wall portion 14 with a complementary portion (not shown) on the drape portion. These may be used to secure the drape portion to the flexible wall portion 14 both before and after use.

In the embodiment of figures 1 and 2 the flexible wall portion 14 is continuous and forms a recess 15 independent of the stiffening portion 22. The flexible wall portion 14 may be formed of two or more components that are joined together to form the flexible wall portion. Thus, for example, the generally vertical walls 18 may be formed of one or more pieces of material with the base 20 of the recess formed of a separate piece of material, all joined together in a liquid impervious manner.

Where a stiffening portion is provided, the bowl shaped recess 15 may be formed of both the flexible side wall portion(s) and the stiffening portion. As seen in figure 3, a collapsible bowl 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention has flexible wall portion(s) 102 extending downwards from support member 104. Drape portion 106 extends from the support member 104. A stiffening portion 108 is provided and the flexible wall portion (s) are securely joined to the stiffening portion 108 in a liquid impervious manner at 110 so that the bowl shaped recess 112 is formed by both the flexible wall portion(s) 102 and the stiffening portion 108. The flexible wall portion(s) may be secured to either the upper or lower sides of stiffening portion 108.

As an alternative the side and base wall portions may be manufactured from a single piece of material but with the base wall 20 relatively stiff so that a separate component is not necessary. For example, the base wall 20 could be impregnated or coated with a stiffening material or a thicker layer of liquid impervious material.

The ring shaped support member 12 may be omitted, with the drape portion or a portion of the flexible wall portion 14 above the opening effectively being the support portion for the bowl defining material.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a drape portion embodiments of the invention may be made without the drape portion.

The support member may be formed of a rigid material or may be formed of a somewhat flexible material. Thus, to save weight and also to allow for reduction in volume, the support member may be formed of a foamed plastics material. The ring may be formed so as to be sufficiently rigid to provide support to the bowl portion when in use but sufficiently flexible that it may be distorted in the waste stream.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and any claims the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

The features of the invention described or mentioned in this document may be combined in any combination of features where features are not mutually exclusive.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many obvious modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.