Fluid discharge unit

[57] ABSTRACT

A fluid discharge unit adapted to be placed on top of the mattress of a bed to collect fluids and discharge them into a container. The unit includes a twodimensional array of mushroom-shaped elements, the head portion of each element being in abutment with the head portion of each adjacent element. Each of the head portions has an inwardly tapered upper section terminated in a flat upper surface so that the elements in combination provide a discontinuous upper surface. This surface comfortably supports an individual lying on the bed, but urine and other fluids can freely drain through the interstices between the mushroom-shaped elements. A frame member including a base having a flat lower surface is adapted to rest on the mattress. The frame member has a raised perimetral portion having an inwardly directed lip, and the two-dimensional array of mushroom-shaped elements mounted on the upper surface of the base extend below the lip at the marginal portions of the array. The upper surface of the base has a slightly V-shaped cross-section in one transverse direction so that fluids drained through the interstices between the mushroom-shaped elements are collected at the median of this surface. The raised perimetral portion is provided with fluid discharge means at the median for discharge of the fluids into the container.

Claims, 5 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED JUN 17 ws¹

Λ 889,302

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FIG_4

FIG_5

3,889,302

FLUID DISCHARGE UNIT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fluid discharge unit for use in children’s cribs and playpens or in hospital beds. The unit is adapted to comfortably support the child or patient but allow for drainage of urine and other fluids so that the bed remains essentially dry.

A variety of therapeutic bed pans exist in the prior art, a recent example of which is shown in the patent to Freemen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,757,356. However, devices such as the Freeman apparatus utilize a relatively continuous sheet which covers the bed pan itself, and provide a plurality of apertures in this sheet to allow drainage of the fluid into the pan. Since this sheet is basically continuous, however, a substantial portion of the fluids are trapped on this surface and do not drain properly. In addition, the support elements for the sheet often block many of the apertures in that sheet to further inhibit drainage of the fluids. Nevertheless, such support members are often not sufficiently close together to provide adequate structural support for the sheet required to provide a comfortable support for a person lying on the bed. When the bed pan is to be cleaned, the apparatus must be disassembled to reach the bed pan to adequately clean the drainage portion.

The present invention provides a fluid discharge unit which does not employ continuous upper sheet or similar member. Rather, a two-dimensional array of mushroom-shaped elements is provided, the head portion of each element being in close abutment with the head portion of each adjacent element. The head portions each have an inwardly tapered upper section terminating in a flat upper surface so that the elements in combination provide a discontinuous upper surface. This upper surface is adapted to comfortably support an individual lying on the bed, and also allows for free drainage of fluids through the interstices between the elements.

A frame member comprising a base having a flat lower surface adapted to rest on the mattress and a raised perimetral portion having an inwardly directed lip is also provided. The two-dimensional array of mushroom-shaped elements are mounted on the upper surface of the base and extend below the lip at the marginal portions of the array. The upper surface of the base has a slightly V-shaped cross-section in one transverse direction so that fluids drained through the interstices between the mushroom-shaped elements are collected at the median of the upper surface. The raised perimetral portion has fluid discharge means at the median of the base for discharge of fluids into a container. The unit is one integral piece and lips fold upwardly so that the unit can easily be completely and thoroughly cleaned in a minimum amount of time.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fluid discharge unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fluid discharge unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-section elevation view of the fluid discharge unit of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of one corner of the fluid discharge unit of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lip of the present invention opened for cleaning.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The overall configuration of the fluid discharge unit of the present invention is illustrated by way of reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 in combination. Discharge unit 10 has a two-dimensional array of mushroom-shaped elements 12 mounted on a frame 14. Frame 14 has a raised perimeter 16 which includes a lip 18 which spans the marginal portions of the rectangular array of elements 12 and prevents spilling of fluids from the unit 10. The base of frame 14 upon which elements 12 are mounted has a slightly V-shaped configuration in one transverse dimension so that fluid is collected along the median 20 of discharge unit 10, as illustrated in more detail hereinafter. Ports 22, 24 are provided in the raised perimeter 16 of frame 14 for connecting to a tube leading to a storage container (not shown) for discharge of the fluids from unit 10.

The construction of fluid discharge unit 10 is illustrated in more detail by way of reference to the side cross-sectional elevation view of FIG. 3. Mushroomshaped elements 12 each have a head portion 30 supported by a relatively narrow neck portion 32. The head portions 30 of each element 12 are generally spherical, and each has a truncated upper portion 34 so that the elements 12 in combination provide a substantially flat upper surface. The head portion 30 of each element 12 is in abutment with the head portion of each adjacent element. However, since the curvature of each head portion results in an inward taper of the upper section of the head portions, this upper surface is discontinuous. As a result, fluid collected on this surface will freely flow through the interstices 36 between adjacent elements 12 to collect on the upper surface 38 of the base 40 of frame 14.

As is evident from FIG. 3, the upper surface 38 of base 40 has a slightly V-shaped configuration from top to bottom so that fluid will flow out of port 24. However, the lower surface 42 of base 40 is substantially flat so that unit 10 will rest uniformly on a mattress such as 44. The length of neck portions 32 of elements 12 is variable so that the upper surface of the elements is flat even though they are supported by V-shaped surface 38.

The raised perimeter 16 of frame 14 has a relatively flat lip 18 spanning the marginal portions of the array of elements 12. Lip 18 folds upwardly at 48 for cleaning. In order to provide maximum comfort for a child lying on the crib or bed, the flat upper surface 46 of lip 18 is as coplanar as possible with the upper surface of elements 12. The entire unit 10 can be constructed of a resilient elastomer or other resilient material to provide maximum comfort. With such materials unit 10 can be formed as a single integral element. However,

3,889,302 as discussed previously, the unit 10 provides drainage of urine and other fluids so that the crib remains substantially dry.

The rectangular array of mushroom-shaped elements 12 is illustrated in more detail by way of reference to FIG. 4. As is evident from this figure, head portions 30 of each element are in abutment with corresponding head portions of each other element. However, due to the curvature of head portions 30, the flat upper surface 34 of each element is spaced from those of each other element so that a discontinuous upper surface is provided. This discontinuous upper surface minimizes the trapping of urine and other fluids on the upper surface and maximizes drainage of the fluids. However, since the elements 12 are closely spaced as illustrated, a smooth surface is provided upon which an individual in bed can rest and the unit is quite comfortable. The lip 18 of frame 14 spanning the marginal portions of the array of elements 12 is nearly flush with the upper surface of those elements so that the lip does not interfere with the comfort of the unit. Lip 18 folds outwardly as illustrated by arrow 50 in FIG. 5 so that unit 10 can be fully cleaned. Adjacent portions of lip 18 are connected by flap 52 so that the lip is continuous and trapped fluids will not leak out of the unit.

In operation, the fluid discharge unit 10 of the present invention is placed upon a mattress over the mattress pad of the bed or crib of a child or invalid. A standard bedding sheet can be paid over the unit. The comfort of the child or adult lying on the bed is not substantially impaired since the elements of the unit are sufficiently closely spaced to provide a smooth support and the unit is constructed from resilient material.

Discharge unit 10 of th present invention will trap urine and other fluids so that the mattress and mattress pad does not become wet or soiled. The fluids will pass freely through the interstices 36 between elements 12 and collect at median 20. By means of tubes connected to a storage container, the fluids are discharged from the unit through ports 22, 24. Since the only covering of the unit is a standard cloth sheet which is part of the normal bedding, the sheet will rapidly dry because it is not in direct contact with any fluids and the bed will remain substantially dry. Periodically, the unit can be cleaned by merely unfolding lip 18 and spraying the unit with water.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beeen illustrated in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of that embodiment will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.