GB2480912A - Portable, collapsible lavatory - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable lavatory apparatus comprises a flat, foldable sheet material marked into curved non-orthogonal panels, which includes a seat panel 1 and vertical side panels 9, 20 as orientated when in use, wherein the sheet material includes a plurality of tabs 4, 2, 11 and slots 13,23, and where the invention is characterised by a supportive bridge panel 14 which locates between two vertical side panels 9, 20 in use. The lavatory can retain a removable bag at attachment locations 7 and 18 or 8 and 19. The lavatory can be rapidly constructed from the collapsed, flat-pack state when required, and may serve as a portable potty for children.

Description

Convenient disposable lavatory apparatus

Description:

A new invention for a lavatory apparatus that looks into the issues and problems faced within the area, it also explores a new material option that could be used to widen the possibility of a non plastic potty alternative.

Looking at the user's needs in the particular area in a new way - * Offering a Sustainable alternative to current products * Quicker process -speeding it up from start to finish * Bringing simplicity and ease to the issues * A cheap solution which has more features than the current product on the market.

* A product that can be constantly with you The purpose of this invention was after a close examination of the intended market; analyzing any developmental areas, behaviour, issues and problems and any social, technical and practical changes that need to be made to products currently on the market.

Current products were analyzed to better understand the everyday application of the product and discover what potential problems need to be addressed. An example of similar function is GB Patent No.GB2448945A. This example although has similar functionality of the product it cannot boast the convenience that this invention has created.

A new avenue in a market has been opened up that has not got a contender with the strength and convenience combined in one.

Toileting is a necessity of life. Between your 2nd and 3rd birthdays, parents teach their children how to use the toilet and master the art of controlling their bowel/bladder movements and this is with you throughout your life and all humans do it.

When out and about this portable, collapsible apparatus boasts easy, quick and user friendly qualities for situation where there are no toilets and a person is caught short.

The design enables quick and easy transformation from flat handle carrying lavatory apparatus to erected and bag attached in 30 seconds, so the person can be relieved as soon as possible to avoid mess and accidents.

The apparatus naturally creates the correct bowel/bladder movement position. There are 2 ways to sit on the apparatus -straddling which would suit males better and sitting which would suit female users better.

To avoid splash back upset the male users can straddle the product instead of sitting on it as the products shape provides a natural splashguard within the product. This prevents the bladder fluids to splash above it, this is shown in Fig.5.

The style of the product is very user friendly and eye-catching and with no sharp corners on the product no issues with regards to safety on the product are going to occur.

Can use 2 types of bags within the designed product, the smaller biodegradable bags can be fixed into the top bag slot on the side of the product (see Fig.5 No.18) or if you are caught short and forget them a carrier/bigger bag can be fixed to the base bag slot (see Fig.5 No.19).

This product provides a practicality that other designs do not address, the fact that it can be constantly with you at all times and a quick 30 second transformation from flat to ready to use makes it user friendly and easy for all to use.

The product provides a supportive structure with minimal material used and this is one of its unique selling points.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 -Shows the net diagram of the apparatus complete with all aspects and principles within the design. Panel 4 is the glue tab where it is attached to panel 20 to form the closed collapsed position. Flaps 10 and 12 are bent forward to provide extra support for the base support.

Lip 11 is also bent forward so it is in position so you can pull it down to allow panel 14 to pop up the bottom of the product, this is then securely fastened by slotting lock 21 into lip 13 as explained in Figure 3. Flap 22 is bent downwards, panel us lowered to lie on top of flap 22 and flap 2 is slotted into slot 23 to provide the seating top of the apparatus. Both small bag hooks are highlighted as 7 and 18 on right and left sides of apparatus and large bag hooks are highlighted as 8 and 19 on left and right of apparatus. Panels 9 and 20 provide the curved architecture of the apparatus that shows off the natural flow of the safe product shape.

Figure 2 -Shows the apparatus from the top angle once erected. The No.1 panel is the seat area where the person can sit or straddle the apparatus. It has a naturally curved shape which provides a vital splashguard for the male user. No.3 is the hole is which the excrement goes into and a bag of big/small size is placed inside to collect and thrown after use.

Figure 3 -Shows the apparatus with the base support being secured in place, lip 11 is pulled down and this is then securely fastened by slotting lock 21 into lip 13 to secure the support in place. Flaps 12 and 10 offer side supports to the base support so when weight is applied to the top of the apparatus it is dispersed equally among the support material. Hooks 18 and 19 are where the two types of bags can be fixed by the handles, 18 being the smaller bag hooks and 19 being the larger bag hooks. Top panel 1 once the base support is in position can be placed down and slotted into slot 23 (see Fig.3).

Figure 4 -Shows the apparatus flat packed and how it is carried and transported around. The handle (panel 1 and hole 3) provides a place where your hand can hold the apparatus and carry it conveniently anywhere you go. Lip 11 poked out of the middle of the apparatus until it is pulled down in position to be erected providing the base support frame. Again bag hooks are shown on the drawing, smaller bags -7 and 18 and larger bags -8 and 19. Side view panel 9 is shown which has a ridge on the bottom where the base support has taken away the material to form the support bridge between panels 9 and 20.

Figure 5 -Shows the side and front views of the apparatus, the side panel shows how the bag slots into hook 18 with larger hook 19 at the base of the apparatus. Panels 9 and 20 provide the curved minimal material supportive structure that the design boasts. Slot 21 shows how its supportive lock slots into lip 13 so when in its ready to use position it has all the supportive interior structure in its place.

The front view of the apparatus shows the natural splashguard the top panel 1 provides. Flaps 10 and 12 provide extra support to the base support internally in the apparatus. Panel 9 as explained earlier has the ridge at the base of the design as the base support starts there.

Claims (16)

1. Claims: 1. A convenient disposable lavatory apparatus, formed by transforming a net of a flat sheet material into an erect position to form the convenient disposable lavatory apparatus. The apparatus can be flat packed efficiently prior to use and can be carried I transported anywhere with you. The apparatus is liquid-resistant so no mess once used as lavatory apparatus. The apparatus can be erected in 30 seconds for quick and effective use when in need of lavatory relief.
2. 2. The net diagram of the apparatus complete with all aspects and principles within the design. Panel 4 is the glue tab where it is attached to panel 20 to form the closed collapsed position. Flaps and 12 are bent forward to provide extra support for the base support. Lip 11 is also bent forward so it is in position so you can pull it down with panel 14 attached to form a supportive bridge.This supportive bridge is then securely fastened by slotting lock 21 into lip 13 to secure the support in place as explained in Figure 3.Flap 22 is bent downwards and panel 1 is placed on top of it, to secure this flap 2 is slotted into slot 23 to provide the seating top of the apparatus. Both small bag hooks are highlighted as 7 and 18 on right and left sides of apparatus and large bag hooks are highlighted as 8 and 19 on left and right of apparatus. Panels 9 and 20 provide the curved architecture of the apparatus that shows off the natural flow of the safe product shape.
3. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and 2 provides interim king internal support inside the apparatus exterior walls.
4. 4. Apparatus as claimed in 1 and 2, provides two bag hooks per left and right side view. Top 2 for smaller bags and base 2 for larger bags.
5. 5. Apparatus as claimed in 1 and 2, provides a handle (panel 1 and hole 3) where your hand can hold the apparatus and carry it conveniently anywhere you go.
6. 6. Apparatus as claimed in 1 and 2 has a curved top that provides a natural splashguard for male users.
7. 7. Apparatus as claimed in 1 and 2 can be sat or straddled depending on the sex or personal preference of the user.
8. 8. Apparatus as claimed in 1 and 2, top panel 1 comprises of an interlocking action in which flap 2 is slotted into slot 23.
9. 9. As claimed in preceding claim, where as first and second interlocking actions are provided between the two curved side panels 9 and 20.
10. 10. As claimed in preceding claim, the interlocking actions comprises of a flap and slot arrangement.
11. 11. As claimed in preceding claim, the base support panel comprises of a protrusion of the net for interaction to the side panels 9 and 20.
12. 12. Apparatus as claimed in 1 and 2, where as one or both side panels comprise of an interlocking slot.
13. 13. Apparatus as claimed in all preceding claims, the top panel 1 comprises of a hole for access to the inside of the apparatus, the hole is for suitable use for lavatory purposes.
14. 14. As claimed in claim 4, the bags would be plastic carrier bags, biodegradable variety or nappy sacks.
15. 15. Apparatus as claimed in 1 and 2, the apparatus is arranged in the way where it can be collapsed from use into a flat packed configuration for transportation or storage.
16. 16. Apparatus as described in the above claims is all comprised with reference to the accompanied drawings.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows Claims 1 A lavatory apparatus capable of reversibly being transformed from a flat storage configuration to an erected configuration for use, in which the apparatus comprises first and second side panels, first and second end panels, a seat panel which defines an aperture, and a spacer bar and in which: each of the first and second side panels and first and second end panels has four side edges; opposite side edges of the first side panel are each hinged to a first side edge of one of the first and second end panels, the side edge of each of the first and second end panels opposite the first side edges of that panel are hinged to opposite side edges of the second side panel, the seat panel is hinged to an edge of one of the first or second side panels, said edge not being hinged to an end panel, the spacer bar is hinged to one of the first or second side panels and adapted to reversibly engage with the other of the first or second side panels, and the hinge between the spacer bar and the side panel is spaced from all the edges of that side panel.2 A lavatory apparatus according to claim 1 in which the spacer bar is comprised of a first longitudinally extending spacer panel and first and second longitudinally extending spacer webs and in which each longitudinal edge of the spacer panel is hinged to a longitudinal edge of one of the spacer webs.* ***** * I 2 3 A lavatory apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the reversible S...engagement between the spacer bar and the side panel to which it is not hinged is S.....* via a flap and slot arrangement. * I. * I 4 A lavatory apparatus according to claim 1 or 3 in which the first and second end panels are each substantially of a shape that has a line of symmetry, and there is a fold line substantially along the line of symmetry.A lavatory apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which each of the first and second end panels is provided with two bag hooks each suitable for engaging with the handle of a handled plastic bag.6 A lavatory apparatus according to claim 5 in which on each end panel the bag hooks are so located that they are differently spaced from one of the edges of the end panel that is not hinged to a side panei.7 A lavatory apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which the seat panel is so configured that when the lavatory apparatus is in the erect configuration for use the seat panel is adjacent to a side edge of the side panel to which it is not hinged and an edge of each of the end panels.8 A lavatory apparatus according to claim 7 in which the seat panel and the side panel to which the seat panel is not hinged are adapted to reversibly engage with each other via a flap and slot arrangement.9 A lavatory apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8 in which the apparatus is so configured that when the apparatus is in the flat storage configuration the aperture in the seat panel is unobstructed and is suitable for use as a carrying handle.:: 10 A lavatory apparatus according to any of claims ito 9 in which one hinge between a side panel and an end panel is comprised of a flap hinged to one of the * side or end panels and the flap is glued to the other of the side or end panels.S**S.S.* ii A lavatory apparatus according to any of claims ito lOin which the hinges between the panels and I or spacer bar are fold lines in the material of the apparatus is comprised.12 A lavatory apparatus according to any of claims ito ii in which the apparatus is comprised of a single piece of sheet material.V13 A lavatory apparatus according to any of claims Ito 12 in which the material of which the apparatus is comprised is not plastic.S* p. p * * * a S... * . *.. * * . S * a * a. * 1C-'. C 0* a * . S a