Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
FIELD OF THE_INVENTION
This invention relates to enteral feeding devices and
more particularly to new and improved enteral feeding devices
that are particularly adapted to fit or nest togethsr so that
they can be conveniently stored in a side-by-side or stacked
relationship in a filled or unfilled oondition.
BACKGROVND OF THE PRIOR A~T
There are in hospitals, nursing homes and other similar
institutions a number of human patients who are incapable of
taking nourishment in the conventional fashion. In some
instances the patients are in this condition as a result of
surgery or injury. In other instances, the patients are unable
to take nourishment as a result of old age and/or senility.
In any event, it is sometimes necessary to provide
means for providing such patients with nourishment. Typically,
the patients are provided nourishment through the naso-gastric
passages. In such event a naso-gastric tube is inserted into the
patient through the naso-gastric passages. The naso-gastric tube
is connected to and communicates with a container or the like
which contains nourishment in a liquid form which will be fed to
the patient by gravity or pump. The contents of the liquid
nourishment may vary from patient to patient depending on the
condition and needs of the patient. Thus, while in some
instances a standardized liquid formulation may be used, in other
instances a special formulation may be desired. When a standard
commercially available formulation is used the feeding container
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can be filled or replenished at the patient's bedside. On the
other hand, where a special formulation is re~uired, it can be
mixed or formulated in the kitchen or formulary and placed within
the container at that time and then transported to the patient.
In accordance with prior practices numerous types of
feeding containers can be used. In one type of prior art
practice a flexible bag-like container is employed. While such
flexible bag-like containers are sa~is~actory in many instances
they do not provide accurate readings on the amount of liquid
nourishment within the bag due to its flexibility. Such bag-
like feeding containers can be difficult to store in a space
saving manner since the shape is not necessarily consistent with
efficient space-saving storage. There is also the possibility of
leakage during or after storage.
In other prior art practices rigid members are used as
feeding containers. The problem with such prior rigid containers
is that they lack versatility and are difPicult to stack in large
numbers for transport to the place of use such as a hospital or
nursing home.
OBJECTS QF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a new and
improved rigid enteral feeding device made of polyethylene or
some other plastic rigid material.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new
and improved enteral feeding device wherein the containers can
be nested in side-by-side relationship for convenient and
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efficient storing or transport.
A still further object of this invention is to provide
a new and improved enteral feeding device which can be filled
adjacent to the patient or at another location while standing in
a vertical position.
A further object of this invention is to provide a new
and improved enteral feeding container wherein the feeding
container has openings at each end for supplying the container
with liquid nourishment while in either upright or upside down
position.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new
and improved rigid enteral feeding container wherein the
container can be vertically positioned on one end for supplying
liquid nourishment to the container.
A further object of this invention is to provide a new
and improved rigid enteral container having cooperating project-
ions and recesses so that the containers can be nested together
in side-by-side or stacked relationship for efficient space
saving storage and~or transport.
An added object of this invention is to provide more
accurate readings on the amount of liquid by virtue of a more
rigid structure.
Additional o~jects and advantages of the invention will
be set forth in the description which follows and, in part, will
be obvious from the description; the objects and advantages being
realized and attained by means of the instrumentation, parts,
apparatus, steps and procedures particularly pointed out in the
. ., ~, ,
appended claims.
BRIEF_DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
sriefly described, the present invention relates to new
and improved rigid enteral feeding containers. The rigid enteral
feeding container has openings at both ends permitting the
container to be filled with liquid nourishment at the patient's
bedside or at a remote location. The enteral container is
constructed so that it can be plaaed upright with the assistance
of the cap on a flat surface for insertion of a formulated liquid
nourishment.
The rigid enteral container of this invention has a
generally rectangular shape wherein one side has a projection
extending substantially along its length and the other side has a
recess extending along its length. The projection and recess are
dimensioned so that the projection mates within the recess on
another container to provide for efficient space saving storage
of numerous devices. For convenience in use, the rigid enteral
feeding container is provided with a hinged handle adapted for
2~ use with a hook or the like so that the containers can be hung
adjacent the patient for gravity feeding of the patient.
The hinged handle can be pivoted to an out-of-the-way
position so that the enteral containers can be efficiently placed
in end-to-end relationship.
The invention consists of the novel parts, construct-
ions and improvements shown and described.
The aocompanying drawings which are incorporatea in and
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constitute a part of this specification illustrate an embodiment
of the invention and together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the drawings.
Figure 1 is a plan elevation view showing two of the
enteral containers in nesting relationship, one having the handle
up and the other having the handle down.
Figure 2 is a rear view of the enteral feeding
container in accordance with this invention.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the enteral feeding
container in accordance with this invention taken along line 3-3
of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the enteral feeding
container in accordance with this invention taken along line 4-4
of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a partial view showing the hinged handle
for the enteral feeding container of this invention.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a generally
rectangular container 2 having an upper ena 4 and a lower end 6.
One side 8 of the container (referred to for convenience as the
front) is marked with indicia to indicate the quantity o-f liquid
nourishment within the container. The other side 10 of the
enteral feeding container (referred to for convenience as the
rear) is also marked with indicia showing the volume of liquid
nourishment within the container. The volume indicating indicia
on the rear surface is upside down with respect to the indicia on
the front surface. As will be explained this is necessary when
the liquld nourishment is supplied to the container when it is
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. ,., ~ . .
in the upside down position.
Ths ~ront 8 and rear 10 surfaces ar~ joined by the
curved surfaces 12 and 14 which conveniently fit into the hand of
the attendant or nurse for ease in handling.
In accordance with this invention means is provided for
permitting spaae saving, efficient storage of the enteral feeding
containers. As embodied, this means includes on each enteral
faeding container a lengthwise extending recess on one long-
itudinally extending side of the container and a lengthwise
extending projection on the other longitudinally extending side
of the container. (See e.g. Figs. 1, 2 and ~).
It will be understood that each container is formed
identically so that a plurality of them can be nested together
in side-by-side or stacked relationship fcr shipping, for
example, from the manufacturer to another facility.
Referring to the drawings, the projection 16 and the
recess 18 extend substantially along the entire longitudinal
length of their respective sides. As can be seen, the projection
and recess occupy virtually the entire width of the flat portion
of their respective sides. Referring to the drawings, e.g. Fig.
3, the projection consists of an outer substantially flat surface
20 and longitudinally extending outwardly inclined surfaces 22
and transversely extending i.nclined surfaces 24 which joins the
surfaces 22. The recess 18 consists of an inwardly positioned
substantially flat surface 26 and an inclined longitudinally
inwardly extending side surfaces 28. The recess terminates at
each end with the transverse inclined surface6 30 which joins the
surfaces 28.
As is apparent the length and width o~ the pro]ections
16 are somewhat less than the length and width of the recesses 18
so tha~ the projections can ~it within the recesses in nesting or
mating relationship as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. Because
of the mating or nesting relationship, the enteral feeding
containers can be positioned in siae-by-side or stacked relation-
ship for convenience in shipping and storage.
In accordance with this invention, means is provided to
permit liquid nourishment to be filled to the container at the
patient's bedside or at the formulary.
Referring to the drawings, there is an upper spout
opening 32 and a lower spout opening 34. Each spout opening is
adapted to be closed by a cap 36 and 38, respectively adapted to
be threaded to the opening. The upper end of the container has a
8 ubstantially flat end surface 42 which is raised somewhat from
the remainder of the container to form a shelf 44. Hingedly
attached to the ends 46 of the raised flat surface is a handle 48
adapted in one position to straddle the raised flat surface 42
(See Figures 1 and 2~. When the handle is in the upright
position it can be placed on a hook or the like for feeding
liquid nourishment to the patient by gravity through the bottom
opening 34 which may be provided with a discharge nozzle or
nipple 35. When in this upright position the cap 36 can be
removed and additional liquid nourishment supplied to the
container.
The handle 48 has a second position shown in dot-dash
J~r3~.~3~3
lines in Figure 5 and in full line position in Figure 1. When
in this position the handle 48 rests on the shelf 44 so that the
container can be supported by the flat surface 42 in the upright
(upside down) position.
The container adjacent its upper end includes a beveled
or slanted surface 52 through which the opening 32 extends. The
slanted surface 52 facilitates filling of the device. A feature
of this invention is that the cap member 36 for the opening 32
stabilizes the enteral feeding container when in the upside down
upright position. The cap 36 includes a beveled surface 37 which
will be in the horizontal position whsn the cap is in its
operative position. Thus, with the handle 48 in its out-of-the-
way position on shelf 44 and the container in the upside down
position, the beveled surface 37 will be in the horizontal
position to stabilize the container. When in this upside down
position the cap 38 can be removed and liquid nourishment
supplied to the container. This arrangement is particularly
advantageous when it is necessary that a special nourishment
formulation be prepared in the formulary and fed into the
container.
It will also be noted that when the handle 48 is in the
out-of-the-way position the adjacent container can be placed in
end-to-end relationship in a space saving manner for storage and
shipping. When in this position, the flat upper surfaces 42 are
in face-to-face relationship.
