Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
MOULDED PAPER PULP RECEPTACLE
The present invention relates to receptacles and in particular, but
not exclusively, to disposable receptacles manufactured from moulded
paper pulp.
Disposable paper pulp receptacles are widely used in hospitals,
care homes and the like where it is desirable, for hygiene reasons and to
minimise the risk of cross-infection, to have single-use receptacles.
Moulded paper pulp receptacles can be reduced to a fibrous slurry in a
macerator after use for immediate disposal into a drain or sewer.
One known type of moulded paper pulp receptacle is a so-called
"general purpose" bowl. As its name suggests, this bowl is used for many
different applications, such as use as a receiver dish, vomit bowl or a
disposable liner for a child's potty.
The known general purpose bowl comprises a generally flat,
circular base and a side wall extending upwardly from the base. The side
wall is flared outwardly so that the opening of the bowl is larger than the
base wall. The upper peripheral rim of the side wall is formed into a
generally planar horizontally-extending flange whose outermost edge is
formed into a downwardly-projecting overhanging peripheral lip. The
projecting flange portion is rebated for approximately 15% of its periphery.
The rebate thus formed allows the bowl to be used with reduced
interference from the peripheral flange. For example, the rebate may be
positioned adjacent to a patient's throat or neck to position the patient's
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mouth closer to the opening of the bowl or may accommodate the handle
of a reusable support if the bowl is being used as a child's potty.
The outwardly extending flange allows the bowl to be handled
easily and in addition it forms a reinforcement for the bowl, which is
important when the bowl contains liquid.
However, the provision of the flange consumes a significant amount
of pulp material. Not only does this increase the cost of the finished
product, but it also increases the pulp slurry formed in the macerator for
disposal into the sewerage system.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a receptacle which
overcomes or alleviates the problems associated with the prior art.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a
receptacle comprises a flat or substantially flat base wall and a side wall
extending upwardly from the base wall to define a receiving volume, the
upper edge of the side wall defining the periphery of an opening located
above the base wall and comprising an outwardly projecting peripheral lip
whose periphery comprises at least two recessed portions.
The provision of two recessed portions, as compared with the
single recessed portion of the prior art, makes it easier to locate the
receptacle in the desired position.
In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle comprises two recessed
portions. Conveniently, the recessed portions may be located on opposite
sides of the side wall. Preferably, the recessed portions are identical.
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The receptacle may further comprise a stiffening or reinforcing
shoulder adjacent to the upper edge of the side wall.
Preferably, the stiffening or reinforcing shoulder extends around
substantially the whole of the side wall.
In one embodiment, the width of the outwardly projecting peripheral
lip between two recessed portions is non-constant.
The provision of an outwardly-projecting lip of non-constant width
provides improved handle portions and allow easier and safer handling
and manoeuvring of the receptacle.
Preferably, the width of the outwardly-projecting lip portion is a
minimum at a point adjacent to the two recessed portions and a maximum
between the two recessed portions. More preferably, the width of the
outwardly projecting peripheral lip portion is at a maximum at a point
substantially mid-way between the two recessed portions.
In one embodiment, the width of the outwardly projecting peripheral
lip portion varies smoothly.
In one embodiment, the periphery of the outwardly projecting
peripheral lip lies on a locus which is substantially oval or elliptical.
Preferably, the upper edge of the side wall is generally circular and
the periphery of the oval or elliptical locus upon which the outwardly-
projecting lip lies is centred on the centre of the base wall.
in one embodiment, the outwardly-projecting lip portion is formed
into first and second spaced-apart outwardly-projecting lip portions.
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Preferably, the first and second spaced-apart outwardly projecting
lip portions are substantially identical.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a
receptacle comprises a flat or substantially flat base wall and a side wall
extending upwardly from the base wall to define a receiving volume, the
upper edge of the side wall being formed into first and second spaced-
apart outwardly projecting lip portions.
The first and second spaced-apart outwardly projecting lip portions
form convenient handles for lifting and handling the receptacle, particularly
when the receptacle contains liquid.
In a preferred embodiment, the first and second spaced-apart
outwardly projecting lip portions are substantially identical.
The spaced-apart outwardly projecting lip portions are preferably
separated by a recessed portion. In the preferred embodiment, the
receptacle comprises two recessed portions and preferably the recessed
portions are located on opposite sides of the side wall. Conveniently, the
recessed portions are substantially identical.
The receptacle may further comprise a stiffening or reinforcing
shoulder adjacent to the upper edge of the side wall. Preferably, the
stiffening or reinforcing shoulder extends around substantially the whole of
the side wall.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a
receptacle comprises a flat or substantially flat base wall and a side wall
extending upwardly from the base wall to define a receiving volume, the
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upper edge of the side wall defining the periphery of an opening located
above the base wall and the side wall further comprising a stiffening or
reinforcing shoulder adjacent to its upper edge.
The provision of a stiffening or reinforcing shoulder allow the
receptacle to be formed from less material as compared with the prior art.
Preferably, the stiffening or reinforcing shoulder extends around
substantially the whole of the side wall.
In a preferred embodiment, the upper edge of the side wall further
comprises an outwardly projecting peripheral lip having at least two
recessed portions. Conveniently, the receptacle comprises two recessed
portions. The two recessed portions are preferably located on opposite
sides of the side wall. Conveniently, the recessed portions may be
identical.
Preferably, the upper edge of the side wall is formed into two
substantially identical peripheral lip portions.
Preferably, in each of the above aspects, the first and second
spaced-apart outwardly projecting lip portions are overturned.
For each of the above aspects, it is preferred that the base wall is
substantially circular.
In addition, it is preferred that the side wall flares upwardly and
outwardly with respect to the base wall. In preferred embodiment, the side
wall has an inverted frusto-conical shape.
The side wall may conveniently further comprise a plurality of
integrally-formed markings adapted to indicate the depth of liquid above
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the base wall. The integrally-formed markings preferably form a
graduated scale.
The markings are preferably recessed when viewed from within the
receptacle.
Preferably, the receptacle comprises moulded paper pulp.
In one embodiment, the receptacle comprises a bowl.
By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present
invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above of a first embodiment of
receptacle in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view from below of the receptacle of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above of a second embodiment of
receptacle in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the receptacle of Fig. 3; and
Fig. 5 is a side view of the receptacle of Fig. 3.
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of bowl 10 manufactured
from moulded paper pulp by a known vacuum forming process such as
that described in GB-A-2153740. The bowl is an upwardly-open hollow
receptacle formed from a substantially fiat circular base wall 12 and a side
wall 14 which extends upwardly from the base wall 12. The side wall 14
has an inverted frusto-conical shape whereby the side wall flares
outwardly and upwardly from the base wall. The base wall 12 and the side
wall 14 together define a receiving volume.
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It will also be noted from Fig. 1 that the side wall 14 is provided with
a graduated scale 16 which indicates the approximate volume
corresponding to various levels of liquid within the bowl. Since the bowl is
vacuum-formed, the scale 16 and associated markings are recessed when
looking from the inner face of the side wall 14 of the bowl.
The upper peripheral annular edge of the side wall 14 is formed into
a stiffening or reinforcing shoulder 18 which extends around the whole
periphery of the side wall 14. Upwardly and outwardly of the shoulder 18,
the side wall is formed into two discrete, outwardly-directed, overturned lip
portions 22, 24 each extending for approximately 135 around the
periphery of the upper edge of the bowl, the two lip portions being
separated by diametrically-opposed rebated portions 26, 28 formed in the
periphery of the lip portions 22, 24. The lip portions 22, 24 form two
opposed handles which facilitate lifting and handling of the bowl,
particularly when the bowl contains liquid.
The rebated portions 26, 28 in the periphery of the lip portions 22,
24 allow the bowl to be used with minimal interference from the handles
formed by the outwardly-projecting peripheral lip portions 22, 24, for
example by placing one of the rebated portions 26, 28 against the throat or
neck of a patient to position the opening of the bowl close to a patient's
mouth or by allowing the bowl to be used with a reusable support if the
bowl is being used as a potty liner, for example. The provision of two such
rebated portions 26, 28 facilitates use of the bowl.
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Moreover, the provision of the reinforcing shoulder 18 adjacent to
the upper peripheral edge of the side wall allows the width of the
outwardly-projecting overturned lip portions 22, 24 to be significantly
reduced. Not only does this reduce the amount of pulp required to
produce the bowl, but it also further reduces the likelihood of the lip
portions 22, 24 interfering with use of the bowl.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of bowl in accordance
with the present invention. The bowl is very similar to the bowl of the first
embodiment, and the same features are identified by the same reference
numerals, increased by 100.
The second embodiment is also a bowl manufactured from
moulded paper pulp by a vacuum forming process such as that described
in GB-A-2153740. The bowl is in the form of an upwardly-open hollow
receptacle formed from a substantially flat circular base wall 112 and a
side wall 114 which extends upwardly from the base wall 112. The side
wall 114 has an inverted frusto-conical shape whereby the side wall flares
outwardly and upwardly from the base wall 112. The base wall 112 and
the side wall 114 together define a receiving volume.
The side wall 1 14 is also provided with a graduated scale 116
which indicates the approximate volume corresponding to various levels of
liquid within the bowl. Since the bowl is vacuum-formed, the scale 116
and associated markings are recessed when looking from the inner face of
the side wall 114 of the bowl.
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The upper peripheral annular edge of the side wall 114 is formed
into a stiffening or reinforcing shoulder 118 which extends around the
whole periphery of the side wall 114. Upwardly and outwardly of the
shoulder 118, the side wall is formed into two discrete, outwardly-directed,
overturned lip portions 122, 124, each extending for approximately 135
around the periphery of the upper edge of the bowl, the two lip portions
being separated by diametrically-opposed rebated portions 126, 128. The
lip portions 122, 124 form two opposed handles which facilitate lifting and
handling of the bowl, particularly when the bowl contains liquid. The
rebated portions 126, 128 serve the same functions as the rebated
portions 26, 28 of the first embodiment.
The main difference from the first embodiment is that the lip
portions 122, 124 are not of constant width between the rebated portions
126, 128. Instead, the width of the lip portions 122, 124 increases
smoothly from the rebated portions to a maximum value at the points
midway between the two rebated portions 126, 128. As best seen in Fig.
4, the general perimeter of the outwardly-directed overturned lip portions
122, 124 lies on a locus which describes an oval or ellipse shape S when
viewed from above.
The lip portions 122, 124 form two opposed handles which facilitate
lifting and handling of the bowl, particularly when the bowl contains liquid.
By increasing the width of the peripheral lip portions 122, 124 as the
distance from the rebated portions 126, 128 increases, the two handles
formed by the lip portions project further from the upper periphery of the
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side wall 114 of the bowl, which makes the bowl easier to grasp.
However, it is possible to obtain this advantage without having to use
more paper pulp than in the first embodiment, since the additional paper
pulp needed to make the lip portions 122, 124 of the second embodiment
is at least partially offset by the reduced amount of paper pulp needed to
form the reduced-width lip portions 122, 124 nearer the rebated portions
126, 128.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing
embodiments. For example, although the aforementioned embodiments
comprise two lip portions separated by two rebated portions, more than
two lip portions and rebated portions may be provided, if desired.
Additionally, the general perimeter of the outwardly-directed lip
portions may have a shape other than a circle, oval or eclipse, in
particular, the general perimeter of the outwardly-directed lip portion may
be teardrop-shaped (giving rise to a bowl with a single handle or a major
handle and a minor handle) or any other non-circular shape (e.g. a square,
a rectangle, a triangle, etc.).
Furthermore, although in the second embodiment the width of the
lip portions 122, 124 is shown and described as increasing smoothly from
the rebated portions 126, 128, this need not be so. For example, it may
be preferred to make part of the projecting lip portions 122, 124 of
increased width portion and projecting in a more stepwise fashion from
the adjacent lip portions of smaller width.
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Moreover, although it is preferred for the width of the lip portions
122, 124 to be a maximum at a point midway between two rebated
portions 126, 128, this need not be so.
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