Gas-venting filter assembly for collection device
AssigneeHollister Incorporated
InventorsJames L. Jessup, Eugene W. Elliott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gas-venting filter assembly for a collection device such as a colostomy pouch includes an outwardly extending recess in a wall of the pouch which is bridged by a filter unit that is designed for the free flow of gas therethrough. Preferably, the pouch recess is provided with an aperture in the form of a slit which provides suitable venting in normal use. Pressure build-up within the collection device resulting in ballooning of the device and/or discomfort to the wearer is avoided while at the same time protecting the filter assembly in use, and also facilitating leakage testing during manufacturing.
Claims14
In combination with a collection appliance formed of fluid and odor impermeable thermoplastic sheet material, said appliance including panels defining an enclosure and having an opening therein for receiving body discharge, and attachment means for forming a temporary seal about said opening so that body discharge passes into said enclosure, a gas-venting filter assembly comprising:
- (a) a recess provided in one of said panels, the portion of said one panel providing said recess being displaced outwardly from the plane of said one panel;
- (b) a generally planar filter unit bridging said recess with its peripheral portion sealed to said one panel around said recess;
- and
- (c) gas outlet aperture means formed in said outwardly displaced panel portion, said aperture means being of sufficient size so as to be essentially non-flow restricting with respect to the vented gas, and said outwardly displaced panel portion in which said gas outlet aperture means is formed being normally spaced from said filter unit.
In combination with a collection appliance formed of fluid and odor impermeable thermoplastic sheet material, said appliance including flexible panels defining an expandable enclosure and having an opening therein for receiving body discharge, and attachment means for forming a temporary seal about said opening so that body discharge passes into said enclosure, a gas-venting filter assembly comprising:
- (a) a recess provided in one of said panels, the portion of said one panel providing said recess being generally planar when in an untensioned state and being displaced outwardly from the plane of said one panel;
- (b) a generally planar filter unit bridging said recess and normally being spaced from said outwardly displaced panel portion, said filter unit having its peripheral portion sealed to said one panel around said recess;
- and
- (c) gas outlet aperture means consisting of a slit formed in said outwardly displaced panel portion, said slit being of sufficient size so as to be essentially non flow restricting with respect to vented gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.