Overbed Table Bag Holder for Accessible Bedside Trash Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients in hospital beds often generate contaminated trash that is not easily disposed of due to the lack of a convenient and accessible trash receptacle, leading to potential germ and virus transmission to healthcare workers.
Innovation Solution
A disposable trash bag holder system that includes a holder designed to hold a trash bag in a partially open configuration, allowing it to be easily filled by patients at different positions on the bed, and can be selectively attached to an overbed table for easy access and minimal contact, also accommodating other objects like beverage containers and writing implements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a trash receptacle is placed near the patient's bed, then the patient can easily dispose of trash, but the receptacle may be contaminated with germs and viruses from the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable trash bags that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need to clean and sanitize reusable receptacles. The bag is inserted into the holder, used by the patient, then removed and disposed of in a centralized location, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The trash bag is extracted from the holder after use and removed to a centralized disposal location away from the patient's bed. This separates the contaminated bag from the clean environment, reducing infection transmission risk while the holder remains ready for the next bag
2Ease of operation
If a trash receptacle is placed within easy reach of the patient, then the patient can dispose of trash independently, but the receptacle structure may interfere with housekeeping tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a holder that attaches to the overbed table and disposable bags that are inserted and removed independently. This segmentation allows housekeeping personnel to easily remove and replace bags without dealing with a complex receptacle structure, maintaining independence for patients while simplifying housekeeping tasks
3Device complexity
If a fixed trash receptacle is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate patients at different positions on the bed
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be repositionable on the overbed table, allowing it to move to different locations as the patient changes position in bed. The holder can be attached and detached from various points on the table surface, providing adaptability while maintaining a simple structural design that does not interfere with housekeeping operations
Data Source
AI summary
An overbed table holder system that allows a patient to dispose personal trash or hold a container filled desirable objects to a patient lying in a hospital bed. The system includes a moveable overbed table, a bag or container holding, an intermediate member disposed between the bag and container holding member and the table's perimeter side edge, and a ring element that receives either a disposable trash bag or a container holder. The ring element is connected to the intermediate member that temporarily snap fits against the perimeter side edge and over the table. During use, a disposable trash bag or one of two types of container holders may be placed over the ring element. Objects or containers may be placed inside the container holder. The intermediate member is forced against the perimeter side edge at a desired location to hold the bag or a container. The intermediate member may be easily moved to any location along the perimeter side edge and remove entirely for cleaning.