Hand-Held Vomit Bag Holder With Segmented Tubular Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vomit bags are difficult to use during sudden and unpredictable vomiting episodes, especially for individuals with limited or impaired hand function, as they require manual gripping and opening, and there is a risk of spilling contents when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held vomit bag holder with a tubular design, apertured handles, and a bag attachment system that keeps the bag open and secure, allowing for easier grip and positioning, and includes a neck strap and gripping arm for stability, enabling use by individuals with restricted hand mobility and preventing spills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a typical vomit bag is provided for sudden vomiting episodes, then the bag can be used to collect vomit, but the subject cannot always grip and position it quickly enough due to the suddenness of vomiting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of gripping and positioning vomit bagVSAvoidtime to reach for and position vomit bag
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vomit bag is pre-opened and positioned in a holder device that is readily accessible to the subject. The bag is prepared in advance within the holder, eliminating the need for the subject to manually open and position a closed bag during the sudden vomiting episode, thus reducing time loss and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If the subject grabs the vomit bag by both sides, then the bag can be held, but the gripping force may not be sufficient to resist the expulsion force of vomit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping force to resist vomit expulsionVSAvoidreliability of bag containment during vomiting
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder device acts as an intermediary between the subject and the vomit bag. The holder provides a stable, rigid structure that can resist the expulsion force of vomit, while the subject only needs to grip the holder rather than the bag directly. This intermediary structure amplifies the subject's gripping capability and ensures reliable containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the vomit bag is made soft to be flexible, then the bag can be easily stored, but the bag will tilt and spill its contents when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of vomit bagVSAvoidstability of bag position when not in use
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The vomit bag itself remains flexible and soft for easy storage and conformability, but the holder device provides a rigid, stable structure that maintains the bag in a fixed, upright position when not in use. The flexible bag is contained within the rigid holder, combining the benefits of flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Stability of the object's composition

If the holder provides a rigid structure to maintain bag position, then the bag remains stable, but the holder becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of bag position in holderVSAvoidstructural complexity of holder
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder device is segmented into simple, basic geometric components (tubular body, handles, attachment mechanisms) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation allows for a rigid, stable structure to be achieved through simple parts rather than complex integrated design, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2288328B1Hand-held vomit bag holder
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 HYGIE CANADA INC
  • EP2288328B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2288328B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2288328B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hand-held vomit bag holder comprising a tubular wall defining a hollow space adapted to receive a vomit bag, and having an upper end and a lower end. A vomit bag can be attached to vomit bag attachments adjacent to the upper end of the tubular wall. At least one apertured handle for receiving at least one finger of a user can be present in the tubular wall. At least two diametrically opposed neck strap connectors can be present and adjacent to the upper end of the tubular wall for attaching a neck strap. A downwardly protruding arm can extend from the upper end of the tubular wall, spaced-apart from the tubular wall and engageable to a graspable structure.