US4031897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collector for amniotic fluid
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-04-21
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1996-04-21
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to an article, suitable to be worn unobtrusively and with comfort by a woman in the last stages of pregnancy, which is positioned to receive and retain the amniotic fluids when released. The article may conveniently be in a form similar to a sanitary napkin belt, or may be constructed into a hospital garment, for example. Although the fluid receptacle is capable of containing a substantial volume of amniotic fluid (as much as three liters), the article of the invention provides for the receptacle to be retained in a convenient and unobtrusive compressed condition until such time as the need arises for collection of the fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Adan Graetz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/44; A61F5/4401; A61F5/451; A61F5/455; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/51; A61F13/511; A61F13/56; A61F13/64; A61F2013/15008; A61F2013/15048; A61F13/514; A61F13/51474; A61F2013/51486; A61F2013/51492; A61F2013/5694; A61F13/84; A61F2013/8473
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An article for collecting and retaining amniotic fluid discharged from an expectant mother, which comprises (a) body encircling support means, (b) a flat, flexible pocket-forming member engaged at forward and rearward ends by said support means, (c) said pocket-forming member having a fluid receiving opening in its upper portion, (d) a fluid receiving receptacle formed of lightweight, flexible, foldable material and having its open upper end secured to and communicating with said opening, (e) a flat pocket formed in said pocket-forming member, below said fluid receiving opening, for the reception and containment of said receptacle in a flat, folded condition, (f) said receptacle being quickly removable from said pocket while said article is being worn by the user, to place said receptacle in fluid receiving condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An article for collecting and retaining amniotic fluid discharged from an expectant mother, which comprises (a) body encircling support means, (b) a flat, flexible pocket-forming member engaged at forward and rearward ends by said support means, (c) said pocket-forming member having a fluid receiving opening in its upper portion, (d) a fluid receiving receptacle formed of lightweight, flexible, foldable material and having its open upper end secured to and communicating with said opening, (e) a flat pocket formed in said pocket-forming member, below said fluid receiving opening, for the reception and containment of said receptacle in a flat, folded condition, (f) said receptacle being quickly removable from said pocket while said article is being worn by the user, to place said receptacle in fluid receiving condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article according to claim 1, further characterized by (a) said body encircling support being in the form of a belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article according to claim 1, further characterized by (a) said body encircling support being in the form of a loose fitting, body covering garment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article according to claim 1, further characterized by (a) a non-elastically conformable reinforcing member surrounding and defining said fluid receiving opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
An article according to claim 1, further characterized by (a) said pocket-forming member comprising a member of lightweight, limp open mesh fabric having under folded flap-forming margins arranged one overlapping the other, (b) said flap-forming margins being secured near their ends but free over a length corresponding to the width of said receptacle, (c) said flap-forming margins serving to form a normally closed, central-opening, flap pocket for the reception of said receptacle in flat, accordion-folded condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An article according to claim 5, further characterized by (a) said receptacle having a tab-like appendage at its lower end engageable from outside of said pocket when said receptacle is received therein.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
101 words
A device for collecting and retaining amniotic fluid, which comprises (a) an elongated piece of limp material adapted to cover the external reproductive organs of a female wearer and including an externally accessible internal pocket, (b) said piece of material provided with a fluid-receiving opening, and (c) a flexible bag-like receptacle having a folded form and being normally disposed within said internal pocket and including an open top portion communicating with said fluid-receiving opening, (d) said bag-like receptacle being unfoldable and extensible out of said pocket whereby a discharge of amniotic fluid through the opening may be received into said bag.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A device for collecting and retaining amniotic fluid, which comprises (a) an elongated piece of limp material adapted to cover the external reproductive organs of a female wearer and including an externally accessible internal pocket, (b) said piece of material provided with a fluid-receiving opening, and (c) a flexible bag-like receptacle having a folded form and being normally disposed within said internal pocket and including an open top portion communicating with said fluid-receiving opening, (d) said bag-like receptacle being unfoldable and extensible out of said pocket whereby a discharge of amniotic fluid through the opening may be received into said bag.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
The device of claim 7, further characterized by (a) said piece of material comprising a section of open mesh fabric folded lengthwise along edge portions thereof to form overlapping folds thereby providing said internal pocket, and (b) said overlapping folds being fastened to one another at spaced regions adjacent the ends of said section of fabric whereby said internal pocket is accessible from the exterior of said section of fabric through the unfastened portion of said overlapping folds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 8, further characterized by (a) said fluid-receiving opening provided with a ring-like element secured to the periphery thereof and being made from a non-elastic, deformable material whereby the bag may be closed after discharge of the amniotic fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 7, further characterized by (a) said bag comprising a plastic bag.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 7, further characterized by (a) said piece of material being provided at the ends thereof with support straps, and (b) a waistband connected to said support straps and adapted to be worn by said female wearer whereby said piece of material is supported against the external reproductive organs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 7, further characterized by (a) said piece of material being secured in the crotch area of a body covering garment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 12, further characterized by (a) said garment being loose fitting at said crotch to accommodate the bag in its unfolded form.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |