Patent · US Expired

Contamination prevention system for bathtub

US3938200A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
9References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 1975
Grant dateFeb 17, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S52/12
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Cross-contamination of the patients using the same bathtub in a health-care institution is precluded by lining the tub, before it is filled with water, with a disposable sheet of biologically-clean, flexible plastic film, thereby establishing a physical barrier to prevent any contact (and consequently a transmission path for bacteria) between the bathtub and patient and between the tub and water. Openings are made along the liner's edges in order to hang the liner onto a series of hooks affixed to the three walls surrounding the tub, the hooks being appropriately shaped so that they can be used by the installer to pierce or puncture the liner to make the openings. The liner is merely draped over the front of the tub. Installation is expedited and made easier by providing a series of markers, such as printed rings, along the edges of the liner to designate the areas that should be pierced to achieve proper positioning and centering of the liner within the bathtub.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.