Abstract: A repair method for filter elements such as those used to filter polyester during the later stages of polyester manufacture in which the filter media is a particulate solid media arranged in a desired shape and maintained in that shape by a surrounding porous container that has filtration openings of a desired size. The method fills undesirably large openings in the surrounding porous container that result from damage to the container and through which enlarged openings the particulate solid media would otherwise escape with a polymeric resin. The polymeric resin is a resin with a glass transition temperature when cured that is at least greater than the melting point of polyester, and that has an absence of any chemical functional groups at temperatures at least as great as the melting point of polyester that would substantially react with polyester, the glycol precursors of polyester, the acid precursors of polyester, or the solvents useful in cleaning polyester from such filter elements.

Abstract: A repair method for filter elements such as those used to filter polyester during the later stages of polyester manufacture in which the filter media is a particulate solid media arranged in a desired shape and maintained in that shape by a surrounding porous container that has filtration openings of a desired size. The method fills undesirably large openings in the surrounding porous container that result from damage to the container and through which enlarged openings the particulate solid media would otherwise escape with a polymeric resin. The polymeric resin is a resin with a glass transition temperature when cured that is at least greater than the melting point of polyester, and that has an absence of any chemical functional groups at temperatures at least as great as the melting point of polyester that would substantially react with polyester, the glycol precursors of polyester, the acid precursors of polyester, or the solvents useful in cleaning polyester from such filter elements.

Abstract: In the first embodiment, the faceplate coupling ring is of conventional design and includes an axially extending rib with a radially outwardly extending rim and a radially inwardly extending deflectable sealing strip. The pouch coupling ring includes inner and outer spaced walls, forming a channel for receiving the rib. First and second protrusions extend inwardly from points on the interior surface of the walls proximate the ends thereof. The first protrusion cooperates with the rim and the second protrusion cooperates with the tip of the sealing strip, to securely retain the rib within the channel. The walls of the channel have reduced thickness and are easily deflectable as the rib is inserted into the channel, such that coupling of the rings is facilitated but decoupling requires the conventional amount of force due to the second protrusion.

Abstract: In the first embodiment, the faceplate coupling ring is of conventional design and includes an axially extending rib with a radially outwardly extending rim and a radially inwardly extending deflectable sealing strip. The pouch coupling ring includes inner and outer spaced walls, forming a channel for receiving the rib. First and second protrusions extend inwardly from points on the interior surfaces of the walls proximate the ends thereof. The first protrusion cooperates with the rim and the second protrusion cooperates with the tip of the sealing strip, to securely retain the rib within the channel. The walls of the channel have reduced thickness and are easily deflectable as the rib is inserted into the channel, such that coupling of the rings is facilitated but decoupling requires the conventional amount of force due to the second protrusion.

Abstract: An integral hinged clip having two limbs. One limb is held by two opposed resilient catch portions of the other limb within a channel defined by said other limb. The catch portions effecting said holding in their normal undeformed positions. The clip is useful as a closure for a drainable ostomy pouch.

Abstract: An ostomy system in which a third element is employed to absorb pressure when an ostomy pouch is mechanically secured to a body side portion adhesively secured to the body. The third element is a split-ring which can be secured around a body side rib coupling member. The split-ring includes an edge portion that fits in a groove in the outer rib wall and includes an angled outwardly projecting rim so that one or more fingers can be inserted between the rim and the body side surface while the pouch is coupled. Following coupling of the pouch, the split-ring can be removed to leave a two-piece ostomy system in place on the body.

Abstract: A tube coupling adapted particularly for medical use includes three parts, namely a female tubular element 52, a male tubular element 50, and an intermediate ring 100 carrying at least one longitudinally extending latching arm 110. The ring is dimensioned to snap-fit into an external annular groove 90 on either the male or female element and the latching arm has an inwardly-extending hook portion 112 which can engage a flange 58 on the female or the male element as the case may be. This engagement holds these two elements together in an axial direction and allows them to rotate freely relative to one another.

Abstract: A bag having a flap valve beneath an opening at the top edge and a second valve including a longitudinally slidable valve member having a downwardly extending tube. When the slidable valve is in the open position the downwardly extending tube passes through the flap valve to provide sterile access to the liquid within the bag.

Abstract: A drainage bag includes front and rear walls of plastics material and is combined with a support. The walls are welded together along their top edges in such a way as to define a plurality of linearly-spaced through holes which do not communicate with the interior of the bag. These holes are capable of accepting hooks or studs on a support (or hanger) separate from the bag. The support has spaced hooks or studs constructed to be respectively received in the holes.The hanger may be molded in one piece of synthetic plastic.

Abstract: A coupling for an ostomy bag is described. The coupling includes a pair of cylindrical elements which each have a headed pin attachment means mounted on a respective flange. An interdigitation of pins and heads secures the cylindrical elements to one another. One of the coupling elements is adhesively attached to a wearer, and the other coupling element has an ostomy bag attached to it. Thus, an ostomy bag may be readily and securely attached to a user through the use of the present invention.

Abstract: A drainage bag having one wall of substantially rigid liquid-impermeable material and a second wall of flexible liquid-impermeable material secured thereto to define a container. The rigid sheet has at least two apertures with an inlet fitting fixed to one and an outlet fitting fixed to the other. The bottom portion of the rigid sheet extends below the lower edge of the flexible wall to provide a drip tray.

Abstract: A tap for a drainage bag includes a rotatable valve which is adapted to be readily taken apart for cleaning. The valve includes a body, having a cylindrical recess formed therein, and a cylindrical valve member which fits into the cylindrical recess in the body. The body is secured to a flat flange of plastic, which flange is typically welded, or adhesively fixed, in a face-to-face manner to a wall of the bag. The construction method used to make the tap is particularly well suited to rapid mass-production methods of manufacture.

Abstract: A system is provided by which an ostomy bag can be securely coupled to an adhesive dressing that fits around the stoma and yet will permit the bag to be removed without disturbing the dressing. This system involves a first coupling member bonded to the dressing and a second coupling member bonded to the ostomy bag around the stomal opening. One coupling member consists of an upstanding rib or other projection which is dimensioned to sealingly engage an opening in the other coupling member.

Abstract: A female incontinence device comprising an external resilient pad that makes sealing engagement with the user's anatomy that is external to the labia majora and a funnel having a rim dimensioned to engage that portion of the user's anatomy immediately surrounding the meatus of the urethra. The funnel is mounted to the pad, formed as part of the pad, or dimensioned to fit through an opening in the pad.

Abstract: An ostomy bag formed by welding two sheets of plastic material substantially around their periphery. The rear wall of the bag includes means to attach the bag to the user and the peripheral seal is interrupted at one or more places along the top edge of the bag. Filtering material such as carbon cloth or a housing containing filtering material can be welded in place between the front and rear walls of the bag at the opening in the peripheral seal. In one preferred embodiment, the filter element comprises a mounting block sealed into the top peripheral edge and a cartridge containing filtering material which is inserted in the mounting block.

Abstract: A catheter retainer comprising a member of synthetic plastics material having a central hole wholly or partly defined by a pair of resilient catheter-gripping jaws, and a resilient catch member for holding the jaws in their relatively closed position. The catheter retainer is preferably an insert that snaps into a coupling member which is carried by a pad of adhesive dressing material.

Abstract: A deodorizing bag which encloses an ostomy bag. The cover bag is formed of material containing activated carbon or has an area of its inner wall formed of such filtering material.

Abstract: An ostomy bag having a drain valve at a lower region thereof. The valve is formed of a short flexible tube that can be bent or kinked over a support web and a stopper which can be pushed into the open end of the kinked tube.

Abstract: An attachable and detachable filter for use with an ostomy bag includes a plastics housing member having two sections hinged together by an integral hinge and each section has a peripheral wall. One section has at least one aperture in the wall and the other section carries a sharp-pointed resilient-headed generally cylindrical stud which is a push fit through the aperture in the other to clamp the two sections together. There is a layer of gas filtering material within one or both of the housing sections.

Abstract: A valve device which permits an ostomate to selectively filter and vent gas from an ostomy appliance. The appliance comprises as a first coupling member a surgical dressing having an adhesive layer and a flange having an upstanding annular wall or projection. The annular wall has one or more openings leading to a filter compartment. The openings are controlled by valves operated by means of a push button at the outer edge of the filter compartment. The adhesive layer and the flange have an aperture so that the dressing can be attached to the body around the stoma. This first coupling member is employed in conjunction with a second coupling member which is an ostomy bag having a channel surrounding the stomal bag opening which sealingly engages the upstanding annular wall of the first coupling member.