EP0766551B1 - Improved safety urinal - Google Patents

Abstract

An autoclavable bed urinal (1) made of transparent or translucent plastic and provided with a backflow preventing device (5) that may be detached using a special sealing screw-thread assembly. The urinal is easy to clean and sterilise and is particularly characterised in that it has a quick emptying system arranged opposite the neck and comprising a hole (2) with a tube (3) extending therefrom and having various closure systems so that advantageously the backflow preventer need not be removed before emptying. Said urinal has a detachable or fixed handle provided using a special technique. The figure shows the male version.

Description

Known security urinals, made of transparent or translucent plastic, capable of withstanding a sterilization temperature of 130 ° c, have a system anti-reflux which is removable by unscrewing to allow cleaning of the assembly and is essential for oil changes.

To our knowledge, there is no prior art relating to the devices for which we have claimed priority in our claims.
There is an American patent No. 3,163,869 relating to a portable urinal, comprising the features defined in the preamble of claim 1.
It does not have a removable handle.
There is a French patent n ° 1.575.606 whose urinal is not equipped with anti-reflux.

The safety urinal according to the invention is made of transparent plastic or translucent. It is able to withstand a sterilization temperature of 130 ° c. It has a removable anti-reflux system, in particular by unscrewing. Compared to known models, it also includes a special "dump" system which notably dispenses with removing the anti-reflux to drain, avoids clearing odors at the time of emptying and offers in addition to judicious modifications and additions which combine and give it new advantages.

To this end and according to the invention:

The wall of this improved urinal has a hole located approximately towards the end opposite its neck. This hole is positioned above the normal filling level. This hole is surmounted by a conduit which channels the emptying and forms a pouring neck which directs and directs the jet in particular in order to be able to pour precisely into a test tube. This conduit is arranged at its end which opens outwards to receive in particular a shutter system allowing plugging and rapid unclogging. The diameter of this hole and that of the conduit which overcomes it are only sufficient to ensure a fairly rapid emptying of this improved urinal. The assembly of the hole, the conduit and the closure system constitutes the system of "emptying-fast" of the improved urinal of safety.
It avoids removing the anti-reflux system from the cervix and having to manipulate it each time it is only useful to empty said urinal. Rinsing by the "quick dump" is possible.

Before, with an urinal, during the emptying of its contents through the wide orifice of its neck, annoyingly escaped the confined internal atmosphere of this urinal ... towards the manipulator.
On the other hand, with the improved safety urinal, when it is emptied by the "emptier", whose internal section is judiciously limited, the emptying flow can easily occupy the entire section. As a result, there is no passage for the internal atmosphere of the improved urinal which can allow it to escape during emptying. Thus the manipulator is not inconvenienced.

When the safety urinal is submerged in a cleaning tank, the orifice of the "Quick drain" (not clogged) facilitates rinsing of the entire interior of the urinal perfected.

A connection preferably threaded extended by a flexible pipe is arranged to be connected to the “dumpster” pipe, the end of which has a thread outside.

The other end of the flexible hose can be inserted into a drain siphon of the type used to receive the draining of washing machines or in any other receptacles ...
This device allows a practical and hygienic emptying of the improved safety urinal.
A similar fitting with a flexible hose connected to a water supply can also be used for internal rinsing of the improved safety urinal, especially in hospitals.

A stopper system closes the vacuum-emptying duct of the improved safety urinal. This system is either constituted by a simple plug inserted into the duct, or by a jointed or self-sealing capsule with lips, preferably screwed onto the end portion of the duct comprising in particular for this purpose an external thread. To avoid untimely unclogging by a bedridden not having all his lucidity, the "emptiness" in this case is closed by a so-called screw security capsule (jointed or self-adhesive) which once screwed, requires, for be able to unscrew it, to exert at the same time a strong generally axial pressure. Otherwise, the unscrewing does not engage. These screw security capsules, in this case, then emit a click noise warning of the unblocking attempt. Some capsules do not emit noise when trying to uncork.
An additional means to avoid unwanted plugs is that the screw thread of the capsules and of the conduit, instead of being normally with a step to the right, are with a step to the left.
To make it easier to remove the simple plug, its upper part may include a circular shoulder allowing it to be better grasped. Similarly, the capsules, to facilitate their unscrewing and re-screwing, are provided on their periphery with striations or cut sides.

The simple plug is made of a flexible material capable of withstanding 130 ° C.

It is on the basis of flexible silicone that such a plug can be manufactured for the "Emptying" of the advanced security urinal. Indeed, this material, during successive uncapping and recapping, offers the advantage of enduring well the possible aggressiveness of the “quick dump” orifice, and to accept a temperature 130 ° c.

The screw caps are made of plastic resistant to 130 ° C and are in particular of the family of polyolefins.

The color of the shutter blocking the “emptiness” of the security urinal perfected is chosen preferably to attract attention and different shade of the body of the perfected urinal. It is advantageously red or white for make it easy to find and to quickly see that it is good set up in the hole of the "emptiness". A fluorescent shade is suitable also.

The above shutters comprise a material which stores photons when it is in a luminous environment and restores them in the form of light when it is in the dark, thus making it possible to find at night its improved safety urinal and this shutter when it was temporarily placed nearby.
A cavity in the shutter system of the "emptier" of the improved security urinal, opens into the interior of its conduit. This cavity and its orifice are judiciously sized so that it fits, for example, elastically into a small pierced container containing a volatile pellet of the same nature as those placed in the toilet bowls, to clean up the internal atmosphere of said urinal when the "vacuum- quickly ”is blocked.

The hole and its conduit allow samples to be taken from said urinal improved security and to introduce probes indicating pH, etc ... They also suitable for inserting and fixing a probe terminating nearby from the small anti-reflux hole so that when it gets wet for some time, it would establish an electrical contact triggering an audible alert warning in particular of the need to drain.

The color of the material constituting the anti-reflux system of the safety urinal is advantageously chosen so that it is different from that constituting the body of said urinal. As a result, we realize externally that it is a separate part, part of which protrudes from the end of the neck of said urinal. So we see where it must be entered to be able to separate it from the urinal. Her coloring also makes it possible to better see in any position the possible filling still possible in said urinal by estimating the distance that remains between the small end of the anti-reflux and the level of the content.

For safety, to avoid untimely unscrewing of the anti-reflux device by bedrings not having all their lucidity, its screwing instead of being classic with one step to the right is taken one step to the left.

To be easy to handle and hygienic, the improved urinal is advantageously provided with a removable handle. It is made of plastic able to withstand a sterilization temperature of 130 ° c. She takes birth towards the middle of the back of the improved safety urinal. So that she doesn't not slip by hand, under its end, there is a small boss.

• Cas de la poignée amovible:
• Le dos de l'urinal de sécurité perfectionné comporte au moins une languette dont l'axe de symétrie est parallèle à l'axe dudit urinal. Cette languette présente de chaque coté à sa base un décrochement longitudinal. Une coulisse ou un système analogue dotée d'une section en rapport avec celle de ladite languette existe en creux dans la semelle de la poignée. Les deux bords latéraux de ladite coulisse comportent chacun une retenue capable d'enchâsser ladite languette introduite par glissement dans ladite coulisse. Une butée en limite le coulissage. Un téton ou son équivalent situé sur le dessus de ladite languette vient élastiquement se positionner dans un logement creux prévu à cet effet dans ladite coulisse ou à proximité, ou vice versa. La poignée se trouve positionnée tout en restant amovible. Pour une poignée inamovible, le téton et sa contrepartie ont chacun une face verticale rendant l'encliquetage irréversible.

To make the packaging less bulky and more economical the transport of improved safety urinals, their removable handles are of such dimensions that they can cross the necks of said urinals and be accommodated in said urinals during their transport and for storage.

• Case of the removable handle:
• The back of the improved safety urinal has at least one tab whose axis of symmetry is parallel to the axis of said urinal. This tongue has a longitudinal offset on each side at its base. A slide or similar system with a section related to that of said tongue exists recessed in the sole of the handle. The two lateral edges of said slide each include a retainer capable of embedding said tongue inserted by sliding in said slide. A stop limits the sliding. A stud or its equivalent located on the top of said tongue is resiliently positioned in a hollow housing provided for this purpose in said slide or close to it, or vice versa. The handle is positioned while remaining removable. For a non-removable handle, the nipple and its counterpart each have a vertical face making the snap irreversible.

An antiseptic, perfumed or not, is grafted by hygiene in the constituent material the body of the perfected urinal, in that of its handle and in that of its anti-reflux system, as well as that of its closure.

la figure 1 selon l'invention est une vue en élévation avec coupe partielle suivant CD de l'urinal de sécurité perfectionné illustrant le principe de l'anti-reflux dévissable dans le col, du «vide-vite» avec son goulot fileté offrant une section interne relativement limitée pour la vidange, de la protubérance formant languette à enchâsser de façon amovible dans la coulisse ou un système analogue situé dans la semelle de la poignée.

La figure 2 selon l'invention est une vue en élévation avec demi-coupe d'une capsule à vis auto-jointante (avec lèvre). Intérieurement est enchâssée élastiquement une pastille désinfectante.

La figure 3 selon l'invention est une vue en élévation avec coupe partielle de la base de la poignée amovible montrant la coulisse ou un système analogue dans laquelle glisse la languette située sur le dessus de l'urinal de sécurité perfectionné.

La figure 4 selon l'invention est une vue d'arrière en élévation de l'urinal de sécurité perfectionné avec demi-coupe suivant AB montrant le profil de la section de la languette glissant dans la coulisse située sous la poignée.

La figure 5 selon l'invention est une vue d'arrière en élévation de la poignée amovible laissant apercevoir en pointillés la section de sa coulisse avec le logement pour le téton.

• Tel que représenté sur la figure 1, l'urinal de sécurité perfectionné (1) illustre certains éléments qui font son originalité. Un trou (2) situé au dessus du niveau normal de remplissage de l'urinal de sécurité perfectionné (1) est surmonté par un conduit (3) avec son filetage (4) établi notamment pour y visser une capsule auto-jointante à lèvre (8) pour le boucher. Son anti-reflux (5) est vissé de façon étanche sur le col de l'urinal de sécurité perfectionné (1) pour permettre de retourner en tous sens ledit urinal normalement rempli, sans que son contenu ne s'échappe. Sa languette (6) permet à la coulisse (12) de la poignée de venir s'y agripper de façon amovible et d'être positionnée par le téton (7) après avoir été arrêtée par la butée (13).
• Telle que représentée sur la figure 2, une capsule auto-jointante à vis (8), destinée à être vissée sur le conduit (3) et à l'obturer de façon étanche avec sa lèvre conique (9). Une pastille (10) de produit désinfectant est enchâssée élastiquement dans sa lèvre pour dépolluer l'intérieur de l'urinal de sécurité perfectionné (1).
• Telle que représentée sur la figure 3, la poignée amovible (11) avec sa coulisse (12) est dotée d'une butée (13) contre laquelle s'arrête la languette (6) positionnée par son logement (14) lorsqu'en glissant le téton (7) pénètre dans ce dernier.
• Tel que représenté sur la figure 4 l'urinal de sécurité perfectionné (1) avec son anti-reflux (5), montre le profil de la languette (6) et du téton (7).
• Telle que représentée sur la figure 5, on voit la poignée (11) avec en pointillés sa coulisse (12) et son logement (14) pour recevoir le téton (7).

Embodiments of the invention are described below by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the figures of the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 according to the invention is an elevational view with partial section along CD of the improved safety urinal illustrating the principle of the anti-reflux unscrewable in the neck, the "emptiness" with its threaded neck offering a relatively limited internal section for emptying, of the protrusion forming a tongue to be removably embedded in the slide or a similar system located in the sole of the handle.

Figure 2 according to the invention is an elevational view with half-section of a self-sealing screw cap (with lip). Internally, a disinfectant tablet is embedded elastically.

Figure 3 according to the invention is an elevational view in partial section of the base of the removable handle showing the slide or a similar system in which slides the tab located on top of the improved safety urinal.

Figure 4 according to the invention is a rear elevation view of the improved safety urinal with half-section along AB showing the profile of the section of the tongue sliding in the slide located under the handle.

Figure 5 according to the invention is a rear elevation view of the removable handle showing dotted section of its slide with the housing for the stud.

• As shown in Figure 1, the improved safety urinal (1) illustrates certain elements that make it original. A hole (2) located above the normal filling level of the improved safety urinal (1) is surmounted by a conduit (3) with its thread (4) established in particular for screwing there a self-sealing lip cap ( 8) for the butcher. Its anti-reflux (5) is tightly screwed onto the neck of the improved safety urinal (1) to allow the normally filled urinal to be turned in all directions, without its contents escaping. Its tongue (6) allows the slide (12) of the handle to come and grip it in a removable manner and to be positioned by the stud (7) after having been stopped by the stop (13).
• As shown in Figure 2, a self-sealing screw cap (8), intended to be screwed onto the duct (3) and to seal it tightly with its conical lip (9). A pellet (10) of disinfectant is elastically embedded in its lip to clean up the interior of the improved safety urinal (1).
• As shown in Figure 3, the removable handle (11) with its slide (12) has a stop (13) against which stops the tongue (6) positioned by its housing (14) when sliding the stud (7) enters the latter.
• As shown in Figure 4 the improved safety urinal (1) with its anti-reflux (5), shows the profile of the tongue (6) and the stud (7).
• As shown in Figure 5, we see the handle (11) with dotted its slide (12) and its housing (14) to receive the stud (7).

Claims (17)

1. The urinal (1) is made of a translucent or transparent plastic capable of withstanding a 130°C sterilization temperature and contains partially in its neck a plastic funnel-shaped anti-reflux system (5) capable of withstanding a 130°C sterilization temperature ; this system's larger end opening section screws into the urinal neck (1), providing a water-tight seal, is not movable and extends outside the neck, while its smaller end opening section descends down into the volumetric center point and remains inside the said urinal (1); the said urinal (1) has approximately in the middle of its top section a handle and also an opening (2) located toward the end opposite its neck, which passes through its wall and on which is mounted a conduit (3), limited at its end by an encircling threaded section (4); this spout-shaped conduit, which channels draining, orients and directs flow and is closed by a stopper system, characterized by the fact that the handle is removable and has a slide (12), a sliding-limit stop (13), a recess (14) and an embossed area (15); the urinal (1) has a tab (6) and stud (7) assembly, which fits readily into the handle recess (14).
2. The urinal according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that the stopper system is a cap with screw.
3. The urinal according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that the stopper system of opening (2) is a plug of any kind and, in particular, made of silicone.
4. The urinal according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that the stopper system is a safety cap with screw.
5. The urinal according to claims 2 and 4 is characterized by the fact that the said caps with screw are sealed.
6. The urinal according to claims 2 and 4 is characterized by the fact that the said caps with screw are self-sealing.
7. The urinal according to any one of the claims 2, 4, 5 and 6 is characterized by the fact that the threading of the screws of these caps is a lefthand threading system.
8. The urinal according to any one of the claims 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 is characterized by the fact that the exterior of these caps is striated or has cut-off corners.
9. The urinal according to any one of the claims 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 is characterized by the fact that these plastic caps are preferably colored red or white.
10. The urinal according to any one of the claims 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 is characterized by the fact that these caps have a color different from that of the said perfected safety urinal.
11. The urinal according to any one of the claims 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 is characterized by the fact that the plastic which the caps are made of captures and stores photons in an illuminated area and releases them in the form of light rays.
12. The urinal according to any one of the claims 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 is characterized by the fact that the caps have inside them a cavity containing a disinfectant and/or perfumed product.
13. The urinal according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that it has a measuring stick inserted in the "quick empty" system within proximity of the end of the anti-reflux system and when it is wet it triggers an audible alarm.
14. The urinal according to claim 1 is characterized by the fact that the anti-reflux system has a color different from that of the urinal.
15. The urinal according to claim 14 is characterized by the fact that the anti-reflux system has a lefthand threading system.
16. The perfected safety urinal according to claim 15 is characterized by the fact that its removable handle is sized so that it can be slipped off the said urinal's neck.
17. The urinal according to any one of the previous claims is characterized by the fact that opening (2) is located above the normal filling level.

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