GB2516310A

GB2516310A - A vessel for urine

Info

Publication number: GB2516310A
Application number: GB1312950.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexandra Grainey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-07-19
Filing date: 2013-07-19
Publication date: 2015-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-19
Also published as: GB201312950D0; GB2516310B

Abstract

A vessel for urine having an elongate body 1 with a mouth 4 and handle 2, said body 1 substantially formed of a single moulded piece, at least part of the body 1 is transparent; the body 1 comprises a local indication of colour significance 8. The vessel may have a displaceable lid which may be fully displaceable or detachable to allow better cleaning of the vessel and/or lid. The indication 8 comprises a segmented or progressive colour chart to enable the user to compare the colour of the urine against said chart in order to indicate hydration levels of the user. The interior of the body 1 may be opaque or white, with a transparent window 7. There may be a perforated filter in the mouth 4 of the body. The body may have a flat base 3, or a textured handle 2.

Description

A VESSEL FOR URINE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vessel for urine, more particularly but not exclusively a vessel for analysis of urine colour, clarity and/or urine turbity.

Background

There is increasing preference to be able to test patients at the point of care without requirement to be moved to a specific location, such as being moved from home to a hospital, or even from one room to another.

Dehydration is a common problem and can lead to a number of detrimental health conditions. In particular dehydration can adversely affeq the elderly or infirm, where dehydration can lead to confusion and urinary infections that can require hospitalisation to treat. Sometimes such symptoms can be misdiagnosed as early onset of dementia and higher levels of care may be deemed necessary when actually lack of hydration is the problem.

Often dehydration can be readily assessed by analysis urine, in particular the colour of urine. However taking urine samples in urine pots can be difficult and urine bottles used for bed ridden patients are often not transparent, for example being formed from pulp or opaque plastic so it may not be possible to observe urine colour without transferring liquid to another container.

As an alternative means of analysis urine can be sent to laboratory to be assessed for example infection, however this can be timely and costly. If point of care testing is not available and therefore the results are not available immediately the delay in getting them can allow time in which a patient's condition may worsen.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Chinese utility model CN 201 724 847 (XIAOLIN et al) discloses a disposable urine receiving cup, which comprises a cup body. The lateral surface of the upper edge of the cup body is provided with a cup handle. The cup handle is a folding cup handle.

The mouth edge of the cup body is provided with a urine pouring nozzle. The lateral surface of the cup body is provided with scales. When the disposable urine receiving cup is in use, the folding cup handle is opened, a user firstly urinates for about 1 second, then holds the cup handle by a hand to put the urine receiving cup in urine flow, takes urine according to medical advice, removes the urine receiving cup from the urine flow, wears pants and clothes well and puts the urine receiving cup with the urine at the specified position. The mouth edge of the cup body is provided with the urine pouring nozzle so as to be convenient to pour away the urine. The cup body is provided with the scales, so that a patient can take the right amount of urine as required. The disposable urine receiving cup has the advantages of simple structure, convenient and rapid operation, convenient carrying, cleanliness, sanitation, capability of effectively preventing the urine from being splashed on the hand and capability of being convenient to receive the urine, guaranteeing collection of urine quantity and improving success rate of urine receiving. The cup body is a transparent cup body so as to be convenient to directly observe the urine.

2Q Granted European patent EP 1 476 108 (DIEHL et al) discloses a wearable article comprising: a topsheet adapted to fit about a portion of a wearer and receive urine discharged by the wearer; and a dehydration indicator disposed on and affixed to a component of the wearable article, the dehydration indicator being adapted to measure a urine ionic strength correlated to a specific gravity of the wearers urine and provide a visible signal when the urine ionic strength reaches a value corresponding to a predetermined threshold of the specific gravity.

Chinese utility model CN 2 373 094 (CHEN) discloses an urination measuring bottle, which relates to a technological improvement scheme of an urination measuring bottle used for observing and measuring a patient's urine. The bottle body of the observing bottle of the existing variety has large volume and is a single body, the measurement is not exact, and the urination is inconvenience and is not sanitation.

The utility model comprises a transparent observing boftle, wherein, a graduation scale for measuring urine volume is arranged on the bottle wall of the observing bottle. The utility model is characterized in that the lower end of the observing bottle is provided with a urine storing bag. The outlet end of a urine discharging tube is movably connected with the urine entering tube of the urine storing bag. The urination measuring bottle is convenient for replacing the urine storing bag, has the advantages of exact observation and measurement, economy and reasonableness, and sanitation and convenience, and is convenient for testing and sampling.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a vessel for urine, comprising an elongate body, comprising a mouth and handle, said body substantially or wholly formed of a single moulded piece, wherein at least part of the body is transparent to form a window; and wherein the body comprises an indication of colour significance local to said window.

In preferred embodiments the vessel has a displaceable lid allowing sealing of the body, which is advantageously fully displaceable or detachable to allow better cleaning of the vessel and/or lid.

In preferred embodiments the mouth is arranged to accept entrance of urine from either a penis or urethra, wherein the mouth typically comprises an arcuate shaping that inclines rearward from a front edge in use.

Typically therefore there is provided a unisex vessel for collecting urine with a mouth dimensioned to be fitted against a user's crotch, so as to enable urination directly into the vessel; wherein the vessel includes an indication to analyse urine whilst the urine remains in the vessel.

This indication is permanently located on the body and consequently remains at all times local, wherein the vessel provides a fully self-contained and easy to use urine analysis means.

In this way there is no requirement to require urination into a sample pot and/or for subsequent transfer to other vessels which may pose health and safety risks to users and or carers.

Preferably the vessel enables the collection of urine during urination, for example whilst standing. Preferably therefore the mouth is arranged on an arcuate face of the vessel so as to cup, surround or cover the crotch, preventing escape of ancillary urine such as around the mouth and being comfortable to a user. In accordance with this object, the body is advantageously substantially arcuate and bulbous in form so as to ensure no sharp edges.

Typically the mouth is rounded or funnelled so as to not have any corners in which urine may become stuck and ensure easy cleaning. In addition or the altemate a rounded mouth will be more comfortable for male users positioning their genitalia into the vessel through the mouth and female users pressing the mouth against the crotch. Furthermore ideally shaping may discourage or contain splashback for example by provision of a substantially reversed funnel.

In preferred embodiments the vessel also includes a moulded handle in the body, arranged in such a way that it does not interfere with the user when positioned against their crotch, and is spaced sufficiently apart from the crotch to avoid issues of cross-contamination such as caused by splashing.

Typically the handle may be arranged at a first distal end of the vessel wherein the mouth is arranged at the second proximal end wherein the body is substantially longitudinally arranged.

In this way the second end is positioned over the crotch and the first end extends outwards and away from the user's legs in use, in order that the handle can be held distal from the crotch and distal from the urine.

In preferred embodiments the handle is arranged or disposed to provide a plurality of holding arrangements, to allow the mouth to be effectively manipulated and positioned for example at arm's length or with bent arms by the user with no requirement of help.

In some embodiments the handle may accordingly comprise an arcuate elongate hollow or lacuna within a loop defined by the body, wherein the loop is capable of holding urine, enhancing potential volume of the vessel.

Ideally the proximal end may be tapered and rounded so as to fit comfortably between the user's legs.

In preferred embodiments the body includes a flat base so as to allow stable placement on a surface before or after use. In preferred embodiments at least part of the handle is elevated above the mouth or topmost in such placement.

Ideally the vessel is large enough to take a whole urine deposit rather than only a sample. In this way the user does not need to stop urination mid-flow, which can be difficult for some, such as those with a weak pelvic floor.

In some embodiments the vessel may include a measuring indicator so as to reveal how much urine is deposited, and contained in the body, at any time.

Advantageously the body or part of the body is transparent so as to be able to see and analyse the urine efficaciously. In some embodiments the part of the body that comprises transparent material is situated at, near or adjacent a lowermost point of the body in use, to provide a most reliably useful window, said window being additionally located in a section of the body of reliable volume and depth characteristics to ensure minimal divergence of indication dependant on user or deposit.

It is well known that analysis of colour of urine can serve as an indication to hydration; with a darker colour, a dark yellow or brown urine being an indicator of dehydration. Use of the vessel enables the user and/or a carer to efficiently analyse urine colour to monitor hydration so as to avoid undesirable consequences of dehydration. In particular for elderly patients where dehydration is often associated with increased risk of urinary infections, and can lead to a fall in blood pressure and damage to internal organs.

Turbidity, colour and clarity of the urine may also be an indicator to infection. The transparent window allows these factors to be considered, possibly identifying a problem more quickly than laboratory analysis and therefore enabling the problem to be addressed more quickly to prevent subsequent detrimental effects.

In preferred embodiments the window is transparent and a remainder of the vessel is opaque or translucent. In this way the vessel contents may be concealed apart from at the window. This may serve to protect the users dignity as well as focussing attention on a small area for comparison purposes with the indication.

Ideally the indication comprises a segmented and/or progressive colour chart so as to enable the user or a carer to compare the colour of the urine against said chart in order to indicate hydration levels of the user.

Preferably the chart is arranged at, adjacent to or contiguous with the transparent window so as to be able to compare urine colour directly to the chart colours.

Preferably the chart has an opaque backing and/or is on an opaque part of the body, in order to minimise topical colour variation according to contents of the vessel.

In some preferred embodiments the vessel's interior is coloured substantially white, in order that urine colour and clarity can be assessed effectively. Ideally the urine is analysed against a white background in preferred embodiments, and lit effectively, for example wherein the window is proximate a secondary transparent area, or lacuna, such as the mouth.

In some embodiments the colour chart may be arranged around or framing the window.

It may be envisaged that the chart also includes additional information to guide the user and/or carer as to how to interpret the chart. For example the vessel or chart ideally includes annotations or colour coding to highlight urine colours that may indicate dehydration or infection or a danger level or indication.

In some embodiments the handle and/or part of the body include a textured surface so as to increase grip for the user, even if wet, and wherein likelihood of spillage or drop hazards are reduced. For example an exterior surface of the body may comprise a pitted or knurled surface so as to aid with grip.

In other embodiments the exterior surface may be partly coated in or include portions or additions of a resiliently deformable material so as aid with grip. For example the exterior surface may include rubber strips arranged about the handle.

The vessel ideally includes a lid for the mouth so as seal contents within the body, to enable transportation without leakage, for example from where urine is deposited to where the urine can be disposed of. Advantageously the lid may also serve to prevent the escape of odours of the urine.

Typically the lid may include resiliently deformable sections, fitted in use onto the body by a detent mechanism or friction fit to provide a watertight seal with the vessel.

In other embodiments a screwthread may be operable.

In preferred embodiments the body is wholly formed from a moulded lightweight durable material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). It may be envisaged that the vessel is suitable for re-use, being washed after use ready for another use.

In preferred embodiments the vessel has a substantially smooth and/or continuous inner surface so as to be easily washed or flushed and so as not to have narrow portions in which urine may accumulate or be difficult to clean.

In some further embodiments the mouth may include a perforated filter so as to allow urine to readily pass through but to reduce splashback. It may be envisaged that in some embodiments the filter is removable so as to be more readily cleaned after use.

In other embodiments the vessel may be adapted to hang on a toilet rim. For example the vessel may include a hook for locating on the toilet rim. In this way the user may be seated on the toilet and the vessel arranged to collect the urine without requirement for the user to hold the vessel against their crotch.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the vessel according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a second isometric view of a second embodiment; Figure 3 shows a view from below of a third embodiment; Figure 4 shows a view from above of fourth embodiment; S Figure 5 shows a view from in front of a fifth embodiment; Figure 6 shows a view from behind of a sixth embodiment; And Figure 7 shows a side view of a seventh embodiment.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures the body I comprises a handle 2, base 3 and mouth 4.

The handle describes a central lacuna 5.

The handle 2 is relative?y highest vertically in use to aid in holding the vessel in place in use, wherein an elevated proximate lip 6 is provided at the mouth, to aid in cupping between the user legs. The lip 6 is also relatively narrowing to fit between the legs.

The window 7 is shown without limitation in a variety of situations, adjacent an indication of colour significance 8, which comprises at least one chart.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A vessel for urine, comprising an elongate body, comprising a mouth and handle, said body substantially or wholly formed of a single moulded piece, wherein at least part of the body is transparent to form a window; and wherein the body comprises an indication of colour significance local to said window.
2. A vessel according to claim I with a displaceable lid allowing sealing of the body.
3. A vessel according to claim 2 wherein the lid is completely detachable.
4. A vessel according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the mouth comprises an arcuate shaping that inclines rearward from a front edge of the body in use.
5. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the vessel includes a moulded handle.
6. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the handle is distal from the mouth along the body.
7. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body includes a flat base.
8. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the window is transparent and the body behind the indication opaque.
9. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the vessel interior is substantially white.
10. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the window is transparent and a remainder of the vessel opaque or translucent.
11. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the indication comprises a segmented or progressively structured colour chart.
12. A vessel according to claim II wherein the chart includes written indication of colour significance.
13. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the handle and/or part of the body include a textured surface so as to increase grip.
14. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body has an inner surface substantially smooth and/or continuous so as to be easily washed or flushed.
15. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body is closeable with a detent mechanism or friction fit to provide a watertight seal.
16. A vessel according to claim 14 wherein a screwthread may be operable to close the body.
17. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mouth includes a perforated filter.
18. A vessel with reference to the figures and substantially as described herein.Amended claims have been filed as follows:-Claims 1. A vessel for urine, comprising an elongate body, comprising a mouth and handle, said body substantially or wholly formed of a single moulded piece, wherein at least part of the body is transparent to form a window; and wherein the body comprises ax indication of colour significance local to said window, the window being transparent aild the body behind the indicatioll beillg opaque.2. A vessel according to claim 1, with a displaceable lid allowing sealing of the body.3. A vessel according to claim 2, wherein the lid is completely detachable.4. A vessel according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the mouth comprises an arcuate shaping that inclines rearward from a front edge of the body in use.5. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel jilciudes a moulded handle.6. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle is distal from the mouth along the body.7. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes a flat C'J base.8. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel interior is substantially white.9. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the window is transparent and a remainder of the vessel opaque or translucent.10. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the indication comprises a segmented or progressively structured colour chart.11. A vessel according to claim 10, wherein the chart includes written indication of colour significance.12. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle and/or part of the body include a textured surface so as to increase grip.13-A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body has an inner surface substantially smooth and/or continuous so as to he easily washed or flushed.14. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body is closeable with a detent mechanism or friction fit to provide a watertight seal.15. A vessel according to claim 14, wherein a screwthread may be operable to close the body.Ifi. A vessel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mouth includes a perforated filter.17. A vessel with reference to the figures and substantially as described herein. (4