GB2532411A

GB2532411A - A disposable female urinal

Info

Publication number: GB2532411A
Application number: GB1417182.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Khan Fuad; Khan Jalaluddin; Greaves Sonia
Original assignee: Hpc Healthline UK Ltd
Current assignee: Hpc Healthline UK Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-29
Filing date: 2014-09-29
Publication date: 2016-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-29
Also published as: EP3200741A1; GB2532411B; WO2016051150A1; GB201417182D0

Abstract

A disposable female urinal 1 comprises a bottom section 6 including a base 10and upstanding side walls 12 defining a urine receiving volume. A top section 8 covers the bottom section and includes a front wall 36 angled downwardly towards the front end of the urinal. The top section further includes a urine receiving opening 4 defined therein that is in communication with the interior of the urinal. A contact zone 42 surrounds the opening. The contact zone comprises a curved surface that curves inwardly into the opening such that the opening is recessed within the front wall with the inner edge of the opening faces inwardly into the urinal. The curved surface of the opening is configured to allow the contact zone to ergonomically conform to the shape of a user's pubic region, while also provide a comfortable surface profile when pressed against the user.

Description

A Disposable Female Urinal The present invention relates to a disposable female urinal, and in particular a urinal formed from themoformed or post pressed fibre that is pressed against the user in use.

A bed pan is a widely used device to enable hospital patients who are unable or find it difficult to reach a toilet, to urinate or defecate. However, as the use of a bed pan requires the patient to be able to sit up fully and have a reasonable degree of mobility, female patients confined to bed, following for example orthopaedic surgery or an accident resulting in significant trauma, are unable to use a traditional bedpan. Instead, such patients must use a urine bottle or a slipper which are able to be used while the patient is lying in a more reclined position. For situations where a female patient only needs to urinate, a female urine bottle is preferable to a slipper pan as it provides more comfort and dignity for the patient.

For reasons of convenience and the reduction of cleaning operations, it is known to provide disposable female urinals. Typically a disposable female urinal comprise a vessel including a main body with an opening for receiving urine. The body commonly includes a grip formed either into the body or an attached handle to enable the urinal to be held during use. The open end of the vessel is formed into a scooped shape, which the female patient must hover their pubic area over to enable the urine to pass into the vessel. As the pubic area is spaced from the opening, spillage or drips due to the opening being missed may occur. However, the shape and height of prior art urinals requires the user to elevate and adjust their position to align themselves above the opening of the urinal. This is in part due to the shape of the opening itself, with a wide opening required to ensure urine is properly captured preventing the opening from being brought close to the patient. This typically results in the patient having to sit on the edge of the bed or a chair with their legs apart, which is not desirable for a patient's with mobility issues.

In addition, the height of the opening which is set to ensure overflow is prevented requires the patient's height to be elevated during use. In the case of reusable urinals patient contact is specifically designed out due to hygiene and infection control issues. With disposable urinals, while the shape also prevents patient contact, even if contact was achievable it would not be desirable as the materials used, such as convention rough formed moulded pulp fibre, results in rough or sharp edges at the opening which would be uncomfortable if they were to contact the patient.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved disposable female urinal which addresses the above described problems and/or which offers improvements generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a disposable female urinal as described in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a disposable female urinal comprising a bottom section including a base and upstanding side walls defining a urine receiving volume; and a top section covering the bottom section including a front wall angled downwardly towards the front end of the urinal and having a urine receiving opening defined therein in communication with the interior of the urinal. A contact zone surrounds the opening that is arranged to be placed in contact with the pubic area of a user, the contact zone comprising a curved surface that curves inwardly to the opening such that the opening is recessed within the front wall with the inner edge of the opening facing inwardly into the urinal. The curved surface allows the contact zone to ergonomically conform to the shape of the user's pubic region, while also provide a comfortable surface profile when pressed against the user. In addition, the curve ensures that the free inner edge of the opening is directed away from the user inwardly into the urinal, ensuring there are not rough, open or sharp edges that may engage with the user and create discomfort. The curved profile also strengthens the opening and prevents warping during and after production and buckling in use.

The lower edge of the opening is preferably vertically spaced above the base ensuring that the base may be seated flat on the surface of the bed while an enclosed urine receiving volume is retained.

The side walls of the bottom section may include an upper rim defining the upper edge of the liquid receiving volume, and the front wall slopes rearwardly and upwardly from the front section of the rim with the lower edge of the opening being located immediately adjacent the front section of the rim.

The lower edge of the opening is preferably vertically spaced from the base a distance of 55 mm or less; more preferably a distance of 50 mm or less; and yet more preferably a distance of 45 mm or less.

The front wall is preferably angled towards the front end at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the base. This enables the contact zone of eth front wall to engage with the user at the optimum angle without requiring movement or readjustment by the user.

Preferably the curved surface leading to the opening has a decreasing radius curvature.

This ensures that the open edge of the opening is turned inwardly away from the user with a more gradual radius at the outer edge for comfort while inwardly a tighter radius turns the edge in more rapidly to avoid the curved edge impinging on the size of eth aperture.

The front wall preferably includes a planar section surround the curved contact zone and the plane of the curved surface of the contact zone is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the front wall at the edge of the opening, ensuring that the edge of the opening is directly facing away from the user without creating a negative curve such that moulding of the form remains possible.

The urinal is preferably formed of a thermoformed or post pressed fibre material which provides the contact zone with a smooth feel for increased comfort as well as providing the urinal with increased strength.

The top section and bottom section are preferably two separable mating sections that are movable between an open position and a closed mated position.

The top section and bottom section may be connected to other by a living hinge along a common edge.

s The front wall may have a convex profile between its upper and lower ends.

The front wall may have a convex profile defined laterally across its width.

The lower edge of the opening is preferably arranged 45mm from the base such that the opening is low to the bed surface to allow a bedridden female to position herself close to the opening without having to elevate or adjust herself. Because the opening is so low the design of the urinal preferably includes a low profile with a grip feature. The volume is preferably one litre in the preferred embodiment.

Preferably urine receiving volume defined by the base and the enclosing side walls includes a superabsorbent material such as fast acting liquid absorbing crystals. Preferably the liquid absorbing crystals are provided as a coating on the inner surface of the base. The superabsorbent material is provided as a coating on an internal surface of the urinal the material which enables it to be introduced during manufacture of the receptacle, avoiding a subsequent step and cost of introducing a sachet of superabsorbent material into the receptacle. It also prevents the superabsorbent material from being removed from the receptacle. When liquid is introduced into the receptacle it will be absorbed by the superabsorbent material, and quickly forms a gel with no unsaturated liquid remaining. It is therefore possible to provide the urinal with a very low profile and in particular to form the base with a low rim height. The urine receiving volume is maximised for the low rim height by extending the length of the base rearwardly.

The superabsorbent material may be a superabsorbent polymer. superabsorbent polymers include polyacrylate and polyacrylamide copolymers. The superabsorbent material may be provided in a granular form. The superabsorbent material may be bonded to an inside surface of the urinal with an adhesive. The adhesive may be water soluble. A suitable adhesive is polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesive. In one embodiment a mixture of adhesive and superabsorbent material is coated onto at least part of the internal surface of the receptacle. In another embodiment an adhesive is coated onto at least part of the internal surface of the receptacle and a superabsorbent material is subsequently applied to the adhesive.

In contrast to female urinals of the prior art, the urinal of the present invention is intended to enable female patients to make contact with the urinal, pressing it against them during use. This gives both patient and nursing staff confidence in the product, a to major issue for bedridden women who suffer in terms of comfort and dignity when toileting in bed and nursing staff who have to contend with bed changes and showers after a spill. Because the urinal is preferably formed from a thermoformed material, it has a smooth polished surface that women can make contact with without discomfort or abrasion. The gently inwardly radiussed opening is shaped such that it is ergonomic to the female anatomy. The angle of the opening is designed to accommodate most women while they are in bed sitting either upright or reclined to a 45 degree angle.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative figures in which: Figure 1 shows a female urinal according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows the female urinal of figure 1 with the lid partially open; Figure 3 is a side of the female urinal of figure 1; and Figure 4 shows the female urinal of figure 1 in the fully open configuration.

Referring to Figure 1, in an embodiment of the invention there is provided a female urinal 1 comprising a body 2 defining a receptacle for receiving and containing urine. The body 2 includes an opening 4 for receiving the urine which in use is the only opening to the container. The body 2 includes a bottom or base section 6 and an upper or lid or top section 8 which mate with each other to form the assembled urinal 1. The bottom 6 and top 8 are pre-formed, substantially ridged elements, preferably formed of a moulded fibre material, and more preferably formed of a themoformed or post-pressed moulded fibre material. The bottom section 6 includes a base 10 and upstanding walls 12 extending upwardly from the base defining an open top container.

As shown in Figure 2 the upper edge of the walls 12 include a return edge defining a radiussed rim or lip 14. A pair of locking tabs 16 project laterally outwards from the rim 14 and include a curved outer edge profile.

The top section 8 includes a planar section 18 surrounded at its peripheral edge by a rim 20. The rim 20 is curved and includes a return edge with a downwardly facing outer wall 22 and inner wall 24 that are spaced for each other and open at the base so that they are configured to receive the rim 14 of the bottom section 6 with the upper surface of the rim 14 and the inner surface of the rim 20 defining corresponding mating surfaces. The outer wall 22 of the rim 20 of the upper section 8 include apertures 26 that are located around the periphery at a corresponding location to the tabs 16 of the bottom section 6. In this way, when the bottom section 6 and upper section 8 are mated together the locking tabs 16 extend outwardly through the apertures 26 to hold the bottom section 6 and top section 8 together.

Top section 8 includes a raised central hooded section 28 projecting upwardly from the planer surface 18. The raised central section 28 includes a front section 30 and a narrowed rear section 32. The front section 30 include side walls 34, front wall 36 and an upper wall 38. The opening 4 is formed in the front wall 36.

The rim 20 extends around the periphery of the top section 6. The rim 20 includes a front section 40 having a greater height than the remainder of the rim 20. The base of the front section 6 contacts and extends from the upper surface of the raised section 40 of the rim 20. As shown in Figure 3 the front wall 36 slopes upwardly and rearwardly away from the upper edge of the front section 40 of the rim 20. The front wall 37 of the base slopes rearwardly and downwardly away from the rim 14 and the rim 20 seated over the rim 14 such that no part of the base extends forwardly of the rim 20. The front surface 36 has a length of 78 mm and is angled at 45 degrees to the horizontal and relative to the horizontal surface defined by the base 10 of the lower section 6. The upper edge of the rim 20 is a height 43 mm above the lower surface of the base 10 and the upper edge of the front section 40 of the rim 20 is approximately 45 mm above the base.

Preferably the height of the upper edge of the rim 40 corresponds with the lower edge of the front surface 36, with lower edge of the opening being immediately adjacent the and being a height of 55 mm or less from the base, and more preferably a height of 50 mm or less, and even more preferably a height of 45 mm or less. The length of the urinal 1 from its front edge to its rear edge is 280 mm.

The front surface 36 has a convex profile with the surface curving inwardly along its height. The front surface 36 also preferably has a convex form in the lateral direction.

This way the shape of the front surface 36 has a bowl shape that is able to conform to the shape of the pubic area of a patient. Referring to Figure 1 the opening 4 is ellipsoidal in shape and is located substantially centrally within the front wall 36. The opening 4 extends a substantial distance along the length of the front surface 36 as well as extending laterally along a substantial part of the width of the front wall 36. The front wall 36 curves inwardly into the opening via a curved radius 4 such that the inner edge of the opening 4 is inwardly facing into the urinal. In this way the inner edge is not able to be contacted by the patient.

A contact surface 42 is defined around the opening by the curved surface tapering inwardly into the opening. The radius surface has a decreasing radius such that at the inner edge of the opening 4 the angle of the outer surface is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front surface 36. The contact surface 42 surrounding the opening 4 is arranged to engage and be pressed against the pubic area of a patient to form a seal against the patient during urination. The inwardly radius form of the contact surface provides a comfortable fit against the patient as well as enabling the creation of an effective seal. The sealing is improved by the convex nature of the shape along the length or height of the opening 4. This may be further improved by a convex form laterally across the width of the opening 4, although the opening may include one or both convex forms in alternative arrangements.

As the lower edge of the opening is located immediately adjacent the upper edge of the front section 40 of the rim 20 the opening 4 is able to be brought as close as possible to the use of pubic area in use. In addition, the height of the lower edge of the opening 4, is approximately upper edge of the front section of the rim 40 enables the patient to slide the urinal rearwardly to the appropriate position without requiring the patient to lift their pelvis or otherwise adjust their position. Preferably the upper section at least is formed from a thermo-formed or post-pressed fibre material. The use of this material formed by the thermo-forming or post-pressing processing enables a smooth outer surface to be achieved which allows the contact area 42 to contact the patient in a comfortable manner without the risk of abrasion or other discomfort to the patient. The same applies to the other surfaces of upper section 8 which may be contacted by the inner surfaces of the user's legs during use.

The rear section 32 of the raised section 28 is narrower in width and lower in height than the front section 30 and acts as a grip section enabling the user to hold the urinal 1 and adjust its position in use. As shown in Figure 4, the urinal 1 is formed as a single piece moulding with the bottom section 6 and top section 8 being formed during the same moulding process. The bottom section 6 and the top section 8 are connected by a living hinge 44 extended along a common side edge on the opposite side of the urinal 1 to the locking tab 16. This enables the urinal 1 to be stored in an open configuration which enables the urinals to be nestably stacked thereby minimising storage space. At the point of use the urinal 1 is folded from the open configuration as shown in Figure 4 to a closed position in which the mating surfaces contact and mate, and in which the locking tabs 16 hold the lower section 6 and the top section 8 together to form a urinal having only a single opening 4.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A disposable female urinal comprising: a bottom section including a base and upstanding side walls defining a urine receiving volume; a top section covering the bottom section including a front wall angled downwardly towards the front end of the urinal and having a urine receiving opening defined therein in communication with the interior of the urinal; wherein a contact zone surrounds the opening that is arranged to be placed in to contact with the pubic area of a user, the contact zone comprising a curved surface that curves inwardly to the opening such that the opening is recessed within the front wall with the inner edge of the opening facing inwardly into the urinal.
2. A disposable female urinal according to claim 2 wherein the lower edge of the opening is vertically spaced above the base.
3. A disposable female urinal according to claim 2 wherein the side walls of bottom section include an upper rim defining the upper edge of the liquid receiving volume, and the front wall slopes rearwardly and upwardly from the front section of the rim with the lower edge of the opening being located immediately adjacent the front section of the rim.
4. A disposable female urinal according to claim 3 wherein the lower edge of the opening is vertically spaced from the base a distance of 55 mm or less.
5. A disposable female urinal according to claim 3 wherein the lower edge of the opening is vertically spaced from the base a distance of 50 mm or less.
6. A disposable female urinal according to claim 3 wherein the lower edge of the opening is vertically spaced from the base a distance of 45 mm or less.
7. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim wherein the front wall is angled towards the front end at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the base.
8. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim wherein the curved surface leading to the opening has a decreasing radius curvature.
9. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim wherein the front wall includes a planar section surround the curved contact zone and the plane of the curved surface of the contact zone is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the front wall at the edge of the opening.
10. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim wherein the urinal is formed of a thermoformed or post pressed fibre material.
11. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim wherein the top section and bottom section are two separable mating sections that are movable between an open position and a closed mated position.
12. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim 11 wherein the top section and bottom section are connected to other by a living hinge along a common edge.
13. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim wherein the front wall has a convex profile between its upper and lower ends.
14. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim wherein the front wall has a convex profile defined laterally across its width.
15. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim wherein at least part of the base is coated with a superabsorbent material.
16. A disposable female urinal according to any preceding claim wherein the superabsorbent material is superabsorbent polymer.