US20070214553A1

US20070214553A1 - Female urinal with discharge conduit

Info

Publication number: US20070214553A1
Application number: US11/377,564
Authority: US
Inventors: Mario Carromba; Rosemary Veramendi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-16
Filing date: 2006-03-16
Publication date: 2007-09-20

Abstract

A disposable sanitation device to assist a female while urinating is provided. The device can have a basin manufactured from a flexible water resistant membrane. The basin can have a rim with a sealing surface. A discharge conduit can be sealably connected to the basin. The discharge conduit can have an inlet coupled to the basin at a first end. At a second end of the discharge conduit an outlet can direct a stream of urine. The device including the sealing surface can be made from a latex compound such that it can form a substantial seal with the body. The device can have a wire frame reinforcing member that dictates the shape of the device. In one embodiment the wire can form a basin that conforms to female body and has a gripping surface such that pressure can be applied with the sealing surface to increase the sealing feature.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to feminine hygiene products and more particularly to a disposable female urinal with a discharge conduit.

BACKGROUND

Sickness and disease caused by pathogens, “germs,” and/or viruses continues to be a concern for many. Pathogens can enter the body through the skin or mucous membranes and when this occurs, serious illnesses and even death can result. Many pathogens are airborne in small densities however, harmful pathogens can be found in higher concentrations on horizontal surfaces in places such as bathrooms. One reason for such high concentrations of harmful pathogens in bathrooms, is that a large number of people from diverse origins, possibly with questionable hygiene practices and possibly with infectious dieses, frequent bathrooms and leave pathogens in bathrooms. Tests have shown that abnormally high amounts of pathogens exist in some bathrooms and high amounts of pathogens can occur on surfaces such as the surface of a lavatory seat.
One reason that pathogens get deposited on these surfaces is that the bare skin of an individual often directly contacts the seat, and any pathogens on one's skin can be transferred to people who subsequently sit down on the seat. Not everyone has the highest level of hygiene and caution should be exercised when using such facilities. However, limiting the amount of physical contact with a lavatory seat may prove rather awkward for females during urination. Paper liners are sometimes available in bathrooms but these liners are difficult to use and can slip on the seat exposing the users skin to surfaces of the lavatory seat. The female population generally desires to relieve themselves without making a mess and without contacting a seat of a lavatory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a female urinal with a discharge conduit; and
FIG. 2 is a side view of a female urinal with a discharge conduit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following is a detailed description of novel embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the subject matter. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit anticipated variations of the described embodiments, but on the contrary, the claims and detailed description are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present teachings as defmed by the appended claims. The detailed descriptions below are designed to make such embodiments understandable to a person having ordinary skill in the art.
Generally, methods and arrangements for allowing a female to urinate in a clean and sanitary manner are provided herein. While specific embodiments will be described below with reference to a physical configuration, those of skill in the art will realize that embodiments may advantageously be implemented with other configurations.
Referring to FIG. 1, a front view of a female urinal with a discharge conduit is depicted. The urinal 2 can have a basin 4 connected to a discharge conduit 8. The urinal can also have a sealing surface 6 formed or attached at a rim of the basin 4. The basin 4 can be oval when viewed from the front and shaped to fit over a female's labia. The discharge conduit 8 can be a tube that includes an entry port 10 and a discharge port 12. The basin 4 can be made from a nonabsorbent semi rigid or flexible material such as a biodegradable plastic. In a specific embodiment, the basin 4 can be made from a thin latex material and sealing surface 6 can be made from rolling a latex material at the rim or edge of the basin 4 to provide the sealing surface 6 such that a good seal can be achieved between the basin 4 and the skin of the user.
Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of the urinal 2 is provided. Urinal 2 is shown with a basin 4 that follows a compound curve. The rim of the basin 4 can have a sealing surface 6 which has an arcuate shape such that the urinal 2 can better conform to the radius of the body of a female, proximate to the urethra.
As stated above the urinal 2 can have a discharge conduit 8 connected to a first end of the basin and the discharge conduit 8 can have an entry port 10 and a discharge port 12. The back side of the basin 4 can have a raised portion to act as a griping surface 16 such that the urinal 2 can be easily held into position by the user. During operation, the user can hold the gripping surface 16 and apply pressure to the body to create a watertight seal between the sealing edge 6 and the body. The discharge conduit 8 can direct a stream of urine away from the body of the user in a known direction.
In a specific embodiment, the discharge conduit 10 of the urinal 2 can be flexible and can be directed to discharge the urine stream in a desired direction. This allows a user to direct the stream of urine into a lavatory thereby allowing the urinator to avoid contact with the lavatory seat and prevent urine from being sprayed in an undesirable direction.
A reinforcing member 18 can be placed proximate to the sealing surface 6 such that the sealing surface 6 can retain a shape that is similar to a female's labia majora or labia minora. The reinforcing member 18 can also extend outward from the sealing surface 6 such that the reinforcing member can form the gripping surface 16, where the gripping surface 16 can be securely gripped between the thumb and index finger allowing the user to press the urinal 2 to the body. The reinforcing member 18 could be made from a wire or it could be made from plastic such as ABS or PVC.
During operation, a female can stand directly over a lavatory, grip the gripping surface 16 and place the urinal over her labia and begin to relieve herself. When urine is discharged from the urethra of the female, the basin 4 can capture the urine and funnel the urine into the entry port 10 of the discharge conduit 8.
Discharge tube 10 could be manufactured from latex tubing and basin 4 could be manufactured from a sheet of stretchy latex material. The urinal 2 could be manufactured by partially folding a specially cut sheet of latex and gluing the sheet on two opposing ends, then fusing a latex tube to the folded latex membrane. The latex membrane could have a thickness and grade similar to that utilized in the manufacture of condoms or surgical gloves. Sealing surface 6 could be made from a soft material such as a foam rubber to provide the seal between the urinal 2 and the body of the urinator.
In a specific embodiment, the basin 4 is oval shaped having a width of approximately 2 inches and a length, not including the discharge conduit 10 of approximately 5 inches. The basin 4 could have a depth of approximately one and a half inches. The discharge conduit 10 could be approximately six and a half inches long and three quarters of an inch in diameter such that flow is not restricted. However, urinal 2 could be manufactured in various sizes. For example, in other embodiments a urinal could be manufactured that fits younger females and such urinals would be smaller. In another embodiment the basin 4 and sealing surface 6 could be small and only cover an area around the urethra. In this embodiment the urinal 2 can have a sealing surface 6 that will fit over the urethra and the sealing surface 6 can be pressed to the peripheral floor.
After the individual has finished urinating the individual can dispose of the urinal 2 into a waste basket. When packaged for sale urinal 2 can be folded or roller into a very small package. Urinals 2 made out of latex it can be rolled into a very small cylindrically shaped package. For example, urinal could be carried in a small container similar to how tampons are carries. Further, the urinals could be placed in a vending machine on the walls of public restrooms.
The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

1. A disposable sanitation device comprising:

a foldable liquid deflecting membrane forming a basin having a curved rim;

a sealing surface coupled to the curved rim of the membrane; and

a flexible discharge conduit sealably connected to the membrane wherein the sealing surface can be placed against a users skin and a stream of urine can be directed in a desired direction utilizing the flexible discharge conduit.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the membrane comprises latex.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealing surface comprises latex.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the discharge conduit comprises latex.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the discharge conduit is glued to the foldable liquid deflecting membrane.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a reinforcing member proximate to the sealing surface.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the reinforcing member comprises a wire.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the reinforcing member comprises plastic.

9. The device of claim 6 further comprising a gripping surface formed by the reinforcing member.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the membrane is biodegradable.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the curved rim is adapted to fit over a labia.

12. A method for manufacturing a hygiene device comprising:

forming a basin with a latex membrane, the basin having an oval edge;

placing a sealing surface on the oval edge; and

attaching a discharge conduit to the basin.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein forming comprises heating the latex.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein forming comprises applying a chemical to the latex.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein attaching comprises heating the latex.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein attaching comprises applying a chemical to the latex.

17. An apparatus comprising:

an oval latex membrane having a first end; and

a conduit attached to the first end of the latex membrane wherein placement of the oval latex member proximate to a female urethra can divert a stream of urine into the conduit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first end has a curvature.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the conduit is longer than four inches in length.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the oval latex member measures more than an inch wide by four inches long.