US20110030130A1

US20110030130A1 - PP flushable urinating device for women

Info

Publication number: US20110030130A1
Application number: US12/462,726
Authority: US
Inventors: Patrice B. Stein
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-07
Filing date: 2009-08-07
Publication date: 2011-02-10

Abstract

A flushable urinating device is provided for women comprising a foldable waste tube and wings. The waste tube has a top portion with a top edge, a bottom portion with a discharge outlet, a front side and a rear side. The front side is concaved in a direction to orient the bottom portion toward a toilet for passing a flow of urine therethrough while a user stands near and faces the toilet. The wings are coupled to the top edge of the waste tube. The wings are configured to pivot about a top portion from at least 0°-90° or more.

Description

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

I. Field
The present invention relates to urinating aids for women.
II. Background
Public bathrooms can be a source of bacteria, viruses, and disease as the result of unsanitary conditions. For example, it is not uncommon for women to squat over the toilet when urinating. The squatting stance allows women to position their pubic area over the toilet without sitting directly on the toilet. In this instance, the toilet seats can become covered with spots of urine from the spray of the urine as a woman urinates. While the seat may be wiped off, the wiping process generally uses readily available toilet tissue and no bacterial killing agents.
Urine is not the only source of contamination. As a user sits on the toilet seat, some amount of bacteria or other contaminates may be left on the toilet seat. Thus, sitting on a toilet seat in a public rest room is a potential source of bacteria, viruses, and disease.
Some women may prefer to stand when urinating because of various health conditions that affect their ability to sit on a toilet and stand up from a toilet seat. Thus, using an aid to allow women to urinate from a standing position is desirable.
Thus, the present invention provides a PP Flushable Urinating Device to provide women an alternative means of urinating in public restrooms or publicly used toilet facilities in order to avoid germs, residue, filth, and contamination from prior users of the toilet.

SUMMARY

The aforementioned problems, and other problems, are reduced, according to exemplary embodiments, by the PP Flushable Urinating Device.
Other systems, methods, and/or products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings, and further description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exemplary embodiments, objects, uses, advantages, and novel features are more clearly understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a PP Flushable Urinating Device (PP-FUD) with the flanges or wings folded downward in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the flanges or wings of the PP-FUD with the inlet in an open state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the PP-FUD in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a partial view of the PP-FUD with a flange folded upward in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a partial view of the PP-FUD with a flange folded upward and with a layer of absorbent material in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates another PP Flushable Urinating Device in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates a user's hand holding the PP Flushable Urinating Device of FIG. 5A in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates women using the PP-FUD to urinate in a standing position.

DESCRIPTION

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any configuration or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations or designs. Furthermore, use of the words “present invention” is used herein to convey only some of the embodiments of the invention. For example, the word “present invention” would also include alternative embodiments and equivalent systems and components that one of ordinary skill the art understands. An example is that the materials used for the exemplary embodiments may be made out of man-made materials, natural materials, and combinations thereof. A further example is that the apparatus or components of the apparatus may be manufactured by machine(s), human(s) and combinations thereof.
Some of the embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
The PP Flushable Urinating Device (PP-FUD) in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is constructed and arranged to eliminate the need for women to sit on contaminated or urine soaked toilet seats.
The PP-FUD in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is configured and arranged to make the process of urinating in public restrooms easier, faster, quicker, and safer.
The PP-FUD in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is constructed and arranged so that the device when spent (after use) is flushable in a toilet and is bio-degradable or otherwise friendly to the environment.
The PP-FUD in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is constructed in arranged so that a top or flanges (wings) of the PP-FUD can also be used as tissue or means for wiping or absorbing urine. Thus, the need for toilet paper after urinating is not necessary.
The PP-FUD in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is designed to conform to the woman's genital surface area in order to seal and direct the flow of urine through a waste tube into the toilet while the user is standing upright. When finished urinating, the PP-FUD may be placed or dropped in the toilet for disposal.
The PP-FUD in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is not uniform in dimensions and is configured to conform to the surface of the female genitalia.
The PP-FUD in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is made of a flushable and environmentally safe paper that is easily manipulated with the hand and deformable to fit around a portion of woman's groin area.
The term groin area as used herein is defined as the two creases at the junction of the torso with the legs, on either side of the pubic area.
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a PP Flushable Urinating Device (PP-FUD) 100 with the flanges or wings 120 folded downward in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The PP-FUD 100 is configured to be folded in half. The side view shown in FIG. 1 is a half of the PP-FUD 100. The PP-FUD 100 is essentially symmetrical. In operation, the PP-FUD 100 is configured to be folded in half length wise or longitudinally, as best seen in FIG. 1. The PP-FUD 100 may be folded in half or may be folded using two or more folding increments along an axis that traverses the longitudinal axis of the PP-FUD 100 in such a manner that the PP-FUD 100 can be dispensed from a box, package or other dispensers configured to be mounted to a wall of a bathroom or carried in a purse of the user.
The PP-FUD 100 may also be folded using two or more folding increments along the longitudinal axis to reduce the size of the PP-FUD 100 when packaging and/or storing.
The PP-FUD 100 includes a waste tube 110 (FIGS. 2-3) and flanges or wings 120. The waste tube 110 has a bottom portion 114 with a discharge outlet 112 and a top portion 116 with an inlet 130.
When folded in half, the PP-FUD 100 has a front edge 111A and a rear edge 111B. The front edge 111A has a curvature configured to direct the discharge outlet 112 toward a toilet while the user (a woman) is standing in front of the toilet. More specifically, the curvature of the front edge 111A is concaved to allow the discharge outlet 112 to be directed toward the toilet so that it can be easily placed therein without obstructing the flow of the urine.
In the exemplary embodiment, a front of the PP-FUD 100 is concaved such that the arc of concavity extends along an entire length of the PP-FUD 100.
In another exemplary embodiment, a front of the PP-FUD 100 may be concaved such that the arc of concavity extends along a portion of the length of the PP-FUD 100.
When the woman is standing in front of the toilet, the stream of urine is not generally directed toward the toilet. The waste tube 110 is uniquely shaped in the form of a curved funnel with a concaved profile that orients the bottom portion 114 in the direction of the toilet. Thus, the user is not required to stand over the toilet. Instead, the user can stand around or at various positions around and facing the toilet bowl. The arc of concavity represented by the curvature of 111A and the curvature of the rear side (rear edge 111B) directs the flow of urine in the direction of the toilet.
The PP-FUD includes an inlet 130. The flanges or wings 120 have a front portion 122 and a rear portion 124, as will be described in more detail in relation to FIG. 2, which surrounds the inlet 130.
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of flanges or wings 120 of the PP-FUD with the inlet 130 (FIG. 3) in an open state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the flanges or wings 120 have a pear shape, tear-drop shape or heart shape which are affixed to or integrated with a top edge, denoted by 146, of top portion 116. Whether affixed or integrated, the flanges or wings 120 are configured to fold and flex 0 to 360 degrees about top edge 146. The flanges or wings 120 can flex when the PP-FUD 100 is folded in half or when the waste tube 110 is open into a generally round or tubular shape.
In FIG. 1, the flanges or wings 120 are shown overlaid in parallel over the exterior surface of waste tube 110. In FIG. 2, the flanges or wings 120 are shown rotated to approximately 90 degrees with respect to the exterior surface of the waste tube 110 as shown in FIG. 1. As will be described in more detail in FIG. 4, the flanges or wings 120 are shown rotated approximately 180 degrees with respect to the orientation shown in FIG. 1.
The flexible material of the flanges or wings 120 allows the flanges or wings 120 to be rotated up to 360 degrees. The interconnection or the pivot point (at top edge 146) between the flanges or wings 120 and the waste tube 110 may, in another exemplary embodiment, limit the rotation of the flanges or wings 120 to less than 360 degrees.
FIG. 2 also permits illustration of an interior surface 144 of the waste tube 110 when open into a tubular shape or configuration. The concaved shape of the waste tube 110 reduces the annulus of the waste tube 110 so as to direct the flow of urine to discharge outlet 112. When looking down into the interior of the waste tube 110 while open, the discharge outlet 112 is not readily seen as the curvature limits the view through the curvature of the tubular shape.
The tapering profile of an interior surface of the waste tube 110 is represented by the lines directed to narrow annulus 142. As the PP-FUD 100 is opened from a folded configuration, the top edge 146 is opened up so as to position, PP-FUD 100 near the groin area. For example, the user can manipulate the PP-FUD 100 so that the top edge 146 is expanded to track the size of the groin area.
The narrowest portion of the flanges or wings 120 corresponds to the front portion 122. The widest portion of the flanges or wings 120 corresponds to the rear portion 124. In the exemplary embodiment, the flanges or wings 120 are essentially symmetrical to form flange halves 126A and 126B.
In the exemplary embodiment, the flange halves 126A and 126B are integrated together to form a single flange or wing body encircling top edge 146. Nonetheless, in another exemplary embodiment, the flange halves 126A and 126B may be two separate halves that are seamed together to form a single flange or wing body. In another exemplary embodiment, the flange halves 126A and 126B may be separate such that the front portion 122 and the rear portion 124 have seams which separate flange halves 126A and 126B.
Referring also to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the PP-FUD 100 in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown. The inlet 130 is shown in a partially open state. As can be appreciated, the flexibility of the material (paper) allows the opening or inlet 130 into the waste tube 110 to be varied so as to adapt to the size of a women's pubic area and/or groin area. Thus, the PP-FUD 100 is readily adaptable for a variety of women sizes and shapes while also maintaining easy of manipulation, installation, operation.
The length of the waste tube 110 of the PP-FUD 100 is between 18 inches and 26 inches. Nonetheless, the length may be made shorter or longer. However, the length of the waste tube 110 should be sufficient to allow all women of varying heights to stand in front of the toilet and place a portion of the waste tube 110 in the toilet bowl.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the lines crossing the bottom portion 114 represent that the length of the waste tube 110 may be varied. For example, the waste tube 110 may be manufactured a particular length which can be varied with one or more lines of serrations that allow increments of the length of the waste tube 110 to be torn off to reduce the overall length of the waste tube 110 by the user.
The length of inlet 130 when in a folded in half position is in the range of 7-7¼ inches. Nonetheless, for small, medium and large sizes, the length of the inlet 130 (when measured from a folded in half orientation) may vary to less than 7 inches to more than 7¼ inches.
In the exemplary embodiment configured for a one size fits all functionality, in order to allow children, teens, or others of shorter stature to use the PP-FUD 100, the length of the waste tube 110 may be reduced by tearing a portion of the bottom along a serration line.
While not wishing to be bound by theory, the serration lines may also allow the PP-FUD 100 to breakup more easily during flushing. As the PP-FUD 100 is being flushed, pieces of the waste tube 110 break up and off more easily under the weight of water and the force directing the water out of the toilet bowl and through the drain.
While not wishing to be bound by theory, the pear shape, tear-drop shape or heart shape configures the flanges or wings 120 to track the female genitalia. Thus, the flanges and wings 120 are easily deployed. Each flange halves 126A and 126B has a length which is at least 7 inches and up to 10 inches and would vary based on the size of the inlet 130. In the exemplary embodiment, the maximum widths of each flange halve 126A and 126B is within the range of 2¾ and 3 inches. However, wider flange halves 126A and 126B may be used.
The PP-FUD 100 is comprised of thin paper sturdy enough to accept the weight of the urine but light enough to dispose of in a standard toilet, similar to that used in toilet seat protectors. The flanges or wings 120 may serve as ‘wings’ to the sides and the back, and conforms to the hand and the woman's genital area, as best seen in FIG. 6.
The PP-FUD 100 may be configured as a single unitary piece of material. In an exemplary configuration, the waste tube 110 may include two halves configured to be attached or affixed to each other along edges 111A and 111B with the flanges or wings 120 attached to edge 146. Thus, seams should be taken into consideration. The profiles shown herein do not show seams. The edges may be sealed together.
FIG. 4A illustrates a partial view of the PP-FUD 100 with a flange of flanges or wings 120 folded upward in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The top portion 116 of the waste tube 110 is uniquely designed to direct the flow of urine down the waste tube 110. The representation illustrated in FIG. 4A is one side (PP-FUD 100 folded in half). The rear edge 111B has a first top edge portion 421 which is essentially straight. The bottom of the first top edge portion 421 begins to curve at a second top edge portion 422 which gradually tapers in the direction of the arc of concavity defined by edge 111A. In the exemplary embodiment, the front edge 111A begins a curve to define the arc of concavity. However, the rear edge 111B remains linear or straight for a predetermined distance, such as for 3 to 4 inches before the rear edge 111B begins to curve or gradually taper in the direction of the arc of concavity defined by edge 111A.
In one mode of operation, the flanges or wings 120 may be used as toilet paper. The woman urinates through the waste tube 110 while standing. Once the woman has finished urinating, the flanges or wings 120 can be used as a tissue for wiping. The PP-FUD 100 is then disposed of in the toilet and flushed.
FIG. 4B illustrates a partial view of the PP-FUD with a flange of flanges or wings 120′ folded upward and with a layer of absorbent material 140′ in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The flange halves of flanges or wings 120′ may include a layer of absorbent material 140′ shown overlaid on a underside of the flanges or wings 120′. The size and shape of the layer of absorbent material 140′ may vary. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the flange halves of flanges or wings 120′ may include a layer of absorbent material 140′ overlaid on a topside of the flanges or wings 120′.
Once the woman has finished urinating, the flanges or wings 120′ may be manipulated in a manner that allows the layer of absorbent material 140′ to be used as a tissue for wiping. The PP-FUD is then disposed of in the toilet and flushed.
FIG. 5A illustrates another PP Flushable Urinating Device in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The flanges or wings 220 have a ring or donut shape. FIG. 5B illustrates a user's hand holding the PP Flushable Urinating Device in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In operation, the fingers are splayed in such a way that is most comfortable for the woman as well as to allow for the most room for the urine to flow. The positioning of the hand 5 is critical in order to prevent urine flowing out of the waste tube 110. The hand 5 is placed around the waste tube 210 such that the flanges 220 rest on top of the user's hand 5.
In the exemplary embodiment, the waste tube 210 can be place between the forefinger and the middle finger with the flanges or wings 220 resting and conforming to the user's hands 5. The material of the PP-FUD readily adapts (flexes) to or around the hand, as would a thin sheet of tissue or other paper products that are flushable.
FIG. 6 illustrates a woman using the PP-FUD 200 to urinate in a standing position. When a woman is standing in front of a toilet, the length of the waste tube can be easily placement into the toilet.
As can be appreciated, the PP-FUD 100 can be used in port-a-potties, lavatories of airplanes, outdoors in the woods, and other suitable locations to aid a woman to urinate while standing upright. The PP-FUD 100 eliminates spraying or leaking of urination on the user's body while standing upright and directs the flow of urine to a location that is away from the user.
The PP-FUD 100 is made of a flushable and environmentally safe paper that molds to the hand and to the woman's surface area. The long tube extends from the surface area through the woman's fingers and the end is placed in the toilet.
While the present invention has been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the invention is not so limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flushable urinating device for women comprising:

a waste tube having a top portion with a top edge, a bottom portion with a discharge outlet, a front side and a rear side, the front side is concaved in a direction to orient the bottom portion toward a toilet for passing a flow of urine therethrough while a user stands near and faces the toilet; and

wings, coupled to the top edge of the waste tube, are configured to pivot about the top portion from at least 0°-90° or more.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the wings include a layer of absorbent material overlaid on a surface of the wings; and the wings are configured to be used as toilet tissue.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the wings have a pear shape profile, tear-drop shape profile or a heart shape wherein a narrower end of the wings is configured to be oriented in a genitalia area.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the material is paper and is biodegradable and flushable.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the waste tube includes a plurality of serration lines to tear off a portion of a length of the waste tube.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the waste tube has a length of approximately 18-26 inches.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the top portion of the waste tube has a rear edge when folded in half, the rear edge having a first top edge portion which is essentially straight and a bottom of the first top edge portion begins to curve along a second top edge portion, the second top edge portion gradually tapers in the direction of a arc of concavity defined by a front edge of the waste tube wherein the front edge is opposite the rear edge.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein, in a first state, the waste tube is configured to fold in half longitudinally and the wings in the first state are configured to lie parallel to a longitudinal surface of the waste tube and, in a second state, the wings are configured to rotate about the top edge of the waste tube when deployed and the waste tube being expanded simultaneously.

9. A flushable urinating device for women comprising:

a foldable waste tube having a top portion with a top edge, a bottom portion with a discharge outlet, a front side and a rear side, the front side is concaved in a direction to orient the bottom portion toward a toilet for passing a flow of urine therethrough while a user stands near and faces the toilet; and

wings, coupled to the top edge of the waste tube, are configured to pivot about a top portion wherein, in a first state, the waste tube is configured to folded in half longitudinally and the wings in the first state are configured to lie parallel to a longitudinal surface of the waste tube and, in a second state, the wings are configured to rotate about the top edge of the waste tube when deployed and the waste tube being expanded simultaneously.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the wings include a layer of absorbent material overlaid on a surface of the wings; and the wings are configured to be used as toilet tissue.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the wings have a pear shape profile, tear-drop shape profile or a heart shape wherein a narrower end of the wings is configured to be oriented in a genitalia area.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein the material is paper and is biodegradable and flushable.

13. The device according to claim 9, wherein the waste tube includes a plurality of serration lines to tear off a portion of a length of the waste tube.

14. The device according to claim 9, wherein the waste tube has a length of approximately 18-26 inches.

15. The device according to claim 9, wherein the top portion of the waste tube has a rear edge when folded in half, the rear edge having a first top edge portion which is essentially straight and a bottom of the first top edge portion begins to curve along a second top edge portion, the second top edge portion gradually tapers in the direction of a arc of concavity defined by a front edge of the waste tube wherein the front edge is opposite the rear edge.

16. The device according to claim 9, wherein, in a first state, the waste tube is configured to folded in one or more fold increments along an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waste tube.