US20140033414A1

US20140033414A1 - Portable urinal

Info

Publication number: US20140033414A1
Application number: US14/021,617
Authority: US
Inventors: James Kolter
Original assignee: KOLTER ENTERPRISES LLC
Current assignee: KOLTER ENTERPRISES LLC
Priority date: 2011-12-02
Filing date: 2013-09-09
Publication date: 2014-02-06

Abstract

A portable urinal is provided with a container, a flexible hose which will maintain its position in either a contracted or expanded condition or a shape or curve to which it is placed for convenience in use wherein the flexible hose maintains its shape and degree of extension or contraction and including receptacles suitable for use by males and females in various positions including seated, standing and stooping.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/373,851 filed Dec. 2, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable urinal usable by both a male and a female.

BACKGROUND

There has been a long felt need for a portable urinal which is usable by both males and females in various locations. The need arises with respect to people having frequency, urgency or merely not having access to suitable toilet facilities for extended periods of time. Some of the people that may not have access to toilet facilities include pilots, people traveling, and incapacitated persons. Furthermore, a suitable portable urinal is often desired for convenience.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides methods and systems directed to a portable urinal.
In accordance with an embodiment, the disclosure includes a portable urinal comprising a container configured to be capable of holding urine. The container can have a base portion, a top portion disposed opposite the base portion, a side wall disposed between the base portion and the top portion, and an input configured to be capable of receiving or disposing urine. The portable urinal can also comprise a sealing member configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input and thereby substantially sealing the container such that urine and gas will not leak from the container. As well, the portable urinal can also include a flexible hose having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end. The first end of the flexible hose can be configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input, and the second end of the flexible hose can be configured to be capable of receiving urine from a male or a female user in both a seated and a standing position.
In accordance with another embodiment, a portable urinal can comprise a container configured to be capable of holding urine. The container can have a base portion, a top portion disposed opposite the base portion, a side wall disposed between the base portion and the top portion, and an input configured to be capable of receiving or disposing urine. The portable urinal can also comprise a sealing member configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input and thereby substantially sealing the container such that urine and gas will not leak from the container. The portable urinal can also comprise a female receptacle having a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input and a second end configured to conform to the shape of a female vulva.
In accordance with another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of collecting urine in a portable urinal. The portable urinal can have a container configured to be capable of receiving urine through an input and a sealing member configured to be capable of substantially sealing the container such that urine and gas will not leak from the container. The method can comprise releasably attaching a first end of a flexible hose to the input. The first end of the flexible hose can be disposed opposite a second end. The method can also include configuring the second end of the flexible hose to receive urine from a male or a female user in both a seated and a standing position.
In accordance with another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of collecting urine in a portable urinal. The portable urinal can have a container configured to be capable of receiving urine through an input and a sealing member configured to be capable of substantially sealing the container such that urine and gas will not leak from the container. The method can comprise releasably attaching a female receptacle to the input. The female receptacle can have a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input and a second end configured to conform to the shape of a female vulva. The second end can be further configured to receive urine from a female user in both a seated and a standing position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of an example embodiment of the application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which there is shown in the drawings example embodiments for the purposes of illustration. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and systems shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a portable urinal in accordance with an embodiment, the portable urinal being used by a female shown in dotted outline form;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a portable urinal in accordance with an embodiment, the portable urinal being used by a male shown in dotted outline form;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the female receptacle as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the male receptacle as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5A is a side view of a portion of a flexible hose in the area identified in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged cross sectional view of the area identified in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portable urinal in accordance with an embodiment, the portable urinal being used by a male shown in dotted outline form;

FIG. 7A is a side view of a portable urinal in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a partially exploded perspective view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a partially exploded perspective view of a first flexible hose and male receptacle detached from a second flexible hose;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the male receptacle as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the female receptacle as shown in FIG. 7B;

FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the female receptacle as shown in FIG. 9A; and

FIG. 10 is a flow-chart illustrating a method of collecting urine in a portable urinal in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, “upper”, “top”, or “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “proximally” and “distally” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the individual operating the system. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a portable urinal 10 being utilized by a female user 12. In a similar manner, FIG. 2 shows a portable urinal 20 being utilized by a male user 22. Both portable urinals 10 and 20 are the same in that they have a container 30 and a flexible corrugated hose 40. The container 30 is provided with a low center of gravity when it contains urine by reason of it being of relatively large cross section with respect to its height or, in other words being shallow. The presently preferred dimensions of container 30 may be a height “H” as shown on FIG. 1 of approximately two inches, a length of approximately seven inches and a width of approximately three and three quarter inches. However, it is understood that other variations of height length and width may be utilized so long as orthogonal dimensions of the area of the bottom is larger than the height. Further, other shapes may be utilized other than rectangular. However, in the presently preferred embodiment, the shape would be rectangular with dimensions as provided.
Container 30 is provided with an input 32 on its upper portion and a handle 34 for ease in positioning and carrying container 30. Input 32 is provided with a means for sealing input 36 of input 32 when hose 40 is not connected to input 32. Container 30 is preferably made of an opaque plastic material except for a vertically arranged elongated transparent area 38 on a sidewall of container 30 for viewing the absence of or the amount of urine in container 30. Substantially transparent area 38 may be provided with graduations or a scale 14 to measure the amount of urine in the container.
Corrugated hose 40 is provided with a first end 42 and a second end 44. Corrugated hose 40 is flexible, extendable and contractible. Each corrugation of corrugated hose 40 is releasably lockable in a contracted condition and releasably lockable in an extended condition. The corrugations are structured such that the legs of the corrugation are designed such that one leg is slightly longer than the other creating a snapping or locking effect locking the corrugation in either an expanded or contracted condition, and this locking feature is applicable for a radial section of the corrugated hose, thereby enabling the hose not only to be extended or contracted and remain locked in that condition for as long as desired, such as the time duration of urination or the time duration of storage of the portable urinal. Further, since a radial section of each corrugation may be locked in either contracted or expanded condition, the corrugated hose may be curved and retained in that curved condition until moved or forcibly changed. In this manner, the corrugated hose may be lengthened to the desired length and positioned with the desired angles for comfortable urination in either sitting, standing or stooping positions or any other position and the hose will maintain that shape or position during the period of urination. After urination, the hose may be contracted for storage in less space, and the corrugated hose will remain contracted until extended. These features will be discussed hereinafter with respect to FIG. 5A.
As described above, since each corrugation of the corrugated hose is releasably lockable in a contracted condition and/or an extended condition, the corrugated hose 40 may be easily adjusted to the desired length without having any coiling or flopping of unnecessary extra hose length. Such coiling, loops or bows of excess hose could be a place of undesirable accumulation of small amounts of urine which may then be unsightly to deal with when the hose is being removed for storage.
First end 42 of corrugated hose 40 is releasably attachable to input 32 by threaded union or fastener 46. It is understood that other types of fasteners may be utilized other than threaded fasteners, such as snap on fasteners. But in a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, fastener 46 would be threadable onto input 32. In other words, fastener 46 releasably attaches the first end of corrugated hose 40 to input 32 of container 30 when means for sealing 36 is not on input 32. The second end 44 of corrugated hose 40 is attachable to a receptacle, such as female receptacle 50 in FIG. 1 and male receptacle 60 in FIG. 2, for receiving urine from a user. Female receptacle 50 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3 and male receptacle 60 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4.
Referring now to FIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 1, there is shown enlarged view in perspective of a female receptacle 50 comprised of a generally elliptical shaped vessel 52 with flattened ends 54 and 56. The generally elliptically shaped vessel 52 has a crescent shaped curved periphery 58 which corresponds to the shape of a vulva. The generally elliptically shaped vessel 52 is provided with an output opening 72 which may be threadably connected by means of threads 74 to second end 44 of flexible corrugated hose 40. Preferably, the periphery 58 of elliptical vessel 52 is provided with an edge member 70 made of a softer material than the material from which the vessel is made and which further conforms to the shape of the vulva when the vessel is held against the vulva. This helps prevent leaks and provides comfort in use. Edge member 70 may be made of rubber or other suitable resilient plastic materials which provide a soft edge, softer than the material from which vessel 52 is constructed, which conforms completely to the shape of the vulva when used by a female. Edge member 70 made of a soft, resilient material such as rubber provides both a sealing function between the urinal receptacle and the vulva and provides added comfort to the user.
Referring now to FIG. 4 in connection with FIG. 2, there is shown a male receptacle 60 which is comprised of a large offset vessel 62 for receiving the glans penis of a male. The upper or outer edge 64 of vessel 62 is provided with a resilient rim 66 which may be comprised of rubber or other resilient material. This provides an outer or opening edge of vessel 62 which does not irritate or cause discomfort to a male user 22 using male receptacle 60. Vessel 62 connects to offset opening 68 which is angled downwardly from enlarged vessel 62 insuring urine flow out of offset opening 68 and into second end 44 of corrugated hose 40. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the offset opening 68 is connected to second end 44 of flexible corrugated hose 40. As illustrated in FIG. 2, male receptacle 60 may be provided with a closure 80 in the form of a threaded cap. Threaded cap 82 may be threadably mounted onto threads 82 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. However, it is understood that other means of securing a closure or cap on the upper end of male receptacle 60 may be provided within the scope of the present invention.
The angle 84 at the junction of offset output 68 and the vessel 62 for receiving urine from the glans penis is important for insuring that the urine empties completely into flexible corrugated hose 40 and does not back flow onto the user.
Referring now to FIG. 5A, there is shown an enlarged elevation view of the portion of flexible corrugated hose 40 shown in the area defined as 100 in FIG. 2. FIG. 5B is an enlarged cross sectional view of the area of FIG. 5A. As may be seen in FIG. 5A portion identified at 90 of hose flexible corrugated hose 40 illustrates the flexible corrugated hose 40 in its contracted position where it is retained in its contracted position or shortened condition. Area 111 of hose 40 illustrates flexible corrugated hose 40 in its extended position. In both cases, in the case of the contracted corrugations of 90 and in the expanded or extended corrugations shown at 111, the hose is retained in that condition by the structure of the corrugated hose itself. This is due in part to the structure of the flexible corrugated hose wherein the two legs of a corrugation are of different length causing a snap type locking condition when the hose is forced into its compressed position or forced into its extended position. As illustrated best in FIG. 5B, it may be seen that there is shown a corrugation 112 which is comprised of a longer leg 114 and a shorter leg 116.
The entire 360 degrees of a corrugation does not need to be in the same contracted or expanded condition. In other words, a radial section, such as 180 degrees of a corrugation may be in its contracted position or condition and a diametrically opposite or opposing radial section may be in its expanded condition. For example, looking at area 120 of hose 40, there is shown expanded corrugations 122 and contracted corrugations 124 causing the flexible corrugated hose to be retained or locked in a condition of a turn wherein as illustrated in FIG. 5A, hose 40 is bent to the right in area 120 and is retained in that bent position.
In a similar manner, there is another curve or turn or bend in flexible corrugated hose 40 at area 131 wherein corrugations are expanded on the right hand side, or the radial section comprised of approximately 180 degrees on the right hand side of FIG. 5A is expanded and contracted corrugations at 134 on the left hand side to create a curve, bend or turn which is locked in or retained until forced otherwise. In other words, corrugated hose 40 is provided with a plurality of corrugations which are flexible, extendable and contractible for at least a radial section portion of the corrugated hose such that the hose may be deformed or curved and the lockable corrugations will retain the hose in a curved shape.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7A-7B, an embodiment of the portable urinal 110 can include a container 130 configured to be capable of holding urine. The container 130 can have a base portion 210, a top portion 212 disposed opposite the base portion 210, a side wall 214 disposed between the base portion 210 and the top portion 212, and an input 132 configured to be capable of receiving or disposing urine. The container 130 can also include a handle 134 extending from the top portion, such that the handle 134 is configured to support the weight of the container 130 when it is full of urine. It should be appreciated that the container 130 can be constructed of any type of plastic, rubber or other suitable material.
The portable urinal 110 can also include a flexible hose 140 having a first end 142 and a second end 144 disposed opposite the first end 142. The first end 142 of the flexible hose 140 can be configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input 132, and the second end 144 can be configured to be capable of receiving urine from a female or a male user 12 or 22 in both a seated and a standing position. It should be appreciated that the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140 can be configured to receive urine from a male or a female in any position or location (e.g. sitting in a car, lying in a bed, stooping, etc.). In this manner, the container 130, flexible hose 140 and all of the other components discussed in this disclosure can be configured to be portable and used in small confined spaces, such as a car.
It should also be appreciated that the flexible hose 140 can be any type of flexible hose that is capable carrying urine from one location to another. In one example, the flexible hose 140 can comprise a plurality of corrugations configured to allow the hose to be lockable in an extended position, a shortened position, or any position therebetween the extended and shortened positions. In this manner, the hose 140 can be configured to be releasably locked in various positions such that the container 130 can be positioned at one location while the hose 140 can be adjusted such that the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140 can engage the female or male user 12 or 22 at any other location. However, it should be appreciated that the flexible hose does not need to have corrugations and instead can be any type of smooth-walled hose that is flexible. As well, it should be appreciated that the flexible hose 140 can be constructed of plastic, rubber or any other type of flexible material.
The portable urinal 110 can also include a sealing member 136 configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input 132 and thereby substantially sealing the container 130 such that urine and gas will not leak from the container 130. “Substantially sealing,” in this context means that the sealing member 136 can eliminate any visually noticeable urine droplets from escaping the container 130, as detectable by an average naked human eye. “Substantially sealing” also means that the sealing member 136 can eliminate any noticeable smell of urine from escaping the container 130, the smell being detectable by an average human nose. It should be appreciated that the sealing member 136 can be constructed of plastic. rubber or any other type of material suitable for substantially sealing a container.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, the portable urinal 110 can also include a male receptacle 160 having a first end 162 configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140 and a second end 164 disposed opposite the first end 162 of the male receptacle 160. It should be appreciated that the phrase “releasably attaching” as used in this disclosure can define any number of different attaching means such as threadably attaching (e.g. thread fit), snapably attaching (e.g. snap fit), frictionally attaching (e.g. friction fit, interference fit, etc.), or any other suitable means of releasably attaching one piece to another.
In one example, the first end 162 of the male receptacle 160 can be configured to threadably attach to the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140. In this manner, the first end 162 of the male receptacle 160 can include first male threads 182 that are capable of being threadingly attached to corresponding female threads disposed at the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140. Likewise, the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160 can include second male threads 184 that are capable of being threadingly attached to the corresponding female threads disposed on a first end 152 of a female receptacle as illustrated in FIG. 9. It should be appreciated that in other examples the first end 162 and the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160 can have female threads that can be capable of being threadingly attached to corresponding male threads. It should be appreciated that any of the various first ends, second ends, or inputs disclosed herein can be configured to have male threads or female threads.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the first end 162 of the male receptacle 160 can define a first diameter 166 and the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160 can define a second diameter 168. It should be appreciated that the second diameter 168 can be greater than the first diameter 166 in order to receive the male glans penis. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the first diameter 166 can be greater than or equal to the second diameter 168.
With continued reference to FIG. 8, the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160 can be angularly offset (i.e., not planar) with respect to the first end 162. However, it should be appreciated that the angular offset is optional and, as such, the second end 164 can be planar to the first end 162. As well, it should also be appreciated that the male receptacle 160 can be constructed of plastic, rubber, or any suitable material.
As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C and 9A-9B, the portable urinal 110 can also include a female receptacle 150 having a first end 152 configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160 and a second end 154 configured to conform to the shape of a female vulva. In one example, the first end 152 of the female receptacle 150 can be configured to threadingly attach to the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160. In this manner, the first end 152 of the female receptacle 150 can have first female threads 156 that threadingly attach to the corresponding male threads disposed at the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160. In another example, the first end 162 of the male receptacle 160 can have female threads that threadingly attach to the corresponding male threads disposed at the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140. In yet another example, the first end 152 of the female receptacle 150 can be configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input 132 of the container 130. In this manner, the first end 152 of the female receptacle 150 can be configured to releasably attach to either the input 132 of the container 130 or the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160.
As shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, the second end 154 of the female receptacle 150 can also include an edge member 170. The edge member 170 can be configured such that when it is held against the female vulva, the edge member 170 can substantially seal the vulva such that urine will not leak from the side of the female receptacle 150 when the female is urinating into the female receptacle 150. It should be appreciated that the edge member 170 can be a secondary material that is disposed along the second end 154 of the female receptacle 150. In this manner, the female receptacle 150 can be constructed of a first material and the edge member 170 can be constructed of a second material. In one example, the second material can be softer than the first material. For example, the first material can be plastic and the second material can be rubber. It should also be appreciated that the female receptacle 150 and the edge member 170 can be constructed of plastic, rubber, or any suitable material. The person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that “urinating” can be referred to as voiding, discharging, excreting, or any other word suitable of describing the process of passing urine from the body.
While not illustrated, the portable urinal 110 can also include a plug that is configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the female receptacle 150 adjacent the first end 152 to thereby substantially seal the portable urinal 110 such that urine and gas will not leak. The plug can include a peripheral lip that extends radially out from the side wall of the plug. The lip can (i) can act as a stop to prevent the plug from being pushed too far down into the first end 152 of the female receptacle 150 and (ii) substantially seal the first end 152 of the female receptacle 150 such that urine and gas will not leak from the portable urinal 110. The plug can further include a handle that extends from a top portion of the plug. The handle can be configured to be capable of being engaged by the user's finger to thereby grip the plug to thereby install or remove the plug from the first end 152 of the female receptacle 150.
Because the portable urinal 110 disclosed herein includes several components, the portable urinal 110 may also include a bag to store the container 130 and the other components. It should be appreciated that the bag may allow the user to easily transport the portable urinal 110 to any desired location. It should also be appreciated that because the portable urinal 110 can be used in any location, including public locations, the portable urinal 110 can also include a privacy shield, which can be placed over a portion of the female or male user 12 or 22 while they are using the portable urinal 110. It should also be appreciated that the bag used for transportation of the portable urinal 110 can be used as the privacy shield.
It should be appreciated that any component of the portable urinal 110 can be configured to be capable of releasably attaching to any other component. For example, the first end 142 of the flexible hose 140 can be configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160. As well, the sealing member 136 can be configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160. These are just a few examples of the possible connections that can be made between the components.
With specific reference to FIG. 7C, an embodiment of the portable urinal 110 can include more than one flexible hose 140 and more than one male receptacle 160. As such, the flexible hose 140 can be a first flexible hose 140 and the male receptacle 160 can be a first male receptacle 160. In this manner, the portable urinal 110 can include a second flexible hose 140 and a second male receptacle 160. Like the first flexible hose 140, the second flexible hose 140 can have a first end 142 and a second end 144 disposed opposite the first end 142. And like the first male receptacle 160, the second male receptacle 160 can have a first end 162 configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end 144 of the first or second flexible hose 140 and a second end 164 disposed opposite the first end 162 of the second male receptacle 160. The first end 142 of the second flexible hose 140 can be configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end 164 of the first male receptacle 160. The second end 144 of the second flexible hose 140 can be configured to be capable of receiving urine from a female or a male user 12 or 22 in both a seated and a standing position. In an embodiment, the second end 144 of the second flexible hose 140 can be configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the first end 162 of the second male receptacle 160.
It should be appreciated that any number of flexible hoses 140 and male receptacles 160 can be added to the portable urinal 110. For example, the portable urinal 110 can include two, three, or four or more flexible hoses 140. As well, the portable urinal 110 can also include two, three, or four or more male receptacles 160. Adding two or more flexible hoses 140 and two or more male receptacles 160 can be used in any situation where more flexible hose 140 length between the container 130 and the user would be beneficial. In one example, the user can be a bedfast patient and the additional hose length can be used to accommodate the user who needs extra flexible hose 140 length so that the user does not to have to get up and out of bed. In another example, the user may be a hunter in a tree stand and the additional hose length can allow the user to urinate while standing up. It should be appreciated that the portable urinal 110 with additional flexible hoses 140 and male receptacles 160 can be configured to be used by a female or male user 12 or 22. As such, a first end 152 of the female receptacle 150 can be releasably attached to the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160 located at the end of the hose length. As well, it should be appreciated that one or more sealing members 136 can be included in the portable urinal 110.
Now in reference to FIG. 10, a method of collecting urine in the portable urinal 110 is illustrated. The portable urinal 110 is configured to be capable of collecting urine from either a female or male user 12 or 22. At step 200, the method includes releasably attaching the first end 142 of the flexible hose 140 to the input 132. Then at step 202, the method includes configuring the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140 to receive urine from a female or a male user 12 or 22 in both a seated and a standing position. The second end 144 of the flexible hose 140 can be configured to receive urine from a male or a female in any position or location (e.g. sitting in a car seat, lying in a bed, etc.).
The method can also include releasably attaching the male receptacle 160 and/or the female receptacle 150 to the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140. In this manner, the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140 can be configured to interchangeably receive gender specific receptacles for receiving urine from both female and male users 12 and 22 alike. In accordance, the method can also include the step of urinating into the male receptacle 160 by a male user 22, or urinating into the female receptacle 150 by a female user 12. If the female receptacle 150 is attached to the male receptacle 160, the method can include detaching the female receptacle 150 from the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160. When the female receptacle 150 is detached, the sealing member 136 can be releasably attached to the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160 to substantially seal the flexible hose 140 and container 130 such that urine and gas will not leak from the flexible hose 140 and container 130. By releasably attaching the sealing member 136 to the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160 this may allow the user to store the urine inside the portable urinal 110 until such time that the urine can be disposed. It should be appreciated that the method may include releasably attaching the sealing member 136 to the input 132 of the container 130. As such, the method may include detaching the first end 142 of the flexible hose 140 from the input 132 and releasably attaching the sealing member 136 to the input 132 to substantially seal the container 130 such that urine and gas will not leak from the container 130.
In order to dispose the urine from the portable urinal 110, all of the upstream components can be detached from the container 130. As such, the method can include detaching the sealing member 136 from the second end 164 of the male receptacle 160 and detaching the male receptacle 160 from the second end 144 of the flexible hose 140. After these steps have been performed the portable urinal 110 may only comprise the container 130 and the flexible hose 140. As such, the method may further include detaching the first end 142 of the flexible hose 140 from the input 132. Once the flexible hose 140 has been detached, the urine may be disposed from the container 130. It should be appreciated that the urine may be disposed into a toilet, waste water line, or any disposal system capable of receiving urine.
Because of the undesirable odor and appearance of urine, the portable urinal 110 may be cleaned after the urine has been disposed. As such, the method may include cleaning the container 130, flexible hose 140, sealing member 136, and the male receptacle 160 and/or female receptacle 150 with antiseptic solution or liquid dish soap. The cleaning process may not only reduce risk and/or appearance of any remaining urine residue from the portable urinal 110, but it may also reduce the risk of transmitting disease from contaminated urine. It should also be appreciated that once the portable urinal 110 has been cleaned, the method may also include drying the container 130, flexible hose 140, sealing member 136, and male receptacle 160 and/or female receptacle 150.
As previously discussed, the portable urinal 110 may be configured to receive additional flexible hoses 140 and male receptacles 160. The flexible hose 140, as previously discussed, may be referred to as a first flexible hose 140 and the male receptacle 160 may be referred to as a first male receptacle 160. As such, the method may include releasably attaching a first end 142 of a second flexible hose 140 to the second end 164 of the first male receptacle 160. The method may also include releasably attaching a second male receptacle 160 to the second end 144 of the second flexible hose 140, the second male receptacle 160 having a first end 162 configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end 144 of the first or second flexible hose 140. The second male receptacle 160 may also have a second end 164 disposed opposite the first end 162 of the second male receptacle 160. The second end 164 may be configured to receive urine from a male user 22 in both a seated and a standing position.
The method may also include collecting urine in the portable urinal 110 with no flexible hose 140 included in the system. This configuration may be used for children or adolescents or simply may be used in any situation whereby the length of the flexible hose 140 is unnecessary. In this regard, the portable urinal 110 may include a container 130 configured to be capable of receiving urine through an input 132 and a sealing member 136 configured to be capable of substantially sealing the container 130 such that urine and gas will not leak from the container 130. The method may include releasably attaching the female receptacle 150 to the input 132. Once the female receptacle 150 has been releasably attached, the method may also include the steps of urinating into the female receptacle 150, detaching the female receptacle 150 from the input 132, and releasably attaching the sealing member 136 to the input 132 to substantially seal the container 130 such that urine and gas will not leak from the container 130.
Similar to the discussion above, once urine has been received in the portable urinal 110; the method may include disposing the urine from the portable urinal 110. As such, the method may include detaching the sealing member 136 from the input 132 and disposing the urine from the container 130. Once the urine has been disposed from the container 130, the portable urinal 110 can then be cleaned. In accordance, the method may include cleaning the container 130 and/or female receptacle 150 with antiseptic solution or liquid dish soap. It should also be appreciated that the method may include the optional step of drying the container 130 and/or female receptacle 150.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A portable urinal, comprising:

a reservoir container for holding urine, said reservoir container having a low center of gravity when it contains urine and an input opening on an upper portion of said reservoir container and a handle on said reservoir container, said input of said reservoir container being provided with means for sealing said input;

a corrugated hose having a first end and a second end, said corrugated hose being flexible, extendable and contractible, each corrugation of said corrugated hose being releasably lockable in a contracted condition and an extended condition said first end of said corrugated hose being releasably attachable to said input of said reservoir container when said means for sealing said input is not on said input, said second end of said corrugated hose being attachable to a receptacle for receiving urine from a human being; and

said reservoir container being constructed of an opaque plastic except for a vertically arranged elongated substantially transparent area on a sidewall of said reservoir container for viewing the absence or amount of urine in the reservoir container.

2. A portable urinal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said receptacle for receiving urine from a human being includes an enlarged vessel for receiving the glans penis with an offset opening for urine flow, said offset opening being curved downward from said vessel and being in communication with said second end of said corrugated hose.

3. A portable urinal in accordance with claim 2, wherein said offset opening of said enlarged vessel for receiving the glans penis is provided with a rubber rim on its outer edge.

4. A portable urinal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said receptacle for receiving urine from a human being includes a generally elliptically shaped vessel with flattened ends and a curved upper periphery conforming to the shape of a vulva.

5. A portable urinal in accordance with claim 4, wherein said periphery of said vessel is provided with an edge member softer than the vessel and which further conforms to the shape of the vulva when the vessel is held against the vulva.

6. A portable urinal in accordance with claim 5, wherein said edge member is constructed of rubber.

7. A portable urinal in accordance with claim 5, wherein said edge member is constructed of a plastic which is softer than a plastic out of which the remainder of the vessel is made.

8. A portable urinal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reservoir container is provided with a rectangular base and the length and width of said base is greater than the height of said reservoir container.

9. A portable urinal in accordance with claim 1, wherein said corrugated hose is provided with a plurality of corrugations which are flexible, extendable and contractable for at least a radial section portion of said corrugated hose such that said hose may be deformed or curved and said lockable corrugations will retain said hose in a curved shape.

10. A portable urinal, comprising:

a container configured to be capable of holding urine, the container having a base portion, a top portion disposed opposite the base portion, a side wall disposed between the base portion and the top portion, and an input configured to be capable of receiving or disposing urine;

a sealing member configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input and thereby substantially sealing the container such that urine and gas will not leak from the container; and

a flexible hose having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input, and the second end configured to be capable of receiving urine from a male or a female user in both a seated and a standing position.

11. The portable urinal of claim 10, further comprising a male receptacle having a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the flexible hose and a second end disposed opposite the first end of the male receptacle.

12. The portable urinal of claim 11, wherein the first end of the male receptacle defines a first diameter and the second end of the male receptacle defines a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

13. The portable urinal of claim 11, further comprising a female receptacle having a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the male receptacle and a second end configured to conform to the shape of a female vulva.

14. The portable urinal of claim 13, wherein the second end of the female receptacle further comprises an edge member, and wherein when the edge member is held against the vulva of the female the edge member substantially seals the vulva such that urine will not leak from the side of the female receptacle when the female is urinating into the female receptacle.

15. The portable urinal of claim 14, wherein the female receptacle is constructed of a first material and the edge member is constructed of a second material, and wherein the second material is softer than the first material.

16. The portable urinal of claim 15, wherein the female receptacle is constructed of plastic and the edge member is constructed of rubber.

17. The portable urinal of claim 13, wherein releasably attaching is threadably attaching.

18. The portable urinal of claim 10, wherein the container further comprises a handle extending from the top portion.

19. The portable urinal of claim 10, wherein the flexible hose comprises a plurality of corrugations configured to allow the flexible hose to be lockable in an extended position, a shortened position, or any position therebetween the extended and shortened positions.

20. The portable urinal of claim 11, wherein the first end of the flexible hose is configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the male receptacle.

21. The portable urinal of claim 11, wherein the sealing member is configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the male receptacle.

22. The portable urinal of claim 13, wherein the first end of the female receptacle is configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input of the container.

23. The portable urinal of claim 10, wherein each of the container, sealing member, and flexible hose are constructed of plastic.

24. The portable urinal of claim 11, wherein the flexible hose is a first flexible hose, the portable urinal further comprising a second flexible hose having a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the first male receptacle, and the second end configured to be capable of receiving urine from a male or a female user in both a seated and a standing position.

25. A portable urinal, comprising:

a female receptacle having a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input and a second end configured to conform to the shape of a female vulva.

26. The portable urinal of claim 25, wherein the second end of the female receptacle further comprises an edge member, and wherein when the edge member is held against the vulva of the female the edge member substantially seals the vulva such that urine will not leak from the side of the female receptacle when the female is urinating into the female receptacle.

27. The portable urinal of claim 26, wherein the female receptacle is constructed of a first material and the edge member is constructed of a second material, and wherein the second material is softer than the first material.

28. The portable urinal of claim 27, wherein the female receptacle is constructed of plastic and the edge member is constructed of rubber.

29. The portable urinal of claim 25, wherein releasably attaching is threadably attaching.

30. The portable urinal of claim 25, wherein the container further comprises a handle extending from the top portion.

31. The portable urinal of claim 25, wherein each of the container, sealing member, and female receptacle are constructed of plastic.

32. The portable urinal of claim 25, further comprising a plug that is configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the female receptacle thereby substantially sealing the container such that urine and gas will not leak from the container.

33. A method of collecting urine in a portable urinal, the portable urinal having a container configured to be capable of receiving urine through an input and a sealing member configured to be capable of substantially sealing the container such that urine and gas will not leak from the container, the method comprising the steps of:

releasably attaching a first end of a flexible hose to the input, the first end of the flexible hose disposed opposite a second end; and

configuring the second end of the flexible hose to receive urine from a male or a female user in both a seated and a standing position.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of releasably attaching a male receptacle and/or a female receptacle to the second end of the flexible hose, wherein the male receptacle has a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the flexible hose and a second end disposed opposite the first end of the male receptacle, the second end configured to receive urine from a male user in both a seated and a standing position, and wherein the female receptacle has a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the male receptacle and a second end configured to conform to the shape of a female vulva.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of:

urinating into the male receptacle or the female receptacle;

if the female receptacle is attached to the male receptacle, detaching the female receptacle from the second end of the male receptacle; and

releasably attaching the sealing member to the second end of the male receptacle to substantially seal the flexible hose and container such that urine and gas will not leak from the flexible hose and container.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

detaching the first end of the flexible hose from the input; and

disposing the urine from the container.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

detaching the sealing member from the second end of the male receptacle;

detaching the male receptacle from the second end of the flexible hose;

cleaning the container, flexible hose, sealing member, and the male receptacle and/or female receptacle with antiseptic solution or liquid dish soap; and

drying the container, flexible hose, sealing member, and male receptacle and/or female receptacle.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of:

urinating into the male receptacle or the female receptacle;

detaching the first end of the flexible hose from the input; and

disposing the urine from the container.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the steps of:

if the female receptacle is attached to the male receptacle, detaching the female receptacle from the second end of the male receptacle;

detaching the male receptacle from the second end of the flexible hose;

cleaning the container, flexible hose, sealing member, and male receptacle and/or female receptacle with antiseptic solution or liquid dish soap; and

drying the container and flexible hose.

40. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of releasably attaching a male receptacle to the second end of the flexible hose, the male receptacle having a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the flexible hose and a second end disposed opposite the first end of the male receptacle, the second end configured to receive urine from a male user in both a seated and a standing position.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of releasably attaching the sealing member to the second end of the flexible hose to substantially seal the container and the flexible hose such that urine and gas will not leak from the container and the flexible hose.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the flexible hose is a first flexible hose and the male receptacle is a first male receptacle, the method further comprising the steps of:

releasably attaching a first end of a second flexible hose to the second end of the first male receptacle, the second flexible hose having a second end disposed opposite the first end; and

releasably attaching a second male receptacle to the second end of the second flexible hose, the second male receptacle having a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the first or second flexible hose and a second end disposed opposite the first end of the second male receptacle, the second end configured to receive urine from a male user in both a seated and a standing position.

43. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of releasably attaching a female receptacle to the second end of the flexible hose, the female receptacle having a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the second end of the flexible hose and a second end configured to conform to the shape of a female vulva, the second end further configured to receive urine from a female user in both a seated and a standing position.

44. The method of claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

detaching the first end of the flexible hose from the input; and

releasably attaching the sealing member to the input to substantially seal the container such that urine and gas will not leak from the container.

45. A method of collecting urine in a portable urinal, the portable urinal having a container configured to be capable of receiving urine through an input and a sealing member configured to be capable of substantially sealing the container such that urine and gas will not leak from the container, the method comprising the steps of:

releasably attaching a female receptacle to the input, the female receptacle having a first end configured to be capable of releasably attaching to the input and a second end configured to conform to the shape of a female vulva, the second end further configured to receive urine from a female user in both a seated and a standing position.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising the steps of:

urinating into the female receptacle;

detaching the female receptacle from the input; and

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the steps of:

detaching the sealing member from the input;

disposing the urine from the container;

cleaning the container and female receptacle with antiseptic solution or liquid dish soap; and

drying the container and female receptacle.