US20160256022A1

US20160256022A1 - Portable easyp urinal

Info

Publication number: US20160256022A1
Application number: US14/967,316
Authority: US
Inventors: Khoa Tho Le
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-02
Filing date: 2015-12-13
Publication date: 2016-09-08
Also published as: US20170156554A9

Abstract

The portable urinal of the preferred embodiments comprises a receptacle with a wide opening and internal cavity, where the internal cavity converges towards a tube neck, wherein a tube is attached to the tube neck, wherein the tube is attached via a disconnect coupler to a container, where the container can be sealed and separated from the tube, where the receptacle is shaped to accommodate one or more of the male genitalia and the female genitalia. The portable urinal of the preferred embodiments is designed to allow a user to urinate in a portable location without discomfort, without creating an odor, without chance of spilling bodily fluids, and without inappropriately exposing their body so that they can urinate in locations where other people may be present.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/176,974, filed 2 Mar. 2015 and entitled “THE 4NOS URINAL”, the priority of which is claimed by this application, and the entire contents and substance of which are hereby incorporated in total by reference. This application is a non-provisional continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/125,882, filed 2 Feb. 2015 and entitled “Uholder on-the-go”, the priority of which is claimed by this application, and the entire contents and substance of which are hereby incorporated in total by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the receptacle of the second preferred embodiments.
FIG. 2 is a view of the tube of the second preferred embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the system of the second preferred embodiments, where a weight and motion stop for the moving closure are included.
FIG. 4a illustrates the side view of a variation of the second preferred embodiments of the flow control assembly and the storage compartment structure in a compact model for both women and men, where the system is held in a carrying bag.
FIG. 4b illustrates the front view of a variation of the system of the second preferred embodiments, where the compact model is held in a closed carrying bag.
FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred variation of the cloth cover of the second preferred embodiments.
FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred variation of the front view of the carrying pouch from the second preferred embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the system of the first preferred embodiments, showing one variation of the device in use, and showing a specific variation of the components used with the system.
FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the system of the first preferred embodiments, showing one variation of the device in use, and showing a specific variation of the components used with the system, where a storage compartment and storage compartment lid are included, and where a privacy garment is also shown in use to protect the privacy of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to enable someone skilled in the prior art to make and use this invention, but is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments.

1. First Preferred Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable urinal 1 of the preferred embodiments comprises a receptacle 2 with a wide opening 4 and internal cavity 5, where the internal cavity 5 converges towards a tube neck 7, wherein a tube 8 is attached to the tube neck 7, wherein the tube 8 is attached via a disconnect coupler 9 to a container, where the container 6 can be sealed and separated from the tube, where the receptacle 2 is shaped to accommodate one or more of the male genitalia 3 and the female genitalia 3. The portable urinal 1 of the preferred embodiments is designed to allow a user 17 to urinate in a portable location without discomfort, without creating an odor, without chance of spilling bodily fluids, and without inappropriately exposing their body so that they can urinate in locations where other people may be present.
As shown in FIG. 1, the system of the first preferred embodiments has a receptacle 2 that is shaped to accommodate one or more of the male genitalia 3 and the female genitalia 3. The receptacle 2 has a wide opening 4 and internal cavity 5. In one variation, there may be separately produced portable urinal 1 s to accommodate the male and female genitalia 3 respectively. In one preferred variation, the female version of the portable urinal 1 may have one of a circular shaped wide opening 4, and a oval shaped wide opening 4 to the receptacle 2, and the opening to the receptacle 2 may be shaped to fit against the female genitalia 3. In one preferred variation, the male version of the portable urinal 1 may have an opening and cavity 5 shaped to fit around some or all of the male genitalia 3. In another preferred variation, the male version of the portable urinal 1 may have a receptacle 2 shaped to accept a stream of urine from a male user 17 from a slight distance. In a preferred variation, the rim of the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2 is covered in an elastomeric material 10. The elastomeric material 10 may provide a softer, yielding surface to increase the comfort of the user 17 when using the portable urinal 1. This may be particularly advantageous for female users who may have to press the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2 against the surface of their genitalia 3, or against the area surrounding their genitalia 3. In another preferred variation, the rim of the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2 is covered in a silicone polymer material. The receptacle 2 may, however, have any suitable shape for capturing urine from a user. Male and female versions of the receptacle 2 may alternatively be identical, or have any suitable shape for interfacing with the needs of males and females. The rim of the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2 may, however, have any suitable covering or protection, or may have no particular coating or protection at all.
As shown in FIG. 7, the portable urinal 1 preferably has a lid 11 that fits the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2 and closes off the receptacle 2. This is done to prevent one or more of: dissemination of odors, leakage of bodily fluids, and unsanitary contact with the outside surfaces. After the use of the portable urinal 1, it is preferable that the portable urinal 1 can be closed and sealed in such a way that it can be transported safely and without undue obtrusion by the user. This may include being transported in a carry case sold with the portable urinal 1. It may also include being transported in one or more of bags and pockets of the user. The lid 11 preferably is pivotally attached to a hinge point molded to the receptacle 2 below the rim of the receptacle 2. In a preferred variation the lid 11 can be removed entirely from the hinge point by removal of the hinge pin. This may increase the comfort of using the device for female users. In a preferred variation, a flexible snap with a camming surface is attached to the lid 11 and engages a ledge on a latch lock molded to the receptacle 2 below the rim of the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2, and on the opposite side of the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2 from the hinge point. The hinge point may, however, be incorporated into the portable urinal 1 in any suitable manner. The lid 11 may, however, be removed in any suitable way from the hinge point. The lid 11 may, alternatively, not be removable from the hinge point. In another preferred variation, the lid 11 may be one or more of a snap on or friction fit without a pivot. In this preferred variation, the lid 11 may removably attach to the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2 in a manner similar to a Tupperware lid. Alternatively, in this preferred variation, the lid 11 may removably attach to the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2 in a manner similar to sealable polymer containers known to the art in hospital settings. The portable urinal 1 may, however, alternatively include no lid 11 at all for the receptacle 2. The lid 11 may, however, releasably fit to the receptacle 2 in any manner suitable for closing off the receptacle 2. Another sealing device may, however, be releasably fit to protect the inner surfaces of the receptacle 2.
As shown in FIG. 7, the container 6 is preferably coupled to the tube 8 by a disconnect coupler 9, allowing fluid 16 to flow from the tube 8 into the container 6 when the container 6 is not selectively sealed. There is preferably a movable sealing closure 12 attached to the container, which allows the opening of the container 6 to be sealed when desired. Preferably the movable sealing closure 12 s the opening of the container 6 without further action from the user 17 when the user 17 disconnects the container 6 from the tube. This prevents one or more of spilling bodily fluids and dissemination of odors. Preferably the container 6 includes a button 13 that allows the user 17 to open the movable sealing closure 12 on the container 6 at any suitable time. In a preferred variation, there is a internally projecting tube 8 that projects into the interior of the container 6 and is coupled in fluid 16 communication with the opening of the container 6 such that no fluid 16 can enter the container 6 without going through the internally projecting tube. This structure may, however, have any suitable structure other than that of a tube. In a version of this preferred variation, the movable sealing closure 12 is pivotally attached to the internally projecting opening tube, and is designed to pivot into and out of a sealing position with the rim of the internally projecting opening tube. Preferably there is a spring 14 biasing the pivoting seal against the rim of the internally projecting opening tube, sealing the opening of the container 6 when the seal is not held away from the rim of the internally projecting opening tube 8 by external means. In one preferred variation, there is a control rod attached to a button, where the button 13 is attached to the end of the control rod and allows the user 17 to depress the control rod. The control rod is slideably mounted to the top of the container, and when it is depressed it forces the movable sealing closure 12 to pivot away from the rim of the internally projecting tube, opening the seal and allowing fluid 16 to flow from the opening of the container 6 into the container. In one preferred variation, a spring 14 biases the control rod upwards and the control rod is pivotally connected to the middle of the upper surface of the movable sealing closure 12, so that when the button 13 is not depressed the control rod moves upward and biases the movable sealing closure 12 against the rim of the internal opening of the internally projecting tube. In a preferred variation, when the disconnect coupler 9 coupling 7 the tube 8 to the opening of the container 6 is attached so that the tube 8 is coupled to the container 6 and is in fluid 16 communication with the opening of the container, the attachment of the disconnect coupler 9 one or more of requires and causes the control rod to be forced downwards, opening the moving seal and allowing fluid 16 to flow from the tube 8 into the opening of the container 6 and through the internally projecting tube 8 into the container 6 interior. Preferably when the disconnect coupler 9 is disconnected such that the tube 8 is no longer coupled to the container, the control rod is one or more of allowed and caused to move upward, causing the movable sealing closure 12 to be biased against the rim of the internally projecting tube, sealing the opening of the container 6 and preventing one or more of odors and bodily fluids from escaping the container. In an alternative embodiment, the movable sealing closure 12 may slide upwards and downwards on a slidable mount. In an alternative embodiment, the movable sealing closure 12 may seal against any internal surface. In an alternative embodiment, the movable sealing closure 12 may seal with an o-ring against the walls of an interior surface. In an alternative embodiment, the movable sealing closure 12 may be mounted on the exterior of the container. In an alternative embodiment, the movable sealing closure 12 may be biased into sealing the opening to the container 6 when the tube 8 is disconnected by any suitable means. In an alternative embodiment, the seal is not biased by any physical means, and is moved into a position sealing the opening to the container 6 by the action of disconnecting the tube 8 from the container. In an alternative embodiment, the control rod may not include a button 13 and may be moved by any suitable means. In an alternative embodiment, the seal may be an elastomeric material 10 designed to seal any opening using the elastic rebound of the material when the tube 8 is disconnected from the container. In an alternative embodiment, the container 6 may not contain a movable sealing closure 12 and may use any form of prior art lid. In an alternative embodiment, the tube 8 is connected to the container 6 via one or more of threads and a friction neck. The tube 8 may, however, be connected to the container 6 by any suitable means.
As shown in FIG. 8, the portable urinal 1 is preferably sold as a system where the system also includes a fabric covering that covers one or more of the portable urinal 1 and exposed body parts of the user 17 involved with the use of the portable urinal 1. This fabric covering is preferably intend to protect one or more of the privacy of the user 17 while using the portable urinal 1, and the exposure to unpleasant sights of any other persons within sight of the user 17 while the user 17 uses the portable urinal 1. The portable urinal 1 may be used by users in developing countries. The portable urinal 1 may also be used in circumstances where users do not have the time or opportunity to use a toilet or seek privacy before urinating. The fabric covering is intended as a part of the system with the portable urinal 1 to allow the acceptable use of the portable urinal 1 in situations where the user 17 may have to urinate in an otherwise inconvenient location or at an otherwise inconvenient time. It is not currently feasible for a person to urinate in a location where other people may be present. It is also not currently feasible for a person to urinate in a location that may be used by other people but where a standard toilet is not accessible. There is not current way for a person to urinate in such locations without causing one or more of: obtrusive odors, unsanitary conditions, risk of spilling of bodily fluids, risk of splashing of bodily fluids, and visual exposure that may be considered inappropriate. The features of the portable urinal 1 are preferably designed to allow urination in conditions for which there has been a long standing but unsatisfied need by addressing these issues. The system of the preferred embodiments may, however, be sold simply as a portable urinal 1 with no additional items. The system of the preferred embodiments may, however, be packaged or sold in any suitable manner and with any suitable items which assist in the intentional use of the device.
As shown in FIG. 7, the portable urinal 1 of the preferred embodiments preferably includes one or more of a mesh 15 and a sieve 15 mounted inside the cavity 5 of the receptacle 2. The one or more of a mesh 15 and a sieve 15 preferably breaks up a stream of urine to prevent the stream of urine from directly striking the inside of the receptacle 2 in a way that causes urine to splash back towards the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2. The one or more of a mesh 15 and a sieve 15 is preferably removably mounted inside the cavity 5 of the receptacle 2, allowing for cleaning. The one or more of a mesh 15 and a sieve 15 is preferably given a concave shape, with the concavity facing towards the wide opening 4 of the receptacle 2. The one or more of a mesh 15 and a sieve 15 may, however, be shaped in any suitable manner and may, however, be mounted to the receptacle 2 in any suitable way and in any suitable location. The system of the preferred embodiments may, however, not include one or more of a mesh 15 and a sieve.
The system of the preferred embodiments is preferably designed to overcome issues with prior art urinals so that the a user 17 can urinate in locations that may be used by other people. These issues can include one or more of: odors from the urinal, odors from urination, splashing of bodily fluids, spilling of bodily fluids, inappropriate visual exposure. Where inappropriate visual exposure can include but is not limited to one or more of the following: visual exposure of the user's body parts not accepted by societal norms, visual exposure of the user's body parts in violation of local laws, visual exposure of the portable urinal 1 device, visual exposure of the urination process, visual exposure of the user's body in ways that offends nearby individuals, visual exposure of the device in ways that offends nearby individuals, and visual exposure of the urination process in ways that offends nearby individuals. In a preferred variation, the device is designed to avoid all of the problems with prior art urinal devices at once, including inappropriate visual exposure, release of bodily fluids outside the portable urinal 1 device, and release of odors. The system of the preferred embodiments may, however, be used and designed for any suitable purpose and any suitable benefits.
The system of the preferred embodiments is preferably constructed of materials that avoid one or more issues including corrosion, odors from use, and creation of unsanitary conditions. Urine can be corrosive towards some materials, and preferably the materials the portable urinal 1 is constructed of avoid corrosion from urine. Exposure to urine can lead to odors from materials which one or more of: directly trap materials, allow the growth of bacteria, are chemically affected by urine resulting in odors. Exposure to urine can also cause unsanitary conditions in some materials. Preferably the system of the preferred embodiments is made of medical grade materials. preferably these medical grade materials address all of these issues. In a preferred variation the system of the preferred embodiments is made mostly from medical grade polymers selected to avoid these issues. The system of the preferred embodiments may, however, be made of any suitable materials.
The portable urinal 1 of the first preferred embodiments, wherein the releasable coupler 9 that releasably couples the container 6 and the tube 8 further includes a closure adapted to selectively seal the opening of the releasable coupler 9 when the tube 8 is removed from the coupler. In a preferred variation, a spring 14 loaded sealing closure 202 is slidably mounted inside the releasable coupler, and when the releasable coupler 9 is disconnected from attachment to one or more of the tube 8 and the mount attached to the container, the sliding closure is biased into a sealing position to close the coupler. The releasable coupler 9 may, however, include any suitable form of closure. The releasable coupler 9 may, however, include no closure.
The portable urinal 1 of the first preferred embodiments, wherein at least two guide collars 112 are attached to the container, wherein the at least two guide collars guide the motion of at least one control rod.
The portable urinal 1 of the first preferred embodiments, wherein the portable urinal 1 is adapted to be placed on a supporting surface below a user, wherein the receptacle 2 is adapted to be supported with the opening of the receptacle 2 facing upward, wherein the receptacle 2 is adapted to be supported with sufficient stability to prevent the receptacle 2 from being moved from its support position by a stream of urine, wherein the user 17 can urinate into the portable urinal 1 without holding the portable urinal 1 and without attaching the portable urinal 1 to the user's clothing and without attaching any component of the portable urinal 1 to the user's body.
The portable urinal 1 of the first preferred embodiments, further comprising a storage compartment 204 attached to the container, wherein the storage compartment is attached to the exterior of the container, wherein a movable lid 205 is attached to the container 6 and adapted to allow the storage compartment to be closed to contain items placed in the storage container.
The portable urinal 1 of the first preferred embodiments, wherein the releasable coupler 9 is attached to at least one of A) a cap removably attached to the container 105, and B) the wall of the container 6 near the top of the container 104.

2. Second Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a receptacle 101 of the second preferred embodiment. In a variation of the second preferred embodiment, there may be two or more variations of the receptacle. The receptacle s may be shaped according to female and male genitalia. In another variation, a receptacle for children may be smaller. In another variation, the receptacle may be designed for use with male, female and children users. It is structured according to the female and male genitalia, but preferably many of the design features of the receptacle are intended for acceptable use with the female anatomy.
The portable urinal 100 includes a receptacle 101, where the contour is shaped to accommodate both female and male genitalia. In one variation, the receptacle 101 is shaped in the front to fit a female user's genitals, with a rear portion rounded for male genitalia. The receptacle 101 may have a lid 121 and a receptacle 123. In a preferred variation, the receptacle body 123 is oval-shaped at its rim 123 b with an enclosed wall extending from the rim 123 b downward and converging to a neck 123 e. In a preferred variation, the receptacle 123 has enough space inside to fit a sieve 125. In another preferred variation, a rim projection 123 c at the base of the rim 123 b. The rim projection may be 123 c is curved out and bent downward to provide a snap-fit with the edge of the lid 121. A soft silicone polymer cushion 124 may be included in a preferred variation, where the soft silicone polymer cushion 124 follows the contour of the rim 123 b of the receptacle 123 and is firmly fixed to the rim 123 b. In a preferred variation, both the rim 123 b and the soft silicone polymer cushion 124 may be shaped according to the female genital. The lid 121 may be built according to the contour of the receptacle 123 and is preferably designed have a fluid tight closure with one or more of the receptacle 123 and the rim projection 123 c. In a preferred variation, the lid 121 may have a metal rod 121 a secured to the rear of the lid 121 at one side and a tube 123 a secured to the back of the receptacle 123 below the rim projection 123 c. When the rod 121 a slides inside the tube 123 a, there is also a one or more of a latch positioned at the other end of the tube 123 a, and a threaded nut that may be threaded onto the end of the rod, where the rod end has been threaded, to stop the rod 121 a from sliding out of the tube 123 a. Both the lid 121 and the receptacle 123 may have a female 123 d and male 121 d cam and catch structures for locking the lid to the receptacle. The fitting 123 e is designed to transfer urine collected at the receptacle 123 to the tube 102 and is couple to the cap 116 of the tube 102. The structure of the second preferred embodiment may, however, have any suitable construction and any suitable shape, and may include any suitable features as outlined in the first preferred embodiment.
In a preferred variation, to solve the problem of urine splash back and to allow female and male users to urinate with ease and comfort, a sieve 125 may be removably attached inside the receptacle. In a preferred variation, the sieve 125 may be a mesh screen made of stainless steel with its rim seated inside the midsection of the receptacle 123. The sieve 125 is designed to break up urine streams before they hit the inner wall. The sieve may, however, have any suitable construction. Alternatively there may be no sieve.
FIG. 2 illustrates the front perspective view of the tube 102. In a preferred variation, the cap 116 of the tube 102 connected to the fitting 123 e of the receptacle 123 and the fitting 117 of the tube 102 connected to the adapter 103 a of the tube 103 is designed to transfer urine collected at the receptacle 123 through the tube 102 to the tube 103. The tube may be made of medical grade polymer to ensure elasticity and smooth flow without being kinked, collapsible or backing up of urine flow. Both the cap 116 and the fitting 117 may be made of medical grade plastic. The cap 116 may have a rubber seal inside to stop leakage and emanation of odor. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
FIG. 3 illustrates an internal perspective view of the portable urinal 100. The portable urinal 100 disclosed herein comprises a receptacle 101, a tube 102, a tube 103, a container cap 105 and a flow control assembly 106. The receptacle 101 composed of the lid 121 and the receptacle 123 is designed to receive urine from a user. The cap 116 of the tube 102 is connected to the fitting 123 e of the receptacle 123 and its fitting 117 connected to the adapter 103 a of the tube 103 designed to transfer urine collected at the receptacle 123 to the tube 103. The tube 103 is designed to transfer urine from the tube 102 to the container 104. The cap 105 closing and opening the container 104 is designed to position the flow control assembly 106. The flow control assembly 106 comprises a wall support 111, guide support structures 112, a control rod 109 and a internally projecting tube 107. For the purpose of illustration only the internally projecting tube 107 is hereafter called a internally projecting tube 107. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The container cap 105 is round and large enough to house an adapter 103 a of the tube 103, a guide support 112 which is part of the top of the container cap 105 and the flow control assembly 106. The container cap 105 has threads to open and close the container 104. The container cap 105 has, some protruding edges for a good grip for easy closing and opening. The container cap 105 has a rubber seal inside to stop leakage and emanation of odor. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The tube 103 may be positioned outside the guide support 112 on the container cap 105. It has the adapter 103 a sealedly positioned on the container cap 105 at one end and connected to a small circular cross section of the internally projecting tube 107 at the other. The adapter 103 a may be connected to the fitting 117 of the tube 102 designed to transfer urine from the tube 102 to the tube 103. To stop emanation of odor or urine in the container 104 from getting out a protective fitting may be designed to seal the adapter 103 a of the tube 103. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The flow control assembly 106 comprises guide supports 112, a wall 111, a control rod 109 and a internally projecting tube 107, called a internally projecting tube 107. The flow control assembly 106 controls the operation of the portable urinal 100. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
There may be a plurality of guide supports 112. The first guide support 112 mentioned here is part of the top of the container cap 105. The guide support 112 has, a round shape and has, a circular cross section for the control rod 109 to pass through. The guide support 112 has sufficient space for the wall 111 to be positioned on. The circular cross section of the guide support 112, the base of the round housing 106 a and the internally projecting tube 107 are the same. The base of the round housing 106 a, the top open end of the internally projecting tube 107 are sealed with the outer circular edge of the circular cross section of the guide support 112. The guide support 112 positions the control rod 109 and provides a guide way for the control rod 109 to traverse in a vertical direction. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The wall 111 may be sealedly seated between the inner circular edge of the circular cross section and the outer circular edge of the guide support 112 designed to facilitate the working of the control rod 109. On the upper flat top of the wall 111 may be positioned, a button 110 which may be connected to a latch 110 a. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The circular cross section of another guide support 112 may be of the same dimension with that of the guide support 112 just mentioned above. The circular cross sections of the two guide supports 112 are perfectly aligned. One open end of this guide support 112 may be sealedly connected to the circular cross section of the other guide support 112. The control rod 109 passes through the other open end and the circular cross section of the guide support 112. The guide support 112 also sealedly connected to the wall 111 without any interference with the vertical motion of the control rod 109 may be also designed to position the control rod 109 and to provide a guide way for the control rod 109 to traverse in a vertical direction. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The control rod 109 can be in a number of shapes and forms. But for the purpose of illustration only the control rod 109 may be, round and small in size. Its length is roughly from the top of the wall 111 to the edge of the bottom open end of the internally projecting tube 107 which is called the internally projecting tube 107, positioned within the guide supports 112, the internally projecting tube 107 and in front of the wall 111 having a switch rod 119, a switch button 119 a, a latch 110 b and a bent-out rod 109 a. The control rod 109 is supported by the wall 111 and the guide supports 112. A small portion at the top of the control rod 109 is curved downward to help the latch 110 a to have an easy engagement with the upper edge of a lock 110 b positioned behind the top portion of the control rod 109 for a locking mode. The switch button 119 a positioned outside the internally projecting tube opening 106 b is connected to the switch rod 119 which is connected to the control rod 109 and extends a little bit beyond the internally projecting tube opening 106 b. The switch button 119 a is installed and designed to operate the apparatus. The lock 110 b has a decent depth and perfectly aligned with the latch 110 a for a smooth locking engagement. Both ends of the small bent-out rod 109 a are sealedly connected to the bottom end of the control rod 109. A substantially sufficient weight is built into the control rod 109 in such a way that the control rod 109 has the adequate weight needed to pull down the control rod 109 as well as open the cap 108 of the bottom open end of the internally projecting tube 107 called the internally projecting tube 107 at the same time once the control rod 109 is automatically released vie the button. The addition of the substantially sufficient weight is designed to achieve an automated mode of operation. The control rod 109 is designed to drop down or pull up and contact the cap 108 to open and close the bottom open end of the internally projecting tube 107 when the control rod 109 is automatically released by a push button 110 or manually operated by the user to transfer urine from the receptacle 101 to the container 104 and to stop urine in the container 104 from getting out. The control rod 109 helps the flow control assembly 106 to control the operation of the apparatus 100. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The round housing 106 a with its base sealedly connected to the outer circular edge of the circular cross section of the guide support 112 which is part of the top of the container cap covers a portion of the flow control assembly 106 on the container cap 105 except the button 110 and is exposed with, a internally projecting tube opening 106 b of the round housing 106 a. At the low end of the internally projecting tube opening 106 b the switch rod 119 rests upon the guide support 112. This indicates the apparatus 100 is in use. At the high end of the internally projecting tube opening 106 b the switch rod 119 stops. This indicates the apparatus 100 is not in use. The drop distance of the switch rod 119 from the high end to the low end of the internally projecting tube opening 106 b is called the predefined limit indicating a drop allowance limit for the control rod to drop resulting in a substantially sufficient width of the opening by the cap 108. Inside and toward the top of the round housing 106 a there is built in a structure to gradually move the top of the control rod 109 from the low end to the high end of the internally projecting tube opening 106 b where the top of the control rod 109 barely touches the front of the wall 111, which helps the latch 110 a to engage with the lock 110 b easily. This structure does not interfere in any way with the control rod 109 dropping down once automatically released by the button 110. From the high end this internally projecting tube opening 106 b goes straight down, not curved accordingly with the contour of the round housing 106 a and bent out to meet the contour of the base of the round housing 106 a. The base of the round housing 106 a has threads for the circular protective cap to be screwed onto to cover tight the round housing 106 a to prevent an accidental opening and water or cleaning solutions from getting inside the flow control assembly 106 during the cleaning process. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The internally projecting tube 107 may be in any shapes and forms. The internally projecting tube 107 is positioned beneath the container cap 105 with its top open end sealed with the outer circular edge of the circular cross section of the guide support 112 houses, a small circular cross section connected to one end of the tube 103, an rubber seal 115, a guide support 112, and a cap 108. The internally projecting tube 107 serves as a urine pathway designed to transfer urine from the tube 103 to the container 104. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The rubber seal 115 wraps around the lower part of the control rod 109 near the guide support 112 at one end and around the circular cross section of the guide support 112 at the other in a fluid tight enclosure. The rubber seal 115 provides sealing between the lower part of the control rod 109 and the guide support 112, thus preventing leakage of urine in the container 104 through the circular cross section of the guide support 112. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The guide support 112 inside the internally projecting tube 107 called the internally projecting tube 107 has a circular cross perfectly aligned with the circular cross section of the guide support 112 above it in the same dimension with two rods on both sides of its circular cross section connected to the inner wall of the internally projecting tube 107. This guide support 112 also positions the control rod 109 and provides a guide way for the control rod 109 to traverse in a vertical direction. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The cap 108 of the internally projecting tube 107 may be secured by a hinge at one outside edge of the bottom open end of the internally projecting tube 107. The control rod 109 may be in contact communication with the cap 108 to open and close the bottom open end of the internally projecting tube 107 automatically via the button 110 or manually operated by the user to transfer urine from the receptacle 101 to the container 104 and to stop leakage from the container 104. There may be a rubber seal on the inner surface of the cap 108 for a fluid tight with the bottom open end of the internally projecting tube 107 to prevent urine in the container 104 from getting inside the circular hosing 107. There may be a bent-out rod 108 a at the center area of the inner surface of the cap 108. This rod has one end sealed to the inner surface of the center area and the other end may be open. This open end may be designed to interlock with the bent-out rod 109 a with both of its ends sealedly connected to the bottom end of the control rod 109. As soon as this open end may be interlocked with the bent-out rod 109 a this open end may be pushed into a slot of the cap 108 with a notch inside the slot to lock it. When the cap 108 may be closed fluid tight with the bottom open end of the internally projecting tube 107 both bent-out rods 108 a and 109 a hold together tight and are interlocked. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
FIG. 4A illustrates the side view of the flow control assembly 106 and the storage compartment 129 and FIG. 4B illustrates the side view of the compact model in a closed state. With reference to the detailed description of FIG. 3, the flow control assembly 106 may be positioned through the container cap 105 and its corresponding detailed description. The container 129 partly hidden below the container shoulder has a rack 131 for the urine transmission tube 102 to wrap around and a molded slot 131 a for the receptacle 101 to be seated. This may be the compact model for women and men including children. It may be sized and designed to hold urine for a day's use. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The portable urinal 100 has a roughly half round cover 104 a on top and a partly half round on the surface and partly rectangular in the background at the bottom. For the circular face, the edge and the front are rounded smoothly and uniformly from top to bottom, from edge to edge and from edge to the center of the depth except a small portion cut off at the bottom. Therefore the actual depth may be reduced to a smaller size. This makes the portable urinal 100 looks somewhat smaller without sacrificing its operation and volume holding. There are two rims along the edges of the circular portions at the lower part of the container 104. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
There are two plastic hinges firmly secured to the back of the cover 104 a and the upper edges of the container 104. Also there are one half ring horizontally embedded behind the top portion of the container 104 for hanging or holding. There are also two half rings embedded on both top ends of the shoulders of the container 104 on both sides. In front of the portable urinal 100 there may be a lock 104 b in the middle with a plastic covered metal bar secured to the front of the cover 104 a and a hook positioned on the front of the container 104 just below the plastic covered metal bar. When the hook engages firmly with the plastic covered metal bar and may be pulled down the cover 104 a and the container 104 are in a locking mode. Both the plastic covered metal bar and the hook are inside the lock 104 b. The container 104 has a volume marking 128 to alert the user when may be the good time to drain out the urine. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the cover 126. In an embodiment, the portable urinal 100 further comprises a cover 126 designed to be wound around the user's waist to protect the user's privacy when the user excretes urine into the receptacle 123. In an embodiment, the cover 126 comprises two openings for the user to access the receptacle 123. The outside cover 126 may be made of fabric with an elastic band sewn behind its waistband whose ends have strings 127 to be tied around the torso. There may be also a set of ties half way down along the cover edges for an extra tie in case of strong winds. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of the pouch 132. The pouch 132 may be made of material including nylon. The portable urinal 100 may be positioned inside the pouch 132. The pouch 132 has a rectangular bottom 133 with two flap toppers 133 a embodying the portable urinal 100. On both sides of the pouch 132, there are two stretchable and durable net pockets to store the cover 126, the adjustable strap 135 and other accessories including small bottles or packets of sanitizer. On both top ends of the pouch 132, there may be a ring element 134 on each side for a removable and adjustable strap 135 to hook onto for carrying. The portable urinal 100 provides with only one set of the trap 135 used for both the pouch 132 and the container 104. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The portable urinal 100 does not require the user to hold it nor attach it to any part of the user's cloth or body. It works best if the user positions its urine container 104 at a reasonable lower level, at least 2 or 3 feet below the user's genital for urine to flow steadily and smoothly without backing up. The user need not hold the container 104 nor the container 104 attached to the user's clothing. As long as the urine container 104 may be in a reasonably lower position than the user's genitals, the user can use the portable urinal 100 no matter what positions, standing, squatting, sitting or even lying or how close the urine stream may be to the inner wall of the receptacle 123 as long as the urine streams are inside the sieve 125. At a shorter distance but still below the user's genital the user must manipulate the tube 102 to prevent backing up of the urine. The lid 121 of the receptacle 101 as mentioned above may be removable. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
In order to use the portable urinal 100, all its components must be connected properly. First the container cap 105 may be closed to the container 104. Then the fitting 123 e of the receptacle 123 may be connected to the cap 116 of the tube 102, the fitting 117 of the tube 102 connected to the adapter 103 a of the tube 103. After the user puts on an outside cover 126, the container 104 may be left on a surface, the ground below the user's genital at least 2 or 3 feet and the receptacle 101 may be opened. By activation of the button 110 the latch 110 a may be disengaged from its locking position. The control rod 109 drops down automatically and at the same time opens the cap 108 of the internally projecting tube 107 called the internally projecting tube 107. At this time the male user can urinate into the receptacle 123. However the female user can remove the lid 121, positions the receptacle 123 inside her underwear or slides her underwear to one side and applies the receptacle 123 to her genitals then takes time to urinate into the receptacle 123. With the sieve 125 there may be no urine splash back. After urination, the receptacle 123 may be closed with its lid 121. The switch button 119 a of the switch rod 119 may be pulled up to close the internally projecting tube 107 and the tube 102 may be wrapped up. The receptacle 101 may be then placed in the molded slot 131 a and the outside cover 126 may be placed in the side pocket of the pouch 132. Then the user can clean their hands with sanitizer. When filled the container 104 of the portable urinal 100 may be emptied and it may be ready for use. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
When the need to use the portable urinal 100 is over, the user may put on a pair of medical gloves, and separate the receptacle 101 from the tube 102, the tube 102 from the adapter 103 a of the tube 103 and opens the lid 121 from the receptacle 123. The user then activates the button 110 to open the cap 108 of the internally projecting tube 107 called the internally projecting tube 107 and the circular protective cap may be screwed on to seal the round housing 106 a from water and cleaning solution and remove the container cap 105. The outside cover 126 may be removed for laundry wash. Then the urine may be drained into the toilet bowl. All the components of the portable urinal 100 are rinsed really well with water first. Then they are submerged in a pan of warm water mixed with such disinfecting and deodorizing cleaning solutions, as OdoBan©, Lysol© or bleach for half an hour. A bottle sponge or brush may be used to clean inside the container 104. Then all the components of the portable urinal 100 are rinsed really well with water again, allowed to dry and stored for next use. These structures may, however, have any suitable design and coupling, and may be made of any suitable materials as shown in the first preferred embodiment.
The cleaning of the portable urinal 100 may be a very important routine in using the apparatus 100. The cleaning process is preferably started immediately after a day's use of the portable urinal 100. Decaying urine can cause corrosion and embed odor into the materials used to produce the portable urinal 100. Therefore, the cleaning process should not be delayed for more than 24 hours. The portable urinal may, however, be cleaned in any suitable manner or not at all. In an alternative embodiment the portable urinal may be made of antimicrobial, hydrophobic materials that do not require cleaning.
The portable urinal 1 of the first preferred embodiments, wherein a control rod is coupled to the closure and adapted to allow the user 17 to control the closure, wherein a weight 201 is attached to the control rod, such that the control rod moves automatically and opens the closure to the container 6 when the tube 8 is coupled to the container.
The portable urinal 1 of the first preferred embodiments, further comprising a stop 203 attached to at least one of the container 6 and the closure, wherein the stop prevents the movement of the closure beyond a given range of movement, wherein the stop is adapted to allow the closure to open sufficiently to allow easy passage of a flow rate of fluid 16 consistent with a stream of urine.
The second preferred embodiment is not intended to conflict with, nor be read as identical to the first preferred embodiment. The second preferred embodiment is intended to be enabling, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detailed description and from the figures and claims, modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention defined in the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1) A portable urinal, wherein a receptacle shaped to accommodate at least one of a) male genitals and b) female genitals has a wide opening with an internal cavity shaped to converge towards a coupling, wherein a tube is coupled to the coupling, wherein the tube is releasably coupled to a container, wherein the container further comprises at least one of 1) a moving seal and 2) a cap, wherein the container is capable of being selectively sealed, wherein the container can be sealed when separated from the tube.

2) The portable urinal of claim 1, wherein the rim of the receptacle is protected by an elastomeric material.

3) The portable urinal of claim 2, wherein the elastomeric material is a silicone polymer.

4) The portable urinal of claim 1, wherein there is a lid releasably coupled to the wide opening of the receptacle.

5) The portable urinal of claim 4, wherein the lid is adapted to pivot open and is further adapted to be separated entirely from the receptacle.

6) The portable urinal of claim 3, wherein there is a lid releasably coupled to the wide opening of the receptacle.

7) The portable urinal of claim 1, wherein a closure is moveably mounted near the opening of the container and adapted to move into a sealing position against the opening of the container when the container is separated from the tube.

8) The portable urinal of claim 7, wherein when a user pushes a button to disconnect the container from the tube, a spring coupled to the closure moves and seals the closure against the opening of the container.

9) The portable urinal of claim 2, wherein a closure is moveably mounted near the opening of the container and adapted to move into a sealing position against the opening of the container when the container is separated from the tube.

10) The portable urinal of claim 9, wherein when a user pushes a button to disconnect the container from the tube, a spring coupled to the closure moves and seals the closure against the opening of the container.

11) The portable urinal of claim 6, wherein a closure is moveably mounted near the opening of the container and adapted to move into a sealing position against the opening of the container when the container is separated from the tube.

12) The portable urinal of claim 11, wherein when a user pushes a button to disconnect the container from the tube, a spring coupled to the closure moves and seals the closure against the opening of the container.

13) The portable urinal of claim 9, wherein the portable urinal is sold as a system, wherein the system includes a privacy garment that covers the use of the portable urinal in locations where other people may be present.

14) The portable urinal of claim 1, wherein at least one of A) a sieve, and B) a mesh is placed inside the receptacle cavity.

15) The portable urinal of claim 2, wherein at least one of A) a sieve, and B) a mesh is placed inside the receptacle cavity.

16) The portable urinal of claim 6, wherein at least one of A) a sieve, and B) a mesh is placed inside the receptacle cavity.

17) The portable urinal of claim 11, wherein at least one of A) a sieve, and B) a mesh is placed inside the receptacle cavity.

18) The portable urinal of claim 17, wherein the portable urinal is adapted for use in locations where other people may use the same location without significant risk of creating at least one of the following conditions which may prevent the use of a portable urinal in such locations: 1) odor, 2) spillage of bodily fluids, 3) splashing of bodily fluids, and 4) inappropriate visual exposure.

19) The portable urinal of claim 11, wherein the portable urinal is adapted for use in locations where other people may use the same location without significant risk of creating any of the following conditions which may prevent the use of a portable urinal in such locations: 1) odor, 2) escape from the portable urinal of bodily fluids, and 3) inappropriate visual exposure.

20) The portable urinal of claim 19, wherein the portable urinal is sold as a system, wherein the system includes a privacy garment that covers the use of the portable urinal in locations where other people may be present.

21) The portable urinal of claim 6, wherein the releasable coupler that releasably couples the container and the tube further comprises a closure adapted to selectively seal the opening of the releasable coupler when the tube is removed from the coupler.

22) The portable urinal of claim 7, wherein a control rod is coupled to the closure and adapted to allow the user to control the closure, wherein a weight is attached to the control rod, such that the control rod moves automatically and opens the closure to the container when the tube is coupled to the container.

23) The portable urinal of claim 8, further comprising a stop attached to at least one of the container and the closure, wherein the stop prevents the movement of the closure beyond a given range of movement, wherein the stop is adapted to allow the closure to open sufficiently to allow easy passage of a flow rate of fluid consistent with a stream of urine.

24) The portable urinal of claim 8, wherein the portable urinal is adapted to be placed on a supporting surface below a user, wherein the receptacle is adapted to be supported with the opening of the receptacle facing upward, wherein the receptacle is adapted to be supported with sufficient stability to prevent the receptacle from being moved from its support position by a stream of urine, wherein the user can urinate into the portable urinal without holding the portable urinal and without attaching the portable urinal to the user's clothing and without attaching any component of the portable urinal to the user's body.

25) The portable urinal of claim 22, wherein at least two guide collars are attached to the container, wherein the at least two guide collars guide the motion of at least one control rod.

26) The portable urinal of claim 25, further comprising a storage compartment attached to the container, wherein the storage compartment is attached to the exterior of the container, wherein a movable lid is attached to the container and adapted to allow the storage compartment to be closed to contain items placed in the storage container.

27) The portable urinal of claim 8, wherein the releasable coupler is attached to at least one of A) a cap removably attached to the container, and B) the wall of the container near the top of the container.