US3547123A

US3547123A - Urine receptacle

Info

Publication number: US3547123A
Application number: US696208A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis Sachs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-01-08
Filing date: 1968-01-08
Publication date: 1970-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 1987-12-15
Also published as: FR1598717A; GB1245191A; JPS4822959B1; DE1815038A1

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Louis Sachs ll Slade Ave., Baltimore, Md. [21] Appl. No. 696,208 [22] Filed Jan. 8, 1968 [45] Patented Dec. 15, 1970 [54] URINE RECEPTACLE 8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 128/295 [51] Int. Cl A61f5/44 [50] Field of Search 128/286,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,739,595 3/1956 Huggins 128/295 2,937,645 5/1960 Sachs 128/295 3,292,626 12/1966 Schneider 128/295 3,403,410 10/1968 Benzel et a1. 128/295 Primary ExaminerCharles F. Rosenbaum AtlorneyCushman, Darby & Cushman ABSTRACT: A disposable urine receptacle with adhesive fastening strips is carried in the pocket of a supporting garment. The urine receptacle comprises superposed sheets of thin flexible, waterproof material sealed together along their edges to define a receptacle portion anda narrow inlet valve portion. The terminal of the valve portion curves away from the receptacle portion and has a bowed transverse cross section which causes the abutting free ends of the valve portion to flatten so that urine cannot reenter the valve portion from the receptacle portion. The supporting garment comprises a pair of reversible shorts with a pocket extending from the lower end of the vertical closing on the front of the shorts, A tab is provided adjacent the upper end of the closing which can be secured to the shorts in their normal or reversed state to form a loop which prevents the fastening strips of the urine receptacle from being secured to the wearer in the more sensitive lower region of the abdomen.

I I PATENTED am 51970 sum m 3 T'TORNIJYS PATENTEDDECISIQIB $541123 sum 2 or 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS PATENTED mm mm $541,123

SHEET 3 UF 3 W m (/5 as 76 75 W @490 INVENTOR Locals 5 d 051 ATTORNEY} URINE RECEPTACLE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to urinals and, more particularly, to an improvement in my urine receptacle disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,937,645, issued May 24, 1960, and a supporting garment for carrying the improved urine receptacle.

The present invention is designed generally for use with male bed patients. For hygienic reasons, it is highly advantageous to have a receptacle which can perform its intended function effectively and be produced economically enough to permit disposal of the same after one use if desired. In addition, it is desirable to have a urine receptacle which is supported in such a manner that the wearer is comfortable and has great freedom of movement with the receptacle in place.

The improved urine receptacle and supporting garment of the present invention which combine to efficiently perform the above-mentioned functions are briefly described as follows. The urine receptacle comprises a pair of superposed sheets of thin, flexible, waterproof material shaped to define a receptacle portion and a narrow inlet valve portion integral with a receptacle portion and extending into the receptacle portion. The receptacle portion has dried, cellulose material therein for dispersing fluids within the receptacle. The sealed lateral edges of the terminal portion of the inlet valve are heat sealed in such a manner that the terminal portion of the valve is both curved outwardly or inwardly toward one of the sidewalls of the receptacle and bowed in transverse cross section thereby causing the free ends of the valve portion to flat ten in abutting relationship so that urine within the receptacle portion cannot reenter the valve portion.

A reversible supporting garment is provided with a normally outside pocket extending diagonally downwardly from the lower terminal portion of the front vertical closing. The pocket opens adjacent the closing so that a portion of the urine receptacle can pass through the closing to be fitted onto the wearer and the pocket is provided with a closing extending along one side which facilitates the insertion or removal of the urine receptacle from the pocket. The waist band adjacent the upper end of the closing is provided with a cloth strip or band which can be secured to inside or outside of the supporting garment depending on whether the garment is being worn in the normal manner or reversed with the inside out. When its free end is secured to the garment, theband forms a loop through which adhesive strips, for securing the valve portion of the urine receptacle to the wearer extend so as not to come into contact with the more sensitive regions of the lower abdomen.

, It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a urinal of the type described which may be economically produced as as to permit disposal after a single use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a urinal of the type described which embodies an improved integral inlet check valve of simple construction operable to permit ready entry of urine into the receptacle portion of the urinal, but effective to prevent passage of urine out of the receptacle portion.

A further object of the present invention is to provide the receptacle portion of the urinal with a cellulose mat so that the fluid within the receptacle portion of the urinal is evenly distributed throughout thereby alleviating the uncomfortable feeling of weight against the wearer. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a supporting garment having a pocket therein with means for permitting easy insertion or removal of the urinal from the garment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view substantially along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a front view of the urinal after assembly;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the urinal after assembly taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view, from above, of the supporting garment of the present invention showing the upper portion of the pocket;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, from above, of a rear portion of the supporting garment showing the lower portion of the pocket;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from above illustrating the inside front portion of the garment with the valve portion of a urinal projecting from the pocket of the garment;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view from above illustrating the garment when reversed;

FIG. 10 is a view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 6 with the garment in its normal state;

FIG. 11 is a view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9 with the garment reversed; and

FIG. 12 is a partial view of a garment in perspective showing a modified form of the supporting garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to FIGS. 1 through 5 which show the improved urinal generally indicated at 20, the urinal is adapted to be worn by bed patients and comprises a pair of superposed sheets of thin, flexible,

waterproof material

22 and 24. Preferably polyethylene sheets are utilized; however, it will be understood that other plastics, rubber or other suitable materials maybe employed if desired. Polyethylene is preferred due to its low costand the readiness with which it may be heat sealed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the two superposed

sheets

22 and 24 are cut into substantially trapezoidal configurations with the longitudinal side edges of the sheets being fused or otherwise secured together to form

marginal edges

26 and 28 of the A still further object of the present invention is to provide a urinal. The enlarged end of the superposed sheets is formed into a receptacle 30 of the urinal; while the smaller end of the superposed sheets is formed into an inlet check valve 32.

In sealing the longitudinal edges of the

sheets

22, 24 to form

marginal edges

26 and 28 of the urinal, the

edge portions

34 and 36 of the receptacle 30 and the inlet valve 32, respectively, are sealed in different ways. .The edge portions 34 of the receptacle 30 are preferably joined by fusing the edges of the sheets together with the heat applied to the edges being insufficient to cause substantial shrinkage of the sheets along edge portions 34. The edge portions 36 of inlet valve 32 are also preferably fused together. However, sufficient heat is applied to edges 36 during fusion to cause the heated edges to shrink and crinkle thereby causing the terminal end of the inlet valve to curl or turn, as shown in FIG. 2, and assume a somewhat bowed shape in transverse section as shown in FIG. 3'. This bowing causes the

free ends

38, 40 of the inlet valve intermediate the sealed

marginal edges

26, and 28 to flatten with respect to each other so that the free ends of the sheets abut thereby preventing fluid from reentering the valve portion of the urinal after it has entered the receptacle. With the above arrangement, urine passing through the inlet valve 32, when a patient relieves himself, forces the

free ends

38, 40 of the valve momentarily apart allowing the urine to flow into the receptacle. However, as soon as the urine leaves the valve and the internal pressure on the

free ends

38, 40 ceases, the free ends resume their normal abutting relationship.

It is to be understood that while the trapezoidal shape is preferred due to its simplicity, other configurations of the urinal 20 can be adopted. Likewise the two

sheets

22, 24 need not be initially separate but can be formed from a single sheet folded over. In such a case, the fold line is slit at the inlet valve end and constitutes a line of securement between the two sheets produced. The slit at the inlet valve end of the fold line enables the valve to be fused at both edges so that the terminal portion of the valve can be curled-and bowed to insure a proper seal.

As discussed above, a-portion of

sheets

22 and 24 adjacent the lower terminal edge thereof constitutes a valve inlet portion 32 while the remainder constitutes a receptacle portion 30. After the urinal has been formed into the condition illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the receptacle portion 30 is turned inside out with respect to the vaLve inlet portion 32 so as to embrace the latter as shown in H65. 4 and '5. Since the inlet valve 32'is curled, the free end of the valve faces

sidewall

22 or 24 rather than extending toward the lower end of the receptacle 30. The directing of the free end of the inlet valve toward a sidewall, in addition to the bowing of the inlet valve 32, helps to prevent the seepage of urine back into the inlet valve 32.

Next,a semirigid pad 42 of dried and compressed cellulose material which absorbs a great amount of watery fluid is in- 'serted into thereceptacle portion'30 and the

free ends

44, 46 of .the receptacle portion are fused or otherwise secured together along a marginal edge 48 so as to enclose the receptacle portion. With the cellulose pad 42-.within the receptacle "portion, the accumulation of urine in the bottom of the urinal is prevented since the cellulose pad disperses the fluid throughout the receptacle portion 30. With the weight of the irrine in the receptacle evenly distributed throughout the receptacle, by means of pad 42, the sensation of weight experienced by the wearers of receptacles without such inserts is eliminated. Also, the movement of fluid within the receptacle is'impeded by pad 42 so that the fluid does not splash about within the receptacle during movement.

' To complete the urinal, a suitable polyethylene strap or tab 59 is secured to one end of marginal edge 48 of the receptacle for reasons as will be explained hereinafter. In addition, a pair of

adhesive straps

54, 56 are adhesivelyor otherwise secured ,to the exterior surface of the urinalso as to provide a means for securing the same to the user. The adhesive surface of the straps is, of course, provided with a suitable overlay which is peeled off just prior to application of the straps to the user.

From the above, it can be seen that a highly effective urine receptacle has been provided which can be made in a relatively simple and highly economical manner. By making the inlet valve portion and the receptacle portion from integral sheets of polyethylene, many advantages are obtained. Primarily, this feature effects a substantial saving'in' the cost of making the article in that the step of fusing together two separately fabricated portions is eliminated. In addition, no such line of fusion or securement comes into contact with the user, since the juncture between the inlet valve portion 32 and receptacle iportion 30-is smooth and continuous. Moreover, the possibility of leakage of the juncture of the two portions is eliminated --with the integral construction. Furthermore, the integral construction renders the receptacle readily adjustable to fit the requirements of the particular user. .That is the length of the inlet valve portion can readily, be increased or decreased n'ierely by moving the same further into or out of the receptaportion. In this regard, the particulartrapezoidal shape rein the side edges converge toward the inlet valve free ends not only facilitates the turning inside out of the receptacle portion, but permits adjustment of the width of theinlet opening as well as the length of the length of the inlet.

n use, the receptacle portion of the urinal 20 is carried in pocket of thesupporting garment as will be explained hereinafter and the upper portion .of the urinal adjacentthe "rnlet valve portion is secured to the body of the wearer by adhesivestraps 54, 56 which are secured to the'body of the rer in'the area of the abdomen withthe penis disposed ith the channel provided by the inlet valve portion 32 of the ets. The free ends 38, 40 of theinlet valve portion are nor ly urged into abutting relation'due to the shrinking and ci inkling of the lower terminal portion of the valve inlet edges which both flattens

sheets

22,24 relative to each other intefmediate the edges and causesthe lower terminal portion of the inlet valve 32 tov c urve to,ward one of the sidewalls of the receptacle 30 rather than toward the lower portion of the -rie'ceptacle. Due tothis improvement, portion 32 of the urinal readily pass therebetween into the "receptacle portion 30 but prevents the passage of urine out of the receptacle portion once it has. been received therein. As-a result of this construction, the portion of the receptacle which contacts the user will remain substantially dry, thus creatinga more sanitary condition and preventing possible skin irritation due toa prolonged contact-of urine therewith. H I v FIGS. 6 through 11 show underwear or a supporting garment 70 designed to carry the-improved urinal 20 of the present invention. In the preferred' form, the supporting gar- -ment 70 comprises shorts having a vertical closing or fly 72 therein extending from the upper. peripheral edge or waistband 74 of the shorts to a point adjacent the crotch portion of the shorts. The closing 72 is provided with suitable fasteners 76 which normally secure the overlapping flaps 78, 80 of the closing together. A lower portion of normally outer flap 78 and a portion of the shorts adjacent the lower portion of flap 78 is removed thereby forming an aperture 82 through which inlet valve portion 32 of the urinal 20 passes when the urinal is being carried in pocket 84.

Pocket 84, which in the preferred form, is substantially trapezoidal in shape,- extends diagonally downwardly from the lower left side of the closing 72 and isformed by securing a piece of cloth 86 to the outside of the shorts 70. Cloth 86 is sewn or otherwise secured to the shorts 70 along upper and lower edges 88 and90and edge 92'. A portion'of the cloth 86 extends over aperture 82 forming a flap 94 that overlaps flap 80 of the shorts. With this arrangement, the pocket 84 has an opening extending vertically along the lower left side of the closing 72 in communication with aperture 82 of the shorts 70. The upper edge of pocket 84 is provided with a closing which extends for approximatelythree-quarters of the length of the edge from adjacent the bottom edge 92 of the pocket to-a point spaced from the opening of the pocket. C losing 100 is provided with a zipper 102 or other suitable fasteners with the zipper being arranged so that the pocket 84 can be opened along the upper edge 88 from the outside of the shorts to facilitate the insertion or removal of a urinal 20 from the pocket, A slit 104 approximately the width of the strap 50 .on the lower portion of the .urinal 20 is provided in the bottom of the pocket along edge 92 so that the urinal may be properly positioned in the pocket.-With the urinal 20 in place, the strap 50 extends through the slit 104 and the upper portion of the receptacle 30 and the inlet valve 32 of the urinal extends through the. opening of the pocket and aperture 82 so that the inlet valve portion 32 can be placed on the penis. Once the urinal has been put in position within the pocket, the closing 100 along the upper edge of the pocket can be closed and the urinal 20 will remain in place.

FIG. 9 illustrates the shorts 70 in a reversed condition which permits the wearing of the urinal 20 on the right side. While the male normally dresses such that the urinal 20 would be carried on the left side, occasionally the need arises to have the urinal worn on the right. As shown, the shorts of the present invention can be adapted by turning them inside out to meet this need,.should it arise, thereby eliminating the necessity of producing separate pairs of shorts for carrying the urinal on the left and the right. r

A band 110, as best shown in FIGS.'8, l0 and 11, approximately 3 inches wide and 9 inches long is provided adjacent the upper terminal end of the closing 72. The band has a first endwhich is sewn or otherwise secured to the inside of short 70 adjacent one side of the upper terminal end of the closing 72 and a free end which is provided with

snap fasteners

112, 114 thereon.

Snap fasteners

112, 114 cooperate with

complementary snap fasteners

116 and 118 located on the other side of closing 72. and laterally spaced from'the closing 72 whereby when the free end of-the band 110 is snapped in place, a loop is formed'by the band and the shorts. The loop forms a'passageuwhich extends upwardly from the region of the-penis to the upper peripheral edge of the shorts. With the inlet valve portion 32 of the urinal mounted on the penis. the

through the loop to the abdomen. The loop prevents the adhesive portions of the

straps

54, 56 from adhering to the more sensitive lower regions of the abdomen so that the wearer does not experience any unnecessary discomfort when utilizing the urinal and supporting garment of the present invention.

With the shorts worn as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, that is when the urinal is being carried on the left side,

snap fasteners

112 and 116 are secured together along with upper closing fasteners 76 to form the loop. With the shorts worn as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, that is when the urinal 20 is being carried on the right side,

snap fasteners

114 and 118 are secured together along withupper closing fasteners 76 to form the loop. However, in order for the upper closing fastener 76 to be utilized with the shorts 70 reversed, an aperture 120 is provided in band 110 to permit passage of the male element of the fastener through the band. Of course, if desired, an additional female element can be secured to band 110 rather than providing aperture 120. I

FIG. 12 illustrates a modified form of the invention 70' with primed reference characters used to designate portions of the supporting garment which are the same as those of the embodirnent illustrated in FIG. 6. The embodiment of FIG. 12 differs from that of FIG. 6 in that pocket 84' is formed by securing a piece of cloth 86' through the use of snap fasteners 122 along edges 88', 90 and 92', rather than sewing the cloth to the shorts and using a zipper. ln addition, a slot, spaced from the fly or vertical closing, can be provided in the shorts rather than utilizing an aperture at the lower portion of the vertical closing if desired.

While the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lclaim:

1. A urine receptacle and supporting garment: said urine receptacle comprising a pair of superposed sheets of thin, flexible, waterproof material shaped to define a receptacle portion and a narrow inlet valve portion, said receptacle portion having a tab at the bottom thereof and said inlet valve portion having a pair of adhesive strips secured thereto for adhesively securing the upper portion of the urine receptacle to the wearer; said garment comprising shorts with a vertical closing extending downwardly from the waistband, said closing being concealed by a fold of cloth extending over fasteners which secure the closing together, a pocket extending diagonally downwardly from a lower portion of said closing, said pocket having an opening extending along one side of said lower portion of said closing, said urine receptacle being received within said pocket with said receptacle portion being retained in said pocket and said inlet valve portion extending beyond said opening of said pocket.

2. ln the combination of claim 1: one side of the pocket having a closing extending there along to facilitate insertion of the urine receptacle within said pocket.

3. in the combination of claim 2: the pocket having an opening adjacent its lower terminal end through which the tab of the urine receptacle passes so that said urine receptacle can be properly positioned within said pocket.

4. in the combination of claim 1: a band being secured to the shorts adjacent one side of the vertical closing, said band being adjacent the upper end of said vertical closing, and said band having fastener means thereon adapted to secure a free end of said band to fastener means on'the other side of said closing thereby forming a loop through which the adhesive strips on the urine receptacle can pass so that said strips can be secured to the abdomen of the wearer without said adhesive strips coming into contact with the more sensitive lower regions of the abdomen. A

5. in the combination of claim 4: the band having an inner side and an outer side, said band having fastener means on each side which cooperate with fastener means on the inner and outer sides of the shorts to enable the loop to be formed with the garment in a normal state and with said garment turned inside out.

6. A supporting garment for a urine receptacle comprising:

underwear with a vertical closing extending downwardly from a waistband, a pocket extending diagonally downwardly from a lower portion of said vertical closing, said pocket having an opening extending along one side of said lower portion of said vertical closing, said opening communicating with an aperture located adjacent the lower portion of said vertical closing to permit an inlet valve portion of said urine receptacle to extend from the opening through the aperture, said pocket having a side closing extending along one side to facilitate insertion of said urine receptacle into said pocket.

7. In the supporting garment of claim 6: a band secured to the supporting garment adjacent one side of the vertical closing, said band having fastener means thereon adapted to secure a free end of said band to fastener means on the other side of said closing to form a loop through which adhesive strips on the urine receptacle can pass so that said strips can be secured to the abdomen of the wearer without said adhesive strips coming into contact with the more sensitive lower regions of the abdomen.

8. In the supporting garment of claim 7: the fastener means on said band cooperating with fastener means on the inner and outer sides of said supporting garmentto enable the loop to be formed with said garment in a normal state and with said garment turned inside out.