NEW AGE P SYSTEMS

Abstract

A portable urine collection and disposal system having a removable disposable female saddle-funnel, a removable disposable male saddle-funnel, a drain tube, and a collection container designed for use by non-ambulatory individuals. The device may be used in an upright position or in a reclining position. The saddle-funnel is disposable and constructed of low-cost and lightweight plastic comprising a rolled upper edge for comfort and having an elliptical center oval opening such that it conforms to the genital region for sealing. The upper end of a flexible 3 foot drain tube comprises a hook-handle for hooking the assembled saddle-funnel and drain tube to a bed rail to be reachable by a user. The collection container has a height less than the width or length so as to remain upright when placed on a floor and comprises a handle on its top side for carrying and emptying.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/430,342, filed Jan. 6, 2011 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of portable urinals and more specifically relates to a portable urine collection and disposal system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In modern society, a significant portion of any population experiences some level of disability. It has been estimated by the United Nations that the world contains approximately 650 million individuals with disabilities, with over 100 million of these experiencing moderate to severe disability. In the United States, Americans with disabilities constitute the third-largest minority and according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census as of 2004, there were some 32 million disabled adults aged 18 or over in the United States, plus another 5 million children and youth under age 18. If one were to add impairments—or limitations that fall short of being disabilities—Census estimates put the figure at 51 million. Life for these individuals is challenging respective of their particular impairments.

A handicapped individual may have difficulty in relieving themselves. The simple act of finding a public restroom can take considerably longer or at times may seem impossible altogether for the handicapped. Many handicapped persons have their mobility limited to the point that they are bedridden without the help of another human being. The function of urinating can be humiliating, or at least take a colossal effort on the part of the disabled person as well as any individual assisting the person with a disability. A bedridden person does not always have a caregiver present when the need to urinate arises. No presently available system allows a user to be in any of a standing, seated, or reclining position to use. An improvement in portable urinal system art is needed.

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,655,229; 6,021,531; 6,723,078; 6,908,441; 5,285,532; and 3,082,434. This prior art is representative of portable urinals. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Ideally, a portable urinal should be user-friendly and, yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable portable urine collection and disposal system to provide convenience and ease of use to non-ambulatory users and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known portable urinal art, the present invention provides a novel portable urine collection and disposal system entitled ‘New Age “P” Systems’. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a handicapped or non-ambulatory user a convenient portable urinal system usable from virtually any position.

A portable urine collection and disposal system is disclosed herein preferably comprising a removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprising at least a (saddle) top side and a (saddle) bottom side, a removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprising at least a top side and a bottom side, a drain tube comprising a first end and a second end, and a collection container (preferably functioning in the capacity of a liftable jug.) The top side of the removable disposable female saddle-funnel and the top side of the removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprise a genitalia region conforming profile with a rolled edge for comfort.

The top side of the removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprises a cup-shape and a center oval opening of about 3½″ by about 5½″ and the top side of removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprises a cup-shape and a center oval opening of about 3½″ by about 3½″. The collection container comprises at least one vent hole (preferably two) to avoid pressurizing and to provide ventilation.

The top side of the removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprises an upwardly-contoured cup-shape and a center oval opening of about 3½″ by about 3½″, different from the female version such that it better serves to function with the male anatomy. The removable disposable male saddle-funnel and removable disposable female saddle-funnel further comprise a conical inner volume with a funneled flow channel having an egress spout located at the lowermost portion of the funneled flow channel such that urine may flow downwardly towards the egress spout when used.

The first end of the drain tube is removably coupleable to the egress spout of the removable disposable male saddle-funnel or the egress spout of the removable disposable female saddle-funnel which preferably comprises a threaded compression coupling; the egress spout of the removable disposable male saddle-funnel or the egress spout of the removable disposable female saddle-funnel may be push-insertable into the compression coupling of the first end of the drain tube. The removable disposable female saddle-funnel and the removable disposable male saddle-funnel are interchangeable for use by females and males respectively. The first end of the drain tube comprises a downwardly angled hook-handle such that a non-ambulatory user may hook the removable disposable male saddle-funnel or removable disposable female saddle-funnel coupled with first end of drain tube to a bed frame within reach of a non-ambulatory user. The hook is also useful for holding the device securely while in use.

The drain tube is preferably transparent, flexible, and about 3 feet long (such that the container may be placed on the floor and a user may be on a bed or other) and comprises a flexible pipe which is removably coupleable via second end of drain tube to the collection container. The second end of the drain tube comprises a first threaded portion about an inner periphery of the drain tube and the collection container comprises a second threaded portion about an outer periphery of the ingress spout of the collection container. The collection container is preferably plastic and comprises a handle for easy carrying and emptying. The second end of the drain tube and the ingress spout of the collection container are removably coupleable via the first threaded portion of the second end of the drain tube and second threaded portion of the ingress spout of the collection container. The collection container comprises a height shorter than the length or the width such that the collection container may remain in an upright position when placed on a floor and not easily be upset. The portable urine collection and disposal system is conformable to a male or a female genital region using a removable disposable male saddle-funnel or a removable disposable female saddle-funnel such that the portable urine collection and disposal system is usable to catch, collect and store urine from a user during at least one urination interval.

The portable urine collection and disposal system may comprise a kit having: at least one removable disposable female saddle-funnel having an egress spout; at least one removable disposable male saddle-funnel having an egress spout; a drain tube; a collection container; and a set of user instructions.

A method of using a portable urine collection and disposal system as described herein may comprise the steps of: assembling a removable disposable female saddle-funnel or a removable disposable male saddle-funnel to a drain tube and the drain tube to a collection container; remotely catching, collecting and storing urine from a user during at least one urination interval (male and/or female); disposing of stored urine; disassembling the portable urine collection and disposal system; cleaning the portable urine collection and disposal system; and storing the portable urine collection and disposal system.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a portable urine collection and disposal system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, portable urine collection and disposal system, entitled, “New Age “P” Systems”, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an assembled-for-use condition of a portable urine collection and disposal system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a male and a female funnel-saddle of the portable urine collection and disposal system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a drain tube (as assembled) with a collection container of the portable urine collection and disposal system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the collection container of the portable urine collection and disposal system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use of the portable urine collection and disposal system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable urinal device and more particularly to a portable urine collection and disposal system 100 as used to improve the convenience of urinating for sick or handicapped persons.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view illustrating an assembled-for-use condition of portable urine collection and disposal system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Portable urine collection and disposal system 100 preferably comprises removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 comprising at least (saddle) top side 112 and (saddle) bottom side 114 (so as to differentiate from top side and bottom side of male version), removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 comprising at least top side 122 and bottom side 124, drain tube 130 comprising first end 132 and second end 134, and collection container 140. Collection container 140 may comprise ventilation means such as provided by vent hole(s) 190 (to equalize pressure between the inside and the outside/ambient), also shown in FIG. 4. Vent hole(s) 190 may be on a raised portion or on a portion of collection container 140 suitably located to minimize any potential for spillage.

Saddle top side comprises top side 112 in female versions (so as to differentiate from top side of male version) of removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 and top side 122 of removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 comprise a genitalia region conforming profile having conical inner volume 150 with funneled flow channel 160 with egress spout 170. The egress spout 170 is preferably located at the lowermost portion of funneled flow channel 160 such that urine may flow downwardly towards egress spout 170 when used (via funneled flow channel 160.) First end 132 of drain tube 130 is removably coupleable to egress spout 170 of removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 and removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 which are interchangeable for use by females and males respectively.

Drain tube 130 comprises flexible pipe 135 and is removably coupleable via second end 134 of drain tube 130 to collection container 140. Portable urine collection and disposal system 100 is conformable to a male or a female genital region using removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 or the removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 such that portable urine collection and disposal system 100 is usable to catch, collect and remotely store urine from a user during at least one urination interval. In this way the present invention serves to reduce messy spillages and remotely contain urine in a way such that the urine contents do not create undesirable odors for the user(s).

Referring now to FIG. 2 showing a perspective view illustrating removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 and removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 of portable urine collection and disposal system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

Removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 and removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 comprise plastic within preferred embodiments however may comprise other suitable materials in alternate embodiments. Top side 122 of removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 comprises an upwardly-contoured cup-shape and center oval opening 126 of about 3½″ by about 3½″ whereas top side 112 of removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 comprises a cup-shape and a center oval opening 116 of about 3½″ by about 5½″. Top side 122 of removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 and top side 112 of removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 comprise rolled edge(s) 180. Removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 and removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 may comprise a venting means adjacent an upper-front-most portion in preferred embodiments (not shown.)

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating drain tube 130 of portable urine collection and disposal system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

First end 132 of drain tube 130 may comprise threaded compression coupling 199 and egress spout 170 for attachment to removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 or egress spout 170 of removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 and is push-insertable into threaded compression coupling 199 of first end 132 of drain tube 130. Drain tube 130 is preferably transparent and is made of suitably flexible material such as rubber or the like. First end 132 of drain tube 130 comprises a downwardly angled hook-handle 200 such that a non-ambulatory user may hook removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 or removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 coupled with first end 132 of drain tube 130 to a bed frame within reach of a non-ambulatory user. Downwardly angled hook-handle 200 may also serve to provide a convenient hand-hold means for user or attending personnel. Drain tube 130 is about 3 feet long such that the user can remain in bed during in-use periods, but may be longer or shorter in certain embodiments. Second end 134 of drain tube 130 may comprise first threaded portion 136 about an inner periphery 138 of drain tube 130.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a perspective view illustrating collection container 140 of portable urine collection and disposal system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

Collection container 140 preferably comprises second threaded portion 142 about outer periphery 212 of ingress spout 210. Second end 134 of drain tube 130 and ingress spout 210 of collection container 140 are removably coupleable via first threaded portion 136 of second end 134 of drain tube 130 and second threaded portion 142 of ingress spout 210 of collection container 140. Collection container 140 is plastic in preferred embodiments (cost-effective in manufacture and provides suitable in-use durability) and comprises handle 144 for carrying, and to facilitate emptying. Collection container 140 comprises a height shorter than a length and/or a width such that collection container 140 will remain in a substantially stable upright position when placed on a floor (to avoid spillage or accidentally being kicked over.)

Portable urine collection and disposal system 100 may be sold as kit 450 comprising the following parts: at least one removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 having egress spout 170; at least one removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 having egress spout 170; at least one drain tube 130; at least one collection container 140; and at least one set of user instructions. Portable urine collection and disposal system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating method of use 500 of portable urine collection and disposal system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

Method of use 500 for a portable urine collection and disposal system 100 preferably comprises the steps of: step 501 assembling removable disposable female saddle-funnel 110 or a removable disposable male saddle-funnel 120 to drain tube 130 and drain tube 130 to a collection container 140; step 502 catching, collecting and storing urine from a user during at least one urination interval; step 503 disposing of stored urine; step 504 disassembling portable urine collection and disposal system 100; step 505 cleaning portable urine collection and disposal system 100; and step 506 storing portable urine collection and disposal system 100 for a future use.

It should be noted that step 506 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method 500.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A portable urine collection and disposal system comprising:

a removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprising at least a saddle top side and a saddle bottom side;

a removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprising at least a top side and a bottom side;

a drain tube comprising: a first end; and a second end; and

a collection container;

wherein said saddle top side of said removable disposable female saddle-funnel and said top side of said removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprise a genitalia region conforming profile;

wherein said removable disposable male saddle-funnel and said removable disposable female saddle-funnel further comprise a substantially conical inner volume with a funneled flow channel having an egress spout, said egress spout located at a lowermost portion of said funneled flow channel wherein urine may flow downwardly towards said egress spout when used via said funneled flow channel;

wherein said first end of said drain tube is removably coupleable to said egress spout;

wherein said removable disposable female saddle-funnel and said removable disposable male saddle-funnel are interchangeable for use by females and males respectively;

wherein said drain tube comprises a flexible pipe and is removably coupleable via said second end of said drain tube to said collection container; and

wherein said portable urine collection and disposal system is conformable to a male or a female genital region using said removable disposable male saddle-funnel or said removable disposable female saddle-funnel such that said portable urine collection and disposal system is usable to catch, collect and store said urine from a user during at least one urination interval.

2. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 1 wherein said removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprises plastic.

3. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 1 wherein said removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprises plastic.

4. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 2 wherein said top side of said removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprises an upwardly-contoured cup-shape and a center oval opening of about 3½″ by about 3½″.

5. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 3 wherein said saddle top side of said removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprises a cup-shape and a center oval opening of about 3½″ by about 5½″.

6. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 2 wherein said top side of said removable disposable male saddle-funnel and said saddle top side of said removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprise a rolled edge.

7. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 1 wherein said first end of said drain tube comprises a threaded compression coupling and wherein said egress spout of said removable disposable male saddle-funnel or said egress spout of said removable disposable female saddle-funnel is push-insertable into said compression coupling of said first end of said drain tube.

8. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 7 wherein said first end of said drain tube comprises a downwardly angled hook-handle such that a non-ambulatory user may hook said first end of said drain tube to a bed frame within reach of said non-ambulatory user.

9. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 1 wherein said drain tube is transparent.

10. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 9 wherein said drain tube is flexible.

11. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 9 wherein said drain tube is about 3 feet long.

12. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 1 wherein said second end of said drain tube comprises a first threaded portion about an inner periphery of said drain tube.

13. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 1 wherein said collection container comprises a second threaded portion about an outer periphery of an ingress spout.

14. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 1 wherein said second end of said drain tube and said ingress spout of said collection container are removably coupleable via said first threaded portion of said second end of said drain tube and said second threaded portion of said ingress spout of said collection container.

15. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 1 wherein said collection container comprises a handle and is plastic.

16. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 15 wherein said collection container comprises a height shorter than a length or a width such that said collection container will remain in an upright position when placed on a floor.

17. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 1 wherein said collection container comprises a plurality of vent holes to provide ventilation.

18. A portable urine collection and disposal system comprising:

a removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprising at least a saddle top side and a saddle bottom side;

a removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprising at least a top side and a bottom side;

a drain tube comprising: a first end; and a second end; and

a collection container;

wherein said saddle top side of said removable disposable female saddle-funnel and said top side of said removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprise a genitalia region conforming profile;

wherein said saddle top side of said removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprises a cup-shape and a center oval opening of about 3½″ by about 5½″;

wherein said top side of said removable disposable male saddle-funnel and said saddle top side of said removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprise a rolled edge;

wherein said collection container comprises two vent holes;

wherein said removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprises plastic;

wherein said removable disposable female saddle-funnel comprises plastic;

wherein said top side of said removable disposable male saddle-funnel comprises an upwardly-contoured cup-shape and a center oval opening of about 3½″ by about 3½″

wherein said removable disposable male saddle-funnel and said removable disposable female saddle-funnel further comprise a conical inner volume with a funneled flow channel having an egress spout, said egress spout located at a lowermost portion of said funneled flow channel wherein urine may flow downwardly towards said egress spout when used via said funneled flow channel;

wherein said first end of said drain tube is removably coupleable to said egress spout;

wherein said first end of said drain tube comprises a threaded compression coupling and wherein said egress spout of said removable disposable male saddle-funnel or said egress spout of said removable disposable female saddle-funnel is push-insertable into said compression coupling of said first end of said drain tube;

wherein said removable disposable female saddle-funnel and said removable disposable male saddle-funnel are interchangeable for use by females and males respectively;

wherein said first end of said drain tube comprises a downwardly angled hook-handle such that a non-ambulatory user may hook said removable disposable male saddle-funnel or said removable disposable female saddle-funnel coupled with said first end of said drain tube to a bed frame within reach of said non-ambulatory user;

wherein said drain tube is transparent;

wherein said drain tube is flexible;

wherein said drain tube is about 3 feet long;

wherein said drain tube comprises a flexible pipe and is removably coupleable via said second end of said drain tube to said collection container;

wherein said second end of said drain tube comprises a first threaded portion about an inner periphery of said drain tube;

wherein said collection container comprises a second threaded portion about an outer periphery of an ingress spout;

wherein said collection container comprises a handle and is plastic;

wherein said second end of said drain tube and said ingress spout of said collection container are removably coupleable via said first threaded portion of said second end of said drain tube and said second threaded portion of said ingress spout of said collection container;

wherein said collection container comprises a height shorter than a length or a width such that said collection container will remain in an upright position when placed on a floor; and

wherein said portable urine collection and disposal system is conformable to a male or a female genital region using said removable disposable male saddle-funnel or said removable disposable female saddle-funnel such that said portable urine collection and disposal system is usable to catch, collect and store said urine from a user during at least one urination interval.

19. The portable urine collection and disposal system of claim 18 comprising a kit having:

at least one said removable disposable female saddle-funnel having said egress spout;

at least one said removable disposable male saddle-funnel having said egress spout;

said drain tube;

said collection container; and

a set of user instructions.

20. A method of using a portable urine collection and disposal system comprising the steps of:

assembling a removable disposable female saddle-funnel or a removable disposable male saddle-funnel to a drain tube and said drain tube to a collection container;

catching, collecting and storing urine from a user during at least one urination interval;

disposing of said stored urine;

disassembling said portable urine collection and disposal system;

cleaning said portable urine collection and disposal system; and

storing said portable urine collection and disposal system.