FLUSHABLE URINARY DEVICE FOR DIRECTING URINE INTO A TOILET FROM A STANDING USER
Flushable urinary device for directing urine into a toilet from a standing user comprises a flushable funnel. The funnel helps prevent urine-splatter on and around the toilet and improves hygiene. The user holds the funnel at his or her urethra and directs urine into the toilet. Then, the user drops the used funnel into the toilet and flushes the toilet. The funnel, made of flushable and bio-degradable material, disintegrates in the sewer system. The material is configured to retain its substantial strength and shape temporarily when wetted. The funnel has tail or lip adjacent one of its ends to help hold the funnel. The funnel may be of different suitable shapes, sizes and materials. An apparatus, placed on water tank of a toilet, contains a supply of the funnels for users. The apparatus also stores extra flushable funnels and toilet paper rolls.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/368,208, filed on 2012 Feb. 7, and claims priority benefit thereof. This application claims priority benefits of the National Phase applications provided in form PTO/AIA/14 (12-13).
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNone
SEQUENCE LISTINGNone
BACKGROUND1. Field
This application relates to a flushable urinary device for preventing urine-splatter on and around a toilet during urination from a standing user of the toilet.
2. Prior Art
The usage of urinals is a known method to urinate in most public restrooms. However, most residences and many commercial places do not offer the convenience of urinals. Therefore, toilets designed to receive human waste from a sitting position are also used for directing urine stream from a standing position. In the process, however, urine splatters on and around the toilet, no matter how careful the users may be. Many women, out of no choice, direct urine into a toilet from standing position to avoid germs and the mess on the toilet seats in public restrooms of airports, theaters etc. The urine splatter results in a non-hygienic condition and requires additional cleaning on and around the toilet. There is a solution needed for this problem.
Several attempts have been made in the past to combine a urinal and a toilet. U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,449 issued to Aguirre (2002) disclosed a toilet assembly in combination with a urinal. Most existing bathrooms do not have the extra space required to add a urinal. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,230 issued to Corbin (1997), and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,412,408 and 3,500,480 issued to Michal (1968 and 1970 respectively), urinal attachments for toilets were presented. These urinal attachments require skilled personnel to install them. They incur extra expenses and inconveniences. Other prior art devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,822,419; 4,137,579; 4,180,875; and 4,750,219. There are female urinary devices also designed for use from a standing position. U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,225 issued to Beck et al provides a non-flushable female urinary device. All these prior art devices for urinary use of toilets are not flushable. Also, they have not solved the problem of urine splatter to any degree of satisfaction. A pressing need exists in the art for a practical, effective and affordable prevention of urine-splatter. The present invention is very affordable, hygienic and is a simple solution to prevent urine splatter on and around the toilets. The deficiencies associated with the prior arts and conventional urinals are not present with the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA flushable urinary device for directing urine into a toilet from a standing user comprises a flushable funnel. The funnel has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passage between the two ends. The inlet end is adapted to register with the outlet of urethra of the user. The outlet end is adapted to direct urine into the toilet. A plurality of walls forms a passage between the inlet end and the outlet end of the funnel. Urine is directed from the standing user into the inlet end of the funnel, flows through the passage and exits the funnel through the outlet end and flows into the toilet. The funnel is made of a bio-degradable material configured to retain its substantial strength and shape temporarily when wetted. The funnel includes at least one bendable tail portion adjacent a portion of one of the ends. The tail portion forms a handle to be grasped by the user. The funnel has transitory surface water repellency to at least one surface of the funnel without impairing the ability of the funnel to be disposed of by flushing. The funnel material may have a minimum wet strength resin selected from a group comprising melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, and a neutral cure wet strength material. The funnel may be tapered between the inlet end and the outlet end. The funnel may be part of a nested stack of the funnels. The nested stack may be placed on a cardboard core. There may be a protrusion forming a lip extending outwardly and around one of the ends of the funnel around the plurality of walls. The lip is configured to hold the funnel in place. The funnel may have the inlet end as the same size as the outlet end. An apparatus is provided for supply of the funnels for the user. The apparatus stores extra funnels and toilet rolls. The apparatus has at least one fastening device on its exterior for attaching the apparatus to water tank of the toilet.
A method for directing urine into a toilet from a standing user comprises the step of providing a supply of the flushable funnels. Each of the funnels has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passage between the two ends. The inlet end is adapted to register with outlet of urethra of the user. The outlet end is adapted to direct urine into the toilet. A plurality of flushable paper walls forms a passage between the inlet end and the outlet end. Urine is directed from the standing user into the inlet end, flows through the passage and exits the funnel through the outlet end and flows into the toilet. The funnel is made of a flushable and bio-degradable material configured to retain its substantial strength and shape temporarily when wetted. The method steps further comprises removing a funnel from the supply of funnels and suspending the funnel relative to the toilet to provide a path for urine from the standing user into the toilet. Then, urine is directed into the suspended funnel to channel the urine into the toilet. The suspended funnel is then released allowing the funnel to drop into the toilet. Flushing the toilet flushes away the dropped funnel. The funnel may be suspended by a tail portion. The funnel may be suspended by a protrusion that forms a lip extending outwardly and around one of the ends of the funnel. The funnel may be suspended by deploying a movable arm. The movable arm will be returned to a stored position after urination.
Thus, the flushable funnel is a novel, unique and very useful device to prevent urine-splatter on and around a toilet. The device is very affordable compared to alternatives like traditional urinals.
The splatter-preventing flushable urinary device alleviates deficiencies of prior arts and provides further benefits including:
-
- (a) Prevents urine splatter on and around a toilet.
- (b) Keeps the toilet more clean and hygienic.
- (c) Reduces splashing and embarrassing sounds of urine stream.
- (d) Easy to place and easy to use.
- (e) Requires no additional floor space or plumbing work.
- (f) Reduces use of toxic cleaning chemicals.
The embodiments may be best described by reference to the drawings. Disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. As disclosed in Applicant's prior application Ser. No. 13/368,208, the flushable funnel may be of different suitable shapes and sizes including, but not limited to, square, round, oval, rectangular, or polygon. The funnel may be made in suitable lengths to suit different sizes of toilets. The different suitable shapes and sizes signifies that the walls of the flushable funnel may be flat, curved, tapered upward or tapered downward. The tapered funnels may be stacked in nested stacks. Tubular shaped funnels may be stacked in regular stacks. As illustrated in
The materials of the flushable funnel may be compounds or papers having a wet strength and temporary water repellency while retaining the property of being flushable. The funnel retains its substantial strength and shape temporarily when wetted. Such papers can be manufactured. For example, an invention in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,171 presented a paper product suitable for applications requiring wet strength and water repellency while retaining the property of being flushable. The invention in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,171 may be used in its entirety for manufacturing the flushable funnels. The invention in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,171 is directed to a coating composition for application to a flushable cellulosic based waterleaf sheet to impart transitory water repellency to at least one surface of the sheet. The funnel paper may have temporary wet strength resin, such as melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, or a neutral cure wet strength material. Furthermore, the funnel may be strong enough to withstand force of a urine stream from a user. The funnel may be moderately slippery so that it may slide out easily from a stack of the funnels placed around a cardboard core. Different methods may be used to manufacture the funnels.
Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting factor. They are merely as a basis for the claims and as representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. The splatter-preventing flushable urinary device for directing urine into a toilet from a standing user provides a more reliable, simple and economical hygienic device. The device may be used by a wide range of people, male and female. The device and the method for directing urine into a toilet from a standing user facilitate urinal function without installing a traditional urinal which requires extra plumbing.
The elements described here can be duplicated or eliminated, changed in size and made in different shapes and colors. They can be connected or associated with adjacent elements in a different manner. They can be made integrally or separately, i.e. modular or in sections. While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification thereof. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims
1. A flushable urinary device for directing urine into a toilet from a standing user, the toilet having an aperture for receiving human waste, comprising:
- a flushable funnel having an inlet end adapted to register with outlet of urethra of the user, an outlet end adapted to direct urine into the aperture, and a plurality of walls forming a passage between said inlet end and said outlet end; wherein urine is directed from the standing user into said inlet end, flows through said passage and exits said funnel through said outlet end and flows into the aperture; wherein said funnel is made of flushable and bio-degradable material configured to retain its substantial strength and shape temporarily when wetted.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said funnel includes at least one bendable tail portion extending outwardly adjacent a portion of one of the ends; wherein said bendable tail portion forms a handle for being grasped by a user.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said funnel having transitory surface water repellency to at least one surface of said funnel without impairing the ability of said funnel to be disposed of by flushing.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said funnel material further comprising a minimum wet strength resin selected from a group comprising melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, and a neutral cure wet strength material.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the funnel is tapered between the inlet end and the outlet end.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the funnel is part of a nested stack of the funnels.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein the nested stack is placed on a core.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein a protrusion that forms a lip extending outwardly and around one of the ends of the funnel around said plurality of walls; said lip being configured to hold said funnel in place.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the inlet end is same size as the outlet end.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising an apparatus having a dispenser for supply of the funnels and a storage section for extra supplies.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said apparatus having at least one fastening device on exterior of said apparatus for attaching said apparatus to an object.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said apparatus is placed water tank of a toilet.
13. A method for directing urine into a toilet from a standing user of the toilet, the toilet having an aperture for receiving human waste, comprising:
- providing a supply of flushable funnels, each of said funnels comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a plurality of walls forming a passage between said inlet end and said outlet end; wherein urine is directed from a standing user into said inlet end, flows through said passage and exits said funnel through said outlet end and flows into the toilet aperture; wherein said funnel is made of flushable, bio-degradable material configured to retain its substantial strength and shape temporarily when wetted;
- removing a flushable funnel from the supply of flushable funnels;
- suspending the flushable funnel relative to the toilet aperture to provide a path for urine from a standing user to the toilet aperture;
- directing urine into the suspended funnel to channel the urine into the toilet aperture;
- releasing the suspended funnel and allowing the funnel to drop into the toilet aperture; and
- flushing the toilet aperture to flush away the dropped funnel.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of suspending the funnel comprises suspending the funnel by a tail portion.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of suspending the funnel comprises suspending the funnel by a protrusion that forms a lip extending outwardly and around the larger end of the funnel.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of suspending the funnel above the toilet aperture comprises deploying a movable arm; the method further comprising returning the movable arm to a stored position after finishing urination into the suspended funnel to channel the urine into the toilet aperture.
17. A means for directing urine into a toilet from a standing user, the toilet having an aperture for receiving human waste, comprising:
- a flushable and biodegradable urine funneling means configured to retain its substantial strength and shape temporarily when wetted.
18. The funneling means of claim 17 includes at least one bendable tail portion adjacent a portion of one of the ends of said funneling means; wherein said tail portion forms a handle for being grasped by a user.
19. The funneling means of claim 17 includes a protrusion that forms a lip extending outwardly and around one of the ends of said funneling means; said lip being configured to hold said funnel in place.
20. The funneling means of claim 17, wherein said means having transitory surface water repellency to at least one surface of said funneling means without impairing the ability of said funneling means to be disposed of by flushing.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 22, 2014
Publication Date: Feb 5, 2015
Inventor: MAHENDRA NAGINDAS MEHTA (FORT WORTH, TX)
Application Number: 14/492,323
International Classification: E03D 13/00 (20060101); E03D 11/02 (20060101);