Portable bodily waste collection container

Abstract

A container for use in a vehicle, for the collection of bodily waste. The container is intended for use when a restroom is not available, and can be used by adults and children, male or female. The container is sturdy enough to support the weight of an adult during use, and is shaped to provide comfort during use. The container includes handles that can be used to assist a child to maintain balance during use, if necessary. The handles are also used to transport the container when not in use. The container also has a lid with a latch on one end, to contain odor and prevent spills. Except for the hinge, which is metal, the container is composed of plastic, allowing for a lightweight design and ease of cleaning.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable toilets, and more specifically, toilets which can be used in a moving vehicle. Portable waste collection devices are common and come in many different configurations. The most basic type of device, the diaper, has been adapted for both children and adults, the latter for the most part being elderly, bedridden, or incontinent. These are, of course, useful, but require immediate changing after use to avoid becoming uncomfortable to the wearer.

Urine collection devices also exist to obtain specimens from the user for medical purposes. Other types of urine collection devices are tube-like containers that are attached directly to the body of the user, who will then be able to use the device, as the need arises, during the course of the day. These devices are most often used by hunters and fishers. Collapsible commodes, many of them disposable, have been designed for campers.

While these devices are helpful, many of them require assembly and disassembly, which may inhibit proper use. Most of these devices are also not suitable for children. They also have not been configured with the intent of being used by a variety of family members in an automobile during a prolonged trip. The present invention is intended to provide a waste collection device which is simple, requires no assembly, can be used by the whole family, can be used and stored in an automobile, and is easy to clean and reuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first purpose of the invention is to provide a container for the collection of bodily wastes, which could be used in an automobile by male and females of all ages.

The second purpose of the invention is for this container to be proportioned in its height and width in such a manner as to be resistant to tipping over while in a moving automobile.

The third purpose of the invention is for the container to be formed in such a manner that it is round, with the walls of the container tapering outward gradually, until the top of the container forms a slight curve, providing comfort for the passenger during use.

The fourth purpose of the invention is for the container to have handles on either side, which can be used by a passenger to maintain balance during use. The handles can be used by a child, whose body might be too small to sit naturally on the container, and who would therefore need to straddle the container. The handles will allow them to balance themselves on the container during use.

The fifth purpose of the invention is for the previously mentioned handles to be used to transport the container when it is not in use. The handles will allow the passenger to hold the container firmly, without dropping it. It will also allow a passenger to hold the container away from the body while emptying out the contents of the container after use.

The sixth purpose of the invention is for the container to include a lid, which is also round, which will completely cover the opening of the container. This lid, when closed, will be able to prevent the spread of odor from the container after use, and will also assist in preventing spillage.

The seventh purpose of the invention is for the previously mentioned lid to be attached to the container by means of a hinge, which will allow for the lid to be raised or lowered on the container as needed. Since the lid is connected to the container, there is also no chance that it will be separated from the container and lost.

The eighth purpose of the invention is for the previously mentioned lid to have a built-in latch on the edge of the lid directly opposite to the hinge. This latch will have the effect of locking the container shut when the lid is lowered, thereby increasing the spill-resistance of the container.

The ninth purpose of the invention is to make the container and lid out of durable plastic, which will make the container lightweight, while also being sturdy enough to support the weight of a passenger during use. It will also be easy to clean, as the contents can be emptied out and the container rinsed clean.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1. FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention.

2. FIG. 2 is the same view of the invention as FIG. 1, with the lid not illustrated.

3. FIG. 3 is a top view of the lid, with the container not illustrated.

4. FIG. 4 is a detail of the lid's hinge.

5. FIG. 5 is a front view of the invention, with the lid opened to its maximum extent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of the invention. The container 10 can be seen to be completely round, with the container walls tapering outward gradually and then curving outward at the top of the container 10. This feature allows a passenger to be seated comfortably on the container 10 during use. The inside portion of the bottom of the container 10 is shown with dotted lines. The container 10 is wide enough at the bottom to also resist tipping over during use, or when in a moving automobile. The handles 20 are conveniently located on either side of the container 10 to allow for easy transport of the container 10. The lid 30 on the top of the container 10 traps odor and prevents spillage after use. The lid 30 is raised and lowered by means of a hinge 40 which is connected to the container 10. This hinge 40 will allow the lid 30 to open to a width where the lid 30 is parallel to the opening of the container 10. In this illustration, the lid 30 is only partially open. The lid 30 also contains a latch 50 which is located on the lid 30 directly opposite to the hinge 40. The latch 50 snaps down onto the container 10, making the container 10 spill-resistant, and also trapping odors after use. The container 10 is large enough to be used by adults and children, but is small enough to be stored easily inside an automobile.

2. FIG. 2 shows the same view of the invention, with the lid 30 not illustrated. This figure shows gives an unobstructed view of the top of the container 10, showing that the curved portion 10B of the top of the container 10, which is formed in such a manner as to provide comfort to the passenger during use. The bottom portion 10A is shown with dotted lines.

3. FIG. 3 shows a top view of the lid 30. On one side of the lid 30 is the hinge 40, with hinge plate 40A connected to the lid 30, and the other hinge plate 40B connected to the container 10. In this illustration, the container 10 is not shown. The two hinge plates are connected by hinge pin 40C. On the other side of the lid 30, directly opposite from the hinge 40, is a latch 50, which is built into the lid 30, and is used to securely fasten the lid 30 to the container 10.

4. FIG. 4 shows a detail of the hinge 40. The hinge plate 40A, which connects to the lid 30, and the other hinge plate 40B, which connects to the container 10, are connected together by the hinge pin 40C. The lid 30 and container 10 are not shown in this illustration. The hinge allows the lid 30 to open widely enough that the top of the container 10 will be completely uncovered. In this manner, the lid 30 will be positioned in such a way that it will not be an impediment to the use of the container 10.

5. FIG. 5 shows a front view of the container 10, this time with the lid 30 opened to its full capacity, allowing the top of the container 10 to be completely uncovered. The hinge 40 is fastened securely onto the container 10 and the lid 30, ensuring that it does not come loose after continued use. The lid 30 is also lightweight, which prevents the hinge 40 from breaking when the lid is opened. The latch 50 can snap down on the container 10 as soon as the lid 30 is closed. The handles 20 are located on the container 10 so that they are easily accessible whether the lid 30 is open or closed. The hinge 40 also allows the lid to be opened in such a way that, when the container 10 is emptied, none of the contents will spill on the lid 30. This also allows all areas of the container 10 and lid 30 to be accessible for easy cleaning.

While the invention has been particularly described and illustrated with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the illustration.

Claims

1. A portable waste collection container for use in a vehicle, comprising essentially:

2. A plastic container which allows for the collection of bodily wastes, which can be used by both genders of adults and children;

3. The container as defined in claim 2, which is circular in shape, with walls that taper out gradually to the upper edge, which then slightly curves outward, allowing for comfort during use by a passenger;

4. The container as defined in claim 2, which further contains two handles on either side, which can be held by a passenger while seated on the container to aid in maintaining balance;

5. The container as defined in claim 2, the handles of which can further be used to carry the container when it is not is use;

6. The container as defined in claim 2, which further contains a lid which completely covers the top of the container, the purpose of the lid being to contain odor inside the container after use, and also to prevent spillage;

7. The container as defined in claim 2, the lid of which is connected to the container by means of a metal hinge, allowing the lid to be raised during use and lowered after use, and also preventing the separation of the lid from the container;

8. The container as defined in claim 2, the lid of which further contains a built-in latch on the edge directly opposite to the hinge, the purpose of the latch being to provide additional protection against spillage;

9. The container as defined in claim 2, the height and width of which is formed in such a manner as to prevent the container from tipping over while the container is in a moving vehicle;

10. The container as defined in claim 2, which is constructed in a manner to support the weight of an adult during use;

11. The container as defined in claim 2, which is reusable, as it can be rinsed clean.