Patent Application
20200038230
The invention concerns tubes extending from funnels, for example, for aiding with female urination.
Men often urinate in a standing position specifically when camping, traveling, at festivals, on long car journeys, or any kind of outdoor pursuit where the toilet facilities are absent or filthy. Women face challenges distinct from men when urinating in a standing position because unlike men, they have less control over the direction of their urine stream. Of particular concern is the capture of lateral urine spray in the direction of the coronal body plane. There is clearly a need for a device which addresses the challenges faced by women in this regard.
The invention concerns a funnel having a tube extending therefrom. In one example embodiment the tube comprises an inlet end and an outlet end. The funnel comprises a collar surrounding a bore defining a coaxial flow axis. The collar is adapted to receive the inlet end of the tube. A plurality of lobes are attached to the collar. The lobes define a surface surrounding and facing the flow axis. A first and a second one of the lobes are positioned on one side of the flow axis. A third and a fourth one of the lobes are positioned on an opposite side of the flow axis. The span of the lobes, measured along a first line oriented perpendicular to the flow axis, is greater than the span of the lobes measured along a second line perpendicular to the first line and the flow axis.
As an example, each of the lobes has a curved perimeter. In an example, each of the lobes has a curvature extending circumferentially about the flow axis. As an example, each of the lobes has a curvature extending between a perimeter of each lobe and the collar.
In an example, the funnel further comprises a handle attached to at least one of the lobes. The handle is positioned along the greater span of the lobes. In a particular example, the handle comprises a tab oriented transversely to the flow axis and projecting away therefrom.
As an example, the tube is tapered. In a particular example, the tube comprises an outlet diameter and an inlet diameter, the outlet diameter being less than the inlet diameter.
As an example, the tube is curved about a center of curvature. In a particular example, the center of curvature is located in a plane defined by the first line and the flow axis. In another particular example, the center of curvature is located in a plane defined by the second line and the flow axis. In a particular example, the center of curvature is located in a plane defined by a third line and the flow axis. The third line is oriented transversely to the first and second lines.
In an example, the inlet end comprises first screw threads, and the collar comprises second screw threads. The second screw threads are compatible with the first screw threads. Engagement between the first and second screw threads attaches the inlet end to the collar. In a particular example, the first screw threads are male screw threads and the second screw threads are female. In another example, the first screw threads are female screw threads and the second screw threads are male.
As an example, the collar and the inlet end are attached in an interference fit. In a particular example, an outer surface of the inlet end engages a surface of the collar facing the flow axis. In another example, an outer surface of the collar engages an inner surface of the inlet end.
As shown in
The collar 112 and the inlet end 202 may be attached in an interference fit, as shown in
A plurality of lobes, in this example four lobes 124, 126, 128 and 130, are attached to the collar 112, as shown in
Each lobe 124, 126, 128 and 130 may have a curved perimeter 146, and each lobe may also have a compound curvature, i.e., each lobe may have a curvature 148 extending circumferentially about the flow axis 116, and each lobe may have a curvature 150 extending from a perimeter 146 of the lobe to the collar 112.
As shown in
An example embodiment of tube 200 is shown in
Example embodiments of the funnel with various orientations of the center of curvature 216 are shown in
Example funnel 110 according to the invention is advantageously made of polymers such as polypropylene. Such materials permit an inexpensive and light weight design appropriate for one time use and disposal. In particular, when the funnels are made of polypropylene it permits them to be folded into a smaller size for economical packaging. Alternatively, funnel 110 may be reusable and may be made of metal, and other polymers that are not disposable.
The advantage of the lobed design of funnel 110 resides in its laterally extended shape which is expected to better capture lateral spray of a urine stream from the female urethra. In use, the handle 152 in funnel 110 is held between the thumb and index finger, the funnel is positioned between the legs of the user and the surface 123 is positioned beneath the urethra. When held in this manner the second and fourth lobes 126 and 130 face the posterior and the laterally extended shape of the funnel 110 afforded by the first, and third lobes 124, and 128 aligns appropriately to effectively capture lateral spray. Alternatively, in the absence of a handle, the surface opposite to surface 132 may be cupped by the fingers of the user to hold the funnel 110 in position.
This application is a continuation in part of and claims priority to application Ser. No. 15/612,160, filed Jun. 2, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15612160 | Jun 2017 | US |
| Child | 16600386 | US |
