FIELD
The disclosure relates to a portable hygiene device and in particular to a portable hygiene device for outdoor use.
SUMMARY
In one embodiment, a portable hygiene device includes a flexible pouch having a first surface and an opposing second surface. An absorbent pad is coupled to the first surface of the flexible pouch. The flexible pouch is transitionable between a closed configuration, in which none of the second surface is exposed, at least a portion of the first surface is exposed, and the absorbent pad is not exposed; an operable configuration, in which the second surface forms a first interior space accessible through an opening, and the absorbent pad is exposed; and an inverted configuration, in which the first surface forms a second interior space and the absorbent pad is contained within the second interior space.
In another embodiment, a portable hygiene device for use in drying a urinary area includes a flexible pouch extending between an open end and a closed end and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. An absorbent pad is coupled to the first surface adjacent the closed end. The flexible pouch is movable between a folded configuration, in which the absorbent pad is not exposed; an operable configuration, in which the absorbent pad is exposed; an inverted configuration in which the first surface surrounds an interior space and the absorbent pad is positioned within the interior space; and a sealed configuration in which the absorbent pad is isolated from the second surface.
Further features, advantages and details of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable hygiene device according to one embodiment in a first, operable configuration.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in a second, inverted configuration.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration.
FIG. 4 illustrates first and second portable hygiene devices of FIG. 1 adjacent other contents of a pocket, including a United States quarter coin and tube of lip balm, for scale.
FIG. 5 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in a pocket of exemplary activewear of a user.
FIG. 6 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in one partially unfolded configuration.
FIG. 7 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in another partially unfolded configuration.
FIG. 8 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in another partially unfolded configuration.
FIG. 9 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in a fully open (unfolded and flattened) configuration.
FIG. 10 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 presenting an opening in the first configuration.
FIG. 11 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 with a user's hand received therein and in the first configuration.
FIG. 12 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in the first configuration prior to the user transitioning the device to the second, inverted configuration.
FIG. 13 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in a partially inverted configuration.
FIG. 14 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in another partially inverted configuration.
FIG. 15 illustrates the portable hygiene device of FIG. 1 in a resealed configuration.
FIG. 16 illustrates the first portable hygiene device of FIG. 4 and the second portable hygiene device of FIG. 15 refolded to a storage configuration alongside other contents of a pocket shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 17 illustrates the second portable hygiene device of FIG. 16 in the resealed and refolded configuration in the pocket of the exemplary activewear.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure from covering all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Unless the context of their usage unambiguously indicates otherwise, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” should not be interpreted as meaning “one” or “only one.” Rather these articles should be interpreted as meaning “at least one” or “one or more.” Likewise, when the terms “the” or “said” are used to refer to a noun previously introduced by the indefinite article “a” or “an,” “the” and “said” mean “at least one” or “one or more” unless the usage unambiguously indicates otherwise.
In many situations, it may become necessary for an individual to urinate in a remote environment without availability of a restroom or similar facility, e.g., in situations where an individual is in a remote or wilderness area for the purposes of hiking, camping, biking, running, etc. In some situations, even when a restroom facility is available, the sanitary conditions may not be suitable for safe use. And in any situation, outdoor urination poses its own problems. For females, challenges include an extended amount of time squatting and the need to dry the urinary area afterwards. And in athletic and outdoor applications, individuals often prioritize lightweight and compact equipment and eco-friendly practices, making it difficult to use traditional cleaning or drying devices (e.g., toilet paper, baby wipes). It is undesirable to leave these items behind, but it is also difficult to hygienically carry the used items with you.
FIGS. 1-16 illustrate a feminine hygiene device 10, also referred to herein as a portable wipe 10. The portable wipe 10 has a number of applications for hygiene. In one example, the portable wipe 10 may be used as a urination wipe. The portable wipe 10 is designed to be compactly stored and transported, unfolded for easy use, then closed and refolded compactly for transport and/or disposal, all while remaining sanitary and hygienic throughout.
With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the portable wipe 10 is illustrated in more detail. The portable wipe 10 includes a pouch 14 having a first surface 18 and a second surface 20, opposite the first surface 18. The pouch 14 is invertible and movable between a first configuration, also referred to as an operable configuration, shown in FIG. 1, and a second configuration, also referred to as an inverted configuration, shown in FIG. 2. In the first configuration, the first surface 18 is an outer surface, the second surface 20 is an inner surface, and the pouch 14 defines a first interior space 22. The first interior space 22 is accessible through an opening 26a. In the second configuration, the first surface 18 is an inner surface, the second surface 20 is an outer surface, and the pouch 14 defines a second interior space 24. The second interior space 24 is accessible through an opening 26b.
The pouch 14 includes a first end 30 and a second end 34. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, the pouch 14 extends between the first end 30 and the second end 34 along a longitudinal axis A. The openings 26a, 26b are positioned at the first end 30 of the pouch 14. The pouch 14 may enclose the interior space(s) 22, 24.
The pouch 14 is made from a waterproof material and is flexible. In one example, the pouch 14 may be made from a flexible polymeric material (e.g., a thin plastic like that used for a plastic bag). In another example, the pouch 14 may be made from a waterproof fabric (e.g., nylon). In still other examples, the pouch 14 may be made from other waterproof flexible materials. The pouch 14 may have different shapes or configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the pouch 14 may be flattened into a rectangular shape including lateral edges 32 such that the pouch 14 comprises two layers of material. In one example, the pouch 14 may be formed from a tubular sheet of flexible material and at least one end may be completely sealed. In another example, the pouch 14 may be formed from two sheets of flexible material and at least three edges may be sealed. In some embodiments, the pouch 14 may have a different shape when flattened. In some embodiments, the pouch 14 may have a different number of layers when flattened. In other embodiments, the pouch 14 may have other configurations. In some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the first end 30 may be an open end and the opening 26a may span the entire width of the first end 30. In some embodiments, the opening 26a may be a slit extending along just a portion of the first end 30. In some embodiments, the opening 26a may be configured in other ways.
With reference to FIG. 1, the first surface 18 includes a contact area 19 adjacent the second end 34. An absorbent pad 38 is positioned in the contact area 19. The pad 38 may be formed of absorbent material and in some examples the pad 38 may be formed of a material similar to that of other feminine hygiene products, such as a menstrual pad or liner. In some examples, the pad 38 may be formed from a re-usable material such as absorbent cloth, sponge, etc. The pad 38 is configured to absorb and retain fluid without dissolving or losing structural integrity. In the illustrated embodiment, the pad 38 is coupled to the contact area 19 of the pouch 14 by a permanent adhesive. The adhesive may coat an entire underside of the pad 38 to fully adhere the pad 38 to the pouch 14 so that an outer rim 42 of the pad 38 is always in contact with the pouch 14. In other words, the pad 38 does not curl away or separate from the contact area 19. The pad 38 may be at least partially flexible and may be configured to conform to the shape of the contact area 19 of the pouch 14. The pad 38 is generally teardrop shaped and is positioned on the contact area 19 with the point of the teardrop toward the first end 30 and the base of the teardrop toward the second end 34. The pad 38 is positioned closer to the second end 34 than to the first end 30. Additionally, the pad 38 is generally centered along the second end 34. In other embodiments, the pad 38 may be otherwise shaped and positioned. A width of the pad 38 (as measured across the pouch 14) may be approximately 3 inches.
With reference now to FIG. 3, the portable wipe 10 is designed to collapse into a folded or closed configuration for storage and transport before use. In the folded configuration, the pouch 14 is folded such that the entire contact area 19, including the pad 38, is covered or hidden. The pad 38 is therefore protected and kept clean prior to use. In other words, a portion of the first surface 18 is exposed, and a portion of the first surface 18 is not exposed. The entirety of the second surface 20 is enclosed within the pouch 14 and is not exposed. The pad 38 and pouch 14 are thin and flexible such that, when collapsed into the folded configuration, the wipe 10 is compact and lightweight. When the wipe 10 is in the folded configuration, the wipe 10 may form a packet 46. In some embodiments, the packet 46 may be generally square and may have a width and length substantially larger than a depth thereof. The packet 46 may have a width of approximately 1¼ inches and a depth of approximately ¼ inch. In another embodiment, the packet 46 may be generally rectangular with a length of approximately 2 inches such that the folded shape is 2 inches×1¼ inches and ¼ inch thick. In yet other embodiments, the wipe 10 may be folded to create a packet 46 having a different size or shape. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wipe 10 is small enough to be easily transported in a pocket alongside other small items. For example, in the folded configuration, the wipe 10 may be smaller than a conventional tube of lip balm and larger than a United States quarter coin. In some embodiments, the portable wipe 10 may have a maximum dimension in the folded configuration of 2 inches.
With reference to FIGS. 5-15, one example of operation of the portable wipe 10 is described. A user may retrieve the portable wipe 10 from a storage location (e.g., a pocket of a clothing item, a bag, etc.). FIG. 5 illustrates the wipe 10 being removed from a pocket. In other embodiments, the wipe 10 may be stored in other places. The wipe is in the folded configuration and forms the packet 46 protecting the pad 38.
With reference to FIG. 6, the packet 46 may include a loose end 50 to start the unfolding. In the illustrated embodiment the loose end 50 corresponds to the first end 30 of the pouch 14. The loose end 50 may also be a separate tab or the like coupled to the rest of the packet 46 to prevent the packet 46 from unfolding during storage or transport. The loose end 50 may be adhered by a temporary adhesive to the rest of the packet 46. In other embodiments, the loose end 50 may be secured by a snap or other coupling to hold the loose end 50 against the rest of the packet 46. When ready for use, a user may unsecure the loose end 50 from the rest of the packet 46 to begin to unfold the wipe 10. In yet other embodiments, the wipe 10 may be in a rolled or tube shape and consequently unrolled rather than unfolded.
With reference to FIG. 7, a user may grab the loose end 50 and unfold or unroll the packet 46 in a first direction until the pouch 14 forms a strip 54. In other embodiments, other fold styles may be used to form the packet 46. For example, the strip 54 may be accordion folded to create the packet 46 or the strip 54 may be repeatedly parallel folded to create the packet 46. Still further fold techniques may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the pouch 14.
With reference to FIG. 8, the strip 54 may be unfolded in a second direction to move the wipe 10 to an open configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the second direction extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pouch 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the pouch 14 is repeatedly folded in half (e.g., lateral sides matched together and flattened so the fold forms a new lateral side) to create the strip 54. Therefore, to unfold the strip 54, the strip 54 is repeatedly unfolded in the second direction. The contact area 19 may be hidden and covered until the final unfold, moving the wipe 10 to an open, flattened version shown in FIG. 9.
With reference to FIG. 10, after unfolding the packet 46 into the strip 54, and the strip 54 into the flattened pouch 14, the opening 26a is widened by separating the layers of material from each other, exposing the interior area 22 and putting the wipe 10 into the first or operable configuration of FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 11, the user then inserts her hand into the interior area 22 so the wipe 10 is ready to use. As seen in FIG. 11, the first end 30 of the pouch 14 with the opening 26a is spaced from the contact area 19. The palm of the user's hand may underlie the contact area 19. The user may through hand manipulation move the pad 38 into contact with the urinary area to dry the area, as the contact area 19 has been kept isolated in order to keep the pad 38 sanitary to prevent unsafe materials from contacting the urinary area. The waterproof material of the pouch 14 isolates the user's hand from the urinary area, preventing contamination of the user's hand. Additionally, the opening 26a is spaced from the contact area 19 to prevent contamination of the arm.
With reference to FIG. 12, after use, the user may pinch the contact area 19, enclosing the pad 38 within the waterproof material of the pouch 14. As seen in FIG. 13, the user may grasp an interface of the opening 26a with the other hand and may pull the first end 30 of the pouch 14 over the contact area 19, gradually exposing the second surface 20 until the bag is in the inverted configuration (also shown in FIG. 2) and the pad 38 is within the second interior space 24. As the user transforms the wipe 10 to the inverted position, see FIG. 14, the first surface 18, including the contact area 19 and the pad 38, is enclosed within the pouch 14.
With reference to FIG. 15, the wipe 10 may then be sealed to prevent the contamination in the contact area 19 from exiting the interior space 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact area 19 is isolated from the outside of the pouch 14 by tying a knot K in the pouch 14. In other embodiments, the wipe 10 may be sealed in other ways.
As seen in FIG. 16, the wipe 10, once sealed, may be refolded to a storage configuration. The wipe 10, in the storage configuration, may have a slightly larger footprint than the wipe 10 in the folded configuration. However, the footprint of the wipe 10 is still small and easily portable. Additionally, this prevents accidental mix up of used and unused wipes 10.
Finally, with reference to FIG. 17, the wipe 10 may be returned to the storage location, such as the pocket, and is easily transported. In some embodiments, the wipe 10 may be transported until proper disposal options are available. The wipe 10 may then be disposed of. As noted, the wipe 10 may be made of biodegradable materials and may be eco-friendly. In other embodiments, the wipe 10 may be transported until the user is able to wash or otherwise sanitize the wipe 10. For example, the wipe 10 may be unfolded and unsealed and returned to the open configuration, at which point the contact area 19 and the pad 38 may be laundered or cleaned and dried. The wipe 10 may then be refolded into the folded configuration for future use.
Thus, the disclosure provides a portable wipe 10 that is more transportable and self-contained. In examples where the wipe 10 is used for blotting a urinary area, the wipe 10 offers the advantages of being easy to access and quick to unfold, easy to use, and easy to refold, containing the contamination quickly. This decreases the amount of time a user spends squatting and decreases the amount of time the user's urinary area is exposed. Additionally, the wipe 10 is designed to minimize or eliminate the use of a second hand, allowing the user to use her other hand for any necessary stabilization during operation of the wipe 10. While described in the context of blotting a female urinary area, the wipe 10 may be used in a wide variety of situations in which an area needs to be dried and then contamination needs to be contained. The portable wipe 10 is lightweight and has a small profile in both storage configurations. The wipe 10 is designed to use materials that are flexible and compact while maintaining high isolation and absorption properties.
Patent Application
20250031915
