The present disclosure relates generally to the field of urinal devices, and more particularly, to systems and methods using a portable urinal device and managing disposal of the urinal device.
Urination is a necessary bodily function to relieve the body of wastes. Unfortunately, timing and accessibility of suitable facilities can be factors that can make the need to urinate extremely uncomfortable or inconvenient. Even when a public toilet is readily available, the user often encounters the problem of dirty and unhygienic public toilets; including feces, urine, blood-borne pathogens, pandemic diseases, and other viruses and germs. People often need to use a lot of toilet paper to wipe the toilet or hover over the toilet. Even then, a lot of female users do not want to sit on the toilet because it is dirty, and prefer to hold their urine for extended periods causing physical complications; damage to the pelvic girdle, pelvic muscle and wall, kidneys, bladder infections, joints, etc.
Those that have major medical ailments or are wheelchair bound have a need to access a toilet to void without ever leaving their chair or placing pressure on other organs or joints, which can cause further harm or discomfort to themselves.
Children also may have to deal with the above issues, especially when physical limitations prohibit them from urinating in a standard size adult toilet or urinal.
While attempts have been made in the past to provide urine collecting or directing devices, in general these devices have required a learning process and skill in handling for proper usage. These devices are typically bulky and, in some instances, require the user to assemble the funnel-like device from a flat blank which if not properly erected will tend to leak and will not achieve the desired result. Some of these devices have been designed for reuse. These reusable devices must therefore be cleaned after each use before being stored in a handbag or the like for subsequent use. Such devices are awkward, unsanitary and inconvenient to use, particularly after initial use whereupon cleaning the device is required; sometimes in the same public washbasin used for hands.
Thus, there exists a need for a solution that addresses the ability to use a toilet or urinal without actual contact while providing better health for the pelvic girdle, fewer bladder infections, strain on joints and muscles, and cleaner and more convenient options. For these and other reasons, an effective, easy-to-use, portable elimination device is desirable.
The present disclosure meets the needs described above comprising a method and system for a portable urinal. In some embodiments, the portable urinal device comprises a housing and a bracket arm. The housing comprises an exterior surface that defines an interior cavity. The bracket arm is configured to be movable between an extended configuration and a stationary configuration. In the extended configuration, the bracket arm extends from the housing. The bracket arm is further configured to removably couple with a cartridge having a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. The housing is configured to contain the bracket arm when the bracket arm is in the stationary configuration, and the bracket arm extends from the housing when the bracket arm is in the extended configuration such that, when the cartridge is coupled with the bracket arm, the cartridge extends outward from the housing.
In other embodiments, a urinal device comprises a housing with an exterior surface that defines an interior cavity. The urinal device includes a first actuator oriented on the housing. The urinal device further comprises a bracket arm wherein the first actuator is configured to activate the bracket arm from a stationary configuration to an extended configuration. The urinal device also comprises a plurality of cartridges. Each cartridge comprises a bracket configured to removably couple to the bracket arm and to extend from the housing when coupled to the bracket arm and when the bracket arm is in the extended position. The bracket can translate vertically in the interior cavity based on activation by a second actuator. A conduit coupled individually to an associated bracket. The waste conduits are each configured to stay in a folded configuration while in the housing. The waste conduits are configured to expand to an expanded configuration when the associated bracket is extended from the interior cavity. Each of the plurality of cartridges can individually and sequentially couple with the bracket arm by the bracket coupling with the bracket arm.
In other embodiments, a urinal device comprises a bracket and a waste conduit. The bracket defines an orifice, wherein the bracket and orifice lie in a first plane. The waste conduit has a side wall and has a folded configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein when in the folded configuration the waste conduit extends substantially along a second plane which is parallel to the first plane, and when in the expanded configuration the side wall defines an upper opening with the upper opening being co-planar with the orifice and with the sidewall extending down from the orifice.
In yet another aspect some embodiments are a method for using the urinal device. The method comprises activating the urinal device from a stationary configuration to an extended configuration. Activating the urinal device to the extended configuration comprises extending a cartridge from an interior cavity of the urinal device. In the stationary configuration, a waste conduit of the cartridge is in a folded configuration, and in the open configuration, the waste conduit is in an expanded configuration. The method includes providing a disposable substance to the waste assembly. The method can further comprise detaching a portion of the waste assembly for disposal.
In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure provides a system and method for using a portable urinal. The specific systems and techniques for accomplishing the advantages described above will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the appended drawings and claims.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.
Whenever appropriate, terms used in the singular also will include the plural and vice versa. The use of “a” herein means “one or more” unless stated otherwise or where the use of “one or more” is clearly inappropriate. The use of “or” means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. The use of “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “include,” “includes,” and “including” are interchangeable and not intended to be limiting. The term “such as” also is not intended to be limiting. For example, the term “including” shall mean “including, but not limited to.”
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the disclosed articles, systems, and methods in their best, currently known embodiments. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the articles, systems, and methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a gasket” can include two or more such gaskets unless the context indicates otherwise.
As used throughout, “substantially” with respect to a measure can refer to a range of values comprising +/−10 degrees. For example, substantially orthogonal, normal, or parallel can include embodiments, where the referenced components are oriented +/−10 degrees of being classified as orthogonal, normal, or parallel respectively.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list.
As shown in
In a further aspect, the exterior surface 108 can comprise a top cover 110. The top cover 110 can be used to access the interior cavity 103 of the housing 102. In another aspect, the exterior surface 108 can define an access divot 112. The access divot 112 can be an indentation in the exterior surface 108. The access divot can be in proximity to the top cover 110. The access divot 112 can provide a user with additional dexterity in using their finger or tool to open the top cover 110 for gaining access to the interior cavity 103. In another embodiment, the access divot 112 can be defined in the top cover 110. The top cover 110 can also be made of transparent or semi-transparent material to permit the user to view into the interior cavity 103 to identify the contents of the interior cavity.
As shown in
As shown in
The bracket arm 116 can be activated to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration with the use of a cartridge actuator 124. The cartridge actuator 124 can comprise a button or a cylindrical shaft. For example, the cartridge actuator 124 can be activated when the user applies a normal force relative to the housing by pressing the button; however, other arrangements are within the scope, such as a slide lever for activation. The button can be oriented to engage a free end 133 of the actuator hook member 126. The actuator hook member 126 can comprise a cantilevered member comprising a fixed end at fastener 131 and the free end 133. The free end 133 can further comprise a hook portion 129. In the closed configuration, the hook portion 129 at the free end 133 can be oriented to engage with a grip portion 118 of the bracket arm 116. The grip portion is on a region of the bracket arm that extends away from the surface of the bracket arm to serve as an engagement point. To transition from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the button of the actuator 124 can be pressed, which can force the free end 133 to flex vertically. The resultant action can cause the hook portion 129 of the hook member 126 to disengage the grip portion 118 of the bracket arm 116. When the engagement between the hook portion 129 and the grip portion 118 occurs, the bracket arm 116 can freely rotate to extend the cartridge 114 away from the interior cavity 103 of the housing 102, completing the transition to the open configuration. As discussed earlier, the urinal device 100 can include a waste-assembly spring 127. The transition from the closed configuration to the open configuration can be expedited by an embodiment with the waste-assembly spring 127. In this aspect, the waste-assembly spring 127 can be biased such that the potential energy is stored when the urinal device 100 is in the closed configuration. When the actuator 124 is activated to transition the urinal device from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the potential energy stored in the waste-assembly spring is released causing the bracket arm 116 to rotate swiftly from the interior cavity 103. In a further aspect, the bracket arm 116 can be comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as a plastic or metal.
As shown in
In a further aspect, the channel 132 of the bracket 120 can be comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as a plastic or metal. Other embodiments of the bracket 120 can comprise combinations of polymers, rubber, or silicone. In a further aspect, the bracket 120 can be comprised of a corrugated cardboard to preserve some rigidity while providing increased biodegradability of the waste bracket for disposal. Similarly, the waste conduit 122 can be comprised of a biodegradable plastic, or wax-lined paper. In certain embodiments, the waste assembly 114 (including bracket 120 and waste conduit 122) will be made entirely of degradable material so that once detached from bracket arm 116, the waste assembly can be disposed of in an easy, safe and environmental manner. As used herein, degradable means biodegradable, compostable, and/or flushable. Biodegradable means a material breaking down into natural elements—typically carbon dioxide, water vapor and/or organic materials, which are not harmful to the environment—by organisms like bacteria and fungi. As used herein, biodegradable refers to a material in which 90% or more of the material breaks down within 1 year, and more preferably within 6 months or within 3 months. Compostable refers to a material, which similar to biodegradable materials, breakdown into natural elements but only in a compost setting. As used herein, compostable refers to material that break down in a compost setting within 1 year, and more preferably within 6 months or within 3 months. Flushable means a material that starts to breakdown in water so as dispersed in the water. Generally, the flushing action of a toilet will aid in the dispersion so that, if not prior to flushing, the breakdown will start immediately after flushing of the toilet. For example, the flushable material will be dispersed in water, so as not to clog plumbing, within 30 seconds, 20 seconds, or 15 seconds of flushing. For example, the waste conduit and/or the waste assembly can be made of soluble paper, poly-vinyl alcohol, cardboard shavings, and other water-soluble materials.
As shown in
The bracket 120 can be coupled to a waste conduit 122. Waste conduit 122 can be better seen from
On the other hand, waste conduit 122 illustrated in
In either embodiment, waste collector 500 or waste funnel 600, the waste conduit can be configured to have a folded configuration and an expanded configuration.
The waste conduit 122 can be configured to be folded into the folded configuration when the cartridge 114 is in the interior cavity (closed configuration). When the cartridge 114 is extended into the open configuration, the waste conduit can be placed in the extended configuration. In some embodiments, the waste conduit 122 will automatically expand to the extended configuration as the waste assembly 114 is moved to the open configuration. However, generally the waste conduit 122 will be retained in the folded configuration during movement to the open configuration and even thereafter until the user is ready for the waste conduit 122 to be placed in expanded configuration. For example, a flap 410 can be used to retain waste conduit 122 in the folded configuration. Once flap 410 is folded back from waste conduit 122, waste conduit is free to move to the expanded configuration.
As can be seen from
Once in the expanded configuration, the user has access to the interior of the waste conduit 122 of the waste assembly 114. The user can then provide fluids or substances into the waste conduit for their desired purpose (i.e. urination). The waste conduit 122 can be comprised of a degradable material, as described above. In some instances, the waste conduit 122 will expand upon release of flap 410 (shown in
As will be realized from the previous paragraph, in one aspect the bracket 120 is removably coupled to the bracket arm 116. The removably coupled configuration permits the user to disengage the bracket 120 from bracket arm 116, including the extender members 136 if used. In an alternate embodiment, the cartridge 114 can be configured such that the only removable/discarded portion would be the waste conduit 122. For example, after use to either collect removable substances, either liquid or solid, or to channel removable substance to a disposal device, only the waste conduit 122 is removed from the waste assembly 114. In other embodiments, the entire urinal device 100 can be disposable, including housing 102, bracket arm 116, bracket 120 and waste conduit 122.
As shown in
In
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements comprised within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/070,105 filed on Oct. 14, 2020, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/132,931 filed on Dec. 31, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/132,973 filed on Dec. 31, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/132,980 filed on Dec. 31, 2020, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
63132931 | Dec 2020 | US | |
63132973 | Dec 2020 | US | |
63132980 | Dec 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 17070105 | Oct 2020 | US |
Child | 17350733 | US |