Portable urinal

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6684414
  • Patent Number
    6,684,414
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, September 26, 2000
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 3, 2004
    20 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Douglas; Steven O.
    • Flynn; Amanda
    Agents
    • Brooks Kushman P.C.
Abstract
A portable urinal for collecting and storing urine from a user is provided. The portable urinal includes a receptacle for collecting the urine, where the receptacle includes a body portion having an inlet sized to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of the user, and an outlet. The portable urinal further includes a storage container for storing the urine, where the storage container has an inlet for receiving the urine from the receptacle. A connector attached to the storage container receives the storage container inlet and removably receives the receptacle outlet, such that the connector releasably joins the receptacle with the storage container allowing the urine to flow from the receptacle outlet into the storage container inlet.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD




This invention relates to a portable urinal for collecting and storing the urine of a user.




BACKGROUND ART




Portable urinals provide users with a place to urinate when restroom facilities are unavailable or unreachable. There are many circumstances for which a portable urinal is helpful. For example, many people suffer from urinary incontinence, which requires that they often must quickly and unexpectedly reach toilet facilities. Other people may require the use of a portable urinal due to temporarily immobilization or other medical conditions which prohibit them from reaching the restroom without assistance. Still other people find portable urinals useful in common situations such as during long car trips or during traffic backups when restroom facilities cannot be reached in a timely manner. Even leisure activities such as camping, hiking, boating, or fishing can present situations where portable urinals are desirable.




Portable urinals come in a variety of sizes and configurations. Certain portable urinals are designed to be completely reusable. Such urinals are both economical and environmentally-friendly. However, reusing a portable urinal requires that all of its parts be sufficiently cleaned, which can be a time-consuming as well as unpleasant task. To avoid these problems, other portable urinals have been designed to be completely disposable. While more convenient, the cost of replacing the entire urinal after each use is a detriment.




As a compromise, some portable urinals have been configured to have both reusable and disposable parts. However, such portable urinals often suffer the disadvantages of being difficult to set up for use, or difficult to seal in order to retain the collected urine for later disposal.




Whether reusable or disposable, a portable urinal should be able to accommodate the different anatomical requirements of men and women. Typically, urinals are designed for use by only one gender. When urinals are intended to be unisex, urine collection is often not optimized for one gender or the other. In addition, many portable urinals are large and bulky, making them less discreet and detracting from their ease of portability.




DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION




Therefore, it is an object according to the present invention to provide an improved portable urinal which is easily assembled for urine collection and disassembled for urine disposal.




It is another object according to the present invention to provide a portable urinal in which urine can be easily and safely stored for later disposal.




It is still another object according to the present invention to provide a portable urinal capable of accommodating both male and female users.




Accordingly, a portable urinal is provided for collecting and storing urine from a user. The portable urinal includes a receptacle for collecting the urine, where the receptacle includes a body portion having an inlet sized to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of the user, and an outlet. The portable urinal further includes a storage container for storing the urine, where the storage container has an inlet for receiving the urine from the receptacle. A connector attached to the storage container receives the storage container inlet and removably receives the receptacle outlet, such that the connector releasably joins the receptacle with the storage container allowing the urine to flow from the receptacle outlet into the storage container inlet.




In accordance with the present invention, the receptacle inlet can be sized to receive the genitourinary area of a male user, or can be sized to receive the genitourinary area of a female user. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle is designed to be reusable, and the storage container is designed to be disposable. Preferably, the storage container includes a flexible bag which includes a powder substance contained therein for absorbing the urine. The receptacle body portion can also include a handle formed therein to improve ease of use.




The connector can either be press fit or welded onto the storage container. In order to releasably join the receptacle with the storage container such that the receptacle can be removed from the storage container, the receptacle outlet preferably includes at least one projection, and the connector includes at least one slot sized to slidingly receive the projection. The receptacle is then secured to the connector by rotating the receptacle with respect to the connector such that the projection is moved to an end of the slot.




In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable urinal includes a cap adapted to be received by the connector for sealing the storage container following removal of the receptacle. The sealed storage container can then be disposed and replaced with another, unused storage container. Similar to the receptacle outlet, the cap preferably includes at least one projection, and the connector includes at least one slot sized to slidingly receive the projection. The cap is then secured to the connector by rotating the cap with respect to the connector such that the projection is moved to an end of the slot.




In one embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle outlet or, alternatively, a distal end of the cap is received in the storage container inlet. In another embodiment, the connector includes a bracket having first and second bracket members, and a funnel enclosed by the bracket. The first bracket member includes projections, and the second bracket member includes apertures sized to receive the projections to secure the first and second bracket members together. The funnel, in turn, includes an inlet portion for engaging the receptacle outlet and an outlet portion that protrudes below the bracket and is adapted to be received in the storage container inlet. Still further, the first and second bracket members include a set of internal flanges between which the funnel inlet portion is received such that axial movement of the funnel with respect to the bracket members is prohibited.




In further accordance with the present invention, a portable urinal kit for collecting and storing urine is provided. The kit includes a female receptacle for collecting urine from a female user, where the female receptacle includes a body portion having an inlet sized to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of the female user, and a relatively smaller outlet. The kit also includes a male receptacle for collecting urine from a male user, where the male receptacle includes a body portion having an inlet sized to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of the male user, and a relatively smaller outlet. Additionally, the kit includes one or more disposable storage containers for storing the urine, each storage container having an inlet for receiving urine from a selected one of the female and male receptacles. A connector is attached to the storage container inlet and adapted to receive the outlet of the selected receptacle, thereby allowing urine to flow from the selected receptacle outlet into the storage container inlet. The connector releasably joins the selected receptacle with the storage container such that the selected receptacle can be removed from the storage container. Lastly, the kit includes a cap adapted to be received by the connector for sealing the storage container following removal of the selected receptacle. In this way, the sealed storage container can be disposed and replaced with another, unused storage container.











The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a portable urinal in accordance with the present invention, wherein a male receptacle is utilized;





FIG. 2



a


is a front elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 2



b


is a rear elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a top plan view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a left side elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is a right side elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 6

is an exploded perspective view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 7

is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the portable urinal according to the present invention, wherein a female receptacle is utilized;





FIG. 8

is a front elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 9

is a top plan view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 10

is a left side elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 11

is a right side elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 12

is an exploded perspective view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 13

is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the portable urinal according to the present invention, wherein a cap is utilized to seal the storage container;





FIG. 14

is a front elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 13

;





FIG. 15

is a top plan view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 13

;





FIG. 16

is a left side elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 13

;





FIG. 17

is an exploded perspective view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 13

;





FIG. 18

is an exploded, perspective view of the connector and cap according to the present invention;





FIG. 19

is an exploded, front elevational view of the connector and cap;





FIG. 20

is a perspective view of the assembled connector and cap;





FIG. 21

is a right side elevational view of the assembled connector and cap;





FIG. 22

is a left side elevational view of the assembled connector and cap;





FIG. 23

is a top plan view of the assembled connector and cap;





FIG. 24

is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the connector in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 25

is a perspective view of the portable urinal wherein the male receptacle and the connector of

FIG. 24

are utilized;





FIG. 26

is a front elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 25

;





FIG. 27

is a rear elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 25

;





FIG. 28

is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the connector in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 29

is a perspective view of the portable urinal wherein the male receptacle and the connector of

FIG. 28

are utilized;





FIG. 30

is a front elevational view of the portable urinal of

FIG. 29

; and





FIG. 31

is a rear elevational view of the portable urinal of FIG.


29


.











BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION




Referring to

FIGS. 1-6

, illustrated is a first embodiment of a portable urinal


10


for collecting and storing urine from a user according to the present invention. Portable urinal


10


includes a receptacle


12


for collecting the urine, where receptacle


12


includes a body portion


14


having an inlet


16


and a relatively smaller outlet


18


spaced from the inlet


16


. In the embodiment depicted in

FIGS. 1-6

, receptacle inlet


16


and body portion


14


are sized and shaped to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of a typical male user for directing the urine strewn into the receptacle


12


. As shown, body portion


14


of male receptacle


12


is generally cylindrical in shape, widening proximally to form receptacle inlet


16


which is angled toward the user. At its distal end, body portion


14


terminates in receptacle outlet


18


of relatively smaller diameter. Although receptacle outlet


18


is smaller than receptacle inlet


16


, the diameter of outlet


18


is large enough to avoid urine pooling in receptacle


12


.




In a preferred embodiment, receptacle


12


is molded of a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or other suitable material, and is designed to be smooth, durable, and reusable. Advantageously, portable urinal


10


can be positioned to collect urine whether the user is standing or sitting. As best shown in

FIGS. 1-6

, receptacle body portion


14


can include a handle


20


formed therein to improve ease of use. Handle


20


reduces the amount of hand dexterity needed to position receptacle


12


properly with respect to the user's genitourinary area.




Portable urinal


10


according to the present invention is capable of accommodating both male and female users. Turning now to

FIGS. 7-12

, a second embodiment of the portable urinal


10


′ is depicted in which a female receptacle


12


′ is utilized. The reference numerals for portable urinal


10


′ of

FIGS. 7-12

correspond generally with the reference numerals for portable urinal


10


(having male receptacle


12


) of

FIGS. 1-6

with the addition of a prime “′” designation. In contrast to male receptacle


12


, inlet


16


′ of female receptacle


12


′ has a wide oval shape in order to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of a typical female user. Body portion


14


′ slopes downwardly from inlet


16


′ toward a smaller outlet


18


′ in the direction of the user. As with male receptacle


12


, outlet


18


′ of female receptacle


12


′ is of sufficient diameter to avoid the pooling of urine. As described below, male receptacle


12


and female receptacle


12


′ are easily interchanged, allowing for optimal urine collection from both male and female users.




Referring again to

FIGS. 1-12

, portable urinal


10


further includes a storage container


22


for storing the collected urine. In the preferred embodiment shown herein, storage container


22


comprises a flexible storage bag constructed from plastic, rubber, or another suitable material which is capable of containing human urine therein. Prior to use, storage bag


22


can be rolled up for compact storage. After use, storage bag


22


is designed to be disposable. Storage bag


22


is constructed to be leak resistant and waterproof, so as to provide for the containment of urine until storage bag


22


can be disposed of conveniently. As further leakage protection, storage bag


22


preferably includes a powder substance


21


(see

FIG. 26

) contained therein for absorbing the urine. More particularly, each storage bag


22


is preferably pre-filled with a sanitizing gelling powder which includes a combination of absorbing polymers and enzymes to quickly deodorize and solidify the urine into a condensed gel.




Storage bag


22


includes a lower body


24


with a hollow interior, and an inlet


26


(

FIG. 6

) extending upwardly from the lower body


24


for receiving the urine from receptacle


12


,


112


. On both sides of inlet


26


, storage bag


22


includes a generally flat seam region


28


. In one embodiment, a connector


30


is press fit onto seam region


28


so as to receive storage bag inlet


26


therein as shown, for example, in

FIGS. 1

,


7


, and


13


. As shown in

FIGS. 17-23

, and as best shown in the exploded views of

FIG. 6

,


12


, and


17


-


19


, connector


30


includes a bracket


32


having first


34


and second


36


bracket members. Each bracket member


34


,


36


includes a central concave portion


38


sized to receive inlet


26


when assembled, and generally flat exterior attachment panels


40


,


42


, respectively, that serve to secure the first


34


and second


36


bracket members together. More specifically, attachment panels


40


of first bracket member


34


include projections


44


extending inwardly from its inner surface, and attachment panels


42


of second bracket member


36


include apertures


46


sized to receive the projections


44


in order to secure first bracket member


34


to second bracket member


36


.




Still referring to

FIGS. 6

,


12


, and


17


-


19


, connector


30


further includes a funnel


48


enclosed and supported by bracket


32


. Funnel


48


is generally cylindrical and includes an inlet portion


50


for preferably engaging receptacle outlet


18


,


118


. Funnel


48


further includes an outlet portion


52


that protrudes below bracket


32


and is adapted to be received in storage bag inlet


26


. Storage bag inlet


26


, therefore, is disposed between bracket members


34


,


36


and funnel


48


which serves to ensure that inlet


26


remains open for receiving the collected urine. As shown, funnel inlet portion


50


has a larger diameter than funnel outlet portion


52


. First


34


and second


36


bracket members include a set of internal flanges


54


or ribs between which funnel inlet portion


50


is received such that axial movement of funnel


48


with respect to bracket members


34


,


36


is prohibited.




As shown in

FIGS. 24-27

, a second embodiment of connector


130


is adapted to be welded onto storage bag


22


via vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, or other suitable plastic joining techniques. The reference numerals for connector


130


of

FIGS. 24-27

correspond generally with the reference numerals for connector


30


of

FIGS. 1-23

except for the addition of a “1” prefix. In contrast to connector


30


, connector


130


is formed as a one piece cylindrical part having a flange


168


, shown as annular in shape. Flange


168


contacts a neck region


23


of storage bag


22


, wherein neck region


23


includes a corresponding flange to which flange


168


is welded. A distal end


170


of connector


130


is adapted to be received in storage bag inlet


26


.




With reference to

FIGS. 28-31

, a third embodiment of connector


230


is shown, wherein the reference numerals for connector


230


correspond generally with the reference numerals for connector


30


of

FIGS. 1-23

except for the addition of a “2” prefix. As with connector


130


, connector


230


is formed as a one piece cylindrical part which is adapted to be welded onto storage bag


22


. More particularly, a distal end


272


of connector


230


is adapted to be received in storage bag inlet


26


and then welded thereto.




As best shown in

FIGS. 18-23

, concave portions


38


of bracket members


34


,


36


each include a generally L-shaped slot or groove


56


formed therein. Likewise, connector


230


of

FIGS. 28-31

includes generally L-shaped slots


256


, and connector


130


of

FIGS. 24-27

includes slots or grooves


156


formed therein which extend partially around connector


130


in a generally helical pattern. Each slot


56


,


156


,


256


is sized to slidingly receive a projection


58


,


158


formed on receptacle outlet


18


,


18


′. For assembly, projections


58


,


58


′ are aligned with slots


56


,


156


,


256


and receptacle


12


,


12


′ is moved into contact with connector


30


,


130


,


230


. Receptacle


12


,


12


′ is then secured to connector


30


,


130


,


230


by rotating receptacle


12


,


12


′ in a first direction with respect to connector


30


,


130


,


230


such that projections


58


,


58


′ are moved to ends


60


,


160


,


260


of slots


56


,


156


,


256


. In this way, connector


30


,


130


,


230


is operable to releasably join receptacle


12


,


12


′ with storage bag


22


, allowing the urine to flow from receptacle outlet


18


,


18


′ into storage container inlet


26


. For disassembly, receptacle


12


,


12


′ can be removed from storage bag


22


by rotating receptacle


12


,


12


′ in the opposite direction with respect to connector


30


,


130


,


230


to move projections


58


,


58


′ away from slot ends


60


,


160


,


260


and then lifting upwardly. Therefore, receptacle


12


,


12


′ and storage bag


22


can be quickly assembled for use, and easily disassembled for storage, cleaning, or interchanging with another receptacle


12


,


12


′.




Referring now to

FIGS. 13-23

, a cap


62


is adapted to be received by connector


30


,


130


,


230


for sealing storage bag


22


following removal of receptacle


12


,


12


′, allowing urine to be easily and safely stored within storage bag


22


for later disposal. Similar to receptacle outlet


18


,


18


′, cap


62


includes projections


64


that are slidingly received in connector slots


56


,


156


,


256


. In order to secure cap


62


to connector


30


,


130


,


230


, cap projections


64


are aligned with slots


56


,


156


,


256


, cap


62


is moved into contact with connector


30


,


130


,


230


, and then cap


62


is rotated in a first direction with respect to connector


30


,


130


,


230


such that projections


64


are moved to slot ends


60


,


160


,


260


, thereby locking the cap


62


within connector


30


,


130


,


230


. The sealed storage bag


22


can then be disposed and another, unused storage container


22


can be joined with receptacle


12


or


12


′ for subsequent use.




Although particular configurations of receptacle outlet


18


,


118


, cap


62


, and connector


30


,


130


,


230


are shown and described herein, other configurations capable of allowing quick and easy assembly and disassembly of these components are fully contemplated in accordance with the present invention. For example, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, funnel


48


can be eliminated and receptacle outlet


18


,


118


or, alternatively, a distal end of cap


62


is extended and is received in storage container inlet


26


.




Further, in accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated that a kit could be provided including male receptacle


12


, female receptacle


112


, and a plurality of storage bags


22


and caps


62


. The kit would preferably further include disposable cleansing cloths (not shown) for personal hygiene purposes as well as for cleaning receptacle


12


,


112


. Since storage bags


22


can be collapsed and rolled up prior to use, such as kit would require little more space than the volume of the male and female receptacles. The kit could be furnished in a carry bag that can be stored in a compact space, such as the glove compartment of a car.




While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A portable urinal for collecting and storing urine from a user, comprising:a substantially rigid, one-piece receptacle for collecting the urine, the receptacle including a body portion having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the inlet portion sized to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of the user; a flexible storage container for storing the urine, the storage container having a body and an inlet for receiving the urine from the receptacle, the storage container inlet comprising a passageway for urine between an exterior of the storage container and the storage container body; and a rigid connector attached to the storage container wherein a distal outlet end of the connector is received in within the storage container inlet casing the storage container inlet to remain open for the passage of urine into the storage container body, the connector having an inlet for removably receiving the receptacle outlet portion such that the connector releasably joins the receptacle with the storage container allowing the urine to flow from the receptacle outlet portion into the storage container inlet.
  • 2. The portable urinal according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle inlet portion is sized to receive the genitourinary area of a male user.
  • 3. The portable urinal according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle inlet portion is sized to receive the genitourinary area of a female user.
  • 4. The portable urinal according to claim 1, wherein the storage container includes a flexible bag.
  • 5. The portable urinal according to claim 1, wherein the connector is welded to the storage container.
  • 6. The portable urinal according to claim 5, wherein the storage container includes a neck region and the connector includes an annular flange arranged to be affixed to a corresponding flange of the container neck region.
  • 7. The portable urinal according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle outlet includes at least one projection, and the connector includes at least one slot sized to slidingly receive the projection.
  • 8. The portable urinal according to claim 7, wherein the receptacle is secured to the connector by rotating the receptacle with respect to the connector such that the projection is moved to an end of the slot.
  • 9. The portable urinal according to claim 1, further including a cap adapted to be received by the connector for sealing the storage container following removal of the receptacle.
  • 10. The portable urinal according to claim 9, wherein the cap includes at least one projection, and the connector includes at least one slot sized to slidingly receive the projection.
  • 11. The portable urinal according to claim 10, wherein the cap is secured to the connector by rotating the cap with respect to the connector such that the projection is moved to an end of the slot.
  • 12. The portable urinal according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a bracket having first and second bracket members, and a funnel enclosed by the bracket, the funnel leaving an inlet portion for engaging the receptacle outlet and an outlet portion that protrudes below the bracket and is adapted to be received in the storage container inlet.
  • 13. The portable urinal according to claim 12, wherein the first bracket member includes projections, and the second bracket member includes apertures sized to receive the projections to secure the first and second bracket members together.
  • 14. The portable urinal according to claim 12, wherein the first and second brackets include a set of internal flanges between which the funnel inlet portion is received such that axial movement of the funnel with respect to the bracket members is prohibited.
  • 15. The portable urinal according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle body portion includes a handle.
  • 16. The portable urinal according to claim 1, wherein the storage container includes a powder substance contained therein for absorbing the urine.
  • 17. The portable urinal according to claim 1, wherein the connector is press fit onto the storage container.
  • 18. A portable urinal for collecting and storing urine from a user, comprising:a substantially rigid, one-piece reusable receptacle for collecting the urine, the receptacle including a body portion having an inlet portion and a relatively smaller outlet portion, the inlet potion sized to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of the user; a disposable, flexible storage container for storing the urine, the storage container having a body and a relatively smaller neck region adjacent therein which includes an inlet for receiving urine from the receptacle; a rigid connector attached to the storage container wherein a distal outlet end of the connector is received within the storage container inlet causing the neck region to remain open for the storage of urine into the storage container body, the connector having an annular flange arranged to be affixed to a corresponding flange of the container neck region, the connector having an inlet adapted to receive the receptacle outlet portion thereby allowing urine to flow from the receptacle outlet portion into the storage container inlet, the connector releasably joining the receptacle with the storage container such that the receptacle can be removed from the storage container; and a cap adapted to be received by the connector for sealing the storage container following removal of the receptacle, wherein the sealed storage container can be disposed and replaced with another, unused storage container.
  • 19. The portable urinal according to claim 18, wherein the receptacle inlet portion is sized to receive the genitourinary area of a male user.
  • 20. The portable urinal according to claim 18, wherein the receptacle inlet portion is sized to receive the genitourinary area of a female user.
  • 21. The portable urinal according to claim 18, wherein the storage container includes a flexible bag.
  • 22. The portable urinal according to claim 18, wherein the receptacle outlet portion includes at least one projection, and the connector includes at least one slot sized to slidingly receive the projection, wherein the receptacle is secured to the connector by rotating the receptacle with respect to the connector such that the projection is moved to an end of the slot.
  • 23. The portable urinal according to claim 18, wherein the cap includes at least one projection, and the connector includes at least one slot sized to slidingly receive the projection, wherein the cap is secured to the connector by rotating the cap with respect to the connector such that the projection is moved to an end of the slot.
  • 24. A portable urinal kit for collecting and storing urine, the kit comprising:a substantially rigid, one-piece female receptacle for collecting urine from a female user, the female receptacle including a body portion having an inlet portion and a relatively smaller outlet portion, the inlet portion sized to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of the female user; a substantially rigid, one-piece male receptacle for collecting urine from a male user, the male receptacle including a body portion having an inlet portion and a relatively smaller outlet portion, the inlet portion sized to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of the male user; one or more disposable, flexible storage containers for storing the urine, each storage container having a body and an inlet for receiving urine from a selected one of the female and male receptacles, the storage container inlet comprising the final entrance into the storage container body; a rigid connector attached to the storage container wherein a distal outlet end of the connector is received within the storage container causing the storage container inlet to remain open for the passage of urine into the storage container body, the connector having an inlet adapted to receive the outlet portion of the selected receptacle thereby allowing urine to flow from the selected receptacle outlet portion into the storage container inlet, the connector releasably joining the selected receptacle with the storage container such that the selected receptacle can be removed from the storage container; and a cap adapted to be received by the connector for sealing the storage container following removal of the selected receptacle, wherein the sealed storage container can be disposed and replaced with another, unused storage container.
  • 25. The portable urinal kit according to claim 24, wherein the one or more storage containers include flexible bags.
  • 26. The portable urinal kit according to claim 24, wherein each receptacle outlet portion includes at least one projection, and the connector includes at least one slot sized to slidingly receive the projection, wherein the selected receptacle is secured to the connector by rotating the selected receptacle with respect to the connector such that the projection is moved to an end of the slot.
  • 27. The portable urinal kit according to claim 24, wherein the cap includes at least one projection, and the connector includes at least one slot sized to slidingly receive the projection, wherein the cap is secured to the connector by rotating the cap with respect to the connector such that the projection is moved to an end of the slot.
  • 28. The portable urinal kit according to claim 24, wherein the connector is press fit onto the storage container and includes a bracket and a funnel enclosed by the bracket, the funnel having an inlet portion for engaging the selected receptacle outlet and an outlet portion that protrudes below the bracket and is adapted to be received in the storage container inlet.
  • 29. The portable urinal kit according to claim 24, wherein the storage container includes a neck region and the connector includes an annular flange arranged to be affixed to a corresponding flange of the container neck region.
  • 30. The portable urinal kit according to claim 24, wherein the male receptacle body portion includes a handle.
  • 31. The portable urinal kit according to claim 24, wherein the one or more storage containers each include a powder substance contained therein for absorbing the urine.
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