FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH:
Not applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING:
Not applicable
BACKGROUND
Prior Art
The usage of urinals is a known method to urinate in most public restrooms. However, most residences and many commercial places do not offer the convenience of urinals. Therefore, commodes or toilets designed to receive human waste from a sitting position are also used for urination from a standing position. Typically, users stand to urinate for comfort and to avoid germs on commode seats. In the process, however, urine splatters on rim of the commode and floor around the commode or toilet, no matter how careful the users may be. Even traditional urinals do not prevent urine splatters and consequently odor emanates from them. Urine splashing on water of the commode bowl also leads to a sound that may be embarrassing. Urine splatters result in a non-hygienic condition and requires additional cleaning around the commode. Furthermore, urine splatters can stain a rug, if a rug has been placed near the commode. Some users, risking the spread of germs, raise both lids of the commode to an upright position to urinate into the commode. They seldom put them back, which is inconvenience to the next user. From this point ahead in this document, “commodes or toilets” will be referred to as “commodes.”
Standard commodes and urinals are two separate fixtures requiring separate spaces, drains, and plumbing lines, which cost a lot more than a single fixture. Several attempts have been made in past to combine a urinal and a commode to provide an economical and space-saving solution. U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,449 issued to Aguirre (2002) disclosed a toilet assembly in combination with a urinal. However, this assembly can be very expensive, because it requires extra floor space and plumbing lines. Most existing toilets do not have the extra space required to add a urinal. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,230 issued to Corbin (1997), and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,412,408 and 3,500,480 issued to Michal (1968 and 1970 respectively), urinal attachments for toilet bowls are presented. Although these types of urinal attachments can be added to existing toilets, they will make the toilet space more crowded, stinky and unpleasant. These urinal attachments require skilled personnel to install the attachments resulting in extra expenses, time, efforts, and inconveniences. Other prior art devices include U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,419; 4,137,579; 4,180,875; and 4,750,219. Most of these prior art devices require significant bathroom modification and plumbing work, which may be unappealing to users.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,400 issued to Jonec (1996) disclosed a disposable flat-folded male urinary aid and compact portable dispenser. Before urinating, the male must use his hands to pull out the urinary aid from the portable dispenser, which may be unstable. Then he must unfold the long urinary aid, insert penis in larger top end and place smaller bottom end of the urinary aid into the toilet water. A lot of time is wasted doing all of these steps, even before urinating. During urination, the male must hold the urinary aid and then drop it into the toilet after use. U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,034 issued to Urrutia (2001) disclosed a wall attached extensible and retractable urine deflecting apparatus for use with a toilet. This apparatus also requires substantial use of human hands before, and after urinating. Before use, the male has to extend and after the use he has to retract the apparatus manually. Also, he has to manually lower a deflecting sheet substantially into the toilet bowl water; each use requires a substantial amount of the deflecting sheet. The deflecting sheet used in this apparatus cannot reliably channel the urine flow into the toilet. Risk of urine splattering outside the commode still remains. Both of these prior art devices require substantial use of human hands and are unhygienic, inconvenient, and time consuming. Most of the prior art devices for urinary use of commodes have not solved the problem of urine splatters to any degree of satisfaction. So, a hygienic and simple solution to prevent urine splatters is needed.
SUMMARY
One embodiment of a urinal device for commode comprises a water flushable funnel having two ends, one of the ends being smaller than the other, each end being open, and a passage between the two ends and can funnel body fluids from one end to the other end. The flushable funnel is made of bio-degradable material with minimal amount of wet strength, and transitory surface water repellency to at least one surface of the flushable funnel without impairing the ability of the bio-degradable funnel to be disposed of by flushing. The flushable funnel is tapered between the two ends. The flushable funnel is part of a nested stack of flushable funnels. The flushable funnel comprises a protrusion adjacent the larger end to cooperate with restraining arms to dispense the flushable funnels from the nested stack one at a time. The flushable funnel further comprises at least one tail adjacent the smaller end and forms a handle.
A method of assisting a standing human user in urinating into a toilet designed for receiving human waste comprises the steps of supplying flushable funnels, removing a flushable funnel from the supply of funnels, and suspending the flushable funnel above the toilet to provide a path for body fluids into the toilet. The user urinates through the suspended flushable funnel into the toilet, and then releases the suspended funnel into the toilet. Flushing the toilet flush away released flushable funnel. This method is a manual method. The flushable funnel has two tails adjacent the smaller end to be held by human hands. A power-driven method comprises the steps of furnishing a power-driven dispenser. By means of the power-driven dispenser, removing a flushable funnel from the supply of flushable funnels and suspending the flushable funnel above the toilet to provide a path for body fluids into the toilet. The funnel is suspended by way of a tail. The funnel is suspended above the toilet by deploying a movable arm. The power-driven dispenser releases the suspended funnel into the toilet and returns the movable arm to a stored position.
ADVANTAGES
The splatter-free urinal device for a commode alleviates deficiencies of prior arts in the same field and provides further benefits including:
(a) Prevents urine-splatters around the commode and keeps bathroom clean.
(b) Makes bathroom cleaning easier, quicker and cheaper.
(c) Conserves water, toxic cleaning chemicals and cleaning labor
(d) Requires no additional floor space.
(e) Requires no additional plumbing work.
(f) Installs easily by a layperson in a short time and without any tool.
(g) Has a storage space for extra flushable funnels and toilet paper rolls.
(h) Is hygienic, economical, novel, unique, useful, convenient and pleasing.
DRAWINGS—BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In the drawings, like reference numbers among different embodiments indicate like parts or components. Closely related figures have the same numbers but different alphabetic suffixes.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment showing a dispensed and suspended flushable funnel ready for use.
FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the embodiment, indicated by the section lines 2-2 in FIG. 3A.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment, indicated by the section lines 1-1 in FIG. 2, with FIG. 3A showing the urinal apparatus and FIG. 3B showing a commode.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the embodiment showing accessibility to the dispenser for restocking the funnels.
FIG. 5 shows a partial enlarged view of the operation from the stored-hub position, indicated by the dashed circle 5 in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the movable arm, indicated by section lines 3-3 in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 shows a partial enlarged view of the operation from the dispensed and suspended position, indicated by the dashed circle 7 in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 8 shows details of the front joint between the container and the dispenser, indicated by the dashed circle 8 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 9 shows details of the rear joint between the container and the dispenser, indicated by the dashed circle 9 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the flushable funnel.
FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the flushable funnel with fin portions added.
FIG. 10C shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the flushable funnels placed around a cardboard core in a nested stack.
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the cardboard core.
FIG. 12 shows a compactly packed version one embodiment.
FIG. 13 shows unpacking diagram of same embodiment.
FIG. 14 shows an assembly diagram of same embodiment.
DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS
|
100
urinal apparatus
200
commode
|
11
power-driven dispenser
201
commode seat
|
12
jaw
203
commode cover
|
13
movable arm
205
water tank
|
14
end plate
207
commode bowl
|
15
flushable funnel
209
wall
|
16
activation device or sensor
211
water supply
|
17
sleeve
213
drain or sewage line
|
18L
container
18R
container
|
20L
fastening device
20R
fastening device
|
21
drawer
22
storage section
|
23
hub
24
height adjusting device
|
25
biasing device
26
restraining arms
|
27
tail portion
28
reversible motor
|
29
reversible motor
30
switch
|
31
switch
32
core
|
33
groove
34
track
|
35
battery
36
electric plug
|
37
pivot
38
stop
|
39
projection
40
tongue
|
41
channel
42
lid
|
43
protrusion
44
flange
|
45
ball
46
socket
|
47
fin portion
48
notch
|
49
band
50
sear
|
51
rack
52
pinion
|
|
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS—FIGS, 1, 2, 3A-3B AND 10A
The invention may be best described by reference to the drawings. One embodiment of the splatter-free urinal apparatus 100 for a commode 200 is illustrated in various views: FIG. 1 (perspective view), FIG. 2 (top cross-sectional view), FIGS. 3A and 3B (side cross-sectional view), and FIG. 10A (flushable funnel). Part number follows name of the part. The apparatus 100 is attached on water tank 205 of the commode 200 by fastening devices 20L and 20R, which can be suction cups or other suitable fastening devices. The fastening devices are built under a storage section 22, but can be built anywhere on the apparatus 100. The fastening devices secure the apparatus on top of the water tank or on a wall near the commode. This location allows the commode to function unimpeded. A power-driven dispenser 11 is attached to the storage section 22, which has a drawer 21. The drawer 21 can store extra flushable funnels 15. The dispenser 11 has a truncated cone shaped hub 23 to support the flushable funnels 15 in a nested stack. The funnels 15, placed on the hub 23 are ready to be dispensed one at a time. A movable arm 13 is provided in the dispenser 11 to extend, and suspend a funnel 15 above the commode bowl 207 when activated by a user. This extended and suspended funnel 15 position converts the commode into a temporary splatter-preventing urinal.
A plurality of restraining arms 26 with a portion extending inwards is to release one funnel 15 at a time. This is done with cooperation of a biasing device 25. The biasing device 25 is located between the rear wall of the dispenser 11 and the hub 23. The restraining arms 26 are anchored to the dispenser 11. The biasing device 25 pushes the hub 23 outward when the outer most funnel 15 is pulled out of the nested stack of funnels 15. This push is just enough to automatically place the newly exposed tail portion 27 of the next outer most funnel 15 close to an end plate 14, which is located at outer end of the movable arm 13. This positioning of the tail portion 27 keeps the outer most funnel 15 ready to be clamped by a jaw 12 against the end plate 14. The movable arm 13 is supported by a sleeve 17 for enabling the arm 13 to move between the stored position and the extended position when activated. The movable arm 13 also has a height adjusting device 24, which may be a constant torque friction hinge or other suitable device. The device 24 helps a user to adjust the height of top end of the funnel 15 in suspended position suitable to the user.
The movable arm 13 is moved between the stored and extended positions by a suitable rack and pinion device, which is connected to a reversible motor 29. The motor 29 is connected to a battery 35 and an electric plug 36 for choice of a power supply. A switch 30 is provided on the end plate 14 to activate forward movement of the arm 13. A stop 38 is provided on the movable arm 13. A switch 31 is provided on the stop 38 to activate reverse movement of the movable arm 13. A suitable rack and pinion device is connected to a reversible motor 28 that moves the jaw 12 between the end plate 14 and the stop 38. The motor 28 is connected to the battery 35 and the electric plug 36 for choice of a power supply. An activation device 16 is provided, which can be a touchless sensor or a switch. The sensor 16 is placed on the stop 38, but it can be placed anywhere on the apparatus 100. To prevent urine splatters outside the commode, when urinating from standing position, a user activates the sensor 16 twice, once before urinating, and second time after urinating. First activation of the sensor 16 is to move the arm 13 from the stored position to the extended position to suspend and hold a funnel 15 above the commode bowl 207. Second activation of the sensor 16 is to drop the funnel 15 in the commode bowl 207 and return the arm 13 from the extended position to the stored position. The apparatus has lidded containers 18L and 18R on either side of the dispenser 11, which can store extra toilet paper rolls.
In operation, upon first activation by a user, the sensor 16 initiates the operation of the motor 28 that moves the jaw 12 forward and clamps the tail portion 27 of the outer most funnel 15 with the end plate 14. Simultaneously, the jaw 12 activates the switch 30 and stops. This activation initiates operation of the motor 29 that extends the movable arm 13 to the extended position. While extending out, the arm 13 pulls out the clamped outer most funnel 15 from the nested stack of the funnels 15 loaded on the hub 23. Once the funnel 15 is pulled out completely from the stack (when the larger end of the funnel 15 pulled out of the stack), the funnel 15 swings from the near horizontal orientation (shown in solid lines in FIG. 3A) to a near vertical orientation (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3A) due to gravity. This suspended funnel above the commode directs fluids from the user into the commode. The motor 29 stops when the movable arm 13 is fully deployed. The user can adjust height of the top end of the funnel 15 by moving the deployed arm 13 up or down, as needed.
When the movable arm is in the extended position, and upon finished urinating, the user activates the sensor 16. Upon this second activation, the sensor 16 initiates the operation of the motor 28 that moves the jaw 12 out of the clamping position allowing the suspended funnel 15 to drop into the commode bowl 207. Immediately following, the jaw 12 activates the switch 31, which initiates the operation of the motor 29. So, the motor 29 moves the arm 13 to the stored position leaving the commode 200 to function unimpeded. The jaw 12 on the arm 13 clears the tail portion 27 and allows it to lift up. The jaw 12 has a tapered thin leading edge to move under the tail portion 27. Upon flushing, the dropped biodegradable funnel 15 flushes away with the urine and degrades in the sewage line. The first and second activations by the user can be done without touch, such as by waving a hand near or above the sensor 16. On next user activation, the operation repeats.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the urinal apparatus 100 placed on the water tank 205 of the commode 200. The movable arm 13 is extended out (upon first activation by a user) by the power-driven dispenser 11 suspending a funnel 15 over the commode bowl 207. This posture is now ready for use to urinate from a standing position and to prevent urine splatters outside the commode. This is also a temporary conversion of the commode 200 into a splatter-preventing urinal. The jaw 12 is holding a suspended funnel 15 against the end plate 14. The dispenser 11 is placed on the storage section 22. The drawer 21 is shown slightly open to show that it can store extra funnels 15. Containers 18L and 18R are shown open to show that they can store toilet paper rolls. The sensor 16 is placed on the stop 38 but it can be placed anywhere on the apparatus. First activation of the sensor 16 moves the jaw 12 forward clamping the funnel 15 and activates the switch 30. This activation extends the arm 13 forward to suspend the funnel 15 above the commode bowl 207. Second activation of the sensor 16 moves the jaw backward releasing the funnel 15 into the commode bowl 207 and activating the switch 31. This activation returns the arm 13 into the apparatus and keeps the commode unimpeded. The full operation is discussed previously, and in FIG. 3A, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7.
In phantom lines, FIG. 1 illustrates the commode 200, which includes commode seat 201, commode cover 203, water tank 205, and commode bowl 207. The commode may be positioned against a wall 209 and is connected to a water supply 211 and a drain line 213 (see FIG. 3B).
FIG. 1 further shows the urinal apparatus 100 includes the fastening devices 20L and 20R (20R not shown in FIG. 1), which attach the apparatus 100 to the water tank 205. Additionally, the storage section 22 can be placed so that the drawer 21 can open from the left side or from right side; it can also be opened from the front or can be designed with a lid on any side. The dispenser 11, the storage section 22 including the drawer 21, the containers 18L and 18R, can be made from rigid or semi-rigid plastic or other suitable materials.
FIG. 1 further shows the movable arm 13 has the height adjusting device 24 such as a constant torque friction hinge. The device 24 allows the user to position the height of the top end of the funnel 15 over the toilet to a suitable height. The device 24 holds the position until second activation of the sensor 16. The second activation moves the arm 13 back into the dispenser 11. Several constant torque friction hinges are available in the market, such as Reell's patented hinge.
FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the urinal apparatus 100 showing the dispenser 11 including the hub 23. The containers 18L and 18R can store toilet paper rolls or other items. The restraining arms 26 are anchored to the dispenser 11. A plurality of the funnels 15 in nested stack is placed on the hub 23. The biasing device 25 pushes the hub 23 outwards. The movable arm 13 (not shown in FIG. 2), with cooperation of the restraining arms 26, dispenses a funnels 15 one at a time. The restraining arms 26 can have a portion extended inwards to hold the protrusions 43 (not shown on FIG. 2) of the funnels 15. The arms 26 are flexible enough to release the funnels 15 one at a time. Details at dashed circle 8 and 9 are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively.
In phantom lines, FIG. 2 shows the commode seat 201 in seating position, the commode cover 203 in upright position, the water tank 205 below the apparatus 100, and the commode bowl 207 of the commode 200.
In dashed lines, FIG. 2 show fastening devices 20L and 20R, which can be made of flexible plastic suction cups or other appropriate fastening device. The fastening devices 20L and 20R are built below the apparatus 100 and are sized to fit on and secure to the water tank 205. The apparatus 100 can be made attachable to the water tank or an object including a wall by way of suitable fastening device.
FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show a side cross-sectional view of the urinal apparatus 100 for a commode 200. In solid lines, FIG. 3A shows the apparatus 100 storing a plurality of funnels 15 in nested stack around the hub 23 and a funnel 15 has not been dispensed. The movable arm 13 is in the stored position (shown in solid lines). Upon first activation by a user, the sensor 16 initiates the operation of the motor 28 that moves the jaw 12 forward and clamps the tail portion 27 of the outer most funnel 15 with the end plate 14. Simultaneously, the jaw 12 activates the switch 30, which initiates the operation of the motor 29 to extend the movable arm 13 to the extended position (shown in dashed lines). While extending out, the arm 13 pulls out the clamped funnel 15 from a nested stack on the hub 23. Once the funnel 15 is pulled out completely from the stack (when the larger end of the funnel is pulled out of the stack), the funnel 15 swings from the near horizontal orientation (shown in solid lines in FIG. 3A) to a near vertical orientation (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3A) due to gravity. The lower end of the funnel 15 positions itself over the bowl 207 so that the urine flows into the bowl 207. The user urinates though the funnel 15. During pull of the funnel 15, the biasing device 25 pushes the hub 23 forward. This positions the next outer most funnel 15 and its tail portion 27 close to the end plate 14, ready to be clamped and dispensed for next user.
When the movable arm is in the extended position (shown in dashed lines), the user activates the sensor 16. This second activation initiates the operation of the motor 28 that moves the jaw 12 out of the clamping position. This allows the suspended funnel 15 to drop into the commode bowl 207. Immediately following, the jaw 12 activates the switch 31 initiating the operation of the motor 29, which then moves the arm 13 to the stored position. This stored position keeps the commode to function unimpeded. On the next first and second activation, the respective operation repeats. A sleeve 17, which can be a plate, a cylinder or other suitable device, supports the movable arm 13. A pivot 37 and tracks 34 attached on both sides of the dispenser 11 support the sleeve 17. The apparatus 100 is attached by fastening devices 20L, and 20R (not shown in FIG. 3A). The storage section 22 may include a drawer 21 to store extra funnels 15. The movable arm 13 has the height adjusting device 24 for the users to adjust the height of top of the funnel 15 at a suitable height. The motor 28 and 29 can be operated by the battery 35 or the electric plug 36. The details of the operation at dashed circles 5 and 7 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, respectively.
In phantom lines, FIG. 3A shows the top part of the commode 200, which can be positioned adjacent to a wall 209. The apparatus 100 can be placed on the water tank 205 (showed in partial view). The water tank is for flushing the commode 200. The commode cover 203, in upright position, appears in partial view.
In phantom lines, FIG. 3B shows the commode 200, which can be used in conjunction with the urinal apparatus 100 (shown in FIG. 3A) to convert the commode into a temporary splatter-preventing urinal. The commode 200 includes the commode seat 201, the commode cover 203, the water tank 205, and the commode bowl 207. The commode may be positioned against the wall 209. Water supply 211 supplies water to the water tank 205. The commode is connected to the drain 213.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the urinal apparatus 100. The sleeve 17 can be moved upward and then reverted back to its original position with aid of the pivot 37 and the tracks 34. A ball 45 mounted on the sleeve 17 snap locks into a socket 46 mounted on a lid 42 to hold the sleeve 17 in upward position, as needed. This feature allows a wider front opening of the dispenser 11 to restock a plurality funnels 15 on the hub 23, as needed. Different methods can be used for this purpose. The hub 23 stores a plurality of funnels 15 in nested stack. A user activation of the sensor 16 activates the apparatus 100 to convert a commode in to a temporary splatter-preventing urinal.
FIG. 4 further shows the lid 42 that may be opened to install the battery 35, which can be regular or rechargeable. Several regular or rechargeable batteries are available in the market. Optionally, the electric plug 36 can be used to plug into an electrical wall outlet for direct electric power supply to the apparatus 100.
FIG. 5 shows a partial enlarged view of the apparatus at dashed circle 5 in FIG. 3A. The funnels 15 are stacked in a nested stack around a core 32. The core 32 facilitates insertion of a plurality of the funnels 15 on the hub 23. The reversible motor 28 and the jaw 12 are connected through a rack and pinion device. The motor 28 is attached to the pinion. The jaw 12 is attached to the rack. The reversible motor 29 and the movable arm 13 are connected through a rack and pinion device. The motor 29 is attached to the pinion. The movable arm 13 is attached to the rack.
FIG. 5 further shows that the funnel 15 has not been dispensed. The movable arm 13 is in the stored position. Upon first activation by a user, the sensor 16 initiates the operation of the motor 28. This operation moves the jaw 12 forward, and clamps the tail portion 27 of the outer most funnel 15 with the end plate 14. Simultaneously, the jaw 12 activates the switch 30, which initiates the operation of the motor 29. This process moves the movable arm 13 to the extended position suspending a funnel 15 above the commode. After activating the switch 30 the jaw 12 stops. While extending out, the arm 13 pulls out the clamped outer most funnel 15 from a nested stack of funnels 15 loaded on the hub 23. Near the end plate 14, only one tail portion 27 (of the outer most funnel 15) remains exposed to be clamped. Because of the nested stack, the tail portion 27 of each funnel 15 in the stack is buried below the next funnel 15 stacked above it. Therefore, only one funnel 15 is pulled out at a time, when the user activates the sensor 16. The remaining funnels of the stack remain in place on the hub 23. The restraining arms 26 hold the protrusion 43 of the next funnel 15 in line and in turn hold all remaining funnels 15 to be dispensed (not shown in FIG. 5). In this process, the biasing device 25 (not shown in FIG. 5) pushes the hub 23 forward, which positions the tail portion 27 of the next forward most funnel 15 close to the end plate 14. On the next first activation, the process repeats. The jaw 12 can have a tapered thin leading edge to move under the raised tail portion 27 of the outer most funnel 15. The battery 35 or the electric plug 36 supplies the power.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the movable arm 13, indicated by section lines 3-3 in FIG. 5. Upon activation, the jaw 12 slides on the movable arm 13, forward on first activation, and reverse on second activation. A pair of tongues 40 and a pair of grooves 33 keep the reversible jaw 12 aligned and stay on the same plane even while moving. Different methods can be used for this purpose. The tongues 40 are located on both opposite inner sides of the jaw 12. The tongues 40 of the jaw 12 slide in the grooves 33, which are located on both outer sides of the arm 13. The rack 51 of the rack and pinion device is attached to the under surface of the top side of the reversible jaw 12. The pinion 52 is attached to the reversible motor 28. The motor 28 is mounted at the underside of the arm 13 and attaches to the rack 51 through an opening in the arm 13. The tail portion 27, the switch 30, and the end plate 14 are as previously discussed.
FIG. 7 shows a partial enlarged view of the operation from the dispensed and suspended position of the funnel 15, indicated by the dashed circle 7 in FIG. 3A (the dashed lines of FIG. 3A are shown in solid lines in FIG. 7). When the movable arm 13 is in the extended position, the user initiates a second activation of the sensor 16 after urinating. The sensor 16 initiates the operation of the motor 28 to move the jaw 12 out of the clamping position and allows the flushable funnel 15 in the suspended position to drop into the commode bowl 207. Immediately following, the jaw 12 activates the switch 31. The switch 31 initiates the operation of the motor 29, which moves the arm 13 to the stored position. So, the commode 200 remains unimpeded (not shown in FIG. 7). When the arm 13 returns fully in the dispenser 11, the jaw 12 clears the tail portion 27 of the next outer most funnel 15 and allows the tail portion 27 to lift up (not shown in FIG. 7). On next second activation, the process repeats. The activation device or sensor 16 is mounted on stop 38 but can be located anywhere on the apparatus 100 (not shown in FIG. 7). The end plate 14 accommodates the switch 30.
FIG. 8 shows a detail of the front joint, indicated by the dashed circle 8 in FIG. 2. The joint is between the front left corner of the container 18R and the front right side of the dispenser 11 secured by a channel 41. The joint can be nailed, screwed, glued or attached by other suitable method. The commode cover 203 is visible in the FIG. 8.
FIG. 9 shows a detail of the rear joint, indicated by the dashed circle 9 in FIG. 2. The joint is between the rear left corner of the container 18R and the rear right side of the dispenser 11 secured by the channel 41. The joint can be nailed, screwed, glued or attached by other suitable method. The restraining arm 26 is anchored to the dispenser 11.
FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the flushable funnel 15 in a near horizontal orientation. The funnel 15 has a predetermined truncated cone shape, and is made of biodegradable materials. The materials can be compounds or papers having wet strength and water repellency while retaining the property of being flushable. The funnel 15 retains its strength and shape temporarily when wetted. Such papers can be manufactured. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,171 assigned to Monadnok papers Mills, Inc. (Bennington, N.H.) discloses a paper product suitable for applications requiring wet strength and water repellency while retaining the property of being flushable. The information in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,171 can be used in its entirety for manufacturing the flushable funnels 15. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,171 is directed to a coating composition for application to a flushable cellulosic based waterleaf sheet to impart transitory water repellency to at least one surface of the sheet. Being flushable, the funnel 15 paper have minimum wet strength resin, such as melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, or a neutral cure wet strength material. Furthermore, the funnel 15 is strong enough to withstand the force of a urine stream. The funnel 15 material can be made moderately slippery so that it can slide out easily from a stack of the funnels 15 stored around core 32 (not shown FIG. 10A). Each funnel 15 has two ends and a passage extending through between the ends. The funnel 15 is tapered so as to have a small end and a larger end.
FIG. 10A further shows the funnel 15 has a tail portion 27 attached on one side of the small open end. The funnel 15 has protrusion 43 all around the larger open end to allow for grip by the restraining arms 26 (not shown in FIG. 10A). The protrusion 43 cooperates with the restraining arms 26 and the biasing device 25 to dispense one funnel 15 at a time from the nested stack. The funnel 15 can be of different suitable shapes and sizes including, but not limited to square, round, oval, rectangular, or polygon. The funnel 15 can be made of suitable lengths to suit different sizes of commodes.
FIG. 10B shows another embodiment of the funnel 15 in a near horizontal orientation. In addition to the entire characteristic described in FIG. 10A including the tail portion 27 and the protrusion 43, the funnel 15 has fin portions 47 on the remaining sides of the small open end. The fin portions 47 on two sides can be used as handles and can be held by both hands while urinating; the portion 47 on the remaining side (close to the user) can act as a guard against dripping urine. This embodiment can be used with or without the apparatus 100. Without the apparatus 100 (not shown in FIG. 10B), the funnel 15 (shown in FIG. 10C) can be held in hands over the commode bowl. Then it can be dropped after the use, and can be flushed away.
FIG. 10C shows another embodiment of the flushable funnel 15. A plurality of the funnel 15 is arranged in a nested stack around the core 32. In addition to the entire characteristic described in FIG. 10A including the tail portion 27 forming a handle, the funnel 15 has a fin portion 47 on the opposite side of tail portion 27 forming another handle. The two handles can be held by a user above the commode bowl for urinating standing in the commode without the use of the apparatus 100 (not shown in the FIG. 10C). After the use, the user drops the funnel 15 in the commode bowl. Then, the used funnel 15 is flushed away. The funnels 15 may be with or without the protrusion 43. This embodiment may be stored on top of the water tank or near the toilet. When needed, a user pulls out one funnel 15 from the stack. Since the bottom end is larger than the top end, the stack of funnels 15 stays stable at the stored position.
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the core 32, which can be made from cardboard or another suitable material and thickness. Its function is similar to the cardboard core of toilet paper rolls. The core 32 has a flange 44 for pulling it out from the hub 23 (not shown in FIG. 11). The core 32 can be disposable or refillable.
FIG. 12 shows a compact packing version of the apparatus 100 to save space and cost. The drawer 21 is slightly open showing that the dispenser 11 can be placed inside the drawer 21. A side of the containers 18L and 18R adjacent to the dispenser 11 is precut leaving a small slit on either end of that side. These slits fit into grove of the channels 41(not shown in FIG. 12) attaching the containers 18L and 18R to the dispenser 11. With these precut sides the containers 18L and 18R can be wrapped around the storage section 22 as shown. Thus, the packing can be made smaller. The packing version occupies less space than the assembled one and may cost less than the assembled one. A consumer can easily assemble it.
FIG. 13 shows how to unpack different components of the urinal apparatus. First, separate the container 18L and the container 18R from both ends. Then slide out the drawer 21 from the storage section 22. Take out the dispenser 11 from the drawer 21. Thus, the apparatus can be made ready to be assembled.
FIG. 14 shows an assembly diagram of the urinal apparatus for a commode. First, place and push the storage section 22 slightly on the top surface of the water tank 205 (not shown in FIG. 14). The fastening device 20L and 20R (not shown in FIG. 14) attaches the apparatus on the water tank 205 (not shown in FIG. 14). The storage section 22 can be positioned to access the drawer 21 from the left or right side. Next, the dispenser 11 slides and fits on a notch 48 located on the storage section 22. Bands 49 slide in sears 50, which lock in the dispenser 11 with the storage section 22. Then, slide the containers 18L and 18R in the groove formed by channels 41. This compact version is just one example, and can be made in several different ways. Thus, a consumer can easily assemble the apparatus in a short time.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
Thus, at least one embodiment of the urinal apparatus for a commode provides a more reliable, clean, and economical apparatus that can be used by a wide range of people. Said apparatus facilitates urinal function without installing a traditional urinal and extra plumbing. Said apparatus is easy to install and is aesthetically pleasing than a urinal and can work better than the prior art. As an added bonus, said apparatus stores extra bio-degradable funnels and toilet papers.
The elements described here can be duplicated or eliminated, changed in size and made in different shapes and colors. They can be connected or associated with adjacent elements in a different manner. They can be made integrally or separately, i.e. modular or in sections.
While my above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one embodiment thereof. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalent.
Patent Application
20130036543
