US20050097662A1

US20050097662A1 - Female urinary device

Info

Publication number: US20050097662A1
Application number: US10/704,682
Authority: US
Inventors: Brett Leimkuhler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-12
Filing date: 2003-11-12
Publication date: 2005-05-12

Abstract

A device to facilitate urination by a female from an erect or upright position. The device comprises only two separable parts, a funnel and a flexible tube and can easily be carried in purse, pocket or fanny pack. Fabricated from a flexible material, the funnel is contoured to conform to the labia region of the female anatomy. Soft, rounded edges, allows a user to hold the funnel against her body with sufficient pressure to form a seal without discomfort and without the feel of an adhesive. Since the material is flexible, the funnel can be manipulated to be wider or narrower as desired. A flexible tube is detachably mounted on the funnel to form a flow path directed away from the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to personal appliances. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a device that permits a female to urinate without sitting.
2. Description of the Related Art
Public toilets are often in such an unsanitary state that a female user is loath to sit. In such instances, layers of toilet paper are utilized to create a barrier between the user's bare skin and the toilet seat. This scenario, however, is not fool proof and thus, does engender confidence for the user. In these instances, a device that would permit a female user to stand while urinating without splattering and/or wetting her undergarments and clothes would certainly be a welcome addition to the art. Such a device would be of use out door enthusiasts such as hikers, campers, horsewomen, etc. Other potential users would include handicapped women, women who live in areas with inadequate bathroom facilities and transsexuals.
The related art is awash with urinary devices especially adapted to female use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,355 (Hall et al.) U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,449 (Schneider et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,151 (Ball) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,819 (Welch) are drawn to devices include support structure for wear.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,484 (Mozell), U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,890 (Tafur) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,225 B1 (Beck et al.) disclose urinary devices that include parts that are disposed of after each use. This requires a user to maintain a stock of the disposable parts.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,736 (Block) shows a urinary device that requires an adhesive to provide a fluid-tight seal between a container and the external tissue of a user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,216 (Li) describes a urinary device made of a rigid plastic material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,176 (Magiera et al.) discloses a urinary device that incorporates intricately designed inner and outer sealing rings. Such design would add to manufacturing costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,998 (Irazabal) shows a urinary device having a tube permanently sealed to the funnel body. This arrangement presents difficulty when attempting to thoroughly clean the tube.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a compact, easy-to-use female urinary device as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn to a device to facilitate urination by a female from an erect or upright position. Compact and easy to use, the device comprises only two separable parts, a funnel and a flexible tube and can easily be carried in purse, pocket or fanny pack. Fabricated from a flexible material, the funnel is contoured to conform to the labia region of the female anatomy. Soft, rounded edges allow a user to hold the funnel against her body with sufficient pressure to form a seal without discomfort and without the icky feel of an adhesive. Since the material is flexible, the funnel can be manipulated to be wider or narrower as desired. A flexible tube is detachably mounted on the funnel to form a flow path directed away from the user.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a device, which device will facilitate urination by a female in a standing position.
It is another object of the invention to provide a device to facilitate urination by a female in a standing position, which device is compact and conveniently portable.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a device to facilitate urination by a female in a standing position, which device is separable into two parts for easy and thorough cleaning.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a device to facilitate urination by a female in a standing position, which device is comfortable and easy to use.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a female urinary device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front, perspective view of a female urinary device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a top, perspective view of a female urinary device according to the present invention.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attention is directed to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings wherein the urinary device of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. Device 10 consists of two separable parts, a funnel 12 and a flow tube 14. A wall 12 a of funnel 12 is contoured to conform to the labia region L of a female's anatomy. The lower end of the funnel is configured as a hemisphere. The funnel is provided with a nipple portion 16. Nipple 16 opens into the funnel at the lower end 12 a. Funnel 12 is compact having a length of approximately 1¾ inches. The nipple has a length of ½ of an inch. At its widest point the funnel's diameter is approximately 0.96 of an inch. These dimensions permit the funnel to be easily carried as noted above and yet large enough to contain and direct urine flow. Funnel 12 and nipple 16 are integral and are fabricated from a flexible plastic material. All funnel walls and edges are rounded to enhance comfort. Though flexible, the component is durable, reusable and is designed to last indefinitely. Flexible latex tube 14 is detachably positioned on nipple 16. The friction fit of the tube on the nipple is such that no leaking will occur. The walls of the funnel slope downward so that liquid flow is directed toward the nipple so as to exit the device via tube 14.
In use, the open, contoured walls of the funnel are gently but firmly pressed against the labia region adjacent the vagina as illustrated in FIG. 1. Gentle hand pressure will ensure that no leakage will occur. Tube 14 pointed away from the body to avoid splattering on the user's clothes. The device may be easily rinsed and/or wiped clean after use.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A female urinary device adapted to facilitate urination by a female when the female is standing, comprising:

a compact funnel member, said funnel member having a length and a diameter;

a contoured opening formed on said funnel member, said opening contoured to conform to a labial area of a female's anatomy;

a hemispherical base portion positioned opposite said contoured opening;

a nipple integral with said funnel member, said nipple having a passageway opening into said hemispherical base portion; and

an elongate tube, said tube frictionally attached to said nipple and extending therefrom.

2. A female urinary device as recited in claim 1, wherein said funnel member is fabricated from a flexible plastic material.

3. A female urinary device as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongate tube is fabricated from one of a latex or silicone material.

4. A female urinary device as recited in claim 1, wherein the length of said funnel is approximately 1 and {fraction (3/4)} inches.

5. A female urinary device as recited in claim 1, wherein the diameter of said funnel at its widest point is 0.96 of an inch.

6. A female urinary device as recited in claim 1, wherein said nipple has a length of approximately {fraction (1/2)} of an inch.

7. A female urinary device adapted to facilitate urination by a female when the female is standing, comprising:

a compact funnel member, said funnel member fabricated from a flexible plastic material and having a length of approximately 1¾ inches and a diameter at its widest point of approximately 0.96 of an inch;

a hemispherical base portion positioned opposite said contoured opening;

8. A female urinary device as recited in claim 7, wherein said elongate tube is fabricated from-a latex material.

9. A female urinary device as recited in claim 8, wherein said nipple has a length of approximately ½ of an inch.