U.S. patent application number 10/954001 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for automatic urine disposal device and urine receptacle used therefor.
Invention is credited to Ishitsuka, Yoshikazu, Kobayashi, Junichi, Machida, Shigeru, Miyagawa, Ryousuke, Okabe, Kenichi, Suzuki, Miou, Wada, Ichiro.
Application Number | 20050070861 10/954001 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34309045 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050070861 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okabe, Kenichi ; et
al. |
March 31, 2005 |
Automatic urine disposal device and urine receptacle used
therefor
Abstract
In a urine receptacle of an automatic urine disposal device, a
urine backflow prevention sheet, with no water permeability, and
having funnel-shaped pores, is placed between a top sheet and a
urine absorbing sheet. A pair of rectangular electrodes,
constituting a urine detection sensor, is glued onto an electrode
support sheet and is placed between the top sheet and the urine
backflow prevention sheet. A plurality of funnel-shaped pores is
formed on the urine backflow prevention sheet.
Inventors: |
Okabe, Kenichi; (Chiyode,
JP) ; Kobayashi, Junichi; (Ushiku, JP) ;
Machida, Shigeru; (Iwama, JP) ; Miyagawa,
Ryousuke; (Kasukabe, JP) ; Ishitsuka, Yoshikazu;
(Minori, JP) ; Wada, Ichiro; (Toyohama, JP)
; Suzuki, Miou; (Toyohama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI, TERRY, STOUT & KRAUS, LLP
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
SUITE 1800
ARLINGTON
VA
22209-9889
US
|
Family ID: |
34309045 |
Appl. No.: |
10/954001 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/327 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/455 20130101;
A61F 5/4404 20130101; A61F 5/441 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/327 |
International
Class: |
A61M 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 30, 2003 |
JP |
2003-340488 |
Claims
1. An automatic urine disposal device, comprising: a urine
receptacle for absorbing urine discharged by a wearer, a urine tank
for storing urine collected by the urine receptacle, and a urine
drainage tube for directing urine from the urine receptacle into
the urine tank, characterized in that, a vacuum pump for lowering
pressuring inside said urine tank is provided, said urine
receptacle has a top sheet to be placed in contact with the wearer,
a urine absorbing sheet for absorbing urine that has passed through
the top sheet, a urine backflow prevention sheet having a plurality
of pores placed between the top sheet and the urine absorbing
sheet, and a urine detection sensor with a pair of electrodes
placed between said top sheet and said urine backflow prevention
sheet, and said urine tank is sealed.
2. The automatic urine disposal device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the plurality of pores formed on said urine
backflow prevention sheet are funnel-shaped.
3. The automatic urine disposal device according to claim 2,
characterized in that said urine backflow prevention sheet does not
have water permeability, the urine backflow prevention sheet is
placed between the top sheet with water permeability and the urine
absorbing sheet for absorbing urine, said electrodes are
rectangular-shaped and become electrically conductive when in
contact with urine, and said vacuum pump becomes activated when
said urine detection sensor detects urine and lowers pressure
inside said urine tank.
4. The automatic urine disposal device according to claim 3,
characterized in that said top sheet has water permeability, said
urine tank houses a sealed urine pack, and a urine swaying motion
control means is contained in the urine pack for controlling
swaying motions of urine that flows into the urine pack.
5. The automatic urine disposal device according to claim 1,
characterized in that said urine receptacle has a support sheet
with a urine drainage port formed thereon, the support sheet having
no water permeability, and said urine absorbing sheet is held by
this support sheet.
6. The automatic urine disposal device according to claim 5,
characterized in that a urine absorbing space forming material is
placed between said support sheet and said urine absorbing
sheet.
7. The automatic urine disposal device according to claim 4,
characterized in that said urine drainage tube consists of a first
urine drainage tube on the urine pack side and a second urine
drainage tube on the urine receptacle side, and a joint for
connecting the first and second urine drainage tubes is provided
such that the first and second urine drainage tubes can be freely
detached from/attached to each other.
8. The automatic urine disposal device according to claim 3,
characterized in that the electrodes of said urine detection sensor
are placed between the cushion sheet and said urine backflow
prevention sheet.
9. A urine receptacle for absorbing urine discharged from the
urinating part of a wearer, to be used with an automatic urine
disposal device, comprising: a support sheet with a urine drainage
port formed thereon, the support sheet having no water
permeability, a urine absorbing sheet for absorbing urine held by
said support sheet, a urine backflow prevention sheet with
funnel-shaped pores, the urine backflow prevention sheet being
located between said urine absorbing sheet and a top sheet, and a
urine detection sensor having two electrodes, the urine detection
sensor being placed between said top sheet and said urine backflow
prevention sheet.
10. The urine receptacle according to claim 9, characterized in
that a urine absorbing space forming material is placed between
said support sheet and said urine absorbing sheet.
11. The urine receptacle according to claim 10, characterized in
that a plurality of funnel-shaped pores are formed on said urine
backflow prevention sheet, and said electrodes are
rectangular-shaped.
12. The urine receptacle according to claim 9, characterized in
that a cushion sheet is placed between said top sheet and said
urine backflow prevention sheet, and said electrodes are placed
between the cushion sheet and said urine backflow prevention sheet.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority from Japanese
application JP2003-340488, filed on Sep. 30, 2003, the content of
which is hereby incorporated by reference into this
application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an automatic urine disposal
device and a urine receptacle of the type worn by the elderly,
people with difficulty walking, hospitalized patients, physically
disabled people, and others who are unable to voluntarily control
their bladder or to clean up urine on their own.
[0003] In general, the elderly, physically disabled people, and
those who are hospitalized due to injuries or illness sometimes
become unable to voluntarily control their bladder or clean up
urine on their own. In those situations, generally, a catheter is
directly inserted into the bladder to discharge urine, or a paper
diaper is used.
[0004] When a catheter is directly inserted into the bladder, the
wearer feels great discomfort, and there is also the probability of
injuring the urethra or bladder or the occurrence of an infection.
Thus, expertise in the insertion of the catheter, as well as the
use of special sterilized utensils, is required.
[0005] Prolonged use of a paper diaper may cause urine leakage, a
feeling of discomfort, dampness inside the diaper, or skin
troubles, such as rashes. To avoid this, the paper diaper must be
frequently changed, which will impose considerable physical and
mental burdens on both the wearer and the caretaker. Imposed on a
daily basis, those physical and mental burdens become a big concern
and a significant economic burden as well.
[0006] In order to solve the problems listed above, an automatic
urine disposal device, which uses a urine receptacle and a vacuum
pump to suction urine and then to direct the urine into a urine
tank via a urine drainage tube, has been developed. A urine
detection sensor for detecting urination and activating the vacuum
pump is used in such an automatic urine disposal device. As for the
urine detection sensor, there are various methods available for
urine detection, such as: detection based on the electrical
conduction of a pair of electrodes as a result of urination;
detection based on changes in pressure inside the urine drainage
tube as a result of urination; and detection based on detection of
odor components in excretory substances. Detection based on changes
in pressure inside the urine drainage tube as a result of urination
and detection based on detection of odor components in excretory
substances will make the device complicated and thus expensive.
Therefore, for practical use, urine detection based on the
electrical conduction of a pair of electrodes has been considered
effective.
[0007] Automatic urine disposal devices with a urine detection
sensor which was a pair of electrodes have been disclosed in
Japanese Application Patent Laid-open Publications No. Hei
07-171182 and No. Hei 10-85275.
[0008] The urine receptacle of an automatic urine disposal device
has a urine absorbing sheet below a top sheet made of a nonwoven
fabric which allows urine to easily pass therethrough. A pair of
electrodes, constituting a urine detection sensor, is located
between this top sheet and a urine absorbing sheet. Below the urine
absorbing sheet, a urine absorbing space forming material for
defining a urine flow path is provided in order to collect urine
from a large area. Sometimes the urine absorbing sheet or the urine
absorbing space forming material fails to collect urine and the
urine there remains uncollected. This may cause the uncollected
urine to ooze toward the urine detection sensor when the wearer
changes his/her posture or when his/her weight is shifted.
[0009] The urine detection sensor with a pair of electrodes becomes
electrically conductive due to the residual urine oozing out,
detects the presence of urine, and activates the vacuum pump. If
the vacuum pump becomes activated in this manner when the wearer is
not urinating, the wearer feels discomfort, thus creating a problem
in that he/she cannot use it comfortably.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an
automatic urine disposal device in which it is possible to prevent
improper operation of a vacuum pump caused by residual urine even
though a urine detection sensor with a pair of electrodes is used,
and also to provide a urine receptacle to be used with such an
automatic urine disposal device.
[0011] The present invention is characterized in that: a urine
backflow prevention sheet having no water permeability, with
funnel-shaped pores, is placed between a top sheet and a urine
absorbing sheet; and a pair of electrodes constituting a urine
detection sensor is placed between the top sheet and the urine
backflow prevention sheet. A plurality of funnel-shaped pores are
formed on the urine backflow prevention sheet.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, the urine
detection sensor is placed on the urine backflow prevention sheet
(on the top sheet side) which has a plurality of funnel-shaped
pores. Discharged urine can easily flow from the top sheet to a
urine absorbing sheet, since each funnel-shaped pore has a large
opening area to accommodate flow in that direction, and discharged
urine cannot backflow easily, since each funnel-shaped pore has a
small opening area for fluid flow in the reverse direction. This is
because the urine on the urine absorbed sheet has a surface
tension.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of
an automatic urine disposal device of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG.
1 with its urine tank partially removed and its lid case
removed;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a urine
receptacle; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the urine receptacle
taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a urine backflow
prevention sheet;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a urine detection
sensor;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the urine detection sensor
of another embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the urine detection sensor
of another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the urine detection sensor
of another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] A urine receptacle for absorbing urine is placed in contact
with the urinating part of a device wearer. After being absorbed by
the urine receiver, urine is directed into a sealed urine tank via
a urine drainage tube. In the urine tank, a urine swaying motion
control means is provided to control swaying movement or rippling
motions of the discharged urine. A vacuum pump suctions air inside
the urine tank so that urine will be drawn into the urine tank by a
negative pressure therein. The urine receptacle has: a support
sheet having no water permeability with a urine drainage port to
which the urine drainage tube is connected; a urine absorbing
sheet, held by the support sheet, for absorbing urine; a urine
absorbing space forming material placed between the support sheet
and the urine absorbing sheet; a urine backflow prevention sheet,
placed between the urine absorbing sheet and the top sheet, with a
plurality of funnel-shaped pores; and, between the top sheet and
the urine backflow prevention sheet, there is a urine detection
sensor with two rectangular electrodes which become electrically
conductive when they come into contact with urine.
[0023] FIGS. 1 through 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram of an automatic urine
disposal device of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded
perspective view of the device with its urine tank partially
removed and its lid case removed; FIG. 3 is an exploded and
enlarged perspective view of a urine receptacle; and FIG. 4 is an
enlarged cross-sectional view of the urine receptacle taken along
the line A-A in FIG. 3.
[0024] FIGS. 1 through 4 show an example in which a urine pack,
which serves as a urine storage container, is housed in the urine
tank. Although a urine receptacle 1 is represented as a flat
structure in these figures, it is in fact structured such that it
is concave like a funnel on the surface that is in contact with the
wearer's crotch, and its width at the middle in the longitudinal
direction (direction of the wearer's front and rear) is narrower at
the middle part, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The urine receptacle 1
is thus shaped like an hourglass so that it fits the wearer's
crotch.
[0025] The urine receptacle shown in FIG. 1 is a view from the top,
looking down at the surface that comes in contact with the wearer's
crotch. A urine absorbing sheet 3 for absorbing discharged urine
and a urine detection sensor 4 (electrodes 4a and 4b) for detecting
urination are placed inside the urine receptacle. Below the urine
absorbing sheet 3, a bead-shaped urine absorbing space forming
material 3a is placed, as seen in FIG. 4. A set formed of the urine
absorbing sheet 3 and the urine absorbing space forming material 3a
is sometimes collectively referred to as a urine collecting member
3.
[0026] On the urine receptacle 1, gathers 5 are formed. The gathers
5 have a three-dimensional structure for preventing urine from
leaking from the sides. The urine collecting member 3 and the urine
detection sensor 4 are structured so as to have a long length in
the direction of the wearer's front and rear with his/her crotch at
the middle in order to detect and collect discharged urine from a
large area. A urine drainage tube 6 is connected to the middle part
of the urine collecting member 3. A signal line 7 is connected to
the urine detection sensor 4. Also, a urine drainage tube 9 and a
signal line 10 are connected to a portable urine disposal device 8,
and a joint 11 is connected to one end of the urine drainage tube 9
and it includes a connector that is connected to one end of signal
line 10.
[0027] The joint 11 is capable of linking the urine drainage tube 6
to the urine drainage tube 9, and the connector therein is capable
of connecting the signal line 7 to the signal line 10 through a
single operation. After using the urine receptacle 1 for a day, or
if it becomes dirty due to defecation, the urine receptacle 1 can
be detached from the portable urine disposal device 8 at the joint
11 and discarded so that the wearer can wear a new urine receptacle
1.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the urine receptacle 1 consists of a
support sheet 12, the urine collecting member 3, a sheet 13 with
funnel-shaped pores, the urine detection sensor 4, a cushion sheet
14, and a top sheet 15. The gathers 5 are made of a nonwoven fabric
that does not let water pass through. The gathers 5 are shaped and
arranged such that they stand along the longitudinal outline of the
top sheet 15, tilting toward the inside, and they are glued by a
processing method, such as a heat sealing method. The height of the
gathers 5 is approximately 15 mm. These tilting gathers 5 prevent
urine from leaking from the sides due to movement or weight shift
of the wearer.
[0029] The support sheet 12 is made of a flexible material, such as
a foamed polyethylene sheet. In the urine collecting member 3,
consisting of the urine absorbing sheet and the urine absorbing
space forming material 3a, a flow path 3b is formed, as shown in
FIG. 4, and this flow path 3b serves as a small urine absorbing
space for collecting urine. Also, a urine drainage port 12a is
formed on the support sheet 12, and the urine drainage tube 6
passes through this urine drainage port 12a. The urine drainage
tube 6 is made of soft, flexible materials such as soft resins. As
seen in FIG. 5, the urine backflow prevention sheet 13 is formed by
a polyethylene film with no water permeability and having
funnel-shaped pores 18.
[0030] The electrodes 4a and 4b, constituting the urine detection
sensor 4, are glued and arranged such that they are parallel to the
long edges of an electrode support sheet 36. The electrode support
sheet 36, which has a high water permeability, is formed by a thin
thermally bonded nonwoven fabric, and it is placed between the
urine backflow prevention sheet 13 and the cushion sheet 14. The
cushion sheet 14 also has high water permeability and is formed by
a thin thermally bonded nonwoven fabric. The cushion sheet 14 is
made flexible so as to improve the comfort for the wearer.
[0031] The top sheet 15 is formed by a thin thermally bonded
nonwoven fabric having a high water permeability. Since both the
top sheet 15 and the cushion sheet 14 have a high water
permeability, urine discharged by the wearer can smoothly pass
through these sheets and can be detected by the urine detection
sensor 4. The cushion sheet 14 has a thickness of 3 to 5 mm to
improve the comfort for the wearer and to prevent discharged urine
from returning to the skin of the wearer.
[0032] The top sheet 15 is designed as a mesh sheet having a
thickness of approximately 1 mm to ensure a high water and sweat
absorbing rate. By allowing urine to rapidly reach the cushion
sheet 14 through small pores in the mesh sheet, the wearer will
feel less dampness on his/her skin. The top sheet 15 is fixed so as
to cover the cushion sheet 14, the urine detection sensor 4, the
urine backflow prevention sheet 13, and the urine collecting member
3, and each side of the top sheet 15 is bonded to the support sheet
12. A processing method, such as a heat sealing method, is used to
bond the top sheet 15 to the support sheet 12.
[0033] The support sheet has a length of approximately 320 mm (in
the direction of the wearer's front and rear), a maximum width of
approximately 130 mm, a minimum width of approximately 90 mm, and a
thickness of approximately 2 mm. The urine collecting member 3 has
a length of approximately 250 mm (direction of the wearer's front
and rear), a width of approximately 45 mm, and a thickness of
approximately 10 mm. The urine backflow prevention sheet 13 and the
cushion sheet 14 both have approximately the same length and width
as that of the urine collecting member 3.
[0034] The portable urine disposal device 8 consists of a urine
tank 35, a lid case 37, and a battery box 38. The urine tank 35 is
made of resins and has the shape of a rectangular solid with an
opening on the top. A spring 27 is located at each corner of the
bottom plate of the urine tank 35 to provide elastic suspension to
a support board 26. A urine pack 25, which serves as a urine
storage container, is sealed with a sheet of heavy paper like that
of a milk carton, and two tube guide holes 24a and 25b are formed
on a top surface 25c of the urine pack 25. Although not shown, the
urine pack 25 contains particulate superabsorbent polymers, such as
cross-link polyacrylic acid soda, that become gelatinized after
absorbing urine. The superabsorbent polymers provide a urine
swaying motion control means that prohibits urine from swaying
(rippling) inside the urine pack 25.
[0035] The urine pack 25 is made with, for example, a sheet of
heavy paper like that of a milk carton, and is shaped like a
rectangular solid. A partition plate (not shown) is placed inside
the pack so that the pack can be resistant to vacuum pressure. The
capacity of the urine pack 25 is approximately 500 ml, which is
sufficient for storing the fluid produced during two instances of
urination. As a portable device, however, its dimensions can be
adjusted to 110 mm.times.110 mm.times.50 mm (605 ml). Also, for
longer usage times, such as clinical use or nighttime use, its
capacity can be made 1000 ml or more. Note that the shape of the
urine tank 35 and the urine pack 25 can be changed in order to fit
them to the shape of the wearer's body.
[0036] A lid plate 33 is located on the top opening of the urine
tank 35, and the lid case 37 is provided so as to cover the lid
plate 33. In the space defined by the lid case 37 and the lid plate
33, a vacuum pump 29 is provided. The vacuum pump 29 is driven by a
motor 28. One end of a suction tube 32 and an air release tube 31
are linked to the vacuum pump 29. Just as with the urine drainage
tubes 6 and 9, the suction tube 32 and the air release tube 31 are
formed of soft, flexible materials.
[0037] The motor 28 uses a battery placed inside the battery box
38, as shown in FIG. 1, as its driving power source, and it is
controlled by the controller mounted on a control board 30. The
battery box 38 is installed in the lid case 37 like a cassette so
as to supply power to the motor 28, and it uses alkaline cells or
secondary batteries. The size of the vacuum pump 29 is small; the
diameter is approximately 30 mm or smaller, the length is
approximately 70 mm or shorter, and the battery voltage is 5 to 9
V.
[0038] On the top surface of the lid case 37, a manual switch 43
for manually driving the motor 28 is provided. When the lid case 37
is fitted to the urine tank 35, a one-touch lock mechanism (not
shown) is used to lock them together. On the lid plate 33, a cutout
section 41a for guiding the urine drainage tube 9 and another
cutout section 41b for guiding the suction tube 32 are formed. Both
the urine drainage tube 9 and the suction tube 32 have a diameter
of approximately 5 mm, and the width of each of the cutout sections
41a and 41b is approximately 6 mm.
[0039] On the end of the urine drainage tube 9 which passes through
the cutout section 41a, a mounting fixture 23 is attached for
fixing the urine drainage tube 9 to the urine pack 25. An insertion
hole is formed in the mounting fixture 23 for inserting and holding
the urine drainage tube 9, and the mounting fixture 23 fixes the
urine drainage tube 9 to the tube guide hole 24a to connect the
urine drainage tube 9 to the urine pack 25 while maintaining the
airtightness of the urine pack 25. The mounting fixture 23 has a
funnel-like shape and is made of flexible materials made of soft
resins, and it can be detached from/attached to the tube guide hole
24a.
[0040] The funnel-shaped mounting fixture 23 has its outer surface
and inner surface in the shape of a taper. For example, the
mounting fixture 23 has a taper angle of 30 degrees from its axis,
the largest diameter of the outer surface taper is 8.0 mm, and the
smallest diameter is approximately 6.1 mm. As mentioned earlier,
the width of the cutout section 41a on the lid plate 33 is
approximately 6 mm. When the urine drainage tube 9 is guided into
the cutout section 41a, the tube cannot be pulled upwards due to
the mounting fixture 23, as seen in FIG. 2.
[0041] The mounting fixture 23 is inserted into the tube guide hole
24a formed on the top surface 25c of the urine pack 25 from the
side with the smallest diameter (6.1 mm), while holding the
inserted urine drainage tube 9. The diameter of the tube guide hole
24a is approximately 6.5 mm, which is somewhere between the largest
and smallest diameters of the taper provided on the outer surface
of the mounting fixture 23. When the mounting fixture 23 is fixed
to the tube guide hole 24a, the urine pack 25 becomes sealed while
maintaining its airtightness. The mounting fixture 23 is fitted to
the tube guide hole 24a by insertion, and it is configured to be
detachable from/attachable to the tube guide hole 24a. The urine
drainage tube 9 becomes connected to the urine pack 25 by the
mounting fixture 23 becoming fitted to the tube guide hole 24a.
[0042] The suction tube 32 has one end linked to the vacuum pump
29, and a filter 34 is attached on the other end thereof. The
filter 34 serves to remove the odor, but it also prevents fluid
that may spread in the urine pack 25 at the time of urine suction
from being vacuumed into the vacuum pump 29.
[0043] A mounting fixture 32a is attached to the other side of the
suction tube 32 to fix the suction tube 32 to the urine pack 25.
This mounting fixture 32a has the same configuration as the
mounting fixture 23 which is attached to the urine drainage tube 9.
The mounting fixture 32a is fitted to the tube guide hole 24b by
insertion, and it is configured to be detachable from/attachable to
the tube guide hole 24b. The mounting fixture 24a becomes fitted to
the tube guide hole 24b while maintaining the airtightness of the
urine pack 25.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows the urine drainage tube 9 with the mounting
fixture 23 attached thereto and the suction tube 32 with the
mounting fixture 32a attached thereto, guided and fitted into the
cutout sections 41a and 41b, respectively. While maintaining the
tubes and the mounting fixtures in state, the lid plate 33 and then
the lid case 37 are placed on the top opening of the urine tank 35,
as shown in FIG. 1. The ends of the urine drainage tube 9 and
suction tube 32 are inserted into the tube guide holes 24a and 24b,
respectively, which are provided on the urine pack 25. The mounting
fixtures 23 and 32a are pressed down below the cutout sections 41a
and 41b provided on the lid plate 33, and the taper parts of the
fixtures are inserted and glued to the tube guide holes 24a and 24b
provided on the urine pack 25.
[0045] Meanwhile, the urine pack 25 is pressed upward by the
support plate 26, which is elastically supported by the springs 27.
This mechanism allows an increase in the degree of adhesion between
the mounting fixtures 23 and 32a, on the one hand, and the tube
guide holes 24a and 24b provided on the urine pack 25, on the other
hand. Note that, application of a soft material on the surface 25c
of the urine pack 25 having the tube guide holes 24a and 24b can
also improve the degree of adhesion between the mounting fixtures
23 and 32a, and the tube guide holes 24a and 24b.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the urine detection sensor (electrodes)
has a conducting surface 16 and an insulating surface 17, and the
signal line 7 is connected to this sensor. The insulating surface
17 side of the electrodes 4a and 4b (the urine detection sensor 4)
is glued to the electrode support sheet 36. When urine is stored
between the electrodes 4a and 4b, the surface 16 becomes
electrically conductive, and the sensor detects urination. Since
the current generated between the electrodes 4a and 4b is
approximately 0.1 mA and is thus extremely low, the electric
current will have no impact on the wearer.
[0047] A urine detection signal from the urine detection sensor 4
is sent to a controller mounted on the control board 30 via the
signal lines 7 and 10. The insulating surface 17 of the electrode 4
is made of an insulating material, such as paper or vinyl. The
conducting surface 16 is created by applying aluminum by an
evaporation method to the backside of the insulating surface 17.
The urine detection sensor (electrodes) 4 has a length of
approximately 200 mm, a width of approximately 5 mm, and a
thickness of approximately 0.2 mm. The distance between the
electrodes 4a and 4b, arranged in parallel with each other, is
approximately 30 mm.
[0048] As the urine backflow prevention sheet 13, a plurality of
minute funnel-shaped pores 18 are formed on a polyethylene film, as
seen in FIG. 5, and each pore has a large top area and a small
bottom area. Urine discharged onto the top sheet 15 enters a top
opening 18a of the funnel-shaped pore 18 formed in the urine
backflow prevention sheet 13, and it gets absorbed by the urine
collecting member 3.
[0049] Some urine remains uncollected in the flow path 3b or other
space inside the urine collecting member 3 due to surface tension
of the urine. If a weight shift caused by the wearer changing
his/her posture results in some kind of physical impact being
applied to the urine collecting member 3, the residual urine may
flow back to the urine detection sensor 4. By making the area of a
bottom opening 18b of the funnel-shaped pore 18 small, it becomes
difficult for the urine to flow back. For example, the diameter of
the top opening 18a of each funnel-shaped pore 18 is 1 to 2 mm, the
diameter of the bottom opening 18b of each funnel-shaped pore 18 is
0.5 to 1 mm, and the funnel-shaped pores 18 are arranged with a 3
to 5 mm interval.
[0050] Note that, it is desirable that a surface acting agent be
applied to or woven into the urine backflow prevention sheet 13
such that surface tension becomes reduced and discharged urine will
smoothly flow from the top surface to the bottom surface. Also,
pores in the urine backflow prevention sheet 13 can be formed by a
perforation method, for example. In performing the perforation
method, the sheet 13 is placed between jigs of a pore forming plate
and a mesh plate, and hot air is blown at the pore forming plate
and is suctioned from the mesh plate side, creating pores.
[0051] The urine receptacle 1 as described above is attached to the
wearer (not shown) such that it touches his/her urinating part
inside their underwear. The portable urine disposal device 8,
including the lid case 37 containing the urine tank 35, vacuum pump
29, and motor 28, will be carried around by the wearer, or it is
placed on or under the bed when the wearer is lying on a bed.
[0052] When the wearer urinates with the device placed in the
manner described above, discharged urine flows into the urine
detection sensor 4 after passing through the top sheet 15 and the
cushion sheet 14. Urine then passes through the urine backflow
prevention sheet 13 and becomes absorbed by the urine collecting
member 3. When the space between the electrodes 4a and 4b of the
urine detection sensor 4 is filled with urine, the surface 16
becomes electrically conductive. The urine detection signal from
the urine detection sensor 4 is then sent to the controller mounted
on the control board 30 via the signal lines 7 and 10.
[0053] The controller mounted on the control board 30 activates the
motor 28, which drives the vacuum pump 29. When the vacuum pump 29
is activated, the air pressure inside the urine pack 25 becomes
lower due to the withdrawal of air therefrom, creating negative
pressure in the urine drainage port 12a of the urine receptacle 1.
When negative pressure is created in the urine drainage port 12a,
urine absorbed by the urine collecting member 3 of the urine
receptacle 1 is efficiently vacuumed by the urine drainage tube 6
due to suction power generated by the negative pressure. Urine,
vacuumed by the urine drainage tube 6 is then drawn by negative
pressure into the urine pack 25 via the urine drainage tube 9 and
is stored therein.
[0054] Note that, upon urinating, the wearer also can use the
manual switch 43 to activate the motor 28 to draw the urine into
the urine pack 25.
[0055] Urine, drawn into the urine pack 25 then undergoes a
chemical reaction with particulate super absorbent polymers (not
shown) and becomes gelatinized. Gelatinization of the urine can
prevent a swaying (rippling) movement of the urine inside the urine
pack 25. Therefore, it is possible to configure a portable
automatic urine disposal device in a preferred form, in which urine
will not leak even if it is carried around.
[0056] When urination by the wearer is completed and the urine
detection signal from the urine sensor 4 is no longer sent out, the
controller mounted on the control board 30 stops the motor 28,
which stops the vacuum pump 29. It is also possible to stop the
motor 28 and vacuum pump 29 by using the manual switch 43. If the
urine pack 25 has sufficient capacity for holding two-times-worth
of urine, the next urination process is conducted in the same
manner.
[0057] After urine is stored in the urine pack 25, the urine pack
25 must be discarded by first unlocking the lock mechanism (not
shown) to separate the urine tank 35 and the lid case 37, and then
by removing the mounting fixtures 23 and 32a from the urine pack
25. The urine pack 25 is made of paper, and thus it can be disposed
of as burnable waste.
[0058] After using the urine receptacle 1 for a day, or if it
becomes dirty due to defecation, the urine receptacle 1 must be
discarded and replaced with a new urine receptacle 1 by
disconnecting the urine drainage tubes 6 and 9, as well as the
signal lines 7 and 10, from the one-touch joint 11. The urine
receptacle 1 can be disposed of as burnable waste.
[0059] From the standpoint of proper hygiene, the urine drainage
tube 9 must be replaced after one or two days of use. Replacement
of the urine drainage tube 9 can be carried out by disconnecting
the urine drainage tubes 6 and 9, as well as the signal lines 7 and
10, from the one-touch joint 11. Then, after separating the urine
tank 35 and the lid case 37, the mounting fixture 23 must be
removed from the tube guide hole 24a on the urine pack 25, as shown
in FIG. 2. The mounting fixture 23 can be easily removed by
grabbing the mounting fixture 23 and pulling it out from the tube
guide hole 24a. Replacement of the urine drainage tube 9 can be
performed easily as well as cleanly.
[0060] The drainage tube 9 must then be removed from the cutout
section 41a and disposed of with the mounting fixture 23, followed
by installation of a new urine drainage tube 9 into the tube guide
hole 24a provided on the urine pack 25. Note that air leakage of
the suction tube 32 can be examined in the same manner as
replacement of the urine drainage tube 9.
[0061] Thus, the urine discharged by the wearer can be disposed of,
and backflow of urine to the urine detection sensor 4 can be
prevented even if a weight shift by the wearer causes a physical
impact on the urine collecting member 3, since the present
invention uses the urine backflow prevention sheet 13, which has no
water permeability. Although there is the possibility that urine
comes in contact with the urine detection sensor 4 through the
funnel-shaped pores 18 in the urine backflow prevention sheet 13
provided immediately below the urine detection sensor 4, the sensor
will not operate improperly since the bottom surface of the urine
detection sensor 4 (the electrodes 4a and 4b) is designed as an
insulating surface 17.
[0062] For such urine disposal as described above, a urine
detection sensor with a plurality of funnel-shaped pores is placed
on top of the urine backflow sheet (on the top sheet side).
Discharged urine can easily flow from the top sheet to the urine
absorbing sheet, since each funnel-shaped pore has a large opening
area at the top, and discharged urine cannot backflow easily as
each funnel-shaped pore has a small opening area at the bottom.
This is because the urine on the urine absorbing sheet has a
surface tension. Therefore, even though a urine detection sensor
with a pair of electrodes is used, it is possible to prevent
incorrect operation of the vacuum pump caused by residual urine,
and, also, the wearer can use the device comfortably.
[0063] Note that, while urine is directed into the urine pack
contained inside the urine tank in the embodiment described above,
it is clear that it is also possible to seal the urine tank with
the lid, form a tube guide hole on the lid, and attach the urine
drainage tube to the hole. In this case, the other end of the
suction tube can be fixed and linked to the urine tank.
[0064] FIGS. 7 through 9 show other examples of the urine detection
sensor 4.
[0065] FIG. 7 shows the rectangular electrode 4a glued on one side
of the electrode support sheet 36 and the rectangular electrode 4b
glued on the other side of the electrode support sheet 36. The
insulating surface 17 of the electrodes 4a and 4b is glued onto the
electrode support sheet 36. The urine detection sensor 4 shown in
FIG. 7 is also capable of correct urine detection.
[0066] FIG. 8 shows the rectangular electrode 4a glued on one side
of the electrode support sheet 36 and the rectangular electrode 4b
glued on the other side of the electrode support sheet 36, but, in
this example, the electrodes are glued at the same locations with
the sheet in between. The insulating surface 17 of the electrodes
4a and 4b is glued onto the electrode support sheet 36. The urine
detection sensor 4 shown in FIG. 8 is also capable of correct urine
detection.
[0067] FIG. 9 shows the electrode support sheet 36, with the
rectangular electrodes 4a and 4b glued thereon, divided into
electrode support sheets 36a and 36b. The insulating surface 17 of
the electrodes 4a and 4b is glued onto the electrode support sheets
36a and 36b. The urine detection sensor 4 shown in FIG. 9 is also
capable of correct urine detection. Also note that incorrect
operation of the urine detection sensor 4 can be prevented even if
the electrode support sheets 36a and 36b contain moisture.
[0068] As described above, in accordance with the present
invention, a urine detection sensor is placed on (the top sheet
side of) a urine backflow prevention sheet having a plurality of
funnel-shaped pores. Since this configuration is capable of
inhibiting urine from flowing back, it is possible to prevent
incorrect operation of a vacuum pump caused by residual urine even
though a urine detection sensor having a pair of electrodes is
used. Such a configuration will allow the wearer to use the device
comfortably.
[0069] Therefore, the device of the present invention is capable of
preventing incorrect operation of a vacuum pump caused by residual
urine even though a urine detection sensor having a pair of
electrodes is used and can be comfortably used by its wearer.
[0070] The preferred embodiment described herein is therefore
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being
indicated by the appended claims and all variations which come
within the meaning of the claims, are intended to be embraced
therein.
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