U.S. patent application number 10/704682 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for female urinary device.
Invention is credited to Leimkuhler, Brett.
Application Number | 20050097662 10/704682 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34552177 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050097662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leimkuhler, Brett |
May 12, 2005 |
Female urinary device
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.
Inventors: |
Leimkuhler, Brett;
(Wakefield, RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. BOX 15035 CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
34552177 |
Appl. No.: |
10/704682 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/144.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/4556
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/144.3 |
International
Class: |
A47K 011/00 |
Claims
I claim:
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 13/4 inches and a
diameter at its widest point of approximately 0.96 of an inch; 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.
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 1/2 of an inch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] 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.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,216 (Li) describes a urinary device made
of a rigid plastic material.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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
[0019] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a female
urinary device according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front, perspective view of a female urinary
device according to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a top, perspective view of a female urinary device
according to the present invention.
[0022] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] 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 12a 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
12a. Funnel 12 is compact having a length of approximately 13/4
inches. The nipple has a length of 1/2 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
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