U.S. patent application number 12/004393 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for male urinal.
Invention is credited to Jack E. Maze, Richard A. Peterson, II, Roger K. Thompson.
Application Number | 20090158511 12/004393 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40786891 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090158511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maze; Jack E. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2009 |
Male urinal
Abstract
A urinal assembly comprising a body comprising a bottom wall,
front and back walls, first and second side walls bridging the
front and back walls, an open mouth positioned generally opposite
the bottom wall, and an attachment feature positioned proximate to
the open mouth. The attachment feature includes outer and inner
edges and an opening defined by the inner edge. The urinal assembly
further comprises a lid including a lid portion and a strap having
a fastener positioned at a distal end. The fastener includes a
central portion positioned between first and second arms. Each of
the first and second arms has a first end coupled to the central
portion and a second end positioned a distance away from the
central portion. The first and second arms extend through the
opening such that the first and second free ends of the arms abut
the inner edge of the attachment feature.
Inventors: |
Maze; Jack E.; (Long Grove,
IL) ; Peterson, II; Richard A.; (Marengo, IL)
; Thompson; Roger K.; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON PEABODY, LLP
161 N. CLARK ST., 48TH FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60601-3213
US
|
Family ID: |
40786891 |
Appl. No.: |
12/004393 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/144.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 11/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/144.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 11/12 20060101
A47K011/12 |
Claims
1. A urinal assembly comprising: a body comprising a bottom wall, a
front wall, a back wall, first and second side walls bridging the
front wall and the back wall, an open mouth positioned generally
opposite the bottom wall, and an attachment feature positioned
proximate to the open mouth, the attachment feature including an
outer edge, an inner edge, and an opening defined by the inner
edge; and a lid including a lid portion and a strap having a
fastener positioned at a distal end, the fastener including a
central portion positioned between first and second arms, each of
the first and second arms having a first end coupled to the central
portion and a second free end positioned a distance away from the
central portion, the first and second arms extending through the
opening such that the first and second free ends of the arms abut
the inner edge of the attachment feature.
2. The urinal assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment feature
is configured to inhibit the lid from closing when the lid is in an
open position.
3. The urinal assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner edge and the
outer edge define a first plane generally parallel with the first
and second side walls and the central portion of the fastener is
generally perpendicular to the first plane.
4. The urinal assembly of claim 3, wherein the strap further
includes a main portion and a bridge, the main portion extending
from the lid, a top end of the bridge extending from the main
portion, the fastener extending from a side of the bridge, the
width of the bridge being smaller than the width of the main
portion such that a cutout is formed between the main portion, the
side of the bridge, and the fastener.
5. The urinal assembly of claim 4, wherein the thickness between
the inner edge and the outer edge of the attachment feature varies
such that the thickness in one area is greater than the length of
the cutout and the thickness in a second area is less than the
length of the cutout.
6. The urinal assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid includes at
least three circumferential detents for creating at least three
seals at or near the open mouth.
7. The urinal assembly of claim 1, wherein the urinal further
comprises a handle extending from the front wall.
8. The urinal assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second
arms form a arrow-like shape.
9. A generally circular lid comprising: a generally flat disk
portion; a reinforced area positioned at or near the center of the
disk portion; and a cylindrical area surrounding the disk portion,
the cylindrical area including an inner cylindrical surface
extending from the disk portion, the inner cylindrical surface
having a first circumferential detent, the cylindrical area further
including an upper cylindrical surface extending from the inner
cylindrical surface, the upper cylindrical surface having a second
circumferential detent, the cylindrical area further including an
outer cylindrical surface extending from the upper cylindrical
surface and being generally parallel to the inner cylindrical
surface, the outer cylindrical surface including a third
circumferential detent, wherein the outer cylindrical surface is
configured to be positioned around the outside of a mouth of a
bottle, the inner cylindrical surface is configured to be
positioned within the mouth of the bottle, and the upper
cylindrical surface is configured to be positioned over a top of
the mouth of the bottle, the first, second, and third
circumferential detents being configured to form a seal with the
mouth of the bottle.
10. The lid of claim 9, wherein the lid is configured to snap onto
the mouth.
11. The lid of claim 9, further comprising a tab integrally
attached to the outer cylindrical surface, the tab having a top
surface and a bottom surface, each of the top and bottom surfaces
having a rounded edge.
12. The lid of claim 9 further comprising a strap extending from
the outer cylindrical surface, the strap having a fastener
positioned at a distal end, the fastener including a central
portion positioned between first and second arms, each of the first
and second arms having a first end coupled to the central portion
and a second free end positioned a distance away from the central
portion.
13. The lid of claim 12, wherein the strap further includes a main
portion and a bridge, the main portion extending from the lid, a
top end of the bridge extending from the main portion, the fastener
extending from a side of the bridge, the width of the bridge being
smaller than the width of the main portion such that a cutout is
formed between the main portion, the side of the bridge, and the
fastener.
14. A plastic urinal comprising: a body including a bottom wall, a
front wall, a back wall, and first and second side walls bridging
the front wall and the back wall, the front wall defining a first
plane generally parallel to a second plane defined by the back
wall; an open mouth comprising a generally circular portion, the
open mouth being positioned generally opposite the bottom wall; and
a handle extending from the front wall, wherein at least one of the
front wall, back wall, side walls, and handle includes indentations
or raised areas, the indentations or raised areas configured to
increase the strength of the urinal.
15. The urinal of claim 14, wherein the bottom wall is generally
rectangular in shape.
16. The urinal of claim 14, wherein the handle is substantially
parallel with the front wall.
17. The urinal of claim 14, wherein the circular portion defines a
third plane, the third plane meeting the second plane at an angle
ranging from about 40.degree. to about 65.degree..
18. The urinal of claim 14, further comprising a generally vertical
rib extending along a majority of the length of the front wall
through a majority of the length of the handle.
19. The urinal of claim 18, wherein the front wall further includes
first and second columns of generally horizontal ribs, the first
column being positioned along one side of the generally vertical
rib and the second column being positioned on an opposite side of
the generally vertical rib.
20. The urinal of claim 14, wherein the indentations include a
plurality of generally oval-shaped grooves positioned along the
length of at least one of the side walls.
21. A package comprising a plurality of similar urinals, each
urinal having a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first
side wall radially coupled to each of the front wall and the back
wall, a second side wall positioned generally opposite the first
side wall, the second side wall being radially coupled to each of
the front wall and the back wall, an open mouth positioned
generally opposite the bottom wall, and a handle extending from the
front wall forming a gap positioned between the front wall and the
handle, wherein a first urinal is inverted in relation to a second
urinal such that a handle of the first urinal fits into the gap
defined between a handle of the second urinal and a front wall of
the second urinal, a back wall of the first urinal is positioned
adjacent to a back wall of a third urinal, a first sidewall of the
first urinal is positioned adjacent to a first or second sidewall
of a fourth urinal, and a second sidewall of the first urinal is
positioned adjacent to a first or second sidewall of a fifth
urinal.
22. The package of claim 21, wherein substantially the plurality of
urinals span substantially the entire length and width of the
container.
23. A method of forming a urinal-lid assembly, the method
comprising the acts of: placing a molten tube of a polymer between
two mold halves; closing the mold halves onto the molten tube and
the blow pin; inserting a blow pin having a diameter similar to the
diameter of a desired open mouth of a urinal; injecting compressed
air into the molten tube; removing a resulting urinal from the
mold, the urinal including an attachment feature having an opening
therethrough; attaching a lid to the urinal by inserting a fastener
coupled to the lid through the opening in the attachment feature;
and snap-fitting the lid onto the mouth of the urinal.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein each of the acts is
automated.
25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the act of packaging
the urinal with other like urinals such that the urinal is inverted
with respect to a second urinal, wherein the act of packaging the
urinals is automated.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the act of inserting a blow pin
creates a smooth interior mouth portion of the urinal.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a urinal. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an all-plastic,
disposable, male urinal with enhanced reinforcing elements, an
improved lid-attachment mechanism and automated method for
attaching a lid to a urinal, and a leak-resistant lid and which is
additionally configured for nesting to allow cost-effective
storing, transporting, and/or shipping.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] One piece, all-plastic urinals in widespread use are
generally manufactured using an extrusion blow-molding process
where a molten tube of polymer is dropped between two halves of a
mold. The polymer may include polyurethane, polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyethylene, PET polyester, polyvinyl chloride,
another type of thermoplastic polymer, or other suitable polymers.
A thermoplastic polymer includes any polymer that may be melted,
ground, and re-melted. The mold halves are closed onto the molten
tube. Compressed air is then injected into the molten tube forcing
the walls of the tube to expand into the mold, thereby taking the
shape of the inside of the mold. The mold and molten plastic are
cooled so that the plastic retains the permanent shape of the
mold.
[0003] When the mold halves are opened, the urinal is removed from
the mold. The urinal generally includes a body having a front wall,
a back wall, opposing side walls bridging the front and back walls,
and a lower wall forming a bottom of the urinal. A unitary handle
projects from the body, near an upper mouth, toward a lower portion
of the front wall, whereby a gap is defined between the handle and
an upper portion of the front wall. Often, the urinal is provided
with a lid, which is adapted to be snap-fitted around a margin of
the mouth and which is attached to the handle where the handle
meets the body. The lid is attached to the handle via a strap that
is unitary with the lid and that includes a loop through which the
handle is placed.
[0004] To be cost effective, the walls of existing urinals are
blow-molded in a very thin manner, and the walls are relatively
thin. Because the walls are thin, the urinals have a tendency to
tip, deform, and/or collapse when gripped and/or handled,
particularly when the urinal is full or nearly full. Therefore, it
is often difficult for a user to hold, keep upright, carry, and/or
empty the contents of existing urinals, which often causes
spillage. Current thicker-walled urinals are less likely to
collapse but are more difficult to dispose of and more costly to
ship due to their greater weight compared to existing thin-walled
disposable urinals. Furthermore, thicker-walled urinals are
generally more costly to manufacture because they require more
material.
[0005] Lids of existing urinals also have considerable
disadvantages. For example, existing urinals utilize lids that are
attached to the urinals by placing the urinal handle through a hole
in a lid strap attached to the lid. Because the process of
attaching the lids to the handle requires maneuvering of the
urinals, it must be done manually and is very difficult or cannot
be automated. The lids of existing urinals also have a tendency to
fall off during packing or shipping. Furthermore, because the
movement of existing lids between an open and a closed position is
unrestricted, existing lids may fall into the urine flow when the
urinal is being emptied and become contaminated. When lids are
installed over the mouths of existing urinals, the lids often do
not seal properly around the mouths, thereby causing significant
leakage of urine from the space between the lids and the mouths of
the urinals. The lids of existing urinals are also prone to pop off
altogether, thereby causing urine to spill out from the
urinals.
[0006] Another disadvantage of existing urinals is that they are
often expensive and/or bulky to store, transport, and/or ship.
Because of their often irregular shape, size, and/or dimensions,
existing urinals require a substantial amount of space for storing,
transporting, and/or shipping. Furthermore, existing urinals are
not conducive to side-by-side packing of urinal pairs or to
stacking urinals on top of one another. Consequently, existing
urinals may be expensive for consumers, manufacturers, hospitals,
healthcare facilities, or the like to store, transport, and/or
ship.
[0007] Therefore, there exists a need for a urinal having improved
reinforcing elements, an improved lid-attachment mechanism and
automated method for attaching a lid to a urinal, and a
leak-resistant or leak-proof lid and which additionally is
configured for nesting to allow cost-effective storing,
transporting, and/or shipping.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
urinal assembly comprises a body comprising a bottom wall, a front
wall, a back wall, first and second side walls bridging the front
wall and the back wall, an open mouth positioned generally opposite
the bottom wall, and an attachment feature positioned proximate to
the open mouth. The attachment feature includes an outer edge, an
inner edge, and an opening defined by the inner edge. The urinal
assembly further comprises a lid including a lid portion and a
strap having a fastener positioned at a distal end. The fastener
includes a central portion positioned between first and second
arms. Each of the first and second arms has a first end coupled to
the central portion and a second free end positioned a distance
away from the central portion. The first and second arms extend
through the opening such that the first and second free ends of the
arms abut the inner edge of the attachment feature.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, a generally
circular lid comprises a generally flat disk portion. The lid
further comprises a reinforced area positioned at or near the
center of the disk portion. The lid further comprises a cylindrical
area surrounding the disk portion. The cylindrical area includes an
inner cylindrical surface extending from the disk portion. The
inner cylindrical surface has a first circumferential detent. The
cylindrical area further includes an upper cylindrical surface
extending from the inner cylindrical surface. The upper cylindrical
surface has a second circumferential detent. The cylindrical area
further includes an outer cylindrical surface extending from the
upper cylindrical surface and being generally parallel to the inner
cylindrical surface. The outer cylindrical surface includes a third
circumferential detent. The outer cylindrical surface is configured
to be positioned around the outside of a mouth of a bottle. The
inner cylindrical surface is configured to be positioned within the
mouth of the bottle, and the upper cylindrical surface is
configured to be positioned over a top of the mouth of the bottle.
The first, second, and third circumferential detents are configured
to form a seal with the mouth of the bottle.
[0010] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a
plastic urinal comprises a body including a bottom wall, a front
wall, a back wall, and first and second side walls bridging the
front wall and the back wall. The front wall defines a first plane
generally parallel to a second plane defined by the back wall. The
urinal further comprises an open mouth comprising a generally
circular portion. The open mouth is positioned generally opposite
the bottom wall. The urinal further comprises a handle extending
from the front wall. At least one of the front wall, back wall,
side walls, and handle includes indentations or raised areas. The
indentations or raised areas are configured to increase the
strength of the urinal.
[0011] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a package
comprises a plurality of similar urinals. Each urinal has a bottom
wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall radially coupled
to each of the front wall and the back wall, a second side wall
positioned generally opposite the first side wall, the second side
wall being radially coupled to each of the front wall and the back
wall, an open mouth positioned generally opposite the bottom wall,
and a handle extending from the front wall forming a gap positioned
between the front wall and the handle. A first urinal is inverted
in relation to a second urinal such that a handle of the first
urinal fits into the gap defined between a handle of the second
urinal and a front wall of the second urinal, a back wall of the
first urinal is positioned adjacent to a back wall of a third
urinal, a first sidewall of the first urinal is positioned adjacent
to a first or second sidewall of a fourth urinal, and a second
sidewall of the first urinal is positioned adjacent to a first or
second sidewall of a fifth urinal.
[0012] In a process of the present invention, a method of forming a
urinal-lid assembly comprises the act of placing a molten tube of a
polymer between two mold halves. The method further comprises the
act of closing the mold halves onto the molten tube and the blow
pin. The method further comprises the act of inserting a blow pin
having a diameter similar to the diameter of a desired open mouth
of a urinal. The method further comprises the act of injecting
compressed air into the molten tube. The method further comprises
the act of removing a resulting urinal from the mold. The urinal
includes an attachment feature having an opening therethrough. The
method further comprises the act of attaching a lid to the urinal
by inserting a fastener coupled to the lid through the opening in
the attachment feature. The method further comprises the act of
snap-fitting the lid onto the mouth of the urinal.
[0013] The above summary of the present invention is not intended
to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present
invention. The detailed description and Figures will describe many
of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
upon reference to the drawings.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a urinal according to one
embodiment of the present concepts.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a back view of the urinal of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of a mouth and an upper
back wall of the urinal of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top, side, and front of
the urinal of FIGS. 1-3.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of an attachment feature of a urinal
according to one embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 6A is a perspective top view of a lid according to one
embodiment of the present concepts.
[0021] FIG. 6B is a perspective bottom view of the lid of FIG.
6A.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 6A taken
through line 7-7.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a top view of a lid strap according to one
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the urinal of FIGS. 1-4
having the lid of FIGS. 6A-6B attached thereto.
[0025] FIG. 10a is a magnified view of Area E of FIG.7.
[0026] FIG. 10b is a magnified view of the lid of FIG. 10a being
coupled to a urinal.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a magnified view of Area F of FIG. 7.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram detailing a method of forming a
urinal-cap assembly according to one embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a top view of a plurality of urinals packaged in
a container.
[0030] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way
of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein.
It should be understood, however, that the invention is not
intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather,
the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a male urinal 10 according to one
embodiment. The urinal 10 may be blow-molded from a suitable
polymer, such as polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, PET
polyester, polyvinyl chloride, another type of thermoplastic
polymer, or a suitable combination of polymers so as to have a body
14 having a bottom wall 16, a lower front wall 22, a lower back
wall 23 positioned generally opposite the lower front wall 22, and
first and second lower side walls 24, 26 (see FIG. 2) bridging the
lower front and lower back walls 22, 23. The body 14 includes
curved edges where the respective walls join one another. The lower
front wall 22 is generally curved, which provides for ease of
manufacture and strength. Thus, the bottom wall 16 has a custom
shape. In one embodiment, the bottom wall 16 has a generally
rectangular custom shape.
[0032] The urinal 10 further includes a neck 30 that is angled
relative to the body 14. The neck 30 includes an open mouth 32
having a generally circular portion 34 (see FIG. 3). The generally
circular portion 34 may have a diameter ranging from about 5.5 cm
to about 7.0 cm (about 2.2 in. to about 2.8 in.). In some
embodiments, the generally circular portion 34 has a diameter
ranging from about 6.0 cm to about 6.5 cm (2.3 in. to about 2.5
in.). In one embodiment, the generally circular portion 34 has a
relatively small diameter of about 5.5 cm (about 2.2 in.) such that
the urinal 10 may be more comfortable to use, particularly when the
urinal 10 is being used continuously for extended periods of time.
The neck 30 further includes an upper front wall 36, an upper back
wall 38 positioned generally opposite the upper front wall 36, and
first and second upper side walls 40, 42 bridging the upper front
and upper back walls 36, 38. The neck 30 is integral with the body
14. More specifically, the upper front wall 36 is integral with the
lower front wall 22, the upper back wall 38 is integral with the
lower back wall 23, and the first and second upper side walls 40,
42 are integral with the first and second lower side walls 24, 26,
respectively. These integrations are a source of increased
stiffness of the urinal 10.
[0033] The urinal 10 may be sized to hold any suitable volume of
liquid. In one embodiment, the urinal 10 may hold about 100 mL to
about 1000 mL. The urinal 10 may include calibration markers 43 for
indicating the amount of liquid contained in the urinal 10.
[0034] The urinal 10 further includes a handle 44 extending from
the upper front wall 36, near the mouth 32, toward the lower front
wall 22. The handle 44 is generally parallel to the lower front
wall 22, leaving an open area 46 between the handle 44 and the
lower front wall 22. The shape of the open area 46 has a dimension,
dimension A, through which a bed rail (not shown) may pass as the
urinal 10 is fitted over the bed rail on, for example, a hospital
bed. Dimension A may be about 2.5 cm to about 3.0 cm (1.0 in. to
about 1.2 in.) wide. An enlarged area 48 may be formed at the top
of the open area 46 so that the urinal 10 may be conveniently hung
in its upright position. This enlarged area 48 may coincide with
certain bed rails that have generally flat sides (e.g., not fully
round). The enlarged area 48 may assist in easily attaching and
removing the urinal 10 from various styles of beds and bed
rails.
[0035] The urinal 10 of the illustrated embodiments includes
various reinforcing elements molded into the walls 16, 22-24, 26,
36, 40, 42 and the handle 44 that provide reinforcements to
strengthen the urinal 10 without increasing its wall thickness.
Although the various reinforcing elements are described and
illustrated on a single urinal 10, it is possible that a urinal in
accordance with the present concepts may include less than all
and/or variations of the reinforcing elements described herein.
[0036] According to one embodiment, the reinforcing elements
include indentations positioned on the lower back wall 23 of the
urinal 10 for increasing the strength of the urinal 10. In the
illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the indentations include
five ribs 50a-e positioned generally horizontally along the lower
back wall 23. In the illustrated embodiments, the ribs 50a-e are
spaced to generally cover the length of the lower back wall 23 and
are spaced similar distances apart from one another. The ribs 50a-e
generally follow the contour of the lower back wall 23 and interact
with the sidewalls 24, 26, which provides increased strength to the
urinal 10.
[0037] The urinal 10 of the illustrated embodiments further
includes reinforcements along the lower front wall 22 for
increasing the strength of the urinal 10. As best shown in FIG. 4,
the lower front wall 22 includes two columns of cone-like shaped
ribs 52a-h separated by a generally vertical rib 54 running
generally through the center of the lower front wall 22. Although
not required, the cone-like shaped ribs 52a-h in the illustrated
embodiment of FIG. 4 are wider at outer, curved ends 56a, 56b of
the lower front wall 22 where the lower front wall 22 meets the
first and second lower side walls 24, 26 than at the generally
vertical rib 54. The generally vertical rib 54 extends along a
majority of the length of the lower front wall 22 through the upper
front wall 36 and along a majority of the length of the handle 44
and the lower front wall 22, thereby assisting in providing
increased strength to the handle 44. This increased strength is
desirable when the urinal 10 is hung from a bed rail, in use,
and/or being emptied to assist in preventing the urinal 10 from
tipping, deforming, and/or collapsing. The combination of the
cone-like shaped ribs 52a-h and the vertical rib 54 provides added
strength to the urinal 10.
[0038] The side walls 24, 26, 40, 42 of the urinal 10 of the
illustrated embodiments may also include reinforcing elements
molded therein for increasing the strength of the urinal 10.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the first lower side wall 24 includes
five generally oval grooves 58a-e. The grooves 58a-e are positioned
near the lower back wall 23 so that a user may place his or her
fingers over one or more of the grooves 58a-e when gripping and/or
handling the urinal 10, thereby adding comfort and decreasing the
likelihood of the urinal 10 slipping from the user's grip. In the
illustrated embodiment, the grooves 58a-e are similarly sized and
are uniformly placed along the length of the first lower side wall
24. Such placement may be desirable so that regardless of what
portion of the first lower side wall 24 (e.g., an upper portion, a
middle portion, or a lower portion) is contacted by the user's
fingers, there is a high likelihood that at least one of the user's
fingers will contact at least one of the oval grooves 58a-e. The
grooves 58a-e also provide added strength to the urinal 10. The
second lower side wall 26 may include similar reinforcing elements,
other reinforcing elements, or a combination thereof. In one
embodiment, the second lower side wall 26 is substantially
identical to the first lower side wall 24 (e.g., includes similarly
sized and placed grooves). In other embodiments, the second lower
side wall 26 may also include no reinforcing elements.
[0039] The bottom wall 16 of the urinal 10 described herein may
also include reinforcing elements for increasing the strength of
the urinal 10. The urinal 10 of the illustrated embodiments, for
example, includes notched corners 66 that further assist in
providing structural integrity to the urinal 10. In the illustrated
embodiment, each of the four corners of the generally rectangular
bottom wall 16 include notched corners 66.
[0040] The neck 30 of the urinal 10 may also include reinforcing
elements. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, for example, the
first upper side wall 40 includes a first raised area 60 forming a
square 62. In one embodiment, a company logo may be included within
the square 62. The first upper side wall 40 further includes a
second raised area 64 positioned near the mouth 32 and the handle
44. The second raised area 64 of the illustrated embodiment is a
generally horizontal line segment that provides reinforcement to
the mouth 32, for example, when the urinal 10 is being used,
carried, and/or emptied. As shown in FIG. 4, the second raised area
64 may extend to the upper front wall 36. The second upper side
wall 42 may include similar reinforcing elements, other reinforcing
elements, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the second
upper side wall 42 is substantially identical to the first upper
side wall 40 (e.g., includes similarly sized and placed first and
second raised areas). In other embodiments, the second upper side
wall 42 may also include no reinforcing elements.
[0041] It should be noted that any of the indentations and/or
raised portions described herein that are used for providing
structural reinforcement and adding strength to the urinal 10 are
not intended to be limited to the size(s), shape(s), quantity(ies),
or position(s) illustrated in the Figures and described above.
Rather, the indentations and/or raised portions may be any suitable
shape(s), size(s), combinations of shapes and/or sizes, or the like
and in any suitable quantity. Furthermore, the indentations and/or
raised portions may be positioned in any suitable location(s) on
the urinal 10 as desired for providing structural reinforcement.
The indentations and/or raised portions may also be uniformly or
non-uniformly spaced. It is also contemplated that indentations and
raised portions may be used interchangeably. It is contemplated
that the indentations and/or raised portions that are used may be
selected based on factors such as desired wall thickness, desired
liquid capacity, user comfort, cost considerations, or the
like.
[0042] The enlarged area 48 between the handle 44, the upper front
wall 36, and the lower front wall 22 is defined by a plurality of
generally flat surfaces 65a-h, enhanced by the generally vertical
rib 54 (see FIG. 4), that extend from an upper portion of the lower
front wall 22 through the upper front wall 36 to an upper portion
of the handle 44 or hung on a bed rail. These generally flat
surfaces 65a-h further strengthen the urinal 10, particularly when
a full or nearly full urinal 10 is being held by the handle 44. It
is contemplated that a different number of generally flat surfaces
65a-h may also be used.
[0043] Referring back to FIG. 1, the lower back wall 23, which is
generally planar, defines a first plane. The generally circular
portion 34 of the mouth 32 defines a second plane that meets the
first plane defined by the lower back wall 23 at an acute Angle B.
The Angle B may generally range from about 40.degree. to about
65.degree.. In some embodiments, the Angle B ranges from about
50.degree. to about 55.degree.. The Angle B is generally greater
than that of existing urinals. Thus, when in use, the urinal 10 is
in a more horizontal position compared to existing urinals. As
such, the amount of urine that may spill out of the urinal 10 is
generally decreased and accidental tipping of the urinal is
minimized. Furthermore, increasing the Angle B makes it easier for
a user to position the urinal 10 closer to his body when in use,
which is desirable to the user.
[0044] The lower front wall 22 is also generally planar and defines
a third plane, which is substantially parallel to the first plane
defined by the lower back wall 23. The generally planar shape of
the lower front wall 22 is advantageous because it allows the
urinal 10 to be easily coupled to various types of bed rails,
including bed rails that have few or no openings, without deforming
the shape of the urinal 10 or accidentally locking the urinal 10 to
a bed rail.
[0045] According to another embodiment, the urinal 10 includes a
lid attachment feature 68 positioned generally between the mouth 32
and a top, outer part of the handle 44. A close-up view of the
attachment feature 68 according to one embodiment is shown in FIG.
5. The attachment feature 68 may be molded from, for example, a
suitable polymer(s) such as polyurethane, polypropylene,
polyethylene, PET polyester, polyvinyl chloride, another type of
thermoplastic polymer, or a suitable combination of polymers and
may be formed during the blow-molding process of forming the urinal
10. The attachment feature 68 includes an inner edge 69, an outer
edge 70, and an opening 72 defined by the inner edge 69. The
thickness t of the attachment feature 68 near a top 74 and bottom
76 is smaller than the thickness t' at an outer side 78 to assist
in preventing the lid from re-closing, once in an open position,
which is explained further below. The thickness at the top 74 may
be different from the thickness at the bottom 76, so long as the
thicknesses are both smaller than the thickness t' of the outer
side 78.
[0046] Turning now to FIGS. 6A, 6A, a lid 100 is adapted to be
snap-fitted around the generally circular portion 34 of the mouth
32 of the urinal 10. The lid 100 may be injection-molded from a
similar polymer as the urinal 10 or any other suitable polymer or
combination of polymers. The lid 100 includes a lid part 102 and a
strap 104 formed integrally therewith. The lid part 102 comprises a
generally flat disk portion 106 with a reinforced area 108
positioned at or near the center of the disk portion 106. A
cross-sectional view of the lid 100 through line 7-7 of FIG. 6A is
shown in FIG. 7.
[0047] The lid 100 may be attached to the attachment feature 68
(see FIGS. 1, 5) of the urinal 10 via the strap 104. The strap 104
is shown in more detail in FIG. 8. The strap 104 has a length L
that is sufficient for the lid part 102 to snap over the mouth 32
of the urinal 10 when the strap 104 is attached to the attachment
feature 68. The strap 104 includes a main portion 136 positioned
proximate to and extending from the lid portion 102. The main
portion 136 may include one or more hinges 137 for assisting in
opening and closing the lid 100 when the lid 100 is attached to the
urinal 10.
[0048] The strap 104 further includes a bridge 139 integral with
the main portion 136. The width W of the bridge 139 of the
illustrated embodiment is smaller than the width W' of the main
portion 136. The strap 104 further includes a fastener 138
extending from and integral with the bridge 139. The main portion
136, the bridge 139, and the fastener 138 define a cutout 149
formed therebetween.
[0049] The fastener 138 of the illustrated embodiment has an
arrow-like shape pointing in a direction generally perpendicular to
the length L of the strap 104 and includes a first arm 142a, a
second arm 142b, and a central portion 144 positioned between the
first and second arms 142a, 142b. The first and second arms 142a,
142b are generally the same size and shape and are generally
positioned similarly with respect to the central portion 144. The
first and second arms 142a, 142b and the central portion 144 are
attached to one another at a distal end 146 of the fastener 138.
The first and second arms 142a, 142b also include free ends 148a,
148b positioned generally opposite to the distal end 146 and a
distance away from the central portion 144. Although not required,
in the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 144 further
includes a step 147 positioned proximate to the bridge 139. The
step 147 rides along the outer edge 70 of the attachment feature 68
and has an interference fit with the outer side 78.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 9, to attach the lid 100 to the
attachment feature 68 of the urinal 10 of FIG. 1, the lid 100 is
positioned such that an inner side 150 (see FIG. 6b) of the lid
portion 102 may contact the mouth 32 of the urinal 10 and the
distal end 146 of the fastener 138 (see FIG. 8) is adjacent to the
attachment feature 68. The distal end 146 of the fastener 138 is
then inserted through the opening 72 of the attachment feature 68.
As the fastener 138 is pushed through the opening 72, the arms
142a, 142b are forced together and are pushed toward the central
portion 144. Once the free ends 148a, 148b of the fastener 138 are
completely pushed through the opening 72, the arms 142a, 142b
spring back into their original position relative to the central
portion 144. The free ends 148a, 148b of the arms 142a, 142b then
abut a portion of the attachment feature 68 surrounding the opening
72, which assists in precluding the fastener 138 from being removed
from the opening 72 and the lid 100 from being removed from the
urinal 10. The lid 100 can, however, be relatively easily removed
from the urinal 10 by pushing the arms 142a, 142b towards the
central portion 144 while moving the fastener 138 out from the
opening 72.
[0051] The mechanism described above for attaching the lid 100 to
the urinal 10 has several advantages over existing attachment
mechanisms. For example, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, to remove the
lid 100, one must affirmatively push the arms 142a, 142b toward the
central portion 144 of the fastener 138 while moving the fastener
138 out from the opening 72. Thus, the lid 100 is less likely to be
accidentally or unintentionally detached from the urinal 10.
Furthermore, because a portion of the lid 100 (i.e., the fastener
138 of the strap 104) and a portion of the urinal 10 (i.e., the
attachment feature 68) must simply be pushed together in order to
attach the lid 100 to the urinal 10, the attachment mechanism
described herein facilitates automatic assembly of urinal-lid
assemblies (e.g., urinal-cap assembly 151 of FIG. 9).
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 5, 8, and 9, when the lid 100 is attached
to the urinal 10 in the manner described above, the varying
thickness t, t' of the attachment feature 68 allows the outer edge
70 of the attachment feature 68 to act as a cam and an end 152 of
the main portion 136 of the strap 104 adjacent to the cutout 149 to
act as a cam follower. In the illustrated embodiment, the end 152
may travel along the outer edge 70 of the attachment feature 68 as
the lid 100 is opened and closed. The length L' of the cutout 149
is greater than the thickness t of the top 74 and the bottom 76 of
the attachment feature 68. The length L' of the cutout 149 is
smaller, however, than the thickness t' of the outer side 78 of the
attachment feature 68. Thus, as a user opens the lid 100 in the
direction of Arrow C (see FIG. 9) from a closed position, the end
152 follows along the outer edge 70 of the top 74 of the attachment
feature 68. Once the end 152 reaches the thicker outer side 78 of
the attachment feature 68, the end 152 becomes obstructed by the
outer edge 70 of the outer side 78 and deforms slightly so that it
may continue along the path in the direction of Arrow C. When the
end 152 reaches the bottom 76 (i.e., the thickness t of the
attachment feature 68 decreases), the end 152 is again able to move
freely to a fully open position. Because the increased thickness t'
of the outer side 78 inhibits the end 152 from moving back in the
direction of Arrow D, the lid 100 is inhibited or prevented from
falling into the urine flow when the urinal 10 is being emptied.
Thus, the likelihood of contaminating the lid 100 is decreased and
the chance of spilling urine onto a patient or bedding is
reduced.
[0053] In another embodiment (not shown), the opening 72 of the
attachment feature 68 may act as a cam and the step 147 (see FIG.
8) of the fastener 138 may act as a cam follower. In such an
embodiment, the opening 72 may have an elliptical shape having a
greater diameter at the top 74 and the bottom 76 than at the outer
side 78. Thus, the step 147 (e.g., the cam follower portion) would
move more easily at the top 74 and the bottom 72, and the lid 100,
once open, would be obstructed from re-closing.
[0054] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, polymer webs 156a,
156b are positioned between each of the first and second arms 142a,
142b and the central portion 144 of the fastener 138. The polymeric
webs 156a, 156b assist in pushing the arms 142a, 142b back into the
extended position of FIG. 8 after the fastener 138 has been pushed
through the attachment feature 68 of the urinal 10. The fastener
138 of FIG. 8 also includes openings 158a, 158b positioned between
the polymeric webs 156a, 156b, the central portion 144, and the
arms 142a, 142b near the distal end 146. The openings 158a, 158b
assist in collapsing the arms 142a, 142b when the fastener 138 is
being pushed through the attachment feature 68 of the urinal 10. In
some embodiments, the fastener 138 does not include polymeric webs
156a, 156b. In other embodiments, the fastener 138 does not include
openings 158a, 158b, and the polymeric webs 156a, 156b are
positioned adjacent to the distal end 146 of the fastener 138.
[0055] According to one embodiment, the lid 100 includes a
triple-seal feature to assist in reducing or eliminating leakage of
the urinal 10. Referring to FIG. 10a, which shows a magnified,
cross-sectional view of Area E of the lid 100 of FIG. 7, a first
detent 174 is formed on an inner cylindrical surface 176, which
extends from the disk portion 106. Referring to FIG. 10b, which
shows the lid 100 of FIG. 10a being attached to the urinal 10 of
FIGS. 1-4 and 9, when the urinal-cap assembly 151 (see FIG. 9) is
in a closed position, the first detent 174 abuts an interior
surface 177 of the urinal 10 near the mouth 32 (see FIG. 3), so
that a first liquid barrier or seal may be formed. The lid portion
102 further includes a second detent 168 formed on an upper
cylindrical surface 170, which extends from the inner cylindrical
surface 176 and is generally parallel with the disk portion 106.
When the urinal-cap assembly 151 is in the closed position of FIG.
10b, the second detent 168 abuts a top 172 of the mouth 32 of the
urinal 10, thereby creating a second liquid barrier or seal. The
lid portion 102 further includes a third detent 160 formed on an
outer cylindrical surface 162, which extends from the upper
cylindrical surface 170. When the urinal-cap assembly 151 is in the
closed position of FIG. 10b, the third detent 160 abuts an outer
circular depressed region 166 (see FIGS. 1, 4, 9) circumferentially
located around the exterior near the mouth 32 of the urinal 10,
thereby creating a third liquid barrier or seal.
[0056] To close the lid 100, a user may press against the
reinforced area 108 (see FIG. 6A). Pressing against the reinforced
area 108 deforms the normally flat disk portion 106 such that the
diameter of the first detent 174 is pulled in and reduced enough to
pass through the interior of the mouth 32. Likewise, the pushing
causes the diameter of the third detent 160 to be pushed out and
increased enough to fit around the exterior of the mouth 32.
[0057] After the lid 100 is in place (e.g., the urinal-cap assembly
151 of FIG. 9 is in a closed position), the user may remove the
pressure from the reinforced area 108. The memory of the plastic
causes the disk portion 106 to resume its generally flat shape,
which pushes the first detent 174 against an interior surface near
the mouth 32 and the third detent 160 into the outer circular
depressed region 166. The second detent 168 is pushed against the
top 172 of the mouth 32. The combination of the three barriers or
seals formed by the first, second, and third detents 174, 168, and
160, respectively, assist in making the urinal-cap assembly 151
leak-resistant or leak-proof.
[0058] To open the urinal 10, a tab 178 (see FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7) is
raised, which causes a front edge of the lid portion 102 to raise.
The lid portion 102 curls enough to free the third detent 160 from
the outer circular depressed region 166. A continued lifting of the
tab 178 causes the lid portion 102 to peel away from the urinal
10.
[0059] According to one embodiment, a top side 180a and a bottom
side 180b of the tab 178 include rounded edges 184a, 184b. These
rounded edges 184a, 184b are illustrated in FIG. 11, which shows a
magnified view of Area F of FIG. 7. The rounded edges 184a, 184b
provide added comfort for a user, which can be particularly
beneficial for elderly users or those with sensitive, wounded,
and/or broken skin.
[0060] To further reduce leakage of the urinal 10, in one
embodiment, a blow pin (not shown) is inserted into a mouth portion
of the urinal 10 during production to create a calibrated neck
finish. The calibrated neck finish creates a more precise inside
and outside diameter of the mouth 32, which forms a tighter seal
with the lid 100. This calibrated neck finish also creates a smooth
inside diameter to provide comfort to male users.
[0061] One non-limiting method of forming a urinal-lid assembly is
depicted in the flow diagram of FIG. 12. A molten tube of a
plasticized polymer is extruded. The molds is moved around the tube
and closed on the tube at step s190. The molten tube is cut and the
mold halves move the molten tube into the blow pin position. A blow
pin having a diameter similar to the diameter of a desired open
mouth of the urinal may be inserted at optional step s191. The blow
pin is sized to squeeze the plastic between the inside of the mold
neck finish and the outside of the blow pin, thereby creating a
seal. Compressed air is injected into the molten tube at step s193.
This compressed air pressure causes the molten tube to be expanded
into the shape of the urinal mold. The air pressure holds the
plastic against the cooled mold surface thus causing the plastic to
take the shape of the mold. A resulting urinal is removed from the
mold at step s194. When the mold is opened, the urinal remains
coupled with the blow pin. A set of transfer arms may remove the
urinal from the blow pin and trim the excess plastic from the
urinal. The resulting urinal may include an attachment feature
having an opening therethrough, as described above. At step s195, a
lid is attached to the urinal by inserting a fastener coupled to
the lid through the opening in the attachment feature. The lid is
snap-fitted onto the mouth of the urinal at step s196. At optional
step s197, the urinal is packaged with other like urinals such that
the urinal is inverted with respect to a second urinal. Unlike
existing urinal-cap assemblies, the methods described herein may be
automated because of the ease in which the lid may be attached to
the attachment feature of the urinal.
[0062] FIG. 13 shows urinals 200 similar to those illustrated and
described above packaged together in a container 202. The urinals
200 are compactly nested in the container 202. The urinals 200 are
packaged in pairs placed adjacent to and stacked on top of one
another so that the container 202 includes layered rows of nested
urinals 200. The pairs of urinals 200 include one urinal (e.g.,
urinal 204) that is upright and another urinal (e.g., urinal 206)
that is inverted. Specifically, the urinals 200 are configured such
that a handle 208 of the upright urinal 204 fits into a gap defined
by a handle 210 and a lower front wall 212 of the inverted urinal
206, and the handle 210 of the inverted urinal 206 fits into a gap
defined by the handle 208 and a lower front wall 214 of the upright
urinal 204. The generally rectangular (e.g., square) structure of
the urinals (e.g., urinal 10 of FIGS. 1, 4, 9) described herein
formed by the generally parallel lower front wall 22 and lower back
wall 23 and the generally parallel first and second lower side
walls 24, 26 assist in the snug, compact packing of the urinals 200
in an upright and inverted fashion and the snug, compact packaging
of adjacent pairs of urinals 200.
[0063] In one embodiment, the dimensions of the urinal 10 are such
that when packaged, a minimal amount of space in the container 202
is wasted. For example, a standard pallet is about 48 inches (about
122 cm) long and about 40 inches (about 102 cm) wide. Generally,
four containers (e.g., container 202 of FIG. 13) measuring about 24
inches (about 61 cm) long and about 20 inches (about 51 cm) wide
may be placed on the pallet at one time. In order to maximize the
space used within the container 202, each pair of urinals (e.g.,
urinals 200 of FIG. 12), when placed on their side walls, as in
FIG. 13 may be about 12 inches (about 30 cm) long and about 10
inches (about 25 cm) wide. A shown in FIG. 13, the urinals may be
formed such that two rows of six urinals 200 (i.e., three pairs)
may fit compactly within the container 202. Each container 202 may
include four stacks of urinals 200, thereby containing forty-eight
urinals 200. Because the urinals 200 may be compactly fit within
standard containers 202, most of the space within the container 202
is filled and the cost of shipping or transporting and the space
required to store the containers of urinals 200 may be reduced. The
tight fit of the lid to the urinal allows for consistent and
precise packaging.
[0064] While the specific examples provided herein, for convenience
of description, describe urinals, it should be understood that the
embodiments described herein may be applied to any suitable device
(such as, for example, a blow-molded milk bottle). Accordingly, the
invention is applicable to and the claims are to be construed to
cover all equivalent structures.
[0065] While the present invention has been described with
reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in
the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof
is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *