Abstract:
A method and apparatus for collecting and storing urine comprises a collecting funnel and collection tank. The funnel has a valve that opens flow of urine begins and closes once the flow stops based on a flow sensor. The flow time of urine is recorded and used to regulate the evacuation and inert gas filling of a head space in the collection container once the urine is collected. The inert gas protects the urine from oxidation so that degradation is minimized while in the collection container. A similar control can be exercised when a bottle is filled with urine from the collection container, wherein head space in the bottle is filled with inert gas for oxidation protection to form a finished package. The head space of finished package can be evacuated to minimize degradation of the urine once the urine is accessed an initial time in the finished package.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) based on provisional application no. 61/701,842, filed on Sep. 17, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a device and method for collecting and storing of urine, particularly deer urine, for hunting purposes, wherein the urine is collected and packaged in an oxygen free environment to reduce degradation of the urine during the collection and packaging process as well as during its storage. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    It is well known to collect deer urine to use as an attractant in hunting. Typically, the collection of urine is done from a number of deer at a time. 
         [0004]    In another mode and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,342 to Bell, urine is collected from one single individual animal at a time. 
         [0005]    The Bell patent addresses and solves a quality issue of using multiple deer urine for attractant purposes. The use of one deer&#39;s urine is better as an attractant to draw deer in close to a person than that of blended urine collected from numerous deer over a period of given time. 
         [0006]    However, neither of these methods or processes addresses the problem of ammoniating of the urine as a result of the urine being exposed to light, heat, and oxygen. Oxygen, being the main cause, along with light, and heat contaminate and break down urine causing it to ammoniate, which then creates a strong smell and a darkening of the urine during the collection, storage, bottling into a package, and usage of the package by a consumer. Whereas, light and heat are major factors in the contamination of urine resulting in ammonia, oxygen is also a larger factor. 
         [0007]    The result of urine exposed to oxygen is a much lesser quality product, and this results in lesser success when using oxygen-exposed urine to draw or lure an animal in close. This is due to the fact, that in the natural setting of the wild outdoors when an animal voids urine, the ammonia process begins due to immediate exposure to oxygen. This tells a second animal that smells the urine how fresh the scent is and how long since the first animal was there. 
         [0008]    The invention addresses the problem of urine quality loss involving the issues of contamination of urine caused by oxygen, light, and heat during the collection, storage, and the bottling into a finished package and the repeated usage of the opening and closing by the end user of the finished package. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The invention relates to the collection and packaging of urine, and particularly deer urine, in a way that the exposure of the urine during the collection and packaging thereof to oxygen is minimized. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, the invention provides a finished package of urine wherein the urine is in a container having an air tight lid and a head space between the surface of the urine in the container and the lid. The head space is filled with an inert gas so that the urine is not in contact with oxygen during its storage time in the container and does not ammoniate. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the invention is an overall system and process wherein the urine is collected under cover of inert gas, is supplied to a bottling machine under an inert gas cover, and is bottled under inert gas cover to produce the finished package with an inert gas head space. 
         [0012]    As part of the overall system and process, a collection step and apparatus is employed that collects urine from a deer while protecting the urine from oxygen contact. 
         [0013]    Another part of the overall system and process is a bottling apparatus and step, wherein the urine collected from the animal fills bottles without being in contact with oxygen. The bottling apparatus and step produce the finished package containing the urine and inert gas head space. 
         [0014]    Yet another part of the overall system is the ability to minimize the contact of the urine with oxygen once a user accesses the urine in the finished packaging. In this aspect, the container of the finished package can be coupled with a vacuum plug and vacuum pump. Once the finished package container is opened and the urine is used, the plug is secured to the open end of the container and the vacuum pump cooperates with the plug to evacuate the head space in the container and remove any oxygen therein. The urine can be stored in this oxygen-free state until it needs to be used again. The procedure is repeated once more urine is removed from the container. 
         [0015]    As an alternative, the urine in the container of the finished packaging can be transferred to another container that fits the vacuum plug if the finished packaging container opening is not adapted to fit the vacuum plug. 
         [0016]    Referring to the collection aspect of the invention, the urine is supplied into a closed collection container, preferably a closed and chilled container, for the collection of urine. The collection container is constructed so that light cannot enter its interior through the container walls. 
         [0017]    The closed collection container, if chilled, is kept at a chilled temperature and a funnel is provided, also chilled, above the collection container and below the source of the urine. The funnel has a sensor and valve, wherein the valve opens upon flow of the voided urine into the funnel as determined by the sensor. This flow triggers the valve to open just long enough for the voided urine to be collected in the chilled collection container beneath the chilled funnel. The valve is intended to be air tight so that when it closes, oxygen cannot enter into the collection container. Once the sensor determines the end of the urine flow, the valve is closed. 
         [0018]    Upon the sensor being trigger by the voided urine, the period of time the urine is flowing into the collection container is tracked or monitored. When the flow of urine stops, the sensor can trigger, if so desired, for the same time or similar period of time of sensed urine flow, an introduction of inert gas into the collection container. This is accomplished by supply of an inert gas (chilled or unchilled) to the collection container. The inert gas, e.g., carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, or the like, being heavier than oxygen creates a protective barrier on top of the urine as well as purging any oxygen from the collection container. Thus, the urine is protected from light, heat and oxygen and may be stored for an indefinite period of time without loss of quality at time of collection. Again, the collection container contains urine that is not damaged from light, heat and oxygen. 
         [0019]    Besides providing an innovative way and apparatus to collect the urine while minimizing damage from light, heat, and oxygen, the invention also improves the packaging of the stored urine, 
         [0020]    Currently, the method and process of bottling and packaging of the urine from the collection container causes further exposure to light, heat and oxygen. In addition to the problem of exposing the urine to light, heat and oxygen during the bottling and packaging, there is the additional problem of oxygen being left in the “head space” of the finished package. Head space is the unfilled portion left in the finished package, which would contain oxygen. The oxygen left in the “head space” of the finished package continues the breakdown of the quality of the urine contained in the packaging that is waiting to be used by a user of the urine. 
         [0021]    Once the urine is collected in the collection container, a process and apparatus is provided whereby the stored urine protected by the collection method described above is put into a finished package, which would be designed for a purchaser of urine for use in hunting, (herein called the finished package). As part of the filling of the finished package, air in the head space is removed by filling with containers of the finished package with inert gas (chilled or unchilled) to function as a protective layer over the urine contained in the finished package. More particularly, the urine is placed into the finished package and the “head space” in the finished package itself is filled with an inert gas to insure quality until the finished package is used by the end user the consumer. 
         [0022]    The invention has yet a third aspect to it to address yet another problem concerning collecting and storing of urine. This problem is caused by the actual usage of the finished package at a future date. The very action of opening and using urine from the finished package itself and its repeated act of usage allows oxygen damage to occur. With each usage, there becomes more oxygen in the “head space” of the finished package allowing damage to take place. 
         [0023]    This problem is solved by providing a means to evacuate the head space, either in the finished package container itself or another container that receives the urine originally found in the finished packaging container. This means includes, in one embodiment, a vacuum plug and vacuum pump. These two are used to evacuate the head space of the container holding the urine so that the head space is oxygen free during storage. The evacuation of the head space can be done each time the urine is accessed for use. 
         [0024]    This method and process insures a consistent quality of urine from the time an animal voids the urine all the way through the collection, storage, bottling of the finished package and the repeated usage of the finished package. 
         [0025]    While the invention is intended primarily to collect and store deer urine from one animal, deer urine from a number of deer, it can also be employed to collect the urine of another animal such as a bear, elk, moose, or the like. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention showing a system for collection of urine. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing showing a part of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIGS. 3(   a ) to  3 ( d ) are schematic drawings showing a bottling apparatus for filling bottles with urine with different bottling steps illustrated. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) show two different types of storage containers for the urine using a bottle and vacuum pump. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    One embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The apparatus aspect of the invention entails a system  10  for the collection of urine in such a way that the urine is minimally exposed to oxygen until it is accessed by a user in its finished package. The system  10  includes a urine collection apparatus  20  and a bottling apparatus  30 . The urine collection apparatus basically collects the urine from one or more animals like deer from a stall in a way that the urine is kept free from oxygen once collected. The urine collected in the apparatus  20  can then be supplied to the bottling apparatus  30 , wherein the urine is bottled in such a way the urine is shielded from oxygen during the bottling process and packaged under an inert gas atmosphere until the finished package is opened by a user. 
         [0031]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the collection apparatus  20  includes a funnel  21 , that is disposed beneath a typical stall  22  used to collect urine from an animal. Since these stalls are well known in the art, a further description is not deemed necessary for understanding of the invention. 
         [0032]    Included with the funnel is a valve  23  and a collection container  25 . The valve  23  controls the flow of urine from the stall  22  to the collection container  25 . While any valve can be used, a preferred valve is a gate valve. The valve is also one that provides an air tight seal to the collection container  25 . 
         [0033]    The apparatus  20  also includes a sensor  27 , which is designed to sense the beginning and end of the flow of urine into the funnel, preferably a contact sensor that detects contact of urine with the funnel wall  29 . This can be any type of sensor that would detect contact with the wall by a material such as urine. These contact sensors are well known in the art so that a further description of them is not needed for understanding of the invention. Of course other sensors may be employed that will detect the flow of urine into the funnel, e.g., ones using light. 
         [0034]    The sensor  27  is linked to a controller  31 , with the controller  31  designed to control the flow of an inert gas source, designated as  32  in  FIG. 1 , through valve  33  and pressure regulator  34  into the collection container  25 . The controller  31  also includes a timer that measures the time of urine flow into the collection container by the sensor  27  first detecting urine flowing into the funnel  21  and then sensing the termination of the urine flow, hereinafter the urine flow time. The inert gas is also supplied to the collection container with the valve  23  closed and prior to its receipt of urine. This means that the urine enters an inert gas filled collection chamber and does not see oxygen as it enters the collection container  25 . 
         [0035]    The collection container  25  and funnel are preferably cooled or chilled to around  60  degrees F. so that the urine when contacting the funnel wall  29  and entering the collection container  25  is chilled. The cooling is shown as coils  35  on the funnel and coils  37  on the collection container, wherein a cooling fluid (not shown) is supplied to the coils  35  and  37  for cooling purposes. Of course, other known ways to chill the funnel and collection container can be employed. 
         [0036]    The collection container can also be equipped with a discharge line  39  that is in communication with the bottling apparatus  30  with its use described hereinafter. 
         [0037]    The assembly of the collection container, the funnel, the controller, sensor, inert gas supply, and valve are considered means for collecting and storing urine in an oxygen free atmosphere to minimize the degradation of the urine during the collection and storage thereof. The supply of the inert gas is essential for filling the collection container prior to its receipt of urine and then can be optionally employed to provide additional inert gas once the flow of urine ceases and the valve  23  closes. 
         [0038]    In the method aspect of the urine collection, the valve  23  is in its closed state and the collection container is filled with an inert gas at a pressure around atmospheric. Once urine begins to fall into the funnel  21  and contact the funnel wall  29 , the sensor  27  detects the urine and signals the controller  31  to open the valve  23 . Because the inert gas is heavier than air, it occupies the volume of the collection container  25  and the urine passes through the inert gas and towards the bottom of the collection container  25 . 
         [0039]    Once the sensor  27  determines that no more urine is flowing into the funnel  21 , the controller  31  closes the valve  23  and the urine is held in the collection container under cover of the inert gas, thus not in the presence of oxygen. 
         [0040]    Once the valve  23  is closed, the controller  31  can, optionally, supply additional inert gas to the collection container to ensure that it only contains inert gas. This is an optional step because once the urine is funneled into the collection container  25 ; the inert gas therein is displaced out through the valve opening during the filling step. Therefore, the inert gas should still occupy the volume of the collection container  25  remaining after urine is collected therein. The supply of the inert gas to the collection container  25  assures the oxygen free state of the urine while in the collection chamber. 
         [0041]    The timer of the controller  31  is used in conjunction with the supply of inert gas after collection of urine and closing of the valve  23 . That is, the timer tracks the time that the valve  23  is open and then provides a flow of inert gas from source  32  via opening of the inert gas valve  33  that matches or approximates the time that the valve  23  is open. Of course, the controller  31  could be designed to supply inert gas to the collection container  25  for a period longer than the valve  23  opening time, if so desired, to provide further assurance of an absence of oxygen into the collection chamber. 
         [0042]    Once a quantity of urine is collected, it can be sent to the bottling apparatus  30  via the discharge line  39 . Prior to sending the collected urine to the bottling apparatus  30 , the supply line is purged of any air with inert gas. This assures that the travel of the urine in the oxygen-free state in the collection container  25  does not encounter any oxygen on the way to the bottling apparatus  30 . This purging can be done in any conventional way and further details of this step are not deemed necessary for understanding of the invention. 
         [0043]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 3   a - d,  the bottling apparatus is similar to a wine bottling apparatus in that empty bottles are conveyed through the apparatus, filled, and capped. Thus, the transport and handling of the bottles is deemed conventional and a further description is not needed for understanding of the invention. 
         [0044]    One difference in the bottling apparatus and method of filling is that the apparatus  30  includes a feed line for inert gas and a feed line for urine. This aspect of the apparatus is shown schematically in  FIG. 3   a - 3   d  with the inert gas feed line designated as  41  and the urine feed line designated as  43 . The bottle to be filled with the urine is designated by reference numeral  45 . 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 3   a,  the inert gas feed line  41  supplies inert gas to the bottle  45 . Enough inert gas is fed into the bottle  45  to at least fill it. Since the inert gas is heavier than air, it will displace the oxygen in the bottle  45 . In  FIG. 3   b,  the inert gas feed line  41  is removed from the bottle and the urine feed line  43  is lowered so that its open end is below the level of the inert gas residing in the bottle. The urine is then pumped into the bottle  45 , providing a volume  47  as shown in  FIG. 3   c.  Above the level of urine is a head space  49 , which is the inert gas. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 3   d,  the bottling apparatus, then attaches the cap  51  to the bottle  45  such that a finished package  53  is provided with an amount of urine and inert gas. With the cap  51  in place, there is no oxygen in the bottle  45  so that the urine will not ammoniate over time (change to a brown color from its natural yellow color). Thus, the urine is of high quality for the end user, particularly when collecting deer urine. The feed lines of the bottling apparatus are considered means for filling the bottles with urine and providing the inert gas head space in the bottle once the bottle is capped. Of course, other ways could be employed to fill the bottles with inert gas and then urine than the feed lines. The bottles could be moved with respect to stationary feed lines. 
         [0047]    The invention also entails a system to preserve as much as possible the oxygen free state of the urine in the finished package  53 . With reference to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b,  an assembly is shown of a container  55 , a vacuum plug  57 , and a vacuum pump  59 . The plug  57  and pump  59  are similar to those used in the wine industry to evacuate a wine bottle air space after it has been opened. In  FIG. 4   a,  the container is different from the bottle  45  produced by the bottling apparatus  30 . This situation may occur if the bottle  45  does not have the right bottle opening to mate with a standard vacuum plug. In this instance, the user of the finished package, after opening of the bottle  45  and using the urine for its intended purpose, would transfer the urine into the container  55 . Once the urine is in the container  55 , the plug  57  and pump  59  would be employed to remove the air in the container  55  to keep the urine in an oxygen free state. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 4   b,  the opening of the bottle  45  of the finished package  53  is configured so that it can directly mate with the vacuum plug  57 . In this mode, the user, after opening the bottle  45  and using an amount of urine can just plug the bottle  45  with the vacuum plug and evacuate the head space in the bottle to remove air and create an oxygen free head space. In this embodiment, the user of the finished package avoids the transfer step of putting the urine from the finished package  53  into another container  55 . In either case though, the evacuation of the container  55  or bottle  45  enhances the life of the urine by removing oxygen. 
         [0049]    While a typical vacuum plug or rubber stopper and vacuum pump are preferred, any means that would be able to remove air (evacuate it) in a container holding an amount of urine can be employed in conjunction with the finished package.