Abstract:
Holders for specimen collection such as urine collection and systems including holders and specimen collection cups are disclosed. The holders include resiliently deformable features for retaining cups of varying sizes therein. In some forms, the holders are alignable to minimize spillage when advancing the specimen cup into a urine stream.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/965,419, filed Aug. 20, 2007, titled “Device for Assisting in Urine Collection,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to the collection of urinary specimens and, in particular, to systems and devices providing handles for manipulating a specimen collection cup during collection of a urinary specimen. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There are many medical purposes for collecting specimens and, in particular, collecting urine or urinary specimens from patients or persons. Generally speaking, the urine may easily be analyzed to determine the composition thereof, which itself provides an indication of many health and physiological characteristics of the patient, such a process referred to as urinalysis. For example, many athletes provide specimens or samples for urinalysis that demonstrate or confirm the athlete&#39;s suitability for participation in sports, that is, that the athlete is healthy and free of drugs such as performance enhancing or illegal drugs. Pregnant women will provide specimens or samples so that their body&#39;s chemistry can be monitored to protect the health of the woman and the unborn child, such as identify gestational diabetes. 
         [0004]    Generally speaking, the typical manner in which a urine specimen is collected is simply providing the patient with a specimen cup into which the patient is to deposit their urine. While usually the patient is allowed to visit a restroom for privacy in collecting the specimen, some patients do require assistance in collection. Again, in simplest terms, the patient holds or positions the specimen cup proximate but a short distance away from their urethral opening to collect urine being released therefrom. 
         [0005]    For a variety of reasons, it is common for the patient to be instructed to collect a mid-stream portion. That is, the patient is to urinate for a short period of time into a toilet, then, for a period of time, position the specimen cup in a position to collect a sufficient amount of the urine stream. Once the desired amount of urine is collected in the specimen cup, the patient is to remove the specimen cup from the urine stream so that the voiding or remainder of the patient&#39;s urine is again directed into the toilet. 
         [0006]    For all people there are issues attendant to this process and, for a variety of people having certain physical characteristics, there are additional issues presented. In general, it is difficult (if not impossible) to collect a midstream portion of the urine without having some portion thereof splash the edge and side of the specimen cup. Some patients may be able to contract their muscles to stop the flow of urination, but some of these patients may have trouble restarting due to the relief on the bladder from the initial urine that has already been voided. Beyond the medical reasons for midstream collection, such as allows the patient to clearly identify where the specimen cup should be positioned, as opposed to aiming one&#39;s urine stream prior to beginning urination. Generally speaking, the specimen cup is positioned a distance away from the urethral opening. This reduces contamination of the urine specimen by contact with the patient&#39;s body, and this reduces the likelihood of splashing. 
         [0007]    In any event, it is most common for some portion of the urine to be on the outside of the specimen cup. Both patients and medical personnel prefer to avoid having to come in contact with the patients&#39; urine. In any event, the filled specimen cup is typically closed with a snap-on or screw-on lid, and the specimen cup is labeled for the patient&#39;s identifying information. In order to secure the lid thereon, the specimen cup and lid must be manually manipulated. The label may be affixed to the specimen cup prior to filling, in which case the label information may have become wet and run or the label itself may have absorbed urine, or may be affixed after filling which again requires manual manipulation. 
         [0008]    Adding to the general difficulty of maintaining a clean exterior for the specimen cup are particular physical issues for a variety of people. That is, many people present additional difficulties due to their own physicality. For instance, many people such as pregnant women and obese people find it difficult to properly locate the specimen cup proximate the urethral opening. Many people find it difficult to properly position the cup during midstream collection, such as some elderly men who tend to urinate in short bursts as opposed to a continuous stream. 
         [0009]    A number of attempts have been made to provide devices that assist in collection of urine. A basic specimen cup holder is shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D399,007 (“the &#39;007 patent”). As shown, the depicted device is an elongated handle with a support ring for receiving a specimen cup. The size of the cup is accommodating by the device only by the tapered cup being received to the degree that such can be advanced into the support ring. 
         [0010]    Somewhat of an improvement upon the &#39;007 patent is U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,220 (“the &#39;220 patent”) which also describes an elongated handle having a distally formed ring thereon for supporting a tapered specimen cup. The ring includes an opening or break positioned to a side, i.e., not along the longitudinal axis of the device, the opening allowing some flexure of the ring to accommodate different sized specimen cups. However, it should be obvious that a larger cup would either sit high in the ring, akin to what is shown in FIG. 1 of the &#39;220 patent, or that the cup would be pressed into the ring. In the latter case, the only manner in which the ring could avoid exerting a substantial spring force against cup is for the ring to be of a sufficiently soft material to allow for significant expansion of the ring; in this case, the ring may then be inadequately stiff for holding the specimen cups once they become weighed with collected urine. 
         [0011]    U.S. Design Pat. No. D379,655 (“the &#39;655 patent”) shows an elongated handle and distally formed ring supporting a cup, each provided with a complementary sliding component allowing manipulation of a cup cover via a handle portion. As stated above, it is most typical for a filled specimen cup to be closed for processing. For the &#39;655 patent, it is clear that the cup cannot be removed from the handle without also removing the lid, if at all. Therefore, it is clear that the assembly is meant to be transported to a laboratory for analysis in its entirety. Doing so is obviously awkward and inconvenient, and the protruding handles make the assembly prone to being accidentally bumped. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,231 (“the &#39;231 patent”) shows a collection cup having a lid thereon and having a telescoping handle. Again, like the &#39;655 patent, the &#39;231 patent does not allow the handle to be removed from the cup. Because the handle is telescoping, it can at least be partially collapsed to ease transport to and use in the laboratory. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,352 (“the &#39;352 patent”) shows devices having an elongated handle, a ring integral with the handle, and a cup supportable by ring. Such devices are similar to and suffer from the same deficiencies in accommodating cups of different sizes as the devices of the &#39;220 and &#39;007 patents. Additionally, the &#39;352 patent shows an embodiment in FIG. 16 generally formed of wire to have an open end that can be shaped to receive a desired specimen cup and to provide a desired spring compression thereto. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, there has been a need for improved methods and devices for collecting urine. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0015]    In accordance with an aspect a device for utilizing a specimen collection cup is disclosed, the device comprising a handle portion, a support portion connected with the handle portion and defining a closed boundary, and retention features, wherein the support portion is configured to receive cups of varying sizes within the closed boundary, and wherein the retention features provide a resilient retention force to the cup received therein. 
         [0016]    In some forms, the support portion defines a circular closed boundary and is generally ring-shaped. 
         [0017]    In some forms, the retention features include a resiliently deformable portion extending inwardly into the closed boundary. The resiliently deformable portion may include a plurality of fingers. The fingers may be formed integral with the support portion. The fingers may taper from a base portion at the support portion to a tip portion to provide variable retention force to the varying sized cups. The support portion may be in the form of a ring, the fingers may have an arcuate base connected with the support portion, and the fingers may have an arcuate tip portion for contacting and providing retention force against a cup received within the support portion. 
         [0018]    In some forms, the device is formed integral. 
         [0019]    In another aspect, a holder for supporting and manipulating a specimen cup for collecting urine is disclosed, the holder including a support portion for supporting a specimen cup, an elongated handle extending from the support portion, and a frangible breakline for removing at least a portion of the handle from the support portion. 
         [0020]    In some forms, the breakline is frangible by applying a lateral force. 
         [0021]    In some forms, the breakline is frangible by applying a vertical force. 
         [0022]    In some forms, the holder further includes a specimen cup. The specimen cup may be integral with the support portion. 
         [0023]    In another aspect, a holder for supporting and manipulating a specimen cup for collecting urine is disclosed, the holder comprising an elongated handle for directing the holder, and a rigid support portion connected with the handle, wherein the support portion includes first and second arms defining an open boundary including an opening, the open boundary for receiving cups therein, and the arms including terminal portions for retaining the cups therein. 
         [0024]    In some forms, the opening is opposite the handle. The opening may be at least a quarter of the boundary. 
         [0025]    In some forms, the arms are generally planar and the terminal portions thereof are angled to prevent cups from passing through the opening. 
         [0026]    In some forms, the terminal portions extend upwardly from a general plane of the arms, the terminal portions preventing cups from passing through the opening. 
         [0027]    In another aspect, a holder for supporting and manipulating a specimen cup for collecting urine is disclosed, the holder including an elongated handle for directing the holder, and a connector formed on a distal end of the holder, the connector releasably securable with a portion of a specimen cup. 
         [0028]    In some forms, the connector includes a pair of walls defining a channel, and a top portion of the cup is receivable between the walls. The walls may exert a friction force against a cup received therebetween, the friction force retaining the cup with the holder. The walls may include securing structure for retaining the connector with the cup. The securing structure may be at least a riblike structure for pressing into the cup. The securing structure may be at least a riblike structure for providing an interference fit with a portion of the cup. 
         [0029]    In some forms, the connector and cup have corresponding mating structure forming a post-and-socket joint. The joint may include a horizontal socket and a post received horizontally therein. The joint may include a vertical socket and a post received vertically therein. 
         [0030]    In another aspect, a holder for supporting and manipulating a specimen cup for collecting urine is disclosed, the holder including an elongated handle for directing the holder, a support portion for receiving a specimen cup, and a funnel positionable over and into a specimen cup received by the support portion for directing urine into the cup. 
         [0031]    In another aspect, a holder for supporting and manipulating a specimen cup for collecting urine is disclosed, the holder including an elongated handle for directing the holder, a support portion for receiving a specimen cup, and a threaded engagement between the support portion and the specimen cup. In some forms, the holder further includes an absorbent material disposed proximate the threaded engagement. 
         [0032]    In another aspect, a holder for supporting and manipulating a specimen cup for collecting urine is disclosed, the holder including an elongated handle for directing the holder, a support portion for receiving a specimen cup, wherein the support portion includes a generally funnel-shape for directing urine into a cup supported thereby. In some forms, the support portion may include a plurality of inwardly extending retention fingers for supporting a cup therein, the fingers separated by gaps permitting urine to pass therethrough. 
         [0033]    In another aspect, a holder for supporting and manipulating a specimen cup for collecting urine is disclosed, the holder including a support portion for supporting a specimen cup, and first and second arms extending from the support portion and supportable by a toilet. 
         [0034]    In some forms, the first and second arms may include widened end portions for resisting movement of the holder. The widened end portions may include fork-like portions. 
         [0035]    In some forms, the support portion includes the specimen cup. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0036]    In the Figures,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of first form of a holder for supporting a specimen cup during specimen collection showing retention features formed on the holder in a first position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the holder of  FIG. 1  showing the retention features extending radially inward from an inner perimeter of a supporting ring of the holder; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the holder taken through the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  showing the retention features in the first position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 3  showing a specimen cup of a first dimension received within the supporting ring and retained therein by the retention features shifted or deformed or deflected to a second position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5  is a second side elevational cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 3  showing a specimen cup of a second dimension received within the supporting ring with the retention features in a third position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a form of a holder including a frangible breakline for removing at least a part of the holder such as a handle portion; 
           [0042]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a form of a holder similar to that of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of a third form of a holder having a frangible breakline for removing at least a part of the holder; 
           [0044]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a holder having arms defining an open boundary for receiving and supporting a cup therein, the arms in a general “V” shape and having inwardly extending portions for retaining the cup therein; 
           [0045]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a holder similar to that of  FIG. 9  wherein the arms are in a general arcuate or horseshoe shape; 
           [0046]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a holder having arms defining an open boundary for receiving and supporting a cup therein, the arms having upwardly extending portions for retaining the cup therein; 
           [0047]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the holder of  FIG. 11  showing the upwardly extending portions in contact with the cup therein; 
           [0048]      FIG. 13  is an exploded side elevational view of a cup and holder system, the holder including a connector portion for connecting with a top edge and portion of the cup; 
           [0049]      FIG. 14  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 13  showing the connector portion joined with the top portion of the cup; 
           [0050]      FIG. 15  is an exploded view of a cup and holder system, the cup and holder having cooperating structure for releasably coupling together in a generally horizontal manner; 
           [0051]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a cup and holder system similar to that of  FIG. 15 , the cooperating structure instead releasably coupling in a generally vertical manner; 
           [0052]      FIG. 17  is a side elevational view in cross-section showing a threaded connection between a holder ring and a cup, absorbent material being disposed proximate the juncture therebetween; 
           [0053]      FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of a holder and cup system with a funnel; 
           [0054]      FIG. 19  is a side elevational view of a holder including a funnel-shaped support ring for supporting a cup thereon; 
           [0055]      FIG. 20  is a top plan view of a first form of a device for assisting in specimen collection wherein the device is supported by another fixture such as a toilet by terminal portions of the device; 
           [0056]      FIG. 21  is a fragmentary view of a second form of terminal portions of the device of  FIG. 20 ; and 
           [0057]      FIG. 22  is a side elevational view of a holder including a handle and a ring showing a cross-sectional shape of the handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0058]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-5 , a holder  10  for supporting a specimen cup  12  is shown having retention features in the form of flexible fingers  14  for permitting cups  12  of various sizes to be received and retained within a ring  16  of the holder  10 . In this manner, a variety of sized cups  12  can be used with the holder  10 , and the ring  16  need not have an opening or break therein in order to accommodate the different sized cups  12 . Additionally, any cup  12  received within the ring  16  is pressed against around its periphery to retain and generally immobilize the cup  12  therewithin. 
         [0059]    In a preferred form, the holder  10  is a unitary device formed integrally of polymeric material such as low or high-density polyethylene (LDPE or HDPE) or polyphenylene (PPE). In this manner, the holder  10  is simple and inexpensive to produce. 
         [0060]    As can be seen, the holder  10  includes a grip portion  20 , the ring  16  distally positioned from the grip  20 , and an elongated handle  22  extending between and integrally formed with the grip  20  and ring  16 . The thicknesses or dimensions of the grip  20  and ring  16  and handle  22  provide for rigidity in supporting and manipulating the ring  16  when the cup  12  is located therein and, in particular, when the cup  12  has been filled with a urine specimen. 
         [0061]    The fingers  14  have an initial or as-formed position shown in  FIGS. 1-3  as generally extending radially inward from an inner periphery  26  of the ring  16 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the fingers  14  are shaped somewhat as a frustum of a circular wedge or pie shape such that the fingers  14  have a base portion  14   a  secured (and preferably formed integral) with the ring inner periphery  26  such that the base portion  14   a  is arced to follow the shape of the inner periphery  26 . The finger  14  extends from the base portion  14   a  to a tip  14   b  that, when viewed from the top as in  FIG. 2 , has an arcuate shape. The shape of the tips  14   b  in some forms may be such that, together, the tips  14   b  correspond to a circle co-centric with the circle defined by the ring  16  itself. This allows the tips  14   b  to generally correspond in shape to a cup  12  received therein, the cup  12  being concentrically received within the ring  16 . 
         [0062]    Best viewed in  FIG. 3 , the base portion  14   a  is thicker, in a generally vertical direction, than the tip portion  14   b , though the finger  14  may be of generally uniform thickness. That is, the fingers  14  taper down from the base portion  14   a  to the tip portion  14   b.    
         [0063]    Comparing  FIG. 3  with  FIG. 4 , the fingers  14  are pliable and, preferably, resiliently pliable so that the fingers  14  provide a retention force against the sides of the cup  12  received within the ring  16  and fingers  14 . Specifically, advancement of the cup  12  into the ring  16  brings the cup  12  into contact with the tips  14   b  of the fingers  14 . Continued advancement of the cup  12  deflects the fingers  14  downward to deform the fingers  14  from the initial position (i.e, that of  FIG. 3 ) to a deflected position (that of  FIG. 4 ) so that the fingers  14  resiliently press against the cup  12 . As noted above, the fingers  14  are illustrated as tapering from the base portion  14   a  to the tip portion  14   b , which allows a smaller cup  12  to receive a minimal amount of retention force from the fingers  14 . In a form (not shown) wherein the fingers  14  are generally of uniform vertical thickness from the base portion  14   a  to the tip portion  14   b , the connection between the finger  14  and the ring  16  could give rise to a stress concentrator: given the desire for inexpensive manufacturing and for disposability of the device, it is desired to permit relatively loose manufacturing tolerances and/or material creep, and the form (shown) having the tapered fingers  14  is believed to allow cheaper molds and cheaper manufacturing, while also providing less likelihood of the fingers  14  being broken from the ring  16 . 
         [0064]    Comparing  FIGS. 4 and 5 , it can be seen that the ring  16  and fingers  14  accommodate different sized cups  12 . That is, the fingers  14  in  FIG. 4  are displaced from the initial position of  FIG. 3  to accommodate the cup  12 . In  FIG. 5 , a larger cup  12   a  is received in the ring  16 , which results in greater deflection of the fingers  14  from the initial position to a third deflected or deformed position. 
         [0065]    It should be noted that the holder  10  is preferably formed of a homogenous material in a one-step molding process such as injection molding, though such need not be so. For instance, transfer molding may be used, but such is believed to be a more expensive operation. Additionally, the fingers  14  may be formed of a second material, such as a rubber or elastomeric material, joined with a first and more rigid material used for the ring. It should be noted further that the fingers  14  may extend from a finger ring (not shown) formed of the second material, and the finger ring is then joined (by molding or bonding or mechanically connecting, etc.) with the ring  16 . The fingers  14  may alternatively simply be a continuous elastomeric ring (not shown) extending inward from the ring periphery  26  that expands and deflects downwardly when a cup  12  is received therein, pressing sleeve-like against the cup  12 . However, while each of such forms is within the scope of the invention, each is also believed to be more expensive to manufacture. 
         [0066]    It should also be noted that the fingers  14  accommodate some spillage. That is, as discussed above, it is difficult if not impossible to avoid any urine coming into contact with the outside of the cup  12 . With the fingers  14 , gaps  30  are defined between the fingers  14  which allows urine that may otherwise collect on the side of the cup  12  or at the juncture between the holder  10  and the cup  12  to simply pass. The urine is free to pass through the gaps  30  and drip off, such as into a toilet. 
         [0067]    Accordingly, the holder  10  provides a number of benefits over the prior art. The holder  10  accommodates a variety of sized cups  12  while providing rigidity throughout the holder  10  and, in particular, the ring  16  thereof. The fingers  14  insure retention of a cup  12  with the ring  16 , and the gaps  30  therebetween permit urine to pass through and drip off. Additionally, the holder  10  is designed to receive a cup  12 , and to be separated from the cup  12  when the cup  12  is filled and sent to a laboratory for analysis of the urine sample. 
         [0068]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6-8 , other forms of specimen collection devices are illustrated. In  FIG. 6 , a holder  60  is shown having a grip  62 , a handle  64 , and a support in the form of a ring  66 . A cup (not shown) may be received within the ring  66  (the ring  66  either including the retention features (i.e., fingers  14 ) described above or being as shown without such features) or integral therewith. The holder  60  includes a frangible breakline  68  so that the handle  64  or a majority thereof may be easily disconnected from the ring  66  when desired.  FIG. 7  shows a holder  70  similar to the holder  60  of  FIG. 6 , though the holder  70  is shaped for a cup  12  having a non-circular shape, such as quadrilateral or square or frusto-pyramidal, as mere examples. Again, the holder  70  of  FIG. 7  includes a frangible breakline  78  to remove the handle  74  from a support  76 . 
         [0069]    Viewing  FIG. 8 , a holder  80  is also shown having a frangible breakline  88 . For the forms of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the handles  64 ,  74  are removed by breaking them in a generally vertically direction. The holder  80  has its breakline  88  oriented so that the handle  84  is broken via lateral or horizontal motion relative to the ring  86 . This allows the holder  80  to accommodate a greater weight of urine specimen in a cup  12  supported by the ring  86  while insuring that such weight does not inadvertently fracture or separate the breakline  88 . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 9-10  illustrate further forms of devices for assisting in specimen collection.  FIG. 9  illustrates a holder  90  having a grip  92 , an elongated handle  94 , and a support  96  for receiving a cup  12  therein. However, unlike the previous forms, the support  96  does not define a closed boundary, instead having a large opening  98 . The support  96  as shown includes first and second arms  100  extending from the handle  94  in a plane and defining a somewhat “V” shape. The arms  100  have terminal hands  102  thereon extending in at least a skew direction from the direction of the arms  100  so that a cup  12  may be received within and supported by the arms  100  and hands  102 . The opening  98  is generally positioned opposite the handle  94  so that the ability of the support  96  to bear the weight of a filled specimen cup is dependent on the strength of the material(s) of the holder  90 . The large opening  98  is generally at least a quarter of the periphery of a cup  12 , though such will vary depending on the size of the cup  12 , or a quarter of the boundary defined by the support  96 . By providing the large opening  98 , and by orienting the opening  98  opposite the handle  94  and grip  92 , a user is able to determine without visual confirmation that the cup  12  is entering a urine stream at the opening  98  so that the holder  90  itself generally does not get wet. While it is not a specific intention to avoid getting the holder  90  wet with urine, as the holder  90  is intended to be disposable, it is the intention that any urine that comes into contact with the exterior of the cup  12  is to be permitted to drip off. With the large opening  98 , the holder  90  itself does not resist or impede the ability of the urine to drip off therefrom. It should be noted that  FIG. 9  shows general positions for a representative cup  12  in phantom lines, the circumference of a top edge of the cup being labeled C 1  and a cup circumference that is generally co-planar with the holder  90  when the cup  12  is supported thereby being labeled C 2 .  FIG. 10  shows a similar form of a holder  110  to that of  FIG. 9 , though having a support  116  that is generally horseshoe-shaped. It should be noted that a variety of shapes may be used within the scope of the invention to provide a large opening of predetermined orientation to allow the user to direct the holder and a cup supported thereon into a urine stream such that the large opening is easily aligned with the urine stream when entering the same. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show devices similar to that of  FIGS. 9 and 10 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a holder  120  having a grip  122 , a handle  124 , and a support  126  having a large opening  128 , the opening  128  being opposite the handle  124  in the manner described for the holders  90  and  110 . The support  126  includes arms  127  like the arms  100 ; however, the arms  127  include generally vertical hands  129  instead of the inwardly angled hands  102  of the holder  90 , e.g. As can be seen, a cup  12  is supported at its sides within the arms  129  and is restricted from passing through the large opening  128  by the upstanding hands  129 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate a holder  130  usable generally with any cup  12 . The holder  130  includes a grip  132  and an elongated handle  134  extending therefrom to a connector  136 . In general, specimen cups  12  having an upper edge  13  and may or may not have structure for receiving and securing a lid with the cup  12 ; in the event such structure is provided, it is generally either a lip for a snap-fit lid or threading for a threaded lid. The connector  136  of the present holder  130  may be in a variety of forms for joining with an upper portion of the cup  12  at the upper edge  13 . 
         [0073]    For instance, as illustrated in the detail of  FIG. 14 , the connector  136  includes a pair of connector walls  138  defining a channel  139  into which the cup  12  is advanced. The connector  136  is resiliently pressed onto the cup  12  (and the channel  139  is sized) so that, minimally, a friction fit is achieved. 
         [0074]    Preferably, at least one of the walls  138  includes a gripping structure such as a rib  140  for providing a localized pressure area or region. In the event the cup  12  includes the described structure for receiving a lid, such as the cup rib or thread  15  illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the rib  140  engages with such structure to retain the cup  12  and holder  130  together with an additional interference fit. In this manner, the holder  130  may be used with virtually any cup  12 , and may easily be removed when the specimen cup  12  has been filled and is ready to be closed and sent to the laboratory for analysis. 
         [0075]    Turning now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , cup and holder systems are shown.  FIG. 15  shows a cup  150  and shows a holder  152  generally in the form of a rod, the cup  150  and holder  152  having cooperating structure  154  for removably connecting the holder  152  with the cup  150 . Specifically, the structure  154  includes a post and socket joint, the cup  150  including a socket  156  while the holder  152  includes a post  157 ; obviously, such connection could easily be reversed. 
         [0076]    Similar to that shown in  FIG. 15 , a cup  160  and holder  162  are illustrated in  FIG. 16  having cooperating structure  164 . However, in this form, the cup  160  has a vertically aligned (and preferably non-circular) socket  166 , and the holder  162  includes an elongated handle  168  with an upstanding pin portion  170  that is received in (and preferably correspondingly shaped to) the socket  166 . As such, the holder  162  can be released from the cup  160  simply by setting down the cup  160 , such as on a specimen tray (not shown). 
         [0077]      FIG. 17  illustrates a holder  180  for use with a threaded cup  12 . The holder  180  includes a ring  182  having internal threading which mates with the threading on the cup  12 . In this manner, a user is assured that the cup  12  will not become dislodged from the holder  180  during use. In a preferred form, absorbent material  184  is disposed at or around the junction between the holder  180  and the cup  12  to absorb and collect urine that is not received within the cup  12  but is received within the ring  182 . In this manner, removal of the cup  12  from the ring  182  by unthreading the cup  12  does not result in spillage between the cup  12  and ring  182  from flowing down the cup  12  and onto a person&#39;s hands. 
         [0078]      FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate the use of funneling with forms of the devices described herein. In  FIG. 18 , one may simply provide a funnel  188  over the top of any cup and/or holder as described herein. In  FIG. 19 , a holder  190  is illustrated having a ring  192  that itself is a funnel having tapered sides  194 . The holder  190  may be provided with fingers  14  and gaps  30  within the ring  192 , as described above, so that urine does not collect at the interface between the holder  190  and a cup  12 . 
         [0079]    Turning now to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , additional devices for assisting in urine specimen collection are illustrated and described herein. While each of the above forms described herein generally contemplate a user and/or medical personnel manually holding and utilizing the devices,  FIG. 20  illustrates a device that supported by the toilet itself. That is,  FIG. 20  shows a system  200  including first and second arms  202  that extend across a toilet opening (not shown) such as by resting on a toilet seat or rim (not shown). In some forms, the arms  202  may be adjustable in radial orientation or in length for appropriate use with different sized or configured toilets. The arms  202  are joined by a support  204  therebetween, the support  204  either including or permitting receipt of a cup  12 . In the form of  FIG. 20 , the arms  202  include terminal portions  206  that provide balance to the system  200 , the terminal portions  206  being somewhat fork-like. However, the terminal portions  206  may be in a variety of shapes to generally provide more than a point contact with, e.g., the toilet, such as the “V” shaped terminal portions of  FIG. 21 . 
         [0080]    It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, for each embodiment described herein, the devices are generally considered to be somewhat planar, though the handles and the like may be angled from a plane of the support for holding the cup. It should also be noted that a connection between a handle and a ring, or elsewhere as desired or beneficial, is preferably designed with performance characteristics in mind. For instance, as can be seen in  FIG. 22 , a handle  220  has a cross-sectional shape/size/structure and joint with the ring  222  designed to allow the handle  220  to bear the weight of a filled specimen cup  12 , without the ring  222  bending or breaking from the handle  220 . Preferably, handle  220  is non-circular so that it provides a tactile feel or recognition to the user of the horizontal position of the cup  12 . In other words, during use, a user that cannot see the cup  12  itself can recognize that an opening of the cup  12  is being maintained at a generally level plane so that urine directed therein is collected. 
         [0081]    It should also be noted that, unless described as such, the relative scales of the portions of the devices as illustrated are not intended to be limiting, instead intending to be representational. 
         [0082]    While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.