Portable urinal device for bedside and travel use

A portable urinal device for bedside and travel use including a urine collection funnel for collecting a urine stream expelled by a user having a substantially conically shaped spout with a wide open inboard end, a narrow open outboard end, an intermediate tapered portion therebetween, and a flow passage extended between the ends and through the intermediate portion; a urine collection bottle having an open mouth; and a urine transfer hose having an upper proximal end removably secured to the outboard end of the urine collection funnel and a lower distal end disposed within the mouth of the bottle for transferring the urine stream from the urine collection funnel to the urine collection bottle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a portable urinal device for bedside and 
travel use and more particularly pertains to allowing a user to urinate 
when toilet facilities are unavailable or unreachable with a portable 
urinal device for bedside and travel use. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of urinating apparatuses is known in the prior art. More 
specifically, urinating apparatuses heretofore devised and utilized for 
the purpose of allowing a user to urinate are known to consist basically 
of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, 
notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art 
which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and 
requirements. 
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,913 to Crosby discloses a urinal 
device with disposable container. U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,638 to Nye discloses 
an output commode pan. U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,967 to Sato discloses a toilet 
utensil. U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,875 to Persson discloses a throw-away 
receptacle for collection of urine of those confined to bed. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,309,779 to Knight discloses personal urinal devices usable by males and 
females. U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,580 to Amalsad et al. discloses a combination 
portable children's toilet and toilet trainer. 
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and 
requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a portable urinal 
device for bedside and travel use that is portable in design, is usable by 
both male and female users, and features a filter for removing an 
unpleasant scent from a user-expelled urine stream. 
In this respect, the portable urinal device for bedside and travel use 
according to the present invention substantially departs from the 
conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so 
provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing a 
user to urinate when toilet facilities are unavailable or unreachable. 
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for 
new and improved portable urinal device for bedside and travel use which 
can be used for allowing a user to urinate when toilet facilities are 
unavailable or unreachable. In this regard, the present invention 
substantially fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
urinating apparatuses now present in the prior art, the present invention 
provides an improved portable urinal device for bedside and travel use. As 
such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be 
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved 
portable urinal device for bedside and travel use and method which has all 
the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises, in 
combination, a urine collection funnel for collecting a urine stream 
expelled by a user. The urine collection funnel is formed of a soft and 
generally flexible rubber material. The urine collection funnel has a 
conically shaped spout with a wide open inboard end, a narrow open 
outboard end, an intermediate tapered portion therebetween, a flow passage 
extended between the ends and through the intermediate portion, and a 
flange portion extending peripherally outwards from the inboard end. The 
flange portion of the urine collection funnel is positionable in a 
juxtaposed relation with a lower pelvic area of the user for directing the 
urine stream into the spout. The flange portion of the urine collection 
funnel is further formed of a concave member with a substantially C-shaped 
cross section having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a 
periphery interconnecting the surfaces formed of an upper edge, a lower 
edge with a length greater than that of the upper edge, and a pair of side 
edges extended therebetween and with each side edge having a length 
greater than the lower edge. Each side edge of the member additionally has 
an elongated integral rib formed therealong and extended outwards in a 
perpendicular fashion from the interior surface. The ribs are used for 
preventing overspray of the urine stream from escaping from the urine 
collection funnel. The intermediate portion of the spout further has a 
charcoal-impregnated and annular filter secured thereto. The filter has an 
inner extent that is placed in communication with the flow passage such 
that an unpleasing scent is removed from the urine stream as it flows 
through the filter. 
A plastic urine collection bottle is provided. The urine collection bottle 
has a lower tubular body with a hollow interior, an outwardly threaded and 
tubular open mouth positioned in axial alignment with the body portion, 
and a neck extended therebetween. The urine collection bottle further has 
an inwardly threaded cap that is threadedly secured over the mouth and an 
axial bore disposed through an upper extent of the cap for allowing access 
to the interior. 
A flexible rubber urine transfer hose is included and has an upper proximal 
end removably secured to the outboard end of the urine collection funnel 
and a lower distal end removably secured within the bore of the cap. The 
urine transfer hose is used for transferring the urine stream from the 
urine collection funnel to the urine collection bottle. 
In addition, a flexible rubber band is provided and has one end coupled to 
the upper edge of the urine collection funnel and another end coupled to 
the lower edge of the collection funnel to thereby create a closed loop 
configuration for allowing the urine collection funnel to be hung from a 
recipient object. A rigid stand is also included and has a base, an 
upstanding pole with a lower end coupled to the base, and a hook coupled 
to an upper end of the pole. The urine collection funnel is hangable from 
the hook through use of the band. 
Lastly, a cloth traveling bag is provided for holding the urine collection 
funnel, urine collection bottle, and urine transfer tube therein for 
portable transport from one location to another. The bag has a generally 
hollow rectangular box-shaped body with an open top, a lid hingably 
coupled to the body and removably securable over the opening, and a strap 
coupled to the body to thereby create a closed loop configuration for 
allowing the bag to be carried by a user. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved portable urinal device for bedside and travel use which has all 
the advantages of the prior art urinating apparatuses and none of the 
disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
portable urinal device for bedside and travel use which may be easily and 
efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved portable urinal device for bedside and travel use which is of 
durable and reliable construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved portable urinal device for bedside and travel use which is 
susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and 
labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to 
the consuming public, thereby making such a portable urinal device for 
bedside and travel use economically available to the buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved portable urinal device for bedside and travel use which provides 
in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages 
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages 
normally associated therewith. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved portable urinal device for bedside and travel use for allowing a 
user to urinate when toilet facilities are unavailable or unreachable. 
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved portable urinal device for bedside and travel use comprising a 
urine collection funnel for collecting a urine stream expelled by a user 
having a substantially conically shaped spout with a wide open inboard 
end, a narrow open outboard end, an intermediate tapered portion 
therebetween, and a flow passage extended between the ends and through the 
intermediate portion; a urine collection bottle having an open mouth; and 
a urine transfer hose having an upper proximal end removably secured to 
the outboard end of the urine collection funnel and a lower distal end 
disposed within the mouth of the bottle for transferring the urine stream 
from the urine collection funnel to the urine collection bottle. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various 
Figures. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIG. 1 thereof, 
the preferred embodiment of the new and improved portable urinal device 
for bedside and travel use embodying the principles and concepts of the 
present invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will 
be described. 
The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of 
components. In their broadest context, such components include a urine 
collection funnel, a urine collection bottle, a urine transfer hose, a 
stand, and a traveling bag. Such components are individually configured 
and correlated with respect to each other to provide a portable structure 
that allows a user to urinate when toilet facilities are unavailable. 
Specifically, the present invention includes a urine collection funnel 12 
that can be operated by either a male or female user. The urine collection 
funnel is used for collecting a urine stream expelled by the user. The 
urine collection funnel is formed of a soft and generally flexible rubber 
or plastic material. Funnel 12 has a conically-shaped spout 14 with a wide 
open inboard end 18, a narrow open outboard end 20, and an intermediate 
tapered portion 22 therebetween. The inboard end 18 is terminated at an 
edge extent that has a generally triangular-shaped cross-sectional 
configuration formed of a rounded upper portion 22 and a pair of generally 
pointed lower portions 23. Such a configuration creates a cup for 
capturing and directing the flow of the urine stream. A flow passage 24 is 
extended between the ends 18, 20 and through the intermediate portion 22. 
The urine collection funnel is positioned such that the inboard end is 
held above the outboard end when in use. In addition, a flange portion 26 
is provided. The flange portion is coupled to and extended peripherally 
outwards from the edge extent of the inboard end 18. Flange portion 26 is 
positionable in a juxtaposed relation with a lower pelvic area of the user 
for further ensuring that the urine stream from the male or female user is 
properly directed into the spout 14. The flange portion is formed of a 
concave member 28 with a substantially C-shaped cross-section. Concave 
member 28 has an exterior surface 30, an interior surface 31, and a 
periphery interconnecting the surfaces. The periphery is formed of an 
upper edge 32, a lower edge 34, and a pair of side edges 36 extended 
therebetween. The lower edge 34 has a length greater than that of the 
upper edge, and each side edge has a length greater than the lower edge. 
The periphery also includes a pair of upper rounded corners 38 and a pair 
of lower squared-off corners 40. The corners allow for a comfortable and 
snug fit of the flange portion against a user. Each side edge 36 
additionally has an elongated and integral rib 42 formed therealong. Each 
rib is extended outwards in a substantially perpendicular fashion from the 
interior surface 31. The ribs are used for preventing overspray generated 
by the urine stream from escaping from the urine collection funnel 22. 
Lastly, the intermediate portion of the spout 14 has an annular perforated 
plastic filter 46 secured thereto impregnated with charcoal 48 or a 
fragranced masking agent. The filter has an inner extent placed in 
communication with the flow passage 24 through slots 50 that are each 
covered with a permeable fabric material 52. An unpleasing scent is 
removed from the urine stream by the charcoal as it flows through the 
filter. Alternatively, the fragranced masking agent can be used in lieu of 
the charcoal for masking the scent of urine with a pleasing smell. 
A urine collection bottle 60 is also provided. The urine collection bottle 
is formed of plastic or other similar rigid material. Bottle 60 has a 
lower tubular body 62 with a hollow interior bounded by a peripheral side 
wall 63 and a circular planar bottom wall 64. The bottle 60 also has a 
tubular and open mouth 66 with outwardly extending threads 67 formed 
thereon. The mouth is positioned in axial alignment with the body. In 
addition, a neck 68 is extended between and coupled to the body and the 
mouth. Furthermore, the urine collection bottle has a cap 70 with inwardly 
extending threads 72 formed thereon. The cap is threadedly and removably 
secured over the mouth of the bottle. An axial bore 72 is disposed through 
an upper extent of the cap for allowing access to its interior. 
A flexible rubber urine transfer hose 80 is used for transferring the urine 
stream from the urine collection funnel to the urine collection bottle for 
subsequent disposal. The urine transfer hose has an upper proximal end 82 
that is removably secured to the outboard end 20 of the urine collection 
funnel with a fastener. The fastener is composed of a pair of 
diametrically opposed and integral protrusions formed on the upper end 82 
that are mated within a pair of diametrically opposed detents 86 formed on 
the outboard end. The hose also has a lower distal end 88 that is 
removably secured within the bore 72 of the cap with another fastener. 
This fastener is also composed of a pair of diametrically opposed and 
integral protrusions 90 formed on the lower end 88 that are mated with a 
pair of diametrically positioned detents 94 formed on the upper extent of 
the cap at a location adjacent to bore 72. 
The urine collection funnel 12 also includes a flexible elongated rubber 
band 100. The rubber band has one end coupled in a loop to the upper end 
of the urine collection funnel through a hole 102 and another end coupled 
in a loop to the lower edge of the urine collection funnel through another 
hole 104. The coupling of the rubber band to the funnel 12 creates a 
closed loop configuration that allows the funnel to be hung from an 
external recipient object. 
A rigid metal stand is provided. The stand has a base 110 with legs 
positioned in a tripod arrangement. The base also has an upstanding pole 
114 with a lower end coupled to a central portion of the base. A hook 116 
is coupled to an upper end of the pole. The urine collection funnel 12 is 
hangable from the hook through use of the band 100. 
Lastly, a traveling bag 120 is used for holding the urine collection funnel 
12, urine collection bottle 60, and urine transfer tube 80 therein. The 
traveling bag is formed of cloth, leather, or other similar suitable 
material. The traveling bag allows for portable transport of the cup, 
funnel, and bottle from one location to another. The bag has a generally 
hollow, rectangular, and box-shaped body 122 with an open top, a lid 114 
hingably coupled to the body and removably securable over the opening with 
a snap fastener 116, and a strap coupled to the body to thereby create an 
upwardly positionable and closed loop configuration. The strap allows the 
bag to be readily carried by a user from one location to another. 
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5-7 and 
includes substantially all of the components of the present invention 
except that the urine collection tube 12 is shaped to substantially 
conform with an outer surface of a male user's penis to thereby create an 
elongated member 130. In addition, the inboard end 132 is tapered at an 
angle with respect to a central axis that passes through the member 130. 
As shown in FIG. 7, the cross-section of the member 130 also has a flat 
lower extent 134 and a curved upper extent 136. A rigid plastic hook 140 
is provided and used for hanging the member 130 from an external recipient 
object. The hook has an inboard end 142 that is pivotally coupled to the 
urine collection tube by a rod 144 secured with eyelets 146 and an 
outboard end formed in a circular loop 148. An intermediate elongated 
portion 150 is extended between the ends. In addition, as in the preferred 
embodiment, the member 130 also has a filter 46 for removing urine scent 
from the user's urine stream. 
What has been described is a small durable compact portable toilet or 
urinal device that is easy to operate, easy to move, easy to clean, easy 
to store, and comfortable to use. The present invention will be beneficial 
to men, women and children who are ill or able-bodied. The preferred 
embodiment of the present invention consists of a urine collection funnel 
manufactured in one standard size or in sizes of small, medium, and large. 
A flexible plastic hose manufactured in one standard size and length is 
utilized. A urine collection bottle or container is also provided and can 
be fashioned in pint-size, quart-size, or gallon-size capacities or the 
like. To operate the present invention, the user simply presses the open 
inboard end of the urine collection funnel up against or near the 
urinating orifice of his or her body. The urine stream is deposited in the 
funnel and then freely flows through its passage and the through the hose 
to the bottle. The present invention is formed of an inexpensive plastic 
or rubber material and is easily and inexpensively manufactured. The 
present invention provides the user the knowledge and confidence that 
their body function needs can be fulfilled without worry or anxiety. Thus, 
the present invention allows users the capability to relieve themselves 
without having to leave their beds, cars, wheelchairs or the like. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further 
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the 
manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and 
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to 
those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modification and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modification and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.