Abstract:
A urine collection device for human females; said collection device comprising a funnel-shaped upper portion extending to a cylindrical connecting collar; said collar provided with inwardly projecting engagement structures; said structures adapted to engage with at least two different thread configurations of externally threaded upper portions of urine specimen collection jars; said collar further including an internal flange for sealing engagement with an upper rim of a said urine specimen collection jar.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to urine specimen collection and, more particularly to devices adapted for collection of urine specimens from human females. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Urine specimen collection jars are known in the art. One drawback of current designs is that they do not allow the easy collection of urine especially for women who are generally unable to view the jar during collection and must approximate the position of the jar for collection. This approach leads to spillage, overfilling and possible contamination of the specimen. 
         [0003]    Various funnels to help guide urine into the specimen jar during collection are known in the art, however the disclosed arrangements often require expensive and complicated components and manufacturing processes that make the designs less desirous in a price conscious market. 
         [0004]    Urine specimen collection devices for connection to urine specimen collection jars are also known in the art. For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,606 discloses a funnel-like device provided with an internally threaded collar for attachment of a specimen collection jar. 
         [0005]    A disadvantage of the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,606 and similar arrangements is that the threaded connection is realised in a standard continuous helical thread specific to a particular thread specification. Specimen jars feature a water tight, internally threaded lid. Despite the similarities of jar design and diameters, different manufacturers use different thread specifications so that a collecting funnel suitable for the jar of one manufacturer cannot accommodate the jar from another. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages or provide a useful alternative. 
       NOTES 
       [0007]    The term “comprising” (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of “having” or “including”, and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of”. 
         [0008]    The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly in one broad form of the invention there is provided a urine collection device for human females; said collection device comprising a funnel-shaped upper portion extending to a cylindrical connecting collar; said collar provided with means for accommodative engagement adapted to sealingly engage with at least two different thread configurations of externally threaded upper portions of urine specimen collection jars. 
         [0010]    Preferably the internal diameter of the flange is less than the internal diameter of the neck portion of the collection jar whereby, in use, the liquid stream is directed centrally within the neck portion of the collection jar and clear of the seal between the urine collection device  10  and the collection jar or device. 
         [0011]    Preferably the means for accommodative engagement includes inwardly extending projections. 
         [0012]    Preferably said funnel-shaped upper portion is shaped to fit about the vulva of a said human female; said upper portion having a generally elongate opening. 
         [0013]    Preferably said at least two different thread configurations of said urine specimen collection jars include a relatively coarse pitched thread and a relatively fine pitched thread. 
         [0014]    Preferably said inwardly extending projections of said cylindrical connecting collar are flexible projections arranged in a pattern; at least a proportion of said flexible projections lying along respective paths defined by said relatively coarse pitched thread and said relatively fine pitched thread when a said specimen collection jar is assembled to said urine collection device. 
         [0015]    Preferably upper surfaces of at least a proportion of said projections engage with an underside of a said relatively coarse pitched thread of a relatively fine pitched thread so as to support said thread. 
         [0016]    Preferably said flexible projections are not aligned with a said path of a thread of a said specimen collection jar are deformed sufficiently to not impede attachment of a said specimen collection jar to said urine collection device. 
         [0017]    Preferably an upper rim of a said specimen collection jar forms a substantially liquid proof seal with an internal flange of said urine collection device when said specimen collection jar is fully engaged within said connecting collar of said urine collection device. 
         [0018]    Preferably the internal flange diameter is less than or equal to the diameter of the specimen collection jar. 
         [0019]    In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of connecting a urine collection device to specimen collection jars; and wherein each jar can have a different thread connection one from the other; said method including the step of: 
         [0020]    (a) preparing an internal surface of a connecting collar of said urine connection device with means for accommodative engagement with a respective one of said different thread connection. 
         [0021]    Preferably the means for accommodative engagement comprises flexible inwardly extending projections. 
         [0022]    Preferably the method further includes arranging said flexible inwardly extending projections on said internal surface such that at least a proportion of said projections lie on paths defined by said at least two different thread specifications when respective specimen collection jars with said different thread specifications are fully engaged in said connecting collar. 
         [0023]    Preferably upper surfaces of said at least a proportion of said flexible inwardly extending projections engage with undersides of a thread of either of said at least two different thread specifications so as to support said specimen collection jar in said connecting collar. 
         [0024]    Preferably flexibility of said flexible inwardly extending projections not aligned with a said thread of a said specimen collection jar is such as to not impede engagement of said specimen collection jar with said connecting collar. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a cross section view of a urine collection device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and a separate urine specimen collection jar, 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a cross section view of the urine collection device and urine specimen collection jar of  FIG. 1  assembled together for use, 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross section view of a portion of a collar at a lower portion of the urine collection device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing engagement between the external thread of a urine specimen collection jar and engagement elements within the collar according to the invention, 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a general view from above of the urine collection device of  FIGS. 1 to 3  showing the elongate opening of the funnel-shaped upper portion, 
           [0030]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show two thread pattern examples at the periphery of typical specimen jars externally threaded collars, 
           [0031]      FIG. 5C  is a representation of the internal surface of the collar of  FIG. 3  showing a preferred embodiment of the engagement elements according to the invention, 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross section view of an element of the thread of a specimen collection jar and an inwardly projecting engagement element of the collar of the urine collection device of the invention, in one form of engagement, 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a further enlarged cross section view of the thread of a specimen collection jar and the urine collection device of the invention in which a projecting engagement element is deflected in a second form of engagement. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a view of a further embodiment of flexible inwardly extending projections provided in a connecting collar of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the urine sample collection device  10  according to the invention, comprises a funnel-shaped upper portion  12  extending to a cylindrical connecting collar  14 . The upper opening  16  of the funnel-shaped upper portion  12  is preferably of an elongate narrow shape to more comfortably fit against the vulva of a human female (not shown). 
         [0036]    The cylindrical connecting collar  14  of the specimen collection device  10  has an internal diameter adapted to accept the thread of a specimen collection jar  18  so that when assembled together as shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper rim  17  of the specimen collection jar  18  forms a substantially liquid tight seal against an internal flange  19  provided at the junction between the funnel-shaped upper portion  12  and the cylindrical connecting collar  14 . 
         [0037]    The urine collection device  10  of the invention is adapted for attachment to specimen collection jars with at least two different thread specifications, though with similar root diameters, as known in the art. As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , which represent the developed external surfaces of the threaded upper portions  20  and  22  respectively of two specimen jars, the cylindrical connecting collar  14  is adapted to engage with the relatively wide, coarse pitched thread  24  of  FIG. 5A  and the relatively narrow, fine pitched thread  26 . of  FIG. 5B . 
         [0038]    A particular feature of the specimen collection device of the present invention is that the internal surface  28  of the cylindrical connecting collar  14  (shown developed in  FIG. 5C ) is not provided with a continuous helical thread as is the case for example in the prior art device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,606 discussed above. Instead the internal surface  28  of the collar  14  of the present device  10  is provided with an array of flexible projections  30  as shown in  FIG. 5C . 
         [0039]    This pattern of flexible projections  30  is arranged so that at least a proportion of the flexible projections  30  are located along respective paths  32  and  34  as defined by the relatively coarse pitched thread  24  and the relatively fine pitched thread  26  when a specimen collection jar is assembled to the specimen collection device  10 . Thus the pattern is arranged in such a way as to provide maximum engagement between the projections  30  and the helical threads  24  and  26  of a specimen collection jar. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  shows how one projection  30  engages with a thread portion  24  or  26  of a specimen collection jar  18 . In this case the thread portion  24  or  26  at this particular location of the projection  30  within the cylindrical connecting collar  14  engages with the projection  30  so that the underside  36  of the thread is supported on the upper surface  38  of the projection  30 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  shows another flexible projection  30  when being deformed by a thread element  24  or  26 . This situation may occur at those projections where it is not possible to accommodate completely the particular helical thread path. As the specimen collection jar  18  is engaged with the cylindrical connecting collar  14 , sufficient of the projections  30  will engage with the underside of the threads  24  or  26  as shown in  FIG. 16  to secure the specimen collection jar  18  within the collar  14 . 
         [0042]    Those of the projections  30  not ideally placed to engage with the collecting jar thread without snagging (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), will start to deform and yield to the increasing upward pressure applied by the rising thread as the specimen collection jar  18  rotates relative the urine collection device  10  during engagement. The flexibility of the projections is such that the deformation is sufficient not to impede the process of attaching a specimen collection jar to the collection device of the invention. 
         [0043]    It is an intentional design feature of the urine specimen collection device  10  of the invention to allow, by the selection of suitable flexible material, the deformation of those projections  30  which may be misaligned with a specimen jar thread. 
         [0044]    Although the deformation of some of the projections may not be permanent, it is anticipated that the device should be single use only since the funnel-like upper portion  12  will be contaminated and unsuitable for reuse. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  shows a further embodiment of a cylindrical connecting collar  114  of the urine specimen device  100  according to the invention. In this embodiment, the flexible inwardly extending projections  130  are formed on the internal surface  128  of the collar  114  as a discontinuous thread formation. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0046]    The present invention provides a more convenient and hygienic device and method for the collection of a urine specimen in a standard specimen jar. In particular, the collection device of the invention allows for engagement with at least two different types of thread by means of the unique projecting elements within the cylindrical connecting collar of the device. 
         [0047]    In use, the closing lid of the specimen jar is removed and the jar screwed into the connecting collar of the collection device, with a normal screwing action. After collection the specimen jar is removed from the device and the lid replaced. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0048]      FIG. 1  discloses the example embodiment  10  in a separate unattached state to the specimen collection jar  18 . Both  10  and  18  are viewed in cross-section. The example embodiment includes an attachment capability that attaches to the screw thread of the specimen jar  18 . 
         [0049]    The example embodiment  10  also includes a funnel shape  12  that allows easy and comfortable collection of urine by the user. The urine is collected on the inside of the funnel shape and directed to the specimen jar  18  for collection. 
         [0050]      FIG. 2  shows the example embodiment  10  in an attached state with the specimen jar  18 . In this view the attachment capability and the screw thread of the specimen jar are engaged. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  shows a plan view of the example embodiment in plan view where the top of the funnel shape  12  allows a slope down to a central outlet that is less than or equal to the top of the specimen jar  18  in circumference. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  discloses an expanded view of the attachment system between the example embodiment  10  and the specimen jar  18 . The threads  24 ,  26  of the specimen jar are engaged against the top side of the angled prongs or projections  30  of the example embodiment so that a secure attachment is made. Ideally the top of the specimen jar  18  and the underside of the example embodiment funnel  12  are sealed to a watertight or near watertight degree. 
         [0053]    In a particularly preferred form (suited to the situation where the seal is perhaps not fully liquid-tight) the internal flange  19  is sized and shaped to overhang the seal. With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4  in a preferred form this is achieved by the internal diameter of the flange  19  being less than the internal diameter of the neck portion of the collection jar whereby , in use, the liquid stream is directed centrally within the neck portion of the collection jar and clear of the seal between the urine collection device  10  and the collection jar or device  18 . 
         [0054]    Multiple spaced prongs or projections  30  are used to allow maximum attachment between the example embodiment  10  and the specimen jar  18 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  disclose two examples  20  and  22  of different types of threads used on different brands of urine collection jars known in the art. One example  20  uses a wide thread  24  with a coarse pitch. The second example  22  uses a smaller thread  26  with a finer pitch. 
         [0056]    The example embodiment  10  uses a measured placement of prongs or projections  30  that are placed along both the path of the coarse pitch thread  24  and the fine pitch thread  26  in such a way so as to allow maximum engagement between the attachment prongs or projections  30  and the threads of either the fine thread  24  or the coarse thread  26 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  discloses a prong or projection from the example embodiment  10  engaging with the thread  24  or  26  of a specimen jar  18 . The top side  38  of the projection  30  engages with the underside  36  of the specimen jar thread. 
         [0058]      FIG. 7  discloses a projection  30  of the example embodiment in the process of being deformed during attachment with a specimen jar  18 . This situation may occur where it is not possible to accommodate completely the thread paths of two different thread pitches or thread sizes. During attachment, the prongs engage the underside of the thread of the specimen jar but some prongs are not ideally placed to engage the jar screw without snagging. In this case the top side  40  of a jar screw  24  or  26  starts to engage with the underside  42  of a projection  30  positioned on the inside of the example embodiment  10 . As more pressure is applied, the material of the example embodiment  10  which is usually plastic will start to deform and accommodate the upward pressure of the jar screw thread  24  or  26 . 
         [0059]    It is an intentional design feature of the example embodiment to allow deformation of the attachment prongs  94  to allow secure attachment of the example embodiment with the specimen jar. 
         [0060]    The deformation of the projection  30  of the example embodiment  10  during use is anticipated and within the design criteria of the operation of the device on the basis that the reuse of the funnel after sample collection is not desired since the funnel is now contaminated and not available for sterile reuse in the specimen collection process. 
         [0061]    The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.