Abstract:
A urine disposing apparatus and method utilizes a cart-like structure to permit a bed-ridden patient to utilize a single urinal for multiple urinations. Following each use, the contents of the urinal are poured into a director, from which they empty into a receptacle located within the disposing apparatus. The empty urinal may then be re-used and emptied as needed. After a period of use, a caregiver may remove the receptacle, clean the component portions of the apparatus as required, and re-position the apparatus and empty urinal for use by the patient.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to an apparatus and methods for disposing of urine and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for disposing of a plurality of voids into a single urinal and, from the single urinal, into a urine receptacle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Patients who are confined in a lying position because of infirmity and/or in connection with recovery from surgery or the like are unable to use a standard toilet for purposes of urination. Instead, typically, they must urinate into an open-topped container, known as a urinal. Because the typical patient can be expected to urinate more than a single time in the course of a night, the standard practice is to position several empty urinals in close proximity to the patient. This is often done by hanging empty urinals (which usually have handles) on the bed rail, resting them on a nightstand, or the like.  
         [0003]     As each urinal is used, the patient is supposed to place it on a bedside table or similar location, so that it may later be removed by a health care provider. Even where a urinal is not completely filled, a patient will generally be unwilling to further fill it later for fear of spillage, and will instead prefer to position the partially-filled urinal on the table and use an empty urinal for the next urination. As a consequence, at the end of a night, it is not uncommon to find three or four full or partially full urinals on the patient&#39;s bedside table.  
         [0004]     The need to deal with a plurality of urinals in various states of fullness can be cumbersome for a patient. It is frequently the case that urinals are knocked over, causing the spilling of urine onto the patient, his clothes, and his bedding. Of course, such an event can be extremely upsetting and unpleasant to the patient, and can even be physically harmful to the patient&#39;s skin.  
         [0005]     A need exists for a urine disposing apparatus and method that permits a patient to utilize a single urinal for multiple voids, with the urinal being capable of being placed by the patient into an empty condition prior to each use. The present invention satisfies this need and provides other, related, advantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a urine disposing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment: a housing; a director removably coupled to the housing; wherein the director has a substantially funnel-shape configuration having an open upper end and terminating in a spout at a lower end thereof; and a receptacle positionable within the housing below the spout.  
         [0007]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a urine disposing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment: a housing; a handle coupled to the housing; four legs coupled to the housing; at least one wheel coupled to a lower portion of each of the four legs; a director removably coupled to the housing; wherein the director has a substantially funnel-shape configuration having an open upper end and terminating in a spout at a lower end thereof; a side opening along an upper portion of the director; and a receptacle positionable within the housing below the spout; wherein the receptacle is positioned within a drawer coupled to the housing.  
         [0008]     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for disposing of urine is provided. The method comprises, in one embodiment: positioning a housing proximate a bed having a patient thereon; wherein the housing has a director removably coupled thereto; wherein the director has a substantially funnel-shape configuration having an open upper end and terminating in a spout at a lower end thereof and wherein the director further has a side opening along an upper portion thereof; positioning the side opening proximate the patient; positioning a receptacle within the housing below the spout; wherein the receptacle is positioned within a drawer coupled to the housing; providing the patient with a urinal and permitting the patient to pour contents of the urinal into the director, and to then re-use the urinal. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a urine disposing apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating particularly a first side and a first end of the apparatus.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the urine disposing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating particularly a second side and a second end of the apparatus.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, perspective view of the urine disposing apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side, cross-sectional view of the urine disposing apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top, perspective view of a component of the urine disposing apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a component of the urine disposing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-4 , the main components of an embodiment of a urine disposing apparatus  10  (hereinafter “apparatus  10 ”) consistent with an embodiment of the present invention are shown. First, it can be seen generally that the apparatus  10  preferably has a cart-type of configuration, for purposes of providing mobility and ease of use to the caregiver and patient alike. In this regard, the apparatus  10  preferably includes a housing  11  mounted on wheels  12 , and includes a handle  14  coupled to the housing  11  for permitting a user to push or pull the apparatus  10  on wheels  12  into a desired position. (It should be noted that, if desired, wheels  12  could be replaced with a low-friction material, such as Teflon®, for purposes of permitting a user to slide the apparatus  10  on a floor surface.)  
         [0016]     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 3-4 , the apparatus  10  preferably includes a substantially funnel-shaped urine director  15  (hereinafter “director  15 ”). As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the director  15  has a side opening  16  along an upper portion thereof, to permit the emptying of a urinal  18  therethrough. Preferably, a cover  20  adapted to fit over the upper portion of the director  15  is provided, for purposes of limiting the travel of odors from the interior of the apparatus  10  after use.  
         [0017]     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the interior of the housing  11  includes director supports  22 , which permit the removable positioning of the director  15  in the housing  11  for use. When in position, the spout  24  of the director  15  is oriented downward, so that urine poured into the director  15  through the upper portion thereof will empty into the interior of the housing  11 . More specifically, the director  15  will empty into a receptacle  26 , which is located within drawer  28 . Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , to ensure that the receptacle  26  is positioned in the appropriate location within drawer  28  directly below the spout  24 , it is preferred to locate at the bottom of drawer  28  a positioning bracket  30 , preferably having a semi-circular configuration, against which a bottom portion of the receptacle  26  may be placed. When so placed, and upon closing of the drawer  28 , the receptacle  26  will be properly located below the spout  24 .  
         [0018]     With particular regard to the receptacle  26 , it can be seen that it is preferred to include thereon volume measuring gradations  32 . Gradations  32  permit a care giver or other user of apparatus  10  to record the volume of a patient&#39;s voids during a period of use—for example, during a night. The receptacle  26  preferably has a handle  34  thereon, to permit the ready removal of the receptacle  26  for emptying and cleaning.  
         [0019]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4  and  6 , it is preferred to provide on the housing  11  at least one and preferably a plurality of bins for the convenience of the care giver and/or patient. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, right and left side bins  36  may be provided. The side bins  36  may be utilized to hold items that may be useful to the caregiver and/or patient. It may be desired to designate one side bin  36  for the use of the caregiver, and into which items such as gloves, cleaning solution, towelettes and the like may be kept. The other side bin  36  could be designated for the use of the patient, and may hold books, magazines, glasses, a phone, etc. Of course, both bins  36  could be designated for the use of only the patient or only the caregiver, or the use of the bins  36  may be mixed.  
         [0020]     As best shown in  FIGS. 2, 4  and  6 , an upper end bin  38  proximate the handle  14  may be provided. The upper end bin  38  may be used, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , for purposes of holding a clipboard  40  having patient data thereon. In this configuration, the clipboard  40  is proximate the handle  14 , and thus within ready reach of the user of the apparatus  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the upper end bin  38  defines a plurality of apertures  39  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). In the event of spillage of urine during the night, the apertures  39  allow the urine to drain out of the upper end bin  38  in order to protect the contents, such as a clipboard  40  having patient data thereon, of the upper end bin  38  from damage from the liquid. As best seen in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  4 , a lower end bin  42  may also be provided, below upper end bin  38 . The lower end bin  42  may be used to house any desired items, including for example cleaning or other materials used by the caregiver.  
         [0021]     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , it is desired to provide for the ready removal of each of the bins  36 ,  38  and  42  that are herein described, for purposes of cleaning and/or for purposes of customizing the configuration of apparatus  10  for particular uses. The feature of removability may be provided, by way of example, by locating rails  60  on the body of the apparatus  10 , into which rails  60  mating lips  62  of the particular bin  36 ,  38  or  40  may be inserted. So that the bin  36 ,  38  or  40  will not simply slide through the rails  60  and fall from the apparatus  10 , it will be necessary to provide some type of stopping means, such as a closed bottom end for the rails  60 , a mating tapering of the rails  60  and the lips  62 , the positioning of a bracket on the apparatus  10  (not shown) to contact the underside of the bin  36 ,  38  or  40  when in proper position, etc.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  in particular, the apparatus  10  preferably has four legs  44 , on the bottom of which are located the wheels  12 . Although not required, it is preferred to make legs  44  adjustable in height, so that the level of the apparatus  10  may be changed to accommodate different bed heights, patient needs, or the like. Adjustability of the legs  44  may be provided in numerous different ways. By way of example, adjustability may be provided by locating each leg  44  within a sleeve  46 , providing openings  48  through opposing sides of sleeve  46 , and providing a plurality of openings  50  through opposing sides of each leg  44 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , alignment of openings  48  and  50  permits the insertion of pin  52  therethrough, securing leg  44  at the desired height.  
         [0023]     It should be noted that the feature of height adjustability may be provided in other manners. For example, it may be desired to provide a raising/lowering mechanism that is either piston or lever actuated, that a user may operate by depressing a pedal or the like.  
         [0024]     The apparatus  10  and its related components as herein described may be comprised of any desired material. For example, the use of molded plastic may be desired, because of the qualities of ease of manufacture, light weight, and low cost associated therewith. Alternatively, it may be desired to use stainless steel, for sanitary purposes. Other materials may also be utilized.  
       Statement of Operation  
       [0025]     Initially, the apparatus  10  should be placed in an appropriate position for use by a patient. Typically, this will involve the rolling of the apparatus  10  into a position that is along the side of a patient bed (not shown). If the side bins  36  are in position on the apparatus  10 , and if one of the side bins  36  has been designated for use by the patient, it will be preferred to locate the patient&#39;s side bin  36  on the side of the apparatus  36  closest to the bed, to provide ease of access to the patient.  
         [0026]     Prior to use, the caregiver will position the receptacle  26  within the drawer  28 , so that the bottom of the receptacle  26  contacts the bracket  36 . The drawer  28  will then be closed, positioning the receptacle  26  below the spout  24 .  
         [0027]     The caregiver should remove cover  20 , and rotate the director  15  so that opening  16  is most proximate the patient. An empty urinal  18  should be placed at a location that is convenient for the patient, and it may be desired to hang it onto a side of the upper portion of the director  15 .  
         [0028]     A patient having a need to urinate will grasp the empty urinal  18  and urinate therein. The patient will then pour the contents of the urinal  18  into the director  15 , through the opening  16 . The urine will enter the interior of the director  15 , exit the spout  24 , and enter the receptacle  26 . The patient then restores the empty urinal  18  in a desired location, to be available for its next use—at which time the process will be repeated.  
         [0029]     Upon return to the patient, the caregiver may open the drawer  28  to examine the volume and/or color of urine passed by the patient. Such information may be recorded on clipboard  40 . The caregiver may then place cover  20  in position over the director  15 , and wheel the apparatus  10  to a cleaning area. At such location, any soiled portion of the apparatus  10  may be removed and cleaned—including for example the receptacle  26  and director  15 .  
         [0030]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.