Abstract:
A urine collection device for males suffering from incontinence comprises a collection bag worn under an inner garment. The collection bag is sized to receive the entire content of a full bladder. The open end of an integral input sleeve comprises an elastic band and hook-and-loop closure members as a means of ensuring a comfortable fit, a tight seal, and a secure retention of the device. The internal portion of the collection bag comprises absorbent, jellying, and disinfecting materials. An adhesive strip provides a means of removably attaching the collection bag onto the inside of an inner garment. The device is disposable, made of flexible bio-degradable material and is intended to be removed and discarded after each use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to protective undergarments, and in particular, to a garment adapted for protection of males suffering from incontinence. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Urinary incontinence is a common condition resulting from a number of different causes. This condition is seen as highly distressing due to the fact that such accidents, when occurring in the presence of others, can lead to high levels of embarrassment by the afflicted. Due to the uncontrollable nature of this condition, constant precautions must be taken in order to prevent accidental mishaps at inopportune times. 
     While such mishaps are viewed as highly embarrassing, many conventional protective measures can lead to embarrassment in and of themselves. For instance, absorbent incontinence pads are often bulky and can be clearly seen in outline form under one&#39;s clothes. Additionally, they are uncomfortable and hot to wear, especially in warm weather. In general, the amount of protection provided is proportional to the discomfort and visibility of the protecting device. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide protective devices adapted for males with urinary incontinence. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,070, issued in the name of Koci, describes an absorbent article with formed with an absorbent batt portion and corresponding moisture impervious sheets. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,592, issued in the name of Grizzaffi, describes an apparatus for incontinent males with a pocket and disposable inserts supported by a waist band portion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,485, issued in the name of Duperret et al., describes a male continence pouch and shield to accommodate small and large incidents of incontinence. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices do not provide a sufficient level of protection, particularly for significant incidents of incontinence. Also, many such devices do not adequately protect a user&#39;s penis in order to prevent discomfort after an incontinence incident. Furthermore, many such devices are readily apparent even when covered with normal clothing, contributing to embarrassment on the part of a user. Accordingly, there exists a need for a male incontinence garment without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a garment which protects a user from small and large incontinence incidents in a manner which is comfortable and discreet. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for preventing accidents and discomfort for males suffering from urinary incontinence. The device comprises a collector bag, a sleeve, and a closure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for use with an existing undergarment and outer garment. The collector bag is removably fastenable to an undergarment via an integral adhesive strip. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a means for the retention of urine leaked during an incontinence incident. The sleeve portion of the device is adapted to comfortably engage a user&#39;s penis. The urine is collected in the bag portion which is integrally attached to the sleeve. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to comprise the interior surface of the sleeve of a semi-absorbent lining which provides a barrier between a user&#39;s penis and the plastic exterior of the device. The lining further provides padding and sealing functions to the device. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a means of disinfecting and jellying trap urine within the collector bag. The device further comprises a deodorizing liner and polymer absorbent packet within the collector bag. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to facilitate disposal of the device via constructing the collector bag and sleeve of a flexible bio-degradable plastic material. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a means of size adjustment of the inner portion of the sleeve via the closure, in order to facilitate secure placement of the device while allowing a user to selectively adjust the tightness of the sleeve. The closure comprises an elastic band and a pair of adjustable straps. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of obtaining an instance of the device of a desired size, inserting the penis into the sleeve, selectively adjusting the tightness of the sleeve via the closure, securing the device in place via the adhesive portion and straps, collecting leaked urine in the collector bag, jelling and deodorizing collected urine via the polymer packet and liner, removing the collector bag after use, and discarding the used device. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a male incontinence garment  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of the male incontinence garment  10  in an initially installed state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of the male incontinence garment  10  in a filled state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   c  is a perspective enlarged view of a sleeve  12  of the male incontinence garment  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   d  is a perspective view of an additional liner  24  for the male incontinence garment  40 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 2   e  is a partially cut-away perspective view of the sleeve  12  of the male incontinence garment  40 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 male incontinence garment 
               
               
                 11 
                 collector bag 
               
               
                 12 
                 sleeve 
               
               
                 13 
                 elastic band 
               
               
                 14 
                 first strap 
               
               
                 15 
                 second strap 
               
               
                 16 
                 connection member 
               
               
                 17 
                 adhesive strip 
               
               
                 18 
                 adhesive backing 
               
               
                 21 
                 sleeve lining 
               
               
                 22 
                 deodorizing liner 
               
               
                 23 
                 absorbent packet 
               
               
                 24 
                 additional liner 
               
               
                 60 
                 user 
               
               
                 61 
                 outer garment 
               
               
                 62 
                 inner garment 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 2   e . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a device and method for a male incontinence garment (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means for preventing discomfort, accidents, and embarrassment for males  60  suffering from incontinence. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is depicted as worn by a user  60  within an inner garment  62  and an outer garment  61 . The device  10  comprises a collector bag  11 , an integral sleeve  12  and a closure comprising an elastic band  13 , a first strap  14  and a second strap  15 . The inner garment  62  is envisioned to comprise either underwear or an athletic supporter. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2   a , a perspective view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is depicted in a state of having been initially installed by the user  60 , comprising the collector bag  11  and the sleeve  12 . The upper portion of the sleeve  12  comprises the elastic band  13  and a hook-and-loop closure comprising a first strap  14 , a second strap  15  and a connection member  16  designed to retain the first strap  14  and the opposing second strap  15  side by side. The front outer portion of the collector bag comprises an integral adhesive strip  17  which provides a means of removably fastening the collector bag  11  onto an inner portion of the inner garment  62  after the user  60  has exposed the adhesive strip  17  by peeling off the adhesive backing  18 . The collector bag  11  and the integral sleeve  17  are envisioned to be made of a suitable flexible bio-degradable plastic material. The watertight integral configuration of the collector bag  11  and the sleeve  12  is envisioned to be produced by processes such as, but not limited to: heat sealing, welding, chemical bonding or blow-molding. The inner portion of the sleeve  12  comprises a lining  21  made of a gauze-like material to provide additional comfort in sealing and retaining the device  10  while eliminating the risk of an allergic reaction form the plastic material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2   b , a perspective view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is depicted in a state containing a full bladder content comprising approximately twenty-five (25) fluid ounces of urine. The inner portion of the collector bag  11  comprises a deodorizing liner  22 . A polymer absorbent packet  23  is placed within the inner bottom portion of the collector bag  11  within the manufacturing process of the device  10  to provide a means of disinfecting and jellying the urine. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2   c , a perspective enlarged view of the sleeve  12  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The sleeve  12  comprises the elastic band  13 , the first strap  14 , the opposing second strap  15  and the connection member  16 , all of which are integral members of the sleeve  12 , attached onto by welding, heat sealing or chemical bonding. The rearward facing portion of each strap  14  and  15  comprises a first fastening element and the connection member  16  comprises a second fastening element, preferably of a hook-and-loop-type closure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2   d , a perspective view of a disposable additional liner  24  for the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The additional liner  24  is envisioned to be made of a soft elastic medical grade plastic material and is intended to provide a means of additional size adjustment of the inner portion of the sleeve  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2   e , a partially cut-away perspective view of the sleeve  12  comprising the additional liner  24  for the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. It is envisioned that additional liners  24  could be manufactured to comprise a plurality of internal sizes to provide the user  60  with an optimally comfortable and leak tight fit. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: cleaning and drying all skin areas of the user  60  contacted by the device  10 ; spreading the elastic band  13 ; inserting the entire length of a penis hereinto the sleeve  12 ; wrapping the first strap  14  around the sleeve  12 ; fastening the first strap  12  onto the upper portion of the connection member  16 ; adjusting the fit of the sleeve  12  by wrapping the second strap  15  around the sleeve  12  in a direction opposite of the first strap  14 ; fastening the second strap  15  onto a lower portion of the connection member  16  along the lower edge portion of the first strap  14 ; installing the inner garment  62 ; exposing the adhesive of the adhesive strip  17  by peeling off the adhesive backing  18 ; attaching collector bag  11  onto the inner garment  62  by pressing the front portion of the inner garment  62  against the adhesive strip  17 ; utilizing the device  10  by urinating into the collector bag  11 , wherein the urine will be jelled by the polymer packet  23 ; separating the collector bag  11  from the inner garment  62  after urination; uninstalling the device  10  by following the installation steps in a reverse order without removing the inner garment  62  and the outer garment  61 ; discarding the used device  10 ; and, installing a fresh device  10  if needed. 
     An alternate method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing an additional step of inserting the additional liner  24  into the sleeve  12  if needed for a size adjustment; inserting the penis hereinto the additional liner  24 ; proceeding with the installation of the device  10  by following the similar to those described for regular device  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.