Abstract:
A disposable urine collection pouch made from diaper-like material formed in the shape of an elongated tube having an open top end and a closed bottom end. The open top end includes a funnel that leads from the opening down into the elongated tube. The elongated tube includes a superabsorbent layer to lock in and retain moisture introduced into the pouch. The funnel is made from a resilient material that flexes between a default closed position and an open position upon the exertion of sufficient and appropriate pressure by a user. After use, the pouch may be folded and disposed of in a plastic bag or otherwise deposited in a trash receptacle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a disposable urine collection device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to such a device that can be used when one is travelling or otherwise outside of their home and does not want to use a public restroom. 
     Currently, there are a number of alternate devices and methods for urine collection, as follows:
         A urine collection bottle as used in a medical office. The drawbacks of this product are that once urinated into one has to carry around the bottle until one finds a place to dispose of the urine. Then one has to carry around the bottle until it can be washed and sanitized for future use. The urine collection bottle is not very conducive for female use as it would be extremely easy for a female to miss the opening of the bottle when urinating.   A female urination cone made for women to use while standing over a toilet. The drawbacks of this product are that one needs to be over a toilet in order to use this product otherwise the urine just shoots out the end of the urination cone.   One can urinate into a cup which must be carried around until a disposal location is found as with the bottle discussed above. One must also be extra careful not to spill the urine until a disposal place is found.   A sealable bag, i.e., Ziploc bag. One then has a bag of urine which can leak or pop open before a disposal location is found.   Bushes, trees or other foliage. Such locations are more often than not illegal but can be dirty, non-private, filled with insects, and will most likely turn muddy once urinated in.   Public restrooms. Not only are many public restrooms extremely unsanitary, but they can simply be dirty or not well maintained. Often there are fresh urine drops on the seat that are visible to the human eye. There are always germs from urine and feces on the toilet seat and floor that are unseen.       

     There exists a genuine concern on the part of parents with small children for there to be sanitary facilities for their children&#39;s urination requirements when away from home. Given the unsanitary conditions of most public restrooms, a creditable survey shows that 39% of those surveyed worry about getting germs from public restrooms more than from any other source. The unsanitary conditions posed by public restrooms include germ laden toilet seats that have been exposed to and contacted by feces and urine (along with those slipping toilet seat covers and a child&#39;s propensity to touch everything, and want to grab onto the toilet seat to stop from falling in). 
     There is also the presence of airborne particles that carry germs. Salmonella and shigella bacteria are most likely in public restrooms, as well as, flu,  meningitis, streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli , common cold and hepatitis viruses are all found in public restrooms. Then there are public door handles, faucets, sinks, walls, and public restroom floors that are germ laden from exposure to urine, feces, and airborne particles carrying germs. It is now recommended that you face away from a flushing toilet and exit quickly as airborne particles could cause germs to reach your respiratory passageways. 
     All of this coupled with the world&#39;s fear of a pandemic has brought about a very real and ever increasing public awareness of the dangers of unsanitary conditions and the absolute necessity to exercise all available precautions. All of this leaves parents and guardians reluctant and uneasy about the use of public restrooms for their small children. Additionally we have the overwhelmingly embarrassing necessity of men having to bring small girls into the men&#39;s public restroom, which often times have open urinals for all to see. Or the same with mothers feeling uncomfortable bringing boys into a women&#39;s restroom. Men or women when out without a member of the opposite sex can have an almost insurmountable problem with a five year old of the opposite sex. 
     The disposable urine collection pouch eliminates such concerns associated with a child&#39;s urination in a public restroom. It provides a simple and sanitary process to eliminate urine without the necessity of having to use an unsanitary public bathroom, thus bringing peace of mind and security to parents and guardians alike. Whether traveling on the road in a car or used as a sanitary convenience at a park, the beach, camping, at the mall, etc. it provides a real and necessary solution to problems faced today by society and can be used by all age groups. Anyone from a potty trained child to those adults and seniors concerned for their health and convenience of use can benefit greatly from the inventive disposable urine collection pouch. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a device to facilitate one&#39;s need to urinate when away from home and public facilities are not a viable option. The present invention fulfills this need and provides other related advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a disposable urine collection pouch, comprising an elongated tube having an open first end and a closed second end, a funnel having a mouth of the funnel disposed in the open first end and a stem of the funnel oriented such that it extends into the elongated tube toward the closed second end, and an absorbent material disposed in the elongated tube proximate to the closed second end. The elongated tube has an outer surface comprising a generally moisture-resistant material and an inner surface comprising a distribution material. The absorbent material is disposed between the outer surface and inner surface of the elongated tube. The outer surface is made from polyethylene film, a nonwoven and film composite material, or other similar material that prevents moisture transfer. The distribution material transfers moisture from the interior of the elongated tube to the absorbent material. The absorbent material preferably comprises a superabsorbent polymer or other similar absorbent material. 
     The funnel comprises a moisture-resistant, resilient material and is covered in a soft, absorptive material. The mouth of the funnel has an elongated, diamond-shape that defaults to a closed position and is configured to snap into an open position when pressure is applied to ends of the long axis. The mouth of the funnel in the open position is configured to cover a user&#39;s genitals. 
     The pouch also includes a pocket on an outer surface of the elongated tube proximate the closed second end. The elongated tube is foldable along a transverse line about mid-way between the open first end and the closed second end. The open first end is configured so as to be insertable into the pocket when the elongated tube is folded along the transverse line. A securing strap is included adjacent to the pocket and configured for fastening to the elongated tube when it is folded along the transverse line. A sanitary wipe and a disposable trash bag are included in the pocket. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a folded disposable urine collection pouch of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of a folded disposable urine collection pouch of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a disposable urine collection pouch of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a disposable urine collection pouch of the present invention showing the funnel opened; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a disposable urine collection pouch of the present invention showing a used pouch ready to be secured by a strap and placed in a disposable bag; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a disposable urine collection pouch of the present invention showing a used pouch in a tied disposable bag; 
         FIG. 9  is an environmental view illustrating the use of a disposable urine collection pouch of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1-7 , the present invention is directed to a disposable urine collection pouch configured for ease of use and storage when on the go and disposal at an appropriate time. As discussed briefly above, the pouch  10  is generally made from a diaper-like material and can have an interior construction similar to any type of similarly disposable diaper. However, rather than have a diaper configured for fitting around the legs, groin and buttocks area of a person, the pouch  10  is sealed on three sides (left, right and bottom) to form the elongated tube  12  with a single opening  14  at the top to receive and collect urine or similar waste. The opening  14  is configured to be disposed proximate to the groin/genitals area of a person and collected urine. The manner of use of the pouch  10  will be described further below. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the urine collection pouch  10  is generally rectangular in shape and is made of fully absorbent, sanitary and disposable diaper-like material. The elongated tube  12  forms a leak proof pouch sealed and enclosed on three sides—left, right and bottom. The top of the tube  12  has an opening  14  for receiving urine or waste fluid to be collected. The edges  14   a  of the opening are covered in an absorbent, cushioned diaper/tissue-like material for utmost comfort when in contact with human skin, although the pouch  10  is designed so that it never need contact skin as an added sanitary measure. 
     As described, the pouch  10  comprises an elongated tube  12  having an open first end  14  and a closed second end  16 . A funnel  18  is disposed in the open first end  14  on the interior of the elongated tube  12 . The mouth  18   a  of the funnel  18  is positioned in the open first end  14  so that the edge of the mouth  18   a  is almost co-terminus with the edge  14   a  of the open first end  14 . The stem or spout  18   b  of the funnel  18  is oriented such that it extends down into the elongated tube  12  toward the closed second end  16 . An absorbent material  20  is disposed in the elongated tube  12  proximate to the closed second end  16 . As described below, the absorbent material  20  is disposed in between outer and inner surface/layers of the tube  12 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the elongated tube  12  has a layered construction, which allows the transfer and distribution of urine to a core absorbent material  20  where it is locked in. As with disposable diapers, the basic layers comprise an outer surface  22  of breathable polyethylene film or a similar nonporous, nonwoven-film composite which prevents the transfer of moisture. The inner absorbent material  20  is a mixture of air-laid paper and superabsorbent polymers for wetness retention. An air-laid paper, as opposed to a wet-laid paper, is a textile-like material categorized as a nonwoven material made from fluff pulp. Compared to wet-laid paper, air-laid paper is very bulky, porous and soft with good water absorption properties. An example of a superabsorbent polymer is a poly-acrylic acid sodium salt, i.e., sodium polyacrylate, although other forms of superabsorbent polymers would work equally as well. 
     In a diaper, the inner layer or layer nearest the skin comprises a porous, nonwoven material with a distribution layer directly beneath which transfers wetness to the absorbent layer. In the inventive pouch  10 , a distribution material  24  is included in the interior of the elongated tube  12  to effectively transfer urine waste to the absorbent material  20  and trap the same. A porous, nonwoven material is not necessary for the interior of the elongated tube  12  as is not designed to come into contact with human skin. However, such a porous, nonwoven material or interior layer  26  is preferably included to at least cover the surface of the funnel  18 , as well as the edge  14   a  and mouth  18   a . This interior layer  26  should be soft and absorbent for comfort in the event of contact with skin and to prevent spillage when collecting urine. Although not necessary for this invention, the interior layer  26  may extend down into the elongated tube  12  so as to cover the entire interior of the elongated tube  12 . A layer of padding  28  may also be included around the edge of the mouth  18   a  for added comfort in the event of contact with the groin or genitals. The interior layer  26  may include a wetness indicator. Such wetness indicator preferably comprises a chemical in the material of the layer  26  that changes color in the presence of moisture to alert the user that the pouch  10  has been used. 
     As described, the funnel  18  is preferably a flat, interior funnel that extends down into the pouch. The funnel  18  is made of a resilient, moisture resistant material, i.e., coated poster board or other similar material. The shape of the mouth  18   a  on the funnel  18  approximates an elongated diamond-shape having a long axis  30  and a perpendicular short axis  32 . The funnel  18  itself is resilient or flexible such that it is moveable between an open position ( FIG. 4 ) and a closed position ( FIG. 7 ). The default position for the mouth  18   a  is the closed position—meaning that the end points  32   a ,  32   b  on the short axis are nearly abutting. When a user applies pressure near the end points  30   a ,  30   b  of the long axis, i.e., within about 1½″ from the edge  14   a  of the open first end  14 , the mouth  18   a  moves to the open position. Once the pressure is released, the mouth  18   a  returns to the closed position. 
     The pouch  10  includes on its outer surface  22 , preferably near the closed second end  16 , a pocket  34  made from material similar to the material that comprises the outer surface  22  itself. The pocket  34  is intended to contain a tissue  36  for wiping and a small plastic bag  38  for disposal of a used pouch  10 . The elongated tube  12  is preferably configured so as to be foldable along a transverse line  40  located about midway between the open first end  14  and the closed second end  16 . This foldable feature is designed to make the pouch  10  more compact both for storage before use and for disposal after use. 
     In combination with the foldable feature, the pocket  34  may be configured so as to accommodate the open first end  14  when the pouch  10  is folded. In this way, the pocket  34  is configurable with elasticized fabric or material with similarly stretchable properties. By inserting the open first end  14  into the pocket  34 , the pouch  10  becomes more securely closed for disposal after use. The pouch  10  may also include a securing strap  42 , preferably at or near the closed second end  16 . The securing strap  42  is for fastening to the pouch  10  when folded. This strap  42  includes a securing means  42   a  which may comprise an adhesive, a hook and loop connection (i.e., VELCRO®), or other similar securing methods. 
     The pouch  10  may also include a fragrance, lotion or essential oil in order to help mask the scent of a used pouch  10  or to protect the skin of the user. 
     The disposable urine collection pouch  10  is used by opening the mouth  18   a  of the funnel  18  as described above. As shown in  FIG. 9 , one then holds the open first end  14  close to or flush up against the groin/genital area  44  of the user surrounding the genitals. The user may then urinate into the funnel  18 , which acts as a fluid receiving chamber that immediately drains the urine down into the elongated tube  12  where it is distributed to the absorbent material  20 . The non-porous nature of the outer layer  22  prevents any moisture from passing through the elongated tube  12 . The absorbent material  20  securely locks in the urine so that it cannot leak out. 
     The user can then remove the tissue  36  and bag  38  from the pocket  34 . The tissue is then used to wipe away any trace of urine and  36  may be placed inside of the funnel  18  or otherwise set aside for later disposal. The pouch  10  is then folded along the transverse line  40 . The first end  14  may or may not be inserted inside of the pocket  34 . In either case, the securing strap  42  may be used to maintain the pouch  10  in a folded position. The folded pouch  10  is then placed inside of the bag  38  and tied shut for subsequent disposal. If not placed inside of the funnel  18 , the tissue  36  may also be placed inside of the bag  38  prior to tying. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.