Patent Publication Number: US-2012046573-A1

Title: Mid-flow applicator

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a female urine collection device to assist in the collection of urine from a female. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A urine collection device allows for the collection of urine for analysis or a simple means for the collection of urine when a toilet is not available such as in an aircraft or a spacecraft. Various devices have been developed to assist in the collection of urine from a female due to the particularity of the female anatomy. When a female urinates the urine stream is not visible to the urinator therefore attempting to urinate in a small cup can cause several problems. A female&#39;s urine will normally splash, overflow or require maneuvering to ensure the urine collection is successful. The prior art includes female urine collection systems that implement various funnels that provide a means to relieve female urination. 
     One example of a female urine collector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,262 that discloses a horizontally accordion-pleated, rectangular-shaped urine collection receptacle with a tube outlet, tube housing a manually operated tube valve disposed to direct urine flow either to a sample reservoir or a urine collector. It would be advantageous to have a urine collection device that may be attached to or screwed onto a urine sample cup therefore providing a collection device that is disposable and easily integrated with a urine sample collector. The collection device alleviates some of the problems and drawbacks with female urine collection. Further it would be advantageous to simply insert a collection device onto a standard urine sample cup for use with female urination. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates a mid-flow applicator to assist in female urine collection comprising: a urine reservoir, where said a first side funnel, a second side funnel, a back catch and a pelvic shield lip surround said reservoir; a back lip on each side of the back catch; a pelvic shield lip extending upwardly from the pelvic shield; a front lip on each side of the pelvic shield lip; and an opening at the bottom of the reservoir. The applicator further includes a means to attach the opening to a urine sample cup. The means to attach may include a screw on means, matching lip seal and a slip on attachment. The reservoir, funnels, back catch and pelvic shield are uniquely configured to encourage the flow of urine to the opening and into an attached urine sample cup. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a mid-flow applicator according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a mid-flow applicator according to the present invention. The mid-flow applicator provides a female urine collection device that is easily integrated with a conventional urine sample cup. The urine collection device enables a woman to provide a urine sample in a manner that avoids splashing, overflowing, contamination and other problems that may occur with the use of a conventional urine cup. The mid-flow applicator according to the present invention prevents the dripping of urine on to the floor or toilet seat and inserts onto a urine sample cup to collect the sample directly through the applicator. The applicator is compact and disposable and easy to use for urine collection. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1 , a Mid-Flow Applicator  100  according to the present invention is depicted. The Mid-Flow Applicator  100  is attached to a urine sample Cup  20 . The Flow Applicator  100  includes various components that assist in the collection of urine into the sample Cup  20 . As depicted the mid-flow applicator  100  includes urine Reservoir  35  at the center of the device. The urine Reservoir  35  is surrounded by Side Funnels  36   a,    36   b,  Back Lip  38   a,    38   b,  Front Lips  34   a,    34   b.  A back catch  33   b  is also provided to the rear of the urine Reservoir  35 . A pelvic shield  32  with pelvic shield lip  33   a  is provided at the front portion of the urine reservoir. 
     The shape and configuration of the flow applicator allows for an effective and clean collection of female urine into the urine sample cup. The flow applicator includes a means of attaching the applicator to the sample cup. The means of securing the applicator to the sample cup  20  includes a screw on, matching lip seal, or slip on abutting surfaces connection. The mid-flow applicator  100  assists with the collection of urine within the Reservoir  35  and where the urine then flows through an opening provided at the connection point of the applicator to the sample cup  20 . The mid-flow applicator is compact, easy to use and produced with disposable material. The wide breadth of the applicator with collapsible side shields ensures for the accurate control collection of the urine sample. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.