Patent Publication Number: US-2021186277-A1

Title: Portable urinal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/081,923 filed on Sep. 3, 2018 under 35 U.S.C. § 120, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, which is a National Stage Application of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2017/002422 filed on Mar. 7, 2017, under 35 U.S.C. § 371, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2016-0027476 filed on Mar. 8, 2016 and 10-2017-0028120 filed on Mar. 6, 2017, which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a portable urinal. In general, a urinal is a toilet which is used for receiving urine which is stored in the bladder as a solution that accumulates and stores various wastes generated in the body as a result of human metabolism in the form of an aqueous solution and then excreted from the body when the amount thereof reaches a certain limit. 
     Conventional urinals are divided into women&#39;s urinals and men&#39;s urinals, and a toilet stool which is fixedly installed in each partition of the toilet is used for the women&#39;s urinals as it is, and a separate wall-mounted type or vertical urinal fixedly installed to the toilet is used as the men&#39;s urinals. 
     However, since the conventional urinals are fixed in the toilet, there is a problem in that it is impossible to be used under driving, during the operation of the store during the mountain or long distance trip, or during outdoor gathering. 
     For example, if a user feels urgent urination when a road is blocked while driving or the user cannot find a toilet, the user feels a lot of trouble. In the case of women, even if the user finds a public restroom, the user has to wait in line for a toilet, and the user feels unpleasant because the user uses the same toilet stool used by others in aircrafts, trains, ships, etc. In the case of a single store, if the user feels urgent urination while the store is operating, the user feels difficulty because the user cannot leave the store. There is a problem in that the user cannot go to the toilet even if the user feels urgent urination in a situation where it is difficult to act. There is a problem in that if the user feels urgent urination while traveling in an unfamiliar area, the user feels difficult because the user cannot find a toilet. It is difficult to go to the toilet in an outdoor meeting place where people gather by a group. 
     In addition, people who have diseases such as incontinence, prostate, and residual urine have a problem of always living in tension to find the toilet. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a portable urinal capable of handling urgent urination or urination without using the conventional toilet. 
     SUMMARY 
     To achieve the object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a potable urinal including: a moisture solidification layer containing a super absorbent polymer; a plate-shaped support member supporting the moisture solidification layer and having a hollow portion; and a shape retaining wire retaining the plate-shaped support member in the form of an alphabet “C”. 
     The portable urinal may further include a first absorbent nonwoven fabric covering the plate-shaped support member and having a slit formed at a portion corresponding to the hollow portion. 
     The first absorbent nonwoven fabric may be attached to the plate-shaped support member. 
     The portable urinal may further include a vinyl member covering an opposite side of the moisture solidification layer to a side facing the plate-shaped support member and having an edge portion attached to the edge portion of the first absorbent nonwoven fabric. 
     The vinyl member may be a biodegradable vinyl. 
     The portable urinal may further include a second absorbent nonwoven fabric entirely covering the moisture solidification layer inside the vinyl member. 
     A side of the second absorbent nonwoven fabric facing the vinyl member may be attached to the vinyl member. 
     The slit may have a cross shape. 
     The plate-shaped support member may have a horizontally elongated shape, the hollow portion may have a horizontally elongated elliptic shape, the plate-shaped support member may include a left portion and a right portion placed on the left and right sides with respect to the hollow portion, and a front portion and a back portion placed on the front and back portions with respect to the hollow portion. In the case, the portable urinal may further include a reinforcing member reinforcing the left portion and the right portion of the plate-shaped support member. 
     The shape retaining wire may have a single closed curve in the form of covering the plate-shaped support member and be provided along the edge of the plate-shaped support member. 
     The shape retaining wire may be made of an elastic material having a restoring force. 
     As an example, the shape retaining wire may include a central portion positioning the hollow portion therebetween; and both end portions extending to both ends of the central portion, respectively, to position the central portion therebetween, in which the central portion and the both end portions may be formed as one body. 
     As another example, the shape retaining wire may include a central portion positioning the hollow portion therebetween; both end portions extending to both ends of the central portion, respectively, to position the central portion therebetween; and a rotating portion providing rotatably each of the both end portions with respect to the central portion. 
     As yet another example, the shape retaining wire may include a central portion positioning the hollow portion therebetween; both end portions extending to both ends of the central portion, respectively, to position the central portion therebetween; and a slider portion providing slidably each of the both end portions with respect to the central portion. 
     As described above, the portable urinal according to the embodiment of the present invention may have the following effects. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, since a technical configuration including the moisture solidification layer, the plate-shaped support member, and the shape retaining wire is provided, children and adults of all ages which can use the hands may handle urgent urination or urination by carrying and wearing the technical configuration without using the conventional toilet. In particular, since the state in which the technical configuration is in contact with the body may be maintained by the shape retaining wire, the users may urinate without leakage of urine without taking down clothes such as pants, so that the technical configuration may be used irrespective of place, environment, posture and the like. In addition, since the urine is solidified in the moisture solidification layer, the odor due to the urine odor may be prevented. Furthermore, due to the spread of the portable urinal, it is possible to reduce the number of public toilets and improve the environment. 
     Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the technical configuration further including the first absorbent nonwoven fabric having the slit is provided, the first absorbent nonwoven fabric is lifted up by the slit to wipe the skin with the urine after use. 
     Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the biodegradable vinyl is used, environmental pollution can be minimized. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view schematically illustrating a portable urinal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the portable urinal of  FIG. 1  taken along line II-II. 
         FIG. 3  is a view schematically illustrating a state in which urine is absorbed into the portable urinal of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a shape retaining wire in the portable urinal of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view schematically illustrating another example of the shape retaining wire. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view schematically illustrating yet another example of the shape retaining wire. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to easily implement those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and are limited to embodiments described herein. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view schematically illustrating a portable urinal according to an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the portable urinal of  FIG. 1  taken along line II-II, and  FIG. 3  is a view schematically illustrating a state in which urine is absorbed into the portable urinal of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a shape retaining wire in the portable urinal of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5  is a perspective view schematically illustrating another example of the shape retaining wire, and  FIG. 6  is a perspective view schematically illustrating yet another example of the shape retaining wire. 
     A portable urinal  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a moisture solidification layer  110 , a plate-shaped support member  120 , and a shape retaining wire W, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6 . Hereinafter, respective components will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
     The moisture solidification layer  110  is a component for directly absorbing urine to be urinated as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and contains a super absorbent polymer (SAP)  111 . Here, as it is known, the SAP  111  may absorb water several tens to several hundreds times as much as its own weight, and has a characteristic in which water is not emitted even under a tolerable pressure. Accordingly, if the moisture solidification layer  110  is formed by adjusting the amount of the SAP  111  in accordance with the maximum value of a once-urine volume, the urine to be urinated may be absorbed and solidified. 
     The plate-shaped support member  120  is a component that supports the moisture solidification layer  110 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . Accordingly, when the user holds the portable urinal  100  of the present invention and inserts the portable urinal  100  of the present invention between the crotches, the shape of the portable urinal  100  of the present invention is retained by the plate-shaped support member  120 , and thus the moisture solidification layer  110  may be smoothly inserted between the crotches without being crumpled, so that anyone who can use the hands may wear the portable urinal anytime and anywhere. For example, as the plate-shaped support member  120 , a hard paper such as a cardboard or a material having good elasticity such as plastic may be used. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , since a hollow portion  121  is opened in the center of the plate-shaped support member  120 , even if the plate-shaped support member  120  is present, the user&#39;s urine may be smoothly guided to the moisture solidification layer  110  through the hollow portion  121 . 
     The shape retaining wire W is a component for closely bringing the portable urinal  100  of the present invention into contact with the user&#39;s body so as to prevent the portable urinal  100  of the present invention from being removed. The shape retaining wire W may have a curved shape in the form of an alphabet “C” as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Accordingly, since the plate-shaped support member  120  may be retained in the form of “C” by the shape retaining wire W, when the portable urinal  100  of the present invention is inserted between the user&#39;s crotches, the portable urinal  100  of the present invention may be in contact with the user&#39;s body by covering the user&#39;s crotches and pelvis by the shape retaining wire W. Ultimately, it is possible to prevent the urine from being leaked between the portable urinal  100  of the present invention and the user&#39;s body. 
     Furthermore, the shape retaining wire W has a single closed curve in the form of covering the plate-shaped support member  120  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and may be provided on the edge of the plate-shaped support member  120  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
     The shape retaining wire W may be made of an elastic material having a restoring force. Accordingly, the shape retaining wire W may be stretched or contracted to be in contact with the user&#39;s body in accordance with the user&#39;s body size. 
     Such a shape retaining wire W may have three examples as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 . As an example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the shape retaining wire W 1  may include a central portion  172  positioning the hollow portion  121  of the plate-shaped support member  120  therebetween and both end portions  172  extending to both ends of the central portion  171 , respectively, to position the central portion  171  therebetween, and the central portion  171  and the both end portions  172  may be formed as a single body. 
     As another example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a shape retaining wire W 2  may include a central portion  271  positioning the hollow portion  121  of the plate-shaped support member  120  therebetween, both end portions  272  extending to both ends of the central portion  271 , respectively, to position the central portion  271  therebetween, and rotating portions  273  providing rotatably the both end portions  272  with respect to the central portion  271 , respectively. Accordingly, the both end portions  272  corresponding to wing portions may be folded and unfolded toward the central portion  271  by the rotating portions  273 , so that the both end portions  272  may be stored while folded before and after use by reducing the volume, and may be unfolded and used in use. Here, the rotating portions  273  may be implemented through a hinge shaft  273   a  or the like. 
     As yet another example, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a shape retaining wire W 3  may include a central portion  371  positioning the hollow portion  121  of the plate-shaped support member  120  therebetween, both end portions  372  extending to both ends of the central portion  371 , respectively, to position the central portion  371  therebetween, and a slider portion  373  providing slidably the both end portions  372  with respect to the central portion  371 , respectively. Accordingly, the both end portions  372  corresponding to the wing portions may be inserted into and removed from the central portion  372  by the slider portion  373 , so that the both end portions  272  may be stored while inserted before and after use by reducing the volume, and may be removed and used in use. Here, the slider portion  373  may be implemented through inlet and outlet holes  373   a  or the like. 
     Accordingly, since the portable urinal  100  including the moisture solidification layer  110 , the plate-shaped support member  120 , and the shape retaining wire W is provided, children and adults of all ages which can use the hands may handle urgent urination or urination by carrying and wearing the portable urinal  100  without using the conventional toilet. In particular, since the state in which the portable urinal  100  is in contact with the body may be maintained by the shape retaining wire W, the users may urinate without leakage of urine without taking down clothes such as pants, so that the portable urinal may be used irrespective of place, environment, posture and the like. In addition, since the urine is solidified in the moisture solidification layer  110 , the odor due to the urine odor may be prevented. Furthermore, due to the spread of the portable urinal  100  of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of public toilets and improve the environment. 
     In addition, the portable urinal  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130  may cover the plate-shaped support member and a slit  131  may be formed at a portion corresponding to the hollow portion  121 . 
     Accordingly, during the urination, the first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130  is moved toward the moisture solidification layer  110  by the pressure of the urine so that the urine may be smoothly moved to the moisture solidification layer  110  through the slit  131  while the slit  131  is opened, and the urine that is partially bounced back from the moisture solidification layer  110  may be blocked from the first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130 . In addition, as the volume of the moisture solidification layer  110  absorbing the urine is expanded, when the user removes the portable urinal  100  of the present invention from the body while the first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130  is lifted up toward the skin by the expanding force and the slit  131 , the urine coming into contact with the skin may be wiped by the first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130  lifted up. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the slit  131  may have a cross shape. Accordingly, during the urination, the slit  131  may be sufficiently opened in a cross shape, and the urine which is partially splashed in the moisture solidification layer  110  may be blocked by the first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130 . As the volume of the moisture solidification layer  110  is expanded, four portions of the first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130  are lifted up toward the skin by the expanding force and the cross-shaped slit, so that the urine-stained skin may be sufficiently wiped. 
     In particular, the first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130  may be attached to the plate-shaped support member through an adhesive (not illustrated). Here, the adhesive may be supplied in a hot melt type on a manufacturing line. 
     In addition, the portable urinal  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a vinyl member  140 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 3 . The vinyl member  140  covers an opposite side of the moisture solidification layer  110  to a side facing the plate-shaped support member  120  and an edge portion of the vinyl member  140  may be attached to an edge portion of the first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130  through an adhesive (not illustrated). Accordingly, the moisture solidification layer  110  may be covered by the vinyl member  140  to minimize the leakage of urine odor and the like before removing after using. 
     Particularly, the adhesive may be supplied in a hot melt type on a manufacturing line. In addition, as the vinyl member  140 , a biodegradable vinyl may be used. The biodegradable vinyl is degraded after about 45 days to minimize environmental pollution. 
     In addition, the portable urinal  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention described above may further include a second absorbent nonwoven fabric  150 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The second absorbent nonwoven fabric  150  may cover entirely the moisture solidification layer  110  inside the vinyl member  140 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the super absorbent polymer contained in the moisture solidification layer  110  from being removed to the outside through the silt  131  of the first absorbent nonwoven fabric  130 . 
     In particular, the side of the second absorbent nonwoven fabric  150  facing the vinyl member  140  may be attached to the vinyl member  140  through an adhesive (not illustrated). Here, the adhesive may be supplied in a hot melt type on a manufacturing line. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the plate-shaped support member  120  may have a horizontally elongated shape, and the hollow portion  121  may have a horizontally elongated elliptical shape. The plate-shaped support member  120  may include a left portion LP and a right portion RP placed on the left and right sides with respect to the hollow portion  121 , and a front portion FP and a back portion BP placed on the front and back sides with respect to the hollow portion  121 . 
     In this case, the portable urinal  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a reinforcing member  160  for reinforcing the left portion LP or the right portion RP of the plate-shaped support member  120  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, when the user holds the portable urinal  100  of the present invention and inserts the portable urinal  100  of the present invention between the crotches, the shape of the portable urinal  100  of the present invention is retained well by the plate-shaped support member  120  and the reinforcing member  160 , and thus the moisture solidification layer  110  may be smoothly inserted between the crotches without being crumpled. For example, the reinforcing member  160  may be a rigid paper. 
     While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical example embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
     The present invention has the industrial availability capable of handling urgent urination or urination while children and adults of all ages which can use hands carry a portable urinal without using the conventional toilet. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 [Explanation of reference numerals and symbols] 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 100: Portable urinal 
                 110: Moisture solidification layer 
               
               
                 111: Super absorbent polymer 
                 120: Plate-shaped support member 
               
               
                 121: Hollow portion 
                 130: First absorbent nonwoven fabric 
               
               
                 131: Slit 
                 140: Vinyl member 
               
               
                 150: Second absorbent nonwoven 
                 160: Reinforcing member 
               
               
                 fabric 
               
               
                 W1, W2, W3: Shape retaining wire 
               
               
                 171, 271, 371: Central portion 
                 172, 272, 372: Both end portions 
               
               
                 273: Rotating portion 
                 273a: Hinge shaft 
               
               
                 373: Slider portion 
                 373a: inlet and outlet holes