Patent Abstract:
A urinal apparatus for a commode converts the commode into a temporary urinal. Upon its first motion activation by a standing user, a reversible jaw moves forward and holds a biodegradable funnel against an end plate of a movable arm. Simultaneously, the reversible jaw pushes first switch causing the movable arm to move forward dispensing and suspending the funnel above the commode bowl. The user urinates through the funnel, which channels the urine down into the commode bowl preventing urine spillage around the commode. When through urinating, and second motion activation by the user, the reversible jaw moves backward releasing the used funnel, which drops into the commode bowl. Immediately following, the reversible jaw pushes second switch causing the movable arm to retract into the apparatus leaving the commode to perform its original function unimpeded. Flushing drains away used funnel in sewage system served by the commode where it degrades.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefits of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/209,059, filed 2009 Mar. 3; 61/176,668, filed 2009 May 8; and 61/182,040, filed 2009 May 28 by the present inventor. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This application relates to a power-operated urinal apparatus for a commode or a toilet and a urinal method, which prevent urine spills around the commode or toilet. 
         [0006]    2. Prior Art 
         [0007]    The usage of urinals is a known method to urinate in most public restrooms. However, most residences and many commercial places do not offer the convenience of urinals. Therefore, commodes or toilets designed to receive human waste from a sitting position are also used for urination from a standing position. Typically, users stand to urinate for comfort and to avoid germs on commode seats. In the process, however, urine spills on rim of the commode and floor around the commode or toilet, no matter how careful the users may be. Even traditional urinals do not prevent urine spills and consequently odor emanates from them. Urine splashing on water of the commode bowl also leads to a sound that may be embarrassing. Urine spills result in a non-hygienic condition and require additional cleaning around the commode. Furthermore, urine spills can stain a rug, if a rug has been placed near the commode. Some users, risking the spread of germs, raise both lids of the commode to an upright position to urinate into the commode. They seldom put them back, which is inconvenience to the next user. From this point ahead in this document, “commodes or toilets” will be referred to as “commodes.” 
         [0008]    Standard commodes and urinals are two separate fixtures requiring separate spaces, drains, and plumbing lines, which cost a lot more than a single fixture. Several attempts have been made in past to combine a urinal and a commode to provide an economical and space-saving solution. U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,449 issued to Aguirre (2002) disclosed a toilet assembly in combination with a urinal. However, this assembly can be very expensive, because it requires extra floor space and plumbing lines. Most existing toilets do not have the extra space required to add a urinal. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,230 issued to Corbin (1997), and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,412,408 and 3,500,480 issued to Michal (1968 and 1970 respectively), urinal attachments for toilet bowls are presented. Although these types of urinal attachments can be added to existing toilets, they will make the toilet space more crowded and unpleasant. These urinal attachments require skilled personnel to install the attachments resulting in extra expenses, time, efforts, and inconveniences. Other prior art devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,822,419; 4,137,579; 4,180,875; and 4,750,219. Most of these prior art devices require significant modifications and plumbing changes and may be unappealing to users. U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,400 issued to Jonec (1996) disclosed a disposable flat-folded male urinary aid and compact portable dispenser. Before urinating, the male must use his hands to pull out the urinary aid from the portable dispenser, which may be unstable. Then he must unfold the long urinary aid, insert penis in larger top end and place smaller bottom end of the urinary aid into the toilet water. A lot of time is wasted doing all of these steps, even before urinating. During urination, the male must hold the urinary aid and then drop it into the toilet after use. U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,034 issued to Urrutia (2001) disclosed a wall attached extensible and retractable urine deflecting apparatus for use with a toilet. This apparatus also requires substantial use of human hands before, and after urinating. Before use, the male has to extend and after the use he has to retract the apparatus manually. Also, he has to manually lower a deflecting sheet substantially into the toilet bowl water; each use requires a substantial amount of the deflecting sheet. The deflecting sheet used in this apparatus can not reliably channel the urine flow into the toilet. Risk of urine spills still remains. Both of these prior art devices require substantial use of human hands and are unhygienic, inconvenient, and time consuming. Most of the prior art devices for urinary use of commodes have not solved the problem of urine spilling and splashing to any degree of satisfaction. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A power-operated urinal apparatus is to be used with a toilet, the toilet having an aperture for receiving human waste. The urinal apparatus comprises a supply of flushable funnels, with each flushable funnel having a top open end and a bottom open end, and a passage between the two ends, and a power-driven dispenser. The power-driven dispenser activated by a user, the dispenser being movable under power from a stored position where the dispenser allows unimpeded use of the aperture, and an extended position where the dispenser locates and holds one of the flushable funnels in a suspended position with the top end of the flushable funnel above the aperture and the bottom end of the flushable funnel located relative to the aperture to direct fluids from the flushable funnel into the aperture without requiring any contact between the user and the flushable funnel during the use of the flushable funnel. The power-driven dispenser further being operable to move the power-driven dispenser under power to cause the dispenser to release the flushable funnel into the toilet and to move the dispenser from the extended position to the stored position, without requiring any contact between the user and the flushable funnel at any time during use of the apparatus. 
         [0010]    The flushable funnels in the supply of flushable funnels are at a first orientation and the flushable funnel in the suspended position is at a second orientation that is different from the first orientation. The flushable funnels are made of water-flushable materials tough enough to withstand fluids, slightly slippery, and have transitory water repellency. The power-driven dispenser further comprises a power-driven movable arm. The movable arm is supported by a sleeve for enabling the movable arm to move between the stored position and the extended position. The sleeve is pivotally supported with the aid of a track device for enabling the sleeve to move up and down. There is also means for holding the sleeve up to facilitate reloading a plurality of the flushable funnels to the supply of flushable funnels. The movable arm includes a means for height adjusting for a user to adjust a height of the top of the flushable funnel in the suspended position suitable to the user. The movable arm is moved between the stored position and the extended position by a rack and pinion device. The rack and pinion device is connected to a first motor. An end plate and a stop are provided on the movable arm. A movable jaw moves on the movable arm between the end plate and the stop. The end plate and the jaw releasably clamp a portion of one of the funnels. 
         [0011]    A sensor is activated by a human user of the aperture. The sensor initiates the operation of a second motor that moves the jaw to a clamping position with the end plate before the first motor is initiated to extend the movable arm to the extended position. The supply of flushable funnels comprises a nested arrangement. Each of the flushable funnels includes a tail portion at the top end to be clamped. The sensor activation is a first activation. The sensor has a second activation by a human user when the movable arm is in the extended position. By second activation the sensor initiates the operation of the second motor that moves the jaw out of the clamping position and allows the flushable funnel in the suspended position to drop into the aperture. When the second activation of the sensors occurs and after the second motor moves the jaw out of the clamping position, the first motor moves the movable arm to the stored position. The supply of flushable funnels comprises a nested arrangement, with each flushable funnel is tapered from the top end to the bottom end. The power-driven dispenser comprises a movable arm. The supply of flushable funnels includes a biasing device to urge the flushable funnels towards an end of the movable arm. 
         [0012]    The supply of flushable funnels includes a hub to support a plurality of flushable funnels. The supply of flushable funnels includes restraining arms with a portion extending inwards to support the hub and a biasing device to urge the flushable funnels toward an outward end of the movable arm. A protrusion is adjacent to the bottom end of the flushable funnel to cooperate with the restraining arms to dispense the flushable funnels from the nested arrangement one at a time. The flushable funnel includes a fin portion around at least a portion of the top end forming a handle. The apparatus includes storage space to store extra supplies of the flushable funnels. The apparatus includes storage space to store toilet paper. The apparatus can be made in separate sections adapted to reduce its packing size. The toilet aperture receives human waste. At least one means for fastening on an exterior of the urinal apparatus mounts the urinal apparatus to an object. The toilet has a water tank. The urinal apparatus is attached to the water tank or attached close to the toilet. 
         [0013]    A method of assisting a standing human in urinating into a toilet designed for receiving human waste comprises the steps of providing a supply of flushable funnels, and providing a power-driven dispenser. The power-driven dispenser removing a flushable funnel from the supply of flushable funnels and by means of the power-driven dispenser, suspending the flushable funnel above the toilet to provide a path for fluids into the toilet without requiring any contact between the user and the flushable funnel during use of the flushable funnel. By means of the power-driven dispenser, releasing the suspended flushable funnel and allowing the flushable funnel to fall into the toilet without requiring any contact between the user and the flushable funnel at any time during use of the apparatus. The method further comprises the step of causing the power-driven dispenser to move the power-driven dispenser from the extended position to the stored position. The method further comprises the step of flushing the toilet to flush away the fluids and the dropped flushable funnel. The flushable funnel is suspended by way of a tail. The flushable funnel is suspended above the toilet by deploying a power-driven movable arm. The movable arm is returned to a stored position leaving the aperture to function unimpeded. 
         [0014]    A urinal device comprises a flushable sleeve having two ends, one of the ends being larger than the other, with each end being open, and a passage between the two ends. A flap is adjacent to the smaller end and forms a handle. The flushable sleeves are made of flushable cellulosic waterleaf with minimal amount of wet strength resin from a group of melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde or neutral cure wet strength, said waterleaf coated to at least one surface with a composition of 20% by weight to 70% by weight of relatively large particle size delaminated clay, with the balance being a polyethylene based resin composition produced by drying of a colloidal polyethylene in water composition together with said clay; whereby the resultant surface coating provides surface water repellency without impairing the ability of the waterleaf sleeve to be disposed of by flushing. The sleeve is part of a nested stack of sleeves. 
         [0015]    The object of this embodiment is to provide a simpler, economical, and hygienic urinal apparatus for a commode to prevent urine spills on the rim of and floor around the commode. The apparatus does not require any additional plumbing or floor space and can be installed by a lay person within a short time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In the drawings, like reference numbers among different embodiments indicate like parts or components. Closely related figures have the same numbers but different alphabetic suffixes. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment showing a dispensed and suspended flushable funnel ready for use. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment, indicated by section lines  2 - 2  in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a side cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment, indicated by section lines  1 - 1  in  FIG. 2 , with  FIG. 3A  showing the urinal apparatus and  FIG. 3B  showing a commode. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment showing accessibility to the power-driven dispenser for restocking the funnels. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a partial enlarged view of the operation from the stored-hub position, indicated by the dashed circle  5  in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the movable arm, indicated by section lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a partial enlarged view of the operation from the dispensed and suspended position, indicated by the dashed circle  7  in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows details of the front joint between the container and the power-driven dispenser, indicated by the dashed circle  8  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows details of the rear joint between the container and the power-driven dispenser, indicated by the dashed circle  9  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 10A  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of flushable funnel. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10B  shows a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the flushable funnel with fin portions added. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10C  shows a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of the flushable funnels placed around a cardboard core in a nested arrangement. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of the cardboard core. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows a packaged version of the preferred embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  shows an unpacked version of the preferred embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  shows an assembly diagram of the preferred embodiment. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DRAWINGS-Reference Numerals 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   100 
                   power-operated urinal apparatus 
                   200 
                   commode 
                 
                 
                   11 
                   power-driven dispenser 
                   201 
                   commode seat 
                 
                 
                   12 
                   jaw 
                   203 
                   commode cover 
                 
                 
                   13 
                   movable arm 
                   205 
                   water tank 
                 
                 
                   14 
                   end plate 
                   207 
                   commode bowl 
                 
                 
                   15 
                   flushable funnel 
                   209 
                   wall 
                 
                 
                   16 
                   activation device or sensor 
                   211 
                   water supply 
                 
                 
                   17 
                   sleeve 
                   213 
                   drain or sewage line 
                 
                 
                   18L 
                   container 
                   18R 
                   container 
                 
                 
                   20L 
                   fastening device 
                   20R 
                   fastening device 
                 
                 
                   21 
                   drawer 
                   22 
                   storage section 
                 
                 
                   23 
                   hub 
                   24 
                   height adjusting device 
                 
                 
                   25 
                   biasing device 
                   26 
                   restraining arms 
                 
                 
                   27 
                   tail portion 
                   28 
                   reversible motor 
                 
                 
                   29 
                   reversible motor 
                   30 
                   switch 
                 
                 
                   31 
                   switch 
                   32 
                   core 
                 
                 
                   33 
                   groove 
                   34 
                   track 
                 
                 
                   35 
                   battery 
                   36 
                   electric plug 
                 
                 
                   37 
                   pivot 
                   38 
                   stop 
                 
                 
                   39 
                   projection 
                   40 
                   tongue 
                 
                 
                   41 
                   channel 
                   42 
                   lid 
                 
                 
                   43 
                   protrusion 
                   44 
                   flange 
                 
                 
                   45 
                   ball 
                   46 
                   socket 
                 
                 
                   47 
                   fin portion 
                   48 
                   notch 
                 
                 
                   49 
                   band 
                   50 
                   sear 
                 
                 
                   51 
                   rack 
                   52 
                   pinion 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3 A- 3 B and  10 A 
       [0033]    The invention may be best described by reference to the drawings. One preferred embodiment of the power-operated urinal apparatus  100  for a commode  200  is illustrated in various views:  FIG. 1  (perspective view),  FIG. 2  (top view),  FIGS. 3A and 3B  (side cross-sectional view), and  FIG. 10A  (flushable funnel). Part number follows name of the part. The apparatus  100  is attached on water tank  205  of the commode  200  by fastening devices  20 L and  20 R, which can be suction cups or other suitable fastening devices. The fastening devices are built under a storage section  22 , but can be built anywhere on the apparatus  100 . The fastening devices secure the apparatus on top of the water tank or on a wall near the commode. This position allows the commode to function unimpeded. A power-driven dispenser  11  is attached to the storage section  22 , which has a drawer  21  and can store extra flushable funnels  15 . The dispenser  11  has a truncated cone shaped hub  23  to support the flushable funnels  15  in nested arrangement. The funnels  15  are ready to be dispensed one at a time. A movable arm  13  is provided in the dispenser  11  to extend, and suspend a funnel  15  above the commode bowl  207  when activated by a user. This extended position converts the commode into a temporary urinal without requiring any contact between the user and the funnel. 
         [0034]    A plurality of restraining arms  26  having a portion extending inwards to support the hub  23 . The restraining arms  26  are flexible enough to release one funnel  15  at a time with cooperation of a biasing device  25 . The biasing device  25  is located between the rear wall of the dispenser  11 , and the hub  23 . The restraining arms  26  are anchored to the dispenser  11 . The biasing device  25  pushes the hub  23  outward when the outer most funnel  15  is pulled out of the nested stack of funnels  15 . This push is just enough to automatically place the newly exposed tail portion  27  of the next outer most funnel  15  close to an end plate  14  located on outer end of the movable arm  13 . The positioning of the tail portion  27  keeps the outer most funnel  15  ready to be clamped by a jaw  12  against the end plate  14 . The movable arm  13  is supported by a sleeve  17  for enabling the arm  13  to move between the stored position and the extended position when activated. The movable arm  13  also has a height adjusting device  24 , which may be a constant torque friction hinge or other suitable device. The device  24  helps a user to adjust the height of top end of the funnel in suspended position suitable to the user. 
         [0035]    The movable arm  13  is moved between the stored and extended positions by a suitable rack and pinion device connected to a reversible motor  29 . The motor  29  is connected to a battery  35  and an electric plug  36  for choice of a power supply. A switch  30  is provided on the end plate  14  to activate forward movement of the movable arm  13 . A stop  38  is provided on the movable arm  13 . A switch  31  is provided on the stop  38  to activate reverse movement of the movable arm  13 . A suitable rack and pinion device is connected to a reversible motor  28  that moves the jaw  12  between the end plate  14  and the stop  38 . The motor  28  is connected to the battery  35  and the electric plug  36  for choice of a power supply. An activation device  16  is provided, which can be a touchless sensor or a switch. The sensor  16  is placed on the stop  38  but can be placed anywhere on the apparatus  100 . The first user activation of the sensor  16  is to move the arm  13  from the stored position to the extended position to suspend and hold a funnel  15 . The second user activation of the sensor  16  is to drop the funnel and return the arm  13  from the extended position to the stored position. The apparatus has lidded containers  18 L and  18 R on either side of the dispenser  11 , which can store extra toilet paper rolls. 
         [0036]    In operation, upon first activation by a user, the sensor  16  initiates the operation of the motor  28  that moves the jaw  12  forward thereby clamping the tail portion  27  of the outer most funnel  15  with the end plate  14 . Simultaneously, the jaw  12  activates the switch  30  and stops. This activation initiates operation of the motor  29  that extends the movable arm  13  to the extended position. While extended out, the arm  13  pulls out the clamped outer most funnel  15  from the nested stack of the funnels  15  loaded on the hub  23 . Once the funnel  15  is pulled out completely from the stack (when the larger rear end of the funnel pulled out of the stack), the funnel  15  swings from the near horizontal orientation (shown in solid lines in  FIG. 3A ) to a near vertical orientation (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 3A ) due to gravity. This suspended funnel above the commode directs fluids from the user into the commode. This operation does not require any contact between the user and the funnel during use of the funnel. The motor  29  stops when the movable arm  13  is fully deployed. The funnel  15  can help to reduce embarrassing sounds due to the urine stream hitting the inner sides of the funnel  15  instead of the water in the commode bowl. The user can adjust height of the top end of the funnel  15  by moving the deployed arm  13  up or down, as needed. 
         [0037]    When the movable arm is in the extended position, and the user has finished urinating, the user activates the sensor  16 . Upon this second activation, the sensor  16  initiates the operation of the motor  28  that moves the jaw out of the clamping position allowing the funnel  15  in the suspended position to drop into the commode bowl  207 . Immediately following, the jaw  12  activates the switch  31  initiating the operation of the motor  29 . This motor  29  moves the arm  13  to the stored position leaving the commode  200  to function unimpeded. The jaw  12  on the arm  13  clears the tail portion  27  and allows it to lift up. The jaw  12  has a tapered thin leading edge to move under the tail portion  27 . Upon flushing, the dropped biodegradable funnel  15  flushes away with the urine and degrades in the sewage line. The first and second activations by the user can be done without touch, such as by waving a hand near or above the sensor  16 . On the next activation, the operation repeats. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the urinal apparatus  100  placed on the water tank  205  of the commode  200 . The movable arm  13  is extended by the power-driven dispenser  11  suspending a funnel  15  over the commode bowl  207 ; it is now ready for use. This is the temporary conversion of the commode  200  to a urinal. The jaw  12  is holding a suspended funnel  15  against the end plate  14 . The dispenser  11  is placed on the storage section  22 . The drawer  21  is drawn slightly open to show that it can store extra funnels  15 . Containers  18 L and  18 R are drawn open to show that they can store toilet paper rolls. The sensor  16  is placed on the stop  38  but it can be placed anywhere on the apparatus. First activation of the sensor  16  moves the jaw  12  forward clamping the funnel  15  and activating the switch  30 . This activation extends the arm  13  forward and suspends the funnel  15 . Second activation of the sensor  16  moves the jaw backward dropping the funnel  15  and activating the switch  31 . This activation returns the arm  13  into the apparatus. The full operation is discussed previously, and in  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 7 . 
         [0039]    In phantom lines,  FIG. 1  illustrates the commode  200 , which includes commode seat  201 , commode cover  203 , water tank  205 , and commode bowl  207 . The commode may be positioned against a wall  209  and is connected to a water supply  211  and a drain line  213  (see  FIG. 3B ). 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  further shows the urinal apparatus  100  includes the fastening devices  20 L and  20 R (only one  20 L is visible in  FIG. 1 ), which attach the apparatus  100  to the water tank  205 . Additionally, the storage section  22  can be placed so that the drawer  21  can open from the left side or from right side; it can also be opened from the front or can be designed with a lids on any side. The dispenser  11 , the storage section  22  including the drawer  21 , the containers  18 L and  18 R, can be made from rigid or semi-rigid plastic or other suitable materials. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  further shows the movable arm  13  has the height adjusting device  24  such as a constant torque friction hinge. The device  24  allows the user to position the height of the top end of the funnel  15  over the toilet to a suitable height; the device  24  holds the position until second activation of the sensor  16  moves the arm  13  back into the dispenser  11 . Several constant torque friction hinges are available in the market, such as Reell&#39;s patented hinge. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a top cross-sectional view of the urinal apparatus  100  showing the dispenser  11  including the hub  23 . The containers  18 L and  18 R can store toilet paper rolls or other items. The restraining arms  26  are anchored to the dispenser  11 . Along with the hub  23 , the restraining arms  26  supports a plurality of the funnels  15  placed on the hub  23 . The biasing device  25  pushes the hub  23  outwards. The movable arm  13  (not shown on  FIG. 2 ), with cooperation of the restraining arms  26 , dispenses a funnels  15  one at a time. The restraining arms  26  can have a portion extend inwards to hold the protrusions  43  (not shown on  FIG. 2 ) of the funnels  15 . The arms  26  are flexible enough to release the funnels  15  one at a time. Details at dashed circle  8  and  9  are shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , respectively. 
         [0043]    In phantom lines,  FIG. 2  shows the commode seat  201  in seating position, the commode cover  203  in upright position, the water tank  205  below the apparatus  100 , and the commode bowl  207  of the commode  200 . 
         [0044]    In dashed lines,  FIG. 2  show fastening devices  20 L and  20 R, which can be made of flexible plastic suction cups or other appropriate fastening device. The fastening devices  20 L and  20 R are built below the apparatus  100  and are sized to fit on and secure to the water tank  205 . The apparatus  100  can be made attachable to the water tank or an object including a wall by way of suitable fastening device. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  show a side cross-sectional view of the urinal apparatus  100  for a commode  200 . In solid lines,  FIG. 3A  shows the apparatus  100  storing a plurality of funnels  15  in nested arrangement around the hub  23  and a funnel  15  has not been dispensed. The movable arm  13  is in the stored position (shown in solid lines). Upon first activation by a user, the sensor  16  initiates the operation of the motor  28  that moves the jaw  12  forward thereby clamping the tail portion  27  of the outer most funnel  15  with the end plate  14 . Simultaneously, the jaw  12  activates the switch  30 , which initiates the operation of the motor  29  to extend the movable arm  13  to the extended position (shown in dashed lines). While extending out, the arm  13  pulls out the clamped funnel  15  from a nested stack on the hub  23 . Once the funnel  15  is pulled out completely from the stack (when the larger rear end of the funnel is pulled out of the stack), the funnel  15  swings from the near horizontal orientation (shown in solid lines in  FIG. 3A ) to a near vertical orientation (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 3A ) due to gravity. The lower end of the funnel  15  positions itself over the bowl  207  such that the urine flows into the bowl  207 . The user urinates though the funnel  15 . During pull of the funnel  15 , the biasing device  25  pushes the hub  23  forward. This positions the next outer most funnel  15  and its tail portion  27  close to the end plate  14 , ready for next user. 
         [0046]    When the movable arm is in the extended position (shown in dashed lines), the user activates the sensor  16 . This second activation initiates the operation of the motor  28  that moves the jaw  12  out of the clamping position. This allows the suspended funnel  15  to drop into the commode bowl  207 . Immediately following, the jaw  12  activates the switch  31  initiating the operation of the motor  29 , which then moves the arm  13  to the stored position. This stored position keeps the commode to function unimpeded. On the next first and second activation, the respective operation repeats. A sleeve  17 , which can be a plate, a cylinder or other suitable device, supports the movable arm  13 . A pivot  37  and tracks  34  attached on both sides of the dispenser  11  support the sleeve  17 . The apparatus  100  is attached by fastening devices  20 L, and  20 R (not shown in  FIG. 3A ). The storage section  22  may include a drawer  21  to store extra funnels  15 . The movable arm  13  has the height adjusting device  24  for the users to adjust the height of top of the funnel  15  at a suitable height. The motor  28  and  29  can be operated by the battery  35  or the electric plug  36 . The details of the operation at dashed circles  5  and  7  are shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , respectively. 
         [0047]    In phantom lines,  FIG. 3A  shows the top part of the commode  200 , which can be positioned adjacent to a wall  209 . The apparatus  100  can be placed on the water tank  205  (showed in partial view). The water tank is for flushing the commode  200 . The commode cover  203 , in upright position, appears in partial view. 
         [0048]    In phantom lines,  FIG. 3B  shows the commode  200 , which can be used in conjunction with the urinal apparatus  100  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) to convert the commode into a urinal. The commode  200  includes the commode seat  201 , the commode cover  203 , the water tank  205 , and the commode bowl  207 . The commode may be positioned against the wall  209 . Water supply  211  supplies water to the water tank  205 . The commode is connected to the drain  213 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the urinal apparatus  100 . The sleeve  17  can be moved upward and then reverted back to its original position with aid of the pivot  37  and the tracks  34 . A ball  45  mounted on the sleeve  17  snaps into a socket  46  mounted on a lid  42  to hold the sleeve  17  in upward position, as needed. This feature allows a wider front opening of the dispenser  11  to restock a plurality funnels  15  on the hub  23 , as needed. Different methods can be used for this purpose. The hub  23  is storing a plurality of funnels  15  in nested arrangement. A user activation of the sensor  16  activates the apparatus  100  to convert a commode in to a temporary urinal. 
         [0050]      FIG. 4  further shows the lid  42  that may be opened to install the battery  35 , which can be regular or rechargeable. Several regular or rechargeable batteries are available in the market. Optionally, the electric plug  36  can be used to plug into an electrical wall outlet for direct electric power supply to the apparatus  100 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  shows a partial enlarged view of the apparatus at dashed circle  5  in  FIG. 3A . The funnels  15  are stacked in a nested arrangement around a core  32 . The core  32  facilitates insertion of the funnels  15  on the hub  23 . The reversible motor  28  and the jaw  12  are connected through a rack and pinion device. The motor  28  is attached to the pinion. The jaw  12  is attached to the rack. The reversible motor  29  and the movable arm  13  are connected through a rack and pinion device. The motor  29  is attached to the pinion. The movable arm  13  is attached to the rack. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  further shows that the funnel  15  has not been dispensed. The movable arm  13  is in the stored position. Upon first activation by a user, the sensor  16  initiates the operation of the motor  28 . This operation moves the jaw  12  forward, and clamps the tail portion  27  of the outer most funnel  15  with the end plate  14 . Simultaneously, the jaw  12  activates the switch  30 , which initiates the operation of the motor  29 . This process moves the movable arm  13  to the extended position suspending a funnel  15  above the commode. After activating the switch  30  the jaw  12  stops. While extended out, the arm  13  pulls out the clamped outer most funnel  15  from a nested stack of funnels  15  loaded on the hub  23 . Near the end plate  14 , only one tail portion  27  (of the outer most funnel  15 ) remains exposed to be clamped. Because of the nested arrangement, the tail portion  27  of each funnel  15  in the stack is buried below the next funnel  15  stacked above it. Therefore, only one funnel  15  is pulled out at a time—when the user activates the sensor  16 . The remaining funnels of the stack remain in place on the hub  23 . The restraining arms  26  hold the protrusion  43  of the next funnel  15  in line to be dispensed (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). In this process, the biasing device  25  (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) pushes the hub  23  forward, which positions the tail portion  27  of the next forward most funnel  15  close to the end plate  14 . On the next first activation, the process repeats. The jaw  12  can have a tapered thin leading edge to move under the raised tail portion  27  of the outer most funnel  15 . The battery  35  or the electric plug  36  supplies the power. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the movable arm  13 , indicated by section lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 5 . Upon activation, the jaw  12  slides on the movable arm  13 , forward on the first activation, and reverse on the second activation. A pair of tongues  40  and a pair of grooves  33  keep the reversible jaw  12  aligned and stay on the same plane even while moving. Different methods can be used for this purpose. The tongues  40  are located on both opposite inner sides of the jaw  12 . The tongues  40  of the jaw  12  slide in the grooves  33 , which are located on both outer sides of the arm  13 . The rack  51  of the rack and pinion device is attached to the under surface of the top side of the reversible jaw  12 . The pinion  52  is attached to the reversible motor  28 . The motor  28  is mounted at the underside of the arm  13  and attaches to the rack  51  through an opening in the arm  13 . The tail portion  27 , the switch  30 , and the end plate  14  are as previously discussed. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  shows a partial enlarged view of the operation from the dispensed and suspended position of the funnel  15 , indicated by the dashed circle  7  in  FIG. 3A  (the dashed lines of  FIG. 3A  are shown in solid lines in  FIG. 7 ). When the movable arm  13  is in the extended position, the user initiates a second activation of the sensor  16  after urinating. The sensor  16  initiates the operation of the motor  28  to move the jaw  12  out of the clamping position and allows the flushable funnel  15  in the suspended position to drop into the commode bowl  207 . Immediately following, the jaw  12  activates the switch  31 . The switch  31  initiates the operation of the motor  29 , which moves the arm  13  to the stored position. The commode  200  is now free to function unimpeded (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). When the arm  13  returns fully in the dispenser  11 , the jaw  12  clears the tail portion  27  of the next outer most funnel  15  and allows the tail portion  27  to lift up (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). On the next second activation, the process repeats. The activation device or sensor  16  is mounted on stop  38  but can be located anywhere on the apparatus  100  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). The end plate  14  is housing the switch  30 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 8  shows a detail of the front joint, indicated by the dashed circle  8  in  FIG. 2 . The joint is between the front left corner of the container  18 R and the front right side of the dispenser  11  secured by a channel  41 . The joint can be nailed, screwed, glued or attached by other suitable method. The commode cover  203  is visible in the  FIG. 8 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 9  shows a detail of the rear joint, indicated by the dashed circle  9  in  FIG. 2 . The joint is between the rear left corner of the container  18 R and the rear right side of the dispenser  11  secured by the channel  41 . The joint can be nailed, screwed, glued or attached by other suitable method. The restraining arm  26  is anchored to the dispenser  11 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 10A  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the flushable funnel  15  in a near horizontal orientation. The funnel  15  has a predetermined truncated cone shape, and is made of biodegradable materials. The materials can be compounds or papers having wet strength and water repellency while retaining the property of being flushable. The funnel  15  retains its strength and shape temporarily when wetted. Such papers can be manufactured. For example, an invention in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,171 assigned to Monadnok papers Mills, Inc. (Bennington, N.H.) presented a paper product suitable for applications requiring wet strength and water repellency while retaining the property of being flushable. The invention in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,171 can be used in its entirety for manufacturing the flushable funnels  15 . The invention in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,171 is directed to a coating composition for application to a flushable cellulosic based waterleaf sheet to impart transitory water repellency to at least one surface of the sheet. The composition comprises between about 20% by weight to about 70% by weight of relatively large particle size delaminated clay in combination with a polyethylene based polymer that has been produced by the drying of a colloidal polyethylene in water composition with the said clay. Being flushable, the funnel  15  paper have minimum wet strength resin, such as melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, or a neutral cure wet strength material. Furthermore, the funnel  15  is strong enough to withstand the force of a urine stream. The funnel  15  material can be made moderately slippery so that it can slide out easily from a stack of the funnels  15  stored around core  32  (not shown  FIG. 10A ). Each funnel  15  has two ends and a passage extending through between the ends. The funnel  15  is tapered so as to have a small end and a larger end. 
         [0058]      FIG. 10A  further shows the funnel  15  has a tail portion  27  attached on one side of the small open end. The funnel  15  has protrusion  43  all around the larger open end to allow for grip by the restraining arms  26  (not shown on  FIG. 10A ). The protrusion  43  cooperates with the restraining arms  26  and the biasing device  25  to dispense one funnel  15  at a time from the nested arrangement. The funnel  15  can be of different suitable shapes and sizes including, but not limited to square, round, oval, rectangular, or polygon. The funnel  15  can be made of suitable lengths to suit different sizes of commodes. 
         [0059]      FIG. 10B  shows another embodiment of the funnel  15  in a near horizontal orientation. In addition to the entire characteristic described in  FIG. 10A  including the tail portion  27  and the protrusion  43 , the funnel  15  has fin portions  47  on the remaining sides of the small open end. The fin portions  47  on two sides can be used as handles and can be held by both hands while urinating; the portion  47  on the remaining side (close to the user) can act as a guard against dripping urine. This embodiment can be used with or without the apparatus  100 . Without the apparatus  100  (not shown in  FIG. 10B ), the funnel  15  can be held in hands over the commode bowl. Then it can be dropped after the use, and can be flushed away. 
         [0060]      FIG. 10C  shows another embodiment of the funnel  15 , which is arranged in a nested arrangement around the core  32 . In addition to the entire characteristic described in  FIG. 10A  including the tail portion  27  forming a handle, the funnel  15  has a fin portion  47  on the opposite side of tail portion  27  forming another handle. The two handles can be held by a user above the commode bowl for urinating standing in the commode without the use of the apparatus  100  (not shown in the  FIG. 10C ). After the use, the user can drop the funnel  15  in the commode bowl. Then it can be flushed. The funnels  15  can be with or without the protrusion  43 . This embodiment can be stored on top of the water tank or near the toilet. A single funnel  15  can be pulled out of the stack when needed. Since the bottom end is larger than the top end, the stack of funnels  15  stays stable at the stored position. 
         [0061]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of the core  32 , which can be made from cardboard or another suitable material and thickness. Its function is similar to the cardboard core of toilet paper rolls. The core  32  has a flange  44  for pulling it out from the hub  23  (not shown in  FIG. 11 ). The core  32  can be disposable or refillable. 
         [0062]      FIG. 12  shows a compact packing version of the apparatus  100  to save space and cost. The drawer  21  is slightly open showing that the dispenser  11  can be placed inside the drawer  21 . A side of the containers  18 L and  18 R adjacent to the dispenser  11  is precut leaving a small slit on either end of that side. These slits fit into grove of the channels  41  (not shown in  FIG. 12 ) attaching the containers  18 L and  18 R to the dispenser  11 . With these precut sides the containers  18 L and  18 R can be wrapped around the storage section  22  as shown. Thus, the packing can be made smaller. The packing version occupies less space than the assembled one and may cost less than the assembled one. A consumer can easily assemble it. 
         [0063]      FIG. 13  shows how to unpack different components of the urinal apparatus. First, separate the container  18 L and the container  18 R from both ends. Then slide out the drawer  21  from the storage section  22 . Take out the dispenser  11  from the drawer  21 . Thus, the apparatus can be made ready to be assembled. 
         [0064]      FIG. 14  shows an assembly diagram of the urinal apparatus for a commode. First, place and push the storage section  22  slightly on the top surface of the water tank  205  (not shown in  FIG. 14 ). The fastening device  20 L and  20 R (not shown in  FIG. 14 ) attaches the apparatus on the water tank  205  (not shown in  FIG. 14 ). The storage section  22  can be positioned to access the drawer  21  from the left or right side. Next, the dispenser  11  slides and fits on a notch  48  located on the storage section  22 . Bands  49  slide in sears  50 , which lock in the dispenser  11  with the storage section  22 . Then, slide the containers  18 L and  18 R in the groove formed by channels  41 . This compact version is just one example, and can be made in several different ways. Thus, a consumer can easily assemble the apparatus in a short time. 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0065]    The power-operated urinal apparatus for a commode alleviates deficiencies of prior arts in the same field and provides further benefits including: 
         [0066]    (a) Prevents urine spills around the commode. 
         [0067]    (b) Reduces splashing and embarrassing sounds of urine stream. 
         [0068]    (c) Requires no additional floor space. 
         [0069]    (d) Requires no additional plumbing work. 
         [0070]    (e) Installs easily by a layperson in a short time. 
         [0071]    (f) Has a storage space for extra flushable funnels and toilet paper rolls. 
         [0072]    (g) Is hygienic, economical, novel, unique, useful and pleasing. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0073]    Thus, at least one embodiment of the urinal apparatus for a commode provides a more reliable, clean, and economical apparatus that can be used by a wide range of people. Said apparatus facilitates urinal function without installing a traditional urinal and extra plumbing. Said apparatus is easy to install and is aesthetically pleasing than a urinal and can work better than the prior art. As an added bonus, said apparatus stores extra bio-degradable funnels and toilet papers. 
         [0074]    The elements described here can be duplicated or eliminated, changed in size and made in different shapes and colors. They can be connected or associated with adjacent elements in a different manner. They can be made integrally or separately, i.e. modular or in sections. 
         [0075]    While my above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalent.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4