Abstract:
A lower garment for a female person has a mechanism that engaged, secures the garment to the female person, and a fly opening implemented at a specific position in fabric of the garment, the fly opening comprising a substantially straight slit of a first length covered by a flap of fabric stitched to the fabric of the garment around the slit such that the slit is covered by the flap except for an un-stitched edge of the flap of a length equal to the length of the slit. The specific position in fabric of the garment is a position that enables the female person to engage a tubular portion of an external device through the fly opening, and to move the tubular portion to her vulva and insert same to position of the urethra without disengaging the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/082,230, filed on Nov. 20, 2014, and all disclosure of the provisional application is incorporated herein at least by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is in the area of clothing, and pertains more particularly to clothing for use with a device for enabling women, and in some cases men, to urinate in a standing position with ease. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the State of the Art 
         [0005]    It is well-known that a lady cannot urinate in a standing position like a male can without soiling herself due to the nature of the female external genitalia. Women usually open their legs wide and/or bend forwards with their knees folded and urinate into a larger receptacle behind such as a water closet. 
         [0006]    A number of devices have attempted to solve this need. They have all been based on a device whose whole contour matches the body around the external genitalia like a very large funnel. These devices were made large for easy use, but are easily soiled because of sealing devices to prevent the urine from leaking out, and cannot be personalized because of the same reasons, for example, a lady cannot carry it around like when she goes to a movie house, and if the movie house installs such a device a second person cannot use it without washing after the previous person&#39;s use. Also, due to varying body sizes, many sizes are required to suit the population. 
         [0007]    What is clearly needed is a relatively small, hand-held urinary device that may be carried by a user, such as in a purse, so there is no need for more than one person to share the use of a single device. In some cases such a device may be adapted for either a male or a female to use. What is also clearly needed is an article of clothing adapted especially for use with such a device, such that a person, to use the urinary device, need not open the usual and conventional fly openings to place and use the urinary device. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In an embodiment of the present invention a lower garment for a female person is provided, comprising a mechanism that engaged, secures the garment to the female person, and a fly opening implemented at a specific position in fabric of the garment, the fly opening comprising a substantially straight slit of a first length covered by a flap of fabric stitched to the fabric of the garment around the slit such that the slit is covered by the flap except for an un-stitched edge of the flap of a length equal to the length of the slit. The specific position in fabric of the garment is a position that enables the female person to engage a tubular portion of an external device through the fly opening, and to move the tubular portion to her vulva and insert same to position of the urethra without disengaging the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person is a waistband with or without a belt. Also in one embodiment the garment is a pair of trousers, and the specific position in fabric is in a crotch area of the trousers. Also in one embodiment the garment is a skirt, and the specific position is any position on the skirt that may be moved to the area of the vulva without disengaging the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the invention a system for enabling a female person to urinate while standing and without disrobing is provided, comprising a urinary device comprising an elongate tube having at one end a cup for placing over the female person&#39;s urethra, and a lower garment for a female person, the garment comprising a mechanism that engaged, secures the garment to the female person, and a fly opening implemented at a specific position in fabric of the garment, the fly opening comprising a substantially straight slit of a first length covered by a flap of fabric stitched to the fabric of the garment around the slit such that the slit is covered by the flap except for an un-stitched edge of the flap of a length equal to the length of the slit. The specific position in fabric of the garment is a position that enables the female person to engage the elongate tube through the fly opening, to move the elongate tube and fly to her vulva and to insert same to position of the urethra without disengaging the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the system the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person is a waistband with or without a belt. Also in one embodiment the garment is a pair of trousers, and the specific position in fabric is in a crotch area of the trousers. Also in one embodiment the garment is a skirt, and the specific position is any position on the skirt that may be moved to the area of the vulva without disengaging the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect of the invention a method allowing a female person to urinate while standing and without disrobing is provided, comprising inserting an elongate tube of a urinary device having at one end a cup for placing over the female person&#39;s urethra, through a fly opening comprising a substantially straight slit of a first length covered by a flap of fabric stitched to the fabric of the garment around the slit such that the slit is covered by the flap except for an un-stitched edge of the flap of a length equal to the length of the slit, moving the elongate tube with the cup and the fly opening to f the female&#39;s vulva, inserting the cup through the vulva to engage over the urethra, and performing urination. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the method the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person is a waistband with or without a belt. Also in one embodiment the garment is a pair of trousers, and the fly opening is implemented in a crotch area of the trousers. And in one embodiment the garment is a skirt, and the fly opening is implemented in any position on fabric of the skirt that may be moved to the area of the vulva without disengaging the mechanism that secures the garment to the female person. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a female urinary device according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a process flow chart illustrating steps  300  for practicing the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of a urinary device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective drawing of a trouser garment meant for use by a woman, adapted for use with the device depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a woman&#39;s anatomy relative to the garment of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7 a    is one view of a fly arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7 b    is another view of a fly arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a garment showing fly positions according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The present invention in one embodiment comprises a relatively small, hand-held device that can go into a handbag. In this embodiment it includes a tube of predetermined size which mates directly with the female external urethral orifice. To compensate for dilation of the orifice during higher discharges, the device in this embodiment has a gutter at the mouth of the collector, which takes the effluent away from the body. Further, in this embodiment the tube has a projection that nests in the vestibule of the vulvae and helps locating. For a feeling of well being to the person, this projection also may engage with the clitoris. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a female urinary device  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the urinary device  100  of the present invention is illustrated in perspective. Device  100  may be manufactured of one material, preferably a durable medical-grade polymer, such as by injection molding. Other rigid and semi-rigid materials may also be used like some metals and ceramics. In one embodiment, device  100  is molded in one piece from medical grade polymer. Device  100  is adapted to be used repeatedly as needed to re-direct urine out and away from the urethra, and may be cleaned and disinfected between uses. 
         [0025]    Device  100  in a preferred embodiment includes a conduit or tubing section  101  that is formed or molded to bend at an angle creating tube section  104  and tube section  103 . The bend may be relatively abrupt, as shown, or very gradual, in a sweeping curve. Tube section  104  has an annular cup  107 , also referred to as a collector, formed on one open end for facilitating a snug fit over the urethra. Cup  107  may be formed on one end of conduit  101  by shaping, molding or flaring before forming the bend creating tube sections  104  and  103 , depending on the method of forming or manufacture. In one embodiment, cup  107  may be a separate part that is heat welded, glued or otherwise affixed to the end of tube section  104 . 
         [0026]    In some embodiments a placement shield  105  is provided on tubing section  104  nearer to cup  107 . In this example, shield  105  is positioned over the peripheral wall of tube  104  and may be glued, heat welded or otherwise formed or affixed to the peripheral wall of the tube. In some embodiments a user may manipulate placement shield  105  in order to accurately place device  100  into a suitable position for use. In some embodiments shield  105  may have a concave surface  106  on the side that faces cup  107 . An important purpose of the shield is to act as a stop for a user&#39;s fingers in use. In some embodiments Shield  105  may also have a crescent-shaped profile that is curved toward cup  107  more so on the lower part of shield  105  than the upper portion of the shield. The combination of the profile of shield  105  and surface  106  provides a naturally conforming surface that conforms to the pubic mound of a user around the urethra to help prevent any leakage that may escape from cup  107 . 
         [0027]    Shield  105  is strategically positioned away from cup  107  to an amount that facilitates a comfortable fitting of cup  107  over the urethra while the shield rests either against intervening clothing or against the body. The curvature and shape of placement shield  105  may conform to the proximal curvature of the female genital area (pubic mound) or, in other embodiments, may have another shape. A support rib  108  is provided in the embodiment shown on device  100 . Support rib  108  bridges the inside of placement shield  105 , the top of tube section  104 , and cup  107 . Support rib  108  is molded, heat welded, or otherwise affixed substantially near the top center portion of the re-directing end of the device. Support rib  108  is not specifically required in order to practice the present invention, but helps a user to locate the urethra by providing an indicator of device position during the act of placing the device over the urethra. 
         [0028]    Cup  107  is adapted to encompass or cover the urethra while the user urinates. Holding shield  105  such as with an index and middle finger of one hand holds the device in place against the urethra and the vaginal area surrounding the urethra. In use of the device, the general position and extended direction of tubing section  104  is angularly downward, for example, while a user is standing and using the device while tubing section  103  is presented at a lesser downward angle and away from the user. The exact angle of bend for sections  104  and  103  may vary, generally from zero to about forty-five degrees, however an approximate 10 to 35 degree bend angle is suitable for most users. While a user is urinating into the device, holding the device in place with one hand, urine is redirected through tube section  104  and tube section  103  and out of the device into a urinal or other selected vessel or urinary target. A user may control the direction of a urine stream by rotating the device slightly clockwise or counter clockwise to vary the direction of tube section  103 . 
         [0029]    In one embodiment of the present invention, device  100  may be used while the user is fully clothed, as long as there is access to the urethra through one or more layers of clothing, for example, through a zipper opening, or some other opening fabricated in clothing. Also in one embodiment, device  103  may be used during menstrual periods without removing a sanitary shield as long as the shield is adapted with a flap opening of the sort that may be opened to provide access to the urethra. 
         [0030]    Device  100  is purposely designed to be relatively small so a person may carry it discretely, for example in a purse or bag. The diameter of the cup and conduit may vary in different embodiments from about one-quarter inch to about one-half inch, and the overall length is from about four to six inches. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of device  100  of  FIG. 1 . Conduit section  101  may begin as one section of plastic tubing that is flared or formed at one end to form cup  107  and may be bent to form tubing section  104  and tubing section  103  as shown. Shield  105  and support rib  108  may be provided as separate components that are attached to conduit  101  during a molding process or by some other method such as heat welding, gluing, or the like. Further, in some embodiments, cup  107  may also be a separate attachment so that one device can accommodate cups of different diameters. 
         [0032]    The wall thickness for the conduit and for other parts of the device is largely a design choice, and a thickness of 0.1 inch has been found by the inventor to be adequate. The bend angle in device conduit  101  is illustrated herein as an angle D and may vary between zero and forty-five degrees with a nominal preference range of approximately 10 to 35 degrees. Other conduit and cup sizes as well as other angles of bend may be implemented in device  100  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Device  100  is approximately 6 inches in overall tubing length with approximately 4 inches for tubing section  104  and approximately 2 inches for tubing section  103 . The exact lengths of tubing sections  104  and  103  as well as the overall length of device  100  may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment of the invention, device  100  may include a gutter (not illustrated) formed on the bottom center of the device tubing, the gutter extending into the cup. The gutter may be provided as part of a molding process to help train the urine through the device faster than otherwise would be the case with a round tube. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a process flow chart  300  illustrating steps for practicing the invention. At step  301  a user grasps the urinary device. At step  302  the process branches according to whether or not the user is clothed when using the device. If the user is not clothed at step  302 , then the process moves to step  304  where the user orientates the device over the urethra before urinating. If the user is clothed at step  302 , the process branches to step  303  where the user creates an opening in the clothing such as by unzipping trousers or the like to provide access to the urethra. 
         [0035]    At step  304  the user orientates the device over the urethra aided by the natural curvature of the shield of the device and the position indicator rib ( 108 ) if provided. At step  305  the user holds the device firmly in place, the cup covering the urethra and the shield resting against the user. At step  306 , it is determined if the user is using a urine receptacle such as a toilet. 
         [0036]    If there is a urine receptacle that the user desires to evacuate urine into, the user positions the device output end over the receptacle at step  307  while still firmly holding the device in place over the urethra. At step  308  the user urinates into the device. If at step  306  there is no receptacle, for example, the user is outdoors in the field, the process moves directly to step  308  where the user urinates into the device. At step  308  the user remains in a standing position. At step  309  the process ends. The user may rinse the device after use and stow the device away in a case or plastic bag provided and adapted for the purpose. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, a version of device  100  may be provided with an enlarged conical cup in place of cup  107  so that the device may accommodate a man&#39;s genitalia. Such an enlarged cup may be shaped appropriately to accommodate the user while in either a flaccid or erect state. In one embodiment, device  100  may be provided with two separate attachment cups, one for a female such as cup  107  and a larger cup for a male. In still another embodiment, tubing  101  may be telescopic in nature so that the overall length of device  101  may be collapsed for more convenient carrying and then extended to an appropriate length for use. 
         [0038]    In the case of a device  100  that is meant to accommodate both men and women, shield  105 , used to provide and interface for a woman to manipulate the device is not required in a version of the device adapted for men using a larger cup attachment. Therefore, in one embodiment, shield  105  may be detached from the urinary device. Likewise, cup  107  may be a separate attachment. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of a telescopic urinary device  400  with a male attachment. Device  400  comprises a tubing section  404  of a specific diameter and a tubing section  402  having a specific diameter just larger than the diameter of section  404  to provide for telescopic assembly and use. Device  400  may be telescopically collapsed when not in use. A length T illustrates a length defining the added or retracted length of device  400 . 
         [0040]    In this example, device  400  as a male attachment cup  403  that can be used in place of cup  107  in an embodiment where device  400  can be used by a male or a female. Cup  403  is in the general shape of a cone and may be formed using a molding process. The conical shape of cup  403  should not be construed as a limitation. Cup  403  may also be generally cylindrical in shape. Cup  403  may have a shaped wall  404  provided thereto to conform to a male anatomy, specifically testicular anatomy. A formed portion of cup  403  such as wall  404  may serve to add a level of comfort to the user and to help prevent splash back of urine while in use. Device  400  may also include a gutter as described further above for device  100 . 
         [0041]    Device  400  may be configured back into a female urination device by removing cup  403  and adding the female cup attachment  107  and the other attachments like the shield and the support rib if provided. 
         [0042]    In a further aspect of the invention a trouser garment for use by women, specifically adapted to be used with the device depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , and described herein with reference to those figures, is provided, having an especially configured, and especially placed opening to accommodate the urinary device. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view elevation of a woman wearing a trouser garment  501  according to an embodiment of the invention, standing in front of a urinal  502 , having placed device  100  through an opening (not seen in  FIG. 5 ) in the garment and positioned same against the urethra with the end of tube  103  over the urinal. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a woman&#39;s anatomy relative to the garment  501  of  FIG. 5 . Garment  501  is shown in solid outline in  FIG. 6  in order that the spatial relationship between the anatomy and the garment may be better understood. Line  603  represents the crotch area of garment  501  at the point that the legs  602  join to upper portions of the garment. The bladder and the urethra are shown, the urethra ending at a point  601 . A urinary device  100  as described above is illustrated as placed in position such that the receiving cup of the device is engaged over the opening from the urethra, and the shield  105  is outside the garment. 
         [0045]    An opening in the crotch area of the garment, termed a Wee-Fly by the inventor, is implemented to allow the user to insert the receiving cup  107  of device  100 . This opening is shown in  FIG. 6  along crotch line  603  as a dotted break in line  603  centered on the center of the tubing that proceeds from cup  107 . This opening may be a fly opening with a flap, with a fly length of about 1½ inches, such that the user may use the cup  107  of device  100  to engage the opening and insert the cup to engage over the opening of the urethra, with shield  105  contacting the body outside garment  501 . When this is accomplished the user may urinate without any disrobing, and in a standing position. When finished the user may simply remove the urinary device  100 , and clean the device. 
         [0046]    The approximate position of the Wee Fly is apparent from  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7 a    is a perspective view describing construction of a Wee Fly opening in an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 7 a    a rectangle of fabric  702  (flap) is shown suspended above a crotch region  704  of garment  501 . A slit of about 1½ inch length is made in the fabric of the crotch region. Flap  702  is placed over slit  701  at position  703  shown as a dotted rectangle. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7 b    shows flap  702  stitched to fabric of crotch region  704  on three sides. This construction creates an opening through the crotch region that may be accessed along the action line of the arrow labeled “entry”. The user may use the receiving cup and of the urinary device to engage the open side of the Wee Fly flap, and move the cup under the flap and through slit  701  to engage the opening from the urethra. After use the urinary device may be removed the same way. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a skirt garment  800  having a waistband  801  and a fabric skirt  802 . A fly  803  of the design described with regard to  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    is provided at a position on a front area of the skirt low enough that a device of the sort taught in this specification may be inserted through the fly opening and positioned over the urethra of the person wearing the skirt. 
         [0049]    A fly may be provided in the skirt in a variety of places, some as shown within a boundary denoted by dotted area  804 , as long as the skirt, being loose, may be pulled one way or another so that the urinary device may be properly placed. In some cases the fly may be in the back of the skirt, and in some cases in both the front and the back. In most cases, by using fabric and stitching thread of a common color with the skirt, the fly me be unobtrusive or nearly invisible. 
         [0050]    Skirt  800  is meant to represent skirts of all types, both fitted, tight and loose, and skirt extensions of dresses as well. 
         [0051]    The skilled person will be aware that the drawings and descriptions provided in this application describe embodiments of the present invention, but not all possible embodiments. There may be variations in the various descriptions falling still within the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims below.