Abstract:
A urine collection container apparatus includes a vessel and a cover that is specially configured to envelope and remain connected to the vessel during use. The cover has a window that enables the level of fluid within the vessel to be checked even when the cover remains on the vessel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to urine collection containers and protective covers therefor. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved cover that removably attaches to a urine collection container, provides a snug fit with the container specifically over the bottom thereof so as to provide a stable base for the container in its upright condition and total enclosure of the bottom when it is in its prone position. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Several patents have issued that disclose various urine collection containers. Examples of those patents are contained in the following table: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent 
                 Issue Date 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 3,727,244 
                 04/17/73 
                 Dry Closet Urinal 
               
               
                   
                 4,094,648 
                 06/13/78 
                 Urine Specimen Container 
               
               
                   
                 4,309,779 
                 01/12/82 
                 Personal Urinal Device Useable by 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Males and Females 
               
               
                   
                 4,901,375 
                 02/20/90 
                 Male Urinal Appliance 
               
               
                   
                 5,797,147 
                 08/25/98 
                 Spill-Resistant Urinal 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Other patents have issued that relate to cover devices that can be used to protect, insulate or cover a container. Examples of those patents are found in the following table: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent 
                 Issue Date 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 4,526,280 
                 07/02/85 
                 Bottle Cover 
               
               
                   
                 5,680,944 
                 10/28/97 
                 Insulated Outer Layer for a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Thermal Bottle 
               
               
                   
                 5,927,524 
                 07/27/99 
                 Bottle Safety Blanket 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The numbers of individuals using urinal bottles is increasing for several reasons: an increase in the incidence of prostate problems and other urological disorders; an ever-increasing aged population with a greater propensity for longevity and the resultant age-associated disabilities; and the increased use of hand-held urinals by able-bodied men who find their use a convenience; i.e., policemen on stake-out who are unable to leave their vehicle and over the road professional drivers who are between scheduled stops or are otherwise schedule pressed. The sight of a partially full urinal bottle is disconcerting to users and those with whom they may come into contact. Completely removing the urinal from view by placing it into a cabinet or other receptacle subjects infirmed users to the problem of retrieval when the urinal is needed. Many users suffer from short-term memory loss and physical disabilities. Heretofore, there has not been a suitable cover which offers discretion for the user while simultaneously allowing for a visual inspection of contents or out-put measurements for the infirmed users in hospitals, nursing homes and those receiving home-bound care from home health providers. The vertical window in the preferred embodiment of my invention for health care use meets this shortcoming. Additionally, the inventive cover is one which is easily installed yet allows the bottle to sit upright in a stable mode when the bottle is not in use. Covers illustrated in the above patents, whether for urinal bottles or for bottles of other applications don&#39;t show or suggest the successful configuration of the present invention. In preferred alternative embodiments, the cover may be preferably of a lightweight cloth or similar non-woven synthetic material. Likewise, it is advantageous if the material is treated with an anti-bacterial agent and is water resistant. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a cover for a urine collection container of the type utilized in hospitals, nursing homes and of the type sold in pharmacies and medical supply houses for use in at-home care by totally or partially bed-ridden patients, or by other individuals seeking the convenience of a portable urine collection container. The invention includes a vessel and a cover which is configured to snugly envelope the vessel during use. The cover may include a window disposed vertically over at least the mid and/or upper ranges of the vessel for observing the degree of fill in the container. The cover is adapted for ease of installation by including an elastic portion disposed at its upper extent which is approximately at the neck portion of the vessel when the cover is installed. The cover may be seamed vertically on one side, preferably adjacent the handle portion of the vessel, wherein the seam terminates in a vertical opening terminated at the top adjacent the elastic with a closure such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or similar closeable fasteners. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a partial, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the receptacle portion thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the cover disposed on the receptacle portion thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the cover in an expanded, unfolded position prior to assembly using stitching; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the additional alternative embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrating the cover on the receptacle portion of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial, perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 3 shows the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Urine collection container apparatus  10  includes a vessel  11  (illustrated in FIG. 2) and an associated cover  22 . In FIG. 2, the vessel  11  can provide a bottom  12 , a plurality of side walls  13 , a neck  14 , handle  17  and cap  19 . For purposes of reference, a pair of reference lines  15 ,  16  are shown in FIG.  2 . The reference line  15  represents the central longitudinal axis of the lower portion of the vessel  11  below bend  21 . The reference line  16  represents the central longitudinal axis of the neck  14  above bend  21 . The reference lines  15  and  16  form an obtuse angle a of about 120-160 degrees. Handle  17  is connected to container neck  14  at joint  18  which can be an integral joint if the vessel is manufactured, for example, of glass or plastic. 
     In FIGS. 1,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , cover  22  includes a plurality of panels that are preferably, however may be stitched together. In FIG. 5, the unsewn cover  22  includes bottom panel  23 , large rear panel  24 , side panels  26 ,  27  and front panels  28 ,  29 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated the large rear panel  24  has a vertically extending window  25  that enables a nurse or medical personnel to place the apparatus  10  in the upright position on base  12  as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 in order to check the fluid level by checking window  25 . In FIG. 4, the fluid level is indicated by the numeral  47 . Alternative embodiments of cover  22  may omit the window where the inclusion of such is unnecessary (where there is no need for a visual inspection or measurement of the contents) or adds undesirable over-all cost to cover  22 . While the anticipated principal use of container  11  and cover are in the home or health care environment, urine containers may be also utilized for convenience, particularly by males, where an individual is precluded from leaving an area for a prolonged period of time, as is police officers on stake-out or over-the-road drivers. 
     Stitching may be used to assemble cover  22  into the configuration of FIGS. 1,  3  and  4 . In FIG. 5, stitching is indicated by the phantom lines  30 . Also shown in phantom lines in FIG. 5 are various folds indicated by the numeral  46 . For the front panels  28 ,  29 , stitching is shown below reference lines  40 ,  41  and folds  46  are shown above the reference lines  40 ,  41 . This is because there are provided connector panels  31 ,  32  above reference lines  40 ,  41  that enable the side panels  28 ,  29  to be separated, such as during removal or insertion of vessel  11 . This partial separation of the panels  28 ,  29  is shown in FIG.  1 . In the preferred embodiment, hook and loop connector panels can be used such as for example, a hook connector panel  42  and a loop connector panel  43  disposed on connector panes  31  and  32 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that if cover  22  is made of a non-woven, synthetic material rather than such as a cotton or blend thereof, that the “stitching” process may an ultrasonic “welding” facilitating the manufacturing process. Alternatively, other suitable methods of fixing material at a seam may also be used including adhesives and the like. Likewise, those skilled in the art will recognize that connector means other than hook and loop fastener material, such as snaps, hooks and eyes, zippers, buttons and holes may be alternatively effective connectors. 
     An upper panel  44  is an elongated panel that extends across the upper edge of each of the panels  24 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 , and in each of those regions is designated as peripheral panel  33 ,  37 ,  36 ,  35 ,  34 , respectively. This upper panel  44  carries an elastic band  45  in between upper and lower stitched portions  30  as shown in FIG.  5 . This upper panel  44  with elastic band  45  enables the cover  22  to tightly grip the neck  14  region of the vessel  11  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. It should also be understood that the peripheral panels  33 ,  37 ,  36 ,  35  and  34  in FIG. 5 describe a generally straight line and that the panel  33  is perpendicular to the vertical fold lines  46  of large rear panel  24  but panels  37 ,  36 ,  35  and  34  form an acute angle with the folds  46  forming the side lines of panels  28 ,  26 ,  27 , and  29 . Such a construction enables the cover  22  to extend upwardly toward the cap  19  of vessel  11  thus covering a large portion of neck  14 . Neck  14  can be conically shaped or tapered as shown in FIG.  4 . In such a situation, the band  45  of upper panel  44  helps prevent slippage of the entire cover  22  downwardly during use. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment wherein connector panels  42  and  43  are tabs extending from the edges of peripheral panels  31  and  32 . In this alternative embodiment, the viewing window  25  may be disposed on the side of cover  22  adjacent handle  7 , being a cut-out portion beginning above reference line  41  and extending to connector panels  42  and  43 . These alternative features of cover  22  may be utilized together or independently as alternatives to the connector panels  42 ,  43  and window  25  illustrated in FIGS. 1,  3 ,  4 , and  5 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative embodiment wherein elastic band  45  extends less than the entire length of upper panel  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, elastic band  45  extends from preselected reference positions  48  and  49  which preferably are disposed approximately at the middle of peripheral panels  36 ,  37  of side panels  26  and  27 , respectively. Depending upon the material of which cover  22  is constructed, a lesser expanse of elastic may provide a more easily assembled cover and vessel  22 ,  11  while maintaining a snug fit of cover  22  on vessel  11 . 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Part No. 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 urine collection container apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 vessel 
               
               
                 12 
                 bottom 
               
               
                 13 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 14 
                 neck 
               
               
                 15 
                 reference line 
               
               
                 16 
                 reference line 
               
               
                 17 
                 handle 
               
               
                 18 
                 joint 
               
               
                 19 
                 cap 
               
               
                 20 
                 strap 
               
               
                 21 
                 bend 
               
               
                 22 
                 cover 
               
               
                 23 
                 bottom panel 
               
               
                 24 
                 large rear panel 
               
               
                 25 
                 window 
               
               
                 26 
                 side panel 
               
               
                 27 
                 side panel 
               
               
                 28 
                 front panel 
               
               
                 29 
                 front panel 
               
               
                 30 
                 stitching 
               
               
                 31 
                 connector panel 
               
               
                 32 
                 connector panel 
               
               
                 33 
                 peripheral panel 
               
               
                 34 
                 peripheral panel 
               
               
                 34 
                 peripheral panel 
               
               
                 36 
                 peripheral panel 
               
               
                 37 
                 peripheral panel 
               
               
                 28 
                 peripheral panel 
               
               
                 39 
                 peripheral panel 
               
               
                 40 
                 reference line 
               
               
                 41 
                 reference line 
               
               
                 42 
                 hook connector panel 
               
               
                 43 
                 connector panel 
               
               
                 44 
                 upper panel 
               
               
                 45 
                 elastic bank 
               
               
                 46 
                 fold 
               
               
                 47 
                 fluid level 
               
               
                 48 
                 reference position 
               
               
                 48 
                 reference position 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.