Abstract:
The female urination device assists a female in urinating from a standing position and directs the urine a suitable distance from the female. The device comprises a first end having an opening for discharging urine and a second end having an opening for receiving the urine. The opening in the second end is larger than the opening in the first end. The device further comprises a splash guard extending downward from an upper portion of the second end. The splash guard covers a portion of the opening in the second end to provide a sealed perimeter at the second end to contain the urine within the device and prevent leakage of the urine.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The claimed invention relates to female urination device, and more particularly, to female urination devices which allow a female to urinate from a standing position. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Public restrooms for women are very often unclean and unsanitary. The toilet seats in public restrooms are often dirty or otherwise in an unsanitary condition. Because of this, women often squat above the toilet seat when using the public restroom to avoid touching the toilet seat. This can be difficult and unpleasant way for a woman to urinate, especially for a young girl. Similarly, women may have no choice but to squat while holding her clothing out of the way in order to urinate when no restroom is available while traveling, hiking or camping. 
         [0003]    In prior art, various types of female urination devices have been proposed. However, many of these devices are complicated and cumbersome to use. Also, none of these devices provide a splash guard to protect the user from accidental leaking or spillage during use and a cushioned reared opening to alleviate any discomfort or irritation to the user&#39;s body during use. Further, none of these devices provide a rough outer surface, e.g., gripping surface, to prevent the device from slipping from the user&#39;s hand during use. This is a particular problem because many of these devices are constructed bio-degradable paper that can be flushed in a toilet, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,703. 
         [0004]    Additionally U.S. Pat. No. 5, 966,748 requires the user to wrap a flat sheet of material to form a funnel shaped device and the sanitary pad is susceptible to contamination during use because of its proximity to the anal area. 
         [0005]    Further U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,573 requires two hands to prepare the collapsible device for use. One hand to hold the device while using the other hand to push the top portion of the device upward and the bottom portion of the device downward, or alternatively, one hand to push the top portion of the device upward and the other hand to push the bottom portion of the device downward. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 2,878,486 requires two hands to open the device for use from its unfolded position. The device is held in an opened hand with thumb and fingers and the handle portions are pulled in an upward direction with the fingers of the other hand until opened. It is preferable that only one hand is required to use and operate device. 
       OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Therefore, it is an object of the claimed invention to solve the aforementioned problems with the conventional female urination device. 
         [0007]    Another object of the claimed invention is to provide a female urination device which is simple, easy to use and convenient to carry. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the female urination device for assisting a female in urinating from a standing position and for directing the urine a suitable distance from the female, comprises a first end having an opening for discharging urine, a second end having an opening for receiving the urine and being larger than the opening in the first end, and a splash guard extending downward from an upper portion of the second end. The splash guard covers a portion of the opening in the second end to provide a sealed perimeter at the second end to contain the urine within the device and prevent leakage of the urine. 
         [0009]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the female urination device as aforesaid further comprises a rolling part to provide a smooth second end to eliminate sharp edges. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the female urination device as aforesaid further comprises a gripping portion on the exterior surface of the device. 
         [0011]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention as aforesaid further comprises a sanitary wipe removably attached to an exterior surface of the device. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, he splash guard is located at an upper portion of the second end and a rolling part is located at a lower portion of the second end to eliminate sharp edges. 
         [0013]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention as aforesaid, the lower portion of the second end is concave in shape to provide a tight contoured fit. 
         [0014]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention as aforesaid further comprises a second splash guard extending upwardly from the second end to contain the urine within the device and prevent leakage of the urine. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention as aforesaid, the female urination device is made from a biodegradable and water-resistant material. 
         [0016]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention as aforesaid, the interior surfaces of the device are coated with water-resistant coating, epoxy or synthetic resin. 
         [0017]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention as aforesaid, the device is funnel shaped in an open useable configuration. 
         [0018]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, a disposable device for assisting a female in urinating from a standing position and for directing the urine a suitable distance from the female comprises a first end having an opening for discharging urine, a second end having an opening for receiving the urine and being larger than the opening in the first end, and a rolling part at the second end to provide a smooth second end to eliminate sharp edges. Preferably, the device further comprises a splash guard extending downward from an upper portion of the second end and covering a portion of the opening in the second end to provide a sealed perimeter at the second end to contain the urine with the device and prevent leakage of the urine. 
         [0019]    Various other objects, advantages and features of the claimed invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description. Novel features will be emphatically pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The claimed invention is further explained in the description which follows with reference to the drawings, illustrations illustrating, by way of non-limiting examples, various embodiments of the invention, with like reference numerals representing similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of the device with a splash guard and a smooth second end in a closed or flat configuration in accordance exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the device with a dual splash guard in an open or useable configuration with in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the device with a splash guard deployed and a smooth second end in an open or useable configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the female urination device  1000  is designed to assist a female to urinate in a standing position, thereby enabling the female to comfortably and safely urinate while minimizing hygiene risks under any conditions, such as unsanitary restrooms and no available public facilities. 
         [0025]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the device  1000  comprises two opposing upper panels  1100  and two opposing lower panels  1200 . The upper panel  1100  is defined by an upper longitudinal crease  1110  and a side longitudinal crease  1120 . The lower panel  1200  is defined by a lower longitudinal crease  1210  and a side longitudinal crease  1120 . These panels  1100 ,  1200  can be made of any suitable, water-resistant, pliable material, such as paper, cardboard, plastic and the like. Alternatively, the interior surfaces or both interior and exterior surfaces of the panels  1100 ,  1200  can be coated with a thin, water-resistant coating, epoxy or synthetic resin to prevent the urine passing through the device  1000  from leaking through the panels  1100 ,  1200 . 
         [0026]    Although many of the prior urination device is made from a biodegradable material that can be flushed downed the toilet after use, such devices are too flimsy and not sturdy enough to provide adequate protection during use. Accordingly, the claimed device  1000  is preferably made of sturdy biodegradable material that can be disposed of in any conventional manner, e.g., a waste receptacle, without any adverse environmental effect. 
         [0027]    The device  1000  is preferably constructed from a blank, not shown, wherein longitudinal creases  1110 ,  1120 ,  1210  are scored on the blank. The device  1000  is preferably packaged in a closed or a flat configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . The flat or closed configuration of the device  1000  enables it to be conveniently carried in a purse or pocketbook, and, therefore, readily available at all times. Preferably, one of the upper panels  1100  comprises a strip (not shown) for attaching the strip to the opposing upper panel  1100  by glue or other comparable means. 
         [0028]    Each of the two opposing lower panels  1200  has a first end  1220  and a second end  1230 . Preferably, the second end  1230  is concave to provide a tight contoured fit around the woman&#39;s vulva when the device is held in place during use. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the second end  1230  comprises a rolling part  1240  to provide a smooth curved second end  1230 , thereby eliminating any sharp edges touching the user and alleviating any potential discomfort or irritation to the user&#39;s body during use. 
         [0029]    Each of the two opposing upper panels  1100  has a first end  1130  and a second end  1140 . In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the second end  1140  of the upper panels  1100  comprises a splash guard  1300  to protect the user from accidental leakage or spillage during use. The splash guard  1300  and the rolling part  1240  of the second end  1230  provide a comfortable, sealed perimeter around the vulva to protect the user from accidental leakage or spillage during use. Also, the splash guard  1300  insures that urine is directed towards the interior channel  1420  of the device  1000  and does not splash out of the device  1000 . Preferably, the upper panels  1100  additionally comprises a second splash guard  1310  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) to further protect the user from accidental upward splash, leakage and spillage. Furthermore, the rolling part  1240  and the splash guard  1300  eliminate any sharp edges touching the user, thereby minimizing any potential discomfort or irritation to the user&#39;s body during use. 
         [0030]    The user applies pressure to both the lower longitudinal crease  1210  and the upper longitudinal crease  1100  of the device  1000  in a closed configuration (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) using one hand to open the device  1000  to a useable configuration and deploying the splash guard  1300  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The pressure applied by the fingers of the user&#39;s hand pushes the upper longitudinal crease  1100  and the lower longitudinal crease  1210  towards each other and deploys the splash guard  1300  downward or towards the second opening  1410 , thereby moving the device from the closed/flat configuration to the opened/useable configuration. It is appreciated that only one hand is needed to open the device  1000 , thereby leaving the other hand free. When the device  1000  is opened, the splash guard  1300  deploys to essentially reduces the second opening  1410  slightly to provide an additional wall of protection during use. Additionally, the splash guard  1300  provides a targeted zone to direct the urine towards the interior channel  1420  of the device  1000 , thereby protecting the user from accidental leaking or spillage during use. 
         [0031]    In the opened/useable configuration, the second ends  1140  of the opposing upper panels  1100 , the second ends  1230  of the opposing lower panels  1200  and the splash guard  1300  form a second opening  1410 . The second opening  1410  of the device  1000  is placed around the woman&#39;s vulva to permit the woman to urinate from a standing position. Preferably, the device  1000  is used such that the splash guard  1300  is at the top of the device  1000  and the opposing lower panels  1200  is at the bottom of the device  1000  to direct the urine to the first opening  1400  and to provide a comfortable, tight contoured fit around the vulva by the rolling part  1240  of the concave second end  1230 . 
         [0032]    In the opened/useable configuration, the device  1000  resembles a funnel with the first ends  1130  of the opposing upper panels  1100  and the first ends  1220  of the opposing lower panels  1200  forming a first opening  1400 . The urine travels down the interior channel  1420  of the device  1000  and exits the device  1000  away from the user through the first opening  1400 . Preferably, the first opening is angled such that the opposing upper panels  1100  extends beyond the lower panels  1200  to prevent the exiting urine from splashing upward. 
         [0033]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the exterior surfaces of the opposing upper panels  1100  and/or opposing low panels  1200  comprises a gripping portion  1500  to prevent the device  1000  slipping from the user&#39;s hand during use. The gripping portion  1500  can comprise a rough surface, a rubberized coating and the like to provide sufficient friction to prevent slippage during use. 
         [0034]    In accordance embodiment of the claimed invention, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the device  100  comprises a sanitary wipe  1600  which is removably attached to the exterior surface of the device  1000 , e.g., to the exterior surface of one of the opposing lower panels  1200  or one of the opposing upper panels  1100 . The sanitary wipe  1600  is preferably made of biodegradable material. The sanitary wipe  1600  can be peeled off from the device  1000  to dry the area after the user has finished urinating. This provides the user with the additional convenience of carrying an uncontaminated wipe to dry herself with after using the device  1000 , particularly in a remote area where no public facilities are available. 
         [0035]    Although the claimed invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the claimed invention described in the specification.