Patent Description:
In order to urinate, a female typically must disrobe and sit or squat. However, on many occasions, sitting or squatting to urinate is inconvenient or difficult to do. For example, when hiking over rough outdoor terrain, disrobing may unnecessarily expose a female to harsh weather conditions such as cold wind, snow and heavy rain, or to insects such as mosquitos and black flies. Additionally, disrobing and squatting can be problematic for a female in outdoor public areas, such as parks, which often do not have adequate restroom facilities. In the event there are public restrooms or toilets, many may be dirty and unsanitary. Moreover, certain medical conditions may compound the problem by making it difficult or painful to squat or sit.

Prior art female urine devices which allow a female to urinate while standing (i.e., stand-to-pee devices) may help to alleviate the problem. However, such devices often have several design limitations. For example, prior art female urine devices may leak during urination if not properly positioned and sealed against a female's anatomy.

Often such prior art devices are made of rigid materials throughout to prevent collapsing, and therefore leaking, during use. However, such rigid devices may require an uncomfortable amount of pressure against the female's body in order to seal and prevent leakage. Alternatively, if the prior art device is made of a soft or flexible material, the devices may inadvertently collapse during use when a sealing pressure is applied.

Additionally, such prior art urine devices may be too bulky or too long to conveniently or inconspicuously carry around. This is especially the case when the prior art device is composed of a rigid material throughout.

Further, if the prior art devices are made compact for purposes of easy storage and transport, they may not direct the discharging urine far enough away from a female's body to prevent splashing on one's body or clothing. Such prior art devices may require the female to substantially disrobe to prevent undesirable splashing on one's clothing, which defeats the purpose of a stand-to-pee device.

Accordingly, there is a need for a female urine device that enables a female to conveniently stand during urination without having to disrobe to prevent splashing on one's clothing. Further, there is a need for such a device to be compact enough to easily carry and inconspicuously conceal when not in use, yet long enough to direct discharging urine well away from the body when in use. Moreover, there is a need for a female urine device to be easily and comfortably positioned and sealed against a female's anatomy to greatly reduce the possibility of leakage during use, yet rigid enough to prevent collapsing during use.

<CIT> discloses apparatus for aiding a women while urinating in a standing position that includes a container having a rigid inner cup surrounded by a soft protective blanket. The blanket has a radially extended lip that is designed to contact the user's body to form a comfortable protection seal thereagainst. A liner made of water soluable gelatine is removably positioned in the container which consists of a collector for receiving urine and a tube extending from the lower part of the collector. The tube passes out of the container and is provided with sufficient length so that discharge urine can be directed away from the user's clothing.

The present disclosure offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a female urine device as set out in the claims.

The disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Certain examples will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein. One or more examples are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the methods, systems, and devices specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting examples and that the scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one example may be combined with the features of other examples. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "substantially", "approximately", "about", "relatively," or other such similar terms that may be used throughout this disclosure, including the claims, are used to describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing from a reference or parameter. Such small fluctuations include a zero fluctuation from the reference or parameter as well. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ± <NUM>%, such as less than or equal to ± <NUM>%, such as less than or equal to ± <NUM>%, such as less than or equal to ± <NUM>%, such as less than or equal to ± <NUM>%, such as less than or equal to ± <NUM>%, such as less than or equal to ± <NUM>%, such as less than or equal to ± <NUM>%.

<FIG> illustrate various examples of a female urine device in an extended position according to aspects described herein. <FIG> illustrates an example of a female urine device having thumb rests operable as fulcrums to enable a female to leverage the device into an anatomic sealing engagement with the female's genitalia according to aspects described herein. Finally, <FIG> illustrate various examples of a female urine device in at least one folded position according to aspects described herein.

Referring to <FIG>, a perspective view (<FIG>), a top view (<FIG>), a bottom view (<FIG>) and a side view (<FIG>) of an example of a female urine device <NUM> is presented according to aspects described herein. The urine device <NUM> includes a shell <NUM> and a resilient liner <NUM>.

The shell <NUM> includes a bottom wall <NUM>, a first sidewall <NUM>, a second sidewall <NUM> and a rear wall <NUM> (the walls being best seen in <FIG>). The walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are integrally connected together to define a trough shaped inner chamber <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>).

The shell <NUM> includes a generally U-shaped forward opening <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is defined by a forward end <NUM> of the bottom wall <NUM>, a forward end <NUM> of the first sidewall <NUM> and a forward end <NUM> of the second sidewall <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>).

The shell <NUM> also includes an upper rim <NUM>. The rim <NUM> is defined by an upper end <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM>, an upper end <NUM> of the first sidewall <NUM> and an upper end <NUM> of the second sidewall <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>). As will be discussed in greater detail herein, a portion of the rim <NUM> includes a concave shaped curve <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>) that is designed to anatomically fit against a female's genitalia. More specifically, the rim <NUM> includes a pair of concave shaped curves <NUM> that are disposed along a portion of the upper ends <NUM>, <NUM> of each sidewall <NUM>, <NUM> respectively.

The shell <NUM> is tough enough such that it will not collapse during use. More specifically, it will not collapse when enough pressure is applied to the shell to assure a leak proof fit with a female's genitalia during use. Moreover, the shell <NUM> may be tough in that it may have the quality of being strong or firm in texture, but flexible and not brittle. Accordingly, the shell may be flexible enough to allow a female user to spread the upper ends <NUM> of the first side wall <NUM> and the upper end <NUM> of the second side wall <NUM> apart in order to customize the fit of the female urine device <NUM> to different body types when in use. Additionally, the shell may be durable enough such that it will resist cracking when inadvertently stepped on or dropped. When used, the trough shaped inner chamber <NUM> of the shell <NUM> is sized to fit over a female's urethra (including a female's urethral orifice) and to receive urine therefrom without spillage.

The shell <NUM> may be composed of a variety of materials. For example, the shell <NUM> may be composed of a non-absorbent plastic, metal, glass, carbon, cellulose, ceramic, biodegradable material or the like. Additionally, the shell <NUM> may be impregnated with anti-microbial additives to reduce the potential for bacterial growth in the liner. Further, the shell <NUM> may be impregnated with ultraviolet (UV) stabilizer additives to help prevent device degradation. Also, hydrophobic additives may be impregnated into the shell <NUM> to help make the shell non-porous or to enhance the shell's properties to shed liquids.

The resilient liner <NUM> is disposed on, and may cover, the entire inner chamber <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>). The liner <NUM> also may cover the upper rim <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The liner <NUM> extends forward past the forward opening <NUM> of the shell <NUM> to form a spout portion <NUM> of the liner <NUM>.

As will be discussed in greater detail herein, the spout portion <NUM> has an extended position and at least one folded position. More specifically, the spout portion <NUM> has an extended position <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>) that the spout portion <NUM> is positioned in when the female urine device <NUM> is in use. Also more specifically for the examples illustrated herein, the spout portion <NUM> has at least three folded positions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (best seen in <FIG> and <NUM> respectively) that the spout portion <NUM> may be positioned in when the female urine device <NUM> is being stored.

When the spout portion <NUM> is in its extended position <NUM>, the spout portion <NUM> has a length <NUM> that is greater than <NUM>% of an extended length <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM>. The reason that the length <NUM> of the spout portion <NUM> in its extended position <NUM> can be so long relative to the extended length <NUM> of the device <NUM>, is that the shell <NUM> supports the spout portion <NUM> of the liner <NUM>.

As such, the spout portion <NUM> is advantageously resilient and flexible enough to be folded into a variety of folded positions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for compact storage. However due in no small part to the added support of the shell <NUM>, the spout portion <NUM> is also advantageously rigid enough in its extended position <NUM> to direct urine flow well away from a female's body without splashing urine on a female's clothing. For example, if a female urine device <NUM> is designed to have an overall length of about <NUM> inches, the spout portion <NUM> may be up to <NUM> inches long and longer in its extended position <NUM> in order to direct urine <NUM> away from the body <NUM> when in use (best seen in <FIG>). <NUM> inches corresponding to <NUM> and <NUM> inches corresponding to <NUM>.

Additionally, when the spout portion <NUM> is in its extended position <NUM>, the floor of the spout portion <NUM> forms a downward sloping angle <NUM> relative to the bottom wall <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The downward sloping angle <NUM> is preferably within a range of about <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. More preferably the angle <NUM> is within a smaller range of about <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. The downward sloping angle <NUM> aids in directing the urine flow down and away from a female's body without splashing urine on a female's clothing.

The resilient liner <NUM> may be composed of a variety of materials. For example, the liner <NUM> may be composed of a non-absorbent, non-porous plastic, urethane, cellulose, carbon, silicone, rubber, biodegradable material or the like. Additionally, the liner <NUM> may be impregnated with anti-microbial additives to reduce the potential for bacterial growth in the liner. Further, the liner <NUM> may be impregnated with ultraviolet (UV) stabilizer additives to help prevent degradation. Also, hydrophobic additives may be impregnated into the liner <NUM> to help make the liner non-porous or to enhance the shell's properties to shed liquids.

At least one thumb rest <NUM> is disposed on a sidewall <NUM> of the shell <NUM> and extends perpendicularly therefrom. As will be discussed in greater detail herein, the at least one thumb rest <NUM> is sized to receive a thumb of a female and is advantageously operable as a fulcrum to enable the female to leverage the rim <NUM> of the shell <NUM> into sealing engagement with the female's genitalia when the female urine device <NUM> is in use. Moreover, the additional surface area of the thumb rest <NUM> provides comfort to the user's thumb when applying pressure.

More specifically for the examples illustrated herein, there is a pair of first <NUM> and second <NUM> thumb rests, wherein the first thumb rest <NUM> is disposed on the first sidewall <NUM> and the second thumb rest <NUM> is disposed on the second sidewall <NUM>. The pair of thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> may be disposed on the rim <NUM> and may be adjacent the forward opening <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The pair of thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> may be composed of the same material as that of the shell <NUM>.

The liner <NUM>, as illustrated in these examples, may also cover the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>). This has the advantageous effect of providing a more comfortable and more non-slip surface relative to the material of the shell <NUM>. As such, the thumb of a female would be less prone to slipping off of the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> during use.

Additionally, the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> act as a reference guide for consistent proper placement against a female's body. More specifically (as best seen in <FIG>), when the female urine device <NUM> is in use, the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned on the forward end of the shell <NUM> and the shell is sized such that when the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> are in front of (or anterior to) a female's body, the rear wall <NUM> of the shell <NUM> is positioned behind (or posterior to) the urethral orifice <NUM>.

In this specific example, the liner <NUM> includes a pair of tabs <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>) that extend downward into through-holes <NUM> that are disposed in the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM>. The tabs <NUM> help to properly position the liner <NUM> relative to the tabs <NUM>, <NUM> and the shell <NUM>. The tabs <NUM> also help to further fix the position of the liner <NUM> against the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> during use of the female urine device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a perspective view of an example of the female urine device <NUM> positioned such that it is about to be engaged against a female's body <NUM> according to aspects described herein is presented. The shell <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM> is sized such that when the upper rim <NUM> is engaged with the female's genitalia <NUM>, the liner covered inner chamber <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>) is positioned to receive urine from the female's urethral orifice <NUM> and the pair of thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned in front of (or anterior to) the female's body <NUM>.

The female uterus <NUM> is the hollow muscular organ positioned in the female's body <NUM> between the bladder <NUM> and rectum <NUM>, and is part of the female's reproductive system. The uterus <NUM> connects through the vaginal canal <NUM> to the vaginal opening <NUM>, which is part of the female's external genitalia <NUM>.

The urethral orifice <NUM> is positioned anterior to (or in front of) the vaginal opening <NUM>. Urine <NUM> is stored in the bladder <NUM> and flows through the urethra <NUM>, where it is ejected out of the urethral orifice <NUM> during urination.

The area of a female's body which includes the female's genitalia <NUM> forms a convex shaped curvature <NUM> due, in large part, to the shape of the female's pelvis (not shown). The concave curve <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM> is designed to anatomically fit against the convex curvature <NUM> of the female's body <NUM> to provide a more comfortable fit and to enable a leak resistant seal with minimal pressure. Moreover, the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned forward of the concave curve <NUM> so that the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> do not interfere with the fit of the concave curve <NUM> to the convex curvature <NUM> of female's genitalia <NUM>.

By way of example, the concave curve <NUM> may have a radius of curvature that is within a range of <NUM> inches to <NUM> inches. More preferably the concave curve <NUM> may have a radius of curvature that is within a smaller range of <NUM> inches to <NUM> inches. These examples of ranges of radii will, in most cases, enable the female urine device <NUM> to anatomically fit against the corresponding convex curvature <NUM> of the female's body <NUM>. <NUM> inches corresponding to <NUM>, <NUM> inches corresponding to <NUM>, <NUM> inches corresponding to <NUM> and <NUM> inches corresponding to <NUM>.

Additionally by way of example, the concave shaped curve <NUM> may form an arc that is within an angular range of between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. More preferably the curve <NUM> may form an arc that is within an angular range of between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees.

Referring to <FIG>, a perspective view of an example of the female urine device <NUM> positioned against a female's body <NUM> according to aspects described herein is presented. When the urine device <NUM> is in use, the upper rim <NUM> is operable to engage a female's genitalia <NUM>. The liner covered inner chamber <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>) is operable to receive urine <NUM> from the female's urethral orifice <NUM>. Further, the spout portion <NUM> is in an extended position <NUM> to direct the urine <NUM> away from the female's body <NUM>.

To engage the female urine device <NUM> during use, a female may use the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> as reference points in front of the female's body <NUM> to properly position the device <NUM>. For example, the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> may be positioned on the shell <NUM> proximate its forward opening <NUM> and forward of its concave curve <NUM>. The shell may be sized such that, when a female positions the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> in front of her body, the rear wall <NUM> of the shell <NUM> will be located behind her urethral orifice and the concave curve <NUM> will anatomically fit against the convex curve <NUM> of the female's genitalia <NUM>. The liner covered inner chamber <NUM> of the shell <NUM> is placed under the urethral orifice <NUM>, so that urine <NUM> flows directly into the chamber <NUM>. When so placed, the rim <NUM> on the upper end of the rear wall <NUM> is generally positioned under, or near, the vaginal opening <NUM> and the thumb rests <NUM>, <NUM> are accessible in front of the female's clothing.

By placing her thumbs (not shown) on the thumb rest <NUM>, <NUM> and cupping the bottom wall <NUM> of the shell <NUM> with her fingers (not shown), a female may utilize the thumb rests as a fulcrum to leverage the rim <NUM> of the shell <NUM> into sealing engagement with the female's genitalia <NUM>. Accordingly, the rim <NUM> on the rear wall <NUM> is pushed upwards to seal against the genitalia <NUM> while the spout portion <NUM> is pushed downward to aim the flow of urine <NUM> away from the body <NUM>. Advantageously, the proportionally long length <NUM> of the spout portion <NUM> in its extended position <NUM> (e.g., more than <NUM>% of the extended length <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM>) enables the flow of urine <NUM> to be directed away from the female's body without inadvertently splashing on her clothing. Additionally, the presence of hydrophobic additives enhances the device's ability to not absorb urine and to shed urine more quickly.

When the urination process is completed, the rim <NUM> on the upper end of the rear wall <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM> is operable to act as a squeegee to wipe the genitalia <NUM> clean of urine. This may be accomplished by gently pulling the female urine device <NUM> forward (or anteriorly) while maintaining pressure of the rim <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM> against the body <NUM>. The soft resilient liner <NUM> covering the rear wall rim <NUM> will wipe urine off of the genitalia <NUM> in a squeegee like fashion. The remaining drops of urine may then be shaken off of the urine device <NUM>. Additionally, the antimicrobial additives that have been impregnated into the liner <NUM> will work to reduce the potential for bacterial growth on the liner <NUM> during and after the process of wiping the female genitalia <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, various examples of a female urine device <NUM> with its spout portion <NUM> in a folded position are presented according to aspects described herein. More specifically, <FIG> depicts a perspective view of an example of a female urine device <NUM> with its spout portion <NUM> in a first folded position <NUM> against a sidewall <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM>. Also, <FIG> depicts a perspective view of an example of a female urine device <NUM> with its spout portion <NUM> in a second folded position <NUM> within an inner chamber <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM>. Further, <FIG> depicts a perspective view of an example of a female urine device <NUM> with its spout portion <NUM> in a third folded position <NUM> against a bottom wall <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM>. The various folded positions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> enable the female urine device <NUM> to advantageously be more compactly stored when not in use.

When the urine device <NUM> is not in use, the spout portion <NUM> is operable to be folded into at least one folded position <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> against the shell <NUM> for purposes of storage of the urine device. When the spout portion <NUM> is in its folded position <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the female urine device <NUM> has a folded length <NUM> that is less than <NUM>% of its extended length <NUM>.

The reason that the folded length <NUM> is small relative to the extended length <NUM> (e.g., less than <NUM>% of the extended length <NUM>) of the urine device <NUM> is because of the resiliency and the proportionally long length <NUM> of the spout portion <NUM>. That is, the resiliency of the spout portion <NUM> allows it to be folded against the shell <NUM>. Further the proportionally long length of the spout portion <NUM> enables a significant difference between the extended length <NUM> and folded length <NUM> of the device <NUM>. For example, if a female urine device <NUM> is designed to have an overall length of about <NUM> inches, the spout portion <NUM> may be up to <NUM> inches long and longer in order to direct urine away from the body when in use. However, when the spout portion <NUM> is folded against the shell <NUM>, the folded length will be reduced to about <NUM> inches. Accordingly the female urine device <NUM> will be long enough to prevent urine from splashing onto a females clothing when in use, but will also be very compact for storage when not in use. <NUM> inches corresponding to <NUM>, <NUM> inches corresponding to <NUM> and <NUM> inches corresponding to <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> more specifically, an example of the female urine device <NUM> with its spout portion <NUM> in the first folded position <NUM> against a sidewall <NUM>, <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM> is illustrated. The spout portion <NUM> may be folded against either the first side wall <NUM> or the second side wall <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> more specifically, an example of the female urine device <NUM> with its spout portion <NUM> in a second folded position <NUM> within the liner covered inner chamber <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM> is illustrated. The spout portion <NUM> may be fully enclosed within the inner chamber <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> more specifically, an example of the female urine device <NUM> with its spout portion <NUM> in the third folded position <NUM> against the bottom wall <NUM> of the female urine device <NUM> is illustrated. Advantageously, when the spout portion <NUM> is folded against the bottom wall <NUM>, the spout portion <NUM> alone is operable to retain itself in its folded position <NUM> without snapping back into its extended position <NUM>. Though three folded positions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the spout <NUM> have been illustrated therein, other folded positions may also be used to reduce the overall length of the female urine device <NUM> when not in use.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail herein (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

Claim 1:
A female urine device (<NUM>), comprising:
a shell (<NUM>) comprising:
a bottom wall (<NUM>), a first sidewall (<NUM>), a second sidewall (<NUM>) and a rear wall (<NUM>) integrally connected to define a trough shaped inner chamber (<NUM>),
a forward opening (<NUM>) defined by forward ends of the walls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and
an upper rim (<NUM>) defined by upper ends of the walls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the upper rim (<NUM>) extending from an upper end (<NUM>) of the rear wall (<NUM>) to the forward opening (<NUM>), wherein the forward opening (<NUM>) defines an open end of the upper rim (<NUM>);
a resilient liner (<NUM>) disposed on the inner chamber (<NUM>), the liner (<NUM>) extending forward past the forward opening (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>) to form a spout portion (<NUM>) of the liner (<NUM>); and
at least one thumb rest (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on a sidewall (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>) and extending perpendicularly therefrom, the at least one thumb rest (<NUM>, <NUM>) being disposed adjacent to the forward opening (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>), the at least one thumb rest (<NUM>, <NUM>) sized to receive a thumb of a female and being operable as a fulcrum to enable the female to leverage the rim (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>) into sealing engagement with the female's genitalia (<NUM>) when the female urine device (<NUM>) is in use.