Urine receptacle and apparatus for automated disposal of urine

• US 20060253091A1
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert D. Vernon
• Original Assignee: Robert D. Vernon
• Inventors: Vernon, Robert D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,075,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/353
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/44 Devices worn by the patient for reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge; Portable urination aidsabsorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, A61F13/15; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00; emptying devices for urine bags B65B69/0016; Colostomy devices adhesives for colostomy devices A61L24/00; materials for colostomy devices A61L28/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/4404 Details or parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/4405 Valves or valve arrangements specially adapted therefor A61F5/441 takes precedence; Fluid inlets or outlets A61F5/4407 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/4408 Means for securing receptacles or bags to the body otherwise than by adhesives, e.g. belts, straps or harnesses A61F5/449 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/441 having venting or deodorant means, e.g. filters ; having antiseptic means, e.g. bacterial barriers

Abstract

A disposable re-useable urine receptacle that, when used, provides comfortable, discrete, and safe urine collection and containment until the collected urine can be properly disposed of, either by the wearer or someone else. It achieves these goals by conforming to the wearer'"'"'s body, expanding to a predetermined self-supported shape, and disallowing side wall-to-wall adherence between fillings. An apparatus for automated disposal of urine is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A urine receptacle, comprising:

a first side that operatively conforms to a wearer'"'"'s body; and

a collapsible second side that expands as the receptacle is filled;

wherein the receptacle is self-supporting and, as the receptacle is filled, the distance between the first side and the second side does not substantially vary along a horizontal distance.

2. The urine receptacle of claim 1 wherein once the receptacle is operatively filled, the distance between the first side and the second side does not substantially vary along a vertical distance.

3. The urine receptacle of claim 1 wherein the second side comprises a pre-formed tray.

4. The urine receptacle of claim 3 wherein the tray has pleats or seams.

5. The urine receptacle of claim 3 wherein the tray has concentric ridges.

6. The urine receptacle of claim 5 wherein the first side has a perimeter that is operatively attached to a sleeve on the wearer'"'"'s leg by hook and loop fasteners.

7. The urine receptacle of claim 6 wherein the second side and the sleeve comprise hook compatible surfaces that are mated by a piece having double-sided hook material.

8. The urine receptacle of claim 1 wherein the receptacle has a spacer that keeps the first and second sides from adhering to each other.

9. The urine receptacle of claim 1 wherein the receptacle has an inlet valve encased by a shroud that prevents interference with the valve.

10. The urine receptacle of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is reusable and Is operatively connected to a device for automatically disposing urine.

11. The urine receptacle of claim 10 wherein the receptacle is operatively connected to the device by at least one non-drip fitting.

12. The urine receptacle of claim 10 wherein the receptacle has an outlet that is operatively connected to a pump that works to empty the receptacle.

13. The urine receptacle of claim 12 wherein the pump has a safety switch and is mounted onto a wheelchair.

14. The urine receptacle of claim 10 wherein the receptacle is operatively connected to a waste-directing wand.

15. An apparatus for automatic waste disposal, operatively comprising:

a receptacle having a first side that operatively conforms to a wearer; and

a collapsible second side that expands as the receptacle is filled;

wherein the receptacle is self-supporting and, as the receptacle is filled, the distance between the first side and the second side does not substantially vary along a horizontal distance.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein once the receptacle is operatively filled, the distance between the first side and the second side does not substantially vary along a vertical distance.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the second side comprises a pre-formed tray.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the tray is pleated.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the tray comprises a polyolefin, polyester, or polyvinylchloride film.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first side has a perimeter that is operatively attached to a sleeve on the wearer'"'"'s leg by hook and loop fasteners

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the second side and the sleeve comprise hook compatible surfaces that are mated by a piece having double-sided hook material.

22. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the receptacle has a spacer that keeps the first and second sides from adhering to each other.

23. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the receptacle has a one-way inlet valve encased by a shroud fitment to which an inlet tube or catheter is attached.

24. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the receptacle is reusable and Is operatively connected to a device for automatically disposing urine.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the receptacle is operatively connected to the device by at least one non-drip fitting.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the receptacle has an outlet that is operatively connected to a pump that works to empty the receptacle.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the pump has a safety switch and is mounted onto a wheelchair.

28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the receptacle is operatively connected to a waste-directing wand.

29. A urine receptacle, comprising:

a first side that operatively conforms to a wearer;

a collapsible second side that expands as the receptacle is filled;

wherein the receptacle is self-supporting and the second side comprises a pre-formed, expandable tray.

30. The urine receptacle of claim 29 wherein the first side does not expand.

31. The urine receptacle of claim 29 wherein the second side comprises a pre-formed tray that expands and contracts as the receptacle is filled and emptied of liquid.

32. The urine receptacle of claim 29 further comprising an inlet fitting that aligns a receptacle inlet with a catheter attachment or insertion point.

33. The urine receptacle of claim 32 wherein the fitting is an elbow fitting that swivels to align the inlet with the catheter attachment or insertion point.

34. The urine receptacle of claim 29 further comprising a valve and a shroud, wherein the valve operatively expands to conform, or nearly conform, to the internal dimensions of the shroud.