US20070169253A1

US20070169253A1 - Funnel for female urine direction

Info

Publication number: US20070169253A1
Application number: US11/339,832
Authority: US
Inventors: Lisa Panzer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-25
Filing date: 2006-01-25
Publication date: 2007-07-26

Abstract

A funnel used by a woman to direct urine. A woman can use the funnel while urinating by urinating directly into the final, thereby directing the urine from the funnel into a toilet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a funnel for use by females when urinating in a public rest room.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,176, to Magiera, has an issue date of Apr. 13, 1999. The patent is directed towards a female urine device to direct the discharge of urine while standing. The female urine device incorporates an inner sealing ring, an outer sealing ring and a funnel. The inner sealing ring is adapted to surround and sealingly engage the exterior of the labia minora. The outer sealing ring lies adjacent the inner sealing ring and is adapted to surround and sealingly engage the exterior of the labia majora. The funnel is located below the inner and outer sealing rings and it is adapted to direct the discharge of urine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,998, to Witzke, has an issue date of Mar. 3, 1992. The patent is directed towards a funnel device to facilitate urination by women in an upright position includes a semi-rigid funnel rim contoured to surround the female genital region. A flexible funnel body depends from the rim and is sealed to the rim around the circumference. The funnel body has a continuous wall sloped inwardly and towards the front of the funnel body. The funnel body terminates in an orifice situated toward the front of the funnel body. A bendable, elongated disposal tube is sealably attached to the funnel orifice and is inclined downward and outward at an angle with regard to the funnel body. The tube is circumferentially corrugated to enable bending for storage and for directing urine flow.
U.S. Patent Application No. 20020193762, to Suydam, has a publication date of Sep. 19, 2002. The patent is directed towards a hand-held disposable portable urinal device particularly well suited for female use. The easy-to-use device has a leak and splash resistant soft upper seal attached to a retractable funnel, which easily folds back into a sealable bag. The funnel has a neck portion which allows the user to comfortably hold the urinal close to the ureter during use. The disposable urinal bag is odor- and vapor-sealable, and has a hydrophobic polymer containing inner bag for absorbing the urine. In addition, the disposable urinal has a deodorizer activated by the urine upon contact. The disposable urinal is easily transported in a folded state, and preferably comes three in a box. After use, the disposable urinal may be sealed and thrown away.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a portable funnel for assisting females when urinating in a public restroom by directing the stream of urine while the woman stands with her back to the toilet.
The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a small opening at a bottom end to direct urine; and (b) a large opening at a top end to receive urine, wherein the funnel is made of a clear plastic flexible material.
These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a funnel, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a side view of a funnel, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a funnel, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a first photograph of a funnel, according to an embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a second photograph of a funnel, according to an embodiment; and
FIG. 6 is a third photograph of a funnel, according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
The present invention relates to an apparatus to provide a portable funnel for assisting females when urinating in a public restroom by directing the stream of urine while the woman stands.
The present general inventive concept is directed to a female urine funnel, which would be used by women as a daily device to funnel urine into a toilet, avoiding the need to sit or squat on/over a public toilet seat. Each funnel is a one-time use device that would be disposed of, in a sanitary napkin/pad disposal unit or trash can. The funnel is made of a lightweight disposable plastic, which can fit in pockets, purses, etc. and be used anytime a woman needs to urinate in a public bathroom. This funnel is to be used while standing with back towards the toilet. The woman can urinate directly into the funnel, which in turn directs the urine into the toilet. It is shaped like an upside down triangle with the wide opening held under the vagina and the urine being funneled through the small opening at the bottom.
The funnel is disposable and can be disposed of in a sanitary napkin/pad disposal unit or trashcan. The funnel can be made of a lightweight disposable plastic (for example cellophane) which can fit into a pocket or purse. The material can also be flexible, such that it can be folded to conveniently fit into a purse or pocketbook.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a funnel, according to an embodiment.
The funnel comprises a small opening 100 at the bottom of the funnel. A large opening 102 is located at the top of the funnel. A woman can urinate by directing her urine into the large opening 102, thereby concentrating the urine in the funnel and directing the urine through the small opening 100 and into a toilet.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a funnel, according to an embodiment.
A large opening 102 and a small opening 100 are at either side of the funnel.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the funnel, according to an embodiment.
In the center of the funnel is a small opening 100.
FIG. 4 is a first photograph of a funnel, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a second photograph of a funnel, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a third photograph of a funnel, according to an embodiment.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A funnel, comprising:

a small opening at a bottom end to direct urine; and

a large opening at a top end to receive urine,

wherein the funnel is made of a clear plastic flexible material.

2. A method, comprising:

facing a toilet or urinal; and

directing urine into a large opening of a funnel, wherein the urine is then concentrated inside the funnel and discharged out of a small end of the funnel,

wherein the funnel is made of a clear plastic material.