WO2024258272A1 - Reusable biodegradable portable toilet for all using a urinal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention essentially relates to a reusable biodegradable unisex portable toilet or device for all using a urinal, comprising a foldable membrane that can be carried around in a handbag, or a vehicle glove box, and that can be used for example in a car, in public toilets, or enclosed spaces exhibiting a danger of contamination, said device comprising a biodegradable bag (3) resistant to uric acid, a foldable membrane (2) being made of a first element (4) and a second element (5) from a plastic blank or sheet of flexible cardboard and assembled by rivets (7) and (8). Said first element and second element have fold lines to allow the membrane (2) to be folded inwards, on its upper face so that it is immediately and automatically folded without the operator having in any way any need to touch it, this being particularly advantageous compared with the prior art.

Description

Portable toilet for everyone biodegradable reusable using urinal

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to genital receptacle devices for collecting urine, feces or other secretions. More particularly, it relates to a biodegradable, reusable portable toilet using a urinal.

PRIOR STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Portable toilets for use by patients, disabled or sick persons, e.g. bedridden patients or persons suffering from incontinence are known in the art. The most common of these toilets are in the form of glass urine bottles or durable plastic urine bottles. These known urinals are however relatively expensive and must be sterilized each time after use. Furthermore their use requires that patients must be in a given position to handle the device. Furthermore, after its use, and before the container is discarded, the latter must be removed and the contents of the bottle emptied.

[0003] For example, Korean patent application KR20120035678A discloses a portable container or toilet comprising a flexible envelope-shaped body for forming an opening, for containing stool or urine; and a backflow prevention portion formed to be inserted into a predetermined length of the opening end of the body, so as to prevent urine stored inside the body from flowing backward through the opening. And a plurality of cutting portions for discharging urine to an inner lower portion of the body, thus the device is provided with a disposable urine bag comprising a body, a backflow prevention portion, a first fixing member and a second fixing member. [0004] The solution described in this application has certain limitations and constrained disadvantages of use, namely: the volume of the device which has a part for attaching the bag, thus the device is designed only for men with reduced mobility or who receive medical treatment in hospitals.

[0005] Also disclosed in the prior art is a US patent application number US5571095 which describes a disposable urine bag which is specifically designed for women and can be carried by hand to collect urine in a standing position, comprising: a support for holding, a polybag for collecting urine and a packaging member secured to a rigid support for holding said polybag. The support has a flat handle at one end for carrying by hand, the handle having two recesses on opposite sides and each recess having a rough surface to assist in gripping the support, and a support frame in the opposite end. The rolling frame has a mounting groove and a plurality of pointed blocks at the groove and a plurality of notches, which engage with the pointed blocks of the rolling frame of the polybag to facilitate securing the latter.

[0006] Similarly for US Patent Application No. US5010599 which discloses a portable urinal device comprising a urine tube which is made of a relatively rigid plastic material in a bellows or pleated shape which allows the tube to be bent or otherwise plastically deflected to angular positions relative to a fixed axis. The tube has a first opening means on the first end, provided with an opening or inlet which is of oval configuration so as to form a so-called vaginal cup which can be adapted to the vagina of a patient. The first opening or inlet means is provided with a sleeve which extends approximately at right angles to the axis of the urinary tube.

[0007] The urinal device may be suspended when not in use. The tube tapers symmetrically such that the diameter of the tube at the end thereof incorporating the inlet opening is larger than the diameter of the other end of the tube.

[0008] Another prior art document No. GB2356818, which describes a urinal device comprising a funnel, a sleeve, a handle and a container collector, such that the larger open end of said funnel has an outer peripheral edge which sealingly engages the user's vulva when said outer periphery is pressed against said vulva, said funnel containing a vacuum thereunder, and the larger open end receives urine from said user and directs it toward a second open end, opposite said larger open end of the funnel.

[0009] Said receiving sleeve, being adapted to receive the second open end and connected with said handle, the latter is adapted to receive the larger open end of said funnel, when the device is in a closed position, such that said second open end of said funnel inserted into said sleeve is sealed when the device is in a closed position, but when said device is in an open position the larger open end of the funnel is inclined away from the handle, to lead to an open passage through which urine can flow into said collecting container.

[0010] Another typical example of the state of the art is described in US Patent Document No. US5662630 which relates to a device having a biodegradable bag for collecting and storing urine and also a biodegradable engagement element for engaging the user's genitals and capable of transporting urine to the biodegradable bag. Said urine collection device comprising:

-Walls defining a slotted funnel having a first opening for receiving the male genitalia and a second opening for transporting urine into a biodegradable bag.

- A biodegradable bag made of paper with a waterproof coating;

- A privacy skirt, as well as a means to encase the urine collection device and facilitate its disposal.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[00 1] The invention proposes to solve the problem cited above and to improve the devices of the state of the art by proposing: A unisex portable toilet for everyone biodegradable reusable comprising, a biodegradable bag (3) a means or a foldable membrane for opening and closing the device.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to create a foldable stool or urine evacuation device transportable in a handbag or a vehicle glove compartment, which can be used for example in a car, in public toilets, or enclosed places presenting a danger of contamination or outdoors.

[0013] Therefore, a primary object of this invention is to provide a portable toilet which can be used effectively by both sexes, and which can be easily transported without undue strain and without liquid leaking from the urinal.

[00 4] Yet another object is to provide a unisex urinal which will preferably close automatically against the undesirable emission of noxious vapors from urine present in the urinal.

[0015] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, the invention consists of the construction features, combination of elements and arrangements of parts or portions which will be indicated as examples in the structures described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] The invention will be better understood, and other characteristics and advantages thereof will appear, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, representing, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, a preferred embodiment of the device to which it relates, in which:

- Figure 1 and 2: Perspective views of the device in unfolded mode;

- Figure 3: Perspective view of the device in a mode being unfolded or folded;

- Figure 4: Perspective view of membrane 2;

- Figure 5: Perspective view illustrating membrane 2 in folded or closed mode; - Figure 6: Perspective view of the first element (4) of the membrane (2) in unfolded mode;

- Figure 7: Perspective view of the second element (5) of the membrane (2) in unfolded mode;

- Figure 8: perspective view illustrating the device in folded or closed mode;

- Figure 9: exploded perspective view of the membrane illustrating the method of assembly of the first element (4) with the second element (5);

Detailed description of the invention

[0017] Referring now more particularly to the drawings and specifically to Figure 2 which shows a portable toilet, more particularly a receptacle device for collecting urine, stools or other secretions. It relates more particularly to a biodegradable, reusable portable toilet. Its structure comprises a biodegradable bag (3) resistant to uric acid, a foldable membrane (2) whose upper face is intended to constitute a face of contact with the body. Said membrane (2) being composed of a first element (4) and a second element (5) which are assembled by rivets (7) and (8) allowing the partial pivoting of the two ends (11) and (14) of the first element (4) relative to the two ends (9) and (15) of the second element (5).

[0018] Said first element (4) and second element (5) of the membrane (2) can be obtained from a relatively light plastic blank or flexible cardboard sheet, cut and coated with plastic film to make it more resistant. It is obvious that the first element (4) and the second element (5) of the membrane (2) are described as a currently preferred embodiment of the invention and that the principles of the invention can be applied in another way.

[0019] Said membranes (4) and (5) are identical and symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis of the device, they have the same technical characteristics and the same shape; subsequently the description of the technical characteristics of the first element (4) is valid for the second element (5) and vice versa.

[0020] Said first element (4), which is in the form of a sheet which can be folded, symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal central axis and an axis central transverse comprises four generally quadrilateral parts or sections arranged end to end and joined together in a hinged manner at their adjacent ends, as by fold lines (6-6') and (18-18')

[0021] The transverse folding lines (6)-(6') and (18)-(18') are symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis and longitudinally spaced, and are intended to form articulations to allow the folding of the first and second elements of the membrane (2).

[0022] The folding planes and the axes of rotation (8-a) and (7-a) shown in Figure 3 allow the membrane (2) to be folded to allow the toilet to be delivered in the folded state in flat form, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 8. The first element (4) and second element (5) then come to be placed one on top of the other. And pressure on the opposite lines (17) and (17') allows the development of the four parts of each element under the effect of this simple gesture, in a manner well known in itself and which also allows the deployment at the same time of the biodegradable bag (3), this in order to avoid any contact between the contents of the biodegradable bag and the body.

[0023] The first element (4) also comprises:

- A pair of slots (19) extend downwardly from the upper end of the first member (4), on the opposing sections (14) and (11) so as to define axes of rotation (7a) and (8a) and points of assembly of the first and second members (4) - (5) by means of the rivets (7) and (8).

A cutout or slot (17') for allowing folding and unfolding and holding the device. Said slot or cutout (17') is of a generally circular shape extending downwards from the upper end of the first element (4), while its region is equally distributed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device on both ends of the parts (12)-(13) and opposite with respect to the transverse axis of the device itself constitutes a folding axis for allowing the membrane (2) to fold.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, said first element (4) and second element (5) comprise metal tabs (22) and (22') having a low modulus of elasticity to prevent the device from closing and they are adapted to fold between the walls of the side faces (11) and (15) and folded down on a folding line parallel to the walls of the side faces (11) and (15).

[0025] The method of closing and opening is already illustrated in the figures, it consists in bringing the two slots (17) and (17)’ together by a slight pressure movement, as illustrated by the arrows in figure 3. To fold the membrane (2) through the axes of rotation (7-a) and (8-a) and the folding planes mentioned above, in order to form horns (20) and (20’), as illustrated in figure (5), can be folded inwards, on the upper face of the membrane (2), so that the latter is immediately and automatically folded without the operator having to touch it in any way, which is particularly advantageous compared to the state of the art. The locking of the device is ensured by folding the tabs (22) and (22’).

[0026] The method of opening the device consists of moving the midpoints no longer towards each other but away from each other, that is to say, exerting a traction force on the horns (20) and (20') in the direction of the arrows illustrated in figure 5.

Claims

Claims 1. A reusable unisex receptacle device (1) for collecting urine, stools or other secretions comprising: A biodegradable bag (3) resistant to uric acid and bonded with a membrane (2), foldable, the upper face of which is intended to constitute the face of contact with the body. Said membrane (2), being made of a first element (4), and a second element (5) which are assembled by rivets (7) and (8) allowing the partial pivoting of two ends (11) and (14) of the first element (4) relative to the two ends (9) and (15) of the second element (5) characterized in that said first element (4) and second element (5), each comprising four generally quadrilateral parts or sections, arranged end to end in an articulated manner by folding at their adjacent ends, symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal and transverse central axis. 2- A receptacle device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a first element (4) provided with a pair of slots (19) extending downwards from the upper end of the first element (4), on the opposite sections (14) and (11) so as to define axes of rotation (7a) and (8a) and points of assembly of the first and second elements (4) - (5) using the rivets (7) and (8). 3- A receptacle device according to claim 2 characterized in that the first element (4) and second element (5) comprise metal tabs (22) and (22') to prevent the device from closing and they are adapted to fold between the walls of the side faces (11) and (15) and folded down on a folding line parallel to the walls of the side faces (11) and (15). 4- A receptacle device according to claim 3 characterized in that the first element (4) also comprises: A cutout or slot (17') to allow folding and unfolding and holding the device. Said slot or cutout (17') is of a generally circular shape extending downwards from the upper end of the first element (4), while its region is symmetrically distributed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device on both ends of parts (12) and (13) and opposite the transverse axis of the device which itself constitutes a folding axis to allow the membrane (2) to fold. 5- A receptacle device according to claim 4 characterized in that the first element (4) and the second element (5) of the membrane are similar and transversely and longitudinally symmetrical. 6- A receptacle device (1) according to claim 5 characterized in that the membrane (2) comprises folding planes (18)-(18’), (6)-(6’), (21)-(2T) and rotation axes (8-a) and (7-a) allow the membrane (2) to be folded to allow the device to be delivered in the folded state in flat form, such that the first element (4) and second element (5) are placed one on top of the other. 7- A receptacle device (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that the biodegradable bag is made of a material resistant to uric acid and assembled with the membrane 2 by gluing. 8- Method of closing the receptacle device (1) characterized in that it consists in bringing the two slots (17) and (17') together by a pressure movement, to fold the first element (4) and the second element (5) to form horns (20) and (20'), to be folded inwards, on the upper face of the membrane (2), so that the membrane is immediately and automatically folded without the operator having to touch it in any way, 8- Method of opening the receptacle device (1) characterized in that it consists in bringing the two slots (17) and (17') together by a pressure movement, to fold the first element (4) and the second element (5) to form horns (20) and (20'), to be folded inwards, on the upper face of the membrane (2), so that the membrane is immediately and automatically folded without the operator having to touch it in any way, 9- Method of opening the receptacle device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that it consists of exerting a traction force on the horns (20) and (20') to move the midpoints away.