GB2474844A

GB2474844A - Integrated hygienic urinal having a collection chamber with a hose

Info

Publication number: GB2474844A
Application number: GB0918798A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Slevin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-27
Filing date: 2009-10-27
Publication date: 2011-05-04
Also published as: GB0918798D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a toilet comprising a urinary collection system designed to provide a clean effective and sanitary method of allowing men to urinate without the frequent problems of spraying urine over the toilet bowl and onto ones own clothes, or others. The collection system comprises a collection chamber leading into a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid hose which feeds into the outlet pipe below a trapway (figure 1a). Alternatively the hose could lead through the ledge directly into the outlet (figure 1b). The hose may be kept in a housing unit built into the toilet tank (cistern) or attached to the tank 10 when not in use. The inside of the collection chamber may be studded with nodules (14 figure 3) to disrupt the strength of the urinary stream. The inside of the collection chamber may have a flange (15 figure 3) running around the inner lip of the opening to prevent splash back.

Description

I

Uk Patent Specification Title

Urinary collection system designed to prevent urinary spray in micturating males.

Background

This invention relates to a new urinary collecting system for men.

When men micturate,it is quite common for there to be a turbulent stream.This can lead to spraying with a considerable amount of urinary droplets separating from the main jet and landing outside the toilet bowl.Even where there are male designed urinals there is still the same problem with the additional risk of back spray from the urinal itself or from adjacent urinal users.This leads to spray landing on an individuals clothing or onto adjacent surfaces which is particularly infuriating to women or to the hapless individual who suffers the indignity of being sprayed by someone else.

Statement of invention

To overcome this problem,this invention is designed to contain the stream within an enclosed system immediately that the urine leaves the body.By containing the stream in this closed environment there woulod be virtually no lateral spraying and the chances of backspray would be reduced dramatically.

Advantages The obvious advantage being that there is no contamination of any adjacent materials,be they clothing or adjacent surfaces.Since the exit point of the urinary stream will be beyond the trapway (4) the urine will bypass the water seal (2) and so there would be no contamination of the water in the bowl by the urine.This would negate the need for flushing after every episode of micturition with considerable savings in water costs.

Drawings I water surface 2 water seal 3 weir 4 trapway outlet 6 toilet bowl 7 supporting ledge 8 hose feed into outlet pipe 9 braided hose toilet tank 11 superior opening 12 opening 13 tapering of chamber outwards 14 cutaway view of inside of chamber flange inside opening tapering upwards 16 dribble tray 17 axillary small hose 18 tank mounting 19 tank recess hose pipe recess 21 retaining clips 22 flush side view 23 side view no protruding parts

Description

The device is described as a collecting system from an upper collecting chamber leading into a flexible,semi rigid or rigid (Un) braided hose which leads around the supporting ledge and feeds into the outlet pipe below the trapway (figure la).Alternatively,the hose would lead through the ledge directly into the outlet (figure IB).

Where the hose itself is semirigid it has a "memory" so that when contorted into a shape it remains in that shape unless sufficiently stressed to deform it out of shape.The other types of hose will require supports to keep them in position either rigid or flexible.The hose will be kept in a housing unit built into the toilet tank or attached to the tank (10) when not in use.

The collecting chamber has a number of features.

I The opening (12) to the chamber will be of a smaller diametre than the chamber itself (figure 3 superior view).On the superior aspect of the opening the opening extends back on the superior surface for a distance (1 1).lnside the opening the walls of the opening expand outwards (13) to increase the internal diameter of the chamber.This tapering outwards continues for a distance before eventually reaching a maximum diameter and then starts to taper inwards again until it reaches the diameter of the hose to which it con nects.The inside of the chamber may be studded with nodules (14) (or not) to disrupt the strenght of the urinary stream and to reduce it.

The inside of the chamber has a flange (15) running around the inner lip of the opening.This flange is designed to prevent any small risk of splash back although the other option would be to not incorporate a flange.

The risk of splashing can also be reduced by coating the inside of the chamber with polymer additives or "fog free spray" There is also a narrow "dribble tray" (16) inferior to the opening on the outer aspect of the opening and extending to either side of the collecting opening.This would collect any urine droplets escaping from the opening and allow them to be drained down the hose by an ancillary smaller hose (17) which would feed into the main hose just prior to its entrance into the supporting ledge or if bypassing the ledge feed in at the same height as that of the ledge.

The hose itself may be unsupported and rely either on its inherent rigidity or it may be supported by stays.The stays are either -rigid in that the hose is held in the same position permanently -held on an elasticated mount,so that when not in use it -semi rigid. :fitted stays (20) would allow the hose to be pulled out from the toilet tank mounting and held in position until required to return to the mooring when the stay could be pushed back into place.

The hose itself would be of a standard lenght although there are variations which would allow the hose to be extended along its visible lenght if required.This would be achieved by having an elasticated or spring loaded return system to a default lenght.

The hose itself is equipped with a handle on either side to facilitate the dexterity of the individual.Alternatively,it may be without a handle The hose is intended to be housed on or near the toilet tank. It may simply be held in place either by a simple mounting,or it may be inbuilt into a purpose built toilet tank for aesthetic reasons.

For hygienic reasons it will be necessary to have a cleansing mechanism.This will be done using a flushing mechanism built into the chamber.Water would be pumped around the inner aspect of the chamber just inferior to the inner flange.The flange would prevent any water splashing out and the smallness of the chamber means that minimal amounts of water are needed.

Alternatively the flushing mechanism would be built into the housing unit,with either a manual or an automated system to aflow for flushing.