Urine collection system

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system with a holder and cup designed to help a user during the urine collection process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Obtaining urine samples can be particularly difficult and messy. The present invention features a urine collection system. The system of the present invention helps a user easily and comfortably collect urine in a clean and sanitary manner. For example, the system helps prevent spillage, helps prevent urine from getting on the user's hands and clothing, and helps a user avoid touching the toilet seat.

SUMMARY

The present invention features a urine collection system. In some embodiments, the urine collection system comprises an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end; a first ring disposed on the first end of the shaft; and a handle disposed on the second end of the shaft.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a urine cup removably held in the first ring. In some embodiments, the shaft is rigid. In some embodiments, the handle is a second ring. In some embodiments, the first ring and the second ring occupy the same planar surface. In some embodiments, the first ring has a diameter larger than that of the second ring.

Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of the system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the present invention features a urine collection system 100. The system 100 comprises an elongated shaft 110 having a first end 111 and a second end 112. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 is rigid.

Disposed on the first end 111 of the shaft 110 is a first ring 120a. Disposed on the second end 112 of the shaft 110 is a handle 120b (e.g., a second ring). In some embodiments, the first ring 120a has a diameter larger than that of the second ring. The rings 120 may occupy the same planar surface. The shaft 110 has uniform width along the shaft length, wherein the width is smaller than the diameters of both the first and second rings.

The first ring 120a is adapted to hold a urine cup 101. For example, a urine cup 101 can be inserted into the center portion of the first ring 120a. Urine cups are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art and are commonly used in the medical industry. For example, urine cups 101 generally comprise a lip near the top where the lid 102 is attached. The lip of the urine cup 101 rests on the first ring 120a of the present invention, holding the cup 101 in place (e.g., see FIG. 4).

To use the system 100, a user inserts a urine cup 101 into the first ring 120a (with the lid 102 removed). The user holds on to the handle 120b (e.g., second ring) and, while sitting on a toilet, positions the cup under her urethra.

The handle 120b is not limited to a second ring. In some embodiments, the handle 120b on the second end 112 of the shaft 110 is any other appropriate component that allows a user to hold the shaft 110.

In some embodiments, the system 100 comprises a shaft 110 with a urine cup 101 directly attached to the first end 111 of the shaft 110 (e.g., see FIG. 5), as opposed to a first ring 120a.

The system 100 of the present invention may be constructed in a variety of sizes. For example, in some embodiments, the shaft 110 is between about 4 to 6 inches in length. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 is between about 6 to 8 inches in length. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 is between about 8 to 10 inches in length. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 is more than about 10 inches in length.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the shaft 110 is about 10 inches in length includes a shaft 110 that is between 9 and 11 inches in length.

Without wishing to limit the present invention to any theory or mechanism, it is believed that the system 100 of the present invention is advantageous because the system 100 comprises a handle (e.g., ring shaped) that can be used as a secondary holder for a smaller cup (e.g., the system 100 holds two cups with different diameters). The handle is long and is ring-shaped.

The disclosures of the following U.S. patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,067; U.S. Design Pat. No. D338064; U.S. Design Pat. No. D357066; U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,438; U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,691; U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,951; U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,694; U.S. Design Pat. No. D610700; U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0118642.

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.