Collapsible Female Urination Device with Flexible Membrane

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing female urination devices are bulky, non-collapsible, and often cause leakage due to poor sealing, using non-hypoallergenic materials that can lead to allergic reactions and are not environmentally friendly.

Innovation Solution

A portable, collapsible female urination device with a concave interior and convex exterior made of flexible, hypoallergenic material, featuring a spout that directs urine away from the body using gravity, and an optional sanitary napkin for improved hygiene and attachment, available in disposable and reusable variants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If funnels and nozzles are used to direct urine flow, then urine diversion effectiveness is improved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine diversion effectivenessVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible membrane instead of rigid funnels or nozzles to direct urine flow. The membrane can be collapsed when not in use, significantly reducing device size and weight while still effectively directing urine flow when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a collapsed state to an expanded state during use. The flexible membrane is dynamically deployed to create the urine diversion pathway, allowing the device to be compact for portability but functional when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If rigid structures are used for urine diversion, then flow direction control is improved, but collapsibility and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow direction controlVSAvoidcollapsibility and portability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane that can be collapsed into a compact form for easy portability, yet when deployed, it maintains sufficient structural integrity to effectively control and direct urine flow away from the user's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to be dynamically collapsible and expandable. The flexible membrane transitions between a compact stored state for portability and an expanded functional state for effective urine diversion, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for flow control and flexibility for portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If improper sealing is used between device and body, then device simplicity is maintained, but leakage onto hands and clothes occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidsealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane naturally conforms to the user's body contours, creating an effective seal without requiring complex sealing mechanisms. The flexibility of the membrane allows it to adapt to individual body shapes, preventing leakage while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If non-hypoallergenic materials are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but allergic reactions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidallergic reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies using hypoallergenic materials for the flexible membrane, combining material properties that are both skin-friendly and suitable for fluid containment. This ensures user safety while remaining compatible with manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device allows for effective urine diversion without leakage, is easy to clean and portable, and reduces the risk of allergic reactions while being environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

urine is able to enter the fluid collecting portion of the fluid collecting body through the vulval opening before traveling downward by the force of gravity and exiting through the spout

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The material of the present invention is flexible in order to allow the user to firmly press the device against her body to prevent leakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10085876B2Female urination device

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 JONES DAVID ARTHUR

AI summary

A female urination device that allows a woman to urinate while standing includes a fluid collecting body and a sanitary napkin. The fluid collecting body has a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface that are positioned in between a spout and a rim. The concave interior surface delineates a fluid collecting portion, while the rim delineates a vulval opening. The spout is in fluid communication with the vulval opening through the fluid collecting portion, wherein urine is able to freely pass through the fluid collecting body. The concave interior surface and the convex exterior surface are tapered from the rim to the spout, while the spout is tapered away from the concave interior surface and the convex exterior surface to facilitate the control of the flow of urine. The sanitary napkin is positioned around the rim and assists in adhering the fluid collecting body to the woman's body.