Flexible Membrane Female Urine Voiding Apparatus with Press-Fit Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing female urine voiding devices are bulky, require user effort to maintain a seal, and often cause uncomfortable splashback and leakage due to rigid funnel structures, with limited convenience and attractiveness in packaging and kits.
Innovation Solution
A female urine voiding apparatus with a blocking mechanism to prevent splashback, featuring a pressure-sensitive adhesive for a fluid-tight seal and a compact, lightweight design with a cylindrical packaging structure for easy transport, including a cap and tube in a press-fit arrangement for convenient storage and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid funnel structures are used to create a fluid tight seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but device bulk and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid funnel structures with a flexible membrane that can conform to the anatomical contours of the vulval region. This flexible membrane maintains fluid tight sealing through its ability to adapt to body curves rather than forcing a rigid geometric fit, thereby reducing device bulk while preserving sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the sealing interface by using a flexible membrane with specific durometer ratings (e.g., 20-80 durometer) that allow the material to deform and seal effectively. This parameter change from rigid to flexible enables the membrane to maintain sealing under varying physiological conditions without requiring bulky rigid structures.
2Reliability
If rigid funnel structures are used to maintain seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user effort required
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane performs self-sealing by automatically conforming to the anatomical surface through elastic deformation when applied. The material's inherent flexibility and memory properties allow it to self-adjust and maintain sealing without requiring continuous user effort to hold or position rigid components, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining sealing reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid funnel structures are used, then structural stability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to splashback and urine misdirection
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane creates a smooth, conformal surface that directs urine flow along its contoured surface into the collection reservoir without creating turbulent flow or splashback. The flexibility allows the membrane to adapt to urine flow dynamics, preventing misdirection and splashback that occur with rigid geometric structures, thereby eliminating harmful factors while maintaining structural stability through material selection and design.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional packaging is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ease of transport and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane device is nested within a compact cylindrical packaging tube, with the device folded or rolled to fit within the tube's diameter. This nesting arrangement allows the device to be transported in a compact, portable form factor while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standard tube forming and sealing processes. The device can be easily removed from the tube for use and potentially re-nested for storage.
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 apparatus provides a hands-free, comfortable, and hygienic urination experience with reduced splashback, enhanced convenience, and improved packaging for easy transport and disposal, addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
An extra-labia sealing structure is affixed to the planar surface of the flange. The sealing structure includes a pressure sensitive adhesive adapted to provide a generally fluid tight primary adhesive seal between the container and external tissue generally surrounding the vulval region.
Data Source
AI summary
Packaging for an extra-labial fluid voiding apparatus includes a tube having a cylindrical wall, a closed end, and an open end. The cylindrical wall and closed end define a cavity that can contain the voiding apparatus. The cylindrical wall is pliable and has an inner diameter. A cap is adapted to respectively close and open the tube at the open end. The cap has an end plate with an annular flange extending therefrom. The annular flange is rigid and has an outer diameter. The annular flange is insertable into the cavity at the open end of the tube and within the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall. The outer diameter of the flange is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall to a degree such that the outer diameter and the inner diameter are engageable in a press-fit arrangement, when the cap is connected to the tube.