Flushable Urine Funnel for Splash-Free Standing Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional commodes and urinals face issues with urine splattering, leading to unhygienic conditions and additional cleaning needs when used from a standing position, and existing attempts to combine them require extra space, plumbing, and skilled installation, making them costly and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A flushable, biodegradable funnel device with a tapered shape and bendable tail portions that can be suspended over a commode to direct urine efficiently, preventing splatters and easily installed without additional plumbing or space, made from materials that retain strength when wet and are suitable for sewage systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a urinal is combined with a commode to provide an economical and space-saving solution, then space utilization and cost are improved, but the toilet space becomes more crowded and the installation requires skilled personnel resulting in extra expenses and time
Solution Approach 1:
The urinal device is separated from the commode as an independent disposable component. Instead of permanently integrating a urinal with the commode, the invention uses separate funnel-shaped urinal devices that are temporarily attached to the commode rim, allowing easy installation and removal without skilled personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The urinal device uses a disposable funnel made of biodegradable material that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for complex permanent installations and skilled personnel, while still providing the space-saving benefit of combining urinal and commode functions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If urine is directed into the commode bowl water to prevent splatters, then hygiene is improved, but a sound that may be embarrassing is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel acts as an intermediary device that directs urine flow along its inner surface into the commode bowl. The funnel's design and material properties guide the urine flow to minimize splashing while the funnel itself absorbs or dampens the impact sound, reducing the embarrassing noise
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional urinals are used to prevent urine splatters, then hygiene is improved, but odor emanates from them
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable funnel is used for a single urination event and then discarded with the waste. This eliminates the persistent odor problem of traditional urinals, as the funnel does not retain urine or bacteria after use, unlike permanent urinal fixtures
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel's material properties are specifically designed to change state - it is water-resistant during use to prevent splatter, then becomes water-soluble and biodegradable after use, allowing it to break down completely and eliminate odor sources
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 effectively prevents urine splatters, reduces cleaning needs, conserves resources, and is easy to install and use, providing a hygienic, economical, and space-saving solution for directing urine into a commode from a standing position.
Implementation Method 1
transitory surface water repellency
Data Source
AI summary
Flushable urinary device for directing urine into a commode from a standing user comprises an inverted flushable funnel. The inverted funnel ensures picking up the funnel singularly from a nested stack of the funnels. A standing user directs urine into the funnel by keeping upper end of the funnel at urethra and lower end of the funnel relative to the commode to direct urine from the user to the commode. At least one bendable tail portion extends outwardly from the upper end of the funnel and forms a handle for the user to hold the funnel when directing urine into the commode. The funnel is made of flushable bio-degradable material configured to retain a strength and shape temporarily when wetted. It is biodegradable in sewer system. The funnel prevents urine-splatter outside the commode and provides a toilet flushable hygienic means for directing urine into a commode from a standing user.