Disposable Urine Receptacle with Absorbent Core and Gusseted Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing male urinals for individuals with limited mobility are uncomfortable, prone to leakage, and lack a custom fit, often requiring drainage tubing and adhesives, which can irritate the skin and complicate use for both users and caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A disposable, soft, and lightweight male urine receptacle with a liquid-permeable inner layer, a liquid-impermeable outer layer, and a highly absorbent core, forming an offset 'U' shape for comfortable positioning, featuring a stretchable enclosure mechanism and securing tab to prevent leakage and provide a secure fit without pressure or adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand held plastic urinal is used, then the individual can relieve himself, but it is uncomfortable, bulky, hard to handle and may cause spills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible, disposable receptacle made of soft material with a liquid-permeable inner layer, liquid-impermeable outer layer, and highly absorbent core. This flexible construction eliminates the bulkiness and handling difficulties of rigid plastic urinals while maintaining functionality and comfort for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements this principle by designing a disposable receptacle that is used once and then discarded. This eliminates the need for cleaning and sterilization of reusable plastic urinals, reduces the bulkiness associated with durable construction, and provides a fresh, comfortable receptacle for each use, directly addressing the ease of operation and bulkiness contradiction.
2Reliability
If a catheter is inserted, then urine containment is achieved, but it provides an avenue for infections and limits mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by extracting the harmful catheter from the system and replacing it with an external disposable receptacle that collects urine without requiring internal insertion. This eliminates the infection pathway associated with catheters while maintaining reliable urine containment through the absorbent core and secure fit design.
3Reliability
If gripping action is applied along the entire length of the penis, then the urinal is secured, but it is irritating to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements this principle by concentrating the securing mechanism at the base of the penis rather than applying gripping action along the entire length. The receptacle is secured through a strap or fastening system at the base, providing reliable retention while leaving the sensitive shaft and glans areas free from irritation, thus resolving the contradiction between secure fit and user comfort.
4Reliability
If the urinal is made from hard plastic, then it is leak-proof, but it is uncomfortable to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by constructing the receptacle from multiple layers with different properties: a liquid-permeable inner layer for comfort against the skin, a liquid-impermeable outer layer for leak prevention, and a highly absorbent core for urine retention. This composite structure achieves both leak-proof performance and user comfort, resolving the contradiction between reliability and comfort.
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 solution provides a reliable, comfortable, and easy-to-use urinal that retains 8 to 16 ounces of urine without leakage, is easy to dispose of, and does not automatically tighten around the penis shaft, ensuring user comfort and caregiver convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid permeable inner layer, a liquid impermeable outer layer
Implementation Method 2
a highly absorbent core suitable for absorbing urine
Implementation Method 3
a highly absorbent core suitable for absorbing urine
Data Source
AI summary
A male urine receptacle is provided that includes a liquid permeable inner layer, a liquid impermeable outer layer and an absorbent core located therebetween. The inner layer, outer layer and absorbent core are assembled together to form a layered assembly, which, when folded into a into a “U” configuration, defines a front portion and a back portion of the receptacle. At least a portion of the side edges between the front portion and the back portion are closed by sealing or otherwise securing together the side edges of the layered assembly. At least one of the closed sides forms an expandable gusset and, preferably, both sides include at least one gusset. A closure mechanism is configured to adjust the open, upper periphery of the receptacle to provide a comfortable fit onto a penis, thus retaining the male urine receptacle on the penis.