Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POST URINATION DRIP COLLECTOR
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a multilayer cover for the
glans penis for the collection and retention of drippage
residual after urination or ejaculation.
Description of Related Art
After urination, a small amount of urine may remain
temporarily in the urethra and drip out some time later.
Similarly, after ejaculation, some seminal fluid may
subsequently drip from the urethra. This drippage may stain
the underwear and even penetrate the trousers. This problem
has been previously recognized and various solutions have
been proposed.
U.S. Patent 2,891,546, Galloway, entitled: "Male
Urethral Fluid-Absorbing Devicen, discloses an L-shaped
adhesive coated sheet with a absorbant L-shaped pad thereon.
A small spot of adhesive is exposed to be secured to the
under side of the penis behind the head, and the longer arm
is wrapped circumferentially about the penis and secured by
an uncovered area of adhesive at the end of the arm. The
other arm is brought from the bottom forward and folded back
along the top of the penis to be secured. This latter arm
may be removed during urination and then repositioned.
U.S. Patent 3,212,500, Bardy, entitled: "Hygenic
Receptacle for Undergarmentsn, discloses an undergarment
with a removable crotch piece in the form of a bag or pocket
which may contain a removable pad of absorbent material.
U.S. Patent 3,520,305, Davis, entitled: "Male Urinary
Devicen, discloses a thin sheath joined to a heavier tube
for use as a urinal.
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U.S. Patent 3,858,584, Johnson, entitled: "Diaper for
~lale Babyn, includes a container for holding a urine
absorber as part of a diaper.
U.S. Patent 3,958,574, Rohr, entitled: n Masculine
Hygiene Devicen, discloses a disposable absorbent cup formed
of a plurality of plies of paper to cover the end of the
penis.
U.S. Patent 4,627,846, Ternstrom, entitled:
"Incontinence Shield for Menn, discloses a multilayer shield
which encloses both the penis and the scrotum.
U.S. Patent 4,668,229, Fago et al, entitled:
"Disposable Absorbent Device for Post-Urinary Dripn,
discloses a sheath having a urine absorbent disposable
lining. The sheath is secured by a loop which will encircle
the penis and the scrotum.
U.S. Patent 87,932, Hoffman, entitled: "Supporting
Bandagen, discloses a water-tight bag which contains a
sponge. The bag is connected by straps to a bandage secured
about the body.
Some of the foregoing patents provide for the
collection of greater quantities of fluids than is required
for the purposes of the present invention. Others provide
structure which is not disposable or is more cumbersome and
uncomfortable than is desirable. Not all of the patented
arrangements will be equally useful with both circumcized
and uncircumcized penes.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide
a post urination drip collector which is disposable after
each use.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a
post urination drip collector which is small in size so that
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several can be readily carried and the use of the
collector will not cause discomfort.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a
post urination drip collector which can be readily
packaged for dispensing.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a
post urination drip collector which is equally useful for
both circumcized and uncircumcized penes.
In accordance with these and other objects, which
will become apparent hereafter, one embodiment will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a drip collector in
accordance with one embodiment with an associated package;
FIG. 2 is a detail in cross-section taken on the
line 2-2 of the package of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically the drip collector of
FIG. 1 in an open position;
FIG. 4 is a cross-section showing a detail taken on
the line 4-4 of the layer structure of the drip collector
of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an elevation in cross-section taken on
the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an elevation showing an alternate
structure for the drip collector of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the drip collector of
FIG. 3;
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FIG. 8 is a cross-section of another embodiment of
a drip collector in accordance with the invention shown on
a phantom penis;
FIG. 9 is a cross-section showing a side view of
the drip collector of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing a drip
collector with securing adhesive;
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing another
embodiment of a drip collector with an associated package;
FIG. 12 is an elevation of the drip collector of
FIG. ll;
FIG. 13 is a cross-section taken on the line 13-13
of FIG. 12 showing the positioning of the drip collector
on a phantom penis; and
FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic vîew showing the drip
collector being gripped for positioning.
SU~ARY
A post urination drip collector is provided sized
to substantially cover only the glans penis of a somewhat
larger than normal size. The drip collector is of
multi-layer construction - having an outer liquid
impermeable layer, an intermediate liquid absorbent layer
and an inner layer which is liquid permeable. The inner
surface may have adhesive thereon; which may be a single
portion located to be adjacent to the neck of the penis on
the upper portion, or which may be applied across the
entire inner surface. The adhesive may also be located on
strips. The structure may also include aids for placing
the drip collector in position. The configuration permits
folding of the drip collector to a compact form for
packaging.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, post urination drip
collector 10 is shown in folded condition
adjacent to package 12 in which it
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is contained for sale or dispensing. Package 12 also
provides a convenient way of carrying several of the drip
collectors until they are to be used. Package 12, as shown
in FIG 2, may have a lining of alumunim foil to prevent
deterioration of the drip collector contained therein. Drip
collector 10 has a cap type body, more clearly shown in FIG
3. The collector may be fabricated in two similar flat
halves 14 which are joined at the edge 16 by a heat seal or
the like.
As shown in FIG 4, drip collector 16 is shown to be
formed of three layers. Inner layer 18 is a layer of liquid
permeable material, outer layer 20 is a layer of liquid
impermeable material and intermediate layer 22 is a layer of
liquid absorbent material. A closed edge is formed by
bonding inner layer 18 and outer layer 20 at seam 24.
Layers 18-22 may be the kinds of materials conventionally
used in disposable diapers; however, the liquid absorbent
material is provided in a thinner layer consonant with the
few drops of liquid which are to be absorbed. This thinner
layer may not be of uniform thickness, but instead may be
thicker adjacent to the urethral opening.
Referring to FIG 5, the upper edge of drip collector lO
may include oppositely disposed flaps 24 to facilitate
holding the drip collector to position it upon the glans
penis. Flaps 24 may be folded down from the position shown
in broken lines after drip collector 10 is properly
positioned. As depicted in FIG 6, a single flap 26 may be
used in lieu of the pair of FIG 5. Also, the flap(s) may
have a portion with adhesive 28 thereon for securing drip
collector lO in place. Adhesive 28 may have removable cover
30 thereon to protect the adhesive until it is to be used.
It is not necessary to have extensive areas of adhesive
to hold the drip collector in position. As shown in FIG 7,
a somewhat localized spot 32 may be provided on the inner
layer and have cover 34 removeably positioned over it.
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FIGS 8 and 9 show an alternate embodiment 36 of a drip
collector having an interior configuration like the exterior
of the glans penis. It is shown in position on a phantom
penis. The only seam in this configuration is along the top
edge. Adhesive 38 is applied in a spot adjacent to the
upper edge. Glans penis 40, as depicted, is somewhat larger
than the normal glans penis, so that drip collector 36 fits
closely. Consequently, the same sized drip collector 36
will fit somewhat loosely on normal or smaller than normal
glans penes.
Referring to FIG 10, adhesive 42 may also be applied in
a stripe or band adjacent to the top edge of the drip
collector and provided with a readily removeable strip 44 as
a temporary cover.
It is intended that the drip collector of this
invention be put in place after urination or ejaculation and
then disposed of prior to the next urination. Typically a
user will carry a sufficient quantity to provide for the
needs of the day. In order to keep the drip collectors
clean until use, suitable packaging is provided.
Referring to FIG 11, another drip collector 46 is shown
with its associated package 48. Package 48 may be two
sheets of cellophane or other sheet plastic sealed adjacent
to the edges. Collector 46 is provided with ring 50 which
aids in applying the drip collector as will now be
described. Both drip collector 46 and ring 50 are formed of
two similar joined halves. This form tends to naturally
stay in a substantially flat condition as shown in FIG 11.
Each half of ring 50 is connected to the adjacent half of
drip collector 46 by an adhesive strip 52. As shown in FIG
14, the opposite edges of ring 50 are compressed causing
both ring 50 and collector 46 to open. Ring 50 is moved
over the glans penis, while bottom tab 54 is held. As ring
50 is moved further up the body of the penis, the adhesive
strips 52 begin to peel off ring 50 and become positioned on
the penis. This upward movement is continued, as shown in
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FIG 13, until the strips 52 are completely separated from
ring 50. Ring 50 is then torn apart or slipped back down
off the penis and disposed of.
While the instant invention has been shown and
described herein in what is conceived to be the most
practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that
departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the
invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the
details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full
scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent
apparatus and articles.
