DESCRIPTION
URINE BOTTLE
The present invention relates to urine bottles and in particular, but not exclusively, to
disposable female urine bottles.
Women who are confined to bed, for example, female orthopaedic patients or
females suffering from road accident injuries, hip injuries, multiple sclerosis and the like may,
in some circumstances, find it difficult or impossible to sit up in bed or indeed it may prove
dangerous to their health to sit up in bed. Such patients will be unable to use a normal
bedpan and must utilise either a urine bottle or a "slipper" bedpan (a bedpan having a
reduced height to allow it to be positioned more easily beneath the patient), both of which
can be used while the patient is either lying or semi-recumbent position. The use of a
female urine bottle is preferred to that of a slipper bedpan when only urine is required to be
passed by the patient, as it is more comfortable, both physically and psychologically, for the
patient.
Two known female urine bottles are disclosed in GB 2 164553A and GB 2437251 A.
In each case, the urine bottle is manufactured from dried, moulded paper pulp and can
therefore be disposed of in a macerator after use, which reduces the likelihood of crossinfection
as compared with reusable urine bottles.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a urine
bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the base wall, a
urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an aperture in
the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the urine bottle being
elongate and comprising a front end for presentation to a user, the enclosing wall comprising
a portion which overhangs the base wall at the front end of the bottle.
The provision of an overhanging portion at the front end of the bottle forms a "toe"
portion which is positioned beneath a user and which is of a significantly lower height than
the prior art products, thereby making it easier and more comfortable to use and further
reducing the likelihood of leakage during use.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
urine bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the base
wall, a urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an
aperture in the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the
aperture being elongate in plan view and comprising front and rear ends and sides joining
the front and rear ends, the enclosing wall extending outwardly from the sides and the front
end of the aperture.
The provision of an enclosing wall which extends outwardly from the sides and the
front end of the aperture results in a bulbous portion which is significantly more comfortable
for a user. In addition, such an enclosing wall results in an overhang around the sides and
front end of the aperture, which reduces the likelihood of spillage from the aperture when the
used bottle is removed and transported.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a urine
bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the base wall, a
urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an aperture in
the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the urine bottle being
elongate and further comprising handle means at one end.
The provision of a handle means at one end of the bottle significantly facilitates
handling of the bottle, both by a user and by a nurse or other helper.
This makes it easier and more convenient for a patient to use, which is important
from both a physical and a psychological point of view. The provision of handle means at
one end of the bottle also facilitates removal and carrying of the bottle after use, which
reduces the likelihood of spillage of urine.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a urine
bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the base wall, a
urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an aperture in
the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the urine bottle being
elongate and the width of the aperture at its widest point being at least half the width of the
base wall at its widest point.
The provision of an access aperture which is at least half as wide as the greatest
width of the base wall significantly reduces the likelihood and incidence of urine leakage
during use.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a urine
bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the base wall, a
urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an aperture in
the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the base wall being
substantially planar, the aperture being upwardly concave when viewed from the side and
the lowermost portion of the aperture being substantially parallel to the base wall.
The provision of an upwardly concave aperture (when viewed from the side) having a
lowermost portion which is substantially parallel to the base wall makes the bottle
significantly more comfortable for a user and again further reduces the likelihood and
incidence of leakage during use.
Where a handle means is provided, preferably the handle means comprises an end
portion of the enclosing wall.
In one embodiment, the base wall is substantially planar and the end portion of the
enclosing wall which forms part of the handle means extends substantially perpendicularly to
the base wall.
The handle means may comprise one or more inwardly-directed recesses in the
enclosing wall. Preferably, there are two inwardly-directed recesses located on opposite
sides of the bottle. In a preferred embodiment, the two inwardly-directed recesses are
substantially mirror images of each other.
The or each recess is preferably located forwardly of the end wall portion which
forms part of the handle means.
The handle means may further comprise a top wall portion of the enclosing wall. The
top wall portion preferably extends between two side wall portions of the enclosing wall. The
top wall portion also preferably extends towards the aperture, for example towards an upper
end of the aperture.
Where the urine bottle is elongate and comprises a front end for presentation to a
user and the enclosing wall comprises a portion which overhangs the base wall of the front
end of the bottle, preferably the overhanging portion of the enclosing wall extends rearwardly
to the front portion of the periphery of the aperture.
The enclosing wall may comprise a portion which overhangs the base wall at the
front and side portions of the aperture.
The base wall may be substantially planar and the front most portion of the enclosing
wall may meet the base wall substantially perpendicularly.
Preferably, the or each overhanging portion is rounded.
Preferably, the maximum length of the base wall is at least four times as long as the
maximum length of the portion of the enclosing wall which overhangs the base wall at the
front end of the bottle.
Preferably, the urine bottle is elongate and the width of the aperture at its widest
point is at least half the width of the base wall at its widest point.
Where the base wall is substantially planar, the aperture is upwardly concave when
viewed from the side and the lowermost portion of the aperture is substantially parallel to the
base wall, preferably the aperture is elongate in plan view and comprises front and rear ends
and sides joining the front and rear ends, the enclosing wall extending outwardly from the
sides and the front end of the aperture.
Preferably, the enclosing wall extends outwardly from the sides and front end of the
aperture and downwardly to meet the base wall.
Preferably, in use, the bottle rests on the base wall.
Preferably, the aperture is upwardly and forwardly concave when viewed from the
side.
Preferably, the aperture is located above the base wall.
Preferably, the enclosing wall comprises a portion which is located above the base
wall rearwardly of the aperture.
Preferably, the urine bottle is formed from maceratable material, for example, dried,
moulded paper pulp.
By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above of an embodiment of female urine bottle in
accordance with the present invention;
Fig.2 is a perspective view from below of the female urine bottle of fig. 1;
Fig.3 is a plan view of the female urine bottle of Fig.1 ;
Fig.4 is a side view of the female urine bottle of Fig.1 ;
Fig.5 is a front view of the female urine bottle of Fig. 1; and
Fig.6 is a rear view of the female urine bottle of Fig.1 .
An elongate disposable female urine bottle 10, is formed from moulded and dried
paper pulp on a conventional vacuum forming apparatus. The bottle 10 comprises a
generally flat, planar base wall 12 on which the bottle rests, in use, and an enclosing wall 14
extending upwardly from the periphery of the base wall 12 . The base wall 12 and the
enclosing wall 14 together define a receiving volume 16 to which access is gained via an
upwardly open aperture 18 in an upper face of the enclosing wall, as will be explained. As
will be seen from the drawings, the base wall 12 and the enclosing wall 14 merge smoothly
into each other to form a rounded corner 20 around the periphery of the base wall 12 and the
lower periphery of the enclosing wall 14.
As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3 , the base wall 12 is elongate and generally tearshaped,
having a wider, curved, rounded front end portion 22 which is presented to a user
and a narrower, curved rounded rear end portion 24. The base wall 1 is symmetrical about
an elongate axis A-A extending between the centres of the front and rear rounded end
portions 22, 24. The two sides of the base wall 12 each comprise a generally straight
portion 26, which merges smoothly at one end with the curved front portion 22 and merges
smoothly at the opposite end, over a longer distance, with the curved rear portion 24.
Although the base wall 12 is generally planar, it will be appreciated that it is slightly
outwardly convex, in order to reduce the "concaving" process which takes place during the
drying phase of the manufacturing process.
As best seen in Figs 1 and 3 , at the front end 22 of the bottle the enclosing wall 14 is
turned back over the periphery of the base wall 12 to form a rounded overhang portion 28.
The enclosing wall also increases in height from the wider, front portion 22 to the narrower,
rear portion 24, reaching a maximum height at a point 30 around three-quarters of the way
from the front to the rear of the base wall 12 . The overhang 28 is located above the base
wall 12 and extends rearwardly to the frontmost and lowermost portion of the aperture 18.
As best seen in Fig. 3, the overhang also extends to both sides of the aperture 18 and in fact
extends continuously from the sides of the aperture and the front end of the aperture. As
best seen in Figs. 4 to 6, the overhang 28 of the enclosing wall is also substantially
perpendicular to the base wall 12 where it meets the base wall.
The access aperture 18 extends from the overhang 28 over the front of the base wall
12 to the highest point 30 and as best seen in Fig. 3 it is located above the base wall 12, i.e.
the base wall 12 is visible through the aperture from above. The aperture 1 is generally
oval when viewed from above (Fig.3) but when viewed from the side (Fig.4) is upwardly and
forwardly concave, varying from a near-horizontal front portion 32 to a near-vertical rear
portion 34. An outwardly and upwardly projecting lip 36 is also moulded around the whole of
the periphery of the aperture 18, to assist in preventing spillage from the bottle and to
improve the comfort of the bottle to a user, as will be explained.
The lip 36 is also provided with two stiffening projections 36a on either side of the
lower portion of the aperture 18 and two stiffening projections 36b on either side of the upper
portion of the aperture 18. These are formed during moulding of the bottle in order to reduce
tearing of the bottle during moulding and to increase the strength to the finished product.
The aperture is much wider than the aperture of known female urine bottles, which
makes the bottle comfortable and stable in use and also reduces the likelihood of spillage or
leakage of urine during use. In the illustrated embodiment the maximum width of the
aperture is approximately 57% of the maximum width of the base wall 12 . However, it has
been found that the benefits are achieved if the maximum width of the aperture is at least
half (50%) of the maximum width of the base wall 12.
Rearwardly of the aperture 18, the enclosing wall is formed into an enclosed roof
portion 38 and into a handle portion 40 located at one end of the bottle. The roof portion 38
is located above the base wall 12, whereby the aperture 18 is located towards, and is open
towards, the front end 22 of the bottle and does not extend to the rear end portion 24 of the
bottle. The roof portion 38 slopes downwardly from its highest point 30 to the handle portion
40. The handle portion 40 is formed from a rear wall portion 42 of the enclosing wall,
extending perpendicularly with respect to the planar base wall 12 from the periphery of the
rounded rear portion 24 to the rearmost end of the roof portion 38, and two recesses 44, 46
in the enclosing wall 14 in front of the wall portion 42 on opposite sides of the rear wall
portion 42. The recesses 44, 46 are mirror images of each other, to allow left-or righthanded
operation, as will be explained.
As seen from the Figures, the recesses 44, 46 each comprises a generally triangular
and planar face 48, extending upwardly and inwardly from the upper boundary of the
overhang 28 above the lateral portion of the rounded rear portion 24 of the base wall 12 , a
generally triangular and planar rear face 50 extending forwardly from the rear wall portion 42
and a generally triangular and planar front face 52 extending rearwardly from a position just
behind the aperture 18. The three faces 48, 50, 52 merge smoothly into and with one
another and into and with the adjacent portions of the enclosing wall 14 and converge at a
rounded apex 54.
The urine bottle 10 is intended for use by a female patient in bed, who will thus be
lying down or in a semi-recumbent position. The bottle can be easily grasped, either by the
patient or by a nurse or other helper, by gripping the handle portion 40, whereby the
person's thumb is received in one of the apertures, 44, 46 the fingers are wrapped around
the upstanding end wall portion 42 and the end of the fingers are received in the other
aperture 44,46. This provides a very secure means of lifting the bottle and the provision of
the recesses 44, 46 as mirror images of one another allows the bottle to be lifted easily by
both left- and right-handed people.
The bottle 10 is then offered to the patient, front end 22 first, and placed in position
on the patient's bed. The wide and generally planar base 12 makes the bottle very stable
and the very low height of the front portion of the bottle facilitates correct positioning of the
bottle, particularly if the patient has restricted mobility.
The generally oval shape of the aperture 18 , and the upwardly and forwardly
concave shape of the profile of the periphery of the aperture 18 (i.e. when viewed from the
side) conform generally to the shape of the user's body and the engagement of the
upstanding lip 36 with a user's body helps to from a seal between the bottle and the user's
body, thereby reducing the likelihood of leakage of urine. It will also be observed that the
aperture 18 is relatively wide, thereby further reducing the likelihood of leakage.
After use, the bottle is then removed from the patient for disposal, typically in a
conventional macerator. This is facilitated by the handle portion 40 as described previously.
It will also be observed that the overhang 28 of the enclosing wall 14 around the lower
portions of the aperture 18 reduces the likelihood of spillage of urine from the bottle during
transport. Furthermore, the enclosed roof portion 38 located rearwardly of the aperture 18
above the base wall 12 allows the bottle to be tilted rearwardly during transport, whereby the
liquid in the bottle collects in the rear of the receiving volume, adjacent the vertical wall
portion 42, the recesses 44, 46 and the roof portion 38, and away from the aperture 18,
thereby further reducing the likelihood of spillage during transport.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For
example, although the bottle of the described embodiment is made from dried, moulded
paper pulp, other materials could be used. For example, if it is intended to have a reusable
bottle rather than a disposable bottle, the bottle may be formed from a reusable, washable
and/or autoclavable material such as plastics.

CLAIMS
1. A urine bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the
base wall, a urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an
aperture in the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the urine
bottle being elongate and comprising a front end for presentation to a user, the enclosing
wall comprising a portion which overhangs the base wall at the front end of the bottle.
2. A urine bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the
base wall, a urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an
aperture in the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the
aperture being elongate in plan view and comprising front and rear ends and sides joining
the front and rear ends, the enclosing wall extending outwardly from the sides and the front
end of the aperture.
3. A urine bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the
base wall, a urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an
aperture in the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the urine
bottle being elongate and further comprising handle means at one end.
4 . A urine bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the
base wall, a urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an
aperture in the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the urine
bottle being elongate and the width of the aperture at its widest point being at least half the
width of the base wall at its widest point.
5 . A urine bottle comprising a base wall, an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the
base wall, a urine receiving volume defined by the base wall and the enclosing wall and an
aperture in the enclosing wall which allows access to the urine receiving volume, the base
wall being substantially planar, the aperture being upwardly concave when viewed from the
side and the lowermost portion of the aperture being substantially parallel to the base wall.
6. A urine bottle as claimed in any of claims 1, 2, 4 or 5, further comprising handle
means at one end.
7. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 3 or claim 6, wherein the handle means comprises
an end portion of the enclosing wall.
8. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base wall is substantially planar and
the end portion of the enclosing wall which forms part of the handle means extends
substantially perpendicularly to the base wall.
9. A urine bottle as claimed in any of claims 3 or 6 to 8, wherein the handle means
comprises one or more inwardly-directed recesses in the enclosing wall.
10 . A urine bottle as claimed in claim 9, comprising two inwardly-directed recesses
located on opposite sides of the bottle.
11. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the two inwardly-directed recesses are
substantially mirror images of each other.
12 . A urine bottle as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 when appendant to claim 7, wherein
the or each recess is located forwardly of the end wall portion which forms part of the handle
means.
13. A urine bottle as claimed in any of claims 3 or 6 to 12, wherein the handle means
further comprises a top wall portion of the enclosing wall.
14 . A urine bottle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the top wall portion extends between
two side wall portions of the enclosing wall.
15. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 , wherein the top wall portion extends
towards the aperture.
16 . A urine bottle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the top wall portion extends towards an
upper end of the aperture.
17. A urine bottle as claimed in any of claims 2 to 16 , further comprising a front end for
presentation to a user, the enclosing wall comprising a portion which overhangs the base
wall at the front end of the bottle.
18. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 17, wherein the overhanging portion of
the enclosing wall extends rearwardly to the front portion of the periphery of the aperture.
19 . A urine bottle as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the enclosing wall
comprises a portion which overhangs the base wall at the front and side portions of the
aperture.
20. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 1 or any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the base wall
is substantially planar and the frontmost portion of the enclosing wall meets the base wall
substantially perpendicularly.
2 1. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 1 or any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the or each
overhanging portion is rounded.
22. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 1 or any of claims 17 to 2 1, wherein the maximum
length of the base wall is at least four times as long as the maximum length of the portion of
the enclosing wall which overhangs the base wall at the front end of the bottle.
23. A urine bottle as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 , 3 or 5 to 22, wherein the urine bottle is
elongate and the width of the aperture at its widest point is at least half the width of the base
wall at its widest point.
24. A urine bottle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 or 6 to 23, the base wall being
substantially planar, the aperture being upwardly concave when viewed from the side and
the lowermost portion of the aperture being substantially parallel into the base wall.
25. A urine bottle as claimed in any of claims 1 or 3 to 24, the aperture being elongate in
plan view and comprising front and rear ends and sides joining the front and rear ends, the
enclosing wall extending outwardly from the sides and the front end of the aperture.
26. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 2 or claim 25, wherein the enclosing wall extends
outwardly from the sides and front end of the aperture and downwardly to meet the base
wall.
27. A urine bottle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, the bottle
rests on the base wall.
28. A urine bottle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture is
upwardly and forwardly concave when viewed from the side.
29. A urine bottle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture is
located above the base wall.
30. A urine bottle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the enclosing wall
comprises a portion which is located above the base wall rearwardly of the aperture.
3 1. A urine bottle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottle is formed
from maceratable material.
32. A urine bottle as claimed in claim 3 1, wherein the bottle is formed from dried,
moulded paper pulp.