IP Library Granted Patent US 6,918,899
Granted Patent B2
US 6,918,899 · App. 10/418,852 · Granted Jul 19, 2005

Automatic bladder relief system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,918,899
App. No.
10/418,852
Granted
Jul 19, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

This invention relates to an automatic or semi-automatic bladder relief system, specifically designed to increase the overall sanitation and comfort for users that may require a means to dispose of their urine in the absence of other sanitary facilities due to situations such as aircraft pilots and incontinent individuals. For user comfort this invention incorporates an inflatable urine collection means that may be deflated after use.

Claims (22)

1. An automatic bladder relief system comprised of:

a urine depository means;

a urine detection means attached to the urine depository means;

a urine transport means attached to the urine depository means and the urine detection means wherein the urine transport means is activated to transport urine from the urine depository means by the urine detection means when urine is present in the urine depository means; and

a urine storage means attached to the urine transport means;

the urine depository means is comprised of:

a base pad;

at least one air cushion tubing attached to the base pad; and

an air pump attached to the air cushion tubing such that when the air pump is activated the air cushion tubing inflates from a generally flat condition to an inflated condition thereby forming with the base pad an area where urine discharged by a user can pool generally away from contact with the user's body and then the pooled urine can be transported by the transport means and upon deactivation of the air pump the air cushion tubing discharges the pumped air by means of compression caused by the user's seated body weight and returns to the generally flat condition.

2. The automatic bladder relief system of claim 1 , wherein the urine transport means is a suction pump.

3. The automatic bladder relief system of claim 1 wherein the urine transport means is a pump.

4. The automatic bladder relief system of claim 1 wherein the urine detection means is comprised of:

a urine sensor capable of detecting the presence of a fluid in the urine depository means; and

a urine detection signal transmission means attached to the urine sensor and the urine transport means activating the urine transport means by transmitting a signal thereto when the urine sensor detects the presence of the fluid.

5. The automatic bladder relief system of claim 1 wherein the urine storage means is comprised of:

a leakproof storage bag;

the leakproof storage bag having an air vent that allows only air to escape.

6. The automatic bladder relief system of claim 5 wherein the leakproof storage bag contains absorbent polymer crystals.

7. The automatic bladder relief system of claim 1 wherein the urine transport means is powered by DC electrical current.

8. The automatic bladder relief system of claim 1 wherein the urine transport means is powered by AC electrical current.

9. The automatic bladder relief system of claim 1 wherein the air cushion tubing is also comprised of:

a foam insert of open cell composition which when placed under compression by the user's seated body weight allows the air cushion tubing to maintain a generally flat condition and the foam of open cell composition when relieved of the user's seated body weight causes the air cushion tubing to expand to a condition resembling the air cushion tubing inflated condition.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2011
From: HARVIE, MARK
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 026171/0834 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2011
From: HARVIE, MARK
To: MALONE, PATRICK
Reel/Frame 026106/0162 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 1036924000 · Feb 19, 2003
Provisional Application 6035967200 · Feb 26, 2002
Related Publication 20030195484A1 · Oct 16, 2003