FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of portable restrooms and toilets and, more particularly, to a portable restroom system that conceals the body from view for privacy, can readily be carried on the body like a wallet or in a purse, and is disposable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Portable toilet inventions are well known in the art and can be categorized into three general areas: 1) portable outhouses (a commode and sink in a walled enclosure); 2) portable bucket or chair style designs resembling the commode (not inside a walled enclosure); and 3) foldable bags. The state of the art for these inventions in relation to my

invention is explained below.

[0003] Portable outhouse style restrooms block the user from public view with a walled enclosure. These include port-a- lets, which are assembled out of molded synthetic resinous materials. U.S. Pat. No. 8,104,106 to Andersen discloses a housed portable urinal that can be used at locations where a water supply and sewerage systems are not available. This portable toilet is walled, has a urine collection tank, and a hand wash sink. Also in this category are laboratory tents that create a similar walled room with tent poles and canvas.

[0004] Portable bucket or chair designs fulfill the function of the traditional commode albeit without the privacy that walled portable outhouses provide. For example U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,794 to Dalton discloses a lightweight, collapsible toilet having a supporting frame, a toilet seat, and a bag-type receptacle suspended beneath the toilet seat that can be carried on a backpack or in a case. U.S. Pat. No.7,996,930 to Carter teaches such a model made of foldable stock.

[0005] The most common ultra-portable toilets are the individual leak proof plastic bags which are designed for use in a closed area such as a car. For example, U.S. Pat. No.

5,235,705 to Belisle discloses a pocket portable urinal made of water proof and flexible material. There are also plastic fecal bags in the market that offer a wider bag opening than the commonly used urine bags.

[0006] Lastly is U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,140 to Baustin which teaches a non-disposable, non-compactable, conventional outer coat with arm slits configured to allow men to urinate

inconspicuously directly into container domiciled into an inbuilt pocket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In general, my invention is an ultra-portable restroom system. The system comprises an opaque poncho, a fecal receptacle bag, a urine receptacle bag, sanitary wipes, and a compact container bag receiving the poncho, fecal receptacle bag, urine receptacle bag, and sanitary wipes.

[0008] My improved system satisfies the need for a private and portable restroom. My system includes an opaque poncho that is worn by an individual to shield his/her body from view while providing an infrastructure within the object for use of a toilet. My system also includes human waste receptacle bags and hygienic body wipes . By using an opaque material for the poncho and waste receptacle bags, the entire process of urinating or defecating is concealed. The prior art mentioned in the previous section does not provide the combined benefits of my invention, namely, a complete and highly portable restroom system that shields the user from public view and is compactable and disposable. [ 0009 ] The portable outhouses described in the previous section provide a restroom system which includes a concealed enclosure, urine and fecal receptacles, means for restoring personal hygiene, and a means for storing and disposing fecal and urine waste. However, unlike my invention, the portable outhouses are not pocket-sized and cannot be used or worn discreetly. The outer coat is not compactable and disposable. Portable bucket/chair designs are more portable than outhouse because they can be carried on a backpack or in a carrying case. However, they are far less compactable than my invention that can fit in a pocket or a purse and is disposable. The plastic bag toilets, like my invention, are highly portable. However, like the portable buckets/chair designs, the user does not have a visual barrier to the public and must disrobe or expose genital or anal areas in order to use those bags/containers. My invention prevents that exposure with an opaque poncho that shields the user from public view from the moment the poncho is draped on the body. An opening below the neck allows a clear line of site for the user to use the restroom and specially designed arm openings allow movement of hands freely in an out of the poncho.

[ 0010 ] My invention uses ultra-portable fecal and urine bags that are selected and designed for integration into an enclosed restroom system. The bags are foldable and easily fit into a compact container bag.

[ 0011 ] Further, the current state of the art does not provide a suitable fecal receptacle bag that can reliably catch waste from a standing position as required by my poncho restroom system. Thus, my invention brings to the science a specially designed bag to catch fecal waste with a "triple harness fit and catch system". Wide bags without handles, another invention mentioned above, are difficult to position accurately to catch fecal matter. My invention has two handles that can be pulled towards or beyond the hips as well as a strap. The strap serves as a third handle that pulls the bag into position by extending the bag towards the crotch. It loops through the legs and is held by either hand. By extending the catchment area of the bag beyond the sides of the anus as well as under the crotch, feces will always drop into the bag from a standing user. Also, the handles allow for an easier and firmer grip and confidence that the bag is in position before defecation. Without this harness system, the bag itself would have to be considerably larger to fully cover the catchment area and would not easily be

positioned under the crotch. The bag and harness system accommodates the lower buttocks securely. To guide the user, instructions may be written on the bag directing the user where and how to grasp handles. For disposal, the bag is either sealed and/or dropped into a second outer fecal disposal bag that is sealed. Absorbent, disinfectant, and odorizing

materials may be included in the fecal waste receptacle bags.

[ 0012 ] The system of my invention includes sanitary wipes that are custom sized to fit in the containment bag.

[ 0013 ] Labeling on the edge of the packaged poncho, urine bag, fecal bag, and sanitary wipes creates a convenient filing system style of access to these items once packed in the containment bag. The opening of the containment bag is sized and configured to allow packed items in the bag to be easily removed from the bag.

[ 0014 ] Both males and females can use the system of my invention .

[ 0015 ] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[ 0016 ] FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective of a portable restroom system of my invention; [ 0017 ] FIG. 2 is a poncho of the system of FIG. 1;

[ 0018 ] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of fecal bag of the system;

[ 0019 ] FIG. 4 is a top perspective of the fecal bag in an open condition;

[ 0020 ] FIG. 5 is a side elevation of how the fecal bag is held in use;

[ 0021 ] FIG. 6 is a front elevation of how the fecal bag is held is use;

[ 0022 ] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of how the fecal bag is dropped into a disposal bag;

[ 0023 ] FIG. 8 is a view of a urine bag of my system; and

[ 0024 ] FIG. 9 is a view of a sanitary wipe of my system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[ 0025 ] FIG. 1 illustrates a portable restroom system of my invention, generally designated 1. In this embodiment, the system includes an opaque poncho 2, a fecal receptacle bag 3, a urine receptacle bag 5, sanitary wipes 7, and a compact outer container bag or encasement 9. Optionally, items 2, 3, 5, and 7 are individually packaged in a plurality of separate open-mouth pouches 10 that fit side-by-side in the container bag 9.

[ 0026 ] Referring to FIG. 2, the poncho 2 comprises a substantially rectangular main body 11, having an upper end 13, a lower end 15, a first side 17 and a second side 19. The main body 11 of the poncho has a neck opening 21. In the illustrated embodiment, a hood 23 is connected to the upper end 15 of the main body 11 at the neck opening 21 to provide additional privacy. The hood 23 is optional.

[ 0027 ] The main body 11 of the poncho 2 has an overall length 25 and an overall width 27 sufficient to cover the user's body from the shoulders down to below the anus and genital areas when urinating or defecating in a standing, squatting, or sitting position. The poncho has large arm openings 31 at opposite sides 17, 19 of the poncho. Each arm opening 31 is large enough so that a respective arm bent at the elbow can pass freely through the arm opening, which allows the hands and arms of the user to move freely between positions inside and outside the poncho. This is important for using the fecal and urine bags 3, 5 and wipes 7 and sometimes for balance when using the system.

[ 0028 ] The front of the main body 11 of the poncho has a special view opening 33 for allowing the user to view the front of his/her body inside the poncho. As shown in FIG. 2, the view opening 33 extends down from the neck opening 21. By way of example, the view opening 33 may be formed by a cut-out in the material of the main body 11 of the poncho. In the illustrated embodiment, the view opening 33 is generally V-shaped, but it may have other shapes (e.g., rectangular, U-shaped) . Desirably, the view opening 33 is sufficiently wide to give the user a 180 degree view of the front of his/her body, and preferably extends down to a location corresponding to an area between the sternum and waist of the user. Also desirably, the view opening 33 is sized sufficiently large to enable a user to view any necessary adjustment and/or removal of clothing and proper positioning of the fecal and urine bags 3, 5, but sufficiently small to obscure viewing of the anus and genitals by the public.

[ 0029 ] In one embodiment, the view opening 33 has a height 35 not more than 40% of the overall length 25 of the poncho and a width 37 at the neck opening 21 not more than 140% of the diameter 41 of the neck opening 21 as measured across the neck opening in side-to-side (shoulder-to-shoulder) direction. By way of example but not limitation, the main body 11 of the poncho 2 has an overall length 25 in the range of 90-160 cm (e.g., about 102 cm) and an overall width 27 in the range of 120-140 cm (e.g., 127 cm); the neck opening 21 has a width 41 in the range of 20-30 cm (e.g., about 25 cm); and the view opening 33 has a height 35 in the range of 20-41 cm (e.g., about 26 cm) and a width 37 in the range of 20-42 cm (e.g., about 25 cm) . These dimensions will vary depending on the size of the user.

[0030] The poncho 2 is fabricated from a thin, flexible, opaque material (e.g., polyethylene) which is water proof, disposable and highly compactable . Desirably, the material is also stain proof.

[0031] To use the poncho 2, the user slips the poncho over his/her head so that the head extends through the neck opening 21 and the poncho material is allowed to drape down over the body so that inner-garments can be removed with privacy. The user extends his/her arms through the arm openings 31. The view opening 33 is positioned at the front of the user's torso.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the fecal receptacle bag 3 is water-tight to resist leakage. The bag 3 comprises a bag portion 51 having a closed bottom 53, an open top 55, and a peripheral sidewall 57 extending between the top and bottom of the bag portion. The open top 55 is configured to extend across and cover buttocks of the user. The bag 3 has two side handles 67 attached to opposite sides of the bag portion 51 adjacent the open top 55, and a front handle 71 attached to the front of the bag portion 51 adjacent an upper corner of the bag portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the side handles 67 are configured as loops and the front handle 71 is configured as a strap which serves as a third handle/harness. The handles 67, 71 may have other configurations.

[0033] In use, the side handles 67 are pulled forward beyond the hip bones to hold the open top 55 of the bag portion 51 of the fecal bag 3 in a position around the buttocks of a user (see FIGS. 5 and 6) . The front handle 71 is pulled forward between the legs of the user (under the crotch) and held by either hand, which secures the bag portion 51 in a position for catching all fecal matter as it is expelled. The two side handles 67 and the front handle 71 provide a triple harness, secure fit. Markings 75 on the outside surface of the bag portion 51 provide directional arrows and instructions for the bag's use (see FIG. 3) .

[0034] Optionally, my system 1 includes a second (outer) fecal disposal bag 77 for receiving the fecal receptacle bag 3 after use to insure against leakage (see FIG. 7) . Both bags 3, 77 can be sealed via zip-lock or with a knot 79 (as pet shops commonly do with live goldfish) . The bags 3, 77 are of a thin material that is disposable and highly compactable, e.g., polyethylene. The material is opaque to maintain the privacy of its contents. The fecal receptacle bag 3 is also suitable for use as a female urinal. As initially provided with the system 1, the fecal receptacle bag 3 and fecal disposal bag 77 may be packed in the same pouch 10 or separate pouches 10.

[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the urine receptacle bag 5. The urine bag 5 has a water-tight lower section or bag portion 81 that resists leakage and is sealable after use along a seal line 83. The bag 5 also includes an upper section 85 which is shaped for a close fit over the genital area to minimize leakage during urination. By way of example, the lower section 81 is fabricated from polyethylene sheet material, and the upper section 85 is fabricated from IXPE foam sheet. The urine receptacle bag 5 folds to fit into its respective pouch 10 and container bag 9.

[0036] FIG. 9 illustrates one of the sanitary wipes 7. The packaged sanitary wipes 7 are included for cleaning the anus and genital areas as well as hands and face and are sized to fit into a respective pouch 10 and the container bag 9. Desirably, the wipes 7 are of suitable size and formed from sheet material treated with hygienic ingredients . By way of example but not limitation, each wipe 7 has a length in the range of 15-30 cm (e.g., about 26 cm), a width in the range of 10-26 cm (e.g., about 20 cm), and a weight in the range of 20-70 grams/m ² (e.g., about 50 grams/m ² ) . The number of wipes 7 provided may vary from one wipe (which may be relatively large) to multiple wipes

(which may be smaller in size) .

[0037] The portable restroom system 1 of my invention can be used in any user position, but it is designed primarily for standing and squatting positions.

[0038] Referring again to FIG. 1, the poncho 2, the fecal receptacle bag 3, the urine receptacle bag 5 and the sanitary wipes 7 are packed in respective separate pouches 10, and these pouches fit side-by-side in the container bag 9 for easy access by a user of the portable restroom system 1. Desirably, the pouches 10 have labels 87 which identify the contents of the pouches (e.g., "poncho", "urine bag", "fecal bag", and "sanitary wipes") for the convenience of the user. The labels 87 are located adjacent ends of the pouches for easy viewing (like labeled file folders in a file drawer) while the pouches are in the containment bag 9 and as the pouches are removed from the container bag 9.

[0039] The container bag 9 may be a stand-alone bag.

Alternatively, the poncho 2 may have a pocket 93 (FIG. 2) that functions as a container bag. The pocket 93 is located on the interior or exterior of the main body 11 of the poncho 2, and preferably at the front of the poncho for easy access.

Desirably, the pocket 93 has a height, width and depth large enough to hold the fecal receptacle bag 3, the fecal disposal bag 77, the urine receptacle bag 5, and the wipes 7. The pocket 93 is also sufficiently large to enable the main body 11 and hood 23 (if provided) of the poncho 2 to be collapsed into the pocket 93 for compact storage of all components of the system 1. The pocket 93 reveals itself when the poncho 2 is unfolded and placed on the body. The pocket 93 frees up the hands of the user when using the poncho toilet infrastructure, i.e., urine fecal bag 3, urine bag 5, and sanitary wipes 7.

[ 0040 ] Because of its lightness and small size, my portable restroom system 1 can be carried on the body like a wallet or in a purse, or stowed in a vehicle, for example in a car's glove compartment. Referring to FIG. 1, the container bag 9 (or pocket 93) containing the poncho 2, fecal and urine receptacle bags 3,5, and wipes 7 can have a length 95 of about 12cm to about 19cm (about 4.7 inches to about 7.5 inches), preferably about 14.3cm (about 5.6 inches); a width 97 of about 9.5cm to about 14cm (about 3.7 inches to about 5.5 inches), preferably about 11 cm (about 4.3 inches); and a depth 99 of about 1.5cm to 4cm (about .59 inches to about 1.6 inches), preferably about 2.5cm (about 1 inch) .

[ 0041 ] Materials were selected with opaqueness, lightness, volume and hygiene in mind. With the use of plastic, more eco- friendly plastic alternatives were considered.

[ 0042 ] All items mentioned above are disposable. The fecal receptacle bag 3, fecal disposal bag 77, urine receptacle bag 5, wipes 7, and containment bag 9, can all be discarded after use. The poncho 2 may be discarded after a single use or used again.

[ 0043 ] The system 1 of my invention is useful in most circumstances when private and public bathrooms are not

available. In such a situation, there is no receptacle for urine and feces (waste) and no toilet paper or sink to restore personal hygiene. With no private room, the process of

urinating or defecating may not only be embarrassing, but also in violation of indecent exposure laws. My invention resolves this problem with an aggregated packed product inclusive of an opaque poncho to cover the body, waste receptacle bags, and personal hygiene wipes, that is small enough to be carried on the body. [0044] This includes but is not limited to places without restroom access like boats, construction sites, and disaster zones. It is also applicable in public areas where restroom facilities are sparse, dirty or hard to get to such as on the road with a car or bike, visits to the park or beach, and public events such as demonstrations and concerts.

[0045] My invention has public benefits including the prevention of diseases and odors caused by public urination and defecation, as well as breaches of indecent exposure laws.

[0046] This invention can be mass produced in a manner similar to products such as rain ponchos, plastic bags, wet wipes and other products .

[0047] A method of using my system comprises the following steps: opening the containment bag 9, donning the poncho 2 for privacy, selecting one of the urine and fecal bags 3, 5, positioning the selected bag in a position for receiving urine or feces, urinating or defecating into the selected bag, using one or more wipes 7 to clean self, and disposing of the selected bag and one or more used wipes.

[0048] When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments ( s ) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and

"having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0049] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objectives of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

[0050] As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing [s] shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.