Portable urinal

Abstract

Embodiments provide portable apparatus adapted to accommodate a plurality of persons standing to engage in acts of urination, the portable apparatus including a movable base having a base outer edge, a movable base upper portion having a raised base central portion spaced in an inward direction from the base outer edge, a movable base upper portion including a plurality of spaced floor subsections intermediate a vertical riser and the base outer edge, the movable base upper portion including intermediate the plurality of spaced floor subsections a plurality of raised lower interior privacy partitions, each of said lower interior privacy partitions defining a secondary vertical riser, each of the raised lower interior privacy partitions adjoining a raised base central portion such that each secondary vertical riser cooperates with the vertical riser to define raised upper portions of a tank compartment, the tank compartment being defined by an interior space of the movable base.

1 . Portable apparatus adapted to accommodate a plurality of persons standing to engage in acts of urination, each person having a torso, when standing upright the torso being supported by a pair of legs associated with respective feet, the torso having a front, the torso having a rear disposed in opposition to the front, the person having a urinary organ supported on the front, in the act of urination the urinary organ functioning to release from the person a stream of urine, the portable apparatus comprising:
 a movable base adapted to rest on a stationary support, said movable base being movable relative to the stationary support, said movable base having a base outer edge, said movable base having a base central portion spaced in an inward direction from said base outer edge, said movable base having a bottom adapted to engage the stationary support for resting thereupon;   a plurality of stations supported by the movable base, said plurality of stations including a first station accommodating a respective first person standing to engage in an act of urination, said plurality of stations including an second station accommodating a respective second person standing to engage in an act of urination, said plurality of stations including a third station accommodating a respective third person standing to engage in an act of urination, said first station having a first alpha side, said first station having a first beta side opposite said first alpha side, said second station having a second beta side adjacent said first alpha side of said first station, said second station having a second alpha side opposite said second beta side, said third station having a third beta side adjacent said second alpha side of said second station, said third station having a third alpha side opposite third beta side, said first beta side of said first station being adjacent said third alpha side of said third station;   said first station including a first floor subsection supported by said movable base in spaced relation to said bottom, said first floor subsection being located intermediate said base outer edge and said base central portion, said first floor subsection being adapted to support the feet of the first person standing thereupon;   said first station including first personal space disposed generally above said first floor subsection, said first personal space being in open communication with exterior space to permit ingress by the first person from the exterior space into said first personal space, the exterior space being external of said portable apparatus, said first personal space being open to accommodate the first person when standing on the first floor subsection;   said first station including a first receptacle supported by said movable base, said first receptacle being supported above at least one of the following:
 said base central portion, said first floor subsection; 
   said first receptacle defining a first mouth, said first mouth being in open communication with said first open space to receive a urine stream when released from a urinary organ of the first person during an act of urination, the first person during the act of urination standing on the first floor subsection having an orientation wherein the front of the torso thereof faces the first receptacle;   said first station including at least one first fixed exterior privacy wall supported by said movable base, said at least one first fixed exterior privacy wall being disposed generally above said base outer edge adjacent said first floor subsection, said at least one first fixed exterior privacy wall defining at least one generally vertical plane intermediate said first personal space and exterior space, the exterior space being located in the exterior environment outside said portable apparatus, said at least one first fixed exterior privacy wall having defined therein a first door portal, said first door portal being disposed adjacent said first floor subsection to enable ingress by a person stepping from the exterior environment onto said first floor subsection, said at least one first fixed exterior privacy wall defining a first fixed exterior privacy screen adjacent said first door portal, said first fixed exterior privacy screen having a first fixed exterior privacy screen upper edge, said first fixed exterior privacy screen upper edge being disposed in spaced relation to said first floor subsection at a first fixed upper vertical position above said first mouth, said first fixed exterior privacy screen having a first fixed exterior privacy screen lower edge, said first fixed exterior privacy screen lower edge being disposed at a first fixed lower vertical position below said first mouth, said first fixed exterior privacy screen defining a first fixed private region adjacent said door portal and extending from said first fixed exterior privacy screen upper edge to said first fixed exterior privacy screen lower edge, said first fixed private region being substantially opaque to obstruct members of the public located in the exterior environment from viewing a first fixed private space in said first station;   said first station including a first movable exterior privacy member supported by said movable base, said first movable exterior privacy member being disposed generally above said base outer edge adjacent said first floor subsection, said first movable exterior privacy member being movable in relation to said at least one first fixed exterior privacy wall between a closed position and an open position, in the closed position said first movable exterior privacy member defining a substantially opaque first movable exterior privacy screen generally intermediate said first personal space and the exterior space, in the closed position said first movable exterior privacy screen having a first movable exterior privacy screen upper edge, in the closed position said first movable exterior privacy screen upper edge being disposed in spaced relation to said first floor subsection at a first prime upper vertical position above said first mouth, in the closed position said first exterior privacy screen having a first movable exterior privacy screen lower edge, in the closed position said first movable exterior privacy screen lower edge being disposed at a first prime lower vertical position below said first mouth, in the closed position said first movable exterior privacy screen defining a first prime private region extending substantially across said door portal from said first movable exterior privacy screen upper edge to said first movable exterior privacy screen lower edge, in the closed position said first prime private region being substantially opaque to obstruct members of the public located in the exterior environment from viewing a first prime private space in said first station; and   said first station including a first fixed interior privacy partition supported by said movable base, said first fixed interior privacy partition being disposed generally above said base intermediate said first floor subsection and said second station, said first fixed interior privacy partition preventing ingress by a person from said second station into said first station, said first fixed interior privacy partition defining at least one generally vertical plane intermediate said first personal space and said second station, said first fixed interior privacy partition extending from a first inner terminal edge to a first outer terminal edge, said first outer terminal edge being proximate at least one of said first fixed exterior privacy wall and said first door portal, said first inner terminal edge being located proximate said first mouth, said first fixed interior privacy partition defining a first fixed interior privacy screen, said first fixed interior privacy screen extending from said first outer terminal edge to said first inner terminal edge, said first fixed interior privacy screen having a first interior privacy screen upper edge, said first interior privacy screen upper edge being disposed in spaced relation to said first floor subsection at a first interior privacy screen upper vertical position above said first mouth, said first interior privacy screen having a first interior privacy screen lower edge, said first interior privacy screen lower edge being disposed at a first interior privacy screen lower vertical position below said first mouth, said first interior privacy screen defining a first interior private region extending between said first outer terminal edge, said first inner terminal edge, said first interior privacy screen upper edge and said first interior privacy screen lower edge, said first interior private region being substantially opaque to obstruct a second person located in said second station from viewing private space in said first station.   
   
   
       2 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 1  and further comprising:
 said movable base having an upper portion intersecting said base outer edge, said upper portion being spaced from said bottom, said movable base including an interior space intermediate said bottom and said upper portion, said interior space defining a tank compartment adapted to store urine waste, said urine waste being introduced into said tank compartment from said receptacle during acts of urination.   
   
   
       3 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 2  and further comprising:
 said upper portion having a major section defining intermediate said base outer edge and said base central portion said first floor subsection, said upper portion defining at said base central portion a vertical riser, said upper portion having a generally horizontal continuous upper edge defined by said vertical riser at a raised vertical position above said first floor subsection, said vertical riser defining a central raised portion of said tank compartment.   
   
   
       4 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 3  and further comprising:
 said upper portion defining inside said first fixed interior privacy partition a secondary raised portion of said tank compartment.   
   
   
       5 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 1  and further comprising:
 said portable apparatus including a roof supported by said movable base, said roof being supported generally above at least one of the following:
 said first fixed interior privacy partition, said first fixed exterior privacy wall, and said first movable exterior privacy member. 
   
   
   
       6 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 5  and further comprising:
 said roof having defined therein a vent opening, said vent opening being in open communication with a vent passage, said vent passage being in open communication with air space in said tank compartment.   
   
   
       7 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 6  and further comprising:
 said roof defining a slope, said vent opening being located at an uppermost location of said slope.   
   
   
       8 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 5  and further comprising:
 said roof being removable from said portable apparatus.   
   
   
       9 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 8  and further comprising:
 said roof being removable from said portable apparatus by manual actions without use of a tool.   
   
   
       10 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 9  and further comprising:
 said roof when removed being replaceable on said portable apparatus by manual actions without use of a tool.   
   
   
       11 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 5  and further comprising:
 said roof having therein an upper air exit passage in open communication with the first personal space, said upper air exit passage being in open communication with the exterior environment above said roof to enable an updraft of air exiting said first personal space through said upper air exit passage into the exterior environment above said roof.   
   
   
       12 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 11  and further comprising:
 at least one of said first fixed exterior privacy wall and said first movable exterior privacy member defining a lower air entry passage in open communication with said first personal space, said lower air entry passage being in open communication with the exterior environment above said movable base, cooperation of said lower air entry passage and said upper air exit passage enabling an updraft of air from the external environment through said lower air entry passage into said first personal space, upward through said first personal space, exiting said personal space through said upper air exit passage into the exterior environment above said roof.   
   
   
       13 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 4  and further comprising:
 said first interior privacy partition at said first outer terminal edge being joined in fixed relation with said first fixed exterior privacy wall.   
   
   
       14 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 13  and further comprising:
 said first interior privacy partition at said first outer terminal edge and said first fixed exterior privacy wall including a first upper integral wall assembly, said first upper integral wall assembly when viewed from above having an upper T-shaped profile, said upper T-shaped profile having a first upper corner in said first station, said upper T-shaped profile having a second upper corner opposite from said first upper corner, said first upper corner having an upper radius.   
   
   
       15 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 14  and further comprising:
 said first interior privacy partition at said first outer terminal edge and said first fixed exterior privacy wall including a first lower integral wall assembly, said first lower integral wall assembly when viewed from above having a lower T-shaped profile, said lower T-shaped profile being defined by a first raised outer portion of said movable base, said first lower integral wall assembly being located immediately below said upper T-shaped profile in abutting relationship therewith, said upper T-shaped profile having an upper major width, said lower T-shaped profile having a lower major width, said lower major width being greater than said upper major width, said lower T-shaped profile having a first lower corner in said first station, said lower T-shaped profile having a second lower corner opposite said first lower corner, said first lower corner being spaced from said first upper corner in a direction toward said first floor subsection, said second lower corner having a lower radius.   
   
   
       16 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 4  and further comprising:
 said first interior privacy partition at said first inner terminal edge being joined in fixed relation with at least one adjacent interior privacy partition.   
   
   
       17 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 16  and further comprising:
 said first interior privacy partition at said first inner terminal edge and said at least one adjacent interior privacy partition including a central upper integral partition assembly.   
   
   
       18 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 17  and further comprising:
 said central upper integral partition assembly when viewed from above having an upper integral hub and spoke configuration, said upper hub being formed by an upper hub sidewall intermediate said inner terminal edge and an adjacent inner terminal edge of said at least one adjacent interior privacy partition, a first upper spoke being formed by a first upper interior privacy partition joined in integral relation with said upper hub sidewall, said first upper interior privacy partition being a portion of said first interior privacy partition, at least one adjacent upper spoke being formed by at least one adjacent upper interior privacy partition joined in integral relation with said upper hub sidewall, said at least one adjacent upper interior privacy partition being a portion of said at least one adjacent interior privacy partition.   
   
   
       19 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 16  and further comprising:
 said first interior privacy partition at said first inner terminal edge and said at least one adjacent interior privacy partition including a central lower integral partition assembly, said central lower integral partition assembly being located below said central upper integral partition assembly, said central lower integral partition assembly when viewed from above having a lower integral hub and spoke configuration, said lower hub being formed by an lower hub sidewall intermediate said inner terminal edge and an adjacent inner terminal edge of said at least one adjacent interior privacy partition, a first lower spoke being formed by a first lower interior privacy partition joined in integral relation with said lower hub sidewall, said first lower interior privacy partition being a portion of said first interior privacy partition, at least one adjacent lower spoke being formed by at least one adjacent lower interior privacy partition joined in integral relation with said lower hub sidewall, said at least one adjacent lower interior privacy partition being a portion of said at least one adjacent interior privacy partition.   
   
   
       20 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 16  and further comprising:
 said lower hub sidewall including at said base central portion an upper portion of said movable base defining a vertical riser, said lower hub being defined by said vertical riser, said vertical riser having a generally horizontal continuous upper edge at a raised vertical position above   said first floor subsection, said vertical riser defining a central raised portion of said tank compartment, said first lower spoke including a first lower interior privacy partition located below said first upper interior privacy partition, said first lower interior privacy partition being defined by a secondary upper portion of said movable base, said secondary upper portion extending outward from said hub sidewall toward said outer edge of said movable base, said secondary upper portion having an outer terminal end at said outer edge of said movable base, said secondary upper portion having a generally horizontal top located at a raised vertical position above said first floor subsection, said secondary upper portion defining inside said first lower spoke a secondary raised portion of said tank compartment.   
   
   
       21 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 16  and further comprising:
 said first lower interior privacy partition being defined by a secondary upper portion of said movable base, said secondary upper portion extending outward from said hub sidewall toward said outer edge of said movable base, said secondary upper portion having an outer terminal end at said outer edge of said movable base   
   
   
       22 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 14  and further comprising:
 said first upper integral wall assembly being formed in integral fixed relationship with a central upper integral partition assembly.   
   
   
       23 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 15  and further comprising:
 said first lower interior privacy partition including said first lower integral wall assembly formed in integral fixed relationship with a central lower integral partition assembly.   
   
   
       24 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 18  and further comprising:
 said hub defining a generally vertical air shaft in open communication with said tank compartment, said air shaft having an upper terminal end located at a vertical position generally above said first personal space, said air shaft at said upper terminal end being in open communication with the external environment to convey odorous vapor upward from urine waste in said tank compartment to an elevated vertical position generally above said first personal space.   
   
   
       25 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 24  and further comprising:
 a secondary odor prevention device in open communication with said air shaft, said secondary odor prevention device being functional to reduce odorous vapor to be released into the external environment.   
   
   
       26 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 25  and further comprising:
 said secondary odor prevention device including adsorptive media.   
   
   
       27 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 26  and further comprising:
 said adsorptive media including activated carbon media.   
   
   
       28 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 2  and further comprising:
 a level indicator in communication with said tank compartment, said level indicator indicating a level of liquid urine waste in said tank compartment, said level indicator being visible from the exterior environment.   
   
   
       29 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 2  and further comprising:
 a primary odor prevention device in communication with said first mouth, said primary odor prevention device being functional to reduce odorous vapor released through said first mouth into said first personal space.   
   
   
       30 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 29  and further comprising:
 said receptacle including a substantially continuous first receiver sidewall tapering inward from said first mouth, said first receiver sidewall being in open communication with a first receiver outlet spaced from said mouth, said first receiver outlet being located at a vertical position below said first mouth to enable gravity flow of urine waste along a downward path from said first receiver sidewall through said first receiver outlet, said first receiver outlet being in communication with said tank compartment to enable flow of urine waste into said tank compartment, said primary odor prevention device including said first receiver sidewall defining a funnel structure having a narrow neck opposite said first mouth, said neck having a neck cross-sectional area, said first mouth having a mouth cross-sectional area, said neck cross-sectional area being less than said mouth cross-sectional area, said primary odor prevention device including said first receiver outlet being located at a bottom of said neck, said first receiver outlet having an outlet width, said primary odor prevention device including a float located in said neck, said float having a float width, said float width exceeding said outlet width, said float in the absence of urine waste in said neck obstructing said first receiver outlet, said float in the presence of urine waste in said neck opening said first receiver outlet by moving away from said first receiver outlet.   
   
   
       31 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 30  and further comprising:
 said float being a ball having a density to float in urine waste in spaced relation to said first receiver outlet, in the absence of urine waste said ball by force of gravity resting on said first receiver outlet to obstruct same.   
   
   
       32 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 29  and further comprising:
 said primary odor prevention device including a trapped liquid, said trapped liquid being in communication with a vapor space, said vapor space being in communication with said tank compartment, said trapped liquid functioning as a vapor barrier to prevent vapor from escaping from said vapor space through said first mouth into said first personal space.   
   
   
       33 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 32  and further comprising:
 said trapped liquid including a supplemental chemical agent.   
   
   
       34 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 33  and further comprising:
 said tank compartment having no supplemental chemical agent therein.   
   
   
       35 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 2  and further comprising:
 said tank compartment having no supplemental chemical agent therein.   
   
   
       36 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 2  and further comprising:
 said movable base including a plurality of vertical support members intermediate said bottom and said upper surface, each of said vertical support members being defined by a projection extending upward through said tank compartment from said bottom, each projection contacting an interior surface of said upper portion when the first person stands on said first floor subsection, said first floor subsection being supported on said upper portion, said projection thus providing vertical support for said first floor subsection when the first person stands on said first floor subsection.   
   
   
       37 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 36  and further comprising:
 said projection being an elongated ridge defined in said bottom, said ridge extending upward through said tank compartment, said ridge having a ridge top, said ridge top contacting an interior surface of said upper portion when the first person stands on said first floor subsection, said interior surface being defined opposite said first floor subsection in spaced relation thereto.   
   
   
       38 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 1  and further comprising:
 at least one lifting element suitable for engagement by lifting equipment when moving said portable apparatus.   
   
   
       39 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 38  and further comprising:
 said at least one lifting element including at least one of the following:
 a set of forklift slots and a lifting eye. 
   
   
   
       40 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 1  and further comprising:
 said at least one first movable exterior privacy member including a first movable exterior door, said first exterior door being pivotable relative to said first fixed exterior privacy wall between open and closed positions.   
   
   
       41 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 40  and further comprising:
 at least one of said first fixed exterior privacy wall and said first movable exterior door including a door latch, said door latch being functional to keep said first movable exterior door in the closed position relative to said first fixed exterior privacy wall during an act of urination by the first person.   
   
   
       42 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 2  and further comprising:
 a tank compartment upper outlet, said tank compartment upper outlet being selectively operable to provide access to said tank compartment by an external service hose, said external service hose being operable to pump the urine waste from said tank compartment.   
   
   
       43 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 2  and further comprising:
 a tank compartment sanitary outlet, said tank compartment sanitary outlet being selectively operable to be connected to an external sanitary pipe, said external sanitary pipe being operable to receive the urine waste from said tank compartment.   
   
   
       44 . Portable apparatus adapted to accommodate a plurality of persons standing to engage in acts of urination, said portable apparatus comprising:
 a movable base adapted to rest on a stationary support, said movable base being movable relative to the stationary support, said movable base having a base outer edge, said movable base having a bottom adapted to engage the stationary support for resting thereupon, said movable base having a movable base upper portion spaced from said bottom, said movable base upper portion intersecting said base outer edge, said movable base upper portion having a raised base central portion spaced in an inward direction from said base outer edge, said raised base upper portion defining a primary vertical riser, said primary vertical riser having a generally horizontal continuous primary riser upper edge defined at a raised primary vertical position above a plurality of spaced floor subsections, said movable base upper portion including said plurality of spaced floor subsections intermediate said vertical riser and said base outer edge, said movable base upper portion including intermediate said plurality of spaced floor subsections a plurality of raised lower interior privacy partitions, each of said lower interior privacy partitions defining a secondary vertical riser, each secondary vertical riser having a generally horizontal secondary riser top defined at a raised secondary vertical position above said plurality of floor subsections, each of said raised lower interior privacy partitions adjoining said raised base central portion such that each said secondary vertical riser cooperates with said primary vertical riser to define raised upper portions of a tank compartment, said tank compartment being defined by an interior space of said movable base, said interior space being intermediate said bottom and said movable base upper portion, said tank compartment being adapted to store urine waste introduced during acts of urination, said primary vertical riser defining a central raised portion of said tank compartment, each said secondary vertical riser defining a respective secondary raised portion of said tank compartment.   
   
   
       45 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 44  and further comprising:
 said movable base upper portion including intermediate said base outer edge and said plurality of spaced floor subsections a plurality of raised lower exterior privacy partitions, each of said lower exterior privacy partitions defining a tertiary vertical riser, each said tertiary vertical riser being continuous with a respective said secondary vertical riser, each tertiary vertical riser having a generally horizontal tertiary riser top defined at a raised tertiary vertical position above said plurality of floor subsections, each tertiary vertical riser defining a portion of a respective raised lower interior privacy partition, each said tertiary vertical riser cooperating with said secondary vertical riser to define a tertiary raised portion of said tank compartment in communication with secondary raised portion of said tank compartment.   
   
   
       46 . Portable apparatus according to  claim 2  and further comprising:
 said tank compartment including a bladder, said bladder being adapted to contain the urine waste.