Portable latrine and method

Abstract

The portable latrine comprises a frame, a rear sheet member, and a front sheet member. The rear sheet member comprises sheet material comprising outer edges coupled to the frame such the rear sheet member extends from a frame first side to a frame second side. The frame, the rear sheet member, and front sheet member define a receptacle. The frame is flexible and the rear and front sheet members are arranged such that the frame is adapted to be coiled into a collapsed position and uncoiled into an expanded position. The method comprises the steps of providing a portable latrine, the portable latrine being in a collapsed position; uncoiling the portable latrine from the collapsed position; using a suspension mechanism, suspending the portable latrine from a structure; removing the portable latrine from the structure; and re-coiling the portable latrine into the collapsed position.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A portable latrine comprising:
 a frame, a rear member, and a front sheet member, the frame comprising a spring hoop;   the rear member comprising sheet material comprising outer edges coupled to the spring hoop;   the sheet material being adapted to be expanded by the spring hoop to form a rear wall;   the front sheet member being coupled to a lower perimeter portion of the frame;   the frame, the rear wall, and front sheet member defining a receptacle comprising a receptacle opening and a cavity for receiving liquids, the receptacle opening, when the portable latrine is in use, being positioned above the cavity, the spring hoop and rear wall extending above and below the receptacle opening such that the spring hoop defines the rear wall above and below the receptacle opening and such that the spring hoop extends to a position adjacent to a lowermost portion of the receptacle; and   the frame being flexible and the rear member and front sheet member being arranged such that the frame can be coiled into a collapsed position.   
     
     
         2 . The portable latrine of  claim 1  wherein the spring hoop comprises spring steel and an oval configuration, when the portable latrine is in an expanded configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The portable latrine of  claim 2  wherein the portable latrine, when in the collapsed position, comprises a generally flat configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The portable latrine of  claim 1  further comprising a strap. 
     
     
         5 . The portable latrine of  claim 4  further comprising a suction cup. 
     
     
         6 . The portable latrine of  claim 1 , the front sheet member comprising one or more magnets adapted to permit the receptacle to be retained in a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . A portable latrine comprising:
 a frame, a rear member, and a front sheet member the frame comprising a spring hoop;   the rear member comprising sheet material comprising outer edges coupled to the spring hoop;   the sheet material being adapted to be expanded by the spring hoop to form a rear wall;   the spring hoop comprising spring steel and, when the portable latrine is in an expanded configuration, the frame comprising an oval configuration;   the front sheet member being coupled to a lower perimeter portion of the frame;   the frame, the rear member, and front sheet member defining a receptacle comprising a receptacle opening and a cavity for receiving liquids, the receptacle opening, when the portable latrine is in use, being positioned above the cavity, the spring hoop and rear wall extending above and below the receptacle opening such that the spring hoop defines the rear wall above and below the receptacle opening and such that the spring hoop extends to a position adjacent to a lowermost portion of the receptacle;   the frame being flexible and the rear member and front sheet member being arranged such that the frame can be coiled into a collapsed position; and   the portable latrine, when in the collapsed position, comprising a generally flat configuration.   
     
     
         8 . The portable latrine of  claim 7  further comprising a strap. 
     
     
         9 . The portable latrine of  claim 8  further comprising a suction cup. 
     
     
         10 . The portable latrine of  claim 7 , the front sheet member comprising one or more magnets adapted to permit the receptacle to be retained in a closed position. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using a portable latrine, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a portable latrine, the portable latrine being in a collapsed position;   the portable latrine comprising a frame, a rear member, and a front sheet member the frame comprising a spring hoop;   the rear member comprising sheet material comprising outer edges coupled to the spring hoop;   the front sheet member being coupled to a lower perimeter portion of the frame;   the frame, the rear wall, and front sheet member defining a receptacle comprising a receptacle opening and a cavity for receiving liquids, the receptacle opening, when the portable latrine is in use, being positioned above the cavity and the spring hoop and rear wall extending above and below the receptacle opening such that the spring hoop defines the rear wall above and below the receptacle opening and such that the spring hoop extends to a position adjacent to a lowermost portion of the receptacle;   the frame being flexible and the rear member and front sheet member being arranged such that the frame is adapted to be coiled into the collapsed position;   uncoiling the portable latrine from the collapsed position;   using a suspension mechanism, suspending the portable latrine from a structure;   removing the portable latrine from the structure; and   re-coiling the portable latrine into the collapsed position.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the suspension mechanism comprises a strap. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , the strap comprising a suction cup. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , the front sheet member comprising one or more magnets adapted to permit the receptacle to be retained in a closed position.