# US 11,998,476 B2 · Cup supports and methods of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,476 B2 - Document ID: US11998476B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/158,162 - Filed: 2021-01-26 - Published: 2022-05-12 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-11-06 - Assignees: Kristin Johnson Doyle - Applicants: Kristin Johnson Doyle - Inventors: Kristin Johnson Doyle; James Atticus Ferguson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998476B2 ## CPC - A61F 5/455: for collecting urine or discharge from female member - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Cup supports having a head portion defining an aperture for receiving a specimen cup for the collection of a liquid and a handle portion extending from the head portion. The head portion and the handle portion can be integrally formed, and in some embodiments the cup support is adapted to absorb liquid that impinges on it during use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cup support having an upper side and a lower side and comprising: a. a head portion comprising: i. a head base wall extending within a plane and having an outer perimeter; and ii. an inner upstanding wall extending from the head base wall towards the upper side of the cup support at an angle to the plane of the head base wall so as to extend non-coplanar and non-parallel with the head base wall, wherein the inner upstanding wall defines an aperture comprising an aperture opening configured to receive, in a direction from the upper side to the lower side of the cup support, a specimen cup for collection of a stream of liquid; b. a handle portion extending from the head portion and comprising a handle base wall extending within a plane and having an outer perimeter; and c. an outer upstanding wall, a portion of which extending from the head base wall towards the upper side of the cup support and at an angle to the plane of the head base wall so as to extend non-coplanar and non-parallel with the head base wall, wherein the outer upstanding wall extends around at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the head base wall, wherein the outer upstanding wall and the inner upstanding wall are laterally separated by the head base wall such that the head base wall, the inner upstanding wall, and the outer upstanding wall collectively define a trough adapted to contain a portion of the stream of liquid that impinges on the head portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the head portion and the handle portion are integrally formed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the cup support is formed from a liquid absorbent material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the cup support is formed from a cellulose material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the outer upstanding wall extends around the entire outer perimeter of the head base wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the outer upstanding wall angles laterally outwardly from the head base wall beyond the outer perimeter of the head base wall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the portion of the outer upstanding wall extends at an oblique angle to the plane of the head base wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the outer upstanding wall and the inner upstanding wall extend at an angle relative to each other so as to be non-coplanar and non-parallel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the aperture opening comprises a substantially circular profile. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The cup support of claim 9, wherein the profile is a continuous circle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the outer upstanding wall comprises another portion that extends from the handle base wall towards the upper side of the cup support and at an angle to the plane of the handle base wall so as to extend non-coplanar and non-parallel with the handle base wall, wherein the outer upstanding wall extends around at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the handle base wall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The cup support of claim 11, wherein the outer upstanding wall extends around the entire perimeter of the handle base wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the plane of the head base wall and the plane of the handle base wall are substantially parallel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the plane of the head base wall and the plane of the handle base wall are substantially co-planar. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, wherein the head base wall transitions into the handle base wall along a length of the cup support. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, further comprising a rim extending laterally outwardly from an upper edge of the outer upstanding wall. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The cup support of claim 1, further comprising an upstanding support rib extending from the handle base wall towards the upper side of the cup support. ### Claim 18 A cup support having an upper side and a lower side and comprising: a. a base wall extending within a plane and having an outer perimeter; b. an inner upstanding wall extending from the base wall towards the upper side of the cup support at an angle to the plane of the base wall so as to extend non-coplanar and non-parallel with the base wall, wherein the inner upstanding wall defines an aperture comprising an aperture opening configured to receive, in a direction from the upper side to the lower side of the cup support, a specimen cup for collection of a stream of liquid; and c. an outer upstanding wall extending from the base wall towards the upper side of the cup support and at an angle to the plane of the base wall so as to extend non-coplanar and non-parallel with the base wall, wherein the outer upstanding wall extends around at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the base wall and angles radially outwardly from the base wall beyond the outer perimeter of the base wall, wherein: the outer upstanding wall and the inner upstanding wall are laterally separated by the base wall such that the base wall, the inner upstanding wall, and the outer upstanding wall collectively define a trough adapted to contain a portion of the stream of liquid that impinges on the cup support; and the cup support is molded from a cellulose or polymeric material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The cup support of claim 18, wherein the outer upstanding wall extends around the entire outer perimeter of the base wall.