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Urinaid

 Overcoming shy bladder syndrome
 
(+3, -3) 		  [vote for,
against]

The Urinaid consists of a small recycling pump built into the toilet bowl. Triggered by the press of a button, it proceeds to draw water from the supply already in the bowl, and jets out a small arc from a nozzle inside the front edge of the bowl directed back into the toilet bowl water, thus simulating the sound of someone urinating. The stream continues for about 30 seconds and then stops.

The urination-like sound serves to aid those with shy bladder syndrome in two ways. One, the audio reinforcement helps the person to get their own stream flowing; and two, it reduces the paranoia that others in the restroom may be wondering why you've been in the stall all this time, apparently not doing anything.

Suitable for use by either gender. The arc is low enough that it won't cause undue wetness to sitters.

—waugsqueke, Feb 24 2004

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       Bun, but do people really wonder that?
—yabba do yabba dabba, Feb 25 2004
   

       I can just imagine people finishing up business, walking away, and still make it look like they're uninating. The 'ol ventriliquist unrination gag. Very nice, waugsy! [+]
—Letsbuildafort, Feb 25 2004
   

       Now you will be paranoid that others are wondering why you've been peeing continuously for 5 minutes.   

       But I sympathize, and it happens to me, too. So bun.
—phundug, Feb 25 2004
   

       Please! I have no problem whizzing in the bowl with other people in the room (we're talking public bathrooms, not home) but letting out gas is a totally different problem. What would that be, shy bowel syndrome? I once held a uh, fart for three minutes while a couple was making out by the sinks... 'course, I probably shoulda let it out, it would've scared the crap out of them... + if you can fix it to work with shy bowel syndrome.
—ghillie, Feb 25 2004
   

       //making out by the sinks// How romantic.
—Worldgineer, Feb 25 2004
   

       This is baked in women's public toilets in Japan where they have a button that replays either 1) a flushing sound or 2) a 'water over the rapids' sort of noise. I have no idea if they have it in the guy's. They were installed because people flushed multiple times to cover up their tinkling (or whatever they were doing) and wasted a lot of water. It works for the 'reduce the paranoia' part, and the audio part of shy bowel, but I'm not sure if it helps the shy bladder.
—hedgehoga, Feb 25 2004
   

       Actually on topic now. Would a small ornamental fountain in the sink area work the same. Then the noise would be constant and would also not waste much water in keeping with the spirit of the idea as it would be recycled from the sump.   

       Oh, is that what you meant, [bliss]?
—squeak, Feb 26 2004
   

       No, I don't mean actually IN a sink, just not in the cubicles. In that erm..big central bit where people queue and where the sinks/dryers are.
—squeak, Feb 26 2004
   

       Maybe the stream could generate from a small bowl, of warm water... that would expedite the process. For many people just dipping their fingers in the warm water seems to prime the pump, so to speak. But, a stream in the bowl is more easily done...+
—no12pass, Feb 26 2004
   

       peeing for 5 minutes is an acomplishment... I'd be extremely proud!...
—Ossalisc, Feb 26 2004
   

       Urinaid -- sounds like it's a sports beverage. Lemon-lime flavored Urinaid.
—phundug, Feb 26 2004
   

       MMm, MMmm, Urinade - sure hits the spot!   

       <cheezy grin/thumbs-up>
—Letsbuildafort, Feb 26 2004
   

       [jutta] ... it's not really the same concept, as I understand it the main point is to free you from paranoia about someone wondering what you're doing just standing in front of the urinal, or whatnot... the sound being promotive to peeing is just another upshot... *mumble* I really shouldn't use that word in this context *mumble*
—Ossalisc, Feb 26 2004
   

       "Is it in you?"
—RayfordSteele, Feb 26 2004
   

       Could this work at a urinal? Or is the point that the others in the room can't see?
—Lacus Trasumenus, Mar 30 2004
   

       I know a number of friends who have mentioned needing something like this... Croissant!
—generaltso, Feb 14 2007
   

       People with these sorts of shyness could just carry an mp3 player with loudspeakers and play whatever sounds helped them.
—PauloSargaco, Oct 02 2007
   


 

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