Toilet seat cover

Abstract

An improved toilet seat cover can be easily installed and disposed of by a user, and protects the user from potentially contagious contact with a toilet. According to an embodiment, the cover is composed of a plastic material, and includes a main body portion. A resilient material, such as an elastic band, extends around an outer periphery of the main body portion for attaching the cover to the toilet seat. A perforated center portion is capable of being removed by a user for providing an opening into an interior of a toilet bowl and enabling the user to manipulate the cover to a desired position upon the toilet seat.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to toilet seat covers, and more particularly, to an improved design for a toilet seat cover that can be easily installed and disposed of by a user, and that protects the user from potentially contagious contact with a toilet.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Public places, such as bus stations, airports, restaurants and movie theatres, provide facilities used by extremely large numbers of people. Semi-public facilities in office buildings and other places of work are used by a relatively smaller number of people. In both cases, it is often not practical nor is it practiced to clean the toilet seat between uses. Consequently, these facilities tend to be neither sanitary nor aesthetic.

[0005] For such types of toilet facilities, it is desirable to provide a layer of protective material between the user and the toilet seat. Such layer of protection should be easily replaced for each user. Disposable toilet seat covers are generally known in the art. Conventional paper covers, for example, are inadequate in a number of respects in that they are often flimsy and will easily tear, interfering with their intended use. Accordingly, it is desirable for a toilet seat cover to be relatively durable. Also, since such conventional covers are simply placed over the toilet seat, they are easily displaced and may slip from the toilet seat during use. Other types of conventional covers are less easily displaced, but tend to be difficult to install and manipulate to a desired position.

[0006] To address the difficulties of the prior art, some toilet seat covers have employed elastic bands to help hold the toilet seat cover in position on the toilet seat. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,149 to Bassi shows a toilet seat cover that include inner and outer elastic bands that contract around the toilet seat to hold the cover in place. The drawback to the Bassi cover arises from the relative expense of generating a plastic cover and then attaching multiple plastic bands thereto. The relative expense is a particular drawback when the toilet seat cover is intended to be disposable.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable that a toilet seat cover remain securely in place during use, yet is easily installable and of less expense than the prior art. The present invention addresses these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an improved cover for a toilet seat. The cover, which is preferably composed of a plastic material, includes a main body portion. A resilient material, such as an elastic band, extends around an outer periphery of the main body portion for attaching the cover to the toilet seat. A perforated center portion is capable of being removed by a user for providing an opening into an interior of a toilet bowl and enabling the user to manipulate the cover to a desired position upon the toilet seat. According to a preferred embodiment, the cover also includes a flap portion that extends downwardly from the main body portion to prevent the user's legs from contacting an exterior surface of the toilet bowl. The cover can be used without the user contacting the toilet seat. A container for storing and dispensing the cover is also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet including a first embodiment of a toilet seat cover constructed according to principles of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toilet including a second embodiment of a toilet seat cover constructed according to principles of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating further details of the second embodiment of a toilet seat cover constructed according to principles of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a toilet seat including a toilet seat cover constructed according to principles of the present invention; and

[0014] FIG. 5 is an exemplary container suitable for storing and dispensing a toilet seat cover constructed according to principles of the present invention.

[0015] Corresponding reference characters indicate the same or similar elements throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a toilet including a first embodiment of a toilet seat cover constructed according to principles of the present invention is shown. In FIG. 1, a toilet 10 is comprised of a base portion 11 connected to a floor in a conventional manner. A toilet bowl portion 12 is integral with the base portion 11 and typically contains water that facilitates a flushing process, wherein waste material deposited within the toilet bowl portion 12 is evacuated to a sewer system, septic tank or the like. The toilet bowl portion 12 is generally oval in shape.

[0017] A tank portion 13 is connected to the top rear portion of the toilet bowl portion 12, and typically stores and provides the water used for the flushing process. The tank portion 13 includes a lid 14 that conceals the interior of the tank portion 13 from view. A lever 15 is connected to an upper portion of the tank portion 13, and is manipulated by a user to effectuate the flushing process.

[0018] A toilet seat 16 is generally oval in shape and is connected at a top rear portion of the toilet bowl portion 12 to provide a platform upon which a user may sit while using the toilet 10. The toilet seat 16 includes a lid 17, which may be used to conceal the interior of the toilet bowl portion 12 from view. The toilet seat 16 and corresponding lid 17 are connected via hinges 18, which allow the toilet seat 16 and lid 17 to independently rotate to an up or down position. In FIG. 1, the toilet seat 16 is shown in the down position, while the lid 17 is in the up position. The toilet seat 16 and the lid 17 each include one or more stoppers 19 composed of a resilient material such as rubber, plastic or the like. The stoppers 19 on the lid 17 provide a contact buffer between a bottom surface of the lid 17 and a top surface of the toilet seat 16 when both are in either the up or down position. The stoppers 19 on toilet seat 16 (not shown in FIG. 1—see FIG. 4) are connected to a bottom surface of toilet seat 16 and provide a contact buffer between the bottom surface of toilet seat 16 and a top surface of toilet bowl portion 12 when the toilet seat 16 is in the down position.

[0019] In FIG. 1, a toilet seat cover 20 constructed according to principles of the present invention is shown placed over toilet seat 16. The toilet seat cover 20 is a disposable, protective material, preferably plastic, that is generally oval in shape to conform to the shape of toilet seat 16. When placed over toilet seat 16, the toilet seat cover 20 allows a user to sit on the toilet seat 16 without physically contacting the surface of the toilet seat 16. To this end, the toilet seat cover 20 includes a main body portion 21 having a shape configured to cover at least a portion, and typically a substantial portion, of the toilet seat 16.

[0020] Toilet seat cover 20 also includes a resilient material 22, such as an elastic band or the like, extending around an outer periphery of the main body portion 21. The resilient material 22 is included in a lower edge of the main body portion 21 to maintain the toilet seat cover 20 securely in place over the toilet seat 16. Toilet seat cover 20 also includes a perforated center portion 23 circumscribed by the main body portion 21. When the perforated center portion 23 is at least partially separated from the main body portion 21 by a user, an opening is formed through which waste material may be deposited into the toilet bowl portion 12. The perforated center portion 23 also facilitates manipulation of the toilet seat cover 20 on toilet seat 16, as will be described later herein. In a preferred embodiment, the perforated center portion 23 need not be perforated on its entire periphery. In particular, as long as the perforated center portion 23 is perforated sufficiently to allow a portion to be separated and folded away to form the opening to the toilet bowl portion 12, the perforated center portion 23 may be partially attached to the main body portion 21 in a non-perforated manner, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

[0021] Turning now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a toilet 10 including a second embodiment of a toilet seat cover 20 constructed according to principles of the present invention is shown. The embodiment of FIG. 2 includes all of the elements shown in FIG. 1, and further includes a front flap portion 24. The front flap portion 24 is integral with the toilet seat cover 20 and hangs downward from the front of the main body portion 21 to form a protective barrier between a user's legs and the front exterior surface of toilet bowl portion 12. While the front flap portion 24 of FIG. 2 is shown as two separate flaps (i.e., one for each leg), it is contemplated that a single flap may also be used in accordance with principles of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating further details of the embodiment of FIG. 2. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates the toilet seat cover 20 when the perforated center portion 23 is being separated from the main body portion 21. As previously indicated, the perforated center portion 23 not only provides an opening through which waste material is deposited into toilet bowl portion 12, it facilitates manipulation of the toilet seat cover 20 onto toilet seat 16.

[0023] In particular, because the toilet seat cover 20 is constructed of a relatively thin piece of material, such as plastic, it can be difficult to manipulate. The perforated center portion 23 allows the toilet seat cover 20 to be manipulated as a single, relatively continuous plastic sheet that is more readily applied to the toilet seat 16. By contrast, without the perforated center portion 23, (i.e., if the cover 20 is a hollow oval with a single, outer elastic band), it has been found to be relatively difficult to place the resilient portion 22 around the toilet seat 16 and ensure that the main body portion 22 lays sufficiently on the surface of the toilet seat 16. However, the uniform tensioning provided by the continuous sheet formed by the combination of the main body portion 21 and the perforated center portion 23 of the present invention assists in proper placement of the main body portion 21 over the toilet seat 16.

[0024] As discussed above, in the illustrated embodiments, a front portion of the perforated center portion 23 remains connected to the main body portion 21 after separation. In this manner, the perforated center portion 23, once separated, may be folded over top to facilitate removal of the cover 20 after usage. It is contemplated, however, that perforated center portion 23 may be completely separated from the toilet seat cover 20 after removal. In this situation, the perforations would extend completely around the perforated center portion 23.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of toilet seat 16 including a toilet seat cover 20 constructed according to principles of the present invention is shown. As shown in FIG. 4, when toilet seat cover 20 is installed on toilet seat 16, the resilient material 22 is positioned in a sandwiched manner between the bottom surface of the toilet seat 16 and the top surface of the toilet bowl portion 12. This ensures that the toilet seat cover 20 remains securely in place once it is installed.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary container suitable for storing and dispensing a toilet seat cover 20 constructed according to principles of the present invention is shown. In FIG. 5, a sealed container 30 composed of plastic or the like stores and dispenses toilet seat cover 20. The sealed container 30 preferably includes an opening portion 25 such as a slit or the like that allows a user to easily open container 30. The container 30 is suitable for compact storage within a handbag, briefcase or the like, thereby enabling a user to conveniently access the toilet seat cover 20 wherever the user may be. The use of sealed containers 30 facilitates vending, as well as other avenues of distribution of the toilet seat covers 20.

[0027] In use, a user opens the sealed container 30 and removes toilet seat cover 20 as indicated in FIG. 5. Then, holding the toilet seat cover 20 such that the side bearing resilient material 22 is facing downward and the flap portion 24 (if present) is at the front of toilet bowl portion 12, the toilet seat cover 20 is moved from the front to the rear of the toilet seat 16 such that the front of the toilet seat 16 slips into the fold existing between the cover 20 and the resilient material 22. The user continues pushing the toilet seat cover 20 back, expanding the resilient material 22 as necessary to fit around the outer periphery of the toilet seat 16. Once in place, the perforated center portion 23 is removed. The user may then further manipulate the toilet seat cover 20 if desired, so that it is properly positioned upon the toilet seat. Once properly positioned, the user may use the toilet 10. After usage, the toilet seat cover 20 is removed from the toilet seat 16 and discarded. In this manner, a user can install and remove the toilet seat cover 20 without contacting the surface of the toilet seat 16.

[0028] As described herein, the present invention provides an improved design for a toilet seat cover that can be easily installed and disposed of by a user, and that protects the user from potentially unsanitary contact with a toilet. While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, of adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

[0029] For example, while the toilet 10 is given by way of an exemplary environment in which the toilet seat cover 20 may be used, it is contemplated that a toilet seat cover according to the present invention may be used in other facilities having a seat, a center opening, and for which a protective barrier is desired between the seat and the use. For example, the toilet seat cover according to the present invention may readily be employed in a primitive toilet facility such as an outhouse, or a portable chemical toilet.

Claims

1. A cover for a toilet seat, comprising:

a main body portion configured to cover at least a portion of the toilet seat;

a resilient material extending around an outer periphery of the main body portion for attaching the cover to the toilet seat; and

a perforated center portion disposed radially inward of the main body portion, the perforated center portion adapted to be at least partially separated from the main body portion by a user for providing an opening into an interior of a toilet bowl.

2. The cover of claim 1, further comprising a flap portion extending downwardly from the main body portion to prevent the user's legs from contacting an exterior surface of the toilet bowl.

3. The cover of claim 2, wherein the flap portion comprises a plurality of individual flaps.

4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the resilient material is an elastic band.

5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the resilient material is adapted to be positioned between a bottom surface of the toilet seat and a top surface of the toilet bowl when the cover is installed on the toilet seat.

6. The cover of claim 1, further comprising a sealed container for storing and dispensing the cover.

7. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is composed of a plastic material.

8. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover can be used without the user contacting the toilet seat.

9. A method of using a toilet seat cover, comprising

a) disposing a resilient material of the toilet seat cover around a toilet seat such that a main body portion covers at least a portion of the toilet seat; and

b) separating, at least in part, a perforated center portion of the toilet seat cover from the main body portion, the perforated center portion being radially inward of the main body portion prior to removal.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising a step of, prior to step a, removing the toilet seat cover from a sealed container.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the toilet seat is affixed to a toilet bowl, further comprising a step of disposing at least one flap over a front portion of the toilet bowl.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the toilet seat is affixed to a toilet bowl, further comprising a step of disposing at least one flap over a front portion of the toilet bowl.

13. A cover for a toilet seat, comprising:

a main body portion configured to cover at least a portion of the toilet seat;

an elastic band material extending around an outer periphery of the main body portion for attaching the cover to the toilet seat;

a perforated center portion disposed radially inward of the main body portion, the perforated center portion adapted to be at least partially separated from the main body portion by a user for providing an opening into an interior of a toilet bowl; and

a sealed container for storing and dispensing the cover.

14. The cover of claim 13, further comprising a flap portion extending downwardly from the main body portion to prevent the user's legs from contacting an exterior surface of the toilet bowl.

15. The cover of claim 14, wherein the flap portion comprises a plurality of individual flaps.

16. The cover of claim 13, wherein the resilient material is adapted to be positioned between a bottom surface of the toilet seat and a top surface of the toilet bowl when the cover is installed on the toilet seat.

17. The cover of claim 13, wherein the cover is composed of a plastic material.