Toilet disinfection system
The present invention provides a toilet seat with a disinfection unit comprising a toilet cover connected to the toilet seat, a disinfection unit is equipped to the toilet seat or the toilet cover for disinfecting the toilet seat. A trigger is equipped on the seat or the cover to trigger the disinfection unit when the cover is closed on the seat. The disinfection unit includes UV-light source.
The present invention relates to a toilet, and more particular, to a toilet with a disinfection system.
BACKGROUNDToilet is necessary to everyone for daily life. Some prior arts disclose a toilet seat-lifting device having a lever assembly mounted on a platform that rests on the floor such that depressing a foot pedal downward causes upward movement of a link connected to a lift arm attached to the toilet seat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,446 to Crocker discloses a similar device including a cable that pulls on a lever attached to the toilet seat. U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,347 to King discloses a toilet seat lifting system having a bracket secured to a toilet seat of a toilet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,165 to Wescott, Sr., discloses a commode flush and seat lift device in which foot pedals are linked to the flush lever and to the toilet seat lid via four conduits. U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,687, entitled “Toilet seat and cover system”, discloses a cover system for a toilet. U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,194, entitled “Toilet seat having a cleansing facility”, discloses a toilet seat having a cleansing facility with a pivotal arm supplied with warm water for cleaning and warm air for drying the anal and genital areas of a user.
None of the prior toilet seat or toilet cover discloses the facility to eliminate the bacteria or germ on the toilet seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a toilet comprising a toilet bowl and a seat pivotally equipped to the bowl. A cover is pivotally equipped on the toilet for the seat. A disinfection unit is equipped for disinfecting the seat and a trigger is equipped on the surface of the seat or the cover to turn on the disinfection unit when the cover is closed on the seat.
The other purpose of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat comprising: a toilet cover connected to the toilet seat. A disinfection unit is equipped to the toilet seat or the toilet cover for disinfecting the toilet seat, a trigger is equipped on the seat or the cover to trigger the disinfection unit when the cover is closed on the seat. The disinfection unit includes UV-light source. The toilet seat may be made of polymer (such as plastic, fiberglass, acrylic or resin), ceramic (glass or quartz) or the combination thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFurther objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention relates to a toilet seat and cover with a disinfection system, FIG, 1, 2 and 3 diagrammatically illustrate the toilet seat disinfection system including a seat 14 disposed on a toilet bowl 12. The toilet seat and cover disinfection system is used for eliminates the bacteria or germ on or around the seat 14 or the cover 16 of the toilet. The disinfection system is designed to be retrofit using a preexisting toilet seat and toilet cover, or as a device to replace the preexisting toilet seat and cover. The toilet seat and toilet cover may be manufactured as part of the mechanical components that make up the toilet seat and cover disinfection system. The disinfection system is designed to be mounted atop the toilet bowl 12. The toilet seat cover, the toilet seat and the mechanical components discussed below may be constructed of polymer (such as plastic, fiberglass, acrylic or resin), ceramic (glass or quartz) or the combination thereof. Similar items are referenced by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings. Please refer to
In
One aspect of the present is that the present invention includes at least one disinfection or decontamination unit 18 equipped in the seat unit 14 (see
The toilet seat 14 may be constructed of polymer (such as plastic, fiberglass, acrylic or resin), ceramic (glass or quartz) or the combination thereof. A power source or power supply 19 is provided to the disinfection unit 18. In another embodiment, please refer to
In the embodiment, the disinfection unit 18 could illuminate UV light on the upper surface of seat 14 while the cover is closed on the seat 14, the cover 16 will trigger a switch to power on the UV light, thereby eliminating the bacteria or germ on or around the seat 14. Thus, a trigger 24 is coupled to the cover 16 or seat 14 to turn on the disinfection unit 18 while the cover 16 is closed on the seat 14, Owing to the UV light will injure the human eyes, therefore, the UV light should be power on after the cover 16 is closed to prevent the UV light from hurting the eyes. The trigger 24 could be a sensor (such as IR sensor or pressure sensor) or a switch set either on the cover 16 or seat 14. A control circuit 26 is coupled to the trigger 24 to allow the UV light to turn on or off. In another case, the trigger is formed in the spacer 16a.
In another embodiment, the disinfection unit 18 could be equipped in the seat 14 (
The toilet disinfection system 10 functions as follows, a person could trigger the trigger by closing the cover 16 of the toilet for instance. The disinfection unit 18 will generate the UV light to expose the seat of the toilet 12 after the trigger responses the action. Any person will not be exposed in the UV light environment when it functions due to the seat 12 is covered by the cover 16, Any bacteria or germ on or around the seat will be eliminated by the disinfection unit.
As known in the art, the toilet in these illustrations includes bowl 12, tank (not shown), toilet seat 14, toilet seat cover 16, In this embodiment, the toilet seat 14 and toilet cover 16 are similar to the well-know art, they could downward or upward pivotal movement of seat or cover to its lower or upper position. The seat or cover is rotatably coupled to the toilet at joint as well known in the art also. The above embodiments could be practiced alone or combination.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A toilet comprising:
- a toilet bowl;
- a seat pivotally equipped to said bowl;
- a cover pivotally equipped on said toilet for said seat; and
- a disinfection unit equipped for disinfecting said seat.
2. A toilet as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a trigger equipped on the surface of said seat or said cover to turn on said disinfection unit when said cover is closed on said seat.
3. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein said trigger includes a switch or a sensor.
4. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sensor includes a pressure sensor or IR sensor.
5. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disinfection unit includes UV-light source.
6. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wave length of said UV-light source is about 150-360 nm, preferably, 260-280 nm.
7. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 5, wherein the energy of said UV light source is substantially higher than 0.1 Joule/m2, preferably, higher than 20 Joule/m2.
8. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seat is made of a material that includes polymer.
9. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein said polymer includes plastic, fiberglass, acrylic or resin.
10. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein said seat is made of a material that includes glass or quartz.
11. A toilet seat comprising:
- a toilet cover pivotally connected to said toilet seat; and
- a disinfection unit equipped to said toilet seat or said toilet cover for disinfecting said toilet seat.
12. A toilet as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a trigger equipped on the surface of said seat or said cover to turn on said disinfection unit when said cover is closed on said seat.
13. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein said trigger includes a switch or a sensor.
14. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 13, wherein said sensor includes a pressure sensor or IR sensor.
15. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disinfection unit includes UV-light source.
16. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wave length of said UV-light source is about 150-360 nm, preferably, 260-280 nm.
17. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 15, wherein the energy of said UV light source is substantially higher than 0.1 Joule/m2, preferably, higher than 20 Joule/m2.
18. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 11, wherein said toilet seat is made of a material that includes polymer.
19. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 18, wherein said polymer includes plastic, fiberglass, acrylic or resin.
20. A toilet seat as claimed in claim 18, wherein said seat is made of a material that includes glass or quartz.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 18, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 21, 2006
Inventors: Kuo Chiang (Taoyuan Hsien), Chi Liu (Hsin Chu City), Ching Chang (Yi Lan Xian)
Application Number: 11/084,564
International Classification: A47K 13/00 (20060101);