Potty training device

Abstract

A potting training device for preventing a potty-training child's urine stream from passing through the opening formed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. The device is made of a flexible, water-resistant, preferably non-porous sheet material, having a folding seam separating a urine-deflecting surface and a plurality of attachment tabs. An adhesive material is layered on the surface of each attachment tab and attaches the attachment tabs to the underside of the toilet seat. The sheet material, in its unattached flat configuration, is manipulated into a curved configuration that matches the curvature of the toilet seat, and is attached thereto. The potty training device is also not visible to the observer unless the toilet seat is lifted up, in a vertical position or viewed from a position to the rear of the attachment point when the toilet seat is down.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/682,829, filed on May 20, 2005.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a potty training device that functions as a urine deflector when attached to the underside of an adult sized toilet seat. The invention is designed to block the opening formed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. This invention reduces accidental wetting of clothing and the floor that occurs when a child's urine stream passes through the opening between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a major accomplishment for a child to reach the stage of sitting on an adult toilet during potty training. Obtaining control over the direction of urine flow, however, may take some time for a child to master, particularly a male child. When sitting on the toilet, a child's urine stream is not always directed into the toilet. There are occasions where the child's urine stream finds its way out of the toilet through the opening formed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. This results in the urine stream coming in contact with the child's pants or other clothing and the floor. This can be very upsetting for a child who is trying to do their best to stay dry and master going to the toilet, as well as the parent who has to continually clean up the mess.

Urine deflecting devices are not new to the art. Many of the known devices, however, are designed for adult males to prevent urine from splashing onto the seat during urination from a standing position. Few potty training devices address preventing the urine stream from passing through the opening between the toilet seat and toilet bowl.

Truettner (U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,527) discloses a molded plastic device that attaches to the underside of the toilet seat to prevent a child's urine stream from passing through the opening formed between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat. When attached to the underside of the toilet seat, the prior art device is not visible when the toilet seat is down, unless viewed from a position to the rear of the attachment point.

However, this prior art device is bulky, which results in increased manufacturing and sales costs. The device is also difficult to clean and frequent replacement increases expense for the consumer. Another drawback is that the prior art device has a fixed configuration. Given the variety of toilet seat shapes, the fixed configuration of the prior art device limits its compatibility with many toilet seats. Therefore, in order to accommodate the full range of toilet seat shapes, the prior art device would have to be manufactured in a variety of configurations, adding additional expense to manufacturing costs and to the consumer.

What is needed is an inexpensive device that is effective for blocking the opening formed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl, that requires minimal manufacturing cost, and is easy to clean and replaced without significant expense to the consumer. Additionally, there is a need for a single device that is flexible enough to match the curvature of any toilet seat and still remain hidden when the toilet seat is down, unless viewed from a position to the rear of the attachment point.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The potty training device of the present invention, effectively blocks the opening formed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl and provides a simple and inexpensive solution to the above-described problems. In its unattached configuration, the potty training device of the present invention is a flat sheet material that is manipulated into a curved configuration and attached to the underside of a toilet seat, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The potty training device comprises a sheet material and a means for attaching the sheet material to the underside of a toilet seat. The sheet material further comprises a urine-deflecting surface, a folding seam, and a plurality of attachment tabs. Each attachment tab has layered thereon, an adhesive material, which provides the means for attaching the sheet material to the underside of the toilet seat. The device is made from any sheet material that is flexible, water resistant and preferably non-porous.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the device of the present invention comprises a sheet material 100 having a plurality of attachment tabs 1, a folding seam 3, a urine-deflecting surface 4 and an adhesive material 2 layered on the surface of each attachment tab 1. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the sheet material 100 is attached to the underside of a toilet seat 50 in a curved configuration and follows the curvature of the toilet seat 50 at the attachment point. The sheet material 100 may be any material that has the aforementioned characteristics of flexibility and water resistance. The sheet material 100 is also strong and flexible enough to resist tearing or breaking during manual manipulation and attachment, and provides rigidity to the urine deflecting surface 4 once in place on the toilet seat 50.

In another embodiment, the device of the present invention comprises: a sheet material 100 having a folding seam 3, a plurality of attachment tabs 1 and a urine-deflecting surface 4, wherein the plurality of attachment tabs 1 is positioned above and in contact with the folding seam 3, and a urine-deflecting surface 4 positioned below and in contact with the folding seam 3. The folding seam 3 is positioned horizontally along the width of the sheet material 100 thereby separating the plurality of attachment tabs 1 and the urine-deflecting surface 4.

For the purposes of description, reference number 1 in the relevant figures refers to either a single attachment tab or a plurality of attachment tabs. When referring to more than one attachment tab, the phrase “plurality of attachment tabs” is used throughout the specification, unless otherwise indicated. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the means for attaching the sheet material 100 to the underside of toilet seat 50 comprises an adhesive material 2 layered on each attachment tab 1. Each attachment tab 1 folds down along the folding seam 3 away from the urine deflecting surface 4, to expose the adhesive material 2 to the underside of the toilet seat 50. With each attachment tab 1 folded as described, the sheet material 100 is manually manipulated into a curved configuration, which separates the plurality of attachment tabs 1 as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. Once in a curved configuration, the sheet material 100 is attached to the underside of the toilet seat 50 by pressing the adhesive material 2 on each attachment tab 1 against the underside of the toilet seat 50. In the curved configuration, the urine deflecting surface 4 is the concave side of the sheet material 100 and faces to the rear of the toilet seat. The flexibility of the sheet material 100 allows for manual manipulation into various curvatures, so as to accommodate the shape of many different toilet seats.

The sheet material 100 preferably has a rectangular configuration. Once the sheet material 100 is attached to the underside of the toilet seat, the dimensions of the urine-deflecting surface 4 are sufficient to block the opening 52 formed between the toilet seat 50 and the toilet bowl 51. Additionally, the dimensions of the urine-deflecting surface 4 are sufficient to avoid contact with the toilet bowl 51 when the toilet seat 50 is lifted to, or lowered from, a vertical position. The dimensions of the sheet material 100 are also sufficient to allow for variations in the lateral direction of a child's urine stream. Further, the sheet material 100 once attached, is not visible to the observer unless the toilet seat 50 is raised, is in an upright vertical position or viewed from a position to the rear of the attachment point when the toilet seat 50 is down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the urine deflector of the present invention, in a flat configuration.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the urine deflector of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2.

FIG. 3 is the cross sectional view of the urine deflector of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, with the attachment tab folded down, thereby resulting in the sheet material 100 having an L-shaped configuration.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the urine deflector of the present invention in a curved configuration, showing separation of the top corners of adjacent attachment tabs.

FIG. 5 is the cross sectional view of the urine defector of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, having a protective covering layered on the adhesive layer.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the urine deflector depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is top view of the urine deflector depicted in FIG. 4, attached to the underside of a toilet seat.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the urine deflector attached to the underside of a toilet seat taken, as depicted in FIG. 7, taken along the line 8-8.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the urine deflector of the present invention, in a flat configuration, showing an additional sheet material layered onto the urine-deflecting surface wherein the left, right and bottom edges of the additional sheet material extend beyond the left, right and bottom edges of the urine-deflecting surface.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the urine deflector of the present invention depicted in FIG. 9, taken along lines 10-10.

FIG. 11 is the cross sectional view of the urine deflector shown in FIG. 10, with the attachment tab folded down, thereby resulting in the sheet material 100 having an L-shaped configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The potty training device of the present invention comprises a sheet material and a means for attaching said sheet material to the underside of a toilet seat. The sheet material further comprises: a urine-deflecting surface, a folding seam and a plurality of attachment tabs. The present invention is also directed to a potty training device for blocking the opening 52 formed between the toilet seat 50 and the toilet bowl 51, as shown in FIG. 8, wherein the potty training device 100 comprises a sheet material and a means for attaching the potty training device to the underside of a toilet seat, wherein the sheet material further comprises: a urine-deflecting surface, a folding seam and a plurality of attachment tabs.

The present invention is also directed to a potty training device comprising a sheet material, wherein the sheet material comprises a folding seam, a urine deflecting surface, a plurality of attachment tabs and an adhesive material layered on each attachment tab within the plurality of attachment tabs, wherein the adhesive material attaches the sheet material to the underside of a toilet seat.

The potty training device is made from a sheet material 100 that is flexible, water-resistant and preferably non-porous. Any material having these characteristics is suitable for the invention. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the sheet material 100 is selected from a rubber or plastic material, wherein a plastic material is particularly preferred. While any plastic material having the above characteristics can be used, the plastic material may be selected from polystyrene films, polyester films, polyacetate films, polyvinyl films, polycarbonate films, polyethylene films, polypropylene films and TEFLON. For the invention, preferred plastic materials are: polyester, polycarbonate and polyvinyl films. Examples of suitable polyester films are MELINEX, MYLAR, TEIJIN, TETORON and TEONEX. Examples of suitable polycarbonate films are MAKROFOL and BAYFOL. Examples of suitable polyvinyl films are soft vinyl and ridged vinyl. Mylar and ridged vinyl are particularly preferred plastic materials for the invention.

The thickness of the sheet material 100 should not compromise its flexibility. Regardless of the thickness and type of sheet material used, it should be flexible enough to readily conform to the curvature of the toilet seat 50 and strong enough to resist tearing or breaking during manipulation and attachment to the underside of the toilet seat. The thickness of the sheet material 100 should also provide rigidity to the urine-deflecting surface 4 when attached to the toilet seat 50. The thickness of sheet material 100 ranges from 0.005-0.025 mils; more specifically, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.010, 0.011, 0.012, 0.013, 0.014, 0.015, 0.016, 0.017, 0.018, 0.019, 0.020, 0.021, 0.022, 0.023, 0.024 or 0.025 mils. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet material 100 is a Mylar film or a ridged vinyl film having a thickness of 0.010, 0.015 or 0.020 mils.

The sheet material 100 preferably has a rectangular shape. For the purpose of defining spatial orientation, the folding seam 3 separates the top portion of the sheet material 100 from the bottom portion. The top portion of the sheet material 100 comprises the plurality of attachment tabs 1 and bottom portion of the sheet material 100 comprises the urine-deflecting surface 4. The height of the sheet material 100 is defined as the length from the top edge of an attachment tab 1 to the bottom edge of the urine-deflecting surface 4. The width of the sheet material 100 is defined as the length from the left edge to right edge of the sheet material 100. The width of the sheet material 100 is greater than its height.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the entire top portion of the sheet material 100 comprises the plurality of attachment tabs 1, the entire bottom portion of the sheet material 100 comprises the urine-deflecting surface 4 and both the plurality of attachment tabs 1 and the urine-deflecting surface 4 are in contact with the folding seam 3. The bottom corners of the sheet material 100 comprising the urine-deflecting surface 4 may optionally be rounded and the top corners of the sheet material 100 comprising the outermost attachment tabs are preferably squared to provide maximum surface area for the adhesive material 2 layered thereon.

The width of the sheet material 100 is selected to provide sufficient coverage for the variation in the lateral direction of a child's urine stream. While not intending to be limited to any particular width for the sheet material 100, preferred widths are from 6-9 inches. The height of sheet material 100 is selected to provide sufficient attachment surface area to the plurality of attachment tabs 1, and allow the urine-deflecting surface 4 to completely block the opening formed between the underside of the toilet seat 50 and the top of the toilet bowl 51. While not intending to be limited to any particular height for sheet material 100, preferred heights range from 1.5-3 inches. In a particular embodiment of the invention the sheet material 100 has a rectangular dimension of 6 inches by 3 inches or 6 inches by 2 inches.

The folding seam 3, as shown in FIG. 1 is linear and extends the full width of the sheet material 100. Where rubber or plastic is selected for sheet material 100, folding seam 3 is prepared using any means known in the art for creating folds in material sheets having the above-mentioned characteristics. While not intending to be limited to any particular method of making the folding seam 3, an example of a suitable method of preparing the folding seam 3 comprises scoring the surface of the sheet material 100 with a cutting tool, such that the resulting cut line does not penetrate the entire thickness of the sheet material 100, as depicted in FIG. 2.

In another example, the folding seam 3 is prepared by linearly perforating the sheet material 100. In still another example, the folding seam 3 is prepared by creating linear depressions in the sheet material 100, such that along the length of the created folding seam 3, the thickness of the sheet material 100 where a depression is formed, is less than the thickness of the non-depressed portions of the sheet material 100. The depressions may be positioned on one or both sides the sheet material 100. Therefore, where a depression method is used, the folding seam 3 may be prepared by making a single contiguous linear depression on one or both sides of the sheet material 100, or by making a plurality of individual linearly arranged depressions on one or both sides of the sheet material 100.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the sheet material 100 further comprises a plurality of attachment tabs 1, wherein each attachment tab 1 is in contact with the folding seam 3. Additionally, adjacent attachment tabs 1 are separated by a linear cut 5 in the sheet material 100. Each linear cut 5 passes through the entire thickness of the sheet material 100, and is perpendicular to, and terminates at the folding seam 3.

The sheet material 100 of the present invention may comprise any number of attachment tabs 1. Depending on the size of the sheet material 100, from 4-10 attachment tabs 1 are preferred. An odd number of attachment tabs 1 is particularly preferred, because the center attachment tab provides a visual reference point for centering the sheet material at the attachment point on the underside of the toilet seat 50. Thus, in a particular embodiment of the invention, 5, 7 or 9 attachment tabs 1 are preferred.

For a given sheet material 100, all attachment tabs preferably have the same dimensions and are evenly distributed across the width of the sheet material 100. The height of each attachment tab 1 preferably is from one-third to one-half the height of the sheet material 100. The “height of the attachment tab” is defined as the length from the top edge of the attachment tab 1 to the folding seam 3. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the height of the attachment tab 1 is 1.0 inch.

In order to attach the sheet material 100 to the underside of the toilet seat, an adhesive material 2 is layered each attachment tab 1. The attachment tab 1 is folded away from the urine-deflecting surface 4 along the folding seam 3, as shown in FIG. 3, resulting in the sheet material 100 having an L-shaped configuration. Once in the L-shaped configuration, the sheet material 100 is then manipulated into a curved configuration such that the top corners of adjacent attachment tabs 1 separate as shown in FIG. 4. In this curved configuration the adhesive material is applied to the underside of the toilet seat by pressing the attachment tabs 1 against the seat, thereby attaching the sheet material 100 to the toilet seat.

While any means for attaching the potty training device to the underside of a toilet seat 50 can be used, an adhesive material 2 is preferred. The adhesive material 2 is a pressure sensitive adhesive strip or resin that is layered onto each attachment tab 1 and once applied to the underside of the toilet seat 50, is preferably strong enough to hold the sheet material 100 in place until physically removed by the consumer and not damage the finish of the toilet seat 50 during removal.

While not intending to be limited to any particular type of adhesive material, a suitable adhesive material is manufactured by 3M Corporation under the trade name POSTER TAPE. Regardless of the type of adhesive material used, it is applied to the surface of each attachment tab 1, as shown in FIG. 2, and may optionally cover the entire surface area each attachment tab 1.

A removable protective covering 6 may also be layered on the surface of the adhesive material 2. In a particular embodiment, the removable protective covering 6 is configured to form a removal tab 6c, as shown in FIG. 5. For this particular embodiment the length of each removable protective covering 6 is preferably from 2.25-3.00 times the length of the adhesive material 2. The length of the adhesive material 2 on an attachment tab 1 is defined as the distance from the edge of the adhesive material 2 near the top edge of the attachment tab 1 to the edge of the adhesive material 2 near the folding seam 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, the removable protective covering 6 comprises a lower layer 6a and an upper layer 6b. The lower layer 6a is layered on the surface of the adhesive material 2 in a direction starting from the top of an attachment tab 1, towards the folding seam 3. At the folding seam 3, the lower layer 6a is folded back on itself, thereby creating upper layer 6b, which is layered on top of lower layer 6a and extends past the top of the attachment tab 1. The portion of the upper layer 6b extending beyond the top of the attachment tab 1 forms a removal tab 6c, that when pulled, exposes the surface of the adhesive material 2 to the under side of the toilet seat 50.

The sheet material 100 is attached to the underside of the toilet seat 50 by:

• • folding the plurality of attachment tabs 1 down and away from the urine deflecting surface 4 along the folding seam 3, resulting in the sheet material 100 having an L-shaped configuration;
  • while in the L-shaped configuration, bending the left and right edges of the urine-deflecting surface 4 inward such that the top corners of adjacent attachment tabs 1 separate; and
  • pressing the adhesive material 2 layered on each attachment tab 1 against the underside of the toilet seat 50 at a desired attachment location, such that the curvature of the sheet material matches the curvature of the toilet seat 50.
    Alternatively, the sheet material 100 can be formed into a curved configuration during sequential attachment of individual attachment tabs 1. In a preferred embodiment, the center attachment tab 1 is positioned at the desired location on toilet seat 50, followed by removal of the protective covering 6 by pulling removal tab 6c, thereby exposing the adhesive material 2 to the underside of the toilet seat, and securing the attachment tab 1 thereto. This process is repeated, wherein the sheet material 100 is bent to individually position remaining attachment tabs 1 in a curved configuration prior to removal of the protective covering 6.

In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, sheet material 100 further comprises an additional sheet material 7, that is laminated onto the urine-deflecting surface 4, wherein the left, right and bottom edges of the additional sheet material 7 extend beyond the left right and bottom edges of the urine-deflecting surface 4. For this particular embodiment, the additional sheet material 7 is a softer material than sheet material 100 and is preferably a soft vinyl film.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the sheet material 100 may be transparent, having a tinted or clear color. The transparent characteristic of the sheet material 100 facilitates easy cleaning, since the consumer can see the areas that need direct cleaning from a standing position when the toilet seat 50 is in a vertical position.

To further assist in maintaining the sanitary condition of the urine-deflecting device of the present invention, the sheet material 100 may also be treated with any compound that inhibits the formation of odor, bacteria, mold or other urine associated growth. The sheet material 100 may also be a medical grade type material, such as a medical grade plastic for example, that is also resistant to the formation of odor, bacteria, mold or other urine associated growth.

The invention has been described in terms of illustrative embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited in any manner by the embodiments shown and described herein.

Claims

1. A potty training device comprising:

a flexible sheet material; and

a means for attaching said sheet material to the underside of a toilet seat, wherein said sheet material comprises a urine-deflecting surface and a folding seam.

2. The potty training device according to claim 1, wherein said means for attaching said sheet material to the underside of a toilet seat comprises an adhesive material layered onto a plurality of attachment tabs.

3. The potty training device according to claim 2, wherein said sheet material further comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein said top portion comprises said plurality of attachment tabs and said bottom portion comprises said urine-deflecting surface, and said folding seam separates the top portion of said sheet material from the bottom portion of said sheet material.

4. The potty training device according to claim 3, wherein attachment of said device to the underside of a toilet seat comprise:

bending said plurality of attachment tabs down and away from said urine-deflecting surface along said folding seam resulting in the sheet material having an L-shaped configuration;

while in said L-shaped configuration, bending the left and right edges of said urine-deflecting surface inward such that said plurality of attachment tabs separate; and

pressing said adhesive material on said separated attachment tabs against the underside of a toilet seat such that the curvature of the sheet material matches the curvature of the said toilet seat.

5. The potty training device according to claim 3, further comprising an additional sheet material that is laminated on said urine-deflecting surface, wherein the left, right and bottom edges of said additional sheet material extend beyond the left, right and bottom edges of said urine-deflecting surface.

6. The potty training device according to claim 5, wherein said sheet material is a plastic material.

7. The potty training device according to claim 6, wherein said plastic is selected from MYLAR or ridged vinyl.

8. The potty training device according to claim 7, wherein said additional sheet material is soft vinyl.

9. The potty training device according to claim 8, wherein said adhesive material is selected from a pressure sensitive adhesive resin or pressure sensitive double-sided tape.

10. A potty training device for blocking an opening formed between a toilet seat and a toilet bowl, wherein said potty training device comprises:

a flexible sheet material; and

a means for attaching said sheet material to the underside of said toilet seat, wherein said sheet material comprises a urine-deflecting surface and a folding seam.

11. The potty training device according to claim 10, wherein said means for attaching said sheet material to the underside of a toilet seat comprises an adhesive material layered onto a plurality of attachment tabs.

12. The potty training device according to claim 11, wherein said sheet material further comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein said top portion comprises said plurality of attachment tabs and said bottom portion comprises said urine-deflecting surface, and said folding seam separates the top portion of said sheet material from the bottom portion of said sheet material.

13. The potty training device according to claim 12, further comprising an additional sheet material that is laminated on said urine-deflecting surface, wherein the left, right and bottom edges of said additional sheet material extend beyond the left, right and bottom edges of said urine-deflecting surface.

14. The potty training device according to claim 13, wherein said sheet material is a plastic material selected from MYLAR or ridged vinyl.

15. The potty training device according to claim 14, wherein said additional sheet material is soft vinyl.

16. The potty training device according to claim 15, wherein said adhesive material is a pressure sensitive adhesive resin or pressure sensitive double-sided tape.

17. A potty training device comprising:

a flexible sheet material, wherein said sheet material comprises: a folding seam; a urine-deflecting surface in contact with and positioned below said folding seam; and a plurality of attachment tabs in contact with and positioned above said folding seam;

an adhesive material for attaching said sheet material to an underside of a toilet seat, wherein said adhesive material is layered on each attachment tab within said plurality of attachment tabs; and

a removable protective covering layered on said adhesive material.

18. The potty training device according to claim 17, further comprising an additional sheet material that is laminated on said urine-deflecting surface, wherein the left, right and bottom edges of said additional sheet material extend beyond the left, right and bottom edges of said urine-deflecting surface.

19. The potty training device according to claim 18, wherein:

said sheet material is selected from Mylar or ridged vinyl;

said adhesive material is selected from a pressure sensitive adhesive resin or pressure sensitive double sided tape; and

said additional sheet material is a soft vinyl film.

20. A potty training device for blocking the opening formed between the toilet seat and toilet bowl, wherein said potty training device is flexible and can be manipulated into a configuration that conforms to the curvature of a toilet seat.

21. The potty training device according to claim 20, wherein said device comprises a urine deflecting surface and a means for attaching said potty training device to the underside of a toilet seat.

22. The potty training device according to claim 21, wherein said means for attaching said potty training device to the underside of a toilet seat comprises an adhesive material layered onto a plurality of attachment tabs.

23. The potty training device according to claim 22, further comprising a folding seam.