TOILET SEAT CLEANING SYSTEM
A toilet seat cleaning system comprises a seat (12), a fluid receptacle (10) and a cleaning fluid dispenser (78). The seat (12) and the fluid receptacle (10) are movable relative to one another between two positions. The first position is a seating position in which the receptacle (10) does not project substantially forward of the seat (12). The second position is a cleaning position in which the receptacle (10) lies generally below the seat (12) and projects outwardly of the seat (12). In the cleaning position, the receptacle (10) projects horizontally outwardly of the seat (12) substantially all around the seat (12) for receiving cleaning fluid dispensed by the dispenser (14) and draining from the seat (12).
The invention relates to a toilet seat cleaning system.
A known toilet seat cleaning system is described in GB 2204611. The system described in this document includes a toilet seat and a fluid receptacle. The toilet seat and the fluid receptacle are movable, relative to one another, between a seating position and a cleaning position. The fluid receptacle is provided with a cleaning fluid dispenser which, in the cleaning position, dispenses cleaning fluid onto the toilet seat. Additionally, the fluid receptacle is shaped so that, in the cleaning position, cleaning fluid draining from the toilet seat falls into the fluid receptacle and is directed into the bowl of the toilet.
The fluid receptacle has an upwardly extending outer rim. In the cleaning position, the toilet seat lies within this outer rim and this enables the fluid receptacle both to deliver cleaning fluid to the top of the toilet seat and also to direct cleaning fluid draining from the toilet seat into the toilet bowl. After cleaning, the fluid receptacle moves downwards relative to the toilet seat, so that the outer rim of the fluid receptacle lies below the toilet seat. This allows a more comfortable seating position. However, the legs of a person seated at the toilet are still likely to contact the outer surface of the outer rim of the fluid receptacle. This is undesirable because it may be uncomfortable and because the outer surface of the outer rim of the fluid receptacle is not itself cleaned during the cleaning process.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet seat cleaning system comprising a seat; a fluid receptacle; and a cleaning fluid dispenser; the seat and the fluid receptacle being movable relative to one another between a seating position in which the receptacle does not project substantially forward of the seat, and a cleaning position in which the receptacle lies generally below and projects horizontally outwardly of the seat substantially all around the seat for receiving cleaning fluid dispensed by the dispenser and draining from the seat.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a self-clean toilet seat comprising a lid with shower dryer, sliding-seat, platform, means to shower and dry the sliding seat, the lid provided with shower spray, hot air diffuser and steam escaping routes, to collect and pass used dirty water in to the toilet bowl, the platform provided with dirty water escaping routes, the lid means hinged with the platform, the sliding-seat means attached at the top of the platform and being adapted when the lid closes to slide backward on the platform and enter inside the deep lid, also when the lid open to slide forward and level with the platform outside edge on the normal sitting position, the sliding-seat means have a short length so as to create an open gap on the rear part of the platform, in order to allow itself slide backward, also on the open gap of the platform means freshener-antibacterial holder provided, the shape of the lid, sliding-seat, platform means are start from pointy or narrow front and gradually widened until or adjacent the rear means this shape helps when the sliding-seat backward, to expose the platform inside edge and dirty water escaping routes, also allow the lid edge to touch close with the platform inside edge, means to prevent water spill.
The following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the appended schematic drawings in which:
The toilet seat cleaning system shown in
As best seen in
One of the ribs 26, located at the front of the fluid receptacle 10 is provided with a blind ended channel 28 therein. The blind ended channel 28 opens at the inside surface of the inner upwardly extending rim 18 and serves a purpose described below.
Two T-shaped projections 30 lie at opposite sides of the inner upwardly extending rim 18 and serve to connect the fluid receptacle 10 to the seat 12 as described in more detail below.
A plurality of studs 32 extend upwardly from the fluid collection tray portion 20 at the rear of the fluid receptacle 10. These studs 32 serve for mounting replaceable blocks 34 (shown in
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The two shorter slots 54 are also positioned on opposite sides of the central opening 48 of the seat 12. Each one of the shorter slots 54 has an insertion portion 56 located towards the rear of the seat 12 and a T-shaped groove portion 58 located towards the front end of the seat 12. Each T-shaped groove portion 58 is partially closed by two inwardly directed flanges 60.
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Referring to
The attachment of the seat 12 to the fluid receptacle 10 is best explained with reference to
As will be appreciated from
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The self-cleaning toilet seat system is operated as follows. As best seen in
As the outer edge 36 of the fluid receptacle 10 slopes rearwardly as it extends downwardly from the upper edge 38, this minimises the possibility of contact between the outer edge 36 and the legs of a person using the toilet.
Additionally, when the seat 12 is in the seating position shown in
After use of the toilet, the lid 14 is closed so that the lever 92 and the chain 66 pull the seat 12 into the cleaning position shown in
While the lid 14 is still closed and the seat 12 is still in the cleaning position, the control box 98 is activated so as to direct air (either hot or cold) through the air conduit 80 and the air holes 82 onto the seat 12. This serves to dry the seat 12 and the fluid receptacle 10.
The vent 84 serves for venting of air or vapour during cleaning.
The seat 12 has now been cleaned and is ready for use. When the lid 14 is opened, the seat 12 will move back to the seating position, under the action of the springs 52, as previously described.
It will be appreciated that the self-cleaning toilet seat need not be as described above. For example, instead of the seat moving rearwardly relative to the fluid receptacle for cleaning, it is possible that the fluid receptacle could move forwardly relative to the seat 12 for cleaning.
It will be appreciated that the seat 12, the fluid receptacle 10 and the lid 14 need not have the shapes shown in
Although the cleaning fluid and the drying air are preferably provided from dispensers, such as the conduits 76, 78, incorporated into the lid 14, this need not be the case. Dispensers of cleaning fluid and air may be provided in any suitable manner. Moreover, the provision of air for drying is not essential.
Whereas it is advantageous to provide the fluid receptacle 10 with the inner upwardly extending rim 18 and the fluid drainage holes 22, this is not essential. The fluid drainage holes 22 and the inner upwardly extending rim 18 can be omitted altogether in which case fluid collecting in the fluid receptacle 10 will simply drain through the central hole in the fluid receptacle 10 into the bowl of the toilet.
Whereas it is highly preferable for the seat to move from the seating position to the cleaning position automatically when the lid 14 is closed, this is not essential and the seat 12 may be moved manually to the cleaning position.
A fourth alternative toilet seat cleaning system is shown in
When the lid 14c is lowered, the rack and pinion system cause the fluid receptacle 10c to move in a forward direction, relative to the seat 12c, so that the seat 12c and the fluid receptacle 10c lie in a cleaning position. As both the fluid receptacle 10c and the seat 12c taper as they extend from the front to the rear, movement of these components into the cleaning position means that the fluid receptacle 10c now projects horizontally outwardly of the seat 12c all around the seat 10c for receiving cleaning fluid draining from the seat 12c. Also, the forward movement of the fluid receptacle 10c brings the fluid receptacle 10c into a suitable position for sealing engagement with the lid 14c in a similar manner to that described above in relation to the system shown in
In the toilet seat cleaning system shown in
In
It is understood that the air supply pipe 96 can carry hot or cold fluid.
It is further understood that the control box 98 can optionally include a compartment containing detergent or antiseptic. In use, the detergent or antiseptic is mixed with the fluid and exits the control box 98 via the fluid supply pipe.
The control box 98 can further comprise means for proving steam to the seat 12.
The edge 72 of the lid 14 and the edge 38 of the fluid receptacle 10 can comprise magnets for providing a fluid tight seal.
The deodorant 34 could be a plastic freshener or antiseptic.
Claims
1. A toilet seat cleaning system comprising: the seat and the fluid receptacle being movable relative to one another between a seating position in which the receptacle does not project substantially forward of the seat, and a cleaning position in which the receptacle lies generally below the seat and projects horizontally outwardly of the seat substantially all around the seat for receiving cleaning fluid dispensed by the dispenser and draining from the seat.
- a seat;
- a fluid receptacle; and
- a cleaning fluid dispenser;
2. A system, according to claim 1, wherein the seat has a front portion having an outer edge which tapers outwardly from the front towards the rear and the fluid receptacle has a front portion having an outer edge which tapers outwardly from the front towards the rear, the outer edges of the front portions lying closely adjacent one another when the seat and the fluid receptacle are in the seating position, and the relative movement between the seat and the receptacle from the seating to the cleaning position comprising relative rearward movement of the seat.
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid receptacle is fixed and the seat moves in a rearward direction from the seating position to the cleaning position.
4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the seat and the fluid receptacle have respective openings for waste to pass through during toilet use, the seat opening being surrounded by a downwardly extending inward facing surface, and wherein in the seating position the waste openings are vertically aligned with each other and the downwardly extending surface lies close to the fluid receptacle to limit or prevent entry of waste between the seat and the fluid receptacle.
5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the fluid receptacle has an upwardly extending interior rim surrounding the waste opening of the fluid receptacle, the downwardly extending seat surface having a lower edge and the upwardly extending interior rim having an upper edge and the upper ridge of the upwardly extending interior rim lying closely adjacent the lower edge of the downwardly extending seat surface in the seating position.
6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the fluid receptacle has one or more drainage holes for drainage out of the fluid receptacle of cleaning fluid which drains into the fluid receptacle.
7. A system according to claim 1, further including a lid movable between a closed position and an open position.
8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the cleaning fluid dispenser is provided in the lid.
9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning fluid dispenser comprises a plurality of dispensing holes for dispensing cleaning fluid, the holes lying above and spaced around the seat when the lid is in the closed position and when the seat and the fluid receptacle are in the cleaning position.
10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the dispensing holes are supplied with cleaning fluid by a generally annular conduit.
11. A system according to claim 7, including a mechanism for preventing dispensing of cleaning fluid when the seat is in the open position.
12. A system according to claim 7, wherein the seat and the fluid receptacle automatically move into the cleaning position when the lid is closed.
13. A system according to claim 7, wherein the fluid receptacle has an upwardly extending exterior rim which lies closely against the lid when the lid is closed and the seat and the fluid receptacle are in the cleaning position, to limit or prevent escape of cleaning fluid between the lid and the receptacle.
14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the lid has a downwardly extending exterior rim, the downwardly extending exterior rim having a lower edge and the upwardly extending exterior rim of the fluid receptacle having an upper edge, the lower edge of the downwardly extending exterior rim and the upper edge of the upwardly extending exterior rim lying closely adjacent to one another when the lid is closed and the seat and the fluid receptacle are in the cleaning position.
15. A system according to claim 13, wherein sealing means are provided for sealing between the fluid receptacle and the lid.
16. A system according to claim 7, wherein the lid is provided with an air dispenser for drying the seat after cleaning.
17. A system according to claim 2, wherein the outer edge of the fluid receptacle slopes rearwardly as it extends downwards.
18. A self-clean toilet seat comprising a lid with shower dryer, sliding-seat, platform, means to shower and dry the sliding seat, the lid provided with a shower spray, hot air diffuser and steam escaping routes, to collect and pass used dirty water in to the toilet bowl, the platform provided with dirty water escaping routes, the lid hinged with the platform, the sliding-seat attached to the top of the platform and being adapted when the lid is closed to slide backward on the platform and enter inside the deep lid, also when the lid is open to slide forward and level with the platform outside edge on the normal sitting position, the sliding seat having a short length so as to create an open gap on the rear part of the platform, in order to allow itself to slide backward, also on the open gap of the platform a freshener-antibacterial holder is provided, the shape of the lid, sliding-seat, and platform is pointy or narrow in front and gradually widens until or adjacent the rear to expose the platform inside edge and dirty water escaping routes when the sliding seat is backward and to allow the lid edge to touch close to the platform inside edge to prevent water spill.
19. Self-clean toilet seat according to claim 18, in which the electronic water and hot air supply box works with an electric motor, and has outside the box water and hot air control buttons, and two pipes to connect and supply water and hot air to the lid shower spray and hot air diffuser.
20. Self-clean toilet seat according to claim 18, in which the gradually widened shape provides a self-clean toilet with a variety of gradually widened shapes.
21-29. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 27, 2006
Publication Date: May 28, 2009
Inventor: Yom Fisseha (London)
Application Number: 12/095,162
International Classification: A47K 13/00 (20060101);