Toilet Sealing Mechanism

Abstract

The present invention is a covering to contain sewer gases within an abandoned toilet. The present invention is a covering dimensioned to seat over the abandoned toilet with an airtight seal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject relates generally to a device with a sealing mechanism which traps odors within an abandoned toilet. Flush toilets use water to flush waste through a drainpipe. Generally, modern toilets have a ‘P’ shaped bend which allows water to collect in the toilet bowl and acts as a seal against sewer gas. When the toilet is no longer in use such as in abandoned buildings, the water evaporates over time. After the water evaporates, the sewer gas escapes from the toilet into the surrounding area. What is needed is an efficient sealing mechanism prevents sewer gas from escaping back into the surrounding area through the P Trap in an abandoned toilet bowl. Otherwise, the toilet bowl would have to be removed and the closet flange, which is the connecting interface between the toilet and the floor, would have to be plugged. The present invention prevents this expensive alternative.

Heretofore, there have been various types of sealing devices for toilet bowls such as the toilet seat covers described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,049, U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,824, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,827. Also, other types of devices using a ventilation system to deodorize a toilet as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,730,560, U.S. Pat. No. 2003/0019019, and U.S. Pat. No. 2004/008304. None of the above mentioned patents disclose the unique structure of the present invention and the advantages of the device to trap order within an abandoned toilet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When houses are abandoned, a main problem that occurs is that the toilet will emit sewer gas. One of the main objectives is to provide a safe mechanism of containing sewer gases within an abandoned toilet. The preferable material would be a hard transparent plastic or Plexiglas. The present invention is a covering dimensioned to seat over the abandoned toilet with an airtight seal.

The advantages and objects of the invention will become evident from the following detailed description of the drawings when read in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a toilet bowl and toilet seat with device attached to the seat.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device.

FIG. 2a is the bottom side of the device.

FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the device with lid in closed position.

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in open position.

FIG. 4a is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in open position.

FIG. 4ba is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in open position.

FIG. 4c is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in open position.

FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in open position.

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in open position.

FIG. 6a

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1, there is shown the normal configuration of a toilet and its components. In a normal operational bowl, toilet is composed of three main components: the bowl (20), siphon (25), the flush mechanism within the tank (27), the refill mechanism. The siphon consists of the bowl in which the water sits, and the siphon sucks the water out of the bowl upon flushing. Above the bowl, there is the rim (14) and the toilet seat (28). In order to activate the siphon, a large amount of water must be poured into the bowl fast enough. In normal use, the siphon (25) has a P-shape configuration which is usually filled with water. The flush mechanism of the toilet functions to force water into the bowl from the tank that holds several gallons of water. When the handle of the toilet is depressed, an internal chain is pulled which lifts the flush valve. The flush valve covers a hole at the bottom of the tank, and when pulled away, the water in the tank is dumped into the bowl in about thirty seconds. A refill mechanism fills the tank and bowl with water after the flush. When the filler float falls, the valve turns the water on, and the valve sends water into the tank and bowl.

FIGS. 2 and 2a shows one embodiment of the present invention. The covering (10) is defined by a top side (12) and bottom side (13) with both sides having a flat surface with a midsection having a specified depth therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the covering (10) is generally manufactured into the configuration is of the rim (14) of various types of toilet used today. As depicted, the covering (10) has a curved front edge (46) with a back linear edge (47). Additionally, the bottom side (13) has a slightly smaller diameter than the top side (12). In this embodiment, the covering (10) has the shape of the dimension of the rim (14) of the bowl (20). A sealant (15) surrounds the bottom side (13) of covering (10). The sealant (15) when secured to the top of the rim (14) forms an airtight seal when secured to the top of the rim (14), and the sewage gas is trapped within the sewage line under the toilet. In use, the rim (14) is opened and then the perimeter of the covering (10) is sealed to the perimeter of the bowl (20). In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1a, on each side of the covering (10) are recessed portions (25) which provide a means for a user to grip the covering (10) for removal from the abandoned toilet to the sides of the rim (14) and help secure the seal. Alternatively, in yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the gripping handles (25) can be disposed on opposing side of the covering (10) near the back edge (47) protruding slightly outward therefrom. As shown in FIG. 1, operationally covering (10) when placed upon rim (14) an air tight seal is formed thereto using sealant (15).

Referring to FIGS. 4b and 4c, there is shown another alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment sealing body (48) is attached to the bottom side of covering (10) and extends outward therefrom. Operationally, sealing body (48) is pushed within the opening of rim (14) and forms an airtight seal thereto as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 3a, an alternative embodiment of the invention is presented. There is an opening (17) disposed within the covering (10). A lid (16) is hingedly connected to the opening (17) the lid (16) being transverse between an open and close position. The lid (16) surrounded by a seal such as a gasket where in an airtight seal is formed when lid (16) is in closed position.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment of covering (10). As depicted in this embodiment, covering (10) has a polygonal shape with a flat top and bottom surface area with a small amount of depth therebetween. In this embodiment, a sealant (50) in the configuration of the rim (14) shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated onto the back surface area (50) of the covering (10). Handle (25) can be mounted on one or opposing sided of the sealant (50).

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 6a, there is shown an alternative embodiment of covering (10). In this embodiment, the top surface and the bottom surface have the same diameter with a small depth therebetween. Sealant 13 surrounds the circumference of covering 10. With this embodiment covering 10 is placed upon rim (14) as shown in FIG. 1 and sealed thereto.

Claims

1. A covering for an abandoned toilet comprising:

a body defined by a top surface and a bottom surface with a predetermined depth there between;

the covering having a length and a width dimensioned to fit over a rim of the toilet;

the body further defined by a side edge, an opposing side edge, a front edge and a back flat edge; and

a sealant attached to the bottom surface corresponding to circumference surrounding the rim such that an air tight seal is formed when the body is attached to the rim.

2. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises the bottom surface having a diameter smaller than the top surface.

3. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises:

a handle attached to the side edge and the opposing side edge near the flat back edge of the covering;

the side edge extending from the front edge to the flat back edge; and

the opposing side edge extending from an opposing side of the front edge to an opposing side of the flat back edge.

4. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a front edge that is curved with a predetermined radius.

5. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises:

a hingedly attached lid disposed within the top surface;

the lid transverses between the open and closed position;

the lid is surrounding by a sealing mechanism; and

the sealing mechanism creating an airtight seal when the lid is in the closed position.

6. The covering of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from a recessed portion along the side edge and/or the opposing side edge.

7. The covering of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from a protruding portion along the side edge and/or the opposing side edge.

8. The covering of claim 1 wherein the top surface is flat.

9. The covering of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface is flat.

10. A covering for an abandoned toilet comprising:

a body defined by a top surface and a bottom surface with a predetermined depth there between;

the covering having a length and a width dimensioned to fit over a rim of the toilet;

the body further defined by a side edge, an opposing side edge, a front edge and a back flat edge; and

a sealant body fixably attached to the bottom surface corresponding to length and the width of the rim such that an air tight seal is formed when the sealant body is inserted into an opening of the rim.

11. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises the bottom surface having a diameter smaller than the top surface.

12. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises:

a handle attached to the side edge and the opposing side edge near the flat back edge of the covering;

the side edge extending from the front edge to the flat back edge; and

the opposing side edge extending from an opposing side of the front edge to an opposing side of the flat back edge.

13. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a front edge that is curved with a predetermined radius.

14. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises:

a hingedly attached lid disposed within the top surface;

the lid transverses between the an open and a closed position;

the lid being surrounded by a sealing mechanism; and

the sealing mechanism creating an airtight seal when the lid is placed in the closed position.

15. The covering of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from a recessed portion along the side edge and/or the opposing side edge.

16. The covering of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from a protruding portion along the side edge and/or the opposing side edge.

17. The covering of claim 1 wherein the top surface is flat.