Toilet Training Seat

Abstract

A toilet training seat includes a base having a platform and a support structure, the base including a cavity accessible through the platform. The seat also includes a waste receptacle including a bowl having a rim and a bowl diameter. The receptacle also includes a handle extending from the bowl at an attachment point to a distal end, the handle having a length, wherein the handle length is at least 1.5 times the bowl diameter, the waste receptacle and the base being configured such that the waste receptacle can be removably disposed on the base such that the bowl is at least partially within the cavity. The seat can also include a removable cover disposed over and at least partially enclosing the base and the waste receptacle.

Description

BACKGROUND

Toilet training is an important stage in a child's growth, and many absorbent articles and accessories have been adapted for use in a toilet training program. An important aspect in toilet training is making a standard toilet, which is typically sized for an adult, accessible to a young child.

Examples of toilet training seats and the like include toilet seat adapters that attempt to fit on a standard toilet seat, and toilet training chairs that are generally small, non-flushable toilets that include a receptacle to catch waste. Waste receptacles are typically plastic cups that need to be handled and washed somewhere. Toilet training seats of these types can be unstable, difficult to adjust, and messy to clean.

As a result, seats used to provide a toilet to a toilet training child are well-intentioned but problematic in everyday use.

SUMMARY

As caregivers undertake programs to address toilet training, enuresis control, or incontinence, which apply across demographics, those caregivers would benefit by using accessories that are specifically designed to enhance the accessibility, usability, and cleanliness of a toilet training seat.

The invention described herein solves the problems described above and provides an increase in toilet training efficacy using a toilet training seat that can be easily used and cleaned without posing a risk to a child or a caregiver. The present inventors undertook intensive research and development efforts concerning improving the toilet training, particularly with respect to providing accessories to normalize the toilet training process.

In particular, the present application is directed to a toilet training seat including a base having a platform and a support structure, the base including a cavity accessible through the platform. The seat also includes a waste receptacle including a bowl having a rim and a bowl diameter, the bowl diameter being the average of the longest and shortest bisectors of the shape formed by the horizontal cross section of the bowl with the largest area when the rim is horizontal. The waste receptacle also includes a handle extending from the bowl at an attachment point to a distal end, the handle having a length and a longitudinal centerline extending along the handle from the attachment point to the distal end, wherein the handle length is the longer of the length of the longitudinal centerline and the linear distance from the attachment point to the distal end, and wherein the handle length is at least 1.5 times the bowl diameter, the waste receptacle and the base being configured such that the waste receptacle can be removably disposed on the base such that the bowl is at least partially within the cavity.

The present application is also directed to a toilet training seat including a base having a platform and a support structure, the base including a cavity accessible through the platform; and a removable cover disposed over and at least partially enclosing the base. The seat also includes a waste receptacle including a bowl having a rim and a bowl diameter, the bowl diameter being the average of the longest and shortest bisectors of the shape formed by the horizontal cross section of the bowl with the largest area when the rim is horizontal, and a handle extending from the bowl at an attachment point to a distal end, the handle having a length and a longitudinal centerline extending along the handle from the attachment point to the distal end, wherein the handle length is the longer of the length of the longitudinal centerline and the linear distance from the attachment point to the distal end, and wherein the handle length is at least 1.5 times the bowl diameter, the waste receptacle and the base being configured such that the waste receptacle can be removably disposed on the base such that the bowl is at least partially within the cavity.

The present application is also directed to a waste receptacle for use in conjunction with a toilet training seat, the receptacle including a waste receptacle including a bowl having a rim and a bowl diameter, the bowl diameter being the average of the longest and shortest bisectors of the shape formed by the horizontal cross section of the bowl with the largest area when the rim is horizontal, and a handle extending from the bowl at an attachment point to a distal end, the handle having a length and a longitudinal centerline extending along the handle from the attachment point to the distal end, wherein the handle length is the longer of the length of the longitudinal centerline and the linear distance from the attachment point to the distal end, and wherein the handle length is at least 1.5 times the bowl diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet training seat of the present application;

FIG. 2 is an exploded elevation view of the toilet training seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the toilet training seat of FIG. 1, demonstrating removal or replacement of the cover; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the waste receptacle of the toilet training seat of FIG. 1, where the waste receptacle is being emptied and cleaned in a standard toilet bowl (illustrated schematically).

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention. The drawings are representational and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary aspects of the present invention only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.

The present disclosure is generally directed to tools for use in toilet training. One type of tool that can be valuable for some children is a child-size toilet that is easily accessible for the child, as opposed to a standard adult-size toilet. A child toilet training seat generally includes a stool or chair with a receptacle into which the child urinates and/or defecates. The receptacle can be removable or not, but must be cleaned after each use.

Information related to adult-sized, standard toilets, and the toilets themselves, are available from the Kohler Co. of Kohler, Wis., U.S.A., including at www.us.kohler.com/us/nonprdcontent/articleDetailtjsp?contentId=CNT800391.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the toilet training seat 20 of the present application includes a base 30, a waste receptacle 50, and optionally a cover 80. The base 30 is generally styled as a chair or a stool having a platform 34 and a support structure 36. The base 30 can have a back 38 as with a typical chair, or the base 30 can be backless as with a typical tuffet. The base 30 is typically round or elliptical, but can be square, a combination of shapes, or any other suitable shape.

Turning to FIG. 3, the platform 34 is generally planar and horizontal, although the platform 34 can include contouring to make it more comfortable for a child to sit thereon. The platform 34 also includes a platform aperture 40 therein or therethrough. The platform aperture 40 can lead to a cavity 42, or can be an opening to the floor or the support structure 36 below the platform 34. The cavity 42, if present, can be a shallow concave indentation, can be bowl-like, can be completely formed or annular, or can be of any other suitable structure. The platform 34 can also include an indentation or other structure partially or completely encircling the platform aperture 40 to help accommodate a waste receptacle 50.

The platform 34 is supported by a support structure 36 that can be continuous or discontinuous legs, can be solid or hollow, or can be any other structure suitable to span the distance between the platform 34 and the floor, and to hold the platform 34 at a convenient height for use by a child. Any number of legs can be provided or the support structure 36 can be a partially or completely circumferential skirt that supports the platform 34. The support structure 36 can be affixed to the platform 34, or the support structure 36 can be formed with the platform 34 as a unitary structure. The base 30 can be formed from any suitable material including plastic, metal, or wood, or from a combination of suitable materials. It should be noted that the support structure 36 can also be configured to allow the base 30 to be positioned on a standard toilet bowl or toilet seat if such an orientation is preferred over a generally self-contained unit.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the toilet training seat 20 of the present application also includes a waste receptacle 50 that can be nestled on or within the base 30, and that is removable for cleaning. The waste receptacle 50 includes a bowl 60 and a handle 70 extending from the bowl 60, similarly to a ladle. The bowl 60 can be of any suitable shape, but is typically circular or a rounded rectangle in a top view and concave or bowl-shaped in a side view. In the aspect illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bowl 60 is generally, but not necessarily rigorously, a rectellipse in a top view. The bowl 60 can further include a rim 62 and a spout or other pour-accommodating structure. The bowl 60 has a bowl diameter that can be the actual diameter across the rim 62 of the bowl 60 in the aspect of a circular bowl 60, or that can be the average of the longest and shortest bisectors of the shape formed by the horizontal cross section of the bowl 60 with the largest area when the rim 62 is horizontal. In any aspect, the diameter or effective diameter is referred to herein as the bowl diameter. In addition, the bowl 60 can have a volume of at least 50 milliliters, of at least 100 milliliters, of at least 150 milliliters, of at least 200 milliliters, of at least 250 milliliters, of at least 300 milliliters, or of at least 350 milliliters.

In another aspect of the present application (not shown), the bowl 60 can also have a door or covered port therein to assist the caregiver in dumping the contents of the bowl 60. In this aspect, the waste receptacle 50 further includes an opening mechanism to open the door or covered port without touching the door or covered port. In one alternative, a linkage connects the door with a trigger or level mounted near a grip 76 of the handle 70. Engaging the trigger or lever causes the door to open and close. Alternatively, the door may be biased toward an open or a closed position by a spring, resilient hinge, or other suitable mechanism. In another alternative, the door can be arranged such that pressing the bowl 60 against a toilet bowl causes the door to open. This can be accomplished with a projection on the outer surface of the door or by any other suitable mechanism.

The waste receptacle 50 also includes a handle 70 extending from the bowl 60 at an attachment point 72 to a distal end 74. The handle 70 can be affixed to the bowl 60 in any suitable manner or the handle 70 can be formed together with the bowl 60 to create a unitary structure. The handle 70 has a length and a longitudinal centerline extending along the handle 70 from the attachment point 72 to the distal end 74. The handle length is the longer of the length of the longitudinal centerline and the linear distance from the attachment point 72 to the distal end 74. In various aspects, the handle 70 has a handle length that is at least 1.5 times the bowl diameter, at least 2 times the bowl diameter, at least 2.5 times the bowl diameter, or at least 3 times the bowl diameter. The relatively long handle 70 allows one to grasp the handle 70 to remove the waste receptacle 50 from the base 30 without the need to grasp the waste receptacle 50 near the bowl 60 that contains human waste.

The handle 70 can be of any suitable configuration, including a single elongate portion, an open loop, a closed loop with both ends attached to the bowl 60, and a handle 70 having two or more generally parallel portions. The handle 70 can be an extension of a flange attached to the bowl 60. The handle 70 can be articulated, folded, telescopic, collapsible, and/or hinged. The handle 70 can include a grip 76 adjacent the distal end 74, where the grip 76 can include a formed portion, a raised portion, and/or a rubberized portion to allow a caregiver to maintain a stable grip on the waste receptacle 50. The portion of the handle 70 adjacent the distal end 74 can be simply a linear extension of the rest of the handle 70, can include a bend, a T-handle, a D-handle, or any other suitable structure to assist the caregiver in maintaining a stable grip on the waste receptacle 50.

The handle 70 can further include a splash guard (not shown) disposed on the handle 70 between the bowl 60 and the distal end 74 to protect the caregiver from splashing from the bowl 60 or from a toilet. In other aspects, the handle 70 can be releasably attached to the bowl 60 to allow for separation of the bowl 60 and the handle 70 for cleaning or storage. The releasable attachment can use a tab and slot or other mechanical mechanism, an adhesive connection, a magnetic connection, or any other suitable releasable attachment mechanism.

The bowl 60 and the handle 70 can be formed from any suitable material including molded plastic, wood, metal, or any other suitable natural or synthetic substances. The bowl 60 and the handle 70 do not need to be formed from the same material. In some aspects of the present application, the bowl 60 and/or handle 70 are formed from a resilient or elastomeric material such that the bowl 60 and/or handle 70 are flexible.

The waste receptacle 50 and the base 30 are configured such that the waste receptacle 50 can be removably disposed on the base 30 such that the bowl 60 is at least partially within the cavity 42 for use. The bowl 60 can have a flange or similar structure that sits on the platform 34, or in an indentation in the platform 34 surrounding part or all of the platform aperture 40. The bowl 60 can be disposed entirely within the cavity 42 such that the bowl 60 rests on the bottom of the cavity 42. In a particular embodiment, the cavity 42 and the bowl 60 are sized and shaped such that the bowl 60 nests within the cavity 42.

The handle 70 can be disposed on the bowl 60 at a right angle to the plane formed by the top of the bowl 60, at an acute angle to such plane, at an obtuse angle to such plane, or generally coplanar with such plane. The handle 70 need not be entirely linear, and can have arcuate, angled, and/or bent portions. In various aspects, the handle 70 can have a portion attached to the bowl 60 at a first angle to the plane formed by the top of the bowl 60, and another portion at a different angle to such a plane.

In other aspects, the base 30 including the platform 34 and/or the back 38 can include an indentation or groove 44 therein (see FIG. 3), or a hole therethrough, sized and shaped to accommodate the handle 70 when the waste receptacle 50 is disposed on the base 30. The handle 70 can be disposed above the surface of the base 30, flush with the surface of the base 30, or below the surface of the base 30. In addition, the handle 70 can be sized to extend beyond the height of the back 38 or the width of the platform 34, or the handle 70 can be sized to fit within the perimeter of the back 38 or of the platform 34.

The toilet training seat 20 also optionally includes a cover 80. The cover 80 can be shaped and sized to cover a portion of the base 30, such as the platform 34, or to cover the entire base 30. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the cover 80 extends over the platform 34 and the back 38. The cover 80 generally follows the contours of the base 30 to ensure a stable fit between the cover 80 and the base 30. The portion of the cover 80 that extends over the platform 34 has a cover aperture 82 to generally match and align with the platform aperture 40. The cover 80 can therefore act as a toilet seat for the waste receptacle 50 disposed in the cavity 42.

In one aspect of the present application, the toilet training seat 20 is assembled by placing the waste receptacle 50 on the base 30 with the bowl 60 in the cavity 42 and the handle 70 in the groove 44 in the base 30. The cover 80 is then placed over the base 30/waste receptacle 50 combination, thus capturing the waste receptacle 50, including its bowl 60 and handle 70, between the cover 80 and the base 30.

In another aspect of the present application, the cover 80 can include a toilet seat (not shown) affixed to the cover 80 or formed together with the cover 80 in a unitary manner. Such a toilet seat can reflect the design of a standard adult-sized toilet seat, and/or can be shaped to accommodate a small child in comfort.

In still another aspect of the present application, one or both of the base 30 and the cover 80 can be provided with a handhold or other suitable handle for ease of transport. In addition, one or both of the base 30 and the waste receptacle 50 can include any suitable latching mechanism to secure the waste receptacle 50 to the base 30. Further, one or both of the base 30 and the cover 80 can include any suitable latching mechanism to secure the cover 80 to the base 30.

In yet another aspect of the present application, one of the base 30, the cover 80, or the waste receptacle 50 can include a urine deflector 46 to help ensure urine, particularly with boys, is deposited in the waste receptacle 50. The urine deflector 46 is a raised element positioned toward the front of the platform aperture 40. The urine deflector 46 intercepts what would otherwise be overspray and deflects it downward to the waste receptacle 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the bowl 60 is preferably sized and shaped to fit at least partially within a standard toilet bowl such that the bowl 60 can be cleaned within the toilet bowl. In a particular aspect, the bowl 60 is configured to be positionable partially or entirely below the water level of a standard toilet bowl, particularly during flushing, to allow one to empty and clean the bowl 60 by rinsing within a flushing toilet. The swirling water in the toilet bowl cleans the waste from the waste receptacle bowl 60. The handle 70 of the waste receptacle 50 allows one to clean the bowl 60 in this manner without needing to place one's hand or hands within the toilet bowl. Once cleaned in this manner, the waste receptacle 50 can be returned to the base 30 and the cover 80, if present, can be positioned on the base 30.

The toilet training seat 20 can be used near a standard toilet and can be used by a child undergoing toilet training. The primary use of the toilet training seat 20 described herein is as a training aid to be used in the toilet training process. Toilet-training-age children typically need assistance in using a standard toilet sized for an older child or an adult. The child can be lifted onto the toilet seat by a caregiver, but a tool that allows for independence can be more effective in teaching toiletry habits. Choosing when to use a toilet, and being able to use a toilet without adult assistance is a crucial step in becoming a big kid. It is a step that children find fun and exciting.

This practice of accommodating a child's use of a toilet meets many of the criteria for a successful training aid. It is motivational for the child. It teaches that a toilet can be used without the assistance of another person. It makes the child feel special and grown-up because they can use it on their own.

To enhance this approach, the toilet training seat 20 can also include an informational item meant to instruct a caregiver with respect to the approaches and benefits described above. The informational item can describe the philosophy behind treating the seat 20 as the child's own possession and in instructing the child to take ownership of the seat 20. The informational item can also include information with respect to other tips and approaches to successful toilet training, including information regarding an appropriate response to an insult incident. Appropriate responses to an insult incident can include discussing physical sensations with the subject; informing the subject with respect to the relation between the physical sensations and the imminence of the insult; taking the subject to a bathroom; positioning the subject on a toilet; encouraging the subject to produce an insult; recognizing positive actions by the subject; and recognizing toilet training progress by the subject.

The informational item can also include information regarding tracking and assessing toilet training progress. In other aspects of the present disclosure, the informational item can include a growth chart, sizing information for shoes, sizing information for clothes, sizing information for absorbent articles, and/or other information useful to a caregiver or a child, printed or otherwise disposed thereon.

In various aspects, the toilet training seat 20 can include other informational items such as instructions in the use of the product and tips for toilet training, enuresis control, or incontinence control. As used herein, the term “informational item” refers to objects that are provided in addition to disposable personal care articles, are adapted to communicate information to the user and/or consumer of the disposable personal care articles, and are associated with individual components of the toilet training seat 20. Examples of informational items include cards, paper, electronic media, printing on the packaging, or other suitable media capable of storing and conveying information.

In various aspects, the informational items associated with components of the toilet training seat can be adapted to appeal to the specific category of user and/or purchaser to which the toilet training seat 20 is adapted. The informational items may be adapted, for example, by providing information likely to be of interest to a given category of user and/or purchaser.

For example, a toilet training seat 20 can be adapted for use by a caregiver for toilet training purposes. An informational item can be associated with the toilet training seat 20 that is adapted to interest caregivers. For example, the informational item can be a card containing information or instructions about children's health and hygiene, such as sleep habits, thumb sucking, teething, skin health, toilet training; questions to ask a child; jokes; and the like, and combinations thereof. The informational item can additionally or alternatively include addresses for web sites available on the internet. The web sites can contain information related to issues of interest for caregivers and users of toilet training seat systems.

The informational item can additionally or alternatively include addresses for web sites available on the internet or telephone numbers for audiovisual recorded information that can be played back by a computer or via telephone or other communication technology. The informational item can additionally or alternatively include information describing activities that are suitable for caregivers and users of disposable personal care articles. The activities can be adapted for a child at a specific age, size, and/or stage of development. For example, the activities can be adapted to promote interaction between the child and the caregiver.

Toilet training is described as an example of the use of the toilet training seat 20, but this toilet training seat 20 is equally applicable to other situations as well.

These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various aspects of the present invention may be interchanged either in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims.

Claims

1. A toilet training seat comprising:

a base having a platform and a support structure, the base including a cavity accessible through the platform; and

a waste receptacle including a bowl having a rim and a bowl diameter, the bowl diameter being the average of the longest and shortest bisectors of the shape formed by the horizontal cross section of the bowl with the largest area when the rim is horizontal, and a handle extending from the bowl at an attachment point to a distal end, the handle having a length and a longitudinal centerline extending along the handle from the attachment point to the distal end, wherein the handle length is the longer of the length of the longitudinal centerline and the linear distance from the attachment point to the distal end, and wherein the handle length is at least 1.5 times the bowl diameter, the waste receptacle and the base being configured such that the waste receptacle can be removably disposed on the base such that the bowl is at least partially within the cavity.

2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the base includes a groove configured to accommodate the handle.

3. The seat of claim 1, wherein the bowl is resilient.

4. The seat of claim 1, wherein the bowl is configured to be positionable entirely within a toilet bowl.

5. The seat of claim 1, wherein the bowl is configured to be positionable at least partially below the water level of a toilet bowl during flushing of the toilet.

6. The seat of claim 1, further comprising a removable cover disposed over and at least partially enclosing the base.

7. The seat of claim 6, wherein the bowl is captured between the base and the cover.

8. The seat of claim 6, wherein the handle is captured between the base and the cover.

9. The seat of claim 6, wherein the handle and the bowl are captured between the base and the cover.

10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the handle length is at least double the bowl diameter.

11. The seat of claim 1, wherein the handle length is at least 2.5 times the bowl diameter.

12. The seat of claim 1, wherein the bowl has a volume, and wherein the volume of the bowl is at least 200 milliliters.

13. The seat of claim 1, wherein the rim of the bowl defines a plane, and wherein a portion of the handle adjacent to the attachment point extends at a right angle to the plane.

14. The seat of claim 1, wherein the rim of the bowl defines a plane, and wherein a portion of the handle adjacent to the attachment point is non-orthogonal to the plane.

15. A toilet training seat comprising:

a base having a platform and a support structure, the base including a cavity accessible through the platform;

a removable cover disposed over and at least partially enclosing the base; and

a waste receptacle including a bowl having a rim and a bowl diameter, the bowl diameter being the average of the longest and shortest bisectors of the shape formed by the horizontal cross section of the bowl with the largest area when the rim is horizontal, and a handle extending from the bowl at an attachment point to a distal end, the handle having a length and a longitudinal centerline extending along the handle from the attachment point to the distal end, wherein the handle length is the longer of the length of the longitudinal centerline and the linear distance from the attachment point to the distal end, and wherein the handle length is at least 1.5 times the bowl diameter, the waste receptacle and the base being configured such that the waste receptacle can be removably disposed on the base such that the bowl is at least partially within the cavity.

16. A waste receptacle for use in conjunction with a toilet training seat, the receptacle comprising:

a waste receptacle including a bowl having a rim and a bowl diameter, the bowl diameter being the average of the longest and shortest bisectors of the shape formed by the horizontal cross section of the bowl with the largest area when the rim is horizontal, and a handle extending from the bowl at an attachment point to a distal end, the handle having a length and a longitudinal centerline extending along the handle from the attachment point to the distal end, wherein the handle length is the longer of the length of the longitudinal centerline and the linear distance from the attachment point to the distal end, and wherein the handle length is at least 1.5 times the bowl diameter.

17. The receptacle of claim 16, wherein the bowl is resilient.

18. The receptacle of claim 16, wherein the bowl is configured to be positionable at least partially within a standard toilet bowl.

19. The receptacle of claim 16, wherein the bowl is configured to be positionable entirely within a standard toilet bowl.

20. The receptacle of claim 16, wherein the handle length is at least double the bowl diameter.