AUTOMATED HYGIENIC TOILET SEAT WITH GUIDE SHIELD

Abstract

Sanitary toilet seat assemblies including automated cover material dispensers and a guide shield secured to a base member of the toilet seat assembly. The guide shield can have a top portion extending into a region lying between a first tangential plane and a second tangential plane, extending parallel to the base member and tangentially from opposing points along the outer circumference of the counter shaft projections.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to sanitary toilet seat assemblies and more specifically to sanitary toilet seat assemblies including automated cover material dispensers.

2. Description of the Related Art

Toilet seats having a device for hygienic covering by a tubular film are known. For example, expired U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,212 to Hefty et al. teaches an arrangement for fitting and changing a tubular cover made of plastic film on a horseshoe shaped toilet seat. Generally, a roll of tubular toilet seat cover material extends from a supply reel, around the seat, to a take-up reel. The tubular cover is advanced one seat length between uses. The supply and take-up reels are contained, along with a motor, electric power source and pulley/gear arrangement, in a housing. In operation, the user actuates the motor by pressing a button, pulling a lever, or waiving a hand over an infrared sensor wired, thereby advancing the covering to provide one complete replacement of the tubular cover around the seat.

Various features of the device taught by Hefty et al. are capable of being improved upon. For instance, the known device does not include a means for detecting resistance changes during advancement of the tubular covering. Consequently, in instances where the cover material is torn or snared, the motor and gear assembly will continue to operate despite the lack of advancement of cover material around the seat. Furthermore, the quantity of covering material advanced may be insufficient due to slipping of tubing on the take up reel. Other limitations include extensive reliance on mechanical parts, such as gears, pulleys and belts, which are susceptible to failure. It would be desirable to provide an improved device overcoming the aforementioned limitations.

In the event of a misfeeding, mechanisms for detecting the amount of tubular toilet seat cover material that has been dispensed can fail to operate properly, thereby wasting the cover material, or leaving a portion of the seat covered with an unhygienic portion of cover material. Therefore, a need exists to discourage misfeeding and to compensate in the event of a misfeeding.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A sanitary toilet seat assembly is provided for advancing tubular plastic around a toilet seat. The assembly comprises a toilet seat having a first and a second end and a base member to which the toilet seat is operatively connected. A top cover is provided for covering at least a portion of the base member, thereby forming a housing. A dispenser shaft is provided proximate to the first end, and a take-up shaft is provided proximate the second end. Tubular plastic forms a roll around the dispenser shaft which extends around the toilet seat and forms a roll around the take-up shaft. A motor is provided within the housing for operatively driving the take-up shaft to advance the tubular plastic. A pressure plate is also positioned within the housing to engage and deflect the tubular plastic.

The pressure plate can be integrally formed with the top cover. The pressure plate can engage the tubular plastic to produce a deflection of the tubular plastic, the deflection having a component parallel to a translation direction of the tubular plastic. The assembly can further comprise a counter shaft attachable to at least one magnet and positioned within the housing proximate to the take-up shaft and a control system for controlling advancement of the tubular plastic through the take-up shaft responsive to rotation of the counter shaft. The pressure plate can extend substantially downwardly, from the top cover and engage the tubular plastic for deflecting the tubular plastic under tension in a substantially downward direction, the tubular plastic contacting and rotating the counter shaft as it advances to the take-up shaft. The pressure plate increases contact of the tubular plastic with the counter shaft.

The control system can include electronic circuitry on a printed circuit board to detect resistance in the advancement of the tubular sheet by monitoring counter shaft rotation. The electronic circuitry can halt operation of the motor upon detection of a specified resistance limit in the advancement of the tubular sheet. The assembly can further comprise a heat shrinkable plastic wrapped around the motor. The motor can be initially activated by an activation button.

An improved cover for a sanitary toilet seat assembly for advancing tubular plastic from a roll around a dispenser shaft, around a toilet seat, and onto a roll around take-up shaft is driven by a motor initiated by an activation button or an infrared sensor. The toilet assembly has a base for supporting the dispenser shaft, the take-up shaft and the toilet seat. The cover comprises a cover body defining an upwardly concave interior cavity having an open bottom terminating at a rim. The rim has a length and a transverse width, the body having two openings along the length of the rim for passage of the tubular plastic during use. The cover body has an aperture for receiving the activation button. The cover body provides a pressure plate which extends within the cavity toward the open bottom, the pressure plate being aligned along the length with one of the openings. The cover, when mounted on the base member covers the dispenser shaft, the take-up shaft and the motor. This arrangement permits passage of the tubular plastic out of the cover, around the toilet seat and back into the cover through the openings and provides the pressure plate for engaging and deflecting the tubular plastic.

According to various embodiments one or more guide shields are provided in association with a counter shaft to both discourage misfeeding of cover material and to compensate for any misfeeding that occurs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled toilet seat in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a toilet seat assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating improvements in the take-up region of the toilet seat assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial bottom view of a toilet seat having structural support ribs in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inside surface of a top cover of the assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating improvements in the take-up region of the toilet seat assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the take-up region of a toilet seat assembly;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view, illustrating the vertical positioning of guide shields relative to a counter shaft according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, illustrating the horizontal positioning of guide shields relative to a counter shaft according to various embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating improvements in the take-up region of the toilet seat assembly according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating improvements in the take-up region of the toilet seat assembly according to various embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating one version of a guide shield according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating one version of a guide shield according to various embodiments.

It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention as well as to the examples included therein. All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

An improved electromechanical toilet seat assembly is provided for automatically advancing a tubular sheet of sanitary covering material around a horseshoe-shaped toilet seat. A roll of seat covering material is provided on a dispense shaft and consists of two plastic layers joined at opposite edges to form a tubular structure. In use, the covering material fits snugly around the toilet seat, yet is sufficiently loose to be advanced around the seat without tearing.

FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled improved hygienic toilet seat in accordance with various embodiments. The major structural components of the assembly include a base member 1, a top cover 2, a seat 24 and a mounting bracket 16. As assembled, base member 1 and top cover 2 form a housing for protecting various internal components, including a motor subassembly 13 and electronic circuitry (not shown in FIG. 1). The improved seat assembly further incorporates heat shrink wrapping 55 over the motor subassembly to prevent potentially harmful agents, such as cleaning chemicals, from deteriorating motor subassembly components. An activation button 5 is exposed through an opening in the top cover 2. A standard key lock 17 is provided for locking the top cover in place. In operation, the activation button can be manually depressed or an infrared sensor can be activated to advance the sanitary covering a sufficient length to provide a fresh seat covering. A mounting bracket 16 is provided for attaching the unit to the base of a toilet. End caps 3 extending through aligned circular openings in mounting bracket 16 and base member 1, allow the entire seat assembly to be rotated about an imaginary axis joining the centers of the end caps.

Structurally, components of the improved seat assembly are designed to provide improved mechanical strength. For instance, seat 24 has ribs extending completely around its underside. In particular, the ribs extend from end 24a to end 24b. Referring briefly to FIG. 4, a bottom view of seat end 24b is shown. Region 50 adjacent end 24b is generally thicker than the remainder of the seat. It is known to incorporate ribs to provide added structural support to the thinner portion of the seat. However, known seat assemblies have included support ribs 53 extending along the length of the seat terminating at the interface 51 between sections 50 and 52. According to the improved structure of the present invention, support ribs extend through the thickened section 50. As a result, the bending strength at interface 51 has been increased.

The improved seat assembly will now be described in more detail. Base member 1 preferably comprises a unitary molded plastic having a number of integrally molded support structures. In addition, the new seat assembly incorporates drain holes 57 extending through the bottom of the base member 1 to allow removal of fluids which could potentially accumulate in the housing and deteriorate internal components. Base member 1 includes partitions 30 and 31 for supporting a dispense roll shaft 54. Opposite ends of the dispense roll shaft are supported on recesses 32 formed in partitions 30 and 31. The improved seat assembly also incorporates integral stop mechanisms 33 for limiting horizontal movement of the dispense roll shaft.

The tubular cover material fits over free seat end 24a, which is not attached to the assembly. The cover material extends completely around the seat 24, over counter shaft 4, and is ultimately rewound on a take-up shaft 37. The take-up shaft is supported at one end by spring plate 11 attached to the outer surface of partition 38. The opposite end of the take-up roll mates with drive motor hub 8 which is attached to a drive shaft (not shown) extending from an end of motor 13.

Toilet seat 24 has a slot 26 formed at one end for attachment of plate 34 and razor subassembly 25. Threaded studs 23 extending from attachment plate 9 pass through openings in base member 1 and plate 34. Attachment plates 9 and 34 are mechanically fastened to the base member. A portion of attachment plate 34 is integrally molded into slot 26 of seat 24.

Razor subassembly 25, which fits into a wider section of slot 26, has an integrally molded raised bump formed on its surface for mating with an opening in plate 34. This feature of the improved assembly provides a means for releasably locking the razor blade assembly in place. The razor extends at an obtuse angle in relation to the advancing covering material, and serves to slit the edge of the cover material in order to allow it to be pulled off and wound up on the take-up shaft. Referring briefly to FIG. 3, as the tubular cover material 40 is advanced, the edge of the tubular covering adjacent the inside edge of the toilet seat contacts razor 35, slitting the side to allow it to pass plate 34 (not shown in FIG. 3) for receipt on take-up shaft 37. The improved seat assembly has an integral pressure plate 41 extending downward at an angle from the inner surface of top cover 2. Integral pressure plate 41 serves to press advancing cover material 40 against counter shaft 4 to improve contact between the cover material and the outer surface of the counter shaft.

Referring back to FIG. 2, counter shaft 4 is supported at one end by spring plate 12 attached to the outer surface of partition 38. The opposite end of counter shaft 4 is joined to magnet wheel 6 via counter drive shaft element 7 extending through an opening in motor support plate 39. Counter shaft 4 is preferably formed of a molded plastic and has a plurality of integrally molded raised surface portions, such as a plurality of metal spikes, for gripping advancing cover material. In particular, the raised surface portions improve friction between the advancing cover material and the counter shaft surface, thereby improving rotational precision of the counter shaft during advancement of the cover material. As previously stated, the improved seat assembly incorporates a pressure plate integrally molded into top cover 2. In an assembled state, the pressure plate applies a downward force on the advancing cover material to further improve contact between the advancing cover material and the counter shaft surface.

Magnet wheel 6 has a magnet 20 attached to an outer wheel surface. The magnet 20 faces and communicates with electronic circuitry mounted on a printed circuit board assembly 56. The electronic circuitry of the improved assembly precisely monitors the number of rotations of wheel 6. Rotation of wheel 6 is a direct result of rotation of counter shaft 4. Consequently, resistance in the advancement of cover material, which affects the rotation of shaft 4, is detected by the electronic circuitry. In contrast to known devices, the circuitry of the present invention is designed to halt operation of motor 13 in instances where a specified resistance level is encountered. Motor subassembly 13 is preferably supplied approximately 12 volts dc which can be supplied via a 12 v dc converter or, alternatively, the assembly can be operated with batteries.

In contrast to prior art designs, the improved assembly of the present invention incorporates an activation button 5 or an infrared sensor operating independently of internal mechanical components, including the dispense and take up roll shafts. Consequently, activation of the assembly is not dependent upon the mechanical integrity of other assembly components. Furthermore, the button 5 has an improved ergonomic design which is less prone to damage by external forces. In a released state, the upper surface of activation button 5 lies substantially flush with the upper surface of top cover 2 and the sides of the button are bounded by the periphery of the opening in the top cover through which the button is exposed. As a result, activation button motion is limited to vertical displacement upon contact. The activation button 5 also has an integrally molded guide leg 42 which is received in an opening in push switch assembly support plate 10 to prevent rotation of activation button 5 as it is being depressed. Support plate 10 is mechanically fastened to support plate mounting structure 19 integrally formed in base member 1. The improved structural integrity has resulted in an assembly having a corresponding reduction in required maintenance.

In operation, activation button 5 or an infrared sensor is pushed to actuate switch assembly 15 for activating motor assembly 13. A drive shaft extending from motor assembly 13 rotates hub 8 which, in turn, rotates the take-up shaft. As the take-up shaft is rotated, cover material is pulled off of the dispense shaft roll and advanced around toilet seat 24. Advancing cover material is forced against the outer surface of counter shaft 4 by pressure plate 41, causing counter shaft 4 to rotate. Rotation of the counter shaft 4 effects corresponding rotation of magnet 20 on magnet wheel 6. At seat end 24b, the left inside-facing edge of the cover is slit by razor assembly 25 in order to allow it to be wound up on take-up shaft 37. The amount of material advanced is determined by rotation of counter shaft 4. Specifically, rotations are computed by electronic circuitry (not shown) which tracks the rotation of magnet 20 on magnet wheel 6. Where specified resistance limits are exceeded, the electronic circuitry communicates with motor assembly 13 to halt operation of the motor.

The sanitary toilet seat assembly can include one or more guide shields 61. Referring to FIG. 6, a first guide shield 61a and a second guide shield 61b are shown. Both the first guide shield 61a and the second guide shield 61b are positioned beneath the counter shaft 4 and the advancing cover material 40. The sanitary toilet seat assembly need not, but may, include both the first guide shield 61a and the second guide shield 61b. The guide shield 61 can be formed from any suitable material, including but not limited to a rigid plastic material or a metal. The one or more guide shields 61 can be formed integrally with base member 1. Alternatively, the one or more guide shields 61 can be secured to base member 1 by any suitable means, including but not limited to gluing, and fixing with bolts, screws, or rivets. As shown in FIG. 6, first guide shield 61a is secured to base number 1 at a base portion 68 of the first guide shield 61a with an adhesive material, such as glue. Second guide shield 61b has a lateral foot portion 70. A guide shield can have one or more lateral foot portions. The lateral foot portion 70 of the second guide shield 61b can include one or more through-holes through which a bolt or screw 66 can be inserted to secure the second guide shield 61b to the base member 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the second guide shield 61b has a contoured top portion 72. The contoured top portion 72 can conform to the cylindrical outer surface of the counter shaft 4 or can be a simple angled taper.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a guide shield 61 can have one or more lateral foot portions 70. The lateral foot portions can include one or more through-holes 80. The guide shield 61 can also include one or more liquid flow channels 81 to allow liquid to flow through the guide shield.

If either the first guide shield 61a or the second guide shield 61b are present, a user of the sanitary toilet seat assembly is discouraged from feeding the cover material 40 beneath the counter shaft 4 when securing the cover material 40 to the take-up shaft 37. Discouraging a user from speeding the cover material 40 beneath the counter shaft 4 provides an important benefit. As shown in FIG. 7, when advancing cover material 40 is accumulated on take-up shaft 37, the radius of the wound mass 62 of cover material 40 can extend below the lower circumferential edge of counter shaft 4. If the radius of the wound mass 62 extends below the lower circumferential edge of counter shaft 4 and the cover material 40 has been said beneath the counter shaft 4, then the cover material 40 may not engage the counter shaft 4 or the raised surface portions 64 thereof. As previously explained, the raised surface portions 64 improve friction between the advancing cover material and the counter shaft surface, thereby improving rotational precision of the counter shaft during advancement of the cover material. Of course, if the cover material 40 does not engage the counter shaft 4 or the raised surface portions 64 at all, then the advancing cover material 40 cannot rotate the counter shaft 4. If the advancing cover material 40 cannot rotate the counter shaft 4, then the electronic circuitry of the improved assembly cannot precisely monitor the number of rotations of wheel 6. As previously explained, rotation of wheel 6 is a direct result of rotation of counter shaft 4. Consequently, resistance in the advancement of cover material, which affects the rotation of the counter shaft 4, cannot be detected by the electronic circuitry. Therefore, the electronic circuitry can fail to halt operation of motor 13 and cover material 40 can be wasted. According to various other embodiments, the electronic circuitry can be configured to halt the operation of motor 13 immediately when counter shaft 4 ceases to rotate. In this scenario, the cover material 40 might not make a full rotation around seat 24, leaving a portion of the seat 24 covered with an unhygienic portion of cover material 40 that has been exposed to a prior user. In either case, it is important to maintain contact between the counter shaft 4 and the cover material 40.

While the configuration of either the first guide shield 61a or the second guide shield 61b can serve to discourage a user from feeding cover material 40 beneath the counter shaft 4, some separation between the top portion 67 of either guide shield is required in order to allow the counter shaft 4 to rotate. The separation between the top portion of the guide shield 61 and the counter shaft 4 leaves open the possibility of a miss-feeding, whereby despite the guide shield 61, a user still feeds the cover material 40 beneath the counter shaft 4. To accommodate for this scenario various embodiments impose additional parameters for the positioning of the one or more guide shields 61.

Referring to FIG. 8, an outer diameter 63 is defined by the outermost portions of the raised surface portions 64 of the counter shaft 4 or by the outermost diameter of the counter shaft 4 itself if the counter shaft 4 lacks raised surface portions 64. A region 65 can be defined as lying between a first tangential plane 66a and a second tangential plane 66b. The first tangential plane 66a and the second tangential plane 66b can extend tangentially to the outer diameter 63 and parallel to base member 1 from opposing points along the outer diameter 63. According to various embodiments, the top portion 67 of any guide shield 61 can be positioned within the region 65.

Referring to FIG. 9, the top portion 67a of the first guide shield 61a can have a first edge 69 spaced a first distance 75a from the outer diameter 63 defined by the outermost portions of the raised surface portions 64 of the counter shaft 4. Similarly, the top portion 67b of the second guide shield 61b can have a second edge 71 spaced a second distance 75b from the outer diameter 63 defined by the outermost portions of the raised surface portions 64 of the counter shaft 4. The first distance 75a and the second distance 75b can be a multiple of the outer diameter 63. The first distance 75a can be the same or different from the second distance 75b. In general, an outer edge of a guide shield can be spaced from an outer diameter defined by the outermost portions of raised surface portions of the counter shaft by a distance that is a multiple of the outer diameter. The multiple can be within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, and 10. For example, according to certain preferred embodiments, an outer edge of a guide shield can be spaced from an outer diameter defined by the outermost portions of raised surface portions of the counter shaft by a distance that is 1 to 3 times the outer diameter.

Referring to FIG. 10 and to FIG. 11, when a guide shield 61 is positioned within the region 65 as described with respect to FIG. 8 and/or within a distance as described with respect to FIG. 9, contact between the advancing cover material 40 and the counter shaft 4 is guaranteed even if the guide shield 61 fails to discourage a user from feeding cover material 40 beneath counter shaft 4. Of course, in this scenario counter shaft 4 will be rotated in the opposite direction. Therefore, the electronic circuitry can be configured to monitor the number of rotations of wheel 6 as a direct result of rotation of counter shaft 4 in either direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) and halt operation of motor 13 to avoid wasting cover material 40 or leaving a portion of the seat 24 covered with unhygienic cover material 40 due to a premature halting of the motor 13.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C §112, sixth paragraph. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C §112, sixth paragraph.

Claims

1. A sanitary toilet seat assembly for advancing tubular plastic around a toilet seat, said assembly comprising:

a toilet seat having a first end and a second end;

a base member to which the toilet seat is operatively connected;

a top cover covering at least a portion of the base member, thereby forming a housing;

a dispenser shaft proximate said first end; a take-up shaft proximate said second end; tubular plastic forming a roll around said dispenser shaft, extending around said toilet seat, and forming a roll around said take-up shaft;

a counter shaft having a plurality of projections about its periphery for engaging the tubular plastic, distal ends of the projections defining an outer circumference;

a motor within said housing for operatively driving said take-up shaft to advance said tubular plastic in a travel direction;

a unitary pressure member for forcing the tubular plastic against said counter shaft, said pressure member extending continuously in a unitary construction downward from an upper internal surface of said top cover to a stationary pressure edge, said pressure edge having a long axis and a short axis defining a contact area with the tubular plastic, said long axis substantially transverse to said travel direction, whereby contact between said tubular plastic and said counter shaft is improved; and

a guide shield secured to the base member,

wherein the guide shield has a top portion extending into a region lying between a first tangential plane and a second tangential plane, extending parallel to the base member and tangentially from opposing points along the outer circumference of the counter shaft projections.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said guide shield is integrally permanently and unitarily formed with the base member.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said guide shield engages said tubular plastic to produce a deflection of said tubular plastic having a component substantially transverse to said travel direction.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said counter shaft is attachable to at least one magnet and positioned within said housing proximate to said take-up shaft and a control system for controlling advancement of said tubular plastic through said take-up shaft responsive to rotation of said counter shaft, and

wherein said pressure member extends substantially downwardly from said top cover and engages said tubular plastic for deflecting said tubular plastic under tension in a substantially downward direction, said tubular plastic contacting and rotating said counter shaft as it advances to said take-up shaft, said pressure plate increasing contact of said tubular plastic with said counter shaft.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said control system includes electronic circuitry on a printed circuit board to detect resistance in the advancement of said tubular sheet by monitoring counter shaft rotation in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said electronic circuitry halts operation of said motor upon detecting a specified resistance limit in the advancement of said tubular sheet.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the top portion of the guide shield is contoured.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide shield comprises at least one lateral foot member for securing the guide shield to the base member.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide shield is positioned relative to the counter shaft to hinder the tubular plastic from passing beneath the counter shaft.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the guide shield is positioned to ensure contact between the counter shaft and the tubular plastic even if the tubular plastic passes beneath the counter shaft.

11. A sanitary toilet seat assembly for advancing tubular plastic around a toilet seat, said assembly comprising:

a toilet seat having a first end and a second end;

a base member to which the toilet seat is operatively connected;

a top cover covering at least a portion of the base member, thereby forming a housing;

a dispenser shaft proximate said first end; a take-up shaft proximate said second end; tubular plastic forming a roll around said dispenser shaft, extending around said toilet seat, and forming a roll around said take-up shaft;

a counter shaft having a plurality of projections about its periphery for engaging the tubular plastic, distal ends of the projections defining an outer circumference;

a motor within said housing for operatively driving said take-up shaft to advance said tubular plastic in a travel direction; and

a guide shield secured to the base member,

wherein the guide shield has a top portion extending into a region lying between a first tangential plane and a second tangential plane, extending parallel to the base member and tangentially from opposing points along the outer circumference of the counter shaft projections.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said guide shield is integrally permanently and unitarily formed with the base member.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said guide shield engages said tubular plastic to produce a deflection of said tubular plastic having a component substantially transverse to said travel direction.

14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said counter shaft is attachable to at least one magnet and positioned within said housing proximate to said take-up shaft and a control system for controlling advancement of said tubular plastic through said take-up shaft responsive to rotation of said counter shaft, and

wherein said pressure member extends substantially downwardly from said top cover and engages said tubular plastic for deflecting said tubular plastic under tension in a substantially downward direction, said tubular plastic contacting and rotating said counter shaft as it advances to said take-up shaft, said pressure plate increasing contact of said tubular plastic with said counter shaft.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said control system includes electronic circuitry on a printed circuit board to detect resistance in the advancement of said tubular sheet by monitoring counter shaft rotation in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said electronic circuitry halts operation of said motor upon detecting a specified resistance limit in the advancement of said tubular sheet.

17. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the top portion of the guide shield is contoured.

18. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the guide shield comprises at least one lateral foot member for securing the guide shield to the base member.

19. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the guide shield is positioned relative to the counter shaft to hinder the tubular plastic from passing beneath the counter shaft.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the guide shield is positioned to ensure contact between the counter shaft and the tubular plastic even if the tubular plastic passes beneath the counter shaft.