TOILET WITH CONTAMINATION SUPPRESSION

Abstract

A toilet is disclosed which includes a toilet bowl having an inner space defined therein and having a top portion having a first opening and a top edge around the first opening; a seat mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the seat has a second opening defined therein, communicating with the first opening; and a lid to cover the seat so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the lid has an outer portion corresponding to the seat, and an inner portion protruding downwardly from the outer portion, and wherein when the lid is mounted on the seat, the inner portion fits into the second opening in the seat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean utility model application No. 20-2016-0006628 filed on Nov. 15, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a toilet to allow contaminants scattering during flushing operation to be prevented from being deposited on a seat.

Discussion of Related Art

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a toilet includes a toilet bowl 10 having an inner space 11 defined therein and having a top portion having a first opening and a top edge around the first opening; a seat 20 mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the seat 20 has a second opening 21 defined therein, communicating with the first opening; and a lid 30 to cover the seat 20 so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl.

During flushing operation of the bowl 10, contaminants may be scattered from the water in the bowl and then may be deposited on the seat 20. This may cause seat contamination.

When the user touches the seat for urination in order to move up the seat, the user's hand may contact the contaminants deposited on the seat. Thus, there is a need to solve this problem.

A prior art document is as follows: Korean utility model registration No. 20-0439117

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify all key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used alone as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present disclosure is to provide a toilet to allow contaminants scattering during flushing operation to be prevented from being deposited on a seat.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a toilet including a toilet bowl having an inner space defined therein and having a top portion having a first opening and a top edge around the first opening; a seat mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the seat has a second opening defined therein, communicating with the first opening; and a lid to cover the seat so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the lid has an outer portion corresponding to the seat, and an inner portion protruding downwardly from the outer portion, and wherein when the lid is mounted on the seat, the inner portion fits into the second opening in the seat.

In one implementation, the inner portion may have a top level lower than the bottom level of the outer potion of the lid.

In one implementation, the toilet may have a coupling mechanism to allow the lid to be removably coupled to the seat.

In one implementation, the toilet may have a rotation grip coupled to the coupling mechanism to allow a user to control the coupling mechanism.

In one implementation, wherein the coupling mechanism includes: a vertical rotation shaft fixed to the rotation grip through a vertical through-hole defined in the outer portion of the lid; a horizontal extension horizontally extending from a distal end of the vertical rotation shaft; a first magnetic member fixed to a distal end of the horizontal extension; and second and third magnetic members installed in the seat, wherein the horizontal extension rotates around the distal end of the vertical rotation shaft such that the first magnetic member moves along a circular path, wherein the second and third magnetic members at least partially extend along the circular path of the first magnetic member.

In one implementation, each of the second and third magnetic members may extend in a circular arc around a point corresponding to a distal end of the vertical rotation shaft.

In one implementation, the outer portion and the inner portion may define a cavity formed on the inner portion.

In one implementation, a cover may be pivotally coupled to the inner portion so as to open or close the cavity.

In one implementation, the cover may be made of transparent synthetic resin, such that the object in the cavity is visible to the user.

In one implementation, the cover may have a locking mechanism and an auxiliary grip.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the lid has the inner portion fitting into the second opening in the seat when the lid is secured to the seat. Thus, the inner portion may tightly close the second opening. Therefore, contaminants scattering during flushing operation may be prevented from being deposited on the seat. In this way, the seat may be free of the contaminants.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the seat and lid may be selectively coupled to each other or removed from each other via the coupling mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification and in which like numerals depict like elements, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a conventional toilet.

FIG. 2 show a top view of the conventional toilet.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of a toilet in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of a toilet in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure when a seat is separated from a lid.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a coupling mechanism and a rotation grip of a toilet in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 show side elevation views for illustrating the operation of a toilet in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure where

FIG. 9 shows a side elevation view of a variant of a toilet in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 show side elevation views of a toilet in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in different figures denote the same or similar elements, and as such perform similar functionality. Also, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

Examples of various embodiments are illustrated and described further below. It will be understood that the description herein is not intended to limit the claims to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and so on may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section described below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of explanation to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element s or feature s as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or in operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented for example, rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations, and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expression such as “at least one of” when preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process structures and/or processes have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 show a toilet in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The toilet may include a toilet bowl 10 having an inner space 11 defined therein and having a top portion having a first opening and a top edge around the first opening; a seat 20 mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the seat 20 has a second opening 21 defined therein, communicating with the first opening; and a lid 30 to cover the seat 20 so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the lid 30 may have an outer portion corresponding to the seat 20, and an inner portion 31 and 32 protruding downwardly from the outer portion. When the lid is mounted on the seat, the inner portion 31 and 32 fits into the second opening 21 in the seat 20.

The inner portion 31 and 32 may have a top level lower than the bottom level of the outer potion of the lid 30. In one embodiment, the inner portion 31 and 32 may have a plate form. Thus, the shape of the inner portion 31 and 32 may correspond to the second opening 21 in the seat 20.

When the lid pivotally move toward and on the seat, the inner portion 31 and 32 of the lid 30 fits into the second opening 21 in the seat 20 to close the second opening 21.

In one embodiment, the lid 30 may be formed of a thin synthetic resin panel. The inner portion 31 and 32 may protrude downwardly from the outer portion.

The seat 20 may be removably coupled to the lid 30 via a coupling mechanism 40. A rotation grip 50 may be coupled to the coupling mechanism 40 to allow the user to control the coupling mechanism 40.

The coupling mechanism 40 may include a vertical rotation shaft 41 fixed to the rotation grip 50 through a vertical through-hole 33 defined in a front location of the outer portion of the lid 30, a horizontal extension 42 horizontally extending from a distal end of the vertical rotation shaft 41, a first magnetic member 43 fixed to a distal end of the horizontal extension 42, and second and third magnetic members 44 and 45 installed in the seat 20. When the user rotates the rotation grip 50, the horizontal extension 42 may rotate around the distal end of the vertical rotation shaft 41 such that the first magnetic member 43 may move along a circular path.

The second and third magnetic members 44 and 45 may be installed into the seat 20 so as to at least partially extend along the circular path of the first magnetic member 43.

In one embodiment, each of the second and third magnetic members 44 and 45 may extend in a circular arc around a point corresponding to a distal end of the vertical rotation shaft 41.

An upper portion of the second magnetic member 44 may have an opposite pole to a pole of a lower portion of the first magnetic member 43. An upper portion of the third magnetic member 45 may have the same pole as the pole of the lower portion of the first magnetic member 43.

For example, when the pole of the lower portion of the first magnetic member 43 has an N pole, the upper portion of the second magnetic member 44 has an S pole and the upper portion of the third magnetic member 45 has an N pole. For example, when the pole of the lower portion of the first magnetic member 43 has an S pole, the upper portion of the second magnetic member 44 has an N pole and the upper portion of the third magnetic member 45 has an S pole.

The rotation grip 50 may be fixed to a top end of the vertical rotation shaft 41. When the user rotates the rotation grip 50, the vertical rotation shaft 41 and horizontal extension 42 rotate such that the first magnetic member 43 may move in the circular path along and on the second magnetic member 44 and third magnetic member 45.

Thus, the coupling mechanism 40 may have a following operation:

First, the user rotates the rotation grip 50 such that, as shown in FIG. 3, the first magnetic member 43 overlaps the second magnetic member 44. Thus, there occurs an attraction force between the first magnetic member 43 and second magnetic member 44 and, hence, the first magnetic member 43 is secured to the second magnetic member 44. In this way, the lid 30 may be secure to the seat 20.

While the lid 30 is secure to the seat 20, the user pulls the rotation grip 50 upwards such that as shown in FIG. 6, the lid 30 and seat 20 together pivotally move upwards.

On the contrary, the user rotates the rotation grip 50 such that, as shown in FIG. 7, the first magnetic member 43 overlaps the third magnetic member 45, there occurs a repulsive force between the first magnetic member 43 and third magnetic member 45 and, hence, the first magnetic member 43 is forced to move upwards. In this way, the lid 30 pivotally moves upwards, such that the inner portion 31 and 32 is removed upwards from the second opening 21 in the seat 20. Thus, the lid 30 is removed from the seat 20.

While the lid 30 is removed from the seat 20, the user pulls the rotation grip 50 upwards, such that, as shown in FIG. 8, only the lid 30 pivotally moves upwards.

The lid 30 has the inner portion 31 and 32 fitting into the second opening 21 in the seat 20 when the lid is secured to the seat. Thus, the inner portion 31 and 32 may tightly close the second opening 21.

Thus, contaminants scattering during flushing operation may be prevented from being deposited on the seat 20. In this way, the seat 20 may be free of the contaminants.

Furthermore, the seat 20 and lid 30 may be selectively coupled to each other or removed from each other via the coupling mechanism 40. In order for the user to control the coupling mechanism 40, the coupling mechanism 40 may be connected to the rotation grip 50. Thus, the user may control the rotation grip 50 so as to switch the coupling mechanism 40. When the user pulls the rotation grip 50 upwards, both the seat 20 and lid 30 may pivotally move upwards or, otherwise, only the lid 30 may pivotally move upwards.

In this way, when the user manipulates the lid 30 or both the lid 30 and seat 20, the contaminants may be prevented from contacting the hand of the user.

The coupling mechanism 40 includes the vertical rotation shaft 41 fixed to the rotation grip 50 through the vertical through-hole 33 defined in a front location of the outer portion of the lid 30, the horizontal extension 42 horizontally extending from a distal end of the vertical rotation shaft 41, the first magnetic member 43 fixed to a distal end of the horizontal extension 42, and the second and third magnetic members 44 and 45 installed in the seat 20.

When the user rotates the rotation grip 50, the horizontal extension 42 may rotate around the distal end of the vertical rotation shaft 41 such that the first magnetic member 43 may move along the circular path. The second and third magnetic members 44 and 45 may be installed into the seat 20 so as to at least partially extend along the circular path of the first magnetic member 43.

In one embodiment, each of the second and third magnetic members 44 and 45 may extend in a circular arc around a point corresponding to a distal end of the vertical rotation shaft 41.

The upper portion of the second magnetic member 44 may have an opposite pole to a pole of the lower portion of the first magnetic member 43. The upper portion of the third magnetic member 45 may have the same pole as the pole of the lower portion of the first magnetic member 43.

While the lid 30 is secure to the seat 20, the user pulls the rotation grip 50 upwards such that the lid 30 and seat 20 together pivotally move upwards. While the lid 30 is removed from the seat 20, the user pulls the rotation grip 50 upwards, such that only the lid 30 pivotally moves upwards.

As described above, the lid 30 has the inner portion 31 and 32 fitting into the second opening 21 in the seat 20 when the lid is secured to the seat. Thus, the inner portion 31 and 32 may tightly close the second opening 21. Thus, contaminants scattering during flushing operation may be prevented from being deposited on the seat 20. In this way, the seat 20 may be free of the contaminants.

Moreover, when the lid 30 moves pivotally downwards such that the inner portion 31 and 32 thereof fits into the second opening 21 in the seat 20, the inner portion 31 and 32 and seat 20 may be secured to each other. In this state, the user moves pivotally upwards, such that the seat 20 moves pivotally upwards. This is when the first magnetic member 43 overlaps the second magnetic member 44.

To the contrary, the user rotates the rotation grip 50 such that the first magnetic member 43 overlaps the third magnetic member 45, due to the repulsive force between the first magnetic member 43 and third magnetic member 45, only the lid 30 moves pivotally upwards. In this way, the inner portion 31 and 32 of the lid 30 may be removed from the seat 20.

In this state, the user pulls the rotation grip 50 up, such that only the lid 30 moves pivotally upwards.

As mentioned above, the coupling mechanism 40 includes the vertical rotation shaft 41 fixed to the rotation grip 50 through the vertical through-hole 33 defined in a front location of the outer portion of the lid 30, the horizontal extension 42 horizontally extending from a distal end of the vertical rotation shaft 41, the first magnetic member 43 fixed to a distal end of the horizontal extension 42, and the second and third magnetic members 44 and 45 installed in the seat 20. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the horizontal extension 42 itself may be made of iron. Thus, the first magnetic member 43 may be omitted. In this connection, the third magnetic member 45 in the seat 20 may be omitted. Thus, the horizontal extension 42 may be magnetically secured to the second magnetic member 44.

In this way, the coupling mechanism 40 may vary in terms of the configuration thereof.

FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 show a toilet in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The toilet may include a toilet bowl 10 having an inner space 11 defined therein and having a top portion having a first opening and a top edge around the first opening; a seat 20 mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the seat 20 has a second opening 21 defined therein, communicating with the first opening; and a lid 30 to cover the seat 20 so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl.

In accordance with this embodiment of the present disclosure, the lid 30 may have an outer portion corresponding to the seat 20, and an inner portion 31 and 32 protruding downwardly from the outer portion. When the lid is mounted on the seat, the inner portion 31 and 32 fits into the second opening 21 in the seat 20. Thus, the outer portion and the inner portion 31 and 32 may define a cavity formed on the inner portion 31 and 32. A cover 60 may be pivotally coupled to the inner portion 31 and 32 so as to open or close the cavity. Thus, the cavity may receive user's objects during urination.

To be specific, the cover 60 may be pivotally coupled to the inner portion 31 and 32 at a hinge 61 positioned at a rear end of the inner portion 31 and 32. In this way, as shown in FIG. 11, the cover 60 may pivotally move to close or open the cavity.

In this connection, the cover 60 may be made of transparent synthetic resin, such that the object in the cavity is visible to the user.

The cover 60 may have a locking mechanism 62 and an auxiliary grip 63. When the user allows the cover 60 to close the cavity, the locking mechanism 62 may prevent the cover 60 from movement. Then, the user may control the auxiliary grip 63 to de-activate the locking mechanism 62 to open the cavity.

In this way, during the urination, the user may put the object of the user into the cavity and close the cavity using the cover 60. As shown in FIG. 12, the lid 30 may pivotally move upward. In this state, the object may not fall down due to the cover.

The above description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments, and many additional embodiments of this disclosure are possible. It is understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the Claims. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic that is described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Claims

1. A toilet including:

a toilet bowl having an inner space defined therein and having a top portion having a first opening and a top edge around the first opening;

a seat mounted on the top edge so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the seat has a second opening defined therein, communicating with the first opening;

a lid to cover the seat so as to pivotally move relative to the bowl, wherein the lid has an outer portion corresponding to the seat, and an inner portion and protruding downwardly from the outer portion, wherein when the lid is mounted on the seat, the inner portion fits into the second opening in the seat;

a coupling mechanism to allow the lid to be removably coupled to the seat; and

a rotation grip coupled to the coupling mechanism to allow a user to control the coupling mechanism,

wherein the coupling mechanism includes:

a vertical rotation shaft fixed to the rotation grip through a vertical through-hole defined in the outer portion of the lid;

a horizontal extension horizontally extending from a distal end of the vertical rotation shaft;

a first magnetic member fixed to a distal end of the horizontal extension; and

second and third magnetic members installed in the seat,

wherein the horizontal extension rotates around the distal end of the vertical rotation shaft such that the first magnetic member moves along a circular path,

wherein the second and third magnetic members at least partially extend along the circular path of the first magnetic member,

wherein an upper portion of the second magnetic member has an opposite pole to a pole of a lower portion of the first magnetic member, wherein an upper portion of the third magnetic member has the same pole as the pole of the lower portion of the first magnetic member.

2. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the outer portion and the inner portion of the lid defines a cavity formed on the inner portion, wherein the toilet includes a cover pivotally coupled to the inner portion so as to open or close the cavity.