TOILET SEAT SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A toilet seat with a fluid barrier; the toilet seat includes a substantially oval shaped body correspondingly dimensioned to an annular rim of a toilet bowl. A fluid barrier may be integrally formed to the substantially oval shaped body extending perpendicular from the bottom surface of the front portion. Further discussed is a fluid barrier for attachment to an annular toilet seat. The fluid barrier may have an elongated barrier wall having an upper edge and an attenuated lower edge. The fluid barrier may have a fastener disposed on the upper edge. The fastener may be configured to attach the elongated barrier wall to the lower surface of the annular toilet seat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/544,536 filed Aug. 11, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of commode seating of existing art and more specifically relates to a toilet seat with integrated fluid barrier.

RELATED ART

Generally, a toilet is a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human urine and feces. They are often found in a small room referred to as a bathroom. Flush toilets, which are common in many parts of the world, may be connected to a nearby septic tank or more commonly in urban areas via sewer pipe connected to a sewerage pipe system.

Bathroom cleanliness is an important aspect of any given facility. Lavatories, restrooms and bathrooms alike have the tendency to become dirty in very little time. Due to the nature of these facilities hosting receptacles for human waste, a lavatory must be kept to very high hygienic standards. High volume restrooms such as the facilities in an air terminal are typically cleaned every hour at a minimum.

The use of toilets results in the accumulation of splashed liquid and human body waste on a toilet. A standard toilet comprises a water basin with a seat that is pivotably attached to the rim of the basin. Use of a toilet often results in liquid and all accompanying dissolved matter splashing onto the rim of the basin and the underside of the seat. Following multiple uses, the matter accumulates on the toilet and poses a health risk due to disease caused by bacteria and various other microorganisms. A particularly troublesome area of the toilet is the area between the seat and the rim. This area is subject to two adjacent surface, that of the rim and the underside of the lid. Each surface may quickly accumulate unhygienic matter from the splashed liquid. The seat of a toilet may be frequently handled, introducing the accumulated unhygienic matter to the skin of a handler. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,177 to JoAnn Valencia relates to a toilet splash guard. The described toilet splash guard includes a generally flat, planar shield, the shield comprising a front side and a rear side, two ends, at least one orifice, and at least two bumpers, the front side faces the user, the two ends shaped as flanges shaped to correspond to the lower portion of a rim of a toilet, the orifice located substantially upon the upper portion of the shield, the bumpers located substantially on the lower portion of the shield, the bumpers located on the rear side of the shield, the bumpers are shaped to correspond with an upper portion of a rim of a toilet bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known toilet seat art, the present disclosure provides a novel toilet seat system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient and effective toilet seat system.

Disclosed is a toilet seat with a fluid barrier for use with a toilet bowl. The toilet bowl may have an annular rim with a top surface and an inside surface. In a preferred embodiment the toilet seat is comprised of a substantially oval shaped body, correspondingly dimensioned to the annular rim of the toilet bowl. The toilet seat further includes an integrated fluid barrier formed to the substantially oval shaped body. The integrated fluid barrier may extend perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the toilet seat. The integrated fluid barrier may be disposed adjacent to the inside surface of the annular rim of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is oriented parallel with the annular rim.

Further disclosed is a fluid barrier for attachment to a toilet seat. The toilet seat may have an inner periphery, an upper surface and a lower surface. The fluid barrier may comprise an elongated barrier wall having an upper edge and an attenuated lower edge. The elongated barrier wall may have a length that corresponds to a front quadrant of the annular toilet seat. The fluid barrier may further comprise a fastener disposed on the upper edge of the elongated barrier wall. The fastener may be configured to attach the elongated barrier wall to the lower surface, along the front quadrant, of the annular toilet seat.

According to another embodiment, a method for attaching a fluid barrier is also disclosed herein. The method for attaching a fluid barrier includes a step of providing a fluid barrier for attachment to an annular toilet seat having an inner peripheral, an upper surface and a lower surface, the fluid barrier comprising an elongated barrier wall, the elongated barrier wall having an upper edge, an attenuated lower edge and a length corresponding to a front quadrant of inner peripheral of the annular toilet seat, and, a fastener, the fastener disposed on the upper edge and configured to attach to the elongated barrier wall to the lower surface along the front quadrant of the inner peripheral of the annular toilet seat; a step of removing the removable backing from the upper edge of the elongated barrier wall; a step of aligning the fluid barrier to the inner periphery of a front portion of the toilet seat; and finally, a step of affixing the fluid barrier to the toilet seat.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a toilet seat system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet seat system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the toilet seat system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an underside perspective view of the toilet seat system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is another view of the toilet seat system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of attaching a fluid barrier, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a toilet seat system and more particularly to a toilet seat system and method as used to improve the hygienic use of toilets.

The present invention provides users with a toilet seat capable of creating a barrier between the seat and bowl to prevent fluid leaks. This keeps a toilet seat, bowl, and areas surrounding the toilet sanitary at virtually all times by ensuring all liquids are kept confined to the toilet bowl. It utilizes a molded fin on the front of the seat which allows the seal to form between the seat and bowl. This effectively eliminates the need to constantly clean the bathroom each time the toilet is used. The present invention offers an optional after market kit featuring a piece of molded plastic capable of being applied to an existing toilet seat.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a toilet seat system 100.

FIG. 1 shows a toilet seat system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the toilet seat system 100 may be beneficial for maintaining bathroom sanitation. As illustrated, the toilet seat system 100 may include a substantially oval shaped (or other) body 110 correspondingly dimensioned to the annular rim 60 of a toilet bowl 65. The annular rim 60 may include a rim-inner radius 61, a rim-outer radius 62, a rim-top surface 64 and a rim-inside surface 63. The substantially oval shaped body 110 having a top surface 111 (FIG. 2), a bottom surface 112, opposed front 113 and back 114 portions, and a body-inner radius 115 that may be smaller than the rim-inner radius 61 of the toilet bowl 65.

The substantially oval shaped body 110 may further comprise a hinge 116 disposed on the back 114 portion of the substantially oval shaped body 110. The hinge 116 may be configured to pivotably connect the toilet seat system 100 to the annular rim 60. The substantially oval shaped body 110 may include apertures 117 configured to receive fasteners to attach the hinge 116. An integrated fluid barrier 120 may in integrally formed to the substantially oval shaped body 110 and extend perpendicular from the bottom surface 112 of the front 113 portion of the substantially oval shaped body 110. The integrated fluid barrier 120 may be parallel and adjacent to the rim-inside surface 63 when the bottom surface 112 of the substantially oval shaped body 110 is parallel and adjacent to the rim-top surface 64. The substantially oval shaped body 110 may further include abutment pads 130 disposed about the bottom surface 112. The abutment pads 130 may be used to prevent the bottom surface 112 from contacting the rim-top surface 64 of the toilet bowl 65.

According to one embodiment, the toilet seat system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the toilet seat system 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the toilet seat system 100 such that the toilet seat 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG. 2 shows the toilet seat system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the toilet seat system 100 may include a substantially oval shaped body 110 correspondingly dimensioned to the annular rim 60 of a toilet bowl 65. The substantially oval shaped body 110 having a top surface 111, a bottom surface 112, opposed front 113 (FIG. 1) and back 114 (FIG. 1) portions. As shown, the bottom surface 112 of the substantially oval shaped body 110 may be configured to be parallelly oriented to and abut with the rim-top surface 64 of the annular rim 60. In this preferred embodiment, the integrated fluid barrier 120 is parallel and adjacent to the rim-inside surface 63 (FIG. 1) when the bottom surface 112 of the substantially oval shaped body 110 is parallel and adjacent to the rim-top surface 111.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing an underside view of the toilet seat system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the toilet seat system 100 may comprise a substantially oval shaped body 110. The substantially oval shaped body 110 may have a body-inner radius 115. The body-inner radius 115 may be smaller than the rim-inner radius 61 (FIG. 1). A smaller body-inner radius 115 of the substantially oval shaped body 110 allows the integrated fluid barrier 120 to be adjacent to the rim-inside surface 63 (FIG. 1) of the annular rim 60 (FIG. 1). The integrated fluid barrier 120 may form an arch 121 that follows the body-inner radius 115 of the substantially oval shaped body 110. In a preferred embodiment, the arch 121 is at least partially disposed along the body-inner radius 115 of the front 113 portion of the substantially oval shaped body 110. By convention, the body-outer radius 118 of the substantially oval shaped body 110 may be greater than the rim-outer radius 62 (FIG. 1) of the annular rim 60. In an alternative embodiment, the body-outer radius 118 may be of the same length as the rim-outer radius 62 of the substantially oval shaped body 110.

FIG. 4 is another view of the toilet seat system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The present embodiment of the toilet seat system 100 may comprise a fluid barrier 300 for attachment to an annular toilet seat 70 having an inner peripheral 72 and a lower surface 73. The fluid barrier 300 may comprise an elongated barrier wall 310 having an upper edge 320, an attenuated lower edge 330 and a length 312 corresponding to a front quadrant 71 of the inner peripheral 72 of the annular toilet seat 70. The elongated barrier wall 310 may comprise of a substantially fluid proof material. The substantially fluid proof material may further be a composition of materials, including fluid proof laminate disposed on the exterior of the elongated barrier wall 310. The elongated barrier wall 310 may comprise a flexible material 301. The flexible material 301 may be configured to be cut and resized. The flexible material 301 may be configured to be cured to a rigid state. The curing process may include vulcanization, additive reaction, and all further conceived curing methods.

The fluid barrier 300 may further comprise a fastener 340. The fastener 340 may be disposed on the upper edge 320 of the elongated barrier wall 310. The fastener 340 may be configured to attach the elongated barrier wall 310 to the annular toilet seat 70. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener 340 attaches the elongated barrier wall 310 to the lower surface 73 along the front quadrant 71 of the inner peripheral 72 of the annular toilet seat 70. The fastener 340 may comprise of an adhesive material 322 disposed along the upper edge 320 of the elongated barrier wall 310. The adhesive material 322 may be covered with a removable backing 324. The removable backing 324 may comprise of a non-stick material comprising a laminated surface. The removable backing 324 may comprise of wax paper. The fluid barrier 300 may be configured to be separable from the lower surface 73. The separable functionality may allow the fluid barrier 300 to be repositioned, replaced, and cleaned.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram illustrating a method for attaching a fluid barrier 500 to a toilet seat, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for attaching a fluid barrier 500 may include one or more components or features of the toilet seat system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for attaching a fluid barrier 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a fluid barrier for attachment to an annular toilet seat having an inner peripheral, an upper surface and a lower surface, the fluid barrier comprising an elongated barrier wall, the elongated barrier wall having an upper edge, an attenuated lower edge and a length corresponding to a front quadrant of inner peripheral of the annular toilet seat, and, a fastener, the fastener disposed on the upper edge and configured to attach to the elongated barrier wall to the lower surface along the front quadrant of the inner peripheral of the annular toilet seat; step two 502, removing the removing backing from the upper edge of the elongated barrier wall; step three 503, aligning the fluid barrier to the inner periphery of a front portion of the toilet seat; step four 504, affixing the fluid barrier to the toilet seat.

It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for attaching a fluid barrier are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A toilet seat with a fluid barrier for use with a toilet bowl having an annular rim with a rim-inner radius, the annular rim having a depth defining a rim-inside surface and a rim width defining a rim-top surface and a rim-outer radius, the toilet seat comprising:

a substantially oval shaped body correspondingly dimensioned to the annular rim, said substantially oval shaped body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposed front and back portions, and a body-inner radius that is smaller than the rim-inner radius; and

an integrated fluid barrier, the fluid barrier integrally formed to the substantially oval shaped body extending perpendicular from the bottom surface of the front portion of the substantially oval shaped body;

2. The toilet seat of claim 1, further comprising a hinge disposed on the back portion of the substantially oval shaped body configured to pivotably connect the toilet seat to the annular rim.

3. The toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the substantially oval shaped body is configured to be parallelly oriented to and abut with the rim-top surface of the annular rim.

4. The toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid barrier is parallel and adjacent to the rim-inside surface when the bottom surface of the substantially oval shaped body is parallel and adjacent to the rim-top surface.

5. The toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the substantially oval shaped body further includes abutment pads disposed about the bottom surface.

6. The toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the fluid barrier forms an arch.

7. The toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the arch is at least partially disposed long the body-inner radius of the front portion of the substantially oval shaped body.

8. The toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the body-outer radius is greater than the rim-outer radius.

9. The toilet seat of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the substantially oval shaped body includes apertures configured to receive fasteners to attach the hinge.

10. A fluid barrier for attachment to an annular toilet seat having an inner periphery, an upper surface and a lower surface, the fluid barrier comprising:

an elongated barrier wall, the elongated barrier wall having an upper edge, an attenuated lower edge and a length corresponding to a front quadrant of the inner periphery of the annular toilet seat; and

a fastener, the fastener disposed on the upper edge and configured to attach the elongated barrier wall to the lower surface along the front quadrant of the inner periphery of the annular toilet seat;

11. The fluid barrier of claim 10, wherein the elongated barrier wall comprises a substantially fluid proof material.

12. The fluid barrier of claim 10, wherein the fastener is an adhesive material disposed along the upper edge.

13. The fluid barrier of claim 10, wherein the adhesive material includes a removable backing.

14. The fluid barrier of claim 10, wherein the fluid barrier is configured to be separable from the lower surface.

15. The fluid barrier of claim 10, wherein the elongated barrier wall comprises a flexible material.

16. The fluid barrier of claim 15, wherein the flexible material is configured to be cured to a rigid state.

17. A toilet seat system, the system comprising:

a toilet seat with a fluid barrier for use with a toilet bowl having an annular rim with a rim-inner radius, the annular rim having a depth defining a rim-inside surface and a rim width defining a rim-top surface and a rim-outer radius, the toilet seat comprising:

a substantially oval shaped body correspondingly dimensioned to the annular rim, said substantially oval shaped body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposed front and back portions, and a body-inner radius that is smaller than the rim-inner radius,

an integrated fluid barrier, the fluid barrier integrally formed to the substantially oval shaped body extending perpendicular from the bottom surface of the front portion of the substantially oval shaped body;

further comprising a hinge disposed on the back portion of the substantially oval shaped body configured to pivotably connect the toilet seat to the annular rim;

wherein the bottom surface of the substantially oval shaped body is configured to be parallelly oriented to and abut with the rim-top surface of the annular rim;

wherein the fluid barrier is parallel and adjacent to the rim-inside surface when the bottom surface of the substantially oval shaped body is parallel and adjacent to the rim-top surface;

wherein the substantially oval shaped body further includes abutment pads disposed about the bottom surface;

wherein the fluid barrier forms an arch;

wherein the arch is at least partially disposed long the body-inner radius of the front portion of the substantially oval shaped body;

wherein the body-outer radius is greater than the rim-outer radius;

wherein the bottom surface of the substantially oval shaped body includes apertures configured to receive fasteners to attach the hinge;

a fluid barrier for attachment to an annular toilet seat having an inner periphery, an upper surface and a lower surface, the fluid barrier comprising:

an elongated barrier wall, the elongated barrier wall having an upper edge, an attenuated lower edge and a length corresponding to a front quadrant of the inner periphery of the annular toilet seat, and

a fastener, the fastener disposed on the upper edge and configured to attach the elongated barrier wall to the lower surface along the front quadrant of the inner periphery of the annular toilet seat;

wherein the elongated barrier wall comprises a substantially fluid proof material;

wherein the fastener is an adhesive material disposed along the upper edge;

wherein the adhesive material includes a removable backing;

wherein the fluid barrier is configured to be separable from the lower surface;

wherein the elongated barrier wall comprises a flexible material;

wherein the flexible material is configured to be cured to a rigid state;

18. The fluid barrier of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and

wherein the fluid barrier is arranged as a kit.