TOILET SEAT COVER

Abstract

A toilet seat cover can be adhered to a toilet seat to help a child use the toilet. In embodiments, a toilet seat cover includes a plastic or other thin, flexible sheet having a central void defined therethrough and an adhesive coating on one surface. That surface may be temporarily adhered to a toilet seat to maintain the toilet seat cover in position. The child may then sit on the toilet seat cover to relieve himself, with the toilet seat cover screening the child from touching unsanitary surfaces of the toilet seat or toilet and suspending the child over the toilet bowl. Once the child has finished and is off the toilet seat cover, the cover may be removed by rolling or folding.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a toilet seat cover. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a toilet seat cover for children.

Description of Related Art

Teaching a young child to use a toilet is an important step in the child's development. A child can gain a sense of independence, accomplishment, and self-confidence by mastering toilet use and growing out of the need for diapers. Due to the expense, inconvenience, and unpleasantness of changing wet or soiled diapers, parents and caretakers of small children are motivated to toilet train those children as young as possible.

However, due to a child's small size, using a regular-sized toilet can be intimidating and unsanitary. The size of the toilet opening means that the child is at risk of falling into the toilet water. To brace themselves from such an outcome, many children grab whatever surfaces are available to them, which usually means they are touching germ-covered areas on the toilet sides or seat.

To aid children with these problems, there exists many miniature “potty-training” toilet devices. Some such training toilets are stand-alone devices that have an internal reservoir that the caretaker empties after each use. Other training toilets are seats that rest upon a standard toilet seat but provide a smaller seating surface appropriate for the young child's smaller physical makeup. Either of these types of potty-training devices, and others, can help a child feel less scared and more willing to learn to use the toilet.

However, these potty-training devices are cumbersome and therefore difficult to bring to other locations outside the home. Thus, when venturing out in public with a child being potty-trained, many caretakers are not inclined to bring with them their potty-training device. As a result, when a young child needs to relieve herself at a location with public restrooms, the unfamiliarity of the toilets there only amplify her fears of, and difficulties in, using the toilet. Moreover, public restrooms may be (or at least are perceived to be) less sanitary than a private or residential restroom. These factors may result in an unpleasant experience for both child and caretaker.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a toilet seat cover is disclosed. The toilet seat cover includes a top sheet, an adhesive coating, a removal tab, and a backing sheet. The top sheet has a void defined therethrough. The adhesive coating is on a back surface of the top sheet. The removal tab is at a first edge of the top sheet. The removal tab is defined by a portion of the top sheet that has a nonadhesive back surface. The backing sheet is temporarily adhered to the adhesive coating.

In another embodiment, a method for using a toilet is disclosed. The method includes providing a toilet seat cover. The toilet seat cover includes a top sheet having a void defined therethrough, an adhesive coating on a back surface of the top sheet, a backing sheet temporarily adhered to the adhesive coating, and a removal tab defined by a portion of the toilet seat cover having a nonadhesive back surface. The method further includes separating the backing sheet from the top sheet, placing the top sheet onto a toilet seat of the toilet, thereby temporarily adhering said top sheet to the toilet seat by the adhesive coating, and following urination or defecation into the toilet, removing the toilet seat cover by pulling the removal tab.

In another embodiment, a toilet seat cover is disclosed. The toilet seat cover includes a top sheet, an adhesive coating, and a removal tab. The top sheet has a void defined therethrough. The adhesive coating is on a back surface of the top sheet. The removal tab is defined by a portion of the toilet seat cover having a nonadhesive back surface.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and any preferred or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only so that this disclosure will be thorough, and fully convey the full scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a toilet seat cover in a pre-deployed configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a toilet seat cover in a pre-deployed configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a toilet seat cover in a folded pre-deployed configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a toilet seat cover partially unfolded to reveal the backing strip of the installation tab according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates removal of the backing strip of the installation tab of a toilet seat cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts temporary adhesion of the installation tab of a toilet seat cover to a toilet seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts peeling of the backing sheet from the top sheet of a toilet seat cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts further separation of the backing sheet from the top sheet of a toilet seat cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts temporary adhesion of the top sheet of a toilet seat cover to a toilet seat and unfolding the side flaps according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts backing sheet placement during deployment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 depicts removal of the toilet seat cover from the toilet seat by pulling the removal tabs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the concepts disclosed herein, and it is to be understood that modifications to the various disclosed embodiments may be made, and other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a toilet seat cover and methods for use of the same. Such embodiments may include a disposable, single-use toilet seat cover. In embodiments, the toilet seat cover comprises a flexible, essentially flat sheet with a void therethrough. Embodiments include a back surface coating of nonpermanent adhesive for temporarily adhering the toilet seat cover to a toilet seat. One embodiment of the present disclosure can be folded into a small packet prior to use and/or after use.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a toilet seat cover 100 is depicted. Toilet seat cover 100 is adapted to be placed on a toilet seat. Toilet seat cover 100 comprises a lateral width W and longitudinal length L. In embodiments, length L is substantially greater than that of a standard toilet seat, such that length L is sufficient to result in complete or near-complete coverage of a toilet seat upon which toilet seat cover 100 is adhered. Likewise, in embodiments, width W is substantially greater than that of a standard toilet seat, such that width W is sufficient to result in complete or near-complete lateral coverage of a toilet seat upon which toilet seat cover 100 is adhered. In various embodiments, toilet seat cover 100 has a lateral width W between approximately twenty and twenty-two inches. In one embodiment, toilet seat cover 100 has a lateral width W of approximately twenty inches. In various embodiments, toilet seat cover 100 has a longitudinal length L between approximately sixteen and nineteen inches. In one embodiment, toilet seat cover 100 has a longitudinal length L of approximately sixteen and one-half inches. In other embodiments, toilet seat cover 100 has other dimensions not listed herein.

In embodiments, toilet seat cover 100 has several different configurations, whereas a user or caretaker may transition toilet seat cover 100 from one configuration to another. In particular, one configuration of toilet seat cover 100, depicted in FIG. 1, is an unfolded and pre-deployed state. Other configurations, which may be detailed further below, include a folded pre-deployed state, which may be ideal for storing or carrying; a deployed state while temporarily adhered to a toilet seat; and a post-deployment state after removal from the toilet seat.

Embodiments of toilet seat cover 100 include a top sheet 110. According to various embodiments, top sheet 110 of toilet seat cover 100 has a material thickness sufficient to impart sufficient tensile strength and durability as may be expected according to the purposes of toilet seat cover 100 described herein. In particular, top sheet 110 may have tensile strength sufficient to hold the weight of a child sitting upon a portion of toilet seat cover 100 that is suspended between the opposing sides of a toilet seat. It may be desirable that toilet seat cover 100 be made of a material that is resistant to stretching or other deformation while under such conditions. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, materials are used that exhibit limited or reduced stretching. As would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, numerous different formulations of plastics and other materials may satisfy the foregoing criteria for the toilet seat cover 100 material(s) of manufacture.

In one embodiment, top sheet 110 comprises a plastic sheet having a thickness of approximately 3 millimeters. In another embodiment, top sheet 110 comprises a plastic sheet having a thickness between 3 millimeters and 4 millimeters. In another embodiment, top sheet 110 comprises a plastic sheet having a thickness of approximately 4 millimeters. In another embodiment, top sheet 110 comprises a plastic sheet having a thickness between 4 millimeters and 5 millimeters. In another embodiment, top sheet 110 comprises a plastic sheet having a thickness of approximately 5 millimeters. In another embodiment, top sheet 110 comprises a plastic sheet having a thickness between 5 millimeters and 6 millimeters. In another embodiment, top sheet 110 comprises a plastic sheet having a thickness of approximately 6 millimeters. In another embodiment, top sheet 110 comprises a plastic sheet having a thickness of greater than 6 millimeters. In another embodiment, top sheet 110 comprises a plastic sheet having a thickness of less than 3 millimeters. In various embodiments, top sheet 110 comprises a transparent, translucent, and/or an opaque sheet.

In the present disclosure, the terms “approximate,” “approximately,” and other like terms mean a quantity with a reasonably ascertainable precision to the stated dimension. In one example, “approximately” means within one-half of the stated dimensional unit. For example, “approximately 4 millimeters” can be understood to mean between and including 3.5 and 4.5 millimeters. In another example, “approximately” means within one of the stated dimensional unit. For example, “approximately 4 millimeters” can be understood to mean between and including 3 and 5 millimeters. In another example, “approximately” means within ten percent of the stated dimension. For example, “approximately 4 millimeters” can be understood to mean between and including 3.6 and 4.4 millimeters. In another example, “approximately” means within twenty percent of the stated dimension. It is to be understood that other thicknesses of top sheet 110 may fall within the scope of this disclosure.

In various embodiments, top sheet 110 has a nonpermanent adhesive layer on its bottom surface. Said adhesive layer may be deposed across the bottom surface in sufficient thickness and composition so as to impart reasonable adhesion to a toilet seat when toilet seat cover 100 is deployed and temporarily adhered to the toilet seat as will be described herein.

As shown in FIG. 1, top sheet 110 has a central void 120 defined therethrough. In one embodiment, void 120 has a size significantly smaller than the opening of a standard toilet seat. In various embodiments, void 120 may have a size similar to the opening of child toilet seats or other toilet-training devices. For example, in one embodiment, void 120 has a longitudinal length of approximately six inches and a lateral width of approximately five inches (both dimensions being measured at their greatest parts). In various embodiments, void 120 has a longitudinal length of between approximately five and one-half inches and approximately six and one-half inches (being measured at its greatest length). In various embodiments, void 120 has a lateral width of between approximately four and one-half inches and approximately five and one-half inches (being measured at its greatest width).

FIG. 1 depicts the top surface of toilet seat cover 100. FIG. 2 depicts the bottom surface of toilet seat cover 100, showing one embodiment of a backing sheet 130. In embodiments, backing sheet 130 comprises a nonadhesive and/or nonstick paper, plastic, or other substrate(s) to which the adhesive-coated bottom surface of top sheet 110 may temporarily adhere. By removing backing sheet 130 from top sheet 110, adhesive portions of the bottom surface top sheet 110 may be exposed and then adhered to a surface. Use of a nonstick material in backing sheet 130 may ease removal of top sheet 110 from backing sheet 130 during deployment of toilet seat cover 100. Such a backing material may be similar to backing materials already known in the art for backing various adhesives or adhesive-coated surfaces. As will be described in further detail, embodiments of toilet seat cover 100 include separate and discontinuous backing portions that can be removed from top sheet 110 independently from backing sheet 130 and/or from each other.

Referring to FIG. 1, embodiments of toilet seat cover 100 comprise installation tab 140. According to one embodiment, installation tab 140 comprises a strip of material along a top edge of toilet seat cover 100. In one embodiment, installation tab 140 is defined by a rectangular strip of top sheet 110 bounded on both side-ends by removal tabs 150, 152. In embodiments, installation tab 140 has a backing strip 145 that is discontinuous from backing sheet 130, such that backing strip 145 may be removed from installation tab 140 separately and independently from backing sheet 130 or other backing substrate portions.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, backing strip 145 may be revealed by unfolding a folded-up toilet seat cover 100 prior to deployment. Removal of backing strip 145 may then expose the adhesive surface 147 of installation tab 140 for subsequent deployment of toilet seat cover 100.

Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of toilet seat cover 100 comprises a backing removal tab 160 on backing sheet 130 adjacent to backing strip 145 of installation tab 140. Backing removal tab 160 is situated so that one may peel backing sheet 130 from top sheet 110 by pulling on backing removal tab 160 in a direction away from top sheet 110. In one embodiment, backing removal tab 160 is integral to the substrate of backing sheet 130. In another embodiment, backing removal tab 160 is affixed to backing sheet 130 with sufficient tensile strength to resist separation that may result from pulling backing removal tab 160 away from top sheet 110. In one embodiment, backing removal tab 160 has a substrate material different from the material of which backing sheet 130 is composed.

Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a connecting strip or connecting seam 170. Located at the respective bottom edges of top sheet 110 and backing sheet 130, connecting strip 170 joins said respective bottom edges of top sheet 110 and of backing sheet 130 together, such that while toilet seat cover 100 is deployed and top sheet 110 and backing sheet 130 are pulled apart, connecting strip 170 maintains top sheet 110 and backing sheet 130 fixed to each other along their respective bottom edges. In embodiments, connecting strip 170 comprises a permanent or semi-permanent adhesive that fastens top sheet 110 and backing sheet 130. In one embodiment, top sheet 110 and backing sheet 130 are joined at connecting strip 170 by an adhesive tape folded over their respective bottom edges. In another embodiment, top sheet 110 and backing sheet 130 are treated with elevated temperatures to form a joining seam within connecting strip 170. In various embodiments, top sheet 110 and backing sheet 130 are joined at connecting strip 170 by other means.

Embodiments of toilet seat cover 100 comprise side flaps 180, 182 at each lateral side. In embodiments, side flaps are adapted to overhang the edges of a toilet seat to which toilet seat cover 100 is adhered while deployed. In such a configuration, side flaps 180, 182 may act to provide sanitary shields for the child using the toilet by preventing contact of the child's hands with the toilet seat or toilet side surfaces.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, side flaps 180, 182 have no adhesives disposed thereon, such that they may freely hang downward while toilet seat cover 100 is deployed, but do not adhere to surfaces of a toilet seat or toilet. Alternatively, side flaps 180, 182 have adhesive coatings on back surfaces, but backing substrates adhered thereto are discontinuous to the backing sheet 130 such that side flap backing substrates may remain thereon even after removal of the backing sheet 130 from the top sheet 110. In other words, it may be stated that the side flaps 180, 182 have nonadhesive back surfaces. In another embodiment, side flaps 180, 182 have nonpermanent adhesive on their underside surfaces, such that they may adhere to surfaces of a toilet seat or toilet while toilet seat cover 100 is deployed. In such an embodiment, adhesion of side flaps 180, 182 may increase the weight-bearing capacity of toilet seat cover 100 by providing additional surface area for adhesion between the toilet and/or toilet seat and toilet seat cover 100.

In various embodiments, toilet seat cover 100 comprises top sheet removal tabs 150, 152 on either side of installation tab 140 at or near top edge of toilet seat cover 100. In various embodiments, removal tabs 150, 152 have backing substrate discontinuous from both backing sheet 130 and backing strip 145, such that removal of backing sheet 130 and/or backing strip 145 does not cause the backing substrate of removal tabs 150, 152 to separate from removal tabs 150, 152. In one embodiment, removal tabs 150, 152 each have a respective backing substrate affixed thereto with a nonremovable or permanent adhesive, or an adhesive that is stronger than a nonpermanent and/or temporary adhesive. In another embodiment, removal tabs 150, 152 includes no adhesive substance. In other words, it may be stated that the removal tabs 150, 152 have nonadhesive back surfaces. In either of the foregoing embodiments, during the deployment process of toilet seat cover 100, removal tabs 150, 152 do not adhere to any surface of the toilet seat or toilet. As a result, removal tabs 150, 152 provide grabbable strips for removing a deployed toilet seat cover 100 from a toilet seat. Embodiments of removal tabs 150, 152 are situated so that one may peel a deployed toilet seat cover 100 from a toilet seat by pulling on removal tabs 150, 152 in a direction up and away from said toilet seat. In one embodiment, removal tabs 150, 152 are integral to the substrate of top sheet 110. In another embodiment, removal tabs 150, 152 are affixed to top sheet 110 with sufficient tensile strength to resist separation that may result from pulling removal tabs 150, 152 away from a toilet seat. In one embodiment, removal tabs 150, 152 have a substrate material different from the material of which top sheet 110 is composed.

In the present disclosure, description is made of nonpermanent adhesives or adhesive layers on toilet seat cover 100 or parts thereof. Reference to said adhesives or adhesive layers may include various adhesive types and may be known in the art by various names including, but not limited to, removable adhesive, repositional adhesive, non-structural adhesive, temporary adhesive, and tacky adhesive. In some embodiments, different types and/or compositions of adhesives may be applied to different areas of top sheet 110 or other sections of toilet seat cover 100 as may befit the particular function and/or anticipated use of each particular section. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to use an adhesive that has a high degree of adherence to top sheet 110 and to ceramic, plastic, and/or other typical toilet seat materials so that while deployed and thus suspended between opposing sides of a toilet seat, toilet seat cover 100 can support the weight of a child thereon without significant drooping or shear slippage. At the same time, it may further be desirable to use an adhesive that has a sufficiently low adherence to ceramic, plastic, and/or other typical toilet seat materials so that little or no residual adhesive matter remains on the toilet seat and/or toilet following removal of toilet seat cover 100 therefrom.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure comprise top sheet structural reinforcements to enhance the tensile strength of the top sheet 110 and prevent or mitigate undesirable stretching and/or sagging. Said structural reinforcements may have the effective result of increasing the weight bearing capacity of the toilet seat cover 100. In various embodiments, reinforcements comprise additional plastic or other material affixed to or joined with the top sheet 100 at select locations such as anticipated stress points. In other embodiments, reinforcements comprise thicker and/or stronger top sheet 100 material at select locations. In some embodiments, reinforcements comprise additional adhesive coatings at select locations.

Referring to FIG. 3, embodiments of the present disclosure are manufactured from a thin and flexible material such that toilet seat cover 100 can be folded while not deployed. As shown in FIG. 3, toilet seat cover 100 has been folded multiple times resulting in a packet small enough to fit in a typical clothing pocket or bag pocket. In this configuration, a person such as a child's caretake may carry one or more toilet seat covers 100 as the caretaker and child go about their normal daily activities, with a toilet seat cover 100 ready to use should the need arise.

According to one embodiment, a folded pre-deployed toilet seat cover 100 may be folded by first creating multiple roll folds in the longitudinal L direction, with the crease of each roll fold parallel to the width W of toilet seat cover 100, and then tri-folding the toilet seat cover 100 with folds perpendicular to the roll folds. The term “roll fold” may also be known as a spiral fold or barrel fold. In this embodiment, the first roll fold is created by folding the bottom edge of toilet seat cover 100, where connecting strip 170 is located, up and toward the top edge of toilet seat cover 100, where installation tab 140 is located, thereby forming the first folded panel. Each roll fold may be repeated thusly until the folded panels meet the top edge. The longitudinal size of the folded panels (in other words, the distance between each roll fold crease) may be selected according to a desired folded size. Upon completing the roll folds, the left and right sides may each be folded inward in a tri-fold fashion to result in the folded pre-deployed configuration. It is to be understood that the scope of the present disclosure encompasses other folding methods, any of which may result in a folded pre-deployed configuration. For example, accordion folds may be made instead of roll folds. In some embodiments, various combinations of roll folds, accordion folds, or other fold types may be utilized to result in a folded pre-deployed toilet seat cover 100.

In operation, a toilet seat cover 100 as disclosed and described herein may aid a child or other user to use a standard-sized toilet comfortably and sanitarily. In various embodiments, a parent or other caretaker may assist the child by deploying and/or removing the toilet seat cover 100 onto and/or from the toilet seat, by lifting the child on and/or off the toilet seat, or by accomplishing other helpful duties on the child's behalf. In some cases, a user may be able to deploy toilet seat cover 100, use the toilet, and remove the toilet seat cover 100 from the toilet seat without assistance from another person.

Referring now to FIG. 4, to being deployment of toilet seat cover 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a folded toilet seat cover 100 may be partially unfolded as shown to reveal backing strip 145 of installation tab 140.

As depicted in FIG. 5, backing strip 145 can be peeled from installation tab 140 to expose the adhesive surface 147 of installation tab 140. In one embodiment, backing strip 145 is not completely removed from installation tab 140 so that backing strip 145 remains hanging therefrom during remaining deployment steps and subsequent use. Leaving backing strip 145 partially attached to installation tab 140 may allow the caretaker to carry out subsequent deployment steps, render assistance to the user, and remove the toilet seat cover 100 from the toilet seat without the need to hold or dispose of a detached backing strip 145. In other words, it may be more convenient to leave backing strip 145 partially attached to installation tab 140. In another embodiment, backing strip 145 is completely removed from installation tab 140.

As shown in FIG. 6, the installation tab 140 may be folded over so that its adhesive back 147 is facing down. The toilet seat cover 100 may then be lowered onto the toilet seat 600 so that surface 147 contacts a rear portion of toilet seat 600. It may be desirable to apply pressure onto installation tab 140 so that it adequately adheres to the toilet seat 600 surface. Following adhesion of installation tab 140 to toilet seat 600, toilet seat cover 100 may be further unfolded.

As shown in FIG. 7, unfolded toilet seat cover 100 may be held from above by one hand while another hand pulls backing removal tab 160 away from installation tab 140 to peel backing sheet 130 from top sheet 110. Referring to FIG. 8, continued pulling of backing removal tab 160 may separate backing sheet 130 from top sheet 110 until sheets 110, 130 are joined only at connecting strip 170. Upon reaching this state, top sheet 110 can be laterally aligned over toilet seat 600 such that void 120 is centered thereover and then placed on top of toilet seat 600. It may be desirable to apply slight tension to top sheet 110 immediately before, during, and/or immediately after placement of top sheet 110 to toilet seat 600 so that the surface of top sheet 110 where the user may sit has a satisfactory tautness. In some embodiments, it may further be desirable to apply pressure onto top sheet 110 so that it adequately adheres to the toilet seat 600 surface.

Referring to FIG. 9, side flaps 180, 182 may be unfolded away from top sheet 110 and left to hang downward on either side of toilet seat 600. As depicted in FIG. 10, backing sheet 130 may be left to freely hang from connecting strip 170 so that it essentially covers the front of the toilet seat 600 and toilet. In the configuration shown, this embodiment of a toilet seat cover 100 is deployed and ready for use. As set forth herein, embodiments of the toilet seat cover 100 comprise adhesives having sufficient shear strength and materials having sufficient tensile strength and resiliency to support the weight of a user thereupon while suspending the user over the toilet bowl. Following deployment, the user may sit upon the deployed toilet seat cover 100 and urinate and/or defecate through void 120 into the toilet bowl below.

Due to the location of the hanging backing sheet 130, the child's legs may be shielded from unsanitary surfaces on the front of the toilet. Further, side flaps 180, 182 may prevent the child from touching unsanitary surfaces on each side of the toilet seat 600 and/or toilet. As may be understood by parents and other caretakers, children may have a propensity to support their weight over a toilet by putting their hands on the sides of a toilet seat and grasping the toilet seat. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, side flaps 180, 182 may allow a child to grasp the sides of a toilet seat or other nearby surfaces while shielding the child from unsanitary contact.

Following completion of use of the toilet, toilet seat cover 100 may be removed from toilet seat 600 by grasping removal tabs 150, 152 and pulling them away from toilet seat 600 as shown in FIG. 11. By continued pulling of removal tabs 150, 152, one may complete remove toilet seat cover 100 from toilet seat 600. In one embodiment, the caretaker or user may roll up toilet seat cover 100 into itself by twisting removal tabs 150, 152 as the toilet seat cover 100 is pulled, which may effectively stick to itself as it is peeled off the toilet seat 600. During or following removal of toilet seat cover 100 from toilet seat 600, top sheet 110 may be wrapped, rolled, or folded within backing sheet 130. Upon removal of toilet seat cover 100 from toilet seat 600, toilet seat cover 100 may be disposed in a trash receptacle in or near the restroom.

In embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, reference has been made to deployment of toilet seat covers onto a toilet seat. However, under some circumstances, a toilet may not have a toilet seat or a toilet seat may, in the judgment of a caretake and/or child, be too soiled or otherwise unsuitable for deployment of a toilet seat cover. In these cases and/or under other circumstances, a toilet seat cover as described herein may be deployed by adhering directly to the rim of a toilet bowl by following steps similar to those disclosed above. In such cases, the toilet seat cover may yet provide sanitary and comfort-related benefits to its user.

Although the present disclosure is described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, which are also within the scope of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A toilet seat cover comprising:

a top sheet having a void defined therethrough;

an adhesive coating on a back surface of the top sheet;

a removal tab at a first edge of the top sheet, the removal tab defined by a portion of the top sheet having a nonadhesive back surface; and

a backing sheet temporarily adhered to the adhesive coating.

2. The toilet seat cover of claim 1, further comprising a connecting strip joining the top sheet and the backing sheet along a second edge of the top sheet and a corresponding third edge of the backing sheet, wherein the second edge is opposite to the first edge.

3. The toilet seat cover of claim 2, further comprising a backing removal tab on the backing sheet at a fourth edge of the backing sheet, wherein the fourth edge is opposite to the third edge.

4. The toilet seat cover of claim 1, further comprising an installation tab at the first edge of the top sheet, the installation tab having an installation tab backing that is discontinuous from the backing sheet.

5. The toilet seat cover of claim 1, further comprising two lateral side flaps on the top sheet, each side flap being defined by a lateral portion of the top sheet having a nonadhesive back surface.

6. The toilet seat cover of claim 1, wherein the toilet seat cover is folded with multiple roll folds.

7. A method of using a toilet, comprising:

providing a toilet seat cover, the toilet seat cover comprising: a top sheet having a void defined therethrough; an adhesive coating on a back surface of the top sheet; a backing sheet temporarily adhered to the adhesive coating; and a removal tab defined by a portion of the toilet seat cover having a nonadhesive back surface;

separating the backing sheet from the top sheet;

placing the top sheet onto a toilet seat of the toilet, thereby temporarily adhering said top sheet to the toilet seat by the adhesive coating; and

following urination or defecation through the void into the toilet, removing the toilet seat cover by pulling the removal tab.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the toilet seat cover further comprises an installation tab having an installation tab backing that is discontinuous from the backing sheet and

placing the top sheet onto the toilet seat further comprises: peeling the installation tab backing from the installation tab and placing the installation tab onto a rear section of the toilet seat prior to separating the backing sheet from the top sheet.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the toilet seat cover is folded with multiple roll folds and

the method further comprises: prior to separating the backing sheet from the top sheet, unfolding the multiple roll folds.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein separating the backing sheet from the top sheet comprises gripping a backing removal tab on the backing sheet and pulling the backing removal tab away from the top sheet, thereby peeling the backing sheet from the top sheet.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein removing the toilet seat cover by pulling the removal tab comprises rolling the toilet seat cover into itself.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the toilet seat cover further comprises two lateral side flaps on the top sheet and

placing the top sheet onto the toilet seat further comprises unfolding the side flaps.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each side flap is defined by a lateral portion of the top sheet having a nonadhesive back surface.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the toilet seat comprises a toilet seat primary opening and

the void is smaller than the primary opening.

15. A toilet seat cover comprising:

a top sheet having a void defined therethrough;

an adhesive coating on a back surface of the top sheet; and

a removal tab defined by a portion of the toilet seat cover having a nonadhesive back surface.

16. The toilet seat cover of claim 15, further comprising a backing sheet temporarily adhered to the adhesive coating.

17. The toilet seat of claim 16, wherein

the removal tab is at a first edge of the top sheet and

the toilet seat cover further comprises a connecting strip joining the top sheet and the backing sheet along a second edge of the top sheet and a corresponding third edge of the backing sheet, wherein the second edge is opposite to the first edge.

18. The toilet seat cover of claim 17, further comprising a backing removal tab on the backing sheet at a fourth edge of the backing sheet, wherein the fourth edge is opposite to the third edge.

19. The toilet seat cover of claim 17, further comprising an installation tab at the first edge of the top sheet, the installation tab having an installation tab backing that is discontinuous from the backing sheet.

20. The toilet seat cover of claim 15, further comprising two lateral side flaps on the top sheet, each side flap being defined by a lateral portion of the top sheet having a nonadhesive back surface.