Toilet Seat Cover
A toilet seat cover includes a support layer including slits for attaching the support layer to a toilet seat. A sanitary layer is coupled to the support layer and is configured as a barrier between a user and the toilet seat.
The present disclosure relates to toilet seat covers, and in particular, disposable toilet seat covers.
BACKGROUNDThis section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Toilet seats, especially in public restrooms, are often not as sanitary as users would like. Some restrooms provide paper toilet seat covers that may be placed on top of toilet seats. These covers generally correspond to the size and shape of the toilet seat. These covers have a tendency to move during use and may result in contact between the toilet seat and a user.
SUMMARYThis section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a toilet seat cover includes a support layer and a sanitary layer. The support layer includes slits for attaching the support layer to a toilet seat. The sanitary layer is coupled to the support layer and is configured as a barrier between a user and the toilet seat.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a toilet seat cover includes a first layer and a second layer coupled to the first layer. The second layer includes at least one flap to couple the second layer to a toilet seat.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a toilet seat cover includes a base and an opening within the base. The base includes slits which are configured to attach the base to a seat of a toilet. The opening permits access to the toilet through the toilet seat cover.
Further aspects and areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that various aspects of this disclosure may be implemented individually or in combination with one or more other aspects. It should also be understood that the description and specific examples herein are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts or features throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONExample embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The toilet seat cover 100 includes an opening 106 to permit access to the toilet through the toilet seat cover 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 106 is oval-shaped and is generally smaller than the opening of the toilet. In other embodiments, the opening 106 may include other shapes, for example, circular, etc. As shown in
With additional reference to
Each slit 108 defines a tab 110 (e.g., a lip, etc.) in the support layer 104 to hold the cover 100 in place on the toilet seat. In particular, as shown in
Attaching the toilet seat cover 100 to the seat with the tabs 110 prevents a user of the toilet seat cover 100 (e.g., a child such as a toddler, an adult user, etc.) from inadvertently moving the toilet seat cover 100 to an improper position on the toilet seat (e.g., a position where the user directly contacts the toilet seat, unintended removal of the toilet seat cover, etc.). The engagement of the tab 110 with the toilet seat also ensures that a proper positioning of the toilet seat cover 100 is maintained during use of the cover 100 (e.g., such that the toilet seat cover 100 does not slide, move, etc. as a user engages with the toilet seat cover 100, etc.). In addition, the toilet seat cover 100 is removable from the toilet seat after use by removing the tabs 110 from below the toilet seat (e.g., the toilet seat cover 100 is removably coupled to the toilet seat via the tabs 110).
As can be appreciated, when the support layer 104 is coupled to the toilet seat, a small portion of the toilet seat is exposed (e.g., is not covered by the support layer 104) to allow the tabs 110 to engage the toilet seat. In particular, a top surface of the toilet seat near the outer edge (e.g., directly above where the tab 110 engages with the bottom surface of the toilet) is not covered by the support layer 104. This allows the tabs 110 to sufficiently grip the toilet seat. The more toilet seat that is exposed equates to a greater ability of the tabs 110 to grip the toilet seat and/or prevent the toilet seat cover 100 from slipping, etc., and may be balanced accordingly. Further, in embodiments having curved slits 108 (and corresponding curved tabs 110), the curved shape enables the tabs 110 to easily engage with the toilet seat initially, and then, as the tabs 110 are moved into position about the toilet seat, the level of engagement increases, resulting in a tight fit of the slits 108 around the toilet seat to prevent the toilet seat cover 100 from sliding, moving, etc.
With continued reference to
Further, while the toilet seat cover 100 of the illustrated embodiment generally includes two layers (e.g., a sanitary layer coupled to a support layer), in other embodiments, the toilet seat cover 100 may include a greater number of layers (e.g., for additional support, as an additional barrier between the user and the toilet seat (e.g., a waterproof layer, etc.), to further secure the layers and/or the cover 100 to the toilet seat (e.g., an adhesive layer), etc.). In some embodiments, the toilet seat cover 100 only includes one layer (e.g., a layer similar to support layer 104, etc.) (e.g., toilet seat cover 200, etc.). In particular, in those embodiments, the toilet seat cover 100 includes the support layer 104 (including the slits 108 and tabs 110 to engage with a toilet seat), but does not include another layer in addition to the support layer 104 (e.g., does not include a sanitary layer on top of the support layer 104, etc.). For example, the support layer 104 itself serves as a barrier between the user and a toilet seat, without requiring an additional layer of material between the support layer 104 and the user.
With additional reference to
As described above, the sanitary layer 102 is coupled to the support layer 104. In particular, the sanitary layer 102 is coupled to the support layer 104, for example, with adhesive 116 (e.g., glue, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive 116 is positioned along the fold line 112 (see
In some embodiments, the sanitary layer 102 is fully coupled (e.g., fused, glued, etc.) to the support layer 104, for example, with the adhesive 116. In particular, in those embodiments, the adhesive 116 is applied to the entire surface (e.g., an upper surface) of the support layer 104 and/or the entire surface (e.g., a lower surface) of the sanitary layer 102. Further, when the sanitary layer 102 is fully coupled to the support layer 104, the sanitary layer 102 also includes slits which are aligned with and are similar to the slits 108 in the support layer 104 to allow the toilet seat cover 100 to be secured to a toilet seat via tabs, defined by the slits, that include both the sanitary layer 102 and the support layer 104 (e.g., as opposed to tabs 110 that include only the support layer 104). The slits in both the sanitary layer 102 and the support layer 104 may be formed by a die cut. In some embodiments, the sanitary layer 102 may first be coupled to the support layer 104 and then slits in both layers 102, 104 are simultaneously formed by a die cut. Alternatively, the slits may separately be formed in the layers 102, 104 and then the layers 102, 104 are subsequently coupled (e.g., fused, glued, etc.) together.
In these embodiments, when the toilet seat cover 100 is coupled to a toilet seat, tabs of both layers (e.g., sanitary layer 102 and support layer 104) engage with the toilet seat, such that a small portion of the toilet seat may not be covered by the toilet seat cover 100 (or the sanitary layer 102). Even where a portion of the toilet seat is not fully covered by the toilet seat cover 100, the cover 100 (including the sanitary layer 102 and support layer 104) still functions as a barrier between the user (e.g., a toddler) and the toilet seat, in light of the smaller size of the user, who, for example, would not directly touch the exposed portion of the toilet seat.
In some embodiments, the upper surface of the toilet seat cover 100 (e.g., an upper surface of the sanitary layer 102, an upper surface of the support layer 104 in embodiments that do not include the sanitary layer 102, etc.) may include instructional graphics. These instructional graphics include instructions on how to use the toilet seat cover 100, how to attach the toilet seat cover 100 to a toilet seat, how to remove the toilet seat cover 100 from a toilet seat, disposal instructions, etc.
In some embodiments, as shown in
As described above, the toilet seat cover 100 is foldable for transport and storage. The toilet seat cover 100 may additionally be folded, for example, when packaged.
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in
Each of the side flaps 228 include a slit 208 extending along a length of the side flap 228. The slits 208 are generally curved (e.g., wave-shaped, sinusoidal, etc.). Each slit 208 defines a tab 210 (e.g., a lip, at a peak of the curved slit 208, etc.) in the side flap 228 to hold the toilet seat cover 200 in place on the toilet seat. In particular, as shown in
With additional reference to
In some embodiments, the side flaps 228 further include additional fold lines 218 which additionally facilitate engagement of the tabs 210 with the toilet seat. These additional fold lines 218 are generally parallel to fold line 214 and fold line 230 and are spaced to accommodate a height of the toilet seat. In particular, the spacing of the additional fold lines 218 ensures that the tabs 210 of the side flaps 228 are able to engage with the bottom surface of the toilet seat (see
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapes disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, and 3-9.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” as well as the phrase “at least one of” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. 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 may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “lower” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or 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” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A toilet seat cover comprising:
- a support layer including slits configured to secure the support layer to a toilet seat; and
- a sanitary layer coupled to the support layer and configured as a barrier between a user and the toilet seat.
2. The toilet seat cover of claim 1, wherein the support and sanitary layers are foldable in a first direction and a second direction, the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
3. The toilet seat cover of claim 1, wherein the sanitary layer is laminate and the support layer is cardboard.
4. The toilet seat cover of claim 1, wherein the sanitary layer is coupled to the support layer with an adhesive.
5. The toilet seat cover of claim 1, wherein the slits are curved.
6. A toilet seat cover comprising:
- a first layer; and
- a second layer coupled to the first layer, the second layer including at least one flap to attach the second layer to a toilet seat.
7. The toilet seat cover of claim 6, wherein the at least one flap is defined by at least one slit in the second layer.
8. The toilet seat cover of claim 6, further comprising a first fold line in the first and second layers and a second fold line in the first and second layers;
- wherein the second fold line is orthogonal to the first fold line.
9. The toilet seat cover of claim 6, further comprising an adhesive layer to couple the first layer to the second layer.
10. The toilet seat cover of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer is positioned along the first fold line.
11. The toilet seat cover of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer fully couples the first layer to the second layer.
12. The toilet seat cover of claim 6, wherein the first layer is laminate and the second layer is cardboard.
13. A toilet seat cover comprising:
- a base including slits configured to attach the base to a seat of a toilet; and
- an opening included within the base and configured to permit access to the toilet through the toilet seat cover.
14. The toilet seat cover of claim 13, wherein each of the slits define a tab, wherein the tab is configured to engage with a lower surface of the seat.
15. The toilet seat cover of claim 13, wherein the slits are curved.
16. The toilet seat cover of claim 13, wherein the base further comprises side flaps, wherein each of the side flaps includes one of the slits.
17. The toilet seat cover of claim 16, wherein the side flaps are coupled to a lower surface of the base with an adhesive.
18. The toilet seat cover of claim 13, further comprising a front flap pivotally attached to the base.
19. The toilet seat cover of claim 13, wherein the opening is oval-shaped and includes an extended portion.
20. The toilet seat cover of claim 13, further comprising at least one sanitary layer coupled to the base.
21-23. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 24, 2021
Publication Date: May 26, 2022
Inventors: Ann Stryker BUSCH (Creve Coeur, MO), Katrina Busch GEISE (St. Louis, MO), Erich Paul GEISE (St. Louis, MO), Bryce G. Rutter (Creve Coeur, MO), Thomas Paul Nichols (St. Louis, MO)
Application Number: 17/534,959