TOILET SEAT COVER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]This disclosure relates to a hygienic device, and more specifically, to a toilet seat cover.

BACKGROUND

[0002]Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described herein are not prior art to the claims in the present application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003]Bathrooms, and in particular, toilets often have concerns associated with hygiene and/or cleanliness. Some uses thereof may result in a need for cleaning and sanitation after the use. In some situations, such as in a public setting, it may not be feasible to clean and/or sanitize the toilet as often as may be needed due to the amount of use and/or availability of cleaning personnel.

[0004]The subject matter claimed in the present disclosure is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some implementations described in the present disclosure may be practiced.

SUMMARY

[0005]In an example embodiment, a toilet seat cover may include an elliptic element and a shroud element. The elliptic element may be configured to cover a seat of a toilet and/or may attach to the seat. The elliptic element may include an adhesive affixed thereto. The shroud element may be attached to the elliptic element. The shroud element may be disposed within a bowl of the toilet where the shroud element may be configured to cover a surface of the bowl.

[0006]In another example embodiment, a toilet cover may include a shroud element that may be disposed in a bowl of a toilet. The shroud element may be attached to the toilet using an adhesive affixed to the shroud element. The shroud element may be configured to cover a surface of the bowl.

[0007]The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are given as examples and are explanatory and not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008]Example implementations will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example toilet seat cover;

[0010]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another example toilet seat cover;

[0011]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example toilet cover;

[0012]FIG. 4 illustrates an example implementation of the toilet seat cover of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 5 illustrates an example implementation of the toilet seat cover of FIG. 3;

[0014]FIG. 6A illustrates an example package to be used with a toilet seat cover; and

[0015]FIG. 6B illustrates an example package attached to a portion of a toilet seat cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016]Use of a toilet in a personal or a public setting may result in an unclean toilet, such the toilet bowl. In some circumstances, portions of the toilet bowl that may not be covered with water (e.g., a portion of the toilet bowl between the water surface and the toilet seat) may be more susceptible to becoming dirty. As such, a temporary covering to cover at least a portion of the toilet and/or toilet bowl may contribute to improved sanitation associated with the toilet. Additionally, having a temporary covering that may be flushed down the toilet after use may further contribute to keeping the toilet clean.

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example toilet seat cover 100, in accordance with some embodiments. The toilet seat cover 100 may include an elliptic element 105, a shroud element 110, and one or more adhesives 115.

[0018]In some instances, the toilet seat cover 100 may be used to cover an inner portion of a toilet, such as at least a toilet bowl surface. The toilet seat cover 100 may contribute to maintaining a clean toilet, including the toilet bowl by limiting waste from contacting the toilet bowl surface. In some instances, the toilet seat cover 100 (e.g., each of the components included in the toilet seat cover 100, including the elliptic element 105, the shroud element 110, and/or the adhesives 115) may be made of biodegradable materials, such that after use, the toilet seat cover 100 may be flushed down the toilet and broken down. For example, the toilet seat cover 100 may be a water-soluble material, including, but not limited to, biodegradable wood pulps, biodegradable bamboo, and/or other water-soluble materials. In some instances, the materials of the toilet seat cover 100 may be forest stewardship certified, ethically sourced, bisphenol-A (BPA) free, zero plastic, and/or recyclable.

[0019]In some instances, the elliptic element 105 may be sized and shaped relative to the toilet for which the toilet seat cover 100 may be used. For example, in instances in which a toilet seat is substantially round, the elliptic element 105 may be substantially round to match the size and/or shape of the toilet seat. In another example, in instances in which a toilet seat is elongated, the elliptic element 105 may be elongated to match the size and/or shape of the toilet seat.

[0020]In some instances, the adhesives 115 may be affixed to the elliptic element 105. The adhesives 115 may be disposed about the elliptic element 105. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the adhesives 115 may include six adhesive pads disposed about the elliptic element 105. In some instances, the adhesives 115 may be a ribbon of adhesive about the elliptic element 105. In some instances, the adhesives 115 may be a water-soluble based adhesive that may be biodegradable when in contact with water. For example, the adhesives 115 may be a vegetable-based glue, an animal/protein-based glue, a resin cement, a latex cement, and/or any other biodegradable, adhesive material.

[0021]In some instances, the adhesives 115 may include a thin film (e.g., cover) to prevent unwanted or premature sticking to an object, including to the toilet seat cover 100. For example, in instances in which the toilet seat cover 100 is stored in a package, the adhesives 115 may include a thin film, such that the adhesives 115 may not stick to the toilet seat cover 100. As the toilet seat cover 100 is to be attached to the toilet seat, the thin film attached to the adhesives 115 may be removed by a user, and the adhesives 115 may be attached to the toilet seat. In some instances, the thin film covering the adhesives 115 may be biodegradable (e.g., water soluble) such that in instances in which the thin film is not removed from one or more of the adhesives 115, the thin film may be flushed with the toilet seat cover 100 and be biodegradable along with the toilet seat cover 100.

[0022]In some instances, the shroud element 110 may be configured to extend into the toilet bowl. In such arrangement, the shroud element 110 may cover some or all of the toilet bowl surface, which may provide a protective and/or replaceable cover for the toilet bowl surface. In some instances, the shroud element 110 may form a receptacle within the toilet bowl. For example, the shroud element 110 may be similar to a pouch placed within the toilet bowl, having an opening adjacent to the toilet seat and substantially closed otherwise.

[0023]Alternatively, or additionally, the shroud element 110 may include a second opening that may be remote from the toilet seat. For example, the first opening may be proximate to the toilet seat and the second opening may be proximate to the syphon jet in the toilet. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet seat cover 200 that includes a first opening 205 and second opening 210 relative to the toilet seat cover 200. The second opening may allow waste to flow through the toilet seat cover 100 without ripping and/or separating the toilet seat cover 100 from the toilet during use.

[0024]In some instances, the shroud element 110 may contact water located in the toilet bowl while the toilet seat cover 100 is installed on the toilet seat. In some instances, in response to a flush of the toilet and/or a corresponding draining of the water in the toilet, a force created by the water draining may cause the toilet seat cover 100 to disengage from the toilet seat. For example, as a toilet is flushed and water in the toilet begins to drain or as the water is being replaced by water inflows, the force created thereby may exert a force on the toilet seat cover 100 in the direction of the siphon jet hole, which may cause the adhesives 115 to detach from the toilet and/or the toilet seat cover 100 to be flushed down the toilet.

[0025]In some instances, the toilet seat cover 100 may be folded into a package, such as the package 600 illustrated in FIG. 6A and/or FIG. 6B, prior to use with a toilet. For example, the toilet seat cover 100 may be folded up in the package 600 (e.g., one toilet seat cover 100 per package), and in anticipation of use of the toilet seat cover 100, the package 600 may be opened by a user thereof and the toilet seat cover 100 may be used as described herein. In some instances, the package 600 may be attached to the toilet seat cover 100, including after unpackaging the toilet seat cover 100 from the package 600. For example, in instances in which the toilet seat cover 100 is in the package 600, the package 600 may be opened and the toilet seat cover 100 may be used with a toilet, as described herein, where the package may remain attached to the toilet seat cover 100, as illustrated in FIG. 6B.

[0026]In some instances, the package 600 may be arranged relative to the toilet seat cover 100 such that the package 600 may be suspended in the water within the toilet bowl, while the package 600 may be attached to the toilet seat cover 100. For example, with the toilet seat cover 100 affixed to the toilet seat, as described herein, the package 600 may be attached to the shroud element 110 and/or may be suspended in the water disposed in the toilet bowl. In such an arrangement, the package 600 may be flushed down the toilet and/or may contribute to detaching the toilet seat cover 100 from the toilet (e.g., the force of the water draining from the toilet may pull on at least the package 600 which may contribute to the adhesives 115 disengaging from the toilet seat). In some instances, the package 600 may be biodegradable and/or may be made of the same or similar materials as the toilet seat cover 100.

[0027]Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the toilet seat cover 100 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the toilet seat cover 100 may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. For example, any of the components of FIG. 1 may be divided into additional or combined into fewer components.

[0028]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example toilet cover 300, in accordance with some embodiments. The toilet seat cover 300 may include a shroud element 310, and one or more adhesives 315. The shroud element 310 may be the same or similar as the shroud element 110 as described relative to FIG. 1.

[0029]The toilet cover 300 may be similar to the toilet seat cover 100 of FIG. 1, which may include covering an inner portion of a toilet, such as at least the toilet bowl surface. The toilet cover 300 may contribute to maintaining a clean toilet, including the toilet bowl by limiting waste from contacting the toilet bowl surface. In some instances, the toilet seat cover 300 may be made of biodegradable materials, such that after use, the toilet seat cover 300 may be flushed down the toilet and broken down. In some instances, the shape, size, and/or function of the shroud element 310 may be the same or similar as the shroud element 110 of FIG. 1, which may include having a first opening and/or both a first opening and a second opening.

[0030]The toilet cover 300 may differ from the toilet seat cover 100 in manner of attachment to the toilet and/or portions of the toilet that may be covered by the toilet cover 300. For example, the toilet cover 300 may be configured to attach to the toilet on an under portion of the toilet seat and/or attached to the toilet on an upper rim of the toilet bowl (e.g., not cover the upper surface of the toilet seat where the toilet seat cover 100 may cover the upper surface of the toilet seat).

[0031]As illustrated in FIG. 3, the adhesives 315 may include a strip of adhesive that may be disposed about an edge of the shroud element 310. In such configuration, the edge of the shroud element 310 may be attached to the toilet (e.g., to the bottom of the toilet seat, to an edge of the toilet bowl, etc.) such that the shroud element 310 may be extended into the toilet bowl. In some instances, the shroud element 310 may contact water located in the toilet bowl while the toilet cover 300 is installed on the toilet. In some instances, in response to a flush of the toilet and/or a corresponding draining of the toilet water, a force created by the draining of the toilet water may cause the toilet cover 300 to disengage from the toilet. For example, as a toilet is flushed and water in the toilet begins to drain or as the water is replaced by water inflows, the force created thereby may exert a force on the toilet cover 300 in the direction of the siphon jet hole, which may cause the adhesives 315 to detach from the toilet and/or the toilet cover 300 to be flushed down the toilet.

[0032]In some instances, the toilet cover 300 may be folded into a package, such as the package 600 illustrated in FIG. 6A and/or FIG. 6B, prior to use with a toilet. For example, the toilet cover 300 may be folded up in the package 600 (e.g., one toilet cover 300 per package), and in anticipation of use of the toilet cover 300, the package 600 may be opened by a user thereof and the toilet cover 300 may be used as described herein. In some instances, the package 600 may be attached to the toilet cover 300, including after unpackaging the toilet cover 300 from the package 600. For example, in instances in which the toilet cover 300 is in the package 600, the package 600 may be opened and the toilet cover 300 may be used with a toilet, as described herein, where the package 600 may remain attached to the toilet cover 300, as illustrated in FIG. 6B.

[0033]In some instances, the package 600 may be arranged relative to the toilet cover 300 such that the package 600 may be suspended in the toilet bowl water, while the package 600 may be attached to the toilet cover 300. For example, with the toilet cover 300 affixed to the toilet, as described herein, the package 600 may be attached to the shroud element 310 and/or may be suspended in the water disposed in the toilet bowl. In such an arrangement, the package 600 may be flushed down the toilet and/or may contribute to detaching the toilet cover 300 from the toilet (e.g., the force of the water draining from the toilet may pull on at least the package 600 which may contribute to the adhesives 315 disengaging from the toilet). In some instances, the package 600 may be biodegradable and/or may be made of the same or similar materials as the toilet cover 300.

[0034]Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the toilet cover 300 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the toilet cover 300 may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. For example, any of the components of FIG. 3 may be divided into additional or combined into fewer components.

[0035]FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate example implementations of a toilet seat cover 100 and a toilet cover 300, respectively, in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the toilet seat cover 100 may be configured to be disposed on an upper surface of the toilet seat (e.g., a surface that may be in contact with a user of the toilet), and a portion of the toilet seat cover 100 may extend into the toilet bowl. The toilet seat cover 100 may be held in place relative to the toilet by the one or more adhesives affixed to the toilet seat cover 100. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the toilet cover 300 may be configured to be disposed on a lower surface of the toilet seat and/or a portion of the toilet bowl, and a portion of the toilet cover 300 may extend into the toilet bowl. The toilet cover 300 may be held in place relative to the toilet by the one or more adhesives affixed to the toilet cover 300.

[0036]Terms used in the present disclosure and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open terms” (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to.”).

[0037]Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to implementations containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

[0038]In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is expressly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.

[0039]Further, any disjunctive word or phrase preceding two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both of the terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

[0040]All examples and conditional language recited in the present disclosure are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the present disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although implementations of the present disclosure have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.