A TOILET BOWL

Abstract: A toilet bowl (10) for non-contact use by a person (12) in a crouching position. The toilet bowl (10) includes a back portion (14); a pair of side walls (16) extending from the back portion (14) and converging towards a truncated front wall (18). The front and side walls (18, 16) each include an outer surface (20) and an inner lip (22) converging towards an inverted substantially V-shaped rim (24). The rim (24) in conjunction with the back portion (14) defines the upper opening (25) of the toilet bowl (10).

Description: TITLE: A TOILET BOWL TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a toilet bowl and more particularly to a toilet bowl adapted for non-contact use by a person in a crouching position. BACKGROUND ART Currently, turn around time in public toilets is slow, particularly in women's toilets. Delays are usually attributable to the fact that many women take precautions in an attempt to hygienically use public toilets. Hitherto, this has involved the use of disposable toilet seat covers or the less desirable practice of covering the toilet seat with toilet paper. The latter method has proved unsuitable for a number of reasons. Firstly, such a toilet paper cover is not an effective barrier to the transmission of many strains of viruses and bacteria. Secondly, the use of excessive quantities of toilet paper is costly and disposal of this toilet paper can cause plumbing problems. Other attempted methods of hygienic use of public toilets include urinating and/or defecating without coming into contact with the bowl. Research has shown that such usage is generally attempted by adopting a straddling over, or squatting in front of, the toilet bowl. However, existing toilet bowl configurations are not suitable for these methods of usage. Another form of attempted non-contact use involves squatting over the toilet bowl whilst the user's feet are placed on the flat rim ofthe bowl or the hinged toilet seat. This method, in addition to the above disadvantages, is also dangerous as the user may slip from this elevated position. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a toilet bowl which at least in its preferred embodiment, avoids or ameliorates at least some of these disadvantages ofthe prior art. In particular, it is an object to provide a toilet bowl which is more easily used by a wide proportion ofthe population in a non-contact crouching position. According to the invention, there is provided a toilet bowl adapted for non¬ contact use by a person in a crouching position, the toilet bowl including: a back portion; a pair of side walls extending from said back portion and converging towards a truncated front wall, said front and side walls each including an outer surface and an inner lip converging towards an inverted substantially V-shaped rim; and wherein said rim in conjunction with the back portion defines the upper opening ofthe toilet bowl. In this way it will be appreciated that the inverted V-shaped rim defmes a larger opening or "target area" to the toilet bowl when compared to a conventional flat rimmed toilet bowl of similar external dimensions. The "target area" is the area ofthe bowl that will receive urine and/or defecate without any likelihood of spilling and includes any region ofthe toilet bowl inwardly disposed from the upper most edge ofthe bowl opening. Accordingly, the V-shaped rim ofthe invention provides a bigger target area without any increase in external dimensions ofthe bowl. The truncated front wall also provides a larger target area over existing ovular toilet bowls as the corner portions between the front and side walls are not present in the oval bowl. Preferably, the back portion includes an inner lip. Preferably also, the back portion inner lip in conjunction with the front and side wall inner lips defines a continuous inner lip around the opening ofthe toilet bowl. For preference, the back portion is upswept or raised relative to the front and side walls to assist collection of excretia and/or urine. Desirably, when viewed from the side, the side walls slope downwardly from the back portion to the front wall so as to be substantially parallel to the thighs ofthe crouching user. This serves to reduce the likelihood of spillage and the like. This sloping also serves to effectively lengthen the opening ofthe toilet bowl, when compared to horizontal flat rimmed toilet bowls, and thus enlarges the target area. Desirably also, the front wall outer surface sharply rakes away from the front portion ofthe rim so as to enhance clearance between a user's ankles and/or any calf suspended clothing. In a preferred embodiment, the downwardly sloping rim is slightly concave when viewed from the side so as to more closely approximate the general curved profile ofthe user's thighs. In another preferred embodiment, the back portion contains means to mount the toilet bowl to the wall. In a still further preferred embodiment, the toilet bowl itself is floor mounted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment ofthe invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment ofthe invention showing a non-contact user in a crouching position. Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe toilet bowl shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a front sectional view ofthe toilet bowl shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a sectional side view ofthe toilet bowl shown in Figure 2. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, in particular Figures 2 to 4, there is shown a toilet bowl 10 adapted for non-contact use by a person 12 in a crouching position. The toilet bowl includes a back portion 14 and a pair of side walls 16 extending from the back portion and converging towards a truncated front wall 18. The front and side walls each include an outer surface 20 and an inner lip 22 converging towards an inverted substantially V-shaped rim 24, as best shown in section in Figure 3. The rim 24 in conjunction with the back portion 14 defines the boundary ofthe upper opening 25 or "target area" ofthe toilet bowl. In the preferred embodiment shown, the back portion 14 also includes an inner lip 26. This back portion lip 26 in conjunction with the front and side wall inner lips 22 form a continuous inner lip around the boundary ofthe opening 25. This continuous inner lip allows the toilet bowl to be flushed in the usual manner. In other embodiments this lip may be altered to allow the toilet bowl according to the invention to be used with other flushing systems, such as high pressure injectors and the like. As best shown in Figure 4, the side walls 16 slope downwardly from the back portion 14 towards the front wall 18 so as to be substantially parallel to the thighs ofthe crouching user, as shown in Figure 1. The outer surface 30 ofthe front wall 18 sharply rakes away from the front portion ofthe rim 24 so as to enhance clearance between a user's ankles and/or any calf suspended clothing. The downwardly sloping side walls are also slightly concave when viewed from the side so as to more closely approximate the profile ofthe user's thighs. In an envisaged use, a generally female, user adopts a crouching position facing away from the toilet bowl and urinates or defecates into the opening 25. As the shape of the toilet bowl is specifically adapted to be used in this position any spillage of urine or defecate is minimised. In particular, the following features enhance the likelihood ofthe urine or defecate passing through the "target area" or opening ofthe toilet bowl: 1. The inverted V-shaped rim defines a larger opening or "target area" to the toilet bowl when compared to a conventional flat rimmed toilet bowl of similar external dimensions. It will be appreciated that the flat rim provided on toilet bowls for sitting is no longer necessary as no sitting takes place. 2. The truncated front wall allows a user to position themselves closer to the toilet bowl than if they were attempting a similar position with a conventional flat rimmed toilet bowl. Again this improves the likelihood ofthe urine and/or defecate being received within the target area. The provision ofthe corner portions between the truncated front wall and the side walls also serves to enlarge the target area when compared to an existing oval shaped bowl. 3. The downwardly sloping side rim is specifically configured to more closely approximate the angle of a user's thighs when in the crouched position. This allows the user to adopt a comfortable position whilst ensuring mimmum clearance exists between the user's thighs and the rim ofthe target area. As with the features described above, this also serves to increase the likelihood of urine or defecate entering the target area and reduces the risk of any spillage. In public toilets existing flat rimmed/sitting toilet bowls have been proven to be impossible, or at least extremely difficult, to use in a hygienic manner. The present toilet bowl provides significant hygiene advantages over these existing bowls as it is specifically adapted to be able to be used by a broad section ofthe population without any contact occurring between the user and the toilet bowl thus minimising the risk of bacterial or viral transmission through the skin or other organs of the body. The preferred embodiment ofthe toilet bowl, as shown in the drawings, is also easier to clean and sanitise than existing toilet bowls as it is provided with a continuous and uninterrupted outer surface. In particular the outer surface has no ledges, niches or fittings which may be prone to germ retention. This feature can be attributed to the fact that as the toilet bowl is adapted for non-contact use it does not require: a toilet seat; lid; or the protruding or recessed connection means, fittings, hinges etc normally associated therewith. Also, the toilet bowl can find application in male or unisex toilets as it is also suitable for use as a urinal by a male in the standing position or for defecation by a male in the crouching position, similar to that previously described with reference to a female. Further, it is envisaged that some females may be able to use the toilet bowl in a crouching position whilst facing towards the bowl. This, however, is not the preferred position for females using the invention. It would be appreciated that not all segments ofthe population may find the toilet bowl according to the invention practical to use, in particular the aged and the disabled. In this regard, it is envisaged that the toilet bowl will be used in the private home as well as in conjunction with existing toilet bowls in public multi-cubicle toilets where it will offer the public a useful and desirable alternative to conventional toilets. To further enhance the usability ofthe invention hand, elbow or arm rails may be placed in front of, and/or to the side of, the bowl to help users support themselves in the non-contact crouching position, if required. Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims: AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 09 December 1996 (09.12.96) ; new claim 11 added ; remaining claims unchanged ( 1 page)] 10. A toilet bowl substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 11. (new) A toilet bowl adapted for non-contact use by a person in a crouching position, the toilet bowl including: a back portion; a pair of side walls extending from said back portion and converging towards a front portion, said front and side walls each including an outer surface and an inner lip converging towards a rim having a non-planar upper surface; the side walls and associated rims, when viewed from the side, sloping downwardly from the back portion to the front portion so as to be, in use, substantially parallel to the thighs ofthe crouching user and wherein said rim in conjunction with the back portion defines the upper opening ofthe toilet bowl. AMBIDED SHEET (MOTCLE 19)

Inventors: LIU RICHARD, LIU, RICHARD
Applicants: LIU RICHARD, LIU, RICHARD
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A47K11
IPC codes: A47K11, E03D11