Abstract:
A toilet moistener having a body capable of placement in proximity to a toilet. The toilet has a bowl to retain water. A spray head associated with the body is positioned outside the bowl and directed to cause fluid to flow through the spray head in a direction other than in the bowl. The moistener also has a valve capable of restricting the flow of fluid to the spray head, a biasing component associated with the valve, and an actuator associated with the valve. Fluid is supplied to the spray head through the valve, and the biasing component biases the valve to restrict the flow of fluid to the spray head. When the actuator is activated, the valve open against the bias to reduce the restriction of the flow of fluid to the spray head for dispensing a desired amount of fluid onto a cleansing material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     To cleanse the rectal and genital area immediately after moving the bowels or urinating, we utilize the personal hygiene product known as toilet paper. However, when using ordinary dry toilet paper, it is very uncomfortable and ineffective in cleaning fecal matter or urine completely from the region. Furthermore, for those who suffer with hemorrhoids or similar rectal tissue irritations, using dry toilet paper can be very painful.  
         [0004]     Utilizing a “wet” cleansing method, versus dry toilet paper alone, is a much more sanitary, comfortable, and effective means of cleansing the rectal and genital area. Therefore, it should be easily understood that a “wet” cleansing method is an advantageous alternative to conventional “dry” methods for cleansing after moving the bowels or urinating, not only for those with medical problems, but also for the public at large.  
         [0005]     The use of water for rectal and genital cleansing has been commonplace in Europe for years, primarily in the form of a bidet. In the United States, the use of wet wipes, or similar cleansing materials, has become common in recent years. The use of the traditional bidet has not been well accepted in this country, largely because a separate fixture is required, which is not readily accommodated in traditional bathroom structures, and it substantially increases the cost of a bathroom. In recent years, inventors have created several bidets that reside inside the toilet bowl—U.S. Pat. No. 4,197,594 (1980) &amp; U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,402 (1980). These types of bidets eliminate the need for a separate fixture, but present a significant problem with maintaining sanitary conditions. Since the bidet resides inside the toilet bowl, whether or not it is retracted to a storage position therein, it is subject to contamination by the fecal matter or urine present in the toilet bowl. This contamination may cause infection and/or irritation to the user. For example, the patents referenced above provide bidets that are installed within the confines of the toilet bowl. Both of these inventions pose the risk of potential infection and/or irritation to the user. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown in the following drawings which form a part of the specification:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of a toilet having an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of interior components of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention with a human hand holding a cleansing material against the moistener;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention with a human hand holding a cleansing material and pressing against the moistener to dispense fluid onto the material;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention having an electronic sensor component;  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention having a reservoir tank to hold fluid for the moistener;  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention having a timer for a timed release of fluid from the moistener; 
     
    
       [0016]     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0017]     In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention ( FIG. 1 ), a toilet T has a bowl  10 , a tank  12 , a seat  14  and a toilet feed line  16 . A ferrule  18  attaches the main feed line  16  to the base of the tank  12 . A shut-off valve  20  attaches the toilet feed line  16  to a water source near the toilet T (not shown). In this embodiment, the moistener A is attached with adhesive (not shown) to the side of the bowl  10 , and has a body  30 , a spring valve  32 , a spray head  34  and a feed line  36 . ( FIG. 4 ). Of course, the moistener A may be fixedly attached to the toilet T or may be integral with the toilet T, in which case the toilet T may be configured to supply fluid to the moistener A through the toilet T itself. The body  30  of the moistener A consists of a housing  40 , an actuator or press-plate  42  and a base  44 . The spring valve  32  is fixedly attached to the base  44 , and has a valve body  46 , a plunger  48  and a compression spring  50 . The valve body  46  is elongated and forms three generally cylindrical bores: a first bore  52 , a second bore  53  and third bore  54 ; all three bores  52 ,  53  and  54  sharing a common central axis x.  
         [0018]     The first bore  52 , which is larger in diameter than the bores  53  and  54 , has a closed end  56  at the base of the valve body  46 , and extends approximately one third the length of the valve body  46  to its other end  58  where the first bore  52  opens into the second bore  53 . The second bore  53  extends from the end  58  of the third bore  54  to its other end  60  where the second bore  53  opens into the third bore  54 . The third bore  54  extends from the end  60  of the third bore  54  to an open end  62  at the top of the valve body  46 . The plunger  48  has a central shaft  64  that is rounded at a first end  66  and has a cylindrical piston  68  at the other end. The piston  68  is sized to fit coaxially within the bores  52 ,  53 , and  54 , such that the piston  68  is restrained from non-axial movements but may move with little resistance along the axis x inside the first bore  52 , and the central shaft  64  is restrained from non-axial movements but may move with little resistance along the axis x inside the bores  53  and  54 . Similarly, the central shaft  64  of the plunger  48  has a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of the third bore  54 , such that the plunger  48  may move freely along the axis x within the bores  53  and  54 . The diameter of the third bore  54  and the diameter of the central shaft  64  of the plunger  48  are nearly identical such that the plunger  48  may move along the axis x, while the interface between the central shaft  64  and the third bore  54  forms a seal that prevents the seepage of fluid through the third bore  54 .  
         [0019]     A lip  70  is formed along the length of the plunger  48  where the central shaft  64  meets the piston  68 . The lip  70  extends radially from the perimeter of the shaft  64  to the perimeter of the piston  68 . The lip  70  seats on and seals against a shoulder  72  formed where the first bore  52  meets the second bore  53 . The shoulder  72  extends radially from the perimeter of the second bore  53  to the perimeter of the first bore  52 .  
         [0020]     The spring  50  is positioned coaxially along the axis x within the first bore  52  in a partially compressed condition, such that one end of the spring  50  is pressed against the closed end  56  of the first bore  52  and the other end of the spring  50  is pressed against the base of the piston  68  within the first bore  52 . The spring  50  therefore applies constant pressure against the plunger  48  to urge the plunger away from the closed end  56  of the valve body base  46 , and toward the lip  70 . The bores  52  and  53 , and the piston  68  are sized such that the lip  70  forms a complete seal against the shoulder  72  when the piston  68  is pressed against the shoulder  72 .  
         [0021]     A series of bores  74  extend diagonally from the side of the second bore  53  through the spray head  34 , such that fluid may pass from the second bore  53  through the bores  74  and out of the spray head  34 . Yet another bore  76  extends radially from the side of the first bore  52  through a nipple  78 . The nipple  78  has ribs or threads  80  formed about its perimeter, and protrudes from the base of the valve body  46  between the spray head  34  and the base  44  of the moistener A. The feed line  36 , which is formed of a flexible plastic tube, is attached to the nipple  78  by stretching the line  36  over the ribs or threads  80 . The mating of the feed line  36  and the ribs or threads  80  will both hold the feed line  36  to the valve  32  and also form a fluid-tight seal between the feed line and valve  32 , to prevent the leakage of fluid from the moistener A.  
         [0022]     The feed line  36  exits the body  30  of the moistener A through a port  82  in the base  44 . Outside of the body  30 , the feed line  36  is attached to a plastic line clamp  84 . ( FIGS. 2, 3 ). The line clamp  84  has a set of curved prongs  86  that extend from a base  88 . The base  88  is fixedly attached with glue or some other adhesive to a rigid structure, such as a wall or the toilet bowl  10 . The prongs  86  arise from the base  88  in a curvilinear fashion toward one another and are shaped as shown so as to secure the feed line  36  within the prongs  86  without substantially constricting the feed line  36  to cause significant reduction in fluid flow through the line. As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the feed line  36  extends from the line clamp  84  to a line tap  89  placed on the toilet feed line  16  to provide water from the toilet feed line  16  to the moistener A. In the present embodiment, the line tap  89  is located above the shut off valve  20 . However, the feed line  36  may alternatively be attached to any water source near to the toilet T.  
         [0023]     The actuator  42  of the body  30  has a perimeter ridge-lined lip  90  that mates with the housing  40 . ( FIG. 4 ). The ridge lining of the lip  90  is shaped to hold the actuator  42  to the housing  40  and prevent the actuator  42  from separating from the housing  40  in a direction away from the housing  40 . The actuator  42  also has a protrusion  92  that is positioned to abut the first end  66  of the plunger  48  within the body  30  of the moistener A, in counterbalance to the bias applied to the plunger  48  by the spring  50 . Hence, as can be appreciated, the actuator  42  is held in a biased state against the housing  40  by the plunger  48 .  
         [0024]     The actuator  42  further has an aperture in the shape of a generally concave recess  94  located in the lower central portion of the actuator. ( FIGS. 2, 4 ). The recess  94  is directed toward the spring valve  32  when the actuator  42  is in position against the housing  40 . A port  96  is located near the base of the recess  94 . The port  96  is generally circular and both sized and aligned to allow the spray head  34  to extend from the spring valve  32  through the port  96 . A drip channel  98  protrudes from the recess  94  below the port  96  into the depression formed by the recess. The drip channel  98  is configured and positioned on the actuator  42  such that when the moistener A is properly attached to the toilet bowl  10 , excess moisture that may escape from the spray head  34  will be collected by the drip channel  98  below the spray head  34 . In this way, such excess moisture will evaporate in the drip channel  98 , and the drip channel  98  thereby limits the amount of excess moisture that may drop to the floor next to the toilet T.  
         [0025]     From the foregoing it can be readily understood that when toilet paper P is placed along the perimeter of the recess  94  of the actuator  42  ( FIG. 5 ), and sufficient pressure is applied to the actuator  42  to overcome the bias produced the by spring  50  ( FIG. 6 ), the protrusion  66  on the backside of the actuator  42  will force the plunger  48  to move toward the closed end  56  of the first bore  52 . This causes the piston  68  to first unseat from the shoulder  72  and expose the second bore  53  to the first bore  52 . As the plunger  48  travels further toward the closed end  56  of the first bore  52 , the piston  68  exposes the bore  76  to the first bore  52 . When the bore  76  is exposed to the first bore  52 , pressurized water in the feed line  36  will flow through the nipple  80 , through the bore  76 , through the first bore  52 , through the second bore  53 , through the series of bores  74 , out the spray head  34 , and onto the toilet paper P.  
         [0026]     Moreover, the recess  94 , the port  96  and the spray head  34  are all positioned with respect to one another such that when toilet paper P, or some other material used to cleanse the body, is placed generally over and along the perimeter of the recess  94 , a desired amount of fluid will be ejected from the spray head  34  to moisten the toilet paper P. Adjustable nozzles, replaceable nozzles of differing shapes and sizes, and other such readily available components can be used to make the spray head  34  adjustable to accommodate variations in water pressure, water hardness and other such variables that may impact the amount of moisture desired to be applied to the toilet paper P. An adjustable nozzle can be used, for example, to controllably adjust the dispensing of fluid from the moistener A from a stream of fluid, to a course spray, to a fine mist. An adjustable nozzle may also be used to controllably adjust the angle at which the fluid is dispensed.  
         [0027]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the moistener A has an infrared sensor  100  and an electronic switch  102  ( FIG. 7 ). Both the sensor  100  and the switch  102  are powered by batteries  104  located in the body of the moistener A. A set of wires  105  connect the sensor  100 , the switch  102  and the batteries  104 . Alternately, electrical power may be supplied to the moistener A through an electrical cord. The sensor  100  is located on the body  30  of the moistener A and the switch  102  is positioned within the body  30  in association with the spring valve  32 . The sensor  100  is placed in an orifice  106  in the body  30 , and a nut  108  tightens along threads about the sensor  100  to securely mount the sensor  100  in the orifice  106 . Preferably, the sensor  100  is waterproof, or sealed with a waterproof material to prevent seepage of moisture into the sensor. In this configuration, the plunger  48  is shorter than in the first disclosed embodiment. The switch  102  has a shaft  109  that extends forcefully out from the base of the switch when the switch is actuated. The switch  102  is fixedly attached to the spring valve  32  and configured to urge the plunger  48  toward the spring  50  with a shaft  109  when actuated by the sensor  100 . The sensor  100  is calibrated to detect foreign objects having a minimum predetermined temperature that may pass within a predetermined distance from the sensor  100 , such as a human hand. As can be appreciated, then, when a warm foreign object, such as a human hand, moves to within a predetermined distance from the sensor  100 , the sensor  100  sends a signal to the switch  102  that actuates the switch  102  to open the spring valve  32  to release fluid through the spray head  34 . Of course, the sensor  100  may be located anywhere on or near the moistener A, so long as the sensor  100  is capable of adequately detecting the presence of a foreign object in proximity to the moistener A and properly controlling the switch  102 . Further, the sensor  100  may alternatively be a different type of detector with an appropriate actuating mechanism to properly actuate the moistener A, such as a motion detector, a sound detector, etc. For example, in the case of a motion detector, the sensor  102  will be calibrated to detect the motion of foreign objects within a predetermined distance from the sensor  100 .  
         [0028]     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the moistener A has a reservoir  110  having a feed nipple  112  at the base of the reservoir and a lid  114  at the top. ( FIG. 8 ). While in this embodiment the reservoir is separated from the body  30  of the moistener A, the reservoir can be fixedly attached to or integral with the body  30 . The feed line  36  attaches to the feed nipple  112 . The reservoir  110  holds fluid that is supplied to the moistener A. The reservoir A is positioned above the body  30  of the moistener A such that gravity will urge the fluid from the reservoir through the feed line  36  and into the spring valve  34 . As can be appreciated, when toilet paper P is placed along the perimeter of the recess  94  of the actuator  42  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), and sufficient pressure is applied to the actuator  42  to overcome the bias produced the by spring  50 , the protrusion  66  on the backside of the actuator  42  will force the plunger  48  to move toward the closed end  56  of the first bore  52 . This causes the piston  68  to first unseat from the shoulder  72  and expose the second bore  53  to the first bore  52 . As the plunger  48  travels further toward the closed end  56  of the first bore  52 , the piston  68  exposes the bore  76  to the first bore  52 . When the bore  76  is exposed to the first bore  52 , fluid will flow from the reservoir  110 , through the feed line  36 , through the nipple  80 , through the bore  76 , through the first bore  52 , through the second bore  53 , through the series of bores  74 , out the spray head  34 , and onto the toilet paper P. Of course, the reservoir  110  may be pressurized, and if so, the reservoir  110  need not be located above the spring valve  32 , but may be located anywhere in proximity to the spring valve  32  so long as there exists sufficient pressure in the reservoir to urge fluid from the reservoir through the spray head  34  at the desired flow conditions. Further, the moistener A may be configured differently to accommodate the location of the reservoir  110  above or to one side of the body  30 . For example, if the reservoir  110  is located above the body  30 , then the spring valve  32  may be configured such that the feed line  36  enters the spring valve  32  from the top, in which case the port  82  in the base  44  will likewise be located above spring valve  32 . Other convenient or efficient configurations can be readily adduced by one of ordinary skill in the art depending on the desired location of the reservoir  110  in relation to the body  30 .  
         [0029]     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the moistener A has a mechanical timer  120  fixedly attached within the body  30  aside the spring valve  32  ( FIG. 9 ). The timer  120  is formed of a tube  122  having an inner diameter  124  and having a rubber liner  126  that creates a smaller second inner diameter  128 . A stem  130  is attached to the plunger  48  and is positioned to extend from the plunger  48  into the timer  120 . The stem  130  is shaped and sized to be smaller than the inner diameter of the tube  122  but larger than the second inner diameter formed by the liner  126 , such that the stem  130  fits snugly within the timer  120 . As can be appreciated, the rubber liner  126  applies pressure against the stem  130  to resist the bias applied to the plunger  48  by the spring  50 . In this way, the strength of the spring  50  and the thickness and frictional characteristics of the rubber liner  126  and the stem  130  can be varied to allow the spring  50  to pull the stem  130  partially out of the timer  120  at a predetermined rate. This action by the spring  50  simultaneously moves the plunger  48  away from the closed end  56  of the first bore  52 , and closes the spring valve  32  in a predetermined period of time. Of course, the timer  120  may alternatively be any of a number of different configurations, such as, for example, a ratchet timer or a watch spring timer, so long as the timer  120  is capable of actuating the moistener as disclosed herein for a predeterminable period of time. Further, the timer  120  may be electronic, in which case the timer  120  may be powered by batteries or an electrical cord as desired.  
         [0030]     While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of a preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the moistener A may have more than one spray head  34 . In some applications it may only be desirable to use a single spray head  34  (as in the embodiment described above), while in other applications two or more spray heads  34  may provide a desirable spray characteristic based upon the water pressure and other considerations of the specific application. The moistener A may include a heating element to warm the fluid prior to being dispensed through the moistener. Further, other methods of attaching the moistener A to the toilet T may be used. Such other methods include but are not limited to glues, rivets, bolts, bands, hooks and clamps, as well as other methods that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, it may not be necessary in all applications to attach the moistener A to the bowl  10 . The moistener A may instead be attached to the tank  12  or to a wall or other fixture near to the toilet T. The moistener A may also be formed in a variety of shapes, such as for example oval, round, trapezoidal, triangular, hexagonal or polygonal, etc., and may be thinner or thicker, so long as the moistener A is capable of producing a moistening spray as required by the claims of this invention.  
         [0031]     Of course, sealing components such as O-rings may be used to minimize leakage within the spring valve  32 . As such, O-rings may be employed, for example, about the piston  68 , at the base of the spring valve  32 , or on the shoulder  72  where the shoulder  72  meets the lip  70 . Sealing components such as O-rings may also be employed along one or more of the bores  52 ,  53  or  54 , or in the spray head  34 , to prevent leakage through said components.  
         [0032]     Moreover, the moistener A may be connected to a water source using a wide variety of well-recognized methods, such as “T” or “Y” pipe couplings, valves, or other clamps, etc. Where the moistener A is integral to the toilet T, the toilet T may be configured to provide the water source to operate the moistener. For example, a flow channel may be formed through the toilet T that opens to a fluid input or port for the moistener A. Further, the spring  50 , which applies a bias against to the valve plunger, can be substituted with any object that provides similar bias. For example, an elastic plug may be used instead of the spring  50 , a tension spring may be used instead of the compression spring  50  if the spring valve  32  is reconfigured to accommodate the tension spring and “pull” on the plunger  48  instead of “push”. The moistener A can be configured with multiple spring valves and feed lines to control and apply more than one liquid to the toilet paper P, such as medication, fragrance, or other liquid. The actuator  42  can interface with the body  30  in a number of different configurations so long as the actuator  42  is adequately held in place about the spray head  34  and is capable of applying a force against the plunger  48  to release fluid through the spring valve  32 . For example, the actuator  42  may be attached to the body  30  in a hinged state, such as by a living hinge or a piano hinge, for example.  
         [0033]     Further, the components of the moistener A may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to various metals, plastics, ceramics, wood, or any other suitable material that will provide sufficient structural integrity for the each component to perform its desired function as stated herein. Each dimension of the moistener A, and thereby all of its components, may be of varying sizes. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that structural members may be added to strategic positions on or in the moistener A to allow the use of a variety of materials.  
         [0034]     The detailed description above illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.