Abstract:
A device for the sanitary lining of a training toilet is described. The device employs a bag equipped with an opening. The opening is configured with a hem along the circumference of the bag. The device is equipped with a sealing mechanism, such as an elastic band, which is preferably embedded within the hem of the device. An absorbent pad is disposed at the bottom of the bag to absorb waste and to prevent splashing within the bowl of the training toilet. The device is configured to make the difficult and unpleasant process of cleaning a training toilet easier by eliminating the need to clean the training toilet. The device acts as a buffer between the waste and the training toilet, enabling a guardian to remove and dispose of the waste by hand with minimal effort.

Description:
CONTINUITY 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application of provisional application No. 62/070,081 filed on Sep. 15, 2014, and priority is claimed thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to potty training devices for children, and more specifically relates to an advancement in facilitating a cleaning procedure for potty training toilets, overall this yields an easier, safer, and cleaner toilet training experience for both parents and children. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0003]    Toilet training, known conventionally as ‘potty training,’ can be an extremely stressful and exciting time for both parents and children alike. For parents, changing diapers is often their least favorite part of parenthood. Unfortunately, parents often long for the simplicity of diapers as soon as the children reach the potty-training age. Cleaning potty training toilets can be rather foul and unsanitary, and often takes longer than it requires to change a simple diaper. For families with multiple children, this potty cleaning time can quickly add up to hours per year—hours that a parent or guardian would rather spend having fun with his or her children. 
         [0004]    Similarly, today&#39;s two-income households are often left with limited free time, and do not have ample opportunity for quality time with their children. Having to spend time performing the unpleasant task of cleaning training toilets does not help their plight. Most mothers today are older, and in full-time employment. As such, they lack an abundance of free-time, in comparison to yesterday&#39;s generation of moms. 
         [0005]    Additionally, childcare facilities that serve children of potty-training ages must clean training toilets even more frequently due to the multitude of children using the training toilets. This can cause workplace dissatisfaction, and can lead to unsanitary conditions if the cleaning is not kept at a consistently high standard. 
         [0006]    While the act of learning how to use the toilet as a child is an exciting time, many children can be unfortunately timid, shy, or confused. Therefore, parents usually encourage and congratulate children after the first several uses of the training toilet properly. This act is often said to be critical to the child&#39;s success at potty training. 
         [0007]    Unfortunately, after use of the training toilet, the parent or guardian is forced to either remove the waste immediately, effectively leaving the child alone during a critical time, or to leave the waste out in the open, which can potentially contaminate adjacent surfaces. Since training toilets are often placed where they can be accessed quickly and easily when the time for use arises, the training toilet could even be in the kitchen of a home for a short time. In such a scenario, it would not be sanitary to leave the training potty in a kitchen or in a similar environment after use. Thus, the parent or guardian is essentially left with no option other than to temporarily leave the child to wash out the bowl and/or seat assembly of the training toilet. While households with more than one parent or guardian may be more adequately suited to such a scenario, as one parent may leave to clean the bowl, while the other remains to congratulate the child; this simply is not an option in many single-parent households. 
         [0008]    Therefore, there is a need for a removable lining that can be securely inserted within the bowl of a training toilet such that a parent doesn&#39;t have to empty its collection into a toilet, and doesn&#39;t have to risk spilling the contents accidentally. Such a lining would preferably be equipped with a sealing mechanism to easily and quickly seal off the waste from the environment after use. With such a lining in place, parents can simply lift the lining out of the potty training toilet, seal the lining, and then dispose of the lining in the same way that diapers are disposed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a disposable bag liner apparatus configured to be placed within, and around the bowl of a training toilet. The bag is designed to be easily removed from the bowl after use, allowing it to be safely disposed of without the risk of spillage, and without risk of direct contact between the disposer and its contents. Additionally, the bag of the present invention ensures that the training toilet remains clean, and does not require cleaning prior to the use of the training toilet at a subsequent time. 
         [0010]    The present invention allows the collected waste to be easily removed from training toilets with just one hand, and allows the collected waste to be disposed of easily into a trash can. Consistent use of the present invention prevents direct contact of waste upon the bowls of training toilets, and ensures that contaminants do not build up within the training toilet. As the bag of the present invention is configured to extend up and over the bowl or bin of the training toilet, waste is quarantined and kept away from the bowl and seat of the training toilet. 
         [0011]    The present invention eliminates the risk of foul odor building-up within the bowls of training toilets and eliminates the need to clean the training toilet after use. Similarly, after use, the risk of direct contact between the waste and the cleaning individual is eliminated, yielding a safer, more sanitary environment. The present invention eliminates the transference of waste and bacteria from training toilets to cleaning receptacles, such as sinks, tubs and toilets. Similarly, the present invention prevents bacteria in waste from collecting on the bowls of training toilets. Since waste, when collected within the bag of the present invention, is not to be disposed within the adult toilet, the present invention eliminates the risk of accidental spillage of waste. 
         [0012]    The contents of the present invention can be secured via the elastic band embedded within the hem circumscribing the bag of the present invention. After use, the elastic band can be withdrawn via at least one aperture, and tied off to seal the waste contents, preventing waste spillage. A disposable absorbent pad affixed to the center of the bottom of the bag absorbs liquid waste, and allows safe and sanitary disposal of the waste with other household and non-bodily refuse. As such, the present invention prevents the risk of waste and bacteria transferring to the person removing the bag from the training toilet, and prevents the transfer of waste and bacteria to other items and objects as well. 
         [0013]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention does not require separate insertion of the absorbent pad within the bag portion of the product, as it is preferably adhered to the bottom of the bag with a water-proof adhesive. 
         [0014]    Consistent use of the present invention yields more free-time for parents and guardians. By reducing the time ordinarily spent on cleaning training toilets after use, the present invention allows parents and caregivers to devote more time to other tasks. The present invention addresses the needs of today&#39;s families in American society, most of which feature parents who are both employed, and do not wish to spend time manually cleaning training toilets several times a day. Thus, the present invention allows today&#39;s parents to spend more time in positive interaction with children. 
         [0015]    Additionally, the present invention is configured to make the toilet-training process easier and more pleasant for children as well. The present invention enables parents to respond to children during toilet training with more positive interactions immediately after the use of a training toilet by a child, conventionally responding with cheers and encouragement. With the elastic band of the present invention embedded within the hem of the bag, the waste, contained within the bag, may be quickly sealed and then returned to later, after the child is encouraged and congratulated. Since the parent no longer needs to manually clean out the training potty, the parent is able to remain with the child longer, encouraging him or her to continue using the potty. 
         [0016]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the bag effectively eliminates the risk of children developing a fear of toilet training by eliminating the risk of children witnessing parental distaste for the potty-training and requisite cleaning process. By eliminating risk of children witnessing parental distaste for the process, the present invention can help children develop positive attitudes about toilet training, helping to ensure and accelerate the progress of children&#39;s toilet training by helping them to develop positive attitudes about toilet training. 
         [0017]    The present invention is preferably constructed with materials that are non-translucent. The non-translucent color (and material) of the present invention obscures the contents when the bag is removed from the training toilet. By obscuring the waste content, the bag of the present invention eliminates the risk of distaste generated by visible waste. 
         [0018]    The versatility of the elastic band of the present invention ensures the bag can securely fit upon a variety of training toilets. The expanding size of the elastic band of the present invention ensures the elastic band can also fit upon training toilets that feature handles about the exterior perimeter of their bowls. It is envisioned that the present invention can benefit households with small children, as well as facilities that care for small children, such as, but not limited to, daycare facilities and summer camps. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  displays a view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front, in place within a conventional training toilet. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  depicts a view of the present invention from the side, as seen prior to placement on a training toilet. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  depicts an environmental view of the present invention disposed on a training toilet. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    The present invention is a training toilet liner and cleaning aide configured to facilitate and expedite the process of cleaning a training toilet after use. The preferred embodiment of the present invention employs a bag ( 10 ), an elastic band ( 30 ), and an absorbent pad ( 20 ). The bag ( 10 ) is configured with a hem ( 40 ) running the circumference of the opening of the bag ( 10 ). At least one aperture ( 50 ), disposed within the hem of the bag, is configured to permit the elastic band ( 30 ) to be accessed for the closing of the bag. The bag ( 10 ) of the present invention is equipped with an absorbent pad disposed at the interior bottom point. The bag ( 10 ) of the present invention is preferably disposable, and may be fashioned of biodegradable materials. 
         [0024]    The present invention is configured to fit within the bowl of a conventional training toilet for children. When the present invention is used, the bag ( 10 ) of the present invention is inserted within the training toilet, lining the interior such that all waste deposited within the bowls of training toilets never comes into contact with the surface of the training toilet, facilitating an expedient and safe cleanup. The absorbent pad ( 20 ) embedded within the center of the bag ( 10 ), is configured to prevent splashing within the bag ( 10 ), emit an infused fragrance or scent, and absorb waste. 
         [0025]    The bag ( 10 ) of the present invention is preferably made of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) material. The preferred embodiment of the present invention employs an LDPE material of approximately three mils (0.003″) density by blown film extrusion. When fully open, the bag ( 10 ) is preferably of a semi-spherical shape. The ideal embodiment of the bag ( 10 ) of the present invention measures approximately eight (8″) inches in depth. The bag ( 10 ) is equipped with an opening ( 60 ) featuring the hem ( 40 ) of the present invention, which is externally-seamed, and has an approximate height of half-inch (½″). At least one aperture ( 50 ) is featured within the hem ( 40 ), and is preferably disposed at opposite points about the open perimeter of the bag ( 10 ). 
         [0026]    The elastic band ( 30 ) is contained within the hem ( 40 ), and is accessible from the at least one aperture ( 50 ). One embodiment of the elastic band ( 30 ) is approximately 0.004 inch in density, and of a length to fit the circumference of the bag ( 10 ). The elastic band ( 10 ) is preferably fabricated in a color that is visually distinguishable from the color of the bag ( 10 ). 
         [0027]    The absorbent pad ( 20 ) of the present invention is preferably centered upon the interior bottom plane of the bag ( 10 ), and is preferably made of a synthetic polymer of super-absorbent class (SAP). One embodiment of the absorbent pad ( 20 ) measures approximately six inches in diameter by one-quarter inch in depth (6″×¼″), and is affixed to the bag ( 10 ) via a waterproof adhesive. Alternate embodiments of the present invention may feature an absorbent pad ( 20 ) that is thicker, designed for absorbing larger waste deposits. The absorbent pad ( 20 ) is preferably oval-shaped in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, however it is envisioned that the absorbent pad ( 20 ) can be configured in alternate shapes, including but not limited to, circles, squares, rectangles, and other shapes. 
         [0028]    During use, a parent or guardian places the present invention within the bowl of a training toilet, ensuring that its perimeter overlaps the rim of the bowl. The elastic band ( 30 ) within the hem ( 40 ) is configured to cinch upon the exterior of the bowl, ensuring the secure placement of the bag ( 10 ) of the present invention. 
         [0029]    When the training toilet has been used, the parent may access the elastic band ( 30 ) through the at least one aperture ( 50 ) to lift the present invention from the bowl. The individual will then continue to pull the elastic band ( 30 ) to completely close the bag ( 10 ), sealing it shut. The bag ( 10 ) may then be disposed sanitarily, and the parent may then easily apply a new bag ( 10 ) within the training toilet without any need to clean the bowl. A parent, guardian, or caregiver only has to lift the present invention by the elastic band ( 30 ), which can be refracted to fully seal the product. The bag of the present invention can then be disposed of quickly, conveniently, and hygienically. 
         [0030]    Alternate embodiments of the present invention are envisioned to include construction using various materials, such as, but not limited to, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is envisioned that the present invention can be made in various sizes and shapes, including sizes and shapes configured to match the dimensions of specific models of training toilets presently on the market. Preferably, however, the preferred embodiment of the present invention employs a design with sizing configured to appropriately fit within the majority of training toilets produced by the industry leading manufactures. Similarly, it is envisioned that the present invention may be manufactured in a variety of colors, and the elastic band of the present invention can be colored differently that stand out from the color of the base portion. Likewise, the elastic band of the present invention may be configured in a variety of dimensions and colors. 
         [0031]    Conversely, it is envisioned that the present invention can be made in variations that do not include an elastic band ( 30 ), and which may, or may not, feature other implements for its securement prior to disposal, such as but not limited to extending tabs and twist ties. 
         [0032]    The absorbent pad ( 20 ) of the present invention can be made of various materials, such as but not limited to wood pulp, cotton and synthetic polymers of super-absorbent format (SAP). Similarly, the absorbent pad ( 20 ) of the present invention can be made in various sizes and shapes, facilitating an assortment of alternate embodiments of the present invention. The absorbent pad ( 20 ) is configured to adhere to its strategic point of placement at the bottom center of the bag ( 10 ) by various means, such as but not limited to water-proof adhesive, and stitching. 
         [0033]    It is envisioned that the present invention can be made of biodegradable and/or compostable materials that allow it, and its contents, to be placed in a standard toilet and flushed without any blockage or damage to sewage lines, and without any violation of municipal recommendations or codes. Such an embodiment may be alternately composed as well. In such variations, the present invention may be made of various materials, such as, but not limited to, a corn-based fiber and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). 
         [0034]    Alternate embodiments of the present invention are configured to be made with scented materials, yielding a pleasant overall scent of the bag ( 10 ). In such variations, the present invention can feature various scents, which may or may not be featured in the absorbent pad portion. Similarly, scents featured in the absorbent pad ( 20 ) may or may not solely release said scents upon contact or pressure. 
         [0035]    The present invention can be made in specific proportions and dimensions that only match a specific make and model of a training toilet that will be the primary product of a two-product grouping. The present invention may be fashioned with, or without, various designs, patterns, logos and/or emblems, which may or may not be of registered trademark and/or copyright status. 
         [0036]    Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application. 
         [0037]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.