Patent Publication Number: US-9408508-B2

Title: Portable potty

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of portable potties. More specifically, the present invention relates to collapsible portable potties for children. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     When potty training children, it is often difficult to get a child accustomed to using a toilet when the child is at a location outside of the home. In order to habituate the child to using his or her “potty,” it would be ideal to bring the potty everywhere the child goes. Realistically, it would be difficult to transport the child&#39;s potty, for example, while running errands or traveling, because conventional potties are rigid and bulky. In addition, the child might be embarrassed to be carrying the potty. Although portable potties are known in the art, they are still large and bulky because they typically include a seat with retractable legs. In addition, in order to conceal the portable potty, manufacturers may include a travel case similar to a briefcase. 
     A need exists for improved technology, including technology that may address the above described disadvantages by providing a portable potty that is stylish, compact, and easy to construct and collapse. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a portable potty including a seat member, a first support member connected to the seat member, a second support member connected to the first support member, and a third support member connected to the second support member. The portable potty can be repeatedly and reversibly transformed from a collapsed position to a constructed position. When the portable potty is in the collapsed position, the first support member and the second support member are stacked substantially parallel with respect to an adjacent member, in a vertical direction. When the portable potty is in the constructed position, the seat member is disposed perpendicular to the first, second and third support members such that a space is formed, the space being bordered by the first, second and third support members. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for using a portable potty that includes a triangular seat member having a first side, a second side and a third side, a first support member connected to the seat member, a second support member connected to the first support member, and a third support member connected to the second support member. The method includes constructing the portable potty into a constructed position in which the seat member is disposed substantially perpendicular to the first, second and third support members such that a space is formed, the space being bordered by the first, second and third support members, the first side of the seat member contacts the first support member, the second side of the seat member contacts the second support member, and the third side of the seat member contacts the third support member. The method further includes collapsing the portable potty into a collapsed position in which the first support member and the second support member are stacked substantially parallel with respect to an adjacent member, in a vertical direction, such that the second support member is disposed in a top most position and the first support member is disposed in a bottom most position. In the collapsed position, the seat member is disposed within a recessed portion of the first support member, and the third support member is disposed within a recessed portion of the second support member. 
     Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the present disclosure may be set forth from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the present disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without further limiting the scope of the present disclosure claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the present disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the present disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced. 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of a portable potty in a collapsed position, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic side, cross-sectional view of the portable potty in the collapsed position of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of the portable potty of  FIG. 1A  in a first expanded position. 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic side, cross-sectional view of the portable potty in the first expanded position of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of the portable potty of  FIG. 1A  in a second expanded position. 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic side, cross-sectional view of the portable potty in the second expanded position of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the portable potty of  FIG. 1A  in a constructed position. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the portable potty of  FIG. 4  with a disposable liner inserted. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the portable potty of  FIG. 4  with bottom edges lined with rubber to prevent the portable potty from slipping. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. An effort has been made to use the same or like reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-6 , a portable potty  100  includes a first support member  10 , a second support member  20 , a third support member  30  and a seat member  40 . In one embodiment, the first support member  10 , the second support member  20 , the third support  30  and the seat member  40  are made of plastic. In other embodiments, the first support member  10 , the second support member  20 , the third support  30  and the seat member  40  may be made of another material, provided the material is lightweight and generally resistant to liquids. The first support member  10 , the second support member  20 , the third support  30  and the seat member  40  may be provided in any color. In addition, the first support member  10 , the second support member  20 , the third support  30  and the seat member  40  may be transparent, translucent or opaque. Moreover, the first support member  10 , the second support member  20 , the third support  30  and the seat member  40  may be decorated with decals or stickers  60  to personalize the portable potty  100 . For example, the decals or stickers  60  may include images of objects, artistic designs or a child&#39;s name. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , when the portable potty  100  is in a collapsed position, the first support member  10  and the second support member  20  are stacked substantially parallel with respect to an adjacent member, in a vertical direction. In the collapsed position, the members are stacked such that the second support member  20  is disposed in a top most position and the first support member  10  is disposed in a bottom most position (see  FIG. 1B ). 
     The first support member  10  is concave (i.e., has a recessed portion) such that the seat member  40  and a pocket  13  (described in further detail below) may be disposed within the recessed portion, allowing adjacent faces of the first support member  10  and the second support member  20  to lay flat and abut each other when the portable potty  100  is in the collapsed position. Similarly, the second support  20  contains a recessed portion  22  such that the third support member  30  may be disposed within the recessed portion  22 , allowing the adjacent faces of the first support member  10  and the second support member  20  to lay flat and abut each other when the portable potty  100  is in the collapsed position. The recessed portion of the first support member  10  may be deeper than the recessed portion  22  of the second support member  20 , as the first support member  10  houses more parts. The recessed portion of the first support member  10  and the recessed portion  22  of the second support member  20  are provided in order to minimize a total height of the portable potty  100  when the portable potty  100  is in the collapsed position. 
     In the collapsed position, the members are stacked within the first support member  10  and the second support member  20  such that the third support member  30  is disposed between the second support member  20  and the seat member  40 , the seat member  40  is disposed between the third support member  30  and the pocket  13 , and the pocket  13  is disposed between the seat member  40  and the first support member  10  (see  FIG. 1B ). 
     The first support member  10  includes a latch  11  configured to secure the second support member  20  to the first support member  10  when the portable potty is in the collapsed position. The latch  11  may be disposed, for example, on a top edge of the first support member  10 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, the latch  11  may be disposed at different locations, for example, a side edge or a bottom edge of the first support member  10 , or a top edge, a bottom edge, or a side edge of the second support member  20 . 
     The portable potty  100  has a shape and a size that gives the portable potty  100  an appearance similar to a tablet or a small laptop when the portable potty  100  is in the collapsed position. For example, in one embodiment, in the collapsed position, the portable potty  100  has a length of 8 inches or less, a width of 12 inches or less, and a height of 1 inch or less. The compact shape and size of the portable potty  100  allows the portable potty  100  to be transported in a purse, a tote bag (e.g., a reusable grocery bag), a diaper bag, or a book bag. In addition, the portable potty  100  may be placed in a seat pouch in a vehicle while traveling. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , to place the portable potty  100  in a first expanded position from the collapsed position, the latch  11  is released and the second support member  20  is rotated about a connection  12  between the first support member  10  and the second support member  20  in a manner similar to an action of opening a book. The connection  12  may be any suitable connection, for example, a hinge. In the first expanded position, the first support member  10  and the second support member  20  may lay side by side, with the third support member  30  remaining disposed within the recessed portion  22  of the second support member  20  and the seat member  40  and the pocket  13  remaining stacked within the recessed portion of the first support member  10 . A width of the recessed portion of the first support member  10  may be, for example, the same as the width of the first support member  10 . A length of the recessed portion of the first support member  10  may be, for example, slightly longer than a length extending from a side of the seat member  40  connected to the first support member  10  to a bottom edge of the first support member  10 , in order to accommodate a connection  14  (described in further detail below). 
     As seen in  FIG. 2A , the seat member  40  has a substantially triangular shape. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , the seat member  40  has a shape of an isosceles triangle. In other embodiments, the seat member  40  may have a shape of a different type of triangle, for example, an equilateral triangle. The first support member  10 , the second support member  20  and the third support member  30  have a substantially rectangular shape. In other embodiments, corners of at least one of the first support member  10 , the second support member  20 , the third support member  30  and the seat member  40  may be rounded. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the first support member  10  is connected to the seat member  40  by a connection  14 . The third support member  30  is connected to the second support member  20  by a connection  23 . The connections  14  and  23  may be any suitable connection, for example, a hinge. 
     The first support member  10  optionally includes the pocket  13  configured to hold relatively flat or compressible items such as disposable liners  70 . The disposable liner  70  may be formed from a biodegradable, absorbent flushable liner providing a user with an option of flushing the biodegradable absorbent material. Alternatively, the user has an option of wrapping up or tying the disposable liner  70 , and disposing of the disposable liner  70  in a garbage can, in a manner similar to throwing away a disposable diaper. Use of the disposable liners  70  will be described in further detail below. 
     The second support member  20  may include a ledge  21  extending along a width of the second support member  20 . The ledge  21  has substantially a same length as a side of the seat member  40  such that when the portable potty  100  is in the constructed position, the seat member  40  rests upon the ledge  21 . The constructed position will be described in further detail below. The ledge  21  may define, at least in part, the recessed portion  22  of the second support member  20 . A length of the recessed portion  22  of the second support member  20  may be, for example, the same as the length of the third support member  30 . A width of the recessed portion  22  may be, for example, slightly larger than the width of the third support member  30  in order to accommodate a connecter  32  (described in further detail below). 
     The third support member  30  may include a connector  32  disposed at a side edge opposite to an edge at which the connection  23  is provided. The connector  32  may be, for example, a latch, Velcro, a magnet, or any other suitable connector. Operation of the connector  32  will be described in further detail below. 
     The seat member  40  includes an aperture  41  extending through a center thereof. The aperture  41  is of a sufficient size to prevent a child from falling through the aperture  41  when the child sits on the seat member  40 . The aperture  41  is generally a same shape as the seat member  40 . The seat member  40  may be cushioned for comfort, provided the cushioning does not significantly increase the height of the portable potty  100  when the portable potty  100  is in the collapsed position. 
     The seat member  40  further includes a plurality of fasteners  42  configured to receive and secure the disposable liner  70 . For example, the fasteners  42  may be serrated holes, clips, Velcro, magnets, or any other suitable fastener. In cases in which serrated holes or clips are used as the fasteners  42 , the disposable liner  70  is secured by inserted a portion of an edge of the disposable liner  70  in each serrated hole or clip. In cases in which Velcro or magnets are used as the fasteners  42 , an appropriate corresponding portion of the disposable liner  70  is placed on top of the fasteners  42 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , to place the portable potty  100  in a second expanded position from the first expanded position, the seat member  40  is flipped up and away from the first support member  10  by rotating the seat member  40  about the connection  14 . The third support member  30  is unfolded from the second support member  20  by rotating the third support member  40  about the connection  23 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the seat member  40  may be flipped up before, after, or at the same time the third support member  30  is unfolded. In the second expanded position, the first support member  10  and the second support member  20  may lay side by side, with the third support member  30  stacked on top of the second support member  20  and the seat member  40  stacked on top of the first support member  10 . In the second expanded position, the third support member  30  protrudes from the second support member  20  without substantially overlapping the second support member  20  (except for a minimal overlap at a portion of the connection  23 ). In addition, the seat member  40  protrudes from the first support member  10  without substantially overlapping the first support member  10  (except for a minimal overlap at a portion of the connection  14 ). In the second expanded position, the seat member  40  and the third support member  30  are no longer disposed within the recessed portion of the first support member  10  and the recessed portion  22  of the second support member  20 , respectively. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2A and 3A , the first support member  10 , the second support member  20 , the third support member  30  and the seat member  40  are formed into a single piece assembly. In other words, if the portable potty  100  is dropped while in the collapsed position, the first expanded position, the second expanded position or a constructed position (described below), the members of the portable potty  100  will remain connected (i.e., there are no loose pieces). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , to place the portable potty  100  in a constructed position from the second expanded position, the third support member  30  is connected to the first support member  10  via the connector  32  such that a triangular space bordered by the first support member  10 , the second support member  20  and the third support member  30  is created. The seat member  40  is pushed down such that a first side of the seat member  40  contacts the first support member  10 , a second side of the seat member  40  contacts the second support member  20  and a third side of the seat member  40  contacts the third support  30 . The second side of the seat member  40  may rest upon the ledge  21  of the second support member  20  to provide stable and secure seating. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in an alternative, but not mutually exclusive method for transforming the portable potty  100  into the constructed position, it is also possible to first push down on the seat member  40  such that the second side of the seat member  40  rests upon the ledge  21 , and then connect the third support member  30  to the first support member  10  via the connector  32 . In the constructed position, the seat member  40  is disposed substantially perpendicular to the first support member  10 , the second support member  20  and the third support member  30 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 2A and 3A , the seat member  40  is connected to the first support member  10  via the connection  14  located offset from a top edge of the first support member  10 . The ledge  21 , upon which the seat member  40  is configured to rest in the constructed position, is located offset and below a top edge of the second support member  20 . The size of the offset between the top edge of the first support member  10  and the seat member  40  and the offset between the top edge of the second support member  20  and the ledge  21  are substantially equal. As a result, when the portable potty  100  is in the constructed position, an L-shaped ledge  50  is formed between the seat member  40  and the first support member  10  and the second support member  20 . A height of the L-shaped ledge  50  is equal to the size of the offsets. The L-shaped ledge  50  is configured to provide secure seating. 
     The portable potty  100  is configured to be used for potty training when in the constructed position. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the disposable liner  70  is inserted through the aperture  41  in the seat member  40  and received in the space bordered by the first support member  10 , the second support member  20  and the third support member  30 . The disposable liner  70  is secured to the portable potty  100  by the fasteners  42 . The disposable liner  70  may be inserted through the aperture  41  before or after the portable potty  100  is in the constructed position. 
     After the child has finished using the portable potty  100 , the disposable liner  70  is unfastened from the fasteners  42 , removed from the portable potty  100  and disposed of. The third support member  30  may be disconnected from the first support member  10 , allowing the disposable liner  70  to be removed from its location below the seat member  40 . Alternatively, the disposable liner  70  may be pulled up through the aperture  41  without first disconnecting the third support member  30  from the first support member  10 . The disposable liner  70  provides for easy clean up and disposal of waste. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , bottom edges of the first support member  10 , the second support member  20  and the third support member  30  may be lined, for example, with rubber or plastic to prevent the portable potty  100  from slipping or sliding on a surface when in use (i.e., in the constructed position). In addition, the decals or stickers  60  may be placed on the portable potty  100  while the portable potty  100  is in the constructed position, to ensure that the decals or stickers  60  are located in desired positions. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any of the connections or latches described herein may be provided within at least one of the recessed portion of the first support member  10  or the recessed portion  22  of the second support member  20 , in order to minimize a total height of the portable potty  100  when the portable potty  100  is in the collapsed position. In addition, by recessing the connections or latches, adjacent faces of the first support member  10  and the second support member  20  may lay flat and abut each other, such that the portable potty  100  is substantially flat when in the collapsed position. 
     The portable potty  100  of the embodiments described above is stylish, compact, and easy to construct and collapse. The portable potty  100  can be repeatedly and reversibly transformed from the collapsed position to the constructed position. When in the collapsed position, the portable potty  100  does not have an appearance of a potty, but instead has an appearance similar to a tablet or a small laptop when the portable potty  100  is in the collapsed position. The compact shape and size of the portable potty  100  allows the portable potty  100  to be conveniently transported in a purse, a tote bag (e.g., a reusable grocery bag), a diaper bag, or a book bag. In addition, the portable potty  100  may be placed in a seat pouch in a vehicle while traveling. 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. 
     References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the portable potty as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.