Patent Publication Number: US-2023134495-A1

Title: Kit for use by children while using a public toilet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/273,530, filed on Oct. 29, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a kit for use by children while using a public toilet, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a backpack for carrying accessories for use by children while using the public toilet. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of accessories are available for use in the toilet training of small children. Such accessories may include a potty seat, a step stool, wipes, sanitary toilet papers, and the like. Also, the same accessories are used by trained children to support them on an adult-sized toilet. The potty seat, also known as a toilet topper, is adapted to be installed over the toilet seat of a toilet bowl and support the child on a toilet seat designed for use by adults. The step stool can enable a child to step up to the toilet seat or to stand in front of the toilet at an acceptable height or climb up to reach a washbasin. 
     The accessories including the toilet topper and the step stool can be easily arranged in a home for ready use. However, while traveling, children have to use public toilets that are typically too large and sinks they cannot reach because parents do not readily have access to items (toilet topper &amp; step stool) on the go. Whether the children are potty trained or not, the children are hesitant in using the adult-sized toilet seats in a public restroom. Moreover, the parents can be concerned about the germs and filth that may come in contact with the child while using the public toilet. 
     Thus, a need is appreciated for a portable and compact kit that can be carried while traveling for use by children while using public restrooms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to a portable and compact kit for use by children while using public restrooms. 
     It is another object of the present invention that a backpack of the kit allows carrying different accessories in an organized manner. 
     It is still another object of the present invention that all essential accessories for use by children in using the public restroom are readily available. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention that the child is not exposed to germs and filth on the public toilet seats. 
     It is a further object of the present invention that the different accessories for use by children while using public toilets can be easily carried by a person. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention that kit can be carried by a person without occupying either hand. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention that the child&#39;s potty-training lessons can be continued. 
     In one aspect, disclosed is a kit for use by children while using a public toilet. The kit includes a backpack, disposable toilet seat covers, a toilet topper, disposable wipes, and a foldable step stool. The backpack includes several pockets to receive and store the disposable toilet seat covers, the toilet topper, the disposable wipes, and the foldable step stool in an organized manner while the overall size of the bag with all the accessories can be manageable and easily carried on the back of a person. Besides keeping the accessories organized in the backpack, one or more accessories in the backpack can be isolated in the pockets preventing contact with other accessories. 
     In one aspect, disclosed is a kit for use by children while using a public toilet, the kit comprising a backpack, wherein the backpack includes a sack having an open top secured by a fastener; a rear inner pocket in the sack configured to receive and store a foldable step stool or a toilet topper; a front inner pocket in the sack configured to receive and store the foldable step stool or the toilet topper; a left inner pocket in the sack configured to receive and store a plurality of disposable wipes or a plurality of toilet seat covers; and a right inner pocket in the sack configured to receive and store the plurality of disposable wipes or the plurality of toilet seat covers. The fastener can be a zipper. The front inner pocket has an open top secured by a zipper. The rear inner pocket has an open top secured by a zipper. 
     In one implementation of the kit, the sack is about 16 inches in height, about 15 inches in width, and about 7 inches in thickness. 
     In one aspect, disclosed is a method for facilitating the use of adult size public toilets by children, the method includes the steps of providing a kit. The kit can include a backpack and the backpack can include a sack having an open top secured by a fastener, a rear inner pocket in the sack configured to receive and store a foldable step stool or a toilet topper, a front inner pocket in the sack configured to receive and store the foldable step stool or the toilet topper, a left inner pocket in the sack and configured to receive and store a plurality of disposable wipes or a plurality of toilet seat covers, and a right inner pocket in the sack and configured to receive and store the plurality of disposable wipes or the plurality of toilet seat covers. The kit further includes the foldable step stool, the toilet topper, the plurality of disposable wipes, and the plurality of toilet seat covers. The method further includes the steps of storing the foldable step stool in the front inner pocket or the rear inner pocket; storing the toilet topper in the front inner pocket or the rear inner pocket; storing the plurality of toilet seat covers in the left inner pocket or the right inner pocket; and storing the plurality of disposable wipes in the left inner pocket or the right inner pocket. 
     In one implementation of the method, the backpack further can include a pair of back straps configured to allow the backpack to be mounted to shoulders of a person. The backpack further can include a pair of hand straps configured to be grabbed in a hand of a user and carried on the shoulder. The backpack further can include a front outer pocket configured on an outer surface of the sack. The backpack can further include a left outer pocket and a right outer pocket configured on the outer surface of the sack. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention. 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a kit for use by children while using a public toilet, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a rear and side perspective view of a backpack of the kit, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a front view of the backpack, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    shows an inner view of the backpack that has two big pockets on opposite sides and two small pockets, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent. 
     Disclosed is a kit for use by children while using a public restroom. The disclosed kit can include all the accessories to facilitate the use of an adult size toilet by children without exposing the children to filth or germs on a public toilet seat. Referring to  FIG.  1    which is a block diagram showing the disclosed kit  100 . Kit  100  can include a backpack  110 , disposable toilet seat covers  120 , a toilet topper  130 , disposable wipes  140 , and a folding step stool  150 . The disposable toilet seat covers  120  can cover a seat and sides of a toilet bowl, for protecting a child&#39;s hands from touching the sides of the toilet seat or bowl, and keeping the toilet topper from being placed directly on the toilet seat. The disposable toilet seat covers  120  can shield a public toilet seat and a clean surface of the disposable toilet seat cover is exposed. The disposable toilet seat covers  120  can be disposed of after use. 
     The kit  100  can further include a toilet topper  130  that can help a child feel safe and secure on an adult size toilet. The kit  100  can further include disposable wipes  140  that can be used to wipe the child and the soiled wipes can be flushed. The disposable wipes are also known in art. The kit  100  can further include a foldable step stool  150  that can help a child to step up reaching the washbasin for a hand wash. The foldable step stools are also known in art. The kit  100  also includes a backpack  110  that can be carried by a person, for example, on their back or on their shoulders. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 - 4    which shows different views of the backpack  110 .  FIG.  2    shows a rear and side perspective view of an upright backpack  110 . The backpack  110  can be 15-20 inches in height, and preferably about 16 inches in height. The width of the bag can be about 15 inches and the thickness of the backpack can be about 7 inches. Thus, the backpack  110  is compact that can be easily carried in hands or on the back of the user. Moreover, the backpack can occupy little space in a car or similar vehicle for transportation. It is understood that the aforesaid dimensions of the backpack  110  are preferable, however, the dimensions of the backpack  110  can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Again, referring to  FIG.  2   , the backpack  110  can include a pair of backstraps  200  that can be used for mounting the backpack on the shoulders of a user. The backpack  110  can further include a pair of hand straps  210  that can be used to hold the backpack  110  hanging from the shoulders of the user. The pair of backstraps  200  can further include length adjusters  220  that can be used to increase or decrease the lengths of the pair of backstraps  200 . On the right side of the backpack  110  is shown a pocket  230  that can be used to store objects, such as bottles. The pocket  230  can be made from stretchable material such as elastane that can be used to securely hold the articles. A similar pocket can also be provided on the opposite left side of the backpack  110 .  FIG.  3    shows a front side of the backpack  110  which includes an additional pocket  232  which is bigger and can hold articles, such as toys, boxes, and the like belongings of a child. The pocket  232  can be secured by a zipper  234 , however, it is understood that the zipper can be substituted with any other fastener without departing from the scope of the present invention. Referring to  FIG.  4    which shows an inside of the backpack  110  which is in the form of a sack. the top of the sack can be open and secured by a zipper  236  (shown in  FIG.  2   ). A rear inner pocket  240  can be of a length same as that of the backpack  110  and can be used to store the folded step stool  150  or the toilet topper  130 . A front inner pocket  250  can also be seen that is similar to the rear inner pocket  240  but on the opposite side of the sack. The front inner pocket  250  can be used to store the folded step stool  150  or the toilet topper  130 . Both the front inner pocket  250  and the rear inner pocket  240  can be secured by the zipper or similar fasteners. The front inner pocket  250  and the rear inner pocket  240  can be isolated from each other and the rest of the inner volume of the sack. Thus, the soiled contents in the front inner pocket  250  or the rear inner pocket  240  may not soil other articles in the backpack  110 . A left inner pocket  260  and a right inner pocket  270  can also be seen in the sack for holding the toilet seat covers  120  and the disposable wipes  140 .  FIG.  4    shows the left inner pocket and the right inner pocket on the front inner pocket and the rear inner pocket respectively for illustration only, however, the left inner pocket and the right inner pocket can be disposed anywhere in the inner volume of the sack. 
     The disclosed backpack  110  can store different accessories, such as the toilet topper, step stool, toilet seat covers, and disposable wipes in an organized manner and within a compact space inside the backpack  110 . All the accessories desired for use by a child while using a public restroom can be easily accommodated in the backpack and readily accessible to the child or parent. Besides the accessories for the toilet, additional pockets, and inner volume of the backpack  110  can store additional articles, such as bottles, toys, food items, clothes, and the like. 
     In one implementation, disclosed is a method for facilitating the use of a public toilet by children. First, the child can be taken to the public toilet. In the public toilet, a toilet seat cover can be taken out from the backpack and put over the toilet seat. Thereafter, the toilet topper can be taken out from the backpack and placed directly on the toilet seat cover. Thereafter, the child can use the toilet seat without being exposed to any germs. Once done using the toilet, flushable wipes can be pulled out from the backpack to clean, and a soiled wipe and the toilet seat cover can be disposed of. The toilet topper can be put back into the backpack. Then, the step stool can be taken out from the backpack and mounted adjacent to the washbasin. The child can climb the step stool to reach a tap and wash their hands. Finally, the step stool can be returned to the backpack. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.