Patent Publication Number: US-11377832-B2

Title: Toilet seat cover for automatic cleaning

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to toilets that are capable of automatic cleaning, and, more particularly, relates to a toilet seat cover that spray cleaning fluid onto a toilet seat and direct air over the surface of the toilet seat upon the toilet being flushed to dry the surface of the toilet seat. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Community toilets are often provided as a convenience, but also due to regulatory requirements. Typically, toilet facilities are required to be provided in places open to the public, including retail establishments, restaurants, automotive fuel stations, transportation stations, commercial aircraft, and so on. Given the nature of toilet use, it is imperative to maintain them and to keep them clean and sanitized. A simple way to keep toilets clean would be to have a person clean the toilet after every use. However such an approach would be too impractical and expensive in most instances. 
     In response, manufacturers have created automatic self-cleaning toilets. These units typically have somewhat complex electromechanical systems that wipe down or otherwise clean the toilet seat after use. Some devices use rotating armatures that sweep across the surface of the toilet seat to clean the surface of the toilet seat. In some units a paper barrier cover that has been placed over the seat is removed, and then a new one is dispensed to cover the seat. While effective, these units are still costly to purchase, install, and maintain. Moving parts can wear out over time and fail, rendering a unit inoperable. Therefore it would be desirable to minimize the number of moving parts, if not eliminate them, while still having an effective automatic toilet seat cleaning system. 
     Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive disclosure, there is provided a toilet seat cover for cleaning a toilet seat, with the toilet seat cover being configured to be moveable between an open position and a closed position. The toilet seat cover includes a top having top side and a perimeter, and an outer wall depending from the perimeter of the top side. The top side and outer wall are sized to surround and cover a toilet seat with the outer wall spaced apart from an outer side of the toilet seat, the toilet seat being a substantially annular member defining a central opening. The toilet seat cover further includes a plug depending from an underside of the top, with the plug configured to extend into the central opening of the toilet seat and to be spaced apart from an inner edge of the toilet seat. The toilet seat cover further includes a seat channel formed between an outer side of the plug and an inner side of the outer wall that is configured to fit over the toilet seat, and includes a plurality of openings formed through the top of the toilet seat cover over the seat channel. The toilet seat cover further includes a fluid channel disposed in proximity to the seat channel and having a plurality of nozzles configured to spray over a top surface of the seat. 
     In accordance with a further feature, there is further provided a hinge member configured to allow movement of the toilet seat cover about a hinge between lifted position and a lowered position, wherein in the lowered position the toilet seat cover is over and covers the toilet seat, and in the lifted position the toilet seat cover is raised to allow use of the toilet seat by a user. 
     In accordance with a further feature, there is further provided a sealing member at a bottom edge of the outer wall that is configured to create a substantially airtight seal around the lower edge of the outer wall. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the sealing member is configured to fit within a sealing channel of a basin on which the seat is mounted. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the plurality of opening are distributed in a pattern that follows the seat channel around the toilet seat cover. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the fluid channel is formed inside the toilet seat cover at a corner between the outer wall and the top of the toilet seat cover. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the fluid channel is formed by a tube disposed in a corner at an inner surface of the outer wall and the top of the seat channel. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive disclosure, there is provided a method for cleaning a seat of a toilet that includes placing a seat cover over the seat. The seat cover is movable between a raised position and a lowered position and has an outer wall and an inner wall that each depend from a top of the seat cover to define a seat channel in which the seat resides when the seat cover is placed over the seat, the outer wall of the seat cover forming an airtight seal with an upper portion of a basin of the toilet on which the seat is disposed, and the inner wall being spaced apart from an inner side of the seat when the seat cover is in the lowered position; 
     after placing the seat cover over the seat, spraying a sanitizing fluid into the seat channel to allow the sanitizing fluid to land on a surface of the seat, over substantially the entirety of the top surface of the seat; and 
     flushing the toilet to draw air through openings through the seat cover over the seat channel thereby driving sanitizing fluid off of the surface of the seat, wherein the air leaves the seat channel between the inner wall of the seat cover and the inner side of the seat. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the method, placing the seat cover over the seat includes moving the seat cover from the raised position to the lowered position over the seat. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the method, moving the seat cover from the raised position to the lowered position is performed by a motor control unit of the toilet in response to actuation of a sensor. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the method, after flushing the toilet, the method can further include automatically raising the seat cover to the raised position. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the method, spraying sanitizing fluid into the seat channel comprises pumping sanitizing fluid into a tube disposed in the seat channel on the seat cover and which runs along the seat channel, wherein there are a plurality of nozzles disposed at intervals along the tube through which the sanitizing fluid is sprayed. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the method, flushing the toilet to draw air through the openings is performed at a lower suction level and for a longer time than is used for a flush used to evacuate the toilet basin. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive disclosure, there is provided a toilet system that uses suction, wherein the toilet system includes a basin, a seat provided at a top of the basin, and a toilet seat cover for cleaning the seat. The toilet seat cover is configured to be moveable between an open position and a closed position, and has a top, the top having top side and a perimeter. The toilet seat cover further include an outer wall depending from the perimeter of the top side. The top side and outer wall are sized to surround and cover a toilet seat with the outer wall spaced apart from an outer side of the toilet seat. The toilet seat is a substantially annular member defining a central opening. The toilet seat cover further includes a plug depending from an underside of the top. The plug is configured to extend into the central opening of the toilet seat and to be spaced apart from an inner edge of the toilet seat, and as a result the toilet seat forms a seat channel between an outer side of the plug and an inner side of the outer wall that is configured to fit over the toilet seat. The toilet seat cover further include a plurality of openings formed through the top of the toilet seat cover, and a fluid channel disposed in proximity to the seat channel and having a plurality of nozzles configured to spray over a top surface of the seat. 
     In accordance with a further feature, there is can be includes an actuator for initiating a cleaning cycle. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the actuator includes a button to initiate a flush cycle and a button to initiate a cleaning cycle. 
     In accordance with a further feature, there is further provided a hinge member configured to allow movement of the toilet seat cover about a hinge between lifted position and a lowered position, wherein in the lowered position the toilet seat cover is over and covers the toilet seat, and in the lifted position the toilet seat cover is raised to allow use of the toilet seat by a user. 
     In accordance with a further feature, there is further provided a sealing member at a bottom edge of the outer wall that is configured to create a substantially airtight seal around the lower edge of the outer wall. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the sealing member is configured to fit within a sealing channel of a basin on which the seat is mounted. 
     In accordance with a further feature, the plurality of opening are distributed in a pattern that follows the seat channel around the toilet seat cover. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a toilet seat cover for automated cleaning of a toilet seat, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. 
     “In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, azimuth or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, “front”, “back”, “head”, “tail” and so on, are azimuth or positional relationships based on the drawings, which are only to facilitate description of the embodiments of the present invention and simplify the description, but not to indicate or imply that the devices or components must have a specific azimuth, or be constructed or operated in the specific azimuth, which thus cannot be understood as a limitation to the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. 
     In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as “installed”, “coupled”, “connected” should be broadly interpreted, for example, it may be fixedly connected, or may be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it may be mechanically connected, or may be electrically connected; it may be directly connected, or may be indirectly connected via an intermediate medium. As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). “Fluid,” as used herein, means a substance that has no fixed shape and yields easily to external pressure; a gas or (especially) a liquid. In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the underside of a toilet seat cover for automatically cleaning a toilet seat, with the toilet seat cover shown as being transparent, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the seat portion of a toilet having a toilet seat cover for automatically cleaning a toilet seat with the toilet seat cover in the lifted position and shown as being transparent, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a an isometric cut-away view of a seat portion with the toilet seat cover in the lowered position with the toilet seat cover shown as being transparent, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a top front perspective view of a seat portion with the toilet seat cover in the lowered position and the toilet seat cover shown as being transparent, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  is a top front perspective view of a seat portion with the toilet seat cover in the lowered position and the toilet seat cover shown as being transparent, showing a cleaning fluid being sprayed onto the toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of a seat portion with the toilet seat cover in the lowered position, taken along line AA of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a side detail view of an outer wall of a seat cover engaging an air seal upon being lowered, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a toilet having a seat portion including a toilet seat cover for automatically cleaning a toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side cross sectional view of a toilet system including a toilet seat cover for automated cleaning of a toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart diagram of a method of operation for a toilet configured for self-cleaning of the seat, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  shows a side cross sectional view of a toilet system including a toilet seat cover for automated cleaning of a toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 12  shows a side cross sectional view of a toilet system including a toilet seat cover for automated cleaning of a toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 13  shows a side cross sectional view of a toilet system including a toilet seat cover for automated cleaning of a toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. As used herein, relative terms like “up,” “upward,” “down,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” and so on generally relate to the toilet seat cover when in the lowered position over the toilet seat in normal use. When shown in the raised or lifted position or orientation, the same relative terms will be used for consistency. 
     The inventive embodiments relate to a toilet seat cleaning system for a toilet that avoids the complexity of a mechanical wiping assembly that physically contacts the toilet seat and is driven by a motor. Embodiments of the invention instead apply a sanitizing fluid to the surface of the seat, in combination with moving air over the surface of the seat, as a result of the toilet being flushed, to both move the sanitizing fluid over the seat surface, as well as to dry the seat surface. Such high vacuum toilets are in widespread use, for example, on airplane and cruise ships, as well as other facilities. These toilet systems are characterized by the vacuum used to evacuate the basin of the toilet after use, rather than using a relatively large volume or water, such as with common residential toilets. As a result, the maintenance costs of providing a self-cleaning toilet are greatly reduced. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the underside of a toilet seat cover  100  for automatically cleaning a toilet seat, with the toilet seat cover  100  shown as being transparent, in accordance with some embodiments. The toilet seat cover  100  is configured to be moveable between an open or lifted position, and a closed or lowered position. The toilet seat cover  100  can be moved manually in some embodiments and in some other embodiments movement of the seat cover  100  can be automated. In the orientation shown here in  FIG. 1 , the toilet seat cover  100  is substantially in a lifted or raised position, which would expose the toilet seat and toilet basin of the toilet to which the toilet seat cover  100  is attached or otherwise part of. When moved into a lowered position, as will be shown and explained, the toilet seat cover  100  is over the toilet seat and provides a spray of sanitizing fluid on the surface of the toilet seat, under the toilet seat cover  100 , and upon flushing the toilet, the resulting lowered air pressure under the toilet seat cover  100  draws air through holes  106  in the toilet seat cover  100 . The underside of the toilet seat cover  100  is configured to direct air, which is drawn through the toilet seat cover  100  by flushing the toilet, over the surface of the toilet seat, thereby drying the surface of the toilet set for the next use. 
     The toilet seat cover  100  includes an outer wall  102  the depends from the top of the toilet seat cover  100  at the perimeter  103  of the top, and completely or substantially completely around the entire perimeter  103  of the top. The top of the toilet seat cover  100  is a generally planar portion of the toilet seat cover  100  that forms the main structural element that integrally connects the other elements of the toilet seat cover  100  together, and in  FIG. 1  the underside  104  of the top is shown in the majority of the drawing. By “depends from” it is mean that the outer wall  102  extends from the top at the perimeter  103  of the top and forms a skirt-like structure around the perimeter  103  of the top. The outer wall  102  includes an inner surface  122  and an exterior surface  124 , and has a bottom edge  130  at which a compliant sealing member  116  can be disposed around the entirety of the bottom edge  130  of the outer wall  102 . In the general center of the underside  104  of the toilet seat cover  100  is a plug  108 . The plug  108  extends downward from the underside  104  and has an outer side  120 . A seat channel is formed between the outer side  120  of the plug  108  and the inner surface  122  of the outer wall  102 , in the space indicated by arrow  114 , and extending around the underside  104  of the seat cover  100 , and being sized to receive the seat ( 200 ) in the space between the outer wall  102  and an outer side  120  of the plug  108  when the seat cover  100  is lowered over the seat. 
     A plurality of openings  106  are formed through the top in the portion of the top over the seat channel to allow air to flow through the seat cover  100  to dry the seat after is has been sprayed with a sanitizing fluid. The openings  106  are sized and spaced such that when the toilet is flushed, while the openings  106  allow air to flow through them, they restrict air flow to cause air flowing through them to move at a sufficiently high velocity over the top surface of the seat. The airflow is further enhanced by the sealing member  116  at the bottom of the outer wall  102 , which interfaces with a corresponding sealing channel in the basin to create a substantially airtight seal around the toilet seat cover  100 . The sealing member  116  therefore acts as a gasket and can be made of a suitably compliant material such as rubber. Thus, air only flows through openings  106  when the toilet is flushed. The toilet seat cover  100  is moveable between the lifted and lowered positions at a hinge formed in part by a hinge boss  118  that aligns with a corresponding hinge feature of the toilet that is fixed in place. Alternatively, the hinge boss  118  may be coupled to a motor system that is configured to raise and lower the seat cover  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the seat portion of a toilet having a toilet seat cover  100  for automatically cleaning a toilet seat  200 . As shown here, the toilet seat cover  100  is in the raised or lifted position and again is shown as being transparent, in accordance with some embodiments. The seat  200  sits on top of a basin  202  and includes an outer side  206  and a top surface  204  on which a user would sit when using the toilet. As is common, the seat  200  is a generally annular member having an opening therethrough, as is well known for toilet seats. The basin  202  includes a sealing channel  208  which surrounds the seat  200  and is configured to receive the sealing member  116  on the bottom edge  130  of the outer wall  102  of the seat cover  100  to form a substantially air tight seal. The basin  202  can be the top portion of a toilet used in, for example, an aircraft or ship. The toilet seat unit (basin, seat, seat cover) can likewise be used in other applications. When the seat cover  100  is lowered, the seat  200  will be disposed in the seat channel formed between the outer surface of the plug  108  and the inner surface  122  of the outer wall  102  of the seat cover  100 . The plurality of openings  106  are shown here in a repeating pattern, but can equivalently be randomized or arbitrarily positioned so long as there is sufficient airflow generated over the surface of the seat to dry it when the toilet is flushed. 
       FIG. 3  is a an isometric cut-away view of a seat portion with the toilet seat cover  100  in the lowered position with the toilet seat cover  100  shown as being transparent, in accordance with some embodiments. The toilet seat cover  100  can also be made of an opaque material. The toilet seat cover  100  is shown here in the lowered position, over the toilet seat  200 , in which the toilet seat cover will perform automated cleaning. In this view the top surface  126  of the top of the cover  100  is in view. The toilet seat  200  sits in the seat channel formed between the outer side  120  of the plug  108  and the inner surface  122  of the outer wall  102 . The plurality of openings  106  are formed through the top of the toilet seat cover  100  in correspondence with the seat channel, and over the seat  200 . The outer side  120  of the plug  108 , inner surface  122  of the outer wall  102 , and the underside  104  of the top are positioned such that there is an air gap between the seat  200  and the adjacent structure of the toilet seat cover  100  in the seat channel. 
     Fluid in the fluid channel  110  is first forced through nozzles  112  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) which are each configured to direct spray over a portion of the seat surface  204 , and enough nozzles  112  are provided so that the entire surface  204  is covered with sanitizing fluid. Each nozzle covers a different respective area of the top surface  204  o the seat  200 . Fluid can be pumped into the fluid channels  110  by a pump in response to a user activation, such as upon actuating a flush control or a dedicated cleaning control. The fluid can be a sanitizing fluid that is a mixture of fluid components which includes a component that aids in evaporation, such as an alcohol or similar component. After spraying the surface  204  of the seat  200 , the toilet can then be flushed, which results in a suction or vacuum to remove waste from the basin bowl. As a result, the ambient pressure in the basin bowl is lowered, causing air from outside the toilet to be forced through the plurality of openings  106 , and as a result, substantially dries the surface  204  of the seat by forcing fluid off the surface  204  of the seat  200  into the basin bowl, or by evaporation, or both. However, it is also contemplated that the toilet system ca be configured to operate the vacuum system in two modes, including a first mode for regular evacuation that uses a high suction for a short time duration, and a second mode for cleaning that uses a lower suction level for a longer time duration. As can be seen here, the fluid channel is located in the corner portion where the outer wall  102  meets the top surface  126 , at the perimeter  103  of the top surface  126 . The placement of the fluid channel  110 , and particularly the nozzles  112  here ensures that spray is emitted from the nozzles  112  inward, towards the bowl basin, over the top surface  204  of the seat  200 . The fluid channel  110  can also be provided equivalently by a tube attached to the seat cover  100  in the same space as fluid channel  110  shown here. 
       FIG. 4  is a top front perspective view of a seat portion with the toilet seat cover  100  in the lowered position and the toilet seat cover shown as being transparent, in accordance with some embodiments. The seat cover  100  is shown here, as in the other drawings, as a transparent member for the sake of showing the other components of the toilet system. The seat cover  100  can be made using opaque materials, although by making it transparent is allows a user to see the cleaning operation occur. The fluid channel  110  is shown here as having two branches  400 ,  402 , although it can be one continuous channel around the inside of the top of the outer wall  102 . The fluid channel  110  is fed by one or more fluid feeds  128  which can be a tube is similar structure connected to a fluid pump. It can also be seen that the plurality of openings  106  are provided through the seat cover  100 , over the seat  200 , which ensures a distribution of air flow over the surface of the seat  200 . The size and number of openings  106  is selected to ensure sufficient velocity of air flow for a given pressure differential when the toilet is flushed so that the seat surface is dried. Further, as seen in  FIG. 3  (as well as  FIG. 6 ), the underside  104  of the top of the seat cover  100  over the seat  200  generally follows the slope of the top surface  204  of the seat  200  to provide a consistent gap width between the surface  204  of the seat  200  and the seat cover  100  in this region. In some embodiments it is contemplated that the gap can become narrower toward the inner side  210  of the seat  200  to increase air velocity and ensure that any fluid that does not evaporate is pulled off the seat surface  204  to leave the seat surface dry. 
       FIG. 5  is a top front perspective view of a seat portion with the toilet seat cover  100  in the lowered position and the toilet seat cover  100  shown as being transparent, and showing a cleaning fluid being sprayed onto the toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments. The fluid spray  214  is represented by lines here to show one arrangement where fluid spray  214  is directional, emanating from the nozzles  112  connected to the fluid channel  110 . As shown here, the fluid spray  214  is generally directed along the surface  204  of the seat  200 , and not towards the basin bowl or the plug  108 . In some embodiments, the fluid spray  214  can be generally directed at about a 45 degree angle to the inner surface  122  of the outer wall  102 , with each nozzle  112  spraying in same direction, relative to the inner surface  122  of the outer wall  102 . By liming the angle of spray, more of the sprayed fluid will end up on the seat surface, rather than going directly into the basin, as would happen with a wide angle of spray. Accordingly, nozzles having a spray angle of about forty five degrees require less fluid to cover the seat surface than if the nozzles had a spray angle of, for example, one hundred twenty degrees. The nozzles  112  are positioned so as to create some overlap in fluid spray  214  from one nozzle to the next along the fluid channel  110  to ensure substantially even fluid coverage of the seat surface  204 . After the seat  200  is sprayed with the fluid, there can be a pause of a short duration before the toilet is flushed in order to allow sanitizing action to occur before the fluid is removed from the surface  204  of the seat  200 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of a seat portion with the toilet seat cover in the lowered position, taken along line AA of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with some embodiments. Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , the cross section view shown here assumes the fluid channel  110  continues through the front of the seat  100 . As shown here, the fluid channel  110  is shown within the material of the seat cover  100 . Alternatively, the fluid channel can be a tube or other hollow member that affixed into the corner at the inside surface  122  of the outer wall and the underside  104  of the top of the seat cover  100 . After the sanitizing fluid has been sprayed onto the top surface  204  of the seat  200 , the toilet is flushed, causing ambient air to flow through openings  106 , over the surface  204  of the seat  200 , as indicated by flow lines  218 , into the basin bowl  216 . As the air flows over the surface  204  of the seat  200 , it facilitates both movement and evaporation of the fluid on the surface  204 . Air is prevented from flowing under the outer wall  102  by the substantially airtight engagement of sealing member  116  in sealing channel  208  of the basin  202 . The plug  108  has an outer side  108  that is spaced apart from the inner side  210  of the seat  200  to facilitate air flow into the basin bowl  216 . In that sense, the plug  108  is an extension from the underside  104  of the top of the seat cover  100 , and to ensure proper airflow, only a wall corresponding to the outer side  120  of the plug  108  is needed. Thus, the plug  108  could alternatively be formed as a wall that forms a ring around the central portion of the seat cover  100  at the underside of the seat cover  100 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side detail view of an outer wall  102  of a seat cover engaging an air seal upon being lowered, in accordance with some embodiments. Specifically, the bottom edge  130  of the outer wall  108  is coupled to a sealing member  116 , which is a compliant material, such as, for example, rubber. The sealing member mates into a sealing channel  208  formed in the top of the basin  200  (or equivalent seat support structure). The sealing member  116  and sealing channel  208  are sized so that there is contact on the bottom and sides of the sealing member  116  with the corresponding sides and bottom of the sealing channel  208  when the seat cover  100  is lowered into the lowered position. The contact need only be enough to substantially block air from being drawn under the sealing member  116 . In some embodiments, the sealing channel  208  may include a sealing member  209 , such as an O-ring or similar compliant member, that interface with the bottom  130  of the outer wall  102 , or with the sealing member  116  if present. In some embodiments, upon the toilet being flushed, the force on the top of the seat cover  100  due to the pressure differential can be enough to cause the sealing member  116  to bear against the sealing channel (or sealing member  209 ) to form a sufficiently air-tight seal. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a toilet  300  having a seat portion including a toilet seat cover  100  for automatically cleaning a toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments. The toilet  300  can be, for example, a toilet for a commercial aircraft or ship. In other embodiments the toilet  300  can be a residential toilet, or a toilet installed in a facility open to the public, or in a commercial setting. The toilet  300  includes a flush actuator  302  that, when actuated, initiates a flush action of the toilet. When using the toilet  300 , the toilet seat cover  100  will be in the lifted position. After, or before, using the toilet  300 , the user can lower the seat cover  100  into the lowered position to cover seat  200 . A pump  306 , responsive to the flush actuator  302  by a control line  304 , will pump a quantity of sanitizing fluid into the fluid channel of the seat cover  100  though a fluid feed  308 , causing a fluid spray to be sprayed of the surface of the seat  200 , under the toilet seat cover  100 . When the toilet  300  is flushed, air pressure in the basin bowl  216  is reduced, causing air to flow through the openings  106  of the seat over  100 , drying the surface of the seat. In some embodiments the pump  306  can be operated independently of the flush actuator  302 , by a separate, dedicated pump control actuator. In that case, the user would simply lower the seat cover  100 , then actuate the pump  306 , and then actuate the flush actuator  302 . It is further contemplated that a motor control system can be used to raise and lower the seat cover  100 . Operation of the actuator  302  can initiate a cleaning cycle where the motor system lowers the seat cover from the raised to the lowered position. Then fluid is pumped into the fluid channel to cause the fluid to be sprayed (mist or fog) over the seat surface. A pause can then be observed to allow the sanitizing fluid to interact with any contaminants on the seat surface. After spraying and any applicable pause, the toilet is then flushed using suction provided by a toilet suction system, as is well known. After the suction is ended, the seat cover  100  can be raised back to the raised position. By making the seat cover transparent, the user can see the action of the spray and drying cause by the suction to give the user peace of mind that the seat surface has been cleaned and sanitized. 
       FIG. 9  shows a side cross sectional view of a toilet system including a toilet seat cover for automated cleaning of a toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments. In an alternative configuration, the toilet seat cover  100  provides a seat channel  222  formed on the underside of the toilet seat cover  100  between the outer surface  120  of the central plug  108  structure and the inner surface  122  of the outer wall  102 . However, rather than providing openings through the top of the toilet seat cover, the outer wall  102  is configured such that the bottom edge  130  of the outer wall  102  leave a gap  224  between the bottom edge  130  of the outer wall and the top of the basin  202  to allow air to flow under the outer wall and over the surface  204  of the seat  200 . The gap  224  can be continuous around the bottom edge  130  or a plurality of gaps can be provided at intervals along the bottom edge to ensure sufficient air flow velocity. In the arrangement shown, air can flow through the gap  224 , over the surface  204  of the seat, and into the basin bowl  216 . The spacing between the outer side  212  of the seat  200  and the inner surface  122  of the outer wall  102  of the toilet seat cover  100  must be sized properly to allow sufficient flow volume and flow velocity over the top surface  204  of the seat. Likewise with the spacing between the inner side  210  of the seat  200  and the outer side  120  of the plug  108  can be configured to achieve a sufficient flow velocity of air. Furthermore, the spacing  900  between the top surface  204  of the seat  200  near the inner side  210  and the top of the seat channel  104  can be different than the spacing  902  near the outer side  212 . In some embodiments spacing  900  can be less than that of spacing  902  to ensure sufficient flow velocity of air to pull any fluid that does not evaporate into the basin bowl  216 . Furthermore, in this view, the fluid channel  110  is formed using a tube that is mounted in the corner formed where the inside surface  122  of the outer wall  102  meets the underside of the top, or the top of the seat channel  104 . The tube can be installed into the seat cover using, for example, glue or mechanical retaining features, and nozzles can be distributed along the tube to achieve the described spray effect of  FIG. 5 . Additionally, it is contemplated that a light source  111  can be provided in the seat channel that emits a germicidal ultraviolet light (UV-C) in the wavelength range of 220 nm to 280 nm. 
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart diagram of a method  1000  of operation for a toilet configured for self-cleaning of the seat, in accordance with some embodiments. The method assumes a toilet configured substantially as shown in the described drawings, and in particular,  FIGS. 1-9 . When a user wants to have the seat of the toilet sanitized and clean, the user first actuates a sensor (e.g.  1002 ) or the mechanical equivalent to start the process in step  1002 . The sensor actuation causes a motor control unit to lower the seat cover in step  1004 . The seat cover can be lowered by controlling a motor or motors inside a control unit in the toilet that is coupled to hinge boss or equivalent attachment features of the seat cover. When the seat cover is fully lowered, the outer wall of the seat cover, at its lower edge, is in contact with the top of a seat support member (e.g. the basin) to create a substantially airtight seal. In step  1006  the control unit can actuate a pump or pumps to cause the sanitizing fluid to be released or sprayed from the nozzles coupled to the fluid channel. The pump or pumps can be enabled for a preselected period of time to ensure sufficient coverage of the surface of the seat with the sanitizing fluid. In step  1008  it is contemplated that the toilet system may have two modes of operation with respect to the suction being used. For example, the actuator  302  may have two different buttons; one for flushing, and one for cleaning. By pressing the button for flushing a high suction is applied to the basis by the toilet system for a relatively short duration. When the button for cleaning is pressed, a lower level of suction may be used (or the same level) for a longer duration to ensure drying of the seat. In other embodiments the same suction and duration is used for both flushing and cleaning. Thus, in step  1008 , the flush pressure, or suction, may be adjusted to a cleaning mode, rather than a standard flush mode. In step  1010  the toilet is flushed using the level of suction applied in step  1008 , if so adjusted. In step  1010  the seat surface is dried as a result of the suction pulling air through the openings in the seat cover and over the surface of the seat. Based on the mode used in step  1008 , the flushing in step  1010  lasts for a preselected duration of time, which can be based on choosing the cleaning mode, rather than the standard flush mode. In step  1012 , once the flush operation is over, the seat cover can be raised, allow use of the freshly cleaned seat. 
       FIG. 11  shows a side cross sectional view of a toilet system including a toilet seat cover for automated cleaning of a toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments. The views shown in  FIGS. 11-13  are substantially similar to that shown in  FIG. 9 , and show alternative arrangements of various components within the toilet seat system. In  FIG. 11 , specifically, a fluid duct or channel  1100  is formed in the seat  200 , rather than being attached to, or formed in, the seat cover  100 , as in  FIGS. 6 and 9 . The fluid channel  1100  can extend around the seat  200 , just as is shown for the fluid channel  110  in  FIG. 4 , for example. At various points along the fluid channel  1100  there are passages to nozzles  1102  that provide a spray or mist/fog of disinfecting fluid that covers the surface of the seat  200 , and other portions of the system exposed between the surface of the seat and the cover  100 . In  FIG. 12  an alternative arrangement locates a fluid channel (or tube)  1200  on the outside of seat cover  100 , along the outer wall  102 , which can be connected to several nozzles  1202  along the tube  1200 . The tube  1200 , as with fluid channel  110 , extends around the seat  100  and is connected to several nozzles to provide a spray or mist/fog of disinfectant solution onto the surface of the seat  200 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a side cross sectional view of a toilet system including a toilet seat cover for automated cleaning of a toilet seat, in accordance with some embodiments. In this arrangement, a heat element  1300  is included in the seat  200 . The heat element  1300  can be a resistive heat element that is electrically powered and generate a low level of heat to both provide a level of comfort, and the assist in ensuring that fluid is removed from the surface of the seat. When the toilet is flushed, the air drawn over the seat  200  may not always remove all of the fluid, especially if the seat  200  is cool/cold. Warming the seat  200  to a comfortable temperature for sitting helps to cause evaporation of the fluid. This is especially useful when the fluid contains volatile constituents such as alcohol. Alternatively, or in addition, the fluid itself can be heated/warmed prior to being dispensed through the nozzles onto the seat  200 . 
     An automated toilet seat cleaning system has been disclosed that uses a seat cover to both spray a sanitizing fluid onto the seat, and then direct air over the surface of the seat to dry the seat surface. The seat cover is moveable, such as by a hinge at the back of the seat cover, between an open or lifted or raised position, and a closed or lowered position. The user first lifts the seat cover the lifted position before using the toilet. After using the toilet, the user lowers the seat cover to cover the toilet seat. The seat cover includes a fluid channel around the inside of the seat cover, which distribute a fluid such as a sanitizing fluid to a plurality of nozzles, causing a fluid spray to be distributed over the surface of the seat under the seat cover. Upon flushing the toilet, air is drawn through openings in the seat cover that cause air to flow over the surface of the sprayed seat to substantially dry the seat. The disclosed seat cover provides the benefit of sanitizing and cleaning a toilet seat without the need for moving parts such as a seat wiper, paper handling or other prior art devices that use various motors and components to clean a toilet seat. The disclosed toilet seat is nearly passive in operation, acting as a conduit for the sanitizing fluid, and providing structure for guiding air over the surface of the seat upon the toilet being flushed and creating an air pressure differential.