Patent Publication Number: US-6212693-B1

Title: Sanitary toilet seat

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to toilet seat covering material and, more specifically, to a toilet seat having an integral toilet seat covering material dispenser and disposal device therein. The toilet seat covering material dispenser and disposal apparatus is designed to move a predetermined length of sanitary seat covering material from a dispensing port to a disposal port each time a motor is activated. The toilet seat covering material dispenser and disposal system has a pressure sensor for resetting the delay timer in response to high pressure and starting the delay timer in response to low pressure. Once the manually adjustable period of delay has expired, a relay activates a motor, which starts the motion of the covering material about the toilet seat. The motor continues until it is deactivated by a micro switch after one full cycle of operation in which a predetermined length of covering material has been dispensed and discarded. A deactivation switch is attached to the seat top to prevent operation when the seat lid is down. This will prevent the covering material from being dispensed while the toilet is being used as a seat. 
     The covering material is moved by a motor driven belt and pulley system that dispenses the covering material, and a roller-driven disposal system. The covering material is dispensed from a dispensing box of biodegradable disinfectant continuous seat covering material. A battery power source is provided. 
     The toilet seat has a top portion and a base, which engage each other to form the toilet seat. The toilet seat base has a number of connector posts with holes for connecting with cooperating posts in the top portion of the toilet seat. The toilet seat base also has an aperture for the disposal of used covering material. In addition to the connector posts, the top portion of the toilet seat has two apertures in the top rear portion for dispensing and disposing of the covering material. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other paper dispensing devices designed for toilet seats. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,504 issued to Higuchi et al. on May 22, 1990. 
     Another patent was issued to Juushi on Mar. 22, 1994 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,272. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,867 was issued to Roginsky on Oct. 8, 1996 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 22, 1999 to Lorenzi et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,609. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,504 
     Inventor: Mitsuhiro Higuchi 
     Issued: May 22, 1990 
     A toilet seat structure capable of automatically feeding a seat cover paper onto the toilet seat is disclosed. Since the sheet paper feeding mechanism and a paper cutting mechanism operated by an electronic control unit, a specified length of paper appropriate for covering the toilet seat is automatically and accurately fed and positioned on the toilet seat. After use, the seat covering paper can automatically be cut off. For lavatories at public sites in particular, since the user can operate the apparatus to feed the paper from a functional casing to provide a new seat covering paper on the toilet seat for each use, the user can be assured of a clean toilet seat. Also, since the seat covering paper is held immovable on the toilet seat, the use of the paper covered toilet is made easier. 
     Laid-on paper delivered from a laid-on paper roll and laid on a toilet seat can be easily separated after use, not requiring hands. A toilet is provided with a delivery roller part for clamping the laid-on paper from a laid-on paper roll, the laid on paper having perforated lines to cut off the laid-on paper for each amount of use, and the delivery roller part pulling out the laid-on paper by the rotation thereof and delivering the laid-on paper onto the toilet seat. A rear portion of the toilet seat is vertically movably provides an upwardly urgingly supported by springs in a rear part of the toilet. A brake mechanism for stopping the rotation of the delivery roller part due to the lowering motion of the toilet seat is also provided. 
     An apparatus for providing a protective sheet or substrate on the upper surface of a toilet seat includes a supply storage container disposed at a first end of the toilet seat to store a supply of individual protective sheets, each having an opening, and connected in a continuous fashion. The protective sheet extends across the top of the toilet seat and a take-up container disposed at a second end of the toilet seat opposite to the first end is for taking up the sheet after use. A mechanism is provided for advancing the sheet and winding it on a shaft. 
     Apparatus for conveying a protective covering along a toilet seat is provided. The apparatus includes a housing containing a support structure for the toilet seat, a feeder spool from which a roll of unused protective covering material is fed, a take-up spool for used protective covering and a drive mechanism operated by a water supply system to advance a pre-determined length of the protective covering along the toilet seat, which length generally corresponds to the perimeter of the toilet seat. 
     While these toilet seat paper dispensing devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary toilet system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary toilet seat having a reservoir of disposable toilet seat covering material. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary toilet seat having means for dispensing the toilet seat covering material. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary toilet seat having means for positioning a sanitary toilet seat covering material over the toilet seat. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary toilet seat having means for disposing of used toilet seat covering material as new covering material is being dispensed. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary toilet seat having means for preventing the dispensing or disposal of toilet seat covering material while the toilet seat lid is in the down position. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a user selectable time delay switch for selectively varying the initiation of the dispensing/disposal cycle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide means for selectively replacing the sanitary covering material reservoir. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing having an integral toilet seat covering material dispenser and disposal device therein. The toilet seat covering material dispenser and disposal apparatus is designed to move a predetermined length of sanitary seat covering material from a dispensing port to a disposal port each time a motor is activated. 
     The toilet seat covering material dispenser and disposal system has a pressure sensor for resetting the delay timer in response to high pressure and starting the delay timer in response to low pressure. Once the manually adjustable period of delay has expired, a relay activates a motor, which starts the motion of the covering material about the toilet seat. The motor continues until it is deactivated by a micro switch after one full cycle of operation in which a predetermined length of covering material has been dispensed and discarded. A deactivation switch is attached to the seat top to prevent operation when the seat lid is down. This will prevent the covering material from being dispensed while the toilet is being used as a seat. 
     The covering material is moved by a motor driven belt and pulley system that dispenses the covering material, and by a roller-driven disposal system. The covering material is dispensed from a dispensing box of biodegradable disinfectant continuous seat covering material. A battery power source is provided. 
     The toilet seat has a top portion and a base, which engage each other to form the toilet seat. The toilet seat base has a number of connector posts with holes for connecting with cooperating posts in the top portion of the toilet seat. The toilet seat base also has an aperture for the disposal of used covering material. In addition to the connector posts, the top portion of the toilet seat has two apertures in the top rear portion for dispensing and disposing of the covering material. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of the toilet seat with the integral seat covering material dispenser and disposal system installed. The movement of the seat covering material is shown through one dispensing and disposal cycle. The covering material is shown being dispensed through a slot in the top rear portion of the seat in a counter clockwise direction while the used seat covering material moves through the slot adjacent to the dispensing slot and into the toilet bowl for disposal. The wet end of the discarded covering material within the toilet bowl is intended to break away before or as a result of the flushing action. Also shown attached to the top seat is a deactivation switch that prevents operation when the toilet seat lid is down; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the toilet seat showing the method by which the seat covering material is secured over the toilet seat top and to the conveying apparatus within it. The dispensing and disposal system consists of a motor driving two belts along a series of pulleys along with the seat covering material originating from a dispenser box. The pulleys serve as belt guides and tensioners and as gripping surfaces for the seat covering material in cooperation with the belts. The covering material is secured to the belt and pulley system by first separating the toilet seat top from its base. The material is then pulled over the top of the seat, and a belt is pulled away from a pulley. The edge of the material is then placed between the pulley and the belt. The belt is then replaced so that the material is sandwiched between the belt and pulley. The procedure is repeated for the opposite edge. The toilet seat base is replaced after the material is secured; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective detail view of the apparatus as described in FIG.  3 . The system is activated by the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor detects a change of pressure that occurs when the user gets on and then off the toilet seat. It is located on the bottom of the toilet seat and controls a manually adjustable delay switch. An increase in pressure resets the timer and a decrease activates. 
     The manually adjustable delay switch allows for a user-determined interval before the relay activates the motor in order to prevent unintended operation due to brief changes in seat pressure. 
     The dispensing and disposal system consists of a motor driving the seat covering material sandwiched between two belts and a series of pulleys. The pulleys serve as belt guides and tensioners, as well as, gripping surfaces for the seat covering material in cooperation with the belts. 
     When the motor is activated a portion of material is dispensed, and secured between the pulleys and belts on both edges of the toilet seat. The material then tracks without disengagement. When enough material is deployed, the free end is manually inserted through a top disposal slot and guided through a disposal roller system. The disposal roller system has two rollers which grip the material between them, pull the material off the belt/pulley tracking system, and move the used seat covering material portion through a slot in the top of the seat, through the base slot and into the toilet bowl for disposal. The wet end of the discarded covering material within the toilet bowl will break way before or as a result of the flushing action; 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the dispensing and disposal operation showing the apparatus and seat covering material in motion; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toilet seat bottom showing the seat covering material access gap between the top and base, the pressure sensor, the covering material entering and exiting at the gap at the bottom of the base, and the used seat covering material exiting the slot in the base into the toilet bowl. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the sanitary toilet seat of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
       10  sanitary toilet seat of the present invention 
       20  seat top portion 
       22  seat base 
       24  top connector posts 
       26  base connector posts 
       28  gap 
       30  outer driven pulley 
       32  inner driven pulley 
       34  outer pulleys 
       36  inner pulleys 
       38  posts 
       40  post female threads 
       42  screw 
       44  outer belt 
       46  inner belt 
       48  third belt 
       50  motor 
       52  first disposal roller 
       54  second disposal roller 
       56  disposal roller pulley 
       58  fourth belt 
       60  dispensing box 
       62  covering material 
       64  dispensing slot 
       66  seat top portion disposal slot 
       68  base disposal slot 
       70  covering material outer edge 
       72  covering material inner edge 
       74  top portion outer edge 
       76  top portion inner edge 
       78  toilet bowl 
       80  pressure sensor 
       82  manually adjustable delay 
       84  system relay 
       86  microswitch 
       88  toilet seat lid 
       90  deactivation switch 
       92  power source/batteries 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate the sanitary toilet seat of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     The device  10  is shown in FIG.  1 . The device  10  includes a top portion  20  and a base  22 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top portion  20  is detachably joined to the base  22  by the mating of a series of downwardly facing top connector posts  24  to a corresponding series of upwardly facing base connector posts  26 . A gap  28  remains between the top portion  20  and base  22  when joined. 
     Attached to the top portion  20  is an outer driven pulley  30  and an inner driven pulley  32 , as shown in FIGS. 3 through 5. Also attached to the top portion  20  are a series of outer pulleys  34  and a series of inner pulleys  36 . All pulleys  30 , 32 , 34 , 36  are rotatably attached to a series of downwardly facing posts  38  that extend from the top portion  20 . In this embodiment the posts  38  have female threads  40  which receive a screw  42  for each pulley  30 , 32 , 34 , 36 . 
     A tensible outer belt  44  encounters each of the outer pulleys  34  and the outer driven pulley  30 , as shown in FIGS. 2 through 5. Similarly, a tensible inner belt  46  encounters each of the inner pulleys  36  and the inner driven pulley  32 . 
     In this embodiment, a third belt  48  is rotated by an electric motor  50 . The third belt  48  encounters, and rotates, the outer driven pulley  30  and the inner driven pulley  32 . Such rotation causes the outer belt  44  and the inner belt  46  to rotate, which in turn rotates the outer pulleys  34  and inner pulleys  36 . 
     Disposal rollers  52  and  54  are attached to the top portion  20 . A disposal roller pulley  56  is attached to the first disposal roller  52 . A fourth belt  58  encounters the inner driven pulley  32  and the disposal roller pulley  56 , causing the disposal roller pulley  56 , and the first disposal roller  52  to be rotated when the inner driven pulley  32  is rotated by the third belt  48 . 
     Within the device  10 , and at the rear of the seat top portion  20 , is a dispenser box  60  containing a folded toilet seat covering material  62 , as shown in FIGS. 3 through 5. The covering material  62  is made of a flushable material, such as paper, preferably being biodegradable and including a disinfectant. The covering material  62  is folded, and can be refolded, such that the covering material  62  may be passed from the dispensing box  60 , through a dispensing slot  64  in the top portion  20 , through a disposal slot  66  in the top portion  20 , and through a disposal slot  68  in the base  22 . 
     The covering material  62 , when unfolded, has an outer edge  70  and an inner edge  72 , the width of the unfolded covering material  62  being sufficient to overhang the top portion outer edge  74  and top portion inner edge  76 . 
     In the expected use of the device  10 , the covering material  62  will be unfolded after being passed from the dispenser box  60  through the dispensing slot  64 . The covering material outer edge  70  will then overhang the top portion outer edge  74  to the extent that the covering material outer edge  70  can be tucked between a temporarily stretched outer belt  44  and each of the outer pulleys  34 . The gap  28  enables this routing. When returned to the normal position, the outer belt  44  firmly secures the covering material outer edge  74  against each outer pulley  34 , around the top portion outer edge  74 , as particularly shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 6 shows a similar configuration for the covering material inner edge  72 , which overhangs the top portion inner edge  76  to an extent that the covering material inner edge  72  may be routed and secured between the inner belt  46  and each of the inner pulleys  36 . 
     When the covering material outer edge  70  and the covering material inner edge  72  are so secured against the outer pulleys  34  and inner pulleys  36 , the rotation of the outer belt  44  and inner belt  46  causes the covering material  62  to move circumferentially around the top portion  20 . This movement begins at the dispensing slot  64 , and ends as the refolded covering material  62  passes through the top portion disposal slot  66 , then through the disposal rollers  52 , 54 , then the base disposal slot  68 , and then into the toilet bowl  78 . 
     The disposal rollers  52 ,  54  are spaced such that the rotation of the first disposal roller  52  pulls the covering material  62  through the top portion disposal slot  66 , and pushes the covering material  62  through the base disposal slot  68 . This pulling function can be supplemental to, or in place of, the covering material  62  moving function of the third belt  48 , outer driven pulley  30 , and inner driven pulley  32  combination. Similarly, the latter combination can provide necessary covering material  62  motion in the absence of the disposal rollers  52 ,  54 . 
     The motor  50  can be activated by conventional on-off buttons or switches. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, however, this embodiment includes a pressure sensor  80  that is positioned to respond to the weight of a person seated on the seat top portion  20 . The pressure sensor  80  initiates a manually adjustable delay  82  that, at the predetermined time following initiation by the pressure sensor  80 , will initiate a system relay  84  that activates the motor  50 . As discussed above, the motor  50  turns the third belt  48 , causing the outer belt  44  and inner belt  46  to be rotated, as well as, the disposal rollers  52 . As a result the covering material  62  is moved around the top portion  20  and eventually into the toilet bowl  78 . 
     A microswitch  86  is set to deactivate the motor  50  after one cycle of operation, during which the appropriate amount of the covering material  62  has been added through the dispensing slot  64 , and eliminated into the toilet bowl  78 . 
     In some instances, users lower the toilet seat lid  88  and use the toilet as a chair. A deactivation switch  90  is provided which is positioned such that the entire activation system is overridden when the toilet seat lid  88  is down. 
     The motor  50  can be powered by conventional means including the batteries  92  shown in FIG.  4 . 
     In other embodiments (not shown), the disposal slots  66 , 68  and disposal rollers  52 , 54  are eliminated, allowing used covering material  62  to drape from the toilet seat top portion  20 , directly into the toilet bowl  78 . A perforated covering material can be used in this embodiment. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.