Patent Publication Number: US-2023148807-A1

Title: Toilet Paper Wetting Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/279,324 which was filed on Nov. 15, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of toilet paper. More specifically, the present invention relates to a toilet paper wetting device comprised of a generally square body further comprised of a swinging door, a reservoir, and at least one sponge. The reservoir acts as the top surface of the body, wherein the reservoir can be filled with water and placed inside of the body. The bottom surface of the reservoir is comprised of a nozzle, wherein at least one sponge can be placed into the interior surface of the body below the nozzle. Using a button, a user can distribute water onto the sponge such that is becomes moistened. A user can then place a piece of toilet paper onto the sponge and moisten the toilet paper for use in wiping their genitals and/or buttocks after using the restroom. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many individuals use wet wipes or other moistened towel-like products to clean their genitals and buttocks areas after using the restroom. While these products are often available to a user within his or her own home or in other private settings, they are often unavailable in public restrooms. In public restrooms, users must use dry toilet paper. This is undesirable, as dry toilet paper does not clean the genitals and buttocks of a user as well as a wet wipe or other moistened towel-like product. Further, wet wipes may collect within a plumbing system and cause substantial clogs, which may be extremely costly and involved to fix. As a result, a user may not wish to use wet wipes in their own home, but still desire a moistened alternative to toilet paper for wiping their genitals and buttocks after using the restroom. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that offers the user the functional benefits of both wet wipes and toilet paper. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a toilet paper wetting device that allows a user to wet toilet paper such that the toilet paper performs similarly to a wet wipe. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a toilet paper wetting device that allows a user to wet toilet paper such that the toilet paper performs similarly to a wet wipe, wherein the toilet paper does not create substantial clogging within a plumbing system like that of wet wipes. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a toilet paper wetting device. The device is comprised of a generally square body further comprised of a swinging door, a reservoir and at least one sponge. The reservoir acts as the top surface of the body, wherein the reservoir can be filled with water and placed inside of the body. The bottom surface of the reservoir is comprised of a nozzle, wherein the sponge can be placed into the interior surface of the body below the nozzle. Using a button, a user can distribute water onto the sponge such that is becomes moistened. A user can then place a piece of toilet paper onto the sponge and moisten the toilet paper for use in wiping their genitals and/or buttocks after using the restroom. 
     In this manner, the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a device that allows a user to moisten toilet paper. In doing so, the toilet paper becomes much more effective in wiping the genitals and buttocks of the user. As a result, the toilet paper provides the moistened benefits of wet wipes without any of the potential clogging hazards. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a toilet paper wetting device. The device is comprised of a generally square body further comprised of a swinging door, a reservoir, and at least one sponge. In differing embodiments, the body may be manufactured from a rigid plastic material or a durable metal. The body may also be opaque, semi-transparent or transparent, and may have plurality of indicia such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. The body can also be any color known in the art. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the body is generally square in shape and is comprised of a front wall and a generally parallel rear wall, a bottom surface, and a pair of generally parallel side walls. The rear wall (and/or side walls) may further be comprised of at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a magnet, a screw, a bolt, an adhesive, a suction cup, etc., that allows the device to be secured to a wall surface or other surface in a suspended manner. The front wall is further comprised of a swinging door that is suspended from the front wall via at least one hinge. The hinge allows the door to swing freely such that when pushed by a hand of a user, the door swings inward into the interior space of the body and momentarily becomes parallel with the bottom surface. The position of the door on the front surface further creates a lip that prevents any water within the body from spilling out of the body via the door. At least one sponge is further placed within the interior space. 
     A removable reservoir functions as the top surface of the body, wherein the reservoir can simply be dropped into the interior space from above the body. The reservoir is generally T-shaped such that a bottom lip is formed on each side of the reservoir which rests upon the top edge of the front wall, rear wall and side walls. The side walls of the reservoir contact the inside surfaces of the front wall, side walls and rear wall when the reservoir has been placed into the body as the reservoir acts as the top surface of the body. The reservoir is hollow such that it can be filled with water or other disinfectant liquid, wherein the top surface of the reservoir is further comprised of a removable cap. The bottom surface of the reservoir has a spout further comprised of a nozzle that extends from the interior of the reservoir outwards from the spout. A button located on a side wall or front wall of the body further allows a user to open flow through the nozzle via pushing the button to allow water or other disinfectant to flow out from the reservoir through the nozzle, and onto the sponge which is positioned below the nozzle within the interior space. 
     To use the device, a user ensures the sponge is first moistened by pressing the at least one button. Then, a user can grab a piece of toilet paper and place the toilet paper into the interior space via pushing the hand with the toilet paper through the door. The user can then pat the toilet paper on the moistened sponge such that the toilet paper becomes moistened to the desired level. Once the desired level of moisture has been reached, a user can remove the toilet paper from the device and use the moistened toilet paper to wipe their genitals and/or buttocks after using the restroom. 
     Accordingly, the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it allows a user to utilize toilet paper with the functional benefits of a moistened wet wipe. However, the moistened toilet paper does not present the same clogging hazards as wet wipes, and is therefore more desirable and safer for use. In this manner, the toilet paper wetting device overcomes the limitations of using toilet paper and wet wipes after using the restroom. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a toilet paper wetting device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a toilet paper wetting device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a reservoir of one potential embodiment of a toilet paper wetting device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that offers the user the functional benefits of both wet wipes and toilet paper. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a toilet paper wetting device that allows a user to wet toilet paper such that the toilet paper performs similarly to a wet wipe. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a toilet paper wetting device that allows a user to wet toilet paper such that the toilet paper performs similarly to a wet wipe, wherein the toilet paper does not create a substantial clogging hazard within a plumbing system like that of wet wipes. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a toilet paper wetting device comprised of a generally square body further comprised of a swinging door, a reservoir, and a sponge. In differing embodiments, the body may be manufactured from a rigid plastic material or a durable metal and may also be opaque, semi-transparent or transparent. The body may also have plurality of indicia such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. The body can also be any color known in the art. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the body is generally square in shape and is comprised of a front wall and a generally parallel rear wall, a bottom surface, and a pair of generally parallel side walls, wherein the rear wall (and/or side walls) may further be comprised of at least one fastener such as, but not limited to, a magnet, a screw, a bolt, an adhesive, a suction cup, etc., that allows the device to be secure to a wall surface or other surface in a suspended manner. The front wall is further comprised of a swinging door that is suspended from the front wall via at least one hinge. The hinge allows the door to swing freely when pushed by a hand of a user. As a result, the door swings inward into the interior space of the body and momentarily becomes parallel with the bottom surface. The position of the door on the front surface further creates a lip that prevents any water within the body from spilling out of the body via the door. At least one sponge is further placed within the interior space. 
     A removable reservoir functions as the top surface of the body, wherein the reservoir can be dropped into the interior space from above the body. The reservoir is generally T-shaped such that a bottom lip is formed on each side of the reservoir that rests upon the top edge of the front wall, rear wall and side walls. Further, the side walls of the reservoir contact the inside surfaces of the front wall, side walls and rear wall when the reservoir has been placed into the body and is acting as the top surface of the body. The reservoir is hollow, such that it can be filled with water or other disinfectant liquid, wherein the top surface of the reservoir is further comprised of a removable cap. The bottom surface of the reservoir has a spout further comprised of a nozzle that extends from the interior of the reservoir outwards from the spout, wherein a button located on a side wall or front wall of the body allows a user to open flow through the nozzle via pushing the button to allow water or other disinfectant to flow out from the reservoir, through the nozzle and onto the sponge which is positioned below the nozzle within the interior space. 
     To use the device, a user ensures the sponge is first moistened by pressing the button. Then, a user can grab a piece of toilet paper and place the toilet paper into the interior space via pushing his or her hand with the toilet paper through the door. The user can then pat the toilet paper on the moistened sponge such that the toilet paper becomes moistened to the desired level. Once the desired level of moistness has been reached, a user can remove the toilet paper from the device and use the moistened toilet paper to wipe their genitals and/or buttocks after using the restroom. 
     Accordingly, the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it allows a user to utilize toilet paper with the functional benefits of a moistened wet wipe. However, the moistened toilet paper does not present the same clogging problems as wet wipes, and is therefore more desirable and safer for use. In this manner, the toilet paper wetting device overcomes the limitations of using toilet paper and wet wipes after using the restroom. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a toilet paper wetting device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device  100  is comprised of a generally square body  105  further comprised of a swinging door  112 , a reservoir  200  and at least one sponge  300 . In differing embodiments, the body  105  may be manufactured from a rigid plastic material such as, but not limited to, an acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc. The body  105  may also be manufactured from a durable metal such as, but not limited to, stainless steel or aluminum. In differing embodiments, the body  105  may also be opaque, semi-transparent or transparent. The body  105  may also be comprised of a plurality of indicia  150  such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. The body  105  can also be any color known in the art and may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a toilet paper wetting device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the preferred embodiment, the body  105  is generally square in shape. However, in differing embodiments the body  105  may be any shape known in the art such as, but not limited to, rectangular, circular, polygonal, etc. The body  105  is comprised of a front wall  110  and a generally parallel rear wall  140 , a bottom surface  130 , and a pair of generally parallel side walls  120 . The top surface of the body  110  is in the form of a removable reservoir  200 , which will be explained more fully below. The rear wall  140  (and/or side walls  120 ) may further be comprised of at least one fastener  142  such as, but not limited to, a magnet, a screw, a bolt, an adhesive, a suction cup, etc., that allows the device  100  to be secured to a wall surface or other surface in a suspended manner. 
     The front wall  110  is further comprised of a swinging door  112 . The door  112  is preferably generally rectangular and is suspended from the front wall  110  via at least one hinge  114 . In differing embodiments, the hinge  114  may be any hinge-type known in the art such as, but not limited to, an offset blind hinge, a knuckle hinge, a butt hinge, a rising butt hinge, a gravity pivot hinge, a ball bearing hinge, a barrel hinge, a concealed hinge, a knife hinge, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a pivot hinge, a gas-piston hinge, an injection molded hinge, a locking hinge, etc. The hinge  114  allows the door  112  to swing freely such that when pushed by a hand of a user, the door  112  swings inward into the interior space  160  of the body  105  and momentarily becomes parallel with the bottom surface  130 . It should be noted that the door  112  is positioned some distance above the bottom edge  1100  of the front wall  110  such that a lip  1102  is created. In this manner, the lip  1102  prevents any water within the body  110  from spilling out of the body  110  via the door  112 . At least one sponge  300  is further placed within the interior space  160 . In differing embodiments, the sponge  300  may be any sponge-type known in the art, wherein the sponge  300  is further infused with an anti-bacterial disinfecting compound. The interior space  160  may further be coated with an anti-bacterial disinfecting compound. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a reservoir of one potential embodiment of a toilet paper wetting device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As noted, a reservoir  200  functions as the top surface of the body  105 . Because the body  110  has no top surface, the reservoir  200  can be dropped into the interior space  160  from above the body  110 . The reservoir  200  is generally T-shaped such that a bottom lip  205  is formed on each side of the reservoir  200  that rests upon the top edge of the front wall  110 , rear wall  140 , and side walls  120 . The side walls  220  of the reservoir  200  contact the inside surfaces  170  of the front wall  110 , side walls  120  and rear wall  140  when the reservoir  200  has been placed into the body  110  and is acting as the top surface of the body  110 . 
     The reservoir  200  is further manufactured from the same plastic or metal material as the body  105 . The reservoir  200  is also hollow such that it can be filled with water, other liquid or other disinfectant liquid. The top surface  210  of the reservoir  200  is further comprised of a removable cap  212 , wherein the cap may be a threaded cap or a snapping cap. The bottom surface  230  of the reservoir  200  has a spout  240  further comprised of a nozzle  242 . The nozzle  242  extends from the interior of the reservoir  200  outwards from the spout  240 . A button  250  located on a side wall  120  or front wall  110  of the body  105  further allows a user to open flow through the nozzle  242  via pushing the button  250  to allow water, other liquid and/or disinfectant to flow out from the reservoir  200 , through the nozzle  242 , and onto the sponge  300  which is positioned below the nozzle  242  within the interior space  160 . 
     To use the device  100 , a user first ensures the at least one sponge  300  is moistened by pressing the button  250 . Then, a user can grab a piece of toilet paper and place the toilet paper into the interior space  160  via pushing the hand with the toilet paper through the door  112 . The user can then pat the toilet paper on the moistened sponge  300  such that the toilet paper becomes moistened to the desired level. Once the desired level of moistness has been reached, a user can remove the toilet paper from the device  100  and use the moistened toilet paper to wipe the genitals and/or buttocks after using the restroom. As a result, the device  100  allows a user to utilize toilet paper with the functional benefits of a moistened wet wipe. However, the moistened toilet paper does not present the same clogging hazards as wet wipes, and is therefore more desirable and safer for use. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, the device  100  may also comprise a heating element  400  that could be used to heat the liquid before it is dispensed onto the sponge  300  to make for a more pleasant application to the user. The heating element  400  may be powered by a traditional wall outlet or be powered by a disposable or rechargeable battery  600 . In yet a further embodiment, the device  100  may also comprise a pump  500  that may be used to pump the liquid from the reservoir  200  to the sponge  300 . The pump  500  may also be powered by a traditional wall outlet or be powered by a disposable or rechargeable battery  600 . 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “toilet paper wetting device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the toilet paper wetting device  100  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the forgoing, the toilet paper wetting device  100  of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the toilet paper wetting device  100  as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the toilet paper wetting device  100  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the toilet paper wetting device  100  are important design parameters for user convenience, the toilet paper wetting device  100  may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.