Abstract:
The invention relates to hygienic covers for toilet seats and specifically to a disposable cover that is designed to adhere to the seat and cover both the sides of the seat and a portion of the sides of the bowl as well.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The invention relates to hygienic covers for toilet seats and specifically to a disposable cover that is designed to adhere to the seat and cover the sides of the seat and a portion of the sides of the bowl as well.  
           [0002]    The existing disposable and portable toilet seat covers are effective for users who are balanced on the toilet seat. Usually, the existing disposable covers are provided in the public bathroom. Small children frequently adjust their positioning on a toilet, and then grasp the seat to secure their balance. With the existing disposable seat covers, the shifting of the child typically results in the seat cover sliding off of the seat, sometimes into the toilet. The child then grasps the uncovered seat and wraps their fingers around it—contacting the underside of the seat, or the outer side of the bowl, locations that are not known for their cleanliness.  
           [0003]    Another difficulty parents encounter with existing toilet seat covers involves the automatic-flush toilets. The parent prepares the toilet for the child by placing the toilet seat cover on the toilet seat. Existing toilet seat covers comprise a portion of material that extends into the toilet bowl to prevent back-splash. In preparing the toilet seat cover for the child, the infrared beam of the flush mechanism is activated and the toilet flushes, removing the toilet seat cover. This adds difficulty in maintaining a sanitary toilet for children.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,274 to McQueen provides an antibacterial toilet seat cover that adheres to the toilet seat. However, the target market for this invention consists of adults. After a small child adjusts its position on a toilet that uses McQueen&#39;s cover, he or she may still need to grab the seat or the sides of the bowl to keep from falling into the toilet. Although the invention of McQueen should remain in place while the child squirms, the child will still have come into contact with the undesirable and unsanitary conditions underneath the toilet seat or on the sides of the toilet bowl.  
           [0005]    Other inventors have been concerned with this problem in the past. U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,431 to Rohde discloses a reusable and supposedly portable rigid toilet seat cover. This reusable rigid toilet seat cover requires cleaning after each use and a significant amount of carrying space. The folding rigid toilet seat covers reduce the space required for a transport; however, the child&#39;s legs are often pinched in the areas where the cover folds. Additionally, the child slides on the seat and the seat requires cleaning after each use.  
           [0006]    It is advantageous for a parent to be able to carry his or her own toilet seat covers for their child to use in public facilities. In this way, a parent does not rely on the public facility to provide a toilet seat cover. It is more practical to dispose of a cover than to clean a rigid plastic toilet cover in a public restroom. It is also easier and more convenient to transport a folded paper-like product than it is to carry a rigid plastic toilet cover.  
           [0007]    During use, it is advantageous to have the seat cover secured in place to prevent it from sliding off of the seat during the shifting of the child. It is also advantageous to have the sides of the cover long enough so that the child&#39;s fingers are not able to directly contact the side of the bowl and the underside of the seat when they hold on. Finally, with more and more restrooms utilizing automatic-flush technology, it is advantageous to parents to have a toilet seat cover that does not include a portion that extends into the toilet, or, if such a portion is included, to add strong enough attachment means so that the flushing of the toilet does not remove the toilet seat cover.  
           [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable toilet seat cover for children to use in public restrooms or shared bathrooms. The toilet seat cover is of a material, e.g. non-porous paper or flexible plastic, which can be folded and easily carried by the parent. The materials used for the cover and its attachment means are easily disposed of, or ideally, can be flushed down the toilet. The cover adheres to the toilet seat and is easily removed and disposed of after use. During use, the toilet seat cover prevents direct contact of the child&#39;s hands and body with the seat and outer sides of the bowl.  
           [0009]    Although the present invention is designed with children in mind, adults are also able to use the seat cover. It is desirable, during a road trip or any outing, to have a clean toilet seat cover. The present invention does not depend on the public facility to provide the seat cover, but allows the user to easily carry and dispose of it on their own. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1A is the preferred design of the toilet seat cover. The main body of the toilet seat cover ( 1 ) has wings ( 2 ) extending from the left and right sides. The main body is made of dimensions close to a standard toilet seat. Two peel-away strips (not shown) are used to cover two adhesive strips ( 3 ) applied to the bottom of the toilet seat cover. Just prior to use, the peel-away strips (not shown) are removed. The toilet seat cover ( 1 ) is then adhered to the seat. The wings ( 2 ) drape downward and cover a portion of the sides of the toilet. FIGS. 1B and 1C are designed with different wing shapes. The wing shapes of FIG. 1B are rectangular, and those of  1 C are triangular.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2A is an alternate design in which the back portion of the toilet seat is not covered to minimize flushed material. Since a child does not typically contact the back portion of the seat, this design would still accomplish the objective. The main body of the toilet seat cover ( 1 ) has wings ( 2 ) extending from the left and right sides. The main body is A made of dimensions close to the forward part of a standard toilet seat. Two peel-away strips (not shown) are used to cover adhesive strips ( 3 ) applied to the bottom of the toilet seat cover. Just prior to use, the peel-away strips (not shown) are removed. The adhesive strips ( 3 ) attach the cover to the seat. The wings drape downward and cover a portion of the sides of the toilet. FIGS. 2B and 2C are designed with different wing shapes. The wing shapes of FIG. 2B are rectangular, and those of  2 C are triangular.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]    A disposable and portable sanitary toilet seat cover is provided for covering a toilet seat and preventing direct contact between a child&#39;s hands and the toilet seat. The toilet seat cover is made of non-porous paper or flexible plastic that allows the material to be portable and still prevents the transmission of disease. Preferably, the toilet seat cover is also flushable and biodegradable. The shape of the cover generally matches the shape of standard toilet seats. However, it is possible to design the toilet seat cover so that only the front half of the toilet seat is covered. This design would be beneficial for a young toilet-trained child, who does not need to utilize the whole toilet seat due to his or her small size. This design may also appeal to the environmentally conscious who wish to minimize waste.  
         [0013]    The toilet seat cover includes attachment means to hold the cover onto the toilet seat. The attachment means can be any variety of materials that would secure the cover to the toilet seat. The attachment means should be strong enough to withstand the squirming of a child whose feet cannot reach the floor. It is also advantageous for the attachment means to be strong enough to withstand the flushing of an automatic toilet. The preferred attachment means are adhesive strips. However, strips are not the only embodiment envisioned by the present invention. Other embodiments include, but are not limited to, dots or squares. Some examples of suitable adhesive strips include pressure sensitive adhesives, such as HotDots, manufactured by Self Adhesive Supplies Limited; or GlueDots™, manufactured by Glue Dots® International; or ARcare® 7396, manufactured by Adhesives Research, Inc.; double sided tape, such as 3M Scotch® Wallsaver™ Removable Poster Tape; and UV curable removable adhesives, such as the Magna-Cryl 3400 series of adhesives sold by Beacon Products.  
         [0014]    The adhesive strips are applied to the side of the cover that will be in contact with the seat and may be covered by peel-away strips. The adhesive strips are strong enough to hold the cover in place, while allowing for easy removal. The toilet seat cover and attachment means are made from a material that can be flushed or easily disposed. If required, the user can remove the peel-away strips from the adhesive strips just prior to use.  
         [0015]    The toilet seat cover of the present invention also includes one or more wings along the edges of the cover. If desired, the cover may comprise three wings, two on the sides and one in the front to cover any space in the front of the toilet seat to prevent children from contact with this part of the toilet. The wings are designed to drape down from the toilet seat where a child would grasp the toilet seat while positioned on the toilet. The wings also add ease to removing the cover after use. The wings can take any shape, including, but not limited to, rounded, rectangular or triangular. The wings are made of non-porous paper or flexible plastic that allows the material to be portable and still prevents the transmission of disease. The wings and the toilet seat cover may be made from the same or different materials.