Abstract:
An architecture is presented that provides an insulating device that is simply and easily applied to a variety of conventional toilet seats. The insulating device is designed to maintain comfortable toilet seat temperatures, decreasing the likelihood that a user will feel cold. The insulating device is easily attachable to and removable from most existing conventional toilet seats, and is easily customizable with little skill or effort. Once applied, the insulating device provides a comfortable sitting surface that instantly feels warm to the touch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/448,445 filed Mar. 2, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains generally to an insulating device for use with a toilet seat, and more particularly to a removable and customizable insulating toilet seat cover that allows a user to cover the top surface of existing toilet seats, and thereby increasing a users&#39; comfort with minimal cost and complexity. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Standard toilet seats are commonly made from wood, plastic, or other similar materials. These types of materials do not typically possess highly-insulating properties, and therefore may easily become comparatively cold to the touch as ambient temperatures are significantly lower than the average human body temperature. This may create a very unpleasant experience for a person who may use a toilet seat that has not been recently used. The un-insulated toilet seat will absorb heat from the user, causing the user to feel cold and uncomfortable. 
         [0004]    Consequently, there is a need for a simple and easy way for a user to improve comfort when using a toilet seat. The present invention discloses an insulating device for use with a variety of conventional toilet seats. The insulating device is designed to maintain comfortable toilet seat temperatures, decreasing the likelihood that a user will feel cold. The insulating device is easily attachable to and removable from most existing conventional toilet seats as it is easily customizable with little effort or skill. Once applied, the insulating device provides a comfortable sitting surface that instantly feels warm to the touch. Additionally, the extra comfort is provided without the use of electricity and the dangers associated with the use of an electric current in a wet environment. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a unique and useful insulation device for covering a toilet seat that is removable and customizable to a variety of existing toilet seats, thereby increasing the comfort of a user. 
         [0006]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some novel embodiments described herein. 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 concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0007]    The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises an insulating device for use with a toilet seat. The insulating device comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is semi-permanently securable to the toilet seat. The insulating device further comprises a plurality of slit elements that penetrate the insulating device. The plurality of slit elements radiate outward from a center of the insulating device and are extendable outward allowing a user to remove the center of the insulating device so as to substantially conform the insulating device to the dimensions of a top surface of the toilet seat. 
         [0008]    Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the insulating device functions as barrier between the user and the toilet seat thereby increasing the comfort of the user. A protective film layer overlying the adhesive positioned on the bottom surface of the insulating device is removed and the insulating device is positioned on the top surface of the toilet seat and pressed down. A cutting implement may be used to extend the plurality of slit elements to an inner diameter of the toilet seat so that an inner portion of the insulating device can be cut away and removed. Then the insulating device is cut to fit the inner diameter of the toilet seat and is formed to the contours of the toilet seat substantially covering the top surface of the toilet seat. 
         [0009]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. 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 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an insulating device in conjunction with a toilet seat in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a top cutaway view of the insulating device in conjunction with a toilet seat in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the insulating device in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of the insulating device in conjunction with a toilet seat in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the insulating device modified for use in conjunction with a C-shaped toilet seat in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The present invention discloses an insulating device for use with a toilet seat. The insulating device is designed to maintain a comfortable toilet seat temperature, preventing a user from becoming cold. The preferred embodiment features a removable, semi-permanent toilet seat cover comprised of a material designed to reflect the body heat of the user. The insulating device is securable to the toilet seat with an adhesive positioned on a bottom surface of the insulating device. Additionally, a plurality of slit elements are extendable with a cutting implement, such as a razor blade, so that the user may customize the shape of the insulating device to conform to the desired toilet seat. 
         [0016]    Reference is now made 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 novel embodiments 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. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0017]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 1A  illustrate an insulating device  100  for use with a toilet seat  20 . The insulating device  100  is typically a thin layer of flexible insulating material that can be adhered to a new or existing toilet seat and cut to fit. Traditional toilet seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes such as round, oval, C-shaped, and the like. However, all traditional toilet seats typically comprise a top surface  30 , an outer diameter  40 , and an inner diameter  50 . Furthermore, traditional toilet seats are usually constructed from poor insulating materials such as wood or hard plastic. This poor insulating quality often leads to an uncomfortable experience for a user. 
         [0018]    The insulating device  100  comprises a top surface  102 , a bottom surface  104  and a plurality of slit elements  124 . The insulating device  100  is typically constructed of a stretchable water-resistant material such as neoprene. However, it is contemplated that other suitable materials, including without limitation closed-cell foam, low density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, poly vinyl chloride foam, polyethylene foam rubber, plastics, polymers, and the like, can be used without affecting the overall scope of the invention. This is advantageous as these materials are easily conformable to the contours of most traditional toilet seats. For example, the outer diameter  40  and the inner diameter  50  of the top surface  30  of the toilet seat  20  are often curved or rounded. These materials are malleable and stretch to uniformly cover the top surface  30  of the toilet seat  20 , yet are easy to clean. An additional benefit is the significant insulating properties of these materials as they do not easily permit heat transfer between the toilet seat  20  and the user. 
         [0019]    Preferably the insulating device  100  is approximately between ⅛ th  and ⅜ th  inches in thickness. This thickness allows the toilet  10  to remain close to its natural height while still retaining a significant insulating benefit. However, this is not meant as a limitation as the dimensions of the insulating device  100  may be thicker or thinner as desired, for example, approximately between 1/16 th  and ½ inches thick. The top surface  102  may be textured, smooth, or have non-slip properties as desired. Additionally, the top surface  102  may have antibacterial and/or antimicrobial properties inherent in the material or added as a coating (not shown). 
         [0020]    The insulating device  100  is a thin sheet of material, as discussed supra, that may be generally oval in shape. However, the starting shape is not significant as the material is easily cut to conform to the outer dimensions and shape of the applicable toilet seat  20 . Therefore, the initial shape of the insulating device  100  may comprise a square, a rectangle, a circle, a geometric shape, and the like, without affecting the overall scope of the invention. For example, the insulating device  100  is easily trimmed to fit shapes comprising: a circle, an oval, a horseshoe, a C-shape, a U-shape, and the like. 
         [0021]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the bottom surface  104  comprises an attachment component  106 . The attachment component  106  typically comprises a layer of a semi-permanent adhesive material. Preferably the attachment component  106  is a peel and stick type adhesive protected by a removable film (not shown) that overlays the adhesive material until used. However, it is contemplated that other suitable materials known to one of skill in the art, including without limitation pressure sensitive adhesives, acrylic based adhesives, rubber based adhesives, glues, and the like may be used without affecting the overall scope of the invention. To attach the bottom surface  104  of the insulating device  100  to the top surface of the toilet seat  30 , the user simply peels off the removable film ( 126 ) if applicable and uses pressure to bond the insulating device  100  to the toilet seat  20 . As the attachment component  106  is preferably semi-permanent, the insulating device  100  may be peeled off and removed or replaced when no longer desired. 
         [0022]    As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A, and  2 , the insulating device  100  further comprises an outer edge  108 . The outer edge  108  may be precut so as to conform to common toilet seat shapes such as a circle or oval as discussed supra. Additionally, the outer edge  108  may be cut to fit a particular toilet seat by the user. For example, the insulating device  100  may be applied to the toilet seat  20  as an uncut sheet (not shown) allowing the user to trace the outer diameter  40  of the toilet seat  20  with a cutting device such as a razor thereby creating the outer edge  108  of the insulating device  100 . 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the insulating device further comprises an inner portion  120  which is removable. A center  122  of the inner portion  120  defines a starting point for the plurality of slit elements  124  which completely transect the insulating device  100  from the top surface  102  through the bottom surface  104 . The plurality of slit elements  124  are extendable outward from the center  122 . Generally the plurality of slit elements  124  radiate outward from the center  122  in a star shape; however, this is not meant as a limitation as the function of the plurality of slit elements  124  is to provide an access point for the cutting implement to begin removing the inner portion  120 . Preferably the plurality of slit elements are between one and six inches in length and number between four and ten, however as discussed supra, any number or length may be employed without deviating from the scope of the invention. Similarly, although the plurality of slit elements  124  are typically linear and radial in configuration, any shape or design that allows the user to have access for the cutting implement is acceptable. 
         [0024]    To conform the insulating device  100  to the toilet seat  20 , the user may insert a cutting tool, a scissors or razor for example, into one of the plurality of slit elements  124 . In a manner similar to creating the outer edge  108  as discussed supra, the plurality of slit elements  124  may be extended to the inner diameter  50  of the toilet seat  20 . The inner diameter  50  may then be traced with the cutting device thereby creating an inner edge  110  for the insulation device  100 . Once the inner edge  110  has been defined and cut out, the inner portion  120  of the insulating device  100  is removed, and the inner edge  110  is molded and attached to the toilet seat  20 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 1 ,  1 A and  4  illustrate the insulating device  100  used in conjunction with a C-shaped toilet seat. One or more of the plurality of slit elements  124  may be extendable through the outer edge  108  of the insulating device  100  at a front edge  116 . A removable front edge portion  118  may then be cut and removed to accommodate the C-shape of the toilet seat  20 . Once the removable front edge portion  118  is removed, the insulating device  100  is molded and attached to the toilet seat  20  as discussed supra. Similarly, a removable rear edge portion  114  may be cut out of the insulating device  100  creating a rear edge  112  that better conforms to the shape of the toilet seat  20 . 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the insulating device  100  may comprise a decorative element  126 . The decorative element  126  may comprise one or more elements, designs, characteristics, colors, and the like. For example, a military camouflage design or a sports team logo may be employed. However, the decorative element  126  may simply comprise a single color or design. It is contemplated that any number of options for the decorative element  126  can be used as is commonly known to one of skill in the art, such as but not limited by patches, decals, glow-in-the-dark elements, pictures, drawings, and the like without deviating from the scope of the invention. 
         [0027]    What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed device. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel device 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.