METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CUSTOMIZING TOILET TANKS

Abstract

A method and computer program product creates a customized toilet tank wrapper according to personal preferences. Information identifying a toilet and a selection of digital artwork is received. The artwork is sized to fit the identified toilet and printed to create a physical copy of the artwork, which is laminated to create a customized toilet tank wrapper. The wrapper is cut to fit the identified toilet. The toilet tank wrapper includes a first poly-vinyl material layer overlaid on a front side of the physical copy of the artwork, an adhesive coating layer covering the back side of the physical copy of the artwork, and a removable layer protecting the adhesive coating layer. Optionally, the wrapper may include a second poly-vinyl material layer overlaid on the back side of the physical copy of the digital artwork, in which case the adhesive coating layer being is to the second poly-vinyl material layer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to toilet tanks and more particularly to a method and apparatus for customizing toilet tank aesthetics.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The design and functionality of bathroom fixtures and appliances are constantly evolving. Improvements in faucets, sinks, tubs, showers and other features are continually being conceived for aesthetics, water quality, water efficiency and comfort. The toilet itself is, argumentatively, the most important item in a bathroom. However, little has been done in the last few decades to deviate from the now standard toilet design. Every household toilet has the same basic design: a plain toilet tank, which holds water for flushing, attached to a base. Though models may differ slightly in handle location, size and shape of the tank, bowl size, height and color, there is currently no way to customize a toilet to reflect an owner's personality or to conform with other bathroom decor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to limitations in customizing toilet tank aesthetics and provide a novel and non-obvious method, computer program product and toilet tank wrapper for creating a customized toilet tank wrapper.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, a method is presented for creating a customized laminated toilet tank wrapper for decorating a toilet according to personal preferences. A consumer logs in to a website and is presented with a menu for selecting his/her toilet tank model for customization. Additionally, the consumer may select digital artwork to be replicated on the customized toilet tank wrapper. Alternatively, the consumer may select to upload their own digital artwork to the website for replication on the customized toilet tank wrapper. Information identifying the toilet and the selection of digital artwork is received at the website. The digital artwork is sized to fit the identified toilet and printed to create a physical copy of the digital artwork which is laminated to create a customized toilet tank wrapper and cut to fit the identified toilet.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the customized toilet tank wrapper includes a first poly-vinyl material layer overlaid on the front side of the physical copy of the digital artwork, an adhesive coating layer covering the back side of the physical copy of the digital artwork, and a removable layer protecting the adhesive coating layer. The removable layer may be a waxed paper.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the information identifying the toilet tank may include a brand and a model number.

[0009] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, toilet tank measurements corresponding to the identified toilet are retrieved. The toilet tank measurements may be received directly from the consumer as part of the information identifying the toilet or retrieved from a database based on the information identifying the toilet. The toilet tank measurements may include the length, width and depth of the toilet tank, a location and size of the handle and at least one location of a toilet-specific feature. The customized toilet tank wrapper is cut to fit the identified toilet by cutting the customized toilet tank wrapper to have an overall size conforming to the length, width and depth of the toilet tank, cutting an opening at the location of the handle large enough to accommodate the size of the handle, and cutting an opening at the least one location of a toilet-specific feature to accommodate the toilet-specific feature.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the toilet tank wrapper further comprises a second poly-vinyl material layer overlaid on the back side of the physical copy of the digital artwork. With this arrangement, the adhesive coating layer is applied to the second poly-vinyl material layer.

[0011] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a three dimensional diagram of a toilet with an example customized toilet tank wrapper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a three dimensional diagram of a customized toilet tank wrapper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view diagram of the layers of a customized toilet tank wrapper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of creating a customized toilet tank wrapper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0017] FIGS. 5 and 6 are three dimensional diagrams illustrating installation of a customized toilet tank wrapper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of the invention provides for a method of creating a customized laminated toilet tank wrapper for decorating a toilet according to personal preferences. Referring now to FIG. 1, a toilet 100 with an example customized toilet tank wrapper 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is presented. The toilet 100 includes, inter alia, a toilet tank 104, a tank lid 106, a handle 108, a base 110 and a seat 114 with a seat cover 116. The customized toilet tank wrapper 102 is designed to conform to the measurements of the toilet tank 104 and includes artwork 112 specified by a consumer. The artwork 112 may be supplied (i.e. uploaded to a website and/or server) by the consumer or selected from a pre-defined menu of available artwork. In the case where the artwork 112 is supplied by the consumer, a review of the artwork for known or potential copyright or trademark violations may be performed manually (e.g., reviewed by a human) or automatically (e.g., reviewed by a computer using specified parameters). Such violations may include, but are not limited to, logos, insignia or photographs of sports teams, universities, celebrities, etc. The artwork 112 is supplied in digital form and a physical copy of the artwork 112 is used to create the actual toilet tank wrapper 102.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, an example toilet tank wrapper 102 is sized to fit a specified toilet 100. The toilet tank wrapper 102 includes a handle opening 202 cut out to accommodate the handle 108 of the specified toilet 100. The location, size and shape required for the handle opening 202 may differ for various toilets. The toilet tank wrapper 102 also includes a right side flap 204 and a left side flap 206 that wrap around the right side and left side of the toilet 100, respectively. In some instances, the toilet tank wrapper 102 may include tabs (not shown) on the right side flap 204 and the left side flap 206 which wrap underneath the toilet tank 104 and help to secure the toilet tank wrapper 102 in place.

[0020] The overall length, width and depth of the toilet tank wrapper 102 are dependent upon the dimensions of the identified toilet 100. The toilet tank wrapper 102 may include a base indentation 208 along a bottom side 210 which allows the toilet tank wrapper 102 to clear the base 110. The length and width of the base indentation 208 are likewise dependent upon the dimensions or the identified toilet 100.

[0021] Turning now to FIG. 3, an exploded view illustrating example layers of the toilet tank wrapper 102 is provided. The layers may include a first poly-vinyl material layer 302 overlaid on the front side of a physical copy 304 of the artwork 112, an optional second poly-vinyl material layer 306 on the back side of the physical copy 304 of the artwork 112, an adhesive coating layer 308 covering the back side of the physical copy 302 of the artwork 112 or the second poly-vinyl material layer 306 (when present), and a removable layer 310 protecting the adhesive coating layer 308. The removable layer 310 may comprise a waxed paper or similar material allowing the removable layer 310 to be easily peeled away from the adhesive coating layer 308 upon installation. The poly-vinyl material layer(s) 302 and 306 are transparent and may be clear or colored to enhance the view of the artwork 112.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart 400 illustrating an example method of creating a customized toilet tank wrapper 102 is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Information identifying a toilet 100 is received (at step 402) at a website or server. The information identifying the toilet 100 may include a brand and a model number or other identifying information. In some instances, the information identifying the toilet 100 includes toilet tank measurements, such as a length, width and depth of the toilet tank 104, a location and size of the handle 108, and location and dimensions of various toilet-specific features, such as the location and size of the base 110 or various indentations or raised areas on the toilet tank 104. When the information identifying the toilet 100 does not include toilet tank measurements, these measurements may be retrieved from a database based on the identifying information corresponding to the identified toilet 100.

[0023] A selection of digital artwork 112 is received (at step 404) at the website or server. The digital artwork 112 may be selected by the consumer from a listing of artworks offered via menu selection or the selection of digital artwork 112 may be received as a copy of digital artwork 112 uploaded by a user. The digital artwork 112 is sized (at step 406) to fit the identified toilet (i.e. expanded, cropped, replicated, etc.) and printed (at step 408) to create a physical copy 304 of the digital artwork 112. The physical copy 304 of the digital artwork 112 has a front side and a back side. The physical copy 304 of the digital artwork 112 is laminated (at step 410) to create a customized toilet tank wrapper 102. The laminating may include overlaying a first poly-vinyl material layer on the front side of the physical copy 304 of the digital artwork 112. An adhesive coating layer 308 is applied (at step 412) to cover the back side of the physical copy 304 of the digital artwork 112 and a removable layer 310 is applied (at step 412) to protect the adhesive coating layer 308.

[0024] The customized toilet tank wrapper 102 is cut (at step 414) to fit the identified toilet 100. The cutting may be performed automatically by a CNC (computer numerical controlled) router under control of or receiving instructions from the website or server. The toilet tank wrapper 102 is cut to have an overall size conforming to the length, width and depth of the toilet tank 104. A handle opening 202 is cut at the location of the handle 108; the handle opening 202 is large enough to accommodate the size of the handle 108. Optionally, an opening may be cut, or the toilet tank wrapper 102 may be perforated or folded at the location of a toilet-specific feature to accommodate the toilet-specific feature.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, to install the toilet tank wrapper 102 on the toilet tank 104, the tank lid 106 and handle 108 are removed and the toilet tank 104 is thoroughly cleaned and dried. The removable layer 310 is peeled back from one side of the toilet tank wrapper 102, exposing the adhesive coating. The toilet tank wrapper 102 is aligned with the toilet tank 104 and the exposed adhesive coating layer 308 is pressed to the toilet tank 104 using a sponge, float 602, or other device to secure the toilet tank wrapper 102 in place. The remaining removable layer 310 is slowly removed, allowing the toilet tank wrapper 102 to be pressed in place as the adhesive coating is exposed. The tank lid 106 and handle 108 are replaced. The newly installed customized toilet tank wrapper 102 provides an aesthetically pleasing display to the consumer while also protecting the surface of the toilet tank 104.

[0026] Although the methods and materials described herein have been referenced with respect to making a customized toilet tank wrapper for a specific toilet model, similar methods and materials may be used to create customized wrappers for other household appliances or apparatuses, such as toilet seat covers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, etc.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention may be embodied within a customized toilet tank wrapper, a method, a computer program product or any combination thereof. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium or media having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0028] A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

[0029] Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

[0030] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

[0031] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

[0032] These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0033] The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0034] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0035] Finally, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0036] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0037] Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows:

Claims

1. A method of creating a customized toilet tank wrapper comprising: receiving information identifying a toilet; receiving a selection of a digital artwork; sizing the digital artwork to fit the identified toilet; printing the digital artwork to create a physical copy of the digital artwork, the physical copy of the digital artwork having a front side and a back side; laminating the physical copy of the digital artwork to create a customized toilet tank wrapper, the customized toilet tank wrapper comprising: a first poly-vinyl material layer overlaid on the front side of the physical copy of the digital artwork, an adhesive coating layer covering the back side of the physical copy of the digital artwork, and a removable layer protecting the adhesive coating layer; and cutting the customized toilet tank wrapper to fit the identified toilet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the toilet includes at least one of a brand and a model number.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving toilet tank measurements corresponding to the identified toilet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the toilet includes toilet tank measurements.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the toilet tank measurements include at least some of a length of the toilet tank, a width of the toilet tank, a depth of the toilet tank, a location of a handle, a size of the handle and at least one location of a toilet-specific feature.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein cutting the customized toilet tank wrapper to fit the identified toilet comprises: cutting the customized toilet tank wrapper to have an overall size conforming to the length, width and depth of the toilet tank; cutting a handle opening at the location of the handle large enough to accommodate the size of the handle; and cutting an opening at the least one location of a toilet-specific feature to accommodate the toilet-specific feature.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the toilet tank wrapper further comprises a second poly-vinyl material layer overlaid on the back side of the physical copy of the digital artwork, the adhesive coating layer being applied to the second poly-vinyl material layer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a selection of a digital artwork comprises receiving a selection of an artwork offered via menu selection.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a selection of a digital artwork comprises receiving a copy of digital artwork uploaded by a user.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the removable layer comprises a waxed paper.

11. A customized toilet tank wrapper comprising: a physical copy of digital artwork, the digital artwork having been selected by a customer, the physical copy of the digital artwork having a front side and a back side; a first poly-vinyl material layer overlaid on the front side of the physical copy of digital artwork; an adhesive coating layer covering the back side of the physical copy of the digital artwork; and a removable layer protecting the adhesive coating layer; the customized toilet tank wrapper being cut to fit a toilet identified from information supplied by the customer.

12. The customized toilet tank wrapper of claim 11, wherein the digital artwork is sized to fit the identified toilet.

13. The customized toilet tank wrapper of claim 11, wherein the information identifying the toilet includes at least one of a brand and a model number.

14. The customized toilet tank wrapper of claim 13, wherein the information identifying the toilet includes toilet tank measurements corresponding to the identified toilet.

15. The customized toilet tank wrapper of claim 14, wherein the toilet tank measurements include a length of the toilet tank, a width of the toilet tank, a depth of the toilet tank, a location of a handle, a size of the handle and at least one location of toilet-specific features.

16. The customized toilet tank wrapper of claim 15, wherein the customized toilet tank wrapper is cut to fit the identified toilet by: cutting the customized toilet tank wrapper to have an overall size conforming to the length, width and depth of the toilet tank; cutting a handle opening at the location of the handle large enough to accommodate the size of the handle; and cutting an opening at the least one location of a toilet-specific feature to accommodate the toilet-specific feature.

17. The customized toilet tank wrapper of claim 11, further comprising a second poly-vinyl material layer overlaid on the back side of the physical copy of the digital artwork, the adhesive coating layer being applied to the second poly-vinyl material layer.

18. The customized toilet tank wrapper of claim 11, wherein the digital artwork is selected via a menu selection of offered artwork.

19. The customized toilet tank wrapper of claim 11, wherein the digital artwork is uploaded by a user.

20. A computer program product for creating a customized toilet tank wrapper, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a device to cause the device to perform a method comprising: receiving information identifying a toilet; receiving a selection of a digital artwork; sizing the digital artwork to fit the identified toilet; printing the digital artwork to create a physical copy of the digital artwork, the physical copy of the digital artwork having a front side and a back side; laminating the physical copy of the digital artwork to create a customized toilet tank wrapper, the customized toilet tank wrapper comprising: a first poly-vinyl material layer overlaid on the front side of the physical copy of the digital artwork, an adhesive coating layer covering the back side of the physical copy of the digital artwork, and a removable layer protecting the adhesive coating layer; and cutting the customized toilet tank wrapper to fit the identified toilet.

Images