Toilet Seat Cover

Abstract

A toilet seat cover with a plurality of thin semi-rigid panels and a plurality of hinge members. The semi-rigid panels are connected by the hinge members to form a toilet seat shape. A preferred embodiment includes semi-rigid panels which can be folded to accommodate a round toilet seat or an elongated toilet seat. The semi-rigid panels have non-slip material on their undersides. The resulting toilet seat cover can be cleaned and reused and can be folded to a small size that can fit into a user's purse or pocket.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of toilet accessories and more specifically to a toilet seat cover.

[0004] Indoor toilets have been in use for over 100 years. They generally consist of a toilet seat portion and a bowl portion that collects and eventually discharges human or animal waste material to be processed or buried underground. When using a toilet other than in one's own house, there is a concern about the cleanliness of the toilet seat as it contacts the bare surfaces of the user's thighs and buttocks.

[0005] To overcome this problem, some people place disposable paper covers over the toilet seat. Another option is to carry a bottle of sanitizing liquid and clean the toilet seat with a paper towel.

[0006] However, there is a deficiency in the prior technology in that the paper covers are difficult to place properly on the seat, and they tend to slide as the user tries to sit on the seat. Additionally, the paper covers need to be disposed of, and if thrown into the toilet, could cause clogs in the toilet's plumbing. The idea of cleaning the seat with a cleaning material is time consuming, messy and requires that the user carry a bottle of cleaning solution at all times. It would be ideal if a toilet seat cover were foldable for storage, but rigid enough to hold the shape of the toilet seat when unfolded. It would also be ideal if the seat cover included non-slip material so that it stays in place during use. Finally, it would be ideal if the toilet seat cover is cleanable and reusable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The primary object of the invention is to provide a portable, reusable toilet seat cover that can be folded and stored compactly for use in lavatories and porta-potties.

[0008] Another object of the invention is a toilet seat cover that is made of semi-rigid material connected by flexible hinges.

[0009] Another object of the invention is a toilet seat cover that is easily cleaned for re-use.

[0010] A further object of the invention is a toilet seat cover that includes non-slip pads to ensure that the cover does not slip during use.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0012] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a toilet seat cover comprising: a plurality of thin semi-rigid panels, a plurality of hinge members, said semi-rigid panels connected by said hinge members, and said semi-rigid panels forming the shape of a round or an elongated toilet seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top or the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the toilet seat cover about to be placed on a toilet seat.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side section view of a portion of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toilet seat cover about to be installed on an elongated toilet seat.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toilet seat cover on an elongated toilet seat.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a partially folded view of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a fully folded view of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the invention set up for a round toilet seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the top view of the invention 100. Semi rigid panels 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 are made of semi rigid material such as twenty thousandths of an inch polycarbonate plastic. A top layer 30 and bottom layer 32 of flexible plastic such as vinyl, as shown in FIG. 9, are fused together at hinge areas 18 and around the outer and inner perimeter of the semi-rigid panels. Hinge 18 represents all hinge locations in the invention 100. The fusion process can be RF welding or other known manufacturing technique including adhesive. The overall shape of the invention 100 is the same as an elongated toilet seat 52 as shown in FIG. 5. Toilet seats have two major styles--round and elongated. For an elongated toilet seat 52 end panels 2, 16 remain in their extended flat position. For round toilet seats, panels 2 and 16 are folded under panels 4, 14 respectively creating a shorter version of the invention 100 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention 100 showing the invention to be basically symmetrical from left to right.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention showing the underside. Non-slip panels 20 help prevent the invention 100 from slipping when placed on a toilet seat thereby making it easier for the user to sit on the invention 100 without the invention 100 moving to an unwanted position. A preferred non-slip material is "Cat Tounge Grips" manufactured by cattonguegrips.com. It is a non-abrasive grip tape that includes an adhesive backing.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a side section view of panel 6. Flexible vinyl 30, 32 traps semi-rigid panel 6 within their RF welded edges 31.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toilet 50 with the toilet seat cover 100 ready to be installed on top of toilet seat 52. This particular seat is the elongated version, so the end panels 2, 16 are in their unfolded flat position. If the toilet seat was a round version, the end panels 2, 16 would be folded under panels 4, 14 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toilet 50 with the toilet seat cover 100 installed on top of seat 52. To remove the invention, the user can lift the invention 100 by tabs 6A, 12A thereby avoiding the need to touch the main body of the invention 100. Once removed, the user can clean the invention 100 with a spray on or wipe on sanitizer product. The user can then fold the invention completely as shown in FIG. 10 and store it in a pouch or book-like enclosure. The invention 100 can be further cleaned at the user's home and can also be placed in clothes washing machine for ultimate cleaning.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention 100 partially folded showing that hinge points 18 can allow the semi-rigid panels to completely fold to lie flat against each other for compact storage.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the invention in the fully folded position.

[0034] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the invention 100 showing upper flexible panel 30 and lower flexible panel 32 ready to enclose semi-rigid panels 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16. Non-slip panels 20 attach to the underside of flexible panel 32.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the invention with panels 2 and 16 folded inward so that panels 4 and 14 define the front end of the seat cover 100. This shape is ideal for fitting on a round toilet seat.

[0036] In an alternate embodiment, the entire invention 100 can be injection molded, laser cut or die cut from polyethylene or polypropylene into one single panel where the material at the hinge areas is thinned or partially removed to allow for folding. This type of hinge is called a "living hinge" and can withstand hundreds of thousands of folding operations before breaking. Although the manufactured cost of this version would be less than that of the version described above, there is a chance that the hinge areas may not lie totally flat when unfolded due to the natural memory of the plastic material. However, the weight of the user would cause the individual semi-rigid sections to flatten.

[0037] While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A toilet seat cover comprising: a plurality of thin semi-rigid panels; a plurality of hinge members; said thin semi-rigid panels connected by said hinge members; and said thin semi-rigid panels forming a toilet seat.

2. The toilet seat cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thin semi-rigid panels can be folded to conform to a round toilet seat or to an elongated toilet seat.

3. The toilet seat cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thin semi-rigid panels can be folded to form a compact relatively small entity capable of being stored in a user's pocket or purse.

4. The toilet seat cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein said toilet seat cover is made by sandwiching said thin semi-rigid panels between a top thin flexible vinyl sheet material and a bottom thin flexible vinyl sheet material, and RF welding said top and bottom thin flexible vinyl sheets to each other whereby trapping said thin semi-rigid panels between said top and bottom thin flexible vinyl sheets; and the top thin flexible vinyl sheet material and the bottom thin flexible vinyl sheet material located between each of the semi-rigid panels forming said plurality of hinge members.

5. The toilet seat cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of thin semi-rigid panels and said plurality of hinge members are molded from one injection molded sheet of plastic material.