Potty training device

Abstract

A potting training device for preventing a potty-training child's urine stream from passing through the opening formed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. The device is made of a flexible, water-resistant, preferably non-porous sheet material, having a folding seam separating a urine-deflecting surface and a plurality of attachment tabs. An adhesive material is layered on the surface of each attachment tab and attaches the attachment tabs to the underside of the toilet seat. The sheet material, in its unattached flat configuration, is manipulated into a curved configuration that matches the curvature of the toilet seat, and is attached thereto. The potty training device is also not visible to the observer unless the toilet seat is lifted up, in a vertical position or viewed from a position to the rear of the attachment point when the toilet seat is down.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 682,829, filed on May 20, 2005.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention is directed to a potty training device that functions as a urine deflector when attached to the underside of an adult sized toilet seat. The invention is designed to block the opening formed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. This invention reduces accidental wetting of clothing and the floor that occurs when a child's urine stream passes through the opening between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] It is a major accomplishment for a child to reach the stage of sitting on an adult toilet during potty training. Obtaining control over the direction of urine flow, however, may take some time for a child to master, particularly a male child. When sitting on the toilet, a chi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a simple and inexpensive solution to the problems of potty training by effectively blocking the opening between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. The potty training device is a flexible sheet material that is attached to the underside of the toilet seat in a curved configuration and follows the curvature of the toilet seat at the attachment point. The sheet material has an urine-deflecting surface that is strong and flexible enough to resist tearing or breaking during manipulation and attachment. The device can be made from any sheet material that is flexible, water-resistant, and non-porous. The dimensions of the urine-deflecting surface are sufficient to block the opening and avoid contact with the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is lifted or lowered. The device is not visible to the observer and is not affected by the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is raised or lowered."

Problems solved by technology

Obtaining control over the direction of urine flow, however, may take some time for a child to master, particularly a male child.

This results in the urine stream coming in contact with the child's pants or other clothing and the floor.

This can be very upsetting for a child who is trying to do their best to stay dry and master going to the toilet, as well as the parent who has to continually clean up the mess.

Urine deflecting devices are not new to the art.

Few potty training devices address preventing the urine stream from passing through the opening between the toilet seat and toilet bowl.

However, this prior art device is bulky, which results in increased manufacturing and sales costs.

The device is also difficult to clean and frequent replacement increases expense for the consumer.

Another drawback is that the prior art device has a fixed configuration.

Given the variety of toilet seat shapes, the fixed configuration of the prior art device limits its compatibility with many toilet seats.

Therefore, in order to accommodate the full range of toilet seat shapes, the prior art device would have to be manufactured in a variety of configurations, adding additional expense to manufacturing costs and to the consumer.

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