Sanitary Toilet Accessories

Abstract

The sanitary toilet accessory comprises a hollow housing member attachable to a toilet-associated element and configured with an elongated slit, and a toilet isolation sheet intermittently extendable through and retractable into the slit, the toilet isolation sheet having a weighted distal edge, the sheet being dimensioned to completely cover the central opening of the toilet seat when extended to its extreme position and to prevent the emission of aerosols from a toilet underlying therewith.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hygiene promoting devices, more particularly to hygienic toilet accessories. [Background technology]

[0002] Toilet facilities pose a certain risk of exposure to unsanitary sources from human waste and a high risk of transmitting bacteria when users touch any of the toilet surfaces, e.g. the toilet seat or lid, especially those soiled by urine droplets.

[0003] Another health risk in the toilet environment is that numerous viruses are spread through fecal particles. For example, Hepatitis A is often spread through food handled by people who do not pay attention to washing their hands after visiting the toilet. The New York Times reported on August 12, 2020, the discovery of genetic material of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) in the feces of patients. Thus, concerns arose that the coronavirus could be found in tiny droplets of water (aerosols) in the toilet. Researchers recommended closing the toilet lid before flushing to prevent scattering of aerosols located at the bottom of the toilet bowl. A study reported by CNN on June 16, 2020 found that toilet water splashes to great heights and spreads throughout the toilet space. Thus, public toilets can be a source of infection for the coronavirus, as well as other viruses and bacteria. Most public toilets are usually not equipped with toilet seat covers and the urinals are not covered.

[0004] The common practice of preventing the spread of viruses and bacteria in public restrooms by covering toilet seats with toilet paper is very wasteful of toilet paper, as well as the global resources required to manufacture it. One study revealed that over 700 million trees, 1 trillion tons of water, and 70 million tons of oil are required to manufacture the 42 million tons of toilet paper used annually worldwide. Thus, reducing toilet paper use would have a major impact on the environment.

[0005] Many people are careful to avoid touching the toilet seat. In addition to the aversion of many toilet users to the presence of urine droplets on the toilet seat, sometimes toilet seats constitute a source of corona virus. As mentioned above, corona viruses are dispersed into the air as a result of the flushing action and then settle on exposed surfaces, including the top of the toilet seat. Kampf et al., "Persistence of Coronaviruses on Inanimate Surfaces and their Inactivation with Biocidal Agents", J. Hosp. Infect. 2020, state that human corona viruses can persist for up to 9 days at room temperature. Thus, toilet users are susceptible to catching and transmitting corona viruses by touching a toilet seat with virus particles on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.

[0006] Standard hygiene and cleaning procedures are recommended to reduce the viral load present on toilet seats. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends frequent, correct, and consistent disinfection and cleaning procedures, and the environment and touched surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned with water and simple disinfectants. Cleaning procedures should always be prioritized over disinfection, which removes a large number of microorganisms from surfaces and is a less lethal antimicrobial process than sterilization. Routine cleaning and disinfection can achieve the removal and elimination of major pathogenic microorganisms, but not necessarily all microbial forms. However, such protocols are rather time-consuming and impose a high personnel load during the cleaning of public toilet facilities. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hygienic toilet accessory that prevents toilet users from contracting bacterial or viral infections when entering the toilet.

[0008] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a hygienic toilet accessory that prevents entry into the toilet if a cover is not provided and if it has not been properly disinfected.

[0009] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a sanitary toilet accessory that eliminates the need to cover the toilet seat with toilet paper to ensure a hygienic toilet environment.

[0010] It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide a sanitary toilet accessory that helps reduce the time required to clean a toilet seat.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The sanitary toilet accessory comprises a hollow housing member attachable to a toilet-associated element and configured with an elongated slit, and a toilet isolation sheet intermittently extendable through and retractable into the slit, the sheet having a weighted distal edge, the sheet being dimensioned to completely cover the central opening of the toilet seat when extended to its extreme position and to prevent the emission of aerosols from a toilet underlying therewith.

[0013] In one aspect, the weighted edge comprises a disinfecting assembly attached to a distal region of the seat, the disinfecting assembly comprising a means for disinfecting the toilet seat during extension or retraction of the seat or during extension and retraction of the seat.

[0014] In one aspect, the accessory further comprises means for automatically displacing the toilet isolation sheet, the automatic displacement means being configured to set the toilet isolation sheet to a default fully extended position.

[0015] A toilet seat configured to cooperate with a toilet isolation sheet comprises vertically spaced and aligned upper and lower layers to define a gap therebetween, a linearly displaceable sheet within the gap which is guidable to an extremely distal region of the toilet seat to isolate the underlying toilet and prevent aerosol emission from the underlying toilet, each of the upper and lower layers being formed with a central opening to facilitate use of the underlying toilet, and the upper and lower layers being completely separated at their inner edges adjacent the central opening to accommodate linear displacement of the sheet.

[0016] A method of disinfecting a toilet seat includes the steps of providing a motorized post around which a toilet isolation sheet is wrapped and a disinfecting assembly attached to a distal region of the sheet; detecting the presence of a user entering the toilet by a signal generating detection device; in response to the detected presence, transmitting a trigger signal from the detection device to a communications module in data communication with a driver of the motor; and activating the motor in response to transmission of the trigger signal to linearly displace the sheet relative to the underlying toilet seat and disinfecting assembly to disinfect the underlying toilet seat.

[0017] A toilet interfacing system that facilitates hands-free and disinfection includes a mat having an array of pressure-sensitive sensors embedded therein, a communications module configured to be in near-field data communication with each of the sensors and to process signals transmitted by each of the sensors to determine whether a user's front or back is facing the toilet upon stepping on the mat, and a toilet interfacing component in data communication with the communications module, the communications module configured to activate the component upon determination of the user's toilet-facing position.

[0018] In one aspect, an air freshener is embedded in the mat, the air freshener comprising a foot-engageable actuator, the actuator also embedded in the mat, the air freshener configured to cause emission of a fragrance when the actuator is engaged. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a sanitary toilet accessory shown with the toilet isolation sheet in a fully extended position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the sanitary toilet accessory of FIG. 1 shown with the toilet isolation sheet in a fully extended position; [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a sanitary toilet accessory shown with the toilet isolation sheet in a fully extended position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below of the sanitary toilet accessory of FIG. 3 shown with the toilet isolation sheet in a fully extended position; [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a side view of the sanitary toilet accessory of FIG. 3 shown with the toilet isolation sheet in a fully retracted position. [Figure 6A] 4A-4C are top perspective views of the sanitary toilet accessory of FIG. 3, shown with the toilet isolation sheet in a fully extended position, an intermediate position, and a fully retracted position, respectively; [Figure 6B] 4A-4C are top perspective views of the sanitary toilet accessory of FIG. 3, shown with the toilet isolation sheet in a fully extended position, an intermediate position, and a fully retracted position, respectively; [Figure 6C] 4A-4C are top perspective views of the sanitary toilet accessory of FIG. 3, shown with the toilet isolation sheet in a fully extended position, an intermediate position, and a fully retracted position, respectively; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a front view of a mounting element for mounting the wiper assembly to a toilet isolation sheet. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a toilet seat according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view from below of the toilet seat of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a housing member and a disinfection assembly. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view from above of a smart mat configured to be in data communication with the module of the housing member of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a smart toilet unit incorporating the housing member of FIG. 10. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the smart toilet unit of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a restroom interface method that promotes hands-free and disinfection. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a restroom interface method that promotes hands-free and disinfection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The transmission of coronaviruses and other viruses and bacteria in the toilet environment after the flushing action is reduced or eliminated by a sanitary toilet accessory that, in one embodiment, ejects a toilet isolation sheet that is guided along a predetermined path before entering the toilet. The toilet isolation sheet thus deflects inward virus-carrying aerosols that would normally be released from the toilet bowl into the toilet area. The accessory disinfects the toilet seat as the toilet isolation sheet is ejected.

[0021] 1 and 2 show a sanitary toilet accessory, generally designated 10, according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, accessory 10 is used to upgrade an existing toilet seat to promote an improved sanitary environment.

[0022] The accessory 10 comprises a hollow cylindrical housing 1 to which a toilet isolation sheet 2 is attached and which, when retracted, is retractable within an internal cavity of the hollow cylindrical housing 1. The sheet 2 is adapted to be withdrawn through a longitudinal slot 7 formed in the cylindrical housing 1. The cylindrical housing 1 may be adhesively and securely attached to the upper surface of the toilet seat immediately adjacent a hinge assembly which assists in pivoting the toilet seat relative to the toilet bowl, such as by a releasable adhesive strip 6 affixed to a lower region of the housing's exterior surface. It will be appreciated that the housing 1 may assume other exterior shapes.

[0023] The sheet 2, which is generally reusable, is rectangular, or any other desired shape, and is sized to cover the seat opening, typically the entire seat, when fully extended. Attached to the distal edge of the sheet 2, i.e., the edge furthest from the cylindrical housing 1, is a wiper assembly 8. The sheet 2 is made of a material that is sufficiently flexible so that it can be rolled within the cylindrical housing 1, but has sufficient structural strength to support the wiper assembly 8 when the sheet is fully extended through the seat opening without collapsing. Preferably, the sheet 2 can be washed for reuse if soiled.

[0024] The wiper assembly 8 has a central attachment element, such as of uniform thickness, that extends along the distal edge of the sheet 2 and is securely attached to the sheet 2, such as by welding. The attachment element is made of a sturdy, lightweight material, such as a polymer foam, e.g., polypropylene foam. Tabs 5 projecting perpendicularly from the attachment element are used to guide the sheet 2 as it is extended or retracted. The wiper assembly 8 can orient the sheet 2 during the sheet extension motion until it engages the outer edge of the toilet seat.

[0025] A corresponding elongated wiper 3, typically made from an elastomeric material, extends obliquely from each lateral end of the mounting element and is unattached to an oblique edge 12 of the seat 2, which extends to a side edge 13 of the seat 2. The oblique orientation of the wiper 3 ensures that most or the entire surface of the seat surrounding the central opening is contacted by the wiper during the wiping action, both when the seat is extended and when it is retracted, without requiring the wiper to protrude inconveniently from a laterally short area of ​​the seat. The cleaning agent may be applied to the seat prior to the seat extension operation, or alternatively, the liquid cleaning agent may be contained within the wiper 3 and released through a hole formed in the outer wiper surface in response to manual actuation of a possibly depressible button.

[0026] A fixed post to which the proximal edge of the sheet 2 is non-releasably attached is disposed within the internal cavity of the cylindrical housing 1. Each longitudinal end of the post may be connected to a corresponding knob 4 mounted on an end of the cylindrical wall of the housing 1. The sheet 2 is urged to roll around the post as it is retracted, such as by a tab 5. When the sheet 2 is maximally retracted, each wiper 3, which is separated from the oblique sheet edge 12, may be forced to contact the outer surface of the cylindrical housing 1 and plastically deform so as to be collinear with a mounting element of the wiper assembly 8. A roller, which contacts the rolled sheet, or other biasing means well known to those skilled in the art, may also be mounted within the cylindrical housing 1.

[0027] A spring may be attached to the post to which the seat 2 is attached and biased with a time delay or the like to ensure that the seat 2 is momentarily retracted and then pulled outwardly through the slots 7. If for any reason the seat 2 is not retracted or pulled out as required, seat movement may be performed by rotating the two knobs 4 in the desired direction.

[0028] The cylindrical housing 1 may be provided with mechanical, electrical or other means, such as electromechanical means, to ensure that the seat 2 is fully extended when a user enters the toilet, the opening of which is covered by the seat.

[0029] The ability of the sheet 2 to be pulled out and cover the seat opening promotes cleanliness of the toilet seat and a hygienic restroom environment. Male users who see the seat opening when it is covered by the pulled out sheet 2 will remember to lift the seat rather than urinate when the seat is lowered and risk soiling the seat. Male users will understand the utility of the pulled out sheet and will lower the seat after urinating so that the pulled out sheet will deflect inwards any virus carrying aerosols that are likely to be released from the toilet bowl during the flushing action. Appropriate instructions for male users may be posted on the restroom wall.

[0030] If for any reason the male user chooses not to lift the seat, he is prompted to retract the seat 2 using the tab 5 to uncover the seat opening before urination. When the attachment 10 is spring loaded, the seat 2 is then biased to the extended position. In this manner, the seat can be cleaned and disinfected by the wiper assembly 8 each time the seat is extended or retracted.

[0031] The accessory 10 may also be implemented for use in connection with a urinal.

[0032] When the large area toilet isolation sheet 2 is set in the extended position for an extended period of time, the toilet isolation sheet 2 can constitute a revenue generating advertising space. The sheet 2 may be configured with one or more outer protective layers that are transparent or translucent, such as a liquid impermeable laminate, or may be configured in other ways that aid in the reuse of the sheet without deterioration. A cleaning agent, such as a disinfectant, may be contained within the cylindrical housing 1, whereby the cleaning agent is applied when the sheet 2 is retracted into the cylindrical housing.

[0033] 3-6 show a sanitary toilet accessory generally designated 20 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, accessory 20 includes the features of accessory 10 plus a clip-on seat 24 that overlaps and joins to an existing toilet seat. The toilet isolation sheet 2 as well as the cylindrical housing 25 with attached wiper assembly 8 and knob 4 from which vertically projecting tab 5 is extracted are of a sufficiently low profile so as not to interfere with the toilet bowl or seat lid when the seat is pivoted.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the clip-on toilet seat 24 may be configured with two rigid, mutually parallel layers 26 and 27. The upper layer 26 is adapted to be contacted by a user while sitting and the lower layer 27 is adapted to be in abutting relationship with an existing toilet seat. The upper layer 26 comprises separated C-shaped or otherwise concave, possibly mirror symmetrical sections A and B, configured with a straight edge in abutting relationship with the cylindrical housing 25, for example integrally formed therewith or connected thereto, to provide a passageway 29 from a proximal region 31, for example releasably connected thereto, to a curved distal region 36 of the clip-on toilet seat 24, along which the attachment element of the wiper assembly can be displaced in an unrestrained manner. The passageway 29 overhangs and communicates with a central opening of the existing toilet seat.

[0035] A plurality of fastening clips 28 extend outwardly from different areas of the outer edge 32 of the bottom layer 27 and are adapted to secure the clip-on toilet seat 24 to an existing toilet seat. As each clip 28 is an elongated, flexible element, as shown, the clips 28 are adapted to wrap around a corresponding peripheral area of ​​the existing toilet seat and be secured thereto. The clips 28 may also be spring clips fixedly attached to or separable from the bottom layer 27, or any other releasable attachment means well known to those skilled in the art, such as suction cups.

[0036] While upper layer 26 is composed of two separate sections A and B, lower layer 27 may be made of a single U-shaped section that is aligned with and the same size as upper layer sections A and B. The U-shaped section, including proximal boundary element 34 that extends to a straight edge provided in proximal region 31 and underlying passageway 29, defines an oval opening 35 in lower layer 27 that is aligned with a central oval opening in an existing toilet seat. Lower layer 27 may be configured with an opening in the distal region to prevent genitalia from contacting the toilet seat and minimize urine splashing.

[0037] Placement and removal of the clip-on seat 24 onto and from an existing seat may be aided by two limited length lifting tabs 37 that may be oriented horizontally and extend from the outer edge 32 of the bottom layer 27 near the corresponding distal region 36 of the U-shaped section. Because the lifting tabs 37 extend outwardly from the seat, they are generally sterile and therefore not exposed to urine splash. Protection against urine splash may also be provided by an arcuate urine shield 39 that is positioned within the distal area of ​​the opening 35 slightly proximal to the distal region 36 and extends between the two legs of the U-shaped section. The urine shield 39 may be integrally formed with the bottom layer 27 or may be releasably coupled to the bottom layer 27.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the two layers 26 and 27 define an intervening gap 37 therebetween and are interconnected or integrally formed together by a plurality of spacers 33 extending from vertically aligned outer regions of the two layers, i.e., regions located away from the passageway 29 (FIG. 3), thereby forming the one-piece clip-on toilet seat 24. Alternatively, continuous spacers interconnecting or integrally formed with the layers 26 and 27 are provided in the vertically aligned outer regions of the two layers. The cylindrical housing 25 is integrally formed with, or alternatively located in close proximity to, the proximal regions of the upper and lower layers, such that the toilet isolation sheet 2 can be irreleasably received within the gap 37 and reliably guided between the upper and lower layers during sheet extension and retraction operations. The wiper assembly 8 is shown attached to a distal edge of the sheet 2, and the wiper 3 of the wiper assembly 8 is shown movably engaged with the upper layer 26.

[0039] Thus, if desired, the upper and lower layers 26 and 27 need not be parallel to one another, but rather the gap 37 between them may have various dimensions. That is, each spacer 33 may have a different height, causing the flat upper and lower layers to be spaced apart at an angle from one another, causing the gap size to be different at different distances from the cylindrical housing 25. Alternatively, the lower layer 27 need not be completely flat, but rather portions thereof may be spaced apart at an angle from one another, allowing the gap 37 to have various dimensions at different distances from the cylindrical housing 25.

[0040] In one embodiment, each spacer 33 may be constructed of a compressible material, so that when a user sits on the upper layer 26 of the toilet seat 24, the spacers 33 are compressed and the size of the gap 37 decreases. As a result of the decrease in the size of the gap between the upper layer 26 and the lower layer 27, which may vary as described above, the sheet 2 is held down by the upper layer 26 and prevented from being pulled through the gap, despite the tendency of the sheet 2 under the influence of the spring to be displaced in a distal direction. In this way, it is ensured that the wiper assembly 8 does not come into contact with the user when sitting on the toilet seat 24.

[0041] 6A-6C show the wiper assembly 8 attached to the seat 2 in a fully extended position, an intermediate position, and a retracted position, respectively, relative to a clip-on toilet seat 24.

[0042] Even though the sheet 2 is guided through the gap, the wiper assembly 8 can advantageously disinfect the vertically spaced upper layers by virtue of the vertically oriented attachment element 31 shown in FIG. 7. The attachment element 31 is attached to the central region of the sheet 2 near or at the distal edge 9 of the sheet 2, such as by welding, gluing, being integral therewith, or any other attachment means well known to those skilled in the art, and is sturdy enough to support each of the elongated arms of the wiper assembly 8. By providing the attachment element 31, the wiper assembly 8 can be vertically separated from the sheet 2 by a distance equal to or greater than the thickness of the upper layer and movably engage with the upper layer of the clip-on toilet seat. The attachment element 31 is narrower than the width of the passage of the clip-on toilet seat and can therefore be displaced unconstrained therethrough. The tab 5 can be integral with the attachment element 31 and can protrude vertically from the wiper assembly 8.

[0043] 8 and 9 show a sanitary toilet accessory generally designated 40 according to another embodiment. The accessory 40 is configured with the upper and lower layers 26 and 27 previously described, and includes a dedicated toilet seat 45 pivotally connected to the toilet assembly using two hinge assemblies 47 and corresponding metal bolts 49 that can be coupled to the toilet assembly. Each hinge assembly 47 is provided on the underside of the lower layer 27 and generally aligned with the proximal region 31. The dedicated toilet seat 45 may be configured with two lift tabs 37 and a urine shield 39.

[0044] In another embodiment as shown diagrammatically in Figure 10, the housing member 55 comprises means for automatically displacing the toilet isolation sheet and automatically disinfecting the toilet seat, or means for automatically displacing the toilet isolation sheet only. The automatic displacement means is configured to set the toilet isolation sheet to a default fully extended position as a reminder to a user entering the corresponding toilet to maintain hygiene. The housing member 55 can cooperate with any of the toilet seats described herein.

[0045] The housing member 55 may include a motorized post 57 around which the sheet 2 is wound and to which it is connected. A stator of a miniature motor 53 is mounted in the housing 55 at one longitudinal end thereof and a drive shaft 54 ​​of the motor 53 is connected to a corresponding longitudinal end of the post 57. The other longitudinal end of the post 57 is rotatably mounted within an inner surface 58 of the other longitudinal end of the housing member 55. The sheet 2 is extended when the post 57 is rotated in one direction and retracted when the post 57 is rotated in the other direction. A tension roller 59 may be provided in the housing 55 to ensure tension on the sheet when it is being extended or retracted.

[0046] The processor-based communications module 63 is electrically connected to the driver 56 of the motor 53, whether wirelessly or via a wired connection, and is adapted to automatically activate the motor upon receipt of a trigger signal TR to retract the sheet 2 from a default extended position and subsequently return the sheet to a fully extended position. When activated, the motor 53 may operate for a predetermined duration with the timer 51 adapted to cause a fully extended sheet to be retracted, or vice versa. The communications module 63 may be configured with an antenna, transceiver, or other means well known to those skilled in the art for sending wireless signals.

[0047] When the sheet 2 is pulled out from the housing 55, during the pulling out or retracting, or alternatively only during the pulling out or only during the retracting, the ultraviolet light (UV) units 62 mounted at each end of the sanitizing assembly 65 can be activated to emit UV light having a wavelength and intensity suitable for disinfecting the upper layer of the toilet seat to which the sanitizing assembly 65 is displaced by reducing harmful germs and bacteria found therein. According to a recent study conducted by the FDA, UV light can quickly destroy the outer protein coating of the corona virus, thereby inactivating its effectiveness. Similarly, it is foreseen that UV light can destroy the outer protein coating of other types of viruses.

[0048] The mounting element is mounted between the distal edge of the seat 2 and the disinfection assembly 65 and configured with a height sufficient to allow each UV unit 62 to be within range of the toilet seat. The communication module 63 is configured to transmit an activation signal A to each UV unit 62 during operation of the motor 53 and the resulting displacement of the seat 2. The seat 2 is linearly displaced by the motor 53 at a speed that ensures sufficient exposure to UV light to destroy and inactivate various types of pathogens, such as viruses, including corona viruses and bacteria, located on the toilet seat. The significant effort of manually operating the UV disinfectant for all toilet seats in a public facility is advantageously eliminated with the automatic disinfection assembly 65.

[0049] The disinfection assembly 65 can also be configured with a replaceable sponge 68 adapted to be in elastic contact with the upper layer of the toilet seat, or with any other suitable drying means well known to those skilled in the art. Thus, the sponge 68 spaced apart from the corresponding UV unit 62 can absorb and dry any liquid located on the upper layer of the toilet seat during the linear displacement of the disinfection assembly 65. It will be understood that the wiper assembly 8 of FIG. 1 can also be configured with a replaceable sponge 68, or with any other suitable drying means. The communication module 63 can synchronize the operation of each UV unit 62 with the motor 53 such that the UV light is illuminated only when the seat 2 is retracted, thereby ensuring that the UV light is irradiated on a dry toilet seat and thus performing an effective disinfection operation.

[0050] The disinfection assembly 65 can also be configured with a wiper 3 and a liquid cleaner dispenser 61 associated with each arm 67 of the disinfection assembly and separate from the corresponding UV unit 62. The liquid cleaner dispenser 61 may be a manual dispenser in which the cleaner is dispensed through a dedicated hole in response to a linear displacement. Alternatively, the dispenser 61 may be electrically activated in response to an activation signal A sent by the communication module 63. The wiper 3 is adapted to apply the cleaner to the toilet seat after it has been dispensed from the dedicated hole.

[0051] Thus, the disinfection assembly 65 may be configured with one or more of the disinfection means including, for example, a liquid cleaner dispenser 61, a UV unit 62 and a sponge 68. When at least two of these means are provided, their relative positions are selected so as not to interfere with each other. An activation signal A may be sent to two of these means with a timed delay provided by the timer 51 or depending on a known number of revolutions of the motor rotor.

[0052] The disinfection assembly 65 may be configured with a proximity sensor 66, which may be mounted, for example, on the mounting element 31 or on the tab 5 (FIG. 7), and in data communication with the communication module 63, such as through a WiFi network or a short-range transmitter. The proximity sensor 66 overrides the default operation of the motor 53 to pull out the seat 2 when an object is detected within a predetermined proximity range, for example within a range of 2 cm. Thus, the proximity sensor 66 transmits a detection signal L to the communication module 63 when the user is sitting on the seat to prevent the user from being contacted by the disinfection assembly 65. When the user subsequently stands up, an object is no longer detected within the predetermined proximity range and the motor 53 is operated to pull out the seat 2 to the extreme position and disinfect the seat.

[0053] One trigger for the communication module can be the smart mat 75 shown in Figure 11. Upon determining the presence of an occupant on the smart mat 75 located around an existing toilet, a trigger signal TR is sent from the smart mat 75 to the communication module, causing the toilet isolation sheet to retract from the default extended position.

[0054] The smart mat 75 generally comprises an array of sensors 72, typically pressure sensitive sensors, embedded in at least one polymer layer 73 configured with clearly defined and spaced apart first edge 86 and second edge 87. The polymer layer 73 may be molded with a recessed edge 74 cut from the first edge 86 and adapted to abut the toilet base.

[0055] The array of sensors 72, electrically connected to an embedded short-range transmitter 76 in data communication with the cylindrical housing's communications module, may be configured as a visible H-array 77 to help guide the user to where to place their feet. The H-array 77 may have distinct spaced apart foot-positionable regions E and F and an interconnected region G. A removable embedded rechargeable battery 79, e.g., a lithium battery, or a wired connection to a power source such as a power grid, is used to power the sensors 72 and transmitter 76.

[0056] The processor of the communication module may be configured to process the signal P indicative of the pressure transmitted by each sensor 72 when stepped on by the user to determine whether the front or back of the user faces the toilet. One manner of determining the direction the user is facing is by comparing the pressure exerted by different areas of the user's foot. Since the heel generally exerts more pressure than the sole of the same foot of the user, determining the pressure distribution of the foot stepped on the foot placement areas E and F may help determine the direction the user is facing. That is, the processor may determine that the front of the user faces the toilet when a relatively high foot pressure is localized closer to the second mat edge 87 and a relatively low foot pressure is localized closer to the first mat edge 86. Conversely, the processor may determine that the back of the user faces the toilet when a relatively high foot pressure is localized closer to the first mat edge 86 and a relatively low foot pressure is localized closer to the second mat edge 87.

[0057] A generally replaceable air freshener 82 may also be embedded in the smart mat 75 to be activated by an actuator 84 when stepped on by a user. The actuator 84 may be an electrical actuator in electrical communication with the array of sensors 72, or a mechanical actuator separate from the sensor array. This arrangement maintains a sustained fragrance emission from the mat. The electrical actuator may be in electrical communication with the short-range transmitter 76 to cause the communication module to transmit a warning signal W to indicate that the air freshener container, such as a cartridge form, needs to be replaced. An audible signal device comprising the communication module may emit a distinctive sound upon receiving the warning signal W.

[0058] The communications module may also respond to trigger signals transmitted by other types of signal-transmitting equipment, such as motion sensors, hand-pressable buttons mounted on the toilet or on the lavatory, foot-pressable pedals mounted on the toilet or on the lavatory, and audio detectors.

[0059] The housing member 55 with the communications module 63 (FIG. 10) is well suited to be interfaced with an exemplary smart toilet unit 85 shown in FIGS.

[0060] The housing member 55 is in abutting relationship with a toilet seat 95 configured similarly to the toilet seat 45 of FIG. 8, but in some modifications is intended to cooperate with a smart toilet unit 85, such as a bidet 93 and a bidet hose attachment 94, operably connected to the underside of the lower layer of the toilet seat 95 and operated by a remote control unit 88 located on the side of the housing member 55, and possibly attached to the toilet tank. An air freshener housing 97 containing one or more replaceable cartridges may be located below the remote control unit 88. A plurality of risers 92 may extend downwardly from the lower layer of the toilet seat 95. One or both of the self-raising automatic toilet seat 95 and the automatic lid 96 may be pivotally connected to the housing member 55. The operation of the bidet 93, the automatic toilet seat 95, and the automatic lid 96 may be controlled by the communication module 63 or a different controller.

[0061] Either a wiper assembly 8 as shown, or a disinfection assembly 65 (FIG. 10) is attached to the distal edge of the toilet isolation sheet 2 and may be linearly displaced unconstrained along the passageway 29.

[0062] A toilet interface method to facilitate hands free and disinfection in conjunction with the automatic seat displacement means of Figure 10, the smart toilet unit 85 of Figure 12 and the smart mat 75 of Figure 11 is shown in Figure 14. Similar methods are contemplated mutatis mutandis when the trigger signal is generated in other ways.

[0063] With the toilet isolation sheet configured to be set in a default fully extended position that completely covers the toilet opening in step 102, the signal generating array of sensors detects the presence of a user entering the toilet in step 104. In response, a trigger signal is sent from the sensor array to the communication module in step 106, and an activation signal is sent from the communication module to the toilet seat and lid in step 108, which both automatically lift. If the user decides to sit on the toilet seat, the communication module determines the most recent direction the user is facing after the smart mat's sensor array sends a signal indicating a corresponding pressure, and causes the automatic toilet seat to lower in step 112. Thereafter, or simultaneously with the seat lowering, the seat displacement motor is activated to retract the seat in step 114, and a disinfection assembly attached to a distal region of the seat disinfects the underlying toilet seat in step 116. In step 118, a second trigger signal is sent to the communications module after the sensor array detects that the user's foot has stopped applying pressure to indicate that the user has moved away from the toilet, which results in the motor being activated in step 120, thereby extending the seat fully to a default position and clearing the toilet.

[0064] It will be appreciated that this method may be implemented mutatis mutandis without the use of a sheet, whereby the disinfection assembly is activated by appropriate means after transmission of a trigger signal or pressure indicating signal. Similarly, other automatic hands-free toilet interface methods may be implemented, such as automatic flushing through cooperation of the smart toilet unit 85 and the smart mat 75.

[0065] Another embodiment of a restroom interface method that promotes hands-free and disinfection is shown in FIG.

[0066] In this embodiment, any one of the toilet seats described herein is further equipped with a smart lift tab. That is, each lift tab 37 (e.g., shown in FIG. 8) is configured with two proximity sensors in data communication with a communication module with the housing member 55 of FIG. 10, or any other suitable communication module for initiating the operation of the automatic toilet seat and / or the automatic toilet lid, such as the smart toilet unit 85 of FIG. 12. A first proximity sensor is accessible to the upper surface of each lift tab, and a second proximity sensor is accessible to the lower surface of the lift tab. In addition to the seat displacement motor, another motor for initiating the operation of the automatic toilet seat and / or the automatic toilet lid may be provided in the housing member 55. A third proximity sensor similar to the proximity sensor 66 shown in FIG. 10 is further provided and mounted on the disinfection assembly, preferably in the central area of ​​the disinfection assembly.

[0067] Rather than manually touching the prior art's germ-ridden lift tabs to raise or lower the seat, advantageously, in step 133, the user enters the toilet and places the user's hand within a predetermined proximity range above one of the lift tabs without physical contact. In step 135, the first proximity sensor sends a detection signal to the communication module, which then sends an activation signal to the seat pivot motor to raise the seat, and typically also to lift the toilet lid, in step 137. After operation of the seat pivot motor, the state of the seat is updated in the buffer to a raised state. In step 141, the second proximity sensor sends a detection signal to the communication module when the user's hand is placed within a predetermined proximity range below one of the lift tabs without physical contact. In step 143, the communication module sends an activation signal to the seat pivot motor to lower the seat only if the seat is placed in the default extended position. After operation of the seat pivot motor, the state of the seat is updated in the buffer to a lowered state.

[0068] If for any reason an object, such as a user's hand and back, is located within a predetermined proximity range relative to the third proximity sensor, the third proximity sensor transmits a detection signal to the communication module, which in turn activates the seat displacement motor to retract the seat. When the detection signal generated by the third proximity sensor ends after the previously placed object is moved away therefrom, the communication module is programmed to automatically activate the seat displacement motor to pull the seat out to its default fully extended position. Thus, if the communication module previously received a detection signal from the third proximity sensor, the communication module disables the transmission of an activation signal to the toilet seat pivot motor.

[0069] When a user sits on the lowered toilet seat, a third proximity sensor detects the presence of the user, at step 145, and causes the seat to retract, at step 147.

[0070] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described by way of example, it is apparent that the present invention may be implemented with numerous modifications, variations and adaptations that are within the scope of the art and by using numerous equivalents or alternative solutions without going beyond the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. a) a hollow housing member that is attachable to a toilet-related component and that is configured with an elongated slit; b) a toilet isolation sheet intermittently extendable through and retractable into said slit, said sheet being dimensioned to completely cover the central opening of the toilet seat when extended to its extreme position and to prevent the release of aerosols from a toilet underlying therewith; c) a disinfecting assembly attached to a distal region of said seat, said disinfecting assembly comprising means for automatically disinfecting said seat during extension or retraction of said seat, or during extension and retraction of said seat; A sanitary toilet accessory comprising:

2. 2. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising a toilet seat configured to define a gap therebetween, the toilet seat comprising vertically spaced and aligned upper and lower layers within which the sheet is guideable to the extreme position at a distal region of the toilet seat, the upper and lower layers each configured with the central opening, the upper and lower layers completely separated at their inner edges adjacent the central opening to accommodate linear displacement of the sheet.

3. The accessory of claim 2 , wherein the toilet seat is a clip-on toilet seat.

4. 3. The accessory of claim 2, wherein proximal edges of the upper and lower layers are positioned sufficiently close to the housing member to ensure that the sheet is securely inserted into the gap as the sheet is withdrawn.

5. The accessory of claim 4 , wherein the proximal edges of the upper and lower layers are attached to or integrally formed with the housing member.

6. 3. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the disinfecting assembly is positioned above the upper layer of the toilet seat throughout extension and retraction of the seat to ensure disinfection of the upper layer.

7. 7. The accessory of claim 6, wherein a vertically oriented mounting element capable of being displaced unconstrained through the central opening of the toilet seat is attached to a central region of the distal region of the seat and to the disinfecting assembly such that the disinfecting assembly is vertically separated from the seat by a distance that is equal to or greater than the thickness of the upper layer of the toilet seat.

8. 8. The accessory of claim 7, wherein the disinfection assembly comprises a wiper assembly in movably engagement with the upper layer of the toilet seat.

9. 9. The accessory of claim 8, wherein the disinfecting assembly further comprises a liquid cleaning agent dispenser from which a cleaning agent can be automatically dispensed through a dedicated orifice, and a wiper of the wiper assembly is adapted to apply the dispensed cleaning agent to the toilet seat.

10. 10. The accessory of claim 9, wherein a tab protruding perpendicularly from the mounting element helps guide the sheet during extension or retraction, and the cleaning agent is automatically dispensed in response to linear displacement of the wiper assembly.

11. The accessory of claim 9 , wherein the dispenser is electrically operated.

12. 9. The accessory of claim 8, wherein the disinfecting assembly further comprises a replaceable sponge adapted for resilient contact with the upper layer of the toilet seat.

13. 8. The accessory of claim 7, wherein the disinfection assembly comprises a UV unit configured to emit ultraviolet light suitable for disinfecting the upper layer of the toilet seat.

14. 14. The accessory of claim 13, wherein the disinfection assembly further comprises drying means for ensuring that the ultraviolet light is applied to a dry toilet seat.

15. 14. The accessory of claim 13, wherein the disinfecting assembly further comprises a liquid cleaner dispenser through which a cleaner can be automatically dispensed through a dedicated orifice, and a wiper in movably engagement with the upper layer of the toilet seat adapted to apply the dispensed cleaner to the toilet seat.

16. 10. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising means for automatically displacing said toilet isolation sheet.

17. 17. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the automatic displacement means is configured to set the toilet isolation sheet to a default fully extended position.

18. 18. The accessory of claim 17, wherein the automatic displacement means is spring biased and configured to pull the sheet outwardly through the elongated slit after being momentarily retracted.

19. 17. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the automatic displacement means comprises a post about which the sheet is wrapped, and a motor for rotatably driving the post.

20. 20. The accessory of claim 19, wherein the automatic displacement means further comprises a processor-based communications module electrically connected to a driver of the motor and adapted to automatically activate the motor upon receiving a trigger signal.

21. 21. The accessory of claim 20, wherein the communications module is adapted to automatically activate the motor to retract the seat from a default fully extended position upon receiving the trigger signal indicating the presence of a user entering the toilet.

22. 22. The accessory of claim 21, wherein the communications module is responsive to the trigger signal generated by a mat having an array of pressure sensors embedded therein.

23. 22. The accessory of claim 21, wherein the communications module is responsive to the trigger signal generated by a signal-transmitting device selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor, a toilet mounted hand-pressable button, a toilet mounted hand-pressable button, a toilet mounted foot-pressable pedal, a toilet mounted foot-pressable pedal, and a voice detector.

24. 21. The accessory of claim 20, wherein the communications module is adapted, upon receiving the trigger signal, to automatically activate the motor to cause the sheet to be unloaded.

25. 25. The accessory of claim 24, further comprising a proximity sensor comprising the sanitization assembly and in data communication with the communications module, the proximity sensor configured to transmit a detection signal constituting the trigger signal to the communications module when the seat is retracted and a user is sitting on the toilet seat and within a predetermined proximity range of the proximity sensor, the communications module configured to disable the motor in response to receiving the detection signal.

26. 10. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the toilet isolation sheet is configured to be used as advertising space and is configured with one or more outer protective layers that are transparent or translucent to aid in reuse of the sheet without deterioration.

27. 21. The accessory of claim 20, wherein the toilet seat is configured with one or more lifting tabs extending from an outer edge of the toilet seat and configured to assist in lifting and lowering the toilet seat.

28. 28. The accessory of claim 27, further comprising a toilet seat pivot motor, each of the lift tabs comprising first and second proximity sensors accessible on an upper and lower surface of the lift tab, respectively, the toilet seat pivot motor and the first and second proximity sensors in data communication with the communications module, and an activation signal transmittable from the communications module to the toilet seat pivot motor to lift the toilet seat after transmission of a detection signal from the first proximity sensor to the communications module indicating that a hand has been placed within a predetermined proximity range of the first proximity sensor without physical contact.

29. 21. The accessory of claim 20, wherein the toilet seat is a self-lifting automatic toilet seat.

30. 30. The accessory of claim 29, wherein the toilet seat cooperates with a bidet and a bidet hose attachment operably connected to an underside of the toilet seat lower.

31. 31. The accessory of claim 30, wherein the communications module is operable to control operation of one or more of the automatic toilet seat, the bidet, and the bidet hose attachment.

32. 31. The accessory of claim 30, further comprising a remote control unit for selectively operating the bidet and bidet hose attachment.

33. 1. A method for disinfecting a toilet seat, comprising: a) providing a motorized post around which a toilet isolation sheet is wrapped and a disinfection assembly attached to a distal region of said sheet; b) detecting the presence of a user entering the toilet by a signal generating and detecting device; c) in response to said detected presence, transmitting a trigger signal from said detection device to a communications module in data communication with a driver of said motor; d) actuating the motor in response to transmission of the trigger signal to linearly displace the sheet relative to the toilet seat and the disinfecting assembly to automatically disinfect a portion of the toilet seat underlying the disinfecting assembly; A method comprising:

34. 23. The accessory of claim 22, further comprising a toilet interfacing component in data communication with the communications module, the communications module further configured to process signals transmitted by each of the pressure sensors upon stepping on the mat to determine whether a user's front or back side is facing the toilet, and to activate the component after determining the toilet-facing position of the user.

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