toilet seat cover

Abstract

The present invention relates to a toilet seat cover (100) made from a single piece and comprising a first edge (110) and a second edge (120) that partially or completely overlap around its periphery when wrapped around a toilet seat (200) and are secured by attachment of material in the areas that are in direct contact with the toilet seat (200) and in the areas that are in direct contact with each other in the overlapping area (150).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sanitary facilities and sanitary ware, and more specifically to sanitary accessories such as casing covers and protective covers.

[0002] Preface

[0002] The present invention relates to a toilet seat cover which, by its installation, enables the provision of a simple, effective, low-cost, and easily installed and replaced physical barrier against microorganisms that can harm the health of toilet users in public places and private spaces, regardless of sharing and / or use by many people.

Background Art

[0003] Background

[0003] Most diverse shared spaces and / or spaces used by many people, such as hotels, motels, hospitals, and other places where stays / uses are temporary or limited in duration, have sanitary facilities, or restrooms.

[0004]

[0004] For reasons of public and private health and hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of the above-mentioned shared spaces need to be carried out relatively frequently to prevent the occurrence of disadvantages related to public health and hygiene laws, in addition to the risk of becoming unhealthy and the costs associated with each operation.

[0005] Prior Art

[0005] Through solutions that make it easy to install and optimize restrooms, especially toilets, it is possible to find various technological solutions to the challenges seen in toilet seat covers. However, the above solutions often face the problem that the casing of the seating area corresponding to the toilet seat is insufficient to avoid physical contact between the user and the toilet seat, which can cause problems related to the health and hygiene of the user. The latest technological toilet seat covers also have problems related to their use and non-use time, for example, because they become unusable and unreusable in the case of disinfection work on toilets that may have been used by the same person or group of people for a certain period of time before being discarded or replaced.

[0006]

[0006] Several known solutions exist for toilet seat covers and casings. One example is found in GB2176216, titled "Toilet seat cover," which discloses a toilet seat cover provided of a fabric with elastic joints and fastening means for holding it folded around the toilet seat. Preferably, the fabric is terrycloth, square or rectangular, and has joints at both ends which may have fastening means such as Velcro, so that (according to the abstract of this document) both edges have fastening means corresponding to both sides of the fabric.

[0007]

[0007] In document GB2176216, it is possible to observe some of the problems inherent in the latest technology being discussed. First, while towel cloths provide comfort to the user on cold days, they do not conform to good hygiene practices and protocols, and incur unnecessary costs if the object is used as a disposable item. When this type of product is reused, it creates additional problems such as storage costs, end-use costs, low versatility, and damage over time. Finally, as shown in the diagram in document GB2176216, the cover does not enclose the entire toilet seat, which again implies problems related to good health and hygiene practices and protocols.

[0008]

[0008] Another prior art solution is found in document US4,586,202, also titled “Toilet seat cover,” which discloses a toilet seat cover comprising a cover body and a retainer for securing the cover body to a toilet seat. The cover body is in the form of a short tube of stretchable material and has elastic elements attached to the periphery of each open end of the tube. The retainer is a ring whose size corresponds to a range of measurements of the inner and outer periphery of the toilet seat and is formed on its outer surface with a groove that fits into the elastic element fixed to one end of the cover body. Covers that can be easily and quickly attached to and removed from a toilet seat may be manufactured without the need for a complex sewing process and may be freely used on toilet seats of various sizes or shapes (as shown in the abstract of the document).

[0009]

[0009] In US4,586,202, there is concern about avoiding a complex fixing process. However, the solution would necessitate a manufacturing process that includes seams, hems, and channels for allowing elastic / tension elements to pass through, which can act as a cover for dust, bacteria and viruses.

[0010]

[0010] Furthermore, the physical constraints of the product necessitate the storage of several variations (considering the various models and sizes of the toilet), which again incurs significant costs in acquisition and storage, as well as the subsequent replacement of elements that experience considerable wear. Thus, US4,586,202 is found to have several drawbacks common to the prior art in this field.

[0011]

[0011] Other examples of related prior art exhibiting similar shortcomings are disclosed and described, among others, in Patent Documents US2002 / 0184701, GB2227503, FR2618062, and PI9606435-8A. Notably, such solutions offer little versatility or applicability to various types of seats, in addition to requiring various models and sizes for various situations. It is clear that such processes and elements make the above solutions more expensive, less versatile, and more complex to store. Toilet seat covers by modern technology do not involve practicality and applicability issues, including public health or hygiene practices, such as those typically associated with washing and sanitation facilities. Finally, many of the above solutions do not consider usefulness and quality of use, installation, and maintenance by the end user.

[0012]

[0012] As can be inferred from the above description, there is room for a solution that can overcome the shortcomings of the latest technology. This means a toilet seat cover that is easy to apply to all types of users without compromising usability and user protection, is ultimately sanitized, and can be reused by one or a group of people for a certain period of time.

[0013]

[0013] Similarly, there is room for improved toilet seat covers that are easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and can be made from anti-allergic and antibacterial materials. [Overview of the project]

[0014] Objective of the present invention

[0014] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat cover according to the features of claim 1 of the claims.

[0015]

[0015] Other features and further details of features are shown in the dependent claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] In order to better understand and visualize the object of the present invention, the following description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings schematically showing the technical effects obtained. [Figure 1] The perspective view of a toilet seat cover in the shape of a straight cylinder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] The perspective view of a toilet seat cover in the shape of a frustum of a cone according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 3] The top view of the cover according to the present invention applied to a conventional toilet seat is shown. [Figure 4a] The top view of the upper part of the toilet seat on which the cover according to the present invention is installed, showing the start of fixation and the first adhesion, is shown. [Figure 4b] The top view of the toilet seat of FIG. 4a showing the subsequent installation steps of the cover is shown. [Figure 4c] The bottom perspective view of the toilet seat of FIG. 4b showing the subsequent installation steps of the cover is shown. [Figure 4d] The top view of the toilet seat of FIG. 4c showing the subsequent installation steps of the cover is shown. [Figure 5] The top perspective view of the toilet seat provided with the cover according to the present invention, showing the final result and the overlapping area, is shown. [Figure 6] The bottom perspective view of the toilet seat provided with the cover according to the present invention, showing the final result and the overlapping area, is shown. [Figure 7] The top view of the toilet seat provided with the cover according to the present invention, where the cover has a label or seal, is shown. [Figure 8] The side view of the toilet seat of FIG. 7 is shown.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017]

[0017] The toilet seat cover (100) or simply cover (100) according to the present invention is basically integrally constructed in an initial ring or tube shape to surround and cover the toilet seat (200), and each comprises at least one first edge (110) and at least one second edge (120) which is preferably circumferential in its initial state, and by surrounding the toilet seat (200), the perimeter formed by the first edge (110) and the second edge (120) overlaps whole or partially in any area of ​​either the inner or outer surface of the cover (100) and / or any area of ​​the outer surface of the toilet seat (200), and the fixation of the overlapping area or portion of the edges (110, 120) in the structure of the cover (100) and / or toilet seat (200) is caused by adhesion of material in the area that is in direct contact with the toilet seat (200) and in the area that is in direct contact with each other in the overlapping area (150).

[0018]

[0018] The cover (100) is preferably made of an elastic material such as latex, natural rubber, surface-treated elastane composite material, and other suitable material which may have antibacterial or anti-allergic properties. Although the present invention is intended for disposable covers, the material used may be used more than once by the same user or group of users, for example, as it must also be possible to maintain hygiene and thus sterilization. One example of application of this type is in a hotel, inn or hospital room during the stay of (one or more) guests or patients, with or without companions in the same room. Therefore, the cover material (100) must be resistant to abrasion, shear, chemicals, preferably ordinary washing and / or sterilization and / or disinfection products, etc., and must be resistant to and compatible with other conventional practices of application, use, washing and removal of products of such properties for this type of use.

[0019]

[0019] The toilet seat (200) in the context of the present invention is a conventional device fixed to a toilet bowl, and includes an upper surface (201) or an upward-facing surface, a bottom surface (202) or a downward-facing surface, an outer rear portion (210) and an inner rear portion (211), an outer side portion (220) and an inner side portion (221), and an outer front portion (230) and an inner front portion (231).

[0020]

[0020] The cover (100) of the present invention can be installed on the toilet seat (200) from either of its surfaces (201, 202) and from any of its outer portions (210, 220, 230) due to its initial annular or tubular shape and its elasticity. Thus, in an exemplary application example, it is possible to design the cover (100) to wrap around the upper surface (201) and the bottom surface (202) of the toilet seat (200) by extending (stretching, following) from its peripheral edges (110, 120), and the cover surface may become larger or smaller according to the shape of the toilet seat (200), and has only the elongation resistance (or tensile strength) of the cover material (100) as a limitation.

[0021]

[0021] A non-limiting example of installing the cover (100) on the toilet seat (200) is to first place a part around the first edge (110) above the outer rear portion (210) of the upper surface (201), promoting the initial fixation of the cover (100) to the upper surface (201) by the first edge (110) as shown in FIG. 4a. Next, as shown in FIG. 4b, stretch the still-free portion around the first edge (110) towards the outer front portion (230) so as to cover the outer side portion (220) and the inner side portion (221), and then place it above the inner front portion (231) and the outer front portion (230), go around the outer portions (220, 230), and reach the bottom surface (202) of the toilet seat (200).

[0022]

[0022] It should be noted that the cover (100) remains fixed to the toilet seat (200) by the stretching of the first edge (110) and by the tension exerted on the material by its adhesion to the material of the toilet seat (200). It should also be noted that in this step a portion of the cover (100) comes into contact with the toilet seat (200), and the first edge (110) comes into substantially full contact with the toilet seat (200), while the second edge (120) remains free, as shown in Figures 4b and 4c, and essentially conforms to the inner circumference of the toilet seat (200).

[0023]

[0023] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4c and partially in Figure 4d, a portion of the periphery of the second edge (120) is extended and positioned above the inner rear (211) and outer rear (210) to facilitate the attachment of the cover (100) to the bottom surface (202) by the second edge (120), and then the still free portion of the periphery of the second edge (120) is extended and positioned above the bottom surface (202) to cover the inner side (221) and outer side (220), as well as the inner front (231) and outer front (230), going all the way around to reach the top surface (201) and overlapping with the material of the cover (100) that is already in contact with the toilet seat (200). Once this is complete, as shown in Figures 4d, 5 and 6, the material extends from the top surface (201) around the first edge (110) and is positioned above the outer sides (220, 230), making another loop to reach the bottom surface (202) of the toilet seat, overlapping with the material of the cover (100) that is already in contact with the toilet seat (200), and forming an overlapping area (150).

[0024]

[0024] Thus, the first edge (110) switches between surfaces (201, 202) twice or goes around the edge of the toilet seat (200) at least twice, while the second edge (120) switches between surfaces (201, 202) once or goes around the edge of the toilet seat (200) at least once.

[0025]

[0025] It should be noted that the cover (100) remains fixed to the toilet seat (200) by the tension exerted on its material by the stretching along its edges (110, 120) and the adhesion of its material to the material of the toilet seat (200), which is combined with the adhesion of its own material in the overlapping area (150). Thus, the material of the cover (100) overlaps, forming coplanar edges (110, 120) on the top surface (201) and bottom surface (202) of the toilet seat (200).

[0026]

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the second edge (120), which is on the same plane, is integrally covered by the material of the cover (100) on the upper surface (201) of the toilet seat (200). The first edge (110) is visible as shown in Figure 6 but is on the bottom surface (202) or facing downwards. The cover (100) of the present invention is versatile and easy to install and can be assembled, for example, from the bottom surface (202) and / or the second edge (120), while leaving the apparent coplanar edges facing upwards is not recommended in terms of hygiene, user comfort, aesthetics, and finish quality.

[0027]

[0027] When surrounding the toilet seat (200), the overlapping edges (110, 120), being made of an elastic material, allow for uniform adhesion across the entire surface of the toilet seat (200) without forming pockets, channels, gaps, or folds, thereby forming an overlapping area (150) that provides a seal connection that allows for thorough cleaning and disinfection of the cover (100) and, consequently, the toilet seat (200) without leaving any residue.

[0028]

[0028] In a preferred non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the cover (100) may be configured in a straight cylindrical shape as shown in Figure 1. In another preferred non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the cover (100) may be configured in a frustoconical shape as shown in Figure 2, and comprises one or more intermediate sections (160) whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the edges (110, 120) and which increase tension during assembly, thereby enabling a tighter packaging than that obtained with the version having a straight cylindrical shape.

[0029]

[0029] Thus, the present invention comprises providing a toilet seat cover (100) which is a single-piece structure and whose entirety surrounds the toilet seat (200). The cover (100) allows for easy and simple installation by the user, and its application may be carried out without additional means to provide a kind of frictional coupling that gives improved stability and grip to the toilet seat (200) when the surfaces of the cover (100) itself overlap.

[0030]

[0030] In a preferred non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the cover (100) has a mark (300) or seal, which may be a strip or tape, indicating that the cover (100) has been recently changed and is not yet in use, and the mark (300) should be positioned so as to be visible on the cover (100), preferably protruding upward and / or inward, for example, in a way that would prevent the use of the toilet seat (200), forcing the user to remove it. Furthermore, the mark (300) should be formed in such a way that once it is removed from the surface of the cover (100), it will not be allowed to be reused.

[0031]

[0031] In embodiments where the mark (300) is a strip, it may further include RFID, barcodes, QR codes, etc., to ensure positioning and serve as an authentication seal, containing user-useful information such as product data, manufacturer, organization using it, installation and / or cleaning date and time, advertising material and other information that may be considered useful or applicable. The mark (300) may also be used, for example, to verify hotel and inn check-in and day-use use. By not using any other additional means for fastening, there are no problems associated with the process of washing and wrapping the toilet seat (200).

[0032]

[0032] In another preferred non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the cover (100) may be made of a biodegradable material that can be disposed of or recycled without causing further harm to the environment.

[0033]

[0033] In another preferred non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the cover (100) may be designed according to different types of toilet seats (200) depending on the application and user. Thus, variations of the intended embodiments can also be designed for toilet seats developed for children, the elderly and people with disabilities, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0034]

[0034] Unlike toilet seat covers known from the latest technology, it is important to emphasize that the objective of the present invention is to reduce the overall sanitation costs by being made in one piece, relying on or requiring no additional means for installation and assembly, and reducing the working hours of the sanitation team and the time the sanitation team has to spend on the toilet.

[0035]

[0035] Finally, due to its versatility, the cover (100) of the present invention may also be used in chemical toilet units used in companies, schools, universities, factories, cinemas, parks, bars and restaurants, buses, sea and airport terminals, stadiums, concert halls, shopping malls, detention centers, and outdoor events and festivals.

[0036] Final considerations

[0036] It is clear that the relationships between the measures and measurements described in this invention may vary depending on the dimensions of the toilet seat cover (100) corresponding to the standards and norms adopted by the industry in that field. However, thorough field testing has shown that the above dimensions and their relationships are very efficient and effective in terms of the reliability and safety that the toilet seat cover provides, and as a result it is possible to manufacture products with high performance and durability.

[0037] conclusion

[0037] It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the concepts described above. Such modifications should be considered within the scope of the invention. Thus, the specific embodiments described in detail above are merely descriptive and illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention, but should be given to the entire scope of the appended claims and all their equivalents.

Claims

1. A toilet seat cover (100), A single component of the elastic material having a first edge (110) and a second edge (120) that completely overlap and fix the area around the toilet seat (200) by the adhesion of the elastic material in the area that directly contacts the toilet seat (200) when wrapping around the toilet seat (200), A mark (300) which is a strip or tape, The sign (300) indicates that the toilet seat cover (100) has been recently replaced and is not yet in use, and is positioned to protrude upward and / or inward so as to obstruct the use of the toilet seat (200) and compel the user to remove it, and is formed so that once it is removed from the surface of the toilet seat cover (100), it will not be allowed to be reused. The portion surrounding the second edge (120) extends to overlap with the material of the toilet seat cover (100) that is already in contact with the toilet seat (200). The portion of the single piece of elastic material around the first edge (110) is stretched such that the first edge (110) wraps around the edge of the toilet seat (200) at least twice, while the portion of the single piece of elastic material around the second edge (120) is stretched such that the second edge (120) wraps around the edge of the toilet seat (200) at least once. The toilet seat cover (100) is a toilet seat cover in which the material is fixed to itself by the adhesion of the elastic material in the overlapping area (150).

2. The toilet seat cover (100) is configured in a straight cylindrical shape, as described in claim 1.

3. The toilet seat cover (100) is constructed in a truncated cone shape, The toilet seat cover according to claim 1, comprising one or more intermediate portions (160) having a smaller diameter than the aforementioned edges (110, 120).

4. The toilet seat cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sign (300) functions as an authentication seal containing at least one piece of information from a group of information consisting of product data, manufacturer, organization using it, date and time of installation and / or cleaning, and advertising materials.

5. The toilet seat cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sign (300) includes an RFID, barcode, or QR code for ensuring positioning.

6. The toilet seat cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sign (300) is used in check-in and day-use verification procedures for hotels and inns.

Images