Device for prevention of urine leakage

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing urine from leaking through the gap between a toilet seat and a toilet bowl when a user is using the toilet from a seated position. The apparatus is generally a compressible material adhered to the bottom surface of a toilet seat. The apparatus is configured to align with the contour of a standard toilet bowl. The side of the apparatus nearest the opening of a toilet bowl has two contours and a peak, similar to the shape of the letter “M”, which helps prevent urine from splashing and helps guide urine into the toilet bowl.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] N / ASTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE)

[0002] N / ABACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention addresses the problem of urine leakage between a toilet seat and toilet bowl. Standard toilets and toilet seats have a gap between the seat and the bowl. Many toilet users, especially males, experience urine leakage between a toilet seat and toilet bowl when using a toilet from a seated position. This problem is increasingly prevalent in elderly and disabled users. Urine leakage creates an unsanitary mess that is unpleasant to clean up.

[0004] The current options available in the prior art to address urine leakage are apparatuses that are large and inconvenient or are suited to reduce air contaminants. The apparatuses directed towards reducing air contaminants are not waterproof and are thus not suitable for reducing urine leakage. The large apparatuses are made of heavy material and are generally attached to the toilet bowl by inserting a vertical protrusion within the bowl and having an upper portion attaching to the top of the bowl. The means of attachment in these solutions creates a fixed attachment that will be present regardless of whether a user is sitting or standing. The hardness of the material results in urine splashing off of the apparatus towards a user, effectively trading one mess for another.

[0005] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention is an apparatus made of compressible material, attached to the bottom of a toilet seat, and made with a shape that reduces urine splash. The compressible material ensures the apparatus does not affect the elevation of the toilet seat during use and improves the waterproof qualities of the material when in use.

[0007] The apparatus is attached to the bottom of a toilet seat by adhesion. This means of attachment allows the apparatus to remain installed without impeding standing use of a toilet.

[0008] The rear portion of the apparatus is shaped with two curvatures that come together at a point, similar to the letter “M”. This shape allows urine to engage a curved surface and continue traveling, thereby reducing the amount of urine that splashes back towards a user.

[0009] This invention is used simply by adhering the apparatus to the front portion of the bottom side of a toilet seat with the two rear curvatures facing the toilet bowl opening. When a user sits on the toilet seat, the apparatus will compress and create a waterproof seal between the seat and the bowl. If a user's urine hits the apparatus, it will travel along the curvatures and deposit into the bowl without splashing. A user may leave the apparatus installed and clean as needed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description refers to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a top plan diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a is a top plan diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a top perspective diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a side perspective diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the disclosure as adhered to a toilet seat.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side perspective diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the disclosure as engaged with a toilet seat and bowl.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings simultaneously, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention being a urine leakage prevention apparatus (“urine guard”) 10. The urine guard generally comprises a front curved portion 20, a rear curved portion 30, rear flat portions 40, a top portion 50, and a bottom portion 60.

[0017] Said front portion 20 is a curved side dimensioned to follow the contour of a toilet bowl. An illustrative embodiment of the front portion has a width of 7.125 inches, a height of 3.375 inches, and a curve configured to align with the contour of a standard toilet bowl.

[0018] Said rear flat portions 40 are flat sides 41 that connect the front curved portion 20 to the rear curved portion 30. An illustrative embodiment of the rear flat portions 40 are flat sides 41 with a width of 0.625 inches connecting the front curved portion 20 to the rear curved portion 30.

[0019] Said rear curved portion 30 is a side comprising two curves 31 and a middle point 32. The two curves 31 begin on the interior side of each rear flat side 41. The two curves 31 connect at the middle point 32, which is configured to be positioned at the radius of the rear curved portion 30. An illustrative embodiment of the rear curved portion 30 has a width of 6.5 inches, a radius of 2.938 inches, and two curves 31 configured to align with the contour of a standard toilet bowl.

[0020] Said top portion 50 is a flat upper side configured to attach to the bottom side of a toilet seat by adhesion.

[0021] Said bottom portion 60 is a flat bottom side configured to engage the top side of a toilet bowl when in use. The bottom portion 60 may be configured to include a display portion 61. Said display portion is a rectangular section of the bottom portion that comprises either a flat display attachment or an inlaid display attachment. Both the flat display attachment and the inlaid display attachment are configured to not protrude from the bottom portion 60 and disrupt the flush engagement with the toilet bowl. Said display portions 61 may include imagery of materials preferred by urine guard users, such as children's characters or other branded materials.

[0022] The invention is made by injection molding using compressible materials, such as dense foam or rubber.

[0023] To use the invention, the portion of the toilet seat to receive the invention should first be cleaned and should be dry before attachment. The top portion 50 must first be attached to the bottom side of a toilet seat, An illustrative embodiment of the invention includes adhesion that is pre-applied to the top portion 50 before packaging. Upon receipt, the user can remove the wax paper covering the adhesive layer and then attach the invention by engaging the top portion 50 to the bottom side of a toilet seat with the rear curved portion 30 facing the inside of the toilet and the front curved portion 20 facing away from the toilet. Once adhered, the user can wait for the adhesion to dry, and then continue using the toilet normally. When a user sits on the toilet seat, the invention will compress between the seat and bowl, creating a waterproof seal. If any urine contacts the invention, the urine will be deposited into the bowl by traveling along the rear curves 31 and depositing into the bowl. By following the rear curves 31, the urine will not be engaging a flat, perpendicular surface and will thus not splash back at the user.

[0024] Users can also continue using the toilet normally without sitting. Since the invention attaches through adhesion, the toilet seat can be lifted without requiring removal of the invention. Furthermore, when the toilet seat is raised, any display portion 61 on the bottom portion 60 of the invention is visible. This allows for children's characters or other imagery to be displayed, which may encourage younger users to use the toilet.

[0025] The adhesion bonding the invention to the toilet seat is strong enough to hold the invention in place so that the invention does not shift during usage. However, it may require moderate force to remove the invention for replacement or other purposes.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprisingA compressible material configured to attach to the bottom side of a toilet seat;Said compressible material having a front portion and a rear portion;Said front portion being similarly shaped to the front portion of a standard toilet bowl;Said compressible material being of a quality that is not porous and prevents liquid from passing through the material, thereby creating a waterproof seal.

2. Said rear portion being shaped similarly to the letter “M”, wherein the rear portion has two oval contours that create a point at the midpoint of the rear portion;3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means of attaching the apparatus to the toilet is by adhering the apparatus to the bottom of a toilet seat.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is dimensioned to not cover the entire surface of a toilet seat or bowl, so that the apparatus does not fully prevent air flow to a toilet bowl.

5. The rear portion as in claim 1, wherein the contours of the rear portion are configured to guide liquid into the toilet bowl.

6. The rear portion as in claim 1, wherein the contours of the rear portion are configured to reduce splashing of liquid towards a toilet user.

7. An apparatus comprisingA compressible material configured to attach to the bottom side of a toilet seat;Said compressible material having a front portion and a rear portion;Said front portion being similarly shaped to the front portion of a standard toilet bowl;Said compressible material being of a quality that is not porous and prevents liquid from passing through the material, thereby creating a waterproof seal;Said rear portion being shaped similarly to the letter “M”, wherein the rear portion has two oval contours that create a point at the midpoint of the rear portion;Said apparatus wherein said means of attaching the apparatus to the toilet is by adhering the apparatus to the bottom of a toilet seat;Said apparatus being dimensioned to not cover the entire surface of a toilet seat or bowl, so that the apparatus does not fully prevent air flow to a toilet bowl;Said rear portion having contours configured to guide liquid into the toilet bowl;Said rear portion having contours configured to reduce splashing of liquid towards a toilet user.

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