Flexible Potty Training Device to Block Toilet Seat-Bowl Gap

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing potty training devices are bulky, difficult to clean, and not compatible with various toilet seat shapes, leading to increased manufacturing and consumer costs, and do not effectively block the opening between the toilet seat and bowl, resulting in accidental wetting.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, water-resistant potty training device with a folding seam and adhesive attachment tabs that can be easily molded to fit any toilet seat shape, eliminating structural shelves and gaps that allow urine to pass through, while maintaining a flat configuration for cost-effective manufacturing and easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed configuration device is used to block the opening between toilet seat and bowl, then the device structure is simple, but it limits compatibility with various toilet seat shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with toilet seat shapesVSAvoiddevice configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a fixed rigid configuration to a flexible dynamic structure that can adapt to different toilet seat shapes. The flexible material allows the device to conform to various curvatures and dimensions of toilet seats, providing universal compatibility without requiring multiple fixed configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses flexible material properties that allow it to change its physical parameters (shape, curvature) to match different toilet seat geometries. This parameter adaptability enables a single device design to work across multiple toilet seat types without increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a bulky device is used to block the opening, then it provides sufficient coverage, but it increases manufacturing and sales costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a thin flexible sheet material that can be manufactured at low cost while still providing effective blocking coverage. The flexibility allows a thin material to conform and seal effectively around the toilet bowl opening, achieving reliable blocking without the bulk and associated manufacturing costs of rigid structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a two-dimensional flat sheet to a three-dimensional conformal structure when installed. This dimensional transformation allows the thin material to provide effective three-dimensional blocking coverage, maintaining reliability while minimizing material usage and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If a fixed configuration device is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but frequent replacement increases consumer expense

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddevice service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible thin film construction makes the device inherently more durable and resistant to damage during installation and removal. This increased durability extends the service life of each device, reducing the frequency of replacement and associated consumer expenses, while the simple flat configuration remains easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Device complexity

If the folding seam is positioned on the front side, then the device structure is straightforward, but it creates a structural shelf that accumulates urine and causes odors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidurine accumulation and odor

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the folding seam on the front side where it creates urine-trapping shelves, the invention inverts the configuration by positioning the folding seam on the back side. This inversion eliminates the harmful urine accumulation structure while maintaining straightforward device construction, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and hygiene.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11278168B2Potty training device

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 FOR KIDS BY PARENTS

AI summary

A potting training device for preventing a potty training child's urine stream from passing through an opening between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl is made of a flexible, water-resistant, preferably non-porous flat sheet material, having a folding seam separating the device into an top portion containing a plurality of attachment tabs and a bottom portion containing a urine-deflector. An adhesive material is applied to the surface of each attachment tab and attaches the attachment tabs to the underside of the toilet seat. The flat sheet material, in its unattached configuration, is manipulated into a curved configuration that matches the curvature of the toilet seat, and is attached thereto.