The present invention relates to the field of sanitation. More specifically, the present invention relates to portable toilets.
Portable toilets have been used at construction sites, concerts and other events for many years. Portable toilets generally include a toilet surrounded by a privacy enclosure with a storage tank below for receiving and storing human waste. An issue with portable toilets is that when the toilets are transported, the human waste in the storage tank shifts and splashes around and tends to make a mess inside the privacy enclosure.
A toilet protection device prevents the human waste contents of a portable toilet from spilling/splashing onto the toilet and/or the walls/floor of the portable toilet enclosure. The toilet protection device includes an expandable rubber seal enabling the toilet protection device to fit in most, if not all, portable toilets regardless of shape or size. Moreover, by using a disposable cover, there is minimal cleanup of toilet protection device.
A device for portable toilet protection includes a device body configured to securely fit partially in a toilet bowl to prevent the contents of the storage tank of the toilet from spilling. The toilet protection device is able to be partially or fully covered by a removable, disposable cover for even easier cleanup. The toilet protection device is able to include three or more rests for securing the seat and lid of the toilet to the toilet protection device.
The plug 102 includes a first plate 120 and a second plate 122 (or other components) with a rubber seal 124 (or other material such as silicone or another material) in between the first plate 120 and the second plate 122, where the two plates 120, 122 are able to be pushed together which compresses the rubber seal 124 causing the rubber seal 124 to expand out from the plates 120, 122 to form a secure seal with the toilet bowl. The plug 102 is able to be generally round, oval or any other shape to fit securely within a toilet bowl to prevent the contents of the bowl and/or storage (e.g., the human waste and toilet material) from spilling out of the toilet.
In some embodiments, the plug 102 is able to be configured and shaped similar to a drain plug such that the diameter of the plug 102 gradually increases from the bottom to the top of the plug 102. In some embodiments, the plug 102 is a simpler implementation shaped to generally fit in most toilets (e.g., a larger top which gradually narrows to the bottom) without extra components (e.g., plates and rubber seal) such that it fits securely in most toilet bowls.
The lid 104 is configured to sit on top of the toilet bowl to further ensure that the contents within the bowl/storage do not spill out of the toilet. The lid 104 is shaped to fit on top of and cover the toilet bowl. The lid 104 is coupled to the plug 102, in particular, the first plate 120. The lid 104 is shaped and sized to cover the opening of the toilet bowl, possibly having some of the lid 104 extending beyond the toilet bowl.
The lever 106 or other implementation causes two plates or other structures within the plug 102 to compress a rubber seal 124 between the plates 120, 122 causing the rubber seal 124 to expand beyond the plates 120, 122 to form a seal with the toilet bowl. In some embodiments, the compression occurs by the lever 106 pushing the first plate 120 downward against the rubber seal 124 which pushes downward against the second plate 122 which is immovable because it is pushing downward against the toilet bowl. In some embodiments, the compression occurs by the lever 106 pulling the second plate 122 upward against the rubber seal 124 which pushes upward against the first plate 120 which is stationary or configured to push downward. The pressure of the first plate 120 and the second plate 122 pushing against each other causes the flexible, expandable rubber seal 124 to expand out beyond the edges of the plates 120, 122 and form a seal against the toilet bowl. The expandable rubber seal 124 enables the toilet protection device 100 to be secure in many different sizes and shapes of toilet bowls.
In some embodiments, an upper retainer attaches the rubber seal 124 to the first plate 120. In some embodiments, the retainers are around each of the plates 120, 122. In some embodiments, the second plate 122 is attached to a center core/stem which is coupled to the lever 106 which is what is used to compress the rubber seal 124. In some embodiments, a button is utilized instead of a lever with a mechanized implementation. For example, a user pushes a button on top of the toilet protection device 100 which causes a motor within the toilet protection device 100 to compress the plates 120, 122 or another mechanism to cause the rubber seal 124 to expand to form a seal with the toilet bowl. The mechanized implementation is able to be battery powered, solar powered or any other implementation.
In some embodiments, the lever 106 pushes down the plug 102 into the toilet bowl to block the contents of the bowl/storage from escaping the tank/storage. The lever 106 is partially affixed to the lid 104 and couples to the plug 102. By toggling the lever 106 (e.g., lifting or lowering depending on the implementation), an arm of the lever pushes the plug 102 down into the toilet bowl. In some embodiments, the lever 106 is configured to lock in place, use friction or some other implementation to prevent the plug 102 from lifting up from the down position. In some embodiments, a different mechanism is used to position and/or secure the plug 102 in the toilet bowl. For example, an implementation similar to a 1/4 turn valve or a screw-like implementation is utilized.
The plurality of rests 108 are configured to receive the toilet seat and lid. For example, the toilet seat and lid rest on top of the plurality of rests 108. In some embodiments, the toilet seat and lid are able to be secured in place against the rests 108 with a rope, bungee cord or some other securing implementation. Each of the plurality of rests 108 is individually adjustable. For example, the height of each rest 108 is able to be adjusted by turning the rest 108 similar to a screw, where clockwise rotation increases the height, and counter-clockwise decreases the height. In some embodiments, the heads of each rest 108 are able to move/rotate slightly such that the angle of each head changes to be able to be positioned flush against the toilet seat or lid.
In some embodiments, the toilet protection device 100 includes additional elements. For example, in some embodiments, the lever 106 or other part of the toilet protection device 100 includes a locking mechanism or an aperture for receiving a locking mechanism (e.g., pad lock) which prevents removal of the toilet protection device 100 from the toilet by maintaining the friction fit of the seal 124 and preventing release of the lever 106. In some embodiments, the toilet protection device 100 includes an aperture or another implementation for enabling the toilet protection device 100 to be securely stored within the portable toilet enclosure to prevent theft. Each component of the toilet protection device 100 is able to be made out of any appropriate material such as plastic, rubber, metal, wood and/or any other material.
In some embodiments, a cover 110 is able to be used to cover the plug 102 and/or other parts of the toilet protection device 100 including the entirety of the toilet protection device 100. The cover 110 is able to be a removable, disposable cover such as a bag. The cover 110 enables use of the toilet protection device 100 without having to clean the toilet protection device 100 after each use, or the amount of cleaning of the toilet protection device 100 is reduced. For example, any contents that would splash up and hit the toilet protection device 100 will actually hit the cover 110, so after transport, the cover 110 is able to be removed and thrown out. The cover 110 is able to be secured around the plug 102 with a securing component such as a rubber band, rope, or any other implementation.
To utilize the toilet protection device, the toilet protection device is positioned in a toilet bowl. Before placing the toilet protection device in the toilet bowl, part or all of the device is able to be covered with a removable cover such as a bag. The toilet protection device is secured within the toilet by pushing a lever or another mechanism which causes two plates to compress a rubber seal which presses against the internal walls of the toilet bowl and is secured by friction. The toilet seat and lid are secured against rests of the toilet protection device using a securing implementation such as a bungee cord. After transporting the portable toilet, the toilet protection device is able to be removed by reversing the process including removing the securing implementation, lifting the lever to reduce the friction of the rubber seal with the toilet bowl and lift out the toilet protection device. The cover of the toilet protection device is able to be removed and discarded appropriately, and the toilet protection device is able to be reused with little to no additional cleanup of the device.
In operation, the toilet protection device prevents the human waste contents of the portable toilet from spilling/splashing onto the toilet and/or the walls of the portable toilet enclosure. Since the toilet protection device includes an expandable rubber seal, the toilet protection device is able to fit in most, if not all, portable toilets regardless of shape or size. Moreover, by using a disposable cover, there is minimal cleanup of toilet protection device.
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other various modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17687355 | Mar 2022 | US |
Child | 18670516 | US |