Toilet Seat Cleaner

Abstract

A toilet seat cleaner built into a hollow toilet interior and left and right hollow wing portions. One wing contains a cleaning solution and venturi valve. The other wing contains a forced air assembly. The perimeter of the top of the seat includes a raised portion having water and air outlet apertures. When the toilet is flushed, pressurized water to flows into the venturi valve and into an enclosed channel within the seat causing cleaning solution to be drawn into the stream of water and forced out of the water outlet apertures. When cleaning is complete, the forced air assembly forces into the channel and out of the air outlet apertures. The cleaning action is started when a flow sensor sees that the toilet has been flushed. The toilet seat is hinged and can be lifted in the same way as a standard toilet seat.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of bathroom toilets and more specifically to a toilet seat having a built-in cleaning and drying assembly.

The use of raised toilets in bathrooms has been available to people in developed countries for over one hundred years. A standard toilet consists of a toilet bowl that holds water, a rear hinged toilet seat which the user sits on when wanting to defecate or for females—urinate, and a rear hinged lid which can cover the seat and toilet bowl when not in use.

Toilet seats can become unclean in short periods of time, depending on frequency of use and cleanliness of the users. Therefor it is advantageous to clean the seat top as often as possible. Some attempts have been made to develop self-cleaning seats such as those found in the following patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 694,119 (issued in 1902) shows a seat cleaner that includes a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning solution and a brush mechanism for drying the seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,160,963 shows a seat disinfecting device where the fumes of a cleaning compound escape from apertures that are in close proximity to the folded-up seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,512,174 discloses a brush assembly that can be slid around the perimeter of the seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,246 shows a seat cleaner where the seat is caused to rotate so that each section of the seat passes by a stationary cleaning assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,018 discloses a design where a cleaning brush assembly is positioned in the seat lid, and when folded down, cleans the seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,899 shows a self-cleaning seat that can rotate on a circular track where a liquid cleaning device extends over a segment of the seat. The whole seat is cleaned as the seat rotates around the track.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,105 discloses another version of the seat rotating around horizontally past a stationary cleaning device.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,549 shows a cleaning device built into the toilet seat lid. When the lid is lowered, liquid cleaner and fan dryer operate to clean and dry the seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,509,693 discloses a toilet cleaning apparatus where the seat has a cavity that has a motor and pully and belt that cleans the seat with a cleaning pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,757,486 uses ultraviolet light to disinfect the toilet seat.

However, there are deficiencies in the prior art in that none of the designs shows an easy to use seat cleaning device that is built into the toilet seat in such a way that the top portion of the seat can be automatically and easily cleaned and where the seat itself can be hinged and lifted the same way as a standard seat can. Additionally, none of the prior patents shows the ability to operate the electrical portions of the invention with a removable and rechargeable battery. Finally, none of the prior patents show the idea of using water from the exiting water inlet pipe, or the idea of detecting water movement during flushing to turn on the cleaning mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleaner that is built into and around the structure of the seat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleaner that automatically cleans and dries the top portion of the toilet seat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleaner that is built into the seat where the seat can be lifted as can be done with standard toilets.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleaner that also blow dries the seat after being cleaned with a liquid solution.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet seat cleaner that uses the pressurized water from a standard bathroom water outlet bib to produce an energetic cleaning action.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a toilet seat cleaner comprising: a hollow toilet seat having left and right oriented hollow wing portions, a toilet seat base panel, a cleaning solution reservoir, a forced air assembly, a solenoid valve, a pressure switch, a venturi valve, a Y junction housing having tubular legs, a plurality of connecting hoses, a plurality of LEDs, a water flow sensor, a microprocessor, and a power cord and plug, said toilet seat base panel enclosing said hollow portion of said hollow toilet seat, said hollow toilet seat top surface having a raised perimeter portion that includes a plurality of inwardly facing air and liquid outlets, said hollow toilet seat also having an internal enclosed channel aligned with said raised perimeter portion capable of transporting forced air or liquid, said left hollow wing containing said liquid reservoir and said venturi valve, said right hollow wing containing said forced air assembly, said pressure switch located on the front lower portion of said toilet seat base panel, said solenoid valve enclosed within a said Y junction housing, the lower tubular leg of said Y junction housing attachable to a standard bathroom water outlet bib, the upper left tubular leg of said Y junction attached to a said connecting hose that leads to the water reservoir portion of a standard toilet, the upper right tubular leg of said Y junction attached to a said connecting hose that leads to said solenoid valve, said Y junction also including a water flow sensor, water exiting said standard water outlet bib being allowed to flow either when said flow sensor senses that the toilet has been flushed, or when said pressure switch has been activated due to the weight of the user being lifted from said toilet seat, said liquid cleaning reservoir exit port connected to said venturi valve, said solenoid valve connected at one side to said water inlet hose and on the opposite side to said venturi valve, said liquid cleaning reservoir containing cleaning solution that is drawn into the center portion of said venturi valve so that when pressurized water flows through said venturi valve, said cleaning solution is drawn into the stream, through said enclosed channel and out of said inwardly facing air and liquid outlets, said forced air assembly being turned on after said cleaning solution has cleaned the top surface of said toilet seat, said microprocessor controlling the time period that said solenoid valve is open and controlling the time that said forced air assembly is operating, said power cord and plug capable of plugging into 110 VAC power to supply power to said solenoid valve, said forced air assembly and other electronic components, a portion of said LEDs placed on the outer perimeter of the underside of said toilet seat causing a glow around the perimeter of said toilet seat, and another portion of said LEDs placed on the inner perimeter of the underside of said toilet seat causing the interior of a toilet to be illuminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention mounted on a standard toilet bowl pedestal.

FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the invention mounted on a standard toilet bowl pedestal.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the seat portion lifted up via rear hinges.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the liquid cleaner bottle about to be inserted into the left side wing of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the liquid cleaner bottle inside the left side wing of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the right side of the invention showing the forced air wing of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the air and liquid exit apertures on the perimeter of the seat.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the seat.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the underside of the seat with the bottom cover panel removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a front perspective view of the toilet seat assembly 100 mounted on a standard toilet bowl 22. A standard lid 6 is hinged 8 in the standard fashion so that it can close over seat portion 2. The seat 2 has integral left and right hollow wings 12, 10. The left wing 12 houses a cleaning solution bottle 34 and a venturi valve 36 as will be shown in the section view in FIG. 5. The right-side wing 10 houses a forced air assembly such as a motorized fan or an air compressor not shown. It also may house a heating element that warms the stream of air as it makes its way onto the surface of seat 2 during the drying process. The standard water bib 14 and bib hose 15 lead to a Y junction box 16 which houses a solenoid valve that can allow water to enter hose 20. The sheath around hose 20 also can contain a flexible heating element that can warm the incoming water as it is used for liquid cleaning purposes. If needed, a water pump, not shown, can be added to hose 20 to further increase the pressure of water and associated cleaning solution that will be used in the seat cleaning process. Standard hose 18 leads to the toilet water reservoir 24. Water from hose 18 is used in the standard way to refill reservoir 24 after the toilet is flushed by a user. A flow control sensor, not shown, is also installed within Y junction housing 16 and senses when the water in hose 18 is flowing and sends a signal to a microprocessor located in hollow wing 12 which starts the cleaning and drying process, which will be discussed below. A second optional way to start the cleaning process uses pressure switch 30, shown in FIG. 3. When a person sits on seat 2, the switch 30 is pressed down. The act of pressing down switch 30 causes the heater 46, shown in FIG. 9 to warm up thereby providing a comfortable experience for the user. When the person rises from seat 2, the switch 30 is deactivated thereby sending a signal to a microprocessor located within wing 12 to start the cleaning process. A third optional way to start the cleaning process is for a person to press switch button 52. This option can be used when the person is not actually using the toilet but still wants to clean the seat. A raised perimeter ring 4 on the outer edge of the seat 2 includes a plurality of outlet apertures that can let cleaning solution or forced air out onto the surface of seat 2 as will be discussed below. A standard proximity sensor mounted to the underside panel 32 can detect when the seat 2 is in the down position or the up position based on its closeness to the top surface of bowl 22. That information is sent to the microprocessor. The microprocessor will only let the cleaning process take place when the seat is in the down position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toilet seat assembly 100 showing the right side where forced air wing 10 is in view. The hollow housing 10 encloses a forced air assembly. A power cord 26 plugs into a standard 110 VAC outlet 28 to power the electrical components of the invention. Alternately, a removable and replaceable rechargeable battery 38 as shown in its removed state in FIG. 6 can power the electronic components of the invention 100.

FIG. 3 is a left side perspective view of the invention with the seat portion lifted via hinge members 8 exposing the underside panel 32 of the seat 2 which includes pressure switch 30. The seat 2 in the up position allows the toilet to be used by men to urinate into the bowl 22 in the standard way.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention 100 showing the cleaning solution bottle 34 removed from the cleaning solution wing 12. The bottle's tip includes a check valve that can be overcome when the tip is inserted into venturi valve 36 as shown in the section view in FIG. 5. When pressurized water flows through valve 36 the water flow draws a portion of cleaning solution 35 into the stream. A photo sensor, not shown, is located near the lower portion of the cleaning solution container 34. When the cleaning solution 35 reaches the level of the photo sensor, a signal is sent to the microprocessor to initiate an intermittent warning beep to let the user know that it is time to add more cleaning solution.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the invention 100 showing the removal of optional battery power supply 38.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the invention 100 showing the apertures 40 that let liquid or air out for cleaning and drying the seat 4. The apertures 40 are inwardly pointing so that the liquid falls into the toilet bowl 22 after cleaning the seat. The raised perimeter portion 4 is hollow underneath creating a channel for the liquid or air to pass through as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a view of the underside of seat 2 with the bottom panel 32 removed exposing channel 44. Cleaning solution enters the channel 44 at location 44B. Forced air enters the channel 44 at location 44A. The underside panel 32 of the seat 2 completes the channel 44 enclosure thereby creating a liquid and air retaining tube. The view in FIG. 9 also shows an optional heating element 46 that can warm the seat 2 during use.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the underside 32 panel of the seat 2. The underside panel 32 includes a plurality of LEDs 42 on the outer perimeter of panel 32 and a plurality of LEDs 48 on the inner perimeter of seat 2. The outer LEDs 42 cause a glowing effect between the seat panel 32 and the toilet bowl 22 when the seat 2 is in the down position. The inner perimeter LEDs 48 are aimed into the water in the toilet bowl 22 making it easier to see the water during darkened conditions. A photo sensor, not shown, detects the ambient light conditions in the area around the toilet and sends a signal to the microprocessor to turn on the LEDs 42, 44.

It should be noted that the above invention can be built into a complete toilet rather than a toilet seat. The solution containing area and forced air area can be located in the rear of the seat, between the seat and the toilet reservoir. Although the power cord is shown exiting the right side forced air housing, it can also be made to exit the left side cleaner solution housing. Excess cord may be stored within either the forced air housing or the cleaning solution housing, or the space between the two housings. The above described invention can be used in bathrooms located in a home or used in commercial locations such as restaurants or offices.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Toilet seat cleaner comprising: a hollow toilet seat having left and right oriented hollow wing portions;a toilet seat base panel;a cleaning solution reservoir;a forced air assembly;a solenoid valve;a pressure switch;a venturi valve;a Y junction housing having tubular legs;a plurality of connecting hoses;a plurality of LEDs;a water flow sensor;a microprocessor;a power cord and plug;said toilet seat base panel enclosing said hollow portion of said hollow toilet seat;said hollow toilet seat top surface having a raised perimeter portion that includes a plurality of inwardly facing air and liquid outlets;said hollow toilet seat also having an internal enclosed channel aligned with said raised perimeter portion capable of transporting forced air or liquid;said left hollow wing containing said liquid reservoir and said venturi valve;said right hollow wing containing said forced air assembly and said rechargeable battery;said pressure switch located on the front lower portion of said toilet seat base panel;said solenoid valve enclosed within a said Y junction housing;the lower tubular leg of said Y junction housing attachable to a standard bathroom water outlet bib;the upper left tubular leg of said Y junction attached to a said connecting hose that leads to the water reservoir portion of a standard toilet;the upper right tubular leg of said Y junction attached to a said connecting hose that leads to said solenoid valve;said Y junction also including a water flow sensor;water exiting said standard water outlet bib being allowed to flow either when said flow sensor senses that the toilet has been flushed, or when said pressure switch has been activated due to the weight of the user being lifted from said toilet seat;said liquid cleaning reservoir exit port connected to said venturi valve;said solenoid valve connected at one side to said water inlet hose and on the opposite side to said venturi valve;said liquid cleaning reservoir containing cleaning solution that is drawn into the center portion of said venturi valve so that when pressurized water flows through said venturi valve, said cleaning solution is drawn into the stream, through said enclosed channel and out of said inwardly facing air and liquid outlets;said forced air assembly being turned on after said cleaning solution has cleaned the top surface of said toilet seat;said microprocessor controlling the time period that said solenoid valve is open and controlling the time that said forced air assembly is operating;said power cord and plug capable of plugging into 110 VAC power to supply power to said solenoid valve, said forced air assembly and other electronic components;a portion of said LEDs placed on the outer perimeter of the underside of said toilet seat causing a glow around the perimeter of said toilet seat; andanother portion of said LEDs placed on the inner perimeter of the underside of said toilet seat causing the interior of a toilet to be illuminated.

2. A toilet seat cleaner as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flexible heating pad that wraps around said water hose that travels from said solenoid valve to said venturi valve causing said cleaning solution to be warm when in cleaning mode.

3. A toilet seat cleaner as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a heating element that resides in the hollow portion of said toilet seat causing said toilet seat to become warm during use.

4. A toilet seat cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said forced air assembly includes a fan and a heating element capable of blowing hot air onto the surface of said toilet seat.

5. A toilet seat cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said toilet seat is hinged at the rear in the same way as a standard toilet seat and is capable of being lifted in the same way as a standard toilet seat.

6. A toilet seat cleaner as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a rechargeable battery to power said electrical components in place of said 110 VAC power.

7. A toilet seat cleaner as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a push button switch allowing a person to manually engage the said liquid cleaning and air-drying functions.