This invention relates generally to toilets, and more particularly to toilet seat covers.
Public restrooms can often be unsightly and unsanitary. Direct skin contact with a public toilet seat can lead to making contact with various germs and bacteria, possibly leading to illness. For individuals with compromised immune systems, these germs and bacteria can be extremely dangerous. While there are disposable toilet seat covers available in public restrooms, these covers are often thin and flimsy, offering virtually no reliable protection for the user. Further, public restrooms may not even provide these types of covers, leaving an individual with limited options, such as using toilet paper to cover the toilet seat. Using this approach can result in only partial protection.
Devices are known that relate to portable toilet seat covers, and in some instances, storage cases for these devices. Some devices provide toilet seat covers that include a polymeric sheet of material shaped similarly to a toilet seat, wherein the toilet seat cover can be folded and transported in a carrying case. However, these toilet seat covers are very thin, and so tend to not conform to the seat, resulting in difficulty of use, and unreliability of protection. Due to the thinness and light weight of such covers, the cover can adhere to the legs of the user, possibly bringing an unsanitary surface of the cover in contact with the user's hand or leg when attempting to regain control over the cover for disposal of the cover.
The present invention provides an individual with a sanitary, washable, easy-to-control, easy-to-store, and reusable toilet seat cover that protects the individual from direct unsanitary contact with a toilet seat. The device features a lower barrier layer of an impenetrable material that firmly secures the cover to a toilet seat by making slide-resistant contact with the toilet seat, and an upper comfort layer of soft, comfortable (possibly plush) material for the user's comfort while using a toilet. Additionally, the toilet seat cover folds conveniently into a matching carrying case so to ensure that the device can be taken, in a sanitary manner, wherever needed. Moreover, the device eliminates the need to use excess toilet paper or flimsy paper or plastic disposable seat covers provided by some public restrooms, thereby reducing the possibility that bacteria and germs are contacted while using a public toilet.
One general aspect of the invention is a toilet seat cover device including: a seat cover having a lower barrier layer and an upper comfort layer, the upper comfort layer being attached to the lower barrier layer; and a case including a closure mechanism, the case being sized so as to accommodate the seat cover in a folded condition.
In some embodiments, the case further includes a flap supporting the closure mechanism. In further embodiments, the closure mechanism is a decorative button or a hook and loop closure.
In some embodiments, the case includes two compartments, one compartment being sized so as to accommodate the seat cover in a folded condition.
In some embodiments, the lower barrier layer is made of vinyl.
In some embodiments, the upper comfort layer is a decorative material that is the same decorative material that covers the case.
In some embodiments, the upper comfort layer is made from a plush soft fabric such that the seat cover can nevertheless be folded.
In some embodiments, the upper comfort layer is attached to the lower barrier layer using an adhesive.
In some embodiments, the upper comfort layer and the lower barrier layer are attached by sewing together the upper comfort layer and the lower barrier layer.
Another general aspect of the invention is a toilet seat cover that includes: a seat cover having a lower barrier layer and an upper comfort layer, the upper comfort layer being attached to the lower barrier layer.
In some embodiments, the seat cover is configured to be folded and enclosed in a case for convenient carrying. In further embodiments, the case includes a closure mechanism. In yet further embodiments, the case includes two compartments, one compartment being sized so as to accommodate the seat cover in a folded condition.
In some embodiments, the lower barrier layer is made of vinyl.
In some embodiments, the upper comfort layer is decorated in the same manner as material used to cover the case.
In some embodiments, the upper comfort layer is made from a plush soft fabric such that the seat cover can nevertheless be folded.
In some embodiments, the upper comfort layer is attached to the lower barrier layer using an adhesive.
In some embodiments, the upper comfort layer and the lower barrier layer are attached by sewing together the upper comfort layer and the lower barrier layer.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following Detailed Description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
The present invention provides a toilet seat cover along with a case in which the cover can be placed for sanitary storage and/or transport. The device enables sanitary conditions for women, men, and children, including individuals with compromised immune systems, when using a public toilet. The device protects its user from having direct contact with a toilet seat, offering the user “peace-of-mind” regarding sanitary conditions. Additionally, the toilet seat cover is comfortable, compact, flexible, foldable, and re-usable, and can be placed in its carrying case, thereby affording convenient transportability.
The case 31 can have a flap 35 that closes to join with the decorative button 36, thereby closing the compartments 32 and 34. Other fastening means, such as snaps or hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®) or the like can also be used. The carrying case 31 can be approximately six inches in length and six inches in width. Other sizes or dimensions can also be used.
Referring now to
The toilet seat cover 16 or 17 with carrying case 30 or 31 can be used as follows. Initially, a user removes the toilet seat cover 16 or 17 from the carrying case 30 or 31. Next, the user places the barrier portion 22 onto a toilet seat so that the device adheres to the toilet seat. When the user sits on the upper comfort portion 21 of the toilet seat cover on the toilet seat, the device further adheres to the toilet seat while comfortably cushioning the user. When the user is finished sitting on the toilet, the device can be removed by intentionally lifting the toilet seat cover 16 or 17 up from the toilet seat. Typically this is done by lifting the front and back of the toilet seat cover 16 or 17 simultaneously. Next the user folds the toilet seat cover 16 or 17 so that the lower barrier layer 22 is against itself, and the upper comfort layer 21 is on the outside of the folded device. When folding is complete, the device fits into the carrying case 30 or 31. For example, the front and back can be folded together, causing the lower barrier layer 22 to touch and the upper comfort layer 21 to be on the outside, and then the sides can be folded over from right to left. Finally, the folded device is placed into the carrying case and, if appropriate, the flap 35 or 39 of the carrying case 31 or 30 can be secured.
The present invention can be made using flexible vinyl or other suitable materials for the lower barrier layer 22, and soft fabric or other suitable materials for the upper comfort layer 21. The carrying case 30 or 31 can be constructed using soft, wallet-like material, having an interior made from vinyl or other moisture barrier lining. The toilet seat cover 16 or 17 will be able to fully cover any type of standard toilet seat. The upper portion 21, as well as both carrying cases 30, 31, can be made available in a multitude of colors and designs to suit user preferences. For example, the upper portion 21 and the carrying case 30,31 can be made of the same or matching material. The exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described so as to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
In addition to any previously indicated modification, numerous other variations and alternative arrangements can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this description, and appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use can be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, examples are meant to be illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any manner.
This application has the priority date of the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/064,560, filed Oct. 16, 2014, and entitled: “Travel Toilet Seat Cover with Matching Carrying Case”, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62064560 | Oct 2014 | US |