AU2005318927A1 - Toilet training, bathing and toileting devices for infants, toddlers and pre schoolers - Google Patents

Description

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 1 PRIOR ART & PROBLEMS Preliminary searches by the applicant, indicate that toileting devices designed for use by very young infants (0 -1 year old) are not currently available in the market. Most toileting devices on sale including potty-chairs are designed for toddlers and preschoolers, who can already sit up or walk about. Many parents are not even aware that they can toilet train their infants from birth. This is true in Western society, as many child care manuals recommend that toilet training can occur after the child is 1 to 2 years old. In most nurseries, preschools and kindergartens in Australia, the majority of infants and toddlers up to 2 year olds are wearing disposable nappies. Quite a number of three years Olds and a few four years olds are still wearing nappies, The use of nappies on young infants and toddlers prior to toilet training is the most expensive budget item for adult carers. The detergents used for washing non-disposable nappies may pose nappy rash and or environmental problems. The chore of having to wash and dry cloth nappies are considered too troublesome, by many busy parents today, Many parents resort to using huge quantities of disposable nappies and discarding these nappies containing urine and faecal matter with normal household refuse. Disposable napples are also used in huge quantities by many child care facilities and other carers, and the disposal procedures used pose an ever increasing, potentially environmentally hazardous problem. Also, nappies soaked in urine cause discomfort, and many children suffer mild to severe nappy rash problems, requiring expensive medicated ointments, which may have other side effects. The need for using and changing nappies was considerably reduced and avoided completely at a child's early age by the applicant's Chinese mother, as she toilet trained her own children and later, her grand-children from-birth. Toilet training from birth seems to be not a commonly shared experience. Preliminary enquiries by the applicant Indicate that many other Chinese mothers also toilet trained their infants but they begin this training after the infant is about 6 months old or older, not at birth. This, though, is still at a much younger age than is generally accepted as an appropriate age for the commencement of toilet training in Western society which usually begins when the child is more than one or two years old.

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 2 The process used by the applicant's mother to toilet train infants from birth appears to be quite unique. Being a biologist, the applicant was surprised tb observe her new bom infant son, David urinating and defecating at her mother's signals to him. She wondered "How can he have control over his anal and urinary sphincter muscles at that young age?" Yet her mother could induce David to release his urine and faeces at her command! She did this by resting his head and back close to her body, whilst she is sitting on a low stool. She positions him above a basin with water in it, by gripping his lower thigh with her hands and with his legs raised. She then encourages him to urinate or to defecate by making appropriate encouraging sounds. She is successful about 95% of the time, and David was clean and dry most of the time. He was toilet trained well before he turned one. Thus, the number of nappies used by David before he was toilet trained was considerably reduced. The applicant would like to share her mother's technique with other child caters all over the world but a squatting position is difficult for many Western adults to obtain and/or maintain for any length of time and the sounds made to induce urination and defecation unfamiliar. OBJECT OF TOILETING DEVICE This device is a novel form of a child's portable toilet pot, or potty ("pottee"). It is designed to allow adult capers to use the applicant's mother's technique of toilet training infants without the need for the adult carer to sit on a low stool or to squat or to make appropriate sounds to induce urination or defecation, The basic device is a portable, musical " pottee chair" to which is attached a detachable, adjustable leg rest to become "the infant pottee chair". The primary function of this device is for the toilet training of infants ( 0- 10 months ). Toilet training of the infant occurs very early, soon after birtth. As the infant grows into a toddler (10 20 months), the infant pottee chair can be converted for the bigger child's use, by the removal of the adjustable leg rest to become "the toddler pottee chair". The infant or toddler pottee chair, when used in conjunction with a receiving pot, is designed as a defecating and urinating device for infants and toddlers respectively. After its usage, the contents of the receiving pot, have to be emptied by the carer into the toilet. The pottee chair is relocatable, as it can be moved about and attached firmly in any location with a flat clean surface, by its suction feet, Hence the carer has no need to squat and can place the pottee chair on a bench top, a sink or table top, when toilet training their infant. The suction feet, also allows it to be attached firmly to an adult toilet seat. This enables the use of the device for defecation and urination by infants and toddlers directly into an adult toilet, without the need for emptying, a used receiving pot. The pottee chair will be specially equipped with 2 copyrighted music discs, one playing sounds/music that encourages the defecation process and the other, the urination process The "infant pottee chair" is a novel device because it can be used for toilet training infants (babies) from birth. It is designed to enable the infant to assume a position with legs raised which is a more effective position for the release of urine and/or faeces by the infant. The routine of encouraging the process of urination and defecation by the baby before its morning bath, lends itself to the convenience of bathing the infant after it has been strapped into the pottee chair. The infant pottee chair now serves a second important function as a suitable and efficient bathing device for infants who are unable to sit up on their own.

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 3 The infant who has outgrown the infant potted chair with the detachable, adjustable leg rest can then directly use the pottee chair without the leg rest, as a "grown up" toddler, The toilet training device is designed to be viewed as a familiar device used regularly on a daily basis by the infant. By using the toilet training device from an early age as an infant, the toddler, is inducted into seeing toileting as a routine, relieving, safe and good experience. The toddler will be encouraged by the specially designed pottee chair to urinate and defecate independently from an early age. The pottee chair has 6 feet, each with its own suction disc. This gives the pottee chair a lot of grip and stability and when placed In a-bathroom on tiles, it can be used by a toddler, without danger of the pottee chair being bowled over and spilling its contents when the toddler sits on or gets up from it The suction feet also provide, excellent grip for attaching the pottee chair to the seat of an adult toilet. it allows the carer, armed with the device, to toilet train very young infants on an adult toilet anywhere in the world. It allows toddlers to defecate and urinate safely and directly into an adult toilet, anywhere In the world. Early toilet training, reduces/eliminates the need for carers to clean up messy, smelly bottoms, They are not faced with the environmentally hazardous problem of having to dispose of soiled nappies that may be made with non-biodegradable plastic. It saves the parents the cost of their most expensive budget item, nappies! It reduces/eliminates mild to severe nappy rash problems and the need to use expensive medicated creams that may have other side effects. It eliminates the discomfort of the child's bottoms being soaked in urine or smeared with faeces and it encourages the child's early independence. If infants are toilet trained from birth and the toddler is toilet trained by one, it will reduce the world's ever increasing, potentially hazardous, enormous pollution problems caused by nappy usage by at least 50%. The applicant hopes to make an educational documentary to accompany the sale of this product if it is manufactured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH FIGURE PAGE 1 ILLUSTRATIONS POTTEE CHAIR AND ITS ACCESORIES In the drawings: Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the basic toileting device, the pottee chair, for resting the infant's head and body or seating the toddlers, with their private parts over a pottee hole, while they are being toilet trained. Fig. I B is a perspective view of the attachable/detachable and adjustable leg rest which is used for raising the infant's legs whilst it is resting on the pottee chair. This enables the pottee chair to be used for toilet training young infants. Fig. 1 C is a perspective view of the self sealing horseshoe shaped polyurethane soft foam cushion which can be attached by rubber studs to the back rest and seat of the pottee chair, making it soft and comfortable for the seated infant or toddler. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the plastic receiving pot which when used in conjunction with the pottee chair converts it to a portable, relocatable urination and defecation device for infants and toddlers. Fig. 1 E shows the bathtub designed to be suitable for the infant pottee I bath chair to sit in when it is used as a bathing device.

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 4 PAGE 2 ILLUSTRATIONS ASSEMBLY OF THE TODDLER POTTEE CHAIR FiG, 2A is a perspective view of the basic toileting device, a pottee chair, for toilet training infants and toddlers. It consists of an injection moulded plastic chair made from polypropylene, with a seat 8 to hold the infant's/toddler's bottom. In the middle of the seat is an oval shaped opening S to allow for the passage of urine and faces from the infants/toddler's anus, penis or vagina. The anterior end of the hole is covered by a dome shaped wee splashguard 14 which is designed to prevent the spillage of urine especially when the device is used by a male infant or toddler. The pottee chair, has a back rest 10 which is especially important for supporting a delicate infants head and back. The back rest 10 and seat B have moulded-in holes 11. The holes are designed to receive the rubber studs 19 of FIG 2B1 & 282 from a waterproof, self sealing horseshoe shaped, polyurethane soft foam cushion 17 of FIG 2B. The cushion when attached to the back rest 10 and seat 8 of the pottee chair will act as a padding device providing protection and making the potted chair warm, soft and comfortable for the infant/toddler. The back rest is extended into the side guards 7, to hold the infant's/toddlers buttocks in place and to prevent the infant from failing sideways. Slot 9, one on each side, suitable for the passage of the "infant seat belts" are located in the lower back portion of the back rest. Details of the seat belts are described in page 3. The pottee chair sits on six attractively designed pottee feet for example 2, 16 all with holes 2 a,b & 16 a,b moulded into them. The holes are designed to receive the head of the soft plasticised suction cap 1. The suction cap head la can be placed through any hole. When all 6 suction caps are in place, they will hold the pbttee chair firmly to any flat, clean floor surface or bench/table tops made from materials such as tiles, timber, cork, parquet, vinyl, metal, glass, laminates or plastic. The 6 pottee feet, each with their own auction disc,.gives the pottee chair a lot of grip and stability. For example, when placed in a bathroom on tiles, it can be used by a toddler without danger of the pottee being bowled over when the toddler sits on or gets up from it. This is important to prevent any spillages from the receiving pot when it is in use. All the pottee feet, have two holes to receive the suction cap heads, Adult toilets can vary slightly, both in length and width. The various possible positions of attachment of the 6 suction pads, to the different locations of the pottee feet holes, gives the pottee chair the flexibility to be accomodated, on the different sized toilet seats. The inner holes are used for accomodation of the pottee chair, to smaller toilet seats and the outer holes, to larger ones. The regions of the wall above the pottee feet are thickened 16d to strengthen it (see Fig 2E), The plastic wall is thickened just sufficiently to support the weight of the heaviest toddler without the feet splaying. The pottee feet may be differently coloured from the seat to make it more attractive to the infant/toddler. Located on each side of the pottee seat are two moulded-in cylindrical recesses 3a and 4a. 3d is placed closer to the sitting infant and 4a, a little further away. They are designed to receive the cylindrical moulded hinge 30 (its function will be described in pages 3 & 4) of the infant leg rest 16 when it is attached to the pottee chair. The pair of holes 3b & 3e, 4b & 4o, below each recess are designed to receive the cylindrical protrusions "pegs" of the infant leg rest 18 (their roles will be provided in pages 3 & 4 as well). FIG 2 C shows the pottee chair assembled with the self sealing horseshoe shaped polyurethane soft foam cushion and ready to be used by a toddler. The loose ends of the horsehoe shaped cushion allows it to be draped around the pottee hole, attached by rubber studs 19 to the holes 11 as shown in detail in Fig 2B(2) of the pottee seat. It covers the recesses Sa & 4a at point 18, so that the presence of the indentation, wil 'not be felt by and discomfort the baby. Its ends are held in place by rubber studs 19 fitting into holes 11 on the anterior walls of the pottee chair (see fig IA for holes 1). The cushion provides protection and makes the pottee chair warm, soft, comfortable and inviting for the toddler to sit on. The cushion can be removed for washing when necessary.

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 5 FIG 2 D is the posterior perspective view of the pottee chair. Inserted into the pair of recesses 13c at the top most position of the back rest wall are a pair of sound/music disc 12a & 12b.This position will ensure that the music disc are not immersed in water when the pottee chair is used as a bath. (See page 8 for more details of the chair in a bath tub). Once the music discs are in place, they are covered over by a flexible transparent stick on plastic Cover 13 a and 13 b respectively. The transparent cover allow the carers to identify the disc and start the music by just a push of the finger on it. , Th cover 13a and 13b ensure that the music discs 12a and 12b are protected from potential splashes of water, when the chair is used as a bath chair. The music discs are held in place by the pair of recesses 13 c and the plastic cover 13 a and 13b. The music disc are thus removable and replaceable, If they should wear out by the time the carer wants to use it for a second baby, a few years down the track. The music disd 12a (labelled "Wee" ) will carry uniquely created copyrighted, sounds/music that will encourage the infant to urinate and 12 b (labelled "Poo") will carry sounds/music that will encourage the infant to defecate. Once the infant is fully trained, their use will no longer be necessary, The seat belts from slot 9 are passed through Slot 9d, and its length is adjusted at the back of the chair with a plastic adjustable clip 9e. Details of the seat belts are described in page 3. As the pottee chair is made of strong polypropylene plastic, it is important to minimise the quantities of plastic required to make it. The curved cutaways 21 achieves this without the potty losing too much strength, as well as contribute to the pottee's flexibility and aesthetics Cutaways also shown in Fig 2E. FIG 2E is a longitudinal sectional view of the pottee chair with the soft foam cushion in place. The thickness of the soft foam cushion is indicated in 17 This view also reveals the dome shape roof of the wee splashguard 14 and the downward slope and thickness of the rim/lip 6 of the pottee hole. (see page 6 for more details of its role), It also illustrates the thickness of pottee wall 16d above the pottee feet. PAGE 3 ILLUSTRATIONS ASSEMBLY OF THE INFANT POTTEE CHAIR Fig 3A is a perspective view of the detachable, adjustable Infant leg rest. It consists of two curved molded plastic leg support platform 24, designed to fit the lower half of the infant's/ toddler's thighs and shins which are held together by a central joining plate 25. The leg support platforms 24 have holes 27 suitable for receiving the rubber studs of the soft foam cushion (More details provided in page 5). The outer edge of the leg support platforms 24 are attached to two outer walls, the side plates 26, The leg support platform is curved upwards and outwards and then downwards over the side plate 26 (shown more clearly in Fig. 30) to form the leg wing 26a. This provides a bigger surface area to accommodate the varying sized thighs and shins of the infants and ensuring that they are supported comfortably and the infant's legs will not fall out sideways. 2 sets of a pair of holes 4b1 & 4c1 and 3bl & 31 are punched on the side plate 26 below the leg wing 26a. They are designed to receive the support rod 22 b. A detailed description of their respective functions will be given in Fig 30 below. FIG 3B1 shows the details of the attachment structures on the side plates 26 The leg support platforms 24, terminate in a cylindrical moulded hinge 30, towards the posterior end of the infant leg rest. At this end also, the leg wings 26 terminate at the leg wing tip 28 which, can be flexed outwards slightly at this point. A cylindrical protrusion. the "locating peg" 29 sits in between the hinge 30 and the leg wing tip 28. FIG 35 and 381 illustrates the process of locking the leg rest in position on the pottee chair WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 6 By flexing the two side plate/leg wings outwards, and then inwards at tip 28, the cylindrical moulded hinge 30 can be clipped onto the cylindrical recess 3a or 4a on the pottee seat, using a slight interference fit. This interference fit hinge joint secures the infant leg rest to the pottee chair, just enough to stop any unwanted disassembly but also allows the leg to be removed when desired. Further support to prevent disassembly is provided by the locating peg 29 which is designed to fit into holes 3b, Sc or 4b, 4c. The interference fit joint allows the leg rest to be rotated to two positions depending on the point of attachment of the locating peg 29. This is illustrated more clearly in page 4 in diagrams 4A1 and 4A2. FIG. 3C illustrates the frontal perspective view of the infant pottee chair and FIG. 301 provide the details of the screw on attachment structure of the flower nut to the tip of the support rod 22b The weight of the infant's legs will exert a downward pressure on the anterior unsupported end of the leg rest. This is overcome by the use of a strong support rod 22b. The four holes 3b1, 3a1 and 41, 4c1 of the side plates are carefully positioned such that when the support rod 22b is slotted through the appropriate hole, the leg rest will be secured and supported in the correct position on platform 15 Figure 3A illustrates how, the support rod 22 b which terminates on one end with the flower nut 22a is slotted through the hole in the 4b1 position in the side plate of the leg rest. A flower nut 23a is then screwed at 23b onto the screw threads at the end 22c of the support rod to secure it. This position is selected when the hinge 30 is secured in the cylindrical recess at the 4a position and the locating peg 29 is in the 4b position. The support rod rest on the platform 15 at the front end of the pottee seat (see Fig 3B), supporting the leg rest from the downward force evenly. When the peg 29 is secured in the 4c position on the pottee chair, the support rod has to be inserted in the corresponding 4c1 position on the leg rest, so that it will still be supported by platform 15. See fig 3B. This process is illustrated in Fig 48 in page 4 and 5A in page 5 as well. When the hinge 30 is' moved and secured in the 3a position for a smaller infant with shorter limbs, and with the locating peg 29 in the 3b position on the pottee chair, the support rod will be inserted in the 3b1 position on the leg rest. If the peg is inserted at the 3c position, then the support rod should be moved to the corresponding 31 position on the leg rest. In this case the support rod will be resting on platform 15 and close to the base of the wee splashguard 14 ( shown more clearly in Figs 4A and 4A1 in page 4) FIG 362 is the back view showing the positioning of the seat belt and music discs. Finally to secure a young infant safely, conveniently and securely to the chair, a detachable, waterproof, flexible plastic seat belt 9a with a plastic seat belt clip 9b is threaded through the slots 9 and 9e. The length of the strap is adjusted at the back of the chair with a plastic adjustable clip 9d, to accommodate different sized infants. A waterproof, soft protective plasticised foam pad 9c is provided to prevent any skin pinching when the seat belt clips 9b are clipped on. The seat belt is removed when it is no longer required for older infants and toddlers. PAGE 4 ILLUSTRATIONS THE ADJUSTABLE LEG REST OF THE INFANT POTTEE CHAIR Fig. 4A is a sectional view of the pottee chair with the adjustable leg rest attached in the 3a position. Fig. 4A1 is a blowup of the sectional view, showing the adjustable leg rest being rotated to two possible positions by the positioning of the locating peg 29. Fig 4A2 is a blowup of the moulded hinge 30 in its recess 3a and Fig 4B is a sectional view of the pottee chair with the adjustable leg rest attached in the 4a position.

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 7 Fig 4A1 provide more detailed Illustrations of the mechanism used to raise or lower the leg rest (which has also been partially described in page 3 above). By flexing the two side plate/leg wings outwards, and then inwards at tip 28, the cylindrical moulded in hinge 30 as shown in blowup in Fig 4A2 can be clipped onto the cylindrical recess 3a or 4a on the. pottee seat, using a slight interference fit. This interference fit hinge joint secures the infant leg rest to the pottee chair just enough to stop any unwanted disassembly but also allows the leg to be removed when desired. Further support to prevent disassembly is provided by the locating peg 29 which is designed to fit into holes 3b, 3c or 4b, 4c. (shown fitted into hole 3b in Fig 4A1).The interference fit joint allows the leg rest to be rotated to two positions depending on the point of attachment of the locating peg 29. It the locating peg 29 is attached to the 3b or 4b hole position, the infant leg rest is in a lowered (L) position, illustrated more clearly here as L3b2 and L4b2. If the peg is attached to the Sc or 4c hole positions the hinge will rotate, and the infant leg rest will be in the raised (R) position, illustrated more clearly here as R3c2 and R4c2. These positions are selected, depending on the angle that is most suitable to encourage the defecation/urination process as well as comfortable for the legs of the respective infants, by their carers. (see Fig 4A and 4B), When the leg rest is attached at the 3a & 3b or 30 positions, it is suitable for use by smaller infants with shorter legs,(see Fig 4A) When the infant grows taller and has longer legs, the leg rest can be removed and reattached at the 4a & 4b or 4c positions (see Fig 4B). By the time the infant 8i months or more (depending on each child's growth), the leg rest may no longer be necessary and can be removed altogether, Note that the support rod 22b will be placed such that It always rest on platform 15 and is supported by it See Fig 4A, 4Al and 4B in page 4 and Fig 5A and 50 in page 5 illustrates this more clearly. PAGE 5 ILLUSTRATIONS THE FULLY ASSEMBLED INFANT POTTEE CHAIR Fig. 5A illustrates theTOP VIEW of the infant Pottee chair with attached leg rest in the 4a position Fig. 5B shows the attached leg rest in the 3a position. Fig. A1 is a blowup of the top view of attachment device (the hinge 30) on the side plate of the leg rest Fig 55 shows the leg rest attached at the 3a position. The support rod 22b is passed through either the Wb1 or 301 hole on the side plate 26, (described in page 3) and it lies supported on the pottee seat platform 15, adjacent to the base of the dome shaped wee splashguard 14. Fig 5A shows the leg rest attached in the 4a position. The supporting rod's position is changed and it is passed through holes 4b1 or 4b2 on the side plate 26 (as described in page 3) so that it still gets maximum support from platform 15. FIG. SC, 5C1 and 5C2 show the same soft foam cushion as described in Fig 2B, 2B1 and 282 in page two illustrations and FIG. 50 illustrates the fully assembled Infant Pottee chair. The assembled infant potty chair with its leg rest is made more comfortable by lining it with the horse shoe shaped polyurethane soft foam cushion as shown in Fig,5C. The cushion is attached by rubber studs 19 to the holes 11 on the back rest and seat of the pottee chair. Its midddle section18 is draped over the pottee seat, covering the recesses 3a and 4a, so that the presence of the indentation, will not be felt by and discomfort the baby. The free ends 20 are then draped over the leg support platform 24 and are held in place by rubber studs 19 attached to the holes 27 (as shown in fig 5A and 5B) on the infant leg rest, The cushion acts as a waterproof padding, providing protection. and making the assembled pottee chair warm, soft and very comfortable for the infant to lie in. The cushion can be removed for washing when necessary.

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 8 PAGE 6 ILLUSTRATIONS THE RELOCATABLE, INFANT AND TODDLER POTTEE CHAIRS FIG GA shows the side perspective view of the receiving pot. It has a deep broad base 31 and is constructed of a non-porous, non stick surface plastic material which makes It easy to clean. The receiving pot has a spoon shaped spout 32 for the disposal of its contents into the toilets, thus reducing spillages and splashes. It has a strong, well shaped rounded handle 33 suitable for the finger and hand grip of both male and female carers. Fig 6B illustrates how the mouth of the receiving pot is placed directly below and outside the rim 6 of the potlee hole 5 to receive the products of the urination and defecation process. Its height is such that its rim sits just below the bottom of the pottee seat, thus providing the seat and pottee chair with further support when a heavy toddler sits on It. When in use, the receiving pot is partially filled with about 5 to 6 cm of water 34 before it is placed in position. The water acts as a concealing agent for the faeces as it is deposited, thus reducing its smell as well as preventing it from sticking on the potty wall. The fully assembled toddler or infant pottee chair can be used in any location as an instrument for urination and defecation as long as it is used in conjunction with a portable receiving pot. Fig. 6C illustrates the placement of the infant pottee chair with the leg rest attached, with the receiving pot in place, on a bench top by carers, for use with an infant. Fig. 6D illustrates the placement of the toddler pottee chair with the receiving pot in place, in the bathroom, for use by toddlers independently or with adult supervision. Fig 6E illustrates the placement of the infant ppttee chair, without the use of the receiving pot, for direct urination and defecation by the infant into the adult toilet, thus eliminating the need to empty a used receiving pot. The infant can be strapped into the chair only after it has been carefully attached to the adult toilet seat or it can be strapped first Into the chair, and then the chair, with the infant in it, is attached by its suction feet onto the toilet seat, This will depend on how active the infant is and what is more convenient for the carer. Fig SF illustrates the placement of the toddler pottee chair (without the use of the receiving pot) for direct urination and defecation by a toddler into the adult toilet, thus eliminating the need to empty a used receiving pot. The toddler is placed on the chair after the pottee's suction feet have been carefully attached to the adult seat by the carer. NOTE THAT THOUGH THE SIX SUCTION CAPS OF THE POTTEE CHAIR PROVIDE A GOOD GRIP ON THE ADULT TOILET SEAT, NO INFANTS OR TODDLERS SHOULD EVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED IN THIS POSITION FOR EVEN ONE SECOND, BY AN ADULT. THEREFORE THE CHAIR WILL CARRY THE MESSAGE: NO INFANTS/TODDLERS SHOULD BE LEFT UNATTENDED FOR EVEN ONE SECOND, IN A POTTY CHAIR WHEN IT IS ATTACHED TO A TOILET SEAT OR IN ANY OTHER ABOVE GROUND LOCATION.

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 9 PAGE 7 ILLUSTRATIONS THE INFANT POTEE / BATH CHAIR AND BATH TUB The routine of encouraging the process of urination and defecation by the baby before its morning bath (ends itself to the convenience of bathing the Infant after having already been strapped into the pottee chair. The pottee chair now serves a second function as an excellent baby bathing device for infants who are unable to sit up on their own. Unlike other conventional bath chairs designed for infants, when the infant is strapped in the pottee chair, the pottee's hole 5 (shown in page 2) makes it easier for the care's to clean the infant's private parts and bottom. When in use as a bathing device, the "infant pottee / bath chair" can be placed in any existing bath, in a large sink or in any suitable sized plastic bath tub. When bathing an infant, a standing position is more comfortable than a squatting position for the adult carer and therefore placement of the chair in a large sink or in a bathtub placed on a bench top will be more comfortable. An optional plastic bathtub as shown in Fig 7A will be designed such that the infant pottee chair fits snugly in it, as shown in Fig 78. Its height is such that the top 10 cm of the pottee / bath chair protrudes from it. This ensures that the 2 music discs 12a and 12b are never immersed in water and their stick on plastic cover 13a and 13b will protect the discs from any potential splashes of water. Warm water in the bathtub Is filled only to the level of the shoulders of the young infant that is strapped to the chair. The rim 36 of the bathtub will be extended into two vertical very strong, comfortably rounded handles 37 with finger grip spaces 38 large enough for the fingers of both male and female carers. This enables the bath to be lifted easily for the convenient disposal of its watery content when the infant has finished bathing in it. The internal space 39 Just below the rim of the bathtub can be designed with uniquely designed, attractively coloured plastic moulded images df a few sea creatures. This will make the bathtub attractive and familiar to the infant and the images will be designed such that they provide a topic of interest for conversation by the carer with the infant, Its inclusion in the design of the bathtub will be dependent on the overall cost of production. During storage, the bath tub could serve a second function of containing the pottee chair and all its accessories. THE BATH WILL CARRY THE MESSAGE THAT: NO INFANT SHOULD BE LEFT UNATTENDED EVEN FOR ONE SECOND IN A BATH. PAGE 8 ILLUSTRATIONS - COMBINATION CHILD AND ADULT TOILET SEATS The toileting needs of the toddler who has outgrown the pottee chair, can be met by a child sized toilet seat designed for the grown up toddler - the preschooler (2-5 year olds). Fig 8A, shows the top frontal perspective view, of a child sized plastic toilet seat 5a sitting on an adult plastic toilet seat 4a and with the toilet seat cover 1 in a lifted position. The adult toilet seat 5a sits on and is supported by the toilet bowl rim. Fig BC is a sectional view showing how the toilet seats and cover are attached to the hinges by cylindrical shaped protrusions "pegs" emerging from their attachment parts. The hinges 2a. 3a and 2b, 3b are bolted onto the toilet bowl by a screw on mechanism. The two pegs from 4a are inserted into the hinge 2a and 3a respectively while the pegs from 4b are inserted into the hinge 2b and 3b. These hinges allow the seat to be rotated on the joint and it can be lifted up or down.

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 10 The child toilet seat 5a is attached to the toilet bowl by attachment part 5, using a similar mechanism of the two pegs emerging from it being inserted Into the hinges 2a and 3a. Thus it is sitting on and supported by the adult seat and it can be lifted up, when it is not in use and down, when it is. The toilet bowl cover is attached by a single peg emerging from Ic being Inserted into hinge 2b and a single peg from Id being inserted into the hinge 2a, This ensures that the cover 1 folds over both toilet seats when it Is down and it can be lifted up and rested against the cistern when the toilet is in use as illustrated here in FIG 8D. Thus we have what is a combination child and adult toilet seat structure which will cater for both adults and children. The child seat Is designed such that its central seat hole 5d is much smaller that the adult seat hole 4d and it is suitable for the little bottoms of preschoolers from 2 to 4/5 years of age. The flat broad seat 5a has uptumed rounded rims 5b and 5c shown also in cross section in Fig 882. It has a number of small moulded in holes 5e nearer the periphery of the central seat hole. To make the child toilet seat more comfortable, a self sealing polyurethane soft foam cushioned 6 as illustrated in Fig 8B is designed to sit on the child seat. The soft foam cushion6 is attached to the seat boles 5e by rubber studs 7 as illustrated in blowup Fig 8B1 and in cross section Fig 882, It is held in place by the upturned rims 5b and 5c The cushion 6 makes the seat soft, warm and comfortable for the preschooler. The waterproof cushion can be removed for washing if neccessary and can be replaced if it is damaged after prolonged use (after a few years). Pig 8D shows the side perspective of the child toilet seat being lifted up and resting against the toilet seat cover which is in turn resting on the cistern, as well as it being put down with its cushion in place and sitting on an adult toilet seat. In this illustration, the child seat is just sitting on a plastic adult seat. However, a soft foam cushion similar In design to the child seat, could also be made for the adult seat if desired. This will make the seats very comfortable for both child and adult. CONCLUSION The presence of a child toilet seat in one bathroom in every home or in a public facility, will make it much easier for child carers to cater to the toileting needs of their toilet trained preschoolers. Adult seats are not suitable for preschoolers to sit on. The inventor has seen small children trying to do their toileting in public toilets, by' sitting on the front edge of an adult toilet seat, clinging to the rim with their hands and scared to death of falling into the big hole of the adult toilet.. Finally, it can be said that infants, toddlers and preschoolers require their toileting needs to be met, the same way as adults. If they can speak, infants would say they would rather not be swathed in urine soaked nappies that can cause them nappy rash. They would rather not, be discomforted, by their bottoms being caked in faeces and their noses overwhelmed by the stench, for prolonged periods. It is the inventor's hope that more homes will eventually have a bathroom, which is equipped with facilities and devices that will provide for the tolleting needs of infants, toddler and preschoolers, not just for adults. It is hoped that with the help of the above devices and the effective promotion of the toilet training strategies used by the irtventor's mother, the culture of toilet training Infants from birth or at an early age, will be adopted by more parents and child carers. If one in two or three new mothers and child care facilities in countries such as America, Canada, England, Europe, Japan, Asia and Australia toilet train their infants from an early age, the world's usage of nappies will be reduced by considerably more than 50%.

WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 11 PAGE 9 ILLUSTRATIONS - DEVICE 1 VERSION 3 OF THE PORTABLE INFANT POTTEE CHAIR WITH MOLDED IN LEG REST The infant pottee chair with the detachable and adjustable raised leg rest as in Fig 31 and 30 is replaced by a raised leg rest that is molded into the pottee chair as shown In Fig 9A. hence eliminating the need for the parts required to make the leg rest adjustable but retaining the raised leg platform. The infant pottee chair still has the wee splashguard labeled 9 Al, the leg support platform labelled 9A2 , the leg wing labelled 9A 3, the holes 9A4 designed to receive the studs of the self sealing horseshoe shaped polyurethane soft foam cushion similar to Fig 1C in the provisional drawings and the leg support platform are held together by the joining plate labelled 9A5. The pottee chair with the molded in leg rest will essentially have all the other features of Version 2 of the infant pottee chair as shown in Fig 31 & 3C such as the back and head rest, side guards, music discs, the safety belt, the patty hole, the potty feet and suction disc, the wee splashguard and the holes for receiving the polyurethane soft foam seat lining. This pottde chair is designed specifically for toilet training infants from.0-12 months. However, as the leg rest is no longer detachable it cannot be moved to. accommodate infants of different sizes and leg length and hence, this pottee chair device will be molded such that it will accommodate infants of different sizes. PAGE 10 ILLUSTRATIONS - DEVICE 1 VERSION 4 -OF THE PORTABLE POTTEE CHAIR SUITABLE FOR TODDLERS /PRESCHOOLERS The infant pottee chair as in Fig IA can me made suitable for bigger toddlers and preschoolers 1,5 to 2/3/4 yr olds who are toilet trained and can independently use the object This version has no leg rest, no music disc, no side guards, no seat belts and with a low backrest and a wee splashguard that has been extended into handle bars See fig 10A The pottee chair is made even more attractive to the toddlers/preschoolers if provided with a handle bar 10 A5, placed just behind and above the wee splash guard 10A 3, making it an object they can ride on while urinating or defecating. The handle bar also makes it easier for them to sit on and get up from the pottee chair as an structure they can use for support The back rest 10A 1 is made lower and without a side guard as they do not require head and side support and the soft polyurethane foam seat retained but modified (see .1 OA 2) to provide them with a soft attractively padded toileting device. it can be used with a receiving pot (1 0A4),and placed in bathrooms so that it can be used independently by the toddler or preschooler. It would have at least six suction feet to provide a firm-grip such that the structure remains immobile as the toddler gets up or sit down on it thus preventing the contents of the receiving pot from spilling. As they are already toilet trained no music disc will be necessary for this device which will be referred to as VERSION 4 of Device 1 - the Toddler/Preschooler Pottee chair

Claims (19)

1. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair, as shown in page 2 drawings, Fig 2A and 20 suitable for toilet training infants (6-12months) and young toddlers (1 2-18months), with a back and head rest, side guards, pottee hole with anterior wee splashguard and pottee seat. This is VERSION 1 of the pottee chair.

2. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair as claimed in claim 1 with leg rest capable of raising the legs and drawing the infants knee closer on its chest as seen in Fig 3B & 3C, The legs are raised by an attachable, adjustable raised leg platform whose angle and distance from the infantsy can be adjusted as shown in page 4 drawings. can be adjusted as shown in to accommodate infants of different sizes and leg lengths as shown in Fig 3B and Fig 4A/4B. This VERSION 2 of the potee chair is used for young infants (0-10 months)

3. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair as claimed in claim 1 and 2 with appropriate copyrighted sounds and music in discs built into the chair Fig 2A or provided as a separate audio equipment to give the audio cues necessary to encourage the infant to urinate and or to defecate.

4. A portable infant /toddler pottee chair as claimed in 1 and 2 with slots for fitting a safety belt to secure the infant.

5. A portable infant/toddler potee chair as claimed in 1 and 2 with receiving pot of broad base and strong walls to provide further support for the seat of an occupied pottee chair, with finger and handgrip handle and spout to facilitate removal of its contents. This allows the-pottee chair to be used In any location for its toileting function. Fig 6A, 613, 6C & 6D

6. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair as claimed in 1 and 2 with adjustable suction discs attachments to pottee feet with holes as in Figure 2A & 2E permitting the chair to be attached to various flat clean surfaces such as timber/glass bench tops, plastic, ceramic, metal sinks & tiles. The suction feet are specially designed to allow the pottee chair the flexibility to be accommodated on the vast majority of different sized seats of adult toilets, thus allowing the infant or toddler/preschooler to defecate or urinate directly into an adult toilet at home or in a public toilet, eliminating the need to use and clean a receiving pot. As illustrated in page 6.E & F

7. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair as claimed in 1 and 2 with various mechanisms for attachment of a waterproof self sealing horseshoe shaped (eg using polyurethane) soft loam cushion designed to fit the backrest and seat of the pottee chair making it soft warm and comfortable for its occupant. The illustrated mechanism used in Fig 2A, 2B, 2B1 & 2132 include a pottee chair.with holes at appropriate points to receive the studs from the polyurethane soft foam cushion

8. The claim defining the invention of Device 2 is the fitting of a child sized toilet seat with a similar self sealing polyurethane soft foam cushion together with an adult toilet seat on the same toilet as illustrated in page 8 Figs BA to 8D to enable the same toilet to be used by children as well as adults in the home and in public toilets. WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 13 CLAIMS (FOR PROVISIONAL APPLICATION & AMENDMENT) The claims defining the invention are as follows: DEVICE 1 1. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair, as shown in page 2 drawings, Fig 2A and 2C suitable for toilet training infants (6-12months) and young toddlers (12-1,8months) with a back and head rest, side guards, pottee hole with anterior wee splashguard and pottee seat. This is VERSION 1 of the pottee chair. '2. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair as claimed in claim 1 with leg rest capable of raising the legs and drawing the infants knee closer on its chest as seen in Fig 3B & 3C. The legs are raised by an attachable, adjustable raised leg platform whose angle and distance from the infants body can be adjusted as shown' in page 4 drawings. It can be adjusted to accommodate infants of different sizes and leg lengths as shown in Fig 3B and Fig 4A/4B. This VERSION 2 of the pottee chair is used for young infants (0-10 months) 3. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair as claimed in claim 1 with the raised leg rest being an integral part of the molded pottee chair structure as shown in Figure 9A. (VERSION 3) 4. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 with appropriate copyrighted sounds and music in discs built into the chair Fig 2A or provided as a separate audio equipment to give the audio cues necessary to encourage the infant to urinate and or to defecate. 5. A portable infant /toddler pottee chair as claimed in 1, 2 or 3 with slots for fitting a safety belt to secure the infant. 6. A portable infant pottee chair as claimed in 1,2 or 3 with leg rest removed and with a handle behind the wee splashguard as in Fig 10A. This VERSION 4 of the pottee chair is to permit and encourage the independent use of the pottee chair by older toddlers and preschoolers who are already toilet trained. 7. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair as claimed in 1, 2 or 3 or 6 with receiving pot of broad base and. strong walls to provide further support for the seat of an occupied pottee chair, with finger and handgrip handle and spout to facilitate removal of its contents. This allows the pottee chair to be used in any location for its toileting function. Fig 6A, 6B, 6C & OD 8. A portable infantAoddler pottee chair as claimed in 1, 2 or 3 or 6 with adjustable suction discs attachments to pottee feet with holes as in Figure 2A & 2E permitting the chair to be attached to various flat clean surfaces such as timber/glass bench tops, plastic, ceramic, metal sinks & tiles. The suction feet are specially designed to allow the pottee chair the flexibility to be accommodated on different sized seats of adult toilets, thus allowing the infant or tcddler/preschooler to defecate or urinate directly into an adult toilet at home or in a public toilet, thus eliminating the need to use and clean a receiving pot. As illustrated in page 6.E & F

9. A portable infant/toddler pottee chair as claimed in 1, 2 or 3 or 6 with various mechanisms for attachment of a waterproof self sealing horseshoe shaped (eg using polyurethane) soft foam cushion designed to fit the backrest and seat of the pottee chair making it soft warm and comfortable for its occupant. The illustrated mechanism used in Fig 2A, 2B, 281 & 282 include a potted chair with suitable holes at appropriate points to receive the studs from the polyurethane soft foam cushion DEVICE 2

10. The claim defining the invention of Device 2 is the fitting of a child sized toilet seat with a similar self sealing polyurethane soft foam cushion together with an adult toilet seat on the same toilet as illustrated in page 8 Figs 8A to 8D to enable the same toilet to be used bychildren as well as adults in the home and in public toilets. WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 14 AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 27 March 2006 (27.03.06) 1. A toilet seat for assisting in the toilet training of children configured for use with a toilet or potty, the toilet seat including: a left hand ramp portion configured to be disposed at a front left hand end of the toilet seat and configured for raising the left hand knee of the child or toddler whilst sitting on the seat; and a right hand ramp portion configured to be disposed at a front right hand end of the toilet seat and configured for raising the right hand knee of the child or toddler whilst sitting on the seat. 10 2. A toilet seat ramp according to claim 1 wherein the ramp portions are integrally formed with a conventional toilet seat forming a closed loop or having an open front end. 3. A toilet seat according to claim 1 wherein the left and right hand ramp portions are configured to be removably mounted to a conventional toilet seat or to a toilet bowl. 4. A toilet seat according to claim 3 wherein the left and right hand ramp portions are

15. configured to be mounted in a plurality on positions on the toilet seat or toilet bowl. 5. A toilet seat according to any one of claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein the left and right hand ramp portions have an adjustable slope. 6. A toilet seat according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the left and right hand ramp portions are interconnected along a front edge. 20 7. A toilet receptacle for assisting in the toilet training of infants, toddlers and other children, the receptacle including: a seat disposed about an opening and configured for receiving an infant, toddler or child a left hand ramp portion configured to be disposed at a front left hand end of the 25 receptacle and configured for raising the left hand knee of the infant, toddler or child towards its chest whilst seated thereon; and a right hand ramp portion configured to be disposed at a front right hand end of the receptacle and configured for raising the right hand knee of the infant, toddler or child towards its chest whilst seated thereon. 30 8. A toilet receptacle according to claim 7 including a head/backrest support for babies and infants or toddlers 9.. A toilet receptacle according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the receptacle is a conventional toilet or a pot A KJI E"E "% '_E l I A I""1'I' ^ 1 A4fl WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 15 0. 10. A toilet receptacle according to claim 7 or 8 or 9 wherein the ramp portions are integrally formed with a receptacle seat disposed about the receptacle opening. 11. A toilet receptacle according to claim 9 wherein the left and right hand ramp portions are configured to be removably mounted to the receptacle or a receptacle seat. 12. A toilet receptacle according to claim 7 or 8 or 9 wherein the left and right hand 5 ramp portions are configured to be mounted in a plurality on positions on the receptacle or a receptacle seat. 13. A toilet receptacle according to any one of claims 7, 8, 9, 11 or 12 wherein the left and right hand ramp portions have an adjustable slope. 14. A toilet receptacle according to claim 7 or 8 or 9 wherein the left and right hand 10 ramp portions are interconnected along a front edge. 15. A toilet receptacle including any one of claims 7 to 14 wherein the toilet receptacle is a potty in the form of a chair configured for mounting on a toilet seat over a toilet bowl as well as for holding firmly on any other clean flat surface

16. A toilet receptacle according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the head/backrest, seat and 15 ramps includes a plurality of apertures equispaced along the receptacle, the apertures configured for receiving projections disposed on an underside of a seating insert configured for releasably mounting on the child toilet receptacle.

17. A toilet configured for receiving a toilet seat or receptacle according to claim 15.

18. A method for providing a toilet seat arrangement for assisting in the toilet training 20 of children, the method including the steps of: configuring the toilet seat for use with a toilet or potty; disposing a left hand ramp portion at a front left hand end of the toilet seat or potty wherein the left hand ramp portion is configured for raising the left hand knee of the child towards its chest whilst sitting on the seat; and 25 disposing a right hand ramp portion at a front right hand end of the toilet seat or potty wherein the right hand ramp portion is configured for raising the right hand knee of the child towards its chest whilst sitting on the seat.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the left and right hand ramp portions are configured to be removably mounted to the toilet seat or potty, or are integrally formed 30 therewith.

20. A method according to claims 18 or 19 including the step of attaching one or more sound devices to the toilet or potty and configuring the devices to provide one or more predetermined sounds to induce defecation or urination in response to actuation by a user. WO 2006/066316 PCT/AU2005/001914 16 0 21. A toilet seat ramp device configured for mounting to a toilet receptacle, the device including a toilet seat ramp according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 22 A toilet seat ramp device for mounting to a toilet receptacle, the device including a left hand ramp portion configured to be disposed at a front left hand end of the toilet seat and configured for raising the left hand knee of the child or toddler towards its chest whilst 5 sitting on the seat, and a right hand ramp portion configured to be disposed at a front right hand end of the toilet seat and configured for raising the right hand knee of the child or toddler towards its chest whilst sitting on the seat. 23 A toilet seat including: a cover configured to be hingedly mounted to a rear portion of a toilet bowl and 10 configured for movement between a closed position wherein the cover is disposed over a toilet bowl opening and an open position wherein the cover is spaced apart from the toilet bowl opening; an adult toilet seat having an opening and configured to be hingedly mounted to the rear portion of the toilet bowl and configured for movement between a closed position 15 wherein the adult toilet seat is disposed over the toilet bowl opening and an open position wherein the seat is spaced apart from the toilet bowl opening; and a child toilet seat having an opening and configured to be hingedly mounted to the rear portion of the toilet bowl and configured for movement between a closed position wherein the child toilet seat is disposed over the toilet bowl opening and an open position 20 wherein the child seat is spaced apart from the toilet bowl opening; wherein the cover, adult toilet seat and child toilet seat are coaxially hingedly mounted at the rear of the toilet bowl.

24. A toilet seat according to claim 23 wherein the child toilet seat includes a plurality of apertures equispaced about the opening, the apertures configured for receiving 25 projections disposed on an underside of a seating insert configured for releasably mounting on the child toilet seat.

25. A toilet seat according to claim 23 wherein the adult toilet seat includes a plurality of apertures equispaced about the opening, the apertures configured for receiving projections disposed on an underside of a seating insert configured for releasably mounting 30 on the sdult toilet seat.

26. A toilet configured for receiving a toilet seat according to claim 23 or 24 or 25.