EP1091679A1

EP1091679A1 - Toilet apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1091679A1
Application number: EP99929535A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Iris Whyte
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-02
Filing date: 1999-07-01
Publication date: 2001-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-01
Also published as: GB9814371D0; AU759355B2; EP1091679B1; AU4632599A; DE69928403D1; WO2000001290A1; ATE309734T1

Abstract

Toilet apparatus (2) for use by young children, which toilet apparatus (2) comprises a potty (4), sound generating means (6) for giving sounds of praise when the toilet apparatus (2) is used by a young child thereby to encourage the young child to use the toilet apparatus (2), and sensor means (8) for automatically causing operation of the sound generating means (6) consequent upon the young child using the toilet apparatus (2), the potty (4) being a one-piece moulded potty (4), and the sound generating means (6) being such that it is part of a battery-operated electronic circuit (10) which is attached to the potty (4).

Description

TOILET APPARATUS

This invention relates to toilet apparatus and, more especially, this invention relates to toilet apparatus for use by young children.

It is known to provide toilet apparatus with sound generating means. The sound generating means is either a simple musical tune or a sound which indicates that the young child has finished using the toilet. The sound generating means is activated by pushing a button. This type of known toilet apparatus is not very effective in helping to train young children to use the toilet apparatus. More specifically, the young children are unable to relate to the sound generated by the sound generating means because the sound is abstract in nature and not related specifically to encouraging the young children to use the toilet apparatus. Also, the young children are either too young to know that the button has to be pressed in order to operate the sound generating means, or the young children know how to operate the button but do not associate operating the button with using the toilet themselves at the proper time.

It is known from US-A-5008964 to have toilet apparatus provided with sound generating means which generates speech. The speech may be in the form of a congratulatory voice message. The toilet apparatus is described as a potty chair and it is shown comprising separate parts including a base, a waste receptor, a seat and a housing for electronic circuits. The seat and the waste receptor are removably fitted to the base. This enables the waste receptor to be removed from the base for being washed after use by a young child. The congratulatory message is described as being provided by a tape player or an analog playback device. The tape player is preferably a stereo cassette tape player. It is expensive to manufacture the potty chair in so many different parts. It is not always convenient to have to substantially dismantle the toilet apparatus by removing the seat and the waste receptor just to wash the waste receptor. The housing is attached to the base rather than the waste receptor, and the entire potty chair is bulky.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided toilet apparatus for use by young children, which toilet apparatus comprises a potty, sound generating means for giving sounds of praise when the toilet apparatus is used by a young child thereby to encourage the young child to use the toilet apparatus, and sensor means for automatically causing operation of the sound generating means consequent upon the young child using the toilet apparatus, the potty being a one-piece moulded potty, and the sound generating means being such that it is part of a battery-operated electronic circuit which is attached to the potty.

With the toilet apparatus of the present invention, the young child is able to associate the sounds of praise with going to the toilet, because the young child will get used to receiving the praise automatically in response to using the toilet apparatus. Parents are able to be provided with the toilet apparatus in a form which needs to be no larger than existing potties, and which is thus not bulky for storage purposes when the toilet apparatus is not in use. Parents are also able to be provided with the toilet apparatus in a form which does not need to be virtually dismantled each time washing is required. Still further, young children playing with the toilet apparatus are not able to pull it apart.

The toilet apparatus may be one in which the electronic circuit includes recording means for enabling a person looking after the young child to record the sounds of praise . The sounds of praise may thus be in the form of a personalized message. Also, importantly, the message can be in the voice of the person looking after the young child. This will be a voice that the young child will recognize or get to recognize. The person looking after the young child will usually be a parent but it may be a nanny, grandparent, or other suitable and appropriate person.

When the toilet apparatus includes the recording means, then the toilet apparatus may also include playback means for enabling the recording of the sounds of praise to be played back and checked after the sounds of praise have been recorded. If the recording is not satisfactory, or if it should be desired to change the recording, then a new recording can easily be made simply by recording over the previous recording.

Preferably, the toilet apparatus is one in which the sensor means automatically causes operation of the sound generating means consequent upon the young child using the toilet apparatus and actually going to the toilet. Thus, the child receives the sounds of praise in response to actually going to the toilet, and is thus encouraged to go to the toilet on other occasions in order to receive the sounds of praise. This helps to avoid the child just sitting on the potty and playing about rather than concentrating on actually going to the toilet. Usually, the sensor means will be positioned at a bottom part of the potty.

The sensor means may be positioned on an outside part of the potty. The sensor means may be an ultrasonic sensor means, a thermal sensor means, or a capacitive sensor means. Other types of sensor means may be employed.

The sensor means may be positioned on an inside part of the potty. The sensor means may then be a liquid-activated sensor means which operates consequent upon urine and/or moist excreta being received when the young child actually goes to the toilet. Other types of sensor means may be employed.

The toilet apparatus may include a housing for the electronic circuit . The electronic circuit may be sealed in the housing for the purpose of preventing water getting to the electronic circuit. Preferably, the housing is releaseably attached to the potty. Such a removable housing enables the housing to be removed for washing purposes, servicing purposes, and battery replacement purposes. If desired, the housing may be a permanent fit to the body.

Preferably, the housing is a push fit in position. In this case, the housing may fit into a recessed portion of the potty between inner and outer potty walls. In an alternative embodiment of the toilet apparatus, the housing may fit to an outside part of the potty. In this case, the housing may be provided with fixing means in the form of a suction device for sticking to the outside part of the potty. Other types of fixing means may be employed so that, for example, the fixing means may be at least one piece of material having plastics members which are a releaseable interlocking push fit to plastics members on at least one piece of material on the outside part of the potty. One such suitable type of material is that sold under the Registered Trade Mark Velcro.

The toilet apparatus may include switch means which is operated by the sensor means, the switch means being connected to the sound generating means. The switch means may be a high impedance switch means .

The toilet apparatus may be one in which the electronic circuit includes resistor means, and in which the sensor means and the resistor means act during use of the potty as a potential divider network .

Any suitable and appropriate sounds of praise may be provided by the sound generating means. Thus, the sounds of praise provided by the sound generating means may be applause and/or the words "good boy", "good girl", "what a clever boy" or "what a clever girl". The praise may include the name of the young child using the potty. This is easily achieved when the toilet apparatus includes the recording means .

The toilet apparatus may include an on/off switch for allowing the sound generating means to be switched off when the sounds of praise are not required. For example, the sounds of praise may not be required if the toilet apparatus is being used away from home, for example in a shopping centre whilst out shopping.

The toilet apparatus may include at least one battery for the electronic circuit . The battery may be of any suitable and appropriate size, shape and power. The battery may be a rechargeable battery if desired.

The potty may be a portable potty with foldable legs.

The potty may include auxiliary sensor means for sensing the young child approaching the potty and for automatically causing operation of the sound generating means to give a message encouraging the child to use the potty. The auxiliary sensor means may be an optical sensor means operating in the visible or invisible spectrum. The optical sensor means may thus be an infra red sensor means . The optical sensor means may alternatively be an ultrasonic sensor means. The potty may be used with a disposable liner pad. Preferably, the liner pad will be in a disposable bag.

The toilet apparatus may be moulded from any suitable and appropriate plastics materials such for example as those plastics materials currently used for making known potties.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing first toilet apparatus;

Figure 2 is a section through part of second toilet apparatus which is similar to the first toilet apparatus ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of third toilet apparatus ;

Figure 4 is a section through part of the third toilet apparatus shown in Figure 3 ;

Figure 5 shows the electronic circuit employed in the different types of toilet apparatus shown in Figures 1 - 4;

Figure 6 shows another electronic circuit;

Figure 7 is a section through part of fourth toilet apparatus; Figure 8 is a section through fifth toilet apparatus ;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of part of the sound generating means shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 illustrates how the part of the sound generating means shown in Figure 9 locates in position on the potty;

Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of sixth toilet apparatus;

Figure 12 is a schematic plan view of seventh toilet apparatus;

Figure 13 shows the electronic circuit employed in the toilet apparatus shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 illustrates the method of operation of the electronic circuit shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a part sectional view of eighth toilet apparatus;

Figure 16 is a plan view of the sensor employed in the toilet apparatus shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 shows the electronic circuit employed in the toilet apparatus shown in Figure 15;

Figure 18 is a part sectional view through ninth toilet apparatus;

Figure 19 is a plan view illustrating the position of sensors employed in the toilet apparatus shown in Figure 18; and Figure 20 shows the electronic circuit employed in the toilet apparatus shown in Figure 18.

Referring to Figures 1 and 5, there is shown toilet apparatus 2 for use by young children. The toilet apparatus 2 comprises a potty 4, and sound generating means 6 for giving sounds of praise when the toilet apparatus is used by a young child, thereby to encourage the young child to use the toilet apparatus 2. The toilet apparatus 2 also comprises sensor means 8 for automatically causing operation of the sound generating means 6 consequent upon the young child using the toilet apparatus 2. The potty 4 is a one-piece moulded potty. The sound generating means 6 is such that it is part of a battery-operated electronic circuit 10 which is attached to the potty 4.

The toilet apparatus 2 includes recording means 12 for enabling a person looking after the young child to record the sounds of praise . The recording means 12 is shown in Figure 5 as a record button 14 which is connected via a conductor 16 to a digital speech record/play chip 18. Also connected to the chip 18 is playback means 20 for enabling a recording of the sounds of praise to be played back and checked after the sounds of praise have been recorded by the recording means 12. If the recording is not satisfactory or another recording is required, then a new recording can be made simply by playing over the previous recording. The playback means 20 is shown as comprising a playback button 22 which is connected to the chip 18 by a conductor 24. The recording can advantageously be made by a parent, nanny, grandparent or other guardian of the child so that the child will receive the sounds of praise in a voice that the child recognizes .

The sensor means 8 is such that it only automatically causes operation of the sound generating means 6 consequent upon the young child using the toilet apparatus 2 and actually going to the toilet. Thus the child only receives the sounds of praise on actually going to the toilet, which encourages the child to actually go to the toilet. The sensor means 8 comprises a pair of sensors 26, 28 which are connected in the electronic circuit 10 as shown in Figure 5. The sensors 26, 28 and their respective conductors 30, 32 comprise conductive plastic material moulded into an inner face 34 of the potty 4.

The electronic circuit 10 and battery connection terminals for a battery (not shown) are provided in a housing 36. The housing 36 is releaseably attached to the potty 4. The housing 36 is thus removable for washing purposes, servicing purposes, and battery replacement purposes.

The housing is a push fit in position.

The electronic circuit 10 includes switch means 38 which is connected to and operated by the sensor means 8 as shown. The switch means 38 is connected to the sound generating means 6, also as shown. The switch means 38 is a high impedance switch known as a VmosFET. The sound generating means 6 is shown for simplicity in Figure 5 as a microphone. Signals for the microphone will come from the chip 18. The electronic circuit 10 includes a ground conductor 40 and a resistor 42.

The electronic circuit 10 operates such that the resistor 42 and the sensor means 8 act as a potential divider network. When the sensor means 8 comes in contact with urine or moist excreta and the effective resistance of the sensor means 8 goes from open circuit to a couple of hundred Kilo-ohms, then the voltage across the sensor means 8 decreases and switches the switch means 38 off. This then causes the chip 18 to be triggered and the recorded message is then heard via the sound generating means 6. The switch means 38 is connected by a conductor 44 to a trigger connection 46 on the chip 18. A conductor 48 connects to a power connection 50 on the chip 18. For someone to record a chosen message, it is simply necessary to remove the housing 36 from the potty 4, and then to press and hold the record button 14 whilst the message is spoken into the sound generating means 6. Once recorded, the message can be checked by pressing the playback button 52 and listening to the message. When everything is satisfactory, the housing 36 is fitted back on to the potty 4 and then the toilet apparatus is ready for use. After use by a child, the inner face 34 of the potty 4 can simply be wiped clean after urine and/or excreta from the child has been emptied. If it is desired to wash the potty 4 by immersing it in water, then the housing 36 can simply be removed.

Figure 2 shows second toilet apparatus 2. Similar parts as in Figures 1 and 5 have been given the same reference numerals since the toilet apparatus 2 shown in Figure 2 is very similar to the toilet apparatus 2 shown in Figure 1. As can be seen from Figure 2, the housing 36 pushes up into a recessed portion 52 formed by moulded parts 54, 56 of the potty 4. The housing 36 is thus located between an inner wall 58 and an outer wall 60 of the potty 4. As shown in Figure 2, the housing 36 is provided with a pair of retaining lugs 62 which locate in holes 64 in the parts 54, 56. Thus the housing 36 is easily retained as a push fit in the potty 4, and the housing 36 can be removed simply by pulling the housing 36 away from the potty 4 such that the retaining lugs 62 move out of the holes 64.

The housing 36 is provided with a sprung metal contact 66 which connects to the conductor 30, which conductor 30 is in the form of a conductive contact strip as shown.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown toilet apparatus 68. Similar parts as in previous Figures have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. As can be seen most clearly from Figure 4, the housing 36 fits to an outside part 70 of the potty 4. This is effected by providing the housing 36 with a suction device 72 which sticks to the outside part 70 of the potty 4. The housing 36 can thus easily be removed by pulling the suction device 72 off the outside part 70 of the potty 4. An appropriate releaseable contact is provided between the housing 36 and the sensor means 8, this contact being for example such as the sprung metal contact 66 shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown an electronic circuit 4 comprising a battery 76 which supplies power to a control circuit 78. Sensor means in the form of a pair of sensors 80, 82 are for sensing the presence of urine and/or excreta in a potty and they supply appropriate signals via lines 84, 86 to the control circuit 78. A microphone 88 is connected to the control circuit 78 via line 90. The microphone 88 enables a user of the toilet apparatus of the invention to record a personalized message. Playback of the message at the appropriate time as determined by the sensors 80, 82 sensing urine and/or effluent is achieved via a speaker 92. The speaker 92 is connected to the control circuit 78 via lines 94, 96. An on/off switch 98 is connected to the control circuit 78 by a line 100. The switch 98 enables the sound generating means to be switched off when desired.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown part of a potty 102 having sound generating means 104 and sensor means 106. The sensor means 106 is a permanent fixture to an outside part 108 of the potty 102. Flying leads 110 are permanently connected to the sensor means 106 and they are a plug in fit into the sound generating means 104. The sound generating means 104 is provided with a piece of material 112 having plastics members which are a releaseable interlocking fit to plastics members on a piece of material 114 positioned on an outside part of the potty 102 as shown. The two pieces of material 112, 114 can thus be releaseably connected as desired, thereby enabling the sound generating means 104 to be removed from the potty 102 if it should be desired to clean all of the potty 102. When the potty 102 has been cleaned and dried, the flying leads 110 can then be reconnected to the sound generating means 104 and the sound generating means 104 can then be reconnected to the piece of material 114.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 show a potty 116 with sound generating means 118. The sound generating means 118 comprises a housing 120 which is a push fit in position between a pair of mouldings 122, 124 as best shown in Figure 10. A side moulding 126 as shown in Figure 8 is also employed. The housing 120 has a pair of contact members 128, 130 which are able to engage contact areas 132, 134 on the outside of the potty 116 as shown in Figures 8 and 10. The contact areas 132, 134 have leads 136, 138 for connecting to sensors forming part of sensor means (not shown) . The contact areas 132, 134 are advantageously foil contact areas.

It can be seen from a comparison of Figure 7 on the one hand and Figures 8 - 10 on the other hand that the toilet apparatus comprises sensor means fixed to the potty, and sound generating means which is removably secured to the potty in order to allow cleaning of the potty itself. The sensor means may be regarded as having a passive device which is compatible with immersion in water or direct contact with detergent solutions, so long as this passive device is completely dry before use. Additionally, a thermal or capacitive sensor may be fixed to the underside of the potty surface, so avoiding direct contact with waste products deposited in the potty. A thermal or capacitive sensor is positioned at a bottom part of the potty but on an outside part of the potty, thereby being able to avoid any contact with liquids, except during total cleaning. The illustrated sound generating means contains both the required electronic circuit and also the required battery power source. The sound generating means is not designed to be immersed in water in order to avoid damage. This is the reason for removing the sound generating means. If desired, the sound generating means, apart from the battery, could be produced as a sealed unit in order to help negate the effects of immersion in water. In Figure 7 the removal of the sound generating means 104 is effected by the pieces of material 112, 114. Suitable material is that sold under the Registered Trade Mark Velcro. Figures 8 - 10 show an alternative releaseable fixing means in the form of the captive mouldings 122, 124, 126. The captive mouldings allow electrical contact to be made via the illustrated sprung loaded contacts 128, 130, and a length of conductive contact strip 132, 134 fixed to the potty structure . The reverse arrangement could be employed if desired with the sprung contacts being part of the sensor element, and the contact strip or strips being mounted on the housing 120.

Figure 11 illustrates a sensing technique which employs ultrasonics. More specifically, Figure 11 shows a potty bowl 140 having sensor means in the form of a transmitter 142 and a pair of receivers 144, 146. The transmitter 142 and the receivers 144, 146 are positioned on outside parts of the potty bowl 142 as shown. The sensor arrangement illustrated operates by detecting a change in the transmission medium, that is in the potty wall material and the air contained within the potty, modification being effected by the presence of solid and/or liquid body waste material when a child goes to the toilet. With an empty potty, the illustrated sensor arrangement is able to characterise the propagation path that exists between the transmitter 142 and the receivers 144, 146. The characteristic of this signal path will change abruptly when additional solid and/or liquid body waste material forms part of the signal path. This change is registered as an indication that the potty bowl 140 contains something other than air. Figure 7 shows toilet apparatus which is similar to toilet apparatus shown in Figure 11 and therefore similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 12, it will be seen that only one receiver 114 is employed.

Figure 13 shows an electrical circuit for the arrangement shown in Figure 12. The electrical circuit thus shows the transmitter 142 and the receiver 114. The receiver 144 supplies signals to a detector 148 which itself supplies signals to a timing and control device 150. The timing and control device 150 is itself connected to a transmitter amplifier circuit 152 which in turn connects to the transmitter amplifier circuit 152, which in turn connects to the transmitter 142 as shown. The transmitter 142 and the receiver 144 are shown having leads 156 for connection to transducers (not shown) .

During operation of the electrical circuit as shown in Figure 13, the presence or absence of urine and/or excreta in the potty bowl will cause a change in propagation time. This is shown schematically in Figure 14 which shows empty and full conditions.

Referring now to Figures 15, 16 and 17, there is illustrated a thermal sensing technique employed in a potty 158. The potty 158 employs sound generating means 118 as shown in Figure 8, and the sound generating means 118 is held in position by mouldings

122, 124, 126 as illustrated in Figures 8 and 10. The potty 158 has a thermal foil 160 mounted to an outside part 162 of the potty 158. The thermal foil 160 contains a temperature transducer 164 as best shown in

Figure 16. Figure 17 shows how the temperature transducer 164 is connected to a signal conditioning device 166, and to a signal processing circuit 168.

The signal processing circuit 168 then reacts in dependence upon the potty bowl being full or empty.

The thermal sensing technique illustrated in Figures

15 - 17 is able to take advantage of the fact that the waste material deposited in the potty 158 will normally be at normal body core temperature which, in a temperate climate, is some 10 - 15°C above ambient temperature. The foil 160 may be regarded as a printed foil 160. It may alternatively be a thin metal cap. The temperature sensor 164 determines the change in temperature when the toilet bowl contains appropriate body waste matter. The foil 160 functions to widen the focus of a single thermal sensor as provided by the temperature sensor in the form of the temperature transducer 164.

Figures 18 - 20 show a potty 158 and a sound generating means 118, the same as in Figure 15. However, in the arrangement shown in Figures 18 - 20, the sensor is in the form of a capacitive sensor. More specifically, the potty 158 has a bowl 17 which is provided on two outside parts with foil strips 172. As shown in Figure 20, the foil strips 172 form a capacitor sensing unit which is connected to a signal conditioning circuit 174 and a signal processing circuit 176. A full or empty output is then obtainable from the signal processing circuit 176 via line 178. The capacitors 172 take advantage of the change in dielectric properties that will occur when an empty potty bowl precedes the liquid and/or solid waste matter. The capacitor connection, with the potty plastic material and the air contained in the potty bowl as the dielectric, reacts accordingly. The value of the capacitance will change abruptly when the potty bowl receives the waste products. This change in capacitance is detected as shown in Figure 20.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, any suitable and appropriate sounds of praise may be recorded including applause and/or words . The toilet apparatus of the present invention may include an on/off switch for allowing the sound generating means to be switched off when the sounds of praise are not required, for example when the toilet apparatus is being used in a public place. The toilet apparatus may also be such that the potty includes a disposable liner pad for facilitating removal of urine and/or excreta. Such a disposable liner pad will usually be in a disposable bag. The housing of the toilet apparatus may be in any desired shape, for example a shape likely to be amusing to a young child. Thus, for example, the housing may be in the shape of an animal or a cartoon character. A different type of solid state circuit to that shown in Figure 5 may be employed.

The circuit part of the potty may be provided with cushioning material of any suitable and appropriate type in order to protect the circuit from shocks caused by the potty being dropped. Other methods of releaseably fixing the sound generating means in position, for example by sliding or pushing or clamping, may be employed. Other types of sensor means may be employed. If desired, the toilet apparatus of the present invention, for example as illustrated in the drawings, may be such that it employs auxiliary sensor means (not shown) for sensing the arrival of a child in the vicinity of the potty and then for encouraging the child with an appropriate message to actually use the toilet apparatus, for example by sitting on the potty. Where the auxiliary sensor means is an infrared sensor, then the infrared sensor may be a passive infrared sensor which looks for thermal signatures from a user of the toilet. Alternatively, the infrared sensor may be an active infrared sensor which transmits a beam and receives a reflected beam. The auxiliary sensor means may also be an ultrasonic sensor which monitors and operates consequent upon changes in sound. The auxiliary sensor means may also be a microwave sensor which operates on a microwave Doppler effect. Other suitable and appropriate auxiliary sensor means may be employed. If desired, the toilet apparatus may include one or more messages. Where more than one message is employed, then a message may be employed to try and keep the child actually on the potty, for example by giving the child amusement and/or encouragement. The messages can be given out at timed periodic intervals . The messages can be brought to an end at an appropriate time after the child has actually successfully gone to the toilet. An example of an encouraging message for a child may be "hello, will you use me?" Thus, in addition to giving praise to a child when the child has successfully used the toilet apparatus of the present invention, the toilet apparatus may also be such as to entice the child to the toilet apparatus and/or to keep the child amused whilst using the toilet apparatus. Parents can change the message or messages as may be desired. If a potty liner is employed, then sensor means may be employed that is not affected by the potty liner. Where terminals are employed, these are preferably plastics terminals in order to avoid corrosion.

The present invention also extends to the above mentioned component parts of the toilet apparatus, taken singly or in any combination whatsoever. In the above drawings, the various illustrated parts can be in the combinations illustrated, or in any other combinations .

Claims

1. Toilet apparatus for use by young children, which toilet apparatus comprises a potty, sound generating means for giving sounds of praise when the toilet apparatus is used by a young child thereby to encourage the young child to use the toilet apparatus, and sensor means for automatically causing operation of the sound generating means consequent upon the young child using the toilet apparatus, the potty being a one-piece moulded potty, and the sound generating means being such that it is part of a battery-operated electronic circuit which is attached to the potty.

2. Toilet apparatus according to claim 1 in which the electronic circuit includes recording means for enabling a person looking after the young child to record the sounds of praise.

3. Toilet apparatus according to claim 2 in which the recording means is digital recording means.

4. Toilet apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 and including playback means for enabling the recording of the sounds of praise to be played back and checked after the sounds of praise have been recorded.

5. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sensor means only automatically causes operation of the sound generating means consequent upon the young child using the toilet apparatus and actually going to the toilet.

6. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sensor means is positioned at a bottom part of the potty.

7. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sensor means is positioned on an outside part of the potty.

8. Toilet apparatus according to claim 7 in which the sensor means is an ultrasonic sensor means.

9. Toilet apparatus according to claim 7 in which the sensor means is a thermal sensor means.

10. Toilet apparatus according to claim 7 in which the sensor means is a capacitive sensor means.

11. Toilet apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 6 in which the sensor means is positioned on an outside part of the potty.

12. Toilet apparatus according to claim 11 in which the sensor means is a liquid-activated sensor means which operates consequent upon urine and/or moist excreta being received when the young child actually goes to the toilet.

13. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a housing for the electronic circuit.

14. Toilet apparatus according to claim 13 in which the housing is releaseably attached to the potty.

15. Toilet apparatus according to claim 14 in which the housing is a push fit in position.

16. Toilet apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15 in which the housing fits in a recessed portion of the potty between inner and outer potty walls .

17. Toilet apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15 in which the housing fits to an outside part of the potty.

18. Toilet apparatus according to claim 17 in which the housing is provided with a suction device for sticking to the outside part of the potty.

19. Toilet apparatus according to claim 17 in which the housing is provided with at least one piece of material having plastics members which are a releaseable interlocking part fit to plastics members on at least one piece of material on the outside part of the potty.

20. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including switch means which is operated by the sensor means, the switch means being connected to the sound generating means.

21. Toilet apparatus according to claim 20 in which the switch means is a high impedance switch means .

22. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the electronic circuit includes resistor means, and in which the sensor means and the resistor means act during use of the potty as a potential divider network.

23. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sounds of praise provided by the sound generating means are applause and/or the words "good boy", "good girl", "what a clever boy" or "what a clever girl".

24. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including an off/on switch for allowing the sound generating apparatus to be switched off when the sounds of praise are not required.

25. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including at least one battery for the electronic circuit.

26. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including auxiliary sensor means for sensing the young child approaching the potty and for automatically causing operation of the sound generating means to give a message encouraging the child to use the potty.

27. Toilet apparatus according to claim 26 in which the auxiliary sensor means is an optical sensor means.

28. Toilet apparatus according to claim 26 in which the auxiliary sensor means is an ultrasonic sensor means .

29. Toilet apparatus according to claim 26 in which the auxiliary sensor means is a microwave sensor means .

30. Toilet apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the potty includes a disposable liner pad.

31. Toilet apparatus according to claim 30 in which the disposable liner pad is in a disposable bag.

32. Toilet apparatus for use by young children, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .