EP2861116A2

EP2861116A2 - Toilet seat and method for collecting washing liquid

Info

Publication number: EP2861116A2
Application number: EP13737297.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pekka VAHTERA
Original assignee: Sanifram Oy
Current assignee: Sanifram Oy
Priority date: 2012-06-13
Filing date: 2013-06-13
Publication date: 2015-04-22
Also published as: WO2013186442A2; WO2013186442A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a toilet seat (1), which comprises an extension part (8), which is to be situated outside the upper rim (25) of a toilet bowl (2). The invention relates also to a method for collecting washing liquid, where washing liquid is lead from the outside of an upper rim (25) of a toilet bowl (2) into the toilet bowl along a downward tapering inner surface (9) of the extension part.

Description

TOILET SEAT AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING WASHING LIQUID

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to toilet seats adapted to be removably attached and used on a toilet bowl. The invention relates also to a method for collecting washing liquid into a toilet bowl. The invention especially relates to a new way to ease the cleaning of private parts of a person seated on a toilet seat with a raised height of the seat. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

A toilet seat is bolted or otherwise secured onto a toilet bowl of e.g. a flush toilet. A toilet seat is usually a unit comprising the seat itself and a lid, which covers the seat and the whole toilet bowl when it is not in use. The lid is normally hinged to the seat allowing the lid to be closed on a horizontal position or opened into an upright position, as needed. Usually also the seat part is hinged so that it too can be lifted into an upright position, away from the upper rim of the toilet bowl. The seat and the lid are usually secured onto the toilet bowl in a detachable manner so that they can be removed e.g. for cleaning purposes. The size, especially the length of present toilet bowls is not adequate for allowing an easy cleaning of the private parts of a person seated on the toilet. The water cistern or a wall behind the toilet may be too near to allow washing from behind. On the other hand the opening of the toilet bowl is too short to allow easy washing on the front side. This is a problem for a person performing the cleaning, whether that is the person seated or an assisting person for e.g. an elderly.

The height of normal toilet bowls and their seats is normally too low for e.g. the elderly and disabled people. Toilet seats particularly for use by the elderly or disabled persons are well known. E.g. patent publications US 1021346 and US 2810914 provide for bath tubs or seats which ease the cleaning of private parts of the seated person. Patent publications DE 19612264 A1 , WO 2007/122407 A1 , US 2011/0239357 A1 , FR 2643249 A1 show toilet seats which are to be arranged on top of an existing toilet bowl, thereby providing for raised height of the seat, and which are also furnished with openings or other design features meant to ease the cleaning of private parts of the seated person. But, these publications do not present a toilet seat, which satisfactorily allows a person's private parts to be easily cleaned. Use of the existing toilet seats is difficult for the person to be cleaned, but also to a person helping in cleaning. There is not enough room for adequate cleaning. Furthermore, the seated person is usually required to be uncomfortably moved on the seat in order to achieve satisfying cleaning results.

Production and assembly of known toilet seats is often complicated. Especially for the elderly and disabled, for their home use or for use in institutions, e.g. hospitals or nursing homes, there is a need for a simple and sturdy construction and assembly of a raised toilet seat.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or even eliminate the above- mentioned problems appearing in prior art.

The present invention has especially an object of providing easier cleaning of private parts of a person seated on a raised toilet seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among others, in order to realize the objects mentioned above, toilet seat and method and other objects according to the invention are characterized by what is presented in the characterizing parts of the enclosed independent claims.

The embodiments, examples and advantages mentioned in this text relate, where applicable, as well to toilet seats, methods as to uses according to the invention, even though it is not always specifically mentioned. A typical toilet seat according to the invention is adapted to be removably attached and used on a toilet bowl with an upper rim delimiting a liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl. The toilet seat comprises

- one or more supports to be arranged downwards and adapted to be supported on the upper rim of the toilet bowl;

- an inner surface to be arranged as a downward tapering surface towards the inside of the toilet bowl and forming the seat opening for leading liquid into the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl.

In a typical toilet seat according to the invention the toilet seat comprises an extension part, which is to be situated outside said supports in such a way that liquid is arranged to be lead from the outside of the upper rim of the toilet bowl into the toilet bowl along a downward tapering inner surface of the extension part.

An embodiment of a toilet seat according to the invention is adapted to be removably attached and used on a toilet bowl with an upper rim. The upper rim delimits a liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl. An embodiment of a toilet seat comprises

- a seat part defining a seat opening for leading matter into the liquid collection vessel and

- fastenings adapted to be engaged with the toilet bowl in order to removably attach the toilet seat over the toilet bowl.

A seat part according to an embodiment of the invention comprises

- an inner surface to be arranged as a downward tapering surface towards the inside of the toilet bowl and forming the seat opening for leading liquid into the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl,

- an outer surface to be arranged outwards from the toilet bowl,

- a seat surface between the inner and outer surfaces to be arranged upwards and upon which the user is to be seated,

- one or more supports to be arranged downwards and supported on the upper rim of the toilet bowl.

In a typical toilet seat according to an embodiment of the invention at least a part of the seat surface and a part of the inner surface are arranged as an extension part outside the one or more supports. Thereby, when arranged on a toilet bowl, the extension part is situated outside the upper rim of the toilet bowl. This allows the extension part to lead liquid from the outside of the upper rim of the toilet bowl towards the seat opening and thus to the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl.

In a typical method for collecting washing liquid into a toilet bowl according to the invention a toilet seat is supported on an upper rim of the toilet bowl. The toilet seat may be one according to the invention, said upper rim delimiting the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl. Typical method comprises at least the following steps:

- spilling a part of the washing liquid outside the upper rim of the toilet bowl;

- capturing said part of the washing liquid by an extension part of the toilet seat situated outside the upper rim of the toilet bowl;

- leading said part of the washing liquid from the outside of the upper rim of the toilet bowl along an downward tapering inner surface of the toilet seat towards the inside of the toilet bowl and further into the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl.

In this text washing liquid means water, soap and other possible matter used or produced when washing private parts of a person seated on a toilet.

In an embodiment of the invention the one or more supports, that is, the points of the supports to be arranged against the upper rim of the toilet bowl, are situated at a distance of at least 20 mm from the highest point of the seat surface of the toilet seat, thereby providing for raised height of the seat. This distance between the supports and the seat surface is called the effective height of the toilet seat and it may be e.g. 30-100 mm or 40-60 mm. A support may be made of the same material as the toilet seat or the seat part. A support may be made as a separate part attached to the toilet seat or it may be formed directly to the toilet seat, e.g. as a protrusion. It is also possible that there are no specific supports on the toilet seat, i.e. the lower surface of the seat part may function as the support to be situated against the upper rim of the toilet bowl. In an embodiment of the invention the lower edge of the downward tapering inner surface of the seat part extends at least 10 mm, at least 25 mm at least 50 mm or 10-100 mm below the highest point of the seat surface. In an embodiment of the invention the lower edge of the downward tapering inner surface of the seat part extends at least 10 mm, at least 25 mm at least 50 mm or 10-100 mm below the supports arranged against the upper rim of the toilet bowl. This way the seat opening is deep in the toilet bowl, thereby leading the washing liquid neatly into the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl. In an embodiment of the invention the downward tapering inner surface of the seat part extends below the highest point of the seat surface or below the supports arranged against the upper rim of the toilet bowl in all directions around the toilet seat, i.e. the inner surface leads the washing liquid towards the seat opening from all directions. In an embodiment of the invention the inner surface of the seat part of the toilet seat is formed as a funnel tapering downwards into a toilet bowl. In an embodiment the upper edge of the toilet seat is formed as a seat surface for a person to be seated. The seat surface may be formed at least partly tapered towards the inside of the toilet seat, i.e. towards the toilet bowl. In an embodiment, on the outer edge of the seat part, directed outwards from the toilet bowl, is the outer surface of the toilet seat. The seat part, its inner, outer and seat surfaces may vary in size and form.

The fastenings of the toilet seat may vary according to the need. E.g. the toilet seat may be attached to the toilet bowl by squeezing with one or more clams, vises or similar. In some embodiments of the invention the fastenings of the toilet seat comprise screws, bolts, nuts, tighteners, bracings or other suitable means to attach the toilet seat over the toilet bowl. The fastenings may comprise e.g. an axle on which the seat part may be attached.

In an embodiment of the invention the seat part is connected to fastenings by means of one or more hinges. The hinges allow the seat part to be turned between an open and a closed position. In the closed position the seat part is mainly horizontally positioned, ready to be sat on. In the open position the seat part is turned away from the toilet bowl into e.g. a substantially upright position, if needed. The hinges may be arranged such that the seat part can be removably attached to the fastenings. E.g. an axle fastened on the toilet bowl may function as part of a hinge.

One way to describe a typical embodiment of the present invention is that a toilet seat, which is to be arranged on an upper rim of a toilet bowl, is produced substantially larger than the upper rim it is supported on. The toilet seat comprises an extension part, which is to be situated outside said upper rim. The extension part comprises a downward tapering inner surface along which liquid is to be lead from outside the upper rim into the toilet bowl.

In some embodiments it is possible to describe the extension part as a bowl formed in the front part of the inner surface of the seat part. Any liquid in this bowl may flow freely i.e. by gravity into the toilet bowl. It is possible to arrange a pump to move the liquid from the bowl of the extension part into the toilet bowl.

In a typical embodiment of the present invention the toilet seat is substantially longer than the toilet bowl, i.e. it extends over the outer rim of the toilet bowl in the normal sitting direction of the toilet. The toilet seat may extend e.g. 30-300 mm, 50-200 mm or 50-100 mm over the upper rim of the toilet bowl.

In an embodiment of the present invention the toilet seat is made of plastics with added antibacterial substance, such as a suitable metal or metal compound, e.g. silver or some other suitable antibacterial agent.

An extended toilet seat according to the invention makes washing of a person's private parts or genital areas easier. There is more room to operate both on the back and front side of the person seated. The invention minimizes the need to move the person during the washing. At the same time, if moving of the seated person is needed, it is very easy to perform. Simultaneously at least big part of the liquid produced and used on the washing is collected into the toilet bowl. The toilet seat may be e.g. pressed, casted in a mould or a laminated piece. Typical materials to be used may be heat molded or casted plastics, glass-fiber reinforced plastics or metals suitable for sheet processing.

An extended toilet seat according to the invention may be arranged as a permanent or only seat on a toilet bowl. It is also possible to use it as a temporary seat without removing the original seat. I.e. it is possible to attach the toilet seat of the invention on a toilet bowl where the original toilet seat is just turned in an upright position.

The embodiments of the invention are suitable to be used in connection with various kinds of toilets and toilet bowls, e.g. with flush toilets and dry toilets such as composting toilets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which

Figure 1 shows a toilet seat according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a seat part according to the invention,

Figure 3 shows the seat part of figure 2 from below,

Figure 4 shows a toilet seat according to the invention,

Figure 5 shows fastenings of a toilet seat according to the invention,

Figure 6 shows fastenings of a toilet seat according to the invention,

Figure 7 shows a damping mechanism,

Figure 8 shows a damping mechanism of figure 7 exploded, and

Figure 9 shows fastenings of a toilet seat according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES

For the sake of clarity, the same reference numbers are used for corresponding parts in different embodiments. Figure 1 shows a toilet seat 1 of the invention, which has replaced a standard toilet seat on a toilet bowl 2 of a flush toilet. The toilet seat 1 comprises a seat part 3 and fastenings 4, which secure the seat part to the toilet bowl. The fastenings 4 are completely hidden under the seat part in Fig. 1. Seat cover 5 is removed from the toilet seat of Fig. 1. Seat part 3 is shaped to be longer than a standard toilet seat, so that the front end 6 of the seat part extends over the edge 7 and the upper rim 25 of the toilet bowl as an extension part 8.

Figure 2 shows how the inner surface 9 of the extension part extending over the edge 7 of the toilet bowl is shaped as a downward tapering surface. The seat part 3 has a central aperture i.e. the seat opening 10, which is made smaller than the toilet bowl 2, thus fitting inside the bowl. The edge 11 , e.g. last 10 to 20 mm of the edge of the inner surface is bent directly vertical, so the washing liquid on the toilet seat flows neatly into the toilet bowl.

The seat cover 5 is shown on Figure 4. The seat cover 5 may be made of one single piece of plastic. The rear corners 12 of the seat cover have lugs or notches 13 which fit to corresponding lugs or notches 14 on the rear corners 15 of the seat part 3. These lugs or notches are formed in such a way that when the cover 5 and the seat part 3 are turned into an angle of about 80 to 90 degrees, they are easily detached and reattached to each other. In other positions they remain attached to each other. The rear corners of the seat cover may have e.g. hook-shaped protuberances. When the seat cover 5 is lowered to a horizontal position it is arranged to cover the seat opening 10 and the seat surface 17 upon which the user is to be seated. The seat cover 5 in figure 4 has a mainly flat design. In some embodiments the seat cover may have outer edges turned down so that it would also cover the outer surface 18 of the toilet seat.

Figure 4 shows an possible set of fastenings 4 with seat brackets 20, which support the seat part 3 onto an axle 21. The seat brackets 20 are attached onto the rear end 22 of the lower surface 23 of the seat part 3. In Figure 3 it is shown how towards the front end 6 of the seat part are situated one or more supports 24 adapted to be supported on the upper rim 25 of the toilet bowl 2. The front supports 24 may be arranged to comprise soft or elastic material, e.g. rubber pads. Supports 24 may be made in any suitable shape or from any suitable material and they may be situated in any suitable parts of the seat part according to the situation.

The seat axle 21 is made of a suitable plastic or e.g. of aluminum. In the figures the profile of the axle is round with parallel straight cuts 26 on both sides. The axle 21 may be a hollow tube. Axle diameter may be e.g. 10 to 30 mm. and axle length e.g. 60 mm to 320 mm.

Seat brackets 20 have an axle opening 31 with the same diameter as the diameter of the axle 21. The seat bracket 20 has a slot 32 through which the axle may be inserted. The seat bracket 20 fits around the axle 21 only when the slot 32 is parallel to the straight sides 26 of the axle. When the seat bracket 20 is turned around the axle 21 , they get locked by friction between them. The seat brackets are produced from a suitable plastic or metal.

The axle 21 is attached to the toilet bowl 2 via axle brackets 33. Below these axle brackets 33 an axle bracket plate 34 is secured onto the toilet bowl 2. The axle bracket plate 34 and the axle bracket 33 have corresponding couplings 35, e.g. a male and a female coupling. The axle brackets 33 have an opening 36 for the axle 21. The axle brackets 33 have a flat top surface 37 on which the rear end 22 of the lower surface 23 of the seat part 3 rests when a person sits on the toilet seat 1. This way a large part of the weight of the user rests on the axle brackets 33 and not on the axle 21. Figures 4 and 5 show the fastenings 4 needed when securing an axle bracket plate 34 on a toilet bowl 2 which has suitable vertical holes (not shown) for screws or bolts 40. A screw or bolt 40 penetrates both the bowl 2 and the axle bracket plate 34. The axle bracket plate 34 has an oval hole for the screw or bolt 40, which gives about 10 mm of tolerance to the installation.

Figure 6 shows how the toilet seat 1 is attached onto a toilet bowl 2 which has no suitable holes for screws or bolts 40. In this embodiment of so called side attachment the fastenings 4 comprise axle brackets 34, attached at or near the ends 41 of the axle 21 so that they may be supported on a clam, vise or similar structure situated on the side of the toilet bowl 2. The clam, vise or similar is attached to the toilet bowl. In the embodiment of the figure 6 mounting bolts 40 are attached to the axle bracket plate 34. At the lower end of the bolt 40 there is a latch 42 or similar. This way, when bolt 40 is tightened, the edge 43 of the toilet bowl 2 is squeezed between the axle bracket plate 34 and the latch 42. The bolt 40 may be thinned is various points (not shown) along its length in order to ease its shortening when installing the toilet seat 1.

The movement of the seat part 3 around the seat axle 21 may be damped. A damper 50 can be attached between the axle and the seat part, either to the axle 21 or the seat part 3. Figures 7 and 8 show a simple damping mechanism consisting of a spring 51 , two locking sleeves 52 and a rotary spring sleeve 53 arranged on the axle. The spring sleeve 53 has straight side surfaces 54 which are situated and locked against the seat part 3 when the seat part is pressed into its place in an upright position. When the seat part 3 is lowered towards a horizontal position, the spring sleeve 53 rotates with the seat part, while the axle 21 does not rotate. The rotational movement of the spring sleeve 53 is resisted by the spring 51 inside a cavity in the spring sleeve, thereby damping the movements of the seat part 3 also. When the seat part 3 is raised, the spring 51 reduces the force needed for the turning.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment where the damping is achieved with gas dampers 55. Gas dampers 55 are known in the prior art and their structure and functioning are not discussed in detail here. In this case, the gas dampers 55 are arranged at both ends of the axle 21. Suitable attachment points or holders 56 are needed on the rear corners of the seat part 3 to hold the gas dampers.

The figures show only a few preferred embodiments according to the invention. Facts of secondary importance with regards to the main idea of the invention, facts known as such or evident for a person skilled in the art, such as power sources or support structures possibly required by the invention, are not necessarily separately shown in the figures. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited exclusively to the examples described above, but that the invention can vary within the scope of the claims presented below. The dependent claims present some possible embodiments of the invention, and they are not to be considered to restrict the scope of protection of the invention as such.

Claims

1. A toilet seat (1 ) adapted to be removably attached and used on a toilet bowl (2) with an upper rim (25) delimiting a liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl, the toilet seat comprising

- one or more supports (24) to be arranged downwards and adapted to be supported on the upper rim (25) of the toilet bowl;

- an inner surface (9) to be arranged as a downward tapering surface towards the inside of the toilet bowl and forming a seat opening (10) for leading liquid into the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl,

characterised by that the toilet seat comprises an extension part (8), which is to be situated outside said supports (24) in such a way that liquid is arranged to be lead from the outside of the upper rim (25) of the toilet bowl into the toilet bowl (2) along the downward tapering inner surface (9) of the extension part.

2. A toilet seat according to claim 1 , characterised by that the toilet seat comprises

- a seat part (3) defining the seat opening (10) for leading liquid matter into the liquid collection vessel, the seat part comprising

- the inner surface (9) to be arranged as a downward tapering surface towards the inside of the toilet bowl and forming the seat opening;

- an outer surface (18) to be arranged outwards from the toilet bowl;

- a seat surface (17) between the inner and outer surfaces to be arranged upwards and upon which the user is to be seated;

- the one or more supports (24) to be arranged downwards and adapted to be supported on the upper rim (25) of the toilet bowl,

- fastenings (4) adapted to be engaged with the toilet bowl in order to removably attach the toilet seat over the toilet bowl,

whereby at least a part of the seat surface (17) and a part of the inner surface (9) are arranged as the extension part (8) outside the one or more supports (24) and thereby are adapted to be situated outside the upper rim (25) of the toilet bowl and thereby adapted to lead liquid from the outside of the upper rim of the toilet bowl towards the seat opening (10) and thus to the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl.

3. A toilet seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by that the one or more supports (24) are situated at a distance of at least 20 mm from the seat surface (17) of the toilet seat, thereby providing for raised height of the seat.

4. A toilet seat according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised by that the inner surface (9) of the seat part of the toilet seat is formed as a funnel adapted to be tapering downwards into a toilet bowl.

5. A toilet seat according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised by that the height of the toilet seat from the supports (24) to the seat surface (17) is 20-100 mm.

6. A toilet seat according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised by that the toilet seat (1 ) is attached to the toilet bowl (2) by squeezing with at least one clam, vise or similar (42).

7. A toilet seat according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised by that the seat part (3) is turnably connected to the fastenings (4) by means of one or more hinges.

8. A toilet seat according to any claim 7, characterised by that the fastenings (4) comprise an axle (21 ) releasebly attached to the toilet bowl (2), on which axle the seat part (3) is turnably and releasebly connected.

9. A toilet seat according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised by that the toilet seat (1 ) is substantially longer than the toilet bowl (2), i.e. it is adapted to extend at least 50 mm over the outer rim (25) of the toilet bowl in the normal sitting direction of the toilet.

10. A toilet seat according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised by that the toilet seat (1 ) is made of plastics with added antibacterial substance, such as silver.

11. A method for collecting washing liquid into a toilet bowl (2) having a toilet seat (1 ) supported on an upper rim (25) of the toilet bowl, said upper rim (25) delimiting the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl, the method comprising at least the following steps:

- spilling a part of the washing liquid outside the upper rim (25) of the toilet bowl;

- capturing said part of the washing liquid by an extension part (8) of the toilet seat situated outside the upper rim (25) of the toilet bowl;

- leading said part of the washing liquid from the outside of the upper rim (25) of the toilet bowl along an downward tapering inner surface (9) of the toilet seat towards the inside of the toilet bowl (2) and further into the liquid collection vessel of the toilet bowl.

12. A method according to claim 11 , characterized in that the toilet seat (1) is one according to any of claims 1 to 10.