GB2425544A - Disposable plastics toilet seat cover - Google Patents
Disposable plastics toilet seat cover Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2425544A GB2425544A GB0508922A GB0508922A GB2425544A GB 2425544 A GB2425544 A GB 2425544A GB 0508922 A GB0508922 A GB 0508922A GB 0508922 A GB0508922 A GB 0508922A GB 2425544 A GB2425544 A GB 2425544A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- toilet seat
- seat cover
- disposable toilet
- disposable
- cover
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000010865 sewage Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000004372 Polyvinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920002451 polyvinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 206010011409 Cross infection Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010029803 Nosocomial infection Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K13/00—Seats or covers for all kinds of closets
- A47K13/14—Protecting covers for closet seats
- A47K13/16—Protecting covers for closet seats of single sheets of paper or plastic foil or film
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K13/00—Seats or covers for all kinds of closets
- A47K13/14—Protecting covers for closet seats
- A47K13/16—Protecting covers for closet seats of single sheets of paper or plastic foil or film
- A47K13/165—Dispensers therefor
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Toilet Supplies (AREA)
Abstract
A disposable plastics toilet seat cover is composed of a water soluble plastics material. The cover suitably includes an aperture which, in use, is positionable over a toilet bowl. A plurality of covers may suitably be joined end-to-end in order to be dispensible from a dispensing device.
Description
Title: Disposable Toilet Seat Cover
Description of Invention
This invention relates to disposable toilet seat covers.
Disposable toilet seat covers are commonly used in communal toilets, such as in hospitals, and are used to assist in the maintenance of hygiene standards to limit contamination and cross-infection between patients.
A known disposable toilet seat cover incorporates a thin paper/tissue layer which is impregnated with an antibacterial substance. A disadvantage with this configuration of disposable toilet seat cover is that it must be placed on the toilet seat by a user. A further disadvantage is that the thin paper/tissue layer does not have sufficient strength to prevent tearing thereof during use, which means that a user's skin can come into contact with the toilet seat, which annuls any useful function of the disposable toilet seat cover. Finally, a yet further disadvantage is that it is often required for the user manually to discard of the disposable toilet seat cover after use.
Another known disposable toilet seat cover utilises a paper-backed water resistant polymer laminate, both layers of which are biodegradable. However, a disadvantage with this configuration of disposable toilet seat cover is that when flushed down a toilet after use, it can cause clogging of a sewage system connected to the toilet, because it takes too long to biodegráde.
A yet further known disposable toilet seat cover incorporates a paper layer with an adhesive layer on one side which adheres to the toilet seat to fix the cover relative to the toilet seat during use. Again, this configuration of disposable toilet seat cover must be placed on the toilet seat manually by the user and, when flushed down a toilet after use, can cause clogging of a sewage system connected to the toilet.
Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a disposable toilet seat cover, which is shaped so as to cover substantially an upwardly presented surface of a toilet seat of a toilet, wherein the cover is composed wholly of a water soluble plastics material.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a single layer disposable toilet seat cover, which is shaped so as to cover substantially an upwardly presented surface of a toilet seat of a toilet, wherein the single layer is a water soluble plastics film.
A disposable toilet seat cover in accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention is advantageous over the prior art. As the disposable toilet seat cover is wholly water soluble, it will dissolve shortly after being flushed down the toilet, which will reduce the risk of clogging of the sewage system connected to the toilet. However, the water soluble plastics/film may be sufficiently thick so that it is rigid enough to be paid out from a dispenser, thus ensuring that a user does not have to touch the disposable toilet seat cover with his/her hands to position it on the toilet seat. Furthermore, the disposable toilet seat cover also provides sufficient friction between it and the toilet seat so that the disposable toilet seat cover does not move substantially during use. The disposable toilet seat cover in accordance with the present invention also provides improved user comfort during use.
The disposable toilet seat cover may include an aperture, which is positionable, in use, above an entrance to a receiving part of the toilet. The aperture may be closed by a moveable part of the disposable toilet seat cover.
The moveable part of the toilet seat cover may, in use, extend downwardly into the receiving part of the toilet. The movable part may be, for example, a U-shaped incision in the disposable toilet seat cover defining a flap which depends into the receiving part of the toilet under gravity when the flap is moved over the entrance to the receiving part of the toilet.
After use, when the toilet is flushed, the moveable part of the disposable toilet seat cover may become entrained in a liquid, normally water, flushing the toilet. Thus the disposable toilet seat cover is moved from engagement with the upwardly presented surface of the toilet seat and automatically flushed down the toilet. This means that the user does not have to touch the disposable toilet seat cover with his/her hands after use to dispose of it. Of course, the dissolvability of the disposable toilet seat cover must be such that if the depending moveable part is partially submerged in water in the receiving part of the toilet during use, it does not dissolve until after the toilet has been flushed. It must also be appreciated that the movable part could take on many other shapes so long as it provides an appropriate aperture in the disposable toilet seat cover and, in use, depends far enough into the receiving part of the toilet so that it can become entrained in liquid flushing the toilet.
An upwardly presented surface of the disposable toilet seat cover, i.e. a surface which contacts a user's skin, may be contoured, so as to improve user comfort.
A downwardly presented surface of the disposable toilet seat cover may also be contoured so as to increase friction between the downwardly presented surface of the disposable toilet seat cover and the upwardly presented surface of the toilet seat, thus inhibiting movement of the disposable toilet seat cover during use.
The upwardly and/or downwardly presented surfaces of the disposable toilet seat cover may be embossed, for example with a pattern.
The upwardly and/or downwardly presented surfaces of the disposable toilet seat cover may be crimped, such as regularly folded with ridges.
Opposed edges of the disposable toilet seat may be down-turned so as to form lips which hang over opposed edges of the toilet seat to inhibit movement of the disposable toilet seat cover during use. For example, a substantial part of a periphery of the disposable toilet seat cover may extend downwardly so as to engage a periphery of the toilet seat.
A portion of the disposable toilet seat cover may be stretchable, so that during use the stretchable portion moulds around the upwardly presented surface of the toilet seat, thus assisting in locating the disposable toilet seat cover thereon.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a plurality of like disposable toilet seat covers, each in accordance with the first and/or second aspects of the invention, which are connected to each other in end-to-end relationship.
According to a forth aspect of the invention there is provided a storage/dispensing device containing a plurality of disposable toilet seat covers, each in accordance with the first, second or third aspects of the invention.
The disposable toilet seat covers may be provided, for example, on a roll or in a stack configuration, which is supported in the storage/dispensing device and can be manually moved or pulled out of the storage/dispensing device, one at a time. For example, the disposable toilet seat covers may be dispensable manually or, preferably, automatically, from the storage/dispensing device thus ensuring that a user need not touch the disposable toilet seat cover with his/her hands.
Examples of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a plan view of a plurality of disposable toilet seat covers, each in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, connected in end-to-end relationship; Figure 2 is a plan view of a plurality of disposable toilet seat covers, each in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, connected in end-to-end relationship; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above and one side of a third embodiment of a disposable toilet seat cover in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 is a side view of a storage/dispensing device for dispensing the disposable toilet seat covers shown in Figure 2, connected to a toilet.
Referring to Figure 1, this shows a first embodiment of a plurality of disposable toilet seat covers, each in accordance with the present invention indicated at 10. Figure 1 shows three disposable toilet seat covers 11, 11 and I ic, each of which is wholly composed of a water soluble plastics material, which in this example is a single layer of a water soluble plastics film.
The water soluble plastics film in this example is Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) , although other water soluble plastics films could be used, with a sufficient thickness and hence rigidity such that it can be paid out from a storage/dispensing device (discussed later) over the toilet seat without creasing. Although the external surfaces of the disposable toilet seat covers ha, lib and lic are not shown as having any contouring, they could be embossed, for example with a pattern, and/or could be crimped, such as having regular folds with ridges, to improve user comfort and to increase friction between the disposable toilet seat cover and the toilet seat.
The disposable toilet seat covers 1 Ia, 1 lb and 1 Ic are connected in end-to- end relationship, with the disposable toilet seat cover 1 lb disposed between the toilet seat covers 1 Ia and I Ic. The connection of adjacent disposable toilet seat covers is indicated by the line 12, which is perforated for ease of separation by tearing, either automatically or manually, after use. Each disposable toilet seat cover I Ia, 1 lb and I ic has a central aperture 14 which, in use, is positioned above a receiving part of a toilet (not shown).
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a plurality of disposable toilet seat covers, each in accordance with the present invention, indicated at 10'. The plan view of Figure 2 shows three disposable toilet seat covers 11, II and lI'c, which are again manufactured of a single layer of a water soluble plastics film and are connected in end-to-end relationship. Again, a perforated line 12' is provided between adjacent disposable toilet seat covers to assist in separation thereof after use. Instead of each disposable toilet seat cover II, 1l'b and lI'c being provided only with a central aperture 14, each is provided with a movable part in the form of a U-shaped incision 16 which defines a flap 17. In use, the flap 17 falls downwardly and depends into a receiving part of the toilet seat (see Figure 4) under gravity, thus providing an aperture 14' in its vacated space in the remainder of the disposable toilet seat cover.
Figure 3 is a perspective view from above and one side of the third embodiment of a disposable toilet seat cover in accordance with the present invention, indicated at 10". Again the disposable toilet seat cover 10" is manufactured from a single layer of a water soluble plastics film, and includes a U-shaped incision 16" which defines a flap 17" which acts in an identical fashion to the flap 17 on the second embodiment shown in Figure 2.
The disposable toilet seat cover 10" also includes a peripheral skirt extending along a majority of its periphery which extends downwardly so as to engage over a periphery of a toilet seat (not shown), so as to locate and prevent movement of the disposable toilet seat cover 10" during use. The disposable toilet seat cover 10" is fitted over a toilet seat manually by a user and includes a projecting tab 19 towards a front end thereof so that it easily can be pulled over the toilet seat. Pulling on the tab 19 by a user may stretch slightly the disposable toilet seat cover 10", but this will improve the location of the disposable toilet seat cover 10" on the toilet seat.
Figure 4 shows a storage/dispensing device 22 for dispensing the disposable toilet seat covers ha, lib, lic or 11'a, h1'b, h1'c, of the first or second embodiments of the present invention, although in Figure 4 it is shown dispensing the Figure 2 embodiment of disposable toilet seat covers h1', 1 l'b, 11 c. The storage/dispensing device 22 is supported on (or adjacent) a toilet seat 21 of a toilet 20 so that it is positioned adjacent a rearmost part of the toilet seat 21 of the toilet 20. Alternatively, the storage/dispensing device 22 could be fixed, for example, to a nearby wall, and in this case a user would dispense a toilet seat cover therefrom and position it manually on the toilet seat2l.
The storage/dispensing device 22 includes an axle 25 to support a roll of a plurality of disposable toilet seat covers 11, 11, I 1' etc.. The storage/dispensing device 22 also includes a pair of further axles 27, 29 which are substantially parallel to the axle 25 and support respective feed rollers 26a, 26b for the disposable toilet seat covers 11 a, 11, 11, which when at least one of these is activated by a motor (not shown) or turned manually by a handle or knob feed the disposable toilet seat covers 11, 11, 11 ç towards an elongate aperture 28, through which the disposable toilet seat covers 11, 11 b, 11 c can pass. The aperture 28 is substantially parallel to the axles 25, 27 and is positioned adjacent the toilet seat 21.
In use, the storage/dispensing device 22, which can be controlled manually by the operation of, for example a lever, or automatically by the pressing of a button which actuates the motor, pays out the endmost disposable toilet seat cover 11'a through the aperture 28 so that it slides over an upwardly presented surface of the toilet seat 21. Pulling of the lever, or actuation of the motor by the button, pays out only one disposable toilet seat cover 11' at a time. The storage/dispensing device 22 may include a guillotine or like arrangement which separates the paid out disposable toilet seat cover 11 from the remaining toilet seat covers 11'b, 11'c, thus removing the need for perforations between adjacent disposable toilet seat covers 11, 11, 11.
As the disposable toilet seat cover 11 a passes over the toilet seat 21 the flap 17 falls, under gravity, downwardly to depend into a receiving part of the toilet 20. A user can then position himself or herself on the disposable toilet seat cover 11 a whilst he or she uses the toilet 20.
By providing a disposable toilet seat cover which is wholly composed of a water soluble plastics material, the disposable toilet seat cover can be flushed down the toilet after use, without any risk of causing clogging of a sewage system connected to the toilet, as the disposable toilet seat cover will dissolve after flushing. Furthermore, the disposable toilet seat cover will not easily tear during use and provides improved user comfort.
Although it has not been shown on the first and second embodiments of the present invention in Figures 1 and 2, both of these embodiments of disposable toilet seat cover could include downwardly turned edges to improve location of the disposable toilet seat cover on the toilet seat. These may be connected to the remainder of the cover by thinned or perforated lines, and move downwardly as the cover is positioned for use as described.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
Claims (18)
1. A disposable toilet seat cover, which is shaped so as to cover substantially and upwardly presented surface of a toilet seat of a toilet, wherein the cover is composed wholly of a water soluble plastics material.
2. A single layer disposable toilet seat cover, which is shaped so as to cover substantially an upwardly presented surface of a toilet seat of a toilet, wherein the single layer is a water soluble plastics film.
3. A disposable toilet seat cover according to claim 1 or clam 2 wherein the disposable toilet seat cover includes an aperture which is positionable, in use, above an entrance to a receiving part of the toilet.
4. A disposable toilet seat cover according to claim 3 wherein the aperture is closed by a moveable part which, in use, depends into a receiving part of the toilet.
5. A disposable toilet seat cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an upwardly presented surface of disposable toilet seat cover is contoured.
6. A disposable toilet seat cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a downwardly presented surface of the disposable toilet seat cover is contoured.
7. A disposable toilet seat cover according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the upwardly presented surface of the disposable toilet seat cover is embossed.
8. A disposable toilet seat cover according to any 5, 6 or 7 wherein the downwardly presented surface of the disposable toilet seat cover is embossed.
9. A disposable toilet seat cover according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the upwardly presented surface of the disposable toilet seat cover is crimped.
10. A disposable toilet seat cover according to any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein the downwardly presented surfaces of the disposable toilet seat cover is crimped.
11. A disposable toilet seat cover according to any of the preceding claims wherein opposed edges of the disposable toilet seat are downturned so as to form lips which hang over opposed edges of the toilet seat.
12. A disposable toilet seat cover according to any one of claim 1 to 10 wherein a substantial part of a periphery of the disposable toilet seat cover extends downwardly so as to engage a periphery of the toilet seat.
13. A plurality of disposable toilet seat covers, each according to any one of claim 1 to 12 connected to each other in end-to-end relationship.
14. A plurality of disposable toilet seat covers according to claim 13 provided on a roll.
15. A plurality of disposable toilet seat covers according to any one of claims 1 to 12 provided in a stack configuration.
16. A storage/dispensing device containing a plurality of disposable toilet seat covers as claimed in claim 13, 14, or 15.
17. A disposable toilet seat cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0508922A GB2425544A (en) | 2005-04-30 | 2005-04-30 | Disposable plastics toilet seat cover |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0508922A GB2425544A (en) | 2005-04-30 | 2005-04-30 | Disposable plastics toilet seat cover |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0508922D0 GB0508922D0 (en) | 2005-06-08 |
| GB2425544A true GB2425544A (en) | 2006-11-01 |
Family
ID=34674196
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0508922A Withdrawn GB2425544A (en) | 2005-04-30 | 2005-04-30 | Disposable plastics toilet seat cover |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2425544A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US12064063B2 (en) | 2019-09-23 | 2024-08-20 | Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc | Automated toilet seat cover dispenser |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2097832A (en) * | 1981-05-01 | 1982-11-10 | Weatherhead Cyril | Protective tissues for water closet seats |
| US5557809A (en) * | 1993-11-08 | 1996-09-24 | Adams; James L. | Toilet seat cover |
| DE20008848U1 (en) * | 2000-05-17 | 2000-12-14 | Weindler, Robert, Dr., 80639 München | Hygiene film (prefabricated) |
-
2005
- 2005-04-30 GB GB0508922A patent/GB2425544A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2097832A (en) * | 1981-05-01 | 1982-11-10 | Weatherhead Cyril | Protective tissues for water closet seats |
| US5557809A (en) * | 1993-11-08 | 1996-09-24 | Adams; James L. | Toilet seat cover |
| DE20008848U1 (en) * | 2000-05-17 | 2000-12-14 | Weindler, Robert, Dr., 80639 München | Hygiene film (prefabricated) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US12064063B2 (en) | 2019-09-23 | 2024-08-20 | Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc | Automated toilet seat cover dispenser |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0508922D0 (en) | 2005-06-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |