GB2436332A

GB2436332A - Toilet training device

Info

Publication number: GB2436332A
Application number: GB0703118A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Bailey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-22
Filing date: 2007-02-19
Publication date: 2007-09-26
Also published as: GB0703118D0; GB0605698D0

Abstract

A training toilet for boys comprises a support 12, a bowl 14 connected to the support, and a collector 28. The collector is removeably attached to the bowl such that urine in the bowl can be readily removed from the toilet. Preferably the support includes a hook which can be arranged to co-operate with another object, such as a conventional toilet 24 as shown in Figure 1, and thereby supports the bowl. The height of the bowl may be altered by altering the point of connection between the support and the bowl. The training toilet may also comprise a footplate (16, Fig 1) which is provided with a container or absorbent sheet to limit splashes from reaching the floor.

Description

TOILET

This invention relates to a toilet. The toilet may be used to aid toilet training.

When boys graduate from using a nappy to using a toilet there is a period when they are trained using a potty. This is not the most desirable method of toilet training; firstly, a potty does not accurately simulate how men urinate into the toilet.

Secondly, the use of a potty for urination can be uncomfortable for a boy.

The piesent invention provides a means to aid a boy to be trained to use the toilet.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet comprising a support, a bowl connected to the support, and a collector. The collector is removeably attachable to the bowl such that liquid in the bowl can be readily removed from the toilet.

Preferably the support includes a hook arranged to co-operate with another object thereby to support the bowl in position.

The height of the bowl may be altered by altering the point of connection between the support and the bowl. Optionally the hook and loop fastener or a hook and recess arranged to receive the hook may be rotatably connected to the footplate.

The toilet may also include a footplate attached to the support; the footplate being situated at least partially underneath the bowl in order that any liquid escaping from the bowl hits the footplate.

Preferably, the footplate is made from a water impermeable material.

Optionally, the footplate is provided with a container and the top surface of the footplate is at an angle to the perpendicular such that any liquid on the top surface of the footplate drains into the container.

Alternatively, the footplate is removably connected to an absorbent sheet. The absorbent sheet may include superabsorbent material.

The height of the bowl can be altered by altering the point of connection between the support and the bowl. Optionally, the hook and loop fasteners, or a hook and a recess arranged to receive the hook, may be rotatably connected to the footplate.

The support may be further connected to a backplate including sides arranged such that the toilet is convertable between a closed position and an open, usable, position.

The bowl may be provided with means to facilitate the direction of urination.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a toilet in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a toilet in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 illustrates a bird's eye view of a toilet in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a toilet with an external reservoir Figure 5 illustrates a side view of a toilet in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 illustrates the toilet of Figure 5 and 6 when closed.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a toilet 10. The toilet 10 has a support, 12, a bowl 14 and a footplate 16. The support 12 is a pole to which the bowl 14 is removeably attached at two attachment points as shown in Figure 2. The support 12 is attached to the footplate 16 by a hoHow projection 18 from the footplate 16 into which the support is inserted.

The bowl 14 is a container having a shape suitable for receiving urine during urination, It may be provided with a handle if required or other suitable means for aiding carrying of the bowl 14 when a person wants to empty the bowl 14.

The means for attaching the bowl 14 may be any suitable means for allowing the bowl to be easily attached or detached from the support 12. The attachment means may be, for example, strips of hook and loop fasteners attached to the bowl 14, extending around the support 12 and attaching about the support 12. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise one or more hook attached, or integral, to the bowl 14 and arranged to be received by receiving means attached, or integral, to the support 12, for example, a slot in one side of the pole 12.

Preferably, the attachment means are arranged so that the height of the bowl 14 can be adjusted to a suitable height for a child. In this way the height can be adjusted to be suitable for children of different heights and ages who are still being toilet trained.

The support means may be provided with a further hook 22 enabling it to be stabilised by an external object, for example a toilet 24 as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The footplate 16 helps to stabilise the support, reducing the likelihood of the toilet tipping over. The footplate 16 also provides the additional function of preventing any liquid that splashes from, or does not enter, the bowl 14 from hitting the floor. In this instance the liquid is collected by the footplate 16 instead. The footplate 16 may be of any suitable shape, for example it may be square or triangular (as shown in Figure 3). Additionally, the footplate 16 may be provided with one or more guides (not shown) to help a child to stand in the correct position to urinate in the bowl 14.

The footplate 16 is preferably made from a waterproof material, such as PVC or any other suitable plastic. The material may be flexible or resiliant. The footplate 16 may be provided with a collector (not shown); for example, a removeable S depression for collecting liquid from the footplate 16. lIthe footplate is provided with a collector then the upper surface of the footplate may be angled such that draining of liquid into the collector is promoted. Alternatively, the footplate 16 may be configured to allow an absorbent sheet of material to be placed upon the footplatel6 to soak up any liquid that hits the footplate 16. The sheet may, for example, have a top, moisture permeable layer; a bottom, iioisture impermeab!c layer and a moisture absorbent core. The moisture absorbent cover may include super-absorbent material such as sodium polyacrylate and dioxins. The moisture permeable material is preferably non-woven and may be, for example, a polyester material. The moisture impermeable layer is preferably made from polyethylene.

Any other suitable sheet configuration may be used.

The footplate 16 and absorbent sheet may be provided with attathment means which allows the absorbent sheet to be attached securely to the footplate. For example, the attachment means may be a hook and loop fastener the hook component of which is provided on the footplate 16 and the loop component of which is provided on the absorbent sheet Alternatively, the lower surface of the absorbent sheet may be such that the hook fasteners, or any other appropriate attachment means on the footplate, can attach directly to the lower surface of the absorbent sheet.

When a child wants to use the portable toilet the bowl is attached to the support at the correct height The child can then urinate Into the bowl. When the child has finished urinating, or at another suitable moment, the bowl can be detached from the support and emptied in a suitable place, for example into a toilet.

Optionally the bowl 14 may be provided in two sections, an upper and a lower section, the lower section collecting the urine and being separately detachable from the support. This facilitates the emptying of the bowl.

In a second embodiment (not illustrated), no footplate is present and the support is provided by a pole attached to a clip which is attached to an external object, such as a toilet. The bowl is attached to the support as described above.

The pole described in relation to the first and second embodiment may be of any desired length, diameter or shape.

Additionally, the clip used to attach the support to the toilet may be any suitable fastening means. For example the fastening means may be a suction cup.

In a third embodiment of the invention the bowl 14 is provided with an outlet 26 as shown in Figure 4. The outlet 26 enables the urine to drain into and be collected in a reservoir 28 remote from the bowl 14. This has the advantage that the bowl 14 does not have to be removed and replaced every time it is to be emptied but rather urine can be allowed to collect in the reservoir 28 until a suitable, or convenient, time for emptying it.

Preferably, the reservoir 28 is provided with an indicator, such as a window, which how full the reservoir 28 is to be determined in order that the reservoir 28 can be emptied at an appropriate time.

The reservoir 28 may be detachable from the bowl so that it can be emptied in a suitable place. Alternatively, the reservoir may be provided with an outlet valve 30 which allows the reservoir 28 to be drained into a receptacle.

In a fourth embodiment the toilet is provided with a casing 30 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The casing 30 has a support part 32 and a footplate part 34 which are rotatably connected, for example using a hinge 36.

The bowl 14 and external reservoir 28 if present, are attached to the support part 32 of the casing. Preferably, the support part 32 of the casing is provided with side walls as illustrated in Figure 6 such that the casing forms an enclosed box when the two parts of the casing are brought into contact as shown in Figure 7.

Preferably, one part of the casing is provided with a handle 40 in order to allow the toilet to be easily transported. The footplate may be provided with means for receiving the absorbent material, or attachment means for the absorbent material as described with reference to Figure 1.

The bowl and reservoir may be attached to the first part of the casing directly.

Alternatively a separate support means attachable to the first part of the casing may be arranged for the bowl and reservoir to be attached to. Preferably the height of the bowl and reservoir are adjustable.

If desired, the portable toilet may be provided with a marking to which the boy should direct his urination. The marking may be a simple coloured target or take a 3D form, for example a rubber duck.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A toilet comprising (a) a support (b) a bowl connected to the support, and (C) a collector; the collector removeably attachable to the bowl such that liquid in the bowl can be readily removed from the toilet.

2. A toilet as recited in Claim 1 wherein the support includes a hook arranged Lu co-operate with another object thereby to eupport the bow! in position.

3. A toilet as recited in Claim I wherein the support includes a pole.

4. A toilet as recited in any preceding claim, further comprising a footplate attached to the support; the footplate being situated at least partially underneath the bowl in order that any liquid escaping from the bowl hits the footplate.

5. A toilet as recited in Claim 4 wherein the footplate is made from a water impermeable material.

6. A toilet as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the footplate is provided with a container and the top surface of the footplate is at an angle to the perpendicular such that any liquid on the top surface of the footplate drains into the container.

7. A toilet as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the footplate is removably connected to an absorbent sheet 8. A toilet as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the absorbent piece sheet includes superabsorbent material.

9. A toilet as recited in Claim 2 wherein the support is provided with fastening means arranged to attach complimentary fastening means on the bowl, thereby supporting the bowl in position.

10. A toilet as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the height of the bowl can be altered by altering the point of connection between the support and the bowl.

11. A toilet as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the fastening means and complementary fastening means comprises hook and loop fasteners, or a hook and 1 fl s ranne.n pp,,r,,,,.,4 Ga..naa. pa êka kaL.

 J IA 1I I l IU UJ I V U I I IUUI..

12. A toilet as claimed in Claims 5 to 11 wherein the support is rotatably connected to the footplate.

13. A toilet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support is further connected to a backplate including sides arranged such that the toilet is convertable between a closed position and an open, usable position.

14. A toilet as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bowl is provided with means to facilitate the direction of urination.

15. An absorbent pad for use with the toilet of Claims 7 to 14.

16. A toilet substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.