GB2506615A

GB2506615A - Combination toilet seat holder, backrest, wipe dispenser and air freshener dispenser for children

Info

Publication number: GB2506615A
Application number: GB201217676A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Atherton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-03
Filing date: 2012-10-03
Publication date: 2014-04-09
Also published as: GB201217676D0

Abstract

A combination toilet accessory container and toilet seat/lid holder is disclosed comprising a means for holding a toilet seat in an upright position, and a means 100, 110 for storing at least one toilet accessory. Preferably the toilet accessory is adapted to store moist wipes 106 and store and spray air freshener in compartment 110. Preferably the toilet seat/lid holder arm 114 is pivotable 116 to allow the seat/lid to be secured and released. Front piece 112 may be manufactured from high density foam and act as a backrest. Preferably, the combination container and holder is coloured and/or shaped to appeal to children.

Description

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Patent Application of Stephen Atherton for Combination toilet seat holder, backrest, wipe dispenser and air.reshener dispenser for children

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to toilet acOessories and in particular to space-saving combination toilet.accessojes.

[2] Combination toilet accessories are known in the art.

[3) For example, US 2OO9O45O83 to Vaults discloses a stand alone bathroom accessory that provides a means for storing necessary bathroom items on a free-standing unit. The unit comprises a paper towel holder, toilet paper holder, disinfectant holder and air-freshener holder * [41 US 6959890 to Bréitiñger A combination holder to be used by a person when the person is using a toilet. The preferred embodiment includes an openable container to retain objects such as pre-moistened wipes. Beneath the openable container is an openable ring for retaining a rollof toilet paper from which sheets of toilet paper may be dispensed as needed. Beneath the openable ring isa tray for retaining objects such as an air freshener or' any other toiletries which are useful for the person while the person is using the toilet; The tray is on an adjustable wall so that the distance between the tray and the openable ring can be increased to facilitate providing rnoré vertical room above the tray. The preferred adjustable means is a 1.

ratchet mechanism so that any multiplicity of adjustable distances can be achieved between the openable ring and the tray.

[5] Means for facilitatingstorage of toilet accessories on the toilet tank are known in the art.

[6] CA 2510535 to Huei discloses a toilet tank accessory rack comprising a fixing element and a holding element. The fi*ing element is assembled on a wall near a toilet tank of a * toilet. The holding element corresponds with and locks with the * fixing element. At least one storage chamber is provided on a side of the holding element for storing articles, such as shampoo, washing foam, books and.magazines, where a user may conveniently fetch them while using the toilet 0± washing.

[7] Means for holding a toilet seat and/or lid in an upright position are known in the art.

[8] CA 2085185 to Brodle, for example, discloses a toilet seat and lid holder for holding a toilet lid and toilet seat in the upright position against the toilet tank of the toilet. The * holder includes a securing bracket for releasably connecting the holder to the toilet tank. In one embodiment, the holder securing bracket is a U-shaped bracket which fits over the upper edge of the tOilet tank under the toilet tank cover. An L-shaped arm is connected to the bracket and has a portion which extends vertically upwards away from the bracket. An elongate flexible connector is connected at one end to the end of the L-shaped arm spaced from the bracket. A weight is attached at the other end of the flexible connector and which hanysdown over the toilet seat and cover being held down by gi±avity thereby holding the toilet seat and cover against the toilet tank in the upright position; * The securing bracket for connecting the holder to the toilet tank precludes or impedes storage on the toilet tank.

19J Means for encouraging children in the appropriate use of toilet accessories are known in the art. For example, the -Proctor and Gamble company Kandoo' markets many, soap and moist wipe dispensers to encourage children to use these products.

[10] Furthermore, MX 2008000110 to Sarbo discloses toilet paper having a repeating graphic pattern that is designed to help children learn to use a proper amount of toilet paper for cleaning. The repeating graphic pattern contains a series of relatively small clue-like objects (such as e.g. puppy paw * prints) which extend over several consecutive individual toilet paper sheets and which lead to a relatively large target object (such as e.g. a puppy), where the toilet paper is to be torn.

Many such products are commonly known.

Brief Snary of the Invention [11] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen to store multiple toilet accessories close to the toilet and in a space saving manner, without precluding or impeding the use of a toilet seat holder for maintaining the toilet seat and/or lid in an upright position.

* [12] It would be further advantageous to have such a storage * facility which was apealing to children and which would * encourage appropriate use of the accessories, as well as * facilitating them in using the toilet independently.

(13] In the present invention, a.combination toilet accessory container and' toilet seat holder, is disclosed.

Preferably, the invention is shaped and coloured to represent an animal that will be appealing to a child.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [14] Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention.

* * , 3 [15) Figure 2 shows an exploded diagram of the preferred -embodiment of the invention with slight variations.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[16] In a preferred embodiment Of the invention a combination toilet accessory container and toilet seat/lid holder is disclosed comprising: means for holding a toilet seat in an upright position; and means for storing at least one toilet accessory. Preferably, the combination container and holder is coloured and/or shaped to appeal to children.

[17) In this application, the term toilet accessory' is used to mean any item which may be needed in conjunction with or near to a toilet and may include personal hygiene items such as but not limited to toilet paper, thoist wipes, hand soap, towels, nappies, nappy sacks, feminine hygiene items; toilet hygiene items such as but not limited to air freshener, toilet brush, toilet bleach, toilet scent freshener, toilet seat cover; and entertainment material such as but not limited to newspapers, books, magazines, games: - -U. - [l8 The preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 1 wherein the combination container and holder is shaped as a frog, having * frog-like feet ±22 and a frog face-shaped backrest 112, and being coloured green. Alternatively, the container/holder may be shaped and coloured to represent a pig, duck, fish or other animal or character to appeal to children. As a further-altrnative the * container/holder may be white or another adult colour, and may be shaped to appeal to adults or to use minimal materials, or any other shape. For example, the container/holder may have an oval shaped backrest and no decorative feet.

[19] Figure 2 shows a very similaenthodiment of the -invention in which like numerals refer to like components compared with Figure 1. n Figure 2 the container/holder is shown in an exploded view for added clarity and to readily identify each individual component.

[20] In a p±tferred embodiment of the' invention the container/holder is adapted to store moist wipes, this being an item which children commonly require when first being trained to use the toilet independently. To this end, Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the container/holder having a main unit 100 in which is disposed moist wipe dispenser 102. Cover 104 is hinged to one side of the main unit and closes over the wipe dispenser to maintain moisture of the wipes. wipe 106 is shown for clarity.

Alternatively, the cover may be hinged or otherwise connected by * any means known in the art to any part of the main b,ody or alternatively the wipes may be dispensed from a small enough hole that no cover is required.

[21] The invention is further preferably adapted to store and dispense air freshener, this being an itemt most commonly needed and used in a toilet or bathroom. The container/holder of t Figure 1 therefore further comprises air freshener compartment in which air freshener is stored, (two ate shown but only one labeled for clarity) on top of which is depressible air freshener dispensing button 108 and dispensing hole 109. When button 108 is pressed, air freshener is dispensed from compartment 110 through hole 109. The figure shows a basic arranernent of an air freshener dispenser and in practice any air freshener storage and dispensing means known in the art may be used. An advantage of having two air freshener compartments is that more air freshener can be stored at one time. Furthermore, two different fragrances can be stored and used according to usets' differing preferences.

Alternatively, there may be only-one air freshener dispenser. In this case, the Space left unoccupied by -the second air freshener

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dispenser may be empty, or may house a soáp.dispenser or other suitable toilet accessory.

[22] Preferably, the toilet seat/lidholder is pivotable to enable release of the lid. Thus Figure 1 shows seat/lid holder connector arm 124 attached to the front of the main unit. The arm may be permanently or removably attached. For example, it may slide out of a bracket. An advantage of this is that the main unit can be used without the holder, and cleaning is also facilitated. To the front of the connector arm is cthinected lid/seat holding arm 114, via pivot 116. The pivot allows lid/seat holder to rotate to release the lid or seat. Towards the bottom of the lid/seat holding arm is a ratchet 120 and a pin 118 to which front piece 112 is connected. The ratchet and pin enable height adjustment of the backrest for added comfort.

Alternatively, any means known in the art may be used to enable height adjustment of the back rest. Alternatively, there may be no pivot and/or no height-adjusting ratchet.

[23] Front piece 112 is preferably soft and more preferably comprised of high density. foam, with a PVC cover. Thus the front piece can be used as a backrest, while the cover facilitates cleaning. An advantage of high density foamis that it will offer a user some support while being soft enough to provide comfort.

Alternatively the front piece may be hard. The main unit, feet and arms are preferably constructed from acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS) since this is hard-wearing, waterproof and readily available. Alternatively, the components may be any other suitable material or combination of materials such as other plastics. . . . [24) A soft base 126 is preferably disposed at the bottom of the main unit to prevent scratches to a toilet tank. This is preferably constructed from low density polyethylene (LDPE) Or other suitable soft material. Suction cups 128 are preferably disposed to the base of the thain unit to attach the main unit to a toilet tank. Alternatively, the cups and/or base may not be present. 7.

Claims

Claims - 1, A combination toilet accessory container and toilet seat/lid holder comprising: : means fpr holding a toilet seat in an upright poàit'ion; and means for storing at least one toilet accessory.
2. The combination container and holder of claim 1, coloured to appeal to children.
3. The combination container and holder of claim 1, shaped to appeal to children.
4. The combination container and holder of claim 1, having a shape and colour selected from the list comprising: a pig, a frog, a duck, a fish.
5. The combination container and holder of claim 1 wherein said means for storing at least one toilet accessory is adapted o store moist wipes. -
6. The combination container and holdet of claim iwbérein said means for stoting at least one toilet accessory is adapted to store and spray air freshener.
7. The combination container and holder of claim 1 wherein said means for holding a toilet seat/lid comprises a connector arm, a holding arm, and a front piece, whereby said front piece can be used, as a backrest.
8. The combination contaiher and holder of claim 7 wherein said front piece is soft, whereby said front piece can be, used as a * backrest.
9. The combination container and holder of claim 7 wherein said front piece is'shaped and coloured to represent the head of an animal, and said connector anti and holding arm are shaped and coloured to represent the neck of an animal.S10. The combination container and holder of claim 7 wherein said means for holding a toilet seat further comprises a pivot whereby a toilet seat/lid can be released.11. The combination container and holder of claim 7 wherein a height of said backrest is adjustable.H