GB2600963A - Preventing the spread of toilet germs - Google Patents

Abstract

A large, flushable paper sheet capable of blocking the toilet bowl when flushed such that airborne particles are prevented from leaving the bowl. Preferably the paper sheets are provided in a roll with perforations 2, 3 allowing each sheet to be easily separated from adjacent sheets. The front part of each sheet may be further perforated 7, 8 to enable the sheet to be folded around the seat, allowing the toilet lid to hold the sheet in place.

Description

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF TOILET GERMS

This invention is in the field of preventing germs spreading in toilets and causing faecal-oral transmission.

The toilet flushing process can lift virus and cause cross-infection among people, especially in the public places where multiple users use the same toilet such us hospitals, universities, schools, government organisations, work places, pubs and all social or worship gathering places.

The limited obstruction provided by the toilet seat lid -if used-would not stop the spread as it would be filled up with the flushing mist and droplets, contaminating any user who makes a direct contact with it or sits on the toilet. These users can easily spread the germs and infect more through interactions and physical contact afterwards. Germs could also spread through the air from the lid when lifted.

Researchers investigated this problem extensively and produced an alarming warnings about germs' ability to settle on nearby surfaces and cause faecal-oral transmission specifically Covid-19 and even weeks after the person tested negative', 2, 3. A recent investigation captured and published how particles spread when the lid is not put down'. Other studies show how long it can reach5, while some experts expressed concern about the lid being covered by germs' To overcome these problems this invention puts forward the Under Lid Protector (ULP). The Under Lid Protector is a large, flushable paper sheet that blocks the toilet plume and droplets to come out of the toilet bowl or reach the toilet seat lid when flushed.

The ULP protects toilet users from germs that spread through toilet flushing and cause faecal-oral transmission including Covid-19 while providing an under lid protection, making the seat lid safe and clean.

The Standard ULP (Figure 1) is placed on the toilet seat before flushing. The ULP alternatives (Figure 2, 3 and 4) bring in different ways to hang the protector down the lid instead of placing it over the seat, encouraging the lid to be put down for flushing.

To describe the invention through an example of drawings: Figure 1 shows the standard under lid protector sheet (SULP). Figure 1.1 shows the average protector size.

Figures 2, 3 & 4 each show the protector with alternative features.

Look at note 4 source.

revtrooiv: tar:v:thtmi In figure 1, the protector sheet 1 has punched lines 2 and 3 to separate the sheet from other sheets and to provide an easy cut when in a roll.

The protector is placed over the toilet seat and then the lid is closed before flushing. The protector blocks the toilet plume from reaching the lid or getting out in the air.

The protector is flushable and gets dropped down in the bowl by next user.

The average protector size is 4 and 5 as in figure 1.1 which will fit most of the standard toilet seats. The size ensures that the protector overflows the seat size for enabling the next user to safely hold and dump it in the bowl.

Figure 2 shows the protector with an alternative extra feature 6. The front part is punched to enable bending and throwing this part over the seat lid before it is closed for flushing the toilet, allowing the seat lid to hold the protector instead of placing it on the seat. 2 & 3 as in figure 1.

In Figure 3, 2 & 3 as in figure 1, the protector sheet is shown with an alternative extra features 7 and 8. 7 is punched for the easy release of the lid by the next user. This separates the lid from the used protector before the lid is lifted. 8 is punched for inserting the seat lid before it is closed for flushing the toilet, allowing the seat lid to hold the protector, instead of placing it on the seat.

In figure 4, 2 8c. 3 as in figure 1, the two punched lines on the sides of the pocket 9 are for the easy release of the lid by the next user. The extra front part is folded and attached to the back of the sheet to create a pocket for hanging the protector sheet to the seat lid 10 before it is put down for flushing the toilet. The pocket is for the lid to hold the protector.

The user places the standard protector lover the toilet seat before putting the lid down for flushing. The protector 1 acts as a barrier between the plume and the lid, hitting two targets in one shot; preventing the plume to transmit the infectious germs into the air and preventing the germs to reach the lid. The next user lifts the lid, picks the used protector from the clean side and drops it in the toilet bowl before they sit on the toilet seat. The next user repeates the same process when they finish by laying a new protector on the seat, put the lid down and then flush the toilet.

On the other hand, the protector with an alternative extra feature 6 in Figure 2, 7 & 8 in figure 3 and 9 & 10 in figure 4, all provide an alternative design for the protector to enable users to hang the protector on the lid instead of placing it on the seat. To release the lid from the protector, the next user either unfolds the over seat lid part or tears it and uses it as a toilet tissue 6, tears the punched line 7 for the easy release of the lid to separate it from the used protector before lifting it, or tears the two punched lines on the sides of the pocket 10 for the easy release of the lid.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS1-A toilet germs protector that blocks toilet plume and particles spewing out into the air and spreading germs (bacteria and viruses) when toilet is flushed.

   2-A protector according to c laim1, in which an under lid protection is provided for the lid when toilet is flushed while the lid is down.

   3-A protector according to claiml and claim 2, made from a flushable paper.