GB2623120A

GB2623120A - A fibreboard toilet screen device

Info

Publication number: GB2623120A
Application number: GB2214761.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hill Rebecca
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-10-07
Filing date: 2022-10-07
Publication date: 2024-04-10
Also published as: GB202214761D0

Abstract

A fibreboard toilet screen device 99 comprises a screen arranged to move from a first substantially flat position suitable for transport and storage, to a second position for use, in the second position comprising a plurality of sides 2, 3, 8, 31 joined at a plurality of elongate joints 13 which further comprise corner supports 4, the sides defining an internal toileting chamber A with an open top, wherein one of the sides provides an entrance 1 to the chamber, and an internal face of a side is arranged with a support means to support a toilet tissue holder 6. The toilet screen device may include a window 11 and slit peep hole 5.

Description

A FIBREBOARD TOILET SCREEN DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fibreboard toilet screen device, in particular a device for providing a screen around a user using a potty or portable toilet; more particularly but not exclusively a screen for infant users using a potty.

Background

Many people seek increasing independence in their children, and many carers hope to encourage their children to toilet train at an early age.

Often this is achieved using a potty, and an infant user of this will be encouraged to 15 utilise the potty as an adult would use a toilet.

However many infant users may be discouraged from use of a potty by a lack of any enclosing space, which is in itself different to a standard adult toilet situation. This can lead to difficulties in habituation for the infant user, and consequently training 20 issues for the adult carer.

Prior Art

US 2015 0 272 407 (WEIR) discloses a collapsible toilet enclosure comprising: a base portion having a toilet aperture and a holding receptacle in fluid communication with the toilet aperture, an upper frame portion pivotable relative to the base portion between a collapsed position where the upper frame portion forms a lid for the base portion, and an extended position; means for selectively securing the upper frame portion in the extended position; and a doorframe formed by an opening in the front wall of the upper frame portion and an opening in the base portion, the openings aligning to form the doorframe when the upper frame portion is in the extended position.

US 2008 0 307 575 (HEILMAN) discloses a toilet system comprising: a toilet 35 configured for use by a toddler; and an enclosure comprises a plurality of interconnected panels substantially surrounding the toilet, the enclosure having a selectably closable first opening for use by the toddler to access the enclosure, the enclosure including a second opening configured to permit access from exterior of the enclosure to assist the toddler.

US 6 378 142 (GRAY) discloses a privacy screen and portable toilet combination comprising: a partition frame formed of tubular perimeter frame poles; a screen cover forming a generally rectangular planar surface having an outer planar surface opposite an inner planar surface and further having a cover attachment seam circumscribing its perimeter, said cover attachment seam designed to envelop said tubular perimeter frame poles; attachment means for securing said attachment seam; and a toilet seat.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a fibreboard toilet screen device comprising: a screen arranged to move from a first substantially flat position suitable for transport and storage, to a second position for use, in the second position comprising a plurality of sides joined at a plurality of elongate joints which further comprise corner supports, the sides defining an internal toileting chamber with an open top, wherein one of the sides provides an entrance to the chamber, and an internal face of a side is arranged with a support means to support a toilet tissue holder.

In this way the device of the present invention may provide a privacy screen for an infant user learning to toilet, for example on a potty.

In some embodiments the corner supports are displaceable. In this way the joints may be supported, strengthened or fixed in the second position, and the corners may be displaced for storage and to allow movement to the first position.

In some embodiments the joints are permanent hinges, such that it may be 35 envisaged movement between positions is provided by a folding movement at the joints. It may be envisaged that the sides may be adhered or stapled together permanently to form a tubular structure.

In some embodiments the joints are formed in use from interlocking sides. Such 5 sides may be envisaged to be formed as separate parts, such that the movement to the second position involves construction of the chamber. The sides may interlock using ferromagnetism, resilient means, tabs and slits, or interlocking fingers.

In some embodiments the device comprises at least one tray for receipt of items, 10 which may be envisaged to be located internally such that an infant user may be provided with pens or writing materials so as to entertain themselves drawing on the internal faces of the sides.

Additionally or alternatively the tray may be envisaged to receive a book or electronic device. Accordingly the tray support means may be relatively robust, and may comprise ferromagnetism, robust hook and loop means such as Velcro (RTM) and/or permanent means such as adhesive or stapling. The support means may comprise a permanently fixed support, such as a brace, which may accept a displaceable tray or holder.

The device may comprise a base, such that subordinate surfaces may be kept clean when the device is in use. Such base may be provided by a part connected for example hinged to a side. The base may comprise a wipeable surface. Such surface may be provided in use, by a separate part, for example a disposable strip or pad. In other embodiments the wipeable surface may comprise a coating or layer on the base.

In some embodiments such base comprises an absorbent surface. In this way the base may provide a means to accept and provide spreading of urine or similar, when 30 spilled onto the base by a potty toppling or similar.

In some embodiments such absorbent surface may be displaceable from the base, for example so as to allow for cleaning or similar. For example the absorbent surface may comprise a displaceable pad, which may be secured in place on the base 35 temporarily.

In some embodiments the base comprises a basal panel hinged at a hinge to one of the sides.

In some embodiments the entrance comprises a hinged door, which may be formed 5 in a front side of the device and may include hinges or a living hinge. The door may provide a handle, which may be a cutout or a projecting handle such as rope handle or similar.

One or more of the sides comprises a window hole.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention in the second position with the entrance open; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 Figure 5 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; And Figure 6 shows a sketch of an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device 35 according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown in Figure 1 an embodiment 99 of the device according to the present invention, generally comprising a screen arranged to 5 move from a first position suitable for transport and storage to a second position for use, in the second position comprising a plurality of sides 2,3,8,31 joined at a plurality of elongate joints 13 comprising corner supports 4, with an open top, the sides defining an internal toileting chamber A, wherein one of the sides provides an entrance 1 to the chamber, and an internal face of a side arranged with a support 10 means to support a toilet tissue holder 6.

With particular refence to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the embodiment 99 comprises a rectangular form in the second position with an open top, two wider sides 2,8, an end side 3 and a perforated front side 31.

One side of the embodiment includes a round window 11 for the user to observe their surroundings.

The other side includes a smaller slit peep hole 5 for a carer to observe the user.

The embodiment is substantially formed in undyed carboard or corrugated fibreboard or cardboard, so as to allow for recycling and/or composting at end of life, as well as providing a plurality of surfaces for the user to draw upon.

The hole of the front side is provided by a hinged door 1, with a side living hinge 12.

The door 1 includes a cutout 7 in its edge distal the hinge 12, so as to provide a handle accessible from both sides in use.

The embodiment further includes a base 9 which comprises a basal panel arranged to hinge at a hinge to the end side 3. The basal panel thereby is capable of folding out of the way so as to allow the embodiment to attain the first position, where the embodiment is substantially flat in the first position.

The base includes a lipped tray top surface 10 which is displaceable for cleaning purposes and may be wipe clean or absorbent.

The embodiment further includes corners 4, which are separate parts formed as fixed tubes of a triangular cross section, which are arranged to be placed onto the joints, wherein the sides have depending slits 21 proximate the joints 13, into which the 5 sides of the corners fit.

Internally the sides provide hook and loop support means (not shown) supporting a toilet tissue holder 6, being a rectilinear cube with a top opening for access to loose-leaf tissues, so as to allow easy access and training for an infant using the device.

The sides internally provide hook and loop support means supporting a tray 16, which tray may be envisaged to be used to receive a plurality of pens or pencils or crayons, so as to allow for an infant user of the device to use the pens or otherwise, doodling on the internal faces of the sides.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 7 the embodiment 199 comprises separate sides 61,62,63,68, which interlock in use to form the device, and describe the internal chamber in the second position, wherein the first position comprises a stack of separate parts.

Interlocking of the sides is achieved through corner support tabs 69 projecting from the sides, interfitting into slots 66 in the front 61 and back 63 sides.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 25 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A fibreboard toilet screen device comprising: a screen arranged to move from a first substantially flat position suitable for transport and storage, to a second position for use, in the second position comprising a plurality of sides joined at a plurality of elongate joints which further comprise corner supports, the sides defining an internal toileting chamber with an open top, wherein one of the sides provides an entrance to the chamber, and an internal face of a side is arranged with a support means to support a toilet tissue holder.
2. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to claim 1 wherein the corner supports are displaceable.
3. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the joints are permanent hinges.
4. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to any preceding claim wherein the joints are formed in use from interlocking sides.
5. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to any preceding claim comprising at least one tray for receipt of items.
6. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sides continue to a base.
7. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to claim 6 wherein the base comprises a basal panel hinged to a side.
8. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the base comprises a wipeable surface.
9. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the base comprises an absorbent surface.
10. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to claim 9 wherein the absorbent surface is displaceable from the base.
11. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the entrance comprises a hinged door.
12. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support means comprises hook and loop means such as Velcro (RTM).
13. A fibreboard toilet screen device according to any of the preceding claims wherein one or more of the sides comprises a window hole.