IES86457B2 - A device used to train males to lift toilet seat to urinate - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to toilet training devices. In particular the invention relates to a device that can be fitted to most toilets for the purpose of enforcing males to lift the toilet seat to urinate from a standing position; a device that comprises a flexible printed banner flap securely fixed to the toilet seat upper rim, such banner flap spans across to the lower rim creating a partial barrier preventing access to the toilet bowl, therefore the toilet seat has to be lifted if the user intends to urinate from a standing position, or be bent back on itself, to remove such barrier if the user intends to seat on the toilet. <Figure 1>

Description

A device used to train males to lift the toilet seat to urinate.

Field of invention The present invention relates to toilet appliances, in particular the invention relates to a device that can be fitted to most toilets for the purpose of enforcing males to lift the toilet seat to urinate from a standing position.

Background io The typical domestic western toilet has a hinged seat and a lid that can be lifted; the hinged toilet seat is designed for the user to sit comfortably on the toilet and such seat is hinged in order to be lifted if the user intends to urinate from a standing position to avoid polluting the seat with urine. Most men and boys urinate from a standing position but some of them, especially boys, do not always lift the seat of the toilet to urinate, they would need to be trained to do so.

There are specially designed signage to encourage boys to lift the toilet seat or apparatuses to prevent the seat from being soiled by keeping it in the upright position at all times, but keeping the toilet lid and seat in the upright position may not be always desirable and does not create the hygienic habit of lifting the toilet seat every time a male user intends to urinate from a standing position, these type of devices may reinforce unhealthy habits.

Other devices intend to train children to use the toilet by means of toys, floating targets, signage affixed to lids etc. Such devices have been designed to train children, creating an aiming game to prevent urinating outside the toilet bowl but fails to enforce the habit of lifting the seat every time and are in most cases complicated and expensive contraptions.

Accordingly there exists a need for a simple device that can be fixed to most toilets that enforces the male user to lift the toilet seat every time they intend to urinate from a standing position, and does not preclude other users that intend to sit on the toilet as usual.

Statement of Invention There is provided a device that comprise a flexible printed banner flap securely fixed to the toilet seat upper rim, such banner flap spans across to the lower rim creating a partial barrier preventing access to the toilet bowl, therefore the toilet seat has to be lifted if the user intends to urinate from a standing position, or be bent back on itself, to remove temporarily such barrier if the user intends to sit on the toilet. The advantages of the invention is that it provides an effective toilet training device and does not constitute an intrusive contraption that would prevent normal and hygienic toilet use for people of all ages and sexes. The simplicity of design and construction material of the invention makes it resistant, ergonomic, easy to clean, remove and install. The invention is a solution to the common problem of male users not lifting the seat in mix gender toilet applications. The invention can be easily removed permanently leaving the toilet intact once proper toilet use habit is formed.

Brief Description of the drawings The invention will be more ciearly understood from the following of an embodiment thereof, given by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a toilet with the lid lifted and the device installed according to the invention and creating a partial barrier to the toilet bowl; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the toilet in which the toilet seat is fitted aiong with the attached invention to remove the aforesaid barrier; Fig 3 shows a perspective view of the toilet and the seat fully lifted along with the attached invention as intended and the toilet is ready to be used to urinate from a standing position; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the toilet where the user intends to seat in such toilet and proceeds to remove the aforesaid barrier by bending the invention backwards and its held in position while the user is seated, the invention will return to the original position once the user stands up; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the Invention embodiment unfolded showing ali its components.

Detailed description Referring now to the drawings and initially Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 5 there is an invention which consists of a rigid but flexible flap or banner (3) of variable shape manufactured in a printed hygienic non porous wipe clean material; this flap is tied or fixed to the toilet seat upper rim between the hinges and spans horizontally over the toilet bowl creating a barrier for the user preventing him to access the toilet bowl.

Referring to Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5, shows the invention designed to be to fixed to the upper rim of the toilet seat by means of but not excluding, an adjustable looping tab (1), provided with bendable notched corners (2) that is looped over and around the upper rim of the toilet seat between the hinges and secured by inserting such tab on a provided slit (8) on the banner flap, this enables the invention to be installed securely and allows the user to remove it completely without the need of is tools.

The invention in some instances is printed with lettering and graphics and such prints are laminated within the material or executed with chemical resisting inks rendering it impervious to liquids and detergents. The graphics printed on the invention are intended to instruct the use of the invention such as to lift the toilet seat, but this is not exclusive of other types of printed messages.

The inventions printed banner flap (3) is rigid enough so it can span the bowl without sagging or deformation; it is flexible and tear resistant to endure repeated handling and cleaning, The user is confronted with the invention upon approaching the toilet if the lid is lifted or at the moment when he lifts the lid (Figure 1), engaging the users attention, this is particularly useful in instances where the user is distracted, in a rush or sleepy.

When the user lifts the toilet seat, the barrier banner flap will lift with it allowing the user to urinate in the toilet bowl as intended (Figure 2).

When the user intends to sit on the toilet then she or he must lift the edge of the described banner flap which will bend effortlessly back on itself (Figure 4) by means of a flexible bending area or hinge (7) at the upper rim area, allowing the user to sit normally, once the user stands up the banner flap will come down to its original position spanning across the bowl for the next user (Figure 1).

The Invention will not affect the functioning of the toilet and its components and the toilet would not need to be mechanically modified in any way. The invention does not prevent the seat to be closed fully with the lid.

The flexible banner flap can be an elongated variable shape to fit most toilet designs, 5 constructed with a non-porous wipe clean hygienic surface and round ergonomic edges (4) to facilitate cleaning and safe repeated use.

The invention in some instances is translucent or transparent and is designed to partially cover the toiiet bowl enabling the user to have a visual assessment of the bottom of the bowl without having to move or touch the device (Figure 1).

Claims (5)

1. A device used in the training of male toilet users to lift the toilet seat every time they intend to urinate from an standing position comprising; a flexible printed banner flap that spans rigid over the toilet bowl; s a looping tab to securely tie the device to the toilet seat upper rim; and a flexible bending area or hinge that enables bending the banner flap without deformation to allow users to sit on the toilet when intended.

2. A device used in the training of maie toilet users to lift the toilet seat every time io they intend to urinate from an standing position as claimed in Claim 1 wherein in use: the flexible banner flap can be bent on itself due to the flexible properties of the construction material or the provision of a flexible bending area or hinge will allow users of both sexes to sit on the toilet seat when intended. is

3. A device used in the training of male toilet users to lift the toilet seat every time they intend to urinate from an standing position as claimed in Claim 1 wherein: the flexible banner flap can be translucent or transparent and designed to partially cover the toilet bowl, enabling the user to have a visual assessment of the bottom of the bowl without having to move or touch the Invention.

4. A device used in the training of maie toilet users to lift the toiiet seat every time they intend to urinate from an standing position as claimed in Claim 1 wherein; the flexible banner flap can be an elongated variable shape to fit most toilet designs, constructed with a non-porous wipe clean hygienic surface and round ergonomic 25 edges to facilitate cleaning and safe repeated use.

5. A device used in the training of male toilet users to lift the toilet seat every time they intend to urinate from an standing position as claimed in Claim 1 wherein: the banner flap is printed with impervious inks or is fully laminated to make it resistant 30 to repeated exposure to liquids and cleaning agents.