US20050016089A1

US20050016089A1 - Toilet diaper/floor protector

Info

Publication number: US20050016089A1
Application number: US10/829,840
Authority: US
Inventors: Kimberlee Kohuthek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-11
Filing date: 2004-04-22
Publication date: 2005-01-27

Abstract

A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet includes a first panel to cover the floor and abut a first portion of the toilet, a second panel to cover the floor and abut a second portion of the toilet. The first panel and the second panel provide continuous coverage of the floor around the toilet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common problem in toilets used by men the world over is soiled floors caused by uric acid. Frequent cleaning of these floors is necessary to prevent the floors from becoming unhygienic, unsightly and unaesthetic. This problem is particularly enhanced by boys when learning the use of the toilet and by older men who have diminished eyesight using the toilet.
The frequent cleaning of these floors is expensive in labor, and unpleasant to perform, and does not necessary solve the problem completely. The action of the uric acid on commonly used floor finishes may result in unsightly discolorations of the floor surface within a short time period and may cause permanent damage to the floor. This damage to the floor may require that the floor surface be replaced, resulting the additional and significant expense. Permanently laid carpeting suffers the same defects.
Since this problem has faced by most parents of boys, a solution should be adaptable to toilets found in most homes and other places where these boys are found. However, there is no uniform toilet and no uniform toilet size.
Therefore, the solution should take in to account the varying sizes and shapes of toilets used in house, intuitions and business around the world.
Additionally, the solution should be economical.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a device to protect a floor surface around a toilet including a first panel to cover the floor and abut a first portion of the toilet, a second panel to cover the floor and abut a second portion of the toilet. The first panel and the second panel provide continuous coverage of the floor around the toilet.
The device may include a hole for the toilet where a size of said hole can be changed to abut said toilet.
The device may include a weaken area to enlarge said size of said hole. Two panels may be overlapped to reduce the size of the hole.
The two panels may have a fastener the maintained the size of the hole; the fastener may be a VELCRO® portion or a hook.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the invention with a toilet;
FIG. 2 is a planar view of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a planar view showing how the present invention conforms to different sized toilets;
FIG. 4 is planar view of the invention showing a different fastener;
FIG. 5 is a planar view of the invention showing an additional fastener;
FIG. 6 is a planer view of the invention showing weaken areas.
FIG. 7 is a planar view of the invention showing a stabilizing device; surfaces.
FIG. 8 is a planar view of the invention showing curved surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows the toilet diaper or floor protector 100 of the present invention. The floor protector 100, which is positioned on floor 120, abuts the base of toilet 110 to form a seal around the base of toilet 110 to prevent or restrict uric acid from reaching the floor 120 under the floor protector 100.
FIG. 2 illustrates that the floor protector 100 includes front panel 210 to protect the floor generally in front of the toilet 110 and to abut the front of the base of the toilet 110, right side panel 220 to protect the floor generally to the right of the toilet 110 and to abut the right side of the base of the toilet 110, left side panel 230 to protect the floor generally to the left of the toilet and to abut the left side of the base of the toilet 110, the left rear panel 240 to protect the floor generally to rear left of the toilet, to abut the left rear of the base of the toilet 110 and to mate with rear right panel 250. The right rear panel 250 mates with the left rear panel 240, abuts the right rear of the base of the toilet 110 and protects the floor generally to the right rear of toilet 110. The front panel 210, the left and right panel 220, 230 and the left and right rear panels 240, 250 are positioned to form a hole 270, which accepts the base of toilet 110. The left rear panel 240 is not directly coupled to the right rear panel 250 in this embodiment. A cut or discontinuous portion 260 between the left and right rear panels 240, 250 separates the left rear panel 240 and the right rear panel 250 and allows the left and right rear panels 240, 250 to move independently of each other. This cut 260 additionally allows the floor protector 100 to be placed around the toilet 110 without the need to pull the floor protector 100 over the entire toilet 110 and could be located along the side or front of the toilet. While the floor protector has been described in terms of panels, the floor protector may be a constructed from a single piece of material. Since the base of the toilet is usually smaller than the entire toilet, the size of the hole 270 can be minimized to approximately the size of the base of the toilet 110. The floor protector 100 provides continuous coverage (without gaps) of the floor 120 around the toilet 110.
Additionally, some toilets include pipes that feed the toilet. These pipes in the back of the toilet cause additional problems in achieving a seal between the toilet 110 and the floor protector 100. The left and right rear panels 240, 250 help in achieving the seal in the presence of these pipes to prevent or restrict uric acid from reaching the floor.
The material of the floor protector 100 should be of a type to prevent all or the majority of uric acid from reaching the floor. Some types of material that could be used to form the floor protector 100 are terrycloth, cotton, a cotton blend and absorbent baby diaper material. Other types of absorbent materials with similar properties could be substitute and still achieve the advantages of the invention. The material should be absorbent and there should not be excess shrinking when the material is washed. The floor protector could be made of disposable material. The floor protector 100 could be made from a single piece of material or multiple pieces of material sewn or fastened together.
The thickness of the floor protector 100 could be in a range of ⅛, ¼ or {fraction (1/2)} inches. Additional thickness could be available, and the edges of the floor protective 100 could be bound or unbound. The material of the floor protector 100 could be scented for example with baby powder, LYSOL®, a scented cleaner etc. An area of scent 790 is shown in FIG. 7.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the size of the hole 270 can be adjusted either larger or smaller. Toilets, more particular, toilet bases are available in many sizes and shapes. It is not practicable but of course not impossible to produce the hole 270 of the floor protector 100 in various sizes to accommodate all sizes of toilets. This would require a large inventory of floor protector 100 each with a differing size hole. With the present invention, varying the size of hole 270 allows a seal or tight fit to be formed with the differing sized bases of toilets. It is advantageous to have a single floor protector 100 (or a limited number) that would fill all of the different sized toilets.
Consequently, it would be desirable to achieve a floor protector 100 that is able to vary the size of hole 270 without replacing the floor protector 100 with one having a different sized hole.
As shown in FIG. 2, dimension a is length of the floor protector 100; dimension b is width of the floor protector 100; dimensions c and d are the length and width of the hole 270 respectively; dimensions e and f are the width of the front panel 210 and rear panel 240,250 respectively; dimensions g and h are the widths of the right and left side panels 220,230 respectively.
One set of dimensions that could be used with the present invention is as follows. Dimension a is approximately 34 inches; dimension b is approximately 24 inches; dimension c is approximately 16 inches; dimension d is approximately 9 inches; dimension e is approximately 10 inches; dimension f is approximately 7 inches; dimension g and h are approximately 7 inches each. These dimensions are for one embodiment. Each dimension could be individually altered without affecting the advantages of the present invention.
The sizes described above are exemplary, and other sizes are consistent with the present invention. Additionally the panels above may be folded upon themselves to reduce the dimensions of the floor protector 100.
FIG. 2 illustrates that positioned on floor protector 100 is fastener 280 to fasten or attach the left rear panel 240 with the right rear panel 250. Fastener 280 includes in this embodiment VELCRO® strips 282, 284, 286, hook-in-loop. Although strips are described, a single VELCRO® could be used. VELCRO® strips 282 and 284, for example hooks, are positioned on right rear panel 250 while VELCRO® strip 286, for example loops, is positioned on left rear panel 240. VELCRO® strips 282 and 284 are attached to the right rear panel 250 to have the VELCRO® facing up while the VELCRO® strip 286 is attached to the left rear panel to have the VELCRO® facing down. Consequently, VELCRO® strip 286 may engage and attached to either VELCRO® strip 282 or VELCRO® strip 284. Depending on which VELCRO® strip 282 or 284 is attached with VELCRO® strip 286, the user can adjust the size of hole 270. If VELCRO® strip 286 is engaged with VELCRO® strip 284, the hole 270 is reduced to a first predetermined size. However, if VELCRO® strip 286 is attached with VELCRO® strip 282, the size of the hole 270 is reduced to a second predetermined size which is smaller than the first predetermined size as shown in FIG. 2. The second predetermined size is shown in FIG. 3.
If the floor protector 100 is positioned around toilet 110 and the periphery of the panels 210,220,230 240 250 which forms hole 270 does not provide a sufficient seal around the base of toilet 110 such as with the left rear panel 240 abutting the right rear panel 250, then the hole 270 may be reduced in size by utilizing fastener 280 for example by attaching VELCRO® strip 286 with VELCRO® strip 284.
If however, the periphery of panels 210 220, 230, 240, 250 still do not abut the base of toilet 110 then VELCRO® 286 is attached to VELCRO® strip 282 to further reduce the size of hole 270.
It is appreciated that although two VELCRO® strips 282, 284 are shown on the right rear panel in FIG. 2, additional VELCRO® strips can be added to provide additional reduction in the size of hole 270. The amount reduction in the size of the hole depends on the spacing of VELCRO® strips 282, 284 along right rear panel 250. VELCRO® strip 282 284 could be placed on left rear panel 240 with VELCRO® strip 286 could positioned on right rear panel 250.
FIG. 2 additionally shows two targets 290 and 292 to provide a position where a young man can stand to be properly positioned with respect to the toilet so that the uric arid can reach the toilet.
FIG. 3 illustrates the effect of using the VELCRO® strips 282, 284, 286 as described above. The broken line shows the position of the floor protector 100 before the VELCRO® strips 282, 284, 286 has been attached together and the right and left rear panels 240, 250 do not overlap. The solid line shows the position of the floor protector 100 after the VELCRO® strips 282 and 286 are attached together. The hole 270 has been reduced in size. Since the floor protector is made of a flexible material, the hole 270 can also conform to non rectangular shape toilet bases easily. FIG. 3 shows that a portion of right rear panel 250 overlaps a portion of the left rear panel, and VELCRO® strips 282, 286 are attached to prevent the floor protector 100 from returning to its original position.
FIG. 4 illustrates that the VELCRO® strips have been replaced by a strip of buttons 482 484 positioned on right rear panel 250 and a strip of button holes 486 positioned on left rear panel 240. Again, the buttons 484, 482 and the button holes 486 can be positioned on either the right or left rear panel 240 250. Adhesive tape could be used to replace the VELCRO® strips.
FIG. 5 illustrates that the VELCRO® strips 282, 284,286 have been replaced by a strip of hooks 582,584 positioned on right rear panel 250 and a strip of loops 586 to hook the strip of hooks 582,584 and positioned on left rear panel 240.
FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In order to accommodates different sizes of toilet bases, it may be desirable to permanently change the size of hole 270. To accomplish this, FIG. 6 shows a weakened area 620 generally around the periphery of the hole 270. This weakened area 620 can be formed by a series of small holes in the material of the floor protector 100. The weaken area 620, in addition to being easily detached from the floor protector, provides a guide for the user to cut, with a pair of scissors, the floor protector to enlarge the hole 270. Additional weakened areas could be provided as shown by weakened area 620. More weaken areas could be provided.
After the weakened area 610 has been removed, the fastener 280 could be operated as previously described.
FIG. 7 illustrates that stabilizing device 710-760 could be placed under the floor protector 100 against the floor to keep the floor protector generally in position and stable. The actual number of stabilizing devices and locations under the floor protector 100 would vary. One stabilizing device could be adhesive tape.
FIG. 8 illustrates that the floor protector 100 may have hole 870 with rounded corners. The rounded corners may allow a better fit with some types of base to the toilets 110. A fastener as described above could be used this types of floor protector 100.
FIG. 9 illustrates a floor protector 100 with a draw string 902 to pull the periphery of the panels 210, 220, 230, 240 250 inward so as to reduce the size of the hole 270, achieving a periphery that is abuts and seals the base of the toilet 10 from uric acid.
The draw string 902 is positioned in channel 904 which is formed around the periphery of the panels 210, 220, 230, 240, 250. The channel is terminated at the cut of panels 240, 250. The channel has an opening 906 for the draw sting 902 to be accessible by the user. As the draw string 902 is pulled, the hole 270 is reduced in size to obtain a seal with the base of the toilet 110.

Claims

1. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet, comprising:

a first panel to cover said floor and abut a first portion of said toilet;

a second panel to cover said floor and abut a second portion of said toilet; and

said first panel and said second panel providing continuous coverage of said floor around said toilet.

2. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 1, wherein said first panel and said second panel form a hole to abut said toilet.

3. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 2, wherein a size of said hole can be changed to abut said toilet.

4. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 3, wherein said size of hole is enlarged.

5. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 4, wherein said first and second panels include a weaken area to enlarge said size of said hole.

6. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 3, wherein said size of said hole is reduced.

7. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 6, wherein said size of said hole is reduced by overlapping said first and said second panel.

8. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 7, wherein said reduced size is maintained by a fastener.

9. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 8, wherein said fastener includes a VELCRO® portion.

10. A device to protect a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 8, wherein said fastener includes a hook.

11. A method of producing a protector for a floor surface around a toilet, comprising the steps of:

forming a first panel to be used to cover said floor and to be used to abut a first portion of said toilet;

forming a second panel to be used to cover said floor and to be used to abut a second portion of said toilet; and

said first and second panel being formed to provide continuous coverage of said floor.

12. A method for producing a protector for a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 11 wherein said method includes the step of forming a hole to abut said toilet.

13. A method for producing a protector for a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 13, wherein said first and second panels are formed so that a size of said hole is adjustable.

14. A method for producing a protector for a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 13 wherein said first and second panels are formed so that a size of the hole is enlarged.

15. A method for producing a protector for a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 14 wherein the method includes the step of forming a weaken area in said first and second panels.

16. A method for producing a protector for a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 13, the method further comprises the set of forming said first and second panel so that said first and second panel overlap to reduce the size the hole.

17. A method for producing a protector for a floor surface around the toilet as in claim 11 wherein the method comprises the step of forming a fastener to fasten the fist and second panel.

18. A method for producing a protector for a floor surface around a toilet as in 17 wherein the step of forming a fastener includes the step of forming an area of VELCRO®.

19. A method for producing a protector for a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 17 wherein the step of forming a fastener includes the step of forming a hook.

20. A method for producing a protector for a floor surface around a toilet as in claim 17 wherein the step of forming a fastener includes the step of forming a button.