US20120222204A1

US20120222204A1 - Insulating Toilet Seat Cover

Info

Publication number: US20120222204A1
Application number: US13/410,597
Authority: US
Inventors: Randall Blake
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-02
Filing date: 2012-03-02
Publication date: 2012-09-06

Abstract

An architecture is presented that provides an insulating device that is simply and easily applied to a variety of conventional toilet seats. The insulating device is designed to maintain comfortable toilet seat temperatures, decreasing the likelihood that a user will feel cold. The insulating device is easily attachable to and removable from most existing conventional toilet seats, and is easily customizable with little skill or effort. Once applied, the insulating device provides a comfortable sitting surface that instantly feels warm to the touch.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/448,445 filed Mar. 2, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to an insulating device for use with a toilet seat, and more particularly to a removable and customizable insulating toilet seat cover that allows a user to cover the top surface of existing toilet seats, and thereby increasing a users' comfort with minimal cost and complexity.

BACKGROUND

Standard toilet seats are commonly made from wood, plastic, or other similar materials. These types of materials do not typically possess highly-insulating properties, and therefore may easily become comparatively cold to the touch as ambient temperatures are significantly lower than the average human body temperature. This may create a very unpleasant experience for a person who may use a toilet seat that has not been recently used. The un-insulated toilet seat will absorb heat from the user, causing the user to feel cold and uncomfortable.
Consequently, there is a need for a simple and easy way for a user to improve comfort when using a toilet seat. The present invention discloses an insulating device for use with a variety of conventional toilet seats. The insulating device is designed to maintain comfortable toilet seat temperatures, decreasing the likelihood that a user will feel cold. The insulating device is easily attachable to and removable from most existing conventional toilet seats as it is easily customizable with little effort or skill. Once applied, the insulating device provides a comfortable sitting surface that instantly feels warm to the touch. Additionally, the extra comfort is provided without the use of electricity and the dangers associated with the use of an electric current in a wet environment.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a unique and useful insulation device for covering a toilet seat that is removable and customizable to a variety of existing toilet seats, thereby increasing the comfort of a user.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some novel embodiments described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises an insulating device for use with a toilet seat. The insulating device comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is semi-permanently securable to the toilet seat. The insulating device further comprises a plurality of slit elements that penetrate the insulating device. The plurality of slit elements radiate outward from a center of the insulating device and are extendable outward allowing a user to remove the center of the insulating device so as to substantially conform the insulating device to the dimensions of a top surface of the toilet seat.
Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the insulating device functions as barrier between the user and the toilet seat thereby increasing the comfort of the user. A protective film layer overlying the adhesive positioned on the bottom surface of the insulating device is removed and the insulating device is positioned on the top surface of the toilet seat and pressed down. A cutting implement may be used to extend the plurality of slit elements to an inner diameter of the toilet seat so that an inner portion of the insulating device can be cut away and removed. Then the insulating device is cut to fit the inner diameter of the toilet seat and is formed to the contours of the toilet seat substantially covering the top surface of the toilet seat.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an insulating device in conjunction with a toilet seat in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 1A illustrates a top cutaway view of the insulating device in conjunction with a toilet seat in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the insulating device in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the insulating device in conjunction with a toilet seat in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the insulating device modified for use in conjunction with a C-shaped toilet seat in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention discloses an insulating device for use with a toilet seat. The insulating device is designed to maintain a comfortable toilet seat temperature, preventing a user from becoming cold. The preferred embodiment features a removable, semi-permanent toilet seat cover comprised of a material designed to reflect the body heat of the user. The insulating device is securable to the toilet seat with an adhesive positioned on a bottom surface of the insulating device. Additionally, a plurality of slit elements are extendable with a cutting implement, such as a razor blade, so that the user may customize the shape of the insulating device to conform to the desired toilet seat.
Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate an insulating device 100 for use with a toilet seat 20. The insulating device 100 is typically a thin layer of flexible insulating material that can be adhered to a new or existing toilet seat and cut to fit. Traditional toilet seats come in a variety of shapes and sizes such as round, oval, C-shaped, and the like. However, all traditional toilet seats typically comprise a top surface 30, an outer diameter 40, and an inner diameter 50. Furthermore, traditional toilet seats are usually constructed from poor insulating materials such as wood or hard plastic. This poor insulating quality often leads to an uncomfortable experience for a user.
The insulating device 100 comprises a top surface 102, a bottom surface 104 and a plurality of slit elements 124. The insulating device 100 is typically constructed of a stretchable water-resistant material such as neoprene. However, it is contemplated that other suitable materials, including without limitation closed-cell foam, low density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, poly vinyl chloride foam, polyethylene foam rubber, plastics, polymers, and the like, can be used without affecting the overall scope of the invention. This is advantageous as these materials are easily conformable to the contours of most traditional toilet seats. For example, the outer diameter 40 and the inner diameter 50 of the top surface 30 of the toilet seat 20 are often curved or rounded. These materials are malleable and stretch to uniformly cover the top surface 30 of the toilet seat 20, yet are easy to clean. An additional benefit is the significant insulating properties of these materials as they do not easily permit heat transfer between the toilet seat 20 and the user.
Preferably the insulating device 100 is approximately between ⅛^thand ⅜^thinches in thickness. This thickness allows the toilet 10 to remain close to its natural height while still retaining a significant insulating benefit. However, this is not meant as a limitation as the dimensions of the insulating device 100 may be thicker or thinner as desired, for example, approximately between 1/16^thand ½ inches thick. The top surface 102 may be textured, smooth, or have non-slip properties as desired. Additionally, the top surface 102 may have antibacterial and/or antimicrobial properties inherent in the material or added as a coating (not shown).
The insulating device 100 is a thin sheet of material, as discussed supra, that may be generally oval in shape. However, the starting shape is not significant as the material is easily cut to conform to the outer dimensions and shape of the applicable toilet seat 20. Therefore, the initial shape of the insulating device 100 may comprise a square, a rectangle, a circle, a geometric shape, and the like, without affecting the overall scope of the invention. For example, the insulating device 100 is easily trimmed to fit shapes comprising: a circle, an oval, a horseshoe, a C-shape, a U-shape, and the like.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 104 comprises an attachment component 106. The attachment component 106 typically comprises a layer of a semi-permanent adhesive material. Preferably the attachment component 106 is a peel and stick type adhesive protected by a removable film (not shown) that overlays the adhesive material until used. However, it is contemplated that other suitable materials known to one of skill in the art, including without limitation pressure sensitive adhesives, acrylic based adhesives, rubber based adhesives, glues, and the like may be used without affecting the overall scope of the invention. To attach the bottom surface 104 of the insulating device 100 to the top surface of the toilet seat 30, the user simply peels off the removable film (126) if applicable and uses pressure to bond the insulating device 100 to the toilet seat 20. As the attachment component 106 is preferably semi-permanent, the insulating device 100 may be peeled off and removed or replaced when no longer desired.
As seen in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2, the insulating device 100 further comprises an outer edge 108. The outer edge 108 may be precut so as to conform to common toilet seat shapes such as a circle or oval as discussed supra. Additionally, the outer edge 108 may be cut to fit a particular toilet seat by the user. For example, the insulating device 100 may be applied to the toilet seat 20 as an uncut sheet (not shown) allowing the user to trace the outer diameter 40 of the toilet seat 20 with a cutting device such as a razor thereby creating the outer edge 108 of the insulating device 100.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the insulating device further comprises an inner portion 120 which is removable. A center 122 of the inner portion 120 defines a starting point for the plurality of slit elements 124 which completely transect the insulating device 100 from the top surface 102 through the bottom surface 104. The plurality of slit elements 124 are extendable outward from the center 122. Generally the plurality of slit elements 124 radiate outward from the center 122 in a star shape; however, this is not meant as a limitation as the function of the plurality of slit elements 124 is to provide an access point for the cutting implement to begin removing the inner portion 120. Preferably the plurality of slit elements are between one and six inches in length and number between four and ten, however as discussed supra, any number or length may be employed without deviating from the scope of the invention. Similarly, although the plurality of slit elements 124 are typically linear and radial in configuration, any shape or design that allows the user to have access for the cutting implement is acceptable.
To conform the insulating device 100 to the toilet seat 20, the user may insert a cutting tool, a scissors or razor for example, into one of the plurality of slit elements 124. In a manner similar to creating the outer edge 108 as discussed supra, the plurality of slit elements 124 may be extended to the inner diameter 50 of the toilet seat 20. The inner diameter 50 may then be traced with the cutting device thereby creating an inner edge 110 for the insulation device 100. Once the inner edge 110 has been defined and cut out, the inner portion 120 of the insulating device 100 is removed, and the inner edge 110 is molded and attached to the toilet seat 20.
FIGS. 1, 1A and 4 illustrate the insulating device 100 used in conjunction with a C-shaped toilet seat. One or more of the plurality of slit elements 124 may be extendable through the outer edge 108 of the insulating device 100 at a front edge 116. A removable front edge portion 118 may then be cut and removed to accommodate the C-shape of the toilet seat 20. Once the removable front edge portion 118 is removed, the insulating device 100 is molded and attached to the toilet seat 20 as discussed supra. Similarly, a removable rear edge portion 114 may be cut out of the insulating device 100 creating a rear edge 112 that better conforms to the shape of the toilet seat 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the insulating device 100 may comprise a decorative element 126. The decorative element 126 may comprise one or more elements, designs, characteristics, colors, and the like. For example, a military camouflage design or a sports team logo may be employed. However, the decorative element 126 may simply comprise a single color or design. It is contemplated that any number of options for the decorative element 126 can be used as is commonly known to one of skill in the art, such as but not limited by patches, decals, glow-in-the-dark elements, pictures, drawings, and the like without deviating from the scope of the invention.
What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed device. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel device is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. An insulating device for use with a toilet seat, the insulating device comprising:

a top surface;

a bottom surface; and

a plurality of slit elements, wherein the plurality of slit elements penetrate the top surface and the bottom surface and are extendable outward from a center of the insulating device.

2. The insulating device of claim 1, wherein the insulating device is comprised of a stretchable water-resistant material.

3. The insulating device of claim 2, wherein the stretchable water resistant material is a closed-cell foam.

4. The insulating device of claim 2, wherein the insulating device is comprised of at least one of the following materials: neoprene, low density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride foam, polyethylene foam rubber, plastic, or polymer.

5. The insulating device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface comprises an attachment component.

6. The insulating device of claim 5, wherein the attachment component is a semi-permanent adhesive.

7. The insulating device of claim 6, wherein the semi-permanent adhesive is comprised of at least one of the following materials: a pressure sensitive adhesive, an acrylic based adhesive, a rubber based adhesive, a peel and stick adhesive, or glue.

8. An insulating device for use with a toilet seat, the insulating device comprising:

a slip resistant top surface; and

a bottom surface; and

a plurality of slit elements, wherein the plurality of slit elements penetrate the slip resistant top surface and the bottom surface and are extendable outward from a center of the insulating device such that an inner portion of the insulating device is removable.

9. The insulating device of claim 8, wherein the insulating device is cut to substantially cover a top surface of the toilet seat.

10. The insulating device of claim 9, wherein the insulating device is cut in at least one of the following shapes: a circle, an oval, a horseshoe shape, a C-shape, or a U-shape.

11. The insulating device of claim 8, wherein the insulating device is removable from the toilet seat.

12. The insulating device of claim 8, wherein the top surface of the insulating device comprises a decorative element.

13. The insulating device of claim 8, wherein the insulating device is approximately between 1/16^thand ½ inches in thickness.

14. The insulating device of claim 8, wherein the insulating device is approximately between ⅛^thand ⅜^thinches in thickness.

15. An insulating device for use with a toilet seat, the insulating device comprising:

a slip resistant top surface; and

a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises a layer of adhesive; and

an outer circumferential edge conformable to a top surface of the toilet seat; and

a plurality of slit elements, wherein the plurality of slit elements penetrate the slip resistant top surface and the bottom surface and are extendable outward from a center of the insulating device such that an inner portion of the insulating device is removable essentially creating an inner edge shaped to fit an inner diameter of the top surface of the toilet seat.

16. The insulating device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of slit elements are extendable through the outer circumferential edge.

17. The insulating device of claim 15, wherein the bottom surface further comprises a removable film overlaying the layer of adhesive.

18. The insulating device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of slit elements radiate from the center of the insulating device

19. The insulating device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of slit elements are configured in a star shape.

20. The insulating device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of slit elements comprise approximately between four and ten slit elements.