US20150246765A1

US20150246765A1 - Protective cover for preventing germ contamination

Info

Publication number: US20150246765A1
Application number: US14/194,410
Authority: US
Inventors: Soraya Kashfian Yedidsion
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-28
Filing date: 2014-02-28
Publication date: 2015-09-03

Abstract

A system for preventing infection of toilet tissue by germs emanating from flushing of toilets comprises a toilet tissue dispenser and a container enclosure enclosing the toilet tissue dispenser. The enclosure, when in a closed position, completely coves the toilet tissue dispenser. A system for preventing infection of toothbrushes by germs emanating from flushing of toilets comprises a toothbrush that including a toothbrush head and a container enclosure enclosing the toothbrush head and completely covering the toothbrush head.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to control and preventing spread of germs and viruses caused by flushing toilets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, the public has become increasingly focused on illnesses caused by spread of bacteria between people in homes and in public places such as offices and public sanitation places such as public restrooms.
A relatively unknown and little noticed, yet significant medium for spreading disease causing germs and bacteria is household toilets. Specifically, each time toilets are flushed they cause disease causing germs, bacteria and viruses to spread to toilet papers and toothbrushes that are typically located in the vicinity of the toilet.
Many studies have confirmed that germ and virus “plumes” form and spread with every open flush. These germs were found on the sides of the toilet, on the top, and on the floor.
Even when the toilet wasn't in use. In other words, even an unoccupied, open bowl can spread disease causing bacteria and viruses.
For example, a 1975 study by Charles P. Gerba, published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology confirms this. Dr. Gerba seeded household toilets with disease germs and then tested to see if they survived after flushing. The study concluded that “there is a possibility that a person may acquire an infection from an aerosol produced by a toilet.”
Another problem is the significant persistent population of bacteria and viruses that can “seed into” household toilets and resist cleaning. This persistent presence is caused by accumulation of the organisms to the porcelain surfaces of the bowl, which accumulate over time and can only be removed through deep cleaning of the toilet bowl. The resulting plume from a toilet flush can remain airborne long enough to settle on surface throughout the bathroom give rise to the potential that a person may acquire an infection from an aerosol produced by a toilet.
Toilet tissue and toothbrushes are commonly present in the vicinity of toilets and are therefore among the most commonly infected items from the flushing of toilets. There is therefore the need to address potential spread of illnesses caused by disease causing germs and viruses that infect paper tissue and toothbrushes resulting from flushing of toilets.
Conventional toilet tissue protective covers have mostly focused on the aesthetic and mechanical aspects, such as construction, set up, structure, durability, material, reliability, long life, mounting and the like. As such, they are cumbersome and not suitable to address the above-discussed problem.
Likewise, toothbrush protective and sanitary covers have addressed issues such as keeping toothbrushes from touching, holding them in place and within users' reach, aesthetic appearance and mechanical installation and set up. As such, they are cumbersome and not suitable to address the above-discussed problem.
None of the prior art devices specifically focus on, disclose or suggest a practical system that effectively deals with prevention and spread of disease causing germs and viruses from plumes resulting from toilet flushes.
There is therefore a need for an effective, inexpensive and practical protection system that addresses the hygienic aspects related to the spread of disease causing germs and viruses that are sourced in flushing of toilets and particularly likely to spread through contamination of toilet tissue and tooth brushes.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention addresses the above noted deficiencies of the prior art by providing for an effective and practical protection system for preventing spread of disease causing bacteria and viruses through toilet tissue and tooth brushes.
The inventive cover for the toilet tissue is a disposable thin plastic bag that has an opening on the top, is closed at the bottom and is perforated on the sides to allow passage of tissue a solid cylindrical rod (dowel) through the tissue roll. The dowel can be made of any suitable material such as wood, plastic, or metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet tissue cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toothbrush cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a container closure 1, covering a toilet tissue roll 6 supported by a dowel 7 that is used to keep the roll attached to its bracket (not shown). The toilet tissue roll is typically installed on a selected area on the wall (not shown) that is preferably 24 to 26 inches above the floor and 8 to 12 inches in front of the toilet seat. Other options include locations that are slightly to the left or the right, top or bottom of the preferred location.
In another embodiment the toilet tissue is placed on a modular freestanding holder (not shown), which provides more flexibility for changes in location since freestanding holders can be easily moved to another location without having to drill holes in the walls.
Container enclosure 1 can be of any suitable shape. In one embodiment, the enclosure is shaped as a plastic bag used to store food and is rectangular shaped possessing a bottom edge 2, side edges 3 and 4 and a top edge 5. In one embodiment, bottom edge 2 is closed and side edges 3, 4 and top edge 5 include mouths that can open and close with the aid of flaps that run the entire inside width of the enclosure on each corresponding side (3 a, 3 b, 4 a, 4 b and 5 a, 5 b).
In a closed position, side edges 3 and 4 include openings 3 c and 4 c in their middle portion to accommodate the dowel 7 passing through it. Flaps 3 a, 3 b, 4 a, 4 b, 5 a and 5 b each include a mechanism for affecting a seal when the lips are together. Preferably, the sealing mechanism along each flap is effected by a magnet covering the surfaces such that, except for the openings along the edges to accommodate the dowel 3 c and 4 c, the mouth and the edges automatically close when in proximity to each other.
Another option is to have an elongated slidable closure strip, which cooperates with the sealing lips 3 a, 3 b, 4 a, 4 b and 5 a and 5 b has a pair of depending flanges spaced apart and positioned to compress the lips together along their full length when the closure strip is slid longitudinally over the lips. Still another option is to have a locking mechanism along the flaps where closure of the sides and the mouth are affected by pressing the edges together.
Preferably, dowel openings in the side edges (3 c and 4 c) includes a drawstring (not shown), which is a string, cord, or rope used to draw and tighten or close the openings 3 c and 4 c to avoid or minimize chance of contamination of the toilet tissue by the plume of germs or viruses emanating from flushing the toilet.
The inventive enclosure of the present invention can be made of any suitable material but preferably light, breathable, disposable plastic type material that can be easily, efficiently and inexpensively used.
FIG. 2 shows a plastic covering 12 for protecting toothbrush 10 from contamination by toilet germs and viruses.
The covering 12 is preferably closed on all sides, except for an open “mouth” side 13 that fits over the toothbrush heads 11 and, preferably, extends a short distance past the head 11 onto the toothbrush handle.
Preferably, the covering is made of light, thin, breathable plastic type material.
Preferably, the mouth 13 includes a drawstring 14, which is a string, cord, or rope that can be used to draw and tighten or tie closed the opening in the mouth 13 to avoid or minimize chance of contamination of the toothbrush head 11 by the plume of germs or viruses emanating from flushing the toilet.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for preventing spread of germs and viruses caused by contamination of toilet tissue by germs and viruses emanating from flushing of toilets, comprising:

A toilet tissue dispenser;

A container enclosure enclosing the toilet tissue dispenser;

wherein the enclosure, when in a closed position, completely coves the toilet tissue dispenser.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the toilet tissue dispenser is a toilet tissue roll and wherein each of the side edges of the enclosure include an opening to accommodate a toilet roll dowel passing through the enclosure.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a bottom edge, two side edges and a top edge,

wherein the bottom edge is closed, and each of the side edges and the top edge can be in an open position or a closed position;

wherein, each of the side edges and the top edge in an open position comprises two flaps that run along the entire width of the corresponding front and back side of the enclosure;

i. wherein each of flaps is covered by a closure mechanism so that the side edges and top edge close when the corresponding flaps are pressed against each other.

4. The system of claim 4 wherein the closure mechanism is the flap surfaces covered by a material with magnetic properties such that the side edges and top edge automatically close when the corresponding flaps are in close proximity to each other.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the opening includes a drawstring to close the opening.

6. A system for preventing infection of toothbrushes by germs emanating from flushing of toilets, comprising:

A toothbrush including a toothbrush head;

A container enclosure enclosing the toothbrush head, wherein the enclosure, completely covers the toothbrush head.

7. The system of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the enclosure is made of breathable material.