US3916452A

US3916452A - Disposable sanitary, collapsible bidet

Info

Publication number: US3916452A
Application number: US449942A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rudolph Alt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-03-11
Filing date: 1974-03-11
Publication date: 1975-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-04

Abstract

A disposable, sanitary, collapsible bidet is formed by an envelope of thin plastic film, or similar, water-impervious sheet material, the envelope being loosely slid over and around a toilet seat. The two walls of the envelope sag into the hole in the seat to form a two-ply liquid receptacle supported by the toilet seat. One of the walls is longer than the other and one of the walls includes an air hole for enabling ready sliding fit over the seat. Heat sealed gussets, or in-folds, conform the closed end of the envelope to the curve of the seat. A pouring bag is the packaging container.

Description

Alt

[ DISPOSABLE SANITARY, COLLAPSIBLE BIDET [76] Inventor: Rudolph Alt, 39 Merrimack St.,

Methuen, Mass. 01844 [22] Filed: Mar. 11, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 449,942

[52] US. Cl. 4/6

[51] Int. Cl. A47K 3/22; A47K 11/08 [58] Field of Search 4/6, 7; 229/65; 206/287; 28/2 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,679,828 8/1928 Johnson 206/287 2,001,264 5/1935 Moore 3,159 096 12/1964 Tocker 229/65 Primary ExaminerRobert I. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pearson & Pearson 57 ABSTRACT A disposable, sanitary, collapsible bidet is formed by an envelope of thin plastic film, or similar, waterimpervious sheet material, the envelope being loosely slid over and around a toilet seat. The two walls of the envelope sag into the hole in the seat to form a twoply liquid receptacle supported by the toilet seat. One of the walls is longer than the other and one of the walls includes an air hole for enabling ready sliding fit over the seat. Heat sealed gussets, or in-folds, conform the closed end of the envelope to the curve of the seat. A pouring bag is the packaging container.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures l uyh U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 FIG. 5,

r :IQQQEQEEQQ DISPOSABLE SANITARY, COLLAPSIBLE BIDET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bidets, or sitz baths, are conventionally found in hotel rooms in European countries for feminine hygiene, but such built-in plumbing equipment is not generally found in the United States.

There have been many patents issued on portable bidets of rigid material, usually having a side flange to be detachably supported on the edge of the toilet bowl or on the toilet seat. Typical of such patents are US. Pat. No. 2,427,807 to Oliver of Sept. 23, 1947, US. Pat. No 2,947,995 to Saulson of Aug. 9, 1960, US. Pat. No. 3,365,729 to Perlman of Jan. 30, 1968, US. Pat. No. 3,484,872 to Romberger of Dec. 23, 1969, US. Pat. No. 3,490,079 to Stolbach of Jan. 20, 1970, and US. Pat. No. 3,654,636 to Restyanski of Apr. 11, 1972.

None of the rigid, flanged trays of the above patents are of disposable material, none are collapsible into a small compact package for use in travelling, and none cover, or entirely enclose, the entire toilet seat so that the body cannot touch the same. These rigid receptacles of the prior art would be difficult to carry, even if termed portable, and would be unsightly and perhaps embarrassing if stored in a bathroom.

It has heretofore been proposed in trash and litter receptacles to drape the open end portion ofa thin plastic bag over, and down, the sides of a container, or to clamp the open end around a supporting rim, as in US. Pat. No. 3,002,194 to Wuest of Oct. 3, 1961. However, it will be apparent that it would be most difficult to so drape an unclamped bag over a toilet seat for the reason that the single-ply bag bottom would be resting in water in the toilet bowl and the bag could not be prevented from slipping off the seat into the bowl when filled with hot water. To attempt to clamp the bag in place would require additional parts, such as adhesive, tapes or clamp elements, which would be awkward to use and unlikely to fit the various sizes and shapes of conventional toilet seats.

SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION In this invention, the disposable collapsible bidet is of limp flexible sheet material and, instead of being rigid flange supported on the edge portion of a toilet seat, it is an open-ended envelope which loosely slides over and entirely encloses the toilet seat. Thus, there is no danger of the body of the user touching any part of the toilet seat, so that it can be safely used in a public rest room, motel bathroom or hospital bathroom. The opposite side walls, or two plies, of the envelope extend in superposed position across the hole in the seat with a predetermined sag because of the loose fit and limp material to form a two-ply dished receptacle at a spaced distance below the level of the seat and above the level of the water in the bowl. Preferably, the envelope is of thin, transparent, water-impervious, plastic film with one side wall longer than the other to form a lip for easy separation of the plies. Preferably also, the forward closed end portion is gussetted, with heatsealed in-folds, to conform to the curve of the seat. Preferably also, there is an air hole in the lower ply, or wall, to admit air to break the suction. The air hole is also used to spray germicide into the envelope when the toilet seat is raised, this being possible when the envelope entirely encloses the seat to satisfy health laws in certain states for motel bathrooms. The disposable bidet of the invention is rollable, or foldable, into a compact package fitting a ladys handbag, or it may be sold in stacks or rolls.

The compact package is merchandised in a water impervious plastic bag forming a receptacle with which to fill the bidet with liquid.

One distinct advantage of the disposable bidet of the invention is that the liquid contents may be discharged into the toilet bowl after use by slidably withdrawing the envelope from the front of the seat, the liquid falling off the gradually sagging open-end portion without wetting the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred form of the disposable, sanitary, collapsible bidet of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation thereof in half-section;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a conventional water closet, toilet seat and seat cover, the bidet envelope of FIG. 2 being shown in position to be loosely slid over and around the toilet seat;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the bidet envelope forming a complete enclosure for the seat, as well as a two-ply liquid receptacle;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 showing the bidet envelope being slidably removed to discharge the contents without wetting the toilet seat;

FIG. 6 is a view similar'to FIGS. 3-5, showing a new bidet envelope slidably fitted over the raised toilet seat and a germicide being sprayed into the envelope;

FIG. 7 is an end view, in section, on line 7-7 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an end view, in section, on line 88 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A conventional water closet 25 is shown in FIGS. 3-6, mounted against a wall 26 on a floor 27 and having the usual flush tank 28 and toilet bowl 29. The water closet 25 may be of any suitable type and includes a hinged toilet seat 31 supported by the bowl rim 32 and having an annular configuration defining the hole 33, the front portion 34 being curved. A seat cover 35 is usually also attached to the hinge 36. The level of water 37 in the bowl 29 is indicated at 38.

The disposable, sanitary, collapsible bidet 41 of the invention is formed by an enclosure, envelope or bag 42 of flexible sheet material 43, preferably of transparent plastic film 44, having two

opposite side walls

45 and 46 folded, or heat sealed, along three

peripheral edges

47, 48 and 49. The material 44 may be an opaque woven textile fabric, or any other low-cost, waterimpervious sheet material capable of being discarded after use, although it will be understood that, if desired, it may be re-used again and again and may be of expensive water-impervious material if desired. The material 44 is not rigid, or semi-rigid, but rather is limp, flexible, and capable of sagging, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as well as being capable of being rolled, or folded, into a compact package fitting in a ladys purse.

As shown in FIG. 1, the envelope 42 has a closed end 51 and an open end 52 and, as shown in FIGS. 3-6, the open end 52 and the predetermined width and length of the walls of the envelope 42 are of such dimensions that they may be slid over and around the toilet seat 31 with a loose fit to extend from the front portion 34 to beyond the hinge 36 and thereby entirely cover and enclose the seat so, that the human body cannot contact the same. The predetermined dimensions of envelope 42, and the limp, flexible characteristics of the sheet material 43, are arranged to enable the central portion 53 of envelope 42 to sag downwardly to form a two-ply liquid receptacle or dished depression within the hole 33 at a predetermined spaced distance below the level of seat 31 and preferably above the level 38 of the water 37 in bowl 29. The upper side wall 45 extends over the seat 31, while the lower side wall 46 extends under the seat 31 and over the bowl edge 32, and when the hand of the user, or a supply of hot water, is placed in the central portion 53, the envelope automatically slides around the toilet seat edge to superpose intimately the two wall plys and form a dished, bowl-like depression 59 with the upper ply 54 overlying the lower ply 55 in support of each other to prevent any leakage or tearing despite the low cost disposable nature of the material 43.

Preferably, one

side wall

45 or 46 is longer than the other, the resulting integral extension 56 forming a curved lip 57 enabling one side wall to be gripped and separated from the other for slidable fitting of the open end 52 over the seat 31. The lip 57 is preferably on the upper wall to extend over the hinges 36, even if the lower wall is barred by the hinges, to assure complete sanitary covering of the seat. The corresponding edge 58 of the other, or lower, wall is straight.

The lip 57 in the upper wall prevents liquid from enteringthe interior 65 during discharge (FIG.

An air aperture 61 is provided in at least one side wall, preferably the lower wall 46, and located near the closed end 51. As shown in FIG. 6, the aperture 61 helps to break the suction between the walls and does not cause leakage or weakness because it is in the under-ply, or wall, and well above the level 62 of the liquid 63 in the envelope 42 (FIG. 4). The principal purpose of aperture 61 is to enable a motel employee to spray a germicide 64 through the hole into the interior 65 of the envelope to sanitize the seat 31 while it is entirely covered and enclosed by the envelope 42.

In the preferred embodiment, the envelope 42 is not entirely rectangular in configuration but, instead, at least one in-fold, or gusset, 66 or 67 is formed by oblique heat-

seal lines

68 or 69 at the closed end 51, in order that the closed end portion may substantially conform to the curved configuration of the front portion 34 of seat 31. It would, of course, be possible to use a pair of suitably curved, or .circular, sheets, heatsealed around the peripheral edges thereof, except at an open end such as at 52, but, while a better and more attractive loose fit would be obtained, there would be a considerable wastage of cut-out material so that the low cost, disposable feature might be lost. The reduced width of the closed end 51, caused by the gusset means 66 and 67, results in a strengthening of the closed end against tearing.

In operation, it will be apparent that the sanitary, disposable bidet of the invention may be loosely fitted over every toilet seat in a public rest room or motel, or the user may have a supply thereof in her hand bag ready for use when needed. The envelope is merely slid over the toilet seat to enclose it completely, whereupon liquid is placed in the bowl-like, two-ply depression 59, and personal hygiene, cleansing and heal treating accomplished without the necessity of disrobing completely. Upon completion, as shown in FIG. 5, the envelope is merely slidably withdrawn slowly, while the liquid 63 discharges from the sagging open end down into the bowl without wettingthe seat. The envelope may then be discarded or dried and re-used, as desired. The envelope could be of any waterproof material, such as treated paper, and formed by folding, sewing, cementing or heat-sealing. v

The disposable bidet of the invention lends itself to use in advertising as a'premium, .or give-away, and tends to prevent infections, contaminations and transfer of contagious diseases. If not used as a disposable bidet, it is still a low cost sanitary toilet seat cover, or lining, differing from conventional covers in enclosing the entire seat, rather than merely covering the upper surface or a portion of the upper surface.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the disposable bidet 41 is merchandised in a disposable, water-impervious bag 71 of plastic, or the like, which is air tight for sanitation and which may contain several bidets. The bag 71 forms a convenient vessel for filling the bidet with liquid and the entire package, including the bag 71 is easily carried by travelers.

When sealed, bag 71 includes unsealing means 72 along one end 73, such as the tear strip 74 and may also include a plastic zipper closure 75 of known type.

I claim:

1. In combination with a conventional hinged toilet seat a disposable, sanitary, collapsible enclosure for temporarily converting said hinged toilet seat into a bidet, or sitz bath, said enclosure comprising:

an envelope of limp, flexible, water-impervious sheet material having two opposite side walls with closed side edges, a closed end and an open end; said open end b eing of predetermined width and said side walls being of predetermined width and length to loosely, slidable fit over the envelop said conventional toilet seat and to cover the hole therein;

one side wall thereof overlying said hole and the other side wall underlying said hole;

the loose fit and limpness of the material of said envelope causing the two walls thereof, superposed across said hole, to sag and form a depression therein constituting a two-ply receptacle adapted to receive and support liquid;

said envelope entirely covering said seat, when slid ably fitted thereover, so that no part of the human body touchessaid seat.

2. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 1, wherein:

the overlying said wall of said envelope terminates at said open end in a curved lip and the underlying said wall terminates in a straight edge for easy separation thereof in sliding said enclosure on said seat and to avoid undue crumpling thereof when said straight edge is barred by said hinges.

3. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 1,

wherein:

said envelope includes a pair of infolded gussets of said material each on opposite side of said closed end for reducing the width thereof to conform to the curved configuration of the front of a conventional toilet seat.

4. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 3,

- wherein:

the in-folded material of each said gusset is adhered to itself along oblique lines to strengthen the said closed end against tearing. 5. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 1, wherein:

the underlying side wall of said enclosure includes at least one aperture therein, proximate the closed end, serving as an air vent to permit the envelope to open easily during installation, and serving as a germicide spray receiver to sanitize said toilet seat when raised. 6. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 1, wherein:

the closed end portion of said envelope is curved to conform to the configuration of the front edge of said toilet seat. 7. In combination with a conventional hinged toilet seat a disposable, sanitary, collapsible bidet comprising: an envelope of thin, limp, water'impervious sheet material having a closed end, a pair of side walls with closed side edges and an open end, said envelope being loosely slid over and around a toilet seat with the central portion of the side walls of said pair overlying each other and sagged down into the hole in said seat to form a liquid receptacle. 8. A disposable bidet as specified in claim 7, wherein: the overlying said side wall includes an integral extension projecting beyond the other said wall and the underlying said wall includes an air aperture for venting said envelope said aperture being located proximate said closed end.

9. A disposable bidet as specified in claim 7, wherein: said envelope is of substantially uniform width from said open end to proximate said closed end, but includes a pair of oppositely disposed, in-folded, ad-

hered, gussets each on an opposite side of said closed end reducing the width thereof and strengthening said end against tearing.

10. In combination with a toilet seat having an aperture therein:

a toilet seat cover in the form of an envelope of waterproof, flexible, limp material said envelope having one end open and slidably and loosely fitting over and around said toilet seat;

the central portion of said cover forming a two-ply bowl-like depression in and through the aperture in said seat for retaining a supply of liquid for use as a disposable, personal hygiene bidet.

11. A disposable bidet as specified in claim 10, plus a water impermeable, thin plastic bag normally enclosing said limp, flexible cover but forming a liquid vessel for filling said bowl-like depression after said bidet has been removed therefrom and slid on said seat.

12. A disposable bidet as specified in claim 10, plus a sealed airtight, water-proof plastic bag normally enclosing said limp, flexible cover for shipment and storage, said bag having plastic tear strip closure means along one end adapted to be opened for the removal of said cover and to convert said bag into a liquid containing receptacle.

Claims

1. In combination with a conventional hinged toilet seat a disposable, sanitary, collapsible enclosure for temporarily converting said hinged toilet seat into a bidet, or sitz bath, said enclosure comprising: an envelope of limp, flexible, water-impervious sheet material having two opposite side walls with closed side edges, a closed end and an open end; said open end being of predetermined width and said side walls being of predetermined width and length to loosely, slidable fit over the envelop said conventional toilet seat and to cover the hole therein; one side wall thereof overlying said hole and the other side wall underlying said hole; the loose fit and limpness of the material of said envelope causing the two walls thereof, superposed across said hole, to sag and form a depression therein constituting a two-ply receptacle adapted to receive and support liquid; said envelope entirely covering said seat, when slidably fitted thereover, so that no part of the human body touches said seat.

2. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 1, wherein: the overlying said wall of said envelope terminates at said open end in a curved lip and the underlying said wall terminates in a straight edge for easy separation thereof in sliding said enclosure on said seat and to avoid undue crumpling thereof when said straight edge is barred by said hinges.

3. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 1, wherein: said envelope includes a pair of infolded gussets of said material each on opposite side of said closed end for reducing the width thereof to conform to the curved configuration of the front of a conventional toilet seat.

4. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 3, wherein: the in-folded material of each said gusset is adhered to itself along oblique lines to strengthen the said closed end against tearing.

5. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 1, wherein: the underlying side wall of said enclosure includes at least one aperture therein, proximate the closed end, serving as an air vent to permit the envelope to open easily during installation, and serving as a germicide spray receiver to sanitize said toilet seat when raised.

6. A sanitary enclosure as specified in claim 1, wherein: the closed end portion of said envelope is curved to conform to the configuration of the front edge of said toilet seat.

7. In combination with a conventional hinged toilet seat a disposable, sanitary, collapsible bidet comprising: an envelope of thin, limp, water-impervious sheet material having a closed end, a pair of side walls with closed side edges and an open end, said envelope being loosely slid over and around a toilet seat with the central portion of the side walls of said pair overlying each other and sagged down into the hole in said seat to form a liquid receptacle.

8. A disposable bidet as specified in claim 7, wherein: the overlying said side wall includes an integral extension projecting beyond the other said wall and the underlying said wall includes an air aperture for venting said envelope said aperture being located proximate said closed end.

9. A disposable bidet as specified in claim 7, wherein: said enveloPe is of substantially uniform width from said open end to proximate said closed end, but includes a pair of oppositely disposed, in-folded, adhered, gussets each on an opposite side of said closed end reducing the width thereof and strengthening said end against tearing.

10. In combination with a toilet seat having an aperture therein: a toilet seat cover in the form of an envelope of waterproof, flexible, limp material said envelope having one end open and slidably and loosely fitting over and around said toilet seat; the central portion of said cover forming a two-ply bowl-like depression in and through the aperture in said seat for retaining a supply of liquid for use as a disposable, personal hygiene bidet.