REDUCING TOILET SYSTEM ROBERT G ILFILLAN

SPECIFICATION

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/322050 filed 13 April 2016 to the above named inventor, and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates generally to an a ti -bacterial, self-cleaning, water conserving, odor reducing toilet system.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently there are a number of solutions for keeping a toilet clean and the surrounding bathroom hygiemc with water conservation in mind. One of these solutions attempts to use cleaning products regularly, but this solution fails to meet the needs of the market because cleaning products are used sporadically. Another solution utilizes commercially available deodorizers such as gels, sprays, and cleaners, but these solutions

I fail to meet the needs of the market as they are not directly integrated into a toilet and are used infrequently. Still another solution attempts to avoid the unhygienic plume of unsanitary mist that is created when the toilet is flushed by keeping the lid closed, but this solution is similarly unable to meet the needs of the market because this does not always happen when you have multiple users of the toilet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It would be advantageous to have an apparatus that was a water saving device that keeps the toilet cleaner for longer, reduces smells, reduces bacteria, and improves hygiene within the bathroom. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have an apparatus that was integrated directly into the toilet lid and seat. Still further, it would be

advantageous to have an apparatus that would activate the flushing of the toilet by lowering the lid of the toilet seat and activated a spraying system by raising and lowering the lid of the toilet without any outside power source. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for an apparatus that can set a half flush as a default, a full flush if required, clean the toilet and provide an optional of a deodorizing pod to introduce fragrance into the bathroom.

[OOOS] The invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing an anti -bacterial, self-cleaning, water conserving, odor reducing toilet system, which provides a toilet seat and lid that cleans the toilet and controls the flushing mechanism without an outside power source.

[0006] The invention is a water saving product that keeps the toilet and bathroom clean, reduces odors, and increases hygiene. The toilet seat and lid system includes a first mechanism wherein closing the lid activates a dual flush mechanism which has a default of a half flush that reduces water consumption by up to 70 percent. The second mechanism is a nozzle system on the underside of the seat. The nozzles spritz the bowl with clean water when the lid is both raised and lowered. The device of the present invention can be developed as an after-market product or integrated into a new toilet.

[0007] The apparatus utilizes a combination of cams, trigger points, trips, valves, springs, water pressure, and a switch-box to control the flushing and spraying functions. The invention relies on leverage and does not require an external power source.

[0008] The apparatus's nozzles on the underside of the seat spritz all of the vertical surfaces within the interior of the toilet bowl. The spray is atomized/ionized and directed away from the user and activated by lifting up and opening the lid to wet the bowl and pushing down and closing the lid to again wet the bowl to re-rinse and prevent fecal matter from sticking to the bowl interior sides. This pre-wetting and re-rinsing mechanism eliminates the need to double and triple flush. The uniquely designed curve on the lip of the underside of the toilet seat hides the nozzles from plain view. Further, the lid of the present invention generally includes a flange surrounding an inner portion of the seat and forming a gasket between the seat and the lid to prevent overspray from contacting the upper seat portion of the device. Additionally, the lid may be adapted with a transparent region to allow for viewing of the toilet bowl interior without having to lift the lid.

[0009] The apparatus fulfills the need for water conservation, keeping the toilet clean, eliminating toilet plume and resulting bacteria, and reducing odors. [0010] Among other things, it is an advantage of the invention to provide a self-cleaning, water conserving toilet system that does not suffer from any of the problems or

deficiencies associated with prior solutions.

[0011] It is still further an advantage of the invention to have optional biodegradable pods to deodorize and provide an enhanced wetting agent. The deodorizing pods are color coded to indicate their fragrance and are concealed within a compartment in the back of the seat of the present invention. The compartment further houses the switch-box that controls all the various functions of the system.

[0012] The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with bot this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 shows the back of the invention.

[0014] Figure 2 shows the bottom of the invention.

[001 S] Figure 3 shows the front of the invention.

[0016] Figure 4 shows an isolated view of the invention .

[0017] Figure 5 shows an isolated view of the invention with the lid open. [0018] Figure 6 shows a side view of the invention.

[0019] Figure 7 shows the side of the invention in a cutaway view.

[0020] Figure 8 shows the top of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as "examples," are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0022] Before the present invention is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein. [0023] Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.

[0024] References in the specification to "one embodiment" indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, staicture, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0025] The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations,

[0028] As used herein, the term "and/or" refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

[0027] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0028] As used herein, the terms "include," "for example," "such as," and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention. [0029] As used herein, the terms "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.

[0030] Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

[0031] As used herein, the term "coupled" means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature and/or such joining may allow for the flow of fluids, electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals or communication between two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

[0032] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

[0033] The invention is directed to be a self-cleaning and water conserving toilet system. [0034] The invention is a toilet lid and toilet seat system affixed to or integrated into a toilet. The lid controls both the flushing of the toilet and activates an atomized/ionized spraying feature into the bowl. The seat is designed to include the spray feature on an underside. The functions are controlled by a switch-box and can only be activated by moving the lid up or down. A deodorizing pod can be inserted to provide a fragrance for the bathroom. The invention will operate with or without the deodorizing pods. The pods provide a fragrance and enhanced wetting qualities.

[0035] Referring to the figures, Figs. 1-9 show the anti -bacterial, self-cleaning, and water conserving toilet of the present invention and generally referred to as device 10. The device 10 is designed to provide an alternate solution to a traditional toilet flushing system by using a lid 101 and a seat 102 for flushing and rinsing a toilet bowl the device 10 is installed upon or integrated within.

[0038] The lid 101 of the device 10 is positioned above the seat 102 and hingedly connected to a switch box 100 containing the inner plumbing workings of the device 10 and movable between a closed position and an open position. The lid 101 is generally designed to encircle the seat 102 and close the bowl portion of the toilet in the closed position. The lid 101 including a transparent portion 110 allowing a user of the device 10 to see if the toilet has been properly flushed without the need to open the lid 101. The lid 101 additionally includes a lid flange 1 1 1 positioned on a lower side of the lid 101 and positioned for placement inside an inner circumference of the seat 102 adapted to form a gasketing member between the bowl and the seat 102. Accordingly, this flange 111 protects an upper portion of the seat from the inner contents of the bowl during flushing while the lid 101 is in the closed position. [0037] The seat 102 includes a seat flange 120 located at an underside and around a perimeter of the seat 102 and positioned for placement around an inner rim of the toilet. The seat flange 120 including a plurality of nozzles 121 positioned to direct an

atomized/ionized spray to the inner side of the toilet howl. The nozzles 121 coupled to the plumbing of the switchbox 100 to direct an atomized/ionized spritz of water from the switch box 100 and out through the nozzles 121 upon opening and closing of the lid 101. Accordingly, this atomized/ionized spray upon the lid 101 opening and closing rinses the interior bowl sides allowing for a cleaner and more complete flush as the wetting of the interior bowl surface reduces friction.

[0038] The plurality of nozzles 120 are spaced around the perimeter of the fl ange 120 at the underside of the seat 102, The flange 120 is generally curved, wherein the nozzles 120 are not visible from the seat 102 top side and are directed outward from the toilet opening and towards the interior of the bowl.

[0039] The switch box 100 includes a lid 103 at a top side allowing a user partial access to an interior of the switch box 100 to allow a user to place a deodorizing pod 130 (Fig. 7; FIG. 9) within a cavity in the switch box 100 interior. The deodorizing pod 130 is in aquatic communication with water within the switch box 100, wherein material from the deodorizing pod 130 is dispersed into the toilet bowl water during use.

[0040] The switch box 100 includes the plumbing features of the device 10 where generally the device is in a fluid coupled communication with water within a tank (cistern) of the toilet. Accordingly, the switch box 100 will receive water into its interior though an inlet port 104 coupled to the tap and distribute water into the tank (cistern) through an outlet port 105. [0041] The internal components of the switch box 100 are generally hidden from view during use and coupled to seat 02 and lid 101. The switch box 100 includes the deodorizing pod 130, flush trigger mechanism 110, and spritz connector 122. The flush trigger mechanism 110 shape allows for the various flush mechanisms of the device 10, wherein a movement of the lid 101 contacts the trigger mechanism 110 in coupled communication with the switch box 100 to provide an atomized/ionized spritz through the nozzles 121 to the interior of the bowl upon an opening and closing of the lid 101 , Upon closing of the lid 101, a contact with the trigger mechanism 1 0 in communication with the switch box 100 provides a half flush of the contents of the toilet. To fully flush the toilet, the lid 101 is pressed downward when in the closed position,

[0042] While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.