Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/352,427, filed on June 8, 2010, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to children's potty chairs, and more particularly, to disposable liners for potty chairs.

Background of the Invention

[0003] While little children are generally a source of joy for their parents, one notable exception is potty training. The transition from diapers to toilets is often a trial for parents and children. Potty chairs have been used from time immemorial as an intermediate step in that transition. While potty chairs can make things easier on the child, the parents may be loathe to clean the chair after use.

[0004] To ease the c!ean-up burden for pet owners in areas with restrictions on pet waste, it has been proposed to encourage a pet to defecate onto a drawstring sheet, which can then be drawn up to enclose the pet waste. Examples of such sheets can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 3,626,900 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.

2003/0005891. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drawstring potty chair liner and related method. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a drawstring potty chair liner includes a composite sheet of material having an absorbent layer and a liquid barrier, and a drawstring extending around a periphery of the sheet and accessible at opposite sides thereof. According to a method aspect, the sheet is placed into the bowl of a potty chair with the water resistant side facing the bowl. After the potty chair is used, the drawstrings are drawn up to enclose waste within the sheet with the water resistant side out. The sheet can then be discarded or transported over a toilet, opened and emptied. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a potty chair and liner combination includes both the potty chair and the potty chair liner arranged in a bowl thereof.

[0006] These and other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1 is a top view of a drawstring potty liner, with hidden components shown in broken lines, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the liner of Figure 1 ;

[0009] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the liner of Figure 1 , placed into a potty chair bowl; and [0010] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the liner of Figure 1 , removed from the potty chair bowl after use.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

[0011] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a drawstring potty chair liner 10 includes a composite sheet 12 and a drawstring 14. The composite sheet 12 is preferably approximately round and dimensioned to conform to the shape of an average potty chair, although the shape and dimensions can be adapted as necessary for a given potty chair.

[0012] The composite sheet 12 has a first side 18 and a second side 20. The first side 18 preferably includes an absorbent material, to facilitate urine absorption and to minimize splashing. The second side 20 preferably includes a liquid barrier to prevent liquid waste from penetrating the second side 20. The absorbent material of the first side 18 can include a plurality of absorbent layers 22 above the second side. Some or all of the absorbent layers 22 can be localized to the center of the sheet 12.

[0013] The drawstring 14 extends around a periphery of the sheet 12, preferably between the first and second sides 18, 20. Alternately, the drawstring can be stitched in and out of the first side, or arranged in another fashion around the periphery that still permits a drawing action. The drawstring 14 has substantially opposed handles 24 that can be grasped by a user from outside the sheet 12.

[0014] In use, referring to Figure 3, the potty chair liner 10 is placed over and into the bowl of a potty chair 30 with the second side 20 generally facing the bowl and the first side 18 generally facing away from the bowl. Edges of the liner 10 extend out of the bowl to help retain the liner 10 in place during use. If desired, and depending on the particular potty chair, a removable seat 32 can subsequently be placed over the liner 10.

[0015] Referring to Figure 4, after the potty chair 30 has been used, the handles 24 of the drawstring 14 are grasped and pulled outwards. As result, the sheet 12 is drawn up and around any waste deposited in the potty chair 30 bowl. The liner 10 is then removed and discarded. If desired, the liner 10 can be re-opened to empty the contents into a toilet.

[0016] In general, the foregoing description is provided for exemplary and illustrative purposes; the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional modifications, as well as adaptations for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described and of the claims appended hereto.