FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to toilet seat covers and, specifically, cover devices having an integrated urinal structure.

BACKGROUND

[002] Conventional toilets accommodate those who choose to use them in both the sitting and standing positions. In contrast, a conventional urinal is intended for standing use only. Some of the advantages of a conventional urinal reside in the fact that the urinal is shaped to protect along a much more extensive vertical surface than is a conventional toilet. That is, while conventional toilets have no means to prevent“splashback” or“side splashing,” the benefits of splash reduction with traditional urinals is overshadowed by the fact that urinals are incapable of accommodating seated users and solid waste.

[003] Splash protection becomes important in a variety of situations. For example, splashes outside the toilet bowl can be expected when a young child is being toilet trained. Persons who are impaired or disabled may also find it difficult to use a conventional toilet in the standing position without causing undesired splashing. With a conventional toilet, the areas where the splashing can occur are often difficult to clean and sanitize such as the space between the toilet lid and the toilet tank. Accordingly, there remains a need to have seated toilet designs that allow for the reduction of splashing.

SUMMARY

[004] Described herein are cover devices, systems, and kits comprising an integrated urinal structure. In certain embodiments the cover device contains an integrated urinal structure, such that the cover device comprises: a cover mechanism comprising a top lid and a bottom lid, said top lid and said bottom lid each having an inside surface, an outside surface, a proximal end, a distal end, a right portion, and a left portion, wherein the top lid and bottom lid are hingedly connected at their distal ends to permit the cover mechanism to have an open position and a closed position; and a collapsible liquid collection structure having a base portion attached to the inside surface of the bottom lid and an upper portion attached to the inside surface of the top lid, wherein the collapsible liquid structure is adapted to define a right splashguard and a left splashguard when the cover mechanism is placed in the open position, wherein the device further defines a fluid passage aperture positioned toward the distal ends of the top and bottom lids.

[005] Toilet systems are also described herein. In certain embodiments, the toilet system comprises the cover device described above, along with a toilet defining a bowl and a toilet seat.

Also described herein are kits, said kits comprising the cover device described above, along with instructions for installing the cover device. The kits may optionally further include a seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet system comprising a cover device with an integrated urinal structure.

[007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover device comprising an integrated urinal structure, with the cover device set in the open position.

[008] FIG. 3 is a side view of a cover device comprising an integrated urinal structure, with the cover device set in the open position.

[009] FIG. 4 is a front view of a cover device comprising an integrated urinal structure, with the cover device set in the closed position.

[010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a cover device comprising an integrated urinal structure, with the cover device set in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[Oil] While the following describes exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and kits described herein, it is understood that the description is made by way of example and is not intended to limit the scope of the general inventive concepts set forth herein. It is expected that alterations and further modifications, as well as other and further applications of the principles, may occur to others skilled in the art and, to the extent they differ from the foregoing, shall remain within the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure.

[012] Described herein are cover devices, toilet systems, and kits comprising an integrated urinal structure. In certain embodiments the integrated urinal structure comprises a collapsible liquid collection structure. [013] Fig. 1 illustrates exemplary toilet system 100, which comprises cover device 200, toilet 22, and toilet seat 16. Toilet 22 may further comprise bowl 8, upper bowl edge 18, seat 16, and tank 10. Cover device 200 comprises bottom lid 12 and top lid 14. Cover device 200 further comprises a fluid collection structure, which includes base portion 4, upper portion 6, left splashguard 20, and right splashguard 24. In certain embodiments, base portion 4, upper portion 6, left splashguard 20, and right splashguard 24 may be formed from separate pieces stiched or connected together ( e.g ., gluing or hermetic bonding of polymeric materials). In other embodiments, base portion 4, upper portion 6, left splashguard 20, and right splashguard 24 may be formed from a single piece of material, such that the the fluid collection structure comprises a single, unitary structure. In certain embodiments, the fluid collection structure may comprise a polymeric or elastomeric material, which may optionally futher include a hydrophopic layer or coating that repels urine and protects against liquid adhesion.

[014] Bottom lid 12 and top lid 14 each define an inside surface and an outside surface. As depicted in Fig. 1, base portion 4 is attached to (and, thus, at least partially covers) the inside surface of bottom lid 12. Similarly, upper portion 6 is attached to (and, thus, at least partially covers) the inside surface of upper lid 14. The outside surface of top lid 14 is obstructed in the view of Fig. 1, as it faces tank 10; similarly, the outside surface of bottom lid 12 is facing upper bowl edge 18 and, thus, the inside of bowl 8.

[015] Fig. 2 provides further details of exemplary cover device 200. Bottom lid 12 defines proximal end 102, right portion 110, and left portion 124, while top lid 14 defines proximal end 118, right portion 114, and left portion 122. The splashguards are also similarly defined, with left splashguard 20 defining proximal end 106 and distal end 120. In this embodiment, the proximal and distal ends of splashguard 20 are attached to the proximal ends of bottom lid 12 and top lid 14, respectively. Base portion 4 and upper portion 6 meet at a fold point 126. The fluid collection structure may also define aperture 124, located at fold point 126, which serves to provide an exit for fluid collected in the fluid collection structure.

[016] Fig. 3 further depicts a side view of cover device 200, which shows distal end 204 of bottom lid 12, and distal end 206 of top lid 14. Bottom lid 12 and top lid 14 are hingedly attached at distal ends 204 and 206, and can be connected by any suitable means, such as by hinge structure 108.

Hinge structure 108 is connected to mounting mechanism 230, which may be used to bolt the cover device to toilet 22. For example, mounting mechanism 230 may comprise bolts for attaching cover device 200 to the toilet. Optionally, toilet seat 16 may be connected to cover device 200, such as through hinge structure 108. Figs. 1-3 depict cover device 200 in an open position, in which top lid 14 is raised about hinge structure 108. Fig. 4 depicts cover device 200 in a closed postion, in which top lid 14 is lowered about hinge structure 108 such that proximal ends 102 and 118 are drawn together such that the fluid collection structure collapsed and encased between the inside surfaces of the lids, including the folding of splashguards 20 and 24. The splashguards and, optionally, the entire fluid collection structure, may be formed of a thin thermoplastic material that will accept folding and/or permanent creasing and will flex numerous times without causing tears or otherwise compromising the intregrity of material. As used herein,“raising” a component, such as the top lid, will mean moving the component from a horizontal toward a vertical position.“Lowering” a component will mean moving a component toward a horizontal position. Typically, an“open” position will be achieved when the top lid is raised and the bottom lid remains in the lowered postion.

[017] Inside surfaces of lids 12 and 14 may define a concave structure, which provides room for storage of the fluid collection structure when in the closed position. Moreover, when cover device 200 is in the open position, the concavity provides a room for the collection of urine in base portion 4, which is attached to the inside surface of lid 12. Aperture 124 allows for the exit of fluid into bowl 8 (as described further below). In addition, any fluid remaining in/on base portion 4 may exit via aperture 124 when bottom lid 12 is raised, wherein the raising of bottom lid 12 effectively places distal ends 102 and 118 in proximity and, optionally, may be locked together (as described further below)

[018] The outside surfaces may define a convex structure to accommodate the concavity of the inside surfaces. With reference to Fig. 4, cover device 200 may be locked in the closed position using locking structure 300, which would not allow the separation of bottom lid 12 and top lid 14 to the open position to allow access to the fluid collection structure. If locking mechanism 300 is unlatched, then top lid 14 may be raised about hinge structure 108, which allows for the unfolding of splashguards 20 and 22 and, thus, acces to the fluid collection structure.

[019] Fig. 5 depicts a method for which fluid collected in the fluid collection structure may be eliminated via fluid passage aperture 124. For example, fluid passage aperture may be in fluid communication with hose 400. Hose 400, in turn, may be in fluid communication with the inside of bowl 8. Hose 400 may be routed, for example, through/between distal ends 204 and 206 of bottom and top lids 12 and 14, respectively, and then routed behind and underneath seat 16, then between seat 16 and upper bowl edge 18, to provide drain access indirectly to the inside of bowl 8. [020] Other embodiments may include kits for providing the cover device to consumers. In certain embodiments, the kit will comprise the cover device, and instructions for installing the cover device on a toilet.