[0001] The present invention generally relates to a toilet seat cleaning system. BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Public toilet seats, and men's toilet seats in particular, are prone to being covered in urine which is unhygienic. Accordingly, the seat must often be wiped down prior to use which is an unpleasant task.

[0004] Automated toilet seat cleaners are known. However, such seat cleaners are complex, making them expensive and difficult to maintain. In turn, such toilet seat cleaners are rarely available.

[0005] The preferred embodiment provides an improved toilet seat cleaning system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet seat cleaning system including:

a toilet lid for covering a toilet seat and including a dock;

a replaceable cartridge for docking with the dock and including a cleaning agent; and

an applicator for applying the cleaning agent from the docked cartridge and to the toilet seat.

[0007] Advantageously, the empty cartridge can be readily replaced with a full cartridge that is simply docked on the lid to maintain the system. Each cartridge may contain about 70 to 100 applications of cleaning agent. [0008] Preferably, the cartridge is a single-use disposable cartridge. The cleaning agent may include a sanitizer or disinfectant. The cartridge may be pressurized.

[0009] The dock may include a lid. The lid may include a lock. The lid may be flush. The lid may include an indicator for indicating a replacement status of the cartridge. The indicator may include a visual indicator. The visual indicator may include one or more lights (e.g. LEDs). The dock may receive another cartridge. The system may

automatically detect when the cleaning agent from the cartridge has been used and then instead apply cleaning agent from the other cartridge. The indicator may indicate the replacement status of the other cartridge. The indicator may indicate the states: neither cartridge requiring replacement; one of the cartridges requiring replacement and/or both cartridges requiring replacement.

[00010] The system may include a battery. The battery may be located in the dock. The system may include a controller. The system may include a detector for detecting whether the cartridges need replacing. The system may be configured to detect when the cleaning agent from the cartridge has been used and then instead apply cleaning agent from the other cartridge. The detector may include a counter for counting the number of actuations of the cartridges.

[00011] The dock may be received by the toilet seat.

[00012] The toilet lid may define a number of outlets though which the cleaning agent passes to the seat. The outlets may include sprinklers or spray nozzles. The outlets may be spaced around the circumference of the lid. The applicator may include conduits for transporting the cleaning agent from the docked cartridge and to the outlets.

[00013] The applicator may include an actuator for actuating to apply the cleaning agent. The applicator may increase pressure in the cartridge. The actuator may include a press button. The actuator may include a motion sensor for sensing hand motion.

[00014] The system may include an inhibitor for inhibiting the applicator from applying the cleaning agent when the lid is separated from the seat.

[00015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet seat cleaning method including: docking a replaceable cartridge, including a cleaning agent, with a dock of a toilet lid covering a toilet seat; and

applying the cleaning agent, from the docked cartridge, to the toilet seat.

[00016] The method may involve detecting when the cleaning agent from the cartridge has been used and then instead apply cleaning agent from another cartridge. The method may involve replacing the cartridge, when the cleaning agent from the cartridge has been used, with the other cartridge.

[00017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agent dispenser, the agent dispenser including:

a dock;

a replaceable first cartridge for docking with the dock and including an agent; a replaceable second cartridge for docking with the dock and including the agent; and

an applicator for applying the agent from the first cartridge, and for instead applying agent from the second cartridge upon determination that the first cartridge needs replacing.

[00018] The agent may be a cleaning agent. The agent may be a deodorizing agent.

[00019] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00020] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toilet seat cleaning system of the present invention with the lid open; [00022] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the toilet seat cleaning system of Figure 1 with the lid closed;

[00023] Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of a toilet seat lid with a dock cover open in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00024] Figure 4 is a lower perspective view of the toilet seat lid of Figure 3;

[00025] Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of the toilet seat lid of Figure 3 with the dock cover closed; and

[00026] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a toilet seat cleaning system including the toilet seat lid of Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a toilet seat cleaning system 100 as shown in Figure 1 . The system 100 includes a toilet lid 102 for covering a toilet seat 104. The lid 102 includes a topside dock 106.

[00028] Turning to Figure 2, a replaceable cartridge 200 (e.g. canister) is provided for docking with the dock 106. The cartridge 200 is a single-use disposable cartridge and includes a liquid cleaning agent such as a sanitizer or disinfectant. An applicator 202 is provided for applying the cleaning agent from the docked cartridge 200 and onto the toilet seat 104. The cartridge 200 contains about 70 to 100 applications of cleaning agent. Up to 100 applications can be achieves using the present cans and suitable programming, duration of spray and number of and size of nozzles.

[00029] Advantageously, the empty cartridge 200 can be readily replaced with a full cartridge 200 that is simply docked on the lid 102 to maintain the system 100.

[00030] Returning to Figure 1 , the toilet lid 102 defines a number of underside outlets 1 10 though which the cleaning agent passes to the seat 104. The applicator 202 includes conduits 1 12 in the lid 102 for transporting the cleaning agent from the docked cartridge 200 and to the outlets 1 10. [00031] As can best be seen in Figure 2, the applicator 202 includes a press button 204 for pressing to apply the cleaning agent. The applicator 202 increases pressure in the cartridge 200 to push cleaning agent from the cartridge 200, through the conduits 1 12 and outlets 1 10, and out onto the toilet seat 104. The pressure in the cartridge 200 releases when the cleaning agent is expelled from the cartridge 200. The applicator 202 operates either mechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically.

[00032] A toilet seat cleaning method is now briefly described.

[00033] Initially, the full replaceable cartridge 200 with cleaning agent is docked in the dock 106 of a toilet lid 102 covering a toilet seat 104. The user simply slides the cartridge 200 into the dock 106 so that fluid communication is established with the conduits 1 12.

[00034] Then, the user presses the button 204 to apply the pressurized cleaning agent, from the docked cartridge 200, through the outlets 1 10 and to the toilet seat 104.

[00035] The user can use toilet paper to spread the cleaning agent around the toilet seat 104 and to dry the seat 104. If a certain type of fluid is used, and is sprayed using atomizers or well designed nozzles, it can evaporate and not need the use of an extra wipe.

[00036] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention, where like reference numerals refer to like features previously described. The toilet lid 102' includes a dock 106' able to dock a pair of cartridges 200' in the form of a primary cartridge 200a' and a backup cartridge 200b'.

[00037] The dock 106' includes a cover 300, which sits flush, and a key-lock 302 for locking the pivoting cover 300. The lid 102' includes include a motion sensor 304, including a proximity switch, for sensing a swiping hand-motion so that the applicator applies the cleaning agent. The system also includes a 9-V battery 306 located in the dock for powering the system. Alternatively, 4 x 1 .5v AA batteries can be used, or bigger C or D type batteries can be used for improved longevity. [00038] Turning to Figure 4, the outlets 1 10 are spaced around the circumference of the underside of the lid 102' and include sprinklers, spray nozzles or atomisers. The dock 106' extends downward into the hole defined by the toilet seat 104.

[00039] Turning to Figure 5, the lid 102' includes a visual indicator 500, surrounding the motion sensor 304, for indicating a replacement status of the cartridges 200'. The visual indicator 500 includes a ring of lights 502 (e.g. low power consumption LEDs). The indicator 500 can also indicate when cleaning agent is being applied, when power is low , when can 200' is empty, and can form a level indicator by lighting up a logo or other illuminator.

[00040] The primary cartridge 200a' normally supplies cleaning agent, whereas the backup cartridge 200b' supplies cleaning agent in the event that the primary cartridge 200a' is empty and needs replacement. The system automatically detects when the cleaning agent from the primary cartridge 200a'has been used and then instead applies cleaning agent from the backup cartridge 200b'. The visual indicator 500 indicates the replacement status of the cartridges 200a', 200b'. In particular, the indicator 500 indicates the states: neither cartridge requiring replacement (all lights 502 green); the primary cartridge 200a' requiring replacement (alternating lights 502 red) and both cartridges 200a', 200b' requiring replacement (all lights 502 red). In one embodiment, there may be a light on either side of the lid 102' indicating the state of the cartridge 200a', 200b' on that side of the lid 102' (e.g. red on left means left side needs replacing, all green on right means right is full, half green on right means right is half full, etc.)

[00041] Turning to Figure 6, the system 100' includes a controller 600 for controlling the various system components. The system 100' includes a replacement detector 602 for detecting whether the cartridges 200' need replacing. The detector 602 includes a counter for counting the number of spray actuations from the cartridges 200a' (i.e. up to 70 actuations which is the cartridge capacity). Alternatively, a level sensor, weight sensor or pressure sensor can be used.

[00042] A toilet seat cleaning method using the system 100' is now briefly described.

[00043] Initially, both full cartridges 200a', 200b' are docked in the dock 106' with the visual indicator 500 indicating that neither cartridge 200a', 200b' requires replacement (i.e. all lights 502 green). The lid 102' is down and resting on the seat 104. [00044] Next, a user waves a hand over the motion or proximity sensor 304 and the controller 600 actuates the applicator. In turn, the applicator applies cleaning agent, from the primary docked cartridge 200a', to the toilet seat 104.

[00045] The user can then lift the lid 102' and wipe the applied cleaning agent over the seat 104, if necessary, with a piece of toilet paper.

[00046] Over time, the controller 600 automatically detects when the cleaning agent from the primary cartridge 200a' has been fully used, using replacement detector 602, and then instead applies cleaning agent from the backup cartridge 200b'. The controller 600 changes the visual indicator 500 to indicate that the primary cartridge 200a' requires replacement (alternating lights 502 red), or later that both cartridges 200a', 200b' require replacement (all lights 502 red). The cartridge fullness can be determined by counting actuations or monitoring internal pressure.

[00047] Periodically, a cleaner will maintain the system 100'.

[00048] If the cleaning agent from the primary cartridge 200a' has been fully used whereby the visual indicator 500 indicates that the cartridge 200a' requires replacement (alternating lights 502 red), the cleaner replaces the primary cartridge 200a' with the backup cartridge 200b' and docks a fresh cartridge 200b' as a new backup. In this manner, any wastage of cleaning agent is minimized as the partially used back-up cartridge 200b' becomes the primary cartridge 200a', and is used before the new backup cartridge 200b'. The replacement detector count of the backup is transferred to the primary, and the backup count is reset.

[00049] Alternatively, if the visual indicator 500 indicates that both cartridges 200a', 200b' require replacement (all lights 502 red), the cleaner replaces both cartridges 200a', 200b'. In this event, the replacement detector 602 is reset for both cartridges 200'.

[00050] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00051] In one embodiment, the cartridge is a pressurized aerosol can or similar. [00052] In one embodiment, the actuator may include a proximity sensor for sensing a user's proximity (e.g. hand proximity).

[00053] In one embodiment, the system includes an inhibitor (e.g. magnetic switch or position sensor) for inhibiting the applicator from applying the cleaning agent when the lid is separated from the seat.

[00054] The dual-cartridge agent dispenser above can be used for a number of applications other than toilet seats. For example, the dispenser may include an air freshening dispenser for dispensing a deodorizer. Alternatively, the dispenser may include a hand cleaning dispenser for dispensing a soap agent.

[00055] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00056] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.