FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a bidet for a toilet and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a bidet for a toilet that includes an air blower for drying.

It is known to install a bidet on a rear portion of a toilet bowl. The bidet allows a person to wash the anus and genitals after using the toilet. Some bidets additionally include an air blower to dry the anus and genitals after the wash. In this manner a person may practice improved hygiene by not touching the area of anus and genitals when using the toilet. The addition of the air blower also provides an environmentally friendly function in that toilet paper may not be required. Bidets for toilets are known to have a control panel on the side of the toilet or remote control with which a person can control the washing and drying operation of the bidet.

U.S. Patent No. 10100504 entitled “Bidet Apparatus,” discloses a bidet apparatus that includes a nozzle with a discharge outlet formed at one end of the nozzle and a dryer. The dryer is disclosed to include a branch duct to guide air to the discharge outlet. In the apparatus disclosed, the nozzle is centrally positioned with respect to the bidet seat and the dryer is on one side of the nozzle offset from the center.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some example embodiments there is provided a bidet for a toilet with improved drying capability. The present inventors have found that people often skip or shorten the drying step when operating a bidet and instead manually dry e.g., with toilet paper the washed areas. The present inventors have found that the drying step is skipped or shortened due to the inefficiency of the drying process provided by known bidets. One source of the inefficiency is the time it takes to dry the washed area. In known bidets, the drying process may take about 5 minutes or more to completely dry the anus and genitals after the wash. Another source of the inefficiency is related to the distribution of the air flow provided by the air blower. In known bidets, the air flow is typically distributed in a non-uniform manner leading to some areas being excessively dried (or heated) due to prolonged drying with warm air while other areas remain wet.

According to an aspect of some example embodiments, the bidet as described herein provides more efficient drying that is both faster and more uniformly distributed. According to some example embodiments, the improved efficiency is based on an improved arrangement of parts in the bidet and takes into consideration the limited footprint available in bidets for toilets. According to some example embodiments, a toilet, e.g. a standard toilet may be retrofitted with the bidet as described herein. In some example embodiments, a bidet seat may be replacably connected to the bidet with a hinged connection.

According to an aspect of some example embodiments, there is provided a bidet for a toilet comprising: a base plate configured for being mounted on a toilet bowl of the toilet; an air blower configured for generating a flow of air, the air blower mounted on the base plate and including an air blower outlet through which the flow of air is expelled, wherein the air blower outlet is positioned to be centrally aligned with a center line, the center line extending between a rear side and a front side of the toilet bowl and centered along a width of the toilet bowl and/or centered along a width of an opening defined by a bidet seat positioned on the toilet bowl; and a nozzle mounted on the base plate, wherein the nozzle includes a distal nozzle end configured to extended from the base plate to an operating position and retract toward the base plate while not in use.

Optionally, the nozzle is positioned on one side of the air blower outlet and is off center with the center line.

Optionally, the air blower outlet extends below an upper surface of the toilet bowl when the base plate is mounted on the toilet bowl.

Optionally, the air blower outlet extends below a height of the distal nozzle end at the operating position.

Optionally, the distal nozzle end is configured to extend in a direction toward the center line.

Optionally, the distal nozzle end is configured to extend beyond the center line to the operating position.

Optionally, the bidet further includes a water heater mounted on the base plate, wherein the water heater is mounted a side of the air blower outlet opposite the one side including the nozzle.

Optionally, the nozzle is mounted above the air blower outlet and is also centrally with the center line.

Optionally, the air blower is configured for blowing jets of warm air.

Optionally, the nozzle and/or the air blower is mounted on an upper facing surface of the base plate.

Optionally, the nozzle and/or the air blower is mounted on bottom facing surface of the base plate.

Optionally, the air blower includes a shutter configured for covering an air passage opening through the air blower and wherein the shutter is mounted within the air blower distal from the air blower outlet. Optionally, the air blower outlet is configured to direct air into the toilet bowl with a downward tilt.

Optionally, the distal nozzle end is configured to extend into the toilet bowl with a downward tilt.

Optionally, the bidet is configured to be removably connected to the toilet bowl.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings (including images). With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A and IB are respectively a simplified drawing of a nozzle and air blower arrangement in a known bidet for a toilet and a schematic depiction of a drying process using the known nozzle and air blower arrangement;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are respectively simplified drawings showing two example air blowers that are centrally positioned in a bidet for a toilet and a schematic depiction of a drying process with the bidet, both in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIGS. 3 A and 3B are two perspective views of an example base plate of the bidet installed on a toilet, the base plate shown with its mechanical components, both in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are two example arrangements for an air blower and nozzle on a base plate of a bidet, both in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example nozzle and an example air blower of FIG. 4B in accordance with some example embodiments; FIGS. 5 A and 5B are simplified drawings of two example shutters for an air blower in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a simplified perspective view of a bidet installed on a toilet, shown with the nozzle extended to an operating position in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 7A and 7B are respectively before and after photographs depicting a drying process of a known bidet for a toilet; and

FIGS. 7C and 7D are respectively before and after photographs depicting a drying process of an example bidet for a toilet in accordance with some example embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a bidet for a toilet and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a bidet for a toilet that includes an air blower for drying.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

According to some example embodiments, the bidet for a toilet includes an air blower for drying with an air blower outlet that is configured to be aligned with a center line of an opening of the seat of the bidet. According to some example embodiments, the air expelled from the air blower is directed along the center line. As used herein, the air blower (or an air blower outlet) aligned with the center line also includes an air blower (or an air blower outlet) that is slightly offset from the center line e.g., 0-20 mm offset from the center line and/or that directs air that is slightly offset from the center line e.g., 0-20 mm offset from the center line. The center line as defined herein is a line that is centered along a width of the opening of the seat of the bidet, the center line extending in a direction between a rear side and a front side of the toilet bowl and/or seat of the bidet and generally parallel to an upper surface of the toilet bowl rim. Typically, the center line is also centered with a drain hole in the toilet bowl.

According to some example embodiments, the air blower as described herein is positioned in a location that is typically occupied by the nozzle in known bidets. The present inventors have found that the drying effect of the air blower is significantly and even dramatically improved based on its positioning as described herein. Furthermore, the present inventors have found that the drying as described herein provides more uniformly distributed air flow across the anus and genitals of the person using the toilet so that substantially all areas are heated or dried at a same rate and time. Based on the achieved uniform distribution and shortened duration required for drying, stronger and/or warmer jets of air may be used for drying that may further shorten the time required for drying. In some example embodiments, drying of the anus and genitals may be completed in less than one minute, e.g. in 20 seconds to 2 minutes or in 30 seconds as compared to approximately 5 minutes as needed in known bidets. This is a significant improvement that may encourage use of the drying step and may also avoid the tendency of people to supplement drying with toilet paper.

In some example embodiments, the nozzle of the bidet is mounted in the bidet on one side of the air blower. Optionally and preferably, the nozzle in this configuration is angled to extend toward the center line. In some example embodiments, the nozzle is configured to be retracted in the bidet while not in use and to extend toward the center line to its operational position for actuating the washing. In some example embodiments, the nozzle is sized and positioned to extend to the center line and optionally and preferably to extend just past the center line so that the water outlets on the nozzle end are centered with center line.

In other example embodiments, the nozzle is positioned above the air blower so that both the nozzle and the air blower outlet are aligned with the center line of the opening of the seat of the bidet. Optionally and preferably, one or more of the nozzle and the air blower are positioned with a downward tilt toward a volume of the toilet bowl.

According to some example embodiments, each of the nozzle and the air blower is mounted on a base plate of the bidet and the base plate is mounted on a rim of a toilet bowl on the rear side. Optionally, a portion of the base plate extends past the rim and over an open volume of the toilet bowl. Optionally, each of the nozzle and the air blower may be mounted on either an upper surface of the base plate or a lower surface of the base plate (facing the volume of the toilet bowel). In some example embodiments, the air blower is mounted on the base plate so that its outlet extends below an upper surface of the toilet bowl.

Optionally and preferably, the base plate includes a water inlet port through which water is received. Optionally, a water heater is mounted on the base plate for heating the water provided to the nozzle prior to use. In some example embodiments, the water heater is mounted on the base plate on one side of the air blower and the nozzle is positioned on an opposite side of the air blower. Optionally, the water inlet is on a same side as the water heater. Water received through the water inlet may be provided to the water heater for heating and the water may them be directed to the nozzle for washing. Optionally, a water pipe extends above, under or behind the air blower to provide flow communication between the water heater and the nozzle. In some example embodiments, the base plate additionally supports a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to actuate and/or control operation of the bidet. Optionally, the base plate additionally supports a deodorizer. Optionally, one or more of the PCB and the deodorizer is mounted on the base plate on a side opposite a side occupied by the water heater, e.g. on the side of the nozzle when the nozzle is positioned on one side of the air blower. Optionally, the base plate is covered with a bidet cover. Optionally and preferably, a bidet seat is connected with a hinge connection to the base plate or the bidet cover. In some example embodiments, a control panel extending from the base plate includes selection buttons with which a person using the bidet may control its operation.

For purposes of better understanding some embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-6 and the examples shown in FIG. 7A-7D, reference is first made to the construction and operation of known bidets for toilets as illustrated schematically in the example shown in FIGS. 1A and IB. FIGS. 1A and IB respectively show a simplified drawing of a nozzle and air blower arrangement commonly used in known bidets for a toilet and a schematic depiction of a drying process using the known arrangement. In known bidets for toilets 50, such as a bidet 900, the water nozzle 910 for washing is positioned centrally so that is aligned with a center line 10. Center line 10 as defined herein is centered with an opening 11 defined by bidet seat 55 and extends between a rear side of bidet seat 55 and a front of bidet seat 55. To actuate the washing, a person sitting on a bidet seat 55 may activate water nozzle 910 with control panel 930. When activated, a distal nozzle end 915 of nozzle 910 extends outwards along center line 10 and projects water upwards to wash the anus and/or genitals of the person sitting on toilet 50. Optionally, distal nozzle end 915 extends above a drain hole 52 of toilet 50. Nozzle 910 with distal nozzle end 915 may provide a substantially uniformly spray over a central area of the person’s anatomy (anus and genitals) for washing the area. Typically, the central area of the person’s anatomy is aligned with center line 10, e.g. with one buttock 504 being to the right of center line 10 and another buttock 502 being to the left of center line 10. After washing, a person may active an air blower 920. Air blower 920 in bidet 900 is typically offset from center line 10, e.g. at a distance from center line 10 and directs warm air into the toilet bowl from one side. Typically, air blower 920 blows warm air in the toilet bowl to dry the anus and genitals. The present inventors have found that due to the geometry of the buttocks 502 and 504, flow of air 25 to the anus and genitals (in intergluteal cleft 510) is at least partially obstructed. The rounded geometry of buttocks 502 and 504 tends to block the flow of air 25 to intergluteal cleft 510 so that the water droplets 15 from the washing with nozzle 910 may not be efficiently or effectively dried with the air flow 25.

Due to the obstruction, buttock 502 on the same side as air blower 920 receives most of air flow 25 of warm air while buttock 504 is not exposed or significantly less exposed to air flow 25. This un-uniform distribution of air flow 25 may lead to over warming and/or over drying buttock 502 before the anus and genitals are sufficiently dried. This may lead to dry skin and irritation. Furthermore, a portion of the anus or genitals may be left wet due to the obstruction. The flow rate and temperature that can be used for flow 25 may be limited due to the potential irritation that may occur in parts, e.g. buttock 502 that are more exposed to air flow 25. The present inventors have found that these deficiencies may contribute to the long drying duration reaching about 5 minutes and may also be the reason people continue to use toilet paper even though a drying features is available.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are respectively simplified drawings showing two example air blowers that are centrally positioned in a bidet for a toilet and a schematic depiction of a drying process with the bidet, both in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments, there is provided a bidet 100 including an alternate arrangement for positioning air blower 190. According to some example embodiments, air blower outlet 195 is aligned with center line 10 and air flow 25 is expelled from air blower outlet 195 in a direction along center line 10. Since center line 10 is typically substantially aligned with intergluteal cleft 510 of a person sitting on toilet 50, air flow 25 may directly reach the anus and genitals without obstruction from one of buttocks 502 and 504. Once air flow 25 is expelled from air blower outlet 195 it may be uniformly distributed around intergluteal cleft 510 to efficiently and quickly dry water droplets 15 sprayed onto the anus and genitals with a nozzle of bidet 100.

In some example embodiments, air blower 190 may extend laterally for example as shown in FIG. 2B. Optionally, a fan 192 may direct heat through air blower 190 and a heater 191 may heat the air directed into air blower 190. In other example embodiments, air blower 190 extends to an opposite side of bidet 100 (to the left side) or to both sides (right and left).

FIGS. 3 A and FIG. 3B are two perspective views of an example base plate of the bidet installed on a toilet, the base plate shown with its mechanical components, both in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments, base plate 110 of bidet 100 is mounted on a rim of toilet bowl 20 on the rear side of toilet bowel 20. Optionally and preferably, base plate 110 extends past the rim of toilet bowl 20 and over the open volume of toilet bowl 20. Base plate 110 may include a surface that sits flat on toilet bowl 20 and may also include vertically extending surfaces on the back and sides of base plate 110. In some example embodiments, base plate 110 supports and/or houses components of bidet 100, e.g. mechanical components. According to some example embodiments, an air blower 190 and a nozzle 180 of bidet 100 are both mounted on base plate 110. According to some example embodiments, air blower 190 is mounted on base plate 110 so that air blower outlet 195 is substantially aligned with center line 10 of bidet 100, e.g. centered along a width of opening 11 of bidet seat 55 (FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B). In some example embodiments, air blower 190 is configured to direct air jets through air blower outlet 195. In some example embodiments, air blower outlet 195 is mounted to extend below base plate 110, e.g. mounted in a cutout formed in base plate 110. Optionally, air blower outlet 195 is configured to extend to a height below nozzle 180 and/or distal nozzle end 185. Optionally and preferably, the air jetted from air blower outlet 195 is air that has been warmed. Optionally, air blower 190 is configured to suction air from the room, warm the air and jet the air out from air blower outlet 195.

In some example embodiments, nozzle 180 is positioned on one side of air blowerl90. Optionally and preferably, nozzle 180 is positioned at an angle that provides for extending distal nozzle end 185 in a direction toward center line 10. Optionally, nozzle 180 is also tilted downwards so that distal nozzle end 185 extends lower into toilet bowl 20. Optionally and preferably, distal nozzle end 185 is extended outwardly toward center line 10 to perform washing and then is retracted into bidet 100 after washing. Optionally and preferably, distal nozzle end 185 is retracted into bidet 100 during operation of air blower 190. Extension and retraction of distal nozzle end 185 may for example be based on telescopic movement of distal nozzle end 185 into and out of nozzle 180.

In some example embodiments, a water heater 187 is also mounted on base plate 110. Optionally and preferably, a water inlet port 182 on a same side of base plate 110 including water heater 187 provides receiving water into bidet 100 and the water received is provided to water heater 187. In some example embodiments, water heater 187 is mounted on base plate 110 on one side of air blower 190 and nozzle 180 is mounted on an opposite side of air blower 190. Optionally, a preferably a water pipe from water heater 187 extends over air blower 190 and connected to nozzle 180.

Both nozzle 180 and air blower 190 are shown to be mounted on an upper facing surface of base plate 110. In some example embodiments, one or more of nozzle 180 and air blower 190 may be mounted on a bottom facing surface of base plate 110 facing the volume of toilet bowel 20.

In some example embodiments, base plate 110 may additionally support a PCB 111 and/or a deodorizer 112. Optionally, PCB 111 and deodorizer 112 may be mounted on same side as nozzle 180. Deodorizer 112 may be selectively controlled to dispense a scent during or after the person uses the toilet.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are two example arrangements for an air blower and nozzle on a base plate of a bidet, both in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments nozzle 180 may be mounted on one side of air blower 190 as shown for example in FIG. 4A or may be mounted over air blower 190 and/or over air blower outlet 195 as shown in FIG. 4B. In other example embodiments, air blower 190 and/or over air blower outlet 195 is mounted over (above) nozzle 180. In some example embodiments, when nozzle 180 is mounted on one side of air blower 190 it is angled and positioned to extend with distal nozzle end 185 toward center line 10. Optionally and preferably, an edge of distal nozzle end 185 is configured to extend past center line 10, e.g. just past center line 10 so that the water outlets on distal nozzle end 185 are centered with respect to center line 10. In some example embodiments, when nozzle 180 is mounted on base plate 110 over air blower 190, distal nozzle end 185 is configured to extend along center line 10. A person may optionally control operation of nozzle 180 and air blower 190 with control panel 130. According to some example embodiments, bidet 100 includes a cover 115 to cover the components mounted on base plate 110. Optionally and preferably, a bidet seat 55 may be connected with a hinged connection to cover 115 or base plate 110.

FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example nozzle and an example air blower of FIG. 4B in accordance with some example embodiments. In some example embodiments, air blower 190 and nozzle 180 are mounted on base plate 110 with a downward tilt that provides extending air blower outlet 195 and distal nozzle end 185 below a rim 21 of toilet bowl 20 and into a volume of the toilet bowl.

FIGS. 5 A and 5B are simplified drawings of two example shutters for an air blower in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments, air blower 190 may include a shutter 197 configured to covering an air channel of air blower 190 while not in use so that dirt and water is prevented from penetrating into air blower 190. Shutter 197 may be mounted on an outer edge of air blower outlet 195 as shown in FIG. 5A and/or may be mounted internally as shown in FIG. 5B. Optionally, shutter 197 is a passive shutter that is supported with a hinge connection. Flow 25 may be configured to rotate shutter 197 to an open position. While air blowerl90 is not operated, shutter 197 will close based on gravitational pull.

FIG. 6 is a simplified perspective view of a bidet installed on a toilet, shown with the nozzle extended to an operating position in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments, a toilet 50 may be retrofitted with a bidet 100. Optionally, bidet seat 55 is connected to bidet 100 with a hinged connection. Bidet seat 55 may be connected to bidet cover 115 or to bidet base plate 110. According to some example embodiments, air blower outlet 195 is exposed through bidet 100 and is centrally positioned, e.g. centrally aligned with center line 10. According to some example embodiments, distal nozzle end 185 is configured to extend out from bidet 100 toward center line 10 to provide cleaning the anus and genitals uniformly.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below find experimental support in the following example.

EXAMPLES

Reference is now made to the following examples, which together with the above descriptions illustrate some embodiments of the invention in a non limiting fashion.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 A and 7B respectively showing before and after photographs depicting a drying process of a known bidet for a toilet. FIGS. 7A and 7B show a layer of material with a wet spot 750 shown as a dark blotch. The layer of material was positioned on a buttocks shaped structure positioned on a toilet including bidet 900 as described in reference to FIGS. 1A and IB. After 30 seconds of drying with air blower 920, blotch 750 can be seen as only partially dried.

FIGS. 7C and 7D are respectively before and after photographs depicting a drying process of an example bidet for a toilet in accordance with some example embodiments. FIGS. 7C and 7D also show a layer of material with a wet spot 750 shown as a dark blotch. The layer of material was positioned on a buttocks shaped structure positioned on a toilet including bidet 100 as described in reference to FIGS. 3 A and 3B. After 30 seconds of drying with air blower 190 of bidet 100, blotch 750 disappeared, e.g. is completely dried.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

It is the intent of the applicant that all publications, patents and patent applications referred to in this specification are to be incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually noted when referenced that it is to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting. In addition, any priority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety.