BACKGROUND ART Aside from changing diapers, the most odious task in child rearing is that of emptying, cleaning and sterilizing the potty.

The smell of the disinfectant cleaner makes this an unenviable assignment.

A similar scenario occurs when it is necessary to care for a disabled adult (perhaps a family member) who requires the use of a bedpan. Handling excrement from adults greatly increases the chances of transmitting infectious bacteria, especially in home environments and other situations where bedpan sterilization equipment may not be available or adequate. Providing a disposable, effective, easy-to-seal liner for potty or bedpan use, which liner is disposable-glove friendly, would certainly be a welcome addition to the art.

The prior art is replete with liners adapted for use with potties. For example, U. S. Patents numbers Des. 354,342 (Marshall- Smith) and Des. 402,739 (McClements) show designs for disposable potty liners. The patents do not discuss attachment structure for the liners.

U. S. Patent number 4,759, 086 (Booth-Cox) shows structure wherein a receptacle is removably attached to the rim of a potty seat. The entire receptacle is removed for disposal.

U. S. Patent 6, 115, 855 (Lorenzo) discloses a liner for a child's potty, wherein the liner is provided with a hole for insertion of a potty handle therethrough. The liner is relatively complicated to secure on the potty and could not be effectively used in a conventional bedpan.

U. S. Patent numbers 3,936, 890 (Oberstein), 4, 011, 606 (Scrafield et al. ) and 4,343, 053 (O'Connor) show disposable bedpan liners. The attachment means of the instant liners would not be readily adaptable for potty seat use.

U. S. Patent number 4,882, 794 (Stewart, III) shows a liner adapted for use for a bedpan or a potty seat. The liner has no means for sealing after use.

U. S. Patent number 3,495, 278 (Peters) shows a bag toilet wherein the toilet seat is rotated to seal the bag after use.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a liner for use with a potty or a bedpan as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention is a liner for use with a toilet receptacle.

The liner includes a flexible, water-impermeable sheet. The sheet has a central portion and a perimeter. A bag-like member is formed by the central portion. The liner has a plurality of tab members.

Each of the plurality of tab members has an upper side, an underside and a peripheral edge. The tab members are formed at the perimeter of the sheet. Adhesive is disposed on the underside of each of the plurality of tab members. The liner has means for closing and sealing the central portion after use. In one embodiment, the liner includes means for packaging the liner before use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a disposable potty liner according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a potty liner in a before-use condition according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a disposable potty liner according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a potty liner in a sealed condition according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a potty liner which shows peel and stick adhesive applied to adjacent surfaces of the tabs according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a potty liner which shows the reusable protective paper utilized to close and seal the liner according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a potty liner which shows the liner wrapped with individual liner packing according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an environmental perspective view of a bed pan liner according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a bed pan liner shown in a before-use condition according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention is drawn to a liner which may readily be utilized in a child's potty or a bedpan. The liner comprises a flexible sheet fabricated from biodegradable material. The sheet is liquid impermeable and capable of retaining human excrement.

The central portion of the flexible sheet is adapted to assume a bag configuration so as to conform with the inner receptacle surfaces of a standard potty chair or bedpan. Unique attachment tabs are disposed on the periphery of the sheet so that the liner may be adhesively secured and easily removed to the surfaces of the potty seat or bedpan in an efficient manner. The design and arrangement of the attachment tabs are such that the tabs may be utilized to adhesively seal the liner after use so that the sealed (bag may be disposed of in a proper manner (trash, bio-hazard bin, incinerator, etc.).

As contemplated, the liner will be fabricated in two sizes (potty and bedpan). The liner may also be scented for deodorizing purposes if desired.

Attention is first directed to Figs. 1-3 of the drawings wherein the potty liner of the instant invention is generally indicated at 10. Liner 10 is fabricated from a thin, flexible, liquid impermeable, biodegradable material (paper or plastic). The material should be strong enough to hold human excrement without rupturing. Liner 10 includes a central portion 12 of bag-like configuration. Portion 12 is adapted to conform to the inner surfaces of the receptacle of a potty chair P (shown in phantom lines). Plural tab members 14 are positioned on the upper surface of potty chair P and are removably attached thereto. Adhesive is applied to the under surfaces of tab members 14 to achieve the attachment. Any suitable, commercially available, disposable-glove friendly adhesive may be applied to the liner. Conventional release liners- (not shown) can be utilized to prevent adhesive exposure until use. Non-adhesive tabs 14b (shown only in Fig. 1) are provided to enhance manipulation when wearing disposable gloves.

As contemplated, liner 10 may be individually wrapped and packaged for sale. As shown in Fig. 2, an individual liner is packaged in a wrapping 16, which wrapping is closed by an adhesive tab 16a, which tab is provided with a non-adhesive, fold-over end to enhance manipulation. A protective cover 18 having a pull tab 18a is positioned to overlie the liner.

A decided advantage of the present invention is the utilization of the tab members 14, protective cover 18 and wrapping 16 to seal the liner for disposal. In a first embodiment (Fig. 4) after removal from the potty chair P, tabs 14 are simply folded over to close the liner bag 12. The adhesive on the underside of tabs 14 effectively seals the tabs in the closed position.

Fig. 5 is illustrative of a second embodiment wherein in addition to the underside, adhesive is applied to the topside of two adjacently positioned tabs 14. Release liners 14a are provided to prevent adhesive exposure until use. Having adhesive on both sides will allow a user to secure the tabs together to close and seal the wastes in the liner. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 6, protective cover 18 can be reused and attached to the tabs to further seal the wastes in the liner.

In Fig. 7 the liner is secured in wrapping 16. Adhesive tab 16a is reused to fasten the ends of wrapping 16.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate an embodiment wherein a disposable liner generally indicated at 20 is adapted to a conventional bed pan 22 (shown in phantom lines). As with the potty liner above, liner 20 is fabricated from a thin, flexible, liquid impermeable, biodegradable material (paper or plastic). The material should be strong enough to hold human excrement without rupturing. Liner 20 includes a central portion 24 of bag-like configuration. Portion 24 is adapted to conform to the inner surfaces of the bed pan 22.

Four tabs 26, having adhesive under surfaces, are positioned around the liner and are adapted to be disposed on and adhere to the upper surfaces of bed pan 22. Like potty liner 10, liner 20 also has two adjacent tabs provided with adhesive on their upper surfaces.

The edges of tabs 26 are provided with non-adhesive easy-grip pull tabs 26a so that the liner may be easily removed from the bed pan when using disposable gloves. Fig. 9 is illustrative of liner 20 in a before use condition. Bed pan liner 20 will be packaged and sealed after use in a manner similar to that of potty liner 10.

The preferred embodiments of the invention provide a disposable liner for a bed pan or child's potty. The liner can be easily attached to the potty or bedpan. The liner can be easily and efficiently sealed after use and is disposable-glove user friendly. The liner may be fabricated from biodegradable material.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.