Technical field

The present invention relates to a notification device for a toilet space, and in particular to a notification device adapted to provide a notification signal during a specified time period. Background

To minimise the unpleasantness that can arise in a toilet space in conjunction to exposure of air contamination caused by an earlier concluded visit to the toilet, different types of means and methods are employed today.

The commercially most common method for the purpose of minimising an unpleasant odour experience is to provide fragranced agents. Such fragranced agents are usually encountered in the form of air-freshener sprays, scented soaps and incense.

The disadvantage of such fragranced agents is that they often are experienced as unsatisfactory in their purpose of minimising an unpleasant odour experience in a toilet space. Furthermore it is considered that they in themselves can be disagreeable on exposure to large concentrations or quantities, and also be unhealthy for the person exposed. Fragranced agents are consumed and periodically need to be replaced, which as such leads to a continuous cost and difficulties for the user. In certain cases the fragranced agents may contain environmentally harmful substances.

Another method of minimising unpleasant odours is to force ventilation in the toilet space. Usually forced ventilation is obtained with the aid of an electrically driven exhaust air fan. An effective ventilation system with capacity to maintain satisfactory comfort demands can be used, but becomes very costly to install for the purpose of minimising unpleasant odours. More common is that the toilet visitor themselves force ventilation of said toilet space by opening a connecting window or door after a concluded visit to the toilet. Yet another method of preventing a possible exposure to a potentially unpleasant experience is based on a non-commercial method comprising an oral notification. This presumes that in- person interaction is established between whoever is notifying and whoever is being notified. Such an interaction is not always possible, and can often be experienced as awkward for those involved. A common disadvantage of the above mentioned methods is that they are commonly experienced as unsatisfactory in their purpose of minimising an unpleasant odour experience in a toilet space.

Notification devices intended for toilet spaces include the common door lock with occupancy indicator, indicating that the space is occupied when the door is locked, using red/green indicators, symbols or text messages. Other types of more advanced notification systems for toilet spaces are known, e.g. systems to detect the presence of a person in a toilet stall, systems to detect prolonged occupancy of a toilet area, or systems to inform a toilet user of an emergency situation. One example of a notification device is shown in Korean patent application 2003-0020340, wherein is described a system to inform people outside an occupied toilet how long they need to wait. A timer is initiated by a user inside the toilet stall, who enters an estimated time before conclusion of the visit. The remaining time, based on the user's entry, is displayed on a screen outside the toilet stall.

Nevertheless, there still remains a need for a notification device where a potential toilet user is notified of a possible unpleasant odour experience before he or she enters the toilet space.

Summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a satisfactory solution to preventing the exposure of a user to potentially unpleasant odours when entering a toilet space.

A further object is to provide a notification device that has the capacity to notify a toilet visitor before a possible exposure to a potentially unpleasant odour experience occurs.

Further objects include providing such a device which is economical to manufacture and install, environmentally friendly, non-hazardous, dependable, durable, practically applicable, aesthetically pleasing, and does not presume that an in-person interaction needs to occur.

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by the present invention according to the independent claim.

Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

The above mentioned objects are achieved by providing a notification device with a notification member, an activation member for activation of said notification member, and a connecting means for transferring an activation signal from the activation member to the notification member. The notification member is mounted on the exterior of a door to a toilet space and provides a signal during a specified time period from activation of the notification device. Activation occurs when a user exits the toilet space.

One advantage of using the notification device of the present invention is that a potential user is notified of a recent previous visit to the toilet space, and is thus notified of a potential unpleasant odour experience before entering the toilet space. The potential user can thus choose to wait or use another toilet.

The notification device can be manually activated, by e.g. pressing a button or turning a dial, or automatically activated, using an occupancy sensor, and/or an odour sensor.

The notification member can comprise a visual indicator, e.g. an hourglass or light signal. The connecting means between the activation member and the notification member can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a magnetic coupling and/or wireless communication.

The time period for notification can be a pre-set time, or a calculated time based on different parameters. Description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a notification device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a cut-through view of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a cut-through view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a cut-through view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure Θ shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 7.

Detailed description of the invention Figure 1 illustrates a schematic overview of the notification device according to the present invention. The notification device 1 is mounted on a door 3 to a toilet space. As used herein, the expression toilet space is equivalent to toilet stall, bathroom, or any other delimited space comprising a toilet. The notification device illustrated in the figures is for simplicity described

SUBSTITUTE ^HEET (RULE 26 as being mounted on the toilet door itself. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention that parts of the notification device, e.g. the notification member, be mounted in other locations in the vicinity of the toilet door, such as the door frame, or a nearby wall or ceiling. The notification device 1 is provided with a notification member 2, an activation member 4 for activation of said notification member 2, and a connecting means 5 for transferring an activation signal from the activation member 4 to the notification member 2. The notification member 2 is adapted to provide a notification signal, perceivable outside the toilet space, during a specified time period from activation of the notification device 1. Generally, the notification member 1 is activated using the activation member 4 on the inside 6 of the door 3, whereby an activation signal is transmitted from the activation member 4, via the connection means 5, to the notification member 2, located on the outside 7 of the door 3. The activation member 4, the connection means 5 and the notification member 2 can comprise different elements, as will be described below. The general idea of the invention is that activation occurs when a user has concluded his/her visit to the toilet and exits the toilet space. The notification signal is perceivable outside the toilet space. Hereby, a potential subsequent visitor will be notified of a recent visit to the toilet area, and thereby the risk of unpleasant odours, even without having being present or otherwise knowing when the previous visitor exited the toilet area. Furthermore, this notification occurs before the subsequent visitor enters the toilet space and is exposed to possible unpleasant odours. The potential subsequent visitor can then choose to wait or use another toilet space, in order to avoid unpleasant odours.

The notification signal has a limited notification time period from when it starts to notify to when it stops notifying. This specified period of time is adapted to ensure that unpleasant odours within the toilet space are minimized after the passage of said time period.

In one embodiment, shown in Figures 2 and 3, the notification device 10 comprises a mechanical connection, such as a rod or shaft 15 mounted through the door (not shown). The activation member 14 comprises a knob 18 mounted on the inside of the door 3, coupled to the shaft 15. The notification member comprises an hourglass 19 also coupled to the shaft 15. The hourglass 19 can be enclosed within a support or housing 50 and optionally a cover 51. Furthermore, the hourglass comprises a liquid or fine-grained particulate indicator substance, adapted to flow from one end of the hourglass to the other, as is well known in the art. When the knob 18 is rotated, the hourglass 19 is also rotated, to start the flow of indicator substance from the top to bottom end of the hourglass. The amount and characteristics of the indicator substance, as well as the shape and size of the hour glass is chosen such that the specified time period is achieved by completed flow of the indicator substance. If a cover 51 is provided, the top half of the cover 51 is preferably semi- or fully transparent, such that the indicator substance is seen through the cover. The indicator substance is preferably of a bright colour, to further enhance the visual experience of the indication signal.

In use, a toilet user exiting the toilet space activates the notification device 1 by turning the knob 18. Hereby a potential subsequent visitor will be informed on arrival whether a previous user has recently exited the toilet space, if the hourglass indicator substance is still flowing, or whether a suitable amount of time has passed, if the hourglass substance has finished flowing. Thereby the subsequent user can be informed whether there is a risk of unpleasant odours on entering the toilet space.

The notification device according to the invention provides a device which is economical to manufacture and install, is simple to use, dependable, durable, non-hazardous, environmentally-friendly and does not necessitate an in-person interaction for notification.

In another embodiment, seen in Figures 4 and 5, a notification device comprises an electrical connection 25, a power source such as a battery or mains connection (not shown), and a suitable activation element, such as a button 28. The activation element can also be any suitable component for activating an electrical connection, such as a dial, a knob, a switch or a touch pad. In this embodiment the notification member comprises a light 29, which conveys a visual indicator signal. The advantage of using a light for a notification signal is that the signal can be perceived more easily, especially in low-lighting conditions.

This embodiment can be enclosed in a suitable housing 22, which is preferably at least partly transparent, such that the light 29 is clearly visible from the outside. To enhance the visual perception of the light, a brightly coloured light bulb 29, and/or a brightly coloured transparent cover 22 can be used. Furthermore, the light can be a blinking or flashing light, further enhancing the perception of the notification signal.

In yet another embodiment, shown in Figure 6, a similar electrical connection 35 and an activation member 34 can be used. In this embodiment the notification member comprises a display screen 39. The display can be of any suitable type known in the art, such as an LCD screen, a LED display, or a plasma screen. The display 39 can show an actively changing message, such as a continuous count-down of the remaining time from activation, an animated hourglass symbol or a gradually changing colour. The display can also show static information during the specified time period, such as a suitable symbol or colour, or other text message. Using a display for notification provides the advantage of being able to adapt the notification device, by changing what is displayed on the screen, to different types of environments, e.g. different types of rooms, or different languages.

In another embodiment, the notification device comprises a mechanical timer unit, arranged such that a gradual change in appearance in the notification signal is coupled to the function of the mechanical timer unit. The mechanical timer unit can be located within the activation member, in the form of e.g. a spring mounted arrangement, similar to an egg timer. One such embodiment is shown in Figures 7 and 8. When a user turns a dial or knob 48, the spring- mounted timer will initiate and run for a time period, wherein the length of this time period depends on how far the knob or dial has been turned. The timer can be directly mechanically connected, through e.g. a shaft with cogs 45, to the notification member 42. As an alternative, the activation member comprises a suitable activation element, such as a button, knob or dial, which via a mechanical or electrical connection sends an activation signal to the notification member, and the notification member comprises a mechanical timer which is activated such that a gradual change in appearance is displayed.

In the embodiments comprising a mechanical timer, the notification member can comprise a visual indicator for showing a gradual change in appearance. One such example is a colour indicator, such as a coloured half-disc 49 as shown in Figures 7 and 8, which is rotatably mounted on the cogged shaft 45, e.g. within a housing 51 or behind an opening, such that it is gradually hidden from view as the mechanical timer counts down. Another example is a pointer or indicator needle mounted such that it can move across an indicator scale. A further example of a visual indicator to be used with a mechanical timer is an optically changing indicator region, e.g. a semi-transparent plastic or glass component covering a coloured surface, such that when the semi-transparent is gradually moved in some direction, the visual perception of the colour will change, e.g. by a prism effect.

In all the above embodiments, different types of visual signals are described. In other embodiments, the notification member provides an audible signal. As non-limiting examples, a horn or loudspeaker can be provided, and the sound produced can be adapted to different needs and environments, such as a signal to notify a hearing impaired potential user, or a signal perceivable in low-lighting areas. In other embodiments, the connection means can be any connection means known in the art. For instance, a magnetic coupling or a wireless communication signal, such as an RF or infrared signal, can be provided. These connection means can have the advantage of less damage to the door itself on installing the device. In the above described embodiments, the notification device is activated manually by a user. However, the notification device can alternatively be automatically or semi-automatically activated, as will be described below. Such a device has the advantage of not having to rely on that a previous user manually activates the device, and can thereby be more dependable. Obviously, a notification device can also be provided with both manual and automatic activation, further increasing the dependability of the device.

In a further embodiment, the notification device can be provided with an occupancy sensor to detect the presence of a person within the toilet area. The occupancy sensor can comprise a movement sensor for detection of movement within the toilet area, or comprise a heat sensor for detecting heat changes due to the presence of a person within the toilet space. Furthermore, the occupancy sensor can be coupled to opening and closing of the door. In the latter case, any type of means to detect the opening and/or closing of the door can be used, e.g. an electrical sensor sensing the breakage of an electrical circuit, a movement sensor sensing the movement of the door or an acoustic sensor sensing the sound of the door being opened or closed. The activation of the notification device can thus be coupled to detection of when a user leaves the toilet area, such that the activation is automatic upon the user leaving the area. If using a movement sensor or other occupancy sensor for detection of a person within the toilet space, a change from detection of a person to not detecting a person will activate the notification device. If using a sensor detecting opening and closing of the door, such an action will activate the notification device.

In yet another embodiment, the notification device can be coupled to an odour sensor for sensing unpleasant odours within the toilet area. The odour sensor is adapted to sense specific molecules related to the unpleasant odours, and indicated the level of such odour molecules. When odour levels sensed by the odour sensor exceed a pre-set threshold value, the notification device is activated. As described above, the notification signal is thereafter shown for a specified time period.

In the abovementioned embodiments, the specified time period for notification is a pre-set time. This time period can be pre-set at manufacture and is preferably within the range of 2- 20 minutes. As an alternative, each device can be individually adapted, wherein the time period is calculated by using factors such as air volume within the toilet space, the exchange rate of air etc. The time period can thereby be set either at manufacture, or during installation of the notification device. However, as an alternative, the notification device comprising an odour sensor can be further adapted such that subsequent deactivation of the notification signal occurs when odour levels sensed by the odour sensor fall below the pre-set threshold value. In a further embodiment, deactivation can be coupled to sensing the presence of new toilet visitor, by using the abovementioned different types of occupancy sensors. In one embodiment, the notification device includes a control unit, adapted to calculate and set the length of the time period using parameters such as odour levels sensed by an odour sensor, ventilation volume, temperature, and/or the frequency of toilet space visitors. Such a control unit can be adapted to either set the time period once, e.g. on installation of the device, or continuously over time. In some embodiments, the notification device can be coupled to a door lock, such that the door is locked from the outside during the specified time period. Hereby, the risk of exposure to unpleasant odours is further decreased, as a subsequent visitor cannot enter the toilet space during the time period of the notification signal.

As is understood, any combination of the above mentioned sensors and methods of activation can be used within the scope of the invention. The notification device can be attached to the door by any commonly known attachment means, such as screws (as shown in the figures), nails, adhesive etc.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appending claims.