TISSUE AND TOILET SEAT-COVER SANITARY PAPER

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to two modes of sanitary paper devices in which each serves a dual function; as a tissue paper and as a toilet seat-cover. Among other features, the dual function of each of the sanitary papers according to the present invention eliminates the need to maintain two types of sanitary paper in bathrooms.

Tissue paper and toilet seat-cover paper are soft, lightweight papers that are used in restrooms for personal hygiene. While the tissue paper is used for wiping the anus after defecation, the seat-cover paper is used to protect human skin from contacting the toilet seat surface. As sanitary papers which come in contact with human skin, and thus have to be disposed after use, both the tissue paper and the seat-cover paper are made of a soft, fiushable, and water-soluble paper material. However, as a result of the differences in their specific tasks, they are usually differing in their paper/tissue type. Thus, for example, while tissue paper (which is intended mainly for cleaning of the anus) is usually composed of water-absorbing paper with a relatively rough surface, seat-cover paper (which is intended to protect human skin from contacting the toilet seat surface) is usually composed of a soft, smooth (glazed) paper, sometimes impregnated with chemicals (such as antibacterial compounds). Today, as a result of the differences in their tasks and their material composition, tissue paper and seat-cover paper are usually packaged in a completely different configuration, and supplied to the consumer as separate units. Thus, for example, while tissue paper is formed and supplied as a continuous strip packaged in a roll with a plurality of transverse perforations at regular intervals, seat-cover paper is usually supplied as separate sheets, packaged in a box-shaped dispenser.

Various types and configurations of tissue paper and seat-cover paper have been described in the prior art. Thus, for example, U.S. Patents 2,025,941, 4,050,105 and 4,766,617 disclose disposable and fiushable toilet seat-covers packaged as individual units, while U.S. Patent 4,998,297 discloses reusable toilet seat-covers, packaged as individual units. U.S. Patent 4,920,584 disclose a long sleeve of non-porous and non-biodegradable material that contains many non-disposable seat covers, while U.S. Patent 5,107,549 discloses a disposable and fiushable sleeve-shaped cover seat that is detachable from a continuous sheet packaged in a roll.

Another type of disposable seat cover that is packaged in a roll is disclosed in U.S.

Patent 4,627,117 and Japanese Patent 2000139774. In all cases of the prior art, the tissue paper and the seat-cover paper appear as separate units or in some type of package combination, such as those manufactured by Tubular Specialties Mfg. (TSM) located in California USA, and American Specialties Inc, (ASI) located in New- York USA.

Although it is of great importance to have seat-cover paper also in small public places such as restaurants, the present situation is far from that, even in private homes. This is counter to the fact that many people are reluctant to have contact with a toilet seat outside their own homes. A recent study shows that more than 90% of women would not sit directly on a toilet seat. Presently, it can be seen that, while use of tissue paper is widespread and it can be found in almost every home, seat-cover paper is found only in selected public places like hospitals, airports, and hotels.

Some of the reasons that hamper the wide commercial distribution of toilet seat- covers are: (1) the cost to manufacture such units, and (2) the relatively large and bulky dispensers, that are usually required for packaging and storage of the individually-folded, seat-cover sheets. Such bulky dispensers, in turn, necessitate the allocation of significant wall space to accommodate them. For these reasons, private citizens and owners of small public places (like restaurants) prefer not to buy the commercial, bulky, and expensive seat covers. Instead, they prefer to cut pieces of tissue paper (which they usually have a plentiful supply of), and prepare "hand-made" seat covers on the spot. Namely, they cut pieces of tissue paper, and arrange them around the rim of the toilet seat in such way that it will keep their skin from direct contact with the toilet seat.

Therefore, in order for such sanitary seat-cover paper to become attractive to private customers and small businesses also, it is of great importance to have a relatively inexpensive sanitary paper that can be used easily and conveniently as tissue paper, or alternatively, as a toilet seat-cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to disclose disposable sanitary papers that are intended to be used as a dual-function paper. The sanitary papers of the present invention are intended to serve as a source for sections of tissue paper, as well as a source for toilet seat-covers.

It is further the purpose of the present invention to disclose sanitary papers that, in a very simple and convenient way, can be switched from a conventional tissue paper for cleaning or wiping to a conventional toilet seat-cover.

It is further the purpose of the present invention to disclose sanitary papers that can be quickly and easily unfolded to form an unfolded seat-cover; ready for covering a toilet seat.

It is still further the purpose of the present invention to disclose dual-function sanitary papers with a configuration and size that are similar to commercially-manufactured tissue paper found in almost every bathroom. Thus, for example, according to one of Hie preferred embodiments, when a sanitary paper of the present invention is packaged in a roll configuration, it can be located in the same place and in the same tissue-paper roll holder where conventional tissue paper is located.

It is still further the purpose of the present invention to disclose compact dual- function sanitary papers as a source for sections of tissue paper, and as a source for toilet seat-covers, that can be packed in a "pop-up"-like dispenser.

It is still further the purpose of the present invention to disclose dual-function sanitary papers of very compact size that can be conveniently and discretely carried in one's purse, coat pocket, or automobile glove compartment.

It is still further the purpose of the present invention to disclose dual-function sanitary papers that are significantly more economical than the combination of commercial tissue paper and commercial toilet seat-covers.

When the folded sanitary paper is made of a thin rough material, similar to most manufactured tissue paper, the folded layers tend to adhere to each other which makes their grasp and separation extremely difficult. This difficulty is significantly reduced when one side of the paper is smooth and glazed, hi such a case, the smooth surface not only increases the strength of the paper, but also minimizes the adherence of the folded layers to each other. This facilitates the unfolding of a seat-cover by a user. Consequently, when the folded sanitary paper is made of a duplex paper, where the smooth surfaces have a lower tendency to adhere to each other, the unfolding of the seat-cover is simpler and easier. For the purpose of clarity, several terms which follow are specifically defined for use within the context of this application. The term "duplex paper" is used to refer to any paper that is composed of one or more plies, where one of its external surfaces is smooth or glazy, while the other surface is rough. The term "tissue paper" is used to refer to a general- purpose paper suitable to be used as toilet paper, but can also be used, for example, to wipe

one's face, blow one's nose, or clean an object. The terms "curved" and "non-linear" are used to refer to lines that can be (a) arcs (or combinations of arcs) of a radius, (V) combinations of straight lines, or (c) combinations of (a) and (b). The term "non-self- adherent" is used to refer to surfaces that do not tend to adhere strongly to surfaces of the same material. That is, surfaces which may initially be touching each other, but are separated from each other with minimal effort and no damage to the surface.

It should be noted that it is common practice to manufacture tissue paper with multiple plies. Therefore, when the sanitary paper material, from which the sanitary paper is made, is a multi-ply paper, then each of the layers in the folded strip can be a multi-ply layer.

With regard to packaging; according to some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the sanitary paper is a folded strip that is rolled longitudinally on a roll axis of a conventional bathroom tissue dispenser. The folded sanitary-paper strip has an overall width similar to the width of conventional rolled tissue paper (about 10 to 12 cm). Thus, no additional dispensing device is required.

A sanitary paper that is made and configured according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention has unique features that are advantageous to the prior art devices. These features include: (a) a dual-function sanitary paper that serves as a conventional tissue paper for cleaning or wiping and as a source for toilet seat-covers, (b) a compact paper suitable for use with indoor and outdoor toilets, (c) a replacement item for conventional tissue paper that requires no special dispensing device, (d) a rolled dual- function sanitary paper that can replace conventional tissue paper in the same location and in the same roll dispensing device where conventional tissue paper is located, (e) a seat- cover that is easily unfolded , and (f) a relatively economical alternative to conventional practice when compared to maintaining separate units of tissue paper and toilet seat-covers. Sanitary paper devices of the present invention can be provided in any one of two modes:

(1) Mode- A device is a sanitary-paper strip having a plurality of detachable sections of tissue paper. In the preferred embodiment, the mode-A sanitary strip includes a plurality of transverse perforation lines that define the plurality of detachable sections of tissue paper, wherein at least some of the plurality of transverse perforation lines are seat-cover perforation lines which define a beginning and an end of an individual seat-cover.

(2) Mode-B device is an individual folded sanitary-paper sheet having an individual toilet seat-cover integral to the sanitary-paper sheet. This is in contrast to the sanitary-paper strip of mode- A, which includes a plurality of toilet seat-covers that are connected to each other with appropriate perforation lines. Although the mode-B sanitary-paper sheet is appropriate for using also for cleaning or wiping, the sanitary-paper sheet may include one or more perforation lines that define detachable sections of toilet papers for cleaning or wiping. Preferably, mode-B sanitary-paper sheets are supplied to the consumer as a plurality of individual folded sheets, stack- folded in an appropriate dispenser.

Therefore, according to Hie present invention, there is provided for the first time a device for use as a tissue paper and as toilet seat-covers, the device including: (a) a sanitary-paper strip, made of a sanitary paper, for cleaning by a user and covering a toilet seat, the sanitary-paper strip having a plurality of detachable sections of tissue paper, where at least some of the detachable sections are folded toilet seat-covers, the sanitary-paper strip folded to produce at least three layers; and (b) a plurality of transverse perforation lines that define the plurality of detachable sections of tissue paper, at least some of the plurality of transverse perforation lines are toilet seat-cover perforation lines, the toilet seat- cover perforation lines define a beginning and an end of an individual toilet seat-cover. Preferably, at least some of the detachable sections of tissue paper serve at least two functions, appropriate for cleaning by the user, and appropriate for covering the toilet seat when fully-unfolded.

Preferably, the toilet seat-cover perforation lines include a distinctive size for identifying the beginning and the end of the individual toilet seat-cover. Preferably, the toilet seat-cover perforation lines include a distinctive shape for identifying the beginning and the end of the individual toilet seat-cover.

Preferably, the toilet seat-cover perforation lines include a distinctive color for identifying the beginning and the end of the individual toilet seat-cover.

Preferably, at least some of the toilet seat-cover perforation lines are straight. Preferably, at least some of the toilet seat-cover perforation lines are non-linear.

Preferably, at least some of the toilet seat-cover perforation lines are oriented in each layer of the sanitary paper to form at least one non-overlapping handle member upon detaching the individual toilet seat-cover, at least one non-overlapping handle member for facilitating unfolding of the individual toilet seat-cover by the user.

Preferably, the sanitary paper is wrapped in a substantially roll configuration.

Preferably, the sanitary paper is rolled such that the centrally-located bowl flap of the sanitary-paper strip is located on an unexposed surface of the substantially roll configuration. According to the present invention, there is provided for the first time a device for use as a tissue paper and as a toilet seat-cover, the device including: (a) a sanitary-paper sheet, made of a sanitary paper, folded to produce at least three layers, for cleaning by a user and for covering a toilet seat, the sanitary-paper sheet having an individual folded toilet seat-cover integral to the sanitary-paper sheet. Preferably, the sanitary-paper sheet includes at least one transverse perforation line that defines detachable sections of tissue paper for cleaning or wiping by a user.

Preferably, the detachable sections of tissue paper are appropriate for wiping the anus of the user.

Preferably, the individual toilet seat-cover, when fully-unfolded and applied appropriately on the toilet seat, has a configuration and size sufficient to cover a toilet seat, such that the individual toilet seat-cover prevents direct contact between the toilet seat and skin of the user.

Preferably, the individual toilet seat-cover has a precut centrally-located bowl flap.

Preferably, the individual toilet seat-cover has a centrally-located bowl cutout, the bowl cutout of the individual toilet seat-cover is smaller than the opening of the toilet seat.

Preferably, at least one of the layers has a width that forms a non-overlapping adjacent layer, the non-overlapping adjacent layer for facilitating unfolding of the individual toilet seat-cover by the user.

Preferably, the individual toilet seat-cover has at least one niche located at an exposed outer layer of the layers, at least one niche, exposing a part of an adjacent layer of the layers to the exposed outer layer, at least one niche having a location and size for facilitating unfolding of the individual toilet seat-cover by the user holding the exposed part of the adjacent layer.

Preferably, the sanitary paper is made of a soft, disposable, flushable, and highly- absorbent material.

Preferably, the sanitary paper has at least one non-self-adherent surface.

Preferably, the sanitary paper is made of a duplex paper, wherein the duplex paper has a smooth surface, and has a rough surface for use as a tissue paper.

Preferably, the sanitary paper is impregnated with a chemical on at least one surface.

Preferably, the sanitary paper is composed of a plurality of plies, at least one layer of the layers is composed of the plurality of plies. Preferably, the sanitary paper is stack-folded in a box.

Preferably, the sanitary paper is stack-folded in a pop-up dispenser.

Preferably, a plurality of the sanitary-paper sheets is stack-folded together in a container.

Preferably, a plurality of the sanitary-paper sheets is stack-folded in a dispenser in such way that once one of the sanitary sheet is withdrawn, the subsequent sheet is released and exposed out of the opening of the dispenser, ready for withdrawn.

Most preferably, the sanitary paper is folded to produce three layers, two laterally- folded longitudinal layers of the layers are lapped on top of each other, and are vertically- adjacent when the sanitary paper is fully-folded, the centrally-located bowl flap is located in an external layer of the layers.

Most preferably, at least a part of the centrally-located bowl flap of the individual toilet seat-cover of the sanitary paper is located in an inner layer of the layers when folded.

Most preferably, at least a part of the centrally-located bowl flap of the individual toilet seat-cover of the sanitary paper is not exposed to direct contact with the user. Most preferably, the sanitary paper is folded to produce four layers with a cross- sectional outline resembling an English letter "W" when the sanitary paper is partially- unfolded, the centrally-located bowl flap is located in two inner layers of the four layers.

Most preferably, the sanitary paper is folded to produce four layers with two laterally-folded longitudinal layers of the sanitary paper adjacent to each other and located on one side of the sanitary paper.

Most preferably, the sanitary paper is folded to produce three consecutively-stacked layers with a cross-sectional outline resembling an English letter "Z" when the sanitary paper is partially-unfolded.

Most preferably, the bowl cutout of the individual toilet seat-cover has at least one rim flap, at least one rim flap for facilitating proper positioning of the individual toilet seat- cover on the toilet seat.

Most preferably, the sanitary paper is folded to produce four layers with a cross- sectional outline resembling an English letter "W" when the sanitary paper is partially- unfolded, the centrally-located bowl flap is located in two inner layers of the four layers.

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Most preferably, the sanitary paper is folded to produce three consecutively-stacked layers with a cross-sectional outline resembling an English letter "Z" when the sanitary paper is partially-unfolded.

Most preferably, the sanitary paper is folded such that the rough surface of the sanitary paper is an exposed surface.

Most preferably, the chemical includes at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of: a detergent, a deodorant, an anti-bacterial agent, an anti- viral agent, or an anti-fungal agent.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described herein, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folded, mode-A sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention, wrapped substantially in a roll configuration;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a folded, sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention, taken along the A-A' line shown in

Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a partially-unfolded section of a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 1, showing the rough surface of three consecutive, detachable seat-cover sheets of the paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a partially-unfolded section of a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 1, showing the rough and the smooth surfaces of three consecutive, detachable seat-cover sheets of the paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of an individual seat-cover detached from a sanitary-paper strip shown in Figure 1;

Figures 6 A is a perspective view of an individual seat-cover, shown in Figure 5, showing a way that a user can hold the detached seat-cover during unfolding, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 6B is a perspective view of an individual seat-cover, shown in Figure 5, showing an alternate way that a user can hold the detached seat-cover during unfolding, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figures 7A is a perspective view of a detached seat-cover, shown in Figure 6A, partially-unfolded, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 7B is a perspective view of a detached seat-cover, shown in Figure 6B, partially-unfolded, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 8 is a plan view of a fully-unfolded seat-cover, shown in Figures 7A and 7B, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a fully-unfolded seat-cover, shown in Figure 8, after the precut bowl flap has been released, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a fully-unfolded seat-cover, shown in Figure 9, placed on a toilet seat, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 11 is a perspective view of an alternate mode- A sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention, with perforation lines only for the individual, detachable seat-covers;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a partially-unfolded section of a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 11, showing three consecutive, detachable seat-covers of a sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternate mode- A sanitary-paper strip detachable seat-cover prior to unfolding, according to some embodiments of the present invention, with a centrally-located bowl cutout in each detachable seat- cover; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a partially-unfolded seat-cover detached from a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 13, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a plan view of a fully-unfolded seat-cover from a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 13, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a fully-unfolded seat-cover, shown in Figure 15, placed on a toilet seat, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 17 is a perspective view of an alternate mode- A sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a partially-unfolded section of a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 17, showing three consecutive, detachable seat-covers of a sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 19 is a perspective view of a folded, mode- A alternate sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention, with the width of one of the two laterally-folded, longitudinal layers of the sanitary-paper strip narrower than the other;

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of a folded, sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention, taken along the C-C line shown in Figure 19;

Figure 21 is perspective view of an alternate mode- A sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention, folded so that the two laterally- folded, longitudinal layers of the sanitary-paper strip are adjacent and touching; Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of a folded, sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention, taken along the D-D ¹ line shown in

Figure 21;

Figure 23A is a plan view of a fully-folded seat-cover detached from a sanitary- paper strip, shown in Figure 21, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 23 B is a perspective view of a fully-folded seat-cover detached from a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 21, after the precut bowl flap has been partially-released, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 23 C is a perspective view of a partially-unfolded seat-cover detached from a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 21, after the precut bowl flap has been fully- released, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 24 is perspective view of an alternate mode-A sanitary-paper strip, folded in a configuration that resembles the English letter "Z", which enables a sanitary- paper strip to be folded in three layers, according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of a folded, sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention, taken along the E-E ¹ line shown in Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a perspective view of a partially-unfolded seat-cover detached from a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 24, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 27 is a plan view of a seat-cover, shown in Figure 26, fully-unfolded, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 28 is a perspective view of an alternate mode-A sanitary-paper strip folded in three layers, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of a folded, sanitary-paper strip, according to some embodiments of the present invention, taken along the F-F' line shown in Figure 28;

Figure 30 is a perspective view of a partially-unfolded seat-cover detached from a sanitary-paper strip, shown in Figure 28, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 31 is a plan view of a seat-cover, shown in Figure 30, fully-unfolded, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 32 is a perspective view of a folded, mode-A sanitary-paper strip, shown in

Figures 3 and 4, packaged in a box, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 33A is a plan view of a fully-unfolded seat-cover sheet according to some sanitary paper embodiments that is made according to mode-B sanitary-paper sheets of the present invention;

Figure 33B is a perspective view of the seat-cover sheet that is shown in Figure

33 A, when fully folded along its longitudinal lines;

Figure 33C is a perspective view of the fully-folded seat-cover of Figure 33B, when is folded along its perforation lines, for stacking it in a dispenser;

Figure 34 is a perspective view, showing three individual seat-covers of Figure 33C that are stack-folded one on top of the other;

Figure 35 is a perspective view of plurality of individual fully folded seat-cover sheets of Figure 33C stack-folded in a pop-up style dispenser.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention discloses two modes of sanitary paper devices that are suitable for dual applications: (1) as a source for tissue papers for wiping and cleaning, and (2) as a source for toilet seat-covers. The principles and operation of a sanitary paper

according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings; Figures 1 through 32 are related to folded sanitary- paper strips that are made according to the mode- A device, while Figures 33 through 35 are related to folded sanitary-paper sheets that are made according to the mode-B device of the present invention.

Figures 1 through 10 show one of the preferred embodiments, according to the present invention. According to this embodiment, the sanitary-paper strip 10 is a folded, continuous paper that is rolled longitudinally on a roll axis 11 of a conventional, bathroom, tissue roll dispenser, whereby a sanitary roll 12 (i.e. sanitary-paper strip 10 when rolled) has an overall width which is similar to the width of conventional, rolled tissue paper (about 10 to 12 cm). Sanitary-paper strip 10 is made of any suitable length, dependent upon the amount of paper to be provided in the roll.

According to some preferred embodiments, sanitary-paper strip 10 is made of a laminated duplex paper, where a seat-cover side 14 is a smooth (glazed) surface, while a tissue-paper side 16 is a relatively rough surface, making up the two sides of the paper. This type of laminated duplex paper not only provides softness to a user but also affords enhanced strength to the paper. For this application, we use the term "duplex paper" to refer to any paper having seat-cover side 14 and tissue-paper side 16. The folding configuration of sanitary-paper strip 10 can be better understood from

Figure 2, which is a magnified cross-section taken along the A-A' line of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, sanitary-paper strip 10 is folded in such way that it produces four layers that resembles a four-ply tissue paper. The width of each layer, and consequently the width of sanitary roll 12 (Figure 1), is approximately one-fourth of sanitary-paper strip 10 when fully-flattened. The folding of sanitary-paper strip 10 is such that when sanitary-paper strip 10 is partially-unfolded, as shown in Figure 3. The cross-sectional view of sanitary-paper strip 10 resembles the configuration of the English letter "W". In such a folded configuration, bowl precuts 25 are located in the two inner layers (shown in Figure 2), while longitudinal layers 13a and 13b enwrap the inner layers from the outside, with tissue- paper side 16 facing outward and seat-cover side 14 facing inward. It should be pointed out that folding sanitary-paper strip 10 in such a way, where surfaces of tissue-paper side 16 are facing outward, is important for using sanitary-paper strip 10 as tissue paper.

It should be noted that it is common practice to manufacture tissue paper with multiple plies. Therefore, for example, included in our definition of duplex paper, in the

"W" configuration described above, are a two-ply duplex paper in which each layer is a two-ply layer, a three-ply duplex paper in which each layer is a three-ply layer, and other similar configurations.

Some features of sanitary-paper strip 10 are better understood with reference to Figures 3 through 10. The partially-unfolded section of sanitary-paper strip 10 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Sanitary-paper strip 10 is folded along longitudinal lines 18, 19, and 20. Sanitary-paper strip 10 is divided by two types of transverse perforation lines. Seat-cover perforation lines 22, which define the ends of an individual detachable seat-cover 24, are curved and not straight lines. Tissue-paper perforation lines 23 are straight lines and function similarly to perforation lines that are present in conventional, commercial tissue paper. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, seat-cover perforation lines 22 are curved, where the shape of each of curve is a combination of a straight line and semi-circular lines located at the outer layers of sanitary-paper strip 10. As will be shown more clearly later, the purpose of the curved configuration of seat-cover perforation lines 22 is to facilitate the unfolding of a detached seat cover from sanitary-paper strip 10.

It is important to note that in the present embodiment the seat-cover perforation lines 22 are different from the tissue-paper perforation lines 23 not only by their curve but also by the size. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the size, including the width, of the seat-cover perforation lines 22 are larger then the size of the tissue-paper perforation lines 23. In some embodiments such differences in the perforation lines enables the user to identify the individual units of the detachable seat-covers 24 along the strip 10, which helps the user, whenever he (or she) needs to detach a single complete unit of seat-cover.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a seat cover that was detached from sanitary-paper strip 10 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5, seat-cover 24 that is detached from sanitary- paper strip 10 along seat-cover perforation lines 22 has a niche 15 and a handle member 17 for easily unfolding seat-cover 24. Figure 6 A is a perspective view of an individual seat- cover 24, showing a way that a user can hold detached seat-cover 24 during unfolding. A user holds detached seat cover 24 at the exposed area of the inner layers (mat were exposed by the perforation cuts of niche 15), and shakes folded seat-cover 24, causing it to unfold, as shown in Figure 7A.

Figure 6B is a perspective view of an individual seat-cover 24, showing an alternate way that a user can hold detached seat-cover 24, during unfolding, by grasping two handle members 17 (i.e. one from each side of individual seat-cover 24). A user uses handle members 17 to unfold seat-cover 24, shown in Figure 7B. It should be noted that as a result

of the detachment of seat-cover 24 along seat-cover perforation lines 22, handle members 17, located at the two outer layers of folded seat-cover 24, are already separated from each other. This allows a user to hold each of handle members 17 in order to unfold seat-cover 24. As shown from Figures 8 through 10, the seat-cover 24 is quite similar to conventional toilet seat-covers that are manufactured today. At the central part of each detachable seat-cover 24 of sanitary-paper strip 10, there is a precut bowl flap 25 secured by releasable integrated connections 26, 26', and 26" (Figure 8). Connections 26, 26', and 26" have to be severed in order to form an opening at the center of seat-cover 24 (Figure 9) before applying seat-cover 24 to a toilet seat 27 (Figure 10). In addition, the size of each seat-cover 24, when fully-unfolded, is enough to cover toilet seat 27 in such way that prevents direct contact between toilet seat 27 and the skin of the user seated on toilet seat 27 (Figure 10).

During use, sanitary-paper strip 10 is torn off at a selected transverse perforation line according to the specific application needed. For wiping and cleaning a user, sanitary- paper strip 10 is unrolled from roll 12 and torn off at any of transverse perforation lines 22 or 23, according to the paper length desired by a user. When a seat-cover is needed, sanitary-paper strip 10 is unrolled from roll 12 and torn at two, consecutive, seat-cover perforation lines 22. By doing so, a complete unit of folded seat-cover 24 is detached from sanitary-paper strip 10. Following this procedure, unfolding of detached seat-cover 24 can be assisted by using members 15 or 17 (or both), as has been described above, shown in Figures 5 through 7. After connections 26, 26' and 26" are severed (Figure 8), bowl flap 25 has been released as shown in Figure 9. Fully-unfolded seat-cover 24 is placed on the toilet seat 27 while bowl flap 25 hangs down into the bowl, as shown in Figure 10. In addition, bowl flap 25 aids in drawing seat-cover 24 down the drain when the toilet is flushed.

Figures 11 and 12 show another embodiment of a sanitary-paper strip, similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 10. As with sanitary-paper strip 10 of Figure 1, a sanitary-paper strip 30, shown in Figure 11, has curved seat-cover perforation lines 42 that facilitate the unfolding of a detached seat-cover 44 (Figure 12) from sanitary-paper strip 30. The main difference between sanitary-paper strip 10 of Figure 1 and sanitary-paper strip 30 of Figure 11 is that in contrast to sanitary-paper strip 10, sanitary-paper strip 30 contains only transverse seat-cover perforation lines 42 that define the beginning and the end of each detachable seat-cover 44. A partially-unfolded section of sanitary-paper strip 30, with three consecutive detachable seat-covers 44, is shown in Figure 12. The

description and use of sanitary-paper strip 30 is otherwise similar to sanitary-paper strip 10 detailed above.

Figures 13 through 16 show another embodiment of a sanitary-paper strip according to the present invention, similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 10. As with sanitary-paper strip 10 of Figure 1, a sanitary-paper strip 50, shown in Figure 13, contains curved perforation lines 52 that define the beginning and the end of each detachable seat- cover 54 (Figure 14). The main difference between sanitary-paper strip 50 and other sanitary-paper strips shown in Figures 1 through 12 is related to the central part of seat- cover 54. As shown in Figures 13 through 15; seat-cover 54 of sanitary-paper strip 50 has a centrally-located bowl cutout 53. This is in contrast to the seat-covers of the embodiments described above which have precut bowl flap 25, shown in Figures 8 through 10. As shown in Figure 15, detached seat-cover 54 has a small rim flap 55. The purpose of rim flap 55 is to keep seat-cover 54 from sliding out of the rim of a toilet seat 57 (Figure 16). The description and use of sanitary-paper strip 50 is otherwise similar to sanitary-paper strip 10 detailed above.

Figures 17 and 18 show another embodiment of a sanitary-paper strip according to the present invention, similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 10. The main difference between sanitary-paper strip 10 of Figure 1 and a sanitary-paper strip 70 of Figure 17 is related to the perforation lines that define the beginning and the end of each detachable seat-cover 74. As shown in Figure 17, seat-cover perforation lines 72 of sanitary-paper strip 70 are straight lines, in contrast to seat-cover perforation lines 22 of sanitary-paper strip 10 of Figure 1 which are curved. In the present embodiment shown in Figures 17 and 18, a detachable seat-cover 74 has niche 75 cut into seat-cover 74 which expose the inner layers at that region for facilitating the unfolding of detachable seat-cover 74 from sanitary-paper strip 70. Detached seat-cover 74 is unfolded by grasping the inner layers of seat-cover 74 at the exposed area of niche 75, and shaking seat-cover 74. The description and use of sanitary-paper strip 70 is otherwise similar to sanitary-paper strip 10 detailed above.

Figure 19 shows another embodiment of a sanitary-paper strip according to the present invention, similar to the embodiment of sanitary-paper strip 70 shown in Figure 17. The main difference between sanitary-paper stήp 70 of Figure 17 and a sanitary-paper strip 80 of Figure 19 is related to the difference in width of one of the laterally-folded, longitudinal layers of the sanitary-paper strip. Sanitary-paper strip 80, shown in Figure 19, has the width of one of the two laterally-folded, longitudinal layers 84a and 84b of

sanitary-paper strip 80 narrower than the other. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of sanitary-paper strip 80 taken along the C-C line of Figure 19. As shown in Figure 20, longitudinal layer 84a does not overlap with the adjacent longitudinal layer 86, but it is significantly narrower. This type of folding of sanitary-paper strip 80 facilitates the unfolding of a seat-cover 85 detached from sanitary-paper strip 80. In order to unfold seat- cover 85 detached from sanitary-paper strip 80, a user has to grasp seat-cover 85 at the non- overlapping part of sanitary-paper strip 80, which is at longitudinal layer 89 shown in Figure 20. With a simple flip or movement of the hand, the longitudinal folds of seat-cover 85 will readily shake out so that seat-cover 85 is fully-unfolded. The description and use of sanitary-paper strip 80 is otherwise similar to sanitary-paper strip 10 detailed above.

Figures 21 through 23 C show another embodiment of a sanitary-paper strip according to the present invention, similar to the embodiment of sanitary-paper strip 70 shown in Figures 17 and 18. In the present embodiment, a sanitary-paper strip 90 has a precut bowl flap 98, shown in Figure 21. The main difference between sanitary-paper strip 70 of Figure 17 and sanitary-paper strip 90 of Figure 21 is related to the manner of folding the sanitary-paper strips. Figure 22 is a magnified cross-sectional view taken along the D- D' line of Figure 21. The folding of sanitary-paper strip 90 is such that two, folded, outer layers 93a and 93b (which comprise the two laterally-folded, longitudinal layers of sanitary-paper strip 90) are adjacent and closely overlap each other. This is in contrast to the folded sanitary-paper strip 70 shown in Figure 17.

Figure 23A shows a fully-folded seat-cover 94 detached from sanitary-paper strip 90. Seat-cover 94 has appropriate niches 96 cut into it for releasing bowl flap 98. Figure 23B shows seat-cover 94 detached from a sanitary-paper strip 90 after bowl flap 98 has been partially-released. Figure 23C shows seat-cover 94 partially-unfolded after bowl flap 98 has been fully-released, exposing centrally-located opening 97. The description and use of sanitary-paper strip 90 is otherwise similar to sanitary-paper strip 10 detailed above.

Figures 24 through 27 show another embodiment of a sanitary-paper strip according to the present invention, similar to the embodiment of sanitary-paper strip 10 shown in Figures 1 through 10. The main difference between sanitary-paper strip 10 of Figure 1 and a sanitary-paper strip 100 of Figure 24 is related to the folding configuration of the sanitary-paper strips. In contrast to sanitary-paper strip 10 shown in Figure 1, where sanitary-paper strip 10 is folded to produce four layers, sanitary-paper strip 100 of the present embodiment shown in Figure 24 is folded in three layers. The folding configuration

of sanitary-paper strip 100 is shown more clearly in Figure 25, which is a cross-sectional view of sanitary-paper strip 100 taken along the E-E' line of Figure 23.

Another difference between sanitary-paper strip 10 of Figure 1 and sanitary-paper strip 100 of Figure 24 is related to the material composition of the sanitary-paper strips. While sanitary-paper strip 10 (Figure 1) is made of a duplex paper with smooth seat-cover side 14 and rough tissue-paper side 16, sanitary-paper strip 100 (Figure 24) is made of material that is commercially used for manufacturing tissue paper, where both sides are relatively rough. In addition, sanitary-paper strip 100 (Figure 24) has seat-cover perforation lines 102, that define the beginning and the end of seat-cover 104, where seat-cover perforation line 102 each is a combination of straight lines, in contrast to the curved, seat- cover perforation lines 22 of sanitary-paper strip 10 (shown in Figure 1).

As shown in Figure 25, sanitary-paper strip 100 is folded in such way that it produces three layers that resembles a three-ply tissue paper. Figure 26 is a perspective view of sanitary-paper strip 100 partially-unfolded, where the configuration of sanitary- paper strip 100 resembles the English letter "Z". In the present embodiment shown in Figures 24 and 26, a precut bowl flap 108 of a seat-cover 104 is located in the middle layer (Figure 24), between two laterally-folded, longitudinal layers 103a and 103b (Figure 25). Figure 27 shows a fully-unfolded seat-cover 104 detached from sanitary-paper strip 100. The description and use of sanitary-paper strip 100 is otherwise similar to sanitary-paper strip 10 detailed above.

As was mentioned above, the use of multi-ply duplex paper would result in multiply layers. Thus, for example, included in our definition of duplex paper, in the "Z" configuration described above, are a two-ply duplex paper which would have three layers where each of these layers is a two-ply layer, a three-ply duplex paper which would have three layers where each of these layers is a three-ply layer, and other similar configurations.

Figures 28 through 31 show another embodiment of a sanitary-paper strip according to the present invention, similar to the embodiment of sanitary-paper strip 100 shown in

Figures 24 through 27. As shown in Figures 28 and 29, a sanitary-paper strip 110 is made of a paper where both sides 116 are rough (shown in Figure 29), and folded to produce three layers. However, the main difference between sanitary-paper strip 100 of Figure 24 and sanitary-paper strip 110 of Figure 28 is related to the folding configuration of the sanitary-paper strips. Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of sanitary-paper strip 110 taken along the F-F' line of Figure 28. In contrast to the "Z"-folding configuration of sanitary- paper strip 100 shown in Figure 24, sanitary-paper strip 110, shown in Figures 28 and 29, is

folded in such a configuration that two laterally-folded longitudinal layers 119a and 119b are lapped on top of each other, and are vertically-adjacent when sanitary-paper strip 110 is fully-folded.

Furthermore, in contrast to sanitary-paper strip 100 of Figure 24, where bowl flap 108 is not in an exposed outer layer when sanitary-paper strip 100 is fully-folded, sanitary- paper strip 110 (shown in Figures 28, 30, and 31) has aprecut bowl flap 118 of a seat-cover 114 located in an exposed outer layer of sanitary-paper strip 110. The unfolding of seat- cover 114 detached from sanitary-paper strip 110 is facilitated by bowl flap 118, in a similar way to the embodiment shown in Figures 23A through 23C for unfolding seat- cover 94. The description and use of sanitary-paper strip 110 is otherwise similar to sanitary-paper strip 10 detailed above.

Figure 32 shows another embodiment of a sanitary-paper strip according to the present invention, similar to the embodiment of sanitary-paper strip 10 shown in Figure 1. The main difference between sanitary-paper strip 10 of Figure 1 and a sanitary-paper strip 130 of Figure 32 is related to the packaging. While folded sanitary-paper strip 10 is packaged in a roll in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, folded sanitary-paper strip 130 is stack-folded in a box 142 in the present embodiment shown in Figure 32. Sanitary-paper strip 130 contains a precut bowl flap 138 of a detachable seat-cover 134. Sanitary-paper strip 130 also has curved, seat-cover perforation lines 132 that define the transverse edge of detachable seat-cover 134. The description and use of sanitary-paper strip 130 is otherwise similar to sanitary-paper strip 10 detailed above.

With regard to the various embodiments of mode-A sanitary-paper strips, that are described in Figures 1 through 32; it is of great importance (at least from an economical point of view) in which each of the detachable seat-covers will be identified easily by the user. For that purpose it is preferable that the seat-cover perforation lines, that define the individual detachable seat-covers of the sanitary strip, will be marked in some sort of marking. A marking by which the user will be able to identify, at least visually, the perforation lines that defines a complete single unit of the detachable seat-cover. For example, such marking can be based on emphasizing the seat-cover perforation lines with color that will enable visual identification of a complete single unit of the detachable seat- cover sheet from the sanitary strip.

Figures 33 through 35 present one of the preferred embodiments, which are made according to mode-B sanitary-paper sheets of the present invention, in which plurality of

individual mode-B folded sanitary paper sheets are stack-folded ϊn an appropriate dispenser.

Figure 33A presents a plan view of a single fully-unfolded seat-cover sheet according to some embodiments of mode-B sanitary-paper sheets of the present invention. According to some preferred embodiments, a sanitary sheet 150 is a full single unit of folded seat-cover sheet that is made of a laminated duplex paper, which its rough surface 152 is shown in Figure 33 A. In principle the structure and function of sanitary sheet 150 is quite similar to a seat-cover that is detached from some of the mode- A sanitary-paper strips that have been described above. As can be seen in Figure 33A, sanitary sheet 150 is provided with appropriate niches 156 cut into it for releasing bowl flap 155. Also, in some embodiments like those presented in Figure 33A, sanitary sheet 150 is provided with transverse perforation lines 154a and 154b that define the detachable sections of tissue- papers, and function similarly to perforation lines that are present in conventional, commercial tissue paper. Longitudinal lines 157, 158 and 159 indicate the longitudinal lines along which sanitary sheet 150 is folded when not in use, or when sanitary sheet 150 used for cleaning or wiping. These longitudinal lines define four longitudinal layers 151a, 151b, 151c and 151d of sanitary sheet 150 and these sections are actually present the four layers that are produced as a result of the folding along these lines. A perspective view of sanitary sheet 150 that is fully folded in the "W" folding configuration, along longitudinal lines 157, 158, and 159, is shown in Figure 33B. As a result of the fact that the those longitudinal folding lines are not equally spaced on the sanitary sheet 150, the width of laterally-folded layer 151a is narrower than longitudinal layers 151b, 151c, and 151d. As has already been mentioned above for sanitary strip 80 of Figures 19 and 20, longitudinal layer 151a of the folded sanitary sheet 150 does not overlap with adjacent longitudinal layer 151b, a fact which facilitates the unfolding of a folded sanitary sheet 150. Rough surface 152 and smooth (glazy) surface 153 of the duplex paper, which sanitary sheet 150 is made of, can be seen in the perspective view of the fully folded seat-cover that is shown in Figure 33B.

Sanitary sheet 150 is appropriate to be used for at lease two functions" for wiping or cleaning, whole sanitary sheet 150 or a detachable section of sanitary sheet 150 can be used, according to the specific application needed. However, when the sanitary sheet 150 is needed as a seat-cover, the folded sanitary sheet 150 is fully unfolded and after the bowl flap 155 (Figure 33A) is released it is placed on a toilet seat.

Figure 33 C is a perspective view of the folly-folded seat-cover of Figures 33B ₅ when it is folded now, for stacking it in a dispenser, along its transverse perforation lines.

For clarification of the folding configuration, rough surface 152 and smooth surface 153 of sanitary sheet 150 are indicated. Also shown in Figure 33C, transverse perforation line 154a and narrow layer 151a.

Figure 34 is a perspective view of three individual folded sanitary-paper sheets

150a, 150b and 150c of Figure 33C that are stack-folded (the folding now is along their transverse direction, in parallel to the transverse perforation lines) one on top of the other.

For clarity, the smooth surface 153, the rough surface 152 and the four layers 151a, 15Ib ₅ 151c, and 151d of the folded sanitary-paper sheet 150a are also indicated.

Figure 35 is a perspective view of plurality of individual sanitary-paper sheets, shown in Figure 33 C, that are stack-folded in a pop-up style dispenser 164. As can be seen in Figures 34 and 35, the interfolding of the individual seat-cover sheets in dispenser 164 is such that once the top paper sheet is withdrawn, the subsequent paper sheet is exposed and ready for withdrawn. hi both of the modes of the sanitary paper, although the preferred sanitary paper is made of a duplex-type paper, papers that are rough on both sides can be appropriately used as well. Almost any type of disposable and flushable paper, like those that are commonly used in commercial tissue paper, is appropriate to be used in the present invention, including paper that is impregnated with detergents or antibacterial compounds.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications, and other applications of the invention may be made. Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, those skilled in the art can, in light of this teaching, generate additional embodiments without exceeding the scope or departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions in the present disclosure are meant to facilitate comprehension of the invention, and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the proportional dimensions of the drawings have been greatly exaggerated for the purpose of clarity. In addition, phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.