U.S. patent application number 13/325104 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-14 for device and method for disinfecting toilet bowl.
Invention is credited to TOM KODAT.
Application Number | 20120144569 13/325104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46197851 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120144569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KODAT; TOM |
June 14, 2012 |
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISINFECTING TOILET BOWL
Abstract
In combination with a toilet, the invention provides a device
for disinfecting a toilet bowl. The device includes a light source,
a powering unit and a switch. The light source may be configured to
emit an ultraviolet beam of light. The light source may be mounted
on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid so that the ultraviolet
beam of light is directed into a cavity of the toilet bowl when the
toilet seat lid is disposed in a generally horizontal closed
position for covering an opening of the toilet bowl. The switch may
be operatively coupled between the light source and the powering
unit to selectively activate and deactivate said light source.
Inventors: |
KODAT; TOM; (CLEMMONS,
NC) |
Family ID: |
46197851 |
Appl. No.: |
13/325104 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61422718 |
Dec 14, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 9/005 20130101;
A47K 13/302 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/222 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/02 20060101
E03D009/02 |
Claims
1. In combination with a toilet, a device for at least disinfecting
a toilet bowl, said device comprising: (a) a light source
configured to emit a beam of light, said light source is so mounted
on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid that said beam of light
is directed into a cavity of said toilet bowl when said toilet seat
lid is disposed in a generally closed position for covering an
opening of said toilet bowl; (b) a powering unit; and (c) a switch
operatively coupled between said light source and said powering
unit and operable to selectively activate and deactivate said light
source.
2. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said powering unit is
selected from the group consisting of at least one battery, an
external power source and a combination thereof.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said switch includes a timer for
activating said light source at least one predetermined time
interval for at least one predetermined duration.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said switch is attached to said
toilet seat lid.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein said switch is in an activated
position when said toilet seat lid is in said closed position and
in a deactivated position when said toilet seat lid is in an open
position.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said switch includes one of an
accelerometer and a tilt sensor.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mounting member for
mounting said light source to said surface of said toilet seat
lid.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said toilet seat lid includes a
mounting cavity and wherein said light source is mounted within
said mounting cavity.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein said powering unit is disposed
external to said toilet and wherein said toilet seat lid further
includes at least one passage disposed therewithin for housing wire
members connecting said light source to said powering unit.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein said switch is disposed external
to said toilet seat lid at a hinge member connecting said toilet
seat lid to a rear surface of said toilet.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein said wire members extend through
said hinge member and wherein said switch is attached to one end of
said hinge member.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein said light source is at least
one light emitting diode configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of
light.
13. The device of claim 1, further including a temperature sensor
disposed in close proximity to said light source and operatively
coupled to said switch, said temperature sensor configured to
measure temperature given off by said light source and operate said
switch to deactivate said light source when said temperature
reaches a predetermined threshold.
14. The device of claim 1, further including another light source
mounted in proximity of said light source configured to emit said
ultraviolet beam of light.
15. The device of claim 14, further including a sensor configured
to detect motion, said sensor is operatively coupled to said
another light and configured to activate said another light upon
detecting motion in proximity to said toilet.
16. The device of claim 14, wherein said sensor and said another
light are configured to activate when said toilet seat lid is in an
open position being disposed generally normal to a plane of said
toilet seat.
17. The device of claim 1, further including at least one processor
coupled to each of said light source and said powering unit.
18. The device of claim 1, further including additional plurality
of light sources mounted in a predetermined pattern in close
proximity to a peripheral edge of said toilet seat lid and operable
to disinfect an upper surface of a toilet seat.
19. A method of at least disinfecting a toilet bowl, said method
comprising the steps of: (a) mounting device of claim 1 to an
interior surface of a toilet seat lid; and (b) directing said beam
of light emitted from said light source toward a body of water
disposed within said toilet bowl for at least one predetermined
time interval for at least one predetermined duration only when
said toilet seat lid is disposed to cover an opening of said toilet
bowl.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to and claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/422,718 filed on Dec.
14, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a device and
method for disinfecting a toilet.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0003] N/A
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0004] N/A
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] As is generally well known, as the water sits in a toilet
bowl, bacteria begins to grow on the sides of the toilet bowl,
which can cause dark stains at the water line. The problem is
especially pronounced when the toilets are only seldom used and
flushed.
[0006] Individuals often pour harsh chemicals into the bowl to try
and kill the bacteria. Bleach and other cleaners drain into the
septic system and disrupt the natural decomposition in the septic
tank. Furthermore, many individuals clean their toilet bowl on a
regular basis. This process can be time consuming and labor
intensive.
[0007] Prior to the conception and design of the instant invention,
devices have been used for sanitizing the toilet bowl in order to
replace manual efforts, however, there is a further need for an
improved device and method for sanitizing toilet bowl.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In combination with a toilet, the invention provides a
device for disinfecting a toilet bowl. The device includes a light
source, a powering unit and a switch. The light source is
configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of light. The light source
is mounted on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid so that the
ultraviolet beam of light is directed into a cavity of the toilet
bowl when the toilet seat lid is disposed in a generally horizontal
closed position for covering an opening of the toilet bowl. The
switch is operatively coupled between the light source and the
powering unit to selectively activate and deactivate said light
source.
[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
method of sanitizing a toilet bowl including the steps of mounting
a device to an interior surface of a toilet seat lid and directing
an ultraviolet beam of light emitted from the device toward a body
of water disposed within the toilet bowl for at least one
predetermined time interval for at least one predetermined duration
only when the toilet seat lid is disposed generally horizontally to
cover an opening of the toilet bowl. The device of this embodiment
generally includes a light source, a powering unit and a switch.
The light source is configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of
light. The light source is mounted on or within a surface of a
toilet seat lid so that the ultraviolet beam of light is directed
into a cavity of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat lid is
disposed in a generally horizontal closed position for covering an
opening of the toilet bowl. The switch is operatively coupled
between the light source and the powering unit to selectively
activate and deactivate said light source.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that
includes a light source, a powering unit and a switch.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the powering unit is
selected from at least one battery, an external power source or a
combination thereof.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the switch includes
a timer.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the switch includes
one of an accelerometer and a tilt sensor.
[0014] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide
a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that further comprises a
mounting member.
[0015] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
the device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the toilet seat
lid includes a cavity wherein the light source is mounted.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the powering unit is
disposed external to the toilet and the toilet seat lid further
includes at least one passage disposed therewithin for housing wire
members.
[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the switch is
disposed external to the toilet seat lid at a hinge member.
[0018] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the light source
is a light emitting diode.
[0019] An alternative object of the present invention is to provide
a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that also includes a
temperature sensor.
[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that further includes another
light source.
[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that also includes a motion
sensor.
[0022] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that further includes at
least one processor.
[0023] An alternative object of the present invention provides a
device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that further includes an
additional plurality of light sources.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
method of sanitizing a toilet bowl.
[0025] In addition to the several objects and advantages of the
present invention which have been described with some degree of
specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the
invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who
are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such
description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing
Figures and with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a planar elevation view of the device of the
instant invention for disinfecting toilet bowls;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a planar elevation view of the device of FIG. 1,
illustrating the toilet seat lid in an open position;
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the device of FIG.
1;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a planar elevation side view of the device of FIG.
1, particularly illustrating a charging arrangement constructed in
accordance with one embodiment; and
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a partial top view of the charging
arrangement shown in FIG. 4.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the
present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity
and understanding, identical components which have identical
functions have been identified with identical reference numerals
throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing
figures.
[0032] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in
terms of its presently preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
FIGS. 1 through 5. However, the invention is not limited to the
described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will
appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are
possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention
and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this
invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of
the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings
of the present invention, and only one particular configuration
shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure
and not by way of limitation of scope.
[0033] The present invention describes a device and method for
disinfecting a toilet (herein described as the "device"), generally
designated as 10.
[0034] The present invention is illustrated and described in
combination with a flush toilet, although it will be apparent to
those skilled in the relevant art that the present invention may be
applied to other toilets and as such should not be interpreted as a
limiting factor of the device 10 of the present invention.
[0035] Reference is now made, to FIGS. 1-5, wherein there is shown
a device, generally designated as 10, for disinfecting a toilet
bowl 12.
[0036] The device 10 at least includes a light source 14, a
powering unit 16 and a switch 18, comprising an assembly, generally
designated as 13.
[0037] The light source of the present invention is preferably
configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of light 20. As is
conventionally known, the ultraviolet beam of light 20 is
characterized as electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in the
range of about 10 nm to about 400 nm and energies from about 3 eV
to about 124 eV. The light source 14 may be mounted on or within a
surface of a toilet seat lid 22 so that the beam of light 20 is
directed into a cavity 24 of the toilet bowl 12 when the toilet
seat lid 22 is disposed in a generally horizontal closed position
for covering an opening of the toilet bowl 12. The beam of light 20
is so sized and shaped as to substantially cover the surface of the
body of water 58 disposed within the cavity 24 of the toilet bowl
12 and, preferably, exceed the size of the surface so as to
encompass a portion of the exposed surface of the cavity 24. The
light source 14 may be at least one light emitting diode or other
similar semiconductor light source. The light source 14 may have
any geometric shape or pattern including but not limited to
circular, square, triangular, or petal shape. By way of an example
only, such light source 14 may be a high power LED of the type as
distributed by Mouser Electronics of Mansfield, Tex. under part
number 897-LZ110UA05.
[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the powering
unit 16 may be selected from at least one battery 25, an external
powering source or a combination thereof. The powering unit 16
provides the power necessary to operate the light source 14 and may
further be defined as a device that supplies electrical energy to
one or more electric loads. An external power source may be defined
as a power source that takes voltage from a wall outlet 60.
Examples of suitable external power sources capable of use with the
present invention include but are not limited to an AC power
supply, a DC power supply, an AC/DC power supply or a combination
thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS.
4-5, the powering unit 16 may be an external power source 62 that
is connected to a wall outlet 60 and the toilet seat lid 22 may
include at least one passage 28 disposed therewithin for housing
wire members 30 that connect the light source 14 to the power
source 62.
[0039] The switch 18 of the present invention may be operatively
coupled between the light source 14 and the powering unit 16 to
activate and deactivate the light source 14. In one embodiment of
the present invention, the switch 18 may be provided as a timer 26
for activating the light source 14 at a predetermined time interval
for a predetermined duration. The timer 26 of the present invention
may be capable of activating the light source 14 at multiple time
intervals for multiple durations.
[0040] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the
switch 18 may be attached to the toilet seat lid 22. The switch 18
may be in an activated position when the toilet seat lid 22 is in
the closed position and in a deactivated position when the toilet
seat lid 22 is in an open position.
[0041] In another embodiment of the present invention, the switch
18 may include an accelerometer. It is to be understood that the
definition of an accelerometer applies to an apparatus that
measures acceleration and therefore activates the switch when the
accelerometer detects a predetermined threshold of acceleration
associated with toilet seat lid 22 operation. Accelerometers
capable of use with the present device 10 include mechanical
apparatus, micro-electro-mechanical-systems or combinations
thereof.
[0042] Alternatively, the switch 18 may include a tilt sensor 32.
It is to be understood that the definition of a tilt sensor 32
applies to an apparatus that can measure the titling of a reference
plane in at least two axes. Therefore, the tilt sensor 32 of the
present invention is configured to activate and deactivate the
switch 18 when the tilt sensor 32 detects a change in the angle of
the toilet seat lid 22 with respect to the toilet bowl 12 caused by
the opening and closing of the toilet seat lid 22. It would be
appreciated that the tilt sensor 32 is configured to activate the
light source 14 when the toilet seat lid 22 is positioned to close
the opening of the toilet bowl 12.
[0043] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIGS. 4-5, the switch 18 may be provided as a switch 38 disposed
externally to the toilet seat lid 22 at a hinge member 34 that
connects the toilet seat lid 22 to a rear surface of the toilet 36.
In one particular embodiment, the wire members 30 may extend
through the hinge member 34. The switch 38 may be attached to one
end of the hinge member 34. The switch 38 may be a rotary switch or
other like switch that activates the light source 14 by rotation of
the hinge member 34 or bay manual operation.
[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the device 10
may include a mounting member 40 for mounting the light source 14
to the surface of the toilet seat lid 22. The mounting member 40
may be comprised of any suitable material, such as metal, a fiber,
or a polymer and may be affixed to the toilet seat lid 22 using any
suitable attaching means. Preferably, the mounting member 34 is a
printed circuit board (PCB). Suitable attaching means may include
but are not limited to as nails, screws, hooks, adhesives and other
like attaching means.
[0045] Although, the assembly 13 may be mounted on the interior
surface 56 of the toilet seat lid 22 it is presently preferred to
provide a mounting cavity 36 within the thickness of the toilet
seat lid 22 for mounting the assembly 13. The mounting cavity 36
has a shape that is complimentary to the shape of the mounting
member 34, when provided, or is sized and shaped to directly
receive the light source 14, powering unit 16 and any other
optional components described in this document. The instant
invention also contemplates that such cavity 36 and the passageway
28 may extend past the interior surface 56 of the toilet seat lid
22 by way of an abutment (not shown) provided on the interior
surface 56 of the toilet seat lid 22.
[0046] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the
device 10 may also include a temperature sensor 42 that is disposed
in close proximity to the light source 14 and that is operatively
coupled to the switch 18. Particularly, the temperature sensor 42
may be configured to measure temperature given off by the light
source 14 so that that when the temperature reaches a predetermined
threshold the switch 18 deactivates the light source 14.
[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, the device 10,
further includes another light source 44 that is mounted in
proximity of the light source 14 and that is configured to emit
another beam of light. Such another light source 44 is configured
to operate as a conventional night light or light that facilitates
illumination in dark areas or areas that become dark at certain
times.
[0048] The device 10, may further include a motion sensor 46 that
is configured to detect motion. The motion sensor 46 is operatively
coupled to the another light source 44 so that the another light
source 44 is activated when the sensor 46 detects motion in
proximity to the toilet 36. Preferably, the motion sensor 46 and
the another light source 44 are configured to activate when the
toilet seat lid 22 is in an open position being disposed generally
normal to a plane of the toilet.
[0049] In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the
device 10 further includes at least one processor 48 configured to
execute a predetermined logic or sequence of steps.
[0050] The device 10 may include an optional plurality of light
sources 50 mounted in a predetermined pattern in close proximity to
a peripheral edge 52 of the toilet seat lid 22. The additional
plurality of light sources 50 may operate to disinfect an upper
surface of a toilet seat 54. The predetermined pattern may vary
depending upon the shape of the upper surface of the toilet seat
54.
[0051] According to another embodiment, the present invention
provides a method of sanitizing a toilet bowl 12 including the
steps of mounting the device 10 to an interior surface 56 of the
toilet seat lid 22 and directing the UV beam of light 20 emitted
from the light source 14 toward a body of water 58 disposed within
the toilet bowl 12 for at least one predetermined time interval for
at least one predetermined duration only when the toilet seat lid
22 is disposed generally horizontally to cover an opening of the
toilet bowl 12.
[0052] Although the instant invention has been described in
combination with a light source emitting ultraviolet beam of light,
those skilled in the art will readily understand that a light
source emitting infrared beam of light may be also employed for the
purposes of killing bacteria in the toilet bowl.
[0053] Thus, the present invention has been described in such full,
clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in
the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It will be
understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and
substitutions for components of the specifically described
embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
set forth in the appended claims
* * * * *