WO2018156190A1

WO2018156190A1 - Auto cleaning toilet seat assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2018156190A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/037519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maximo Dorra
Original assignee: Auto Cleaning Toilet Seat Usa, Llc
Priority date: 2017-02-22
Filing date: 2017-06-14
Publication date: 2018-08-30
Also published as: NZ756423A; SG11201907641VA; IL268615B; EP3585949B1; EP3585949A2; MX2019009903A; CN110868896B; EP3585949A4; ES2970404T3; MY194013A; IL268615A; DK3585949T3; HRP20240043T1; CN110868896A

Abstract

An auto cleaning toilet seat assembly having a cover with an upper wall flanked by two opposing sidewalls, an inner surface of the upper wall and two opposing sidewalls defining a fluid transport conduit. The cover has a first position with the two opposing sidewalls contouring the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of a toilet seat, respectively and defines liquid and gas apertures fluidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit and defines at least one fluid discharge aperture, the conduit spanning from the gas aperture, at least 180 degrees, to the fluid discharge aperture disposed downstream of the at least one gas aperture. The cover assembly also includes an electrical system operably configured, when the cover is in the first position, to induce a flow of gaseous matter sufficient to cause a liquid matter to transport around the top surface of toilet seat and through the discharge aperture.

Description

AUTO CLEANING TOILET SEAT ASSEMBLY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/462,031 filed February 22, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet seat cleaning systems, and more particularly, to an assembly for automatically cleaning a top surface of a toilet seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many other known toilet seat washing assemblies. Most of these assemblies employ the use of numerous components in order function properly. These numerous components require a great deal of user time spent in maintenance and installation. Moreover, many of these assemblies have components that rotate and move when in operation such that they are more susceptible to failure. Not only are these assemblies more susceptible to failure, they are also more expensive and difficult to manipulate for precise control of the assembly during the cleaning process. For example, some known assemblies have rotating arms that clean the toilet seat but these arms are not able to be controlled or optimized to produce various cleaning cycles desirable for a particular user. The use of additional components by these known assemblies also make them generally expensive for most users and/or other consumers, and require more time/cost to install and to maintain. Additionally, many known toilet seat cleaning assemblies are not capable of, or are not configured properly to, effectively and efficiently clean and/or sanitize toilet seats that are completely circular. Specifically, some known toilet seat cleaning assemblies are designed to sequential emit a cleaning solution around a toilet seat that is then designed to run off into the toilet bowl. These systems, however, often leave residue from the cleaning solution and/or require the emission of significant amounts of fluid. As such, the toilet seat is disadvantageous!}' not immediately ready for use by the user and/or is not economical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an auto cleaning toilet seat assembly that overcomes the hereinafore- mentioned disadvantages of the known devices and methods of this general type. The invention provides an effective and efficient assembly and method to clean and/or sanitize a toilet seat by circulating a cleaning fluid around the toilet seat, and ultimately, into the toilet bowl, through an induced airflow.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention and in combination with a toilet having a toilet bowl and a toilet seat coupled to the toilet bowl, wherein the toilet seat defines a center aperture and including a front end, a back end, a top surface, an inner circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface, an improvement that includes a cover with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface. The cover includes an upper wall flanked by two opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from the upper wall, an inner surface of the upper wall and two opposing sidewalls defining a fluid transport conduit and has a first position and a second position along a cover translation path, wherein the first position includes the cover surrounding the toilet seat and with the two opposing sidewalls contouring the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the toilet seat respectively. The second position includes the cover removed from above a portion of the top surface of the toilet seat. The cover defines at least one liquid aperture fluidiy coupled to the fluid transport conduit, defines at least one gas aperture fluidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit, and defines at least one fluid discharge aperture, wherein the fluid transport conduit spans continuously from the at least one gas aperture at least 180 degrees around the upper surface of the toilet seat to the at least one fluid discharge aperture for evacuation into the toilet bowl. The improvement also includes an electrical system operably configured, when the cover is in the first position, to cause a liquid matter, from a liquid source, to discharge, through the at least one liquid aperture, onto a portion of the top surface of the toilet seat proximal to the at least one gas aperture and cause an induced flow of gaseous matter, from a gas source, to discharge, through the at least one gas aperture, at a speed sufficient to transport the liquid matter through the fluid transport conduit, around the top surface of toilet seat, and through the at least one fluid discharge aperture. Said another way, the induced gaseous flow transports the liquid circularly around the top surface of the toilet seat where the user will sit, thereby providing the user with a clean toilet seat for use.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the cover having an air deflector for deflecting induced gaseous matter within the fluid transport conduit, the air defl ector coupled to cover, extending downwardly from the inner surface of the upper wall of the cover, interposed between the at least one gas aperture and the at least one fluid discharge aperture disposed downstream of the at least one gas aperture, and having a lower surface disposed adjacent to the top surface of the toilet seat when the cover is in the first position. In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the air deflector is disposed proximal to the back end of the toilet seat when the cover is in the first position and may define a terminal end of the fluid transport conduit.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the fluid transport conduit spans from the at least one gas aperture approximately 360 degrees to the at least one fluid discharge aperture.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes an air deflector coupled to cover and extending downwardly from the inner surface of the upper wail of the cover and interposed between the at least one gas aperture and the at least one fluid discharge aperture.

In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the air deflector having a lower surface disposed adjacent to the top surface of the toilet seat when the cover is in the first position, wherein the air deflector is disposed proximal to the back end of the toilet seat when the cover is in the first position.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the top surface of the toilet seat completely surrounds the center aperture and the fluid transport conduit substantially spans around the top surface of the toilet seat.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the at least one gas aperture, the at least one liquid aperture, and the fluid discharge aperture are disposed proximal to the back end of the toilet seat. in accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the toilet seat defining a discontinuity of a width and length defining a discontinuity area along the top surface of the toilet seat proximal to the front end of the toilet seat, wherein the cover also includes a tongue member projecting from the inner surface of at least one of the two opposing sidewalls, the tongue member having a width and length defining a tongue area that is substantially equal to the discontinuity area. Additionally, the tongue member may include a top surface, wherein, when the cover is in the first position, the top surface of the tongue member and a flanking top surface of the toilet seat are aligned with one another.

In accordance with the present invention, an auto cleaning toilet seat assembly is disclosed that includes a cover with a top cover portion rotatably couplable to a bottom cover portion and having a closed position with front ends of the top and bottom cover portions directly coupled together to define a toilet seat cavity sized to receive a circular toilet seat having a top surface. The top cover portion includes a rear end and an upper wall with an inner surface and an inner circular sidewall extending downwardly from the upper wail, with an inner surface, and defines a fluid discharge aperture. The top cover portion also includes an outer circular sidewall opposing the inner circular sidewall, extending downwardly from the upper wall, and with an inner surface, the inner surfaces of the upper wall, inner circular sidewall, and outer circular sidewall defining a fluid transport conduit circularly spanning approximately 360 degrees. The top cover portion also includes at least one liquid aperture fluidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit and disposed proximal to the rear end of the top cover portion and defines at least one gas aperture fluidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit and disposed proximal to the rear end of the top cover portion. The cover also includes an air deflector extending downwardly from the inner surface of the upper wall of the cover and defining a terminal end of the fluid transport conduit, the fluid transport conduit spanning continuously from the at least one gas aperture to the air deflector. The assembly also includes an electrical system operably configured, when the cover is in the first position, to cause a liquid matter, from a liquid source, to discharge, through the at least one liquid aperture and cause an induced flow of gaseous matter, from a gas source, to discharge, through the at least one gas aperture.

In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the air deflector having a lower surface of an arcuate shape to contour with the top surface of the toilet seat and is interposed between the at least one gas aperture and the at least one fluid discharge aperture.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the air deflector spans from the inner surface of the inner circular sidewall to the inner surface of the outer circular sidewall. in accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the top cover portion having a tongue member projecting from the inner surface of at least one of the two opposing sidewalls, the tongue member having a length spanning substantially a distance separating the inner surfaces of the inner and outer circular sidewalls. The tongue member may be disposed at the front end of the top cover portion.

In accordance with the present invention, a method of automatically cleaning a toilet seat is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of enclosing a toilet seat of a toilet within a toilet seat cover to define a closed position with an inner and outer circumferential surface of the toilet seat adjacent to and contoured by two opposing sidewalls, respectively, of the toilet seat cover to define a fluid transport conduit disposed directly above a top surface of the toilet seat, discharging a liquid, through a liquid aperture defined by the toilet seat cover and when in the closed position, onto the top surface of the toilet seat proximal to a rear end of the toilet seat, and discharging a gaseous matter, when in the closed position, through a gas aperture defined by the toilet seat cover and into the fluid transport conduit to transport the discharged liquid circularly around the top surface of the toilet seat and through a fluid discharge aperture defined on the cover and into a toilet bowl.

In accordance with another feature, the method may also include discharging the gaseous matter into the fluid transport conduit at a location proximal to the rear end of the toilet seat to transport the discharged liquid circularly around the top surface of the toilet seat and through the fluid discharge aperture disposed proximal to the rear end of the toilet seat.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an auto cleaning toilet seat assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term "plurality," as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term "another," as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including" and/or "having," as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term "providing" is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time.

As used herein, the terms "about" or "approximately" apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term "longitudinal" should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the toilet seat spanning from the rear of the toilet seat to the front of the toilet seat. The terms "program," "software application," and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A "program," "computer program," or "software application" may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric and fragmentary view of a toilet seat cover assembly with the cover in a closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric and fragmentary view of a cover assembly of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG 3 is an exploded view of the cover assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG 4 is a bottom plan view of the cover assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG 5 is a top plan view of the cover assembl y of FIG 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover assembly of FIG. 5 along section line 5-5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a toilet seat cover assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an isometric and fragmentary view of the cover assembly of FIG. 7 with the cover in a closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a cover assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a plan view of the bottom of the cover in the cover assembly of FIG. 7 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the cover assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cover assembly of FIG. 1 1 along section line 1 1 -1 1 ;

FIG. 13 is a perspective bottom view of a toilet seat cover assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the cover assembly of FIG. 13 along a section of a front end of the cover assembly;

FIG 15 is a cross-sectional view of the cover assembly of FIG. 13 along a longitudinal mid-section of the cover assembly; and FIG 16 is a process flow diagram depicting exemplary steps of automatically cleaning a toilet seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is evident that an invention such as the automatic toilet seat-cleaning system claimed in the present application is quite desirable because it disinfects the toilet seat before use. In addition, the claimed invention can be used in connection with circular and/or oval shape toilet bowls, having discontinuities or otherwise, to effectively clean and/or disinfect the top surface of said toilet seat. The present invention also accomplishes the cleaning and/or disinfecting effectiveness utilizing minimal parts and energy. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 and utilizing the incorporated disclosure referenced above, one embodiment of the present invention is shown. FIGS. 1-3 show several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of an autocleaning toilet seat assembly 100, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, includes a top cover portion 102 and a bottom cover portion 300. The cover assembly 100 is designed to work in combination with a circular or round toilet seat 200 and/or, with brief reference to FIG. 7, a toilet seat 700 defining a discontinuity 702. Specifically, unlike known toilet seat cleaning assemblies, the claimed assembly 100 is designed to effectuate the transfer of an emitted or discharged fluid around the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 in an efficient manner desired by many users and/or consumers. To effectuate a leak-free fluid flow when the cover is in the closed position, the top and bottom cover portions 102, 300 may include, for example, rubber seal(s) or a tongue-and-groove configuration, spanning a portion or all of the perimeter of the portions 102, 300.

The top cover portion 102 includes an inner surface 204 and an outer surface 104 opposing the inner surface 204. With reference to the longitudinally cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 6, the top cover portion 102 also includes an upper wall 600 flanked by two opposing sidewalls 602, 604 extending downwardly from the upper wall 600, wherein the inner surface 204 of the upper wall 600 and two opposing sidewalfs 602, 604 define a fluid transport conduit 606 to permit the discharged liquid to flow or be transported around the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 by a discharged gaseous matter.

Said another way, top cover portion 102 may be rotatably coupled with respect to the bottom cover portion 300 to have a cover translation path. The cover translation path includes a first position with the cover 102 surrounding the toilet seat 300 and with the two opposing sidewalis 602, 604 contouring the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the toilet seat 200, respectively. Said another way, the inner circumferential surface of the toilet seat 200 is contoured by the inner circular sidewall 602 and the outer circumferential surface of the toilet seat 200 is contoured by the outer circular sidewall 604. To effectuate the most effective and efficient transportation of the fluid around the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200, the inner surfaces 204 of the sidewalis 602, 604 are substantially adjacent to the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the toilet seat 200 to minimize fluid loss as it is transported around the toilet seat 200. In some embodiments, the inner surfaces 204 of the sidewalis 602, 604 are configured to be in a watertight or airtight configuration with the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the toilet seat 200 using, for example, rubber seals disposed circumferential ly around the inner surfaces of the sidewalis 602, 604.

As best seen in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, the top cover portion 102 defines at least one liquid aperture 500 fluidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit 606 and defines at least one gas aperture 206 fiuidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit 606. As discussed in the incorporated disclosure, an electrical system is operably configured (at a time programmed and/or otherwise desired by the user, manufacturer, or consumer) to discharge a liquid matter, from a liquid source, through the liquid aperture(s) 500 and onto a portion of the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200. The electrical system is also operably configured to discharge a gaseous matter, from a gas source, through the gas aperture(s) 206 and into the fluid transport conduit 606 at a speed sufficient to effectuate transport of the liquid around the toilet seat 200 and out through one or more fluid discharge aperture(s) 208 and into the toilet bowl for evacuation. In one embodiment, the aperture! s) 206, 208, 500 are disposed proximal, or within 0-6 inches of, the rear end of the toilet seat 200 so that the fluid flow begins and ends at the rear portion of the toilet seat 200 where it is less likely the user will sit.

Unlike those known toilet seat cleaning assemblies, the present invention is designed to effectuate a flow of sanitizing and/or cleaning fluid around the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200. Said another way, when the cover 102 is in the closed position the gas discharged into the channel 606 transports the discharged liquid circularly around the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 and through the fluid discharge aperture 208 defined on the cover 102 and into the toilet bowl for evacuation. In preferred embodiments, the top cover portion 102 is transparent or translucent for the user to visually see the fluid transportation in motion. To effectuate this fluid transportation, the fluid transport conduit 606 spans from the at least one gas aperture 206 and turns at least 180 degrees to the at least one fluid discharge aperture 208 disposed downstream of the at least one gas aperture 206. In other embodiments, the fluid transport conduit 606 spans from the at least one gas aperture 206 and turns approximately 360 degrees, i.e., +/- 15 degrees, to the at least one fluid discharge aperture or port 208. Said another way, the fluid transport conduit 606 and/or the discharged fluid may span substantially the entire upper surface 202 of the toilet seat 200, i.e., minus one or more surfaces of the rear portion of the toilet seat 200. Said even further, the assembly's 100 induction of gas is of a force sufficient to transport the liquid around the seat 200 at least approximately 80% of operationally configured upper surface (i.e. , the part of the toilet seat where the user conventionally sits on). As seen in FIGS. 2 and 5-6, the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 completely surrounds the center aperture 212 and the fluid transport conduit 606 may substantially span around the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200.

The flow of the discharged liquid 502 and gas 506 spanning continuously around the toilet seat 200 and can be seen depicted in FIG. 5, through arrows 504. As discussed in the incorporated disclosure, the liquid discharge may be a liquid stream or atomized liquid spray of water, disinfectant, a combination of water and/or disinfectant, a liquid vapor, or other liquid. Additionally, the induced flow of gas as it enters the conduit 606 can also be seen depicted through arrows 506. With reference now to FIGS. 2, 5-6, and 9-10, to facilitate in directing the flow of the liquid and gas matter 504 continuously around the continuous toilet seat 200, the assembly 100 may beneficially include an air deflector 210, 900, also referred to herein as a wall divider, coupled to top cover portion 102. The wall divider 210, 900 extends downwardly from the inner surface 204 of the upper wall 600 of the cover 102 as seen in the figures. Additionally, the wall divider 210, 900 beneficially interposes the gas aperture(s) 206 and the fluid discharge aperture(s) 208. The wail divider 210, 900 includes a lower surface disposed adjacent, i.e., substantially adjacent, to the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 when the cover 102 is in the first, closed, position. The wall divider 210, 900 may also be beneficially disposed proximal to the back end of the toilet seat 200 when the cover is in the first, closed, position to, again, minimize the user's exposure of any remaining fluid or other contaminants or debris. The air deflector controls or deflects the air to direct it around the fluid transport conduit 606, thereby facilitating in transporting the liquid around the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200. In one embodiment, the lower surface (shown best in FIG. 2) of the wall divider 210, 900 may couple to the upper surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 in a substantially watertight and/or airtight configuration. As such, the lower surface 902 of the wall divider 2 0, 900 may include a rubber seal that is operably configured to effectuation such a configuration. In other embodiments, the lower surface of the wall divider 210, 900 may be disposed proximal to the upper surface 202 of the toilet seat 200. Like the upper wall 600 and sidewalls 602, 604, the wall divider 210, 900 may be free of any openings to minimize loss of air pressure forcefully transporting the liquid around the top surface of the toilet seat 200. The wall divider 210, 900 may span the entire width 608 of the toilet seat 200 and may also be shaped to contour the shape of the upper surface 202 of the toilet seat 200. The width 610 of the conduit 606 may also be substantially equal, i.e., +./- 15% deviation, to the width 608 of the toilet seat 200. In one embodiment, the wall divider 210, 900 is of a thickness that is approximately 0.25". Other dimensions, however, may be used depending on design or manufacturing constraints and the shape of the toilet seat 200.

Moreover, a process flow diagram showing exemplary steps in automatically cleaning a toilet seat can be seen depicted in FIG. 16, wherein the process begins at step 1600 and terminates at step 1608. The figures depicted are described in conjunction with the process flow chart of FIG. 16 and, although FIG. 6 shows a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments, unless otherwise indicated herein. Certain steps may also be omitted in FIG. 16 for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps included in FIG. 16 can be combined into a single process. The process may proceed from step 1600 to the step 1602 of enclosing a toilet seat 200 of a toilet within a toilet seat cover 100 to define a closed position with an inner and outer circumferential surface of the toilet seat adjacent, i.e., substantially adjacent, to and contoured by two opposing sidewails 602, 604, respectively, of the toilet seat cover 100 to define the fluid transport conduit 606 disposed directly above the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 (as shown best in FIGS. 6, 12, and 14). The process may continue to step 1604 of discharging a liquid, through the one or more liquid aperture(s) 500 defined by the toilet seat cover 100 and, when in the closed position, onto the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 proximal to a rear end of the toilet seat 200. Continuing further, the process includes discharging a gaseous matter, when in the closed position, through one or more gas aperture(s) 206 defined by the toilet seat cover 100 and into the fluid transport conduit 606 to transport the discharged liquid circularly around the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 and through a fluid discharge aperture 208 defined on the cover 100 and into the toilet bowl. As discussed in the incorporated disclosure, the gas discharge may be effectuated with, for example, an air mover or fan (also commonly referred to as a "blower"). The bottom cover portion 300, including its canted or sloped surfaces, facilitate in draining any potential fluid run-off into the toilet bowl for evacuation by the user (in addition to facilitating the cleaning of the bottom surface of the toilet seat 200). The cover may also employ the use of UV emitters disposed circumferential ly around the cover and electrically coupled to a power source, wherein they are operable to emit UV when the cover is in the closed position.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, in one embodiment of the present invention, the transportation of the discharged liquid circularly around the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 may be effectuated by inducing flow of negative pressure or vacuum within the channel 606. A representation of said process can be seen in FIG. 9. Specifically, after liquid 902 is discharged, e.g., via a nozzle, proximal to a rear portion 904 of the toilet seat 200 through, for example, a liquid aperture 906 defined on the cover that is fluidly coupled, through a fluid line, to a fluid source, a vacuum (represented by arrows 908) is induced by the air mover. The configuration of the sidewails 602, 604 and channel 606 with respect to the toilet seat 200 enables the discharged liquid 902 to travel from the location on the seat which the liquid 902 is discharged, around the toilet seat 200, and to the discharge aperture 910 defined on the cover and disposed downstream in the channel 606 proximal to the back end 906 of the toilet seat 200, wherein the discharged liquid 902 flows into the toilet bowl. To prevent a complete vacuum within the channel 606, the cover may define an aperture 912 disposed adjacent to the wail 900 and proximal to the area in which the liquid 902 is emitted. Moreover, the cover may employ the use of a secondary deflection wall 914, or air deflector that is disposed downstream of the exit aperture 910 in the channel 606. The secondary deflection wall 914 is used to deflect and/or control incoming liquid transported by the induced vacuum through the discharge aperture 910 and into the toilet bowl for evacuation by the user. To facilitate in deflecting the incoming liquid, while permitting airflow by the air mover, the secondary deflection wall 914 may only partially extend upwardly along the inner surfaces of the sidewails 602, 604 substantially from the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200. The bottom surface of the secondary deflection wall 914 may also include a rubber seal to prevent incoming liquid from passing out of the conduit 606 and into the air mover assembly. Said another way, the secondary deflection wall 914 is disposed in a lower portion of the conduit 606 adjacent to the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200, while the upper portion of the conduit is open permitting for gas flow induced by the air mover.

With reference now to FIGS. 8-9, 11-15, the cover assembly 1100 may include a tongue member 1300 projecting from the inner surface 1302 of the one or more two opposing sidewails 602, 604 (shown best in FIG. 6). The tongue member 1300 is a relatively thin piece of material, e.g., approximately 0.25", that may be of the same material as the cover 102, e.g., PVC. The tongue member 1300 is operably configured for use with toilet seats 1400 having one or more spatial discontinuities 702 disposed thereon, particularly at the front end of the toilet seat 1400. The tongue member 1300 may beneficially have a width 1402 and length 1304 defining a tongue area that is substantially equal to the discontinuity area, i.e., the length 800 x width 1404. Advantageously, the top surface 1406 of the tongue member 1300, when the cover 102 is in the closed position, is flanked by the top surface 202 of the toilet seat 200 and are aligned with one another (as shown best in FIG. 14). The tongue member 1300 may also have a length 1304 spanning substantially a distance separating the inner surfaces 1302 of, i.e., equal to or within 1 -2" within, the inner and outer circular sidewalls 602, 604. While FIG. 14 depicts a discontinuity between the tongue member 1300 and side top surfaces 202, the drawings are not to scale and the top surface 1406 of the tongue member 1300 may continuously connect the adjacent side top surfaces 202 to effectuate a continuous flow of liquid around the toilet seat 200. In other embodiments, the tongue member 1300 may not continuously connect the adjacent side top surfaces 202, to permit slight liquid run-off through the apertures 1408, thereby cleaning the sides 1410 of the toilet seat 200 and run-off into the toilet bowl.

As such, an automatic toilet seat-cleaning assembly has been disclosed that is operable to clean and/or disinfect the top surface of the toilet seat before use by the user in an effective, energy- and cost-efficient, and clean manner.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. in combination with a toilet having a toilet bowl and a toilet seat coupled to the toilet bowl, the toilet seat defining a center aperture and including a front end, a back end, a top surface, an inner circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface, the improvement comprising; a cover with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface, the cover: including an upper wall flanked by two opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from the upper wall, an inner surface of the upper wall and two opposing sidewalls defining a fluid transport conduit; with a first position and a second position along a cover translation path, the first position including the cover surrounding the toilet seat and with the two opposing sidewalls contouring the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the toilet seat, respectively, the second position including the cover removed from above a portion of the top surface of the toilet seat; defining at least one liquid aperture fluidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit; defining at least one gas aperture fluidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit; and defining at least one fluid discharge aperture, the fluid transport conduit spanning continuously from the at least one gas aperture at least 180 degrees around the upper surface of the toilet seat to the at least one fluid discharge aperture for evacuation into the toilet bowl; and an electrical system operablv configured, when the cover is in the first position, to cause: a liquid matter, from a liquid source, to discharge, through the at least one liquid aperture, onto a portion of the top surface of the toilet seat proximal to the at least one gas aperture; and an induced flow of gaseous matter, from a gas source, to discharge, through the at least one gas aperture, at a speed sufficient to transport the liquid matter through the fluid transport conduit, around the top surface of toilet seat, and through the at least one fluid discharge aperture.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 , wherein the cover further comprises: an air deflector for deflecting induced gaseous matter within the fluid transport conduit, the air deflector coupled to cover, extending downwardly from the inner surface of the upper wall of the cover, interposed between the at least one gas aperture and the at least one fluid discharge aperture disposed downstream of the at least one gas aperture, and having a lower surface disposed adjacent to the top surface of the toilet seat when the cover is in the first position.

3. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein: the air deflector is disposed proximal to the back end of the toilet seat when the cover is in the first position.

4. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein: an air deflector defines a terminal end of the fluid transport conduit.

5. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein: the fluid transport conduit spans from the at least one gas aperture approximately 360 degrees to the at least one fluid discharge aperture.

6. The improvement according to claim 5, wherein the cover further comprises: an air deflector coupled to cover and extending downwardly from the inner surface of the upper wall of the cover and interposed between the at least one gas aperture and the at least one fluid discharge aperture.

7. The improvement according to claim 6, wherein the air deflector further comprises: a lower surface disposed adjacent to the top surface of the toilet seat when the cover is in the first position, the air deflector disposed proximal to the back end of the toilet seat when the cover is in the first position.

8. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein: the top surface of the toilet seat completely surrounds the center aperture and the fluid transport conduit substantially spans around the top surface of the toilet seat.

9. The improvement according to claim 8, wherein: the at least one gas aperture, the at least one liquid aperture, and the fluid discharge aperture are disposed proximal to the back end of the toilet seat.

10. The improvement according to claim I, wherein the toilet seat defines a discontinuity of a width and length defining a discontinuity area along the top surface of the toilet seat proximal to the front end of the toilet seat, the cover further comprising: a tongue member projecting from the inner surface of at least one of the two opposing sidewalls, the tongue member having a width and length defining a tongue area that is substantially equal to the discontinuity area.

1 1. The improvement according to claim 10, wherein the tongue member further comprises: a top surface, wherein, when the cover is in the first position, the top surface of the tongue member and a flanking top surface of the toilet seat are aligned with one another.

12. An auto cleaning toilet seat assembly comprising: a cover with a top cover portion rotatabiy couplable to a bottom cover portion and having a closed position with front ends of the top and bottom cover portions directly coupled together to define a toilet seat cavity sized to receive a circular toilet seat having a top surface, the top cover portion: including a rear end and an upper wall with an inner surface; including an inner circular sidewall extending downwardly from the upper wall, with an inner surface, and defining a fluid discharge aperture: including an outer circular sidewall opposing the inner circular sidewall, extending downwardly from the upper wall, and with an inner surface, the inner surfaces of the upper wall, inner circular sidewall, and outer circular sidewall defining a fluid transport conduit circularly spanning approximately 360 degrees; defining at least one liquid aperture fluidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit and disposed proximal to the rear end of the top cover portion; defining at least one gas aperture fluidly coupled to the fluid transport conduit and disposed proximal to the rear end of the top cover portion; and including an air deflector extending downwardly from the inner surface of the upper wall of the cover and defining a terminal end of the fluid transport conduit, the fluid transport conduit spanning continuously from the at least one gas aperture to the air deflector; and an electrical system operablv configured, when the cover is in the first position, to cause: a liquid matter, from a liquid source, to discharge, through the at least one liquid aperture; and an induced flow of gaseous matter, from a gas source, to discharge, through the at least one gas aperture.

13. The auto cleaning toilet seat assembly according to claim 12, wherein the air deflector further comprises: a lower surface of an arcuate shape to contour with the top surface of the toilet seat and is interposed between the at least one gas aperture and the at least one fluid discharge aperture.

14. The auto cleaning toilet seat assembly according to claim 13, wherein: the air deflector spans from the inner surface of the inner circular sidewall to the inner surface of the outer circular sidewall.

15. The auto cleaning toilet seat assembly according to claim 12, wherein the top cover portion further comprises: a tongue member projecting from the inner surface of at least one of the two opposing sidewalls, the tongue member having a length spanning substantially a distance separating the inner surfaces of the inner and outer circular sidewalls.

16. The auto cleaning toilet seat assembly according to claim 15, wherein: the tongue member is disposed at the front end of the top cover portion,

17. A method of automatically cleaning a toilet seat, the method comprising the steps of: enclosing a toilet seat of a toilet within a toilet seat cover to define a closed position with an inner and outer circumferential surface of the toilet seat adjacent to and contoured by two opposing sidewalls, respectively, of the toilet seat cover to define a fluid transport conduit disposed directly above a top surface of the toilet seat; discharging a liquid, through a liquid aperture defined by the toilet seat cover and when in the closed position, onto the top surface of the toilet seat proximal to a rear end of the toilet seat; and discharging a gaseous matter, when in the closed position, through a gas aperture defined by the toilet seat cover and into the fluid transport conduit to transport the discharged liquid circularly around the top surface of the toilet seat and through a fluid discharge aperture defined on the cover and into a toilet bowl.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: discharging the gaseous matter into the fluid transport conduit at a location proximal to the rear end of the toilet seat to transport the discharged liquid circularly around the top surface of the toilet seat and through the fluid discharge aperture disposed proximal to the rear end of the toilet