US20200329927A1

US20200329927A1 - Automatic toilet seat cover dispensers and methods of using the same

Info

Publication number: US20200329927A1
Application number: US16/394,029
Authority: US
Inventors: Biao Han; Weilie Liu; Minsi Cai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-04-19
Filing date: 2019-04-25
Publication date: 2020-10-22
Also published as: CN111820800A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a continuous toilet seat cover reel, an automatic toilet seat cover dispenser, and methods of using the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser. In certain embodiments, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser includes: a dispenser sensing system for detecting a user's demand of a toilet seat cover sheet, a dispenser control system for moving one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from a continuous toilet seat cover reel, and a toilet seat cover dispensing system for delivering the toilet seat cover sheet to the user. When the user is in need of a toilet seat cover sheet, the user activates the dispenser sensing system, the dispenser control system moves one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel, and the toilet seat cover dispensing system delivers the toilet seat cover sheet to the user.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of bathroom supply, and more particularly to a continuous toilet seat cover reel, an automatic toilet seat cover dispenser dispensing the continuous toilet seat cover reels, and methods of using the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser.

BACKGROUND

In order to prevent certain transmitted diseases, some sanitary toilets in public bathrooms are provided with toilet seat cover sheets. Currently, single pull-up toilet seat cover sheet or folded toilet seat cover sheets are widely used in toilets in public bathrooms. For the single pull-up toilet seat cover sheet, a user has to take the toilet sear cover sheet from a package, unfold the folded toilet sear cover sheet, and put on the toilet seat. For the folded toilet seat cover sheets, the user still has to take the folded toilet seat cover sheets out of a container, unfold the folded toilet sear cover sheet, and put on the toilet seat. It is not convenient to use either one of the toilet seat cover sheets.
It is desirable for the user to retrieve a flat toilet seat cover sheet and directly put over the toilet seat.
Therefore, an unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a continuous toilet seat cover reel. In certain embodiments, the continuous toilet seat cover reel includes a predetermined number of toilet seat cover sheets. These toilet seat cover sheets are perforated and rolled in the continuous toilet seat cover reel. Each toilet seat cover sheet includes: a seat cover portion, and a splash prevention portion. The splash prevention portion also includes a splash prevention tongue, and a top end of the splash prevention tongue. The seat cover portion and the splash prevention portion are perforated by a splash prevention perforated tear line into a toilet bowl shape to allow a user to separate the seat cover portion from the splash prevention portion for use on a toilet.
In certain embodiments, each toilet seat cover sheet has a predetermined length L.
In certain embodiments, the continuous toilet seat cover reel includes sheet perforated tear lines between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets to allow the user to separate a toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel, and sheet separation marking lines printed between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets to indicate where the toilet seat cover sheet is to be separated from the continuous toilet seat cover reel.
In certain embodiments, the top end of the splash prevention tongue includes one or more vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines and horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines for the user to separate the splash prevention portion from the seat cover portion.
In certain embodiments, each of the sheet perforated tear lines, the splash prevention perforated tear line, the vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines and the horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines includes a predetermined number of attached segments and a predetermined number of detached segments for easy separation.
In certain embodiments, each toilet seat cover sheet may also include a counting indicator. In one embodiment, the counting indicator is an opto-electrical counting hole punctured in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet. In another embodiment, the counting indicator is a counting marking printed in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet.
In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an automatic toilet seat cover dispenser. In certain embodiments, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser includes: a dispenser sensing system for detecting a user's demand of a toilet seat cover sheet, a dispenser control system for moving one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from a continuous toilet seat cover reel, and a toilet seat cover dispensing system for delivering the toilet seat cover sheet to the user. When the user is in need of a toilet seat cover sheet, the user activates the dispenser sensing system, the dispenser control system moves one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel, and the toilet seat cover dispensing system delivers the toilet seat cover sheet to the user.
In certain embodiments, the dispenser sensing system includes a toilet seat cover dispensing control device for the user to activate the dispenser sensing system. In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing control device is a push button switch for the user to request the toilet seat cover sheet. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing control device is a motion sensor for the user to request the toilet seat cover sheet.
In certain embodiments, the dispenser control system includes a toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism. In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism is an opto-electrical counting device for detecting an opto-electrical counting hole punctured in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet on the continuous toilet seat cover reel to move one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism is a counting marking reader for detecting a counting marking printed in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet on the continuous toilet seat cover reel to move one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel.
In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system includes a lower edge of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser for the user to tear the toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel along a perforated tear line. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system includes a sawtooth shaped lower edge of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser for the user to tear the toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel without the perforated tear line.
In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system includes a manual sliding cutter for the user to cut the toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system includes an automatic sliding cutter for the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser to cut the toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel.
In certain embodiments, the continuous toilet seat cover reel includes a predetermined number of toilet seat cover sheets. These toilet seat cover sheets are perforated and rolled in the continuous toilet seat cover reel. Each toilet seat cover sheet includes: a seat cover portion, and a splash prevention portion. The splash prevention portion also includes a splash prevention tongue, and a top end of the splash prevention tongue. The seat cover portion and the splash prevention portion are perforated by a splash prevention perforated tear line into a toilet bowl shape to allow a user to separate the seat cover portion from the splash prevention portion for use on a toilet.
In certain embodiments, each toilet seat cover sheet has a predetermined length L.
In certain embodiments, the continuous toilet seat cover reel includes sheet perforated tear lines between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets to allow the user to separate a toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel, and sheet separation marking lines printed between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets to indicate where the toilet seat cover sheet is to be separated from the continuous toilet seat cover reel.
In certain embodiments, the top end of the splash prevention tongue includes one or more vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines and horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines for the user to separate the splash prevention portion from the seat cover portion.
In certain embodiments, each of the sheet perforated tear lines, the splash prevention perforated tear line, the vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines and the horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines includes a predetermined number of attached segments and a predetermined number of detached segments for easy separation.
In certain embodiments, each toilet seat cover sheet may also include a counting indicator. In one embodiment, the counting indicator is an opto-electrical counting hole printed in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet. In another embodiment, the counting indicator is a counting marking printed in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet.
In certain embodiments, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser further includes a dispenser alert system. In one embodiment, the dispenser alert system is a dispenser alert indicator for indicating that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser is out of toilet seat cover sheets. In another embodiment, the dispenser alert system is a wireless alert system for notifying a management staff that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser is out of toilet seat cover sheets.
In certain embodiments, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser further includes an electrical power system. In one embodiment, the electrical power system is one or more batteries. In another embodiment, the electrical power system is one or more rechargeable batteries. In yet another embodiment, the electrical power system is an electrical power supply electrically connected to a wall outlet.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of using an automatic toilet seat cover dispenser. In certain embodiments, the method includes: installing, by a management staff, a continuous toilet seat cover reel into the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser located in a bathroom, activating, by a user, a dispenser sensing system of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser to retrieve a toilet seat cover sheet, moving, by a dispenser control system of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser, one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel, and retrieving, by the user via a toilet seat cover dispensing system of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser, the toilet seat cover sheet.
In certain embodiments, the method also includes: replenishing, by the management staff, another continuous toilet seat cover reel into the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser when a dispenser alert system of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser indicates that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser is out of toilet seat cover sheets.
These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment. The drawings do not limit the present disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic toilet seat cover dispenser according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an individual toilet seat cover sheet on a continuous toilet seat cover reel for the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged portion of the toilet seat cover sheet on the continuous toilet seat cover reel showing detailed construction of the toilet seat cover sheet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates another individual toilet seat cover sheet on the continuous toilet seat cover reel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another individual toilet seat cover sheet on the continuous toilet seat cover reel according to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows an automatic toilet seat cover dispenser dispensing a toilet seat cover sheet on the continuous toilet seat cover reel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows another automatic toilet seat cover dispenser dispensing a toilet seat cover sheet on the continuous toilet seat cover reel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of using the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” or “has” and/or “having” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom”, “upper” or “top,” and “front” or “back” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower”, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending of the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
As used herein, “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximates, meaning that the term “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.
Many specific details are provided in the following descriptions to make the present disclosure be fully understood, but the present disclosure may also be implemented by using other manners different from those described herein, so that the present disclosure is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed in the following.
The description will be made as to the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings FIGS. 1 through 8.
In one aspect, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, the present disclosure relates to a continuous toilet seat cover reel 200. In certain embodiments, the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 includes a predetermined number of toilet seat cover sheets 201. These toilet seat cover sheets 201 are perforated and rolled in the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200. Each toilet seat cover sheet 201 includes: a seat cover portion 202, and a splash prevention portion 204. The splash prevention portion 204 also includes a splash prevention tongue 206, and a top end of the splash prevention tongue 208. The seat cover portion 202 and the splash prevention portion 204 are perforated by a splash prevention perforated tear line 214 into a toilet bowl shape to allow a user to separate the seat cover portion 202 from the splash prevention portion 204 for use on a toilet. In one embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 is perforated in a rounded toilet bowl shape, not showing in FIGS. 2-5. In another embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 is perforated in an elongated toilet bowl shape, as shown in FIGS. 2-5.
In certain embodiments, each toilet seat cover sheet 201 has a predetermined length, as marked L in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover sheet 201 (L) is approximately 14 inches (35 CM) to fit the rounded toilet bowl shape. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover sheet 201 (L) is approximately 18 inches (45 CM) to fit the elongated toilet bowl shape, as shown in FIGS. 2-5.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 includes sheet perforated tear lines 210 between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets 201 to allow the user to separate a toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 includes sheet separation marking lines 211 printed between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets 201 to indicate where the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is to be separated from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200.
In certain embodiments, the top end of the splash prevention tongue 208 includes one or more vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines 215 and horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines 220 and 218 for the user to separate the splash prevention portion 204 from the seat cover portion 202. In one embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 may be used with the splash prevention portion 204 attached to the seat cover portion 202. In another embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 may be used with the splash prevention portion 204 detached from the seat cover portion 202, and the detached splash prevention portion 204 is placed in a toilet bowl.
In certain embodiments, each of the sheet perforated tear lines 210, the splash prevention perforated tear line 214, the vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines 215 and the horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines 218 and 220 includes a predetermined number of attached segments 212 and a predetermined number of detached segments 216 for easy separation.
In certain embodiments, each toilet seat cover sheet 201 may also include a counting indicator. In one embodiment, the counting indicator is an opto-electrical counting hole 222 punctured in a predetermined location of each toilet seat cover sheet 201, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In another embodiment, the counting indicator is a counting marking 224 printed in a predetermined location of each toilet seat cover sheet 201, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
In another aspect, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the present disclosure relates to an automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100. In certain embodiments, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 includes: a dispenser sensing system 102, a dispenser control system 103, and a toilet seat cover dispensing system 104. The dispenser sensing system 102 detects a user's demand of a toilet seat cover sheet 201. The dispenser control system 103 moves one toilet seat cover sheet 201 out at a time from a continuous toilet seat cover reel 200. The toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 delivers the toilet seat cover sheet 201 to the user.
When the user is in need of the toilet seat cover sheet 201, the user activates the dispenser sensing system 102, the dispenser control system 103 moves one toilet seat cover sheet 201 out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200, and the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 delivers the toilet seat cover sheet 201 to the user.
In certain embodiments, the dispenser sensing system 102 includes a toilet seat cover dispensing control device 108 for the user to activate the dispenser sensing system 102. In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing control device 108 is a push button switch. When the user presses the push button switch, the dispenser sensing system 102 receives the user's request, the dispenser control system 103 delivers one piece of toilet seat cover sheet 201 according to user's request, and the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 delivers the toilet seat cover sheet 201 to the user. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing control device 108 is a motion sensor. When the user waves a hand in front of the motion sensor, the dispenser sensing system 102 receives the user's request, the dispenser control system 103 delivers one piece of toilet seat cover sheet 201 according to user's request, and the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 delivers the toilet seat cover sheet 201 to the user.
In certain embodiments, the dispenser control system 103 includes a toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism. In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism is an opto-electrical counting device. When the dispenser control system 103 moves one toilet seat cover sheet 201 out from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200, the opto-electrical counting device detects an opto-electrical counting hole 222 on the toilet seat cover sheet 201 marking the end of the toilet seat cover sheet 201 and stops the dispenser control system 103 such that one toilet seat cover sheet 201 is delivered to the user. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism is a counting marking reader. When the dispenser control system 103 moves one toilet seat cover sheet 201 out from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200, the counting marking reader detects a counting marking 224 on the toilet seat cover sheet 201 marking the end of the toilet seat cover sheet 201 and stops the dispenser control system 103 such that one toilet seat cover sheet 201 is delivered to the user. The number of toilet seat cover sheet 201 delivered is counted by the toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism. When the counted number of toilet seat cover sheet 201 delivered reaches the predetermined number of toilet seat cover sheet 201, the toilet seat cover sheets 201 in the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 installed in the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 are used up.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 includes a lower edge 110 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100. The user may tear the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 along a perforated tear line 210. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 includes the lower edge 110 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 includes a sawtooth shaped blade such that the user tear the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 using the sawtooth shaped blade when the toilet seat cover sheets 201 are not perforated.
In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 includes a manual sliding cutter 109. When the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is moved out of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100, the user may use this manual sliding cutter 109 to cut the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 along the sheet separation marking lines 211 or the sheet perforated tear lines 210, and the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is delivered to the user. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 includes an automatic sliding cutter 109. When the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is moved out of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 uses the automatic sliding cutter 109 to cut the toilet seat cover sheet 201 automatically from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 along the sheet separation marking lines 211 or the sheet perforated tear lines 210, and the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is delivered to the user. In certain embodiments, a small portion of the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is not cut such that the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is still attached to the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 to prevent the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from falling off. The user may tear the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200.
In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 includes a predetermined number of toilet seat cover sheets 201. These toilet seat cover sheets 201 are perforated and rolled in the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200. Each toilet seat cover sheet 201 includes: a seat cover portion 202, and a splash prevention portion 204. The splash prevention portion 204 also includes a splash prevention tongue 206, and a top end of the splash prevention tongue 208. The seat cover portion 202 and the splash prevention portion 204 are perforated by a splash prevention perforated tear line 214 into a toilet bowl shape to allow a user to separate the seat cover portion 202 from the splash prevention portion 204 for use on a toilet. In one embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 is perforated in a rounded toilet bowl shape, not showing in FIGS. 2-5. In another embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 is perforated in an elongated toilet bowl shape, as shown in FIGS. 2-5.
In certain embodiments, each toilet seat cover sheet 201 has a predetermined length, as marked L in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 includes sheet perforated tear lines 210 between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets 201 to allow the user to separate a toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 includes sheet separation marking lines 211 printed between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets 201 to indicate where the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is to be separated from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200.
In certain embodiments, the top end of the splash prevention tongue 208 includes one or more vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines 215 and horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines 220 and 218 for the user to separate the splash prevention portion 204 from the seat cover portion 202. In one embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 may be used with the splash prevention portion 204 attached to the seat cover portion 202. In another embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 may be used with the splash prevention portion 204 detached from the seat cover portion 202, and the detached splash prevention portion 204 is placed in a toilet bowl.
In certain embodiments, each of the sheet perforated tear lines 210, the splash prevention perforated tear line 214, the vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines 215 and the horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines 218 and 220 includes a predetermined number of attached segments 212 and a predetermined number of detached segments 216 for easy separation.
In certain embodiments, each toilet seat cover sheet 201 may also include a counting indicator. In one embodiment, the counting indicator is an opto-electrical counting hole 222 punctured in a predetermined location of each toilet seat cover sheet 201, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In another embodiment, the counting indicator is a counting marking 224 printed in a predetermined location of each toilet seat cover sheet 201, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
In certain embodiments, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 further includes a dispenser alert system 101. In one embodiment, the dispenser alert system 101 is a dispenser alert indicator 107 for indicating that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 is out of toilet seat cover sheets 201. In another embodiment, the dispenser alert system 101 is a wireless alert system for notifying a management staff that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 is out of toilet seat cover sheets 201. The wireless alert system includes: Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth, wireless communication networks, mobile communication networks, and other available communication networks.
In certain embodiments, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 further includes an electrical power system 105. In one embodiment, the electrical power system 105 is one or more batteries. In another embodiment, the electrical power system 105 is one or more rechargeable batteries. In yet another embodiment, the electrical power system 105 is an electrical power supply electrically connected to a wall outlet. In certain embodiments, the rechargeable battery may include including lead-acid, nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), and lithium ion polymer (Li-ion polymer).
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of using an automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100. In certain embodiments, the method includes: installing, by a management staff, a continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 into the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 located in a bathroom, activating, by a user, a dispenser sensing system 102 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 to retrieve a toilet seat cover sheet 201, moving, by a dispenser control system 103 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100, one toilet seat cover sheet 201 out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200, and retrieving, by the user via a toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100, the toilet seat cover sheet 201.
In certain embodiments, the method also includes: replenishing, by the management staff, another continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 into the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 when a dispenser alert system 101 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 indicates that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 is out of toilet seat cover sheets 201.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 800 of using the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
At block 802, a management staff installs a continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 into the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 located in a bathroom.
In certain embodiments, the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 includes a predetermined number of toilet seat cover sheets 201. These toilet seat cover sheets 201 are perforated and rolled in the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200. Each toilet seat cover sheet 201 includes: a seat cover portion 202, and a splash prevention portion 204. The splash prevention portion 204 also includes a splash prevention tongue 206, and a top end of the splash prevention tongue 208. The seat cover portion 202 and the splash prevention portion 204 are perforated by a splash prevention perforated tear line 214 into a toilet bowl shape to allow a user to separate the seat cover portion 202 from the splash prevention portion 204 for use on a toilet. In one embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 is perforated in a rounded toilet bowl shape, not showing in FIGS. 2-5. In another embodiment, the splash prevention portion 204 is perforated in an elongated toilet bowl shape, as shown in FIGS. 2-5.
In certain embodiments, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 includes: a dispenser sensing system 102, a dispenser control system 103, and a toilet seat cover dispensing system 104. The dispenser sensing system 102 detects a user's demand of a toilet seat cover sheet 201. The dispenser control system 103 moves one toilet seat cover sheet 201 out at a time from a continuous toilet seat cover reel 200. The toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 delivers the toilet seat cover sheet 201 to the user.
At block 804, a user activates the dispenser sensing system 102 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 to retrieve a toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 installed.
In certain embodiments, the dispenser sensing system 102 includes a toilet seat cover dispensing control device 108 for the user to activate the dispenser sensing system 102. In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing control device 108 is a push button switch. When the user intends to retrieve a toilet seat cover sheet 201, he/she presses the push button switch. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing control device 108 is a motion sensor. When the user intends to retrieve a toilet seat cover sheet 201, he/she waves a hand in front of the motion sensor. In certain embodiments, since not every person in the bathroom will want to use the toilet seat cover sheet 201, the motion sensor should be limited to a narrow marked area. Otherwise, anyone walks in front of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 will get a toilet seat cover sheet 201, which is not desirable.
At block 806, the dispenser control system 103 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 moves one toilet seat cover sheet 201 out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200, and the user retrieves a toilet seat cover sheet 201 using the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 includes a lower edge 110 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100. The for the user may tear the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 along a perforated tear line 210. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 includes the lower edge 110 of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 includes a sawtooth shaped blade such that the user tear the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 using the sawtooth shaped blade when the toilet seat cover sheets 201 are not perforated.
In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 includes a manual sliding cutter 109. When the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is moved out of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100, the user may use this manual sliding cutter 109 to cut the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 along the sheet separation marking lines 211 or the sheet perforated tear lines 210, and the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is delivered to the user. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 includes an automatic sliding cutter 109. When the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is moved out of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100, the toilet seat cover dispensing system 104 uses the automatic sliding cutter 109 to cut the toilet seat cover sheet 201 automatically from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 along the sheet separation marking lines 211 or the sheet perforated tear lines 210, and the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is delivered to the user. In certain embodiments, a small portion of the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is not cut such that the toilet seat cover sheet 201 is still attached to the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 to prevent the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from falling off. The user may tear the toilet seat cover sheet 201 from the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200.
At query block 808, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 determines whether all of the toilet seat cover sheets 201 on the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 are dispensed. When all of the toilet seat cover sheets 201 on the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 are dispensed, the method 800 proceeds to block 810. Otherwise, the method 800 proceeds to block 804.
In certain embodiments, the dispenser control system 103 includes a toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism. In one embodiment, the toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism is an opto-electrical counting device. In another embodiment, the toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism is a counting marking reader. When a continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 is installed in the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100, a counter in the toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism is reset to the predetermined number of toilet seat cover sheets 201 of the continuous toilet seat cover reel 200. Every time when a toilet seat cover sheet 201 is delivered, the counter in the toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism in decreased by one. When the counter reaches zero, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 is out of toilet seat cover sheets 201.
At block 810, in certain embodiments, the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 further includes a dispenser alert system 101. In one embodiment, the dispenser alert system 101 is a dispenser alert indicator 107. When the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 is out of toilet seat cover sheets 201, the dispenser alert indicator 107 is turned on to indicate that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 is out of toilet seat cover sheets 201. In another embodiment, the dispenser alert system 101 is a wireless alert system. When the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 is out of toilet seat cover sheets 201, the wireless alert system notifies a management staff that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100 is out of toilet seat cover sheets 201. The method 800 proceeds to block 802 to replenish the toilet seat cover sheets by install another continuous toilet seat cover reel 200 into the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser 100.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A continuous toilet seat cover reel, comprising:

a plurality of toilet seat cover sheets perforated and rolled in the continuous toilet seat cover reel, wherein each of the plurality of toilet seat cover sheets comprises:

a seat cover portion, and

a splash prevention portion, wherein the splash prevention portion comprises a splash prevention tongue, and a top end of the splash prevention tongue,

wherein the seat cover portion and the splash prevention portion are perforated by a splash prevention perforated tear line to allow a user to separate the seat cover portion from the splash prevention portion for use on a toilet.

2. The continuous toilet seat cover reel of claim 1, wherein the continuous toilet seat cover reel comprises a predetermined number of toilet seat cover sheet and each toilet seat cover sheet has a predetermined length L.

3. The continuous toilet seat cover reel of claim 2, wherein the continuous toilet seat cover reel comprises a sheet perforated tear line between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets to allow the user to separate a toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel.

4. The continuous toilet seat cover reel of claim 3, wherein the top end of the splash prevention tongue comprises one or more vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines and horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines for the user to separate the splash prevention portion from the seat cover portion.

5. The continuous toilet seat cover reel of claim 4, wherein each of the sheet perforated tear lines, the splash prevention perforated tear line, the vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines and the horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines comprises a plurality of attached segments and a plurality of detached segments for easy separation.

6. The continuous toilet seat cover reel of claim 1, wherein each toilet seat cover sheet comprises a counting indicator, wherein the counting indicator comprises: an opto-electrical counting hole punctured in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet, and a counting marking printed in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet.

7. An automatic toilet seat cover dispenser, comprising:

a dispenser sensing system for detecting a user's demand of a toilet seat cover sheet;

a dispenser control system for moving one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from a continuous toilet seat cover reel; and

a toilet seat cover dispensing system for delivering the toilet seat cover sheet to the user,

wherein when the user is in need of a toilet seat cover sheet, the user activates the dispenser sensing system, the dispenser control system moves one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel, and the toilet seat cover dispensing system delivers the toilet seat cover sheet to the user.

8. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 7, wherein the dispenser sensing system comprising a toilet seat cover dispensing control device having:

a push button switch for the user to request the toilet seat cover sheet; and

a motion sensor for the user to request the toilet seat cover sheet.

9. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 7, wherein the dispenser control system comprising a toilet seat cover sheet counting mechanism having

an opto-electrical counting device for detecting an opto-electrical counting hole embedded on the continuous toilet seat cover reel to move one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel; and

a counting marking reader for detecting a counting marking printed on the continuous toilet seat cover reel to move one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel.

10. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 9, wherein the toilet seat cover dispensing system comprising:

a lower edge of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser for the user to tear the toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel along a perforated tear line; and

a sawtooth shaped lower edge of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser for the user to tear the toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel without the perforated tear line.

11. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 9, wherein the toilet seat cover dispensing system further comprises:

a manual sliding cutter for the user to cut the toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel; and

an automatic sliding cutter for the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser to cut the toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel.

12. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 7, wherein the continuous toilet seat cover reel, comprising:

a seat cover portion, and

wherein the seat cover portion and the splash prevention portion are perforated by a splash prevention perforated tear line to allow the user to separate the seat cover portion from the splash prevention portion for use on a toilet.

13. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 12, wherein the continuous toilet seat cover reel comprises a predetermined number of toilet seat cover sheet and each toilet seat cover sheet has a predetermined length L.

14. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 12, wherein the continuous toilet seat cover reel comprises a sheet perforated tear line between two adjacent toilet seat cover sheets to allow the user to separate a toilet seat cover sheet from the continuous toilet seat cover reel.

15. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 14, wherein the top end of the splash prevention tongue comprises one or more vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines and horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines for the user to separate the splash prevention portion from the seat cover portion.

16. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 15, wherein each of the sheet perforated tear lines, the splash prevention perforated tear line, the vertical splash prevention perforated tear lines and the horizontal splash prevention perforated tear lines comprises a plurality of attached segments and a plurality of detached segments for easy separation.

17. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 15, wherein each toilet seat cover sheet comprises a counting indicator, wherein the counting indicator comprises: an opto-electrical counting hole punctured in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet, and a counting marking printed in a predetermined location of the toilet seat cover sheet.

18. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 7, further comprising: a dispenser alert system, wherein the dispenser alert system comprises:

a dispenser alert indicator for indicating that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser is out of toilet seat cover sheets; and

a wireless alert system for notifying a management staff that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser is out of toilet seat cover sheets.

19. The automatic toilet seat cover dispenser of claim 7, further comprising:

an electrical power system, wherein the electrical power system comprises:

one or more batteries;

one or more rechargeable batteries; and

an electrical power supply electrically connected to a wall outlet.

20. A method of using an automatic toilet seat cover dispenser, comprising:

installing, by a management staff, a continuous toilet seat cover reel into the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser installed in a bathroom;

activating, by a user, a dispenser sensing system of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser to retrieve a toilet seat cover sheet;

moving, by a dispenser control system of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser, one toilet seat cover sheet out at a time from the continuous toilet seat cover reel;

retrieving, by the user via a toilet seat cover dispensing system of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser, the toilet seat cover sheet; and

replenishing, by the management staff, another continuous toilet seat cover reel into the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser when a dispenser alert system of the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser indicates that the automatic toilet seat cover dispenser is out of toilet seat cover sheets.