US20250333945A1

US20250333945A1 - Bidet Attachment for a Toilet with Integrated Deodorizer Spray System

Info

Publication number: US20250333945A1
Application number: US19/255,849
Authority: US
Inventors: James Dunigan
Original assignee: Destinked Bathroom LLC
Current assignee: Destinked Bathroom LLC
Priority date: 2023-05-29
Filing date: 2025-06-30
Publication date: 2025-10-30

Abstract

A bidet assembly having a housing that mounts to a toilet between the bowl and the seat. A pump is disposed within the housing. A reservoir container connects to the pump. The pump is activated and pumps an additive fluid when the reservoir container is manually manipulated. At least one bidet spray head extends into the bowl from the housing. In addition, at least one spray nozzle is provided. Each spray nozzle is supported by the housing and is separate and distinct from the bidet spray heads. Each spray nozzle is connected to the pump with a tube and sprays some of the additive fluid into the bowl when said pump is activated.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/325,093, filed May 29, 2023.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to the structure and operation of bidet assemblies that attach to toilets. The present invention also relates to systems that automatically spray a deodorizer and/or a disinfectant into the bowl of a toilet after each use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Traditionally, bidets are dedicated wash stations that are stand-alone units in a bathroom. That is, the bidet is traditionally separate and distinct from the toilet bowl. As a result, dedicated bidets require floor space and plumbing connections in a bathroom in addition to that needed for the toilet. This makes traditional bidets quite expensive and impractical to have in most bathrooms.
Recognizing the problems associated with traditional bidets, bidet attachments have been developed that are designed to attach to an existing toilet. Such prior art systems typically attach to the toilet between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat using the toilet seat mounting bolts. In such systems, the operational controls are positioned on the side of the toilet seat so as to be readily accessible by a person sitting on the toilet seat. Such prior art bidet systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 11,193,263 to Bensing.
Bidet attachments for toilets operate using the water supply of the toilet. The water is channeled to a spray head that is positioned within the toilet bowl. As such, the spray head of the bidet is only capable of spraying water. However, given the working purpose of a bidet, it may be beneficial to spray more than just water into a toilet bowl. For example, many people would recognize the advantages of spraying a deodorizer and/or a disinfectant into a toilet bowl.
In the prior art, there are many spray systems that are designed to spray deodorizers and/or disinfectants into a toilet bowl. Such prior art systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,286, to Funk and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0067897 to Graham. However, such systems contain tubes, supply reservoirs, spray cannisters and the like that occupy space around the toilet bowl. As a result, it is often impractical and sometimes impossible to use both an auxiliary spray deodorizing system and an auxiliary bidet system on the same toilet.
A need therefore exists for an improved auxiliary bidet system for a toilet that contains an integrated deodorizer/disinfecting system, wherein the bidet system can first function as a bidet and then function as a deodorizer. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a bidet assembly that can be added to a toilet or integrated into the design of a toilet. The toilet has a bowl and a seat. The bidet assembly has a housing that mounts to the toilet between the bowl and the seat. A pump is disposed within the housing. An additive fluid, such as a deodorant, disinfectant or detergent is filled into a reservoir container. The reservoir container connects to the pump. The pump is activated and pumps the additive fluid when the reservoir container is manually manipulated. As such, the reservoir container itself acts as the actuator handle of the pump.
A least one bidet spray head extends into the bowl of the toilet from the housing. Each bidet spray head is supplied with water from an external water source.
In addition, at least one spray nozzle is provided. Each spray nozzle is supported by the housing and is separate and distinct from the spray heads. Each spray nozzle is connected to the pump with a tube and sprays some of the additive fluid into the bowl when said pump is activated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a bidet assembly shown installed on a traditional toilet;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the bidet assembly shown in FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing the various functional components contained within the bidet assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention bidet assembly can be embodied in many ways, only one exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The exemplary embodiment is being shown for the purposes of explanation and description and is selected in order to set forth one of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.
Referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2 , an improved bidet assembly 10 is shown. The bidet assembly 10 contains a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a mounting section 14 and a control section 16. The mounting section 14 mounts to the bowl 18 of a toilet 20 between the bowl 18 and the seat 22. The mounting section 14 has adjustable mounting slots 24 that are engaged by bolts 26 that connect the seat 22 to the bowl 18 of the toilet 20. In this manner, the improved bidet assembly 10 can be properly positioned on different makes and models of toilets 20.
The mounting section 14 of the improved bidet assembly 10 contains a first bidet spray head 28 and a second bidet spray head 30. The output of the first bidet spray head 28 and the second bidet spray head 30 are directed to opposite ends of the user's perineum, when the user is seated on the toilet 20. The first bidet spray head 28 is positioned at the end of a first descending arm 32. The first descending arm 32 extends from the housing 12 downwardly into the bowl 18.
The first bidet spray head 28 can spray a jet of water in the traditional manner of a bidet. The water jet of the first bidet spray head 28 is directed in an upward direction in order to spray against a person sitting upon the seat 22 of the toilet 20. The second bidet spray head 30 is also supported by the mounting section 14 of the housing 12. The second bidet spray head 30 is positioned at the end of a second descending arm 34. The second descending arm 34 and the first descending arm 32 are parallel and are generally equal in length. Accordingly, the second descending arm 34 also extends into the bowl 18. Both the first descending arm 32 and the second descending arm 34 are protected by a splash shield 36. The splash shield 36 presents a flat surface in the bowl 18 that is easy to clean. As will be further explained, the first bidet spray head 28 and the second bidet spray head 30 can be operated both independently and in unison.
In addition to the first and second bidet spray heads 28, 30, at least one spray nozzle 38 is mounted in the housing 12 of the bidet assembly 10. The spray nozzles 38 are directed toward the bowl 18 and not toward the user. The spray nozzles 38 are used to selectively spray deodorant, disinfectant, and/or detergent into the bowl 18.
The first and second bidet spray heads 28, 30, along with the spray nozzle(s) 38 are operated by interacting with various elements on the control section 16. The control section 16 of the housing 12 extends beyond the bowl 18 of the toilet 20. Accordingly, the control section 16 is cantilevered to the side of the seat 22 and remains accessible to any person who is sitting on the seat 22 of the toilet 20. The control section 16 contains various user controls. A bidet control 40 having a dial knob 42 is provided to control water flow to the first bidet spray head 28 and to the second bidet spray head 30. When the dial knob 42 is turned in a first direction, water flow to one bidet spray head 28 is increased and flow to the opposite second bidet spray head 30 is decreased. When set at a mid-point, water flow between the first bidet spray head 28 and the second bidet spray head 30 are generally equal. The dial knob 42 also enables the overall bidet assembly to be turned to an off position.
Referring to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the first bidet spray head 28, the second bidet spray head 30 and the protective splash shield 36 create a spray head subassembly 44. The spray head subassembly 44 is connected to the housing 12 of the bidet assembly 10 with a hinge connection 46. The spray head subassembly 44 is connected to a lever shaft 48. The lever shaft 48 extends to a toggle lever 50 in the control section 16. The toggle lever 50 is accessible to the user. As the toggle lever 50 is manually moved, the spray head subassembly 44 is caused to move about the hinge connection 46. This changes the direction of spray(s) relative to the user. Accordingly, the user can direct spray(s) as needed.
The first bidet spray head 28 and the second bidet spray head 28 both spray water. The water flowing through the first and second bidet spray heads 28, 30 is tap water that is supplied through a plumbing connection 52. The plumbing connection 52 connects to the water supply hose 54 of the toilet 20. As a result, the water received is under pressure. The supplied water enters the plumbing connection 52 and is divided into two tubes 55, 56 that lead to the first bidet spray head 28 and the second bidet spray head 30. Flow through the tubes 55, 56 is controlled by a three-port valve 58, wherein the three-port valve 58 is operated by the dial knob 42.
The spray nozzle(s) 38 do not spray tap water. Rather, each spray nozzle 38 is connected to a removable reservoir container 60 via a supply tube 62. The removable reservoir container 60 has a threaded neck 64 that can engage a threaded receptacle 66 on the control section 16 of the bidet assembly 10. The removable reservoir container 60 is preferably a small bottle or container that holds a supply of the additive fluid 68. The removable reservoir container 60 can be selectively refilled or replaced as it empties. The additive fluid 68 is a solution that contains deodorant, disinfectant, and/or detergent.
A manual pump 65 is provided in the housing 12 below the threaded receptable 66. The pump 65 is operated by engaging the removable reservoir container 60 with the threaded receptacle 66 and manually moving the reservoir container 60 up and down. This reciprocal pumping action operates the pump 65 and moves the additive fluid 68 to the spray nozzles 38. Once at the spray nozzles 38, the additive fluid 68 sprays into the bowl 18. Accordingly, the amount of additive fluid 68 that is sprayed depends upon the number of times the reservoir container 60 is pumped up and down.
During use, an individual sits on the seat 22 to use the toilet 20. The individual can then manipulate the bidet controls to be sprayed with water through the first bidet spray head 28 and/or the second bidet spray head 30. At any point, the individual can manipulate the reservoir container 60 to pump the additive fluid 68 into the bowl 18. The additive fluid 68 can deodorize, disinfect, and/or clean the bowl 18 of the toilet 20.
The tubing and controls needed to draw and spray the additive fluid 68 are contained within the confines of the housing 12. Accordingly, no additional plumbing is required that would not otherwise be required for the operation of a traditional prior art bidet assembly.
It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bidet assembly for a toilet, wherein the toilet has a bowl and a seat, said bidet assembly comprising:

a housing that mounts to said toilet between said bowl and said seat,

a pump disposed within said housing;

a reservoir container for holding a volume of an additive fluid, wherein said reservoir container connects to said pump and wherein said pump is activated and pumps said additive fluid when said reservoir container is manually manipulated;

at least one bidet spray head that extends from said housing for spraying water that is supplied from an external water source; and

at least one spray nozzle supported by said housing and being separate from said at least one spray head, wherein said at least one spray nozzle is connected to said pump with a tube and sprays some of said additive fluid when said pump is activated.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one spray nozzle is oriented to spray some of said additive fluid into said bowl of said toilet when said housing is mounted to said toilet.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one bidet spray head includes a first bidet spray head and a second bidet spray head that are formed into a joined spray head subassembly.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein said spray head subassembly is joined to said housing at a hinged connection.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, further including a lever for selectively moving said spray head subassembly about said hinged connection.

6. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said spray head subassembly includes a splash shield that moves with said spray head subassembly about said hinged connection.

7. The assembly according to claim 3, further including at least one manual control, accessible on said housing, for controlling said water being supplied to said first bidet spray head and said second bidet spray head.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir is a refillable container that is removably attachable to said pump.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, further including a plumbing connection supported by said housing that enables said housing to connect to said external water source.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one spray nozzle includes a first spray nozzle and a second spray nozzle that are both connected to said pump with said tube.

11. An assembly, comprising:

a toilet having a bowl and a water supply connection;

a bidet housing positioned above said bowl, wherein said bidet housing has a first bidet spray head and a second bidet spray head that extend into said bowl;

a pump disposed within said housing;

at least one spray nozzle that sprays said additive fluid into said bowl when said pump is activated.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, further including at least one manual control for selectively orienting said first bidet spray head and said second bidet spray head within said bowl.

13. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein said first bidet spray head is disposed on a first arm that extends from said housing, and said second bidet spray head is disposed on a second arm that extends from said housing.

14. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein said first arm and said second arm are joined by a splash shield, therein creating a spray head subassembly.

15. The assembly according to claim 14, wherein said spray head subassembly is joined to said housing with a hinged connection.

16. The assembly according to claim 15, further including a manual control for selectively moving said spray head subassembly about said hinged connection.