Toilet Aerosol Containment Device

Abstract

A fan structure comprising a plurality of abutting blades is attached to a compressible spring that is between a toilet seat and a toilet body. The fan structure has a first resting configuration, wherein the fan structure and blades are unfurled to cover a toilet portal, thereby trapping in odors. When pressure is applied to the toilet seat from a user sitting thereupon, the compressible spring contracts and the fan structure retracts to underneath the toilet seat, exposing the toilet portal for use in a second activated configuration. Cessation of compression allows the spring to expand and the fan structure to re-assume the first resting configuration.

Claims

1. A toilet aerosol containment device, comprising: a fan structure attached to a compressible spring; a flat-sided cover attached to said compressible spring; said fan structure positioned in a first configuration which is unfurled and calibrated to cover a toilet portal when said compressible spring is in an expanded condition; and said fan structure positioned in a second configuration which is inwardly collapsed and calibrated to fit entirely underneath a toilet seat, thereby exposing said toilet portal, when said compressible spring is in a compressed condition; wherein compression of said spring causes said fan structure to switch from said first configuration to said second configuration.

2. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 1, wherein: said fan structure comprises a plurality of blades, each blade of said plurality of blades thereof being attached to a same vertical extent of said compressible spring.

3. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 2, wherein: said fan structure is in a transitory configuration whilst inwardly collapsing from said first configuration to said second configuration; said fan structure is in said transitory configuration whilst unfurling from said second configuration to said first configuration; said transitory configuration is such that said fan structure partially covers said toilet portal; and a portion of each blade overlaps at least a portion of an adjacent blade when said fan structure is in said second configuration or said transitory configuration.

4. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 2, wherein: each said blade has a first curvilinear edge, each endpoint of said first curvilinear edge also being an endpoint of either a second or third curvilinear edge; said second and third curvilinear edges meet at an apex of said shape, said apex being opposite said first curvilinear edge; and said apex of each said blade is fixedly connected to said compressible spring.

5. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 4, wherein when said toilet aerosol containment device is in said first configuration: an entirety of said second curvilinear edge of every said blade of said plurality of said blades, except one, abuts an entirety of said third curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade and an entirety of said third curvilinear edge of every said blade of said plurality of said blades, except one, abuts an entirety of said second curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade; and at least one said endpoint of said first curvilinear edge of each said blade abuts a said endpoint of said first curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade, such that every first curvilinear edge of said blades of said toilet aerosol containment device forms part of a contiguous curvilinear edge of said fan structure.

6. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 1, wherein: a face of said flat-sided cover opposite a face of said flat-sided cover attached to said compressible spring is attached to a bottom side of a toilet seat.

7. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 6, wherein: a compressional force applied downwards onto a part of said toilet seat when said toilet seat is in a typical position for usage, said part being intended for a user of said toilet seat to sit on, compresses said compressible spring into said compressed condition between said flat-sided cover and a toilet body; and a cessation of said compressional force results in said compressible spring reverting to said expanded condition.

8. A method of installing a toilet aerosol containment device, comprising steps of: attaching a face of a flat-sided cover to a compressible spring, said spring being bistable between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration; attaching a fan structure to said compressible spring, such that said fan structure is in a first configuration, which is unfurled and configured to cover a toilet portal, when said spring is in said expanded configuration; and attaching said fan structure to said compressible spring, such that said fan structure assumes a second configuration when said compressible spring is in a compressed condition, said fan structure being inwardly collapsed and calibrated to fit underneath a toilet seat in said second configuration, adapted to expose said toilet portal.

9. The method of installing the toilet aerosol containment device of claim 8, further comprising a step of: attaching to a same vertical extent of said compressible spring, a plurality of fan blades, said plurality of fan blades forming said fan structure.

10. The method of installing the toilet aerosol containment device of claim 9, further comprising steps of: attaching said fan structure to said compressible spring, such that said fan structure assumes a transitory configuration whilst inwardly collapsing from said first configuration to said second configuration; and attaching said fan structure to said compressible spring, such that said fan structure assumes said transitory configuration whilst unfurling from said second configuration to said first configuration; wherein said transitory configuration is such that said fan structure, when installed under said toilet seat, partially covers said toilet portal; and wherein a portion of each blade overlaps at least a portion of an adjacent blade when said fan structure is in said first configuration or said transitory configuration.

11. The method of installing the toilet aerosol containment device of claim 9, wherein: each said blade has a first curvilinear edge, each endpoint of said first curvilinear edge also being an endpoint of either a second or third curvilinear edge; said second and third curvilinear edges meet at an apex of each said blade, said apex being opposite said first curvilinear edge; and each said apex of each said blade is fixedly connected to said compressible spring.

12. The method of installing the toilet aerosol containment device of claim 11, further comprising a step of positioning each said blade such that: an entirety of said second curvilinear edge of each said blade of said plurality of said blades, except one, abuts an entirety of said third curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade and an entirety of said third curvilinear edge of every said blade of said plurality of said blades, except one, abuts an entirety of said second curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade; and at least one said endpoint of said first curvilinear edge of each blade abuts a said endpoint of said first curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade, such that every first curvilinear edge of said blades of said toilet aerosol containment device forms part of a contiguous curvilinear edge of said fan structure.

13. The method of installing the toilet aerosol containment device of claim 8, further comprising a step of: attaching to a bottom side of a toilet seat a face of said flat-sided cover opposite a face of said flat-sided cover attached to said compressible spring.

14. The method of installing the toilet aerosol containment device of claim 13, further comprising steps of: securing said compressible spring to said flat-sided cover and a toilet body, such that said compressible spring assumes said compressed condition, being compressed between said flat-sided cover and said toilet body, when a compressional force is applied downwards onto a part of said toilet seat when said toilet seat is in a typical position for usage, said part being intended for a user of said toilet seat to sit on; and securing said compressible spring to said flat-sided cover and said toilet body, such that a cessation of said compressional force results in said compressible spring reverting to said expanded condition.

15. A toilet aerosol containment device comprising: a toilet body; a toilet portal within said toilet body; a toilet seat hingedly connected to said toilet body; a compressible spring extending between said toilet seat and said toilet body; and a fan structure substantially perpendicularly attached to said compressible spring, said fan structure comprising a resting configuration, wherein said fan structure is unfurled and covers said toilet portal; wherein, compression of said spring, caused by pressure applied to said toilet seat towards said toilet body, causes said fan structure to assume an activated configuration, wherein said fan structure is retracted underneath said toilet seat and said toilet portal is exposed; and wherein upon removal of said pressure on said toilet seat, said compressible spring resiliently expands and said fan structure re-covers said toilet portal.

16. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 15, wherein: said fan structure comprises a plurality of blades, each blade of said plurality of blades thereof being attached to a same vertical extent of said compressible spring.

17. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 16, wherein: said fan structure is in a transitory configuration whilst inwardly collapsing from said resting configuration to said activated configuration; said fan structure is in said transitory configuration whilst unfurling from said activated configuration to said resting configuration; said transitory configuration is such that said fan structure partially covers said toilet portal; and a portion of each blade overlaps at least a portion of an adjacent blade when said fan structure is in said activated configuration or said transitory configuration.

18. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 16, wherein: each said blade has a first curvilinear edge, each endpoint of said first curvilinear edge also being an endpoint of either a second or third curvilinear edge; said second and third curvilinear edges meet at an apex of said shape, said apex being opposite said first curvilinear edge; and said apex of each said blade is fixedly connected to said compressible spring.

19. The toilet aerosol containment device of claim 18, wherein when said toilet aerosol containment device is in said resting configuration: an entirety of said second curvilinear edge of every said blade of said plurality of said blades, except one, abuts an entirety of said third curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade and an entirety of said third curvilinear edge of every said blade of said plurality of said blades, except one, abuts an entirety of said second curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade; and at least one said endpoint of said first curvilinear edge of each blade abuts a said endpoint of said first curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade, such that every first curvilinear edge of said blades of said toilet aerosol containment device forms a contiguous curvilinear edge, said contiguous curvilinear edge comprising part of a continuous ellipsoid circumference of said fan structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1A is a bottom plan view of the toilet aerosol containment device with the fan structure fully extended over the portal in a resting configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0016] FIG. 1B is a bottom plan view of the toilet aerosol containment device with the fan structure partially extended over the portal in a transitory configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0017] FIG. 1C is a bottom plan view of the toilet aerosol containment device with the fan structure fully retracted and folded over itself in an activated configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the toilet aerosol containment device in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0019] FIG. 3A is a top side perspective view of the toilet aerosol containment device secured to a toilet with the fan structure fully extended over the portal in a resting configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0020] FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the spring in an uncompressed configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0021] FIG. 4A is a top side perspective view of the toilet aerosol containment device secured to the toilet with the fan fully retracted and folded over itself in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. A silhouette of a person sitting on the toilet seat is shown in dotted lines.

[0022] FIG. 4B is a front elevation view of the spring in a compressed configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the toilet aerosol containment device.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blade of the fan structure in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

[0025] The present technology comprises a toilet aerosol containment device. In a first resting configuration, a fan structure of the device is extended over a toilet portal in order to mitigate odors emanating therefrom. When a user sits upon a toilet seat, however, a compressible spring assumes a compressed condition, which causes blades of the fan to fold into an orientation such that said blades are substantially underneath the toilet seat and the toilet portal is exposed for use. When the posterior of a person is removed from the toilet seat, the spring reassumes an expanded condition, whereupon the fan covers the toilet portal.

[0026] Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become more clear in view of the following description of the figures.

[0027] Skipping first to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of components of the toilet aerosol containment device in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Individual blades 12, 14, (comprising interior blades 14a-14f), and 16 are attached to a compressible spring 20 along a same vertical extent 60 thereof. The same vertical extent 60 may be substantially linear and perpendicular to the ground. A top end of the compressible spring 20 is attached to a first flat-sided cover 70 in some embodiments. Furthermore, a bottom end of the compressible spring 20 may be attached to a second flat-sided cover 75. A majority of a side of the flat-sided cover that is opposite and parallel to the side which said compressible spring 20 is attached to abuts the bottom of a toilet seat 10, said toilet seat comprising a toilet portal 30, in some embodiments. (Note that the term toilet portal refers to both the area encircled by the toilet seat 10 as well as the area thereunder within a toilet 40 (see FIG. 3) when said toilet aerosol containment device is affixed thereto). Thus, the toilet seat 10 is connected to the flat- sided cover which is connected to the compressible spring 20 which has a same vertical extent 60 to which every blade is attached. The individual blades form part of a fan structure 15, which, in addition to the compressible spring 20 and the toilet seat 10, is shown in FIG. 1A.

[0028] FIG. 1A is a bottom plan view of the toilet aerosol containment device with the fan structure 15 in a resting configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The fan structure 15 is comprised of individual blades 12, 14a-14f, and 16. (Further description of the structure of the blades can be found in the pursuant description of FIG. 5).

[0029] FIG. 3A is a top side perspective view of the toilet aerosol containment device hingedly connected by rounded protrusions 45a and 45b to a toilet 40 with the fan structure 15 fully extended over the portal 30 in a resting configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Covering the toilet portal is advantageous in that a physical barrier is provided between the interior of the toilet 40 in which human waste is deposited and the surrounding environs. Thus, the permeation of said odors into the air and overall surroundings is mitigated. Furthermore, the extended fan structure 15 serves as a visual barrier, obstructing the view into the toilet and any remaining waste residues therein. The resting configuration is the default configuration of the fan structure 15 in which the fan structure is oriented. In the resting configuration, the compressible spring 20 is in an expanded condition, as shown in FIG. 3B. (Note that the toilet seat 10 is depicted as transparent for the purposes of making visible the location of the compressible spring 20, which is in fact underneath the toilet seat 10).

[0030] FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the spring in an uncompressed configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Said expanded condition is the default condition of the compressible spring 20. However, a second configuration that exposes the toilet portal 30 can be assumed.

[0031] FIG. 4A is a top side perspective view of the toilet aerosol containment device secured to the toilet 40 with the fan structure 15 fully retracted and folded over itself in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, thereby exposing the toilet portal 30. A silhouette of a person 50 sitting on the toilet seat 10 is shown in dotted lines. The fan structure 15 is oriented with relation to the toilet 40 and toilet seat 10 such that said fan structure 15 is retractable. The weight of the user 50 resting on the toilet seat 10 (when the toilet seat 10 is oriented in a typical manner in which toilet users sit thereupon) acts upon the toilet seat 10, which in turn compresses the compressible spring 20 between the toilet seat 10 and the toilet 40 into a compressed condition.

[0032] FIG. 4B is a front elevation view of the spring 20 in a compressed configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0033] Now returning to FIG. 1C, FIG. 1C is a bottom plan view of the toilet aerosol containment device with the fan structure fully retracted and folded over itself in an activated configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The blades 12, 14a-14f, and 16 of the fan structure (as shown in FIG. 2) inwardly telescope/retract, such that the majority of the surface area of each blade is substantially located in planes that are parallel to other planes wherein a substantial majority of the surface area of another blade or blades substantially lies. Described differently, each blade of the blades 12, 14a-14f, and 16 overlaps or is overlapped by a majority of another blade in the xz plane, said plane being substantially parallel to the ground. In this configuration, the blades are substantially entirely located beneath the toilet seat 10, thereby exposing said toilet portal 30 for use.

[0034] The compressible spring 20 is resiliently compressible and expandable. Thus, when a user 50 (see FIG. 4A) of the toilet 40 removes the weight of said user 50 from upon the toilet seat 10, the compressible spring 20 expands, whereupon the fan structure 15 reassumes the default resting configuration, in which the toilet portal 30 is covered. While the fan structure 15 transitions between the first/resting configuration and the second/activated configuration or vice versa, the fan structure may assume a transitory configuration as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0035] FIG. 1B is a bottom plan view of the toilet aerosol containment device with the fan structure partially extended over the portal in a transitory configuration in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. In the transitory configuration, the compressible spring is somewhat compressed, but not as fully compressed as in FIG. 4B. The fan structure 15 is somewhat inwardly collapsed, such that the fan blades 12, 14a-14f, and 16 overlap somewhat in the xz plane. A portion of the toilet portal 30 is exposed and a portion thereof is covered. The fan structure 15 is partially under the toilet seat 10.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the toilet aerosol containment device. Compressible spring 20 is shown in an expanded condition and fan structure 15 is shown in a resting configuration. Compressible spring 20 is attached to a flat-sided cover 70. The face of the flat-sided cover 70 opposite the face thereof which is attached to the compressible spring 20 is abutted along the bottom of the toilet seat 10. Downwards compressional forces applied to the toilet seat 10 press down the flat-sided cover and the compressible spring 20, thereby opening the fan structure 15. Some embodiments of the disclosed technology may comprise a second flat-sided cover 75 attached to the bottom side of the spring opposite the first flat-sided cover 70. This second flat-sided cover 75 may be positioned at an angle with relation to the first flat-sided cover. When compressible spring 20 is compressed, the second flat-sided cover may act as a barrier between the compressible spring 20 and the toilet 40.

[0037] Turning to the shape and orientation of each fan blade, FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blade 14d of the toilet aerosol device in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Each blade has three curvilinear edges (2, 4, and 6), the first thereof 6 comprising two end points 3 and 5, one of which is the point of confluence 5 with the second curvilinear edge 2, the other of which is the point of confluence 3 with the third curvilinear edge 4. Furthermore, the second 2 and third 4 curvilinear edge of each blade has a point of confluence 1 opposite the first curvilinear edge 6. Thus, the second 2 and third 4 curvilinear edges span the distance from one point of confluence 1 to a first endpoint 5 and second endpoint 3 of the first curvilinear edge 6 respectively. Described differently, the shape of each fan blade is, in some embodiments, non-polygonal and three-sided. The shape comprises three vertices (1, 3, and 5), each vertex being connected to the other two said vertices by a curved edge. The point of confluence 1 of the second 2 and third 4 curvilinear edges of each blade (herein also referred to as the apex of each blade) is attached to the compressible spring 20, such that the point of attachment of each apex of each blade to the compressible spring 20 is located along a same vertical extent of the compressible spring 20. Note that the term apex is inclusive of both the exact point of confluence of the second curvilinear edge 2 and the third curvilinear edge 4 as well as the closest subarea of the blade to the exact point of confluence, said subarea comprising up to 10 percent of the total area of the blade (see dotted lines near 1, and region therein in FIG. 6). Note that while the described blade is 14d, the number of curvilinear edges and vertices thereof may be common to every blade of the device. Thus, FIG. 6 is not limiting to blade 14d, but rather exemplary of a general structure common to every blade 12, 14a-14f, and 16.

[0038] The blades of the fan structure 15 comprise three separate categories of blades: a first end blade 12, a second end blade 16, and central blades 14a-14f (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 1A). Turning to the central blades 14a-14f, each blade thereof, when the fan structure is in a resting configuration, abuts two adjacent blades, such that the entirety of the second curvilinear edge 2 of each blade abuts an entirety of the third curvilinear edge 4 of an adjacent blade. Similarly, the entirety of the third curvilinear edge 4 of each given blade within the group of central blades 14a-14f abuts along the entirety of the second curvilinear edge 2 of an adjacent blade. With regard to the first end blade 12, an entirety of the second curvilinear edge 2 thereof abuts along an entirety of the third curvilinear edge 4 of an adjacent blade of the central blades 14a-14f, provided that the fan structure is in a resting configuration. Whilst in said resting configuration, an entirety of the third curvilinear edge 4 of the second end blade 16 abuts along an entirety of the second curvilinear edge 2 of a blade of the central blades 14a-14f.

[0039] Described differently, while the fan structure is in said resting configuration (see FIG. 1A), an entirety of the second curvilinear edge 2 of every blade of the plurality of blades of the fan structure 15, except one, abuts an entirety of the third curvilinear edge of an adjacent blade and an entirety of the third curvilinear edge 4 of every said blade of said plurality of said blades, except one, abuts an entirety of the second curvilinear edge 2 of an adjacent blade. The specific blades that do not abut along both the second 2 and the third curvilinear edge 4 of two adjacent blades respectively are the two end blades 12 and 16.

[0040] While the fan structure 15 is in said resting configuration (see FIG. 1A), at least one endpoint of the first curvilinear edge 6 of each blade abuts an endpoint of the first curvilinear edge 6 of an adjacent blade. More specifically, both endpoints 3 and 5 of the first curvilinear edge 6 of each blade from the group of central blades 14a-14f abut an adjacent endpoint of the first curvilinear edge 6 of an adjacent blade. The two end blades 12 and 16, however, are oriented such that only one endpoint of the first curvilinear edge 6 thereof abuts an endpoint of a first curvilinear edge 6 of an adjacent blade. The abutment of the endpoints of adjacent curvilinear edges may be such that every first curvilinear edge 6 of the blades of the fan structure 15 comprises curvilinear edge of the entire fan structure 15.

[0041] For purposes of this disclosure, the term substantially is defined as between 95% and 100%, inclusive of the term which it modifies.

[0042] Any device or aspect of the technology can comprise or consist of the item it modifies, whether explicitly written as such or otherwise.

[0043] When the term or is used, it creates a group which has within either term being connected by the conjunction as well as both terms being connected by the conjunction. The term and/or is inclusive of the items which it joins linguistically, and each item by itself.

DEFINITIONS

[0044] Attached is defined as fastened to one another by way of direct contact with one another or such that a connecting mechanism therebetween connects thereto.

[0045] Attached and fixedly connected are used interchangeably in this disclosure.

[0046] Connecting mechanism is defined as an arrangement of parts interconnecting two or more components.

[0047] Compressible is defined as comprising the ability to resiliently contract along an axis upon an application of force and substantially return to a previous configuration upon cessation of said force.

[0048] Resiliently is defined as being able to be repeatedly compressed at least 100 times with no substantial physical change to a device or physical object.

[0049] Flat-sided is defined as comprising at least one substantially planar face.

[0050] Calibrated is defined as arranged in a manner in order to enable an intended functionality.

[0051] Expanded condition is defined as a configuration, wherein an object is elongated along an axis more so than when a user of said object applies compressional force thereto.

[0052] Inwardly collapsed is defined as a configuration, wherein a plurality of components of a structure are closer to one another and assume a lesser area than in other configurations of said structure.

[0053] Switch is defined as transition between, either directly or by assuming an intermediary step or configuration or plurality thereof.

[0054] Blade is defined as a unitary structure calibrated to rotatably translate about a focus.

[0055] Same vertical extent is defined as one two dimensional region of a surface or object, extending perpendicular to a most elongated direction of a blade and/or a perpendicular to an upper surface of a toilet bowl the device is adapted to cover. Upper and lower are used with respect to a direction of a toilet attached a floor, upper being a direction transverse to the floor towards a ceiling.

[0056] Overlaps is defined as abuts a surface such that a portion, and less than an entirety thereof is covered.

[0057] Bistable is defined as having two stable states or configurations.

[0058] While the disclosed technology has been disclosed with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods and apparatuses described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.