GB2169011A

GB2169011A - Paper toilet seat cover

Info

Publication number: GB2169011A
Application number: GB08530475A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vera Marilyn Asquith; Malcolm Asquith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-12-19
Filing date: 1985-12-11
Publication date: 1986-07-02
Also published as: GB8432033D0; GB8530475D0

Abstract

A paper toilet seat cover, adapted to fit over a lavatory seat to cover up the surface of the same for hygienic purposes with a degree of location and to be readily removable for disposal after use, is formed of two U or horseshow form layers 1 and 2 joined at one edge to define a pocket to receive the seat. By the use of paper of low bulk, disposal may be by flushing. The cover is thus in the form of an envelope to enclose the seat, and means 7 may be provided to secure the cover by the use of contact adhesive areas. The cover may have either or both edges provided with a draw cord or thread 5 or 6 or elasticated. In order to improve the acceptability and hygienic aspects of the cover, the paper may be impregnated with an antiseptic or disinfectant solution, and possibly also with a de-odoriser. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Seat cover This invention relates to a cover which may be used to cover a lavatory seat.

When using public lavatory facilities, many people, especially women, are unhappy about the hygienic aspects of contact with a seat which is available for uncontrolled use by the general public. These may be a risk of infection, and this possibility is potentially greater in hospital facilities. Hotel managements also frequently go to considerable lengths to assure their clientele that the seats have been properly cleaned and disinfected.

Proposals have been made for disposable paper covers, but these have not always been satisfactory, particularly in their ready and secure attachment to the seat, in a releasable manner.

It is an object of the invention, to provide a zeat cover which is sufficiently inexpensive to be disposable and which meets the need for securely and hygienically covering a lavatory seat during use, and which is readily removable after use for disposal.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a cover manufactured from paper and adapted to fit over a lavatory seat to cover the upper surface of the same for hygienic purposes with a degree of location and to be readily removable for disposal after use, the cover being formed of two U or horseshoe form layers joined at one edge to define a pocket to receive and enclose a portion of the seat for location upon the same.

Preferably, the cover substantially encloses the seat, other than the edge thereof by which it is hinged to the pan.

By the use of paper of low bulk, disposal may be by flushing.

In addition to being in the form of an envelope to enclose the seat, means may be provided to secure the cover by the use of contact adhesive areas for detachably securing the cover to the seat. The adhesive is preferably peelable and itself covered with a peelable protective paper layer.

In an alternative or additional fixing arrangement, the cover may have one edge provided with a draw cord or thread or elastication.

This latter alternative may be achieved, for example by applied eiastic thread or by creping of the paper itself.

In order to improve the acceptability and hygienic aspects of the cover, the paper may be impregnated with an antiseptic or disinfectant solution, and possibly also with a deodoriser.

It is envisaged that the covers may be made available from dispensers within lavatory facilities, possibly on payment of a small charge.

After use, the cover would be discarded either by flushing or into a hygienic bin for subsequent incineration or other bulk disposal. The covers may also be made available for purchase for hotel or domestic use.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings which show currently preferred forms of the invention, and in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of seat cover in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows the reverse side of the cover of fig. 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the cover of Figs. 1 and 2 in position over a lavatory seat; and Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and showing an alternative form of cover.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a form of cover comprising an upper horseshoe shape (rounded U) layer 1 and a lower horseshoe shape (rounded U) layer 2 which stops short in the widest part of the horseshoe, as indicated by the edge 3. Both layers 1 and 2 are of a paper which is suitable for flushing away after use, and may be impregnated with an odourless or pleasantly aromatic antiseptic or disinfectant composition. The layers are joined together, either integrally or otherwise, at their outer edges 4.

By stopping the lower layer 2 at the widest part of the horseshoe, the cover may be easily introduced over a conventional lavatory seat, when in the raised position, as a snug fit without tearing, and will be located thereon against the risk of inadvertent removal, while remaining readily removable at will after use.

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a lavatory seat 5 with the cover of Figs. 2 and 3 in position.

It will be noted that the seat is virtually wholly received within the envelope formed by the layers 1 and 2 except for the rear edge and a portion of the underside of the seat adjacent the rear edge, which is in any event unlikely to come into contact with a person using the seat.

Fig. -4 shows a modified form of the cover in which the upper layer is extended further back towards the rear edge of the seat and is provided withdraw threads 5 and 6 located in pockets at the edges of the upper layer 1 to enable the cover to be pulled taut over the seat. These draw threads 5 and 6 are also provided at their ends with sticking tabs 7 covered with a peelable contact adhesive, which is itself covered with a peelable protective paper layer. These tabs secure the cords 5 and 6, and with them the cover, securely but releasably to the seat.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the cover may be made available in a range of colours with or without aesthetic features of texture or applied design. For example, advertising or identification material may be applied appropriate to the hotel or authority supplying the cover.

Claims

1. A cover manufactured from paper and adapted to fit over a lavatory seat to cover the upper surface of the same for hygienic purposes with a degree of location and to be readily removable for disposal after use, the cover being formed of two U or horseshoe form layers joined at one edge to define a pocket to receive and enclose a portion of the seat, so as to locate thereon.

2. A cover as claimed in claim 1, in which the paper is of low bulk suitable for flushing away.

3. A cover as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising means to secure the cover by the use of contact adhesive areas for detachably securing the cover to the seat.

4. A cover as claimed in claim 3, in which the adhesive is peelable and itself covered with a peelable protective paper layer.

5. A cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, having at least one edge provided with a draw cord or thread or elastication.

6. A cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the paper is impregnated with an antiseptic or disinfectant solution.

7. A cover as claimed in claim 6, in which the paper is also impregnated with a de-odoriser.

8. A cover for a lavatory seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.