Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Seat
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-06
2001-12-18
Eloshway, Charles R. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Seat
C004S228100, C004S229000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330723
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a toilet seat which acts upon odors in the atmosphere. More specifically, a compressible, air freshening toilet seat is adapted for being secured to a toilet bowl.
Many people would like to own a toilet seat that freshens the atmosphere about the user and that provides cushioning support for the user. An air freshening toilet seat which effectively freshens the atmosphere about the user would therefore be desirable. An air freshening toilet seat which effectively provides cushioning support for the user would also be desirable. An air freshening toilet seat which has at least one accessible receptacle structure for removably containing an air freshening element would further be desirable. The present invention achieves these goals through a cushioning top layer, a rigid bottom layer, an inner periphery, an outer periphery, a compressible chamber, and a plurality of receptacle structures.
Various forms of deodorizing and/or disinfecting toilets, toilet seats, and furniture are known. U.S. Pat. No. 1,492,825, issued on May 6, 1924 to Abbott, discloses a toilet seat which releases a disinfectant. U.S. Pat. No. 1,576,262, issued on Mar. 9, 1926 to Bank and U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,703,066, 1,760,598, and 1,771,960, issued in 1929 and 1930 to Horn, disclose insecticide containers for upholstered furniture. U.S. Pat. No. 2,033,663, issued on Mar, 10, 1936 to Witte, discloses a toilet seat having a reservoir opening to a vaporizing chamber whereby disinfectant or deodorant may be contained in the reservoir. U.S. Pat. No. 2,155,286, issued on Apr. 18, 1939 to Winding, discloses a toilet seat and cover which trap odors and the noise of flushing.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,664, issued on Nov. 29, 1960 to Davidson and U.S. Pat. No. 3,249,951, issued on May 10, 1966 to Thompson, disclose toilet seats which release disinfectant or deodorizing fluid to the toilet bowl when sat upon. U.S. Pat. No. 3,333,285, issued on Aug. 1, 1967 to Null, discloses a toilet seat having a filter for absorbing odors and an exhaust fan. U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,296, issued on May 2, 1972 to Stamper, discloses a toilet seat having a cavity to accommodate a deodorizing element and a fan. U.S. Pat. No.4,301,555, issued on Nov. 24, 1981 to Poister, discloses a toilet seat having a filter for absorbing odors and an optional vacuum pump. U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,237, issued on Jan. 24, 1995 to Baker, discloses a toilet seat which releases a deodorant and/or a disinfectant. U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,793 issued on Jun. 27, 1995 to Mac, discloses a cushioned toilet seat which releases air freshener concealed in its interior cushioning.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a compressible, air freshening toilet seat adapted for being secured to a toilet bowl. The seat comprises a cushioning top layer, a rigid bottom layer, an inner periphery, an outer periphery, a compressible chamber, and a plurality of hollow receptacle structures.
The top layer has a top surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of receptacle structures defined therein, and sufficient flexibility, resiliency, and compressibility for providing cushioning support to the user.
Each of the receptacle structures of the top layer has an open first end with a retaining lip, a substantially closed second end, a closed upper side, a closed lower side, and a pair of closed sides, and are optionally generally of rectangular or square shape. Each of the receptacle structures of the top layer is in communication with the chamber, with the atmosphere about the user, and with an air freshening element. Each of the receptacle structures of the top layer is dimensioned and configured for receiving and removably containing a corresponding air freshening element, and for permitting a sufficient amount of an air freshening agent from the corresponding air freshening element to be directed into the atmosphere about the user. Each of the receptacle structures of the top layer is adapted for permitting ready access to the corresponding air freshening element so that the corresponding air freshening element can be replaced or replenished for additional usage.
The receptacle structures of the top layer are preferably defined at predetermined locations within the top layer about the outer periphery. The retaining lip and the second end of each of the receptacle structures of the top layer help to restrict movement of the air freshening element within that respective receptacle yet permitting the air freshening element to be readily accessible. A plurality of slots are provided at the second end for permitting air current generated by compressing the top layer by the user to be directed from the chamber into the atmosphere about the user via the receptacle structure.
The bottom layer has a top surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of hollow receptacle structures defined therein, and sufficient rigidity to support a body weight of the user when the user is positioned upon the seat The bottom layer is shaped generally similar to the top layer, and is fixedly attached to the top layer at or about the peripheries of the seat.
Each of the receptacle structures of the bottom layer has an open first end with a retaining lip, a substantially closed second end, a closed upper side, a substantially closed lower side, and a pair of closed sides. In the embodiment shown, the receptacle structures have a generally rectangular or square shape. Each of the receptacle structures of the bottom layer is in communication with the chamber, with the atmosphere about the user, and with the air freshening means, and is dimensioned and configured for receiving and removably containing a corresponding air freshening element and for permitting a sufficient amount of air freshening agent from the corresponding air freshening element to be directed into the atmosphere about the user via the first end. Each of the receptacle structures of the bottom layer is adapted for permitting ready access to the corresponding air freshening element
The receptacle structures of the bottom layer are preferably defined at predetermined locations within the bottom layer about the outer periphery. The retaining lip and each of the second end and of the lower side of each of the receptacle structures of the bottom layer help to restrict movement of the corresponding air freshening element within that respective receptacle structure yet permitting the air freshening element to be readily accessible. A plurality of slots are provided at the upper side and at the lower side for permitting the air current to be directed from the chamber into the atmosphere about the user via the first end and the slots.
The compressible chamber is enclosed and defined by the top layer, the bottom layer, the inner periphery, and the outer periphery. The chamber is in communication with the receptacle structures, the air freshening element, and the slots.
The seat may further comprise at least one removable cartridge that is adapted for being inserted into and removably contained within a corresponding receptacle structure and for receiving the air freshening element and/or the air freshening agent. The removable cartridge corresponding to the receptacle structure preferably has similar features to those of the receptacle structure.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an air freshening toilet seat which effectively freshens the atmosphere about the user.
It is another object of the invention to provide an air freshening toilet seat which effectively provides cushioning support for the user.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an air freshening toilet seat which has at least one accessible receptacle structure for removably containing an air freshening element.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide an air freshening toilet seat with at least one removable cartridge for containing an air fres
Eloshway Charles R.
Jordan and Hamburg LLP
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