Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with diverse-type art device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-04
2001-10-23
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with diverse-type art device
C219S536000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307180
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to finish plumbing accessories generally, and more specifically, to a seat for a toilet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Several attempts have been made to develop a heated toilet seat that would gain commercial acceptance.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,344 describes a toilet seat heated by a resilient cover having a heating element, the cover arranged to be detachably secured to the toilet seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,584 describes apparatus for accommodating an electrical cord in a heated toilet seat. The seat has a toilet seat body and a base cover pivotally connected to each other. An electrical cord is adapted for electrical connection of a heater mounted within the toilet seat body. A controller is secured at one end by a grommet provided on the base cover and at the other end by a cord fastener in the toilet seat body. Sufficient cord slack is provided in the toilet seat body so that the cord may be retracted or extended during the pivoting of the toilet seat body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,517 describes a toilet seat that is pre-heated before use by a blower.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,531 describes a toilet seat cover having a plurality of lights on its bottom surface. The lights warm up the seat and make it easier to find the toilet if the room is dark.
An improved heated toilet seat is desired. In particular, heated toilet seats that do not require use of a supplemental device such as lights or a blower, or removal of a heated cover before use, are desired. Toilet seats providing improved heat distribution as compared to previous heated toilet seats are also desired. The present invention is directed to these, as well as other, important ends.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a toilet seat having a shell and a core, wherein the core has an outer surface, the shell has a top portion and a bottom portion, and the core further includes, as a unitary body, a polymeric matrix containing therein a resistive wire sewn to a support. The resistive wire has annular portions distributed radially throughout the seat, and connecting portions routed in the radial direction connecting successive ones of the approximately annular portions.
Heated toilet seats according to the invention provide heated comfort, with heat relatively evenly distributed across the surface of the seat. Also, in preferred embodiments, by having a resistive wire embedded within a polymeric matrix having minimal or no voids therein, the heated toilet seats provide improved transfer and dissipation of heat. Moreover, preferred heating elements of the toilet seats, which comprise resistive wire sewn to a support layer, provide for improved flow of polymeric material during molding of the seat.
Another aspect of the present invention is a toilet seat having a shell and a core, wherein the core has an outer surface, the shell has a top portion and a bottom portion, and the core further includes, as a unitary body, a polymeric matrix containing therein a resistive wire sewn to a support. The resistive wire has a plurality of approximately radial portions distributed throughout the seat, and connecting portions routed in an approximately tangential direction connecting successive ones of the radial portions.
Another aspect of the present invention is toilet seat core including, as a unitary body, a polymeric matrix containing therein a resistive wire having a plurality of approximately annular portions radially distributed throughout. The resistive wire has connecting portions routed in the radial direction connecting selective ones of the approximately annular portions.
A further aspect of the present invention is a toilet seat core including, as a unitary body, a polymeric matrix containing therein a resistive wire having a plurality of approximately radial portions distributed throughout. The resistive wire has connecting portions routed in an approximately tangential direction connecting selective ones of the approximately radial portions.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of fabricating a toilet seat, comprising forming a core by a process comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a resistive wire and a support layer;
(b) sewing the resistive wire to the support layer;
(c) adding at least one polymeric material to the support layer;
(d) molding the polymeric material to a desired shape so that the support layer having the resistive wire affixed thereto is substantially contained within the polymeric material; and
(e) forming a shell on the exterior of the core, to form a toilet seat.
A further aspect of the present invention is a method of fabricating a toilet seat, comprising:
(a) providing a resistive wire and a support layer;
(b) sewing the resistive wire to the support layer;
(c) adding at least one polymeric material to the support layer; and
(d) molding the polymeric material to a toilet seat shape so that the support layer having the resistive wire sewn thereto is substantially contained within the polymeric material.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1058270 (1913-04-01), Stephens
patent: 2202095 (1940-05-01), Delhave et al.
patent: 2593087 (1952-04-01), Baggett
patent: 4245149 (1981-01-01), Fairlie
patent: 5111025 (1992-05-01), Barma et al.
patent: 5940895 (1999-08-01), Wilson et al.
patent: 6147332 (2000-11-01), Holmberg et al.
Arx Theodore Von
Papenfuss Ronald E.
Schlesselman John W.
Tweedy Clifford D.
Campbell Thor
Duane Morris & Heckscher LLP
Walberg Teresa
Watlow Polymer Technologies
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