Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or... – Composite having voids in a component
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-27
2001-02-06
Jones, Deborah (Department: 1775)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or...
Composite having voids in a component
C428S035700, C428S036500, C264SDIG008, C004S301000, C004S902000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183850
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to target devices for toilets, urinals, or children's potty chairs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of target devices for toilets or urinals have been employed in the past. Such target devices have been found useful in facilitating the toilet training of small children, improving the sanitation in public rest rooms, and as general amusement devices.
Some such target devices are coated with water resistant materials. These water resistant materials adversely impact the biodegradability of the target devices and thus are environmentally undesirable.
In addition, a growing problem is the increasing volume of disposable diapers in landfills. The diapers are not readily biodegradable and have accumulated at a surprising rate.
Further, many preschool programs require that children be potty trained. Thus, it would be helpful for children to be potty trained when they are old enough to benefit from appropriate preschool programs.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a target device which is entertaining, water-dispersible, and easily useable in all types of urinals, toilets, or children's potty chairs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a target device that is water-dispersible.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a target device that is at least partially water soluble.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a target device that is biodegradable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a means for facilitating the toilet training of children.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel amusement device useful for improving sanitation in public rest rooms.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a target device which is easily useable in all types of urinals, toilets, or children's potty chairs.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for promoting potty training.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for preparing a target device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing the volume of disposable diapers in landfills.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for preparing target devices.
In accordance with the present invention, a target device is provided comprising a water-dispersible foam polymer. In a preferred embodiment the water-dispersible polymer is biodegradable. The term biodegradable, as used herein, refers to the susceptibility of a substance to decomposition by living organisms and/or natural environmental factors. In an especially preferred embodiment, the target device comprises a biodegradable polymer which is at least partially water soluble. Also provided are a method for promoting potty training of children and a method for making a toilet target.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5035930 (1991-07-01), Lacourge et al.
patent: 5147899 (1992-09-01), Sato et al.
patent: 5272181 (1993-12-01), Boehmer et al.
patent: 5285540 (1994-02-01), Putz
patent: 5343577 (1994-09-01), Perovich
patent: 5353449 (1994-10-01), Rubensteun et al.
Bahta Abraham
Jones Deborah
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