Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Sheet – web – or layer weakened to permit separation through...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-25
2001-01-16
Thomas, Alexander S. (Department: 1772)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Sheet, web, or layer weakened to permit separation through...
C428S138000, C428S181000, C004S251100, C004S661000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174581
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a moisture absorbing pad that is placed around a toilet base.
2. Background of the Prior Art
The area around a toilet base can become quite populated with moisture, especially if a lot of males use the toilet. The problem with moisture accumulation is compounded by condensation that forms on the sides of the toilet and gravitates down to the floor. The accumulated moisture not only creates an unsightly appearance, but is also smelly and unsanitary.
One solution to cure the moisture accumulation problem is to clean the area regularly. But as many housekeepers will admit, such is not a pleasant task.
Another solution is to provide an absorption device around the base to capture any moisture. Moisture accumulation occurs within the device, and once saturated, the device is either washed and reused, or preferably discarded.
Many such devices have been proposed for absorbing moisture around the base of a toilet. The prior art devices work with varying degree of efficiency. However, some of the devices are unduly complex and are therefore expensive to manufacture, while other devices have limited functional capacity, thereby making them effective only in low traffic volume toilets.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an absorbent pad to be used around the toilet base that overcomes the aforementioned needs in the art. The device must be of relatively simple design and construction and must be able to absorb a relatively large amount of moisture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The toilet skirt of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art. The toilet skirt is of relatively simple and straightforward construction making it relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The toilet skirt is designed to absorb a sufficient amount of moisture for many toilet base moisture accumulation settings.
The toilet skirt is comprised of a body member that has a moisture absorbent top layer, a moisture impervious medial layer, and a moisture absorbent bottom layer. The body member has a generally straight first side, at least one second side, and a medial portion. A plurality of pleats are disposed within the top layer while an opening is located in each of the medial layer and the bottom layer below the plurality of pleats. A perforation seam passes through the body member and extends between the plurality of pleats and the first side. The plurality of pleats radiate outwardly from the perforation seam.
The toilet skirt is positioned such that the base of the toilet is received within the opening created by tearing along the perforation and flipping a portion of the top layer including the pleats upwardly. The flipped up portion encompasses the sides and front of the toilet base. If necessary, the flipped up portion can be taped or otherwise adhered to the toilet. The top layer does the majority of moisture absorption with the medial layer prevents the accumulated moisture from passing to the bottom layer from where it could leak out of the device. The bottom layer absorbs any moisture that makes its way onto the floor proximate the toilet and can be used to wipe up any moisture when the device is removed during replacement.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4125656 (1978-11-01), Creamer
patent: 4285075 (1981-08-01), Nelson
patent: 4328275 (1982-05-01), Vargo
patent: 4609580 (1986-09-01), Rockett et al.
patent: 5088132 (1992-02-01), Walka
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