Toilet Appurtenance

This application contains subject matter which is related to the subject matter of the following co-pending application. The below-listed application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

The present invention relates generally to the field of sanitary equipment and fluid handling systems. More specifically, the invention pertains to portable or semi-permanent urination collection and disposal devices. The invention is directed to a toilet appurtenance system that incorporates powered rinse and discharge functionality, user-sensing automation, and remote connectivity features for hygienic operation in residential, clinical, mobile, or field environments.

Before our invention, various urination collection devices and sanitary systems were developed for use in residential, clinical, mobile, and institutional environments. However, these prior approaches often suffered from significant limitations that made them impractical, unhygienic, or difficult to integrate into real-world applications.

A shortcoming of prior approaches was their dependence on gravity-based discharge systems. These designs typically required the fluid outlet to be positioned below the collection point, limiting the ability to route discharge fluid to an elevated or remote location. In mobile or temporary settings, this constraint severely restricted system placement and made installation inflexible.

Another shortcoming was the lack of automated rinse or cleaning functionality. In many conventional systems, the user or caregiver was required to manually rinse the collector area or empty the contents after each use. This not only introduced hygiene risks due to contact with contaminated components but also created a burden in care settings, especially where the user had limited dexterity or mobility.

Prior systems also failed to incorporate intelligent sensing or control logic. Without the ability to detect when a user was present, when fluid had accumulated, or when lighting conditions were insufficient, these devices could not adapt their behavior to the environment. This often resulted in unnecessary water usage, ineffective cleaning, or an inability to operate in low-light conditions without external assistance.

Additionally, conventional urination devices lacked remote communication or network connectivity. Without the ability to transmit operational data, receive updates, or be monitored remotely, the systems could not support modern Internet of Things (IoT) functionality. This absence of connectivity made it difficult for caregivers, technicians, or administrators to track usage, diagnose problems, or implement preventive maintenance protocols.

A further shortcoming was the inability to flexibly route the discharge fluid to a variety of collection receptacles. Prior systems offered limited or no means of securing the discharge line in a consistent and repositionable manner. This created difficulties when trying to use different plumbing fixtures, such as toilet bowls, sinks, or waste bins, and often required custom retrofitting or makeshift solutions.

The present invention addresses these and other shortcomings by providing a novel and intelligent toilet appurtenance system that improves hygiene, usability, adaptability, and serviceability in a wide range of use cases. For these reasons and shortcomings as well as other reasons and shortcomings there is a long-felt need that gives rise to the present invention.

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a toilet appurtenance system comprising an enclosure with a shield formed along a front surface and a collector extending outward from a lower region of the front surface proximate to the shield. The collector is configured to receive urine and direct it to a central drain area. A discharge egress port is positioned at or near the intersection of the shield and collector and is configured to route collected fluid into a discharge line, which is in fluid communication with the central drain area.

The system further includes an adjustable pedestal configured to raise or lower the enclosure, a rinse pump configured to draw rinse water from a water source and deliver it to the shield, the collector, or both, and a discharge pump configured to evacuate urine and rinse water from the collector through the discharge line. This arrangement allows for improved sanitation, operational flexibility, and adaptability across various use environments.

Additional shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a toilet appurtenance system comprising an enclosure having a shield formed along a front surface and a collector extending outward from a lower region of the front surface proximate to the shield. The collector is configured to receive urine and direct it to a central drain area.

The system further includes one or more water broadcast nozzles protruding from the front surface proximate to the shield. These nozzles are configured to emit rinse water in one or more spray patterns—such as mist, stream, fan, shower, or angled jet—for the purpose of rinsing at least one of the shield, the collector, or both. A rinse pump delivers rinse water to the broadcast nozzles, and a discharge pump evacuates urine and rinse water from the collector. At least one nozzle is directed toward the shield and at least one toward the collector, providing targeted rinse coverage that improves cleanliness and reduces user burden.

Additional shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a toilet appurtenance system comprising a shield formed along a front surface of an enclosure and a collector extending outward and upward from a lower region of the front surface proximate to the shield. The collector is configured to receive rinse water and urine and direct the fluids to a central drain area.

The system further includes a sensor system comprising one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of a proximity sensor, a light sensor, a liquid level sensor, and combinations thereof. One or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are configured to illuminate the shield and collector area in response to sensor detection or user activation. A controller is configured to initiate rinse and discharge cycles based on sensor input or user commands, and a communication interface operationally related to the controller enables data communication with a computing device or a remote data processing resource, allowing for Internet-enabled monitoring, diagnostics, and control.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, it will be seen that inthere is illustrated in referenc ‘A’ one example of a toilet appurtenance systemconfigured to receive and evacuate userurineand rinse waterthrough a hygienic, compact, and optionally portable configuration.

In an exemplary embodiment, the toilet appurtenance systemis suitable for use in environments where conventional plumbing may not be accessible or practical, such as in elder care settings, remote locations, temporary deployments, or disaster relief scenarios.

In an exemplary embodiment, the toilet appurtenance system is supported by a physical structure that allows for adjustability, mobility, and stability, making it suitable for a wide range of user environments and conditions. The main housing of the system is formed by an enclosure, which can include a front half enclosureA and a back half enclosureB. These two halves can be secured together using mechanical fasteners, snap-fit features, adhesive bonding, or other suitable joining techniques to form a sealed or semi-sealed housing that protects internal components.

The enclosureis mounted atop a leg, which may also be referred to as a pedestal. The pedestalconnects to a baseat its lower end and to the enclosureat its upper end. This configuration provides vertical support and enables the enclosureto be positioned at an ergonomically appropriate height for the user. In some examples, the pedestalmay include structural reinforcement or mounting brackets to further stabilize the connection between the baseand the enclosure.

The pedestalcan be formed by one or more telescoping legs, which allow the height of the enclosureto be raised or lowered. This telescoping mechanismenables vertical adjustability to accommodate users in different postures—whether seated, standing, or in assisted-care situations. The telescoping legsmay be cylindrical, square-profiled, or otherwise shaped, and can extend or retract smoothly using a sliding interface.

A locking collaris coupled to the pedestaland configured to control the position of the telescoping legs. In one example, the locking collarcan be rotated in a first direction to tighten and secure the telescoping legsin place, thereby preventing unintended height adjustment. When rotated in an opposite direction, the locking collarcan be loosened to allow vertical repositioning of the enclosure. This manual control ensures ease of adjustment while maintaining secure stability during use.

The baseis positioned at the bottom of the pedestaland includes one or more feetintegrated along its underside. The feetcan be non-slip pads, adjustable leg levelers, casters or wheels, or other suitable foot structures, depending on the desired level of portability and floor surface compatibility. For example, in stationary installations, non-slip feetmay be preferred, while for mobile or clinical use, wheels or lockable casters may enhance transportability., reference ‘B’, illustrates the use of casters or wheels as feet.

The combination of the feet, base, pedestal, and enclosurecan collectively be referred to as a mobile stand. The mobile stand provides a self-contained, vertically adjustable, and optionally transportable platform that supports the operational components of the toilet appurtenance system. This modular configuration enables the unit to be easily relocated, leveled, and positioned in tight or irregular spaces, making it highly adaptable to home, clinical, field, or institutional settings.

This structural arrangement offers significant advantages over prior approaches, which typically relied on wall-mounted, gravity-drain urinals or fixed bedside units with limited adjustability. By contrast, the present invention enables flexible placement, height customization, and portable operation without dependency on permanent infrastructure.

In an exemplary embodiment, enclosurecan house and structurally support internal and external components. A shieldis formed along the front surface of enclosureand can be shaped to reduce urinesplatter and direct fluid into a collector, which is positioned below and proximate to shield. The collectormay be U-shaped, curved, or otherwise contoured to capture urineand rinse water, and channel it toward a central drain area. The collectorand shieldmay be coated or formed from antimicrobial materials to improve hygiene.

A discharge egress portis located at or near the intersection of the shieldand the collector. This portis in fluid communication with a discharge tube, which directs collected liquid out of the enclosure. The discharge tubecan be flexible and repositionable. A clampis secured to the discharge tubeand is configured to removably grip the edge of a toilet bowl, sink, or other suitable fixture, helping to stabilize the tube during fluid evacuation.

An integrated handleis formed along the upper surface of the enclosure, allowing a userto easily reposition, lift, or transport the deviceas needed. Power to the system can be provided through a power connection, which may be configured for use with AC mains, battery packs, solar input, or rechargeable sources, making the device well-suited for off-grid or low-infrastructure environments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the toilet appurtenance system includes a movable discharge line clamp, which is operably coupled to a discharge lineand is configured to assist in securing the discharge linein place during operation. The discharge linecan be flexible and extend from a discharge egress portof the collector, directing urineand rinse waterinto a collection receptacle, which may include a toilet bowl, sink basin, drain container, or other suitable liquid-receiving structure.

The discharge line clampcan be removably and repositionably mounted along the length of the discharge line. In one embodiment, the clampmay be configured to slide along the outer surface of the discharge line, allowing a user to select an optimal clamp location based on the installation environment or height and orientation of the receptacle. This adjustability is beneficial when the discharge lineis extended or re-routed around obstacles or when the device is used in varied locations with different fixture geometries.

The clampcan include a spring-biased clip, a hinged jaw, a lever-actuated grip, or other suitable fastening mechanism that allows it to releasably grip the edge of the collection receptacle. In some embodiments, the clamp may include a rubberized, padded, or non-slip inner surface to provide firm contact with porcelain, metal, plastic, or composite materials without damaging the surface of the toilet, sink, or container. The clampmay also have a low-profile or curved outer surface to prevent interference with lid operation or nearby hardware.

During operation, the clampensures that the terminal end of the discharge lineremains stationary and directed into the target receptacle, preventing fluid misdirection, spillage, or hose movement caused by pump pressure or vibration. This improves reliability, containment, and user confidence, especially in hands-free or automated rinse/discharge scenarios.

By allowing the discharge lineto be selectively fixed in place without requiring permanent fixtures or custom hardware, the clampoffers a significant improvement over prior approaches, which typically relied on gravity-fed hoses that could shift or fall out of position. The movable and removable nature of the clampalso supports rapid deployment and repositioning, making the system well-suited for mobile, temporary, or adaptive use in diverse environments.

A manual or electronic activation buttonis provided on the enclosure. In one embodiment, the activation buttonallows the userto initiate a rinse and discharge sequence. The buttoncan also work in conjunction with sensor inputs for automated operation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the toilet appurtenanceincludes a light-emitting diode (LED)positioned near the shieldor at another location along the front surface of the enclosure. The LEDis configured to illuminate the shieldand collectorarea to assist the userin aiming and using the device in low-light environments. The LEDmay activate automatically in response to ambient lighting conditions, eliminating the need for manual lighting. This feature provides comfort and confidence to the userwhen using the device in dimly lit or nighttime conditions.

A sensoris positioned near the user-facing portion of the enclosure. The sensormay include a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, or a motion sensor, either individually or in combination. In an exemplary embodiment, the proximity sensor detects when a userapproaches the toilet appurtenance, which can trigger pre-use operations such as activating the LEDor preparing the rinse water pumpfor a rinse cycle. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor is further configured to detect when the userwalks away from the toilet appurtenanceand, in response, automatically initiate a post-use rinse cycle to clean the collectorand shield. This sensor-based automation enhances usability and cleanliness by minimizing the need for physical contact and ensuring the system is promptly rinsed after each use.

The ambient light sensor can detect when the surrounding environment is dark or poorly lit and in response, can automatically activate the LEDto illuminate the shield and collector areas. This improves accessibility for the user, especially in nighttime or emergency settings.

These integrated sensor-driven control features differentiate the present invention from prior approaches, which typically require manual activation, lack ambient lighting, or rely solely on passive collection mechanisms. Prior approaches often do not account for user accessibility, comfort, and hygiene under variable lighting or environmental conditions. By contrast, the present invention incorporates intelligent sensing and responsive lighting to create a more user-friendly and hygienic system.

Also shown are one or more water broadcast nozzlesA-C, positioned near the shield. Better illustrated in at least, broadcast nozzlesA-C can emit rinse waterin spray, mist, stream, fan, shower, angled jet, or other suitable patterns. The broadcast nozzlesA-C can be directed toward the shield, the collector, both, or other surfaces as may be required and/or desired in a particular embodiment, ensuring effective coverage and cleaning after use.

Internally, the toilet appurtenance systemincludes a rinse water pumpand a discharge pump(better illustrated in at least). In one exemplary embodiment, the rinse water pumpdraws water from a pressurized or non-pressurized source (such as a bucket or bottle) and delivers it through the nozzlesA-C. The discharge pumpevacuates the collected liquid through the discharge line.

Taken together, the features illustrated inprovide a robust, adaptable, and intelligent solution to the challenges of hygienic urination and rinse functionality—particularly in environments where traditional plumbing infrastructure is unavailable or impractical. The present invention integrates a dual-pump architecture, enabling active rinse water delivery and powered fluid evacuation, which stands in contrast to prior approaches that rely solely on passive, gravity-based drainage systems and often require manual emptying.

Furthermore, the inclusion of sensor-driven automation, such as proximity and ambient light detection, allows the system to respond dynamically to user interaction—initiating rinse cycles, activating LED illumination, and promoting a touch-free experience. This is a significant improvement over conventional designs, which typically lack automation and require manual flushing or positioning under suboptimal lighting conditions. The strategically placed LEDenhances visibility and user alignment, addressing safety and usability concerns overlooked by earlier devices.

By integrating these smart features into a compact, mobile stand structure with adjustable height and flexible discharge configurations, the present invention delivers superior hygiene, convenience, and adaptability. These technical advantages establish the system as a distinct improvement over prior art, particularly in field, medical, home care, and emergency settings where portability, cleanliness, and user independence are critical.

The toilet appurtenance systemis designed to support a range of use scenarios that adapt to user needs, environmental conditions, and system programming. The following are non-limiting example use cases, illustrating how the systemmay be employed in different operational modes. Other use cases, sequences, and configurations are supported by the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment, the toilet appurtenance systemcomprises an enclosurewith a shieldformed along a front surface and a collectorextending outward from a lower region of the front surface proximate to the shield. The collectoris configured to receive urine and direct it to a central drain area. A discharge egress portis positioned at or near the intersection of the shieldand collectorand is configured to route collected fluid into discharge line, which is in fluid communication with the central drain area.

The system further includes an adjustable pedestalconfigured to raise or lower the enclosure, a rinse water pumpconfigured to draw rinse water from a water source and deliver it to the shield, the collector, or both, and a discharge pumpconfigured to evacuate urine and rinse water from the collectorthrough the discharge line. This arrangement enables improved sanitation, enhanced user hygiene, operational flexibility, and adaptability for a wide variety of use environments, including mobile, clinical, and field settings.

In another exemplary embodiment, the toilet appurtenance systemincludes an enclosurehaving a shieldformed along a front surface and a collectorextending outward from a lower region of the front surface proximate to the shield. The collectoris configured to receive urine and direct it to a central drain area.

The system further includes one or more water broadcast nozzlesA-C protruding from the front surface proximate to the shield. These nozzlesA-C are configured to emit rinse waterin one or more spray patterns—such as mist, stream, fan, shower, or angled jet—for the purpose of rinsing at least one of the shield, the collector, or both. A rinse water pumpdelivers rinse water to the broadcast nozzlesA-C, and a discharge pumpevacuates urine and rinse water from collector. In this embodiment, at least one nozzleA is directed toward the shieldand at least one nozzleB is directed toward the collector, providing targeted rinse coverage that improves cleanliness, supports hygiene, and reduces the burden on the user or caregiver.

In another exemplary embodiment, the toilet appurtenance systemincludes a shieldformed along the front surface of enclosureand a collectorextending outward and upward from a lower region of the front surface proximate to shield. The collectoris configured to receive rinse waterand urine and direct the fluids to a central drain area.