Bidet Attachment for a Toilet with Integrated Deodorizer Spray System

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/325,093, filed May 29, 2023.

The present invention relates to the structure and operation of bidet assemblies that attach to toilets. The present invention also relates to systems that automatically spray a deodorizer and/or a disinfectant into the bowl of a toilet after each use.

Traditionally, bidets are dedicated wash stations that are stand-alone units in a bathroom. That is, the bidet is traditionally separate and distinct from the toilet bowl. As a result, dedicated bidets require floor space and plumbing connections in a bathroom in addition to that needed for the toilet. This makes traditional bidets quite expensive and impractical to have in most bathrooms.

Recognizing the problems associated with traditional bidets, bidet attachments have been developed that are designed to attach to an existing toilet. Such prior art systems typically attach to the toilet between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat using the toilet seat mounting bolts. In such systems, the operational controls are positioned on the side of the toilet seat so as to be readily accessible by a person sitting on the toilet seat. Such prior art bidet systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 11,193,263 to Bensing.

Bidet attachments for toilets operate using the water supply of the toilet. The water is channeled to a spray head that is positioned within the toilet bowl. As such, the spray head of the bidet is only capable of spraying water. However, given the working purpose of a bidet, it may be beneficial to spray more than just water into a toilet bowl. For example, many people would recognize the advantages of spraying a deodorizer and/or a disinfectant into a toilet bowl.

In the prior art, there are many spray systems that are designed to spray deodorizers and/or disinfectants into a toilet bowl. Such prior art systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,286, to Funk and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0067897 to Graham. However, such systems contain tubes, supply reservoirs, spray cannisters and the like that occupy space around the toilet bowl. As a result, it is often impractical and sometimes impossible to use both an auxiliary spray deodorizing system and an auxiliary bidet system on the same toilet.

A need therefore exists for an improved auxiliary bidet system for a toilet that contains an integrated deodorizer/disinfecting system, wherein the bidet system can first function as a bidet and then function as a deodorizer. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

The present invention is a bidet assembly that can be added to a toilet or integrated into the design of a toilet. The toilet has a bowl and a seat. The bidet assembly has a housing that mounts to the toilet between the bowl and the seat. A pump is disposed within the housing. An additive fluid, such as a deodorant, disinfectant or detergent is filled into a reservoir container. The reservoir container connects to the pump. The pump is activated and pumps the additive fluid when the reservoir container is manually manipulated. As such, the reservoir container itself acts as the actuator handle of the pump.

A least one bidet spray head extends into the bowl of the toilet from the housing. Each bidet spray head is supplied with water from an external water source.

In addition, at least one spray nozzle is provided. Each spray nozzle is supported by the housing and is separate and distinct from the spray heads. Each spray nozzle is connected to the pump with a tube and sprays some of the additive fluid into the bowl when said pump is activated.

Although the present invention bidet assembly can be embodied in many ways, only one exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The exemplary embodiment is being shown for the purposes of explanation and description and is selected in order to set forth one of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring toin conjunction with, an improved bidet assemblyis shown. The bidet assemblycontains a housing. The housingincludes a mounting sectionand a control section. The mounting sectionmounts to the bowlof a toiletbetween the bowland the seat. The mounting sectionhas adjustable mounting slotsthat are engaged by boltsthat connect the seatto the bowlof the toilet. In this manner, the improved bidet assemblycan be properly positioned on different makes and models of toilets.

The mounting sectionof the improved bidet assemblycontains a first bidet spray headand a second bidet spray head. The output of the first bidet spray headand the second bidet spray headare directed to opposite ends of the user's perineum, when the user is seated on the toilet. The first bidet spray headis positioned at the end of a first descending arm. The first descending armextends from the housingdownwardly into the bowl.

The first bidet spray headcan spray a jet of water in the traditional manner of a bidet. The water jet of the first bidet spray headis directed in an upward direction in order to spray against a person sitting upon the seatof the toilet. The second bidet spray headis also supported by the mounting sectionof the housing. The second bidet spray headis positioned at the end of a second descending arm. The second descending armand the first descending armare parallel and are generally equal in length. Accordingly, the second descending armalso extends into the bowl. Both the first descending armand the second descending armare protected by a splash shield. The splash shieldpresents a flat surface in the bowlthat is easy to clean. As will be further explained, the first bidet spray headand the second bidet spray headcan be operated both independently and in unison.

In addition to the first and second bidet spray heads,, at least one spray nozzleis mounted in the housingof the bidet assembly. The spray nozzlesare directed toward the bowland not toward the user. The spray nozzlesare used to selectively spray deodorant, disinfectant, and/or detergent into the bowl.

The first and second bidet spray heads,, along with the spray nozzle(s)are operated by interacting with various elements on the control section. The control sectionof the housingextends beyond the bowlof the toilet. Accordingly, the control sectionis cantilevered to the side of the seatand remains accessible to any person who is sitting on the seatof the toilet. The control sectioncontains various user controls. A bidet controlhaving a dial knobis provided to control water flow to the first bidet spray headand to the second bidet spray head. When the dial knobis turned in a first direction, water flow to one bidet spray headis increased and flow to the opposite second bidet spray headis decreased. When set at a mid-point, water flow between the first bidet spray headand the second bidet spray headare generally equal. The dial knobalso enables the overall bidet assembly to be turned to an off position.

Referring toin conjunction withand, it can be seen that the first bidet spray head, the second bidet spray headand the protective splash shieldcreate a spray head subassembly. The spray head subassemblyis connected to the housingof the bidet assemblywith a hinge connection. The spray head subassemblyis connected to a lever shaft. The lever shaftextends to a toggle leverin the control section. The toggle leveris accessible to the user. As the toggle leveris manually moved, the spray head subassemblyis caused to move about the hinge connection. This changes the direction of spray(s) relative to the user. Accordingly, the user can direct spray(s) as needed.

The first bidet spray headand the second bidet spray headboth spray water. The water flowing through the first and second bidet spray heads,is tap water that is supplied through a plumbing connection. The plumbing connectionconnects to the water supply hoseof the toilet. As a result, the water received is under pressure. The supplied water enters the plumbing connectionand is divided into two tubes,that lead to the first bidet spray headand the second bidet spray head. Flow through the tubes,is controlled by a three-port valve, wherein the three-port valveis operated by the dial knob.

The spray nozzle(s)do not spray tap water. Rather, each spray nozzleis connected to a removable reservoir containervia a supply tube. The removable reservoir containerhas a threaded neckthat can engage a threaded receptacleon the control sectionof the bidet assembly. The removable reservoir containeris preferably a small bottle or container that holds a supply of the additive fluid. The removable reservoir containercan be selectively refilled or replaced as it empties. The additive fluidis a solution that contains deodorant, disinfectant, and/or detergent.

A manual pumpis provided in the housingbelow the threaded receptable. The pumpis operated by engaging the removable reservoir containerwith the threaded receptacleand manually moving the reservoir containerup and down. This reciprocal pumping action operates the pumpand moves the additive fluidto the spray nozzles. Once at the spray nozzles, the additive fluidsprays into the bowl. Accordingly, the amount of additive fluidthat is sprayed depends upon the number of times the reservoir containeris pumped up and down.

During use, an individual sits on the seatto use the toilet. The individual can then manipulate the bidet controls to be sprayed with water through the first bidet spray headand/or the second bidet spray head. At any point, the individual can manipulate the reservoir containerto pump the additive fluidinto the bowl. The additive fluidcan deodorize, disinfect, and/or clean the bowlof the toilet.

The tubing and controls needed to draw and spray the additive fluidare contained within the confines of the housing. Accordingly, no additional plumbing is required that would not otherwise be required for the operation of a traditional prior art bidet assembly.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.