Device for Prevention of Urine Leakage

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This invention addresses the problem of urine leakage between a toilet seat and toilet bowl. Standard toilets and toilet seats have a gap between the seat and the bowl. Many toilet users, especially males, experience urine leakage between a toilet seat and toilet bowl when using a toilet from a seated position. This problem is increasingly prevalent in elderly and disabled users. Urine leakage creates an unsanitary mess that is unpleasant to clean up.

The current options available in the prior art to address urine leakage are apparatuses that are large and inconvenient or are suited to reduce air contaminants. The apparatuses directed towards reducing air contaminants are not waterproof and are thus not suitable for reducing urine leakage. The large apparatuses are made of heavy material and are generally attached to the toilet bowl by inserting a vertical protrusion within the bowl and having an upper portion attaching to the top of the bowl. The means of attachment in these solutions creates a fixed attachment that will be present regardless of whether a user is sitting or standing. The hardness of the material results in urine splashing off of the apparatus towards a user, effectively trading one mess for another.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an apparatus made of compressible material, attached to the bottom of a toilet seat, and made with a shape that reduces urine splash. The compressible material ensures the apparatus does not affect the elevation of the toilet seat during use and improves the waterproof qualities of the material when in use.

The apparatus is attached to the bottom of a toilet seat by adhesion. This means of attachment allows the apparatus to remain installed without impeding standing use of a toilet.

The rear portion of the apparatus is shaped with two curvatures that come together at a point, similar to the letter “M”. This shape allows urine to engage a curved surface and continue traveling, thereby reducing the amount of urine that splashes back towards a user.

This invention is used simply by adhering the apparatus to the front portion of the bottom side of a toilet seat with the two rear curvatures facing the toilet bowl opening. When a user sits on the toilet seat, the apparatus will compress and create a waterproof seal between the seat and the bowl. If a user's urine hits the apparatus, it will travel along the curvatures and deposit into the bowl without splashing. A user may leave the apparatus installed and clean as needed.

Referring now toof the drawings simultaneously, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention being a urine leakage prevention apparatus (“urine guard”). The urine guard generally comprises a front curved portion, a rear curved portion, rear flat portions, a top portion, and a bottom portion.

Said front portionis a curved side dimensioned to follow the contour of a toilet bowl. An illustrative embodiment of the front portion has a width of 7.125 inches, a height of 3.375 inches, and a curve configured to align with the contour of a standard toilet bowl.

Said rear flat portionsare flat sidesthat connect the front curved portionto the rear curved portion. An illustrative embodiment of the rear flat portionsare flat sideswith a width of 0.625 inches connecting the front curved portionto the rear curved portion.

Said rear curved portionis a side comprising two curvesand a middle point. The two curvesbegin on the interior side of each rear flat side. The two curvesconnect at the middle point, which is configured to be positioned at the radius of the rear curved portion. An illustrative embodiment of the rear curved portionhas a width of 6.5 inches, a radius of 2.938 inches, and two curvesconfigured to align with the contour of a standard toilet bowl.

Said top portionis a flat upper side configured to attach to the bottom side of a toilet seat by adhesion.

Said bottom portionis a flat bottom side configured to engage the top side of a toilet bowl when in use. The bottom portionmay be configured to include a display portion. Said display portion is a rectangular section of the bottom portion that comprises either a flat display attachment or an inlaid display attachment. Both the flat display attachment and the inlaid display attachment are configured to not protrude from the bottom portionand disrupt the flush engagement with the toilet bowl. Said display portionsmay include imagery of materials preferred by urine guard users, such as children's characters or other branded materials.

The invention is made by injection molding using compressible materials, such as dense foam or rubber.

To use the invention, the portion of the toilet seat to receive the invention should first be cleaned and should be dry before attachment. The top portionmust first be attached to the bottom side of a toilet seat, An illustrative embodiment of the invention includes adhesion that is pre-applied to the top portionbefore packaging. Upon receipt, the user can remove the wax paper covering the adhesive layer and then attach the invention by engaging the top portionto the bottom side of a toilet seat with the rear curved portionfacing the inside of the toilet and the front curved portionfacing away from the toilet. Once adhered, the user can wait for the adhesion to dry, and then continue using the toilet normally. When a user sits on the toilet seat, the invention will compress between the seat and bowl, creating a waterproof seal. If any urine contacts the invention, the urine will be deposited into the bowl by traveling along the rear curvesand depositing into the bowl. By following the rear curves, the urine will not be engaging a flat, perpendicular surface and will thus not splash back at the user.

Users can also continue using the toilet normally without sitting. Since the invention attaches through adhesion, the toilet seat can be lifted without requiring removal of the invention. Furthermore, when the toilet seat is raised, any display portionon the bottom portionof the invention is visible. This allows for children's characters or other imagery to be displayed, which may encourage younger users to use the toilet.

The adhesion bonding the invention to the toilet seat is strong enough to hold the invention in place so that the invention does not shift during usage. However, it may require moderate force to remove the invention for replacement or other purposes.