Hygienic article and method of use

• US 6,484,328 B1
• Filed: 05/03/2001
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffery D. Frazier
• Original Assignee: Jeffery D. Frazier
• Inventors: Frazier, Jeffery D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US09/847,131
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 424/53, 424/54, 466/1
• US Class Current: 4/661
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/16 of single sheets of paper or plastic foil or film
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/165 Dispensers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/22 rolled-up; Dispensers thereforA47K13/20 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a device and method for improved toilet hygiene. One aspect of the present invention provides an improved toilet seat cover having an affinity for a toilet seat. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for rendering a toilet seat cover in a state wherein the cover possesses an affinity for a toilet seat. Such affinity can be established in a variety of ways, including by way of disparate surface charges (e.g., by triboelectric charging).

Claims

1. A method for improved toilet hygiene, comprising:

providing a dispenser, a plurality of toilet seat covers held by said dispenser, and a charge-imparting member supported by said dispenser;

treating one of said toilet seat covers with the charge-imparting member to provide the cover with a non-neutral surface charge; and

overlaying the treated cover on a toilet seat;

whereby the treated cover clings to the seat due to the non-neutral surface charge.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said treating step is selected from the group consisting of triboelectric charging, inducing polarization, and passage through an electric field.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said dispenser comprises a compartment configured to hold said plurality of toilet seat covers, with said cover being disposed in a stack.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said dispenser comprises an elongated rod configured to hold said plurality of toilet seat covets, with said covers begin disposed in a roll.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said treating comprises pulling said one of said covers from said dispenser so that said one of said covers contacts, and then becomes separated from, said charge-imparting member.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein during said contact said one of said covers rubs against said charge-imparting member.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said charge-imparting member comprises a means for contact electrification.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of toilet seat covers are comprised of a paper material and said charge-imparting member is comprised of vinyl or Styrofoam.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said charge-imparting member comprise an electrostatic generator.

10. A method for improved toilet hygiene, comprising:

providing a plurality of toilet seat covers, with a surface region of each of said covers being in contact with a surface region of at least one other of said covers;

separating a selected one of said covers from contact with another of said covers, whereby said one of said covers gains a non-neutral surface charge; and

overlaying the selected cover on a toilet seat;

whereby the selected cover clings to the toilet seat due to the non-neutral surface charge.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of toilet seat covers has front and back surfaces having disparate triboelectric properties.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein one of said front and back surfaces comprises a paper material and the other of paid front and back surfaces is selected from the group consisting of a rubber-based film and a material having adhesive properties.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein one of said front and back surfaces is comprised of a material having adhesive properties.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said plurality of toilet seat covers are disposed in a roll.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said plurality of said toilet seat covers are disposed in a stack.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said stack is provided in a dispenser.