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Device for facilitating potty training and method thereforRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, MiscellaneousDevice for facilitating potty training and method therefor description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060179563, Device for facilitating potty training and method therefor. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 10/781,109, filed Feb. 18, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to child development, and more specifically, to a device for facilitating potty training and method therefor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Potty training may prove to be a stressful experience for young children. In order to ease the transition from using diapers to using the toilet, many parents/guardians employ reward systems to encourage their children. For example, some parents/guardians may give the child a sticker or a treat after the child successfully uses the toilet. While these reward systems may provide motivation to a child, they do not assist the child with the actual task of using the toilet. [0004] Various attempts have been made to assist a child with the task of using the toilet. U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,113 issued to Kogut discloses a target made to be attached to the rim of a toilet. Only upon coming into contact with urine will a graphic design therein become visible. However, if one of these targets is hit with a heavy stream of urine, the urine could splash off and cause a mess. Furthermore, these targets are only useful for a boy's urination. Boys, as well as girls, need assistance with using the toilet not only for urination, but for bowel movements as well. [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,403 issued to Camarena discloses a method for biodegradable material having water and uric acid activated color images. The product, however, is a chemically treated material having an image that is only viewable by absorption of uric acid. The product, therefore, does not provide a target at which the child will aim since it does not become visible until the child has already hit the target. Furthermore, the chemicals with which the product is treated may be harmful to the environment. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,540 issued to Putz discloses a sheet that must be placed on a dry surface in the toilet and that must come into contact with urine in order to dissolve. Because the sheet must be placed on a dry surface, a piece of toilet paper or other positioning means must first be placed between the sheet and the toilet water. This process would require the child to wait a longer period of time before being able to use the toilet. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,515 to White, Jr. et al. discloses a sheet of paper fiber stock material that will sink into the toilet water once urine is deposited onto it. This sheet of paper, however, would sink too quickly and would not serve its purpose as a target throughout the child's entire urination or bowel movement process. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,937 issued to Whitacre discloses an apparatus for reducing urinary splash from a commode. This apparatus, however, is fairly complex as it is comprised of two liquid-permeable layers with a layer of liquid-absorbent material disposed between them. Furthermore, the Whitacre apparatus is meant only to reduce urinary splash and does not suggest its use in connection with potty training. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,405 issued to Kreiss discloses a target in a bowl or urinal to attract the attention of urinating human males. The coating and materials of the Kreiss target are made of a variety of waterproof materials and an adhesive layer that is not water soluble. Not only are these targets are only useful for a boy's urination, but these targets may be harmful to the environment as they are not completely biodegradable. [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,850 issued to Lauer discloses a flushable foam polymer target. Because the foam polymer target only partially dissolves in water, the remaining particles of the foam polymer target may be harmful to the environment and the surrounding population. [0011] For example, Nevada's source of drinking water is Lake Mead. Nevada's sewer water is also emptied into Lake Mead. By flushing the foam polymer target down the toilet, particles from the target eventually end up in the lake. After the foam polymer partially dissolves in the water, the remaining particles of the foam polymer remain in the water. Eventually, those foam polymer particles may end up in the community's drinking water. [0012] Therefore a need existed to provide an improved device and method for facilitating potty training. Preferably, the device and method encourages a child to urinate and/or perform bowel movements in a toilet. Further, preferably, the system and method are useful for both boys and girls alike. Still further, preferably, the device and method are safe for the environment and surrounding population. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method for facilitating potty training. [0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method that employs a target at which a child may aim during urination and/or a bowel movement. [0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method that employs the step of seating a child backward on the toilet seat so that the child may focus his/her complete attention on the target. [0016] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a device and method for facilitating potty training that is useful for both boys and girls alike. [0017] It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a device and method for facilitating potty training that is safe for the environment and surrounding population. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0018] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a device for facilitating potty training is disclosed. The device comprises at least one tissue in a single layer, the at least one tissue being biodegradable, being semi-porous, being substantially flat so as to be placed proximate water contained within a toilet, and being substantially buoyant, while at the same time being sufficiently rigid so as to be able to remain substantially buoyant after receiving at least one of urine and fecal matter of a child. [0019] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for facilitating potty training is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing at least one tissue in a single layer, the at least one tissue being biodegradable, being semi-porous, being substantially flat so as to be placed proximate water contained within a toilet, being substantially buoyant, while at the same time being sufficiently rigid so as to be able to remain substantially buoyant after receiving at least one of urine and fecal matter of a child, and having at least one of a design and configuration adapted to encourage a child to deposit at least one of urine and fecal matter on the tissue while the tissue being placed proximate the water contained within the toilet, placing the at least one tissue proximate the water contained within the toilet, and flushing the at least one tissue down the toilet after the child has deposited at least one of urine and fecal matter on the at least one tissue. Continue reading about Device for facilitating potty training and method therefor... 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