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  Toilet accessory with sterilization elementsUSPTO Application #: 20070256226Title: Toilet accessory with sterilization elements Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for sanitizing or sterilizing one or more surfaces of a toilet accessory by directing a sanitizing or a sterilizing dose of germicidal electromagnetic radiation onto those surfaces are provided. The germicidal electromagnetic radiation may be ultraviolet (UV) radiation provided by at least one UV lamp integral with the toilet accessory. The UV lamps may be light-emitting diodes. Surfaces that may be sanitized or sterilized include a toilet seat surface, and a retractable nozzle surface. Systems include a toilet accessory, a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation, a fluid connection and a power connection. Methods include steps of irradiating a surface with a sanitizing or sterilizing dose of germicidal electromagnetic radiation, and may further include steps of closing a toilet lid prior to an irradiation step, steps of extending a nozzle prior to an irradiation step, and steps of retracting a nozzle prior to an irradiation step. (end of abstract) Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP - Menlo Park, CA, US Inventor: Scott Pinizzotto USPTO Applicaton #: 20070256226 - Class: 004420400 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Flush Closet, Bowl, With Bidet Nozzle The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070256226. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to toilets and bidets, and components, accessories, and devices related to toilets and bidets, and methods for maintaining and using the same. In particular, the invention relates to components, devices, and accessories having elements that are effective to sanitize or sterilize desired portions or surfaces of a toilet, bidet, or toilet or bidet component, systems including such components, devices, and accessories, and methods for their use and maintenance. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Toilets and bidets are well known to require cleaning and maintenance for their use and for the hygiene of those using them. Toilets and bidets may harbor bacteria and other microorganisms that are considered to be undesirable. Thus, there is need for devices, systems and methods for inactivating or killing such microorganisms. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] Devices, components, accessories, systems and methods for sanitizing and sterilizing surfaces of toilets, bidets, toilet accessories, bidet accessories, and combinations thereof, including seats, lids, bowls, nozzles and other accessories and related elements or components are provided. Accessories having features of the invention include toilet accessories configured for use in conjunction with a toilet bowl, bidet accessories configured for use in conjunction with a bidet bowl, and a seat-bidet type toilet accessory configured for use in conjunction with a toilet bowl. Such accessories may include a nozzle; may include an accessory pod; may include a seat and a nozzle; may include a seat, a lid, and a nozzle; and may include any combination of these and of other elements and features. A nozzle may be a retractable nozzle. One or more surfaces of one or more of such elements may be sanitized or sterilized. A seat surface, a nozzle surface, a seat surface and a nozzle surface, a toilet bowl surface, a bidet bowl surface, and other surfaces may be sanitized or sterilized by a sanitization or sterilization means or a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation effective to sanitize or to sterilize a surface. [0004] Devices having features of the invention include a toilet accessory, a bidet accessory, a set-bidet type toilet accessory, a toilet, a bidet, and a seat-bidet type toilet having a surface and comprising a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation, in which the source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation is configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the surface effective to sanitize or to sterilize that surface. [0005] Devices having features of the invention include a toilet accessory (e.g. an accessory for use with a toilet, and which includes a bidet accessory, and a seat-bidet type toilet accessory) having a surface and comprising a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation, in which the source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation is configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the surface of a toilet accessory effective to sanitize or to sterilize that surface. In embodiments, the surface may be a surface of a seat, a surface of a nozzle, such as a spray nozzle configured to extend within a toilet bowl or another surface. A source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation may be any source, including a lamp, a light-emitting diode, or other source of electromagnetic radiation. It will be understood that any electromagnetic sterilization means configured to emit germicidal electromagnetic radiation may provide a suitable source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation, and that any electromagnetic sanitization means configured to emit germicidal electromagnetic radiation may provide a suitable source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation. [0006] In some embodiments, a toilet accessory, a bidet accessory, and/or a seat-bidet type toilet accessory, may have a seat, and a sterilization element or sterilization means. In some embodiments, a toilet accessory may have a seat, a nozzle or nozzles, and a sterilization element or sterilization means. Alternatively, a sanitization means or sanitization element may be provided in place of the sterilization means or sterilization element. A sterilization element or sterilization means typically includes a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation, and may comprise one, two, or more individual sources of germicidal electromagnetic radiation. A toilet accessory may have a lid. A toilet may have a bowl. A toilet accessory may have a nozzle. A nozzle may be a retractable nozzle. A retractable nozzle is configured to be able to assume an extended position and to assume a retracted position. In embodiments, a toilet accessory may be configured so that a portion of a retractable nozzle, when in an extended position, may be disposed within a toilet bowl when the accessory is in place and in use with the toilet. [0007] A toilet accessory having features of the invention and having a seat, may have a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation that is configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the seat effective to sterilize or to sanitize at least a portion of the seat surface. A toilet accessory having features of the invention and having a nozzle or nozzles, may have a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation that is configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the nozzle effective to sterilize or to sanitize a nozzle surface. A toilet accessory having features of the invention and having a seat and a nozzle, may have a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation effective to sterilize surfaces of the seat and the nozzle or nozzles. The source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation may be configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the nozzle or nozzles in a retracted position, may be configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the nozzle or nozzles when the nozzle or nozzles are in an extended position, may be configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the nozzle or nozzles when the nozzle or nozzles are in an retracted position, or may be configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the nozzle or nozzles when in any position. The source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation may be configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the nozzle or nozzles and towards the toilet seat, effective to sterilize surfaces of the nozzle or nozzles and of the seat. [0008] A toilet accessory having features of the invention may further have a lid. The lid may include a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation, may provide a support for a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation; may include surfaces effective to reflect germicidal electromagnetic radiation in a desired direction; may include cables, connectors, and other electrical elements operatively associated with a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation; and may include mechanical elements such as a hinge, a latch, a latch-release, and other mechanical elements. [0009] A toilet accessory having features of the invention may have a sensor configured effective to sense whether or not a lid is in a closed or open configuration; a sensor configured effective to sense whether or not a lid is in a latched configuration; a sensor configured effective to sense whether or not a user is seated on a seat; and a sensor configured effective to sense another event of interest. [0010] The source of electromagnetic radiation may be a source of ultraviolet radiation. In embodiments, the ultraviolet radiation may include electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths of between about 200 nm and about 310 nm. In embodiments, the source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation is configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards said nozzle or nozzles when one or more of the nozzles is in a retracted position. In embodiments, the source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation is configured to direct germicidal electromagnetic radiation towards the nozzle when the nozzle is in an extended position. [0011] The germicidal electromagnetic radiation suitable for the methods disclosed herein may comprise ultraviolet radiation, and may comprise ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of between about 200 nm and about 310 nm. Irradiation of a surface of at least a portion of a toilet, such as a toilet seat, a nozzle, or a toilet seat and a nozzle, is preferably at an intensity and is preferably continued for a period of time effective to sanitize and/or sterilize such surface or surfaces. Irradiation may be for a period of time greater than about 1 second, or for a period of time greater than about 30 seconds, or for a period of time greater than about 5 minutes, or for a period of time greater than about 30 minutes. In embodiments, irradiation is provided in a single pulse, or in multiple pulses, of electromagnetic radiation. [0012] In embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, irradiation may be for a period of time of between about 1 second and about 5 hours, or may be for a period of time of between about 15 seconds and about 1 hour, or for a period of time of between about 30 seconds and about 30 minutes, or for a period of time of between about 1 minute and about 20 minutes, or for another time period effective to sterilize the surface or to sanitize the surface. Irradiation may be, for example, at an intensity of greater than about 10 .mu.watts/cm.sup.2 (microwatts per square centimeter), or at an intensity of greater than about 100 .mu.watts/cm.sup.2, or at an intensity of greater than about 1 mwatts/cm.sup.2 (milliwatts per square centimeter), or at an intensity of greater than about 10 mwatts/cm.sup.2, or at another intensity. Irradiation may be, for example, at an intensity range of between about 10 .mu.watts/cm.sup.2 to about 1000 mwatts/cm.sup.2, or at an intensity range of between about 100 .mu.watts/cm.sup.2 to about 100 mwatts/cm.sup.2, or other intensity range. [0013] Irradiation may be by pulses of radiation. Such pulses may be of very short duration, e.g., between about 0.01 microseconds (.mu.seconds) and about 100 milliseconds, or may be longer (e.g., between about 100 milliseconds and about 10 seconds). In embodiments, the intensity of energy provided during a pulse may be, e.g., between about 0.01 .mu.watts/cm.sup.2 and about 100 watts/cm.sup.2. In embodiments, the intensity of energy provided during a pulse may be, e.g., between about 0.01 joules/cm.sup.2 and about 100 .mu.watts/cm.sup.2. [0014] Also provided are systems for providing personal waste disposal in connection with an external sewage system. In embodiments, a system for providing personal waste disposal in connection with external plumbing and/or sewage systems comprises a toilet having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and a toilet accessory, the toilet accessory having a nozzle with a surface and a source of germicidal electromagnetic radiation configured to sterilize said surface; and a source or conduit of electrical power effective to provide electrical power for said source of electromagnetic radiation. [0015] Also provided are methods of sanitizing and of sterilizing a surface of a toilet accessory, including methods of sanitizing or sterilizing a seat surface, a nozzle surface, or other surface of a toilet accessory. In embodiments, a method of sanitizing or sterilizing a nozzle comprises: irradiating a surface of a nozzle with germicidal electromagnetic radiation, effective to sanitize or to sterilize the surface. A nozzle may be a spray nozzle, and may be a retractable nozzle. In embodiments, the methods may also include retracting the nozzle into a receptacle prior to sterilizing the nozzle. [0016] Methods provided include methods of sanitizing and of sterilizing a seat and a nozzle surface of a toilet accessory, comprising: irradiating a surface of a toilet seat and a surface of a nozzle with germicidal electromagnetic radiation, effective to sanitize or to sterilize the surfaces. Methods provided further include methods of sanitizing and of sterilizing a seat and a nozzle surface of a toilet accessory, and a toilet surface (such as, for example, a surface of a toilet bowl) comprising: irradiating a surface of a toilet seat and a surface of a nozzle and a surface of a toilet with germicidal electromagnetic radiation, effective to sanitize or to sterilize the surfaces. [0017] Sanitization and/or sterilization of a nozzle, and/or a seat, and/or a toilet surface such as a toilet bowl, may be done separately, or together. When done together, such sanitization and/or sterilization may be done simultaneously, or in any order. Sanitization and/or sterilization of a seat may be applied to a standard toilet seat, a toilet seat configured to close slowly, a toilet seat with heating means, or other toilet seat. Sanitization and/or sterilization of a seat may be applied to a bidet seat, a seat of a seat-bidet style toilet, or other seat. Sanitization and/or sterilization of a toilet surface, such as a toilet bowl, may be applied to a toilet bowl, a bidet bowl, a bowl of a seat-bidet style toilet, or other bowl or other toilet surface. [0018] Methods for sanitizing and/or sterilizing one or more surfaces of a toilet accessory, such as, e.g., toilet seat surfaces and/or nozzle surfaces, include steps of irradiating such surfaces for a period of time effective to sanitize and/or sterilize the surface. In embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, periods of time effective to sanitize and/or sterilize a surface may have durations of between about 1 second and about 5 hours, or between about 15 seconds and about 1 hour, or between about 30 seconds and about 30 minutes, or between about 1 minute and about 20 minutes, or may have other durations effective to sanitize and/or sterilize the target surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system having features of the invention including a toilet accessory in operative configuration in place on a toilet bowl, the toilet accessory having a seat and a lid, and including germicidal lamps effective to sanitize or sterilize an upper portion of the toilet seat. [0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system having features of the invention including a toilet accessory in operative configuration in place on a toilet bowl, the toilet accessory having a pod having a retractable nozzle and including germicidal lamps effective to sanitize or sterilize at least a portion of the surface of the nozzle. Continue reading... Full patent description for Toilet accessory with sterilization elements Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Toilet accessory with sterilization elements patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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