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  Toilet paper moistenerUSPTO Application #: 20060150318Title: Toilet paper moistener Abstract: A toilet moistener having a body capable of placement in proximity to a toilet. The toilet has a bowl to retain water. A spray head associated with the body is positioned outside the bowl and directed to cause fluid to flow through the spray head in a direction other than in the bowl. The moistener also has a valve capable of restricting the flow of fluid to the spray head, a biasing component associated with the valve, and an actuator associated with the valve. Fluid is supplied to the spray head through the valve, and the biasing component biases the valve to restrict the flow of fluid to the spray head. When the actuator is activated, the valve open against the bias to reduce the restriction of the flow of fluid to the spray head for dispensing a desired amount of fluid onto a cleansing material. (end of abstract)
Agent: Polster, Lieder, Woodruff & Lucchesi - St. Louis, MO, US Inventor: Kip M. Harm USPTO Applicaton #: 20060150318 - Class: 004661000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Miscellaneous The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060150318. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] To cleanse the rectal and genital area immediately after moving the bowels or urinating, we utilize the personal hygiene product known as toilet paper. However, when using ordinary dry toilet paper, it is very uncomfortable and ineffective in cleaning fecal matter or urine completely from the region. Furthermore, for those who suffer with hemorrhoids or similar rectal tissue irritations, using dry toilet paper can be very painful. [0004] Utilizing a "wet" cleansing method, versus dry toilet paper alone, is a much more sanitary, comfortable, and effective means of cleansing the rectal and genital area. Therefore, it should be easily understood that a "wet" cleansing method is an advantageous alternative to conventional "dry" methods for cleansing after moving the bowels or urinating, not only for those with medical problems, but also for the public at large. [0005] The use of water for rectal and genital cleansing has been commonplace in Europe for years, primarily in the form of a bidet. In the United States, the use of wet wipes, or similar cleansing materials, has become common in recent years. The use of the traditional bidet has not been well accepted in this country, largely because a separate fixture is required, which is not readily accommodated in traditional bathroom structures, and it substantially increases the cost of a bathroom. In recent years, inventors have created several bidets that reside inside the toilet bowl--U.S. Pat. No. 4,197,594 (1980) & U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,402 (1980). These types of bidets eliminate the need for a separate fixture, but present a significant problem with maintaining sanitary conditions. Since the bidet resides inside the toilet bowl, whether or not it is retracted to a storage position therein, it is subject to contamination by the fecal matter or urine present in the toilet bowl. This contamination may cause infection and/or irritation to the user. For example, the patents referenced above provide bidets that are installed within the confines of the toilet bowl. Both of these inventions pose the risk of potential infection and/or irritation to the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown in the following drawings which form a part of the specification: [0007] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a toilet having an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention; [0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention; [0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of interior components of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention; [0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention with a human hand holding a cleansing material against the moistener; [0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention with a human hand holding a cleansing material and pressing against the moistener to dispense fluid onto the material; [0013] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention having an electronic sensor component; [0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention having a reservoir tank to hold fluid for the moistener; [0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the toilet moistener of the present invention having a timer for a timed release of fluid from the moistener; [0016] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION [0017] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 1), a toilet T has a bowl 10, a tank 12, a seat 14 and a toilet feed line 16. A ferrule 18 attaches the main feed line 16 to the base of the tank 12. A shut-off valve 20 attaches the toilet feed line 16 to a water source near the toilet T (not shown). In this embodiment, the moistener A is attached with adhesive (not shown) to the side of the bowl 10, and has a body 30, a spring valve 32, a spray head 34 and a feed line 36. (FIG. 4). Of course, the moistener A may be fixedly attached to the toilet T or may be integral with the toilet T, in which case the toilet T may be configured to supply fluid to the moistener A through the toilet T itself. The body 30 of the moistener A consists of a housing 40, an actuator or press-plate 42 and a base 44. The spring valve 32 is fixedly attached to the base 44, and has a valve body 46, a plunger 48 and a compression spring 50. The valve body 46 is elongated and forms three generally cylindrical bores: a first bore 52, a second bore 53 and third bore 54; all three bores 52, 53 and 54 sharing a common central axis x. [0018] The first bore 52, which is larger in diameter than the bores 53 and 54, has a closed end 56 at the base of the valve body 46, and extends approximately one third the length of the valve body 46 to its other end 58 where the first bore 52 opens into the second bore 53. The second bore 53 extends from the end 58 of the third bore 54 to its other end 60 where the second bore 53 opens into the third bore 54. The third bore 54 extends from the end 60 of the third bore 54 to an open end 62 at the top of the valve body 46. The plunger 48 has a central shaft 64 that is rounded at a first end 66 and has a cylindrical piston 68 at the other end. The piston 68 is sized to fit coaxially within the bores 52, 53, and 54, such that the piston 68 is restrained from non-axial movements but may move with little resistance along the axis x inside the first bore 52, and the central shaft 64 is restrained from non-axial movements but may move with little resistance along the axis x inside the bores 53 and 54. Similarly, the central shaft 64 of the plunger 48 has a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of the third bore 54, such that the plunger 48 may move freely along the axis x within the bores 53 and 54. The diameter of the third bore 54 and the diameter of the central shaft 64 of the plunger 48 are nearly identical such that the plunger 48 may move along the axis x, while the interface between the central shaft 64 and the third bore 54 forms a seal that prevents the seepage of fluid through the third bore 54. [0019] A lip 70 is formed along the length of the plunger 48 where the central shaft 64 meets the piston 68. The lip 70 extends radially from the perimeter of the shaft 64 to the perimeter of the piston 68. The lip 70 seats on and seals against a shoulder 72 formed where the first bore 52 meets the second bore 53. The shoulder 72 extends radially from the perimeter of the second bore 53 to the perimeter of the first bore 52. Continue reading... Full patent description for Toilet paper moistener Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Toilet paper moistener 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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