Toilet seat assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12139902-B2
Application number	US-202318348189-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 6, 2023
Priority date	Jul 15, 2019
Publication date	Nov 12, 2024
Grant date	Nov 12, 2024

Abstract

A liquid reservoir for use in a toilet seat assembly having a presence sensor configured to detect a presence of a user includes a housing, a heating member, a temperature sensor, and a level sensor. The housing has a base portion, a cover portion, an inlet, and an outlet, and the housing is configured to contain a liquid. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of liquid within the housing. The level sensor is configured to detect an amount of the liquid within the housing. The heating member is configured to heat the liquid contained in the housing upon the presence sensor of the toilet seat assembly detecting the presence of the user.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid reservoir for use in a toilet seat assembly, the toilet seat assembly having a presence sensor configured to detect a presence of a user, the liquid reservoir comprising:
a housing having a base portion, a cover portion, an inlet, and an outlet, the housing configured to contain a liquid;
a heating member;
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid within the housing; and
a level sensor configured to detect an amount of the liquid within the housing;
wherein the heating member is configured to heat the liquid contained in the housing upon the presence sensor of the toilet seat assembly detecting the presence of the user.

2. The liquid reservoir of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises one or more of water and a cleanser.

3. The liquid reservoir of claim 1 , wherein the heating member is an immersion heater positioned in the housing.

4. The liquid reservoir of claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensor includes one or more copper probes positioned proximate the immersion heater.

5. The liquid reservoir of claim 1 , wherein the level sensor includes a float switch.

6. The liquid reservoir of claim 1 , wherein the liquid reservoir is configured to be coupled to a pump to circulate the liquid, and wherein the housing includes a baffle configured to improve circulation of the liquid.

7. The liquid reservoir of claim 1 , wherein the liquid reservoir is configured to be coupled to a control unit configured to facilitate ingress of liquid into the reservoir when the level sensor detects that the liquid is below a predetermined threshold.

8. The liquid reservoir of claim 7 , wherein the control unit is further configured to cause the heater to turn on to heat the liquid contained in the housing upon the presence sensor of the toilet seat assembly detecting the presence of the user, and wherein the heater is turned on for 30 to 60 seconds.

9. A liquid reservoir for use in a toilet seat assembly, the liquid reservoir comprising:
a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing configured to contain a liquid;
a heating member; and
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid within the housing; and
wherein the heating member is configured to heat the liquid contained in the housing upon detection of a user in proximity to the toilet seat assembly.

10. The liquid reservoir of claim 9 , wherein the liquid comprises one or more of water and a cleanser.

11. The liquid reservoir of claim 9 , wherein the heating member is an immersion heater.

12. The liquid reservoir of claim 9 , wherein the temperature sensor includes one or more conductive probes positioned proximate the heating member.

13. The liquid reservoir of claim 9 , further comprising a level sensor configured to detect an amount of liquid within the housing.

14. The liquid reservoir of claim 13 , wherein the level sensor includes a float switch.

Assignees

• Bemis Mfg Co

Inventors

• Sylvia Jacqueline

Classifications

• G05D23/1917

  using digital means · CPC title

• G05D23/27

  with sensing element responsive to radiation · CPC title

• G05D9/02

  without auxiliary power · CPC title

• E03D9/085 Primary

  Hand-held spray heads for bidet use or for cleaning the bowl · CPC title

• E03D9/08 Primary

  Devices in the bowl producing upwardly-directed sprays; Modifications of the bowl for use with such devices (showers A47K3/28; bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes A61H33/00, for specific parts of the body A61H35/00 ){; Bidets; Combinations of bowls with urinals or bidets; Hot-air or other devices mounted in or on the bowl, urinal or bidet for cleaning or disinfecting} · CPC title