CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 62/591,758, filed Nov. 28, 2017 which application is incorporated herein by reference

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of bidets and more specifically relates to a portable bidet module that may be mounted on a wall.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bidets are common fixtures in some European and oriental countries but not generally found in America or in many other countries because of the extra cost among other considerations. A bidet is a type of water closet for washing the private areas of the body after using the toilet. The problem with bidets is that extra plumbing is needed for installation as well as the extra water usage that they demand. In addition to these requirements, extra space is needed also which requires the square footage of the bathroom to be increased. These considerations tend to relegate the bidet to more affluent homes and higher class motels than the average home.

Fixtures that spray germicides or topical sprays are also relatively unrecognized or unorganized in bathrooms. These are generally done with bottles having spray nozzles or are manually applied, but then these are usually applied separate from the function of the bidet and at a sequentially later time. In addition to these inconveniences, having personal hygiene items with topical sprays and having the room for them to be collected together in a convenient location usually doesn't happen because of the lack of a utility for organizing them in a non-cluttered location. An apparatus that would solve the above problems would be welcomed.

Ideally, a bidet should reduce cost and hardware and add functionality, and yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable portable bidet module to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known bidets art, the present invention provides a novel portable bidet module. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to save space and add bidet functionality to a standard toilet or room.

A portable bidet module may comprise a water supply adapter having an inlet adapted to allow water to pass from a water supply pipe into the water supply adapter, a first outlet adapted to allow water to pass outwardly from the water supply adapter, a second outlet spaced from the first outlet and adapted to allow water to pass outwardly from the water supply adapter and into a flush tank of a toilet apparatus, and a valve adapted to direct water through the first outlet in a first position, and through the second outlet in a second position. The water supply adapter is adapted to be connected to the water supply pipe via the inlet to supply water therefrom.

A sprayer having a hose attached to the first outlet at the proximal end and adapted to allow water to pass through the nozzle attached to the distal end of the hose is adapted to spray water outwardly to allow the portable bidet module to redirect water from the toilet apparatus water supply pipe and be used to spray water therefrom for cleaning purposes while a person is using the toilet apparatus. The water supply adapter is attached to the housing and may be T-shaped, and the valve is adjustable between the first and second positions such that the rate of flow of water through the first and second outlets can be controlled and adjusted.

A water pump is connected between the water supply adapter and the hose of the sprayer and adapted to increase the water pressure to the sprayer. The housing of the portable bidet module is adapted to be releasably connected to a toilet apparatus and forms an interior volume adapted to house the water pump within. The housing may include a power source located within the interior volume that is adapted to power the water pump.

A towel dispenser and a disinfectant dispenser are adapted to be releasably stored within the interior volume of the housing. The shape or size of the housing may vary considerably and additional functions may be included in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the housing adapted to mount to a wall in proximity to the toilet and may include other conveniences such as phone chargers or compartments for storing user preferred items. A retractable power cord may be adapted to store in or on the bottom of the housing and a charger adapter for connection may store in the top portion for use in charging phones. In the free-standing embodiment, a hands-free phone holder may be incorporated to add extra convenience. Preferably, the towel dispenser is adapted to receive packages of standard size towels or wipes to eliminate the problem of searching for specific towel refills.

An improved toilet apparatus may comprise a toilet apparatus having a bowl portion, a flush tank connected to the bowl portion that is adapted to provide water thereto, a water supply pipe adapted to supply water to the flush tank, and a portable bidet module comprising a water supply adapter having an inlet adapted to allow water to pass from the water supply pipe into the water supply adapter, a first outlet adapted to allow water to pass outwardly from the water supply adapter, a second outlet spaced from the first outlet and adapted to allow water to pass outwardly from the water supply adapter and into the flush tank of the toilet apparatus, and a valve adapted to direct water through the first outlet in a first position and through the second outlet in a second position. The water supply adapter is adapted to be connected to the water supply pipe via the inlet and supply water.

A sprayer including a hose is attached to the first outlet at the proximal end and is adapted to allow water to pass through a nozzle which is attached to the distal end of the hose and adapted to spray water outwardly through the nozzle. The portable bidet module is adapted to redirect water from the toilet apparatus water supply pipe for use in spraying water for personal cleaning purposes while using the toilet apparatus. The water supply adapter is T-shaped and the valve is adjustable between the first and second positions such that the rate of flow of water through the first and second outlets can be controlled and adjusted.

A water pump is connected between the water supply adapter and the hose of the sprayer and adapted to increase the water pressure to the sprayer. The housing is adapted to be releasably connected to the toilet apparatus and forms an interior volume adapted to house the water pump within. The housing may include a power source located within the interior volume adapted to power the water pump.

A towel dispenser may be adapted to be releasably stored within the interior volume of the housing and a disinfectant dispenser may also be adapted to be releasably stored within the interior volume of the housing.

The water supply adapter is attached to the housing and the valve is of the water supply adapter is adjustable between the first and second positions such that the rate of flow of water through the first and second outlets can be controlled and adjusted. In some embodiments, a stand including a base portion and an elongated holder portion is attached to and extending from the base portion and the stand is adapted to releasably hold the housing at a position in proximity to the toilet apparatus.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a portable bidet module. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, a portable bidet module, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a portable bidet module attached to a toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the portable bidet module according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating portable bidet module according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating portable bidet module with accessories according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an improved toilet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to bidets and bidet accessories and more particularly to a portable bidet module as used to save space and add bidet functionality to a standard toilet.

Generally speaking, a portable bidet module is an apparatus that connects to the incoming toilet water supply to function as a bidet on a standard toilet. The device has an adapter that Tee's into the waterline and connects via a hose to a module housing that houses a pump for boosting the water pressure to a second hose having a spray nozzle at the end that is used as the bidet. The module housing may also hold disposable towels and a disinfectant dispenser.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating portable bidet module 100 attached to toilet apparatus 205 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Portable bidet module 100 may comprise water supply adapter 105 having inlet 106 adapted to allow water to pass from water supply pipe 155 into water supply adapter 105, first outlet 107 adapted to allow water to pass outwardly from water supply adapter 105, second outlet 108 spaced from first outlet 107 and adapted to allow water to pass outwardly from water supply adapter 105 and into flush tank 215 of toilet apparatus 205, and valve 110 adapted to direct water through first outlet 107 in first position 111, and through second outlet 108 in second position 112. Water supply adapter 105 is adapted to be connected to water supply pipe 155 via inlet 106 to supply water therefrom.

Referring now to FIG. 2, is a perspective view illustrating portable bidet module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

Sprayer 115 having hose 116 attached to first outlet 107 at proximal end 151 and adapted to allow water to pass through nozzle 117 attached to distal end 152 of hose 116 is adapted to spray water outwardly to allow portable bidet module 100 to redirect water from toilet apparatus 205 water supply pipe 155 and be used to spray water therefrom for cleaning purposes while a person is using toilet apparatus 205. Water supply adapter 105 is attached to housing 125 and may be t-shaped, and valve 110 is adjustable between first position 111 and second position 112 such that the rate of flow of water through first outlet 107 and second outlet 108 can be controlled and adjusted. Housing 125 preferably comprises hook 127 such that housing 125 is able to clip over the top edge of toilet apparatus 205, however stand 145 may take the place of hook 127 in some embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 3, is a side view illustrating portable bidet module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

Water pump 120 is connected between water supply adapter 105 and hose 116 of sprayer 115 and adapted to increase the water pressure to sprayer 115. Housing 125 of portable bidet module 100 is adapted to be releasably connected to toilet apparatus 205 and forms interior volume 126 adapted to house water pump 120 within. Housing 125 may include power source 130 located within interior volume 126 that is adapted to power water pump 120.

Referring now to FIG. 4, is a perspective view illustrating portable bidet module 100 with accessories according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

Towel dispenser 135 and disinfectant dispenser 140 are adapted to be releasably stored within interior volume 126 of housing 125. In some embodiments, stand 145 having a base portion 146 and elongated holder portion 147 attached to and extending from base portion 146 is adapted to releasably hold housing 125 at a position in proximity to toilet apparatus 205. The shape or size of housing 125 may vary considerably and additional functions may be included in some embodiments. Preferably, towel dispenser 135 is adapted to receive packages of standard size towels or wipes to eliminate the problem of searching for specific towel refills. In another embodiment housing 125 may be adapted to mount to a wall in proximity to toilet apparatus 205 and may include other conveniences such as phone chargers or compartments for storing user preferred items. Retractable power cord 160 may be adapted to store in the bottom of the housing for a charger adapter. In the free-standing embodiment, a hands-free phone holder may be incorporated to add extra convenience.

Portable bidet module 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 5, is a perspective view illustrating improved toilet apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

Improved toilet apparatus 200 may comprise toilet apparatus 205 having bowl portion 210, flush tank 215 connected to bowl portion 210 that is adapted to provide water thereto, water supply pipe 155 is adapted to supply water to flush tank 215, and portable bidet module 100 comprising water supply adapter 105 having inlet 106 adapted to allow water to pass from water supply pipe 155 into water supply adapter 105, first outlet 107 adapted to allow water to pass outwardly from water supply adapter 105, second outlet 108 spaced from first outlet 107 and adapted to allow water to pass outwardly from water supply adapter 105 and into flush tank 215 of toilet apparatus 205, and valve 110 adapted to direct water through first outlet 107 in first position 111 and through second outlet 108 in second position 112. Water supply adapter 105 is adapted to be connected to water supply pipe 155 via inlet 106 and supply water.

Sprayer 115 including hose 116 is attached to first outlet 107 at proximal end 151 and is adapted to allow water to pass through nozzle 117 which is attached to distal end 152 of hose 116 and adapted to spray water outwardly through nozzle 117. Portable bidet module 100 is adapted to redirect water from toilet apparatus 205 water supply pipe 155 for use in spraying water for personal cleaning purposes while using toilet apparatus 205. Water supply adapter 105 is t-shaped and valve 110 is adjustable between first position 111 and second position 112 such that the rate of flow of water through first outlet 107 and second outlet 108 can be controlled and adjusted.

Water pump 120 is connected between water supply adapter 105 and hose 116 of sprayer 115 and adapted to increase the water pressure to sprayer 115. Housing 125 is adapted to be releasably connected to toilet apparatus 205 and forms interior volume 126 adapted to house water pump 120 within. Housing 125 may include power source 130 located within interior volume 126 adapted to power water pump 120.

Towel dispenser 135 may be adapted to be releasably stored within interior volume 126 of housing 125 and disinfectant dispenser 140 may also be adapted to be releasably stored within interior volume 126 of housing 125. Power source 130 may be adapted into the housing of toilet apparatus 205 such that power outlet 165 is included for powering a power adapter or for charging a battery within housing 125 for powering a phone charger and/or for powering water pump 120. Retractable power cord 160 may remain plugged into power outlet 165 or maybe plugged in only for charging the battery. Portions of housing 125 holding electrical components are walled or sealed off from portions holding liquid for safety measures.

Water supply adapter 105 is attached to housing 125 and valve 110 of water supply adapter 105 is adjustable between first position 111 and second position 112 such that the rate of flow of water through first outlet 107 and second outlet 108 can be controlled and adjusted. In some embodiments, stand 145 including base portion 146 and elongated holder portion 147 is attached to and extending from base portion 146 and stand 145 is adapted to releasably hold housing 125 at a position in proximity to toilet apparatus 205.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.