Device and method for disinfecting toilet bowl

Abstract

In combination with a toilet, the invention provides a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl. The device includes a light source, a powering unit and a switch. The light source may be configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of light. The light source may be mounted on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid so that the ultraviolet beam of light is directed into a cavity of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat lid is disposed in a generally horizontal closed position for covering an opening of the toilet bowl. The switch may be operatively coupled between the light source and the powering unit to selectively activate and deactivate said light source.

1 . In combination with a toilet, a device for at least disinfecting a toilet bowl, said device comprising:
 (a) a light source configured to emit a beam of light, said light source is so mounted on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid that said beam of light is directed into a cavity of said toilet bowl when said toilet seat lid is disposed in a generally closed position for covering an opening of said toilet bowl;   (b) a powering unit; and   (c) a switch operatively coupled between said light source and said powering unit and operable to selectively activate and deactivate said light source.   
     
     
         2 . The device, according to  claim 1 , wherein said powering unit is selected from the group consisting of at least one battery, an external power source and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said switch includes a timer for activating said light source at least one predetermined time interval for at least one predetermined duration. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said switch is attached to said toilet seat lid. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said switch is in an activated position when said toilet seat lid is in said closed position and in a deactivated position when said toilet seat lid is in an open position. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said switch includes one of an accelerometer and a tilt sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting member for mounting said light source to said surface of said toilet seat lid. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said toilet seat lid includes a mounting cavity and wherein said light source is mounted within said mounting cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said powering unit is disposed external to said toilet and wherein said toilet seat lid further includes at least one passage disposed therewithin for housing wire members connecting said light source to said powering unit. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said switch is disposed external to said toilet seat lid at a hinge member connecting said toilet seat lid to a rear surface of said toilet. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said wire members extend through said hinge member and wherein said switch is attached to one end of said hinge member. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said light source is at least one light emitting diode configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of light. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a temperature sensor disposed in close proximity to said light source and operatively coupled to said switch, said temperature sensor configured to measure temperature given off by said light source and operate said switch to deactivate said light source when said temperature reaches a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further including another light source mounted in proximity of said light source configured to emit said ultraviolet beam of light. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further including a sensor configured to detect motion, said sensor is operatively coupled to said another light and configured to activate said another light upon detecting motion in proximity to said toilet. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said sensor and said another light are configured to activate when said toilet seat lid is in an open position being disposed generally normal to a plane of said toilet seat. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one processor coupled to each of said light source and said powering unit. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , further including additional plurality of light sources mounted in a predetermined pattern in close proximity to a peripheral edge of said toilet seat lid and operable to disinfect an upper surface of a toilet seat. 
     
     
         19 . A method of at least disinfecting a toilet bowl, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) mounting device of  claim 1  to an interior surface of a toilet seat lid; and   (b) directing said beam of light emitted from said light source toward a body of water disposed within said toilet bowl for at least one predetermined time interval for at least one predetermined duration only when said toilet seat lid is disposed to cover an opening of said toilet bowl.