Toilet training devices for small children

Abstract

A toilet training device includes an odor remediation system for absorbing or masking odors that may be created during toilet training. The odor remediation system may include a modular odor remediating insert that may be releasably positioned within a recess that is provided within the toilet training device. The odor remediating insert may include an odor absorbing substance such as sodium bicarbonate, an odor masking substance such as a fragrance or a combination of an odor absorbing substance and an odor masking substance. The toilet training device also includes a system for dispensing wipes that may utilize a recess that is defined in a side wall of the main body portion of the toilet training device. A wipes cartridge is designed so that it can be used to conveniently dispense wipes regardless of whether it is separated from the toilet training device or mounted within the recess of the toilet training device.

1 . A toilet training device, comprising:
 a seat having an opening defined therein;   a main body portion;   a recess defined in the main body portion for holding a package of wipes; and   wipes package securing means for releasably positioning the package of wipes within the recess.   
     
     
         2 . A toilet training device according to  claim 1 , further comprising the package of wipes releasable mounted within the recess, wherein the package of wipes comprises coupling means for engaging the wipes package securing means. 
     
     
         3 . A toilet training device according to  claim 2 , wherein the package of wipes comprises a substantially rigid frame and wherein the coupling means comprises a first alignment feature protruding from one end of the package of wipes. 
     
     
         4 . A toilet training device according to  claim 3 , wherein the wipes package securing means comprises a second alignment feature that forms a slot with an inner face of a receptacle front wall, wherein the receptacle front wall separates the recess from an adjoining space exterior of the toilet training device. 
     
     
         5 . A toilet training device according to  claim 3 , wherein the wipes package securing means comprises a first flange attached to an inner face of a receptacle front wall and wherein the flange comprises a groove for receiving the first alignment feature. 
     
     
         6 . A toilet training device according to  claim 4 , wherein the wipes package securing means further comprises a first flange attached to an inner face of a receptacle front wall and wherein the flange comprises a groove for receiving the first alignment feature. 
     
     
         7 . A toilet training device according to  claim 6 , wherein the second alignment feature is attached to the first flange so as to guide the first alignment feature into the groove. 
     
     
         8 . A toilet training device according to  claim 5 , wherein the groove has a concave configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A toilet training device according to  claim 5 , wherein the groove has a depth of about 0.025 inches to about 1.3 inches. 
     
     
         10 . A toilet training device according to  claim 5 , wherein the groove has a width of about 0.02 inches to about 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         11 . A toilet training device according to  claim 5 , wherein the groove has an average radius of curvature that is substantially within a range of about 0.75 inches to about 6 inches. 
     
     
         12 . A toilet training device according to  claim 4 , wherein the package of wipes further comprises a third alignment feature protruding from a second end thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A toilet training device according to  claim 12 , wherein the wipes package securing means further comprises a fourth alignment feature that forms a slot with an inner face of the receptacle front wall for receiving the third alignment feature. 
     
     
         14 . A toilet training device according to  claim 12 , wherein the wipes package securing means comprises a second flange attached to an inner face of a receptacle front wall and wherein the flange comprises a second groove for receiving the third alignment feature. 
     
     
         15 . A toilet training device according to  claim 13 , wherein the wipes package securing means comprises a second flange attached to an inner face of a receptacle front wall and wherein the flange comprises a second groove for receiving the third alignment feature. 
     
     
         16 . A toilet training device according to  claim 15 , wherein the second alignment feature is attached to the first flange so as to guide the third alignment feature into the second groove. 
     
     
         17 . A toilet training device according to  claim 5 , wherein the package of wipes further comprises a second flange attached to an inner face of a receptacle front wall and wherein the flange comprises a second groove for receiving another alignment feature of the package of wipes. 
     
     
         18 . A toilet training device according to  claim 12 , wherein the third alignment feature comprises a convex projection. 
     
     
         19 . A toilet training device according to  claim 12 , wherein the third alignment feature has a crescent configuration. 
     
     
         20 . A toilet training device according to  claim 12 , wherein the convex projection has a depth of about 0.025 inches to about 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         21 . A toilet training device according to  claim 12 , wherein the convex projection has a thickness of about 0.025 inches to about 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         22 . A toilet training device according to  claim 12 , wherein the convex projection has an average radius of curvature that is substantially within a range of about 0.25 inches to about 6 inches. 
     
     
         23 . A toilet training device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wipes package securing means comprises a guide structure for enabling a package of wipes to be slid in and out of the recess, wherein the guide structure comprises a first lip that projects away from the recess and forms an inner edge of the guide structure that defines in part a access opening into the recess. 
     
     
         24 . A toilet training device according to  claim 23 , wherein the first lip has a substantially U shaped configuration. 
     
     
         25 . A toilet training device according to  claim 23 , wherein the guide structure further comprises a plate member and wherein the lip is formed along an edge of the plate member such that the first lip is not coextensive with the plate member. 
     
     
         26 . A toilet training device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover capable of being removably positioned relative to the main body portion to receive a wipes package within the recess and capable of covering at least a portion of the recess. 
     
     
         27 . A toilet training device according to  claim 26 , wherein the wipes package securing means comprises a lip that projects away from the recess and forms an inner edge of the cover that defines in part an access opening into the recess. 
     
     
         28 . A toilet training device according to  claim 23 , wherein the wipes package securing means further comprises a second lip formed on a cover for covering at least a portion of the recess, wherein the lip forms an edge of the cover that defines in part an access opening into the recess. 
     
     
         29 . A toilet training device according to  claim 28 , wherein the first and second lips are spaced apart from one another when the cover is coupled to the main body portion. 
     
     
         30 . A toilet training device according to  claim 29 , wherein the package of wipes further comprises a hinge for selectively opening and closing a lid of the package of wipes and wherein the hinge is positioned between the first and second lips when the package of wipes is positioned within the recess. 
     
     
         31 . A wipes cartridge, comprising:
 a container having a plurality of wipes disposed therein; and   a substantially rigid frame attached to the container, wherein said substantially rigid frame comprises:
 first and second end portions; and 
 coupling means for releasably and securely positioning the wipes cartridge within a recess of a toilet training device. 
   
     
     
         32 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 31 , wherein the coupling means comprises at least one alignment feature protruding from one of the first and second end portions. 
     
     
         33 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 32 , wherein the alignment feature comprises a convex projection. 
     
     
         34 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 32 , wherein the coupling means comprises a first alignment feature comprising a curved convex projection protruding from the first end portion and a second alignment feature comprising a curved convex projection protruding from the second end portion. 
     
     
         35 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 34 , wherein the curved convex projections of the first and second alignment features are substantially the same size and shape. 
     
     
         36 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 34 , wherein the curved convex projections of the first and second alignment features are substantially symmetrical positioned with respect to one another. 
     
     
         37 . A toilet training device according to  claim 33 , wherein the convex projection has a depth of about 0.025 inches to about 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         38 . A toilet training device according to  claim 33 , wherein the convex projection has a depth of about 0.05 inches to about 1 inch. 
     
     
         39 . A toilet training device according to  claim 33 , wherein the convex projection has a thickness of about 0.025 inches to about 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         40 . A toilet training device according to  claim 33 , wherein the convex projection has a thickness of about 0.03 inches to about 0.4 inches. 
     
     
         41 . A toilet training device according to  claim 33 , wherein the convex projection has an average radius of curvature that is substantially within a range of about 0.25 inches to about 6 inches. 
     
     
         42 . A toilet training device according to  claim 33 , wherein the convex projection has an average radius of curvature that is substantially within a range of about 0.5 inches to about 5 inches. 
     
     
         43 . A cartridge according to  claim 31 , wherein the container has a number of wipes stored therein that is substantially within a range of about 10 wipes to about 120 wipes. 
     
     
         44 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 31 , wherein the container has a number of wipes stored therein that is substantially within a range of about 15 wipes to about 100 wipes. 
     
     
         45 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 31 , wherein the substantially rigid frame has a dispensing opening defined therein. 
     
     
         46 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 45 , further comprising an adhesive cover removably covering and sealing the dispensing opening. 
     
     
         47 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 31 , wherein the container is fabricated from a flexible waterproof material. 
     
     
         48 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 31 , wherein the first end portion comprises a convex rounded surface. 
     
     
         49 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 48 , wherein the second end portion comprises an opposing convex rounded surface. 
     
     
         50 . A wipes cartridge according to  claim 46 , further comprising a lid hingedly mounted to the rigid frame for permitting access to the dispensing opening.