GB2423709A

GB2423709A - Non-splashing deodorant block holder

Info

Publication number: GB2423709A
Application number: GB0504165A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Keith Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-01
Filing date: 2005-03-01
Publication date: 2006-09-06
Also published as: GB0504165D0

Abstract

A non-splashing deodorant block holder comprises a mesh having a peripheral region adapted to contact the surface of a w.c. or urinal so as to define a volume whereby, in use, urine directed at the mesh is dispersed without splashing. The volume is preferably shaped and sized to receive a block of disinfectant/deodorant material.

Description

AN ANTI-SPLASH DEVICE

Filed of the Invention The present invention relates to an anti-splash device and, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an anti-splash device for use as an hygienic device in water closets (WCs) or urinals.

Background to the Invention

Water closets (conventional lavatory pans) or urinals are typically found in men's lavatories. Urinals tend to be either the flat panel type or the porcelain bowl type. Both these types of urinal receive urine and drain it into a common drain, pipe or sewer.

A problem with existing urinals occurs as a result of splashing. This splashing may occur as a result of carelessness or often as the result of urine spraying from around the bowl as a jet of urine or stream of urine impinges the water closet or urinal.

It is useful to consider briefly the mechanics of splashing and how this occurs.

Typically splashing occurs when a jet of liquid impinges a relatively hard substrate or sur- 1 5 face with a kinetic energy (E). As the liquid droplets undergo a substantial impulse (mo- mentum change), impact velocity of the droplets is changed, droplets break up and dis- perse. A proportion of the kinetic energy is expended on breaking up larger droplets into fine droplet spray. Resulting smaller droplets still possess a substantial velocity as they rebound from the hard surface and splash back.

In urinals smaller droplets may either be drained away. However, sometimes the droplets splash outside the urinal where they impinge upon a floor or a person standing in front of the urinal.

In addition to hygiene implications there may also be resulting unpleasant odours, which occur particularly in warm weather or in warm conditions.

One attempt to alleviate the problem of splashing has been to use rubber mats with perforations formed therein. Theses rubber mats sit within the bowl of the urinal.

Generally the rubber mats act as a trap for debris such cigarette stubs and chewing gum.

However, due to the relative resilience of the rubber mat, they still present a hard surface against which urine impinges, with the result that the problem of splashing is not reduced to any significant amount.

Domestic toilets also, to a substantial degree, suffer from the same problem where a proportion of urine splashes out of the water closet or lavatory pan, onto sur- rounding carpet, bath mat or towels. It is only because the surrounding areas are gener- ally absorbent that the problem is rarely noticed.

It will also be appreciated that the problem is accumulative, in that, unless there is regular thorough cleansing of the bowl, urinal and surrounding areas, build up of urine results in long-term staining and odours.

The problem of splashing has, to some extent, been alleviated by forming a small target at a particular location within the bowl. The target may be introduced on or formed on the surface of the urinal bowl during its firing or glazing. Directing urine at the target is considered to give rise to minimum splashing as a result of a preferred angle of aim.

However, no matter how accurate the angle of aim, a small percentage of urine is almost always splashed and results in some spray either splashing on to the surface of the 1 5 floor and/or a person's clothes.

The present invention arose in an attempt to overcome the aforementioned prob- lems and seeks to provide an anti splash device which minimises splashing and therefore reduces, and preferably eliminates, the associated problems of staining and odours.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an antisplash device for use in water closets or urinals, the device comprising: a mesh, said mesh having a pe- ripheral region adapted to be placed close to a surface of the water closet or urinal, so as to define a volume whereby, in use, urine directed at the mesh is dispersed so that splashing is reduced.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an antisplash de- vice, for use in water closets or urinals, the device comprising: an anti- splash mesh, which defines a volume, said mesh having a peripheral region which is reinforced, the device be- ing adapted to be located in the water closet or urinal, whereby, in use, urine directed at the mesh passes therethrough and is entrapped by the mesh and drains from the device into the water closet or urinal.

Because the device has an anti-splash mesh, which is ideally formed from a rela- tively closed-knit wire mesh, a curtain is defined which effectively acts to prevent smaller droplets of urine, as they rebound from the hard surface, from splashing from the water closet or urinal. Urine that is entrapped in the device therefore drains into the water closet or urinal. Urine that is directed at the mesh is deflected into smaller streams, with- out substantial reflection of the urine, so that substantially all incident urine passes through the mesh.

Advantageously a back plate is provided, which is dimensioned and arranged to assist in the dispersal of urine droplets. Optionally the back plate can be attached to the urinal or water closet. Alternatively the back plate may be formed integrally with the uri- nal or water closet when it is cast.

In a particular preferred embodiment the back plate is dimensioned and arranged to receive the anti-splash mesh so as to define a volume between the back plate and a sur- face defined by the mesh.

Preferably the volume between the back plate and a surface defined by the mesh is suitably sized and shaped to receive a block of disinfectant and/or deodorant material, whereby, in use, urine passes through the mesh and impinges on the disinfectant block.

An optional means for locating the disinfectant block may be a spacer provided between the block and the mesh so as to retain the block in a substantially fixed position between the mesh and the back plate. Alternatively, a spindle or other engagement means may be disposed on the back plate in order to receive the disinfectant block.

In an alternative embodiment engagement means may be provided on, or formed integrally with, the back plate in order to engage the peripheral region to enable the anti- splash mesh to be retained. The engagement means may be moulded, for example in the form of one or more clips, or they can include a tongue-in- groove type clip.

Alternatively the engagement means may comprise a more elaborate clip and re- tainer. In this alternative embodiment an edge or skirt of the peripheral region of mesh is ideally moulded from a flexible material so as to enable it conform to a curved surface of a bowl or urinal, thereby enabling water, which is flushing through the water closet to flood over the anti-splash mesh and maintain it in a constantly washed condition.

In a further alternative embodiment the means for locating a disinfectant block may include an enlarged spigot at its distal end in order to locate the disinfectant block and retain it at a relatively constant distance from the back plate.

It will be appreciated that variation may be made to the invention, for example, by varying the size and/or shape of the mesh so as to accommodate smaller and large water closet facilities. Similarly the supporting peripheral region of the mesh may vary so as to be located either at the side, or at the rear, of urinals or water closets.

Other means of attaching the back plate include: bonding it by way of an adhesive material, use of a double sided adhesive tape, or a formation of a support means manufac- tured with the water closet.

A yet further embodiment of an anti-splash device includes: a suction clamp which is adapted to be fixed to the rear of a water closet, the clamp comprising a means for cre- ating a vacuum, such as a lever arranged to deflect an airtight membrane and a means to attach the clamp to the back plate. In this embodiment the anti-splash mesh is preferably 1 5 adapted to be screwed, clipped or otherwise connected to the back plate.

Preferably the volume defined within the anti-splash mesh also receives a deodor- ant. Ideally the disinfectant is also a deodorant material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of exemplary examples only, and with reference to the Figures, in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatical overall view of a urinal with an anti-splash device fit- ted; Figure 2 is a diagrammatical view of a multi-cistern urinal system with three antisplash devices fitted; Figure 3 is an exploded overall view of a first embodiment of the anti- splash de- vice; and Figure 4 is an exploded overall diagrammatical view of a second embodiment of the anti-splash device.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Referring to the Figures generally, and specifically to Figures 1 and 2, in which like parts have the same reference numerals, two different types of urinal 20 are shown dia- grammatically. Urinal 20 includes a porcelain surface 22, an anti-splash device 24, a water inlet or spray 26 and a drain 28.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, two alternative embodiments of the antisplash device 24 are shown. Each embodiment of the anti-splash device 24 comprises a wire screen or moulded plastics mesh 30 around which is disposed a reinforcement rim or flexible skirt 32 supported on or by a back plate 50. The wire mesh 30 is typically formed from a stainless steel wire screen whose pitch (mesh spacing) is typically less than 3 mm and preferably less than 2 mm.

The wire screen or moulded plastics mesh 30 is formed in a dome, ovaloid or other regular polygonal body (such as a Platonic body) or other nonregular polygonal surface so as to define a volume within which urine is dispersed into smaller droplets; en- trapped by the wire mesh or screen 30; and thereby prevented from splashing back. Ide- ally the mesh or screen 30 is formed from a portion of a surface of a sphere.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 has clips 68a and 68b, formed integrally with the back plate 50, which engage with a suitable recesses 70a and 70b respectively. The recesses 70a and 70b are located in the peripheral region of the skirt 32 of the anti-splash device 24. It will be appreciated that the position of a clip or clips 68 and recesses 70 may be reversed. In an alternative embodiment a thread (not shown) may be provided on the rim or skirt 32 and back plate 50 so as to enable the anti-splash mesh 30 to be connected to the back plate.

Back plate 50 is moulded typically from a resilient injection moulded synthetic plastics material such as nylon or ABS'. Affixed to the rear surface 52 of the back plate is an adhesive pad 54 or a double sided adhesive tape or similar super adhesive material. A spigot 58 is positioned substantially at the centre of the back plate 50 and extends in a generally perpendicular (orthogonal) direction therefrom. Spigot 58 is used to locate a block 40 (whose purpose is described below).

Placed intermediate the anti-splash mesh 30 and a back plate there is a volume, which receives a deodorant block 40a or disinfectant block 40b. A central aperture is formed in the disinfectant block 40 so as to enable it to be received by the spigot 58.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 the spigot 58 receives a screw 60 into a threaded central hole 62. An additional spacer or washer 64 may be disposed intermedi- ate the disinfectant block 40 and the mesh 30 to space the block 40 from the mesh 30.

The screw 60 and washer 64 may conveniently be integral with the mesh.

In a yet further embodiment it will be appreciated that a spigot 58 or boss may be formed integrally with the urinal or water closet and a suitable clip or engagement mechanism provided thereon, so as to enable a mesh to inter-engage therewith and be supported thereby.

The invention has been described by way of exemplary examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the embodiments described without depart- ing from the scope of the invention. For example the anti-splash device may includes a 1 5 suction clamp adapted to be fixed to a urinal or water closet, by way of a lever for creat- ing a suction and means to attach the clamp to the urinal.

Claims

Claims 1. An anti-splash device for use in water closets or urinals, the

device com- prising a mesh having a peripheral region adapted to be placed close to a surface of the water closet or urinal, so as to define a volume whereby, in use, urine directed at the mesh is dispersed so that splashing is reduced.
2. An anti-splash device for use in water closets or urinals, the device com- prising an anti-splash mesh which defines a volume, said mesh having a peripheral region which is reinforced, the device being adapted to be located in the water closet or urinal, whereby, in use, urine directed at the mesh passes therethrough and is entrapped by the mesh and drains from the device into the water closet or urinal.
3. An anti-splash device according to either Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the mesh spacing is less than 3 mm and preferably less than 2 mm.
4. An anti-splash device according to any of Claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the mesh is dimensioned and arranged to assist in the dispersal of urine droplets.
5. An anti-splash device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein means is formed integrally with the urinal or water closet to support the anti splash mesh.
6. An anti-splash device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, includes a back plate which is dimensioned and arranged to receive the anti-splash mesh so as to define a volume between the back plate and a surface defined by the mesh, the volume being suitably sized and shaped to receive a block of disinfectant and/or deodorant material.
7. An anti-splash device according to Claim 6, wherein a spigot is disposed on the back plate in order to receive the block.
8. An anti-splash device according to Claim 6, wherein the back plate is adapted to be attached to the urinal or water closet.
9. An anti-splash device according to Claim 6, 7 or 8, includes a spacer, which in use, retains the block in a substantially fixed position with respect to the mesh.
10. An anti-splash device according to any of Claims 6 to 9, wherein an en- gagement means is provided on, or formed integrally with, the back plate in order to re- tain the anti-splash mesh.
11. An anti-splash device according to Claim 10, wherein the engagement means includes one or more clips.
12. An anti-splash device according to Claim 10, wherein the engagement means includes a tongue-in-groove retainer.
13. An anti-splash device according to Claim 10, wherein the engagement means includes a threaded peripheral portion arranged to engage the back plate.
14. An anti-splash device according to Claim 1 3, wherein the adhesive material comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

1 5. An anti-splash device according to any of Claims 1 to 12, which includes a suction clamp which is adapted to be fixed to a urinal or water closet, the clamp compris- ing a lever for creating a suction and means to attach the clamp to the urinal.

1 6. An anti-splash device substantially as herein described with reference to 1 5 the Figures.

Specification HALLMRP1 280 GBA2006-03-12 doc

14. An anti-splash device according to Claim 1 0, comprising a threaded boss integral with the anti-splash mesh which engages a thread on or in the spigot.

15. An anti-splash device according to Claim 10, wherein the back plate and the anti-splash mesh are integrally formed with a hinge portion therebetween, and co- operating clip means are formed on the back plate and mesh, whereby the mesh may be hinged over the back plate and retained thereon by the clip means.

1 6. An anti-splash device according to any of Claims 6 to 1 5, wherein the means for locating the block includes a spigot with an enlarged distal end in order to lo- 1 5 cate the block and retain it at a relatively fixed location.

17. An anti-splash device according to any of Claims 6 to 1 6, wherein the back plate is provided with an adhesive material whereby to attach the back plate to a urinal or water closet surface.

1 8. An anti-splash device according to Claim 17, wherein the adhesive material comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

1 9. An anti-splash device according to any of Claims 1 to 1 6, which includes a suction clamp which is adapted to be fixed to a urinal or water closet, the clamp compris- ing a lever for creating a suction and means to attach the clamp to the urinal.

20. An anti-splash device substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows c_...'..

1. An anti-splash device for use in water closets or urinals, the device com- prising a mesh having a peripheral region adapted to be placed close to a surface of the water closet or urinal, so as to define a volume whereby, in use, urine directed at the mesh is dispersed so that splashing is reduced, wherein the device includes a back plate which is dimensioned and arranged to receive the anti-splash mesh so as to define a vol- ume between the back plate and a surface defined by the mesh, the volume being suitably sized and shaped to receive a block of disinfectant and/or deodorant material, the back plate being adapted to be attached to a surface of the urinal or water closet.

2. An anti-splash device according to Claim 1, wherein the mesh spacing is less than 3 mm and preferably less than 2 mm.

3. An anti-splash device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the mesh is di- mensioned and arranged to assist in the dispersal of urine droplets.

4. An anti-splash device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a spigot is dis- posed on the back plate in order to receive the block.

5. An anti-splash device according to any preceding claim, including a spacer which, in use, retains the block in a substantially fixed position with respect to the mesh.

6. An anti-splash device according to any preceding claim, wherein an engagement means is provided on, or formed integrally with, the back plate in order to re- tam the anti-splash mesh.

7. An anti-splash device according to Claim 6, wherein the engagement means includes one or more clips.

8. An anti-splash device according to Claim 6, wherein the engagement means includes a tongue-in-groove retainer.

9. An anti-splash device according to Claim 6, wherein the engagement means includes a threaded peripheral portion arranged to engage the back plate.

10. An anti-splash device according to Claim 6, comprising a threaded boss in- tegral with the anti-splash mesh which engages a thread on or in the spigot.

11. An anti-splash device according to Claim 6, wherein the back plate and the anti-splash mesh are integrally formed with a hinge portion therebetween, and co- Speciflcation HALLMRP1 280 GBA 2006-03-1 2.doc I. * * * * I I, , I 1W I ** 4 * 4.

* S * I * * operating clip means are formed on the back plate and mesh, whereby the mesh may be hinged over the back plate and retained thereon by the clip means.

12. An anti-splash device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for locating the block includes a spigot with an enlarged distal end in order to locate the block and retain it at a relatively fixed location.

1 3. An anti-splash device according to any preceding claim, wherein the back plate is provided with an adhesive material whereby to attach the back plate to a urinal or water closet surface.