U.S. patent application number 13/163812 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for disposable splash shield for use when plunging a toilet.
Invention is credited to Robert S. Martinisko.
Application Number | 20120318688 13/163812 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47352817 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120318688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martinisko; Robert S. |
December 20, 2012 |
Disposable Splash Shield for Use When Plunging A Toilet
Abstract
A transparent, biodegradable, disposable splash shield sized to
fit on a toilet bowl rim to prevent splashing of water from the
bowl when a plunger is used to free an obstruction in the toilet.
The shield is dome shaped and has a gripping bead at a top central
portion thereof. A gasket seal is affixed to a bottom marginal edge
portion to affect a seal between the shield and the toilet bowl
rim. Adhesive material on the underside of the gasket seal, or
strips of adhesive tape on the marginal edge of the shield,
releasably secure the shield in position. The shield is nestable
and may be foldable in half. A toilet kit includes the splash
shield, gloves, at least one paper towel, and a flattened box, all
packaged in an envelope-like bag that can be used to contain and
dispose of these items following use.
Inventors: |
Martinisko; Robert S.;
(Clifton, VA) |
Family ID: |
47352817 |
Appl. No.: |
13/163812 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/223 ;
4/300.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 9/00 20130101; Y02W
90/13 20150501; Y02W 90/10 20150501; B65D 75/5805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/223 ;
4/300.3 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/00 20060101
E03D009/00; B65D 71/00 20060101 B65D071/00 |
Claims
1. A disposable splash shield for preventing splashing of water out
of a toilet when a plunger is being used to unclog the toilet, said
shield comprising: a dome shaped shield body having a flat annular
marginal edge portion with a bottom surface adapted to fit on an
upper surface of a toilet bowl rim, said shield body being
transparent to enable a user to view through the shield and into
the toilet bowl when the shield is operatively positioned on a
toilet bowl; an opening formed through a central portion of said
shield body for receiving a plunger handle, said opening being
positioned in said shield body so that it is in substantial
alignment with a drain opening from the toilet bowl when the splash
shield is in use and is correctly positioned on the rim of a toilet
bowl; gripping means at a top central portion of said shield body
around said opening to facilitate removal of said shield from a
plunger handle following use; a gasket seal affixed to the bottom
surface of said marginal edge portion for effecting a seal between
said shield and said toilet bowl rim; and adhesive means carried by
said shield for releasably securing said shield in place on a
toilet bowl.
2. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said
shield body is foldable in half about a transverse fold line for
compact storage and shipment.
3. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said
gripping means comprises an upstanding conical projection having an
upper end with an annular bead thereon.
4. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said
gripping means comprises a flexible membrane having an outer edge
secured to said shield body around said opening, and an inner edge
adapted to be disposed in close fitting relationship to the handle
of a plunger when in use.
5. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said
flexible membrane is accordion-pleated.
6. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said
flexible membrane comprises a flat sheet having a width between
said inner and outer edges that is greater than the distance from
an edge of said opening to a plunger handle extended
therethrough.
7. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said
shield body is made of a biodegradable plastic material.
8. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said
adhesive means comprises an adhesive band on an underside of said
gasket seal.
9. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said
adhesive means comprises a plurality of strips of adhesive tape
affixed to said marginal edge portion of said shield body for
attachment to an adjacent upper outer surface portion of a toilet
bowl.
10. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said
adhesive means comprises a plurality of strips of adhesive tape
affixed to said outer marginal edge portion of said shield body for
attachment to an adjacent upper outer surface portion of a toilet
bowl.
11. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said
adhesive means comprises a plurality of strips of adhesive tape
affixed to said outer marginal edge portion of said shield body for
attachment to an adjacent upper outer surface portion of a toilet
bowl.
12. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 8, wherein: a
strip of peel-away material is applied to said adhesive band to
prevent it from adhering to something until it is desired to use
the shield.
13. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 9, wherein: a
strip of peel-away material is applied to said strips of adhesive
tape to prevent them from adhering to something until it is desired
to use the shield.
14. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 11, wherein:
said shield body is foldable about a transverse fold line to make
it more compact for storage and shipping.
15. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 14, wherein:
said shield is part of a kit that includes said shield body, a pair
of latex or nitrile rubber gloves, at least one paper towel, and an
envelope-like bag, said shield body, said gloves, and said at least
one paper towel being packaged in said envelope-like bag for
display and sale, and said bag comprising a container for receiving
and disposing of said shield body, said gloves, and said at least
one paper towel following use thereof.
16. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 14, wherein: a
plurality of shields are packaged together in a container for
display and sale.
17. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said
shield is nestable with like shields whereby a plurality of said
shields may be stacked together for compact packaging and
storage.
18. A disposable splash shield kit, comprising: an envelope-like
bag; a disposable splash shield packaged in said bag, said shield
intended for preventing splashing of water out of a toilet when a
plunger is being used to unclog the toilet, and comprising a
substantially flat planar shield body having an annular marginal
edge portion with a bottom surface adapted to fit on an upper
surface of a toilet bowl rim, said shield body being folded in
half; a pair of latex or nitrile rubber gloves packaged in said bag
with said splash shield; and at least one paper towel packaged in
said bag with said gloves and said splash shield, said bag
comprising a container for receiving and disposing of said splash
shield, said gloves, and said at least one paper towel following
use thereof.
19. A kit as claimed in claim 18, wherein: a box in a flattened
condition is in said bag, said box being openable to an expanded
condition to hold a plunger following use for carrying the plunger
to a location to be cleaned.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to apparatus for use in plunging
flush toilets, and particularly to a splash shield for preventing
splashing of water out of a toilet when a plunger is being used to
unclog the toilet.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Residential and commercial toilets dispose of human waste by
using water to flush it through a drainpipe to another location.
Most modern flush toilets incorporate an `S` bend or trap that
normally remains filled with water to create a water seal that
prevents flow of noxious gases back through the toilet. The trap
also provides a siphon action that helps accelerate the flushing
process. When the toilet is flushed, water fills up the bowl and
creates a high pressure area that forces the water past the trap.
If the trap should become obstructed, the toilet can overflow when
it is flushed. A plunger typically is used to remove the
obstruction, but its use can result in splashing of water and other
material from the toilet.
[0003] Several devices have been developed in the prior art to
prevent splashing of water from the toilet when a plunger is being
used to remove an obstruction from the toilet. Exemplary of such
devices are those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,368, 4,831,669,
4,922,555, 5,706,528, 5,860,170, 6,487,730, 6,594,831 and
7,134,450. These devices are either intended for re-use and are
relatively expensive and complex in construction, and/or are
difficult to use.
[0004] Applicant's copending U.S. patent application, published
under Publication Number 2010/0000010, provides a see-through
splash shield and kit, wherein the shield is inexpensive and easy
to use and is disposable following use. However, the shield is flat
and provides minimal clearance for movement of water during use.
Moreover, it fits closely around the plunger handle extending
through it, increasing the risk that use of the plunger will
dislodge the shield from the rim of the toilet bowl.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, a simple,
inexpensive, easy to use, disposable splash shield is provided to
prevent splashing of water from a toilet when a plunger is being
used to remove an obstruction from the toilet. The splash shield of
the invention comprises a transparent biodegradable domed shield
body having sufficient thickness and rigidity to maintain its shape
and having an annular marginal edge portion with a bottom surface
adapted to fit on an upper surface of a toilet bowl rim. A gasket
seal is affixed to the bottom surface of the marginal edge portion
for effecting a seal between the shield and the toilet bowl rim,
and means forms an opening through the shield body for receiving a
plunger handle so that the plunger can be reciprocated relative to
the shield without moving the shield away from the rim and
destroying the seal. The opening is positioned in the shield body
so that it is in substantial alignment with a drain opening from
the toilet bowl when the splash shield is in use and is correctly
positioned on the rim of a toilet bowl. Releasable adhesive means
is carried by the shield for releasably securing the shield in
place on a toilet bowl.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment the means forming an opening
through the shield body is an upwardly extending conical projection
that loosely receives a toilet plunger handle, with an annular bead
around its upper end forming a gripping means to facilitate removal
of the shield from the plunger handle following use.
[0007] In an alternate preferred embodiment, the means forming an
opening comprises a flexible membrane that closely receives the
plunger handle but that permits substantial relative movement
between the handle and the shield.
[0008] The shield is nestable with like shields for compact
packaging and storage, and in a further preferred embodiment the
shield is foldable so that it can be folded into a smaller
configuration for shipping, storage and disposal.
[0009] The gasket seal preferably is made of cardboard and the
releasable adhesive means preferably comprises strips of tape
around the periphery of the shield that are folded downwardly and
pressed against an upper outer surface of the toilet bowl to hold
the shield in place during use. Alternatively, the gasket seal may
be made of a sponge-like foam material. Further, the releasable
adhesive means may comprise an adhesive material applied to the
underside of the gasket seal, whereby the marginal edge portion of
the shield merely needs to be pressed downwardly against the rim of
the toilet bowl. Still further, the releasable adhesive means may
comprise both the strips of tape and the adhesive material applied
to the underside of the gasket seal.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, a kit is
provided that includes the splash shield, a pair of latex or
nitrile rubber gloves, a box for transporting a plunger to a
location to be cleaned after it has been used, and optionally one
or more paper towels. The shield, gloves, box and paper towels
preferably are packaged together in an envelope-like bag that can
be used to dispose of these items following their use. If desired,
an inexpensive disposable plunger can be a part of the package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of
the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts
throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an elongated toilet bowl
with a transparent plastic splash shield according to a first form
of the invention in place over the toilet bowl rim and a plunger in
operative position below the shield, with the handle of the plunger
received through the opening in the shield.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary side view in
elevation of the toilet bowl and shield of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the shield of FIG. 1,
showing the protective peel-away strip being removed from the
adhesive surface of the gasket seal.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the an alternative embodiment
of the shield of FIG. 1, wherein strips of tape are used in place
of or in addition to the adhesive surface of FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along
line 5-5 in FIG. 4, wherein the gasket seal comprises a sponge-like
foam material.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to
FIG. 5, but showing an embodiment wherein the gasket shield is made
of cardboard.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of the splash
shield of FIG. 4, shown in place on the rim of a toilet bowl.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of an upper
portion of the shields of FIGS. 1-7, showing the construction of
the opening means.
[0020] FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along
line 9-9 in FIG. 4, showing the protective peel-away strip being
removed from the adhesive side on one of the strips of adhesive
tape.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of
splash shield according to the invention wherein the shield has a
round configuration for use on a round toilet bowl, and wherein
strips of adhesive tape are used to secure the shield in place.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG.
10.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a plurality of the
shields of FIGS. 1-7 in stacked relationship, with dot-and-dash
lines indicating a container in which the stacked shields may be
packaged, it being understood that a like stacking relationship
exists for that form of the invention shown in FIGS. 10-11.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment
wherein a bellows-folded flexible membrane is secured at one end in
the opening through the domed shield and engaged at its other end
with the plunger handle.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a further embodiment wherein
the flexible membrane comprises a sheet secured at an outer edge in
the opening through the domed shield and engaged at its inner edge
with the plunger handle.
[0026] FIG. 14A is a top perspective view of the membrane of FIG.
14, shown removed from the shield body.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a plurality of the
shield of either FIG. 13 or 14 in stacked relationship with one
another, with dot-and-dash lines indicating a container in which
the stacked shields may be packaged.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a plan view of a kit according to the invention,
wherein a splash shield, gloves, paper towels, and a flattened box
are packaged in an envelope-like bag.
[0029] FIG. 17 depicts the bag of FIG. 16 being used to dispose of
a used shield, towels and gloves, and also showing it being used to
carry a plunger to be cleaned or for disposal.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a top perspective view showing the box from the
package of FIG. 16 in an expanded or opened up condition and being
used to carry a used plunger to a location to be cleaned.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a plan view of an embodiment wherein a plurality
of splash shields is packaged in an envelope.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0032] A first form of splash shield according to the invention is
indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-5. In this form of the
invention the shield body 11 is made of a biodegradable transparent
plastic material having sufficient thickness and rigidity to
maintain its shape when being used, and has an elongated shape to
conform to the shape of the rim of an elongated toilet bowl 12. The
thickness and rigidity of the shield may be similar to that of a
plastic water bottle, i.e. having a thickness on the order of about
0.010 inch, and the biodegradable material may comprise the same
material used in the BioGreen water bottles made by California
Springs Water Bottles. That material is a low density polyethylene
with an additive California Springs Water Bottles calls Bio-Batch.
This material helps the bottles biodegrade in an active microbial
environment which is present in landfills and compost
facilities.
[0033] The shield body 11 is dome shaped with a flat annular
marginal edge 13. The top of the domed shield body is shaped as an
upstanding conically shaped projection 14 in a position to be in
approximate alignment with the drain opening from the toilet bowl
when the shield is in operative position. As seen best in FIG. 8,
the upper end of the projection 14 is first turned outwardly to
form an annular outwardly projection bead 15, and then turned
inwardly to form an inwardly directed lip 16 that surrounds the
handle H of a plunger P. The projection 14 and bead 15 form a
gripping means to facilitate removal of the shield from the handle
of the plunger following use, and the lip 16 helps prevent
splashing of water past the handle where it extends through the
upper end of the conically shaped projection. As depicted in FIG.
8, some clearance is provided between the inwardly turned lip 16
and the plunger handle to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the
shield during use of the plunger.
[0034] A gasket seal 17 extends around the marginal edge of the
shield on its underside. The gasket seal mates with the rim of the
toilet bowl to affect a good seal between the shield and the toilet
bowl. The gasket seal may comprise any suitable material that will
absorb water and prevent it from leaking past the margin of the
shield. A suitable example would be a sponge-like foam material as
shown at 17A in FIG. 5, or cardboard as shown at 17B in FIG. 6.
[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 the underside of the
gasket seal 17 has an adhesive 18 applied to it, either in the form
of double sided tape or a coating of adhesive on the gasket seal.
In either case, a protective peel-away strip 19 of paper or other
material known in the art for this purpose preferably is applied to
the adhesive to prevent it from adhering to something until ready
for use. The peel-away strip is then removed, as depicted in FIG.
3, which shows the shield upside down for purpose of illustration,
and the marginal edge of the shield with the exposed adhesive on
its underside is pressed downwardly against the rim R of toilet
bowl 12 to attach and seal the shield to the toilet bowl.
[0036] As seen best in FIG. 2, the marginal edge 13 of the shield
11 could project slightly beyond the outer surface of the toilet
bowl to provide an edge under which the fingers can be placed to
facilitate lifting of the shield from the bowl when desired.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 9, strips
of adhesive tape 20 are spaced around the periphery of the shield
for use in attaching the shield to the rim of a toilet bowl. Four
such strips of tape are shown in FIG. 4, but any number could be
used, as desired or necessary. Alternatively, both forms of
adhesive securing means could be provided in combination, if
desired. As depicted in FIG. 9, the strips of adhesive tape
preferably have a protective peel-away strip 21 applied to the
adhesive side to prevent the strips of tape from adhering to
objects until ready for use. In use, the shield is positioned on
the rim of the toilet bowl, the peel-away strips are removed, and
the strips of tape pulled downwardly and pressed against the
outside of the toilet bowl to secure the shield in place.
[0038] The domed shape of the shield provides clearance beneath the
shield to accommodate displacement of water during use of the
plunger, and the conically shaped projection 14 with its outwardly
turned bead 15 on its upper end enables a user to grip the bead to
facilitate removal of the shield from the plunger handle following
use. The transparency of the shield enables a user to observe
progress during use of the plunger, and the use of biodegradable
material in its construction enables environmentally friendly
disposal of the shield following use.
[0039] An alternate preferred embodiment 10B is shown in FIGS. 10
and 11, wherein the shield 11' is round rather than elongated as in
the first form of the invention. In all other respects this form of
the invention is the same as that previously described, and
preferably has strips of adhesive tape 20 spaced around the
periphery of the shield, and/or an adhesive applied to the
underside of the gasket seal 17 to engage against the top surface
of the rim of a toilet bowl.
[0040] As depicted in FIG. 12, a plurality of one of the
embodiments of shields shown in FIGS. 1-11 are nestable with one
another so that a desired number of shields, e.g. 3 to 5, may be
compactly stacked together for storage and/or packaging in a
container C, indicated by dot-and-dash lines.
[0041] A further preferred embodiment 10C is shown in FIG. 13,
wherein the top of the dome shaped shield body 25 has an enlarged
opening 26 formed through it and a flexible accordion-pleated
membrane 27 is secured in the opening. One end 28 of the membrane
is radially enlarged and glued or otherwise suitably secured to the
underside of the shield body around the opening 26, and the other
end 29 is positioned in close fitting relationship around the
plunger handle. An annular bead 30 is formed around said other end,
and the membrane and bead form a gripping means to facilitate
removal of the shield from a plunger handle following use. Further,
during use of this form of the invention the membrane permits
substantial movement of the plunger in multiple directions relative
to the shield, as depicted by the broken lines, without imparting
any force on the shield. The membrane may be transparent,
translucent, or opaque, and has a thickness and flexibility similar
to that of a plastic grocery bag and preferably is formed of a
biodegradable material. In all other respects this form of the
invention is identical to the previous embodiments, including the
use of a gasket seal 17 and adhesive means such as the strips of
tape 20 and/or adhesive on the underside of the gasket seal to
secure the shield to a toilet bowl.
[0042] A still further preferred embodiment is indicated generally
at 10D in FIGS. 14 and 14A. In this embodiment the top of the dome
shaped shield body 25' has an enlarged opening 26 formed through it
as in the FIG. 13 embodiment, but instead of an accordion-pleated
membrane as in the previous embodiment, the membrane comprises a
sheet 32 of flexible material having an outer edge 33 glued or
otherwise suitably secured to the underside of the shield body
around the opening 26, and an inner edge 34 positioned in close
fitting relationship around the plunger handle. The inner edge is
formed as a short upstanding conical projection 35 with an annular
bead 36 at its upper end. The projection and bead form a gripping
means to facilitate removal of the shield form the handle of a
plunger following use. The width of the membrane between its inner
and outer edges is substantially greater than the distance between
the edge of the opening 26 and the handle, whereby the membrane has
excess material between its outer edge fixed to the shield body and
its inner edge engaged with the plunger handle, enabling
substantial movement of the plunger handle in multiple directions
relative to the shield without such movement exerting any force on
the shield.
[0043] FIG. 15 depicts a plurality of shields according to either
the FIG. 13 or FIG. 14 embodiment disposed in nested relationship.
The close-fitting nested relationship of the shields enables a
plurality of them to be compactly stacked for storage and/or
packaging in a container C, indicated by dot-and-dash lines.
[0044] A kit incorporating one or more disposable splash shields
according to any of the forms of the invention disclosed herein is
shown at 50 in FIG. 16. The kit comprises container 51 in which are
packaged one or more shields (a shield 11 is depicted in the
drawing), a pair of latex or nitrile rubber gloves 52, one or more
paper towels 53, and a small flattened or collapsed cardboard box
54. As shown in this figure, the container comprises an
envelope-like bag preferably having an eyelet 55 in one end and a
frangible tear line 56 to enable the bag to be opened to gain
access to the contents. Alternatively, the container could comprise
a box as depicted somewhat schematically in FIGS. 12 and 15.
[0045] After the shield has been used, the shield, gloves, and used
paper towels may be returned to the container 51 for disposal, as
depicted in FIG. 17. If a disposable plunger has been used it may
also be placed in the bag as shown. If the plunger is not to be
disposed of, the box 54 can be opened up and the plunger placed in
the box as depicted in FIG. 18 so that the plunger can be carried
to a location to be cleaned without dripping soiled water onto the
floor.
[0046] FIG. 19 shows an embodiment 50' wherein one or more splash
shields according to any of the various embodiments disclosed
herein may be packaged in a container 51' (a plurality of stacked
shields 11 are shown in this figure), without gloves or other
accessories provided in the package. Any number of shields may be
included, but 5-10 are contemplated. Further, the full kit shown in
FIG. 16 may include a plurality of splash shields, if desired.
[0047] The invention is usable with any type of plunger, and may be
adapted to any shape and size of toilet. Although transparent
plastic has been disclosed as the preferred material, it should be
understood that other materials could be used as long as they are
suitable for the intended purpose. The kit may include a disposable
plunger or sold without a plunger included, as desired.
[0048] Although particular embodiments of the invention are
illustrated and described in detail herein, it is to be understood
that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention
without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as
defined by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *