Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet – Urinals only
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-14
2001-08-07
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet
Urinals only
C004S222100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269490
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to receptacles and pad assemblies for urinals and, more particularly, to splash proof urinal receptacles which have dispersing filters for preventing splash back from the urinal toward the urinal user or other surfaces. In one embodiment, the assembly receptacle holds a deodorant block in the urine flow path and includes a pair of vertically spaced urine dispersing filters which prevent urine back splash. The assembly also includes a flexible base pad having an opening for alignment with the outlet opening in the urinal, and the dispersing filters are spaced above the deodorant block to disperse urine flow over the block. The vertically spaced dispersing filters include a plurality of rod-like members oriented in spaced, parallel relation with the rod-like members in the upper dispersing filter being parallel to the path of urine flow and the rod-like members in the lower dispersing filter being perpendicular to the rod-like members in the upper filter.
In another embodiment of the invention, the receptacle includes only upper and lower dispersing filters and does not include a deodorant block. The receptacle in this embodiment of the invention is also attached to a flexible base pad which includes a large discharge opening aligned with the urinal outlet. In this embodiment, the receptacle is shorter in height, uses less material and is constructed in a manner to be inexpensive and disposable.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Deodorant block holders are commercially available and generally include a flexible pad with a perforate receptacle on the upper surface of the pad receiving a deodorant block. Replacement of the deodorant block is somewhat difficult and the construction of some presently available commercial devices utilize upwardly facing flat surfaces which cause splashing of urine when urine flow impacts against the flat surfaces. The following U.S. patents disclose devices for positioning in or on urinals.
487,130
4,143,431
5,165,119
3,824,633
4,574,400
5,365,616
4,103,367
4,574,403
5,465,901
4,135,261
4,615,054
Des 353,445
The above patents disclose structures associated with urinals to support deodorant blocks in the flow path of urine and include screen structures and slotted receptacles to permit contact of urine with the deodorant block and enable discharge of urine to the outlet of the urinal. The prior patents, however, do not disclose the specific structural arrangement of the embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, the prior art does not disclose a receptacle for a deodorant block which includes vertically spaced upper and lower dispersing filter elements above the deodorant block for more effectively dispersing urine flow and avoiding surface flow of urine along the surfaces of the dispersing filter and receptacle due to capillary action. Further, the prior art does not show the specific construction of the receptacle, dispersing filter assembly and flexible base pad with a large center opening with the structure enabling replacement of the deodorant block easily and expeditiously. Finally, the prior art does not disclose urinal receptacles with vertically spaced dispersing filters supported from a flexible base pad with each dispersing filter including spaced parallel rod-like members having a convexly curved upper surface and a V-shaped lower surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The splash proof urinal receptacle and pad assembly of the present invention includes a plastic receptacle connected with a flexible resilient base pad which includes a large central opening for alignment with the outlet of a urinal when the receptacle and pad assembly are placed in the urinal. The pad supports the receptacle in the urinal in a stable position with the upper end of the receptacle facing upwardly for positioning in the flow path of urine. The receptacle preferably has a generally square or rectangular shape and is provided with upper and lower urine dispersing filters with each dispersing filter including a plurality of spaced parallel rod-like members. The rod-like members in the upper dispersing filter are oriented at a substantial angle rotation in relation to the rod-like members in the lower dispersing filter for more effective dispersion of the urine. Preferably, the rod-like members in the lower dispersing filter are approximately perpendicular to the rod-like members in the upper dispersing filter.
The rod-like members in each of the dispersing filters includes a unique cross-sectional configuration. Each rod-like member has a generally semi-cylindrical upper surface and a substantially V-shaped lower surface to define a sharp bottom edge. It has been found that this configuration produces two very beneficial results. First, the convexly curved upper surface facilitates dispersion of the urine flow and eliminates flat surfaces which have a tendency to cause splash back of the urine toward the urinal user. Second, the V-shaped lower surface substantially reduces the capillary action of the urine along the surfaces of the rod-like members and thus facilitates separation of the urine droplets from the rod-like members. It has further been found that the upper and lower dispersing filters constructed in accordance with the present invention should be spaced apart a sufficient distance in order to achieve the separation of the urine droplets from the rod-like members of the upper filter. In particular, the bottom edge of the V-shaped lower edge of the upper filter rod-like members should be spaced a distance of at least about ¼ inch above the apex of the convexly shaped upper surface of the lower filter rod-like members. In addition, it has been found that the rod-like members in each of the upper and lower filters should preferably be spaced from each other a distance of between about {fraction (1/16)} inch and ⅛ inch.
In one embodiment, a deodorant block is supported on a shelf below the lower dispersing filter and the dispersed urine comes into contact with the deodorant block as it proceeds toward the base pad and is discharged through the opening in the base pad. In this embodiment of the invention, the receptacle includes a front wall with an opening and a shelf defined by a plurality of rod-like members positioned below the bottom of the opening to enable easy insertion and removal of the deodorant block. In another embodiment of the invention, the receptacle and pad assembly is designed to be disposable. The receptacle includes only the upper and lower dispersing filters and the base pad. The base pad is impregnated with a deodorant composition and, when the deodorant composition has dissipated from the pad during use, the assembly is simply thrown away.
An object of the present invention is to provide a splash proof urinal receptacle and pad assembly in which the receptacle has a peripheral wall and a pair of generally parallel, vertically spaced urine dispersing filters at the top. The upper dispersing filter preferably forms the top surface of the receptacle and the lower dispersing filter is spaced below the upper dispersing filter. Both dispersing filters are constructed of spaced parallel rod-like members with the rod-like members in the lower dispersing filter being at a substantial angle, preferably perpendicular, in relation to the rod-like elements in the upper dispersing filter.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a urinal deodorant receptacle and pad assembly including a flexible panel defining the base pad secured to the receptacle and including an enlarged central opening aligned with an outlet in the urinal for discharge of urine from the receptacle to the urinal outlet.
A further object of the invention is to provide a urinal deodorant receptacle having a peripheral wall with an opening therein above a shelf spaced below the lower dispersing filter and a deodorant block supported on the shelf immediately below the edge of the opening to enable insertion and replacement of the deodorant block and support of
Suski Michael F.
Suski Michael R.
Huson Gregory L.
Jacobson & Holman PLLC
Le Huyen
LandOfFree
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