Anti-splash guard and deodorant pouch for urinals

Abstract

The present teachings describe one embodiment of an anti-splash guard and deodorant pouch adapted for a lavatory device having an interior region for receiving waste fluid. The anti-splash guard may include a fibrous material configured to be positioned in the interior region of the lavatory device so that splash back of fluids contacting the anti-splash guard is reduced. The deodorant pouch advantageously comprises a deodorant material sandwiched between layers of anti-splash material, such as the fibrous material that is used in the anti-splash guard. The deodorant pouch may increased a useful lifespan of the deodorant material held therein by preventing pieces of the deodorant material from falling down the drain of the lavatory device and by reducing the amount of fluid that contacts the deodorant material.

1 . An anti-splash apparatus configured for placement in a urinal, the apparatus comprising: 
 a first surface comprising a first plurality of fibrous strands arranged in a mesh configuration;    a second surface comprising a second plurality of fibrous strands arranged in a mesh configuration;    a deodorant material sandwiched between the first and second surface; and    a coupling material attaching an outer perimeter of the first surface to an outer perimeter of the second surface so that the deodorant block is contained between the first and second surface.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a density of the first surface is sufficiently low so that fluid contacting the first surface is substantially prevented from splashing off of the first surface.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a weight of the first surface is in the range from about nine ounces per square yard to about twelve ounces per square yard.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a weight of the first surface is about eleven ounces per square yard.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous strands are arranged in the mesh configuration using a water based latex binder.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous strands comprise polyester.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the first surface is about eight millimeters.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the density of the first surface is sufficiently high so that non-dissolved portions of the deodorant material are substantially prevented from moving through the first surface.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface comprises pores having an average diameter that is sufficiently large so that a fluid that contacts the first surface is substantially prevented from splashing away from the apparatus.  
   
   
       10 . A method of manufacturing a deodorant apparatus for use in a lavatory device, the method comprising: 
 placing a deodorant material between a first fibrous material and a second fibrous material; and    attaching the first fibrous material to the second fibrous material so that the deodorant material is substantially contained between the first and second fibrous materials, wherein the fibrous material substantially prevents non-dissolved portions of the deodorant material from passing through the fibrous material.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the lavatory device comprises a urinal.  
   
   
       12 . An anti-splash device for placement in an urinal, the device comprising: 
 two layers of material each comprising a plurality of randomly shaped fibers bound together with a water based latex binder to form a planar surface, wherein a weight of the planar surface is about eleven ounces per square yard; and    a deodorant interposed between the two layers.    
   
   
       13 . The anti-splash device of  claim 12 , wherein the anti-splash device has a generally round configuration.  
   
   
       14 . The anti-splash device of  claim 12 , wherein the fibrous material comprises a synthetic polyester mesh.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus adapted for placement in a lavatory device having an interior region for receiving waste fluid, the apparatus comprising: 
 a splash guard comprising a fibrous material configured to be positioned in the interior region of the lavatory device so that deflection of fluid projected into the interior region of the device away from the apparatus is substantially inhibited; and    an implement comprising two sheets of similar sized material, at least one sheet comprising a plurality of fibers arranged in a mesh-like structure so as to substantially inhibit splash back of fluid that contacts the at least one layer, the implement further comprising a deodorizer positioned between the two sheets.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the two sheets of material are sewn together along an outer perimeters of the sheets so as to contain the deodorizer therebetween.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the deodorizer comprises a deodorant block.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising an attachment device adapted to removably secure said the splash guard to a mounting surface of the lavatory device.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said attachment device comprises a suction cup including a lip configured for grasping by a user and aiding in removal of the suction cup from the mounting surface.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment device further comprises a hook adapted to attach said suction cup to the device.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the lavatory device is configured to provide flushing water to the interior region of the lavatory device so that substantially all of the flushing water contacts the implement.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the anti-splash guard is positioned so that the flushing water rinses at least a portion of the anti-splash guard.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the fibrous material is dipped in a solution that inhibits bacterial, fungal, or viral growth.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the fibrous material is coated with crystals, powders, or enzymes that inhibit bacterial, fungal, or viral growth.