Splash shield and kit for use when plunging a toilet

Abstract

A 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 foldable in half and a gasket seal is affixed to a bottom marginal edge portion to effect 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 secures the shield in position. In a preferred embodiment the shield is made of cardboard. 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.

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 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;   means forming an opening 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;   said shield body having means enabling a user to view through the shield and into the toilet bowl when the shield is operatively positioned on a toilet bowl;   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 shield body is transparent, said transparent body comprising said means enabling a user to view into a toilet bowl when said shield is in operative position on a toilet bowl.   
   
   
       4 . A disposable splash shield as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said shield body is opaque, and said means enabling a user to view through the shield and into the toilet bowl when the shield is operatively positioned on a toilet bowl comprises an opening through said body, and a transparent sheet secured over said opening.   
   
   
       5 . A disposable splash shield as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 said shield body is made of cardboard.   
   
   
       6 . A disposable splash shield as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said shield body is made of cardboard.   
   
   
       7 . A disposable splash shield as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said shield body is made of a transparent plastic material, said transparent plastic material comprising said means enabling a user to view into a toilet bowl when said shield is in operative position on a toilet bowl.   
   
   
       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 a 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 2 , wherein:
 said adhesive means comprises a plurality of strips of adhesive tape affixed to an 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 2 , wherein:
 said shield body is made of cardboard.   
   
   
       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 1 , wherein:
 said shield body is made of cardboard and is foldable about a transverse fold line to make it more compact for storage and shipping;   said means enabling a user to view through the shield and into the toilet bowl when the shield is operatively positioned on a toilet bowl comprises an opening through said body, and a transparent sheet secured over said opening; and   said adhesive means comprises a plurality of strips of adhesive tape affixed to an outer marginal edge portion of said shield body for attachment to an adjacent upper outer surface portion of a toilet bowl.   
   
   
       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 an envelope for display and sale.   
   
   
       17 . 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.   
   
   
       18 . A kit as claimed in  claim 17 , 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.