Urinal Mat

Abstract

A urinal mat ( 10 ) comprises a mat of plastics material ( 12 ) and a block containing bacterial material, the block being held in a fixed position relative to the mat of plastics material, a water impermeable cover ( 26, 28 ) extending over sides and an upper surface of the block containing bacterial material, the urinal mat further having a lower surface below the block containing bacterial material, the lower surface having one or more apertures ( 42 ) therein.

1 . A urinal mat comprising a mat of plastics material, a block containing bacterial material, a housing or cover having an upper portion surrounding an upper part of the block, and a lower surface extending below the block containing bacterial material, the lower surface having one or more openings therein. 
     
     
         2 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the upper portion of the housing or cover comprises a closed surface that encloses the upper surface and the sides of the block containing bacterial material. 
     
     
         3 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the upper portion of the housing or cover is made from a water impermeable material. 
     
     
         4 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the lower surface extending below the block of bacterial material and/or a lower surface of the mat is provided with feet or legs to space the lower surface from a floor or wall of the urinal. 
     
     
         5 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the feet or legs have a length that falls within the range of from 2 mm to 5 mm. 
     
     
         6 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block housing comprises a lower part comprising the lower surface and an upper part comprising one or more closed side walls and a closed upper surface, the upper part and the lower part of the housing being adapted to be joined together to form the block housing. 
     
     
         7 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the mat of plastics material is formed with an opening therein that is of complementary size to a periphery of the lower part of the housing whereby the lower part of the housing is adapted to be fitted into that opening and thereby connected to or joined to the mat of plastics material. 
     
     
         8 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the mat of plastics material is impregnated with a fragrance. 
     
     
         9 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the fragrance is present in the plastic mat in an amount of up to 30% by volume. 
     
     
         10 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the mat of plastics material is made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). 
     
     
         11 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block containing bacterial material comprises bacteria produce one or more of the following enzymes: protease, lipase, amylase, cellulose and uriase. 
     
     
         12 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block containing bacterial material also includes one or more enzymes that can help break down urine into chemicals which the bacteria can digest. 
     
     
         13 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block containing bacterial material also comprises one or more surfactants 
     
     
         14 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the surfactant comprises a water soluble surfactant. 
     
     
         14 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the at least one surfactant comprises a surfactant that is in the solid state at temperatures ranging from −15° C. to +50° C. 
     
     
         15 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block containing bacterial material has a bacterial count of from 1×10 7  to 1×10 9  counts per gram. 
     
     
         16 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the block containing bacterial material has a bacterial count of from 1×10 8  to 1×10 9  counts per gram. 
     
     
         17 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the block containing bacterial material has a bacterial count of from 5×10 8  to 7.5×10 8  counts per gram. 
     
     
         18 . A urinal mat as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the openings in the lower surface beneath the block containing bacterial material have a total area that is between 5 and 10% of the area of the base of the block of material. 
     
     
         19 . A urinal mat comprising a mat of plastics material and a block containing bacterial material, the block being held in a fixed position relative to the mat of plastics material, a water impermeable cover extending over sides and an upper surface of the block containing bacterial material, the urinal mat further having a lower surface below the block containing bacterial material, the lower surface having one or more apertures therein.