Sink Disposer Splash Guard

Abstract

A splash guard is adapted to be removably mounted in a neck portion of a sink disposer. The splash guard basically comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve which is sized to slidably fit into the neck portion of the disposer and defines a central bore; an upper ledge partially obstructing an upper portion of the central bore; a central ledge partially obstructing a medial portion of the central bore in opposition to the upper ledge; and a chute extending downwardly from a portion of the sleeve opposite the central ledge and terminating below said central ledge.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A splash guard adapted to be removably mounted at least partially within a through opening of a neck portion of a kitchen sink disposer, said splash guard comprising:
 a generally cylindrical sleeve defining a through bore and sized to slidably fit at least partially within the through opening of the neck portion of the kitchen sink disposer;   an upper ledge partially obstructing an upper portion of the through opening;   a central ledge operative to constrict a medial portion of the through bore in opposition to the upper ledge; and   a vertically arcuate chute extending downwardly from a portion of the sleeve opposite the central ledge and terminating below the central ledge.   
     
     
         6 . The splash guard according to  claim 5 , wherein the upper portion of the through opening overlaps with an open portion of the vertically arcuate chute. 
     
     
         7 . The splash guard according to  claim 5 , wherein an exterior of the cylindrical sleeve is provided with at least one of:
 (i) a protrusion configured to be received within a groove of the kitchen sink disposer; and,   (ii) a groove configured to receive a projection of the kitchen sink disposer.   
     
     
         8 . The splash guard according to  claim 5 , wherein a majority of through opening of the neck portion is not obstructed by the upper ledge. 
     
     
         9 . The splash guard according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the vertically arcuate chute at least partially delineates an end of the through bore;   the upper ledge at least partially delineates a beginning of the through bore;   the beginning of the through bore vertically overlaps at least a portion of the end of the through bore.   
     
     
         10 . A splash guard adapted to be removably mounted at least partially within a through opening of a neck portion of a kitchen sink disposer, said splash guard comprising:
 a sleeve defining a tortuous through bore and sized to fit at least partially within the through opening of the neck portion of the kitchen sink disposer;   a top overhang at least partially delineating an upper portion of the tortuous through bore so the upper portion of the tortuous through bore is offset from a vertical center to a first lateral side;   a secondary overhang partially delineating an intermediate portion of the tortuous through bore so the intermediate portion of the tortuous through bore is offset from the vertical center to a second lateral side, opposite the first lateral side; and   a chute extending vertically beneath the secondary overhang at least partially delineating an opening, at an end of the tortuous through bore, predominantly facing laterally, not vertically.   
     
     
         11 . The splash guard according to  claim 10 , wherein the chute curves below the top overhand and is at least partially overlapped by the top overhand to prevent the passing of a utensil straight through the tortuous through bore. 
     
     
         12 . The splash guard according to  claim 10 , wherein an exterior of the cylindrical sleeve is provided with at least one of:
 (i) a protrusion configured to be received within a groove of the kitchen sink disposer; and,   (ii) a groove configured to receive a projection of the kitchen sink disposer.   
     
     
         13 . The splash guard according to  claim 10 , wherein a majority of through opening of the neck portion is not obstructed by the top overhang. 
     
     
         14 . The splash guard according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the top overhang at least partially delineates a beginning of the tortuous through bore;   the beginning of the tortuous through bore vertically overlaps at least a portion of the end of the tortuous through bore.   
     
     
         15 . The splash guard according to  claim 10 , wherein the chute embodies a vertically arcuate shape. 
     
     
         16 . A garbage disposal assembly comprising:
 a sink garbage disposal housing;   a sink mounting flange configured to be received within a sink drain opening;   a garbage disposal mounting flange configured to mount the garbage disposal housing to the sink mounting flange; and,   a splash guard comprising:
 a generally cylindrical sleeve defining a through bore and sized to slidably fit at least partially within the through opening of the neck portion of the kitchen sink disposer; 
 an upper ledge partially obstructing an upper portion of the through opening; 
 a central ledge operative to constrict a medial portion of the through bore in opposition to the upper ledge; and 
 a vertically arcuate chute extending downwardly from a portion of the sleeve opposite the central ledge and terminating below the central ledge.