An insert for a urinal configured in use to prevent splashback, the insert comprising a central portion for extending across a drain of a urinal, and a plurality of spaced apart outer portions extending radially outwardly from the central portion and defining gaps between adjacent outer portions, in which the central portion and each outer portion comprises: a plurality of spaced apart pebble features, in which each pebble feature comprises a mound having a domed surface; and a plurality of spacers, in which each spacer adjoins adjacent pebble features in a configuration such that each pebble feature is adjoined to at least one adjacent pebble feature, and in which openings providing a fluid flowpath are defined between the pebble features and the spacers.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
. An insert for a urinal configured in use to prevent splashback, the insert comprising a central portion for extending across a drain of a urinal, and a plurality of spaced apart outer portions extending radially outwardly from the central portion and defining gaps between adjacent outer portions, in which the central portion and each outer portion comprises:
. An insert as claimed in, in which a V-shaped gap is provided between adjacent outer portions.
. An insert as claimed in either of, in which the central portion has a substantially circular cross-section.
. An insert as claimed in any one of, in which each outer portion is substantially triangular, or truncated triangular, in shape.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the plurality of spaced apart pebble features comprises pebble features having at least two different heights and/or diameters.
. An insert as claimed in any one of, in which the height of the pebble features of the central portion (as defined between the upper and lower surfaces thereof) is greater than the height of the pebble features of the outer portions.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the insert is composed of injection moulded plastic.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the injection moulded plastic is EVA a rubberised plastic.
. An insert claimed in, further comprising fragrance oil.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the pebble features are located at or adjacent an upper surface of the insert.
. An insert as claimed in, further comprising an opening or compartment for receiving and storing an enzyme cake.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the opening or compartment is located at or adjacent a lower surface of the insert.
. An insert as claimed in, further comprising an edge definer for defining the edge of the configuration of pebble features.
. An insert as claimed in, comprising four spaced apart outer portions.
. An insert for a urinal configured in use to prevent splashback, the insert comprising:
. An insert as claimed in, in which the plurality of spaced apart pebble features comprises pebble features having at least two different heights and/or diameters.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the height of the pebble features located at or adjacent the centre of the domed central portion (as defined between the upper and lower surfaces thereof) is greater than the height of the pebble features at or adjacent an edge of the domed central portion.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the insert is composed of injection moulded plastic.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the injection moulded plastic is EVA a rubberised plastic.
. An insert claimed in, further comprising fragrance oil.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the pebble features are located at or adjacent an upper surface of the insert.
. An insert as claimed in, further comprising an opening or compartment for receiving and storing an enzyme cake.
. An insert as claimed in, in which the opening or compartment is located at or adjacent a lower surface of the insert.
. An insert as claimed in, further comprising an edge definer for defining the edge of the configuration of pebble features.
Complete technical specification and implementation details from the patent document.
The present invention relates to a device for use in a urinal for preventing splashback.
Conventional urinal anti-splashback devices have been found to be bulky and to use more material than is necessary. Furthermore, the devices aren't able to be used effectively over a range of different shaped urinals. Conventional urinal anti-splashback devices have been found to not fit correctly in or across the drain of a range of urinals.
There is therefore a need for an improved device which can be installed to provide a good fit across a range of urinals.
CN219298369 discloses a splash-proof deodorizing device which comprises a bottom cover, a top cover and deodorizing blocks. One surface of the bottom cover is provided with a plurality of clamping blocks. The top cover is hemispherical. Splash-proof columns are densely distributed on the outer surface of the top cover. Clamping grooves are formed in the round edges of the top cover. The clamping blocks are clamped with the inner surfaces of the clamping grooves. A containing cavity is formed after the bottom cover is clamped with the top cover, and the deodorizing blocks are placed in the containing cavity.
WO2022/271461 discloses a urine containment and deodorizing device having a funnel portion having a top side, left side, right side, bottom side, left side raised funnel portion, right side raised funnel portion, funnel portion upper side and funnel portion underneath side wherein the top side is wider than the bottom side, a bottom portion having a shaped portion, a narrower tapered portion, a bottom portion upper side, a bottom portion underneath side and at least one opening between the bottom portion upper side and the bottom portion underneath side; and a connecting portion between the narrower tapered portion of the bottom portion and the bottom side of the funnel portion.
WO2022/254296 discloses a urinal mat configured to grip a surface of a urinal or toilet. The urinal mat includes a base with apertures therein, a surface engager, in the form of a suction cup, forms part of a lower side of the base. In use, the urinal mat is placed in a section of the collection area of a urinal. The base covers part of the collection area of the urinal and cylindrical baffles protrude from an upper side of the base to assist in decelerating and to disperse a urine stream as it collides with the baffles.
The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an insert for a urinal configured in use to prevent splashback, the insert comprising a central portion for extending across a drain of a urinal, and a plurality of spaced apart outer portions extending radially outwardly from the central portion and defining gaps between adjacent outer portions, in which the central portion and each outer portion comprises:
Preferably, a V-shaped gap is provided between adjacent outer portions. In one embodiment, the insert comprises a plurality of spaced apart gaps (for example V-shaped gaps) between adjacent outer portions. For example, the insert may comprise three or four spaced apart gaps, for example V-shaped gaps.
The central portion of the insert may have any suitable shape and/or dimensions. In one embodiment, the central portion of the insert has a substantially circular cross-section.
Each outer portion of the insert may have any suitable shape and/or dimensions. The outer portions of the insert may all have the same shape and/or dimensions. One or more of the outer portions of the insert may have different shapes and/or dimensions compared to the other outer portions.
In one embodiment, each outer portion is substantially triangular, or truncated triangular, in shape. The term “truncated triangular” shape is used herein to refer to an apex of a triangular portion being removed, for example when adjoining the central portion.
The central portion may comprise any suitable number of pebble features. Preferably, the central portion comprises at least 10, preferably at least 12 for example at least 15 pebble features. The central portion preferably comprises no more than 30, preferably no more than 25, for example about 20 pebble features.
Each outer portion may comprise any suitable number of pebble features. The number of pebble features present on each outer portion may vary. Preferably, each outer portion comprises at least 10, preferably at least 12 for example at least 15 pebble features. The outer portion preferably comprises no more than 30, preferably no more than 25, for example about 20 pebble features.
The height of a pebble feature is measured between a free end of the domed surface and the opposed lower end (configured in use to be positioned at or adjacent a surface of the urinal).
The diameter of a pebble feature may be measured between opposing side portions of the mound.
In one embodiment, the height of each pebble feature is uniform across the insert.
In one embodiment, the diameter of the pebble features is uniform across the insert.
The plurality of spaced apart pebble features preferably comprises pebble features having at least two different heights and/or diameters.
The height of the pebble features of the central portion may be different to the height of the pebble features of one or more, preferably each, outer portion.
In one embodiment, the height of the pebble features of the central portion is greater than the height of the pebble features of the outer portions.
The insert is preferably composed of injection moulded plastic. Preferably, the injection moulded plastic is EVA a rubberised plastic.
The insert preferably further comprises fragrance oil. For example, the insert may further comprise a coating comprising fragrance oil.
The pebble features are preferably located at or adjacent an upper surface of the insert.
The insert preferably further comprises an opening, recess or compartment for receiving and storing an enzyme cake.
The opening, recess or compartment is preferably located so as to position an enzyme cake, in use, at or adjacent a surface of the urinal, for example at or adjacent a drain of a urinal.
In one embodiment, the opening, recess or compartment is preferably located at or adjacent a lower surface of the insert, for example, at or adjacent a lower surface of the central portion of the insert.
The insert may further comprise an edge definer for defining the edge of the configuration of pebble features.
The insert may comprise any suitable number of outer portions. In one embodiment, the insert comprises four spaced apart outer portions.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insert for a urinal configured in use to prevent splashback, the insert comprising:
The central portion may comprise any suitable number of pebble features. Preferably, the central portion comprises at least 10, preferably at least 12 for example at least 15 pebble features. The central portion preferably comprises no more than 30, preferably no more than 25, for example about 20 pebble features.
In one embodiment, the height of each pebble feature is uniform across the insert.
In one embodiment, the diameter of the pebble features is uniform across the insert.
The plurality of spaced apart pebble features preferably comprises pebble features having at least two different heights and/or diameters.
In one embodiment, the plurality of spaced apart pebble features comprises pebble features having at least two different heights and/or diameters.
In one embodiment, the height of the pebble features located at or adjacent the centre of the domed central portion is greater than the height of the pebble features at or adjacent an edge of the domed central portion.
The insert is preferably composed of injection moulded plastic. The injection moulded plastic is preferably EVA a rubberised plastic.
The insert preferably further comprises fragrance oil. For example, the insert may further comprise a coating comprising fragrance oil.
The pebble features are preferably located at or adjacent an upper surface of the insert.
The insert preferably further comprises an opening, recess or compartment for receiving and storing an enzyme cake.
The opening, recess or compartment is preferably located so as to position an enzyme cake, in use, at or adjacent a surface of the urinal, for example at or adjacent a drain of a urinal.
In one embodiment, the opening, recess or compartment is preferably located at or adjacent a lower surface of the insert, for example, at or adjacent a lower surface of the central portion of the insert.
The insert may further comprise an edge definer for defining the edge of the configuration of pebble features.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:
With reference to, the insertfor a urinal comprises a central portionfor extending across a drain of a urinal, and four spaced apart outer portionsextending radially outwardly from the central portion.
The central portionis substantially circular in shape.
Each outer portionis substantially truncated triangular in shape such that an apex of the triangular outer portionhas been removed at the join formed between the central portionand the outer portion.
V-shaped gapsare provided between adjacent outer portions.
The central portionand each outer portioncomprises:
The central portioncomprisespebble features.
Unknown
October 2, 2025
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