Dissolvable urinal screen

• US 5,813,058 A
• Filed: 01/27/1997
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: National City Bank (The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The Tranzonic Companies
• Inventors: Quigley, John R., Borofsky, Gary R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US08/791,482
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 4/309, 510/191, 510/192, 510/193, 510/440, 424/76.3, 424/76.7, 424/196.1
• US Class Current: 4/309
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0056 Lavatory cleansing blocks
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 9/10 Salts
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 9/442 Perfumes
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 13/00 Urinals without flushing devices A47K11/00 ; Means for connecting the urinal to the flushing pipe and the wastepipe; Splashing shields for urinals
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 13/005 Accessories specially adapted for urinals

Abstract

A urinal screen having a generally triangular planar configuration includes one or more through openings between its top and bottom surfaces. The screen is composed of a liquid soluble material and includes a deodorant which is released as the screen dissolves. Another embodiment of the invention includes contoured top and bottom surfaces tapering away from the center of the screen and downwardly toward its periphery. The soluble material may also include a fragrance and a detergent. A further embodiment includes a raised locating boss on the bottom surface for cooperation with the urinal drain. Still further, the screen may be packaged in a liquid soluble film.

Claims

1. A screen for urinals having a bottom wall with a drain opening centrally disposed therein, comprising:

a) a block of material dimensioned to rest on the bottom wall of the urinal and overlie the drain opening thereof, said material being dissolvable when contacted by urine so as to release at least one of a deodorant and a sanitizing agent;

b) said block of material having a plurality of through openings therein functioning as a screen to restrain passage of foreign matter, and

c) said block of material having top and bottom surfaces, having contoured areas to enhance passage of urine.

2. The screen of claim 1 wherein said top and bottom surfaces generally taper downwardly from a high point adjacent the center of said surfaces toward the periphery of said block of dissolvable material.

3. The screen of claim 2 wherein said bottom surface includes elongate raised ribs extending away from the center of said surface toward the periphery thereof.

4. The screen of claim 1 wherein said bottom surface includes a raised locating boss substantially centrally disposed thereon.

5. The screen of claim 1 further including a packaging material enveloping said block of dissolvable material;

said packaging material being liquid soluble.

6. The screen of claim 1 wherein said screen is comprised of flexible material.

7. The screen of claim 1 wherein said block of material has a plurality of through openings therein.

8. The screen of claim 1 wherein said block of dissolvable material is generally triangular in plan.

9. The screen of claim 1 or 8 wherein said dissolvable material includes an odor counteractant releasable upon dissolving of said block of dissolvable material.

10. The screen of claim 9 wherein the amount of odor counteractant is from about 10 to about 40 percent by weight.

11. The screen of claim 1 or 8 wherein said dissolvable material includes a fragrance.

12. The screen of claim 11 wherein said dissolvable material includes a detergent enhancer.

13. The screen of claim 11 wherein the amount of detergent is from about 10 to about 45 percent by weight.

14. The screen of claim 1 or 8 wherein said dissolvable material includes a detergent releasable upon dissolving of said block of dissolvable material.

15. The screen of claim 14 wherein the amount of detergent enhancer is from about 10 to about 40 percent by weight.

16. The screen of claim 1 or 8 wherein said dissolvable material includes a detergent, a fragrance and an odor counteractant.

17. The screen of claim 15 wherein the amount of detergent is from about 10 to about 40 percent by weight and the amount of odor counteractant is from about 10 to about 45 percent by weight.

18. The screen of claim 8 wherein said block of dissolvable material includes first and second elongate edges, each having first and second ends;

said first ends being interconnected by a radiused portion;

a third elongate edge comprising first and second elongate segments, each having first and second ends;

said first ends of said segments being interconnected with each other by a radiused portion; and

said second ends of said segments being interconnected to said second ends of said first and second elongate edges by radiused portions.