Patent Application
20170275864
1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates to an odor reducing device for a toilet, and more particularly to a dissolvable device inserted into toilets to reduce splash and odor.
2. Description of Related Art
Various aspects of toilets and toilet usage can be deemed to be gross, unclean, and unpleasing. For example, smells generated while using the toilet and those smells that linger and spread outside the restroom thereafter can be embarrassing. Additionally, undesired splashing of the toilet water onto the user can also be unpleasant. Various devices have been developed in an attempt to help with splashing and odor control.
Some devices include a deodorant and sterilizing anti-splash ball that has an internal dissolvable container. The ball is distributed throughout the water in an attempt to minimize splashes. Another device is a deodorizing, sterilizing, and anti-splashing device for a toilet having a body partially suspended in the water in a submerged state. The body retains a size larger than the toilet drain. Another splash device is designed to sit within the drain. These devices tend to focus on the drain portion of the toilet and fail to affect the entire surface of the water. Additionally, these appear to only introduce a solution into the water in an attempt to control odor.
Although strides have been made to reduce odors and minimize splashing in toilets during use, considerable shortcomings remain. A new device that is designed to regulate splashing over the entire surface of the water and yield an odor reducing effect within the water and/or designed to emanate above the water level is desired.
The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the device and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.
Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.
The device and method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with traditional security devices for doors. In particular, the device is an expandable ball configured to selectively release an aromatic scent to minimize and mask odor from a toilet area. Additionally the ball is configured to selectively dissolve in the toilet water and includes dissolvable netting or binders that at least initially partially surround and hold water absorbent tissue. The tissue emits an aromatic or pleasant odor when deployed into a toilet. The binders dissolve away while the tissue spreads out on the surface of the water to prevent backsplash when feces drop into the toilet. These and other unique features of the device are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The device and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. The device and method of the present application is illustrated in the associated drawings. The device includes an expandable ball consisting of at least two layers: an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is configured to selectively disperse across the surface of the toilet water. The method includes placing the expandable ball in the toilet water before or after usage of the toilet. Additional features and functions of the device are illustrated and discussed below.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views.
As seen in
Outer layer 103 may take many types of forms. For example, outer layer 103 may be a mesh wherein the inner layer 105 is exposed through one or more apertures in the outer layer. This variation of outer layer 103 would permit both outer layer 103 and inner layer 105 to contact the water simultaneously. In another example, outer layer 103 may be configured to fully encompass inner layer 103. For instance, outer layer 103 may be a singular coating. Furthermore, outer layer 103 may be a series of straps or member bonded together. In this type of variation, outer layer 103 is configured to contact the water first and begin to dissolve prior to saturation of any portion of inner layer 105.
Inner layer 105 is also dissolvable in the water. The rate at which inner layer 105 dissolves can vary from that of outer layer 103. Ideally the time period for dissolving of outer layer 103 is far shorter than that of inner layer 105. Inner layer 105 is a light weight material that is configured to float on water. A paper based product such as a tissue like paper is preferred. This type of material is not herein meant to be limiting. Other materials are also suitable.
Inner layer 105 is infused with an aromatic scent material. This scent material is ideally a dry material. It may be a powder configured to adhere to a surface of inner layer 105. In other embodiments the scent material may be infused with inner layer 105 wherein the scent material was a liquid prior to infusion. Naturally other examples exist with respect to dry and liquid forms of scent materials. In either case, when saturated, inner layer 105 is configured to selectively release an aromatic scent into the air within the toilet bowl. This scent serves to mask and/or eliminate scents from waste placed in the toilet bowl (i.e. urine and/or feces) or gas released by the user.
Referring now also to
As the outer layer 103 dissolved, inner layer 105 is released from its compact and restricted positioning. Inner layer 105 begins to expand into an extended position as it becomes saturated. As inner layer 105 is configured to float, inner layer 105 operates to spread out across the surface of the water in the toilet. Inner layer 105 can be sized to any size so as to have a selected length and width. It is preferred that inner layer 105 be configured to cover the entire surface of the water. Because toilet bowls may vary in size, inner layer 105 may contact the toilet bowl and may even extend upward across its surface, adjacent the water. In both of the present Figures, arrows are shown illustrating the expanding effect of inner layer 105 across the surface of the water.
Elimination or reduction of odor is accomplished through the dispersion of inner layer 103 across the surface of the water and through the release of the aromatic scent. The scent is released over time. The scent masks unpleasing smells. Additionally, unpleasing smells are reduced by inner layer 105 creating a barrier across the surface of the water. This barrier inhibits the release of smells from within the water and escaping into the air. Inner layer 105 is configured to restrain their release into the air.
This barrier also is useful in minimizing splashes of objects (i.e. urine and feces) into the water of the toilet. Object that fall into the toilet bowl contact inner layer 105 which acts to suppress the dispersion of water by serving as a blanket or barrier across the water surface. Upon entry, inner layer 105 may be configured to either retain its shape and form, such that inner layer 105 becomes partially submerged into the water (no separation in layer 105 is seen); or inner layer 105 may selectively separate into a plurality of members wherein falling objects act to create holes in inner layer 105. Inner layer 105 may selectively reseal any holes as the water surface calms down. Resealing of the holes can occur as inner layer 105 dissolves and further expands when expansion room is provided.
The current application has many advantages over the prior art including at least the following: (1) reduced odor; (2) minimized splash; (3) slowly dissolvable layers; (4) varied dissolvability rates; and (5) fully floating barrier created across the surface of the water by the inner layer.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
