WO2014043725A1

WO2014043725A1 - Urinal insert

Info

Publication number: WO2014043725A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2013/000059
Authority: WO
Inventors: John J COETZEE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-14
Filing date: 2013-07-24
Publication date: 2014-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 2015-03-14

Description

Title: Urinal Insert

Technical field of the invention

This invention relates to a urinal insert.

Background to the invention The inventor is aware of the problem of splash back and micro droplet formation when a urinal is used.

The inventor is also aware of UK patent GB 2473273 and Community Design No. 001838541 , wherein urinal inserts are described which lowers the incidence of splash back to a large extent compared to previous products and urinal inserts. However, the inventor has found that this insert still causes splash back and micro droplet formation at an unacceptable level.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved urinal insert.

General description of the invention

According to the invention there is provided a urinal insert, similar to the urinal insert described in GB 2473273, which insert includes a plurality of spaced apart pebble formations, with the majority of the pebbles having a non-circular cross sectional shape in plan view. The shapes may preferably be random relative to each other.

Urinal inserts, similar to the urinal insert described in GB 2473273, includes a plurality of pebble formations arranged on a domed structure configured to fit in the interior of a urinal.

The slope of the dome along a horizontal circumference of the pebble varies. In addition, or alternatively, the slope of the dome along a vertical circumference of the pebble varies. The applicant has found that this increase in the variation of the slope decreases splash back as it decreases the number of surfaces with the same or similar angle relative to the direction of a urine stream.

The slope of most of the pebble formations may preferably have a tangential angle variation of the vertical of between 10 and 45 degrees.

The pebble formation is shaped and orientated relative to an expected urine stream such that the surface of the pebble is at an angle off the perpendicular to the expected urine stream to deflect the urine stream.

The heights of the pebble formations may preferably vary. The height of a pebble formation may preferably different to a neighbouring pebble formation.

The pebble formations may preferably be arranged on a perforated dome structure. The dome structure may also include a perforated receptacle for receiving a hygiene or odour control block therein to direct urine flow, in use, over such a block.

The urinal insert may be manufactured from a plastics material impregnated with or covered with antimicrobial agents such as silver ions.

The urinal insert may also be infused with a fragrant.

The urinal may also be provided with a flat surfaced area for printing advertising material or a logo.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a top plan view of a urinal insert, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of the urinal insert;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the urinal insert; and

Figure 4 shows a cross sectional side view of the urinal insert.

Referring now to the drawings, the urinal insert, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The urinal insert 10 is similar to the urinal insert described in GB 2473273, which features are incorporated herewith. The insert 10 includes a plurality of spaced apart pebble formations 12. Each pebble formation 12 has a unique non- circular cross-sectional shape in plan view. The slope of each pebble formation 12 has a tangential angle variation of the vertical of between 10 and 45 degrees, as shown in Figure 4.

Each pebble formation 12 is shaped and orientated relative to an expected urine stream such that the surface of the pebble is at an angle off the perpendicular to the expected urine stream to deflect the urine stream.

The heights of the pebble formations 10 vary.

The pebble formations 10 are arranged on a perforated dome structure 14. The dome structure 14 also includes a perforated and removable receptacle 16 for receiving a hygiene or odour control block therein to direct urine flow, in use, over such a block for the purpose of deodorising urine and urine vapour.

The urinal insert 10 is moulded from a plastics material impregnated with antimicrobial agents, silver ions. The urinal insert 10 is also infused with a fragrant.

The urinal is further provided with a flat surfaced area 18 for printing advertising material or a logo. It shall be understood that the example is provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A urinal insert which includes a plurality of pebble formations arranged on a domed structure configured to fit in the interior of a urinal with the majority of the pebbles having a non-circular cross sectional shape in plan view.

2. A urinal insert as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the cross sectional shape in plan view of the pebbles are random relative to each other.

3. A urinal insert as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the slope of the dome along a horizontal circumference of the pebble varies.

4. A urinal insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the slope of the dome along a vertical circumference of the pebble varies.

5. A urinal insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the slope of the majority of the pebble formations have a tangential angle variation of the vertical of between 10 and 45 degrees.

6. A urinal insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the pebble formation is shaped and orientated relative to an expected urine stream such that the surface of the pebble is at an angle off the perpendicular to the expected urine stream to deflect the urine stream.

7. A urinal insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the heights of the pebble formations vary.

8. A urinal insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the dome structure perforated.

9. A urinal insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the dome structure includes a perforated receptacle for receiving a hygiene or odour control block therein and configured to direct urine flow, in use, over such a block.

10. A urinal insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the urinal insert is manufactured from a plastics material impregnated with or covered with and antimicrobial agent.

11. A urinal insert as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from silver ions.

12. A urinal insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 , wherein the urinal insert is infused with a fragrant.

13. A urinal insert as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the urinal is provided with a flat surfaced area for printing advertising material or a logo.

14. A urinal insert substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.