DISPOSABLE PROTECTIVE SHIELD SYSTEM

A disposable protective shield system enables the prevention of escaped fluids from a toilet from reaching the floor around a toilet. A mat is placed in front and covers the side areas as well. The mat allows the fluids pass through a permeable layer where they are sequestered by an absorbent layer and prevent from exit by a non-permeable layer. The mat could have varying fluid capacity in the absorbent layer, folding flaps to extent the area protected by the mat. Wall shields are attached to the walls around the toilet to protect them from escaping fluids.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to sanitary protection systems, and more specifically, to a disposable protective shield system for preventing undesirable fluids such as urine from reaching a floor.

2. Description of Related Art

Sanitary protection systems are well known in the art and are effective means to protect the immediate area around a toilet. For example,FIG. 1depicts a conventional rubber mat device101having a shaped mat103with a plastic top surface105placed in front of a toilet107. During use, the mat101prevents urine from reaching the floor around the toilet.

One of the problems commonly associated with system101is limited use. For example, often urine passes beyond the coverage of the mat101soiling the floor, walls or other items near the toilet107.

Additionally, if the mat101does catch the urine it must be cleaned to prevent contamination of other surfaces or items.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of rubber mat devices, many shortcomings remain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional rubber mat devices. Specifically, the invention of the present application increases the likelihood of capturing any urine or other fluids that escapes the toilet. In addition, the system of the present application is disposable eliminating the need to clean any urine or other fluids. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,FIG. 2depicts a front view of a disposable protective shield system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system201overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional rubber mat devices.

In the contemplated embodiment, system201includes a shield203configured to cover the area in front of and on the sides of a toilet205. The shield203having a non-permeable layer301, an absorbent layer303and a fluid permeable layer305configured to act as one body.

In use, the shield203is placed around the base of the toilet205and captures any fluid such as urine that escapes the toilet. The fluid passes through the permeable layer305and is captured by the absorbent layer303. Non-permeable layer301prevents the fluid from escaping the shield203.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that shield203can be discarded after multiple uses when absorbent layer303becomes saturated.

Referring now toFIG. 4an alternative embodiment of the mat203is depicted. Embodiment401including a body403having absorbent material arranged in critical areas405,407,409. It will be appreciated that absorbent areas405,407,409contain a non-homogenous fluid capacity e.g. a higher capacity compared to the remainder of the mat. It will be understood that areas405,407,409are enclosed by permeable and non-permeably layers as depicted inFIG. 3and that this embodiment demonstrates the increased capacity to absorb fluid in these areas405,407,409.

Embodiment401also having an area of fluid activated material411. The fluid activated material411attached or in proximity to the absorbent material405,407,409. It will be understood that the fluid activated material411could be an odor absorber or fragrance release agent.

Another alternative embodiment of the mat203,401is depicted inFIG. 5. Embodiment501including a body503having flaps505,507flexibly attached to the sides509,511of the body503respectively. It will be appreciated that the floor around a toilet could be of varying size and that flaps505,507enable the protection of this floor space. Flaps505,507fold under the mat501if not used.

Mat501also having indicia513on the top surface515of the mat501. It is contemplated that the indicia513could be decorative or functional, such as indicating the saturation of the absorbent layer.

Referring now toFIG. 6an alternative embodiment of the system201is depicted. Embodiment601including a mat603placed on the floor in front of and around a toilet205. Mat603removably attached to a first side wall shield605a back wall shield607and a second side wall shield609. The side wall shields605,609being attached the back wall shield607.

The wall shields605,607,609having the same features as mat203and including an adhesive layer701attached to the non-permeable layer. It will be appreciated that wall shields605,607,609enable the protection of the walls around a toilet205.

Referring now toFIG. 8the preferred method use of the systems201,601is depicted. Method801including placing a mat in front of a toilet801, attaching the wall shields of system601to the walls around the toilet805, allowing for use of the toilet807, fluid escaping the toilet and being captured by the absorbent layer809and removing the mat and wall shields for disposal811.