Abstract:
The disclosure provides a urinal screen comprising a flexible screen in a circular configuration having a center portion and a contiguous outer portion encircling the center portion, the outer portion being separated into one or more elongated strips extending outwardly from the center portion, and the center portion having a center hole extending therethrough. When positioned on a surface of a urinal or other fixture, the screen is substantially conformable to the urinal surface without sacrificing the screen objective to keep debris from entering drain. In embodiments, the center portion of the screen can be adjustable in height such that the screen is in a mound- or dome-like configuration and still preventing any debris from entering the drain.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a screen adjustable in height and/or shape for use in a urinal and assemblies that incorporate the screen. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Water conservation is a major concern in many areas and is likely to become even more important in the future as populations increase resulting in more water consumption. The largest daily user of water in commercial establishments is the urinal, while other restroom fixtures contribute to the overall high water consumption of commercial establishments. 
         [0003]    In order to reduce water consumption, low water and no-water fixtures, such as urinals, have been devised. These no-water and low water fixtures are not flushed each time a person uses the fixture and, in fact, are oftentimes not equipped for flushing as they are not connected to a water supply. As a no-water urinal is repeatedly used, most urine is collected in a compartment of the urinal. Oil sealing liquids, such as organic oils lighter than and immiscible with urine, float on the surface of the collected urine and act as a barrier to prevent odors from escaping. Screens are used to block the collected urine, and any urine or liquid remaining in the urinal, from sight. 
         [0004]    Typical screens used in urinals are generally flat sheets completely encircling or covering the drain. The bottom of the screen typically forms a seal with the bottom surface of the urinal. Any liquid (i.e., water, urine) must therefore pass through the perforations of the screen to go down the drain. When there is resting water and urine in the urinal, the perforations, however, have a tendency to get clogged with debris and garbage, restricting liquid flow and resulting in visible standing liquid in the urinal. The standing liquid is unpleasant to view and often emits a foul odor. 
         [0005]    It is desirable to provide a urinal screen which is adjustable in height and/or shape to cover or conceal unsightly resting water and urine while also protecting drains from debris and garbage whether in a flat or raised position. It is further desirable to provide a urinal screen which may be used over existing screens (typically those that are affixed to drains with screws) to conceal the existing screen while also protecting drains from debris and deodorizing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure provides a urinal screen for protecting drains from debris and garbage that can clog pipes, which can optionally be used with additional cleaner/deodorizer blocks, and can be modified in shape to conceal and avoid interference with already installed screens, resting water/urine and/or other drain components. The screen assembly can be used to cover up unsightly urine/water so that it is not viewed by the user. The assembly provides for integration of a screen with cleaning materials (e.g., enzymes, bacteria) in a solid block, gel or liquid form, with or without fragrance additives. The flexibility of the screen allows the assembly to confirm to any urinal shape or other variable surface on which the assembly would be installed to provide a trap screen and ensure that little or no debris enters the drain. The conforming properties of the flexible screen design ensure that the screen lies flat on the contact surface to prevent splashing of urine. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment, the disclosure provides a urinal screen, comprising a flexible screen in a circular configuration comprising a center portion and a contiguous outer portion encircling the center portion, the outer portion being separated into one or more elongate strips extending outwardly from the center portion, and the center portion having a center hole extending therethrough, wherein when positioned on a surface of a urinal, the screen is substantially conformable to the urinal surface. In embodiments, the center portion of the screen can be elevated such that the screen is in a mound- or dome-like configuration. 
         [0008]    In embodiments of the screen, the outer portion can be structured as a plurality of elongated strips extending radially outward from and in a perpendicular orientation to the center portion, as one or more elongated strips in a spiral configuration, or as a plurality of strips in a zigzag configuration extending outwardly from the center portion, among other configurations. In an embodiment, the outer portion is composed of zigzagged strips with a plurality of bent arm portions connected together at an angle. 
         [0009]    In embodiments, the screen can be connected to a module for containing a material (e.g., block, gel or liquid) containing a cleaning agent, fragrance or a combination thereof. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the urinal screen, with or without a module containing a cleaning/fragrance material, can be combined with an arched support stand, such that the screen is situated over the support stand in a domed configuration. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, a urinal screen assembly according to the disclosure comprises a flexible screen in a circular configuration comprising a center portion and a contiguous outer portion encircling the center portion, the outer portion being separated into one or more elongated strips extending outwardly from the center portion, and the center portion having a center hole extending therethrough; and at least one of a) a fastening element sized for insertion through the center hole of the screen, b) an arched support stand sized for placement of the screen thereover in a domed configuration, and c) a module for containing a cleaner or fragrance block, configured for attachment to the flexible screen. In embodiments, the outer portion of the screen comprises a plurality of elongated strips extending radially outwardly from the center portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. Throughout the following views, the reference numerals will be used in the drawings, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the several views and in the description to indicate the same or like parts. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a urinal screen assembly according to the disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the assembled urinal screen assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective, cross-sectional view and  FIG. 2B  is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the urinal screen assembly of  FIG. 2 , taken along lines  2 A- 2 A/ 2 B- 2 B. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of other embodiments of a urinal screen according to the disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the urinal screen assembly of  FIG. 1  installed over a drain of an embodiment of a floor mount urinal. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the floor mount urinal and urinal screen assembly depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the urinal screen assembly of  FIG. 1  installed over a drain of an embodiment of a pedestal urinal. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the urinal screen shown in  FIG. 1  installed over a drain of an embodiment of a floor mount urinal. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a domed urinal screen assembly according to the disclosure in which the screen is mounted on an arched support. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective exploded view of the domed urinal screen assembly of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a cut-away view of the domed urinal screen assembly of  FIG. 9 , taken along lines  11 - 11 . 
           [0024]      FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective views of domed urinal screen assemblies utilizing other embodiments of the urinal screen. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a domed urinal screen assembly according to the disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the assembled domed urinal screen assembly of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the domed urinal screen assembly of  FIG. 15  with the leg sections having been removed. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the domed urinal screen assembly of  FIG. 9  installed over a drain of an embodiment of a floor mount urinal. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the floor mount urinal and domed urinal screen assembly depicted in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the urinal screen shown in  FIG. 9  installed as a domed screen over a drain of an embodiment of a floor mount urinal. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a urinal screen and system for placement over the drain of a urinal. The present urinal screen and assemblies provide a robust design that allows not only for flat installation but can also be raised into a cone or dome-like shape to avoid interference with other drain parts, urine and/or water. 
         [0032]    An embodiment of a urinal screen system  10  according to the disclosure is described with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 . While the embodiments described herein illustrate the use of urinal screen system  10  with a urinal, it is understood that urinal screen system  10  may be used with other fixtures containing drains (e.g., sinks) to prevent debris and other matter from clogging a drain or pipe and cover standing used liquid. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the urinal screen system  10  comprises a flexible screen  12  in a generally circular configuration comprising a center portion  14  and a contiguous outer portion  16  connected to and encircling the center portion  14 . While flexible screen  12  is shown as primarily circular in configuration in the exemplary embodiments illustrated, in further embodiments, flexible screen  12  may have a triangular, rectangular or other configuration provided outer portion  16  was always in physical contact with a fixture surface to prevent debris from entering the drain at all angles. 
         [0034]    The outer portion  16  is configured as one or more elongated strips  18  extending outwardly from the center portion  14 . The strips  18  are adjacently positioned with narrow slits  20  therebetween. This configuration of the outer portion  16  as one or more strips  18  allows the screen  12 , when positioned over the drain of a urinal, to substantially adapt and conform to the contours of the urinal surface and prevent passage of debris into the drain. 
         [0035]    For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the outer portion  16  of the urinal screen  12  can be constructed as a plurality of elongate strips  18  that extend radially outward from and in a perpendicular orientation to the center portion  14 . Other exemplary embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, the surface  22  of one or more of the elongated strips  18  can include multiple protrusions  24  which function to collect debris in use of the urinal screen. 
         [0036]    The screen  10  can be manufactured from a variety of flexible materials, for example, a polymeric-based material, silicone, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic olefinic elastomers, and other materials known in the art by compression molding, injection molding or other process known and used in the art. In some embodiments, that material from which screen  10  is made may contain or include a fragrance, antibacterial/antimicrobial agent or other treatment. 
         [0037]    In embodiments, the screen  12  can be used in combination with a module  26  configured for containing an enzyme (cleaner) or fragrance (deodorizer) material  28 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the module  26  includes a cover portion  26   a  and a base portion  26   b . The module  26  can be positioned over and attached to the screen  12  by means of a fastening element  30   a  (e.g., a threaded fastener) inserted through a center hole  32  within the center portion  14  of the screen, which engages with a mating element  30   b  (e.g., threaded opening) in the base section  26   b  of the module  26 , as further shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B . In an embodiment, the fastening element  30   a  comprises external threads and the base section  26   b  of the module  26  comprises internal threads, and the fastening element and the module are connected in a threaded engagement. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the outer portion  16 ′ of the screen  12 ′ can be one or more elongated strips  18 ′ in a spiral configuration. In yet another embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , the outer portion  16 ″ of the urinal screen  12 ″ can constitute a plurality of strips  18 ″ in a zigzag or bent configuration that extend outwardly from the center portion  14 ″. In embodiments, the zigzagged strips  18 ″ comprise a plurality of bent arm portions connected together at an angle. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , in use, the screen  10  is adaptable to conform to the contours of the surface  34  of a urinal  36  or other substrate.  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  8  illustrate screen  10  in use with a floor mounted urinal  36 , while  FIG. 7  illustrates screen  10  in use with a wall mounted urinal  36 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the screen  12  can have a substantially flat or planar configuration when positioned on a flat surface but will substantially conform to the contours of the substrate surface, as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . 
         [0040]    As depicted in  FIGS. 5-6 , the screen assembly  10  composed of the screen  12  with the attached module  26  containing fragrance/cleaner can be used to screen the urinal drain  36   a  and to freshen the surrounding air. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the screen  12  can be used alone over a urinal drain to screen debris from entering. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9-11 , in other embodiments, the center portion  14  of the screen  12  can be elevated by use of an arched support stand  38  that is sized to be positioned under the screen to provide a domed screen assembly  40  with the screen  12  in a domed or mound-like configuration such that the perimeter edge  42  on outer portion  16  of the screen  12  can be placed in contact with a substrate surface. The use of a domed screen assembly  40  is advantageous for hiding unappealing urine if the urinal is not timely flushed or it has been converted to a “low flush” system to reduce water usage. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the arched support stand  38  is composed of a plurality of arched leg sections  44  as depicted in  FIGS. 10-11 , which are attached together under the screen  12  and to the overlying fragrance/cleaner module  26  by means of a fastener  30   a . The support stand  38  can be manufactured from a stiff material such as polypropylene, polyoxymethylene, and other materials known in the art by injection molding and other processes known and used in the art. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the fastener  30   a  is inserted through center hole  32  within the center portion  14  of the screen  12 , to engage the mating element  30   b  in the base section  26   b  of the fragrance/cleaner module  26 . A support stand  38  can be used in combination with other embodiments of the screen, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-13 . 
         [0043]    In the exemplary embodiments shown, the arched leg sections  44  are specifically designed to provide the maximum height at weight center portion  14  of screen  12  may be elevated such that perimeter edge  42  maintains physical contact with a substrate surface around the entire circumference of screen  12 . The maximum height is therefore dependent on the overall radius of screen  12  and the flexibility and/or rigidity of outer portion  16 , as well as the size of corresponding arched support stand  38  (and leg portions  44  and/or domed center section  50  as in  FIGS. 14-15 ). In further embodiments, support stand  38  and/or arched leg sections  44  or domed center section  50  (as seen in  FIGS. 14-15 ) may be adjustable in height up to the maximum height. 
         [0044]    Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 10 , a flexible, circular support structure  46  having a center opening  48  can be positioned between the screen  10  and the arched support  38 . The circular support structure  46  can be fabricated from polypropylene, polyoxymethylene or other material known in the art. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 14-15 , the support stand  38 ′ can be structured with leg portions  44 ′ attached to a domed center section  50 ′. The leg portions  44 ′ are configured to be removable to provide a domed screen arrangement at a lowered height, as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0046]    In use, the domed screen assembly  40  can be installed over a drain  36   a  of a urinal  36  as depicted in  FIGS. 17-18  showing the screen  12  with an attached fragrance/cleaner module  26 . In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the domed screen  12  with an underlying arched screen support can be used alone over a urinal drain. 
         [0047]    It is specifically intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claim.