Patent Publication Number: US-2023151602-A1

Title: Urinal screens

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claims is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Certain embodiments discussed herein relate to restroom screens and mats, and, more particularly, the present inventions relate to restroom urinal screens and mats. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Urinal screens are widely used as air fresheners and to prevent debris from being flushed down a urinal drain. In some cases, a fragrance is provided with the screens to help sanitize and freshen the air in and around the urinal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS 
     A urinal screen can include a frame. In some embodiments, the frame has a first face and a second face opposite the first face. The frame can include a plurality of openings extending through the first face and the second face. In some cases, the screen includes a plurality of first posts extending from the first face of the frame. The screen can include a plurality of second posts extending from the second face of the frame. 
     According to some variants, the portion of the frame defining each of the openings has a polygonal perimeter structure. In some embodiments, each perimeter structure defining an opening has a plurality of braces and corners. In some cases, a plurality of the braces and corners are shared between two or more openings. In some embodiments, the braces and corners form a tessellation. According to some variants, each of plurality of first posts extends from the portion of the frame defining a corner of a perimeter structure forming one or more of the plurality of openings. In some cases, each of plurality of second posts extends from a midpoint of a brace of a portion of the frame defining a perimeter structure forming one or more of the plurality of openings. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of second posts extends from each of the braces of the perimeter structure defining the openings. In some cases, at least one of the plurality of first posts extends from each of the corners of the perimeter structure defining the openings. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of second posts extends from each of the braces of the perimeter structure defining the openings and at least one of the plurality of first posts extends from each of the corners of the perimeter structure defining the openings. According to some variants, at least one of the plurality of second posts extends from a brace or corner of the portion of the perimeter structure defining each opening. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of first posts extends from a brace of the perimeter structure defining each opening or corner of the perimeter structure defining each opening. In some cases, each of the plurality of first posts is substantially identical to one or more of the plurality of second posts. 
     According to some variants, a thickness of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the first face of the frame is less than one fourth of an overall thickness of the urinal screen in the direction perpendicular to the first face of the frame. In some cases, a thickness of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the first face of the frame is less than one eighth of an overall thickness of the urinal screen in the direction perpendicular to the first face of the frame. In some embodiments, when the urinal screen is set upon a surface such that the first or second face of the frame is oriented toward the surface, the frame is positioned away from the surface by at least one third of a thickness of the urinal screen as measured perpendicular to the first face of the frame. In some cases, the plurality of openings occupy at least three fourths of a surface area of the frame as measured parallel to the first face (e.g., the first plane) of the frame. In some embodiments, the perimeter structures defining the plurality of openings occupy less than one fifth of a surface area of the frame as measured parallel to the first face (e.g., the first plane) of the frame. 
     According to some variants, a urinal screen includes a frame. The frame can have: a first face; a second face opposite the first face; and a plurality of openings extending through the frame between the first face and the second face. The urinal screen can include a plurality of first posts extending from the first face of the frame. In some embodiments, the urinal screen includes a plurality of second posts extending from the second face of the frame. In some embodiments, a plurality of ends of the plurality of second posts form a base upon which the urinal screen rests when the plurality of first posts point away from a surface upon which the urinal screen is set. In some embodiments, at least half of the plurality of first posts are a same size and shape as at least half of the plurality of second posts. 
     In some configurations, each of the openings is defined by a polygonal perimeter structure. 
     In some configurations, each opening is defined by a perimeter structure having plurality of braces and corners. 
     In some configurations, each of plurality of first posts extends from a corner of a perimeter structure of one or more of the plurality of openings. 
     In some configurations, each of plurality of second posts extends from a midpoint of a brace of a perimeter structure of one or more of the plurality of openings. 
     In some configurations, at least one of the plurality of second posts extends from each of the braces of the perimeter structure defining the openings. 
     In some configurations, at least one of the plurality of first posts extends from each of the corners of the perimeter structure defining the openings. 
     In some configurations, at least one of the plurality of second posts extends from each of the braces of the openings. In some configurations, at least one of the plurality of first posts extends from each of the corners of the perimeter structure defining the openings. 
     In some configurations, at least one of the plurality of second posts extends from a brace or corner of the perimeter structure defining each opening. 
     In some configurations, at least one of the plurality of first posts extends from a brace or corner of the perimeter structure defining each opening. 
     In some configurations, a thickness of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the first face of the frame is less than one eighth of an overall thickness of the urinal screen in the direction perpendicular to the first face of the frame. 
     In some configurations, when the urinal screen is set upon a surface such that the first or second face of the frame is oriented toward the surface, the frame is positioned away from the surface by at least one third of a thickness of the urinal screen as measured perpendicular to the first face of the frame. 
     According to some variants, a urinal screen includes a frame. The frame can have: a first face; a second face opposite the first face; and a plurality of openings extending through the frame between the first face and the second face. In some embodiments, the urinal screen includes a plurality of first posts extending from the first face of the frame. The urinal screen can include a plurality of second posts extending from the second face of the frame. In some embodiments, the plurality of openings occupy at least half of a surface area of the frame as observed perpendicular to the first face of the frame when the frame is set on a flat surface. In some case, the plurality of openings occupy at least 75% of the surface area of the frame as observed perpendicular to the first face of the frame when the frame is set on a flat surface. 
     In some configurations, each of the plurality of first posts is substantially identical to one or more of the plurality of second posts. 
     In some configurations, the perimeter structures of the plurality of openings occupy less than one fifth of a surface area of the frame as measured parallel to a first plane face of the frame, wherein the first plane face of the frame is a plane passing through the frame when the frame is set on a flat horizontal surface. 
     According to some variants, a urinal screen includes a frame. The frame can include: a first face; a second face opposite the first face; and a plurality of interconnected cells, each cell having a polygonal shape with a plurality of sides and corners. In some embodiments, the urinal screen includes a plurality of first posts extending from away from the first face, each of the plurality of first posts connected to a side or corner of the plurality of interconnected cells. In some embodiments, the urinal screen include a plurality of second posts extending away from the second face of the frame, each of the plurality of second posts connected to a side or corner of the plurality of interconnected cells. In some cases each of the interconnected cells shares at least one side and at least one corner with another interconnected cell. 
     In some configurations, the plurality of interconnected cells form a tessellation. 
     In some configurations, a thickness of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the first face of the frame is less than one fourth of an overall thickness of the urinal screen in the direction perpendicular to the first face of the frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present inventions are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters reference like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a urinal screen; 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of the urinal screen of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a front view of the urinal screen of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a close up top view of the urinal screen of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a close up top view of another embodiment of a urinal screen; and 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic side view of a post extending from a frame of a urinal screen at a non-perpendicular angle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS 
     An embodiment of a urinal screen  10  is illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 2   . The urinal screen  10  can be sized and shaped to fit into a urinal, toilet, or other bathroom appliance. As illustrated, the urinal screen  10  can include a frame  14 . The frame  14  can be sized and shaped to fit over all or a portion of a drain of a toilet or urinal. The frame  14  can define a plurality of openings  18  through a thickness of the frame  14 . In some embodiments, the urinal screen  10  includes a plurality of posts or structural supports  22  extending from one or more surfaces of the frame  14 . 
     In some embodiments, the screen  10  has a polygonal, elliptical, circular, or other overall shape. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the screen  10  can have a generally hexagonal shape, though many other shapes are contemplated (e.g., rectangles, pentagons, triangles, circles, or some combination thereof). In some embodiments, the screen  10  is shaped to fit a particular urinal or toilet. 
     The frame  14  and/or posts  22  can be constructed from a polymeric or solid material. For example, the frame  14  and/or posts  22  can be constructed using a 3D printer. In some cases, additives are added to the material of the frame  14  and/or posts  22 . Additives can include, for example, bacteria and/or odor neutralizers, silver ions, and other additives or combinations of additives. One method of manufacturing an embodiment of the urinal screen  10  can include providing plastic or EVA material, which may have a melting point of not greater than 250° F., loading the plastic or EVA with at least 15% to about 75% by weight of fragrance material to produce a fragranced plastic or EVA, loading the fragrance at a stage conducted at temperatures such that the fragranced plastic or EVA is from at least 15% by weight fragrance upon completion of the loading stage, and molding the fragranced plastic or EVA into a urinal screen, sized and shaped to be disposed in a urinal, forming openings  18  in the frame  14 , and forming posts  22  extending from the frame  14 . 
     The openings  18  can have various shapes, including, but not limited to, polygons (e.g., triangles, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, etc.), ellipses, and/or some combination thereof. In some embodiments, each of the openings  18  has a substantially identical shape. In some embodiments, one or more of the openings  18  has a different shape from one or more of the other openings. 
     The openings  18  can occupy a large percentage of the overall surface area of the frame  14  as viewed in  FIG.  2   . For example, the openings  18  can occupy more than ⅛, more than 2/9, more than ⅓, more than ¼, more than ⅜, more than ½, more than ⅝, more than ⅔, and/or more than ¾ of the overall surface area of the frame  14  as viewed in  FIG.  2   . Utilizing a large number of openings  18  can reduce the overall weight of the urinal screen  10 . 
     A top surface (e.g., the first surface  26 ) of the frame  14  can lie on a first plane when the urinal screen  10  is set on a flat surface. In some cases, a bottom surface (e.g., the second surface  30 ) of the frame  14  can lie on a second plane when the urinal screen is set on a flat surface. In some embodiments, a maximum cross-sectional area of the frame  14  (e.g., the area not occupied by openings  18 ), as measured on a frame plane through the frame and parallel to the first and/or second planes is less than ½, less than ¼, less than ⅕, less than ⅙, less than 1/7, less than ⅛, less than 1/9, less than 1/10, less than 1/12, less than 1/15, and/or less than 1/20 of the area defined by the outer perimeter of the frame as measured in the plane. Many variations are possible. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , one or more of the openings  18  (e.g., cells) can have a perimeter which includes a plurality of sides (e.g., braces)  42  and corners  46 . In some cases, all or a portion of the frame  14  forms a tessellation of openings  18  wherein a plurality of the sides  42  of the openings  18  are shared between two or more openings  18 . In some embodiments, each of the openings  18  shares at least one side and at least one corner with another opening. 
     In some cases, the sides  42  and/or corners  46  of the openings  18  have contoured (e.g., convex) upper and/or lower surfaces. The contoured surfaces of the sides  42  and corners  46  can deflect fluid (e.g., urine) to reduce splash in the urinal, toilet, or other environment in which the urinal screen  10  is installed. 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , portions of the frame  14  include one or more solid or closed portions between or surrounding the openings  18 . For example, the frame  14  can include one or more solid cells  19  positioned between and/or adjacent the openings  18  of the frame  14 . The solid cells  19  can provide a surface area on which various letters, numbers, symbols, trademarks, and/or other visual features may be placed. For example, advertisements, installation instructions, date features, expiration dates, and/or other features may be included on the solid cells  19 . In some embodiments, the frame  14  includes one or more intermediate solid cells  20  and/or large solid cells  15  for placement of larger/more complex visual features. For example, the intermediate solid cells  20  can occupy an area greater than or equal to 2, 3, 4, 5, and/or 6 openings  18 . In some embodiments, the large solid cell  15  can occupy an area greater than or equal to 10 openings  18 . Many variations are possible. In some embodiments, the one or more solid or closed portions facilitate easier removal of the screen  10  from a mold. In some cases, utilizing solid portions increases an amount of fragrance that can be embedded, coated, injected, or otherwise associated with the screen  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the posts  22  extend from the corners  46  of the frame forming openings  18 .  FIG.  4    illustrates an embodiment of a screen  10 ′ wherein the posts  22 ′ extend from the sides  42 ′ (e.g., the midpoints of the sides  42 ′) of the portions of the frame forming the openings  18 ′ of the frame  14 ′. In some embodiments, posts  22  extend from both the portions of the fame forming the corners  46  and the portions of the frame forming the sides  42  or from some combination thereof. In some embodiments, posts  22  extend from the portions of the frame forming the corners  46  of the openings  18  on one side of the frame  14  (e.g., the first side  26 , as shown in  FIG.  5   ) and from the portions of the frame forming the sides  42  of the openings  18  on the other side of the frame  14  (e.g., the second side  30 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the posts  22  can extend from a first surface  26  of the frame  14 . In some embodiments, posts  22  extend from both the first surface  26  of the frame  14  and a second surface  30  of the frame  14 . For example, a first plurality of posts  22   a  can extend from the first surface  26  of the frame  14  and a second plurality of posts  22   b  can extend from the second surface  30  of the frame  14 . Each of the posts in the first plurality of posts  22   a  can be substantially identical to the each of the posts in the second plurality of posts  22   b . For example, each of the posts can have the same height, width and/or overall shape. 
     In some embodiments, at least half, at least ¾, at least ⅕, at least ⅔, at least ⅓, at least 9/10, at least ⅘ and/or at least 1/10 of the first plurality of posts  22   a  have a same size and shape as at least half, at least ¾, at least ⅕, at least ⅔, at least ⅓, at least 9/10, at least ⅘ and/or at least 1/10 of the second plurality of posts  22   b . In some embodiments, one or more of the posts in the first plurality of posts  22   a  has a different shape and/or height than one or more of the posts in the second plurality of posts  22   b . In some embodiments, the first plurality of posts  22   a  and/or the second plurality of posts  22   b  have a plurality of heights. For example, a percentage (e.g., 25% , 50% , 75% or some other percentage) of the posts  22  can be shorter than the remaining posts as measured from the first or second surfaces  26 ,  30  of the frame  14 . In some embodiments, at least ⅘, at least ⅗, at least ½, and/or at least ¼ of the posts  22  have a height differing from the remaining posts  22 . In some embodiments, one or more of the posts  22  is at least ⅕, at least 1/10, at least ⅛, at least ¼, and/or at least ⅓ shorter than one or more of the other posts  22 . In some cases, each post is at least ⅕ shorter, at least 1/10 shorter, at least ⅛ shorter, at least ¼ shorter, at least ⅓ shorter, at least ½ taller, at least ¼ taller, at least ⅛ taller, at least 1/10 taller, and/or at least 1/16 taller than at least one of the 3 closest posts  22 , at least one of the 5 closest posts  22 , at least one of the 7 closest posts  22 , at least one of the 9 closest posts  22 , at least one of the 10 closest posts  22 , at least one of the 12 closest posts  22 , and/or at least one of the 15 closest posts  22 . In some embodiments, shortening a percentage of the posts  22  can reduce the likelihood that debris is caught in the urinal screen  10 . The posts  22  can extend perpendicularly from the frame  14  (e.g., from the first or second surfaces  26 ,  30  of the frame  14 ). In some embodiments, one or more of the posts  22  extends from the frame  14  at a non-perpendicular angle (for example, non-perpendicular angle A of  FIG.  6   ). 
     The frame  14  can have a generally planar or flat shape. In some embodiments, the frame  14  is curved or otherwise shaped in non-planar fashion. For example, the frame  14  can be molded in a non-planar shape to match the contours of a urinal or toilet. 
     The frame  14  can have a frame thickness  34  (e.g., a distance between the first and second surfaces  26 ,  30  of the frame  14 ). The frame thickness  34  can be uniform across the entire frame  14  or can vary in certain portions of the frame  14 . An overall thickness  38  of the urinal screen  10  can be measured from a tip of the tallest post  22  extending from the first surface  26  of the frame  14  to a tip of the tallest post  22  extending from the second surface  30  of the fame  14  as measured perpendicularly from the first and second surfaces  26 ,  30 . In some cases, wherein the frame  14  is not planar/flat, the overall thickness  38  of the urinal screen  10  can be determined via the tips of the posts  22  as measured perpendicularly to a tangent plane of the first surface  26  of the frame  14  at a point on the frame  14  where the thicknesses  34 ,  38  are being measured. 
     In some embodiments, the frame thickness  34  at a given position on the frame  14  is less than or equal to approximately ½ of the overall screen thickness  38  as measured perpendicularly to the first surface  26  of the frame  14  at the given position. In some embodiments, the frame thickness  34  is less than or equal to ⅔, less than or equal to  5 / 8 , less than or equal to ⅜, less than or equal to ⅓, less than or equal to ¼, less than or equal to 2/9, less than or equal to ⅛, less than or equal to 1/10, less than or equal to 1/16, and/or less than or equal to 1/32 of the overall screen thickness  38 . Use of a thin frame  14  can reduce the overall weight of the urinal screen  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the urinal screen  10  is configured such that a plurality of posts  22  space the frame  14  from the installation surface of a urinal or other fixture onto which the urinal screen  10  is installed. The posts  22  space the frame  14  from the installation surface independent from the orientation of the urinal screen  10 . For example, the second plurality of posts  22   b  can form a base of the urinal screen  10  and can space the frame  14  from the installation surface when the screen  10  is installed with the second surface  30  of the frame  14  facing the installation surface. On the other hand, the first plurality of posts  22   a  can form a base of the urinal screen  10  and can space the frame  14  from the installation surface when the screen  10  is installed with the first surface  26  of the frame facing the installation surface. In some embodiments, the posts  22  space the frame  14  from the installation surface by at least ⅓ of the overall thickness  38  of the urinal screen  10 . In some embodiments, the posts  22  space the frame  14  from the installation surface by at least ⅛, at least 1/7, at least ⅙, at least ⅕, at least ¼, at least ⅜, and/or by at least 4/9 of the overall thickness  38  of the urinal screen  10 . 
     Spacing the frame  14  from the installation surface can reduce the likelihood that the openings  18  are clogged by debris. In some embodiments, the posts  22  positioned between the frame  14  and the installation surface can reduce splashing in the urinal by deflecting urine or other fluids which pass between the frame  14  and the installation surface (e.g., fluid that passes through the openings  18  or around the perimeter of the frame  14 ). 
     For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the floor of the area in which the system being described is used or the method being described is performed, regardless of its orientation. The term “floor” floor can be interchanged with the term “ground.” The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms such as “above,” “below,” “bottom,” “top,” “side,” “higher,” “lower,” “upper,” “over,” and “under,” are defined with respect to the horizontal plane. 
     As used herein, the terms “attached,” “connected,” “mated,” and other such relational terms should be construed, unless otherwise noted, to include removable, moveable, fixed, adjustable, and/or releasable connections or attachments. The connections/attachments can include direct connections and/or connections having intermediate structure between the two components discussed. 
     The terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of the stated amount. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the present inventions have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions. Thus the present inventions should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, while certain advantages of the inventions have been described herein, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the inventions. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventions may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.