Toilet Overspray Shield and Method for Manufacture

Abstract

A spray shield to assist individuals, especially males, with the standing use of toilet facilities. The spray shield serves to contain urine overspray from an individual standing in front of a toilet. The device may be placed and positioned on, or removed from, the toilet. The device is a truncated cone of flexible plastic material, with a large U-shaped space formed in one side. The narrow end of the cone is inserted into the toilet and extends into the toilet basin. The device is preferably constructed from a heavy flexible plastic sheet, attached back onto itself at corner tabs near the narrow end of the cone. Holes near the base may be incorporated to allow fluid flow into the cone from the toilet bowl. Handle cutouts may be positioned near the upper perimeter of the cone. Alternate shapes are used for bedside commodes and toilet sheet risers.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 092,742; filed Apr. 22, 2011; which further claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 327,548; filed Apr. 23, 2010, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to devices for assisting individuals with the use of toilet facilities and bedside commodes. The present invention relates more specifically to a spray shield configured to assist male individuals, especially young and elderly male individuals, with the standing (as opposed to seated) use of toilet facilities and bedside commodes.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]There are many devices designed to assist individuals with using toilet facilities. Most devices in this field have focused on a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a device to assist male individuals, especially young children, with using toilet facilities. It is a funnel made of flexible plastic that helps to direct urine from the male individual's body into the toilet. The device is easy to use, simple in construction, and can be placed on the toilet easily. It can also be easily rinsed and maintained. The goal of the invention is to provide a practical and effective solution to contain urine overspray and direct it into the toilet bowl.

Problems solved by technology

While most all male individuals must take some care in using a toilet from a standing position, some male individuals, especially young boys and elderly men, often find it quite difficult to fully confine the stream of urine to the narrow opening of the toilet bowl.

Some individuals with special needs involving muscle control, stability, and balance may have an even more difficult time directing and confining urine within the perimeter of the toilet bowl.

Most suffer from cost and complexity issues and are simply too expensive to manufacture and purchase.

Others fail because they are difficult to place and position in the toilet bowl or are designed to remain in place to be collapsed or moved to the side to allow seated use of the toilet.

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