Anti-splash device

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-splash device intended to be placed inside a toilet bowl, which comprises: a body (1) that floats in the water in the toilet bowl, formed by at least two sections, a smooth upper section (2) intended to protrude partially from the water and a lower section (3) intended to be immersed. The device also comprises a support (10) that is connected to the body (1) and to a surface of the toilet bowl (14) and is intended to keep the body (1) partially protruding from the water. In addition, the body (1) can have a spherical or similar shape with an immersed portion and another portion protruding from the surface of the water in the toilet bowl, and the body (1) occupies an area of the surface of the body of water, such that the surface of the water is not hit directly and splashing is prevented.

Description

[0001] ANTI-SPLASH DEVICE

[0002] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The object of the invention is a device intended for installation in toilets, preferably portable toilets, but not limited to them, which prevents splashing and noise generated when the user relieves themselves. This device prevents the toilet's water supply from directly receiving the waste, thus avoiding unwanted noise and splashing that could wet the user.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Toilets, both portable and fixed, consist of a bowl with a bottom containing a body of water in which waste products from the human body are collected. In this way, the toilet can easily remove the waste through the flushing action of the water.

[0006] A known and unresolved problem in the prior art is the splashing that occurs when using the toilet when dense feces fall into the water. Due to the characteristics of feces, it can behave as a dense material, which, when it falls at a certain speed into the water, causes it to sink rapidly, pushing the water around it and propelling it in the opposite direction. Thus, if the water level in the toilet is high, the water can be propelled towards the user, wetting them and creating an undesirable situation.

[0007] Another common problem is the noise generated in some toilets. This is because, when using the toilet, the water in the bowl is agitated, producing a loud noise. Depending on the toilet's shape and materials, this noise can be amplified and create unwanted situations.

[0008] A rudimentary way to solve the problem is by placing large quantities of paper on the surface of the water, so that the waste falls onto the floating paper and not directly onto the water's surface. In this way, the paper cushions the fall and prevents the water from being directed towards the user. However, this solution can lead to clogged pipes due to excessive paper use, as well as excessive paper consumption and environmental damage. It also requires action on the part of the user.

[0009] On the other hand, modifying toilets to have a smaller water surface area creates problems with feces adhering to the inside of the toilet if they do not fall onto the water, which requires more cleaning by the user, not being a desirable situation in the case of public or portable toilets.

[0010] Therefore, a device is needed that optimally avoids the problems raised.

[0011] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The object of the invention is an anti-splash device arranged in a toilet comprising; a floating body and a support intended to prevent splashing and the associated noise produced when using the toilet.

[0013] A toilet is defined as a toilet with a water-filled basin in which human waste is collected for removal and treatment. Toilets with trapdoors or dry toilets are excluded.

[0014] Ideally, the toilet bowl should be spherical or similar in shape, with one portion submerged and the other above the surface of the toilet water. In any case, the bowl occupies a portion of the water's surface, preventing feces from directly impacting the water and causing splashing and other problems mentioned. Specifically, preventing splashing avoids contact between the toilet water and the user, thus eliminating infections from this cause and preventing an undesirable situation during toilet use.

[0015] Among the advantages offered by the device, which prevents the noise produced by splashing, is the elimination of the need for paper to dampen the noise, as the device itself provides this dampening. This results in significant paper savings, promotes responsible paper use for cleaning, and allows for better toilet performance, resulting in both environmental and economic benefits. The device features a partially raised upper section with a smooth surface that allows feces to slide through easily and facilitates cleaning. When the device is placed on the water's surface, the feces, upon impact, strike the upper section, deflecting and softening its entry into the water. This prevents splashing, causing at most a slight displacement of water towards the toilet bowl walls.

[0016] On the other hand, the body has a lower section that is always submerged, to which a support is connected at one end and to the toilet at the other. This support is designed to maintain the position of the device body in the toilet. In this way, the support exerts a pushing action from the lower section to ensure the correct position of the partially submerged body.

[0017] Optionally, the support can be a longitudinal shaft extending between the lower section of the toilet body and the bottom of the toilet bowl. This allows the body to be positioned in the center of the toilet's water and prevents it from shifting to the sides. The lower section may have an internally oriented blind hole into which the shaft is partially inserted, secured by stops that prevent it from coming out.

[0018] In this way, the support guides the body's movement in a vertical direction as the stem is inserted into the body when it moves towards the bottom, preventing lateral displacement. Similarly, through an elastic element, the support can exert a reaction force that pushes the body back to its initial partially submerged position.

[0019] One way to prevent the stem from moving due to body movement is to use a non-slip pad at the end of the stem that contacts the toilet bowl. This ensures the stem maintains a constant point of contact with the toilet bowl regardless of water currents or body movements.

[0020] Alternatively, the support may comprise a fixing element intended to be attached to the toilet surface and an extension connecting the fixing element to the body. The fixing element thus establishes a point of support on the toilet, and the extension maintains the body in a partially submerged position by exerting a pull on the body towards this position should it sink. The support extension may be an elastic cable that extends from the fixing element to a portion of the toilet surface when the body sinks. As the body sinks, the cable exerts an opposing force to attempt to restore the body to its initial shape by pulling it towards the water's surface, thereby returning it to its initial partially submerged position.

[0021] The fixing element can also be in the form of a bar extending between two points on the toilet, one submerged and the other above water. In this case, the extension can be a rigid arm held in equilibrium by elastic elements, so that when the toilet is submerged, the elastic elements push the extension back to the equilibrium position, leaving the toilet partially above water.

[0022] Furthermore, the body may have an internal cavity formed between the upper and lower sections, which houses a counterweight. This counterweight allows for the regulation of the body's partial submersion in the water, ensuring that it neither rises too high above the surface nor sinks too low. The body's buoyancy can therefore depend on the materials used in its construction and the internal counterweight.

[0023] Alternatively, the body may be made of a material that creates a desirable partial submergence, or the body cavity may be filled with water to create the submergence. In either case, preferably, the lower section is submerged and the upper section is partially emerged.

[0024] Optionally, the body may include a cleaning element that performs a cleaning action at regular intervals. This cleaning element may consist of a battery, a motor, and a cleaning arc designed to move across the surface of the upper section to remove any residue that may have adhered to it.

[0025] The body may also have a vibrating element in the inner cavity, which vibrates for a specific time within a set period. This allows the body to automatically dislodge any debris adhering to its surface or to move dirt into the water by vibrating the entire body. Additionally, at least the upper section of the body may have an aromatic coating, which releases a scent into the toilet as it wears away. This coating is consumed over time, eventually revealing the smooth surface of the upper section. When the coating is worn, the upper section can be easily replaced with a new one covered in a fresh coating.

[0026] Finally, for both insertion and removal, the device may additionally include an extractor with two parallel arms at its base and an upper handle for lifting the device body from below and removing it from the toilet water. This eliminates the need to handle the device by hand and allows for easier and more hygienic handling.

[0027] In flush toilets, the size of the device's body forces the water to travel around its perimeter, increasing the water's speed by reducing the area through which the water flow passes between the device and the toilet surfaces, thus improving the removal of dirt.

[0028] With all of the above, the problems raised in the state of the art would be solved, avoiding splashing and other problems raised previously, improving the functioning of the toilet.

[0029] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a view of a first preferred embodiment of the device in the toilet. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the interior of the device of the first embodiment. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment.

[0032] Figure 3.- Shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment.

[0033] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of an anti-splash device for toilets, which is the object of this invention, is described below.

[0034] The anti-splash device of the preferred embodiment comprises a body (1) floating on the toilet water and a support (10) connected to the body (1) and to the toilet (14) and intended to keep the body (1) partially emerged.

[0035] The body (1) comprises an upper section (2) with a smooth outer surface, intended to be partially submerged, and a lower section (3) intended to be permanently submerged. The upper section (2) has a smooth receiving surface that emerges from the toilet water.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the device inside a toilet bowl, in which the body (1) is floating in the toilet water and the support (10) consists of a stem (11) that is partially inserted into the lower section (3) and in a partially emerged equilibrium position. The upper section (2) is partially emerged and the lower section (3) is submerged. Furthermore, the support (10) connects the lower section (3) to a surface of the toilet bowl (14).

[0037] The upper section (2) shows an arc (17) that forms part of a cleaning element (7) comprising a battery and a motor inside the body (1). The arc (17) is driven to travel across the outer surface of the upper section (2), removing any embedded dirt. The arc (17) has a sponge or bristles in contact with the upper section (2) for cleaning it.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the device, revealing the interior of the body (1) and the support (10), which is in the form of a stem (11). Inside the body (1) is a cavity (9) formed between the upper section (2) and the lower section (3), which houses a counterweight (4) and a vibration element (6). Additionally, the body (1) comprises the cleaning element (7), consisting of at least one battery, an internal motor, and an arc-shaped wiper (17) designed to travel along the outer surface of the upper section (2).

[0039] The upper section (2) has a coating (7) that releases a fragrance over time. This coating (7) is fixed to the upper section (2) so that when the coating (7) is consumed, the upper section (2) continues to function without fragrance. Furthermore, the upper section (2) can be replaced with a new upper section (2) with the coating (7), leaving the rest of the device intact.

[0040] Between the two sections (2,3) there is a watertight seal that prevents water from entering the body (1), thus preventing changes in the buoyancy of the body (1) or damage to the components (4,6,7) housed inside. This seal between the sections (2,3) and the body (1) can be screw-type or any other type.

[0041] The end of the stem (11) in contact with the toilet bowl (14) has a pad (13) made of a non-slip material to prevent displacement of the support point. This pad (13) provides friction with the toilet bowl (14) surface so that it does not move when the toilet is flushed or due to body movement (1).

[0042] The end opposite the plug (13) of the stem (11) is partially inserted into the body (1), specifically into the lower section (2). To this end, the lower section (2) comprises a blind hole (8) into which the stem (11) is partially inserted, such that when something strikes the body (1) at its upper section (2), the body (1) is submerged vertically, inserting the stem (11) into the blind hole (8). Therefore, the stem (11) and blind hole (8) prevent lateral displacement of the body (1).

[0043] In an optional embodiment, the stem (11) has an elastic element or elastic part that is compressed when the body (1) is pushed in and the stem (11) is inserted into the blind hole (8), so that when the compression ceases, the elastic element or elastic part pushes the body (1) to the partially emerged position shown in Fig. 1. More optionally, the plug (13) is the elastic part of the stem (11).

[0044] In an alternative embodiment, the stem (11) is fitted into the blind hole (8) preventing the vertical displacement of the body (1) when struck, so that it is constantly kept in the partially emerged position.

[0045] In a second embodiment shown in Fig. 3 for a fixed toilet, the support (10) comprises a fixing element (15) and an extension (12) connecting the fixing element (15) and the body (1). In this case, the fixing element (15) is disposed on a surface of the toilet (14) inside the toilet bowl, and the extension (12) connects the fixing element (15) and the body (1) under tension, so that when the body (1) is lowered, the extension tightens, pushing the body (1) back to its original partially raised position.

[0046] In this second embodiment, the fixing element (15) is located on the surface of the toilet

[0047] (14) from the front, i.e., on the side opposite the cistern. In this way, both the fixing element (15) and the extension (12) avoid being soiled during toilet use, as they are positioned in a location with less risk of contact with feces. To prevent soiling of the fixing element (15), it is also located at the top of the toilet, away from the water, for which purpose the extension (12) is longer.

[0048] In a third embodiment shown in Fig. 4 for a portable toilet, the fixing element

[0049] (15) has two support points on the surface of the toilet bowl (14), one submerged and the other above water. The extension (12) is in the form of a rigid, movable arm that connects the body (1) and the fixing element (15) on which it moves. This arm-shaped extension (12) has a spring (16) that establishes an equilibrium position, such that when the body (1) is submerged, the extension (12) moves with the body (1) and presses on the spring (16), which produces an opposing force to return to the equilibrium position in which the body (1) is partially above water.

[0050] The shape of the body (1) varies depending on the dimensions of the toilet in which it will be installed and the intended audience. In some versions, the body (1) is decorated in different ways, or the upper section (2) has a surface decoration.

[0051] In preferred embodiments, the body (1) and the support (10) are made of PVC or similar material, so that the device offers resistance to the ambient conditions of the toilet. Furthermore, it allows for easy manufacturing and a watertight seal for the internal placement of various components such as the counterweight (4) or the vibration element (6).

[0052] Some embodiments of the device are made of biodegradable materials, so that the body (1) and the support (10) can disintegrate in water over time, thus eliminating the need to remove them from the toilet. In these embodiments made of biodegradable materials, no metal or plastic components that could generate waste in the toilet after the body (1) and support (10) have disintegrated are permitted.

[0053] For removing or placing the device in the toilet, in one embodiment the device further comprises an extractor that grips the body (1) at its lower section (3). This extractor is optionally a longitudinal bar terminating in two parallel arms, separated and perpendicular to the longitudinal bar. The two arms are inserted beneath the body (1) to grip it for removal from the toilet or to move it to the desired position, and are released when the bracket (10) is connected to the toilet. Alternatively, the extractor is a hook-shaped arm or any other shape.

Claims

1. - Anti-splash device intended to be placed inside a toilet, characterized in that it comprises: a body (1) floating in the toilet water formed by at least two sections: a smooth upper section (2) intended to be partially emerged and a lower section (3) intended to be submerged, and a support (10) connected to the body (1) and to a surface of the toilet (14) and intended to keep the body (1) partially emerged.

2. Device of claim 1, wherein the support (10) comprises a stem (11) and wherein the lower sector (3) incorporates an internally oriented blind hole (8) in which the stem (11) is partially inserted and stops intended to prevent the stem (11) from coming out of the blind hole (8).

3. Device of claim 2, wherein the stem (1 1 ) has a plug (13) of an anti-slip material at the end supported on the surface of the toilet (14).

4. Device of claim 1, wherein the support (10) comprises a fixing element (15) intended to be fixed onto the surface of the toilet (14) and an extension (12) connecting the fixing element (15) to the body (1).

5. Device of claim 4, wherein the fixing element (15) is longitudinally shaped and is fixed between two points on the surface of the toilet (14), at least one point being submerged, and wherein the extension (12) is a rigid arm.

6. Device of claim 1, wherein the body (1) has an internal cavity (9) comprising a counterweight (4).

7. Device of claim 1, further comprising inside the body (1) a cleaning element (7) formed by at least one battery, a motor and an arc-shaped cleaner (17) intended to sweep dirt from the surface of the upper sector (2) into the water as it passes.

9. Device of claim 1, wherein the body (1) has a surface odorous coating (5) in the upper sector (2) intended to release a fragrance over time.

10. Device according to claim 1, which further comprises an extractor intended to grip the body (1) for installation or removal.

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