Disposable Splash Shield with Dome and Flange for Toilet Plunging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing splash shields for toilets are either expensive, complex, difficult to use, or provide inadequate clearance for water movement when a plunger is used, and often risk being dislodged during use.

Innovation Solution

A disposable, dome-shaped splash shield with a radially outward flange and an upwardly extending projection that aligns with the toilet's drain opening, allowing tilting movement of the plunger handle and featuring a gripping means for easy removal, secured with releasable adhesive or tape for secure attachment to the toilet rim.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat splash shield is used, then the shield is inexpensive and easy to use, but it provides minimal clearance for water movement and fits closely around the plunger handle increasing dislodgement risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinexpensive and easy to useVSAvoidclearance for water movement and stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shield body is formed with a dome-shaped configuration instead of a flat structure. This curvature provides increased clearance space for water movement during plunging operations while maintaining structural integrity and stability of the shield during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If re-usable splash shields are used, then they provide durable protection, but they are expensive and complex in construction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidconstruction complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield is designed as a disposable device made from inexpensive materials such as plastic or foil. After single use, the shield is discarded, eliminating the need for complex reusable mechanisms while providing adequate protection during the plunging operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield is divided into separate functional components: a dome-shaped shield body for water containment, an annular flange for rim attachment, and an upwardly extending projection with gripping means. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the shield fits closely around the plunger handle, then it provides good seal, but it increases the risk that use of the plunger will dislodge the shield from the rim

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal qualityVSAvoidshield stability during use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shield employs different fit characteristics in different regions: the dome-shaped body provides close fit for sealing around the plunger handle, while the annular flange provides a separate attachment interface with the toilet rim through adhesive or friction engagement, distributing mechanical stresses and preventing dislodgement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If the means for securing the shield to the rim is made robust, then the shield remains stable during use, but it may not be readily adapted to different size toilet bowl rims

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshield stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different rim sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The annular flange is designed with a standardized configuration that can accommodate different toilet rim sizes through friction fit and adhesive attachment. The gripping means on the upwardly extending projection allows easy installation and removal on various rim diameters, providing universal applicability across different toilet models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively prevents splashing while allowing easy handling and disposal, accommodating different toilet sizes and providing adequate clearance for water movement, while being inexpensive and easy to use.

Implementation Method 1

Seal means affixed to the bottom surface of the flange seals the flange to the toilet bowl rim

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

releasable adhesive means preferably is carried by the shield for releasably securing the shield in place on a toilet bowl during use of the shield. The releasable adhesive means may comprise an adhesive material applied to the underside of the flange or the seal means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9995027B2Disposable splash shield for use when plunging a toilet

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 MARTINISKO ROBERT S

AI summary

A transparent, biodegradable, disposable splash shield sized to fit on a toilet bowl rim to prevent splashing of water from the bowl when a plunger is used to free an obstruction in the toilet. The shield is dome shaped and has an upstanding projection on its top that can be gripped to pull the shield from the plunger handle following use. An annular flange on the bottom end of the shield is adapted to rest on rim of a toilet bowl. Adhesive material on the underside of the flange, or strips of adhesive tape on the marginal edge of the shield, releasably secure the shield in position. The shield is nestable and may be foldable in half. A toilet kit includes the splash shield, gloves, at least one paper towel, and a flattened box, all packaged in an envelope-like bag that can be used to contain and dispose of these items following use.