Dual Trapezoidal Urinal Pad for Accurate Alignment and Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unsanitary conditions around urinals due to splattered urine on the floor surfaces, leading to foul odors and germ collection, as existing urine collecting pads often fail to ensure proper alignment and effective fluid containment.
Innovation Solution
A dual trapezoidally-shaped urine collecting pad with a laminate structure, featuring a top liquid-retaining felt layer and a fluid-impermeable non-skid bottom layer, designed to prevent urine from reaching the floor by allowing easy alignment and ensuring that users' feet do not contact the pad, thereby preventing incorrect positioning and fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional rectangular urine collecting pad is used, then it can be manufactured simply, but it is difficult to align properly beneath the urinal and may be positioned incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the collecting pad with a trapezoidal shape that is asymmetric relative to the urinal position. The pad has a wider base that aligns with the urinal and a narrower front edge, creating a unique orientation that ensures proper placement. This asymmetric geometry eliminates the ambiguity of rectangular pads and guarantees correct alignment beneath the urinal.
2Reliability
If the collecting pad extends wide to catch all urine, then fluid containment is improved, but user's feet or shoes may contact the pad
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the width of the collecting pad across its surface. The pad is wider at the rear portion where urine splatter is most likely to occur, providing effective fluid containment in that critical zone. The pad tapers to a narrower front edge that extends beyond the urinal, allowing users to place their feet comfortably on the floor without contacting the pad surface.
3Quantity of substance
If the pad is made of absorbent material to retain urine, then fluid absorption is improved, but the pad may skid or slide on the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two distinct materials with complementary properties. The top layer is made of an absorbent material such as felt or fibrous material that effectively retains urine through capillary action and absorption. The bottom layer is made of a fluid-impermeable non-skid material such as rubber that provides friction against the floor surface, preventing the pad from skidding or sliding while allowing the top layer to perform its absorption function.
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
Effectively protects the floor from urine splashes by ensuring proper alignment and containment of fluids, maintaining hygiene and preventing skidding or sliding of the pad, while allowing evaporation of collected liquids and potentially incorporating antibacterial agents for odor control.
Implementation Method 1
The first layer of the pad may also include an antibacterial agent and an agent for eliminating odor while providing a pleasing fragrance. The configuration of the collecting pad is specifically shaped wider in the middle and positioned so as to collect substantially all of the fluid not deposited within the urinal that would otherwise become deposited on the floor.
Implementation Method 2
The second layer of fluid impervious material prevents fluids from penetrating the top felt pad and reaching the underlying floor.
Implementation Method 3
The bottom layer of the fluid collecting pad also prevents the pad from skidding or sliding away from the urinal. The bottom layer of fluid impervious material prevents fluids from penetrating the top felt pad and reaching the underlying floor.
Implementation Method 4
The collecting pad stays dry over time because of evaporation of retained liquids.
Data Source
AI summary
An inexpensive and disposable urine collecting pad for placement on a floor surface directly below a urinal for collecting fluid not deposited within the confines of the urinal which would otherwise drip on the floor. Fluid collected by the pad is prevented from reaching the underlying floor area thereby eliminating the problems associated with fluids being deposited on the floor. The pad includes an upper fluid collecting layer of material and a lower non-skid fluid impervious layer of material that are glued together. The configuration of the pad includes a dual end, each end having a trapezoidal shape with flat parallel ends and tapered sides so that the urine collecting pad cannot be improperly aligned during installation. The trapezoidal and tapered side edges allow a person to stand in front of the urinal without the person's shoes standing on the collecting pad.