Toilet splash guard

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a splash guard for containing the contents of a toilet during plunging with a plunger. The splash guard comprises a pliable shield having a top side, a bowl side, an upper opening, a lower opening, an elastic element and a drape member, the upper opening having a periphery sized and shaped for receiving the underside of a toilet seat, the elastic element disposed along the periphery for enveloping the underside of the toilet seat by overlapping with a portion of the upper side of the toilet seat, thereby retaining the splash guard in position relative to the toilet seat, whereby when the toilet seat is in a down position, the top side faces up and the bowl side faces the toilet bowl. The lower opening is sized for slideably receiving the elongated handle of the plunger, the drape member attached in proximity to the periphery and when the toilet seat is down, draping sufficiently into the toilet bowl so as to shield the rim from receiving splashes or waste during plunging with the plunger.

1 . A splash guard for containing the contents of a toilet having a bowl, a rim, and a seat, during plunging said toilet bowl with a plunger having an elongated handle and a plunger bulb, comprising a pliable shield having a top side, a bowl side, an expandable upper opening, a lower opening, an elastic element and a drape member, the upper opening having a periphery sized and shaped for receiving the underside of a toilet seat but not said toilet bowl, the elastic element engaging and disposed along the periphery for enveloping the underside of the toilet seat by expansively overlapping with a portion of the upper side of the toilet seat, thereby retaining the splash guard in position relative to the toilet seat, whereby when the toilet seat is in a down position, the top side faces up and the bowl side faces the toilet bowl, the lower opening sized for slideably receiving the elongated handle of the plunger, the drape member attached in proximity to the periphery and when the toilet seat is down, draping sufficiently into the toilet bowl and in proximity to said rim so as to shield the rim from receiving splashes or waste during said plunging with said plunger. 
   
   
       2 . The splash guard of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable shield comprises a polymeric film. 
   
   
       3 . The splash guard of  claim 2 , wherein the polymeric film is clear. 
   
   
       4 . The splash guard of  claim 2 , wherein the polymeric film is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and a combination thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The splash guard of  claim 2 , wherein the drape member has a length within the range of 1 to 8 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The splash guard of  claim 5 , wherein the drape member has a length within the range of 2 to 6 inches. 
   
   
       7 . The splash guard of  claim 6 , wherein the drape member has a length within the range of 2 to 4 inches. 
   
   
       8 . The splash guard of  claim 5 , wherein the drape member is attached to the underside of the pliable shield by heat sealing. 
   
   
       9 . The splash guard of  claim 5 , wherein the drape member is attached to the underside of the pliable shield by ultrasonic welding. 
   
   
       10 . The splash guard of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable shield further comprises a tear strip that is in substantial proximity to said lower opening. 
   
   
       11 . The splash guard of  claim 10 , wherein the tear strip is in contact with said lower opening. 
   
   
       12 . The splash guard of  claim 10 , wherein the tear strip is colored. 
   
   
       13 . The splash guard of  claim 10 , wherein said tear strip is at least 3 inches long. 
   
   
       14 . The splash guard of  claim 13 , wherein said tear strip is within the range of 3.5 to 8 inches long. 
   
   
       15 . The splash guard of  claim 1 , wherein said lower opening is off center relative to said upper opening. 
   
   
       16 . A splash guard of  claim 1 , wherein the lower opening has a shape selected from the group consisting of a slit, an oval, an ellipse and a circle. 
   
   
       17 . The splash guard of  claim 16 , wherein the lower opening has a shape selected from the group consisting of an oval, an ellipse and a circle. 
   
   
       18 . The splash guard of  claim 17 , wherein the lower opening has the shape of a circle. 
   
   
       19 . The splash guard of  claim 18 , wherein the lower opening is a circle having a diameter within the range of 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches. 
   
   
       20 . The splash guard of  claim 2 , wherein the polymeric film has a thickness within the range of 0.5 to 5 mils.