Toilet odor reducing expandable ball

Abstract

A device and method for reducing odor and splash in a toilet is provided. The device includes a plurality of dissolvable layers. An outer layer is configured to retain the inner layer in a compressed and compact shape prior to being saturated. The inner layer is surrounded at least partially by the outer layer. When saturated, the inner layer is configured to distribute across the surface of the water. The inner layer creates a barrier across the surface of the water and selectively releases an aromatic scent into the air. The device may be inserted into the toilet bowl at any time. The dissolvability rates of the various layers may be different from each other. Such rates may also be designed to be of different periods of time to suit particular needs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for reducing odor and splash in a toilet, comprising:
 an outer layer that is dissolvable in water; and   an inner layer surrounded at least partially by the outer layer, the inner layer dissolvable in the water, the inner layer configured to distribute across the surface of the water when saturated, the inner layer configured to release an aromatic scent into the air when saturated;   wherein the outer layer is configured to retain the inner layer in a compressed and compact shape prior to being saturated.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is configured to float on the surface of the water. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is configured to have a slower dissolving time than the outer layer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is a mesh. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is configured to release the inner layer after being saturated for a selected period of time. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is a paper based product with the aromatic scent being infused into the paper based product. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is configured to reduce splash as objects contact the surface of the water. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein in the inner layer is configured to submerge within the water with the objects. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the inner layer is configured to selectively separate from contact with the objects. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is configured to create a barrier to stop odors escaping through the surface of the water. 
     
     
         11 . A method of reducing odor and splash in a toilet, comprising
 obtaining the device of  claim 1 ;   inserting the device into the toilet such that the device contacts the water;   dissolving the outer layer from contact with the water; and   releasing the inner layer across the surface of the water;   wherein saturation of the inner layer causes the inner layer to expand across the water surface.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inner layer expands such that the entire surface of the water is covered by the inner layer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the rate of dissolving between the inner layer and the outer layer are different. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein inner layer is configured to have a slower dissolving time than the outer layer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the outer layer is a mesh. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the outer layer is configured to release the inner layer after being saturated for a selected period of time. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inner layer is a paper based product with the aromatic scent being infused into the paper based product. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inner layer is configured to reduce splash as objects contact the surface of the water.