Splash-proof covers for drains and methods of use

Abstract

Disclosed are splash-proof covers and methods of use to prevent liquid within a pipe under the drain of a sink having a basin from splashing out of the sink. The covers include a central body portion having an undersurface from which plural spaced apart, suction cups project downward. The covers may include an anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal agent and are configured to be disposed in the sink with each of the suction cups releasably engaging respective portions of the basin surrounding the drain and with the central body portion being located directly over the drain and spaced slightly thereabove. The central body portion enables water from a faucet to flow under it into the drain while providing a barrier to prevent any liquid within a pipe under the drain from splashing back into the sink.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A splash-proof cover for a sink including drain and a basin surrounding the drain, said splash-proof cover comprising:
 a central body portion having an upper surface and an undersurface; and   plural suction cups connected to said central body portion, each of said suction cups projecting downward from the undersurface of said central body portion, said suction cups being spaced from one another, said splash-proof cover being configured to be disposed in said sink with each of said suction cups releasably engaging by suction respective portions of the basin surrounding the drain and with said central body portion being located directly over the drain and spaced slightly thereabove, whereupon said central body portion shields the drain from above but enables water from a faucet to flow under said central body portion into the drain and with said central body portion providing a barrier to prevent any liquid within a pipe under the drain from splashing back into the sink.   
     
     
         2 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface is contoured to reduce splashing of water from the faucet which impacts said upper surface. 
     
     
         3 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 2 , wherein said upper surface is convex and at least a portion of said undersurface is concave. 
     
     
         4 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 2 , wherein said central body portion additionally comprises plural reinforcing ribs projecting downward from said undersurface. 
     
     
         5 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 1 , wherein said splash-proof cover is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         6 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 5 , wherein said flexible material comprises a plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 1 , wherein said splash-proof cover additionally comprises three legs projecting outward from said central body portion, each of said legs including an undersurface from which a respective one of said suction cups projects downward. 
     
     
         8 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 2 , wherein said contoured upper surface comprises a plurality of spikes. 
     
     
         9 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 1 , additionally comprising at least one projection extending upward from said splash-proof cover to enable said splash proof cover to be grasped thereby to facilitate removal of said splash-proof cover from said sink. 
     
     
         10 . The splash proof-cover of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one projection comprises a tab located adjacent one of said suction cups. 
     
     
         11 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface terminates in an annular rim in the form a return extending under a portion of said undersurface to increase the distance that any microbes on said undersurface have to traverse to reach said upper surface. 
     
     
         12 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 11 , wherein said upper surface is convex. 
     
     
         13 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 1 , additionally comprising an anti-microbial agent. 
     
     
         14 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 13 , wherein said anti-microbial agent is an additive to a plastic resin which molded to form said splash-proof cover. 
     
     
         15 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 13 , wherein said anti-microbial agent comprises a coating on said splash-proof cover. 
     
     
         16 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 13 , wherein said anti-microbial agent comprises a flexible LED or OLED panel operative when activated to provide anti-microbial UV light from said upper surface. 
     
     
         17 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 16 , wherein said LED or OLED panel is configured to be activated by water pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a color change agent. 
     
     
         19 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 18 , wherein said color change agent changes color upon exposure to gram negative bacteria. 
     
     
         20 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 18 , wherein said color change agent changes color when the amount of gram negative bacteria reaches a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
         21 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 18 , wherein said color change agent provides a visible color that dissipates as water is run over said splash-proof cover. 
     
     
         22 . The splash-proof cover of  claim 18 , wherein said color change agent changes color over time. 
     
     
         23 . A method of preventing liquid within a pipe under a drain of a sink from splashing out of said sink, said sink including a drain and a basin surrounding said drain, said method comprising:
 providing a splash-proof cover comprising a central body portion having an undersurface, a plural suction cups projecting downward from said undersurface of said central body portion, wherein said splash-proof cover is configured to provide an anti-microbial and/or an anti-fungal effect;   causing said suction cups to releasably engage respective portions of said basin surrounding said drain, whereupon said central body portion is located directly over said drain and spaced slightly thereabove to shield said drain from above but enabling water from a faucet to flow under said central body portion into said drain and with said central body portion providing a barrier to prevent any liquid within a piper under said drain from splashing back into said sink.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said splash-proof cover is located in a room in a medical facility. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said splash-proof cover is removed from said sink and disposed of upon cleaning of said room.