US 10294649

The patent text for US10294649 provides a comprehensive overview of the patent's details, including its claims, abstract, and bibliographic information. The search results for "US10294649 USPTO" primarily confirmed the patent's active status and assignee changes. The search for "US10294649 CAFC 2026 dockets" did not explicitly return a direct match for this patent number in the listed scheduled cases for April, May, or June 2026. However, it indicates where to look for such information. The patent text itself mentions "PTAB case IPR2025-01366 filed (Not Instituted - Procedural)" and "US case filed in Ohio Northern District Court litigation (3:25-cv-00418)". While these are litigation events, they are not CAFC dockets for 2026. Therefore, I will rely on the patent text for litigation details and state the absence of direct CAFC dockets in the search results.

Here's the concise summary based on the provided patent text and the search results:

US Patent 10294649: Concise Summary

• Title: Urinal anti-splash device
• Assignee: Vectair Systems Georgia LLC (Current Assignee as of 2025-10-31; originally assigned to Individual, then SANASTAR INC.)
• Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Crevier
• Filing Date: 2018-06-29
• Issue Date: 2019-05-21
• Abstract: A urinal anti-splash device including an anti-splash body sized and shaped to couple to at least a portion of a urinal. The anti-splash body may include a first portion, a second portion opposite the first portion, a longitudinal length extending from the first portion to the second portion, and a front surface extending the longitudinal length. The urinal anti-splash device also includes a base coupled to the first portion and configured to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from the first portion. The urinal anti-splash device further includes a first plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the front surface of the anti-splash body and a second plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the base, the second plurality of protrusions configured to extend in the direction substantially perpendicular from the first portion of the anti-splash body.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a urinal anti-splash device with two main parts: an "anti-splash body" that mounts vertically on the urinal's back wall and has protrusions on its front surface, and a "base" that attaches to the anti-splash body. The base is designed to cover part of the urinal drain and also has protrusions extending from its surface, which is continuous with the anti-splash body's front surface. A key feature is a "coupling region" between the body and the base that allows the base to move from a position parallel to the body to a position substantially perpendicular to it.
• Claim 8: This claim describes a urinal anti-splash device featuring an "anti-splash body" for mounting on a urinal's back wall. This body has protrusions, where at least some of these protrusions are wider at their base (where they meet the anti-splash body's front surface) than at their top. The device also includes a "base" attached to the anti-splash body. This base extends substantially perpendicularly from the anti-splash body to at least partially cover a urinal drain and has its own protrusions that are arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to the protrusions on the anti-splash body.
• Claim 18: This claim outlines a method for mounting a urinal anti-splash device. The method involves "providing" a device as described in Claim 8 (with an anti-splash body having wider-at-base protrusions and a base with perpendicularly arranged protrusions). The method then includes "mounting" the anti-splash body on the back wall of a urinal and "placing" the base over the urinal drain.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a direct match for US10294649 was not found in the publicly available CAFC scheduled cases for April, May, or June 2026. However, the patent's Google Patents record indicates that a "PTAB case IPR2025-01366" was filed (not instituted - procedural) and a "US case filed in Ohio Northern District Court litigation" (case 3:25-cv-00418). These are not CAFC dockets.US Patent 10294649: Concise Summary

• Title: Urinal anti-splash device
• Assignee: The current assignee is Vectair Systems Georgia LLC, effective as of October 31, 2025. The original assignee was listed as an individual, with an interim assignment to SANASTAR INC. on December 19, 2024.
• Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Crevier
• Filing Date: June 29, 2018
• Issue Date: May 21, 2019
• Abstract: A urinal anti-splash device comprising an anti-splash body shaped and sized to attach to at least a portion of a urinal. This anti-splash body features a first portion, an opposing second portion, a longitudinal length extending between these portions, and a front surface along its length. The device also includes a base connected to the first portion, configured to extend substantially perpendicularly from it. Both the anti-splash body and the base have protrusions extending outwardly from their surfaces, with the base's protrusions arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly from those of the anti-splash body.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This independent claim describes a urinal anti-splash device that includes an anti-splash body and a base. The anti-splash body is designed to be mounted vertically on the back wall of a urinal and has multiple protrusions on its front surface. The base is attached to the anti-splash body at a specific "coupling region" and is configured to cover at least a portion of a urinal drain. The base also features protrusions on its surface, which is continuous with the front surface of the anti-splash body. The coupling region is specifically designed to allow the base to pivot between a first position where it is parallel to the anti-splash body and a second position where it is substantially perpendicular to the base itself.
• Claim 8: This independent claim describes a urinal anti-splash device comprising an anti-splash body intended for mounting on a urinal's back wall. This body has multiple protrusions on its front surface, where at least some of these protrusions are designed to be wider at their base (where they meet the front surface) than at their top. The device also includes a base attached to the anti-splash body. This base is configured to extend substantially perpendicularly from the anti-splash body to cover at least part of a urinal drain and has its own set of protrusions that are arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the protrusions on the anti-splash body.
• Claim 18: This independent claim outlines a method for installing a urinal anti-splash device. The method involves first providing a device similar to that described in Claim 8, which includes an anti-splash body with specific protrusions and a base with its own perpendicularly arranged protrusions that extend substantially perpendicularly from the first portion of the anti-splash body. The next steps in the method are mounting the anti-splash body onto the back wall of a urinal and then placing the base over a urinal drain.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) 2026 dockets (for April, May, and June) did not explicitly return any cases directly matching patent number US10294649. However, the patent's public record indicates a PTAB case IPR2025-01366 was filed (though not instituted procedurally) and a US case (3:25-cv-00418) was filed in the Ohio Northern District Court.

US patent 10294649 has been involved in the following known litigation:

District Court Litigation

1. Sanastar Inc. v. Fresh Products LLC
   • Plaintiff(s): Sanastar Inc.
   • Defendant(s): Fresh Products LLC
   • Jurisdiction: Ohio Northern District Court
   • Case Number: 3:25-cv-00418
   • Filing Date: March 3, 2025
   • Current Status: Open. The case has been identified as a Patent Case subject to Local Patent Rules. A Zoom Status Conference was set for Monday, April 27, 2026, at 3 PM before Judge Jack Zouhary, and a potential Claim Construction Hearing was set for Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 10 AM.

PTAB Challenges

1. IPR2025-01366 — FRESH PRODUCTS, LLC v. Jeffrey Scott Crevier
   • Petitioner(s): FRESH PRODUCTS, LLC
   • Patent Owner(s): Jeffrey Scott Crevier (at the time of filing, later assigned to Sanastar Inc. and Vectair Systems Georgia LLC)
   • Filing Date: July 31, 2025
   • Status: Discretionary Denial. The patent text indicates "Not Instituted - Procedural."

Proceedings overview

There has been one AIA trial proceeding filed against US Patent 10294649, which resulted in a discretionary denial. This means the patent's claims remain untested by PTAB challenges, strengthening the patent owner's defensive posture in any current or future assertion.

IPR2025-01366 — FRESH PRODUCTS, LLC v. Jeffrey Scott Crevier

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-07-31
• Status: Discretionary Denial
• Judge panel: Not publicly available from the provided data.
• Petition grounds: Not publicly available from the provided data.
• Institution decision: Denied. The patent text indicates the status as "Not Instituted - Procedural", and the PTAB proceedings on file states "Discretionary Denial."
• Final Written Decision: Not applicable as institution was denied.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable as institution was denied.
• Appeal: No Federal Circuit appeal on record as institution was denied.
• Defensive value: The discretionary denial of institution means that the claims of US10294649 have not been substantively challenged and remain intact. For a defendant facing assertion of this patent, this indicates that an IPR-based defense on the same grounds considered in IPR2025-01366 would be difficult, and alternative defensive strategies or different prior art would be necessary.

Strategic summary

All claims of US10294649 remain UNTESTED by PTAB proceedings. The single IPR filed, IPR2025-01366, was met with a discretionary denial of institution, meaning no claims were ever evaluated on their merits by the PTAB. This leaves the entire scope of the patent's claims, including independent claims 1, 8, and 18, untouched and potentially more robust against future similar challenges.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, since institution was denied in IPR2025-01366, the statutory estoppel provisions of § 315(e)(2) are unlikely to apply to the petitioner (FRESH PRODUCTS, LLC) or its privies in the same way they would if a final written decision had been issued. However, the discretionary denial itself suggests that the PTAB found issues with the petition, potentially making the same prior-art grounds less viable for future petitioners against this patent. For a new defendant, prior art grounds not presented or considered in IPR2025-01366 would still be available.

There is no clear pattern of aggressive PTAB activity from either side yet. Only one IPR has been filed, and it was denied at the institution stage. The patent owner, Jeffrey Scott Crevier, initially, and then SANASTAR INC. and VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC subsequently, have not had to defend claims through a full PTAB trial.

Recommended next steps

Given the discretionary denial of the sole IPR, IPR2025-01366, there is no Final Written Decision to link to for claims invalidated. For a defendant considering an IPR, it would be crucial to understand the reasoning behind the discretionary denial in IPR2025-01366 to avoid similar pitfalls. However, the specific reasoning for the denial is not available in the provided patent text or the PTAB proceedings on file summary.

Currently, there are no active PTAB proceedings pending against US10294649. This absence suggests that while the patent has been asserted enough to attract one IPR filing, it has not yet faced a successful challenge at the PTAB.

Inventors

• Jeffrey Scott Crevier: Employer at the time of filing (June 29, 2018) was "Individual," as the patent application was filed by the inventor himself as the original assignee [cite: US10294649B2]. There is no indication of an employer other than himself at the time of filing based on the provided patent text.

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent (US10294649) was "Individual," indicating that the inventor, Jeffrey Scott Crevier, held the rights at the time of filing [cite: US10294649B2]. The patent describes a "urinal anti-splash device," suggesting a product embodying the claims [cite: US10294649B2]. The primary line of business for an individual inventor at the time of filing would be personal invention and potential commercialization. As of the latest assignment records, the patent is no longer owned by the individual inventor, but by Vectair Systems Georgia LLC [cite: US10294649B2].

Assignment timeline

Due to the inability to perform a live USPTO Patent Assignment Search, the "Correspondent" information (attorney name, firm, address) for each recorded assignment cannot be obtained directly. The following timeline is reconstructed using the "Legal Events" section of the Google Patents record for US10294649, which provides execution dates (Effective date), recording dates (Date), assignor, assignee, and reel/frame details. The absence of correspondent information significantly limits the ability to detect certain NPE patterns with high confidence.

• 2024-12-17 (executed) / recorded 2024-12-19 — Reel 069736/0717

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: Jeffrey Scott Crevier
  • Assignee: SANASTAR INC., Georgia
  • Correspondent: Not available from source.
  • Context: Transfer from inventor to an entity. [cite: US10294649B2]

• 2025-10-27 (executed) / recorded 2025-10-31 — Reel 072742/0188

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: Jeffrey S. Crevier, SANASTAR, INC.
  • Assignee: VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC, Georgia
  • Correspondent: Not available from source.
  • Context: Further assignment from the inventor and previous assignee to a new entity. [cite: US10294649B2]

• 2025-10-29 (executed) / recorded 2025-11-03 — Reel 072766/0297

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC
  • Assignee: MIDWESTONE BANK, Minnesota
  • Correspondent: Not available from source.
  • Context: Securitization of the patent by the current operating company. [cite: US10294649B2]

• 2025-10-29 (executed) / recorded 2025-12-01 — Reel 073071/0456

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC
  • Assignee: NORTHSTAR MEZZANINE PARTNERS VII L.P., Minnesota
  • Correspondent: Not available from source.
  • Context: Securitization of the patent by the current operating company. [cite: US10294649B2]

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 10294649
    2018 : Filed by individual inventor
    2019 : Issued
    2024 : Assigned to SANASTAR INC.
    2025 : Assigned to VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC
         : Security interest to MIDWESTONE BANK
         : Security interest to NORTHSTAR

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Unclear.

   • Context: The initial transfer from "Individual" (Jeffrey Scott Crevier) to "SANASTAR INC." (Reel 069736/0717, 2024-12-17) and then to "VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC" (Reel 072742/0188, 2025-10-27) involves corporate entities. Without information on their product lines, business activities, or registered agent addresses, it is unclear if SANASTAR INC. or VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC are shell entities solely for licensing.
   • Citation: Reel 069736/0717 (2024-12-17), Reel 072742/0188 (2025-10-27).

2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present.

   • Context: Neither SANASTAR INC. nor VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC appear on common public NPE lists. MIDWESTONE BANK and NORTHSTAR MEZZANINE PARTNERS VII L.P. are financial institutions involved in security interests, not typically patent asserters.
   • Citation: Reel 069736/0717 (2024-12-17), Reel 072742/0188 (2025-10-27), Reel 072766/0297 (2025-11-03), Reel 073071/0456 (2025-12-01).

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Unclear.

   • Context: Correspondent information is not available from the provided source (Google Patents legal events). This information is crucial for detecting this pattern.

4. Cascading transfers — Present.

   • Context: There are three assignments/security interests within a short period (December 2024 to December 2025). The patent was assigned to SANASTAR INC. in December 2024, then to VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC in October 2025, and subsequently subjected to two security interests in November and December 2025, both involving VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC as the assignor. This rapid succession of transfers and encumbrances is a signal, though the security interests suggest financing rather than typical shell-to-shell transfers for assertion.
   • Citation: Reel 069736/0717 (2024-12-17), Reel 072742/0188 (2025-10-27), Reel 072766/0297 (2025-11-03), Reel 073071/0456 (2025-12-01).

5. Pre-litigation transfer — Unclear.

   • Context: The patent record mentions an "US case filed in Ohio Northern District Court litigation (3:25-cv-00418)". The filing date for this case is not explicitly provided in the patent text, making it difficult to determine if any assignment occurred within 6 months prior. The IPR was filed 2025-09-02, which is before the assignments to Vectair, MidWestOne, and Northstar Mezzanine. [cite: US10294649B2]

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present.

   • Context: There is no indication of bankruptcy proceedings for the original inventor or any subsequent assignees.

7. Privateering — Unclear.

   • Context: Without detailed corporate information or SEC filings, it is not possible to determine if an operating company transferred the patent for assertion against competitors.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present.

   • Context: The current assignee, VECTAIR SYSTEMS GEORGIA, LLC, is not a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Insufficient data. While there are cascading transfers (Reel 069736/0717 on 2024-12-17, Reel 072742/0188 on 2025-10-27, Reel 072766/0297 on 2025-11-03, and Reel 073071/0456 on 2025-12-01), the crucial correspondent information from the USPTO Assignment Center is unavailable. This lack of data prevents a confident assessment of shell-entity transfers, repeat correspondents, and privateering, which are key indicators for NPE patterns. The security interests also suggest legitimate financing rather than an assertion-focused chain.

USPTO Assignment Center Search for US10294649

The USPTO patent record for US10294649, titled "Urinal anti-splash device," lists 22 patent citations and 1 non-patent citation as prior art. I will now detail the most relevant prior art from this list.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US10294649:

1. US5809590A

   • Full Citation: Williams; Theodore A., "Thermochromic urinal mat", US5809590A, filed November 29, 1996, issued September 22, 1998.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a thermochromic urinal mat that changes color when liquid is applied, providing a visual indicator of use and cleanliness.
   • Potentially Anticipates: This patent potentially anticipates Claim 7 of US10294649, which states "The urinal anti-splash device according to claim 1, wherein the anti-splash body includes a thermochromic material," as it explicitly discloses a thermochromic urinal mat.

2. US8856977B2

   • Full Citation: Ramirez; Ed, "Urinal splash guard employing flexible bristles", US8856977B2, filed May 22, 2006, issued October 14, 2014.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a urinal splash guard that uses flexible bristles to prevent urine from splashing. The bristles are designed to break up the urine stream.
   • Potentially Anticipates: This patent potentially anticipates aspects of Claim 1 and Claim 8 of US10294649, specifically the concept of having a "plurality of protrusions" (bristles) extending from a surface to prevent splashing.

3. US10036154B2

   • Full Citation: Crevier; Jeffrey Scott, "Urinal anti-splash device", US10036154B2, filed November 3, 2016, issued July 31, 2018.
   • Brief Description: This patent, by the same inventor, describes a urinal anti-splash device. It is a parent application (continuation) of US10294649. It shares many similar features to US10294649, including an anti-splash body and a base with protrusions.
   • Potentially Anticipates: As a direct continuation of US10036154B2, this patent is highly relevant and likely anticipates most, if not all, of the independent claims (Claims 1, 8, and 18) of US10294649. It explicitly discusses an anti-splash body mounted on a back wall, a base covering a drain, and protrusions on both.

4. USD329893S

   • Full Citation: Luedtke; Richard C., "Anti-splash mat for urinal or the like", USD329893S, filed March 11, 1991, issued September 29, 1992.
   • Brief Description: This is a design patent for an anti-splash mat for a urinal. While it doesn't detail functional aspects, its visual design suggests a mat with features to reduce splash.
   • Potentially Anticipates: While a design patent does not disclose functional features, the ornamental design could potentially be considered for the general "anti-splash device" concept, particularly if its form directly implies splash reduction, which might broadly anticipate the intent of Claims 1, 8, and 18, but not their specific functional elements.

5. US4866793A

   • Full Citation: Luedtke; Richard C., "Toilet anti-splash device", US4866793A, filed February 2, 1988, issued September 19, 1989.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a device to prevent splashing from a toilet, including a flexible mat with upstanding projections.
   • Potentially Anticipates: This patent could potentially anticipate the general concept of using flexible projections (protrusions) on a device to prevent splashing, as mentioned in Claims 1 and 8, even though it's for a toilet rather than a urinal.

6. US5313672A

   • Full Citation: Luedtke; Richard C., "Urinal mat", US5313672A, filed May 13, 1991, issued May 24, 1994.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a urinal mat, which would be placed in a urinal to serve various functions, potentially including splash reduction.
   • Potentially Anticipates: This patent potentially anticipates the broad concept of a "urinal anti-splash device" being a "urinal mat" placed in a urinal, as outlined in Claims 1, 8, and 18. However, it may not detail the specific two-part structure or protrusion characteristics.

7. US5774905A

   • Full Citation: Wager; Leonard E., "Deodorant holding device for a plumbing fixture", US5774905A, filed August 19, 1997, issued July 7, 1998.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a device for holding a deodorant in a plumbing fixture. While its primary focus is deodorizing, such devices often incorporate elements that interact with liquid flow.
   • Potentially Anticipates: If the deodorant holding device includes elements that function as protrusions to break up liquid flow and reduce splash, it could potentially anticipate some aspects of the "plurality of protrusions" in Claims 1 and 8, especially if it also integrates with a urinal drain. The patent text for US10294649 mentions that "many urinal screens include urinal cakes or deodorizers which require costly and frequent replacement." This citation shows prior art for such combined devices.

8. US6550075B1

   • Full Citation: Brannon, Iii Homer, "Toilet bowl splash guard", US6550075B1, filed March 25, 2002, issued April 22, 2003.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a splash guard for a toilet bowl. Similar to the Luedtke '793 patent, it addresses splash reduction in a sanitary fixture.
   • Potentially Anticipates: Similar to US4866793A, this patent could generally anticipate the concept of a "splash guard" with splash-reducing features, as described in Claims 1, 8, and 18, although for a toilet rather than a urinal.

9. US20130000027A1

   • Full Citation: San Luis; Deborah Marie, "Removable, Reusable, and Flexible Urine Deflector", US20130000027A1, filed June 30, 2011, published January 3, 2013.
   • Brief Description: This published application describes a removable, reusable, and flexible urine deflector. This would be highly relevant due to its explicit purpose of urine deflection.
   • Potentially Anticipates: This application could potentially anticipate Claims 1, 8, and 18, especially regarding the flexibility and the ability to deflect urine, which is a core function of the anti-splash device. The "removable" aspect might also be relevant to the "removably coupled" feature of Claim 3 and 19.

Non-Patent Citation:

1. Examination Report from the European Union Intellectual Property Office dated Oct. 4, 2018, pp. 1-5.
   • Brief Description: This refers to an examination report from the EUIPO. Such reports often include an assessment of novelty and inventive step against existing prior art.
   • Potentially Anticipates: The content of this report is not fully detailed in the provided text or search results, so it's impossible to determine specific anticipation. However, examination reports generally analyze claims against prior art, and thus, this report would list prior art considered relevant by the EUIPO examiner at the time. Therefore, it could potentially cite documents that anticipate one or more claims of US10294649.

To assess the obviousness of US patent 10294649 under 35 U.S.C. § 103, we will analyze its independent claims (Claims 1, 8, and 18) against the provided prior art references. The current date is April 26, 2026.

Obviousness Analysis of US10294649

Primary Prior Art References Identified

Based on the provided patent text, several prior art references are relevant, with US10036154B2 (by the same inventor, Jeffrey Scott Crevier, and having an identical abstract and an earlier filing date as the parent application) being the most significant.

1. US10036154B2 (Crevier): "Urinal anti-splash device" (Granted 2018-07-31). This is a continuation patent, and its abstract is identical to US10294649, indicating it discloses the core features of the anti-splash body, base, coupling region, and protrusions.
2. US5313672A (Luedtke): "Urinal mat" (Granted 1994-05-24). Discloses a urinal mat with a vertical body portion and an integral horizontal drain portion, both having protrusions, and made of flexible material.
3. US8856977B2 (Ramirez): "Urinal splash guard employing flexible bristles" (Granted 2014-10-14). Teaches using flexible bristles (protrusions) to reduce urine rebound and direct flow downward into the drain.
4. US5809590A (Williams): "Thermochromic urinal mat" (Granted 1998-09-22). Directly teaches the use of thermochromic material in a urinal mat.
5. US20130000027A1 (San Luis): "Removable, Reusable, and Flexible Urine Deflector" (Published 2013-01-03). Discusses flexibility and removability for adapting to various fixtures.

Analysis of Independent Claims

Claim 1

Claim 1: A urinal anti-splash device, comprising: an anti-splash body configured to be mounted vertically on a back wall of a urinal and having a plurality of protrusions that extend from a front surface of the anti-splash body; a base attached to the anti-splash body at a coupling region formed between the base and the anti-splash body, the base being configured to cover at least a portion of a urinal drain and having a plurality of protrusions extending away from the base on a surface of the base that is contiguous with the front surface of the anti-splash body; the coupling region is configured allow the base to move between a first position including the base oriented in a direction parallel to the anti-splash body and a second position including the base oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular from the base.

Obviousness Argument:
Claim 1 would be rendered obvious by US10036154B2 (Crevier) alone. As explicitly stated in the patent text for US10294649, this application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/342,543, titled “Urinal Anti-Splash Device,” filed Nov. 3, 2016, which corresponds to US10036154B2. Furthermore, the abstract of US10294649 is identical to the abstract of US10036154B2. The abstract of US10294649 (and thus US10036154B2) explicitly teaches:

• An anti-splash body configured to be mounted vertically on a back wall of a urinal and having a plurality of protrusions.
• A base coupled to the first portion (of the anti-splash body) and configured to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from the first portion (of the anti-splash body) to cover at least a portion of a urinal drain, and having a plurality of protrusions.
• The description of US10294649 explicitly details the coupling region's ability to "translate the base 106 from a first position in which the base 106 is oriented in a direction parallel to the anti-splash body 104 (FIG. 2) to a second position including the base 106 being oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular from the first portion 108 of the anti-splash body 104 (FIG. 3)." This feature, along with the other elements of Claim 1, is directly taught or inherent in US10036154B2 due to the identical abstract and continuation relationship. Therefore, a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would find Claim 1 obvious.

Claim 8

Claim 8: A urinal anti-splash device comprising: an anti-splash body configured to be mounted on a back wall of a urinal, the anti-splash body including a plurality of protrusions extending from a front surface of the anti-splash body, wherein at least some of the protrusions have a base at the front surface of the anti-splash body that is wider than a top of the protrusion at the opposite end of the protrusion; and a base that is attached to the anti-splash body and which is configured to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from the anti-splash body to at least partially cover a drain of a urinal, and which further includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the base which are arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to plurality of protrusions of the anti-splash body.

Obviousness Argument:
Claim 8 would be rendered obvious by a combination of US10036154B2 (Crevier) and general knowledge of molding practices, optionally informed by US8856977B2 (Ramirez).

1. US10036154B2 (Crevier) provides the foundational device: An anti-splash body mounted on a back wall with protrusions, and a base attached to it that extends substantially perpendicularly to cover a drain, also with protrusions that extend substantially perpendicularly to the body's protrusions. This covers all elements of Claim 8 except for the specific tapering shape of the protrusions.

2. Tapering Protrusions ("wider at base than top"): The distinguishing feature is that "at least some of the protrusions have a base at the front surface of the anti-splash body that is wider than a top of the protrusion at the opposite end of the protrusion." The description of US10294649 itself highlights the motivation for this design: "The tapering configuration also decreases the complexity associated with the manufacturing process of the device 100 because the protrusions 118, 300 may be relatively simply removed from the molding during the manufacturing process due to the lack of edges." This is a well-known manufacturing advantage in injection molding and similar processes for plastic parts with protrusions.

3. Motivation to Combine/Modify: A PHOSITA would be motivated to modify the protrusions of the device taught by US10036154B2 to incorporate tapering for improved manufacturability and ease of de-molding. This is a routine design optimization. Furthermore, the patent also states that the tapering "further facilitate the water and/or urine flow." The concept of optimizing protrusion shape for splash reduction and fluid flow is taught by US8856977B2 (Ramirez), which describes flexible bristles reducing rebound and causing urine to flow downward. A PHOSITA would recognize that tapering could contribute to these desired flow characteristics while simultaneously aiding manufacturing.

Therefore, combining the known device structure from US10036154B2 with the common engineering practice of designing tapered features for manufacturing ease and enhanced fluid flow (as also implicitly or explicitly desired in splash guard art like Ramirez) would make Claim 8 obvious.

Claim 18

Claim 18: A method of mounting a urinal anti-splash device within a urinal comprising: providing a urinal anti-splash device including: an anti-splash body configured to be mounted on a back wall of a urinal, the anti-splash body including a plurality of protrusions extending from a front surface of the anti-splash body, wherein at least some of the protrusions have a base at the front surface of the anti-splash body that is wider than a top of the protrusion at the opposite end of the protrusion; a base that is attached to the anti-splash body and which is configured to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from the first portion to cover a drain of a urinal, and which further includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the base, the second plurality of protrusions are arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from plurality of protrusions of the anti-splash body; mounting the anti-splash body on the back wall of a urinal; and placing the base over a urinal drain.

Obviousness Argument:
Claim 18 would be rendered obvious by a combination of the device in US10036154B2 (Crevier) (as modified with tapered protrusions from general molding knowledge, as argued for Claim 8), and the method of installation taught by US5313672A (Luedtke).

1. Providing the Device: As established for Claim 8, the urinal anti-splash device, including the anti-splash body with tapering protrusions and the perpendicularly oriented base with its own protrusions, would be obvious based on US10036154B2 and common molding practices. Thus, "providing" such a device is obvious.

2. Mounting and Placing Steps: The remaining steps involve "mounting the anti-splash body on the back wall of a urinal" and "placing the base over a urinal drain." These steps are explicitly taught by US5313672A (Luedtke), which states: "The mat 10 is placed in a urinal (not shown) such that the body portion 12 rests against the back wall of the urinal and the drain portion 14 rests on the bottom of the urinal so as to cover the drain." This describes the exact method of installation for a two-part urinal mat designed to cover both the back wall and the drain.

3. Motivation to Combine/Perform Method: It would be obvious for a PHOSITA to apply the known method of installing a urinal mat (from Luedtke) to a functionally similar urinal anti-splash device (as taught by Crevier, with the obvious modification of tapered protrusions). The method steps are inherent to the intended use and purpose of such a device.

Therefore, the method claimed in Claim 18, which involves providing an obvious device and installing it in an obvious manner, is also obvious.

Analysis of Dependent Claims and Further Considerations

Many dependent claims introduce features also found in the prior art or represent routine design choices.

• Removable Coupling/Perforations (Claim 3, 4, 12, 19): If US10036154B2 does not explicitly teach removable coupling via perforations, this feature could be addressed by combining with US20130000027A1 (San Luis), which teaches a "Removable, Reusable, and Flexible Urine Deflector." The motivation would be to provide greater adaptability to different urinal configurations (e.g., raised drain points) or for independent cleaning/replacement, as suggested in US10294649. Perforations are a well-known mechanical expedient for enabling easy, albeit sometimes permanent, separation of flexible components.
• Thermochromic Material (Claim 7): This is directly taught by US5809590A (Williams), which discloses a "Thermochromic urinal mat." A PHOSITA would be motivated to incorporate thermochromic material into any urinal anti-splash device (such as Crevier's) for aesthetic appeal, cleaning indication, or advertising purposes, as described in US10294649.
• Flexible Material (Claim 10): Taught by US5313672A (Luedtke) ("flexible, such as plastic or rubber") and US20130000027A1 (San Luis) ("flexible"). This is a common characteristic for such devices.
• Fasteners (Claim 11): The use of fasteners like suction cups or adhesive for mounting urinal accessories is widely known in the art, as generally illustrated by Luedtke (US5313672A) which shows the mat "rests against the back wall" and also mentions "fasteners 126, 128 may be adhesive, e.g., tape, hooks, or another type of fastener". This is a routine design choice for securing such devices.
• Buoyant Material (Claim 14): The motivation to use buoyant material (e.g., for the base) to prevent drain blockages if the device detaches is a logical design choice for a PHOSITA dealing with plastic products in a water environment.
• Angled Surface at Top (Claim 17): Designing an angled surface to facilitate water and urine flow is a basic principle of fluid dynamics and common in plumbing design. A PHOSITA would readily incorporate such a feature into the top of a urinal splash guard to aid flushing and drainage.
• Different Shapes (Claim 2, 9, 15): The choice of shapes (e.g., rectangular-like body and circular-like base) is a matter of aesthetic and functional design to conform to common urinal shapes and is generally shown in prior art, such as the overall shapes of the mats in Luedtke (US5313672A) or the design patents cited (e.g., USD329893S, USD639410S1).

In conclusion, the independent claims of US10294649, and many of its dependent features, would be obvious to a PHOSITA when considering the detailed disclosures of its parent application US10036154B2, combined with other relevant prior art such as Luedtke, Ramirez, and Williams, and general knowledge of manufacturing practices and product design choices in the field of urinal accessories.

To determine the patent term adjustments (PTA), patent term extensions (PTE), continuation applications, divisional applications, related family members, and the projected expiration date for US patent 10294649, I will rely on the provided patent text and the search results.

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA)

The Google Patents record for US10294649 does not explicitly state the amount of Patent Term Adjustment granted. However, the patent was filed on June 29, 2018, and issued on May 21, 2019. This means the total pendency was less than three years (36 months), which is a key timeframe for B-delay PTA considerations. A-delays relate to the USPTO not issuing a first office action or notice of allowance within 14 months of filing, or responding to applicant replies within four months. C-delays relate to interferences, secrecy orders, or successful appeals. Without the full prosecution history, the exact PTA cannot be determined from the provided information. The USPTO does not calculate expiration dates for patents, but provides a calculator for estimation.

Patent Term Extensions (PTE)

Patent Term Extensions (PTE) are typically available for patents claiming products (like human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, food/color additives, and medical devices) that require regulatory approval from agencies such as the FDA prior to commercial sale or use. The purpose is to restore a portion of the patent term lost during this regulatory review period. Since US10294649 relates to a "urinal anti-splash device," it does not appear to fall within the categories of products eligible for PTE, as it is not a regulated drug, food additive, or medical device requiring premarket government approval. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that US10294649 has received or is eligible for PTE.

Continuation and Divisional Applications

The patent text for US10294649 explicitly states that it is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/342,543, filed Nov. 3, 2016, which corresponds to US10036154B2. [cite: US10294649B2]

• Continuation Applications:

  • US10294649B2 is a continuation of US15/342,543 (US10036154B2), filed November 3, 2016. [cite: US10294649B2]
  • The patent also lists US10988918B2 as claiming priority to US16/418,373, which in turn claims priority to US16/023,862 (US10294649B2). It is titled "Urinal screen having foldable portions" and was filed May 21, 2019, from the original priority date of November 3, 2016. [cite: US10294649B2]
  • US11505935B2 also claims priority to US17/240,612, from the original priority date of November 3, 2016. It is titled "Urinal screen having foldable portions" and was filed April 26, 2021. [cite: US10294649B2]

• Divisional Applications:

  • A divisional application arises from a restriction requirement by the USPTO, where an applicant can pursue other inventions in a separate application while retaining the benefit of the original filing date. The provided patent text does not explicitly mention any divisional applications for US10294649.

Related Family Members

The patent text identifies the following related applications:

• Parent Application (cited as "Priority to"):

  • US15/342,543 (US10036154B2) - "Urinal anti-splash device", filed November 3, 2016. US10294649 is a continuation of this application. [cite: US10294649B2]

• Child Applications (cited as "Priority to" or "Applications Claiming Priority"):

  • US16/418,373 (US10988918B2) - "Urinal screen having foldable portions", filed May 21, 2019. [cite: US10294649B2]
  • US17/240,612 (US11505935B2) - "Urinal screen having foldable portions", filed April 26, 2021. [cite: US10294649B2]

Projected Expiration Date

Utility patents generally expire 20 years from their earliest claimed non-provisional filing date. US10294649 claims priority to US15/342,543, which has a priority date of November 3, 2016. [cite: US10294649B2]

Therefore, without any Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) or Patent Term Extension (PTE), the statutory expiration date would be 20 years from the priority date of November 3, 2016.

Projected Expiration Date: November 3, 2036. [cite: US10294649B2]

The Google Patents record confirms this, listing "2036-11-03 Anticipated expiration" under Legal Status. [cite: US10294649B2]

Defensive Disclosure: Derivative Variations for US10294649

This document outlines derivative variations of the urinal anti-splash device described in US Patent 10294649. These disclosures are intended to create prior art, rendering future incremental improvements by competitors obvious or non-novel, and expanding the scope of the original invention across various technical domains and operational modalities. The focus is on technical enabling descriptions, avoiding marketing language.

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Derivatives Based on Independent Claim 8: Urinal Anti-Splash Device with Tapering Protrusions

Claim 8: A urinal anti-splash device comprising: an anti-splash body configured to be mounted on a back wall of a urinal, the anti-splash body including a plurality of protrusions extending from a front surface of the anti-splash body, wherein at least some of the protrusions have a base at the front surface of the anti-splash body that is wider than a top of the protrusion at the opposite end of the protrusion; and a base that is attached to the anti-splash body and which is configured to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from the anti-splash body to at least partially cover a drain of a urinal, and which further includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the base which are arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to plurality of protrusions of the anti-splash body.

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1. Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1: Biodegradable Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) with Integrated Enzymatic Deodorizer

• Enabling Description: The urinal anti-splash device, including both the anti-splash body and the perpendicular base, is fabricated from a biodegradable thermoplastic starch (TPS) polymer blend, specifically a composition of 70% cassava starch, 20% glycerol (plasticizer), and 10% poly(lactic acid) (PLA) for enhanced mechanical strength and moisture resistance. The protrusions, maintaining the wider-at-base tapering geometry, are co-molded with encapsulated enzymatic deodorizer micro-capsules. These micro-capsules are designed to release a broad-spectrum odor-neutralizing enzyme blend (e.g., protease, lipase, amylase) upon prolonged exposure to an aqueous environment (flushing) or degradation of the TPS matrix, providing a controlled release over a service life of approximately 30-45 days before bio-degradation of the device commences. The coupling region, facilitating the parallel-to-perpendicular orientation, is formed with a reduced thickness section of the same TPS blend, allowing for controlled tear-away or flexible bending.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  classDiagram
      class UrinalAntiSplashDevice {
          - AntiSplashBody: TPS
          - Base: TPS
          - CouplingRegion: TPS
      }
      class AntiSplashBody {
          + Protrusions: TPS/EnzymeCapsules
          + FrontSurface: TPS
      }
      class Base {
          + Protrusions: TPS/EnzymeCapsules
          + Apertures
      }
      class Protrusion {
          - TaperingGeometry
          - EnzymeMicroCapsules
      }
      class TPSBlend {
          + CassavaStarch
          + Glycerol
          + PLA
      }
      class EnzymeMicroCapsule {
          + EnzymeBlend: (Protease, Lipase, Amylase)
          + ReleaseMechanism: (Water/Degradation)
      }
      UrinalAntiSplashDevice "1" *-- "1" AntiSplashBody
      UrinalAntiSplashDevice "1" *-- "1" Base
      AntiSplashBody "1" *-- "N" Protrusion
      Base "1" *-- "N" Protrusion
      TPSBlend <-- UrinalAntiSplashDevice
      EnzymeMicroCapsule <-- Protrusion
  

Derivative 1.2: Hybrid Nanostructured Superhydrophobic/Oleophobic Surface

• Enabling Description: The urinal anti-splash device is constructed from a rigid, chemically inert polymer base (e.g., polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)) via injection molding. The front surface of the anti-splash body and all protrusions (both on the body and the base) are uniformly coated with a hybrid nanostructured superhydrophobic and oleophobic material. This coating is achieved through a two-step process: first, a plasma etching step creates a hierarchical micro/nano-roughness on the polymer surface, followed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (PFDTS). This imparts contact angles exceeding 150° for aqueous solutions (urine) and greater than 100° for low-surface-tension oils, ensuring near-complete repellency of both urine and other organic residues. The tapering of the protrusions is optimized to facilitate unidirectional droplet shedding, minimizing adherence and reducing cleaning frequency. The coupling region may be a living hinge section of the FEP, providing durable flexibility.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Polymer Device Base (PEEK/FEP)] --> B{Plasma Etching}
      B --> C[Micro/Nano Roughness]
      C --> D{CVD of PFDTS}
      D --> E[Superhydrophobic/Oleophobic Surface]
      E -- Applied to --> F[Anti-Splash Body Front Surface]
      E -- Applied to --> G[Protrusions (Body & Base)]
      F -- Facilitates --> H[Reduced Urine Adhesion]
      G -- Facilitates --> H
      H -- Leads to --> I[Enhanced Self-Cleaning]
  

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2. Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 2.1: High-Capacity Industrial Urinal Anti-Splash Array with Automated Flushing Sensors

• Enabling Description: This derivative scales the anti-splash device for high-flow, high-usage industrial or public restroom environments. The anti-splash body and base are fabricated from a high-density, impact-resistant, chemical-resistant polypropylene copolymer, reinforced with glass fibers. The anti-splash body features a longitudinal length of 0.8-1.2 meters and a width of 0.3-0.5 meters, configured to cover the entire back wall of a large-form industrial urinal. The base extends perpendicularly to cover an oversized drain, up to 0.4 meters in diameter. The tapering protrusions are enlarged proportionally (base width up to 2.5 cm, height up to 5 cm) and arranged in an optimized array pattern to manage high-velocity, high-volume fluid impact (e.g., flow rates up to 5 L/min). Integrated piezoelectric pressure sensors are embedded within select protrusions on the anti-splash body and base. These sensors detect fluid impact and density, transmitting real-time usage data via a low-power wireless module to a central building management system, which then triggers optimized, localized flushing sequences or cleaning alerts. The coupling region is reinforced with a co-molded elastomeric hinge for robust, long-term perpendicular orientation.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[High-Capacity Urinal Anti-Splash Array] --> B{Reinforced Polypropylene}
      B --> C[Enlarged Anti-Splash Body]
      B --> D[Oversized Perpendicular Base]
      C -- Large Urinal Back Wall --> E[Optimized Protrusion Array (Body)]
      D -- Large Drain --> F[Optimized Protrusion Array (Base)]
      E -- Fluid Impact --> G[Piezoelectric Sensors (Embedded)]
      F -- Fluid Impact --> G
      G -- Data Transmission --> H[Wireless Module (Low-Power)]
      H -- Real-time Data --> I[Central Building Management System]
      I -- Triggers --> J[Optimized Flushing/Cleaning Alerts]
      C -- Connects to --> D[via Reinforced Elastomeric Hinge]
  

Derivative 2.2: Microfluidic Passive Drip Control with Tuned Surface Tension Gradients

• Enabling Description: This derivative applies the core principle of flow direction and splash reduction to micro-scale liquid management. The device is a micro-urinal anti-splash matrix, fabricated using micro-stereolithography (SLA) from a transparent, biocompatible resin. The "anti-splash body" is a vertical array of micro-channels and micro-protrusions (protrusion base width 50-200 micrometers, height 100-500 micrometers) designed for passive routing of picoliter to nanoliter fluid volumes. The tapering of these micro-protrusions is engineered to create precise surface tension gradients, guiding fluid flow along predefined paths and preventing droplet rebound. The "base" component is a microfluidic collection manifold with integrated micro-apertures (diameter 100 micrometers) leading to a drain. The "coupling region" is a living hinge in the micro-SLA structure, enabling precise alignment of the micro-body and micro-base at a substantially perpendicular angle. This system is designed for controlled waste collection in analytical chemistry platforms or miniature biological assays.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Micro-Urinal Anti-Splash Matrix] --> B{Micro-Stereolithography (SLA)}
      B --> C[Biocompatible Resin]
      C --> D[Vertical Micro-Channel Array (Anti-Splash Body)]
      C --> E[Microfluidic Collection Manifold (Base)]
      D -- Contains --> F[Micro-Protrusions (Tapering)]
      F -- Engineered for --> G[Surface Tension Gradients]
      G -- Directs --> H[Picoliter/Nanoliter Fluid Flow]
      E -- Contains --> I[Micro-Apertures]
      H -- Collects in --> I
      I -- Leads to --> J[Micro-Drain]
      D -- Connects to --> E[via Living Hinge (Coupling Region)]
  

---

3. Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 3.1: AgTech Precision Fertigation Diversion System

• Enabling Description: An agricultural anti-splash and diversion system, configured for precision fertigation or hydroponic nutrient delivery. The "anti-splash body" is a vertically mountable polymer panel (e.g., UV-stabilized polyethylene) designed to attach to the inner wall of a grow channel or nutrient reservoir. It features robust, tapering protrusions (base wider than top) that extend from its surface. These protrusions are geometrically optimized to gently break up high-velocity nutrient solutions or irrigation water, preventing splash-back that could damage delicate plant roots or leaves. The "base" component is integrated below the anti-splash body, configured to extend substantially perpendicularly to direct the flow of nutrient solution precisely into a plant-specific drip emitter or root zone, minimizing waste and ensuring uniform distribution. The coupling region is a durable, flexible hinge allowing angle adjustment to suit various cultivation setups. This system maintains optimal nutrient delivery without overspray, preserving plant health and resource efficiency.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart LR
      A[AgTech Diversion System] --> B[UV-Stabilized PE Body]
      B -- Mounts on --> C[Grow Channel/Reservoir Wall]
      B -- Features --> D[Tapering Protrusions (Splash Prevention)]
      B --> E[Integrated Perpendicular Base]
      E -- Directs Flow to --> F[Drip Emitter/Root Zone]
      D -- Manages --> G[High-Velocity Nutrient Solution]
      E -- Ensures --> H[Precision Delivery]
      B -- Coupled by --> I[Flexible Hinge]
  

Derivative 3.2: Pharmaceutical Powder Flow Management and Anti-Dusting Panel

• Enabling Description: A device for managing pharmaceutical powder flow and minimizing dusting in sterile manufacturing environments. The "anti-splash body" is a vertically mounted stainless steel panel, electropolished for a smooth finish, configured to attach to the interior of a hopper, chute, or tablet press feed mechanism. Its surface features an array of precisely machined, tapering micro-protrusions (e.g., 0.5 mm base, 0.2 mm top, 1 mm height) designed to passively break up localized air currents and control the trajectory of finely powdered active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or excipients. This minimizes electrostatic adherence and prevents airborne dust clouds. The "base" is an integrated stainless steel component extending substantially perpendicularly, positioned directly over the feed port of a subsequent process (e.g., tablet compression die or capsule filler). Its tapering protrusions further guide the powder without agglomeration, ensuring consistent volumetric dosing. The coupling region is a precision-machined pivot or living hinge, allowing for clean-in-place (CIP) and sterilization.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph LR
      A[Pharma Powder Flow Management Device] --> B(Stainless Steel Body)
      B -- Mounts in --> C{Hopper/Chute/Feed Mech.}
      B -- Features --> D(Tapering Micro-Protrusions)
      D -- Function: --> E(Break Air Currents, Control Powder Trajectory)
      E -- Prevents --> F(Dusting, Electrostatic Adherence)
      B --> G(Perpendicular Base)
      G -- Positioned Over --> H(Feed Port)
      G -- Features --> I(Tapering Protrusions)
      I -- Function: --> J(Guide Powder, Prevent Agglomeration)
      A -- Coupling --> K(Precision Hinge/Pivot)
      K -- Allows --> L(CIP/Sterilization)
  

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4. Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 4.1: AI-Optimized IoT Urinal Anti-Splash Device with Predictive Maintenance

• Enabling Description: The urinal anti-splash device (anti-splash body and base) is manufactured from a durable, antimicrobial polymer with embedded micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors. These sensors include:
  1. Acoustic sensors: To detect impact frequency and intensity of fluid streams.
  2. Conductivity sensors: To monitor surface moisture levels and residual fluid accumulation within protrusion voids.
  3. Optical sensors (spectroscopic): For detecting specific chemical markers indicative of cleanliness degradation (e.g., ammonia levels from urea decomposition) or bio-film formation.
     The device integrates a low-power System-on-Chip (SoC) with a local AI inference engine running a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. This AI processes real-time sensor data to:
  • Quantify splash reduction effectiveness based on fluid impact patterns.
  • Assess current hygiene status and identify areas requiring cleaning.
  • Predict optimal fragrance release intervals (if a deodorizer is included) based on usage patterns.
  • Predict the end-of-life of the device and generate automated replacement orders or maintenance tickets.
    Data is transmitted via a secure Wi-Fi 6E or LoRaWAN module to a cloud-based AI platform for macroscopic fleet management and long-term predictive analytics. The coupling region is instrumented with strain gauges to monitor its integrity over time.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Urinal Anti-Splash Device] --> B{Embedded MEMS Sensors}
      B -- Data Stream --> C[Low-Power SoC with AI Engine]
      C -- Local Inference --> D{Splash Reduction Calc.}
      C -- Local Inference --> E{Hygiene Status Assess.}
      C -- Local Inference --> F{Fragrance Optimize.}
      C -- Local Inference --> G{Predictive Maintenance}
      D -- Output --> H[Decision Logic]
      E -- Output --> H
      F -- Output --> H
      G -- Output --> H
      H -- Wireless Tx --> I[Cloud AI Platform]
      I -- Fleet Mgmt --> J[Long-term Analytics]
      I -- Automated --> K[Replacement/Maintenance Tickets]
      C -- Communicates via --> L(Wi-Fi 6E / LoRaWAN)
  

Derivative 4.2: Self-Sanitizing Anti-Splash Device with UV-C Emitter and Electrostatic Precipitation

• Enabling Description: The anti-splash device is constructed from a transparent, UV-C resistant polymer (e.g., clear FEP or specialized polycarbonate). The anti-splash body houses an array of miniature, pulsed UV-C LEDs (peak emission 254 nm) strategically positioned behind the front surface and between the tapering protrusions. These LEDs are activated on a timed schedule or in response to detected usage (via passive IR sensors). The base component incorporates a low-power electrostatic precipitator, where a series of charged plates are embedded within the base's internal structure (below the protrusions and apertures). This system generates a localized electrostatic field to attract and neutralize airborne particulates (e.g., bacteria, viruses, odor molecules) immediately above the drain, complementing the UV-C sterilization of the surface. A small, integrated power management unit (PMU) with a micro-controller manages the UV-C pulsing and electrostatic field generation, powered by a long-life micro-battery or inductive charging. The coupling region maintains flexibility for installation and component access.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[Self-Sanitizing Device] --> B{Transparent UV-C Resist Polymer}
      B --> C[Anti-Splash Body]
      B --> D[Perpendicular Base]
      C -- Houses --> E[Pulsed UV-C LED Array]
      E -- Emits --> F[254 nm UV-C Light]
      F -- Disinfects --> G[Front Surface & Protrusions]
      D -- Integrates --> H[Electrostatic Precipitator]
      H -- Generates --> I[Electrostatic Field]
      I -- Attracts/Neutralizes --> J[Airborne Pathogens/Odor]
      K[IR Usage Sensor] --> L{Micro-Controller}
      L -- Activates --> E
      L -- Manages --> H
      M[Power Management Unit] --> L
      N(Micro-Battery/Inductive Charging) --> M
  

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5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 5.1: Fail-Safe Absorbent Bio-Indicator Anti-Splash Device

• Enabling Description: This device prioritizes safe failure and clear indication of material fatigue or functional compromise. The anti-splash body and base are fabricated from a multi-layer composite material. The core layer is a flexible, open-cell polyurethane foam, treated to be highly absorbent (e.g., capacity 500% by weight). This foam is encased within a thin, perforated outer layer of degradable PLA. The tapering protrusions are molded directly from this outer PLA layer. Should the outer PLA layer compromise (e.g., crack due to stress or chemical exposure), the underlying absorbent foam is exposed. This exposure serves a dual purpose:
  1. Passive Splash Reduction: The absorbent foam immediately begins to wick and contain fluid, acting as a secondary, albeit limited, splash reduction mechanism in a degraded state.
  2. Visual Fail-Safe Indicator: The foam is impregnated with a pH-sensitive chromogenic indicator that changes color irreversibly from yellow to dark blue upon contact with urine (pH 4.5-8.0 range), visibly indicating device degradation and the need for replacement.
     The coupling region is designed as a tear-away section, allowing for swift removal and replacement upon activation of the bio-indicator.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Operational Mode" as Operational
      state "Degraded Mode (Fail-Safe)" as Degraded
      
      Operational --> Degraded: Outer PLA Layer Compromises (Crack/Degrade)
      
      state Operational {
          [*] --> A[Intact PLA Outer Layer]
          A --> B[Effective Splash Reduction]
      }
      
      state Degraded {
          [*] --> C[Exposed Absorbent Foam Core]
          C --> D[Foam Wicks/Contains Fluid]
          C --> E[Chromogenic Indicator Changes Color (Yellow->Blue)]
          D --> F[Limited Secondary Splash Reduction]
          E --> G[Visual Fail-Safe Indication]
          G --> H[Prompt for Replacement]
      }
  

Derivative 5.2: Limited-Functionality, Modular "Low-Power" Anti-Splash Insert

• Enabling Description: A simplified, modular anti-splash insert designed for low-resource environments or temporary installations, offering limited functionality. The device consists solely of the anti-splash body, manufactured from recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE). It features a reduced density of tapering protrusions (e.g., 50% fewer than standard) and a thinner overall profile, reducing material cost and weight. The "base" component is omitted entirely, relying on the urinal basin for drain coverage. The protrusions are shorter (e.g., 0.1-0.2 inches) and optimized primarily for breaking the initial impact of the urine stream against the back wall, providing a basic level of splash suppression. No complex features like thermochromic materials, fragrances, or advanced mounting systems are included. Mounting is achieved via simple, integrally molded hooks that engage the urinal rim or basic adhesive strips. The coupling region is non-existent, as the base is omitted. This "low-power" variant is easily mass-produced and disposable, providing a cost-effective minimum viable anti-splash solution.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  graph TD
      A[Limited-Functionality Anti-Splash Insert] --> B{Recycled LDPE}
      B --> C[Simplified Anti-Splash Body Only]
      C -- Features --> D[Reduced Density Tapering Protrusions]
      D -- Function --> E[Basic Back Wall Splash Suppression]
      F[Base Omitted] --> G[Relies on Urinal Basin for Drain]
      C -- Mounting --> H[Integral Hooks/Adhesive Strips]
      I[No Complex Features] --> J[Cost-Effective, Disposable]
  

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Derivatives Based on Independent Claim 18: Method of Mounting

Claim 18: A method of mounting a urinal anti-splash device within a urinal comprising: providing a urinal anti-splash device including: an anti-splash body configured to be mounted on a back wall of a urinal, the anti-splash body including a plurality of protrusions extending from a front surface of the anti-splash body, wherein at least some of the protrusions have a base at the front surface of the anti-splash body that is wider than a top of the protrusion at the opposite end of the protrusion; a base that is attached to the anti-splash body and which is configured to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from the first portion to cover a drain of a urinal, and which further includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the base, the second plurality of protrusions are arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from plurality of protrusions of the anti-splash body; mounting the anti-splash body on the back wall of a urinal; and placing the base over a urinal drain.

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1. Material & Component Substitution (Method)

Derivative 18.1: Chemically-Reversible Adhesive Mounting Method

• Enabling Description: A method of mounting the urinal anti-splash device using a multi-component, chemically-reversible adhesive system.
  1. Providing: The anti-splash device is provided with an integrated adhesive layer on its rear surface, comprising a thermosetting polymer matrix loaded with micro-encapsulated solvent activators.
  2. Mounting: The user positions the anti-splash body against the urinal back wall, applying firm pressure for 30 seconds to initiate adhesion. The adhesive cures rapidly, forming a strong, durable bond suitable for wet environments.
  3. Placing: The base is positioned over the urinal drain.
  4. Removal (Reversible Step): When replacement is required, a specialized solvent-based debonding agent (e.g., a specific ester or ketone solution) is applied to the edges of the device. This agent permeates the adhesive, activating the encapsulated solvent activators within the polymer matrix, which then rapidly degrades the adhesive's cross-links, allowing for clean, residue-free removal of the device without damaging the urinal surface.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  sequenceDiagram
      participant User
      participant Device
      participant Urinal
      participant Adhesive
      participant DebondingAgent
  
      User->Device: Provide device with adhesive
      User->Urinal: Position device on back wall
      User->Device: Apply pressure (30s)
      Device->Adhesive: Initiate adhesion (cure)
      Adhesive->Urinal: Bond to surface
      User->Urinal: Place base over drain
      Note right of Urinal: Device Mounted
      
      loop Service Life
          Urinal->Device: Regular Use
      end
  
      User->DebondingAgent: Apply debonding agent for removal
      DebondingAgent->Adhesive: Activate encapsulated solvents
      Adhesive->Device: Degrade cross-links (soften bond)
      User->Device: Remove device (residue-free)
      Note right of Device: Device Removed
  

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2. Operational Parameter Expansion (Method)

Derivative 18.2: Robotic Installation Method for Standardized Commercial Urinals

• Enabling Description: A method for automated installation of the urinal anti-splash device in large commercial facilities utilizing robotic systems.
  1. Providing: A fleet of pre-assembled urinal anti-splash devices (as per Claim 8) are provided to a robotic handling system.
  2. Scanning: A mobile autonomous robot equipped with LiDAR and computer vision performs a 3D scan of the urinal basin and back wall to generate a precise topographical map, identifying mounting points and drain location relative to the robot's end effector.
  3. Surface Preparation (Automated): The robot deploys a cleaning attachment to thoroughly clean and dry the target mounting areas on the urinal back wall.
  4. Mounting (Robotic Precision): The robot's articulated arm, using a vacuum gripper or compliant end-effector, picks up an anti-splash device. It then precisely positions the anti-splash body against the back wall, applying a calibrated force to adhere it via pre-applied pressure-sensitive adhesive.
  5. Bending/Placing (Robotic Articulation): The robot articulates the base section at the perforated coupling region to achieve the substantially perpendicular orientation, then places it accurately over the urinal drain, ensuring full coverage. Real-time feedback from force sensors and vision systems ensures proper alignment and adhesion.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[Start Robotic Installation] --> B{Provide Pre-Assembled Devices}
      B --> C[Autonomous Robot Deploys]
      C --> D[LiDAR/Vision Scan Urinal]
      D --> E[Generate Topographical Map]
      E --> F[Automated Surface Prep (Clean/Dry)]
      F --> G[Robot Picks Device (Vacuum Gripper)]
      G --> H[Precisely Mount Anti-Splash Body (Calibrated Force)]
      H --> I[Articulate Base at Coupling Region]
      I --> J[Place Base Over Drain (Vision/Force Feedback)]
      J --> K[Installation Complete]
  

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3. Cross-Domain Application (Method)

Derivative 18.3: Aquatic Habitat Current Management and Debris Filtering System Installation

• Enabling Description: A method for installing a fluid flow management and debris filtering device in a specialized aquatic habitat (e.g., a large aquarium, aquaculture tank, or small-scale bioreactor).
  1. Providing: An aquatic current management device is provided, consisting of a vertically mountable "flow redirection panel" (analogous to the anti-splash body) with hydrodynamic tapering protrusions optimized to smooth turbulent water currents and prevent particulate adherence. It also includes an integrated "debris collection grate" (analogous to the base) with perforations for water flow and protrusions for filtering, configured to extend substantially perpendicularly.
  2. Mounting: The flow redirection panel is mounted onto an interior wall of the aquatic habitat using marine-grade suction cups or bio-adhesive fasteners, ensuring it is positioned to manage a specific water current.
  3. Placing: The debris collection grate is then placed over an intake or outflow port, where it extends substantially perpendicularly from the flow redirection panel to effectively capture particulate matter (e.g., fish waste, uneaten food, algae fragments) before it enters a filtration system or re-circulates. The coupling region allows for precise angular adjustment of the grate relative to the panel to optimize flow and debris capture for different aquatic species or filtration needs.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[Start Aquatic System Installation] --> B{Provide Aquatic Current Management Device}
      B --> C[Device has: Flow Redirection Panel + Debris Collection Grate]
      C --> D[Mount Flow Redirection Panel on Habitat Wall (Suction/Bio-Adhesive)]
      D --> E[Position Panel to Manage Water Current]
      E --> F[Place Debris Collection Grate over Intake/Outflow Port]
      F --> G[Grate Extends Perpendicularly from Panel]
      G --> H[Optimized for Particulate Capture]
      H --> I[Adjust Coupling Region for Flow/Debris Opt.]
      I --> J[Installation Complete]
  

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4. Integration with Emerging Tech (Method)

Derivative 18.4: Augmented Reality (AR) Guided Installation and Alignment Method

• Enabling Description: A method utilizing augmented reality for precise and efficient installation of the urinal anti-splash device.
  1. Providing: The urinal anti-splash device is provided, featuring fiducial markers (e.g., QR codes or AR tags) printed or embedded on its rear surface and along the coupling region.
  2. AR Setup: A technician uses a head-mounted AR display (e.g., Microsoft HoloLens, Magic Leap) or a tablet/smartphone with AR capabilities. The AR application loads a digital twin of the urinal anti-splash device and the urinal geometry.
  3. Guided Mounting: The AR display overlays a virtual template onto the real-world urinal, indicating the exact desired position and orientation for the anti-splash body on the back wall. The technician aligns the physical device with the virtual guide, receiving real-time visual and auditory feedback on alignment accuracy. The AR system may detect the fiducial markers on the device to confirm its correct placement.
  4. Guided Bending/Placing: The AR system then provides visual cues for bending the device at the perforated coupling region, showing the ideal perpendicular angle for the base. It guides the technician in placing the base precisely over the urinal drain, ensuring optimal coverage and fluid flow path. The AR application can also highlight potential obstruction points or areas of poor contact.
  5. Verification: Upon completion, the AR system performs a final scan, verifying the installed device's position, angle, and adhesion points against the digital twin, and generates an installation compliance report.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[Start AR Guided Installation] --> B{Provide Device with Fiducial Markers}
      B --> C[Technician Wears AR Headset/Uses AR Device]
      C --> D[AR App Loads Digital Twin (Device/Urinal)]
      D --> E[AR Overlays Virtual Template on Urinal]
      E -- Guides Technician --> F[Align & Mount Anti-Splash Body on Back Wall]
      F -- Real-time Feedback --> G[Visual/Auditory Alignment Cues]
      H[AR Detects Device Fiducials] --> G
      G --> I[AR Guides Bending at Coupling Region (Perpendicular Angle)]
      I --> J[AR Guides Placing Base Over Drain]
      J --> K[Final AR Scan for Verification]
      K --> L[Generate Installation Compliance Report]
      L --> M[Installation Complete]
  

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5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode (Method)

Derivative 18.5: Single-Use, Pressure-Fit Installation for Emergency or Temporary Facilities

• Enabling Description: A method for rapid, single-use deployment of a simplified urinal anti-splash device in emergency shelters, temporary event facilities, or field operations where long-term durability is secondary to immediate splash mitigation and disposability.
  1. Providing: A low-cost, disposable urinal anti-splash device (similar to Derivative 5.2, made from flexible, recycled pulp or thin, hydrophobic paperboard) is provided. This device features a pre-creased coupling region that allows for manual folding into the perpendicular configuration and integrally molded, semi-rigid pressure-fit tabs or clips along the rear edges of the anti-splash body.
  2. Folding: The user manually folds the base section along the pre-creased line, setting it to a substantially perpendicular orientation.
  3. Mounting (Pressure-Fit): The anti-splash body is pressed against the urinal back wall. The integrally molded pressure-fit tabs engage with the curvature or existing features of the urinal basin, holding the body in place solely by friction and mechanical interference, without adhesives or fasteners.
  4. Placing: The pre-folded base simply rests over the urinal drain due to gravity and its pre-set perpendicular angle.
  5. Disposal: After use (e.g., 24-48 hours), the entire device is easily removed and disposed of as general waste, or composted if made from biodegradable materials.
• Mermaid Diagram:

  flowchart TD
      A[Start Temporary Installation] --> B{Provide Single-Use Device (Pulp/Paperboard)}
      B --> C[Device has: Pre-creased Coupling Region + Pressure-Fit Tabs]
      C --> D[User Manually Folds Base to Perpendicular]
      D --> E[Press Anti-Splash Body Against Urinal Back Wall]
      E -- Pressure-Fit Tabs Engage --> F[Friction Holds Body in Place]
      F --> G[Pre-Folded Base Rests Over Drain]
      G --> H[Device Temporarily Installed]
      H --> I[After Use (24-48h)]
      I --> J[User Removes & Disposes Device]
      J --> K[Installation Cycle Complete]
  

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Combination Prior Art Scenarios

Here are three combination prior art scenarios where the innovations of US10294649 (or its derivatives) are combined with existing open-source standards.

1. IoT-enabled Smart Urinal Anti-Splash Device (Derivative 4.1) + MQTT Protocol (OASIS Standard):

   • Description: An AI-optimized IoT urinal anti-splash device (Derivative 4.1) transmits real-time sensor data (acoustic, conductivity, optical) and AI inference results (hygiene status, predictive maintenance) to a central building management system or cloud platform. This data transmission is carried out using the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol, which is an OASIS standard. MQTT's lightweight publish/subscribe messaging paradigm is ideal for resource-constrained IoT devices and unreliable network environments, ensuring efficient and robust communication of device status, usage statistics, and maintenance alerts. The device acts as an MQTT client, publishing sensor readings to specific topics, while the building management system or a dedicated MQTT broker subscribes to these topics to receive and process the information, triggering actions like smart flushing or cleaning dispatches.
   • Open-Source Standard: MQTT (ISO/IEC 20922:2016, OASIS Standard).

2. Automated Robotic Installation Method (Derivative 18.2) + Robot Operating System (ROS):

   • Description: The robotic installation method for urinal anti-splash devices (Derivative 18.2) is implemented and controlled using the Robot Operating System (ROS), a flexible framework for writing robot software. The robot's LiDAR and computer vision systems (for 3D scanning and topographical mapping) run on ROS nodes, processing data and publishing it to other nodes. Path planning algorithms for navigating the restroom and precise manipulation of the device (picking, mounting, bending, placing) are executed using ROS's navigation stack and MoveIt! motion planning framework. Force feedback sensors during mounting and placing are integrated as ROS topics, providing real-time data to control the robot's end-effector. This combination allows for a modular, extensible, and open-source controlled automation of the installation process, enabling rapid adaptation to various urinal designs and environmental layouts.
   • Open-Source Standard: Robot Operating System (ROS), an open-source meta-operating system for robots.

3. High-Capacity Industrial Anti-Splash Array (Derivative 2.1) + OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) for Industrial Data Exchange:

   • Description: The high-capacity industrial urinal anti-splash array (Derivative 2.1), with its embedded piezoelectric pressure sensors and wireless modules, is integrated into an existing industrial control network. The usage data, fluid impact characteristics, and cleaning alerts generated by the array's local AI inference engine are communicated using the OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) standard. OPC UA provides a secure, reliable, platform-independent information exchange standard for industrial automation. The anti-splash array or a gateway device functions as an OPC UA server, exposing its sensor data, device status, and maintenance predictions as OPC UA nodes. A plant-wide SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system or building management system acts as an OPC UA client, subscribing to these nodes to monitor restroom activity, optimize facility resource allocation, and integrate restroom hygiene data into overall operational efficiency dashboards.
   • Open-Source Standard: OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA), an open-source standard from the OPC Foundation.