DESIGN NAME: Adam's Leaf
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Urinal Screen
INSPIRATION: Adam's Leaf was inspired by the need to improve men's bathroom hygiene and takes its shape from fig leaves strategically painted in Renaissance and Pre-Renaissance art. The high fin-like center and angled leaf edges facilitate the flow of fluid off the leaf without splash back onto the user and surrounding floor, and its unusual design helps the urinal user stay focused over the urinal longer to completely finish the process also improving restroom hygiene.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Adam's Leaf is a uniquely designed men's urinal screen that effectively prevents urine splash-back for the user and keeps restroom floors clean to improve hygiene. It is biodegradable, and its design deflects the urine stream without splash or retention of urine in the urinal eliminating the need for added scents. It fits virtually any size urinal and its durability, up to six months, helps reduce material and janitorial labor costs.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: It will function in any position in a men's urinal except when inverted-(upside down) and weighs enough not be moved by water from urinal flushing.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project idea was conceived in 2006 and the design completed after numerous prototypes and patented in 2016.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Adam's Leaf is produced by high pressure injection molding using recycled plastic and EcoPure which facilitates its biodegration post-use.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Adam's Leaf has dimensions of: 180mm. length, 170mm. width, 80mm. height, and weighs 114.76 grams.
TAGS: It is leaf-shaped with a narrow high center ridge designed to deflect fluid
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Numerous prototypes were made including clay models and early 3D printed models to achieve a successful design and also several plastic formulations were trialed to achieve the correct Shore hardness and composition to allow moderate flexibility but shape retention to remain effective. EcoPure was added to enhance biodegradation post-use.
CHALLENGE: The project was time consuming as a variety of materials and shapes were trialed to achieve a workable and durable design that was both pleasing to the eye and effective. The cost of creating an injection mold and the various trial models were expensive along with the intellectual property legal costs.
ADDED DATE: 2019-11-16 23:57:22
TEAM MEMBERS (2) : Michael Jones and Sadie Mestman
IMAGE CREDITS: Still photos of Adam's Leaf were taken by Andrew Lachance, Omaha, Nebraska. Videos were created by Michael Jones, Omaha, Nebraska.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: US patent-US D773,016 S November 29, 2016, patent holder, Custom Hygienics, LLC., Inventor, Michael Jones Omaha, Nebraska, USA. US Trademark Registration No. 5,885,710, October 15, 2019 ADAM'S LEAF owned by Custom Hygienics, LLC.
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