Apparatus and Method for Removing Debris from a Drain Strainer
An apparatus and method are disclosed for easily, cleanly, efficiently, and cheaply removing hair and other debris from drain strainers and refuse filters, thereby helping to improve bathroom and kitchen sanitation and preventing hair and debris from forming clogs in the drainpipe. The apparatus and method are used for daily or regular maintenance of debris in a drain strainer.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/506,754 filed Jul. 12, 2011, which application is fully incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to removal of hair and other debris from drains. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing hair and other debris from drain strainers and drain filters, which are commonly found in showers and sinks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHair and other debris clogging drains is a common problem in households throughout the world. Numerous devices and methods have been developed to address this problem, an example of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,176. However, previous solutions have largely been directed to the removal of clogs that occur within the drainpipe, most often in or near the drain trap. As such, previous devices have been specifically designed for insertion into the shaft of the drainpipe. By necessity, these devices are intentionally made long enough to reach the drain trap and beyond, where clogs form in the drainpipe. Hair and clog snagging concepts have not addressed the unique problem associated with hair and debris that collect on top of and/or within the openings of the drain strainer.
By drain strainer is meant the holed or slotted disc or plate commonly placed or found at the mouth of, e.g., a shower drain, bathtub drain, or sink drain that divides the water basin from the drainpipe and prevents hair and other solid materials in the water basin from entering into the drainpipe. For convenience, the term “drain strainer” can also refer to a supplemental drain filter, commonly placed on or near the slotted disc or plate commonly placed or found at the mouth of, e.g., a shower drain, bathtub drain, or sink drain. Hair or other debris commonly collects in drain strainers during a shower or while washing the dishes.
It is desirable to remove hair and debris from drain strainers as quickly and often as possible to (1) aid in fluid flow down the drain; (2) avoid unnecessary contact with any festering conditions caused by collection of unsanitary hair and debris in the water basin; and (3) prevent debris from slipping through the drain strainer and into the drainpipe and subsequently into the drain trap where it can form a clog. Prevention of clogs in a drainpipe is especially important due to the known difficulty of removing or dissolving such clogs. Furthermore, clogs in drainpipes (particularly organic clogs) are often dissolved using highly caustic and toxic chemicals that are dangerous for the household, the environment, and the pipes themselves. A much more desirable and ultimately safer solution would be to prevent the clogs from occurring in the first place. Presently, removing debris from a drain strainer is generally done by hand, which is inefficient, messy, unsanitary, and therefore often avoided at the expense of clog formation later on. This can be a particularly undesirable and unsanitary endeavor when the hair or debris for removal from the drain strainer is not one's own, as is common in dormitory and other shared-living arrangements.
The present invention is specifically designed and directed to address these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided an apparatus and a method for the quick, easy-to-use, and highly effective removal of hair and other debris from a drain strainer.
In one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided a disposable apparatus for removing hair or other debris from a drain strainer at low cost to the consumer.
In one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided a reusable apparatus for removing hair or other debris from a drain strainer having a portion thereof that can be disposed of “hands-free.”
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in conjunction with the detailed disclosure provided herein.
Each of
The present invention relates to a method and device used for the removal of hair and/or other debris from drain strainers, but which can additionally be used and/or adapted to be used to clean hair and/or other material from any surface.
At the outset, it should be noted that specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. Furthermore, the drawings are presented in a fashion that clearly shows the various aspects of the invention and are not necessarily drawn to scale Like reference numerals in multiple figures refer to the same or similar aspects or features.
More particularly, and with reference to
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a flexible or non-rigid handle/shaft can be used.
The hooks 20 are either embedded within the pad 18, or alternatively, if no pad is used, the hooks are affixed to or embedded directly into the backing 16. Alternatively, the hooks 20 and header 14 can be molded as a single unit.
In
The hooks 20 protruding from the pad 18 or the backing 16 easily ensnare hair and other debris that collects on or in a drain strainer, or just below the drain surface for easy removal.
To operate the embodiment of
More than one configuration of hooks 20, such that are found in hook-and-loop fasteners, is effective for purposes of the present invention. Examples of suitable hook configurations are shown but not limited to those seen in
In addition, series of hooks of a single hook variation, or series of hooks containing combinations of more than one hook variation can be used effectively with the present invention. A series can be a single line of hooks that spans one dimension of the pad 18 or backing 16, or a portion of one dimension of the pad 18 or backing 16. A series can alternatively comprise a plurality of hooks in formation that resembles the shape of the face of the pad or backing from which said hooks protrude. Multiple series can be used in combination on the same pad or backing. In addition, series of other suitable hooks or debris snagging means known to those skilled in the art can likewise be used, individually or in combination, with the present invention. Hooks can be evenly spaced or unevenly spaced on the pad or backing. In addition, hooks can face the same direction or face different directions as they extend from the pad or backing.
The handle/shaft 12 can take on any of a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention the handle/shaft can be long enough such that the user need not bend down in order to operate the device. Alternatively, the handle/shaft can be as short as approximately one inch or less, provided it is suitably long to be grasped by the user's fingers. The shaft can be longer or shorter depending upon the specific utility desired. A shorter handle/shaft, for example, would allow for easier storage of the device, more efficient display and presentation of the device to consumers, and be better for the environment upon disposal. In one preferred embodiment, the length of the device from the top of the handle to the free ends of the hooks is shorter than the distance from the drain strainer to the drain trap. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the handle/shaft is 12 centimeters tall, and the bottom of the header is rectangular, with dimensions of 2.5 centimeters by 1.5 centimeters. A hook, a loop or other means can be attached to the free end of the handle/shaft to facilitate storage and/or display of a single device or plurality of devices in one place. By way of example, a hook or loop can be attached to the free end of the handle/shaft such that the hook can be looped over a faucet or knob of the faucet near the drain. By way of another example, the free end of the handle/shaft can be attached to a suction cup, which in turn can be secured to the wall.
The handle/shaft can be solid or hollow, and preferably made of any suitable, generally rigid material, such as wood, metal, glass, molded plastic, and so forth. Preferably, the handle/shaft has a substantially round or oblong cross-section, but other cross-sectional shapes would also be suitable, e.g. rectangular. The shaft and handle can be separate features of the apparatus or can be combined into a single element or feature of the present invention.
The handle/shaft can be shaped and/or molded to be aesthetically pleasing and attractive to the consumer, such as in the shape of a heart or a key. Logos or other brand identifying material can be affixed or molded on the handle/shaft. In addition, or in the alternative, the handle/shaft can be ergonomically shaped and configured to facilitate gripping of the handle/shaft and operation of the device. Such a configuration would be particularly desirable for elderly or arthritic users of the present invention.
Pad 18 and backing 16 can be round, oblong, square, elliptical, or any other desired shape. Pad 18 is sufficiently thick and of suitable material to anchor or embed the hooks 20, such that are found in hook-and-loop fasteners. The materials and thickness of materials capable of achieving this function are sufficiently known to those in the art. The plane of the pad is orientated such that it is substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the shaft 12, for reasons described above.
Alternatively, as shown in
Pad 18 is secured to the bottom of backing 16 by any means known to those in the art. The hooks 20 are also secured to pad 18 or backing 16 by means known to those in the art. As an example, an adhesive such as glue can be used for this purpose. Alternatively, the device need not comprise a pad or backing; instead the hooks can be embedded directly into the bottom of the shaft/handle. In this variation, the shaft/handle, or at least the bottom portion of the shaft/handle, should be of suitable material to anchor hooks, such as those found in hook-and-loop fasteners. The materials capable of achieving this function are sufficiently known to those in the art. In another variation the pad and the shaft may be manufactured as a single unit of the same material. Similarly, the hooks, pad and shaft may be a single unit of the same material wherein the hooks, pad and shaft are manufactured of the same material and created in a single process. The materials capable of achieving these variations are sufficiently known to those in the art.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, shown in
To operate the embodiment of
As mentioned above, the header of the device can be removable from the handle/shaft allowing the user to discard the header after use and replace it with a fresh header for subsequent use. Any suitable means of detaching and replacing the header portion can be employed.
In one embodiment, shown in
When shaft 212 houses ejector 240, ejector block 248 is positioned between prongs 262 which extend from the bottom of shaft 212. Prongs 262 are substantially rigid but can be flexed to a certain degree and still revert to their initial configuration, such as are the characteristics of molded polypropylene and the like. The positioning of ejector block 248 between prongs 262 flexes prongs 262 outward and apart from each other, causing protrusions 260 to mate with, and thereby establish a frictional fit with, corresponding depressions 270 located on the inside of sidewalls 272 of base 208 of header 214.
Ejector block 248 is tapered such that when the user pushes down the trigger or free end 250 of ejector 240 causing ejector block 248 to move toward the bottom of the apparatus, prongs 262 relax, causing protrusions 260 to disengage from depressions 270. This essentially “unlocks” header 214 from shaft 212, and ejector block 248 then pushes header 214 off shaft 212. This process of ejecting header 214 can be done directly over a garbage receptacle or the like to avoid the need to touch the debris that has been collected in hooks 220 via the debris collection method described above.
Once header 214 has been removed, the user releases ejector 240. This causes the spring 244 to relax and return to its rest position, and allows the user to attach a fresher header 214 to the shaft 212. Though preferred, a spring is not required to release and replace the header as described above. Depending on the rigidity/flexibility of the materials used, in certain embodiments of the present invention that are not preferred it may be necessary to put the fresh header 214 in place around the prongs 262 and protrusions 260 before releasing ejector 240 to lock-in the fresh header 214.
Trigger or free end 250 of ejector 240 can extend through an opening 280 in handle 222, and beyond the top of handle 222 for easy thumb or finger access thereto whilst holding the handle 222.
The features of the embodiments of
The features of the header ejection mechanism described in connection with
With reference now to
Referring now to
Alternatively, absorbent material 25 can cover a portion of the bottom surface of pad 18 (or backing 16), while hooks 20 extend from the remaining portion thereof (
A generally circular header 14 is shown in
The user operates the device of
Referring now to
The above description and drawings are considered that of certain embodiments of the present invention only. Aesthetic and non-aesthetic modifications to the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein are merely for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus for removing debris from a drain strainer, comprising a handle and at least one debris-snagging element extending from said handle, wherein said apparatus is shorter than the distance from the drain strainer to the drain trap.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said handle is rigid.
3. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said at least one debris-snagging element are hooks.
4. An apparatus for removing debris from a drain strainer, comprising a handle and a pad, wherein said pad comprises an upper side and a lower side, said upper side of said pad being affixed to the bottom of said handle such that said handle and said upper side of said pad are substantially perpendicular, and wherein a plurality of hooks extends from said lower side of said pad.
5. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said handle is rigid.
6. An apparatus as claim 4, wherein said handle pivots with respect to said pad.
7. An apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising a movable joint.
8. An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said handle is rigid.
9. An apparatus for removing debris from a drain strainer, comprising a handle, an ejector, a header, and a plurality of hooks, wherein said header is releasably coupled with said handle, wherein said ejector releases said header from said handle, and wherein said plurality of hooks extend from said header.
10. An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said handle is rigid.
11. An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said ejector comprises a spring.
12. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said header comprises a pad, and said pad comprises an upper side and a lower side, said header being releasably coupled with the bottom of said handle such that said handle and said upper side of said pad are substantially perpendicular, and wherein said plurality of hooks extend from said lower side of said pad.
13. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said ejector comprises a spring.
14. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said ejector comprises a trigger for releasing said header.
15. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said ejector further comprises a spring.
16. An apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising an absorbent material.
17. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said lower side of said pad further comprises an absorbent material.
18. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said header further comprises an absorbent material.
19. An apparatus as in claim 16, wherein said absorbent material surrounds at least one of said at least one debris snagging elements.
20. An apparatus as in claim 17, wherein said absorbent material surrounds at least one of said plurality of hooks.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 12, 2012
Publication Date: Jan 17, 2013
Inventor: Sarah A. Bernstein (New York, NY)
Application Number: 13/547,134
International Classification: A46B 5/02 (20060101);