TRAPWAY SEALING BLOCKAGE CLEARING DEVICE

Abstract

A device used for clearing and removing blockages in drains, specifically toilets, is presented. This device incorporates elements designed to create a complete seal around the entrance to a toilet's trapway in order to maximize the amount of vacuum and pressure that can be applied to removing a blockage and restoring the fixture to its original useable state.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/525,844 for a “TRAPWAY SEALING BLOCKAGE CLEARING DEVICE,” filed on Jun. 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to plungers and drain clearing devices for blocked or clogged drains, including toilets.

BACKGROUND

Existing drain clearing devices, such as plungers, rely on sealing above and around the well of the toilet using an inverted rubber cup. The force generated toward breaking up or removing the blockage or clog is only equivalent to how effectively the cup can seal when depressed or pulled back by the user. The effectiveness of a plunger's ability to seal and exert force is greatly compromised by the various shapes and styles of a toilet's pan or bowl, which can result in an incomplete seal.

Furthermore, modern water conservation toilets have adopted increasingly larger siphon jet systems to assist and enhance flushing performance. If a siphon jet is present, the siphon jet forms a direct link between the flush valve and the toilet bowl, such that a certain amount of force generated by plunging will be transferred to this channel rather than being applied to the trapway to clear the clog.

Existing plungers or drain clearing devices are unable to generate enough force to effectively clear difficult clogs within the toilet's trapway. A drain clearing device that could generate and direct a high amount of force on a clog, particularly in a water-saving toilet with a large siphon jet, would be of considerable value in the market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention provides a self-contained blockage clearing system that seals against the inside of the opening to the toilet's trapway. This fully utilizes all the generated force created and directs it towards the blockage rather than permitting said force to be partially dispersed between the trapway and the large siphon jet found in most water conservation toilets sold and installed within the last 10-15 years. Moreover, a seal against the inside of the trapway provides a more secure and air/water tight seal for the plunging process.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device that generates pressure/vacuum directly within a toilet's trapway to effectively clean and clear clogs or blockages that cause the unit to not function properly.

The invention comprises a telescopic handle and an enclosed container that can draw in and release water through a nozzle that is inserted directly into the trapway of a toilet. The ability to cycle water back and forth within the trapway generates and applies a great deal of force and vacuum on the clog, which will in turn break up or dislodge the blockage. In many cases, the vacuum action created by pulling water back into the invention's enclosed container is stronger than the minimal amount of force that lodged the clog within the trapway. The invention also features a flexible gasket like ring that forms an air-tight seal against the interior of the opening to any toilet trapway, regardless of size or shape.

In one broad aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for clearing a blockage from a drain having a trapway. The apparatus includes: a head portion having a gasket for sealing against the trapway and a nozzle for drawing water and/or air into and out of the apparatus; a body portion having an enclosed container for storing water and/or air and a sealed chamber defined by the enclosed container, the nozzle, and a moveable plate; and a plunger arm within the enclosed container for moving the plate along a longitudinal axis of the body portion. The trapway may be of various types, including the trapway of a toilet, sink, or tub.

In some embodiments, the head and gasket form an air or water tight seal around an opening of the trapway, preferably an inner surface of the trapway. The gasket may be a resilient material, preferably one which returns to its original shape after use.

In some applications, the head may be frustoconical and/or the nozzle may be disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion. In one embodiment, the nozzle protrudes into the trapway by a minimum of 25 mm and/or the nozzle has an opening that is at least 25 mm in diameter.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include a check valve configured to permit air in a head space of the sealed chamber to exit the chamber when the chamber is under positive pressure. The check valve may be of various types, including a double ball check valve disposed on the plate comprising a pair of opposing ball check valves.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a handle connected to the plunger arm, to assist a user in moving the plate, and/or a support member disposed on the body portion, to assist the user in forming a seal between the head portion and the trapway. The apparatus may also include a release valve on the body portion at an end opposite the head, the release valve being configured to permit excess air or water to exit the container.

In some embodiments, the maximum volume of the sealed chamber is greater than the volume of the trapway. In one embodiment, the maximum volume of the sealed chamber is at least 1.5 liters.

In another broad aspect, the invention provides a method of clearing a blocked trapway. The method includes the steps of: a) forming an air-tight seal around an inside surface of opening of the trapway; b) suctioning water out of the trapway and into a sealed chamber; c) forcing water into the trapway, from the sealed chamber; and d) repeating steps b) to c) as required to dislodge a blockage from the trapway. The trapway may be of various types, including the trapway of a toilet, sink, or tub. In some embodiments, the method includes an additional step, prior to c), of exhausting gasses from a head space in the sealed chamber.

The novel features of this invention are set forth within the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a standard (prior art) toilet with a siphon jet flushing system.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention upon insertion into the opening of a toilet trapway and before water is pulled into the enclosed container.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the present invention, illustrating the design of the head used to seal the toilet's trapway.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention inserted into the trapway opening of a toilet as water is pushed from the enclosed container towards the blockage.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the present invention illustrating the design of the double check valve that may be installed on the plate situated inside the enclosed container of the device.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the design of a single check valve that may be installed on the plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A depicts a standard water-saving toilet (100) according to the prior art. As seen therein, a flush valve (1) controls the entry of water into a jet channel (2). The jet channel (2) allows water to travel very quickly from the tank to the toilet bowl, via a siphon jet (3). The siphon jet (3) directs water towards the trapway (4), to assist in the flushing action of the toilet (100).

FIGS. 1B to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. When the device (200) is inserted into the trapway (4) of a toilet, an air tight seal is formed around the head (10) and head gasket (11) of the device (200) by downward force applied by the user on the support member (13). Preferably, this seal is formed against the inside of the trapway (4).

The head gasket (11) is made of a resilient material that has memory and returns to its original size and shape after pressure is applied to form the seal in the trapway (4). Examples of such resilient materials include latex foam, rubber, silicone, or the like. Preferably, the head gasket (11) has an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the well of the trapway, to increase the sealing force between the gasket (11) and the inside surface of the opening of the trapway (4).

The nozzle (14) of the plunger protrudes into the trapway (4), preferably by a minimum distance of 25 mm. The nozzle (14) may also be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the sealed container (15), preferably at an angle of between 60 and 90 degrees, to better direct the forces generated by the device (200).

FIG. 2 shows the initial stage of use for the device (200), at the time of insertion. Here, the enclosed container (15) is empty and the plunger arm (6) is in the down position. Once a seal is achieved the user pulls back on the handle (5), thus retracting the plunger arm (6) and the plate (8). This allows the enclosed container (15) to fill with water as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Filling the enclosed container (15) also applies vacuum to the blockage (16). A cap (7) may be provided at the top of the device to ensure the plate (8) and plunger arm (6) cannot be pulled out of the enclosed container (15). A release valve (12) may also be included in the cap (7) to allow any air or water that may get past the plate (8) during the push and pull cycle to be directed away from the user. Preferably, the capacity of the enclosed container (15) is oversized (e.g. greater than 1.5 liters) to ensure it can hold more contents than any given toilets' trapway (4).

If pulling back to create vacuum does not remove the blockage the user can then push on the handle (5) to force the held water out of the enclosed container (15) through the nozzle (14). Preferably, the nozzle (14) has a diameter of at least 25 mm to generate pressure on the blockage in an attempt to push it out of the trapway (4).

If necessary, the user can cycle back and forth between pulling water into and forcing it out of the enclosed container (15). This action will break-up and disperse a difficult blockage (16). In many cases, the force of pulling back on handle (5) is sufficient release the clog, particularly if the force that caused the blockage (16) is smaller than the amount of vacuum applied through the use of the device.

FIG. 5 illustrates how a check valve (9) can be utilized within the device to ensure that the maximum amount of vacuum and pressure is transferred and applied to the blockage with each cycle. Since most blockages (16) will not completely (100%) stop the flow of air or water within the trapway (4) it is likely that air will also flow into the enclosed container (15) during the vacuum (pull-back) cycle. This air is drawn from behind the blockage (16) since the location of the clog can be anywhere along the path of the trapway (4) to the drain. When the user applies pressure on the blockage (16) by pushing the handle (5), the check valve (9) exhausts any air trapped within the enclosed container (15), thereby applying the full force of water pressure into the trapway to surge the blockage (16). This is particularly useful for clearing toilets that feature a pressurized trapway system, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,251.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the check valve (9) is a double-ball check valve comprising a pair of cages (17, 18) that retain balls (19, 20) that alternately block an opening in the plate (8). When the user applies vacuum by pulling back on the handle (5), the top check valve (17) opens and the bottom check valve (18) closes, maximizing draw and vacuum power. Other check valve arrangements are also contemplated, including flapper designs, single-ball check valves, and the like. For example, and without limitation, FIG. 6 provides an alternative embodiment in which a single check valve (17′) serves a similar function.

Although described in the context of toilets, it would be understood by the person of skill in the art that the invention may also be used to clear sinks, tubs, and other plumbing fixtures that have an accessible trapway. The parts and components described above may be scaled down as necessary to suit such applications.

The embodiments in the present disclosure are intended to be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the particular embodiments without departing from the intended scope of the present application.

In particular, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternate embodiments comprised of a subcombination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternate embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and subcombinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present application as a whole. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

Claims

1. An apparatus for clearing a blockage from a drain having a trapway, the apparatus comprising:

a head portion having a gasket for sealing the apparatus to the trapway and a nozzle for drawing water and/or air into and out of the apparatus;

a body portion having an enclosed container for storing water and/or air and a sealed chamber defined by the enclosed container, the nozzle, and a moveable plate; and

a plunger arm within the enclosed container for moving the plate along a longitudinal axis of the body portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said head and said gasket forms an air or water tight seal around an opening of the trapway.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the seal is formed within an inner surface of the trapway.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the head is frustoconical and the nozzle is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a check valve configured to permit air in a head space of the sealed chamber to exit the chamber when the chamber is under positive pressure.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the check valve is a double ball check valve disposed on the plate.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a handle connected to the plunger arm, to assist a user in moving the plate.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a support member disposed on the body portion, to assist the user in forming a seal between the head portion and the trapway.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a release valve on the body portion at an end opposite the head, the release valve being configured to permit excess air or water to exit the container.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gasket is made of a resilient material.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the gasket returns to its original shape after use.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the nozzle protrudes into the trapway by a minimum of 25 mm.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle has an opening that is at least 25 mm in diameter.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the maximum volume of the sealed chamber is greater than the volume of the trapway.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the maximum volume of the sealed chamber is at least 1.5 liters.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trapway is the trapway of a toilet.

17. A method of clearing a blocked trapway, the method comprising:

a) forming an air-tight seal around an inside surface of the trapway;

b) suctioning water out of the trapway and into a sealed chamber;

c) forcing water into the trapway, from the sealed chamber; and

d) repeating steps b) to c) as required to dislodge a blockage from the trapway.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, prior to step c), exhausting gasses from a head space in the sealed chamber.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the trapway is the trapway of a toilet.