Foreign Matter Trap for Drains

Abstract

A coil or spring device in the shape of a cone or funnel with a decreasing radius and decreasing pitch that can be inserted in a drain to trap hair and other foreign matter that would otherwise cause a clogging condition in waste water drain pipes and plumbing systems. The device is preferably biodegradable and is designed to fit in a wide variety of drain pipe diameters and to be removably positionable to allow for easy inspection, replacement, and disposal.

Description

This application claims benefit of provisional patent application 61/049,862, filed May 2, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a foreign matter trap to prevent clogged drains.

It is common knowledge that hair has a tendency to collect in bath and shower drains and does not dissolve over time, thereby causing the majority of clogged bath and shower drains. Some clogs are not easily accessible and require professional plumbing services to correct hard to reach locations. These repairs can be time consuming and expensive. It is not unusual for a professional plumbing service to charge an extra fee for after-hours service calls.

Clogged shower drains commonly occur when an accumulation of hair and other foreign matter are not trapped before going down a drain pipe. Stopped pipes and clogged drains typically require time-consuming, if not expensive repairs, if commonly available chemical solutions fail to resolve the problem.

Commonly available hair traps that are positioned above drain opening cover plates are typically constructed of fine mesh screen material and are not securely fixed in place. These inexpensive traps are subject to movement and can allow some hair and foreign matter to go down the drain and accumulate over time. Other traps that are positioned below the drain opening cover plate are constructed in such a way that their mesh filtering material is too fine and clog too soon, not allowing the water to sufficiently flow downward after a short time. This situation requires more frequent maintenance and trap cleaning. Other traps that are positioned below the drain opening cover plate present different problems in terms of cost; specialized fit requirements; cleaning difficulties; and not allowing smaller particles to pass that would otherwise not contribute to clogging the waste water drain pipe. Plumbing repair costs can also present a major expense if proper maintenance is not performed on a periodic basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to waste water drain pipes and plumbing systems and is intended to universally fit all sizes of bath and shower drain pipe diameters. The primary features of this invention are designed to trap hair and other foreign matter before sufficient accumulation occurs causing the drain to clog and the shower or bath to overflow, possibly resulting in substantial water damage to the building.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a foreign matter trap for waste water drain pipe systems while allowing smaller particles (i.e. lint, etc.) to pass that would not otherwise present a clogging hazard over time.

This invention aims to reduce or eliminate clogged bath or shower drains and stopped waste water pipes by providing an apparatus for trapping hair and other foreign matter while allowing smaller particles to flow through the waste water drain pipe system.

The cone or funnel-shaped coil device of this invention more efficiently traps hair and other foreign matter while allowing a universal, one-size-fits-all, cut-to-size, and clip-to-fit installation approach. In order to achieve this result, the foreign matter trap is made in the form of a coil or spring with a continuously decreasing radius and decreasing pitch that is removably positionable in the opening of the drain pipe.

The cone or funnel-shaped coil extends downward into the drain pipe and is surfaced with an abrasive coating or texture along with upwardly and downwardly extended protrusions or teeth.

The abrasive surface texture or coating and upwardly and downwardly directly protrusions or teeth are positioned to trap hair and other foreign matter. Sizing and installation of the trap is accomplished by positioning the cone or funnel-shaped coil down into the drain pipe opening and cutting off the excess coil rings. This allows the top of the coil to be mounted flush with the drain opening cover plate, greatly simplifying the sizing and installation process.

As with any building and maintenance activity, periodic inspection and correction/repair work will further reduce and eliminate the potential for clogged drains and overflow conditions.

This invention is embodied to include low-cost plastic injection molding and manufacturing processes; whereas this device can be practiced as a biodegradable, non-reusable device which can be easily removed, discarded, and quickly replaced with a new unit at little or no cost.

These and other objects are attained by a foreign matter trap for drains as described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the cone or funnel-shaped device installed in a typical shower or bath tub drain before being trimmed to fit the size of the drain opening. (the cross-section of drain pipe is outlined by diagonal lines);

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the coils and the cross-members compressed flat for packaging of the embodiment in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a magnified coil section of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the drawings, a device embodying the invention includes a cone or funnel-like coil structure 10 with a large opening on top that winds down with a decreasing radius and decreasing pitch forming an inverted cone or funnel shape.

The coil 10 is surfaced with an abrasive coating or texture 30 that helps collect hair and other foreign matter. Attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the coil are upwardly and downwardly directed protrusions or teeth 20. The protrusions or teeth 20 provide additional capability for trapping hair and other foreign matter.

Cross-members 40 extend perpendicularly between the coils to reinforce the structure and secondarily to help trap hair and other foreign matter.

Breakaway indentations 50 are formed at regular intervals around the coil to allow quick and easy cutting to size (“clip-to-fit”).

In use, the device is placed, smaller end down, upon an open drain outlet. Owing to its taper, it will settle into place, closely conforming to the opening. If desired, the device may be shortened by cutting or breaking it at one of the indentations, to reduce the size of the protruding portion.

Particular materials have not been specified above, inasmuch as material selection is expected to be a matter of ordinary skill. Currently, my most preferred material is an injection-moldable polymer, preferably a biodegradable polymer; however, other materials now in existence or yet to be invented may prove more useful or even superior. Also, I presently contemplate that the device would be made from a single piece of material in a single molding process; however, the use of plural materials or different manufacturing processes may be possible.

Since the invention is subject to modifications and variations, it is intended that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as only illustrative of the invention defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A drain trap device for trapping hair and other foreign matter that can clog or impede the flow of downwardly flowing water as in a waste water drain pipe, said device comprising a coil or spring in the shape of a cone or funnel.

2. The device of claim 1 is cone or funnel-shaped and has a decreasing radius.

3. The device of claim 1 is cone or funnel-shaped and has a decreasing pitch.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the coil or spring has an abrasive surface coating or surface texture to help trap hair and other foreign matter.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the coil or spring has upwardly and downwardly directed surface protrusions or teeth to help trap hair and other foreign matter.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the protrusions or teeth are perpendicularly positioned along the coil.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the coil has breakaway indentations to allow for easy clip-to-fit, cutting to size, and universal installation to a wide variety of drain pipe opening diameters.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising cross-members extending between the coils.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the cross-members are perpendicularly positioned between the coils to help trap hair and other foreign matter.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the cross-members are perpendicularly positioned between the coils to allow the device to be pressed flat for packaging and shipping.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the cross-members are perpendicularly positioned between the coils to allow the device additional structure and to be formed into a cone or funnel-shape from a flat packaging condition.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the coil is manufactured and/or packaged as a flat coil and is formed into a cone or funnel-shaped device prior to installation.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the coil is constructed of a semi flexible material suitable for injection molding.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said material is biodegradable.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the coil is removably positionable in a drain.