Ultra thin disposable drain strainer
A disposable ultra-thin drain strainer is removably received within a drain opening of a sink, shower or bathtub having an adjacent drain rim substrate. The strainer has a strainer portion, a ring portion, and has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch) for disposability. In another embodiment the strainer includes a seal release mechanism. Top and bottom surfaces of the ring portion are adapted to sealingly engage the drain rim substrate. The disposable drain strainer is preferably composed of a biodegradable or environmentally friendly material. The ultra-thin strainer may be composed of a variety of materials, including fiber materials, polymeric materials, starch, sugarcane, or water-insoluble edible film. The strainer is composed of a material soluble in water, and preferably includes a water-insoluble edible film coating. Owing to its thin nature, the disposable drain strainer is appointed to be disposed after use, so that the user does not have to clean the strainer. It is cost efficient to produce and transport. Due to the strainer's environmentally friendly composition, the strainer can be readily discarded without harming the environment.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/284,568, filed Sep. 23, 2008, entitled “Disposable Sink Drain Strainer” which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/440,760, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,296, filed on May 25, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultra thin environmentally friendly disposable sink, shower and bathtub drain strainers appointed to be used in conjunction with a drain opening of a plumbing fixture; and more particularly, to an ultra thin disposable sink, shower and bathtub drain strainer having a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch) for convenient disposal of the strainer itself and the collected contents therein.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Strainer devices for sink, shower and bathtub drains are commonly utilized for preventing debris from entering drains of kitchen, bathroom, and shower or bath plumbing fixtures. These devices require frequent cleaning as debris accumulates causing fluid passage through the strainer to be slowed and, consequently, water back up and slowed drainage from the sink. Moist environments inherent to plumbing fixtures aggregated with accumulation of food particles and other debris creates an ideal breading ground for bacterial growth within the debris itself, the drain strainer/filter, sink, and overall plumbing.
Cleaning of these devices is often an undesirable task, and can be difficult in removing entangled debris therefrom without intimate contact with the debris. In addition, removal of a strainer from the sink can be cumbersome particularly when the strainer is moistened from water and heavy with debris. Handling of the debris filled strainer in removal of the debris exposes the handler to harmful bacteria. Despite cleaning or removal of the debris placement of the contaminated strainer back in the drain can be unsanitary, and in addition, many times small amounts of stubborn debris remain entangled in the apertures of the strainer. Remaining debris entrapped in the strainer can result in sink drainage problems, compound bacterial growth, and eventually wash through the strainer and clog the joints of domestic water and sewer lines.
Various types of strainer devices for plumbing fixtures attempt to attend to the aforementioned problems associated with debris accumulation, removal, and bacterial growth. However, none of these drain strainers or filters provide a simple, economically conducive, sanitary strainer composed of a flexible material, which can be readily removed from the sink and disposed of, thereby providing a more sanitary sink environment. Moreover, none of the drain strainers heretofore disclosed and utilized provides a ready release means so that the strainer or filter is removed from the drain with minimal effort. Additionally, none of the heretofore disclosed and utilized drain strainers provide an ultra thin strainer composed of environmentally friendly materials for biodegradation or for consumption by animals.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,535,455, 5,397,464, 6,387,261, 4,045,351 and 4,024,062 disclose drain strainer devices generally integrated within plumbing fixtures. The integrated sink drain strainer devices have limitations because they cannot be simply placed over the exterior of the drain and readily cleaned or discarded when soiled. Integration of strains within plumbing fixtures results in issues involving sink drain compatibility, installation and increased overall manufacturing costs. Moreover, accessing the strainer or filter element for cleaning or replacement can become cumbersome and time consuming.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,303,032 and 5,486,287 disclose drain strainers or filters that covers a substantial portion of a sink's bottom, and does not merely provide filtering or straining over the drain area. These types of strainers are not disposable in nature and are appointed for continuous reuse. Debris must be cleaned from the device, and bacteria growth is likely promoted.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,601,242, 4,984,309, 4,910,811, 4,706,306 and 4,205,710, as well as www.ImprovementsCatalog.com disclose drain strainer combination devices, such as combined drain-strainer, strainer-plug and funnel-strainer combinations. These devices have several limitations because they are not disposable, and are instead continuously re-used. Therefore debris must be cleaned from these devices regularly. These devices do not provide a removal means, such as a tab or other release means, and as a result are inherently difficult to retrieve from the sink's drain.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,376,264, 4,134,162 and 3,982,289 disclose disposable strainers assemblies. The assemblies concern disposable filters and strainers but have limitations because of the lack of ability to provide for an ultra thin strainer appointed to be discarded upon single use. What is more, none of the disposable strainers provide for a biodegradable or edible composition. As a result, frequent disposal of the conventional disposable strainers is both economically steep as well as environmentally harmful.
Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to construct a drain strainer for plumbing fixtures including sinks, showers and bathtubs there remains a need in the art for a disposable drain strainer having an ultra thin construction. In particular, there is a need in the art for an ultra thin disposable strainer having in a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch) for cost benefit manufacturing, disposability and cost benefit transportation and packaging. In addition, there is a need in the art for a lightweight, economical, sanitary strainer composed of a material that can be readily removed from the sink, shower and/or bathtub and disposed of, thereby providing a more sanitary sink environment. Moreover, there is a need in the art for a drain strainer that is composed of environmentally sound materials and is green for the environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a lightweight, ultra-thin disposable drain strainer removably received within a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate. Preferably the strainer is composed of a biodegradable material and is preferably intended for single use. The strainer may include an environmentally friendly binding agent, such as that approved by SGS, in the composition of the strainer. The strainer has a strainer portion, a ring portion, and has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch) for disposability. In another embodiment the strainer includes a seal release mechanism. Top and bottom surfaces of the ring portion are adapted to sealingly engage the drain rim substrate. The disposable drain strainer is preferably composed of a biodegradable or environmentally friendly material. The ultra-thin strainer may be composed of a variety of materials, including fiber materials, polymeric materials, starch, sugarcane, or water-insoluble edible film. Wherein the strainer is composed of a material soluble in water, the strainer preferably includes a water-insoluble edible film coating. Owing to its thin nature, the disposable drain strainer is appointed to be disposed after use so that the user does not have to clean the strainer and is cost efficient to produce and transport. Due to the strainer's environmentally friendly composition the strainer can be readily discarded without harming the environment.
The ultra-thin disposable drain strainer can be readily placed in a drain to effect substantial sealing engagement with the drain perimeter so that debris is retained by the strainer while water and other fluids pass therethrough. When the disposable drain strainer is filled with debris, the strainer is simply discarded along with the debris. Preferably the strainer is appointed for a single use—or one time use—so that it is discarded after use and a new strainer provided in its place. Upon removal from the drain, the strainer device and the debris therein can be readily discarded.
Due to the thinness of the strainer, the strainer can be manufactured, packaged and transported with minimum cost. At the same time, the thinness of the strainer provides cost benefit as to the disposable nature of the strainer; as the ultra-thin strainer is cheaper to manufacture, package and transport, the disposability of the strainer is feasible with minimum cost to the consumer for replacement. Preferably the strainer is sold in a package including a plurality of strainers therein—which may be sold as a stack of disposable ultra-thin strainers.
In a first embodiment the disposable drain strainer device for use in conjunction with a drain opening comprises a strainer portion comprising strainer walls and a strainer bottom. The strainer portion has a plurality of small apertures therein and is adapted to be removably received within the drain opening. A ring portion is fixedly attached to the strainer walls of the strainer portion. The ring portion is constructed having top and bottom surfaces and is adapted to substantially sealingly engage the drain rim substrate. What is more, the disposable drain strainer has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch). In one embodiment the drain strainer comprises a seal release means.
In another embodiment a disposable drain strainer for use with a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate is provided that comprises a strainer portion constructed having strainer walls and a strainer bottom. The strainer portion has a plurality of small apertures therein and is adapted to be removably received within the drain opening. A ring portion is fixedly attached to the strainer walls of the strainer portion. The ring portion includes top and bottom surfaces and being adapted to substantially sealingly engage the drain rim substrate. Additionally, a seal release means is provided that is integral within the ring portion for facilitating release of the ring portion and removal of the strainer from the drain. The seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within the ring portion so that the ring portion further comprises arced ring walls having convex and concave configurations with a ring edge. The convex configuration is engaged when the ring portion forms the seal with the adjacent drain rim area. Conversely, the concave configuration is engaged when the top portion of the ring portion is pressed, the seal being released and the disposable drain strainer being removed from the drain opening and discarded. Lastly, the disposable drain strainer has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch).
The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:
The invention provides a lightweight, ultra-thin disposable drain strainer removably received within a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate. Preferably the strainer is composed of a biodegradable material and is preferably intended for single use. The strainer has a strainer portion, a ring portion, and has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch) for disposability. In another embodiment the strainer includes a seal release mechanism. Top and bottom surfaces of the ring portion are adapted to sealingly engage the drain rim substrate. The disposable drain strainer is preferably composed of a biodegradable or environmentally friendly material. The ultra-thin strainer may be composed of a variety of materials, including fiber materials, polymeric materials, starch, sugarcane, or water-insoluble edible film. Wherein the strainer is composed of a material soluble in water, the strainer preferably includes a water-insoluble edible film coating. Owing to its thin nature, the disposable drain strainer is appointed to be disposed after use so that the user does not have to clean the strainer and is cost efficient to produce and transport. Due to the strainer's environmentally friendly composition the strainer can be readily discarded without harming the environment.
Advantageously, the ultra-thin strainer is light weight, less expensive to manufacture, easier to handle, and encounters low transportation and packaging costs, and low insurance costs and import taxes. In addition, the strainer is green, being composed of environmentally friendly material. The ultra-thin disposable drain strainer can be readily placed in a drain to effect substantial sealing engagement with the drain perimeter so that debris is retained by the strainer while water and other fluids pass therethrough. When the disposable drain strainer is filled with debris, the strainer is simply discarded along with the debris. Preferably the strainer is appointed for a single use—or one time use—so that it is discarded after use and a new strainer is provided in its place. Upon removal from the drain, the strainer device and the debris therein can be readily discarded.
The disposable strainer offers a sink strainer, shower strainer and bathtub strainer embodiments. The strainer is preferably made so that it is a “green” strainer for environmental friendly application. The strainer is preferably made of corn starch so that it is biodegradable within five months after disposal. After disposal, birds, squirrels or rabbits will eat the strainer. What is more, owing to the thinness of the strainer, not only is it environmentally friendly for disposal, but it is cheap to manufacture, ship and store. The retail price of the strainer is so inexpensive that it can readily be disposes of after a single use. Each pack of the strainers is inexpensive, and can be sold in cartons, for example containing fifty strainers. Additionally, the strainer offers a hygienic alternative to currently utilized metal or mesh strainers due to the disposability as the reusable metal/mesh/plastic strainers are difficult to clean and are a breeding ground for germs and are therefore non-hygienic. Further, disposal of currently utilized mesh/plastic and metal strainer are not environmentally friendly-taking hundreds of years to decompose.
Due to the thinness of the strainer, the strainer can be manufactured, packaged and transported with minimum cost. At the same time, the thinness of the strainer provides a cost benefit as to the disposable nature of the strainer. Inasmuch as the ultra-thin strainer is cheaper to manufacture, package and transport, its disposability is feasible with minimum cost to the consumer for replacement. Preferably the strainer is sold in a package including a plurality of strainers therein—which may be sold as a stack of disposable ultra-thin strainers. Because of the disposal nature of the ultra-thin strainer it is desirable that the strainer be composed of an ultra thin construction. The ultra-thin strainer may be composed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polypropene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), Acrylonitrile and butadiene styrene (ABS). Alternatively, the disposable drain strainer may be composed of polystyrene in the form of extruded polystyrene foam such as that commonly sold under the trade name STYROFOAM of Dow Chemical Company.
Most preferably, the ultra-thin strainer is composed of a degradable environmentally friendly material such as a fiber material or paper material. Further, the ultra-thin strainer may be composed of an edible material so that animals can feed off the disposed strainer, such as starch, sugarcane, rice bran, polylactide (PLA), or a water-insoluble edible film such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,164. Such starches may include rice, wheat, maize (corn), potatoes and cassaya, or modified food starch products. As the strainer is appointed to be utilized in the presence of water, preferably the strainer includes a water-insoluble edible film coating such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,164. When the ultra-thin strainer is composed of a water soluble compound, such as some starches, it preferably includes a water insoluble coating or film as discussed to mitigate solubility during use in the sink or tub. For example, the ultra-thin strainer may be composed of or coated with a water-insoluble edible film including mixtures of protein [whey protein, preferably]/beeswax/sorbitol edible emulsion films such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,164. Alternatively, the coating may simply consist of a thin wax coating, and or gelatin coating to provide a barrier against water solubility of the strainer.
The strainer 1000 preferably further includes a downward cross reinforcement 1050 on the underside of the strainer portion 1011. This downward cross reinforcement is a cross shaped press down reinforcement that is centrally located symmetrical to the strainer portion 1011. The ring portion 1020 also preferably further includes an outer edge bend down reinforcement 1051 running circumferentially along ring portion 1020. A downward anti-move around embossing or etching may be integrated on the underside 1022 of the strainer 1000; the embossing may be on the underside of the ring portion 1020 and/or on the underside of the strainer portion 1011.
Strainer portion 11 is removably received within a drain opening 31 having an adjacent drain rim area 32. The drain is preferably a kitchen sink drain or rinse basin, or the like, affixed to a plumbing fixture. The drain may be a bathroom sink drain or shower or tub drain. The size of the disposable drain strainer can vary to accommodate a vast array of sink drain sizes, shapes, and depths. Preferably, strainer walls 12 of strainer portion 11 extend and engage with strainer bottom 13 to form strainer containment well 15 having a depth ranging between 0.1 (0.039 inches) to 4 cm (1.57 inches). Strainer containment well 15 has a depth sufficient to receive debris therein.
The disposable drain strainer 10, 30, further comprises ring portion 20 fixedly attached to strainer walls 12 of strainer portion 11. Although the strainer portion 11 is shown having a concave nature/or curved nature, the strainer portion 11 may be of many confirmations, including a flat confirmation on the horizontal plane with the ring portion 20. Ring portion 20 may have a shallow depth so that it forms only a small or thin ring around strainer portion 11. Ring portion 20 further comprises a top surface 21 and bottom surface 22. Ring portion 20 is constructed and arranged to engage with and form a seal with adjacent drain rim area 32 of drain opening 31. This seal between ring portion 20 and adjacent drain rim area 32 substantially prevents the seepage and passage of wayward debris from bypassing strainer portion 11 and undesirably entering drain opening 31 and potentially clogging the plumbing piping. Optionally, ring portion 20 further comprises a seal gasket (see
The disposable drain strainer 10, 30 may further comprise a seal release means, herein shown as tab 25, integrated within ring portion 20. In this embodiment, shown at 10 and 30, seal release means comprises a tab 25 pivotally and fixedly attached to the top surface 21 of ring portion 20 by way of a connection means 26. Preferably, tab 25 is connected to ring portion 20 so that the connection means 26 is located closer to the outside perimeter 23 of ring portion 20, and the tab opens as indicated by way of the arrow. Tab 25 comprises an interior surface 27 and an exterior surface 28. Interior surface 27 is in intimate contact with top surface 21 of ring portion 20 when tab 25 is in the closed configuration, as illustrated at 10 in
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Preferably, the disposable drain strainer device is composed of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE). Most preferably, the ultra-thin strainer is composed of a degradable environmentally friendly material such as a fiber material or paper material. Further, the ultra-thin strainer may be composed of an edible material such as starch, sugarcane, or a water-insoluble edible film such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,164, so that animals can feed off the disposed strainer. Such starches may include rice, wheat, maize (corn), potatoes and cassaya, or modified food starch products. As the strainer is appointed to be utilized in the presence of water, preferably the strainer includes a water-insoluble edible film coating such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,164. When the ultra-thin strainer is composed of a water soluble compound, such as some starches, it preferably includes a water insoluble coating or film as discussed to mitigate solubility during use in the sink or tub. For example, the ultra-thin strainer may be composed of or coated with a water-insoluble edible film including mixtures of protein [whey protein, preferably]/beeswax/sorbitol edible emulsion films such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,164. Alternatively, the coating may simply consist of a thin wax coating.
The disposable drain strainer device has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch). This thickness limitation and polymeric material composition yields a lightweight, economically viable, yet sturdy disposable strainer product. A thickness of no greater than 0.091 cm enables a disposable strainer to carry a load of debris without strainer breakage. Moreover, a thickness of no greater than 0.091 cm provides the ability to closely pack, ship, and distribute the disposable strainers in a cost effective manner, since many of the disposable strainers can be readily stacked upon one another during shipment and storage, and points of sale. In addition, cost saving benefits can be reaped through savings in raw materials (i.e. less materials being utilized for the thin strainers), production costs, reduced need for solvents and decreased generation of hazardous waste during manufacture.
Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.
Claims
1. A disposable drain strainer for use with a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate, comprising:
- a. a strainer portion having a plurality of small apertures therein and adapted to be removably engage with said drain opening;
- b. a ring portion fixedly attached to said strainer walls of said strainer portion, said ring portion having top and bottom surfaces and being adapted to substantially engage said drain rim substrate; and
- c. said disposable drain strainer having a thickness no greater than 0.091 (0.036 inch).
2. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1 comprising a seal release means.
3. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 2, wherein said seal release means is integral within said ring portion for facilitating release of said ring portion and removal of said strainer from said drain, said seal release means comprises a tab pivotally and fixedly attached to said top surface of said ring portion by a connection means, and said tab further comprises an interior and an exterior surface.
4. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polypropene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), Acrylonitrile and butadiene styrene (ABS).
5. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of paper material.
6. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a fiber material.
7. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of polystyrene.
8. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of starch.
9. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of sugarcane.
10. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1 further comprising a water-insoluble edible film coating.
11. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a water-insoluble edible film.
12. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said plurality of small apertures each have slightly tapered, sloped walls.
13. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer comprises environmentally friendly binding agent.
14. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said ring portion further comprises a seal gasket located on said bottom surface of said ring portion.
15. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said ring portion further comprises a suction-cup gasket located on said bottom surface of said ring portion.
16. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said strainer portion comprises strainer walls abutting a strainer bottom, and wherein said plurality of small apertures are substantially located in said strainer bottom.
17. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 16, wherein said strainer walls include a plurality of drainage holes integrated therein.
18. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 16, wherein said strainer walls of said strainer portion extend and engage with said strainer bottom to form a strainer containment well having a depth ranging between 0.1 (0.039 inches) to 4 cm (1.57 inches).
19. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1 comprising a downward cross reinforcement.
20. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1 comprising an outer edge bend down reinforcement.
21. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1 comprising a downward anti-move around embossing.
22. A disposable drain strainer for use with a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate, comprising:
- a. a strainer portion comprising strainer walls and a strainer bottom, said strainer portion having a plurality of small apertures therein and adapted to be removably received within said drain opening;
- b. a ring portion fixedly attached to said strainer walls of said strainer portion, said ring portion having top and bottom surfaces and being adapted to substantially sealingly engage said drain rim substrate;
- c. a seal release means integral within said ring portion for facilitating release of said ring portion and removal of said strainer from said drain;
- d. said seal release means comprising a press-release integrated within said ring portion so that said ring portion further comprises arced ring walls having convex and concave configurations with a ring edge, wherein said convex configuration is engaged when said ring portion forms said seal with said adjacent drain rim area, and wherein said concave configuration is engaged when said top portion of said ring portion is pressed, said seal being released and said disposable drain strainer being removed from said drain opening and discarded;
- e. said disposable drain strainer has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch).
23. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 22, wherein said ring edge of said portion further comprises a seal gasket located on said bottom surface of said ring portion.
24. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 22, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene (PS), polypropene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), Acrylonitrile and butadiene styrene (ABS).
25. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 22, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of paper material.
26. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 22, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of starch.
27. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 22, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of sugarcane.
28. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 22 comprising a water-insoluble edible film coating.
29. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 22, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a water-insoluble edible film.
30. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from lactic acid, polylactide (PLA).
31. A disposable drain strainer as recited by claim 1, wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of rice bran.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 26, 2010
Inventor: Haion Won (Basking Ridge, NJ)
Application Number: 12/799,332
International Classification: E03F 5/14 (20060101);