With Force Cup (e.g., A Plunger) Patents (Class 4/255.05)
  • Patent number: 11952733
    Abstract: The present disclosure presents an apparatus which assists with disposal of animal excrement. The apparatus includes a conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are fluidly coupled to a handle and a nozzle, respectively. The handle is fluidly coupled to a water source and provides a lever that is operably coupled to an internal valve allowing the user to control the flow rate of water through the conduit and nozzle. The apparatus further includes a splash guard that is coupled to the nozzle and extends a predetermined distance beyond the exit orifice of the nozzle. The nozzle and splash guard are engineered to produce a turbulent churning of the discharged water when the splash guard is in sufficient contact with the ground that allows for the rapid breakdown and dissolution of the animal excrement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Feces to Piece-Ease LLC
    Inventors: Brian Kent Healy, Allan Rust Healy
  • Patent number: 11801321
    Abstract: The Scented Decorative Plunger Holder is a canister for holding a plunger. The holder has a lid and body. The lid has a portion configured to contain a scented agent, and this portion is magnetically connected to the lid. The lid and body have vents. The Scented Decorative Plunger Holder, can be made in a variety of styles using any color or a multi-color design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventor: Beleatha Joyce Williams
  • Patent number: 10508428
    Abstract: A drain clearing device includes an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The elongated shaft has a first set of barbs spaced apart along a length of the shaft on a first side of the shaft between the first and second ends and a second set of barbs spaced apart along the length of the shaft on a second side of the shaft between the first and second ends. The drain clearing device further includes a collecting member having a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end is coupled to the elongated shaft proximate the first end and the free end is movable relative to the fixed end from a collapsed position to an extended position, in which the elongated shaft is substantially surrounded by the collecting member. The collecting member is configured to contain debris from a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED
    Inventors: Halle Elliott, Parke Pleasants, Julia H. Moylan, James A. Keith
  • Patent number: 10052115
    Abstract: A choking intervention device for clearing an object obstructing a breathing passage of a choking victim includes a bellows assembly and a removable facemask configured to enclose a person's mouth and nose. The bellows assembly includes a bellows having a base with an opening thereon. The opening is configured to provide access to an interior volume of the bellows assembly. The bellows assembly further includes a handle on the bellows at a side opposite the base. The facemask is coupled to the base of the bellows and is configured to enclose the choking victim's mouth and nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Arthur Lih
  • Publication number: 20140068849
    Abstract: A toilet plunger device relating to a hydraulic plunger that may be inserted into a toilet to create a seal beyond or below the siphon jet that, further, may employ pressurized water to dislodge a clogged toilet drain. The plunger includes an elongated carrier body with a coupling, a first flange, a second flange, and a resilient foam body. This assembly is connected to an elongated tubular wand that is connected to a trigger valve which, in turn, is connected to a source of pressurized liquid. The foam body is inserted into the toilet drain and creates a tight seal around the drain. The trigger valve then operatively releases a flow of pressurized liquid through the tubular wand and the elongated carrier body to break up debris and clear the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Scheuerman
  • Patent number: 8544122
    Abstract: An improved toilet plunger for unclogging drains, such as those typically associated with a toilet, preferably comprised of a stem, a bell with a generally oblong opening, and a plurality of baffles attached to said bell. The unique shape of the bell and bell opening, combined with the presence and function of the baffles, make the improved plunger device particularly effective for unclogging modern trough-like toilet drains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Franchot Slot
  • Patent number: 8418275
    Abstract: The system for unclogging toilets is a pressurized air-based unclogging system for toilets, allowing clogs formed on either side of a bend in a toilet outflow pipe to be cleared simultaneously. The system includes a tube mounted on a toilet so that a pair of peripheral apertures and a central aperture formed through a lower end thereof communicate with an interior of the bend of the pipe. A plunger is slidably mounted within an interior of the tube, and has an expandable bladder mounted thereto. An air pump delivers pressurized air to the interior of the tube through a port formed through an upper end thereof so that the plunger is driven downward while simultaneously filling the expandable bladder, which projects through the central aperture. The expandable bladder creates a barrier within the bend and pressurized air flowing through the peripheral apertures is delivered to either side of the bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Mehmet Dondurur, Ahmet Z. Sahin
  • Publication number: 20120233757
    Abstract: An improved toilet plunger for unclogging drains, such as those typically associated with a toilet, preferably comprised of a stem, a bell with a generally oblong opening, and a plurality of baffles attached to said bell. The unique shape of the bell and bell opening, combined with the presence and function of the baffles, make the improved plunger device particularly effective for unclogging modern trough-like toilet drains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Franchot Slot
  • Patent number: 8250679
    Abstract: A plunger apparatus, comprising a force cup assembly having a top edge, a neck, and a first bottom edge. An elongated connector has a tube comprising a first top end and a first bottom end. A housing assembly has a second top end and a second bottom edge. An adaptor has a third top end and a third bottom edge. A valve assembly comprises a valve and a fitting. The force cup assembly comprises at least one ridge and the second bottom edge rests upon the at least one ridge. In operation, a force is placed upon the valve assembly, thus biasing the second bottom edge against the at least one ridge to cause the first bottom edge to form a seal upon a drain. Flushing means comprise liquid matter entering via the fitting and flowing through the elongated connector and the force cup assembly when the valve is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Manuel FariƱa
  • Publication number: 20120159700
    Abstract: A drain cleaning device that uses compressed air to clear obstructions in the drain pipes of water basins, toilets and the like. The drain cleaning device consists mainly of a force cup, a handle, flexible pipes for conveying compressed air, and quick connect couplings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Martin Iacampo, SR.
  • Publication number: 20120011643
    Abstract: A bathroom device with a single use dissolvable functional head with a plunger head or a cleaning head is described. The bathroom device may include an elongated handle coupled at a first end to the to the single use dissolvable functional head. The device may also include a single use dissolvable sleeve covering a portion of the elongated handle and a release mechanism for releasing the single use dissolvable functional head from the first end of the elongated handle. The single use dissolvable sleeve may be configured to slide off the elongated handle when the single use dissolvable functional head has been released. A method of using the bathroom device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Larry D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8083864
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning any enclosure having at least one drainage capable of enclosing one liquid. The enclosure including but, not limited to a toilet bowl, a bidet, a bathtub, a sink, a reservoir, a tank and, a shower stall. The cleaning device comprising an elongated member having a sidewall, an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, and a substantially hollow cavity. The first end and the second end of the elongated member can either be integral or be connected by a connecting means. The cleaning device also includes a stopper disposed on the first end and a gripping member removably attached to the second end of the elongated member. A liquid level regulator is provided on the cleaning device in order to control and regulate the amount of liquid disposed in an enclosure to be cleaned in order to maximize cleaning without causing overflowing. Cleaning is accomplished by a controlling means-controlling at least one agitating means operating at an optimal frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Edward Ho
  • Patent number: 7877821
    Abstract: A hand-held gun-shaped device having an air compressor, an air chamber, and at least one detachable drain-sealing adapter, which are used together to clear soft stoppages from single drains. Air compressor power may be supplied by a removable power cord or battery. Optional features include a detachable side handle, a toilet plunger adapter, a hollow cup adapter for shower and kitchen sink drains, a funnel-shaped adapter for bathtub and sink drains, an air compressor tire valve, a tire valve attachment, a safety-release valve, and a pressure gauge. An operator sets the PSI setting dial or display on the air compressor above a needed threshold air chamber pressure and starts the air compressor. When the air compressor stops and an air chamber release button is activated, a drain-unclogging air burst is released from the air chamber. One charge of the air chamber provides one air burst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Giuseppe Prestia
  • Patent number: 7765626
    Abstract: A drain clearing device includes a first hollow tube having opposed first and second ends and a plunger head coupled to the first end. A second hollow tube includes a first end operatively coupled to the first end of the first tube, the first and second tubes being configured for telescoping movement between extended and retracted configurations. A snaking member is situated in the first and second tubes for movement between storing and operating configurations when the tubes are moved between extended and retracted configurations, respectively. A crank handle connected to the snaking member enables a user to rotate and extend the snake as needed. A plug is included for separating an inner tube area from an inner area of the plunger head and to prevent water spillage from the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Franco Sapia
  • Publication number: 20090049593
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plunger including, in combination, a handle, a plunger bell with an inner bell surface, and an elongated tubular sheath, wherein the sheath at least substantially encases the handle and plunger bell, and the sheath is at least partially secured to the inner bell surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Scot Hodkiewicz
  • Patent number: 7120943
    Abstract: An affordable plumbing device that uses a compressed gas and a burst disk having a relatively even surface of substantially uniform thickness to produce a sudden discharge of energy to forcibly act against any obstruction that may interfere with the proper function of a drain. The plumbing device has a cylindrical chamber for receiving the compressed gas and may generally take the shape of a plunger, which is flexible to use and is easy to store. A portion of the chamber forms a receiving chamber with the burst disk for harnessing and directing the energy of the compressed gas to clear the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: M.A.G. Engineering & Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Howard M. Allenbaugh, David M. Turchik, Gerard G. Adelmeyer
  • Patent number: 7000284
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided to aid in the removal of blockages from sanitary waste lines on sinks, showers and the like. Two pieces of flexible hose connect to a standard utility vacuum. The first piece of hose, approximately six to eight feet long, connects to the suction port of the vacuum. The second piece of hose, approximately 20 feet long, connects to the exhaust port of the vacuum. A special drain adapter connects to the other end of the suction hose. The adapter, with a small diameter piece of plastic pipe, and a flexible shroud which is similar in nature to a rubber plunger, forms an air tight seal between the suction hose and the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: Ron Sowden, Andrew Sowden
  • Patent number: 6922854
    Abstract: An affordable plumbing device that uses a compressed gas and a burst disk having a relatively even surface of substantially uniform thickness to produce a sudden discharge of energy to forcibly act against any obstruction that may interfere with the proper function of a drain. The plumbing device has a cylindrical chamber for receiving the compressed gas and may generally take the shape of a plunger, which is flexible to use and is easy to store. A portion of the chamber forms a receiving chamber with the burst disk for harnessing and directing the energy of the compressed gas to clear the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: The Howard and Veronica Allenbaugh Family Trust
    Inventors: Howard M. Allenbaugh, David M. Turchik, Gerard G. Adelmeyer
  • Patent number: 6859949
    Abstract: A toilet plunger apparatus includes a handle and an air compression/expansion bellows portion connected to the handle. The bellows portion includes a distal end. A substantially rigid offset-angle adapter is connected to the bellows distal end. The offset-angle adapter includes a first adapter arm portion having a first arm outer diameter and a second adapter arm portion having a second arm outer diameter. The second adapter arm portion includes an open distal arm portion end. The second arm outer diameter is less than the first arm outer diameter, and the second adapter arm portion is oriented with respect to the first adapter arm portion at an arm-to-arm offset angle which is preferably, approximately 135 angular degrees. An adapter kit having an offset-angle adapter in accordance with the invention can be provided for retrofitting a conventional bellows-type toilet plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Gavin
  • Patent number: 6813785
    Abstract: A storage container for a toilet plunger. Two asymmetrical opposing clamshell doors form the base and lid of the container and are hinged together at the top of the container. When not in use the plunger head is held within the container with the plunger handle sticking up through a aperture in the top of the container. When the plunger is needed, the base and lid of the container are opened and spread across the toilet seat. The base and lid now protect the user from splashes that may occur due to their plunging of their toilet. The container automatically closes around the plunger head upon raising the plunger from the toilet, thus containing any water on the plunger within the container. Any water so trapped can evaporate through an evaporation slot in the container wall. Two sizes of container are taught, to accommodate every type of plunger made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: William N. Baker
  • Patent number: 6719134
    Abstract: A toilet plunger storage device includes a fluid-impervious receptacle to receive an elastomeric suction head portion of a toilet plunger and a cover fitted to the receptacle that receives the handle portion of the plunger. The receptacle includes a conical side wall from which a straight-sided cylindrical portion projects upwardly. The cover has a generally conical member at its lower end and an elongate, hollow, tapered tube that projects from the upper end of the conical member. The upper end of the cylindrical portion and the lower end of the cover are configured to engage each other in bayonet-type telescopic fashion to establish a sealing and locking relationship. A first handle extends from the side of the receptacle and a second handle is disposed at the top of the cover. The device can be formed integrally from a conventional plastics material such as high density polypropylene or polyethylene in a single, inexpensive molding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Vincent R. Phillips, Howard C. Phillips, III, Robert D. Wise
  • Patent number: 6684417
    Abstract: A vented toilet plunger that includes a cup and a handle. The cup has a vent valve assembly that extends through a high point of the cup. The vent valve assembly is a check valve that contains a ball that normally allows communication through the check valve. The ball of the check valve is of a weight that is not overcome by air, but is overcome by water, so as to allow communication through the check valve when the cup is first put into the water so as to allow the air trapped in the cup to be vented out, but once the air is vented out, the water fills the cup and moves the ball of the check valve to block communication through the check valve so as not to allow the water to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Wallace Schneider
  • Patent number: 6662381
    Abstract: An automated toilet plunging apparatus for unclogging and unplugging a plugged toilet drain. The automated toilet plunging apparatus includes a toilet having a bowl and also having a drain disposed through a bottom of the bowl; and also includes a plunger housing assembly including a container being securely disposed in the bowl and having an open front side, and also including a door being hingedly attached to the container and being openly closed upon the open front side of the container; and further including a plunger member being removably disposed in the container for opening a plugged drain; and also including an assembly of actuating the plunger member; and also including a hose being attached to the plunger member and being adapted to be connected to a water supply for rinsing the bowl when the plunger member is positioned over the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: Elizabeth C. Powell, Latasha Powell
  • Patent number: 6618873
    Abstract: A waste disposer assist tool for automatically feeding waste food contained within the housing of a standard kitchen electric food disposer and for spraying liquid soap. The tool includes a hollow handle and a piston which screw together through a central hole of a flexible plunger. The plunger is held between respective flanges ofthe handle and the piston with the piston slightly protruding from within the plunger. The tool is positioned over the opening of the sink above the garbage disposer with the piston fitted within and in a substantially air-tight seal with the interior of the housing of the disposer unit. The plunger fits in a substantially air-tight seal against the bottom interior of the sink. The slight vacuum created by the outflow of ground food waste and water by the garbage disposer blades below the piston causes the higher ambient pressure against the upper side of the plunger to force the piston downward against he waste food in an automatic feed fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Brian Mulgrew, Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6550074
    Abstract: An affordable plumbing device that uses a compressed gas and a burst disk having a relatively even surface of substantially uniform thickness to produce a sudden discharge of energy to forcibly act against any obstruction that may interfere with the proper function of a drain. The plumbing device has a cylindrical chamber for receiving the compressed gas and may generally take the shape of a plunger, which is flexible to use and is easy to store. A portion of the chamber forms a receiving chamber with the burst disk for harnessing and directing the energy of the compressed gas to clear the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: M. A. G. Engineering & Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Howard M. Allenbaugh, David M. Turchik, Gerard G. Adelmeyer
  • Patent number: 6519785
    Abstract: An easy to use, sanitary plunger device for clearing drains includes: a one piece, generally bottle-shaped, hollow, curved body portion extending into a narrower neck portion ending in a generally circular opening, the opposite end of the plunger device being closed; the device being made of a flexible, sturdy, compressible material that returns to its shape following compression. A preferred embodiment of the plunger device includes a butterfly valve or a stem valve. A method of clearing clogged toilets or drains is also included. The plunger device serves to unstop a clogged toilet without the up and down motion and resultant splashing of filthy water associated with a conventional plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry H. Piercy, II
  • Patent number: 6510860
    Abstract: An adapter having a central tubular connecting portion to enable the adapter to be fitted to a drain clearing tool, and a flexible skirt portion of frusto-conical shape extending from the central connecting portion partway along its length. The connecting portion has a first part on one side of the skirt portion and a second part with a different diameter from the first part on the other side of the skirt portion, and the skirt portion having a first configuration in which it surrounds one of the connecting parts and a reversely bent second configuration in which it surrounds the other connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Josef K. Kihs
  • Patent number: 6434760
    Abstract: A pressurized plunger apparatus for cleaning drains and other plumbing fixtures of obstacles. The pressurized plunger apparatus includes a pressurizable handle assembly that has an air valve for releasing the compressed air into a chamber area of a plunger member when the device is depressed onto a drain, thereby forcing the compressed air into the plumbing system and clearing the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Ruben Montalvo
  • Publication number: 20020100705
    Abstract: A toilet plunger storage device includes a fluid-impervious receptacle to receive an elastomeric suction head portion of a toilet plunger and a cover fitted to the receptacle that receives the handle portion of the plunger. The receptacle includes a conical side wall from which a straight-sided cylindrical portion projects upwardly. The cover has a generally conical member at its lower end and an elongate, hollow, tapered tube that projects from the upper end of the conical member. The upper end of the cylindrical portion and the lower end of the cover are configured to engage each other in bayonet-type telescopic fashion to establish a sealing and locking relationship. A first handle extends from the side of the receptacle and a second handle is disposed at the top of the cover. The device can be formed integrally from a conventional plastics material such as high density polypropylene or polyethylene in a single, inexpensive molding operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Vincent R. Phillips, Howard C. Phillips, Robert D. Wise
  • Patent number: 6216283
    Abstract: A toilet bowl plunger for use with a new narrow throat 1.6 gallon toilet that can be used equally well with older toilets. The head portion of the plunger is a pleated bellows consisting of two sections, a conically tapering section and a constant average diameter section. The conically tapering section has larger diameter at the rear end of the head and tapers down to a narrower diameter in a direction away from the rear end of the head. The bellows then continues into the constant diameter section in a direction away from the rear end and towards the front end of the head. The constant diameter section resembles an elephant-like trunk or nose. When inserted into the toilet bowl, the constant diameter section of the bellows head penetrates into the throat, while a forward end of the tapered section seats over the outer perimeter of the mouth of the throat. The constant diameter section or nose of the head curves to follow the path of the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: George Tash