U.S. patent application number 16/292910 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-12 for plunger device with triangular bell and cylindrical sleeve.
The applicant listed for this patent is Butler Home Products LLC. Invention is credited to Robert L. Blackadar, Robert Cavalcanti, Kirk Morris.
Application Number | 20190277013 16/292910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67841927 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-12 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190277013 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cavalcanti; Robert ; et
al. |
September 12, 2019 |
PLUNGER DEVICE WITH TRIANGULAR BELL AND CYLINDRICAL SLEEVE
Abstract
An improved toilet plunger for unclogging drains, comprised of a
handle and a plunger head with an upper generally
triangular-shaped, collapsible bell portion and a lower generally
cylindrical, flexible sleeve portion. The unique shape and
configuration of the bell and sleeve portions enable the improved
plunger device to displace clogs with fewer attempts, and to resist
device deformation, inversion, rotation, and breaking of the seal
during plunging.
Inventors: |
Cavalcanti; Robert;
(Marlborough, MA) ; Morris; Kirk; (Cambridge,
MA) ; Blackadar; Robert L.; (Worcester, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Butler Home Products LLC |
Hudson |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67841927 |
Appl. No.: |
16/292910 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62639613 |
Mar 7, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/308 20130101;
E03D 9/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/308 20060101
E03C001/308 |
Claims
1. A toilet plunger comprising: a handle, and a plunger head,
wherein said plunger head comprises (i) a top portion for attaching
the plunger head to the handle, (ii) a generally triangular-shaped,
collapsible bell portion having an upper end and a lower end,
wherein the upper end of the bell portion is fixedly attached to
the top portion and the lower end of the bell portion defines a
seal lip for engaging the surface of a toilet, and (iii) a
generally cylindrical, flexible sleeve portion fixedly attached to
the lower end of the bell portion, wherein the flexible sleeve
portion is configured to engage the trap in a toilet.
2. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein the bell portion is
generally in the shape of an isosceles triangle having rounded
corners.
3. The toilet plunger of claim 2, wherein the bell portion
comprises a plurality of segments.
4. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein said plunger head is
comprised of rubber.
5. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is contiguous
with the bell, whereby the sleeve is in fluid communication with
the bell.
6. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further
comprises an upper concave portion and a lower or convex
portion.
7. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments
subjacent the top portion comprises four progressively wider
segments.
8. The toilet plunger of claim 7, wherein the plurality of segments
comprises a first segment, a second segment, a third segment, and a
fourth segment, with the fourth segment defining the seal lip where
it meets the sleeve.
9. The toilet plunger of claim 8, wherein the wall of the first and
second segments of the bell is thicker than the wall of the third
segment of the bell.
10. The toilet plunger of claim 9, wherein the fourth segment is
thicker than the first and second segments and further forms a
protuberance which reinforces the seal lip.
12. The toilet plunger of claim 11, wherein during compression of
the plunger head, the plurality of segments collapse, beginning
with the first segment, followed by the second segment, and then
the third segment, in the order of least segment width to greatest
segment width.
13. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein the triangular profile
of the bell portion of the plunger head maintains the applied force
along the central axis of the plunger device during plunging.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/639,613 filed on Mar. 7, 2018, the
contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a plunger for unclogging
drains. The plunger includes a handle and a plunger head. The
plunger head includes a generally triangular-shaped bell portion
and a generally cylindrical sleeve portion.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Plungers are well known for unclogging drains such as those
associated with a toilet. Traditional, generally circular-shaped
plunger bells, can be ineffective for creating the necessary seal
around both circular and trapezoidal toilet bowl drain openings to
allow the pressure created by the plunger to be fully directed into
the drain. Also, traditional plunger sleeves may not fit
effectively into both round and trapezoidal drain openings while
still maintaining the necessary seal. An improper seal between the
plunger bell and the toilet drain may result in splash-back of
contaminated water onto a user when the plunger bell is compressed,
inversion of the plunger bell, and failure to clear the clogged
drain.
[0004] Consequently, there exists a need for a universal plunger
device that enables the user to create and maintain the appropriate
seal for both circular and trapezoidal drain types, to maximize
effectiveness of clog removal, and reduce likelihood of
splash-back. There is also a need for an improved plunger device
that accomplishes the foregoing objectives while preventing costly
and time consuming repairs, and being easy and inexpensive to use
and manufacture.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect, the improved toilet plunger of the present
invention comprises a handle, and a plunger head. The plunger head
comprises a top portion for attaching the plunger head to the
handle, and a generally triangular-shaped, collapsible bell portion
having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the bell
portion is fixedly attached to the top portion and the lower end of
the bell portion defines a seal lip for engaging the inner surface
of a toilet bowl. The plunger head further comprises a generally
cylindrical, flexible sleeve portion fixedly attached to the lower
end of the bell portion. The flexible sleeve portion is configured
to engage the trap of a toilet. In one embodiment, the top portion,
bell portion and sleeve portion are molded in one piece from
natural or synthetic rubber.
[0006] In some embodiments, the bell portion of the toilet plunger
is generally in the shape of an equilateral triangle with rounded
corners. In some embodiments, the bell portion comprises a
plurality of segments. In some embodiments, the sleeve portion has
an upper concave portion and a lower convex portion.
[0007] Among the advantages of the invention is that the triangular
shape of the bell portion creates a better seal for every type of
toilet bowl opening or trap way. The bell portion covers both round
and trapezoidal openings, minimizes or prevents splash-back during
the plunging process, and maximizes the amount of liquid displaced
through the drain during plunging. The taper of the lower convex
portion of the sleeve creates a better seal for every type of
toilet bowl opening or trap way. The sleeve blocks the toilet jets
to prevent forcing liquid back into the toilet bowl during the
plunging process, thereby maximizing the pressure and volume of the
liquid displaced by plunging.
[0008] Other advantages and features of the invention become
apparent in view of the following description of embodiments of the
invention, which shall be understood not to be limiting and which
will be explained below with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the plunger of
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the plunger head of the plunger of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plunger head of the
plunger of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the plunger head of the plunger of
FIG. 1
[0013] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the plunger head of FIG. 4
through section 5-5.
[0014] FIGS. 6A-6D show the progressive deformation of the plunger
head as downward force is applied to the plunger head.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the
plunger head with exemplary dimensions of the thickness of the
plunger head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the plunger 10 of the
present invention. The plunger is comprised of a handle 12 and a
plunger head 14. The handle 12 includes an elongated portion 15
having a proximal end and a distal end. A grip 17 may be provided
at the proximal end of the plunger. The distal end of the plunger
may include a threaded portion 19 for use in attaching the handle
to a correspondingly threaded top portion of the plunger head as
described below. Alternatively, the distal end of the handle may be
attached to the plunger head using an adhesive, a friction fit, or
by any other appropriate means known to those skilled in the
art.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the plunger head 14 is comprised of a
top portion 13, a bell portion 16, and a sleeve portion 18. The top
portion 13 may include threads corresponding to threads on the
distal portion of the handle to connect the plunger head 14 to the
handle 12. Alternatively, the handle may be connected to the
plunger head by glue, friction fit or other means of
attachment.
[0018] The upper end of the bell 16 is attached to the lower end of
the top portion 13. The upper end of the sleeve 18 is attached to
the lower end of the bell 16, whereby the sleeve 18 is in fluid
communication with the bell 16. The bell 16 and sleeve 18 are
comprised of a flexible material, such as natural or synthetic
rubber, although the invention is not limited in this regard and
any appropriate flexible material may be used. Use of a flexible
material permits the bell 16 to collapse to force a fluid, such as
water, into a drain, and further permits the sleeve 18 to conform
to fit into both round and trapezoidal drain openings. In one
embodiment, the top portion 13, the bell 16 and the sleeve 18 are
integrally formed as a single unit from natural or synthetic
rubber. Alternatively, the top portion 13, the bell 16 and the
sleeve 18 can be separately formed and attached by any means known
in the art, such as by glue.
[0019] The bell 16 of the plunger head 14 has a generally
triangular shape and is collapsible. In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 4, the bell 16 is generally in the shape of an equilateral
triangle having rounded corners. The generally triangular shape of
the bell portion 16 covers both round and trapezoidal openings,
minimizes or prevents splash-back during the plunging process, and
maximizes the amount of liquid displaced by plunging. Compression
of the bell 16 of the plunger head 14 forces fluid down the toilet
trap to clear blockages, allowing the toilet to drain. The rounded
triangular shape of the bell 16 and seal lip 20 improves the seal
made when the seal lip 20 engages the surface of the toilet, thus
maximizing the pressure of liquid displaced by plunging.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2-3, in one embodiment the bell portion 16
is comprised of a plurality of segments 28, 30, 32 and 40. The bell
portion 16 may contain any desired number of segments. As shown in
FIGS. 2-3, the segments may become progressively wider moving from
the first segment 28 attached to the top portion 13 to the last
segment 40. The last segment 40 of the bell portion 16 defines a
seal lip 20 having a lower wall 21 that engages the surface of the
toilet bowl to form a seal. As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment,
the walls of first and second segments 28, 30 of the bell portion
16 are thicker than the wall of the third segment 32 of the bell
portion 16. Also, the fourth segment 40, which defines the seal lip
20, is thicker than the third segment 32.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 7, in one embodiment, the thickness of the
third segment 32 wall is approximately 3.8 millimeters at its upper
potion, and approximately 5.0 millimeters at its lower portion
where it meets the wall of the fourth segment 40. The wall
thickness of the segments can varied to control the flexibility of
the bell portion. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, in one embodiment, when
a downward force is applied, the plunger bell folds where the walls
are thinner, while areas with thicker walls remain rigid to provide
stability. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the thickness of the
sleeve 18 immediately below the seal lip 20 is approximately 4.4
millimeters, and is approximately 2.6 millimeters at its lower
portion where it meets the sleeve 18 opening. The invention is not
limited in this regard, and each of the segments and the sleeve may
be any desired thickness.
[0022] The inner surface of the bell portion 16 defines an interior
space 48, which is designed for containing fluid to be forced
through the toilet trap when the bell portion 16 is compressed by
applying a downward force to the handle 12. The sleeve portion 18
comprises a wall 50 which defines an interior space 52 of the
sleeve portion. The sleeve wall 50 is contiguous with the lower
wall 21 of the bell portion 16 and the bell interior space 48 is in
fluid communication with the sleeve interior space 52. The decrease
in diameter between the bell 16 and the sleeve 18 produces an
effect similar to a nozzle and forces fluid from the bell 16
through the sleeve 18 at an increased pressure to facilitate
forcing debris through the trap of the toilet.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the improved plunger
device 10 in which the circular opening 26 of the generally
cylindrical sleeve 18 is visible. In this embodiment, the sleeve 18
further comprises an upper or proximal, concave portion 24 and a
lower or distal, convex portion 22 which forms a tapered end of the
sleeve portion. The tapered lower end of the sleeve portion 18
contorts to fit both round and trapezoidal toilet drain openings,
blocks the jets in the toilet to prevent forcing liquid back into
the toilet bowl during plunging, and maximizes the pressure of the
liquid displaced by plunging.
[0024] The length of the sleeve portion is selected to be long
enough to seal the opening in the drain and block the toilet jet to
prevent water from returning to the bowl or pressure loss during
plunging. The sleeve portion is also selected to be short enough to
leave a gap between the sleeve and the bottom of the toilet bowl so
that the water directed out of the sleeve has enough clearance to
remove any debris or blockage. In one embodiment, the sleeve
portion has a length of approximately 71.5-73.5 millimeters.
[0025] Though generally smaller in capacity than typical plunger
bells of the prior art, the bell portion 16 of the present
invention displaces higher volumes of fluid and creates higher
pressures relative to its size. The more efficient design of the
bell 16 thus allows blockages to be cleared with fewer plunge
attempts. The smaller bell 16 capacity is also advantageous in that
it displaces a smaller volume of fluid when submerged, which is
helpful in preventing overflow when plunging. Also, the smaller
bell 16 is beneficial in that it is lighter and easier for a user
to operate, requires less material to manufacture, and less storage
space. In one embodiment, the bell capacity is approximately 1100
milliliters, which represents a reduction in capacity of about 33%
over the prior art. Table 1 below provides test results comparing
the plunger of the present invention to an exemplary prior art
plunger:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Prior Art Present Invention Plunges Required
to Unclog 1 13 6 Plunges Required to Unclog 2 14 8 Pressure
Generated (psi) 2.82 5.44 Displacement (L) 1.88 1.27
[0026] In use, the user inserts the plunger head 14 into the toilet
bowl so that the sleeve 18 is inserted into the trap of the toilet.
As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, as a downward force is applied to the
handle 12 the plunger bell 16 compresses, thereby forcing the air
and/or fluid in the plunger bell 16 through the sleeve 18 and into
the trap to force the debris through the trap, thus allowing the
toilet bowl to drain. As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, during
compression of the plunger head 14, the plurality of segments 28,
30, 32, and 40 sequentially collapse. The triangular profile of the
bell portion 16 of the plunger head 14 keeps the applied force
along the central axis of the plunger device 10. Both the
controlled flow of force through ordered depression of the
plurality of segments 28, 30, 32, and 40, and the triangular
profile of the bell portion 16 prevent the plunger head 14 from
becoming unstable, rotating off its central axis, and/or breaking
its seal with the drain opening. This process is repeated until the
blockage has been cleared and normal operation of the toilet can
resume.
[0027] While the above describes certain embodiments, those skilled
in the art should understand that the foregoing description is not
intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention. It should
also be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure
described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in
the art may make any variations and modification without departing
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. All such variations
and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to
be included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *