Information
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Patent Grant
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6601242
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Patent Number
6,601,242
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Date Filed
Tuesday, October 24, 200023 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, August 5, 200321 years ago
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Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Huson; Gregory
- Huynh; Khoa
Agents
- Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 004 286
- 004 287
- 004 288
- 004 290
- 004 292
- 004 293
- 004 295
- 004 DIG 14
- 004 241
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A combination flexible strainer and plug for use in conjunction with a drain opening of a plumbing fixture. The strainer comprising a substantially cylindrical portion constructed and arranged to extendingly engage the drain opening. The strainer having a bottom portion engaged to a lowermost portion of the substantially cylindrical portion, the bottom portion having a plurality of openings therethrough. The strainer having an annular ring engaged to an uppermost portion of the substantially cylindrical portion and outwardly extending therefrom, the annular ring constructed and arranged to form a seal with a portion of the plumbing fixture immediately adjacent to the drain opening. The plug comprising an upper surface, the upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface having at least one projection, the at least one projection providing a grasping surface by which the plug may inserted into and removed from within the substantially cylindrically shaped portion. A lower surface, the lower surface constructed and arranged to be removably engage the bottom portion of the strainer, the lower surface forming a water tight seal over the plurality of openings when the plug is engaged to the bottom portion.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to drain strainers and stoppers. More particularly the present invention is directed to a combination flexible drain strainer and stopper which may be inserted into a drain opening and utilized to collect particulate matter while provide a plumbing fixture, such as a kitchen sink, with one or more drainage rates. The present invention is also directed to drain strainer capable of completely stopping drainage as desired.
2. Description of the Related Art
Strainers for use in sinks and other plumbing fixtures are common place in many homes and businesses. Such strainers are typically found in sinks, tubs, and other fixtures where they are utilized to prevent particulate matter such as food, hair and other potentially plumbing unfriendly items form passing out of the fixture and down the drain.
Most strainers are somewhat permanently affixed above or within the drain opening of a plumbing fixture. While many strainers may be removed from the drain, removal may require that the strainer be pried out using a screw driver or other tool, or otherwise be removed with some difficulty. Where a sink includes a recessed or built in strainer, supplemental strainers have been developed to prevent particulate accumulation on such built in strainers, as such build up may accumulate and impede water flow.
An example of such a supplemental strainer is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,162 wherein a supplemental and disposable strainer is shown which has a conical straining surface which is secured over the drain opening and which projects upwardly above the bottom of the sink. While such a strainer is easily removed from the drain opening, the inherent shape, of the strainer makes it difficult to collect and dispose of particulate which may have accumulated thereabout. In addition, the strainer described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,162 does not disclose a means for adjusting the flow rate through the strainer or provide a plug which could be used to readily stop drainage through the strainer.
While many sinks do not have a built in strainer within or over there drain openings. However, there are examples of upwardly projecting strainers for use with such drains. For example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,684 to Paar describes a raised strainer having a threaded region with a straining region mounted thereon. In Paar the threaded region may be threaded into a drain opening to allow the straining region to protrude upward into a sink. Paar also indicates that the use of a putty such as plumber's putty is needed to provide a water tight seal between the straining region and the sink surface. Again such a strainer does not provide for ready cessation of drain flow and does not provide for the ability to easily remove particulate which may accumulate thereon.
Some other strainers have been developed which may be inserted into a drain basket so as to provide a removable strainer which may collect particulate therein. For example U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,289 to Robbins describes a disposable sink strainer which is shaped to fit complimentarily into a conventional sink strainer. While the Robbins sink strainer may easily be removed so as to dispose of particles which have accumulated therein, Robbins does not provide a strainer having more than one flow rate, or a means of stopping flow as is desired.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a drain strainer that is removably securable to the bottom of a plumbing fixture, such as a sink, and which is constructed and arranged so as to encircle the drain opening therein. The present invention provides a fixture with a strainer capable of straining particulate matter out of a fluid flowing therethrough and which may be removed for cleaning and easy disposal of the particulate accumulated therein. As indicated, the present strainer may be provided with unique plug assembly which may be used to partially restrict the flow of fluid therethrough and which may be adjusted within the strainer to prevent flow altogether.
The present invention is made of a flexible material or materials such as rubber, polymer and/or polymer-like materials. The present strainer and plug are of relatively low cost and may easily be replaced if needed. In addition, the present strainer and plug may be installed and removed from a drain opening without the use of tools or sealants.
In light of the above, the present invention provides for a low cost sink strainer and an optional plug which may be inserted into a drain opening of any open plumbing fixture.
In at least one embodiment of the invention, the strainer may include an annular ring which provides the strainer with the ability to be self supporting within an open drain and form a seal around the drain to ensure that water flows through the strainer surface. Additionally, the annular ring provides for improved strainer capacity.
In at least one embodiment of the invention, the strainer may be utilized in conjunction with a plug to restrict or prevent water flow.
In at least one embodiment of the invention, the material is flexible and resistant to cutting, tearing, scratching and heat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a side view of an embodiment of the strainer as may be seen when placed in a drain opening;
FIG. 2
is a top down view of the strainer shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a side view of an embodiment of strainer placed in a drain opening with an embodiment of a plug inserted therein;
FIG. 4
is a side view of the strainer shown in
FIG. 1
with an embodiment of a plug inserted therein for slow drainage; and
FIG. 5
is a side view of the strainer shown in
FIG. 4
wherein the strainer and plug are shown in a closed or no draining configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As may be seen in
FIG. 1
, the present invention is directed to a strainer
10
which may be placed into a drain
12
of a fixture
14
, such as a sink, tub, etc. The strainer
10
includes an annular ring
16
which engages the fixture surface
18
immediately surrounding the drain
12
. The ring
16
forms a seal with the surface
18
to ensure that most or all of the water or fluid placed in the fixture
14
is directed through the strainer
10
.
Where there is no interfering structure in the drain
12
, such as a grate or built in strain basket (not shown) the annular ring
16
may support the weight of the strainer
10
within the drain
12
.
As drains typically have circular openings, the present strainer
10
is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape so that the strainer may be inserted into the drain
12
in the manner shown. However, as may be seen, the diameter of the strainer
10
may be optionally provided with a somewhat conical shape, tapering from a first diameter at the ring
16
to a second diameter at the bottom surface
22
in the manner shown. It should also be noted, that the present strainer
10
may be manufactured into any shape and/or size to accommodate nearly any drain opening or plumbing therein.
The strainer
10
has a wall
20
which is connected to the annular ring
16
. As indicated above the wall
20
may provide the strainer with a substantially cylindrical shape or it may be tapered to provide the strainer with a conical or other shape. The wall
20
may be manufactured to fittingly engage a drain
12
or it may merely be suspended in a drain opening.
The wall
20
is also connected to a bottom or strainer surface
22
. The ring,
16
, wall
20
, and bottom surface
22
may all be a solid continuous piece of material or may be distinct elements joined together by mechanical or chemical means as desired. However, As indicated the strainer
10
is flexible in nature and it is preferable that the various elements are a single molded piece of material. As such, the materials from which the strainer
10
may be manufactured from, may include but are not limited to: natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polymeric materials, and polymer-like materials. Such materials may be composed, in whole or in-part, of thermoplastic rubber compounds having a triblock copolymer composition consisting of polymer regions of styrene-rubber-styrene. An example of such material is sold under the name KRATON® available from the GLS corporation. Materials suitable for use in the construction of the strainer preferably have a hardness value, as measured by the Shore A hardness scale, of between about 30-70.
As may be seen in
FIG. 2
, the strainer surface
22
is substantially circular in shape and has a plurality of holes
24
therethrough. The holes
24
may be of uniform or varied diameter and may be bored after the manufacture of the strainer
10
or they may be provided for as a result of the molding process. The holes
24
are designed to prevent appropriately sized pieces of matter, namely food, from passing through the strainer surface
22
and into the drain
12
. The holes are preferably no larger than ⅛ of an inch (3.175 mm) in diameter but the holes may be provided with substantially any diameter.
As may be seen in
FIGS. 1-5
the strainer
10
may be provided with a number of ridges or raised portions
26
relative to the strainer surface
22
. The raised portions may be positioned in any manner on the strainer surface
22
but are preferably engaged to the strainer in a uniformly spaced manner about the circumference of the wall
20
as shown. Similarly the ridges may be comprised of any type of water impermeable material, but are preferably composed of the same material as the rest of the strainer and are molded therewith.
As may be seen in
FIG. 3
, the ridges
26
are provided so that when a plug
30
is inserted into the strainer
10
, the plug
30
rests upon the ridges
26
. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3
the plug is of sufficient diameter to fittingly engage the wall
20
when positioned on the ridges
26
. The plug
30
may be inserted and removed from the strainer
10
by means of protrusion
32
. Protrusion
32
provides a gripping surface by which a user may readily manipulate the plug
30
.
As with the strainer
10
, the plug may be made out of a variety of materials, but if is preferably flexible. As such the plug
30
may be made out of the same materials as the strainer
10
, as discussed above.
In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3
an optional ridge seal
34
is shown. The ridge seal
34
is disposed about the circumference of the wall
20
and functions to secure the plug
30
in place and sealingly engage the plug to prevent water seepage between the plug
30
and wall
20
. While the ridge seal is not required, any of the embodiments show or described herein may be provided with a ridge seal.
As may be seen in
FIG. 4
an alternative embodiment of the plug
30
is shown. In this embodiment the underside
38
of the plug
30
is equipped with a plurality of downwardly extending legs
36
. The legs
36
may be positioned in any manner desired, but should be positioned so as to correspond to the relative position of the ridges
26
located on the strainer surface
22
. Preferably the legs
36
and ridges
26
have approximately the same height. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 4
, the legs
36
are vertically parallel with the ridges
26
. In alternative embodiments the ridges
26
and legs
36
may have different dimensions, such as width, relative to one another.
As may be understood from the embodiments shown in
FIG. 4
, when the plug
30
is positioned in the strainer
10
in the manner shown, the strainer
10
is provided with a reduced though not ceased water flow. The reduced flow or “slow flow” position of the strainer
10
and plug
30
results from the reduced space or gap
42
between the wall
20
and the lip or rim
40
of the plug. When the plug
30
and strainer
10
are positioned in the manner shown, food particles will be substantially prevented from accumulating on the strainer surface
22
while water remains able to pass therethrough.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 4
, it should be understood that through rotation of the plug
30
via protrusion
32
, the legs
36
of the plug
30
may be repositioned so as to engage the space
44
between the ridges
26
of the strainer.
In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5
the plug
30
may be seen subsequent to the rotation mentioned immediately above. Alternatively, the plug
30
is directly inserted into the strainer
10
in the manner shown so as to provide the strainer with a complete cessation of water flow. As may be seen, the plug
30
may be positioned such that the legs
36
and ridges
26
are allowed to pass by one another. When the plug
30
is positioned so as to stop water flow, preferably legs
36
and ridges
26
adjacently engage one another. When the plug is positioned in the manner shown in
FIG. 5
, the plug rim
40
will fitingly engage the wall
20
. The engagement of the wall
20
and rim
40
, as well as the immediate adjacency of the ridges
26
and legs
36
, provides a water tight seal between the strainer
10
and plug
30
. As a result, when the plug
30
is positioned within the strainer
10
in the manner shown, the holes, shown in
FIG. 2
, may be sealed.
In addition to being directed to the embodiments described above and claimed below, the present invention is further directed to embodiments having different combinations of the features described above and claimed below. As such, the invention is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the dependent features claimed below.
The above examples and disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. These examples and description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the attached claims. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.
Claims
- 1. A flexible removable strainer for use in conjunction with a drain opening of a plumbing fixture, the strainer comprising:a substantially cylindrical portion constructed and arranged to extendingly and removably engage the drain opening; a bottom portion engaged to a lowermost portion of the substantially cylindrical portion, the bottom portion having a plurality of openings therethrough, the bottom portion further comprising a plurality of ridges, the plurality of ridges extending upwardly from the bottom portion, each of the plurality of ridges having a top surface and a length, each of the top surfaces having the same height above the bottom portion along the length of the ridge; an annular ring engaged to an uppermost portion of the substantially cylindrical portion and outwardly extending therefrom, the annular ring constructed and arranged to form a seal with a portion of the plumbing fixture immediately adjacent to the drain opening; and a plug constructed and arranged to be placed within and to removably and fittingly engage the substantially cylindrical portion of the strainer, the plug further comprising a plurality of legs integral with a lower surface of the plug and extending downwardly therefrom.
- 2. The flexible strainer of claim 1 wherein the annular ring supports the substantially cylindrical portion when the substantially cylindrical portion is engaged to the drain opening.
- 3. The flexible strainer of claim 1 wherein the annular portion forms an angle of about 90 degrees with the substantially cylindrical portion.
- 4. The flexible strainer of claim 1 wherein the annular portion extends approximately 1 inch from the substantially cylindrical portion.
- 5. The flexible strainer of claim 1, the lower surface constructed and arranged to be removably engaged to the bottom portion.
- 6. The flexible stainer of claim 5, the lower surface of the plug further constructed and arranged to sealingly engage the plurality of openings when the plug is engaged to the bottom portion.
- 7. The flexible stainer of claim 1 wherein the plug further comprises an upper surface, the upper surface having at least one projection, the at least one projection providing a grasping surface by which the plug may be removed from within the substantially cylindrically shaped portion.
- 8. The flexible strainer of wherein 1 the plurality of ridges are constructed and arranged to engage at least a portion of the lower surface of the plug when the plug is placed within the substantially cylindrical portion.
- 9. The flexible strainer of claim 1 wherein the plurality of legs are constructed and arranged to engage at least a portion of the bottom portion when the plug is placed within the substantially cylindrical portion.
- 10. The flexible strainer of claim 1 wherein when the plug is placed within the substantially cylindrical portion, the plurality of ridges and the plurality of legs are immediately adjacent to one another, thereby providing a substantially water tight seal between the lower surface of the plug and the bottom portion.
- 11. The flexible strainer of claim 1 wherein when the plug is placed within the substantially cylindrical portion, the plug being movable between a first position to a second position, in the first position the plurality of ridges being supportingly engaged to the plurality of legs, in the second position the plurality of ridges and the plurality of legs being immediately adjacent to one another so as to provide a water tight seal between the lower surface of the plug and the bottom portion.
- 12. The flexible strainer of claim 11, wherein the plug is constructed and arranged to be rotated to move between the first position and the second position.
- 13. The flexible strainer of claim 11 wherein when the plug is in the first position the plurality of ridges and the plurality of legs are in substantial vertical alignment.
- 14. The flexible strainer of claim 1 wherein the strainer is manufactured from at least one member of the group consisting of: natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polymeric materials, polymer-like materials and any combinations thereof.
- 15. The flexible strainer of claim 1 wherein the plumbing fixture is a kitchen sink.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
US Referenced Citations (14)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2165146 |
Apr 1986 |
GB |
2211729 |
Jul 1989 |
GB |