AU2005100365A4 - Cockroach prevention device - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 714723

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Ernest Zaccaria, of 3/15 Roosevelt Avenue, Riverwood, New South Wales, 2210, Australia Ernest Zaccaria Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Cockroach prevention device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5843c COCKROACH PREVENTION DEVICE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for preventing cockroaches from entering sink drains.

Background of the Invention Food particles can cling to the inside surfaces of kitchen sink drain pipes.

Cockroaches can enter the drain pipes and consume such food particles which allows lo them to multiply. It is the object of the present invention to substantially prevent cockroaches from entering such sink drain pipes.

Summary of the Invention In one aspect, the present invention provides a device for substantially blocking the outlet of a sink, the device comprising a buoyant portion having a blocking surface dimensioned for substantially blocking the sink outlet, wherein the buoyant portion includes a mass which is spaced from said blocking surface and positioned relative thereto such that in use, the center of gravity of the device is above and offset relative to the center of buoyancy of the buoyant portion.

Preferably, the buoyant portion includes first and second ends and is generally symmetrical along its longitudinal axis, the blocking surface being formed in said first end. The mass is preferably offset relative to said longitudinal axis. The buoyant portion preferably includes substantially hemispherical first and second ends.

The blocking surface is preferably substantially hemispherical. The blocking surface preferably includes ridges for abutting the rim of the sink outlet.

The mass in one embodiment is formed by a ring attached to the substantially hemispherical second end, the ring being filled with filler material. The mass can be attached to the buoyant portion or formed integrally therewith.

Brief Description of the Drawing A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Fig. 1 shows a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[R:\LIBLL] I 6756.doc:FDP Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Fig. 1 shows a device 10 for substantially blocking a sink outlet according to a preferred embodiment. The device 10 includes a hollow buoyant body 11 having a tubular mid-portion 12, a substantially hemispherical first end 14 and a substantially hemispherical second end 16. The body 11 is generally symmetrical along its longitudinal axis 17.

A bolt 18 is attached to the second end 16, in line with the longitudinal axis 17.

A mass 20 is attached to the body 11, the mass 20 being in the form of a ring 21 filled with any suitable filler material, such as polypropylene. The mass 20 is spaced from the first end 14 and offset relative thereto. The mass 20 is thus positioned relative to the first end 14 such that the center of gravity G of the device is above and offset relative to the center of buoyancy B of the buoyant body 11, in the orientation of the device 10 in use, as shown in Fig. 1.

The body first end 14 defines a blocking surface 15 which is dimensioned for substantially blocking an outlet of a sink. Such sink outlets are typically 50 to 75 mm in diameter. The blocking surface 15 also includes ridges 19 spaced around the axis 17.

A chain is attached to the bolt 18 in use for attaching the device 10 to a sink.

The device 10 is used when the sink is not in use, such as during night time or if the sink will not be in use for a long period, such as when a user will be away. To use the device 10, the user places the device 10 such that the blocking surface 15 blocks the sink outlet.

The orientation of the device 10 in use is substantially as shown in Fig. 1. This prevents cockroaches from entering the sink drain and obtaining food particles or water in the sink drain.

If the kitchen tap is left dripping or leaking, an amount of water will accumulate at the bottom of the sink. In the embodiment which includes the ridges 19, such ridges 19 will position the blocking surface 15 a small amount away from the rim of the sink outlet, which allows small amounts of water from such leaks to flow into the sink drain. If there is a large amount of water leaking from the tap or if the tap is left open, water will start to accumulate in the sink. The water will lift the device 10 from the sink outlet and the offset mass 20 will cause the device 10 to tilt to its side portion allowing water to drain out. The device 10 is tilted because the center of gravity G of the device 10 is above and offset relative to the center of buoyancy B of the buoyant body 11 in the orientation of the device 10 in use.

The mass 20 thus prevents the device 10 (particularly the blocking surface from being sucked back, by water flowing into the sink drain, into a position blocking the [R:\LIBLL] I6756.doc:FDP sink outlet. This prevents the sink from overflowing. The user will then reposition the device 10 manually into its blocking position, if required.

The present invention thus provides a device which substantially blocks cockroaches from entering the sink outlet but also allows water to drain out of the kitchen sink in the event of a leak. In an alternative embodiment, the ridges 19 can be omitted.

[R:\LIBLL] 1 6756.doc:FDP

Claims (5)

1. A device for substantially blocking the outlet of a sink, the device comprising a buoyant portion having a blocking surface dimensioned for substantially blocking the sink outlet, wherein the buoyant portion includes a mass which is spaced from said blocking surface and positioned relative thereto such that in use, the center of gravity of the device is above and offset relative to the center of buoyancy of the buoyant portion.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the buoyant portion includes first and second ends and is generally symmetrical along its longitudinal axis, the blocking surface being formed in said first end.

3. The device of claim 1 or 3 wherein the blocking surface is substantially hemispherical.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the blocking surface includes ridges for abutting the rim of the sink outlet.

5. A device for substantially blocking the outlet of a sink, the device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 2 May 2005 Ernest Zaccaria Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [R:\LIBLL] I 6756.doc:FDP