GB2478146A

GB2478146A - Filter device

Info

Publication number: GB2478146A
Application number: GB201003245A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Wallace
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-26
Filing date: 2010-02-26
Publication date: 2011-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-26
Also published as: GB201003245D0; GB2478146B

Abstract

A wash basin drain filter device 10 for entrapping elongated flexible fibres such as hair while permitting the passage of relatively small particulate matter and draining fluid. The filter device comprises: a filter portion 12, having a generally conical body formed with a plurality of apertures, an enlarged end of the filter portion being adapted to engage with the entrance of a drain of a wash basin when the filter portion extends along the drain in a direction away from the drain entrance (20, Fig 4); and a handle portion 14 having an elongated member. The handle portion is adapted to releasably connect to the filter portion. Preferably the handle portion has a drain plate 34 covering a portion of the drain entrance 20 and at least one self sprung hook (32, Fig 3) adapted to engage an aperture of the filter portion. Advantageously the wash basin drain filter device provides an insert for a bath, wash basin, shower, sink or similar that can be easily and efficiently cleaned.

Description

FILTER DEVICE

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a filter device, and more particularly to a filter device for a bath, wash basin, sink or the like.

Background to the Invention

Wash basins, sinks, baths and similar units typically have an aperture in the base through which waste water and material can escape during and/or after use. The aperture commonly has a fitting in the form of a metal cylinder provided with a flange which is countersunk into the basin about the aperture.

The fitting is adapted to accommodate a plug which blocks the aperture but can be removed to release waste water.

It is known to provide an end of the cylinder with a spoke' pattern which radiates from a circular hub' with a round hole in the centre. The spokes' and hub' divide the end of the cylinder into a number of apertures which allow water to drain therethrough but prevent large particles and fibres which may block the drain from passing. This is difficult to clean when a deposit of particles and fibres has formed upon the spokes". Cleaning is necessary as the trapped material usually contains a high proportion of decaying organic material and is therefore unhygienic.

Various other means are known for helping to reduce the tendency of wash basin drains to become blocked or clogged up in use. Pop-up drain plugs are typically designed to open sufficiently to permit water and small particles to pass down the drain but prevent larger objects from such passage. While the pop-up drain valve is effective in preventing the passage of large particles and foreign objects, it does not prevent the passage of hair and other elongated flexible fibres.

It is an object of the invention to provide an insert for a wash basin drain which can be easily and efficiently cleaned. For the avoidance of doubt, reference to a wash basin should be understood as encompassing a bath, wash basin, shower, sink or the like.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a filter insert for drain of a bath, sink, shower or sink unit which can be easily and quickly removed from the drain for cleaning.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wash basin drain filter device for entrapping elongated flexible fibres such as hair while permitting the passage of relatively small particulate matter and draining fluid, the filter device comprising: a filter portion having a generally conical body formed with a plurality of apertures, the enlarged end of the filter portion being adapted to engage with the entrance of a drain of a wash basin when the filter portion extends along the drain in a direction away from the drain entrance; and a handle portion having an elongated member, wherein the handle portion is adapted to releasably connect to the filter portion.

Disconnection of the handle portion from the filter portion enables the device filter device to be separated into two component parts for easy cleaning.

Further, the conical body of the filer portion concentrates fluid flow towards the apex of the filter portion improving the amount of debris that is caught by the filter portion. It also makes the filter portion easier to insert and/or remove the filter portion into/from a drain pipe.

The handle portion may be further adapted to project outwardly from the drain entrance when the filter portion is fitted to the drain so as to enable removal of the filter portion from the drain. The handle portion can thus enable the filter device to be removed from a drain pipe without the user needing to touch the filter (which may have decaying organic material on it, for example). The simple push-in and pull-out arrangement allows for quick and easy fitting and removal of the filter device.

The handle portion may further comprise a drain plate adapted to cover at least a portion of the drain entrance when engaged to the filter portion, the drain plate being arranged to allow admittance of draining fluid into the drain.

The filter portion may comprise a flexible peripheral flange adapted to form a water tight seal with the drain.

Further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are plan and side views, respectively, of a filter device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A of Figure 1, wherein the device is positioned for use in a drain of a wash basin; and Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line B-B of Figure 1, wherein the device is positioned for use in a drain of a wash basin; and

Detailed description

Referring to Figures 1-4, a wash basin drain filter device 10 according to the invention comprises a filter portion 12, and a handle portion 14.

The filter portion 12 has a generally conical body formed with an array of apertures or holes 16. The filter portion 12 is adapted to entrap elongated flexible fibres, such as hair, while permitting the passage of relatively small particulate matter and draining fluid through the apertures 16.

The enlarged end of the filter portion 12 is adapted to engage with the entrance of a wash basin drain pipe 18 with the filter portion 12 extending along the drain pipe in a direction away from the drain entrance 20.

Towards the enlarged, open end of the filter portion there is provided a flexible rubber flange 22. The flexible flange 22 is securely fitted around the circumference of the filter portion 12 and projects outwardly from the filter portion. In this way, the flexible flange 22 can fit snugly with drain pipes of varying internal diameter whilst providing a tight compression fit seal which is preferably water tight.

The enlarged, open end of the filter portion 12 is also provided with an integral uniform peripheral support flange 24 extending radially from the open end of the filter portion 12. The support flange 24 has a larger diameter than the drain entrance 20 so as to overlap the edge of the drain entrance 20 and prevent further passage of the filter portion 12 along the drain pipe 18.

The handle portion 14 comprises an elongated member formed with four longitudinal support ribs 26 projecting radially form the centre of the handle portion. The four support ribs 26 are equally spaced about the longitudinal axis of the handle portion (in other words, the adjacent ribs are formed at 900 angles from each other). Each support rib 26 is also formed with an elbow portion 28 which is adapted to rest against the shoulder 30 provided by the support flange 24 of the filter portion 12. In this way, the support ribs 26 assist correct location of the handle portion 14 when it is inserted into the filter portion 12.

The lower end (i.e. the end which projects into the drain towards the apex of the conical filter portion) of the handle portion is provided with a self sprung hook 32 projecting from each support rib 26, wherein each hook 32 is adapted to engage an aperture 16 of the filter portion 12 so as to prevent movement of the handle portion 14 relative to the filter portion 12.

The handle portion 14 is adapted to releasably connect to the filter portion 12 (via the hooks 32) so that it projects outwardly from the drain entrance 20 when the filter portion 12 is fitted to the drain (i.e. when the filter portion extends along the drain pipe 18 in a direction away from the drain entrance 20) thereby enabling removal of the filter portion 12 from the drain pipe 18.

At the upper end (i.e. the end which projects outwardly from the drain entrance) of the handle portion there is also provided a drain plate 34. The drain plate 34 is adapted to be spaced apart from the drain entrance 20 but also cover at least a portion of the drain entrance 20 when the handle portion 14 is connected to the filter portion 12. In this way, the drain plate 34 may prevent large particles or valuable items from entering the drain pipe 18 whilst allowing the drainage of fluid via through the drain entrance 20.

Using the handle portion 14, a user can easily and quickly remove the filter portion 12 from the drain pipe (by pulling the filter device out of the drain pipe), thus enabling cleaning of the filter portion 12. Further, release of the handle portion 14 from the filter portion 12 (for example by releasing to the self sprung hooks from the corresponding apertures) enables the device 10 to be separated into two component parts for easier cleaning.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.