WO2001006066A1

WO2001006066A1 - Improved elephant-nosed toilet plunger

Info

Publication number: WO2001006066A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/019315
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Tash
Original assignee: George Tash
Priority date: 1999-07-17
Filing date: 2000-07-17
Publication date: 2001-01-25
Also published as: AU6348400A

Abstract

A plunger (10) for use with a narrow throat toilet and also can be used equally well with older toilets. The plunger head (21) has two sections, a bellows section (18) and an elongated constant average diameter section (26) preferably having sealing shells (27, 28) of different diameters and a lip (29). The plunger (10) can interface with the mouth of the toilet throat such that the lip extends just into the throat of the toilet and thereby creating a mechanical seal. The elongated section (26) can operate so the lip (29) extends inside the throat and the first sealing shell (27) seats against the throat to create a pressure seal or to form a mechanical seal. Another embodiment comprises a lip with a flattened surface that seats around toilet throats to create a pressure seal against the toilet surface.

Description

IMPROVED ELEPHANT-NOSED TOILET PLUNGER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field:

This invention relates to an improved toilet bowl plunger for use with a new narrow throat 1.6 gallon toilet. However, the plunger of the present invention can be used equally well with conventional or standard toilets.

Background Art:

There are various problems associated with plunging a clogged toilet. Some of these problems are related to the toilet configuration, while other problems are related to the design of the plunger itself.

By way of background, toilet drains are usually unclogged by using a toilet plunger comprised of a large deformable plunger cup mounted on the end of an elongated handle shaft. During the plunging operation, the plunger cup is held over the mouth of the toilet bowl drain while the plunger handle is reciprocated in an upward and downward motion that alternately contracts and enlarges the space within the cup. Preferred plunging action creates an alternating pressure and suction force in the drain passage that is often sufficient to dislodge an obstruction.

Recently toilets have been redesigned to conserve water. The newer toilets, as compared to older models, have a substantially reduced water flow (approximately 1.6 gallons per flush) and smaller waste drain passages than their older counterparts. Since the waste drain passages, or throats, of the newer toilets are narrower; these toilets are more prone to clogging. Conventional plunger heads are typically too wide to fit into the area containing the narrow throat of the new toilet. Consequently, conventional plungers are unable to provide a seal of the throat required to dislodge any obstruction blocking the throat.

Another problem related to the configuration of the newer toilets, is that while the older toilets have a waste drain passage located at the bottom of the toilet bowl, the newer toilets often have a waste drain passage or throat that is vertically located in relation to the toilet bowl. The fact that the drain passage or throat is vertical in relation to the bowl makes it practically impossible to use a standard plunger to plunge the toilet since the position of the throat makes it difficult to get the conventional plunger head to seal around the throat. In a conventional plunger the plunger cap tends to slide about over the surface surrounding the drain opening being cleared. Thus, the conventional plunger is often unable to provide sufficient pressure or suction to dislodge an obstruction that is blocking the drain.

In addition to problems related to the newer toilet designs, there are two common problems that frequently occur during plunging operations which are related to the design of the common toilet plunger. These are "splash back" and "spillover". First of all, the pressure and suction generated during plunging often causes water to spray out from any gaps between the plunger cup and bowl surface with great force, and then splash up and outside of the toilet bowl onto the plunger operator and onto nearby walls and floors. This phenomenon is called "splash back". Additionally, many times when a toilet is clogged, the water and sewage in the toilet tend to fill the toilet to the brim. Hence, when the toilet plunger head is inserted into the toilet, the displacement of the toilet plunger head causes the toilet water and sewage to spill over the sides of the toilet. This phenomenon is called "spill over".

Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations of prior toilet plungers, what is needed is a toilet plunger that can be used with the newer 1.6 gallon toilets. This plunger should be able to effectively plunge toilets that have throat or waste drain passages that are difficult to access, including those where the throat is generally vertical in relation to the toilet bowl. However, this improved plunger should also be compatible with the older toilet models. Furthermore, this plunger should minimize spillage and splash back problems during plunging operations. The plunger should also be simple, capable of being easily fabricated and used, and be inexpensive and durable.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The toilet drain plunger of the present invention satisfies all of the foregoing needs. This plunger can be used with the new narrow throat toilets, even those with a vertically-oriented drain hole, but can equally well be used with older toilets of various configurations. The plunger head interfaces with the toilet throat to eliminate the problem of the plunger head sliding around the drain opening or throat. This minimizes splash back and provides sufficient pressure and suction to dislodge any obstructions blocking the drain. The design of the plunger embodied in the present invention is such that plunger head displacement is minimized so that the problem of spill over is lessened. Furthermore, the plunger can be easily and inexpensively molded, preferably of durable rubber or plastic. The plunger is also easy to use.

The plunger of the present invention has a handle and a head. In a preferred embodiment, the head portion of the plunger consists of two sections, a first section that is a pleated bellows and a second section extending from the first section which is sized to interface with the throat of a toilet. The bellows section has a 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 second section of the head preferably has a pleated-rib structure with a constant average diameter, and resembles an elephant-like trunk or nose.

However, the constant diameter section of the head could be other than a pleated- rib structure so long as it is flexible. The second section of the plunger's head also preferably has two annular semi-circular sealing shells abutting each other at the distal end of the second section, which interface with the throat of the toilet and cause the front most end of the plunger head to be stiff. A narrow lip section extends from the front end of the most forward annular semicircular shell and forms the forward end of the head.

When inserted into the toilet bowl, the second, constant average diameter section of the head interfaces with the toilet's throat, as described in the following paragraphs, to seal the throat. In the preferred embodiment, the bellows section, as well as the second, constant diameter nose section flexes and bends. Thus, the plunger can readily follow the path to the throat and access vertical throats and other throats that are in hard to reach places. In use the pressure generated by the compression of the bellows is directed through the second section of the head, along the path of the throat and towards any obstruction. This tends to effectively dislodge the obstruction.

In a preferred embodiment, by virtue of the design of the nose section, the plunger head can interface with the mouth of the toilet throat by having the lip of the plunger mate such that the lip extends just into the throat of the toilet. As the lip mates with the toilet throat it deforms slightly thereby creating a mechanical seal. This mechanical seal provides for sufficient suction and pressure when the plunger is operated by pushing and pulling it so that most any obstruction within the toilet throat can be dislodged.

Alternately, the nose section of the plunger can operate so that the lip extends inside the throat of the toilet and the curved surface of the first sealing shell, which has a larger diameter than the lip, seats against the mouth of the toilet throat. This creates a pressure seal with the throat.

A variation of the above embodiment comprises two sealing shells of different diameters, with the forwardmost shell having a smaller diameter than the rearmost shell. This allows the plunger of the present invention to be adaptable to plunging toilets having various throat shapes and sizes. Specifically, if the throat is wider than the diameter of the forwardmost shell, the larger diameter rear shell may interface with the mouth of the toilet to form a pressure seal as above. If either of the shells create a jam-fit with the perimeter of the toilet throat they form a mechanical seal with the plunger head. If the throat is larger than even the second shell, then the extended second section would be inserted into the throat. This mode of operation was described in the previously-identified parent application. It is the latter mode that allows conventional toilets to be plunged using the plunger of the present invention.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a lip that has a flattened surface. This flattened surface seats around toilet throats that are smaller than normal and creates a pressure seal against the surface surrounding the toilet throat. As the plunger is operated by alternately pushing and pulling the handle of the plunger to compress and decompress the bellows of the plunger head, this pressure seal operates to hold the plunger in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The specific features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1A is a side view of a plunger head according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 B is a side view, partly broken away, with the plunger head of FIG. 1A shown with a handle attached.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the toilet plunger of the present invention having only one sealing shell.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the toilet plunger of the present invention having two sealing shells of different diameters. FIG. 4A is an alternate embodiment of the toilet plunger of the present invention wherein the lip has a flat surface.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the lip shown in FIG. 4A.

BEST MODE OR MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which are shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the present scope of the invention.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term "pressure seal" will mean a pressure and suction or vacuum seal. As described below, the pressure seal is in effect when the plunger is being compressed, and the suction or vacuum seal is in effect when the plunger is being expanded. The term "mechanical seal" will mean a seal that is created when the plunger creates a jam-fit with the throat of the toilet so as to seal the throat.

The plunger 10 of the present invention has an elongated handle 15, a head section 21 , and a seal section 5 (FIGS. 1A and 1B). The head 21 and seal section 5 are preferably made from durable flexible rubber or plastic material, preferably a blow molded material. The handle 15 can be made from the same material as the head 21 and seal section 5, or may be made from other materials such as, for example, wood, ceramic, or metal. The handle 15 is preferably threadably connected to the head 21. However, the handle 15 may be releasably or permanently attached to the head 21 by other methods such as, for example, an integrally molded handle, a handle permanently glued or riveted to the head, or a handle releasably connected to the head via a snap-fit mechanism or cotter pin. In the threaded embodiment, the head 21 has a threaded stud 24 extended from its top end. The handle 15 is preferably hollow at end 14 with threads 13 formed on its inner surface to receive the head's threaded stud. Preferably, the remainder of handle 15 is also hollow, whether permanently or releasably attached, having a central space 16 therein to reduce its weight. The upper end of the handle 15 is formed into an expanded knob 17 adapted to comfortably rest in the operators' palm when using the plunger.

In a preferred embodiment, the head section 21 of the plunger 10 has a pleated bellows 18 forming its upper section 22 which is conical, decreasing in diameter from top to bottom. The bellows 18 has a central cavity 11 which forms the internal volume of the bellows. This volume is substantially larger than that of typical cup-type plungers. Further, because the pleats 8 forming the bellows 18 are of preferably progressively greater flexibility from the top to the bottom of the bellows, the pleats easily and smoothly compress and nest together into a relatively small volume during use of the plunger. The ability of the plunger to smoothly compress and nest avoids the sudden rush of pressurized air common to the sudden collapse of the cup of a standard plunger which often causes the splash back problem described previously.

The head 21 also preferably includes a forward section 26 that resembles an elephant-like nose or trunk, and extends from the pleated bellows 18. This forward section 26 is characterized by a constant average diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the bellows 23 immediately adjacent to it. The forward section 26 is also flexible so that it can readily follow the path to the throat and access vertical throats and other throats that are in hard to reach places. The forward section, or nose, 26 can be pleated or ribbed so as to be flexible, but is stiffer than the bellows 18. However, the forward section 26 could also be in some other structural configuration as long as it is flexible.

The forward section 26 of the head 21 is preferably stiffened at its distal end by the addition of two annular semi-circular sealing shells 27,28 that abut each other. The shells 27, 28 are preferably of different diameters with the rearmost shell having a larger diameter than the forwardmost shell 27, although they could be of the same diameter if desired. The sealing shells 27,28 can be formed of the same materials as the bellows 18, but of relatively different proportions of those materials than for the bellows so as to control their flexibility. The sealing shells 27, 28 are preferably less flexible than the bellows pleats 8 and the rest of the forward section 26, but are sufficiently flexible to deform inwardly when they are jam fit into a toilet throat. It is noted that while two sealing shells 27, 28 are preferred there could be only one as shown in FIG. 2, or more than two (not shown), as desired.

A narrow lip section 29 extends from the front end of the most forward end of the head 21. In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 1 A, 1 B and 2, the lip has a somewhat rounded bottom surface.

When inserted into the toilet bowl, the forward section 26 of the head 21 interfaces with the toilet throat. This can occur in various modes to accommodate various toilet throat openings as shall be discussed below. In general, as pressure is applied downward on the handle 15, the forward section 26 of the head 21 interfaces with the toilet throat to form a seal. As a result, the water/air pressure generated by the compression of the bellows 18 is directed through the forward section 26. The water/air inside the plunger will be directed along the throat towards any obstruction therein as the plunger is pumped in a reciprocal action, thereby creating alternating pressure and suction in the throat. This aids in dislodging the obstruction. This is more effective at declogging the throat than plungers that direct the water/air off-axis in relation to the throat and obstruction. For example, a conventional plunger would direct the water/air towards the bottom of the bowl rather than along the axis of the toilet throat.

As eluded to above, the forward section 26 can interface with toilet throats of various orientations and various sizes and shapes. It can even effectively interface with irregularly shaped toilet throats or vertically oriented toilet throats. Some of the ways that the toilet plunger of the present invention can interface with the toilet throat are described below. In one mode, the lip 29 of the constant diameter forward section 26 matches the size of the toilet throat such that the lip fits just inside the throat opening and forms a mechanical seal therewith. To this end, the lip 29 is somewhat flexible to deform slightly when the plunger is inserted into the toilet throat opening. The deformation of the lip 29 thus creates an interference fit/mechanical seal between the lip and the wall which defines the toilet throat opening. Further, the sealing shell 27 prevents the plunger from proceeding too far into the drain opening by resting on the surface surrounding the drain opening and forms a pressure seal with the mouth of the toilet's throat as will be described shortly. Because of the tight fit between the lip 29 and the wall defining the toilet throat, there is no loss of pressure or suction from this interface. Alternating between pushing and pulling the plunger's handle 15 creates a strong reciprocating pressure/suction force in the throat that is generally sufficient to quickly clear any obstruction. The expanded volume of the bellows 18 of the present plunger in relation to typical plungers creates greater pressures and suction forces. Further, the mechanical seal provided by the lip 29 keeps the plunger in place and prevents the lateral slippage that can cause splashing and spillage of wastewater.

In another mode, the lip 29 of the forward section 26 enters into opening of the throat but does not form a mechanical seal therewith because the throat opening is larger than the lip 29. The lip, however, acts to guide the sealing shell 27 into the throat of the toilet until the curved surface of the sealing shell 27 seats against the wall of the toilet throat. A pressure seal between the sealing shell 27 and the mouth of the throat of the toilet can be created. This pressure seal is accomplished by partially compressing the bellows 18 before placing the lip 29 inside the throat. After placing the partially compressed plunger into the toilet so that the lip 29 fits inside the throat opening and the sealing shell 27 abuts the surface of the throat, a pressure seal is formed that keeps the plunger from pulling away from the surface surrounding the toilet drain hole as the plunger 10 is used to clear the drain.

In yet another mode of operation the lip of the forward section 26 enters into the opening of the throat which is larger than the lip 29. The forwardmost shell 27 however fits into the throat to form a mechanical seal with the throat of the toilet. Additionally, the second, larger shell 28 (if present) and if having a larger diameter, forms a pressure seal with the perimeter of the throat. If the second shell 28 is not of larger diameter than the forwardmost shell 27 then both shells 27, 28 will operate to form mechanical seals with the throat.

In regards to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention (shown if FIG. 3), where the plunger is configured such that the forward section 26 has two sealing shells 27, 28 of different diameters so as to allow them to be mated with drain openings of different sizes, the use of the forwardmost shell 27 has been described above. Now the mode of use involving the second larger diameter rear shell 28 will be described. In this mode, the lip 29 of the constant diameter nose section 26 again enters into opening of the throat because the throat opening is larger than the lip 29. If the diameter of the toilet throat is larger than the size of the first sealing shell 27, then the forward section 26 of the plunger would proceed farther into the toilet throat until the surface of the second sealing shell 28, which is larger in diameter than the first sealing shell 27, seats against the perimeter of the toilet throat (assuming that the throat is not bigger than the second shell 28). A pressure seal between the second sealing shell 28 and the throat of the toilet can thus be created. This pressure seal is accomplished in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the previous mode involving the forwardmost shell. Finally, if the diameter of the throat is even larger such that the second shell 28 enters, the shell can create a jam-fit with the throat. In this case, the second shell 28 operates to form a mechanical seal with the throat.

Further variations of this plunger could include three or more sealing shells increasing in diameter in the direction away from the distal end of the plunger toward the handle. These additional shells would operate as described in connection with the two shells 27, 28 and would accommodate throats of progressively increasing size.

If the throat of the toilet is larger than the lip 29 and all of the sealing shells 27, 28, then the extended second nose section extends entirely into the throat and the forwardmost pleat 8 of the first bellows 18 section operates to seal the toilet throat. This mode of operation was described in the previously identified parent application. This mode of operation allows the plunger to be used with even very wide throat toilets.

Another variation of the previous embodiments includes a lip 29' of the plunger head that has a flat bottom end 6, as shown in FIGs. 4A and 4B. Further, the bottom end 6 of the lip is a flat annular ring 30 having a central void 19 which opens through the aforementioned first and second sealing shells 27, 28 and into the central space 11 of the bellows 18 to allow air/fluid flow from the bellows into the drain opening when the plunger is compressed. The flat annular ring of the lip 29' is adapted to abut the surface surrounding a toilet throat which is smaller than the diameter of the lip, in order to form a pressure seal around the toilet throat. This pressure seal is accomplished by partially compressing the bellows 18 before placing the flat bottom end 6 of the lip 29' with the surface surrounding the throat. After placing the partially compressed plunger over the drain hole with the lip 29' abutting that surface, a pressure seal is formed that keeps the plunger from pulling away from the surface surrounding the drain hole as the plunger is used to clear that drain.

Even where the mouth of the toilet's throat is irregular so as not to allow a seal by any of the aforementioned means, the end of toilet plunger's forward section 26 can be placed so that it abuts the toilet throat via the lip 29 or one of the sealing shells 27,28. By pumping the plunger by pushing down and pulling up on the handle in a reciprocating manner, the plunger can still push water down the toilet throat to dislodge any obstruction. This method will not work as well as the aforementioned sealing modes, but can still be effective.

It is noted that the shape of the bellows may be modified to better accommodate different sizes and shapes of toilets above a drain opening. For example, a pleated bellows which, unlike the plunger of the previous embodiment, increases then decreases in cross-section could be employed. However, because the forward section and the first and second sealing shells and lip of this alternate embodiment operate like the aforementioned forward section and the first and second sealing shells and lip, respectively, of the previous embodiment, this alternate embodiment can be used equally well with any of the toilet throat configurations described above. Further, because the size, shape and arrangement of the forward section, lip and sealing shells are the determining factors in interfacing with toilet throat openings, the shape of the bellows is of secondary concern. So long as the bellows has sufficient volume to produce a satisfactory pressure and suction force when compressed and expanded, the shape of the bellows may be varied for aesthetic reasons without affecting it's performance, usability or durability. For example, the bellows may comprise such shapes as a sphere, an oval, a cone, a pyramid, or it may have a rectangular cross-section. The bellows may also have a shape which is any combination of these shapes. Further, the bellows may also comprise fanciful shapes, or any other practical shape which is pleasing.

The plunger embodied in the present invention has many advantages. The lip and sealing shells allow this plunger to provide a superior seal of the throat as discussed above. The superior seal of the present invention provides for great pressure and suction forces within the waste drain passage or throat to most effectively dislodge any object clogging it. Furthermore, the elongated, flexible front nose section and bellows design of the plunger, as well as the sealing shells of various sizes, allows the plunger to be effectively used with all types of toilets and toilet throat sizes. This is even true for toilets wherein the drain hole or throat is recessed and hence not readily accessible to common toilet plungers. Additionally, the nose design's flexibility also allows it to seal the throat of a toilet even when the throat is positioned vertically in relation to the toilet bowl. Since the head of this invention's toilet plunger has a smaller displacement than the typical cup-shaped toilet plunger head, unwanted spillage is also minimized. Furthermore, the bellows design wherein the pleats easily and smoothly compress during plunger use avoids the sudden air surges of cup-type plungers, thereby also minimizing splash-back problems. While the invention has been described in detail by specific reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, this invention can also be employed for use with a wide variety of sizes and shapes of drain openings including those found in sink drains and garbage disposals. Furthermore, the constant diameter section could be various shapes other than constant diameter. For example it could be tapering, hourglass or oval.

Claims

Wherefore, having thus described the present invention, what is claimed is:

1. A plunger comprising: a handle, and a head comprising a pleated bellows and an elongated front section that interfaces at its distal end with the mouth of the throat of a toilet.

2. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein the elongated front section of the head has a constant average diameter.

3. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein the elongated front section of the head is capable of creating a jam-fit within the throat of a toilet.

4. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein the elongated front section is flexible enough to allow access to hard to reach toilet throats.

5. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein the elongated front section is flexible enough to allow access to vertically-oriented toilet throat mouths.

6. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein the plunger wherein the elongated front section comprises at least one sealing shell at its distal end.

7. The plunger of Claim 6 wherein one of the at least one sealing shells contacts the perimeter of the throat of the toilet thereby creating a pressure seal with the mouth of said throat.

8. The plunger of Claim 1 further comprising a lip extending from the distal end of the head of the plunger that is capable of interfacing with the throat of a toilet.

9. The plunger of Claim 8 wherein the lip creates a jam-fit with the throat of a toilet thereby creating a mechanical seal of said throat.

10. The plunger of Claim 8 wherein the lip contacts the mouth of the throat of the toilet thereby creating a pressure seal with the mouth of said throat.

11. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein the elongated front section comprises two sealing shells at its distal end and wherein the first sealing shell is closest to the end furthest away from the handle and has a smaller diameter than the second sealing shell, both shells being sized to mate with different sized toilet throats.

12. The plunger of Claim 11 wherein the second sealing shell contacts the mouth of the throat of the toilet thereby creating a pressure seal with the mouth of said throat.

13. The plunger of Claim 11 wherein the second sealing shell creates a jam-fit with the throat of a toilet thereby creating a mechanical seal of said throat.

14. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein the elongated front section comprises at least two sealing shells at its distal end.

15. The plunger of Claim 14 wherein said sealing shells increase in diameter from the end farthest from said handle to the end closest to said handle.

16. The plunger of Claim 15 wherein one of the sealing shells contacts the mouth of the throat of the toilet thereby creating a pressure seal with the mouth of said throat.

17. The plunger of Claim 15 wherein at least one sealing shell creates a jam-fit with the throat of a toilet thereby creating a mechanical seal of said throat.

18. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein said elongated front section has a pleated structure so as to be flexible and allow said elongated front section to bend.

19. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein the head portion is made of flexible, resilient plastic.

20. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein the handle is detachable from said head.

21. The plunger of Claim 1 wherein said handle is integral with said head.