Abstract:
The invention is configured to be installed into an existing or a newly installed drain and hold a cleaning agent. No power is needed, and it operates from the natural flow of water being used or dispensed by the plumbing fixtures. The array of slots in the invention allows for proper drainage, and the plumbing will function as intended.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/118,926 filed Feb. 20, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to specially designed devices that are designed and/or adapted to fit in drains so as to be able to clean and/or maintain drains. In one embodiment, the device of the present invention comprises a compartment for holding chemicals that can be used to clean and/or maintain a drain. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    One of the most troublesome aspects about plumbing in buildings such as houses is when it hacks up and/or a clog forms. Generally, the plumbing can back up and/or a clog can form due to any of a plurality of causes. These causes include but are not limited to the presence of grease and/or fat, hair, or a foreign object such as paper (like diapers, toilet paper, baby wipes, paper towels, and feminine products) or products such as dental floss, toothpaste, or hair products or any of a number of other products. When the plumbing backs up, a homeowner has to either use a product that can be bought to remove the clog (such as drain cleaners like DRANO (S.C. Johnson and Son, Racine, Wis.) and/or plungers, snakes or other products) and/or a plumber can be contacted. For stubborn clogs, the drain cleaning products may not clear the drain necessitating the call of a plumber, meaning the homeowner incurs an expensive fix to the clog. In the event that the drain cleaning product is able to clear the clog, the homeowner is often forced to spend large amounts of time addressing the problem. 
         [0004]    Thus, current methods for treating clogged/unsanitary drains include flushing chemicals down the pipes. There are countless things that go down drains and create mold and bacteria-infested environments, and there is simply no good way of treating the drain without disassembling the sink to clean the plumbing pipes. Pouring chemicals down the drain treats an immediate problem but does not continuously maintain the cleanliness of a drain. 
         [0005]    Another troublesome aspect of plumbing in buildings such as homes is the gathering of undesirable materials such as dirt, grime, oil, bacteria, algae, fungi, mold, lichen, or other undesirables at the drain. This problem may be exacerbated in buildings where a clean drain is required (such as a hospital). The presence of bacteria, fungi, mold, or lichen at the drain may lead to disease states such as infections. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is desired that a device and associated methods be created that deals with the above problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This invention relates to the field of plumbing and drain cleaning. In one embodiment, the invention relates to removing bacteria and mold that accumulate inside pipes over time. in another embodiment, the present invention seeks to tackle the problem by consistently administering a cleaning agent that will maintain cleanliness and prevent the growth of mold, mildew, fungi, and/or lichen. Additionally, the present invention in one embodiment also relates to treating and/or preventing the spread of viruses such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus ) and other staph bacteria. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods to hold and contain a cleaning agent that over time as water collects and flows over the cleaning agent, cleans your drain, which has the additional benefit of reducing the need for using drain cleaning mechanical devices and chemicals. In one embodiment, the use of the device of the present invention will increase the longevity of the drain. In an embodiment, the design of the device is comprised of a basket-like bolder that will hold the cleaning agent and allow the water to how normally as if the device were not present. Additional features can be incorporated to help direct the flow of water to the walls of the pipe. The device is designed so that the simple contact by the flowing water is sufficient to disperse the cleaning agent to the needed location. The present invention has many applications: In addition to its potential use on the drains of bathtubs, sinks and showers, it can be used in hot-tub drains, outside drains and any other place where a drain may be present. In one embodiment, the intent of the invention is to clean the drain including letting the cleaning agent clean and remove bacteria, mold and mildew build-up. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a design for the shower drain. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a design for the sink drain. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing assembled to an existing drain stopper. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a drain cover with a top part. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an embodiment that shows a compartment designed for a kitchen sink that contains a garbage disposal. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the compartment that is seen in  FIG. 6 , which has been placed in a drain. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The invention will be described with respect to the various embodiments that are shown in the figures but it should be understood that modifications can be made to the invention. For example, it is contemplated and therefore within the scope of the present invention that any one or more feature that is present in any of the embodiments that are shown in the figures can be added to any other embodiment even if that one or more feature is not shown with the other embodiment. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the present invention in its installed state. In this embodiment, the drain compartment  10  comprises two parts a top part  7  and a bottom part (everything else in the figure besides top part  7 , chemical solid  5 , and drain  4 ). The drain compartment  10  is configured to be a drop-in component that is easily removed and can be monitored (one can see through holes  1 ). The drain compartment  10  also allows for proper flow and drainage. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the drain compartment  10  has top holes  1  that allows the passage of water from a shower head or from a tap to pass from a sink, shower, or tub into the drain compartment  10 . Drain compartment  10  is designed so as to permit its insertion into pipe  4 . Lip  6  prevents the device from dropping down into the plumbing pipe  4 . When water passes through top holes  1 , the water contacts solid chemical  5 , which is at least partially water soluble. Solid chemical  5  forms a solution with water that will clean the plumbing and/or remove obstructions in the plumbing. Depending on the type of solid chemical  5  used, the resulting aqueous solution may be used to clean dirt and/or grime, and/or prevent and/or treat the build-up or formation of bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi, or lichen, or dissolve materials that may be causing the plumbing to be blocked. 
         [0018]    In one contemplated embodiment, a series of different chemicals may be used that can address any of a plurality of these problems. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the top holes  1  and the side holes  3  allow the passage of water or any liquid into compartment  10  and once the water or liquid contacts the solid chemical  5 , the resultant aqueous solution containing the chemical that derives from solid chemical  5  passes through the bottom holes  2 . The shape of the device helps influence the path of the water and directs the water to the walls of the pipe. Top part  7  of the compartment can be removed from the bottom part allowing the insertion of the solid chemical  5  into the bottom part and once the solid chemical  5  has been inserted into the bottom part of the compartment, top part  7  can be replaced so as to generate a flush surface with the bottom of the receptacle (e.g., a bathtub or shower). 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the solid chemical that may be used include one or more of a solid bleach, and/or one or more chemicals selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide (lye), sodium nitrate, sodium chloride (salt), sodium hypochlorite, aluminum, chlorine, bromine, iodine, benzoic arid and its salts, imidazoles, triazoles, thiazoles, allylamines, echinocandins, ciclopirox, flucytosine, griseofulvin, haloprogin, tolnaftate, undecylenic acid, crystal violet, balsam of Peru, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, ion exchange resins, lime softening agents, baking soda, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, pH adjusters, and citric acid and/or the salts of any of these chemicals. It is desired that the chemical be present in the solid state, however, chemical modifications may be necessary to make any liquid a solid, including conversion of the chemical to a salt and/or addition of an acid or base to the chemical. 
         [0020]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , an embodiment is shown wherein there are different size holes  21 ,  23 ,  24  in the bottom part of the compartment that allow the passage of water but not the passage of the solid (that solid is not shown) that would rest in the compartment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  there are nubs  22  that arise from the rim  25  that allow a top part of the compartment (not shown) to snap into place. The to part of the compartment would contain a corresponding number of holes that correspond to each of the nubs  22  positioned so that each of the nubs  22  can accommodate the holes in the top part of the compartment. Additionally, the top part of the compartment may have additional holes that allow the passage of water through the to part (see the top part  7  in  FIG. 1  for an example of the holes that may be present that allow the passage of water). 
         [0021]    It should be understood that the holes  23  in  FIG. 2  may be of different shapes and sizes or alternatively, they may all be uniform. Moreover, the compartment may of a different size (such as having the compartment be longer or shorter). Further, the bottom of the compartment may be flat or alternatively, it may have a convex or a concave shape. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. The compartment  30  in this embodiment contains a tapered side  31 , which is designed to fit into a dram. The tapered side  33  is positioned so that the compartment  30  fits so that the highest point on top  31  is designed to sit flush with the receptacle (e.g. a bathtub or shower) in which the compartment  30  sits. The compartment  30  contains slits  32 , which allows the passage of water. The compartment  30  also contains a hole  34  at the bottom of the compartment  30 , which is able to accommodate a drain stopper (not shown in  FIG. 3  but a similar drain stopper  42  that could fit in compartment  30  is shown in  FIG. 4 , described below). In one variation and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the top  31  of the compartment  30  is designed in a manner similar to a puzzle so that a corresponding top (not shown) that would fit like a puzzle can be placed on the top of compartment  30 . The top (not shown) in one embodiment can be designed so that it is sits flush with the bottom of the receptacle in which it sits (e.g. a bathtub or shower) when it is combined with the compartment  30 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the present invention. The device  40  comprises compartment  45 , which is designed to accommodate a drain stopper  42 . In one variation and as shown in  FIG. 4 , drain stopper  42  comprises a flexible stopper  43  that is made of a water impermeable substance (and is flexible) such as neoprene. It should be understood that other flexible water impermeable materials are also suitable to be used as flexible stopper  43 . The flexible stopper  43  is designed so as to be able to fit inside the drain and to compress if necessary in the drain to stop the flow of water through the drain when the drain stopper  42  is depressed in a downwardly manner into compartment  45 . The drain stopper  42  also comprises top stopper  44 , which when closed (i.e., when drain stopper is depressed in a downwardly manner into compartment  45 ) in one embodiment is designed so as to sit flush with the receptacle (e.g., a shower or bathtub) in which the device  40  sits. In a variation, the top stopper  44 , when closed (i.e., when drain stopper is depressed in a downwardly manner into compartment  45 ) in one embodiment is designed so as to sit above the level of the receptacle (e.g., a shower or bathtub) in which the device  40  sits. Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , the compartment  45  may also contain a hole in the bottom (similar to hole  34  shown in  FIG. 3 ) that is designed to accommodate the drain stopper  42 . Drain stopper  42  may comprise a spring, a catch, and a screw at the bottom of drain stopper  42  that is designed so that drain stopper  42  can be screwed into a female nut in the drain that allows the drain stopper  42  to be secured to the drain (not shown). The catch is designed so that when the top stopper  44  is depressed in downwardly manner one time, the drain is designed to close and the flexible stopper  43  stops the passage of water. When depressed again (from the closed, position) in downwardly manner, the catch releases and the drain toggles into the open position. The spring in drain stopper  42  in the closed position is compressed whereas when the drain stopper  42  is in the open position the spring, is relaxed. Accordingly, the spring is designed so that when the drain stopper  42  is in the open position, the flexible stopper  43  is above a level that is flush with the receptacle (e.g., the shower or bathtub), which allows passage of water. It should be noted that the inner diameter of compartment  45  is larger than the outer diameter of drain stopper  42  so as to be able to accommodate a solid chemical (not shown) between the inner diameter of compartment  45  and outer diameter of drain stopper  42 . Thus, when water passes through the device  40 , the chemical solid dissolves allowing the drain to be cleaned and/or de-clogged (and/or to prevent clogging). 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of another device  50  of the invention. The device  50  that is shown in  FIG. 5  comprises a top part  51  and a compartment (or bottom part) that is designed to fit in drain plumbing  52 . Both top part  51  and the bottom part have holes  56  and  55 , respectively that allow the passage of water. Top part  51  also comprises a latch  53  that is designed to allow the top part  51  to be secured via latch  53  to the bottom part at catch  54 . In one embodiment, top part  51  can be positioned in the opening in bottom part and when top part  51  is turned a quarter turn (˜90°), the latch  53  is designed to catch and be secured to the bottom part at catch  54  so that the top part  51  cannot be turned any further. Turning the top part  51  in the opposite direction allows the latch  53  on top part  51  to be released from catch  54  allowing top part  51  to be removed, to insert a solid, chemical into the compartment. Slits  57  allow passage of water and/or other liquids without the passage of the solid chemical. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  shows another compartment  60  that is designed to fit into a kitchen sink that may or may not have a garbage disposal. Compartment  60  comprises top part  64  and bottom part  65 , wherein top part  64  can be removed from bottom part  65 . Bottom part  65  has slits  61  that allow the passage of water and holes  62  that in one embodiment are very small that also allow the passage of water. The compartment  60  is designed in a donut shape with central hole  63  that can allow the passage of food and/or particles that may go to the garbage disposal. To part  64  also comprises holes  66  that allow the passage of water through the top part. As in all of the other embodiments, the compartment  60  is designed to accommodate a solid chemical in the interior of the compartment that slowly dissolves when exposed to water so as to clean the drain and/or plumbing and/or prevents or treats clogs (depending on the solid chemical used). In one variation, compartment  60  is designed so that it can be easily removed from the kitchen drain so that larger food particles can go down the drain into the garbage disposal. Central hole  63  may facilitate this easy removal as one can easily use central hole as a means of facilitating the removal of the compartment from the drain. 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  shows a system  70  that comprises plumbing  72  and the compartment  71 . The compartment  71  has a central hole  73  that allows the passage of food and other appropriate articles/particles into the garbage disposal. Although  FIG. 7  is shown with a slight gap between the outer diameter of compartment  71  and the inner diameter of plumbing  72 , it should be understood that in one embodiment, the Outer diameter or compartment  71  is positioned so that there is no gap between the outer diameter of compartment  71  and the inner diameter of plumbing  72 . In this embodiment, food and other appropriate particles/articles can only pass through central hole  73 . Central hole  73  also allows a user to easily remove the compartment  71  from the plumbing  72  in the case where larger food particles or other larger articles are desired to be passed down into the garbage disposal. 
         [0027]    All of the embodiments of the present invention contemplate using the invention as a reservoir to hold a chemical agent that can be used for cleaning and or de-clogging while at the same time will allow for proper drainage and water to flow over the solid chemical to deliver the cleaning agent to the plumbing (e.g., the walls of the pipes). The embodiments of the present invention are designed to be elegant so that there is no additional hardware required to install the device (e.g., no screws or other affixing means are required other than the drain stopper  42  screw that is described in  FIG. 4 ). The installation is simple and easy for the end user. The existing drain cover in plumbing can be replaced by the embodiments of the present invention and the invention is easy and ready for use. It should be understood that there are a plurality of possibilities for integration into current and future plumbing fixtures as there is a constant need to clean and maintain drains in homes, hotels, hospitals, and many other areas where it is desirable to maintain sanitary drains. 
         [0028]    Accordingly, in an embodiment, the present invention relates to a container (sometimes referred to as a compartment) that is designed to fit into to drain in household plumbing, wherein said container is designed so as to allow passage of water and/or other liquids while at the same time is also designed to hold a solid that is placed in the container wherein said solid can be slowly dissolved so as to maintain cleanliness of the household plumbing and/or to prevent and/or treat clogs of the household plumbing. 
         [0029]    In one variation, the container may have one or more holes that are of as size that allows the passage of the water and/or other liquids while maintaining the solid in the container. 
         [0030]    In a variation, the container is made of a hard plastic. In other embodiments the container is made of metal or a hard rubber. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the container may comprise as plurality of holes that are present and the holes may be of the same or of different sizes that allow the passage of water and/or other liquids but not the passage of solids. 
         [0032]    In one variation, the container may comprise two parts, a top part and a bottom part, the to part being designed so as to be able to secure the top part to the bottom part, wherein both the bottom part and the top part comprise one or more holes that allows passage of the water and/or other liquids, wherein the bottom part is designed so as to hold a solid that can be slowly dissolved by the water and/or other liquid so as to maintain the cleanliness of the household plumbing and/or to prevent or treat clogs of the household plumbing. 
         [0033]    When the container comprises two parts, the container may comprise a hard plastic, a metal, or a hard rubber, or any combination of these. For example, the bottom may be a hard plastic and the top may be comprised of metal. Alternatively and/or additionally, the bottom part may be made of metal and plastic and the top part may be made of metal or plastic or metal and plastic. Alternatively and/or additionally, any variation of these three materials is contemplated and therefore within the scope of the invention. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the bottom part when combined with the top part is designed so as to prevent pooling of the water and/or other liquid at a drain site when the container is in use. 
         [0035]    In one variation of the invention, the bottom part comprises one or more nubs and the top part comprises a corresponding number of one or more holes designed to accommodate said one or more nubs, said one or more nubs of the bottom part designed to fit into said one or more holes of the top part allowing the top part to be secured to the bottom part. Alternatively, latches and catches may be employed or a puzzle like shape may be used that allows the top part to be secured to the bottom part. 
         [0036]    In one variation of the invention, the invention contemplates using the containers (compartments) of the present invention for methods including methods to clean plumbing, methods of de-clogging drains, or methods of preventing the clogging of drains. 
         [0037]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the figures, it should be understood that variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As discussed above, the present invention incorporates and contemplates that any feature that is present in any of the embodiments can be combined with any other feature of any other embodiment even if that feature is not shown with that embodiment. Nevertheless, the present invention is further defined by the below claims.