Disposable sink drain strainer

A disposable drain strainer is removably received within a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate. The strainer has a strainer portion, a ring portion, and a seal release mechanism. Top and bottom surfaces of the ring portion are adapted to sealingly engage the drain rim substrate. The seal release mechanism is integral with the ring portion, and facilitates release of the seal so that the strainer can be readily be removed from the sink and discarded. In one embodiment, the seal release mechanism comprises a tab. In another embodiment, the seal release mechanism comprises a press-release component, wherein the ring portion has arced ring walls having convex and concave configurations. During sealing engagement with the drain rim, the ring portion is in the convex configuration. Pressure applied to the ring portion causes it to move to the concave configuration. The seal between the ring portion and the substrate is released, and the strainer can be readily removed from the drain opening for disposal without having to touch the strainer contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sink drain strainers appointed to be used in conjunction with a drain opening of a plumbing fixture; and more particularly, to a disposable sink drain strainer that forms a substantially watertight seal along a substrate adjacent the drain perimeter and is readily released from substantial sealing engagement with the substrate for convenient disposal of the strainer contents.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Strainer devices for sink drains are commonly utilized for preventing debris from entering drains of kitchen, bathroom, and shower or bath plumbing fixtures. These devices require frequent cleaning as debris accumulates causing fluid passage through the strainer to be slowed and, consequently, water back up and slowed drainage from the sink. Moist environments inherent to plumbing fixtures aggregated with accumulation of food particles and other debris creates an ideal breading ground for bacterial growth within the debris itself, the drain strainer/filter, sink, and overall plumbing.

Cleaning of these devices is often an undesirable task, and can be difficult in removing entangled debris therefrom without intimate contact with the debris. In addition, removal of a strainer from the sink can be cumbersome particularly when the strainer is moistened from water and heavy with debris. Handling of the debris filled strainer in removal of the debris exposes the handler to harmful bacteria. Despite cleaning or removal of the debris placement of the contaminated strainer back in the drain can be unsanitary, and in addition, many times small amounts of stubborn debris remain entangled in the apertures of the strainer. Remaining debris entrapped in the strainer can result in sink drainage problems, compound bacterial growth, and eventually wash through the strainer and clog the joints of domestic water and sewer lines.

Various types of strainer devices for plumbing fixtures attempt to attend to the aforementioned problems associated with debris accumulation, removal, and bacterial growth. However, none of these drain strainers or filters provide a simple, economically conducive, sanitary strainer composed of a flexible material, which can be readily removed from the sink and disposed of, thereby providing a more sanitary sink environment. Moreover, none of the drain strainers heretofore disclosed and utilized provides a ready release means so that the strainer or filter is removed from the drain with minimal effort.

Numerous sink drain strainers heretofore disclosed and utilized involve strainer devices generally integrated within plumbing fixtures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,455 to Liu discloses a sink strainer for a garbage disposal unit, wherein the garbage disposal unit is integrated within a sink's plumbing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,464 to Hannon discloses a strainer basket disposed within a housing appointed to be integrated with piping of a plumbing fixture. U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,261 to Mojena discloses a filter device comprising first and second filtration elements, the first being disposable, and housed within a filter housing appointed to be mounted to a drain fixture. U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,351 to Peterson discloses a disposable mesh strainer received within a strainer holder housed within an elongated cylinder mounted beneath a sink and integrated within the plumbing thereof. Although the Mojena and the Peterson patents teach a disposable filter/strainer, both devices involve integration of the device's housing within a plumbing fixture, resulting in sink drain compatibility, installation and overall manufacturing costs. Moreover, accessing the strainer or filter element for cleaning or replacement can become cumbersome and time consuming.

Other heretofore disclosed and utilized drain strainers provide a strainer or filter that covers a substantial portion of a sink's bottom, and does not merely provide filtering or straining over the drain area. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,032 to Genduso discloses a portable multi-strainer sized to cover the entire bottom of a kitchen sink with a thin edge border adapted for a tight fit to the walls of the sink. The device does not provide a drain strainer appointed to fit upon a drain but instead provides a strainer that covers the entire bottom of a sink. In addition, the device is not disposable in nature, and is continuously reused. Debris must be cleaned from the device, and bacteria growth is likely promoted. The device does not provide a removal means, such as a tab or other release means.

Many of the heretofore disclosed and utilized drain strainer devices provide a strainer and plug combination wherein a strainer is appointed to be received by a drain opening and a plug is appointed to fit within the strainer. One example of these strainer and plug combination drain strainers is U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,242 to Rebischke, which discloses a flexible strainer and plug combination wherein the strainer has an annular ring appointed to engage arranged to form a seal with the plumbing fixture and a strainer portion appointed to engage a plug. Another example of a strainer and plug combination can be found at www.ImprovementsCatalog.com, under sink strainer/stopper, which offers a decorative sink strainer/stopper combination composed of a flexible thermoplastic material which comes in a variety of colors, and which is impregnated with an antibacterial agent. Contrastingly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,710 to Dunicz discloses a combination funnel and strainer device for disposing chemical waste and flushing liquid, such as water, down a sink drain. These devices are not disposable, and are instead continuously re-used; therefore debris must be cleaned from these devices regularly. These devices do not provide a removal means, such as a tab or other release means, and as a result are inherently difficult to retrieve from the sink's drain.

Even where removal means and disposable strainers are utilized, there is no suggestion concerning a friction or press-release removal means. U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,264 to Betancourt discloses a drain trap apparatus comprising a support member semi-permanently attached around a drain opening and having an upper surface and a lower surface appointed to removably receive a disposable filter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,162 to Sharland et al. discloses a drain strainer having a vacuum cup defining a ring-shaped base and a generally conical shell appointed to receive a second generally conical shell that has drain openings and is disposable. U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,289 to Robbins discloses a disposable sink strainer generally comprising a strainer portion and a rim having means integrally connected therewith for disposal of the strainer.

Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to construct a drain strainer for plumbing fixtures there remains a need in the art for a disposable drain strainer that can sealingly engage a drain rim and is released from sealing engagement by application of friction or pressure, thereby effecting ready removal of the strainer from the drain. In addition, there is a need in the art for a lightweight, economical, sanitary strainer composed of a flexible material that can be readily removed from the sink and disposed of, thereby providing a more sanitary sink environment. Moreover, there is a need in the art for a drain strainer that provides a ready release means so that the strainer or filter is removed from the drain with minimal effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a lightweight, disposable drain strainer that can substantially sealingly engage a drain rim, and is readily released from sealing engagement with the rim by application of friction or pressure. Composed of a flexible material, such as plastic, the strainer is economical to construct. It can be readily removed from the sink and disposed of, thereby providing a more sanitary sink environment. A ready release means facilitates removal of the strainer from the drain with minimal effort.

More specifically, the invention provides a disposable drain strainer that can be readily placed in a drain to effect substantially sealing engagement with the drain perimeter, so that debris is retained by the strainer while water and other fluids pass therethrough. When the disposable drain strainer is filled with debris, the seal is disengaged by depressing a seal release means. Upon removal from the drain, the strainer device can be readily discarded. The disposable drain strainer further comprises a strainer portion removably received within a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate. A ring portion and a seal release means cooperate to effect sealing engagement between the strainer and substrate, and to release the strainer from the substrate by application of friction or pressure.

The disposable drain strainer device for use in conjunction with a drain opening comprises a strainer portion comprising strainer walls and a strainer bottom. The strainer portion has a plurality of small apertures therein. It is removably received within the drain opening so that a ring portion of the strainer contacts a substrate adjacent to the drain rim. The ring portion is fixedly attached to the walls of the strainer portion. It has a top and bottom surface, and is constructed and arranged to engage with and form a seal with the adjacent drain rim substrate of the drain opening. A seal release means integral with the ring portion takes the strainer out of sealing engagement with the substrate.

In one embodiment, the seal release means comprises a tab pivotally and fixedly attached by a connection means to the top surface of the ring portion. The tab further comprises an interior and an exterior surface. Optionally, a friction coating may be fixed to the tap to facilitate easy grasping thereof. In another embodiment, the seal release means comprises a press-release integral with the ring portion. In this embodiment, the walls of the ring have a convex configuration. The convex configuration of the ring walls enables the ring portion to form a seal with the adjacent drain rim substrate. Upon application of pressure, the ring portion assumes a concave configuration. The seal is released and the disposable drain strainer device is removed from the drain opening and discarded.

Preferably, the disposable drain strainer is composed of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE). The disposable drain strainer device preferably has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch). This thickness limitation and polymeric material composition yields a lightweight, economically viable, yet sturdy, disposable strainer product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides to a disposable drain strainer for use in conjunction with a drain opening. The disposable drain strainer can be readily placed in a drain to form a seal with an adjacent substrate surrounding the drain, causing debris to be retained in by the strainer while water and other fluids pass therethrough. When the disposable drain strainer is filled with debris, the seal is disengaged using a seal release means, and the strainer is readily discarded. The disposable drain strainer generally comprises a strainer portion removably received within a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim area, a ring portion, and a seal release means, which in one embodiment comprises a tab and in another embodiment comprises a press-release integrated within the ring portion.

FIGS. 1aand1billustrate a first embodiment of the disposable drain strainer showing the seal release mean's tab appointed to be grasped by a person's fingers pivotally and fixedly attached to the ring portion.FIG. 1ais a top planar view of the strainer, shown generally at10.FIG. 1bis a top side view wherein the disposable drain strainer, shown generally at30, is received in a drain and wherein the seal release mean's tab pivotally and fixedly attached to the ring portion includes an inner aperture fixed therein to facilitate easy grasping of the tab by a person. The disposable drain strainer10,30comprises a strainer portion11comprising strainer walls12and a strainer bottom13. The strainer portion11is provided with a plurality of small apertures14in the strainer walls12and strainer bottom13. The plurality of small apertures14are of a size and shape sufficiently small that debris are prevented from passing beyond the drain opening31and into the drain pipe, while drainage water33is allowed to pass through the accumulated debris and apertures14. Preferably, these pluralities of small apertures14range in diameter between 0.1 cm to 0.3 cm, and most preferably at 0.2 cm in diameter. Optionally, the plurality of small apertures each have a slightly tapered configuration with sloped walls, wherein the top of the apertures is wider than the bottom of the aperture so that smaller food particles pass the top of the aperture but are trapped nearer the bottom of the aperture where the aperture is tapered.

Strainer portion11is removably received within a drain opening31having an adjacent drain rim area32. The drain is preferably a kitchen sink drain or rinse basin, or the like, affixed to a plumbing fixture. The drain may be a bathroom sink drain or shower or tub drain. The size of the disposable drain strainer can vary to accommodate a vast array of sink drain sizes, shapes, and depths. Preferably, strainer walls12of strainer portion11extend and engage with strainer bottom13to form strainer containment well15having a depth ranging between 0.1 (0.039 inches) to 4 cm (1.57 inches). Strainer containment well15has a depth sufficient to receive debris therein.

The disposable drain strainer10,30, further comprises ring portion20fixedly attached to strainer walls12of strainer portion11. Ring portion20further comprises a top surface21and bottom surface22. Ring portion20is constructed and arranged to engage with and form a seal with adjacent drain rim area32of drain opening31. This seal between ring portion20and adjacent drain rim area32substantially prevents the seepage and passage of wayward debris from bypassing strainer portion11and undesirably entering drain opening31and potentially clogging the plumbing piping. Optionally, ring portion20further comprises a seal gasket (seeFIGS. 3aand3b) or a suction-cup gasket (seeFIGS. 4a-4c).

The disposable drain strainer10,30, further comprises a seal release means, herein shown as tab25, integrated within ring portion20. In this embodiment, shown at10and30, seal release means comprises a tab25pivotally and fixedly attached to the top surface21of ring portion20by way of a connection means26. Preferably, tab25is connected to ring portion20so that the connection means26is located closer to the outside perimeter23of ring portion20, and the tab opens as indicated by way of the arrow. Tab25comprises an interior surface27and an exterior surface28. Interior surface27is in intimate contact with top surface21of ring portion20when tab25is in the closed configuration, as illustrated at10inFIG. 1a. When tab25is in the open configuration, the area between interior surface27and top surface21of ring portion20becomes great, so that tab25can pivot 180° on top surface21.

Continuing withFIGS. 1aand1b, optionally, interior surface27and exterior surface28of tab25have a friction coating fixed thereon to facilitate easy grasping of tab25by an individual. This friction coating provides enhanced grasping that enables the user to apply enough force to break the seal and remove the disposable strainer10,30, from the drain31, while mitigating slippage of the fingers. This friction coating feature is especially advantageous, as debris and moisture or water droplets on tab25tend to cause a slippery grasp, which can heighten the difficulty of breaking the seal and removing a debris laden strainer. Alternatively, the interior surface27of tab25has a friction coating fixed thereon to facilitate easy grasping of tab25; and exterior surface28does not include the friction coating. Optionally, tab25has an inner aperture29fixed therein to facilitate easy grasping of tab25by the user.

FIGS. 2aand2billustrate a variation of the first embodiment of the disposable drain strainer, as shown inFIGS. 1aand1b, but herein the tab comprises an arc tab that is semicircular and expands circumferentially around half of the ring portion and is pivotally and fixedly attached to the top surface of the ring portion by a connection means.FIG. 2aillustrates a top planer view wherein the arc tab is in a flat configuration as when the disposable drain strainer is in use in a sink, shown generally at110.FIG. 2billustrates a top-side view of the disposable drain strainer wherein the arc tab is lifted upward as when the disposable drain strainer is ready to be removed from the sink, shown generally at130. The disposable drain strainer110,130comprises a strainer portion111provided with a plurality of small apertures114. Strainer portion111is removably received within a drain opening131. The disposable drain strainer110,130, further comprises ring portion120having a top surface121and bottom surface122equipped with a seal release means, herein shown as tab125. In this embodiment, tab125is configured as an arc tab that is semicircular expanding circumferentially around half of ring portion120and is pivotally and fixedly attached to top surface121of ring portion120by a connection means126. Arc tab/tab125further comprises an inner arc aperture132(best seen inFIG. 2bwith the arc tab/tab125in the upward position) so that when arc tab/tab125is pivoted from top surface121of ring portion120and is rotated in an upward manner arc tab125forms a handle configuration, as shown inFIG. 2bat133, for easy removal of disposable drain strainer110,139from drain opening131and for convenient carrying to a trash can for disposal. Ring portion120further has a rim123, which may engage with a fastening mechanism or snap mechanism139attached to arc tab/tab125to ensure arc tab125remains in the folded condition while being used in drain opening131. Preferably, arc tab/tab125sits in a groove located on top surface121of ring portion120.

FIGS. 3aand3billustrate views of an embodiment of the disposable drain strainer wherein the ring portion further comprises a seal gasket located on the bottom surface of the ring portion.FIG. 3ashows a top view at210, whileFIG. 3bshows a cross-sectional side view taken along line V ofFIG. 3aat230. Disposable drain strainer210,230comprises a strainer portion211provided with a plurality of small apertures214, a ring portion220having a top surface221and bottom surface222equipped with a seal release means, herein shown as tab225. Ring portion220further comprises a seal gasket231located on bottom surface222. Preferably, seal gasket231is housed in a groove232integrated within bottom surface222of ring portion220. Ring portion220is constructed and arranged to engage with and form a seal with the adjacent a drain rim area of a drain opening of a sink as facilitated by seal gasket231to substantially prevent the seepage and passage of wayward debris from bypassing strainer portion211and undesirably entering the drain opening and potentially clogging the plumbing piping.

FIGS. 4a-4cillustrate views of an embodiment of the disposable drain strainer wherein the ring portion further comprises a suction-cup gasket located on the bottom surface of said ring portion.FIG. 4ashows a top view at310,FIG. 4bshows a cross-sectional side view taken along line X ofFIG. 4aat330wherein the suction-cup gasket in the non-deformed or non-sealed condition, such as before applying pressure to the ring portion to from the seal, andFIG. 4cshows the cross-sectional at350wherein the suction-cup gasket in the deformed or sealed condition, such as after applying pressure to the ring portion to from the seal. Disposable drain strainer310comprises a strainer portion311provided with a plurality of small apertures314, a ring portion320having a top surface321and bottom surface322equipped with a seal release means, herein shown as tab325. Ring portion320further comprises a suction-cup gasket331located on bottom surface322. Preferably, suction-cup gasket331is a ring formation aligned with ring portion320and fixed to bottom surface322thereof. Suction-cup gasket331is formed having a cup like structure (which is elongated and in a ring formation) having an area space335that when pressed becomes deformed (as shown at350) compressing air from area space335to substantially deform same to form a seal between a sink perimeter334of a sink basin333and ring portion320. Further, preferably ring portion320includes an angled edge or rim323so that same lies substantially flush with sink perimeter334and/or sink basin333. Thus, ring portion320is constructed and arranged to engage with and form a seal with the adjacent a drain rim area of a drain opening of a sink as facilitated by suction-cup gasket331to substantially prevent the seepage and passage of wayward debris into the drain.

FIGS. 5aand5billustrate an embodiment of the disposable drain strainer wherein the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within said ring portion.FIG. 5ais a top planar view in which the strainer is shown generally at450.FIG. 5bis a side view wherein the disposable drain strainer, shown generally at470, is received in a drain. In this embodiment of the disposable drain strainer450,470, the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within a ring portion451so that ring portion451, having top surface452and bottom surface453further comprises arced ring walls454having convex and concave configurations. These arched ring walls are depicted at501and502inFIGS. 6a,6b, and6cand will be described hereinafter in greater detail. The disposable drain strainer450,470, comprises a strainer portion411comprising strainer walls412and a strainer bottom413. The strainer portion411is appointed with a plurality of small apertures414in the strainer walls412and strainer bottom413to form strainer containment well415. The plurality of small apertures414may each have slightly tapered, sloped walls. Strainer portion411is removably received within drain opening431having an adjacent drain rim area432.

Continuing withFIGS. 5aand5b, the disposable drain strainer450,470, ring portion451fixedly attached to strainer walls412of strainer portion411is appointed with arced ring walls454having convex and concave configurations (shown inFIGS. 6a,6b, and6c). Arced ring walls454further comprise a ring edge/sealing rim455that engages with and forms a seal with adjacent drain rim area432of drain opening431. This seal between sealing rim455of ring portion451and adjacent drain rim area432prevents the seepage and passage of wayward debris from bypassing strainer portion411and undesirably entering drain opening31and potentially clogging the drain piping. Sealing rim455may further comprise a seal gasket477(best seen inFIG. 5b) located on the bottom surface thereof. Preferably, the disposable drain strainer device has a thickness no greater than 0.2 cm (0.079 inch). Also, preferably, the disposable drain strainer is composed of a rubber material. Most preferably the disposable drain strainer is composed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE).

FIGS. 6a,6b, and6cillustrate the disposable drain strainer ofFIG. 5ataken along line M, wherein the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within said ring portion.FIG. 6aillustrates a planer view taken along line M inFIG. 5ashowing engagement and disengagement of the convex and concave configurations by way of a press-release, shown generally at500.FIG. 6billustrates a planer view taken along line M ofFIG. 5a, showing the rim portion in the concave configuration, shown generally at505.FIG. 6cillustrates a planer view taken along line M ofFIG. 5a, showing the rim portion in the convex configuration, shown generally at510. In this embodiment, as shown generally inFIGS. 6aand6b, the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within ring portion551. Ring portion551further comprises arced ring walls554having convex501and concave502(shown in phantom) configurations. Ring portion551having top surface552and bottom surface553and arced ring walls554is fixedly attached to strainer portion511. Strainer portion511is removably received within drain opening531, which has an adjacent drain rim substrate532.

Continuing withFIGS. 6a,6b, and6c, the disposable drain strainer500,505,510, ring portion551and arced ring walls554further comprise a sealing rim555that engages with and forms a seal with adjacent drain rim area532of drain opening531. This seal between sealing rim555of ring portion551and adjacent drain rim area532prevents the seepage and passage of wayward debris from bypassing strainer portion511and undesirably entering drain opening531and potentially clogging the drain piping. Convex configuration501is engaged when ring portion551forms the seal with adjacent drain rim area532. Concave configuration502is engaged when top portion552of ring portion551is pressed, for example by thumb or finger503. As force is applied to top portion552by thumb503, and the concave configuration502results, the seal between ring portion551and adjacent drain rim substrate532is broken. The concave configuration502results in upturned portions506, which are readily grabbed by the individual. Using these upturned portions the disposable strainer device500,505, and510is readily removed from the drain and discarded by the user without having to touch the strainer contents.

Preferably, the disposable drain strainer device is composed of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE). The disposable drain strainer device preferably has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch). This thickness limitation and polymeric material composition yields a lightweight, economically viable, yet sturdy disposable strainer product. A thickness of no greater than 0.091 cm enables a disposable strainer to carry a load of debris without strainer breakage. Moreover, a thickness of no greater than 0.091 cm provides the ability to closely pack, ship, and distribute the disposable strainers in a cost effective manner, since many of the disposable strainers can be readily stacked upon one another during shipment and storage, and points of sale. In addition, cost saving benefits can be reaped through savings in raw materials (i.e. less materials being utilized for the thin strainers), production costs, reduced need for solvents and decreased generation of hazardous waste during manufacture.