Condensate drain line cleaning system

A condensate drain line cleaning system including a coil attachment assembly and a drain attachment assembly is disclosed herein. The coil attachment assembly includes a tubing body configured to be connected to the drain line that is attached to the evaporator coil of an existing air conditioning unit. The drain attachment assembly is configured to be connecting to the existing drain line located outside a user's home. A user then pours a cleaning solution into an opening in the coil attachment assembly. Afterwards, a user then actuates a shut off valve disposed on the drain attachment assembly. A user then pours hot water into the opening of the coil attachment assembly to activate the cleaner therein. After waiting a certain amount of time, the user may then re-open the shut of valve to drain all the waste present in the drain line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a condensate drain line cleaning system and, more particularly, to a condensate drain line cleaning system that allows a user to safely and easily clean the drain line of an air conditioning unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

Several designs for a condensate drain line cleaning system have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include a drain line cleaning system and method comprising an inline drain shut off T-valve, flexible transparent tubing, a clean out port and a stopper valve on the end wherein the condensate line is closed off at the T-valve closest to the drain pan. Furthermore, the shut off valve on the end of the drain line is closed and water with a cleaning solution is poured into the drain line where it sits for a long enough time to break up the clog at which point the shut off valve is then opened. Afterwards, the water and clog material exits the drain line. It is known that individuals often have to have the drain line unclogged from their existing air conditioning unit form their homes. It is also known that this process may be costly for a user, often needing to have frequent service on the drain line in order to properly unclog it. Furthermore, the current method of using a vacuum cleaner to unclog the drain line system is dangerous and could potentially lead to permanent damage to an air conditioning unit. Therefore, there is a need for a condensate drain line cleaning system that eliminates the need for a vacuum cleaner in order to properly clean the drain line of an existing air conditioning unit.

Applicant believes that a related reference corresponds to (published application) U.S. Pat. No. 8,684,022 issued for a device to clear a blockage from an HVACR condensate drain line. A piston connected to a rod with a handle is inserted directly into the distal or outlet end of a condensate drain pipe and then rapidly withdrawn to create a vacuum or suction within the drain line. When sufficient suction pressure is created, it will dislodge a blockage in the drain line. However, it differs from the present invention because the U.S. Pat. No. 8,684,022 reference fails to provide an efficient system to clean the entirety of a drain line in an existing air conditioning unit. The reference only provides a device for unclogging the drain line from outside a home and does not clean as efficiently as the present invention. The present invention addresses these issues by providing an efficient and easy to use system that will thoroughly and efficiently clean the entirety of a drain line system of an existing air conditioning unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a condensate drain line cleaning system that allows a user to easily clean the drain line system of an air conditioning unit using a cleaner fluid and hot water.

It is another object of this invention to provide a condensate drain line cleaning system that allows a user to safely clean the drain line of an air conditioning unit by omitting the use of a vacuum to clean the drain line.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a condensate drain line cleaning system that efficiently cleans the entirety of a drain line thereby saving money for a user by reducing the need of frequent cleaning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral10, it can be observed a condensate drain line cleaning system10that it basically includes a coil attachment assembly20, a drain attachment assembly40, and a method100.

Coil attachment assembly20includes a tubing body22having a body first end22A and a body second end22B. In the present embodiment, tubing body22is of a cylindrical shape and made of a PVC material that is found on existing air conditioning units. However, it should be understood that tubing body22may be made of suitable material to be mounted onto existing air conditioning units. Additionally, tubing body22may comprise a hook like shape as commonly found on drain lines of existing air conditioning units. Coil attachment assembly20further includes a T-connector24having a first T-end24A, a second T-end24B, and a third T-end24C mounted thereon tubing body24. First T-end24A is mounted onto body second end22B of tubing body22. In the present embodiment, T-connector24is comprised of the same PVC material as tubing body22. Coil attachment assembly20additionally includes a clear portion26. Clear portion26may be a tubing made of a clear material to allow the user to observe the contents therein tubing body22. Clear portion26may be mounted thereon second T-end24B and body first end22A. It should be understood, that clear portion26is provided to be used as a reference to a user to observe the contents therein and may be omitted from coil attachment assembly20in another embodiment of the present invention. Clear portion26is mounted onto coil attachment assembly20using clamps27disposed on each end of clear portion26. In the present embodiment, clamps27are of a circular variation configured to fasten clear portion26onto coil attachment assembly20. It should be understood; any variety of clamps may be used to secure clear portion26to coil attachment assembly20. A vent portion23is provided at clear portion27disposed on body first end22A of tubing body22. Vent portion23is given as a T-shaped PVC attachment with an opening on the top end. Furthermore, vent portion23allows any air present within coil attachment assembly20to escape. Coil attachment assembly20further includes a connecting member28mounted to second T-end24B of T-connector24. Connecting member28comprises of a cylindrical shape and may have a threaded portion disposed thereon. In the present embodiment, connecting member28is securely mounted to an evaporator coil section20of an existing air conditioner. Coil attachment assembly20additionally includes a cap29disposed on third T-end24C of T-connector24. Cap29comprises a circular shape that cooperates with that of third T-end24C and is removably mounted thereon.

Drain attachment assembly40includes a clear tubing42having a clear tubing first end42A and a clear tubing second end42B. Clear tubing42is comprised of a suitable clear material configured to allow a user to observe the contents present therein. Additionally, clear tubing42is cylindrical in shape. Drain attachment assembly40further includes a valve attachment44having a valve lever44A disposed on clear tubing second end42B of clear tubing42. Valve attachment44as known in the art may comprise a cylindrical shape and made of a PVC material. Valve lever44A of valve attachment44is engaged to provide valve attachment44in a closed position to prevent any material therein from exiting. Furthermore, a drain connector46is disposed on clear tubing first end42A of clear tubing42. Drain connector46may be a PVC connector of any suitable shape or angle. Additionally, valve attachment44is connected to a drain72disposed on a wall73outside of a building. Drain72is an existing drain output from an air conditioning unit disposed outside a building. The building may be an office building, a home, or any suitable area housing an air conditioning unit.

A method100for condensate drain line cleaning system10includes several steps. In a first step110, a user mounts coil attachment assembly20to an evaporator coil section71of an existing air condoning unit. Connecting member28is received by coil section71thereon. Additionally, the user mounts drain attachment assembly40to drain72of an existing air conditioning unit disposed wall73of a building. Valve attachment44is then mounted to drain72. A user then actuates valve lever44A to configure valve attachment44in a sealed position to effectively seal drain72. In a second step120a user then removes cap29disposed on T-connector24and pours a cleaning solution therein. A user continues to pour the cleaning solution until the cleaning solution is observed on clear portion26by the user. In a third step130, a user then returns to coil attachment assembly20and begins to pour hot water therein to activate the cleaning solution that was previously poured. A user then waits a predetermined amount of time such as but not limited to thirty minutes, to allow the cleaning solution to thoroughly clean the drain line of the existing air condoning unit. In a fourth step140, a user then returns to drain attachment assembly40and engages valve lever44A such that valve attachment is now in an open position. This allows all the water and clogging material within the drain line to flow out of drain attachment assembly40. Condensate drain line cleaning system10provides a user with a safe and efficient way of cleaning the drain line of an existing air conditioning unit. The drain line of an existing air conditioning system will then be thoroughly cleaned thereby saving money and time for a user.