Abstract:
A plunger with evaporative base is disclosed where the evaporative base has a standoff joined to a drainage bottom and a stump and stump channel arrangement for keeping the plunger suspended slightly above the drainage bottom. A plunger is disclosed that mates with the evaporative base and has a plunger bell standoff that mates with the evaporative base standoff to further keep the plunger suspended slightly above the drainage bottom. The outer perimeter of the bell of the plunger is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the evaporative base body to allow for air circulation between the plunger bell and the evaporative base. Good air circulation and drying promotes cleanliness and reduces the incidence of mold, mildew and bacteria on the plunger and base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to plumbing tools, and more specifically to a plunger and an evaporative base. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Toilet plungers have existed in various forms since the advent of indoor plumbing and modern day water closets (toilets). It is difficult to determine the date and inventor of the first toilet plunger. Toilet plungers work on a principle similar to that of the suction cup, an invention of the 1850&#39;s that paralleled the proliferation of synthetic rubber. A toilet plunger is an extremely useful tool that has saved countless hours of frustration, labor, and potentially damaging and disgusting situations. Over the years, toilet plungers have evolved into two general forms, those with a generally flat suction cup base and those with a protruding funnel shape originating from the suction cup base. While toilet plungers are used primarily for removing blockage in a sewage pipe, over the years there have been other note worthy applications including that by early jazz musicians to modify the sound of wind instruments such as trumpets and trombones. Such uses, however, while unconventional, require that the plunger be clean and dry. 
     After using a plunger for it&#39;s intended purpose, it is important for overall cleanliness and hygiene to ensure that the plunger is not only clean, but that it dries thoroughly to prevent the growth of bacteria and other such undesirable organisms such as mold and mildew. This is particularly important in the underside of the plunger bell or suction cup, where moisture and dirt are often retained. Often one will put the recently used plunger in the shower or sink until it dries. This is inconvenient, and is a detriment to the use of the shower or sink. There have been attempts at creating a plunger caddy or holder that sits on the floor and retains the plunger so that water does not drain from the plunger onto the floor. While the goal of such holders is beneficial, the plunger and related holder will still retain water, creating an unclean situation. 
     What is needed is a plunger and base that retains the plunger, prevents plunger water from draining onto the floor, and promotes evaporation and airflow between the plunger and the base. 
     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a plunger and base where the plunger sits slightly above the base to promote evaporation of residual water. It is another object of the present invention to provide a plunger and base where there is a small gap between the plunger bell and the base to promote evaporation and airflow. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a plunger and base were there are drainage features on the base to promote removal and evaporation of residual water. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are not to be considered comprehensive or exhaustive, but rather, exemplary of objects that may be ascertained after reading this specification and claims with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a plunger and evaporative base comprising a plunger comprising a handle having a male threaded end; a plunger bell comprising a flare, a plunger bell standoff located inside the plunger bell, a bell funnel, and a threaded fitting; the threaded fitting of the plunger bell being coupled to the male threaded end of the handle; an evaporative base for receiving the plunger, the evaporative base comprising a generally cylindrical body having an inner volume; a drainage bottom joined with the generally cylindrical body; a standoff comprising a base and joined with the drainage bottom at the base of the standoff; a bell receiver formed as a space between the inner volume of the generally cylindrical body and the standoff; at least one stump joined with the drainage bottom; and at least one stump channel joined with the first stump. 
     The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described in this specification, claims and the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plunger and evaporative base; 
         FIG. 2  is a side plan view of the plunger and evaporative base; 
         FIG. 3  is a rotated side plan view of the plunger and evaporative base; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the plunger and evaporative base; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the plunger and evaporative base; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the plunger and evaporative base; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded side plan view of the plunger and evaporative base; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the evaporative base only; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the plunger only; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the plunger only; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the evaporative base only; 
         FIG. 12  is a side plan view of the evaporative base only; 
         FIG. 13  is a cutaway view of the evaporative base cut along line A-A of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a handle of the plunger; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a plunger bell; 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a plunger bell; 
         FIG. 17  is a cutaway view of the plunger bell cut along line B-B of  FIG. 16 ; and 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a handle insert. 
     
    
    
     The attached figures depict various views of the Plunger and Evaporative Base in sufficient detail to allow one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. These figures are exemplary, and depict a preferred embodiment; however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment depicted herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification, claims and drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A Plunger and Evaporative Base is described and depicted by way of this specification and the attached drawings. For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements. 
     The Plunger and Evaporative Base provide a smooth and aesthetically pleasing appearance with the look of a single uninterrupted entity, thus providing for desirable aesthetic properties. In addition, the Evaporative Base acts as a cover and stand for the in Plunger from the inside rather than casing the outside of the plunger bell. The novel structure of the Evaporative Base in combination with the Plunger also provide for improved airflow and drying of the Plunger while resting on the Evaporative Base. This is important to prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria that would otherwise create odors and non-hygienic conditions. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the Plunger and Evaporative Base where the plunger  100  can be seen resting on the evaporative base  150 . The plunger  100 , which will be further described later in this specification, has a bell  101  that is resilient and deformable to allow for the creation of pressure while in use. The bell  101  made be made from, for example, rubber. The bell  101  also has a flare  111  that is a raised area around the perimeter of the bell  101  that may flare or be positioned outward from the bell  101 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the flare  111  may also be of a thickness greater than the thickness of the bell  101  to provide for improved performance and deformability of the bell  101 . The bell  101  may be made by a process such as, for example, rubber casting. Attached to the bell  101  is a handle  103 . The handle  103  may be made from a plastic such as, for example. Polypropylene, or from a wood or a metal. The handle  103  may be made by injection molding, blow molding, casting, machining, or the like. A handle end  105  can be seen attached to, or molded with, the handle  103 . The handle end  105  can be seen as a generally oval shaped end having an opening  107 . The handle end  105  also has, in some embodiments of the present invention, a generally concave appearance on either of the opening sides, as can be seen clearly in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the handle  103  is hollow, and may have a handle insert  109  to plug up the opening made by the hollow center of the handle  103 .  FIG. 18  depicts the handle insert  109 . The handle insert  109  is made from a generally soft durometer material such as a thermoplastic rubber to accommodate insertion and retention into the hollow of the handle  103 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side plan view of the plunger and evaporative base showing the handle end  105 . In addition, the bell  101  may have, in some embodiments of the present invention, a flare  111  may be incorporated into the bell  101 . The flare  111  being a raised area around the perimeter of the bell  101  that may flare or be positioned outward from the bell  101 . The flare  111  may also have additional features such as, for example, a bevel  201 . The bevel  201  may be an angle, a curve, or other similar geometric feature adjacent to and in contact with the flare  111 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the flare  111  and the associated bevel  201  may be of a thickness greater than the thickness of the bell  101 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rotated side plan view of the plunger and evaporative base. In  FIG. 3 , the generally concave appearance of the handle end first side  301  and the handle end second side  303  can be seen. The generally concave appearance in  FIG. 3  is exemplary only, and may be omitted or changed to another geometric profile without departing from the spirit and broad scope of the present invention as described herein. 
     For an understanding of the cooperative interaction of the plunger and the evaporative base,  FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the plunger and evaporative base. The evaporative base  150  can be seen with a space between the evaporative base  150  and the outer perimeter of the plunger bell  101  as defined in  FIG. 4  by the flare  111 . Such a space provides for airflow and proper ventilation and subsequent water evaporation from the base and the plunger bell. 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the plunger and evaporative base. Since the outer diameter of the evaporative base is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the plunger,  FIG. 5  depicts the underside or bottom plan view of the evaporative base, the plunger being hidden from view. The evaporative base  150  may be made from a plastic such as, for example, polypropylene, and may be injection molded, blow molded, machined, or the like. From the underside, the evaporative base may appear to have a generally V-shaped bottom  501 , which from the top side forms a rim, as seen in  FIG. 6  ( 617 ). The underside of the drainage bottom  503  is a generally flat surface that is the drainage bottom  621  in  FIG. 6 . There are stump features that can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the underside of which appear as the underside of first stump  505 , the underside of second stump  507 , the underside of third stump  509  and the underside of fourth stump  511 . The underside of standoff  515  can be seen along with the underside of standoff depression  513 . As the standoff is an outwardly protruding feature, the underside of the standoff is thus inwardly protruding, and in some embodiments of the present invention, hollow. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the plunger and evaporative base that clearly illustrates the cooperative interaction of the plunger and the evaporative base. The plunger bell  101  may, in some embodiments of the present invention, have a bell funnel  601  that interacts with the evaporative base  150  and also, in use, provides a more directed thrust of water to dislodge obstructions from drain pipes. The bell funnel  601  may be molded with the plunger bell  101  and may be made from the same material as the plunger bell  101 . The evaporative base  150  has a standoff  603  comprising a base that is joined with the drainage bottom  621  at the base of the standoff. The standoff  603  may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be shaped as a truncated cone. The standoff  603  and related features of the standoff  603  may be made from a plastic, and may be molded or formed with the evaporative base  150 . The standoff  603  may, in some embodiments of the present invention, have a standoff depression  605  and a drainage crown  615 . The drainage crown  615  is a raised area around the perimeter of the top of the standoff that may, in some embodiments of the present invention, comprise at least one drainage cut. In the example depicted by way of  FIG. 6 , a first drainage cut  607 , a second drainage cut  609 , a third drainage cut  611 , and a fourth drainage cut  613  are shown. While the drainage cuts are depicted as generally rectangular, other shapes may also be employed, for example, triangular cuts, oval or circular cuts, and the like. A rim  617  can be seen that is made from at least one wall of the evaporative base. In one example, the rim  617  is made from an outer wall and an inner wall of the evaporative base. While the evaporative base  150  can be considered to have a generally cylindrical body, the outer wall and the inner wall of the evaporative base may have a slight angle or curvature. This angle or curvature of the outer wall and the inner wall may be independent of one another in some embodiments of the present invention. A bell receiver  619  is formed as a space between the inner volume of the generally cylindrical body of the evaporative base and the standoff  603 . The purpose of the bell receiver  619  is to accommodate and retain the plunger bell  101 . A drainage bottom  621  can also be seen that is a generally flat surface upon which water will sit and evaporate once drained from the plunger. The drainage bottom  621  also has at least one stump to facilitate drainage of the plunger, as will be more thoroughly described by way of  FIG. 8 . For clarity,  FIG. 7  is an exploded side plan view of the plunger and evaporative base. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , a top plan view of the evaporative base is illustrated. There are drainage features that are depicted. For example, the standoff depression  605  and related drainage cuts can be seen. The standoff depression  605  interacts with and retains the plunger (not shown in  FIG. 8 ). At the base of the standoff  603  are four stumps—a first stump  801 , a second stump  803 , a third stump  805  and a fourth stump  807 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the stumps are molded with the evaporative base  150 . In some embodiments of the present invention there may be fewer or more stumps than that depicted in  FIG. 8 . Each stump is a raised feature that has a channel or depressed area for drainage of water and retention of the plunger by way of confinement of a plunger edge such as the edge or perimeter of the bell funnel of the plunger. In the example depicted in  FIG. 8 , a first stump channel  809  corresponds to the first stump  801 , a second stump channel  811  corresponds to the second stump  803 , a third stump channel  813  corresponds to the third stump  805 , and a fourth stump channel  815  corresponds to a fourth stump  807 . In one embodiment of the present invention, each stump is connected or attached to the base of the standoff. The stumps may be rectangular, circular, oval, square, or of other geometries. A stump may, for example, be of a generally rectangular shape with a channel or low area adjacent to the standoff and a higher or raised area away from the standoff. The channel may be curved, rectangular, triangular, or the like. The raised area of the stump may be curved, rectangular, triangular, or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, the width of the stump channel is approximately the same width as that of the raised area of the stump. In one embodiment of the present invention, the stump meets the base of the standoff at a generally right angle where the right angle may, in some embodiments of the present invention, have a radius of curvature. 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the plunger only where the plunger bell  101  can be seen along with the handle end  105 , flare  111  and bevel  201 . 
     Now turning to the construction of the plunger bell  101  where  FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the plunger only showing the inside of the plunger bell and related features that may be present in some embodiments of the present invention. The plunger bell  101  may be of a form similar to that of a suction cup. The flare of the plunger bell creates a thicker perimeter area that creates a plunger bell flare circumferential edge where the circumferential edge of the plunger bell is thicker than the remainder of the plunger bell so that, for example the plunger bell circumferential edge does not deform in use in relation to the rest of the plunger bell that should in fact deform in use. The plunger bell  101 , having a bell funnel in some embodiments of the present invention, also has a plunger bell funnel circumferential edge  1003  that engages with a plumbing opening such as the drain of a toilet or the like, creating a tight seal to allow water to be pushed by way of the plunger into the opening that is obstructed. The plunger may also, in some embodiments of the present invention, have ribs to provide improved structural deformation and shape retention of the plunger bell during use. Shown in  FIG. 10  are a set of six ribs, a first rib  1005 , a second rib  1007 , a third rib  1009 , a fourth rib  1011 , a fifth rib  1013 , and a sixth rib  1015 . There may be more or less than six ribs in various embodiments of the present invention. The ribs are joined to the inner surface of the plunger bell  101 . Also illustrated in  FIG. 10  is a plunger bell standoff  1017  that is formed of rubber or similar material in the same way that all of the plunger bell features are, and protrudes into the inside of the plunger bell and may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be the result of the threaded plunger bell fitting shown in  FIG. 15 . The plunger bell standoff  1017  engages with the standoff depression  605  as seen in  FIG. 6  and serves to retain and space the plunger on the evaporative base. In some embodiments of the present invention, a plunger bell standoff circumferential edge  1019  may also be present that protrudes from the perimeter or circumferential edge of the plunger bell standoff. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the evaporative base only showing the features that have been heretofore described. The cooperative elements of the plunger bell standoff  1017  (see  FIG. 10 ) and the standoff depression  605 , the stump and channel arrangement and the plunger bell funnel circumferential edge  1003  (see  FIG. 10 ), and the related drainage and spacing features, can be seen clearly in  FIG. 11 . Such interaction keeps the plunger from contacting the drainage bottom of the evaporative base. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the outer perimeter of the plunger bell is slightly smaller than the inner perimeter of the evaporative base body to allow for air circulation between the plunger bell and the evaporative base.  FIG. 12  is a side plan view of the evaporative base only.  FIG. 13  is a cutaway view of the evaporative base cut along line A-A of  FIG. 8  showing the first stump  801  and the second stump  803  in partial view behind the standoff  603 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a handle  103  of the plunger. The handle  103  may be made from a plastic such as, for example, Polypropylene, or from a wood or a metal. The handle  103  may be made by injection molding, blow molding, casting, machining, or the like. A handle end  105  can be seen attached to, or molded with, the handle  103 . The handle end  105  can be seen as a generally oval shaped end having an opening  107 . The handle end  105  also has, in some embodiments of the present invention, a generally concave appearance on either of the opening sides, as can be seen clearly in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the handle  103  is hollow, and may have a handle insert  109  to plug up the opening made by the hollow center of the handle  103 .  FIG. 18  depicts the handle insert  109 . The handle insert  109  is made from a generally soft durometer material such as a thermoplastic rubber to accommodate insertion and retention into the hollow of the handle  103 . At the end of the handle  103  opposite to that of the handle end  105  is a male threaded end  1401  for mating with the threaded plunger bell fitting of the plunger bell (see  FIG. 15 ). In some embodiments of the present invention, a flared handle skirt  1403  may be employed to mate with the curved form of the plunger bell to create both a stronger connection of handle to bell and also to provide a more aesthetically pleasing form. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a plunger bell  101  that clearly shows the threaded plunger bell fitting  1501  that mates with the male threaded end of the handle  103 . The threaded plunger bell fitting  1501  is molded or otherwise formed with the plunger bell  101 . In some embodiments of the present invention, a flat circumferential edge  1503  is formed around the threaded plunges bell fitting  1501  to provide a flat mating surface for the flared handle skirt  1403  depicted in  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the plunger bell  101  showing in further detail the flat circumferential edge  1503  and the threaded plunger bell fitting  1501 .  FIG. 17  is a cutaway view of the plunger bell cut along line B-B of  FIG. 16  that shows the threaded plunger bell fitting  1501 , in this example a female fitting, that mates with the male threaded end  1401  of the handle  103 . 
     Lastly,  FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a handle insert  109 . The handle insert  109  is made from a generally soft durometer material such as a thermoplastic rubber to accommodate insertion and retention into the hollow of the handle  103 . In the example depicted in  FIG. 18 , handle insert friction ribs  1801  are molded or otherwise formed with the handle insert  109  to facilitate retention of the handle insert  109  into the hollow of the handle  103 . Should the handle  103  be made as a solid without a hollow portion, the handle insert  109  may be omitted. 
     To use the Plunger and Evaporative Base, the plunger is removed from the evaporative base and the bottom or bell funnel of the plunger is placed over the drain opening to be unclogged or unplugged. Such openings include, for example, toilet drain openings, sink drain openings, and the like. The plunger is then pushed downward by the handle, often multiple times. This action forces water down the drain opening and creates water pressure to unseat and move the clog in the drain. Once this plunging has been successfully completed, the wet plunger is then returned to the evaporative base where it will dry and be retained for the next use. The novel details of construction of the Plunger and Evaporative Base being heretofore provided and depicted. 
     It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention, a Plunger and Evaporative Base. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification, claims and the attached drawings.