Abstract:
Specifically, the present invention is a flush cartridge apparatus used in the controlled removal of accumulated debris from a water distribution system used within a residential and/or commercial structure. The flush cartridge apparatus is generally cylindrically shaped and is designed for sealed engagement within a plumbing valve housing, including pressure balance valves and mixing valves, to provide a long, sustained and complete flushing of water and debris from the water distribution system, while generally preventing water damage, and the occurrence of mold and/or mildew, within the structure. The flush cartridge apparatus can be used alone or in combination with other plumbing tools depending upon the specific need. The flush cartridge apparatus includes alignment and mating features for improved control and safety while using the apparatus.

Description:
[0001]    Priority for this non-provisional patent application is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119, pursuant to Applicant&#39;s provisional patent application, application No. 60/480,859 filed on Jun. 24, 2003. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to plumbing tools, plumbing fittings and the like, used to remove debris from water distribution and piping systems. Specifically, the present invention relates to plumbing tools and plumbing fittings used to controllably remove debris from potable water plumbing pipe, plumbing valves, bath tub and shower water faucets and/or fixtures used in residential and commercial plumbing systems.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In conventional plumbing systems used in residential and commercial structures, a potable water distribution system may be comprised of many lengths of plumbing pipe, pipe connections, numerous water faucets and/or fixtures, hot water heaters, water softeners, water filters and various other plumbing valves, meters, etc. During the installation and connection of residential and commercial plumbing pipe, often the ends of the pipe can be left open for considerable periods of time pending the completion of the water delivery system. While the ends of the pipe are left open, various kinds of debris can enter the pipe. Further, during the installation of the plumbing pipe, the pipe is typically shoved or pushed through drilled openings in wood boards, sheetrock, etc., wherein sawdust and sheetrock particles can enter the pipe ends. It is also very common to have residual solder and flux remain within the potable water lines, used in making the welds required to seal the pipes at each joint, coupling and bend. The installation of sprinkler and yard lines, water softeners, water purification systems, filters and other external apparatus also creates the potential for the entry of various kinds of debris into the potable water lines. Additionally, should there ever exist a temporary opening or unintended break (i.e., a burst, puncture or rupture) in these plumbing pipes, caused for example during freezing weather, repair of the pipe, the additional installation of other pipe or valves or during maintenance of the pipe, a variety of debris including solder, PVC glue, sand, silt, dirt, wood shavings, saw dust, copper shavings and other debris can enter the pipe opening. Even without the existence of a temporary or unintended opening in the plumbing pipe, inherent debris associated with potable water, such as sand, silt and rock particles, will normally enter the residential and commercial potable water lines from the water source and become trapped in the water delivery lines. The normal flow of water within these potable water lines generally transports the debris toward the nearest water faucet or other water pressure relief valve. Over time and in the absence of regular flushing of the potable water delivery lines, debris builds up in the water lines generally adjacent to the water faucets and valves, and eventually restricts the flow of water through the faucet or valve. This problem is especially annoying with bathtub and shower faucets, which results in decreased water pressure through the tub faucet and/or shower head, requiring additional time for the enjoyment and completion of baths and showers, inefficient bathing and rinsing, and other problems.  
           [0004]    All water faucets, fixtures and valves are susceptible to clogging, but because of the advanced engineering in pressure balance valves, these types of valves are more susceptible to clogging than non-pressure balance valves. The water inlets in pressure balance valves are typically smaller, which make them more susceptible to clogging. One well-known pressure balance valve is the Moen® Posi-Temp® valve. In particular, the removal of debris from the potable water delivery pipes fluidically engaged with a Moen® Posi-Temp® bathtub and shower valve is especially problematic. The Moen® Posi-Temp® valve incorporates a cartridge-type operating mechanism. The Moen® cartridge-type operating mechanism and the Moen® recessed faucet housing, make the flushing of debris through the Moen® Posi-Temp® bathtub and shower valve very difficult, and may increase the potential for water damage to, and/or flooding of, the structure. Depending upon the applicable regulations of the state where the particular pressure balance valve is installed should there occur a leakage of a substantial amount of irretrievable water within the structure; there may be mandatory requirements to initiate immediate mold remediation action. Presently, when water flow becomes restricted through pressure balance valves, plumbers typically replace the cartridge without attempting to flush the lines, thereby avoiding the possibility of water leakage, mold and mildew occurrence within the structure. Unfortunately, only replacing the cartridge does not normally remove the accumulated debris from the plumbing lines and valve housing. If after several cartridges have been replaced and the water restriction remains, in the absence of using the present invention, the valve housing and/or the delivery pipe may need to be manually cleaned or replaced, thus requiring the destruction of wall tile and sheetrock, creating great expense and inconvenience to the user of the structure. In the event that a plumber or user of the structure, should attempt to flush a pressure balance valve and the adjacent water delivery pipe, the steps required are to: first turn off the water pressure to the structure from an outside main water valve, secondly open up the faucet valve within the structure and remove the operating cartridge from the valve, and then thirdly, reinstate the water pressure through the delivery pipe for perhaps, 1-3 seconds to quickly flush the pipe and valve body while attempting to limit the water leakage and/or damage within the structure. Often, this procedure must be repeated numerous times, with the end result being that the water delivery line and/or facet is still restricted with debris. The recessed housing of most pressure balance valves is typically located completely within the interior wall of the shower stall. Thus, normally when flushing these housings and adjacent water delivery lines, in the absence of using the present invention, there is no control over the amount of water or the direction of flow of the water, through these valve housings. Additionally, this type of flushing will generally result in leakage of water and debris within the interior wall space of the shower or bathtub stall, which can create mold and/or mildew within the structure. In view of the catastrophic mold and mildew insurance claims for residential and commercial structures in recent years, great caution and severe penalties have been levied against plumbers in an effort to prevent interior water leakage. Additionally, flooding from the uncontrolled flow of water through a cartridge-less pressure balance valve body onto the floor of the structure and adjacent wall areas outside the shower stall during the flushing of water and debris, can ruin sheet rock, paint, wallpaper and flooring, all resulting in expensive repairs. Moreover, the 1-3 second limited flushing of pressurized water through the water delivery lines may not be adequate to remove all of the debris within the water delivery lines and/or the faucet. Although the present invention has unlimited application for use with flushing potable water delivery pipes, residential and commercial water faucets and valves in general, it does have specific application for use in flushing the debris which collects at or near a pressure balance valve.  
           [0005]    The present invention overcomes the drawbacks associated with the flushing of potable water delivery lines, water faucets, fixtures and other water valves, by providing a safe, reliable flush cartridge apparatus that controls the amount and direction of the flow of water, generally prevents the unwanted leakage of water within an interior wall of the structure, while providing for a long-lasting and thorough flushing of residential and commercial potable plumbing lines, faucets and valves.  
           [0006]    Although the need for such a flush cartridge apparatus has been long felt, the prior art, heretofore, has not provided such a product which meets all of the aforementioned criterion.  
           [0007]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized by means of the combinations and steps particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    To achieve the foregoing objects, features and advantages in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a flush cartridge apparatus for use in the controlled removal of debris from a potable water distribution system is presented which overcomes the deficiencies of removing debris there from. The present invention provides a preferred embodiment flush cartridge apparatus generally consisting of an elongated, cylindrically shaped, hollow body having a first outer diameter, a grip portion and an internal, axial passageway having an inner diameter. The hollow body can be made of brass, copper, stainless steel, various metallic alloys, and polymers. The axial passageway extends continuously through the hollow body. The flush cartridge apparatus is preferably designed for insertion into the housing of a plumbing valve, and in particular a pressure balance valve used in the water distribution system. The flush cartridge apparatus includes a first end portion of the apparatus for initial or primary insertion into the plumbing valve housing, wherein the first end portion has an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the hollow body. The first end portion of the hollow body also includes a central orifice therein to allow the escape of water and/or pressure, which would normally be created during the insertion of the hollow body into the plumbing valve housing. The hollow body also includes an elongated mid-portion. The mid-portion is attached to the first end portion, wherein the mid-portion is designed for secondary insertion into the plumbing valve housing. As the first end portion is inserted into the plumbing valve housing, the mid-portion follows directly behind the first end portion. The elongated mid-portion also includes an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the hollow body. The elongated mid-portion further includes a cold water inlet port and a hot water inlet port, wherein the ports are positioned axially opposite from each other and wherein the inlet ports commence on an external surface of the outer diameter of the hollow body and terminate on an internal surface of the inner diameter of the axial passageway. The inlet ports provide a conduit for the water and debris trapped within the water distribution system to flow into the axial passageway for removal of the debris. The elongated mid-portion further includes a plurality of circumferential, radial grooves in the external surface of the hollow body for the mounting and placement of o-ring seals. The o-ring seals can be comprised of rubber and various elastomer compounds and are intended to provide a non-permeable seal between the outer surface of the hollow body and the inner diameter receiving surface of the plumbing valve housing within which the hollow body is inserted, to generally prevent water and/or debris leakage between the outer diameter of the hollow body and the inner diameter of the plumbing valve housing. A second end portion of the hollow body is affixed to the elongated mid-portion opposite of the first end portion, wherein the mid-portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The second end portion provides an outlet for the internal, axial passageway to allow the complete discharge and removal of fluid and debris from the water distribution system. The second end portion also includes the grip portion, wherein the grip portion may include a plurality of flat surfaces designed for mechanical gripping engagement to selectively insert and selectively remove the hollow body from the plumbing valve housing of the water distribution system. The grip portion further includes an internally threaded portion for engagement with an externally threaded member. The internally threaded portion is particularly suited to engage a valve, for example a hose bib valve. With the hose bib valve attached to the grip portion, the flush cartridge provides additional control and direction for the flow of water and debris from the water distribution system. The steps for using the present invention in combination with the hose bib valve, include: disengaging the water pressure from the water distribution system, opening the plumbing valve housing, exposing and removing the operating cartridge, inserting the flush cartridge apparatus into the plumbing valve housing, engaging a keeper pin to secure the flush cartridge with the plumbing valve housing, and thereafter restoring or reengaging full water pressure to the water distribution system and flushing the debris from the water distribution system. By opening the hose bib valve and pointing the discharge port of the hose bib toward the direction of the bathtub or shower drain, the flush cartridge can then provide a long, sustained and complete flushing of the debris from within the water distribution system in the absence of water leakage, in the absence of creating mold or mildew within the structure, and in the absence of damaging sheetrock, paint, wallpaper or flooring of the structure.  
           [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a flush cartridge apparatus for use in the controlled removal of debris from a water distribution system.  
           [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a flush cartridge apparatus for sealing engagement with a plumbing valve housing for the removal of debris from the water distribution system while controlling the direction and amount of flow from the water distribution system.  
           [0011]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a flush cartridge apparatus for simultaneously flushing debris out of the hot water and cold-water plumbing lines.  
           [0012]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flush cartridge apparatus for sealing engagement with various types of plumbing valve housings, including pressure balance valves and mixing valves for the removal of debris from the water distribution system while controlling the direction and amount of flow from the water distribution system.  
           [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a flush cartridge apparatus to remove accumulated debris from the water delivery pipe that causes damage to expensive operating cartridges used in pressure balance valves.  
           [0014]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a flush cartridge apparatus, which can be used with other devices to reverse flow on the water delivery lines to back flush the water delivery lines.  
           [0015]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flush cartridge apparatus which caps off the bathtub drop spout and shower riser to provide maximum water pressure to remove debris from the water delivery lines and plumbing valves.  
           [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a flush cartridge apparatus which completely flushes the debris from the water delivery lines and plumbing valve housing without the need for removing sheetrock, tile, etc. to gain full access to the area where the water delivery lines connect with the plumbing valve.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The accompanying drawings which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with a general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below serve to explain the principals of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a flush cartridge apparatus, illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of a flush cartridge apparatus illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of a plumbing valve housing and the operating cartridge used in the plumbing valve housing to control the flow of hot and cold water through the plumbing valve.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective, operational view of the plumbing valve and operating cartridge illustrated in FIG. 3, illustrating engagement to hot water delivery pipe and cold water delivery pipe, further illustrating the accumulation of debris inside the water delivery pipe and inside the plumbing valve housing.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away, perspective, operational view of a preferred embodiment flush cartridge apparatus in operational engagement with the plumbing valve housing, further illustrating the flow of water and debris from the water distribution system through the flush cartridge apparatus.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective, operational view of a preferred embodiment flush cartridge apparatus illustrated in operational engagement with the plumbing valve housing and a water control valve, wherein water and debris flow is depicted flowing through the flush cartridge apparatus and out of the water control valve.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away view of a cartridge-less plumbing valve housing located within a shower or tub stall wall, illustrating water leakage within the shower or tub stall wall and the present invention flush cartridge apparatus in combination with a water control valve illustrating a preferred method of directing the flow of water and debris from the water distribution system.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of the present invention flush cartridge apparatus illustrated in perspective alignment with a cartridge-less plumbing valve housing and a water control valve. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    With reference to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, FIGS. 1-2 illustrate various views of the preferred embodiment flush cartridge apparatus  10  for use in the controlled removal of debris from a water distribution system. The flush cartridge apparatus  10  preferably includes an elongated, cylindrically shaped, hollow body  12 . The hollow body  12  may preferably be constructed of brass, copper, stainless steel, various metallic alloys, and/or polymers. The hollow body  12  includes a first outer diameter OD, a grip portion  14  and an internal, axial passageway  15  having an inner diameter  1 D. The axial passageway  15  extends continuously through the hollow body  12  and grip portion  14 . In FIG. 3, a plumbing valve housing  18  and an operating cartridge  20  for use with the plumbing valve housing  18 , are illustrated. Although the specific plumbing valve housing  18  shown in FIG. 3 is a pressure balance valve  18 , the present invention  10  is adaptable for use with all types of potable water plumbing valves, for example, including a mixing valve (not shown). The pressure balance valve housing  18  and the operating cartridge  20  may both be generally used in a water distribution system. The flush cartridge apparatus  10  is preferably designed for insertion into the plumbing valve housing  18 , in place of the operating cartridge  20 , for use in flushing debris from the water distribution system. As depicted in FIG. 4, various types of debris  22  including, for example, solder, PVC glue, sand, silt, dirt, rock particles, wood shavings, saw dust, copper shavings and other debris can become trapped within the water distribution system, especially in a hot water supply plumbing line  24  and a cold water supply plumbing line  26  at or near where the supply lines  24 ,  26  engage the plumbing valve housing  18 . As further depicted, debris  22  can also accumulate inside the plumbing valve housing  18  at, and adjacent to, the cartridge  20 . Normally, the homeowner or user of the residential or commercial water distribution system will not know the extent of the debris  22  accumulation within the plumbing valve housing  18 , however the user is likely to notice, prolonged, restricted water flow through the plumbing valve housing  18  which should alert the user that there is a possibility that the restricted water flow may be due in part to an accumulation of debris  22  in the water delivery lines  24 ,  26  and/or plumbing valve housing  18 .  
         [0027]    The water delivery lines  24 ,  26  a plumber or the homeowner must first close a main water valve (not shown) that permits water flow from the water source (not shown) into the structure (not shown). After the main water valve (not shown) has been closed, the water pressure within the water distribution system has become disengaged and there should not be any water pressure present in the delivery lines  24 ,  26 . The tub or shower trim wall face plate and operating handle (not shown) which is generally engaged to the plumbing valve housing  18 , is then disassembled and removed, generally revealing an exposed operating cartridge  20 , as shown in FIG. 4. The operating cartridge  20  is then removed as shown in FIG. 3, further exposing a cylindrically shaped, housing opening  28  in the plumbing valve housing  18 . With the main water valve (not shown) closed, there should not be any water flowing through the delivery lines  24 ,  26  to flush the debris  22  out of the delivery lines  24 ,  26  and housing opening  28 . As shown in FIG. 7, the plumbing valve housing  18 , the housing opening  28 , the delivery lines  24 ,  26 , and a shower riser  30  and tub spout drop  32  are all typically located behind the sheetrock wall  34  and within the shower/tub stall wall space  36 . Should the water pressure be restored to the cartridge-less plumbing valve housing  18 , as shown in FIG. 7, in an effort to remove the debris  22  from the delivery lines  24 ,  26  and plumbing valve housing  18 , water would normally leak into the wall space  36 , and would otherwise spray uncontrollably from the housing opening  28 , thereby damaging the surrounding sheetrock wall  34 , paint, wallpaper and flooring (not shown). The benefit of the removing debris  22  using the above-described method, is greatly outweighed by the resulting water damage to the structure, the likelihood of creating mold and/or mildew as a result of the water leak, and the cost and inconvenience of mold and mildew remediation to the owner of the structure.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7- 8 , the preferred embodiment flush cartridge apparatus  10  is designed to remove of debris  22  from the cartridge-less plumbing valve housing  18 , the housing opening  28 , and the water delivery lines  24 ,  26 . A first end portion  16  of the cylindrically shaped hollow body  12  is inserted into the housing opening  28 . The first end portion  16  includes an outer diameter OD equal to the first outer diameter OD of the hollow body  12 . The OD is just slightly smaller than an inner diameter, receiving surface ID 1  of the housing opening  28 . Thus, as the first end portion  16  is inserted into the housing opening  28 , a snug fit is formed between the OD of the cylindrically shaped hollow body  12  and the inner diameter, receiving surface ID 1  of the housing opening  28 . The first end portion  16  of the hollow body  12  also includes a central orifice  38  therein to allow the escape of water and/or water pressure, during the insertion of the hollow body  12  into the housing opening  28 .  
         [0029]    The cylindrically shaped hollow body  12  also includes an elongated, mid-portion  40 . The mid-portion  40  is attached to the first end portion  16 , wherein the mid-portion  40  is designed for secondary insertion into the housing opening  28 , immediately following the insertion of the first end portion  16 . The elongated mid-portion  40  generally has an outer diameter OD equal to the first outer diameter OD of the hollow body  12 . The elongated mid-portion  40  further includes a cold water inlet port  42  and a hot water inlet port  44 , wherein the ports  42 ,  44  are positioned axially opposite from each other and wherein the inlet ports  42 ,  44  both commence on an external surface  46  of the outer diameter OD of the hollow body  12  and terminate on an internal surface  48  of the inner diameter ID of the axial passageway  15 . The inlet ports  42 ,  44  provide a conduit for the water and debris  22  trapped in the water delivery lines  24 ,  26  to be flushed into the axial passageway  15  and removed from the water distribution system. The elongated mid-portion  40  further includes a plurality of circumferential, radial grooves  50 , as depicted in FIG. 1, in the external surface  46  of the hollow body  12 , wherein each groove  50  is designed for the mounting and placement of an o-ring seal  52 . The o-ring seals  52 , as shown in FIG. 2, are intended to generally provide a non-permeable seal connection between the outer surface  46  of the hollow body  12  and the inner diameter receiving surface ID 1  of the housing opening  28 , to generally prevent water and/or debris  22  leakage between the hollow body  12  and the housing opening  28  when the flush cartridge apparatus  10  is in operative engagement with the plumbing valve housing  18 . When the preferred embodiment flush cartridge apparatus  10  is fully inserted into the plumbing valve housing  18 , as depicted in FIG. 5, water and debris  22  flow into the inlet ports  42 ,  44  and through an outlet  54  in the axial passageway  15 , in a controlled manner and generally in the absence of leaking or flooding water and/or debris  22  within the structure. A second end portion  56  of the hollow body  12  is affixed to the elongated mid-portion  40 , wherein the mid-portion  40  is disposed between the first end portion  16  and the second end portion  56 . The second end portion  56  actually houses the outlet  54  of the internal, axial passageway  15  to facilitate the complete discharge of fluid and debris  22  from the water distribution system. The second end portion  56  also includes the grip portion  14 , wherein the grip portion  14  may include a plurality of flat external surfaces  58  designed for manual and/or mechanical gripping engagement to selectively insert and selectively remove the hollow body  12  from the plumbing valve housing  18  of the water distribution system. The second end portion  56  further includes an internally threaded portion  60 , having a standard mechanical, female-type thread for threaded engagement with a male-type threaded portion  62  of a valve  64  or garden hose (not shown). The internally threaded portion  60  is particularly suited to engage, for example, a standard hose bib type water valve  64 . With the hose bib valve  64  threadedly engaged to the internally threaded portion  60  of the hollow body  12 , the flush cartridge apparatus  10  can be fully inserted into the housing opening  28 , as shown in FIGS. 6-7, and thereafter the full water pressure can be restored to the water distribution system and controlled by the selective opening or closing of the hose bib valve  64 . With the flush cartridge apparatus  10  in operative engagement with the plumbing valve housing  18  and the hose bib valve  64 , thereafter restoring the water pressure to the water distribution system and opening the hose bib valve  64  and pointing a discharge port  66  of the hose bib valve  64  directly into the bathtub or shower drain (not shown), the flush cartridge apparatus  10  can then provide a long, sustained and complete flushing of the debris  22  from within the water distribution system in the absence of water leakage within the structure thus minimizing the occurrence of mold and/or mildew, and in the absence of damaging sheetrock  34 , paint, wallpaper or flooring of the structure. For example, the amount of time available for completely and effectively flushing debris  22  from the plumbing valve housing  18  and the adjacent water delivery lines  24 ,  26  using the present invention flush cartridge apparatus  10 , generally in the absence of leaking water within the structure and otherwise avoiding the type of damage normally associated with flushing debris  22  from a water distribution system, is limitless.  
       Operation  
       [0030]    As depicted in FIGS. 5-8, the present invention flush cartridge apparatus  10  is designed to sealably fit within the housing opening  28  of a plumbing valve housing  18 , either in combination with an additional valve  64  or without the valve  64 . As depicted in FIG. 5, the second end portion  56  of the hollow body  12 , may provide enough outward extension past the sheetrock wall  34 , or alternatively by attaching a {fraction (1/2)} inch nipple (not shown) to the internally threaded portion  60 , to provide for a long, sustained and complete flushing of the water delivery lines  24 ,  26  and plumbing valve housing  18  in the absence of leaking water and debris  22  within the tub/shower wall space  36  or elsewhere within the structure. Where the flow of water and debris  22  through the outlet  54  can be effectively contained within a shower stall and/or bathtub area (not shown), there is no need to include the additional valve  64  or nipple (not shown). However, where the plumbing valve housing  18  and/or housing opening  28  does not protrude past the sheetrock wall  34  and into the shower stall and/or bathtub area (not shown) and/or there is no effective way of containing water and debris  22  being flushed out of the outlet  54 , the use of a valve  64  to direct the water and debris  22  flow into the shower or tub drain (not shown), or the use of a garden hose (not shown) having a male-type, threaded end for threaded engagement to the internal female-type threads  60  of the second end portion  56  to carry the water and debris  22  to the shower or tub drain, or alternatively, outside the structure, would be of significant advantage.  
         [0031]    An additional operating feature of the present invention flush cartridge apparatus  10  is the inclusion of at least one partial-circumferential notch  68  in the external surface  46  of the hollow body  12  for locking alignment with a reciprocal partial-circumferential notch  70  in the plumbing valve housing  18 . As shown in FIG. 7, the notch  68  of the hollow body  12  does not align in parallel alignment with the reciprocal notch  70 , but rather notch  68  aligns perpendicularly with notch  70  to allow a keeper pin  71  to engage both notches  68 ,  70  simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 8, by inserting the flush cartridge apparatus  10  into the housing opening  28  with perpendicular alignment between the notch  68  and the reciprocal notch  70 , the keeper pin  71  can be engaged within the notch  68  and the reciprocal notch  70  to generally prevent the unintended removal of the flush cartridge  10 . The perpendicular alignment between the notch  68  and the reciprocal notch  70  and inclusion of the keeper pin  71 , is a helpful safety feature of the present invention since it is possible that the flush cartridge apparatus  10  could become dislodged from the plumbing valve housing  18  when the water pressure is restored to the water distribution system, should the keeper pin  71  not be used with notch  68  and reciprocal notch  70 .  
         [0032]    Additionally, the present invention flush cartridge apparatus  10  can be used with a pressure balance valve-type plumbing valve housing  18  to back flush the water distribution system. Where the flush cartridge apparatus  10  is engaged to the plumbing valve housing  18  and the main water valve (not shown) is shut off, a source of compressed gas (not shown) such as, for example, compressed nitrogen or compressed air can be communicably engaged to the internally threaded portion  60  of the flush cartridge apparatus  10 . Thereafter, by opening a second valve in the water distribution system, for example a kitchen sink water valve or an outside garden hose bib (not shown) located some distance away from the flush cartridge apparatus  10  and allowing the compressed gas to enter and flow freely through the water distribution system, the flow is reversed through water distribution system, thereby removing trapped debris  22  from most, if not all, of the piping, valves, etc. of the water distribution system. Using this procedure, the debris  22  would normally egress through the second valve (not shown) in the water distribution system. Presently, there is no other known tool or method that provides the advantages and fills the long-felt, but as of yet unfulfilled, need as compared to the present invention flush cartridge apparatus  10 .  
         [0033]    It will be appreciated that these and other embodiments may be provided for the controlled and safe flushing of debris from potable water delivery lines, water faucets and other water valves. Additional embodiments become readily apparent in view of the present invention as described herein above. Having described the invention above various modifications of the techniques, procedures and materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims be embraced thereby.