Patent Publication Number: US-2015074890-A1

Title: Pressure plunger and associated methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosed embodiments relate to pressure plungers for clearing clogs from a channel. In particular, the present technology relates to pressure plungers that can be easily assembled and disassembled and associated methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fluid channels can become clogged by cumulated materials or particles suspended in fluids flowing through fluid channels. By generating a pressure difference in the fluids using a pressure plunger, the cumulated materials or particles can be dislodged and then removed from the fluid channels. For example, bowl-type pressure plungers are commonly used to clear clogged toilets. However, conventional bowl-type pressure plungers have relatively complicated designs, are difficulty to clean, and have relatively high manufacturing costs. In addition, when inserting a conventional bowl-type pressure plunger into a fluid channel, a large volume of fluid may be displaced and cause inconvenience. Therefore, it is advantageous to have an improved pressure plunger that can be easily cleaned, effectively dislodges clogs, and has a relatively low manufacturing cost. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a plunger apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another plunger apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a reciprocal movement of an actuator in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Specific details of several embodiments of pressure plungers and associated methods are described below. A person skilled in the relevant art will also understand that the technology may have additional embodiments, and that the technology may be practiced without several of the details of the embodiments described below with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     A plunger apparatus in accordance with the present technology can be easily assembled and disassembled. The easy assembling/disassembling feature provides at least the benefits of (1) relatively low manufacturing costs and short assembling time and (2) enabling a user to easily maintain or clean up the pressure plunger. In addition, a plunger apparatus in accordance with the present technology can accommodate a certain amount of fluid therein, thereby avoiding (or at least mitigating) possible fluid displacement or overflow. Several embodiments of pressure plungers in accordance with the present technology can include an outer tube that defines a chamber, an actuator (e.g., a hollow cylinder or a rod member) positioned inside the outer tube, a seal (e.g., a seal ring) positioned between the outer tube and the actuator, and a fitting attached to the outer tube. In some embodiments, the fitting and the outer tube can be integrally formed together, such as by a molding process, or the fitting can be a separate component that is attached to the outer tube. A user can operate the pressure plunger by moving (e.g., pushing and/or pulling) the actuator so as to generate positive and/or negative pressure differences that dislodge clogs from a fluid channel (e.g., in a toilet or a drain). 
     The seal can be operably (e.g., movably) attached to an inner surface of the outer tube and fixedly (e.g., non-movably) attached to an outer surface of the actuator. During operation when the pressure plunger is inserted into a clogged fluid channel, the seal can create an air-tight chamber inside the chamber defined by the outer tube. As a user moves (e.g., pushes and/or pulls) the actuator, the seal can move accordingly while maintaining the air-tight condition. The movements of the actuator and the seal can thus generate pressure differences that dislodge a clog in a clogged fluid channel. 
     In some embodiments, the fitting can be designed to fit a fluid channel so as to provide a close contact therewith. For example, the fitting can have an angled portion or elbow with an angle (e.g., from 25 to 75 degrees) with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube. This arrangement enables a user to easily insert and fit the plunger apparatus into a curved/angled fluid chancel or a fluid channel with a narrow opening. In some embodiments, the fitting can have a flexible flange (e.g., made by flexible material such as rubber or other suitable materials that can engage the perimeter surface of a fluid channel). 
     Methods for mitigating a clogging in a fluid channel are also disclosed. A method can include positioning a plunger apparatus (e.g., including an outer tube, a fitting and a seal) into a clogged fluid channel. More particularly, the method can include positioning the fitting attached to the outer tube into the clogged fluid channel. The method can then fixedly attach the fitting with a surface of the clogged fluid channel. The method can then move (e.g., push) the actuator positioned inside the outer tube in a first direction (e.g., a direction towards the clogged fluid channel) over a first distance (e.g., along a portion of the length of the outer tube) so as to generate a first pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel. The method can further include moving (e.g., pull) the actuator in a second direction (e.g., opposite to the first direction) over a second distance (e.g., smaller than the first distance) so as to generate a second pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel. The method can repeatedly move the actuator so as to generate proper pressure differences until a clog is dislodged from the clogged fluid channel. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a plunger apparatus  100  in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the plunger apparatus  100  includes an outer tube  101 , a fitting  103  coupled to the outer tube  101 , an actuator  105  positioned inside the outer tube  101 , and a seal  111 . In some embodiments, the outer tube  101  and the fitting  103  can be formed integrally with each other, such as by a molding process. In the illustrated embodiment, the fitting  103  includes an angled portion. In some embodiments, the angle of the fitting can range from 25 degrees to 75 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube  101 . In other embodiments, the fitting  103  can have different shapes so as to fit into various fluid channels. 
     In some embodiments, the outer tube  101 , the fitting  103  and the actuator  105  can be made of hard plastic materials (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, PVC) or other suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the fitting  103  can include an opening  107  and a flexible flange  109 . In some embodiments, the flexible flange  109  can be made of flexible materials (e.g., rubber or other suitable materials). In other embodiments, the flexible flange  109  can have different shapes for fitting different types of fluid channels. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the seal  111  is positioned between the outer tube  101  and the actuator  105 . The seal  111  is operably (e.g., movably) attached to an inner surface  1011  of the outer tube  101  and fixedly (e.g., non-movably) attached to an outer surface  1051  of the actuator  105 . When a user positions the plunger apparatus  100  into a fluid channel  113  (having a fluid  115  and at least one clog  117  therein), the seal  111  can create a substantive air-tight chamber  119  inside the outer tube  101  (and a portion of the fitting  103 ). When a user moves (e.g., pushes or pulls) the actuator  105  upwardly or downwardly (e.g., along the vertical axis of  FIG. 1 ), the seal  111  can be moved accordingly to maintain the substantive air-tight chamber  119 . The movements of the actuator  105  and the seal  111  can generate positive and negative pressure differences of the fluid  115  (e.g., the actuator  105  compresses the air in the substantive air-tight chamber  119  and the compressed air then further compresses the fluid  115 ) so as to dislodge the clog  117  in the fluid channel  113  (e.g., the clog  117  starts to flow with the fluid  115  in the fluid channel  113 ). In other embodiments, the substantive air-tight chamber  119  can be filled with the fluid  115 . In this case, the movement of the actuator  105  and the seal  111  can generate a pressure difference of the fluid  115  by directly compressing the fluid  115 . In some embodiments, the generated pressure differences can drive at least a portion of the fluid  115  positioned inside the outer tube  101  and the fitting  103  to be ejected from the plunger apparatus  100  (e.g., through the opening  107 ) to the fluid channel  113 . 
     The actuator  105  can include a cap  1052 . When the cap  1052  contacts the outer tube  101 , the actuator  105  stops moving downwardly (e.g., along the vertical axis of  FIG. 1 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the cap  1052  can include a handle  121  and a stop (e.g., a stop ring)  123 . The cap  1052  can be formed with at least one recess  125 . The handle  121  and the recess  125  can facilitate a user to grasp the actuator  105  during operation. The stop  123  can be configured to stop the downward movement of the actuator  105 . In some embodiment, the stop  123  can be made of hard plastic material (e.g., PVC). In some embodiments, the stop  123  and the handle  121  can be formed as an integral. In some embodiment, the cap  1052  can have different shapes depending on various designs. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the outer tube  101  can include a vent (e.g., a ventilation hole)  1012 . The vent  1012  is configured to enable ambient air to flow into the outer tube  101  when the actuator  105  moves downwardly (or to enable air inside the outer tube  101  to flow out when the actuator  105  moves upwardly), thereby facilitating the movement of the actuator  105 . In some embodiments, the vent  1012  can avoid a fluid overflow from the top of the outer tube  101 . For example, when the seal  111  moves (e.g., upwardly) over the vent  1012 , ambient air can flow into the outer tube  101  via the vent  1012  so as to prevent the fluid  115  from moving up and flowing out from the top of the outer tube  101 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another plunger apparatus  200  in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. The plunger apparatus  200  can include an outer tube  201 , a fitting  203  coupled to the outer tube  201 , an actuator  205  positioned inside the outer tube  201 , and a seal  211 . In some embodiments, the outer tube  201  and the fitting  203  can be formed integrally with each other. In the illustrated embodiment, an opening  207  of the fitting  203  has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer tube  201 . A smaller opening diameter facilitates a user to position the plunger apparatus  200  in a narrow fluid channel. In some embodiments, a smaller opening diameter can change (e.g., increase) a pressure difference caused by the movements of the actuator  205 , thereby enhancing the performance of the plunger apparatus  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the fitting  203  can include a curved portion. In other embodiments, the fitting  203  can have different shapes so as to fit into various fluid channels. In some embodiments, the outer tube  201 , the fitting  203  and the actuator  205  can be made of hard plastic materials (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, PVC) or other suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the fitting  203  can include a flexible flange  209  made of flexible materials (e.g., rubber) or other suitable materials. In other embodiments, the flexible flange  209  can have different shapes for fitting different types of fluid channels. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the seal  211  is positioned between the outer tube  201  and the actuator  205 . The seal  211  is operably (e.g., movably) attached to an inner surface  2011  of the outer tube  201  and fixedly (e.g., non-movably) attached to an outer surface  2051  of the actuator  205 . When a user positions the plunger apparatus  200  in a fluid channel  213  (having a fluid  215  and at least one clog  217  therein), the seal  211  can create a substantive air-tight chamber  219  defined by the outer tube  201 , the fitting  203  and the actuator  205 . When a user moves (e.g., pushes or pulls) the actuator  205  upwardly or downwardly (e.g., along the vertical axis of  FIG. 2 ), the seal  211  can move accordingly to maintain the substantive air-tight chamber  219 . The movements of the actuator  205  and the seal  211  can generate appositive and/or negative pressure differences of the fluid  215  (e.g., the actuator  205  compresses the air in the substantive air-tight chamber  219  and the compressed air then further compresses the fluid  215 ) so as to dislodge the clog  217  in the fluid channel  213  (e.g., the clog  217  starts to flow with the fluid  215  in the fluid channel  213 ). In other embodiments, the substantive air-tight chamber  219  can be filled with the fluid  215 . In this case, the movement of the cylinder component  205  and the seal component  211  can generate a pressure difference of the fluid  215  by directly compressing the fluid  215 . In some embodiments, the generated pressure differences can drive at least a portion of the fluid  215  positioned inside the outer tube  201  and the fitting  203  to be ejected from the plunger apparatus  200  (e.g., through the opening  207 ) to the fluid channel  213 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator  205  can be a hollow cylinder having a cap  2052 . When the cap  2052  contacts the outer tube  201 , the actuator  205  stops moving downwardly (e.g., along the vertical axis of  FIG. 2 ). In some embodiment, the cap  2052  can be made of hard plastic material (e.g., PVC) or other suitable materials. In some embodiment, the cap  2052  can have different shapes depending on various designs. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a reciprocal movement of an actuator  305  in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the actuator  305  and a seal  311  (which is fixedly attached to the actuator  305 ) can first be moved (e.g., pushed by a user) downwardly along a first direction (e.g., downwardly along the vertical axis in  FIG. 3 ) over a first distance D1. The actuator  305  and the seal  311  can then be moved (e.g., pulled by a user) upwardly along a second direction (e.g., upwardly along the vertical axis in  FIG. 3 ) over a second distance D2. The actuator  305  and the seal  311  can then be moved (e.g., pushed by a user) downwardly along the first direction (e.g., downwardly along the vertical axis in  FIG. 3 ) over a third distance D3. The reciprocating movement of the actuator  305  discussed above generates pressure differences that dislodge clogs from a fluid channel. A user can repeatedly move the actuator  305  until resolving the clog in the fluid channel. 
     In the illustrated embodiments, the first distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2 which is substantially equal to the third distance D3. In other embodiments, however, the actuator  305  can be moved over different distances or operated under different reciprocal movements depending on a user&#39;s preference and other suitable factors, such as the severity of a clogging. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method  400  in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. The method  400  illustrates an operation of a plunger apparatus (e.g., the plunger apparatus  100  or  200 ). The plunger apparatus can include an outer tube, a fitting coupled to the outer tube, an actuator positioned inside the outer tube, and a seal. The method  400  starts at block  401  and then continues at block  403  by positioning the fitting in a clogged fluid channel. The method  400  continues at block  405  by fixedly engaging the fitting with a surface of the clogged fluid channel. In some embodiments, the method  400  can include deforming or compressing a flexible flange (e.g., the flexible flange  109  and  209 ) of the fitting so as to seal the flexible flange against the surface of the clogged fluid channel. 
     At block  407 , the method  400  continues by moving (e.g., pushing) the actuator positioned inside the outer tube in a first direction (e.g., downwardly along the vertical direction in  FIG. 1 ,  2  or  3 ) over a first distance (e.g., the first distance D1 shown in  FIG. 3 ) so as to generate a first pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel. The method continues at block  409  by moving (e.g., pulling) the actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction in  FIG. 1 ,  2  or  3 ) over a second distance (e.g. the second distance D2 shown in  FIG. 3 ) so as to generate a second pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel. At block  411 , the method  400  continues by moving (e.g., pushing) the actuator in the first direction (e.g., downwardly along the vertical direction in  FIG. 1 ,  2  or  3 ) over a third distance (e.g., the third distance D3 shown in  FIG. 3 ) so as to generate a third pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel. 
     The method  400  then proceeds to a decision block  413  to determine whether a clog in the fluid channel has been resolved. If so, then the method  400  ends at block  415 . If not the method returns to block  409  to repeat the movements of the actuator described in blocks  409  and  411  until the clogging is resolved. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the disclosure. Certain aspects of the new technology described in the context of particular embodiments may also be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Moreover, although advantages associated with certain embodiments of the new technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.