Patent Publication Number: US-2013227771-A1

Title: Method and Apparatus to clear a clogged toilet without contact of the bowl contents

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Ask anyone what their least favorite household tasks are and clearing a clogged toilet is likely to show up near the top of the list for most people. The toilet plunger has been the traditional means of resolving this issue, but disgusts many due to its requirement to come in contact with the contents of the toilet bowl which are causing the clog. Thus a new solution for dealing with a clogged toilet was needed, which provided the simplicity of use that the plunger affords, but without the need to contaminate the used apparatus with the contents of the toilet bowl. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A new method and device for clearing clogged toilets is presented, which involves placing the invention on the toilet bowl, sitting upon it, and flushing the toilet in order to unclog it, thus solving the problem of sanitation that a plunger presents while remaining inherently simple to use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  depicts a standard toilet with its parts labeled according to the names used through the invention specification. 
         FIG. 2  shows the intended shape of the invention when viewed from above 
         FIG. 3  presents a side profile of the invention, with components labeled 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the invention in operation 
         FIG. 5  is a picture of the prototype implementation of the invention 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of the dimensions of components used to build the prototype 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A diagram of a toilet with relevant parts labeled is included ( FIG. 1 ) to serve as a reference through this specification. In implementing this invention, a simple apparatus is created which is shaped approximately the same as the lid of a toilet bowl, excepting that it should be slightly larger so as to overlap the sides of the bowl ( FIG. 2 ). The apparatus consists of  3  main components: a rigid support plate sufficient to support the weight of an individual sitting upon the apparatus while it is supported beneath by the rim of the toilet bowl, an airtight material such as vinyl or plastic (henceforth referred to as fabric) covering the plate on at least the bottom side which will make contact with the toilet bowl, and a dense foam interior between the support plate and the fabric to ensure an airtight contact seal between the fabric on the bottom of the apparatus and the toilet bowl rim at all points of contact ( FIG. 3 ). The support plate and foam are cut to approximately the same shape and sandwiched together, with the fabric wrapped around them and attached to the support plate (glue/tacks/etc), such that the bottom (foam-side) of the apparatus presents a continuous surface of the fabric. The shape of the apparatus should be such that when placed atop a toilet bowl that has the lid and seat raised, the apparatus completely covers the bowl opening, leaving no space for air to escape the bowl. In the usage of the described invention, the apparatus is placed, foam side down, on top of the bowl of a clogged toilet, with the lid and seat having been previously raised such that the apparatus rests directly on the toilet bowl rim. The apparatus should be positioned such that the bowl opening is completely covered and the fabric makes contact with the rim on all sides. The user sits down on top of the apparatus to compress the foam and ensure an airtight seal all the way around and prevent air escaping from the bowl. In a related alternative, the apparatus itself could be designed with weights inside such that it provided sufficient force itself to function without a person sitting on top. Once the apparatus is in place and the bowl thus sealed, the toilet is flushed and the pressure/head of the water from the tank is transferred to the clog in the bowl, pushing it through and un-clogging the toilet ( FIG. 4 ). In a related form, the seat and lid of the toilet itself could be built such that the seat included a foam and fabric bottom which would seal against the bowl, and the lid included a foam and fabric bottom (or outer ring) which would seal against the seat, such that when both the seat and the lid were closed and a person sat on the lid, the tank would be sealed in the same way as the described standalone apparatus. Thus the invention could be integrated into toilets as they were manufactured. 
     A prototype ( FIG. 5 ) of this invention has been manufactured and tested using the following materials and methods. A ½ inch piece of plywood was cut to be 18.5 inches long by 16 inches wide, with 45 degree notches cut out of the corners on one side ( FIG. 6 ). A 3 inch thick piece of high density foam from a craft store was cut to the same dimensions. A 42 inch by 18 inch piece of heavy vinyl material was used to enclose both the plywood and the foam, with hot-glue used to attach the vinyl to the plywood and/or itself to finalize the apparatus. Care was taken to ensure that the seams of the vinyl landed only on the sides or the plywood side of the device, such that the vinyl which covered the foam was a single continuous surface.