Patent Publication Number: US-7900289-B2

Title: Magnetic sink strainer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/957,470 filed Aug. 23, 2007, entitled, “Magnetic Sink Strainer”, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to sink strainers, more particularly, to a magnetic sink strainer that is capable of attracting and retaining objects that are attracted by a force as a result of being subjected to a magnetic field. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sink Strainers are known in the art to be used in a laboratory environment. Many objects are frequently lost down a sink drain of a lab sink or the like. Specifically, many objects such as stirring bars are routinely lost in labs when they are poured out into the sink, along with the solution being stirred. 
     Prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,948 discloses a sink strainer having a magnet to assist the water in the sink to create a strong sealing action to prevent the leakage of the water from the sink. So, the prior patent also fails to provide a sink strainer that functions to stop the objects that are attracted by a magnetic force from flowing down the drain. 
     Thus, in order to prevent losing the objects, destroying plumbing and creating unnecessary pollution, there is a need in the art for a sink strainer that would fit into a standard sink drain and magnetically attract and hold only objects that are attracted by a force as a result of being subjected to a magnetic field such as magnetic objects. There is also a need in the art to allow the fluids and other non-magnetic substances to easily drain down the sink drain. Further, there is a need in the art to provide for an inexpensive magnetic sink strainer that functions to prevent the objects that are attracted by a magnetic force from going down the drain while allowing the non-magnetic substances to flow down the sink drain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sink strainer having a base member, at least one slit and at least one magnetic receiving region coupled to the base member and at least one magnet embedded into said at least magnetic receiving region. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, base member of the above-mentioned sink strainer includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes the magnetic receiving region having at least one protrusion including at least one aperture therein to accommodate said magnet. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the bottom portion of the base member of the above-mentioned sink strainer includes an opening into a hollow body. The bottom portion includes the magnetic receiving region having a slot formed at a periphery of the opening to accommodate the magnet. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned sink strainer further comprises at least one leg mounted on the bottom portion to securely fit the strainer into a standard sink drain. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a sink strainer having a base member and at least one slit. At least a portion of the base member includes magnetized material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a sink strainer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates an example of a magnet to be inserted into the magnetic sink strainer of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates the magnets of  FIG. 1B  being inserted into the sink strainer of  FIG. 1A  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates a magnetic sink strainer including the magnets of  FIG. 1B  securely attached to the sink strainer of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1E  illustrates a bottom view of the magnetic sink strainer of  FIG. 1D  in accordance with a preferred method of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates placement of the magnetic sink strainer of  FIG. 1D  on the sink drain. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a sink strainer in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a magnet being inserted into the sink strainer of  FIG. 3A  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a magnetic sink strainer including the magnet of  FIG. 3B  securely attached to the sink strainer of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates a magnet being inserted into the sink strainer of  FIG. 3A  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3E  illustrates a magnetic sink strainer including the magnet of  FIG. 3D  securely attached to the sink strainer of  FIG. 3A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a magnetic sink strainer  102  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The sink strainer  102  includes a base member  104  comprised of a flexible, chemical resistant material such as plastic, for example, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). The base member  104  of  FIG. 1A  is preferably substantially circular in shape and has a flat edge  104   a . The base member  104  includes an upper portion  104   b  and a bottom portion  104   c . The upper portion  104   b  further includes an elevated surface  104   d  forming a hollow body  104   e  at the lower portion  104   c  (See  FIGS. 1A and 1E ) to accommodate various sizes and shapes of sink drains. The flat edge  104   a  allows the strainer  102  to be placed securely near the sink wall. The elevated surface  104   d  preferably includes four substantially cylindrical shaped protrusions  106  integrally attached to each corner of the elevated surface  104   d , as shown in  FIG. 1A . The protrusions  106  further include corresponding apertures  108  to provide for insertion of the magnet into the protrusions  106  as will be described in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 1C . 
     Even though four protrusions  106  are shown in  FIG. 1A , it is obvious to one skilled in the art that the strainer  102  may have more or less than four protrusions  106 . Additionally, the protrusions  106  do not have to be cylindrical in shape and may be comprised of other configurations in order to accommodate magnets of various shapes and sizes. The base member  104  also includes slits  110  to allow the liquids and non-magnetic substances to easily and rapidly flow through the strainer  102  into the sink drain. As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the slits  110  are provided throughout the flat edge  104   a  and the elevated surface  104   d  of the base  104 . 
       FIG. 1B  shows a configuration of a magnet  112  shaped and sized to be securely placed into the protrusion  106  via its corresponding aperture  108 . Thus, the magnet  112 , according to one embodiment, is substantially cylindrical in shape and has the physical dimensions required for firmly placing the magnet into the protrusions  106  as shown in  FIG. 1C .  FIG. 1C  illustrates each of the four magnets  112  positioned to be inserted into each of the four protrusions  106  through their respective apertures  108 . The magnets  112  function to capture and retain the objects as is described in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1D , there is shown a top portion of the sink strainer  102  with the magnets  112  securely embedded into the protrusions  106  using any known methods, preferably press fitted. In a preferred embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1D , a small portion of one end of the magnet  112  can be seen projecting from the aperture  108 , while the remaining portion of the magnet  112  is enclosed by the protrusion  106 . The magnets  112  embedded into the protrusion  106  create a magnetic field strong enough to attract objects on and/or a near the surface of the strainer  102 . The objects as described in the present invention are objects attracted by a force as a result of being subjected to the magnetic field such as magnetic objects, ferromagnetic objects, magnets etc. The force is strong enough to attract and retain these objects 
       FIG. 1E  shows a bottom portion of the magnetic sink strainer  102  displaying the lower portion  104   c  of the base  104  including an opening  105  into the hollow body  104   e  of the elevated surface  104   d . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a set of four legs  114  are mounted on the lower portion  104   c  extending from the hollow body  104   e  beyond the opening  105  as illustrated in  FIG. 1E . The legs  114  function to securely place the strainer  102  on top of a standard sink drain or hole to prevent movement of the strainer  102  beyond the sink drain/hole, especially during receipt of a fluid substance. The legs  114  preferably also act as a barrier to prevent the magnetic object from moving away from the drain. Although the legs  114  shown in  FIG. 1E  are substantially cylindrical in shape, it is known to one skilled in art that the legs  114  may vary in shape and size and still be placed securely inside any sink hole and prevent the movement of the strainer  102  beyond the sink hole. Even though four legs  114  are shown in  FIG. 1E , it is obvious to one in ordinary skill in the art that the strainer may preferably contain more or less than four legs. 
     The legs  114  described above are not required to be attached to the magnetic strainer  102  of the present invention. The magnetic strainer  102  would serve its purpose to magnetically attract and retain only the objects described above without the presence of the legs  114 . However, as discussed above, the legs  114  on the underside of the strainer  102  function to anchor the strainer in the sink drain and further prevent it from being dislodged by flowing liquid. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the magnetic sink strainer  102  placed in a standard sink  202  on top of a sink hole or drain  204  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Although not shown, the legs  112  are preferably inserted into the sink drain  204 . The liquids and any non-magnetic substances discarded in the sink  202  will pass through the slits  110  of the strainer  102 , which will flow down the sink drain  204 . At the same time, object(s)  206  shown in  FIG. 2  will be captured by the magnets  112  prior to reaching the drain  204 . Object(s)  206  are the objects described above as any object that is attracted by a force as a result of being subjected to a magnetic field. 
     Each of the magnets  112  creates enough magnetic force around its periphery for the objects  206  to be captured and retained by the strainer  102 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this manner, the objects  206  will be prevented from being lost down the drain  204 . These objects captured by the strainer  102  can preferably be retrieved later by hand or other means. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , there is disclosed a magnetic sink strainer  302  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The sink strainer  301  is similar in structure as the strainer  102 , but does not contain the protrusions  106  and the corresponding apertures  108 . 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a bottom view of the sink strainer  302  of  FIG. 3A . As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the sink strainer  302  preferably comprises a substantially circular slot  304  at the periphery of the circular opening  305  to provide for placement of a disk magnet  306 . The disk magnet  306  is preferably shaped and sized to fit firmly in the slot  304  as shown in  FIG. 3C  using any known methods, preferably press fitted. The disk magnet  306  embedded into the slot  304  creates a magnetic field strong enough to attract the objects on and/or a near the surface of the strainer  302 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3D , there is disclosed the magnetic sink strainer  302  comprising a split disk magnet in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The disk magnet  306  is segmented preferably in multiple of two magnets  306   a  and  306   b  having substantially semi-circular configuration in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention. The disk magnets  306   a  and  306   b  are placed on the slot  304  leaving opposite ends of the slot  304  exposed, as illustrated in  FIG. 3E  using any known methods, preferably press fitted. Even though not shown, the slot  304  can alternatively be split into two slots to accommodate the disk magnets  306   a  and  306   b . Note that the disk magnet  306  can also preferably be divided into more than two magnets. 
     Even though the slot  304  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3B to 3E  has a substantially circular configuration, it is obvious to one skilled in the art that the slot  304  may be formed of other configurations to accommodate magnets of various shapes and sizes. Additionally, both the disk magnet  306  and the split disk magnets  306   a  and  306   b  function in a similar manner to the magnets  112  by creating a magnetic force on the strainer  302  to attract and retain the objects. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic sink strainer (not shown) is similar in structure as the strainer  302  but does not contain the slot  304  and the magnet  306 . The magnetic sink strainer of this embodiment is made of flexible magnetic plastic or similar magnetic material. Either the entire strainer may be made of the magnetic material or a portion of the strainer may be made of the magnetic material that is magnetized. In a preferred embodiment, the entire strainer is made of the magnetic material. The magnetic material inherently formed in this strainer creates a magnetic field strong enough to attract the objects on and/or a near the surface of the strainer. 
     Thus, according to the various embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic sink strainer functions as a trap to retain the objects while allowing liquids and non-magnetic substances to pass through the sink drain. The magnetic sink strainer of the present invention can be used in a variety of sinks including standard lab sinks and the sink drains. Furthermore, the magnetic sink strainer of the present invention is a cost effective solution to prevent the loss of the objects. 
     Although various embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.