Patent Abstract:
A disposable drain strainer is removably received within a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate. The strainer has a strainer portion, a ring portion, and a seal release mechanism. Top and bottom surfaces of the ring portion are adapted to sealingly engage the drain rim substrate. The seal release mechanism is integral with the ring portion, and facilitates release of the seal so that the strainer can be readily be removed from the sink and discarded. In one aspect, the seal release mechanism comprises a tab. In another aspect, the seal release mechanism comprises a press-release component, wherein the ring portion has arced ring walls having convex and concave configurations. During sealing engagement with the drain rim, the ring portion is in the convex configuration. Pressure applied to the ring portion causes it to move to the concave configuration. The seal between the ring portion and the substrate is released, and the strainer can be readily removed from the drain opening for disposal without having to touch the strainer contents.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to sink drain strainers appointed to be used in conjunction with a drain opening of a plumbing fixture; and more particularly, to a disposable sink drain strainer that forms a substantially watertight seal along a substrate adjacent the drain perimeter and is readily released from substantial sealing engagement with the substrate for convenient disposal of the strainer contents. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Strainer devices for sink drains are commonly utilized for preventing debris from entering drains of kitchen, bathroom, and shower or bath plumbing fixtures. These devices require frequent cleaning as debris accumulates causing fluid passage through the strainer to be slowed and, consequently, water back up and slowed drainage from the sink. Moist environments inherent to plumbing fixtures aggregated with accumulation of food particles and other debris creates an ideal breading ground for bacterial growth within the debris itself, the drain strainer/filter, sink, and overall plumbing. 
         [0005]    Cleaning of these devices is often an undesirable task, and can be difficult in removing entangled debris therefrom without intimate contact with the debris. In addition, removal of a strainer from the sink can be cumbersome particularly when the strainer is moistened from water and heavy with debris. Handling of the debris filled strainer in removal of the debris exposes the handler to harmful bacteria. Despite cleaning or removal of the debris placement of the contaminated strainer back in the drain can be unsanitary, and in addition, many times small amounts of stubborn debris remain entangled in the apertures of the strainer. Remaining debris entrapped in the strainer can result in sink drainage problems, compound bacterial growth, and eventually wash through the strainer and clog the joints of domestic water and sewer lines. 
         [0006]    Various types of strainer devices for plumbing fixtures attempt to attend to the aforementioned problems associated with debris accumulation, removal, and bacterial growth. However, none of these drain strainers or filters provide a simple, economically conducive, sanitary strainer composed of a flexible material, which can be readily removed from the sink and disposed of, thereby providing a more sanitary sink environment. Moreover, none of the drain strainers heretofore disclosed and utilized provides a ready release means so that the strainer or filter is removed from the drain with minimal effort. 
         [0007]    Numerous sink drain strainers heretofore disclosed and utilized involve strainer devices generally integrated within plumbing fixtures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,455 to Liu discloses a sink strainer for a garbage disposal unit, wherein the garbage disposal unit is integrated within a sink&#39;s plumbing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,464 to Hannon discloses a strainer basket disposed within a housing appointed to be integrated with piping of a plumbing fixture. U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,261 to Mojena discloses a filter device comprising first and second filtration elements, the first being disposable, and housed within a filter housing appointed to be mounted to a drain fixture. U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,351 to Peterson discloses a disposable mesh strainer received within a strainer holder housed within an elongated cylinder mounted beneath a sink and integrated within the plumbing thereof. Although the Mojena and the Peterson patents teach a disposable filter/strainer, both devices involve integration of the device&#39;s housing within a plumbing fixture, resulting in sink drain compatibility, installation and overall manufacturing costs. Moreover, accessing the strainer or filter element for cleaning or replacement can become cumbersome and time consuming. 
         [0008]    Other heretofore disclosed and utilized drain strainers provide a strainer or filter that covers a substantial portion of a sink&#39;s bottom, and does not merely provide filtering or straining over the drain area. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,032 to Genduso discloses a portable multi-strainer sized to cover the entire bottom of a kitchen sink with a thin edge border adapted for a tight fit to the walls of the sink. The device does not provide a drain strainer appointed to fit upon a drain but instead provides a strainer that covers the entire bottom of a sink. In addition, the device is not disposable in nature, and is continuously reused. Debris must be cleaned from the device, and bacteria growth is likely promoted. The device does not provide a removal means, such as a tab or other release means. 
         [0009]    Many of the heretofore disclosed and utilized drain strainer devices provide a strainer and plug combination wherein a strainer is appointed to be received by a drain opening and a plug is appointed to fit within the strainer. One example of these strainer and plug combination drain strainers is U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,242 to Rebischke, which discloses a flexible strainer and plug combination wherein the strainer has an annular ring appointed to engage arranged to form a seal with the plumbing fixture and a strainer portion appointed to engage a plug. Another example of a strainer and plug combination can be found at www.ImprovementsCatalog.com, under sink strainer/stopper, which offers a decorative sink strainer/stopper combination composed of a flexible thermoplastic material which comes in a variety of colors, and which is impregnated with an antibacterial agent. Contrastingly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,710 to Dunicz discloses a combination funnel and strainer device for disposing chemical waste and flushing liquid, such as water, down a sink drain. These devices are not disposable, and are instead continuously re-used; therefore debris must be cleaned from these devices regularly. These devices do not provide a removal means, such as a tab or other release means, and as a result are inherently difficult to retrieve from the sink&#39;s drain. 
         [0010]    Even where removal means and disposable strainers are utilized, there is no suggestion concerning a friction or press-release removal means. U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,264 to Betancourt discloses a drain trap apparatus comprising a support member semi-permanently attached around a drain opening and having an upper surface and a lower surface appointed to removably receive a disposable filter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,162 to Sharland et al. discloses a drain strainer having a vacuum cup defining a ring-shaped base and a generally conical shell appointed to receive a second generally conical shell that has drain openings and is disposable. U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,289 to Robbins discloses a disposable sink strainer generally comprising a strainer portion and a rim having means integrally connected therewith for disposal of the strainer. 
         [0011]    Notwithstanding the efforts of prior art workers to construct a drain strainer for plumbing fixtures there remains a need in the art for a disposable drain strainer that can sealingly engage a drain rim and is released from sealing engagement by application of friction or pressure, thereby effecting ready removal of the strainer from the drain. In addition, there is a need in the art for a lightweight, economical, sanitary strainer composed of a flexible material that can be readily removed from the sink and disposed of, thereby providing a more sanitary sink environment. Moreover, there is a need in the art for a drain strainer that provides a ready release means so that the strainer or filter is removed from the drain with minimal effort. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention provides a lightweight, disposable drain strainer that can substantially sealingly engage a drain rim, and is readily released from sealing engagement with the rim by application of friction or pressure. Composed of a flexible material, such as plastic, the strainer is economical to construct. It can be readily removed from the sink and disposed of, thereby providing a more sanitary sink environment. A ready release means facilitates removal of the strainer from the drain with minimal effort. 
         [0013]    More specifically, the invention provides a disposable drain strainer that can be readily placed in a drain to effect substantially sealing engagement with the drain perimeter, so that debris is retained by the strainer while water and other fluids pass therethrough. When the disposable drain strainer is filled with debris, the seal is disengaged by depressing a seal release means. Upon removal from the drain, the strainer device can be readily discarded. The disposable drain strainer further comprises a strainer portion removably received within a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate. A ring portion and a seal release means cooperate to effect sealing engagement between the strainer and substrate, and to release the strainer from the substrate by application of friction or pressure. 
         [0014]    The disposable drain strainer device for use in conjunction with a drain opening comprises a strainer portion comprising strainer walls and a strainer bottom. The strainer portion has a plurality of small apertures therein. It is removably received within the drain opening so that a ring portion of the strainer contacts a substrate adjacent to the drain rim. The ring portion is fixedly attached to the walls of the strainer portion. It has a top and bottom surface, and is constructed and arranged to engage with and form a seal with the adjacent drain rim substrate of the drain opening. A seal release means integral with the ring portion takes the strainer out of sealing engagement with the substrate. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the seal release means comprises a tab pivotally and fixedly attached by a connection means to the top surface of the ring portion. The tab further comprises an interior and an exterior surface. Optionally, a friction coating may be fixed to the tap to facilitate easy grasping thereof. In another embodiment, the seal release means comprises a press-release integral with the ring portion. In this embodiment, the walls of the ring have a convex configuration. The convex configuration of the ring walls enables the ring portion to form a seal with the adjacent drain rim substrate. Upon application of pressure, the ring portion assumes a concave configuration. The seal is released and the disposable drain strainer device is removed from the drain opening and discarded. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the disposable drain strainer is composed of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE). The disposable drain strainer device preferably has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch). This thickness limitation and polymeric material composition yields a lightweight, economically viable, yet sturdy, disposable strainer product. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0017]    The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1   a  illustrates a top planer view of the disposable drain strainer wherein the seal release means comprises a tab pivotally and fixedly attached to the ring portion; 
           [0019]      FIG. 1   b  illustrates a side view of the disposable drain strainer wherein the seal release means comprises a tab pivotally and fixedly attached to the ring portion and wherein the disposable drain strainer is received in a drain; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates a top planer view of the disposable drain strainer wherein the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within the ring portion; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates a side view of the disposable drain strainer wherein the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within the ring portion and wherein the disposable drain strainer is received in a drain; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3   a  illustrates a planer view taken along line V of  FIG. 2   a , showing engagement and disengagement from a sealed condition by moving the ring wall between convex and concave configurations to achieve a press-release; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3   b  illustrates a planer view taken along line V of  FIG. 2   a , showing the rim portion in the concave configuration; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3   c  illustrates a planer view taken along line V of  FIG. 2   a , showing the rim portion in the convex configuration; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4   a  illustrates a top planer view of another embodiment of the disposable drain strainer wherein the ring portion further comprises a plurality of elongated channels; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 4   b  illustrates a side view the embodiment of the disposable drain strainer illustrated in  FIG. 4   a , and taken along line V, wherein the ring portion is appointed with a plurality of elongated channels. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    The present invention provides to a disposable drain strainer for use in conjunction with a drain opening. The disposable drain strainer can be readily placed in a drain to form a seal with an adjacent substrate surrounding the drain, causing debris to be retained in by the strainer while water and other fluids pass therethrough. When the disposable drain strainer is filled with debris, the seal is disengaged using a seal release means, and the strainer is readily discarded. The disposable drain strainer generally comprises a strainer portion removably received within a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim area, a ring portion, and a seal release means. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate an embodiment of the disposable drain strainer wherein the seal release means comprises a tab pivotally and fixedly attached to the ring portion.  FIG. 1   a  is a top planar view of the strainer, shown generally at  10 .  FIG. 1   b  is a side view wherein the disposable drain strainer, shown generally at  30 , is received in a drain. The disposable drain strainer  10 ,  30  comprises a strainer portion  11  comprising strainer walls  12  and a strainer bottom  13 . The strainer portion  11  is provided with a plurality of small apertures  14  in the strainer walls  12  and strainer bottom  13 . Strainer portion  11  is removably received within a drain opening  31  having an adjacent drain rim area  32 . The drain is preferably a kitchen sink drain or rinse basin, or the like, affixed to a plumbing fixture. The drain may be a bathroom sink drain or shower or tub drain. The size of the disposable drain strainer can vary to accommodate a vast array of sink drain sizes, shapes, and depths. Preferably, strainer walls  12  of strainer portion  11  extend and engage with strainer bottom  13  to form strainer containment well  15  having a depth ranging between 0.1 (0.039 inches) to 4 cm (1.57 inches). Strainer containment well  15  has a depth sufficient to receive debris therein. The plurality of small apertures  14  are of a size and shape sufficiently small that debris are prevented from passing beyond the drain opening  31  and into the drain pipe, while drainage water  33  is allowed to pass through the accumulated debris and apertures  14 . Preferably, these pluralities of small apertures  14  range in diameter between 0.1 cm to 0.3 cm, and most preferably at 0.2 cm in diameter. 
         [0029]    The disposable drain strainer  10 ,  30 , further comprises ring portion  20  fixedly attached to strainer walls  12  of strainer portion  11 . Ring portion  20  further comprises a top surface  21  and bottom surface  22 . Ring portion  20  is constructed and arranged to engage with and form a seal with adjacent drain rim area  32  of drain opening  31 . This seal between ring portion  20  and adjacent drain rim area  32  substantially prevents the seepage and passage of wayward debris from bypassing strainer portion  11  and undesirably entering drain opening  31  and potentially clogging the plumbing piping. Optionally, ring portion  20  further comprises a plurality of elongated channels (see  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ). 
         [0030]    The disposable drain strainer  10 ,  30 , further comprises a seal release means, herein shown as tab  25 , integrated within ring portion  20 . In this embodiment, shown at  10  and  30 , seal release means comprises a tab  25  pivotally and fixedly attached to the top surface  21  of ring portion  20  by way of a connection means  26 . Preferably, tab  25  is connected to ring portion  20  so that the connection means  26  is located closer to the outside perimeter  23  of ring portion  20 , and the tab opens as indicated by way of the arrow. Tab  25  comprises an interior surface  27  and an exterior surface  28 . Interior surface  27  is in intimate contact with top surface  21  of ring portion  20  when tab  25  is in the closed configuration, as illustrated at  10  in  FIG. 1   a . When tab  25  is in the open configuration, the area between interior surface  27  and top surface  21  of ring portion  20  becomes great, so that tab  25  can pivot  1800  on top surface  21 . 
         [0031]    Continuing with  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , optionally, interior surface  27  and exterior surface  28  of tab  25  have a friction coating fixed thereon to facilitate easy grasping of tab  25  by an individual. This friction coating provides enhanced grasping that enables the user to apply enough force to break the seal and remove the disposable strainer  10 ,  30 , from the drain  31 , while mitigating slippage of the fingers. This friction coating feature is especially advantageous, as debris and moisture or water droplets on tab  25  tend to cause a slippery grasp, which can heighten the difficulty of breaking the seal and removing a debris laden strainer. Alternatively, the interior surface  27  of tab  25  has a friction coating fixed thereon to facilitate easy grasping of tab  25 ; and exterior surface  28  does not include the friction coating. Optionally, tab  25  has an inner aperture  29  fixed therein to facilitate easy grasping of tab  25  by the user. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate an embodiment of the disposable drain strainer wherein the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within said ring portion.  FIG. 2   a  is a top planar view in which the strainer is shown generally at  50 .  FIG. 2   b  is a side view wherein the disposable drain strainer, shown generally at  70 , is received in a drain. In this embodiment of the disposable drain strainer  50 ,  70 , the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within a ring portion  51  so that ring portion  51 , having top surface  52  and bottom surface  53  further comprises arced ring walls  54  having convex and concave configurations. These arched ring walls are depicted at  101  and  102  in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c  and will be described hereinafter in greater detail. The disposable drain strainer  50 ,  70 , comprises a strainer portion  11  comprising strainer walls  12  and a strainer bottom  13 . The strainer portion  11  is appointed with a plurality of small apertures  14  in the strainer walls  12  and strainer bottom  13  to form strainer containment well  15 . Strainer portion  11  is removably received within drain opening  31  having an adjacent drain rim area  32 . 
         [0033]    Continuing with  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the disposable drain strainer  50 ,  70 , ring portion  51  fixedly attached to strainer walls  12  of strainer portion  11  is appointed with arced ring walls  54  having convex and concave configurations (shown in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c ). Optionally, ring portion  51  further comprises a plurality of elongated channels (see  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ). Arced ring walls  54  further comprise a sealing rim  55  that engages with and forms a seal with adjacent drain rim area  32  of drain opening  31 . This seal between sealing rim  55  of ring portion  51  and adjacent drain rim area  32  prevents the seepage and passage of wayward debris from bypassing strainer portion  11  and undesirably entering drain opening  31  and potentially clogging the drain piping. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c  illustrate the disposable drain strainer of  FIG. 2   a  taken along line V, wherein the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within said ring portion.  FIG. 3   a  illustrates a planer view taken along line V in  FIG. 2   a  showing engagement and disengagement of the convex and concave configurations by way of a press-release, shown generally at  100 .  FIG. 3   b  illustrates a planer view taken along line V of  FIG. 2   a , showing the rim portion in the concave configuration, shown generally at  100 .  FIG. 3   c  illustrates a planer view taken along line V of  FIG. 2   a , showing the rim portion in the convex configuration, shown generally at  100 . In this embodiment, as shown generally in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the seal release means comprises a press-release integrated within ring portion  51 . Ring portion  51  further comprises arced ring walls  54  having convex  101  and concave  102  (shown in phantom) configurations. Ring portion  51  having top surface  52  and bottom surface  53  and arced ring walls  54  is fixedly attached to strainer portion  11 . Strainer portion  11  is removably received within drain opening  31 , which has an adjacent drain rim substrate  32 . 
         [0035]    Continuing with  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c , the disposable drain strainer  100 ,  105 ,  120 , ring portion  51  and arced ring walls  54  further comprise a sealing rim  55  that engages with and forms a seal with adjacent drain rim area  32  of drain opening  31 . This seal between sealing rim  55  of ring portion  51  and adjacent drain rim area  32  prevents the seepage and passage of wayward debris from bypassing strainer portion  11  and undesirably entering drain opening  31  and potentially clogging the drain piping. Optionally, ring portion  51  further comprises a plurality of elongated channels (see  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ). Convex configuration  101  is engaged when ring portion  51  forms the seal with adjacent drain rim area  32 . Concave configuration  102  is engaged when top portion  52  of ring portion  51  is pressed, for example by thumb or finger  103 . As force is applied to top portion  52  by thumb  103 , and the concave configuration  102  results, the seal between ring portion  51  and adjacent drain rim substrate  32  is broken. The concave configuration  102  results in upturned portions  106 , which are readily grabbed by the individual. Using these upturned portions the disposable strainer device  100 ,  105 , and  110  is readily removed from the drain and discarded by the user without having to touch the strainer contents. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate an embodiment of the disposable drain strainer wherein the ring portion is appointed with a plurality of elongated channels.  FIG. 4   a  illustrates a top planer view of the embodiment of the disposable drain strainer wherein the ring portion further comprises a plurality of elongated channels, shown generally at  200 .  FIG. 4   b  illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the disposable drain strainer illustrated in  FIG. 4   a  taken along line V, wherein the ring portion is provided with a plurality of elongated channels, shown generally at  210 . The disposable drain strainer  200 ,  210  comprises a strainer portion  11  comprising strainer walls  12  and a strainer bottom  13 . The strainer portion  11  is provided with a plurality of small apertures  14  in the strainer walls  12  and strainer bottom  13 . Preferably, these pluralities of small apertures  14  range in diameter between 0.1 cm (0.04 inches) to 0.3 cm (0.12 inches), and most preferably at 0.2 cm (0.08 inches) in diameter. Preferably, the plurality of small apertures  14  begin at about 1.5 cm (0.59 inches) from ring portion  201 . Optionally, strainer walls  12  of strainer portion  11  extend and engage with strainer bottom  13  to form strainer containment well  15  having a depth ranging between 0.1 (0.039 inches) to 4 cm (1.57 inches). Preferably, strainer walls  12  of strainer portion  11  extend and engage with strainer bottom  13  to form strainer containment well  15  having a depth ranging between 0.1 (0.039 inches) to 1 cm (0.39 inches). 
         [0037]    Continuing with  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , the disposable drain strainer  200 ,  210  further comprises ring portion  201  fixedly attached to strainer walls  12  of strainer portion  11 . Ring portion  201  further comprises a top surface  202  and bottom surface  203 . Ring portion  201  is constructed and arranged to engage with and form a substantial seal with the adjacent drain rim perimeter of the sink. In this embodiment, ring portion  201  further comprises elongated channels  204 . Elongated channels  204  comprise flattened ovals preferably having slightly tapered slopes so that the elongated channels  204  allow water, detergent, and food particles to efficiently slide and flow down to the strainer portion  11 . In addition, the elongated channels  204  provide more structural strength to ring portion  201  of the strainer, thereby preventing and minimizing the risk of the strainer popping up from the adjacent drain rim perimeter of the sink. Preferably, elongated channels  204  range in length from 1 cm (0.39 inches) to 2 cm (0.79 inches); most preferably having a length of 1.5 cm (0.59 inches). Elongated channels  204  preferably have a width ranging from 0.2 (0.08 inches) to 0.5 cm (0.20 inches); most preferably having a width of 0.4 cm (0.16 inches). 
         [0038]    Preferably, the disposable drain strainer device is composed of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE). The disposable drain strainer device preferably has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch). This thickness limitation and polymeric material composition yields a lightweight, economically viable, yet sturdy disposable strainer product. A thickness of no greater than 0.091 cm enables a disposable strainer to carry a load of debris without strainer breakage. Moreover, a thickness of no greater than 0.091 cm provides the ability to closely pack, ship, and distribute the disposable strainers in a cost effective manner, since many of the disposable strainers can be readily stacked upon one another during shipment and storage, and points of sale. In addition, cost saving benefits can be reaped through savings in raw materials (i.e. less materials being utilized for the thin strainers), production costs, reduced need for solvents and decreased generation of hazardous waste during manufacture. 
         [0039]    Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4