Plunger apparatus with controllable ventilation

{
  "publication_number": "US6247190B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Plunger apparatus with controllable ventilation",
  "abstract": "A plunger assembly having a plunger portion and an elongated handle with a central bore. The plunger portion has a bottom opening sized for fluid communication with a drain opening. The top end of the plunger portion has a threaded opening sized to receive the threaded end of the elongated handle, and allowing for fluid communication with the central bore. A check valve assembly rests on an annular seat formed inside the bottom of the elongated handle proximate the opening formed in the top end of the plunger portion. The check valve serves to allow airflow into the top end of the plunger portion while preventing airflow out of the top end of the plunger portion to prevent undesired backflow. Further regulation of the air flow into the plunger portion is achieved by providing a cap, at the top of the elongated handle for selectively allowing airflow into and through the central bore. The cap, in cooperation with a rubber gasket, allows for variable control of the amount of air which can enter the central bore and therefore the plunger portion. An adapter element may be used to allow connection of the handle to a conventionally sized threaded plunger portion. A portable carrying case provides a sanitary enclosure which allows for movement of the plunger between rooms with contaminating other rooms with potentially hazardous biological waste and debris.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A plunger apparatus comprising: a collapsible plunger portion having a hollow interior and an opening formed in its bottom end adapted for sealing engagement with a drain opening and an opening formed end its top end adapted for threaded engagement with an elongated handle having a central bore, the elongated handle having a top end and a threaded bottom end, said threaded bottom end engaged with the opening formed in the top end of the plunger portion to allow fluid communication between said central bore and said hollow interior of said plunger portion; a check valve positioned within said central bore proximate the bottom end of said elongated handle, said check valve oriented to prevent airflow into said bore from said hollow interior; a cap secured at said top end of said elongated handle, said cap having a sealing member formed therein allowing for selectively allowing airflow through an opening in said top end of said handle; said sealing member extending from a top interior portion of said cap, said cap further having downwardly extending fingers having thread members formed on interior surfaces for threaded engagement with exterior threads formed in the top end of said elongated handle.",
    "2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thread members formed on said downwardly extending fingers comprise angled protrusions sized in accordance with said exterior threads formed in the top end of said elongated handle."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a plunger apparatus. More particularly, it relates to an improved plunger apparatus with a one way valve that prevents unintended removal of sludge and waste from a drainage line.\n\nVarious types of apparatus for clearing clogged drains are known in the plumbing art. One of the most common of these is a plunger. Typical plungers have a smooth walled, flexible, bell shaped plunger portion with an elongated handle attached thereto which allows the user to position the opening of the plunger portion over the drain. With the opening of the plunger portion positioned over the drain opening and in fluid communication with the drain pipe, the user may thrust downward forcing the plunger portion to collapse which in turn forces air down into the drainpipe with sufficient force to eventually push the “clog” down and clear the drain. The problem with these plungers is that when the handle is released and the plunger portion is allowed to expand, the resulting vacuum tends to pull the “clog” up, in effect creating a backflow that may carry other debris along with it, thus reducing the overall effectiveness of the plunger and exposing the user and the environment to potentially hazardous biological waste.\n\nSeveral attempts have been made to alleviate this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,139 issued to Jeng discloses a plunger having a piston element. A vent, which is in fluid communication with the hollow handle allows air to be pulled in through the handle into the suction cup to prevent backflow.",
  "cpc": [
    "E03C 1/308"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E03C 1/308"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Christopher T. Rigopoulus"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1999-11-04",
  "publication_date": "2001-06-19",
  "grant_date": "2001-06-19",
  "priority_date": "1999-11-04",
  "application_number": "US-43356199-A",
  "family_id": "23720590",
  "cited_by_count": 6,
  "citations": [
    "US1734206A",
    "US3336604A",
    "US4768237A"
  ]
}