Universal Adaptable Drain Protector

Description

/ 6 Universal Adaptable Drain Protector Field of invention

[001] This utility model refers to devices for protecting household drains, especially those used in bathrooms and balconies, aimed at preventing the entry of insects and small animals, such as cockroaches and scorpions, as well as domestic safety, avoiding accidents with venomous insects. They can be applied to drainage systems in residences, commercial and public establishments. Fundamentals of the invention

[002] Currently, various drain protectors are manufactured, using different rigid or flexible materials and available in various sizes. The solutions available on the market have characteristics such as, for example, very fine screens, which, although they prevent the passage of debris, frequently compromise water drainage. Other models use self-adhesive or low-durability materials, which, in frequent contact with water, require constant replacement and frequent maintenance. In general, state-of-the-art solutions are specific to each type of drain, hindering universal application, or offer insufficient protection against the entry of insects and small animals.

[003] The main technical problem faced by existing solutions is the difficulty of installation or maintenance, the specificity of models for each type of drain, and the compromise of water flow, in addition to insufficient protection against the entry of insects and venomous animals.

[004] The invention presented proposes a drain protector that solves these problems by combining a flexible rubber structure with an aluminum screen, forming a single piece that adapts securely and hermetically to different drain openings, regardless of type. Petition 870250109388, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 7 / 13 / 6

[005] Main Advantages and Benefits: • Adaptability: The hybrid and flexible structure allows for adjustment to various types of drains. • Efficient Drainage: Allows for optimized water flow while preventing debris from entering the plumbing system, helping to avoid blockages. • Enhanced Home Security: Offers superior protection against the entry of insects and venomous animals. • Durability and Maintenance: Offers greater durability and its installation is practical, as it can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement, unlike self-adhesive or low-resistance models. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 shows the side view of the protector and a cross-section, with their respective dimensions. Figure 2 illustrates the aluminum screen in cross-section with its dimensions. Figure 3 shows a constructive variation of the drain protector. Figure 4 illustrates the protector installed on a drain. Description of the invention

[006] The invention relates to a drain protector of predominantly circular shape, characterized by its hybrid and flexible structure, designed to be installed by pressure on the drain opening. The protector is composed of an outer structure (ring) of flexible material (rubber), which provides adaptability and sealing, and a central aluminum screen, responsible for filtering and blocking. Petition 870250109388, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 8 / 13 / 6

[007] Construction and Dimensional Details, the protector has the following dimensional and material characteristics: The outer structure is made of flexible rubber and has an annular shape. • Total Height: 15 mm • External Diameter (OD): 54 mm • Internal Diameter (ID): 49 mm • Wall Thickness (Rim): 3 mm (resulting from the difference between the ID of the rubber and the diameter of the screen) [ 008] The material's flexibility and its 15 mm high profile allow the ring to compress and expand, ensuring pressure fixation and a hermetic seal in drain openings with small diameter variations. [ 009] The screen is fixed inside the rubber rim, is made of aluminum to ensure lightness and corrosion resistance, and is responsible for retaining debris and blocking insects and small animals. • Mesh Thickness (Wires): 1 mm • Mesh Perforation (Free Opening): 1.5 mm

[010] The perforation size (1.5 mm) is carefully defined to allow efficient water flow (solving the clogging problem of fine screens in the prior art), while preventing the passage of most insects and coarse debris.

[011] The joining process and main difference of the invention lies in the formation of a single piece from the two materials, eliminating weak points of gluing or fitting. • Bonding: The aluminum screen is firmly embedded or co-molded (by injection or vulcanization process) onto the rubber structure. Petition 870250109388, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 9 / 13 / 6 • Operation (Installation): Installation is done by simple manual pressure. The user presses the protector onto the drain opening, and the flexibility of the rubber ensures that the rim adjusts and maintains its position by friction. • Removal and Maintenance: Removal is equally simple, requiring only lifting the piece, which facilitates periodic cleaning and maintenance of the drainage system. Examples of embodiments of the invention

[012] This section details the preferred embodiment of the drain protector and presents constructive variations, in addition to highlighting the functional advantages of the standard circular model, as described in detail in the previous section. • Structure (Rim): High-flexibility rubber (such as EPDM or Silicone), in black, ensuring chemical and thermal resistance. • Dimensions: External Diameter (54 mm), Height (15 mm), ideal for most standard-sized bathroom and kitchen drains on the market. • Central Screen: Aluminum, with a mesh thickness of 1 mm and perforations of 1.5 mm. • Attachment: By pressure, where the height and elasticity of the rubber provide the necessary seal and retention.

[013] As constructive variations, the invention is not limited to the preferred form and can be implemented in several variations that maintain the essential characteristics of adaptability and efficient filtering. TABLE 1 - Constructive variation Variation | Constructive Characteristic | Purpose / Advantage | Variation A (Format) | Square or Rectangular Format (for service area or external drains). Expands applicability to different drain geometries. | Variation B (Materials) | Use of Stainless Steel in the central screen; use of Recycled Rubber in the rim. Increases corrosion resistance (Stainless Steel); reduces manufacturing cost (Recycled Rubber). | Variation C (Dimensions) | Rubber rim with larger External Diameter (e.g., Allows adaptation to larger drains or greater tolerance). Petition 870250109388, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 10 / 13 / 6 100 mm) and frame with multiple concentric grooves on the outer wall. Variation in diameter (greater universal adaptability). Variation D (Perforation) Screen with smaller perforation (e.g., 1 mm), but maintaining the mesh thickness (wires). Use in environments that require greater retention of very fine debris (e.g., sink drain).

[014] With comparative results and functional advantages, the comparative results that demonstrate the functional improvement of the utility model in relation to the state of the art (rigid / adhesive protectors) are presented below. Table 2 - Functional Comparison Rigid Thin Screen Protector (State of the Art) Invention Protector (Rubber + Aluminum) Advantage of the Invention Compromised Drainage Flow, with frequent water retention. Guaranteed high flow (1.5 mm perforation). Functional improvement in water flow. Sealing and Fixing Fixing by rigid or adhesive edges; inefficient or low durability sealing. Pressure fixing and hermetic sealing (flexible rubber). Greater security against the entry of insects and animals. Durability Low (thin screens that tear or adhesives that come loose). High durability (resistant aluminum and flexible rubber). Reduction in cost and frequency of maintenance. Adaptability Low (specific to a single drain diameter). High adaptability (adjustable rubber ring). Ease of purchase and universal use. Petition 870250109388, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 11 / 13 / 6

[015] With Main Technical Benefit, the main functional improvement of this invention is the combination of universal adaptability and drainage efficiency with superior protection. The use of flexible rubber at a height of 15 mm allows accommodation to different drain diameters, solving the technical problem of specificity. The 1.5 mm screen perforation ensures rapid water drainage, avoiding the backfilling common in very fine screens, while the 3 mm wall thickness rubber in the rim provides the necessary robustness for pressure fixing. Petition 870250109388, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 12 / 13

Claims

CLAIMS 1. UNIVERSAL ADAPTATION DRAIN PROTECTOR, characterized by comprising a flexible outer ring structure (ring) and a central filter screen, wherein the outer ring structure is made of flexible material (rubber), configured for fixing to the drain opening by pressure and friction, having a height of 15 mm and an outer diameter of 54 mm; and the central filter screen is made of corrosion-resistant metal (aluminum) and is integrated into the rubber ring structure, forming a single piece, equipped with a mesh with 1.5 mm perforations.

2. UNIVERSAL ADAPTATION DRAIN PROTECTOR, according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner diameter of the rubber ring structure is 49 mm, resulting in a wall thickness of 3 mm for fitting the aluminum screen.

3. UNIVERSAL ADAPTABLE DRAIN PROTECTOR, according to claim 1, characterized in that the central filter screen is composed of 1 mm thick metal wires.

4. UNIVERSAL ADAPTATION DRAIN PROTECTOR, according to claim 1, characterized in that the integration between the central filter screen and the annular structure is carried out by means of co-molding, injection or vulcanization processes, guaranteeing the durability and sealing of the material interface.

5. UNIVERSAL ADAPTABLE DRAIN PROTECTOR, according to claim 1, characterized by an external annular structure adaptable to drains of different geometries, including square and rectangular shapes. Petition 870250109388, dated 11 / 28 / 2025, page 4 / 13

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