Device for cleaning and unblocking drains

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for cleaning and unblocking drains that can be used to be incorporated into a tubular drain (1) conduit with an initial vertical section (1a) with an initial end (11), which starts from the sump of the tank and / or plumbing fixture in which the drain (1) is installed and from which the flow to be drained enters, a central section (1b) with a syphon (12) and a final vertical or horizontal section (1c) at the outlet of the syphon (12) with a final end (13) connecting to the general drainage pipe of the installation. Between the initial section (1a) and the syphon (12) of the central section (1b) there is a mechanism (2) for opening and closing the passage of the flow that comprises at least one central tubular section (22), with a diameter greater than the initial section (1a), and a floating element (21), located inside said central tubular section (22), wherein the floating element (21), when in the rest position, i.e., when the syphon (12) is full of water and as long as water is not poured down the drain, is at least partially submerged below the surface line (s) of said water contained in the syphon (12) and clogging the joint of the central tubular section (22) with the initial section (1a) of the drain (1) conduit.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] DRAIN CLEANING AND UNCLOGGING DEVICE

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, relates to a device for cleaning and unclogging drains that provides advantages and features, which are described in detail below and which represent an improvement on the current state of the art.

[0005] The object of the present invention lies in a device whose purpose is to ensure the cleaning and maintenance of a drainage pipe, in particular the siphon that drains usually have, which, being of the type that comprises a mechanism for closing and opening the passage of the fluid by means of a floating element, and which, optionally, has an orifice for the injection of pressurized water from the network itself, has a series of improvements that, in addition to improving its functionality, especially with regard to the cleaning of the mechanism itself, avoiding incrustations, overpressure and the possible entry of insects or similar through the orifice, allow a simpler option of the device to block the passage of air or foreign elements to the siphon while the drain is not in use.

[0006] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The field of application of the present invention falls within the plumbing sector, focusing particularly on the area of ​​manufacturing devices applicable to facilitate the cleaning and removal of obstacles that obstruct drainage pipes.

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0009] As a reference to the state of the art, it is worth mentioning that the Spanish utility model ES1026751 U provides a system for unblocking and cleaning drains and their conduits consisting of inserting a basic element, in the form of a cylindrical or prismatic body, which is inserted into the drain conduit in a permanent but removable manner with an inclination of 45 eand in a position downstream of the drain trap itself. According to this, the device only influences unclogging of the drain pipe, but not the trap itself. Furthermore, according to its description, nothing is mentioned to suggest that it also cleans the drain trap itself, since, as noted, the cylindrical body is placed in the drain pipe downstream of the trap, so any water cleaning action is impeded by the cylindrical body itself, whose essential characteristic is to prevent water from returning in the opposite direction to the wastewater evacuation flow. Furthermore, the drain unclogging and cleaning system of Spanish utility model ES1026751 U does not contemplate the possibility of adaptation to programming, nor remote control control, or home automation applications.

[0010] On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that mechanical pipe unblocking systems are also known based on introducing springs and / or wires of greater or lesser section into the drain, actuated manually or by motors to facilitate the rotation of said elements and eliminate blockages, which means they differ substantially from the characteristics of the present invention.

[0011] There are also inventions that use cylindrical bodies temporarily coupled to the drainage system, based on the action of air pressure injected into the pipe manually, mechanically, or by means of a motor.

[0012] Other drain cleaning and unclogging systems are based on the use of chemical agents introduced through the drain.

[0013] And, as an improved and alternative proposal to said solutions, document ES2676736A1, whose owner is the applicant of the present invention, discloses a “drain unblocking and cleaning device” based on the injection of pressurised water through an orifice provided in a mechanism with a floating element integrated into the drain siphon, the essential objective of the present invention being the development of improvements to said device that allow certain aspects of the same to be improved.

[0014] More specifically, the device disclosed in said document, applicable to be incorporated into a drainage conduit comprising an initial section starting from the sink to which the drain corresponds, a siphon and a final section that connects to the general drainage pipe, basically includes, between the initial section and the siphon, a mechanism for opening and closing the flow passage comprising:

[0015] • a central section with a larger diameter than the initial section, for example spherical,

[0016] • a floating element (preferably a ball or sphere) that is located in said central section and that in the resting position allows flow between the initial section and the siphon, and

[0017] • a hole in the central section to which a water flow inlet from the network is connected. such that, when there is a blockage in the siphon that prevents flow through it, if the device is activated, the pressurized water that penetrates through the hole in the central section pushes the floating element upwards, to a blocked position, blocking the initial section of the drain pipe that is above it, preventing sanitary water from returning to the drain and, at the same time, pushing, with the force of the pressure exerted, any waste from the rest of the sections of the drain pipe, especially the siphon.

[0018] Well, this arrangement, although effective, has a number of drawbacks and aspects that could be improved; specifically, because the floating element, in its resting position, allows water to flow from the drain to the trap, as the waterline of said element is below the blocking position. This, in turn, depends on the trap's outlet position relative to the larger diameter central section of the device mechanism in which the floating element is incorporated.

[0019] This means that, in the resting position, the drain remains open and a portion of this flotation element is exposed to the air and, therefore, is susceptible to accumulating dirt that ends up becoming embedded. This, in turn, can influence incorrect or defective operation of the mechanism itself by causing the surface of the floating element to not be smooth and not properly blocking the pipe.

[0020] Another problem with this position of the floating element when it is at rest is the overpressure that is produced and the possibility of insects or similar entering through the open passage between the central section with the floating element of the mechanism and the drain sump.

[0021] The objective of the present invention is the development of a new improved device for cleaning and unclogging drains to avoid said inconveniences. It should be noted that, at least on the part of the applicant, the existence of any other device that has technical characteristics equal to or similar to those claimed here is unknown.

[0022] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The device for cleaning and unclogging drains that the invention proposes is configured as an optimal solution to the objectives previously indicated while also representing an improvement on the current state of the art, the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

[0024] Specifically, what the invention proposes, as has been previously indicated, is a device specially designed to ensure the cleaning and maintenance of a drainage pipe, in particular the siphon with which drains are usually provided, which, being of the type that comprises a mechanism for closing and opening the passage of the fluid by means of a floating element, presents a series of improvements that improve its functionality, allowing even a basic embodiment of the simplest device without including water injection for cleaning, although, optionally, it can also include said injection of pressurized water from the network itself through an orifice provided in the aforementioned mechanism with the floating element, which supposes an improvement in the cleaning of the mechanism itself, avoiding incrustations, overpressure and the possible entry of insects or similar through the orifice.

[0025] Thus, one of the objectives of the present invention remains to provide a system for unclogging all the components of a drain, both the traps and the pipes; to provide a drain cleaning system and a solution for eliminating blockages caused by the accumulation of particles and other substances such as remains of food products, paper, hair, etc. that may or may not be commonly found in the pipes of a drain; to provide a drain cleaning and unclogging system that is highly effective, simple, easy to use, low cost, and without the use of chemicals; to provide a manually operated drain cleaning and unclogging system with a timed shut-off tap without the need for an electric battery or automatic operation even through home automation applications;Provide a simple drain cleaning and unclogging system, without the addition of any external agents to the installation; Provide an environmentally friendly drain cleaning and unclogging system that does not emit toxic gases and does not contaminate aquifers; Provide a drain cleaning and unclogging system that saves water consumption, using a timed valve that automatically closes the passage; Provide a drain cleaning and unclogging system that is suitable for all users, that does not involve the risk of poisoning from the use of chemicals and does not require physical effort; and Provide a drain cleaning and unclogging system that does not require the disassembly of the tank or sanitary fixture, and that is also self-cleaning.

[0026] For all this, the device for cleaning and unclogging drains object of the invention, which as has been said is designed to be incorporated into a drain conduit with a siphon, is configured, essentially and in a manner already known, from a mechanism for opening and closing the flow passage that is located in the drain conduit, between the initial end of the section of the drain pipe, which starts from the drain of the tank and / or toilet, and the siphon of said drain, constituted by a floating element, preferably a sphere, housed in a central tubular section of greater diameter of the conduit, with the particularity that said mechanism is designed and incorporated in such a way that the floating element, when it is floating in a resting position, covers the junction of said central section with the initial section of the conduit that comes from the drain, thanks to the thrust of the water that is underneath, and for which,The outlet end of the siphon is slightly above the waterline of the floating element, preferably in the initial section of the pipeline, such that said element always remains submerged in the water, except when water is poured through the drain, at which time, due to its own pressure exerted by its weight and the force of gravity, it will push the floating element to open the passage and drain through the siphon or, if there is not enough pressure, because the amount is small, it will drain slowly.

[0027] With this, the device, in its most basic version, simply with said floating element, allows the drain inlet to always be kept closed, to prevent the entry of air or foreign elements.

[0028] However, in an embodiment of a more complete version of the device, the described mechanism with the floating element is connected to the sanitary water network, in order to take advantage of the force of the pressure of said network, by means of a flexible hose that is connected to the mouth of a hole made in the drain pipe in the area where the mentioned mechanism with the floating element is located, so that when the water injection is activated with the device, for which there is a valve that, with its manual or automatic operation, allows the opening and closing, as appropriate, of the passage of the sanitary water from the network, the pressure of said water directly affects the floating element and allows the cleaning and unclogging of the entire drainage system, with the difference, with respect to the solution provided in the already known model, that said water injection,Instead of being injected from a lower angle to cause the floating element to move upwards and block the connection between the central section of the pipeline and the initial section of the drain, said water injection can be carried out from a plane horizontal to the position of the floating element, since this is already blocking said connection with the initial section of the drain.

[0029] In this way, the force of the pressure exerted by the water also pushes away any debris that could cause a blockage and, at the same time, also pushes the floating element laterally and makes it rotate, cleaning it of any possible incrustations without the flow escaping through the drain. Even if the floating element is momentarily submerged and the passage of the conduit is opened, the pressure exerted is horizontal and therefore does not overflow outside the drain. Once the valve is activated to close the passage of sanitary water from the network, the floating ball will return to its resting position, once again covering the conduit.

[0030] In any case, preferably, the largest central section of the drainage pipe that defines the closing mechanism with the floating element has a cylindrical configuration and, in the preferred embodiment, the hole to which the flexible hose is coupled for the injection of cleaning water from the network, is located in an eccentric position with respect to the axial axis of said section, such that the incidence of the injected pressurized flow tangentially attacks the spherical surface of the floating element, causing it to rotate. The advantages of this arrangement are several:

[0031] - When pressurized water enters the floating element in a horizontal plane and eccentrically in relation to the sphere, a vortex-shaped recirculation is created, which causes the interior cavity of the central cylindrical section and the surface of the floating sphere itself to be cleaned more effectively.

[0032] - In addition, a strong suction is created, which pulls the waste more vigorously.

[0033] - An upward angle of the water inlet is not required for the sphere to rise and block, since due to the system's overflow level, the sphere is in a permanent floating state.

[0034] Additionally, the device contemplates that the dimension of said central section and of the floating element of the opening and closing mechanism is such that it defines a lateral space between both that allows that, when a brush or other similar cleaning instrument is inserted through the drain, said floating element can be moved to one side and said section of tube can be cleaned from the bottom, which is especially useful in the case of the basic version of the device, that is, without connection for the injection of cleaning water.

[0035] One of the main advantages of this is that, since the floating element is always submerged and soaked, dirt is prevented from becoming embedded in its surface, keeping it clean and smooth to ensure proper functionality.

[0036] In addition, overpressure and insect ingress are prevented, as the passage to the larger central section where the water injection hole for cleaning is located is always closed.

[0037] In any case, the device's construction material can be PVC, metal, or another material that meets the technical and functional requirements of the installation, depending on whether it is for domestic or industrial use.

[0038] For its part, the connections to the drain pipe, the mouth of the water inlet hole of the spherical section of the mechanism and the drain nut can be made by means of threading, gluing or flanged according to the requirements of the domestic or industrial installation.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0041] Figure 1 shows a schematic elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the drain cleaning and unclogging device that is the object of the invention, specifically an example of its basic variant without injection of cleaning water, showing the main parts and elements it comprises, as well as their configuration and arrangement; Figure 2 shows a view of the device of the invention similar to that shown in Figure 1 , in this case in its variant with injection of cleaning water into the closing mechanism; and Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the central section of the conduit that makes up the closing mechanism where the injection of cleaning water is coupled, showing the eccentric arrangement of said connection and showing the direction of the water flow impulse by means of arrows.

[0042] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0043] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can observe in them non-limiting embodiments of the drain cleaning and unclogging device of the invention, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0044] Thus, as can be seen in Figure 1, the device of the invention is applicable to be incorporated into a tubular drainage conduit (1) comprising an initial vertical section (1 a) with an initial end (11), which starts from the drain (not shown) of the tank and / or toilet to which the drain (1) corresponds and from which the flow to be drained enters, a central section (1 b) with a siphon (12) and a final section (1 c), vertical or horizontal, at the outlet of said siphon (12) with a final end (13) that connects to the general drainage pipe of the installation, and essentially comprises, between the initial section (1 a) and the siphon (12) of the central section (1 b), a mechanism (2) for opening and closing the flow passage comprising, at least:

[0045] - a central tubular section (22), which is larger in diameter than the initial section (1 a), and

[0046] - a floating element (21), located within said central tubular section (22).

[0047] And, from said already known configuration, the device is essentially distinguished by the fact that, in the resting position, that is, when the siphon (12) is full of water and while no water is poured down the drain, the floating element (21) is, at least partially, submerged below the surface line (s) of said water contained in the siphon (12) and blocking the union of the central tubular section (22) with the initial section (1 a) of the drain conduit (1).

[0048] To this end, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the final section (1c) of the drain at the siphon outlet (12) is located slightly above the central tubular section (22) and above the waterline of the floating element (21) incorporated therein, or what is the same, the union of the central tubular section (22) with the initial section (1 a) is located slightly below or in line with the siphon outlet (12) in the final section (1 c).

[0049] In this way, when the siphon (12) is filled with drained water coming through the drain, and in addition to the siphon (12) said central tubular section (22) of larger diameter where the floating element (21) is located is also filled, it tends to rise and, consequently, to keep the inlet that connects the central section (22) with the initial section (1 a) blocked and only sinks and opens the passage when drained water falls from the drain.

[0050] Furthermore, as can be seen in figures 2 and 3, in a more complete optional or vahante embodiment of the device (1 ), the described mechanism (2) also comprises an orifice (23) made in the central tubular section (22), in whose mouth, provided with a valve (4) of manual or automatic operation, a flexible hose (3) is connected that allows the entry of water flow from the sanitary water network, in such a way that, when there is a blockage of the siphon (12) that prevents the flow through it, the injection of pressurized water that penetrates through the orifice (23) drives the floating element (21 ) and any residue that may be in the drain pipe (1 ), especially in the siphon (12), said orifice (23) and said connection of the flexible hose (3) being arranged so that the water injection occurs in the horizontal plane and, approximately, over the position of the floating element (21 ).

[0051] Furthermore, preferably, the central tubular section (22) of the mechanism (2) which is of larger diameter than the rest of the drainage pipe (1) has a cylindrical configuration, and the hole (23) to which the flexible hose (3) is connected for the injection of cleaning water is located in an eccentric position with respect to the axial axis of said cylindrical central tubular section (22), as can be seen in figure 3.

[0052] For its part, preferably, the floating element (21) is a sphere both in the basic vahante without water injection and in the more complete vahante with water injection.

[0053] Finally, in a preferred embodiment of the device (1), the difference in diameter between the central tubular section (22) of the mechanism (2) and the floating element (21) housed therein is such that it defines an intermediate lateral space inside it sufficient to allow the passage of a brush (not shown) or other similar cleaning instrument, allowing that, by inserting said brush or instrument through the drain, the floating element (21) is displaced to one side and the brush can reach the lower part of said central tubular section (22) to clean it.

[0054] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Drain cleaning and unclogging device, applicable to be incorporated into a tubular drain conduit (1) with an initial vertical section (1a) with an initial end (11), which starts from the drain of the tank and / or sanitary to which the drain (1) corresponds and from which the flow to be drained enters, a central section (1b) with a siphon (12) and a final section (1c), vertical or horizontal, at the exit of the siphon (12) with a final end (13) that connects with the general drainage pipe of the installation, and comprising, between the initial section (1a) and the siphon (12) of the central section (lb), a mechanism (2) for opening and closing the flow passage comprising, at least: - a central tubular section (22), which is larger in diameter than the initial section (1a), and - a floating element (21), located inside said central tubular section (22), is characterized in that the floating element (21), in the rest position, that is, when the siphon (12) is full of water and while no water is poured down the drain, is at least partially submerged below the surface line (s) of said water contained in the siphon (12) and blocking the junction of the central tubular section (22) with the initial section (1a) of the drain conduit (1). 2.- Drain cleaning and unclogging device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection of the central tubular section (22) with the initial section (1a) is located slightly below or in line with the siphon outlet (12) in the final section. (lc). 3.- Drain cleaning and unclogging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mechanism (2) comprises an orifice (23) made in the central tubular section (22), to the mouth of which, provided with a manually or automatically actuated valve (4), a flexible hose (3) is connected, allowing the entry of water flow from the sanitary water network; and because said orifice (23) and said connection of the flexible hose (3) are arranged such that the water injection occurs in the horizontal plane and, approximately, above the position of the floating element (21). 4.- Drain cleaning and unclogging device, according to claim 3, characterized in that the central tubular section (22) of greater diameter than the rest of the drainage pipe (1) has a cylindrical configuration and the hole (23) to which the flexible hose (3) is connected is located in an eccentric position with respect to the axial axis of said cylindrical central tubular section (22). 5.- Drain cleaning and unclogging device, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floating element (21) is a sphere. 6.- Drain cleaning and unclogging device, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the difference in diameter between the central tubular section (22) of the mechanism (2) and the floating element (21) housed therein defines an intermediate space inside it sufficient to allow the passage of a brush or other similar cleaning instrument, allowing that, by inserting said brush or instrument through the drain, the floating element (21) is displaced to one side and the brush can reach the lower part of said central tubular section (22) to clean it.

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