Drain Clog Remover With Pressurized Chemical Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain clog removal methods are inefficient and often require either mechanical or chemical means separately, which can be time-consuming and impractical, especially for clogs formed by long-term maintenance issues like grease accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A combined mechanical and chemical drain clog remover apparatus featuring a container with a pressurization assembly and a shaft with projections for direct engagement and precise delivery of drain cleaning composition, allowing simultaneous mechanical and chemical action to dislodge clogs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate mechanical or chemical methods are used for clog removal, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and efficiency of clog removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical and chemical clog removal methods into a single integrated apparatus. The mechanical component includes a flexible shaft with barbs for physically engaging and extracting clogs, while the chemical component delivers drain cleaner through a delivery mechanism. Both components operate simultaneously or sequentially within one device, eliminating the need for separate mechanical snakes and chemical dispensers, thus improving productivity while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical clog engagement and extraction via the barbed shaft, chemical dissolution through the delivered cleaner, and potential flushing capabilities. This multi-functional design allows a single device to handle various types of clogs (hair, grease, food particles) through different mechanisms, improving overall productivity and versatility without requiring multiple separate tools.
2Manufacturing precision
If chemical composition is applied directly to clog location, then the manufacturing precision and application accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the chemical delivery function from a separate process and integrates it directly into the clog removal apparatus. The chemical composition is contained within the device and delivered precisely to the clog location through a delivery mechanism that may include pressurization components, ensuring the chemical is applied exactly where needed rather than being poured separately into the drain.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical composition is pre-loaded into the apparatus before use. The pressurization system is pre-charged, and the chemical is positioned within the delivery mechanism in advance, allowing for immediate and precise delivery to the clog location when the device is activated, improving both precision and operational efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If projections are added to shaft for mechanical engagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft features localized projections or barbs at specific positions along its length, rather than being uniformly structured throughout. These projections are concentrated in areas where clog engagement is most needed, providing enhanced mechanical interaction with clog material while maintaining a simpler overall shaft structure. This localized feature addition improves ease of operation without requiring high precision across the entire shaft manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus efficiently removes clogs by providing direct mechanical engagement and precise chemical application, reducing the need for multiple products and minimizing waste, while enhancing user interaction and confidence in clog removal.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurization assembly in fluid communication with the inlet, the pressurization sub-assembly comprising a canister of pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 2
various chemical compositions are known which are adapted to disintegrate or dissolve clogs formed in drain pipes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for removing a clog from a drain pipe, the apparatus having: (a) a container comprising a product chamber; (b) a pressurization assembly in fluid communication with the inlet; (c) a shaft coupled to the container, the shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and (d) projections extending outwardly from the shaft. The product chamber is adapted to receive a drain cleaning composition and the product chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The pressurization sub-assembly has a canister of pressurized fluid and an adapter coupled to the container and including a socket defining a receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of the canister. The shaft has an exterior surface sized for insertion into the drain pipe. The shaft also has a channel that provides fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end.