Flexible Drain Strainer Basket Ejecting Debris

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drain strainers for showers, bathtubs, and sinks fail to effectively prevent hair and objects from entering the drain and require users to manually remove collected debris, which is unpleasant and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A drain strainer with a flexible basket and perforations that allows liquid to pass through while collecting debris, featuring spiral or slanted protrusions to direct water flow and a pull tab mechanism to stretch and eject debris without direct contact, using a plunger and catch system to store potential energy for efficient waste disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional drain strainers are used, then some hair and objects are prevented from entering the drain, but not all hair and objects are caught and manual removal is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair and object preventionVSAvoiddebris removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The basket is designed with elastic material that allows it to be dynamically stretched and released. When stretched downstream and released, the basket's elastic recovery propels debris out of the drain, transforming the static filtration system into a dynamic waste ejection system that eliminates manual debris removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service waste ejection through the elastic basket mechanism. The basket automatically propels debris out of the drain when released, allowing the system to clean itself without requiring user intervention to manually remove accumulated hair and objects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If users manually remove hair and waste from the strainer, then debris can be disposed of, but users must touch the waste objects which is disgusting and undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris disposal efficiencyVSAvoiduser contact with waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic basket acts as an intermediary mechanism between the accumulated debris and the user. Instead of users directly contacting waste to remove it, they simply release the stretched basket which then propels debris outward, eliminating harmful direct contact while maintaining efficient debris disposal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the basket is made rigid to maintain structure, then it can effectively filter debris, but it cannot be stretched and released to eject debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidbasket flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The basket is constructed from elastic material that combines the structural integrity needed for effective filtration with the flexibility required for stretching and recovery. This flexible shell maintains its filtering function while enabling the stretch-and-release mechanism that propels debris out of the drain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If the basket is stretched to eject debris, then waste can be removed without contact, but the basket must be made flexible which may reduce structural strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris ejectionVSAvoidbasket structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The basket material's physical parameters are optimized to achieve the right balance between flexibility and strength. The elastic material is selected and configured to provide sufficient flexibility for stretching and recovery while maintaining adequate structural strength to perform effective filtration and withstand repeated stretch cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively prevents hair and objects from entering the drain, allows for easy and hygienic disposal of collected debris by ejecting it without manual handling, and enhances water flow efficiency through vortex motion.

Implementation Method 1

The basket has a flexibility of a sufficient value such that the basket may be stretched in a downstream direction to a predetermine value and then released to eject the debris from the basket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The basket defines the central cavity and includes perforations that are sized to enable liquid to drain through the basket while debris is collected in the basket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230358026A1Device for drain filtration and/or hair collection and ejecting waste objects

Publication Date: 2023.11.09 REVEL INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A drain strainer is provided that includes a flange and a basket. The flange transitions to a central cavity. The basket defines the central cavity and includes perforations that are sized to enable liquid to drain through the basket while debris is collected in the basket. The basket has a flexibility of a sufficient value such that the basket may be stretched in a downstream direction to a predetermine value and then released to eject the debris from the basket.