Plumbing Tool Transport Case with Sealed Sanitization Aperture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plumbing tools, such as toilet augers, face challenges in safe transportation and effective cleaning due to contamination with human waste, leading to potential site contamination and inefficient sanitization processes.

Innovation Solution

A device with a watertight outer housing and reclosable access aperture, featuring a movable member and anchor clamps, allows for secure transport and self-contained cleaning of plumbing tools, using a drain hole for introducing and agitating cleaning solutions within the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a traditional open transport case is used for plumbing tools, then the tool can be easily accessed and removed, but the contaminated tool may drip and contaminate surfaces during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidtool accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a watertight flexible liner or coating within the transport case that can conform to the shape of the plumbing tool, creating a sealed barrier that prevents contamination during transport while allowing the tool to be easily inserted and removed through the access aperture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the access aperture remains open during transport, then the tool can be quickly accessed, but cleaning solution cannot be contained within the housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual function capabilityVSAvoidsealing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access aperture is equipped with a movable closure mechanism that can transition between open and sealed states, allowing the housing to adapt its functionality - open for tool access and cleaning solution introduction, sealed for containment during transport and sanitization cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The access aperture serves multiple functions: it allows insertion and removal of the plumbing tool, enables introduction of cleaning solutions when open, and provides a sealed closure when closed to maintain containment during transport and sanitization, thereby eliminating the need for separate openings for these operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the plumbing tool is removed from the housing for cleaning, then the tool can be sanitized, but the tool may drip contamination on bathroom surfaces during removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface contaminationVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport case incorporates an integrated sanitization system with cleaning solution reservoirs, injection mechanisms, and drainage capabilities that enable the plumbing tool to be sanitized in-place within the sealed housing, eliminating the need to remove the tool for cleaning and thus preventing contamination during the cleaning process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a sealed housing is used to prevent contamination, then spillage is minimized, but cleaning solution cannot be introduced or drained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespillage preventionVSAvoidcleaning functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with segmented, reclosable openings that can be selectively opened or closed based on the operational phase - sealed during transport to prevent spillage, and selectively opened to allow introduction of cleaning solutions and drainage of contaminated fluids during sanitization cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10604320B1Plumbing supply transport case and method of sanitizing and transporting plumbing supplies

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 ROBINSON JACKIE

AI summary

A device for transporting a plumbing tool that includes an outer housing defining an interior cavity, the outer housing having at least one rigid panel member having an outer periphery with the rigid panel forming a support base. The outer housing also has at least one reclosable drain hole and at least one reclosable access aperture defined therein as well as member mounted on the outer housing that is, movable between a first position in which the at least one reclosable access aperture is open and a second position in which the movable member is in watertight sealed relationship with the outer housing. The device also has at least one first anchor clamp connected to the rigid panel member of the outer housing and projecting into the interior of the interior cavity defined in therein. The at least one first anchor clamp is configured to releasably engage a toilet auger and maintain the toilet auger in fixed relationship relative to the at least one rigid panel.