Separable Strainer Device with Interlocking Teeth and Apertures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hair catcher devices for drains require manual cleaning, which is unhygienic and often ineffective in preventing clogging, as they do not trap all hair and debris before it enters the drain.

Innovation Solution

A separable strainer device with interlocking components, including apertures and teeth, that can be easily disassembled to allow debris to fall off without manual handling, effectively trapping hair and debris before it enters the drain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hair catcher devices are used, then they can trap some hair and debris, but they require manual cleaning which is unhygienic and unpleasant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair trapping effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The strainer device is divided into two separable components: a cap portion and a wall portion. This segmentation allows the components to be easily separated for cleaning without requiring users to manually handle accumulated hair and debris. The cap portion can be removed from the wall portion, enabling convenient disposal of trapped debris.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the cleaning function from the traditional manual process by designing a separable structure where the cap portion can be removed. This extraction allows trapped debris to be easily disposed of without direct user contact, eliminating the unhygienic manual cleaning process while maintaining effective hair trapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If conventional hair catcher devices are used, then they provide some debris trapping, but they are not effective at trapping all hair and debris before it enters the drain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrain clogging preventionVSAvoidstructure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enhances trapping effectiveness by adding a vertical dimension with the wall portion extending downward into the drain. This dimensional extension creates multiple trapping zones at different heights, preventing debris from bypassing the strainer and entering the drain pipe, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If drain unclogging liquids are used to restore fluid flow, then clogged drains can be cleared, but harsh chemicals deteriorate drain pipes leading to leaks and repairs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrain flow restorationVSAvoidpipe deterioration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The strainer device performs preliminary action by preventing hair and debris from entering the drain pipe in the first place. This preventive approach eliminates the need for subsequent unclogging actions using harsh chemicals, thereby protecting the drain pipes from chemical deterioration and extending their service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of debris accumulation into a benefit by providing a convenient separable straining system. Instead of allowing debris to cause pipe deterioration through chemical treatments, the system captures debris harmlessly in the strainer, transforming a harmful situation into a manageable and preventable condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11198994B1Separable strainer device for a drain

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 CEBULL ROBERTO CARLOS

AI summary

A separable strainer device for a drain is disclosed herein. The separable strainer device includes a first component, the first component including one or more apertures formed therein; and a second component, the second component including one or more teeth configured to engage with the one or more apertures in the first component. The first and second components are configured to fit together so as to form the strainer device for preventing hair and other debris from entering into a drain pipe of the drain. The first and second components also are configured to be dissembled from one another so as to allow at least a substantial portion of the hair and other debris caught by the strainer device to be cleaned from the strainer device without requiring the user to touch the hair and other debris.