Overflow Drain Seal and Kit for Using Same with Presure-Based Drain-Opening Devices

Abstract

Provided is a seal for sealing a sink or other overflow drain in fluid communication with a sink drain system. The seal is used in conjunction with a pressure-based drain-opening device. The seal is configured as a releasable adhesive tape that includes water-resistant, flexible, conformable sheet material having pressure-sensitive adhesive layer adhered to one surface of the sheet material. Optionally, a protective layer may overlie the adhesive layer. The properties and characteristic of the overflow drain seal components are selected such that the seal, when engaged, has sufficient adhesive force to overcome an aperture force impinging the seal from pressure generated upon activation of the pressure-based drain-opening device

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to devices for clearing blocked fluid drains, conduits and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a releasable sink, tub or other fixture overflow drain seal for use with pressure-based drain-opening devices that dispense pressurized gas into the fixture drain to produce clearing of a drain blockage.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]The problem of clearing drains, such as household bathroom and kitchen sink drains, of blockages is a constantly reoccurring one. Many methods and devices have been used in the past in attempts to solve this problem.[0005]Chemical drain openers are well known in the art, as is their principle of chemically attacking blockage material to effect its breakup or dislodgment. However, some blockages are not susceptible to such chemical removal, at least not very easily. Furthermore, the chemical removal methods typically take time to wor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The present invention provides a simple, easy to use, inexpensive, effective overflow drain seal for use in conjunction with a pressure-based drain-opening device. The seal can be effectively used on fixtures of widely varying designs and configurations. The seal is lightweight and readily prepackaged with a pressure-based drain-opening device and, in one embodiment may be releasable attached to the drain-opening device itself.

[0017]Optionally, a protective layer overlies the pressure sensitive adhesive layer to protect the pressure sensitive adhesive layer from contamination and moisture prior to use as an overflow drain aperture seal. The protective layer, generally configured as a sheet, is removable from the pressure sensitive adhesive layer prior to placement and releasable engagement of the overflow drain seal.

[0018]Suitable materials for manufacture of the sheet, the adhesive layer, and the optional protective layer construction sheet are described below. In addition, for a given overflow drain aperture, the peel strength of the overflow drain seal is selected such that the adhesive force of the seal, when releasable engaged, is sufficient to resist an aperture force generated by the pressure-based drain-opening device on the first portion of the adhesive seal that overlies the overflow drain aperture. Further, the tensile strength and shear strength of the material making up the sheet layer of the seal is selected to avoid bursting or tearing of the releasable adhesive tape upon impingement of an aperture force on the portion of the tape overlying the overflow drain aperture. Stresses are also imposed on the overflow drain seal upon removal of the seal after use of the pressure-based drain-opening device to remove a drain system blockage.

Problems solved by technology

The problem of clearing drains, such as household bathroom and kitchen sink drains, of blockages is a constantly reoccurring one.

However, some blockages are not susceptible to such chemical removal, at least not very easily.

Furthermore, the chemical removal methods typically take time to work and accordingly do not satisfy a user's desire for quick removal of a drain blockage causing frustrating or unsanitary conditions.

In addition, chemicals typically used in this application are caustic or corrosive and present safety hazards to users.

Otherwise, pressurized gas generated by the drain-opening device is lost through the overflow drain aperture and fluid backed-up behind the blockage may be forced out through the aperture.

This technique is not effective in forming a gas-tight seal at the overflow drain aperture.

The device includes many components and would be relatively expensive to manufacture and impractical for use by a typical non-professional consumer.

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