GB2452865A - Apparatus for unblocking a pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for displacing a blockage B from a drainage pipe extending from a drainage outlet of a sink, bath or a floor tray of a shower, the apparatus comprising a tube 2 having means (4, fig 1) at one end for forming a sealed connection to a pressurised water supply T, and means 6 at the other end for forming a sealed connection to the drainage outlet of the sink, bath or floor tray, the arrangement being such that in use, when the water supply T is turned on, water is directed through the tube to the drainage outlet of the sink, bath or floor tray and into the drainage pipe P to displace the blockage B.

Description

1 2452865

APPARATUS FOR UNBLOCKING A PIPE

This invention relates to an apparatus for unbiocking a blocked pipe and in particular a length of drainage pipe containing a U-bend connected to a sink or bath outlet.

The term "pipe" as used herein refers not only to pipes as such but also to pipe connectors, pipe fittings and waste outlets from baths, sinks and showers.

It is well known that drainage pipes attached to domestic sinks and baths often become blocked. In the case of kitchen sinks, blockages often arise through the accumulation of grease and particulate and fibrous matter to form a plug in the U-bend or trap beneath the sink. The blockage slows down considerably the rate at which the sink or bath can be drained and, in many cases, a point is reached where water will not drain from the sink at all.

In order to clear the blockage, it is commonplace to use a device such as a sink plunger or even a chemical such as caustic soda. However, caustic soda is a potentially dangerous chemical and sink plungers are not always effective.

The present invention makes use of water pressure to blast away the waste material forming the blockage.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for displacing a blockage from a drainage pipe extending from a drainage outlet of a sink, bath or a floor tray of a shower, the apparatus comprising a tube having means at one end for forming a sealed connection to a pressurised water supply and means at the other end for forming a sealed connection to the drainage outlet of the sink, bath or floor tray, the arrangement being such that in use, when the water supply is turned on, water is S...

*. : directed through the tube to the drainage outlet of the sink, bath or floor tray and into S...

the drainage pipe to displace the blockage.

:. 25 The pressurised water supply is preferably a water supply which is associated with the S...

* . . . sink, bath or shower. For example, the water supply can be provided by a tap which is mounted on the sink or bath, or can be provided by a shower hose or shower manifold. S... S...

Most preferably, the pressurised water supply is provided by a tap which forms part of or is mounted on the sink or bath.

By connecting the tap to the waste outlet by means of the tube, and by providing a sufficiently good seal between tube and tap and tube and waste outlet to ensure that there is minimal loss of water pressure, the blockage in the drainage pipe is exposed to a pressure of water at or approaching mains pressure and is consequently easily displaced.

The apparatus has means at one end for forming a sealed connection to the pressurised water supply (e.g. the spout of a water tap). The means can take the form of a socket formed from an elastomeric material (e.g. a rubber) that can he stretched to fit over the spout of the tap and which held in place either by the resilience of the rubber and/or by means of a hose clamp that can be tightened about the socket to clamp it down on to the spout.

Alternatively, the means for forming a sealed connection to the water supply can take the form of a threaded cormector for connecting the tube to an end of a shower hose (once the shower head has been unscrewed) or the outlet manifold of the shower.

The apparatus also has means at the other end for fixming a sealed connection to a sink or bath waste outlet or the waste outlet of a shower floor tray. l'hus, for example, when the outlet of the sink or bath, or floor tray, is shaped to receive a plug, the apparatus may be provided with an end formation that fits sealingly within the outlet in place of a plug. Alternatively, where the outlet is not capable of receiving a plug, the apparatus may be provided with a skirt or flange formed from a resilient material and which can be pressed manually against the sink or bath or floor tray so that it . : encircles the waste outlet.

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The tube is preferably flexible and therefore capable of being used in a range of sinks and baths of differing depths. The tube may be formed from a plastics material which S...

* ...* may be elastomeric or non-elastomeric. The tube is preferably a length of hose, for * ** example comprising an elastomeric (e.g. rubber) inner tube surrounded by a woven layer or a spirally wound flexible metal outer tube. *...

The apparatus can he unitary with the means for forming a sealed connection to the water supply (e.g. the spout of a water tap) and the means for forming a sealed connection to a sink or bath waste outlet or shower floor tray waste outlet being formed integrally (e.g. by injection moulding) with the tube.

Alternatively, the means for forming a sealed connection to the water supply (e.g. the spout of a water tap) andlor the means thr forming a sealed connection to a sink or bath outlet or the shower floor tray waste outlet can be formed separately from the tube and then connected thereto either during manufacture or prior to use. For example, in one embodiment, the tube is provided at one end with an integrally Formed socket for placing over the spout of a tap and at the other end is secured to a separately formed hollow plug, the hollow plug being shaped to form a seal against the sink or bath outlet and having a spigot for inserting into the end of the tube. A hose clamp may be used to secure the tube to the spigot.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of clearing a blockage in the waste outlet of a sink, bath or floor tray of a shower, the method comprising connecting an apparatus of the invention at one end thereof to a water outlet associated with the sink, bath or shower and, at the other end thereof, forming a seal around a the waste outlet for the sink, bath or floor tray and holding the apparatus firmly in place against the waste outlet, and turning on the water supply so that water passes through the apparatus into the waste outlet, the pressure of water serving to clear the blockage.

Where a sink or bath is equipped with both hot and cold taps, the apparatus can be connected to either. In some instances, it may be preferable to use hot water to flush away a blockage, particularly when the blockage contains fats or grease. In cases where a sink or bath is fitted with a monobloc mixer tap, either or both taps may be turned on when using the apparatus. Turning on both taps together will give a greater water pressure which may assist in displacing more stubborn blockages.

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In one embodiment, the tube is branched to enable it to be connected to a pair of taps. S...

in another embodiment, the tube is unbranched. *.SS

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The invention will now be illustrated but not limited by reference to the particular embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through an apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through an apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention in use.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention which comprises a flexible tube or hose 2 formed from a natural or synthetic rubber material and having at one end thereof an integrally formed socket formation 4. To the other end of the hose 2 is connected a hollow plug 6 which has a spigot 8 that fits tightly into the end of the hose. A hose clamp 10 encircles the hose and clamps the end of the hose firmly in place over the spigot 8. The outer surface of the spigot may be configured with one or more ridges or other protrusions to enhance the grip of the hose about the spigot. Alternatively, instead of using a hose clamp to secure the hose to the spigot, the hose may be adhesively bonded to the spigot.

The hollow plug 6 has a tapering profile that enables it to fit into the plug hole of a sink or bath and has a central passageway 12 communicating with the interior of the hose.

The apparatus is used to unblock a blocked U-bend in the waste pipe of a sink as shown in Figure 3. Thus, the apparatus is attached to the spout of a tap T and a hose S...

clamp 14 is used to clamp the socket formation 4 of the hose 2 firmly in place on the tap. The hollow plug 6 is then inserted into the plughole of the sink or bath. The user then uses one hand to hold the hollow plug securely in place in the plug hole and the other hand to turn on the tap T, causing water to flow through the hose and the central S...

passageway of the hollow plug and into the waste pipe P towards the U-bend. * S. S* S S... *

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Provided that the water pressure is sufficiently high, the waste material B forming the blockage is easily displaced and flushed away thereby removing the blockage.

The advantage of the apparatus is that blockages can be removed quickly and without the need for chemicals, and also without the need to remove the U-bend.

The construction of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is such that it can be supplied with a range of hollow plugs to fit various sizes of plughole. Because the plug 6 is formed separately from the hose 2, it can be removed by loosening the hose clamp 10 and then easing the end of the hose off of the spigot 8. A spigoted plug of a different size can then be secured to the hose 2.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the apparatus is formed as a unitary structure by injection moulding from a resilient plastics or rubber material and comprises a hose 102 with an integrally moulded socket formation 104 and hollow plug 106.

The embodiments illustrated in Figures Ito 3 represent merely two ways of putting the invention into effect and it will readily be apparent that numerous alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the principles underlying the invention. All such alterations and modifications are intended to be embraced by this application. S... * S S *5 S S... * .

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Claims (12)

1. Apparatus for displacing a blockage from a drainage pipe extending from a drainage outlet of a sink, bath or a floor tray of a shower, the apparatus comprising a tube having means at one end for forming a sealed connection to a pressurised water supply and means at the other end for forming a sealed connection to the drainage outlet of the sink, bath or floor tray, the arrangement being such that in use, when the water supply is turned on, water is directed through the tube to the drainage outlet of the sink, bath or floor tray and into the drainage pipe to displace the blockage.

2. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the means for forming a sealed connection to the water supply takes the form of a socket formed from an elastomeric material that can be stretched to fit over a spout of a tap.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein elastomeric material is sufficiently resilient to hold the socket formation in place over the spout of a tap.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a hose clamp for securing the socket formation in place on the spout of the tap.

5. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the means for forming a sealed connection to the water supply takes the form of a threaded connector for connecting the tube to a shower hose or a shower manifold.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for forming a sealed connection to the drainage outlet comprises a hollow plug shaped to fit into and form a seal within a plughole of the sink or bath outlet. * S S ** .

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims I to 5 wherein the means for forming **** a sealed connection to the drainage outlet comprises a skirt or flange which is *..: 25 configured so as to cover the drainage outlet. *.S. * * S...

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tube is flexible. S...

S S *.SS

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the tube is a length of flexible hose.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the hose comprises an elastomeric inner tube surrounded by a woven layer or a spirally wound flexible metal outer tube.

11. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of clearing a blockage in the waste outlet ofa sink, bath or floor tray of a shower, the method comprising connecting an apparatus according to any one of claims I to 11 at one end thereof to a water outlet associated with the sink, bath or shower and, at the other end thereof, forming a seal around a the waste outlet for the sink, bath or floor tray and holding the apparatus firmly in place against the waste outlet, and turning on the water supply so that water passes through the apparatus into the waste outlet, the pressure of water serving to clear the blockage. * * * S. * *SS* * S S... S. S * . . * S. *S.. * . S... * *5 *5 5 S... * 5.S S 5 S...