Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TOILET BOWL TRAPPING DEVICE
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[01] This application claim priority to U.S. Serial No. 13,526,191,
filed June 18, 2012,
which is a continuation-in-part application that claims priority to Non-
Provisional
Application, U.S. Serial No. 12/533,782, filed July 31, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[02] The present invention is directed towards a device for a toilet bowl,
more specifically
towards a trapping device for catching and retaining non-dispersing cloths in
the toilet
bowl.
BACKGROUND
[03] Manufacturers produce disposable cloths used for personal cleaning,
bathing,
incontinence care, and disinfection. These cloths differ from other disposable
hygiene
products (such as toilet paper) in that they do not break down and disperse
when in
contact with water.
[04] These non-dispersible cloths may be used in an environment where they are
disposed
of into a toilet. An accumulation of these cloths flushed down a toilet drain
may
eventually lead to a back up in the toilet, blockage of the wastewater drain
system,
malfunction of sewage pumps, accumulation in municipal sewers and wastewater
treatment plants, or bursting of sewage pipes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[05] The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in
order to
provide a basic understanding of at least some of its aspects. This summary is
not
intended as an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to
identify key
or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the
invention. The
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following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a general
form
as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
[06] In an aspect of the present invention, a trapping device for trapping non-
dispersing
cloths in a toilet bowl may comprise a strap and a plurality of hooks
extending from
an inner wall of the strap. The strap may include a first end, a second end,
and a
middle portion, wherein the first end includes a first tab extending
perpendicular to
the strap and the second end includes a second tab extending perpendicular to
the
strap, and the middle portion is rounded. The strap may be made of a strap
material
that is resilient to bend and spring back to its previous shape. The middle
portion may
include a polymer band located along a leading edge of a side of the middle
portion.
Additionally, when the trapping device is installed in a trapway of the toilet
bowl, the
polymer band may engage the bottom of the trapway of the toilet bowl. The
first end
may include a front tab that prevents the trapping device from being pushed
down the
toilet bowl. The strap material may be a stainless steel or a high density
polyethylene.
The trapping device may further include a retention band that extends around
the
periphery of the strap to hold the strap in a semi-compressed configuration
defined by
the first tab and the second tab partially separated with the first end and
second end
overlapping. The retention band may be made of a biodegradable material
capable of
being flushed in a toilet and/or a material that dissolves in water.
[07] In another aspect of this invention, a trapping device for trapping non-
dispersing
cloths in a toilet bowl may comprise: a) a strap having a first end, a second
end, and a
middle portion, wherein the middle portion is rounded; b) a plurality of hooks
extending from an inner wall of the strap; and c) a compression system
configured to
hold the strap in a rounded semi-compressed configuration and then release the
strap
to a rounded uncompressed configuration when installed in a toilet bowl such
that the
strap fits tightly within the toilet bowl. Furthermore, the compression system
may
include a first tab on the first end and a second tab on the second end,
wherein the
first tab and the second tab are configured to be held together in a rounded
compressed configuration by a pliers, and further wherein the first tab and
second tab
are configured to be separated in the rounded semi-compressed configuration.
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Additionally, the compression system may further include a retention band that
extends around the periphery of the strap to hold the strap in a semi-
compressed
configuration defined by the first tab and the second tab partially separated
with the
first end and second end overlapping. In an aspect of the invention, the
retention
band may be made of a biodegradable material capable of being flushed in a
toilet. In
another aspect of the invention, the retention band is made of a material that
dissolves
in water.
[08] In an aspect of the invention, the first tab extends perpendicular from
the first end of
the strap and the second tab extends perpendicular from the second end of the
strap.
[09] In another aspect of the invention, the compression system may include a
clasp
system that holds the first end and the second end together in a rounded
compressed
configuration and releases the first end and second end when installed in the
toilet
bowl.
[10] In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for trapping non-
dispersing cloths in
a toilet bowl, may include the following steps: 1) preparing a trapping device
for
installation, wherein the trapping device includes: a) a strap having a first
end, a
second end, and a middle portion, wherein the first end includes a first tab
extending
perpendicular to the strap and the second end includes a second tab extending
perpendicular to the strap, and the middle portion is rounded; b) a plurality
of hooks
extending from an inner wall of the strap; and c) a retention band that
extends around
the periphery of the strap to hold the strap in a semi-compressed
configuration defined
by the first tab and the second tab partially separated with the first end and
second end
overlapping; 2) engaging the first tab and the second tab with a pair of
pliers; 3)
compressing the first tab and the second tab with the pair of pliers, wherein
the
compressing disengages the retention band from the strap of the trapping
device; 4)
removing the retention band from the strap of the trapping device; 5) using
the pliers,
setting the trapping device into the toilet bowl; and 6) releasing the tabs
from the
pliers, thereby expanding the strap of the trapping device in the toilet bowl
to a
rounded uncompressed configuration such that the strap fits tightly within the
toilet
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bowl. In another aspect of the invention, the preparing of the trapping device
for
installation may ensure that the retention band is engaged with the strap and
installed
around the strap of the trapping device.
[10a] In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for
trapping non-
dispersing cloths in a toilet bowl, the method comprising: preparing a
trapping device for
installation, the trapping device comprising: a strap having a first end, a
second end, and a
middle portion, wherein the first end includes a first tab extending
perpendicular to the
strap and the second end includes a second tab extending perpendicular to the
strap, and
the middle portion is rounded, a plurality of hooks extending from an inner
wall of the
strap, and a retention band that extends around the periphery of the strap to
hold the strap
in a semi-compressed configuration defined by the first tab and the second tab
partially
separated with the first end and second end overlapping, wherein preparing the
trapping
device for installation ensures that the retention band is engaged with the
strap and
installed around the strap of the trapping device; engaging the first tab and
the second tab
with a tool; compressing the first tab and the second tab with the tool,
wherein the
compressing disengages the retention band from the strap of the trapping
device; removing
the retention band from the strap of the trapping device; using the tool,
setting the trapping
device into the toilet bowl; and releasing the tabs from the tool, thereby
expanding the
strap of the trapping device in the toilet bowl to a rounded uncompressed
configuration
such that the strap fits tightly within the toilet bowl.
[11] In yet another aspect of the invention, the method for trapping non-
dispersing cloths in a
toilet bowl may include the following additional steps: 7) engaging the first
tab and the
second tab with the pliers; 8) compressing the first tab and the second tab
with the pliers,
wherein the compressing disengages the trapping device from the toilet bowl,
thereby
allowing the trapping device to be removed from the toilet bowl; and 9)
removing the
trapping device from the toilet bowl with the pliers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[12] A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain
advantages thereof
may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration
with the
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accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features,
and
wherein:
[13] FIG. IA illustrates a top plan view of the front side of an example
trapping device in
accordance with the present invention;
[14] FIG. 1B illustrates a top plan view of the back side of the trapping
device from FIG. IA in
accordance with this invention;
[15] FIG. 2A illustrates a side perspective view of the front side of the
trapping device from
FIG. IA in accordance with this invention;
[16] FIG. 2B illustrates a side perspective view of the back side of the
trapping device from
FIG. 1A in accordance with this invention;
[17] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the trapping device from
FIG. IA with both ends
connected together in accordance with this invention;
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[18] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the trapping device from FIG.
3A with a
tooth in accordance with this invention;
[19] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the trapping device from FIG. lA
installed in a
toilet bowl in accordance with this invention;
[20] FIG. 5 illustrates a cut-out perspective view of the trapping device from
FIG. 4
installed in the toilet bowl in accordance with this invention;
[21] FIG. 6A illustrates a top plan view of the front side of an example
trapping device for
use in a toilet bowl with a jet-assist housing in accordance with the present
invention;
[22] FIG. 6B illustrates a top plan view of the back side of the trapping
device from FIG.
6A in accordance with this invention;
[23] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the trapping device from FIG. 6A
with both
ends connected together in accordance with this invention;
[24] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the trapping device from FIG. 6A
installed in a
toilet bowl in accordance with this invention;
[25] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a top plan view of an example trapping device
for use in a
toilet bowl;
[26] FIG. 10 illustrates a top plan view of an example sizing tool in
accordance with this
invention;
[27] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of another trapping device in
expanded
configuration for use in a toilet bowl in accordance with aspects of this
invention;
[28] FIG. 12 illustrates the trapping device from FIG. 11 in compressed
configuration in
accordance with aspects of this invention;
[29] FIG. 13 illustrates the trapping device from FIG. 11 in blank
manufactured
configuration in accordance with aspects of this invention;
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[30] FIGS. 14A through 14F illustrate the installation process of the trapping
device from
FIG. 11 in accordance with aspects of this invention;
[31] FIG. 15 illustrates another trapping device in accordance with aspects of
this
invention; and
[32] FIG. 16 illustrates another trapping device for use in a jet-assist
toilet bowl in
accordance with aspects of this invention.
[33] The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily
drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[34] In the following description of various examples of the invention,
reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by
way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which
aspects of
the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific
arrangements
of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized and
structural
and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of
the
present invention. Also, while the terms "top," "bottom," "front," "back,"
"side," and
the like may be used in this specification to describe various example
features and
elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of
convenience, e.g.,
based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this
specification
should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of
structures
in order to fall within the scope of this invention.
[35] FIGS. 1A-3 illustrate a trapping device 10 for use in a toilet bowl 14
for trapping non-
dispersing cloths. The trapping device 10 is comprised of a strap 20, an
adjustment
buckle 40, and a plurality of hooks 60. In one example in accordance with this
invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and discussed further below, the
trapping
device 10 is installed in a toilet bowl trapway 12 in the drain portion of the
toilet bowl
14.
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[36] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3A, the strap 20 may have a first end 22, a
second end 24,
and a middle portion 26 located in between the first end 22 and the second end
24.
FIGS. lA and 2A illustrate a top-view of the strap 20, while FIGS. 1B and 2B
illustrate a bottom-view of the strap. FIG. 3A illustrates a view of the strap
20 with
the ends 22, 24 connected together and prepared to be installed into the
toilet bowl 14.
The strap 20 has a leading edge 28 and a trailing edge 30 as illustrated in
FIGS. lA
and 1B. The first end 22 and the second end 24 may be rectangular in shape,
wherein
the middle portion 26 may be many different shapes. In one example, as shown
in
FIGS. lA and 1B, the middle portion 26 is rounded out on both the leading edge
28
and the trailing edge 30, such that the middle portion 26 may be somewhat
similar to
the shape of a football as can be seen in FIGS. lA and 1B. The inventors have
found
that the rectangular shape for the first ends 22 and the second end 24 allow
the flow of
water through the toilet bowl 14 without obstructing the flow. The inventors
have
also found that the football shape middle portion 26 prevents the strap 20 and
trapping
device 10 from being sent down the drain of the toilet bowl 14 during routine
operation. Additional shapes for the middle portion 26 are discussed later.
[37] The strap 20 may be made of different materials without departing from
the scope of
the present invention. The strap material should allow the strap 20 to be able
to fit
within the various shapes of toilet bowls 14, yet also not fold or bend easily
so that the
strap 20 falls out of the trapway 12 of the toilet bowl 14. The strap 20 may
be made
of plastic, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) to provide both strength
and
flexibility. Through testing by the inventor hereof, it has been found that
using HDPE
with a thickness between approximately 25-35 mil (0.025-0.035" thick) provides
enough thickness to ensure that the trapping device 10 does not fold or bend
easily,
while also making the trapping device 10 thin enough to fit well within the
majority
of toilet bowl 14 configurations. In another exemplary embodiment, the strap
may be
approximately 30 mil HDPE. Alternatively, the strap 20 may be made of metal.
While the strap 20 may be made of metal, some metals will corrode and rust
when
placed in a wet environment. The strap 20 may be made of a stainless steel
that is
non-corrosive in accordance with at least some examples of this invention.
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[38] The adjustment buckle 40 may be attached to the first end 22 of the strap
20 as will be
discussed further below. Additionally, the first end 22 of the strap 20
includes a
single hole 32. On the second end of the strap, there may be a plurality of
adjustment
holes 34. The cooperation of the adjustment buckle 40, the adjustment
holes 34,
and an adjustment connector 52 at the single hole 32 provides the user with
the ability
to adjust the diameter of the strap 20 to fit various sized toilet bowls 14,
making the
trapping device 10 adjustable and universal to various toilet bowls 14.
[39] The middle portion 26 may also include a polymer band or strip 36 located
along the
leading edge 28 of one side, the under-side, of the middle portion 26. The
band 36
may be made of a polymer substance or polymer bead, such as a hot-melt glue
(e.g.,
3M Jet melt adhesive, part#3764-AE). The band 36 may be in the shape of a
narrow
strip which extends along the leading edge 28 of the middle portion 26. The
band 36
creates a seal between the trapping device 10 and the bottom of the toilet
bowl 14,
which diverts the water flow above and through the trapping device 10 rather
than
beneath the trapping device 10. The band 36 may be made of any similar
substance
or similar shape in accordance with examples of this invention as long as it
diverts the
water flow above and through the trapping device 10 rather than beneath the
trapping
device 10.
[40] The adjustment buckle 40 may be attached to the first end 22 of the strap
20 by an
epoxy or glue material bonding the strap 20 to the adjustment buckle 40. The
adjustment buckle 40 may include a set of front guides 42, a front tab 44, an
alignment hole 46 and an adjustment connector 52. The set of front guides 42
are
located on the front side of the adjustment buckle 40 and may include one or
more
guides. The set of front guides 42 are bent 180 degrees from the adjustment
buckle
40, thereby creating a slot 50 between the strap 20 and the adjustment buckle
40.
When the adjustment buckle 40 is connected to the strap 20, the set of front
guides 42
may be positioned such that the second end 24 of the strap 20 can slide
through the
slot 50. Additionally, the set of front guides 42 are sized such that the
hooks 60 do
not interfere with the adjustment buckle 40 when sliding the second end 24 of
the
strap 20 through the adjustment buckle 40 and while the hooks 60 are in an
adjacent
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lateral position with the adjustment buckle 40. The front tab 44 may be
located on the
front side of the adjustment buckle 40 and may protrude from the adjustment
buckle
40 perpendicularly. The alignment hole 46 is located on the adjustment buckle
40 on
the side opposite the front tab 44. When the adjustment buckle 40 is installed
on the
strap 20, the alignment hole 46 lines up with one of the adjustment holes 34
on the
second end 24 of the strap 20 to receive the adjustment connector 52. The
adjustment
connector 52 may be inserted through the alignment hole 46 on the adjustment
buckle
40, one of the adjustment holes 34 on the second end 24 of the strap 20, and
the single
hole 32 on the first end 22 of the strap 20 when the first end 22 of the strap
20 is
inserted into the adjustment buckle 40. The adjustment connector 52 may hold
the
adjusted size of the trapping device 10 in place. The adjustment connector 52
may be
in the form of a rivet, a screw, or other connector in accordance with at
least some
examples of this invention.
[41] The adjustment buckle 40 may be made of different materials without
departing from
the scope of the present invention. The adjustment buckle 40 should be made of
a
material that is non-corrosive so that the adjustment buckle 40 does not rust
in the wet
environment. Through testing, the inventors have found that 24-gauge 316
passivated
stainless steel may be used as the material for the adjustment buckle 40.
Additionally,
other materials may be used for the material for the adjustment buckle 40
without
departing from at least some examples of this invention, such as plastic or
other non-
corrosive metals.
[42] Additionally, the adjustment connector 52 may be made of different
materials without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The adjustment connector 52
should also be made of a material that is non-corrosive so that the adjustment
connector 52 does not rust in the wet environment. Through testing, the
inventors
have found that a plastic rivet may be used for the adjustment connector 52
(e.g.,
Pine-Tree Clip black, Thread Rite Screw Products, Part #M36 0300 02).
Additionally, other materials, such as screws, pins, etc., may be used for the
adjustment connector 52 without departing from at least some examples of this
invention, such as stainless steel or other non-corrosive metals.
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[43] As shown in FIGS. 1A-3A, the plurality of hooks 60 are attached to the
strap at
various locations. The hooks 60 are used to catch and retain the non-
dispersing
cloths, while allowing other materials to pass by. The hooks 60 may be located
on the
first end 22 of the strap 20, the second end 24 of the strap 20, or middle
portion 26 of
the strap 20 or any combination thereof. Through testing by the inventor
hereof, it
has been found that the number, location, angle, and sharpness of the hooks 60
provides an optimal balance between catching the non-dispersing cloths, while
allowing other materials to pass. The inventors have found that with too many
hooks
60, the trapping device 10 then catches the non-dispersing cloths while also
catching
many of the undesirable toilet paper and waste. The inventors have also found
that
with using too few hooks 60, the trapping device 10 then does not catch all of
or a
significant percentage of the non-dispersing cloths. The inventors have found
that the
optimal number of hooks 60 to be installed on the strap 20 is between five and
nine
hooks 60, with less hooks 60 being used in the smaller version of the trapping
device
10. In other embodiments in accordance with this invention, the number of
hooks 60
can be outside the range of five to nine hooks. In an embodiment, at least
five hooks
are included. In another embodiment, no more than nine hooks 60 are included.
In an
alternative exemplary embodiment in accordance with this invention, the strap
20 may
include seven hooks 60, with five or six hooks 60 being used in a smaller
version of
the trapping device 10. Additionally, in an embodiment, these hooks 60 may be
located approximately an inch apart, with, for example, two hooks 60 located
on the
first end 22 of the strap 20, four hooks 60 located on the second end 24 of
the strap
20, and one hook 60 located on the middle portion 26 of the strap 20, as shown
in
FIGS. 1A-2B. Additionally, the inventors have found that the hooks 60 may need
to
be forward enough, i.e. closer to the leading edge 28 of the strap 20, so that
the non-
dispersing cloths are visible to the user when the trapping device 10 is
installed in the
toilet bowl 14.
[44] The angle of the hook 60 may also be important to catching and retaining
the non-
dispersing cloths while allowing other materials to pass. The inventors have
found
that the optimal angle for the hooks 60 is between approximately 45 and 60
degrees
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angled away from the strap 20 with the point of the hook 60 facing into the
toilet bowl
14. When the hooks 60 are angled at 90 degrees, it was found that the cloths
would
catch and then fall off In an embodiment in accordance with this invention,
the angle
of the hooks 60 is less than 90 degrees and greater than approximately 15
degrees.
The number, location, and angle of the hooks 60 can vary without departing
from at
least some examples of this invention.
[45] The hooks 60 may be made of different materials without departing from
the scope of
the present invention. The hook material should be rigid and inflexible. The
hook
material should be able to remain substantially in position during toilet bowl
cleaning,
and if moved from position, go back into substantially the same position after
the
cleaning. Additionally, the hook material should be a non-corrosive material
so that
the hooks 60 do not rust in the wet environment. Also, the hooks 60 may be
sharp,
such as sharp enough to catch the non-dispersing cloths, while being able to
break or
cut through the toilet paper and waste in the toilet 14. Additionally, barbed
hooks 60
may be used without departing from at least some examples of the invention.
The
barbed hooks 60 may have a "T" barb to catch the non-dispersing cloths.
Additionally, the adjustment buckle 40 may include a tooth 45 which acts as
another
hook, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The tooth 45 may extend from either front or
back of
the adjustment buckle 40. The tooth 45 may be triangular shaped. This tooth-
type
hook 45 may be used to enhance the ability of capturing different types and
weights
of cloths. This tooth-type hook 45 may be different shapes or in different
locations
without departing from this invention. Through testing, the inventors have
found that
a heavy duty staple may be used as the hooks 60 (eg., Surebonder 5/16"
stainless
steel, No. 4, heavy duty, T50). When the heavy duty staple is used for the
hooks 60,
the staple may be inserted into the strap 20 from the back side of the strap
20, with a
first leg 62 and a second leg 64 of the staple protruding out of the front
side of the
strap 20. The first leg 62 of the staple may be bent to lay flat against the
front side of
the strap 20, while the second leg 64 may be bent to an angle between 45-60
degrees.
Additionally, other materials may be used for the hook 60 material without
departing
from at least some examples of this invention, such as Velcro, fishing hooks,
and
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plastic hooks. Each of these examples may have their drawbacks, but could be
found
effective if used in combination or in different numbers.
[46] The trapping device 10, as described above, may be installed in a toilet
14 by a user.
To install the trapping device 10, the user may first prepare the trapping
device 10 for
installation, as shown in FIG. 3A. To prepare the trapping device 10 for
installation,
the user may first insert the second end 24 of the strap 20 with the plurality
of
adjustable holes 34 into the slots 50 provided between the two front guides 42
of the
adjustment buckle 40 and the first end 22 of the strap 20. The slots 50 on the
back
side of the strap 20 receive the second end 24 of the strap 20 which allows
for size
adjustment based on the size of the toilet bowl trapway 12. Because the size
of toilets
14 vary, the user may size the trapping device 10 to properly fit the trapping
device 10
into the toilet bowl trapway 12. Once the two ends 22, 24 of the strap 20 are
adjusted
to fit the toilet bowl trapway 12, the adjustment connector or rivet 52 may be
inserted
through the adjustment buckle 40, the single alignment hole 32, and the
selected
adjustment hole 34 on the second end 24 of the strap 20 to hold the adjusted
size in
place. The trapping device 10 as shown in FIG. 3A is prepared for installation
into
the toilet bowl 14.
[47] As illustrated in FIG. 10, when installing the trapping device 10 into
the toilet bowl
trapway, the user may first use a sizing tool 310. The sizing tool 310 is
similar to the
trapping device 10 as described above, without the hooks 60. The sizing tool
310
may include colors strips 335 that consist of multiple distinct colors that
match up
with each of the adjustment holes 334. The user may place the sizing tool 310
into
the toilet bowl trapway 12 and expand the strap of the sizing tool fully in
the drain by
sliding the end of the strap 324 through the adjustment buckle 340. The user
may
then note the color 335 indicated on the sizing tool 310. The color 335
indicated on
the sizing tool 310 may then correspond to an adjustment hole 34 on the
trapping
device 10, thus allowing the user to install the trapping device 10 into the
trapway.
This sizing tool 310 may be used with the installation of the trapping device
10,
however, this sizing tool 310 is not required for the installation of the
trapping device
10.
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[48] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the user may install the trapping device
10 into the
toilet bowl trapway 12. To install the trapping device 10 into the toilet bowl
trapway
12, the user may first set the trapping device 10 at an angle with the top of
the rivet 52
under the top side of the toilet bowl trapway 12. The user may then slide the
trailing
edge 30 of the middle portion 26 of the strap 20 into the bottom of the toilet
bowl
trapway 12. The band 36 on the under-side of the middle portion 26 of the
strap 20
may create a seal with the bottom of the toilet bowl trapway 12, thereby
helping water
to flow over the trapping device 10, rather than under the trapping device 10.
When
the band 36 is seated against the bottom of the toilet bowl trapway 12, the
front tab 44
is seated against the front portion of the top side of the toilet bowl trapway
12. With
the front tab 44 seated in this location on the toilet bowl trapway 12, the
trapping
device 10 is prevented from being pushed into the drain during normal toilet
bowl
operations, such as flushing, and normal toilet bowl cleaning. Additionally,
the shape
of the middle portion 26 of the strap 20, the general football shape, helps
prevent the
trapping device 10 from being pushed down the drain during normal toilet bowl
operations, such as flushing, and normal toilet bowl cleaning. The combination
of the
rivet 52, the front tab 44, and the shape of the middle portion 26 all help to
keep the
trapping device 10 in the proper location throughout the entire flushing
process, with
water exiting through the drain and water flowing upward after the flush to
fill the
toilet bowl 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the leading edge 28 of the
strap 20
may be the only part of the trapping device 10 that the user can see when the
trapping
device 10 is installed in the toilet bowl 14.
[49] Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the majority of hooks 60
may be located
on the top and the sides of the installed trapping device 10. The hooks 60 may
be
located in this location so that they do not interfere with human waste. The
single
hook 60 on the bottom of the installed trapping device 10 is located on the
bottom to
prevent heavy cloths from slipping by the top hooks 60. Because of the weight,
these
heavy cloths are more capable of dropping to the bottom of the toilet bowl
trapway 12
during the flushing, and thereby may be caught by the bottom hook 60 in the
middle
portion 26.
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[50] The color of the trapping device 10 has been found to be important when
installed in
the toilet bowl 14. Through testing, the inventors have found that a strap 20
with a
color in contrast with the non-dispersing clothes is useful. For example, a
black strap
20 contrasts with the caught white non-dispersing clothes for the user, who
may be
responsible for removing the caught cloths from the trapping device 10. The
inventors found when using white plastic for the strap 20, the white strap 10
does not
contrast enough with the white non-dispersible cloths and the white toilet
bowl 14 and
therefore it was hard to differentiate the caught cloths from the trapping
device 10.
Other colors may be used for the trapping device 10 or the strap 20 without
departing
from at least some examples of this invention, as long as the color contrasts
with the
white non-dispersible cloths.
[51] Additionally, the user may utilize a disposable retrieval hook to
retrieve the cloths that
have been caught by the trapping device 10. The retrieval hook may be a metal
or
plastic hook designed to retrieve cloths from the trapping device 10.
[52] Once installed, the trapping device 10 can also be removed from the
toilet bowl 14.
The user may need to use pliers or a similar tool to remove the trapping
device 10
from the toilet bowl trapway 12 because of the close fit and the combination
of the
rivet 52 and the front tab 44 fit with the top of the toilet bowl trapway 12.
Additionally, the trapping device 10 may be semi-permanently installed in the
toilet
bowl 14. This semi-permanent installation may be accomplished by using epoxy
or
cement or some other glue material without departing from the scope of this
invention.
[53] FIGS. 6A-8 illustrate an example combination according to this invention
similar to
that described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-5 (the same or similar
reference
numbers are used in FIGS. 6A-8 as those used in FIGS. lA through 5 to denote
the
same or similar parts). FIGS. 6A-8 illustrate a trapping device 110 for a
toilet bowl
with a "jet-assist" housing 16 near the toilet bowl trapway 12. The jet-assist
propels
water into the trapway 12 to aid in clearing the toilet bowl 14. As FIGS. 6A-8
illustrate, the jet-assist trapping device 110 may have a section from the
middle
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portion 126 that is cut away to accommodate the jet-assist housing 16.
Additionally,
the location of the hooks 160 may be slightly different because of the smaller
middle
portion 126. Similar to the trapping device 110 described above, the hooks 160
may
be located approximately an inch apart, with one hook 160 located on the first
end
122 of the strap 120, four hooks 160 located on the second end 124 of the
strap 120,
and two hooks 160 located on the middle portion 126 of the strap 120, as
illustrated in
FIGS. 6A and 6B. The two hooks 160 located on the middle portion 126 may be
located on the middle portion 126 next to where the jet-assist housing 16 is
located.
The number, location, and angle of the hooks 160 on the strap 120 can vary
without
departing from at least some examples of this invention.
[54] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an example combination according to this
invention
similar to that described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-5 (the same or
similar
reference numbers are used in FIGS. 9 and 10 as those used in FIGS. lA through
5 to
denote the same or similar parts). FIG. 9A illustrates a front-view of a glue-
in
trapping device 210 for use in a toilet bowl 14. FIG. 9B illustrates a back-
view of the
glue-in trapping device 210. The glue-in trapping device 210 includes a mini-
strap
220 and at least one hook 260. Each mini-strap 220 may be rectangular in shape
with
a hole 221 in the middle of the mini-strap 220. On each side of the hole 221,
there
may be two hooks 260 positioned vertically along the mini-strap 220. In this
example, multiple mini-straps 220 may be installed in the toilet bowl trapway
12.
[55] As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the mini-strap 220 may be rectangular in
shape and
may be approximately 'A" x 1-1/4". The mini-strap 220 may be made of a number
of
different materials without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The
mini-straps 220 may be made of plastic, such as 30 mil HDPE to provide both
strength and flexibility. Alternatively, the mini-straps 220 may also be made
of metal.
While the mini-strap 220 may be made of metal, some metals will corrode and
rust
when placed in a wet environment. The mini-strap 220 may be made of a
stainless
steel that may be non-corrosive in accordance with at least some examples of
this
invention. The hole 221 may be located in the center of the mini-strap 220 and
aids in
affixing the mini-strap 220 to the toilet bowl 14. The hole 221 may be
approximately
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1/4" in diameter. The mini-strap 220 and hole 221 may be different shapes and
sizes
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[56] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the mini-strap 220 may include
at least
one hook 260. The mini-strap 220 illustrated in FIG. 9 has two hooks 260, one
on
each side of the mini-strap 220. As was described above, the hooks 260 are
used to
catch and retain the non-dispersible cloths, while allowing other materials to
pass by.
The optimal angle for the hooks 260 is between approximately 45 and 60 degrees
from the mini-strap 220 with the point of the hook 220 facing into the toilet
bowl 14.
The number, location, and angle of the hooks 260 can vary without departing
from at
least some examples of this invention.
[57] As described above for FIGS. 1A-5, the hooks 260 may be made of a number
of
different materials without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The
hook material must be rigid and inflexible. Additionally, the hook material
should be
a non-corrosive material so that the hooks 260 do not rust in the wet
environment.
Also, the hooks 260 may be sharp, such as sharp enough to catch the non-
dispersing
cloths, while breaking or cutting through the toilet paper and waste in the
toilet 14.
Additionally, barbed hooks 260 may be used without departing from at least
some
examples of the invention. The barbed hooks 260 may have a "T" barb to catch
the
non-dispersing cloths. Through testing, the inventors have found that a heavy
duty
staple may be used for the hooks 260 (eg., Surebonder 5/16" stainless steel,
No. 4,
heavy duty, T50). Additionally, other materials may be used for the hooks 260
without departing from at least some examples of this invention, such as
Velcro,
fishing hooks, and plastic hooks. Each of these examples may have their
drawbacks,
but could be found effective if used in combination or in different numbers.
[58] When installing the glue-in trapping device 210 as described above, the
user places
and holds the mini-strap 220 in a preferred location. The hole 221 in the mini-
strap
220 allows for the epoxy to be squeezed through the mini-strap 220 when
pressed
against the toilet bowl 14 and flattened against the other side. This epoxy
may form
an epoxy "rivet"/head that holds the mini-strap 220 and the hooks 260 securely
in
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place on the toilet bowl 14. The toilet bowl 14 should be completely dry to
stick the
epoxy. The epoxy may be an underwater epoxy, thereby allowing the epoxy to dry
underwater and allowing for a quick installation and quick return to use for
the toilet
bowl 14. There may be four mini-straps 220 affixed to the top and sides of the
toilet
bowl trapway 12 and one additional mini-strap 220 may be affixed to the bottom
of
the trapway 12 for reasons as discussed above. Additionally, depending on the
size of
the toilet bowl 14, the number of mini-straps 220 can increase or decrease
without
departing from at least some examples of this invention. Additionally, a "mini-
strap"
mounting peg may be permanently attached, wherein the removable "mini-strap"
may
be affixed to the mounting pegs and changed out or replaced if damaged.
[59] In another example trapping device 10 according to aspects of this
invention, the strap
20 and the trapping device 10 as discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-5
may
be built into the toilet 14 itself For example, during the manufacturing
process of the
toilet bowl 14, the strap 20 and the trapping device 10 may be installed
within the
ceramic of the toilet bowl 14, thereby making the strap 20 and the trapping
device 10
a permanent fixture of the toilet bowl 14.
[60] In another example trapping device 10 according to aspects of this
invention, the
hooks 60 may be installed or formed integral to the toilet bowl 14. For
example,
during the manufacturing process of the toilet bowl 14, a plurality of hooks
60 may be
singularly installed within the ceramic of the toilet bowl 14, thereby making
the hooks
60 a permanent fixture of the toilet bowl 14. The location and number of hooks
60
may be similar to those as discussed above for FIGS. 1A-5. There may be
approximately 5 to 6 hooks 60 spaced approximately 1" apart and located on the
upper and side portions of the toilet bowl trapway 12, with one additional
hook 60
located on the bottom of the toilet bowl trapway 12. In this example, the
hooks 60
may be made of the same materials as discussed above or may be made of a
material
similar to or the same as the material of the toilet bowl.
[61] FIGS. 11-14 illustrate another example embodiment according to this
invention
similar to that described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-5 (the same or
similar
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reference numbers are used in FIGS. 11 through 14 as those used in FIGS. lA
through
to denote the same or similar parts).
[62] FIGS. 11-14 illustrate a trapping device 410 for use in a toilet bowl
14 for trapping
non-dispersing cloths. The trapping device 410 is comprised of a strap 420, a
compression system 480, and a plurality of hooks 460. In one example in
accordance
with this invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-14 and discussed further
below, the
trapping device 410 is installed in a toilet bowl trapway 12 in the drain
portion of the
toilet bowl 14.
[63] As illustrated in FIGS. 11-14, the strap 420 may have a first end 422, a
second end
424, and a middle portion 426 located in between the first end 422 and the
second end
424. FIGS. 11-14 illustrate a top-view of the strap 420, while FIGS. 11-14
illustrate a
bottom-view of the strap 420. The strap 420 has a leading edge 428 and a
trailing
edge 430 as illustrated in FIGS. 11-14. The first end 422 and the second end
424 may
be rectangular in shape, wherein the middle portion 426 may be many different
shapes. In one example, as shown in FIGS. 11-14, the middle portion 426 is
rounded
out on both the leading edge 428 and the trailing edge 430, such that the
middle
portion 426 may be somewhat similar to the shape of a football as can be seen
in
FIGS. 11-14. Additional shapes for the middle portion 426 are discussed later.
[64] The strap 420 may be made of different materials without departing from
the scope of
the present invention. First, the strap material should be resilient enough to
bend and
spring back to the previous shape. The strap material should allow the strap
420 to fit
within the various shapes of toilet bowls 14, yet also not fold or bend easily
so that the
strap 420 falls out of the trapway 12 of the toilet bowl 14. The strap 420 may
be
made of plastic, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) to provide both
strength
and flexibility. Alternatively, the strap 420 may be made of a resilient
metal, such as
a stainless steel. Other metals maybe utilized without departing from this
invention.
While the strap 420 may be made of metal, some metals will corrode and rust
when
placed in a wet environment. The strap 420 may be made of a stainless steel
that is
non-corrosive in accordance with at least some examples of this invention.
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[65] The compression system 480 may be utilized to hold the trapping device
410 together
during installation and then release the trapping device 410 when installed in
the toilet
bowl 14. The compression system 480 may first compress the trapping device 410
in
order to install the trapping device 410 in a toilet bowl 12. Secondly, then
the
compression system 480 may uncompress, expand, and/or release the trapping
device
410 once installed in the toilet bowl 14 to ensure the trapping device 410
remains
installed in the toilet bowl 12. Many different compression systems may be
utilized
without departing from this invention. One compression system 480, as
illustrated in
FIGS. 11-14, utilizes a pair of tabs 482 and a retention band 484. The pair of
tabs 482
may include a first tab 482A and a second tab 482B. The first tab 482A may be
located on the first end 422 of the strap 420 extending perpendicular to the
strap 420
and extending inwards toward the center of the strap 420. The second tab 482B
may
be located on the second end 422 of the strap 420 extending perpendicular to
the strap
420 and extending inwards towards the center of the strap 420. The tabs 480
may be
generally sized and shaped such that a tool or pliers can grasp and/or hold
the tabs
together during the installation process, which will be explained in more
detail below.
[66] Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-14, the compression system 480
may include a
retention band 484. The retention band 484 may be a band that holds the
trapping
device 410 in a semi-compressed configuration, as specifically illustrated in
FIG. 11-
14. The semi-compressed configuration may be defined by the tabs 482A 482B
partially separated with the first end 422 and the second end 424 slightly
overlapping.
The retention band 484 may be made of any material capable of holding the
strap 420
in the semi-compressed configuration. In one embodiment of the invention, the
retention band 484 may be made of a biodegradable material that is capable of
being
flushed in the toilet bowl 14. The retention band 484 may also be made of a
material
that is capable of dissolving in the water when the band 484 and the trapping
device
410 are placed in the water of the toilet bowl 14. The retention band 484 may
be in
the form and/or shape of a round band, a string, or any other shape capable of
holding
the trapping device 410 in a semi-compressed configuration.
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[67] Other compression systems may be utilized without departing from this
invention. In
another embodiment, the compression system 480 may include clasp. The clasp
may
attach or hold together the first end 422 and the second end 424 of the strap
420 while
installing the trapping device 410 in the toilet bowl. Once the trapping
device 410 is
installed in the toilet bowl, the clasp may be released, opening the trapping
device 410
to an open configuration, and thereby fitting and securing the trapping device
in the
bottom of the toilet bowl 14.
[68] The size, resiliency, and flexibility of the strap 420 together with the
compression
system 480 provides the user with the ability to fit the strap 420 and
trapping device
410 in to various sized toilet bowls 14, making the trapping device 410
adjustable and
universal to many toilet bowls 14. The middle portion 426 may also include a
polymer band or strip as described above.
[69] Additionally, the strap 420 may include a front tab 444. The front tab
444 may be
located on the front side of the first end 422 or second end 424 and may
protrude from
the strap 420 perpendicularly. When the trapping device 410 is installed in
the toilet
bowl 14, the front tab 444 may provide a stop for the trapping device 410 from
going
down the drain of the toilet bowl 14. When installed properly, the front tab
444 may
be flush and or directly adjacent to the drain of the toilet bowl 14.
[70] As shown in FIGS. 11-14, the plurality of hooks 460 are cut out of the
strap 420 at
various locations. In other embodiments of this invention, and as described
above, the
hooks 460 may be attached to the strap 420 at various locations as well. The
hooks
460 are used to catch and retain the non-dispersing cloths, while allowing
other
materials to pass by. The hooks 460 may be located on the first end 422 of the
strap
420, the second end 424 of the strap 420, or middle portion 426 of the strap
420 or
any combination thereof. The number and location of the hooks 460 may vary as
was
described above in the various other embodiments. Additionally, the angle of
the
hooks 460 may vary as was described above in the various other embodiments.
The
number, location, and angle of the hooks 460 can vary without departing from
at least
some examples of this invention.
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[71] The hooks 460 may be made of different materials without departing from
the scope
of the present invention. The hook material should be rigid and inflexible.
The hook
material should be able to remain substantially in position during toilet bowl
cleaning,
and if moved from position, return to substantially the same position after
the
cleaning. Additionally, the hook material should be a non-corrosive material
so that
the hooks 460 do not rust in the wet environment. Also, the hooks 460 may be
sharp,
such as sharp enough to catch the non-dispersing cloths, while being able to
break or
cut through the toilet paper and waste in the toilet 14. Additionally, barbed
hooks 460
may be used without departing from at least some examples of the invention.
The
barbed hooks 460 may have a "T" barb to catch the non-dispersing cloths.
[72] FIGS. 14A through 14F illustrate an example installation of the trapping
device 410 in
a toilet 14. The trapping device 410, as described above, may be installed in
a toilet
14 by a user. To install the trapping device 410, the user may first ensure
the trapping
device 410 is prepared for installation, as shown in FIG. 14A. To prepare the
trapping
device 410 for installation, the user must first ensure the retention band 484
is
securely around the trapping device 410. The trapping device 410 may include
the
retention band 484 already in place on the trapping device 410 when the
trapping
device 410 is purchased by a user. However, in the instance when the trapping
device
410 is removed to be cleaned, etc. and then replaced into the toilet 14, the
trapping
device 410 will not have the retention band 484 in place. As is illustrated in
FIG.
14A, the strap 420 of the trapping device 410 is expanded and held together by
the
retention band 484.
[73] FIG. 14B illustrates the use of a tool, and as shown in these
illustrations, a needle-
nose pliers. Various other tools may be used to perform these functions
without
departing from this invention. Additionally, as was discussed above, many
different
compression devices 480 may be utilized, wherein a tool or external device may
not
be required to release the strap into the toilet bowl 14 and toilet bowl
trapway 12. As
illustrated in FIG. 14B, the needle-nose pliers engage the compression system
480 and
the tabs 482A and 482B. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, the tabs
482A and
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482B each may have an additional tab to help the pliers hold onto and engage
the tabs
482A and 482B without releasing them or dropping them.
[74] FIG. 14C illustrates the compression of the trapping device 410 and the
strap 420
within the retention band 484. As is illustrated in FIG. 14C, the pliers may
compress
the strap 420 by pulling together the tabs 482A and 482B. By pulling together
the
tabs 482A and 482B, the strap 420 compresses thereby separating from the
retention
band 484 and allowing the removal of the retention band 484 from the trapping
device
410. FIG. 14D illustrates the removal of the retention band 484 from the
trapping
device 410. With the trapping device 410 in the compressed configuration, the
retention band 484 may be released from the trapping device 410 by sliding the
retention band 484 off the strap 420. Additionally, the retention band 484 may
be cut,
torn, dissolved, from the trapping device, to include various other methods of
removing the retention band 484 from the trapping device 410.
[75] As illustrated in FIGS. 14E and 14F, the user may then install the
trapping device 410
into the toilet bowl trapway 12. To install the trapping device 410 into the
toilet bowl
trapway 12, using the pliers or other tool, the user may first set the
trapping device
410 at an angle with the front tab 444 on the top side of the trapping device.
Still
using the pliers, the user may then slide the trailing edge 430 of the middle
portion
426 of the strap 420 into the bottom of the toilet bowl trapway 12. Once the
trapping
device 410 is set in the correct location in the toilet bowl trapway 12 of the
toilet bowl
14, the user may release the pliers from the tabs 482A and 482B, thereby
releasing the
strap 420. The strap 420 will then expand into the toilet bowl trapway 12 to
the
correct size and shape. As was described above, other compression systems 480
may
be utilized with this invention. For example, a clasp system or an automatic
or
mechanical release system may be utilized that releases the strap 420 to
expand once
the trapping device 410 is set and installed in the toilet bowl 14.
[76] With the trapping device 410 installed in the toilet bowl 14, the front
tab 444 may be
seated against the front portion of the top side of the toilet bowl trapway
12. With the
front tab 444 seated in this location on the toilet bowl trapway 12, the
trapping device
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410 is prevented from being pushed into the drain during normal toilet bowl
operations, such as flushing, and normal toilet bowl cleaning. Additionally,
the shape
of the middle portion 426 of the strap 420, the general football shape, helps
prevent
the trapping device 410 from being pushed down the drain during normal toilet
bowl
operations, such as flushing, and normal toilet bowl cleaning. The combination
of the
front tab 444 and the shape of the middle portion 426 help to keep the
trapping device
410 in the proper location throughout the entire flushing process, with water
exiting
through the drain and water flowing upward after the flush to fill the toilet
bowl 14.
As illustrated in FIGS. 14E and 14F, the leading edge 428 of the strap 420 may
be the
only part of the trapping device 410 that the user can see when the trapping
device
410 is installed in the toilet bowl 14.
[77] Once installed, the trapping device 410 can also be removed from the
toilet bowl 14.
The user may need to use pliers or a similar tool to remove the trapping
device 410
from the toilet bowl trapway 12 because of the close fit and the front tab 444
engagement with the top of the toilet bowl trapway 12. Additionally, the
trapping
device 410 may be semi-permanently installed in the toilet bowl 414. This semi-
permanent installation may be accomplished by using epoxy or cement or some
other
glue material without departing from the scope of this invention.
[78] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate example combinations according to this
invention similar
to that described above in conjunction with FIGS. 11-13 (the same or similar
reference numbers are used in FIGS. 15 and 16 as those used in FIGS. 11
through 13
to denote the same or similar parts). FIG. 15 illustrates a trapping device
510 wherein
the trailing edge 528 is straight instead of the curved edges as illustrated
in FIG. 11.
FIG. 16 illustrates a trapping device 610 for a toilet bowl with a "jet-
assist" housing
near the toilet bowl trapway. The jet-assist propels water into the trapway to
aid in
clearing the toilet bowl. As FIG. 16 illustrates, the jet-assist trapping
device 610 may
have a section from the middle portion 626 on the trailing edge 630 that is
cut away to
accommodate the jet-assist housing. Similar to the trapping device 610
described
above, the hooks 660 may be located approximately an inch apart. The number,
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location, and angle of the hooks 660 on the strap 620 can vary without
departing from
at least some examples of this invention.
Conclusion
[79] The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings
with
reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure,
however, is
to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the
invention,
not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize
that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the aspects
described
above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by
the
appended claims.
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