# US 8,739,968 B2 · Drain clog remover

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- Number: US 8,739,968 B2
- Document ID: US8739968B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/769,392
- Filed: 2010-04-28
- Published: 2010-10-21
- Granted: 2014-06-03
- Earliest claimed: 2008-12-02
- Assignees: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
- Applicants: Julie L. Bates; Steven A. Zach; John C. Taylor; Ronald J. Schmidt; Marc B. Frosch; J. Gabriel Cleek
- Inventors: Julie L. Bates; Steven A. Zach; John C. Taylor; Ronald J. Schmidt; Marc B. Frosch; J. Gabriel Cleek
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739968B2

## CPC

- E03C 1/304: using fluid under pressure
- E03D 9/00: Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories (hand tools for cleaning the toilet bowl A47K11/10; seats or covers for closets A47K13/00; body supports, other than seats for closets A47K17/02; devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes E03C1/10 ){; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells (cleaning, disinfecting or deodorising the seat A47K13/30)}
- E03F 9/00: Arrangements or fixed installations {methods or devices} for cleaning {or clearing} sewer pipes, e.g. by flushing (sediment traps, rakes, screens, or the like, arranged in sewer lines E03F5/14; cleaning pipes in general, devices for cleaning pipes B08B9/02 {; gullies provided with flushing means for cleaning or emptying E03F5/0402; devices to remove obstructions in waste-pipes or sinks E03C1/30})
- E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS
- E03D: WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03F: SEWERS; CESSPOOLS

## Abstract

An apparatus for removing a clog from a drain pipe includes a container comprising a product chamber, a pressurization assembly in fluid communication with the inlet, and a shaft coupled to the container, the shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end. Projections extend outwardly from the shaft. The product chamber is adapted to receive a drain cleaning composition and the product chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The pressurization assembly has a canister of pressurized fluid and an adapter coupled to the container and including a socket defining a receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of the canister. The shaft has an exterior surface sized for insertion into the drain pipe. The shaft also has a channel that provides fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for removing a clog from a drain pipe, the apparatus comprising:
a container comprising a product chamber, the product chamber being adapted to receive and retain a drain cleaning composition, the product chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
a pressurization assembly in fluid communication with the inlet, the pressurization assembly comprising a canister of pressurized fluid, a valve, and an adapter coupled to the container and including a socket defining a receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of the canister;
a shaft coupled to the container, the shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft having an exterior surface sized for insertion into the drain pipe; the shaft further comprising a channel that provides fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end; and
projections extending outwardly from the shaft.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an actuation cap engaging the canister, the actuation cap being movable between an initial position, in which the canister remains closed, and an actuated position, in which the canister communicates pressurized fluid to the product chamber.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve juxtaposed between the container outlet and the shaft, the valve being movable between open and closed positions thereby to control flow of the drain cleaning composition through the outlet.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, in which the valve comprises a ball valve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, in which the shaft is sufficiently flexible to be bent into an arcuate shape.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shaft further comprises one or more supporting flanges extending outwardly from the body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projections have a width of from about 0.15″ to about 0.25″.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the supporting flanges have a width of from about 0.3″ to about 0.7″.