US20050204506A1
2005-09-22
10/805,616
2004-03-22
An apparatus for unclogging air conditioning unit's evaporator drain lines includes an air conditioner plumbing device. This plumbing device includes an oblong plastic plunger and a “T” drain line valve flap, which works in conjunction with a PVC tube and a clear plastic tubing. The PVC tube is inserted into the AC unit's drain line, and the plunger is squeezed causing strong suction, also activating the valve flap, aiding in pushing the debris out through the tubes, onto the ground. The device is a simple and fast process, in addition to being very affordable and reusable. This device reduces service repair needs and calls, and also helps to prevent water damage to walls, carpet, floors, and pipes, as well as reducing potential health problems
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F24F13/222 » CPC main
Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening; Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate for evacuating condensate
F24F2221/225 » CPC further
Details or features not otherwise provided for; Cleaning ducts or apparatus using a liquid
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the unclogging of an air conditioning units' evaporator drain line, in the prevention of major AC unit and/or additional water damage, onto an individual's carpet, floor, wall, or other area(s). The water damage would be due to excessive condensation of gel like mud moisture build up of the drain line.
2. Description of the Invention/Related Art
In maintaining sufficient operation of an air conditioning unit, i.e. the desired comfortable airflow coolant temperature, it is necessary to periodically change the unit's filter. Often times, professional laborers as well as homeowners, fail to inspect the unit's drain line. Not only do they fail to realize the necessity of maintaining a free open flow drainage operation, but that the AC unit's evaporator drain line frequently clogs up, due to condensation build up.
Debris and moisture build up is indicated, i.e. due to evidence of a clogged evaporator drain line. At this point, the air conditioning plunger is installed on the outside drain line (round tubing), which will be inserted into the drain line, (PVC plastic air condition plunger device). Once the plunger is squeezed three to five times, the applied force of suction dislodges the debris. The debris is pushed out of the line, through the tubes, which unclogs the AC unit's drain line. Suction pulls debris from AC evaporator drain line, through the PVC tube, pushing it out of the “T” drain line opening, onto the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for unclogging air conditioning evaporator drain line, includes a round 6″ length×½″ width×¾″ width PVC plastic tubing handle, with an attachable 3″ length×2″ width (rubber-like) flexible plastic oblong plunger, and a 2″ length×⅛″ width “T” drain line tube with valve flap. Most air conditioning units are constructed either on the outside of the home or dwelling, in the attic, or inside of a closet. The AC filters are usually changed on the average of 4 times a year, routinely once a month, which is during the summer months between June and September.
To avoid water and/or additional damage, due to normal AC drain line condensation, and build up of older unit's mud dust debris, it is essential to not only change the AC unit's filter, but to also ensure an open drain line flow. To maintain a free drainage flow and an effective operating unit, the AC plunger device has been meticulously designed for specifically addressing each component relative to the AC drain line airflow process.
Whether a unit is inside, or on the outside of a home or other dwelling, there is a release flow of condensation, which eventually builds up a mixture of dust/dirt moisture forming a gel like mud substance. It is not sufficient, for one to only change an air conditioner's unit filter, but imperative to also unclog the debris built up.
Not only do most plumbers and homeowners fail to inspect the unit's drain line, but they fail to realize the importance of preventing a clogged drain line. Whereby, once unclogged, this better ensures a more sufficient operation and satisfying results of their air conditioning unit. Failure to unclog the drain line, results not only in water damage to one's carpet, walls, or other structural damage, but possible serious health affects, major unit repair and/or replacement parts, and unnecessary time-consuming unit/related disassembling.
During the routine AC filter change/removal, is the ideal time to also simply unclog the unit's evaporator drain line, as there will be obvious evidence of expected condensation build up, due to the unit's natural functions and system process. At this point, the unclogging plunger device is applied and debris is pushed out, through the “T” drain line opening, onto the ground, or into designated container. Having applied the AC plunger device process, its effectiveness has been proven very successful, and it is a very simple and speedy process. Contrary to the current marketable options, it is also less costly, requires no or very little cleanup, no unit disassembling or high costs, and if desired, can be purchased and used by the consumer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGFIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the various components of an air conditioning plunger device, which is to be used, to unclog an air conditioning unit's evaporator drain line.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONOnce the air conditioning unit's evaporator drain line 5 is located, the PVC female tube opening 1 is to be inserted into the AC unit evaporator drain line 5. The clear plastic female tube end 2 is attached to the oblong plunger opening 4. The “T” drain line valve flap end 3 is then inserted into the clear plastic tube 2 adjacent to the oblong plunger 4. The clear plastic male tube end (along with attached plunger 4 and “T” drain line 3) is then inserted into the PVC tube female end 1. The oblong plunger 4, is then squeezed three to five times, which will activate the “T” drain line valve flap 3. The generating suction forces the debris to dislodge, unclogging the AC unit evaporator drain line 5, passes through the PVC tube 1, the clear plastic tube 2, and the “T” drain line opening 3, out onto the ground, or the designated container.
1. An apparatus for unclogging air conditioning unit's evaporator drain line comprising an oblong rubber type plastic plunger device, once engaged dislodges the debris, improves airflow output.
2. The apparatus for unclogging AC unit's evaporator drain line according to claim 1 wherein includes a PVC tube.
3. The unclogging component, according to claim 2 has a ¾″ female end, which is inserted into the AC unit evaporator drain line, the debris location referenced in claim 1, as causing the unit to be clogged.
4. The apparatus unclogging device, according to claim 1, also includes the aid of a clear plastic tube component.
5. The apparatus for unclogging AC unit's drain line according to claim 4, is a clear plastic tube with a ½″ male end, is to be attached to the ½″ female end of the unclogging apparatus of claim 3.
6. An apparatus for unclogging the AC unit's drain line requires an additional component, which is a ⅛″ width “T” drain line valve flap.
7. The apparatus for unclogging the drain line, according to claim 6, has a “key” element, which is the valve flap, once activated, strengthens the force of suction, also creating an “outflow” pathway for the debris to exit.
8. The apparatus unclogging device according to claim 7, engages once the plunger device claim 1 is activated by squeezing it (claim 1) three to five times.
9. The unclogging drain line apparatus in accordance to claim 1, gets attached to the ⅛″ opening of claim 6 into the apparatus use of claim 4, as it is (at that point), also attached to the apparatus unclogging device opening claim 1.
10. The unclogging apparatus for the drain line, according to the ½″ width male end of claim 4, still attached is unclogging device claim 1 and unclogging device, claim 6, and then inserted into the ½″ female end claim 2, apparatus unclogging device.
11. The other “key” element of the unclogging process of the AC unit's drain line, is the apparatus claim 1, whereby at this point, sets the necessary force of suction into motion, is then squeezed 3 to 5 times, as indicated in claim 8.
12. The apparatus unclogging drain line device claim 6, having been activated, as a result of claim 11, in turn, activates the apparatus unclogging device of claim 7, therefore dislodges the debris, from the AC unit's drain line, as in claim 1.
13. The combined activation of apparatus unclogging devices, claim 7, in motion with claim 11, forces and pushes the dislodging of dogged debris from the unit's evaporator drain line as stated in claimed 1, continuing its exit also through claim 2, claim 4, and finally the ⅛″ cling of claim 6, out, onto the ground or the designated container.