METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING THE RISK OF CLOGGING AND WATER OVERFLOW FROM WATER-BASED FLUSHING-TYPE TOILET SYSTEMS

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to new and improved methods and apparatus for using a water-based toilet to reduce clogging and water overflow operations.

Brief Overview of the State of Knowledge in the Art

Since the invention of the indoor first flush toilet, human society has applauded this great invention and rewarded plumbers who labor to install and maintain these systems in homes, offices, and all sorts of buildings around the world. During operation, the flush toilet, also known as a flushing toilet or water closet, human waste (principally urine and feces) is safely disposed of using the force of water to flush it through a drainpipe to another location for treatment, either nearby or at a communal facility, thus maintaining a separation between humans and their waste. Flush toilets can be designed for sitting or squatting. Most modern sewage treatment systems are also designed to process specially designed toilet paper.

Flush toilets are a type of plumbing fixture and usually incorporate an S-, U-, J-, or P-shaped bend called “a trap” that causes water to collect in the toilet bowl to hold human waste and act as a seal against noxious sewer gases naturally developing in any sewerage/drainage system. Today, most flush toilets are connected to a sewerage system that conveys wastewater to a sewage treatment plant, or alternatively, to a septic tank or composting system.

Along with the many benefits provided by the indoor flushing toilet system, human society has had to deal with the gross problem of toilet clogging and overflows. As everyone knows, such incidents can cause serious health issues, ranging from an unsanitary conditions requiring immediate clean up, to causing massive property damage due to water leakage entering in a home or office building. According to an IBHS study, toilet failure is the second leading cause of water damage. One-third of the property insurance claims reviewed are caused by overflowing toilets, which can lead to serious damage to floors, furniture and cabinetry. In 2024, the average property insurance claim results in a loss of more than $5,500. Clearly, there is a great need for new and improved ways of preventing toilet clogging and overflows in flush-based toilet systems deployed around the world.

After the outbreak of amebic dysentery at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, indoor plumbing and plumbing codes across the USA were revised and strictly enforced to help to curb the spread of diseases caused by cross-contamination of waste and water supplies. Since this 1933 incident, over 90 years ago, human society has made great progress in promoting better hygiene through the removal of human waste deposited in toilet bowl fixtures, and flushed into drainage/sewer systems using reliable water flushing operations disconnected from sources of potable (i.e. drinkable) water.

While many homeowners will focus on the shape and design of the toilet system, the wise and experienced plumber will always assess a toilet system by how well it flushes, and this involves assessing the technical performance of the toilet system. To understand the technical performance of any water-flushing toilet system, it will be helpful to understand how the modern toilet system works, and FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B and 1C will be helpful in this effort.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 1C, each single-trap siphonic (flush) toilet system 1 has a serpentine trap-way 2 (2′, 2″, 2′″) that is rounded and complicated and varies with each manufacturer's toilet system design. Regardless of the minor differences that may exist among different toilet models, they each have in common a common design feature, namely: each flushing toilet system requires all waste to flow freely through the entire trap-way 3 to the drain system 4. To enable this event to reliable happen with each flushing operation, each toilet is designed to flush an amount of water to force all the waste through the trap-way 3 and around many curves throughout the entire water flow passageway, from the toilet bowl region 5 to the drain pipe 4 leading to the sewer/drainage system. FIG. 1 shows a first prior art water-based toilet flushing system illustrating a first type of water flow trap pathway 2′ integrated into the structure of the water-based toilet flushing system. FIG. 1A shows a second prior art water-based toilet flushing system illustrating a second type of water flow trap pathway 2″ also integrated into the structure of the water-based toilet flushing system. FIG. 1B shows a third prior art water-based toilet flushing system illustrating a second type of water flow trap pathway 2″ integrated into the structure of the water-based toilet flushing system. FIG. 1C shows the prior art water-based toilet flushing system of FIG. 1B, illustrating the maximum water level 6 up to which the toilet bowl is engineered to fill during waste flushing operations, as determined by the height of the integrated water flow trap pathway 3.

Over the past thirty years, in the spirit of water conservation and environmental sustainability, the government (e.g. EPA in the USA) has mandated that people purchase toilets that use less water per flushing operation, initiated by depressing the toilet flush lever or pushing a toilet flush button. To do so, the government has required manufacturers to redesign their toilets. At first, standard toilets went from 5-gallon flush toilets to a required 3.5-gallon flush design. At that time, each manufacturer had to solve the problem of flushing with less water, using engineers and designers to figure out how to redesign the toilet so that it still cleared the waste through the entire flow trap pathway 3 while using less water during each flush. When toilets first went from the 5-gallon flush design to the 3.5-gallon flush design, many redesigned toilet products failed in the marketplace. It took almost a year, past the EPA government deadline, for manufacturers to finally get their redesigned water-conserving toilets to work correctly and properly and not clog and overflow with expected waste loading. Then, in 1992, the EPA created even greater technical challenges for toilet system engineers by changing government regulations once again, from the 3.5-gallon flush design to the 1.6-gallon flush design. Today, modern water-conserving toilets are tasked to move all size waste loads through their flow traps to the drain pipe, using no more than 1.6 gallons, which can present great technical challenges in many circumstance. Consequently, there are more toilet cloggings and overflows today than ever since the invention of the water flush toilet system.

Based on a careful research and analysis of modern flush-type toilet systems, there are two kinds of factors that contribute to the clogging and obstruction of water flowing along the trap pathway 3 during toilet flushing operations: (i) design factors; and (ii) human factors. These design and human factors will be described in detail below.

The table of FIG. 2A describes prior art design factors contributing to clogging and obstruction of water flowing along the trap pathway 3 during toilet flushing operations, namely: (i) toilet trap geometry and size can inhibit water and waste flow toward drain pipe, (ii) reduce water flushing design of modern toilet systems, for conservation purposes, has reduced the flushing performance in m any design instances, (iii) absence of glazing coatings along the water low trap pathway can create high friction surfaces which increases the likelihood of clogging during flushing operations, and (iv) reducing flushing performance can result in higher incidence of clogging and obstructions along the toilet trap pathway during flushing operation.

The table of FIG. 2B describes prior art human factors contributing to clogging and obstruction of water flowing along the trap pathway 3 during toilet flushing operations, namely: (i) the nutritional state of, and medications/pharmaceuticals consumed by a human user can significantly influence the hardness of stools produced in the toilet bowl region, and result in clogging along the water flow trap pathway of the toilet flushing system, (ii) the diet, health condition, and lifestyle of a human user can produce excessive amounts of excrement beyond the water flushing capacity of the toilet system, and (iii) placement of excessive amounts of toilet paper in the bowl region of a toilet flushing system can exceed the water flushing capacity of the toilet system, and result in clogging and water overflow, and consequential damages to the home and/or building.

To prevent the clogging and overflowing of water from water flushing toilet systems, and number of prior art toilet tools have been developed over the years which will be summarized below.

FIG. 3 shows a first prior art apparatus 10 for resolving the clogging and obstruction of a conventional water conserving toilet system. The apparatus is realized in the form of a hand-held toilet tool 10 disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2018/0030707 to Murphy. As shown, the hand-held toilet tool 10 is provided with a hand-held portion 10A from which extends a thin flexible end portion 10B that can be pushed through the flow channel 3 of the bottom of a toilet bowl, to unblock any stool 12 that might be clogging the flow channel and flow pathway 3 toward the drain pipe system 4 of the building in which the toilet bowl system is installed.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the hand-held rigid stick-like toilet tool (i.e. “toilet sticks”) 15 disclosed in US Patent Application No. 72012/0204334 to Floto, having a hand-held portion 15A which extends to a distal portion 15B while having a stick-like geometry along its body portion 15C with serrated edge 15Ds for providing cutting action on a deposited stool 16. As disclosed, these toilet sticks 15, stored in a holder 16 mounted on the toilet tank 7, are used to break and chop up any hard stools 17 that produced by a human user in the bottom of the toilet bowl 5, before initiating any flushing operations, so that the smaller stool pieces can more easily flow along the flow channel 3 and flow pathway toward the drain pipe system 4 of the building in which the toilet bowl system is installed, without the incidence of clogging or obstruction.

FIG. 5 shows the third prior art apparatus 20 and method of using the hand-held flexible snake-like (ramrod) tool disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2013/0055493 to Miller. This third prior art toilet tool 20 is a flexible snake-like structure having a hand-holdable proximal end 15A which extends through a middle section 20B and terminates into a distal end portion 20C. During use, the toilet unclogging tool 20 is manually snaked through the toilet bowl region 5 and flow channel 3 in any way possible, to break up any stool 21 deposited in the toilet bowl region 5 and/or the flow channel 3, and remove any clogs that might be produced along the flow pathway toward the drain pipe system 4 of the building, in which the toilet bowl system is installed.

While others have clearly addressed the problem of clogging and water overflow from water-based flushing toilet systems installed in diverse environments, there is clearly a great need in the art for a new and improved way of and means for effectively and proactively reducing the risk of toilet clogging and water overflow from water-based flushing toilet systems, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art apparatus and methodologies.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved method of and apparatus for reducing the risk of clogging and water overflow from water-based flushing-type toilet systems installed in residential and commercial environments, while overcoming the shortcomings and drawbacks of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held toilet tool that is designed to help society by alleviating the creation of unsanitary conditions created by clogged, overflowing toilets.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool and method of reducing toilet clogging and water overflow, and thus help to reduce costly homeowner insurance claims for damage caused by water leaking into finished ceilings.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool that is readily accessible and available to use to conveniently perform quick and easily proactive toilet clogging-prevention operations before commencing the next water flushing operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool that helps users reduce the risk of clogging and water overflow caused by attempting to flush hard, large bowel movements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool that addresses the problem of toilet clogging and overflow at the core of the issue, in the bowl before a clog can occur.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool that is used to break the hard stool mass into smaller pieces that enables the toilet to more easily flush the waste down and out the sewer drain system as intended.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool that helps homeowners save money on needing to call a plumber to unclog their toilet after a clog.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool that can be used by live in or visiting nurse to help them avoid the stress and monetary burden caused by a constantly clogging toilet caused by the stools produced by their patients.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved manual, hand-operated device is intended for use to break up hard stool before flushing a toilet to prevent clogging issues.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a new and improved manual, hand-operated device which comprises a hand-held handle portion and a disposable cutting tip portion that can rapidly dissolve in water after use during stool chopping operations, before water flushing operations are initiated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a new and improved manual, hand-operated device which comprises a hand-held handle portion and a disposable cutting tip portion that can be rapidly dispersed in water after use during stool chopping operations, before water flushing operations are initiated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hand-operated toilet tool having disposable cutting tip portions that are stored and dispensed from a cartridge like storage and dispensing container that can be mounted from the toilet tank for convenience.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool having a replaceable cutting tip portion that is contoured to fit into the bowl waste opening of the toilet to make it easier to break the hard stool up when it sinks to the bottom of the bowl.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool having a replaceable cutting tip portion having a cross style with a multi (i.e. four) blade cutting tool head design.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved replaceable head style tool will be a single use head, disposable and replaceable unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held toilet tool designed for preventing clogging and overflow, having a removable-style tool head that is adapted for quick installation and removal involving the push of a quick release button on the tool handle, preferably out of the way to prevent accidental head release prior to intended tool head ejection and disposal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved replacement cartridge containing a set of disposable cutting tip pieces that are made from environmentally-clean dissolvable materials, designed and intended to support stool chopping operations, and yet rapidly dissolve in water prior to initiating water flushing operations in the toilet bowl.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved holder for attachment to the tank portion of a toilet system, and adapted for holding the replacement head cartridge containing a set of disposable cutting tip portion for releasable attachment to a hand-held tool portion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved replacement cartridge containing a plurality of disposable cutting tip portions, and, after depletion of dispensed cutting tips, can be quickly released and removed from the holder, and a new replacement cartridge quickly inserted for dispensing new disposable cutting tip portions for future use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toilet tool that is aesthetically pleasing to users and non-intimidating.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hand-held toilet tool employing biodegradable water-dissolving cutting tip components that are manufactured to have a corrugated surface construction that provides the added strength to the cutting tip component so that it can and will transmit forces from the distal portion of the hand-held handle portion of the toilet tool, downwards towards the cutting tip portion itself during stool chopping/cutting operations within the toilet bowel region of a water-flushing toilet system, prior to the initiation of water flushing operations caused by the depression of the toilet handle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a new and improved hand-held toilet tool employing biodegradable water-dissolving cutting tip components that, in addition to surface corrugations and laser-drilled holes formed in the surfaces of each disposable water-dissolvable cutting tip component to enhance water-dissolvability reactions, also has environmentally-safe, US EPA Safer Choice certified anti-bacterial and bowl cleansing biochemicals (e.g. Potassium Oxalate Monohydrate) infused into bio-degradable and water-dissolvable materials of each cutting tip component during manufacture, so as to provide disposable cutting tip portions for use with the toilet tool of the present invention that will also serve to self-clean toilet bowl surfaces each time the toilet tool is employed.

There and other objects of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter and in the Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above Objects of the Present Invention will be more fully understood when taken in conjunction with the following Figure Drawings, wherein like elements are indicated by like reference numbers, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first prior art water-based toilet flushing system illustrating a first type of water flow trap pathway integrated into the structure of the water-based toilet flushing system;

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a second prior art water-based toilet flushing system illustrating a second type of water flow trap pathway integrated into the structure of the water-based toilet flushing system;

FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of a third prior art water-based toilet flushing system illustrating a second type of water flow trap pathway integrated into the structure of the water-based toilet flushing system;

FIG. 1C is a schematic representation of the third prior art water-based toilet flushing system shown in FIG. 1B, illustrating the maximum water level that the toilet bowl is engineered to fill up with during waste flushing operations, determined by the height of the integrated water flow trap pathway;

FIG. 2A is a table describing prior art design factors contributing to clogging and obstruction of water flowing along the trap pathway during toilet flushing operations, namely: (i) toilet trap geometry and size can inhibit water and waste flow toward drain pipe, (ii) reduce water flushing design of modern toilet systems, for conservation purposes, has reduced the flushing performance in m any design instances, (iii) absence of glazing coatings along the water low trap pathway can create high friction surfaces which increases the likelihood of clogging during flushing operations, and (iv) reducing flushing performance can result in higher incidence of clogging and obstructions along the toilet trap pathway during flushing operation;

FIG. 2B is a table describing prior art human factors contributing to clogging and obstruction of water flowing along the trap pathway during toilet flushing operations, namely: (i) the nutritional state of, and medications consumed by, a human user can significantly influence the hardness of stools produced in the toilet bowl region, and result in clogging along the water flow trap pathway of the toilet flushing system, (ii) the diet, health condition, and lifestyle of a human user can produce excessive amounts of excrement beyond the water flushing capacity of the toilet system, and (iii) placement of excessive amounts of toilet paper in the bowl region of a toilet flushing system can exceed the water flushing capacity of the toilet system, and result in clogging and water overflow, and consequential damages to the home and/or building;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a first prior art apparatus and method of resolving the clogging and obstruction of a conventional water conserving toilet system, using a hand-held toilet tool disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2018/0030707 to Murphy, provided with a thin flexible end portion that can be pushed through the flow channel of the bottom of a toilet bowl, to unblock any stool that might be clogging the flow channel and flow pathway toward the drain pipe system of the building in which the toilet bowl system is installed;

FIGS. 4A and 4B is a schematic illustration of the second prior art apparatus in the form of a hand-held rigid stick-like toilet tool (i.e. “toilet sticks”) disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. US Patent Application No. 72012/0204334 to Floto, and designed for use in breaking and chopping up any hard stools that might be produced by a human user in the bottom of the toilet bowl, before initiating any flushing operations, so that the smaller stool pieces can more easily flow along the flow channel and flow pathway toward the drain pipe system of the building in which the toilet bowl system is installed, without the incidence of clogging or obstruction;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the third prior art apparatus and method of using the hand-held flexible snake-like tool disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2013/0055493 to Miller for use in breaking up and remove any clogs that might be produced along flow channel and flow pathway toward the drain pipe system of the building in which the toilet bowl system is installed;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a conventional water-flushing toilet system being used to support a preferred method of the present invention using a novel hand-held toilet tool with water-dissolvable tool tips designed to break up any hard stools that might be produced in the bottom of the toilet bowl before flushing, so that the smaller stool pieces can more easily flow along flow channel and flow pathway toward the drain pipe system of the building in which the toilet bowl system is installed;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the hand-held tool of the present invention shown in FIG. 6A, wherein a storage case is mounted on the tank portion of the toilet bowl system, and adapted for storing and dispensing a supply of collapsed/packaged rapidly water-dissolvable tool tips specifically designed for use with the hand-held handle portion of the tool;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the water flushing toilet system shown in FIG. 6A being used to support the method of the present invention using the novel hand-held tool with water-dissolvable tool tips, wherein during Step 1, a stool is produced inside the bowl portion of the water flushing toilet system;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the water flushing toilet system shown in FIG. 6A being used to support the method of the present invention using the novel hand-held tool with water-dissolvable tool tips, wherein during Step 2, a rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip is provided on a hand-held tool handle and then lowered into the toilet bowl containing the stool;

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the water flushing toilet system shown in FIG. 6A being used to support the method of the present invention using the novel hand-held tool with water-dissolvable tool tips, wherein during Step 3, the rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip is used to dissect the stool into pieces inside the toilet bowl;

FIG. 7C1 is a plan view of the water flushing toilet system shown in FIG. 7C, wherein during Step 3, the rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip is used to dissect the stool into four pieces inside the toilet bowl;

FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the water flushing toilet system shown in FIG. 6A being used to support the method of the present invention using the novel hand-held tool with water-dissolvable tool tips, wherein during Step 4, the rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip is released from the hand-held tool inside the toilet bowl with the dissected stool pieces;

FIG. 7E is a perspective view of the water flushing toilet system shown in FIG. 6A being used to support the method of the present invention using the novel hand-held tool with water-dissolvable tool tips, wherein during Step 5, a new rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip too portion is reattached to the hand-held tool while the released cutting tip portion is allowed to rapidly dissolve in the toilet bowl with water and toilet paper,

FIG. 7F is a perspective view of the water flushing toilet system shown in FIG. 6A being used to support the method of the present invention using the novel hand-held tool with water-dissolvable tool tips, wherein during Step 6, 60-90 seconds are waited for the released cutting tip portion to rapidly dissolve in the toilet bowl with water and toilet paper;

FIG. 7G is a perspective view of the water flushing toilet system shown in FIG. 6A being used to support the method of the present invention using the novel hand-held tool with water-dissolvable tool tips, wherein during Step 7, the dissolved cutting tip portion, dissected stool pieces and toilet paper in water in the toilet bowl are flushed through the trap flow path and down the drain pipe without clogging or obstruction;

FIG. 7H is a perspective view of the water flushing toilet system shown in FIG. 6A being used to support the method of the present invention using the novel hand-held tool with water-dissolvable tool tips, wherein during Step 8, after water flushing operations, without clogging or obstruction, the hand-held stool cutting tool is ready for potential use before the next flushing operation of the water flushing toilet system of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a first perspective view of the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention with water-dissolvable cutting tool tips releasably loaded from the tool tip storage dispenser of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a second perspective view of the hand-held tool of the present invention showing the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip loaded and mounted on the distal portion of the hand-held tool handle, with a thumb-actuatable release button provided on the proximal end of the hand-held tool to automatically eject the water-dissolvable cutting tip from the handle into the toilet bowl containing water solvent, to quickly dissolve the cutting tip shortly after prescribed use, and before flushing operations;

FIG. 8B is a third perspective view of the hand-held tool of the present invention depicted in FIG. 8A, showing the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held tool handle;

FIG. 8C is a first axially end view of the hand-held tool of the present invention shown with the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held tool handle;

FIG. 8D is a second axially end view of the hand-held tool of the present invention shown with the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held tool handle;

FIG. 8E is a first exploded perspective view of the hand-held tool of the present invention showing its first and second housing portions separated apart, with the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held tool handle;

FIG. 8F is a second exploded perspective view of the hand-held tool of the present invention showing its water-dissolvable cutting tool tip released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held tool handle, and its first and second housing portions shown separated from each other, and its internal button-actuated gripping mechanism assembly that releasably grips the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion during cutting tip mounting operations;

FIG. 8G is a third exploded perspective view of the hand-held tool of the present invention showing its water-dissolvable cutting tool tip released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held tool handle, and its first and second housing portions shown separated from each other, and its internal button-actuated gripping mechanism assembly exploded to show its various subcomponents including expandable gripper with a set of expandable fingers for gripping the projection on each water-dissolvable cutting tip, a spring for generating a biasing force, a mounting collar for containing the expandable gripper and spring within the distal portion of the hand-supportable tool housing, and a plunger portion extending from the actuator rod terminated with the thumb-actuated button;

FIG. 8H is an exploded perspective view of the internal button-actuated gripping mechanism assembly installed inside the distal portion of the hand-held tool of the present invention for releasably gripping and releasing a water-dissolvable cutting tool tip in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is an elevated side view of a first half-section of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component of the present invention, showing the plurality of laser-drilled holes formed through the water-dissolvable material used to fabricate the cutting elements of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component;

FIG. 9B is an elevated side view of a second half-section of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component of the present invention, showing the plurality of laser-drilled holes formed through the water-dissolvable material used to fabricate the cutting elements of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component;

FIG. 9C is a perspective view of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component of the present invention for use in assembling and retaining the first and second half-sections of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component, as shown as in FIGS. 9D, 10A and 10B

FIG. 9D is a perspective exploded view of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component of the present invention being assembled from components shown as in FIGS. 9A and 9B, also showing the plurality of laser-drilled holes formed through the water-dissolvable material used to fabricate the cutting elements of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the assembled water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component of the present invention shown exploded in FIG. 9D;

FIG. 10B is an axial view of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component of the present invention depicted in FIG. 10A, but shown arranged in its collapsed/packaged configuration when stored in its storage and dispensing container illustrated in FIGS. 12D and 12E;

FIG. 11A is an elevated side view of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, connected to the distal gripping portion of hand-held tool handle portion of the present invention, wherein the internal button-actuated gripping mechanism is arranged to grip, lock, and mount the cutting tip portion to the tool handle distal portion;

FIG. 11B is an elevated side view of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component of the present invention connected to the distal gripping portion of hand-held tool handle portion of the present invention, wherein the internal button-actuated gripping mechanism is being arranged to release, unlock, eject and dismount the cutting tip portion from the tool handle distal portion during cutting tip dismounting/ejection operations;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the dissolvable cutting tip storage dispenser of the first illustrative embodiment of the present invention, shown assembled but without any dissolvable cutting tips of the first illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 10B, stored therein for dispensing operations;

FIG. 12B is a plan view of the dissolvable cutting tool tip storage dispenser of the present invention shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C is a first perspective partially-transparent side view of the dissolvable cutting tip storage and dispensing container shown in FIG. 12A, with its spring-biased slidable wall portion being arranged in a first position for storing a first number of dissolvable cutting tool tip portions arranged in a packaged/folded configuration within the cutting tip dispensing storage dispenser;

FIG. 12D is a second perspective partially-transparent side view of the dissolvable cutting tip storage and dispensing container of FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12D, showing the spring-biased slidable wall portion arranged in a second position storing a second number of water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portions arranged in a packaged/folded configuration and ready for dispensing from the storage dispenser when the distal portion of the hand-held tool of the present invention is engaged with the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion loaded into the dispensing location of the cutting tip dispensing storage container;

FIG. 12E is a third perspective side view of the dissolvable cutting tip storage and dispensing container of the first illustrative embodiment of the present invention, showing a third number of water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portions arranged in a packaged/folded configuration as shown in FIG. 10B, and ready for dispensing from the storage dispenser when the distal portion of the hand-held tool of the present invention is engaged with the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion that is loaded into the dispensing location of the cutting tip dispensing storage container;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention releasably mounting a substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip of a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, with its a substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip removed for purposes of exposition;

FIG. 14B is an axial view of the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, with its pair of gripping projections arranged in their closed configuration, in a spring-biased manner, upon the release of the release button provided on the proximal portion of the hand-held toilet tool;

FIG. 14C is an axial view of the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, with its pair of gripping projections arranged in their open configuration, in a spring-biased manner, upon the depression of the release button provided on the proximal portion of the hand-held toilet tool;

FIG. 15 is a first perspective exploded view of the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, showing it first and second housing half portions separated to show its cutting tool gripping mechanism assembly installed in its first half housing portion;

FIG. 16 is a second perspective exploded view of the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, showing it first and second housing half portions separated showing its cutting tool gripping mechanism assembly removed from its first half housing portion;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion of the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional partially-cut-away side view of the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, with the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion inserted within the mounting head portion of the hand-held toilet tool, and the gripping projections grabbing the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion, and retaining the same within the mounting head portion during use;

FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional partially-cut-away side view of the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, with the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion inserted within the mounting head portion of the hand-held toilet tool, and the gripping projections releasing the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion, and ejecting the same from the mounting head portion after completion of use;

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of the dissolvable cutting tip storage dispenser of the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention, shown assembled without a supply of planar dissolvable cutting tips shown in FIG. 17, stored therein for dispensing operations;

FIG. 19B is a plan view of the dissolvable cutting tool tip storage dispenser of the present invention shown in FIG. 19A; and

FIG. 20 is a flow chart describing the primary steps of the method of reducing the risk of clogging or obstructing a water flushing toilet system during flushing operations, wherein Step 1 involves producing a stool inside the bowl of a water flushing toilet system, Step 2 involves providing a dissolvable cutting tip on the distal end of a hand-held tool handle, and then lowering the cutting tip into the toilet bowl containing the stool, Step 3 involves dissecting the stool using the cutting tip inside the toilet bowl, Step 4 involves releasing the cutting tip portion from the hand-held tool handle by depressing a release button on the hand-held tool handle, Step 5 involves attaching a new chopping tool tip attachment while the released cutting tool tip is allowed to dissolve in the water within the toilet bowl, Step 6 involves waiting 60-90 seconds for the release cutting tool tip portion to dissolve in the water within the toilet bowl, Step 7 involves flushing the dissolved released cutting tool and stool with the water in the toilet bowl, and Step 8 involves water flushing operation completed without clogging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring to the figures in the accompanying Drawings, the various illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, wherein like elements will be indicated using like reference numerals.

Specification of the Hand-Held Toilet Tool and Method of Reducing the Risk of Clogging and Overflow in Flushing Toilet Bowl Systems According to the Present Invention

FIG. 6A shows a conventional water-flushing toilet system 1 like that used to illustrate the prior art toilet tools in FIGS. 1 through 5. However, in FIG. 6A, the toilet system 1 is featured to support a preferred method of the present invention for preventing the clogging and overflowing of the toilet during stool flushing operations.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a novel toilet clogging/overflow prevention/reduction system 24 comprising: a hand-held toilet tool 25 having a hand-holdable handle 25A extending over a body portion 25B having a length of 12 or more inches, and terminating in a distal mounting portion 25C, upon which a replaceable cutting tool tip portion 26 is releasably snap-fit mounted during cutting tip mounting operations, and dismounted upon depression of a thumb-depressible button 27 during cutting tip dismounting/ejection operations.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the cutting tip portion 26 has multiple cutting surfaces 26A, 26B, 26C and 26D that are designed to easily break up any hard stools 30 that might be produced and deposited by a human being in the bottom of the toilet bowl 5 before flushing, so that the multiple significantly smaller stool pieces can more easily and freely flow along flow channel 3 and flow pathway toward the drain pipe system 4 of the building, in which the toilet bowl system 1 is installed.

Preferably, hand-holdable portion 25A has a semi-spherical splash guard 28 mounted before the hand-depressible button 28 to prevent any splashing from touching the user's hands and arms while using the toilet tool and carrying out the method of the present invention. Also, preferably, the replaceable cutting tip portion 26 is biodegradable and fabricated from instantly water-dissolvable material. This way, after its use during stool chopping operations, the cutting tip portion 26 can be instantly ejected into the bowl of water within the toilet bowel 5, along with the chopped-up stool, and can then instantly (i.e. very quickly) dissolve and disperse in the water with the stool in the toilet bowl, and then be easily flushed down the drain 4 without clogging or overflow, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

Different methods of manufacturing the disposable and replaceable cutting tip portions 26, and compact storage in a cutting tip storage and dispensing cartridge 30, will be described in greater technical detail hereinafter.

In FIG. 6B, the hand-held toilet tool 25 of FIG. 6A is shown in greater detail, and is intended for use in conjunction with the cutting tip storage and dispensing cartridge (or container) 30 that can be mounted on the tank portion 7 of a toilet bowl system, or elsewhere in the bathroom as may be desired or required, providing quick and easy access to the toilet tool set before and during toilet flushing operations. As will be described in detail hereinafter, the storage and dispensing case 30 and adapted for storing and dispensing a supply of collapsed/packaged rapidly water-dissolvable/dispersible cutting tool tips 26 that are specifically designed for releasable mounting on the distal portion 25C of the toilet tool 25, and ejection therefrom upon depression of the release button 28 provided on the hand-holdable portion 25A of the hand-held tool.

Referring to FIGS. 7A through 7H, the water flushing toilet system of FIG. 6A is used to support the method of the present invention using the novel hand-held toilet tool 25 provided with water-dissolvable tool tips 26. The details of this method will be described below.

As indicated in Step 1 of FIG. 7A, the first step of the method involves producing a stool 31 inside the bowl portion 6 of the water flushing toilet system 6.

As indicated in Step 2 of FIG. 7A, the second step of the method involves releasably-mounting a rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip 26 on a hand-held tool handle 25A and then lowering the cutting tool tip into the toilet bowl 5 containing the stool 12.

As indicated in Step 3 of FIG. 7A, the third step of the method using the rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip 26 to dissect the stool 123 into multiple pieces deposited inside the toilet bowl 5. FIG. 7C1 shows the rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip 26 used to dissect the stool into four pieces 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D inside the toilet bowl 5.

As indicated in Step 4 of FIG. 7A, the fourth step of the method involves releasing the rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip 26 from the hand-held tool 25 and ejecting it inside the toilet bowl 5 with the water and dissected stool pieces 12A through 12D contained therein.

As indicated in Step 5 of FIG. 7A, the fifth step of the method involves (optionally) reattaching a new rapidly water-dissolvable cutting tip portion 26 to the hand-held tool 25 while the released cutting tip portion 26 is allowed to rapidly dissolve in the toilet bowl 5 with water, stool pieces and toilet paper contained therein.

As indicated in Step 6 of FIG. 7A, the sixth step of the method involves waiting 60-90 seconds for the released cutting tip portion 26 to rapidly dissolve in the toilet bowl 5 with water and toilet paper.

As indicated in Step 7 of FIG. 7A, the seventh step of the method involves flushing (i) the dissolved cutting tip portion 26, (ii) dissected stool pieces 12, and (iii) toilet paper in water in the toilet bowl 5, through the flow trap pathway 3 and down the drain pipe S without clogging or obstruction.

As indicated in Step 8 of FIG. 7A, the eighth step of the method involves, after water flushing operations are completed, without clogging or overflow obstruction, hand-held stool cutting tool 26 is ready for stool chopping/breaking operations before initiating the next flushing operation of the water flushing toilet system 1.

FIG. 8 shows the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention with water-dissolvable cutting tool tips releasably loaded from the tool tip storage dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 8A shows the hand-held tool 25 with a water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26 loaded and mounted on the distal portion of the hand-held tool handle 25A. As shown, the thumb-actuatable release button 27 is provided on the proximal end 25A of the hand-held tool for automatically ejecting the water-dissolvable cutting tip portion 26 from the handle 25 into the toilet bowl 5 containing water (i.e. solvent) to quickly dissolve the cutting tip 26 shortly after prescribed use, and before initiating flushing operations.

FIG. 8B shows the hand-held tool depicted in FIG. 8A, with the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26 released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held toilet tool 25.

FIGS. 8C and 8D show the hand-held tool 25 with the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held toilet tool 25.

FIG. 8E shows the hand-held tool 25 with its first and second housing portions 25E1 and 25E2 separated apart, and the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26 released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held toilet tool 25, wherein the button-actuated gripping mechanism 60 is shown partially mounted and installed in the left half housing portion 25E1.

FIG. 8F shows the hand-held tool 25 with its water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26 released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held tool 25, and its first and second housing portions 25E1 and 25E2 shown separated from each other. As shown in FIG. 8F, its button-actuated gripping mechanism 60 is shown realized as an assembly of components: button 27; 27A elongated rod 27A; spring compression flange 27B; short rod 27C; biasing spring 31; gripping fingers 32; and rubber mounting ring 33. During operation of the mechanism, the gripping finders 32 releasably grip the projection portion 40A extending from the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion 26, and securely mount it to the distal mounting portion 25C during cutting tip mounting operations illustrated in FIG. 11A and stool chopping operations illustrated in FIGS. 7C and 7C1, and enables quick ejection during dismounting operations illustrated in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 8G shows the hand-held tool 25 with its water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26 released and removed from the distal portion of the hand-held tool handle 25, and its first and second housing portions 25E1 and 25E2 shown separated from each other. As shown, its internal button-actuated gripping mechanism assembly 60 exploded to show its various subcomponents. As shown in FIG. 8G, the internal button-actuated gripping mechanism assembly 60 comprises: the gripper 32 with a set of expandable fingers 32A, 32B, and 32C for gripping the projection 40A extending axially from each water-dissolvable cutting tip 26; the biasing spring 31 for generating a biasing force within the mechanism 60 when the button 27 is released and the gripping fingers 32a, 32B and 32C are allowed to grip and hold the projection 26F of a mounted cutting tip portion 26 while the rubber mounting collar 33 mounted within the distal portion of the handle 25C and generating a counter restoring force sufficient to hold the cutting tip 26 securely and stably while mounted at the distal portion of the handle 25; and a plunger/expander portion 27C extending from the actuator rod 27D, which is connected to a fitting collar 25B that fits inside one end of the spring 31, and extends onto the flexible rod 27 that is terminated with the thumb-actuated button 27. Preferably, the button 27, rod portion 27A, fitting collar 27B, shaft 27D and plunger/expander 27C can be made from single piece of molded plastic, as well as handle housing portions 25E1 and 25E3, shown in FIGS. 8F and 8G.

FIG. 8H shows in greater detail the axial alignment of the components comprising the lower section of the button-actuated gripping mechanism assembly 60 installed inside the distal portion of the hand-held tool 25, provided for releasably gripping and releasing a water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Specification of Method of Making Multi-Blade Dissolvable Cutting Tips And Packaging In A Replaceable Dispensing Cartridge For Use With The Hand-Supportable Toilet Tool of The Present Invention

An important requirement of the cutting tip construction is that it meet the following requirements: (i) that it is replaceable (i.e. attachable and detachable) from the distal portion of hand-held toilet tool handle so that it can be safely and sanitarily disposed of after each use without the risk of spreading disease or illness from bacteria present in stools; and (ii) that it is quickly dissolvable in water so that it can be flushed down the sewer drain, along with chopped up stool pieces and water, in a safe and sanitary manner. With these design requirements in mind, the following cutting tip constructions are disclosed below for the practice of the methods of the present invention.

FIG. 9A shows an exemplary water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component 26 arranged in its expanded configuration, and having a plurality of laser-drilled holes 26G formed through the water-dissolvable material used to fabricate the cutting elements 26A, 26B, 26C and 26D of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component 26. FIG. 9B shows the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component 26 arranged in its expanded configuration, as shown in FIG. 9A. As shown, the plurality of laser-drilled holes 26G formed through the water-dissolvable material used to fabricate the cutting elements 26A, 26B, 26C and 26D of the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component 26, allow water (i.e. a solvent) to quickly and completely surround the cutting tip material and dissolve and disperse the material in the toilet bowl 5, very quickly so that the cutting tip material dissolves in the water in toilet bowel region 5, with chopped up stool pieces and toilet paper, and can be then flushed down the toilet and into the sewer drain system 4, without clogging and water overflow from the toilet system.

FIG. 10A shows the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component 26 depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 10B shows the disposable water-dissolvable/dispersible cutting tool tip component 26 depicted in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10A, but shown arranged in its collapsed/packaged configuration when stored in its storage and dispensing container 30 illustrated in FIGS. 12D and 12E.

In a first preferred embodiment, the disposable water-dissolvable/dispersible cutting tool tip component 26 is made from one or more sheets of water dissolvable biodegradable material composed of materials disclosed and taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 20/210,032002 (assigned to SmartSolve Industries LLC) incorporated herein by reference. Water-dissolvable material may include any material that will substantially dissolve or disperse when brought into contact with water. As used herein, the term “substantially” means at least “55%” of a stated quantity or amount. In context of examples as described, a material or structure is said to substantially dissolve if the application of water causes at least 55% of the material (as measured by weight or volume) to dissolve within 3-5 minutes. Polyvinyl alcohol, also known as PVOH, PVA, or PVAL, is a synthetic hydrophilic polymer that is manufactured from the polymerization of vinyl acetate. The material can be manufactured in sheets, ribbons, strings or other forms that are woven or non-woven and cloth-like. With application of water, the material fully dissolves, usually in less than 1-2 minutes, leaving no harmful or toxic residue, and causing no harmful effects to the resulting solution. Other types of water-dissolvable materials which can be used with examples as described include, for example, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylamide, poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid) and water-soluble paper material (e.g., such as distributed as SmartSolve® material).

In a second embodiment method, the disposable water-dissolvable/dispersible cutting tool tip component 26 is made from disposable sheet materials that may comprise: sprayed paper fiber; dissolvable paper; dissolvable cellulose; Papier Mache; degradable pulp board; dissolvable fabric and sheets created from the spraying of paper pulp onto a wire mesh shape or combinations thereof, to resemble the cutting tip portion 26.

In a third embodiment method, the disposable water-dissolvable/dispersible cutting tool tip component 26 is made from a water dissolvable biodegradable organic food-grade material composed of materials disclosed and taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,584 incorporated herein by reference. Using such methods, the disposable water-dissolvable/dispersible cutting tool tip component 26 can be made from composition formulated using flours of jowar (sorghum) blended with rice and wheat, so that the material contains no chemicals, preservatives, fat, emulsifiers, artificial colors, or milk products. Using such methods, it is possible to make 100 percent natural, biodegradable cutting tips that have structural integrity to chop stools into pieces in a toilet bowl, but will dissolve and disperse within less than 2 minutes or less for safe flushing down the toilet bowl.

In a fourth embodiment method, the disposable water-dissolvable/dispersible cutting tool tip component 26 is made from a rapidly-soluble composition comprising a rapidly soluble, open matrix of a carbohydrate polymer. Such a composition may be obtained by the removal of solvent from a solution containing the carbohydrate polymer and any other component(s), and the solution is provided in a mold corresponding to the desired shape (i.e. the disposable water-dissolvable/dispersible cutting tool tip component 26, disclosed and taught in WIPO PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 00/50013, incorporated herein by reference.

In a fifth embodiment method, the disposable water-dissolvable/dispersible cutting tool tip component 26 is made compositions formulated from flours having about 65% w/w or above carbohydrate content and contain no added preservatives or chemical additives, as disclosed and taught in WIPO PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 20212/098448, incorporated herein by reference.

Specification of Modes of Operation of the Hand-Held Toilet Tool of the First Embodiment of the Present Invention

FIG. 11A shows the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component 26 connected to the distal gripping portion 32 of hand-held tool handle portion. The internal button-actuated gripping mechanism 60 is arranged to grip, lock, and mount the cutting tip portion 40A to the tool handle distal portion.

FIG. 11B shows the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component 26 connected to the distal gripping portion of hand-held tool handle portion, wherein the internal button-actuated gripping mechanism 60 is arranged to release, unlock, and dismount the cutting tip portion 26 from the tool handle distal portion during cutting tip ejection operations.

Specification of the Water-Dissolvable Cutting Tip Storage and Dispensing Device of the First Embodiment of the Present Invention

FIGS. 12A and 12B show the water-dissolvable cutting tip storage and dispensing device 50, assembled but without any dissolvable cutting tips 26 stored therein for dispensing operations.

FIG. 12C shows the dissolvable cutting tip storage and dispensing container 50, with the spring-biased slidable wall portion 50B arranged in a first position for storing a first number of dissolvable cutting tool tip portions 26 arranged in a packaged/folded configuration within the cutting tip dispensing storage dispenser 50.

FIG. 12D shows the dissolvable cutting tip storage and dispensing container 50 with the spring-biased slidable wall portion 51, driven by spring 52, and arranged in a second position storing a second number of water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portions 26 arranged in a packaged/folded configuration and ready for dispensing from the storage dispenser 50 when the distal portion of the hand-held tool 25 is engaged with the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion 26 loaded into the dispensing location of the cutting tip dispensing storage container 50.

FIG. 12E shows the dissolvable cutting tip storage and dispensing container 50 with a third number of water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portions 26 arranged in a packaged/folded configuration and ready for dispensing from the storage dispenser 50 when the distal portion of the hand-held tool 25 is engaged with the water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion 26 that is loaded into the dispensing location of the cutting tip dispensing storage container 50.

Specification of The Hand-Held Toilet Tool of the Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention

FIG. 13 shows the hand-held toilet tool of the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention 25′ releasably mounting a substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26 of a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the hand-held toilet tool 25′ comprises a handle portion 25A, button 27, splash guard 28, and a shaft portion 25B much like the first illustrative embodiment, but terminates in a thin rectangular-shaped cutting tip mounting head 70 having a thin rectangular mounting recess 71 for receiving the top end portion of a substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26′ shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 14A shows the hand-held toilet tool 25′ of FIG. 13, shown with its a substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26′ removed for purposes of exposition.

FIG. 14B shows the cutting tip mounting head portion 26′ of the hand-held toilet tool of FIG. 13, shown with its pair of gripping projections 32A, 32B arranged in their closed configuration, in a spring-biased manner, upon the release of the release button 27 provided on the proximal portion of the hand-held toilet tool 25′.

FIG. 14C shows the cutting tip mounting head portion 26′ of the hand-held toilet tool of FIG. 13, shown with its pair of gripping projections 32A, 32B arranged in their open configuration, in a spring-biased manner, upon the depression of the release button 27 provided on the proximal portion of the hand-held toilet tool 25′.

FIG. 15 shows the hand-held toilet tool 25′ of FIG. 13, with its first and second housing half portions 25E1 and 25E2 separated to show its cutting tool gripping mechanism assembly 60′ installed in its first half housing portion 25E1.

FIG. 16 shows the hand-held toilet tool 25′ of FIG. 13, with its first and second housing half portions 25E1 and 25E2 separated showing its cutting tool gripping mechanism assembly 60 removed from its first half housing portion 25E1, and comprising components: a button 27, elongated rod member 27A, flange 27B, shaft 27D, and plunger/expander 27C, spring element 31; gripping fingers assembly 32; and mounting ring 33′.

FIG. 17 shows the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip component 26′of the second illustrative embodiment in FIG. 13, comprising: left and right cutting tip surfaces 26A′ and 26B′ about a central axis 26C′; a mounting aperture 65 formed in the upper central region of the cutting tip, and adapted for gripping by projections 32A, 32B supported on the ends of the gripping fingers assembly 32 shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18A shows the hand-held toilet tool 25′ of FIG. 13, with the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26′ inserted within the thin recess 71 of the mounting head portion 70 of the hand-held toilet tool 25′, and the gripping projections 32A, 32B grabbing the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion 26′ through the mounting aperture 65, and retaining the same locked within the mounting head portion 70, all during use in stool chopping operations within the bowl region 5 of a toilet system 2.

FIG. 18B shows the hand-held toilet tool of FIG. 13, with the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip 26′ inserted within the mounting head portion of the hand-held toilet tool, and the gripping projections 32A, 32B releasing the substantially-planar water-dissolvable cutting tool tip portion 26′, and ejecting the same unlocked from the mounting head portion 70 after completion of use within the bowl region 5 of a toilet system 2.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show the water-dissolvable cutting tip storage dispenser 80 of the second illustrative embodiment of the present invention, assembled with a supply of planar water-dissolvable cutting tips 26′ of FIG. 17, stored therein for dispensing operations and mounting within the distal end of the hand-held toilet tool 25′ shown in FIG. 13. The supply of planar water-dissolvable cutting tips 26′ shown in FIG. 17 can be mounted in a cartridge like container, similar in ways to a box of graham crackers, and the cartridge can then be loaded behind a spring biased push plate within the storage dispenser 80, like the construction shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D. Access to the interior of the dispenser 80 is achieve by lifting off its top plastic cover having the T-shaped aperture 80A, 80B, as shown. Once loaded into the dispenser, one (1) planar water-dissolvable cutting tips 26′ can be dispensed through dispensing slot 80A and engaged within the rectangular mounting recess 71 of the hand-held toilet tool 25′, while the spring-based push plate inside the dispenser 80 automatically advances the planar water-dissolvable cutting tips 26′ towards the T-shaped aperture for subsequent dispensing operations. Alternatively, the planar water-dissolvable cutting tips 26′ can be loaded directly in the base portion of the dispenser 80 similar in ways to a stack of graham crackers, and the top plastic cover 80 having the T-shaped aperture, is then slid over the base portion, thereby enabling the dispensing of one planar water-dissolvable cutting tip 26′ (at a time) through dispensing slot 80A and engaged within the rectangular mounting recess 71 of the hand-held toilet tool 25′, while the spring-based push plate automatically advances the planar water-dissolvable cutting tips 26′ towards the T-shaped aperture. Preferably, the button 27, rod portion 27A, fitting collar/flange 27B, shaft 27D, and plunger/expander 27C can be made from single piece of molded plastic, as well as handle housing portions, shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

Through Applicant's field research conducted in the USA, the average water level in toilets is approximately 5″ deep, measured from the bottom of the toilet outlet hole in the bowl to the top of the static water line. The average toilet outlet trap hole size is approximately 2.75″ in diameter. With those numbers in mind, a preferred height dimension of the cutting tool head for many applications should be no less than roughly 7″ tall so as to keep the tool holder wand out of the contaminated water due to possible sloshing/splashing from agitation during stool cutting operations in the bowl. Also, the preferred diameter of the cutting tool head should be roughly 2.5″ in diameter to accommodate getting to the very bottom of the toilet bowl outlet hole of the majority of toilets still in service, as this is where the mass usually settles in the end.

Specification of the Method of Reducing the Risk of Clogging or Obstructing a Water Flushing Toilet System During Flushing Operations

FIG. 20 describes the primary steps of the method of reducing the risk of clogging or obstructing (or overflowing) a water flushing toilet system during flushing operations using the toilet tool 25 and dispenser 80 with the toilet bowl system 5 illustrated in FIGS., 7A through 7H.

As indicated at Step 1 in FIG. 20, the first step of the method involves producing a stool inside the bowl of a water flushing toilet system, as illustrated in FIG. 7A.

As indicated at Step 2 in FIG. 20, the second step of the method involves providing a dissolvable cutting tip 26′ on the distal end of a hand-held tool handle 25, and then lowering the cutting tip into the toilet bowl containing the stool, as illustrated in FIG. 7B.

As indicated at Step 3 in FIG. 20, the second step of the method involves dissecting the stool using the cutting tip 26′ inside the toilet bowl 5, as illustrated in FIGS. 7C and 7C1.

As indicated at Step 4 in FIG. 20, the third step of the method involves releasing the cutting tip portion 26 from the hand-held tool handle 25 by depressing a release button 27 on the hand-held tool handle, as illustrated in FIG. 7D.

As indicated at Step 5 in FIG. 20, the fourth step of the method involves attaching a new chopping tool tip attachment from the dispenser 80, while the released cutting tool tip 26′ is allowed to dissolve in the water within the toilet bowl, as illustrated in FIG. 7E.

As indicated at Step 6 in FIG. 20, the fifth step of the method involves waiting 60-90 seconds for the release cutting tool tip portion 26′ to dissolve in the water within the toilet bowl, as illustrated in FIG., 7F.

As indicated at Step 7 in FIG. 20, the sixth step of the method involves flushing the dissolved released cutting tool 26′ and stool 12 with the water in the toilet bowl, as illustrated in FIG. 7G.

As indicated at Step 8 in FIG. 20, the method involves allowing the water flushing operation to become completed without clogging along the trap flow pathway 3 to the drain 4, as illustrated in FIG. 7H.

Preferred Method of Using the Toilet Tool of the Present Invention

The toilet tool according to the present invention was designed to be used at each user's personal discretion. In a “when in doubt” situation, where the user feels a bowel movement may cause a blockage and overflow condition in a specific water-flush toilet bowl system, it is always advised to use the tool of the present invention to preemptively mitigate the issue. Even if the tool is needed for multiple bowel movements during a single day, in the end, use of the toilet tool should still result in (i) being more cost savings effective than calling multiple trips from a licensed plumber to unclog the toilet system, and/or (ii) avoiding expensive and unsightly property damage caused by toilet water overflow into living spaces.

Below is a list of compelling factors indicating the apparent need for use of the toilet tool of the present invention on a stool produced in a flush toilet system, to avert or avoid a possible toilet clogging event and consequential water overflow situation, namely:

(i) the bowel movement (i.e. stool) stays in one solid mass with no fragmented pieces off it and has a size that is larger than one's human fist;

• • (ii) the bowel movement left no residue in the bottom of the bowl and/or upon clean up before flushing;
  • (iii) the bowel movement was produced with more straining than usual; and/or
  • (iv) one has been clogging their toilet more than once per day.

By following these indications above on when to use the toilet tool of the present invention, the user should expect to (i) enjoy significant cost savings otherwise incurred on calling a licensed plumber on multiple trips to unclog the toilet system, and/or (ii) avoid expensive and unsightly property damage caused by toilet water overflow into living spaces. This will translate into increased security and comfort, and improved sanitary conditions within the home or office.

Alternative Embodiments Which Readily Come to Mind

While the various embodiments of the system and methods of the present invention have been illustrated in the context of domestic bathroom environments in which flush-type toilet systems are installed and commissioned, it is understood that such methods and apparatus can also be used within hospitals, hotels, public spaces, daycare centers, schools, educational environments and the like.

In the present embodiments described above, the replaceable/disposable/water-dissolvable cutting tip components 26, 26′ can be made from diverse kinds of materials, including, but not limited to the use of water-dissolvable plastics, paper and other organic materials. Essentially, the cutting tip component must have sufficient structural integrity when mounted on the end of the hand-held toilet tool 25, 25′, to enable efficient stool chopping operations, to reduce the risk of clogging caused by hard solid stools deposited in the water of a flushable toilet bowl.

An important requirement of the cutting tip construction is that it meet the following requirements: (i) that it is replaceable (i.e. attachable and detachable) from the distal portion of hand-held toilet tool handle so that it can be safely and sanitarily disposed of after each use without the risk of spreading disease or illness from bacteria present in stools; and (ii) that it is quickly dissolvable in water so that it can be flushed down the sewer drain, along with chopped up stool pieces and water, in a safe and sanitary manner.

Also, while the surfaces of the water-dissolving cutting tip components 26, 26′ appear to be smooth in the illustrative Drawings, it is understood that these biodegradable water-dissolving/dispersing components can be fabricated to have a corrugated surface construction to provide the added strength to the cutting tip component so that it can and will transmit forces from the distal portion of the hand-held handle portion of the toilet tool, downwards towards the cutting tip portion itself during stool chopping/cutting operations within the toilet bowel region of a water-flushing toilet system, prior to the initiation of water flushing operations caused by the depression of the toilet handle.

Also, it is understood, that in addition to surface corrugations and laser-drilled holes formed in the surfaces of each disposable water-dissolvable cutting tip component to enhance water-dissolvability reactions, environmentally-safe, US EPA Safer Choice certified anti-bacterial and bowl cleansing biochemicals (e.g. Potassium Oxalate Monohydrate K₂C₂O₄, having CAS Registration Number 6487-48-5) can be infused into the bio-degradable and water-dissolvable materials of each cutting tip component during manufacture, so as to provide disposable cutting tip portions for use with the toilet tool of the present invention that will also serve to self-clean toilet bowl surfaces each time the toilet tool is employed. This novel feature of the disposable, water-dissolving cutting tip components of the present invention is expected to offer great value to consumers around the world.

Finally, while the disposable cutting tool tip dispenser of the present invention has been shown mountable to the tank portion of a toilet system, as shown in FIG. 7H, it is understood that the cutting tip dispenser device can be mounted on the floor surface near the toilet bowl, with the hand-held toilet tool of the present invention snap-fit connected to the next available cutting tip, so that the hand-held toilet tool is arranged in a vertical upright configuration and quickly accessible and available for use in conveniently performing quick and easily proactive toilet clogging-prevention operations before commencing the next water flushing operation.

Several modifications to the illustrative embodiments have been described above. It is understood, however, that various other modifications to the illustrative embodiment of the present invention will readily occur to persons with ordinary skill in the art. All such modifications and variations are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the accompanying Claims to Invention.