Drain Cleaners and Related Systems and Methods

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to devices, systems, and methods for cleaning drains.

2. Background Art

Drains (such as for kitchen and bathroom sinks) often get grime, dirt, hair, and/or other items in them through normal use. Various types of devices and methods exist for cleaning drains. Liquid drain cleaners, for example, are intended to unclog drains that have become clogged. Some devices exist for pulling hair and other items out of drains. Drains commonly have pipes that are at least partially able to be disconnected/disassembled (for example p-traps are made to be removable) to assist in cleaning the drain or to otherwise allow the drain to be unclogged.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, including: an extension rod; and a cleaning member configured to couple with the extension rod, the cleaning member including one or more flexible members; wherein the drain cleaner is configured for cleaning a sink drain; and wherein the cleaning member is configured to be manually selectively attached to and detached from the extension rod.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, wherein the cleaning member includes one or more slits therein, each of the one or more slits sized to allow a pivot rod of the sink drain to pass therethrough such that the cleaning member can pass from above the pivot rod to below the pivot rod within the sink drain.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, wherein the one or more flexible members form a spiral configuration.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, wherein the extension rod has a length of at least 40 cm, and wherein the cleaning member has a maximum diameter, measured orthogonal to the length of the extension rod, of between 2 cm and 10 cm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, further including a handle configured to couple with a terminal end of the extension rod.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, wherein the cleaning member further includes at least one rigid member coupled with the one or more flexible members and having a higher modulus of elasticity than the one or more flexible members.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, further including a rigid adapter configured to couple between the extension rod and the cleaning member, the rigid adapter having a higher modulus of elasticity than the one or more flexible members.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, wherein the rigid adapter is configured to at least partially couple within a hollow cavity of the cleaning member.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, wherein the one or more flexible members include a plurality of bristles.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, further including a cover configured to selectively cover at least a portion of the plurality of bristles.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner, wherein the extension rod includes two arms, each arm having a protrusion, and wherein the protrusions are configured to releasably secure the extension rod to the cleaning member by coupling within corresponding recesses of the cleaning member.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner system, including: an extension rod having a length of at least 40 cm; a handle coupled with a first terminal end of the extension rod; and a cleaning member coupled with a second terminal end of the extension rod, the cleaning member including one or more flexible members, the cleaning member further including one or more slits therein, each of the one or more slits sized to allow a pivot rod of a sink drain to pass therethrough such that the cleaning member can pass from above the pivot rod to below the pivot rod within the sink drain while cleaning the sink drain; wherein the cleaning member has a maximum diameter, measured orthogonal to the length of the extension rod, of between 2 cm and 6 cm.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner system, wherein the one or more flexible members form a spiral configuration.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner system, wherein the cleaning member is manually removably attached to the extension rod.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner system, further including a rigid adapter at least partially coupled within a hollow cavity of the cleaning member.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a drain cleaner system, further including a separate flexible pipe cover configured to be installed on an open end of a pipe, the open end exposed before cleaning the sink drain, to prevent or reduce outgassing therefrom.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of cleaning a drain, including: coupling an extension rod, having a length of at least 40 cm, with a cleaning member, the cleaning member including one or more flexible members, the cleaning member having a maximum diameter, measured orthogonal to the length, of between 2 cm and 6 cm; and sliding the cleaning member down a sink drain, using the extension rod, thereby cleaning the sink drain.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the cleaning member includes one or more slits therein, and wherein the method further includes allowing a pivot rod of the sink drain to pass through one of the one or more slits while sliding the cleaning member down the sink drain.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including installing a pipe cover on an open end of a pipe, the open end exposed before cleaning the sink drain, to prevent or reduce outgassing therefrom.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein cleaning the sink drain includes squeegeeing an inner sidewall of the sink drain using one or more outer edges of the one or more flexible members.

General details of the above-described implementations, and other implementations, are given below in the DESCRIPTION, the DRAWINGS, the CLAIMS and the ABSTRACT.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations will be discussed hereafter using reference to the included drawings, briefly described below, wherein like designations refer to like elements. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a side, partial see-through view of a prior art drain system;

FIG. 2 is close-up, front, top, right, perspective view of elements of a drain cleaner system;

FIG. 3 is a front, right, top, perspective view of a drain cleaner system;

FIG. 4 is front, right, bottom, exploded, perspective view of the drain cleaner system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front, right, top, close-up, perspective view of elements of the drain cleaner system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front cross-section view of elements of the drain cleaner system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a front cross-section view of elements of the drain cleaner system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a cleaning member;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a pipe cover;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the pipe cover of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front cross-section view of the pipe cover of FIG. 9 taken along the cross-section indicated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a front view of elements of a drain cleaner;

FIG. 13 is a front, top, perspective view of a cleaning member;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the cleaning member of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front, top, perspective view of a cleaning member;

FIG. 16 is a front, top, perspective view of a cleaning member;

FIG. 17 is a front, right, perspective view of a portion of a drain cleaner;

FIG. 18 is a front, left, top, perspective view of the drain cleaner of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a top, partial see-through view of the drain cleaner of FIG. 17 having an alternative configuration;

FIG. 20 is a front, right, top, perspective view of a cleaning member of the drain cleaner of FIG. 22;

FIG. 21 is a front view of an extension rod of the drain cleaner of FIG. 22;

FIG. 22 is a front view of a drain cleaner;

FIG. 23 is a front, partial see-through view of a cleaning member and cover of a drain cleaner;

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the cleaning member of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a front, partial see-through and partial cross-section view of a cleaning member and cover of a drain cleaner;

FIG. 26 is a bottom, right, perspective view of a pipe cover;

FIG. 27 is a front, top, perspective view of a portion of a drain cleaner;

FIG. 28 is a front, top, perspective view of a portion of a drain cleaner; and

FIG. 29 is a front, top, perspective view of a portion of a drain cleaner.

DESCRIPTION

Implementations/embodiments disclosed herein (including those not expressly discussed in detail) are not limited to the particular components or procedures described herein. Additional or alternative components, assembly procedures, and/or methods of use consistent with the intended drain cleaners and related systems and methods may be utilized in any implementation. This may include any materials, components, sub-components, methods, sub-methods, steps, and so forth.

Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art drain system 50 is representatively illustrated. The drain system includes a sink 52 and a drain that is formed by a pipe 58 coupled at an opening at a bottom of the sink. Threads 59 of the pipe allow a p-trap 66 to couple the pipe 58 with a pipe 70 extending through a wall or floor. Couplers 68 have internal threads (not shown) and are rotatable to secure the p-trap to the threads 59 and threads 72, so as to secure the p-trap in place. The specific configuration of the couplers and/or threads shown in FIG. 1 is only one example, as others exist in the art. A stopper 54 has a lower portion 56 which has an opening (not shown in the drawings, but common in the art) to allow a pivot rod 60 to pass therethrough. The pivot rod is activated by actuator members 62 and 64 to adjust the pivot rod up or down, thus adjusting the stopper up (to an open configuration) or down (to a closed configuration). In implementations the actuator member 64, for example, couples with a pull member located proximate the sink faucet handle(s) which may be pulled up and down to actuate the pivot rod for opening opening/closing the stopper. Other actuating mechanisms exist in the art, however. The pivot rod of FIG. 1 is shown as being not collinear with actuator member 62, but in some cases the pivot rod and actuator member 62 are actually portions of the same straight rod member (and therefore collinear). In some implementations the pivot rod is actuated in other ways, such as using a pull cable or the like actuated by the aforementioned pull member.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, various views of a drain cleaner system 100 (and implementing components) are shown. FIG. 3 shows a drain cleaner 102 of the system, in an assembled configuration, and a separate pipe cover 150. To perform a cleaning operation, the stopper may be removed (if a stopper is present), the p-trap may be removed (as in FIG. 1), and the pipe cover 150 may be coupled over the exposed opening of pipe 70 to prevent or reduce outgassing therefrom (normally this outgassing is prevented or reduced by the fluid which is naturally retained within the p-trap, but with the p-trap removed the gas may escape without such a pipe cover and can potentially be harmful or unpleasant). A bowl or other container may be placed below the pipe 58. The drain cleaner 102 is used to clean the sink drain (e.g., the inner sidewalls of pipe 58) by the user pressing the drain cleaner 102 down the sink drain. The container may capture residue/refuse pushed through pipe 58. The process of pushing the drain cleaner 102 down the pipe 58 may be repeated as desired, to achieve further cleaning thereof.

It is pointed out that stoppers have different designs, so that in some cases a user must remove the pivot rod to remove the stopper anyway, but in some cases the stopper is able to be removed without fully removing the pivot rod (or without removing it at all). This can sometimes be accomplished by twisting/rotating the stopper until the pivot rod disengages from the stopper and then pulling the stopper up and free from the drain. In some cases a user can install a stopper on the pivot rod (or otherwise couple it thereto) in a way such that it can later be removed (or more easily removed) without having to uninstall the pivot rod.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the drain cleaner system 100. An extension rod 116 is shown and is seen to have a threaded end 118 and an opposite threaded end 120. The threaded ends 118/120 are configured to be coupled with a handle and a cleaning member, respectively. The handle includes a handle body 104 and a handle cushion 110. The handle body has an extension 106 which passes through an opening 112 of the handle cushion 110. A threaded insert 114 couples within an opening 108 of the extension 106 and is secured therein. The different elements of the handle may be, for example, glued, heat bonded, or otherwise adhered/secured together in a permanent or semi-permanent manner. The threaded insert 114, for example, could be secured within opening 108 using a friction fit between an outer surface 115 of the threaded insert and the opening, or could be secured therein by heat/melt bonding or by an adhesive, and the handle body 104 and handle cushion 110 could be secured to one another using an adhesive, or heat/melt bonding, or through another mechanism. The outer surface 115 could have ridges, protrusions, or other texture to assist with such a friction fit or adhesion or melt bonding or the like. Once the handle is assembled, it can easily be screwed onto (and secured to) the extension rod 116 by the threaded insert 114 threading onto the threaded end 118 and rotated until it is tight, and the handle may be removed from the extension rod by the opposite motion.

Some threaded inserts (including those shown in the drawings) may be prior art off-the-shelf components, for example they could be heat-set inserts for plastic (also known as Chevron and headed inserts, in some cases) available for sale in the U.S. by MCMASTER-CARR. These are sometimes mounted by pressing them into straight holes that have been drilled, printed, or molded into plastic/polymer parts, then heating the insert with a soldering tip or the like to melt the surrounding plastic/polymer to secure the threaded insert to the polymer/plastic component.

The cleaning member 132 may be secured to the extension rod 116 in a similar manner. The cleaning member 132 in implementations has a central portion 134 with a cylindrical cavity therein accessed through an opening 136 (the cavity may have any other shape/configuration in other implementations). A rigid adapter 126 may include an elongate portion 130 configured to secure within the cavity (such as through a friction fit or using melt bonding or an adhesive or the like) and a widened portion having an opening 128 into which a threaded insert 122 is secured (for example using any of the mechanisms described for securing threaded insert 114 within opening 108), the outer surface 124 potentially having ridges, protrusions, or other surface texture useful for providing a secure coupling therein. Once the rigid adapter 126 is secured to the cleaning member, and the threaded insert 122 secured at least partially within the cavity of the widened portion accessed by the opening 128, the cleaning member may then be easily secured onto the threaded end 120 and tightened thereon by manual rotation, and similarly manually removed by a reverse rotation when desired.

The cleaning member 132 is seen to have a plurality of flexible members 138 extending from the central portion 134 and organized in a spiral configuration. Slits 140 are formed in the cleaning member—in some cases these may be slits in the flexible members themselves or between the flexible members. In FIG. 5 it is seen that each flexible member is at least partially defined by two of the slits (being between two of the slits) except the first and last in the spiral, but each flexible member also connects with its nearest neighboring flexible member(s) proximate the central portion 134.

The slits are useful for allowing a pivot rod to pass therethrough—in some cases each slit is sized larger than the pivot rod but in other cases the slit(s) may not necessarily be larger than the pivot rod. Even so, the ability of the flexible members to flex and move generally allows the pivot rod to pass through the cleaning member at slit, as the size of any given slit naturally enlarges as the flexible members adjacent to the slit rotate or otherwise move in response to the pivot rod pushing against them as the user moves the drain cleaner down (or up) the drain. In cases where the pivot rod is sized too large to effectively pass through any given slit (even with the flexibility of the flexible members), the spiral configuration nevertheless allows the cleaning member to be rotated to pass by the pivot rod. During such a rotation the pivot rod need only fit between vertical layers of the spiral shape, taking into consideration the flexibility of the flexible members to accommodate pivot rods larger than the distance that exists between such vertical layers in a resting state (e.g., when no pivot rod is between vertical layers). The distance(s) between vertical layers can be seen in FIG. 7, where there are three gaps on the left side (between four corresponding vertical layers) and three gaps on the right side (between four corresponding vertical layers). Even if a given pivot rod is larger/thicker than the vertical distance between any two vertical layers of the spiral configuration, due to the flexible nature of the flexible members they may bend/flex to accommodate pivot rods larger than the vertical distance.

The configuration of the drain cleaner 102 allows for multiple cleaning motions depending on the convenience/effectiveness in any given situation. For example, the drain cleaner 102 may be positioned with the cleaning member 132 downward and may enter the drain through the sink, and pushed downward, and/or may be pulled back upward, the downward and/or upward motions providing cleaning of the drain. Alternatively or additionally, the drain cleaner 102 may be positioned with the cleaning member 132 upward and may enter the drain through the open bottom of pipe 58, and pushed upward, and/or may be pulled back downward, the upward and/or downward motions providing cleaning of the drain. In any of these four configurations/motions, when the cleaning member 132 reaches the pivot rod 60 the cleaning member 132 may easily move past the pivot rod due to the slits 140 and/or by rotating the cleaning member 132 to pass the pivot rod (facilitated by the spiral configuration).

Indeed, the slit(s) and the spiral configuration solve one problem with cleaning sink drains - which is the inconvenience of needing to remove the pivot rod to effectively/fully clean the sink drain. Not only is removing the pivot rod inconvenient and time consuming (not to mention reinstalling the pivot rod), but when the pivot rod is removed then the opening through which the pivot rod passes is left exposed/open, so that any cleaning operation may tend to spill fluid or refuse outside of pipe 58 through the opening, potentially spilling in an undesired location. With the drain cleaner 102, however, the pivot rod does not need to be removed or reinstalled, saving much time and removing inconvenience, and because the pivot rod stays in place, during a cleaning operation none of the fluid/refuse exits the opening through which the pivot rod passes.

It is possible that in some settings it may be easier to pass the drain cleaner 102 past the pivot rod by positioning the pivot rod to a certain angle (upward, downward, or level), and in such cases the user can easily move the pivot rod to the desired angle (by adjusting the pull member to actuate the pivot member's movement) either while or before moving the drain cleaner 102 to/past the pivot rod. In many cases, however, due to the slits, the spiral configuration, and the general flexible nature of the flexible members, the cleaning member may easily pass the pivot rod regardless of its orientation.

The spiral configuration of the cleaning member is seen to have a decreasing diameter toward its bottom (forming angle 152 relative to a line collinear with a central axis of the cleaning member and/or rigid adapter, seen in FIG. 7). In some cases this may make it easier to move the cleaning member past a pivot rod during a rotation motion and/or it may in other ways assist or facilitate a good cleaning of the drain, but in other cases the diameter of a cleaning member may not decrease in this manner and the cleaning member may still be able to easily move past the pivot rod. See, for example, the alternative cleaning member 160 of FIG. 8, which has flexible members 164 extending from a central portion 162 at a consistent diameter so that the diameter does not decrease toward a bottom of the cleaning member.

Threaded end 120 may have a ¼″-20 thread configuration (or in some cases a smaller thread configuration for coupling with some components). Extension rod 116 may have a total length of 24 inches or 63 cm. In other cases the full drain cleaner (from the top of the handle to the bottom of the cleaning member) may be 24 inches. In some cases the extension rod 116 could be formed of a fiberglass rod (which could be oil coated with a customizable color and/or which may be wrapped in a protective splinter sleeve) with threaded ends, or in other implementations it may be formed of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). In implementations the extension rod 116 may have a maximum outer diameter of 5.93 mm. In implementations the cleaning member 132 and rigid adapter 126 when joined together may jointly have a total height (from the top of the rigid adapter 126 to the bottom of the cleaning member 132) of 51.78 mm, the maximum outer diameter of the rigid adapter 126 may be 10.36 mm, and the portion of the rigid adapter 126 above the elongate portion 130 (which is exposed outside the cavity of the cleaning member 132) has a total height of 12.09 mm. In implementations the pipe cover 150 has an outer diameter of 31.73 mm and a total height of 20.03 mm. In implementations the handle (when the handle body 104 and handle cushion 110 and threaded insert 114 are joined) has a total length of 84.23 mm, a total width of 13.93 mm, and a total minimum height of 10.82 mm (the 10.82 mm height being measured from a top of the handle body 104 to the recessed bottom of the handle cushion 110 between the central protrusion and the outermost side protrusions which protrude downward toward the extension rod). The central protrusion of the handle cushion 110 (which includes opening 112) may have an outer diameter of 12.05 mm.

In implementations handle body 104 may be formed of a rigid plastic or polymer and the handle cushion 110 may be overmolded onto the handle body 104 using a softer or more flexible polymer to provide easy grip for the user (for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS for the handle body 104 and thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU, or overmolded silicone, for the overmolded handle cushion 110). The handle may have a variety of dimensions and may generally be sized to be easily handled by a user's hand.

FIGS. 9-11 show an alternate pipe cover 170. Like pipe cover 150, pipe cover 170 is formed of a flexible material and forms a cavity (configured to receive an end of a pipe) defined by a bottom surface 174 and sidewall(s) extending upward therefrom. A tab 172 assists the user to install the pipe cover onto a pipe and/or to remove it therefrom. FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of the pipe cover taken along the line shown in FIG. 9. In some cases the tab may be excluded, but in implementations it may make it easier to install or remove the pipe cover. In implementations pipe cover 170 may be formed of a flexible rubber.

In some cases one or more cleaning members could be stacked onto the same drain cleaner. For example, FIG. 12 shows extension rod 116, cleaning member 132, and rigid adapter 126, but between the extension rod 116 and rigid adapter 126 a cleaning member 180 is shown. Cleaning member 180 includes flexible members 184 extending from a central portion 182, as with cleaning member 132, but also includes a threaded coupler 186 at its bottom end. The coupler 186 could either be integrally formed with or otherwise attached to the bottom of cleaning member 180, or it could be a part of an alternative rigid adapter (the alternative rigid adapter having threads at its bottom end that poke through a bottom opening in cleaning member 180. In FIG. 12, however, the coupler 186 is integrally formed or otherwise attached to a bottom of cleaning member 180 and a rigid adapter 126 is coupled with cleaning member 180 (in a similar way to how a rigid adapter 126 is coupled with cleaning member 132).

The flexible members 184 are seen to generally form a larger diameter (though decreasing toward a bottom of the cleaning member 180) than cleaning member 132. Cleaning member 180 could, accordingly, be coupled between extension rod 116 and central portion 162 to be used on larger sinks/drains. Alternatively, in some cases cleaning member 132 could simply not be used, and could be replaced with cleaning member 180, for cleaning a larger drain. For example, cleaning member 132 may be used to clean 1 inch to 1¼ inch pipes/drains, while cleaning member 180 may be used for cleaning 1½ inch pipes/drains, and/or a different cleaning member could be used for cleaning 1¾ inch pipes/drains, and so forth. Because the cleaning members may be modular (having threaded connectors on top and bottom, for example), the user could add multiple modular cleaning members between the bottommost cleaning member and the extension rod, as desired. Although only two cleaning members are seen in FIG. 12, in general cleaning members of various diameters may be formed, and any number of them may be stacked in a way similar to that shown in FIG. 12, for any given cleaning operation.

Although the extension rod 116 is shown having external threads on its ends, and the corresponding handle and cleaning member being secured thereto using corresponding internal threads, this configuration may be reversed in one or both cases so that, for example, the handle or cleaning member has or is coupled with external threads which in turn couple with internal threads of the extension rod 116, for example. Or, in other implementations, couplings other than threads may be used, such as a friction fit, melt bonding, and adhesive, and so forth. In some cases the extension rod 116, handle, and cleaning member may be permanently secured to one another (so that the various elements are not manually removable), though having them be manually removable is convenient for shipping and/or for storage.

Additionally, in some cases a manually removable cleaning member may facilitate cleaning operations. For example, the user may do a first pass of the sink drain, pushing the drain cleaner 102 down the pipe to expel material out of the pipe and into the bowl or other container placed below, but some material may be collected within/between the various portions of the flexible members 138. The user can let go of the handle and the handle's size and configuration allow it to rest within the sink and hold the drain cleaner 102 at that position. The user can then manually remove the cleaning member 132 and swish it around in the liquid of the bowl (or in another sink or using an outside hose or the like) to clean the residue that was captured/retained within the cleaning member itself. In some cases a push-button mechanism may be included to allow the cleaning member and/or rigid adapter to be removed with the push of a button (either using the user's hand or by the user, from the top of the sink, simply pressing the device down far enough that a button on a bottom of the cleaning member is pressed against a bowl or container or the like placed below the open sink drain). The user may then manually reattach the cleaning member and further clean the sink drain with an upward pass (at which point the user may again remove the cleaning member for cleaning residue captured within the flexible members), and this process may be repeated, as desired, to fully clean the sink drain.

FIGS. 13-14 show an alternative cleaning member 190 which has a top portion 197 and a bottom portion 198. The bottom portion 198 has flexible members 194 extending from a central portion 192 and forming a spiral configuration, as with other cleaning members described herein. The top portion 197, however, has bristles 196 extending from a central portion. The shown bristles may be more rigid than the flexible members, or they may be made of the same material (and accordingly may be as flexible though having a different shape). The bristles are seen to be organized into spiral configurations which, similar to the spiral configuration of the bottom portion, may facilitate a rotation motion to assist in getting the alternative cleaning member 190 past a pivot rod of a sink drain. An opening 193 provides access to a cavity which may receive a rigid adapter 126, similar to other versions, to facilitate coupling the cleaning member with an extension rod 116. The top portion 197 and bottom portion 198 may be separate components which are secured together (such as using a friction fit, an adhesive, threads, or so forth), or they may be integrally formed as a single component (such as through molding or the like). The cavity which receives the rigid adapter may extend into the bottom portion 198 (regardless of whether the top portion and bottom portion are separate components or integrally formed as one component).

Referring now to FIG. 15, a cleaning member 200 is shown. Cleaning member 200 includes flexible members 206 coupled with rigid members 202. An opening 208 provides access to a cavity 204 which may be threaded for coupling with an extension rod and/or handle for using the cleaning member during a cleaning operation. The flexible members 206 may be formed, for example, of a flexible polymer while the rigid members 202 are formed of a more rigid polymer. The flexible members 206 and rigid members 202 could for example be glued/adhered together or coupled together using a friction fit. The cavity 204 may be formed through both the flexible members 206 and the rigid members 202 (though in some cases in which the cavity includes threads the threads may only need to be present in the rigid member). In some cases the flexible members 206 and rigid members 202 could be integrally formed together of the same flexible material, such as a flexible polymer, with the entire structure being somewhat flexible but, for example, made more rigid proximate the rigid members 202 due to the presence of an extension rod or other rigid adapter or the like being within the cavity 204. In the example of FIG. 15 there are three flexible members 206 and two rigid members 202 but, in other implementations, the number of either may be modified/adjusted and various of either flexible/rigid members stacked in any configuration.

In implementations the two rigid members 202 of FIG. 15 could actually be a single component formed of a rigid polymer or plastic, and the flexible members 206 could be overmolded thereon/thereto.

In implementations the opening 208 may have a 5 mm diameter, cleaning member 200 may have a height from top to bottom of 40 mm, the vertical distance between closes flexible members 206 may be 16.25 mm, the outer diameter of each rigid member 202 may be 24 mm, the vertical thickness of each flexible member 206 may be 2.5 mm, and the outer diameter of each flexible member 206 may be 28.5 mm. These are only example dimensions, and in other implementations other dimensions could be used.

In implementations any of the rigid members, extension rods, rigid adapter 126, and handle body 104 may be formed of a hard polymer or plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), and so forth (and may be formed, for example, by molding within a die). In cases in which handle body 104 is molded within a die the extension 106 may have a 0.3-degree draft angle to prevent sticking to the die/mold. In cases in which the rigid adapter 126 is molded within a die the elongate portion 130 may have a 0.5-degree draft angle to prevent sticking to the die/mold. In implementations any of the flexible members (or the entire cleaning member) and/or handle cushion 110, may be formed of a soft overmolded plastic such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), silicone, and so forth (with the flexible members having a 60-90 durometer and the handle cushion 110 having a 100+ durometer) and may be overmolded within a die/mold. In implementations in which handle cushion 110 is overmolded in a die the longest faces of the handle cushion 110 immediately adjacent to its top may have a 0.5-degree draft angle to prevent sticking to the die/mold. In some cases cleaning member 132 may be joined to rigid adapter 126 by overmolding TPU or silicone, in the form of the cleaning member 132, over the elongate portion 130. In implementations pipe cover 150 may be formed of a clear (transparent) silicone. In implementations the threaded insert 114 and threaded insert 122 may have a 10-24 configuration and may be formed of a metal.

As indicated, cleaning member 200 requires a user to remove the pivot rod, but the flexible members 206 create a 360-degree seal for full cleaning of the drain in potentially one pass. In implementations the entire cleaning member 200 may be formed of silicone (potentially of different rigidity for the rigid member(s) 202 versus the flexible members 206).

FIG. 16 shows a cleaning member 220 which is in many was similar to cleaning member 200 and in some ways different. With cleaning member 220 each flexible member 226 includes an opening 228 that is off center (as opposed to the central opening of flexible members 206), and each flexible member 226 further includes a slit 229. Each rigid member 222 includes a recess 225, and the recesses/slits are aligned with one another and meant to accommodate a pivot rod to make it easier for the cleaning member 220 to pass by a pivot rod while cleaning a sink drain. Accordingly, cleaning member 200, not having such slits/recesses, is not meant to pass by a pivot rod, but the pivot rod would need to be uninstalled in order to fully clean the sink drain. Cleaning member 220, however, may easily slide past a pivot rod during a cleaning operation so that the pivot rod does not need to be uninstalled to fully clean the sink drain. Opening 228 provides access to a cavity which may pass through one or more or all of the rigid members and/or flexible members and may allow an extension rod to be connected thereto (such as by using threads on an inner sidewall of the cavity).

For the FIG. 16 version the vertical distance between nearest flexible members 226 may be 16.25 mm, the vertical thickness of each flexible member 226 may be 2.5 mm, the slit 229 may have a gap size of 0.5 mm, the recess 225 may have a gap size of 8.5 mm, each rigid member 222 may have an outer diameter of 24 mm, each flexible member 226 may have an outer diameter of 28.5 mm, and the cleaning member 220 may have a total vertical height of 40 mm.

FIG. 17 shows a drain cleaner that includes a cleaning member similar to cleaning member 220 except only having two rigid members and a single flexible member sandwiched therebetween. An extension rod 230 is seen installed through the cavity. The extension rod 230 in this case is simply a threaded rod, and is secured in place using nut 232 and nut 234. In some cases nut 234 may be open on both sides and the extension rod 230 may pass therethrough, or in some cases it may be a closed nut such that it is closed at its bottom side. In such an implementation the cavity may not be threaded, but the nuts may instead serve to secure the extension rod 230 to the cleaning member 220. FIG. 18 shows another view of the same elements, the extension rod 230 being shown in truncated view (the extension rod 230 would normally extend several inches upwards above the top of the cleaning member 220 to assist extending the cleaning member 220 down a sink drain). A handle or the like may be coupled with a top end of the extension rod 230 to facilitate a cleaning operation.

FIG. 19 shows a top partial-see through view of a flexible member 226 and a rigid member 222, wherein the rigid member 222 has a modified recess 225B having a slightly different shape/configuration (allowing for larger pivot rods to pass therethrough and/or allowing more flex/movement of the flexible member proximate the slit 229, for example, to accommodate larger pivot rods). The opening 228 is also seen. In FIG. 19 the rigid member 222 is offset by 5 mm from being coaxial with the flexible member 226, and the two linear (non-curved) portions of modified recess 225B form an angle of 15 degrees relative to one another (or in other words they form a 15-degree flare).

FIG. 20 shows a cleaning member 240 having several flexible members 250 extending radially outward from a central portion 242. A recess 244 extends through the cleaning member 240 to facilitate the cleaning member sliding past a pivot rod. On either side of the cleaning member is a recess 246 and a recess 248 (each recess 248 extending into a corresponding recess 246 but not extending all the way to recess 244), and these are used for selectively coupling an extension rod 260 (seen in FIGS. 21-22) thereto to form a drain cleaner. The extension rod 260 includes two arms 262 which widen proximate the cleaning member 240 and have protrusions 264. A portion of the end of each arm rests within a recess 246, and each protrusion rests within a corresponding recess 248, to selectively secure the extension rod 260 to the cleaning member 240 to form a drain cleaner, and the cleaning member 240 may be easily removed from the extension rod 260 when desired (such as to rinse off cleaning member 240 partway through a cleaning operation). The two arms 262 may be biased towards one another but may be nevertheless be formed of a material allowing sufficient elastic deformation sufficient to separate them enough for coupling the cleaning member 240 and extension rod 260 together. One advantage of the drain cleaner of FIG. 22 is that, since no cavity is needed for an extension rod to pass through, the recess 244 may be larger/deeper than other recesses, in some cases. The recess 244 may thus be slid past pivot rods larger or longer, in some cases, than other recesses would allow. In some cases the entire cleaning member 240 is formed of a flexible material but is, to some extent, effectively more rigid proximate the central portion due to the thickness of the central portion 242 and/or due to the extension rod 260 being made of a more rigid material and being secured to the central portion at the recesses 246/248. Some of the several flexible members 250 are seen in FIG. 20 to have recesses 246 cut/extend therethrough.

The configuration of FIG. 22 may in some cases be advantageous by increasing stability of the cleaning member during a cleaning operation. During a cleaning operation the protrusions 264 and two arms 262 may be held in place within the corresponding recesses by the inner sidewall of the drain, preventing the extension rod 260 and cleaning member 240 from disengaging

FIG. 23 shows a cleaning member 270 and cover 276 of a drain cleaner. The cleaning member 270 includes a rigid member 272 having an elongate portion 273, and several bristles 274 extend from the rigid member. The bristles may be similar to bristles found on common toilet brushes. Inasmuch as the bristles are meant to bend and otherwise elastically deform during a cleaning operation, they may also be called flexible members. The cover 276 includes a cavity 279 and an opening 278. An extension rod may extend through the opening 278 to couple to the cleaning member 270 (such as using internal threads of the cleaning member 270, not shown but for example similar to those of rigid adapters discussed herein). The opening 278 allows the cover 276 to slide along the extension rod, such that the cover may be slid down to cover the bristles in a stored configuration and removed to expose the bristles in an in-use configuration. FIG. 24 shows another view of the cleaning member 270. Due to the flexible nature of the bristles and/or the gaps between adjacent bristles, the cleaning member 270 is able to be pushed past a pivot rod while cleaning a sink drain, to effectively clean a sink drain without removing the pivot rod.

In some cases a drain cleaning kit could include, for example, the elements of FIG. 3 but, additionally, the elements of FIG. 23 so that a user could remove the cleaning member of FIG. 3 and replace it with the cleaning member 270 and cover 276 for different cleaning operations. In implementations the cover 276 (and/or the cover 296, described below) may assist in getting the cleaning member bristles past a drain gate for example of a shower or sink drain (and then expand thereafter, once the drain gate has been passed). The drain gate itself may, in implementations, prevent the cover from going lower, such that pressing downward on the drain cleaner or extension rod, while the cover and cleaning member are atop a drain gate, may cause the bristled cleaning member to exit the cover while moving below the drain gate.

FIG. 25 shows a view of a cleaning member 280 (represented as partially see-through to show recess 285) and cover 296 (shown in cross-section) of a drain cleaner. The cleaning member 280 includes a rigid member 282 having a top portion 284 with the recess 285 therein (which may for example include internal threads, not shown, for an extension rod to couple therewith). The top portion also includes a lip 286 (circling the top portion, for example) which prevents a top of the cover 296 from passing beyond it. The top portion also includes one or more protrusions 288 (in some cases these may be a single protrusion encircling the top portion) which mate with one or more corresponding recesses in the cover 296 to selectively and manually snap the cover and cleaning member 280 into a secure/fixed configuration relative to one another for a stored configuration. Rigid member 282 includes an angled middle portion 290 and an elongate portion 292, and also includes bristles 294 extending therefrom (which may have any characteristic described herein for other bristles, and which may similarly be called flexible members). The cover 296 includes an opening 298 which an extension rod could pass through to couple with the cleaning member 280. The top portion of the rigid member is seen to abut the opening 298 in the stored configuration. The bristles are shown to be angled sharply downward in the stored configuration (in which the cleaning member 280 is generally stored within or substantially within the cavity 299 of cover 296), but when the cover is slid upward along the extension rod, to transition/switch the drain cleaner to a cleaning configuration, the bristles may extend radially outward, reverting to a configuration similar to that shown in FIGS. 23-24 for cleaning member 270. Due to the flexible nature of the bristles and/or the gaps between adjacent bristles, the cleaning member 280 is able to be pushed past a pivot rod while cleaning a sink drain, to effectively clean a sink drain without removing the pivot rod.

The cover 296 may in implementations have a total vertical height of 50 mm and an outer diameter of 20 mm. The top portion 284 may have an outer diameter small enough to fit through an opening in a drain gate (whereas the cover may not be small enough to fit through an opening in a drain gate). The total vertical height of the rigid member 282 may be 40 mm, and the outer diameter of the elongate portion 292 (either at its top, or at its bottom, or all along its length in cases with a consistent outer diameter) may be 5 mm. The vertical height from the topmost bristle to the lowermost bristle (in the open configuration with the cover removed) may be 30 mm. The outer diameter of the bristles (in the open configuration with the cover removed) may be 30 mm). The recess 285 may include internal threads configured to mate with a ¼″ 20 bolt/screw. In implementations any of the bristles and/or their corresponding rigid members described herein may be formed of a polymer or plastic, for example silicone or another polymer/plastic. In some cases a user may clean a drain with a first pass (or multiple passes) using a non-bristle cleaning member, then may use a cleaning member with bristles for extra cleaning. In other implementations the cleaning members with bristles may be useful in cases where a sink or shower drain or the like has a drain gate and the cover and/or bristle configuration allows the cleaning member with bristles to pass the drain gate and pass into the drain for cleaning thereof (whereas other cleaning members disclosed herein may not be able to pass through the drain gate and would require removal of the drain gate to be used).

Referring now to FIG. 2, in some cases after removing a p-trap, instead of a flexible pipe cover a rigid plug 310 could be used to plug the wall-side (or floor-side) pipe. The rigid plug could have external threads for coupling with internal threads of a coupler 312 (if a coupler 312 with internal threads is present), or the plug could have internal threads for coupling with external threads of the pipe itself. When coupled with the pipe, the plug effectively prevents or reduces outgassing from the pipe. An adapter 300 could be used on the sink-side pipe, coupled with a coupler 312 (if a coupler 312 with internal threads is present) using upper threaded portion 302, or the adapter could have internal threads for coupling with external threads of the pipe itself. Adapter 300 has a hollow cavity therein, and a lower portion 304 of the adapter may be secured to a valve 306 (such as through a friction fit or using an adhesive or mating threads or the like—or in some cases the lower portion and adapter may be integrally formed as a single component). The valve 306 includes a handle 308 allowing the user to manually open/close and adjust the valve. The valve may be useful for additional cleaning of the sink-side pipe. For example the user may attach the valve, close the valve, pour a cleaning agent down the drain and let it sit for a predetermined time, and then release the cleaning agent into a bowl or other container by opening the valve. In some cases a combination of baking soda and a vinegar/water solution may be used for this purpose.

Referring now to FIG. 26, an alternate pipe cover 320 is shown. Pipe cover 320 includes tabs 322 (which may be excluded, as with other pipe covers, but may also be included and which may make installation/removal easier). Pipe cover 320 includes a large portion 326 and a small portion 328, and accordingly may be useful for coupling with two (or more) differently-sized pipes, depending on the pipe sizes. A drain cleaning kit including the pipe cover 320 may thus be configured to be used with pipes of a range of sizes due to the different sizes of the large portion 326 and the small portion 328, and a wide range of sizes may further be facilitated by the generally flexible nature of the pipe cover 320 due to its being formed of a flexible polymer, in implementations. Internal ridges 324 are included on an inner sidewall of the large portion 326 (and these may also be present on an inner sidewall of the small portion 328) at intervals and may assist in securing the pipe cover over a pipe in a secure configuration, due to a relatively high coefficient of friction between the pipe cover and a corresponding pipe. This may prevent or reduce outgassing from a wall-side or floor-side pipe. In some cases when pipe cover 320 is used on a smaller pipe, the large portion 326 may not contact the pipe (or may be loose around the pipe), but the pipe and the pipe cover may be securely coupled together at the small portion 328. In some cases when pipe cover 320 is used on a larger pipe, the larger pipe may not extend into the small portion 328, but may secure to the pipe cover at the large portion 326. In implementations the large portion 326 may be useful for capping off a pipe coming from the wall/floor that is sometimes larger than the pipe coming from the sink, while the small portion 328 could be used for capping the pipe/drain coming from the sink (such as to retain a cleaning solution therein for a desired amount of time). In implementations the entire pipe cover 320 may be made of a stretchy/flexible material, such as a silicone or other flexible polymer.

FIG. 27 shows a drain cleaner 340 which includes an extension rod 342 coupled with a rigid member 344 shaped similar to a washer (but having a slot 346 therein), the rigid member 344 in turn secured to a flexible member 348 (such as using an adhesive or other coupling mechanism) which itself has a slit 350 situated to align, generally, with the slot 346. The extension rod 342 may be used to push the rigid member 344 and flexible member 348 down and/or up a sink drain. The flexible member 348 may squeegee the inner sidewall of the pipe of the sink drain, and the rigid member 344 may help retain the flexible member 348 in a relatively flat configuration along most of the flexible member (i.e., keeping the flexible member generally orthogonal to the direction of motion down/up the drain), and may help press the outer edge(s) of the flexible member 348 against the inner sidewall of the sink drain to clean/squeegee it. In some cases the extension rod 342 could be secured to the rigid member 344 and flexible member 348 by a screw or bolt or the like (not shown) which passes through openings in the rigid member 344 and flexible member 348 and is threaded up into a threaded cavity (not shown) of the extension rod 342 (the head of the screw/bolt residing below the flexible member 348) (in such cases extension rod 342 may be formed of a wooden dowel, for example). As with other cleaning members disclosed herein, the slot 346 and slit 350 allow a pivot rod to pass therethrough so that the drain cleaner 340 may be pushed past the pivot rod while cleaning a sink drain. Larger pivot rods may be able to be accommodated due to the extension rod 342 being coupled with the rigid member 344 and flexible member 348 near their outer edges. In the implementation of drain cleaner 340 it may be said that the rigid member 344 and flexible member 348 together form a cleaning member, or it may alternatively be said that the flexible member 348 alone forms a cleaning member. In some cases drain cleaner 340 could be modified by using another flexible member 348, placed atop the rigid member 344, so that the rigid member 344 is sandwiched between two flexible members 348. In any case the flexible member(s) 348 and/or rigid member 344 may be sized to a variety of different sizes to accommodate different pipes. In some cases there is some variation even in individual pipes wherein the pipe diameter reduces and then increases as you go from a top to a bottom of the pipe—the rigid & flexible components can accordingly have sizes to still clean well notwithstanding this variation. Drain cleaner 340 could also be modified such that the flexible member 348 is overmolded at least partially over the rigid member 344 during a molding process. In some cases the flexible member 348 could be modified to have bristles or brush elements (such as nylon bristles) extend therefrom to help clean a drain. With drain cleaner 340 (and with other drain cleaners and/or cleaning members disclosed herein) the slit 350 could in some cases be excluded (and the user would then need to remove the pivot rod from a drain if intending to clean a full drain pipe from one end thereof.

FIG. 28 shows a drain cleaner 360 that is in some ways similar to drain cleaner 340 except that, instead of a rigid member being shaped like a washer, rigid member 366 has the shape of a hollow pipe having a gap 368 extending along its length. Fasteners 364 (which may be screws, bolts, rivets, or the like) secure the rigid member 366 to the extension rod 362. Flexible member 370 includes a slit 372, and the gap 368 and slit 372 allow a pivot rod of a sink drain to pass therethrough during a cleaning operation so that the drain cleaner 360 may be pushed past the pivot rod while cleaning a sink drain. Larger pivot rods may be able to be accommodated due to the rigid member 366 being coupled with the flexible member 370 only near its outer edge(s). The rigid member may help keep the flexible member substantially flat during a cleaning operation and/or may help press the flexible member against an inner sidewall of the pipe/drain being cleaned, similar to that described above for drain cleaner 340. In the implementation of drain cleaner 360 it may be said that the rigid member 366 and flexible member 370 together form a cleaning member, or it may alternatively be said that the flexible member 370 alone forms a cleaning member. The gap 368 and slit 372 could be adjusted to any sizes (as can similar elements of any other drain cleaners or cleaning members disclosed herein) to allow a pivot rod of any given size to pass therethrough. In some cases rigid member 366 could be formed from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe by forming gap 368 in a sidewall thereof (which gap could be formed to have any thickness) which may be secured to flexible member 370 using an adhesive.

FIG. 29 shows a drain cleaner 380 that is in some ways similar to drain cleaner 340 and in some ways similar to drain cleaner 360. Instead of a rigid member being shaped only like a washer, or like a hollow pipe, rigid member 386 has an upper portion 387 having a shape of a portion of a hollow pipe and a lower portion 389 having a shape of a washer with a slot. Fasteners 364 (which may be screws, bolts, rivets, or the like) secure the rigid member 386 to the extension rod 362. Flexible member 370 includes a slit 372, and the slot of the 389 and slit 372 allow a pivot rod of a sink drain to pass therethrough during a cleaning operation so that the drain cleaner 380 may be pushed past the pivot rod while cleaning a sink drain. Larger pivot rods may be able to be accommodated due to the rigid member 386 being coupled with the flexible member 370 only near its outer edge(s). The lower portion 389 of the rigid member may help keep the flexible member substantially flat during a cleaning operation and/or may help press the flexible member against an inner sidewall of the pipe/drain being cleaned, similar to that described above for drain cleaner 340, and the upper portion 387 of the rigid member may provide structural support for this positioning by providing a secure attachment mechanism between the extension rod 362 and the rigid member. In the implementation of drain cleaner 380 it may be said that the rigid member 386 and flexible member 370 together form a cleaning member, or it may alternatively be said that the flexible member 370 alone forms a cleaning member. Drain cleaner 380 may provide somewhat less structural rigidity relative to drain cleaner 360, but uses less material and may allow the user more leeway for rotating the drain cleaner 380 immediately after passing the pivot rod (either when passing up past the pivot rod or down past the pivot rod), which in some implementations may facilitate more thorough cleaning (or quicker cleaning) of the sink drain.

Although the devices disclosed herein are disclosed as being configured for cleaning drains, in other implementations they could be configured or used for cleaning pipes that are not specifically drains.

The various devices and/or assemblies disclosed herein and their elements, sub-elements, sub-assemblies, and so forth may be formed from any materials that will feasibly allow, facilitate, and/or otherwise not hinder their respective functions as described herein. For example, any of the devices, elements, or sub-elements may, wherever possible, be formed of metals, polymers, composites, ceramic materials, and so forth.

Furthermore, there are a variety of ways in which the various elements may be directly or indirectly coupled together. Notwithstanding the specific ways in which elements are depicted as being coupled together herein, these same elements could, wherever feasible, be joined together in any of the following ways: manually removably coupled together such as using a friction fit, snaps, manually removable bolts and nuts or screws or other threaded fasteners, mating threads implemented on any components, and any other type of manually removable coupling mechanism; or fixedly/permanently coupled together such as using a permanent adhesive, rivets, welding, melt joining or heat bonding, and any other type of permanent coupling mechanism that is not manually removable. Manually removable, as defined herein, refers to the ability to remove a coupling using manual force either using hands alone or using non-powered hand tools.

The above-described elements may in implementations be configured or arranged in a variety of arrangements, each arrangement with its own advantages as will be understood by the practitioner of ordinary skill in the art, notwithstanding the specific example arrangements which are discussed above and representatively illustrated in the drawings.

For convenience, a list of elements depicted in the drawings is provided below:

• • drain system 50
    • sink 52
    • stopper 54
      • lower portion 56
    • pipe 58
      • threads 59
    • pivot rod 60
    • actuator member 62
    • actuator member 64
    • p-trap 66
      • couplers 68
    • pipe 70
      • threads 72
  • drain cleaner system 100
    • drain cleaner 102
      • handle body 104
      • extension 106
      • opening 108
    • handle cushion 110
      • opening 112
    • threaded insert 114
      • outer surface 115
    • extension rod 116
      • threaded end 118
      • threaded end 120
    • threaded insert 122
      • outer surface 124
    • rigid adapter 126
      • opening 128
      • elongate portion 130
    • cleaning member 132
      • central portion 134
        • opening 136
      • flexible members 138
      • slits 140
    • pipe cover 150
      • angle 152
    • cleaning member 160
      • central portion 162
      • flexible members 164
    • pipe cover 170
      • tab 172
      • bottom surface 174
    • cleaning member 180
      • central portion 182
      • flexible members 184
      • threaded coupler 186
    • cleaning member 190
      • central portion 192
        • opening 193
      • flexible members 194
      • bristles 196
      • top portion 197
      • bottom portion 198
    • cleaning member 200
      • rigid member 202
        • cavity 204
      • flexible member 206
        • opening 208
    • cleaning member 220
      • rigid member 222
        • cavity NS
        • recess 225
        • recess 225B
      • flexible member 226
        • opening 228
        • slit 229
      • extension rod 230
        • nut 232
        • nut 234
    • cleaning member 240
      • central portion 242
        • recess 244
        • recess 246
        •  recess 248
      • flexible member 250
    • extension rod 260
      • arm 262
        • protrusion 264
    • cleaning member 270
      • rigid member 272
        • elongate portion 273
      • bristles 274
    • cover 276
      • opening 278
      • cavity 279
    • cleaning member 280
      • rigid member 282
        • top portion 284
        •  recess 285
        •  lip 286
        •  protrusion 288
        • middle portion 290
        • elongate portion 292
      • bristles 294
    • cover 296
      • opening 298
      • cavity 299
    • adapter 300
      • upper threaded portion 302
      • lower portion 304
    • valve 306
      • handle 308
    • plug 310
    • couplers 312
    • pipe cover 320
      • tabs 322
      • internal ridges 324
      • large portion 326
      • small portion 328
    • drain cleaner 340
      • extension rod 342
      • rigid member 344
        • slot 346
      • flexible member 348
        • slit 350
    • drain cleaner 360
      • extension rod 362
      • fastener 364
      • rigid member 366
        • gap 368
      • flexible member 370
        • slit 372
  • drain cleaner 380
    • rigid member 386
      • upper portion 387
      • lower portion 389
  • In implementations any of the extension rods disclosed herein may have a length of at least: 40 cm, 45 cm; 50 cm; 55 cm; 60 cm; 65 cm; 70 cm; 75 cm; 80 cm; 85 cm; and/or 90 cm. In any case, the extension rod may have a length sufficient to allow a user to fully clean a sink drain/pipe with a portion of the extension rod extending above the top opening of the sink drain for the user to grip either directly or using a handle. In implementations the extension rod has a length of 6.3 cm.

In implementations any of the cleaning members disclosed herein may have a maximum diameter (measured orthogonal to the longest length of an attached extension rod) at or below: 10 cm; 9 cm; 8 cm; 7 cm; 6 cm; 5 cm; 4 cm; 3 cm; 2 cm; and/or 1 cm (depending on the size of the drain to be cleaned). In implementations any of the cleaning members disclosed herein may have a minimum diameter (measured orthogonal to the longest length of an attached extension rod, and measured between outermost edges of flexible members) at or above: 0.5 cm; 1 cm; 2 cm; 3 cm; 4 cm; 5 cm; 6 cm; 7 cm; 8 cm; 9 cm; and/or 10 cm (depending on the size of the drain to be cleaned). In implementations the cleaning member may have a range of diameters (measured orthogonal to the longest length of an attached extension rod, and measured between outermost edges of flexible members), ranging between any of the above stated values - for example ranging between 2 cm and 6 cm. In the version of FIG. 7, for example, the smallest full diameter of the flexible members (e.g., the diameter of the first complete circle/spiral formed by the flexible members starting from the bottom of the cleaning member) is 3.249 cm, while the largest full diameter of the flexible members (e.g., the diameter of the first complete circle/spiral formed by the flexible members starting from the top of the cleaning member) is 3.996 cm.

The diameter of the cleaning member is not trivial, as a proper size results in a good cleaning operation. In some cases the maximum diameter of the cleaning member is selected to be just larger than the inner diameter of the pipe/drain being cleaned, so that he flexible members effectively squeegee the inner sidewall(s) of the pipe and clean it well during a cleaning operation. For example, it may be sized to be one or a few millimeters larger in diameter than the inner diameter of the pipe. In other cases the cleaning member could have the same diameter as the inner diameter of the pipe, which may make it easier to push the cleaning member through the pipe but may in some implementations also require more up/down movements to get the pipe fully clean.

Any rigid member disclosed herein may be less flexible (e.g., having a higher modulus of elasticity or Young's modulus) than the one or more flexible members.

In implementations the flexible members disclosed herein could also be called squeegee members to the extent that they are configured to act as a squeegee along the inner surface of a drain or pipe, pressing on the inner sidewall of the drain or pipe and forcing solids and fluids through the drain or pipe along a desired direction.

Any of the cleaning members herein may be sized/shaped so that, with flexion/bending taken into consideration, they are configured to clean 1⅛ inch (inner diameter) drains as well as 1 inch drains.

Although the extension rods shown in the drawings are seen to be cylindrical, in other implementations they could have non-circular (such as square or rectangular) cross-sections such that they do not form cylinders.

In some cases the cleaning members or other elements disclosed herein could be disposable such that a user detaches the cleaning member after pushing it through a drain/pipe and discards it (together with the refuse/grime etc. removed thereby from the drain/pipe) and another cleaning member may be attached later for another cleaning operation.

Any of the valves or pipe covers disclosed herein may be useful for facilitating a liquid cleaning solution. For example, before and/or after squeegeeing using one of the cleaning members disclosed herein, the user may attach & close the valve (or attach a pipe cover) to the sink drain/pipe and pour some baking soda down the drain, then pour (for example) a mixture of 12 ounces of water and 4 ounces of vinegar in the drain to fill it. The user can let this solution sit for a while in the drain, and then open the valve and dump the solution.

It is pointed out that the elements of some of the drawings are prior art off-the-shelf components, technically, though they are not known to the applicant to be used for the specific shown assembled devices and/or methods. For example all of the individual elements shown in FIG. 2 are preexisting piping/valve elements that may be purchased from a home improvement store such as a LOWE'S store, the threaded insert 114 and threaded insert 122 are believed to be prior art off-the-shelf components, the extension rod 230 and nuts 232/234 are prior art off-the-shelf components that may be purchased at a LOWE'S store or the like, and the extension rod 342 (when it is a wooden dowel) and the screw (not shown) are prior art off-the-shelf components that may be purchased at a LOWE'S store or the like. Even so, while the individual components may be prior art off-the-shelf components, applicant is not aware of them having been used to form the assemblies and/or having been used to perform the methods disclosed in the drawings and in this written description.

The devices/methods disclosed herein could be used to clean pipes other than the type of sink drain shown in the figures. Accordingly, although the devices are called drain cleaners herein, in some cases they may be used to clean pipes that are not technically drains. The devices disclosed herein could be used to clean a side pipe that comes from a garbage/sink disposal to a drain, or a bathtub drain, a shower drain, any kitchen or sink drain, any other pipe or drain, etc. The devices could be modified to any size to clean pipes of any size. The extension rods in implementations could be formed of metal, a rigid polymer or plastic, a composite, wood, etc.

In some cases a user moves a cleaning member all the way past the bottom open end of the pipe/drain (to push refuse down and out, such as into a bowl or other container), but in other cases the user could alternatively pull the cleaning member back up to bring refuse back up and out.

In some cases a drain/pipe cleaning kit could include two pipe covers, to cap off both the open sink-side pipe and the open wall-side (or floor-side) pipe at the same time (for example if the user is not ready to reattach the wall-side or floor-side pipe elements but wants to retain a liquid cleaning solution in the sink drain). If only one pipe cover is included in a kit, normally the user would remove the side of the p-trap coming down from the sink first (as the fumes from the wall side or floor side are generally prevented from coming through the p-trap by the water therein), then the user detaches the other side and attaches the pipe cover to the wall-side or floor-side pipe to prevent fumes from coming thereout.

As indicated above, before using any of the drain cleaners or cleaning members disclosed herein, the user may place a bowl or other container below the open drain. The user may also, after doing this, pour a small amount of water down the drain to wet it for lubrication for the drain cleaner or cleaning member. And, as indicated, the user may make multiple (even several) passes with the drain cleaner or cleaning member to get the drain/pipe very clean. The user can of course use latex gloves or the like to protect hands during any cleaning operation.

In some cases any of the slits in flexible members herein may have a length of ⅜ inch, but the size may be adjusted according to the pivot rod size and on the flexibility of the corresponding flexible member (which in some cases may be formed of silicone). In some cases a 1¼ inch hole saw may be used to create a rigid member 222 (so that the rigid member 222 would likely have a diameter slightly smaller than that). In some cases a 1½ inch hole saw may be used to cut a silicone/rubber component to form a flexible member 226 or other flexible member (and it would accordingly likely have a size slightly smaller than that).

Any version in which the cleaning member is manually removable from the extension rod may be useful to allow the user to remove the cleaning member and clean it off (such as outside with a hose or the like) before then reattaching it for a cleaning pass going back up (for a better clean going back up).

If the user removes the pivot rod the user may need to cover the corresponding hole (such as with a paper towel or masking tape or the like) before performing the cleaning operations discussed herein, otherwise water or refuse may come out of the pivot rod hole.

In instances in which there is a blockage in a sink drain or in a pipe, the spiral nature of some of the cleaning members disclosed herein, and the corresponding ability to rotate the cleaning member to spiral it, may help to get the cleaning member to move past the blockage and/or get some of the blockage material between the flexible member layers of the cleaning member, and the user may then push the cleaning member further down and out of the open drain (or pull it back out) to remove the refuse/blockage.

In some cases a user may place a paper towel or cheese cloth or the like in the bowl or container below the pipe/drain before opening it. This can be useful, for example, if there is a known item in the drain (such as jewelry or other item) that the user wants to retain from the refuse/liquid. The item may fall through the pipe (once it is opened, or if it is in the p-trap the user may dump the item out together with the liquid in the p-trap) and then the user can pull the cheese cloth or paper towel out of the bowl, retrieving the jewelry or other item, and the water passes through the cheese cloth or paper towel so that it is easier to then retrieve the jewelry or other item.

As soon as the user reconnects the p-trap, the user may run some water into the drain/pipe to refill the p-trap, so as to again prevent fumes from coming through the wall-side or floor-side pipe.

Some of the extension rods disclosed herein have external threads at each end, with the corresponding components attachable thereto having corresponding internal threads, but on either end/side this could be reversed, with the extension rod having internal threads and the corresponding component having external threads, for example.

In some cases multiple extension rods could be coupled together to provide greater length (for example one end of each extension rod could have male threads and the other female threads so that multiple extension rods may be joined together in this manner, according to the desired length).

While each individual above-described element may be configured as shown in the drawings and/or as discussed above, these are only representative examples and other configurations are possible for any individual element, with various advantages and tradeoffs as will be understood by the practitioner of ordinary skill in the art.

In places where the phrase “one of A and B” is used herein, including in the claims, wherein A and B are elements, the phrase shall have the meaning “A and/or B.” This shall be extrapolated to as many elements as are recited in this manner, for example the phrase “one of A, B, and C” shall mean “A, B, and/or C,” and so forth. To further clarify, the phrase “one of A, B, and C” would include implementations having: A only; B only; C only; A and B but not C; A and C but not B; B and C but not A; and A and B and C.

In places where the description above refers to specific implementations of drain cleaners and related systems and methods, one or more or many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Details of any specific implementation/embodiment described herein may, wherever possible, be applied to any other specific implementation/embodiment described herein. The appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Furthermore, in the claims, if a specific number of an element is intended, such will be explicitly recited, and in the absence of such explicit recitation no such limitation exists. For example, the claims may include phrases such as “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim elements. The use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of any other claim element by the indefinite article “a” or “an” limits that claim to only one such element, and the same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.

Additionally, in places where a claim below uses the term “first” as applied to an element, this does not imply that the claim requires a second (or more) of that element—if the claim does not explicitly recite a “second” of that element, the claim does not require a “second” of that element. Furthermore, in some cases a claim may recite a “second” or “third” or “fourth” (or so on) of an element, and this does not necessarily imply that the claim requires a first (or so on) of that element—if the claim does not explicitly recite a “first” (or so on) of that element (or an element with the same name, such as “a widget” and “a second widget”), then the claim does not require a “first” (or so on) of that element.

Any dimensions given herein for any component are only representative example dimensions, and in some cases other dimensions could be used.

Method steps disclosed anywhere herein, including in the claims, may be performed in any feasible/possible order. Recitation of method steps in any given order in the claims or elsewhere does not imply that the steps must be performed in that order—such claims and descriptions are intended to cover the steps performed in any order except any orders which are technically impossible or not feasible. However, in some implementations method steps may be performed in the order(s) in which the steps are presented herein, including any order(s) presented in the claims.