System and Method for Removing Plumbing Fixture Buildup

Abstract

Buildup in a plumbing fixture is removed by providing a bag containing a quantity of concentrated fixture cleaning chemicals and then securing the bag to the fixture to be cleaned. After securing the bag to the fixture, the bag is filled with water from the fixture which mixes with the concentrated chemicals to create a cleaning solution that covers the fixture, and then the fixture is allowed to soak in the created cleaning solution to thereby dissolve the buildup.

Claims

1. A method for removing buildup in a plumbing fixture, comprising: providing a bag containing a quantity of concentrated fixture cleaning chemicals; securing the bag to the fixture to be cleaned; after securing the bag to the fixture, filling the bag with water from the fixture so as to create a cleaning solution that covers the fixture; and then allowing the fixture to soak in the created cleaning solution to thereby dissolve the buildup.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, while filling the bag with water from the fixture, allowing air to escape the bag via an air release valve provided in a sidewall of the bag or via a hole formed in the bag after the bag has been secured to the fixture.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein substantially all of the water in the cleaning solution comes from the fixture after the bag has been secured to the fixture.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein a majority of the water in the cleaning solution comes from the fixture after the bag has been secured to the fixture.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the fixture cleaning chemicals are provided in the bag in a non-liquid form.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the fixture cleaning chemicals are provided in powder or crystal form.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the fixture cleaning chemicals are provided as a concentrated liquid in a dissolvable or breakable container.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the fixture cleaning chemicals are provided in a gel pack or a frangible vial.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the bag is secured to the fixture in a substantially airtight fashion.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the bag is secured to the fixture via straps or tape.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising cutting a hole in the bag to drain the cleaning solution after the fixture has soaked in the cleaning solution.

12. A system for cleaning a plumbing fixture, comprising: a plastic bag having an open top and an air release valve formed in a sidewall of the bag; a small volume of concentrated fixture cleaning chemicals in the bag, wherein the volume of the concentrated fixture cleaning chemicals is less than about 10% of the maximum capacity of the bag; and means for securing the open top of the bag to a plumbing fixture in a substantially airtight fashion, wherein the secured bag may be thereafter be filled with water from the fixture to form a fixture cleaning solution sufficient to dissolve buildup in the fixture.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for securing comprises straps or tape.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the concentrated fixture cleaning chemicals are provided in the bag in a non-liquid form

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the concentrated fixture cleaning chemicals are provided in powder or crystal form.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the concentrated fixture cleaning chemicals are provided as a concentrated liquid of gel in a dissolvable or breakable container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures forming a part thereof, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a cleaning bag about to be placed over a fixture according to an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 2 shows the cleaning bag of FIG. 1 secured over the fixture; and

[0013] FIG. 3 shows the fixture soaking in the cleaning bag after the cleaning bag has been filled with water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the present invention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described or illustrated embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0015] Turning now to the Figures, cleaning system 20 comprises a plastic bag 22 having an open top 24, a pair of Velcro straps 26, and an air release valve 28 incorporated into the sidewall of the bag. Bag 22 also contains a fixture cleaning chemical concentrate 30, which as illustrated is in the form of crystals or powder. The chemical concentrate 30 could also be a concentrated liquid or gel, for example provided in a dissolvable pouch or frangible vial.

[0016] During use, the open top 24 of the bag 22 is placed over a fixture 10 and secured to the stem 12 with the straps 26, as shown in FIG. 2. Other means for securing the bag 22 to the fixture 10 could be used, such as tape, elastic tape, an elastic band, or a single Velcro strap. As illustrated, the straps 26 are provided attached to the bag near its open top 24. Alternatively, the straps 26, or other securing means may be provided separate from the bag, which can provide the user greater flexibility in attaching the bag over different types of fixtures. The valve 28 is located in the bag just below the straps 12 and above the fixture 10. Then, with the bag 22 secured in place over the fixture 10, the faucet is turned on to introduce water into the bag.

[0017] As the water is introduced, displaced air is degassed through the valve 28, as needed. With reference to FIG. 3, the introduced water mixes with the chemical concentrate 30 to form a fixture cleaning chemical solution 32. The water is introduced until the level 34 of the solution 32 covers the fixture 10. The fixture 10 is then allowed to soak in the cleaning solution. Upon completion, the bag can be punctured, such as with scissors or a knife, so as to allow the cleaning solution to drain, and the cleaning bag removed.

[0018] It is to be appreciated that the fixture cleaning chemical concentrate 30 can be any suitable chemical, or mixture of chemicals, that, when mixed with water from the faucet, forms a solution suitable to dissolve the mineral and other depositions that typically clog plumbing fixtures, such as showerheads, faucets and the like. In one form, the cleaning concentrate 30 includes powdered sulfuric acid or sulfonic acid crystals. In another form, the concentrate 30 is concentrated liquid or gel provided in a frangible vial or dissolvable packet, similar to a laundry detergent dissolvable packet such as a Tide® Pod. When a frangible vial us employed, the user would break the vial to release the concentrate after affixing the bag to the fixture, or the vial itself could be water-soluble and dissolve upon introduction of water from the faucet.

[0019] It is also to be appreciated that the quantity of fixture cleaning chemical concentrate 30 initially provided in the bag is small and light, which facilities handling and attachment of the bag 22 to the fixture 10. Accordingly, when forming the fixture cleaning chemical solution 32, the quantity of water added to the bag after being attached to the fixture is at least about 5-10 times the quantity of the cleaning concentrate. Similarly, the volume of the fixture cleaning chemical concentrate 30 provided in the bag will be much less than the maximum volume of the bag 22 itself, for example being less than about 10% of the maximum volume of the bag, such as less than about 5%. For example, if the bag 22 is the size of a conventional one gallon food storage bag, the volume of the fixture cleaning chemical concentrate 30 provided in the bag would be less than about 12.8 fluid ounces (10% of 1 gallon), or less than about 6.4 fluid ounces (5% of 1 gallon).

[0020] Prior to use, the top 24 of the bag may be kept closed, so as to keep the contents of the bag (i.e. the chemical concentrate 30) secure prior to use. The included straps 26 may be used for this purpose. Alternatively, the top of the bag can be closed by a separate closure means, such as by a conventional zip type closure mechanism (not shown), such as are conventionally provided on plastic food storage bags, such as ZIP LOCK® freezer bags.

[0021] It is also to be appreciated that the function of the air release valve 28 is to allow entrapped air to escape the bag as it is being filled with water, thereby avoiding any excess pressure buildup that might otherwise cause the bag to burst as it is being filled with water. It is also desirable that the valve 28 not allow the concentrated chemicals to escape prior to use, for example during transport, storage, and handling of the bag prior to use. Accordingly, the valve 28 may be any suitable degassing mechanism incorporated into the sidewall of the bag that accomplishes these purposes, such as a conventional check valve or blowout valve that selectively opens so as to provide for the release of air when the air pressure in the bag exceeds the air pressure outside the bag. Alternatively, given the one-time use nature of the bag, the valve 28 may be formed by a small hole in the bag that is releasably covered by a flap, wherein the flap is initially held in place over the exterior of the hole via a mild adhesive that releases to uncover the hole under a modest pressure buildup inside the bag. Alternatively, air may be released by forming an air release opening in the bag after securing the bag to the fixture, such as by cutting or puncturing the bag with a pair of scissors.

[0022] Any of the suitable technologies set forth and incorporated herein may be used to implement various example aspects of the invention as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. Although exemplary embodiments and applications of the invention have been described herein including as described above and shown in the included example Figures, there is no intention that the invention be limited to these exemplary embodiments and applications or to the manner in which the exemplary embodiments and applications operate or are described herein. Indeed, many variations and modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The invention may include any device, structure, method, or functionality, as long as the resulting device, system or method falls within the scope of one of the claims that are allowed by the patent office based on this or any related patent application.