Waste outlet plug

Abstract

A mechanically-actuable combined seal and strainer plug ( 10 ) is provided. The plug ( 10 ) includes a length-adjustable stem ( 20 a ), ( 20 b ), which carries a seal ( 28 ) and a strainer ( 30 ). In use the strainer ( 30 ) is located above the seal ( 28 ), to permit easy access and cleaning. The stem ( 20 a ), ( 20 b ) is received in a waste outlet. The length of the stem may be adjusted by exertion of force on a knob ( 32 ) on the upper surface of the strainer ( 30 ); as the stem changes in length, the seal ( 28 ) engages and disengages with a surface of a waste outlet. When the seal ( 28 ) is disengaged, waste water can flow through the outlet passing first through the strainer ( 30 ) to remove solid particles.

1 . A plug for cooperating with a waste outlets comprising. 
 a seal;    a stem for being received in an outlet waste and coupled to the seal, the stem being selectively adjustable in length for selectively engaging the seal with a portion of an outlet waste to open and seal the outlet waste; and    a strainer member operatively associated with one of the seal and the stem, wherein the stem is adjustable in length in response to a compressive force exerted on the stem.    
   
   
       2 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the stem defines a vertical axis, and extends axially downwardly of the seal, with the strainer being located axially upwardly of the seal.  
   
   
       3 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the strainer is adapted for location at an uppermost portion of the plug, with the seal being adapted for location below the strainer within the waste outlet.  
   
   
       4 . The plug of  claim 3 , wherein the strainer is adapted for location flush with a waste outlet.  
   
   
       5 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein in use the seal is located on an upper portion of the plug, with the strainer being located below the seal within the waste outlet.  
   
   
       6 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the plug is for a sink.  
   
   
       7 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the strainer is removable from the stem or the seal to which it is coupled.  
   
   
       8 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the strainer has a shape corresponding to the shape of an opening of a waste outlet.  
   
   
       9 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the plug further comprises a surface for contact with a user's hand.  
   
   
       10 . The plug of  claim 9 , wherein the surface is in the form of a button.  
   
   
       11 . The plug of  claim 9 , wherein the surface is provided on a portion of the plug formed to permit grasping thereof  
   
   
       12 . The plug of  claim 9  wherein the surface is provided on a portion of the plug adapted to retain one of the strainer and the seal on the stem.  
   
   
       13 . The plug of  claim 12 , wherein the portion of the plug is removable from the plug to permit disassembly of the plug.  
   
   
       14 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is dimensioned to substantially conceal a waste outlet opening in use.  
   
   
       15 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the stem comprises two substantially concentric portions biased to a first length.  
   
   
       16 . The plug of  claim 15 , wherein the stem further comprises a latch means arranged to hold the portions in a second length against the bias.  
   
   
       17 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the stem may be extended and contracted by the application and release of a force in a single direction.  
   
   
       18 . The plug of  claim 17 , wherein the stem length may be varied by the application of less than around 5 lbs (2.2 kg) of force.  
   
   
       19 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises a resilient material.  
   
   
       20 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the stem is adapted to be secured to an outlet waste.  
   
   
       21 . The plug of  claim 20 , wherein the stem comprises a threaded member for engaging with a correspondingly-threaded member provided on a waste outlet.  
   
   
       22 . The plug of  claim 21 , further comprising a non-threaded sleeve for engaging with the threaded stem member to allow the stem to be freely received in a waste outlet.  
   
   
       23 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the stem is adapted to be freely received in an outlet waste.  
   
   
       24 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the strainer is a basket strainer.  
   
   
       25 . The plug of  claim 1 , provided in combination with a waste outlet.  
   
   
       26 . The combination of  claim 25 , wherein the stem is located in the centre of the waste outlet.  
   
   
       27 . The combination of  claim 26 , wherein the waste outlet has an inner portion and an outer portion are centrally secured relative to each other.  
   
   
       28 . The combination of  claim 27 , wherein the strainer and the waste outlet define a flow gap therebetween when the seal is in the open position.  
   
   
       29 . The combination of  claim 28 , wherein the flow gap is annular and defined by an outer circumference of the strainer and a surrounding inner surface of the waste outlet.  
   
   
       30 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the strainer is fixed relative to the seal.