Overflow Drain Seal and Kit for Using Same with Presure-Based Drain-Opening Devices

Abstract

Provided is a seal for sealing a sink or other overflow drain in fluid communication with a sink drain system. The seal is used in conjunction with a pressure-based drain-opening device. The seal is configured as a releasable adhesive tape that includes water-resistant, flexible, conformable sheet material having pressure-sensitive adhesive layer adhered to one surface of the sheet material. Optionally, a protective layer may overlie the adhesive layer. The properties and characteristic of the overflow drain seal components are selected such that the seal, when engaged, has sufficient adhesive force to overcome an aperture force impinging the seal from pressure generated upon activation of the pressure-based drain-opening device

1 . A seal for sealing an overflow drain in fluid communication with a fixture drain of a fixture, said seal used in conjunction with a pressure-based drain-opening device, said seal comprising:
 a releasable adhesive tape;   wherein, before activation of said pressure-based drain-opening device, a first portion of said releasable adhesive tape overlies an overflow drain aperture of said overflow drain and a second portion of said releasable adhesive tape releasably engages a fixture surface area adjacent and circumscribing said overflow drain aperture; and   wherein, after activation of said pressure-base drain-opening device, said second portion of said releasable adhesive tape is released from engagement with said fixture surface area and said first portion of said releasable adhesive tape is removed from overlying said overflow drain aperture.   
   
   
       2 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein said second portion of said releasable adhesive tape provides an adhesive force greater than an aperture force impinging said first portion of said releasable adhesive tape overlying said overflow drain aperture from pressure generated upon activation of said pressure-based drain-opening device. 
   
   
       3 . The seal of  claim 2  wherein said aperture force is about 10-30 pounds. 
   
   
       4 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein said releasable adhesive tape has a peel force strength of about 50 to 150 ounces/inch width. 
   
   
       5 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein a maximum operating pressure of said pressure-based drain-opening device is about 7 to 20 PSI. 
   
   
       6 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein said releasable adhesive tape comprises:
 a sheet said sheet being flexible and conformable;   a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on one surface of said sheet, said adhesive layer adhering to said sheet and adapted to releasably engage said sheet to said fixture surface area adjacent and circumscribing said overflow drain aperture by application of pressure on said sheet after said adhesive layer is placed in abutting contact with said fixture surface area; and   optionally, a protective layer overlying said pressure sensitive adhesive layer, said protectively being removable for said adhesive layer.   
   
   
       7 . The seal of  claim 6  wherein said sheet is water resistant. 
   
   
       8 . The seal of  claim 6  wherein said sheet further includes a sheet tab integral with said sheet and grippable by a user of said overflow drain seal. 
   
   
       9 . The seal of  claim 6  wherein said protective layer further includes a flexible layer tab integral with said sheet and grippable by a user of said overflow drain seal. 
   
   
       10 . The seal of  claim 6 :
 wherein said sheet comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester film, polyethylene film, glass cloth film, and elastomeric foam film;   wherein said pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicone adhesives, urethane adhesives, latex adhesives, and natural rubber adhesives; and   wherein said optional protective layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester film, polyethylene film, and densified kraft paper sheet.   
   
   
       11 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein said second portion of said releasable adhesive tape releasably engages said fixture surface area adjacent and circumscribing said overflow drain aperture through a user pressing said second portion against said fixture surface area. 
   
   
       12 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein a tensile strength and shear strength of said releasable adhesive tape is selected to avoid bursting or tearing of said releasable adhesive tape during use with a pressure-base drain-opening device and during removal of said releasable adhesive tape after use. 
   
   
       13 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein said fixture is a bathroom sink. 
   
   
       14 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein said fixture is a bathtub. 
   
   
       15 . A pre-packaged drain-opening kit for use in removing a fixture drain blockage in a fixture drain in fluid communication with a fixture having an overflow drain in fluid communication with said fixture drain, said kit comprising:
 a pressure-based drain-opening device;   an overflow drain seal;   drain-opening instructions in the use and disposal of said pressure-based drain-opening device;   seal instructions in the use, removal, and disposal of said overflow drain seal; and   optionally, promotional materials.   
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein said seal instructions include specific and particular instructions for cleaning a fixture surface area of said fixture adjacent and circumscribing an overflow drain aperture of said drain system before application of pressure on said overflow drain seal. 
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein said overflow drain seal comprises a releasable adhesive tape. 
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 17  wherein said releasable adhesive tape comprises:
 a flexible, conformable sheet having a pressure sensitive releasable adhesive on one surface of said sheet; and   optionally, a protective layer overlying said pressure sensitive adhesive layer, said protectively being removable for said adhesive layer.   
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein a maximum operating pressure of said pressure-based drain-opening device is about 7 to 20 PSI.