Ultra thin disposable drain strainer

Abstract

A disposable ultra-thin drain strainer is removably received within a drain opening of a sink, shower or bathtub having an adjacent drain rim substrate. The strainer has a strainer portion, a ring portion, and has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch) for disposability. In another embodiment the strainer includes a seal release mechanism. Top and bottom surfaces of the ring portion are adapted to sealingly engage the drain rim substrate. The disposable drain strainer is preferably composed of a biodegradable or environmentally friendly material. The ultra-thin strainer may be composed of a variety of materials, including fiber materials, polymeric materials, starch, sugarcane, or water-insoluble edible film. The strainer is composed of a material soluble in water, and preferably includes a water-insoluble edible film coating. Owing to its thin nature, the disposable drain strainer is appointed to be disposed after use, so that the user does not have to clean the strainer. It is cost efficient to produce and transport. Due to the strainer's environmentally friendly composition, the strainer can be readily discarded without harming the environment.

1 . A disposable drain strainer for use with a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate, comprising:
 a. a strainer portion having a plurality of small apertures therein and adapted to be removably engage with said drain opening;   b. a ring portion fixedly attached to said strainer walls of said strainer portion, said ring portion having top and bottom surfaces and being adapted to substantially engage said drain rim substrate; and   c. said disposable drain strainer having a thickness no greater than 0.091 (0.036 inch).   
     
     
         2 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1  comprising a seal release means. 
     
     
         3 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 2 , wherein said seal release means is integral within said ring portion for facilitating release of said ring portion and removal of said strainer from said drain, said seal release means comprises a tab pivotally and fixedly attached to said top surface of said ring portion by a connection means, and said tab further comprises an interior and an exterior surface. 
     
     
         4 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polypropene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), Acrylonitrile and butadiene styrene (ABS). 
     
     
         5 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of paper material. 
     
     
         6 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a fiber material. 
     
     
         7 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of polystyrene. 
     
     
         8 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of starch. 
     
     
         9 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of sugarcane. 
     
     
         10 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1  further comprising a water-insoluble edible film coating. 
     
     
         11 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a water-insoluble edible film. 
     
     
         12 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of small apertures each have slightly tapered, sloped walls. 
     
     
         13 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer comprises environmentally friendly binding agent. 
     
     
         14 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said ring portion further comprises a seal gasket located on said bottom surface of said ring portion. 
     
     
         15 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said ring portion further comprises a suction-cup gasket located on said bottom surface of said ring portion. 
     
     
         16 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said strainer portion comprises strainer walls abutting a strainer bottom, and wherein said plurality of small apertures are substantially located in said strainer bottom. 
     
     
         17 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 16 , wherein said strainer walls include a plurality of drainage holes integrated therein. 
     
     
         18 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 16 , wherein said strainer walls of said strainer portion extend and engage with said strainer bottom to form a strainer containment well having a depth ranging between 0.1 (0.039 inches) to 4 cm (1.57 inches). 
     
     
         19 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1  comprising a downward cross reinforcement. 
     
     
         20 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1  comprising an outer edge bend down reinforcement. 
     
     
         21 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1  comprising a downward anti-move around embossing. 
     
     
         22 . A disposable drain strainer for use with a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate, comprising:
 a. a strainer portion comprising strainer walls and a strainer bottom, said strainer portion having a plurality of small apertures therein and adapted to be removably received within said drain opening;   b. a ring portion fixedly attached to said strainer walls of said strainer portion, said ring portion having top and bottom surfaces and being adapted to substantially sealingly engage said drain rim substrate;   c. a seal release means integral within said ring portion for facilitating release of said ring portion and removal of said strainer from said drain;   d. said seal release means comprising a press-release integrated within said ring portion so that said ring portion further comprises arced ring walls having convex and concave configurations with a ring edge, wherein said convex configuration is engaged when said ring portion forms said seal with said adjacent drain rim area, and wherein said concave configuration is engaged when said top portion of said ring portion is pressed, said seal being released and said disposable drain strainer being removed from said drain opening and discarded;   e. said disposable drain strainer has a thickness no greater than 0.091 cm (0.036 inch).   
     
     
         23 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 22 , wherein said ring edge of said portion further comprises a seal gasket located on said bottom surface of said ring portion. 
     
     
         24 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 22 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene (PS), polypropene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), Acrylonitrile and butadiene styrene (ABS). 
     
     
         25 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 22 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of paper material. 
     
     
         26 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 22 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of starch. 
     
     
         27 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 22 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of sugarcane. 
     
     
         28 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 22  comprising a water-insoluble edible film coating. 
     
     
         29 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 22 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a water-insoluble edible film. 
     
     
         30 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from lactic acid, polylactide (PLA). 
     
     
         31 . A disposable drain strainer as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said disposable drain strainer is composed of rice bran.