Apparatus and Method for Removing Debris from a Drain Strainer

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed for easily, cleanly, efficiently, and cheaply removing hair and other debris from drain strainers and refuse filters, thereby helping to improve bathroom and kitchen sanitation and preventing hair and debris from forming clogs in the drainpipe. The apparatus and method are used for daily or regular maintenance of debris in a drain strainer.

1 . An apparatus for removing debris from a drain strainer, comprising a handle and at least one debris-snagging element extending from said handle, wherein said apparatus is shorter than the distance from the drain strainer to the drain trap. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said handle is rigid. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one debris-snagging element are hooks. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for removing debris from a drain strainer, comprising a handle and a pad, wherein said pad comprises an upper side and a lower side, said upper side of said pad being affixed to the bottom of said handle such that said handle and said upper side of said pad are substantially perpendicular, and wherein a plurality of hooks extends from said lower side of said pad. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein said handle is rigid. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as  claim 4 , wherein said handle pivots with respect to said pad. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as in  claim 6 , further comprising a movable joint. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein said handle is rigid. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for removing debris from a drain strainer, comprising a handle, an ejector, a header, and a plurality of hooks, wherein said header is releasably coupled with said handle, wherein said ejector releases said header from said handle, and wherein said plurality of hooks extend from said header. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein said handle is rigid. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as in  claim 10  wherein said ejector comprises a spring. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as in  claim 10 , wherein said header comprises a pad, and said pad comprises an upper side and a lower side, said header being releasably coupled with the bottom of said handle such that said handle and said upper side of said pad are substantially perpendicular, and wherein said plurality of hooks extend from said lower side of said pad. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as in  claim 12 , wherein said ejector comprises a spring. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as in  claim 12 , wherein said ejector comprises a trigger for releasing said header. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as in  claim 14 , wherein said ejector further comprises a spring. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as in  claim 2 , further comprising an absorbent material. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as in  claim 5 , wherein said lower side of said pad further comprises an absorbent material. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as in  claim 10 , wherein said header further comprises an absorbent material. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as in  claim 16 , wherein said absorbent material surrounds at least one of said at least one debris snagging elements. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as in  claim 17 , wherein said absorbent material surrounds at least one of said plurality of hooks.