Toilet unblocking tool

Abstract

A tool for clearing blocked toilets comprises an elongate shaft comprising: a rigid handle portion extending along a longitudinal axis, a flexible curved portion extending from the distal end of the rigid handle portion, and a piercing tip portion at the distal end of the flexible curved portion. The flexible curved portion is flexible relative to the rigid handle portion, and curves away from the longitudinal axis from its proximal end to its distal end.

1 . A tool for clearing blocked toilets comprising:
 an elongate shaft comprising:
 a rigid handle portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends; 
 a flexible curved portion extending from the distal end of the rigid handle portion, wherein the flexible curved portion has proximal and distal ends and is flexible relative to the rigid handle portion, and wherein the flexible curved portion curves away from the longitudinal axis from its proximal end to its distal end; and 
 a piercing tip portion at the distal end of the flexible curved portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible curved portion is resilient and is biased to a curved configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the distal end of the rigid handle portion tapers inwardly toward the longitudinal axis at a tapered section, the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the tapered section matching the cross-sectional area of the proximal end of the flexible curved portion where the two meet. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the rigid handle portion and flexible curved portion are integrally formed. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the rigid handle portion and flexible curved portion are connect together by a fixing means. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the rigid handle portion is straight. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the rigid handle portion is either smooth, or comprises a grip portion having a plurality of ridges or indentations. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein the grip portion is provided on a side of the rigid handle portion opposite the direction in which the flexible curved portion curves away. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the flexible curved portion has a depth, measured in the plane of the curve, which tapers from the proximal end to the distal end of the flexible curved portion, and optionally a width, measured in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the curve, which tapers from the proximal end to the distal end of the flexible curved portion. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the cross-sectional area of the piercing tip portion matches the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the flexible curved portion where the two meet. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the piercing tip portion is no wider than the width of the flexible curved portion and no deeper than the depth of the flexible curved portion. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the piercing tip portion is blunt. 
     
     
         13 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the piercing tip portion comprises a substantially flat surface at the distal end. 
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 13 , wherein the substantially flat surface occupies a plane oriented at between 20° and 70° to the longitudinal axis, preferably between 25° and 60°, more preferably between 35° and 55°, most preferably between 45° and 50°. 
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the substantially flat surface comprises one or more ridges or protrusions, or surface texture. 
     
     
         16 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the piercing tip and flexible curved portion are integrally formed. 
     
     
         17 . The tool of any one of  claims 1  to  16 , wherein the piercing tip and flexible curved portion are connected together by a fixing means. 
     
     
         18 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the piercing tip portion has a cross-sectional shape that is square, rectangular, circular or semi-circular, optionally with rounded corners. 
     
     
         19 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the flexible curved section is formed of surfaces that are substantially free of concavities, corners, joints or surface texture. 
     
     
         20 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate shaft, and optionally the entire tool, is formed of surfaces that are substantially free of concavities, corners, joints or surface texture. 
     
     
         21 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the material from which the tool is made is silicone or rubber. 
     
     
         22 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the material from which the tool is made is plastic. 
     
     
         23 . The tool of  claim 22 , wherein the plastic is MDPE. 
     
     
         24 . The tool of any of  claims 21  to  23 , wherein the material from which the tool is made comprises an antibacterial additive. 
     
     
         25 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the elongate shaft is between 300 mm and 1500 mm, preferably between 500 mm and 1200 mm, more preferably between 600 mm and 1000 mm, yet more preferably between 700 mm and 800 mm; most preferably between 720 mm and 750 mm. 
     
     
         26 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the rigid handle portion is between 50 mm and 700 mm, preferably between 100 mm and 600 mm, more preferably between 200 mm and 500 mm, yet more preferably between 300 mm and 400 mm; most preferably between 350 mm and 380 mm. 
     
     
         27 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the flexible curved portion is between 50 mm and 700 mm, preferably between 100 mm and 600 mm, more preferably between 200 mm and 500 mm, yet more preferably between 300 mm and 400 mm; most preferably between 350 mm and 380 mm. 
     
     
         28 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the rigid handle portion is between 25% and 75% the length of the elongate shaft; preferably between 35% and 65%, more preferably between 40% and 60%, yet more preferably between 45% and 55%; most preferably 50%. 
     
     
         29 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the flexible curved portion is between 25% and 75% the length of the elongate shaft; preferably between 35% and 65%, more preferably between 40% and 60%, yet more preferably between 45% and 55%; most preferably 50%. 
     
     
         30 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the rigid handle portion, measured in the plane of the curve, is between 5 mm and 75 mm; preferably between 15 mm and 50 mm; more preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm; most preferably between 30 mm and 35 mm. 
     
     
         31 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the width of the rigid handle portion, measured in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the curve, is between 5 mm and 50 mm; preferably between 10 mm and 30 mm; more preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm; most preferably between 18 mm and 22 mm. 
     
     
         32 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the rigid handle has a circular cross section and a diameter between 5 mm and 75 mm; preferably between 15 mm and 50 mm; more preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm; most preferably between 30 mm and 35 mm. 
     
     
         33 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the flexible curved portion, measured in the plane of the curve, is between 1 mm and 25 mm; preferably between 3 mm and 15 mm; more preferably between 5 mm and 10 mm; most preferably 7 mm. 
     
     
         34 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the width of the flexible curved portion, measured in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the curve, is between 5 mm and 35 mm; preferably between 10 mm and 25 mm; more preferably between 15 mm and 19 mm; most preferably 17 mm. 
     
     
         35 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the flexible curved portion, measured in the plane of the curve, is between 5% and 50% of the depth of the rigid handle portion measured in the plane of the curve; preferably between 10% and 40%, more preferably between 15% and 30%; most preferably between 20% and 25%. 
     
     
         36 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the piercing tip portion, measured in the plane of the curve, is between 1 mm and 20 mm; preferably between 2 mm and 15 mm; more preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm; yet more preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm; most preferably 5 mm. 
     
     
         37 . The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the width of the piercing tip portion, measured in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the curve, is between 5 mm and 30 mm; preferably between 10 mm and 20 mm; more preferably between 13 mm and 17 mm; most preferably 15 mm. 
     
     
         38 . A tool substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         39 . A kit comprising the tool of any preceding claim and a packet of cleaning wipes. 
     
     
         40 . A method of using a tool according to any one of  claims 1  to  38  for clearing a blockage in a toilet trap way passage, comprising:
 inserting the flexible curved portion of said tool into the toilet trap way passage; 
 penetrating the blockage with the piercing tip to produce a hole in the blockage; and 
 removing the tool to facilitate outflow of water from the bowl through the hole, wherein the outflow of water displaces the blockage. 
 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 advancing the flexible curved portion such that the flexible curved portion flexes as it is advanced along the curved path of the toilet trap way passage.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40  or  41 , further comprising:
 determining that the water level in the toilet bowl is at a normal level and flushing the toilet prior to penetrating through the toilet blockage, thereby suspending a volume of water in the toilet bowl. 
 
     
     
         43 . The method of any one of  claims 40  to  42 , further comprising:
 determining that the water level in the toilet bowl is at a normal level and flushing the toilet after penetrating through the toilet blockage. 
 
     
     
         44 . The method of any one of  claims 40  to  43 , further comprising:
 inserting the tool into the toilet bowl trap way passage and performing twisting, chopping or churning actions to break up the blockage. 
 
     
     
         45 . The method of any one of  claims 40  to  44 , wherein the toilet trap way passage has a curved path, and further comprising the step of:
 inserting the flexible curved portion of the tool into the toilet trap way passage such that the curve of the flexible curved portion substantially conforms to at least a portion of the curved path of the trap way passage. 
 
     
     
         46 . A method of using a tool according to any one of  claims 1  to  38  for clearing a blockage in a toilet trap way passage having a pan surface and following a curved path, comprising:
 inserting the flexible curved portion of said tool into the toilet trap way passage such that the distal end of the flexible curved portion is oriented orthogonally to the plane of the pan surface of the trap way passage; 
 performing a raking action to rake excess debris away from the mouth of the toilet bowl trap way passage. 
 
     
     
         47 . A method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         48 . A tool for clearing blocked toilets comprising:
 a rigid elongated shaft extending from a rigid handle end to a flexible curved section and blunt piercing tip.   
     
     
         49 . A method of use for using a tool for clearing a blocked toilet comprising:
 providing a rigid elongated shaft extending from a rigid handle end to a flexible curved section and blunt piercing tip;   wherein when the said tool for clearing a blocked toilet is inserted into the toilet trap way passage the said tool will clear any blockage.