Plunger

Abstract

A plunger can include a head configured to engage an opening to a conduit. The plunger can also include a one-way valve that allows fluid flow through the head and out of the plunger, but that inhibits fluid flow through the head and into the plunger. The plunger can also include a pressurizing mechanism that forces fluid to flow through the head and out of the plunger. The mechanism can be detachable from the head. A head of a plunger can be positioned to engage an opening of an obstructed conduit. A force can be applied to the plunger, and the plunger can increase a fluid pressure within the conduit in response to the force. The force on the plunger can be released, and the plunger can maintain the fluid pressure within the conduit at an increased level after the force is released.

1 . A plunger comprising:
 a head configured to engage an opening to a conduit;   a one-way valve that allows fluid flow through the head and out of the plunger in a first direction, but that inhibits fluid flow through the head and into the plunger in a second direction that is opposed to the first direction; and   a pressurizing mechanism that forces fluid to flow through the head in the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a bellows. 
     
     
         3 . The plunger of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle between the bellows and the head. 
     
     
         4 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the head is tapered. 
     
     
         5 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the head is not tapered. 
     
     
         6 . The plunger of  claim 1 , further comprising a screen positioned on an opposite side of the one-way valve from the mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the head comprises a material selected from a group consisting of elastomeric material, rubber material, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The plunger of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a bellows, the bellows comprising a first end with an intake and a second end with an exit, the exit of the bellows being in fluid communication with the head. 
     
     
         9 . The plunger of  claim 8 , further comprising a handle between the exit of the bellows and the head. 
     
     
         10 . The plunger of  claim 9 , wherein the handle comprises a pipe that extends from the exit of the bellows and the head. 
     
     
         11 . The plunger of  claim 8 , wherein the one-way valve is positioned between the exit of the bellows and an exit of the head. 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a plunger comprising:
 positioning a head of the plunger to engage an opening of an obstructed conduit;   applying a force to the plunger, the plunger increasing a fluid pressure within the conduit in response to the force;   releasing the force on the plunger, the plunger maintaining the fluid pressure within the conduit at an increased level after the force is released.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the force is a first force, and wherein the method further comprises applying a second force to the plunger while the plunger maintains the fluid pressure within the conduit at the increased level, the plunger further increasing the fluid pressure within the conduit in response to the second force. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising securing a pressurized fluid supply line to the plunger and supplying pressurized fluid from the fluid supply line through the head of the plunger. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the head is a first head and the method further comprises replacing the first plunger head with a second plunger head on the plunger, the second head being a different shape than the first head. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the force is a first force and the method further comprises:
 positioning the second head of the plunger to engage an opening of a second obstructed conduit;   applying a second force to the plunger, the plunger increasing a fluid pressure within the second conduit in response to the second force;   releasing the second force on the plunger, the plunger maintaining the fluid pressure within the second conduit at an increased level after the second force is released.   
     
     
         17 . A plunger comprising:
 a head that is configured to engage an opening of a conduit; and   a mechanism that is configured to supply fluid to the head and force the fluid through the head and into the conduit, the mechanism being detachable from the head.   
     
     
         18 . The plunger of  claim 17 , wherein the mechanism comprises a fluid chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The plunger of  claim 17 , wherein the mechanism comprises a bellows. 
     
     
         20 . The plunger of  claim 17 , wherein the mechanism comprises a pressurized fluid supply line. 
     
     
         21 . The plunger of  claim 17 , further comprising a one-way valve that allows fluid flow through the head and out of the plunger in a first direction, but that inhibits fluid flow through the head and into the plunger in a second direction that is opposed to the first direction. 
     
     
         22 . A plunger kit comprising:
 a pressurizing mechanism;   a first head configured to be attached in communication with the pressurizing mechanism, such that fluid is allowed to flow from the pressurizing mechanism through the first head in a first direction but fluid is inhibited from flowing from the first head to pressurizing mechanism in a second direction; and   a second head that is configured to be attached in communication with the pressurizing mechanism, such that fluid is allowed to flow from the pressurizing mechanism through the second head in the first direction but fluid is inhibited from flowing from the second head to the pressurizing mechanism in a second direction.   
     
     
         23 . The plunger kit of  claim 22 , wherein the pressurizing mechanism provides pressurized fluid in response to a force being applied to the mechanism. 
     
     
         24 . The plunger kit of  claim 22 , wherein the pressurizing mechanism comprises a bellows. 
     
     
         25 . The plunger kit of  claim 22 , wherein the kit comprises at least one one-way valve. 
     
     
         26 . The plunger kit of  claim 22 , wherein the first head is shaped differently than the second head. 
     
     
         27 . The plunger kit of  claim 22 , wherein the first head is a different size from the second head.