Plunger Cup for High Efficiency Toilets

Abstract

A plunger cup has a unitary body with curved outer and inner surfaces that extend to a circumferential edge. A sealing flange extends outwardly from the unitary body about the circumferential edge, and supporting structure is formed in the unitary body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plunger cup comprising:
 a unitary body having a curved outer surface and a curved inner surface that extend to a circumferential edge;   a sealing flange extending outwardly from the unitary body about the circumferential edge; and   supporting structure formed in the unitary body.   
     
     
         2 . The plunger cup according to  claim 1 , wherein the unitary body comprises a semi-spherical body. 
     
     
         3 . The plunger cup according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting structure comprises a plurality of external ribs. 
     
     
         4 . The plunger cup according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting structure comprises a plurality of internal ribs. 
     
     
         5 . The plunger cup according to  claim 1 , including a seal member extending downwardly and inwardly from the sealing flange. 
     
     
         6 . The plunger cup according to  claim 5 , wherein the seal member tapers radially inwardly. 
     
     
         7 . The plunger cup according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal member comprises a first portion defined by a first diameter at the sealing flange and a second portion that forms a distal rim defined by a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The plunger cup according to  claim 7 , wherein the seal member further comprises a third portion that curves radially inwardly to connect the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The plunger cup according to  claim 7 , wherein the distal rim includes a trapway engagement surface. 
     
     
         10 . The plunger cup according to  claim 1 , including a neck extending upwardly from the unitary body. 
     
     
         11 . The plunger cup according to  claim 10 , wherein the neck comprises a cylindrical portion having a center opening configured to receive a handle. 
     
     
         12 . The plunger cup according to  claim 10 , wherein the supporting structure comprises at least a plurality of external ribs formed on the outer surface and circumferentially spaced about the neck. 
     
     
         13 . The plunger cup according to  claim 12 , wherein each rib extends from the neck toward the circumferential edge. 
     
     
         14 . The plunger cup according to  claim 13 , wherein each rib terminates at a distal end that is spaced from the circumferential edge. 
     
     
         15 . The plunger cup according to  claim 14 , wherein each rib is thicker at the neck than at the distal end. 
     
     
         16 . The plunger cup according to  claim 12 , wherein the supporting structure further comprises a plurality of internal ribs formed on the inner surface. 
     
     
         17 . The plunger cup according to  claim 16 , wherein each internal rib is radially offset from each external rib. 
     
     
         18 . The plunger cup according to  claim 16 , wherein each internal rib comprises a planar inner facing edge and a curved outer facing edge that is curved to match the inner surface of the unitary body.