Dissolvable bathroom plunger

Abstract

A bathroom device with a single use dissolvable functional head with a plunger head or a cleaning head is described. The bathroom device may include an elongated handle coupled at a first end to the to the single use dissolvable functional head. The device may also include a single use dissolvable sleeve covering a portion of the elongated handle and a release mechanism for releasing the single use dissolvable functional head from the first end of the elongated handle. The single use dissolvable sleeve may be configured to slide off the elongated handle when the single use dissolvable functional head has been released. A method of using the bathroom device is also described.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A bathroom apparatus comprising:
 a single use dissolvable functional head comprising one of a plunger head and a cleaning head;   an elongated handle coupled at a first end to the single use dissolvable functional head;   a single use dissolvable sleeve covering a portion of the elongated handle;   a release mechanism for releasing the single use dissolvable functional head from the first end of the elongated handle, wherein the single use dissolvable sleeve is configured to slide off the elongated handle when the single use dissolvable functional head has been released.   
     
     
         2 . The bathroom apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the single use dissolvable functional head is a plunger head. 
     
     
         3 . The bathroom apparatus of  claim 1  assembled in a kit, further comprising:
 a plurality of replacement single use dissolvable functional heads and a plurality of replacement single use dissolvable sleeves. 
 
     
     
         4 . The bathroom apparatus of  claim 2  assembled in a kit, further comprising:
 a plurality of replacement single use dissolvable plunger heads and a plurality of replacement single use dissolvable sleeves. 
 
     
     
         5 . The bathroom apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the single use dissolvable plunger heads and the single use dissolvable sleeves are composed of polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         6 . The bathroom apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the single use dissolvable heads and the single use dissolvable sleeves are water soluble and are configured to dissolve within twenty minutes of being placed in water. 
     
     
         7 . The bathroom apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the single use dissolvable heads and the single use dissolvable sleeves are configured to dissolve in two to fifteen minutes of being placed in water. 
     
     
         8 . The bathroom apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the single use dissolvable heads and the single use dissolvable sleeves are configured to dissolve in three to ten minutes of being placed in water. 
     
     
         9 . A plunger comprising:
 a dissolvable plunger head;   an elongated handle coupled at a first end to the dissolvable plunger head; and   a release mechanism configured for releasing the dissolvable plunger head from the first end of the elongated handle.   
     
     
         10 . The plunger of  claim 9 , further comprising a dissolvable sleeve configured to be housed on a portion of the elongated handle and to slide off the elongated handle when the single use dissolvable functional head has been released. 
     
     
         11 . The plunger of  claim 10 , wherein the dissolvable sleeve is configured to cover a portion of the handle adjacent to the dissolvable plunger head. 
     
     
         12 . The plunger of  claim 11 , wherein the dissolvable plunger head and the dissolvable sleeve are formed as a single piece component. 
     
     
         13 . The plunger of  claim 11 , wherein the dissolvable plunger head and the dissolvable sleeve are both composed of poly vinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         14 . The plunger of  claim 9 , wherein the dissolvable plunger head is soluble in water. 
     
     
         15 . The plunger of  claim 14 , wherein the dissolvable plunger head is configured to dissolve within twenty minutes of being placed in water. 
     
     
         16 . The plunger of  claim 14 , wherein the dissolvable plunger head is configured to dissolve within two to fifteen minutes of being placed in water. 
     
     
         17 . The plunger of  claim 14 , wherein the dissolvable plunger head is configured to dissolve within three to ten minutes of being placed in water. 
     
     
         18 . The plunger of  claim 14 , wherein the dissolvable plunger head is composed of a biodegradable water soluble polymer. 
     
     
         19 . The plunger of  claim 10 , wherein the dissolvable plunger head and the dissolvable sleeve are composed of a biodegradable water soluble polymer. 
     
     
         20 . The plunger of  claim 9 , wherein the release mechanism includes a socket configured for securing the handle to the dissolvable plunger head in an engaged position. 
     
     
         21 . The plunger of  claim 20 , wherein the elongated handle is T-shaped with a cross-member of the T for gripping the plunger at a first end and an engaging mechanism for engaging the dissolvable plunger head at an opposing second end opposite the cross-member. 
     
     
         22 . The plunger of  claim 21 , further comprising a cable operably coupled to a release activator at the first end and the engaging mechanism at the opposing second end, the release trigger being configured to cause the release mechanism to release engagement of the elongated handle with the dissolvable plunger head when a force is applied to the release trigger. 
     
     
         23 . The plunger of  claim 22 , wherein the release mechanism is configured such that application of a force to the release actuator causes a spacer holding a pair of bearings in an outward projected engaging position to be withdrawn. 
     
     
         24 . The plunger of  claim 23 , further comprising a biasing spring configured to hold the spacer in a position so as to hold the pair of bearings in the outward projected engaging position. 
     
     
         25 . The plunger of  claim 9 , wherein sides of the dissolvable plunger head are bellowed with an accordion profile. 
     
     
         26 . The plunger of  claim 9 , wherein the plunger is an air pressurized plunger. 
     
     
         27 . The plunger of  claim 9 , wherein the release mechanism utilizes one of pressurized air and CO 2  that is housed in a container. 
     
     
         28 . A method of disposing of a plunger head in a toilet comprising the steps of:
 providing air pressure to a drain to release a drain clog with an apparatus including a plunger head;   causing a release mechanism to release a plunger head coupled to one end of an elongated handle; and   causing the plunger head to contact water in a toilet for a period of time sufficient in length to cause at least a portion of the plunger head to dissolve.   
     
     
         29 . The method of disposing of a plunger head in a toilet of  claim 28 , further comprising the step causing the plunger head to contact water in a toilet for a period of time sufficient in length to cause the entire plunger head to dissolve. 
     
     
         30 . The method of disposing of a plunger head in a toilet of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of flushing the toilet to evacuate the plunger head from the bowl of the toilet. 
     
     
         31 . The method of disposing of a plunger head of  claim 28 , wherein the step of causing a release mechanism to release a plunger includes activating a user input. 
     
     
         32 . The method of disposing of a plunger head of  claim 31 , wherein the activating a user input includes one of pressing a depressible button and pulling a trigger. 
     
     
         33 . The method of disposing of a plunger head of  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of:
 dissolving the plunger head in a sufficient manner such that the plunger head is configured to be flushable down a toilet, the plunger head being composed of a biodegradable water soluble polymer.