Toilet trap water blocking device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a device and method for blocking the toilet trap of a toilet for cleaning and disinfecting purposes. The device includes an inflatable member having an opening; an elongated fluid conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the fluid conduit is coupled to the opening of the inflatable member; a disc coupled between the opening of the inflatable member and the proximal end of the fluid conduit; and a pump assembly coupled to the distal end of the elongated fluid conduit, wherein the inflatable member, the elongated fluid conduit, and the pump assembly are in fluid communication, the pump assembly comprises a fluid pump for pumping fluid under pressure and a release valve for releasing the fluid under pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of cleaning toilets, the method comprising:
 providing a device, the device comprising:
 an inflatable member having an opening; 
 an elongated fluid conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the fluid conduit is coupled to the opening of the inflatable member; 
 a pump assembly coupled to the distal end of the elongated fluid conduit, wherein the inflatable member, the elongated fluid conduit, and the pump assembly are in fluid communication; 
   positioning the device into a toilet bowl wherein the inflatable member is positioned into the toilet trap; and   operating the pump assembly to inflate the inflatable member till the inflatable member snugly fits into the toilet trap blocking the passage of water.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a disc coupled to the proximal end of the elongated fluid conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly comprises a fluid pump and a release valve, the fluid pump configured to pump fluid under pressure, the release valve configured to release the fluid under pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 filling water into the toilet bowl up to a predetermined level;   adding a cleansing agent to the water; and   opening the release valve to deflate the inflatable member after a predetermined time.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the inflatable member is of oval shape. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the inflatable member is of round shape. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid pump is an electronic pump, and the pump assembly further comprises a battery for powering the electric pump. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid pump is a squeeze bulb, and the pump assembly further comprises a first check valve and a second check valve, the first check valve fluidly connects the squeeze bulb to the elongated fluid conduit, the first check valve configured to allow fluid to transfer from the squeeze bulb to the elongated fluid conduit, the second check valve fluidly connects the squeeze bulb to atmosphere and permits fluid from outside to be drawn into the squeeze bulb. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid is air. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated fluid conduit is rigid but could bend under an external force to conform to the shape of the toilet trap. 
     
     
         11 . A device for blocking a toilet trap, the device comprising:
 an inflatable member having an opening;   an elongated fluid conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the elongated fluid conduit is coupled to the opening of the inflatable member;   a disc coupled between the opening of the inflatable member and the proximal end of the fluid conduit; and   a pump assembly coupled to the distal end of the elongated fluid conduit, wherein the inflatable member, the elongated fluid conduit, and the pump assembly are in fluid communication, the pump assembly comprises a fluid pump for pumping fluid under pressure and a release valve for releasing the fluid under pressure.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid pump is an electric fluid pump and the pump assembly further comprises a battery for powering the electric pump. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid pump is a squeeze bulb, and the pump assembly further comprises a first check valve and a second check valve, the first check valve fluidly connects the squeeze bulb to the fluid conduit, the first check valve configured to allow fluid to transfer from the squeeze bulb to the fluid conduit, the second check valve fluidly connects the squeeze bulb to outside atmosphere and permits fluid to be drawn into the squeeze bulb. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the inflatable member is a round shaped balloon that is dimensioned to snugly fit into the toilet trap when inflated.