Pool strainer basket insect and organic matter trap

Abstract

A pool strainer basket insert system and method are contemplated in which a high porosity, coarse fibrous mass is inserted in a pool skimmer basket. Via optimization of the material properties of the fibrous mass and configuration such that approximately 50% of the fibrous mass is located above the waterline and 50% below the water line the problems of the prior art may be solved via the retaining properties of the fibrous mass, enabling insects and small organic matter to be retained and preventing their migration back to the main body of the pool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An insert for a pool strainer basket, comprising:
 a fibrous mass having a coarse exterior and interior, the fibrous mass having a porosity of greater than 90% and being formed of a multiplicity of individual fibers, the variations of the individual fibers having a cross-sectional diameter of from about 10 to 25 microns.   
     
     
         2 . The insert for a pool strainer basket of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous mass is formed of a fibrous skeleton of the fruit body of certain tropical and subtropical vines. 
     
     
         3 . The insert for a pool strainer basket as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said fibrous skeleton of the fruit body of certain tropical and subtropical vines is of the genus  Luffa , such as  Luffa aegyptiaca  or  Luffa acutangular.    
     
     
         4 . The insert for a pool strainer basket of  claim 2 , wherein said fibrous mass is formed of naturally derived fibers, such as vegetable-derived cellulose. 
     
     
         5 . The insert for a pool strainer basket as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said vegetable-derived cellulose comprises cotton, hemp, jute, flax, abaca, sisal, banana, and wood fiber. 
     
     
         6 . The insert for a pool strainer basket as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said fibrous mass is formed of animal fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The insert for a pool strainer basket as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said animal fibers comprise silk, sinew, wool, sea silk, or collagen fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The insert for a pool strainer basket as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said fibrous mass is formed of synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The insert for a pool strainer basked as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said synthetic fibers include polyester, fiberglass, carbon, or acrylic fibers. 
     
     
         10 . A method of trapping insect or organic matter in a swimming pool skimmer comprising the steps of:
 inserting a fibrous mass insert into the swimming pool skimmer, the fibrous mass insert having a porosity of greater than 90% and being formed of a multiplicity of individual fibers, the variation of the individual fibers having a cross-sectional diameter of from about 10 to 25 microns.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said fibrous mass insert is sized such that a portion of the fibrous mass insert is positioned above the waterline of the swimming pool, and a portion of the fibrous mass insert is positioned below the waterline of the swimming pool. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of:
 removing the fibrous mass insert from the swimming pool skimmer to remove trapped insert and organic matter captured by the fibrous mass insert via water pressure and; 
 returning the cleaned fibrous mass insert into the swimming pool skimmer.