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Specifically, the present invention is a flush cartridge apparatus used in the controlled removal of accumulated debris from a water distribution system used within a residential and/or commercial structure. The flush cartridge apparatus is generally cylindrically shaped and is designed for sealed e

Specifically, the present invention is a flush cartridge apparatus used in the controlled removal of accumulated debris from a water distribution system used within a residential and/or commercial structure. The flush cartridge apparatus is generally cylindrically shaped and is designed for sealed engagement within a plumbing valve housing, including pressure balance valves and mixing valves, to provide a long, sustained and complete flushing of water and debris from the water distribution system, while generally preventing water damage, and the occurrence of mold and/or mildew, within the structure. The flush cartridge apparatus can be used alone or in combination with other plumbing tools depending upon the specific need. The flush cartridge apparatus includes alignment and mating features for improved control and safety while using the apparatus.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, comprising: an elongated, cylindrically shaped, hollow body having a first outer diameter and an axial passageway having an inner diameter; a first end portion of said cyli

What is claimed is: 1. A flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, comprising: an elongated, cylindrically shaped, hollow body having a first outer diameter and an axial passageway having an inner diameter; a first end portion of said cylindrically shaped, hollow body being designed for primary insertion into a housing opening in a plumbing valve housing used in a potable water distribution system, said first end portion having an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the hollow body and further having a central orifice therein; an elongated mid-portion of said cylindrically shaped, hollow body being designed for secondary insertion into the housing opening, said elongated mid-portion being affixed to said first end portion and having an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the cylindrically shaped, hollow body, said mid-portion further having a cold water inlet port and a hot water inlet port, said inlet ports being positioned axially disposed from one another in said mid-portion, wherein the inlet ports provide fluid and debris flow from the potable water distribution system in to the internal, axial passageway, said mid-portion further having a plurality of circumferential, radial grooves in an external surface of said cylindrically shaped hollow body, wherein each of said circumferential, radial grooves are adapted for the mounting of an o-ring seal member therein for sealing engagement of said cylindrically shaped hollow body within an inner diameter receiving surface of the plumbing valve housing to generally prevent fluid and debris flow between the outer diameter of the cylindrically shaped hollow body and the inner diameter receiving surface of the housing opening; and a second end portion of said cylindrically shaped hollow body being affixed to said elongated mid-portion and wherein the mid-portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, said second end portion providing an outlet for said internal, axial passageway to allow the complete discharge of debris from the potable water distribution system. 2. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 1, wherein the second end portion further includes a grip portion. 3. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 2, wherein the grip portion includes gripping means thereon for gripping engagement to selectively insert and selectively remove said cylindrically shaped hollow body from the plumbing valve housing. 4. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 1, wherein the cylindrically shaped hollow body further comprises at least one partial-circumferential notch for locking alignment with a reciprocal notch in the plumbing valve housing. 5. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 4, wherein a keeper pin is used to simultaneously engage the at least one partial-circumferential notch in the cylindrically shaped hollow body with the reciprocal notch in the plumbing valve housing to securely retain the cylindrically shaped hollow body within the inner diameter receiving surface of the plumbing valve housing. 6. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 5, wherein the operational engagement of the inlet ports of the mid-portion of the cylindrically shaped hollow body being in fluidic communication with one or more potable water delivery lines engaged to the plumbing valve housing, allows for maximum water pressure from an outside water source to flow through the potable water distribution system and out of the outlet of the cylindrically shaped hollow body to provide a lengthy, thorough and simultaneous flushing of debris from the plumbing valve housing and the one or more water delivery lines in fluidic communication with the plumbing valve housing, generally in the absence of leaking water between the outer surface of the cylindrically-shaped hollow body and an inner diameter receiving surface of the plumbing valve housing. 7. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 6, wherein the second end portion of said flush cartridge apparatus further comprises an internal threaded portion for threaded engagement with a valve member to selectively open and selectively close the flow of water and debris from the outlet of said internal axial passageway, said valve member providing an axial extension of the internal axial passageway to generally prevent the unintended leakage of water and debris from the internal axial passageway within a structure. 8. A flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, comprising: an elongated, cylindrically shaped hollow body having a first outer diameter, a grip portion and an internal, axial passageway; a first end portion of said cylindrically shaped hollow body being designed for primary insertion into a housing opening in a plumbing valve housing used in the water distribution system, said first end portion having an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the hollow body and further having a central orifice therein for relieving the pressure build-up created by the insertion of said first end of said hollow body into the plumbing valve housing; an elongated mid-portion of said cylindrically shaped hollow body being designed for secondary insertion into the plumbing valve housing opening, said elongated mid-portion being affixed to said first end portion and having an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the cylindrically shaped hollow body, said mid-portion further having a cold water inlet port and a hot water inlet port, said inlet ports being positioned axially disposed from one another in said mid-portion, wherein each of said inlet ports commence on an external surface of the outer diameter of said hollow body and terminate on an internal surface of the axial passageway, wherein the inlet ports provide fluid and debris flow from the water distribution system in to the internal, axial passageway, said mid-portion further having a plurality of circumferential, radial grooves in the external surface of said hollow body, wherein each of said circumferential, radial grooves being adapted for the mounting of an o-ring seal member therein for sealing engagement of said cylindrically shaped hollow body within an inner diameter receiving surface of the plumbing valve housing opening to generally prevent fluid and debris flow between the outer diameter of the hollow body and the inner diameter receiving surface of the housing opening; and a second end portion of said cylindrically shaped hollow body being affixed to said elongated mid-portion, wherein the mid-portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, said second end portion providing an outlet for said internal, axial passageway to allow the complete discharge of debris from the water distribution system, said second end portion further including the grip portion, wherein the grip portion includes gripping means thereon for mechanical gripping engagement to selectively insert and selectively remove said cylindrically shaped hollow body from the plumbing valve housing opening. 9. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 8, wherein the grip portion of said flush cartridge apparatus further comprises a plurality of flat, external surfaces for mechanical gripping engagement with a tool. 10. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 9, wherein the grip portion of said flush cartridge apparatus further comprises a plurality of flat, external surfaces for mechanical gripping engagement with a wrench. 11. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 10, wherein the second end portion of said flush cartridge apparatus further comprises an internal threaded portion for engagement with an external threaded member. 12. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 11, wherein the internal threaded portion of the second end portion engages a valve member to selectively open and selectively close the flow of water and debris from the outlet of said internal axial passageway. 13. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 12, wherein the valve member provides axial extension of the internal axial passageway to generally prevent the unintended leakage of water and debris from the internal axial passageway within a structure. 14. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 13, wherein an outer surface of said elongated mid-portion of the cylindrically shaped hollow body includes at least one partial-circumferential notch for mating and locking alignment with at least one reciprocal notch in a plumbing valve housing, wherein a keeper pin engages the at least one partial-circumferential notch and the at least one reciprocal notch, to securely retain the cylindrically shaped hollow body with the plumbing valve housing. 15. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 14, wherein the operational engagement of the inlet ports of the mid-portion of the cylindrically shaped hollow body in fluidic communication with one or more water delivery lines engaged to the plumbing valve housing allows for maximum water pressure from an outside water source to flow through the potable water distribution system and out of the outlet of the cylindrically shaped hollow body to provide a lengthy, thorough, and simultaneous flushing of debris from the plumbing valve housing and one or more water delivery lines in fluidic communication with the plumbing valve housing, generally in the absence of leaking water between the outer surface of the cylindrically shaped hollow body and an inner diameter receiving surface of the plumbing valve housing. 16. A flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a water distribution system, comprising: an elongated, cylindrically shaped hollow body, said cylindrically shaped hollow body generally having a cylindrical, outer surface defined by a first outer diameter, said outer surface having a first outer diameter and further comprising at least one partial circumferential notch therein for locking alignment with a reciprocal notch in a pressure balance valve housing; a keeper pin, wherein said keeper pin simultaneously engages the at least one partial-circumferential notch in the cylindrically shaped hollow body and the reciprocal notch in the pressure balance valve housing to securely retain the cylindrically shaped hollow body within an inner diameter receiving surface of the pressure balance valve housing, an internal, axial passageway being continuously axially disposed through said cylindrically shaped hollow body, the axial passageway having an inner diameter; a first end portion of said cylindrically-shaped, hollow body being affixed at a first end of said cylindrically shaped hollow body, said first end portion being designed for primary insertion into a housing opening of the pressure balance valve used in the water distribution system, said first end portion having an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the cylindrically shaped hollow body and further having a central orifice therein for relieving the pressure build-up created by the insertion of said first end of said cylindrically shaped hollow body into the housing opening; an elongated mid-portion of said cylindrically shaped hollow body being designed for secondary insertion into the housing opening, said elongated mid-portion being affixed to said first end portion and having an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the hollow body of said cylindrically shaped hollow body, said mid-portion further having a cold water inlet port and a hot water inlet port, said inlet ports being positioned axially disposed from one another in said mid-portion, wherein each of said inlet ports commence on the outer surface of said cylindrically shaped hollow body and terminate on an internal surface of the inner diameter of the axial passageway, wherein the inlet ports provide fluidic and debris flow communication from a hot water conduit and a cold water conduit, wherein both conduits are fluidically engaged to the pressure balance valve housing, said mid-portion further having a plurality of circumferential grooves in the external surface of said cylindrically shaped hollow body, wherein each of said circumferential grooves are adapted for the mounting of an o-ring seal member therein for sealing engagement of said cylindrically shaped hollow body within the housing of the pressure balance valve to generally prevent fluid and debris flow between the outer diameter of the hollow body and the inner diameter receiving surface of the pressure balance valve housing; and a second end portion of said cylindrically-shaped, hollow body being affixed to said elongated mid-portion and wherein the mid-portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, said second end portion providing an outlet for said internal, axial passageway to allow the complete discharge of debris from the water distribution system, said second end portion further including a grip portion, the second end portion also having an internally threaded portion for engagement with an external threaded member and the grip portion having a plurality of flat external surfaces thereon for mechanical gripping engagement to selectively insert and selectively remove said cylindrically-shaped hollow body from the pressure balance valve. 17. A flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a water distribution system, comprising: an elongated, cylindrically shaped, hollow body, said hollow body generally having a cylindrical, outer surface defined by a first outer diameter, said outer surface further comprising at least one partial circumferential notch therein for locking alignment with a reciprocal notch in a pressure balance valve housing; a keeper pin, wherein said keeper pin simultaneously engages the at least one partial-circumferential notch in the cylindrically shaped hollow body and the reciprocal notch in the pressure balance valve housing to securely retain the cylindrically shaped hollow body within an inner diameter receiving surface of the pressure balance valve housing; an internal, axial passageway being axially disposed through said cylindrically shaped hollow body, the axial passageway having an inner diameter; a first end portion of said cylindrically shaped, hollow body being affixed at a first end of said hollow body, said first end portion being designed for primary insertion into a housing opening of the pressure balance valve used in the water distribution system, said first end portion having an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the hollow body and further having a central orifice therein for relieving the pressure build-up created by the insertion of said first end of said hollow body into the housing opening of the pressure balance valve; an elongated mid-portion of said cylindrically shaped, hollow body being designed for secondary insertion into the housing opening of the pressure balance valve, said elongated mid-portion being affixed to said first end portion and having an outer diameter equal to the first outer diameter of the hollow body of said cylindrically shaped, hollow body, said mid-portion further having a cold water inlet port and a hot water inlet port, said inlet ports being positioned axially disposed from one another in said mid-portion, wherein each of said inlet ports commence on an external surface of the outer surface of said hollow body and terminate on an internal surface of the inner diameter of the axial passageway, wherein the inlet ports provide fluidic and debris flow from a hot water conduit and a cold water conduit, wherein both conduits are fluidically engaged to the pressure balance valve, said mid-portion further having a plurality of circumferential grooves in the external surface of said hollow body, wherein each of said circumferential grooves is adapted for the mounting of an o-ring seal member therein for sealing engagement of said hollow body within the housing of the pressure balance valve to generally prevent fluid and debris flow between the outer diameter of the hollow body and the inner diameter receiving surface of the pressure balance valve; a second end portion of said cylindrically shaped, hollow body being affixed to said elongated mid-portion and wherein the mid-portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, said second end portion providing an outlet for said internal, axial passageway to allow the complete discharge of debris from the water distribution system, said second end portion further including a grip portion, the second end portion also having an internally threaded portion for engagement with an external threaded member and the grip portion having a plurality of flat external surfaces thereon for mechanical gripping engagement to selectively insert and selectively remove said cylindrically shaped hollow body from the pressure balance valve; and a valve member having external threads for threaded engagement with the internally threaded portion of the second end portion, said valve member having means to selectively open and selectively close the flow of water and debris from the outlet of said internal axial passageway, said valve member further providing axial extension of the internal axial passageway to generally prevent the unintended leakage of water and debris from the internal axial passageway within a structure. 18. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 17, wherein the operational engagement of the inlet ports of the mid-portion of the cylindrically shaped hollow body being in fluidic communication with one or more water delivery lines engaged to the pressure balance valve allows for maximum water pressure from an outside water source to flow through the potable water distribution system and out of the outlet of the hollow body to provide a lengthy, thorough, and simultaneous flushing of debris from the pressure balance valve and one or more water delivery lines in fluidic communication with the pressure balance valve, generally in the absence of leaking water between the outer surface of the cylindrically shaped hollow body and an inner diameter receiving surface of the pressure balance valve. 19. The flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system, as defined in claim 18, wherein the cylindrically shaped hollow body is comprised of brass. 20. A method of using a flush cartridge apparatus for use in the removal of debris from a potable water distribution system in a commercial or residential structure, comprising the steps of disengaging the water pressure from the water distribution system; opening a plumbing valve housing used in the water distribution system, to expose an operating cartridge; removing the operating cartridge from the plumbing valve housing; inserting the flush cartridge into the plumbing valve housing; engaging a keeper pin in locking alignment with the flush cartridge and the plumbing valve housing; forming a non-permeable seal between the flush cartridge and an inner diameter receiving surface of the plumbing valve housing; engaging the water pressure to the water distribution system; and flushing the debris from one or more water delivery lines and the plumbing valve housing through an outlet of the flush cartridge.