A plunger is a device driven by or against fluid pressure.[1] In plumbing, the term plunger commonly refers to handheld tools used to clear blockages in drains and pipes. Plumbing plungers consist of a rubber suction cup attached to a stick (shaft) usually made of wood or plastic. A different bellows-like design also exists, usually constructed of plastic. Alternate names for plumbing plungers include force cup, plumber's friend or plumber's helper.[2]
Plumbing plunger
In musical performance, tools called plungers are used to mutetrumpets and trombones. A plunger may also refer to a component of a device that generates fluid flow, such as in a medical syringe or a French press coffee brewer.
The plumbing plunger was invented in 1874[3] by New York confectioner[4] John Hawley, with the flattened rim added in 1876.[5] The invention is referred to in the patent as a "vent-clearer", and was marketed as a "force cup".[6]
Applicationsedit
Plumbingedit
Useedit
For the common plunger, the cup is pushed down against the drain opening, either pressing hard into the drain to force air in, or pushing down until the rubber cup is flattened, and is then pulled out, creating a vacuum to pull blockage material upward and dislodge waste or other material.
Shape and functionedit
The cup of a kitchen plunger looks like a rubber ball cut in half with a flared edge, while the toilet plunger's cup looks more like a distorted bowl, tapered on one half, with a large opening on the bottom.
A plunger is much more effective with water in the pipe, as water does not compress and thus transmits more of the applied force than does air.[7] When a plunger alone is ineffective, it can be supplemented by a chemical drain cleaner for sinks and tubs; or a plumber's snake for stubborn clogs, and clogs of the main line or toilet.[8]
Components of a disposable syringe including its plunger
Syringesedit
In syringes, plungers are constrained to linear motion as they are pulled and pushed within an outer tube or barrel. The plunger allows the syringe to take in or expel fluid through an orifice at the open end of the barrel. In disposable syringes, the plunger is often made of plastic with a rubber tip to seal between itself and the barrel.
plunger, this, article, about, plumbing, tool, other, uses, disambiguation, plunger, device, driven, against, fluid, pressure, plumbing, term, plunger, commonly, refers, handheld, tools, used, clear, blockages, drains, pipes, plumbing, plungers, consist, rubbe. This article is about the plumbing tool For other uses see Plunger disambiguation A plunger is a device driven by or against fluid pressure 1 In plumbing the term plunger commonly refers to handheld tools used to clear blockages in drains and pipes Plumbing plungers consist of a rubber suction cup attached to a stick shaft usually made of wood or plastic A different bellows like design also exists usually constructed of plastic Alternate names for plumbing plungers include force cup plumber s friend or plumber s helper 2 Plumbing plunger In musical performance tools called plungers are used to mute trumpets and trombones A plunger may also refer to a component of a device that generates fluid flow such as in a medical syringe or a French press coffee brewer Contents 1 History 2 Applications 2 1 Plumbing 2 1 1 Use 2 1 2 Shape and function 2 2 Syringes 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory editThe plumbing plunger was invented in 1874 3 by New York confectioner 4 John Hawley with the flattened rim added in 1876 5 The invention is referred to in the patent as a vent clearer and was marketed as a force cup 6 Applications editPlumbing edit Use edit For the common plunger the cup is pushed down against the drain opening either pressing hard into the drain to force air in or pushing down until the rubber cup is flattened and is then pulled out creating a vacuum to pull blockage material upward and dislodge waste or other material Shape and function edit The cup of a kitchen plunger looks like a rubber ball cut in half with a flared edge while the toilet plunger s cup looks more like a distorted bowl tapered on one half with a large opening on the bottom A plunger is much more effective with water in the pipe as water does not compress and thus transmits more of the applied force than does air 7 When a plunger alone is ineffective it can be supplemented by a chemical drain cleaner for sinks and tubs or a plumber s snake for stubborn clogs and clogs of the main line or toilet 8 nbsp Components of a disposable syringe including its plunger Syringes edit In syringes plungers are constrained to linear motion as they are pulled and pushed within an outer tube or barrel The plunger allows the syringe to take in or expel fluid through an orifice at the open end of the barrel In disposable syringes the plunger is often made of plastic with a rubber tip to seal between itself and the barrel See also editDalek Plunger mute for brass instrumentsReferences edit Meaning of plunger Infoplease dictionary infoplease com Retrieved 2017 12 11 Company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing The American Heritage Dictionary entry plunger www ahdictionary com Retrieved 2017 12 11 US patent 158937A John S Hawley Improvement in vent clearers for wash bowls issued 1875 01 19 Biographical history of Westchester County New York Vol 1 Lewis Publishing Company 1899 p 39 US patent 186206A John S Hawley Improvement in vent clearers for wash bowls issued 1877 01 16 Improved Elastic Force Cup Scientific American Vol 32 no 21 New York 1875 05 21 p 329 Henkenius Merle 2006 Ultimate Guide to Plumbing Creative Homeowner Press p 216 ISBN 1580113117 Lou Manfredini 2004 Lou Manfredini s House Smarts Random House p 28 ISBN 0345449894 External links edit nbsp The dictionary definition of plunger at Wiktionary nbsp Media related to Plungers at Wikimedia Commons nbsp This tool article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Plunger amp oldid 1215822308, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
