Apparatus and method for retrieving articles lost in drains

摘要

A device for retrieving small items which have fallen into common residential drains and have become lodged between the drain inlet and the distal end of the drain trap. The device consists of a elongate tubular portion having an inflatable pouch or balloon fixed to one end and a resilient squeezable bulb at the opposing end. Manually depressing the bulb after insertion of the pouch beyond the trap causes the pouch to inflate and engage the side walls of piping of the drain. Lifting the inflated pouch upward to the drain inlet carries any loose items in front of the pouch to the drain inlet for retrieval.