GB2355185A

GB2355185A - Waste outlet device

Info

Publication number: GB2355185A
Application number: GB0019367A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bertrand Gachot; David Robertson
Original assignee: WATER SAVERS BV
Current assignee: WATER SAVERS BV
Priority date: 1999-08-31
Filing date: 2000-08-07
Publication date: 2001-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-07
Also published as: GB2355185B; GB9920545D0; GB0019367D0

Abstract

A waste outlet device for a urinal or other basin includes a sheath, a one-way valve element (12), a fragrance unit (36), an anti-spatter shield (30) and a retaining member. The waste outlet device enables a urinal to be used with no or substantially no water for cleaning purposes. Once in place, the device is easily maintained by being able to withdraw the one-way valve element together with the anti-spatter shield as one unit.

Description

1 2355185 WASTE OUTLET DEVICE This invention relates generally to waste

outlets. More specifically, it relates to urinals commonly found in public and commercial conveniences.

Urinal systems can be divided into various categories, two of which include: types in which the receptacle is cleansed by a continuous stream of running water from a cistern, the cistern containing a syphonic action flush apparatus, and types in which the supply of water is intermittent and controlled by an electrically operated timing device or a passive infra-red sensor. An appropriate water supply pipe will generally include a solenoid valve for water supply regulation. Either type can be expensive and inefficient.

All urinal bowls use conventional water seal traps to prevent foul sewer gases.entering washroom areas and also frequently use deodorising means to reduce unpleasant odours from waste pipes or channels. The odours are significantly worsened by the products of chemical reactions between water and urine leading to the solidification of salts found in urine which, together with lime scale, accumulate in traps creating further problems of odours and blockages.

A urinal waste outlet device is disclosed in British Patent Application 2, 329,332. The device disclosed therein includes a dome housing a fragrance unit and to which is attached a one-way valve extending within a threaded sheath. The sheath is retained within the waste outlet pipe of a urinal. Waste fluids flow under the dome and into the sheath passing through the valve under the force of gravity. The valve is designed to deform into a closed position once the flow of fluids has ceased. Odours emanating from the drainage system are prevented from seeping into the toilet environment when the valve is closed.

This prior art device, although effective in preventing the occurrence of bad odours within a toilet, is not easily maintained and generally requires regular inspection by a service engineer.

2 The present invention seeks to provide an improved urinal waste outlet device that may be conveniently maintained.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste outlet device comprising a removable cover member locatable over a waste outlet of a urinal or other basin, and a one-way valve unit releasably connected to the cover and removable from a waste outlet together with or separate from the cover unit.

A suitable one-way valve unit comprises means for blocking the passage of gas in an upstream direction and means for allowing the passage of waste fluid in a downstream direction, the device being operable temporarily to unblock the waste pipe in the presence of waste fluid by means of an automatic reversible deformation. Preferably, the automatic reversible unblocking action occurs by a transformation of its shape from a closed to an open configuration and back.

Preferably, the waste outlet device including the one-way valve unit is fitted into the urinal bowl or trough and is connected to the foul drain via the waste pipe.

Such an arrangement operates without the need for a constant or intermittent cleansing or flushing water supply. Since the waste pipe is ordinarily sealed from the foul drain, there is no need for conventional water seal traps or deodorising means. The device is preferably connected within the urinal bowl at the head of the waste pipe system position of the device and the means by which it is connected ensures that it is easily accessible from above the bowl for cleaning, maintaining, and replacing the whole or part of the device.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I is a side view of a urinal system incorporating a conventional waste outlet arrangement; 3 Figure 2 is a side view of a urinal system incorporating a preferred waste outlet device; Figure 3 is an exploded side view of a prior art device;

Figure 4 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the preferred waste outlet device; and Figure 5 is a top plan view of an air vent plate of the device of Figure 4.

With reference to Figure 3, the main components of the earlier waste outlet device are a sheath 10, a one-way valve element 12, a fragrance unit 14, an anti-spatter shield 16 and a retaining member 18. With reference to Figure 4, the waste outlet device includes a domed housing 30 with 15 dome base 32. From the apex of the dome a vent 34 extends axially the full extent of the domed housing and terminates in an open manner at the centre of the dome base 32. The housing 30 preferably contains a perfumed substance 36, for example a scented gel with a specified lifetime. In use, the domed housing and base constitute a single separable unit, referred to herein as a fragrance unit. 20 Within the base 32 are included smaller vents 38 that facilitate the passage of the perfume from within the fragrance unit. These can be seen in Figure 5. The one-way valve unit comprises a connecting unit 40 and a one-way valve 12. The 25 valve 12 includes a clip 62 which mates with a corresponding clip 64 on the connecting unit 40. In operation a watertight seal is maintained by the pressure exerted on the O-ring 60 by the action of clip 62 locking with clip 64. As can be seen in Figure 4, the base of connecting unit 40 includes a plurality of fins, in 30 this case four orthogonally disposed fins, which protrude downwardly in a cone shape, in the view of Figure 4. These prevent the one-way valve from inverting in the case of any back pressure.

4 Also included in the connecting unit are locking members 42 which are designed to fit into corresponding slots in the base 32. Once inserted into the slots, the locking members are secured to the base 32 by rotation of the connecting unit 40.

Advantageously, the one-way valve unit can be removed for replacement by simply rotating the connecting unit 40 in an opposite sense to that which secures it in place.

In turn, the one-way valve unit (unit 40 plus valve 12) can be secured to the waste pipe 70 by means of studs 46, 48 and slots 50 and 52. The studs engage the slots by pressing the one-way valve unit into the pipe 70 when the slots and studs are in alignment. Once in place, the unit is twisted so as to lock the studs within an orthogonal, radially extended continuation of the slots 50, 52. The operation is similar to the operation of connecting a bayonet light bulb into a light socket. Once secured in place, there is a desired watertight seal between the connecting unit 40 and the pipe 70.

Once in place, the device is easily maintained. If the perfumed substance is exhausted, the user has only to twist and remove the fragrance unit from the one-way valve unit and replace with a pre-supplied replacement unit containing a fresh amount of perfumed substance, using a suitable tool provided.

In addition if the valve has ceased to function correctly, or needs to be replaced, unblocked or cleaned, it is removed in a similar manner. Twisting the one-way valve unit and then withdrawing in an upwards direction will allow easy access to the valve, or if necessary a complete replacement of the unit.

Replacement fragrance units or one-way valve units may be supplied with a servicing tool adapted to allow removal and replacement of the units without the need for a user having to grasp any part of the waste outlet device, thus ensuring optimum hygiene.

The preferred waste outlet device permits a substantially waterless urinal system. For example, water is not necessary to maintain a minimum water level neither in a trap nor to wash/flush the bowl and waste pipe system, whether continuously or intermittently.

Thus, significant quantities of potable water can be saved. Cleansing and maintenance operations are required only occasionally and all components of the waste outlet device are accessible from above the urinal bowl. The underside of the urinal bowl is free from the encumbrance of bulky fittings.

Malodorous gases are confined within the waste pipe network without the need for conventional U-bends, bottles or P-type traps. Inclusion of the vent 34 avoids air locks during normal operation and cleaning.

The components are simple and robust. They are also recyclable since spent fragrance units and used one-way valve units can be returned to the supplier for repair and/or refill and then redistributed. This will reduce the costs to the end user.

The device can be produced in any desirable size, for example to comply with 32 mm (1.25 inch) or 40 mm (1.5 inch) standard fittings or with any desirable connection means to enable use with different urine receptacle types, such as troughs and slabs. According to a modified version of the device, the upper portion of the waste pipe system provides the internal features of sheath 10, with element 12 being seated directly therein.

To minimise unpleasant smells from the waste pipe system, it is generally preferred to connect the waste outlet device as far upstream as possible. That is not to say that one or more modified versions of the device cannot also be inserted at intervals downstream.

The system also has another advantage over conventional U-bend traps in the case of air conditioning units in buildings. On start up or cut off pressure will not empty the trap (U-bend). It is known for air conditioning units to blow the water out of U-bend traps.

6

Claims

I A waste outlet device comprising a removable cover member locatable over a waste outlet of a urinal or other basin, and a one-way valve unit releasably connected to the cover and removable from a waste outlet together with or separate from the cover unit.
2. A waste outlet device according to claim 1, wherein the one-way valve unit to comprises means for blocking the passage of gas in an upstream direction and means for allowing the passage of waste fluid in a downstream direction, the device being operable temporarily to unblock the waste pipe in the presence of waste fluid by means of an automatic reversible deformation.
3. A waste outlet device according to claim 2, wherein the one-way valve unit is designed to provide automatic reversible unblocking action by a transformation of its shape from a closed to an open configuration and back.
4. A waste outlet device according to any preceding claim, including support means operable to prevent reverse deformation of the one-way valve.
5. A urinal or other basin including a waste outlet device according to any preceding claim, wherein the one-way valve unit is fitted into the urinal or basin and is connected to a foul drain via a waste pipe of the urinal or basin.
6. A urinal or other basin according to claim 6, wherein the waste outlet device is connected within the urinal or basin at a head of the waste pipe system position of the device and includes connection means which provides access to the waste outlet device from above the urinal or basin for cleaning, maintaining, and replacing the whole or part of the device.
7 V 7. A waste outlet device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
8. A urinal or other basin substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to 5 and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.