A water-seal drainage trap

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a water-seal drainage trap, in short a waste trap, and in particular the invention relates to a waste trap for instalment in a floor outlet. The waste trap comprises an upper part and a lower part that are removable as a single unit, the upper part having a wastewater inlet leading into a dip tube substantially extending into the lower part constituting a bowl, the bowl and the dip tube defining a wastewater flow path extending from the inlet through the dip tube and out into the bowl and ending at the edge of the bowl in a discharge outlet for discharging wastewater into the floor outlet waste pipe. The flow path has a substantially uniform cross-section from inlet to discharge and the cross-section is substantially rectangular.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-seal drainage trap, in short a waste trap, and in particular the invention relates to a waste trap for instalment in a floor outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Typically, conventional waste traps for instalment in a floor outlet has a dip tube with a round inlet that is positioned at the centre of a bowl with a larger diameter than the dip tube, which bowl accommodates the dip tube. The wastewater flows into the dip tube inlet and through the dip tube. At the outlet of the dip tube, the wastewater makes a u-turn and flows between the dip tube wall and the bowl wall and finally discharges from the waste trap over the edge of the bowl and into the waste pipe. The cross-section of the flow channel between the dip tube wall and the bowl wall is very different from the cross-section of the dip tube whereby the flow of wastewater is somewhat obstructed, looses power and is more easily blocked.

[0003] The dip tube and the bowl may be attached to each other in various ways. For example, a centre rod may extend along a centre axis of the dip tube and be fixed to the dip tube with laterally extending bars and to the bowl at the end of the rod. The laterally extending bars obstruct the wastewater flow and debris may deposit on the bars and grow to blockage of the wastewater leading to a need for frequent cleaning.

[0004] Typically, conventional waste traps are provided with a handle facilitating pulling the waste trap out of the floor outlet for cleaning or substitution. The handles often extend across the top of the waste trap obstructing wastewater flow and providing further possible areas for deposit of debris in the wastewater.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved waste trap with a flow path for the wastewater, which flow path has a uniform and unobstructed cross-section throughout the waste trap so that the wastewater will flow through the waste trap in a laminar flow with minimum deposit of debris reducing the requirement for regular cleaning.

[0006] According to the present invention the above-mentioned and other objects are fulfilled by provision of a waste trap for removable instalment in a floor outlet, comprising an upper part and a lower part that are removable as a single unit, the upper part having a wastewater inlet leading into a dip tube extending along a first axis into the lower part having at least one sidewall and a closed bottom part and constituting a bowl, the bowl and the dip tube defining a wastewater flow path extending from the inlet through the dip tube and out into the bowl and ending at the edge of the bowl in a discharge outlet for discharging wastewater into the floor outlet waste pipe. The wastewater flow path has a substantially uniform cross-section from inlet to discharge and the cross-section is substantially rectangular.

[0007] It is an important advantage of the waste trap according to the invention that the wastewater path is unobstructed throughout the waste trap. Hereby, the wastewater can flow through the waste trap without obstructions that could slow down the flow and make it possible for debris to deposit. Also, no surfaces non-parallel to the wastewater flow path is available for debris to deposit on. Further, the substantially rectangular cross-section of the waste trap provides a substantially laminar wastewater flow without the circular and rotating whirls observed in wastewater outlets with a circular cross-section. This further enhances the wastewater flow through the waste trap.

[0008] Further, it is an important advantage of the present invention that the waste trap does not obstruct the wastewater flow after discharge of wastewater from the wastewater flow path, i.e. wastewater can flow freely into the floor outlet without being obstructed after discharge from the waste trap.

[0009] The enhanced wastewater flow through the waste trap according to the present invention reduces the deposit of debris contained in the wastewater and thereby reduces formation of blockages in the waste trap, which again reduces the requirement for regular cleaning.

[0010] The upper part of the waste trap may comprise a flange member for substantially covering the floor outlet. The flange member has a flange edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface. Preferably, the flange member is circular, but may be of any suitable shape, such as rectangular, depending on the shape of the floor outlet. The flange member collects water flowing into the floor outlet and leads the water towards the inlet of the dip tube. To enhance the water flow towards the inlet, the upper surface may slope from the flange edge towards the inlet. Preferably, the flange edge extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to a second axis extending vertically when the waste trap is installed in a floor outlet.

[0011] Preferably, the dip tube is a part of the upper part of the waste trap. The dip tube comprises a first sidewall extending from the inlet towards the dip tube outlet substantially along a first axis. Further, the dip tube may comprise a second, third and fourth sidewall extending from the inlet towards the dip tube outlet substantially along the first axis.

[0012] Preferably, the first axis and the second axis have a mutual angle of from 0° to about 25°, such as from 1° to about 15°, preferably between 4° and 10°.

[0013] Preferably, the lower part comprises a first, second, third and fourth sidewall and a closed bottom part to form a bowl, the sidewalls extending from an edge of the lower part substantially along a third axis towards the bottom part. Preferably the first axis and the third axis are substantially parallel. Preferably, the sidewalls form a lower part having a substantially rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the third axis

[0014] It is preferred that the cross-section of the lower part has a dimension that is about twice the corresponding dimension of the dip tube.

[0015] Preferably, a first part of the wastewater flow path is formed by the inner surface of the dip tube, a second part of the wastewater flow path is formed by the closed bottom part, and a third part of the wastewater flow path is formed by the outer surface of one, e.g. the first, of the sidewalls of the dip tube and a part of the inner surface of the lower part.

[0016] Preferably, the lower part has at least one recess in its inner surface. Preferably, the at least one recess is shaped, such that the dip tube fits into the at least one recess. The recess is shaped such that the transition between the inner surface of the dip tube and the inner surface of the lower part is smooth. Thereby formation of debris, such as human hair, which might lead to formation of a blockage, is substantially prevented. The at least one recess is shaped such that the position of the dip tube is well defined in the lower part.

[0017] Preferably, a part of the recess, e.g. an edge, abuts a part of the edge of the dip tube outlet when the dip tube is inserted in the lower part. The edge may constitute a stopper.

[0018] The closed bottom part of the lower part is formed such that a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of the wastewater flow path is substantially rectangular and substantially identical to the cross-section of the flow path through the dip tube.

[0019] The cross-section of the flow path through the dip tube and through the lower part outside the dip tube remains substantially identical. Hereby, disturbances of the wastewater flow by changes in flow path dimension and form are substantially avoided and thus an effective wastewater flow is provided. Thus, the waste trap according to the invention exhibits minimum resistance against the wastewater flow through the waste trap.

[0020] Preferably, the second axis and the third axis have a mutual angle of from 1° to about 25°, such as from 2° to about 15°, preferably between 4° and 10°.

[0021] The wastewater flows through the waste trap outlet and is discharged over a part of the edge of the lower part. The lower surface of the flange member faces the waste trap outlet.

[0022] Preferably, the lower surface has a bulge for deflecting wastewater towards the periphery of the flange member and into the floor outlet waste pipe. Preferably, the bulge is substantially cone-shaped and extending substantially from a central part of the flange member towards the periphery of the flange member.

[0023] Preferably, the lower surface of the flange member arches radially towards the outer periphery of the flange member. Hereby, wastewater flowing along the lower surface is guided towards the opening between the outer surface of the lower part and the floor outlet wall.

[0024] The angle between the first axis and the second axis or between the second axis and the third axis provides that the wastewater flow is directed slightly towards the central part of the flange member providing an effectively distributed discharge of wastewater over the edge of the lower part. Preferably, the wastewater is mainly deflected in directions towards the largest spacing between the lower part and the floor outlet wall.

[0025] The bulge on the lower surface further contributes to a more effective distribution of the wastewater flow over the edge of the lower part so that the wastewater is discharged from the waste trap along a large part of the edge of the lower part.

[0026] The upper part may have a recess along its periphery for insertion of an adapter. Without the adapter, a fitting ring is inserted in the recess. The adapter does not increase the height of the waste trap and preferably, the adapter snaps into the recess leaving no surfaces blocking wastewater flow or being available for deposit of debris.

[0027] The upper part may have a handle for extraction of the waste trap from the floor outlet, the handle extending laterally from the periphery of the upper part, preferably positioned adjacent the wastewater inlet for guidance of the wastewater towards the inlet. The handle does not obstruct the wastewater flow, and preferably it has a smooth surface so that debris will not deposit on the handle.

[0028] The dip tube may be removably positioned in the lower part, e.g. the dip tube and the lower part may be snapped together with conventional resilient groove and tongue type latches allowing the upper and lower part to be removed as a single unit. Upon removal the dip tube and the lower part may be separated facilitating cleaning of each of the upper part and the lower part.

[0029] Below the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, wherein

Fig. 1

is a perspective view of the upper part of an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

is a top view of the flange member of the upper part of an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3

is a perspective view of the lower part of an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4

is a transverse cross-section of the floor outlet with the waste trap according to the invention installed,

Fig. 5

is a longitudinal cross-section of the waste trap according to the invention,

Fig. 6

is another longitudinal cross-section perpendicular to the cross-section of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

shows in detail the recess of the upper part, the ring and the adapter, and

Fig. 8

schematically illustrates that the first axis forms an angle with the second axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Fig. 1 shows the upper part 10 of an exemplary embodiment of a waste trap according to the present invention. The upper part 10 has a flange member 12 with a lower surface 13 and a flange edge 14, the flange edge 14 substantially extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to a second axis extending vertically when the waste trap is installed in a floor outlet. The flange edge 14 is circular and fits in a floor outlet having a circular transverse cross-section. The flange member has an upper surface 16 sloping from the flange edge 14 towards a wastewater inlet 18 defined in the flange member 12 and communicating with a dip tube 20. The dip tube 20 has a first 22, second 24, third 26 and fourth 28 sidewall extending from the inlet 18 along a first axis and ending in a dip tube outlet 30. The first 22, second 24, third 26 and fourth 28 sidewall form a dip tube 20 having a substantially rectangular transverse cross-section. The first axis and the second axis may be substantially parallel and/or have a mutual angle from about 0° to about 25°. In a preferred embodiment the angle between the first axis and the second axis is about 5°.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a top view of the upper part 10 shown in Fig. 1 more clearly illustrating the substantially rectangular transverse cross-section of the wastewater inlet 18 and the dip tube 20.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows the lower part 40 intended for accommodation of the upper part 10 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The lower part 40 has a first 42, second 44, third 46 and fourth 48 sidewall and a closed bottom part 50, the sidewalls substantially extending from the edge 56 towards the bottom part 50 substantially along a third axis, the lower part forming a bowl with a substantially rectangular transverse cross-section perpendicular to the third axis. One side 46 of the rectangle has substantially the same length as the length of the corresponding side 26 of the dip tube cross-section, and another side 44of the rectangle has substantially twice the length of the corresponding side 24 of the dip tube cross-section.. The lower part 40 has a recess 52 for guiding and accommodating the dip tube 20 into its intended position during insertion and accommodation of the dip tube 20 in the lower part 40. A lower edge 54 of the recess 52 abuts the ends of the second 24, third 26 and fourth 28 sidewalls of the dip tube when the upper 10 and lower part 40 has been assembled. The recess 52 keeps the dip tube 20 in a fixed position transverse to the longitudinal extension of the dip tube 20 and the lower part 40. Furthermore, the recess 52 prevents further insertion of the dip tube 20 into the lower part 40. The dip tube 20 may further be snapped locked to the lower part 40 with snap latches (not shown). Alternatively, the upper 10 and lower 40 part may be glued together. The wastewater is discharged over the edge 56 of the lower part 40 along substantially 180° of the periphery of the edge 56 that is not occupied by the dip tube 20.

[0033] In one embodiment, the first sidewall 42 is slightly curved towards the edge 56 of the lower part 40 to provide a more even discharge of wastewater from the waste trap.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows a transverse cross-section of the floor outlet 60 with the waste trap installed. It should be noted that the cross-section of the dip tube 20 and the cross-section of the flow path between the walls of the lower part 40 and the dip tube 20 are substantially identical and substantially rectangular. Further, it should be noted that the wastewater flows in opposite directions on each side of the first sidewall 22 of the dip tube 20. It should also be noted that the lateral parts 62, 64 of the floor outlet provides the largest openings for the wastewater flow. Wastewater is discharged from the waste trap in an angle α of about 180°.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the floor outlet 60 with a waste trap 70 according to the present invention. The cross-section is taken along the dotted line A in Fig. 2. The wastewater level sealing the floor outlet 60 is shown with reference numeral 72.

[0036] It should be noted that the first axis and the third axis are parallel and forms a mutual angle with the second axis of about 5° to provide a more effective discharge of the wastewater through the waste trap outlet 74. As better seen in Fig. 6 showing a longitudinal cross-section along the dotted line B in Fig. 2 and perpendicular to the cross-section of Fig. 5, the flange member 12 has a lower surface 13 facing the waste trap outlet 74. The lower surface 13 has a substantially cone-shaped bulge 76 substantially extending from the central part of the flange towards the flange edge in a direction perpendicular to the first sidewall 22 for deflecting wastewater laterally into respective parts 62, 64 of the floor outlet waste pipe 60. Furthermore, the lower surface 13 arches 78 towards the lower part 40 for guiding the discharged wastewater towards the floor outlet waste pipe 80.

[0037] The tilted lower part 40 directs the wastewater flow slightly towards the central part of the flange member 12 which in cooperation with the bulge 76 spreads the wastewater flow into a broad cone so that the wastewater is discharged from the waste trap 70 along a large part of the waste trap outlet 74 over the edge 56 and especially through openings 62, 64.

[0038] The upper part 10 further has a handle 82 for extraction of the waste trap 70from the floor outlet, the handle 82 extending laterally from the periphery of the upper part 10 and being positioned adjacent and sloping towards the wastewater inlet 18 for guidance of the wastewater towards the inlet 14. The handle 82 does not obstruct the wastewater flow, and it has a smooth surface so that debris will not deposit on the handle.

[0039] Fig. 7 shows the part encircled by a dashed circle in Fig. 6 in more detail. The upper part 10 has a recess 84 along its periphery for insertion of an adapter 86. Without the adapter 86, a fitting ring 88 is inserted in the recess 84. The adapter 86 does not increase the height of the waste trap and the adapter 86 snaps into the recess leaving no surfaces blocking wastewater flow or being available for deposit of debris.

[0040] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates that the dip tube can be tilted to form an angle β between the first axis indicated by the dotted line C and the second axis indicated by the dotted line D. The angle β may be in the range from 0° to about 25°, preferably in the range from about 3° to about 15°, such as 5° or 10°.

Claims

1. A waste trap for removable instalment in a floor outlet, comprising an upper part and a lower part that are removable as a single unit,
the upper part having a wastewater inlet leading into a dip tube substantially extending along a first axis into the lower part having at least one sidewall and a closed bottom part and constituting a bowl, the bowl and the dip tube defining a wastewater flow path extending from the inlet through the dip tube and out into the bowl and ending at the edge of the bowl in a discharge outlet for discharging wastewater into the floor outlet waste pipe,
characterized in that the flow path has a substantially uniform cross-section from inlet to discharge and that the cross-section is substantially rectangular.

2. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the first axis forms an angle between 0 and 25° with a second axis extending vertically when the waste trap is installed in a floor outlet.

3. A waste trap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper part has a flange member for covering the floor outlet, the flange member having a flange edge, an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a bulge for deflecting wastewater into the floor outlet waste pipe.

4. A waste trap according to claim 3, wherein the lower surface of the flange member further arches towards the flange edge for guiding wastewater into the floor outlet waste pipe.

5. A waste trap according to any of the previous claims, wherein the upper part has a recess along its periphery for insertion of an adapter.

6. A waste trap according to any of the previous claims, wherein the upper part has a handle for extraction of the waste trap from the floor outlet, the handle extending laterally from the periphery of the upper part.

7. A waste trap according to any of the previous claims, wherein the lower part has at least one recess in the at least one sidewall for accommodation of the dip tube.

8. A waste trap according to any of the previous claims, wherein the dip tube is removably positioned in the lower part.

Drawing