PLUMBING SEALING ARRANGEMENT

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved plumbing sealing arrangement for use with waste outlets.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Traps, such as bottle traps or convoluted pipes, are widely used throughout the world to connect waste water outlets from sinks, baths or showers or the like to a soil stack. A conventional trap comprises an inlet and an outlet, and defines a passageway for liquid to flow from the inlet to the outlet. A conventional trap is designed such that, in use, liquid is retained in the passageway to provide a barrier between the inlet and the outlet, preventing odours and gases from the soil stack passing through the trap into the surrounding environment.

[0003] Whilst conventional traps are fairly effective, there are drawbacks associated with them. It is known, for example, for the liquid seal to evaporate over a period of time, such that the gases in the soil stack are no longer prevented from escaping through the waste outlet. This is particularly a problem where the waste outlet is not used regularly and/or the trap is located in a hot or low humidity environment in which the rate of evaporation is increased.

[0004] It is also known for a siphon effect to be established in a trap causing the liquid in the trap to be sucked out of the trap, thereby breaking the liquid seal.

[0005] EP1666676 describes a water seal comprising an inlet pipe piece, a mounting member and an outlet pipe piece. The water seal further includes and odour trap comprising a guide member and a bracket which is spring loaded and is placed along the guide member. The bracket carries a sealing portion which by the spring is brought in to engage the inlet pipe piece for closing thereof and which can be pressed away by waste water from said dosing position and permit passage thereof to the outlet pipe piece through the mounting member.

[0006] US2002/0189675 describes a method and apparatus for draining liquid from a draining surface into a drain conduit and for preventing discharge of waste gas from the drain conduit into the atmosphere in response to a higher pressure in the drain conduit than at the draining surface.

[0007] Both of these documents describe plumbing sealing arrangements comprising a passageway having an inlet adapted to be connected to a waste outlet and an outlet adapted to be connected to a soil stack and a trap arranged to permit a liquid seal to be formed between the passageway inlet and the passageway outlet.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a plumbing sealing arrangement according to claim 1.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing arrangement, in use provides a double barrier (a liquid barrier and a one-way valve) between a bath, shower or basin and a soil stack to which the sealing arrangement is connected. Immersing a portion of the one way valve in the liquid seal reduces the height of the sealing arrangement, permitting it to be used in confined spaces. Such an arrangement is useful in hot or low humidity environments where, for example, the liquid retained in a trap can evaporate permitting odours from the soil pipe to pass through the trap into the surrounding environment. The provision of a one-way valve, in addition to the liquid seal, provides a back-up seal in the event of the liquid seal failing. In the alternative, should the one-way valve become damaged and fall, the seal across the sealing arrangement is maintained by the liquid seal.

[0010] The trap may comprise a trap body defining an interior volume and a partitioning member for partitioning the interior volume The one-way valve being locates within the trap body. The partitioning member facilitates the provision of a liquid seal.

[0011] In one embodiment, the partitioning member comprises a tubular portion.

[0012] In another embodiment the one-way valve defines the partitioning member.

[0013] The trap may comprise an upper body position and a lower body portion, the portions being separable. For example, an upper body portion and lower body portion. Providing separable body portions may facilitate cleaning or access to the passageway.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the trap may be defined by a convoluted length of piping.

[0015] In one embodiment, the one-way valve is located upstream of the trap. Locating the one-way valve upstream of the trap and, therefore, in use upstream of the liquid seal ensures that there is a barrier between the liquid and the environment surrounding the bath, shower or basin to which the plumbing sealing arrangement is connected. This will assist in preventing odours which may be emitted by the liquid from reaching the external environment.

[0016] The one-way valve may be removable from the sealing arrangement. Making the one-way valve removable facilitates replacement of the one-way valve becoming, for example, damaged.

[0017] In one embodiment the one-way valve may be located in the trap body portion. The partitioning member may be adapted to receive the one-way valve. The partitioning member can assist in maintaining the one-way valve in an optimum orientation.

[0018] The one-way valve may be adapted to be trapped between the trap body and the partitioning member.

[0019] The one-way valve may comprise a polymeric material.

[0020] In one embodiment, the one-way valve includes at least one crease or kink transverse to longitudinal valve axis. Incorporating a crease or kink biases the first and second flexible walls towards each other at the crease or kink, ensuring that a seal is maintained. Incorporating a crease or kink can permit a reduction in the length of the one-way valve without a loss of performance.

[0021] The valve outlet may be immersed, in normal use, in the liquid seal.

[0022] In one embodiment the valve outlet is lower than the passageway outlet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a section view through a waste trap, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a one-way valve used in the trap of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0024] Reference is firstly made to Figure 1, a section view showing a plumbing sealing arrangement generally indicated by reference numeral 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The plumbing sealing arrangement 10 comprises a passageway 12 having an inlet 14 adapted to be connected to a waste outlet (not shown) and an outlet 16 adapted to be connected to a soil stack (not shown). A one-way valve 18 is located between the passageway inlet 14 and the passageway outlet 16, the one-way valve 18 is adapted to permit the passage of fluid through the passageway 22 in one direction only from the inlet 14 to the outlet 16.

[0026] The plumbing sealing arrangement 10 further comprises a trap 20 arranged to permit a liquid seal 22 to be formed between the passageway inlet 14 and the passageway outlet 16.

[0027] The trap 20 comprises a trap body 24 and a tubular partition 26. The trap body 24 comprises an upper trap body portion 28 and a lower trap body portion 30. The upper and lower trap body portions 28,30 are threadedly engaged by a threaded connection 32 permitting the lower trap body 30 to be removed from the upper trap body 28 to facilitate cleaning of the trap 20.

[0028] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the one-way valve 18 is a polymeric duckbill shaped valve. The one-way valve 18 comprises a first flexible wall 40 and a second flexible wall 42 defining a valve throughbore 44. The first and second walls 40,42 are arranged such that over the majority of the length of the valve 18, the throughbore 44 is normally closed. As fluid passes through the one-way valve 18 from the sealing arrangement inlet 14 to the sealing arrangement outlet 16 the walls 40,42 are forced apart by the flow of liquid allowing passage through the valve throughbore 44. Once the flow of liquid has ceased, the throughbore 44 closes preventing odours or liquids flowing back through the valve from the sealing arrangement outlet 16 to the sealing arrangement inlet 14.

[0029] The seal provided by the one-way valve 18 is enhanced by the presence of a first kink 46 and a second kink 48, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the valve throughbore 44. The kinks 46,48 bring the first and second flexible walls 40,42 into a sealing engagement along the line of the kinks 46,48 ensuring a seal between the first and second walls 40,42 at those points at least.

[0030] The valve 18 further comprises a flange 50 of relatively thick material, the flange 50 being connected to the first and second walls 40,42 and adapted to hold the valve inlet 52 open to facilitate the flow of fluid through the valve 18 from the valve inlet 52 to the valve outlet 58. Gussets 70,72 are provided between upper ends of the first and second flexible walls 40,42 to ensure the valve throughbore 44 has a continuous internal surface 74.

[0031] Referring back to Figure 1, it can be seen that in the plumbing sealing arrangement 10, the valve flange 50 is trapped between the trap body upper portion 28 and a radially inwardly extending lip 52 defined by the partitioning member 26. The one-way valve 18 is positively located by means of a spigot 54 defined by the upper body portion 28.

[0032] The one-way valve 18 is removable from the trap body 24 by disconnecting the lower trap body portion 30 from the upper trap body portion 28 and subsequently disconnecting the partitioning member 26 from the upper trap body portion 28, the partitioning member 26 being connected to the upper body portion 28 by a threaded connection 56. This arrangement facilitates removal of the one-way valve 18.

[0033] As can be seen from Figure 1, the one-way valve outlet 58 is located within the liquid seal 22. This arrangement permits for a more compact apparatus 10 and surprisingly has no impact on the efficiency of the performance of the one-way valve 18 and, indeed, has been shown to enhance performance.

[0034] The provision of a one-way valve 18 provides a back-up seal between the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 in the event that the liquid level 60 drops below the partitioning member lower edge 62. Without the provision of the one-way valve 18, once the water level 60 drops below the partitioning member lower edge 62, gases from the soil stack can enter the trap outlet 16, pass under the partition lower edge 62 and pass up through the partition 26 and out through the trap inlet 14. Additionally, the one-way valve 18 resists back pressure from the soil stack.

[0035] Similarly, in the event that the one-way valve 18 fails due to, for example, a foreign body getting trapped between the flexible walls 40,42 and holding the valve throughbore 44 open, the presence of the liquid valve seal 22 ensures the integrity of the sealing arrangement 10 remains intact.

[0036] Various modifications or improvements may be made to the above descried embodiment without departing from the scope of appended claims. For example, although the trap is shown as a body portion and a partitioning member, a liquid seal could be formed from a convoluted length of pipe.

Claims

1. A plumbing sealing arrangement (10) coomprising:

a passassway (12) having an Inlet (14) adapted to be connected to a waste outlet and an outlet (16) adapted to be connected to a soll stack;

a one way valve (18) comprising a duck bill shaped valve located between the passageway inlet and outlet, the one way valve adapted to permit the passage of fluid through the passageway in one direction only from the inlet to the outlet; and

a trap (20) arranged to permit a liquid seal (22) to be formed between the passageway inlet (14) and the passageway outlet (15);

wherein, in normal use, at least a portion of the one way valve (18) is immersed in the liquid seal (22).

2. The plumbing sealing arrangement of claim 1, wherein the trap comprises a trap body (24) defining an interior volume and a partitioning member for partitioning the interior volume, the one-way valve being located within the trap body.

3. The plumbing sealing arrangement of claim 2, wherein the partitioning member comprises a tubular portion (26).

4. The plumbing sealing arrangement of either of claims 2 or 3, wherein the one-way valve defines the partitioning member.

5. The plumbing sealing arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the trap comprises an upper body portion (28) and a lower body portion (30), the portions being separable.

6. The plumbing sealing arrangement of claim 1, wherein the trap Is defined by a convoluted length of piping.

7. The plumbing sealing arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the one-way valve is located upstream of the trap.

8. The plumbing sealing arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the one-way valve is removable from the sealing arrangement.

9. The plumbing sealing arrangement of claim 5, wherein the one-way valve is located in the upper body portion.

10. The plumbing sealing arrangement of claim 3, wherein the partitioning member is adapted to receive the one-way valve.

11. The plumbing sealing arrangement of claim 3, wherein the one-way valve is adapted to be trapped between the trap body and the partitioning member.

12. The plumbing sealing arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the one-way valve comprises a polymeric material.

13. The plumbing sealing arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the one-way valve includes at least one crease or kink transverse to longitudinal valve axis.

14. The plumbing sealing arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein a valve outlet (58) of the one way valve (18) is immersed, in normal use, in the liquid seal.

15. The plumbing sealing arrangement of claim 14 wherein the valve outlet is lower than the passageway outlet.

Ansprüche

1. Abdichtungsanordnung (10) für Sanitäranlagen, die Folgendes umfasst:

einen Durchgang (12), der einen Einlass (14), der eingerichtet ist, mit einem Abwasserauslass verbunden zu werden, und einen Auslass (16), der eingerichtet ist, mit einem Fallrohr verbunden zu werden,

ein Einwegventil (18) aufweisend ein entenschnabelförmiges Ventil zwischen Durchgangseinlass und Durchgangsauslass, das eingerichtet ist, den Durchfluss von Fluid durch den Durchgang nur in einer Richtung von dem Einlass zu dem Auslass zu erlauben, und

einen Geruchsverschluss (20), der derart angeordnet ist, dass sich zwischen dem Durchgangseinlass (14) und dem Durchgangsauslass (16) eine Flüssigkeitsdichtung (22) ausbildet,

wobei im normalen Gebrauch mindestens ein Abschnitt des Einwegventils (18) in die Flüssigkeitsdichtung (22) eintaucht.

2. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Geruchsverschluss ein Geruchsverschlussgehäuse (24) umfasst, das einen Innenraum und ein Unterteilungselement zum Unterteilen des Innenraums definiert, wobei das Einwegventil innerhalb des Geruchsverschlussgehäuses angeordnet ist.

3. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Unterteilungselement einen röhrenförmigen Abschnitt (26) umfasst.

4. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach einem der Ansprüche 2 oder 3, wobei das Einwegventil das Unterteilungselement definiert.

5. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Geruchsverschluss einen oberen Gehäuseabschnitt (28) und einen unteren Gehäuseabschnitt (30) umfasst, wobei die Abschnitte voneinander getrennt werden können.

6. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Geruchsverschluss durch eine gewundene Rohrlänge definiert wird.

7. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Einwegventil stromaufwärts von dem Geruchsverschluss angeordnet ist.

8. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Einwegventil von der Abdichtungsanordnung abmontiert werden kann.

9. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach Anspruch 5, wobei das Einwegventil in dem oberen Gehäuseabschnitt angeordnet ist.

10. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Unterteilungselement eingerichtet ist, das Einwegventil aufzunehmen.

11. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Einwegventil eingerichtet ist, zwischen dem Geruchsverschlussgehäuse und dem Unterteilungselement festgehalten zu werden.

12. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Einwegventil ein Polymermaterial umfasst.

13. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Einwegventil mindestens eine Falte oder einen Knick quer zu der Ventillängsachse beinhaltet.

14. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein Ventilauslass (58) des Einwegventils (18) im normalen Gebrauch in die Flüssigkeitsdichtung eintaucht.

15. Abdichtungsanordnung für Sanitäranlagen nach Anspruch 14, wobei der Ventilauslass tiefer als der Durchgangsauslass liegt.

Revendications

1. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie (10) comportant :

un passage (12) ayant une entrée (14) adaptée pour être raccordée à une sortie d'eau usée et une sortie (16) adaptée pour être raccordée à un tuyau de chute ;

une soupape de non-retour (18) comportant une soupape en forme de bec de canard se trouvant entre l'entrée et la sortie du passage, la soupape de non-retour étant adaptée pour permettre le passage d'un fluide à travers le passage dans une direction seulement depuis l'entrée jusqu'à la sortie ; et

un siphon (20) agencé pour permettre la formation d'un joint liquide (22) entre l'entrée (14) du passage et la sortie (16) du passage ;

dans lequel, lors de l'utilisation normale, au moins une partie de la soupape de non-retour (18) est immergée dans le joint liquide (22).

2. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le siphon comporte un corps de siphon (24) définissant un volume intérieur et un élément de séparation permettant de séparer le volume intérieur, la soupape de non-retour étant située à l'intérieur du corps de siphon.

3. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'élément de séparation comporte une partie tubulaire (26).

4. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon l'une quelconque de la revendication 2 ou de la revendication 3, dans lequel la soupape de non-retour définit l'élément de séparation.

5. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le siphon comporte une partie de corps supérieure (28) et une partie de corps inférieure (30), les parties étant en mesure d'être séparées.

6. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le siphon est défini par une longueur de tuyau en spirale.

7. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la soupape de non-retour est située en amont du siphon.

8. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la soupape de non-retour est en mesure d'être retirée du système d'étanchéité.

9. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la soupape de non-retour est située dans la partie de corps supérieure.

10. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon la revendication 3, dans lequel l'élément de séparation est adapté pour recevoir la soupape de non-retour.

11. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la soupape de non-retour est adaptée pour être prise au piège entre le corps de siphon et l'élément de séparation.

12. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la soupape de non-retour est formée à partir d'un matériau polymère.

13. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la soupape de non-retour comporte au moins un pli ou un coude transversal par rapport à l'axe longitudinal de la soupape.

14. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel une sortie de soupape (58) de la soupape de non-retour (18) est immergée, lors de l'utilisation normale, dans le joint liquide.

15. Système d'étanchéité de plomberie selon la revendication 14, dans lequel la sortie de soupape est plus basse par rapport à la sortie du passage.

Drawing