A plumbing for discharging waste water

Abstract

 A discharge plumbing (1) for waste water coming from an appliance, for example a shower tray (150), comprises a discharge drain (50) hydraulically connected to a drain hole (157) of the appliance (150). The discharge drain (50) has a base body (51) defining a drain chamber (53) in which the waste water is stored until reaching a predetermined height for being then discharged through a discharge mouth (41) connected to the drainage network (200) through a discharge duct (160). According to the invention, the discharge drain (50) has a minimum height in particular the height H of the discharge drain (50) can be set between 20 mm and 50 mm, advantageously between 25 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 36 mm, for example equal to 35 mm. The discharge mouth (41) of the discharge drain (50) has preferably oval cross section, or rectangular.

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of plumbing systems and, in particular, it relates to a discharge plumbing for the waste water such as soapy water coming from showers, bathtubs, sinks, but also washing machines, and other uses.

Description of the prior art

[0002] As well known, waste water, for example soapy water, coming from showers, bathtubs, sinks, washing machines, etc., are discharged into a drainage network through a discharge plumbing having variable length and comprising normally rectilinear portions fitted to curved portions having various curve angles.

[0003] In particular, a discharge plumbing water from a shower tray comprises a discharge drain in hydraulic connection with the shower tray drain hole. The discharge drain is then connected by a discharge duct to the water drainage network. To avoid a movement of bad smell back towards the shower tray a plumbing guard is normally used made by a gooseneck, or syphon, i.e. a U-shaped duct portion arranged between the discharge drain and the discharge duct. Therefore, it is necessary that between the base of the shower tray and the floor of the room where the shower tray is installed there is a distance that is adapted to arrange a syphon that is high enough to provide a hydraulic head and at the same time to permit a sufficient discharge flow rate of the waste water from the shower tray.

[0004] In particular, if a shower tray is fixed at floor level, with its upper surface more or less at a same height of the floor, it is necessary to make deep masonry and plumbing work on which a concrete, or wood top layer on which eventually the tiles and the shower tray are arranged.

[0005] The above is particularly difficult when the shower tray has to be fixed at floor level where the tiles had already been laid, such as replacement of a bathtub or a previous shower tray.

[0006] A shower tray with reduced height is disclosed in W02010026088. In particular, the shower tray comprises a discharge drain that, in use, is connected hydraulically by a flexible duct having rectangular cross section to a traditional discharge duct, i.e. with circular cross section. More precisely, the flexible duct is used to provide a syphon having a reduced height and adapted to be completely contained within the height of the shower tray. To ensure that the flexible duct reaches the desired shape, i.e. a "U-shape", it rests on a base which has the same thickness of the shower tray and is equipped with two protrusions, or projections.

[0007] However, the discharge plumbing described in W02010026088 can operate correctly only with a flexible duct that has a minimum height. Therefore, it is necessary that the shower tray has a minimum thickness.

[0008] Furthermore, the discharge plumbing described in W02010026088 provides that the discharge duct exits from the shower tray with a traditional duct, i.e. with a circular cross section, and therefore it is in any case necessary to provide a top concrete layer with a thickness of at least 80-90 mm, in which the duct has to be embedded. For the same reasons it is not possible to install the discharge duct at division walls having low thickness.

[0009] In DE202009016306U1 a connection system is described for connecting a discharge drain of a shower tray waste water drainage. The system provides in particular a connection element for connecting the discharge tube exiting from the discharge drain having oval shape with the circular discharge duct that leads to the drainage network. The connection element has an oval inlet cross section for the waste water tube of oval shape and an outlet outlet cross section for of the waste water duct towards the drainage network with circular shape. The system provides a syphon member downstream of the water network.

Summary of the invention

[0010] It is then a feature of the present invention to provide a discharge plumbing for the waste water that in addition to a minimum height encumbrance can avoid a bad smell back flow towards the user and an effective flow of the waste water towards the drainage network.

[0011] It is another feature of the present invention to provide a discharge plumbing for the waste water for assisting its installation and avoiding the use of elbow-shaped curved fittings, or curved fittings with different angles, for connecting the drain to the water drainage network.

[0012] It is also a feature of the present invention to provide a discharge plumbing for the waste water that can be installed also at walls of minimum thickness and floors made on top layers of concrete, or wood, having a minimum height.

[0013] It is a particular feature of the present invention to provide a discharge plumbing for the waste water to install under a shower tray at floor level simplifying and minimizi the necessary masonry work, in particular without the need of raising from the top layer of concrete, or wood.

[0014] These and other features are accomplished with one exemplary discharge plumbing for the waste water, according to the invention, comprising:

• a discharge drain that is adapted to be hydraulically connected to a drain hole of an appliance, such as a shower tray, a bathtub, a sink, said discharge drain comprising a base body and a lid that define a drain chamber for the waste water, said lid being equipped with at least one hole through which the waste water can pass from said drain hole into said drain chamber, said base body having a discharge mouth through which the waste water can flow from said drain chamber towards a drainage network;

whose main feature is that said discharge drain has a height set between 20 mm and 50 mm and comprises a wall that extends from said lid towards said base body at a lowered portion, said wall having a lower edge that is arranged to define with said base body a narrow passage at said lowered portion such that the waste water can flow through said discharge mouth once achieved a predetermined height in said drain chamber.

[0015] This exemplary structure allows making, in particular, a discharge drain equipped with an internal syphon member. Therefore, the discharge drain in addition to a minimum height is capable of ensuring a head of waste water in the drain chamber adapted to cause an obstacle to a bad smell back flow from the drainage network. Furthermore, once exceeded a limit height, i.e. the upper edge of the lowered portion, the discharge drain lets an flow of water from the discharge drain at a speed of about 60-100 litres of water per minute.

[0016] Preferably, the discharge mouth has a waste water passage section with shape that is substantially oval, or rectangular.

[0017] In particular, when waste water is not discharged, the liquid surface of the waste water that is left in the drain chamber is substantially at a same height of a lateral containing edge of the lowered portion.

[0018] In particular, the wall is, in use, immersed for a predetermined height in the waste water present in the lowered portion. This way, the bad smell coming from the water drainage network is blocked and cannot reach back the drain hole.

[0019] For example, the portion of the wall that is arranged to be immersed in the waste water can be set between about 3 mm and about 7 mm. Furthermore, the distance of the lower edge of the wall from the surface of the lowered portion can be set between about 2 mm and about 6 mm, for example between 3 mm and about 4 mm.

[0020] If case of a shower tray, it can be advantageously made of a plastic material and have a thickness set between 7 mm and 15 mm, advantageously between 8 mm and 12 mm. For example, the plastic material can be polymethylmethacrylate.

[0021] In particular, the discharge mouth has a discharge cross section having a larger diameter d1, in particular set between 80 mm and 130 mm, and a lower diameter d2 for example set between about 14 mm and about 20 mm. For example, the larger diameter d1 can be about 124 mm and the lower diameter d2 can be about 16 mm. These sizes of the cross section the discharge mouth provides a discharge speed of the water from the discharge drain of about 70 - 100 litres per minute.

[0022] In a particular exemplary embodiment of a shower tray shell it comprises a first layer, in particular a lower layer, of glass fibres and a second layer, in particular an upper layer, in polymethylmethacrylate. For example, the thickness of the first layer can be set between 6 mm and 9 mm and the thickness of the second layer can be set between 1 mm and 4 mm.

[0023] In particular, the shower tray shell comprises a recess, said recess that is adapted to be filled with a foam, for example polyurethane foam, in order to reinforce the structure of the shower tray for supporting the weight of the appliance that uses the shower tray.

[0024] In a possible exemplary embodiment, the discharge drain has a substantially cylindrical symmetry. Therefore, once arranged the discharge drain in the recess, for example of the shower tray, in which it has to be installed it is possible to rotating it about its own vertical axis for orienting the discharge flow towards a predetermined direction. For example, in case of replacement of a bathtub with a shower tray, this particular exemplary embodiment of the discharge drain allows reusing the existing plumbing with high time saving and of low installation costs.

[0025] In particular, the discharge drain can comprise:

• a base body defining a drain chamber for the waste water and having a discharge mouth, said drain chamber having a lowered portion near said discharge mouth;
• a primary lid that is adapted to be coupled with said base body, said primary lid being equipped with a discharge surface having at least one opening through which said waste water enters the drain chamber;
• a secondary lid coupled with said primary lid, said secondary lid arranged, in use, at a predetermined distance from said discharge surface to make it possible a flow of the waste water towards said, or each, opening.

[0026] In particular, the secondary lid has an external surface, which in use remains outside. More in detail, the outer surface may have curvilinear shape for being convex to assist the flow of the waste water from said outer surface towards the discharge surface.

[0027] In particular, the primary lid, at a face oriented towards the secondary lid, has support elements adapted to set, in use, said secondary lid at said predetermined distance from said discharge surface.

[0028] In particular, the base body has an inner surface at an angle towards the lowered portion, in order to provide a chute guide and to assist the flow of the waste water towards the lowered portion.

[0029] In particular, the discharge mouth of the base body is connected hydraulically to the drainage network by a discharge duct. It may have at least one portion with substantially rectangular cross section, or oval, which is adapted to couple to said discharge mouth of said base body. More precisely, the portion with substantially rectangular cross section, or oval, extends outwarly, for example out of the shower tray in order to couple hydraulically to the drainage network. The discharge duct also comprises a substantially circular portion that is adapted to couple to the drainage network.

[0030] In particular, the wall can be engageable in a removable way to the primary lid, in particular engageable to the surface of the primary lid that faces towards the base body. Alternatively, the wall can be integrated, for example during a injection moulding step, in the primary lid, in order to form a single part.

[0031] Preferably, the lid of the discharge drain is arranged, in use, at a same level of the surface of the appliance to which it is installed. In this case, the, or each, hole coincide with discharge the appliance.

[0032] In particular, the height of the discharge drain is set between 25 mm and 45 mm.

[0033] Advantageously, the height of the discharge drain is set between 28 mm and 38 mm, for example about 35 mm. In particular, the discharge drain is connected to the drainage network by a discharge duct comprising at least one portion with substantially rectangular cross section, or oval, said portion with substantially rectangular cross section, or oval, extending at least in part out of the perimeter of the appliance.

[0034] Advantageously, at least one among the discharge drain and the discharge duct is made of plastic material, for example polypropylene.

[0035] In particular, the discharge drain can be obtained by plastic injection moulding.

[0036] Similarly, the discharge duct can be made by means by plastic injection moulding.

[0037] In particular, the cross section of the discharge duct has a larger diameter D and a lower diameter d, said lower diameter d being set between 10 mm and 30 mm.

[0038] Advantageously, the lower diameter d of the discharge duct is set between 15 mm and 25 mm.

[0039] Preferably, the lower diameter d of the discharge duct is set between 18 mm and 22 mm.

[0040] In particular, the ratio r between the larger diameter D and the lower diameter d of the cross section of the duct can be set between 3.5 and 4.5, advantageously between 4.1 and 4.3.

[0041] Advantageously, in use, the lower diameter d of the cross section can be substantially orthogonal to the surface of the wall in which the discharge duct is installed.

[0042] Advantageously, the discharge duct is of modular type, i.e. it comprises a plurality of modules in hydraulic connection with each other and arranged in series. More precisely, in use, two successive modules the plurality of modules have respective end portions at least partially overlapped.

[0043] Advantageously, a water tight sealing means is provided that, in use, is arranged between the overlapped end portions of two consecutive modules.

[0044] In particular, the water tight sealing means, for example an o-ring, can be arranged in a boundary housing made at the end portion of at least one of the consecutive modules.

[0045] Advantageously, the boundary housing is made at the end portion of the modular portion that, in use, is overlapped to another module. In this case, to the boundary housing a protrusion can correspond on the outer surface of the modular portion arranged overlapped to the other module.

[0046] Advantageously, the discharge duct is a corrugated duct and is made of flexible material, for example polypropylene, or polyethylene. Therefore, it is possible to fold the discharge duct without changing the passage section for the waste water. This way, it is possible to provide a discharge path for the waste water from the appliance to the water drainage network without the need to use elbow-shaped curved connection fittings, or to different angle curved connection fittings. Furthermore, the use of such a discharge duct reduces remarkably the thickness of a wall, or a concrete top layer, necessary for embedding the discharge duct. This is particularly advantageous for installation of a shower tray at the floor level.

[0047] Advantageously, a modular connection portion is provided having a longitudinal recess, said modular connection portion arranged to connect hydraulically said discharge drain with the discharge duct through said longitudinal recess.

[0048] More precisely, the modular connection portion comprises:

• an inlet section through which the waste water coming from the drain chamber of the discharge drain pass into a recess of the modular connection portion;
• an outlet section through which the waste water exits from the recess of the modular connection portion, said outlet section having substantially rectangular shape, or oval.

[0049] In particular, the outlet section of the modular connection portion is adapted to be constrained, for example with a click engagement, or with a fixed engagement, with said discharge duct.

[0050] Similarly, the inlet section of the modular connection portion is adapted to be constrained, for example with a click engagement, or with a fixed engagement, with said base body of said discharge drain.

[0051] Advantageously, a link module is provided having a longitudinal recess, said link module adapted to connect hydraulically said discharge duct with the water drainage network through said longitudinal recess.

[0052] More precisely, the link module comprises:

• an inlet section through which the waste water moves from the discharge duct into the recess of the link module, said inlet section having substantially rectangular shape, or oval;
• an outlet section through which the waste water exits from the recess of the link module, said outlet section having a substantially circular cross section.

[0053] In particular, the outlet section of the link module is adapted to connect the discharge duct to the drainage ducts leading to the water drainage network commonly having substantially circular cross section.

[0054] In particular, the inlet section of the modular connection portion is adapted to be constrained, for example with a click engagement, or with a fixed engagement, with said discharge duct.

[0055] Similarly, the outlet section of the link module is adapted to be constrained, for example with a click engagement, or with a fixed engagement, with said drainage duct to the water drainage network.

[0056] Advantageously, at least one among the modular connection portion and the link module have respective coupling end portions that, in use, are arranged overlapped to respective end portions of the modules of said discharge duct to which they are coupled.

[0057] Advantageously between the inlet section of the link module and said discharge duct and/or between the outlet section of the link module and said drainage duct to the water drainage network a fluid tight sealing means is provided.

[0058] Preferably, the lid of the discharge drain is arranged, in use, at a same level of the surface of the appliance to which it is installed. In this case, the, or each, hole coincides with discharge of the appliance.

[0059] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for replacing a pre-existing shower tray, or a bathtub, with a shower tray at floor level comprises the steps of:

• removal of said pre-existing shower tray, or bathtub, in order to provide a recess of corresponding size;
• arranging at said recess a shower tray of a predetermined size;
• hydraulically connecting a drain hole of said shower tray with the water drainage network by a discharge plumbing comprising a discharge drain, said discharge drain comprising a base body and a lid that define a drain chamber for the waste water, said lid being equipped with at least one hole through which the waste water can pass from said drain hole into said drain chamber, said base body having a discharge mouth having substantially oval cross section, or rectangular, through which the waste water can flow from said drain chamber towards a drainage network;
  said discharge drain having a height set between 20 mm and 50 mm and comprising a wall that extends from said lid towards said base body at a lowered portion, said wall having a lower edge that is arranged to define with said base body a narrow passage at said lowered portion such that the waste water can flow through said discharge mouth once achieved a predetermined height in said drain chamber.

[0060] In particular, a step can be provided of cutting the shower tray to fit the size of said recess.

[0061] In particular, a step can be provided of laying the floor of the room in which the shower tray is installed such that the upper surface of said shower tray is arranged substantially at a same height of said floor, i.e., in order to provide a shower tray at floor level.

Brief description of the drawings

[0062] The invention will be now shown with the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows an elevational side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a discharge plumbing for an appliance, such as a shower tray, a sink, a bathtub, and the like according to the invention;
• Fig. 2 shows a perspective top plan view of the discharge plumbing of Fig. 1;
• Fig, 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the discharge plumbing of Fig. 2;
• Fig. 4 shows a perspective view from below of the discharge plumbing of Fig. 2;
• Fig. 5 shows in detail a perspective elevational side view of the discharge drain of the plumbing of Fig. 2;
• Fig. 6 shows the discharge drain of Fig. 5 in a cross sectional view;
• Fig. 7 shows a perspective elevational side view of a modular connection portion between the discharge duct and the drainage duct leading to the water drainage network;
• Fig. 8 shows the modular connection portion of Fig. 7 in a perspective longitudinal sectional view;
• Fig. 9 shows the discharge drain of Fig. 5 in an exploded perspective view;
• Fig. 10A shows the discharge drain of Fig. 5 in a perspective view from below;
• Fig. 10B shows a cross sectional view of the discharge duct of the discharge plumbing, according to the invention;
• Fig. 11 shows a partially cross sectional perspective view of the discharge plumbing of Fig. 2 applied to a shower tray;
• Fig. 12 shows a perspective top plan view of the shower tray at floor level obtained from the discharge plumbing shown in Figs. 1 to 11;
• Fig. 13 shows a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the discharge drain of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 14 shows the discharge drain of Fig. 13 an elevational side view of;
• Fig. 15 shows the discharge drain of Fig. 13 in an exploded cross sectional viewal view;
• Fig. 16 shows in a plan view from below the discharge drain of Fig. 13 without the closure secondary;
• Fig. 17 shows the discharge drain of Fig. 16 in a top plan view;
• Fig. 18 the discharge drain of Fig. 16 a cross sectional view according to arrows XVIII-XVIII;
• Figs. 19 and 20 show the discharge drain of Fig. 18 in two different operating conditions;
• Fig. 21 shows in detail a possible exemplary embodiment of a shower tray that adopts a discharge plumbing for waste water, according to the invention.

Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments

[0063] As shown in Fig. 1, a discharge plumbing 1, according to the invention, in particular for waste water coming from an appliance, for example a shower tray 150, comprises a discharge drain 50 hydraulically connected to drain hole 157 of the appliance 150.

[0064] The discharge drain 50 has a base body 51 defining a drain chamber 53 in which the waste water is stored until it reaches a predetermined height for being then discharged through a discharge mouth 41 connected to the drainage network 200 through a discharge duct 160. According to the invention, the discharge drain 50 has a minimum height, in particular the height H of the discharge drain 50 can be set between 20 mm and 50 mm, advantageously between 25 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 36 mm, for example equal to 35 mm.

[0065] The discharge mouth 41 of the discharge drain 50 has preferably oval cross section, or rectangular. The passage section of the waste water may have a larger diameter d1 set between 80 mm and 130 mm, for example about 124 mm, and a lower diameter d2 set between 14 mm and 20 mm, for example about 16 mm (Fig. 9). These diameters allow at the same time keeping low the height of the discharge plumbing 1 and ensuring certain sizes, such as the passage section of the water according to the current laws, which provide in particular diameters of the discharge sections like 40 mm, or 50 mm.

[0066] Furthermore, the discharge duct 160 comprises at least one portion 60 having substantially rectangular cross section, or oval, and arranged at least in part out of the perimeter 151 of the appliance, for example of the shower tray 150, to which it is connected. More precisely, the section 60 of the discharge duct 160 has a larger diameter D and a lower diameter d (Fig. 10B). The larger diameter D can be, for example, set between 50 mm and 90 mm and the lower diameter d between 10 mm and 35 mm. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the larger diameter D is set between 65 mm and 75 mm, the lower diameter d is set between 16 mm and 22 mm and the thickness of the discharge duct is about 2 mm. These sizes allow, to achieve a passage section for the waste water substantially identical to the traditional ducts with circular cross section, which have usually a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness of 2 mm. Normally, the ratio r between the larger diameter D and the lower diameter d of the cross section of the duct is set between 3.5 and 4.5, for example about 4.2. According to the invention, for keeping the duct it is possible to embed it in a foam material, for example polyurethane foam.

[0067] As diagrammatically shown in Fig. 10B, in use, the lower diameter d of the cross section can be arranged substantially orthogonal to one of the surfaces 305 of the wall 300 at which the discharge duct is installed 160. In case of a shower tray 150, the lower diameter d is substantially orthogonal to the tiled floor 200 of the room in which it is installed.

[0068] The use of a discharge duct 160 with substantially rectangular cross section, or oval, allows in particular reducing the depth of the recess, or masonry work, that is adapted to house the duct 160. In fact, under a same passage section ⊖, the duct with rectangular cross section, or oval, according to the invention reduces the depth of the masonry work in the wall, or in the floor, to about half the thickness necessary for installation of a circular duct having an equivalent cross section.

[0069] The above described features allow to install the duct 160, according to the invention, at walls 300 of thickness s low. Furthermore, the masonry work necessary for installing the discharge plumbing are remarkably simplified with respect to the solutions of the prior art. The above described advantages are particularly important if it is necessary to replace an existing shower tray, or bathtub, with a shower tray at a floor level.

[0070] The portion 60 of the discharge duct 160 with substantially rectangular cross section, or oval, is preferably of plastic material, for example polypropylene, and has a corrugated shape. This way, the discharge duct 160 is highly flexible and is capable of having and keeping different shapes for example for adapting to obstacles present in the floor and/or in the wall, for example other ducts, electric cables, or columns of concrete, etc.

[0071] The discharge drain 50 comprises a base, or base body, 51 and a lid 52, with a side surface 54, defining a drain chamber 53 (Figs. 3 and 9). The base body 51 has a base surface 49 preferably at an angle towards to discharge 160, in order to provide substantially a chute and assist thus the flow of the waste water entering chamber 53 through an opening 57 made in the lid 52. In particular, the waste water can pass, through opening 57, from the surface 155 of the appliance 150, to the discharge duct 60.

[0072] The discharge drain 50 can be arranged at the bottom 58 of stiffening ribs 59 made during a moulding step of plastic material of the same.

[0073] The lid 52 of the discharge drain 50 is arranged, in use, substantially at a same level of the surface 155 of the appliance 150 to which it is connected. This way, in case of a shower tray 150 it is possible to provide a shower tray at floor level (Fig. 12).

[0074] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the discharge duct 160 comprises a plurality of modules 60 arranged in series. Each modular portion 60 has substantially rectangular cross section, or oval, has a shape corrugated and is made of a material highly flexible. More in detail, two following modules 60 are connected hydraulically at respective connecting portions 60a and 60b.

[0075] For example, the connecting portions 60a and 60b can be connected to pressure, or with a fixed engagement, forcing resiliently the edge 60b of a modular portion 60, nearest to the discharge drain 50, at the edge 60'a of the modular portion next 60', more at a distance from the discharge drain 50. This way, the connecting portions 60b and 60'a are, in use, overlapped. To ensure the necessary sealing conditions along the discharge duct 160 between the portions 60b and 60'a of two successive modules 60 and 60', a seal 65 is provided.

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, at the connection portion 60b of the modular portion 60 that, in use, is arranged overlapped to the connection portion 60'a to the modular portion 60', a boundary housing is provided 67 that is adapted to contain the seal 65, for example an o-ring. To the boundary housing 67 a stiffening ribs 68 corresponds protruding from the outer surface of the connection portion 60b of the modular portion 60.

[0077] Normally, the plurality of modules 60 of the discharge duct 160 comprise a starting modular portion 60 connected to the discharge drain 50 and a final modular portion 60ⁿ connected to the inlet duct 250 leading to the water drainage network 200.

[0078] The modular portion starting 60 of the discharge duct 160 is connected hydraulically to the drain chamber 53 through a modular connection portion 80 having a longitudinal recess 85. More precisely, the modular connection portion 80 comprises an oval cross section 81 through which the waste water enters the modular connection portion 80 same and an outlet cross section 82 through which the waste water exits from the modular connection portion 80. The outlet section 82 has preferably substantially rectangular shape, or oval, and is adapted to be constrained, for example with a click engagement, or with a fixed engagement, with the first modular portion 61 of the discharge duct 160.

[0079] The last modular portion 60ⁿ of the discharge duct 160 is connected hydraulically to the drainage duct 250 to the water drainage network 200 by a modular connection portion 70. Such has a longitudinal recess 75, and comprises a, oval cross section 71 having substantially rectangular shape, or oval, and a, outlet cross section 72, having substantially circular shape. More in detail, the waste water moves from the discharge duct 160 into the recess 75 of the modular connection portion 70 through the inlet section 71 and exits from the modular connection portion 70 through the outlet section 72. At the inlet section 71, the modular connection portion 70 engages, for example with a click engagement, or with pressure, with the last modular portion 62 of the discharge duct 160.

[0080] as above described for two successive modules 60 of the discharge duct 160, the end portion 60ⁿb of the last modular portion 60ⁿ and the inlet section 71 of the modular connection portion 70 are connected by pressure. For example, the end portion 60ⁿb of the modular portion 60ⁿ is forced resiliently on the end portion of the modular connection portion 70, in order to overlap them. A seal 65 is then arranged between the end portion 60ⁿb of the modular portion 60ⁿ and the inlet section 71, in order to ensure that are the necessary sealing conditions hydraulic at the joint are met.

[0081] In use, the inlet section 71 of the modular connection portion 70 is overlapped to the end portion 60ⁿb of the modular portion final 60ⁿ and the seal 65 is arranged in a boundary housing 77 achieves inlet section 71 of the modular connection portion 70. To the boundary housing 77 corresponds a protrusion 78 on the outer surface of the junction fitting 70.

[0082] More in detail, the outlet section 72 with circular shape connects the discharge duct 160 to the drainage ducts 155 to the water drainage network 200 having normally circular cross section.

[0083] As shown, in particular in Figs. 6 and 9, between the drain chamber 53 and the discharge mouth 41 is provided a wall 56, or septum, which is arranged at a predetermined distance from the base body 51. More in detail, between a base surface 49 of the base body 51. This way, a syphon is obtained capable of block a predetermined amount of waste water in the drain chamber 53 and that form an obstacle to a bad smell flow back from the drainage network.

[0084] More precisely, the wall 56 is arranged in the drain chamber 53 at a lowered portion 53b to which a protruding portion 63 corresponds of the discharge drain 50.

[0085] In particular, in use, the lower edge 56b of the wall 56 is arranged at a predetermined height, for example set between 2 mm and 5 mm, by the lowered portion 53b, in order to define a narrow pass 45 through which the drain chamber 53 is in hydraulic connection with discharge 41. More precisely, the wall 56 extends in the lowered portion 53b beyond the side edge 44 thereof. When the appliance 150 is not used, lowered portion 53b accumulates a predetermined amount of waste water. The wall 56 has in this case a portion, for example of height set between 3 and 8 mm embedded waste water present in the lowered portion 53b. This way, is obtained in an encumbrance in minimum height, a syphon in the discharge drain 50. In other words the presence of the waste water in the lowered portion 53b and of the wall 56 in it partially immersed creates an obstacle that prevents from a bad smell of moves from the drainage network to opening unloading the user. Between the drain chamber 53 the lowered portion 53b, or recess storage, the base body 51 has a step 44 of the same height as the step 44' that there is between the lowered portion 53b and to discharge 41 of the discharge drain 50, i.e. the portion 53b has a height substantially fixed (Figs. 6, 15, 18-20).

[0086] The wall 56 can be constrained in a guide 91 engaged, for example with a fixed engagement, in a seal rubber 95 arranged, in use, between the lid 52 and the base body 51. More precisely, the seal 95 can be arranged at an edge 96 equipped with, or even less, of a boundary groove. The rubber seal 95 is then kept in tightening position of the lid 52 at the bottom 59. The fixing the lid 52 at the bottom 59 of the discharge drain 50 can be made by means of screws 97 that, in use, cross holes 98a and 98b made at the lid 52 and of the bottom 59 respectively.

[0087] The innovative configuration of the discharge plumbing 1 above described, and, in particular, of the discharge drain 50, makes it possible to arrange a shower tray 150 at a minimum distance from the surface of the room in which it is installed. This way, it is possible to provide a shower tray without bars and therefore easily to be used also from handicapped people.

[0088] According to another aspect of the invention, in case of changing a bathtub, or a shower tray, existing the adoption of the plumbing 1 above described reduces remarkably the time for changing and of making remarkably easier the works of masonry. In fact, is not necessary lowering the slab in concrete for making the height necessary to the installation of a traditional syphon.

[0089] In Figs. 13 to 20 an exemplary embodiment is shown of the discharge drain 50, according to the invention. In this case, the discharge drain 50 is provided with a substantially cylindrical symmetry. In this case the lowered portion 53b has ring-like shape.

[0090] This particular geometry allows rotating the discharge drain 50 about an axis 170, in order to orient it towards a predetermined direction, for example for arranging to discharge 41 in line with preinstalled ducts, or preexisting, to connect to the drainage network. This way, is remarkably easier starting up the discharge drain 50 and of the shower tray 150 that the adopts and is easier in particular the step too connect for discharging 41 to the drainage network 250.

[0091] In the case shown in Figs. 13 to 20, the lid 52 can comprise a primary lid 52a and a secondary lid 52b that can be mutually coupled. More precisely, the primary lid 52a has a wall 56, substantially circular, which extends towards the base body 51. At the face that in use is oriented towards the opening of appliance 150, the primary lid 52a has a discharge surface 46 having a certain number of apertures 47, for example 4 apertures 47, through which the waste water enters the drain chamber 53 of the base body 51.

[0092] Among the primary lid 52a and the secondary lid 52b elements are provided spacers 48 on which is resting on the secondary lid 52b for keeping it at a predetermined distance from the discharge surface 46. This way, the waste water can freely moves from the surface 155 of the appliance 150 to the drain chamber 53 through the apertures 47.

[0093] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the surface 42b of the secondary lid 52b, that, in use, remains visible has an inclination towards the side edge to assist the flow of the waste water by the outer surface 42b towards the discharge surface 46.

[0094] The discharge drain 50 comprises, therefore, a base body 51 defining inside a drain chamber 53 of the waste water and have an unloading 41. The drain chamber 53 has a lowered portion 53b separated from to discharge 41 by a containing side 44' having a same height as that of the point less than a base surface 49. The primary lid 52a can be, for example, connected to the base body 51 by at least one screw, for example two screws, which are arranged in respective housings 38. The primary lid 52a and the secondary lid 52b can be, instead, engaged by means of respective engagement surface s, for example with a fixing with a fixed engagement, or to click.

[0095] According to the invention, the user 150 can be a shower tray comprising a lower layer 151 of glass fibres and an upper layer 152 in polymethylmethacrylate (Fig. 21). For example, the thickness of the lower layer can be set between 6 mm and 9 mm and the thickness of the upper layer can be set between 1 mm and 4 mm. The shower tray can be advantageously, having a recess 300 that is adapted to be filled of a polyurethane foam, for example polyurethane foam, in order to support the weight of the appliance that uses the shower tray.

[0096] The foregoing description of a specific embodiment will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such an embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

1. A discharge plumbing for waste water comprising:

- a discharge drain that is adapted to be hydraulically connected to a drain hole of an appliance, such as a shower tray, a bathtub, a sink, said discharge drain comprising a base body and a lid that define a drain chamber for the waste water, said lid being equipped with at least one hole through which the waste water can pass from said drain hole into said drain chamber, said base body having a discharge mouth through which the waste water can flow from said drain chamber towards a drainage network;
characterised in that said discharge drain has a height set between 20 mm and 50 mm and comprises a wall that extends from said lid towards said base at a lowered portion, said wall having a lower edge that is arranged to define with said base body a narrow passage at said lowered portion such that the waste water can flow through said discharge mouth once achieved a predetermined height in said drain chamber.

2. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, wherein said wall is adapted, in use, to be immersed for a predetermined height set between about 3 mm and about 7 mm in the waste water present in said lowered portion, such that a bad smell coming from the water drainage network is blocked and cannot reach the drain hole of said appliance.

3. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, wherein said discharge drain has a substantially cylindrical symmetry such that once arranged at said appliance it is adapted to be rotated about a vertical axis for orienting said discharge mouth of said base body towards a predetermined direction.

4. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, or 3, wherein said discharge drain comprises:

- a base body defining a drain chamber for the waste water and having a discharge mouth, said drain chamber having a lowered portion near said discharge mouth;

- a primary lid that is adapted to be coupled with said base body, said primary lid being equipped with a discharge surface having at least one opening through which said waste water enters said drain chamber;

- a secondary lid coupled with said primary lid, said secondary lid arranged, in use, at a predetermined distance from said discharge surface to make it possible a flow of the waste water towards said, or each, opening.

5. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 4, wherein said primary lid at a face oriented towards said secondary lid has support elements adapted to arrange, in use, said secondary lid at said predetermined distance from said discharge surface.

6. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, wherein said base body has an inner base surface at an angle towards said lowered portion, in order to provide a chute guide that assists the flow of the waste water towards said lowered portion.

7. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, wherein, furthermore, a discharge duct is provided that is adapted to connect hydraulically said discharge mouth of said base body with said drainage network, said discharge duct having a connection portion for connection to said discharge mouth with substantially rectangular cross section, or oval, and a connection portion to said drainage network with substantially circular cross section, said oval cross section portion, or rectangular, extending, in use, out of said user to make it possible a maintenance of a minimum height for all the extension of said user.

8. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, wherein said wall is selected from the group consisting of:

- a wall that is adapted to be engaged in a removable way to said primary lid;

- a wall integrated with said primary lid, in order to form a single part.

9. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, wherein said height of said discharge drain is set between 25 mm and 45 mm.

10. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, wherein said discharge mouth has a discharge cross section having a larger diameter d1 set between 80 mm and 130 mm, and a lower diameter d2 set between 14 mm and 20 mm.

11. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 7, wherein said discharge duct is of modular type and comprises a plurality of modules in hydraulic connection arranged in series, two successive modules of said plurality of modules having respective end portions at least partially overlapped to each other at which a water tight sealing element is provided.

12. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 7, wherein said discharge duct is a corrugated duct and is made of flexible material such that it is possible to fold the discharge duct without changing the passage section for the waste water and to provide a discharge path for discharging the waste water from the appliance to the water drainage network without the need of elbow-shaped curved connection fittings, or different angle curved connection fittings.

13. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, wherein said appliance it is a shower tray shell and comprises a first layer in glass fibres having a thickness set between 6 mm and 9 mm and a second layer in polymethylmethacrylate having a thickness set between 1 mm and 4 mm.

14. Discharge plumbing, according to claim 1, wherein, said discharge mouth has a waste water passage section with substantially oval shape, or rectangular.

15. A method for replacing a pre-existing shower tray, or a bathtub, with a shower tray at floor level comprising the steps of:

- removal of said pre-existing shower tray, or bathtub, in order to provide a recess of corresponding size;

- arranging at said recess a shower tray of a predetermined size;

- hydraulically connecting a drain hole of said shower tray with the water drainage network by a discharge plumbing comprising a discharge drain, said discharge drain comprising a base body and a lid that define a drain chamber for the waste water, said lid being equipped with at least one hole through which the waste water can pass from said drain hole into said drain chamber, said base body having a discharge mouth having substantially oval cross section, or rectangular, through which the waste water can flow from said drain chamber towards a drainage network;
characterised in that said discharge drain has a height set between 20 mm and 50 mm and comprises a wall that extends from said lid towards said base body at a lowered portion, said wall having a lower edge that is arranged to define with said base body a narrow passage at said lowered portion such that the waste water can flow through said discharge mouth once achieved a predetermined height in said drain chamber.

Drawing