DRAIN DEVICE WITH A NON-CIRCULAR INLET HOLE.

Abstract

 Drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole formed by two elements: a longitudinal casing (2) with rounded ends and an immersion tube (1) inserted into a longitudinal hole (20) made along the upper area of the casing (2). The piece of sanitary ware (4), placed over the drain device (3) with no intermediate devices, has a longitudinal hole (40) that is complementary to the hole (20) through which the water filters until its evacuation through the drain hole (26) made on a side of the casing (2). Both elements (3, 4) are connected to one another by screws (8), which are inserted through bores (42) made in the piece of sanitary ware (4) and holes (27) of the casing (2).The piece of sanitary ware (4) has a step (41), which enables coupling by the effect of gravity an outer grate (5) that is flush with the remaining surface, thus preventing the formation of irregularities.

Description

Summary of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-circular drain device for evacuating any superficial water in excess from a piece of sanitary ware, which can be directly coupled to the same with no intermediate part. Said drain device, in addition to carrying out the functions of water collection, channeling and evacuation, performs the siphon effect being it possible to do away with it as is detachable. This device has the special feature that needs a minimal drain width given that the evacuation element is longitudinal thereby optimizing the draining flow.

Field of the invention

[0002] The invention falls within the technical field of the devices intended to evacuate any superficial water in excess from sanitary ware, more particularly in that relative to household drainage systems, with a non-circular inlet hole, but longitudinal instead, so the useful area of the piece of sanitary ware is not negatively affected by the draining area and to maximize the evacuation capacity of the drain.

State of the art

[0003] Sanitary ware are designed to evacuate water or any other liquid by means of a draining area, generally made up of a circular hole to which a drain device is coupled, all of this covered with a grate or a decorative element with different shapes and finishes.

[0004] In any piece of sanitary ware it represents a superficial irregularity that may even cause, in certain cases, small cuts, nuisance or visible cumulated dirt. In addition, in the specific case of shower trays, given that the visible draining area is under the feet of the person standing thereon, it is possible for this person to block said area with his/her own feet. These are some of the technical problems that the present invention overcomes by providing a draining area in sanitary ware that has a minimal width, since is longitudinal and is located in one of the ends of the piece of sanitary ware, which makes the useful area of the piece of sanitary ware to be usable almost in its entirety.

[0005] Thus, the following documents are known from the state of the art, in respect of which the technical constraints posed have been overcome.

[0006] Document ES 2440343 T3 proposes a system for hiding the draining area in shower trays by moving it behind a wall, which prevents irregularities caused by the drainage area in the piece of sanitary ware and hides the unaesthetic device. These implementations entail the creation of a false wall or making a hole behind an already existing wall, which makes more complicated and costly the mounting besides reducing the practicable space of the shower tray.

[0007] The alternative to hiding the draining area by means of a wall, which was the option chosen in the present invention, is to move said area as close as possible to the perimeter of the piece of sanitary ware, thus maximizing the standing area when a person is taking a shower. This is why is necessary to resort to a geometry for the drain hole having a minimum width but with a longitudinal dimension as long as possible so as to evacuate the same amount of water. There are different geometries that may shape the longitudinal drain hole of the piece of sanitary ware: rectangular, oval, elliptic, in a linear direction, as well as, in "L" or "U", etc.

[0008] Document EP1782721A2 uses a channel as an element to be interposed between the piece of sanitary ware and the drain device. Although the channel collects the water in excess in a longitudinal manner, the evacuation thereof takes place through a punctual circular hole to which the circular drain device of those usually found in the state of the art is coupled. The minimal dimensions of the channel are larger than the diameter of the circular drain hole circular and therefore than the grate.

[0009] Document ES 2423845 T3 incorporates a channel with a lower width than the diameter of the circular drain device, however it has the drawback of not being able to evacuate the same amount of water than the present invention, but a small part since is used as a superficial collector.

[0010] Likewise, document ES2359089 T3 has a drain, preferably for showers, which is flush to the ground and comprises a grate and a channel module arranged below the grate and joined to a drain. The water of the shower then flows above the floor, which is typically tiled, and reaches the channel module through the grate. The channel finally leads the water to a circular drain where the water is punctually removed. This solution may also be appreciated in documents US2011303595 A1, US2012037552 A1, DE10360310 A1, DE102012106924 A1 or DE102012110726 A1

[0011] In all those documents of the prior art, the flow removed through these circular drain holes is limited and focused in a point. Because the drain is very localized, quite often, evacuation problems arise as the required flow is not channelized.

[0012] The reason why the present invention optimizes the flow evacuation is because being longitudinal it creates a maximum evacuation area, which may be established along a side of the piece of sanitary ware in a linear direction, such as in L or U. In addition, if this evacuation area is moved as close as possible to the perimeter of the piece of sanitary ware, the useful practicable area is maximized.

[0013] When solving the technical problem by means of the present invention a design has been chosen in which there is a direct relation between the longitudinal size of the drain device and its draining capacity.

[0014] In addition, as seen in previous documents, solutions are proposed to modify the geometry of the drain hole of the piece of sanitary ware, which implies the need to interpose between the piece of sanitary ware and the drain device a system of the channel type. The channel element is only used to collect the water in excess at surface level but not to evacuate it, which makes it necessary for the drain fittings to be coupled to at least two more parts, which increases leakage risk and makes the system more complex.

[0015] In view of the drawbacks posed by the State of the Art, the present invention improves the design of these systems by developing a drain device made in one single part that is directly coupled to the piece of sanitary ware, thereby avoiding transitions between the different elements and thus reducing leakage problems. That is why the inlet hole of the water to be evacuated made in the piece of sanitary ware is in line with that of the drain device through which water filters, being thus necessary a geometry that is non circular but rather predominantly longitudinal: rectangular, oval, elliptic where the linear dimension thereof or an L or U-shape dominates. In addition when solving the technical problem by means of the present invention a design has been chosen in which there is a direct relation between the longitudinal size of the drain device and its evacuation capacity the latter being as follows: per every centimeter its length increases 1.2 additional liters of water flow may be removed.

[0016] As we can see in the State of the Art, the coupling of the drain device to the piece of sanitary ware usually requires a threaded coupling in the drain device itself, as can be found in the following documents ES 2060901 and ES 1033455U just to mention a few. However, this system is not valid when the drain device is not circular, such as in the case of the present invention.

[0017] A drain device that is coupled to the piece of sanitary ware by interposing between them a circular gasket is known from document ES 2239691 T3. The drain is provided with an immersion tube having a detachable siphon incorporated thereto, which enables cleaning the drain device. The siphon effect is achieved in all these cases with a radial water flow. This solution may also be appreciated in documents such as ES 2201553 T3 and ES 2391547 T3. The invention eliminates the need to interpose any gasket, since the function said gasket performs is incorporated into the drain device itself, due to the manufacturing thereof using bi-material injection molds, thus obtaining a drain device made in one single part of one single material. It is also possible to carry out the manufacturing using mono-material molds to which the gasket is coupled, thus obtaining one single element. In either case what is achieved is a device made in one single part, without intermediate gaskets, which reduces possible leaks and improves the sealing effect, making the assembly airtight and thus avoiding odors. In addition, in these documents a radial flow is proposed to achieve the siphon effect; but when one of the dimensions of the inlet hole opening into the drain device is very small, as it may happen in the invention, it entails eliminating useful area as well as possible difficulties for the water outflow due to the capillarity effect. For this reason, in order to achieve the siphon effect in the invention the water flow must be frontal or lateral.

[0018] In the present invention the desired front and lateral siphon effect is achieved by coupling the immersion tube inside the drain device, the latter having different adjacent compartments one next to another through which the water flows. Alternatively, there are compartments open on the upper portion, while others are closed. The closed compartments have a lateral opening through which the water flows towards the casing. With this system the aforementioned width reduction of the siphon becomes possible thus affecting the dimensions of the drain hole of the shower tray. The immersion tube is detachable so as to eliminate the generated siphon effect in those cases in which the plumbing is already provided with a siphonic drainage.

[0019] Document DE102012104347 also proposes a channel-shaped longitudinal drain system, with a drain pot through which the water flows, which is provided with an external discharge line that is the one that performs the siphon effect; this function is not performed by the device itself unlike the present invention. In addition, it proposes a system that requires the support of structural works, which is why is provided with element (2) to prevent the system from being crushed. The present invention improves these systems since it proposes a drain system hanging from the piece of sanitary ware itself thus avoiding eventual deformations due to the increase in weight. In addition, the tray used should have predetermined notches and recesses in order to incorporate a channeling and drainage system. The present invention may be used in standard pieces of sanitary ware given that the drain system itself is directly connected to the main drainage pipe.

[0020] Below, the present invention is illustrated by means of the following figures that explain further in detail the preferred embodiment of the invention. The figures schematically show:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the two parts forming the drain device: the casing and the immersion tube.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the long and longitudinal side of the system wherein is possible to appreciate the drain device coupling to the piece of sanitary ware.

Figure 3 is a perspective view wherein is possible to appreciate the piece of sanitary ware with the coupling system used to connect it to the drain casing and the upper outer grate.

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred implementation of the invention wherein is possible to appreciate the two elements that make up the drain device (3): the immersion tube (1) and the casing (2). The casing (2) has a longitudinal geometry which in this preferred embodiment is rectangular, with rounded ends. Additionally, it may have any non-circular geometry type, such as for example, elliptic, oval, purely rectangular wherein the linear dimension thereof or an L or U shape prevails.

[0022] Figure 2 represents a cross-section of the drain device (3) coupling, along with the casing (2) and the immersion tube (1), to the piece of sanitary ware (4) through which the water is collected and evacuated.

[0023] According to the preferred embodiment, the casing (2) is provided with a longitudinal hole (20) along the entire part, regardless of the shape it may feature, wherein the immersion tube (1) is housed with a complementary geometry. Additionally, the casing (2) may have more than one hole (20) in which several immersion tubes (1) are housed, thus achieving more consistency and rigidity in the siphon. The longitudinal hole (20) and the immersion tube (1) match the geometry of the hole (40) drilled in the piece of sanitary ware (4) such as can be appreciated in Figure 3 so as to evacuate as much surface water flow as possible. The surface water filters through said hole (40), passes to the casing (2) through the hole (20) where it is collected and the water in excess is evacuated through the drain hole (26) located in one of the longitudinal sides of the casing (2) through which the entire flow of water is directly transferred into the main drainage pipe line. In order to facilitate the water circulation and transit, the casing (2) is provided with a rounded geometry (29), as can be appreciated in Figure 2, which may also be inclined.

[0024] As an alternative, the casing (2) may be provided with more than one drain hole (26), all of them connected to the drainage tube of the plumbing, in this way is possible to reduce the diameters of the holes (26) if necessary for space purposes or for a better evacuation of the water.

[0025] The immersion tube (1) is incorporated into the hole (20) of the casing (2) and has a geometry complementary to the same; it is provided with download compartments (13), passing from the upper portion to the lower portion of the immersion tube (1), and rectangular according to the preferred embodiment, which have an inlet opening (16) on the upper portion through which the water passes towards the drain device, and a number of adjacent upload compartments (14), starting from the lower portion of the immersion tube (1) and rectangular according to the preferred drawing, through which the water rises before passing into the casing (2). These compartments (14) do not have an opening on the upper portion, but instead are provided with holes (15) on the sides through which the water flows, thus achieving the siphon effect. Since the adjacent compartments (13, 14) are one next to another it is possible to regulate the maximum width of the hole (20).

[0026] The immersion tube (1) is detachable so it is possible to eliminate the siphon effect. The geometry of the compartments (13 and 14) is not constrained to a rectangular shape, being it possible to adopt any geometry, such as circumferences, semi-circumferences, ellipses, triangles, etc. According to the preferred representation, at least two of the download compartments (13) are provided with a transverse rib (19). Additionally, the immersion tube (1) may have projections, holes or another system that enables to extract thereof from the hole (20) of the casing (2).

[0027] The immersion tube (1) has an upper sealing end area (11) and a lower area (12) which enable a complete sealing between both elements, i. e., tube (1) and casing (2). These sealing areas (11 and 12) are achieved by manufacturing the immersion tube (1) using bi-material injection molds, such that the entire part is made up of a plastic material, such as for example polypropylene, and incorporates on the contour of said areas (11 and 12) an elastomeric material such as silicone, rubber, fluororubber, etc. materials which are resistant to the typical chemical products used in household cleanup chores.

[0028] Additionally, the immersion tube may be manufactured using mono-material injection molds and adhering in the sealing areas (11) and (12) an O-ring, thus obtaining an assembly made in one single element. Additionally, the areas (11) and (12) may have a housing shaped as a slot or groove wherein a gasket is coupled. Any of the solutions previously proposed is valid provided that the invention is designed as one single part without seams, additions or transitions to prevent thus any leakage risk.

[0029] So the immersion tube (1) is correctly positioned into the hole (20) relative to the casing (2), the latter has a small step (21) in the lower portion thereof, where the tube (1) seats, thereby preventing it from moving vertically and horizontally. Additionally other fixing methods may be used, such as a conical fitting, end stops, tabs, etc.

[0030] In order to generate a constant pressure and a correct sealing and thus being able to evacuate correctly the water, the connection of the drain device (3) to the piece of sanitary ware (4) is carried out by means of the following process: around the hole area (20) of the casing (2) there are a series of holes (27), with a threaded mechanism (28) inserted, matching those made on the piece of sanitary ware (4) by way of bores, slots or grooves (42), which will be used to join both elements together by means of joining elements or screws (8), as can be appreciated in the section of Figure 2. The drain device (3), formed at least by the casing (2) and the immersion tube (1), is thus coupled to the lower side of the piece of sanitary ware (4), thereby achieving a perfect sealing in the contact area as a constant pressure is exerted between both portions. This is further achieved by manufacturing the casing (2) using bi-material injection molds, in the same way as indicated with the sealing areas (11, 12) between the immersion tube (1) and the casing (2), where on the upper portion of the perimeter of the casing (2) incorporates a part made of an elastomeric material. Additionally, the casing (2) may be manufactured using mono-material injection molds and adhering a gasket on to the upper portion of the perimeter of which that will be in contact with the piece of sanitary ware (4), the assembly thus obtained being formed into one single element with all the connections between parts being air-tight to prevent odors.

[0031] Additionally, on the step (41) of the hole (40) of the piece of sanitary ware (4) a washer (6) seats, which has the required geometry so as to best receive the external decorative grate (5), which covers the screws (8) heads. The grate (5) is flush with the remaining external surface of the piece of sanitary ware (4) thus preventing the formation of irregularities and unevenness, the entire practicable surface being uniform.

[0032] As can be verified, the main improvements in this drain device (3) with a non-circular hole enable said device to be directly coupled to a piece of sanitary ware (4) thus eliminating the need to incorporate any additional element, apparatus or joining system, which prevents leakages; in addition, this system incorporates the functions of water collection, channeling and evacuation along with the siphon effect in one single device (3), which can be coupled to any piece of sanitary ware (4) having a geometry that is complementary to that of the drain device (3). It solves a technical problem choosing a design where there is a direct relation between the longitudinal size of the drain device (3) and its draining capacity.

LIST OF PARTS AND ELEMENTS

[0033] 

1 Immersion tube

2 Casing

3 Drain device

4 Piece of sanitary ware

5 Grate

6 Washer

8 Screw

11 Upper sealing portion

12 Lower sealing portion

13 Download compartments

14 Upload compartments

15 Hole or opening in the lateral portion of the upload compartment

16 Hole or opening in the upper portion of the download compartment

19 Transverse rib

20 Casing hole (for inserting the immersion tube)

21 Seating step

26 Drain hole to communicate with the drain system

27 Holes

28 Threaded mechanism inserted in holes 27

29 Round geometry of the casing

40 Hole of the piece of sanitary ware

41 Step

42 Bores, slots or grooves

Claims

1. A drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole characterized in that it comprises at least two elements: a casing (2) and an immersion tube (1), the casing (2) having a shape wherein the longitudinal side prevails over the transversal side, preferably by way of rectangular prism with rounded longitudinal ends being able to adopt any shape in a linear direction, such as an "L" or "U" shape and having in the middle of the part a longitudinal hole (20) made along the part, with a geometry complementary to that of the casing (2), pierced from its upper portion and along the entire height thereof, wherein the immersion tube (1) is housed with a complementary geometry; in addition, the casing (2) is further provided on one of the lateral walls of the longest side with a drain hole (26) through which the entire flow of water is directly transferred into the general drain; the water filters through a hole (40) made in the surface of the piece of sanitary ware (4), which dimension and geometry are complementary to that of the longitudinal hole (20) of the casing (2) and to that of the immersion tube (1), hole through which the water filters and is collected and subsequently evacuated though the drain hole (26); to this end the drain device (3) is located below and vertically in line with the piece of sanitary ware (4) being both joined together by means of joining elements (8), which are inserted into the bores, slots or grooves (42) made in a step (41) that the piece of sanitary ware (4) has around the hole (40) and in a series of holes (27), with inserted threaded mechanisms (28), made around the hole portion (20) in the casing (2); and in that the immersion tube (1), inserted into the hole (20), is made in one single part and is detachable, making the flow of water that passes through the same towards the casing (2) to be linear and lateral as is provided with download compartments (13), passing through an inlet opening (16) on the upper portion thereof to the lower portion and with adjacent upload compartments (14) starting from the lower portion thereof to lateral holes (15) made in the immersion tube (1), thereby achieving the siphon effect; said immersion tube (1) being correctly positioned inside the hole (20) relative to the casing (2) thanks to a small step (21) with which the casing is provided on the lower portion thereof wherein the tube (1) seats thus preventing vertical and horizontal movements.

2. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that the immersion tube (1) has an upper sealing end area (11) and a lower sealing end area (12) which enable a complete sealing between both elements, the tube (1) and the casing (2).

3. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing areas (11 and 12) are achieved by means of the manufacture of the immersion tube (1) using bi-material injection molds, such that the entire part is made up of a plastic material that incorporates on the contour of the sealing areas (11 and 12) an elastomeric material.

4. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 2, characterized in that the immersion tube (1) is manufactured using mono-material injection molds and adhering on to the sealing areas (11) and (12) an O-ring, thus obtaining an assembly made in one single element.

5. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the areas (11) and (12) of the immersion tube (1) have a housing shaped as a slot or groove wherein an O-ring is coupled.

6. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (2) is manufactured using bi-material injection molds the entire part being made of a plastic material that incorporates on the upper perimeter in contact with the piece of sanitary ware (4) a sealing area made of an elastomeric material.

7. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (2) is manufactured using mono-material injection molds to which a gasket is adhered on the upper portion of the perimeter in contact with the piece of sanitary ware (4) thus obtaining an assembly made in one single element with all the joints between parts being air-tight to prevent odors.

8. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that the drain device (3) is directly coupled to the piece of sanitary ware (4) by means of the casing (2) preferably using a threaded joint.

9. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claims 1 and 8, characterized in that the casing (2) incorporates the function of a gasket preferably being manufactured using bi-material injection molds.

10. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (2) has more than one hole (20) in which more than one immersion tube (1) are housed thereby providing the siphon with consistency and rigidity.

11. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (2) is provided with more than one drain hole (26) all of them connected with the drain plumbing thus achieving a reduction in the diameters of the holes (26).

12. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that the siphon effect can be suppressed by extracting the immersion tube (1) from the casing (2) if the system to which is coupled has already one incorporated.

13. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two of the download compartments (13) are provided with a transverse rib (19).

14. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that the immersion tube (1) has projections, holes or another system making it possible extracting thereof from the hole (20) of the casing (2).

15. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (2), on one of the longitudinal ends thereof, is provided with a rounded or inclined geometry (29), which facilitates the water circulation or transit towards the drain hole (26).

16. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claims 1 to 15, characterized in that there is a direct relation between the longitudinal size of the drain device (3) and its evacuation.

17. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the width of the grate (5) is less than 45 mm.

18. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 1, characterized in that on the step (41) of the hole (40) of the piece of sanitary ware (4) a recessed area is created, which enables coupling by the force of gravity an outer decorative grate (5) to hide the heads of the screws (8) being flush with the entire outer surface thereby preventing the formation of irregularities and unevenness the entire surface being thus practicable.

19. The drain device (3) with a non-circular inlet hole according to claim 18, characterized in that the step (41) of the piece of sanitary ware (4) seats on a washer (6) that facilitates the seating of the grate (5) by the force of gravity.

Drawing