Technical Field

The present application describes an outflow system. Summary

The present application describes a fluid outflow system characterized by comprising:

— an enveloping body that comprises an oval-shaped outlet channel ;

— a valve cup, inserted inside the enveloping body, comprising an outflow channel, at the base of which a command tab is fastened; said tab being activated by a counterweight mechanism that comprises a weight placed at one end of the tab and that promotes the tilting of the opposite end, namely, a closing surface, by way of the force exerted by the fluid contacting said closing surface,

wherein the weight of the counterweight mechanism has a mass that favors the retention of a fluid film on the surface of the closing surface.

In a particular embodiment of the system, the valve cup is fastened inside the enveloping body, by means of lock-snap mechanisms, in the position that aligns the outflow channel of the valve cup with the outlet channel of the enveloping body .

In a particular embodiment of the system, it additionally comprises a retaining ring. In another particular embodiment of the system, it additionally comprises a seal.

In a particular embodiment of the system, the outflow channel of the valve cup has a slanted surface.

In a particular embodiment of the system, the valve cup has a frieze along its base.

In a particular embodiment of the system, the closing surface of the command tab has a side rim.

In a particular embodiment of the system, the command tab is fastened to the base of the valve cup by sideward quick fit.

In a particular embodiment of the system, the valve cup has a residue retention chamber around the outflow channel.

In a particular embodiment of the system, the valve cup has a cleaning grate mounted by encasement on top thereof.

General description

The present application describes a fluid outflow system, with the aim of maximizing the outflow capacity, while at the same time minimizing dry odors.

Indeed, the system developed stands out from other systems known in the state of the art by presenting a siphoning mechanism based on a one-way pendulum incorporated on a valve cup, the technical characteristics of which are detailed ahead, favor the siphoning process, boosting the fast outflow of the fluid and preventing, at the same time, the propagation of dry odors.

The outflow system developed is comprised of a valve cup, which fits on an enveloping body, by way of an anti-error system (single fit), responsible for providing accommodation for the entire outflow system to the fluid outlet structure. Additionally, the system further comprises a seal and a retaining ring, which secures and insulates the enveloping body to said water outlet structure, preventing infiltration, and also a cleaning grate placed on the upper top of the valve cup.

The outflow of fluids and the siphoning effect represent two intrinsically related parameters whose synergistic effect was the basis for developing the system which is now detailed in a particular manner.

The enveloping body is responsible for accommodating and encasing the valve cup on its inside. It has an outlet channel, which is aligned with the outflow channel of the valve cup, the oval shape of which favors the fast outflow of the fluids.

The valve cup acts as a drain valve being comprised of a guided inner outflow channel which leads the fluids to the outlet channel of the enveloping body. The fluids in the outflow channel are guided by a slanted surface, in relation to the vertical axis of the valve cup which, jointly with the oval shape of the outlet channel of the enveloping body, enables maximizing the fluid drainage. The slant of the outflow surface is variable. The fluid outlet is controlled by a command tab, placed on the base of the valve cup, which has a closing surface, the geometry of which is adapted to the outlet form of the outflow channel, enabling the complete sealing thereof or opening for fluid outlet. In practical terms, the command tab acts as a lever which is activated by the weight of the fluid exerted on the closing surface thereof. That is, in the absence of fluid in the valve cup, the command tab stays in the horizontal position, closing the outflow channel, by action of a counterweight mechanism, applied at the opposite end to the closing surface. The horizontal position is then the natural position of the command tab, and only when the weight of the inlet fluid in the outflow channel is superior to the mass that acts the counterweight mechanism is the outflow channel opened. In fact, the command tab is characterized by having a central axis that promotes the tilting of the closing surface in relation to the counterweight. This siphoning mechanism enables the retention of a thin film of fluid on the surface of the closing surface of the command tab. It arises when the fluid weight applied to this surface is insufficient to activate the counterweight responsible for moving the table and the consequent opening of the outflow channel.

The mass applied on the counterweight mechanism is such that if favors the retention of a fluid film on the surface of the closing surface. It may be altered/adapted according to the flow of fluids entering the outflow channel.

The closing surface of the command tab has a side rim that promotes the sealing of the outflow channel by resting on a side frieze placed on the base of the valve cup. This male- female type fitting mechanism, jointly with the activation mechanism of the command tab, promotes the effective closure of the outflow channel in the absence of fluids, preventing not only the return thereof, but also the outflow of the thin film of fluid that remains on the surface of the closing surface .

The mechanical blockage of the command tab is guaranteed by fastening it to the base of the valve cup by sideward quick fit, so as to prevent disengagement by means of the force applied thereon by the fluid running through the channel. Accordingly, the fluids manage to circulate only towards the outflow, preventing it from returning. Additionally, and contrary to a traditional siphon, the counterweight mechanism enables the creation of a thin membrane of fluid, at the surface of the command tab, which prevents the appearance of dry odors.

On the top of the valve cup, a cleaning grate can be applied by fitting means, which prevents solid residues from entering the outflow channel. The valve cup additionally comprises a chamber for retaining residues around the outflow channel.

Brief description of the drawings

For a better understanding of the present application, the accompanying drawings represent preferred embodiments, but are not intended to limit the art disclosed herein.

Figure 1 illustrates the enveloping body to be encased over the fluid outlet structure, wherein the reference numbers represent :

1 - enveloping body;

2 - outlet channel . Figure 2 illustrates the accommodation of the valve cup in the enveloping body, wherein the reference numbers represent :

1 - enveloping body;

3 - valve cup.

Figure 3 illustrates a command tab, which i s fastened on the base of the valve cup, wherein the reference numbers represent :

4 - command tab;

5 - closing surface;

6 - counterweight mechanism;

7 - side rim of the closing surface.

Figure 4 illustrates a cut-off view of the valve cup, wherein the reference numbers represent:

3 - valve cup;

4 - command tab;

6 - counterweight mechanism;

7 - side rim of the closing surface;

8 - frieze;

12 - outflow channel.

Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the valve cup, wherein the reference numbers represent:

3 - valve cup;

5 - closing surface;

6 - counterweight mechanism.

Figure 6 illustrates the accommodation of the valve cup in the enveloping body, wherein the reference numbers represent :

1 - enveloping body; 2 - outlet channel;

3 - valve cup;

9 - cleaning grate;

10 - seal;

11 - retaining ring. Description of embodiments

With reference to the drawings, some embodiments are now described in greater detail, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

In an embodiment, the system developed is applied to the outflow of water from showers, though it may be equally applied to other water outlets, such as that of lavatories or bidets.

In an embodiment, the enveloping body (1) and the seal (10) are positioned on the lower part of the outflow drain water outlet structure, the retaining ring (11) being placed on the upper part of the drain. The ring (11) and the body (1) are fastened by screws or similar system so as to enable leak tightness between the body (1) and the water outlet structure. The valve cup (3) is positioned inside the enveloping body, encased inside the retaining ring (11) in the only way possible, and fastened under light pressure so as to assume the final position. The mass employed in the counterweight mechanism, in a particular embodiment, has the value of 8 grams and may vary to the order of +/- 0.3 grams. The retention of the thin layer of water on the surface of the closing surface (5) of the command tab (4) is thus guaranteed for the flow of water required for an embodiment in the context referred above (according to international standards) . In this embodiment, the slant angle of the