EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE:

This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202141014375, filed on March 30, 2021 and titled “A STRUCTURE FOR A DRAIN TRAP SYSTEM”.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of a present disclosure relate to a drain trap, and more particularly to a structure for a drain trap system.

BACKGROUND

A drain is a pipe through which liquid is carried away, that extends to and connects with a sewer. A drain trap system is a trap with a strainer that filters out solid debris from entering the drain to prevent its blockage along with an optional feature of preventing infestation of some pests. Such drain trap systems are used in places such as bathrooms, washbasins, kitchen sinks, and the like places where fluids need to be drained into the sewer.

In one approach, an S-trap is proposed as a drain trap. In such an approach, the S-trap maintains a constant water level in the drainpipe for its working. Cockroaches and other crawling pests that cannot swim underwater are successfully suppressed. Further, bad odor from the sewer is also suppressed. However, rats, centipedes, and the like pests can swim underwater and hence can infest through the S-trap. Also, if the S-trap remains unused for a few days water evaporates and the system fails. Moreover, debris can pass across the drain with water causing clogging of the drain. Also, valuables such as rings or chains might fall by mistake into the drain, and it becomes difficult to get them back. Also, the backflow from the sewer is possible which is undesirable.

In another approach, a drain trap having a cup- shaped structure such that the drain trap maintains a constant water level in the drain trap for its working. In such an approach, cockroaches and other crawling pests that cannot swim underwater are successfully suppressed along with the bad odor of the drainage. Also, such a drain trap is easy to install and cost-effective. Moreover, rats are also suppressed because the gap between two pieces of the drain trap is small. However, pests such as centipedes can swim underwater and still might infest, and if the drain trap remains unused for a few days water evaporates and the system fails. Further, debris partly passes across the drain with water causing clogging of the drain, and the debris which got filtered remains in the system, thereby causing water clogging and limiting the flow. Thus, needs cleaning of the parts on a weekly basis. Moreover, sewer backflow is not stoppable with this system which is undesirable.

Hence, there is a need for an improved structure for a drain trap system which addresses the aforementioned issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, a structure for a drain trap system is provided. The structure includes a first piece, a second piece, and a third piece operatively coupled with each other at respective periphery. The second piece is positioned below the first piece, and the third piece is positioned below the second piece. The first piece of first predefined dimensions is configured to prevent one or more foreign particles from entering a drain. The second piece of second predefined dimensions is configured to cover the first piece at a first lower surface of the first piece by maintaining a first predefined spacing between the first piece and the second piece. The second piece includes a first central cavity. The first central cavity is configured to receive at least one first floating piece to close the corresponding first central cavity. The at least one first floating piece includes a top portion positioned above the first central cavity and a bottom portion positioned below the first central cavity. The at least one first floating piece is configured to float upon receiving fluids, to allow a first predefined amount of the fluids to flow into the drain by opening the corresponding first central cavity to a first predefined extent. The at least one first floating piece is also configured to hold back a second predefined amount of the fluids to maintain a first predefined level of the fluids in the second piece. The third piece of third predefined dimensions is configured to cover the second piece at a second lower surface of the second piece by maintaining a second predefined spacing between the second piece and the third piece. The third piece is configured to be sealed to an external surface via a periphery of the third piece using a predefined sealing mechanism, for preventing a bad odor of the drain. The structure also includes a top plate including a plurality of holes. The top plate is configured to secure the first piece and the second piece on top of the third piece at the respective periphery upon locking the top plate to the external surface using a predefined locking mechanism.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an isometric view of a front section of a structure for a drain trap system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2a is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an exploded view of a front section of the structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2b is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an exploded view of the structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment, of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a structure for a drain trap system. As used herein, the term “drain” is defined as a pipe through which liquid is carried away, that extends to and connects with a sewer. Further, as used herein, the term “drain trap system” is defined as a trap with a strainer that filters out solid debris from entering the drain to prevent its blockage along with an optional feature of preventing infestation of some pests. In an embodiment, the drain trap system may be used in one or more places such as, but not limited to, bathrooms, washbasins, kitchen sinks, and the like places where fluids need to be drained into the sewer. The drain trap system may be fixed at a predefined opening within the one or more places, wherein the predefined opening leads into the drain. The structure described hereafter in FIG. 1 is the structure for the drain trap system.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an isometric view of a front section of a structure (10) for a drain trap system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the structure (10) for the drain trap system may be fixed at a predefined opening in one or more places, wherein the predefined opening leads into a drain. In one embodiment, the one or more places may include, but not limited to, bathrooms, washbasins, kitchen sinks, and the like places where fluids need to be drained into a sewer. In one exemplary embodiment, the structure (10) may be fixed at the predefined opening via an external surface of the corresponding predefined opening. In one embodiment, the fluids may include water, soiled water, oil, dirty water, and the like. The fluids may be associated with solid debris such as hair, food waste, paper, and the like.

The structure (10) includes a first piece (20), a second piece (30), and a third piece (40) operatively coupled with each other at respective periphery. The second piece (30) is positioned below the first piece (20), and the third piece (40) is positioned below the second piece (30). The first piece (20) of first predefined dimensions is configured to prevent one or more foreign particles from entering the drain. As used herein, the first predefined dimensions may include at least one of height, width, thickness, perimeter, circumference, volume, and the like of the first piece (20). In one exemplary embodiment, the first piece (20) may include a predefined shape. The predefined shape may include a cylindrical shape, a cubic shape, a cuboidal shape, or the like. In one embodiment, the first piece (20) may include a permeable disposable mesh (50).

As used herein, the term “permeable disposable mesh” is defined as a fine mesh that allows only fluids and optionally very minute particles to pass through, thereby collecting any solid particles which could be thrown away and the mesh may be cleaned and re-used. In one embodiment, the first piece (20) may be disposable and replaced with a new one. In another embodiment, the first piece (20) may be cleaned and re-used by throwing away the one or more foreign particles collected by the corresponding first piece (20). In one exemplary embodiment, the first piece (20) may be composed of a material including at least one of cloth, fiber, plastic, silicon material, a metal, and the like. In one embodiment, the one or more foreign particles may include the solid debris, valuables, nails, clips, and the like.

The second piece (30) of second predefined dimensions is configured to cover the first piece (20) at a first lower surface (60) of the first piece (20) by maintaining a first predefined spacing (65) between the first piece (20) and the second piece (30). As used herein, the second predefined dimensions may include at least one of height, width, thickness, perimeter, circumference, volume, and the like of the second piece (30). In one embodiment, the first predefined dimensions may be smaller than the second predefined dimensions. In one exemplary embodiment, the second piece (30) may include the predefined shape. In one embodiment, the second piece (30) may be composed of a material including at least one of a metal, clay, concrete, and the like.

Further, the second piece (30) includes a first central cavity (70). The first central cavity (70) is configured to receive at least one first floating piece (80) to close the corresponding first central cavity (70). The at least one first floating piece (80) includes a top portion (90) positioned above the first central cavity (70) and a bottom portion (100) positioned below the first central cavity (70). In one embodiment, the top portion (90) may include a first dimension and the bottom portion (100) may include a second dimension. The first dimension may be greater than the second dimension.

The at least one first floating piece (80) is configured to float upon receiving the fluids, to allow a first predefined amount of the fluids to flow into the drain by opening the corresponding first central cavity (70) to a first predefined extent. In one embodiment, the first predefined extent of the opening of the first central cavity (70) may be proportional to a flow rate of the fluids flowing from the second piece (30). The at least one first floating piece (80) is also configured to hold back a second predefined amount of the fluids to maintain a first predefined level of the fluids in the second piece (30). In one embodiment, closing the first central cavity (70) by the at least one first floating piece (80) may prevent a bad odor of the drain from entering into the corresponding one or more places when the first predefined level of the fluids maintained in the second piece (30) evaporates.

Further, in a specific embodiment, the first central cavity (70) may include a first point (110), a second point (120), a third point (130), and a fourth point (140). In one embodiment, a U-shaped curve may be formed between the first point (110) and the second point (120). In such embodiment, the U-shaped curve may hold the second predefined amount of the fluids to maintain the first predefined level of the fluids in the second piece (30).

Furthermore, in one embodiment, an inverted U-shaped curve may be formed between the second point (120) and the third point (130). Also, in one embodiment, a curve which is straight and slant making a predefined angle with a horizontal axis of the structure (10) may be formed between the third point (130) and the fourth point (140). Therefore, the first central cavity (70) may have an inverted-tmncated-cone-shaped structure.

In one exemplary embodiment, a predefined portion of an outer surface of the at least one first floating piece (80) may remain attached to an inner surface of the curve between the third point (130) and the fourth point (140) of the first central cavity (70) when the first central cavity (70) is closed by the at least one first floating piece (80).

In one embodiment, the at least one first floating piece (80) may be closed and hollow so that the at least one first floating piece (80) may remain light weighted and float on the fluids. In one embodiment, the at least one first floating piece (80) may be composed of a material including at least one of plastic, expanded polystyrene (EPS), wood, and the like.

In one exemplary embodiment, the at least one first floating piece (80) may include a predefined weight. The predefined level of the fluids to be maintained in the second piece (30) may be proportional to the predefined weight. The at least one first floating piece (80) may also include threads on at least one of an outer surface and an inner surface of the bottom portion (100) of the at least one first floating piece (80). The threads may be configured to receive a fourth piece (not shown in FIG. 1) to increase the predefined weight of the at least one first floating piece (80). In one embodiment, the fourth piece may include a nut. The nut may be composed of a material including at least one of plastic, EPS, wood, a metal, and the like.

The third piece (40) of third predefined dimensions is configured to cover the second piece (30) at a second lower surface (150) of the second piece (30) by maintaining a second predefined spacing (160) between the second piece (30) and the third piece (40). As used herein, the third predefined dimensions may include at least one of height, width, thickness, perimeter, circumference, volume, and the like of the third piece (40). In one embodiment, the second predefined dimensions may be smaller than the third predefined dimensions. In one exemplary embodiment, the third piece (40) may include the predefined shape. In one embodiment, the third piece (40) may be composed of a material including at least one of a metal, clay, concrete, and the like.

Further, the third piece (40) is configured to be sealed to the external surface via a periphery of the third piece (40) using a predefined sealing mechanism, for preventing the bad odor of the drain. In one exemplary embodiment, the predefined sealing mechanism may include vacuum sealing using an element (170). In such embodiment, because of weight of the first piece (20), the second piece (30), and the third piece (40), the element (170) may get pressed on the external surface and hence a vacuum may be established, thereby sealing the third piece (40) to the corresponding external surface. Basically, sealing the third piece (40) to the external surface may prevent an entry of the bad odor of the drain into the corresponding one or more places having the structure (10) fixed to the corresponding predefined opening. In one exemplary embodiment, the element (170) may include rubber, belt, silicone, or the like.

In one exemplary embodiment, the third piece (40) may include a second central cavity (180). In one embodiment, the second central cavity (180) may be configured to receive a bottom plate (not shown in FIG. 1) including a plurality of holes. The bottom plate may be composed of a material including at least one of a metal, clay, concrete, and the like. The third piece (40) may also include at least one second floating piece (190) resting on the second central cavity (180) to close the corresponding second central cavity (180). The at least one second floating piece (190) may be configured to float upon receiving the first predefined amount of the fluids to flow into the drain by opening the corresponding second central cavity (180). The at least one second floating piece (190) may also be configured to prevent a backflow of the fluids into the second piece (30) by locking a peripheral projection (200) of the at least one second floating piece (190) into the second predefined spacing (160) when the at least one second floating piece (190) floats upon experiencing the backflow of the fluids via the second central cavity (180).

In one embodiment, the at least one second floating piece (190) may be closed and hollow so that the at least one second floating piece (190) may remain light weighted and float on the fluids. In one exemplary embodiment, the at least one second floating piece (190) may be composed of a material including at least one of plastic, EPS, wood, and the like.

In a specific embodiment, the third piece (40) may also include a stopper element (210) mechanically coupled to an inner surface of the third piece (40). The stopper element (210) may be configured to restrict the at least one second floating piece (190) to a second predefined level when the at least one second floating piece (190) floats upon experiencing the backflow of the fluids via the second central cavity (180). In one embodiment, the stopper element (210) may be composed of a material including at least one of a metal, clay, concrete, and the like. In one exemplary embodiment, the stopper element (210) may be mechanically coupled to the inner surface of the third piece (40) using one or more bolts and one or more nuts, glue, or the like. In one embodiment, the stopper element (210) may appear L-shaped in the front section of the structure (10). However, in such embodiment, the stopper element (210) may include a circular, a square, a rectangular, or the like shape. In another embodiment, the stopper element (210) may include a rod-like structure passing through the structure (10) of the drain trap system horizontally.

In addition, the structure (10) also includes a top plate (220) including a plurality of holes (230). The top plate (220) is configured to secure the first piece (20) and the second piece (30) on top of the third piece (40) at the respective periphery upon locking the top plate (220) to the external surface using a predefined locking mechanism. In one embodiment, the top plate (220) may be composed of a material including at least one of a metal, clay, concrete, and the like. In one exemplary embodiment, the predefined locking mechanism may include fixing a notch of the corresponding top plate (220) to a projection associated with the external surface and rotating in order to lock the top plate (220) to the external surface.

FIG. 2a is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an exploded view of a front section of the structure (10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2b is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an exploded view of the structure (10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment, of the present disclosure. Basically, in the exploded view of the structure (10) of FIG. 1, each part of the structure (10) may be shown separately and independent of each other.

In one embodiment, the predefined shape of the structure (10) may appear to be U- shaped in the front section of the structure (10). Basically, in an embodiment, the structure (10) may be a closed structure with a lower portion of each of the first piece (20), the second piece (30), and the third piece (40) being positioned below the external surface and only the top plate (220) being visible above the external surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the structure (10) including the first piece (20), the second piece (30), and the third piece (40) may be configured to be detachably fitted.

Moreover, in one embodiment, the first piece (20) may include a first periphery (240). The first periphery (240) may be flat and parallel to the external surface to provide the first piece (20) support to fit in the corresponding predefined opening. In one embodiment, the second piece (30) may include a second periphery (250). The second periphery (250) may resemble a shape of a staircase and may be positioned just below the first periphery (240) of the first piece (20). In one embodiment, the third piece (40) may include a third periphery (260). The third periphery (260) may resemble a shape of a staircase and may be positioned just below the second periphery (250) of the second piece (30).

In one embodiment, the at least one second floating piece (190) may include a central flat portion (270) and the peripheral projection (200) on a top surface of the at least one second floating piece (190). However, in an embodiment, a bottom surface of the at least one second floating piece (190) may remain flat. Also, in an embodiment, a lateral surface of the at least one second floating piece (190) may form the predefined shape.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure enable the complete filtering of the one or more foreign particles, thereby preventing drain clogging. Also, the structure enables holding the valuables such as rings, bracelets, Jewelry, and the like from accidentally losing in the drain. Further, the structure also allows the fluids of different flow rates to flow without hindrance resulting in temporary backlash and water stagnation. Also, the structure not only prevents infestation of Cockroaches and other crawling pests that cannot swim underwater, but also prevents the infestation of pests such as rats, centipede, and the like pests that can swim underwater.

Moreover, the structure also prevents harmful and unpleasant bad odors from the drainages or sewer from entering the habitat. This is because the at least one first floating piece closes the first central cavity when the fluids are not flowing through the structure. Also, the structure prevents the leakage of the bad odor from the periphery of the structure, as the third piece is vacuum-sealed to the external surface of the predefined opening in the one or more places where the corresponding structure is installed. In addition, the structure also stops the unwanted backflow of the fluids from the sewer into the habitat because of the presence of the at least one second floating piece. Further, the structure is also simple, requires low maintenance, easy to install and cleaning is also easy, as the structure including the first piece, the second piece, and the third piece is detachably fitted.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.