Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to sanitation, and more particularly to a sanitary plumbing fitting.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Sanitation is an important aspect of healthy living. Even though sanitation is often strongly associated with the term "sanitation", it includes various aspects such as excreta management systems, wastewater management systems, solid waste management systems, drainage systems for rainwater, also ealled.stormwater drainage.

[0003] Lack of sanitation is a serious issue that is affecting most developing countries and countries in t»nsition. It is a major factor in causing various diseases, most notably diarrhea and intestinal worm infections. Considerable portion of these diseases is caused by contamination of drinking water by drainage system.

[0004] Keeping behavioral modification of the masses aside, there are various limitations to implementing a successful sanitation system. Referring to the public urination system in particular the lack of cleanliness, and the foul odor limits the use of such urinals. The result is that the users prefer urinating in the open even when the closed urinal installations are present.

[0005] Sanitation supplies, maintenance and labor cost, and lack of water supply are some reasons that act against the upkeep of a urinal. Even in urban implementations including business as well as residential use such reasons add to considerable cost.

[0006] Odor in the toilets may be caused due to the gases that are.generated by evaporation of urine or any organic or inorganic waste. Many such-gases are generated when water is mixed with urine.

[0007] Odor prevention systems are present including ones that may be equipped with toilets and/or urinal system that enables sealing or trapping foul smelling gases generating undesirable odor which may develop in the drainage system. This also minimizes the use of water for cleaning urinal systems and also provides

psychological comfort to users.

[0008] There are largely three types of technologies presently existent in this area, namely: the sealant technology, the membrane technology and the power driven technology (vacuum / pressure /deodorizing gas like Ozone). In all three types of technology there is a organic / electric / consumable item involved. This has its own short life span ranging between 5000 usages to 10000 usages. After which the cartridge / consumable / power has to be used which asks for a recurring cost and maintenance charge. This consumable is in addition to the cleaning consumables like soaps etc. Being a completely sealed mechanisms the cartridge / consumable needs to be replaced in case of choke up due to large amount of non dissolving solids or in case of an electrical system a trained manpower to repair the same.

[0009] Most of the above said mechanisms are not compatible to be retrofitted with existing pans and needs a change in pan to proprietary pan or suitable pan. It also need a sizable change in mounting arrangements and drain plumbing thereby increasing the cost of such installations.

[0010] Sanitation improvement not only includes the experience of the user but also, excreta and wastewater collection methods, transportation or conveyance of waste, treatment, and reuse or disposal.

[0011] On an average a person urinates in the quantity not more than 300-350 ml in one urination cycle, for which the flushed water is about 1.5-2 liters on an average. Similarly, in the defecation systems an average human being defecates a quantity of 300-400 gms in one cycle while the flushed water is about 5-6 liters minimum. The sewer load is multiple times than that of the waste due to the addition of the flushed water. This increases the load on the nature to purify.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need of a urination system that allows effective odor control with limited cost and ease of installation and maintenance. Summary

[0013] A sanitary fitting device configured to be installed in the liquid sanitation exit is provided. The fitting comprises an elongated receptacle body having a top end and a bottom end configured to be fitted along the length of a liquid sanitation exit. The bottom end of the receptacle body has atleast one hole through which sanitation liquid may exit. Further, atleast one floatation device is provided configured to rest on hole. The floatation device provided has an uneven surface.

[0014] In one embodiment the floatation device is egg shaped. Other shapes are possible. In another embodiment the floatation device is disc shaped. The uneven surface comprises protrusions and/or depressions.

[0015] The protrusions and depressions in one embodiment are cylindrical. Further, in one embodiment the sanitary fitting comprises a top cover configured to be placed on the top end of the receptacle body, the top cover having a cylindrical portion and a cap portion, wherein atleast one slit is provided on the cylindrical portion.

[0016] The sanitary fitting system allows for various installation configurations. In one embodiment it comprises of two or more an elongated receptacle body, each having a top end and a bottom end configured to be fitted along the length of a liquid sanitation exit. The bottom end of each of the elongated receptacle body having atleast one hole. Atleast one floatation device is configured to rest on each of said atleast one hole. The floatation device is provided with an uneven surface.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments. [0018] Fig. la shows the sanitary plumbing fitting as per an embodiment herein situated in an exemplary sanitary fixture as in Fig. lb.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a blown out diagram of the sanitary plumbing fitting according to an embodiment herein.

[0020] Fig. 3 shows the receptacle body portion of the sanitary plumbing fitting as per an embodiment herein.

[0021] Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b shows the floatation device portion of the sanitary plumbing fitting as per an embodiment herein, with Fig. 4a showing egg-shaped geometry and Fig. 4b. a disc shaped geometry as per an embodiment herein.

[0022] Fig. 5 shows the top cover portion of the sanitary plumbing fitting as per an embodiment herein.

[0023] Fig. 6 shows the sanitary plumbing fitting system in an installation configuration having multiple sanitary fitting devices as per an embodiment herein.

[0024] Fig. 7 shows the sanitary plumbing fitting system in an installation configuration having multiple holes and multiple floatation devices as per an embodiment herein.

[0025] Fig. 8 shows the sanitary plumbing fitting system in an installation configuration having multiple sanitary fitting devices as per an embodiment herein.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0026] A sanitary plumbing fitting for odor prevention is provided. In one embodiment the fitting comprises of a receptacle body, a floatation device, and a top cover. The fitting is configured to allow passage of liquid in one direction while restricting the flow of gases in opposite direction.

[0027] In one embodiment the fitting is retrofitted into an existing urinal. In another embodiment a urinal fixture/pan integrated with the fitting is provided.

[0028] The following description is set forth for purpose of explanation in order to provide an understanding of the invention. However, it is apparent that one skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into a number of different plumbing systems and devices. Structures shown below in the diagram are illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the invention and are meant to avoid obscuring the invention.

[0029] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment", "in one embodiment" or "an embodiment" etc. means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

A. Overview

[0030] Fig. 1 shows the diagram of the sanitary plumbing fitting as per an embodiment herein. As shown in Fig. 2, the fitting 100 may be fitted into a urinal pan or a sanitary fixture 102 where it connects to a trap or a drain 104.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows the blown out diagram of the sanitary plumbing fitting as per an embodiment herein. The fitting comprises of a main receptacle body 140 that may be fitted into the exit of a urinal pan (102 of Fig. 1). The receptacle body 140 may be elongated and may have tubular structure. Other shapes may be provided. A floatation device 120 may be inserted into the receptacle body such that the floatation device may move along atleast some part of the length of the receptacle body. A top cover 110 may be fitted on top of the receptacle body after inserting the floatation device. In a typical usage scenario, the sanitary plumbing fitting may be placed in a urinal pan. Upon urination in the pan or a fixture the urine flows down from the top cover along the length of the receptacle body. Upon reaching the part of the receptacle body the floatation device achieves sufficient buoyancy allowing floatation thereof. Once the urine is drained the floatation device settles down on the bottom surface of the receptacle body hence blocking the flow of gases upwards from the bottom of the receptacle body. Even though various materials may be used for construction of the sanitary plumbing fitting, use of stainless steel improves the chemical resistance towards various chemicals used in cleaning and maintenance.

B. Receptacle body

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a receptacle body of the sanitary plumbing fitting as per an embodiment herein. The receptacle body 140 may be coupled to the urinal pan which further connects to the drain pipe. The receptacle body may have an elongated with top end 146 allowing placement of the top cover 110, while the bottom end 145 may have bent surface 144 which allows for quick passage of liquid and prevents the system from getting choked in the presence of solid particles. In one embodiment, the bent surface 144 may be chamfered from the inside and/or outside. In another embodiment, the bent surface 144 may be filletted from the inside and/or outside, thereby forming a hole over which the float 120 may rest. The floatation device/the float may rest over the hole by keeping the dimension of the hole smaller than the smallest cross sectional area The elongated portion may comprise of threading on the outer surface 148 thereof, for secure fixing of the fitting into the exit of a urinal pan. The slope and filleted surface also increases the flow rate of the liquid and prevents the system getting locked due to vacuum generated in the pipeline. Further, the special slope at the bottom also makes the floatation device stand straight axially thereby increasing the chances of the floatation device sealing the passage during the times when the urine is not being drained.

C. floatation device

[0033] Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b illustrates the floatation device 120 of the sanitary plumbing fitting as per an embodiment herein. The floatation device may be designed insertable into the receptacle body.

[0034] The floatation device acts as a sealant and a one way passage which allows the liquids to pass into the drain pipe but does not allow the odour causing gases to come back by sealing the passage in the receptacle body. The surface of the floatation device may be uneven. In one embodiment as shown in Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b, Protrusions 124 may be provided on the surface thereby creating a thin turbulent boundary layer of fluid that clings to the floatation device surface. In another embodiment depressions may also be used. Further in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure the protrusions are circular. In another embodiment these might assume other shapes as well, such as for example, Polygonal, triangular. The provision of the protrusions or depressions allows smooth flow of the fluid along the floatation device's surface thus fastening the floating action. The protrusions also prevents the vacuum suction created in the pipeline due to dissolving gases in the urine. Further, the protrusions on the surface of the floatation device also helps in providing grip and facilitates easy removal of the float from the receptacle body during maintenance.

[0035] Various shapes of the floatation device may be possible. In one exemplary embodiment as shown in the Fig. 4a the float may be of an egg shaped geometry. Any shape which allows easy floatation on given volume of liquid / urine / water while draining the liquid but enables sealing the drain port of the device in all other times are possible. Some exemplary shapes include sphere, capsule shape, or any trapezoids of such shapes. The diameter of the hemispherical bottom part of the egg shaped floatation device may be bigger than the diameter of the hole it rests on. The top part of such floatation device may be of any polygonal geometry. In another embodiment as shown in Fig. 4b the floatation device may be of a disc shaped geometry. The top part of the disc shaped floatation device may have filleted edges while the bottom part may be chamfered to have the disc rest in the hole, but not slide through it.

[0036] The shape of the floatation device and the receptacle body may also be designed such that the floatation device locks in with the receptacle body when not in floating condition to seal the gases below the device port. Some exemplary geometries of the floatation device with respective modification in the receptacle body include; a polygonal cylinder, cone, or trapezoid used with appropriate modifications depending on buoyancy and flotation which a person skilled in the art will realize.

[0037] The material used for floatation device may be chemical resistant polymer. This includes many variants of PVC, CPVC, ABS, UPVC, PC etc. The material used for the float device may also be elastomer with special blends for high chemical resistance and extended aging properties. The floats may also be made up of Stainless steel, brass or any such non corrosive metallic material with a vacuum sealed cavity or air sealed cavity to make it floating over the water / liquid / urine.

D. Top Cover

[0038] Fig. 5 illustrates the top cover of the sanitary plumbing fitting as per an embodiment herein. The top cover may be fitted on top of the receptacle body. The top cover may have openings. In one embodiment the openings may be vertical slits, these allows the liquid to pass but traps the solid particles. This aspect facilitates the cleaning and maintenance process. Vertical slits (instead of circular holes on the top cover) on traps threads like solid particles (e.g. body hairs etc.) and prevents the choking of the drain line.

[0039] Top cover may comprise a cylindrical portion and a cap portion. The cylindrical portion may fit into the receptacle body such that the opening 114 are in line of the urine inflow.

E. Installation configurations

[0040] The sanitation plumbing system may have various installation configurations. In one embodiment, the fitting may be installed at the start of the drain pipe where it connects with the sanitary fixture. In another embodiment shown in Fig. 6.

multiple such fittings 600a and 600b may be installed one after the other in the drain pipe having respective floatation device/s 620a, 620b and respective receptacle body 640a and 640b. Further, the positioning of the fittings may be at various parts of the drain pipe and the drain-waste-vent system. The fittings may be supported with internal pipe support structure 649 which may be in form of protrusions or a lining along the inner surface of the drain pipe.

[0041] Another configuration of the said fitting may be as shown in exemplary embodiment of Fig. 7a (top view) and Fig. 7b (side view). Multiple holes 745 may be provided at the bottom part of the receptacle body. Multiple floatation devices 720 may be configured to settle on said holes 745. The number of floatation devices may be equal to the number of holes present in the fitting.

[0042] A yet another configuration may be present as shown in the exemplary embodiments of Fig. 8. Two fittings 800a and 800b may be placed one over the other along the length of the drain pipe having respective floatation devices 820a, 820b and respective receptacle body 840a and 840b. Each of the fittings may have multiple holes as well as multiple floatation devices present as discussed in reference to Fig. 7 above.

[0043] The sanitation plumbing system, fitting and method thereof as explained has various benefits. The system and method are designed to reduce the problem of gas generation from the root by minimizing the use of the flushed water. This minimizes smell emerging from the gases due to evaporation of liquid drained through the plug to drainage collector. The refluxing of the gases to the drain collector side is also minimized. The need to flush the draining liquid artificially by air or water or any other solid or liquid flushing mechanism is also minimized. Since no materials needing frequent replacement such as cartridges, membrane or sealant are not used the cost and maintenance effort is reduced.

[0044] The openings 114 stops insects like cockroach etc to enter the collector side of the fitting.

[0045] Since some embodiments herein describe the sanitary plumbing fitting can be retrofitted into existing urinal systems the cost and time needed to implement this solution is low.

[0046] It eliminates the need of creating gaps for eliminating vacuum suction created in the pipeline due to flow of liquids like urine and water. This in turn improves the flow rate of the fluid. It also gives space for solid particles from frequently choking the floatation device and allow to drain them. New design of cap makes it easy to remove it during maintenance and cleaning thereby reducing the time and effort. The slope / fillet inside the receptacle body where the float sits, solves the problem of sticking of the float to the vertical walls of the receptacle body which in turn used to create a gap. The slope / Fillet provided now makes the float slides to its actual position and helps in complete sealing of the opening / drain hole.

[0047] The system, method and the fitting described herein in some exemplary embodiments may minimize the use of water may save anything between 50000 to 150000 liters per pan per annum of water.

[0048] The foregoing description of the invention has been described for purposes of clarity and understanding. It is not intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Various modifications may be possible within the scope and equivalence of the claims appended.