The invention relates to a waste, and in particular to a waste comprising a drain cover and a trap connected to the drain cover. More specifically, the invention relates to a shower waste for use with a shower tray.

In the prior art, wastes for shower trays that prevent the passage of fluids from a drain into a shower tray, e.g. back-flow/back-siphoning of liquid or movement of gas (e.g. foul air from a sewage system)are known but are often not easy to remove for cleaning or replacement.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a one-piece shower waste comprising a drain cover and a trap connected to the drain cover, wherein the trap is a waterless flexible membrane trap arranged to allow passage of fluids from the drain cover through the trap and to prevent passage of fluids through the trap towards the drain cover.

The shower waste may be arranged to be removably received in an aperture of a shower tray.

The shower waste may be arranged to be removably received in a side wall of a shower tray.

The trap may have a first end region which is permanently open to allow the entry of fluid and a second end region which is arranged to be opened by flow of fluid from the first end region, and the first end region may abut the drain cover.

The trap may be formed integrally with the drain cover. The shower waste may further comprise a grip arranged to facilitate removal of the waste from an aperture of a shower tray.

The shower waste may further comprise a clip or other removal mechanism arranged to hold the shower waste in place within an aperture of a shower tray and to allow the shower waste to be released from the aperture . The drain cover may have an at least substantially planar face and the trap may extend in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the face of the drain cover. The drain cover may have an aperture arranged to allow the passage of fluids therethrough. The drain cover may comprise a lip which extends around upper and side edges of the aperture but not around a lower edge of the aperture .

The lip may be arranged to cover a connector arranged to secure the shower waste in position in use.

The drain cover may comprise a filter arranged, in use, to filter objects out of fluid passing therethrough. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower waste assembly comprising a one-piece shower waste according to the first aspect, and a connector, wherein the connector is arranged to be mounted to a shower tray and has an aperture arranged to allow fluid communication with a drain, and wherein the shower waste is releasably connectable to the connector, the trap of the shower waste passing through the aperture of the connector when the shower waste is connected thereto.

In the shower waste assembly, the shower waste may be arranged to be push-fitted into the connector.

The drain cover may be arranged to abut the connector when connected thereto, and may be larger than the aperture such that it cannot pass therethrough.

The connector may be arranged to be mounted in an aperture of a shower tray.

The connector may be arranged to be mounted in a side wall of a shower tray. The drain cover may include a lip arranged to cover the connector in use. The connector may comprise a guide means arranged to cooperate with the shower waste to facilitate removal of the shower waste from the connector at a particular angle. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower tray comprising a base; a side wall having an aperture therein; and the shower waste of the first aspect.

The shower waste of the shower tray may be arranged to be removed from the shower tray by pulling the drain cover away from the side wall.

The aperture may be shaped to act as a connector, the shower waste being releasably mountable on the connector. No separate connector may therefore be needed. Alternatively, the shower tray may further comprise a connector, the shower waste being releasably mountable on the connector and the connector being fixedly mounted in the aperture.

In embodiments with a separate connector, the connector may be mounted within the aperture such that, when the shower waste is received on the connector, the drain cover is at least substantially flush with the side wall. The connector may be formed integrally with the shower tray, such that the aperture in the side wall is the aperture of the connector.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower tray comprising a base; a side wall having an aperture therein; and

the shower waste assembly of the second aspect.

The skilled person would understand that features described with respect to one aspect of the invention may be applied, mutatis mutandis, to the other aspect of the invention.

There now follows by way of example only a detailed description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a shower waste according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows the shower waste shown in Figure 1 with a shower tray having an aperture arranged to receive the shower waste; Figure 3 shows the assembled shower tray and shower waste as shown in

Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the marked portion of Figure 3 ; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the portion shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 5 ; Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-section of the waste as shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 shows the aperture in the shower tray shown in the earlier Figures; and

Figures 9A and 9B show cross-sections of the waste, connector and shower tray of the preceding figures with the trap in a closed position and in an open position, respectively.

The shower waste 100 shown in Figure 1 comprises a drain cover 102 and a trap 104. The trap 104 is a flexible membrane trap, often described as "waterless" because, unlike a U-bend trap, the presence of water (or another liquid) is not required to prevent the back-flow of gases (and hence odours) from a region 104d beyond and outside the trap 104, which, in the embodiment being described, is contained within a drain 502.

The waterless flexible membrane trap 104 is connected to the drain cover 102 such that the shower waste 100 can be moved and handled as a single unit. The shower waste 100 can therefore be described as a one-piece shower waste 100. In alternative embodiments of one-piece shower wastes 100, the trap 104 and the drain cover 102 may be integrally formed as a single piece . The drain cover 102 is arranged to slot into an aperture 204 in a shower tray 200, 202.

In the embodiment being described, the drain cover 102 has a substantially rectangular face 103, although the skilled person will appreciate that any shape may be used dependent on the size and shape of the shower tray 200, 202 or other unit to which the waste 100 is to be fitted, and/or on the size and shape of the aperture 204. The face 103 is arranged to match the profile of, or sit flush with, the shower tray surface 202 in which the drain cover 102 is mounted.

In the embodiment being described, the aperture 204 is mainly provided in the side wall 202 of the shower tray, slightly extending into the base 200. In alternative embodiments, the aperture 204 may be provided entirely or mainly through the base 200 of the shower tray 200, 202 instead of in the side wall 202, or may be entirely contained within the side wall 202. The skilled person will appreciate that the shape of the drain cover 102 and/or the angle of the trap 104 with respect to the drain cover 102 may be altered accordingly in such embodiments.

A front side of the drain cover 102 is arranged to be visible in use, with the trap 104 extending from the rear side of the drain cover 102. The width W of the drain cover 102 between the front side 103 and the back side (not visible) is thin so as to avoid or reduce protrusion of the drain cover 102 into the shower tray 200, 202. For example, the width W may be 1 cm or less, or preferable 5 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less.

In this embodiment, the drain cover 102 comprises an aperture 1 10. The aperture 1 10 is arranged to allow the passage of fluid from the front side of the drain cover 102 to the trap 104. In use, fluid in the shower tray 200, 202 can therefore flow through the drain cover 102 and into a drain 502 located behind the drain cover 102, via the trap 104.

The drain cover 102 has a lip 102a around three edges of the aperture 1 10, which are the side and upper edges in use, but only a narrow wall 102b on the fourth edge. The fourth edge is arranged to be the lowest edge of the drain cover 102 in use and the lack of a lip on this edge serves to avoid spacing the aperture from a base 200 of a shower tray 200, 202, so facilitating liquid egress. In alternative or additional embodiments, the lip 102a surrounds a part of the aperture 1 10, excluding an edge of the aperture 1 10 arranged, in use, to be the lowest edge . For example, a semi-circular aperture with the flat edge arranged to be lowest in use may have a lip 102a along some or all of its curved edge, and no lip along its flat edge.

In the embodiment being described, the drain cover 102 comprises a filter 106. In particular, multiple slats 106 are provided across the aperture 1 10. The slats 106 act as a filter, catching hair and other objects in fluid flowing through the drain cover 102 and preventing suitably-sized objects from slipping through the drain cover 102. The slats 106 are oriented parallel to the shorter edges of the rectangular drain cover 102 (i.e. vertically in use, in the embodiment shown in the drawings). There are eight slats 106 in the embodiment shown. The skilled person will appreciate that, in alternative or additional embodiments, a mesh or other filter element may be provided instead of or as well as the slats 106, and/or that slats may be differently angled, for example being parallel to a longer edge of the drain cover 102, or at another angle thereto, and/or may be curved, and/or that more or fewer slats may be provided. In alternative embodiments, no filter 106 may be provided. In such embodiments, large objects could be caught by the trap 104, but smaller objects (e.g. hair, fluff) may pass through with fluid flow, increasing the risk of drain blockages.

In the embodiment being described, the drain cover 102 comprises a grip 108. The grip 108 extends from the front side of the drain cover 102, away from the trap 104. In alternative or additional embodiments, the grip 108 may comprise indentations instead of or as well as a protruding portion. The grip 108 is arranged to facilitate removal of the waste 100 from an aperture 204 of a shower tray 200, 202. Pulling the grip 108 detaches the waste 100 from the aperture 204, so allowing the waste 100 to be removed for replacement or cleaning. In alternative or additional embodiments, the grip 108 may act as a clip, with lateral or other movement of the grip 108 being required to detach the waste 100 from the aperture 204. In alternative embodiments, no grip 108 may be provided. In such embodiments, the filter 106 may be designed to facilitate gripping, for example with the slats 106 being sufficiently widely spaced for a user to be able to hook a finger through and underneath the filter 106 or underneath the lip 102a to grip the drain cover 102. The drain cover 102 comprises attachment means 1 12 which connect the trap 104 to the drain cover 102. The attachment means 1 12 comprise a pair of walls 1 12 along the longer edges of the drain cover 102, extending from the rear face of the drain cover 102. A first end region 104a of the trap 104 is firmly adhered to the walls 1 12. The walls 1 12 are integral with the drain cover 102 in the embodiment being described.

The trap 104 comprises a flexible membrane, for example made of a plastics material. In its rest position, the trap 104 is Y-shaped in cross-section. The trap 104 comprises two flexible sheets 1 14a, 1 14b. At the first end region 104a of the trap 104 (the top of the "Y"), the sheets 1 14a, 1 14b are held such that there is a space between the sheets to allow fluid to enter the trap 104 (the region 104c inside the first end of the trap 104). At the second end region 104b of the trap 104 (the bottom of the "Y"), the sheets 1 14a, 1 14b are held such that they are parallel and adjacent to each other, such that there is no, or minimal, space between the two sheets.

One sheet is attached to each of the attaching walls 1 12 in the embodiment shown, so holding the sheets apart at the first end region 104a of the trap 104. When there is no fluid in the region 104c within the trap 104, there is no (or minimal) gap between the sheets at the second end region 104b of the trap 104. Fluid (liquid and/or gas) within a drain 502 extending from the second end region 104b of the trap 104 therefore cannot flow back into the trap 104. The presence of fluid within the trap 104 (i.e. in region 104c) pushes the two flexible sheets at the second end region 104b of the trap 104 apart, so opening the second end region of the trap 104. Fluid within the trap 104 can therefore pass through the trap 104 and into the drain 502. In the embodiment being described, the trap 104 is angled downwards such that gravity causes fluid within the trap 104 to push the two flexible sheets at the second end region 104b of the trap 104 apart. In alternative or additional embodiments, water pressure may open the trap 104 without any need for gravity.

The trap 104 further comprises two side walls 124. The side walls 124 extend from the rear face of the drain cover 102. The side walls 124 extend the full length of the trap 104. The side walls 124 are relatively rigid as compared to the flexible sheets of the trap 104. The side edges of the flexible sheets 1 14a, 1 14b of the trap 104 are connected to the side walls 124 such that the flexible sheets always lie between the side walls 124. In this way, the angle of the trap 104 with respect to the drain cover 102 is maintained and the flexible trap 104 is prevented from bending around the drain cover 102 or otherwise getting in the way during attachment and removal of the waste 100 from the aperture 204. In alternative embodiments, no side walls 124 may be provided, or just a single side wall 124 may be provided. The side walls 124 prevent fluid from passing out of the sides of the trap 104 in the V-shaped portion of its Y- shaped cross-section (the first end region 104a). In the embodiment being described, the side edges of the flexible sheets are secured together so as to prevent fluid from passing out of the sides of the trap 104 in the second end region 104b. In alternative embodiments, each side of each sheet 1 14a, 1 14b may, additionally or alternatively, be secured to the respective side wall 124 so as to prevent fluid from passing out of the sides of the trap 104 in the second end region. The flexible sheets bend apart to form an opening when there is fluid within the trap 104. Figure 2 shows the shower waste 100 in context with a connector 206 and a shower tray 200, 202.

The shower tray 200, 202 has a base 200 and at least one side wall 202. An aperture 204 in the shower tray 200, 202 leads to a drain 502. The drain 502 also severs as a housing for the trap 104. The drain 502 may be connected to, or integral with, a pipe (not shown) arranged to transport used water away from the shower tray.

In the embodiment being described, the aperture 204 is substantially rectangular in shape, and is oriented along a side wall 202 of the shower tray 200, 202. The aperture 204 is mainly in the side wall 202 and extends slightly into the base 200 of the shower tray 200, 202 such that the lower edge of the aperture 1 10 in the waste 100 is at or below the level of the base 200. In this way, all liquid in the shower tray 200, 202 can drain out of the shower tray 200, 202 via the waste 100, as there is no step up to the aperture 1 10 through the drain cover 102.

In alternative embodiments, the aperture 204 may be in the side wall 202 only, and may not extend into the base 200 of the shower tray. In such embodiments, the narrow wall 102b may be offset back from the front face 102a such that the shower waste 100 can be inserted into the side wall 202 without creating a step between the base 200 and the aperture 1 10. The shower waste 100 may be angled such that the shower waste 100 extends downwardly from the rear face of the drain cover 102, such that the upper edge of the narrow wall 102b is below or level with the plane of the base 200. A connector 206 is mounted within the aperture 204 in the shower tray 200, 202. The connector 206 is arranged to have the shower waste 100 releasably connected thereto . The connector 206 together with the shower waste 100 may be collectively referred to as a shower waste assembly. The connector 206 has an aperture 706 therethrough that leads to the drain 502.

In the embodiment being described, the aperture 204 in the shower tray side wall 202 is shaped to receive the connector 206. The connector 206 is connected to the shower tray 202 by means of a pair of screws 702a, 702b in the embodiment being described. In alternative or additional embodiments, other connection means may be used, for example more or fewer screws, nuts and bolts, adhesive, welding, clips or the likes. In alternative embodiments, the connector 206 may be formed as an integral part of the shower tray 200, 202, for example by moulding or machining the shower tray side wall 202 and base 200 such that it has an aperture 204, 706 shaped to engagingly but releasably receive the shower waste 100. For example, the shower waste 100 may simply be a push-fit with the aperture 204, 706. In alternative embodiments, the connector 206 may be formed as multiple parts which can be independently connected to the shower tray 200, 202 and/or to each other. In the embodiment being described, the connector 206 is slightly recessed into the aperture 204. The drain cover 102 protrudes slightly from the side wall 202 of the shower tray in the embodiment shown. In alternative or additional embodiments, the front side of the drain cover 102 may be flush with the shower tray side wall 202 in use, or slightly recessed into the shower tray side wall 202. As the connector 206 is slightly recessed into the aperture 204, the rear face of the drain cover 102 sits within the shower tray side wall 202, making accidental dislodgment of the shower waste from the aperture 204 unlikely. The lip 102a of the drain cover 102 is sized and shaped to prevent the shower waste 100 from slipping through the aperture 204. In the embodiment being described, the lip 102a is also sized and shaped to cover the connector 206. In the embodiment being described, the side walls 124 and attachment means 1 12 of the drain cover 102 are positioned and shaped to be a push-fit with the aperture 706 through the connector 206. In alternative embodiments, either the side walls 124 or the attachment means 1 12 may provide the push-fit characteristics rather than both. In alternative or additional embodiments, the shower waste 100 may be provided with additional or alternative parts which provide push-fit characteristics, for example indentations or protrusions shaped to engage corresponding protrusions or indentations in the connector 206.

Friction between the side walls 124 and opposing sides of the aperture 706, and between the attachment means 1 12 and the other pair of opposing sides of the aperture 706 holds the waste 100 in place unless and until it is pulled by a user.

In the embodiment being described, the connector 206 comprises a guide means arranged to guide removal of the shower waste 100 from the connector 206. In particular, the cooperating shape of the aperture 706 of the connector 206 facilitates removal of the shower waste 100 from the connector 206, and insertion of the shower waste 100 into the connector 206, at a particular angle . The aperture 706 forms a channel which guides the trap 104 into position during insertion. In alternative or additional embodiments, guide means such as a rail which slots into a corresponding channel in the shower waste 100, or vice versa, may be provided.

Pulling the drain cover 102 away from the connector 206 causes the shower waste 100 to be released. A user can therefore remove the shower waste 100 so that the trap 104 can be cleaned without requiring any tools and without dismantling the shower tray 200, 202 or removing any flooring 208 or other panels or surfaces from around the shower tray 200, 202. In alternative embodiments, a tool such as an Allen key, hex key, screw driver or other tool may be required to remove the shower waste 100 from the connector 206; such embodiments still offer the advantage of being able to remove the drain cover 102 and trap 104 as a single piece, without requiring removal of flooring 208 or the likes and without dismantling the shower tray 200, 202. In alternative or additional embodiments, a latch, clip or other catch may need to be released to allow the waste 100 to be pulled away from the connector 206. In the embodiment being described, the connector 206 comprises two indentations 704a, 704b, one on either side of the aperture 706 therethrough. The indentations 704a, 704b accommodate the screws 702a, 702b.

In additional or alternative embodiments, at least one of the indentations 704a, 704b may be sized and shaped to be a push-fit with protrusions from the rear face of the drain cover 102. In alternative or additional embodiments, the connector 206 may comprise one or more protrusions arranged to be a push-fit with indentations on the rear face of the drain cover 102. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the trap 104 lies within a pipe 502 which forms a drain from the shower tray 200, 202. In this way, everything that passes through the trap 104 enters the drain 502. In the embodiment being described, the shower tray 200, 202 is hollow and the drain 502 is connected to the inside of the shower tray 200, 202 such that it encompasses the aperture 204. The drain 502 passes below the flooring 208.

In the embodiment being described, two seals 902, 904 are provided. The seals 902, 904 are rectangular in cross-section so as to fit around the rectangular drain opening 706 of this embodiment.

In the embodiment being described, the first seal 902 is located between an end wall of the drain 502 and an interior surface of the shower tray 200, 202, and forms an at least substantially watertight seal therebetween. The first seal 902 is positioned such that the shower waste 100 can be inserted into the drain 502 through the opening within the first seal 902. The first seal 902 prevents water passing from within the drain 902 to elsewhere within the shower tray 200, 202. In the embodiment being described, the connector 206 overlaps the first seal 902. Advantageously, this may reduce the possibility of insertion and removal of the shower waste 100 knocking or dislodging the first seal 902, as the connector 206 forms a guard or barrier between the first seal 902 and the shower waste 100. In the embodiment being described, the second seal 904 is located between the shower waste 100 and an interior surface of the drain 502, and forms an at least substantially watertight seal therebetween. The second seal 905 is positioned such that the shower waste 100 can be inserted into the drain 502 through the opening through the second seal 904. The second seal 904 sits between the walls 1 12 extending from the rear face of the drain cover 102 and the interior surface of the drain 502. The second seal 904 reduces the possibility of water getting between the shower waste 100 and the walls of the drain 502 in the area near the connector 206.

The first and second seals 902, 904 are made of rubber in the embodiment being described, but the skilled person will appreciate that other materials may be used.

The skilled person would appreciate that, in alternative or additional embodiments, more or fewer seals 902, 904 may be used, and/or seals may be of different sizes and/or shapes, and/or differently positioned.

In the embodiment being described, the drain 502 is angled downwardly from the aperture 204. In addition to facilitating drainage, due to gravity, the downward angle allows the shower waste 100 to be angled downwards in use. As a result, removal of the shower waste 100 from the connector 206 may be easier, as trying to pull the shower waste 100 horizontally might be less convenient for a user and/or might cause the base 200 to be in the way. In the embodiment shown, the side wall 202 of the shower tray 200, 202 is not perpendicular to the base 200, but rather is at an obtuse angle thereto. The angle at which the shower waste 100 is designed to be pulled out of the connector 206 may be the direction perpendicular to the face of the side wall 202 in which the aperture 204 is present.