GB2488664A

GB2488664A - Fitting for a Urinal Outlet

Info

Publication number: GB2488664A
Application number: GB1203608.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Edward Mcalpine
Original assignee: McAlpine and Co Ltd
Current assignee: McAlpine and Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-01
Filing date: 2012-03-01
Publication date: 2012-09-05
Also published as: GB201203608D0; GB201103425D0

Abstract

A fitting 10 for a urinal outlet has a plate member 12 adapted to cover a urinal outlet and a housing 14 adapted to house a deodorising substance, such as a deodorising block 16. The housing 14 is connected to a lower surface 18 of the plate member 12. The perimeter of the plate member 12 is greater than the perimeter of the housing 14 and, in use, debris such as chewing gum can be prevented from reaching the housing 14 while maintaining the flow rate through the outlet.

Description

Fitting for a Urinal Outlet

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fitting for a urinal outlet. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a fitting for a low or zero water usage urinal.

Background to the Invention

Urinals can be relatively high users of water, particularly those which are on a flush cycle in which the urinal is flushed after a certain period of time has elapsed regardless of whether or not the urinal has been used. Flushing the urinal flushes the majority of urine from the water seal, to prevent odour from the urine feeding back through the urinal outlet.

It is desirable to reduce the amount of water used by a urinal. One solution is to locate a neutralising or deodorising substance adjacent the urinal outlet. In use, the deodorising substance, generally a block, releases an odour which masks the smell of urine, thereby negating the problem of using urine to form the seal in the u-bend.

The deodorising blocks are conventionally held in housings which are inserted into the outlet of the urinal. Some of the deodorising blocks require contact with urine to create a reaction and release the odour, therefore the housings often have inlet flow paths allowing urine to flow into the housing and into contact with the deodorising block before entering the urinal outlet.

One of the drawbacks of the use of deodorising blocks in housings is that placing the housing immediately adjacent the urinal outlet restricts the flow of fluid through the outlet. This problem can be exacerbated if the inlet flow paths become blocked by, for example, chewing gum, cigarette butts or hair.

A further drawback is that the deodorising block can diminish relatively quickly if a high volume of liquid passes through the urinal. This can result in excessive odour from the deodorising block being released before the block dissolves completely, followed by the odour of the urine which is allowed to emanate from the urinal itself in the absence of the dissolved block

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fitting for a urinal outlet, the fitting comprising: a plate member adapted to cover a urinal outlet; and a housing adapted to house a deodorising substance, the housing adapted to be connected to a plate member lower surface; wherein the perimeter of the plate member is greater than the perimeter of the housing.

In one embodiment of the present invention, by providing a plate member with a perimeter greater than the perimeter of the housing, debris such as chewing gum can be prevented from reaching the housing and the flow rate through the outlet be maintained.

The deodorising substance may be a block. Alternatively the deodorising substance may be a gel.

The perimeter of the plate member may be at least 1.5 times the perimeter of the housing.

The perimeter of the plate member may be at least twice the perimeter of the housing.

The perimeter of the plate member may be at least 2.5 times the perimeter of the housing.

The housing may be releasably connected to the plate member.

The housing may be connected to the plate member by a push fit.

The housing may be connected to the plate member by a threaded connection.

The plate member may define one of a male or a female element, the housing defining the other of the male or female element, the male and female elements adapted to cooperate in connecting the housing to the plate member.

In a preferred embodiment the plate member defines a male element and the housing defines a female element.

The plate member male element may be defined by the lower surface of the plate member.

The plate member male element may be a pin.

The pin may be adapted to be received in a bore defined by the housing.

The housing bore may be a throughbore, passing through the housing.

The pin may define a throughbore. The pin throughbore may permit some of the fluid passing through the urinal to bypass the deodorising block. In such an embodiment, the volume of liquid coming into contact with the deodorising block is reduced. This in turn reduces the rate of dissolving the deodorising block, with the result that the deodorising block lasts longer.

The plate member may comprise an upper surface, the upper surface being convex. A convex upper surface, in use, throws urine towards the side of the urinal bowl.

The plate member may be circular.

The plate member edge may be adapted to engage a urinal bowl.

The plate member edge may define bowl engaging portions.

The bowl engaging portions may be castellations. Providing a castellated edge spaces the plate member away from the urinal bowl allowing fluid to flow through but provides barriers to catch hair and the like from entering the urinal outlet.

In an alternative embodiment, the plate member edge may define a wave-like profile, sections of the wave-like profile being the bowl engaging portions.

The housing may comprise a side wall and a base.

In one embodiment the housing defines a cup.

The base may be adapted to receive the deodorising substance.

The wall may define a circle.

Alternatively the wall may define a square or rectangle or any suitable shape.

The housing may further comprise a lid. The lid can close the housing to contain the deodorising block. Where a lid is provided, the housing is a unit, usable with or without the plate member if required.

The lid may be releasably attachable to the side wall.

Alternatively, attaching the housing to the plate member closes the housing to contain the deodorising substance. Such an arrangement eliminates the need for a lid.

The housing side wall may define apertures. Apertures can be provided to allow fluid flowing through the urinal to access the deodorising substance, some deodorising substances being designed to release their odour in contact with liquid such as urine. Apertures also allow for inspection of the deodorising substance with a view to deciding whether or not to replenish the substance.

The housing base may comprise a grill. A grill is provided to allow fluid flowing into the housing through the side wall apertures to flow out of the housing and into the urinal outlet.

In use, the housing base may be parallel to the urinal outlet, and perpendicular to the direction of flow of fluid through the outlet.

Where the side wall defines a circle and the plate member is circular, the cross-sectional area of the housing is less than 50% of the area of the plate lower surface.

In one embodiment, once the housing is attached to the plate lower surface, the exposed portion of the plate lower surface defines an annular ring surrounding the housing.

The housing may further define an outlet engaging member. The outlet engaging member may be provided to secure the outlet fitting to a urinal outlet.

The outlet engaging member may be adapted to be push-fitted into a urinal outlet.

The outlet engaging member may be adapted to engage the internal edge of the urinal outlet.

Alternatively the outlet engaging member may be adapted to engage an outlet grill.

The outlet engaging member may be threadedly connected to the outlet.

The outlet engaging member may be adapted to be received within a cradle defined by the urinal outlet.

The outlet engaging member may be adapted to frictionally interact with the urinal outlet.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a urinal comprising a fitting according to the first aspect of the invention.

It should be understood that any of the features defined above in accordance with any aspect of the present invention or below in relation to any specific embodiment of the invention may be utilised, either alone or in combination, with any other defined feature, in any other aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section of a fitting for a urinal outlet according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a section of a urinal outlet shown in combination with the fitting of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the housing of the fitting of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a bottom view of the housing of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a section of the housing of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a front view of the plate member of the fitting of Figure 1 with hidden detail shown in broken outline; Figure 7 is a plan view of the plate member of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a section of an alternative urinal outlet shown in combination with the fitting of Figure 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Reference is firstly made to Figure 1 which shows a section of a fitting, generally indicated by reference 10, for a urinal outlet according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The fitting 10 comprises a plate member 12 adapted to cover a urinal outlet (not shown) and a housing 14 adapted to host a deodorising block 16, the housing 14 adapted to be connected to a plate member lower surface 18.

Referring to Figure 2 the fitting 10 is adapted to sit in a cradle 50 which is part of a urinal outlet 52. The urinal outlet 52 comprises an inner sleeve 54 which is in a threaded connection with an outer sleeve 56, the inner and outer sleeve is 54, 56 sandwiching a portion 58 of the urinal bowl 60.

Figures 3 to 7 show various views of the housing 14 and the plate member 12, as described above. As can be seen particularly from Figure 4 and Figure 7, the housing 14 and the plate member 12 are circular, the outer edge 20 of the housing 14 defining a shorter perimeter than the outer edge 22 of the plate member 12.

Such an arrangement reduces the chance of the urinal outlet 52 becoming blocked by chewing gum, cigarette butts or hair or the like as, when urine flows through the urinal outlet 52, unwanted material such as chewing gum is prevented from reaching the urinal outlet 52 by the plate member edge 22 in cooperation with an inner surface 62 of the toilet bowl 60 (Figure 2). As the plate member edge 22 is of a relatively large perimeter, the reduction in volume flow of liquid passing into the urinal outlet 52 is not significantly reduced when partially blocked by a piece of gum, for

example.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the housing 14 will be described in more detail. The housing 14 comprises a base 24, in the form of a grill, a side wall 26, an inner wall 28 defining a throughbore 30, and a lid 32. The lid 32 is spun welded to the side wall 26.

The base 24, the side wall 26 and the inner wall 28 define an annular cup 34 adapted to receive a deodorising block 16 (shown in Figure 1).

The side wall 26 defines four apertures 36 provided to allow urine to flow into the cup 34 and engage the deodorising block 16. When urine, comes into contact with the deodorising block 16, an odour is released which masks or neutralises the smell of urine. This allows urine to be used as the liquid seal which is downstream of the urinal outlet 52.

In use, the deodorising block 16 rests on the base 24 of the housing 14, the base 24 defining a grill to permit urine, which has flowed into the housing 14 through the apertures 36, to vacate the housing 14 and continue into the urinal outlet 52.

Extending downwards from the base 24 is an outlet engaging member 38 adapted to engage with urinal outlet cradle 50, as shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the plate member 12 defines a convex upper surface 42 and a concave lower surface 18. The plate member edge 22 includes castellations 44. The castellations 44 are adapted to engage with the toilet bowl surface 62 and provide a barrier preventing larger debris, such as chewing gum and cigarette butts, from reaching the housing 14 and, particularly, blocking the housing inlet apertures 36. Fluid can still pass between the castellations 44 to reach the fitting housing 14 and the urinal outlet 52.

The plate member lower surface 18 defines a pin 46 having a throughbore 48.

The pin 46 is adapted to fit in the throughbore 30 defined by the housing inner wall 28.

Once inserted into the housing, the pin 46 is releasably connected to the housing 14 and is retained in place by a frictional engagement.

The pin throughbore 48 permits some of the liquid flowing into the urinal, either water or urine, to bypass the deodorising block 16. This is advantageous as only a relatively small amount of urine is necessary to release the odours from the block 16 and exposure to high volumes of urine or liquid will wear the block 16 down.

References are made to Figure 8 which shows the urinal outlet fitting 10 in use with an alternative urinal outlet 152, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The urinal outlet 152 is of a type adapted to be used in your angles which have been designed to accommodate and oil seal cartridge. In this arrangement, the inner and outer sleeve is 154, 156 sandwich a rubber gasket 158 adapted to form a seal with a new urinal receptacle 170. The outer sleeve 156 includes an extended portion 172 adapted to support the rubber gasket 158.

The urinal outlet 152 includes a rubber one-way valve 176 and the cup 178.

The cup 178 permits a water seal to be formed between the cup 178 and the outer sleeve 156, preventing odours from the soil pipe 180 from passing back through the urinal outlet 152. The rubber one-way valve 176 forms a further barrier providing a similar function.

It shall be noted from Figure 8, even in this situation where the urinal outlet 152 is relatively large, the plate member 112 covers the majority of the urinal outlet 152, providing a more aesthetically pleasing result.

Various modifications and improvements may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the housing 12 is shown resting in the cradle 50, the housing attached to an outlet grid, for example, by means of a pin or threaded connection.

In further embodiments, the plate member 12 may define further aperture is to permit the deodorising block to be inspected to determine a suitable time for replacement.

In still further embodiments, the housing cup 34 may be closed by the plate member 12 rather than the housing lid 32.

Claims

Claims 1. A fitting for a urinal outlet, the fitting comprising: a plate member adapted to cover a urinal outlet; and a housing adapted to house a deodorising substance, the housing adapted to be connected to a plate member lower surface; wherein the perimeter of the plate member is greater than the perimeter of the housing.
2. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the deodorising substance comprises a block.
3. The fitting of claim 1 or 2, wherein the deodorising substance comprises a gel.
4. The fitting of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the perimeter of the plate member is at least 1.5 times the perimeter of the housing.
5. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the perimeter of the plate member is at least twice the perimeter of the housing.
6. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the perimeter of the plate member is at least 2.5 times the perimeter of the housing.
7. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing is releasably connectable to the plate member.
8. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing is connected to the plate member by a push fit.
9. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing is connected to the plate member by a threaded connection.
10. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the plate member defines one of a male or a female element, the housing defining the other of the male or female element.
11. The fitting of claim 10, wherein the male and female elements are adapted to cooperate in connecting the housing to the plate member.
12. The fitting of claim 10 or 11, wherein the plate member defines the male element and the housing defines the female element.
13. The fitting of claim 12, wherein the plate member male element is defined by the lower surface of the plate member.
14. The fitting of claim 12 or 13, wherein the plate member male element comprises a pin.
15. The fitting of claim 14, wherein the pin is adapted to be received in a bore defined by the housing.
16. The fitting of claim 15, wherein the bore defined by the housing comprises a throughbore passing through the housing.
17. The fitting of claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the pin defines a throughbore.
18. The fitting of claim 17, wherein the pin throughbore permits some of the fluid passing through the urinal to bypass the deodorising block.
19. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the plate member comprises an upper surface.
20. The fitting of claim 19, wherein the upper surface of the plate member is convex.
21. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the plate member is circular.
22. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein an edge of the plate member is adapted to engage a urinal bowl.
23. The fitting of claim 22, wherein the edge of the plate member defines at least one bowl engaging portion.
24. The fitting of claim 23, wherein at least one of the bowl engaging portions comprises a castellation.
25. The fitting of claim 23 or 24, wherein at least one of the bowl engaging portions comprises a wave-like profile defined by the plate member edge.
26. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a side wall and a base.
27. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing defines a cup.
28. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the base is adapted to receive the deodorising substance.
29. The fitting of claim 26, 27 or 28, wherein the wall defines a circle, a square or a rectangle.
30. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing further comprises a lid.
31. The fitting of claim 30, wherein the lid is configurable to close the housing and contain the deodorising block.
32. The fitting of claim 30 or 31, when dependent on claim 26, wherein the lid is releasably attachable to the side wall.
33. The fitting of any one of claims 26 to 32, wherein the side wall defines at least one aperture.
34. The fitting of any one of claims 26 to 33, wherein the side wall defines a plurality of apertures.
35. The fitting of claim 33 or 34, wherein one or more aperture is configured to permit fluid flowing through the urinal to access the deodorising substance.
36. The fitting of claim 33, 34 or 35, wherein one or more apertures is configured to allow for inspection of the deodorising substance.
37. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing base comprise a grill.
38. The fitting of claim 37, wherein the grill is configured to permit fluid flowing into the housing to flow out of the housing and into the urinal outlet.
39. The fitting of claim 38, when dependent on any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein the grill is configured to permit fluid flowing into the housing through one or more aperture to flow out of the housing and into the urinal outlet.
40. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing base is configurable so as to be parallel to the urinal outlet, in use.
41. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing base is configurable so as to be perpendicular to the direction of flow of fluid through the outlet, in use.
42. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the cross-sectional area of the housing is less than 50% of the area of the plate lower surface.
43. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the exposed portion of the plate lower surface defines an annular ring surrounding the housing when the housing is attached to the plate lower surface.
44. The fitting of any preceding claim, wherein the housing further defines or comprises an outlet engaging member.
45. The fitting of claim 44, wherein the outlet engaging member is provided to secure the fitting to a urinal outlet.
46. The fitting of claim 44 or 45, wherein the outlet engaging member is adapted to be push-fitted into a urinal outlet.
47. The fitting of claim 44, 45 or 46, wherein the outlet engaging member is adapted to engage an internal edge of the urinal outlet.
48. The fitting of any one of claims 44, 45 or 46, wherein the outlet engaging member is adapted to engage an outlet grill.
49. The fitting of any one of claims 44 to 48, wherein the outlet engaging member is threadedly connected to the outlet.
50. The fitting of any one of claims 44 to 49, wherein the outlet engaging member is adapted to be received within a cradle defined by the urinal outlet.
51. The fitting of any one of claims 44 to 50, wherein the outlet engaging member is adapted to frictionally interact with the urinal outlet.
52. A urinal comprising a fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 51.
53. A fitting substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying figures.
54. A urinal substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying figures.