GB2575013A

GB2575013A - Urinal Liquid Waste Fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2575013A
Application number: GB201808125A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ruddock Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-18
Filing date: 2018-05-18
Publication date: 2020-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-18
Also published as: GB2607753A; GB202211480D0; GB201808125D0; GB2575013B; GB2607753B

Abstract

A urinal liquid waste fitting, with a pipe or conduit 21B defining a main fluid path MP for liquid waste. The conduit has a by-pass pipe 22B, providing an auxiliary fluid path AP for the liquid waste in the event of a blockage in the main path. The conduit may have one or more curves 35 and 36 and the by-pass may be located both internally or externally to the main pipe. The by-pass pipe inlet may have a smaller cross section than the main pipe inlet. The fitting may have a sensor 38 for detecting water in the by-pass pipe and so is used for sensing blockages. The sensor may be a conductive sensor with electrodes 39 and 40 which operates an alarm. The urinal may also have a solid waste trap (12 figure 3) and a valve (21 figure 4) above the by-pass to stop odour.

Description

- 1 Urinal liquid waste fitting

This invention relates to waste fittings for liquid wastes and particularly to waste fittings for urinals. It is the object of this invention inter alia to provide such fittings and urinals which do not prevent the flow of liquid wastes away from the urinal in the case of a blockage.

Most male public toilets, and in some countries female public toilets, include at least one urinal. These typically comprise a bowl or a trough in which a person may urinate and a waste outlet connected by foul drainage to sewage works ora septic tank to which urine drains. Blockages within urinal waste outlets are a common occurrence, typically due to build-up of scale and the nature of urine waste. This is mainly produced by the deposition of dissolved salts that exist either alone in the water supply such as limescale or in combination with uric salts. Limescale is inadequately soluble in water and builds up on the exposed surfaces of urinals as the flush water evaporates. The addition of warm urine can increase this deposition. Additionally, uric salts form encrustations on the surfaces of the waste fittings and can cause additional blockages.

Unblocking of urinals can be costly and time-consuming. Furthermore, gaining access to the blockage can be problematic and extremely unpleasant, particularly if the urinal is blocked and has overfilled. Common cleaning methods include the use of a flexible rod inserted into the waste fittings which serves to loosen the blockage and allow it to be flushed away to the sewer. However, many urinal systems are sealed and so to gain access to the blockage requires either disengagement or cutting of the waste pipe fittings.

- 2 Waterless urinal systems are becoming increasingly popular in an effort to reduce water costs, but such systems still suffer from blockages. Furthermore, the absence of water creates odour problems, as the bacteria and bad smells cannot simply be flushed away. Unlike other plumbing-based assemblies, due to their constructional configuration, urinals do not tend to include integral water traps. As a result odour and/or bacteria from the waste fitting can regress back up to the urinal and into the room.

Since the urinal plumbing is sized to carry fluid and not solid matter, many urinals are fitted with means for trapping waste (for example chewing gum or other debris) and thus preventing that waste from blocking the plumbing. Such means conventionally comprise a strainer in the form of a grille or apertured plate through which fluids and small particles may drain, but by which sufficiently large articles are blocked. The strainer is usually integrally moulded to an outlet connector fitted to the plumbing connected to the waste outlet to prevent unscrupulous access into the waste outlet fittings, thus leading to the urinal being sealed, as discussed above.

It is a principle aim of the present invention to provide a urinal liquid waste fitting and also a urinal incorporating such a fitting which serves to address at least some of the above-mentioned problems associated with conventional urinal fittings and urinals.

According to this invention, there is provided a urinal liquid waste fitting comprising a conduit defining a main fluid path for liquid waste, the conduit including a by-pass defining an auxiliary fluid path for the liquid waste in the event of a blockage in the main fluid path.

- 3 A range of differently shaped conduits may be available with the appropriate selection depending on the limitations of location of the urinal. The conduit must be hollow and may be cylindrical and tubular in configuration.

Preferably, the conduit includes a first section arranged in use to extend vertically from the underside of the urinal bowl and a second section arranged to extend generally perpendicularly relative to the first section. To achieve such a configuration the conduit preferably includes at least one bend. It is preferable that the conduit includes a curved bend to ensure smooth fluid flow and to reduce any corners where scale build up could occur. In one arrangement, the angle of curvature may be substantially 90 degrees. Of course, variations in the angle of the bend are within the scope of the invention. In an alternative arrangement the conduit may include two curved bends. In this configuration, the angle of each curvature is substantially 135 degrees. More than two bends may be provided depending on the particular positional restrictions of the urinal, to which the fitting is to be connected. Preferably, the first and/or second sections are substantially linear to ensure that the main fluid path is straight and undeviating.

In practice, the by-pass preferably extends from a first upstream end of the conduit to a second downstream end of the conduit. Blockages within liquid waste fittings tend to occur within the (or each) bend or along the linear portion at the downstream end of the conduit, immediately adjacent the (or each) bend. Preferably, the by-pass circumvents the or each curved bend. Even more preferably the by-pass also circumvents at least a portion of the second section to ensure that the auxiliary fluid path avoids any likely areas of blockage.

-4The by-pass preferably includes an entrance opening towards the upstream end of the conduit and an exit opening at the downstream end of the conduit, with the auxiliary fluid path being defined by the entrance and exit openings. The by-pass exit opening may at the end or towards the end of the second section of the conduit.

In one embodiment of urinal liquid waste fitting, the by-pass may be located internally within the conduit. In such an arrangement, the by-pass may comprise a tubular section contained within the conduit. The tubular section may be cylindrical or semi-cylindrical or any other suitable shape.

In another embodiment of urinal liquid waste fitting the by-pass may be located externally to the conduit. In this arrangement, the by-pass may be a tubular section which extends alongside the conduit. The tubular section is preferably cylindrical and may include one or more bends. The bends are preferably smooth in order to ensure smooth fluid flow through the auxiliary fluid path. In this configuration the cross-sectional area of the conduit inlet is preferably greater than the cross-sectional area of the by-pass inlet.

Preferably, in all embodiments the by-pass is configured to define a smooth auxiliary fluid path without any sharp corners or protrusions. Preferably, the conduit and by-pass are integrally formed or are secured together in a fixed position. A conduit comprising an internal by-pass may be larger in size than a conduit incorporating an external by-pass to ensure that the flow rate within the conduit is not compromised.

The time taken for the level of scale to build-up within a urinal varies depending on the extent of use of the urinal. Cleaning of urinals may be carried

- 5 out periodically or only when a problem occurs, such as significant overflow of the urinals due to blockage. Notification of the presence of a blockage at the first instance would therefore be highly advantageous. Preferably, the waste fitting includes a sensor system to detect a blockage in the main fluid path. The sensor system may be configured to detect liquid waste flowing into the auxiliary fluid path and to thereby sense a blockage or flow restriction in the main fluid path. The sensor system may include a conductive-type sensor. Preferably, the sensor system comprises a conductive sensor comprising two electrodes, one electrode being located within the main fluid path, towards the downstream end of the conduit, and the other electrode being located at or towards the auxiliary fluid path atthe upstream end of the conduit. The sensor system may further comprise an alarm configured to operate if a blockage is detected. The ability of the sensor system to sense the overflow of fluid into the auxiliary fluid path and to initiate an alarm ensures that the presence of a blockage can be detected before it is too late, i.e. while it is still possible to clear the blockage. Additionally, the presence of the by-pass ensures that the fluid will not back up into or overflow from the urinal bowl. The alarm may be configured to generate an audio or visual signal upon detection of a blockage. Alternatively, or additionally, the alarm may comprise transmission means (wired or wireless) configured to transmit an alert to an external device if a blockage is detected. The external device may be a computer system or mobile phone. This facilitates targeted preventative maintenance.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a urinal fitted with or incorporating a urinal liquid waste fitting as hereinbefore defined. The urinal may

- 6 be a waterless urinal. T o ensure thatthe absence of water does not lead to odour problems, the urinal may further comprise a valve located in the conduit to provide an airtight seal, preferably a waterless valve. Preferably, the valve is located above the by-pass to ensure that it will be used even in the event of a blockage of the main fluid path to trap odours from fluid flowing into the auxiliary fluid path.

The urinal may further comprise waste trapping means located between the urinal and the waste fitting. The waste trapping means preferably comprises a strainer through which fluids and small particles may drain, but by which sufficiently large articles are blocked. Waste strainers are usually integrally moulded to an outlet connector fitted to the plumbing connected to the waste outlet in order to prevent unauthorised access into the waste outlet fittings, thus leading to the urinal being sealed. In the arrangement of the present invention the waste strainer is preferably not fixed to enable access to the waste fitting for cleaning. To prevent unauthorised access to the waste fitting, the waste trapping means of the urinal preferably also includes a lock.

By way of example only, an embodiment of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 is a perspective view of a urinal bowl having a waste outlet;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a urinal bowl fitted with a urinal waste fitting having a waste strainer according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the waste strainer of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a known waterless valve for use in the waste fitting of Figures 1 and 2;

- 7 Figure 5 is perspective view of a first embodiment of urinal waste fitting according to the present invention; and

Figure 6 is perspective view of a second embodiment of urinal waste fitting, according to the present invention.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a conventional urinal bowl 10 mountable to a supportsuch as a wall (notshown) ata height appropriate to enable a person to comfortably urinate. As shown in Figure 1, the urinal includes a waste outlet 11 at the lowest region of the urinal base for the outflow of waste fluid through a waste fitting to the buildings conventional plumbing system (not shown). A conventional waste outlet connector with strainer 12 is shown in Figure 2 fitted to the waste outlet 11 of the urinal 10. The waste outlet connector 12 is best seen in Figure 3 and comprises a tubular body 13 having a flange 14 extending radially outwardly from the upper peripheral edge of the tubular body 13 and a waste strainer 15 integrally formed with the tubular body 13 and extending upwards from the flange 14. The waste strainer 15 comprises eight legs 16 upstanding from the upper peripheral edge, defining eight apertures

17. The waste strainer 15 serves to trap waste and thus prevent a blockage within the waste fitting. Conventional waste outlet connectors are typically sealed to the urinal bowl, to prevent unauthorised access to the waste fitting. The waste outlet connector 12 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is not sealed to the waste outlet 11 but instead, to prevent unauthorised access, a locking member (not shown) is provided. The provision of a locking member ensures that access to the waste fitting via the waste outlet 11 is possible when necessary, for example to facilitate cleaning of the waste fitting.

- 8 The urinals illustrated are waterless urinals 10 which, as the name suggests, do not include a pipe for water inflow or do not use it. Waterless urinals do not flush; instead they drain by gravity. The nature of such systems inherently leads to problems associated with odour. The waste fitting 20 of the urinal shown in Figure 2 includes a waterless valve 21 located within the waste fitting 20 immediately below the waste strainer 15. The valve 21 which is better seen in Figure 4 is a known waterless valve that permits the flow of fluid into the waste fitting but prevents gaseous flow in the opposite direction.

Two embodiments of waste fitting 20a and 20b are shown in figures 5 and

6. Each of these comprise a conduit 21 A, 21B and a by-pass 22A, 22B. The conduits 21 A, 21B each include a first linear section 23A, 23B and a second linear section 24A, 24B extending perpendicularly relative to the first section 23A, 23B. The first section 23A, 23B is designed in use to extend vertically down from the urinal bowl 10 and includes a top opening 25A, 25B configured for connection to the urinal bowl 10 using a waste outlet connector 12. The second linear section 24A, 24B is designed to extend generally laterally to connect to other plumbing fittings to direct fluid waste to the to the building s foul water drainage system (not shown). The main fluid path MP is defined by the conduit.

A first embodiment of waste fitting 21 A, shown in Figure 5 is formed from a generally cylindrical pipe which includes a single curved bend 28, conventionally known as an elbow shape due to the curvature being 90 degrees. The by-pass 22A in this embodiment is external to the conduit 21A and extends from the first linear section 23A of the conduit away from the conduit 21A and back to the second linear section 24A, thereby defining an auxiliary fluid path AP.

- 9 The by-pass 22A includes two linear sections 29, 30 formed with a curved rightangled bend 21 therebetween.

The second embodiment of waste fitting 21B, shown in Figure 6 is also formed from a generally cylindrical pipe but includes two curved bends 35, 36, each being angled approximately 135 degrees so that the transition between the first section 23B and the second section 24B of the conduit effectively forms a right angle. The by-pass 22B in this arrangement is internal to the conduit and comprises a cylindrical tube. The cylindrical tube 22B extends from the first section 23B, from towards the top opening 25B, along the two bends 35, 36 in the conduit and along the second section 24B, terminating at the end of the second section 24B of the conduit. In this embodiment the transition is inclined and this ensures thatthere is sufficient space internally for location of the by-pass within the conduit.

Each of the embodiments include a conductive based sensor system 38 (although it is visible only in Figure 6) comprising a conductive sensor including two electrodes and an associated circuit, including a wireless transmitter. The sensor system 38 operates to detecta blockage in the main fluid path MP. One electrode 39 is located within the main fluid path MP and the other electrode 40 is located at the entrance to the auxiliary fluid path AP at the upstream end of the conduit 22 to detect liquid waste flowing into the auxiliary fluid path AP and to thereby sense a blockage in the main fluid path MP. The sensor system 38 includes an alarm (not visible) configured to operate if a blockage is detected. The alarm includes the wireless transmitter and is configured to transmit an alert

- 10to an external device, such as a computer system or mobile phone if a blockage is detected.

The ability of the sensor system to sense the overflow of fluid into the auxiliary fluid path and to initiate an alarm ensures that the presence of a 5 blockage can be detected before it is too late, i.e. while it is still possible to clear the blockage. Additionally, the presence of the by-pass ensures that the fluid will not back up into the urinal bowl and potentially overflow.

Claims

1. A urinal liquid waste fitting comprising a conduit defining a main fluid path for liquid waste, the conduit including a by-pass defining an auxiliary fluid path for the liquid waste in the event of a blockage in the main fluid path.

2. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conduit includes a curved bend.

3. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in claim 2, wherein the angle of curvature is substantially 90 degrees.

4. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conduit includes two curved bends.

5. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in claim 4, wherein the angle of each curvature is substantially 135 degrees.

7. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the by-pass circumvents the or each curved bend.

8. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the by-pass extends from a first upstream end of the conduit to a second downstream end of the conduit.

9. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the by-pass is located internally within the conduit.

10. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the by-pass is located externally to the conduit.

11. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in claim 10, wherein the crosssectional area of the conduit inlet is greater than the cross-sectional area of the by-pass inlet.

12. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising a sensor in the by-pass to detecta blockage in the main fluid path.

13. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sensor is configured to detect liquid waste flowing into the auxiliary fluid path and to thereby sense a blockage in the main fluid path.

14. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the sensor comprises a conductive sensor comprising two electrodes, one electrode being located within the main fluid path, towards the downstream end of the conduit, and the other electrode being located at or towards the auxiliary fluid path at the upstream end of the conduit.

15. A urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the sensor further comprises an alarm configured to operate if a blockage is detected.

16. A urinal fitted with or incorporating a urinal liquid waste fitting as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15.

17. A urinal as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a valve located in the conduit to prevent the regress of odour from the waste system.

18. A urinal as claimed in claim 17, wherein the valve is a waterless valve.

19. A urinal as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the valve is located above the by-pass.

20. A urinal as claimed in any of claims 16 to 19, further comprising solid waste trapping means located in a flow path to the waste fitting.

21. A urinal as claimed in claim 20, wherein the solid waste trapping means includes a lock to prevent unauthorised access to the waste fitting.