EP2754764A1

EP2754764A1 - Stench trap with flexible seal

Info

Publication number: EP2754764A1
Application number: EP14150544.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jurgen Hendrik Peter Jozeph Keizers
Original assignee: Easy Sanitary Solutions BV
Current assignee: Easy Sanitary Solutions BV
Priority date: 2013-01-14
Filing date: 2014-01-09
Publication date: 2014-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2034-01-09
Also published as: ES2779061T3; NL2010120C2; EP2754764B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a stench trap comprising:
- a housing with an inflow opening and an outflow opening lying in a lower position during use;
- a downward directed wall arranged in the housing and having a passage opening close to the underside, wherein a channel is formed from the inflow opening via the passage opening to the outflow opening by the housing and the downward directed wall; and a flexible unidirectional seal arranged in the channel close to the passage opening.

Description

The invention relates to a stench trap comprising:

a housing with an inflow opening and an outflow opening lying in a lower position during use;
a downward directed wall arranged in the housing and having a passage opening close to the underside, wherein a channel is formed from the inflow opening via the passage opening to the outflow opening by the housing and the downward directed wall.

A stench trap is generally known and is used for airtight sealing of an outlet pipe so that the unpleasant odours from the sewer cannot enter a space via a drain.
It is usual to provide a water seal in the stench trap so that air cannot pass through the stench trap but water or another liquid can flow freely via the stench trap to an outlet pipe. The water seal is obtained by providing a U-shaped channel in the stench trap so that water can collect in the bend of the U-shape and can thereby close the channel in airtight manner.
Such a water seal also ensures that no odours enter the space in the case of overpressure in the sewer. It is however essential for sufficient water to be present in the stench trap, since the overpressure otherwise forces the water out and odours can nevertheless enter the space.
In order to comply with set standards it is necessary to adhere to a certain water seal height. This water seal height is typically 5 centimetres. This height ensures that the stench trap retains its sealing function for a determined period of time. During this time the water will evaporate until the water level drops below the U-bend and air can flow via the stench trap.
Because of this water seal height of at least 5 centimetres the height of a stench trap will also be more than 5 centimetres. It is however desirable to provide a flatter stench trap while nevertheless retaining the same air-sealing function.
This objective is achieved with a stench trap according to the preamble, which stench trap is characterized by a flexible unidirectional seal arranged in the channel close to the passage opening.
The unidirectional seal prevents unpleasant odours from the sewer being able to pass through the stench trap. Because the passage opening is further provided close to the underside of the downward directed wall, water will collect at the passage opening, as in a usual stench trap. However, if the water were to be too low for a usual stench trap and a direct connection were to occur between the inflow opening and the outflow opening, the unidirectional seal will nevertheless close the channel and prevent unpleasant odours passing through.
The unidirectional seal further ensures that the stench trap is sealed in the case of overpressure in the sewer.
Because the unidirectional seal is arranged close to the passage opening, the water will preferably flow through the seal from below. The seal itself can then close by itself due to gravitational force. A seal in the form of a flexible silicone flap will drop down automatically and thereby close the passage.
In a preferred embodiment of the stench trap according to the invention the flexible unidirectional seal comprises a first flexible flap arranged on a wall part of the channel.
The first flexible flap preferably lies with the free end against the wall of the channel.
The flexible flap has the advantage that it adjusts easily to the shape of the surface against which it lies. Possible contaminants will hereby not immediately affect the operation of the seal. Nor will hairs and the like get caught behind a flexible flap.
A flexible flap can in addition be easily formed as a part punched from a sheet of flexible material. This is cost-effective.
In another embodiment of the stench trap according to the invention a second flexible flap is arranged on a wall part of the channel opposite the first flexible flap, and the free ends of the first and second flexible flaps lie against each other. The two flaps can also be connected to each other along the edges so that a type of sleeve is formed.
In this embodiment the free ends of the flexible flaps lie against each other, whereby the contact surfaces are the same and a good seal is present. When a flexible flap lies for instance against a wall of another material, it may be the case that the seal is not optimal due to the difference in surface structure of the wall and the flexible flap.
In another preferred embodiment of the stench trap according to the invention a part of the flexible flaps lies in a lower position than the outflow opening.
Because a part of the flexible flap(s) lies below the outflow opening, water will normally lie against the flexible flap(s). This water presses against the flaps so that an improved seal is obtained.
A part of the channel preferably lies in a lower position than the outflow opening. The passage opening more preferably lies at least partially below the outflow opening. A U-shaped channel is hereby obtained which can provide a stench trap function as soon as water or another liquid is present in the channel.
These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a first embodiment according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to figure 1.
Figures 3A and 3B show a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment according to the invention in two different situations.
Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment according to the invention.
Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment according to the invention.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a drain with a fifth embodiment of a stench trap according to the invention.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a variant of the stench trap according to figure 6 with partially cut-away parts.
Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a siphon according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a first embodiment 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment a housing 5 is provided under a shower drain with a bottom 2 and upright walls 3 with flanges 4.
Housing 5 is provided on the upper side with an inflow opening 6 (see also figure 2) at the transition to bottom 2. A downward directed wall 7 is provided adjacently of inflow opening 6. Provided on the underside of the downward directed wall 7 is a passage opening 8 through which water can flow to outflow opening 9.
The downward directed wall 7 connects via an intermediate housing with cover 10 to outflow opening 9 so that a channel is formed from inflow opening 6 via passage opening 8 to outflow opening 9. Cover 10 can be removed so that access can be gained to outflow opening 9 for the purpose of for instance cleaning the outlet pipe lying behind.
A unidirectional seal in the form of a flexible flap 11 is arranged close to passage opening 8. Flexible flap 11 is attached on the upper side to pins 12 on downward directed wall 7. The free end of flexible flap 11 lies against a bottom part 13 and closes thereagainst.
During use water W will flow via inflow opening 6 into the stench trap. The water then runs via passage opening 8 and unidirectional seal 11 to outflow opening 9.
When at rest the water on the right-hand side of flexible flap 11 will evaporate. The water on the left-hand side of flexible flap 11 will however remain in place and press against the free end of flap 11 so that a good seal is still maintained.
In the shown embodiment according to figures 1 and 2 housing 5 can be easily removed by sliding the housing in the direction of the outlet pipe. It is however also possible to make this embodiment a fixed part of the shower drain. In such a fixed embodiment it is recommended that flexible flap 11 is exchangeable so that it can be replaced in the case of wear.
Figures 3A and 3B show a second embodiment 20 of a stench trap according to the invention. Stench trap 20 has a housing 21 with an inflow opening 22 and an outflow opening 23 connecting to an outlet pipe 24.
Hanging adjacently of inflow opening 22 is an intermediate wall 25 which on the underside is adjacent to a passage opening 26. Between the downward directed intermediate wall 25 and housing 21 a unidirectional seal of two flexible flaps 27, 28 is provided close to passage opening 26.
The attachment of flexible flaps 27, 28 lies below outflow opening 23 so that a small quantity of water W can remain on flaps 27, 28, whereby flaps 27, 28 are pressed closer against each other.
The standing flexible flaps 27, 28 further provide for a second partition which, together with the downward directed wall 25, forms a siphon where a water seal can be formed. Only when the water level reaches the free edges of flexible flaps 27, 28 will the water begin to flow into outlet pipe 24.
As long as sufficient water W is present in housing 21, the water will provide the seal and flexible flaps 27, 28 will usually lie apart.
When water W has evaporated as shown in figure 3B, the free ends of flexible flaps 27, 28 will protrude upward and lie against each other, whereby a good seal is obtained.
Figure 4 shows a third embodiment 30 of the invention. This stench trap 30 also has a housing 31 with an inflow opening 32 on the upper side and an outflow opening 33. Arranged adjacently of inflow opening 32 is a downward directed wall 34 which on the underside is adjacent to a passage opening 35.
Arranged on the wall of housing 31 close to passage opening 35 is a flexible flap 36 which lies with the free end directed upward against the downward directed wall 34. This flexible flap 36 forms a unidirectional seal. The attachment of flexible flap 36 lies against the underside of outflow opening 33.
In this embodiment the standing flexible flap 36 also comprises a second partition which forms a water seal together with the downward directed wall 34.
Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment 50 of a stench trap according to the invention. This stench trap 50 can preferably be arranged against a wall 51.
Stench trap 50 has a housing 52 with an inflow opening 53 and an outflow opening 55. Further present in housing 52 is a flexible flap 54 which closes both inflow opening 53 and outflow opening 55. Flexible flap 54 further forms a separating wall.
When water flows via inflow opening 53 into housing 52, flexible flap 54 will be pressed aside, whereby the water can flow toward outflow opening 55 but whereby water also enters second chamber 56.
Due to its own weight flexible flap 54 will lie against the walls and thereby provide a sealing action.
Figure 6 shows a drain 130 with a stench trap according to the invention. Drain 130 has an elongate collecting tray 131 of U-shaped cross-section. Drain 130 is provided in the middle with a collecting housing 132 with an outlet opening 133. A hollow insert part 134 is arranged in this collecting housing 132.
A first chamber 135 with an inflow opening is thus formed between collecting housing 132 and insert part 134. On the underside a passage opening 136 with a flexible flap 137 to second chamber 138 is provided in insert part 134. Second chamber 138 then in turn debouches into outlet opening 133.
Flexible flap 137 will lie sealingly against the bottom due to its own weight and optionally by means of bias.
Figure 7 shows a variant 140 of insert part 134 according to figure 6. Insert part 140 has a box-like housing 141. Provided on either side are passage openings 142, in each of which two flexible flaps 143, 144 and 145, 146 respectively are arranged lying against each other.
Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment 60 of a siphon according to the invention. Siphon 60 has a housing 61 with an inflow opening 62 on the upper side and an outflow opening 63 on the side.
Directed downward from the edge of inflow opening 62 is a wall 64 which ends above bottom 65. Defined between the lower edge of wall 64 and bottom 65 is a passage opening 66 in which a flexible flap 67 is arranged as unidirectional valve.
Even when a minimal amount of water is present on the bottom, passage opening 66 will be sealed in odour-tight manner by the flexible flap. The overall height of siphon 60 can hereby be smaller than in the known siphons.

Claims

Stench trap, comprising:
- a housing with an inflow opening and an outflow opening lying in a lower position during use;

- a downward directed wall arranged in the housing and having a passage opening close to the underside, wherein a channel is formed from the inflow opening via the passage opening to the outflow opening by the housing and the downward directed wall;
characterized by
a flexible unidirectional seal arranged in the channel close to the passage opening.
Stench trap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible unidirectional seal comprises a first flexible flap arranged on a wall part of the channel.
Stench trap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first flexible flap lies with the free end against the wall of the channel.
Stench trap as claimed in claim 2, wherein a second flexible flap is arranged on a wall part of the channel opposite the first flexible flap, and wherein the free ends of the first and second flexible flaps lie against each other.
Stench trap as claimed in any of the claims 2-4, wherein a part of the flexible flaps lies in a lower position than the outflow opening.
Stench trap as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a part of the channel lies in a lower position than the outflow opening.
Stench trap as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the passage opening lies at least partially below the outflow opening.