EP4273337A1

EP4273337A1 - Drain water collector sump

Info

Publication number: EP4273337A1
Application number: EP23171277.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Pasquale
Original assignee: Valrom Industrie Srl
Current assignee: Valrom Industrie Srl
Priority date: 2022-05-04
Filing date: 2023-05-03
Publication date: 2023-11-08

Abstract

A drain water collector sump (1) comprises a container (2) having an inner chamber (3) provided with an upper access opening (6) closed by at least one grid (17, 20) and with a plurality of holes (22, 23) connectible in use to respective pipes; and a convey element (27) housed inside the chamber (3) along the axis (A) and facing the holes (22, 23) so as to define an annular space (28) about the convey element (27) between the convey element (27) and the lateral wall (5) of the container (2); the convey element (27) has a hollow body (30) extending along the axis (A) between a lower end (35), communicating with the annular space (28), and an upper end (36), coupled in a fluid-tight manner with an inner lateral surface (42) of the container (2) and communicating with the opening (6); the convey element (27) is equipped with a sealing seat (49) positioned inside the body (30) and cooperating with a floating shutter (50) that is housed inside the body (3) and is free to move due to buoyancy to close the sealing seat (49).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102022000009077 filed on May 4, 2022 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a drain water collector sump.
A collector sump for collecting drain water from sanitary facilities comprises, in general terms, a container, usually made of plastic, installed in the floor and having an inner chamber provided with an upper access opening protected by a grid; in a lateral wall of the container, one or more service holes are formed, through which the drain water is collected coming from respective sanitary facilities, and a drain hole, through which the water collected in the collector sump is sent to a drain pipe.

BACKGROUND

The known collector sumps may have some drawbacks; in the first place, known collector sumps do not always ensure efficient disposal of drain water if there are large volumes of water; with known collector sumps, it is, therefore, possible that the flow of water collected by the collector sump is greater than the flow that can be disposed of through the drain hole, so that the water accumulates inside the collector sump and leaves via the upper grid, pouring into the premises where the collector sump is installed.
In addition, the drain water being often foamy, inside the collector sump, a significant amount of foam tends to accumulate, even if the water is regularly drained through the drain hole: the known collector sumps are not always able to effectively prevent the foam from accumulating in the inner chamber and leaving through the grid.
In addition, collector sumps do not always prevent odours from escaping.

SUMMARY

One purpose of this invention is, thus, to provide a drain water collector sump overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above of the prior art.
In particular, one purpose of the invention is to provide a collector sump that is fully effective in disposing of water and able to effectively block foam and/or odours from escape while being, at the same time, simple and cost-effective to produce.
In accordance with these purposes, this invention relates to a drain water collector sump as defined in the attached claim 1.
Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
The collector sump according to the invention is simple and cost-effective to produce and enables the effective disposal of large volumes of water, at the same time preventing foam and odours from escaping.
The convey element housed inside the collector sump favours, in fact, the flow of water towards the drain hole, avoiding the formation of vortices and turbulences and avoiding or limiting the formation of foam.
The presence of the shutter inside the convey element then prevents the foam and odours from going back up from the collector sump.
The invention can also be applied to existing collector sumps, improving the performance thereof: an existing collector sump can, in fact, be easily perfected with the addition of the convey element, which is inserted inside the existing collector sump without requiring the replacement of the whole collector sump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To better understand the invention, an absolutely nonlimiting, preferred embodiment is described herein, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevated side view of a drain water collector sump in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-section view, along the plane II-II in Figure 1, of the collector sump in Figure 1;
Figures 3 and 4 are a side view and a longitudinal section view, respectively, of an enlarged detail of the collector sump in Figure 1;
Figures 5 and 6 are a perspective view and a longitudinal section view, respectively, of a further, enlarged detail of the collector sump in Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In Figures 1 and 2, the number 1 indicates, as a whole, a drain water collector sump for water coming from sanitary installations, in particular a floor collector sump, i.e., intended to be installed in use in a floor.
The collector sump 1 comprises a container 2, preferably made of plastic and basically cup-shaped and provided, inside, with a chamber 3.
The container 2 may have different shapes and sizes. In the example illustrated, the container 2 and its inner chamber 3 have a basically cylindrical shape.
In general, the container 2 extends along and about a longitudinal axis A, vertical in use, and comprises a base wall 4, which is basically flat and, for example, circular, and a lateral wall 5, for example basically cylindrical, which extends from a peripheral edge of the base wall 4.
The container 2 has an upper access opening 6, which is opposite the base wall 4 and communicating with the chamber 3 and delimited by a perimeter edge 7, for example a circular one.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the container 2 is provided with an extension collar 8, inserted in the opening 6 to extend the height of the lateral wall 5 and, thus, of the container 2; the collar 8 is equipped with multiple, dividable circumferential sectors 9, separated by corresponding throats 10: the collar 8 can be cut, during installation, along one of the sectors 9 to vary the height of the collar 8, and, thus, of the collector sump 1 as a whole, according to the installation needs.
The collar 8 has a lower end 12 inserted in the opening 6 and a free upper end 13.
The end 12 rests on an inner annular abutment 14 of the lateral wall 5 and is equipped with a radially external sealing ring 15 housed in one of the throats 10 and cooperating, in a fluid-tight manner, with the lateral wall 5.
The end 13 is equipped with a seat 16 housing an inner, removable grid 17, which rests against an annular shoulder 18 formed inside the collar 8.
From the end 13, a radially outer flange 19 projects, which may have various shapes (for example, square) and houses an outer covering grid 20, which can be removed from the flange 19.
The end 13 of the collar 8 is closed by the inner grid 17 and by the outer covering grid 20, both removable to enable access to the chamber 3 and, in general, inside the collector sump 1.
In the lateral wall 5, multiple holes 22, 23 are formed arranged so they are spaced circumferentially apart along the lateral wall 5 and connected with respective sleeves extending radially overhanging the lateral wall 5 and connectible, in use, to respective pipes. In particular, the lateral wall 5 has a drain hole 22 and multiple service holes 23, arranged circumferentially spaced apart along the lateral wall 5; the drain hole 22 is connected, in use, to a drain pipe, while the service holes 23 are connected to respective sanitary installations; the service holes 23 not used may be closed with plugs (not illustrated).
Inside the chamber 3, a convey element 27 is housed.
The convey element 27 is positioned centrally in the chamber 3 along the axis A and faces the drain hole 22 and the service holes 23 so as to define an annular space 28 around the convey element 27 between the convey element 27 and the lateral wall 5 of the container 2.
The convey element 27 comprises a support basket 29 and a hollow body 30.
The basket 29 is positioned below the body 30, for example resting on the base wall 4, and supports the body 30.
As illustrated in more detail in Figures 3 and 4, the basket 29 has openings 31, in particular radially through openings, to enable the passage of water through the basket 29; and an upper fastening edge 32, shaped so as to receive and hook, for example through a joint 33, the body 30, or, in any case, to be joined in any known way to the body 30.
With reference to Figures 5 and 6 as well, the body 30 extends along the axis A between one lower axial end 35, joined to the basket 29 and positioned near the base wall 4, and one upper axial end 36, opposite the end 35.
The body 30 is, for example, a body of revolution and has central symmetry around the axis A.
The body 30 has a flared shape towards each end 35, 36 and widens, progressively, towards the ends 35, 36 starting from a narrow intermediate section 37.
The body 30 is an entirely hollow body and has an axially through inner cavity 38 between the ends 35, 36.
The ends 35, 36 are open ends, provided with corresponding openings 39 that are delimited by corresponding peripheral edges, for example circular ones, and communicating with the cavity 38.
The ends 35, 36 have different cross-sections: the lower end 35 positioned on the basket 29 near the base wall 4, has a smaller cross-section than the upper end 36, positioned near the opening 6.
The end 35 is fastened to the basket 29, in particular to the upper fastening edge 32 of the basket 29.
The end 36 is equipped with a radial sealing ring 40 projecting radially from a circumferential groove 41 of the body 30 to cooperate, in a fluid-tight manner, with an inner lateral surface 42 of the container 2 (which, in the example illustrated, is defined by a portion of the collar 8).
The body 30 has a convex internal lateral surface 43, delimiting the cavity 38, and a concave external lateral surface 44 facing the lateral wall 5 of the container 2 and delimiting, together with the lateral wall 5, the space 28.
In particular, the convey element 27 comprises a lower portion 45, which extends from the lower end 35 upwards to the intermediate section 37 and is tapered, i.e., it progressively narrows and has a cross-section that decreases towards the intermediate section 37; and an upper portion 46, which extends from the intermediate section 37 upwards, i.e., towards the end 36, and is flared towards the end 36, i.e., progressively widens and has a cross-section that increases towards the end 36.
In the cavity 38, the intermediate section 37 has a radially inner annular flange 47 that is provided with a ring-shaped gasket 48 and delimits a sealing seat 49 for a shutter 50 movable in the cavity 38.
The shutter 50 is defined by a floating body, for example ball-shaped, housed in the cavity 38 and precisely in the lower portion 45 of the convey element 27. The shutter 50 is free to move within the cavity 38 and, precisely, the portion 45, due to its buoyancy in the presence of water in the container 2 and in particular in the cavity 38, guided by the portion 45, until stopping against the gasket 48 of the flange 47 and closing the sealing seat 49. To this end, the shutter 50 has the shape and size so as to be contained inside the portion 45, within which it is free to move, and so as to cooperate with the gasket 48 and close the sealing seat 49.
Advantageously, the convey element 27 has an inner handle 51 positioned in the cavity 38, which projects, for example, from the intermediate section 37, so as to be grasped by a user to remove the convey element 27 from the cavity 38.
In use, the collector sump 1 receives drain water coming from the sanitary installations connected to the service holes 23. In particular, the water enters through the service holes 23 in the chamber 3 and, precisely, in the space 28 and is distributed by the convey element 27 towards the drain hole 22, flowing on the external lateral surface 44.
The water also penetrates through the basket 29 in the cavity 38 inside the convey element 27, raising the shutter 50.
The shutter 50 is movable between a lower rest position, which it assumes when there is no water in the collector sump 1 and in which the shutter 50 is spaced apart by the gasket 48 and leaves the sealing seat 49 open; and an upper closing position, in which the shutter 50 abuts against the gasket 48 to close the sealing seat 49.
If the water inside the collector sump 1 increases beyond a certain level, and/or a lot of foam is created, the shutter 50 reaches the closing position and closes the sealing seat 49, preventing the water and also foam and odours from going back up along the convey element 27 and reaching the opening 6.
When, instead, the collector sump 1 receives water from the opening 6, the water enters inside the convey element 27, passes through the sealing seat 49 and flows through the lower end 35 of the convey element 27 and the basket 29 to reach the drain hole 22 through the space 28.
Lastly, it is clear that changes may be made to the collector sump, and variants produced thereof, described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

A drain water collector sump (1), comprising a container (2), extending along and about a longitudinal axis (A) and having an inner chamber (3) provided with an upper access opening (6), closed by at least one grid (17, 20), and with a plurality of holes (22, 23) arranged circumferentially spaced apart from one another along a lateral wall (5) of the container (2) and connectible in use to respective pipes; and a convey element (27) housed inside the chamber (3) along the axis (A) and facing the holes (22, 23) so as to define an annular space (28) about the convey element (27) between the convey element (27) and the lateral wall (5) of the container (2); wherein the convey element (27) has a hollow body (30) extending along the axis (A) between a lower end (35), communicating with said annular space (28), and an upper end (36), coupled in a fluid-tight manner with an inner lateral surface (42) of the container (2) and communicating with the opening (6); and wherein the convey element (27) comprises a lower portion (45), extending upwards from the lower end (35) to the intermediate section (37) and progressively narrowing towards the intermediate section (37); and an upper portion (46), extending from the intermediate section (37) towards the upper end (36) and progressively widening towards the upper end (36); and wherein the intermediate section (37) has a radially inner annular flange (47) that is provided with a ring-shaped gasket (48) and delimits a sealing seat (49) cooperating with a floating shutter (50) which is housed inside the lower portion (45) of the convey element (27) and is free to move due to buoyancy inside the lower portion (45) and guided by said lower portion (45), to close the sealing seat (49).
The collector sump according to claim 1, wherein the shutter (50) is defined by a ball-shaped floating body, housed inside the body (30) of the convey element (27) beneath the flange (47) and having shape and dimensions so as to cooperate with the gasket (48) and close the sealing seat (49).
The collector sump according to claim 2, wherein the shutter (50) is movable between a lower rest position, which the shutter (50) assumes when there is no water in the container (2) and in which the shutter (50) is spaced apart from the gasket (48) and leaves open the sealing seat (49); and an upper closing position, in which the shutter (50) abuts against the gasket (48) to close the sealing seat (49).
The collector sump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (30) is a body of revolution and has central symmetry about the axis (A).
The collector sump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower end (35) has a cross section smaller than the upper end (36).
The collector sump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (30) has a convex internal lateral surface (43) delimiting an inner cavity (38) of the body (30), and a concave external lateral surface (44) facing the lateral wall (5) of the container (2) and delimiting, together with the lateral wall (5), the annular space (28).
The collector sump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the convey element (27) is removable from the container (2) and has a handle (51) positioned inside the body (30) to be grasped by a user to remove the convey element (27) from the chamber (3).
The collector sump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the convey element (27) is positioned centrally in the chamber (3) along the axis (A).
The collector sump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the convey element (27) comprises a support basket (29) positioned beneath the body (30) to support the body (30) and provided with openings (31) for water passage through the basket (29).