GB2459030A

GB2459030A - Drainage system for a sanitary ware item

Info

Publication number: GB2459030A
Application number: GB0905947A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Syd Wilson
Original assignee: MOULDS PATTERNS AND MODELS Ltd
Current assignee: MOULDS PATTERNS AND MODELS Ltd
Priority date: 2008-04-05
Filing date: 2009-04-06
Publication date: 2009-10-14
Also published as: GB0806215D0; GB0905947D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an item 2 of sanitary ware such as a sink, bath or shower tray. The invention comprises an aperture 8 in the liquid collecting area (4 figure 2) of the item 2. The aperture 8 which may be slotted allows liquid to drain from the collecting area (4 figure 2) where it passes into a channel 12 on the underside of the item 2. The channel 12 allows liquid to flow to a drainage opening 18 and onwards into drainage members to allow the liquid to drain away from the item. The provision of the channel allows the depth of the drainage system under the item to be kept to a minimum. A later embodiment relates to an item of sanitary ware comprising a liquid collecting area with a linear drainage aperture.

Description

Sanitary Ware and Drainage System therefor The invention to which this application relates is a drainage system for use in sanitary ware items such as baths, sinks, or the like and, in particular, although not exclusively, in relation to shower trays, reference to which are hereon made in a non-limiting manner.

Conventionally, shower trays, sinks and baths include a drainage hole to which a waste pipe connection is fitted on the underside thereof. The waste pipe typically includes a U-bend trap which leads to external drainage. The provision of the waste pipe and U-Bend underneath the shower tray, means that there is required to be a cavity or space from the floor underneath the shower tray in which the same can be located.

The provision of relatively thin, low height shower trays is increasingly popular but this means that the cavity underneath is of a size which is insufficient to accommodate the waste pipe connections. As a result, it is conventionally necessary, either *:::: only to fit the shower tray between joists in a wooden floor to provide the required cavity space or, if, for example, the shower tray is to be fitted on a concrete floor, a portion of the floor needs to be excavated to form the required cavity size. This excavation is expensive, and time consuming, to such an extent that it is generally regarded that the relatively narrow or thin * * shower trays cannot be used with this type of floor unless the shower trays are provided on a raised pedestal which tends to defeat the purpose of having the narrow or thin shower tray.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an alternative form of drainage system which allows greater flexibility in the use of shower trays and also improves the ability to fit the shower tray into position, while at the same time at least maintaining the drainage performance. It should also be appreciated that the drainage system as herein designated can be used in other items such as sinks or baths.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sanitary ware item with a drainage system, said item including a liquid collecting area formed so that said liquid moves to at least one drainage aperture formed therein, and wherein a channel is located under the said at least one aperture, said channel receiving liquid which passes through said aperture wherein said liquid flows along said channel to a drainage opening to which drainage members are connected to carry the liquid away from the item.

In one embodiment, the channel is formed such as to slope towards the said drainage opening to encourage liquid to flow thereto.

In one embodiment, the drainage members comprise a bend pipe connected to the drainage opening, which leads to an inline drainage trap. * S **S*

In one embodiment, the drainage members are therefore located to provide for the enera1 flow of liquid along an axis which is *** only slightly angled from horizontal to allow the liquid to flow.

Typically therefore the liquid which leads to the collection area, travels in a first direction downwardly to be received in the channel and flows in a second direction along the channel to the drainage opening, in a third direction downwardly and then in a fourth direction along the drainage members.

In one embodiment the liquid collecting area, is the top surface of the item with which a person contacts when using the item.

In one embodiment a plurality of drainage apertures are provided, each leading to the channel.

In one embodiment, the channel is formed as an integral part of the item, on the underside thereof. Alternatively, the channel can be fitted in position and attached to the item.

In one embodiment, the drainage aperture in the liquid collecting surface leads the liquid to the channel and in one embodiment is in the form of a slot.

In one embodiment, the slot is relatively narrow such as to substantially hide the same from view on the liquid collecting surface.

In one embodiment the channel is formed so as to underlie the length or shape of the said slot.

Typically, the shape of the slot and hence channel, can be altered to suit the particular design of the item in which the *::r: same is to be incorporated. S...

Typically, the shower tray is manufactured from resin transfer mould (RTM) material and using an appropriate manufacturing * method. *

:::: In one embodiment the item is a shower tray.

In one embodiment the slot is located adjacent an edge of the liquid collecting area. Alternatively the slot is located substantially centrally of the liquid collecting area.

Typically the channel is angled such as to direct the flow of liquid towards the periphery of the underside of the said item.

In one embodiment the channel is angled such that all of the liquid flows to the same end of the channel. In an alternative embodiment the channel is angled such that its highest point is intermediate the two ends of the channel and the height of the channel decreases from the highest point towards each end such that liquid is directed towards both ends of the channel with the particular end being dependent upon the location at which the liquid contacts the channel. In yet a further embodiment the channel is angled such that its lowest point is intermediate the two ends of the channel and the height of the channel increases from the lowest point towards each end such that liquid is directed from both ends of the channel to a drainage opening at the lowest point.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an item of sanitary ware, said item having a liquid collecting area in which there is provided at least one drainage aperture wherein said drainage aperture is linear in form.

In one embodiment, said range aperture is formed of a length to substantially the same dimension as one of the sides of the liquid collecting area.

In one embodiment the said item includes a channel position to underlie the drainage aperture and thereby collect liquid which falls through said drainage aperture.

It is found that the provision of the drainage system, incorporated in an item such as a shower tray, has several advantages. Firstly, the system allows the effective drainage of liquid from the liquid collecting area whilst ensuring that the same can be achieved with the significantly reduced requirement for the cavity size to be provided under the shower tray. This therefore allows a relatively narrow or thin shower tray design to be used without the need for any or any significant preparation \vork to be performed. This greatly reduces the time and expense for fitting these articles while, at the same time, increasing the range of possible uses of the same. It also allows the user to have a "wet room" style shower while using a shower tray and therefore allows the same to be provided, for example, in apartment blocks without the risk of flooding.

A further advantage is that the provision of the drainage system with the drainage aperture from the liquid collecting area in the form of a slot, improves the appearance of the article and provides a range of possible shapes of slots which can be selected to suit particular shower tray designs.

Furthermore, the provision of the drainage system with a channel fitted to the item as an integral part thereof, reduces the number of components which are required to be used when fitting the article in position for use.

Specific embodiments are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; I.,,.

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of the drainage system assembly in accordance with the invention in one embodiment; Figure 2 illustrates an end view of the assembly of Figure 1 in *:*. for use; Figure 3 illustrates an elevation of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates schematically the flow of liquid through the assembly; Figure 5a-c illustrate three embodiments of a channel in accordance with the invention; and Figure 6 illustrates a plan view of a shower tray in accordance with the invention.

Referring firstly to figures 1-3, there is illustrated a drainage assembly 1 fitted to the underside of an item of sanitary ware such as shower tray 2, part of which is shown in section along lines A-A and B-B in Figure 2 and 3 in accordance with the invention. The tray is shown in plan in figure 6 and comprises a liquid collecting area 4 which is the top surface of the shower tray. Said top surface is shaped so as to encourage liquid collected thereon to flow towards a drainage aperture 8 which can be provided in any suitable form such as a slot 10. The waIls 11 of the aperture can be angled inwardly and downwardly towards the underside of the shower tray. The slot can be relatively narrow so as to reduce the visual impact of the same and also prevent articles from falling through the same. If required, a waste trap may also be provided as an integral part of the slotted aperture. * fl*

It should be appreciated that the shape and size of the drainage aperture 8 can be altered to suit the particular design of shower tray or other item such as a sink in which the same is incorporated. In accordance with the invention, the shower tray can also have side walls 13 which are relatively short in *..: length and thereby allowing a relatively thin shallow shower tray to be formed in accordance with the invention. This is due to the fact that the required depth 10 of the assembly I is relatively small.

The drainage system assembly 1 in accordance with the invention includes a channel member 12 located on the underside of the shower tray 2. The channel is shaped so as to lie under and along the length of the drainage aperture 8 or path of a series of drainage apertures in the shower tray so as to collect all of the liquid which passes therethrough.

The channel 12 is also sloped so as to encourage the collected liquid to flow there along towards a drainage opening 18, typically although not necessarily, located at one end 14 of the channel 12. The drainage opening is provided with a skirt or flange 16 on the underside to which a first drainage member 20 (shown in broken lines in Figure 3) can be connected. In this embodiment the drainage member 20 is a bend and then subsequently, downstream thereof, an inline waste trap 22 can be attached to thereby provide the necessary drainage requirements, with further drainage pipe members 24 connected as required to lead the liquid away.

It will therefore be appreciated that the drainage system in accordance with the invention, is relatively slim in depth thereby allowing the same to be housed within a relatively narrow cavity on the underside of the shower tray.

* .,.* Figure 4 illustrates schematically the direction of the liquid movement as it leaves the shower tray to drainage using the system in accordance with the invention.

The liquid collected in the shower tray passes through drainage aperture or apertures 8 formed therein in the direction of arrow 26 at which it enters the channel 12 and then passes in the direction of arrow 28 along the channel to the drainage opening 18. At this point the liquid moves down through the opening as indicated by arrow 30 and then along the members 20, 22, 24 to enter the larger premises drainage system as indicated by arrow 32.

In figure 5a, there is illustrated a channel 12 of the embodiment which is described with regard to figures 1-3 in which the liquid collected in the channel, is directed, by the sloping of the liquid collecting surface 34 towards the drainage opening 18 at one end of the channel.

Alternative forms of the channel can however be used to suit specific requirements. Figure 5b shows an alternative form in which the drainage opening 18 is provided centrally of the channel and is located at the lowest point 36 of the liquid collecting surface 34 which, as shown, is sloped from the ends 36, 38 respectively towards the drainage opening 18.

Figure 5c illustrates a yet further embodiment wherein there is provided two drainage openings 18 and 18' and a liquid collecting surface 34 of the channel 12, is shaped from a highest point 40 to the lowest points adjacent the walls 36, 38 at which the drainage openings 18, 18' are located. It should be appreciated that each of these channels may be provided and used to suit specific drainage requirements but, can still be used with regard to the same form of shower tray and drainage aperture. S...

The present invention therefore provides significant advantage S...

:. in providing a drainage system which is effective and which can be received and contained within a relatively shallow space. This makes the fitting of the drainage system cheaper and also : increases the potential range of uses of the drainage system and the items with which the same is used.

Claims

Claims 1. A sanitary ware item with a drainage system, said item including a liquid collecting area formed so that said liquid moves to at least one drainage aperture formed therein, and wherein a channel is located under the said at least one aperture, said channel receiving liquid which passes through said aperture wherein said liquid flows along said channel to a drainage opening to which drainage members are connected to carry the liquid away from the item.
2. An item according to claim 1 wherein the channel is formed such as to slope towards the said drainage opening to encourage liquid to flow thereto.
3. An item according to claim 1 wherein the drainage members comprise a bend pipe connected to the drainage opening, which leads to an inline drainage trap.
4. An item according to claim 3 wherein the drainage members are located to provide for the flow of liquid along an axis which is angled from the horizontal axis. * .** * *

**** . . . .
5. An item according to claim 1 wherein the liquid which leaves the collection area, travels in a first direction downwardly to be **** received in the channel and flows in a second direction along the channel to the drainage opening, in a third direction downwardly and then in a fourth direction along the drainage members.
6. An item according to claim I wherein the liquid collecting area is the surface of the item with which a person contacts when using the item.
7. An item according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of drainage apertures are provided, each leading to the channel.
8. An item according to claim 1 wherein the channel is formed as an integral part of the item.
9. An item according to claim 1 wherein the drainage aperture is provided in the form of a slot.
10. An item according to claim 9 wherein the channel underlies the length and/or shape of the said drainage aperture.
11. An item according to claim 1 wherein the item is any of a shower tray, sink or bath.
12. An item according to claim 11 wherein the item is manufactured from resin transfer mould (RTM) material.
13. An item according to any of the preceding claims wherein the drainage aperture is located adjacent an edge of the liquid collecting area. *s�*
14. An item according to any of claims 1-12 wherein the drainage aperture is located substantially centrally of the liquid collecting area. *..
15. An item according to claim I wherein the channel is angled such as to direct the flow of liquid towards the periphery of the underside of the said item.
16. An item according to claim 1 wherein the channel is angled such that all of the liquid flows to the same end of the channel.
17. An item according to claim 1 wherein the channel is angled such that the highest point of the liquid contacting surface is intermediate the two ends of the channel and the height of the channel decreases from the highest point towards each end of the channel such that liquid is directed towards both ends of the channel and to drainage openings.
1 8. An item according to claim 1 wherein the channel is angled such that the lowest point of the liquid contacting surface is intermediate the ends of the channel and the height of the channel increases from the lowest point towards each end of the channel such that liquid is directed from the ends to a drainage opening located at the lowest point.
19. An item of sanitary ware, said item housing a liquid collecting area in which there is provided at least one drainage aperture, wherein said drainage aperture is linear in form.
20. An item according to claim 19 wherein said drainage aperture is formed of a length to substantially the same dimension as one of the sides of the liquid collecting area. *..*
21. An item according to claim 19 wherein the said item includes a channel positioned to underlie the drainage aperture and thereby collect liquid which falls through the said drainage :. aperture.
22. An item according to any of the preceding claims wherein *:*. the item is a shower tray or sink.