GB2496870A - A urinal waste outlet cap - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a urinal cap suitable for use with a urinal disinfecting or deodourising block. The cap is retrofitted to a urinal waste pipe or outlet 104, and comprises a cap body 400 with a plurality of stems 402 extending downwards from the cap body. The stems are preferably flexible and elastic so that they can be urged into the waste pipe to hold the cap in position. The cap body may have a plurality of apertures 403 to allow water to contact the disinfecting or deodourising block. Water channels 404 may be provided around the periphery to allow the water to pass under the cap. In a later embodiment the cap and stems are separate sections.

Description

URINAL CAP

The present invention relates to a urinal fitting which contains a disinfecting or dcodourising compound.

Urinals, as commonly used in public toilets, typically comprise a bowl or trough into which a person may urinate and a waste outlet connected to a sewage system or septic tank, through which the urine drains. Quite commonly, they also include an inlet connected to a clean water supply and a control valve operable to flush the urinal with clean water. Since the urinal plumbing is sized to carry fluid and not solid matter, many urinals are fitted with a waste strainer comprising a grille or apertured plate through which fluids and small articles may drain, but by which sufficiently large articles are blocked. In fact, most waste outlets are fitted with a waste outlet connector to which a conventional waste strainer is integrally moulded. Such a connector may include a tubular body that locates in the waste outlet, a peripheral flange provided on the upper edge of the body and which forms a seal around the waste outlet, and a frusto-conical or domed grille member mounted on the flange and provided with slots around its side and a hole on it end.

Given the unhygienic and in some eases pungent nature of urine, many urinals are also furnished with cleaning compounds, typically in the form of dissolving blocks which sit within the urinal and serve to disinfect and deodorize. These blocks are usually located in the base of the bowl or trough and within the vicinity of the waste outlet.

An alternative to the conventional disinfecting block is the use of urinal blocks comprising bacterial cultures. These bacterial cultures sanitize urinals in a number of ways, firstly they digest uric salts and bio-film build up on the surfaces of the pipes, which reduces or eliminates bad odours, they break down lime scale build ups and they prevent the growth of harmful bacteria by competitive exclusion. One of the aims of using bacterial cultures rather than conventional sanitizing products is that the former allows the reduction in the frequency of flushing and hence a saving of water.

Relatively small amounts of the bacterial culture blocks are released in every flush compared with thc conventional blocks, resulting in longer life and consequent reduced costs.

Urinals usually occupy very little space since they need not be located in cubicles or between partitions and this enables a given size room or building to be fitted with more urinal bowls or larger urinal troughs than conventional toilet bowls. However, given the number of urinals or the size of the troughs it is preferable that any holder for securing or concealing the cleansing compound can be retrofitted to the urinal without having to remove or replace the waste outlet since this could be very costly, particularly for public toilets having as many 30 urinals or large troughs with many waste outlets.

A number of solutions to the problem of retrofitting have been proposed, for example, CH636923. Here, a cage structure is provided which comprises multiple prongs which can be inserted into a urinal waste pipe. A cradle structure is provided which holds the dcodoursing/disinfecting block. The purpose is to provide both a sanitary block and a protective structure to prevent the blockage of the waste pipes. There are two problems associated with this arrangement, firstly it would not fit into standard urinal fittings in which a protective cage is already located, and secondly, the cradle arrangement for the sanitary block is unsatisfactory for bacterial culture based urinal blocks, as the latter require less contact with the surrounding water flows than the traditional sanitising devices.

An alternative arrangement, designed for such bacterial culture based blocks, is disclosed in PCT/GB2OIO/xxxxx. Here there is provided a urinal cap, with relatively small circular apertures located in the upper surface of the cap, to allow contact between fluids and the urinal block. A single stem is provided in the centre of the cap, which extends downwards into the waste pipe and which is receivable by an adapter section placeable in the waste pipe. Although this arrangement allows for the slower release of the bacterial culture, it does not allow for simple fitting to any urinal waste pipe. Additionally, the water flow around the urinal block is not ideal.

It would be useful to have a simple retrofit device which is suitable for usc with a urinal block comprising naturally occurring bacterial culture.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, in its broadest sense, the present inventirni provides a urinal cap suitable for use with a urinal block with naturally occurring a bacterial culture, which may be retrofitted to a urinal waste pipe, which comprises a plurality of stems extending downwards from the cap, wherein thc stems are positioned so as to be separated by a distance substantially the diameter of a urinal waste pipe and wherein the stems are flexible and elastic such that they can be urged into the waste pipe so as to hold the urinal cap in its appropnate position.

Preferably two stems are provided.

Prefcrably circular aperturcs arc provided in the surfacc of thc cap.

Preferably elongate slits are provided in the sides of the cap.

Preferably, thc stems and the cap form an integral unit.

Alternatively, the cap and the stems are separate sections.

Preferably the cap and stems are directly connected.

Alternatively the stems are in a separate section, held in the cap by means of the inherent adhesiveness of the urinal block.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in thither detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known urinal bowl fitted with a conventional waste outlet connector having a waste strainer.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an outlet connecting arrangement.

Figure 3 is a perspective view an alternative outlet connection arrangement Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a cap according to the invention, which may be fitted to the waste strainer shown in Figures 1 -3.

Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view of a urinal cap according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows the embodiment shown in Figure 5 when placed in a urinal waste pipc of the type illustrated in figure 2.

Figure 7 illustrates a stem arrangement according to a first alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 illustrates a stem arrangement according to a second alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 illustrates a stcm arrangement according to a third alternative cmbodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 shows a cover section according to a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 shows a fitting section according to a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 illustrates a fitting section in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 13 illustrates a cover section in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 illustrates a cover section in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 15 illustrates a cover section in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 16 shows a cross sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, with a urinal block fitted.

Figure 17 shows the arrangement illustrated in Figure 14 after the urinal block has been in use for a period of time.

Detailed description

The present invention is designed to be used in conjunction with a standard wall mountable urinal, with a waste outlet to a mains sewage system or septic tank. Figure 1 shows such a standard urinal 100, wall mounted and comprising a bowl 101, with a fluid collecting region 102, an outlet pipe 103, a drainage aperture 104, located at the lowest point in the bowl, connecting the fluid collecting region with the outlet pipe and a waste strainer 105. Alternatively there may be no waste strainer and the connection to the waste pipe comprises a simple aperture. Embodiments of the present invention are designed to be fitted to either type of outlet arrangement, and may easily be adapted alternative arrangements for protecting the waste outlet in a 11011-standard fashion.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one such outlet connecting arrangement, comprising an outlet pipe 103 and a raised waste strailler 201.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative outlet connection arrangement, with a waste strainer 301 substantially flush with the surface 302 of the urinal bowl.

It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that there are many alternative arrangements which are possible and for which the present invention is suitable.

According to the invention there is provided a cap adapted to connect into such a waste strainer or waste outlet. The cap comprising; -A cover portion defining a cavity for locating a cleaning product, said cover portion being adapted to overlie the waste strainer or waste outlet and to permit fluid in the urinal to flow through the cavity before entering the waste outlet.; and -A plurality of flexible stems extending downwards from the underside of the cap, such that the stems are positionable around the circumference of the receiving pipe.

A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4, which shows a urinal cap 400, comprising a cover section 401, two flexible sterns 402 and circular apertures 403, to allow contact between the fluid in the urinal bowl and the bacterial culture urinal blocks. Water channels 404 are provided around the periphery of the lower edge of the cap section to allow fluids to pass under the cap and into the urinal waste pipe. Preferably these channels are in the form of a plurality of equally spaced openings. I-lowcvcr, the person skilled in thc art will appreciate that a large number of designs are possible which will perform the task and the invention is by no means limited to any one arrangement of fluid channels.

Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view between the points A -A of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, illustrating the top of the cap 501, the sides of the to cap 502 and the stems 402. In this arrangement, the stems are integral to the cap section. An inserted urinal block 503 is illustrated. Typically, urinal blocks of this nature are formed in moulds from a liquid composition and allowed to solidil before being removed from thc moulds. Advantageously, the liquid composition could be poured directly into the cavity of the cap and allowed to solidify as part of a stage of is the manufacturing process. Once the cleaning compound has been dissolved it may be replaced in the same cap by a new cleaning compound in the form of a solid block and this replacement may be affected by a toilet attendant.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, urinal blocks comprising naturally occurring bacteria are used. These bacterial cultures sanitize urinals in a number of ways, firstly they digest uric salts and bio-film build up on the surfaces of the pipes, which reduces or eliminates bad odours, they break down lime scale build ups and they prevent the growth of harmful bacteria by competitive exclusion. One of the aims of using bacterial cultures rather than conventional sanitizing products is that the former allows the reduction in the frequency of flushing and hence a saving of water.

Relatively small amounts of the bacterial culture blocks are released in every flush compared with thc conventional blocks, resulting in longer life and consequent reduced costs. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to a particular type of sanitizing block.

Figure 5 shows two stems arranged in the simplest manner, namely directly opposite each other and extending directly down from the cap. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative arrangements for the stems are possible, including more than two stems. The present invention is not limited by any particular arrangement of stems or their connection to the cap section. Further examples of how the stems may be arranged are illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

Figurc 6 shows the embodiment shown in Figure 5 when placed in a urinal waste pipe of the type illustrated in figure 2. Here it can be seen that the stems 402 flex so as to fit into the waste pipe 103, but are resiliently elastic, so as to be able to hold the cap section in its place.

Figure 7 illustrates a first alternative embodiment 700 of the stem arrangement according to the invention. It illustrates the stems 403 attached to the cap section 401 by means of a T section 701. Two stems are visible, but it will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that more than two stems can be used.

Figure 8 illustrates a second alternative embodiment 800 of the stem arrangement according to the invention. It illustrates an embodiment in which the stems 402 are resiliently deformable segments attached to the cap section.

t5 Figure 9 illustrates a second alternative embodiment 900 of the stem arrangement according to the invention. It illustrates an embodiment in which the stems 402 are deformed legs which urge against the intemal surface of the pipe when in position.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, there are provided separately a cover section, a cleaning compound block and a fitting section. Figure 10 shows the cap section 1000, comprising a cover portion 1001, which defines a cavity 1002, for receiving a cleaning compound. In the embodiment shown, the cover portion is provided with a peripheral region 1004, which extends around the circumference of the cover portion, wherein the peripheral region is adapted to define a peripheral edge which rest upon an outer part of the waste strainer or outlet pipe. Preferably the peripheral region has at least one opening to permit fluid in the urinal to enter the cavity.

Figure 11 shows the cover section of Figure 5 with cleaning compound 1101 inserted into the cavity.

S

Figure 12 shows a fitting section according to an embodiment of the invention. The fitting section 1200 comprises a hollow cylindrical section 1201, substantially the same diameter as the diameter of a typical waste pipe. However, this size may be varied and the invention is not limited to a given size of pipe. The Lifting section further comprises a plurality of stem sections 1202 extending from the cylindrical section 1201. In an embodiment, the cap is assemblable by the urging of the cylindrical section of thc fitting section into the cleaning compound. The fitting section is held in position by the mouldably adhesive nature of the cleaning compound.

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the assembled cover section 1001, fitting section 1200, with stems 403 and clean[ng compound 1101.

The separate fitting and cover sections allow the use of the fitting section with any type of cap and allows for simplicity of manufacture.

A key aspect of the invention is its use with urinal blocks containing bacterial cultures.

These bacteria have two roles, firstly to digest unwanted sediments such as uric acid and calcium and secondly to competitively cxclude harmful bacteria from the outlet pipes. The release of the bacteria must be performed in a controlled fashion in order to provide enough for them to perform these functions, whilst at the same time allow sufficient longevity of the urinal block, obviating the requirement of excessively frequent replacement, with the associated inconvenience and cost.

Accordingly, the urinal cap is adapted to allow the bulk of the fluid flow to pass under the cover section, so that only a minimal release of bacterial culture takes place. It is advantageous however to allow increased output of the cleaning compound if desired.

For this reason yet a further embodiment of the invention provides for increase flow passed the urinal block.

Accordingly, in yet a further embodiment of the invention, in addition to the circular apertures, elongate slits are provided around the circumference of the cover section.

This is illustrated in Figure 14, which shows a top view of the cover section, with thc elongate slits 1401. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that this slit arrangement can be combined with any of the previous embodiments of the invention with regard to the stem arrangements.

Figure 15 shows a cross sectional view across thc line B -B in Figure 14. The slots 1401 are shown extending down the sides of the cap. It would be clear to the person skilled in the art that there are a large number of variants on the size, number and arrangements of both the apertures and the elongate slits. It is of course possible to have just the slits and no circular apertures. The invention is not limited to any particular arrangement of slits or apertures or any combination thereof.

The arrangements with the elongate slits in the urinal cap allow a greater degree of contact between the water flow and the urinal block. Advantageously, elongate slits are provided in the side walls of the cap. The elongate slots allow the flow of fluid across the periphery of the urinal block. This flow instigates the erosion of the circumference of the urinal block, creating channels through it. This process is illustrated in Figures 16 and 17. Figure 16 shows a cross sectional view though a urinal cap according to an embodiment of the invention. The top surface of the cap 1101, the sides 1102 and the elongate slits 1103 are illustrated along with the urinal block 1104. In Figure 15, the urinal block is new and uneroded. Figure 17 shows the urinal block after a period of use, in which the sides around the elongate slits are eroded to provide chamiels 1701 for the flow of fluid. The elongate slot arrangement thus allows for improved and more predictable flow release of the bacteria into the waste outlet pipes.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMSI. A urinal cap suitable for use with a urinal block, which cap may be retrofitted to a urinal waste pipe or outlet, said urinal cap comprising a plurality of stems extending, in use, downwardly from a cap body.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A urinal cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stems are flexible and elastic such that they can be urged into said waste pipc so as to hold said urinal cap in its appropriate position.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A urinal cap as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein said urinal cap comprises two stems.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A urinal cap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stems are IS positioned so as to be separated by a distance substantially the diameter of a urinal waste pipe.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A urinal cap as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising apertures in the surface of the cap.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A urinal cap as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising apertures in the sides of the cap.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A urinal cap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stems and the cap form an integral unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A urinal cap as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cap and the stems are separate sections.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A urinal cap as claimed in any preceding claim, the cap and stems arc directly connected.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A urinal cap substantially as claimed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.LCD</claim-text>