NZ548266A - Sanitary drainage device - Google Patents

Abstract

A sanitary drainage device comprising a stainless steel vent (4) with an inner and outer rim (2, 1) and water inlets (3) which are used to direct the flow of water from a shower or the like to a sunken surface (5) where it is contained and pushed slowly to the drainage vent by the domed inner surface. This arrangement provides a certain amount of water at the upper end of the device that can be used for cleaning the surrounding surfaces of the shower cubicle or the like while at the same time passing water through the device which ensures its sanitation. Further embodiments and details are disclosed. The application has been postponed under Section 12(4) to 3 December 2008.

Description

548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec2008 under Section .12(4) ^ ^ Received at IPONZ on 3/12/2008 L A SANITARY DRAINAGE DEVICE The present invention relates generally to domestic water flow applications. The invention particularly relates to the flow of water in showers, and will 5 generally be herein described in that context, it is to be appreciated, however, that the invention may also be used in other domestic applications such as in basins, baths, sinks, tubs and the like. The invention may also be used in non-domestic applications, In the context of shower design, the size of a shower plughole is selected in the design stage to accommodate the anticipated maximum flow-rate possible through the showerhead (or tap). In this way, waste water can be efficiently removed from the shower so as to avoid the back-up of waste water in the shower base.

It may be desirable in some circumstances, however, for the back-up of waste water in a shower to be allowed to occur. For example, when cleaning the shower it may be desirable to have a back-up of water in the shower base to dilute and remove any cleaning products used in the cleaning process. The 20 back-up of water may also be desirable during shower usage to dilute and remove soap, shampoo, conditioner and dirt, as well as bodily fluids such as urine that may otherwise undesirably remain in the base of the shower.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a way of reducing the flow-rate of 25 waste water down a plughole so as to permit a back-up of waste water in showers and other possible applications.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plughole 30 flow restricting device (also referred to as a 'sanitary drainage device' and a 'Sanivent device') for restricting the flow of fluid down a plughole. The device includes a fluid catchment including a catchment surface. The device also includes a receptacle. The receptacle includes a receptacle base and a side r:\DDMVNZ\A SANITARY DRAINAGE DEVICE doc 548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec2008 under Section .12(4) ^ ^ Received at IPONZ on 3/12/2008 2 wall extending about the base. The side wall extends generally upwardly from the receptacle base. The receptacle base is located generally below the catchment surface. The catchment is fluidly connected to the receptacle by at least one fluid flow port extending through the catchment, and the catchment is 5 spaced from the receptacle base. The device further includes a receptacle outlet extending through the receptacle base; and a plughole engagement lip extending generally peripherally about the receptacle for engagement of a plughole rim.

The above use of the terms 'upwardly' and 'below' are understood to refer to the device in its in-use orientation.

In one form, the receptacle and catchment are separate components. However, it is to be appreciated that the receptacle and the catchment may 15 instead be integrally formed or permanently connected together.

The receptacle and catchment may be manufactured from any suitable materials. In one particularly preferred form, each is manufactured from stainless steel.

The device may be fixed in position in (or covering) a plughole; although it is envisaged that a more likely scenario may be that the device is placed in position in (or covering) a plughole when required and removed when not required.

In a preferred form, the catchment surface has a non-planar profile, such that it generally defines an upwardly facing convex surface or is domed.

The catchment surface may be generally surrounded by the receptacle side wall.

The receptacle base is preferably generally circular, and of an appropriate size for receiving over or within the upwardly facing opening of a plughole.

T:\DDM\NZ\A SANITARY DkAfNAGE DEVICEdoc 548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec 2008 under Section .12(4) , H Received at IPONZ on 3/12/2008 Likewise, in a preferred form, the catchment surface is generally circular.

Reference has previously been made to the device including at least one fluid 5 flow port. More preferably, the device includes a plurality of fluid flow ports, with each port extending through the catchment. The fluid flow ports may be arranged in any desired configuration. For example, the fluid flow ports may be spaced generally equidistantly about an edge region of the catchment surface.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a top view of a Sanivent device (or plughole flow restricting device) according to one aspect of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically an application of the device illustrated in Figure 1 when used in the plug hole or drain of a conventional shower.

Figure 3 illustrates an upper perspective view of a plughole flow restricting 20 device according to another aspect of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a lower perspective exploded view of the plughole flow restricting device of Figure 3.

Figure 5 illustrates a sectional side view of the plughole flow restricting device of Figure 3.

Figure 6 illustrates an upper perspective view of a plughole flow restricting device according to yet another aspect of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates a lower perspective view of the plughole flow restricting device of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a magnified view of a portion of the plughole flow restricting device 30 illustrated in Figure 6.

Referring to Figure 1 it can be seen that the Sanivent device (also referred to as a plughole flow restricting device) according to this invention includes an •f:\DrjMWZ\ASWTWY DRAINAGE DEVICEdoc 548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec 2008 under Section .12(4) Received at IPONZ on 3/12/2008 4 outer rim 1 with inside an inner rim 2 with drainage vents 4 punctured by water inlets 3 around its circumference, at the centre of which can be found a sunken inner surface (or catchment surface) 5 with a slight dome.

Referring to Figure 2 shows the Sanivent device of Figure 1 in operation, although with different reference numerals being used. It can be seen that water is passed 14 through the inlet 9 into the sunken inner surface 11 where it is then pushed slowly 16 over the rim 8 and into the drainage vent 10 where water is moved 15 through the outer rim 7 where it joins water from the domed 10 sunken inner surface 12 to flow from the drain 13.

It will be realized that the Sanivent device according to this invention is not restricted to a simple metal grill used to drain water from a shower shown in the example, but any drain or vent used which requires an artificial surface to 15 be created to provide sanitary means.

Figures 3 to 5 are incorporated to further describe and clarify the invention. In Figures 3 to 5, there is illustrated a plughole flow restricting device (or 'sanitary drainage device' or 'Sanivent device ) 110 for restricting the flow of fluid down 20 a plughole. The device 110 is particularly designed for placement in or over the opening of a plughole in a shower, although the device 110 may also be used for placement in or over the plughole of a bath, basin, sink, tub or other suitable applications.

Typically, the device 110 may be removed from its in-use position when not required, although it may be permanently left in its in-use position if desired.

The device 110 includes a fluid catchment 112 including a generally circular catchment surface 114. Although not clearly evident from the drawings, the 30 catchment surface 114 has a slightly curved profile, such that it defines an upwardly facing convex surface (in other words, the surface 114 has a relatively flat dome shape). Thus, water and other fluids incident on the surface 114 (such as when the device 110 is placed in or over a plughole in a T:\DDM\NZ\A SANITARY DI!AL~N/\GS DEVICE doc 548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec2008 under Section .12(4) ^ ^ Received at IPONZ on 3/12/2008 shower) are directed to flow by gravity away from the centre-most high point 116 of the surface 114 towards the surface edge 118. The curved profile of the catchment surface 114 also assists in minimizing stagnation of water and other fluids and substances incident thereon.

The device 110 also includes a receptacle 120. In this embodiment, the catchment 112 and receptacle 120 are separate components. The receptacle 120 includes a generally circular receptacle base 122 and a side wall 124 extending about the base 122. It can be seen that the side wall 124 extends 10 generally upwardly from the receptacle base 122.

In use, the catchment 112 is located on top of the receptacle 120 which, in turn, is placed in or over the opening of a plughole. Thus, the receptacle base 122 is located generally below the catchment surface 114. It is to be 15 appreciated, however, that the underside of the catchment 112 is spaced from the receptacle base 122.

As seen in Figure 3, four tabs 126 extend from edge 118 of the catchment 112 for assisting in supporting the catchment 112 on the receptacle sidewall 124. 20 The tabs 126 define four gaps 128 between the outer edge 118 of the catchment 112 and the receptacle 120.

Four radially extending supports 130 are provided on the underside of the catchment 112 for further supporting the catchment 112 in its in-use position 25 above the receptacle 120. Only two of these supports 130 are visible in Figure 4.

The catchment 112 is fluidly connected to the receptacle 120 by eight fluid flow ports 132 extending through the catchment 112, as well as by the four gaps 30 128. Any water or other fluid incident on the catchment surface 114 flows towards the edge 118 and through the ports 132, or over the outer edge of the catchment 112, wherein it is received in the receptacle 120. 548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec2008 under Section .12(4) ^ ^ Received at IPONZ on 3/12/2008 6 The device 110 also includes a receptacle outlet 134 extending through the receptacle base 122. The outlet 134 is provided for directing fluid flowing from the catchment 112 and into the receptacle 120 downwardly though the underlying plughole (not illustrated).

-*C A plughole engagement lip 136 is also provided extending generally peripherally about the receptacle 120 for engagement of a plughole rim.

It is to be appreciated that the device 110 may be made in any suitable size, 10 such that it may be used in conjunction with a range of plughole types and sizes.

The above use of the terms 'upwardly' and 'below' are understood to refer to the device in its in-use orientation.

The receptacle 120 and catchment 112 are manufactured from stainless steel, although any other suitable material(s) may be used.

The device 110 is used to slow the flow of water down a plughole, such that a 20 back-up of water will occur in the shower base (or bath, basin, sink, tub or other receptacle as the case may be) if the flow rate of water from the shower head or tap is sufficiently high. The back-up of water occurs because the combined area of the ports 132 and gaps 128 is generally significantly less than the outlet area of the underlying plughole.

Advantageously, the back-up of water can be used for cleaning or rinsing of a shower, in that it allows cleaning chemicals and the like to be more easily flushed down the shower plughole once cleaning of the shower has been completed. This is, at least in part, because the back-up of water dilutes the 30 cleaning chemicals and provides sufficient volume of fluid in the shower base for the chemicals to flushed down the plughole, rather than potentially remaining as a residue in the shower base. 548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec 2008 under Section 12(4) Received at IPONZ on 3/12/2008 7 The device 110 can also be used to more easily flush bodily and other fluids down the plughole, rather than have them sit in the shower base. For example, the back-up of water in a shower enables urine and other bodily fluids to be diluted; and provides sufficient fluid volume for removal of those bodily and 5 other fluids from the shower base through the device 110 and down the plughole. Indeed, the device 110 has been designed such that when an individual is using the shower with a typical water flow rate form the shower head, the device 110 creates a film of water over the device 110 and in the base of the shower that can be urinated upon without direct (or at least 10 reduced) contact of the urine with the surface of the shower base.

If a back-up of water in the base of the shower is required then the device 110 can be fitted over or in the shower plughole. The device 110 can then simply be removed from over or in the plug-hole when not required.

Figures 6 to 8 are provided to further elaborate and clarify the invention. In Figures 6 to 8 there is illustrated another plughole flow restricting device (or 'sanitary drainage device' or 'Sanivent device') 210 for restricting the flow of fluid down a plughole.

The device 210 is similar in many respects to the device 110 illustrated in Figures 3 to 5. One notable difference is that catchment 212 and receptacle 220 of the device 210 illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 are integrally formed (or at least permanently connected together), whereas the catchment 112 and 25 receptacle 120 of the device 120 illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 are separate components.

The receptacle 220 has an outlet 234 for directing waste-water down a plughole.

A series of ribs 238 connect the receptacle 220 to the catchment 212 (only one of which is visible in Figure 8). 548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec2008 under Section .12(4) ^ ^ Received at IPONZ on 3/12/2008 8 Advantageously, the present invention provides a simple and effective way of reducing the flow-rate of waste water down a plughole so as to permit a backup of waste water. The device is cost effective to manufacture. It is also easy to install in position in or over a plughole when required and easily removable when not required.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of this invention.

Claims (11)

548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec2008 under Section .12(4) ^ ^ Received at IPONZ on 3/12/2008 9 The Claims Defining The Invention Are As Follows:

1. A plughole flow restricting device for restricting the flow of fluid down a plughole, the device including: 5 - a fluid catchment including a catchment surface; - a receptacle including a receptacle base and a side wall extending about the base, the side wall extending generally upwardly from the receptacle base, the receptacle base located generally below the catchment surface; - the catchment fluidly connected to the receptacle by at least one fluid 10 flow port extending through the catchment; - the catchment spaced from the receptacle base; - a receptacle outlet extending through the receptacle base; and -a plughole engagement lip extending generally peripherally about the receptacle for engagement of a plughole rim. 15

2. A plughole flow restricting device according to claim 1, wherein the catchment surface is an upwardly facing convex surface.

3. A plughole flow restricting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the 20 catchment surface is generally surrounded by the receptacle side wall.

4. A plughole flow restricting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the receptacle and catchment are separately formed. 25

5. A plughole flow restricting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the receptacle and the catchment are integrally formed.

6. A plughole flow restricting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle base is generally circular. 30

7. A plughole flow restricting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the catchment surface is generally circular. 548266 Application post-dated to 3 Dec 2008 under Section. 12(4) ^ Received at IPONZ on 9 jan 2009 10

8. A plughole flow restricting device according to any one of the preceding claims, including a plurality of fluid flow ports extending through the catchment.

9. A plughole flow restricting device according to claim 8, wherein the fluid flow 5 ports are spaced generally equidistantly about an edge region of the catchment surface.

10. A plughole flow restricting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is manufactured from stainless steel. 0

11. A plughole flow restricting device according to any one of the embodiments substantially as herein described and illustrated in any one of Figures 3 to 8. 15