US20140090157A1

US20140090157A1 - Waterless urinal cartridge

Info

Publication number: US20140090157A1
Application number: US13/665,028
Authority: US
Inventors: Guillermo A. Ramirez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-03
Filing date: 2012-10-31
Publication date: 2014-04-03

Abstract

A removable waterless urinal cartridge for installation in a urinal to conduct urine to a waste line includes a collection basin for collecting urine, a drain opening in the collection basin; and a p-trap assembly having an inlet connected to the drain opening, a p-trap having a trap height of at least 2 inches, a generally transverse extension at the outlet of the p-trap, and a generally vertical tail depending from the generally transverse extension to an outlet. There is a strainer disposed over the drain opening in the collection basin having a top and a sidewall having openings for liquid to pass from basin through the strainer and into the drain. A float member is disposed in the strainer to block the drain opening when liquid is not present.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/633,980, filed on Oct. 3, 2012. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to waterless urinal cartridges of the type adapted to be temporarily installed in a urinal to conduct urine to a waste line without flushing.
Flushless or waterless urinals are increasingly popular because they dramatically reduce the amount of water used in a restroom. Without water to flush the urine away, waterless urinals must otherwise isolate the urine so that it does not create unpleasant smells. Current waterless urinals accomplish this by using a replaceable cartridge containing an oil that floats on the collected urine. Urine sinks through the oil, which seals in any smell from the urine. However, some of this oil can be washed down the drain even with normal use, this problem is exacerbated when the urinal is cleaned, or when users dump water, soda, or other liquids down the urinal. The cartridge or the oil in the cartridge must be replaced.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved removable waterless urinal cartridge for installation in a urinal to conduct urine to the waste line of the urinal. Generally, a preferred embodiment of a removable waterless urinal cartridge comprises a collection basin for collecting urine. There is a drain opening in the collection basin. A p-trap having an inlet is connected to the drain opening. The p-trap has a trap height of at least 2 inches (5.08 cm). A generally transverse extension extends from the outlet of the trap, and a generally vertical tail extends downwardly from the generally transverse extension to an outlet. A strainer is disposed over the drain opening in the collection basin. The strainer comprises a top and a sidewall having openings for liquid to pass from the basin through the strainer into the drain. A float member disposed in the strainer, the float member sized to block the drain opening when liquid is not present.
There is preferably a housing depending from the basin, which surrounds the p-trap. The outlet of the p-trap opens to an opening in the housing. A deformable flange preferably extends around the circumference of the cartridge for sealingly engaging the urinal into which the cartridge is installed.
The collection basin is preferably generally circular, and has a generally concave shape with the lowest point generally at the center of the basin. The drain opening is preferably positioned offset from, but adjacent to, the lowest point of the basin to fully drain the basin. There is preferably a circular recess in the basin surrounding the drain, and the strainer preferably comprises a cup-shaped base, having an opening therein, adapted to fit in the circular recess in the basin, with the opening in the cup-shaped base generally aligned with the drain opening in the basin. The strainer preferably has a generally cylindrical sidewall and a dome-shaped top.
There is preferably a constriction, such that the effective cross-section of the drain opening is less than the cross-section of the p-trap. In the preferred embodiment, the opening in the cup-shaped base is preferably smaller than the drain opening, and in the preferred embodiment the opening in the cup-shaped base is 97% or less of the size of the drain opening.
The p-trap preferably has an internal diameter of less than about 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). The p-trap preferably has a trap volume of less than about 1.5 in³(24.6 cm³), and more preferably less than about 1.10 in³(18 cm³).
There is preferably a vent opening in the p-trap distal to the trap, communicating with the interior of the enclosure. There is preferably also a vent in the enclosure, below the seal between the cartridge and the urinal.
The drain opening and the opening of the base of the strainer are preferably generally circular, and the float member is generally spherical. The generally spherical float member has a diameter that is between about 1.5 and about 2 times the diameter of the circular opening in which it seats, and more preferably about 1.8 times the diameter of the circular opening in which it seats. The float preferably had a density of between about 1.5 and about 3 pounds per cubic foot, and more preferably about 2 pounds per cubic foot.
The cartridge can have at least one tab projecting from the surface of the basin with a hole therein for engagement with a tool, and preferably there are at least two such tabs.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a removable waterless urinal cartridge for installation in a urinal, in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the waterless urinal cartridge;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a removable waterless urinal cartridge with portions broken away to show the interior construction;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section of the strainer assembly;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the waterless urinal cartridge; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the p-trap assembly.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A preferred embodiment of a removable waterless urinal cartridge adapted for installation in a urinal to conduct urine to the waste line of the urinal is indicated generally as 20 in FIGS. 1-5 The waterless urinal cartridge 20 comprises a collection basin 22 for collecting urine. There is a drain opening 24 in the collection basin 22. A p-trap assembly 26 having an inlet 28 is connected to the drain opening. The p-trap 30 of the p-trap assembly 26 has a trap height of at least 2 inches (5.08 cm). The p-trap assembly 26 further includes a generally transverse extension 32, extending from the p-trap 30, and a generally vertical tail 34 extending downwardly from the generally transverse extension to an outlet 36. A strainer 38 is disposed over the drain opening in the collection basin. The strainer comprises a top 40 and a sidewall 42 having openings 44 for liquid to pass from basin 22, through the strainer into the drain. A float member 46 is disposed in the strainer 38, the float member is sized to block the drain opening when liquid is not present.
There is preferably a housing 48 depending from the basin 22, which surrounds the p-trap assembly 26. The outlet of the p-trap assembly 26 opens to an opening in the housing. A deformable sealing flange 50 preferably extends around the circumference of the cartridge 20 for sealingly engaging the urinal into which the cartridge is installed.
The collection basin 22 is preferably generally circular, and has a generally concave shape with the lowest point generally at the center of the basin. The drain opening 24 is preferably positioned offset from, but adjacent to, the lowest point of the basin to fully drain the basin. There is preferably a circular recess 52 in the basin surrounding the drain. The strainer 38 preferably comprises a cup-shaped base 54, having an opening 56 therein, adapted to fit in the circular recess 52 in the basin 22, with the opening in the cup-shaped base generally aligned with the drain opening in the basin. The strainer preferably has a generally cylindrical sidewall 58 and a dome-shaped top 60.
There is preferably a constriction, such that the effective cross-section of the drain opening is less than the cross-section of the p-trap 30. In the preferred embodiment, the opening 56 in the cup-shaped base 54 is preferably smaller than the drain opening 24, and in the preferred embodiment the opening in the cup-shaped base is 97% or less of the size of the drain opening. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the opening in the cup-shaped base is about 0.5496 inches (13.96 mm), and the opening in the drain is 0.57 inches (14.48 mm)
The p-trap 30 preferably has an internal diameter of less than about 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). The p-trap preferably has a trap volume of less than about 1.5 in³(24.6 cm³), and more preferably less than about 1.10 in³(18 cm³). The trap is preferably sized to be less, and preferably substantially less, than a the typical volume of urine expelled (between 250 cc and 500 cc), so that each use substantially flushes the existing liquid in the trap, to further retard smells.
The typical male urine volume is between about 200 ml and about 500 ml, which because of the small volume of the trap, results in a nearly complete exchange of the new urine for the urine in the trap. The continual exchange of the urine in the trap helps control odors. Odors are further contained by the float member 46 which closes the trap until liquid is present. By eliminating the use of oil as a trap, water and detergents can be used to periodically wash the trap.
There is preferably a vent opening 62 in the p-trap assembly 26 distal to the p-trap 30, communicating with the interior of the housing. There is preferably also at least one vent 64 in the enclosure, below the seal 50 between the cartridge 20 and the urinal. The vent 62 helps prevent liquid in the p-trap 30 from being siphoned down the waste drain. The volume inside the housing 48 usually provides sufficient vending, but vents 64 in the housing also provide access to the waste drain volume. Because the vents are located blow the seal 50 on the cartridge, the cartridge 20 does not allow appreciate sewer gases to escape.
The drain opening 24 and the opening 56 of the base of the strainer 38 are preferably generally circular, and the float member 46 is generally spherical. The generally spherical float member 46 has a diameter that is between about 1.5 and about 2.0 times the diameter of the circular opening in which it seats, and more preferably about 1.8 times the diameter. The float preferably had a density of between about 1 and about 3 pounds per cubic foot, and more preferably about 2 pounds per cubic foot. The float is preferably made from a closed cell expanded polystyrene, or other suitable material. The float can be painted or coated if desired to further resist absorption of urine and other fluids.
The cartridge can have at least one tab 66 projecting from the surface of the basin 22, each with a hole 68 therein for engagement with a tool, and preferably there are at least two such tabs 66. The exterior of the housing can be provided with splines or keys 70 adapted to be received in slots in the urinal to properly orient the cartridge in the urinal, and prevent the cartridge from rotating.
The cartridge 22 is preferably made from a molded plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), but could be made from some other durable, inexpensive material. Some or all of the components of the cartridge can be impregnated with or coated with germicidal and/or fungicidal compositions to retard the grown of germs and fungus, which also helps control odors. Some or all of the components can be impregnated with or coated with deodorizer compositions. The compositions can include quaternary ammonia compounds, bacteria or enzymes that break down urine or components of the urine such as uric acid, and triclosan.
Visible portions of the insert, for example the basin 22 and/or the top 40 of the strainer 38, could include a colorant or other additives that can provide a visual indicator of when the cartridge 20 should be replaced. These colorants or additives can change color over time, or for example with exposure to air or urine.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A removable waterless urinal cartridge for installation in a urinal to conduct urine to a waste line of the urinal, the waterless urinal cartridge comprising:

a collection basin for collecting urine, the collection basin being generally circular, having a generally concave shape with the lowest point generally at the center of the basin, and the drain opening being positioned offset from, but adjacent to, the lowest point of the basin to fully drain the basin;

a drain opening in the collection basin;

a housing depending from the collection basin;

a p-trap assembly inside the housing and having an inlet connected to the drain opening in the collection basin, a p-trap having a trap height of at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) and an internal diameter of less than 0.5 inches (12.7 mm), a generally transverse extension at the outlet of the p-trap, and a generally vertical tail depending from the generally transverse extension to an outlet that opens to an outlet in the housing; and

a strainer disposed over the drain opening in the collection basin, the strainer comprising a top and a sidewall having openings for liquid to pass from basin through the strainer and into the drain; and a float member disposed in the strainer, the float member sized to block the drain opening when liquid is not present.

2. (canceled)

3. The waterless urinal cartridge according to claim 1 further comprising a deformable flange around the circumference of the cartridge for sealingly engaging the urinal into which the cartridge is installed.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. The waterless urinal cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the p-trap has a trap volume of less than about 1.5 in³(24.6 cm³).

7. The waterless urinal cartridge according to claim 6 wherein the p-trap has a trap volume of less than about 1.10 in³(18 cm³).

8. The waterless urinal cartridge according to claim 1 wherein there is a circular recess in the basin surrounding the drain, and wherein the strainer comprises a cup-shaped base, having an opening therein, the cup-shaped base adapted to fit in the circular recess in the basin, with the opening in the cup-shaped base aligned with the drain opening in the basin.

9. The waterless urinal cartridge according to claim 8 wherein the opening in the cup-shaped base is smaller than the drain opening.

10. The waterless cartridge according to claim 9 wherein the cup-shaped base is less than 97% of the size of the drain opening.

11. The waterless cartridge according to claim 1 wherein there is a constriction such that the effective cross-section of the drain opening is less than the cross-section of the p-trap.

12. The waterless cartridge according to claim 11 wherein the constriction is formed by the strainer.

13. The waterless cartridge according to claim 1 further comprising a vent opening in the p-trap assembly between the p-trap and the outlet, communicating with the interior of the enclosure.

14. The waterless cartridge according to claim 13 further comprising a seal on the exterior of the cartridge for sealingly engaging the urinal in which the cartridge is installed, and at least one vent in the enclosure, the vent in the enclosure venting the enclosure to the urinal below the seal.

15. The waterless cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the strainer has a generally cylindrical sidewall and a dome-shaped top.

16. The waterless cartridge according to claim 1 wherein there is a generally circular seat aligned with the drain, and wherein the float member is spherical, and has a diameter that is between about 1.5 and about 2.0 times the diameter of the circular seat.

17. The waterless urinal cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the float has a density of between about 1 and about 3 pounds per cubic foot.

18. The waterless urinal cartridge according to claim 1 further comprising at least one tab projecting from the surface of the basin with a hole therein for engagement with a tool.

19. The waterless urinal cartridge according to claim 18 wherein there are at least two tabs projecting from the surface of the basin.