Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
  • E03D13/00—Urinals ; Means for connecting the urinal to the flushing pipe and the wastepipe; Splashing shields for urinals
  • E03D13/007—Waterless or low-flush urinals; Accessories therefor
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
  • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
  • E03C1/12—Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto; Sinks
  • E03C1/28—Odour seals
  • E03C1/298—Odour seals consisting only of non-return valve

Definitions

• the invention relates to a sanitary valve device and assembly, more particularly but not exclusively, for use with urinals.
• waterless urinals It is common to use water to flush urinals but in a bid to reduce usage of water, "waterless" urinals have been proposed.
• a fragrant chemical/oil based wax-like compound enclosed in a cage may be placed over a flow trap of an existing urinal with the fragrance used to mask the smell of urine retained in the flow trap and drain pipe.
• a cartridge containing a chemical compound to alter the chemistry of the urine may be used or an oil-based substance acting as a barrier to block the smell of the urine from re-entering the toilet via the drain pipe has also been proposed.
• a sanitary valve device comprising: a valve main body having (i) a valve opening for receiving fluid; (ii) a discharge opening downstream of the valve opening; and (iii) a fluid flow channel in fluid communication with the valve opening and the discharge opening and extends to a sealing surface at the discharge opening; the sealing surface including at least one venturi hole; and a sealing flap arranged to move to an opened position in response to the fluid flow to allow the fluid to discharge through the discharge opening and to a closed position in response to suction force created by the at least one venturi hole to cause the sealing flap to be held against the sealing surface to occlude the discharge opening.
• the described embodiment is able to achieve a self-closing sealing flap which reduces bad odour from reentering fluid flow channel and up through the valve opening.
• the fluid flow channel may include a valve reservoir downstream of the valve opening and a constriction in fluid communication with the valve reservoir and downstream of the valve reservoir.
• the valve body may include a tapered portion to create the constriction.
• the sanitary valve device may further comprise a front valve wall and a rear valve wall cooperating with the front valve wall to define the fluid flow channel, the front valve wall having a lower section arranged to surround the discharge opening, the sealing surface being disposed on the lower section.
• the lower section may include a top portion, a bottom portion and two side portions joining the top and bottom portion to define the discharge opening, the at least one venturi hole being disposed at the bottom portion.
• an edge of the sealing flap may be attached to the top portion of the lower section. In this way, the sealing flap hangs down from the top portion.
• the discharge opening may have a discharge opening axis which is substantially perpendicular to a valve opening axis of the valve opening.
• the sanitary valve device may also comprise a filter cap arranged at the valve opening.
• the filter cap may include a plurality of apertures for allowing fluid to flow to the fluid flow channel.
• at least two of the plurality of apertures may be adapted to be frictionally engaged with a service key. In this way, the service key may be used to lock or unlock the sanitary valve device to an adaptor.
• the sanitary valve device may further comprise a valve sleeve arranged to at least partially enclose the valve main body.
• the valve sleeve may include a protrusion having a segment for engaging with a recess of the valve main body.
• the protrusion may include another segment arranged to face the discharge opening. The another segment may be joined to the segment of the protrusion.
• a sanitary valve assembly comprising the sanitary valve device as described above and further comprising an adaptor for receiving the sanitary valve device.
• the adaptor may further comprise a locking mechanism for releasably locking the sanitary valve device.
• the sanitary valve assembly may further comprise a service key arranged to engage with the sanitary valve device in order to rotate the sanitary valve device between a locked position and an unlocked position.
• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sanitary valve assembly comprising a quick-action key, a sanitary valve device and an adaptor according to a preferred embodiment
• Figure 2 is a front view of the sanitary valve device of Figure 1 having a filter cap, a valve main body, and a valve sleeve with the filter cap and valve sleeve shown separated from valve main body;
• Figure 3 is a top view of the filter cap of Figure 2.
• Figure 4 is a cross-section view of the valve main body of Figure 2 in a direction A-A;
• Figure 5 is a closed-up front view of the quick-action key of Figure 1 ; and Figure 6 is a closed-up front view of the adapter of Figure 1.
• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sanitary valve assembly 100 comprising a service key 200, a sanitary valve device 300 and an adaptor 400 according to a preferred embodiment.
• the sanitary valve assembly 00 is adapted to be used with a urinal (not shown) although the sanitary valve assembly may be used for general sanitary applications.
• the adaptor 400 includes an adaptor slot 402 for receiving the sanitary valve device 300 so that the sanitary valve device 300 slides into the adaptor slot 402.
• Figure 2 shows the sanitary valve device 300 in greater detail.
• the sanitary valve device 300 includes a filter cap 302, a valve main body 304 and a valve sleeve 306, and in Figure 2 these are shown in unassembled form.
• FIG 3 is a top view of the filter cap 302 of Figure 2, and as shown in the figures, the filter cap 302 includes an engagement neck 308 and a cap portion 310.
• the cap portion 310 includes a plurality of filter apertures 312 and the cap portion 310 is slightly concave at its centre to form a generally dish-shaped structure.
• the plurality of filter apertures 312 is adapted to make it easier for the urine, usually accompanied by bubbles on hitting the cap portion 310, to make its way through the filter apertures 312, and yet prevent rubbish (e.g. cigarette butts) or undesirable objects from entering the filter apertures 312.
• the plurality of apertures 312 includes a centre aperture 312a and four elongate apertures 312b, 312c, 312d,312e spaced equidistantly around the centre aperture 312a in a cross configuration, so that two opposing elongate apertures 312b, 312d are aligned with each other in a straight line (and similarly for the other pair 312c,312e) and this is to facilitate engagement by the service key 200 which will be explained later.
• the plurality of apertures 312 includes four generally semi-circular apertures 312f, 312g, 312h, 312i with each semi-circular aperture 312f, 312g, 312h, 312i arranged adjacent to elongate apertures 312b,312c,312d,312e as shown in Figure 3.
• the valve main body 304 includes a valve neck 314 arranged to cooperate with the engagement neck 308 of the filter cap 302 to enable the filter cap 302 to be fitted to the valve main body 304.
• diameter of the engagement neck 308 of the filter cap 302 is dimensioned to be marginally smaller than diameter of the valve neck 314 so that the engagement neck 308 of the filter cap 302 may be forced fit into the valve neck 314 of the valve main body 304.
• the filter cap 302 may be integrally formed with the valve main body 304 as a unitary structure.
• FIG 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve main body 304 in a direction A-A of Figure 2 to illustrate an internal structure of the valve main body 304.
• the valve main body 304 includes a valve opening 316 defined by the valve neck 314 which is in registration with the plurality of apertures 312 of the filter cap 302 and thus, the valve opening 316 is arranged to receive fluid or in this case urine.
• the valve main body 304 further includes a discharge opening 318 for discharging fluid out of the valve main body 304 and in this embodiment, the discharge opening 318 has an imaginary plane along a centre vertical axis BB of the valve main body 304 (i.e. the centre vertical axis BB is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis CC of the valve opening 316).
• the valve main body 304 includes a fluid flow channel 320 which extends from the valve opening 316 to the discharge opening 318 and the fluid flow channel 320 is defined by a front valve wall 322 cooperating with a rear valve wall 324.
• the front valve wall 322 has a top section 326 which curves inwardly towards the vertical axis BB of the valve main body 304 and the top section 326 cooperates with the rear valve wall 324 to define a valve reservoir 328 of the fluid flow channel 320.
• the valve reservoir 328 is semi-cycloid in shape.
• the front valve wall 322 further includes a lower section 330 which extends vertically along the vertical axis BB of the valve main body 304.
• the lower section 330 has a top portion 332 and a bottom portion 334 joined by two side portions 336,338 to surround the discharge opening 318 and includes an external surface 340 which defines a sealing surface 342 for the valve main body 304.
• the rear valve wall 324 tapers inwardly or narrows gradually from the valve opening 316 to the discharge opening 318 to form a constriction 321 as the fluid is directed to the discharge opening 318 along the fluid flow channel 320 which extends to the sealing surface 342 at the discharge opening 318.
• the rear valve wall 324 joins the front valve wall 322 at or near the bottom portion 334 and the bottom portion 334 also includes three venturi holes 344.
• the sanitary valve device 300 further includes a sealing flap 346 arranged to occlude the discharge opening 318, although the sealing flap 346 is not shown in Figure 2 but only in Figure 4.
• the sealing flap 346 is substantially rectangular and is made of a suitable membrane and in this embodiment, the sealing flap 346 is a thin layer of PET of a thickness of 0.05mm to 0.15mm. It has been found that this thickness range may be particularly useful to allow urine to pass through and yet enable the venturi holes 344 to achieve the intended result. Of course, it should be appreciated that this thickness range may vary and be modified depending on the size of the sanitary valve device 300 and its applications.
• the sealing flap 346 has an edge 348 affixed to the top portion 332 of the front valve wall 322 via two studs 350 with other three edges unattached so that the sealing flap "hangs" down from the top portion 332 and covers the discharge opening 318 as well as the three venture holes 344 (i.e. the sealing flap 346 should be large enough to overlap with the bottom portion 334 and the two side portions 336,338 of the lower section 330 at least partially.
• urine is directed into the filter cap 302 and into fluid flow channel 320 via the valve opening 316.
• the valve reservoir 328 of the fluid flow channel 320 first traps the urine momentarily before the valve reservoir 328 directs the urine down the constriction 321 and towards the discharge opening 318. Due to gravitational force and the narrowing of the fluid flow channel 320, the urine flow is accelerated and the urine hits against the sealing flap 346 to depart the sealing flap 346 away from the lower section 330. This allows the urine to discharge rapidly out of the discharge opening 318 and at the same time, at least some of the urine would discharge via the three venturi holes 344.
• the discharged urine would at least partially wet the sealing surface 342, and in particular, the bottom portion 334 should be wet by the discharged urine.
• the venturi holes 344 create a suction effect to draw the sealing flap 346 against the sealing surface 342 and the sealing flap 346 thus occludes the discharge opening 318 and also the venturi holes 344.
• the seal is enhanced by the wetting of the sealing surface 342 at least partially due to the discharged urine, and the wetting of the sealing surface 342 also enables self-cleaning of the external surface 342 of the lower section 330.
• the valve main body 304 is arranged to be received partially in the valve sleeve 306 with the valve neck 314 protruding out of the valve sleeve 306, with the valve sleeve 306 and the valve main body 304 held in place by known adhesive techniques.
• the valve sleeve 306 has a cylindrical hollow body 352, and a narrow elongate protrusion 354 extending inwards from an inner wall 356 of the hollow body 352.
• a cross section view of the hollow body 352 of the valve sleeve 306 is shown in Figure 4 in broken lines and which illustrate the elongate protrusion 354.
• the elongate protrusion 354 includes a first segment 354a and a second segment 354b aligned with the first segment 354a and substantially parallel to the centre axis BB of the valve main body 304.
• the first segment 354a is arranged to be received in a recess 358 at the top section 326 of the front valve wall 322 and the first segment 354a cooperates with the recess 358 to act as a key to ensure that the first valve main body 304 is received in the valve sleeve 306 in a particular orientation.
• the particular orientation is for the second segment 354b to face the sealing flap 346. This is particularly advantageous since it reduces the chances of the sealing flap 346 sticking to the inner wall 356 of the valve sleeve 306 when urine passes through the drainage opening 318.
• the sanitary valve device 300 (i.e. with the filter cap 302, the valve main body 304 and the valve sleeve 306 assembled) is arranged to be removably inserted into the adaptor 400 as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 6 shows a front view of the adaptor 400.
• the adaptor 400 has a hollow adaptor body 402 for receiving the sanitary valve device 300 and threaded external surface 404 to enable the adaptor 400 to be fixed permanently in the drain pipe of the urinal.
• the sanitary valve device 300 fits snugly and is locked to the adaptor 400 by a locking mechanism of the adaptor in the form of a double-start threaded connection (not shown) with the help of the service key 200.
• the service key includes two engagement lugs 202,204 for insertion into and frictionally engage the corresponding opposing elongate apertures 312b, 312d (or 312c, 312e) and the rotation of the service key rotates the entire sanitary valve device 300 relative to the adaptor 400 to lock the sanitary valve device 300 to the adaptor 400 or unlock the sanitary valve device 300 from the adaptor 400. In the unlock position, this allows the sanitary valve device 300 to be removed or pulled out of the adaptor 400 for maintenance or replacement.
• dimension of the service key 200 and in particular, the dimension of and distance between the two engagement lugs 202,204 are adapted to fit frictionally in the opposing elongate apertures 312b, 312d (or 312c,312e) and the friction fit enables a user to pull the sanitary valve device 300 out of the adaptor 400 in a single-hand operation.
• This is particularly useful since the sanitary valve device 300 sits inside the adaptor 400 and the user would not be able to access the valve sleeve 306 and may have difficulty gripping onto the filter cap 302, which sits flush with a top surface 401 (seen in Fig.1 ) of the adaptor 400. Also, this is much more hygienic.
• the user may also use the service key 200 to engage the filter cap 302 in order to lift the entire sanitary valve device 300 and insert the sanitary valve device 300 into the adaptor 400, which is much more convenient.
• the adaptor 400 is first inserted into the drain pipe of the urinal and fixedly coupled to the drain pipe, for example by cement.
• the service key 200 is next used to grip the filter cap 314 of the sanitary valve device 300 by inserting the engagement lugs 202,204 into respective apertures 312b, 312d or 312c,312e.
• the sanitary valve device 300 is next inserted into the adaptor 400 and when the sanitary valve device 300 sits snugly in the adaptor 400, the service key 200 is rotated to engage the double- start threaded connection to lock the sanitary valve device 300 to the adaptor 400.
• the service key 200 may then be removed by pulling it to disengage the engagement lugs 202,204 from the respective apertures 312b, 312d or 312c,312e.
• the sanitary valve device 300 thus sits in the urinal with the filter cap 302 exposed for collecting urine.
• urine is directed into the sanitary valve device 300 via the plurality of apertures 312.
• the urine first flows into the valve reservoir 328 of the fluid flow channel 320 and down the constriction 321 with the gradually inward sloping rear valve wall 324 accelerating the flow of urine towards the discharge opening 318.
• the sealing flap 346 flaps away from the discharge opening 318 to allow the urine to discharge out of the discharge opening and some of the urine also discharges out of the venturi holes 344 and the urine is thus directed out of the sanitary valve device 300 and down the drain pipe of the urinal.
• the flow of urine through the discharge opening 3 8 and the venturi holes 344 also causes the urine to wet the lower section 330 at least partially.
• the sealing surface 342 at the bottom portion 334 may be wet by the discharge urine and in addition to the self-cleaning purpose, this also allows a better adhesion of the sealing flap 346 against the sealing surface 342.
• venturi holes 344 create a suction force to suck the sealing flap 346 against the lower section 330 to occlude the discharge opening 318 and also the venturi holes 344, thus preventing or reducing the possibility of bad odour or maladourous gases rising up from the drain pipe and returning to the toilet via the filter cap 302.
• the described embodiment may be use for waterless urinals which are free of chemicals or oil additives to achieve a completely environmentally clean and substantially odourless urinal system.
• the sanitary valve device 300 is able to reduce maladourous gases from the sewer returning to the entry point of the urinal which is a main cause of foul smell in most conventional water-use urinal flushing systems. Further, the sanitary valve assembly 100 allows instant discharge of uncontaminated fresh urine into the sewer system.
• the filter cap 302 is particularly useful as its dish shape cap portion 310 with measured apertures 312 direct the flow of urine into the valve reservoir 328 while serving to trap rubbish (eg. cigarette butts) on the cap portion 310 so that the rubbish may be cleared away by cleaning staff.
• the design of the filter cap and in particular the plurality of apertures 312 also serve a second function of fitting to the service key 200 for quick release and locking of the sanitary valve device 300 to the adaptor 400.
• the dish shape cap portion 310 may also hold a cartridge of fragrant mass, thus continuously refreshing the surroundings if so desired, although often unnecessary.
• the gradient of the curvature of the cap portion 310 allows the fluid to flow as fast as possible into the valve reservoir 328 and therefore reduces bubbling and fluid retention.
• the gradient of curvature may be between 10 to 15 degrees.
• the fluid flow channel 320 is configured to enable rapid discharge of the urine to the discharge opening and this allows self-cleaning over a substantial part of the external surface 340 of the valve main body 304. This may give the valve main body a longer odourless lifespan.
• any residue/build-up of urinal deposits or precipitation from the urine may be formed on a back surface 345 (see Figure 4) of the rear valve wall 324 near the venturi holes 344. If the venturi holes 344 are clogged due to the urinal deposits or precipitation, then the sanitary valve device 300 may be removed for maintenance or replaced with a new one.
• the use of the service key 200 to grip the filter cap 304 combines simplicity in design and achieves quick action fastening and release of the sanitary valve device from the adaptor 400, which remains in the drain pipe permanently. In other words, the sanitary valve device 300 is easy to remove for cleaning or speedy replacement.
• This service key 200 is simple to produce and may be made as part of a mould for the main valve components.
• the valve sleeve 306 is arranged to enclose at least partially the valve main body 304 except the valve neck 314 to protect main operative parts of the valve main body such as the sealing flap etc from damage or distortion in the process of inserting the sanitary valve device 300 into the adaptor 400.
• the valve sleeve 306 may be inextricably joined to the valve main body 304 if the sanitary valve device 300 is intended to be disposable and no maintenance is needed.
• Configuration of the front valve wall 322, the rear valve wall 324 and the discharge opening 318, which is semi-oval and is flushed with the centre vertical axis BB assists to accelerate the urine out of the fluid flow channel 320 while wetting the external surface 340 to enable the self-cleaning effect.
• venturi holes 344 at the bottom portion 334 of the lower section 330 optimises the suction or venturi effect over a substantial part of the external surface 340. This causes a self-closing action of the sealing flap 346 to adhere to the external surface 340 which also functions as a sealing surface. Again, the sealing action of the sealing flap 346 reduces backpressure airflow into the fluid flow channel 320, helping to reduce odour from the discharged urine from re-entering the sanitary valve device 304 and into the toilet.
• the gradual curvature of the rear valve wall 324 helps to reduce stress on the material of the rear valve wall 324 and this may result in a higher average life span of the sanitary valve device 300.
• other shapes and configurations of the front valve wall 322, the rear valve wall 324 and the fluid flow channel 320 etc may also achieve a similar effect.
• the front valve wall 322 and in particular the lower section 330 has a higher material stability and rigidity than the sealing flap 346 and this means that the urine, which follows a path of least resistance, would be evenly distributed generally throughout the external surface 340 of the lower section 330 thus maximizing the device's self cleaning effect.
• the use of the elongate protrusion may assist to prevent the sealing flap 346 from being stuck against the inner wall 356 of the valve sleeve 306 in the event of heavy fluid flow.
• the elongate protrusion 354 of the valve sleeve 306 may not have two segments 354a, 354b but instead, be formed as a single elongate protrusion 354 extending the length of the inner wall 356 of the valve sleeve 306.
• the number, size, shape and location of the venturi holes 344 may vary depending on application and there may just be at least one venturi hole 344. Indeed, it is envisaged that the venturi holes 344 may not be disposed at the bottom portion 334 of the lower section 330 but may be disposed at the other portions 336,338 of the lower section 330 too.
• the filter cap 302 may be inextricably joined to the valve neck 314 of the valve main body 304, for example by force fit or hot melt. However, while not preferred, the filter cap 302 may be integrally formed with the valve main body 304. Also, the sealing flap 346 may be attached to the two studs 350 by hot-melt or other means.
• the sanitary valve device 300 has one piece of sealing flap 346.
• more than one piece of sealing flaps may be used, for example, a pair of sealing flaps to occlude the discharge opening 318.
• the lower section 330 may vary in size and width for a more effective contact with the sealing flap 346 and indeed, the size and shape of the discharge opening 318 may also be varied.
• the sanitary valve device 300 is releasably locked to the adaptor 400 using the two-start threaded connection but it is conceivable there are other releasable connections, such as a snap-on fit, may be used.
• the sanitary valve assembly 100 may be used not just for urinals but also other sanitary applications and for discharging other types of fluids and liquids, not just urine.
• the sanitary valve assembly 100 is primarily use for sanitary applications, although it is suitable for use in other applications requiring discharge of non- corrosive fluids to achieve an odourless environment.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
• Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)
• Lift Valve (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=54392765

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (2)

Citations (2)

• 2014
  • 2014-05-09 SG SG10201402316YA patent/SG10201402316YA/en unknown
• 2015
  • 2015-04-23 WO PCT/SG2015/050080 patent/WO2015171071A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-04-23 MY MYPI2016001930A patent/MY183276A/en unknown
  • 2015-04-23 JP JP2017511138A patent/JP6522117B2/ja active Active
  • 2015-04-23 SG SG11201608571TA patent/SG11201608571TA/en unknown

Patent Citations (2)

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