Abstract: An integrally formed riser pan member for use as a modular component within an access passageway for an on-site waste disposal system, such as a septic tank, to receivably retain a secondary cover member within, the riser pan member including a cylindrical body having an upper portion having a vertical wall member adapted to receive another modular passageway component thereon, and a lower portion which includes an integral pan portion to seatably receive a secondary cover member. The riser pan member further includes an annular ring between the upper and lower portions. The riser pan member can be employed as a lowermost, a highermost, or as an intermediate component in, for example, an access passageway formed of multiple stackable riser members. In addition, the riser pan member may be formed integrally with a stackable riser member.

Abstract: A tank seal for use in cast concrete walls has a generally cylindrical main body portion with a stepped outside wall having first axially-extending portion, a second axially-extending portion having an outermost diameter less than an outermost diameter of the first axially-extending portion, and a radial ledge or step separating the first and second axially-extending portions. A wiper blade portion extends radially inwardly of the stepped outside wall, from an end of the second axially-extending portion opposite the radial ledge, terminating at a third end. A circular membrane or web extends across the third end, including at least one annular groove therein to facilitate removal of at least one circular portion of the web. The radial ledge collapses and the first axially-extending portion puckers in response to compressive force exerted on the tank seal in an axial direction, reducing the axial length of the tank seal.

Abstract: An integrally formed riser pan member for use as a modular component within an access passageway for an on-site waste disposal system, such as a septic tank, to receivably retain a secondary cover member within, the riser pan member including a cylindrical body having an upper portion having a vertical wall member adapted to receive another modular passageway component thereon, and a lower portion which includes an integral pan portion to seatably receive a secondary cover member. The riser pan member further includes an annular ring between the upper and lower portions. The riser pan member can be employed as a lowermost, a highermost, or as an intermediate component in, for example, an access passageway formed of multiple stackable riser members. In addition, the riser pan member may be formed integrally with a stackable riser member.

Abstract: A tee baffle for use at the inlet or outlet of a septic tank or other on-site waste drainage system has a thin-walled profile and is provided with ribs along its longitudinal axis and one or more annular ribs. The tee baffle has a lowermost end for accommodating the bell end or hub of a length of pipe to facilitate lengthening the tee to the desired dimension. The tee baffle can accommodate various sizes and types of effluent filters having generally cylindrical profiles, and may be provided with inwardly-directed flanges, tabs, or ribs to hold effluent filters in place and prevent an effluent filter from becoming dislodged from the tee baffle.

Abstract: A trench drain frame, and associated grate, adapted to be mounted atop a commonly available drain pipe, for casting-in-concrete in poured concrete or packed asphalt, or otherwise embedding in a suitably tightly packed supporting material, the frame having a pair of connected side walls, each side wall having a lower base portion with downwardly extending support wall to position and support the trench drain frame over the associated underlying pipe. Once the assembled frame, grate and pipe are cast in concrete, or otherwise supported, the grate is removed, and at least portions of the top of the pipe are removed to expose the interior of the pipe for drainage purposes, and the grate is secured to the trench drain frame. A separable end plate can be used to close off a cut-open end of the trench drain frame, when the later is cut short for a given application.

Abstract: A multi-use adapter ring for converting the compatibility of an access opening of an underground on-site waste or drainage facility tank surface or component so as to receive a lower end of a riser component, in a tongue-and-groove type connection, to help achieve and maintain a vacuum tight, water-tight seal. The multi-use adapter ring has a first vertical cylindrical wall, a second vertical cylindrical wall having a height less than the first vertical cylindrical wall and spaced radially outwardly from the first vertical cylindrical wall, and a plurality of radially-extending ribs arranged between the first and second vertical cylindrical walls. An inner ledge is provided inwardly of the first vertical cylindrical wall. The first vertical cylindrical wall defines a male connection end to engage, in a substantially vacuum-tight manner, a female connection end of a riser component, such as a riser, a riser pan, or a riser cover.

Abstract: An integrally formed riser pan member for use as a modular component within an access passageway for an on-site waste disposal system, such as a septic tank, to receivably retain a secondary cover member within, the riser pan member including a cylindrical body having an upper portion having a vertical wall member adapted to receive another modular passageway component thereon, and a lower portion which includes an integral pan portion to seatably receive a secondary cover member. The riser pan member further includes an annular ring between the upper and lower portions. The riser pan member can be employed as a lowermost, a highermost, or as an intermediate component in, for example, an access passageway formed of multiple stackable riser members. In addition, the riser pan member may be formed integrally with a stackable riser member.

Abstract: An effluent filter for septic tanks and the like has substantially horizontal filtering levels provided in a stepped arrangement on both an inlet side and an outlet side of the effluent filter. The effluent filter provides an array of both substantially horizontal and vertical filtering slits through which effluent must pass to reach the outlet side and exit the septic system. Particles in the effluent must navigate tortuous paths created by the array of filtering slits and are trapped by these filtering slits, rather than being allowed to exit the septic system with the filtered effluent. The effluent filter is flexible and is further provided with integral external flexible wiper blades that serve to improve a friction fit between the effluent filter and an associated T baffle, sanitary T baffle, or other pipe component, as well as prevent particles in the effluent from circumventing the effluent filter.

Abstract: A plastic stackable riser for providing a grade level access for underground components such as septic tanks, distribution boxes, and drop boxes, including a cylindrical side wall having a top free edge and a bottom edge. The top free edge defines a first end opening and the second bottom edge is connected to a generally inverted U-shaped connecting member which defines a channel shaped to receive the first free edge portion of an adjacent stackable riser. In use, a plurality of stackable risers are interlocked together so that the side walls all extend along common vertical axes to the underground component and provide a gas-tight, liquid-tight column above the underground component.

Abstract: An improved multi-function seal component for use in the walls of poured concrete or plastic tank or box components of fluid distribution systems is disclosed. The seal component includes a cylindrical wall member, an angled frustro-conical wiper blade which is connected to a front end of the cylindrical wall member, and a backplate component which is connected to the back end of the cylindrical wall member. The backplate component may be integrally molded with the cylindrical wall member or may be formed as a separate component which attaches to the cylindrical wall member during assembly. When the backplate is molded as a separate component, it includes a U-shaped groove for attaching to the cylindrical wall member and includes a locking mechanism for releasably securing the backplate to the cylindrical wall member.

Abstract: An improved pipe seal assembly for use in the walls of a poured concrete tank or box in an on-site waste disposal system, a drainage system, and other poured concrete structures, the assembly including a seal member having an inclined, frusto-conical shaped wiper flange which is integrally connected by a living hinge to a cylindrical seal body, the wiper flange initially extending outwardly when the seal member is formed, such as by injection molding, but then folded inwardly about the living hinge member to its normal operating position. The improved pipe seal assembly includes an integrally-formed tearaway membrane, which has a pull tab member and associated score lines, to permit the membrane's selective removal when desired, thereby allowing the seal member to slideably receive a pipe extended through the folded wiper blade.

Abstract: A plastic stackable riser for providing a grade level access for underground components such as septic tanks, distribution boxes, and drop boxes, is disclosed. The stackable riser includes a continuous peripheral side wall having a top free edge and a bottom edge. The top free edge defines a first end opening and the second bottom edge is connected to a generally inverted U-shaped connecting member which defines a channel shaped to receive the first free edge portion of an adjacent stackable riser. In use, a plurality of stackable risers are interlocked together so that the side walls all extend along common vertical axes to the underground component.

Abstract: An improved trench drain or so-called channel drain system is disclosed which provides a universal drainage unit, preferably formed of injection molded plastic in a standard length, for installation in concrete floors, airport areas, driveways, service station aprons, EPA-mandated on-site collection and disposal areas, and the like. The trench drain unit terminates at one end in a female end and at the other end in a male end. Such drain ends can respectively receive male and female end caps, whereby the drain operates as a single unit drain, or instead can receive the molded interlocking male and female ends of an adjacent trench drain unit, whereby a connected series drain system is created. The mating interlocking male and female ends so encapsulate one another as to create a substantially watertight connection. Drain openings covered by knock-out membranes, with downwardly-extending pipe flange connectors, are located proximal each respective end of the universal drain unit.

Abstract: A flexible pipe connector is disclosed for connecting to a hard plastic pipe. The flexible pipe connector, preferably made of polyethylene, has a tubing member which defines a cylindrical wall with inner and outer surfaces, the cylindrical wall having a male end which has a plurality of undercuts formed on the outer surface. The male end with the undercuts is inserted into the female end of a hard plastic pipe with a melting agent applied at the inner surface thereof. The melting agent melts the inner surface of the pipe's female end to form a liquified layer of hard plastic which is received in the male end's undercuts and then hardens into a reconfigured solid layer. In this manner, the flexible pipe connector, which is inert and normally cannot be attached with glue to a hard plastic pipe, can be sealably secured to a hard plastic pipe as the liquified layer solidifies within the undercuts to prevent separation of the pipe connector and the hard plastic pipe and to provide a seal therebetween.

Abstract: A flexible pipe connector is disclosed having two female ends, each for receiving a length of corrugated pipe and creating a gravity flow water-tight seal between the two lengths of corrugated pipe. The flexible pipe connector is made of flexible, stretchable plastic material, with each female end having a receiving length with a mouth at a first end thereof and a stopping flange at a second end thereof. Each female receiving end is constructed to stretch radially outward along a substantial length of the corrugated pipe which is inserted into the mouth and receiving length, such that the receiving length exerts radially inward compressive forces against the outer diameter of the corrugated pipe effectuating a gravity flow water-tight seal. The invention also includes a male-to-female form of connector having a female end and a male end, which coupler is adapted to be used to connect a corrugated pipe to a flexible seal member of a drop box and is able to receive a speed leveling device.

Abstract: A flexible pipe connector is disclosed for connecting to a hard plastic pipe. The flexible pipe connector, preferably made of polyethylene, has a tubing member which defines a cylindrical wall with inner and outer surfaces, the cylindrical wall having a male end which has a plurality of undercuts formed on the outer surface. The male end with the undercuts is inserted into the female end of a hard plastic pipe with a solvent weld glue applied at the inner surface thereof. The solvent weld glue liquifies the inner surface of the pipe's female end to form a liquified layer of hard plastic which is received in the male end's undercuts and then hardens into a reconfigured solid layer. In this manner, the flexible pipe connector, which is inert and normally cannot be attached with glue to a hard plastic pipe, can be sealably secured to a hard plastic pipe as the liquified layer solidifies within the undercuts to prevent separation of the pipe connector and the hard plastic pipe and to provide a seal therebetween.

Abstract: An improved gas baffle device is disclosed for use in on-site waste disposal system tanks, such as septic tanks, which can be adjustably mountable to the outlet line of the septic tank. The gas baffle device includes a mounting strap which is readily secured to a pipe extending downwardly from a sanitary tee mounted the tank's outlet line. The mounting strap carries a support post and a gas baffle plate. The baffle plate is maintained over the end of and at an angle to the opening of the sanitary tee pipe. Special connection means on the strap allow the support post to be readily interconnected thereto. This improved gas baffle device is easily and quickly field-installed into a new septic tank, or can be readily retrofitted into an existing septic tank as needed.

Abstract: A pipe seal assembly for a poured concrete tank or box in an on-site waste disposal system including a seal member having an inclined inner wiper flange which releasably retains a mandrel, and plug means also releasably mounted within the seal member to prevent ingress of liquid concrete during box formation. A spacer member is provided for those instances where the seal member is to be installed in the wall of a relatively thick-walled concrete box. Alternate means for releasably retaining the seal member to the mandrel are disclosed. Additionally, a series of such seal assemblies is disclosed for use in sealably attaching a pipe through a thick poured concrete wall, such as a basement wall.

Abstract: An improved drop box for septic systems is disclosed including a generally rectangular-shaped, tapered box member, a plurality of invert openings formed on the sidewalls thereof, a locking lid having structural support elements operable to transfer weight carried by the lid to the box's sidewalls, and improved seal means snap-fitted to each invert opening which act to sealingly receive a drain pipe forcibly inserted therethrough. A membrane-type seal plug is provided to block off any unused invert opening. An alternate version of the improved seal means having turbine-blade stiffening means is also disclosed.