Replacement cartridge for waterless urinal

Abstract

An electronic, dual valve normally closed, mechanical sealed waterless urinal system, free of oil sealing, where the system may be mounted to the wall of a restroom facility. The system includes a bowl portion that features a central recess in communication with a drain or sewer line. A circular housing, sized for sliding receipt within the central recess, mounts a cartridge containing first and second chambers. A first chamber includes a latching solenoid piston rod vertically movable into sealing engagement with the top drain opening in the housing. Further, the first chamber includes a flexible, one-way valve to allow the passage of fluid therethrough, while preventing gases from entering the first chamber. The second chamber includes a solenoid operable to move the piston rod to an opened position, where the latching solenoid is automated by a motion sensor control mechanism, and mechanical means to return the piston rod to a closed position. In a second embodiment, the system includes a latching hybrid solenoid mechanism. Finally, the system may include a series of LED's, preferably emitting a continuous or intermittent green light, and a UV light source to help sanitize the cartridge.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application relates to and claims priority of Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/932,700, filed Jun. 1, 2007, under the title, Waterless Urinal, by the inventor hereof, where the contents are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of waterless or non-flush urinals for use in commercial, residential and public facilities, more particularly for an electronic replacement cartridge that relies upon a pair of mechanical seals for such urinals that does not require oil seals for odor trapping of fluids. The cartridge hereof can be designed to fit all existing waterless urinal housings with liquid sealant or Duck Bill flexible membranes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a dual mechanical drain seal cartridge for use in a “green” waterless or non-flush urinal, particularly for reception within a cartridge housing associated with the urinal bowl. Waterless urinals are a relatively new development, especially in the United States. The use is not just for convenience, but is becoming critical as a result of the concern for access to water, hence part of the “green” movement. That is, with increasing emphasis on water conservation, there is renewed interest in toilets and urinals designed to minimize the amount of water consumed in flushing to mitigate excessive demands on water supplies as well as on wastewater disposal systems. This renewed interest has extended into designing toilet facilities at public venues, such as arenas and stadiums.

Sanitation codes require urinals to provide an odor seal to contain gasses and odors which develop in the drain system: this function is conventionally performed by the well known P-trap or S-trap in which the seal is formed by a residual portion of the flushing water. This seal effectively locks in sewer odors from the drainpipe beyond the trap, however, the upward-open facing liquid surface communicates freely with the user environment, so that the trap must be kept free of residual urine by frequent flushing to prevent unacceptable odor levels from the liquid in the trap. Thus, a large amount of water is consumed in flushing these conventional urinals. Especially in the U.S. over many years when water was cheap and plentiful, conventional flushing type urinals and water-wasteful toilets held an unchallenged monopoly. However more recently, threatened and real water shortages have aroused new environmental concerns and heightened conservation awareness as evidenced by the introduction of low flush toilets, and non-flush toilets.

Non-flush or waterless urinals can now be found in commercial and residential facilities, all of which use an oil sealant, in the patented prior art as reflected in the following U.S. Patents:

a.) U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,037, to Reichardt et al., discloses a waterless urinal. The urinal system includes an odor trap cartridge unit configured as a coaxial dual chamber bell trap that eliminates the need for conventional P or J type traps required in water-flushed urinals. In the odor trap, a body of oily liquid sealant, floating on a body of trapped residual urine, serves as an odor barrier but allows entering urine to immediately permeate downwardly through the sealant and proceed to a drain without requiring flushing. The odor trap is molded from two plastic parts that are assembled together to form a cartridge unit that fits readily into a receptacle cavity of the urinal bowl configured for wall mounting. The cartridge stays in place by friction and gravity, and can be easily removed with a special tool. A special low specific gravity sealant formulation, ensuring efficient operation, is made biodegradable to protect the environment against any traces escaping to the drain. Sealant replenishment, when required, is easily performed. For unusually frequent usage, maintenance may be reduced by the use of an auxiliary oil reservoir serving one or more urinals.

b.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,197, to Gorges, teaches a system for the retention of the oily liquid sealant in an oil-sealed odor trap for a waterless urinal. This as accomplished by making the liquid flow path substantially horizontal as a departure from conventional practice of substantially vertical flow. The trap is structured to realize the substantially horizontal liquid flow path and to locate the flow path immediately beneath the sealant layer or beneath a baffle portion that is sloped such that stray sealant droplets migrating upwardly to the upper surface of the flow path due to their buoyancy will be recaptured and returned to the main sealant layer. To accomplish substantially horizontal flow, the entry compartment can be made to have entry and exit openings substantially offset from each other. The baffle between the entry compartment and the discharge compartment, which has traditionally been made entirely vertical, is made to have a non-vertical portion that is preferably sloped for sealant recovery. A sealant sheltering region can be provided in the vicinity of the entry region to prevent catastrophic loss of sealant in the event of high pressure waste flushing.

c.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,339, to Gorges et al., is directed to an odor trap apparatus for a waterless urinal that includes a housing having an interior and an opening extending from the interior to the external drain, and a cartridge. The cartridge has an exit opening disposed to communicate with the housing opening. The cartridge and the housing have positions of final secured interconnection, when openings are aligned, and of initial unsecured interconnection, when the openings are not aligned. A lever is swivelably secured to the housing bottom wall and has a cap for closing the housing exit tube, and a projection engageable with the cartridge for effecting the closure when the housing opening is not aligned with the cartridge exit opening. Three L-shaped keyways in the housing interior are adapted to make with three keyways in the cartridge, and have corrugated surfaces to provide a ratcheted secure connection between the cartridge and the housing when in the secure orientation. A tool is used to insert and to remove the cartridge from the housing.

d.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,723, to Gorges discloses another system for the retention of the oily liquid sealant in an oil-sealed odor trap of a waterless urinal.

e.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,939, to Gorges et al., teaches a waterless urinal system that includes an exit opening in a cartridge alignable with an opening in a housing for communication to an external drain. The cartridge and the housing have positions of final secured and initial unsecured interconnection, when openings are respectively aligned and unaligned. A lever is swivelably secured to the housing bottom wall whose cap can close housing exit tube: a projection is engageable with the cartridge for effecting the closure when the housing and cartridge openings are not aligned. Three L-shaped keyways in the housing interior mate with three keyways in the cartridge, and have corrugated surfaces to provide a ratcheted secure connection between the cartridge and the housing when in the secure connection. A tool is used to insert and to remove the cartridge into and from the housing.

f) U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,332, to Hsia, relates to a waterless urinal system that can be flushed with liquid. The system consists of a urinal with a flushing liquid and urine separator and a flushing liquid recycling system: the flushing liquid and urine separator have three flow barriers which can guide urine to down-and-up type flow paths to a drain: two of the three flow barriers being able to serve as weirs: the flushing liquid recycling system being able to send flushing liquid from the lower portion of the urinal to the upper portion of the urinal: the flushing liquid recycling system being optionally a foot-operated pumping system which optionally have a paddle which connects to a bucket which can be tilted up or down by operations of the paddle: the foot-operated pumping system of the flushing liquid recycling system optionally having two paddles: the flushing liquid recycling system optionally being a pump, motor and piping system which has sensors, timer and power control and supply system.

The prior art, as described in the foregoing patents, confirm the widespread belief that waterless urinals require the use of oil sealants to effect odor control in such units. These prior art systems are always open meaning the oil surface is open to the atmosphere. When the oil becomes depleted through use, odors can begin to permeate the room. In contrast to these systems, the present invention is directed to a closed system, even when in use. Thus, the invention hereof is a uniquely different approach to odor control, and to present a system having a considerably longer life between changes or replacement. The manner of how this approach is accomplished will become more understandable hereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention teaches an electronic waterless urinal system that relies upon dual mechanical seals in place of the conventional oily sealants. The system is environmentally sensitive in that it does not consume the water required by conventional flush toilet systems, and the adverse effects of oil being transferred to the waste treatment facilities. In any case, the system is intended to be wall mounted and is suitable for high traffic locations, such as sport complexes, military and commercial vessels, schools, by way of example, and not by way of limitation. The system comprises a urinal housing body featuring a splash portion and a bowl portion, where the bowl portion includes a generally circular, central recess in communication with a fluid drain line, and preferably a generally circular housing in a sealing relationship within said recess. A generally circular cartridge is provided and is sized for sliding receipt within the circular housing. The cartridge is divided into a pair of chambers. The housing is characterized by an annular groove having an O-ring mounted therein to provide the preferred fluid seal between the recess and the housing. Returning to the cartridge in a first embodiment, a first chamber has an inwardly and downwardly directed top wall with a central opening in fluid communication with the bowl portion, a bottom wall mounting a flexible, one-way valve to allow fluid flow from the first chamber to the drain line, while preventing sewer gases from entering the first chamber. Additionally, there is a latching solenoid piston rod or plunger extending from the second chamber, where the free end of the piston rod mounts a sealing cap to provide a fluid seal between the bowl portion and the first chamber. The second chamber is sealed against fluid and gas intrusion, and contains a latching solenoid operable to move the metal piston rod into a closed sealing mode. Finally, the system is provided with a sensor means in electrical communication with the latching solenoid, where the sensor automatically detects immanent use and non-use of the system. Optionally, the housing may incorporate a UV sanitizing light for added germicidal benefits, and an LED light for ease or targeting for the user, where a preferred color for the LED is green.

In a second embodiment for the cartridge of this invention, the cartridge housing is similarly sized to the first embodiment to preferably slide and seat within the bowl recess, but the cartridge includes a hybrid, latching solenoid without the traditional iron piston rod or plunger, but rather a magnetizable, levitating metal shunt, where the magnets thereof are momentarily energized to render the cartridge “opened” and “close

Accordingly, a feature of this invention lies in the use of a pair of mechanical fluid seals for a waterless urinal, without the need of traditional oil sealants and chemicals associated therewith.

Another feature hereof is the provision of a latching solenoid valve to effect closing and sealing of the system.

A further feature of this invention is the inclusion of a motion or proximity sensor to automatically turn the solenoid ON and OFF.

Still another feature of the invention is an environmentally sensitive, i.e. “green” waterless, non-flush urinal system that is closed in the non-use mode to eliminate odor release, a problem associated with conventional systems relying on oil seals.

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a simplified side view of a prior art waterless urinal showing an upstanding housing within which is received a replaceable housing receiving a urine transmitting cartridge.

FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view of the prior art housing and cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a side view similar to FIG. 1A, but showing a first embodiment for the waterless urinal and dual drain cartridge according to this invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the dual drain urine transmitting cartridge shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dual drain cartridge of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are sectional views, similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the cartridge hereof in the ‘opened’ and ‘closed’ positions, respectively.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the various components forming the cartridge according to the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is an assembled sectional view of the second embodiment, which components are shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a modified version of the cartridge of FIGS. 6 and 7, where the cartridge is removably secured directly to the urinal bowl portion recess, i.e. no intermediate housing body.

FIGS. 9A through 9C are simplified views of the hybrid latching solenoid, including magnet housing, for the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention is directed to an improved, normally closed, electronic waterless urinal system, primarily to improvements in wall mounted, upstanding urinals that include an odor trapping cartridge secured within the base of the urinal housing. The urinal fluids of conventional systems enter an open urinal cartridge or reservoir filled with a portion of odor trapping fluid, such as an oil, which acts as an odor trap. Replacing these cartridges can be timely and costly. The benefits of the closed system of this invention, which does not require oil seals, will become more apparent in the description and accompanying drawings, specifically a first embodiment in FIGS. 2-5B, and a second embodiment in FIGS. 6-8, where a commercial system is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Before discussing the unique improvements of the present invention, it may be helpful to first review the prior art commercial system of FIGS. 1A and 1B. The prior art system comprises a wall mounted housing 10, such as fabricated of stainless steel or porcelain, consisting of a base and an open urinal fluid splash portion. Concentrically positioned within the base is a deep recess 16 in fluid communication with drain line 18. For collection and transmission of the urinal fluids, an open cartridge 20, or receptacle, is secured within the deep recess 16, thence to the drain line 18. Notwithstanding the attempts to promote conservation, there are problems associated with this open system and other commercial systems. For instance, removal of the cartridge or reservoir can be very expensive. In commercial buildings and high traffic sports complexes, frequent changing or removing can be costly and interrupt use for periods of time. The reasons for frequent changes in high traffic use locations is because the fluid trapping medium becomes turbulent and expands rapidly in such small cartridges causing it to simultaneously drain with the urine. When a sufficient quantity of this odor trapping fluid is depleted in the cartridge the sewer gases may start to permeate the facility room because its a normally open system, and becomes unbearable for the users. When the odor trapping fluid diminishes in the cartridge it becomes easily contaminated and starts to retain the foul odor that it was supposed to contain thus the reason for continuous replacement. The odor trapping fluids are oil base, at some point these fluids will accumulate at the water treatment facility and will become a major undertaking to clean up, oil does not break down as easily as water. To remove the cartridge from the urinal housing you need a special tool, gloves, mask, special container, and special clothing, the custodian doesn't want to spill this waste liquid on his clothing because of possible contamination. The handling of the cartridge is designated as hazards material environment. At sport complexes with multiple urinals in a single bathroom, the closest one to the door typically gets the most use and needs to be changed more frequently, but there is no way to know which one it is, and the system is always open to the atmosphere. The custodian in charge has no way to know which one it is. And in order to stop the stench in the bathroom he has no choice but to change them all. The normally closed flexible membrane valves that open like a Duck Bill or roll out by the weight of fluids in prior art start to smell from the moment they are installed because they retain small amount of fluids. Additionally, they are prone to freezing in cold regions, and sticking. There is no present way to know when they break down causing odor to permeate in the room.

The present invention, a first embodiment of which is illustrated in the FIGS. 2-4, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, will show how these various shortcoming are overcome. From these Figures, where common reference numerals represent like components or features throughout the various views, the advantages hereof will become evident.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the waterless urinal system 30 of this invention, where the system consists of an upstanding housing 32 that may be fabricated of a stainless steel or porcelain body 34. Additionally, the housing 32 includes a central concave portion 40 containing a deep recess 16, for reasons to become apparent hereinafter. The base of the recess 40 includes a central opening 42 in fluid communication with a drain line 17 and air relief line 46. Finally, unlike the commercial prior art system, the system hereof has two operating modes, namely, an “opened” or use mode, and a “closed” or non-use mode. These operating modes are controlled by a motion control system 36, as known in the art, in electrical communication with an electric power source, i.e. facility power system, preferably with a power back-up system, such as a bank of batteries or emergency generator in the event of a power outage, where said motion control system detects the presence of an immanent user and opens the solenoid mechanism 52 via connectors 49, see FIG. 3 and the related explanation.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the replaceable cartridge 44 within the housing 16 which in turn is fixed within recess 40, while FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the cartridge 44. The cartridge 44 comprises a generally circular housing body 44, open to the drain line, sized for sliding receipt within the recess 16. The recess is preferably characterized by an annular portion to allow seating of the housing body 44. Further, to effect a seal therebetween, the housing body 44 may include an annular groove receiving an O-ring 50. The top 47 of the housing body 44 is tapered inwardly and downwardly to a central drain opening 48. Within said opening is a debris collecting screen member, preferably in the form of a threaded cap 51 with plural through holes 53. Contained within a sealed secondary chamber is a latching solenoid 52 electrically connected to the motion control system 36, or controller, see also FIG. 2. Extending vertically from said solenoid 52 is a vertically movable piston 54 mounting a conical shaped stop cap 56 for abutting against the underside of top 47, and closing the system. To facilitate the seal therebetween, an O-ring 58 may be included. Mechanical means are provided to effect the closing and sealing of the piston rod or plunger. In a preferred means, the piston 54 acts against the surrounding coil spring 60 and thus is held tightly against the underside of top 47. When the presence of a user is detected, the latching solenoid 52 activates to withdraw the piston 54 and thus opens the central drain opening 49 allowing the urine fluids to pass therethrough. When the user finishes, the sensor or controller energizes the latching solenoid thereby releasing the spring 60 to return the stop cap 56 to a sealed position with the top 47. Additionally, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a series of LED lights 70 is included, with electrical connectors 71 connected to the sensor 36. Also, access means 66 may be provided in the event water flushing is desired. Finally, the latching solenoid bottom wall 77 may be made removable to allow for maintenance or repairs to the latching solenoid.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are sectional views, similar to FIG. 3, show the “closed” and “opened” positions, respectively. As noted in FIG. 5B, the system is “opened” allowing the urine fluid to pass through the drain opening 49 into the housing body 44. To direct the urine fluid toward an exit drain 62, the top 64 of the secondary chamber is tapered toward the exit drain 64. While different exit drains may be employed, a preferred drain is a flexible check valve 65, also known in the art as an ‘Umbrella’ check valve, that uses a flexible, synthetic membrane, such as a silicon fabric, or other flexible synthetic materials, as known in the art, where such membrane is not harmed or degraded by the urine fluids and cleaning solvents. In any case, this clears the system, where the urine fluid exits through the drain line. That is, the flexible umbrella valve allows urine fluids to pass through to the drain line while preventing potential sewer gas from permeating into the facility room, similar to that of a gas mask. Optionally, the housing body may be equipped with a low grade UV light 66 or other wave length LED to help sanitize the housing body cavity.

FIGS. 6-7 show details for the cartridge and housing of the second embodiment according to this invention. The cartridge includes a generally circular housing body 72 having a central opening 74 and an off-set opening 76, as later discussed. Additionally, about the inside wall 78 thereof, a flexible strip containing a series of LED's may be provided. These LED's, as later explained, may be lighted to designate a ‘target’ for the user, where a preferred color is green. Finally, the upper peripheral edge 81 includes an annular recess 80 for sliding receipt of a cover member 82.

The cover member 82 is characterized by an annular rim 84 that overrides the upper peripheral edge 81 to form a unitary structure. The cover member 82 is further characterized by a central recess 84 having a downwardly tapered wall 86 terminating in a central opening 88 that may include a female key to maintain its position, i.e. not spin. The tapered wall 86 may be fabricated of a translucent or transparent plastic, such as acrylic, or other approved materials, to transmit light from the LED's, as noted above. When using the preferred color of green, there results in a continuous green ring. The user now has a lighted target. Note the urine fluid flow as indicated by the flow arrows, FIG. 7.

While the foregoing discussions have been directed to the mounting of the electronic cartridge hereof within a separate housing body, which in turn is secured within the bowl recess, the modification of FIG. 8 shows the cartridge 72 directly mounted to the recess 134 with no intermediate housing body. Specifically, the cartridge body 72 includes an annular threaded portion 137 for mating with a complementary anchoring ring 130 threaded thereon from underneath the bowl portion. A fluid seal is effected by the outwardly extending flange ring portion 138 and optionally a pliable plastic or elastomeric seal ring about said cartridge and underlying said flange ring portion 138, as known in the art.

Within the cartridge 72 is a is a hybrid latching solenoid 90 mounted within a frame 104, see FIG. 9A, the operation of which will become clearer when considered along with FIGS. 9B and 9C. The frame 104 comprises a generally rectangular, or cylindrical, magnetizable body 99, having opposing open side walls 105, and containing a pair of semi-circular magnetizable washer members 91, opposing permanents magnets 93, each accessible through said open side walls 105. Within the frame 104 is mounted a bearing sleeve or bobbing 100, such as fabricated from a non-magnetic stainless steel, brass or a heat and water resistant material. Finally, surrounding the bobbing 100 is an epoxy potted, waterproof, wound copper coil 106 electrically connected to the controller 36, as noted above. The latching, hybrid solenoid frame 104, by virtue of the bobbing 100, is characterized by a central opening 144 to facilitate sliding receipt of a plastic shuttle fixture, reciprocating between ‘opened’ and ‘closed’ positions. The fixture 118 mounts a magnetizable metal shunt 98, and is further characterized by an outwardly extending flange 97, see FIG. 8, to limit the downward movement of the shuttle fixture 118 to the ‘closed’ position. FIGS. 9B and 9C may help to better understand the operation of the hybrid latching solenoid 90. FIGS. 9B and 9C, illustrate respectively, simplified schematic views of the ‘opened’ and ‘closed’ positions for the hybrid latching solenoid 90. Note the vertically changed position of the magnetizable metal shunt 98 relative to the magnets 93 and metal washer members 94. Specifically, when a user of the system approaches the urinal 30, the sensor or controller detects his presence and momentarily electrifies the hybrid latching solenoid 90 to open the system for the receipt of the urine flow, see FIG. 9B. When finished, the user moves away and the sensor detects the absence of the user and momentarily electrifies the hybrid latching solenoid 90, by reversing the polarity, compare FIG. 9B with FIG. 9C, to return the metal shunt 98 to the ‘closed’ position. The coil height, as identified as reference numeral 140 in FIG. 9C, indicates the travel distance of the metal shunt 98. That is, the distance 140 for the single split, epoxy, potted water resistant coil thereof equals the levitating distance of the metal shunt ring.

Fixed below the latching hybrid solenoid housing 91 is a one-way flexible membrane, ‘umbrella’ check valve 70, as described above, secured by a ring member 106 to anchor the check valve. As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the flexible membrane forming the valve includes an upward nipple 104 for snap fitting within an aperture 106 in the ring member.

The reciprocating, movable cap mechanism 110, see FIG. 6, comprises a movable cap 112 having a body portion 114 extending downwardly therefrom and terminating in a threaded portion 116, threaded into circular member 95. Since sealing engagement among the respective components is important, a series of O-rings 120, 122, 124 are provided.

The cartridge 72 may further include a UV light 78 to help sanitize the cartridge 72, a raised tamper proof cap 128 and a conductor conduit 130 to bring electrical power to the latching, hybrid solenoid housing 90, and appropriate O-ring 132 and connector housing plate and junction box 134, 136.

Though certain features have been illustrated with only a particular embodiment, it will be understood that many of such features are interchangeable between the respective embodiments.

It is recognized that changes, modifications and variations may be made to the dual valve waterless, no odor trapping fluids, urinals of this invention. Accordingly, no limitation is intended to be imposed thereon except as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, waterless urinal system for mounting on a wall of a facility, said system comprising:

a.) a urinal housing body featuring a splash portion and a bowl portion, said bowl portion including a generally circular, central recess in communication with a fluid drain line;

b.) a generally circular housing sized for sliding receipt within said central recess, where said housing includes an annular groove containing an O-ring mounted therein to provide a fluid seal between said recess and said housing;

c.) a cartridge seated within said housing and divided into a pair of chambers and containing dual valves; i.) a first said chamber having an inwardly and downwardly directed top wall with a central opening in fluid communication with said bowl portion, a bottom wall mounting a flexible, one-way valve to allow fluid flow from said first chamber to said drain line while preventing gas from entering said first chamber, and a latching solenoid piston rod extending from a said second chamber, where the free end of said piston rod mounts a sealing cap operable as a second valve to provide a fluid seal between said bowl portion and said first chamber; ii.) a sealed said second chamber containing a latching solenoid operable to move said piston rod between opened and closed modes;

d.) sensor means in electrical communication with said latching solenoid, where said sensor automatically detects immanent use and non-use of said system; and,

e.) electric power means in electrical communication with said sensor means.

2. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge housing includes in proximity to its top an outwardly extending flanged portion, said flanged portion having threads for engaging complementary threads along the inner wall of said recess.

3. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 1, including mechanical means to effect raising of said piston rod into a sealed and closed position with said central opening.

4. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 3, wherein said mechanical means comprises a coiled spring for moving said piston rod from an “opened” position to a “closed” position.

5. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 2. wherein said sealing cap includes a circular top segment and an outwardly tapered bottom segment, said sealing cap mounting an O-ring to facilitate the fluid sealing thereof.

6. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 1, including a screening member overlying said central opening to trap any solids deposited in said receptacle.

7. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 6. wherein said screening member comprises an inverted, tamper proof, perforated cap.

8. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 1, said second chamber is characterized by a tapered configuration to direct fluid entering into said first chamber toward said flexible one-way valve.

9. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprises a motion sensor mounted on said wall in proximity to said urinal splash portion.

10. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said valves is closed during both operative and inoperative modes.

11. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 1, including a sealed UV light source mounted within said first chamber to sanitize the environment thereof.

12. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 1, including a light source emitting a green light visible through the top of said cartridge.

13. An environmentally sensitive urine receiving cartridge for use in a wall mounted, waterless urinal system, where the urinal system includes a housing body having a splash portion and a bowl portion, and the bowl portion includes a generally circular, central recess in communication with a urine fluid drain line, said cartridge comprising:

a.) a generally circular housing body sized for sliding receipt within said recess, said housing body including access means for receiving urine fluid, and exit means for releasing said urine fluid to said drain line; and,

b.) a cartridge mounted within said housing body, said cartridge containing an upper peripheral rim mounting a light transmitting cover member, and an inner wall mounting at least one electrically activated LED's for transmitting light therefrom through said cover member; and,

c.) an electric power source to energize said LED's.

14. The environmentally sensitive urine receiving cartridge according to claim 13, wherein said cover member is fabricated from a translucent acrylic plastic, or other luminous material.

15. The environmentally sensitive urine receiving cartridge according to claim 13, including at least one UV sanitizing light to provide germicidal protection to said cartridge.

16. The environmentally sensitive urine receiving cartridge according to claim 13, where said LED's emit a green light, whereby a continuous or intermittent green light is visible through said upper peripheral rim.

17. An electronic, oil-free sealant, waterless, dual valve, urinal system for mounting on a wall of a facility, said system comprising:

a.) a urinal housing body featuring a splash portion and a bowl portion, said bowl portion including a generally circular, central recess in communication with a fluid drain line;

b.) a generally circular housing sized for sliding receipt within said central recess, said housing having an annular groove mounting an O-ring therein to provide a fluid seal between said recess and said housing;

c) a cartridge within said housing and divided into a pair of chambers; i.) a first said chamber having an inwardly and downwardly directed top peripheral wall with a central opening in fluid communication with said bowl portion, a bottom wall mounting a flexible, one-way valve to allow fluid flow from said first chamber to a second said chamber thence to said drain line, a single split coil, hybrid latching solenoid featuring a fixed center mounted magnet, and a movable magnetizable shuttle shunt mounted within a movable cylindrical dual valve fixture and positioned for reciprocating movement within said split coil center magnets, said moveable shunt fixture mounting a cap member for movement between ‘opened’ and ‘closed’ positions relative to said central opening to provide a fluid seal thereto;

d.) sensor means in electrical communication with said hybrid latching solenoid, where said sensor automatically detects immanent use and non-use of said system; and,

e.) electrical power means in electrical communication with said sensor means.

18. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 17, wherein said top peripheral wall is fabricated from a light transmitting material, said cartridge having an inner wall that mounts at least one LED light source, where said LED light source is visible through said light transmitting material define a urine flow target.

19. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 17, including a removable cap spaced from and overriding said cap member to prevent tampering with said system.

20. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 17, including a water resistant, sealed UV light source mounted within said first chamber to sanitize the environment thereof.

21. The electronic, oil-free sealant, dual valve, urinal system according to claim 17, wherein said light transmitting material is a plastic and is translucent, said LED light source emitting a green light, whereby a continuous green light is visible therethrough.

22. In combination with a waterless, dual valve, urinal system mounted on a wall of a restroom facility, where the system features a urinal having a splash portion and a bowl portion, said bowl portion including a generally circular, central recess in communication with a fluid drain line, and mounting a generally circular housing in sealing relationship to said recess;

a removable cartridge positioned within said circular housing, where said cartridge is divided into a pair of chambers, a first said chamber having an inwardly and downwardly directed top peripheral wall with a central opening in fluid communication with said bowl portion, a bottom wall mounting a flexible, one-way valve to allow fluid flow from said first chamber to a second said chamber thence to said drain line, a hybrid latching solenoid featuring a fixed permanent magnet, and a movable magnetizable shunt mounted within a movable shuttle fixture and positioned for reciprocating movement within said permanent magnet, said movable shuttle fixture mounting a cap member for movement between ‘opened’ and ‘closed’ positions relative to said central opening to provide a fluid seal thereto; and,

electronic means to sense use of said urinal system and effect movement of said hybrid latching solenoid.

23. The combination according to claim 22, wherein the top peripheral wall of said cartridge is fabricated from a light transmitting plastic, said cartridge having an inner wall that mounts at least one LED light source, where said light source is visible through said plastic to define a urine flow target.

24. The combination according to claim 22, including a removable, tamper proof, threaded cap spaced from and overriding said cap member to prevent tampering with said system.

25. The combination according to claim 23, including a water resistant, sealed UV light source mounted within said first chamber to sanitize the environment thereof.

26. The combination according to claim 23, wherein said plastic is translucent and said LED light source emits a green light, whereby a continuous or intermittent green light is visible therethrough.