DRAIN SYSTEM WITH ODOR TRAP AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

A floor drain system comprises a vertically extending drain pipe that includes an upper pipe section with a first inside diameter, a lower pipe section with a second inside diameter which is smaller than the first inside diameter, a cross-over section connecting the upper pipe section to the lower pipe section, and a flange section disposed in the end region of the upper pipe section. An odor stopper is detachably held by the lower pipe section.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

Priority is claimed of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Application No. 61/561,624, filed Nov. 18, 2011, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to floor drain systems. More particularly, the present invention is related to floor drain systems that prevent or limit odors from emanating from drainage systems.

2. Related Art

Floor drain systems are known in the prior art in a wide range of configurations, and serve first and foremost to link compound seals simply and reliably to a drain. Floor drain systems are therefore used in internal areas, such as for example in bathrooms, and in external areas, such as balconies, terraces and the like. Many conventional floor drain systems have a complex and expensive structure with many individual parts, which can lead to unnecessarily high costs. Moreover, they can generally only be cleaned under certain circumstances.

In addition, many floor drain systems which are fitted in areas which may be subject to frost do not include odor prevention because the floor drain system can easily be destroyed due to standing water in the odor stopper when freezing temperatures are experienced. For this reason, different floor drain systems have been used in internal and external areas, which is associated with high production and storage costs. If an odor stopper is nevertheless required in an external area, the latter must be positioned in a different place, safe from freezing, for example within heated buildings. However, this is associated with increased fitting complexity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a floor drain system is provided, including a vertically extending drain pipe that can include an upper pipe section with a first inside diameter, a lower pipe section with a second inside diameter which is smaller than the first inside diameter, a cross-over section connecting the upper pipe section to the lower pipe section, and a flange section disposed in the end region of the upper pipe section. An odor stopper can be detachably held by the lower pipe section.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments of the present invention in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective, sectional view of a drain pipe usable in a floor drain system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, sectional view of the drain pipe of FIG. 1, having an odor stopper in accordance with the present invention inserted therein;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the drain pipe and odor stopper of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a flooring installation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another floor drain system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the floor drain system of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “the” can include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a pipe section” can include one or more of such sections.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. As an arbitrary example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed is an article that is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend upon the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. As another arbitrary example, a composition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item so long as there is no measurable effect as a result thereof.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint.

Relative directional terms are sometimes used herein to describe and claim various components of the drain systems of the present invention. Such terms include, without limitation, “upward,” “downward,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc. These terms are generally not intended to be limiting, but are used to most clearly describe and claim the various features of the invention. Where such terms must carry some limitation, they are intended to be limited to usage commonly known and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the term “horizontal” is sometimes used to refer to various portions or elements of drain frames: as one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate, this usage is not intended to be limited to a component that is absolutely horizontal, but can be extended to components that are primarily horizontal, or mostly horizontal. A horizontal component, as that term is used herein, can include a slight slope that enables drainage of liquids across the slope.

As used herein, the term “tile” is to be understood to refer to a generally planar slab-like component that can be used as a floor or wall covering. Tiles discussed herein can be formed of a variety of materials, including without limitation, ceramic, marble, stone, granite, polymers, glass, and the like.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to about 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually.

This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.

INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a floor drain system with a simple and inexpensive structure, which can be also be fitted in areas subject to freezing despite the presence of an odor stopper. The drain systems of the present invention are also very easy to clean. The system generally includes a floor drain system with a vertically extending (in the correctly fitted state) drain pipe which comprises an upper pipe section with a first diameter, a lower pipe section with a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter, a cross-over section connecting the upper pipe section to the lower pipe section. A flange section is disposed in the upper end region of the upper pipe section, and an odor stopper can be detachably held on the lower pipe section.

The system advantageously provides a floor drain system that has a simple structure with only a few individual components. Accordingly, the floor drain system is inexpensive to produce and can be fitted with very few, if any, problems. It is a further advantage that the odor stopper can be coupled detachably in the drain pipe and is held on the lower pipe section of the latter. Due to its detachable arrangement, when the floor drain system is fitted in external areas subject to freezing, the odor stopper can easily be removed when frost occurs. Since the potential odor nuisance is well known to be considerably less in the winter than in the summer, in the cold parts of the year one can in most cases dispense with the odor stopper. In the warm parts of the year the odor stopper can then simply be re-inserted. Moreover, the floor drain system is easy to clean with the odor stopper removed. This also applies to a waste pipe connected to the floor drain system.

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a floor drain system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention which serves to link composite seals easily and securely to a drain. The floor drain system 10 can include a drain pipe 12 (in the conventionally known state extending vertically), which can be formed of a polymer or any suitable material (e.g., metals, etc.). The drain pipe 12 can include an upper pipe section 14 with a first inside diameter D_1i and a lower pipe section 16 with a second inside diameter D_2i. Generally, the second inside diameter is smaller than the first inside diameter (e.g., D_1i>D_2i). A conical cross-over section 18 can connect the upper pipe section 14 to the lower pipe section 16, and a flange section 22 can be disposed on the free end of the upper pipe section 14. The flange section can include through-holes 20, and generally extends radially outward and slightly upward from the upper pipe section.

A further component of the floor drain system 10 can be formed by an odor stopper 24 which can advantageously be detachably held on the lower pipe section 16. The odor stopper 24 can include a riser pipe 26, the outside diameter (D_3a in FIG. 3) of which can substantially correspond to the inside diameter D_2i of the lower pipe section 16 of the drain pipe 12. Alternately, the diameter D_3a can be slightly smaller than the diameter D_2i. Correspondingly, the riser pipe section 26 of the odor stopper 24 can be inserted into the lower pipe section 16 of the drain pipe 12. There can be provided, on the outside of the riser pipe section, a radially extending, outwardly projecting riser pipe projection 28.

The riser pipe projection 28, in the correctly fitted state, can be supported on the lower end region of the cross-over section 18 of the drain pipe 12, and in this way can define the maximum insertion depth of the riser pipe section 26. In the region of its lower free end, the riser pipe section 26 can be provided along its outside diameter D_3a with a seal (30 in FIG. 3, shown enlarged for purposes of clarity), which in one example can be formed by an O-ring. The odor stopper 24 can further include a cap section 32 placed on the riser pipe section 26, there being defined between the riser pipe section 26 and the cap section 32 openings through which water can pass. In this case the cap section 32 is provided with notches 36 (FIG. 4) which can be placed on the upper free end of the riser pipe section 26, by means of which a releasable connection is produced. A handle part 38 projecting from the upper side of the cap section 32 can easily be grasped by the fingers in order to detach the cap section 32 from the riser pipe section 26. The riser pipe section 26 and the cap section 32 can both be produced from plastic. Alternatively, they can also be produced from other materials such as metals, etc. The seal 30 can be formed of rubber or a correspondingly elastic material.

The floor drain system 10 can further include a tube-like grid frame 40 which can be inserted into the upper pipe section 14 of the drain pipe 12 and has at least one grid frame holding projection 42 that can project radially outwards that can be placed loosely on the flange section 22. The grid frame holding projection 42 is in this example is a separate ring disposed displaceably on the outside diameter of the grid frame 40 and which can be displaced upwards and downwards along the grid frame outside diameter. Both the grid frame 40 and the grid frame holding projection 42 can be produced from plastic, it also being possible to use other materials here such as, for example, metal or a similar material. The grid frame 40 can further include a grid carrier 43 which is disposed on the upper end of the grid frame 40 and can be produced from aluminum, stainless steel or plastic, among other suitable materials. The grid carrier serves to hold detachably a grid or grate 44 which, for visual reasons, can be produced from the same material as the grid carrier. More precisely, the grid carrier 43 can define a depression into which the grid 44 can be inserted from above. The grid 44 can be fixed onto the grid carrier 43 for example by clamping or by means of screws.

FIG. 4 shows a carrying structure 46 with a drain opening 48. There is provided on the upper side of the carrying structure 46 a screed layer 50 which defines an incline in the direction of the drain opening 48. Alternatively, the incline can also be produced by means of a so-called incline board made of rigid plastic foam or similar material. The drain pipe 12 of the floor drain system 10 can be inserted into the correspondingly dimensioned drain opening 48 such that the flange section 22 lies on the upper side of the screed layer 50. To ensure that the flange section 22 ends substantially flush with the upper side of the screed layer 50, the screed layer 50 can be provided with an annular indentation 52 bordering the drain opening 48.

The drain pipe 12 can be fixed in the region of the flange section 22, for example by means of tile adhesive which penetrates the through holes 20 provided in the flange section 22. A sealing sleeve 54 can be fastened to the upper side of the flange section 22, it being possible to implement the fastening at the factory, but also on site during fitting. The sealing sleeve can be a crack-bridging sealing strip made of soft polyethylene which is provided on both sides with a special fleece for effective anchoring in the tile adhesive. The sealing sleeve 54 can create the cross-over to a composite seal 56 which is laid over the screed layer 50. The riser pipe section 26 of the odor stopper 24 is inserted into the lower pipe section 16 of the drain pipe 12. The riser pipe holding projection 28 lies here on the cross-over section 18 of the drain pipe 12.

Alternatively, the riser pipe holding projection can also be disposed on the inside of the pipe section 16 so that the riser pipe section is supported with its lower end on the latter. By means of the seal 30 the riser pipe section 26 of the odor stopper 24 is sealed from the drain pipe 12. The cap section 32 is placed on the upper free end of the riser pipe section 26. The grid frame 40 is disposed within the upper pipe section 14 of the drain pipe 12, the grid frame holding projection 42 lying on the flange section 22 of the drain pipe 12. The grid 44 is fastened on the upper open end of the grid frame 40. During fitting, the upper edge of the grid 44 can be aligned by means of the grid frame holding projection 42 disposed displaceably along the outer circumference of the grid frame 40 such that it ends flush with the upper side of the tiles 58 surrounding the grid 44 which are fastened onto the composite seal 56 or the sealing sleeve 54 by means of tile adhesive. Furthermore, the grid frame 40 can also be moved to and fro to the side so that fine adjustment in relation to the tiles 58 and of the joints disposed between the tiles 58 is possible. Finally, the grid frame 40 is then also fixed by the tile adhesive.

The structure illustrated in FIG. 4 is characterized in particular in that the drain pipe 12 of the floor drain system 10 can be cleaned without any problem. For this purpose the grid 44 can be removed from the grid frame 40, whereupon the odor stopper 24 can be pulled out of the lower pipe section 16 of the drain pipe 12. In this way the interior of the drain pipe 12 can easily be cleaned. The odor stopper 24 can also easily be cleaned in the removed state, especially as the latter is made in two parts. Furthermore, the waste pipe connected to the floor drain system is accessible when the odor stopper is removed. If the carrying structure 46 is located in an area subject to freezing, the odor stopper 24 can be totally removed when there is a freezing so that one need not worry about frost damage to the floor drain system 10 as a result of the water sitting in the region of the odor stopper 24. Therefore, the floor drain system 10 can be used flexibly with or without an odor stopper 24 without it requiring a further floor drain system with a different structure.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a floor drain system 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the correctly fitted state the floor drain system 60 has a drain pipe 62 extending vertically which can be produced from plastic, metal or some other material. The drain pipe 62 can include an upper pipe section 64, a lower pipe section 66, the flow-through cross-section of which is smaller than that of the upper pipe section 64, a cross-over section 68 connecting the upper pipe section 64 to the lower pipe section 66, and a flange section 70 disposed on the free end of the upper pipe section 64 and extending radially outwardly.

A further component of the floor drain system 60 can be formed by an odor stopper 72 which can be held detachably on the lower pipe section 66. The odor stopper 72 can include a riser pipe section 74 the outside diameter D_3a of which corresponds substantially to the inside diameter D_2i of the lower pipe section 66 of the drain pipe 62 or is slightly smaller than the latter. Correspondingly, the riser pipe section 74 of the odor stopper 72 can be inserted into the lower pipe section 66 of the drain pipe 62. There can be provided on the outside of the riser pipe section 74 a radially extending, outwardly projecting riser pipe holding projection 76 which, in the correctly fitted state, can be supported on the lower end region of the cross-over section 68 of the drain pipe 62, and in this way can define the maximum insertion depth of the riser pipe section 74. In the region of its lower free end the riser pipe section 74 is provided along its outside diameter D_3a with a seal 78 (shown enlarged for purposes of clarity) which in the present case is formed by an O-ring.

The odor stopper 72 can further include a cap section 80 placed on the riser pipe section 74, there being defined between the riser pipe section 74 and the cap section 80 openings (not detailed) through which water can pass. In this case the cap section 80 is provided with notches 82 which can be placed over the upper open end of the riser pipe section 74, by means of which a releasable connection is created. The riser pipe section 74 and the cap section 80 can both be produced from plastic: alternatively, it also being possible to use other materials, such as metal, etc. The seal 78 can be made of rubber or a correspondingly elastic material. A filter material 81 in the form of a ring shaped filter element is provided between the cap section 80 and the riser pipe section 74, wherein the filter material comprises a non-woven material made from single fibers. This filter material primarily serves to prevent the entry of foreign objects, such as e.g. hair or the like, in the riser pipe section 74 of the odor stopper 72.

The floor drain system 60 further comprises a gutter body 84 provided with a drain opening 83, which has on its upper open end a gutter body flange 86, and in the region of its drain opening 83 is fastened to the flange section 70 of the drain pipe 62. The fastening can be implemented by means of threaded fasteners and the like. The gutter body 84 can be produced from metal, such as stainless steel. Alternatively, plastic can also be used. Although not shown in the figures, a seal can be provided between the gutter body 84 and the flange section 70.

The structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is particularly advantageous in that the drain pipe 62 of the floor drain system 60 can be cleaned without any problem. For this purpose the odor stopper 72 can be pulled out of the lower pipe section 66 of the drain pipe 62. In this way the interior of the drain pipe 62 as well as a waste pipe connected to the floor drain system 60 can be cleaned without any problem. If the floor drain system 60 is used in an area subject to freezing, the odor stopper 72 can be totally removed when there is a freeze so that one does not need to worry about damage to the floor drain system 60 caused by freezing as a result of water sitting in the region of the odor stopper 72.

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the exemplary embodiments(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the examples.

List of reference numbers
10 floor drain system
12 drain pipe
14 upper pipe section
16 lower pipe section
18 cross-over section
20 through hole
22 flange section
24 odor stopper
26 riser pipe section
28 riser pipe holding projection
30 seal
32 cap section
34 opening
36 notch
38 handle part
40 grid frame
42 grid frame holding projection
43 grid carrier
44 grid
46 carrying structure
48 drain opening
50 screed layer
52 indentation
54 sealing sleeve
56 composite seal
58 tiles
60 floor drain system
62 drain pipe
64 upper pipe section
66 lower pipe section
68 cross-over section
70 flange section
72 odor stopper
74 riser pipe section
76 riser pipe holding projection
78 seal
80 cap section
82 notch
81 filter material
83 drain opening
84 gutter body
86 gutter body flange

Claims

1. A floor drain system, comprising

a vertically extending drain pipe that includes an upper pipe section with a first inside diameter, a lower pipe section with a second inside diameter which is smaller than the first inside diameter, a cross-over section connecting the upper pipe section to the lower pipe section, and a flange section disposed in the end region of the upper pipe section, and

an odor stopper, detachably held by the lower pipe section.

2. The floor drain system of claim 1, wherein the odor stopper includes a riser pipe section, the outside diameter of which substantially corresponds to the inside diameter of the lower pipe section of the drain pipe in at least the region of the lower open end.

3. The floor drain system of claim 2, further comprising a riser pipe holding projection projecting radially outwards on the riser pipe section, to enable the riser pipe section to be supported on the cross-over section of the drain pipe.

4. The floor drain system of claim 2, further comprising a seal associated with the riser pipe section disposed adjacent the lower end of the of the riser pipe section.

5. The floor drain system of claim 2, wherein the odor stopper includes a cap section placed on the riser pipe section, with openings being defined between the riser pipe section and the cap section through which water can pass.

6. The floor drain system of claim 5, wherein the cap section is held detachably on the riser pipe section

7. The floor drain system of claim 5, further comprising a filter material disposed between the cap section and the riser pipe section.

8. The floor drain system of claim 7, wherein the filter material is arranged in a ring-shaped filter element.

9. The floor drain system of claim 7, wherein the filter material includes a non-woven material of single fibers.

10. The floor drain system of claim 1, further comprising a tubular grid frame, insertable into the upper pipe section, the tubular grid frame having at least one grid frame holding projection projecting radially outwards, the tubular grid frame being layable upon the flange section and including a grid held on the grid frame.

11. The floor drain system of claim 10, wherein the grid frame holding projection is formed by a separate ring displaceably arranged on the outside diameter of the grid frame.

12. The floor drain system of claim 10, wherein the grid frame includes a grid carrier for holding the grid, the grid carrier including a grid holder indentation.

13. The floor drain system of claim 1, wherein the flange section extends radially outwards.

14. The floor drain system of claim 13, wherein a substantially annular sealing sleeve is provided on the upper side of the flange section which includes on its upper or lower side an adhesive structure.

15. The floor drain system of claim 13, wherein the flange section is provided with through holes.

16. The floor drain system of claim 1, further comprising a gutter body held by the flange section.

17. The floor drain system of claim 16, wherein the flange section is held on the gutter body by threaded fasteners.

18. The floor drain system of claim 16, further comprising a sealing ring coupled between flange section and the gutter body as a seal.