ODOR TRAP MECHANISMS AND SELF CLEANING URINAL SYSTEMS
Disclosure provides mechanical odor trap mechanism that can be coupled anywhere in the plumbing of a urinal system below the operative base. A receptacle is provided to receive and discharge the fluid from the urinal via a floatation device that is configured to float in the presence of fluid and settle down into the discharge opening in the absence of fluid to sealingly close the opening and block the escape of odor. A self cleaning urinal system can be configured to implement such mechanical odor trap mechanism and further be configured with spraying mechanism disposed at an elevation to spray water and/or air jets to wash away splattered fluid residue. A feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan can be provided with a lid configured to sealingly close the opening for feces to enable washing without the user shifting positions and also to block odor.
This application is filed as a patent of addition of Indian Patent Application No. 5499/CHE/2014 filed on Nov. 3, 2014
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to the field of odor trap mechanisms and self cleaning urinal systems.
BACKGROUNDBackground description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Sanitation is one of the most critical aspects that need to be addressed for improving public health. The effects of inadequate sanitation leaves its impact not only on health but indirectly affects a nation's (Gross Domestic Product) GDP as a consequence of treatment cost for diseases, early deaths, lost productivity, and loss in tourist revenue among other factors.
As discussed in patent application 5499/CHE/2014, contamination of water due to improper sanitation, undesirable odor in habitable areas, wastage of water due to indiscriminate flushing are some of the problems associated with urinal systems prevalent today. Several attempts have been made in this domain to improve systems in the art. However, the costs involved in providing desired facilities far outweigh the derived benefits, particularly in economically backward/underdeveloped regions. Also, state of the art odor trap mechanisms are required to be customized for the urinal systems where it is required to be deployed.
Human excreta, particularly urine contain essential plant nutrients which if properly processed can serve as a cost effective source of fertilizer for agricultural production. High content of organic matter in human feces also provides an opportunity for exploitation through composting processes. Composting toilets and toilets with urine separation make it possible to reclaim and utilize human feces facilitating use of the nutrients contained in it as fertilizer and soil conditioner. Ecological sanitation means available are cumbersome to use, necessitating user to move to predefined positions to facilitate separation of feces, urine and wash water for effective recycling of the waste generated.
The present invention in its various embodiments addresses drawbacks and limitations of the systems currently present in the field of odor removal systems and self cleaning urinals.
All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the tern “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples arc reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in the instant application is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patcnts at the time of filing
The term “fluid connector” used in the disclosure refers to plumbing system such as drains, pipes, and the like associated with a urinal. To the extent a term used in a claim is not herein, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
The term “fluid” refers to fluids including but not limited to air and water with optionally dissolved cleaning or deodorizing or sterilizing agents such as but not limited to detergents and enzymes.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONSome of the objects of the present invention, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide odor trap mechanisms in water-less and water-lean urinal establishments.
An object of present disclosure is to provide automatic cleaning of urinal or toilet establishments.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet pan for effectively separating feces, urine and wash water to facilitate extracting nutrients from human excreta.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide odor trap mechanisms that can be implemented within any urinal system known in the art.
SUMMARYAspects of present disclosure relate to odor trap mechanisms and self cleaning urinal systems.
In accordance with an aspect, a mechanical odor trap mechanism coupled to at least one urinal can include a receptacle configured to be coupled to the at least one urinal at any location in the plumbing system such as at the operative base of the at least one urinal, along the fluid connector associated with the urinal or disposed within the fluid connector. The receptacle can be provided with a first opening to receive the fluid from the at least one urinal and a second opening to discharge the received fluid. Furthermore, a floatation device can be disposed within the receptacle such that it floats in the presence of the fluid, thereby allowing the fluid to discharge through and sealing engage the second opening in the absence of the fluid thereby blocking odor associated with the discharged fluid.
In accordance with an embodiment, the receptacle is press fitted, threaded, clamped or provided with at least one of mechanical sleeves, O-rings, annular ribs, lock nuts or hex nuts for sealingly coupling with the at least one urinal.
In accordance with an embodiment, the floatation device is configured to have a non-spherical shape with at least an operative bottom surface of the floatation device conforming to the shape defined by the second opening with upwardly inclined side walls configured on either side of the opening.
In accordance with an aspect, a self cleaning urinal system can be provided with at least one mechanical odor trap mechanism as described herein above and such system can further include a spraying mechanism that can be configured to clean splattered fluid residue from the at least one urinal. In accordance with an embodiment. the spraying mechanism can include one or more combinations of fluid jets disposed in a pre-determined manner at an elevated level to facilitate cleaning of the facility housing the at least one urinal. In accordance with an embodiment, the fluid jets can be operable at pre-determined time intervals by either automated timer controller valves or manually operated valves.
In accordance with an aspect, a feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan having at least one first opening for receiving the urine, at least one second opening for receiving the feces and at least one third opening for receiving wash water can include a detachable lid configured to sealingly close each of the at least one second opening and prevent wash water from entering the second openings. The lid facilitates washing without requiring user to move towards the third opening to ensure no water leaks unintentionally into the second opening. The lid also ensures that only one of the second openings is used at a time.
In accordance with an embodiment, the lid can be configured with at least one handle.
In accordance with an embodiment, the lid can be configured to be press fitted, threaded or provided with a mechanical lock to place the lid into position over the second opening.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
In the Figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. if only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to odor trap mechanisms and self cleaning urinal systems. In accordance with an aspect, a mechanical odor trap mechanism is disclosed that can be coupled to at least one urinal at any location in the plumbing system. For instance, the mechanism can be coupled to the operative base of the urinal or somewhere along the fluid connector of the urinal or even within the fluid connector.
In accordance with an embodiment, receptacle 10 can be coupled to the urinal by various means such as press fitting, by providing threads on at least one surface of receptacle 10, by clamping, providing mechanical sleeves, O-rings, annular ribs, lock nuts or hex nuts so that receptacle 10 is sealingly coupled to the urinal. In an exemplary embodiment, threads 20 are provided along at least a portion of the outer surface of receptacle 10.
In accordance with an embodiment, diameter of receptacle 10 can be either greater than, less than or equal to that of fluid connector 24. In accordance with an embodiment, the diameter of the first opening and the second opening can be such that fluid connectors of different diameters can be coupled to either side of the odor trap mechanism. In the event that the diameter of receptacle 10 is greater than that of fluid connector 24, receptacle 10 can be configured to be coupled to the fluid connector 24 at first opening 12 and second opening 14 by inserting ends of fluid connector 24 into first opening 12 and second opening 14 respectively and sealing securing the ends by either press fitting or threading or clamping or providing with at least one of mechanical sleeves, O-rings or annular ribs. In accordance with an embodiment, in the event that diameter of receptacle 10 is less than that of fluid connector 24, first opening 12 and second opening 14 of receptacle 10 can be inserted into ends of fluid connector 24 and further scaling securing the ends by any of the means described herein above. In accordance with another embodiment, receptacle 10 can be inserted completely into fluid connector 24. In accordance with yet another embodiment, in the event that diameter of receptacle 10 is equal to that of fluid connector 24, lock nuts or hex nuts can be provided to sealing couple receptacle 10 to fluid connector 24.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a self cleaning urinal system can be configured with a mechanical odor trap mechanism as described in the various embodiments herein above. Such system can be further configured with a spraying mechanism for cleaning splattered fluid residue from the urinal. The spraying mechanism can include one or more combinations of fluid jets disposed in a pre-determined manner at an elevated level to facilitate cleaning of the facility housing the urinal. The fluid jets can be operated at pre-determined time intervals by either automated timer controller valves or manually operated valves.
In accordance with an embodiment, first opening 32 and third opening 36 are configured in a first end section and a second end section at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis of toilet pan 200A and second opening 34 is configured in a middle section there between such that the first end section, the second end section and the middle section together form a toilet pan having either unitary construction or one or more combination of discrete sections.
In accordance with an embodiment, toilet pan 200A can further include barrier 40 disposed between the first end section and the middle section to prevent mixing of urine received in the first opening with wash water that may be spread over the middle section and the second end section.
In accordance with an embodiment, toilet pan 200A can be configured such that the middle section is disposed substantially horizontal with respect to ground and the first end section and the second end section extend in opposing directions at an inclined angle from ends of the middle section on either side.
In accordance with an embodiment, foot rests 44 can be configured on either side of second opening 34.
It should be understood that while the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in a manner wherein certain pats like grip means 22 is indicated particularly in all illustrated embodiments, it is possible to configure mechanical odor trap mechanism with one or more combination of other types of grip means and also without such grip means and such modification is well within the scope of the present disclosure.
It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that features illustrated with reference to any particular embodiment may be applicable to other embodiments of the present disclosure and may not be limited to the illustrated embodiment alone.
While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF PRESENT INVENTIONThe present disclosure provides odor trap mechanisms in water-less and water-lean urinal establishments.
The present disclosure provides automatic cleaning of urinal or toilet establishments.
The present disclosure provides a toilet pan for effectively separating feces, urine and wash water to facilitate extracting nutrients from human excreta.
The present disclosure provides odor trap mechanisms that can be implemented within any urinal system known in the art.
Claims
1. A mechanical odor trap mechanism coupled to at least one urinal, said mechanism comprising:
- (i) a receptacle configured to be coupled to the at least one urinal at either the operative base of the at least one urinal, along the fluid connector associated thereof or disposed within the fluid connector, said receptacle being provided with a first opening to receive the fluid from the at least one urinal and a second opening to discharge the received fluid; and
- (ii) a floatation device disposed within said receptacle, said floatation device configured to float in the presence of the fluid, thereby allowing the fluid to discharge through and sealing engage said second opening in the absence of the fluid thereby blocking odor associated with the discharged fluid.
2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said receptacle is press fitted, threaded, clamped or provided with at least one of mechanical sleeves, O-rings, annular ribs, lock nuts or hex nuts for scalingly coupling with the at least one urinal.
3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said receptacle is configured with a sieve to filter out any undesired material and permit only the fluid from the at least one urinal from entering therein.
4. The mechanism of claim 3, wherein said receptacle is configured with a T-shaped joint or at least a two-way joint proximal said sieve, said T-shaped joint having an arm extending laterally along said fluid connector at an end configured to receive the fluid and an arm perpendicular to the lateral arm provided with at least one opening configured to facilitate access to debris collected on said sieve for cleaning, said opening being openably sealable.
5. The mechanism of claim 3, further comprising at least one of (i) a lifting mechanism for maneuvering said floatation device for maintenance or replacement, said lifting mechanism coupled to said sieve or a side wall of said receptacle and (ii) a floatation limiting mechanism configured to restrain said floatation device in place by inhibiting toppling in the presence of a gush of fluid in said receptacle.
6. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said floatation device is selectively filled with predetermined quantity and type of gas for facilitating buoyancy.
7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said floatation device is made of at least two subparts defining a volume of air there between for buoyancy.
8. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said floatation device is configured to have a unitary construction or have at least two subparts that can be sealingly coupled with pre-defined volume of gas there between for buoyancy.
9. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said floatation device is configured to have a non-spherical shape with at least an operative bottom surface of said floatation device conforming with the shape defined by said second opening with upwardly inclined side walls configured on either side of said opening.
10. The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising grip means integrally formed with said receptacle for facilitating use of tools for coupling said mechanism to at least one urinal.
11. A self cleaning urinal system having at least one mechanical odor trap mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system comprises a spraying mechanism configured to clean splattered fluid residue from the at least one urinal, said spraying mechanism comprising one or more combinations of fluid jets disposed in a pre-determined manner at an elevated level to facilitate cleaning of the facility housing the at least one urinal, said fluid jets being operable at pre-determined time intervals by either automated timer controller valves or manually operated valves.
12. A feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan having at least one first opening for receiving the urine, at least one second opening for receiving the feces and at least one third opening for receiving wash water,
- said toilet pan comprising a detachable lid configured to sealingly close each of said at least one second opening and prevent wash water from entering therein and facilitating washing without requiring user to move towards said third opening and permitting only one of said at least one second opening to be used.
13. The feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan of claim 12, wherein said at least one first opening and said at least one third opening are configured in a first end section and a second end section at opposing ends along a longitudinal axis of the toilet pan and said second opening is configured in a middle section there between such that said first end section, said second end section and said middle section together form said toilet pan having either unitary construction or one or more combination of discrete sections.
14. The feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan of claim 13 further comprising a barrier disposed between said first end section and said middle section, said barrier configured to prevent mixing of urine received in said first opening with wash water that is spread over said middle section and said second end section.
15. The feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan of claim 13, wherein said middle section is disposed substantially horizontal with respect to ground and said first end section and said second end section extend in opposing directions at an inclined angle from ends of said middle section on either side.
16. The feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan of claim 12 further comprising foot rests configured on either side of said second opening.
17. The feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan of claim 12, wherein said lid is configured with at least one handle.
18. The feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan of claim 12, wherein said lid is configured with at least one fourth opening configured to receive wash water and direct the wash water to flow towards said second end section.
19. The feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan of claim 12, wherein said lid is provided with at least one inclined surface configured to direct the wash water to flow towards said second end section.
20. The feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan of claim 12, wherein said lid is configured with either conical or dome shaped operating top surface.
21. The feces, urine and wash water separating toilet pan of claim 12, wherein said lid is configured to be press fitted, threaded or provided with a mechanical lock to place said lid into position over said second opening.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 21, 2016
Publication Date: Oct 11, 2018
Inventor: Krupakar Murali Subramanian (Komarapalayam)
Application Number: 15/570,318