MULTIPLE DRAINING SYSTEM FOR SINKS OR BASINS
A multiple draining system for sinks or wash-basins mainly for domestic use. In particular, a draining system provided with a simple and reliable construction which allows to recover wastewater from sinks or basins when it is desired to use it for further processing or other direct uses. The system includes means for diverting wastewater flow alternatively to a sewage system and to a recovery system, by including a control positioned above the level of the bottom of the basin for collecting water.
The present invention relates to a multiple draining system for sinks or basins, mainly for sanitary domestic use. In particular the invention is relative to a draining system provided with a simple and reliable construction that allows to recover wastewater from sinks or basins when it is desired to use such water for further processing or other direct uses.
PRIOR ART TECHNIQUEAt present the discharge of water for civil use, from basins, sinks or other systems mainly for domestic use, containing food or detergents in greater or lesser amounts, takes place through a collecting drain. The drain is fixed on the bottom of a collecting basin (for example wash-basin or sink) usually by means of a ring nut, underneath the bottom, which screwed on the drain with the insertion of a gasket, making it integral to such bottom, as shown in
In both solutions, to the underneath end portion of the drain there are connected waste pipes, usually made of plastic, either screwed to that portion or through a pressure gaskets. The pipes may or may not be siphoned and have the task of carrying wastewater to collection and separation tanks and from these to the sewage system.
The drains are made of materials of various types: metal, plastic or both metal and plastic.
In order to shut the drain various systems are used: with time, the usual plug has been replaced by the traditional filter plug or basket which is at present the most used one in modern kitchens and which, at the same time, acts as a plug and a filter for the drain (
The wise user, especially in those countries where water is very scarce and precious, realizes that a great quantity of water is discharged into the sewage system which instead could be well channeled for other uses.
To this purpose a lot of systems have been realized for recovering “grey water” from the bathroom such as that from the washbasin, from the shower or from the bathtub, as well as rainwater, mainly to be recycled in the W.C. as the W.C. flush is where water is used the most.
Alternatively, a great number of systems for recovering water have been realized through the treatment of the same W.C. wastewater or through systems for recovering grey water through degreasing or phytodepuration, that however have high costs and a set of dimensioning problems not always solvable concerning phytodepuration.
Just as much attention has not been given to recycling “clean” water from the kitchen or from the bathroom that in the everyday use all together became substantial for alternative uses. In fact, it frequently occurs that much of the water used in the domestic wastewater drainage circuit, wherefrom it is discharged into the sewage system, is not really contaminated by any element such as detergents or other pollutants or not biodegradable, in other words containing totally biodegradable detergents in use at present. Let's consider when vegetables or fruits are cleaned or washed, when you wash your hands while cooking, the pasta or vegetables cooking water, or when dusty objects are washed. Again, washing continuously kitchen tools while cooking produces “dirty” water which is not really “dirty”, on the contrary it is absolutely useful for further uses and specifically for some domestic uses such as watering plants or the lawn.
In these cases, that water is therefore potentially suitable for recycling in natural ways, other than the mere W.C. flush.
Sometimes a big pot or other container is put in the sink when it is desired to collect the water used and then recycle it directly watering plants. Such system is certainly not very convenient and cannot be used immediately. Therefore, as in the above said cases, the water quantity usually used up/discharged in sinks cannot be recycled any more or at the very least not very easily.
A more practical solution, in order to achieve such recycling possibility, consists in realizing a double draining circuit controlled by a diverter under the basin. In this way, with two systems, one for the sewage and one for recovering, the recovered water is directed to the garden or to a storage container so as to be subsequently used for gardening or other suitable use. Such system is undoubtedly useful, effective to the purpose, but it certainly has some considerable drawbacks and complexities for the user.
First of all, whenever the user wants to recycle even a small quantity of water, he must bend down towards the front part of the cabinet which is usually fitted under the wash-basin, open its wings, operate the gate acting as a diverter, close the cabinet, and do the opposite to go back to the sewage system.
Such “D.I.Y.” system shows a lot of inefficiencies and drawbacks: it is not immediate, it is necessary to bend twice in order to operate it in one way and then go back to the previous condition (opening/closing cycle); it does not allow the user to see if the diverter is in the sewage state or in the recovery state; it takes up precious room under the wash-basin; it is rather expensive, even for the less expensive drains, for the number of items to buy and/or to adjust. Also the possibility of using remote control systems, such as those on the market, involve a series of adjustments in order to be applied to the wash-basin. These solutions prove to be complex solutions, since anyhow, it is necessary to modify and/or to make a hole in the cabinet whereon the wash-basin rests as well as to make adjustments that many users do not like.
Furthermore, the use of the products present on the market would result in systems having considerable dimensions. In practice, it derives that recovery systems are rarely realized in sinks for all the above said reasons of usage drawbacks, of lack of immediate visualization of the sewage or recovery systems, of appearance, of costs.
For example, the patent application GB 2430444 describes a grey water draining system comprising an inlet for grey water (sink drain), first and second outlets for discharging grey water, the first outlet being connected to a draining system (to sewage) and the second outlet being connected to a recovery system, a valve for selectively directing water to the first outlet or to the second outlet, the valve being positioned between the inlet and the first outlet or the second outlet, wherein the valve is activatable between first and second positions connecting alternatively the inlet to the first outlet and the inlet to the second outlet. It is to note that the valve comprises an en bloc sleeve and is operated by rotating the plug for closing the inlet (sink drain). Therefore, the plug and the valve are an en bloc piece which has to be completely made for that purpose, thus basically modifying the basic structure of a traditional system.
Patent application FR 3000508 describes a recuperator of domestic water comprising a three-way valve which intercepts the water waste pipe after the siphon and is composed of a cylinder activated by a remote control by means of a rod capable of causing the cylinder to rotate by 90°. Through the rotation of the cylinder, water is directed straight to the sewage system or to a storage container wherein an electric pump, when activated, makes it possible to reuse the water for further purposes. This solution appears to be rather complex and encumbering and not applicable to traditional systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe technical problem at the basis of the present invention is therefore that of realizing a new device that inserted in a suitable draining system, that is in draining systems on the market which do not have any chokes or interruptions, when used, allows to overcome the above said drawbacks; just the opposite, it allows to realize, in the same spaces, a substantially different system having an appearance the same as those at present on the market and which allows to operate quickly, even for small quantities of water, being able to control visually the real operation of the activated draining system and even with a full sink it is possible to choose the type of draining system before activating its opening.
Such problem is solved by means of a multiple draining system according to various embodiments, starting from only one concept for all solutions: to make the drain, from just an element of interception and connection to the draining system, become only one system of interception and diversion of the draining with immediate control, either when the draining is open or closed being able to see the active draining function.
Further characteristics and advantages of the multiple draining system of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of some embodiments by way of example only but not limited to with reference to the following figures, wherein:
In
The object of the present invention starts from the assumption of an immediate control, which is easily visualizable, cost effective and of easy maintenance, in order to select either the sewage system or the recovery system. The general principle is therefore the direct activation from the wash-basin.
In fact, as shown in figures from 3 to 67, the present invention relates to a multiple draining system 1, 100-121 for sinks or wash-basins generally for domestic use, comprising a drain 2, 70, 240 fixed on the inner surface S of the bottom A of a basin for collecting water in correspondence of its draining hole F, and a waste pipe 3, 300, 340, 345, 360, 370, 380, 480, 530, 590, 520, 522, 451, 131 of the basin water.
The waste pipe is a rectilinear pipe extending along an axis X-X, mutual to the drain axis, and is provided with the primary waste pipe 30 for the sewage system and with at least a secondary waste pipe 35 for the recovery system.
In particular, the multiple draining system is characterized in that it comprises means for diverting the wastewater flow from the basin which are selectively activatable so as to discharge water through said primary waste pipe 30 or through said secondary waste pipe 35, wherein said diverting means are accommodated inside said waste pipe and are activatable by means of a control positioned above the level of the bottom A of the basin.
The solution described in the appended figures from 3 to 6 depicts a first embodiment of the present invention.
In that solution, as shown, the perforated surface of the bottom A of the basin for collecting water, such as a wash-basin, sink or the like, accommodates a drain 2 which preferably has a circumferential groove 2a for bearing a flange of a command element 4. In its turn, the drain 2 comprises a first bearing portion 20 on the inner surface S of the bottom A of said basin and a second through engaging portion 21 with said draining hole F of the basin. Further, the second portion 21 is provided with an end 23 for a sealed connection with said waste pipe 3. The drain 2 has then a suitable outer thread (not shown) on the end 23 whereto a ring nut 10 shall be screwed for the subsequent tightening to the basin A with the insertion of a gasket 11. Internally, the second portion 21 has an annular bearing step 24 for a rotating element 5 described later. In case, the drain 2 may also have lateral apertures 22 for collecting overflow water coming from an overflow pipe 9 of the basin A.
The command element 4 has an annular support flange 42 on said circumferential groove of the first portion 20 of the drain 2, which flange is provided with gripping elements 41 so as to activate the rotation of a rotating element or cylinder 5. Furthermore, from the flange 42 it extends a cylindrical wall 43 coaxial with the second portion 21 of the drain 2. The cylindrical wall 43 has a bottom 44 provided with radial apertures 4a for the water flow and a perforated central axial portion. Laterally, that wall may comprise apertures 40 for draining overflow water, coming from the overflow pipe 9 of the basin A, which cooperate with the above said apertures 22 of the drain 2. Said command element 4 is integrally connected with a rotating element or cylinder 5 underneath by means of a pin 6, preferably perforated, for the transmission of the rotation given by said control element; the whole is contained in the water waste pipe 3 of the basin. The command element 4 is then realized in female form or basket so as to fit the usual filter plugs 8 present on the market.
The filter plug 8, preferably as shown in
In particular, the pin 6 comprises a head 61 provided with a seat 62 for engaging a plug/basket 8 and of a protruding edge 63 for resting on the bottom 44 of the rotatable element 4. That head passes through the above said central hole of the rotatable element 4, and continues with an elongated portion 64 ending with an end 65 for the integral engagement with the rotating cylinder 5. In this configuration, the rotation given by the rotating element 4 by acting on the gripping elements 41 selectively activates the water flow towards either one or the other draining systems, as later described.
The above said means for diverting the flow of the water into a sewage pipe or into a recovery pipe are preferably constituted by a rotating element or cylinder 5 which is commanded by the above said command element 4. The rotating cylinder 5 is generally made up of one or more pieces integral one with the other which together with the rotating element 4, with or without the pin 6, acts as a control and diverting system, easy to place in or to remove from the drain 2 for maintenance and cleaning.
In particular, as better shown in
The waste pipe 3, wherein there is coaxially accommodated the above said rotating cylinder 5, comprises a first end 31 provided with a flange 31A for a sealed connection with the end of the second portion 23 of the drain 2 (
Moreover, the rotation of the rotating cylinder 5 inside the waste pipe 3, operated by means of the action of the fingers of a hand on the gripping elements 41 of the command element 4, is controlled and limited by stop means 18 and 19, such as protrusions respectively of the inner surface of the waste pipe 3 and of the outer surface of the rotating cylinder 5.
Now hereinafter it will be explained how the draining system 1 previously described works.
As shown in
Instead, by rotating the command element 4 into the opposite direction, the above said aperture 55 of the rotating element 5 will be axially overlapped to the first aperture 34 of the first wall 33 of the waste pipe 3, thus allowing the water flow axially through the second end 32 of the waste pipe 3 so as to reach the sewage system, as shown by the arrow of
It is to keep in mind that the above said rotating operations in one direction and in the opposite direction are controlled by the control element 4 and the above said stop means 18,19 regulates the rotation width to make either the apertures or the outlets or the window overlap or not one with the other so as to divert the water from the sink into the sewage system or into the recovery system.
In
In this solution, the pipe 300 is generally the same as the waste pipe 3 previously described. In particular, its inner surface of the lateral wall comprises an annular thickening or narrowing 301. Inside the pipe there is inserted a system comprising a pin 600, completely similar to the pin 6 of the rotating mechanism previously described, which freely passes through a plug 8b similar to the above described plug 8 but suitably perforated. Such plug 8b is independently connected by means of said pin 600 with another plug 12 provided with a through thread 12b that allows the threaded control or the gripping element 13 to integrally connect with the commercial snap device 14 fixed on a seat 15 of the pipe 300. On the circumference of the plug 12 there is an O-ring 12a which acts in correspondence of the narrowing 301 of the lateral wall of the pipe 300 allowing alternatively the water to flow or not into the primary waste pipe 30 (
In other words, the second end 302 of the pipe 300 defining the waste pipe 30 comprises a plurality of radial holes 303 for the draining of the water along the axis X-X of the pipe directly into the sewage system, and a central seat for engaging a snap device 14 apt at controlling the positioning of a plug 12 for closing the water flow through said plurality of holes 303. Practically, by means of the gripping element 13 it is possible to operate on the pin 600 which in turn pushes or pulls the plug 12 on the snap device 14. When the plug 12 is activated, the gasket 12a is pressed in correspondence of the narrowing 301 of the pipe 300 to prevent the water from flowing into the primary waste pipe 30 and allow the water to flow into the secondary waste pipe 35 (
A position reader 16 protrudes from the gripping element 13 and is connected to the snap device by means of a return mechanism 17 (
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In
In particular, the first portion 201 for fixing the drain 200 consists of an externally threaded and flanged ring nut adapted to be inserted into the hole of the basin bottom (not shown) with the flange resting on a portion about said hole and with the threaded part protruding from the outer surface of the hole. The second portion 202 comprises a flanged ring nut 203 having the inner surface provided with counter threading for the screw-like engagement with the first portion 201 so that the flanges of the respective ring nuts close sandwich-like a portion about the hole of the basin. The second portion 202 is preferably en bloc with the waste pipe 340. The primary waste pipe 30 and the secondary waste pipe 35 are arranged along a common axis Z-Z generally orthogonal to the axis X-X of the waste pipe 340 (
The bottom of the waste pipe 340 is closed and provided with a protrusion 341 whereon it is engaged a rotating cylinder as explained later.
Preferably, the second portion 202 of the drain 200, the waste pipe 340 and the primary waste pipe 30 and the secondary waste pipe 35 are realized en bloc. Alternatively, as shown in the section of
The means for diverting the water flow comprise a rotating cylinder 500 having a general cup-like configuration that replicates the shape of the waste pipe 340 so as to be accommodated therein, preferably in a precise way. In particular, the cylinder comprises a closed bottom provided with a first seat 501 recessed open outwardly and adapted to engage rotatably with the protrusion 341 of the waste pipe 340. Furthermore, the cylinder 500 comprises a second seat 502 open in the opposite direction with respect to its bottom, so as to accommodate a pin for controlling the diverting means, as later explained. It is to note that both the first seat 501 and the second seat 502 are arranged along the axis X-X of the drain 200 and of the pipe 340.
Preferably, the second seat 502 comprises a first portion 503 having a closed bottom with a polygonal, preferably triangular, cross section, and a second portion 504 having a cylindrical section.
Advantageously, the lateral wall 505 of the rotating cylinder 500 comprises an aperture 506 for the flow of the wastewater from the drain 200 to the waste pipe 340. Such aperture may be composed of a series of windows separated by a filtering grid, as shown in
The draining system 105 comprises also a filter basket 70 or strainer provided with a perimetral rim 71 (
Preferably, a threaded bushing 73 is screwed in the second portion 504 of the second seat 502 of the cylinder 500 and so as to accommodate a portion of a control pin, as later described.
The draining system 105 further comprises a plug 800 for closing the drain 200. The plug is completely conventional and it will not be further described. It is only to note that such plug comprises a control element 610 or pin provided with a gripping element 611 for its operation. In particular, the pin 610 comprises a first portion 612 adapted to be inserted in the bushing 73 and a second portion 613 or end portion having a polygonal section, preferably triangular, so as to basically engage perfectly the first portion 503 of the second seat 502 of the rotating cylinder 500.
Generally, then, the draining system 105 also comprises a series of seal gaskets mounted between the various elements making it up. For example, as shown in
The just described system 105 advantageously allows to make constructively more compact and simplify the diverting means and the control means of said diverting means thus facilitating its operation. In fact, as shown in
An indicator (not shown) may be provided on the gripping element to see which is active whether the primary waste pipe or the secondary waste pipe. Of course, since the rotating cylinder 500 is open only on one side of its lateral wall, it will not allow the water flow on the diametrically opposite wall, thus directing it only where wanted.
Moreover, there can be provided stop systems for the rotation of the rotating cylinder 500, such as means 18 and 19 previously described which regulate the width of the rotation so as to make the aperture 506 overlap one between the primary waste pipe 30 and the secondary waste pipe 35. The system is then provided with overflow such as one similar to the one described with reference to
In
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In particular, besides the element in common with the previous embodiments which have the same reference number, the diverting means 560 are preferably a hollow rotating cylinder extending rectilinearly along the axis X-X and comprising a first annular flanged end 561, provided with a groove 562 for accommodating a gasket (not shown), a second cylindrical end 563 and an intermediate portion 564, cylindrical as well. The intermediate portion 564 comprises in its turn a first aperture 565 axially aligned with a second aperture 566 formed in correspondence of the second end. Axially, the cylinder comprises a rectilinear shaft 567 provided with first bayonet means 568 for the reversible coupling on the bottom of the waste pipe, as later explained, and a seat 569 for the engagement of the bushing 73 (
On the contrary, the waste pipe 360 comprises a first portion 361, preferably en bloc with the second portion 212 of said drain 210, and a second portion 362, preferably separated from the first portion and connectable thereto with a watertight seal by means of rapid connections such as bayonet coupling or screwing. Furthermore, the first portion 361 of the pipe 360 comprises the secondary waste pipe 35, while the second portion 362 comprises the primary waste pipe 30, said primary waste pipe 30 and secondary waste pipe 35 are on two staggered planes and preferably diametrically opposed. Therefore, the rotation given to the rotating cylinder 360 by the control 611 through the pin 610 by means of the elements previously described, advantageously allows to select either the secondary waste pipe 35 or the primary waste pipe 30 alternatively thanks to the arrangement of the first aperture 565 and of the second aperture 566 axially aligned and to the corresponding pipes which on the contrary axially misaligned.
Furthermore, the second portion 362 of the waste pipe 360 comprises on its bottom second bayonet means 363 (
Now, the assembly of the system 112 requires the screwing of the bushing 73 in the seat 569 of the shaft 567 of the rotating cylinder 560, then the control 610, bearing the plug 800 as usual with its portion 612, is inserted in the bushing 73 and with the second portion 613 precisely engages the second portion 569B of the seat 569 of the shaft 567 of the rotating cylinder 560 (
In the closing position of the system 112, as shown in
In
In particular, besides the elements in common with the previous embodiments which have the same reference number, the diverting means 570 are preferably a first truncated cone-shaped element 571 and a second element 572 both hollow. The first element 571 has an open major base facing the axial primary waste pipe 30 and a closed minor base 574 facing the opposite with respect to the major base (
The second element 572 comprises an axial truncated cone-shaped portion 578 preferably surrounded by a peripheral cylindrical portion or mantle 579. The axial portion 578 is complementary to the first element 571 so as to substantially fit it precisely. Consequently, also the second element comprises an open major base and a closed minor base. The major base comprises a flange 580 for the connection with the cylindrical mantle 579. Further, the mantle surrounds axially only a part of the axial portion 578 and only a wall 581 extends axially beyond the mantle towards the minor base of the same axial portion. From the minor base, then prolongs a seat 582 for accommodating the control pin 610 of the rotation and the related bushing 73, analogous to those previously described. Furthermore, also the lateral wall of the axial portion 578 comprises an aperture W1 (
The waste pipe 370 is basically a cylindrical pipe extending rectilinearly along the axis X-X and comprises an axial primary waste pipe 30 and a radial secondary waste pipe 35, orthogonal to the axis X-X and formed in the proximity of the drain 220.
Consequently, the system 113 can operate in a first mode wherein the first element 571 of the means 570 for diverting the water flow is fixed inside the waste pipe 340 with its major base downstream the secondary waste pipe 35 and the minor base basically in correspondence of said secondary waste pipe 35. The aperture W of the first element is preferably oriented at 90° with respect to said secondary waste pipe 35. The second element 572 of the means 570 for diverting the water flow is rotated on the first element 571 so as to have the aperture W1 overlapped with the aperture W. In this position, the wall 581 of the cylindrical mantle 579 of the second element 572 closes the secondary waste pipe 35, therefore causing the water to flow through said apertures W and W1 of the first diverting means 571 and of the second diverting means 572, which are overlapped and then in order to directly flow into the primary waste pipe 30 through the aperture 573 of the major base of the first element 571.
Conversely, by acting on the control 611, the pin 610 causes the second element 572 to rotate onto the first element 571 preferably by 90° so as to bring the aperture W1 of the second element radially staggered with respect to the aperture W of the first element. At the same time, the wall 581 of the second element 572 positions itself away from the secondary waste pipe 35. Consequently, the water from the drain 220 cannot flow through the two apertures W1 and W, therefore it cannot flow through the aperture 573 of the first element 571 to drain into the primary waste pipe 30. On the contrary, flows freely into the secondary waste pipe 35.
In
In particular, besides the elements in common with the previous embodiments which have the same reference number, the water diverting means 583 have preferably a cup-like shape comprising a closed bottom 584 and provided with a seat 585 for the engagement of the pin 610 for controlling the rotation, by the insertion of the bushing 73, and a seat 586 for the rotating engagement with a rotation axis of the bottom of the waste pipe 380. In particular, the lateral wall of the cup 583 comprises an aperture W2 located in the proximity of the bottom 584 for diverting the water flow into one of said plurality of pipes (
The waste pipe 380 too has preferably a cup-like shape so as to be complementary to the above said water diverting means 583. In fact, said means 583 are rotatably and substantially precisely accommodated inside said waste pipe by means of the engagement of a rotating axis 587 of the bottom of the pipe with the above said seat 586 of the diverting means, preferably a bayonet coupling as in the foregoing. Advantageously, the pipe comprises a plurality of pipes 30, 35, 36 radially staggered, preferably by about 120°, along the lateral wall so as to form a primary waste pipe 30 for the sewage system, a secondary waste pipe 35 for recovery water for domestic use or for irrigation and a third pipe 36 for other uses or for collecting into a tank (not shown) for storage, cooling or decantation before a subsequent domestic or irrigation use. Furthermore, similarly to what envisaged for the system 111 of
The operation of the just described system 114 is very simple and intuitive since, as in the foregoing, through the control 611 it is possible to rotatably activate the pin 610 which transfers the motion to the cup 583 in order to select the desired one of said plurality of pipes causing the aperture W2 of the same cup to overlap exactly the primary waste pipe 30, the secondary waste pipe 35 or the third pipe 36.
Furthermore, the compactness and constructive simplicity of the present solution allow an easy assembly, simple maintenance, low production costs, besides a minimum bulk in the lower part of the sink.
In
In particular, besides the elements in common with the previous embodiments which have the same reference number, the water diverting means 683 (
The bottom 685 is provided with a through hole 689 (shown in
In particular, as shown in
The water diverting means 683 are accommodated inside the water waste pipe 480 (
The aperture 485 of the pipe wherefrom the diverting means are inserted is surrounded by a flange 486 provided with a series of ribs 488 for holding an O-ring gasket O1 (
The water diverting means 683 are made to rotate inside the pipe 480 by means of an en bloc control 620 with a gripping knob 621 (
In particular, as shown in
The second portion 242 of the drain (
The assembly of the just described draining system 115 envisages a first step wherein the rotating cylinder 683 is fitted inside the waste pipe 480. When is inserted, the sleeve 690 of the rotating cylinder is fitted on the fixing seat 483 of the bushing 73 in the waste pipe 480 so as its first radial extension 694A of the second section 694 of the sleeve 690 engages with the radial step 487 of the seat 483 of the bushing 73 of the pipe 480 thus realizing a bayonet coupling. It is to note that the length of the first annular extension is such that it allows a rotation by 90° of the radial step, and hence of the rotating cylinder between the two stop points 695 of the same extension (
The control element 620 is assembled by locking together in succession the plug 810 on the first portion 622, then the gasket 811 of the plug, the second engaging elements 400 so as insert their tooth 405 into the hole 406 of the plug and finally the second portion 633 of the control element.
The fixing bushing 73 between the control element, the drain 240, the water diverting means 683 and the waste pipe 480, is blocked in the seat 483 of the same pipe and, finally, the control element assembled as above, is reversibly fitted in the bushing 73 with the second portion 623 by means of conventional elastic elements. The bushing blocking can be made by locking or by means of a screw-like engagement (
The advantage of the just described draining system 115 lies in the constructive simplicity which requires few modifications with respect to the traditional systems. Practically, the elements which make up the control and the plug are the same as the conventional ones, while the rotation means are constituted by a cylinder which accommodates therein a conventional drain and that, in turn, is accommodated inside a very compact waste pipe. Furthermore, the rotation mechanism comprises an engaging element for the rotation of the cylinder provided with a simple and efficient structure for transmitting the rotation given by the control element to the cylinder.
In fact, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As also shown in
Furthermore, from the first surface 632 stand two hollow towers 637 (
It is to note that also the section of the sleeve 635 is the same as the one of the sleeve 690 previously described (
The draining system 116 further comprises a waste pipe 530 provided with a first cylindrical portion 531 and a second discoid portion 532 (
Preferably, one of the two holes 539 and that is the one connected to the recovery waste pipe 35, is surrounded by a groove 540 adapted to accommodate an O3 gasket (
The first portion 531 of the waste pipe 530 has a cylindrical sleeve-like shape with a flange 541 formed in the proximity of a first axial aperture 542 radially facing inward (
The assembly of the just described draining system 116 requires the preparation of the plug by means of locking together the control element 620 with the plug 810, with the second engaging elements 400 inserting the gasket 811 and with the first portion 622 of the control element, as previously described.
The sleeve 635 of the diverting means 630 is fitted on the seat 537 of the first portion 532 of the waste pipe 530 so as to insert the second surface 633 of the diverting means into the space defined by the annular band 535 of the same second portion. As previously, to do so, the sections of the sleeve 635 and of the seat 537 must be aligned so as to realize the bayonet coupling. Once the diverting means 630 have been arranged on the first portion 532 of the waste pipe 530, the second portion 531 of the same pipe can be mounted through the above said engagement between the peripheral edge of the flaring 545 of the first portion 531 and the peripheral edge of the annular band 535. Preferably, a retaining ring R1 (
At this point, the bushing 73 can be fixed in the seat 537 and the above said assembly made up of control element 620/plug 810 together with gasket 811/second engaging means 400 can be fixed inside the waste pipe 530 with the insertion of the drain 240.
The operation of the system 116 is similar to the one previously described. In fact, rotating the knob 621 of the control element 620, it is achieved the rotation of the means 630 for diverting the water flow thanks to the above said engagement of the second engaging elements 400 with the walls 636 of the sleeve 635 of the same diverting means.
The above said rotation involves, as shown in
It is to note that in this position, should the recovery pipe be connected with a full storage tank and the water should go back inside the same pipe up to the drain 240 (dashed line of
As in the foregoing, by further rotating the knob clockwise it is achieved the closing of the waste pipe 530 (
With reference to
The second portion 423 of the second engaging rotating elements, as shown in particular in
The assembly is substantially the same as the one described with reference to the previous embodiment, with the sole variant that between the drain 240 and the diverting means 630 there is inserted the second portion 423 of the second engaging rotating elements so that the base 424 acts as a filter (
In particular, the diverting means 650, as better shown in
As shown in
The second portion 591 of the waste pipe 590 corresponds to the second portion 531 of the waste pipe 530 previously described with reference to the system 117 (
The first portion 592 of the pipe 590 comprises a first surface 593 opposed to a second surface 594 (
Advantageously, the first surface 593 comprises a portion 593A inclined from the hole 510 communicating with the recovery pipe 35, towards the hole of the sewage pipe 30 so as to make probable stagnant water fall, due to gravity, onto said first surface towards the sewage pipe.
In accordance with a particular embodiment, the seat 596 comprises a base 598, with said aperture 597, wherefrom it raises a plurality of feet 599 adapted to firmly engage corresponding grooves formed on a connecting element 430 between the bushing 73 and the first portion 592 of the water waste pipe 590. In fact, as shown in
The draining system 118 further comprises a control element 690 (
The assembly of the just described system 118 is similar to that of the system 117 and requires to lock together the first portion 691 of the control element, the plug 810 with gasket 811 and second portion 694 still of the control element 694. Then, the water flow diverting means 650 are fitted on the seat 596 of the first portion 592 of the waste pipe 590 so that the respective first 670 and second 671 sections of the concentric protrusions 654 couple with the section of the base 596 of the first portion 592. Now, the connecting element 430 is fastened to the seat 596 of the first portion 592 by fitting the feet 599 with the grooves 431. At this point, the bushing 73 is screwed inside the connecting element 430 inserting the drain 240 with the respective O1 gasket.
Other gaskets can be provided and placed in the same points as previously described.
Note that assembled as such, the system 118 has the connecting element 430 fixed at a certain distance from the surface of the concentric protrusions 654 to allow the free rotation of the water flow diverting means 650 (
As shown in
By rotating the control 690 for example by 45° clockwise by means of its knob 692, the end 695 pushes into rotation the diverting means 650 positioning both second holes 657 to close on the first surface 593 of the first portion 592 of the waste pipe 590 (
By rotating again the control still for example by 45° clockwise, one of the two second holes 657 positions itself in communication with the sewage waste pipe 30 while the other one is closed by said first surface of the first portion of the waste pipe.
The advantage obtained with this last embodiment lies in the fact that the rotation control is essentially the same as a conventional plug. In fact, the circular portion with radial apertures does not need to be perforated in order to lock together with the tooth of the rotation means 400 described with reference to the embodiments 116 and 117. Also these same rotation means can be avoided since their function is carried out by the three feet 599 of the seat 596 which is part of the waste pipe. Therefore, besides the diverting means 650, it will be sufficient to arrange the waste pipe with a second portion having a very simple shape such as that of a sleeve and a first generally discoid portion with the above said seat for the fixing bushing with the drain.
This means that the entire construction and production are simplified with resulting lower costs.
Furthermore, as schematically shown in
In
As better shown in
Two concentric protrusions 646 axially perforated and overlapped raise from the bottom 641. A first central hole 647 of the protrusions has a section such as to accommodate precisely the end of the control, preferably having a polygonal section and more preferably a triangular section. The central hole is then surrounded by a series of apertures 648 shaped as an arc of a circle, preferably three.
Advantageously, the inner surface of the bottom 641 comprises an inclined ramp-like portion 649 (
The inner section of the two concentric protrusions 646 has the same trend as the one described with reference in particular to the system 118. Therefore, such section comprises two points 646A of the rotation stop on the second portion of the waste pipe, as later described.
The waste pipe 520 of the system 119 comprises a second portion 521 and a first portion 522 (
Note that said first portion 522 of the waste pipe 520, as for the system 118, comprises a first surface 526 provided with an inclined portion 526A inclined from the hole 524 of the recovery waste pipe towards the hole 525 of the sewage waste pipe.
Furthermore, from the first surface 526 peripherally raises an annular band 527 the same as the annular band 595 of the system 118, while in axial position there is a seat 528 for the firm engagement with a connecting element 430 between the bushing 73 and the first portion 522 of the waste pipe 520. Said seat 528 and the corresponding connecting element 430 are the same as those previously described with reference to the system 118. Therefore, the same seat has a base 529 having such peripheral sections so as to receive the inner section of the aforementioned concentric protrusions 645 of the water diverting means 640, in completely the same way as for the system 118.
The draining system 119 also comprises a control element 690 (
Also the assembly and the operation of the system 119 is the same as those previously described with reference to the system 118, therefore they will not be described any further. In
In
Actually, the diverting means 280 are similar to the diverting means 640 described with reference to the system 119. In particular, they have a general cylindrical shape with a bottom 281 and a lateral wall 282. The bottom comprises a first 283 and a second 284 protrusion facing inward, hollow and coaxial, wherein the first protrusion overlaps the second (
Furthermore, the diverting means 640 comprise a first through hole 285 and a second through hole 286 formed on the bottom, in the proximity of the lateral wall and spaced by 90°. These holes, as in the foregoing, are so as to be alternatively overlapped to corresponding holes of the recovery waste pipe and of the sewage waste pipe.
Also the bottom 281 comprises a ramp 287 (
The waste pipe 450 comprises a first portion 451 and a second portion 452. The first portion 451 is similar to the first portion for example of the systems 117, 118 wherein the bottom is inclined to allow remaining water to be drained into the sewage waste pipe. Moreover, a pin 453 raises axially having a circumferential portion such that it engages with the seat of the second protrusion 284 of the diverting means 280 so as to realize the above said bayonet coupling and to allow the rotation of said means controlled by calibrated stop points, as already explained, so as to make the holes 285, 286 of the diverting means coincide alternatively with the waste pipes of the sewage or recovery systems.
The second portion 452 of the waste pipe 450 has a lid-like shape with a bottom 454 and a lateral wall 455, wherein the lateral wall ends with a flange 456 threaded internally for the engagement with the annular band 288 of the first portion 451 (
The assembly of the just described system 120 is very simple since it requires the interlock between the pin 610 together with the relative control 611 and the plug 800 with the insertion of a gasket in a completely conventional way. The bushing 73 is fixed through screwing inside the drain 250 with the insertion of the strainer 70 and the relative seal gasket on the bottom of the sink A. At this point, the pin 610 as previously arranged can be reversibly inserted in the drain 250 so that its end portion 613 exceeds the same drain. The diverting means 280 are fitted on the first portion 451 of the waste pipe 450 with the insertion of conventional gaskets in the suitable seats according to what already explained also with reference to the previous systems. Subsequently, the second portion 452 is screwed on the first portion 451 and the drain 250 with the pin 610 and the plug 800 is screwed on the ring nut 458 of the second portion 452.
The operation of the system 120 substantially occurs as previously described. Note that the end 613 of the pin 610 for activating the rotation of the diverting means 280 exceeds the drain 250 to insert itself, through a shape coupling in the cavity of the first protrusion 283 of the same means. In turn the means engage on the same axis of the above said activating pin but on the opposite side on the pin 453 of the first portion 451 of the waste pipe 450 in a rotatable way. In other words, the diverting means have two axial engagements facing the opposite directions such that in a simple but efficient way from one side they receive the rotation impulse transmitted by the control element 611 and on the other side they are free to rotate about the pin of the waste pipe to select either the sewage waste pipe or the recovery waste pipe (
In
The waste pipe 130 still comprises a first portion 131 and a second portion 132. The first portion 131 is the same as the first portion 451 previously described with reference to the system 120. Also the second portion is basically the same as the second portion of the system 120 and differs from the latter for the presence of a coaxial seat 133 with a hollow pin 134 for the rotation of the aforementioned diverting means 290. The hollow pin corresponds to the rotation pin described with reference for example to the system 120 and differs for the presence of an axial hole (not shown in the
The control 610 of the diverting means 290 are the same as those described with reference to the system 120 and, therefore, have an end 613 which inserts itself with a shape coupling in the second end P2 of the shaft P, which, in turn, as previously said, inserts itself precisely in the protrusion 291 of the diverting means 290 so as to allow them to rotate.
From the foregoing, it is clear that both the assembly and the operation are substantially the same as for the previous system 120 with the difference that the rotation of the control 611 in order to select the recovery system activates the elastic element 509 which after a predefined period of time automatically will return the system 121 to the position of the sewage system.
The advantage of the two described last systems 120 and 121 mainly lies in the compactness of the water flow diverting means and of the respective waste pipe, as well as the simplicity of adaptability to a conventional drain with strainer and plug.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that prior art drawbacks outlined in the introduction of the present description have been overcome and at the same time important advantages have been achieved.
In fact, by means of a simple handy control located above the sink bottom it is possible to select a plurality of water waste pipes of the sink according to preferences or requirements.
Furthermore, all embodiments of the present invention make it possible to realize draining systems in a simple and functional way, thus ensuring low production costs, low maintenance and low risks of malfunctioning.
The draining systems herein described can undergo modifications and adaptations within the skilled in the art expertise, without anyway exiting from the protection field of the appended claims.
For example, the forms described and shown of each element constituting the draining systems can be modified according to specific requirements or preferences. Similarly, sizes and coupling, insertion, connection means can have a great number of solutions comprising, for example, threaded or counter threaded screwing means, quick snap or bayonet coupling. Moreover, among the elements there can be used watertight elements such as conventional gaskets for example of the O ring type or flat gaskets, such as O ring O6 gaskets (for example
The control pins to activate the flow diverting means can have various forms and controls suitable for specific requirements. In particular, the pins and the corresponding diverting means described for each embodiment can be combined one with the other also in ways different from the one described and shown in the figures, but yet having in mind their function, their dimensions and possible modifications or adjustments entirely concerning the shape of the means associated to them.
Overflow systems can also be provided in those embodiments wherein they have not been shown or described.
Also materials can be of different kinds according to specific requirements or preferences. In fact, it is well known that the most used materials in the sector are plastic or metal, among plastic materials the most known are the PP, ABS and among metals stainless steel, brass and other chromed metals.
Seeger type rings can be provided in all the embodiments wherein the diverting means are constituted by a disc or rotating cylinder on a pin of the waste pipe.
Claims
1. Multiple draining system for sinks and basins, comprising a drain provided with a first portion fixed on the upper or inner surface of a bottom of a basin for collecting water in correspondence of a draining hole of said basin, and a second portion protruding from the lower or outer surface of said bottom so as to tightly connect with a cylindrical waste pipe for draining the basin water, said pipe extending about a rectilinear axis and being provided with a primary waste pipe for the sewage system and a secondary waste pipe for the recovery system, wherein means for diverting wastewater flow are accommodated inside said waste pipe and are selectively activatable so as to discharge the water by means of said primary waste pipe or of said secondary waste pipe, wherein said diverting means can be activated by means of a control positioned above the level of the bottom of the basin.
2. System according to claim 1, wherein said control is connected to a pin lying on the axis of the pipe and provided with a first end axially fixed to said control rotatably and coaxially to said first portion of the drain or said first end is fixed on an axial pin of a closing plug of the drain, the pin comprising a second end which engages said diverting means rotatably or in a liftable/lowerable way, or said control comprises an articulated pin with a first end protruding from the upper rim of said basin and a second end connected to said diverting means by means of an articulated lever mechanism.
3. System according to claim 2, wherein said control comprises a gripping element consisting in a knob rotatable about the axis, liftable/lowerable along or parallel to the axis or an annular flange or a lever provided with a cam rotatable on a plane vertical to said axis.
4. System according to claim 1, wherein said diverting means comprise a gate device which in turn comprises a first fixed wall and provided with a first aperture, and a second movable wall provided with a second aperture, the second wall being rotatable so that alternatively the first and the second apertures are superimposable so as to let the water flow into the primary waste pipe or are not superimposable thus closing the water flow into the primary waste pipe, wherein said first wall is fixed on the inner wall of said waste pipe lower with respect to said secondary pipe, and said second wall radially and tightly overlaps said first wall and is rotatable by means of said rotating mechanism.
5. System according to claim 1, wherein said means for diverting the flow of wastewater comprise a narrowing of the waste pipe positioned lower with respect to its secondary pipe, and a plug connected to the second end of the pin of said lifting/lowering mechanism so that it can be lifted or lowered to achieve a reversible and tight stop against said narrowing.
6. System according to claim 1, wherein said waste pipe comprises a primary waste pipe and a secondary waste pipe positioned crosswise to the axis on the wall of said pipe at the same level and diametrically opposed, and wherein said diverting means comprise a ball valve to direct wastewater alternatively to the primary or secondary waste pipe.
7. System according to claim 1, wherein said diverting means comprise a rotating element which in turn comprises a bottom provided with a seat for a rotating engagement on a pin of the waste pipe, and at least an aperture for the flow of wastewater from the drain to the waste pipe, the waste pipe comprising a plurality of holes for the sewage or recovery discharge of wastewater.
8. System according to claim 7, wherein said rotating element is a cylinder comprising at least a hole formed on the lateral wall communicating with a sewage waste pipe or recovery waste pipe.
9. System according to claim 8, wherein said rotating mechanism comprises a rotating cylinder provided with two apertures arranged on its lateral wall on two different crosswise planes along said axis and said waste pipe comprise a primary waste pipe and a secondary waste pipe positioned at two different points along said axis.
10. System according to claim 9, wherein the two apertures of said rotating cylinder are positioned at 90° one from the other and said primary waste pipe and said secondary waste pipe are positioned at 90° one from the other.
11. System according to claim 9, wherein the two apertures of said rotating cylinder are positioned axially aligned and said primary waste pipe and said secondary waste pipe are positioned on two crosswise planes axially staggered and misaligned and each having its axis orthogonal to the axis of the pipe.
12. System according to claim 1, wherein said diverting means comprise a first truncated cone-shaped element which fits on a second truncated cone-shaped element, both hollow and provided with respective closed minor bases for rotation coupling along the axis and open major bases facing said primary waste pipe, the lateral wall of both first and second elements comprising an aperture being superimposable thanks to the rotation of said first element on said second element for draining water into said primary waste pipe.
13. System according to claim 1, wherein said diverting means are a rotating disc having two circumferential holes for the sewage waste pipe or recovery waste pipe in an alternative way and a central hole for the engagement with a rotating pin of the waste pipe, and wherein the waste pipe comprises a first cylindrical portion and a second discoid portion, the second portion comprising a first surface wherefrom an annular band raises to guide the insertion of the rotating disc and besides comprising two holes communicating respectively with said recovery waste pipe and said sewage waste pipe and such to cooperate alternatively with the holes of the rotating disc.
14. System according to claim 7 further comprising first engaging elements integral with said seat and adapted to cooperate with second engaging elements integral with said control to rotatably activate said means for diverting water.
15. System according to claim 14, wherein said first elements are a plurality of walls spaced by spaces for the precise insertion of said second elements formed by feet.
16. System according to claim 13, wherein said disc of said diverting means comprises at least a further through hole connected with a corresponding tower in order to drain water into the sewage waste pipe should water from the recovery waste pipe go back towards the drain.
17. System according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the waste pipe comprises an inclined plane with an incline from the recovery waste pipe to the sewage waste pipe.
18. System according to claim 1, wherein said means for diverting the water flow have the shape of a cylindrical container having a circular bottom and an annular lateral wall, the bottom inner surface having a ramp-shaped portion inclined towards two holes each connected either with the recovery waste pipe or with the sewage waste pipe.
19. System according to claim 1, comprising stop means to stop the rotation of the means for diverting water flow with respect to the waste pipe.
20. System according to claim 19, wherein said stop means comprise two circumferential steps formed on the inner wall of a cylindrical sleeve in continuity with the central hole of the diverting means, said steps cooperate with a radial tooth formed on the outer surface of the base of said pin of the waste pipe.
21. System according to claim 1, wherein said waste pipe comprises a first portion connected with said sewage waste pipe and said recovery waste pipe and a second lid-shaped portion having a bottom and a lateral wall, the bottom is perforated and provided with a ring nut for fixing to a drain and provided with a sleeve for the connection with a supplementary waste pipe, while the lateral wall ends with a flange for fixing to the first portion.
22. System according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the rotating cylinder or the bottom of the waste pipe is provided with a timer for repositioning the rotating cylinder from the position of recovery system to the position of the primary sewage system, said timer being controlled by means of a rotation of the rotating cylinder given by said control pin.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 23, 2016
Publication Date: Dec 13, 2018
Applicant: WATER POWERED S.R.L. (Napoli)
Inventor: Diego SODO (Fontanafredda)
Application Number: 15/778,134