U.S. patent application number 11/272986 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for removable cartridge assembly for a waterless urinal.
Invention is credited to Stephen John Cummings.
Application Number | 20060101565 11/272986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35966984 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060101565 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cummings; Stephen John |
May 18, 2006 |
Removable cartridge assembly for a waterless urinal
Abstract
A removable cartridge assembly for a waterless urinal. The
cartridge assembly comprises a cup and a cap. The cup is adapted to
receive a scent block therein. The cap is adapted to releasably
engage the cup. When the cap is engaged with the cup, the scent
block is retained in the cup and, when the cap is disengaged from
the cup, the scent block is removable from within the cup, and thus
from the cartridge assembly.
Inventors: |
Cummings; Stephen John;
(Newport, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
633 WEST FIFTH STREET, TWENTY-FIRST FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90071-2040
US
|
Family ID: |
35966984 |
Appl. No.: |
11/272986 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/309 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/281 20130101;
E03D 13/007 20130101; E03C 1/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/309 |
International
Class: |
E03D 13/00 20060101
E03D013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 15, 2004 |
AU |
2004906532 |
Claims
1. A removable cartridge assembly for a waterless urinal, the
cartridge assembly comprising: a cup adapted to receive a scent
block therein; and a cap adapted to releasably engage the cup,
wherein, when the cap is engaged with the cup, the scent block is
retained in the cup and, when the cap is disengaged from the cup,
the scent block is removable from within the cup, and thus from the
cartridge assembly.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cup has at least
one tab adapted to releasably engage at least one corresponding
opening in the cap.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge
includes a body adapted for sealing connection to an opening in the
waterless urinal.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body has an
external thread on one end for engaging a retaining nut.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other end of the
body has a distally diverging taper adapted to receive the cup
therein.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the interior of the
body has a shoulder adapted to engage with corresponding recess
formed in a flexible one way valve.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cup is
releasably connected to, and supported within the taper by, the
valve.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap is located
spaced apart from the body by a gap through which urine can enter
the body.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap is adapted
for removal from the cup, from within the urinal, whilst the
cartridge assembly is installed in the urinal.
10. A waterless urinal comprising: a urinal bowl having an interior
surface with an outlet opening therein; and a removable cartridge
assembly adapted to mount within the opening, the cartridge
assembly having a substantially flat cap, wherein the cartridge
assembly is mounted with the cap substantially parallel to, and
slightly proud of, the bowl surface adjacent to the outlet
opening.
11. The urinal as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cap is
positioned above the adjacent bowl surface by a gap.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cap is
positioned about the adjacent bowl surface by approximately a 9 mm
gap.
13. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 10, wherein the
cap is slightly convex into the interior of the urinal bowl.
14. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the removable
cartridge assembly has a scent block holder therein.
15. The assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cap is
releasably connected to the scent block holder.
16. A waterless urinal cartridge assembly removal and installation
tool, the cartridge assembly comprising: a scent block; a scent
block cup; a cap; and one-way valve, the tool comprising, a first
end adapted for selective engagement with one or more of the cup,
scent block or cap, and the second end adapted for selective
engagement with the one-way valve.
17. The tool as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first end
comprises two manually expandable, spring retractable jaws.
18. The tools claimed in claim 16, wherein the second end comprises
a manually slidable, valve engagement and ejection device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of Australian Provisional
Application No. 2004906532 dated Nov. 15, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a removable cartridge
assembly for a waterless urinal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Waterless urinals that utilize a one-way valve are known.
The valve automatically opens in the presence of urine, to allow
the urine to flow therethrough to sewerage, and then automatically
closes to prevent the passage of any sewerage odor to the room
where the waterless urinal is installed. It is also known to mount
the valves in a removable cartridge assembly that can be fitted to
a purpose built urinal or retro-fitted to an existing flushing
urinal, after the flushing water supply to the latter is disabled.
It is also known for the cartridge to contain a scent or deodorant
block to reduce the negative impact of any odors that may become
associated with the cartridge due to having urine pass
therethrough.
[0004] A known cartridge assembly has a domed cap which protrudes
into the interior of the urinal bowl, which is not aesthetically
pleasing.
[0005] A known cartridge assembly also has a scent block contained
within a plastic casing that can be releasably connected to the
cartridge assembly. This results in unnecessary expense and
material wastage as the plastic casing is also discarded when the
scent block has been depleted.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to substantially
overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the prior art
deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention
provides a removable cartridge assembly for a waterless urinal, the
cartridge assembly comprising:
[0008] a cup adapted to receive a scent block therein; and
[0009] a cap adapted to releasably engage the cup,
[0010] wherein, when the cap is engaged with the cup, the scent
block is retained in the cup and, when the cap is disengaged from
the cup, the scent block is removable from within the cup, and thus
from the cartridge assembly.
[0011] The cup preferably has at least one tab adapted to
releasably engage at least one corresponding opening in the
cap.
[0012] The cartridge preferably includes a body adapted for sealing
connecting to an opening in the waterless urinal. The body
preferably has an external thread on one end for engaging a
retaining nut. The other end of the body preferably has a distally
diverging taper adapted to receive the cup therein.
[0013] The interior of the body preferably has a shoulder adapted
to engage with corresponding recess formed in a flexible one way
valve. The cup is preferably releasably connected to, and supported
within the taper by, the valve.
[0014] The cap is preferably located spaced apart from the body by
a gap through which urine can enter the body.
[0015] The cap is preferably adapted for removal from the cup, from
within the urinal, whilst the cartridge assembly is installed in
the urinal.
[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a
waterless urinal comprising:
[0017] a urinal bowl having an interior surface with an outlet
opening therein;
[0018] a removable cartridge assembly adapted to mount within the
opening, the cartridge assembly having a substantially flat
cap,
[0019] wherein the cartridge assembly is mounted with the cap
substantially parallel to, and slightly proud of, the bowl surface
adjacent to the outlet opening.
[0020] The cap is preferably positioned above the adjacent bowl
surface by a gap, most preferably approximately a 9 mm gap.
[0021] The cap is preferably slightly convex into the interior of
the urinal bowl.
[0022] The removable cartridge assembly preferably has a scent
block holder therein and the cap is preferably releasably connected
to the scent block holder.
[0023] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a
waterless urinal cartridge assembly removal and installation tool,
the cartridge assembly comprising: a scent block; a scent block
cup; a cap; and one-way valve, the tool comprising: a first end
adapted for selective engagement with one or more of the cup, scent
block or cap, and the second end adapted for selective engagement
with the one-way valve.
[0024] Preferably, the first end comprises a set of manually
expandable, spring retractable jaws and the second end comprises a
manually slidable, valve engagement and ejection device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Preferred examples of the invention will now be described,
by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a waterless urinal
according to a first embodiment of the invention, having a
removable cartridge assembly, according to a first embodiment of
the invention, therein;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cartridge assembly shown in
FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a front view of the cartridge assembly shown in
FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a top view of the cartridge assembly shown in FIG.
1;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cartridge assembly shown in
FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge assembly
shown in FIG. 1 along the line 6-6;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge assembly
shown in FIG. 1 along the line 7-7;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a side view of a removable cartridge assembly
according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge assembly
shown in FIG. 8 along the line 9-9;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a top view of the cartridge assembly shown in
FIG. 8;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the cartridge assembly shown in
FIG. 8;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a side view of a removable cartridge assembly
according to a third embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the cartridge
assembly shown in FIG. 12 along the line 13-13;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a top view of the cartridge assembly shown in
FIG. 12;
[0040] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the cartridge assembly shown in
FIG. 12;
[0041] FIG. 16 is a front view of an embodiment of a cartridge
assembly removal and installation tool according to the
invention;
[0042] FIG. 17 is a side view of the tool shown in FIG. 16;
[0043] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of the tool shown in
FIG. 16 along the line 18-18;
[0044] FIG. 19 is a top view of the tool shown in FIG. 16; and
[0045] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the tool shown in FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0046] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is shown a first
embodiment of a waterless urinal 10 according to the invention. The
urinal 10 has an interior bowl surface 12 with an outlet opening
14. FIG. 1 also shows a first embodiment of a removable cartridge
assembly 16 according to the invention. The cartridge assembly 16
is mounted within the opening 14 and connected to mains sewerage by
pipes 18.
[0047] The cartridge assembly 16 is best shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 and
has a generally cylindrical plastic body 20. The body 20 has
external threads 22 on one end and a distally diverging taper 24 on
the other end. The taper 24 terminates in a flange 26 which is
adapted, upon installation, to seal against the outlet opening 14
in the urinal's interior surface 12. The cartridge assembly 16 is
inserted through the outlet opening 14 from the urinal's interior
and is retained by tightening a nut 28 along the thread 22 until it
engages with the lower edge 14a of the outlet opening 14.
[0048] A rubber one-way valve 30 is positioned within the body 20
by an external flange 34 thereon locating against an internal
shoulder 36 on the interior of the body 20. The valve 30 is of the
type previously described and has flexible walls 38 (see FIG. 7)
which expand and separate to allow urine to pass downwardly
therethrough and then automatically close to the position shown in
FIG. 7 to prevent odor from passing upwardly therethrough.
[0049] The top of the valve 30 has four locating arms 40 which are
adapted to snap engage with a plastic cup 42. The cup 42 is adapted
to receive a scent or deodorizing block 44 therein. A shallowly
curved, plastic cap 46 is releasably connected to the cup 42 by
tabs 48 on the cup 42 which engage with corresponding openings 50
in the cap 46. The cap 46 can be removed from the cup 42 by
pressing the tabs 48 inwardly away from the openings 50. The
operation of the tabs 48 make the cartridge assembly 16 resistant
to unauthorized disassembly (e.g. by vandals), as will be described
in more detail below, making it suitable for public
applications.
[0050] The cap 46 is positioned so as to leave about a 9 mm high
gap 52 between the bottom of the cap 46 and the top of the flange
26. In use, urine flows along the bowl surface 12 into the gap 52,
through the cartridge assembly 16 and through the valve 32 to mains
sewerage via the pipes 18. The gap 52 also allows pleasant odors
from the scent block 44 to pass into the room in which the urinal
10 is installed.
[0051] The cartridge and urinal described above have several
advantages. Firstly, the cartridge is very easy to install and use.
It is also very easy to install, remove, or replace the scent block
44, and without requiring disassembly of the cartridge 16 from the
urinal 10. Secondly, the mounting of the slightly convexly curved
(almost flat) cap 46 only slightly protruding from the adjacent
interior surface 12 of the urinal 10 provides an aesthetically
pleasing, unobtrusive visual appearance to the cartridge assembly
14 and the urinal 10, as the cap appears to follow the contours of
the bowl interior. This is particularly apparent when viewed from
almost directly above, which is the point of view of most users of
the urinal 10.
[0052] FIGS. 16 to 20 show an embodiment of a cartridge assembly
removal and installation of a tool 60 according to the
installation. The tool 60 has a handle 61, a first end 62, adapted
for selective engagement with the cap 56, and a second end 64,
adapted for selective engagement with the scent block 44.
[0053] The first end 62 of the tool 60 has a fixed jaw 66 and a
movable jaw 68. The movable jaw 68 is connected to button 70 and,
as best shown in FIG. 18, depression of the button 70 towards the
tool body 61, as indicated by arrow 72, causes the movable jaw 68
to move away from the tool body 61, as indicated by arrow 74, to
increase the distance between the jaws 66 and 68. The tool 60 also
includes a spring 76 which biases the jaws towards the (minimum
opening) position shown in FIGS. 16 to 20 in the absence of
pressure on the button 70.
[0054] In use, a user depresses the button 70 to widen the gap
between the jaws 66, 68. This allows the jaws 66, 68 to be passed
over the top of the cap 46 and into the gap 42. When pressure on
the button 70 is released, the jaws 66, 68 move inwardly and
contact the tabs 48 and move the tabs 48 inwardly and away from
engagement in the openings 50, which frees the cap 46 from
engagement with the cup 42. The cap 46 is also gripped by the jaws
66, 68 and can then be lifted free of the cartridge assembly
16.
[0055] A similar procedure to that described above can also be used
to grip and remove the cup 42 from the cartridge assembly 16.
[0056] A reverse of the above procedures can be used to reinstall a
fresh cup 42 and scent block 44 and also reinstall the cap 16.
[0057] The second end 64 of the tool 60 includes an end formation
76 which is adapted to engage with the interior of the flange 34
associated with the one-way valve 30. The end formation 76 also
includes a gripping part 78, which may be slid in the direction of
double-headed arrow 80, relative to an internal formation 82.
[0058] In use, the gripping part 78 is slid away from the first end
62. The end formation 76 is then pressed into engagement with the
one-way valve 30. Withdrawing the tool 60 away from the cartridge
assembly 16 results in the removal of the valve 30 from the
cartridge assembly 16. The gripping part 78 is then slid back
towards the first end 62 which causes the internal formation 82 to
abut the valve 30 and force it out of engagement with the end
formation 76, for disposal.
[0059] A reverse of this procedure can be used to install a
replacement one-way valve 30 into the cartridge assembly 16.
[0060] It should be noted that the tool 60 allows the cap 56, cup
42, scent block 44 and one-way valve 30 to be removed and/or
replaced in the cartridge assembly 16 without requiring human
contact with these, or any other, components of the cartridge
assembly 16. This is advantageous from a hygiene perspective.
[0061] FIGS. 8 to 11 show a second embodiment of a removable
cartridge assembly 16' according to the invention. The cartridge
assembly of 16' is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and like
reference numerals are used to denote like features with the first
embodiment. However, the cap 46 of the cartridge assembly 16' is
formed from Vitreous China and does not snap engage with the cup 42
like the first embodiment. Instead, the cap 46 merely sits on top
of the cup 42 and is retained in the position shown in the drawings
by its own mass. As a result, the cartridge assembly 16 is suited
for home or other non-public applications.
[0062] FIGS. 12 to 15 show a third embodiment of a removable
cartridge assembly 16'' according to the invention. The cartridge
assembly 16'' is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and like
reference numerals are used to denote like features with the first
embodiment. The cartridge assembly 16'' has a cap 46 which is
releasably connected to the cup 42 by the tabs 48 which engage with
corresponding openings 50 in the underside of the cap 46. As a
result, and similar to the first embodiment of cartridge assembly
16, the cartridge assembly 16'' also requires use of the tool 60
for removal of the cap 56 and access to the scent block 44 and is
also therefore vandal resistant and thus suited for use in public
applications.
[0063] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other
forms.
* * * * *