U.S. patent application number 13/681147 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for drain system with odor trap and related methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schluter Systems L.P.. The applicant listed for this patent is Schluter Systems L.P.. Invention is credited to Werner Schluter.
Application Number | 20130174921 13/681147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48743073 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130174921 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schluter; Werner |
July 11, 2013 |
DRAIN SYSTEM WITH ODOR TRAP AND RELATED METHODS
Abstract
A floor drain system comprises a vertically extending drain pipe
that includes an upper pipe section with a first inside diameter, a
lower pipe section with a second inside diameter which is smaller
than the first inside diameter, a cross-over section connecting the
upper pipe section to the lower pipe section, and a flange section
disposed in the end region of the upper pipe section. An odor
stopper is detachably held by the lower pipe section.
Inventors: |
Schluter; Werner;
(Plattsburgh, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schluter Systems L.P.; |
Plattsburgh |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Schluter Systems L.P.
Plattsburgh
NY
|
Family ID: |
48743073 |
Appl. No.: |
13/681147 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61561624 |
Nov 18, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/362 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 3/04 20130101; E03F
5/0407 20130101; E03F 5/0406 20130101; Y10T 137/6988 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/362 |
International
Class: |
E03F 3/04 20060101
E03F003/04 |
Claims
1. A floor drain system, comprising a vertically extending drain
pipe that includes an upper pipe section with a first inside
diameter, a lower pipe section with a second inside diameter which
is smaller than the first inside diameter, a cross-over section
connecting the upper pipe section to the lower pipe section, and a
flange section disposed in the end region of the upper pipe
section, and an odor stopper, detachably held by the lower pipe
section.
2. The floor drain system of claim 1, wherein the odor stopper
includes a riser pipe section, the outside diameter of which
substantially corresponds to the inside diameter of the lower pipe
section of the drain pipe in at least the region of the lower open
end.
3. The floor drain system of claim 2, further comprising a riser
pipe holding projection projecting radially outwards on the riser
pipe section, to enable the riser pipe section to be supported on
the cross-over section of the drain pipe.
4. The floor drain system of claim 2, further comprising a seal
associated with the riser pipe section disposed adjacent the lower
end of the of the riser pipe section.
5. The floor drain system of claim 2, wherein the odor stopper
includes a cap section placed on the riser pipe section, with
openings being defined between the riser pipe section and the cap
section through which water can pass.
6. The floor drain system of claim 5, wherein the cap section is
held detachably on the riser pipe section
7. The floor drain system of claim 5, further comprising a filter
material disposed between the cap section and the riser pipe
section.
8. The floor drain system of claim 7, wherein the filter material
is arranged in a ring-shaped filter element.
9. The floor drain system of claim 7, wherein the filter material
includes a non-woven material of single fibers.
10. The floor drain system of claim 1, further comprising a tubular
grid frame, insertable into the upper pipe section, the tubular
grid frame having at least one grid frame holding projection
projecting radially outwards, the tubular grid frame being layable
upon the flange section and including a grid held on the grid
frame.
11. The floor drain system of claim 10, wherein the grid frame
holding projection is formed by a separate ring displaceably
arranged on the outside diameter of the grid frame.
12. The floor drain system of claim 10, wherein the grid frame
includes a grid carrier for holding the grid, the grid carrier
including a grid holder indentation.
13. The floor drain system of claim 1, wherein the flange section
extends radially outwards.
14. The floor drain system of claim 13, wherein a substantially
annular sealing sleeve is provided on the upper side of the flange
section which includes on its upper or lower side an adhesive
structure.
15. The floor drain system of claim 13, wherein the flange section
is provided with through holes.
16. The floor drain system of claim 1, further comprising a gutter
body held by the flange section.
17. The floor drain system of claim 16, wherein the flange section
is held on the gutter body by threaded fasteners.
18. The floor drain system of claim 16, further comprising a
sealing ring coupled between flange section and the gutter body as
a seal.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] Priority is claimed of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. Application No. 61/561,624, filed Nov. 18, 2011, which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to floor drain
systems. More particularly, the present invention is related to
floor drain systems that prevent or limit odors from emanating from
drainage systems.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Floor drain systems are known in the prior art in a wide
range of configurations, and serve first and foremost to link
compound seals simply and reliably to a drain. Floor drain systems
are therefore used in internal areas, such as for example in
bathrooms, and in external areas, such as balconies, terraces and
the like. Many conventional floor drain systems have a complex and
expensive structure with many individual parts, which can lead to
unnecessarily high costs. Moreover, they can generally only be
cleaned under certain circumstances.
[0006] In addition, many floor drain systems which are fitted in
areas which may be subject to frost do not include odor prevention
because the floor drain system can easily be destroyed due to
standing water in the odor stopper when freezing temperatures are
experienced. For this reason, different floor drain systems have
been used in internal and external areas, which is associated with
high production and storage costs. If an odor stopper is
nevertheless required in an external area, the latter must be
positioned in a different place, safe from freezing, for example
within heated buildings. However, this is associated with increased
fitting complexity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a floor
drain system is provided, including a vertically extending drain
pipe that can include an upper pipe section with a first inside
diameter, a lower pipe section with a second inside diameter which
is smaller than the first inside diameter, a cross-over section
connecting the upper pipe section to the lower pipe section, and a
flange section disposed in the end region of the upper pipe
section. An odor stopper can be detachably held by the lower pipe
section.
[0008] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together
illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for
carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like
parts in different views or embodiments of the present invention in
the drawings.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective, sectional view of a drain pipe
usable in a floor drain system of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective, sectional view of the drain pipe of
FIG. 1, having an odor stopper in accordance with the present
invention inserted therein;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the drain pipe and odor
stopper of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a flooring installation in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another floor drain system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top view of the floor drain system of FIG.
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used
herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive
features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the
principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would
occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of
this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the
invention.
DEFINITIONS
[0017] As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "the" can include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, for example, reference to "a pipe section" can include one or
more of such sections.
[0018] As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to the
complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action,
characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. As an
arbitrary example, an object that is "substantially" enclosed is an
article that is either completely enclosed or nearly completely
enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute
completeness may in some cases depend upon the specific context.
However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so
as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total
completion were obtained. The use of "substantially" is equally
applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the
complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic,
property, state, structure, item, or result. As another arbitrary
example, a composition that is "substantially free of" an
ingredient or element may still actually contain such item so long
as there is no measurable effect as a result thereof.
[0019] As used herein, the term "about" is used to provide
flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given
value may be "a little above" or "a little below" the endpoint.
[0020] Relative directional terms are sometimes used herein to
describe and claim various components of the drain systems of the
present invention. Such terms include, without limitation,
"upward," "downward," "horizontal," "vertical," etc. These terms
are generally not intended to be limiting, but are used to most
clearly describe and claim the various features of the invention.
Where such terms must carry some limitation, they are intended to
be limited to usage commonly known and understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art. For example, the term "horizontal" is
sometimes used to refer to various portions or elements of drain
frames: as one of ordinary skill in the art would readily
appreciate, this usage is not intended to be limited to a component
that is absolutely horizontal, but can be extended to components
that are primarily horizontal, or mostly horizontal. A horizontal
component, as that term is used herein, can include a slight slope
that enables drainage of liquids across the slope.
[0021] As used herein, the term "tile" is to be understood to refer
to a generally planar slab-like component that can be used as a
floor or wall covering. Tiles discussed herein can be formed of a
variety of materials, including without limitation, ceramic,
marble, stone, granite, polymers, glass, and the like.
[0022] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements,
compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a
common list for convenience. However, these lists should be
construed as though each member of the list is individually
identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual
member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of
any other member of the same list solely based on their
presentation in a common group without indications to the
contrary.
[0023] Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a
range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is
used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be
interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values
explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include
all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed
within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is
explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of "about
1 to about 5" should be interpreted to include not only the
explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include
individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus,
included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2,
3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5,
etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually.
[0024] This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one
numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an
interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range
or the characteristics being described.
INVENTION
[0025] The present invention relates generally to a floor drain
system with a simple and inexpensive structure, which can be also
be fitted in areas subject to freezing despite the presence of an
odor stopper. The drain systems of the present invention are also
very easy to clean. The system generally includes a floor drain
system with a vertically extending (in the correctly fitted state)
drain pipe which comprises an upper pipe section with a first
diameter, a lower pipe section with a second diameter which is
smaller than the first diameter, a cross-over section connecting
the upper pipe section to the lower pipe section. A flange section
is disposed in the upper end region of the upper pipe section, and
an odor stopper can be detachably held on the lower pipe
section.
[0026] The system advantageously provides a floor drain system that
has a simple structure with only a few individual components.
Accordingly, the floor drain system is inexpensive to produce and
can be fitted with very few, if any, problems. It is a further
advantage that the odor stopper can be coupled detachably in the
drain pipe and is held on the lower pipe section of the latter. Due
to its detachable arrangement, when the floor drain system is
fitted in external areas subject to freezing, the odor stopper can
easily be removed when frost occurs. Since the potential odor
nuisance is well known to be considerably less in the winter than
in the summer, in the cold parts of the year one can in most cases
dispense with the odor stopper. In the warm parts of the year the
odor stopper can then simply be re-inserted. Moreover, the floor
drain system is easy to clean with the odor stopper removed. This
also applies to a waste pipe connected to the floor drain
system.
[0027] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a floor drain system 10 according to
a first embodiment of the present invention which serves to link
composite seals easily and securely to a drain. The floor drain
system 10 can include a drain pipe 12 (in the conventionally known
state extending vertically), which can be formed of a polymer or
any suitable material (e.g., metals, etc.). The drain pipe 12 can
include an upper pipe section 14 with a first inside diameter
D.sub.1i and a lower pipe section 16 with a second inside diameter
D.sub.2i. Generally, the second inside diameter is smaller than the
first inside diameter (e.g., D.sub.1i>D.sub.2i). A conical
cross-over section 18 can connect the upper pipe section 14 to the
lower pipe section 16, and a flange section 22 can be disposed on
the free end of the upper pipe section 14. The flange section can
include through-holes 20, and generally extends radially outward
and slightly upward from the upper pipe section.
[0028] A further component of the floor drain system 10 can be
formed by an odor stopper 24 which can advantageously be detachably
held on the lower pipe section 16. The odor stopper 24 can include
a riser pipe 26, the outside diameter (D.sub.3a in FIG. 3) of which
can substantially correspond to the inside diameter D.sub.2i of the
lower pipe section 16 of the drain pipe 12. Alternately, the
diameter D.sub.3a can be slightly smaller than the diameter
D.sub.2i. Correspondingly, the riser pipe section 26 of the odor
stopper 24 can be inserted into the lower pipe section 16 of the
drain pipe 12. There can be provided, on the outside of the riser
pipe section, a radially extending, outwardly projecting riser pipe
projection 28.
[0029] The riser pipe projection 28, in the correctly fitted state,
can be supported on the lower end region of the cross-over section
18 of the drain pipe 12, and in this way can define the maximum
insertion depth of the riser pipe section 26. In the region of its
lower free end, the riser pipe section 26 can be provided along its
outside diameter D.sub.3a with a seal (30 in FIG. 3, shown enlarged
for purposes of clarity), which in one example can be formed by an
O-ring. The odor stopper 24 can further include a cap section 32
placed on the riser pipe section 26, there being defined between
the riser pipe section 26 and the cap section 32 openings through
which water can pass. In this case the cap section 32 is provided
with notches 36 (FIG. 4) which can be placed on the upper free end
of the riser pipe section 26, by means of which a releasable
connection is produced. A handle part 38 projecting from the upper
side of the cap section 32 can easily be grasped by the fingers in
order to detach the cap section 32 from the riser pipe section 26.
The riser pipe section 26 and the cap section 32 can both be
produced from plastic. Alternatively, they can also be produced
from other materials such as metals, etc. The seal 30 can be formed
of rubber or a correspondingly elastic material.
[0030] The floor drain system 10 can further include a tube-like
grid frame 40 which can be inserted into the upper pipe section 14
of the drain pipe 12 and has at least one grid frame holding
projection 42 that can project radially outwards that can be placed
loosely on the flange section 22. The grid frame holding projection
42 is in this example is a separate ring disposed displaceably on
the outside diameter of the grid frame 40 and which can be
displaced upwards and downwards along the grid frame outside
diameter. Both the grid frame 40 and the grid frame holding
projection 42 can be produced from plastic, it also being possible
to use other materials here such as, for example, metal or a
similar material. The grid frame 40 can further include a grid
carrier 43 which is disposed on the upper end of the grid frame 40
and can be produced from aluminum, stainless steel or plastic,
among other suitable materials. The grid carrier serves to hold
detachably a grid or grate 44 which, for visual reasons, can be
produced from the same material as the grid carrier. More
precisely, the grid carrier 43 can define a depression into which
the grid 44 can be inserted from above. The grid 44 can be fixed
onto the grid carrier 43 for example by clamping or by means of
screws.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a carrying structure 46 with a drain opening
48. There is provided on the upper side of the carrying structure
46 a screed layer 50 which defines an incline in the direction of
the drain opening 48. Alternatively, the incline can also be
produced by means of a so-called incline board made of rigid
plastic foam or similar material. The drain pipe 12 of the floor
drain system 10 can be inserted into the correspondingly
dimensioned drain opening 48 such that the flange section 22 lies
on the upper side of the screed layer 50. To ensure that the flange
section 22 ends substantially flush with the upper side of the
screed layer 50, the screed layer 50 can be provided with an
annular indentation 52 bordering the drain opening 48.
[0032] The drain pipe 12 can be fixed in the region of the flange
section 22, for example by means of tile adhesive which penetrates
the through holes 20 provided in the flange section 22. A sealing
sleeve 54 can be fastened to the upper side of the flange section
22, it being possible to implement the fastening at the factory,
but also on site during fitting. The sealing sleeve can be a
crack-bridging sealing strip made of soft polyethylene which is
provided on both sides with a special fleece for effective
anchoring in the tile adhesive. The sealing sleeve 54 can create
the cross-over to a composite seal 56 which is laid over the screed
layer 50. The riser pipe section 26 of the odor stopper 24 is
inserted into the lower pipe section 16 of the drain pipe 12. The
riser pipe holding projection 28 lies here on the cross-over
section 18 of the drain pipe 12.
[0033] Alternatively, the riser pipe holding projection can also be
disposed on the inside of the pipe section 16 so that the riser
pipe section is supported with its lower end on the latter. By
means of the seal 30 the riser pipe section 26 of the odor stopper
24 is sealed from the drain pipe 12. The cap section 32 is placed
on the upper free end of the riser pipe section 26. The grid frame
40 is disposed within the upper pipe section 14 of the drain pipe
12, the grid frame holding projection 42 lying on the flange
section 22 of the drain pipe 12. The grid 44 is fastened on the
upper open end of the grid frame 40. During fitting, the upper edge
of the grid 44 can be aligned by means of the grid frame holding
projection 42 disposed displaceably along the outer circumference
of the grid frame 40 such that it ends flush with the upper side of
the tiles 58 surrounding the grid 44 which are fastened onto the
composite seal 56 or the sealing sleeve 54 by means of tile
adhesive. Furthermore, the grid frame 40 can also be moved to and
fro to the side so that fine adjustment in relation to the tiles 58
and of the joints disposed between the tiles 58 is possible.
Finally, the grid frame 40 is then also fixed by the tile
adhesive.
[0034] The structure illustrated in FIG. 4 is characterized in
particular in that the drain pipe 12 of the floor drain system 10
can be cleaned without any problem. For this purpose the grid 44
can be removed from the grid frame 40, whereupon the odor stopper
24 can be pulled out of the lower pipe section 16 of the drain pipe
12. In this way the interior of the drain pipe 12 can easily be
cleaned. The odor stopper 24 can also easily be cleaned in the
removed state, especially as the latter is made in two parts.
Furthermore, the waste pipe connected to the floor drain system is
accessible when the odor stopper is removed. If the carrying
structure 46 is located in an area subject to freezing, the odor
stopper 24 can be totally removed when there is a freezing so that
one need not worry about frost damage to the floor drain system 10
as a result of the water sitting in the region of the odor stopper
24. Therefore, the floor drain system 10 can be used flexibly with
or without an odor stopper 24 without it requiring a further floor
drain system with a different structure.
[0035] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a floor drain system 60 according to a
second embodiment of the present invention. In the correctly fitted
state the floor drain system 60 has a drain pipe 62 extending
vertically which can be produced from plastic, metal or some other
material. The drain pipe 62 can include an upper pipe section 64, a
lower pipe section 66, the flow-through cross-section of which is
smaller than that of the upper pipe section 64, a cross-over
section 68 connecting the upper pipe section 64 to the lower pipe
section 66, and a flange section 70 disposed on the free end of the
upper pipe section 64 and extending radially outwardly.
[0036] A further component of the floor drain system 60 can be
formed by an odor stopper 72 which can be held detachably on the
lower pipe section 66. The odor stopper 72 can include a riser pipe
section 74 the outside diameter D.sub.3a of which corresponds
substantially to the inside diameter D.sub.2i of the lower pipe
section 66 of the drain pipe 62 or is slightly smaller than the
latter. Correspondingly, the riser pipe section 74 of the odor
stopper 72 can be inserted into the lower pipe section 66 of the
drain pipe 62. There can be provided on the outside of the riser
pipe section 74 a radially extending, outwardly projecting riser
pipe holding projection 76 which, in the correctly fitted state,
can be supported on the lower end region of the cross-over section
68 of the drain pipe 62, and in this way can define the maximum
insertion depth of the riser pipe section 74. In the region of its
lower free end the riser pipe section 74 is provided along its
outside diameter D.sub.3a with a seal 78 (shown enlarged for
purposes of clarity) which in the present case is formed by an
O-ring.
[0037] The odor stopper 72 can further include a cap section 80
placed on the riser pipe section 74, there being defined between
the riser pipe section 74 and the cap section 80 openings (not
detailed) through which water can pass. In this case the cap
section 80 is provided with notches 82 which can be placed over the
upper open end of the riser pipe section 74, by means of which a
releasable connection is created. The riser pipe section 74 and the
cap section 80 can both be produced from plastic: alternatively, it
also being possible to use other materials, such as metal, etc. The
seal 78 can be made of rubber or a correspondingly elastic
material. A filter material 81 in the form of a ring shaped filter
element is provided between the cap section 80 and the riser pipe
section 74, wherein the filter material comprises a non-woven
material made from single fibers. This filter material primarily
serves to prevent the entry of foreign objects, such as e.g. hair
or the like, in the riser pipe section 74 of the odor stopper
72.
[0038] The floor drain system 60 further comprises a gutter body 84
provided with a drain opening 83, which has on its upper open end a
gutter body flange 86, and in the region of its drain opening 83 is
fastened to the flange section 70 of the drain pipe 62. The
fastening can be implemented by means of threaded fasteners and the
like. The gutter body 84 can be produced from metal, such as
stainless steel. Alternatively, plastic can also be used. Although
not shown in the figures, a seal can be provided between the gutter
body 84 and the flange section 70.
[0039] The structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is particularly
advantageous in that the drain pipe 62 of the floor drain system 60
can be cleaned without any problem. For this purpose the odor
stopper 72 can be pulled out of the lower pipe section 66 of the
drain pipe 62. In this way the interior of the drain pipe 62 as
well as a waste pipe connected to the floor drain system 60 can be
cleaned without any problem. If the floor drain system 60 is used
in an area subject to freezing, the odor stopper 72 can be totally
removed when there is a freeze so that one does not need to worry
about damage to the floor drain system 60 caused by freezing as a
result of water sitting in the region of the odor stopper 72.
[0040] It is to be understood that the above-referenced
arrangements are illustrative of the application for the principles
of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative
arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention while the present invention has been
shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the
exemplary embodiments(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can
be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the
invention as set forth in the examples.
TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numbers 10 floor drain system 12
drain pipe 14 upper pipe section 16 lower pipe section 18
cross-over section 20 through hole 22 flange section 24 odor
stopper 26 riser pipe section 28 riser pipe holding projection 30
seal 32 cap section 34 opening 36 notch 38 handle part 40 grid
frame 42 grid frame holding projection 43 grid carrier 44 grid 46
carrying structure 48 drain opening 50 screed layer 52 indentation
54 sealing sleeve 56 composite seal 58 tiles 60 floor drain system
62 drain pipe 64 upper pipe section 66 lower pipe section 68
cross-over section 70 flange section 72 odor stopper 74 riser pipe
section 76 riser pipe holding projection 78 seal 80 cap section 82
notch 81 filter material 83 drain opening 84 gutter body 86 gutter
body flange
* * * * *