U.S. patent application number 16/987837 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-18 for drain disinfecting device and method of installing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to STERILUMEN, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is STERILUMEN, INC.. Invention is credited to MAX MUNN.
Application Number | 20210047815 16/987837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005006778 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210047815 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MUNN; MAX |
February 18, 2021 |
DRAIN DISINFECTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF INSTALLING THE SAME
Abstract
A drain disinfecting device for disinfecting the internal
surface of a drain pipe wall that is provided with a hole or
aperture includes a UV LED module provided with a transparent lens
through which UV-C light can be transmitted. The module is attached
to the drain pipe to register the transparent lens with the hole in
the drain pipe to transmit UV light through the transparent lens
into the interior of the drain pipe to irradiate the drain pipe
inner surface and any pathogens contained therein with UV light. A
controller or power source is provided for energizing the module. A
method of converting an existing drain pipe to disinfect the
interior surface includes forming a hole or aperture in the wall of
the drain pipe and registering the drain disinfecting device with
the hole or aperture in the drain pipe.
Inventors: |
MUNN; MAX; (Tarrytown,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
STERILUMEN, INC. |
Tarrytown |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
STERILUMEN, INC.
Tarrytown
NY
|
Family ID: |
1000005006778 |
Appl. No.: |
16/987837 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16538296 |
Aug 12, 2019 |
10738446 |
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16987837 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 2/24 20130101; A61L
2/10 20130101; A61L 2202/11 20130101; A61L 2202/14 20130101; E03C
1/126 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/126 20060101
E03C001/126; A61L 2/24 20060101 A61L002/24; A61L 2/10 20060101
A61L002/10 |
Claims
1. A disinfecting device for disinfecting the interior of a drain
pipe leading from a sink drain inlet of a sink basin to a U-shaped
trap beneath the sink basin, the device comprising a cylindrical
drain pipe section having a predetermined diameter D positionable
below or downstream of the sink drain inlet provided with a
generally circular hole having a diameter d<0.63D between the
sink drain inlet and the U-shaped trap; at least one UV-C LED
module registered with the hole and in abutment with the drain pipe
section arranged to transmit UV-C light into the interior of the
drain pipe section to irradiate the interior surface of the drain
pipe section and any airborne pathogens contained therein with UV-C
light in proximity to said drain inlet; and energizing means for
energizing said at least one UV-C LED module, whereby energizing
said at least one UV-C LED module irradiates said interior surface
of said drain pipe section and any airborne pathogens contained
therein which pathogens are destroyed within said drain pipe
section proximate to said drain inlet to inhibit pathogens from
entry into the sink basin.
2. A drain disinfecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said
at least one UV-C module includes a transparent medium formed of
glass or other UV-C transmissive lens at the hole to protect said
UV-C module.
3. A drain disinfecting device as defined in claim 2, wherein said
transparent medium is formed of quartz.
4. A drain disinfecting device as defined in claim 1, further
comprising sealing means for creating a waterproofing seal at an
interface between the hole and said at least one UV-C module.
5. A drain disinfecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein a
plurality of UV-C modules are provided for attachment to the drain
pipe in spaced relationship from each other along the drain pipe
for irradiating different inner surface portions of the drain pipe
through associated holes or apertures in the drain pipe.
6. A modified drain pipe for use between a sink basin and a trap
comprising a section of a cylindrical drain pipe leading from a
drain inlet of a sink basin to a U-shaped trap beneath the sink
basin, said cylindrical section of drain pipe having a
predetermined diameter D; a drain disinfecting device for
disinfecting the interior of said drain pipe section and any
airborne pathogens contained within said drain pipe section leading
from a drain inlet of a sink basin to the U-shaped trap beneath the
sink basin through a generally circular hole or aperture in the
drain pipe section having a diameter d<0.63D, said disinfecting
device comprising a UV-C LED module integrally formed with said
drain pipe section; and energizing means for energizing said UV-C
LED module and transmitting UV-C light through the hole into the
interior of said drain pipe section to irradiate the interior of
the drain pipe section and any airborne pathogens contained therein
with UV-C light.
7. A modified drain pipe as defined in claim 6, wherein a plurality
of UV-C LED modules are provided on said drain pipe.
8. A method of converting a drain pipe to disinfect the interior
space of a section of the drain pipe having a predetermined
diameter D leading from a drain inlet of a sink basin to a U-shaped
trap beneath the sink basin comprising the steps of forming a
generally circular hole or aperture in a wall of the drain pipe
section, said hole having a diameter d<0.63D; registering a
drain disinfecting device comprising a UV-C LED module with said
hole or aperture in the drain pipe section; energizing said UV-C
LED module to enable UV-C light to be transmitted into the drain
pipe section through the hole or aperture proximate to the drain
inlet to enable UV-SC light to irradiate the interior of the drain
pipe section and any airborne pathogens contained therein, whereby
pathogens are destroyed within said drain pipe section proximate to
said drain inlet to inhibit pathogens from entry from said drain
pipe section into the sink basin.
9. A method of converting a drain pipe as defined in claim 8,
wherein said hole or aperture is formed by drilling a hole in the
wall of the drain pipe.
10. A method of converting a drain pipe as defined in claim 8,
wherein said module is secured to the drain pipe by applying an
adhesive seal along an interface of said module and said hole or
aperture
11. A method of converting a drain pipe as defined in claim 8,
wherein a plurality of spaced holes or apertures are formed in the
drain pipe and a module is sealingly secured to an associated hole
or aperture.
12. A method of converting a drain pipe as defined in claim 14,
wherein said holes or apertures are linearly and/or angularly
spaced from each other along length direction of the drain
pipe.
13. A drain disinfecting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said
hole or aperture is located proximate to the drain inlet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/538,296, filed Aug. 12, 2019 for a DRAIN
DISINFECTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF INSTALLING THE SAME.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention generally relates to controlling levels of
bacteria in sink installations and, more specifically, to a drain
disinfecting device and method of installing the same.
2. Description of the Background Art
[0003] High levels of moisture in a sink drain pipe create perfect
conditions for numerous bacteria and other pathogens to grow and
thrive. Also, because organic products and other nutrients are
frequently disposed of in hospital sinks and kitchen sinks the
drain pipes for these sinks contain extensive levels of bacteria.
Disposing hair, soap and dead skin down the sink doesn't just cause
blockages, but can also provide the environment for a deadly
threat.
[0004] Drain pipes between the sink basin and the P-trap or U-trap
are ideal for pathogen growth. The inside surfaces of such drain
pipes are typically warm, moist and contain nutrients that
pathogens can feed on, enabling them to thrive. Bacteria that are
health hazard include salmonella that can be fatal with those with
compromised immune systems and e-coli that can be life-threatening
but usually only results in diarrhea, fusarium solani that can lead
to permanent vision damage and many more pathogens that can cause
urinary tract infections and other illnesses.
[0005] When unattended, micro-organisms including virus, bacteria,
fungi, diatoms and algae stick together and form biofilms.
Micro-organisms like to grow on moist, nutrient-rich surfaces,
especially in the presence of bathroom blockages caused by hair,
soap, sulfates and oils. Once fully formed, biofilms are
notoriously difficult to get rid of as they become immune to
antibiotics contained in cleaning agents. In hospitals, where
liquids or fluids are commonly poured into hospital sinks, such as
unused intravenous fluids and left over beverages, pathogens
flourish when they multiply to create biofilms. A film can rise up
along the inner surface of a pipe at a rate of 2.5 cm
(approximately 1'') per day to contaminate sink drain covers. Once
a biofilm reaches a sink strainer or inlet it can instantly be
spread from the strainer to the countertop surrounding the sink,
from where it could be potentially distributed further, either by
individuals touching the surface or objects placed upon it. At that
point, even clean faucet water can splatter the bacteria and other
pathogens around the sink bowl and countertop. With only one sink
contaminated, running water even with no nutrients, may be enough
for the bacteria to infiltrate other sinks through a common drain
pipe and an interconnected plumbing system in just one week.
[0006] The micro-organisms that grow inside drain pipes can be
varied and dangerous to people when exposed to them, and
particularly to those individuals that have lowered or weakened
immune systems. Some people only need to be exposed to as little 1
mg or less of staphylococcus aureus to lead to staff-related
illness and infection. See, for example, "Microbial
Characterization of Biofilms in Domestic Drains and the
Establishment of Stable BioFilm Microcosms" McBain et al, Applied
and Environmental Microbiology, January 2003, 69(1): 177-185.
[0007] A number of solutions have been proposed to control the
growth of micro-organisms in drain pipes. In Korean Publication
KR2016/6083569A a sterilizing and deodorizing apparatus is
disclosed that uses a series of UV LEDS arranged along the inside
surface of the actual drain pipe and enclosed within a cylindrical
quartz protective cover projecting into the drain pipe, thereby
narrowing the drain pipe passageway. The sterilizing and
deodorizing apparatus is an OEM product and not suitable for after
market installations into existing sinks. In Japanese Publication
JP05291487B2 UV LEDS are incorporated within a drainage portion of
the sink. The UV LEDs are mounted directly within the drainage
portion. The installation provides a hygienic equipment chamber,
and is also suitable for OEM installations. Therefore, this device
is, likewise, not suitable for use with existing sink fixtures.
Another OEM-style product is disclosed in Korean Publication
KR2017/0022190A for a sink with ultra-violet ray sterilization
function. The disclosed device includes a cover panel as part of a
kitchen appliance. The cover panel is transparent and a source of
UV is placed below the panel so that kitchen tools, dish towels,
kitchen utensils and the like can be placed on top of the cover
panel to expose them to the ultra-violet lamp. Japanese Publication
JP5945135B2 discloses a drainage part of a sink. A coating layer of
a photocatalyst is applied to the inner surface of the drain
cylinder. An LED light source is positioned at the inlet to the
drain pipe for transmitting UV through a transparent wall to which
an externally positioned LED light source is attached, introducing
UV radiation upstream of the drain pipe to promote the
decomposition and removal of dirt stuck to the inner surface of the
drain cylinder.
[0008] The aforementioned devices, as indicated, are primarily for
OEM installations or special purpose sink basins, focusing on one
region of the sink basin or proximate portion of a drain pipe and
do not address the buildup of pathogens along the downstream ends
of drain pipes leading up to the traps where micro-organisms can
and normally do flourish.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a drain disinfecting device that does not have the
disadvantages of prior art devices.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a drain
disinfecting device that is easily installed with any new or
existing sink drain pipe installation.
[0011] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
drain disinfecting device as in the previous objects that is simple
in construction and economical to manufacture.
[0012] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a drain
disinfecting device that can be configured and flexibly positioned
along a drain pipe to expose most or all of the internal surfaces
of drain pipes.
[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a drain
disinfecting device that is effective in eliminating most pathogens
that normally proliferate in drain pipes.
[0014] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
method for easily, quickly and inexpensively installing a drain
disinfecting device in accordance with the invention without the
need for specialized sink basins or specialized tools.
[0015] It is yet a further object to provide a drain disinfecting
device and method of installing the same that enables two or more
such devices to be installed along the length of a drain pipe to
enhance or maximize elimination of pathogens along all or
substantial position of the drain pipe.
[0016] The above objects, and others that will become apparent
hereinafter, are obtained with a drain disinfecting device in
accordance with the invention. The drain disinfecting device, used
for disinfecting the internal surface of a drain pipe wall provided
with a hole or aperture, comprises a UV LED module provided with a
transparent medium through which UV light can be transmitted. Said
module is attached to the drain pipe to register said transparent
medium with the hole in the drain pipe to transmit UV light through
said transparent medium into the interior of the drain pipe to
irradiate the drain pipe inner surface with UV light. A seal is
used to create a water-tight seal between the drain pipe and the
module. Control means is used to selectively energize said
module.
[0017] A modified drain pipe for use between a sink basin and a
trap comprises an integrated drain disinfecting device for
disinfecting the internal surface of the drain pipe wall through a
hole or aperture in the drain pipe. Said drain disinfecting device
comprises a UV-C LED module provided with a transparent waterproof
lens through which UV-C light can be transmitted. Said module is
integrated with the drain pipe to transmit UVC light through said
transparent waterproof lens into the interior of the drain pipe to
irradiate the drain pipe inner surface with UVC light. Sealing
means is provided for creating a water tight seal between the drain
pipe and said module. The modified drain pipe is connected to means
for energizing said module.
[0018] A method of converting a drain pipe to disinfect the
interior surface thereof comprises the steps of forming a hole or
aperture in a wall of the drain pipe. A drain disinfecting device,
comprising a UV-C LED module, is positioned to register a
transparent portion of the device with said hole or aperture in the
drain pipe to enable UV-C light to be transmitted into the drain
pipe through the hole or aperture. Said module is sealingly secured
to the drain pipe to enable UV-C light to irradiate the drain pipe
inner surface while creating a water tight seal to prevent fluid
from escaping from the drain pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the improvements
and advantages that derive from the present invention upon reading
the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, in
which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a sink
installation, showing how a drain disinfecting device in accordance
with the invention can be installed to disinfect the internal
surface of the pipe wall;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of region A in FIG. 1 showing
how a UV-C LED module is secured and interacts with the drain pipe;
and
[0022] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but shows 2 modules installed on
a single drain pipe, the modules being linearly and angularly
spaced or offset from each other in relation to the axis or length
direction of the drain pipe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Referring now specifically to the drawings, in which the
identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference
numerals throughout, a sink installation is generally designated by
the reference numeral 10.
[0024] The sink installation 10 can represent a sink, for example,
in a bathroom or in a kitchen or elsewhere. As shown, the sink
installation is typically mounted on a wall 12, with the sink basin
14 supported on a countertop or support panel 16 and, as with most
sink basins, is provided with a fixture tail piece 18 designed to
be connected to a drain pipe.
[0025] While many different drain pipe configurations are used in
connection with different sinks, a simple arrangement is
illustrated in FIG. 1 in which the tail piece 18 is joined to a
drain pipe 20 by means of a union or a locknut 22. The drain pipe
20, in turn, is connected to an outlet pipe 24 by means of another
union or locknut 22 as shown. The outlet pipe 24, sometimes
referred as a P-pipe or tube, includes a U-shaped trap 24a and a
horizontal extension portion 24b through which waste water is
drained to a sewer pipe. Under normal conditions, without
blockages, air locks or other pressure differentials, U shaped
traps are filled with waste water 24c to a level determined by the
overflow level 26. When water rises above the overflow level 26 it
flows out through the horizontal extension 24b to the main waste
pipes. The regions of the drain pipe that are normally problematic
in terms of organism proliferation are designated by the height
"H". This region, as suggested, is exposed to moisture, air or
oxygen as well as nutrients that are flushed down the drain. The
level of the liquid "d1" within the U-shaped trap 24a prevents
gases from the sewer pipes entering the space where the sink
installation is located through the sink basin. The level "d2" is
normally referred to as the trap seal depth and can range between
1.5-4'' to ensure that there is no reverse flow of noxious gases.
The invention is designed to provide UV-C light that irradiates
most or all of the drain pipe 20 over the height h and, preferably,
along the entire height H.
[0026] In FIG. 1 a drain disinfecting device in accordance with the
invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 28. The
device 28 includes a UV-C LED module 30 (FIG. 2) that includes an
enclosure 32. The drain pipe 20 is provided with a hole or opening
24 in its wall. The LED module includes a housing 36 with a UV-C
LED 38 mounted therein. A quartz or other water proof lens 40 is
provided, the lens 40 forming a transparent medium through which UV
light can be transmitted.
[0027] The enclosure 32 can be secured to the side of the drain
pipe 20 in any conventional manner and is positioned to register
the transparent medium or lens 40 with the hole or aperture 34 in
the drain pipe to transmit UV light through the transparent medium
into the interior drain pipe in order to irradiate the inner
surface of the drain pipe with UV light. To ensure that there is no
leakage when water is being flushed down the drain any suitable
seal 42 is provided for creating a water tight seal between the
seal and the module. While UV light having different peaks may be
used UV-C is preferred as a single source of UV light.
[0028] While the lens 40 is preferably made of quartz, any suitable
glass or transparent material may be used. In FIG. 2, the seal 42
is in the form of silicone adhesive.
[0029] The UV-C LED 38 is connected by means of electrical
conductors 44 within a conduit 46 to a suitable voltage converter
38 that serves as a driver for the LED. The driver 48 is connected
to a programmable controller 50 which, in turn, is connected to a
source of power, such as a 110 volt power outlet at a J-box 52. The
programmable controller 50 is also advantageously connected to a
motion detector 54 that can detect motion in the general facility
or area of the sink basin. The programmable controller 50 and the
voltage converter or driver 48 are preferably enclosed within a box
or housing 56 that can be attached to the wall 12. The enclosure 56
is also advanteougly water resistant. To facilitate installation,
the conduit 46 is preferably a flexible conduit that can be
extended between and connected to the casing enclosure 56 and the
drain pipe 20.
[0030] In FIGS. 1 and 2 only one module is shown. It will be
appreciated that two or more modules may also be installed on a
single drain pipe, as shown in FIG. 3. When two or more UV-C LED
modules are used they are preferably linearly and angularly spaced
or offset from each other in relation to the axis or length
direction of the tail pipe 20 to maximize the surface area exposed
to the UVC radiation.
[0031] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the lenses 40 are generally flat and abut
against the outside surface of the drain pipe to prevent
interference with the normal flow of waste water down the drain.
However, a greater drain pipe inner surface area exposed to
radiation may be obtained by utilizing a spherical or conical
surface lens that slightly projects into the interior of the drain
pipe. This allows the UV-C LED to be moved closer to the center of
the drain pipe, as suggested by the dash outlines in FIG. 2.
However, such extension of the module into the drain pipe should
normally not exceed 1/4 of an inch to insure the normal flow and
operation of the drain pipe.
[0032] Installation of the devices shown in FIGS. 1-3, by adding
the UV-C LED modules to existing drain pipe installations, requires
the installer to drill or otherwise create one or more openings or
holes 34.
[0033] The invention also contemplates a modified drain pipe 20
that is manufactured with the UV-C module already integrated with
the drain pipe to eliminate the drilling step. A modified drain
pipe can be produced in standard lengths. A plumber or other
installer can simply cut off a tail end of the pipe as needed, to
fit a particular installation or plumbing arrangement below the
sink basin. In this case, the drain pipe with the integrated module
only needs to be connected to the tail piece 18 of the sink basin
and to the outlet pipe 24. In such case, the installation only
requires an electrical connection to be made between the conductors
44 within the conduit 46 and the voltage converter or driver 48
within the box or housing 56. With such a modified drain pipe that
already incorporates UV-C LED module(s) 30 it is not necessary to
form openings or holes 34 by an installer and no silicone
waterproofing 42 needs to be applied by the installer as the module
is already integrated into the drain pipe with a suitable water
proof seal.
[0034] The invention also includes the method of converting a
conventional or typical drain pipe to disinfect the interior
surface thereof by first forming a hole or aperture in a wall of
the drain pipe. The disinfecting device including the UV-C LED
module is positioned to register the module to be aligned with the
hole or aperture 34 formed in the drain pipe to enable UV-C light
to be transmitted through the hole or aperture. The resulting
configuration is made waterproof by adding a seal to secure the
module to the drain pipe to enable UV-C light to irradiate the
drain pipe in the surface while creating a water tight seal to
prevent fluid from escaping from the drain pipe. A plurality of
spaced holes or apertures may be formed in the drain pipe and a
plurality of modules can be sealingly secured thereto each in
registration with an associated hole or aperture. When two or more
holes and modules are used they are linearly and angularly spaced
from each other along the length direction of the drain pipe in
order to enhance or maximize the drain area of the drain pipe to
UV-C radiation.
[0035] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *