Basin Outlet with Disposable Seal

Abstract

In one form there is provided an assembly for a waste outlet of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the assembly including a disposable grate removably inserted into a waste outlet fitting; the disposable grate including a collar provided with an odour blocking sleeve retaining element. In another form there is provided a method of assembling a disposable grate for fitting to a waste outlet of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the method including the steps of: - removing a detachable annular ring from a collar of the disposable grate, - fitting an open upper end of a flexible odour blocking sleeve around the outer periphery and at least partially over an upper surface of the annular ring, - reattaching the annular ring with the odour blocking sleeve to the collar. ABSTRACT2020286333 11 Dec 2020 20 20 28 63 33 1 1 D ec 2 02 02020286333 11 Dec 2020 10 44 20 22 40 46 28 16 42 ~18~ 32 48 Fig. 1

Description

BASIN OUTLET WITH DISPOSABLE SEAL TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to hand basins and, more particularly although not exclusively, to the outlet of such basins. BACKGROUND

[0002] A continuing striving for eliminating as far as possible, potential sources of infection, particularly in hospitals, has turned attention to the outlets of hand basins and in particular the typical accumulation of grime within the grating and the region immediately below. Also of concern has been the emission of odours and possibly emergence of bacteria from these outlets.

[0003] In respect of the latter, the present applicants devised an odour blocking sleeve (W02010 / 057248) in which a sleeve including opposing flaps may be fitted to a waste pipe below a waste outlet, not necessarily that of a hand basin. The flaps normally are in close contact one with the other but open when a flow of water is directed into the sleeve,

[0004] A similar device was disclosed in US20040049946 which could be retained in a purpose designed waste fitting or in some transition pipe below a standard fitting.

[0005] Neither of these devices however addressed the problems of potential bacterial contagion within the grate and, in the case of the second embodiment of US20040049946 at least, the lower areas of a waste outlet.

[0006] Moreover, in these disclosures, as is the case in most older hand basins, the grate cannot be removed from the waste fitting, and certainly are not a disposable items replaceable with clean, new grates.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages. Notes

[0008] The term “comprising” (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of “having” or “including”, and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of’.

[0009] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[00010] Accordingly, in broad form of the invention, there is provided an assembly for a waste outlet of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the assembly including a disposable grate removably inserted into a waste outlet fitting; the disposable grate including a collar and a detachable annular ring.

[00011] Preferably, the assembly further includes an odour blocking sleeve suspended from the detachable annular ring; a lower end of the odour blocking sleeve formed as opposing flaps in close contact one with the other.

[00012] Preferably, an upper open end of the odour blocking sleeve is fitted to the annular ring.

[00013] Preferably, the upper open end of the odour blocking sleeve is drawn around the outer periphery of the annular ring and at least partially over an upper surface of the annular ring.

[00014] Preferably, that portion of the open upper end of the odour blocking sleeve locating over the upper surface of the annular ring is positioned between that upper surface and an underside of a shoulder of the collar.

[00015] Preferably, the annular ring is retained on the collar as a snap-fit; an inwardly directed annular projection of the annular ring retained by an outwardly directed annular projection of the collar.

[00016] Preferably, at least inside surfaces of the odour blocking sleeve are coated with an anti- bacterial compound.

[00017] Preferably, the collar includes an upper peripheral flange adapted for seating as a light press-fit in a waste outlet fitting,

[00018] Preferably, the collar includes a central aperture; the central aperture provided with at least one grate element traversing the central aperture.

[00019] Preferably, the assembly further includes a waste outlet fitting located in a drainage aperture of the hand basin or other water retaining structure; the waste outlet fitting comprising a grate retaining seat and peripheral retaining flange; an integral cylinder threaded on an outside surface depending from the grate retaining seat; an internally threaded retaining ring of the waste outlet movable on the threaded outside surface to clamp the waste outlet in the drainage aperture.

[00020] In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of reducing potential bacterial contagion and accumulation of dirt in waste outlets of hand basins and other water retaining structures; the method including the provision of a disposable grate removably fitted to a waste outlet.

[00021] Preferably, the disposable grate is fitted with an odour blocking sleeve depending from a collar of the disposable grate; the odour blocking sleeve including opposing flaps at a lower end of the sleeve; the flaps normally in contact one with the other but separating to allow passage of a flow of waste water entering through the grate.

[00022] Preferably, at least inside surfaces of the odour blocking sleeve are coated with an anti- bacterial compound.

[00023] Preferably, the disposable grate is a light press fit in a waste outlet of the hand basin of other water retaining structure.

[00024] Preferably, the method further includes the steps of cyclically replacing the disposable grate and odour blocking sleeve at prescribed intervals.

[00025] Preferably, the prescribed intervals include intervals of six, two and one month intervals.

[00026] In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a disposable grate for fitting to a waste outlet of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the method including the steps of: removing a detachable annular ring from a collar of the disposable grate, fitting an open upper end of a flexible odour blocking sleeve around the outer periphery and at least partially over an upper surface of the annular ring, reattaching the annular ring with the odour blocking sleeve to the collar.

[00027] Preferably, a lower end of the odour blocking sleeve is formed of two opposing flaps; the flaps normally in close contact one with the other.

[00028] Instill a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of replacing an existing waste fitting with integral grate of a hand basin or other water retaining structure with a disposable grate assembly; the method including the steps of: removing the existing waste fitting from a drainage aperture of the hand basin or other water retaining structure, fitting a replacement waste fitting comprising an externally threaded, open cylinder with integral flange at its upper end into the drainage aperture, securing the replacement waste fitting in the drainage aperture by advancing an internally threaded ring on the externally threaded cylinder to engage with an underside of the hand basin or other water retaining structure, fitting a disposable grate as a light press fit into the replacement waste fitting.

[00029] Preferably, the disposable grate includes a collar with a detachable annular ring.

[00030] Preferably, the disposable grate further includes an odour blocking sleeve depending from the detachable annular ring,

[00031] Preferably, the odour blocking sleeve includes integral opposing flaps at a lower end of the odour blocking sleeve; the flaps normally in close contact one with another; at least inside surfaces of the sleeve coated with an anti-bacterial compound.

[00032] In yet another broad form of the invention, there is provided a outlet assembly of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the assembly including a disposable grate removably inserted into a waste outlet fitting; the assembly further including a flexible odour blocking sleeve suspended from a lower periphery of the disposable grate; the odour blocking sleeve extending from a generally cylindrical form at an upper end of the sleeve to integral opposing flaps normally in close contact one with the other; the flaps opening responsive to a flow of water through the disposable grate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00033] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[00034] Figure 1 is a sectioned view of disposable grate and odour blocking sleeve fitted to a waste outlet in a hand basin or other water retaining structure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[00035] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a collar and annular ring of the disposable grate of figure 1;

[00036] Figure 3 is a side view of the collar and annular ring of figure 2 assembled together;

[00037] Figure 4 is a cross section view of the assembly of figure 3;

[00038] Figure 4A is an enlarged detail of the connection between the collar and annular ring;

[00039] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the annular ring of figures 2 to 4A;

[00040] Figure 6 is a side view of the collar and annular ring when fitted with an odour blocking sleeve;

[00041] Figure 7 is a sectioned view of waste outlet assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

[00042] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the grate of figure 7;

[00043] Figure 9 is a side view of the odour blocking sleeve of figure 7. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment

[00044] In a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to figure 1, a waste outlet assembly 10 of a hand basin 12 or other water retaining structure, includes a disposable grate 14 adapted for insertion into a waste outlet fitting 16. The assembly 10 further includes an odour blocking sleeve 18 suspended from the disposable grate 14.

[00045] With reference now to figures 2 through 4A, in this embodiment, the disposable grate 14 includes a collar 20 and an odour blocking sleeve retaining element in the form of a detachable annular ring 22. It can be seen from figure 4 and the enlargement of figure 4A, that the detachable ring 22 is retained on the collar 20 as a snap fit, the ring when assembled to the body retained by an inwardly directed annular projection 24 of the ring by an outwardly directed annular projection 26 of the collar 20.

[00046] Referring again to figure 1 and also to figure 6, the open upper end 28 of the odour blocking sleeve 18 is fitted to the detachable ring 22 while detached from the collar 20, by drawing the open upper end 28 around the outer periphery of the ring 22, and at least partially over the upper surface of the ring. The ring 22 now fitted with the odour blocking sleeve 18 is then reattached to the collar 20 so that the portion of the odour blocking sleeve drawn over the upper surface the annular ring locates between that upper surface and a shoulder 30 of the collar,

[00047] The odour blocking sleeve 18 is formed of a flexible polymer material and extends from the generally cylindrical open upper end 28, when fitted to the detachable annular ring 22, to integral opposing flaps 32. The opposing flaps 32 are normally in close contact one with the other as best seen in figure 6, thus blocking any odour rising from the plumbing below, but open in response to a flow of water through the disposable grate 14.

[00048] The inside surfaces at least of the odour blocking sleeve are coated with an anti- bacterial compound. To prevent the opposing surfaces of the flaps 32 sticking together, they are preferably provided with a non-stick coating, such as for example of Teflon®.

[00049] The collar 14 includes an upper peripheral flange 34 adapted for seating in the waste outlet fitting 16 as a light press-fit, as shown in figure 1, The collar includes a central aperture 36 provided with a least one grate element 38 traversing the central aperture,

[00050] In a preferred arrangement, the assembly 10 includes the waste outlet fitting 16 which locates in the drainage aperture 40 of a hand basin 12, and is a replacement fitting for those hand basins in which the existing fitting has an integral or non-removable grate. The waste outlet fitting 16 includes an externally threaded cylinder 42 depending from its upper flange and grate retaining seat 44. An internally threaded ring 46 is movable on the threaded outside surface of the cylinder 42 to engage with an underside of the hand basin to secure the outlet fitting 16 in the drainage aperture 40, as is common in the industry. Again, as is common practice, the upper end 48 of an “S bend” may be attached to a lower end of the threaded cylinder 42 to complete the waste outlet arrangement.

[00051] Thus, hand basins which are fitted with a waste outlet fitting with an integral or fixed grate, may be adapted to the disposable grate assembly of the invention by removing the existing outlet fitting and replacing it with the outlet fitting described above.

[00052] It will be understood that the above components of the collar, ring, odour blocking sleeve and the waste outlet may be sized to conform to standard waste outlet sizes. Second Preferred Embodiment

[00053] In this second preferred embodiment with reference to figure 7, a waste outlet assembly 100 for a hand basin 12 (as was shown in figure 1), or other water retaining structure, according to the invention, again comprises a grate 114 adapted for insertion into a waste outlet fitting 116. The grate 114 for this second preferred embodiment, which may be disposable as in the first embodiment described above, is as shown in figure 8, similar in form to that of the first embodiment, but as shown in figure 8, is devoid of the detachable annular ring 22 of that embodiment, the odour blocking sleeve retaining element being in this embodiment in the form of an integral annular lip 126.

[00054] In this embodiment also, the waste assembly 100 includes an odour blocking sleeve 118 of similar form as that for the first embodiment above and as shown in figure 6. In this instance however, the open upper end 128 of the sleeve 118 is of a diameter to provide a close interference fit with the diameter of the lower portion 114A of the grate 114. As best seen in figures 8 and 9, flexibility of the flexible polymer material from which the odour blocking sleeve 118 is formed, is such that the open end 128 may be worked over the lip 126 to be secure to the lower portion 114A of the grate, as shown in figure 9.

[00055] In both the first and this second preferred embodiments, the upper flange portion 114B of the grate 114 is of a diameter to form a light press-fit within the upper grate retaining portion 144 of the waste outlet fitting 116. Thus, when an odour blocking sleeve 118 has been fitted to a grate 114, the sleeve and grate are inserted into the waste outlet fitting 116 until the upper flange portion 114B seats against the shoulder 120.

[00056] Again, as for the first embodiment above, the waste fitting is retained in the outlet aperture of a hand basin or other water retaining structure, by a nut 146 moveable on the outer threaded cylinder 142 of the waste fitting. The threaded surface of the waste fitting further allows the attachment at its lower end of an “S” bend. In Use

[00057] The arrangement of the waste fitting assemblies 10 or 100 allows for the easy cleaning of the upper portion of a waste outlet. When desired after a period of use, or after contamination by some undesirable waste, the grate and odour blocking sleeve are easily removed from the waste fitting and discarded, the fitting cleaned and a fresh grate and odour blocking sleeve installed. Pre- assembled grates and odour blocking sleeves may be provided with the waste outlet and resupplied as required from a supplier. Further Embodiments

[00058] In other preferred embodiments of the invention, a disposable grate as described above, is again combined with the same odour blocking sleeve. In these embodiments however, the ring to which the odour blocking sleeve is assembled, is retained on the collar of the grate by means other then a snap-fit arrangement. Thus, in one instance, the lower end of the collar is externally threaded with the ring internally threaded to secure the odour blocking sleeve to the collar. In another instance the lower end of the collar and the inside of the ring are provided with cooperating bayonet-like structures to allow assembly of the ring to the collar by an insertion and rotation motion.

[00059] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring is an integral component of the collar, projecting from a lower end of it. In this arrangement, the flexible open upper end of the odour blocking sleeve is sized so as to allow sufficient stretching for it to be drawn over the projecting ring, thus securing the sleeve to the collar. In Use

[00060] The invention thus provides a method of reducing potential bacterial contagion and accumulation of dirt in waste outlets of hand basins and other water retaining structures by providing a disposable grate. The potential for bacterial contagion of the waste outlet below the grate is largely prevented by the odour blocking sleeve, coated with an anti-bacterial compound depending from the collar of the grate,

[00061] The sizing of the collar of the grate to provide a light press-fit within the apertures of standard waste fittings, allows cleaning personnel to readily remove, dispose of and replace a grate and odour blocking sleeve according to the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An assembly for a waste outlet of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the assembly including a disposable grate removably inserted into a waste outlet fitting; the disposable grate including a collar provided with an odour blocking sleeve retaining element.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the odour blocking sleeve retaining element comprises a detachable annular ring.

3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein the assembly further includes an odour blocking sleeve suspended from the detachable annular ring; a lower end of the odour blocking sleeve formed as opposing flaps in close contact one with the other.

4. The assembly of claim 2 or 3 wherein an upper open end of the odour blocking sleeve is fitted to the annular ring.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the upper open end of the odour blocking sleeve is drawn around the outer periphery of the annular ring and at least partially over an upper surface of the annular ring, 6. The assembly of claim 3 or 4 wherein that portion of the open upper end of the odour blocking sleeve locating over the upper surface of the annular ring is positioned between that upper surface and an underside of a shoulder of the collar.

7. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the annular ring is retained on the collar as a snap-fit; an inwardly directed annular projection of the annular ring retained by an outwardly directed annular projection of the collar.

8. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein at least inside surfaces of the odour blocking sleeve are coated with an anti-bacterial compound.

9. The assembly of claims 7 or 8 wherein the collar includes an upper peripheral flange adapted for seating as a light press-fit in a waste outlet fitting.

10. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the collar includes a central aperture; the central aperture provided with at least one grate element traversing the central aperture.

11. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the assembly further includes a waste outlet fitting located in a drainage aperture of the hand basin or other water retaining structure; the waste outlet fitting comprising a grate retaining seat and peripheral retaining flange; an integral cylinder threaded on an outside surface depending from the grate retaining seat; an internally threaded retaining ring of the waste outlet movable on the threaded outside surface to clamp the waste outlet in the drainage aperture.

12. A method of reducing potential bacterial contagion and accumulation of dirt in waste outlets of hand basins and other water retaining structures; the method including the provision of a disposable grate removably fitted to a waste outlet.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the disposable grate is fitted with an odour blocking sleeve depending from a collar of the disposable grate; the odour blocking sleeve including opposing flaps at a lower end of the sleeve; the flaps normally in contact one with the other but separating to allow passage of a flow of waste water entering through the grate.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13 wherein at least inside surfaces of the odour blocking sleeve are coated with an anti-bacterial compound.

15. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the disposable grate is a light press fitin a waste outlet of the hand basin of other water retaining structure.

16. The method of any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein the method further includes the steps of cyclically replacing the disposable grate and odour blocking sleeve at prescribed intervals.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the prescribed intervals include intervals of six, two and one month intervals.

18. A method of assembling a disposable grate for fitting to a waste outlet of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the method including the steps of: removing a detachable annular ring from a collar of the disposable grate, fitting an open upper end of a flexible odour blocking sleeve around the outer periphery and at least partially over an upper surface of the annular ring, reattaching the annular ring with the odour blocking sleeve to the collar.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein a lower end of the odour blocking sleeve is formed of two opposing flaps; the flaps normally in close contact one with the other.

20. A method of replacing an existing waste fitting with integral grate of a hand basin or other water retaining structure with a disposable grate assembly; the method including the steps of: removing the existing waste fitting from a drainage aperture of the hand basin or other water retaining structure, fitting a replacement waste fitting comprising an externally threaded, open cylinder with integral flange at its upper end into the drainage aperture, securing the replacement waste fitting in the drainage aperture by advancing an internally threaded ring on the externally threaded cylinder to engage with an underside of the hand basin or other water retaining structure, fitting a disposable grate as a light press fit into the replacement waste fitting.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the disposable grate includes a collar with a detachable annular ring.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the disposable grate further includes an odour blocking sleeve depending from the detachable annular ring.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the odour blocking sleeve includes integral opposing flaps at a lower end of the odour blocking sleeve; the flaps normally in close contact one with another; at least inside surfaces of the sleeve coated with an anti-bacterial compound.

24. An assembly for a waste outlet of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the assembly including a disposable grate removably inserted into a waste outlet fitting; the disposable grate including a collar provided with an odour blocking sleeve retaining element.

25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the odour blocking sleeve retaining element comprises an integral annular lip at a lower portion of the disposable grate, 26. The assembly of claim 24 or 25 wherein the assembly further includes an odour blocking sleeve suspended from the disposable grate; a lower end of the odour blocking sleeve formed as opposing flaps in close contact one with the other.

27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein an open upper end of the odour blocking sleeve is worked over the integral annular lip of the disposable grate.

28. The assembly of any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the collar includes an upper peripheral flange adapted for seating as a press-fit within the waste outlet fitting, 29. The assembly of any one of claims 24 to 28 wherein the collar includes a central aperture; the central aperture provided with at least one grate element traversing the central aperture.

30. The assembly of any one of claims 24 to 28 wherein the waste outlet fitting is adapted for locating in a drainage aperture of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the waste outlet fitting comprising a grate retaining seat and peripheral retaining flange; an integral cylinder threaded on an outside surface depending from the grate retaining seat; an internally threaded retaining ring of the waste outlet movable on the threaded outside surface to clamp the waste outlet in the drainage aperture.

31. A waste outlet assembly of a hand basin or other water retaining structure; the assembly including a disposable grate removably inserted into a waste outlet fitting; the assembly further including a flexible odour blocking sleeve suspended from a lower periphery of the disposable grate; the odour blocking sleeve extending from a generally cylindrical form at an upper end of the sleeve to integral opposing flaps normally in close contact one with the other; the flaps opening responsive to a flow of water through the disposable grate.

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