Float insert

Abstract

Float insert, with - a float (14) comprising a float (15), an optical display (16) and a rod (17) arranged between the float (15) and the display (16), and - a guide (18) in which the rod (17) is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable, - wherein the guide (18) forms at least one passage (23) for liquid.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a float insert.

[0002] The invention is particularly directed to the field of sanitary technology. This includes, for example, washbasins and toilets, especially dry-separating toilets.

[0003] Camping is a widespread form of vacation and travel. Vacationers travel and stay overnight in caravans, mobile homes, or converted vans. This type of travel regularly presents the challenge of personal hygiene. For this reason, so-called dry-separating toilets were developed. These usually consist of a body, a toilet seat, and a lid that closes the body. Two containers are arranged within the body. One container is for solid waste. The other container is for urine. A separating insert protruding into the body serves to separate the solid waste and urine, forming a collecting tray or basin for the urine, which is then channeled into the associated container. The toilet seat can be formed as one piece with the separating insert, meaning that the separating insert also forms the toilet seat.

[0004] Such dry-separating toilets have proven their worth and are now widely available and very comfortable. For example, the lid can be equipped with an automatic lowering mechanism, which allows it to slowly lower under gravity.

[0005] Dry-separating toilets are also known to have a silicone odor trap embedded in the lid of the urine container. The odor trap has two flexible sealing lips at the end that open due to the force of gravity when liquid enters the odor trap and close when the liquid passes through the sealing lips. Odors from the container cannot escape. The well-known odor trap also provides leak protection, so that if the toilet (and thus the container) wobbles, for example, while driving over rough terrain, no liquid can escape.

[0006] It was identified that there is a need to be able to determine the fill level of the urine container. The same need exists for wastewater containers used in camping sinks. This should prevent the containers from overflowing and allow them to be emptied in a timely manner.

[0007] Based on the known state of the art, the object of the invention is to create a possibility to monitor the fill level of containers.

[0008] This problem is solved by a float insert with the features of claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, the float insert comprises a float having a float, a visual indicator, and a rod arranged between the float and the indicator, as well as a guide in which the rod is mounted for longitudinal displacement. The visual indicator can be, for example, the tip of the rod. It can be formed integrally with the rod. The float is designed to be lighter than water or urine and to raise the float when the fill level increases. In this way, the fill level of a container can be determined. As the fill level increases, the visual indicator becomes visible, allowing the user to see when the container is full.

[0010] According to the invention, the guide forms at least one passage for fluid. On the one hand, such a design is very compact. On the other hand, such a design allows for retrofitting, as explained in more detail below.

[0011] The guide advantageously performs two functions. Firstly, it is suitable for supporting the lid of a container. Secondly, according to the invention, it forms a bearing for the rod.

[0012] It should be noted here that the float insert according to the invention can be used particularly in composting toilets and washbasins. However, it can generally be used wherever a container is to be filled with a liquid and there is a need to detect the container's fill level.

[0013] Preferably, the indicator is wider than the rod. This creates a simple design. The widened portion holds the float in the guide when the fill level is very low. It cannot therefore slip out of the guide. The float is also held in the guide during assembly or disassembly. In particular, the indicator can be designed to have a larger diameter than the rod, especially if the rod is cylindrical, which is considered advantageous in itself.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, the float can be wider than the rod, particularly with a larger diameter. This also prevents accidental release from the guide, but in the opposite direction.

[0015] The production of the float insert should be as simple as possible. Therefore, it is considered advantageous if the float is constructed as a single piece. It has been found that the floating properties of the float can also be achieved if it is constructed as a single piece with the rod and, if applicable, the indicator. The float is preferably hollow to ensure the floating properties.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the guide has a preferably circumferential projection which, in a plan view of the float insert, at least partially surrounds the float. The preferably circumferential projection can act as a centering means, particularly when the guide is inserted into an opening in a container lid. The projection advantageously centers and / or holds the float insert in the opening. It can also advantageously support an odor trap into which the projection is inserted, as explained in more detail below. Finally, the projection can limit the passage for the liquid.

[0017] Preferably, the extension extends concentrically to the rod. It thus advantageously centers the rod. The cross-section of the extension can be (hollow) cylindrical, at least in sections.

[0018] Advantageously, the projection forms the passage. For this purpose, the projection advantageously has at least one recess. The recess is suitable for interacting with a odor trap. In this – free – area of ​​the recess, the odor trap retains its flexibility, allowing it to fulfill its closing function as well as its opening function particularly advantageously.

[0019] The float insert according to the invention can be used as a retrofit part. It is therefore advantageously capable of being installed in existing systems, for example, in an existing composting toilet. As already explained at the beginning, such a composting toilet comprises a container and a lid with which the container is closed. An opening is formed in the lid into which a drain of a composting insert engages. In addition, an odor trap can be inserted into the opening. The odor trap generally has two sealing lips that open under the weight of liquid. An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the guide has a shoulder extending in a laterally direction.The shoulder allows the float insert to be inserted into the lid opening, ideally far enough so that the shoulder rests against the lid and / or the odor trap. The aforementioned shoulder serves (among other things) to center the float insert in the lid opening.

[0020] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the guide has a bearing section in which the rod is guided. The bearing section ensures that the rod is guided smoothly and securely. If the guide also has a shoulder, the bearing section can advantageously be held by the shoulder.

[0021] An easy-to-assemble design results from the bearing section being slotted on at least one side, preferably on both sides, and preferably in the direction of the rod's longitudinal axis. The rod can be inserted through the at least one slot, ensuring simple assembly. This is especially true if the rod is constructed as a single piece. If two slots are present, the bearing section is constructed as a two-piece assembly, allowing the two parts to be moved apart for mounting the float. The two parts advantageously accommodate the rod between them.

[0022] As mentioned above, odor traps can be used with composting toilets. The float insert can be retrofitted. The float insert is preferably inserted into the odor trap. The float rod then extends through an opening in the odor trap.

[0023] Although the float insert is advantageously inserted into the odor trap, it must still fulfill its function. To this end, it is advantageously proposed that the bearing section have an elongated cross-section that tapers toward its lateral end and preferably has the basic shape of a pointed oval. The elongated shape of the cross-section is advantageously adapted to the sealing lips of the odor trap. These are preferably flexible and rest at least partially against the guide, in particular against the bearing section, with (a slight) preload.

[0024] The invention is directed to a float insert. This can be designed as a retrofit part, allowing existing containers to be advantageously retrofitted.

[0025] Of course, subsystems consisting of a container and a float insert are also protected by this utility model. Such systems can be used, for example, in composting toilets or sinks, but this is not exhaustive. It is particularly advantageous if the container has a lid into which the float insert is inserted. As already described above, the lid can, in particular, have an opening into which the float insert is inserted. The float insert is advantageously placed on the lid and / or on a odor trap inserted into the opening.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention is also directed to dry-separating toilets and wash basins. In this context, it is advantageous if the dry-separating toilet or wash basin has an outlet that is in flow connection with the outlet. The liquid (urine or water) flows into the container through the outlet and the outlet. For high functional reliability, it is proposed that the outlet engages with the float insert. When liquid in the container reaches a certain fill level, the indicator is advantageously visible. This can be one end of the rod. As the fill level increases, the end of the rod also rises so that it finally becomes visible in the outlet. The user then knows that or when the maximum fill level has been reached. The container can then be emptied.

[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a dry separation toilet with a float insert according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the container according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the container lid with the float insert inserted; Fig. 4 shows a schematic exploded view of a perspective view of the float insert; Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the float insert inserted into an odor trap; Fig. 6 shows a schematic side view of the float insert (without odor trap); and Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of section BB in Fig. 6.

[0028] Reference is made to the Fig. 1 to 3. Fig. Figure 1 shows a conventional dry separation toilet 1, which consists of a body 2, a separating insert 3, and a lid 4. In this case, the separating insert 3 is integrally formed with a toilet seat 5. However, it can also be formed separately in other cases. In this case, it is housed between a (likewise separate) toilet seat and the body 2.

[0029] Separation inserts are well known. Their purpose is to separate solid excretions from urine. For this purpose, the separation insert 3 has a rear opening 6 (seen from the front) and a front outlet 7. The outlet 7 is intended for the removal of urine and is located at the end of a collecting basin 8. The outlet 7 directs the urine into a container 9, which has a lid 10. An opening 11 is formed in the lid 10, as can be seen from Fig. 2.

[0030] An odor trap 12 is embedded in the opening 11. Such an odor trap 12 is known from the prior art and serves, on the one hand, to ensure that no / little odor escapes from the container 9 and, on the other hand, to ensure that no liquid leaks out when the container 9 shakes. The odor trap 12 is used in connection with Fig. 4 is explained in more detail.

[0031] A float insert 13 is inserted into the odor trap 12. It should be noted that the float insert 13 also functions without the odor trap 12. The float insert 13 is then inserted directly into the opening 11 (without the odor trap). In principle, the float insert according to the invention can be used anywhere where liquid is collected in a container and there is a need to indicate the fill level.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows the float insert 13 inserted into the lid 10 in an enlarged view. The float insert 13 has a float 14 that is movable in the direction of arrow P1. Since the float 14 is advantageously lighter than the liquid to be collected (for example, water or urine), it moves upwards as the liquid level rises. With reference to Fig. 1 it is clear that when the container 9 is full, the float is visible in the outlet 7, as shown in Fig. 1. The user can use this to determine the fill level of container 9 and empty it if necessary.

[0033] Fig. Figure 4 shows the float insert 13 according to the invention in an exploded view. The float insert 13 has a float 14, as described above. The float 14 comprises a float 15, a visual indicator 16, and a rod 17, whose cross-section is preferably round. The visual indicator 16 is arranged at the end of the rod 17, as is considered advantageous in itself. It can be formed integrally with the rod or separately. In the latter case, it is, for example, screwed to the rod 17.

[0034] A guide is identified by reference numeral 18. In the assembled state, the rod 17 is mounted in the guide 18 for longitudinal displacement. For this purpose, the guide 18 has a bearing section 19, which forms a receptacle 20 for the rod 17. The bearing section 19 has at least one, preferably two slots 21, wherein Fig. 4, only a slot 21 is visible. This allows the bearing section 19 to be bent open to insert the rod 17 of the float 14, which is particularly advantageous when the float is formed as a single piece.

[0035] The guide 18 has a projection 22, which advantageously holds the bearing section 19. In this case, the projection 22 also serves to be inserted into the odor trap 12. For this purpose, the projection 22 is preferably cylindrical, at least in sections.

[0036] According to the invention, the guide 18 forms at least one passage for liquid, in this case for urine. The liquid thus has the possibility of flowing past the bearing section 19 into the container 9 (see Fig. 1) to flow.

[0037] The odor trap 12 has two sealing lips 24. These are (at least partially) closed when unloaded. When a liquid enters the odor trap 12, the sealing lips 24 open under the force of gravity. The two sealing lips 24 thus form an opening. In practice, it may happen that the sealing lips do not close completely. Nevertheless, they fulfill their sealing function.

[0038] The bearing section 19 has an elongated cross-section, in particular a cross-section with the basic shape of a pointed oval, as can be seen from Fig. 4. This allows it to interact particularly well with the odor trap 12 and, in particular, can also be used as a retrofit part. If the guide 18 is inserted into the odor trap 12, the sealing lips 24 fit particularly well against the bearing section 19. The odor trap 12 can therefore fulfill its sealing function even when the float insert 13 is inserted.

[0039] Preferably, the guide 18 further comprises a shoulder 25, which is advantageously designed to be circumferential. The shoulder 25 allows the float insert 13 to rest on the lid 10 and / or an odor trap 12 inserted into the lid 10. Furthermore, the shoulder 25 defines the insertion depth of the float insert 13.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be noted again that the at least one passage 23 also functions when the float insert 13 is inserted into the odor trap 12. This is made possible by the projection 22 forming the at least one passage 23, allowing the fluid to flow between the float insert 13 and the odor trap 12 in the area of ​​the sealing lips 24 to the bearing section 19.

[0041] Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a float insert 13 inserted into a trap 12. This clearly shows that the rod 17 and the float 14 partially protrude from the bottom of the trap 12. Nevertheless, the rod 17 is slightly longitudinally displaceable because it is mounted in the bearing section 19 (not visible here) and the sealing lips 24 rest against the bearing section 19.

[0042] It is based on the Fig. 6 and Fig.7, which show that the bearing section 19 and the projection 22 are advantageously formed as one piece. The bearing section 19 forms two slots 21. By bending open the two slots 21, the rod 17 of the float 14 can be accommodated. After bending open and inserting the float 14, the bearing section 19 returns to its original shape. List of reference symbols 1 dry separation toilet 2 Corpus 3 Divider insert 4 lids 5 toilet seat 6 Rear opening 7 Front drain 8 collection basins 9 containers 10 lids 11 Opening 12 Odor trap 13 Float insert 14 swimmers 15 floats 16 Advertisement 17 bars 18 Guide 19 storage section 20 recordings 21 slot 22 Approach 23 Passage 24 sealing lips 25 shoulder P1 Arrow

Claims

[1] Float insert, with - a float (14) comprising a float (15), an optical display (16) and a rod (17) arranged between the float (15) and the display (16), and - a guide (18) in which the rod (17) is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable, - wherein the guide (18) forms at least one passage (23) for liquid. [2] Float insert according to claim 1, characterized by that the display (16) is widened compared to the rod (17), in particular has a larger diameter. [3] Float insert according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the floating body (15) is widened compared to the rod (17), in particular has a larger diameter. [4] Float insert according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the float (14) is formed in one piece. [5] Float insert according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the guide (18) has a preferably circumferential projection (22) which at least partially surrounds the float (14) in a plan view of the float insert (13). [6] Float insert according to claim 5, characterized by that the extension (22) extends concentrically to the rod (17). [7] Float insert according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the extension (22) forms the passage (23). [8] Float insert according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the guide (18) has a shoulder (25) extending in the lateral direction. [9] Float insert according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the guide (18) has a bearing section (19) in which the rod (17) is guided. [10] Float insert according to claim 9, characterized by that the bearing section (19) is slotted laterally and preferably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rod (17). [11] Float insert according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the bearing section (19) has an elongated cross-section which becomes thinner towards its lateral end and preferably has the basic shape of a pointed oval. [12] Float insert according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the float insert is inserted into an odor trap (12), wherein the odor trap (12) has an opening through which the rod (17) extends. [13] Float insert according to claim 12, characterized by that the odor trap (12) has a flexible wall which at least partially rests against the guide (18) with pre-tension. [14] Container with a float insert (13) according to one of claims 1 to 13. [15] Container according to claim 14, wherein the container (9) has a lid (10) into which the float insert (13) is inserted. [16] Container according to claim 15, characterized bythat the cover (10) has an opening (11) into which the float insert (13) is inserted. [17] Container according to claim 15 or 16, characterized by that the float insert (13) rests on the lid (10) and / or on an odor trap (12) inserted into the opening (11). [18] Dry separation toilet or washbasin with a container (9) according to one of claims 14 to 17. [19] Dry separation toilet or washbasin according to claim 18, characterized by that the dry separation toilet (1) or the washbasin has an outlet (7) which is in flow connection with the passage (23). [20] Dry separation toilet or washbasin according to claim 19, characterized by that the outlet (7) engages with the float insert (13). [21] Dry separation toilet or washbasin according to claim 19 or 20, characterized bythat the display (16) in the outlet (7) is visible when the liquid in the container (9) reaches a certain fill level.

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