Odor-proof air seal for grated drains

Abstract

The present invention provides a solution to combat foul sewer odors in cities, which rise from sewer systems through grated drains. The invention consists of a flexible, airtight pouch that conforms to the internal geometry of the drain and terminates in a pinched, "duckbill" shape, with or without springs, to impede air escape while allowing runoff to flow in the opposite direction. The device is compatible with the presence of a bucket, basket, or net installed to retain sand, cigarette butts, and small debris that passes through the grate.

Description

Title of the invention: Odor-controlling air seal for grated drains

[0001] The present invention relates to a device which prevents bad sewer odors from escaping into the open air through grated drains, with horizontal opening, with side inlet, or both. Problem statement:

[0002] Urban areas can be served by a combined sewer system through which wastewater from dwellings and rainwater flowing from gutters into the sewer system via catch basins, also commonly called storm inlets, flow. These catch basins, which allow rainwater to enter the sewers, also allow foul odors from inside the pipes to pass in the opposite direction and to the surface ([Fig.2]), causing a nuisance to passersby and residents. Legislative context:

[0003] According to Articles 4 and 11 of the Order of 21 July 2015 relating to collective sanitation systems, as amended by the Order of 31 July 2020, the rules for sizing, rehabilitation, operation, and maintenance of sanitation systems must minimize the emission of odors likely to compromise the health of the neighborhood and disturb its peace and quiet. The proposed invention doubly meets the requirements of these articles, in that it makes it possible to combat bad odors without incurring "excessive cost." State of the art before the invention:

[0004] There are commercially available drain valves or drain siphon systems to block odors, but they have several drawbacks: - They can significantly limit the flow of rainwater absorbed by the drain, - Because the valve is rigid, it does not adapt to all shapes of drains. - The valve is incompatible with the presence in the drain of a system of sand and waste retention - The siphon creates a water retention that promotes "the development of mosquito breeding grounds likely to transmit vector-borne diseases," which contravenes the requirements of Article 4 of the decree of July 21, 2015. - Their installation is complex and expensive. Description of the invention:

[0005] The present invention relates to a device that prevents foul odors established in a sewer system from escaping through its drains, regardless of their shape (1), (6), (8). The drain must be screened so that the proposed device is not affected by macro-waste that could partially block it, thus reducing its effectiveness.

[0006] The device is airtight (3) and resistant to the corrosive conditions found in a drain. The device (3) conforms to the internal geometry of the drain at its upper part and terminates at its lower part in a pinched "duckbill" shape to prevent the upward movement of foul-smelling air (4) while allowing runoff water to pass in the opposite direction. The duckbill shape can also be held pinched by a system of flat springs (9).

[0007] The device is compatible with the presence in the drain of a bucket, basket or net system, (5) installed to retain sand, cigarette butts and other small debris which pass through the grid (2), (7).

[0008] The device (3) is fixed or wedged onto the face of the drain (1), (6), (8). It can also be held in place by the weight of the grate (2), rest on a frame, or be integral with the sand and debris retention device (5). It adapts to the variety of drain shapes commonly encountered (1), (6), (8). Improvements brought about by the invention:

[0009] The present invention makes it possible to equip grated or barred drains ([Fig.1]) to prevent the escape of bad odors, without presenting the same disadvantages as the conventionally used drain flaps or siphons: - The device allows the flow of rainwater absorbed by the drain to pass through. - The flexible device adapts to the internal geometries of the drains, - The device does not cause water to stagnate, which is conducive to the proliferation of mosquitoes. - The device is compatible with the presence of a waste retention system, - Installation is simple and inexpensive. Drawings and images illustrating innovation:

[0010] Figure [1] represents a horizontally opening grated drain,

[0011] Figure 2 schematically represents the technical problem underlying The invention: the foul-smelling air vent that rises from the sewer system into the street.

[0012] Figure [Fig. 3] represents various forms of grated drains,

[0013] Figures [Fig. 4], [Fig. 5], [Fig. 6] schematically represent grated drains with a horizontal opening (1), a lateral opening (8), or with both types of opening (6). Each type of drain is equipped with the airtight device (3), positioned inside. The flexible device is pinched at its lower end (4) with or without the aid of flat springs (9),

[0014] Figures [7], [8], and [9] schematically represent each type of grated drain (1), (6), and (8), equipped with a sand and debris retention system (5). A flexible, airtight pouch device (3) is fitted around the retention system in all three cases. The flexible pouch device is pinched at its lower end (4) with or without the aid of flat springs (9).

[0015] Figure 10 represents the flexible pocket device seen in perspective,

[0016] Figure 11 shows the flexible pocket device seen in perspective, with optional a system of flat springs that can be added to pinch the duckbill shape.

[0017] Fig. 12 represents the system of flat springs for pinching the duckbill shape. List of references:

[0018] 1: Horizontal drain,

[0019] 2: Horizontal drain grate,

[0020] 3: Soft pocket,

[0021] 4: Duckbill pinch closure,

[0022] 5: Device for retaining sand, cigarette butts and small debris,

[0023] 6: Drain with lateral and horizontal openings,

[0024] 7: Lateral opening grille or bars,

[0025] 8: Laterally opening drain,

[0026] 9: Springs for pinching the duckbill closure. Industrialization potential:

[0027] There are more than 3 million drains in France. Even if not all drains are grated and do not discharge foul-smelling air, the industrialization potential of the present invention is significant, particularly in all cities served by a combined sewer system.

Claims

Demands

1. A device for combating foul sewer odours for a drain (1), (6), (8) protected by a grid system (2), (7), characterized in that it consists of an airtight pouch (3), pinched at its lower end in a "duckbill" shape (4), to prevent the rise of foul air towards the surface, while allowing runoff water to pass in the other direction.

2. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket (3) and its lower end (4) are made of flexible materials.

3. Device, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the pocket (3) is designed to fit the internal geometry of the drain, whether the drain has a horizontal inlet (1), a lateral inlet (8) or both (6) and to be compatible with the presence in the drain of a sand and debris retention basket (5).

4. Device (3) and (4), according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be fixed or wedged against the face of the drain, be held by the grate, rest on a frame or be integral with the sand and debris retention system.

5. Device and its fixing system, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that they are made with materials resistant to the corrosive conditions linked to the presence of foul air in the drain.

6. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the duckbill shape (4) can be forced closed by a system of flat springs (9), to prevent the rise of foul-smelling air towards the surface, while allowing the passage of runoff water in the other direction.

Images