Drainage device

Abstract

A drainage device comrpises a flexible tray 10 with a base 11 and a surrounding wall 12 in which multiple rebates 12a are formed, where a flange 13 with an opening14 is formed at the rebate. Each flan

Description

Technical Field This invention relates to a drainage device for use in, for example, the plumbing industry. Background When, for example, a central heating radiator is to be removed from its supporting wall, it is necessary to drain the radiator prior to its removal from the wall. This involves draining the water in the radiator through one or both of the unions by which the radiator is connected to the supply and return pipes of the central heating system. During draining of the water, a receptacle is placed beneath the or each union to collect the water that is being discharged. This can be a messy business and a number of proposals have accordingly been made to facilitate the drainage of water from a radiator. One example is that shown in GB 2489061, which proposes a flexible tray with a slot in a flange for engagement with the supply or return pipes of a radiator. A further refinement is shown in GB 2630012, which proposes including at least one port in the surrounding wall, with an L-shaped tube in the port, which can be used to drain water from the tray. However, improvements of such an arrangement would be beneficial. Summary According to the present invention there is provided a drainage device according to claim 1. Further advantageous features are set out in the dependent claims. The present invention therefore provides a drainage device comprising a flexible tray for use in the collection of water from a pipe, the tray having a base and a surrounding wall. A plurality of rebates may be formed in the surrounding wall, and that part of the wall at which each rebate is located may be provided with a flange in which a substantially circular opening is formed, and each flange may be formed with a slit extending from the respective opening to the outer edge of the tray. The drainage device comprises at least one port in the surrounding wall and a valve mounted in the port and being moveable between a closed position and an open position. The valve comprises a fluid pathway therethrough extending between at least one inlet and an outlet. In the closed position, the valve seals the port such that the surrounding wall blocks the at least one inlet and / or the at least one inlet is located outside the tray such that fluid is blocked from flowing from the tray into the fluid pathway. In the open position, the valve is positioned in the port such that the at least one inlet is exposed inside the tray and fluid can flow out of the tray through the fluid pathway. The drainage device of the present invention provides a number of improvements over the prior art. In the drainage device of GB 2630012, the L-shaped tube in the upright position limits the volume of water which can be contained in the drainage device without the use of an overflow vessel. If the water level in the drainage device of GB 2630012 exceeds the height of the second limb of the L-shaped tube then the water drains through the L-shaped tube even when the L-shaped tube is in the upright position. In addition, any movement of the drainage device could lead to water splashing into the L shaped tube, even when it is in the upright position, which would lead to unintentional and unexpected drainage of the water from the drainage device. Additionally, unintentional drainage through the L shaped tubes could occur when the fluid flows at high pressure from a radiator into the drainage device. This is prevented by the valve of the present invention as in the closed position the at least one inlet is blocked by the surrounding wall and / or located outside the tray, such that the valve has a low profile within the tray and does not occupy space within the tray when it is closed and therefore is less liable to be unintentionally opened. The valve may comprise a generally elongate channel extending between a closed end and an open end wherein the outlet is positioned at the open end and the at least one inlet is positioned along the length of the channel between the closed and open ends. A single, elongate channel provides a simpler pathway for fluid compared to the L-shaped tube of the prior art and allows the valve to be more compact than the tubes of the prior art. The valve may be generally tubular with the channel extending therethrough from the open end (at which the channel is open via the outlet) to the closed end (at which the channel is ends and is blocked by the closed end). The tubular wall is generally in contact with the surrounding wall around the periphery of the port in both the closed and open positions. The valve, tube and channel are preferably substantially straight and do not comprise the L-shape of GB 2630012. The valve is preferably moveable between a continuous plurality of intermediate positions between the closed position and the open position. As a result, in the intermediate positions, an exposed area of the at least one inlet is varied and is different. The tubular wall may be in contact with the surrounding wall at the plurality of intermediate positions. This provides an improvement upon the drainage device of GB 2630012 by providing an improved means of controlling the flow rate of the fluid out of the valve by selecting a position of the valve between the open position and the closed position. The outlet may comprise an outlet aperture extending across an outlet aperture plane (i.e. the opening of the outlet aperture from the valve is substantially planar). The outlet aperture plane may be generally perpendicular to a plane defined by and extending on an interior surface of the tray base. The at least one inlet extends generally perpendicularly to the outlet aperture plane (i.e. the at least one inlet extends across an inlet opening area, which is generally perpendicular to the outlet aperture plane). The at least one inlet may extend through the tubular wall of the valve, between the closed and open ends, into the channel. Hence, in the open position, water inside the tray enters the channel through the side of the tube of the valve, turns substantially perpendicularly, and flows out of the outlet at the open end of the channel and valve. The orientation of the inlet relative the outlet ensures that fluid can be blocked from flowing into the fluid pathway as it allows the inlet to be positioned outside the tray, and / or at least partially in the surrounding wall, when the valve is in the closed position. The valve preferably comprises an interior shoulder proximal to and / or at the closed end of the channel. In the closed position, the interior shoulder contacts an interior surface of the surrounding wall. This allows the interior shoulder to form a seal which prevents any fluid from escaping through the port. The valve may comprise an exterior shoulder proximal to the open end of the valve. In the open position, when the valve is at its most innermost position in the tray, the exterior shoulder is in contact with an exterior surface of the surrounding wall. The exterior shoulder prevents the valve from being removed from the port by being pulled into the tray. The valve preferably comprises a first interior flange located at an opposite end of the valve to the outlet (i.e. at the closed end of the valve). The first interior flange may be adjacent or proximal to the interior shoulder, and may be on the opposing side of the 02 10 25 interior shoulder to the at least one inlet. The first interior flange may have a greater diameter than the rest of the valve. The first interior flange provides an easy grip for the user to move the valve between the closed and open positions. 5 The valve preferably comprises a valve body, which may comprise a tubular wall with the channel extending therethrough. The valve may further comprise at least one protrusion on the valve body. The at least one protrusion may extend radially outwardly from the channel and / or valve body. In 10 the closed position, the at least one protrusion contacts and / or is adjacent to an exterior surface of the surrounding wall. Thus, in the closed position, the valve may be mounted in the port such that the surrounding wall contacts the valve between the interior flange and the at least one protrusion. The at least one protrusion provides a slight resistance to the inward movement of the valve from the closed position to the open position so that it is not 15 moved to the open position by mistake. However, a user can overcome the resistance by pulling or pushing the valve through the port such that the at least one protrusion is moveable through the port into the open and / or intermediate positions. The at least one inlet is preferably formed by at least one aperture in or through the 20 valve body. In particular, the at least one inlet extends through the tubular wall. The opening area of the or each inlet may extend along the axis of the tube of the valve body and circumferentially around such axis. Forming the at least one inlet by an aperture in the valve body simplifies the construction of the valve. 25 The tray may be flexible and may be formed of rubber or other flexible plastic material, such as a one-piece moulding. The valve is preferably formed from a rigid material. The rigid material when engaged with the flexible material of the tray forms a tight seal in the closed position so that no fluid can escape through the port. 30 The at least one port is preferably formed from the surrounding wall and comprises a port aperture through the surrounding wall in which the valve is mounted in both the closed and open positions. The at least one port may comprise an annular rim defining or extending around the port aperture. The at least one port may comprise a port wall extending around, but preferably not directly adjacent to, the annular rim and outwardly 35 from the surrounding wall. The at least one port may comprise a groove between the 02 10 25 annular rim and the port wall. The groove provides a clearance between the valve and a connector which allows the drainage device to receive the connector in the groove. The groove may be substantially annular and may substantially extend entirely around the annular rim. The port wall may be substantially annular or tubular and may substantially 5 extend entirely around the annular rim. Therefore, the connector can be removed and inserted from the groove without substantially contacting the valve, removing the risk of the connector inadvertently moving the valve between the closed and open position when it is mounted to the tray. Additionally, such a port ensures that the connector extends around the annular rim entirely, preventing the leakage of fluid. 10 The tray may be of triangular or square form in plan view and wherein one of the plurality of rebates is provided at each corner. The rebates allow space outside the tray for a pipe received in the circular opening to continue beneath the opening such that the pipe does not deform the tray or make it unstable. The at least one port may be provided in the 15 surrounding wall between each corner. A sloping surface may extend along one side the slit in each flange, and at least one outwardly extending rib extends along the underside of the sloping surface and up the exterior of the surrounding wall, and along the other side of the slit at least one channel is 20 formed in the flange and the interior of the surrounding wall to receive a respective rib. This creates secure engagement of the tray with a pipe. Each flange may further comprise a frustoconical surface surrounding the opening and sloping downwardly from a perimeter of the opening. The frustoconical surface may 25 extend to meet the rebate. The frustoconical surface encourages liquid to drain away from the hole towards the interior of the tray. The base may further comprise a series of depression around its perimeter, adjacent to the surrounding wall and between the rebates. Due to these depressions, when 30 water is present in the tray, the weight of the water slightly distorts the tray at each corner, which helps to ensure secure engagement of the rib in the channel. The drainage device may further comprise a connector releasably engageable with the at least one port, wherein the connector is in communication with an overflow vessel. 35 The connector may be mountable in the groove and may be guidable by the port wall into 02 10 25 the groove. In this way, at least part of the volume of liquid contained within the tray can be drained away to increase the holding capacity of the overall drainage device and to prevent the tray from overflowing. 5 Brief Description of Drawings The present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a tray designed to be engaged with a substantially vertical water pipe adjacent a union to facilitate the collection of the water that may escape 10 when the union is disconnected, showing three valves; Figure 2 is a plan view of the tray of Figure 1, with the valves omitted; Figure 3 is a side view of the tray of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an isometric view of part of the tray of Figure 2 together with a connector; 15 Figure 5 is a detail view of one corner of the tray of Figure 1; Figure 6 is another detail view of one corner of the tray of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a cross section through the clip at one corner of the tray when the clip is engaged; Figures 8a, 8b and 8c are top perspective, end and side views respectively of a 20 valve; Figures 9a and 9b are cross sectional views through part of the tray and one valve, with a connector engaged in Figure 9a and disengaged in Figure 9b; and Figure 10 shows a connector and overflow vessel for connection to the tray of Figures 1 to 9b. Detailed Description A drainage device in accordance with the present invention comprises a tray 10. The tray 10 shown may be formed from rubber or from a synthetic plastics material, such as a mixture of polyvinylchloride and low density polyethylene, as a one-piece moulding. The tray 10 is sufficiently flexible that it can be distorted, as described below, to enable it to be engaged with a pipe (not shown). The particular tray 10 shown in the drawings is of triangular form in plan view, though other configurations are possible, for example, circular, elliptical, square or other polygonal or multi-sided form. The tray 10 has a generally flat base 11 and an up-standing perimeter wall or surrounding wall 12 having an interior surface and an exterior surface, which is preferably inclined at a small acute angle to the vertical. At each corner of the triangular tray 10, the perimeter wall 12 is formed with a part-cylindrical first rebate 12a protruding inwardly into the tray 10. For a tray 10 of another shape, such a square or other multi-sided form, a rebate may be provided in each corner. For a circular or elliptical tray, two or more rebates may be provided at spaced intervals around the wall 12. The wall 12 comprises three sides between each corner, since the tray 10 is triangular, but may of course comprises one or more sides depending upon the shape of the tray 10. At the top of each first rebate 12a is a flange 13 in which a substantially circular opening 14 is formed. Each flange 13 is also formed with a radially outwardly extending slit 14a that extends from the associated opening 14 to the outer edge of the tray 10. Preferably the direction in which the slit 14a extends is not along a line which intersects the centre of the opening 14a, i.e. it does not extend perpendicular to a tangent at the edge of the opening 14. Rather, the direction in which the slit 14a extends is along a line which is at an angle to a tangent at the edge of the opening 14. As best seen in Figure 5 and 6, a portion 15 of the flange 13 adjacent to the slit 14a slopes downwardly towards the edge of the slit 14a. the arrangement is such that, when the tray 10 is moved into engagement with a pipe, the parts of the flange 13 on either side of the appropriate slit 14a can be distorted so that the tray 10 can be moved into a position in which the pipe is received in the opening 14. The perimeter wall 12 includes wall portions 16 that extend upwardly from the outer edges of the flanges 13. At each corner, the part of each wall portion 16 on one side of the slit 14a includes at least one outwardly facing vertical rib 17. The rib 17 continues along the underside of the sloping portion 15. The part of each wall portion 16 on the other side of the respective slit 14a includes at least one inwardly facing channel 18. The channel 18 continues into the upper surface of the flange 13. The rib 17 along the edge of each slit 14a has a height approximately equal to the depth of the associated channel 18. The arrangement is thus such that, when the tray 10 has been engaged with a pipe and the pipe is received in an opening 14 of the appropriate diameter, the parts of the flange 13 adjacent the respective slit 14a can be distorted so that the rib 17 on one side of the respective slit 14a can be engaged in the channel 18 on the other side of the slit 14a, as shown in the cross section of Figure 7. Secure engagement of the tray 10 with the pipe is thus obtained. The three openings 14 at the three corners of the triangular tray 10 are preferably of different diameters. These may correspond to three different standard pipe diameters. For example, the openings 14 may be of such sizes that they can receive, for example, pipes of diameters 10 mm, 15 mm and 22 mm. Thus, when a plumber wishes to disconnect a pipe union, he can position the tray 10 so that the appropriate size of opening 14 is adjacent the pipe 10 and can then distort the flange 13 so as to open up the slit 14a and engage the flange 13 and wall portions 16 around the pipe, with the pipe securely fitting in the respective opening 14. The thickness of the flange 13 and the elastic properties of the rubber or synthetic plastics material from which the tray 10 is formed are so chosen as to ensure a secure engagement with the pipe. Water drained from the pipe can then be collected in the tray 10. Preferably, the surface of the flange 13 surrounding each opening 14 is in the form of a frustoconical surface 13a. The surface 13a thus slopes downwardly from the edge of the opening 14 towards the rest of the flange 13. The surface 13a may be an oblique frustoconical surface, so that the opening 14 is not in the centre of the surface 13a, and widest part of the surface 13a extends to the inward edge of the flange 13 where it meets the vertical wall of the rebate 12a. The frustoconical surface 13a encourages liquid to drain away from the hole 14 towards the interior of the tray 10. The thickness of the material forming the tray 10 decreases from the bottom of the frustoconical surface 13a towards the top edge which defines the opening 14. This gives additional flexibility to the frustoconical surface 13a and allows it to accommodate different pipe diameters. Thus, while one opening 14 may be generally intended for a pipe diameter of 15mm, the frustoconical surface 13a is able to accommodate a range of diameters around this, e.g. 14-16mm. In some situations, the capacity of the tray 10 may not be sufficient to hold the full volume of liquid within a radiator. Therefore, in the present invention, the tray 10 is additionally provided with means to connect the tray 10 to another vessel to thereby increase the capacity and accommodate a larger volume of liquid. Accordingly, in the present invention, the tray 10 is further provided with at least one port 20 in the wall 12. In this example, three ports 20 are provided, one in each side of the triangular tray 10, although in other embodiments each side may comprise more than one port 20, one or more sides may not comprise a port 20 and, if there are more than three sides, all or at least some of such sides may comprise a port 20. Preferably, the wall 12 comprises at least one second rebate 12b located in at least one of the side walls, located, for example, midway between the first rebates 12a at each corner. The or each second rebate 12b defines the port 20 through the wall 12. The at least one port 20 is for selectively allowing fluid to flow out of the tray 10. As shown in Figure 4, a connector 34 may also be provided which can be inserted into the port 20 from the exterior side of the wall 12 in order to connect the tray 10 to another vessel. The connector 34 may be connected directly to an overflow vessel 70, such as a plastic bag as shown in Figure 10, or to a hose. Preferably, the port 20 is formed from (i.e. is integrally formed with, as a unitary structure) the wall 12. The port 20 may comprise, as illustrated, an annular rim 60 extending between the interior and exterior surfaces 12c, 12d of the wall 12 and defining a port aperture 61. The port 20 may further comprise a port wall 62 extending around, but preferably not directly adjacent to, the annular rim 60 and outward from the interior surface of the wall 12. The port wall 62 extends further from the interior surface than the annular rim 60. The port wall 62 may be substantially annular or tubular. The port 20 may comprise a groove 64 between the annular rim 60 and the port wall 62. The groove 64 may be substantially annular or tubular and may substantially extend entirely around the annular rim 60. In use, the groove 64 receives a distal end 34b of the connector 34 to the overflow vessel 70. The port 20 may have a width P1 perpendicular to a plane 11 a defined by and extending on an interior surface 11b of the tray base 11 at the annular rim 60 and a width P2 perpendicular to the plane of the tray base 11a at an end 65. The port may taper such that the P2 is greater than P1. A valve 22 is engageable in each port 20 and is mounted in the port aperture 61 formed by the annular rim 60. As best shown in Figures 8a, 8b, and 8c, each valve 22 comprises a fluid pathway 49 therethrough extending between at least one inlet 50 and an outlet 51. The valve 22 may be at least partially tubular and may comprise a generally elongate channel 54 extending between a closed end 56 and an open end 58. The inlet 50 may be positioned along a length of the channel 54 between the closed end 56 and the open end 58 and the outlet 51 may be positioned at the open end 58. The outlet 51 may comprise an outlet aperture 51a. The outlet aperture 51a may extend across an outlet aperture plane 51b, wherein the outlet aperture 51b extends generally perpendicular to the plane 11 a defined by the tray base 11. The at least one inlet 50 may be generally perpendicular to the outlet aperture plane 51b. The valve 22 is moveable between a closed position, shown in Figure 9a, and an open position, shown in Figure 9b. In the closed position, the valve 22 seals the port 20 such that the wall 12 blocks fluid from the interior of the tray 10 reaching the at least one inlet 50. Blocking the at least one inlet 50 may comprise blocking or covering the at least one inlet 50. In addition, or alternatively, in the closed position, the at least one inlet 50 is located at least partially outside the tray 10, such that fluid is blocked from flowing from the tray 10 through the fluid pathway. In the closed position, the valve 22 may be positioned such that the at least one inlet 50 is outside the interior surface of the wall 12 but inside the port 20. When the valve 22 is in the closed position, it does not occupy space within the tray 10 and therefore the capacity of the tray 10 is not affected. Furthermore, the valve 22 is therefore less likely to be erroneously knocked by a user with their hand inside the interior of the tray 10. In the open position, the valve 22 is positioned in the port 20 such that the at least one inlet 50 is at least partially located and exposed inside the tray 10 and fluid can flow out of the tray 10 through the fluid pathway. In particular, the entire at least one inlet 50 may be located inside of the interior surface of the wall 12. In the open position, the valve 22 may be located partially inside the port 20. The valve 22 may be moveable between a continuous plurality of intermediate positions between the closed position and the open position, such that between the intermediate positions between the closed position and the open position, an exposed area of the at least one inlet 50 inside the tray 10 is varied and is different. For example, the valve 22 may be moveable to a position in which a first part of the at least one inlet 50 is located and exposed inside the tray 10 and a second part of the at least one inlet 50 is located inside the port 20. Alternatively, where the valve 22 comprises a plurality of inlets 50, the valve 22 may be moved to a position in which a first inlet 50 is located and exposed inside the tray 10 and a second inlet is located inside the port 20. In use, this allows a flow rate of a fluid from the tray 10 to be varied based on the position of the valve 22. The valve 22 may comprise a first interior flange 42. The first interior flange 42 may be positioned at the closed end 56 of the channel 54. The first interior flange 42 may have a width F parallel to the outlet aperture plane 51 b which is greater than the width P1 of the port 20 at its annular rim 60. The valve 22 may comprise a second interior flange 44 positioned proximal to the closed end 56 of the channel 54. The second interior flange 44 may extend from the first interior flange 42 and may be positioned between the first interior flange 42 and the interior surface 12c of the wall 12. The valve 22 may comprise an interior shoulder 44a, which may be an interior shoulder 44a of the second interior flange 44. In the closed position, the interior shoulder 44a may contact the interior surface 12c of the wall 12 and seal the port 20. The interior shoulder 44a may have a width S1 which is oriented parallel to the outlet aperture plane 51 b. The width S1 of the interior shoulder 44a may be greater than the width of the port 20 at the annular rim 60, P1, such that a seal is created around the port 20 and the valve 22 cannot be pulled out from the interior to the exterior through the port 20. The width S1 of the interior shoulder 44a may be less than the width F of the first interior flange 42 such that there is a clearance between the first interior flange 42 and the interior surface 12c of the wall 12 when the valve 22 is in the closed position. The valve 22 may comprise an exterior flange 52 positioned proximal to the open end 58 of the channel 54. The exterior flange 52 may extend around the outlet aperture 51a. The valve 22 may comprise an exterior shoulder 52a, which may be an exterior shoulder 52a of the exterior flange 52. The exterior shoulder 52a may contact the exterior surface 12d of the wall 12. The exterior shoulder 52a may contact the exterior surface 12d of the wall 12 at the annular rim 60 of the port 20. The exterior shoulder 52 may have a width S2 which is parallel to the outlet aperture plane 51b. The width of the exterior shoulder S2 may be greater than the width P1 of the port 20 at the annular rim 60, such that the valve 22 cannot be pulled through the port 20 into the tray 10. The valve 22 may comprise a valve body 46. The valve body 46 may extend between the second interior flange 44 and the exterior flange 52. The valve body 46 may be generally cylindrical or tubular between the second interior flange 44 and the exterior flange 52. The valve body 46 may comprise a tubular wall with the channel 54 extending therethrough. The valve body 46 may comprise a first portion 46a which is proximal to the closed end 56 of the channel 54 and is continuous around a circumference of the valve body 46. The valve body 46 may comprise a second portion 46c which is proximal to the open end 58 of the channel 54 and is continuous around the circumference of the valve body 46. The valve body 46 may comprise an intermediate portion 46b between the first portion 46a and the second portion 46c. The intermediate portion 46b may comprise at least one aperture 50a in or through the valve body 46 forming the at least one inlet 50. The at least one inlet 50 may extend through the tubular wall of the valve body 46. An opening area of the or each inlet 50 may extend along an axis of the tube of the valve body 46 and circumferentially around such an axis. When the valve 22 comprises a plurality of inlets 50, the intermediate portion 46b of the valve body 46 may be a plurality of columns 46b extending between the second interior flange 44 and the exterior flange 52 separating the plurality of inlets 50. The at least one inlet 50 may be separated from the second interior flange 44 and the first portion 46a and may also be separated from the exterior flange 52 by the second portion 46c. The valve 22 may comprise at least one protrusion 48 on the valve body 46. The at least one protrusion 48 may be proximal to the closed end 56 of the channel 54. The at least one protrusion 48 may extend radially outwardly from the channel 54 and / or the valve body 46. The at least one protrusion 48 may be positioned on the intermediate portion 46b of the valve body 46. When the valve 22 comprises a plurality of inlets 50, the at least one protrusion 48 may be a plurality of protrusions 58 positioned on the plurality of columns 46b between the plurality of inlets 50. The valve 22 may comprise a first portion 46a of the valve body 46 separating the at least one protrusion 48 from the second interior flange 44. In the closed position, the first portion 46a of the valve body 46 may engage the annular rim 60 of the port 20 between the interior surface 12c and the exterior surface 12d of the wall 12. In the closed position, the at least one protrusion 48 may be positioned proximal to but exterior to the annular rim 60. The at least one protrusion 48 may contact and / or be adjacent to the exterior surface 12d of the wall 12 at annular rim 60. Therefore, the at least one protrusion 48 may provide a slight resistance to the valve 22 being pulled from the closed position to the open position while still allowing the valve 22 to be moveable through the port 20 into the open and / or intermediate positions. This prevents the valve 22 from being moved to the open position unintentionally. The valve 22 may be generally cylindrical and tubular. Where the valve 22 is generally cylindrical, the at least one inlet 50 may be positioned on a curved face or side of the generally cylindrical valve 22 and the outlet 51 may be positioned on a flat face or end of the generally cylindrical valve 22. The valve 22 may be formed from a rigid material such that the valve 22 is less flexible than the tray 10 and, when the valve 22 engages the tray 10, a seal may be formed. Figures 9a and 9b show cross sections through a valve 22 in a port 20, with a connector 34 shown engaged and disengaged. The connector 34 is generally tubular, with a slight taper, such as a Morse taper, so that it can be easily engaged with and disengaged from the port 20 and is watertight when engaged. An annular flange 34a may be provided around a proximal end of the connector 34 to help a user grip the connector 34 during insertion and removal. At the distal end 34b the connector 34 preferably tapers inwardly at a sharper angle to facilitate water flow into the connector 34. The port 20 preferably receives the distal end 34b of the connector 34 in the grooves 64. By receiving the distal end 34b of the connector 34 in the grooves 64, and due to the annular rim 60, the connector 34 does not contact the valve 22 at any point, in particular during the insertion and removal of the connector 34, regardless of whether the valve 22 is in the closed position or the open position. In use, a valve 22 is present in each port 20. Each valve 22 is placed in the closed position. The flange 13 at one corner of the tray 10 can be fitted to a pipe as described above and liquid drained into the tray 10. To drain water from the tray 10 to prevent overflowing, a connector 34 can be fitted into one port 20. The valve 22 in that port 20 is then moved to the open position or a position between the closed position and the open position. Liquid is now able to flow into the valve 22 through the inlet 50 and pass through the fluid pathway into the channel 54, out the outlet 51, into the port 20 into the connector 34 and on to the overflow vessel 70 (or a hose). In this way, at least part of the volume of liquid contained within the tray 10 can be drained away to increase the holding capacity of the overall drainage device and to prevent the tray 10 from overflowing. Thus, the valve 22 acts a tap which can be turned on and off by movement of the valve 22 in the port 20. Depending upon the location in which the drainage device is used, one or more than one port 20 can be connected to an overflow vessel 70 (or a hose) via a connector 34, in order to drain as much liquid as possible from the tray 10. In further advantageous developments of the invention, the base 11 of the tray 10 may be provided with a series of depressions 36 along its perimeter, adjacent to the wall 12. A depression 36 is present adjacent to each straight portion of the wall 12, between the rebates 12a and 12b. Due to these depressions 36, when water is present in the tray 10, the weight of the water slightly distorts the tray 10 at each corner, which helps to ensure secure engagement of the rib 17 in the channel 18. Each flange 13 may slope downwardly from the wall portion 16 on one side of the slit 14a towards the wall portion 16 on the other side of the slit 14a. When the rib 17 is engaged in the channel 18 to close the slit 14, this slope encourages any liquid which falls onto the flange 13 to drain into the main body of the tray 10. If desired, more than one rib 17 and / or more than one channel 18 may be provided at each corner. This provides alternative positions in which one rib 17 can engage in one channel 18 to ensure that the wall portions can be fitted securely around a pipe with as tight a fit as possible. The work undertaken by the plumber in, for example, replacing a central heating radiator or other work involving disconnection of a water pipe union, is thus simplified and can be carried out with minimal likelihood of causing a mess. 02 10 25

Claims

1. A drainage device comprising a flexible tray for use in the collection of water from a pipe, the tray having a base and a surrounding wall in which a plurality of rebates are formed, and that part of the wall at which each rebate is located being provided with a 5 flange in which an opening is formed, and each flange being formed with a slit extending from the respective opening to the outer edge of the tray, wherein:the drainage device further comprises at least one port in the surrounding wall and a valve mounted in the port and being moveable between a closed position and an open position, the valve comprising a fluid pathway therethrough extending between at least one 10 inlet and an outlet;in the closed position, the valve seals the port such that the surrounding wall blocks the at least one inlet and / or the at least one inlet is located outside the tray such that fluid is blocked from flowing from the tray into the fluid pathway; andin the open position, the valve is positioned in the port such that the at least one15 inlet is exposed inside the tray and fluid can flow out of the tray through the fluid pathway.

2. A drainage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises an elongate channel extending between a closed end and an open end wherein the outlet is positioned at the open end and the at least one inlet is positioned along a length of the 20 channel between the closed and open ends.

3. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve is moveable between a plurality of intermediate positions between the closed position and the open position, such that an exposed area of the at least one inlet inside the tray differs25 between the plurality of intermediate positions.

4. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outlet comprises an outlet aperture extending across an outlet aperture plane and the at least one inlet extends perpendicularly to the outlet aperture plane.

305. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve comprises an interior shoulder proximal to the closed end of the channel, wherein in the closed position the interior shoulder contacts an interior surface of the surrounding wall such that the valve seals the port.02 10 256. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the valve comprises an exterior shoulder proximal to the open end of the valve, wherein in the open position, the exterior shoulder is in contact with an exterior surface of the surrounding wall.5 7. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the valvecomprises a first interior flange located at an opposite end of the valve to the outlet.

8. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the valve comprises a valve body.

109. A drainage device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the valve further comprises at least one protrusion on the valve body, wherein, in the closed position, the at least one protrusion contacts and / or is adjacent to an exterior surface of the surrounding wall.15 10. A drainage device as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the at least oneinlet is formed by at least one aperture in the valve body.

11. A drainage device of any preceding claim wherein the valve is formed from a rigid material.2012. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one port is formed from the surrounding wall and comprises:an annular rim defining a port aperture in which the valve is mounted;a port wall extending around the annular rim and outwardly from the surrounding25 wall; anda groove between the annular rim and the port wall for receiving a connector for connecting the interior of the tray with another vessel.

13. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tray is of 30 triangular or square form in plan view and wherein one of the plurality of rebates is provided at each corner.

14. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one port is provided in the surrounding wall between adjacent rebates.02 10 2515. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a sloping surface extends along one side the slit in each flange, and at least one outwardly extending rib extends along the underside of the sloping surface and up the exterior of the surrounding wall, and along the other side of the slit at least one channel is formed in the 5 flange and the interior of the surrounding wall to receive a respective rib.

16. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each flange further comprises a frustoconical surface surrounding the opening and sloping downwardly from a perimeter of the opening.1017. A drainage device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the frustoconical surface extends to meet the rebate.

18. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each flange 15 slopes downwardly from the surrounding wall on one side of the flange to the surrounding wall on the other side of the flange.

19. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base further comprises a series of depression around its perimeter, adjacent to the surrounding 20 wall and between the rebates.

20. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a connector releasably engageable in a port on an exterior side of the surrounding wall, wherein the connector is in communication with an overflow vessel.2521. A drainage device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tray is formed of rubber or other flexible plastic material as a one-piece moulding.

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