Container and method for inhibiting material entering a drain

Abstract

Disclosed is a container (10) for removable fitting with a drainpipe section (12). The container (10) including a body (14) shaped to be received by the drainpipe section (12). The body (14) having an open first end (16) adapted to locate with or at an opening of the drainpipe section (12) and a second end (20) having an openable closure (22). The container (10) includes a central aperture (24) extending between the first end (16) and the second end (20), and a removal means (25) within the central aperture (24) adapted to assist removal of the container (10) from the drainpipe section (12). A system including the container (10) and a levelling device (70) is also disclosed along with an associated method of use.

Description

Container and Method for Inhibiting Material entering a DrainRelated Applications

[0001] This application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application no. 2024900988 filed on 9 April 2024, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a container and a method for inhibiting material entering a drain such as a drain of a building under construction.Background

[0003] During the construction of a building, such as a house, pipe work is often fitted prior to other finishes such as flooring. Such pipe work may include vertical open-ended sections that are used to provide drains such as bathroom drains. Flooring such as concrete flooring is usually formed around and up to the pipe work. Tiles are other surface finishes may then be added.

[0004] A problem with such open-ended pipe work is that debris or other material may enter the open-ended pipe work and clog the pipe and ultimately cause a drainage issue. Such debris or other material may be difficult to remove or may be not noticed until the building is complete at which point the drain may become blocked and then rectification action may be required. Such debris or other material also may pose an environmental problem.

[0005] Another problem with flooring such as concrete flooring is the level of the flooring, particularly the fall of the concrete flooring to meeting drainage requirements.

[0006] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative.Summary

[0007] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, a container for removable fitting with a drain, the container including a body shaped to be received by the drain, the body having an open first end adapted to locate with or at an opening of the drain and a second end having an openable closure. The drain may be or include a drain pipe section and may or may not include a puddle flange.

[0008] In an aspect, the container includes a central aperture extending between the first end and the second end, and wherein the container includes a removal means within the central aperture adapted to assist removal of the container from the drain pipe section.

[0009] In another aspect, the removal means includes at least one member extending across the central aperture at or toward the first end.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the container includes a central aperture extending between the first end and the second end, and wherein the container includes at least one member extending across the central aperture at or toward the first end.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the container includes a central aperture extending between the first end and the second end, and wherein the container includes at least one member arranged toward the first end so as to be claspable by the user to remove the container from the drainpipe section.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the at least one member includes a plurality of members extending across the central aperture.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the at least one member is arranged to provide a finger pull to remove the container from the drainpipe section.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the first end includes a flange extending radially outwardly relative to the body.

[0015] In yet another aspect, the body is elongate.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the removable closure is a removable base.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the body is cylindrical.

[0018] In accordance with a second broad aspect, there is provided a system including a container for removable fitting with a drainpipe section and a levelling device, the container including a body shaped to be received by the drain, the body having an open first end adapted to locate with or at an opening of the drain, a second end having an openable closure and a central aperture extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the container includes a removal means within the central aperture adapted to assist removal of the container from the drain pipe section; and, the levelling device includes a stem adapted to couple with and be supported by the removal means and a stage adapted to be movably adjustable relative to the stem.

[0019] In an aspect, the removal means includes at least one member spanning the central aperture and wherein the stem includes a coupling adapted to couple with the at least one member so as to be supported thereby.

[0020] In accordance with a third broad aspect there is provided, a method of inhibiting and removing material entering a drainpipe section, the method including the steps of fitting a body of a container in the drainpipe section with an open end of the container positioned with its flange proximate an opening of the drainpipe section and an opposing closed end located within the drainpipe section, and, clasping a member within the body of a container to remove the container from the drainpipe section, and, opening an openable closure of the closed end to remove material from the container.

[0021] In an aspect, the method further includes fitting a levelling device to the container by coupling a stem of the levelling device to the member with the stemextending generally vertically therefrom and vertically adjusting a stage movably coupled to the stem to a desired level.Brief Description of the Figures

[0022] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0023] Figure 1 is a top perspective view illustrating a container with a removeable base;

[0024] Figure 2 is a side view illustrating the container with the removeable base;

[0025] Figure 3 is a top view illustrating the container and indicating section A-A;

[0026] Figure 4 is a side sectional view illustrating the container and removable base along section A-A;

[0027] Figure 5 is a side sectional view illustrating a removable base of the container;

[0028] Figure 6 is a side view illustrating the container in a fitted condition;

[0029] Figure 7 is a side sectional view illustrating the container in the fitted condition;

[0030] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating an adaptor for the container;

[0031] Figure 9 is a side view illustrating the adaptor in a fitted condition to receive the container;

[0032] Figure 10 is a side sectional view illustrating the adaptor and the container in a fitted condition;

[0033] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a leveling device adapted to couple with thecontainer; and,

[0034] Figure 12 is a side sectional view of the leveling device adapted to couple with the container.Detailed Description

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 to 7 there is shown an example of a container 10 for removable fitting with a drainpipe section 12 of a drain 11, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The drain 11 may include a puddle flange 42 fitted to the drainpipe section 12 or the puddle flange 42 may be fitted to an aperture 13 of the drain 11.

[0036] The container 10 including a body 14 shaped to be received by the drainpipe section 12, the body 14 having an open first end 16 adapted to locate with or at an opening 18 of the drainpipe section 12 and a second normally closed end 20 having an openable closure 22.

[0037] The drainpipe section 12 may be a vertical section of the drain 11 of building or the like such as vertical section for a bathroom within a slab or a suspended floor. It is noted that the container 10 may also find use with other types of openings or drains to capture and contain material that may fall into such openings or drains. All such use scenarios are contemplated herein.

[0038] The body 14 may be elongate and generally cylindrical. The body 14 includes a central aperture 24 extending between the first end 16 and the second end 20. The container 10 includes at least one removal means or part 25 arranged toward or at the first end 16 so as to be claspable by the user to remove the container 10 from the drainpipe section 12.

[0039] The body 14 may include a circumferential flange 32 at or toward the first end 16. The flange 32 may be shaped to seat with the puddle flange 42 at a top the drainpipe section 12. This locates and suspends the container 10 so it does not fall into the drainpipe section 12 and remains generally accessible for removal. The body 14, flange32 and plurality of members 28 may all be integrally formed and may be moulded as a single piece plastic unit.

[0040] In this example, the at least one removal means or part 25 may be or include at least one member or structure 26 adapted to be claspable by the user or a tool to remove the container 10 from the drainpipe section 12. In this example, at least one member or structure 26 includes a plurality of members 28 extending across the central aperture 24 and these may provide a handle or finger pull 29 to remove the container 10 from the drainpipe section 12.

[0041] The plurality of members 28 may be provided in the form of a cross 30. However, other forms of the plurality of members 28 could include a single member, two, three, four or even five members. Any arrangement or means that allows gripping by hand or by a tool is contemplated herein. Furthermore, other arrangements could include a recess or lip (not shown) on the inside of the container 10 that allow for gripping by hand or by a tool.

[0042] The plurality of members 28 are recessed relative to the flange 32 in a direction toward the second end 20. However, as noted above, other forms and locations of the members 28 that allow removal of the container 10 are possible.

[0043] A circumferential rib 40 may be provided about the body 14 spaced apart from and below the flange 32 the direction toward the second end 20. The rib 40 is used to locate a seal 45 between rib 40 and the flange 32. The seal 45 may be a rubber gasket or the like.

[0044] The openable closure 22 is a removable base 34. The removable base 34 may include a female thread 36 arranged to couple with a male thread 38 of the second end 20 of the body 14. The removable base 34 blinds and closes the central aperture 24 in the fitted or closed condition and allows the body 14 to be emptied when removed from the drainpipe section 12 in an open condition. The removable base 34 may also be formed of a moulder plastic material.

[0045] In some situation, the opening of drainpipe section may be of differing sizes and various sized adaptors may be used. An example adaptor 60 is shown in Figure 8. Such an adaptor 60 may adapt the container 10 sized to fit an 80mm opening, now fit with a 100mm opening.

[0046] Referring now also to Figures 9 and 10, the container 10 may be fitted with a levelling device 70. The levelling device 70 includes a stem 72 and a stage 74 that is vertically adjustable along the stem 72. An ordinarily lower end 76 of the stem 72 includes a coupling 78 adapted to couple and seat with the removal means or part 25. The ordinarily top end 80 may include a level indicator 82 that in this example is a spirit bubble. This may be used to check the stem 72 is vertical. The stage 74 may be any suitable shape, but in this example is square.

[0047] In this example, the coupling 78 includes twist lock pawls 82 adapted to interlock with the cross 30. A user may simply fit the twist the pawls 82 under the cross 30 which abuts and seats the coupling 78 on the cross 30 with the stem 72 generally vertically oriented. The stage 74 may be raised and lowered as need be via a thread connection between the stage 74 and a thread 86 of the stem 72.

[0048] Multiples of the levelling device 70 may be fitted to multiple ones of the containers therefore allowing the levelling therebetween. Further, this adapts, the respective drainpipe sections 12 to provide new functionality as being locations to support levelling device 70. It is also noted the level indicator 82 may also be used to check the drainpipe sections 12 themselves are straight.

[0049] Turning now to a method of use, a method of inhibiting and removing material entering a drainpipe section 12, the method including the steps of: fitting the body 14 of the container 10 in the drainpipe section 12 with the open end 16 of the container 10 positioned with its flange 32 proximate the opening 18 of the drainpipe section 12 and the opposing closed end 20 located within the drainpipe section 12, and, clasping at least one member 26 within the body 14 of the container 10 to remove the container 10 from the drainpipe section 12, and, opening the openable closure 22 of the closed end 20 to remove material from the container 10.

[0050] The levelling device 70 may be optionally fitted to the body 14 of the container 10. As noted above, the user may simply fit the twist the pawls 82 under the cross 30 which abuts and seats the coupling 78 on the cross 30 with the stem 72 generally vertically oriented. Multiples of the levelling device 70 may be fitted to multiple ones of the containers therefore allowing the levelling therebetween.

[0051] Advantageously, there has been described a container that may be removably fitted to a drainpipe section to inhibit material falling into the drainpipe section. The container is sized to collect material falling and is removeable from the drainpipe section so that it can be emptied and reused. The shape of the container with its flange allows it to be used whilst a floor about the drainpipe section is being constructed and finished such as accommodating tiling. The flange may fit with existing floor waste fittings for ease of use and sealing. A leveling device may also be fitted to the container which provides additional functionality of the container and also allows the drainpipe sectionto be used as a location and stand for levelling.

[0052] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0053] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0054] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0055] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims

The claims defining the Invention are as follows:

1. A container for removable fitting with a drainpipe section, the container including a body shaped to be received by the drain, the body having an open first end adapted to locate with or at an opening of the drain and a second end having an openable closure.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a central aperture extending between the first end and the second end, and wherein the container includes a removal means within the central aperture adapted to assist removal of the container from the drain pipe section.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the removal means includes at least one member extending across the central aperture at or toward the first end.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a central aperture extending between the first end and the second end, and wherein the container includes at least one member arranged toward the first end so as to be claspable by the user to remove the container from the drain.

5. The container according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the at least one member includes a plurality of members extending across the central aperture.

6. The container according to claim 4, wherein the at least one member is arranged to provide a finger pull to remove the container from the drain.

7. The container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the first end includes a flange extending radially outwardly relative to the body.

8. The container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the body is elongate.

9. The container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the removable closure is a removable base.

10. The container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the body is cylindrical.

11. A system including a container as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, and a leveling device adapted to fit and couple to the body of the container.

12. A system including a container for removable fitting with a drainpipe section and a levelling device, the container including a body shaped to be received by the drain, the body having an open first end adapted to locate with or at an opening of the drain, a second end having an openable closure and a central aperture extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the container includes a removal means within the central aperture adapted to assist removal of the container from the drain pipe section; and, the levelling device includes a stem adapted to couple with and be supported by the removal means and a stage adapted to be movably adjustable relative to the stem.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the removal means includes at least one member spanning the central aperture and wherein the stem includes a coupling adapted to couple with the at least one member so as to be supported thereby.

14. A method of inhibiting and removing material entering a drain, the method including the steps of: fitting a body of a container in the drain with an open end of the container positioned with its flange proximate an opening of the drain and an opposing closed end located within the drain, and, clasping a member within the body of a container to remove the container from the drain, and, opening an openable closure of the closed end to remove material from the container.

5. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further includes fitting a levelling device to the container by coupling a stem of the levelling device to the member with the stem extending generally vertically therefrom and vertically adjusting a stage movably coupled to the stem to a desired level.

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