Linear floor drain with raised internal strainer and sediment retention capability

Abstract

The linear floor drain with a raised strainer and sediment retention capability serves as an inlet drain for various wastewater systems (domestic, public, and industrial). In this invention, by increasing the slope of the internal surface of the drain body, raising the strainer (in a cylindrical shape), and adding rings around the strainer to block its holes and create a temporary water reservoir, it aims—compared with existing drains—to maximize water flow into the wastewater pipe with a defined amount of residue, while preventing the entry of any solid materials and substances denser than water into the wastewater system.

Description

Linear floor drain with raised internal strainer and sediment retention capability

[0001] This invention relates to floor drains utilized as inlets to various sewage systems in residential buildings, public areas (urban, rural, etc.), as well as in industrial and laboratory facilities.

[0002] Classification:

[0003] A47k: SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (connecting to water supply or waste pipe, sinks E03C; water-closets E03D); TOILET ACCESSORIES (cosmetic equipment A45D)

[0004] C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless, or less harmful, by effecting a chemical change in the substances A62D 3 / 00; separation, settling tanks or filter devices B01D

[0005] E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER

[0006] E03F: SEWERS; CESSPOOLS

[0007] In general, two types of floor drains—point drains and linear drains—are available in various designs and materials. The evolution of floor drains has progressed from point drains to linear drains, and in both models, efforts have been made to improve the performance of the floor drains by modifying the design of the strainer (filter) and the number of strainers used. Both point and linear floor drain models, by means of a mesh strainer, prevent the entry of various materials that could disrupt the sewage system, with the linear model achieving somewhat improved performance compared to the point model. The linear model offers three advantages over the point floor drain model:1. higher efficiency in collecting water from the floor surface; 2. facilitating slope formation of the installation area; and 3. enhanced aesthetic and decorative appearance.

[0008] The most extensive changes in floor drains have included: 1. modifications to the strainer design; 2. changes in the number of strainers; 3. the replacement of point floor drain models with linear floor drain models; and 4. the use of a raised strainer positioned outside the main body of the floor drain (raised above the floor surface). Nevertheless, several additional changes and innovations are mentioned below, with references cited.

[0009] Cover assembly for a floor drain (US10113303B2): This invention relates to a raised strainer cover for conventional floor drains, wherein the raised portion of the strainer is positioned higher than the floor drain cover itself. In effect, an external elevated strainer has been added to standard floor drains.

[0010] floor drain (US4261824): In addition to providing a solution to the problem of floor drain sealing, this invention incorporates a strainer into the inner portion of the floor drain cover.

[0011] Fabricated floor drain with combination anchoring and seepage control flange (US4261824): In addition to providing a solution to the problem of floor drain sealing, this invention adds a raised dome-shaped strainer to the body of the floor drain.

[0012] Plastic floor drain (US9834920): This invention relates to an inexpensive and flexible plastic floor drain equipped with a dome-shaped strainer.

[0013] Floor drain (US12252876): This invention relates to a raised cap that is placed on conventional floor drains.

[0014] Sanitary Insert For Drain (US20120222996): This invention relates to a floor drain equipped with an external dome-shaped strainer.

[0015] This present invention relates to inlets for various sewage systems. Floor drains, whether point drains or linear drains, must be capable of maximizing the prevention of solids and waste materials from entering the system while directing the greatest possible amount of wastewater into the sewage pipes, thereby minimizing the frequency of cleaning required by users. In this way, a floor drain can be considered to have higher efficiency.

[0016] This invention aims to enhance the performance of existing floor drains by increasing the slope of the internal surface of the floor drain body to accommodate a raised strainer, and by adding rings around the strainer (according to user requirements) to create a temporary water reservoir for the sedimentation of solids denser than water and smaller than the openings of the raised strainer.

[0017] Floor drains, as inlets to sewage systems, perform three primary functions:

[0018] 1. maximizing the prevention of entry of various solid materials into the sewage system, particularly solids with a density greater than that of water.

[0019] 2. maximizing the conveyance of water (or other liquids) into the sewage system with a specified amount of solid residue that could disrupt the functioning of the sewage system.

[0020] 3. preventing the entry of various animals present in the sewage system into human living areas.

[0021] Although existing floor drains, through redesigning the inlet strainer or by changing from point drains to linear drains, have to some extent achieved their main functions, they still suffer from low efficiency in performing these core functions, especially in the first and second functions.

[0022] The purpose of this invention is to improve the performance of the first and second functions of existing floor drains by implementing the ‘Solution to the Problem’ section and illustrated in the ‘Description of Figures’ section.

[0023] In order to address the low performance of current floor drains in functions 1 and 2 (as mentioned in the section ‘Technical Problem’), the following two solutions have been implemented:

[0024] A: Raised Cylindrical Strainer Inside the Floor Drain Body: The strainer (filter) is raised and formed as a cylinder within the body of the floor drain in order to increase the strainer surface area. This allows, with a given amount of garbage or any solid material harmful to the wastewater system, a larger quantity of water (or any liquid intended to enter the sewer) to pass into the system compared with prior floor drains, thereby reducing the frequency of strainer cleaning. This is achieved by increasing the slope of the internal surface of the floor drain so that the raised strainer sits inside the body below the surrounding floor level.

[0025] Operation of Solution (a) Based on the Drawings:

[0026] In conventional linear floor drains, the inner surface is designed with a very slight slope toward the sewer pipe. In the present invention, to accommodate the cylindrical strainer (, number 2), the inner slope of the floor drain is increased. First, the flat strainer (, number 6) is positioned over the inlet of the sewer pipe, and then the cylindrical strainer is placed on top of the flat strainer and pipe with its open base facing downward.

[0027] Since linear floor drains are manufactured in various lengths and widths, the height of the cylindrical strainer and the slope of the inner surface are designed proportionally, ensuring that the strainer height does not prevent the drain door (, number 4) from closing.

[0028] To securely hold the cylindrical strainer, a retaining strap (, number 5) is used over the upper base of the strainer. This strap, which has slight elasticity, is fixed beneath the legs of the drain door as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Consequently, the raised cylindrical strainer provides a larger mesh area compared to a conventional flat strainer, allowing a greater amount of solid residue to be filtered, thereby achieving the first solution.

[0029] As illustrated in, the four supports placed along the floor drain near the strainer, in addition to supporting the drain door, also function as holders for the retaining strap.

[0030] B: Covering the Holes of the Raised Strainer According to User Requirement: A number of rings (, number 3) are added around the raised strainer according to the user’s need and discretion. By covering the holes of the strainer, these rings create a temporary water reservoir (before strainer) within the floor drain body, allowing materials with a density higher than water (or any other liquid) to settle. These settled materials remain in the reservoir and can be collected by the user before entering the sewer pipe.

[0031] Operation of Solution B Based on the Drawings:

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, according to the user’s need and discretion, several rings are placed around the cylindrical strainer. By blocking the holes of the strainer, a temporary water reservoir is formed inside the main body of the floor drain (, number 1), causing materials denser than water to settle. In conventional floor drains, any materials or debris denser than water that were smaller than the strainer holes could enter the wastewater system, causing long-term disturbances. By adding these rings, denser materials sediment in the temporary reservoir before the strainer.

[0033] The drain cover, with its central non-perforated section (, number 8, at least equal in length and width to the diameter of the cylindrical strainer base), is then placed over the main body. The non-perforated central section ensures that, when the rings are used around the raised strainer, water and solid residue cannot bypass the temporary reservoir and enter the sewer directly.

[0034] Thus, the second solution is achieved. It should be noted that the number of rings used is determined by the user, and these rings do not prevent the full realization of the first solution.

[0035] These solutions can be applied to both linear and point-type floor drains. However, their effectiveness in point-type drains depends on the drain’s dimensions (length and width): the smaller the drain, the lower the effectiveness of the solutions (and vice versa). For better alignment and effectiveness, the present description focuses on linear floor drains, which naturally have a greater length compared to point-type drains.

[0036] a) With a fixed volume of solid bodies and materials as residue, a larger quantity of liquid residue (usually water) can enter the wastewater system under the same conditions.

[0037] b) Prevents the entry of bodies and materials with a density greater than that of the liquid intended to enter the wastewater system.

[0038] c) Reduces the frequency of cleaning the floor drain, i.e., increases the period of use of the floor drain without loss of its functions.

[0039] d) Reduces maintenance costs caused by the deposition of harmful materials and substances in wastewater systems.Fig.1

[0040] is an exploded view of the components of the invention.Fig.2

[0041] is a perspective view of the floor drain with its door removed and the raised strainer with two rings around it installed in place.Fig.3

[0042] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the floor drain showing the details of the strainer placement, the connection of the rings to the strainer, and the position of the floor drain door.Fig.4

[0043] is a perspective view of the entire invention with the drain door installed in place.

[0044] While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the length and width of the floor drain can be varied. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

[0045] This invention generally comprises a linear floor drain for use at the inlet of various wastewater systems. As shown in, one embodiment of the present invention comprises:

[0046] (1) Main body (base) of the floor drain

[0047] (2) Cylindrical raised strainer with one open base

[0048] (3) Ring surrounding the cylindrical strainer

[0049] (4) floor drain door

[0050] (5) Retaining strap for the cylindrical strainer

[0051] (6) Conventional (flat) strainer

[0052] (7) Base and seating area for the floor drain door

[0053] (8) Non-perforated section of the floor drain door

[0054] (9) Perforated section of the floor drain door

[0055] Intended use as an inlet for wastewater systems in residential buildings, public facilities (urban, rural, etc.), industrial and laboratory premises.

[0056] Household floor drains used in areas such as bathrooms, courtyards, parking lots, and rooftops.

[0057] Public facility floor drains used in locations such as parks, roads, streets, and alleys.

[0058] Industrial floor drains used in locations such as factories, large complexes, and means of transportation (trains, airplanes) equipped with wastewater systems.

[0059] Laboratory floor drains used in places such as laboratories and facilities for testing various wastewater system.

Claims

A floor drain with a raised strainer and sediment retention capability, comprising: a main body; a cylindrical raised strainer (with one open base); a ring around the cylindrical strainer; a drain door; a retaining strap for the cylindrical strainer; and a conventional (flat) strainer.The floor drain of claim 1, wherein rings around the cylindrical strainer are arranged according to the user’s need and discretion to close the holes of the cylindrical strainer.The floor drain of claim 2, wherein closing the holes of the cylindrical strainer creates a temporary reservoir for the settling of materials with a density greater than water (or any other liquid intended to enter the wastewater system).The floor drain of claim 1, wherein the floor drain door in its middle portion is non-perforated in a length and width at least equal to the diameter of the base of the cylindrical strainer.The floor drain of claim 1, wherein the retaining strap holds the cylindrical strainer securely in place.The floor drain of claim 5, wherein the retaining strap has slight elasticity to enable it to fit under the legs of the floor drain door with light pressure.

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