A water recirculation system for a sink or wash basin
The water recirculation system with a filter insertion unit and valve unit addresses the inefficiency in existing systems by enabling seamless water recirculation and drainage control, enhancing water utilization and reducing waste.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ORBITAL SYSTEMS INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing sink and wash basin systems lack an efficient mechanism for recirculating water while maintaining the ability to send water to the drain when needed, without the need for a traditional drain trap.
A water recirculation system with a filter insertion unit that controls the flow of water between recirculation and drainage paths, using a disposable filter unit and a valve unit with a pop-up function, allowing seamless integration with existing sink or wash basin setups.
Enables efficient water recirculation and drainage as needed, enhancing water utilization and reducing waste by eliminating the need for a separate drain trap.
Smart Images
Figure SE2025010062_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] A WATER RECIRCULATION SYSTEM FOR A SINK OR WASH BASIN
[0002] Field of the invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a water recirculation system for a sink or wash basin.
[0004] Summary of the invention
[0005] The present invention is directed to a sink or wash basin water recirculation system comprising a drain inflow, a first drain tubing portion, a second drain tubing portion, a water storage tank, a water storage tank tubing, and a filter insertion unit which is insertable into the drain inflow and into the first drain tubing portion, wherein the filter insertion unit is arranged to close a route of the second drain tubing portion and keep a route of the water storage tank tubing open for flowing of water to the water storage tank when the insertion unit is fully inserted into the drain inflow and first drain tubing portion.
[0006] The present invention provides a solution where a filter insertion unit may function as the driver to enable for water recirculation when intended, and which ensures that water is sent to the drain in a simple way during intended non-recirculation.
[0007] As should be understood from the above, when water flows into the system, the flow enters via drain inflow. The internal tubing is divided into two different parts, namely a first and second drain tubing unit, respectively. The threshold between these two tubing units form what may be seen as a point for either water recirculation or water being sent to the drain. The filter insertion unit then functions and the unit deciding, based on placement, if water is sent to recirculation or flown to the drain. Here it should be noted that the filter insertion unit then functions as a drain trap I smell trap without having a drain trap unit in itself. Brief description of the drawings
[0008] In figs. 1-5 there are shown embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] Specific embodiments of the invention
[0010] Below, there is provided and explained some specific embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] According to one embodiment, the system comprises a fresh water output intended for a sink or wash basin. In this case the system as a whole may be regarded as including the sink, and thus also a fresh water output therefore.
[0012] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an inflow portion of the second drain tubing portion has less diameter than the first drain tubing portion.
[0013] It should also be understood that there may be other components, not mentioned, included in a system according to the present invention. As an example, a sealing unit, such as a rubber gasket or the like, is suitably incorporated where the first drain tubing extends into the second drain tubing, i.e. at the inflow portion of the second drain tubing.
[0014] According to yet another embodiment, the filter insertion unit comprises a bottom end which closes and seals the inflow portion of the second drain tubing portion when at least part of the bottom end is positioned against the inflow portion of the second drain tubing portion. It is in this position, a sealing unit is suitably incorporated.
[0015] Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the water storage tank tubing extends out from the first drain tubing portion and to the water storage tank.
[0016] Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment, the first drain tubing portion and the water storage tank tubing are arranged at a higher vertical position than the inflow portion of the second drain tubing portion to use gravity for water flowing to the drain when the insertion unit is not inserted into the drain inflow and into the first drain tubing portion.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water storage tank has a level control function and tubing to drain, preferably tubing with connection to the second drain tubing portion. A different level control is suitably also included in the sink (see e.g. in fig. 1). This type of level control in a sink is standard to use today.
[0018] The system according to the present invention comprises an insertion unit. According to one embodiment, the insertion unit comprises a disposable filter unit. According to yet another embodiment, the disposable filter unit and an attachable and detachable connection unit have a click in-function for connection to one another or wherein they are connectable via screwing.
[0019] Moreover, according to yet another embodiment, the insertion unit also comprises an attachable and detachable valve unit which is connectable to the insertion unit above the outflow, preferably being connectable to an attachable and detachable connection unit, preferably the valve unit has a pop-up function.
[0020] Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment, the disposable filter unit is arranged to hold one or more disinfection tablets or cartridges.
[0021] Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the water storage tank is connected to a reservoir of a toilet unit, so that the water contained in the water storage tank may be used for flushing in the toilet unit.
[0022] Detailed description of the drawings
[0023] In fig. 1 there is shown one embodiment of the present invention. The recirculation system 1 comprises a drain inflow 3, and a first drain tubing portion 4a and a second drain tubing portion 4b. As may be seen in the examples, the tubing arranged after the second drain tubing portion 4b extends first horizontally with a bent going into a vertical extension for connection with the tubing towards the drain, also meeting tubing arranged from the water storage tank 5 to the drain. Moreover, a water storage tank 5 is connected to the first drain tubing portion 4a via the water storage tank tubing 6. A filter insertion unit 7 is insertable into the drain inflow 3 and the first drain tubing portion 4a. Moreover, when the filter insertion unit 7 is inserted into the drain inflow 3 and first drain tubing portion 4a it closes the route via the second drain tubing portion 4b and keeps the route via the water storage tank tubing 6 open. As may be seen, in fig. 2 there is provided the water flow route to drain when the insertion unit 7 is not inserted into the drain inflow 3 and the first drain tubing portion 4a. Consequently, in fig. 1 there is shown the water flow route when the insertion unit 7 is inserted into the drain inflow 3 and the first drain tubing portion 4a, and the level control operation when the water level water storage tank 5 is above a certain level, i.e. for water to be flown to drain if the water storage tank 5 is full.
[0024] It should be noted that the water storage tank 5 has at least one connection to water usage of stored water, such as for usage of water for flushing a toilet (see one example in fig. 5). Moreover, the connection to drain for the system may be provided in different ways. One example is shown in the drawings. In fig. 1 , the level control in the water storage tank 5 is shown in one type of embodiment.
[0025] Moreover, in relation to the drawings it may be noted that a bottom end 71 of the filter insertion unit 7 may be suitable to fixate and seal the inflow portion 40b of the second drain tubing portion 4b below a sealing unit. Nevertheless, the bottom end 71 seals the inflow portion 40b of the second drain tubing portion 4b when the bottom end 71 is positioned against the inflow portion 40b of the second drain tubing portion 4b, regardless of whether there is a further portion of the bottom end 71 that extends below a sealing ring or the like.
[0026] In figs. 3 and 4 there are shown a similar sequence as in figs. 1 and 2, however also providing an insertion unit 7 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the insertion unit 7 comprises a disposable filter unit 200 which has a an attachable and detachable connection unit 300, suitably having a click in-function for connection to one another or wherein they are connectable via screwing. Moreover, the insertion unit 7 also comprises an attachable and detachable valve unit 400 which is connectable to the insertion unit 7, preferably being connectable to the attachable and detachable connection unit 300, preferably where the valve unit 400 has a pop-up function.
[0027] In figs. 5a-c there are shown similar sequences as in figs. 1-4, however in this case the water level content inside the water storage tank 5 is also provided for different situations. In fig. 5a, the insertion unit 7 is inserted fully and water is flown to the water storage tank 5. The water in the water storage tank 5 may be used for flushing a toilet. In fig. 5b, there is shown a situation when the water storage tank 5 is full and an additional water flow is then flown to the drain from the water storage tank 5. In fig. 5c, there is again shown the situation when the insertion unit 7 is not inserted, thus water is flown to the drain without going via the water storage tank 5.
Claims
Claims1 . A sink or wash basin water recirculation system (1 ) comprising a drain inflow (3), a first drain tubing portion (4a), a second drain tubing portion (4b), a water storage tank (5), a water storage tank tubing (6), and a filter insertion unit (7) which is insertable into the drain inflow (3) and into the first drain tubing portion (4a), wherein the filter insertion unit (7) is arranged to close a route of the second drain tubing portion (4b) and keep a route of the water storage tank tubing (6) open for flowing of water to the water storage tank (5) when the insertion unit (7) is fully inserted into the drain inflow (3) and first drain tubing portion (4a).
2. The system (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a fresh water output intended for a sink or wash basin.
3. The system (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inflow portion (40b) of the second drain tubing portion (4b) has less diameter than the first drain tubing portion (4a).
4. The system (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the filter insertion unit (7) comprises a bottom end (71) which closes and seals the inflow portion (40b) of the second drain tubing portion (4b) when at least part of the bottom end (71) is positioned against the inflow portion (40b) of the second drain tubing portion (4b).
5. The system (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -4, wherein the water storage tank tubing (6) extends out from the first drain tubing portion (4a) and to the water storage tank (5).
6. The system (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the first drain tubing portion (4a) and the water storage tank tubing (6) are arranged at a higher vertical position than the inflow portion (40b) of the second drain tubing portion (4b) touse gravity for water flowing to the drain when the insertion unit (7) is not inserted into the drain inflow (3) and into the first drain tubing portion (4a).
7. The system (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -6, wherein the water storage tank (5) has a level control function and tubing to drain, preferably tubing with connection to the second drain tubing portion (4b).
8. The system (1 ) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the insertion unit (7) comprises a disposable filter unit (200).
9. The system (1 ) according to claim 8, wherein the disposable filter unit (200) and an attachable and detachable connection unit (300) have a click infunction for connection to one another or wherein they are connectable via screwing.
10. The system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the insertion unit (7) also comprises an attachable and detachable valve unit (400) which is connectable to the insertion unit (7) above the outflow, preferably being connectable to an attachable and detachable connection unit (300), preferably the valve unit (400) has a pop-up function.11 . The system (1 ) according to any of claims 8-10, wherein the disposable filter unit (200) is arranged to hold one or more disinfection tablets or cartridges.
12. The system (1 ) according to any of claims 1-11 , wherein the water storage tank (5) is connected to a reservoir of a toilet unit, so that the water contained in the water storage tank (5) may be used for flushing in the toilet unit.