Foam Odor Plug for Urinal Discharge Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urinals and toilets face challenges in maintaining effective odor containment with low water flush systems, as oil-sealed traps require frequent cleaning and may allow urine residue to pass odors into the washroom, while waterless or low flush systems struggle to keep liquid free of residue.
Innovation Solution
A temporary foam plug is introduced in the discharge tube of urinals, formed by a collapsible foam comprising gas bubbles within a fluid, which blocks the passageway and acts as a replaceable odor barrier, reducing water usage and eliminating the need for frequent cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If oil is used as the odor seal in the trap, then water usage is reduced, but urine residue remains in the oil resulting in odors passing into the washroom and frequent cleaning is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the sealing medium from liquid oil to expanded foam. The foam plug, formed by expanding a foamable liquid or pre-formed foam beads, occupies significantly more volume than the liquid precursor, creating an effective odor barrier that maintains reliability while reducing water usage requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition by expanding foamable liquid or foam beads into expanded foam structure. This expansion transforms the sealing medium from a liquid state to a voluminous foam state, enabling effective odor containment with minimal water/oil usage and reducing the frequency of cleaning operations
2Reliability
If copious flushing with water is used after each use, then liquid in the trap remains free of residue urine, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs disposable or periodically replaceable foam plugs that are inserted into the trap to seal odors. These foam plugs are inexpensive and can be replaced periodically without requiring continuous water flushing, thereby maintaining trap cleanliness while dramatically reducing water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The foam plug is inserted into the trap in advance to create an odor barrier before urine residue can accumulate and generate odors. This preliminary sealing action prevents odor formation rather than requiring continuous water flushing to remove residues after they form
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The foam plug effectively prevents sewer gases and odors from escaping, maintaining a stable barrier for an extended period, reducing water consumption and minimizing the need for frequent maintenance, while allowing for efficient urine disposal.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a foamable liquid or pre-formed foam beads into the discharge tube and allowing the foamable liquid or foam beads to expand to form a voluminous foam plug
Implementation Method 2
The foam plug effectively prevents sewer gases and odors from escaping, maintaining a stable barrier for an extended period
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A urinal discharge pipe assembly comprising a discharge pipe (18) having a passageway therethrough from an inlet in communication with a urinal discharge outlet and an outlet in communication with a urine disposal system, a foam dispensing device (50) having a foam outlet open into the passageway for discharge of an allotment of foam into the passageway between the inlet and the outlet adequate to form a temporary foam plug across the passageway blocking the passageway.