BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to plumbing. More particularly, the invention relates to a plumbing trap for the collection and disposal of solid waste.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In general, the present invention in a first aspect provides a disposable solid waste detainment plumbing trap. The trap comprises (a) a container for collecting water and solid waste discharged from a sink through an inlet of the container, and for discharging water through a first outlet of the container, the inlet being constructed and arranged for direct connection to a first line connected to the sink, and the first outlet being constructed and arranged for direct connection to a second line for waste disposal; (b) a lid that seals the container; and (c) a valve for venting air or water from the container, to relieve the pressure of air trapped in the container. The inlet and the first outlet of the container are disposed in and through the lid, and extend into the container to a distance below the lid. The valve is connected to a second outlet that extends into the container to a shorter distance below the lid than the first outlet, whereby the level of the water can be adjusted so that an end of the second outlet is either above or below the surface of the water. The pressure of the trapped air is relieved by opening the valve to discharge air or water from the container.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for disposing of solid waste discharged from a plumbing sink. The method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a container for collecting water and solid waste discharged from the sink through an inlet of the container, and for discharging water through a first outlet of the container, the inlet being constructed and arranged for direct connection to a first line connected to the sink, and the first outlet being constructed and arranged for direct connection to a second line for waste disposal; (b) providing a lid for sealing the container, the inlet and the first outlet being disposed in and through the lid, and extending into the container to a distance below the lid; (c) providing a valve for venting air or water from the container, to relieve the pressure of air trapped in the container, the valve being connected to a second outlet extending into the container to a shorter distance below the lid than the first outlet, whereby the level of the water can be adjusted so that an end of the second outlet is either above or below the surface of the water, and the pressure of the air trapped in the container can be relieved by opening the valve to discharge air or water from the container; (d) connecting the inlet to the first line, and the first outlet to the second line; (e) discharging water and solid waste into the container through the first line and the inlet of the container; (f) adjusting the level of the water in the container; and (g) opening the valve to discharge air or water from the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a disposable solid waste detainment trap, made in accordance with the principles of the present invention, showing a drain valve closed, and the trap connected to a sink and to waste disposal.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the trap shown in FIG. 1 after water has entered the trap.
FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of the trap shown in FIG. 1 after water and entrained solids have filled the trap to a first level.
FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of the trap shown in FIG. 1 after water and entrained solids have filled the trap to a second level.
FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of the trap shown in FIG. 3A, showing the drain valve open.
FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of the trap shown in FIG. 3B, showing the drain valve open.
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the trap shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, with the trap disconnected from the sink and waste disposal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
More specifically, reference is made to FIG. 1, in which is shown a system for the collection and disposal of solid waste, the system being generally designated by the numeral 2. The system 2 comprises a disposable solid waste detainment trap 4 having a transparent or translucent container 4a with an inlet 4b, a first outlet 4d, and a drain valve 12. The trap 4 includes a handle 6 connected to the container 4a by a wire or cord 7 attached by a fastener 9 to the container 4a. The lid 5 is pressure-fitted to the container 4a, for easy attachment to and detachment from the container 4a. The inlet 4b and the first outlet 4d are inserted in the lid 5 through openings therein (not shown). The drain valve 12 is connected through the lid 5 and an opening therein (not shown) to the interior of the container 4a by a first connecting member 12a coupled by connectors 12c to a second outlet 4f, and to the exterior of the container 4a by a second connecting member 12b. The inlet 4b is thread 4c connected to a line 8 from a sink 11, using solid schedule 40 plumbing. The first outlet 4d is thread 4e connected to a waste line 10, using solid schedule 40 plumbing. The inlet 4b is secured to the lid 5 by a first nut 8b. The sink line 8 is secured to the sink 11 by a second nut 8c. The first outlet 4d is secured to the lid 5 by a third nut 10b. The second outlet 4f extends just below the lid 5 a very short distance into the container 4a. The lid 5 and the container 4a are constructed and arranged for ready attachment to standard sink and waste lines 8 and 10. Thus, the threads 4c and 4e are one-and-one-half-inch male plumbing threads, and the inlet 4b and the first outlet 4d are displaced from one another by the same distance as are the leads from a standard plumbing p-trap; viz., about three-and-one-half inches part. The system 2 as shown here in FIG. 1 is empty; i.e., filled only with air 13. The capacity of the container 4a is preferably from about three to about five gallons.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2, in which the container 4a is partially filled with water 14 from the sink line 8 via the inlet 4b. As water 14 and entrained solids 16 enter the trap 4 through the sink line 8 and the inlet 4b, the solids 16 settle to the bottom of the container 4a, the water 14 forms a supernatant layer above the solids 16, and water 14 flows out of the trap 4 through the outlet 4d and the waste line 10. The situation at this stage is shown in FIG. 3A. A pocket of air 13 is trapped between the surface of the water 14 and the bottom of the lid 5. The second outlet 4f extends into this air 13 pocket, but not into the layer of water 14.
At this point there are two options. The water 14 level is clearly visible through the wall of the container 4a. The trapped air 13 can be vented through the drain valve 12, relieving the internal pressure and permitting the water 14 level to rise in the container 4a by inflow from the lines 8 and 10. This option is illustrated by FIG. 4A. Alternatively, the water 14 level may be permitted to rise in the container 4a until the end of the second outlet 4f is below the surface of the water 14. This situation is depicted in FIG. 3B. Then, by opening the valve 12, water 14 is vented via the second outlet 4f and the connecting members 12a and 12b into a receptacle 18 disposed below the end of the second connecting member 12b. This option is illustrated in FIG. 4B. For either option, the end result is a relief of internal pressure in the container 4a and discharge of residual water 14 from the lines 8 and 10 into the-container 4a. The first option is preferable in situations where no convenient receptacle for the vented water is available. The second option is preferable where such a receptacle is conveniently available, because it permits the container 4a to be filled with more water before the water is vented. Once air 13 or water 14 has been vented, the disposable solid waste detainment trap 4 is disconnected from the sink and waste lines 8 and 10, by disconnecting the male threads 4c and 4e from matching female threads 8a and 10a, as shown in FIG. 5. By replacing the filled trap 4 with an empty trap 4, the disposable solid waste detainment trap 4 is again ready for use, as shown in FIG. 1. This can be done quickly and easily, without spilling of or contact with water or solid waste.
While certain specific embodiments and details have been described to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed invention.
Patent Grant
7082628
