Patent Application
20250198143
The present disclosure relates generally to garbage disposals, e.g., that may be mounted beneath and coupled to a drain outlet of a sink. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a garbage disposal coupler positioned between the drain outlet of a sink and the inlet of a garbage disposal.
Conventional garbage disposals are equipped with an upper inlet designed for connection to an outlet of a sink drain and an outlet intended for attachment to drain plumbing. However, challenges arise when the drain plumbing extends horizontally from a wall, fixing its position. Garbage disposal assemblies often incorporate a flange extending from the drain outlet of the sink, facilitating connection to the upper inlet of the garbage disposal. Once installed, the height of the outlet of the garbage disposal is immutably fixed relative to the outlet of the sink drain.
A notable issue emerges during the coupling of the garbage disposal outlet to the drain plumbing, given the lack of adjustability in either component. An attempt to resolve this challenge involves the addition of extra plumbing couplers, such as 90-degree couplers, 45-degree couplers, z-couplers, or flexible tubing, positioned between the garbage disposal outlet and the drain plumbing. However, this approach introduces potential choke points that may lead to clogging during regular use, raising concerns about operational efficiency.
Recognizing the inadequacies of the current solution, there is a pressing need for a more effective alternative. While the misalignment issues between the garbage disposal outlet and the opening to the drain plumbing can be addressed to some extent with additional plumbing couplers, a more advanced and seamless solution is essential to overcome these challenges and ensure optimal functionality. The present disclosure meets these demands and enhances the overall performance of garbage disposal systems.
In view of at least some of the above-referenced problems with conventional garbage disposals, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a new height adjustable garbage disposal system and adapter kit for currently available garbage disposal models. The new garbage disposal system disclosed herein provides the flexibility to adjust the offset between the outlet of the disposal unit outlet and the outlet of the sink drain, thereby streamlining the alignment process with existing plumbing configurations.
In some aspects, the adaptability of this system is achieved through the incorporation of a first engagement member on a drain flange, which is designed to seamlessly fit into the outlet of the sink drain, and a corresponding second engagement member on or within the inlet of the garbage disposal. By varying the extent to which the drain flange engages with the inlet of the garbage disposal, users can easily modify the height, or offset, of the garbage disposal unit. This feature allows users to tailor the system to specific plumbing requirements, ensuring a precise and efficient alignment between the garbage disposal outlet and the sink drain outlet.
In some embodiments, a garbage disposal system of the present disclosure includes a drain flange and a garbage disposal unit. The drain flange may be configured to be received by a drain outlet of a sink. The drain flange may include a lower portion configured to extend below the sink. The lower portion of the drain flange may include a first engagement member. The garbage disposal unit may have an inlet and an outlet. The inlet may include a second engagement member configured to engage the first engagement member. An offset between the drain outlet of the sink and the outlet of the garbage disposal unit may be adjustable based on an amount of the lower portion of the drain flange is received by the inlet of the garbage disposal unit.
In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first engagement member may be configured to threadedly engage the second engagement member.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first engagement member may be defined on an exterior surface of the lower portion of the drain flange and the second engagement member may be defined on an interior surface of the inlet of the garbage disposal unit.
In yet another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the garbage disposal system may further include a seal coupled to the inlet of the garbage disposal unit and configured to engage the lower portion of the drain flange when received by the inlet of the garbage disposal unit.
In still another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the lower portion of the drain flange may include at least one protrusion extending therefrom. The garbage disposal unit may include at least one retaining hook extending upwardly from the inlet and configured to engage the at least one protrusion to prevent the garbage disposal unit from falling prior to engagement between the lower portion of the drain flange and the inlet of the garbage disposal unit.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the at least one protrusion may extend circumferentially away from the lower portion of the drain flange.
In yet another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the at least one protrusion may extend from a nut configured to threadedly engage the lower portion of the drain flange above the garbage disposal unit.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the nut may further include a seal coupled to the nut and configured to be tightened against the inlet of the garbage disposal unit when the first and second engagement members are coupled together.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the at least one retaining hook may include at least two retaining hooks positioned on opposite sides of the inlet of the garbage disposal unit.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the at least two retaining hooks may be configured to snap fit over the at least one protrusion prior to engagement between the first engagement member and the second engagement member
In other embodiments, an adapter kit for a garbage disposal having an inlet and an outlet in accordance with the present disclosure may include a drain flange and an insert. The drain flange may be configured to be received by a drain outlet of a sink. The drain flange may include a lower portion configured to extend below the sink. The lower portion may include a first engagement member. The insert may be configured to be connected to the inlet of the garbage disposal. The insert may include a second engagement member configured to receive at least a portion of the first engagement member.
In an aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first engagement member may be configured to threadedly engage the second engagement member.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the first engagement member may be defined on an exterior surface of the lower portion of the drain flange and the second engagement member may be defined on an interior surface of the insert.
In yet another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the adapter kit may further include a seal coupled to one of the drain flange or the insert. The seal may be configured to prevent leakage between the first and second engagement members when the drain flange is received by the insert.
In still another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the lower portion of the drain flange may include at least one protrusion extending therefrom. The insert may include at least one retaining hook extending therefrom and configured to engage the at least one protrusion to prevent the garbage disposal unit from falling prior to engagement between the first engagement member and the second engagement member.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the at least one protrusion may extend circumferentially away from the lower portion of the drain flange.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the at least one protrusion may extend from a nut configured to threadedly engage the lower portion of the drain flange above the garbage disposal unit.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the nut may further include a seal coupled to the nut and configured to be tightened against at least one of the inlet of the garbage disposal unit or the insert when the first and second engagement members are coupled together.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the at least one retaining hook may include at least two retaining hooks positioned on opposite sides of the insert.
In another aspect according to the above-referenced embodiment, the at least two retaining hooks may be configured to snap fit over the at least one protrusion prior to engagement between the first engagement member and the second engagement member.
Further features and advantages can be ascertained from the following detailed description that is provided in connection with the drawings described below:
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity or clarity.
The terms “about” and “approximately” shall generally mean an acceptable degree of error or variation for the quantity measured given the nature or precision of the measurements. Numerical quantities given in this description are approximate unless stated otherwise, meaning that the term “about” or “approximately” can be inferred when not expressly stated.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural (i.e., “at least one”) forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
The terms “first”, “second”, and the like are used herein to describe various features or elements, but these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
Terms such as “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B.” The same construction should be applied to longer lists (e.g., “at least one of A, B, and C”).
The term “consisting essentially of” means that, in addition to the recited elements, what is claimed may also contain other elements (steps, structures, ingredients, components, etc.) that do not adversely affect the operability of what is claimed for its intended purpose as stated in this disclosure. This term excludes such other elements that adversely affect the operability of what is claimed for its intended purpose as stated in this disclosure, even if such other elements might enhance the operability of what is claimed for some other purpose.
The term “over” as used herein refers to some layer or component that is farther from the center of the article than another. For example, “X is over Y” should be construed to mean that X is farther from the center of the article than Y. X may be in direct contact with Y (“directly over”), or there may be an intervening distance/and or components. It is contemplated that any instance of the term “over” could be limited to “directly over.”
Referring to
The inlet 122 of the garbage disposal unit 120 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the lower portion 144 of the drain flange 140. Depending upon an amount of the lower portion 144 of the drain flange 140 received by the inlet 122 of the garbage disposal unit 120, a height of the garbage disposal unit 120 relative to the sink 110, or more specifically, an offset 102 defined between the drain outlet 112 of the sink 110 and the outlet 124 of the garbage disposal unit 120, may be adjusted. For example, the offset 102 may be selected such that the outlet 124 of the garbage disposal unit 120 aligns with drain plumbing 104, as shown in
The lower portion 144 of the drain flange 140 may include a first engagement member 150 configured to selectively engage a second engagement member 130 of the inlet 122 of the garbage disposal unit 120. In certain optional embodiments, the first engagement member 150 may be configured to threadedly engage the second engagement member 130. As such, the first engagement member 150 may be defined by threading on an exterior surface 146 of the lower portion 144 of the drain flange 140 and the second engagement member 130 may be defined by complimentary threading on an interior surface 126 of the inlet 122 of the garbage disposal unit 120. A treaded coupling between the first and second engagement members 130, 150 has the benefit of not being able to decouple once the outlet 124 of the garbage disposal unit 120 is coupled to the drain plumbing 194 since the garbage disposal unit 120 will no longer be able to rotate. In other optional embodiments, the first and second engagement members 130, 150 may define a bayonet-style coupling (not shown) whereby one of the first or second engagement members 130, 150 includes opposing pins configured to be received by slots of the other engagement member. In further optional embodiments, the first and second engagement members 130, 150 may be defined by some other complimentary structure that allows for adjustment of an amount of the lower portion 144 of the drain flange 140 received by the inlet 122 of the garbage disposal unit 120. By incorporating the first engagement member 150 on the lower portion 144 of the drain flange 140, any need for a sink flange extender is eliminated.
The garbage disposal system 100 may further include a seal 160 configured to prevent leakage when between the first and second engagement members 130, 150 when coupled together. In certain optional embodiments, the seal 160 may be coupled to an upper rim of the inlet 122. In other optional embodiments, the seal 160 may be positioned within the inlet 122, for example, in contact with the second engagement member 130 (not shown). The seal 160, when coupled to the inlet 122 of the garbage disposal unit 120, may be configured to engage the lower portion 144 of the drain flange 140 when the lower portion 144 is receive by the inlet 122 of the garbage disposal unit 120 in order to prevent any leakage through the first and second engagement members 130, 150. In further optional embodiments, the seal 160 may be coupled to a lower rim of the lower portion 144 of the drain flange 140 (not shown) for engaging the second engagement member 130 of the inlet 122.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In certain optional embodiments, the at least one retaining hook 134 may be implemented without the at least one protrusion. In such an embodiment, the at least one retaining hook 134 may be configured to frictionally engage the first engagement member 150 once being press-fit over it. In further optional embodiments, the at least one retaining hook 134 may include textured engagement ends to help it engage the first engagement member 150.
In certain optional embodiments, the lower portion 144 of the drain flange 140 may be bifurcated into a first section coupled to the upper portion 142 and a second section which may be selectively coupled to the first section using a quick connector. This may allow the second section to be coupled to the inlet 122 of the garbage disposal unit 120 and the offset 102 set prior to coupling the first section and the second section together.
Referring to
Referring to
The description herein illustrates and describes the formulations, processes, and finished articles of the present disclosure. While the disclosure shows and describes only certain embodiments, as mentioned above, it is to be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure are capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and are capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the teachings as expressed herein, commensurate with the skill and/or knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art.
Accordingly, the teachings of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the exact embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Any section headings herein are provided only for consistency with the suggestions of 37 C.F.R. § 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational queues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set forth herein.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/611,840, filed on Dec. 19, 2023, and entitled “Height Adjustable Garbage Disposal System and Adapter Kit,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63611840 | Dec 2023 | US |
