Patent Application
20160237665
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a removable plug for an auxiliary inlet, and more particularly, to a manually removable plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal that precludes the attachment of a drain hose from a dishwasher to the auxiliary inlet until the plug is removed.
Household plumbing is an important and critical feature of daily life. Supply-side plumbing provides the water necessary for various appliances in a building, while the return-side plumbing expels wastewater to a sewer or septic system. Appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and the like, require a supply of water to properly function. Similarly, each of these appliances requires a water outlet to expel water from the appliance. While water outlets from a water heater remain on the supply-side of household plumbing fixtures and other appliances, washing machines and dishwashers expel water to return-side plumbing. While washing machines expel water to a drain that connects with a household return or sewer line, dishwashers may expel water to a location generally under a sink proximate the dishwasher. Some dishwasher drain lines are connected directly to a downspout from a sink drain. Other dishwasher drain lines are connected to a garbage disposal to help reduce the debris which may be expelled from the dishwasher drain.
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a plug that is configured to obstruct an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal, and more particularly, to a manually removable plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal that precludes attachment of a drain hose from a dishwasher to the auxiliary inlet without prior removal of the plug.
Embodiments of the present invention may include a garbage disposal including a grinding chamber with a primary inlet and an auxiliary inlet, and a lower portion disposed below the grinding chamber and including a waste outlet. Embodiments may include a motor disposed below the lower portion, where the grinding chamber and lower portion are defined about a central axis, where the primary inlet is arranged along the central axis, and the motor is configured to rotate a grinder within the grinding chamber about the central axis. Example embodiments may include a plug with a plug body, a stem, and a handle. The stem includes an elongate shape with a first end and a second end, with the first end being attached to the plug body and the second end being attached to the handle. The plug body defines a cylindrical shape having a diameter axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stem. The handle may define a first edge and a second edge, with a length defined therebetween, the length extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. The length of the handle may be greater than the diameter of the plug body such that the first edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body and the second edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body to obstruct and preclude engagement of a drain hose of a dishwasher with the auxiliary inlet.
According to some embodiments, the auxiliary inlet may define an inner diameter, where the plug is configured to engage the auxiliary inlet against the inner diameter. The plug may include a tapered leading edge configured to be received within the inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet. The stem may extend from the plug body along an axis defined through a center of the inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet. The plug body may define a cylindrical cavity aligned with the cylindrical shape of the plug body, where the cylindrical cavity is configured to receive therein the auxiliary inlet of the garbage disposal. The diameter of the plug body may be greater than an inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet where the plug body is configured to form an interference fit with the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet.
According to some embodiments, the plug body may define a cavity having an inner diameter while the cylindrical shape of the plug body defines an outer diameter. The auxiliary inlet may define either an external diameter of a first size or an internal diameter of a second size. The inner diameter of the cavity may be sized such that the plug body engages and seals the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the first size, and the outer diameter of the plug body may be sized such that the plug engages and seals the internal diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the second size. The stem of example embodiments may include a cross-shaped cross-section.
Embodiments of the present invention may include a plug for obstructing an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal. The plug may include a plug body, a stem, and a handle, where the stem extends between the plug body and the handle. The plug body may define a cylindrical shape having a diameter axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stem. The handle may define a first edge, a second edge, and a length defined therebetween extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. The length of the handle may be greater than the diameter of the plug body such that the first edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body and the second edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body to obstruct and preclude engagement of a drain hose of a dishwasher with the auxiliary inlet.
According to some embodiments, the plug body may define a cavity having an inner diameter while the cylindrical shape of the plug body defines an outer diameter. The auxiliary inlet may define either an external diameter of a first size or an internal diameter of a second size. The inner diameter of the cavity may be sized such that the plug body engages and seals the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the first size, and the outer diameter of the plug body may be sized such that the plug engages and seals the internal diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the second size. The stem of example embodiments may include a cross-shaped cross-section.
Embodiments of the present invention may include a method of manufacturing a garbage disposal. Embodiments may include providing a garbage disposal including a grinding chamber with a primary inlet and an auxiliary inlet, a lower portion of the grinding chamber comprising a waste outlet, and a motor disposed below the lower portion of the grinding chamber. The grinding chamber and lower portion of the grinding chamber are defined about a central axis, where the primary inlet is arranged along the central axis and the motor is configured to rotate a grinder within the grinding chamber about the central axis. Methods of example embodiments may include attaching a plug to the auxiliary inlet, where the plug includes a plug body, a handle, and a stem attaching the plug body to the handle. The plug body may define a cylindrical shape having a diameter axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stem, where the handle defines a first edge, a second edge, and a length therebetween extending along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. The length of the handle may be greater than the diameter of the plug such that the first edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body and the second edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body to obstruct and preclude engagement of a drain hose of a dishwasher with the auxiliary inlet.
According to some embodiments, the plug body may define a cavity having an inner diameter while the cylindrical shape of the plug body defines an outer diameter. The auxiliary inlet may define either an external diameter of a first size or an internal diameter of a second size. The inner diameter of the cavity may be sized such that the plug body engages and seals the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the first size, and the outer diameter of the plug body may be sized such that the plug engages and seals the internal diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the second size. The stem may include a cross-shaped cross-section.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The terms top, bottom, side, up, down, upwards, downwards, vertical, horizontal, and the like as used below do not imply a required limitation in all embodiments of the present invention but rather are used herein to help describe relative direction or orientation in the example embodiments illustrated in the figures.
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal that is configured to preclude connection of a dishwasher drain hose before removal of the plug from the auxiliary inlet.
Garbage disposals are generally configured to receive liquids, food and organic matter through the drain of a sink. Garbage disposals grind the food and organic matter to eliminate large pieces that may block a drain pipe or become lodged in a drain pipe, and send the liquid together with the ground food and organic matter to a drain that may lead to a sewer, septic tank, or the like.
In operation, liquid, food, and organic matter enters the garbage disposal (e.g., along the path identified by arrows 170 in
While garbage disposals are generally designed to receive food and organic matter through the inlet at the collar 110, many garbage disposals may include an auxiliary inlet 200 through which food and organic matter may be received (e.g., along arrow 210). For example, a dishwasher may be located proximate a sink including a garbage disposal. While some dishwashers include a built-in garbage disposal or macerating device (e.g., an impeller), other dishwashers may not. In either case, a user or installer may wish to plumb the drain hose of the dishwasher to an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal to provide a first, or possibly second level of grinding of any food or organic matter which may be drained from the dishwasher. In such embodiments, a dishwasher may drain water and food or organic matter to the garbage disposal 100 through the auxiliary inlet 200. The water may drain through the lower chamber 140 without the garbage disposal grinding mechanism 130 operating, and a user may later operate the disposal to macerate any food or organic matter that remains from the operation of the dishwasher. That remaining material may then flow along the path identified by arrows 190 through the garbage disposal 100.
As noted above, the use of an auxiliary inlet 200 may be optional for installations that include a dishwasher proximate a sink comprising with an attached garbage disposal 100. In other cases, the garbage disposal 100 may not be located near a dishwasher, such as in kitchens that lack a dishwasher. In such embodiments, it is desirable to plug or stop the auxiliary inlet to preclude water and other material from flowing out of the auxiliary inlet, particularly when the disposal or drain becomes backed up and the grinding chamber fills with liquid and other material. In such cases it is desirable to have a stop or plug obstructing the auxiliary inlet.
Conventionally, a plug of an auxiliary inlet is molded into the auxiliary inlet with a weakened area around the plug to enable an installer or plumber to knock-out the auxiliary inlet plug when the auxiliary inlet is to be used. As such, when a drain hose of a dishwasher is plumbed to the auxiliary inlet, the auxiliary inlet plug may first be removed. However, with the auxiliary inlet plug disposed within the auxiliary inlet, it may be difficult to see and an installer or plumber may neglect or forget to remove the auxiliary inlet plug. Such an oversight may lead to a dishwasher failing to properly drain and causing the dishwasher to flood. Alternatively, the water pressure in the drain hose may force the drain hose from the auxiliary inlet, and the drain hose may release water and material from the dishwasher to the general area where the disposal is installed.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism to preclude installation of a drain hose to an auxiliary inlet 200 of a garbage disposal 100 while the auxiliary inlet plug is in place.
According to some embodiments, the plug 310 may define a plug body 311 that defines a tapered leading edge 312 which may facilitate installation of the plug 310 into the auxiliary inlet 200, and aid in creating a seal between the plug and the auxiliary inlet. Example embodiments may also include a cavity 314 within the plug body 311. The cavity may, for example be a cylindrically shaped cavity. The cavity may aid in installation of the plug 310 within the auxiliary inlet 200 by enabling deformation of the leading edge of the plug as it is inserted into the auxiliary inlet.
While the example embodiment of
According to some embodiments, the plug 310 may be configured to engage and obstruct auxiliary inlets of two different sizes. For example, a plug 310 may be sized such that the outer diameter of the plug is sized to engage the inner diameter of a ¾-inch inside-diameter auxiliary inlet 200. The cavity 314 of the same plug 310 may be sized to engage the outside diameter of a ½-inch inside-diameter auxiliary inlet 200. Thus, the same plug could be used for a ¾-inch inside-diameter auxiliary inlet and a ½-inch inside-diameter auxiliary inlet, thereby reducing part complexity in manufacture.
As noted above, the plug 310 includes a stem 320 extending therefrom and a handle 330. The stem 320 may be configured, as shown in
The handle 330 may define a first edge 340 and a second edge 350 with a length defined there between. The length between the first edge 340 and the second edge 350 may be selected to be larger than that of an inner diameter of a hose that is to connect to the auxiliary inlet such that such a hose cannot be connected to the auxiliary inlet without first removing the plug 310. The handle 330 may be shaped to facilitate the pulling motion of a plug axially away from the auxiliary inlet. For example, the major surfaces 335 of the handle 330 may be arranged to be orthogonal to the axis of removal of the plug 310 to provide a user a larger surface over which pressure from a user's fingers may be distributed. This may enable a user to more comfortably apply a larger pulling force against the major surfaces 330 to remove the plug 310 from the auxiliary inlet. The cross-shaped cross-section of stem 320 may help resist folding of the handle 330 as it is pulled by a user as the width of the cross-section, in the direction of the major surfaces 335, may help to keep the handle 330 flat.
Example embodiments may include a handle 330 that is integrally formed with the stem 320 and the plug body 311; however, additional embodiments may include a handle that can be formed separately from the plug 310 and attached to the plug body or the stem. Further, while embodiments are described herein to have a handle that precludes attachment of a drain hose of a dishwasher to an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal, embodiments may include a cross-piece that serves the same function, while the handle is formed separately from the cross-piece.
A plug according to example embodiments of the present invention may be made from a variety of materials. Materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), high- or low-density polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE), natural or synthetic rubber, etc. These materials may include some level of ductility that may enable them to provide a seal to close the auxiliary inlet. The plug, stem, and handle, may be injection molded or thermoformed as a single piece, or alternatively the plug may be assembled from separate pieces, such as extruded or injection molded stems, handles, and plug bodies that are ultrasonically welded or otherwise adhered to one another.
While the illustrated embodiment of a plug and the above general description of attachment of the plug 310 to an auxiliary inlet 200 is accomplished with an interference fit or frictional engagement, plugs of example embodiments may be attached to an auxiliary inlet through a variety of methods. For example, the plug may be threaded, either with an external thread or an internal thread, and the auxiliary inlet may be configured with an external thread (for receiving an internal thread of the plug) or an internal thread (for receiving an external thread of the plug). Further, the auxiliary inlet may be configured with one or more barbed ribs as found on a tubing nipple for engaging an internal diameter of a plug. The plug of example embodiments may optionally be attached using a hose clamp, zip tie, or the like to provide additional security to the connection. The auxiliary inlet and plug may be configured for a quick-connect/quick-disconnect feature such as a detent or snap fit. The plug may optionally be integrally molded with the auxiliary inlet and configured with a region of stress concentration around the plug to enable the plug to break-away with the application of sufficient force to the plug. The plug may be temporarily attached to the auxiliary inlet with the use of a non-permanent adhesive such as a glue or ultrasonic weld. Regardless of the attachment method between the plug and the auxiliary inlet, in some embodiments, the plug is configured to remain engaged with the auxiliary inlet during transport of the garbage disposal, installation, and use of the garbage disposal. In this regard, the plug is configured to be removable only by deliberate force or action to remove the plug.
According to example embodiments in which the plug is integrally formed with the auxiliary inlet with a break-away region, or where the plug is attached/adhered to the auxiliary inlet by a bond, seal, or adhesive that requires breaking prior to removal of the plug, the handle of example embodiments may provide a strike surface. The strike surface may be configured to receive a force, such as from a hammer, mallet, wrench, or the like, to break the seal, adhesive, or bond between the plug and the auxiliary inlet. Once the seal, adhesive, or bond is broken, the handle may be used to remove the plug from the auxiliary inlet.
The auxiliary inlet may be sized to receive a dishwasher drain hose either around an outer diameter of the auxiliary inlet, or alternatively, the internal diameter of the auxiliary inlet may be sized to receive a drain hose from a dishwasher therein. In either case, the dishwasher drain hose and the auxiliary inlet are sized to engage one another in such a manner as to create a seal, thereby minimizing the opportunity for leaks to develop between the drain hose and the auxiliary inlet. In an embodiment in which the drain hose receives the auxiliary inlet within an inner diameter of the drain hose, a hose clamp may be employed to secure and seal the hose on the auxiliary inlet. The handle of the plug and more particularly, the length of the plug handle defined between the first edge 340 and the second edge 350 may be sized to ensure that a dishwasher drain hose cannot be received over the handle 330 of the plug. This prevents connection of the drain hose to the auxiliary inlet while the plug is engaged with the auxiliary inlet thereby preventing improper attachment and causing proper draining from the dishwasher.
While embodiments of the present invention have been herein described with regard to a garbage disposal and a plug for an auxiliary inlet for a garbage disposal, embodiments of the present invention may further include a method of manufacturing a garbage disposal and/or a plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal, such as attaching a plug as described herein to an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
