Patent Application
20160213210
The field of the invention is treatment devices for common plumbing issues related to urinals.
The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
Plumbing is a necessary component in modern businesses. While it is a convenient to have plumbing for many reasons, plumbing can cause problems if improperly maintained. For example, insects and foul odor can travel through floor drains. In another example, uric acid crystals can form in waterless urinals piping.
Some have attempted to reduce the problems that arise in plumbing. For example, some have contemplated reducing odor and insects from traveling through plumbing pipes by providing a one way mechanism or a water trap in the plumbing pipe. This concept is generally disclosed in CN2579967Y, CN101922179A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,804 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,640,271. Others have contemplated using chemicals to reduce problems that arise in plumbing as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,887,697B2, US20130240423A1, US20150000183A1, and the Drain-Net Defender. While these attempts have produced some advantages, there is still a need for an improved treatment device for plumbing.
The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a treatment device for a urinal (e.g., waterless urinal, waterless conversion, “P” trap in addition to skirt valve) is effective to reduce insects, uric acid buildup and odor in urinals and urinal pipes. The treatment device is typically installed in a urinal cartridge having a valve (e.g., a skirt valve), and comprises an upper dispenser positioned above the valve and a lower dispenser positioned below the valve. Most typically, the upper dispenser dispenses a deodorant, and the lower dispense comprises an active agent that is selected from the list of an insecticide and a uric-acid consuming bacteria.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.
While the fastening mechanism of the lower dispenser can comprise a through hole that couples to the post as shown in
A better illustration of the fastening mechanism can be seen in
The lower dispenser is preferably configured to dispense an active agent comprising at least one of an insecticide, uric acid-consuming bacteria, a deodorant, and enzymes to digest grease and oil. It is contemplated that the lower dispenser is the shape of the active agent, such that the dispenser is the active agent, or the lower dispenser is a carrier of the active agent. For example, the lower dispenser can be a sacrificial bait for insects, and in such case, the lower dispenser is the shape of the active agent. In another example, the lower dispenser can comprise freeze-dried uric acid-consuming bacteria, and in such case, the lower dispenser is a carrier of the active agent. The active agent can be a liquid soluble material, such that liquid dissolves or reacts with the active agent, or can be stored in a membrane permeable bag. It is contemplated that the lower dispenser couples to the post as the membrane permeable bag and the active agent is disposed within membrane permeable bag. Thus, the treatment device provides a safer method of treating insects and uric acid buildup in drain pipes by placing the active agent below the valve and away from nearby users.
The upper dispenser of the embodiment in
In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/108,940, filed Jan. 28, 2015. All extrinsic materials identified herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62108940 | Jan 2015 | US |
