Abstract:
A fluid exit portion for a splash-reducing urinal cartridge is presented. The exit portion comprises a splash reducer for causing fluid to exit the cartridge in a splash-reduced manner. The splash reducer is generally in the form of a spout with a tapered exit area for accelerating and directing the fluid. The spout may comprise converting fins to urge fluid to collect in a progressively narrower channel. When the cartridge is installed into a housing, the splash reducer ensures that fluid exiting the cartridge transitions into the housing with minimal disturbance, substantially parallel to the housing. The splash reducer is formed of a flexible material or is hinged with respect to the cartridge body to allow for easy insertion into a housing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/828,153, filed May 28, 2013, titled “Tapered High Velocity Exit with Flexible Tip,” U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/928,999, filed Jan. 17, 2014, titled “Tapered High Velocity Exit with Flexible Tip.” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/828,169, filed May 28, 2013, titled “Wrap Around Baffle with Vented Cone Shaped Top,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/828,165, filed May 28, 2013, titled “Hybrid Trap With Water Injection Cleaning.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a waterless urinals and more particularly, to waterless urinal cartridges that include a mechanism to reduce the splashing of fluids exiting the cartridge into a housing or other connected plumbing elements in order to reduce precipitant buildup and to assist in cleaning 
         [0004]    (2) Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Water is a scarce and diminishing resource in many areas of the world. It is widely recognized that more must be done to conserve its usage as populations grow and climates change. Water conserving products are becoming increasingly important not only for quality of human life but also for sanitary and subsistence reasons. 
         [0006]    There have been many water conserving measures taken across the world in an effort to deal with limited and diminishing resources. Many municipalities have come up with rationing plans. Others have invested in waste-water recycling treatment and re-use. 
         [0007]    There have also been many water conserving products introduced to the market place. These products are becoming more widely used by the industry and home owners as regulations and the rising cost of water usage drive the need for change. Non-flushing urinal designs use far less water than traditional urinals, saving up to 40,000 gallons of water a year from a single urinal. Non-flushing urinals generally comprise three major components: a porcelain urinal, a housing, and a cartridge. The porcelain urinal component is very similar to that of a traditional urinal. The housing replaces a traditional P-trap which normally would connect a urinal to a building&#39;s plumbing. Thus, the housing sits in-line between the building&#39;s plumbing and the bottom of the urinal where the drain pipe would normally connect. The cartridge fits in the housing and can be removed for servicing and replacement. 
         [0008]    There are two types of cartridges for non-flushing urinals: liquid trap style cartridges and mechanical trap style cartridges. The liquid trap style cartridge serves two purposes. First, it acts as a barrier from sewer gasses and odors coming into the restroom. Second, it acts as a filer removing some of the solids that precipitate from human urine (urine is a super saturated liquid). Human urine is an aqueous solution of greater than 95% water, with the remaining constituents, in order of decreasing concentration, urea 9.3 g/L, chloride 1.87 g/L, sodium 1.17 g/L, potassium 0.750 g/L creatinine 0.670 g/L and other dissolved ions, inorganic and organic compounds, according to the NASA Contractor Report No. NASA CR-1802, D. F. Putnam, July 1971. The liquid trap style cartridge works by using two mechanisms. First, urine fills the P-trap of the cartridge forming a barrier against the sewer gasses—just as water does in a traditional P-trapped urinal. Second, a layer of low density fluid, such as oil, is placed in the trap so that it floats on top of the urine. This floating oil forms a barrier keeping unpleasant urine smells from entering the bathroom. As a user urinates into the urinal, fresh urine enters the cartridge, sinks through the floating oil barrier, and presses old urine out of the trap and out through the housing exit tube and into the building&#39;s plumbing. 
         [0009]    The mechanical trap style non-flushing urinals work in a slightly different manner. All components are similar to the above mentioned liquid trap style of non-flushing urinal except for the cartridge. In this case, the liquid sealant is replaced with some form of a valve that allows urine to go through, while blocking gas and odor from escaping back through the system and into the restroom. An example of this trap is one made by Liquidbreaker and subject of U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,288. In this model two silicone valves are used that rest on plastic seats. When urine flows down on top of the silicon valve at the center of the cartridge, the valve is opened by the weight of the urine. When the urine drips off the valve and into the housing, the valve closes sealing out gasses. 
         [0010]    Although there are some significant water-saving benefits from using non-flushing urinals, there are also some drawbacks. One of the most significant is the formation of Struvite in the pipes, housing, and on the mechanical valve components of the mechanical type cartridge. Struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) is a phosphate mineral with formula: NHI4MgPO4.6H2O. Struvite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system as white to yellowish or brownish-white pyramidal crystals or in platey mica-like forms. It is a soft mineral with Mohs hardness of 1.5 to 2 and has a low specific gravity of 1.7. It is sparingly soluble in neutral and alkaline conditions, but readily soluble in acid. 
         [0011]    While flushing urinals also produce buildup in the pipes, it is found to be more of a hard calcified nature. With non-flushing urinals, it has been found that struvite formation is more common; particularly in areas of slow velocity flows or high splash. The struvite builds up mostly in the leg from the urinal to the building&#39;s down pipes in both the mechanical and the liquid trap non-flushing systems unless they are regularly flushed out with water—the building&#39;s down pipes receive water from other sources in the building and are thus often rinsed. Struvite also tends to build up in the bottom of the urinal housing, leaving a very unpleasant odor and appearance. This makes changing the cartridge an unpleasant chore for maintenance staff members. When pipes are clogged, they must be snaked out. This can be a difficult and unpleasant process as well. 
         [0012]    Struvite also builds up in areas prone to splashing; for example the area underneath the exit of the cartridge. The splashing of urine causes solids to precipitate out of the urine and significant buildup can occur. Additionally, as noted above, struvite tends to build up where urine flow is slow or still. Prior art non-flushing urinal and trap designs suffer from splashing and/or slow flow and as a result, they tend to build up struvite deposits quickly. Increasing velocity of the flow, while minimizing the splash that occurs as the urine transfers from the cartridge or trap to the housing could provide significant improvements over the prior art by diminishing struvite formation. 
         [0013]    For the foregoing reasons, it would be desirable to produce a better non-flushing urinal solution; one in which less struvite is formed, especially in the area immediately around the transition from the cartridge or trap mechanism and the housing or plumbing entrance. The present invention overcomes these problems and provides a mechanism to both reduce the splashing of and increase the velocity of urine exiting a non-flush urinal cartridge. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where: 
           [0015]      FIGS. 1A-1C  is a set of illustrations depicting a prior art cartridge, similar to the one manufactured and marketed by Falcon Waterfree Technology model C1M2+, in left (side), front, and back views; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top view illustration depicting a prior art cartridge, similar to the one manufactured and marketed by Falcon Waterfree Technology model C1M2+, set in a prior art housing; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a cutaway side view of a prior art housing, with a prior art cartridge installed and the arrows depicting the flow of fluid through the cartridge and into the housing; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are illustrations of a top view of a prior art cartridge and a cross-section of the cartridge taken just above the overflow level; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view illustration of a cartridge with an anti-splash exit, according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view illustration of a cartridge showing a cartridge exit with an anti-splash exit and wipers on either side of a discharge section at the exit, according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view illustration of a cartridge showing an anti-splash exit and wipers on either side of a discharge section at the exit, according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a cutaway side view illustration of the same cartridge shown in  FIG. 7 , according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side view illustration of a housing body and a housing exit tube, according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a cutaway side view illustration of the housing from  FIG. 9 , according to the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a front view cross section illustration of a housing as shown in  FIG. 9 , cutaway along the line B-B and rotated 90 degrees, according to the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of a cutaway front view of the housing as seen in  FIG. 11 , with a non-cutaway cartridge with the present invention, as it is first inserted and before it is turned and locked in position according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a cutaway side view illustration of the same cartridge shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , now placed in a housing, according to the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a cutaway side view illustration of the cartridge shown in  FIG. 13 , with the cartridge shown during the process of insertion, according to the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is an illustration of a cutaway side view of a cartridge and a housing, with the arrows depicting the fluid path through the cartridge, according to the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 16A and 16B  are the top view illustrations of a central inlet cartridge and a cross section from the same top view of the same cartridge, according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is an illustration of a blown-up side cutaway view and a front view of a pour spout, according to the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is an illustration of a blown-up side cutaway view and a front view of a pour spout flexible via a hinge area, according to the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 19A and 19B  are illustrations of a blown-up side cutaway view of an anti-splash exit capable of use with both side exit and down exit prior art housings, according to the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is an illustration of a blown-up cross section of an anti-splash wiper which runs from the top of the spout or just above the base of the bottom of the cartridge to just below the overflow, according to the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  is an illustration of a cutaway side view of a mechanical trap version of the present invention incorporating a splash reducing exit, where an exit back wall is tiled away from the vertical axis and the exit is “U”-shaped so that fluid will centralize on the exit back wall, according to the present invention; and 
           [0036]      FIGS. 22A and 22B  are illustrations of a cartridge shown in a side view in  FIG. 22A  and a top cross-sectional view in  FIG. 22B , where multiple wipers are provided on the cartridge wall and converge toward the exit drip edge of the cartridge to direct urine flow, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    The present invention relates to a waterless urinals and more particularly, to waterless urinal cartridges that include a mechanism to reduce the splashing of fluids exiting the cartridge into a housing or other connected plumbing elements in order to reduce precipitant buildup and to assist in cleaning. 
         [0038]    In a first aspect, the present invention comprises a fluid exit portion for a splash-reducing urinal cartridge, where the exit portion includes a splash reducer for causing the fluid to exit the cartridge in a splash-reduced manner. 
         [0039]    In another aspect, the splash reducer is a spout which may include a tapered exit area. 
         [0040]    In still another aspect, the spout has converging fins that assist in urging fluid to collect in a progressively narrower channel. 
         [0041]    In yet another aspect, the splash reducer is configured such that when the cartridge is installed in a urinal, the splash reducer urges fluid exiting the cartridge to flow in a direction selected from a group consisting of substantially parallel to an exit of a housing into which the cartridge is installed and proximate the splash reducer; and substantially parallel to building plumbing proximate the splash reducer; whereby the fluid exits the cartridge in a splash-reduced manner. 
         [0042]    In a further aspect, the splash reducer is adjustable in a manner selected from a group consisting of being formed of a flexible material and being hinged with respect to a portion of the cartridge; thereby causing the cartridge to be easier to install 
         [0043]    In a still further aspect, the splash reducer includes a fluid exit portion. When the cartridge is installed in a housing the fluid exit portion resides in an location selected from a group consisting of below a bottom portion of the cartridge and below the bottom portion of the housing. 
         [0044]    In a yet further aspect, the splash reducer further compromises a fluid flow surface for receiving flowing fluid and where the fluid flow surface is coated with a hydrophobic coating 
         [0045]    In another aspect, the splash reducer further comprises a fluid flow surface for receiving flowing fluid. The exit portion further comprises an exit wall for delivering fluid from the cartridge to the splash reducer such that fluid flowing from the exit wall encounters the splash reducer in a direction substantially parallel to the fluid flow surface at a location where the flowing fluid encounters the fluid flow surface. Thus, when fluid flows through the exit portion, the fluid handoff between the exit wall and the splash reducer is splash-reduced. 
         [0046]    In yet another aspect, the present invention comprises a spout formed to increase the velocity of fluid exiting therefrom. The spout may be progressively tapered and may be configured to direct the fluid exiting therefrom toward a desired target. 
         [0047]    Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0048]    The present invention relates to a waterless urinals and more particularly, to waterless urinal cartridges that include a mechanism to reduce the splashing of fluids exiting the cartridge into a housing or other connected plumbing elements in order to reduce precipitant buildup and to assist in cleaning. 
         [0049]    The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the an to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. For example, the individual components described may be formed as discrete parts or integrated together as a single unit. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 
         [0050]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. 
         [0051]    The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of al such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0052]    Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. 
         [0053]    Before describing the invention in detail, an introduction is provided to give the reader a general understanding of the present invention. Next, a description of various aspects of the present invention is provided to give an understanding of the specific details. 
         [0054]    (1) Introduction 
         [0055]    Non-flushing urinals use virtually no water, relying on one of two types of traps to seal out gas and odor, the first is a mechanical trap with a mechanical odor barrier, and the second is a liquid trap with a lighter-than-wastewater liquid barrier. The present invention is intended to overcome many of the shortcomings associated with both types of traps; an example being minimizing the buildup of struvite that tends to occur in the housing and the immediate drain pipe leg that connects the housing to the building&#39;s plumbing system by increasing the velocity of the flow and diminishing the splash of effluent which causes the formation of struvite. 
         [0056]    The present invention accomplishes this in two ways. First, the path of the liquid effluent is constricted as it approaches the housing or building&#39;s drainage pipe. This constriction has the effect of increasing the exit fluid velocity. Second, it utilizes a malleable pour spout that can move out of the way during insertion (e.g., by flexing or hinging), then move back to is original configuration once insertion is completed. This is important because most housings currently in the market and already installed to accept a replacement cartridge have a trough area. This trough area can be an advantage as it keeps sewer backwash from entering the housing body and helps fluids drain away from the housing However, in current systems, the trough area is generally around ½ to ¾ inches distant from the cartridge exit/drip edge, allowing fluids to splash which results in greater struvite buildup. 
         [0057]    In order to clearly understand the benefits of the present invention, first features of current systems are presented. For clarity, reference numbers of elements referred to in the prior art figures are affixed with “-P.” Corresponding similar elements in figures pertinent to the present invention are not affixed. Thus, for example, reference number  100 -P is used to indicate a cartridge housing in prior art figures, whereas reference number  100  is used to indicate a similar element in figures used to show aspects of the present invention. 
         [0058]    An example of the exterior of a prior art cartridge  100 -P is presented in  FIGS. 1A to 1C . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the cartridge  100 -P includes a cartridge inlet  102 -P for receiving incoming fluids and a cartridge exit  104 -P for passing fluids out of the cartridge. The cartridge  100 -P also includes atop wall flange  106 -P for sealing the cartridge within a housing or a urinal (not shown). The cartridge  100 -P further includes a cartridge side wall  108 -P, that generally separates an exterior of the cartridge  100 -P from an interior of the cartridge, as well as a locking tine  110 -P for locking the cartridge  100 -P within a housing or a urinal (again, not shown) and a bottom wall  112 -P. The same exterior of the cartridge  100 -P is shown in  FIG. 1B  in a front view and in  FIG. 1C  in a back view. 
         [0059]    The same prior art cartridge  100 -P is shown in  FIG. 2  from a top view. In this view, the cartridge  100 -P is shown inserted into a housing body  200 -P having a housing flange  202 -P. The cartridge exit  104 -P (not shown) is aligned with a housing exit tube  204 -P so that fluid entering the cartridge  100 -P through the cartridge inlet  102 -P and passing through the cartridge  100 -P exits into the housing exit tube  204 -P and then further into a building&#39;s plumbing (not shown). 
         [0060]    A cutaway cross-section side view of the cartridge  100 -P is shown in  FIG. 3 , showing the interior components of the cartridge  100 -P. After entering the cartridge  100 -P through the cartridge inlet  102 -P, urine passes through a fluid barrier layer  300 -P having a fluid level  302 -P and into an inlet compartment  304 -P which resides beneath a cartridge ceiling  306 -P. The inlet compartment  304 -P is separated from an outlet compartment  308 -P by a vertical separator  312 -P. As urine flows through the cartridge  100 -P, it passes through the inlet compartment  304 -P, over a baffle  310 -P and builds up within the cartridge  100 -P, it rises within the outlet compartment  308 -P, passing through a sealant layer  314 -P, passing from a first side  316 A-P of an outlet compartment vertical separator  316 -P to a second side  316 B-P of the outlet compartment vertical separator  316 -P upon reaching an overflow level  318 -P. After passing over the outlet compartment vertical separator  316 -P, the urine enters a discharge section  320 -P where it flows down the second side  316 B-P of the outlet compartment vertical separator  316 -P until it reaches an exit drip edge  322 -P. From there, the urine drips or flows (depending on the volume) into a trough portion  324 -P of a housing bottom  326 -P. As urine falls across the gap C, between the exit drip edge  322 -P and the surface of the trough portion  324 -P, the falling urine results in struvite causing splashes  328 -P. Note that the cartridge  100 -P is shown sealed within the housing  220 -P by use of an O-ring  330 -P. 
         [0061]    A top view of a prior art cartridge  100 -P is shown in  FIG. 4A  and a cross-section of the cartridge  100 -P taken just above the overflow level  318 -P is shown in  FIG. 4B , looking down into the cartridge  100 -P. The splashing and resulting struvite buildup in cartridges  100 -P such as that just described is a major downside to such devices, resulting in greater replacement frequency and higher maintenance costs. 
         [0062]    (2) Details of the Invention 
         [0063]    The present invention teaches an improved cartridge with a fluid exit portion configured to reduce splashing of and/or increase the velocity of urine exiting the cartridge into a housing and/or a building&#39;s plumbing. A side view of a cartridge  100  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 5 . Similar to the prior art cartridge  100 -P described previously, this cartridge comprises a cartridge inlet  102  and a cartridge exit  104  with a top wall flange  106  formed about the cartridge inlet  102 . The cartridge  100  further comprises an O-ring  330  provided about the top wall flange  106  to seal the cartridge  100  within a housing (not shown). Locking tines  110  are disposed about the exterior of the cartridge side wall  108  to lock the cartridge  100  within the housing (again, not shown). The cartridge  100  also includes a bottom wall  112 . This version of the cartridge  100  further comprises a cartridge exit  104  having a pour spout  500  configured to conform with a housing (not shown) in order to minimize the distance (gap) between the exit drip edge  322  and the housing such that dripping is minimized. One or more wipers  502  are disposed about the cartridge wall  108 . The wipers  502  protrude from the cartridge wall so that they can interact with the inside of a housing wal and wipe it clean as well as keep splash from getting inside of the housing when the cartridge  100  is inserted into the housing and during use. 
         [0064]    It is desirable that the wipers  502  are made from a compliant material that can deform when it touches the inside of the housing wall Non-limiting examples of materials used in pluming that are flexible and would be good for making the wipers  502  include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and silicon. The wipers  502  can be attached with the cartridge  100  in a variety of ways, a non-limiting example includes injection molding them directly onto the cartridge (counting on both a mechanical and a molecular bond). This is a common process known as dual-injection or co-injection and it will be understood by anyone skilled in the art of injection molding Another non-limiting example of ways to attach the wipers  502  includes injection molding the wipers and then bonding them to the cartridge  100 . This is accomplished in the post process using an appropriate resin capable of bonding the wiper material to the cartridge material. A still further non-limiting example of a way to attach the wipers  502  to the cartridge  100  is through welding using high frequency or other means to melt the two surfaces together. 
         [0065]    A rear view of the cartridge  100  of  FIG. 5  is shown in  FIG. 6  in side view and in  FIG. 7  in an isometric view. In both of these figures, the pour spout  500  can be seen narrowing toward the exit drip edge  322 . This assists in accelerating urine as it exits the cartridge  100 , helping to prevent precipitation of struvite. Also, in both figures, the cartridge  100  can be seen having two wipers  502 , which is a desirable configuration. 
         [0066]    The cartridge  100  of  FIG. 5  is further shown in a cutaway view in  FIG. 8 . As with the prior art cartridge  100 -P, this cartridge  100  comprises a cartridge inlet  102  for receiving urine. In this example, a vent  800  is disposed proximate the cartridge inlet  102 . Urine passes through the cartridge inlet  102  into a throat portion  802  and into an inlet compartment  304  which lies within the cartridge between a cartridge side wall  108  and a vertical separator  312 , roughly above a baffle  310  and beneath a cartridge ceiling  306 . The cartridge  100  further comprises a locking tine  110  for securing the cartridge  100  within a housing (not shown) as well as an O-ring  330  proximate a top wall flange  106  for creating a fluid-tight seal with the housing (again, not shown). As the urine flows through the cartridge  100 , it passes between the baffle  310  and a bottom wall  112 , into an outlet compartment  308 , where it rises along an outlet compartment vertical separator first side  316 A to an overflow level  318 , where it flows over to an outlet compartment vertical separator second side  316 B. An overflow gap  804  is formed above the outlet compartment vertical separator  316  to enable urine to pass over the outlet compartment vertical separator  316  and into a discharge section  320 . According to the present invention, the outlet compartment vertical separator  316  may be angled to permit urine to flow with minimal disturbance. Also according to the present invention, a pour spout  500  is formed at proximate the bottom of the outlet compartment vertical separator  316  at the cartridge exit  104  for directing the urine from the exit drip edge  322  of the pour spout  500  into a housing (not shown) or into a building&#39;s plumbing with minimal splashing at the interface therebetween (thus minimizing struvite precipitation). Also, at least one wiper  502  is formed proximate the discharge section  320  of the cartridge  100 . 
         [0067]    An external side view of a housing body  200  for receiving a cartridge  100  according to the present invention is presented in  FIG. 9 . The housing comprises a housing flange  202  that, when in use forms a fluid-tight seal with a urinal body (typically porcelain, not shown). As shown, the housing body  200  further comprises a housing trough  324  for receiving urine from the drip edge of the pour spout of a cartridge. After passing through the housing trough  324 , urine continues to move through a housing exit tube  204  and then into a connected plumbing system (not shown). 
         [0068]    A cross-sectional cutaway side view of the housing body  200  of  FIG. 9  is shown in  FIG. 10 . In this case, locking tine keyways  1000  are visible. The locking tine keyways  1000  are configured to connect with the locking tines  110  of the cartridge  100  (not shown) to retain the cartridge  100  securely within the housing body  200 . A front view cross-sectional view of the housing body  200  of  FIG. 10  is shown in  FIG. 11 . In this figure, it is apparent that a housing bottom  326  resides above a bottom of the housing exit tube  204 , which is generally sloped downward to permit urine to flow out of the housing body  200 . 
         [0069]    A front cross-sectional view of the housing body  200  of  FIG. 10  is shown in  FIG. 12  with an external view of the cartridge  100  of  FIG. 5  inserted therein. In particular, this figure shows the configuration of the cartridge  100  and the housing body  200  when the cartridge  100  is first inserted therein. In order to connect the locking tines  110  of the cartridge  100  with the locking tine keyways  1000  of the housing body  200 , cartridge  100  is inserted into the housing body  200  without the pour spout  500  being in-line with the housing exit tube  204  (and thus, miss-aligned with respect to the housing trough  324 ). As shown, the pour spout  500  is compliant with regard to the interior of the housing body  200  during insertion and then, as the cartridge  100  is rotated so that the pour spout  500  aligns with the housing trough  324 , the pour spout  500  changes in configuration to minimize the splashing/dripping of urine between the exit drip edge  322  of the pour spout  500  and the housing body  200 . This can be accomplished in many ways, non-limiting examples of which include forming the pour spout  500  of a flexible material so that it flexes as the cartridge  100  is inserted into the housing body  200  and then regains a shape the splashing/dripping of urine between the exit drip edge  322  of the pour spout  500  and the housing body  200 ; and hinging the pour spout  500  so that it moves as the cartridge  100  is inserted into the housing body  200  and then moves back into a configuration that minimizes the splashing/dripping of urine between the exit drip edge  322  of the pour spout  500  and the housing body  200 . 
         [0070]    A side cross-sectional view of the housing body of  FIG. 10  is shown in  FIG. 13  with a cross-sectional view of the cartridge  100  of  FIG. 8  inserted therein after the cartridge  100  has been turned so that the locking tines  110  of the cartridge  100  engage with the locking tine keyways  1000  of the housing  200 . In this case, the pour spout  500  has expanded so that the exit drip edge  322  is very close to the housing trough  324  in order to minimize the distance C and thus minimize the splashing of urine as it contacts the housing trough  324 . 
         [0071]    A side cross-sectional view of the housing body  200  of  FIG. 10  is shown in  FIG. 14  with an external view of the cartridge  100  of  FIG. 5  therein. In this case, the cartridge  100  is in the process of being inserted into the housing  200 , prior to the locking tine  100  of the cartridge reaching the full depth and interlocking within its counterpart, the locking tine keyway  1000 . The housing body  200  has been cutaway enough to show how the pour spout  500  interferes with the bottom of the housing body  200 . This is because the housing trough  324  is only in the central portion of the housing body  200 , aligned with the housing exit tube  204 ; and thus, the housing trough  324  does not extend along the entire bottom of the housing body  200 . The pour spout  500  can be seen deforming to allow insertion of the cartridge  100  into the housing body  200 . The pour spout  500  is formed of a flexible material, which allows the pour spout  500  to deform or flex out of the way when it contacts the housing body  200  prior to being twisted fully into place as was shown in  FIG. 13 . By forming the pour spout  500  so that it can deform or flex out of the way when it comes into contact with the housing body  200 , it can be elongated so that it fits deeply into the housing trough  324  as was shown in  FIG. 13 , while still permitting the cartridge  100  to use a twisting method of insertion and locking. 
         [0072]    When the cartridge  100  needs to be replaced or when the system of the present invention is initially installed, maintenance personnel will place the cartridge  100  into the housing body  200  and rotate the cartridge  100  until the locking tines  110  of the cartridge  100  fully engage the locking tine keyways  1000  of the housing body  200 . In the process of rotation, the wipers  502  will clear off at least some wastewater buildup on the inside of the housing body  200 . Upon full engagement, the wipers  502  prevent splash and restrain wastewater from leaving the discharge section  320  and the housing exit tube  204 . 
         [0073]    The cutaway view shown in  FIG. 13  is shown again in  FIG. 15  with arrows showing the fluid path through the cartridge. Effluent (also referred to as urine or wastewater) enters the cartridge  100  through the inlet  102  and passes through the throat  802  and into the inlet compartment  304 . The liquid then flows around and underneath the baffle  310  and enters the outlet compartment  308 , and then rises until it goes over the top of the overflow  318 . The liquid then flows down the cartridge exit  104  which has a tapered and generally U-shape which causes the liquid to stay mostly central as it descends down the cartridge exit  104 . The fluid eventually enters the spout  500  at the bottom of the cartridge exit  104  and is diverted to a substantially horizontal direction as it exits the cartridge  100  and enters the housing exit tube  204 . The exit drip edge  322  is only a few millimeters away from the trough  324 , as indicated by the distance C. The distance C can be brought to zero if desired, as the soft pour spout  500  can deflect slightly to create a seal with the trough  324 , leaving no distance for splashing to occur between the pour spout  500  and the trough  324 . 
         [0074]    Still referring to  FIG. 15 , when the cartridge  100  is in use, a user and the shape of the attached urinal (not shown) will direct the urine toward the cartridge  100 . The downward slopes created by the top wall flange  106  guide the urine through the inlet  102  and the throat  802  and into the inlet compartment  304 . In the case where the cartridge uses a liquid sealant, the urine will also pass through and beneath a liquid sealant layer present within the cartridge  100 , which blocks odors from the sewer and from the wastewater itself from entering the restroom. As more urine enters the inlet compartment  304 , older urine is forced under the baffle  310 , into the outlet compartment  308 , and over the outlet compartment vertical separator  316 , into the discharge section  320 . Since this portion (the outlet compartment  308  and beyond) of the cartridge  100  would essentially be the same whether a mechanical trap system or a liquid barrier system is employed, only the liquid system is discussed. In prior art units, at this stage the wastewater would fall straight, creating a splashing area and depositing struvite and other undesirable precipitants. According to the present invention, the cartridge exit  104  is tiled off the vertical axis, as shown by the angle between the vertical separator  316  and the line A-A. For this reason, the wastewater stays in contact with the cartridge exit  104 . The cartridge exit  104  is generally U-shaped, which helps to centralize the fluid. About the overflow level  318 , the flow area is also generally U-shaped, with its outermost edges being higher than the base. 
         [0075]    A top view of the cartridge  100  of  FIG. 8  is shown in  FIG. 16A  and a cross-sectional view of the same cartridge  100  taken just below the ceiling  306  is shown in  FIG. 16B . The cartridge  100  has a baffle  310  and an inlet compartment  304  which surrounds an outlet compartment  308 . The cartridge exit  104  has a generally U-shaped cross section which serves to centralize fluid as it passes the overflow level  318 . 
         [0076]    The cartridge  100  and the housing  200  of  FIG. 15  are shown in  FIG. 17  along with sample dimensions for the pour spout  500 . Both a front view and a side cross-sectional view of the pour spout  500  are shown within the dotted line circle. The pour spout  500  can be made to flex in any number of ways. In this version, the pour spout  500  is flexible due to being formed from a compliant material with a memory that can deform when it touches the housing bottom  326  and then returns to its original form when the cartridge  100  is rotated and locked within the housing  200  such that the pour spout  500  is aligned with the housing trough  324 . Non-limiting examples of materials used in plumbing that are flexible and would be good for making the pour spout  500  include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and silicon. The pour spout  500  can be attached with the cartridge  100  in a variety of ways, a non-limiting example includes injection molding them directly onto the cartridge (counting on both a mechanical and a molecular bond). This is a common process known as dual-injection or co-injection and it will be understood by anyone skilled in the art of injection molding. Simply stated, a second material is injected over the first material and can be injected through holes, into a negative draft, or on to a textured surface, to help increase the bonding strength. Another non-limiting example of ways to attach the pour spout  500  include injection molding the wipers and then bonding them to the cartridge  100  in a post process, using the appropriate resin capable of bonding the wiper material to the cartridge material A still further non-limiting example of a way to attach the pour spout  500  to the cartridge  100  is through welding using high frequency or other means to melt the two surfaces together. 
         [0077]    The cartridge  100  and the housing  200  of  FIG. 15  are shown in  FIG. 18  along with sample dimensions for another version of the pour spout  500 . In this version, the pour spout  500  is able to flex via a hinge area  1800 . A front view and a cross-sectional side view are shown within the dotted line circle. As a non-limiting example, the pour spout  500  may be formed from a similar material as the cartridge  100 , with the hinge area  1800  connecting the pour spout  500  with the cartridge  100 . The hinge area  1800  is shaded to indicate the flexible region. Any region large enough and flexible enough to allow the spout to fold out of the way when inserted into the housing is sufficient. In use, the pouring spout  500  touches the housing bottom  326  and the hinge area  1800  allows the pouring spout  500  to flex out of the way until it is aligned with the trough area  324 . Non-limiting examples of materials used in plumbing that are flexible and would be good for making this version of the pour spout  500  again include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and silicon. The hinge material can be injection molded directly on to the cartridge  100  and the spout  500  to connect the two together. This can be done using either a mechanical and/or a molecular bond. This is a common process known as dual injection or co-injection and it will be understood by anyone skied in the art of injection molding Again, simply stated, a second material is injected over the first material and can be injected through holes, into a negative draft, or on to a textured surface, to help increase the bonding strength. The pour spout can also be injection molded, then bonded on to the cartridge in a post process, using the appropriate resin capable of bonding the pour spout material to the hinge material and the hinge material to the cartridge material. The pour spout can also be welded to the hinge, and the hinge to the cartridge using high frequency or other means to melt the two surfaces together. Any of these processes can be combined to work in conjunction with each other as is common in the manufacturing of plastic components. 
         [0078]    The pour spout  500  has elevated walls forming a channel of decreasing width, which both directs and increases the velocity of wastewater passing out of the cartridge  100  and into the housing exit tube  204  (which, in turn, is connected with a building&#39;s plumbing; not shown). As can be seen in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , desirable dimensions for the pour spout  500  include a tip width  1802  of approximately 4 mm and an upper portion width  1804  of approximately 20 mm. The pour spout height  1806  is approximately 25 mm and the pour spout depth  1808  is approximately 25mm with an overall pour spout radius  1810  of approximately 50 mm. Thus, the angled and curved cartridge exit  104  and the pour spout  500  reduce splashing and increase velocity, both factors in the present invention&#39;s effectiveness in reducing struvite. 
         [0079]    The cartridge  100  and the housing  200  combinations are shown in  FIG. 19A  and  FIG. 19B , where  FIG. 19A  shows the cartridge  100  inserted into the housing  200  having a horizontal exit tube  204  and  FIG. 19B  shows the same cartridge inserted into a housing  200  having a vertical exit tube  204 . In this case, the design of the pouring spout  500  is made to accommodate either arrangement. The pour spout  500  is made such that when placed in a cartridge  100  with a horizontal exit tube  204 , the portion of the poring spout  500  that forms the exit drip edge  322  remains closed so that it directs wastewater in a substantially horizontal direction into the housing exit tube  204 . On the other hand, when placed into a housing  200  having a vertical housing exit tube  204  as shown in  FIG. 19B , the pouring spout  500  splits open and allows wastewater to enter the housing exit tube  204  in a substantially vertical direction. The same manufacturing methods previously discussed may be used to form this version of the pouring spout  500  and the pouring spout may be attached directly to the cartridge  100  or may be hinged from the cartridge  100 . 
         [0080]    A blown-up cross section of a wiper  502  is shown in  FIG. 20 . The wipers run from the top of the pouring spout  500  (or just above the bottom wall  112  of the cartridge  100 ) to just below the overflow level  318 . The wipers  502  cover the distance from the cartridge side wall  108  to the inside of the side of the housing body  200  (as can be seen in  FIG. 14 ). The wipers  502  can be slightly oversized so that they can deform against the inside of the housing body  200  which helps to form a seal therebetween (though they can also be effective even if they don&#39;t touch the side wall of the housing  200 ). On a cartridge  100  such as model C1M2+ by Falcon Waterfree Technologies, LLC, this distance is approximately 4 mm. The wipers  502  with a depth of 5 mm can contact the side wall of the housing  200 . As shown, the wipers  502  are thicker at the base where they connect to the cartridge to provide more bonding surface area, and then taper to a thin wiping edge, similar to a windshield wiper. This allows them to easily deform when they meet the side of the housing. The respective dimensions are approximately 4 millimeters wide at the base where they connect to the cartridge and about 0.5 millimeters at the top where they touch the side wall of the housing. A portion of  FIG. 20  on the right, shows an example of a locking mechanism. 
         [0081]    A version of the present invention that includes a mechanical trap  2100  is shown in  FIG. 21 . The body of the cartridge  100  is similar to that of a liquid trap cartridge. This cartridge  100  holds a mechanical trap  2100 , which has a collection area  2102  that centralizes the effluent as it enters the mechanical trap  2100 . The mechanical trap has a seal point  2104  that stays closed unless the weight of a liquid is upon it; at which point it is forced open, allowing the liquid to run through it. In this cartridge  100 , the exit back wall  2106  is angled away from the vertical axis and the cartridge exit  104  is U-shaped so that fluid will centralize on the exit back wall  2106  (the fluid back wall  2106  of a mechanical trap  2100  cartridge  100  is analogous to the outlet compartment vertical separator  316  of the liquid trap cartridges previously discussed). The pour spout  2108  is similar in shape and design to the pour spouts  100  previously discussed with respect to the liquid trap configurations. Thus, the pour spout  2108  directs outflowing fluids in a substantially horizontal direction as they pass down the exit back wall  2106  and through the pour spout  2108  and into the housing exit tube  204 . This virtually eliminates the splash normally experienced in the prior art configurations with mechanical traps, which dump effluent in the center of the housing and create significant struvite buildup. Note that a debris screen  2110  is shown. The debris screen  2110  prevents debris from entering and clogging the mechanical trap  2100 . 
         [0082]    The pour spout  2108  of the mechanical trap cartridge  100  can be manufactured with all of the techniques and variations previously discussed with regard to fluid trap versions and can be similarly adapted for use with housing bodies  200  that have horizontal housing exit tubes  204  and vertical housing exit tubes  204 . Thus, the pour spout  2008  can be formed to sit below the level of the housing bottom  326  in the housing trough  324  (in some cases, in fluid communication with the housing trough  324 ) while being flexible to permit a twist-to-lock configuration 
         [0083]    With the combination of a pour spout  500  that can flex, hanging below the cartridge  100  and into the housing trough  324 , a tapered shape to the cartridge exit  104  (when measured from top of the overflow level  318  to the pour spout  500 ), a generally U-shaped cartridge exit  104 , and a generally U-shaped area proximate the overflow level  318 , higher velocity with a narrowed, focused, aimed, stream can be created where previously liquid was allowed to simply flow substantially vertically and splash into the bottom of the housing and trough area. A similar exit configuration can be used for both fluid barrier and mechanical trap-type cartridges  100 . This is a meaningful advantage over the prior art, as the splash is a major cause of struvite precipitation and buildup. Further, the narrowed and focused fluid stream afforded by the present invention can also help to clear out any struvite buildup that has occurred, as it serves to “power wash” the area to where it is directed. As mechanical traps are often flushed with water, this cleaning action can be a very large advantage not only during regular use, but also during water flushes. 
         [0084]    A further example of a cartridge  100  according to the present invention is shown in a side view in  FIG. 22A  and a top cross-sectional view in  FIG. 22B . In this case, multiple wipers  502  are provided on the cartridge wall  108 . Here, the wipers  502  converge toward the exit drip edge  322  of the cartridge  100  to direct urine flow therethrough. 
       ELEMENTS LIST 
       [0085]    The following list of elements is provided for ease of reference.
         100 —Cartridge     102 —Cartridge Inlet     104 —Cartridge Exit     106 —Top Wall Flange     108 —Cartridge Side Wall     110 —Locking Tine     112 —Bottom Wall     200 —Housing Body     202 —Housing Flange     204 —Housing Exit Tube     300 —Fluid Barrier Layer     302 —Fluid Level     304 —Inlet Compartment     306 —Cartridge Ceiling     308 —Outlet Compartment     310 —Baffle     312 —Vertical Separator     314 —Sealant Layer     316 —Outlet Compartment Vertical Separator     316 A—Outlet Compartment Vertical Separator (back of wall first side)     316 B—Outlet Compartment Vertical Separator (front of wall, second side)     318 —Overflow Level     320 —Discharge Section     322 —Exit Drip Edge     324 —Housing Trough     326 —Housing Bottom     330 —O-Ring     500 —Pour Spout     502 —Wiper     800 —Vent     802 —Throat     804 —Overflow Gap     1000 —Locking Tine Keyway     1800 —Hinge Area     2100 —Mechanical Trap     2102 —Tapered Collection Area     2104 —Seal Point     2106 —Exit Back Wall     2110 —Debris Screen     2108 —Drip Edge