Abstract:
The present subject matter provides a drain line adapter. The drain line adapter includes at least two conduits. The two conduits can be oriented or positioned relative to one another in order to facilitate drainage of the drain line adapter. The two conduits can also be oriented or positioned relative to one another in order to hinder clogging of the drain line assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to drain line adapters. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Drain line adapters are generally mounted below a kitchen sink in order to consolidate or merge various waste water streams. In particular, certain drain line adapters include two inlets and a single outlet. One inlet can be connected to a kitchen sink drain line and receive waste from the same. The other can be connected to a water filtration system such as a reverse osmosis filtration system. Both inlets can direct waste towards the single outlet. 
     In certain drain line adapters, the two inlets merge at about a right angle. In particular, one inlet is generally vertically oriented, and the other inlet is generally horizontally oriented. Waste from the kitchen sink drain line is generally directed into the vertically oriented inlet, and waste from the water filtration system is generally directed into the horizontally oriented inlet. 
     However, waste from the kitchen sink drain line can contain relatively large solids, such as food debris. Such large solids can settle within the horizontally oriented inlet and potentially cause clogging of the same. To hinder such clogging, certain drain line adapters include an internal baffle that hinders solids from collecting within the horizontally oriented inlet. However, internal baffles can be difficult or expensive to manufacture and can also obstruct waste flowing through the drain line adapter. 
     In addition, the water filtration system is generally connected to the drain line adapter with a removable coupling. Such couplings can work loose over time and potentially cause a leak. Thus, such couplings can be difficult to properly connect to the water filtration system. 
     Accordingly, a drain line adapter with features for hindering clogging of the drain line adapter would be useful. In particular, a drain line adapter with features for hindering clogging of the drain line adapter without using an internal baffle would be useful. In addition, a drain line adapter with features for securely connecting a water filtration system to the drain line adapter, e.g., without using a removable coupling, would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter provides a drain line adapter. The drain line adapter includes at least two conduits. The two conduits can be oriented or positioned relative to one another in order to facilitate drainage of the drain line adapter. The two conduits can also be oriented or positioned relative to one another in order to hinder clogging of the drain line assembly. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In a first exemplary embodiment, a drain line adapter is provided. The drain line adapter defines a vertical direction. The drain line adapter includes a primary conduit that defines a drain passage, an inlet, and an outlet. The drain passage of the primary conduit extends longitudinally along the vertical direction such that the inlet of the primary conduit is disposed above the outlet of the primary conduit along the vertical direction. A slip joint connector is mounted at the inlet of the primary conduit. A branch conduit defines a branch passage and an opening. The branch conduit mounted to the primary conduit. The primary conduit and the branch conduit defining an angle φ therebetween. The angle φ is greater than ninety degrees. The branch passage of the branch conduit is in fluid communication with the drain passage of the primary conduit. A push connector is mounted at the opening of the branch conduit. 
     In a second exemplary embodiment, a drain line adapter is provided. The drain line adapter defines a vertical direction. The drain line adapter includes a drain conduit that defines a drain passage and an inlet. The drain passage of the drain conduit extends longitudinally along the vertical direction. A slip joint connector is mounted at the inlet of the primary conduit. A branch conduit defines a branch passage and an opening. The branch passage of the branch conduit extends longitudinally along the vertical direction. The branch conduit is positioned parallel to the drain conduit. A push connector is mounted at the opening of the branch conduit. An outlet conduit defines an outlet passage. The outlet passage of the outlet conduit extends longitudinally along the vertical direction. A manifold connects the drain conduit, the branch conduit, and the outlet conduit such that the drain passage of the drain conduit, the branch passage of the branch conduit, and the outlet passage of the outlet conduit are in fluid communication. 
     In a third exemplary embodiment, a drain line adapter is provided. The drain line adapter defines a vertical direction. The drain line adapter includes a drain conduit that defines a drain passage and an inlet. The drain passage of the drain conduit extends longitudinally along the vertical direction. A slip joint connector is mounted at the inlet of the primary conduit. An outlet conduit defines an outlet passage. The outlet passage of the outlet conduit extends longitudinally along the vertical direction. A branch conduit defines a branch passage and an opening. The branch conduit is mounted to the outlet conduit. The outlet conduit and the branch conduit defining an angle θ therebetween. The angle θ is greater than ninety degrees. A push connector is mounted at the opening of the branch conduit. A manifold connects the drain conduit, the branch conduit, and the outlet conduit such that the drain passage of the drain conduit, the branch passage of the branch conduit, and the outlet passage of the outlet conduit are in fluid communication. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  provides an elevation view of a drain line adapter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the drain line adapter of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the drain line adapter of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  provides an elevation view of a drain line adapter according to an additional exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 5  provides an elevation view of a drain line adapter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
       FIG. 1  provides an elevation view of a drain line adapter  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Drain line adapter  100  defines a vertical direction V and extends between a top portion  102  and a bottom portion  104 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. Drain line adapter  100  can be mounted beneath a kitchen sink, e.g., to consolidate various waste streams and direct the waste streams to a drain (e.g., to a sewer or septic system). In particular, drain line adapter  100  is configured for receiving waste from a kitchen sink (not shown) and a water filtration system (not shown) such as a reverse osmosis water filtration system. 
     Drain line adapter  100  includes a primary conduit  110 . Primary conduit  110  is substantially linear and extends longitudinally along the vertical direction V. A slip joint connector  120  is mounted to primary conduit  110  in order to permit mounting of primary conduit  110  to other plumbing such as a kitchen sink drain pipe (not shown). Drain line adapter  100  also includes a branch conduit  130  mounted to primary conduit  110 . A push connector  140  is mounted to branch conduit  130  in order to receive a drain line (not shown) from a water filtration system (not shown). 
     Branch conduit  130  may be integrally or unitarily mounted or fixed to primary conduit  110 . Thus, branch conduit  130  and primary conduit  110  may be constructed with a single, continuous piece material, e.g., a metal such as steel or a plastic such as polyvinyl chloride. As an example, branch conduit  130  and primary conduit  110  may be injection molded from a single piece of polyvinyl chloride. 
     Drain line adapter  100  includes features for hindering clogging of drain line adapter  100 . In particular, drain line adapter  100  includes features for hindering solid waste passing through primary conduit  110  (e.g., from the kitchen sink) from settling within and clogging branch conduit  130 . Such features are discussed in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of drain line adapter  100 .  FIG. 3  is a section view of drain line adapter  100 . Primary conduit  110  defines an inlet  114 , e.g., at top portion  102  of drain line adapter  100  and an outlet  116 , e.g., at bottom portion  104  of drain line adapter  100 . Thus, inlet  114  is disposed above outlet  116  along the vertical direction V. In particular, inlet  114  is positioned directly above outlet  116  along the vertical direction V such that inlet  114  and outlet  116  are aligned along the vertical direction V. Thus, waste entering primary conduit  110  at inlet  114  can be urged by gravity towards outlet  116 . Primary conduit  110  also defines a drain passage  112  ( FIG. 3 ) that extends between inlet  114  and outlet  116  and permits waste to pass therethrough. As an example, inlet  114  can receive waste from a kitchen sink drain pipe (not shown), and such waste can be directed through primary conduit  110  via drain passage  112  to outlet  116 . 
     Slip joint connector  120  is mounted to primary conduit  110  at inlet  114 . Slip joint connector  120  includes threads  124 , a gasket  126 , and a cap  128 . As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , threads  124  are fixed, e.g., integrally molded, to primary conduit  110  at inlet  114  of primary conduit  110 . Turning to  FIG. 3 , gasket  126  is positioned adjacent inlet  114  of primary conduit  110 . Further, cap  128  is mounted to primary conduit  110  with threads  124 , e.g., cap  128  may be screwed onto threads  124 . Cap  128  selectively secures gasket  126  to primary conduit  110 . 
     As an example and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, cap  128  and gasket  126  can receive a pipe (not shown) to be mounted to drain line adapter  100  with cap  128  positioned above gasket  126 , e.g., along the vertical direction V, on the pipe. The pipe can then be received within primary conduit  110  at inlet  114 , and gasket  126  can be positioned at inlet  114  of primary conduit  110 . Cap  128  can then be secured to primary conduit  110  with threads  124 . By tightening cap  128 , gasket  126  can be urged against inlet  114  of primary conduit  110  to provide a seal between primary conduit  110  and the pipe. 
     Branch conduit  130  defines an opening  134  and a branch passage  132  ( FIG. 3 ). Branch passage  132  is in fluid communication with drain passage  112 . Thus, waste can pass from branch passage  132  to drain passage  112  and outlet  116 . Push connector  140  is mounted to branch conduit  130  at opening  134 . As an example, opening  134  can receive waste from a water filtration system (not shown), and such waste can be directed through branch conduit  130  via branch passage  132  to primary conduit  110  and eventually outlet  116 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , branch passage  132  of branch conduit  130  has about the same diameter as drain passage  112  of primary conduit  110 . However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, branch passage  132  of branch conduit  130  may have a smaller or a larger diameter than drain passage  112  of primary conduit  110 . 
     Push connector  140  includes a cover  142  that defines an aperture  144 , a seating assembly  146 , and a collet  148 . Cover  142  is fixed, e.g., with adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method, to branch conduit  130  at opening  134  of branch conduit  130 . By securing cover  142  to branch conduit  130 , undesired or inconvenient disconnection of push connector  140  from branch conduit  130  can be hindered. Aperture  144  of cover  142  is smaller than opening  134  of branch conduit  130  such that aperture  144  has a diameter less than the diameter of opening  134  of branch conduit  130 . Seating assembly  146  is received within aperture  144  of cover  142 . Seating assembly  146  includes a collet seat  150  and an O-ring  152 . Collet  148  is mounted to seating assembly  146 , e.g., to collet seat  150 . 
     As an example and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, collet  148  is configured for receipt of a drain hose (not shown). In particular, collet  148  can receive the drain hose, and the drain hose may be inserted into aperture  144  of cover  142  until the drain hose is positioned against an exit  154  of cover  140 . Collet  148  may then be received by seating assembly  146  in order to secure the drain hose to branch conduit  130  and hinder the drain hose from pulling out of aperture  144 . O-ring  152  can assist with sealing the connection. 
     As discussed above, drain line adapter  100  includes features for hindering clogging of drain line adapter  100 . In particular, drain line adapter  100  includes feature for hindering solid waste from primary conduit  110  settling or accumulating within branch conduit  130  and potentially clogging the same. Turning back to  FIG. 1 , primary conduit  110  and branch conduit  130  define an angle φ therebetween. Angle φ may be any suitable angle greater than about ninety degrees. For example, angle φ may be between about one-hundred and seventy-five degrees and about one hundred and five degrees, between about one-hundred and fifty degrees and about one hundred and five degrees, between about one-hundred and thirty degrees and about one hundred and ten degrees, or about one hundred and twenty degrees. 
     By orienting primary conduit  110  and branch conduit  130  in such a manner, solid waste within primary conduit  110  can be hindered from settling within branch conduit  130 . In particular, a bottom surface  131  ( FIG. 3 ) of branch conduit  130  is downwardly sloped towards primary conduit  110  such that solid waste is hindered from settling on bottom surface  131 . In particular, gravity can urge such solid waste to roll or slide off bottom surface  131  due to the orientation of primary conduit  110  and branch conduit  130 . 
       FIG. 4  provides an elevation view of a drain line adapter  200  according to an additional exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Drain line adapter  200  is similar to drain line adapter  100  ( FIG. 1 ) and can be used in the same examples provided above for drain line adapter  100 . Also, like drain line adapter  100 , drain line adapter  200  includes features for hindering clogging of drain line adapter  200  as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Drain line adapter  200  includes a drain conduit  210  that defines a drain passage  212  and an inlet  214  that provides access to drain passage  212 . A slip joint connector  220  (e.g., slip joint connector  120  ( FIG. 1 )) is mounted to drain conduit  210  at inlet  214 . Drain line adapter  200  also includes a branch conduit  230  that defines a branch passage  232  and an opening  234  that provides access to branch passage  232 . A push connector  240  (e.g., push connector  140  ( FIG. 1 )) is fixed to branch conduit  230  at opening  234 . Drain line adapter  200  further includes an outlet conduit  250  that defines an outlet passage  252 . 
     Drain conduit  210  and branch conduit  230  are disposed above outlet conduit  250 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. In particular, drain conduit  210  and branch conduit  230  are offset or unaligned with outlet conduit  250  along the vertical direction V such that drain passage  212  and branch passage  232  are non-concentric with outlet passage  252  along the vertical direction V. Drain conduit  210 , branch conduit  230 , and outlet conduit  250  also have about the same diameter. Thus, drain passage  212  of drain conduit  210 , branch passage  232  of branch conduit  230 , and outlet passage  252  of outlet conduit  250  can also have about the same diameter. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, drain conduit  210 , branch conduit  230 , and outlet conduit  250  may each have any suitable diameter. 
     A manifold  260  connects drain conduit  210 , branch conduit  230 , and outlet conduit  250  such that drain passage  212  of drain conduit  210 , branch passage  232  of branch conduit  230 , and outlet passage  252  of outlet conduit  250  are in fluid communication. As an example, drain conduit  210  can receive a kitchen sink drain pipe (not shown) and direct waste from the kitchen sink drain pipe through drain passage  212  to outlet passage  252  of outlet conduit  250  via manifold  260 . Similarly, branch conduit  230  can receive a water filtration system drain line (not shown) and direct waste from the water filtration system drain line through branch passage  232  to outlet passage  252  of outlet conduit  250  via manifold  260 . 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 4 , drain conduit  210  (and drain passage  212 ) extends longitudinally along the vertical direction V. Also, branch conduit  230  (and branch passage  232 ) extends longitudinally along the vertical direction V. Thus, drain conduit  210  and branch conduit  230  are parallel to one another. Further, drain conduit  210  and branch conduit  230  are both positioned above outlet conduit  250 , e.g., along the vertical direction V, to permit gravity to urge waste from drain passage  212  and branch passage  232  into outlet passage  252 . 
     In addition, drain conduit  210  and branch conduit  230  are connected to manifold  260  at about the same height along the vertical direction V. Thus, waste from both drain and branch passages  212  and  232  enter manifold  260  at about the same point or location. In other words, waste flow through drain line adapter  200  is in parallel rather than in series. By orienting and positioning drain conduit  210  and branch conduit  230  in such a manner, solid waste within drain conduit  220  can be hindered from settling within branch conduit  230 . 
     Drain conduit  210 , branch conduit  230 , and outlet conduit  250  may be integrally or unitarily mounted or fixed to manifold  260 . Thus, drain conduit  210 , branch conduit  230 , outlet conduit  250 , and manifold  260  may be constructed with a single, continuous piece material, e.g., a metal such as steel or a plastic such as polyvinyl chloride. As an example, drain line adapter  200  may be injection molded from a single piece of polyvinyl chloride. 
       FIG. 5  provides an elevation view of a drain line adapter  300  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Drain line adapter  300  is similar to drain line adapter  100  ( FIG. 1 ) and drain line adapter  200  ( FIG. 4 ) and can be used in the same examples provided above for drain line adapters  100  and  200 . Also, like drain line adapters  100  and  200 , drain line adapter  300  includes features for hindering clogging of drain line adapter  300  as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Drain line adapter  300  includes a drain conduit  310  that defines a drain passage  312  and an inlet  314  that provides access to drain passage  312 . A slip joint connector  320  (e.g., slip joint connector  120  ( FIG. 1 )) is mounted to drain conduit  310  at inlet  314 . Drain line adapter  300  also includes a branch conduit  330  that defines a branch passage  332  and an opening  334  that provides access to branch passage  332 . A push connector  340  (e.g., push connector  140  ( FIG. 1 )) is fixed to branch conduit  330  at opening  334 . Drain line adapter  300  further includes an outlet conduit  350  that defines an outlet passage  352  and an exit  354 . 
     Drain conduit  310  is disposed above outlet conduit  350 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. In particular, drain conduit  310  is offset or unaligned with outlet conduit  350  along the vertical direction V such that drain passage  312  and outlet passage  352  are non-concentric along the vertical direction V. Drain conduit  310 , branch conduit  330 , and outlet conduit  350  also have about the same diameter, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V. Thus, drain passage  312  of drain conduit  310 , branch passage  332  of branch conduit  330 , and outlet passage  352  of outlet conduit  350  can also have about the same diameter. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, drain passage  312  of drain conduit  310 , branch passage  332  of branch conduit  330 , and outlet passage  352  of outlet conduit  350  may each have any suitable diameter. 
     A manifold  360  connects drain conduit  310  and outlet conduit  350  such that drain passage  312  of drain conduit  310  and outlet passage  352  of outlet conduit  350  are in fluid communication. As an example, drain conduit  310  can receive a kitchen sink drain pipe (not shown) and direct waste from the kitchen sink drain pipe through drain passage  312  to outlet passage  352  of outlet conduit  350  via manifold  360 . 
     Branch conduit  330  is mounted or fixed to outlet conduit  350 . In particular, outlet conduit  350  and branch conduit  330  define an angle θ therebetween. The angle θ may be any suitable angle greater than about ninety degrees. For example, angle θ may be between about one-hundred and seventy-five degrees and about one hundred and five degrees, between about one-hundred and fifty degrees and about one hundred and five degrees, between about one-hundred and thirty degrees and about one hundred and ten degrees, or about one hundred and twenty degrees. 
     By orienting drain conduit  310  and branch conduit  330  in such a manner, solid waste within drain conduit  310  can be hindered from settling within branch conduit  330 . In particular, branch conduit  330  is downwardly sloped towards outlet conduit  350  such that solid waste from drain conduit  310  is hindered from settling in branch conduit  330 . In particular, gravity can urge such solid waste to roll or slide out of branch passage  332  into outlet passage  352  due to the orientation of branch conduit  330 . 
     In addition, drain conduit  310  and branch conduit  330  are both mounted to outlet conduit  350  at manifold  360  and at about the same height along the vertical direction V. Thus, waste from both drain and branch passages  312  and  332  enter manifold  360  and/or outlet conduit  350  at about the same point or location. In other words, waste flow through drain line connector  300  is in parallel rather than in series. By orienting and positioning drain conduit  310  and branch conduit  330  in such a manner, solid waste within drain conduit  320  can be hindered from settling within branch conduit  330 . 
     Drain conduit  310 , branch conduit  330 , and outlet conduit  350  may be integrally or unitarily mounted or fixed to manifold  360 . Thus, drain conduit  310 , branch conduit  330 , outlet conduit  350 , and manifold  360  may be constructed with a single, continuous piece material, e.g., a metal such as steel or a plastic such as polyvinyl chloride. As an example, drain line adapter  300  may be injection molded from a single piece of polyvinyl chloride. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 5 , inlet  314  of drain conduit  310 , opening  334  of branch conduit  330 , and exit  354  of outlet conduit  350  are not coplanar. In particular, centroids of inlet  314  of drain conduit  310 , opening  334  of branch conduit  330 , and exit  354  of outlet conduit  350  are not coplanar in any plane that is perpendicular to a radial direction R defined by drain line adapter  300 . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.