Abstract:
A apparatus and system for filtering wastewater from a basin is disclosed, wherein the apparatus prevents backflow of waste water, provides easy access for cleaning and replacing strainers, and a viewing window. The apparatus also provides additional ports for draining the apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. Application No. 61/872,364, filed Aug. 30, 2013, incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to a wastewater plumbing system for a galley, and more particularly relates to a filtration device for wastewater from a galley&#39;s food preparation area. 
         [0003]    Large commercial passenger-carrying vehicles, such as, aircrafts, trains, and ships, are typically equipped with food and beverage preparation areas sometimes referred to as a galley. Traditionally galleys are equipped with a catch basin to allow convenient disposal of waste fluids. Due to limited spacing, a catch basin is sometimes simply a grated hole on a countertop leading to waste plumbing. Due to the compact design of catch basins, it is important that the galley maintains a versatile plumbing system that remains clog free and prevents waste backflow from spilling up from out of the basin. To prevent clogs, galleys often use removable drain strainers that strains debris and particulates from the waste fluids. 
         [0004]    Though prior art drain strainers are sufficient, improvements can still be made. For example, when there are clogs in the wastewater plumbing system, it is difficult to determine whether the drain strainer needs cleaning or whether the problem is somewhere else down the line. Clogs also make removing the strainer messy and unsanitary by spilling fluid that is backed up within the strainer. Additionally, when there is fluid backup or movement of the passenger-carrying vehicles, the waste fluid can sometimes overflow or surge back up the basin. This is particularly a problem when the basin has been miniaturized to essentially a grated hole on a countertop. Overflow and back surges of waste fluid may easily contaminate countertops and create an unsanitary galley. Furthermore, because of the compact nature of passenger-carrying vehicles, decreasing the footprint of galley equipment is highly desirable. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for a strainer which prevents wastewater backflow that is smaller than the traditional strainers and allows for visual inspection and drainage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In its most general aspect, the invention includes an apparatus for a compact robust wastewater filtering system which allows internal viewing, a bypass system, and a system for preventing backflow of wastewater. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the invention provides a wastewater filtration assembly which provides options for a user to de-clog the assembly by way of an additional input/output port, and/or a door or removable panel that provides access to the internal parts of the wastewater filtration assembly. 
         [0008]    In yet another aspect, the invention provides a strainer that doubles as a wastewater backflow prevention mechanism, such as a buoyant spherical device. 
         [0009]    In still another aspect, the invention provides a simplified filtration system by attaching a strainer to a removable panel or door. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the invention, a filtration assembly with an emergency drain port is provided. 
         [0011]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a filter assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a removable panel of the filter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a strainer for use in a filter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of a removable panel of the filter assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing a strainer attached to the door. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the filter assembly of  FIG. 1  with its panel removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring to the drawings, which are provided by way of example, and not by way of limitation, the present invention provides for a strainer or filter with a reduced footprint, that may also provide one or more of the following advantages: a mechanism to prevent back flow or back splash, an emergency drain, a window for visual inspection, and a door or removable panel for easy access within the strainer. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a filter assembly  100  viewed from the side according to an embodiment. At the top of filter assembly  100  is an input connecter or port  101 . The input connector or port maybe be a tubular and hollow pipe like device for receiving wastewater from a basin. The input connector or port  101  may have an opening at the top of input connector or port  101  which allows for liquids to pass through and into the body  104  of the filter assembly  100 . Access panel  102  may be a door movably secured to the body, or a removable panel or the like that provides access into the interior of filter assembly  100 . A first or main output connector or port  103  may a tubular opening which allows liquid waste from within the filter assembly  100  to be discharged into the rest of the galley&#39;s waste plumbing. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates the access panel  102  viewed from the front according to an embodiment. Access panel  102  may have a window  201  which allows for easy viewing within the body of filter assembly when attached. Window  201  may be made of any clear material such as plastic, Plexiglas, glass, sapphire, or the like, for example. This allows a person to easily determine whether there is a clog and whether such a clog is within the filter assembly. Panel  102  may also have fasteners  202  such as screws or bolts, which allow for access panel  102  to be movably or removably attached to the body of the filter assembly  100 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates a filter or strainer  300  of the filter assembly. A filter or strainer  300  may have a connector or flange  301  for attaching the strainer to the input connector or port of the filter assembly. The connector or flange  301  of the filter or strainer  300  may be configured for having the input connector or port of the filter assembly inserted into it. Either the input connector port or the filter or strainer  300  may have a flange and corresponding slots for ensuring a snug and watertight fit. 
         [0021]    As is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the filter or strainer  300  may also have a ball  302  movably contained within a ball cage  303 , which is configured as a ball valve. Ball  302  may be configured to be buoyant. Ball  302  may be made of a single buoyant material such as foam, plastic, and the like. Alternatively, ball  302  may be made of generally non-buoyant material such as most metals, but can be made buoyant by having a hollowed center. It would be readily apparent to an ordinary skilled artisan to employ an alternative means of providing a spherical flotation device in a ball valve, and other similar ball valves or check valves are contemplated as part of this invention. Ball  302  may have a diameter that is larger than connector  301  such that if the ball covered connector  301 , liquid would be unable to pass. Cage  303  may surround ball  302  to entrap or retrain ball  302 , but still allow vertical movement towards and away from connector  301 . The combination of ball  302  and ball cage  303  may act as a backflow and back surge prevention device by forming a one-way valve. Liquid can pass out the bottom of connector  301 , but if liquid were to rise from below, ball  302  would rise on top of the liquid and be guided at least partially into connector or flange  301  by cage  303 . Thus, ball  302  and cage  303  prevents liquid from passing into connector or flange  301  from below. 
         [0022]    Alternatively ball cage  303  may be have finer or smaller holes for filtering smaller debris and particulate from passing through the filter assembly. Ball cage  303 , if used as a fine strainer, may be made of metal such as a stainless steel mesh, plastic, paper, recycled materials, and any other suitable porous materials. Alternatively, ball cage  303  may only filter large debris from passing through the holes provided. 
         [0023]    The filter or strainer  300  may connect to or attach to the filter assembly&#39;s access panel or door, which may simplify replacing or cleaning the filter or strainer  300 . The filter or strainer  300  may be made to be readily and cost effectively disposable. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates the back view of a filter assembly access panel or door with a filter or strainer attached. The access panel or filter assembly door may provide a clip or insert which allows the attachment and detachment of the filter or strainer. The filter assembly access panel or door may have a window that extends above at least part of the filter or strainer, thus providing a view of the filter or strainer. Accordingly, a user may observe whether the filter strainer needs cleaning without opening the filter assembly. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary filter assembly with the filter assembly access panel or door detached. The filter assembly may have an input connector or port which may receive liquid waste from the galley when attached to a galley basin. The connector or port may be cylindrically shaped with a flange or nub  502  to aid in connecting and maintaining a seal with a basin. The input connector or port may penetrate into a cavity  503  of the body of the filter assembly, allowing liquid waste to flow into the filter assembly. A portion of the input connector or port may penetrate into the cavity  503  and may have a slot or flange  504  for securing a filter or strainer. 
         [0026]    The filter assembly may have a second or emergency output connector or port  506  in addition to the first or main output port  103 , which may be used to connect to the galley&#39;s waste plumbing, thus allowing for wastewater to pass through the filter assembly. The first or main output connector or port  505  may have a flange  507  for aiding in a watertight seal with the galley&#39;s waste plumbing system. 
         [0027]    The second output connector or port  506  may be used to drain or empty the filter assembly when there is a clog. The second output port  506  may also have a valve  508  for opening or closing the second output connector or port  506 . In case of a clog outside of or beyond the filter assembly, a user may bypass the waste plumbing system and use output port  506  as an emergency drain, but still filter wastewater through the filter assembly. The second output connector or port may also be used to permit insertion of one or more tools within the cavity of the body of the filter assembly to break up clogs within the cavity, or to pre-drain the cavity  503  before opening the access panel or door. The filter assembly body may also have one or more holes  509  for removably receiving fasteners such as screws or bolts for removably attaching a movable or removable access panel or door of the filter assembly. 
         [0028]    It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited but rather all modifications and substitutions that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be included in the scope of the invention.