Abstract:
An indicator that the cartridge is draining slowly is placed on top of the cartridge. When slow draining causes urine to pool on top of the cartridge, liquid enters a float housing, causing an indicator to change color. The indicator is visible through a lens in a diverter. The indicator may be a disk that undergoes a chemical reaction to change color or a float that flips over to reveal a side having a different color. When the cartridge is operating properly, the float displays a first color. Flipping of the float reveals a second color to the observer. A color change indicates that the cartridge needs to be replaced.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims benefit of provisional application 60/741,748 filed Dec. 2, 2006 and 60/752,861, filed Dec. 21, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Waterfree urinals (urinals that do not require flushing with water to block odors from emitting from the drain) utilize a cartridge attached to a drain, the drain leading to a sewer or septic system. Within the cartridge is a trap to contain liquid to prevent gases coming through the drain and escaping through the cartridge. Over time, precipitants from urine slow the draining ability and capacity of the cartridge. Over time, the cartridge drains too slowly to be useful, causing urine to back-up onto the top of the cartridge. At this point, the entire cartridge must be replaced.  
         [0003]     It is an object of the invention to provide a waterfree cartridge having a visual indicator of the end of useful life.  
         [0004]     It is another object of the invention to provide a waterfree cartridge having an indicator that may be removed and reused with a new cartridge.  
         [0005]     These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill after reading the disclosure of the invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     An indicator that the cartridge is draining slowly is placed on top of the cartridge having a first condition when dry and a second condition when exposed to a sufficient amount of liquid. When slow draining causes urine to pool on top of the cartridge, liquid enters a float housing, causing an indicator to change conditions, such as color. The indicator is visible through a lens in a diverter. The indicator may be a disk that undergoes a chemical reaction to change color or a float that flips over to reveal a side having a different color. When the cartridge is operating properly, the float displays a first color. Flipping of the float reveals a second color to the observer. A color change indicates that the cartridge needs to be replaced.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the waterfree cartridge;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the indicator;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a bottom cross-sectional perspective view of the indicator;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the indicator;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the indicator;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the indicator;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the diverter in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the lens used in the second embodiment;  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the indicator foot with attachment stem;  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the indicator foot; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view of the indicator cover.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  depicts the cartridge that may be used with the indicator. The cartridge  20  has a housing  22  and a funnel-shaped top  24 . The top  24  is provided with at least one drain hole  26  and a central aperture. The cartridge housing connects to a drain and has a trap, as is conventional, to prevent sewer gases from escaping through the cartridge.  
         [0019]     An exploded view of the indicator is seen in  FIG. 2 . A urine diverter  30  to prevents any stream of liquid from being directed straight into the indicator. A central aperture allows a user visual access to the float  40  and lens  38  covers the central aperture. The float  40  has a float rotation axle  42 , a flat top  44 , which is a first condition, such as the color green, and a rounded bottom  46 , which is a second condition, such as the color red. The float  40  rests within a float housing  50 . An attachment stem  52  extends downwardly from the float housing and fits within a central aperture in the cartridge top  24  to secure the indicator to the cartridge. A reset button  60  engages the bottom of the housing, as will be described later. The bottom also has apertures to allow the egress of liquids.  
         [0020]     The engagement between the float housing  50  and the diverter  30  is clearly seen in  FIG. 3 . An attachment collar  32  depends from the bottom surface of the baffle and secures the housing in place. The top of the clear lens  38  is sandwiched between the top of the float housing  50  and diverter  30 . Air vents are provided at the top of the side wall of the housing to allow air to escape as liquid enters the float housing. The diverter is also provided with air vents  34  having baffles  36 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  clearly depicts the float axle  42  fitting within a cradle formed within the float housing allowing the float to rotate about this axle. After attachment of the float housing to the diverter, the reset button is retracted to allow free float movement. The diverter is manipulated until the float exposes its top flat side  44  to the clear observation lens  38 . Once the float is in the proper position, the reset button is closed to lock the float in place. In the nonactuated position, the flat side up, the float is in a stable position. The float is further maintained in this position by tabs  43  resting on the top surface of the reset button. When the cartridge approaches the end of its useful life, it begins to drain slower and slower.  
         [0022]     Eventually, the point is reached where urine backs up onto the top of the cartridge to a height sufficient to allow urine through the apertures in the bottom of the float housing. The float will rise until the axle  42  contacts the bottom of the posts extending from the lens  38 . The float has positive buoyancy and, in an effort to rise further, will rotate about the axis  42  to expose the red side to the lens  38 , known as the actuated position. With slow draining, the level with decrease and the float will slowly sink until the tabs  43  again contact the top surface of the reset button. The float then maintains the actuated position even if the cartridge completely drains. When the red side is visible, it is an indication that the cartridge must be replaced. The diverter and indicator may be reused.  
         [0023]     A second embodiment of the indicator can be seen in  FIG. 5  with a cartridge housing  120  having top wall  124  having a central aperture  126  and drain holes. A diverter  130  with vent holes  134  is dome-shaped and covers the remaining parts of the indicator to prevent a urine from being directed straight into the indicator.  
         [0024]     The indicator foot  150  provides a housing for the float  140 . Similar to the first embodiment, the float  140  has a flat top surface of one color, such as green and a rounded bottom surface which is a second color, such as red. The float is hollow to create positive buoyancy and will rotate about the axis  142  when exposed to liquid.  
         [0025]     The indicator foot has an attachment stem  152  extending from a rounded bottom accommodating the rounded bottom of the float. The indicator foot fits within a central aperture of an indicator cover as the attachment stem has a friction fit within the central aperture  126 .  
         [0026]     The interengagement of the parts can clearly be seen in  FIG. 6  with the cartridge  120  supporting the indicator. The float  140  rests within the indicator foot  150  and the cover  160  is connected to the indicator  150  by any conventional means, such as gluing. The indicator foot also connects to the diverter by any conventional means, such as ultrasonic welding. Also seen in this view is the clear lens  138  having a central portion fitting within a central aperture of the diverter  130  to give visual access to the float. Depending posts of the lens  138  serve to retain the axle  142  of the float  140  between the post and the indicator  140 , allowing rotation of the float under the proper conditions.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  shows the underside of the diverter  130 . The perimeter of the diverter is provided with tabs  133  to keep the edge of the diverter spaced above the top surface of the cartridge  124  and allow liquid to pass underneath the diverter. Two sets of flanges depend from the diverter. The first set of flanges are arcuate sections, such as four, separated from one another. The second set of flanges  137  is located radially outwardly from the first set. The middle of each flange is provided with a central arcuate portion to space the flange from the vent holes  134  so that surface tension between the liquid and the flange will not cause the air vents  134  to be blocked. The air vents provide escape from air from underneath the diverter in response to rising liquid levels.  
         [0028]     The transparent lens  138  is more clearly seen in  FIG. 8  with a raised central portion which will fit within the central aperture  132  of the diverter. Also seen is the pair of posts  139  having a generally T-shaped cross section.  
         [0029]     The indicator foot  150  is depicted in  FIG. 9 . The exterior surface of the foot  150  is provided with outwardly extending panels  158 . These panels provide a surface for the cover  160  to attach. Along each side of the panels  152  are slots  153  allowing the passage of liquid.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  shows details of the inner surface of the indicator foot. The inner surface is provided with four posts. Two of the posts  154  have a groove to accommodate the T-shaped lens post  139  whereas the other two posts  155  pass a smooth inner surface. A wall  156  extends between the posts, this wall  156  having a height which is less than the height of the post. As liquid backs up onto the top surface  124  of the cartridge, due to slow draining, liquid passes through the slots  153 . When the liquid level rises above the height of the wall  156 , it fills the arcuate bottom of the indicator foot where the float is housed, causing the float to rotate about the axis  142 . The indicator foot cannot drain and the float is maintained in its actuated position.  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  shows the indicator cover  160  having a series of panels  162  which, as described earlier, are attached to the panels  152  on the exterior of the indicator foot.  
         [0032]     The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Variation and modification would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and the invention encompasses such variations and modifications. For example, the float and housing can be located under the cartridge top wall, at a level where liquid is not expected to rise. A lens or other means of allowing visual inspection of the float are then formed in the cartridge top wall. Also, a float and housing assembly can be incorporated into a conventional ceramic urinal by again placing it at a level where urine is next expected to rise under proper working conditions.