Patent Publication Number: US-2015074892-A1

Title: Siphon, particularly an odour trap for a urinal, a floor drain and/or a shower tray or the like

Description:
The invention relates to a siphon, in particular an odor trap for a urinal, a floor drain and/or a shower tray or the like, with a tubular inlet and at least one outlet, the outlet opening of which can be opened and closed in relation to a connectable drain pipe by means of a valve. 
     EP 1 972 727 A1 discloses a waterless sanitary system, such as, in particular a waterless urine system having a urinal basin or a urinal stand or a bowl and a drain or outlet, the basin-side opening of which is largely covered by a covering in such a manner that liquid from the basin or the bowl, flows out through openings, such as, for example, slots, grooves, pores and the like, into a collecting space formed below the covering. A tubular, round housing is provided as the liquid outlet from the collecting space, said housing having at least one lateral opening which is arranged in the pipe wall and is covered by a loose membrane or film in a manner bearing against the outside of the pipe. Furthermore, EP 1 972 727 A1 describes a siphon for a waterless sanitary system, which siphon has a tubular housing as the liquid outlet pipe, with at least one lateral opening in a pipe wall, wherein the opening is covered by a flexible membrane or film in the manner of a valve. Liquid introduced into the siphon from above, in particular urine, is divided by a roof-shaped housing part, which encompasses the lateral openings, and is conducted to the openings where the liquid passes through the butterfly valves formed by the membrane and drains away. The butterfly valves are placed again against the exterior of the tubular housing by means of the adhesive force and close the openings in an airtight manner. It would appear to be a problem that, if the sealing surface of the membrane or of the housing dries out, adhesive forces are no longer effective and the opening allows untrapped odors to escape from the sewage system. It can furthermore be ascertained that the dry and possibly aged membrane curls up and accordingly the opening cannot be closed. Furthermore, the membrane is generally damaged when cleaning agents are used, and therefore the membrane becomes relatively rigid and the opening no longer reliably closes. 
     Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,397 A reveals a siphon with a central drain pipe which has lateral openings. The openings can be closed by flexible membranes. 
     The invention is based on the object of providing a siphon of the type mentioned at the beginning, which can be reliably closed in order to avoid escaping odors. 
     According to the invention, the object is achieved by the features of claim  1 . 
     The dependent claims constitute advantageous refinements of the invention. 
     A siphon, in particular an odor trap for a urinal, a floor drain and/or a shower tray or the like, comprises a tubular inlet and at least one outlet, the outlet opening of which can be opened and closed in relation to a connectable drain pipe by means of a valve. The valve comprises a valve lever which is mounted in an articulated manner in the region of the inlet and has an associated valve surface, wherein the valve surface sealingly closes the outlet opening in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. 
     Of course, the tubular inlet does not have to have a round cross section, but rather can be shaped as desired, for example can be rectangular. Said inlet can also be arranged or formed on the circumferential side, for example, on a shower tray, which can also be formed on floor level. The outlet opening can be present in particular in a circumferential surface. Arrangements in which the outlet opening is present below the bearing point of the valve lever or of the valve flap so that the outlet opening is closed by the valve flap in a manner substantially controlled by gravity are preferably covered by the invention. 
     The valve lever can be, for example, a single-armed valve lever which is arranged pivotably in the region of the inlet and, solely because of its weight, takes up such a position that the outlet opening is effectively closed, i.e. in particular in an odor tight manner, if a counterforce is not in effect, i.e. if no liquid flows through the siphon. The sealing between the valve lever and the outlet with the outlet opening can take place solely on account of the geometrical design and/or an appropriate pairing of materials. Of course, in the event of a corresponding design and arrangement of the valve lever, which is optionally also repeatedly deflected, the outlet opening is not prevented from being provided on the end side or opposite the inlet. 
     In the use position, the outlet with its outlet opening preferably points in a direction oriented laterally in relation to the inlet. 
     If no liquid flows through the siphon, the valve surface lies over the outlet opening in such a manner that the latter is closed in an airtight manner, and therefore odor does not escape through the siphon from a duct to which the siphon is connected. Owing to the weight, in particular of the valve lever, the valve surface, which has a contour matched to the outlet opening or the outlet, is pressed on in a sealing manner, wherein, in order to produce a corresponding torque, the position of the joint, the length of the valve lever and the distribution of weight are suitably selected in order to exert as great a pressure as possible on the valve surface and at the same time to ensure an exit of liquid, even in a minimal quantity, by the liquid pressure acting on the valve surface, in order to open the outlet opening. The sealing valve surface can be formed directly on the valve lever or can be assigned to a component connected to the valve lever. Of course, the inlet can be provided with a slotted or perforated covering which prevents objects, which may result in clogging of the siphon, from penetrating. The orientation of the outlet opening in a use position of the siphon takes place in an expedient manner in terms of flow in order to conduct away liquid. 
     In order to increase the sealing action, a seal is preferably arranged between the valve surface and a sealing surface of the outlet, said seal surrounding the outlet opening in particular annularly and preferably being manufactured from an elastomer. The seal, in the form of what is referred to as a rubber seal, can completely cover the valve surface, or, in the form of an annular seal, can be arranged on the valve surface or the sealing surface. Alternatively, the valve lever comprises finger-shaped seals which are formed, in particular integrally, with the valve lever and are manufactured from any materials, for example, an elastomer. The seals can be manufactured together with the valve lever, which comprises or constitutes a valve flap, by multi-component injection molding. The elastomer may be a silicone. The finger-shaped seals are arranged distributed on the outer circumference and/or over the surface thereof, in particular distributed about the outlet opening. 
     The valve surface and the sealing surface expediently have corresponding geometries, in particular the outer sealing surface and the inner valve surface correspond, or vice versa. 
     In order to close the outlet opening in a particularly reliable manner, even in a relatively unfavorable use position, in an alternative refinement the valve lever and/or the valve cover are/is acted upon by an actuating member, in particular a spring, a solenoid device, or a piston-cylinder arrangement, for opening and/or closing the outlet opening. These refinements are relatively costly to realize and are used in relatively large arrangements or in unfavorable orientations or installation positions of the siphon or odor trap. 
     In one refinement, the valve surface is part of a valve flap which is connected to the valve lever. In an advantageous manner, the valve flap is coupled to a free end of the valve lever, preferably via a joint, in such a manner that said valve flap extends on both sides of the joint between the valve lever and the siphon and also beyond the free end of the valve lever, or on one side of the joint between the valve lever and the siphon. The arrangement of the bearing between the valve flap and the valve lever is selected as a function of the geometry of the siphon or of the outlet opening. The joint can be designed in such a manner that the valve flap and/or the valve lever are interchangeable. 
     Since each joint merely requires one degree of freedom so that the two components connected in an articulated manner to each other are pivotable relative to each other, the joint between the siphon and the valve lever and/or between the valve lever and the valve plate is preferably designed as a hinge joint. For example, support axle stubs can be mounted rotatably in corresponding fork-shaped clip receptacles. 
     In order to ensure a reliable contact of the valve plate for the airtight closing of the outlet opening, at least one spacer cam which is effective for closing the outlet opening is arranged between the valve lever and the valve plate. The spacer cam which is provided, for example, on the valve lever exerts pressure on the valve plate in the direction of the outlet opening at a distance from the joint. 
     Expediently, the joint in the region of the inlet is formed on a clip which acts, in particular in a force-fitting manner, on the siphon, wherein the valve lever and the valve flap extend on the outer side of the siphon. The clip can simply be clipped on in the region of the inlet and is easily interchangeable. 
     According to a development, the sealing surface is curved convexly in its longitudinal extent. Of course, odor traps with a flat and/or rectilinear sealing surface are likewise covered. For example, in the case of an end-side outlet opening, such a rectilinear or refinement can be provided, in particular, with a corresponding collar or a circumferential-side outlet opening in a pipe of polygonal cross section, for example a square pipe. The valve flap or the valve lever then has a correspondingly flat profile, at least in the region of its seals and/or sealing surface or valve surface. 
     The inlet is preferably formed by an end-side opening in a pipe, the further profile of which has at least one bend, the free end of which forms the outlet opening which is preferably surrounded by the sealing surface. Accordingly, the siphon does not comprise a housing and the liquid flows, as it were, through a pipe bend which is closeable on the end side by the valve. If a plurality of outlet openings are provided, it is possible to branch the intake into a corresponding number of pipe bends. Of course, the pipe can also be of multi-part design or can be composed of individual sections, such as pipe sections and/or pipe bends. The use of a pipe which is closed on the end side in the outlet region and has at least one lateral, i.e. circumferential-side, outlet opening is also possible. 
     In a further refinement, the pipe has a Y-shaped profile. The pipe therefore comprises an intake and two approximately opposite outlet openings. Of course, the formation of further outlet openings which extend in the radial direction is also possible and lies within the scope of the invention. In the case of a rectangular pipe cross section, the at least one outlet opening is preferably located in a planar pipe wall section. 
     In particular in conjunction with a drain of a wash basin or of a floor inlet or of a drain of a shower tray or the like, the inlet is formed by an end-side opening in a pipe, the opposite end side of which, from which a cone or a pyramid extends into the interior of the pipe, is closed, wherein at least one outlet opening is formed on the circumferential side in the region of the closed end side. The inlet can also be provided with an angular section and can extend, for example, at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the further pipe profile. 
     In order to relatively rapidly conduct away a relatively large amount of liquid, the inlet has a bulging cross section. 
     The previously explained siphon is preferably used on an, in particular waterless, urinal or a floor drain or a bidet or a bath tub or shower or a wash basin. Of course, the use of said siphon is always expedient if an odor trap is intended to be provided, in particular in relation to a duct, and a liquid barrier layer is not present. Of course, the odor trap can also be operated in conjunction with a liquid barrier layer without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In a further refinement, an adapter plate which is provided with markings and/or groove-shaped depressions is arranged on the upper side, in particular on the inlet, wherein the markings and/or depressions serve as predetermined breaking points and/or aids for severing excess lengths at the edges in order to reduce the size of the adapter plate. Commercially available floor drains frequently have modular dimensions to which the respective adapter plate should be adapted in order to install the odor trap. The adapter plate which is used in this connection in a siphon and which extends around the inlet and centers the latter, as it were, in an installation housing of the floor drain is provided with the markings or groove-shaped depressions that constitute cross-sectional weak points and make it easier for a workman to reduce the size of the adapter plate by, for example in the region of the depressions, trimming the adapter plate with a pair of scissors or a knife or breaking the adapter plate along the depressions, which are in the form of predetermined breaking points. 
     A manufacturer of a floor drain frequently provides a matching grid-shaped covering which is placed onto the floor drain above the adapter plate of the siphon. 
     It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and which have yet to be explained below are useable not only in the respectively stated combination, but also in other combinations. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims. 
     The invention is explained in more detail below using a plurality of exemplary embodiments with reference to the associated drawing, in which: 
    
    
     
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of a siphon, in particular for a urinal, according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the siphon according to  FIG. 1  in a first alternative refinement, 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the Siphon according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 4  shows an illustration of a detail IV according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 5  shows an illustration of a detail V according  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 6  shows an illustration of a detail VI according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic illustration of the siphon according to  FIG. 1  in a second alternative refinement, 
         FIG. 8  shows a side view of the siphon according to  FIG. 1  in a third alternative refinement, 
         FIG. 9  show illustrations of the detail IX according to  FIG. 8  in to alternative refinements, 
       
         FIG. 14 
       
         FIG. 15  shows a side view of the siphon according to  FIG. 1  in a fourth alternative refinement, 
         FIG. 16  shows a front view of the siphon according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 17  shows an illustration of a detail of the siphon according to  FIG. 15 , 
         FIG. 18  shows an illustration of an alternatively configured detail of the siphon according to  FIG. 15 , 
         FIG. 19  shows a perspective illustration of a use with the siphon according to  FIG. 15 , 
         FIG. 20  shows a sectional illustration of the use according to  FIG. 19 , 
         FIG. 21  show illustrations of the siphon in a fifth alternative to refinement, 
       
         FIG. 23 
       
         FIG. 24  shows a sectional illustration of the siphon in a sixth alternative refinement, 
         FIG. 25  shows a sectional illustration of the siphon according to  FIG. 24  in an alternative refinement, 
         FIG. 26  shows an illustration of a detail XXVI according to  FIG. 23 , 
         FIG. 27  shows an illustration of a detail of  FIG. 26 , 
         FIG. 28  shows a sectional illustration of the siphon according to  FIG. 24  in a further alternative refinement, 
         FIG. 29  shows a top view of the siphon according to  FIG. 24 , and 
         FIG. 30  shows a schematic top view of the siphon according to  FIG. 29 . 
     
    
    
     The siphon according to  FIGS. 1 to 23  is installed, for example, as an odor trap in a waterless urinal and has a tubular inlet  1  and at least one outlet  2  pointing in the lateral direction, wherein an outlet opening  3  of the outlet  2  can be opened and closed in relation to a connectable drain pipe of a duct system by means of a valve  4 . The valve  4  substantially comprises a valve lever  6  which is mounted in an articulated manner via a hinge joint  5  in the region of the inlet  1 , i.e. in a use position of the siphon above the outlet  2 , and has an associated valve surface  7  for sealingly closing the outlet opening  3 . The valve surface  7  is part of a valve flap  9  which is connected to the valve lever  6  via a hinge joint  8  and has a seal  10  manufactured from an elastomer. The shape of the valve flap  9  corresponds to the one sealing surface  11  which surrounds the outlet opening  3  and can be, for example, part of a housing  12  of the siphon. The two hinge joints  5 ,  8  are clippable and comprise fork-shaped recesses  13  into which a joint pin  14  is inserted. The valve flap  9  is mounted on the valve lever  6  in such a manner that said valve flap substantially runs between the valve lever  6  and the siphon. In the closed state of the valve  4 , in which liquid neither exits from the outlet opening  3  nor air enters the outlet opening  3 , a spacer cam  15  which is arranged on the valve lever  6  is supported on the side opposite the hinge joint  8  on the valve flap  9  which, owing to the effective torques and weights, closes the outlet opening  3  in a sealed manner. 
     An actuator which acts upon the valve lever  6  and is designed in the present case as a spring  22  can be arranged as a support, the actuator bringing about an increased shutting force, wherein the spring  22  does not absolutely have to be required in every case. 
     The cup-shaped inlet  1  having a bulging cross section is formed by an end-side opening in a pipe  18  which has a bend  19  which leads into the outlet opening  3 , which is surrounded by the sealing surface  11 . The recesses  13  of the hinge joint  5  supporting the valve lever  6  can be integrally formed directly on the siphon or on a clip  16  to be fixed on the siphon in the region of the inlet  1 . The clip  16  is fastened by a simple plug-in connection to the siphon which, for example, can have additional retaining pins  20  which protrude radially on the siphon and engage in corresponding clip-side openings  21 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the pipe  18  can also have a Y-shaped profile, and therefore the siphon has an inlet  1  which branches into two outlets  2  with corresponding outlet openings  3 , to which, of course, two valves  4  are assigned. 
       FIGS. 8 to 14  show substantially different variants of the valve  4 , wherein the valve surface  7  is formed on the valve lever  6  or the valve flap  9  and the hinge joint  8  arranged between the valve levers  6  and the valve flap  9  is positioned differently in order, given different geometries of the siphon or orientations of the outlet opening  3 , always to achieve such torques that the outlet opening  3  is closed in a sealed manner so as effectively to prevent odors from escaping from the duct through the siphon. 
       FIGS. 15 ,  16 ,  19  and  20  show a relatively slender design of the siphon, in which two opposite valve levers  6  for closing the outlet openings  3  of the pipe  18 , which has the upper-side inlet  1  and has two bends  19  for the outlets  2  are mounted pivotably via in each case two retaining pins  20  fastened to the housing  12  of the siphon. Of course, it is also possible to form the retaining pins  20  on the valve levers  6  and to provide depressions for the retaining pins  20  in the housing. Owing to the arrangement and the design of the valve levers  6 , torques are in effect, the torques bringing about a closing of the outlet openings if a liquid pressure bringing about an opening of the outlet opening  3  does not prevail in the pipe  18 . The valve levers  6  are mounted, for example, opposite each other on the housing  2  and are shell-shaped in cross section and tapered in the direction of their free end. The housing  12  is tubular in cross section and tapers in the direction of its free end and therefore the valve surface  7  is likewise curved in the region of the outlet opening  3 . 
     Of course, seals (not illustrated) can be arranged between the valve levers  6  and the housing  2 , said seals either resting on the inner surfaces of the valve levers  6  or protruding over the outer contour of the valve levers  6 . Furthermore, it is possible to manufacture the valve levers  6  by two-component injection molding and, in the process, to integrate the seal  10  into the component. The siphon can be inserted into a collar  23  which has circumferential-side lips  24  and is provided with a covering  25 . The collar  23  is in particular fixed directly in the urinal and permits an interchangeable support of the siphon. After the covering  25  is lifted off, a fragrance block can be placed into the collar  23  or the siphon. 
     According to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the flap-like valve levers  6  are provided with integrated finger-shaped seals  10  which, in the closed state, rest on the housing  12  either in a substantially linear or planar manner. 
     According to  FIGS. 21 to 23 , it is also possible to provide just one outlet opening  3  in the housing  12 , to which then correspondingly just one pivotably mounted valve lever  6  is also assigned. 
     The siphon according to  FIGS. 24 to 30  is installed, for example, as an odor trap in a floor drain  27 . A plurality of valve levers  6  are mounted pivotably in the region of the tubular inlet  1  and, by means of their valve surfaces  7 , close associated outlet openings  3 . The valve levers  6  here are designed and mounted in such a manner that, owing to the effective torques, said valve levers close the associated outlet openings  3  effectively and tightly such that no odor can escape from the duct and at the same time opening of the outlet openings  3  when a liquid pressure is present is ensured by a corresponding pivoting of the valve levers  6 . 
     An adapter plate  26  which centers the siphon in relation to the floor drain  27  and has markings  28  and groove-shaped depressions  29  extends around the inlet  1 . A grid-shaped covering plate (not illustrated) is located above the adapter plate  26 , said covering plate resting on a shoulder of the floor drain  27  and on the upper side ending flush therewith in a known manner. The covering plate can be walked over. The adapter plate  26  is provided with the depressions  29  which weaken the cross section of the covering plate  26  and are of groove-shaped design and serve as predetermined breaking points or cutting aids in order to adapt the adapter plate  26  to the size of the floor drain  27 . Of course, the depressions  29  may also be designed to be perforated, and then the severing of excess lengths is further simplified. The depressions  29  in the adapter plate can run in a rectangular manner, in particular square manner, and/or in a circular manner, in particular concentric manner, around the center of the adapter plate  26 . The markings  28  are likewise intended to facilitate the trimming of the adapter plate  26 . 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 List of reference numbers 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 1. 
                 Inlet 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Outlet 
               
               
                 3. 
                 Outlet opening 
               
               
                 4. 
                 Valve 
               
               
                 5. 
                 Hinge joint 
               
               
                 6. 
                 Valve lever 
               
               
                 7. 
                 Valve surface 
               
               
                 8. 
                 Hinge joint 
               
               
                 9. 
                 Valve flap 
               
               
                 10. 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 11. 
                 Sealing surface 
               
               
                 12. 
                 Housing 
               
               
                 13. 
                 Recess 
               
               
                 14. 
                 Joint pin 
               
               
                 15. 
                 Spacer cams 
               
               
                 16. 
                 Clip 
               
               
                 17. 
                 Opening 
               
               
                 18. 
                 Pipe 
               
               
                 19. 
                 Bend 
               
               
                 20. 
                 Retaining pin 
               
               
                 21. 
                 Opening 
               
               
                 22. 
                 Spring 
               
               
                 23. 
                 Collar 
               
               
                 24. 
                 Lip 
               
               
                 25. 
                 Covering 
               
               
                 26. 
                 Covering plate 
               
               
                 27. 
                 Floor drain 
               
               
                 28. 
                 Markings 
               
               
                 29. 
                 Depressions