Patent Publication Number: US-2016237665-A1

Title: Plug precluding hose attachment to a garbage disposal

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a removable plug for an auxiliary inlet, and more particularly, to a manually removable plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal that precludes the attachment of a drain hose from a dishwasher to the auxiliary inlet until the plug is removed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Household plumbing is an important and critical feature of daily life. Supply-side plumbing provides the water necessary for various appliances in a building, while the return-side plumbing expels wastewater to a sewer or septic system. Appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and the like, require a supply of water to properly function. Similarly, each of these appliances requires a water outlet to expel water from the appliance. While water outlets from a water heater remain on the supply-side of household plumbing fixtures and other appliances, washing machines and dishwashers expel water to return-side plumbing. While washing machines expel water to a drain that connects with a household return or sewer line, dishwashers may expel water to a location generally under a sink proximate the dishwasher. Some dishwasher drain lines are connected directly to a downspout from a sink drain. Other dishwasher drain lines are connected to a garbage disposal to help reduce the debris which may be expelled from the dishwasher drain. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a plug that is configured to obstruct an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal, and more particularly, to a manually removable plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal that precludes attachment of a drain hose from a dishwasher to the auxiliary inlet without prior removal of the plug. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may include a garbage disposal including a grinding chamber with a primary inlet and an auxiliary inlet, and a lower portion disposed below the grinding chamber and including a waste outlet. Embodiments may include a motor disposed below the lower portion, where the grinding chamber and lower portion are defined about a central axis, where the primary inlet is arranged along the central axis, and the motor is configured to rotate a grinder within the grinding chamber about the central axis. Example embodiments may include a plug with a plug body, a stem, and a handle. The stem includes an elongate shape with a first end and a second end, with the first end being attached to the plug body and the second end being attached to the handle. The plug body defines a cylindrical shape having a diameter axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stem. The handle may define a first edge and a second edge, with a length defined therebetween, the length extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. The length of the handle may be greater than the diameter of the plug body such that the first edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body and the second edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body to obstruct and preclude engagement of a drain hose of a dishwasher with the auxiliary inlet. 
     According to some embodiments, the auxiliary inlet may define an inner diameter, where the plug is configured to engage the auxiliary inlet against the inner diameter. The plug may include a tapered leading edge configured to be received within the inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet. The stem may extend from the plug body along an axis defined through a center of the inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet. The plug body may define a cylindrical cavity aligned with the cylindrical shape of the plug body, where the cylindrical cavity is configured to receive therein the auxiliary inlet of the garbage disposal. The diameter of the plug body may be greater than an inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet where the plug body is configured to form an interference fit with the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet. 
     According to some embodiments, the plug body may define a cavity having an inner diameter while the cylindrical shape of the plug body defines an outer diameter. The auxiliary inlet may define either an external diameter of a first size or an internal diameter of a second size. The inner diameter of the cavity may be sized such that the plug body engages and seals the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the first size, and the outer diameter of the plug body may be sized such that the plug engages and seals the internal diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the second size. The stem of example embodiments may include a cross-shaped cross-section. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may include a plug for obstructing an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal. The plug may include a plug body, a stem, and a handle, where the stem extends between the plug body and the handle. The plug body may define a cylindrical shape having a diameter axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stem. The handle may define a first edge, a second edge, and a length defined therebetween extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. The length of the handle may be greater than the diameter of the plug body such that the first edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body and the second edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body to obstruct and preclude engagement of a drain hose of a dishwasher with the auxiliary inlet. 
     According to some embodiments, the plug body may define a cavity having an inner diameter while the cylindrical shape of the plug body defines an outer diameter. The auxiliary inlet may define either an external diameter of a first size or an internal diameter of a second size. The inner diameter of the cavity may be sized such that the plug body engages and seals the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the first size, and the outer diameter of the plug body may be sized such that the plug engages and seals the internal diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the second size. The stem of example embodiments may include a cross-shaped cross-section. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may include a method of manufacturing a garbage disposal. Embodiments may include providing a garbage disposal including a grinding chamber with a primary inlet and an auxiliary inlet, a lower portion of the grinding chamber comprising a waste outlet, and a motor disposed below the lower portion of the grinding chamber. The grinding chamber and lower portion of the grinding chamber are defined about a central axis, where the primary inlet is arranged along the central axis and the motor is configured to rotate a grinder within the grinding chamber about the central axis. Methods of example embodiments may include attaching a plug to the auxiliary inlet, where the plug includes a plug body, a handle, and a stem attaching the plug body to the handle. The plug body may define a cylindrical shape having a diameter axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stem, where the handle defines a first edge, a second edge, and a length therebetween extending along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. The length of the handle may be greater than the diameter of the plug such that the first edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body and the second edge is positioned outwardly of the diameter of the plug body to obstruct and preclude engagement of a drain hose of a dishwasher with the auxiliary inlet. 
     According to some embodiments, the plug body may define a cavity having an inner diameter while the cylindrical shape of the plug body defines an outer diameter. The auxiliary inlet may define either an external diameter of a first size or an internal diameter of a second size. The inner diameter of the cavity may be sized such that the plug body engages and seals the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the first size, and the outer diameter of the plug body may be sized such that the plug engages and seals the internal diameter of the auxiliary inlet of the second size. The stem may include a cross-shaped cross-section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-section view of an example garbage disposal that may benefit from example embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal according to example embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a plug engaged around an external diameter of an auxiliary inlet according to example embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a plug engaged within the internal diameter of an auxiliary inlet according to example embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another view of the plug shown in  FIG. 2  according to example embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a garbage disposal including a plug obstructing the auxiliary inlet according to example embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The terms top, bottom, side, up, down, upwards, downwards, vertical, horizontal, and the like as used below do not imply a required limitation in all embodiments of the present invention but rather are used herein to help describe relative direction or orientation in the example embodiments illustrated in the figures. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention provide a plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal that is configured to preclude connection of a dishwasher drain hose before removal of the plug from the auxiliary inlet. 
     Garbage disposals are generally configured to receive liquids, food and organic matter through the drain of a sink. Garbage disposals grind the food and organic matter to eliminate large pieces that may block a drain pipe or become lodged in a drain pipe, and send the liquid together with the ground food and organic matter to a drain that may lead to a sewer, septic tank, or the like.  FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a basic garbage disposal  100  including a collar  110  which may function to secure the garbage disposal  100  to the drain of a sink (not shown). Below the collar  110  is a grinding chamber  120  where the food and organic matter is ground or masticated by a grinding mechanism  130 . The grinding mechanism may take many forms and is herein illustrated as merely a plate with grinding teeth  131  attached thereto; however, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented with garbage disposals regardless of their grinding mechanism. The illustrated garbage disposal further includes a lower portion  140 , disposed below the grinding mechanism  130 , and configured to receive the liquid and the food and organic matter after it has been ground by the grinding mechanism. FIG.  1  further depicts a motor housing  150  including a motor  160  disposed therein, wherein the motor  160  is configured to drive the grinding mechanism  130 . 
     In operation, liquid, food, and organic matter enters the garbage disposal (e.g., along the path identified by arrows  170  in  FIG. 1 ). The food and organic matter is then ground by the grinding mechanism  130 , and flows to the lower portion  140 , where the liquid and small remnants of the food and organic matter flow through waste outlet  180  (e.g., along arrow  190 ). 
     While garbage disposals are generally designed to receive food and organic matter through the inlet at the collar  110 , many garbage disposals may include an auxiliary inlet  200  through which food and organic matter may be received (e.g., along arrow  210 ). For example, a dishwasher may be located proximate a sink including a garbage disposal. While some dishwashers include a built-in garbage disposal or macerating device (e.g., an impeller), other dishwashers may not. In either case, a user or installer may wish to plumb the drain hose of the dishwasher to an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal to provide a first, or possibly second level of grinding of any food or organic matter which may be drained from the dishwasher. In such embodiments, a dishwasher may drain water and food or organic matter to the garbage disposal  100  through the auxiliary inlet  200 . The water may drain through the lower chamber  140  without the garbage disposal grinding mechanism  130  operating, and a user may later operate the disposal to macerate any food or organic matter that remains from the operation of the dishwasher. That remaining material may then flow along the path identified by arrows  190  through the garbage disposal  100 . 
     As noted above, the use of an auxiliary inlet  200  may be optional for installations that include a dishwasher proximate a sink comprising with an attached garbage disposal  100 . In other cases, the garbage disposal  100  may not be located near a dishwasher, such as in kitchens that lack a dishwasher. In such embodiments, it is desirable to plug or stop the auxiliary inlet to preclude water and other material from flowing out of the auxiliary inlet, particularly when the disposal or drain becomes backed up and the grinding chamber fills with liquid and other material. In such cases it is desirable to have a stop or plug obstructing the auxiliary inlet. 
     Conventionally, a plug of an auxiliary inlet is molded into the auxiliary inlet with a weakened area around the plug to enable an installer or plumber to knock-out the auxiliary inlet plug when the auxiliary inlet is to be used. As such, when a drain hose of a dishwasher is plumbed to the auxiliary inlet, the auxiliary inlet plug may first be removed. However, with the auxiliary inlet plug disposed within the auxiliary inlet, it may be difficult to see and an installer or plumber may neglect or forget to remove the auxiliary inlet plug. Such an oversight may lead to a dishwasher failing to properly drain and causing the dishwasher to flood. Alternatively, the water pressure in the drain hose may force the drain hose from the auxiliary inlet, and the drain hose may release water and material from the dishwasher to the general area where the disposal is installed. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism to preclude installation of a drain hose to an auxiliary inlet  200  of a garbage disposal  100  while the auxiliary inlet plug is in place.  FIG. 2  illustrates an example embodiment of the present invention that includes a plug  310  defining a plug body  311 , a stem  320 , and a handle  330 . The plug may be configured to obstruct the auxiliary inlet of the garbage disposal  100 . The plug  310  may be configured to be received inside the inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet  310  such that the outside diameter of the plug  310  may be the same as the diameter of the auxiliary inlet, or sized such that there is an interference fit between the plug  310  outer diameter and the auxiliary inlet inner diameter. In some embodiments, the plug may be made from a somewhat flexible material, such as a ductile rubber or plastic, as described further below. The ductility of the plug  310  may enable the plug to be pressed into the inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet  200  and form a seal with the inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet. 
     According to some embodiments, the plug  310  may define a plug body  311  that defines a tapered leading edge  312  which may facilitate installation of the plug  310  into the auxiliary inlet  200 , and aid in creating a seal between the plug and the auxiliary inlet. Example embodiments may also include a cavity  314  within the plug body  311 . The cavity may, for example be a cylindrically shaped cavity. The cavity may aid in installation of the plug  310  within the auxiliary inlet  200  by enabling deformation of the leading edge of the plug as it is inserted into the auxiliary inlet. 
     While the example embodiment of  FIG. 2  is described as a plug that is configured to be received inside the inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet  200 , embodiments may optionally be configured to engage the auxiliary inlet  200  by fitting around the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet. For example, the cavity  314 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , may be configured to be a cylindrical cavity, and may have diameter that enables an interference fit with the outer diameter of the auxiliary inlet  200 . The diameter of the cylindrical cavity may be smaller than the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet, and the plug may be made of a ductile material to enable the cavity to be expanded around and to form a seal with the external diameter of the auxiliary inlet. 
     According to some embodiments, the plug  310  may be configured to engage and obstruct auxiliary inlets of two different sizes. For example, a plug  310  may be sized such that the outer diameter of the plug is sized to engage the inner diameter of a ¾-inch inside-diameter auxiliary inlet  200 . The cavity  314  of the same plug  310  may be sized to engage the outside diameter of a ½-inch inside-diameter auxiliary inlet  200 . Thus, the same plug could be used for a ¾-inch inside-diameter auxiliary inlet and a ½-inch inside-diameter auxiliary inlet, thereby reducing part complexity in manufacture. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example embodiment in which the cavity  314  of a plug  310  is configured to engage the external diameter  202  of an auxiliary inlet  200 . As shown, the plug  310  may seal the auxiliary inlet  200 , such as by elastically expanding around the external diameter  202  of the auxiliary inlet.  FIG. 4  illustrates an example embodiment in which the outer diameter  316  of the plug  310  is configured to engage and seal the inner diameter  204  of an auxiliary inlet  200 . As shown, the tapered leading edge  312  may facilitate insertion of the plug  310  into the inner diameter  204  of the auxiliary inlet. 
     As noted above, the plug  310  includes a stem  320  extending therefrom and a handle  330 . The stem  320  may be configured, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , with a cross-shaped cross-section. This may enable a secure attachment between the handle  330  and the plug  310 . Such a cross section may also limit the flexibility of the stem  320  while providing the strength necessary to enable a user to remove the plug  310  from the auxiliary inlet  200  by pulling on the handle  300 . The non-cylindrical shape may further facilitate removal of the plug  310  from an auxiliary inlet with the use of a tool, such as a pair of slip-joint or channel-lock pliers. The non-cylindrical shape may enable a twisting motion to be imparted to the plug via the stem  320  using such a tool. Optionally, the stem may be of a variety of shapes and cross-sections that would provide a secure attachment between the handle  330  and the plug body  311 . While a non-cylindrical cross-section may facilitate tool-based removal, a cylindrically shaped stem may also be used. 
     The handle  330  may define a first edge  340  and a second edge  350  with a length defined there between. The length between the first edge  340  and the second edge  350  may be selected to be larger than that of an inner diameter of a hose that is to connect to the auxiliary inlet such that such a hose cannot be connected to the auxiliary inlet without first removing the plug  310 . The handle  330  may be shaped to facilitate the pulling motion of a plug axially away from the auxiliary inlet. For example, the major surfaces  335  of the handle  330  may be arranged to be orthogonal to the axis of removal of the plug  310  to provide a user a larger surface over which pressure from a user&#39;s fingers may be distributed. This may enable a user to more comfortably apply a larger pulling force against the major surfaces  330  to remove the plug  310  from the auxiliary inlet. The cross-shaped cross-section of stem  320  may help resist folding of the handle  330  as it is pulled by a user as the width of the cross-section, in the direction of the major surfaces  335 , may help to keep the handle  330  flat. 
     Example embodiments may include a handle  330  that is integrally formed with the stem  320  and the plug body  311 ; however, additional embodiments may include a handle that can be formed separately from the plug  310  and attached to the plug body or the stem. Further, while embodiments are described herein to have a handle that precludes attachment of a drain hose of a dishwasher to an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal, embodiments may include a cross-piece that serves the same function, while the handle is formed separately from the cross-piece. 
       FIG. 5  provides a different perspective view of the plug of  FIG. 2  illustrating the cross-shaped cross-section of the stem  320  as it is attached to the plug body  311 . The surface area of attachment between the plug body  311  and the stem  320  may facilitate greater strength between the stem and the plug body to reduce the likelihood of the plug and stem becoming separated as a user pulls the handle  330  to remove the plug body from the auxiliary inlet  200 . 
     A plug according to example embodiments of the present invention may be made from a variety of materials. Materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), high- or low-density polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE), natural or synthetic rubber, etc. These materials may include some level of ductility that may enable them to provide a seal to close the auxiliary inlet. The plug, stem, and handle, may be injection molded or thermoformed as a single piece, or alternatively the plug may be assembled from separate pieces, such as extruded or injection molded stems, handles, and plug bodies that are ultrasonically welded or otherwise adhered to one another. 
     While the illustrated embodiment of a plug and the above general description of attachment of the plug  310  to an auxiliary inlet  200  is accomplished with an interference fit or frictional engagement, plugs of example embodiments may be attached to an auxiliary inlet through a variety of methods. For example, the plug may be threaded, either with an external thread or an internal thread, and the auxiliary inlet may be configured with an external thread (for receiving an internal thread of the plug) or an internal thread (for receiving an external thread of the plug). Further, the auxiliary inlet may be configured with one or more barbed ribs as found on a tubing nipple for engaging an internal diameter of a plug. The plug of example embodiments may optionally be attached using a hose clamp, zip tie, or the like to provide additional security to the connection. The auxiliary inlet and plug may be configured for a quick-connect/quick-disconnect feature such as a detent or snap fit. The plug may optionally be integrally molded with the auxiliary inlet and configured with a region of stress concentration around the plug to enable the plug to break-away with the application of sufficient force to the plug. The plug may be temporarily attached to the auxiliary inlet with the use of a non-permanent adhesive such as a glue or ultrasonic weld. Regardless of the attachment method between the plug and the auxiliary inlet, in some embodiments, the plug is configured to remain engaged with the auxiliary inlet during transport of the garbage disposal, installation, and use of the garbage disposal. In this regard, the plug is configured to be removable only by deliberate force or action to remove the plug. 
     According to example embodiments in which the plug is integrally formed with the auxiliary inlet with a break-away region, or where the plug is attached/adhered to the auxiliary inlet by a bond, seal, or adhesive that requires breaking prior to removal of the plug, the handle of example embodiments may provide a strike surface. The strike surface may be configured to receive a force, such as from a hammer, mallet, wrench, or the like, to break the seal, adhesive, or bond between the plug and the auxiliary inlet. Once the seal, adhesive, or bond is broken, the handle may be used to remove the plug from the auxiliary inlet. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a garbage disposal  100  with an auxiliary inlet  200  that is obstructed by a plug. The handle  330  of the plug can be seen with the stem  320  extending into the inner diameter of the auxiliary inlet  200 . As shown, the garbage disposal  100  can be installed in a location without a connection to the auxiliary inlet  200 . Should the garbage disposal  100  be installed in a location where the auxiliary inlet is needed for attachment of a dishwasher drain hose, the plug may be removed. A user cannot attach the drain hose without removing the plug as the handle  330  blocks access to the auxiliary inlet until the plug is removed. As such, a dishwasher drain hose cannot be attached to the auxiliary inlet without first removing the plug, thereby preventing a potential condition where a drain hose is attached to a blocked auxiliary inlet. 
     The auxiliary inlet may be sized to receive a dishwasher drain hose either around an outer diameter of the auxiliary inlet, or alternatively, the internal diameter of the auxiliary inlet may be sized to receive a drain hose from a dishwasher therein. In either case, the dishwasher drain hose and the auxiliary inlet are sized to engage one another in such a manner as to create a seal, thereby minimizing the opportunity for leaks to develop between the drain hose and the auxiliary inlet. In an embodiment in which the drain hose receives the auxiliary inlet within an inner diameter of the drain hose, a hose clamp may be employed to secure and seal the hose on the auxiliary inlet. The handle of the plug and more particularly, the length of the plug handle defined between the first edge  340  and the second edge  350  may be sized to ensure that a dishwasher drain hose cannot be received over the handle  330  of the plug. This prevents connection of the drain hose to the auxiliary inlet while the plug is engaged with the auxiliary inlet thereby preventing improper attachment and causing proper draining from the dishwasher. 
     While embodiments of the present invention have been herein described with regard to a garbage disposal and a plug for an auxiliary inlet for a garbage disposal, embodiments of the present invention may further include a method of manufacturing a garbage disposal and/or a plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal, such as attaching a plug as described herein to an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.