Patent Abstract:
A diverter ( 170, 270 ) atop the upper wall ( 110 ) of a cartridge ( 100 ) and over the opening ( 114, 115 ) therein avoids direct access of urine to the opening and the sealant ( 105 ) within the cartridge. The diverter is spaced by standoffs ( 182, 282 ) from the upper wall to provide a urine flow passage. A float ( 274 ) can be incorporated in the diverter to provide a visible signal of the presence of collected urine on the cartridge upper wall. A pre-treatment chemically-constituted tablet ( 210 ) held by a retainer ( 200 ) in the diverter provides sanitizing and/or deodorizing means. Post-treatment chemically-constituted tablets ( 224   a ) or pellets ( 224   b ) placeable at the outlet of the cartridge protect the drain pipe from corrosion and other harm.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit, and is a continuation-in-part of both U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/535,463 filed 09 Jan. 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 09/579,921 filed 14 Jun. 2004, and is a continuation-in-part of the following provisional and nonprovisional applications: Ser. No. 10/647,603 (Docket No. 7148-108A-US), filed 25 Aug. 2003; Ser. No. 10/744,708 (Docket No. 7148-111A-US), filed 23 Dec. 2003; Application No. 60/535,463 (Docket No. 7148-117-PR), filed 09 Jan. 2004; and any of their predecessor applications. 
     
    
     REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
         [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to a diverter, a liquid level indicator and a liquid conditioner and, more particularly, to improved devices and methods therefor for use in a urinal, such as in a waterless urinal.  
         [0006]     2. Description of Related Art and Other Considerations  
         [0007]     In waterless urinals, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,197 and No. 6,xxx,xxx [Ser. No. 09/855,735 (filed 14 May 2001)] and U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/143,103 (filed 07 May 2002), it has been observed that urine can be directed with some intensity through the opening of the cartridge and impinge with sufficient force on the sealant therein to adversely affect its sealing function collect and that, because of blockages within the cartridge, urine can collect on its upper surface and possible flow therefrom to create a sanitary problem. Further, in the mechanism described in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,xxx,xxx, such collected urine may corrode or otherwise disrupt the mechanical and electrical operations of the liquid flow meter described therein.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     These and other problems are successfully addressed and overcome by the present invention, along with attendant advantages, by placing a diverter atop the upper wall of the cartridge and over the opening therein for avoiding direct access of urine to the opening. The diverter is spaced from the upper wall to provide a urine flow passage. An indicator, such as a float, can be incorporated in the diverter to provide a visible signal of the presence of collected urine on the cartridge upper wall. Further, a pre-treatment chemically-constituted tablet or other substance may be incorporated in the diverter to provide sanitizing and/or deodorizing means. Additionally, one or more post-treatment chemically-constituted tablet or pellets may be placed at the outlet of the cartridge to protect the drain pipe from corrosion and other harm.  
         [0009]     Several advantages are obtained derived from these arrangements. The life of the cartridge is increased. Fewer replacements of cartridges are possible. The need to service cartridges is minimized. Profitability is increased.  
         [0010]     Other aims and advantages, as well as a more complete understanding of the present invention, will appear from the following explanation of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings thereof.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a view, in cross-section, of a cartridge for use in a urinal with a first embodiment of a urinal diverter positioned thereon and secured to its top;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view, in perspective, of the cartridge, per se, illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views taken respectively from the top and bottom of the cartridge, per se, shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 5-7  respectively are side, top and bottom views of the cartridge, per se, shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge, per se, shown in  FIG. 5  taken along line  8 - 8  thereof;  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge, per se, shown in  FIG. 5  taken along line  9 - 9  thereof;  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is cross-sectional view of the cartridge, per se, shown in  FIG. 7  taken along line  10 - 10  thereof;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are perspective views of the bottom portion of the cartridge, per se, depicted in  FIGS. 1-10 , taken respectively from its upper and under sides  
         [0019]      FIGS. 13-15  respectively are side, top and bottom views of the cartridge bottom portion shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 15A  is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the cartridge bottom portion taken along cutaway line  15 A of  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge bottom portion taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 16A  is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the cartridge bottom portion taken along cutaway line  16 A of  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 17 a  cross-sectional view of the cartridge bottom portion taken along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge bottom portion taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge bottom portion taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 20  is a bottom view, in perspective, of a second embodiment of the diverter illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with a urine pre-treatment tablet and a retainer for the tablet latched to the diverter;  
         [0027]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the diverter, tablet and retainer taken along line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the underside of the diverter shown in  FIG. 23 ;  
         [0029]      FIGS. 23 and 24  respectively are top and side views of the second embodiment of the diverter, per se, illustrated in  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 24A  is a cross-sectional view of a standoff spacer detail of the diverter taken along cutaway line  24 A of  FIG. 24 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 24B  is a cross-sectional view of the standoff spacer detail of the diverter taken along cutaway line  24 B of  FIG. 24 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 24C  is a perspective view of the standoff spacer detail and pre-treatment tablet retainer latch of the diverter illustrated in  FIGS. 24, 24A  and  24 B;  
         [0033]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the diverter taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 23 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 25A  is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the diverter taken along cutaway line  25 A of  FIG. 25 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 26  is a bottom view of the diverter, per se, depicted in  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the diverter taken along line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 27A  is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the diverter taken along cutaway line  27 A of  FIG. 27 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 27B  is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the diverter taken along cutaway line  27 B of  FIG. 27 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the retainer, per se, depicted in  FIGS. 20 and 21 ;  
         [0040]      FIGS. 29 and 30  are top and side views of the retainer depicted in  FIG. 28 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view of the retainer taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the urine pre-treatment tablet, per se, depicted in  FIGS. 20 and 21 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view of the pre-treatment tablet taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 34  is a side view of the cartridge-gripping core of the cartridge key illustrated in  FIG. 29 ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the diverter, pre-treatment and retainer depicted in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0046]      FIGS. 36 and 37  respectively are top and bottom views of the first embodiment of the diverter, pre-treatment and retainer depicted in  FIG. 35 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 38  is a side view of the tip side of the first embodiment of the diverter, pre-treatment and retainer depicted in  FIG. 35 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 39  is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the diverter, pre-treatment and retainer taken along line  39 - 39  of  FIG. 38 ;  
         [0049]      FIG. 40  is a side view of the first embodiment of the diverter, per se, depicted in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0050]      FIG. 40A  is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the diverter taken along cutaway line  40 A of  FIG. 40 ;  
         [0051]      FIG. 41  is a cross-sectional view of the diverter, per se, taken along line  41 - 41  of  FIG. 40 ;  
         [0052]      FIG. 41A  is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the diverter taken along cutaway line  41 A of  FIG. 41 ;  
         [0053]      FIG. 42  is a perspective view tablet a float used in the diverter depicted in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0054]      FIG. 43  is a side view of the float illustrated in  FIG. 42 ;  
         [0055]      FIG. 44  is a cross-sectional view of the float taken along line  44 - 44  of  FIG. 43 ;  
         [0056]      FIG. 45  is a perspective view of a see-through protective cap used in the diverter depicted in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0057]      FIG. 46  is a side view of the protective cap shown in  FIG. 45 ;  
         [0058]      FIG. 47  is a cross-sectional view of the protective cap taken along line  47 - 47  of  FIG. 46 ;  
         [0059]      FIGS. 48 and 49  are perspective views of a plug placeable in the bottom portion of any of the cartridges depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 ,  7 - 10  and  53 - 55 ;  
         [0060]      FIGS. 50-52  respectively are side, bottom and bottom views of the plug shown in  FIGS. 48 and 49 ;  
         [0061]      FIGS. 53 and 54  are perspective views of cartridges, similar to the cartridge illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with alternatively packaged post-treatment chemicals, embodied respectively as sticks and spheroids, used to treat urine as it exits the cartridge; and  
         [0062]      FIG. 55  is a perspective view of a cartridge placed in a part of a waterless urinal as connected to a drain pipe.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0063]     Accordingly, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-19 , an odor trap  98  comprises a cartridge  100 , which is sometimes referred to as an “oil sealant-preserving drain odor trap.” Cartridge assembly  100 , acting as a flow trap for urine or other generally fluid waste products, comprises a top portion  102  and a bottom portion  104 . Wastewater  103 , such as a fluid with urine therein, and an oily liquid odor sealant  105  floating on the wastewater is contained within the cartridge. Alternate embodiments of a diverter, such as diverter  270 , can be secured to top portion  102 .  
         [0064]     Top portion  102  has a cylindrical configuration defined by a tubular wall  106  terminated by an opening  108  at its lower end and a top wall  110  at its upper end. The top wall is sloped downwardly to a flat, generally horizontal flat center portion  112  in which an entry opening  114  is disposed, to act as a urine inlet. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , opening  114  comprises a tripartite arrangement of three arced slots  114   a,    114   b  and  114   c.  A hole  115  is centrally positioned within center portion  112 . As will be described with respect to  FIGS. 20-47 , slots  114   a,    114   b  and  114   c  and hole  115  are adapted to hold either of the two diverters depicted therein to cartridge  100 . Top portion  102  is further provided with three keys  116  of which one may be of different length than the other two (e.g., see  FIG. 2 ) for purposes of properly placing and orienting cartridge  100  within a urinal, as more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,339 (the parent application of above-noted Ser. No. 10/647,603).  
         [0065]     Top wall  110  is provided with a recess  117 , for example as shown in  FIG. 5  at its outer periphery to accept a seal, such as O-ring seal  228  (see  FIG. 44 ). Recess  117  has a small dimension sufficient to minimize the trapping of urine therein.  
         [0066]     Top wall  110  of top portion  102  is further provided with three openings  118  which act as air vents that communicate with the interior of cartridge  100 . In the event that one or two may become clogged, such as by urine when the urinal is in use, there will be at least one that remains open. Openings  118  also provide a means by which a tool may be inserted therein for the purpose of inserting and removing the cartridge into and from a urinal, as also described in above-noted co-pending provisional application No. 60/535,463, now patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx [Attorney Docket No. 7148-125]. Accordingly, for purposes of their use as tool engagement means, it is preferred that the outermost two openings be approximately diagonally opposed to one another. However, the placement or use of these openings may be otherwise designed to accommodate other tool configurations.  
         [0067]     As best shown in  FIG. 9 , the interior of top portion  102  is divided by a bowed vertical separator  120  into two compartments, respectively an inlet compartment  122  and an outlet compartment  124 . Vertical separator  120  is secured or molded to the interior surface of tubular wall  106  and to the underside of top wall  110  in any convenient manner. The bottom end of the vertical separator terminates in an end or terminus  121   b  which is disposed to be connected to a baffle  150 . When top and bottom portions  102  and  104  are placed together and a discharge section  128  ( FIGS. 11-19 ) of bottom portion  104  extends into outlet compartment  124 , inlet compartment  122  and outlet compartment  124  have generally equal volumes. It is important that the compartment volumes be made as equal as possible to ensure that the pressures on both sides of vertical separator  120  remain equal during use of the cartridge. Such pressure equality helps to minimize syphoning or, alternatively, to maximize resistance to syphoning between the compartments and, of particular importance, of sealant  105  from the inlet compartment to the outlet compartment. Thus, the usable life of the cartridge is improved by avoiding premature failure thereof. Additionally, any impediment to liquid flow in minimized.  
         [0068]     Vertical separator  120  is bowed, e.g., curved or bent, to accommodate centrally positioned entry opening  114  which needs to fully communicate with inlet compartment  122 . The illustrated curved bowing of the vertical separator further enables air vent openings  118  also to communicate with the inlet compartment. It is to be understood, however, that the vertical separator need not be curved as illustrated; it may take any configuration that will effect its purpose, that is, to provide equally volumed compartments and to oblige the communications of openings  114  with the inlet compartment. Therefore, for example, if the air vent openings were not used as a means to cooperate with a cartridge inserting and removing tool, as above described, and/or entry opening  114  were not centrally positioned in top wall  110 , or for any other reason apart from its compartment volume-defining purpose, vertical separator  120  may be otherwise configured.  
         [0069]     Bottom portion  104 , as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 11 - 19 , comprises a pan  126  and a discharge section  128  extending upwardly therefrom. The pan includes a wall  130  terminating at an edge  132  ( FIG. 16 ) which provides a tongue-in-groove engagement with tubular wall  106  at its lower end opening  108 , as best seen in  FIG. 17 , to provide a fluid-tight engagement between top and bottom portions  102  and  104 . The inner surfaces of pan  126  are rounded to prevent sharp angled corners and are smoothed to enhance fluid flow and to discourage build up of matter and bacteria or other debris.  
         [0070]     Upwardly extending discharge section  128 , which as described above extends into outlet compartment  124  of top portion  102 , includes a tube  134  that communicates with outlet compartment  104  and opens at an exit port area  136  through pan  126  for discharge of fluids, e.g., wastewater fluid  103 , and other undesired matter from the outlet compartment to a drain  220  ( FIG. 55 ). The discharge section also includes a pair of tubular chambers  138  for receipt of post-treatment chemicals for treating the exiting urine, as contained in control stick  224   a  or pellets  224   b  ( FIGS. 53-55 ), as more fully described in co-pending application, Ser. No. ______ (provisional application No. 60/579,921). Chambers  138  are closed at walls  140  (see  FIGS. 11 and 18 ) at one of their ends at the uppermost part of upwardly extending discharge section  128  to prevent flow of fluids thereinto from the outlet compartment, and are open at their other ends  142  (see  FIGS. 12 and 18 ).  
         [0071]     As shown in  FIGS. 16, 16A  and  19 , a flow director  144  in tube  134  adjacent exit port area  136  comprises an angled part which is adapted to direct fluid flow towards ends  142  of tubular chambers  138  for impacting control stick or pellets  224 . Such directed fluid flow is also implemented by a pair of vertically extending ribs  145  which are formed on the walls of tube  144 , and by an inclination on top wall  140  towards tube  134  and ribs  145 .  
         [0072]     A key  146  and a keyway  148  are provided respectively on the interior surface of tubular wall  106  (see  FIGS. 2 and 9 ) and on the backside of upwardly extending discharge section  128  (see  FIGS. 11, 13  and  16 ). The key and keyway are disposed to provide an orientation and proper alignment between top and bottom portions  102  and  104  and, through the orienting mechanism of keys  116  with the urinal, to place exit port area  136  adjacent exterior drain  220  from cartridge  100 .  
         [0073]     As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 8 , a baffle  150  is disposed to be secured to curved vertical separator  120  for improved direction and flow of fluids through the cartridge in a region from inlet compartment  122  to outlet compartment  124 , as more fully described in co-pending patent application, Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/579,921, filed 14 Jun. 2004) [Attorney Docket 7148-119-US].  
         [0074]     Cartridge  42  is provided with an upper wall  44  in which a central opening  46  may be disposed. Opening  46  may comprise a simple hole or one configured as a tripartite arrangement of three arced slots  46   a,    46   b  and  46   c,  centered about a generally horizontal flat center portion  48  as best shown in  FIG. 1A . A hole is centrally positioned within center portion  112 . As will be described with respect to  FIGS. 36-43 , slots  114   a,    114   b  and  114   c  and hole  115  are adapted to hold either of the two diverters depicted therein to cartridge  100 . In the illustrated configuration, cartridge  42  is disposed to receive urine through central opening  46  and transported to a drain such as may be connected to a urinal. Such a cartridge may take any form, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,053,197, 6,245,411, 6,644,339 and 6,xxx,xxx [Ser. No. 09/855,735 (filed 14 May 2001)].  
         [0075]     One embodiment of the urine diverter depicted in  FIGS. 20-27 . Here a diverter  170  is positionable atop cylinder upper wall  110 , e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 , for protectively covering cartridge openings  114  and  115  at center portion  112 , primarily to provide a circuitous path for flow of urine to the opening. Therefore, urine is prevented from directly contacting and entering into the openings. Diverter  170  includes a shell  172  and, if desired, a deodorant and/or sanitizing tablet  210  and a tablet retainer  200  (see  FIGS. 28-33 ) for retaining the tablet within shell  172 . The diverter is slightly spaced from upper wall  110  of cartridge  100  to assure a clear path for flow of the urine and to space retainer  200  and tablet  210  from the cartridge upper wall. As shown in detail in  FIGS. 24 and 24 A- 24 C, such spacing is effected by use of a standoff  182 , depending from shell  172  and comprising a large portion  182   a  and a smaller portion  182   b.  Portion  182   b  is made as small as possible to permit the smallest contact of the diverter with the cartridge and, therefore, to provide the largest possible unobstructed flow path.  
         [0076]     Shell  172 , as for example shown in  FIGS. 21 and 27 , comprises an upper surface  184 , terminated by a periphery  186  with a downwardly depending flange  188 , and a central opening  190 . Upper surface  184  slopes downwardly towards periphery  186  to encourage flow of urine towards the periphery. Inwardly-facing bumps or protuberances  191  are formed on large portion  182   a  of standoffs  182 , as best shown in  FIGS. 27 and 27 B.  
         [0077]     A tubular housing  194  (see  FIGS. 21, 22  and  26 ) preferably of cylindrical configuration is secured at one end to the under surface of shell  172  and terminates in a securing mechanism  198  at its free end. A smaller diameter, slightly conical end  102  is formed at the free end, and is sized to form an interference fit within opening  115  in top cartridge upper wall  110 .  
         [0078]     With reference to  FIGS. 28-31 , tablet retainer  200  comprises and open-structured cup  202  for supporting a tablet  210  (see  FIGS. 32 and 33 ) and for exposing the tablet to any urine collected in top wall  110  of top portion  102 . The open-structured cup comprises an outer ring-like member  204 , an inner ring-like member  206 , and a plurality of spokes  208  connecting inner and outer ring-like members  206  and  204 . The dimension of the periphery of outer ring-like member  206  and that of the inner surface on flange  184  of shell  172  are correlated to enable the outer ring-like member to fit within the flange and to latch over bumps  191  so as to latch retainer  200  to shell  172  and, thereupon, to hold tablet  210  in position as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21  and spaced slightly above cartridge top wall  110 . In addition, tablet  210  is configured generally as a donut having an inner cylindrical opening  212  which is adapted to fit over the outer periphery of inner ring-like member  204 .  
         [0079]     The contents of tablet  210  include a formulation of citric acid, quaternary ammonium and triclosan, and a binder to hold the formulation together. The citric acid is used (1) to adjust the ph in the cartridge, between 5.5 and 3.0 ph to ensure that the contents remain acidic, and to prevent alkalinity which would otherwise degrade the sealant, (2) to inhibit biological growth and/or (3) to act as a cleaning agent, e.g., to remove scale and other minerals, stains, etc., within the cartridge and drain pipe. The binder, a polymer binding medium which holds and permits release of the agents held therein. It is believed that the quaternary ammonium comprises a surfactant having a negative ion which is adapted to combine with a positive ion surfactant and to form precipitants. The problem to be avoided is to inhibit the breakdown of the sealant by positive ion surfactants, such cleaning agents used in urinals. While a negative ion surfactant, such as Hyamine 1622, trademark of Rohm and Haas, has been found to be useful, the requirement is one that militates against the breakdown of the sealant. Triclosan, trademark of ______, is a biocide which is designed to combine with polymers and to protect the sealant from bacteria. The binder is formulated from a slightly soluble material, e.g., N, N-ethylenebisstearamide, which can be slowly worn away by water such as to the extent that its life will last at least to the life of the cartridge.  
         [0080]     Another embodiment of the urine diverter depicted in  FIGS. 35-47 . Here diverter  270  is positionable atop cylinder upper wall  110 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , for protectively covering cartridge openings  114  and  115  at center portion  112 , primarily to provide a circuitous path for flow of urine to the opening. Therefore, urine is prevented from directly contacting and entering into the openings. Diverter  270  includes a shell  272 , a urine level detector, comprising a float  274  and a see-through protective cap  276 , and, if desired, a deodorant and/or sanitizing tablet  210  and a tablet retainer  200  (see  FIGS. 28-33 ) for retaining the tablet within shell  272 . The diverter is slightly spaced from upper wall  110  of cartridge  100  to assure a clear path for flow of the urine and to space retainer  200  and tablet  210  from the cartridge upper wall. As shown in detail in  FIGS. 40 and 40 A, such spacing is effected by use of a standoff  282 , depending from shell  272  and comprising a large portion  282   a  and a smaller portion  282   b.  Portion  282   b  is made as small as possible to permit the smallest contact of the diverter with the cartridge and, therefore, to provide the largest possible unobstructed flow path.  
         [0081]     Shell  272 , as for example shown in  FIGS. 41 and 41 A, comprises an upper surface  284 , terminated by a periphery  286  with a downwardly depending flange  288 , and a central opening  290 . Upper surface  284  slopes downwardly towards periphery  286  to encourage flow of urine towards the periphery and away from opening  290 . Further, a rim  292  surrounds opening  290  also to encourage the outward urine flow and, in particular, to prevent urine from entering opening  290 . Inwardly-facing bumps  291  are formed on large portion  282   a  of standoffs  282 .  
         [0082]     A tubular housing  294  (see  FIGS. 35 and 37 - 41 ) preferably of cylindrical configuration is secured at one end  296  ( FIG. 41 ) to the under surface of shell  272  about opening  290  and terminates in a latching mechanism  298  at its second end  300 . An inwardly directed circular protuberance  302  is formed at end  300 . The second end is also formed with cut-away portions  304  which dissect protuberance  302  into legs  303  to permit a bending of the latching mechanism. Latching mechanism  298  comprises pairs of facing teeth  306  at the ends of legs  303  which are adapted to latch into arced slots  114   a,    114   b  and  114   c  of cartridge top portion  102  for securing diverter  270  to cartridge  100 .  
         [0083]     Also formed in the under surface of shell  272  about opening  290  and within the interior of tubular housing  294  is a recess  296  ( FIG. 41 ) in which a ring  298  of ferromagnetic material (see  FIG. 35 ) is molded.  
         [0084]     With reference now to  FIGS. 42-44 , float  274  comprises a generally tubular body  318  from which a stem  320  extends from its upper surface. Its lower surface  322  is concavely formed so that any liquids thereon will flow off the concave surface and not collect thereon or leave deposits after the liquid has evaporated. A plurality of ribs  324  are placed about body  318 , and extend slightly below concave surface  322  so as to help any liquid to collect and form drops for facilitating the removal of liquid from the float. Ribs  104  are configured with a generally triangular cross-section to form outer peripheries having a small surface which, in aggregation, delineate a cylindrical surface that fits closely within the inner surface of shell-depending tubular cylindrical housing  324 . Accordingly, ribs  324  permit the float to move between the under surface of shell  272  and cartridge upperwall  110 . The float is retained within tubular cylindrical housing  294  on protuberances  302  therein. Insertion of the float within the housing is permitted by flexure of its lower or second end  300  through the medium of cut-away portions  304 . Float  274  preferably is molded from a material that can be tinted so as to make it easily viewable, such as by a bright red and/or florescent shade, especially from the top of stem  320 . When tablet retainer  200  is used, a passage within inner ring-like member  204  enables contact of the float with any urine collected in the upper wall of cartridge  100 .  
         [0085]     A magnet  326 , having the shape of a toroid, is secured to float  274  about its stem  320  and, upon upward movement of the float, latches to ferromagnetic washer  298  and holds the float against shell  272 .  
         [0086]     Protective cap  276 , as illustrated in  FIGS.45-47 , is configured to resemble a mushroom and comprises an enlarged head  330  and a relatively smaller stem  332  extending therefrom. Stem  332  is recessed to form a hollow  334 , and is sized to extend through shell upper surface opening  292  and thereby to receive float stem  320 . An indentation  336  ( FIG. 47 ) is formed beneath enlarged head  330  adjacent hollow stem  332  and helps to discourage flow of urine onto the hollow stem. Indentation  336  thus acts as an adjunct to rim  292  formed about shell opening  290  to help in controlling the flow of urine. Protective cap  276  is formed from a clear or translucent material, such as of acrylic plastic, to enable viewing of float  274  and, in particular, the top of its stem  320 .  
         [0087]     As shown in  FIGS. 48-52 , a plug  410  is disposed to be attached to bottom portion  104  within a part of exit port area  136  and to operate as a closure to open ends  142  of tubular chambers  138 . A pin  412  extends from the top side of plug  412  and is disposed to engage with a keyed interference fit coupling within an opening  414  (see  FIGS. 34B and 46 ) in bottom portion  104  to join the two parts together. Both pin  412  and opening  414  have mating ribs that, when inter-engaged, orient plug  410  with tubular chambers  138 . The plug is formed with a pair of tubular openings  416  having the same dimensions as those of tubular chambers  138  of bottom portion discharge tube section  128 . One side of tubular openings  416  is formed to provide an open basket-like weave  418  with openings  420 , and a base  422  which is adapted to support a holder of post-treatment discharge control chemical agents, configured as sticks  424   a  or pellets  424   b.  It is through openings  420  that fluid is directed by the two-part flow director comprising angled ledge  144  and ribs xxx in tube  134 .  
         [0088]     A pair of such post-treatment discharge control sticks  424   a  or pellets  424   b,  of which one each is illustrated in  FIGS. 53 and 54  and identified generally in  FIG. 55  by indicium  424 , are disposed to be placed within tubular chambers  138 . Each one of pellets  424   b,  as having a spheroid shape, rests against the inner wall of tubular chambers  138  with a smaller contact than does the contact between stick  424   a  with the inner wall and, therefore, is the preferable shape, as being more likely to move downwardly as fluid slowly erodes the post-treatment discharge chemicals. Each post-treatment discharge control stick or pellet includes citric acid and, if desired, quaternary ammonium, a biocide and cleaning agents held in a time-release binder. Its use is primarily as a descaling agent to help maintain a clean drain pipe, and especially in environments where the cartridge use pattern is such that additional descaling is needed. The post-treatment discharge control sticks or pellets may be used alone or in conjunction with pretreatment control tablet  410 .  
         [0089]     When all the above-described components are assembled together, they form cartridge  100  as depicted, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 36 . This assembled cartridge is then adapted to be placed within a waterless urinal  426 , a portion of which is illustrated in  FIG. 55 , which is coupled to a drain  420  with exit port area  136  as provided through the orienting mechanism of keys  116 . An O-ring seal is placed within recess  117  in the periphery of top wall  110 .  
         [0090]     While pretreatment control tablet  410  and post-treatment discharge control agents  424   a  or  424   b  are described herein as integral parts of the present invention, it is to be understood that they can be used alone, in other environments. In a like manner, cartridge  100  of the present invention may employ other means, aside from tablet  410  and agents  424 , to obtain the desired anti-bacterial, cleaning, etc., purposes. Furthermore, both the tablet and stick/pellet agent can be composed of any number of other agents and ingredients depending upon the end result desired. Also, the diverter may be used alone, without any pretreatment tablet.  
         [0091]     Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8