US 9,359,750 B1Granted

Method and apparatus for cleaning and clearing P-trap systems

OwnerThomas Perezinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Embodiments of an apparatus for draining liquid generally include a liquid inlet, a p-trap, an additive reservoir, a fluid outlet, a float switch, a valve, and a fitting, wherein the liquid inlet allows for introduction of liquid, the p-trap allows for maintenance of a liquid level whereby contact is provided between the liquid and an additive contained in the additive reservoir, the fluid outlet is configured to maintain the liquid level above an additive reservoir bottom interior surface, the float switch provides indication of high liquid level, the valve allows for blockage of fluid flow between the p-trap and the liquid inlet, and the fitting allows for introduction of high-pressure fluid into the apparatus. Embodiments of a method for clearing a liquid draining apparatus generally include ceasing flow of liquid there into, operating a valve to substantially prevent reverse flow of liquid therefrom, and providing high-pressure fluid into the apparatus.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for draining liquid, comprising:

a liquid inlet;
a valve;
a p-trap comprising an additive introduction tee and piping;
an additive reservoir;
and
a p-trap liquid outlet;
wherein:
said liquid inlet is fluidly connected to said valve, and is adapted and configured to allow for flow of liquid into said apparatus from an external fluid source;
said valve is adapted and configured to allow and control flow of said liquid between said inlet and said p-trap additive introduction tee;
said p-trap additive introduction tee is oriented so that:
said liquid flowing through said valve is allowed to flow substantially vertically downward into said p-trap additive introduction tee;
said liquid disposed in said p-trap additive introduction tee is allowed to flow substantially vertically downward out of said p-trap additive introduction tee into said piping;
and
said liquid disposed in said p-trap additive introduction tee is allowed to flow substantially horizontally into said additive reservoir;
wherein said apparatus is adapted and configured to allow at least a portion of said liquid disposed in said p-trap to concurrently accumulate in said additive reservoir;
said additive reservoir is adapted and configured to allow disposition therein of one or more additives;
and
from a location where said liquid flows from said p-trap additive introduction tee into said piping, said piping extends substantially horizontally to a location where said piping is connected to said p-trap liquid outlet, which is adapted and configured such that a liquid level in said p-trap is disposed above a bottom interior surface of said additive reservoir.

15 more elements

An apparatus for draining liquid, comprising:

a liquid inlet;
a valve;
a p-trap comprising an additive introduction tee and piping;
an additive reservoir;
a p-trap liquid outlet;
a level sensing device;
and
a high-pressure fitting wherein:
said liquid inlet is fluidly connected to said valve, and is adapted and configured to allow for flow of liquid into said apparatus from an external fluid source;
said valve is adapted and configured to allow and control flow of said liquid between said inlet and said p-trap additive introduction tee;
said p-trap additive introduction tee is oriented so that:
said liquid flowing through said valve is allowed to flow substantially vertically downward into said p-trap additive introduction tee;
said liquid disposed in said p-trap additive introduction tee is allowed to flow substantially vertically downward out of said p-trap additive introduction tee into said piping;
and
said liquid disposed in said p-trap additive introduction tee is allowed to flow substantially horizontally into said additive reservoir;
wherein said apparatus adapted and configured to allow at least a portion of said liquid disposed in said p-trap to concurrently accumulate in said additive reservoir;
said additive reservoir is adapted and configured to allow disposition therein of one or more additives;
said high-pressure fitting is adapted and configured to provide fluid communication between said apparatus and an external high-pressure fluid source, and is fluidly connected to said additive reservoir;
from a location where said liquid flows from said p-trap additive introduction tee into said piping, said piping extends substantially horizontally to a location where said piping is connected to said p-trap liquid outlet, which is adapted and configured such that a liquid level in said p-trap is disposed above a bottom interior surface of said additive reservoir;
and
said level sensing device is disposed proximate said liquid inlet, and is adapted and configured to communicate information related to said liquid level.

18 more elements

A method for clearing a liquid drain apparatus, comprising:

accessing a liquid drain apparatus comprising:
a liquid inlet;
a valve;
a p-trap trap comprising an additive introduction tee and piping;
an additive reservoir;
and
a p-trap liquid outlet;
wherein:
said liquid inlet is fluidly connected to said valve, and is adapted and configured to allow for flow of liquid into said apparatus from an external fluid source;
said valve is adapted and configured to allow and control flow of said liquid between said inlet and said p-trap additive introduction tee;
said p-trap additive introduction tee is oriented so that:
said liquid flowing through said valve is allowed to flow substantially vertically downward into said p-trap additive introduction tee;
said liquid disposed in said p-trap additive introduction tee is allowed to flow substantially vertically downward out of said p-trap additive introduction tee into said piping;
and
said liquid disposed in said p-trap additive introduction tee is allowed to flow substantially horizontally into said additive reservoir;
wherein said apparatus adapted and configured to allow at least a portion of said liquid disposed in said p-trap to concurrently accumulate in said additive reservoir;
said additive reservoir is adapted and configured to allow disposition therein of one or more additives;
and
from a location where said liquid flows from said p-trap additive introduction tee into said piping, said piping extends substantially horizontally to a location where said piping is connected to said p-trap liquid outlet, which is adapted and configured such that a liquid level in said p-trap is disposed above a bottom interior surface of said additive reservoir;
manipulating said valve to substantially block liquid flow out of said liquid drain apparatus via liquid flow through said inlet;
and
providing pressurized fluid to said liquid drain apparatus.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/804,925Filed 21 Jul 2015 · us provisional application
Priority: 12 Nov 2014
Granted: 7 Jun 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

E03C 1/30
Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto ; Sinks: devices to facilitate removing of obstructions in…
E03C 1/126
Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto ; Sinks: installations for disinfecting or deodorising waste-water…
E03C 1/286
Having U-shaped trap: having hand-operated valves against return of waste water
F15D 1/02
Influencing flow of fluids: in pipes or conduits