Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
Drain apparatus and method for venting a drain apparatus
Description
The invention relates to a drain apparatus for a sink according to the
preamble of claim
1, a sink according to the preamble of claim 10, and a method for venting a
drain
apparatus for a sink according to the preamble of claim 11.
In the prior art, drain apparatuses for sinks are known which apparatuses are
provided
with a drainage valve arranged in a drain such that water that is present in a
basin of
the sink can be drained off in a controlled manner via the drainage valve.
For example, DE 100 65 057 Al describes a kitchen sink having a main basin and
an
auxiliary basin, with each basin being provided with a drain. The customary
drain
fittings and respective drainage valves are installed in each of said drains.
Furthermore, an overflow connected to an overflow unit is customarily provided
in the
basins of kitchen sinks, said overflow unit being connected to the drainage
pipe, on
which the drainage valve is also arranged.
However, it is a disadvantage of known drainage apparatuses that the draining
water,
and particularly also the overflowing water, forces an air column in front of
it which, if the
air is unable to escape, becomes compressed by the water pressure. As a
result, the
flow volume during the draining or overflow of the water from the sink basin
is reduced
since too much air is present in the overall system, and therefore, sufficient
suction
cannot be generated.
The problem addressed by the present invention is therefore that of providing
a drain
apparatus and a method for venting a drain apparatus for a sink, by means of
which the
1
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
, .
flow volume in the drain and, if applicable, in the overflow can be
substantially
improved.
The problem is solved by a drain apparatus having the features according to
claim 1, by
a sink having the features of claim 10 and by a method having the features
according to
claim 11. Advantageous further developments of the invention are defined in
the
dependent claims.
The invention provides a drain apparatus for a sink, in particular, a kitchen
sink,
comprising a drainage valve for opening and closing a drain opening arranged
in the
kitchen sink, characterized in that the drain apparatus has a venting valve.
By providing
the venting valve, the air in the compressed air column that forms during the
draining or
overflow of the water from the sink can be vented in a controlled manner so as
to
reduce the volume of air present throughout the entire system and generate
sufficient
suction. The configuration according to the invention allows the flow volume
throughout
the system to be increased significantly. Even in the overflow, for which a
flow volume
of 12 Umin. is generally required, the flow can be increased by approximately
6 to 8
L/min.
According to one preferred embodiment, the venting valve is coupled or
connected to
the drainage valve in order to produce a drainage valve having an integrated
venting
function. The coupling of the venting valve with the drainage valve allows the
number of
components required for a venting function to be advantageously reduced. The
drainage valve with an integrated venting function is also easy to install,
which results in
a time savings during installation, and furthermore, offers greater safety
during removal
of the assembly.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the venting valve is arranged in
the region
of an outflow of the drain apparatus. Furthermore, an outflow of the drain
apparatus in
which the drainage valve is arranged can be connected to the already mentioned
overflow unit.
2
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
One special further development of the drain apparatus according to the
invention
provides that a fluid connection for connecting the venting valve to the drain
outflow is
arranged approximately opposite a connection of the overflow unit to the
drain. An
arrangement of this type has proven particularly advantageous in terms of the
increase
in the flow volume.
Another further development of the invention can provide that the venting
valve has a
valve housing, in which valve housing additional constituents of the venting
valve are
held. For the purpose of conserving installation space it has proven
advantageous for
the valve housing, in particular, a pipe section provided for connecting the
valve housing
to the drain, to be arranged on the drain approximately transversely to the
direction of
flow in the overflow unit. However, the invention is in no way limited to such
an
embodiment.
According to another preferred embodiment, a float is provided in the venting
valve, in
particular, in the valve housing.
The venting valve preferably opens and closes automatically by means of the
above-
stated float, based upon the water pressure or the water level in the drain,
so that the
venting function is securely and independently maintained until a critical
water pressure
is reached. Only when the water pressure and/or water level has reached the
stated
critical level, at which, in particular, the water level allows the stated
float to rise, will the
venting valve close automatically in a reliable manner, sealing a vent opening
that is
provided for ensuring the venting function. As a consequence, excess air is
forced out
of the drain, so that, once the venting valve has closed, sufficient water
suction is
present for achieving the desired flow volumes. When the flow volume and
therefore
also the water pressure and/or water level then decrease again, the venting
valve will
open again automatically, and the venting function is then available for the
next draining
or overflow of water from the sink basin.
3
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
The components of the venting valve, along with the remainder of the drain
apparatus
with the exception of any connecting and fastening means that may be present,
such as
screws or the like, are preferably made of plastic (injection molded), without
limiting the
scope of the invention to such an embodiment.
Also according to the invention, a sink, in particular, a kitchen sink, is
provided, said sink
having at least one (sink) basin and one drain opening arranged in said basin.
Optionally, the sink may have an overflow provided in the basin or on the
basin. The
sink is characterized by a drain apparatus according to the invention with a
venting
valve, wherein the drain apparatus can particularly also be fluidically
connected to the
overflow, provided such an overflow is present, which may ordinarily be the
case.
A sink equipped in this manner satisfies the requirements specified above with
respect
to flow volume, particularly in the overflow.
In addition, a method for venting a drain apparatus for a sink, in particular
a kitchen
sink, is provided according to the invention, wherein the drain apparatus is
provided with
a venting valve coupled to a drainage valve, said method comprising the
following
steps: opening the drainage valve, wherein water from a basin of the sink
passes the
drainage valve and flows through a drain, and/or draining water out of the
basin via an
overflow unit which is fluidically connected to the drain; holding the venting
valve open
until a predetermined water pressure or water level is reached in the drain
for the
purpose of venting the drain; closing the venting valve once the predetermined
water
pressure/water level is reached in the drain, preferably when a float in the
venting valve
is reached by the draining water.
With the method according to the invention, a sink drain can be vented in a
simple and
cost-effective manner such that the flow volume during the draining of water
out of the
basin of the sink can be increased significantly both throughout the entire
system and in
the overflow.
4
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
=
In what follows, one embodiment of the invention will be described in greater
detail in
reference to the attached set of drawings. The drawings show
Fig. 1 a perspective view of an example of a sink according to the prior
art;
Fig. 2 a plan view of a drain apparatus according to one embodiment;
Fig. 3 an exploded view of the drain apparatus illustrated in Figure 2;
Fig. 4A-4D various perspective views of the drain apparatus illustrated in
Figure 2;
Fig. 5A-5E additional views of the drain apparatus illustrated in Figure 2;
and
Fig. 6 the drain apparatus shown in Figure 2 from the bottom.
Figure 1 shows, by way of example, a sink in the form of a kitchen sink, which
is
identified by reference sign 1. The sink 1 has a sink basin 2 and a sink rim 3
that
extends around the upper edge of the sink basin 2. According to the
illustration in
Figure 1, the sink 1 further comprises a drainboard surface 4 and an auxiliary
or
additional basin 5. Between the sink basin 2 and the sink rim 3, the sink 1
has a
substantially flat region 6 in which a fitting 7 is arranged. In the sink
basin 2, a drain
opening 8 that can be closed by a drainage valve is arranged, via which
opening water
can be drained out of the sink basin 2. A drain apparatus, which is not shown
in Figure
1 and which will be described in greater detail below in reference to Figures
2 if, is
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
generally connected to the drain opening 8 in the sink basin 2. The already
mentioned
drainage valve is also physically associated with this drain apparatus. The
drain
apparatus is usually connected to the sink basin 2 from beneath in the region
of the
drain opening 8, and is used for draining water from the sink basin 2 in a
defined
manner. Water can further be drained from the sink basin 2 via an overflow,
not shown
here, which is connected via a corresponding overflow unit to a drain pipe of
the drain
apparatus.
Figure 2 shows a plan view of a drain apparatus 9 according to one embodiment.
The
drain apparatus 9 comprises a drainage valve 10, which can be inserted into a
drain
opening 8 in a sink basin 2 (see Figure 1). Here, the strainer 10a of the
drainage valve
which is visible and/or accessible from the sink basin 2 is substantially
clear, said
strainer 10a comprising a plurality of elongate openings 11 arranged in a
circular pattern
around a round plate 12. The actual closure element of the drainage valve 10
is not
visible in the view according to Figure 2. It moves up and down inside the
drain opening
8 when actuated by a sink user, accordingly sealing the drain opening 8 or
opening said
opening at least partially, in order to hold water in the sink basin 2 or
drain it therefrom.
This function is clearly known from the prior art to a person skilled in the
art. Also clear
from the plan view is a pipe section 13, which projects laterally ¨
transversely to the
path of the actual drainage direction ¨ from the drainage valve 10 and which
can be
connected to an overflow unit or is itself part of said overflow unit. A
venting valve 14 is
coupled to the drainage valve 10, of which venting valve only a housing 14a
with a
cover piece 27 is visible in Figure 2, wherein a venting opening is provided
in the cover
piece 27 at reference sign 27a. This will be specified in greater detail
further below.
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the drain apparatus 9 illustrated in Figure
2, as
individual parts. As is clear from this diagram, the uppermost element of the
drainage
valve 10, namely the strainer 10a, has a concavely curved plate 15, which is
provided
with the plurality of slot-type openings 11. The plate 15 can be held in an
insert element
16, designed as having a congruent shape and a plurality of openings 17
arranged in a
circular pattern, or can rest on the surface of said element. The insert
element 16 is
inserted into the drain opening 8 of a sink basin (see Figure 1). To ensure
that the
6
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
insert element 16 can be installed in the sink basin so as to form a tight
seal, a ring
gasket 18 and a ring-shaped connecting element 19 are provided. To open and/or
to
close the drainage valve 10, a preferably remotely controllable mechanism 20
is
provided, by which the concavely curved plate 15 with the openings 11 can be
raised
and/or lowered. On its underside, the plate 15 has flexible, preferably rubber-
elastic
attachments in a known manner, via which the openings 17 in the insert element
16 can
be sealed when the plate 15 is in the lowered state in order to hold water in
the sink
basin 2 (cf., Figure 1). This is well known to a person skilled in the art of
conventional
sinks, in particular, kitchen sinks. Below the sink basin, a connection
element 21 with
an outflow 28 is arranged in the region of the drain opening 8, from the side
of which
connection element the pipe section 13 projects and to which ¨ particularly
downward ¨
additional pipe elements, for example, a siphon, can be connected. The outflow
28 is
provided with an external thread 29, so that additional pipe elements can be
screwed
onto it. On the left side of the diagram, the venting valve 14 is shown, which
can be
connected via a pipe section 22 to the drainage valve 10. In order to produce
a tight
connection, an 0-ring 23 is provided for the area of connection and
furthermore, a
screw 24 is provided for attaching the connection element 21, which is screwed
and/or
can be screwed into a suitable opening in the connection element 21 that is
not shown
in Figure 3. The venting valve 14 comprises a valve housing 14a, which is
attached to
the pipe section 22 and is integrally connected thereto. The valve housing 14a
is
designed substantially in the manner of a hollow circular cylinder, and
accommodates a
ring gasket 25, a float 26, a sealing element 26a and a cover piece 27,
according to the
illustration of Figure 3. The above-described vent opening 27a is provided in
the cover
piece 27.
When water travels through the pipe section 22 into the interior of the valve
housing
14a, the float 26 rises, and with it the sealing element 26a moves upward
until sealing
element 26a seals the vent opening 27a in the cover piece 27. Accordingly, the
venting
valve 14 remains open until water reaches the float 26 in the venting valve 14
and
allows it to float upward enough to automatically close the venting valve 14.
When the
7
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
. .
water pressure and/or the water level drop, the venting valve 14 opens again
automatically.
Figures 4A to 4D show various perspective views of the drain apparatus 9
illustrated in
Figure 2, in which the drainage valve 10 with the integrated venting function
and/or with
the venting valve 14 coupled thereto is shown in the assembled state. Because
the
venting valve 14 is seated tight against the drainage valve 10 and/or the
drain 8 (cf.,
Figure 1), a savings of installation space is realized, and at the same time,
installation of
the drain unit 9 is simplified.
Figures 5A to 5E show additional views of the drain apparatus 9 illustrated in
Figure 2,
in which Figure 5A shows a cross-sectional view of the drain apparatus 9 and
Figures
5B to 5E show various side views which illustrate the drain apparatus 9 from
the side,
rotated by various angles relative to one another. The same reference signs
are used
in all the figures to identify the same elements, or at least similarly acting
elements.
=
Finally, Figure 6 shows the drain apparatus 9 from below, wherein here, the
connection
of the venting valve 14 to the drainage valve 10 via the pipe section 22 is
particularly
clear.
In particular, it is clear from Figure 6 that the venting valve 14 with the
valve housing
14a thereof and/or the pipe section 22 formed thereon is attached to a
connecting
element 21a of the connection piece 21, which connecting element 21a opens up
substantially directly opposite the pipe section 13 for the overflow unit into
the drain 28.
As is further clear from Figure 6, an opening cross-section (not explicitly
clear) of the
connecting element 21a is substantially smaller than the opening cross-section
of the
pipe section 13.
The connecting element 21a itself extends first in the extension of the pipe
section 13,
and then bends approximately 90 to the side, wherein the pipe section 22 of
the valve
8
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
. ,
housing 14a is attached in this bent section of the connecting element 21a,
particularly
onto the connecting element 21a.
As is further clear from Figure 6, a fastening tab 22a is formed on or
attached to the
side of the venting valve 14 in the area of pipe section 22, which tab
preferably interacts
integrally with a projection 21b formed on the connecting element 21a. The
stated
projection 21d preferably has an internal thread, into which the screw 24 is
screwed.
With the head of said screw, the screw 24 fastens the venting valve 14 and/or
the valve
housing 14a to the stated fastening tab 22a in the area of the projection 21b
on the
connection piece 21, in particular, in a non-positive and/or positive manner.
This
ensures a secure fastening of the venting valve 14 to the rest of the drain
apparatus 9.
As is further clear from Figure 6, the venting valve 14 and/or the valve
housing 14a is
arranged at least partially in the projection below the drain opening 8 and/or
the insert
element 16, and accordingly, only a small amount of additional installation
space is
required in the lateral direction.
9
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
List of Reference Signs
1 Sink
2 Sink basin
3 Sink rim
4 Drainboard surface
Auxiliary basin
6 Flat region
7 Fitting
8 Drain opening
9 Drain apparatus
Drainage valve
10a Strainer
11 Openings
12 Round plate
13 Pipe section
14 Venting valve
14a Valve housing
Concavely curved plate
16 Insert element
17 Openings
18 Ring gasket
19 Connecting element
Mechanism
21 Connection piece
21a Connecting element
22 Pipe section
22a Fastening tab
23 0-ring
24 Screw
Ring gasket
CA 02828552 2013-09-25
26 Float
26a Sealing element
27 Cover piece
27a Venting opening
28 Drain
29 External thread
11
