Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SELF-DISINFECTING WATER TRAP
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a self-disinfecting water trap for use in a
washbasin, for instance
in a hospital facility. Furthermore, the present invention is concerned with a
method of disinfecting
water from a washbasin, such a washbasin in a hospital facility. The present
invention also relates to
use of such self-disinfecting water trap. Furthermore, a washbasin system is
described and claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Drains and in particular water traps in washbasins are some of the most
contaminated areas in
the household, and in particular in hospitals. Such water traps are seen as a
serious source of
contamination and in particular in hospitals is transmitting multidrug-
resistant bacteria to patients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventors have realized that there is a need for improving the
environment around
washbasins and sinks at hospital facilities, and in particular, in hospital
rooms and toilets used by
patients, personnel and visitors/relatives at hospitals. Similar needs,
without limitation, are present
when it comes to ordinary households and public areas with wash facilities.
The present invention concerns a self-disinfecting water trap for use in a
washbasin having a
drain comprising a housing having a top part and a bottom part defining an
interior space adapted
for maintaining trapped water, wherein
(0 the top part has a first opening configured to engage in a liquid tight
manner with the
drain of the washbasin, optionally via a hollow inlet pipe, and a second
opening configured to
engage in a liquid tight manner with a hollow outlet pipe for discharging
waste water;
(ii) the bottom part is adapted to receive and maintain an UVC light
source in a liquid
tight manner, wherein the UVC light source when in operation radiate the
trapped water and the
total interior space.
In an embodiment the UVC light source is adapted to radiate all the trapped
water and all of the
interior space.
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In a further embodiment the self-disinfecting water trap of the present
invention comprises the
hollow inlet pipe having a first end and an opposite second end both of which
are open, wherein the
first end extends into the interior space of the housing and is adapted to
extend below the second
opening of the top part, and the second end is configured to engage in a
liquid tight manner with the
drain of the washbasin.
In a still further embodiment the self-disinfecting water trap of the present
invention comprises
the hollow outlet pipe having a first end and an opposite second end both of
which are open,
wherein the first end extends into the second opening of the top part and the
second end is adapted
to discharge waste water.
In a further embodiment the self-disinfecting water trap of the present
invention comprises the
UVC light source. Preferably, the UVC light source is adapted to provide UVC
light at 254 nm.
Due to constraints it is preferred to have one UVC lamp providing UVC light at
254 nm, although 2
or 3 UVC lamps could be present. Preferably, and in order to provide the most
effective source of
UVC light, the UVC lamp is located centrally in the housing bottom part.
In a still further embodiment the bottom part is adapted to receive the UVC
light source through
one opening configured to receive the UVC light source and maintain it in a
liquid tight manner.
In a further embodiment the bottom part is adapted to receive the UVC light
source through two
opposite openings both configured to receive the UVC light source and maintain
it in a liquid tight
manner.
In a still further embodiment the UVC light source is coated with a nanocover
not absorbed by
the UVC light.
In a further embodiment all parts of the water trap are made of metal, such as
an alloy, e.g.
brass, optionally chrome plated.
In a still further embodiment all inner parts (surfaces) of the water trap are
smooth to reduce
formation of bio-films.
In a further embodiment all inner parts of the water trap are radiated by the
UVC light source.
In a still further embodiment the housing is substantially cylinder shaped.
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In a further embodiment the top and bottom parts are detachable and
connectable in a liquid
tight manner.
In a still further embodiment the bottom part comprises a detachable lid or
plug connected in a
liquid tight manner adapted to remove the trapped water.
In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method of disinfecting
water from a
washbasin having a drain comprising providing the self-disinfecting water trap
of the present
invention and any one of the above embodiments and connecting the water trap
to the drain of the
washbasin and adapting the outlet pipe for discharging waste water.
In a still further aspect the present invention relates to use of the self-
disinfecting water trap of
the present invention and any one of the above embodiments, for reducing
microorganisms in the
drain of the washbasin and in the water-trap.
In a further aspect the present invention relates to a washbasin system having
a washbasin and a
drain comprising (a) a self-disinfecting water trap of the present invention
and any one of the above
embodiments, and (b) the drain is adapted to be in liquid tight connection
with the hollow inlet pipe,
wherein the inlet pipe is made of a metal, such as an alloy, and has an inner
surface which is smooth
and which is adapted to be exposed to the UVC light from the water trap.
In an embodiment the drain comprises a strainer element integrated in the
washbasin and
adapted to receive a plug for containing water in the washbasin, wherein the
strainer element has
multiple openings for water to get through. In a further embodiment the
multiple openings of the
strainer are adapted to remove water efficiently from the washbasin and to
reduce light from the
UVC light source with at least 30%, such as at least 50%.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the
following
description, and claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A study of the efficacy of ultraviolet-C (UVC) light to decontaminate water
traps has been
carried out in a hospital facility. This closed study shows a very clear and
effective decontamination
of water traps and the reduction in bacterial counts was very effective. Also,
the study showed that
removal of the water trap of the present invention led to quick contamination.
This invention is
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concerned with a water trap device which is self-disinfecting and can be used
in sanitarian facilities.
The water trap device of the present invention efficiently removes
microorganisms including
bacteria due to a specific construction of the water trap in combination with
the location of the UVC
light source in the water trap. UVC light decontamination of water traps may
be a feasible
adjunctive for prevention of spread of multi-resistant water bacteria from
washbasins to
immunocompromised patients.
The present invention provides these advantages with the described solution.
The present invention concerns a self-disinfecting water trap for use in a
washbasin having a
drain. Such as washbasin is found in domestic homes, as well as in public
areas, such as rest
rooms/toilets, but also in hospitals where contamination would have a great
impact to all areas of
the hospital.
The water trap of the present invention comprises a housing having a top part
and a bottom part
defining an interior space adapted for maintaining trapped water, and the top
and bottom part may
be in two part form or may be seen as one housing, wherein the top and bottom
merely indicates
which half of the housing reference is made to.
The top part has a first opening configured to engage in a liquid tight manner
with the drain of
the washbasin. It is clear to the skilled person that in order to make such a
connection liquid tight
the use of for instance a threaded connection, would be an option, although
other solutions are
possible. Sometimes the distance from the location of the water trap top
opening and the drain of
the washbasin will require a connection pipe which have a length depending on
such distance. The
connection pipe is a hollow inlet pipe, made of a metal, such as an alloy.
The top part also has a second opening configured to engage in a liquid tight
manner with a
hollow outlet pipe for discharging waste water, and typically such second
opening is located in the
side of the top part so as to easily connect such opening to another pipe that
will lead waste water to
.. a different location, such as a sewer.
The bottom part is adapted to receive and maintain an UVC light source in a
liquid tight
manner, wherein the UVC light source when in operation radiate the trapped
water and the total
interior space. The UVC light source is adapted to radiate all the trapped
water and all of the
interior space. The UVC light source is located in a defined space extending
into the bottom part so
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that the UVC light when maintained radiates all of the interior space of the
water trap including any
hollow inlet pipe. Typically, the UVC light source when implemented and in use
extends form an
inner wall of the bottom part to the opposite inner wall of the bottom part.
Preferably, the UVC light
source is adapted to provide UVC light at 254 nm, since experiments have shown
that outside this
wavelength effectivity is reduced considerably. Due to constraints it is
preferred to have one UVC
lamp providing UVC light at 254 nm, although 2 or 3 UVC lamps could be
present. Preferably, and
in order to provide the most effective source of UVC light, the UVC lamp is
located centrally in the
housing bottom part. Thus, the UVC lamp is located centrally and extends
across the whole distance
from one inner wall to the opposite inner wall. The bottom part may be adapted
to receive the UVC
light source through one opening configured to receive the UVC light source
and maintain it in a
liquid tight manner, however, to make the water trap more user friendly and
easier to adapt to
different situations and locations of washbasins the bottom part is adapted to
receive the UVC light
source through two opposite openings both configured to receive the UVC light
source and
maintain it in a liquid tight manner.
The UVC lamp is covered by a glass also known as a sleeve protecting the UVC
source, and to
further protect the glass a nanocover is applied, preferably to the full
surface area of the glass.
Preferably, the UVC light source is coated with a nanocover not absorbed by
the UVC light. The
nanocover is used for reducing calcium deposits on the outer part of the glass
defining the UVC
lamp. The nanocover shuns the water and avoids binding of water to the glass
surface. Thus, the
calcium cannot bind to the nanocover and consequently no calcium is formed,
which ensure a
continued effective UVC light in the water trap. The pure glass surface
without nanocover may in
areas with hard water experience the formation of calcium carbonate on the
glass leading to a less
effective UVC radiation during extended use.
Typically, the nanocover may be made of a mixture of carbon hydrogens and
silicum dioxide.
SiO2 is chemically bound to the glass surface. The nanocover is applied by
spray although dipping
and other ways of application are contemplated. The nanocover coating is
applied to the sleeve
glass to create an even distribution on the glass which coating is relatively
thin, typically the UVC
lamp is protected with a 20,5 mm closed/domed quartz sleeve which protects
against air and water
flow, breakage, leakage, temperature fluctuations, and environmental hazards.
The UVC light form
the lamp has a wavelength of 254 nm, and since the nanocover do not absorb at
this wavelength it
will not influence the effectivity of the UVC lamp.
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The optional hollow inlet pipe for use in top part first opening is made of a
metal and is possible
to adjust during installation under a washbasin. In order to function
optimally, the first end of the
hollow inlet pipe should extend into the interior space of the housing in such
a way that the first end
extends below the second opening of the top part, to avoid complications
during use, and proper
functioning of the water trap.
The second opening of the top part typically is equipped with an outlet pipe
protruding from the
opening to a point where the waste water can be discharged. Such second pipe
may be made of any
material such as plastic or metal, but when the water trap of the present
invention is manufactured
in metal it will be preferred to also make the inlet pipes for the top part of
metal.
As used herein the term "metal" means any metal as such or metal mixtures,
such as alloys,
typically brass is used. Optionally the metal, such as brass is then chrome
plated.
The formation of bio-films may contribute to contamination in the inner space
of the housing
and the different parts, such as hollow inlet pipes extending from first and
second openings in the
top part, and it is therefore preferred to make all inner parts (surfaces) of
the water trap smooth to
.. reduce formation of bio-films.
Typically, the housing is substantially cylinder shaped. The top and bottom
parts of the housing
may be detachable and connectable in a liquid tight manner, or the bottom part
may comprise a
detachable lid or plug connected in a liquid tight manner adapted to remove
the trapped water. Such
lid or plug is placed at the lowest part of the bottom part, to make removal
of trapped water easy
and user friendly.
In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method of disinfecting
water from a
washbasin having a drain comprising providing the self-disinfecting water trap
of the present
invention and any one of the above embodiments and connecting the water trap
to the drain of the
washbasin and adapting the outlet pipe for discharging waste water. It is to
be understood that each
of the above embodiments described in connection with the self-disinfecting
water trap of the
present invention are also intended to be embodiments in respect of method of
disinfecting water of
the present invention.
In a still further aspect the present invention relates to use of the self-
disinfecting water trap of
the present invention and any one of the above embodiments, for reducing
microorganisms in the
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drain of the washbasin and in the water-trap. It is to be understood that each
of the above
embodiments described in connection with the self-disinfecting water trap of
the present invention
are also intended to be embodiments in respect of the use of the self-
disinfecting water trap of the
present invention.
In a further aspect the present invention relates to a washbasin system having
a washbasin and a
drain comprising (a) a self-disinfecting water trap of the present invention
and any one of the above
embodiments, and (b) the drain is adapted to be in liquid tight connection
with the hollow inlet pipe,
wherein the inlet pipe is made of a metal, such as an alloy, and has an inner
surface which is smooth
and which is adapted to be exposed to the UVC light from the water trap. It is
to be understood that
each of the above embodiments described in connection with the self-
disinfecting water trap of the
present invention are also intended to be embodiments in respect of the
washbasin system of the
present invention.
The drain typically has a strainer element integrated in the washbasin and
adapted to receive a
plug for containing water in the washbasin, wherein the strainer element has
multiple openings for
water to get through. The openings in the strainer should be sufficient to
remove water from the
washbasin during use and at the same time such openings should also reduce
light from the UVC
light source with at least 30%, such as at least 40%, at least 50%, or at
least 60%.
The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the appended
drawings
illustrating typical embodiments of the water trap of the present invention.
These drawings are by no means limiting the scope of the present invention and
are only
intended to guide the skilled person for better understanding of the present
invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a water trap (10) of the present invention having a top
part (14) and a bottom
part (16) and an interior space (not shown). The top and bottom parts
constitute the housing (12).
The top part (14) has a first opening (18) and a second opening (22) wherein
the first opening (18)
is defined by a connection element (20) which can engage with a drain of a
washbasin or a
connection pipe, such as a hollow inner tube (not shown), extending from the
washbasin. The
second opening (22) is extended by a pipe connection (24) which is equipped
with a threaded inner
part (26) for engaging in a liquid tight manner with an extension pipe (not
shown) for leading waste
water to a sewer. In the bottom part two pipe extensions (30, 34) are located
opposite each other
which first pipe extension (30) has an opening (28) adapted for receiving a
UVC lamp. On the
opposite side the other pipe extension (34) has a similar opening (not shown)
adapted for receiving
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a UVC lamp. Thus, in this embodiment the UVC lamp may be inserted and mounted
from both
openings in the pipe extensions (30, 34). The small connection (32, 36) is an
outlet for earth
connection during use.
Figure 2 illustrates a similar water trap (40) as in figure 1 seen from the
side where the second
opening (44) in the top part (42) is seen. The corresponding top (42) and
bottom part (46) are the
same as in figure 1 (14 and 16). The top (52) of the top part (42) is located
opposite the bottom (54)
of the bottom part (46). In the bottom part two pipe extensions (48, 50) are
located opposite each
other which pipe extensions (48, 50) have openings (not shown) adapted for
receiving a UVC lamp,
as also described in figure 1. The small connections (56, 58) is an outlet for
earth connection during
use.
Figure 3 illustrates the same water trap (40) as in figure 2, and seen as the
cross-section along
line A-A. The top (52) has a threaded part for engaging with the drain
optionally via a hollow inner
pipe (not shown). The top part (42) has the extension pipe (62) with the
second opening (44) and
the interior space (66) is illustrated. The part (60) indicates the opening in
the bottom part (46)
where the UVC lamp is introduced for use during operation of the water trap,
also shown in figure 2
at extension pipes (48, 50).
Figure 4 illustrates the same water trap (40) as in figure 2 and seen as the
cross-section along
line B-B, seen from top part to bottom part. The cylindrical interior space
(66) is indicated and the
bottom part (46) surrounds said inner space (66) and the openings (68, 70) in
the extension pipes
(48, 50) are located centrally and opposite each other. The openings are
adapted to receive a UVC
lamp and to maintain the UVC lamp in a liquid tight manner. The small
connections (56, 58) is an
outlet for earth connection during use.
Figure 5 illustrates a different shape of an embodiment of the water trap (80)
having a top part
(84) and a bottom part (96) and an interior space (not shown). The top and
bottom parts constitute
the housing (92). The top part (84) has a first opening (82) and a second
opening (86) wherein the
first opening (82) is defined by a connection element which can engage with a
drain of a washbasin
or a connection pipe extending from the washbasin. The second opening (86) is
extended by a pipe
connection (86) which is equipped with a threaded inner part (not shown) for
engaging in a liquid
tight manner with an extension pipe (not shown) for leading waste water to a
sewer. In the bottom
part (96) one pipe extension (94) can be seen from the end of insertion of the
UVC lamp, and this
one pipe extension (94) has an opening (94) adapted for receiving a UVC lamp.
Thus, in this
embodiment the UVC lamp may be inserted and mounted from only one opening. The
top part (84)
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and bottom part (96) are illustrated spaced apart, in that an inner tube/pipe
(88) can be seen at the
assembly between top part (84) and the engaging part (90) of the bottom part
(96) for securing a
liquid tight housing during use. The small connection (98) is an outlet for
earth connection during
use.
Figure 6 illustrates the same water trap (80) as in figure 5 and seen as the
cross-section along
line C-C. Here the hollow inner tube or pipe (88) can be seen as extending
form the top opening
(102) of the top part (84) and to a location (104) below the second opening of
the top part (not
shown). The interior space is illustrated as (100) and in the bottom part (96)
the UVC lamp (94) is
shown as maintained in the bottom part (96) of the housing (92). The opposite
end (104) of the
opening having the inserted UVC lamp (94) extends from the side of the bottom
part to house and
secure and maintain the UVC lamp during use.
Figure 7 illustrates the same water trap (80) as in figure 5 and seen as the
cross-section along
line D-D. As can be seen the UVC lamp (94) is located centrally and extends
from both sides of the
bottom part of the housing securing a full UVC exposure of the interior space
(100) as well as
trapped water and parts of the water trap or water trap system facing the
inside of the housing (92).
Figure 8 illustrates a strainer element (110) having a top part (112) and an
opposite bottom part
(114), wherein the bottom part is an opening for being engaged with the water
trap, and the top part
(112) contains several small openings (122, 124, 126) for the water from the
washbasin to get out
and into the water trap. The top part has an edge part (120) which is
circumferential (not shown)
and is adapted to fit into a drain of a washbasin. The inner space (118)
defines a hollow space for
water to run through when the washbasin is in use, and the strainer (110) is
delimited by a wall
(116) defining the tube extension from the top part and into the water trap
(not shown).
Figure 9 illustrates the strainer element (110) of figure 8, seen from the top
part. As illustrated
in this embodiment the top part contains seven small openings (122, 124, 126,
130, 132, 134, 136)
for the water from the washbasin to get out and into the water trap. The top
part has an edge part
(120) which is circumferential and the circumferential inner lines (128)
illustrates a small recess for
leading water into the small openings (122, 124, 126, 130, 132, 134, 136).
All references, including publications, patent applications and patents, cited
herein are hereby
incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference was
individually and specifically
indicated to be incorporated by reference and was set forth in its entirety
herein.
All headings and sub-headings are used herein for convenience only and should
not be
construed as limiting the invention in any way.
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Any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations
thereof is
encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted
by context.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a short
method of referring
individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless other-
wise indicated herein, and
each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were
individually recited herein.
Unless otherwise stated, all exact values provided herein are representative
of corresponding
approximate values (e.g., all exact exemplary values provided with respect to
a particular factor or
measurement can be considered to also provide a corresponding approximate
measurement,
modified by "about", where appropriate).
All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless
otherwise indicated
herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
The terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents as used in the context
of de-scribing the
invention are to be construed to insert both the singular and the plural,
unless otherwise indicated
herein or clearly contradicted by context. Thus, "a" and "an" and "the" may
mean at least one, or
one or more.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as")
provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a
limitation on the scope of the
invention unless otherwise indicated. No language in the specification should
be construed as
indicating any element is essential to the practice of the invention unless as
much is explicitly
stated.
Throughout the description when "selected from" or "selected from the group
consisting of" is
used it also means all possible combinations of the stated terms, as well as
each individual term.
The citation and incorporation of patent documents herein is done for
convenience only and
does not reflect any view of the validity, patentability and/or enforceability
of such patent
documents.
The description herein of any aspect or embodiment of the invention using
terms such as
"comprising", "having", "including" or "containing" with reference to an
element or elements is
intended to provide support for a similar aspect or embodiment of the
invention that "consists of',
"consists essentially of', or "substantially comprises" that particular
element or elements, unless
otherwise stated or clearly contradicted by context (e.g., a composition
described herein as
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comprising a particular element should be understood as also describing a
composition consisting of
that element, unless otherwise stated or clearly contradicted by context).
The features disclosed in the foregoing description may, both separately and
in any combination
thereof, be material for realizing the invention in diverse forms thereof.
EXPERIMENTAL S
A newly developed UV-C decontamination device for washbasin water traps (see
Figures 1-9) was mounted on four separate washbasins (HygLab, 211, 103A and
200B).
Experimental design:
In two washbasins UV-C light was active while two washbasins were used as
controls without UV-
C exposure (part 1). After eight weeks, the experiment was swapped, and the
initial UV-C active
washbasins were used as controls and the initial control washbasins were
exposed to UV-C light (part
2), see Table 1.
Table 1
I. ________________________________________________ -ffi
Part I Part 2
Day 0-58 59 - 95
UV-C Active HygLab, 211 103A, 200B
Control 103A, 200B HygLab, 211
Hyglab means a washbasin in the hygiene laboratory, and 211, 103A and 200B are
specific
washbasins in different toilets in the hospital facility.
Collection and identification of samples:
Swabs were taken weekly from the top and the bottom of the washbasin tailpipes
and grown on blood
agar- and lactose agar plates. Bacteria were quantified semi-quantitatively.
Water was collected from the water traps weekly and serial 10-fold dilutions
were made in order to
determine total bacterial counts (CFU/mL).
Bacterial colonies were identified by MALDI-TOF MS technique
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Bacterial counts (CFU/mL):
A marked reduction in bacterial counts was observed within the first week in
the UV-C active water
traps compared with the control washbasins in both part 1 and 2 of the
experiment. Bacterial counts
were reduced by a factor 105 ¨ 106 in the UV-C active water traps in part 2 of
the experiment (See
table 2).
Overall a marked difference in bacterial counts was observed between water
traps exposed to UV-C
light and control water traps throughout the experimental period.
Within the first two weeks of part 2 of the experiment the bacterial counts in
the new control water
traps markedly increased to a level similar to the control water traps in part
1 of the experiment (see
table 2).
Table 2
CFU, - ,r.:(),trA
no. H _ab 211 103 __ 2003 - ELab 211 A
2CCB ,
5 t rkr-1
12
19
27
33
41
47
54 590
61 0
68
76
81
88
...====11111111111111111111 __ -..111===============11.
Species identified:
UV-C decontamination reduced the total number of different bacteria identified
in water traps
exposed to UV-C light (UV-C active=5; controls=9).
After exposure to UV-C light was interrupted the total number of species
identified increased.
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Under UV-C light exposure Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram negative intestinal
commensals
disappeared while Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was markedly
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