URINAL APPARATUS

• US 20100199412A1
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whiffaway Limited
• Original Assignee: Mcalpine & Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: McAlpine, James Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 9,683,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/144.1
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 13/005 Accessories specially adapted for urinals
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 2009/024 using a solid substance

Abstract

An apparatus for a waterless urinal is described. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber for receiving a consumable de-odoriser, the housing including an access device to permit access to the chamber for allowing replacement of the consumable de-odoriser.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a waterless urinal, the apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a chamber for receiving a consumable de-odoriser, the housing including an access device to permit repeated access to the chamber for allowing replacement of the consumable de-odoriser, the housing configured to permit a new consumable de-odoriser to be inserted on top of or besides an existing but not fully depleted consumable de-odoriser.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access device comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first and second portions being connected such that moving the first portion with respect to the second portion permits access to the chamber, the first portion being movable with respect to the second portion between a closed configuration in which the chamber is closed, and an open configuration in which the chamber is accessible.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein in a closed configuration the chamber sealed.

8. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in a closed configuration the chamber is configured such that a consumable de-odoriser is hidden from view.

9. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in the closed configuration, the first portion is adapted to be fixed and locked relative to the second portion.

16. An apparatus according to any of the claims 1, wherein the access device comprises a port permitting access to the chamber, the port being normally closed.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the port is normally closed and sealed.

20. An apparatus according to claims 16 wherein the port comprises a port cover, and the port is opened by the application of a force to the port cover.

22. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the port cover is movable between a closed position in which the port is covered to an open position in which the port is uncovered, and the chamber can be accessed.

24. An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the port cover is biased to the closed position.

25. An apparatus according to claims 22 wherein the port is adapted to be moved to the open position by a de-odoriser feed device.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the feed device is an injection nozzle.

27. An apparatus according to claim 20 in which the port cover comprises first and second doors pivotally mounted to the housing.

29. An apparatus according to claim 20 in which the port cover comprises a series of overlapping leaves or a polymeric self-sealing access aperture.

32. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a consumable level indicator indicating a consumable level of said consumable de-oderiser in said housing.

33. An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the consumable level indicator comprises a chamber viewing device.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the chamber viewing device is a window defined by the housing.

35. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the access device comprises a port permitting access to the chamber, the port being the chamber viewing device.

36. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the port comprises a transparent port cover.

37. An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the consumable level indicator is configured to provide a change of at least one of the physical dimensions of the apparatus as the consumable level decreases.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said at least one of the physical dimensions of the apparatus comprises the apparatus height, and wherein the apparatus height reduces as the consumable de-odoriser is consumed.

39. An apparatus according to claim 1, the consumable de-oderiser having a consumable level, wherein the apparatus is biased to move one of the first or second portions with respect to the other of the first or second portions as the consumable level decreases.

40. An apparatus according to claim 39 wherein the first portion rotates with respect to the second portion as the consumable level decreases.

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11. An apparatus according to 5 wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion by means of a threaded connection, a bayonet type fitting, an interference connection, or by a hinge.

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