Drain valve core

• US 9,027,172 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2012
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Green Drain Inc.
• Original Assignee: Green Drain Inc.
• Inventors: Fima, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HUYEN D
• Application Number:
  US13/356,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20120167295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 428/6, 428/7
• US Class Current: 4/287
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 1/14 Stoppers for wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/262 combined with outlet stoppers
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/298 consisting only of non-return valve
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 13/007 Waterless or low-flush urinals; Accessories therefor siphons E03C1/281

Abstract

Various embodiments of a device for regulating a fluid flow are described that can include first and second downwardly-sloping valves that are biased in a closed position to prevent odors from escaping the device. The device can also include first and second downwardly-sloping valve seats, and configured such that an end portion of the first valve can be seated beneath the first valve seat and an end portion of the second valve can be seated beneath the second valve seat when the first and second valves are in a closed position, respectively.

Claims

1. A device for regulating a fluid flow through a drain, comprising:

a housing;

an insert that is user-removable from the housing;

downwardly-sloping first valve configured to be biased in a closed position, and having a diaphragm disposed about a post with radially decreasing rigidity; and

wherein a bottom surface of the first valve comprises ribs configured to strenghthen the first valve.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a downwardly-sloping second valve disposed about the post, downstream of the first valve, and having radially decreasing rigidity.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first valve has a first outer 5 mm edge interval having a first average thickness, and the second valve has a second outer 5 mm edge interval having a second average thickness, and wherein the first average thickness is less than 95% of the second average thickness.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first average thickness is less than 90% of the second average thickness.

5. The device of claim 2, further comprising a housing that includes the first and second valve seats, and wherein each of the first and second valves is disposed within the housing.

6. device of claim 2, wherein the first and second valves are separated by no more than three inches.

7. The device of claim 2, further comprising a stem coupled to each of the first and second valves.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the ribs comprise a plurality of radially extending ribs that facilitates the radially decreasing rigidity.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first valve has a radially decreasing thickness that facilitates the radially decreasing rigidity.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a stem coupled to the first valve, and wherein the stem is disposed through a central portion of the first valve.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the stem further comprises a first bump, and wherein the first valve is coupled to the stem such that a portion of the first valve is configured to rest upon the first bump.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the stem further comprises a first recessed portion, and wherein the first valve is disposed in the first recessed portion.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the first valve is biased to be convex in an upstream direction.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet light emitter.

15. A cartridge configured to be inserted into a urinal that includes the device of claim 1.

16. A urinal that includes the device of claim 1.

17. A floor drain that includes the device of claim 1.