Overflow drain

Abstract

An overflow drain cover assembly includes a weir that enables a fluid level in a container to rise above the bottom of an overflow drain in the container. The weir covers all or a portion of the overflow drain and has a cavity portion between the weir and the overflow drain. The cavity portion is open at the top of the weir so when the fluid level in the container rises above the top of the weir, fluid can flow over the top of the weir and enter cavity portion and thence into the overflow drain.

1 . An overflow drain cover assembly, comprising:
 a weir having a cavity portion, the cavity portion forming a gap at a top of the weir when the weir is mounted to an overflow drain on a substantially vertical wall of a container,   wherein the weir blocks contents of the container below the top of the weir from entering the overflow drain, and   wherein a first cross-sectional area of the first gap is a minimum of 1000 square millimeters.   
   
   
       2 . The overflow drain cover assembly of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a gasket between the weir and the vertical wall, the gasket enhancing a seal between the weir and the vertical wall when the weir is mounted to the overflow drain.   
   
   
       3 . The overflow drain cover assembly of  claim 2 , comprising:
 a cover covering the weir and having one or more openings on a bottom surface to allow contents of the container to enter behind the cover, the cover forming a second gap between the weir and the cover,   wherein a total cross-sectional area of the one or more openings, a second cross-sectional area of the second gap, and the first cross-sectional area of the first gap are substantially equal.   
   
   
       4 . The overflow drain cover assembly of  claim 3 , wherein a first cross-sectional area of the first gap is a maximum of 1500 square millimeters. 
   
   
       5 . The overflow drain cover assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the cover is mounted to the weir. 
   
   
       6 . The overflow drain cover assembly of  claim 4 , comprising one or more mounting devices capable of mounting the weir to the overflow drain. 
   
   
       7 . The overflow drain assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the weir has through holes and the one or mounting devices are screws that fit through the through holes. 
   
   
       8 . A method of raising contents of a container above the level of an overflow drain; comprising:
 mounting a weir to the overflow drain, the weir having a cavity portion, the cavity portion forming a first gap at a top of the weir when the weir is mounted to the overflow drain on a substantially vertical wall of the container,   wherein the weir blocks contents of the container below the top of the weir from entering the overflow drain, and   wherein a first cross-sectional area of the first gap is a minimum of 1000 square millimeters.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 providing a gasket between the weir and the vertical wall, the gasket enhancing a seal between the weir and the vertical wall when the weir is mounted to the overflow drain.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising:
 covering the weir with a cover, the cover having one or more openings on a bottom surface thereof;   forming a second gap between the weir and the cover; and   allowing contents of the container to enter behind the cover through the one or more openings.   wherein a total cross-sectional area of the one or more openings, a second cross-sectional area of the second gap, and the first cross-sectional area of the first gap are substantially equal.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a first cross-sectional area of the first gap is a maximum of 1500 square millimeters. 
   
   
       12 . The overflow drain cover assembly of  claim 11 , comprising mounting the cover to the weir.