Self-cleaning flooring system

Abstract

A self-cleaning flooring system is provided that includes at least one module. The module comprises a drain pan, a plurality of discharge ports, and at least one side wall. The drain pan may have a ramp and a drain outlet. The ramp may slope downward towards the drain outlet. The discharge ports may be disposed about a periphery of the drain pan and may be directed towards the drain outlet to direct flushing fluid towards the drain outlet. The side wall may circumscribe a portion of the periphery of the drain pan and include a hollow passage and at least one fluid inlet. The fluid inlet may be in fluid communication with the hollow passage for delivering flushing fluid to the discharge ports.

1 . A self-cleaning flooring system including at least one module, the module comprising:
 a drain pan having at least one ramp and a drain outlet, the ramp sloping downwardly toward the drain outlet; and   at least one side wall and one end wall forming at least a portion of a periphery of the drain pan, the end wall having at least one fluid inlet, the side wall having at least one discharge port configured to receive flushing fluid from the fluid inlet and direct flushing fluid down the ramp toward the drain outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of the modules, each one of the modules being configured to be connectable to one another in horizontal alignment. 
     
     
         3 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 1  wherein the side wall includes a hollow passage extending therethrough, the hollow passage being in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and being configured to deliver flushing fluid to the discharge port. 
     
     
         4 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 1  further including a removable drain basket positioned adjacent to the drain outlet and being operative to prevent solid waste from entering the drain outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 1  wherein the module further includes at least one floor grid mounted on the drain pan and being configured to support personnel standing thereupon and permitting waste products to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 1  wherein the module further includes at least one strainer tray mounted above the drain channel and being configured to prevent waste products of a predetermined size from entering the drain channel. 
     
     
         7 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 1  wherein the drain pan includes a perimeter flange extending around the drain pan periphery and being configured for supporting the drain pan. 
     
     
         8 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 1  further including at least one pressure tank in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and being configured to deliver pressurized flushing fluid thereto. 
     
     
         9 . A self-cleaning flooring system including at least one module, the module comprising:
 a drain pan section, comprising:
 a pair of ramp sections; and 
 a channel section disposed between the ramp sections, the channel section being configured to removably interconnect the ramp sections, the channel section sloping downwardly toward a drain outlet; 
 wherein each one of the ramp sections is oriented to slope downwardly toward the channel section; and 
   at least one discharge port mounted adjacent to the ramp sections and being operative to spray flushing fluid onto the ramp sections such that waste products are washed down the ramp sections toward the channel section and from the channel section toward the drain outlet.   
     
     
         10 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 9  wherein the drain outlet is located adjacent one end of the channel section, the channel section sloping downwardly toward the drain outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 at least one end plate; 
 wherein each module comprises a plurality of drain pan sections connected end-to-end and having an end plate mounted on at least one end thereof. 
 
     
     
         12 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 11  wherein the ramp sections and the channel section are formed as separate components. 
     
     
         13 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 9  comprising a plurality of the modules, each one of the modules being configured to be connectable to one another end-to-end. 
     
     
         14 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 9  wherein each one of the ramp sections includes at least one rib member disposed thereunder and being configured to support the ramp section above a substrate. 
     
     
         15 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 9  wherein the module further includes at least one floor grid mounted on the drain pan section and being configured to support personnel standing thereupon and permitting waste products to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The self-cleaning flooring system of  claim 9  wherein the module further includes at least one strainer tray mounted above the channel section and being configured to prevent waste products of a predetermined size from entering the drain channel. 
     
     
         17 . A self-cleaning flooring system formed in a substrate, comprising:
 a drain pan having a pair of ramps sloping downwardly toward a drain channel, the drain channel sloping downwardly toward a drain outlet, the drain pan defining a periphery with a perimeter flange extending therearound;   a manifold extending along a portion of the drain pan and being disposed above at least one of the ramps; and   a spray nozzle fluidly connected to the manifold and being operative to spray flushing fluid down the ramp toward the drain channel and toward the drain outlet.   
     
     
         18 . The module of  claim 17  wherein the substrate is concrete. 
     
     
         19 . The module of  claim 17  wherein the drain pan is formed in the substrate using a removable insert configured as a male mold. 
     
     
         20 . The module of  claim 17  wherein the insert is a foam material.