Waterless urinal cartridge

Abstract

A removable waterless urinal cartridge for installation in a urinal to conduct urine to a waste line includes a collection basin for collecting urine, a drain opening in the collection basin; and a p-trap assembly having an inlet connected to the drain opening, a p-trap having a trap height of at least 2 inches, a generally transverse extension at the outlet of the p-trap, and a generally vertical tail depending from the generally transverse extension to an outlet. There is a strainer disposed over the drain opening in the collection basin having a top and a sidewall having openings for liquid to pass from basin through the strainer and into the drain. A float member is disposed in the strainer to block the drain opening when liquid is not present.

1 . A removable waterless urinal cartridge for installation in a urinal to conduct urine to a waste line of the urinal, the waterless urinal cartridge comprising:
 a collection basin for collecting urine, the collection basin being generally circular, having a generally concave shape with the lowest point generally at the center of the basin, and the drain opening being positioned offset from, but adjacent to, the lowest point of the basin to fully drain the basin;   a drain opening in the collection basin;   a housing depending from the collection basin;   a p-trap assembly inside the housing and having an inlet connected to the drain opening in the collection basin, a p-trap having a trap height of at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) and an internal diameter of less than 0.5 inches (12.7 mm), a generally transverse extension at the outlet of the p-trap, and a generally vertical tail depending from the generally transverse extension to an outlet that opens to an outlet in the housing; and   a strainer disposed over the drain opening in the collection basin, the strainer comprising a top and a sidewall having openings for liquid to pass from basin through the strainer and into the drain; and a float member disposed in the strainer, the float member sized to block the drain opening when liquid is not present.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The waterless urinal cartridge according to  claim 1  further comprising a deformable flange around the circumference of the cartridge for sealingly engaging the urinal into which the cartridge is installed. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The waterless urinal cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein the p-trap has a trap volume of less than about 1.5 in 3  (24.6 cm 3 ). 
     
     
         7 . The waterless urinal cartridge according to  claim 6  wherein the p-trap has a trap volume of less than about 1.10 in 3  ( 18  cm 3 ). 
     
     
         8 . The waterless urinal cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein there is a circular recess in the basin surrounding the drain, and wherein the strainer comprises a cup-shaped base, having an opening therein, the cup-shaped base adapted to fit in the circular recess in the basin, with the opening in the cup-shaped base aligned with the drain opening in the basin. 
     
     
         9 . The waterless urinal cartridge according to  claim 8  wherein the opening in the cup-shaped base is smaller than the drain opening. 
     
     
         10 . The waterless cartridge according to  claim 9  wherein the cup-shaped base is less than 97% of the size of the drain opening. 
     
     
         11 . The waterless cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein there is a constriction such that the effective cross-section of the drain opening is less than the cross-section of the p-trap. 
     
     
         12 . The waterless cartridge according to  claim 11  wherein the constriction is formed by the strainer. 
     
     
         13 . The waterless cartridge according to  claim 1  further comprising a vent opening in the p-trap assembly between the p-trap and the outlet, communicating with the interior of the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The waterless cartridge according to  claim 13  further comprising a seal on the exterior of the cartridge for sealingly engaging the urinal in which the cartridge is installed, and at least one vent in the enclosure, the vent in the enclosure venting the enclosure to the urinal below the seal. 
     
     
         15 . The waterless cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein the strainer has a generally cylindrical sidewall and a dome-shaped top. 
     
     
         16 . The waterless cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein there is a generally circular seat aligned with the drain, and wherein the float member is spherical, and has a diameter that is between about 1.5 and about 2.0 times the diameter of the circular seat. 
     
     
         17 . The waterless urinal cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein the float has a density of between about 1 and about 3 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         18 . The waterless urinal cartridge according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one tab projecting from the surface of the basin with a hole therein for engagement with a tool. 
     
     
         19 . The waterless urinal cartridge according to  claim 18  wherein there are at least two tabs projecting from the surface of the basin.