Particulate Catch Basin for Condensate Drain Line

Abstract

A particulate catch basin device for a condensate drain line used with an air conditioning system is described. The device includes a detachable water container in which solid particulates are captured. The detachable water container is connected to a head apparatus to which a condensate water line is attached. Water inside the detachable water container operates as a trap to capture particulates contained in condensate water entering into the device from an air handler through the condensate water line. Water, with the particulates removed by their capture within the detachable water container, flows out of the device through a connected drain pipe. A maximum water height within the detachable water container and head should not exceed a point that is lower than a lowest point of entry into the drain pipe. The device can include transparent materials to facilitate monitoring of the accumulation of particulates within the detachable water container.

What is claimed is 
     
         1 . A particulate catch basin device for capturing particulates flowing through a condensate drain line of an air conditioner system, the device comprising:
 a head apparatus comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall, wherein the side wall comprises an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture;   a container in which particulates are captured from a condensate, wherein a top open portion of the container is detachably connectable to the bottom portion of the head apparatus;   a condensate line connecting an air handler to the head apparatus at the inlet aperture, wherein condensate water from the air handler flows through the condensate line and into the head apparatus, wherein the condensate line comprises an open end through which condensate water exits the condensate line and flows into the container, and wherein a water level inside the container is a sufficient height to prevent air from entering into the condensate line from the container; and   a drain line connected to the outlet aperture for allowing condensate water to exit the container.   
     
     
         2 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more parts of the particulate catch basin device are constructed from a transparent material. 
     
     
         3 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the condensate line comprises a drain portion that comprises the open end; and wherein the drain portion is oriented downward inside the container so that the open end is configured at a first position that is lower than a second position that is a lowest point within an interior of the condensate line where the condensate line connects to the inlet aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein a drain element is connected to the open end of the condensate line; and wherein the drain element comprises a connecting end that connects to the open end of the condensate line and a drain element open end that allows condensate water to flow out of the drain element and into the container. 
     
     
         5 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an overflow trough attached to an outer surface of the container to catch condensate water when the container is detached from the head apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein condensate water from the air handler enters the container through the head apparatus from the condensate line and collects within the container so that a maximum water level within the container is near a lower inner surface of the drain pipe so that excess condensate water flows out of the drain pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion of the head apparatus is attached to a top portion of the container by:
 (i) screwing the container onto the head apparatus, wherein the bottom portion of the head apparatus comprises threading and the top portion of the container also comprises threading so that the container is attachable to the bottom portion of the head apparatus by screwing the top portion of the container over or into the bottom portion of the head apparatus; or   (ii) clipping the container onto the head apparatus using one or more clips, clamps, snaps, latches, a combination of two or more of the foregoing, or any other suitable connection apparatuses.   
     
     
         8 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein an interior of the container is divided into a first section and a second section by a wall; wherein the wall does not extend to a bottom of the container; and wherein the condensate line enters the head apparatus at the first section and the drain line exits the head apparatus at the second section. 
     
     
         9 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the head apparatus comprises means for holding a chemical drain cleaner that is released into the condensate water inside the container when the water level within the container rises so that the condensate water contacts the chemical drain cleaner within the means for holding. 
     
     
         10 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the condensate line is part of an existing air conditioner system and the head apparatus is installable so as to be connected to the existing air conditioner system. 
     
     
         11 . A particulate catch basin device for capturing particulates flowing through a condensate drain line of an air conditioner system, the device comprising:
 a head apparatus comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall, wherein the side wall comprises an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture;   a container in which particulates are captured from a condensate, wherein a top open portion of the container is detachably connectable to the bottom portion of the head apparatus, wherein an interior of the container is divided into a first section and a second section by a wall, wherein the wall does not extend to a bottom of the container, and wherein the condensate line enters the head apparatus at the first section and the drain line exits the head apparatus at the second section;   a condensate line connecting an air handler to the head apparatus at the inlet aperture, wherein condensate water from the air handler flows through the condensate line and into the head apparatus, wherein the condensate line comprises an open end through which condensate water exits the condensate line and flows into the container, and wherein a water level inside the container is a sufficient height to prevent air from entering into the condensate line from the container; and   a drain line connected to the outlet aperture for allowing condensate water to exit the container.   
     
     
         12 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 11 , wherein the condensate line comprises a drain portion that comprises the open end, wherein the drain portion is oriented downward inside the container so that the open end is configured at a first position that is lower than a second position that is a lowest point within an interior of the condensate line where the condensate line connects to the inlet aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 11 , wherein a drain element is connected to the open end of the condensate line; wherein the drain element comprises a connecting end that connects to the open end of the condensate line and a drain element open end that allows condensate water to flow out of the drain element and into the container. 
     
     
         14 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 11 , wherein condensate water from the air handler enters the container through the head apparatus from the condensate line and collects within the container so that a maximum water level within the container is near a lower inner surface of the drain pipe so that excess condensate water flows out of the drain pipe. 
     
     
         15 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 11 , wherein the head apparatus comprises means for holding a chemical drain cleaner that is released into the condensate water inside the container when the water level within the container rises so that the condensate water contacts the chemical drain cleaner within the means for holding. 
     
     
         16 . The particulate catch basin device of  claim 1 , wherein the condensate line is part of an existing air conditioner system and the head apparatus is installable so as to be connected to the existing air conditioner system. 
     
     
         17 . A method for capturing and removing particulates in a flow of condensate water from an air handler of an air conditioner system, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting a particulate catch basin device to a condensate line attached to an air handler, wherein the particulate catch basin device comprises:   a head apparatus comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall, wherein the side wall comprises an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture;   a container in which particulates are captured from a condensate, wherein a top open portion of the container is detachably connectable to the bottom portion of the head apparatus;   the condensate line connecting an air handler to the head apparatus at the inlet aperture, wherein condensate water from the air handler flows through the condensate line and into the head apparatus, wherein the condensate line comprises an open end through which condensate water exits the condensate line and flows into the container, and wherein a water level inside the container is a sufficient height to prevent air from entering into the condensate line from the container; and   a drain line connected to the outlet aperture for allowing condensate water to exit the container;   (b) capturing particulates in condensate water flowing from the air handler through the condensate line within the container of the particulate catch basin device; and   (c) allowing condensate water with particulates removed to flow out of the particulate catch basin device through the drain pipe.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 (d) detaching the container from the head apparatus and emptying the container of particulates captured within the container from the condensate water; and   (e) reattaching the container to the head apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein step (a) of the method further comprises the step of:
 (f) connecting a drain element to the open end of the condensate line; wherein the drain element comprises a connecting end that connects to the open end of the condensate line and a drain element open end that allows condensate water to flow out of the drain element and into the container; and wherein the drain element open end is positioned lower than a maximum water level inside the container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein an interior of the container is divided into a first section and a second section by a wall; wherein the wall does not extend to a bottom of the container so that an opening exists at the bottom of the container between the first section and the second section; wherein the condensate line enters the head apparatus at the first section so that particulates are forced downward by gravity and by flow of the condensate water toward the bottom of the container where they collect; wherein the condensate water flows through the opening from the first section into the second section; and wherein condensate water exits through the drain line, which exits the head apparatus at the second section.