Height adjustable garbage disposal system and adapter kit

Abstract

A garbage disposal system including a drain flange and a garbage disposal unit is disclosed. The drain flange is designed to be received by an outlet of the sink drain and includes a lower portion with a first engagement member. The garbage disposal unit has an inlet with a second engagement member that engages the first engagement member, allowing adjustable offset between the outlet of the sink drain and the outlet of the garbage disposal unit. The engagement members may threadedly connect, and the drain flange may include protrusions for securing the disposal unit in place prior to engagement by the engagement members. An optional seal prevents leakage. An adapter kit is also provided, featuring a drain flange and an insert for connecting to the inlet of the disposal, with similar engagement mechanisms and sealing provisions. The system and kit allow flexible installation of garbage disposal units while ensuring secure attachment and proper alignment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garbage disposal system comprising:
 a drain flange configured to be received by a drain outlet of a sink, wherein the drain flange comprises a lower portion configured to extend below the sink, and wherein the lower portion of the drain flange comprises a first engagement member; and   a garbage disposal unit having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet comprises a second engagement member configured to engage the first engagement member, and wherein an offset between the drain outlet of the sink and the outlet of the garbage disposal unit is adjustable based on an amount of the lower portion of the drain flange is received by the inlet of the garbage disposal unit.   
     
     
         2 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement member is configured to threadedly engage the second engagement member. 
     
     
         3 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement member is defined on an exterior surface of the lower portion of the drain flange and the second engagement member is defined on an interior surface of the inlet of the garbage disposal unit. 
     
     
         4 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal coupled to the inlet of the garbage disposal unit and configured to engage the lower portion of the drain flange when received by the inlet of the garbage disposal unit. 
     
     
         5 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lower portion of the drain flange comprises at least one protrusion extending therefrom; and   the garbage disposal unit comprises at least one retaining hook extending upwardly from the inlet and configured to engage the at least one protrusion to prevent the garbage disposal unit from falling prior to engagement between the lower portion of the drain flange and the inlet of the garbage disposal unit.   
     
     
         6 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one protrusion extends circumferentially away from the lower portion of the drain flange. 
     
     
         7 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one protrusion extends from a nut configured to threadedly engage the lower portion of the drain flange above the garbage disposal unit. 
     
     
         8 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 7 , further comprising a seal coupled to the nut and configured to be tightened against the inlet of the garbage disposal unit when the first and second engagement members are coupled together. 
     
     
         9 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one retaining hook comprises at least two retaining hooks positioned on opposite sides of the inlet of the garbage disposal unit. 
     
     
         10 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two retaining hooks are configured to snap fit over the at least one protrusion prior to engagement between the first engagement member and the second engagement member. 
     
     
         11 . A garbage disposal system comprising:
 a drain flange configured to be received by a drain outlet of a sink, wherein the drain flange comprises a lower portion configured to extend below the sink, and wherein the lower portion of the drain flange comprises a first engagement member and at least one protrusion extending therefrom; and   a garbage disposal unit having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet comprises a second engagement member configured to engage the first engagement member, and wherein an offset between the drain outlet of the sink and the outlet of the garbage disposal unit is adjustable based on an amount of the lower portion of the drain flange is received by the inlet of the garbage disposal unit.   
     
     
         12 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one retaining hook extending upwardly from the inlet and configured to engage the at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         13 . The garbage disposal system of  claim 11 , wherein the first engagement member is defined on an exterior surface of the lower portion of the drain flange and the second engagement member is defined on an interior surface of the inlet of the garbage disposal unit. 
     
     
         14 . An adapter kit for a garbage disposal having an inlet and an outlet, the adapter kit comprising:
 a drain flange configured to be received by a drain outlet of a sink, wherein the drain flange comprises a lower portion configured to extend below the sink, and wherein the lower portion comprises a first engagement member; and   an insert configured to be connected to the inlet of the garbage disposal, wherein the insert comprises a second engagement member configured to receive at least a portion of the first engagement member.   
     
     
         15 . The adapter kit of  claim 14 , wherein the first engagement member is configured to threadedly engage the second engagement member. 
     
     
         16 . The adapter kit of  claim 14 , wherein the first engagement member is defined on an exterior surface of the lower portion of the drain flange and the second engagement member is defined on an interior surface of the insert. 
     
     
         17 . The adapter kit of  claim 14 , further comprising a seal coupled to one of the drain flange or the insert, wherein the seal is configured to prevent leakage between the first and second engagement members when the drain flange is received by the insert. 
     
     
         18 . The adapter kit of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the lower portion of the drain flange comprises at least one protrusion extending therefrom; and   the insert comprises at least one retaining hook extending therefrom and configured to engage the at least one protrusion to prevent the garbage disposal from falling prior to engagement between the first engagement member and the second engagement member.   
     
     
         19 . The adapter kit of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one protrusion extends circumferentially away from the lower portion of the drain flange. 
     
     
         20 . The adapter kit of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one protrusion extends from a nut configured to threadedly engage the lower portion of the drain flange above the garbage disposal.