Air gap fitting

Abstract

Apparatus and methods provide for an air gap fitting to be installed between various equipment drains and a sewer connection. The apparatus includes a body with an inlet at a receiver. A supply of waste is provided to the device through the inlet and the waste then flows through a channel in the body. The apparatus also includes a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of the body such that the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with the channel and the plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend a majority of the perimeter of the body. Waste exits the body through an outlet at which point the waste flows through into the sewer system by way of a waste receptor pipe. The presence of the apertures allows waste to flow through them rather than allow contaminated sewage to reach upstream piping or equipment.

1 . An air gap fitting, comprising: 
 a body having: 
 an inlet at a receiver for receiving waste;  
 a central axis which is not coaxial with an axis for said receiver;  
 a channel in fluid communication with said inlet and wherein at least a portion of said channel is along said central axis and wherein said waste flows by gravity from said inlet to said channel;  
 a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of said body wherein the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with said channel; and  
   an outlet for allowing said waste to exit said body.    
   
   
       2 . The air gap fitting of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend at least 60% of said perimeter about said body.  
   
   
       3 . The air gap fitting of  claim 1 , wherein said body is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, steel, aluminum, plastic, wood, rubber, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The air gap fitting of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the device is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).  
   
   
       5 . The air gap fitting of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of axially disposed apertures are substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       6 . The air gap fitting of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is large enough to allow cleaning of said body without removing said body.  
   
   
       7 . The air gap fitting of  claim 1 , wherein a height of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is approximately twice a diameter of said inlet.  
   
   
       8 . The air gap fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising an upstream pipe for supplying said waste to said body, and wherein said body is able to support said upstream pipe without need of any additional support, and said upstream pipe is received by said receiver.  
   
   
       9 . An air gap fitting, comprising: 
 a body having: 
 an inlet at a receiver for receiving waste;  
 a central axis;  
 a channel in fluid communication with said inlet and wherein at least a portion of said channel is along said central axis and wherein said waste flows by gravity from said inlet to said channel;  
 a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of said body wherein the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with said channel and said plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend at least 60% of said perimeter wherein said perimeter is orthogonal to said central axis; and  
 an outlet for allowing said waste to exit said body.  
   
   
   
       10 . The air gap fitting of  claim 9 , wherein said receiver has an axis that is not coaxial with said central axis.  
   
   
       11 . The air gap fitting of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend at least 80% of said perimeter about said body.  
   
   
       12 . The air gap fitting of  claim 9 , wherein said body is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, steel, aluminum, plastic, wood, rubber, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The air gap fitting of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the device is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).  
   
   
       14 . The air gap fitting of  claim 9 , further comprising a waste receptor pipe in fluid communication with, and downstream of, said channel, 
 wherein at least one of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is sized to allow cleaning of said channel and said waste receptor pipe without removing said body, and    wherein a plumbers snake of at least a 0.5 cm diameter is used for the cleaning.    
   
   
       15 . The air gap fitting of  claim 9 , wherein a height of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is approximately twice a diameter of said inlet.  
   
   
       16 . The air gap fitting of  claim 9 , further comprising an inner pipe portion which is positioned at least partially inside of said body and adjacent said receiver, and 
 wherein said inner pipe portion is cut at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said central axis.    
   
   
       17 . The air gap fitting of  claim 9 , further comprising an upstream pipe for supplying said waste to said body and wherein said body is able to support said upstream pipe without need of any additional support, said upstream pipe is received by said receiver, and a height of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is approximately twice an inner diameter of said upstream pipe.  
   
   
       18 . A device comprising: 
 a body having: 
 an inlet at a receiver for receiving waste;  
 a central axis;  
 a channel in fluid communication with said inlet and wherein at least a portion of said channel is along said central axis and wherein said waste flows by gravity from said inlet to said channel;  
 an inner pipe portion which is positioned inside of said body and adjacent said receiver;  
 a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of said body wherein the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with said channel; and  
   an outlet for allowing said waste to exit said body.    
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising an upstream pipe for supplying said waste to said body, and wherein said body is able to support said upstream pipe without need of any additional support, said upstream pipe is received by said receiver and a height of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is approximately twice an inner diameter of said upstream pipe.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend at least 60% of said perimeter about said body.