Drain hole waste trap and plug assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a waster trap assembly of the type which can be used in a drain hole of, for example, a sink or bath. The assembly includes sealing means such that the assembly can be moved axially between a sealing position and an open, drainage position. In the drainage position, debris is collected in a waste collecting means of the assembly rather than passing into the drain hole. The waste collecting means is provided to be manipulated between a waste collecting configuration in which the same is typically held when in the drain hole and a waste discarding configuration to which the same can be moved when it is desired to discard collected waste from the assembly.

1 . A waste trap assembly for use in conjunction with a drain hole in a sink, bath or similar item, said assembly having a waste collecting means and wherein said waste collecting means can be manipulated by a user between a debris collecting configuration and a debris discarding configuration. 
   
   
       2 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the waste collecting means is provided in a debris collecting configuration while the waste trap is located in the drain hole in either first or second positions and can be moved to the debris discarding configuration when the assembly is removed from the drain hole. 
   
   
       3 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the user manipulation involves moving at least part of the side wall of the waste collecting means. 
   
   
       4 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the manipulation involves moving the side walls to move the same “over center”. 
   
   
       5 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the waste collecting means is formed of a resilient material such that force is applied to the side walls to move the same from either the waste collecting or discarding configuration to an intermediate location whereupon continued application of force causes the resilience of the material to move the waste collecting means automatically to the other of the collecting or discarding configurations. 
   
   
       6 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the shape of the waste collecting means, in conjunction with the resilience of the material, encourages the waste collecting means to remain in either of the collecting or discarding configurations without application of force or other support being required. 
   
   
       7 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the waste collecting means incorporates a sealing means formed to allow the drain hole to be substantially sealed when the waste trap is in a first position. 
   
   
       8 . An assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the sealing means is formed integrally with the waste collecting means. 
   
   
       9 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the waste collecting means is provided with a rib portion extending around the periphery of the same. 
   
   
       10 . An assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the rib portion is of an increased thickness compared to the wall thickness of the remainder of the waste collecting means. 
   
   
       11 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the rib portion is formed at the free edge of the collecting means. 
   
   
       12 . An assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the assembly includes a cover member mounted coaxially with the waste collecting means and axially spaced there from. 
   
   
       13 . An assembly according to  claim 12  wherein the cover means is located such that when the assembly is in a lowered position in the drain hole the top surface of the cover member lies substantially flush with the surface of the sink or bath in which the drain hole is provided. 
   
   
       14 . A method of use of a waste trap assembly with respect to a drain hole, said method comprising the steps of moving the assembly to a lowered position in the drain hole to substantially seal the same and allow liquid to collect in a sink or bath or similar item for use; and, when the use is complete, moving the waste trap assembly to a raised position in the drain hole to allow liquid to pass through the drain hole and waste debris to be collected in a waste collecting means of the assembly in a debris collecting configuration and wherein the assembly is removed from the drain hole and the waste collecting means manipulated by a user from the debris collection configuration to a debris discarding configuration to allow debris to be discarded from the waste trap assembly. 
   
   
       15 . A waste trap assembly for a drain hole of a sink or bath or similar item, said waste trap including a waste collecting means for the collection of debris therein as liquid drains through the waste trap into the drain hole and wherein a cover member is provided, said cover member axially spaced from said waste collecting means. 
   
   
       16 . An assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the cover is spaced from the waste collecting means to a sufficient extent such that as liquid drains through the drain hole, debris can pass through the space between the cover and waste collecting means and be collected by the waste collecting means. 
   
   
       17 . An assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the upper surface of the cover member is shaped so as to encourage liquid and debris to move along the surface to the periphery of the cover and then into the waste collecting means. 
   
   
       18 . An assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the assembly is axially movable with regard to the drain hole between a first, lowered sealing position in which liquid is substantially prevented from entering the drain hole and a second, raised position in which liquid can pass around and through apertures provided in the waste collecting means, to enter the drain hole. 
   
   
       19 . An assembly according to  claim 18  wherein the extent of the axial movement is such that when the assembly is in the first position, the external face of the cover lies substantially flush with the surface of the sink adjacent the drain hole and the waste collecting means is hidden from view.