Integrated sink and disposal unit

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disposal of liquid and food into a sink basin. The disclosed system cooperates with and delivers the received waste material to the main waste system on-board the vehicle. This is typically an aircraft waste tank. The system does not require a manual flush, but includes a sensor system that activates drainage of the holding line when the liquid and/or other waste material reaches a certain level therein. The disclosed system combines the functionalities of a common galley sink and a galley waste disposal unit, but occupies only the space envelope of an existing galley sink. The use of an existing galley sink means that no additional space on the countertop is required.

1 . An integrated sink system, comprising:
 a standard sink basin;   a vent/holding line having a generally constant diameter along its length;   a conduit between the standard sink basin and the vent/holding line, wherein the conduit joins with the vent/holding line at a joint;   at least one level sensor positioned above the joint; and   a flush valve positioned below the joint.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is installed for use in an aircraft galley monument, and wherein the vent/holding line, the at least one level sensor, and the flush valve are mounted behind the aircraft galley monument. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is installed for use in an aircraft galley monument, and wherein the vent/holding line, the at least one level sensor, and the flush valve are mounted within the aircraft galley monument. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an air muffler at the upper end of the vent/holding line. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the level sensor comprises a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, a conductive sensor, a float sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a pressure sensor, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises a right angle. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises an acute Y-shaped angle. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum sensor. 
     
     
         9 . A vent/holding line, comprising:
 a generally constant diameter along a tube length;   a connection joint where the vent/holding line cooperates with a conduit from a sink basin;   at least one level sensor positioned above the connection joint; and   a flush valve positioned below the joint.   
     
     
         10 . The vent/holding line of  claim 9 , wherein the vent/holding line is installed for use in an aircraft galley monument, wherein the vent/holding line is mounted behind the aircraft galley monument, within the galley monument, or a combination thereof, and wherein the connection joint is secured to a conduit extending from an installed sink basin. 
     
     
         11 . The vent/holding line of  claim 9 , further comprising an air muffler at the upper end of the vent/holding line. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An integrated sink system, comprising:
 a standard sink basin;   a vent/holding line having a generally constant diameter along its length;   a conduit between the standard sink basin and the vent/holding line, wherein the conduit joins with the vent/holding line at a joint;   at least one level sensor; and   a flush valve positioned below the joint.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one level sensor is positioned above the joint. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the system is installed for use in an aircraft galley monument, and wherein the vent/holding line, the at least one level sensor, and the flush valve are mounted behind the aircraft galley monument, within the aircraft galley monument, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . An integrated sink system, comprising:
 a standard sink basin;   a vent line;   a conduit between the standard sink basin and the vent line, wherein the conduit joins with the vent line at a joint;   at least one level sensor positioned above the joint;   a reservoir in fluid communication with the conduit and the vent line; and   a flush valve.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the system is installed for use in an aircraft galley monument, and wherein the vent line, the at least one level sensor, the reservoir, and the flush valve are mounted within or behind the aircraft galley monument. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising an air muffler at the upper end of the vent line.