US20140020166A1 - Valve-Controllable Urinal Drain Line and Plumbing Component Rinse Management System for Very Low Water and/or Non-Water Use Urinals - Google Patents

Abstract

A water-conserving system equipped to periodically rinse ultra high-efficiency urinal drainage plumbing of corrosive waste liquid and reduce associated gaseous odor is provided. A valve-controllable rinse-cycle supply of water is provided which can selectively be directed into a single drainage conduit which receives waste water from one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals. The system provides embodiments having mechanical valves, or electro-mechanical valves configured responsive to control-signals provided from one or more electronic components, or one or more types of microprocessor-enabled devices, networked devices or computer apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is a non-provisional application which relies on U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/508,610 filed on Jul. 16, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention pertains generally to the field of water and energy conserving plumbing products, fixtures and systems. More specifically the invention relates to a valve-controllable urinal drain line and plumbing component rinse management system equipped to periodically convey a controllable supply of water or water solution (e.g., fresh, saline, alkali-enriched, rain water, grey water or water with one or more cleaning agents) as needed for rinsing the plumbing drainage line (and optionally one or more other plumbing components) of systems equipped with non-water urinals using no flush water per use-cycle, and/or ultra-high efficiency urinals (‘Ultra-HEU’) using less than 8 oz of fluid per use-cycle, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Water is a precious natural resource subject to increased demand and a commensurate decreasing supply. By the end of 2012 over two-thirds of the fifty states in the U.S. will face water shortages. It is projected that over 800 million people worldwide will not have a sufficient supply of water. As the awareness of these realities has become more understood new measures have begun to emerge to assist in reducing the amount of water being used or unnecessarily wasted each day. For example, in recent years water-conserving efforts made by manufacturers of plumbing fixtures have lead to significant decreases in the amount of water needed to flush toilets and urinals. Where previously a ‘low-flush standard’ for urinals had been 1.5 gallons per flush (‘gpf’), then 1 gpf, newer approaches showed that a 0.5 gpf (64 ounces) ‘low water use’ standard was quite attainable. And as of mid-2011 innovations achieved by a number of these same manufactures have produced an 0.125 gpf high efficiency urinal ‘HEU’ (an ⅛^thgallon or 16 ounce/1 pint per flush) achieving an 8× improvement over the 1 gpf models commonly used in a multitude of restrooms today. While such improvements have come relatively quickly and have contributed to significant reduction in water usage, they do not represent the best in what is attainable in urinal related water conservation.
• In an issued patent, and in co-pending patent applications of one or both of the present applicants, ultra high efficiency urinals or ‘Ultra-HEUs’ are described, which by incorporating one or more misters directing a cone-shaped mist into a urinal receptacle provide a highly efficient ‘micro-droplet wetting’ which achieves a two-ounce per flush (1.64 gpf) and self-rinsing (per half-minute use-cycle) representing yet another 8× improvement over the current/leading 0.125 gpf high efficiency urinal/‘HEU’ models. To illustrate what this means in terms of water savings one need only consider that the average toilet currently used in the homes of U.S. citizens uses over 200 times more water per flush than a flush urinal using two ounces per flush (per half-minute use-cycle avg.). This of course means that such Ultra-HEU 2-oz urinals could be used over 200 times for each single time the average U.S toilet is used. Or, the amount of water consumed by an average U.S. toilet for 3-4 days could provide enough water to operate an Ultra-HEU 2-oz per flush urinal for a full year. It should also be noted that water is a heavy substance and thus requires significant energy for its conveyance. Additional energy is required to treat water before it is conveyed and after it is used in a restroom or bathroom. For example, one leading urinal manufacturer reports that the state of California uses 17% of its energy resources just on water management. Thus, plumbing fixtures providing significant or substantial reductions in water usage also provide a respective degree of reductions in energy resources and therefore can provide significant cost-savings to municipalities, government or military agencies, institutional facilities, commercial buildings, businesses, residential users, and the like. Thus any fixture using 1/200^thof the water of an average U.S. toilet, or ⅛^thof the water of a leading Ultra-HEU can be expected to provide a commensurate reduction in energy usage and water-related costs, which would be desirable to any of the aforementioned types of users.
• As there are hundreds of millions of toilets in use today in the United States and the average water use of these toilets is still highly impacted by a substantial number of high water-use toilets, it can readily be seen that billions of gallons of water could be saved, even daily, by a deliberate and thoughtful planning which incorporates into restrooms, lavatories and bathrooms urinals (whether Ultra-HEU or Non-Water urinals) using about 1/200^thof water than the current status quo toilets.
• In addition to the concerns focused on water and energy usage is that of maintenance of plumbing fixtures and systems. For example non-water urinals, initially thought to be an ideal solution to reducing urinal water use, have been shown to have some undesirable outcomes. One concern is a much higher and more costly degree of maintenance overhead than was initially predicted. A second, more serious concern was finding that water free urinals retrofitted to, or newly installed with copper drainage plumbing did not have sufficient flushing of waste liquid to purge their copper pipes, which in turn produced urine-related corrosion and a much unwelcomed odor. Remedial measures were conceived that pushed maintenance labor, non-water urinal cleaning and odor treatment costs significantly beyond that which had been initially forecasted. In a number of cases where non-water urinals had been installed they had to be entirely removed (due to unacceptable odor) and replaced with conventional water-flushing urinals.
• In the case of a retrofitting of non-water urinals where there was existing copper plumbing, all copper drainage plumbing had to either be bypassed, or entirely removed and replaced with new plumbing (such as PVC plumbing) which was not, or less, subject to urine-related corrosion and its associated odor.
• Thus there is a need to effectively address urinal related corrosion and odor problems and to reduce the costs associated with the operation of non-water urinals, and to do so in a manner that is cost-effective for retrofit and new installations, and for the ongoing maintenance of non-water and/or ultra low water-use urinals. It is among the objects of the present invention to address this need and to additionally provide a water and energy conserving system for economically rinsing urinal drainage plumbing of corrosive waste liquid which may also be advantageously applied to flushing and mist self-rinsing ultra-HEUs.
• As it is desirable to continue to advance the design of and to produce plumbing systems, fixtures and products which substantially reduce the consumption and/or unnecessary waste of water; and to provide reductions in water-related conveyance, treatment and energy related overhead, while also reducing urinal-related maintenance, labor, construction, retrofitting, material, cleaning and treatment costs, it is among the objects of the present invention to provide new and improved solutions which address each of the aforementioned issues, needs and concerns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The objects of the present invention are achieved through a valve-controllable urinal drain line and plumbing component rinse management system configured for periodically rinsing, flushing or purging non-water urinal drainage plumbing or ultra high efficiency urinal (ultra-HEU) drainage plumbing, or both, and doing so in a water and energy conserving manner. In one of the embodiments, the system incorporates one or more non-water or ultra high efficiency urinals, or both, e.g., wall-mounted or otherwise configured for use by a user, each having a urinal drain pipe or conduit preferably configured to pass liquid in a single or urinal-exiting direction e.g., by incorporating a one-way valve or check valve, or by having a drain conduit-length sufficient, to prevent a back flow or up-swelling of valve-controllable rinsing, flushing or purging water (hereinafter referred to simply as ‘rinse’ or ‘rinsing’ water) into a urinal receptacle. When thus configured, the system instead channels the rinse water into an inlet of an upstream portion of a urinal drainage line so that, in taking a path of least resistance, it passes a lower portion of one or more urinal drain pipes (e.g., one for each urinal in the system) each attached between an upstream end and a downstream end of the urinal drainage line and directs the water out of the downstream end of the drainage line.
• The urinal drainage line upstream from one or more non-water urinals or ultra-HEU urinals, or both, is configured to communicate with a valve-controllable supply of water such as a pressurized, pump-pressurizable or storable, supply of water or a solution comprised mostly of water, for example, one or more of the following types of water or water-rich solutions: fresh, potable, sea, ocean or saline water, captured rain water, alkali-enriched, disinfectant-enriched, fragranced water, grey water, sink water, or any combination thereof, and so on). A downstream end of the urinal drainage line is configured to direct waste liquid into a sewer conduit or other suitable waste liquid managing means (e.g., into a waste liquid receptacle, container, bag, pit, gravel pit and the like). For example, a downstream end of a urinal drainage line may be configured to direct fluids into waste liquid managing means comprising a receptacle incorporated into, or with, a portable restroom or outhouse.
• The supply of water is configured controllable by one or more water valves such as one or more valves selectable from among the following: manually operated valve(s), float valve(s), check valves, butterfly valves, and the like. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more electronically actuated valve(s) or solenoid valve(s) may be employed, configured responsive to a communicated control signal. In each case, the one or more valves are configured to be periodically opened, long enough to dispense a volume of water sufficient to rinse at least the urinal drainage line of corrosive waste liquid, and may additionally or optionally include a volume of water also facilitating a rinsing of one or more other urinal-related or plumbing components, for example, a rinsing of plumbing connected between the downstream end of the urinal drainage line and a sewer conduit, or other suitable waste liquid or septic managing means.
• In electronically automated embodiments of the system one or more electronically actuated valves, solenoid valves or the like can be configured to receive control signal communicated from periodic rinse-water control means (or timing and control apparatus) wherein the one or more valves are periodically opened at predetermined or configurable intervals, for a time period sufficient to dispense a volume of water which rinses at least the urinal drainage line of corrosive waste liquid. Optionally, alternatively or additionally, the periodic rinse-water control means can be configured responsive to one or more, or a predetermined number of, control signals communicated to the control means from urinal use-cycle monitoring means, wherein one or more non-water urinals or Ultra-HEU urinals of the system, or both, or from one or more user proximity sensors thereof, are equipped to communicate a valve-actuated or sensor proximity-detection signal when, or during a time that, a water inlet valve is turned on, or a user is proximate to a proximity sensor of a urinal. In each case, the urinal use-cycle monitoring means detects each use-cycle of a urinal in the system and communicates use-cycle control signal to the periodic rinse-water control means, whereby one or more valves of the system can be opened at predetermined or configurable intervals long enough to dispense as needed a volume of water sufficient to rinse, purge or flush at least the urinal drainage line of corrosive waste liquid, and optionally rinse one or more other urinal related components.
• For example, one or more Ultra-HEU urinals of the system can each be equipped with a proximity sensor (e.g., selectable from proximity sensor types that are made commercially available) equipped to communicate a valve-state signal, such as a valve-actuated or valve momentarily-opened signal simultaneously to a respective urinal water inlet valve and to urinal use-cycle monitoring means. Thus configured, one or more predetermined or configurable use-cycle counting parameters or thresholds monitored and determined by microprocessor-equipped circuitry of the monitoring means can in turn cause a communicating of a use-cycle monitoring means control signal to one or more electronic switch or solenoid equipped valves of the system and/or to the periodic rinse-water control means, or a control means further comprising an electronic timer configurable to communicate one or more electronic valve control signals at controllable periodic or use-cycle dependent intervals.
• When the system is equipped with periodic rinse-water control means having circuitry including one or more processors or microprocessors, the control means can be configured responsive to predetermined or configurable timer control means in the circuitry, or responsive to urinal use-cycle monitoring means, or both, whereby suitable AC or DC electrical power means (e.g., low voltage) provided to operate the circuitry, is also configured to provide power and/or transmit control to the one or more valves of the system, and optionally provide any additional electrical power required by the system. The timer control means of the circuitry when configured adjustable, preferably includes one or more software instructions provided in a storable format executable by the one or more processors or microprocessors, which may be predetermined or configurably set by an authorized installer, user or individual when installing, maintaining or servicing the system. Additionally, the periodic rinse-water control means may be further equipped with a user interface such as a display screen for indicating system settings and configurable parameters as well as one or more user input means for adjusting such settings and/or parameters, and may also be equipped to set and/or receive a user password or control signal, for example entered by, or transmitted from a wireless handheld device, or RFID equipped card or apparatus of an authorized user. For example, a rinse cycle may be implemented by an authorized user employing an RFID card or apparatus in a near field communication ‘NFC’ manner by tapping the RFID sensing user interface with the card, or by bringing the card or apparatus within a 4 cm range of the user interface. Alternatively, periodic rinse-water control means may be equipped for communicating wirelessly via a transceiver or via a physical coupling (e.g., by Ethernet®, USB®, Firewire®, serial, parallel or optical cable, and the like) with a handheld device of an authorized user, or may alternatively be equipped for bi-directional communication made with a portable wireless handheld device equipped to communicate with the control means over the internet or a network (e.g., LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, BlueTooth®, NFC, TCP/IP, FTP and the like). For example, the periodic rinse-water control means can be configured for communicating by one or more of the aforementioned communication protocols and/or networks, including receiving control signal(s) and/or input(s) from, a wireless handheld device, such as a cell phone, Smartphone, tablet, portable computing device, or the like (for example, equipped with, or having a downloadable application executable by, an Apple®-iOS, Google®-Android or Windows®-Mobile operating system, and the like). Preferably such wireless handheld devices or apparatus are equipped with a user interface employable within a browser, or within a downloadable user interface and/or software application, configured for displaying and accepting one or more system settings or configurable parameters made by a password identified (or otherwise identified) authorized user, wherein the device and the control means are configured to wirelessly communicate one or more system settings, parameters or control signals when made by an authorized user and when communicated via the Internet, or a network, or to a transceiver in communication with the control means.
• It is noted, that in some embodiments of the system one or more urinals may each be equipped with a water inlet valve that is electronically actuated or solenoid actuated, or a manually operated having a valve-actuated electronic switch. When so configured, a valve is positionable between closed and opened or valve-actuated states manually, or in response to receiving a control signal for example, communicated from a proximity sensor, or manually positioned valve switch. Alternatively or additionally a urinal a water inlet valve may be configured responsive to control signal communicated from urinal use-cycle monitoring means, such that the one or more urinal water inlet valves, or mister nozzle water inlets, are periodically opened long enough to dispense a volume of water into a respective urinal receptacle, sufficient to rinse the receptacle while also rinsing or contributing to a rinsing of, a urinal drainage line, or add to water also being conveyed from the aforementioned supply of water into an upstream end of the urinal drainage line.
• The foregoing has outlined rather broadly features and advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter adding to a basis on which subsequent claims of the invention can be made. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other high-efficiency water-conserving and drainage flushing systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention, while also being aware that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a bock diagram depicting a preferred embodiment of the system and optional components which may be incorporated into one or more other embodiments of the system.
• FIG. 2 is a two-dimensional front view depiction of a user interface of a parameter setting or adjusting apparatus mountable in a room in which one or more urinals of the system reside, and adjustable by an individual authorized by a PIN, password or other identity-verifying means.
• FIG. 3 is a two-dimensional front view depiction of a Near Field Communication or NFC card in which is embedded at least one RFID chip or element wireles sly employable for implementing one or more interactions with a transceiver means of the system.
• FIG. 4 is a two-dimensional front view depiction of a handheld wireless device such as a browser equipped or downloadable application equipped cell phone, either of which is made configurable to wirelessly adjust or control one or more parameters of the system.
• FIGS. 5A-5C are a series of three two-dimensional side views with a urinal drain pipe and drain pipe chamber shown in cross-section, having a combination water/gas check valve pivotally configured within the chamber. InFIG. 5A the valve is depicted in a normally-closed state. The dashed-lines with arrow-heads pointing downward inFIGS. 5B indicate the flow/direction of waste-water during a use-cycle (or optional rinse/cleaning cycle), in5C the dashed-lines with arrow-heads pointing upward indicate the flow/direction of rinse-water provided from the supply of water or grey water receptacle or both, during one of the periodic rinsings of the urinal drain line.
• FIGS. 6-10 are each diagrammatic/graphical representations depicting in more detail aspects of the system diagrammed inFIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• In reference toFIG. 1, a representation of one of the preferred embodiments of the system (and one or more optional components) is depicted in a block diagram illustrating the managing of a flow of water as employed by the water and energy saving and plumbing component rinsing system (the flow of water is diagrammatically depicted by the broader parallel-lined arrows). For example, a flow of water in the system preferably passes through afilter80 or line filter, and includes a supply ofwater30 which is configured periodically controllable by a watersupply control valve34. Optionally or additionally the system also provides a controlling of some of the supply ofwater30 with awater valve18 e.g., when the system includes one or more ultra-low water use urinals or non-water urinals12 (or both) configured with a urinal receptacle that can be advantageously rinsed at periodic intervals, other than when an individual is employing a urinal during a typical use-cycle. As depicted in another of the drawing figures in more detail, the system is optionally configurable to incorporate agrey water receptacle130, for example connected by a conduit coupling downstream from and with the drains or drain line(s) of one or more sinks near to, or in a restroom or lavatory shared by, one ormore urinals12. Alternatively, the grey water may be provided by one or more other grey water sources, such as one or more types of water indicated in block30 (or other grey water source e.g., supplied from one or more two-stage toilets equipped to direct liquid waste water into the receptacle or intourinal drain line40A). When agrey water receptacle130 is employed, the receptacle preferably is equipped with a grey water overflow outlet (not shown inFIG. 1) configured to channel excess grey water directly into an upstream portion ofurinal drainage line40A through the drain line (40B) anddownstream portion40C, which facilitates a periodic rinsing of the drain line when there is excess grey water. Downstream from the supply ofwater30, or grey water receptacle130 (or both) is a watersupply control valve34 equipped with a valve controller. The valve controller ofcontrol valve34 may be configured manually operable (or manually positionable from a locked state to an unlocked state e.g., by an authorized service person) or configured responsive to periodic rinse-water control signal38B (of38A) received from periodic rinse-water control means36. As previously described control means36 can be configured to communicate a control signal at predetermined or authorized user-adjustable intervals and durations. Alternatively or additionally periodic rinse-water control means36 can be configured responsive to communications received from optional urinal use-cycle monitoring means44 which is configured to electronically monitor the usage or use-cycles of each urinal employed in the system in a storable data format. Based on at least some of the storable urinal usage data, monitoring means44 is configurable to communicate one or more monitoring means control signal(s)46 to watersupply control valve34, for example, to periodically provide rinse water to an upstream portion ofurinal drain line40A based on data pertaining to the usage of one or more of theurinals12 of the system. Accordingly, a sufficient volume of rinse water or grey water or both can be optimally provided to the drain line in accordance with a full range of zero or minimum usage to maximum usage of one or more urinals. Optionally or additionally, periodic rinse-water control means36 may be configured to provide, as needed, a control signal which actuates one or more water valves18 (each corresponding to a respective urinal12) or control signals electronically actuating a pressurized supply of a cleaning solution or disinfectant (e.g., fragranced or non-fragranced) injectable into the supply ofwater30 provided to the water valve(s)18 (not shown), whereby one or more ultra-low or non-water use urinal receptacles, or both (and other urinal components e.g., urinal drain pipe26) can advantageously and optimally be periodically rinsed, cleansed and/or disinfected in an automated manner.
• FIG. 1 also depicts the option to configure one or more urinal drain pipes with a controllable valve, such as a manually operated or electronically actuatedvalve28, for example, a valve selectable from one of the following, a: solenoid valve, stop valve, liquid and gas stop valve, float valve, check valve, butterfly valve, flap valve, hinged valve (and the like). Whereby, the valve when positioned to a closed state prevents an overflow or upward surge of rinse water (and optionally prevents the passage of gases when incorporating a gas stop valve component), as rinse water controlled by watersupply control valve34 is channeled into upstream portion ofurinal drain line40A at a volume sufficient to purge, flush or rinse at least the drain line (40A,40B and40C).
• As previously described, the embodiments depicted inFIG. 1 can further include one or more components enabling wireless bi-directional communication with the system over the Internet, a network, or with one or more one or more transceivers, and employing one or more types of wireless handheld devices, NFC and/or RFID equipped apparatus or cards, and the like. The system alone, or in combination with one or more types of the foregoing communications, can further comprise (as previously described) a user interface ‘UI’ with one or more types of typical UI input means, optionally including a display screen, or touch screen, equipped to display, present or represent information in a 2D or 3D manner. To further reduce display screen power requirements a display screen may be configured normally-off and equipped with a proximity sensor or authorized user password code that turns on the display screen as needed. Further still, the display (or portion thereof) may be of the type incorporating bi-state pixels which when positioned to one of the two states does not draw any power unless and until one or more pixels are changed to a new state from a previous state.
• FIG. 1 also depicts the option to equip the urinal drain line with one ormore vent pipes78, and an outlet end of a downstream portion ofurinal drain line40C is depicted being configured to channel waste fluids and/or rinse-water to asewer pipe102 or into other liquid waste managing means (e.g., a liquid waste receptacle).
• The dashed-line rectangle in the upper right portion ofFIG. 1 encompasses devices equipped to communicate wirelessly (or via a physical coupling such as a cable) each configurable, through suitable I/O communication means, to access and communicate with one or more control means or monitoring means components of the system (or both) interfaced with one or morenetworked computers98 which in turn are configured to communicate over the Internet orother network116, for example, via one or more secured websites or web pages (e.g., https site, or cloud location offering encrypted bi-directional communication), or via a downloadable application.Device80,88 and90 and their operation are described in more detail in the sections pertaining toFIGS. 2,3 and4.
• FIG. 2 is a two-dimensional front view depiction of a parameter displaying, setting andadjustment apparatus80 and user interface, for example, mountable on a wall or other vertical flat surface in a room in which one or more urinals of the system are installed, and configured adjustable preferably by an individual authorized by a PIN, password or other identity-verifying means. The apparatus may be equipped with one or more physical user interface input means84, and a display screen ortouch display82 that accepts authorized user input made with one or more fingertips. For example, the apparatus can be configured such that information displayable on the screen can be configured scrollable up or down or from side to side in response to inputs made by the simultaneous movement of two fingertips (e.g., up or down or side to side). Similarly displayable content can be increased or decreased in size by increasing or decreasing the space between two fingertips contacting the touch screen, and so on. Accordingly it is possible to accommodate a displaying of a number of adjustment parameters and to make inputs selecting parameters with just touch inputs being made by one or more fingertips of a user on the screen of the apparatus, including real-time adjustments to one or more urinal system components as needed. Optionally, the apparatus may be further equipped with aproximity sensor86 to detect when a user is present within a predetermined proximity or range, for example to activate the display only when a user or authorized user is present and nearby.
• FIG. 3 is a two-dimensional front view depiction of a Near Field Communication orNFC card88 in which is embedded at least one RFID chip or element (not visible) which is wireles sly employable for implementing one or more interactions with a NFC transceiver communicably linked to the system such that the system is made responsive to communicated RFID data of a NFC card (or other object transportable by) an authorized user. Thus configured, one need only bring theNFC card88 into a range of <4 cm, or for example, lightly tap the NFC transceiver with the NFC card in order to instantly transmit the data in the RFID chip or element to the system. It is noted that such RFID data may also include a password code or user identifying data permitting access to the apparatus described in reference toFIG. 2 for example by incorporating RFID sensing and reading means inapparatus80.
• FIG. 4 is a two-dimensional front view depiction of ahandheld wireless device90 and user interface, such as a browser-equipped, or downloadable application-equipped, cell phone, wherein the browser or downloadable application is configurable to wireles sly adjust or control one or more parameters of the system over the Internet, or by communication made betweendevice90 and a network, or between the device and a transceiver of thesystem10. In the case of communicating over the Internet, thedevice90 is configured to accept a request for an accessing of the system, or access to an adjusting of one or more selectable parameters of the system, e.g., when the request is made by an authorized user (for example, following the entry of a user access PIN, code or password). Each request or parameter adjustment is communicable via a server to a networked computer communicably linked with the system, or linked with one or more components of thesystem10 e.g., periodic rinse-water control means36. Thus configured, entries and/or parameter adjustments made by the user (employing a browser equipped apparatus) are communicated tosystem10, or one or more system components such as control means36, or both. In a data receiving mode, awireless handheld device90, or other apparatus configured to communicate over the Internet (e.g., a desktop computer or workstation, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, PDA, tablet computer, and the like), is configurable to receive data communicable from the system via one or more servers (i.e. via Internet communication means) and present or display the data in a browser or downloadable application user interface installable on the device. The system data is acquired from one or more monitoring means or control signal/event communicating components (or both) that are, or that can modularly be, incorporated into the circuitry of, or otherwise made accessible to, the system (e.g., a pin equipped component insertable into a circuit socket). Each component employed is equipped to report one or more monitored system conditions or control signals/events (or each) in one or more storable and updatable data formats communicable via a server (Internet communication means) and compatible with the browser or downloadable user interface ofwireless handheld device90. For example, such data can include a reporting from one or more flowmeter monitoring component96 or other instrument(s) incorporated into the system for monitoring, measuring, or recording the rate of flow, pressure, or discharge of a fluid, and may optionally include a reporting from one or more other condition and/or signal/event monitoring and reporting components of the system. It is noted that although the term ‘monitoring’ means is being used herein, it should understood that any of such means may additionally include reporting means (i.e., to provide mentoring and reporting functions). Components modularly insertable into the system can also include or one or more conduits of the system being configured with one or more component sockets for mounting or releasably mounting a component. For example, another monitoring and reporting component that can be incorporated into the system (and the circuitry of the system) is gas monitoring means98 insertable into a conduit socket e.g., equipped to monitor one or more gases. Sewer gases can pose serious risks to public health (and in homes) from toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO) and ammonia (NH4), consequently it could be advantageous to have a system configurable to monitor one or more gases, or to monitor a reduction in one or more ambient air gases, to determine when a urinal drain line is approaching or exceeding a predetermined threshold, for example, one considered or determined to be unsafe (or likely to be a result of corrosive activity). Such monitoring, whether performed during a brief test (wherein the gas monitoring component is removed from the socket following the test and replaced with a socket plug), or performed over an extended period of time, can provide data that could be quite useful, for example, in determining a frequency of rinse-water cycles and volumes of rinse-water that would be effective in reducing unwanted gases, and in thus determining the extent periodic rinse-water allocated from a supply ofwater30 and/or grey water from areceptacle130, or both, in view of at least the one or more monitored gases.
• It is noted that an alternative or additional, gas-attenuating approach can be achieved by equipping the one or more urinal drains of asystem10 with a combination gas-and-water check, float, stop or butterfly valve. For example, wherein a hinged valve and float member, or a vertically positionable float valve member, of a valve operable within a sealed valve chamber, is configured to remain in, or is spring-biased into, a normally-closed state between use-cycles, until a small volume of water (e.g., <10 grams) accumulates on the top of the hinged or float valve member sufficient in weight to urge the member downward into an opened state while waste-liquid is flowing through the urinal drain and over the top of the valve member. When no more water or waste water is available to accumulate on, or flow over the upper surface of the hinged or float member (or has drained sufficiently therefrom), the member is able to pivot or slidably move back upward into its normally-closed state, thereby creating a normally-closed gas seal in the drain pipe. With either valve approach (pivotally or slidably mounted), the valve is also equipped to function as a one-way water flow, check valve, wherein water attempting to flow upward in the urinal drain pipe contacts a lower float portion of the valve which in turn causes a valve diaphragm or seal of the valve to return back to, or remain in, a normally-closed state preventing the rinse-water from passing the diaphragm or seal. The water/gas check valve approach is described in more detail in the descriptions pertaining toFIGS. 5A-5C below.
• Returning to the descriptions pertaining toFIGS. 2-4, the system circuitry is configurable to incorporate data file-storing apparatus and data-file managing means (e.g., a database and I/O access to databased files) whereby any one or more monitorable conditions, signals and/or events, and configurable or user-set system parameters of the system can be stored as a time-dated file (including files acquired over an ongoing period of time), such that requests, including requests made remotely, can be made by an authorized user, for one or more reports, or system performance reports, pertaining to system settings and/or monitored data acquired during one or more specified period of time. Preferably the system is configured to provide reports that are presentable, displayable or printable in an easily understood format, and in one or more file formats compatible with various computing devices.
• Accordingly, some embodiments of the system are configurable to provide regular and/or comparative status, usage and operation-related reports for each plumbing drain line (and optionally one or more plumbing component) rinse system that an authorized user wishes to access and know about.
• In reference toFIGS. 5A-5C a series of three side views of a water-tighturinal drain pipe26 anddrain pipe chamber102 are shown in cross-section, having a combination water/gas check valve100 operably mounted within the chamber. For purpose of illustrating a water/gas check valve operable in the system for preventing an upward flow of periodic rinse-water and/or gases through an upper portion of the urinal drain pipe, a pivotally mounted valve approach is depicted. However, it is noted that other valve configurations are alternatively employable for such purposes, for example a slidably positionable valve and float member could be employed, or an electronically actuated drain pipe valve of the system can be kept in a normally-closed state e.g., and opened as, or following, an valve actuating control signal being sent to a water valve18 (equipped for electronic actuation) controlling awater inlet16 of aurinal12 having the same drain pipe (see12,16 and18 depicted inFIG. 1 and other FIGS.). InFIG. 5A a water/gas check valve100 is depicted being pivotally mounted on avalve pivot mount104 optionally equipped with a spring or other resilient member configured with sufficient spring tension to keep the valve in a normally-closed state (not illustrated).Valve100 is shown having alower float portion108, a valve diaphragm or seal110 preferably having asmall water passageway114 exiting from a side of the diaphragm or seal and having an inlet located at a lower portion of a an uppervalve water cavity112. Thus configured, the water/gas check valve is capable of providing conventional sink plumbing trap-like functions without any grey water being proximate to an upper portion of the drain. InFIG. 5B the downward pointing arrows (depicted with dashed lines) indicate a flow/direction of waste-liquid during a urinal use-cycle (or optionally during an input of rinse-water e.g., employable during a schedulable cleaning cycle), wherein a small volume of fluid sufficient to overcome the closed-state positioning of thevalve100 first contacts, and preferably is collected in an uppervalve water cavity112, until the weight of initially accumulated water combined with incoming use-cycle fluids, moves the valve to the position depicted inFIG. 5B. Preferably, the upper water cavity is shaped to retain a small volume of fluid during a use-cycle sufficient in weight to facilitate a retaining of the valve in an open state during a use-cycle, and may be further equipped with one or more water cavity drains114 having a cavity located fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for directing fluid intochamber102. Alternatively, one or more portions ofvalve100 may or configured with a porous or fluid permeable material. In either case, when the downward flow of fluid flowing over the upper portion ofvalve100 ceases, the one or more water cavity drains114 sized to permit, or one or more portions of the valve incorporating a porous material having a porosity permitting, a slow passage of fluid therethrough, cause a reduction in the volume of water incavity112 sufficient to permit a valve-pivot spring tension and/orcounter-weight106 to move the valve into a normally-closed state. As illustrated inFIG. 5C, the water/gas check valve100 (or waterless ‘trap’) when in a normally-closed state, serve as a check valve for gases and/or rinse-water. The upward pointing arrows inFIG. 5C (each having dashed lines) indicate an upward flow of incoming periodic rinse-water, which is prevented from going into an upper portionurinal drain pipe26 by the closed state of a check valve (such as valve100) incorporated into the drain pipe. It is noted that any one among a variety of other valves may alternatively be incorporated for use in a urinal drain pipe of the system, wherein the valve is in a normally-closed state between use-cycles (which prevents the passage of rinse-water) and an opened state during a use-cycle. For example, an electronically-actuated drain-pipe valve can be configured responsive to valve control signals provided by (or communicated to) the system, wherein a communicated valve opening control signal occurring at the beginning of, or during, a use-cycle e.g., initiated or sustained by a control signal provided from periodic rinse-water control means36, or provided from a proximity sensor associated with a urinal, causes a positionable member of the valve to be moved to an opened state while the urinal is in use, or as long as the proximity sensor is sensing a user during a use-cycle. Thereafter, the positionable valve member is moved to a closed state at the end of, or following a predetermined delay after the use-cycle, or following the sensor no longer sensing a user at the urinal.
• In reference toFIGS. 6-10, each figure is a diagrammatic/graphical representation depicting in more detail aspects of thesystem10 diagrammed in, and first introduced, in the descriptions pertaining toFIG. 1. To assist in maintaining a continuity of understanding and context between one or more of the drawing figures, several reference numerals are repeated in one or more ofFIGS. 6-10.
• InFIG. 6, a plurality of four low water-use urinals12 are shown each having aurinal receptacle14, aurinal drain pipe26 or conduit (with an optional valve or check valve), water dispensing means16 (such as one or more mister nozzles) configured to receive water provided through a urinalwater supply conduit24 which is attached to a urinal water main22. It is noted that one or more valves of the system can be selected from a variety of valves, for example, a solenoid operated valve placed in the conduit leading to the mister(s) configured responsive to one or more control signals sent from one of the aforementioned control means or monitoring and timing means (or time switch) arranged for the control of the valve. In one of the preferred modes of the system, each low water-use urinal12 is equipped with a proximity sensing means20 and is configured (as depicted inFIG. 6) to communicate valve controlling control signals to a urinalwater supply valve18, for example, an electronic-actuated or electronic solenoid-actuated valve, configured responsive to the control signals. Whereby, a user coming within a predetermined degree of proximity to sensing means20, causes normally-closedvalve18 to open, and in the embodiments of the system having a normally-closed electronic-actuatedvalve28, to openvalve28, so that water being channeled under pressure to water dispensing means16 can effectively rinsereceptacle14 and freely flow with any waste-liquid down urinal drain pipe (or conduit)26 intourinal drainage line40. When so configured, it is noted that thelower valve28 can be left in a normally-closed state when its respective urinal is not in use (to serve as a water or water/gas check valve), and when each urinal of a system is likewise configured, each valve prevents rinse-water from traveling up a respectiveurinal drain pipe26. Accordingly, the system can periodically dispense rinse-water, for example when directed from supply ofwater30 in response to acontrol signal38 being communicated from periodic rinse-water control means36 to rinse-water valve34 (configured responsive to the signal) and direct the water only through theurinal drainage line40 without an overflow of water entering theurinal receptacles14. Alternatively, as can be seen inFIG. 9, the upper end of eachurinal drain pipe26 can be configured at a height higher than the supply or water provided, for example, from a water storing receptacle (such as a sink drainage/grey water receptacle66), in which case, thelower valves28 of a system may be omitted, or optionally employed e.g., as a gas check valve, ‘waterless trap.’ It is noted that the system can alternatively or additionally be configured such that an adjustment made to alower valve28 during a use-cycle is provided by a valve control means equipped for opening a lower valve only to an extent necessary to allow the passage of waste-liquid based on (i) the volume of water provided from an opening of aprevious valve18 of the same urinal, and (ii) an estimate of a volume of waste-liquid occurring during a period of time a user is determined to be sensed by asensor20. In some embodiments of the system, a liquid-sensing means104 (e.g., a water sensor) can be provided abovelower valve28, for sensing (via a testing for an electrical conductivity of present fluids, or via an optical sensing of the presence or absence of fluids) and by determining when a fluid is present or not, provide a control signal to a controller oflower valve28 which opens or keeps the valve in an opened-state when the presence of fluid is sensed, and positionslower valve28 to a closed-state when fluid is absent or almost absent, or until urinalwater supply valve18 subsequently is opened and providing water intourinal drain pipe26. In each case, the system provides valve control means for minimizing the exposure of any urinal drain pipe26 (and thereby, that of any users breathing air in the vicinity of the urinals) to unwanted, unpleasant and/or potentially harmful gases.
• As previously described, the system provides the option to include means for introducing a soap, cleaning agent, disinfectant and/or fragranced material, and the like, into a urinal water supply conduit24 (or urinal water main22) under pressure. It also noted, that in a co-pending application filed by the applicants of the present invention, a new type of mister nozzle is disclosed, having water and energy saving properties associated with the mister nozzle being equipped to provide heat-on-demand water. As it is well known that various forms of bacteria can be killed by water heated above a certain threshold, and that cleaning can be improved by the use of heated water, the urinals of the present invention may therefore be advantageously equipped with the heat-on-demand mister nozzles, whether configured manually controllable or switchable, or equipped for automated control, with components and control circuitry configured responsive to control signals communicated by the system, and in each case provide warm or hot water on demand as needed, for cleaning, rinsing, odor-reducing procedures, and the like.
• Accordingly, when any one or more urinals of thesystem10 are equipped with both a urinalwater supply valve18 and alower valve28, the valves can be configured controllable independently, simultaneously, or in time-delayed manner wherein one is adjusted advantageously based on, or in view of, one or more functions being provided by the other. It can also be seen inFIGS. 6-10 that a double-valve approach per urinal can be employed advantageously for each urinal, or in combination with one or more additional urinals in the same system e.g., to substantially reduce the aforementioned gases, and also provide for water and energy conserving control of urinal plumbing components during periodic rinse-water cycles (for rinsing urinal drainage line40), and optionally during a periodic rinsing or cleansing of one ormore urinal receptacles14 either separately from, or in combination with, a rinse-water cycle.
• Preferably rinse-water supplied to aurinal drainage line40 occurs upstream from eachurinal12 in asystem10 which is then channeled through the drainage line to a downstream portion of the line, past eachurinal drain conduit26, into, for example to a sewer pipe76 (or other waste-liquid managing means). A drainage line orsewer vent pipe78 is shown attached to a downstream end of theurinal drainage line40 in each ofFIGS. 6-10. Preferably, a water line filter is also provided to filter water going to or coming from supply of water30 (e.g., as shown inFIG. 1 ofFIG. 9).
• It is noted that the proximity sensing means of each urinal, may comprise any among a variety of proximity sensors such as those made commercially available, including those incorporating at least one of the following: a photo cell or light-sensitive sensor, a heat sensor, a motion sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a sound sensor, and the like.
• In reference toFIG. 7 two optional components are depicted in addition to the components depicted inFIG. 6, a valve-use monitoring means44 equipped to communicate valve control signal(s)46. As previously mentioned, valve-use monitoring means44 may also include timing means, whereby, control signal(s)46 communicated to rinse-water valve34, can be determined from or sent in view of control signal, event or message data communicated to one or both valves, and/or from a proximity sensor (or associated with a manual valve-switch on or off state) of, eachurinal12 in thesystem10. For example the four leftward pointing arrows adjacent to monitoring means44 (and the dashed-line associated with each), indicate control signal or data communicated to means44 from a proximity sensor of each low water-use urinal12 e.g., control signal determining the state or valve condition of urinalwater supply valve18 orlower valve28, or both valves. Based on such data, valve-use monitoring means44 can communicate a control signal to periodic rinse-water control means36 according to monitored valve-use conditions e.g., a predetermined number of use cycles of any one ormore urinals12 of thesystem10 or in accordance with cumulative usage of any one or more valves. Alternatively or additionally, when valve-use monitoring means44 also includes timing means (e.g., predetermined or equipped programmable by an authorized user) a control signal can be communicated to periodic rinse-water control means36 to send acontrol signal38 to rinse-water valve34 to release rinse-water intourinal drainage line40 according to preset or programmable intervals and for optimal durations. During optional rinsing and/or cleaning cycles ofurinal receptacles14, control signal communicated to periodic rinse-water control means36 can in turn send control signal(s) to one or both valves of a urinal, or of each of the urinals, for facilitating the rinsing and/or cleaning of the receptacle(s)14. Including the option to close alower valve28 of a urinal, in order to fill and soak each urinal receptacle14 (based on components having fixed or known water flow rates) with at least one of the following types of rinse-water: cold water, warm water, hot water, water with soap and/or disinfectant (or fragranced material), and the like, for a predetermined optimal duration, and then openlower valve28 until the (each)receptacle14 andurinal drain conduit26 is emptied and any rinsing thereafter is completed.
• By the system incorporating water managing components having fixed or known water flow rates, it is possible to determine ratios between such components, for example, one or more components dispensing water in one part of the system (or for one system function) relative to water that is dispensed in another part of the system simultaneously or at different times (e.g., for a different purpose), and to adjust the ratios to establish effective, or most effective rinsing and/or cleaning water management. For example, during a time period when one or more urinals of a system are receiving little or no use, and therefore monitored control signals for positioning a valve member to a opened state are few, it may be necessary to increase the ratio of rinse-water coming from supply of water30 (and/or grey water), relative to the reduced water passing through the urinal plumbing, in order to maintain theurinal drainage line40 in an adequately rinsed condition. During a different time period, when a monitoring of the urinal components indicates a high degree of urinal usage (at fixed or known water flow rates), the ratio of rinse-water provided from the supply of water may be decreased relative to the increased water passing through the urinal plumbing, and so forth.
• In reference toFIG. 8, eachurinal12 depicted insystem10 is a non-water or ‘waterless’ urinal equipped with alower valve28, configured to operate in manner the same as or similar tovalve28 inFIGS. 5A-5C, or to operate in an automated manner such as thevalves28 responsive to periodic rinse-water control means36 and/or monitoring means44 described in reference toFIGS. 6 and 7. In either case, eachvalve28 employed in a system incorporating one or more non-water urinals, is configured to operate as a rinse-water or rinse-water/gas check valve (e.g., when in a valve-closed state) including during each channeling of rinse-water throughurinal drainage line40 to rinse the drainage line (or waterless one or more urinals) to facilitate a purging or reduction of corrosive fluids, and unhealthy or unpleasant gases, as needed. It is noted that thevalves28 of eachnon-water urinal12 are preferably located proximate to the urinal drainage line to minimize exposure of eachurinal drain conduit26 to at least unhealthy and/or unpleasant gases.FIG. 8 also depicts each non-water or waterless urinal, preferably being equipped with proximity sensing means20 to facilitate the aforementioned acquiring of urinal usage data including how often and how long each urinal is used in each use-cycle or for use-cycles occurring over a given period of time. And based on the flow/amount of water through the urinal plumbing of thesystem10 and that of the rinse-water channeled into urinal drainage line40 (both calculated from fixed or know water flow rates) the ratio between the two can be adjusted by the system to optimize the water management of the system.
• Accordingly, non-water or waterless urinals can be accommodated in new or retrofitted installations, wherein the ongoing, unmet problems heretofore associated with corrosion, harmful gases and unpleasant odors resulting from waterless urinal usage (particularly with drainage lines or plumbing downstream therefrom, made of, or incorporating copper material), are reliably and repeatably overcome in a water and energy conserving manner, by providing the valve-controllable periodic water rinsing or grey-water rinsing arrangements, or both, of the present invention described herein.
• It is noted that the present system can provide the option to configure a hybrid type of non-water use urinal for incorporation into asystem10, for example, incorporated into any of the system references illustrated in the aforementioned drawing figures and descriptions concerning aurinal12, wherein the hybrid non-water use urinal is configured to operate in a customary waterless urinal manner (e.g., during a number of use cycles), while also being equipped with one or more mister nozzles (such as those previously described in reference to very low water dispensing means16). Thus configured, the hybrid urinal mister nozzle(s) are periodically employable to facilitate a cleaning and/or rinsing of the interior surface of areceptacle14. For example, by performing such cleaning and/or rinsing in accordance with any of the aforementioned cleaning and/or rinsing procedures or techniques.
• In reference toFIG. 9,system10 is shown equipped with a plurality ofurinals12 configured for use downstream from a plurality ofnearby sinks58, for example located in the same room, or sharing a same wall (or back to back on the same wall), and in each caseurinal drainage line40 is configured to receive grey water provided from a sink drainage line, such that water used by one or more sinks is directed through asink drain60 into asink drainage line62 leading tourinal drainage line40. Optionally or additionally, the arrangement may further comprise a sink drainage/grey water receptacle66 having a receptaclegrey water inlet68 an optional receptacle water filter70 (preferably removable for cleaning or replacement), an optionalreceptacle overflow outlet74, and a lowerreceptacle water outlet72 for directing receptacle stored water to a rinse-water valve34 which can be configured controllable in several ways, for example: manually controllable; mechanically controllable e.g., by a float-valve arrangement wherein water having reached a certain height in thereceptacle66 causes the float valve to open a rinse-water valve34; or, controllable in an automated manner in accordance with one or more of the previous descriptions pertaining to control signals communicable by the system, from control means36 and/or monitoring means44 (not shown inFIG. 9). It is noted that the upper ends ofurinal drain pipes26 can preferably be located at a height above the highest water level attainable inreceptacle66 in which case thelower valves28 of the urinals could be omitted, or optionally employed for one or more purposes (e.g., as previously described), other than as a check valve for preventing unwanted rinse water from entering into a respective urinal receptacle.
• As depicted in the portion ofFIG. 6 showing the plurality of urinals, sensing means20 can be configured to send a simultaneous control signal tovalves18 and28 e.g., during a use-cycle, or control the valves independently from one another when it is advantageous to do so (e.g., either as previously described). For example, it may be advantageous to allow a certain or predetermined volume of water to first accumulate inreceptacle66 before it is channeled into thedrainage line40, for example, so that much of the inner diameter ofdrainage line40 receives rinsing water, as opposed to only a small flow of water that might otherwise be coming from one or more sinks. It is noted that optionally one or more of the58 sinks may be fitted with faucets incorporating faucet proximity sensing means52 (or electrical switch), and incorporating afaucet48 equipped with afaucet outlet54 optionally having one or more very low water use mister nozzles (as described in a co-pending application of the applicants of the present invention), or a mister nozzle equipped to provide, or selectively provide, heated water on demand (as previously described). Additionally it is noted that any of the monitoring means44, or monitoring and timing means, previously described may be configured to additionally monitor sink sensor and sink valve related usage in a manner similar to that employed with the aforementioned urinal valves and sensors. It is noted that some efforts have been made to significantly reduce water use in restrooms used by females, and some developments have occurred in the making of handheld apparatus that are employable by females at a urinal. Accordingly, it is possible with the present invention to provide female restrooms having one or more very low water use, or waterless urinals (or the aforementioned hybrid urinals), mounted for use on one or more walls, or in one or more private stalls of the restroom. Such water and energy reducing urinals and/or sinks may be further equipped with the aforementioned heat-on-demand mister nozzle arrangement whereby, any re-usable apparatus brought by a female to a restroom could be hygienically cleaned and rinsed, selectively on demand with warm or hot water (or warm or hot soapy water) provided from the mister, for example by pressing a button on or near the mister element that causes an on-demand heating of the misted water. It may also be found that such arrangements can significantly reduce waiting time at female restrooms, periodically having long lines, due to female restrooms equipped with only so many stalls to serve females. Paper towel dispensers or cleaning wipes, of foaming soap dispensers, and the like, made available near the urinals or faucets, could further expedite a serving of females wanting faster service and concerned about conserving water and energy.
• Accordingly, a system is provided wherein all major plumbing fixtures and components of an entire restroom system can be effectively monitored, controlled and/or managed, to optimally conserve water (and thereby save energy), improve air quality and safety, extend the longevity of plumbing drainage lines and components (especially those made entirely or partially of copper material), reinvigorate retrofit opportunities, and so on.
• In reference toFIG. 10,system10 is depicted in an arrangement similar to that shown inFIG. 9, with the exception thatFIG. 10 has a plurality of non-water or waterless urinals12 (instead of very low water use urinals), each urinal having proximity sensing means configured to communicate urinal usage or use-cycle information to valve-use monitoring means44 (or valve-use and timing means), which in turn is configured to communicate with periodic rinse-water control means36 to advantageously communicate control signal(s)38 to rinse-water valve34 as needed (and/or in a manner previously described).
• Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

Claims (22)

1. A water-conserving system equipped to periodically rinse ultra high-efficiency urinal drainage plumbing of corrosive waste liquid, the system comprising:

one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals installed for typical use;

a single drainage line, mounted below the one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals at a sloped angle conducive to draining urinal liquids, and adapted between an upstream portion and a downstream portion to receive one or more urinal liquids conveyed via a urinal drain conduit of each of the one or more urinals;

each of the one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals of a type equipped to operate in a waterless mode and drain, via a urinal drain conduit, an undiluted waste liquid volume having no water into said single drainage line; or, of a type equipped to provide an ultra high-efficiency urinal-flush mode of no more than two ounces of misted-water, and drain, via a urinal drain conduit, a diluted waste liquid volume into said single drainage line;

a downstream portion of the single urinal drainage line configured to convey waste liquid into a conduit communicating with a sewer, or septic system, or suitable waste liquid managing means;

a water-receiving portion of the single urinal drainage line, upstream from each urinal drain conduit of the one or more urinals, configured to receive a valve-controllable, periodically-conveyed rinse-cycle supply of water sufficient in frequency and volume to substantially and cumulatively rinse said corrosive waste liquid from the single drainage line; and,

rinse-water periodic control means, configured to periodically convey said rinse-cycle supply of water into an upstream portion of the single drainage line and to prevent an upward flow of said supply of water into a generally upward-facing receptacle portion of any of the one or more urinals during a periodic rinse-water cycle.

2. The water-conserving system ofclaim 1 wherein said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals comprise at least one ultra high-efficiency urinal configured to receive and drain a waste liquid volume per use-cycle accompanied by no water.

3. The water-conserving system ofclaim 2 wherein said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals comprise at least one of the ultra high-efficiency urinals configured to operate during use-cycles as a waterless urinal, and further equipped with at least one very low water usage mister nozzle mounted adjacent to an upper portion of the urinal and configured valve controllable to periodically provide between one or more urinal use-cycles, single digit ounces of a misted-spray of water directed generally downward onto a surface of the urinal which receives waste liquid during a use-cycle, to at least substantially and cumulatively rinse the surface of waste liquid and/or waste liquid residue and convey the surface-rinsed contents into said single urinal drainage line.

4. The water-conserving system ofclaim 1 wherein said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals comprise at least one ultra high-efficiency urinal equipped with at least one very low water usage mister nozzle mounted adjacent to an upper portion of the urinal and configured valve controllable to emit a misted-spray of no more than two ounces of water during a typical urinal use-cycle, the misted-spray directed generally downward onto, and sized to cover, a surface of the urinal which receives waste liquid during a use-cycle, to at least substantially and cumulatively rinse the surface of waste liquid and/or waste liquid residue and convey the waste liquid into said single urinal drainage line.

5. The water-conserving system ofclaim 1 further comprising said rinse-water periodic control means mounted at a height, relative to the height of a receptacle drain of each of the one or more urinals, sufficient to prevent an upward flow of said rinse-cycle supply of water into a generally upward-facing receptacle portion of any of the one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals during a periodic rinse-water cycle.

6. The water-conserving system ofclaim 1 wherein said rinse-water periodic control means further comprises,

a valve configured to periodically release a rinse-cycle supply of water into said upstream portion of said single drainage line,

the rinse-cycle supply of water provided from a pressurized, pressurizable or storable supply of water via a valve-controllable conduit in fluid communication with said single drainage line; and

said water comprising one or more of the following water types: fresh, rain, grey, saline.

7. The water-conserving system ofclaim 1 further comprising,

a liquid-free check valve mounted in the urinal drain conduit of each of the one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals equipped to prevent said upward flow of any of the rinse-cycle supply of water into a generally upward-facing receptacle portion of any of the one or more urinals.

8. The water-conserving system ofclaim 7 further comprising,

the liquid-free check valve mounted in the urinal drain conduit of each of the one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals further equipped to prevent an upward flow of odor-causing gas from entering into a receptacle of an ultra high-efficiency urinal.

9. The water-conserving system ofclaim 1 further comprising,

a liquid-free check valve mounted in a lower end portion of a urinal drain conduit of each of the one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals equipped to prevent said upward flow of any of the rinse-cycle supply of water into a generally upward-facing receptacle portion of any of the one or more urinals.

10. The water-conserving system ofclaim 6 wherein said rinse-water periodic control means further comprises, a sink drainage grey water receptacle mounted at a height relative to one or more sinks and one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals, such that, (a.) a maximum water level retainable within the receptacle does not exceed the height of the receptacle drain of each of said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals, (b.) a grey water inlet of the receptacle fluidly communicates with a downstream end of a sink drainage line configured to receive grey water from a sink-specific drain conduit of each of the one or more sinks, and, (c.) a lower portion of the receptacle is selectively in fluid communication with a upstream end of said single drainage line, wherein,

a periodic opening of said water valve causes a release of said rinse-cycle supply of water from the sink drainage grey water receptacle into said upstream portion of the single drainage line to substantially and cumulatively rinse said corrosive waste liquid from at least the single drainage line.

11. The water-conserving system ofclaim 10 wherein, said water valve is a mechanical float valve arrangement operable within said sink drainage grey water receptacle, configured, when grey water within the receptacle reaches a predetermined volume level, to cause an opening of a rinse-water valve sufficient in duration, to release said rinse-cycle supply of water into said single drainage line.

12. The water-conserving system ofclaim 6 wherein, said water valve is an electro-mechanical valve configured operable within an upstream end of said single drainage line configured selectively in fluid communication with a lower portion of said sink drainage grey water receptacle;

the electro-mechanical valve configured responsive to control signal causing a temporary opening of the electro-mechanical valve sufficient in duration, to release said rinse-cycle supply of water into said single drainage line.

13. The water-conserving system ofclaim 6 further comprising, an upper portion of said sink drainage grey water receptacle equipped with a water overflow outlet in fluid communication with a water receiving end of a water overflow conduit which is configured at an opposite end to direct overflow water into said upstream portion of said single drainage line.

14. The water-conserving system ofclaim 1 wherein each of the one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals are of the type equipped to dispense a urinal surface-rinsing misted-spray and further comprise: (a.) a liquid-free mechanical or electro-mechanical valve-trap mounted in a urinal drain conduit of each of said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals, (b.) a sensor equipped to detect the presence of a nearby user and provide control signal pertaining thereto, and (c.) a mist-spray controlling electro-mechanical valve mounted in a urinal water supply conduit of each of said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals.

15. The water-conserving system ofclaim 14 wherein, said electro-mechanical valve-trap mounted in a urinal drain conduit of each of said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals, and said mist-spray controlling electro-mechanical valve mounted in a distinct urinal water supply conduit of each of said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals, are each configured responsive to control signal communicated from a respective said sensor, such that a sensor, while detecting the presence of a nearby user, communicates a first valve-open control signal to a respective mist-spray controlling electro-mechanical valve, and a second valve-open control signal to a respective electro-mechanical valve-trap, and,

following a predetermined delay period after no longer detecting the presence of the user communicates a first valve-close control signal to the mist-spray controlling electro-mechanical valve, and a second valve-close control signal to the electro-mechanical valve-trap.

16. The water-conserving system ofclaim 1 wherein said rinse-water periodic control means further comprise ultra high-efficiency plumbing fixture monitoring and reporting means equipped to (a.) monitor control-signals communicated from one or more control-signal communicating components of the system pertaining to one or more controllable valve components, (b.) determine one or more usage related parameters and/or conditions based on one or more communicated control-signals, and, (c.) record control-signal related information in a storable data-file format readable and displayable by a microprocessor-equipped device or computer apparatus having a display screen and configurable to execute one or more executable software routines pertaining to the control-signal information.

17. The water-conserving system ofclaim 16 wherein, said microprocessor-equipped device is mounted in the vicinity of said one or more ultra high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, is equipped to communicate with one or more of said controllable valve components, and is configurable, following authentication of an authorized user, to provide the authorized user, in view of at least some recorded control-signal related information, control of one or more system settings, parameters or control-signals.

18. The water-conserving system ofclaim 16 wherein, said microprocessor-equipped device further comprises Near Field Communication ‘NFC’ apparatus equipped to provide authorized access to a user having, and to communicate Radio Frequency Identification ‘RFID’ data via, a Near Field Communication card or object.

19. The water-conserving system ofclaim 16 wherein, said rinse-water periodic control means further comprises a transceiver accessible to the Internet, and said computer apparatus comprises a browser-equipped device configured to communicate over the Internet, and equipped via a browser accessible web site or a downloadable software application, following authentication of an authorized user, to provide the authorized user, in view of at least some recorded control-signal related information, control of one or more system settings, adjustments, parameters or control-signals.

20. The water-conserving system ofclaim 19, wherein said browser-equipped device is one of the following: a desktop computer, a wireless browser-equipped apparatus, a wireless handheld device, a cell phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a portable computing device.

21. The water-conserving system ofclaim 10, wherein said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals and said one or more sinks, are installed in a same room, or on a same wall, or on adjacent walls.

22. The water-conserving system ofclaim 1 wherein said one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals comprise at least one ultra high-efficiency urinal equipped with at least one very low water usage mister nozzle mounted adjacent to an upper portion of the urinal and configured valve controllable to emit a misted-spray comprising a disinfectant in between one or more typical urinal use-cycles, the misted-spray comprising the disinfectant directed generally downward onto, and sized to cover, a surface of the urinal which receives waste liquid during a use-cycle, to at least substantially and cumulatively rinse the surface of waste liquid and/or waste liquid residue and convey the waste liquid into said single urinal drainage line.

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