Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet – Tank and bowl with plural connections – one being pneumatic
Patent
1995-05-30
1997-12-09
Phillips, Charles E.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet
Tank and bowl with plural connections, one being pneumatic
E03D 106
Patent
active
056946520
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a vacuum assisted toilet flushing system.
Toilet flushing systems are well known and generally have either a wash down or vacuum assisted mode of operation. A typical toilet flushing system comprises a water reservoir, a toilet pan or bowl, and a discharge outlet connected to a waste pipe. A problem with the toilet flushing systems currently available is that relatively large volumes of water are required to flush the toilet bowl. In recognition of this problem, it has been proposed that all new toilet flushing systems should be adapted such that the maximum volume of water utilised in a single flushing operation is 7 litres. However, this is still a large volume of water, and there remains a need for a toilet flushing system which utilises smaller volumes of water.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforesaid problems and to provide a toilet flushing system which in general requires much smaller volumes of flushing water.
The present invention achieves this objective by means of the creation of a partial vacuum to assist the flushing operation; and uses the energy of moving water as it descends, to create and maintain a sufficient partial vacuum at the pan outlet to assist pan discharge into a discharge chamber. The discharge chamber is fitted with a one way valve means which facilitates vacuum generation prior to entering the drainage system.
More particularly the present invention provides a toilet flushing system comprising a water reservoir provided with a water inlet, and a water outlet for directing water into or towards an associated toilet bowl; bowl, the discharge chamber having at a downstream location thereof an exit opening provided with closure means; the discharge chamber such that reductions in air pressure within the upper end of the water reservoir caused by a fall in water level in the water reservoir are transmitted to the discharge chamber to produce temporarily a partial vacuum therein thereby to to draw water from the toilet bowl through the discharge chamber.
In one embodiment, the water reservoir is provided with an air inlet and means for closing the air inlet in response to a fall in water level in the reservoir. For example, the means for closing the air inlet can be a flap, plunger or valve operatively linked to a float.
The water reservoir can be provided with a siphonic mechanism of known type, actuation of the siphonic mechanism serving to initiate the fall in water level in the reservoir, thereby generating the partial vacuum. Where such a mechanism is included, an air pipe can be provided which extends between a downpipe of the siphonic mechanism and the interior of the water reservoir such that initial actuation of the siphon displaces a limited volume of air from the downpipe to the interior of the water reservoir.
The closure means at the exit opening of the discharge chamber can be undirectional For example the closure means can take the form of a one-way flap valve. Where desired, the flap valve can be connected to a plunger or lever enabling the valve to be closed manually in the unlikely event that it sticks in an open position during use.
Alternatively, the exit opening can be sealed by means of a water trap, for example a U-bend water trap.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a toilet flushing system as defined hereinabove, in combination with a toilet bowl adapted to be fitted with the said toilet flushing system.
Preferably, the water inlet of the reservoir is configured to allow controlled re-filling of the reservoir after a fall in the level of water therein, and most preferably the water inlet is linked to a second water reservoir provided with a float valve metered water supply.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating the water reservoir, toilet bowl and discharge facility of a toilet flushing system according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic sec
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Richmond Christopher John
Stock Michael John
Phillips Charles E.
Stock Michael John
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