GB2331769A

GB2331769A - Variable flushing apparatus for a w.c. cistern including optional toilet bowl foul air extractor

Info

Publication number: GB2331769A
Application number: GB9725227A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Spiers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-11-28
Filing date: 1997-11-28
Publication date: 1999-06-02
Also published as: GB9725227D0

Abstract

Apparatus for the control of water outflow from a siphoning type cistern consists of a means of providing ventilation to the inverted U-tube 1 of a W.C. siphoning system at a predetermined moment within the flush cycle. Adjustments made to the depth of aperture 6 within the down flow lumen 4 of the inverted U-tube 1 allow termination of the siphon vacuum at a predetermined water level. The addition of an air extraction device 8 to aperture 7 allows the system to function as a means of ventilating foul odours from within the toilet bowl whilst the first embodiment of this invention still retains its flow adjustment properties.

Description

i 2331769 Variable flushing apparatus for a W.C cistern including optional

toilet bowl foul air extractor.

The present invention provides a mechanism which allows toilet flush water to be accurately controlled prior to commencement of the flush cycle. This same apparatus, by the addition of an air extraction device can also serve as an odour extraction mechanism. It is ititended that the modification of inverted LT-tubes will be achieved by providing, as part of new inverted U-tube mouldings, accommodation for the housing of the flush adjustment apparatus. In order that the flush adjustment apparatus friky be fitted to existing inverted U-tubes it is intended that the necessary fitting(s) will be provided in a kit form in order to accommodate this invention.

Recent years have taken a heavy toll on fresh water reserves leading to a need for cost effective water conservation methods. ous inventions for use as water saving devices have meant relatively expensive conversions being made to the toilet system or have involved displacing water within the cistern and therefore have a limited capacity due to the small amount of free space within cistern. The apparatus presented here provides a simple and inexpensive means by which W.C. flush water can be quickly and easily adjusted to suite the minimum needs of the user and allows adjustments to be made across a wide range of capacities.

Foul odours in lavatories are dealt with by incorporating a number of solutions. With the addition of an air extraction mechanism to the above flush adjusting system toilet bowl odour can be reduced.

According to the present invention there is provided a means of accurately controlling the volume of toilet flush water used during a flush cycle by means of breaking the siphoning vacuum at a predetermined water depth. Additionally the system can function as a toilet bowl air extraction systern by the addition of an air extraction mechanism to the flush adjusting device without effecting any of the primary flush adjustirm properties.

g The means of breaking siphoning vacuum is by the insertion of a flexible tube through the upper region of the inverted U-tube wall. The lower aperture of the flexible tube lying within the dowri flow lumen of the inverted U tube whilst the upper aperture of the flexible pipe remains open to the air outside of the inverted U-tube. The point of pipe penetration through the U-tube wall must form an air tight seal around the tube whilst retaining an adjustable quality allowing the flexible pipe to be adjusted for setting the lower aperture to a preferred depth. Adjustments to the lower aperture depth determining the point at which the siphoning vacuum is broken which in turn will detern-dne the volume of water used during a flush cycle.

With the addition of an air extraction mechanism, to the flush adjustment device, air can be positively drawn from within the toilet bowl due the continuous communication with the toilet bowl via the flush system.

2 The air extraction means preferably consists of a fan which is connected to the upper aperture of the flexible pipe which forms the flush adjusting device.

Air drawn through the tube is preferably exhausted into the cistern overflow pipe or alternatively may be directed into the W.C. waste water pipe.

The air extraction mechanism is preferably mounted within the cistern. The extraction means will preferably be switched on whilst the lavatory is in use and switched off on activation of the flush cycle.

Two preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described. by wky of example, with reference to accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the flush control device set to accommodate a short flush; and Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the flush control device set to accommodate a long flush; and Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the flush control device set to accommodate a long flush whilst connected to an air extraction g mechanism.

A lavatory cistern 10 is shown in figures 1 to with an inverted U-tube I to which the flush control device 2,3,4,6,7 has been fitted.

Figure one is shown in front view with the flush adjusted to accommodate a short flush. Flexible pipe 3 is shown fitted into the inverted U-tube 1 providing a lower aperture 6 within the inverted U-tube down RoA lumen 4 and an upper aperture 7, which will remain open to the air at all times. The point of flexible pipe 3 insertion into the inverted U-tube down flow lumen 4 is sealed, around theflexible pipe 3, with an air tight seal 2, which also allows the pipe to be hold securely and allows ease of adjustment to the flexible pipe lower aperture 6 height within the inverted U-tube down flow lumen 4 thereby allowing adjustment of flush volumes to be made.

Figure two is shown in front mew with the flush adjusted to accommodate a long flush. Flexible pipe 3 is shown fitted into the inverted U-tube 1 providing a lower aperture 6 within the inverted U-tube down flow lumen 4 and an upper aperture 7 which will remain open to the air at all times. The adjustment to the flush volume being achieved from short flush (figure 1) to long flush (figure 2) by lowering the level of the lower aperture 6 and from a long flush to a short by raising the level of the lower aperture 6.

Figure thme shows a front -view with the upper aperture 7 of the flush adjustment flexible pipe 3 connected to an air extraction mechanism 8 which is ideally situated above the high water level within the cistern 10. The air extraction device being 3 exhausted into the cistern overflow pipe 9 or alternatively into the toilet waste water pipe (not shown).

When the toilet is in use the air extraction device will preferably be activated in order to achieve positive ventilation of the bowl. This will be achieved due to air being drawn from within the bowl through the flush water system and exhausted into the overflow pipe 9 or the toilet waste water pipe via the flush control device 2,3,6,7, and air extraction mechanism 8. It will also be desirable to include a water level cut off device 11 in order to tem-dnate the action of the air extraction mechanism once the flush cycle commences thus preventing flush water being drawn into the air extraction mechanism.

This invention provides a simple solution to the excessive usage of flush water from the toilet cistern. By providing a simple modification to existing inverted LI-tube, des' this invention pro-.ides a means of adjusting flush volumes to suit the individual Users needs.

This flush regulating device also provides an optional means of reducing foul odours from wiffiffi the toilet bowl when an air extraction device is added to the basic flush control system.

4

Claims

1. The prime application for a water saving device for use in toilet cisterns.

2. Apparatus according to claim I in which a means of breaking the vacuum, maintained within an inverted U-tube during a flush cycle, comprises a flexible air pipe which penetrates the upper region of wall of the inverted U-tube. The lower aperture of the flexible pipe within the down flow lumen of the inverted U-tube, marking the level at which siphoning vacuum is broken within the inverted U-tube. The upper aperture of the flexible pipe ties outside of the lumen of the inverted U-tube and remains open to the air.

3. Apparatus according to claims I or 2 which allows the pre setting of flush water volume.

4. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 3 which allows continued adjustment to flush water volumes.

5. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 4 which allows toilet bowl odour to be evacuated by means of an extraction mechanism comprising an extraction fan which is attached to the flush adjusting apparatus without effecting any flush adjusting properties.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which air drawn from the toilet bowl is exhausted into the toilet overflow pipe

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which air drawn from the toilet bowl is exhausted into the toilet waste water pipe.

8. Apparatus according to claims 5 to 7 in which the air extraction means is mounted inside the cistern.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the extraction means is switched on whilst the lavatory is in use.

10. Apparatus substantially as herein before described, with reference to any one of the figures of the accompanying drawings.