GB2365879A

GB2365879A - Ventilation of water closets

Info

Publication number: GB2365879A
Application number: GB0114255A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Thomas Townsend
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-14
Filing date: 2001-06-12
Publication date: 2002-02-27
Also published as: GB0014563D0; GB0114255D0

Abstract

A syphon unit (10) for a lavatory cistern comprises a syphon bell containing a piston and valve assembly (12), a flushing water delivery pipe (14) in communication with the syphon bell, and a conduit (15) communicating with the water delivery pipe through which conduit air can be drawn. Suitably, the conduit is located within the delivery pipe, or is formed as an envelope (20) surrounding or substantially surrounding the delivery pipe (21), or passes along the exterior of the delivery pipe. Preferably, the inlet end of the conduit is located at or near the lower end of the delivery pipe. More preferably, a cover is disposed at the upper end of the syphon bell and delivery pipe to define a connecting chamber therebetween, is adapted to support the conduit, said cover and conduit being formed as a unit.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Ventilation of Water Closets This invention relates to water closets of close-coupled, low-level or high-level WC cisterns and has for its object to provide a system wherein air may be withdrawn from the region of the lavatory bowl and vented to the outside so as to reduce or substantially eliminate odours from the room in which the water closet is positioned.

According to the invention a syphon unit for a lavatory cistern is provided with a conduit which communicates with the water delivery pipe of the cistern through which conduit air can be drawn.

The conduit may be located within the delivery pipe or may be formed as an envelope substantially surrounding the delivery pipe.

The conduit Tnay be coupled to an extractor fan located in or on an exterior wall or ceiling by means of flexible hose.

CP The syphon unit may be a known unit adapted by the addition of a conduit according to the invention by replacement of a removable cover disposed in known manner at the upper ends of the delivery pipe and syphon bell and defining a connecting chamber therebetween, the replacement cover having the conduit passing therethrough in a sealed manner.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying, drawings in which:- FIGURE I is a front perspective view of a close-coupled lavatory unit with part of the cistern cut-away to show one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is front perspective view of a close-coupled lavatory unit with part of the cistern cut-away to show a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 shows a third embodiment in elevation and part section, FIGURE 4 is a part section of a fourth embodiment showing a known syphon modified in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 5 shows an arrangement for coupling a plurality of water closets to an extractor unit, and FIGURE 6 shows an arrangement for coupling downstairs and upstairs water closets in a domestic application.

The cistern shown in Fig 1 comprises a reservoir 9 containing a syphon unit 10 which operates in known manner by lifting the piston and diaphragm assembly 12 within the syphon bell 13 to deliver water through a delivery pipe 14.

Arranged within the down-pipe 14 is a conduit 15, which may or may not have a Tet'11M 1,6, supported by a cover 17 disposed over the upper ends of the delivery pipe 14 and the syphon bell 13 defining a chamber 18 connecting the pipe and bell. The lower inlet end of the conduit 15 communicates with the interior of the delivery pipe 14.

In the embodiment shown in Fic, 2 the conduit is formed as an envelope 20 1-3 substantially surrounding, the delivery pipe 21. In such an arrangement the envelope is integrally formed with the delivery pipe as a plastic moulding In Fig 3 the conduit 31 passes alongside the exterior of the delivery pipe 32 to I communicate at the lower end of the delivery pipe through an aperture formed in the side wall thereof.

The embodiment of Fic, 4 is a modification of the example shown in Fig 1. Where the cover is removably attached to the upper ends of the delivery pipe and the syphon bell by screws, the cover may be replaced by a cover 40 fitted with a

conduit 41 having, a spigot 42 to which a flexible hose 43 may be attached by a I Z' Jubilee (RTM) clip 44.

In all of the above examples the conduit can be attached to an extractor fan via pipes or flexible hose, the outlet therefrom being located at the exterior of the building Fig 5 shows ducting 50 for carrying away air from a washroom fitted with separate WC cubicles shown in chain lines 51. The connection between the conduits of each water closet and the ducting may be provided with commissioning dampers 52. The ducting may be increased in bore diameter along the direction of flow towards a fan unit 53, possibly with two motor-driven fans, and an outlet 54 covered by a roof cowl 55. A fire trap 56 may be provided in the ducting upstream of the fan unit.

In the domestic application shown in Fig 6 the conduits of the water closets situated in one floor above another, may be connected by a coupling 60 and flexible hose 61, located in a loft space L, to an outlet 62 covered by a cowl 63. The syphon unit of the above described invention may be readily fitted by a skilled plumber without special adaptation of the cistern reservoir. The fan may be switched individually or simultaneously with a light switch.

Since the outlet end of the delivery pipe is in communication with the lavatory bowl for the delivery of flushing water, the delivery pipe can also serve as a duct ?Z> through which air may be drawn from the region of the basin. Whilst air can be drawn through the conduit attached to or located within the delivery pipe it is arranged that the suction of air will not be sufficient to take up water.

Ventilation of Toilet Suites Description and Technical Explanation for A. One Suite, and B. Two or more Suites.

A. One Suite. (Technical DraANring reference numbers in brackets).

The invention is the provision of an additional pipe ( 15 ) to a toilet suite located inside the flushing system ( Fig. 1,2,3,4 ) which leads to an air extraction system ( Fig.3 ) to expel air from the lavatory in which the suite is situated and in particular, from the toilet pan ( Fig.7, 64 ) and the toilet pan region ( 65 ).

Tor the ventilation to work as efficiently as possible, the air needs to'bei extracted from the toilet pan using piping which already exists to flush the pan of waste products. This is provided by the flush outlet incorporated in-the pan construction itself (66 ), normally made of china, which exists (usually hidden from view) at the top and rear of the pan's bowl -some short distance below the- rim.

The said water flush entry ( Fig.3,32 ) into the pan itself is normally provided from a down pipe ( Fig.7,67 ) coupled to the china construction at its rear ( Fig.3 ) from a cistem carrying the water ready for the flushing operation via a syphon ( Fig. 1,2.(. 10 ) within the cistem ( 9 ) for starting the flushing sequence.

When the flushing sequence is in progress, the water rises in the syphon above the cistem water level (Fig.7.( 68 .) and fills the down pipe ( 67 ) WhJ6 then'becomes known as the delivery pipe ( 67 ) or the flushing pipe ( 67 ).

The additional pipe is parallel to the delivery pipe and can be either completed by an entry ( Fig. I ) to the side of the delivery pipe ( 67 ) or inserted at the top of the cistern (Fig.2 ), or incorporated into the syphon structure ( Fig.2 ), provided the volume displaced by the addition of the pipe is replaced-by -a larger delivery pipe ( 67 ) in order to prevent any interference with the flushing sequence by way of the rate at which the water flows during this sequence.

The downdraught caused by the flushing sequence in the delivery. pipe must always exceed the suction force of the air extraction system ( Fig.3 (69) so that when the flushing / cycle sequence is in operation water cannot be removed by (sucked up) the additional pipe ( 15 ) being provided for ventilation. The flushing cycle stops the ventilation process. The simplest and-most economical -way for the -additional -pipe to be-provided is by incorporating it ( Fig. 1,23.) into the construction of the syphon ( 10 ) which is usually a .plastic moulding.

The additional piping ( 10 ) is coupled at the top ( Fig.4.(42 ) or side ( Fig. L(16 of the syphon ( 10 ) if within or inserted into the delivery pipe ( Fig.2 ) with a pipe and or duct leading to an air extraction unit (normally a fan) which then ventilates as already spe6ified.

B. -Two or More Suites. For multiple ventilation, all toilet suites are each provided with an additional pipe as specified in A for one suite, and are coupled together at various points. This forms a manifold for the multiple ventilation of all suites, -where the coupling occurs between the suites-beyond the outlet from the syphon (Fig.4.(43) of each toilet suite and before the air extraction unit ( Fig. 5,6,).

For each toilet suite there will be one commissioning damper, (Fig. 5.(52). This is required whenever the airflow in one or more of the suites is changed (for example, during a flushing cycle when the flow is momentarilly stopped). -For each manifold there will be one air extraction unit. Should this unit-be electrically powered, it can be controlled in various ways according to the electrical contractor's layout for the toilet suits.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A syphon unit for a lavatory cistern comprising a syphon bell containing a piston and valve assembly, a flushing water delivery pipe, in communication with the syphon bell, and a conduit communicating with the water delivery pipe through which conduit air can be drawn.
2. A syphon unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conduit is located within the delivery pipe.
3. A syphon unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conduit is formed as an envelope surrounding or substantially surrounding the delivery pipe.
4. A syphon unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conduit passes along the exterior of the delivery pipe. 5. A syphon unit as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the inlet end of the conduit is located at or near the lower end of the delivery pipe. 6. A syphon unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein a cover disposed at the upper end of the syphon bell and delivery pipe to define a connecting chamber therebetween, is adapted to support the conduit, said cover and conduit being formed as a unit. 7. A cistern in combination with a syphon unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. An extraction assembly having a syphon unit or cistern as claimed in any one of claims I to 7, wherein said conduit is connected by ducting to an electric fan unit.

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9. An extraction assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein a plurality of cisterns are connected in common to said ducting. 10. A syphon unit substantially as described with reference to Figs 1, 2 3 or 4 of the drawings. 11. An extraction assembly substantially as described with reference to Fig 5 or 6 of the drawings.

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Claims. I The additional pipe is open-ended at the flushing exit above the water level in any of the toilet pans in A or B, and continues to be open-ended via pipe(s). and / or duct(s) via the air extraction unit to the outside atmosphere and thereby ventilates the lavatory (or lavatories) via the pan(s) continuously whenever the air. extraction unit(s) are in operation. 2. When the water flushing sequence is In operation, the ventilation of the pan or pans is interrupted until the flushing cycle is finished because the delivery pipe will be full of water during the cycle preventing it being used to carry air. 3. It becomes possible for one pipe to serve a dual purpose: firstly, that of conveying water downwards during the flushing cycle and secondly, that of air upwards at any other time (before and after the flushing cycle) for each toilet suite, single A or in multiple B installations which was hitherto, standard practice to provide all toilet suits for one purpose only. 4, By making certain that the downdraught of the water flushing process always exceeds the suction force in the ventilation system of each toilet suite, the water and air systems become isolated from each other during the flushing cycle making the ventilation of toilet -suites as safe as though independent systems.

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5. The presence of water with an electricity supply in lavatories with toilet suites requires particular safety requirements, and the isolation of the water system from the air system ensures the continuity of the said safety, and these ventilated toilet suites will be just as safe as those which are not ventilated.