AU2015100129A4 - Toilet flush system - Google Patents

Abstract

A flush system for a toilet bowl, the system including a distribution conduit extending substantially around an upper portion of a bowl of the toilet and configured to introduce water into the bowl to flush the toilet after use, wherein the distribution conduit has a multiplicity of apertures formed therein and the apertures are configured to direct water downwardly and around the bowl to clean the bowl. - 22 18, 14\ 0 ~

Description

H: \zi\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\MZI\7434043_1docx-5/02/2015 TOILET FLUSH SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a flush system for a toilet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Routine cleaning of toilets is generally unavoidable with conventional toilets. Although a 10 toilet may be often used and flushed, it is estimated that 80% of the flushing water is directed from the rear of a toilet bowl and, although effective at flushing, using flushing water in this manner is generally ineffective for keeping a toilet bowl clean. Examples of the invention seek to solve, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages 15 of previous toilet flush systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a flush system for a toilet, the system 20 including a distribution conduit extending substantially around an upper portion of a bowl of the toilet and configured to introduce water into the bowl to flush the toilet after use, wherein the distribution conduit has a plurality of apertures formed therein and the apertures are configured to direct water downwardly and around the bowl to clean the bowl. 25 According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apertures are sized so as to create a jet of water. Preferably, the apertures are configured to create a whirlpool within the bowl.

H: \zi\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\MZI\7434043_1docx-5/02/2015 -2 Preferably, the diameter of the apertures is in the range of approximately 5.0 mm to approximately 5.5 mm. Preferably, the flush system is provided with between 22 and 28 apertures. 5 Preferably, a longitudinal axis of the apertures is arranged at an angle to a vertical plane, the angle being in in the range of approximately 42 degrees to approximately 48 degrees. According to the invention there is also provided a toilet including a flush system of the above described type. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will be further described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 15 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toilet including a flush system of one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 20 With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a toilet 10 having a flush system 12 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The flush system 12 is configured for use with a toilet having a bowl. The flush system 12 includes a distribution conduit 14 extending around an upper portion 25 of the bowl 16 and configured to introduce water into the bowl 16 to flush the toilet 10 after use. The distribution conduit 14 has a plurality or multiplicity of apertures 18 formed therein, the apertures 18 being configured to direct water downwardly and around the bowl 16 to clean the bowl. 30 In the illustrated embodiment, the toilet 10 is formed as an integral unit including the toilet bowl 16 and the distribution conduit 14, though it will be appreciated that the toilet bowl H: \zi\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\MZI\7434043_1docx-5/02/2015 -3 16 and the distribution conduit 14 may be separately formed. The toilet 10 is preferably formed of commercially available materials using conventional manufacturing processes. In the illustrated embodiment, the distribution conduit 14 extends around an upper portion 5 of the bowl 16, though it will be appreciated that it may also be configured so as to extend only partially or substantially around the upper portion of the bowl 16. In embodiments where the distribution conduit does not extend entirely around the bowl 16, the distribution conduit 14 make take the form of a pair of individual conduits, each extending around a generally lateral side of the bowl 16. Furthermore, although the distribution conduit 14 is 10 preferably closed except for the apertures, it may also be configured where it is partially open. The distribution conduit 14 is in fluid communication with a cistern 11, from which flushing water is received when a use activates the flushing system. The connection 15 between the cistern 11 and the distribution conduit 14 may also be integrally formed with the toilet bowl, or a separate conduit may be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, a flushing button 21 is provided and the toilet 10 is configured so that a user may select either full and half flushing. Upper water indication level 20 and lower indication level 22 are provided to indicate the level of water in the cistern, which may be adjustable. 20 Each of the apertures 18 may be sized so as to create a jet of water within the bowl 16, the jet being formed by restricting passage of the water flowing through the conduit under mains water pressure to increase the velocity and form a water jet. In this regard, each of the apertures are preferably formed with a diameter in the range of approximately 5.0 mm 25 to approximately 5.5 mm. Although the flush system 12 is preferably configured to operate under mains water pressure, it will be appreciated that it may also be provided with a pump to increase the pressure and/or velocity of water used for flushing. Each of the apertures 18 are preferably round, though it will be appreciated that they may 30 be formed in other configurations, such as square or generally rectangular, if convenient to do so. The apertures 18 are configured to introduce flushing water into the bowl to create H: \zi\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\MZI\7434043_1docx-5/02/2015 -4 a whirlpool within the bowl 16 or a swirl around and down along an inner surface of the bowl. It is believed that by directing water around the bowl 16 and the resulting swirling action of the water in the bowl during flushing will result in better cleaning of the toilet compared with conventional toilet flushing systems. 5 To obtain a whirlpool affect within the toilet bowl 16, a longitudinal axis of the apertures is arranged at an angle to a vertical plane so that water is directed around and down along an inner surface of the bowl 10 to create a whirlpool. The longitudinal axis may also be directed inwardly. Preferably, each of the apertures are arranged at an angle in the range 10 of approximately 42 degrees to approximately 48 degrees to a vertical plane. It will be appreciate that the number and size of apertures will be variable according to the desired flushing performance based on the available water pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the flush system 12 is provided with between 22 and 28 apertures. The 15 apertures may be like apertures or they may vary in configuration based on their location. For example, apertures closer to the cistern 11 may be slightly larger than more distally located apertures so that each aperture creates a jet of approximately the same intensity. The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are 20 possible within the scope of the invention disclosed.

Claims (7)

1. A flush system for a toilet bowl, the system including a distribution conduit extending substantially around an upper portion of a bowl of the toilet and configured to 5 introduce water into the bowl to flush the toilet after use, wherein the distribution conduit has a multiplicity of apertures formed therein and the apertures are configured to direct water downwardly and around the bowl to clean the bowl.

2. A flush system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each aperture is sized so as to create a jet of water. 10

3. A flush system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each aperture is configured to swirl around and down along an inner surface of the bowl.

4. A flush system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the diameter of each aperture is within the range of approximately 5.0 to approximately 5.5 mm.

5. A flush system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a longitudinal axis of 15 each aperture is arranged at an angle to a vertical plane, the angle being in in the range of approximately 42 degrees to approximately 48 degrees to a vertical plane.

6. A flush system as claimed in any preceding claim, provided with between 22 and 28 apertures.

7. A toilet including toilet bowl having a flush system according to any preceding 20 claim.