CA2899009A1 - Toilet facility system - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a system comprising a base supporting a case and a toilet bowl housed within the case, the case allowing access to the toilet bowl for user by a user and housing the toilet bowl for cleaning and evacuation of drained waters.

Description

, TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Toilet facility system FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet facility system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Typically, in toilet facilities in public or multi-users buildings such as in airports, offices, factories, hospitals, shopping malls and restaurants for example, a janitor has to inspect the restrooms at intervals and clean up if needed. This is a recurrent task and the facility need clean up after every few uses in order to maintain an acceptable level of cleanness. Only very high-end hotels or restaurants or airport VIP lounges offer such quality experience in cleanness, and often a tip is strongly suggested from the users to help support the unusual cleanness experience. In restaurants, the situation is worse, as, even though the staff may be devoted to offer clean sanitary environment to their customers, during rush hours, the staff is just too busy to go clean the toilets. As a result, during restaurant peak hours, toilets are rarely clean and this situation gives a bad impression of the quality of the restaurant to customers; it is something all restaurant managers would like to avoid for their business reputation.

[0003] Another problem is the difficulty in finding serious and conscientious janitor to clean toilets. For most, it is not a dream job and establishment staff management has often a problem to find a good janitor and especially for night / weekend shift needed in many places such as restaurants and airports.

[0004] Users try to find the best possible options to deal with toilet facility uncleanness; some carry their own disposal toilet seat covers, others wait until they find a sufficiently clean facility nearby when in need etc....

[0005] There has been a number of developments related to public toilets with some kind of automatic cleaning system. They are oftentimes self-standing facilities installed on the sidewalks or in parks for example. They usually connection to a draining system, a water supply and electricity.

[0006] There is still a need in the art for solutions to dirty toilet facilities, especially in existing buildings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] In the appended drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention, in a "cleansing-mode" or "waiting-mode";

[0009] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 in a "use-mode";

[0010] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the system of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a top view of the system of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of a system showing overall structure and plumbing according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention;

[0013] FIG.6 is a perspective view of a toilet bowl and case of a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 7 shows a spraying system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention;

[0015] FIGs. 8 shows a toilet bowl top edge and paper toilet seat covers according to embodiments of some aspects of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 9 shows an anchoring structure for a case of a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention;

[0017] FIGs. 10A and B show details of a back view and a side view of a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention;

[0018] FIGs. 11 show details of a pan in a base of a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention;

[0019] FIGs. 12A and B show details of an electric motor and mechanism in a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention; and

[0020] FIG. 13-21 show details of systems according to embodiments of aspects of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0021] As generally illustrated in FIGs. 1 to 4, a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention comprises a base 1, a case 4 and a toilet bowl 5.

[0022] The base 1 is shown with a step (see FIG. 19) or a ramp 2 and handrails 3 for user safety.

[0023] The handrails 3 are shown standing up from the base 1.
Alternatively, they may secured to a partition wall (not shown) generally perpendicular to the back wall (W).

[0024] Shown in the center of the base 1 and close to a back wall (W), the case 4 comprises two sides, such as a left part and a right part. The case 4 houses the toilet bowl 5. In FIG.1, only a bottom part of the toilet bowl 5 is seen as the case 4 is closed. Alternatively, the case 4 could be a one piece housing, configured to move up and down about the toilet bowl 5 for example.

[0025] Photoelectric sensors are positioned above the case 4, on the back wall (W).
A first photoelectric sensor 6 is used to automatically flush the toilet bowl 5 after use, i.e. to detect a user standing up and leaving. A second photoelectric sensor 7 is used to detect that a user has stepped up on the base 1 to automatically open the case 4, and to detect when the user has left the base 1 and automatically close the case 4 and spray the toilet bowl 5 and its immediate surrounding with chlorinated water when the user has left. Any one or both of these sensors may be replaced by a manual control button, or manual control buttons could be usable in combination with any one or both of these sensors to flush and/or activate the cleansing process.

[0026] The dimension of the base 1 may be selected, to fit within a regulated minimum size of public toilet partitions and door for example. As a result, when an establishment replaces its conventional toilet bowl with the present system, there is no need to remove or change the layout of the partitions between toilet bowls.

[0027] When replacing a conventional toilet bowl with the present system, the existing toilet drain on the floor (F) remains at its original position, i.e.
at twelve inches from the back wall (W) by regulation for example (see FIGs. 17, 18). There is therefore no cost associated with changing piping and drains, nor with modifying the flooring structure, or with changing or redoing the flooring surface, typically tiles. In brief, an establishment need only remove the current regular toilet bowl and install the present system within the same physical area without costly remodeling work.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the case 4 with its doors open, showing the inside portion of the left and right side parts thereof, with a spraying piping 8.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows location of roll dispensers 9 and 10. They can be supported on any of the handrails 3 for example. This illustration shows the two dispensers on the left side when facing the toilet bowl 5. Both are large commercial size dispensers. The dispenser 9 may be used for regular hygienic paper while the dispenser 10 is used to supply disposable toilet seat cover, as will be discussed further hereinbelow in relation to FIGS. 8.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a top view of the system with the case 4 open. The base 1 comprises a metallic grid (FIG. 20) so that water and other undesired debris such as toilet paper that may fall onto the base floor may be drained therethrough.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows details of plumbing, typically hidden and not visible to the user.
An existing toilet drain 12 on the floor (F) may be used, such as standard size drain pipe 12, of 4 or inches for example, extended through an aperture of the base 1 to reach the location of the toilet bowl 5, and is fixed to the base 1.

[0032] A collecting pan 13 is positioned under the base 1 and covers the entire grid thereof. The pan 13 may be selected with a downward angle or slope so that cleansing water and small debris from the top surface of the base can be efficiently drained away.
This slope has a center lower point where a drain pipe 14 is connected, which is further connected to the drain pipe 12. The drain pipe 14 has a U shape to prevent waste water smell to pass through. It is thus avoiding any unpleasant smell and dangerous gases. As best seen in FIG. 11, the pan 13 further comprises a passageway 15 allowing the toilet drain to pass through for a direct connection to the drain 12.

[0033] Plumbing to flush the toilet and for cleaning is also shown in FIG. 5. A device 16, marked ((CL)) for Chlorine, is a water chlorinator, similar as used in a pool, but of commercial or industrial quality.

[0034] As may be seen in FIG. 6., the toilet bowl 5 has an oval cross section and has straight inclined sides 17, for example at 90 degrees i. e. generally at a right angle with the base floor 1, thereby providing a vertical surface from the top to the bottom of the toilet bowl 5 for an efficient dripping of water. Furthermore, the top surface of the toilet bowl 5, i.e. the surface thereof where the user seats, has a triangular shape with a top angle finished with a round edge.
Thus, neither liquids nor matter remain on the top surface of the toilet bowl 5. This triangular top shape and the straight side surfaces of the toilet bowl 5 allow sprayed cleansing water to flow down efficiently and quickly to the grid floor of the base 1 below and from there into the drain underneath.
As a result, the toilet bowl and its top surface do not need further drying before a next user comes.

[0035] The toilet bowl 5 may be made of porcelain as regular toilet bowls. Openings 18 are provided at the bottom to allow a plumber to fix the toilet bowl 5 over the toilet main drain 12 as shown in FIG. 5, with standard bolts for example. These openings 18 are closed with plastic click-on type caps for example.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows details of the spraying system 8 incorporated in each side of the case 4 as mentioned in relation to FIG. 2 hereinabove, according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention. A larger water pipe 19 is for the toilet flushing (see FIG. 5). A smaller water pipe 20 is for the toilet cleansing process. The pipe 20 may be a standard flexible tube reinforced by metallic mesh. The pipe 20 connects to a manifold arm that distributes chlorinated water. Two types of spraying devices are shown. The first type of spraying device is a rotating spray bar 21 similar to those found in home dishwasher. Two such rotating spray bar 21 are shown in FIG. 7, secured on the undersurface of the top of the case 4 so as to be located above the center of toilet bowl 5 and the front part of the toilet bowl 5 to strategically clean those areas which are most likely to need extra cleansing when the case 4 is closed. The second type of spraying device comprises pipes with spray nozzles 22, secured on the inner surface of the side walls of the case 4 to spray and clean the sides of the toilet bowl 5 when the case 4 is in the closed position around the toilet bowl 5. Four such pipes with three spray nozzles 22 are shown in FIG. 7. The same is repeated on the other side of the case 4 except that the rotating spray bars 21 on the other side of the case 4 are slightly closer to the back wall (W) so that the four rotating bars 21 of the two sides of the case 4 do not interfere with one another when the case 4 is closed and when they rotate and spray.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 21, the case may be provided with a lighting device that can be turned on at night for example, or when the space is in the dark. The light may be selected to be a cleaning light source.

[0038] FIGs. 8 show details of the disposable paper seat cover according to an embodiment of an aspect of the invention. Fig. 8A shows the shape of the disposable paper seat cover. The paper may be of the same thickness and type as standard disposable paper seat cover.
The present disposable paper seat cover is rolled into rolls, of a size such as large rolls of hygienic paper for example, and is dispensed in a seat cover dispenser 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Moreover, the present disposable paper seat cover comes into a strip or band (S), of twelve centimeters (cm) wide for example, which is folded in two at its center. On one of its folded sides, the material is die cut with triangle shape 24. The toilet user can unroll a strip of the present disposable paper seat cover, unfold it, and the triangular empty spaces make it easy to place the cover on the top surface of the toilet bowl 5 and adjusting to its oval shape, the groove part (S2) seating on the top surface of the toilet bowl 5 with the empty triangular shape directed toward the inside of the toilet bowl 5, the remaining part (Si) resting against the side wall of the toilet bowl 5.
Thus, the present disposable paper seat cover may be easily positioned on the triangular top edge of the toilet bowl 5 top surface and stays in place as the present disposable paper seat cover easily adjusts to the oval shape of the toilet bowl 5.

[0039] The roll of the present disposable paper seat cover may be pre-cut at intervals corresponding to a length required to cover the entire circumference of the top surface of the toilet bowl 5.

[0040] The present disposable paper seat cover can be flushed with the waste water and is easily broken down in water and into the draining system. When the disposable paper seat cover falls on the base 1 near the toilet bowl 5 and within the floor area covered by the case 4, it is sprayed with water during the cleaning step of the system, broken down into tiny parts and drained through the base grid to finally be drained into the main drain 12 through the pipe 14 as explained in relation to FIG. 5.

[0041] Same process will happen to hygienic paper that may also fall onto the floor of the base 1 near the toilet bowl 5.

[0042] Thus the toilet bowl 5 and its immediate surroundings may be kept clean and inviting for the next user.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows details on how the cleansing case 4 is fixed to the base 1.
Each case side is held in place by a rod 26. The rod 26 bottom part is fastened to the base 1 by a bolt and a screw for example. A welded washer 27 is shown supporting the weight of the case side and, on top of the washer 27, a thrust ball bearing 28 ensuring opening and closing movement of the case 4 with ease and with minimal horizontal friction.

[0044] On the opposite end of the rod 26 at the top of the case side, a washer and bolt 31 (not screw too tight) complete the fixing of the case 4. A cylindrical ball bearing 29 may be used to prevent friction vertically. This bearing 29 is held in place by a bearing stopper 30 fixed on the case side wall. The case 4 can now open and close with minimal friction.
Both bearings 29, 30 allow the case 4 to move almost resistance-free and therefore to reduce the energy and power needed by the motor to open and close the case 4. In FIG. 1, the case 4 does not touch the base 1, thereby allowing small air vent and excess sprayed water to flow and being drained further away on the base1.

[0045] On top of the case 4, the rods 26 further extend to support a motor, such as a small 24 Volt electric motor 32 for example, used to open and close the left and right sides of the case 4, as will be discussed hereinbelow in relation to FIGs.12 A and B. The motor 32 could be a compressed air moto, hydraulic etc.

[0046] FIGs. 10 shows details of water supply pipes, as also seen in FIG. 5. A first water supply pipe 19 is to flush the toilet bowl 5 and it is connected to a standard automatic flushing photoelectric sensor device 6 fixed to the back wall (W) and situated above the top level of the case 4. A second water supply pipe 20 is controlled by a photoelectric sensor device 7. Where the second pipe 20 passes through the back wall (W), a water flow control valve 40 is linked to the photoelectric sensor device 7. Next to the water flow valve 40 a water chlorinator 16 containing standard chloride puck similar as for pool use is shown. As water flow through the chlorinator 16, tap water, potable or non-potable, is added with a quantity of additional chloride according to a desired adjustment level incorporated into the chlorinator 16. The water is then directed to and released through the rotating bars and spray-nozzles discussed in relation to FIG. 7. The desired quantity of water being used for each cleaning process is controlled by a water flow valve pre-setting up. Typically a spraying process may last 5 to 20 seconds to consume as little water as possible while offering a clean and safe environment. The electric motor 32 opening and closing the case is connected to a 24 Volt current source from the back wall (W). Both processes, i.e. toilet flushing with its own sensor 6 and case opening / closing ¨ spraying with its sensor 7 are independent one from the other.

[0047] FIGs. 11 show details of a pan located under the base 1 floor grid as mentioned in relation to FIG. 5. The pan is to collect the water and small debris passing through the grid during the automatic cleansing process. In FIG. 11B is a top view of the pan while FIG. 11B a perspective 3D view of the pan, showing the positioning of toilet drain 12 and of the pan drain 14.
The dotted lines 43 indicate the location of the toilet bowl 5 to be fixed on top of the grid 1. The pan is shown with six slopes 44 so that any water dripping from above is diverted to the pan lowest point and drain pipe 14. This drained water then flows into the U pipe 14 to finally join the main toilet drain pipe 12. As discussed hereinabove, the pan also has a passageway 15 right under the toilet bowl 5 position so that the toilet drain pipe can pass through the pan freely. Again this system allows not changing anything into an existing toilet drain piping. Again, the toilet main drain pipe 12 may remain at its regulatory position of twelve inches from the back wall (W), although the toilet bowl 5 may be located at a further distance from the back wall (W).

[0048] FIGs. 12A and B show details of a 24 Volt electric motor 32 used to open and close the case doors. In the center of FIG. 12A, a spinning wheel 49 mounted on the rotating shaft 59 of the electric motor is shown. The motor is built to be programmed to control both the speed and strength, i.e. torque, at which the doors of the case 4 will be closes and opened. This motor, which specification is enclosed hereinbelow, can be extremely precise and is just one of many electric motors that can be used for the present invention. The motor and the spinning wheel

49 turn clockwise. The motor needs to do 1/2 rotations to open the case 4 and another 1/2 rotation to close the case 4 to its original position.
[0049] On the spinning wheel 49 there are two bars attached, one at 90 degrees, and the other at 180 degrees. The first one 50 (with a square bar) controls the case door on the opposite side (right side of FIG. 12A). The second one 51 controls the case door on the opposite side (left side of FIG. 12A).

[0050] Two rods 26 support the case sides. The motor shaft center 59 is also a fixing element for the case 4. As a result, when the motor rotates 1/2 a circle, the bars 50, 51 create a pressure on the case sides that forces them open.

[0051] The straight lines 54 represent the case sides when close, while the dotted lines 55 show the position of the shaft arms when the case sides are open.

[0052] As best seen in FIG. 12, the case sides 4a, 4b are supported by the rods 26.
These rods 26 also support the electric motor 32 above the case 4. The motor shaft 59 is fixed to the spinning wheel 49. Below the spinning wheel 49, a crane shaft 61 connects the left and right bars 50, 51. Again, when the motor is activated by the photoelectric sensor when a person is approaching the toilet bowl 5 or when leaving the toilet bowl 5, the spinning wheel 49 performs a 1/2 rotation clockwise. This rotation applies a pressure on both arms 50, 51 and causing the case sides 4a, 4b to open or close.

[0053] In case of electric power failure or defect and for safety, a button may be provided to activate the opening and closing of the case 4 manually.
Accordingly, under such condition, the user could use the toilet with its automatic regular auto flushing but the toilet side surfaces would not be cleaned until electric power has returned or when repaired.

[0054] A hose with a spray gun could be added for a user, such as a janitor for example, who may wish to spray water on the toilet bowl or near the toilet bowl. The hose could be a fixed hose with a control valve that can only be turned on with a special key, or a plug-in hose that the janitor carry from one facility to the other when checking on the toilet supplies, i. e. toilet paper, seat covers and chlorine puck.

[0055] There could be an additional water pipe all around the pan to help drain any small debris that may have fallen from the above grid, for example near the periphery of the base, near the step of the base for example.

[0056] In practice, the present system may be used as follows.

[0057] In step 100, a user comes in a restroom and sees a base 4 (see FIG.1 and FIG. 14), and a closed case on the base, with a sign prompting to step on the base for example.
The system is in a "waiting-mode". As the user then steps on the base, the case opens under action of an electric motor activated by a sensor as described hereinabove (see FIG. 15). The toilet bowl is then accessible, the system, being in a "use-mode". A sign may prompt the user to take a disposable paper seat cover as described hereinabove, and to and place it on the oval ring of the toilet bowl oval ring, i.e. on the top part where a seat cover is usually located (FIG. 16).

[0058] In step 200, the user uses the toilet bowl as usual and uses the toilet paper as usual.

[0059] In step 300, as the user stands up, the toilet auto-flush system drains away the waste water as usual, including the disposable paper cover seat.

[0060] In step 400, as the uses moves away from the toilet bowl and steps down from the base, the case closed back around the toilet bowl, into a "cleansing-mode". A small quantity of chlorinated water, with some pressure, is sprayed inside the toilet bowl, on all its exterior sides and on the immediate floor around the base of the toilet bowl. This spraying lasts just a few seconds and can be adjusted to a desired time frame by programming the sensor.
The sprayed water flow down through the grid floor and recuperated under the base and drained as described hereinabove. There is no need to dry out the toilet bowl. The toilet bowl is ready for use again.

[0061] There is thus provided an automatic cleaning system, especially designed for use within an existing building, such as restaurant, offices, hospitals, airports, shopping malls, etc., without major plumbing work and with no change to the existing building structure (floor /
walls).

[0062] The present system may be substituted to an existing toilet in a building, and use the existing drain, without modifying the existing flooring to install new drain piping.

[0063] The present system may also be installed in movable trucks or trailers or a movable platform for example, to offer quality-clean toilet to outdoor events such as music shows or for large cities lacking decent restrooms. Such trucks or trailers or platforms could have a small electric generator as power source and each auto-clean system could be connected to a city water stand post or standpipe, and a waste water flexible tubing connected to a street sewage trap or a temporary sanitary tank for example.

[0064] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Electric Motor Specifications:
TEKNIC (manufacturer) www.teknic.com Clear Path / MCVC / 24 Volt Brushless Servo System (electric motor) / model:

With Integrated Servo System, controlling Velocity, Torque, 2-Position Toggle.
Specifications Motor Frame Size NEMA 23 -59.18 mm (2.33 in) sq.
Length 84.84mm (3.34 in) Peak Torque (@75 VDC) 0.45 N-m (64 oz-in) Cont. (RMS) Torque (@75 VDC) 0.09 N-m (13.0 oz-in) Max Speed 4000 RPM
Rated Speed 4000 RPM
Achievable Resolution 0.45 degrees Repeatability 0.03 degrees Shaft Diameter 9.525 mm (0.375 in) Weight 0.63 kg (1.38 lb) Rotor Inertia 0.077 kg-crnA2 (0.420 oz-inA2) Input (bus) Voltage Range 24-75 VDC
(90 VDC max) Logic Input Voltage Range 4.0 to 28 VDC
Maximum Radial Load 111.2 N
(25.0 lbf) Maximum Thrust Load 22.2 N
(5.0 lbf) Environmental Rating Dust &
water splash resistant Ambient Temperature 0-70 deg C (derated >40C) Ambient Humidity 0-95%;
non-condensing Regulatory Certifications UL
recognized; CE; RoHS
Country of Origin USA
Warranty 3 Years

Claims (2)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system as described herein.

2. A method as described herein.