EP1835833B1 - Systeme combiné de siège de toilettes et de chasse d'eau - Google Patents

Systeme combiné de siège de toilettes et de chasse d'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1835833B1
EP1835833B1 EP06700325.1A EP06700325A EP1835833B1 EP 1835833 B1 EP1835833 B1 EP 1835833B1 EP 06700325 A EP06700325 A EP 06700325A EP 1835833 B1 EP1835833 B1 EP 1835833B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
seal
seat
toilet
bowl
seat member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP06700325.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1835833A2 (fr
Inventor
Grahame A. White
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Norcros Group Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
Norcros Group Holdings Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0500381A external-priority patent/GB0500381D0/en
Application filed by Norcros Group Holdings Ltd filed Critical Norcros Group Holdings Ltd
Publication of EP1835833A2 publication Critical patent/EP1835833A2/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1835833B1 publication Critical patent/EP1835833B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K13/00—Seats or covers for all kinds of closets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a toilet seat assembly and flushing system for use in a toilet, in particular a flushing system for ensuring that the toilet seat assembly is in the down position when the toilet is vacant and a toilet seat for eliminating the "sneeze effect".
  • Toilet flushing mechanisms are well known and are typically activated by either a push button on a top surface of the cistern or a depressible lever extending from the side of the cistern, which means that they can readily be flushed with the toilet seat assembly in the raised position.
  • a constant annoyance with toilets having such flushing mechanisms, particularly with females, is that when the lavatory is visited the toilet seat assembly is left in the raised position.
  • a raised seat assembly looks unsightly; it is a proven fact that, when a toilet is flushed, microorganisms are released into the atmosphere that can contaminate toothbrushes, soap, flannels, towels, contact lenses etc, some of which may be a health hazard; before most users are able to use the facilities, the toilet seat assembly needs to be lowered; it has been known for pets to drink from a toilet pan and this can spread bacteria; children have been known to play with the water in the toilet bowl and there is a danger of the raised toilet seat assembly falling on them; and a toilet seat assembly in the down position is more likely to control odour and the spread of microorganisms.
  • FR-2696200 which is considered to represent the closest prior art, discloses a toilet seat assembly comprising the features according to the preamble of claim 1. It also discloses a flushing system for a toilet in which an actuator is provided on a toilet lid which engages with the toilet seat when the lid is lowered to maintain the lid in spaced apart relation with the seat. A user can press the lid onto the seat in order to activate the flush, the actuator being spring biased to move the lid away from the seat when pressure from the user is released.
  • Each of the toilet lid and toilet seat are provided with a seal for engaging the inner rim of the underlying member, the seal on the lid engaging with the seat only when the user is applying pressure to the lid to activate the flush.
  • a toilet seat assembly in accordance with the invention has the advantage of that, in use, due to the hermetic seal created between the seat member and lid member and the underlying bowl rim and seat member respectively, the sneeze effect (also known as the aerosol effect) and odour/noise escape from the toilet bowl are marginalized when the toilet is flushed with the seat assembly in the down position. Furthermore by locating the at least one seal substantially adjacent to the inner rim of the seat member or bowl rim with which, in use, it forms a seal, the extent of the region on the seat an/or lid member that is protected from contamination during flushing is maximized. Furthermore, the assembly of the invention prevents the spread of microorganisms via the sneeze effect and further reduces odour and noise escape from the toilet bowl when the toilet is flushed with the seat assembly in the down position.
  • the or each seal is an annular seal which extends entirely around the periphery of the toilet assembly member on which it is provided.
  • Said at least one seal may be of unitary construction, either being mounted directly onto the underside of the assembly member or having recesses for locating moulded stops or feet mounted thereon.
  • the at least one seal may be formed of a plurality of annular segments, whereby each segment extends, preferably arcuately, between moulded stops or feet mounted on the underside of the assembly member.
  • the at least one seal is manufactured from silicon, which is advantageously impervious to ammonia found in uric acid, but it will be understood that it could alternatively be manufactured from rubber, plastic or any other know sealing material.
  • said bead extends along the entire length of the at least one seal and said at least one seal furthermore advantageously comprises studs for mounting itself to the lid and/or seat member via recesses located within said members.
  • said at least one seal furthermore advantageously comprises studs for mounting itself to the lid and/or seat member via recesses located within said members.
  • the skilled person will additionally realize that a wide range of known seals could be used to from the at least one seal.
  • the lid member of the toilet seat is advantageously made of transparent material so that any "debris" remaining after flushing can be detected.
  • the lid member preferably includes a means for mounting an air freshening device to its underside and, advantageously, an air freshening device integrally formed therewith such that, in use, the environment within the bowl can be freshened.
  • the means for mounting the air freshening device is an appropriate bracket, although it will be understood that any other known mounting means could be used such a tapped holes, screws, adhesive or magnets.
  • the present invention also provides a toilet seat assembly comprising a toilet bowl and a seat assembly according to the invention pivotally assembled thereto.
  • a toilet 1 comprising a bowl 2, forming a base of the toilet, with a cistern 4, extending from the back of the bowl, in which is housed a flushing system.
  • a toilet seat assembly 3, comprising an annular seat member 5 and a solid lid member 6, is pivotally mounted onto the bowl rim 7 by means of a hinge in a well known manner so as to enable pivotal movement of each of the seat member 5 and the lid member 6 between a lowered position in which each extends across the breadth of the bowl 2 and a raised position in which each upstands from the bowl and extends along a front face of the cistern 4, the lid member 6 being raisable independently of the seat member 5 and the seat member 6 being lowerable independently of the lid member 6.
  • An actuating button 10 for initiating a flush cycle of the flushing system is provided on the front face of the cistern at a location which is overlaid by the toilet seat assembly when in its raised position, and in particular is concealed behind the lid member 6 when in its raised position, thereby preventing flushing of the toilet with the lid raised.
  • the seat and lid members 5, 6 of the seat assembly 3 are of similar size to each other and the rim 7 of the toilet bowl 2 such that the seat member 5 rests securely on the rim 7 when in its lowered position, a plurality of feet 26 provided on the lower surface thereof maintaining said seat member 5 in a slightly spaced apart position relative to the rim 7.
  • the central opening of the seat member 5 is furthermore aligned with the mouth of the bowl when in the lowered position so as to enable debris to pass into the bowl 2.
  • the lid member 6 similarly has a plurality of feet 26 provided on its lower surface so as to maintain it spaced apart relatively from the seat member 5 when both are in their lowered positions with said lid member 6 covering the central opening of said seat member 5.
  • the seating assembly 3 is pivotally attached to the bowl by means of a pair of brackets (not shown), which extend from a rear edge of each of the seat and lid members 5, 6, each said bracket having a hole therein which aligns axially with the other holes on a common pivot axis and through which extends a hinge bar attached at each end to the bowl.
  • brackets not shown
  • the seat and lid members 5, 6 can be pivoted between the raised and lowered positions as is appropriate.
  • each of the lid and seat members 5, 6 is therefore provided with an annular seal 13, 14 which extends between the feet 26 and is positioned to engage the upper surface of the seat member 5 and bowl rim 7 respectively when the seat assembly is in its lowered position so as to eliminate the aforementioned spaces.
  • a first seal 13 is mounted on the inside of the seat member 5 and a second seal 14 is mounted to the underside of the lid member 6 such that, in use, when both toilet seat members 5, 6 are in the down position, the first seal 13 forms a hermetic seal between the seat member 5 and the rim 7 of the bowl 2 and the second seal 14 forms a hermetic seal between the lid member 6 and the seat member 5 above which it rests.
  • the seals 13, 14 are of unitary construction and extend entirely around the periphery of the underside of each member 5, 6, the first seal 13 aligning with the upper face of the rim 7 of the bowl 2 and the second seal 14 aligning with a raised contour on the upper face of the seat.
  • each seal 13, 14 is radially inset a small distance from the outer edge of the undersides of the members 5, 6 to which they are attached so that the outer radial edges of the lid 6 and seat 5 are isolated from the debris which gathers on the radially inner edge of the seal during flushing. In this way, a user may use said outer edge of the underside of the members 5, 6 to lift said members without the risk of contaminating their fingers during the process.
  • the seals 13, 14 can advantageously be mounted substantially adjacent to the inner rim of the seat member 5 and bowl rim 7 with which they respectively form a seal. In this way, the area of the underside of the lid and seat members 5, 6 that are isolated from the debris, which gathers on the radially inner edge of the seal during flushing, is maximized.
  • the above-described system is only effective if the seat assembly is lowered when flushing takes place.
  • the actuating button 10 of the toilet 1 is located on the front face of the cistern 4 at a location which is concealed behind the lid member 6 when in the raised position, thereby forcing a user to lower the lid member 6 prior to flushing.
  • the seat and lid members 5, 6 again do not have feet 26 provided on their lower surfaces but are instead each provided with a seal 27, as shown in Figure 7 , mounted directly on to said lower surfaces via studs 28 that locate and secure it in associated recesses within the seat and lid members 5, 6.
  • the seal 27 is formed with an integral bead 29 that runs along the entire length of the seal and acts as a buffer such that the seal 27 that is mounted on the lid member 6 maintains a gap between the seat member 5 and said lid member 6, and the seal 27 which is mounted on the seat member 5 maintains a gap between the bowl rim 7 and said seat member 5.
  • a web 30 of flexible material additionally extends over the bead 29 of the seal 27 so as to be upstanding therefrom in an unbiased position, flexing of said web 30 causing it to flare laterally so as to provide a larger contact area and therefore broader sealing surface, as shown in Figure 11, when said seal 27 is under pressure.
  • an effective seal is formed between the bowl rim 7 and seat member 5 and the seat member 6 and lid member 6 when the seat assembly 3 is in the lowered position.
  • the lid member 6 and seat member 5 again do not have feet 26 provided on their lower surfaces but are instead provided with tubular seals 31 and 35 respectively, which each comprise studs 32, 36 for mounting themselves to the appropriate seat or lid member 5, 6 via corresponding recesses located therein.
  • the tubular seal 31 has a substantially right-angled, triangular cross-sectional form and a correspondingly shaped tubular cavity 33 running along its entire length. Furthermore, said seal 31 is mounted on the lid member 6 such that, in use, an engaging face 34, which forms the hypotenuse of its triangular cross-sectional form, locates on the inner rim of the seat member 5 so as to form a particularly effective seal therewith.
  • the tubular seal 35 has a substantially isosceles-shaped, triangular cross-sectional form and a correspondingly shaped tubular cavity 37 running along its entire length. Furthermore, said seal 35 is mounted on the seat member 6 such that, in use, its apex 38 engages directly with the bowl rim 7 and flares laterally to form a particularly effective seal therewith.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Toilet Supplies (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Ensemble siège de toilettes (3) comprenant un élément siège (5) et un élément couvercle (6), l'ensemble, à l'utilisation, étant fixé de manière articulée à une cuvette de toilettes (2) de telle façon que l'élément siège (5) peut venir en prise avec un bord (7) de la cuvette de toilettes (2) afin de fournir un siège sur lequel un utilisateur peut s'asseoir, et l'élément couvercle (6) pouvant venir en prise avec l'élément siège (5) de façon à le recouvrir, l'élément siège (5) possédant un joint (13), prévu sur son dessous, qui, à l'utilisation, forme un joint pratiquement hermétique avec le bord (7) sous-jacent de la cuvette lorsque l'élément siège (5) est en prise avec le bord (7) de la cuvette, le joint (13) étant prévu sur le dessous de l'élément siège (5) pratiquement adjacent au bord intérieur du bord (7) sous-jacent de la cuvette avec lequel, à l'utilisation, il forme un joint ; l'élément couvercle (6) possédant un joint (14), prévu sur son dessous, qui, à l'utilisation, forme un joint pratiquement hermétique avec l'élément siège (5) sous-jacent chaque fois que l'élément couvercle (6) est en prise avec l'élément siège pour le recouvrir, le joint (14) sur l'élément couvercle (6) étant prévu sur le dessous de l'élément couvercle (6) pratiquement adjacent au bord intérieur de l'élément siège (5) avec lequel, à l'utilisation, il forme un joint ; caractérisé en ce que chaque joint (13, 14) comprend un bourrelet (29) intégré qui s'étend longitudinalement et une lame (30), le bourrelet (29) formant un tampon pour maintenir un écart entre l'élément siège ou l'élément couvercle (5, 6) sur lequel il est prévu et le bord (7) sous-jacent de la cuvette ou l'élément siège (5) avec lequel, à l'utilisation, il forme respectivement un joint, et la lame (30) s'étendant à partir dudit bourrelet (29) de façon à se dresser droite à partir de ce dernier dans une position non contrainte, et en ce que la lame (30) de chaque joint (13, 14) est flexible et s'évase latéralement lorsqu'elle est comprimée en direction du bourrelet (29) de façon à fournir une surface de joint plus large avec le bord de la cuvette (7) ou l'élément siège (5) avec lequel, à l'utilisation, il forme un joint.
  2. Ensemble siège de toilettes selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chaque joint (13, 14) est un joint annulaire qui s'étend complètement autour du périmètre de l'élément (5, 6) de l'ensemble toilettes sur lequel il est prévu.
  3. Ensemble siège de toilettes selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel chaque joint (13, 14) est formé d'une pluralité de segments annulaires qui s'étendent entre des butées moulées montées sur le dessous de l'élément (5, 6) de l'ensemble toilettes sur lequel ils sont prévus.
  4. Ensemble siège de toilettes selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le bourrelet (29) s'étend sur toute la longueur du joint (13, 14).
  5. Ensemble siège de toilettes (3) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la lame (30) s'étend sur la longueur du bourrelet (29).
  6. Ensemble toilettes comprenant une cuvette de toilettes et un ensemble siège selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes monté sur ladite cuvette de façon à pouvoir pivoter.
EP06700325.1A 2005-01-08 2006-01-06 Systeme combiné de siège de toilettes et de chasse d'eau Not-in-force EP1835833B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0500381A GB0500381D0 (en) 2005-01-08 2005-01-08 Combined toilet seat and flushing system
GB0514015A GB0514015D0 (en) 2005-01-08 2005-07-08 Combined toilet seat and flushing system
PCT/GB2006/000039 WO2006072794A2 (fr) 2005-01-08 2006-01-06 Systeme combine de siege de toilettes et de chasse d'eau

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1835833A2 EP1835833A2 (fr) 2007-09-26
EP1835833B1 true EP1835833B1 (fr) 2017-11-22

Family

ID=35841966

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06700325.1A Not-in-force EP1835833B1 (fr) 2005-01-08 2006-01-06 Systeme combiné de siège de toilettes et de chasse d'eau

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20070250995A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1835833B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006072794A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IL197453A (en) * 2008-07-14 2011-01-31 Meir Gitlis Hands-free toilet seat lifting device
DE102009052046A1 (de) * 2009-11-05 2011-05-12 Airbus Operations Gmbh Überwachungsvorrichtung für eine Vakuumtoilette
IL202854A0 (en) * 2009-12-17 2011-07-31 Marmareli Ahron Seat of caulker of toilet bowl

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2696200A1 (fr) * 1992-09-28 1994-04-01 Denance Raymond Dispositif de manÓoeuvre de la chasse d'eau d'un W.C. dont la libération de la colonne d'eau met en surpression la cuvette.
CA2347273A1 (fr) * 2001-05-11 2002-11-11 Kim Hong Min Systeme a evacuation d'air directe du bol de toilette vers l'exterieur

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2502280A1 (de) * 1975-01-21 1976-07-22 Karl Aue Vorrichtung fuer die innenreinigung der schuessel eines klosetts mit wasserspuelung
US5388282A (en) * 1992-01-27 1995-02-14 Cherry; Mark A. Hydro-pneumatic flush system for toilets
US5426793A (en) * 1993-08-04 1995-06-27 Mac; Andrew C. Refreshable fragrant cushioned toilet seat
GB9807943D0 (en) * 1998-04-15 1998-06-10 Moore Garry Air displacement toilet
DE10141087A1 (de) * 2001-08-22 2002-05-16 Michael Scholten Werbe & Mitteilungssitz-WC Sitzgarnitur

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2696200A1 (fr) * 1992-09-28 1994-04-01 Denance Raymond Dispositif de manÓoeuvre de la chasse d'eau d'un W.C. dont la libération de la colonne d'eau met en surpression la cuvette.
CA2347273A1 (fr) * 2001-05-11 2002-11-11 Kim Hong Min Systeme a evacuation d'air directe du bol de toilette vers l'exterieur

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20070250995A1 (en) 2007-11-01
WO2006072794A2 (fr) 2006-07-13
WO2006072794A3 (fr) 2006-09-08
EP1835833A2 (fr) 2007-09-26

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