EP3751063B1

EP3751063B1 - Flexible shape changing trapway arrangement for toilet system

Info

Publication number: EP3751063B1
Application number: EP20179015.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anshuman Gupta; Abhinay NATESH
Original assignee: Kohler India Corp Private Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler India Corp Private Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-12
Filing date: 2020-06-09
Publication date: 2024-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-09
Also published as: EP3751063A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a flexible trapway arrangement for a toilet system according to the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND

Toilet systems are known in sanitation industry, to enable persons to defecate in good sanitary conditions. A typical toilet system includes a water closet and a flush arrangement. The water closet is provided to receive faecal matter, when a user performs defecation thereon. The flush arrangement is provided to supply water to the water closet, for removing faecal matter therefrom by pushing the faecal matter to a drain line with use of water pressure.
Water consumption optimization by a toilet system is also an essential requirement in addition to flushing. Typically, the toilet system requires not only more water, but also higher water head, to flush the faecal matter. The faecal matter is flushed to a drain line. The higher water head, here, relates to the potential energy of the water in the water storage tank of the flush arrangement. For such high water-head requirements, the water storage tank of the flush arrangement is required to be positioned at greater heights relative to the water closet. Such undesirable water consumption and higher water head requirements makes the toilet system less eco-friendly, functionally inefficient, and bulkier.
WO 2018/151361 A1 discloses a hydrolic waste water discharge device having a flexible waste water pipe which can be brought into a constricted state and into a dilated state. Two movable members above and below the pipe are arranged to exert force on the pipe for bringing same from the dilated state into the constricted State. This document discloses the features mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 and is considered to represent the closest prior art.
DE 20 2014 005775 U1 discloses an electropneumatic toilet having a waste water valve which is operated by pressurized air. If the waste water power valve provides pressurized air to the waste water valve, the waste water valve opens, else closes. Further, the following prior art is cited in order to facilitate understanding the present invention:
US 3 314 084 A , FR 2 916 773 A1 , US 3 239 849 A , US 2 308 478 A .
The water closet of the toilet system includes an integrally formed trapway, which connects the water closet to a drain line. The trapway allows for exit of water and faecal matter from the water closet to the drain line. Conventionally, the trapway is an inverted U-shaped channel including at least one vertical channel, to maintain a water seal of sump water in the water closet. While flushing, the faecal matter has to climb the vertical channel. This requires more flushing volume (more water) for flushing operations, which may be less eco-friendly. Additionally, such requirement of climbing the vertical channel requires a higher water head, which require the flush tank to be positioned at relatively higher heights. This may result in poor space-utilization. Such undesirable water consumption and higher water head requirements makes the toilet system less eco-friendly, functionally inefficient, and bulkier. Moreover, such Water closets with integrated complex structure of trapways is difficult to manufacture and require complex and expensive moulds for such manufacturing in an industrial set-up.
Accordingly, in light of the aforementioned drawbacks and several other inherent in the existing arts, there is a well felt need to provide a water closet arrangement for the toilet system, which provides for, less wastage of water, increased overall functional efficiency, and minimal space requirements, and relatively easy manufacturing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is defined by the enclosed independent claim. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a flexible trapway arrangement for connecting a toilet system to a drain line. The trapway arrangement includes a trapway and a trap mechanism. The trapway is made up of resilient material. The trap mechanism is arranged with the trapway, and is adapted to operate the trapway in a constricted state and a dilated state. In the constricted state, the trap mechanism constricts at least a portion of the trapway to restrict a flow of components therethrough. In the dilated state, the trap mechanism dilates the trapway to allow a flow of components therethrough.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention relates to a flexible trapway arrangement for a toilet system, which provides an overall reduction in water consumption, thereby making the toilet system functionally more efficient, and providing space optimization provision of the water closet of the toilet system.
Yet another object of the present invention relates to a flexible trapway arrangement for a toilet system, which provides an overall reduction in water volume and water head needed for flushing process of the toilet system.
Yet another object of the present invention relates to a flexible trapway arrangement for a toilet system, which provides for an easy manufacturing process of the water closet of the toilet system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. These and other details of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a toilet system, with a trapway arrangement in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of a flexible trapway and a trap mechanism, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of a toilet system [100], comprising a water closet [102], a flushing arrangement [104], and a flexible trapway arrangement [106].
The water closet [102] is a typical toilet bowl adapted to receive faecal matter [108], as a user perform defaecation thereon. Although, the water closet [102] is described to be a wall mounted closet, it may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the water closet [102] may be a floor mounted closet as well. The water closet [102] is in fluid communication with a drain line [110] via the flexible trapway arrangement [106], for enabling evacuation of faecal matter [108] therefrom when flushed by the flush arrangement [104]. Also, the water closet [102] maintains a sump water [112] therein with use of the flexible trapway arrangement [106], which prevents sticking of faecal matter [108] in the water closet [102] as well as prevent the leakage of foul gases from the drain line [110] into the toilet area. A structure and arrangement of the flush arrangement [104] and the trapway arrangement [106] will be described in details in the forthcoming disclosure.
The flush arrangement [104] is provided to flush faecal matter [108] from the water closet [102], when required. The flush arrangement [104] includes a flush tank [114] and a flush valve. The flush tank [114] is mounted on a water closet frame [116]. The flush tank [114] stores flushing water required for performing flushing action. Notably, the flush tank [114] is a sealed pressurised tank fluidly connected to each of the water closet [102] and at least a component of the flexible trapway arrangement [106]. Therefore, flushing of water from the flush tank [114] results in sucking of air from at least one component of the flexible trapway arrangement [106]. The flush valve is further incorporated within the flush tank [114], and is adapted to allow/ restrict a supply of water from the flush tank [114] to the water closet [102]. Particularly, as a user presses a flush button, the flush valve allows the flow of water from the flush tank [114] to the water closet [102] and perform the flushing action. Additionally, as the flush button is released, the flush valve restricts the flow of water from the flush tank [114] to the water closet [102].
Figure 2 illustrates the schematic of the flexible trapway arrangement [106]. The flexible trapway arrangement [106] includes a trapway [118] and a trap mechanism [120]. The trapway [118] is a flexible hose pipe made up of resilient material, which fluidly connects the water closet [102] to the drain line [110]. Particularly, the trapway [118] is provided between a waste exit of the water closet [102] and a PVC elbow [122] of the drain line [110]. Notably, a gasket inlet [124] is provided at an interface between the waste exit of the water closet [102] and the trapway [118]. Additionally, a gasket outlet [126] is provided at an interface between the PVC elbow [122] of the drain line [110] and the trapway [118]. The gasket inlet [124] and the gasket outlet [126] prevent water leakage through the interfaces of the trapway [118]. With such arrangement of the trapway [118], a fluid connection of the water closet [102] to the drain line [110] is facilitated.
The trap mechanism [120] is provided to operate the trapway [118] in one of a constricted state and a dilated state. In the constricted state, the trap mechanism [120] constricts at least a portion of the trapway [118] to restrict a flow of components therethrough. In the dilated state, the trap mechanism [120] dilates the trapway [118] to allow a flow of components therethrough. Particularly, the trap mechanism [120] automatically operates the trapway [118] in the constricted state, during normal operating conditions, namely, before/ after flushing conditions. Moreover, the trap mechanism [120] automatically operates the trapway [118] in the dilated state, during flushing operating conditions. Also, the mechanism operates the trapway [118] to operate in the dilated state, upon user intervention in emergency operating conditions. A structure and arrangement of the trap mechanism [120] will now be described in detail.
The trap mechanism [120] includes a first support plate [128] (a top support plate), a second support plate [130] (bottom support plate), and an actuation mechanism [132]. The first support plate [128] is fixedly positioned to engage with a top periphery of the trapway [118]. The second support plate [130] is movable relative to the first support plate [128], and engages with a bottom periphery of the trapway [118]. The actuation mechanism [132] is provided to move the second support plate [130] relative to the first support plate [128]. Particularly, the actuation mechanism [132] moves the second support plate [130] towards/ proximal to the first support plate [128], in the constricted state of operation of the trapway [118]. Also, the actuation mechanism [132] moves the second support plate [130] away/ distal from the first support plate [128], in the dilated state of operation of the trapway [118]. The actuation mechanism [132] includes a spring arrangement, and a double-acting piston and cylinder arrangement.
The spring arrangement is provided between the first support plate [128] and the second support plate [130]. The spring arrangement includes a couple of support studs [134], a couple of locknuts [136], and a couple of spring members [138], installed between the first support plate [128] and the second support plate [130]. The support studs [134] and the locknuts [136] maintains a default length of the spring members [138], to maintain a default distance between the first support plate [128] and the second support plate [130]. The spring members [138] maintain the second support plate [130] towards/ proximal the first support plate [128], to maintain trapway [118] in the constricted state. Thereby, by default, the spring members [138] of the trap mechanism [120], maintains the trapway [118] in the constricted state.
The double-acting piston and cylinder arrangement is provided to move the second support plate [130] away/ distant from the first support plate [128], to automatically shift the trapway [118] from the constricted state to the dilated state, when required. The double-acting piston and cylinder includes a cylinder [140], and a piston [142] sliding within the cylinder [140]. The piston [142] is connected to the second support plate [130], via a connecting rod. With such arrangement, the piston [142] defines a top chamber [144] and a bottom chamber [146] within the cylinder [140]. The bottom chamber [146] is in fluid communication with the flush tank [114] of the flushing arrangement [104], via a pneumatic hose [148]. The fluid connection facilitates sucking of air from the bottom chamber [146] of the cylinder [140], as the flushing operation is performed by the flush tank [114] of the flushing arrangement [104]. Such sucking of air enables movement of the second support plate [130] away/ distal from the first support plate [128], and thus operating the trapway [118] in the dilated state in flushing operating conditions. Also, the fluid connection facilitates supply of air to the bottom chamber [146] of the cylinder, as the flushing operation is released by the flush tank [114] of the flushing arrangement [104]. Such supply of air enables movement of the second support plate [130] towards/ proximal to the first support plate [128], and thus operating the trapway [118] in the constricted state in the normal operating conditions, namely before/ after flushing operating conditions. An air spring [150] is also provided in fluid communication to the bottom chamber [146], to temporarily store air within itself during sudden flushing operations/ emergency operating conditions. Furthermore, a top chamber [144] of the cylinder [140] is fluidly connected to to an air bellow [152], via a check valve [154]. Further, a foot pedal [156] is connected to the air bellow [152]. With such arrangement, an application of pressure on the foot pedal [156] corresponds to a supply of air from the air chamber to the top chamber [144] of the cylinder [140] via the check valve [154]. Such supply of air to the top chamber [144] of the cylinder [140] enables movement of the second support plate [130] away/ distal from the first support plate [128], and thus operating the trapway [118] in the dilated state in emergency operating conditions, upon manual intervention. Also, a release of pressure from the foot pedal [156] corresponds to release of air from the top chamber [144] of the cylinder [140] to the air bellow [152] via the check valve [154].
In operation, the trap mechanism [120] of the trapway [118] arrangement initially operates the trapway [118] in the constricted state. Furthermore, the trap mechanism [120] of the trapway [118] arrangement is provided to operate the trapway [118] differently in different operating conditions, namely (i) before flushing conditions, (ii) during flushing conditions, (iii) after flushing conditions, and (iv) emergency flushing conditions.
During before flushing operating conditions, the flush tank [114] of the flush arrangement is filled with water. In such situations, air is filled in the bottom chamber [146] of the cylinder. Thus, the actuation mechanism [132] of the trap mechanism [120] is inoperative. Therefore, the spring member, with help of spring force, maintains the second support plate [130] towards/ proximal to the first support plate [128], to operate the trapway [118] in the constricted state. In the constricted state, the trapway [118] is constricted, and thus the sump water [112] is prevented from exiting to the drain line [110]. Thereby, the sump water [112] is maintained within the water closet [102]. Thereby, upon usage of the water closet [102], the faecal matter [108] is always dropped inside the sump water [112] and doesn't stick on to the water closet [102].
During flushing operating conditions, the flush button of the flushing arrangement [104] is pressed, for initiating flushing operation. Upon performing such action, water from the flush tank [114] starts flowing into the water closet [102]. As is already mentioned, the flush tank [114] is the pressurized tank which forces/pressurizes water to flow from the flush tank [114] to the water closet [102]. Accordingly, as the water in the flush tank [114] starts reducing, the flush tank [114] sucks air from the bottom chamber [146] of the cylinder [140] of the actuation mechanism [132]. As the air is sucked from the bottom chamber [146], the piston [142] moves down from a top dead centre position to a bottom dead centre position within the cylinder [140]. With such action, the actuation mechanism [132] moves the second support plate [130] away/ distant from the first support plate [128], thereby shifting the trapway [118] from the constricted state to the dilate state. In the dilated state, the trapway [118] allows the components (sump water and faecal matter) in the water closet [102] to flow to the drain line [110], by way of water pressure of the flushing water. Thus, flushing operation is enabled. After performing the flushing operation, an after flushing operation takes place.
During after flushing operating conditions, the flush tank [114] of the flushing arrangement is refilled with flushing water. During filling, the air inside the flush tank [114] moves into the bottom chamber [146] of the cylinder [140]. This action further pushes the piston [142] towards the top dead centre position within the cylinder [140]. With such action, the second support plate [130] is moved towards/ proximal to the first support plate [128]. Thereby, the trap mechanism allows the trapway [118] to shift from the dilated state to the constricted state. Thus, the water closet [102] is allowed to be refilled with the sump water [112].
During emergency operation conditions, the trapway [118] arrangement may require to be manually overridden. Particularly, during emergency operating conditions, the trapway [118] may require to be operated in the dilated state, without initiating an action by the flushing arrangement [104]. For this purpose, the foot pedal [156] may be pressed to operate the trapway [118] in the dilated state, in the emergency operating conditions. For example, the foot pedal [156] may be pressed to operate the trapway [118] in the dilated state in case of cleaning requirements of the water closet [102]. Upon pressing the foot pedal [156], the check valve [154] opens and air inside the air bellow [152] flows inside the top chamber [144] of the cylinder [140]. Such supply of air to the top chamber [144] of the cylinder [140] enables movement of the second support plate [130] away/ distal from the first support plate [128], and thus operating the trapway [118] in the dilated state in emergency operating conditions, upon manual intervention. In such conditions, air on the bottom chamber [146] of the cylinder [140] is temporarily pushed into the air spring [150], and thus expanding the air spring [150]. Upon completion of the emergency operating conditions, the foot pedal [156] is released from pressure. With release of pressure from the foot pedal [156], the air in top chamber [144] of the cylinder [140] is released back to the air bellow [152]. Thus, the piston [142] moves upwards, thereby moving the second support plate [130] towards/ proximal to the first support plate [128]. This causes the trapway [118] to move from the dilated state to the constricted state. During the return stroke of the piston [142], a pressure difference is created within the bottom chamber [146] of the cylinder [140], thus drawing air from the air spring [156] back to the bottom chamber [146] of the cylinder [140].
The present invention takes into account a number of advantages. One such advantage is minimal water requirements. Particularly, the disclosed flexible trapway arrangement [106] discloses usage of a flat flexible trapway for connecting the water closet [102] to the drain line [110]. Specifically, a need of complex inverted U channel is avoided. Thus, usage of the flat trapway requires minimal water requirement for flushing of faecal matter [108] from the water closet [102]. Thereby, the overall water consumption by the water closet [102] of the toilet system [100] is reduced optimally. This results in an increase in the functional efficiency of the water closet [102] of the toilet system [100]. This provides for the toilet arrangement with more eco-friendly nature, more functional efficiency, and less bulky.
Another advantage of the disclosed trapway [118] arrangement relates to space optimization. The disclosed flexible trapway arrangement [106] discloses usage of a flat flexible trapway for connecting the water closet [102] to the drain line [110]. Specifically, a need of complex inverted U channel is avoided. Thus, usage of the flat trapway [118] requires low water head, and thus the flush tank [114] can be placed at relatively reduced heights. Thus, reducing the vertical space requirement of the toilet system [100].
Yet another advantage of the present invention relates to improved manufacturing processes for manufacture of the water closet [102]. The disclosed flexible trapway arrangement [106] discloses usage of a flat flexible trapway for connecting the water closet [102] to the drain line [110]. As the water closet [110] of the disclosed toilet arrangement avoids a need of integrally formed trapway [118], the structure and arrangement of the water closet [102] is less complex. Therefore, manufacturing of the water closet [102] of the toilet system [100], such as but not limited to ceramic manufacturing process, is relatively easy and less cumbersome. Particularly, manufacturing process of such water closet [102], requires employment of less complex moulds and is thus relatively easy.

List of Components:

100-: Toilet System
102-: Water closet
104-: Flushing arrangement
106-: Flexible Trapway arrangement
108-: Faecal matter
110-: Drain line
112-: Sump water
114-: Flush tank
116-: Water closet frame
118-: Trapway
120-: Trap mechanism
122-: PVC elbow
124-: Gasket inlet
126-: Gasket oulet
128-: First support plate
130-: Second support plate
132-: Actuation mechanism
134-: Couple of support studs
136-: Couple of locknuts
138-: Couple of spring members
140-: Cylinder
142-: Piston
144-: Top chamber
146-: Bottom chamber
148-: Pneumatic hose
150-: Air spring
152-: Air bellow
154-: Check valve
156-: Foot pedal

Claims

A flexible trapway arrangement [106] for connecting a toilet system [100] to a drain line [110], the trapway arrangement comprising:
- a trapway [118] made up of resilient material; and

- a trap mechanism [120] arranged with the trapway [118], the trap mechanism [120] being adapted to operate the trapway [118] in a constricted state and a dilated state, wherein
in the constricted state, the trap mechanism [120] constricts at least a portion of the trapway [118] to restrict a flow of components therethrough, and

in the dilated state, the trap mechanism [120] dilates the trapway [118] to allow a flow of components therethrough, wherein the trap mechanism [120] includes:
a first support plate [128] positioned to engage with one side of the trapway [118], the first support plate [128] being positioned in the trap mechanism [120];

a second support plate [130] positioned to engage with an opposite side of the trapway [118], the second support plate [130] being movable relative to the first support plate [128]; and

an actuation mechanism [132] adapted to:
move the second support plate [130] against the first support plate [128], to adjust the trapway [118] to operate in the constricted state, and

move the second support plate [130] away from the first support plate [128] to adjust the trapway [118] to operate in

the dilated state, characterised in that the first support plate [128] is fixedly positioned in the trap mechanism [120].
The flexible trapway arrangement [106] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trapway [118] is a hose pipe for fluidly connecting the toilet system [100] to the drain line [110].
The flexible trapway arrangement [106] as claimed in claim 1, is operated in the constricted state during normal operating conditions of the toilet system [100].
The flexible trapway arrangement [106] as claimed in claim 1, is operated in the dilated state during flushing operating conditions of the toilet system [100].
The flexible trapway arrangement [106] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism [132] is double-acting piston and cylinder arrangement adapted to move the second support plate [130] against the first support plate [128] for operating the trapway [118] in the constricted state, and move the second support plate [130] away from the first support plate [128] for operating the trapway [118] in the dilated state.
The flexible trapway arrangement [106] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism [132] includes a spring arrangement positioned between the first support plate [128] and the second support plate [130], for maintaining the second support plate [130] towards/proximal to the first support plate [128] and operating the trapway [118] in the constricted state, during normal operating conditions of the toilet system [100].
The flexible trapway arrangement [106] as claimed in claim 5, wherein the double-acting piston and cylinder arrangement is pneumatically connected to a flush tank [114] of the toilet system [100], such that the double-acting piston and cylinder arrangement moves the second support plate [130] towards the first support plate [128] for operating the trapway [118] in the constricted state during normal operating conditions of the toilet system [100].
The flexible trapway arrangement [106] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flush tank [114] is a fluid-tight tank adapted to suck air from the double- acting piston and cylinder arrangement during flushing operating condition, and supply back air to the double-acting piston and cylinder arrangement during normal operating conditions.
The flexible trapway arrangement [106] as claimed in claim 5, wherein the double-acting piston and cylinder arrangement is pneumatically connected to a pedal operated bellow.
The flexible trapway arrangement [106] as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pedal operated bellow is arranged to manipulate the double-acting piston and cylinder arrangement to move the second support plate [130] away from the first support plate [128], during manual intervention1 operating conditions of the toilet system [100].