ES2553156B1 - Self-cleaning sanitary toilet and cleaning procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-cleaning sanitary toilet and cleaning procedure thereof # Self-cleaning sanitary toilet, and associated procedure, comprising a cup (1); a tilting cover (2) coupled to said cup (1) defining two positions: a first service position, and a second rest position; and a cleaning compartment (3) comprising: a door (4) configured to allow the tilting lid (2) to pass into an interior space (3a) of the cleaning compartment (3) when said tilting lid (2) is moves from the first service position to the second rest position; opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4); a plurality of sprinklers (5) of disinfectant fluid into the cleaning compartment (3); and a drying device (6) into the cleaning compartment (3); where said toilet is able to guarantee optimum hygiene for its continued use of multiple users.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Self-cleaning sanitary toilet and cleaning procedure of the same TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-cleaning sanitary toilet, and the cleaning procedure associated therewith; which are located within the sector are sanitary devices for use in homes, offices and large facilities.

The sanitary toilet object of the invention, as well as the associated procedure, have the main purpose of being able to clean the tilting lid, belonging to the sanitary toilet itself, in an automatic way, and, therefore, without the need for the user himself the toilet must proceed to clean said tilting lid manually; getting a quick cleaning, without waiting for third parties that require use of the sanitary toilet after the end of the use of the previous user; and in a highly hygienic manner when treated, said tilting lid, with disinfectant products suitable for coming into contact with the respective users of the sanitary toilet object of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By way of introduction, and in order to contextualize the cleaning devices for sanitary toilets currently used, the basic and general arrangement of a conventional sanitary toilet is known; which is formed by a cup that has a mouth and a drain drain of the waste poured into said cup. So that the mouth itself has a hollow tilting lid, which is configured to allow the support of a user to defecate and / or urinate inside said cup.

Thus, at least one surface belonging to said tilting lid comes into direct contact with each of the users of the toilet, being relevant in the event that said toilet is located in a place of public access such as restaurants, offices, gas stations o shopping centers; since these require a constant cleaning, and more specifically a cleaning of the tilting lid, mainly due

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to the proximity of fecal and / or urinary bacteria with respect to said tilting lid, as well as to the diversity and hygienic conditions of the users who come into contact with it.

But said cleaning of the tilting lid is performed, by way of representative example, about twice a day, since those responsible for such cleaning are not the users themselves, but the qualified personnel responsible for disinfecting and cleaning the sanitary toilet itself, as well as the space adjacent to said toilet.

In this sense, and because the users are aware of the possible infections that they can take by not proceeding with the cleaning of said tilting lid; It is the users themselves who, using a certain amount of toilet paper or the like, proceed to clean the contact surface of the tilting lid with said user. Where such cleaning is only superficial, and does not guarantee disinfection or hygiene of the tilting lid, being an ineffective remedy against possible contagion.

In relation to solving said problem, a manual or automatic solution is known that implies an improvement in the hygienic conditions of use of said sanitary toilet, which refers to a roll of treated paper and with disinfectant agents, which is formed by multiple strips that are placed, manually or through a mechanical element associated with the tilting cover, on the contact surface of said tilting cover. So that for each user the existence of a single disposable and non-reusable strip is contemplated, and whose geometry reproduces the geometry of the contact surface of the tilting lid, giving rise to a series of ergonomic strips, of easy use and implantation in Conventional toilets

But this solution, although it manages to avoid possible infections of the users, has a series of disadvantages linked to both a hygienic and environmental factor; since in relation to the hygienic factor, said strips belonging to the roll of paper treated with disinfectant agents only act as an intermediate layer between the user and the tilting lid, where exposed areas may remain where the user finally comes into contact with infectious agents; Likewise, special attention must be paid to the room where the roll of paper treated with disinfectant agents is housed, since said hole must be watertight and not be in contact with

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areas of unhygienic character, because when the user picks up a strip of said roll, it must be in perfect conditions of disinfection and hygiene. On the other hand, and in relation to the environmental factor, the use of a strip that covers the contact surface of the tilting lid for each user, supposes a large amount of paper to be used; and therefore requires a high repositioning rate, with the consequent environmental expense of using said paper.

That is why, in view of the problems derived from a lack of hygiene in sanitary toilets, preferably of a public nature; and of the solutions to improve the hygienic conditions known to date; It is necessary the appearance of a sanitary toilet capable of solving these inconveniences, being able to guarantee optimum hygiene of the sanitary toilet for its continued use of multiple users, which does not produce a high cost of disposable material, and that additionally does not cause discomfort or you wait for users who require the services of the sanitary toilet in question.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sanitary toilet of a self-cleaning nature, which comprises a cup and a tilting lid coupled to said cup, said tilting lid defining two positions: a first service position in which the tilting lid serves as a support for a user of said sanitary toilet, and a second resting position where the tilting lid is inclined with respect to the surface of the mouth of the cup, where said inclination is preferably ninety degrees with respect to the greater surface of the tilting lid; and where the sanitary toilet object of invention also presents a cleaning room comprising:

- A door configured to allow the tilt cover to pass into an interior space of the cleaning room when said cover moves from the first service position to the second rest position; understanding that the reverse movement of the tilting cover in the direction from the second rest position towards the first service position can also be carried out through said door;

- means for opening and closing said door;

- a plurality of sprinklers of disinfectant fluid into the interior of the

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cleaning; Y

- a drying device inside the cleaning room.

And for clarification, the procedure for cleaning the self-cleaning sanitary toilet object of the invention is described, which comprises the following operating steps:

a) Open the door belonging to the cleaning room through the opening and closing means of said door;

b) to swing the tilting cover from the first service position to the second resting position, said tilting cover housing inside said cleaning room;

c) close the door belonging to the cleaning room through the opening and closing means of said door

c) spraying the disinfectant fluid through the plurality of sprinklers into the cleaning room, said disinfectant fluid coming into contact with the tilting lid;

d) drying the tilting lid through said drying device;

e) open the door belonging to the cleaning room through the opening and closing means of said door; Y

f) tilt the rocker cover from the second rest position to the first service position.

It is observed that, unlike the one described in the previous section and referring to the state of the art of devices and procedures for cleaning and disinfection of sanitary toilets, thanks to the inclusion of the cleaning room and the physical entities linked to it, a disinfection and sanitation of the swinging cover of the complete toilet; since the existence of a space of the cleaning room in which the tilting cover is introduced is described, and thanks to the sealing of the door one proceeds, on the one hand, to spray the disinfectant fluid through the plurality of sprinklers, being able to use different types of disinfectant fluids approved for use and for contact with people; and once the ejection of said fluid is finished, the tilting lid is dried by means of the drying device linked to the cleaning room, guaranteeing that the next user will have the tilting lid in perfect conditions for use.

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It is also described that the cleaning and disinfection means are referred to sprinklers, preferably homologated, being able to contemplate the existence of conical and fan sprinklers that, with a minimum flow of fluid, and together with the use of a reduced energy power, are manage to spray and disinfect the entire tilting lid of the sanitary toilet object of the invention. Likewise, and as a preferred embodiment, the option is contemplated in which the disinfectant fluid sprinklers are circularly positioned with respect to the location of the tilting cover when it is in the second resting position, again guaranteeing the maximum surface area sanitize

In relation to step d) of drying of the tilting lid, this is carried out once the spraying stage of the disinfectant fluid is finished, and said drying is carried out thanks to said, at least one, drying device where, preferably, This is a centrifugal fan located in the upper area of the space defined for the accommodation of the tilting lid when it is in the second resting position. And to guarantee the minimum energy consumption during said drying stage, the possibility is contemplated that the door has a plurality of deflector fins configured to direct the currents of drying fluid towards the interior of the cleaning room; so that said deflector fins distribute and distribute the fluid to the tilting lid without having to orient the outlet nozzle of the drying device. And thanks to these deflector fins two essential advantages are achieved:

- On the one hand, and as indicated, a rapid distribution of the drying fluid, preferably air, to the tilting lid is achieved; and therefore the drying time is reduced with respect to a conventional drying without the help of deflector fins.

- On the other hand, by increasing the drying surface and the currents of the drying fluid, it is not necessary to use heating resistances of said drying fluid, since the generated air currents quickly dry the tilting lid; assuming a relevant energy saving measure.

And also in relation to the existence of said deflector fins at the door, an option linked to the cleaning procedure of the sanitary toilet object of

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Invention, in which, and during step d), the door is moved longitudinally and / or angularly between the opening and closing positions of said door. In this way, the deflector fins move during the drying stage and, thanks to said change of position, the generation of currents of the drying fluid towards the tilting lid of the toilet is improved; being a simple and highly effective solution for the sake, again, of achieving substantial energy savings.

In relation to the opening and closing means of the door, a preferred design option is described in which said means comprise sliding guides configured to move said door vertically through an electric motor coupled to both the door and a surface fixed of the sanitary room. So that the displacement of the door is of a longitudinal nature, and the opening and closing of this can be done automatically when the user decides to terminate the service provided by the toilet object of the invention.

In the same way, and taking into account the existence of the deflector fins on the door, an opening and closing sequence thereof can be programmed during the drying stage, in order to reduce the drying time of said tilting lid.

Finally, and in order to facilitate as much as possible the cleaning of the tilting lid to the user, the possibility that the toilet cleaning procedure is performed once the user activates or presses the discharge button of a cistern associated to the user is contemplated toilet object of invention. Thus, and taking into account the automatic devices described above, it is then that prior to stage a), the fluid from a cistern is discharged into the sanitary toilet bowl; and then proceed to the steps of: opening the door, inserting the tilting lid into the corresponding space of the cleaning room, closing the door, spraying and drying the lid by opening and partially closing said door, finally opening the door, and, finally, remove the tilting cover inside the cleaning room to deposit it in the vicinity of the mouth of the sanitary toilet object of the invention.

Noting that during the time that elapses from the moment the user presses the tank until another user finally enters, there is sufficient time in which the tilting lid is clean, disinfected and ready for use by another user.

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Thus, with the proposed invention, a novel self-cleaning sanitary toilet is obtained as there is no toilet with similar characteristics in the state of the art; due to the fact that said toilet object of the invention allows to guarantee an optimum cleaning and hygiene during its use by a user, being perfectly adaptable to any type of toilet currently existing, since it only requires a sufficient space to be able to introduce the room cleaning; and where in addition its energy consumption is very reduced thanks to the use of strategically placed sprinklers, as well as additional drying elements that additionally reduce the cleaning time of the tilting lid belonging to said sanitary toilet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made, and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization thereof, a series of figures in the accompanying part is accompanied as an integral part of said description. where, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Shows a three-dimensional schematic view of the sanitary toilet

self-cleaning object of invention, where the tilting stage is in the first service position, and the door is closed.

Figure 2.- Shows a three-dimensional schematic view of the sanitary toilet

Self-cleaning object of invention, where the tilting stage is in the first service position, and the door is open.

Figure 3.- Shows a second three-dimensional schematic view of the self-cleaning sanitary toilet object of the invention, observing the drying device and the plurality of sprinklers.

Figure 4.- Shows a third three-dimensional schematic view of the self-cleaning sanitary toilet object of the invention, where the tilting stage is in rotary motion from the first service position to the second rest position.

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Figure 5.- Shows a three-dimensional detail of the inner face of the door, observing a series of deflector fins coupled to it.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of Figures 1 to 4, it can be seen how the self-cleaning sanitary toilet object of the invention has the following physical entities:

- A cup (1) that has a mouth (1a) in its upper part;

- a tilting lid (2) coupled to said cup (1), said tilting lid (2) defining the two positions described above: a first service position in which the tilting lid (2) supports a user of said sanitary toilet, and a second resting position where the tilting lid (2) is inclined with respect to the surface of the mouth (1a) of the cup (1),

- a cleaning room (3) which in turn comprises a door (4) configured to allow the tilt cover (2) to pass into the interior space (3a) of the cleaning room (3) when said tilt cover (2) ) moves from the first service position to the second rest position; opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4); a plurality of sprinklers (5) of disinfectant fluid into the cleaning room (3); and a drying device (6) into the cleaning room (3).

In relation to figures 2 to 4, it can be seen how the plurality of sprayers (5) of disinfectant fluid are circularly positioned with respect to the location of the tilting cover (2) when it is in the second resting position; guaranteeing an optimal distribution of the disinfectant fluid to the tilting cover (2).

In figure 3 itself, the existence of sliding guides (8) configured to move said door (4) vertically through an electric motor (9) coupled to both the door (4) and a fixed surface of the room is displayed cleaning (3); being therefore the set of elements described as the opening and closing means (8, 9) of the door (4); and being fully automated once the user activates the tank of said toilet object of the invention.

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In said figure 3 it is also observed how the drying device (6) is a centrifugal fan located in the upper area of the space (3a) defined for the accommodation of the tilting cover (2) when it is in the second rest position ; which does not require hot air to dry the tilting lid since, and in view of Figure 5, it can be seen how the door (4) has a plurality of baffles (7) configured to direct the currents of drying fluid towards the interior of the cleaning room (3).

In this regard, and by way of clarification, the cleaning procedure of the self-cleaning sanitary toilet described is summarized, which includes the following operating steps:

a) Activate, by the user, the sanitary toilet cistern;

b) open the door (4) belonging to the cleaning room (3) through the opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4);

c) swinging the tilting cover (2) from the first service position to the second resting position, said tilting cover (2) housed in the interior space (3a) of said cleaning room (3);

d) close the door (4) belonging to the cleaning room (3) through the opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4)

e) spraying the disinfectant fluid through the plurality of sprinklers (5) of circular configuration towards the interior space (3a) of the cleaning room (3), said disinfectant fluid coming into contact with the tilting cover (2);

f) drying the tilting cover (2) through said drying device (6) while the door (4) moves alternately between its positions, opening and closing limits thereof;

g) open the door (4) belonging to the cleaning room (3) through the opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4); Y

h) tilt the rocker cover (2) from the second rest position to the first service position.

In view of this description and figures, the person skilled in the art will be able to understand that the embodiments of the invention that have been described can be combined in multiple ways within the object of the invention. The invention has been described according to some preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that multiple variations can be introduced in said preferred embodiments without exceeding the object of the claimed invention.

Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 1. - Self-cleaning sanitary toilet comprising a cup (1) and a tilting lid (2) coupled to said cup (1), said tilting lid (2) defining two positions: a first service position in which the tilting lid ( 2) serves as a support for a user of said sanitary toilet, and a second resting position where the tilting lid (2) is inclined with respect to the surface of the mouth (1a) of the cup (1), the toilet being sanitary characterized by additionally has a cleaning room (3) comprising: - a door (4) configured to allow the tilting cover (2) to pass into an interior space (3a) of the cleaning room (3) when said tilting cover (2) moves from the first service position to the second resting position; - opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4); - a plurality of sprinklers (5) of disinfectant fluid into the cleaning room (3); Y - a drying device (6) into the cleaning room (3). 2. - Self-cleaning sanitary toilet, according to claim 1, characterized in that the door (4) has a plurality of baffles (7) deflectors configured to direct the currents of drying fluid into the cleaning room (3). 3. - Self-cleaning sanitary toilet, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening and closing means (8, 9) of the door (4) comprise sliding guides (8) configured to move said door vertically (4) through an electric motor (9) coupled to both the door (4) and a fixed surface of the cleaning room (3). 4. - Self-cleaning sanitary toilet, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of sprinklers (5) of disinfectant fluid are circularly positioned with respect to the location of the tilting lid (2) when it is in the second resting position 5. - Self-cleaning sanitary toilet, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying device (6) is a centrifugal fan located in the 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 upper area of the space (3a) defined for the accommodation of the tilting cover (2) when it is in the second resting position. 6. - Cleaning procedure of the self-cleaning sanitary toilet defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following operating steps: a) open the door (4) belonging to the cleaning room (3) through the opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4); b) swinging the tilting cover (2) from the first service position to the second resting position, said tilting cover (2) housed in the interior space (3a) of said cleaning room (3); c) close the door (4) belonging to the cleaning room (3) through the opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4) c) spraying the disinfectant fluid through the plurality of sprinklers (5) into the interior space (3a) of the cleaning room (3), said disinfectant fluid coming into contact with the tilting cover (2); d) drying the tilting cover (2) through said drying device (6); e) open the door (4) belonging to the cleaning room (3) through the opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4); Y f) tilt the rocker cover (2) from the second rest position to the first service position. 7. - Cleaning procedure of the self-cleaning sanitary toilet defined in claim 6, characterized in that prior to step a), the fluid from a cistern is discharged into the bowl (1) of the sanitary toilet. 8. - Cleaning procedure of the self-cleaning sanitary toilet defined in any of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that during step d), the door (4) is moved longitudinally and / or angularly between the opening and closing positions of said door (4) through the opening and closing means (8, 9) of said door (4).