GB2253235A

GB2253235A - Toilet water supply system

Info

Publication number: GB2253235A
Application number: GB9108561A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Peter Osborne; Keith Noel Rowden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-12-20
Filing date: 1991-04-22
Publication date: 1992-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-22
Also published as: GB2253235B; GB9108561D0; GB9027588D0

Abstract

A toilet water supply system which replaces the existing mains water supply to the toilet cistern with domestic recoverable waste water resulting in overall reduction of domestic consumption and more efficient use of pure water. This is achieved by collecting waste water from recoverable sources through pipework (1) to a filtration unit (2), which removes large particles for the waste water. A facility is provided with the filtration unit (2) to enable the filter to be cleaned. The filtered water passes into a storage tank (3) which holds the water until needed. From the tank (2) the water is drawn by a pump (5) controlled by pressure switch (6) assisted by an accumulator (7) and delivered to a device (8) which will scent and colour the water prior to entry into a conventional toilet cistern. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE TOILET WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM.

f KIECHNICAL This invention relates to a Toilet Water Supply System.

FIELD BACKGROUND With the advent of frequent water restrictions and public awareness of the need to conserve and manage water supplies, it has become necessary to take a closer look at the domestic usage of water and to implement ways of reducing unnecessary consumption.

Since there is a consistently growing demand for water consumption in the average household, attention is drawn to the use of this valuable resource to flush away human waste in the toilet.

At present the household toilet is connected to mains supply and is filled with good quality drinking water. In excess of 30 Ó of the toilet domestic water consumption is used solely for toilet flushing, the largest consumer.

The remaining water is distributed into two usage categories: a) potentially recoverable - domestic appliances (washing machine, dishwasher), personal hygiene and washing-up, b) non-recoverable - drinking, cooking, gardens, car washing, etc.

Water used for category (a) is much larger than for (b) and could meet the consumption requirements of the toilet.

The existing mains water supply to the toilet cistern is disconnected and a supply provided from the category (a) waste water with the minimum of treatment.

This results in overall reduction of domestic consumption and more efficient use of pure water.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL FEATURES According to the present invention there is provided a Toilet Water Supply System comprising, pipework to collect waste water from recoverable sources, a filtration unit to remove large particles from waste water, a tank to collect and store filtered water, a pump controlled by pressure switch assisted by an accumulator, to deliver water through a device which will scent and colour the water and on to a conventional toilet cistern.

EXAMPLE A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 - shows a typical system diagram for one toilet cistern.

Figure 2 - is a perspective diagram which illustrates a typical household installation of the Toilet Water Supply System.

Referring to the system diagram Figure 1, the Water Management System comprises a length of pipe 1 connected to waste outlets of recoverable sources and terminates at a filtration unit 2.

The filtration unit 2 which during normal operation allows waste water to pass from inlet through a filter and onto a storage tank 3. The filter traps large particles from the waste water.

Clearly mounted on the surface of the filtration unit housing is an indicator to monitor the build-up of trapped particles.

Periodic inspection of the indicator by the house owner will judge whether back flushing is required which will clean the filter and prevent the possibility of restricted flow.

The back flushing process is initiated by shutting the waste water inlet and outlet to tank, while simultaneously opening a mains water supply which back flushes trapped particles out of the filter and away to drain.

The filtered water from the filtration unit is collected and stored in a sealed tank 3. Sealing is achieved with a removable lid. Mounted and near the top of the tank is a standard ball valve 4 to automatically monitor the tank water level. If the water level becomes critically low the ball-valve 4, which is connected to mains water supply, opens and fills the tank to a predetermined level. If the demand for the filtered water is reduced and less than the supply, an outlet to drain has been provided near the top of the tank.

Storage water from an outlet near the bottom of the tank 3 is supplied to the suction side of an electric pump 5. The pump 5 provides an adequate head to meet the water supply requirements of the toilet cistern.

Control of the pump 5 is achieved with a pressure switch 6 mounted on the delivery side of the pump 5. The pressure switch 6 detects changes in pressure in the line. The cistern operation causes a drop in line pressure detectable by the switch 6 that subsequently starts the pump 5. Once the cistern has refilled, its ball-valve will close the line causing an increase in pressure, again detected by the switch 6 which will shut down the pump 5.

EXAMPLE CONT'D.

To assist in the detection of an increase in pressure and to reduce the effects of pressure fluctuations, an accumulator 7 is added in the line between pressure switch 6 and a tablet dispenser 8.

In order to improve the presentation of the waste water, a device has been provided in the line which enables a scented colouring agent to be added to the water prior to entry into the cistern. This device will contain the agent in soluble tablet form. The device is in the form of a tablet dispenser 8 which will allow easy periodic replacement of the scented colouring agent.

With reference to Figure 2 which shows a typical installation of the Toilet Water Supply System in a house.

The waste water is collected from recoverable sources, dishwasher, washing machine, sink, bath, etc. and fed to the filtration unit sited in the kitchen.

The filtration unit is also connected to a main water supply and to drain.

The sealed tank is sited outside the house mounted either above or below ground level dependent on site conditions. Again, pipe connections are available to drain and mains water supply.

The pump and pressure switch, powered by domestic mains electricity, are conveniently sited in the house with the accumulator.

Suitable pipework is provided to take the water to the tablet dispenser mounted adjacent to the toilet cistern/s.

Claims

1. A Toilet Water Supply System comprising, pipework to collect waste water from recoverable sources, a filtration unit to remove large particles from waste water, a tank to collect and store filtered water, a pump controlled by pressure switch assisted by an accumulator, to deliver water through a device which will scent and colour the water and on to a conventional toilet cistern.

2. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the filtration unit is provided to filter and control the size of particles permitted to enter the tank.

3. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 2 wherein a means is provided to backflush with mains water to clean the filter.

4. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a sealed tank is provided to collect and store filtered waste water.

5. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 4 wherein a means is provided to top up the tank with mains water when the waste water level becomes critically low.

6. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a pump is provided, controlled by a pressure switch to deliver waste water through a device which will scent and colour the water and on to a conventional toilet cistern.

7. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 6 wherein a pressure switch is provided to detect changes in the delivery pipe pressure as a result of cistern operation.

8. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 7 wherein an accumulator is provided to assist in the detection of an increase in pressure and to reduce the effects of pressure fluctuations in the line.

9. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 6 wherein a device is provided to scent and colour the filtered and pumped waste water prior to entry into a conventional toilet cistern.

10. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 9 wherein a means is provided to periodically add a scent and colouring agent.

11. A Toilet Water Supply System as claimed in Claim 1 wherein pipework is provided to transport filtered water from filtration unit to tank, transport water from tank to pump, transport water from pump to pressure switch, transport water from pressure switch branched to an accumulator and on to a scent/colour treatment device and then on to a conventional toilet cistern.

12. A Toilet Water Supply System substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.