GB2370847A

GB2370847A - A syphon

Info

Publication number: GB2370847A
Application number: GB0126275A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Brookes
Original assignee: Polypipe Bathroom & Kitchen Pr
Current assignee: Polypipe Bathroom & Kitchen Pr
Priority date: 2000-11-03
Filing date: 2001-11-01
Publication date: 2002-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-01
Also published as: CN1384255A; HK1044179A1; GB2370847B; HK1044179B; GB0026918D0; GB0126275D0

Abstract

A syphon 1 is adapted to provide three flush volumes by providing three spaced apart vertically aligned apertures 11, 12, 13, where the upper 11, and middle 12 are through apertures in the wall of the bell 4 and the lower one 13 is obturated by an integral wall 14. The different flush volumes are achieved by applying a device (fig 3, 3), or conversion cap, to the syphon 1 in a number of ways.

Description

A SYPHON The invention relates to a syphon, particularly to such for flushing water from a cistern, for example a W. C. cistern.

Water is generally dispensed from a cistern by a syphon installed inside the cistern. To aid conservation of water, variable flush cisterns have been introduced, which generally provide a full or a partial flush. However, United Kingdom Water Regulations decree that more than two flush options should be provided.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide such a syphon.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a syphon for flushing water from a cistern, comprising means whereby the syphon is adapted to provide at least three different flush volumes as desired.

Using the invention it is possible to provide one of three desired options for flush volume on installation of a syphon.

The means may comprise three substantially vertically arranged apertures in a wall of a bell of the cistern, and a device adapted to close off one or more of the apertures to water flow. This provides for a relatively simple, manual, choice of water flush.

The apertures may be aligned substantially vertically. This provides for ease of use, using a single device to obturate one or more apertures.

The lowest aperture may be permanently obturated by an integral closure, and the upper two apertures may be through apertures each being obturated selectively by the device. This provides for a relatively simple construction providing for a choice of one of three different volumes of flush.

Each aperture may be defined by a boss and the device may have two spaced plugs whereby it can close off one or more aperture.

The device may have a zone of weakness whereby one part of the device may be separated from another. This provides an option for one of the desired flush volumes.

The zone of weakness may be located substantially centrally transversely of the device. This provides for a symmetrical neat separation, particularly when the zone of weakness may comprise a V-groove formed in the body of the device.

One part can then simply be snapped from another by folding about the groove, particularly when the device may be formed of plastic.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a cistern, including a syphon as hereinbefore defined.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a W. C. suite, including a cistern as hereinbefore defined in the immediately preceding paragraph.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for providing at least three different flush volumes from a cistern, comprising a syphon having means whereby three different flush volumes are possible therefrom, and a device which can cooperate with the syphon to provide a desired one of the at least three flush volumes.

A syphon for flushing water from a cistern, and a set of parts, embodying the invention, are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a syphon according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a device for use with the syphon and, with that syphon, forming a set of parts according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the device of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a schematic end elevational view, to a smaller scale, of the siphon of the set of parts showing how it is used.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a syphon 1 for flushing water from a cistern usually a W. C. cistern (not shown) comprising means 2,3 whereby the syphon 1 is adapted to provide at least three different flush volumes as desired.

The syphon 1 is made from plastic and has a usual bell 4 with a diaphragm 5 which is raised via a connector 6 which in use when the syphon 1 is installed in a cistern is connected to a handle or plunger (also not shown) for flushing the cistern, the flushed volume of water passing up a leg 7 through a bridge or connector 8 and down a leg 9 to flush a W. C. pan, the leg 9 having a screw-threaded free end 10 by which it is mounted on a base of a cistern and connected to a pipe or conduit for flushing water into the pan.

The means 2 is in the form of three spaced apart substantially vertically aligned apertures 11, 12, 13 two of which, the upper 1 1 and middle one 12 as viewed, are through apertures in the wall of the bell 4 while the lower one 13, as viewed, is blind in the sense that it is obturated by an integral wall 14 formed during moulding of the bell 4 which, it will be understood, is made from plastic.

The means 2 also includes the plastic device 3 comprising a flat body 15 and two spaced plugs 16,17 which are of a diameter to be a push fit in the apertures 11, 12,13 each of which has the same diameter and each of which is defined by a double-walled boss 18. Intermediate its length, the device 3 has a transverse zone of weakness in the form of a V-groove. By folding or flexing about the groove 19, the device 3 can be separated into two parts, each bearing a plug 16 or 17. The syphon and the device 3 form a set of parts.

The syphon 1 can be used to provide one of three different flush volumes, namely 6 litres, 7 litres and 9 litres, these flush volumes being set by an installer on installation. This is achieved in use by applying the device 3, or conversion cap, to the syphon 1 as follows to achieve a desired volume of flush on installation. The syphon 1 will be set to leave a manufacturing facility with the device 3 applied to the syphon 1 so that the central 12 and lowest 13 apertures are obturated respectively by the plugs 16,17. If a 9 litre flush is required, the installer selects this volume option by removing the device from the 6 litre flush option position as described above, and reinserting it so that the plugs 16, 17 obturate the uppermost 11 and central 12 apertures respectively. A full 9 litre flush is then achieved.

If a 7 litre flush is desired on installation, the installer selects this flush volume option by removing the device 3 from the 6 litre volume flush option described above, then bends, flexes or folds the device 3 about the V-groove 19 until the device breaks into two parts, each bearing a plug 16 or 17. One part, or half in the embodiment, is then used to obturate the uppermost aperture 11 by inserting the plug 16, say, therein, thereby leaving the central aperture 12 free.

It is intended to set a syphon 1 embodying the invention as hereinbefore described, as follows : - 6-litre flush All new installations of complete suite from 01/01/2001 7-litre flush Replacement syphons and cisterns for suites installed after 01/01/1993 and prior to 01/01/2001 9. litre flush Replacement syphons and cisterns for suites installed prior to 01/01/1993

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A syphon for flushing water from a cistern, comprising means whereby the syphon is adapted to provide at least three different flush volumes as desired.
2. A syphon according to Claim 1, the means comprising three substantially vertically arranged apertures in a wall of a bell of the syphon, and a device adapted to close off one or more of the apertures to water flow.
3. A syphon according to Claim 2, the apertures being aligned substantially vertically.
4. A syphon according to Claim 3, the lowest aperture being permanently obturated by an integral closure, and the upper two apertures being through apertures each being obturated selectively by the device.
5. A syphon according to any of Claims 2 to 4, each aperture being defined by a boss and the device having two spaced plugs whereby it can close off one or more apertures.
6. A syphon according to Claim 5, the device having a zone of weakness whereby one part of the device may be separated from another.
7. A syphon according to Claim 6, the zone of weakness being located substantially centrally transversely of the device.
8. A syphon according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, the zone of weakness comprising a V-groove formed in the body of the device.
9. A syphon according to any of Claims 2 to 8, the device being formed of plastic.
10. A syphon for flushing water from a cistern, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. A cistern, including a syphon according to any preceding claim.
12. A W. C. suite, including a cistern according to Claim 11.
13. A set of parts for providing at least three flush volumes from a cistern, comprising a syphon having means whereby three different flush volumes are possible therefrom, and a device which can cooperate with the syphon to provide a desired one of the at least three flush volumes.