NO345825B1

NO345825B1 - Concealed toilet cistern assembly and associated method

Info

Publication number: NO345825B1
Application number: NO20160030A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Gudbjørn Karlsen; Hans Audun Grøtlien; Henning Nilsen; Øystein Emilsen
Original assignee: Arvid Hanstad As
Priority date: 2016-01-07
Filing date: 2016-01-07
Publication date: 2021-08-23
Also published as: NO345842B1; NO20160030A1; NO20160693A1

Description

Concealed toilet cistern assembly and associated method

The present invention relates to a concealed cistern assembly having a leakage prevention means, and an associated method involving using such a means. In particular, the invention concerns leak proofing of wall-embedded toilet cisterns.

Background

Concealed or wall-embedded toilet cisterns are well known and their popularity is increasing. By placing the toilet cistern within a wall, only the toilet bowl will occupy space of the room and an improved appearance is provided.

A leak from a conventional stand-alone toilet, having the toilet bowl and the cistern in one common structure, would merely flow onto the floor, typically the floor of a bathroom which is provided with a gully. Contrary to this, a leak from a wall-embedded toilet cistern can result in severe damages on a building. Thus, early detection of such leakages and also access to the cistern is desirable for concealed toilet cisterns.

European patent application EP2821557 discloses a concealed-type toilet cistern. Here, a water tight shell partly surrounds the cistern in order to prevent a leakage within the bathroom wall. The shell has a large front opening facing towards and beyond the surface of the bathroom wall. Thus, if a water leakage from the cistern occurs within the wall, the water will not be able to flow to other portions of the wall. Rather, it may only flow into the room within which the toilet is placed. When the toilet and cistern is installed, the shell opening in the front is covered with a wall surface. In this wall surface, a relatively small plate comprising the flushing button is arranged.

The mentioned EP2821557 thus solves the problem of possible leakage damaging the inside of a bathroom wall. However, if one wants to replace the cistern or repair a component behind the wall surface that covers the shell front opening, that wall surface needs to be removed. Such an operation will often be cumbersome, as such walls often are provided with bathroom tiles. In some cases, it may be impossible to re-install such a wall front face with the original appearance.

Another publication dealing with the leakage issue of concealed cisterns, is EP2397613. Here, a possible leakage is transmitted into the room, beyond the wall surface. However, if the concealed cistern is damaged and needs repair or replacement, one needs to remove a portion of the bathroom wall in order to get access to the cistern.

Patent publication GB865719, published in 1961, relates to large liquid storage tanks, such as were used on top of buildings to provide water to the building’s water supply system. This publication suggests to retrofit a plastic liner inside the water tank, so that the lifetime of the tank is prolonged.

Publication CN2280726Y relates to a free-standing, conventional toilet, where a plastic liner is inserted into the cistern of the toilet.

European patent application publication EP2955288 shows an integrated toilet with a cistern. An envelope, having a bag-like shape is arranged so that it surrounds the cistern. If a leakage occurs from the cistern, the spill water will be collected by the envelope.

Patent publication US5656766 relates to a tank that is installed underground, and which is provided with a leak detection system to identify leaks.

Patent application publication US2010000013 relates to a toilet leak alert.

An object of the present invention is to provide a solution which makes it possible to repair a concealed cistern assembly, without having to damage the wall that conceals the cistern.

Another object is to reduce the risk of a leak entering and damaging the bathroom wall.

The invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a concealed toilet cistern assembly comprising a cistern installed within a wall, a cistern leakage prevention bag, an operating panel installed in a wall aperture, a flush pipe, and a flush valve functionally connected to the operating panel. According to the invention, the cistern leakage prevention bag is installed within the cistern.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the area of the wall aperture is less than the horizontal cross section of the cistern.

Advantageously, the said horizontal cross section of the cistern is the cross section of the cistern along and at the position of the water level when the cistern is in its filled mode (i.e. ready to flush).

The cistern leakage prevention bag is advantageously adapted to take an expanded mode and a collapsed mode. In the collapsed mode, the cistern leakage prevention bag is able to be transported through the wall aperture.

Moreover, the cistern leakage prevention bag can in some embodiments have an attachment means which is adapted to retain the cistern leakage prevention bag in an upright position within the cistern when the cistern leakage prevention bag is filled with water. With such means, the cistern leakage prevention bag can be made more flexible than it may without such means.

The cistern leakage prevention bag can comprise a water sensitive chip on an external face, wherein the water sensitive chip is adapted to produce a signal when coming into contact with water. As discussed later, such a signal can be of any appropriate type.

The water sensitive chip is a component which can be of many different types. Thus, the term chip shall herein be broadly construed. In some embodiments, it may merely be for instance a colored strip of paper or other material which is glued onto the external face of the cistern leakage prevention bag. In other embodiments, the chip may be an electronic device with a water sensor. Such an electronic chip may have electric signaling for signaling the presence of water, such as an audio signal or wireless radio signal.

As indicated above, in some embodiments the said signal may comprise producing a color compound to the water. Advantageously, any water contacting the water sensitive chip will thus become colored by the water sensitive chip, and the colored water will flow through the flush pipe and into the toilet bowl. In this way, the user will be notified of water being present between the cistern leakage prevention bag and the inner face of the cistern wall.

In some embodiments according to the first aspect of the invention, the cistern leakage prevention bag can comprise a flexible bag portion and an outlet, wherein the outlet is in form of a flush valve attachment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preventing leakage from a cistern of a concealed cistern assembly, wherein the cistern is embedded within a wall. The method involves the following steps:

a) removing an operating panel installed in a wall aperture of said wall; b) removing a flush valve and a first flush valve attachment from the cistern outlet;

c) installing a cistern leakage prevention bag in the cistern, the cistern leakage prevention bag comprising a flexible bag portion and an outlet in form of a second flush valve attachment;

d) reinstalling the said flush valve or installing another flush valve to the outlet of the cistern leakage prevention bag.

Step c) of this method may comprise the following steps:

i) transporting the cistern leakage prevention bag through the wall aperture and into the cistern, while the cistern leakage prevention bag is in a collapsed state; and

ii) expanding the cistern leakage prevention bag into an expanded state.

In an embodiment of the method according to the second aspect of the present invention, step c) comprises

iii) by means of an attachment means, anchoring the cistern leakage prevention bag in an upright position within the cistern.

As will be understood by the person skilled in the art, the cistern leakage prevention bag discussed herein is well suited for repair of a leak in a cistern. Moreover, it is also suited for installment into non-leaking cisterns, as a precaution against future leakage. It may further be an inherent part of a concealed cistern assembly. Thus, it may be installed simultaneously as the entire cistern assembly.

Example of embodiment

While various aspects and features of the present invention have been presented above in general terms, a more detailed and non-limiting example of embodiment is given in following with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a principle cross section side view of a concealed cistern assembly before being equipped with a cistern leakage prevention bag according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a principle cross section side view corresponding to Fig.1, however with a cistern leakage prevention bag installed in the cistern;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section view through a lower portion of the cistern, showing the cistern of Fig.1 without a cistern leakage prevention bag; Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section view according to Fig.3, however with a cistern leakage prevention bag installed, as in Fig.2;

Fig. 5 is a principle cross section front view through a cistern leakage prevention bag;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cistern leakage prevention bag shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a front view of the cistern leakage prevention bag shown in Fig.5; Fig. 8 is another enlarged cross section view of the cistern outlet area, showing a particular embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a principle view of a cistern leakage prevention bag shown in a collapsed mode and in a bent state;

Fig. 10 is another principle view according to Fig.9, however not shown in the bent state; and

Fig. 11 is a principle cross section view of a concealed cistern assembly, showing a cistern leakage prevention bag about to be installed in the cistern.

Fig. 1 illustrates a concealed cistern assembly 1 with a principle, cross section side view. The cistern 3 is concealed behind the face of a wall 5. The cistern 3 is supported by a support frame, which is not discussed or shown herein. Arranged at an aperture 6 in the wall 5, the assembly has an operating panel 7, provided with flushing buttons.

At the lower portion of the cistern 3, there is a flush valve 9. As is well known to the skilled person in the art, a functional connection exists between the operating panel 7 and the flush valve 9. This is not shown or discussed herein.

The flush valve 9 is connected to a flush valve attachment 11 which further leads to a flush pipe 13. The flush valve attachment 11 is typically in the form of a pipe socket which is inserted into the outlet of the cistern 3. The flush pipe 13 leads water to the toilet bowl 15 when the flush valve 9 is operated.

Still referring to Fig.1. If the wall of the cistern 3 is not watertight, a leakage may occur within the wall 5. That is, if there is an opening (in addition to the outlet of course) in the cistern below the filling level, water will exit the cistern 3. Since the leak occurs within the wall, one may not detect the leak sufficiently early to avoid severe damage to the wall and possibly to the building structure. Such a leak may for instance be due to a manufacturing defect, or a damage taken place after installation (e.g. someone drilling into or hammering a nail into the opposite side of the wall and hitting the cistern 3).

Fig. 2 is a side view corresponding to Fig.1. A hole 17 is indicated at a lower portion of the cistern 3. In addition, a cistern leakage prevention bag 19 is shown, installed inside the cistern 3. The flushing water (not shown) is now filled inside the cistern leakage prevention bag 19. That is, the walls of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 is arranged between the body of water and the walls of the cistern 3. The cistern leakage prevention bag 19 is connected to a flush valve attachment 11, advantageously of the same kind as the flush valve attachment (pipe socket) 11 shown in Fig.1. That is, a water barrier exists at the interface between the walls of the bag (bag portion) and the flush valve attachment 11.

In a scenario where the cistern 3 is damaged and leaking, the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 can thus be employed to repair the concealed cistern assembly 1. Moreover, one may also install the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 into a cistern 3 which is not damaged, in order to reduce the risk of a future leakage.

Fig. 3 and Fig.4 illustrate in closer detail the interface between the flush valve attachment 11 and the outlet 12 of the cistern 3, with and without the cistern leakage prevention bag 19, respectively.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross section front view of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19. It has a flexible bag portion 101 that can take the shape of a container (for accommodating water). Advantageously, the flexible bag portion 101 can take a form that substantially follows the inner walls of the cistern 3. Thus, different forms of the bag portion 101 may exist, which are adapted to different cisterns 3. Typically, different forms may come from different cistern providers. Moreover, some providers offer different cistern models having different inner diameters and forms.

As in the embodiment shown in Fig.6, the flexible bag portion 101 is preferably open at its upper end, like a container without a lid or top cover. At its lower end, the flexible bag portion 101 is attached to the flush valve attachment 11, as discussed above. Corresponding to the different internal forms of different cisterns 3, the cistern outlets 12 (cf. Fig.3 and Fig.4) may also have different diameters and forms. Thus, the flush valve attachment 11 is advantageously adapted to such different cistern outlets 12.

Reverting to the cross section view of Fig.5. In this embodiment, the flush valve attachment 11 substantially has the shape of a pipe socket that will connect to the outlet 12 of the cistern 3. At the top of the flush valve attachment 11, there is a flush valve attachment interface which will be suited to the flush valve in question. In alternative embodiments, the flush valve 9 may be attached to the flush valve attachment 11 also before installation of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19. For instance, the flexible bag portion 101, the flush valve attachment 11 and the flush valve 9 can be made (and sold) as one connected component / piece.

In order to retain the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 in an upright position within the cistern 3, the flexible bag portion 101 is provided with an attachment means 23, as shown in Fig.6. The attachment means 23 is adapted to fix the upper portion of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 to the inner wall surface of the cistern 3. This can be achieved with different solutions. For example, strips of Velcro on the upper portion of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 may attach to facing strips on the inner wall of the cistern 3. Other solutions may include the use of an adhesive, hooks and loops, or clamps, on the cistern which may simply hold on to the flexible bag portion 101. Other means are also possible. One may even imagine ribs (not shown) incorporated into the flexible bag portion 101, which when in the installed position are vertically oriented. Such ribs should be sufficiently stiff in for retaining the flexible bag portion in an upright position, while simultaneously exhibit some flexibility, for bending when installing the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 (cf. discussion of this process further below).

Fig. 7 is a front view of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 shown in Fig.5. The attachment means 23 are shown fastened to the upper part of the flexible bag portion 101. Attached to a lower section of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 there is a water sensitive chip 25. The water sensitive chip 25 is adapted to signal a water leak if it comes into contact with water.

The water sensitive chip 25 may function in different manners. Preferably, it comprises a compound which will give color to the water contacting it. Thus, if – for some reason – water should find its way to the position of the water sensitive chip 25, between the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 and the inner wall of the cistern 3, the water will be colored. The water colored by the water sensitive chip 25, or at least some of it, will flow into the toilet bowl 15, via the flush pipe 13. The user will in this manner see colored water in the toilet bowl 15, which is an indication of a leak inside the wall 5. As the skilled person will appreciate, the color should preferably be chosen so that it is not confused with bodily fluids which may exist in the toilet bowl 15. Thus, appropriate colors may for instance be green or blue.

In another embodiment, the water sensible chip 25 may be an electric chip which reacts when being exposed to water. For instance, it may trigger an audio signal when water short circuits an electric circuit. Alternatively, it may transmit a wireless signal which may be picked up by a control unit (not shown) arranged in the same building as the cistern assembly 1. The control unit may then inform the building owner or the building supervisor.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross section side view of the concealed cistern assembly 1 at the position of the flush valve attachment 11. As discussed above, the flexible bag portion 101 is fastened to the flush valve attachment 11 in a watertight manner, so that no water may penetrate between the outer face of the flush valve attachment 11 and the flexible bag portion 101. This watertight engagement between the flush valve attachment 11 and the flexible bag portion 101 can be obtained in different manners. For instance, the flexible bag portion 101 can be attached by means of a glue. Another option is a welding process. Yet another possibility is to have an elastic material in the flexible bag portion, at the position of the interface between the bag portion and the pipe socket / flush valve attachment 11. The elastic material may the clamp the bag portion onto the pipe socket.

Still referring to the enlarged cross section side view of Fig 8, between the flexible bag portion 101 and the inner wall surface of the cistern 19, the water sensitive chip 25 is arranged. Advantageously, the water sensitive chip 25 is arranged at a lower part of the cistern 3, at which position possible water will assemble. Instead of one water sensitive chip 25, there may be arranged a plurality of chips, increasing the chance of detecting a leak.

A possible leak, i.e. water being present between the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 and the internal face of the cistern 3, will be able to flow out through the cistern outlet 12. Thus, if the water sensitive chip 25 is of a type giving color to the water, then colored water will flow out between the flush valve attachment 11 (in Fig.8 in the form of a pipe socket) and the cistern outlet 12. The colored water will then appear in the toilet bowl 15, as previously discussed.

Fig. 9 and Fig.10 are principle views of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 in collapsed state. In Fig.10, the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 has been collapsed into a substantially tube-like shape. In the collapsed state, the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 can be transported through an aperture which is significantly smaller than the horizontal cross section of the cistern 3. Thus, the size of the aperture 6 in the wall 5 which is necessary for transporting the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 through it, can be significantly smaller than the corresponding size of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 when in the expanded state. The expanded state of the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 is shown in Fig.2, installed within the cistern 3, and in Fig.5, Fig.6, and Fig.7.

As shown in Fig.9, when in the collapsed state, the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 can also be bent, facilitating transport through the aperture 6 of the wall 5.

The cross section view of Fig.11 illustrates a cistern leakage prevention bag 19 which is about to be installed within the cistern 3. In the shown situation, the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 has been partially moved through the aperture 6 of the wall 5. In this situation the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 is bent, just as shown in Fig.9. Following this situation, the cistern leakage prevention bag 19 will be moved down to the cistern outlet 12, where the flush valve attachment 11 will be attached as shown in Fig.8.

Advantageously, in order to permit a possible leakage to flow in the space between the flush valve attachment 11 and the cistern outlet 12, the flush valve attachment 11 may have axially extending grooves or ribs (not shown) on its outer surface.

The flexible bag portion 101 can be made of various materials, as found suitable by the person skilled in the art. Advantageously, a sheet material should be used, which is sufficiently flexible for being arranged into the collapsed state (e.g. as shown in Fig.9), so that it may be transported through a relatively narrow aperture 6 of the wall 5. The material must be waterproof and able to withstand continuous exposure to water. A possible material could be similar to a tarpaulin. It may include a plastic material, as in a heavy duty refuse bag.

Claims

1. A concealed toilet cistern assembly (1) comprising a cistern (3) installed within a wall (5), a cistern leakage prevention bag (19), an operating panel (7) installed in a wall aperture (6), a flush pipe (13), and a flush valve (9) functionally connected to the operating panel (7), characterized in that the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) is installed within the cistern (3).

2. A concealed toilet cistern assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the area of the wall aperture (6) is less than the horizontal cross section of the cistern (3).

3. A concealed toilet cistern assembly (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) is adapted to take an expanded mode and a collapsed mode.

4. A concealed toilet cistern assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) comprises an attachment means (23) adapted to retain the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) in an upright position within the cistern (3) when the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) is filled with water.

5. A concealed toilet cistern assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) comprises a water sensitive chip (25) on an external face, which is adapted to produce a signal when coming into contact with water.

6. A concealed toilet cistern assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said signal comprises a color compound.

7. A concealed toilet cistern assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) comprises a flexible bag portion (101) and an outlet, wherein the outlet is in form of a flush valve attachment (11).

8. Method of preventing leakage from a toilet cistern (3) of a concealed toilet cistern assembly (1), wherein the cistern (3) is embedded within a wall (5), the method comprising the following steps:

a) removing an operating panel (7) installed in a wall aperture (6) of said wall (5); characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps:

b) removing a flush valve (9) and a first flush valve attachment (11) from a cistern outlet (12);

c) installing a cistern leakage prevention bag (19) in the cistern (3), the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) comprising a flexible bag portion (101) and an outlet in form of a second flush valve attachment (11);

d) reinstalling the said flush valve (9) or another flush valve (9) to the outlet of the cistern leakage prevention bag (19).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that step c) comprises

i) transporting the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) through the wall aperture (6) and into the cistern (3), while the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) is in a collapsed state; and

ii) expanding the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) into an expanded state.

10. Method according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that step c) comprises iii) by means of an attachment means (23), anchoring the cistern leakage prevention bag (19) in an upright position within the cistern (3).