US20040083543A1

US20040083543A1 - Water-closet and bidet combination

Info

Publication number: US20040083543A1
Application number: US10/691,022
Authority: US
Inventors: Antonio Stampone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-25
Filing date: 2003-10-21
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Also published as: AR037024A1

Abstract

The combination of a water-closet and a bidet useful both when there is little space available and for invalids. The combination comprises a main body having a first cavity and a second cavity, each having an upper access adjacent to that of other. The first cavity has a liquid outlet hole connected to an evacuation line through a siphon and a plurality of perimetral liquid inlet holes. The second cavity has a central liquid inlet hole and a liquid outlet hole offset from said central hole and connected to said evacuation line. The main body comprises a liquid reservoir and a mechanism for retaining and releasing liquid from the reservoir. The combination overcomes drawbacks in the layout of sanitary fixtures in small spaces.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a combined water-closet and bidet toilet useful for places having little space available as well as for invalid persons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of sanitary fixtures is widespread and a necessity nowadays. Therefore, since long ago many firms have been manufacturing sanitary fixtures such as water-closets, bidets, wash-basins and a wide range of fittings for them.

It is very common nowadays for living quarters to have more than one bathroom. A bathroom normally comprises a basic array of fixtures, that is a water-closet, a bidet and a wash-basin. Unfortunately, not all bathrooms are big enough to fit all three types of the forementioned fixtures, either because of construction miscalculation, limited space such as in one-room quarters or because a second or third bathroom must be smaller. When such bathrooms do not have enough room for all three standard fixtures, the general option is to do away with the least necessary fixture, which is the bidet. Although this is what happens in most cases, it is not necessarily the best solution, since a very important factor is neglected, this being personal hygiene. Not being able to have a bidet in the bathrooms generally entails greater usage of bathroom paper.

There have been several attempts to find a solution to the missing bidet. One such attempt was to install a shower inside the water-closet to be operated by means of a lever to the desired position. Although this fixture reduces the consumption of toilet paper, its installation is somewhat cumbersome and, because the water for it is tapped from the same inlet for the water-closet, the fixture could only be used with cold water, which is a substantial disadvantage, specially in winter times.

On the other hand, the use of the bidet in bathrooms is unheard of in many countries. This is generally because of the space given up between the water-closet and the bidet since, as known in the art, a separation of between 20 and 40 cm is needed between the bidet and the water-closet for installing it, which space is generally the reason it is not installed in such countries.

It should be pondered furthermore that bathrooms are important nowadays insofar for the aesthetics of the house. One sees more and more how people turn to better designs of bathrooms which may be hindered by differences between both fixtures, that is one has a lid and the other does not, one has taps and the other does not. Although these factors are not vitally important they need to be considered in order to achieve an aesthetically pleasant bathroom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a water-closet and bidet combination so as to be able to have a bidet in places having little room.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water-closet and bidet combination for reducing consumption of bathroom paper and improving hygiene.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a water-closet and bidet combination for use in small spaces as well as by invalids, the combination comprising a main body having a first cavity and a second cavity, both of which are provided with adjacent upper accesses. The first cavity has a liquid outlet hole connected to an evacuation line through a siphon and a plurality of perimetral liquid inlet holes whereas said second cavity has a central liquid inlet hole and a liquid outlet hole, offset from said central hole, connected to said evacuation line. The main body further comprises a liquid reservoir associated with a mechanism for retaining and releasing the liquid contained in said reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For greater clarity and understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated by way of example in the drawings, wherein: [0010]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination of the present invention; [0011]
FIG. 2 is an upper plant view of the combination of FIG. 1; and [0012]
FIG. 3 is a section view of the combination of FIG. 1.[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, the combination of the present invention is indicated with the [0014] general reference number 1 and comprises a main body 2 having a first cavity 3 and a second cavity 4 having adjacent upper accesses. The first cavity 3 is provided with a liquid outlet hole 5 connected to an evacuation line 10 via a siphon 9 and a plurality of perimetral liquid inlet holes. The second cavity 4 has a central liquid-inlet hole 6 and liquid-outlet hole 7 offset from the central hole 6 and connected to said evacuation line. The main body 1 comprises a liquid reservoir 11 including a mechanism for selectively retaining and releasing liquid from said reservoir 11.
The [0015] main body 1 is an integral body on which a single hinged lid 12 is arranged on top of said cavities 2 and 3. In this kind of application, the cavity 1 corresponds to a water-closet fixture whereas the cavity 2 corresponds to a bidet fixture. Furthermore said first and second cavities 2 and 3 are separated by a wall 13 such that there is no communication between them. The main body houses a soap-holder 14 and a bathroom paper roll holder 15 for user use. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the soap-holder 14 is arranged between the inlet holes of the cavities 2 and 3 whereas the bathroom paper roll holder 15 is arranged on the bottom part of the main body 1, however it should be understood that the soap-holder 14 or the bathroom paper roll holder 15 may be placed in other parts.
The mechanism, not illustrated, for retaining and releasing the liquid held inside said [0016] reservoir 11 is a conventional mechanism used in all types of water-closet tanks. As in any conventional satchel-type water-closet, the liquid retaining and releasing mechanism actuator 16 is preferably located on the top part of the reservoir 11, although it may be placed anywhere within user reach.
Furthermore, the liquid inlet controls, that is the tap means for the second cavity, are arranged remote from the [0017] main body 1 so as to be out of children's reach to stop them from playing with the water. Optionally, the second cavity may comprise a hot-air injector which may help to considerably reduce toilet paper consumption, aside from being an essentially hygienic means in that there is no direct contact with parts to be cleaned.
Furthermore, although the [0018] combination 1 of the present invention is designed for small places, it is also advantageous for handicapped and elderly persons, and in the case of small bathrooms, in view of that the lid 12 when closed provides a big surface area enabling users to eventually take a shower without risk of slipping or falling.
Hence, it is clear that the [0019] device 1 of the present invention overcomes reduced floor-space drawbacks in the distribution of sanitary fixtures in addition to promoting the use of the bidet in cultures where it is unknown or is not used for lack of space needed for it.

Claims

I claim:

1. The combination of a water-closet and a bidet, said combination comprising a main body, said main body including a first cavity, a second cavity and adjacent upper accesses for said cavities, said first cavity having a liquid outlet hole connected to an evacuation line through a siphon and a plurality of perimetral liquid inlet holes, said second cavity having a central liquid inlet hole and a liquid outlet hole, said liquid outlet hole offset from said central hole and connected to said evacuation line, said main body comprising a reservoir for liquid.

2. The water-closet and bidet combination of claim 1, wherein said main body comprises a single body and said combination further includes a single lid adapted to close on top of said cavities.

3. The water-closet and bidet combination of claim 1, wherein said first and second cavities are separated by a wall.

4. The water-closet and bidet combination of claim 1, further including a soap-holder arranged between said cavities.

5. The water-closet and bidet combination of claim 1, further including a mechanism for retaining and releasing said liquid from said reservoir.

6. The water-closet and bidet combination of claim 1, further including control means outside said main body for controlling entry of liquid into the second cavity.

7. The water-closet and bidet combination of claim 1, further including means for injecting hot air into said second cavity.