US20180195260A1

US20180195260A1 - Tankless Toilet System

Info

Publication number: US20180195260A1
Application number: US15/401,265
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Wilbert Tinsley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-01-09
Filing date: 2017-01-09
Publication date: 2018-07-12

Abstract

A toilet system comprises a toilet bowl with a lid having a piece of compressible material with air holes for ventilation. Pressurized water flows from the flush pipe into the toilet bowl. A water line feeds water into the flush pipe. A flush valve is disposed in the flush pipe above the toilet bowl and below the inlet valve. A vent pipe connects to the flush pipe below the flush valve, venting air directly from the toilet bowl. Pressurized water is supplied to the flush pipe while the flush valve is closed. The flush pipe fills with water, and the toilet system flushes the toilet bowl with water under pressure from the flush pipe when the flush valve is opened.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/276,069 filed Jan. 7, 2016 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in the respective in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of tankless toilet devices and more specifically, to a toilet system with a flushing mechanism comprising a PVC pipe member that is structured and arranged to hold water under pressure in lieu of a toilet water tank that is not under pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A toilet system is a sanitation fixture used for the disposal of human urine and feces. They are often found in a small room known as a toilet, restroom, or lavatory. A toilet can be designed for people who prefer to sit (by using a toilet pedestal) or for people who prefer to squat and use a toilet. Flush toilets, which are common in many parts of the world (particularly in more affluent countries or regions), may be connected to a septic tank, or more commonly in urban areas, via a sewer to a sewage treatment plant.
Unfortunately, the standard toilets comprising a water tank containing many moving parts, taking up a lot of space, and using about 3 gallons of water per flush; water has been becoming scarcer in supply and more expensive worldwide. The large number of mechanisms within the tank, to facilitate the flush, necessitates many adjustments, repairs, and replacements. In addition, the tank and the tank lid are easily broken and expensive to replace. Therefore, a need exists for a space-saving flushable toilet which takes up less space and operates with less expense.
Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in toilet systems having no tanks. Among these attempts are: U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,070, U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,159, U.S. Pat. No. 8,307,470, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,604.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a front aspect of a toilet system.

FIG. 2 depicts another front aspect of a toilet system.

FIG. 3 depicts a further front aspect of a toilet system.

FIG. 4 depicts an aspect of a variant of a toilet system.

FIG. 5 depicts a hose of a toilet system.

FIG. 6 depicts an aspect of another variant of a toilet system.

FIG. 7 depicts an aspect of a further variant of a toilet system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A tankless toilet system for removal and flushing of human waste, and for holding water under pressure, comprises a toilet bowl and a flush pipe connected to the toilet bowl, for storing water under pressure for flushing. The flush pipe comprises an outlet opening for allowing water to flow from the flush pipe into the toilet. A water line connects to the flush pipe. A flush valve is disposed in the flush pipe above the toilet bowl and below the water line to the flush pipe. The water line supplies water while under pressure to the flush pipe; the flush valve is closed, the flush pipe is filled with water, and the toilet system is configured to flush the toilet bowl with water under pressure from the flush pipe when the flush valve is opened.
In a variant, a toilet system, comprises: a toilet bowl; a flush pipe connected to the toilet bowl, for storing water for flushing, the flush pipe comprising an outlet opening for allowing water to flow from the flush pipe into the toilet; a water line connected to the flush pipe; a flush valve disposed in the flush pipe above the toilet bowl and below the water line connection to the flush pipe. When the water line is supplying water while under pressure to the flush pipe, and the flush valve is closed, the flush pipe is filled with water and the toilet system is configured to flush the toilet bowl with water under pressure from the flush pipe when the flush valve is opened.
In another variant, an inlet valve is connected between the water line and the flush pipe, configured to turn on and off the flow of water into the flush pipe. The toilet bowl further comprises a lid and wherein the lid contains a compressible seal having air holes for ventilation. The flush pipe may be comprised of PVC. The flush pipe houses reserve water which is under constant pressure, and is continuously resupplied by a dwelling's water toilet system. Optionally, a maximum of ½ a gallon of water is used. The flushing action is complete in a maximum of 5 seconds and wherein the flushing action may be repeated as rapidly as an operator can open and close the flush valve.
In a further variant, the toilet system contains one moving part. A vent pipe is connected to the flush pipe for venting air directly from the toilet bowl. The flush pipe is vertically oriented, its long side parallel to gravity and a top end of the flush pipe comprises a cap, wherein the cap forms an airtight seal. The water line comprises a hose for feeding water into the flush pipe. Optionally, the hose is connected to an attachment for spraying water for cleaning purposes. The system has a cabinet wherein the flush pipe is disposed inside the cabinet. The present invention aims to reduce water use and sewer bills and use less physical space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, depicted in FIG. 1, a tankless toilet system 20 for removal and flushing of human waste, and for holding water under pressure, comprises a toilet bowl 22 and a flush pipe 24 connected to the toilet bowl 22, for storing water for flushing. The flush pipe 24 comprises an outlet opening 26 for allowing water to flow from the flush pipe 24 into the toilet bowl 22. A water line connects to the flush pipe 24. A flush valve 28 is disposed in the flush pipe 24 above the toilet bowl 22 and below the water line to the flush pipe 24. The water line supplies water while under pressure to the flush pipe 24; the flush valve 28 is closed, the flush pipe 24 is filled with water, and the toilet system 20 is configured to flush the toilet bowl 22 with water under pressure from the flush pipe 24 when the flush valve 28 is opened.
In a variant, depicted in FIG. 4, the toilet system 20 further comprises an inlet valve 30 connected between the water line and the flush pipe 24, configured to turn on and off the flow of water into the flush pipe 24.
In a second variant of the toilet system 20, depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toilet bowl 22 further comprises a lid 32 and wherein the lid 32 contains a compressible seal 34 having air holes for ventilation.
The flush pipe 24 may be comprised of PVC, or a material with similar properties.
In a third variant of the toilet system 20, the flush pipe 24 houses reserve water which is under constant pressure, and is continuously resupplied by a dwelling water system.
The toilet system 20 can be such that approximately ½ a gallon of water is used. This conserves water compared to current toilet systems 20. In addition, the flushing action can complete in approximately 5 seconds, and the flushing action may be repeated as rapidly as an operator can open and close the flush valve 28.
In another variant, the flush valve 28 only contains only moving part.
In a further variant of the toilet system 20, a vent pipe 36 is connected to the flush pipe 24 for venting air directly from the toilet bowl 22.
In yet a further variant of the toilet system 20, illustrated in FIG. 4, the flush pipe 24 is vertically oriented at 90 degrees. A top end 38 of the flush pipe 24 comprises a cap 38 a, wherein the cap 38 a forms an airtight seal.
In yet another variant of the toilet system 20, the water line comprises a hose 40 (FIGS. 4 and 5) for feeding water into the flush pipe 24. The hose 40 is connected to an attachment 42 (FIG. 6) for spraying water for cleaning, personal hygiene, or other purposes.
In another variant, the toilet system 20 comprises a cabinet 44, depicted in FIG. 7, wherein the flush pipe 24 can be disposed inside the cabinet 44.
In a second embodiment, a toilet system 20 for removal of human waste, and for holding water under pressure, comprises a toilet bowl 22 with a lid 32. A bottom 32 a of the lid 32 contains a piece of compressible material 34 with air holes for ventilation, plus a toilet seat 32 b and a seal 32 c (both illustrated in FIG. 3) attached to a bottom side of the toilet seat 32 b. For flushing, the flush pipe 24 comprises an outlet opening 26 for allowing water to flow from the flush pipe 24 into the toilet bowl 22. The flush pipe 24 is vertically oriented at 90 degrees and has a top end 38 that has a cap 38 a that forms an airtight seal on the top end 38. An inlet valve 30 connects to the flush pipe 24 for supplying pressurized water to the flush pipe 24. A water line connects to the inlet valve 30 for feeding water into the flush pipe 24. The flush pipe 24 is configured to house water, under constant pressure from the water line, and is continuously resupplied by the water line when the inlet valve 30 is open. A flush valve 28 is disposed in the flush pipe 24 above the toilet bowl 22 and below the inlet valve 30. A vent pipe 36 connects to the flush pipe 24 below the flush valve 28, for venting air directly from the toilet bowl 22. The inlet valve 30 is open and supplies water under pressure to the flush pipe 24 while the flush valve 28 is closed; the flush pipe 24 is filled with water and the toilet system 20 is configured to flush the toilet bowl 22 with water under pressure from the flush pipe 24 when the flush valve 28 is opened. The flush valve may be repeatedly opened as often as desired with almost no wait between flushes.
In a variant of the toilet system 20, the flushing action is complete within 5 seconds and the flushing action may be repeated as rapidly as an operator can open and close the flush valve 28.
In a second variant of the toilet system 20, the water line is connected to an attachment 42 for spraying water for cleaning purposes.
Among the advantages of the invention are that it requires much less water, is less expensive to construct, and takes up less space, than a current toilet system. Also, it eliminates maintenance on components that are repeatedly having to be adjusted, repaired or replaced, including but not limited to the water inlet assembly, float and mechanism for opening the flushing valve to facilitate the toilet flush and flapper valve itself, all of which are expensive and time consuming. Optionally, the air vent is open all the time and vents directly from the toilet bowl.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A toilet system, comprises:

a toilet bowl;

a flush pipe connected to the toilet bowl, for storing water for flushing, the flush pipe comprising an outlet opening for allowing water to flow from the flush pipe into the toilet;

a water line connected to the flush pipe;

a flush valve disposed in the flush pipe above the toilet bowl and below the water line connection to the flush pipe; and

wherein when the water line is supplying water while under pressure to the flush pipe, and the flush valve is closed, the flush pipe is filled with water and the toilet system is configured to flush the toilet bowl with water under pressure from the flush pipe when the flush valve is opened.

2. The toilet system of claim 1, further comprising an inlet valve connected between the water line and the flush pipe, configured to turn on and off the flow of water into the flush pipe.

3. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the toilet bowl further comprises a lid and wherein the lid contains a compressible seal having air holes for ventilation.

4. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the flush pipe is comprised of PVC.

5. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the flush pipe houses reserve water which is under constant pressure, and is continuously resupplied by a dwelling water toilet system.

6. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein a maximum of ½ a gallon of water is used.

7. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the flushing action is complete in a maximum of 5 seconds and wherein the flushing action may be repeated as rapidly as an operator can open and close the flush valve.

8. The toilet system of claim 1, containing one moving part.

9. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein a vent pipe is connected to the flush pipe for venting air directly from the toilet bowl.

10. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the flush pipe is vertically oriented at 90 degrees and a top end of the flush pipe comprises a cap, wherein the cap forms an airtight seal.

11. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the water line comprises a hose for feeding water into the flush pipe.

12. The toilet system of claim 1, further comprising a cabinet wherein the flush pipe is disposed inside the cabinet.

13. The hose of claim 10, wherein the hose is connected to an attachment for spraying water for cleaning purposes.

14. A toilet, comprising:

a toilet bowl with a lid, wherein a bottom of the lid contains a piece of compressible material with air holes for ventilation out of the material;

a flush pipe connected to the toilet bowl, for storing water for flushing, the flush pipe comprising an outlet opening for allowing water to flow from the flush pipe into the toilet bowl,

wherein the flush pipe is vertically oriented and has a top end that has a cap that forms an airtight seal on the top end;

an inlet valve connected to the flush pipe for supplying pressurized water to the flush pipe;

a water line connected to the inlet valve for feeding water into the flush pipe, wherein the flush pipe is configured to house water, under constant pressure from the water line, and is continuously resupplied by the water line when the inlet valve is open;

a flush valve disposed in the flush pipe above the toilet bowl and below the inlet valve;

a vent pipe connected to the flush pipe below the flush valve, for venting air directly from the toilet bowl; and

wherein when the inlet valve is open and supplying water while under pressure to the flush pipe, and the flush valve is closed, the flush pipe is filled with water and the toilet system is configured to flush the toilet bowl with water under pressure from the flush pipe when the flush valve is opened.

15. The toilet system of claim 14, wherein the flushing action is complete in a maximum of 5 seconds and wherein the flushing action may be repeated as rapidly as an operator can open and close the flush valve.

16. A toilet system of claim 14, wherein the water line is connected to an attachment for spraying water for cleaning purposes.