WO2003106775A2

WO2003106775A2 - Odour control apparatus for toilets

Info

Publication number: WO2003106775A2
Application number: PCT/EP2003/006340
Authority: WO
Inventors: Armando Parenti
Original assignee: Armando Parenti
Priority date: 2002-06-13
Filing date: 2003-06-13
Publication date: 2003-12-24
Also published as: ITLU20020009A1; AU2003242711A1; WO2003106775A3

Abstract

In a gravity-flush toilet the pipe connecting the rim of the bowl to the tank is extended over the level of the water in the tank until it is connected to the drainage system, to drain away odours from the bowl to the drainage system, through an exhaust fan mounted at the upper end of the extended pipe. A stop valve prevents the back of odours from the drainage system. Two sliding sealing rings are run by a pneumatic system connected to the flush switch which is able to move upwards just one or both the rings to partialize the flush. A sensor placed on the seat of the bowl automatically operates the exhaust fan and the stop valve positioned between the exhaust fan and the drainage system.

Description

TITLE ODOUR CONTROL APPARATUS FOR TOILETS

DESCRIPTION Field of the invention

The present invention concerns an apparatus for gravity-flush toilets. State of art

Flushometer type operated toilets or pressurized toilets are used, as we know, in particular, in public restrooms, commercial buildings and apartments, but gravity-flush toilets are still the most largely used especially in residences.

In all cases, to prevent unpleasant odours chemical products are commonly added to the tank water or directly in the air. No electric or mechanical apparatus are known at this aim. Objects and summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a gravity-flush toilet in which an electric-mechanical apparatus allows odour control without addition of any chemical product.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gravity-flush toilet wherein the odour control is obtained together with the partializing of the flush.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved by a gravity-flush toilet in which the pipe connecting the rim of the bowl to the tank is extended over the level of the water in the tank until it is connected to the drainage system or outside, in particular to the vent system, to drain away odours from the bowl through an exhaust fan mounted at the upper end of the extended pipe.

Two sliding sealing rings are run by a pneumatic system connected to the flush switch which is able to slide upwards just one or both the rings to partialize the flush according to the partial or global pushing of the flush switch.

A sensor placed on the seat of the bowl automatically operates the exhaust fan, so that the presence of one person on the seat is revealed and the exhaust fan starts draining away odours. When the person leaves the seat the exhaust fan stops.

The above sensor also operates a stop valve positioned between the exhaust fan and the drainage system to prevent the back of odours.

Auxiliary pipes allow the assembling of the apparatus in cases that the drainage system is located in various ways in respect of the tank.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the description and the attached drawing, which shows non-restrictive practical examples of the invention.

In the drawings:

- figure 1 shows a side section view of a gravity-flush toilet according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a schematic internal view of the water tank of a gravity-flush toilet according to the present invention;

- figure 3 shows a detailed view in section of the water tank of a gravity-flush toilet according to the invention;

- figure 4 shows a traversal view in section of a component of fig.3;

- figure 5 shows a schematic total view of a gravity-flush toilet according to the present invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments of the invention Referring first to fig.l, some elements relating to the main parts of a toilet comprising an apparatus according to the invention are shown in a schematic view.

As we can see, a pipe 11, placed internally to the water tank 10, of a gravity-flush toilet 1, is connected, at his lower end, to the pipe 12, connecting the water tank 10, to the rim of the bowl 16, and, at his upper end, to the drainage system 15, of the toilet. Said pipe 11, in this embodiment of the invention, is L-shaped and on his horizontal branch, over the level 13, of the water, an exhaust fan 14, is mounted to drain away odours from the bowl 16, to the drainage system 15.

A sensor 26, placed on the seat 21, of the bowl 16, automatically operates the exhaust fan 14, when a person is sitting on the bowl. Said sensor, 26, also operates a stop valve, 22, shown in fig,2, placed between the exhaust fan 14, and the fitting to the drainage system 15. When a person stand up from the seat, 21, of the bowl, 16, the stop valve closes, in order to prevent the back of odours from the drainage system and to allow normal flush.

Two sliding sealing rings 17 and 18 are mounted on the external side of the extending pipe 11, to control the flush of water, which can pass through apertures 19, placed in the lower side of the pipe 11.

When the flush switch, 24, is pressed for half his stroke just the upper ring 17, slides, so that a partial amount of water flushes the bowl.

When the flush switch 24 is completely pressed also the lower ring 18, slides, for a complete flush.

The same operating way is performed in the different embodiment of the invention shown in figure 3. In this case the pipe 11 is substituted by two structures 30, 31, coaxially mounted and joinable between them by screw means 32 in order to compose one single structure, with adjustable height, which supports the exhaust fan 14.

Two sliding sealing rings 17' and 18' are operated also in this case to partialize the flush. Furthermore said sealing rings form, in this case, the extension of the pipe 12, through which the odours coming from the bowl pass and flow toward the vent system. Said sealing rings, 17',

18', are telescopic, so that the apparatus can fit with water tanks, 10, of different dimensions.

The lower structure 30 is provided with three angularly spaced fins, 33, and joints to the hole in the bottom of the tank, 10, by a bayonet base

27.

The upper end of the structure 31 is provided with an upside-down cup, 34, apt to support the upper body, 28, of the apparatus, which contains the exhaust fan, 14, and the stop valve, 22. The free end of the upper body, 28, has a shape fitting to connect the apparatus to the drainage system 15.

It has to be noted that the superior structure 31 is joined the lower one 30 in a position such that the upper edge of the support element 34 is well over the upper edge of the superior sealing ring 17', so allowing the water to flow into the bowl in case of any fault in the functioning of the level control device; furthermore, the support element 34 provides a cylindrical lateral surface, 35, which extends down for an amount such that its edge is situated under the water level 13; so, the odours coming from the bowl 16 can not be discharged in the tank volume.

The upper body, 28, provides an input, 25, for the data collected by the sensor, 26. In this embodiment of the invention the type of data is just a pressure value which is transmitted to the input 25 and is able to operate the pneumatic switch 29, that controls the exhaust fan 14 and the stop valve 22.

The exhaust fan 14, is advantageously mounted in vertical position and the stop valve, 22 , in an horizontal one.

When the flush switch, 24, is pressed, the pneumatic cylinder, 20, acts on the rod, 41, and on the rods, 42, in case of complete flush, to move upwards the sliding sealing rings, 17' and 18'. While the ring 18' is in his lifted position, the pin 43, thanks to the floating ball 44 and to the groove 45, keeps the ring itself lifted to allow the flush. When the level of water descends under the ball level, the ball goes down, disengaging so pin 43 from groove 45 and, therefore, causing the ring 18' to come back in the closing position, shown in figure 3.

In figure 5 we can see an upper view of the bowl, 16, in which the sensor 26, is placed in correspondence of the back of the seat 21.

Obviously the position of the sensor 26, may vary, still remaining close to the seat, 21.

The link, 37, connecting the sensor 26, to the input, 25, in the upper body 28, may advantageously pass internally to an auxiliary pipe, 38, also useful to standardize the -apparatus, allowing its implementation, for example, in case the drainage system, 15, passes under the floor instead of in the wall.

In figure 5 is also shown a power supply, 39, for the exhaust fan 14 and the stop valve 22, which can be placed in any desired position near the toilet.

Obviously further modifications and embodiments, different from the ones above shown as examples, can be provided.

The shape of the various parts of the apparatus may vary according to different practical cases.

The sensor, 26, detecting the person sitting on the bowl can be, obviously, of various type, mechanic or electric.

Through auxiliary pipes, like pipe 38, or other accessories the apparatus fit gravity-flush toilets of various type, like those with water tanks placed well over the bowl, or placed on the bowl, or inside the wall, or other ones.

These and other modifications to the single parts of the apparatus may be carried out, or accessories may be added or removed, always within the limits of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CL AIM S

1- Apparatus for odour control in gravity-flush toilets characterized in that it comprises a pipe (12) connecting the rim of the bowl (16) to the tank (10) which is extending in the water tank (10), over the level (13) of the water, until it is connected to the drainage system (15), an exhaust fan (14) being mounted in correspondence to the upper end of the extended pipe (11) to drain away odours from the bowl (16) to the drainage system (15) and, in particular to the vent system or outside.

2- Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a stop valve (22) placed between said exhaust fan (14) and the fitting to the drainage system (15) in order to prevent back of odours from the drainage system (15) itself when the exhaust fan (14) is off.

3- Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it comprises two sliding sealing rings (17, 18) mounted coaxially and contiguously inside said tank (10), said rings being run by a pneumatic system connected to the flush switch (24) of the toilet in such a way to slide upwards just one or both the rings to partialize the flush according to the partial or global pushing of said flush switch..

4- Apparatus as claimed in the preceding claim characterized in that said sliding sealing rings (17', 18') form the extension of pipe (12) inside the water tank (10), two coaxially mounted structures (30, 31) being located within said extending pipe to compose one single structure which supports the position of said rings and the exhaust fan (14).

5- Apparatus as claimed in the preceding claim characterized in that said structures (30, 31) are coaxially mounted and joinable between them by screw means (32) in order to compose said single structure with adjustable height.

6- Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterized in that it comprises a sensor (26) placed on the seat (21) of said bowl (16), said sensor (26) being apt to automatically operate the exhaust fan (14) , so that the presence of one person on the seat is revealed by said sensor and the exhaust fan is started.

7- Apparatus as claimed in the preceding claim characterized in that said sensor (26) also operates said stop valve (22) placed between said exhaust fan (14) and the fitting to the drainage system (15).

8- Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterized in that it comprises auxiliary pipes (38) allowing the assembling of the apparatus in cases that the drainage system (15) is located in various ways in respect of the tank (10).