WO2004016869A1

WO2004016869A1 - Apparatus for the dispensing of a liquid, adapted to be placed in a volume of liquid with fluctuating liquid level, particularly adapted for metered disposal of chemicals to a cistern

Info

Publication number: WO2004016869A1
Application number: PCT/NO2003/000276
Authority: WO
Inventors: Svein Ove Johnsen
Original assignee: Add System As
Priority date: 2002-08-16
Filing date: 2003-08-14
Publication date: 2004-02-26
Also published as: EP1556556A1; CN1688776A; NO318288B1; NO20023920D0; AU2003251246A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns an apparatus for dispensing a liquid, adapted to be placed in volume of liquid with fluctuating liquid level (59), particularly the cistern of a water closet. The apparatus is adapted to dispense liquid when the fluctuating liquid level (59) has been reduced a predetermined level and includes a hollow main body (1) with an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is air sealingly closed (5) and the lower end (1d) is open into the volume of liquid, and the main body (1) is adapted to contain a liquid column (58). A check valve (7) is provided at the upper end of the main body (1), and is adapted to allow pressure out of the cavity of the main body. A control channel (12) for controlling a pressure in the main body (1), controls when the liquid is to be dispensed in relation to the liquid level (59). The liquid volume has an upper end in fluid flowing contact with the cavity of the main body (1) and a lower end in fluid flowing contact with the liquid volume. Furthermore a method for final flushing of a closet bowl of a water closet with an apparatus according to the invention is described.

Description

Apparatus for the dispensing of a liquid, adapted to be placed in a volume of liquid with fluctuating liquid level, particularly adapted for metered disp sa\ of chemicals to a cistern.

The present invention concerns an apparatus for the dispensing of a liquid, adapted to be placed in a volume of liquid with fluctuating liquid level, for instance in a reservoir or a cistern. The apparatus is further more adapted to dispense liquid only when the fluctuating liquid level has been reduced to a predetermined level. The apparatus concerns particularly a dispensing apparatus for supply of additives, usually in the form of chemicals and/or deodorising agents, to a water cistern. A water cistern on a water closet defines an example of a volume of liquid where it may be appropriate to add additives, and the present invention is therefore particularly adapted for this purpose. The invention also includes a system that ensures improved flushing of a water closet, and this may be used tos reduce water consumption.

It is a well known problem that it in toilets with water closets can emerge unpleasant smells, and that the conditions in the water closet bowl may be unhygienic and unsavoury. The present invention is particularly adapted to relieveo this problem.

Supply of chemicals or deodorizing agents to the cistern on a water closet is well known, for instance in the form of chemical blocks hanging over the edge of the cistern or in the water closet bowl. When a block of chemicals is placed in the5 cistern, it is slowly dissolved and is entrained by the water each time the cistern is emptied. The chemicals becomes in this way flushed through the toilet, and the last part of the water from the cistern remains in the waste trap or intercepting trap of the closet. This system is however unfavourable because the concentration of chemicals in the cistern will increase in time and because ano amount of chemicals unnecessarily is flushed straight through the toHet without having any effect. Only a small fraction of the used chemicals remains in the waste trap level of the closet where they serve their purpose. To avoid these disadvantages, more advanced arrangements for dosing chemicals or deodorizing agents have been developed. US patent number 4,539,717 shows a device for a chemical solution including a cylinder containing a block of chemicals. The cylinder is equipped with openings for flow of liquids/air in the system.

US patent number 2,098,294 shows an apparatus for the dosing of deodorizing agents with a cylinder around a block of chemicals that is carried by a float. The cylinder is equipped with openings for exchanging the air/water of the cistern.

US patent number 3,914,805 is an apparatus for metering deodorizing agents that pumps out deodorant when the cistern, is filled.

Norwegian patent number 309,662 (same applicant) describes an apparatus for dosed or metered dispensing or deposition of chemicals to a cistern. The apparatus includes a cylinder containing a float that carries a block of chemicals, where the cylinder is designed such that the block of chemicals floats upwards in the cylinder in contact with water pouring into the cylinder from a hole in the wall of the cylinder, and irrigates the block of chemicals. This apparatus dispenses chemicals to the cistern just before the cistern is completely emptied and the chemicals are therefore remaining in the water lock without chemicals being flushed to the sewer.

However, it has proved necessary to find an improved way of controlling the dispensing of the additives. The additive will normally be chemicals in the form of a quid or solids such as pellets, powder, tablets or blocks. It has proved necessary to develop a system with a reduced number of movable parts and seals, because movable parts easily can be jammed, and are exposed to wear and are in general complicating and cost intensive elements that are more prone to malfunction. This is a particular problem with water with high calcium content.

It is also a problem with water closets that the pressure during the flushing of the toilet bowl is reduced when the height of fall or head of liquid in the cistern is reduced. Some cases, this may lead to the toilet bowl not being flushed or washed sufficiently clean.

This and other problems are solved in the present invention as defined in the independent claims.

The apparatus according to the invention may be designed to ensure that during the last part of the flushing, an additional flushing from the dispenser with increased pressure in relation to the pressure during the last part of the flushing from the cistern, is flushed. This will contribute to flush the toilet bowl sufficiently clean. This may also be used to reduce the necessary flushing, and accordingly reduce the water consumption of the water closet.

The invention concerns a dispenser that can be inserted in a cistern for controlled emission of additives, normally in the form of chemicals from a block of chemicals, or from a container with liquid chemicals to the water in the cistern and/or to the air surrounding the cistern. The chemicals may be provided in the dispenser in such a way that the dispenser gives off a controlled amount of chemicals each time the cistern is used, and such that the chemicals that are dispensed to the water in the cistern mainly remains in the cistern, for instance in the closet bowl, instead of being flushed directly through the system without being of any use. The dispenser may be designed such that the chemicals do not come in contact with the water in the cistern, but only works as a deodorizing agent that can produce a wanted scent to the air in the toilet room after each flushing from the WC to the sewer. Furthermore, the dispenser can be used to contribute to biological balance during flushing from a cistern to the surroundings, for instance during emission to watercourse or open water.

The additive will in many cases comprise tensides that will leave a layer of film inside the closet bowl because the surface tension is de-ionized in the dispenser. Furthermore the dispenser can be used to contribute to biological balance by emission of favourable substances for this purposes from the cistern to the surroundings, for instance by emission to river systems or open water. Dispensers that maintains a water column before they are activated, will hold back what is not used when the cistern valve to the closet is shut because inlet of water from the water system already has flowed into the cistern from the first moment when the toilet is flushed, such that it is created a counter current and the chemicals that not are used are thereby held back in the cistern.

The dispensing apparatus comprises a control system that ensures that a metered amount of chemicals are dispensed out of the system at a predetermined level in the water cistern. Even though the apparatus may be used to dispense chemicals in any quantity of liquid whose level fluctuates, the apparatus according to the invention particularly adapted for being used in a cistern on water closets.

The dispensing apparatus that is adapted to be placed in reservoir or cistern with a fluctuating liquid level, is furthermore adapted to dispense liquid only when the fluctuating liquid level is reduced to a predetermined level. The apparatus includes a longitudinal, hollow main body, shaped as a cylinder, a channel, a tube or a longitudinal profile, for instance an extruded aluminium profile or cylinder with an upper end and a lower end. The main body thereby defines a cavity. The shape of the main body may be adapted to the internal shape of the cistern.

The expressions "upper" and "lower", are intended to describe a localisation, where lower defines the placement during normal use of the apparatus, where the upper end will be closest to a water surface in a filled cistern, and the lower end will be closest to the bottom of a cistern.

The upper end is closed and the lower end is open into the reservoir or cistern. A check valve or one way valve, for instance a ball valve, is provided at the upper end of the main body and is adapted to relive pressure out of the cavity of the main body. A control channel or "vacuum channel" that for instance may be shaped as a tube has an upper end in fluid flowing contact with the cavity of the main body and a lower end adapted to be in fluid flowing contact with the reservoir or cistern. The lower end includes preferably an opening or an end of the tube, controlling when the liquid is to be dispensed in relation to the liquid level in the cistern. The opening is in other words placed at the liquid level in the cistern, when an outflow from the dispenser is desired.

During the filling of the liquid in the cistern, the dispenser is filled through the lower opening in the main body to the same level as the liquid level in the cistern. Air or deodorizers are emitted through the valve at the upper end of the main body. The control channel is simultaneously filled to the same level.

During emptying of the cistern, it is created a negative pressure in the upper part of the dispenser, that keeps the liquid in the dispenser. When the water level in the cistern has passed the opening of the control channel, air from the atmosphere is let in to the control channel and into the upper part of the dispenser such that the negative pressure ceases and the liquid in the dispenser is dispensed out into the cistern or to another desired place. In this process the liquid that is dispensed can entrain additives.

Short description of the enclosed drawings

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a dispenser for liquid chemicals in a first position.

Fig. 2 shows the dispenser as described on fig. 1 placed in a water closet cistern in a resting position prepared with a chemical.

Fig. 3 shows the dispenser as defined on fig. 1 under the first phase during emission to closet bowl/sewer.

Fig. 4 shows the dispenser from fig. 1 during the last phase of emission via the closet bowl to the sewer. Fig. 5 shows the dispenser as shown on fig. 1 during emission of chemicals to the closet bowl.

Fig. 6 shows the dispenser as defined on fig. 1 during preparation before the next emission (flushing).

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention adapted to be used with a solid block of chemicals.

Fig. 8 shows the dispenser of fig. 7 placed in a closet cistern in a resting position.

Fig. 9 shows the dispenser as defined on fig. 7 during a first phase with outlet through closet bowl to sewer. Fig. 10 shows the dispenser as defined on fig. 7 during the last phase of the emission through closet bowl to sewer.

Fig. 11 shows the dispenser on fig. 7 during the emission to closet bowl.

Fig. 12 shows the dispenser on fig. 7 during the emission to closet bowl and simultaneous metering for preparation of the next emission, in that liquid is sprayed over the block of chemicals.

Fig. 13 shows the dispenser of fig. 7 during preparation before the next emission.

Fig. 14 shows a water cistern with an adapter for reducing water consumption, seen from above. Fig. 15 shows the water system as shown on fig. 14 seen from the front.

Detailed description of embodiments of the present invention Similar reference numerals show similar components.

From fig. 1 it is shown a dispenser for dispensing a liquid, and metering of an additive, preferably a chemical. Examples of chemicals that are expected suitable are tensides that will create a film layer and reduce the surface tension in the closet bowl, such that layers of dirt and matter in the closet bowl gets stuck less easily. Furthermore, the chemicals may be used to contribute to biological balance during outlet from the cistern to the surroundings. Other chemicals that may be used may include deodorizing agents or other elements that can improve the indoor climate. The dispenser comprises a cylinder or a main body 1 to be provided substantially vertically in a cistern in a water closet. On the figures it is shown a cylindrical main body, but the main body may have any cross section, for instance rectangular, oval, adapted to a shape of a cistern or have any other suitable cross section. The main body is channel- or tube shaped, and has a dimension in the longitudinal direction adapted such that the body fits in the cistern it is adapted to be placed in. The diameter of the main body or the cross sectional area is adapted such that a required amount of chemicals and a final flow of liquids is adapted to the required volume of a final flow of liquid. The main body has a lower part or lid 1 e that seals the lower part of the main body. The bottom lid 1e may be equipped with means for securing the main body to the cistern (not shown). The upper end or lid 5 of the main body air tightly seals the upper end of the main body. The lid includes a check valve 7, for instance a ball valve with a ball 8. The lid 5 includes a hose 9 for the filling of chemicals. The hose 9 includes means for air tight sealing (not shown). The lid may for instance be sealed against the main body with an O-ring 6. An inner body 2 shown as a cylinder is rigidly secured to the inside of the main body 1 , and may have the same shape as the main body, but is of a smaller dimension such that it fits in the main body, and such that it is created an annuls or channel 3 between the main body and the inner body or cylinder 2. The cylinder 2 is shown secured to the underside of the lid 5, but may be rigidly secured inside the apparatus in any other way as long as an annulus or channel is created between the main body and the cylinder 2 and as long as the cylinder 2 is provided in an air tight manner towards the lid 5. The cylinder 2 serves as a container for a chemical and includes a hole for drainage at its upper end. The annulus or slot 3 is adapted for passage of liquid/air and is in one embodiment formed by the difference in diameter between the cylindrical main body and the cylindrical chemical container 2. The chemical container 2 extends from the upper end of the main body and down to a height above the bottom part 1e. At the lower part of the chemical container 2 a metering device is included, shown as a ball valve, with a sealing ball or buoyancy ball 13 that is adapted to seal between the valve seats 14 and 18. The ball is of a material that seals the valve against a valve seat and that is resistant to the additives and the liquid in the dispenser. Furthermore, the ball 13 has a density giving it buoyancy in the liquid in the dispenser. Chamber 16 for liquid is created in the valve between the valve seats 14 and 18, and the chamber 16 forms a certain liquid volume. An indentation 17 that serves as an air pillow or buoyancy part is placed under the chemical container 2. The outlet tube 1d is placed directly above the bottom lid 1 e of the cylinder or main body 1. At the upper half part of the main body or cylinder, a tube 12 in fluid communication with slot 3 is placed therein between the main body 1 and the chemical container 2. The tube is sealingly provided in the main body for instance with a seal 11. In the shown embodiment, the tube 12 includes a lower sleeve 19 that may be "telescopically" adjusted lengthwise to vary the total length of the tube 12 to be able to control when the dispenser is to be activated of the water level 59 of the water system. However, this height may not need to be controllable if the apparatus according to the invention is adapted for use in a specific cistern or for a specific water level. The following figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 shows embodiments of the invention for dispensing liquid chemicals as shown on fig. 1 during different steps of the dispensing process. The figures show the dispenser installed in a cistern 48 in a water closet (not shown).

Fig. 2 shows a first resting position where the cistern is filled with water, ready for being flushed with subsequent flushing of the water to the closet bowl. Furthermore, it is shown that the main body or cylinder 1 at its lower end, includes a volume that in this phase is filled with a liquid column with already mixed chemical/water 58 in the lower part of the cylinder 1. The tube 12 with sleeve and annulus 3 is filled with water at the same level as the water level 59 of the cistern. The tube 12 is a control tube that governs when the mixed chemical/water 58 shall be let out of the opening 1d for dispensing the chemical/water 58 to the closet bowl. The closet includes a flushing valve for cistern water to the sewer/closet bowl including a valve seat 48b and a valve body 48a. An opening 48c is created between the valve body 48a and the valve seat 48b during flushing of the toilet such that water from the cistern can flow between the valve body 48a and the valve seat 48b.

From fig. 3 it is shown a first phase of the flushing from the water cistern 48 where the water from the cistern will pass the closet bowl directly to the sewer without adding chemicals to outlet 48c from the reservoir 48. This means that chemicals 10 in the chemical container 2 not are affected. When the toilet valve 48a, 48b is opened, the water 59 will be let out past the toilet bowl to the sewer. During this process, the water level 59 will be reduced and at the same time a negative pressure will be created in the tube 12 that is open into the drainage hole 4. The water column 58 is held back in the cylinder of the main body 1 by the negative pressure 57 in the upper part of the main body and in the tube 12 that is open into drainage hole 4. The water column 58 is held back in the cylinder 1 as also the ball is sealingly sucked towards the valve seat 14 because of the negative pressure in the upper part of the body. The level of the water column 58 that is held back also extends up in annulus 3 between the cylinder 1 and the cylinder 2. The air cavity or air pillow 17 presses the buoyancy ball 13 towards the valve seat 14 from the water level of the cylinder 1. Fig. 4 shows a new phase where the water level 59 in the water cistern 48 is at a level such that the water column 48 is held back in the cylinder 1 without flowing out of outlet 1d while the water passes the opening 48c. In this condition, the negative pressure in the tube 12 through the drainage hole 4 and the upper part of the dispenser 1 is maintained to allow chemicals 10 to remain in the upper cavity of the chemical container 2. The negative pressure also propagates to the annulus 3 of the cylinder such that the water column with a pressure head for already mixed chemical 58 is maintained. In this phase, the negative pressure will suck some water up in the tube 12. In this phase, the buoyancy ball 13 is maintained sealingly against seal 14 in that the air pillow 17 maintains a pressure 13a towards the ball at the same time as the chemical container 2 sucks in water because of the negative pressure in the tube 12 that creates a "pipette-effect". The ball 8 in the ball valve 7 is still closed for inlet of air in the upper part of the main body 1.

In the phase shown on fig. 5, metering of the liquid chemical to the liquid column 58 from the chemical container 2 is shown. In this phase, the water system 48 still lets out liquid between the body 48a of the cistern and valve seat 48b of the cistern in the opening 48c. The liquid now contains already mixed chemical that flows out of the outlet 1d. The liquid from the chemical dispenser remains in the water lock of the toilet without passing the water lock to the sewer. The negative pressure in the upper part of the dispenser is released because air can flow in through the control tube 12 into the annulus 3 to the liquid column 58 in the lower part of the main body 1. The pressure in the chemical container 2 is also neutralized through the drainage hole 4. Some liquid from the cistern will be sucked up through the control tube 12 and will enter the annulus 3 and pass down into the lower room of the main body with the liquid column 58. The water will not go into the chemical as the drainage hole 4 is mounted above the inlet for the tube 12. At the same time, the chemical 10 in the chemical container 3 will liberate some chemical to the lower part of the main body in that buoyancy ball 13 looses its buoyancy because the pressure in the air pillow 17 and the negative pressure in the chemical container ceases. Accordingly, the buoyancy ball 13 falls down from the valve seat 17 through the valve seat 14 to the valve seat 17 and liberates a small amount of chemical. During the fall of the buoyancy ball 13 between the valve seats, chemical 13b is liberated from the chemical container 2 to the liquid column 58 in the cylinder of the main body 1.

Many of today's water closets includes a system where it's possible to choose between a full or a reduced volume of flushing water. Reduced volume of flushing water means an early closing of the flushing water from the cistern to the closet bowl. To adapt the present invention to such toilets, the dispenser may automatically be adjusted in relation to this in that the lower part 99a is adjusted to a higher level than the level 99b represented by the lower part of the chemical container 3 to maintain the water surface towards the air pillow 17. In this case the buoyancy ball 13 will get an impulse pressure in a direction away from the seat 14 from the chemical container 2 when the air comes into the control tube 12, but will immediately find its way back to the seat 14 because the air pillow 17 still is intact. The dispenser will automatically sense this during a complete or reduced flushing regardless of whether it maintains the air pillow or not. In this process the ball 8 in the check valve 7 will seal the chemical container 3 for air.

Fig. 6 shows the dispenser during filling of water in the cistern for preparation to the next flushing. The cistern is closed in that the valve body 48a seals against the valve seat 48b. When the water level 59 rises in the cistern, the water level will also rise in the control tube 12 and in the annuls 3 between the chemical container 2 and main body 1. When the water level reaches the air pillow 17, level 99b on fig. 5, it is liberated a small amount of chemical 10 from the chemical container 2 into the water column 58 created by the lower part of the main body and that forms the reservoir for water/chemical, in that buoyancy ball 13 is lifted up from the seat 17 to the seat 14. In this position, the buoyancy ball 13 closes for the chemical. The size of the buoyancy ball 13, the openings that forms the valve seats and the cavity in the valve are features that will affect the amount of chemicals that are dispensed. During the level increase, the valve 17 will open and air or deodorizer from the inside of the chemical container will be let out to the surroundings. The control tube 12 will contribute to this outflow through drainage whole 4. When the water level 59 of the cistern has reached a certain point, the inflow of water stops and the toilets is ready for a new flushing as shown on fig. 2. Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention where a solid chemical in the form of a block of chemicals or chemical block substitutes the liquid chemical. The chemical block may be placed in a cylinder 20 including a cartridge 21 that may be inserted through an opening 26 in the lid of the cylinder, and can rest on a collar 25.' The cartridge 21 has a lid 24 that can be charged with a chemical block 22 and is magazined automatically downwards 29 as it is consumed. However, the invention does not exclude other forms of solid chemicals, for instance in the form of powder or pellets. The chemical block 22 includes a profile that creates an area 27 for liberation of chemicals when a jet of water impinges on this area, and results in the chemical block liberating a metered amount of chemicals to the water in the container. In the shown embodiment, the chemical block 22 rests on a bottom of the cartridge 23. The dispenser defines an internal volume 28 for liberation of already mixed chemical/water.

The figures 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12 and 13 show various sequences during the dispensing of the dispenser shown on fig. 7. The sequences correspond to the sequences described in relation to the embodiment using liquid chemicals.

Fig. 8 shows the dispenser with a chemical block in a prepared position in the closet cistern 48 where the valve of the cistern with the valve body 48a is sealed against the valve seat 48b. In this condition, the already mixed chemical/water 47, internally in the dispenser 1 is at the same level as the water in the water system and in the control or vacuum tube 12. A check valve, for instance a ball valve 7 in the lid is closed with a ball 8. The chemical block 22 of the cartridge 21 is preferably sealingly provided in relation to the surroundings to prevent it from drying out, as this would prevent the block from liberating chemicals for each flushing through the area 27 of the block.

Fig. 9 shows the same process for outlet as fig. 3, but the dispenser shown on fig. 9 includes a chemical block. The valve of the water cistern 48 is open for passage of water through an opening 48c and water flushes to the sewer through the valve. This means that the water level 59 will sink and create the negative pressure 62 in the control tube 12 such that the water column 58 with already mixed chemicals in the dispenser is reduced. The chemical block 22 in the cartridge 21 is not affected in this phase. The valve 7 is closed for inlet of air in the dispenser during this step.

Fig. 10 shows the same step for negative pressure as fig. 4, but the dispenser is equipped with a chemical block 22 in the cartridge 21 instead of liquid chemicals. It is shown the last phase where the water level 58 in the cistern 48 is at a level just before it passes the lower opening of the vacuum tube 12. The water column 58 is held back in the cylinder 1 while the water from the cistern passes through the opening 48c out to the sewer through the closet bowl, between the valve seat 48b of the cistern and the valve body 48a. During this process the negative pressure 62 in the tube 12 is maintained, but the tube 12 will lift some water because of the negative pressure that creates a "pipette-effect" and sucks water up from the water cistern. In this condition, the valve 7 is still sealed.

Fig. 11 shows the dispenser in a phase corresponding to the one shown on fig. 5, where the chemical block 22 in the cartridge 21 with an area of the chemical 27, later will be flushed of a water plug 103 sucked up from the cistern water due to the negative pressure in the upper part of the dispenser created during the lowering of the water level of the cistern. During the flushing of the area 27 of the chemical block with water plug 103, chemical is liberated from the chemical block to the dispenser 1 along with water that is flushed to the toilet bowl through the opening 48c of the system valve. This flushing only passes to the toilet bowl without passing the water lock, because the chemical flushing only is performed at the end of the flushing. The initiation of the chemical flushing is a result of the water level 59 getting lower than the inlet 12a of the control tube 12, and thereby allowing air into the control tube 12 such that the negative pressure in the dispenser ceases and water column 58 is flushed. In this condition the valve 7 is shut.

Fig. 12 shows a step corresponding to the embodiment for the liquid dispensing shown on fig. 5. The figure shows that the water plug 103 hits the chemical block to liberate chemicals in the dispenser at the same time as already mixed chemical/water is flushed to the toilet bowl. The water cistern 48 lets out water in that the valve of the cistern still is open. At this stage the water level 59 allows air into the tube 12 such that negative pressure 62 of the cylinder ceases. Accordingly the water plug 103 is sucked into and impinging on the cartridge 21 with a chemical block to impinge the area 27 of the chemical block to entrain the solved chemical to the internal volume of the cylinder for preparation of the next flushing to the closet bowl. During this phase, the valve 7 is closed for inlet of air into the cylinder 120.

Fig. 13 shows the filling of the dispenser after use corresponding to fig. 7. During the filling of the cylinder, the air and possibly deodorizers are let, out of the cylinder 58 for liquid and chemical block 22, out of the valve 7. In this phase, the valve 48a, 48b of the cistern is closed, and water is filled into the cistern. The water level 59 will rise in the cistern and in the dispenser until it reaches the maximum level of the cistern. When the water level in the dispenser and in the cistern has stabilized, the valve 8 will be closed such that the chemical block does not dry out. After this step the dispenser will be prepared for the next flushing as shown on fig. 8.

Fig. 14 shows another use of the vacuum control system used in a water cistern for reduced water consumption and possibly for adding chemicals. Fig. 14 shows the water cistern 48 for a toilet seen from above with the ordinary water reservoir 143. An adapter 142 according to the invention is placed in the water reservoir and includes a channel with a smaller volume that has an open end at the bottom and at the top. The bottom is equipped with a seal, preferably a brush seal, denoted as 159 on fig. 15, for slowing the water. The channel 142 encloses the bottom valve 48a, 48b of the water cistern 48. The channel 142 also encloses the dispenser 1 (here shown without a chemical container) in an embodiment where the top valve 7 includes a conical top seat 145, where a ball 148 is resting. This valve substitutes valve 7 with ball 8 shown in the previous embodiments. A tube 12 with a control hose is placed into a vacuum sleeve 147.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of fig. 14 where it is shown various water levels during the emptying of the system to the closet bowl. A release mechanism for flushing 15d is placed through the lid 15E of the system and lifts the valve body 48a from the valve seat 48b for outlet of cistern water to the closet bowl/sewer. During this flushing the water level 156 in the adapter/channel 151 will be reduced faster than the water level 154 that encapsules the channel because of the seal, preferably the brush seal 159, that slows the water from the ordinary cistern 48. The emptying of the channel 151 will create a higher water column 15A in the cylinder 1 because the valve ball 148 will be sucked against the valve seat 145 because the control hose 12 sucks air down to a level 155 where the air is let back into the dispenser when the water level in the cistern becomes lower than the lowermost level of the sleeve 147. When air is let into the sleeve 147, the negative pressure in the dispenser will cease and accelerate the last phase of water to the closet bowl for better flushing of the bowl through an active horizontal flushing in the toilet bowl at the end of the flushing, during the last phase of the flushing to the toilet bowl. Normally the pressure of the flushing is reduced with the water level in the cistern. When the water in the cistern has reached its lowest level, the valve body 48a abuts the valve seat 48b and the cistern is closed for further flushing. Thereafter the level of the cistern is increased to a maximum. The water that was left in the cistern between the adapter and the outer walls of the cistern constitutes the reduced amount of water. After the filling, the level in the dispenser, in the adapter and in the cistern will be same.

Claims

P a t e n t c l a i m s :

. An apparatus for dispensing a liquid, adapted to be placed in a volume of liquid with fluctuating liquid level (59), where the apparatus further more is adapted to dispense liquid only when the fluctuating liquid level

(59) has been reduced to a predetermined level, comprising: a hollow main body (1) with an upper end and a lower end, where the upper end is air sealingly closed (5) and where the lower end (1d) is open into the volume of liquid, and where the main body (1) is adapted to take up a column of liquid (58); a check valve (7) provided at the upper end of the main body (1 ), adapted to release pressure in the cavity of the main body (1 ); and a control channel (12) with an upper end in fluid flowing contact with the cavity of the main body (1) and a lower end in fluid flowing contact with the liquid volume, for controlling a pressure in the main body (1), to control when the liquid is to be dispensed in relation to the liquid level (59) of the liquid volume.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 where the control channel (12) includes two tubes placed one at the outside of the other in a fluid sealed telescopic connection, such that the length of the control channel (12) may be adjusted for adjusting when the apparatus shall dispense in relation to the level of the liquid volume.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a receiving body (2, 21 ) adapted to receive an additive, for dispensing the additive to the liquid column (58) during each dispensing of liquid from the apparatus to the reservoir (48).

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, where the receiving body for additives is adapted for a liquid additive and comprises: a tank (2) for liquid additive, placed in the cavity of the main body (1 ); a dispensing valve (15) for dispensing the additive placed at the lower end of the liquid tank (2); and a channel (3) creating fluid communication between the upper end of the liquid tank (2) and the liquid column (58) of the apparatus.

The apparatus according to claim 4, where the dispensing valve (15) includes: a buoyancy ball (13) with a density giving ball (13) buoyancy in the liquids of the apparatus when this is used; a chamber provided at the lower end of the tank, with a first opening open towards the liquid tank (2) and another opening open towards the liquid column (58), said chamber enclosing the buoyancy ball (13); a first valve seat (14) surrounding the first opening and that is adapted for sealing contact with said buoyancy ball (13); and a second valve seat (18) surrounding the other opening and that is adapted for sealing contact with said buoyancy ball (13).

The apparatus according to claim 4, where the liquid tank (2) is designed as a longitudinal hollow body that is adapted such that it fits in the main body (1) and is provided in said main body (1) such that it is created an annulus (3) between the main body (1) and the liquid tank (2), and where the liquid tank (2) is sealingly secured at the upper end of the main body (1 ), where the upper end of the liquid tank (2), the one way valve (7) and annulus (3) are in fluid communication, where the fluid communication between the liquid (2) and annulus (3) includes a drainage hole (4), said drainage hole (4) being placed over the upper inlet of the control channel (12) such that liquid from the control channel (12) not shall get into the liquid tank (2), and where the liquid tank (2) includes a sealable opening (9) for supply of liquid additives to the liquid tank (2).

The apparatus according to claim 3, where the receiving body (21 ) for the additives is adapted for dispensing solid additive (22), where the receiving body (21) for additives (22) includes an opening that exposes an area (27) of the additive (22), and where the upper end of the control channel (12) is in fluid contact with the cavity of the main body (1 ), and is adapted such that liquid that passes in through the control channel (12), flows over the area (27) of the additive (22), and entrain a metered part of the additive to the liquid column (58).

The apparatus according to claim 1 , adapted to be placed in a water cistern (48), on a water closet with a bottom valve (48a, 48b), an inlet valve and a control mechanism for controlling a liquid level, where the apparatus is adapted for reduced water consumption, furthermore comprising: an adapter (142) adapted to be placed in the cistern (48), formed as a channel, open at the bottom and at the top, with a lower edge and an upper edge, where the channel is adapted to enclose the bottom valve

(48a, 48b), the inlet valve, the control mechanism for controlling the liquid level, in addition to the main body (1) of the apparatus; and a seal (159) for sealing towards the cistern (48) for reducing the flow of liquid from the cistern, provided along the lower edge of the channel.

A method for final flushing of a closet bowl of a water closet with a cistern and a bottom valve (48a, 48b), with an apparatus as defined in claim 1 , comprising: providing an apparatus in the liquid volume with fluctuating liquid level (59) of the cistern, such that the opening of the lower part (1 d) into the liquid volume is placed close to the bottom valve (48a, 48b); filling the cistern with water such that the apparatus is filled to the same level as the water level of the cistern, until a maximum level where the water closet is ready for flushing is reached; opening of the bottom valve (48a, 48b), such that water flows out of the cistern and reduces the water level of the cistern to a first level, while the water level in the apparatus remains substantially at the same level in that negative pressure at the upper end of the apparatus holds the water; and reducing the water level in the cistern to a second level passed the lower end of the control channel (12) such that air is let into the control channel (12) and equalizes the negative pressure at the upper end of the apparatus, such that the water column (58) of the apparatus is flushed out of the opening (1d) and the bottom valve (48a, 48b) with a higher pressure than the pressure of the cistern (48).