WO2009068757A1

WO2009068757A1 - Selective flushing device for bathrooms and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2009068757A1
Application number: PCT/FR2007/001979
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stéphane AUFFRAY
Original assignee: Societe Nouvelle Mpmp Sanitaire
Priority date: 2007-11-30
Filing date: 2007-11-30
Publication date: 2009-06-04

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for flushing toilets, that comprises: an assembly means (2) for controlling the volume of water released (3); and a valve assembly means (4), the latter being connected to the assembly means (2) for controlling the water volume released, wherein the assembly means (2) for controlling the water volume released includes a plurality of indexation assembly means (6, 5, 12), that can be connected together so that a predetermined index corresponds to a predetermined water volume that can be released.

Description

Selective sanitary emptying device and its use

The present invention relates to devices and methods of emptying in the field of toilets or sanitary. It will be more specifically exemplified by referring to a flush system for discharging the water contained in a tank. Flush mechanisms or systems for toilets, for example, are well known. Currently, there are basically four types of mechanisms:

- pull-trigger mechanisms, probably the most commonly used, in French-speaking countries, and this for a long time;

- tactile or sensitive trigger mechanisms, often based on an electrical mechanism;

- electric photo trigger mechanisms; and finally

- flush mechanisms push button (s).

Devices incorporating mechanisms with tactile trigger, photoelectric or with pushbuttons allow to choose to evacuate two volumes of water, namely, a relatively small volume, for example, about 3 liters, and a volume relatively important, for example, of the order of 6 liters respectively. At present, devices incorporating a pull tab system do not make such a choice, the release of water being done at once or in nothing, which amounts to release a relatively large volume of water. Depending on the sensitivity of the operator, it is still possible to vary this volume manually or "to the touch" with a device incorporating a pull mechanism, but in this case the user has no real idea of the volume of liberated water, being then obliged to be guided by his impressions, and especially has no reproducible and sure control. The device incorporating a pull mechanism is naturally cheap because it is much easier to set up and operate compared to the other three mechanisms. Its operating principle is substantially based on a rod that is pulled vertically, and which controls a valve that rises and falls once the empty tank. The rod can therefore naturally be thin in diameter, because its only purpose is the movement of traction. This allows to adapt this mechanism on tanks with a fine orifice, at the tank lid. While the other mechanisms therefore make it possible to control the volume of water released, and thus comply with new environmental constraints, particularly with regard to use in toilets or toilets, this is not the case with the current devices incorporating a pull mechanism.

At no time has the person skilled in the art attempted to improve the basic pull-cord device and has therefore not been subject to any improvement and / or evolution. It has therefore moved towards more complex and therefore more expensive devices that allow today to choose between two volumes of water to evacuate.

As a result, manufacturers, plumbers, and even end-users today tend to source and use other devices than those incorporating a pull mechanism, which, although much more expensive, can meet new environmental standards, and therefore abandoned the pull mechanisms.

Apart from the cost, the push-button or photo-electric or sensitive devices require a knob-hole larger in diameter than the pull mechanisms, and therefore can not adapt to all the tanks, and also require a mounting much more complex than the pull mechanisms. In view of all the drawbacks mentioned above, there is a real need to develop a draining device, incorporating a zipper mechanism, compact, and may have a system for choosing the volume of water discharged from the tank, so to better respect the constraints of the new environmental standards, while avoiding being obliged to modify the entire sanitary installation.

Thus, the subject of the present invention is a device for emptying a water pack, comprising:

means forming a control assembly of the volume of water released; and

means forming a valve assembly, the latter being connected to the means forming the control assembly of the volume of water released, in which the means forming the control assembly of the volume of water released comprise means forming a set indexable to each other, so that a predetermined index corresponds to a predetermined volume of water that can be released.

In a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, the means forming the control assembly of the released volume of water comprise a control rod that can move substantially vertically, and which is connected to gripping means , preferably in its proximal part. The expression "substantially vertical" should be understood here and everywhere in the present description and claims to mean that the rod can shift slightly laterally with respect to the axis of descent and ascent, depending of course on the pressure or traction exerted by the user or the mechanical clearance between the various parts with which the rod is in contact or comes into contact. Although a rod is preferred, it is quite possible to use something else having substantially the same operating capacity, for example a chain, or wire, which will be stretched by the weight of a part of the valve assembly connected thereto. From the foregoing, it will be understood that the control rod, or its functional equivalent, is connected in one way or another, preferably in its distal part, by means enabling it to connect or be connected to the means of the valve assembly. Therefore, and in the case of the control rod, it is preferably provided in its distal portion of a notched zone. The manner in which this notched zone operates with the means forming the valve assembly will be described later.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gripping means are selected from the group consisting of a ring, a button, a chain, a bracelet, a pusher, and the like. Preferably, however, the gripping means consist of a button, or a wrist, for example of round, spherical or substantially frustoconical shape. As mentioned above, the control rod is connected to the gripping means. Thus, and in a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control rod is connected to the gripping means by screwing one into the other, or vice versa. This means that either the rod has a threaded end, and the knob of a tapped bore, or the opposite, that is to say that the gripping means are provided with a thread and the stem of a threaded bore, allowing the two elements to be connected by screwing. However, it should be understood that any other form of connection between the control rod and the gripping means are also possible.

Even more preferably, the control rod and the gripping means comprise locking means from one to the other, preventing the control rod from disengaging from the gripping means and vice versa. Taking the case where the rod is threaded, it has at its proximal end, a stop formed in the mass of the rod, for example in the form of lug or small projection. The gripping means, for example a button or wrist, may thus comprise a counter stop, also formed in the mass of the material of the button, or optionally reported, and which may take the form of a small recess or housing whose dimensions correspond to those of the lug or small projection of the control rod. When screwing for example the rod in the button, the lug will be taken in the housing and thus transmit a clear resistance to the hand rotation of the fitter of the device, and which will prevent further screwing. At the same time, the blockage caused will prevent a user from disassembling the button of the control rod. Particularly advantageously, the means forming the control assembly of the released water volume further comprise a cup and means for fixing the latter against the lid of a flush tank, the cup and the fastening means being traversed by the control rod. In this configuration, it is even more preferable that the cup has an external thread adapted to receive the fastening means by screwing or clipping. Thus, it has been found to be relatively advantageous when the fastening means are selected from the group consisting of a nut, a lock nut, a spring clip, a spring washer, or the like. In this way, the fastening means, for example, a nut, are simply screwed, or else clipped by elastic engagement, on the external thread of the cup, and holds the cup and the button on the other side of the cover of the cup. flush tank.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment, the gripping means, for example a button or wrist, has on its distal portion positioning means, for example, two triangular elements projecting downwards or towards the distal end of the button, and whose movement is guided inside the cup by a groove, substantially annular, also placed inside the cup in its proximal portion. Indeed, this combination of positioning means on the button, on the one hand, and grooves on the cup, on the other hand, will facilitate the positioning of the button when it is rotated by the user, and thus allow to define the choice of the volume of water to be released, as will be explained in the detailed description, because the positioning means slide in the groove, until one reaches an indexed position.

Speaking of indexing, the invention provides, in fact, that several elements of the device are grouped together to form indexing means, connectable to each other, and comprising:

- A projection, provided in the control rod, housing in a corresponding distal recess in the gripping means, or vice versa;

- Another projection, substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the control rod, and mounted on the same rod, or an integral part thereof; and

a control rod stroke stopping element defining at least one housing for said substantially orthogonal protrusion, attached to the cup, the indexing assembly thereby defining at least two predetermined positions of the control rod, which correspond respectively to at least two different volumes of water that can be released.

It is understood that the stopping element of the race prevents the control rod from being raised higher than necessary, on the one hand, but also makes it possible to define a running height of the stem corresponding to a first volume of water to be released, for example 6 liters, and a stroke height corresponding to the release of another volume of water, ie half of the total volume, that is to say 3 liters. Thus, it is preferable that the first housing of the stop element of the stroke of the control rod comprises a means for guiding the projection, and a reversible resilient setting means for firstly guiding and then temporarily maintaining said projection. Indeed, when pulling on the control rod upwards, depending on the rotation of the gripping means connected to the rod and the positioning means described above, the stroke of the rod will stop at several different heights, and will be taken or not in the housing provided by the stop element.

The first housing defines a depth such that the continuation of the stroke of the control rod to its stop in the first housing releases a large volume of water and preferably the entire tank. Thus, by turning the gripping means so as to rotate the indexed rod and thus present the projection in the first housing, it enters and comes into abutment. The protrusion which enters the first housing is first guided by the guiding means and then taken, for example by "tongs" or by elastic engagement, by means of suitable elastic engagement, for example two slightly curved hooks which have been dimensioned in thickness and radius of curvature to take the substantially orthogonal projection while the larger volume of water is evacuated. Once this large volume of water released, the weight of a portion of the means forming the valve assembly, connected to the control rod, and the effect of gravity, will force the rod and this part to fall back , and the force induced by its weight and the height of the fall will be greater than that retaining the orthogonal projection in elastic engagement.

Preferably, the second housing of the stop member is disposed 180 ° relative to the first housing of said stop member. The second housing defines a stop position of the stroke of the rod which therefore allows the user to release a small volume of water contained in the tank, for example 3 liters, because this second housing is not necessarily provided. elastic means, simply a recess allowing the control rod to continue its travel at its maximum height. As has been said above, the means forming the control assembly and the means forming the valve assembly are preferably interconnected by the control rod. Preferably, the control rod is connected in its distal portion to the valve assembly through a stem member located on a proximal end of the valve assembly. This rod-holder element is preferably substantially annular in shape, so that it can be fixed on an element called a float. The rod holder provides a throttle allowing it to receive the control rod, and thus to fix the height of the control rod in the device by abutment with a notch provided in the notched zone of the control rod. Even more preferably, the throttle is provided with an escape recess allowing the control rod to escape the throttling when the latter is off-axis. This facilitates the maintenance of the device, and allows a user to inspect and remove, if necessary, for whatever reason, the cover in which are taken the rod, the gripping means, the cup, the fixing means, and the stop element of the race. Thus, it suffices for the user to misalign the control rod and push it into the escape recess to pull out said rod from the valve assembly.

It has already been mentioned above that the means forming the valve assembly comprise a float. It was discovered by the Applicant that it was particularly advantageous if the distal end of the float was truncated, compared to conventional floats. This option is therefore preferred because it allows the remaining water in the flush tank to at least partially return to the float through the air pressure exerted on the water in the tank, when the control rod and the substantially orthogonal projection are in the first housing or the second housing. Thus, the float is ballasted by a portion of the water, and facilitates, under the effect of gravity, on the one hand, and against the thrust of the displacement of water according to the principle of Archimedes, the fall of the float when the rod is located in the second housing, and the stall of the substantially orthogonal projection of the hooks provided in the first housing, thereby accelerating the fall of the rod and the repositioning of the float on the seat of the flush.

In order to ensure the sealing of the system, when the float is in the seated position in the flush, the means forming the valve assembly further comprise at least one seal on which the float sits. Preferably, this seal has been modified compared to conventional joints of the market so as to be thicker, and more elastic, to better deform and marry the float in the rest position. The device according to the invention may be made of any suitable material. However, in view of the wet or even submerged environment, in which the components and various elements of the device must be functional, the applicant has chosen to preferentially select plastic materials selected from the group consisting of polyoxymethylenic or polybutylene polymers. -Terephthalic, which show superior resistance to wear and swelling or softening in such environments.

Also preferably, all the elements constituting the device can be disassembled with respect to each other, which facilitates the maintenance of the various components. Furthermore, another object of the invention is a method of draining a controlled and predetermined volume of water, comprising the steps of:

- select a first volume of water to release;

actuating a control rod for releasing the volume of water, said rod being integrated into a device for draining water;

- Release said control rod so as to stop the discharge of water, and wherein the selection step has the effect of limiting the height of the control rod, thus defining the volume to be released. Preferably, the method may be completed by at least one additional step consisting of:

- select a second volume of water to release;

- Operate said control rod to position it in a different position from the first selection, and thus define a second volume of water to be released;

- release said control rod.

It can be seen from all the above that it is quite possible to provide several different positions, depending on the volume or volumes of water that you want to release successively. For example, according to other possible and preferred embodiments, the stop element may comprise two, three, four elastic engagement means, arranged at two, three, or four different heights, with for example, a means on each face, if you want to get two, three, four choices of volume to drain.

It is also possible, in other embodiments, to replace the functional combination "substantially orthogonal projection" and "elastic setting means", by any other system resulting in the same desired effects, namely the temporary maintenance of the rod. command in a first, second or nth position.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a general schematic view of the device according to the invention and the various elements of the component.

Figure 2 shows three different schematic views, namely 2A, 2B and 2C means forming the control assembly, each represents these means in a different position. Figure 3 is another schematic view of the device according to the invention placed in a tank filled with water.

Figure 4 is another schematic view of the device according to the invention in which the tank is only half filled, the device having been operated so as to drain only half of the water contained in the tank.

Figure 5 is yet another schematic view of the device according to the present invention in which the reservoir is empty, that is to say that the device has been actuated so as to empty all the amount of water contained therein.

Figure 6 comprises three schematic views 6A, 6B, 6C, showing the stopping element of the stroke of the control rod in the device according to the present invention.

Figure 7 has two schematic views 7A and 7B, showing the rod holder of the present invention.

Figure 8 has two schematic views 8A and 8B; Figure 8A is an enlarged view of the proximal end of the control rod, while 8B is a partially cutaway and enlarged view of the gripping means.

Detailed Description and Example

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the device generally indicated by the reference (1) is a flushing device which comprises a control unit (2) of water volume released and a set of valve (4). The control assembly (2) comprises an indexing assembly comprising a control rod (5) connected to a grip button (6) at its proximal end, and a substantially orthogonal projection (12) adapted in shape and dimensions for operate with a stop element (13) connected to a threaded cup (8), for example by screwing or clipping. The elements (5, 6, 12) are all physically indexed with each other. other, so that from the handle (6) can control the position of the control rod (5), as well as that of the projection (12). The indexing assembly (5, 6, 12) defines, in this preferred embodiment, two predetermined positions located 180 ° from each other, which correspond to two different volumes of water that can be released. The control rod, on its distal portion comprises a notched portion (19) defined by a stop (29) which allows to fix said rod (5) to a rod-shaped holder (30). The button (6) comprises on its proximal portion a display element (26) for correctly identifying the position of the button. The control assembly also comprises a nut (9) which is screwed onto the external thread (28) of the cup (8). This nut is used to lock the device (1) in position at the tank lid. The valve assembly (4) thus comprises the above-mentioned rod holder (30), which is attached to a float (23). The latter rests in and on a seat member (47) having in particular a seal (25), to seal the tank. The float (23) includes in its distal portion, a truncated portion (24) adapted to allow water in the reservoir to enter the float from below.

Figure 2 shows only the control element (2) in three different positions. FIG. 2A shows the control element in a position in which the projection (12) is located in the stop element (13) at the second housing which does not have a resilient engaging element. This position allows you to drain about three liters of water. It is also noted in this figure that the control rod (5) comprises a threaded proximal portion (31), which allows to screw said rod (5) into the gripping button (6). The gripping button (6) also has two projections extending substantially downwards, and in this embodiment, substantially triangular (7, T). Of course, other forms of projections would be conceivable, for example, square or rectangular. Projections are studied shaped and dimensioned to fit a substantially annular groove (32) provided in the proximal portion of the cup (8). These means (7, 7 'and 32) make it possible to correctly guide the button (6) until the user reaches one of the two indexed positions. This FIG. 2A also makes it possible to observe well the notched distal portion (18) of the control rod, comprising a plurality of notches (21) in order to facilitate the adjustment and positioning of the control assembly (2) in The reservoir. FIG. 2B shows the same elements as those referenced in FIG. 2A, but this time, the control element is placed in the so-called rest position, that is to say that the gripping means has not yet been actuated. Figure 2C also shows the same elements as Figure 2A, but in another position. Indeed, in this position, the projection is positioned at 180 ° with respect to the position mentioned in FIG. 2A, that is to say that it is placed in the first housing of the stop element (13). ) having the elastic gripping elements. In this configuration, the volume of water drained is about six liters.

FIG. 3 shows the device (1) positioned in a reservoir (33) comprising a cover (34), said cover being placed between the threaded cup (8) and the nut (9) screwed onto the threaded portion (28) of said cup. This figure also shows a secondary device (35) said filling well known to those skilled in the art, for entering the water into the tank (33). This secondary device (35) comprises a water inlet (36) regulated by a valve (37). The device (35) also comprises a float (38) comprising an obstructing element (39) abutting against the water inlet to block the filling of the tank, once the water level (3) desired maximum (six liters) is reached. This figure 3 shows the tank filled with water, that is to say that the actuation of the device (1) has not been carried out yet. FIG. 4 shows the device (1) in the same reservoir as that described in FIG. 3, after activation of said device. In this figure, we have represented the protrusion (12) aligned with the second housing of the stop member (13), indicating that the user has chosen to drain only three liters. Indeed, it is noted that the water level (3) is substantially divided by two compared to that observed in Figure 3.

FIG. 5 shows the device 1 in the same reservoir as that described in FIG. 3, after activation of said device. In this figure, we have shown the projection (12) aligned with the first housing of the stop element (13), indicating that the user has chosen to drain the entire tank (about six liters), since It is observed that almost all the volume of water that was visible in Figure 3 has disappeared. Figure 6 shows three different views of the stop member (13). Figure 6A shows the stop element in front view where the second housing (15) is clearly visible. The guide element (16) is also observed, which makes it possible to correctly guide the projection in the stop element. Figure 6B shows the same stop element in rear view, where the first housing is visible. This housing comprises elastic gripping means which are slightly curved hooks (17, 17 ') for temporarily holding the projection (12) in the stop element (13). Figure 6C shows the stop element in cross-sectional view along the line A-A comprising the same elements defined above.

Figure 7 which consists of Figures 7A and 7B, shows the rod holder (30) according to the present invention. The rod holder (30) includes a ring-shaped flange (39) adapted to be attached to the proximal portion of the float. Three arms (40, 40 'and 40 ") create a throttle (20) which will be used to receive the control rod (5) at one of the notches (21) of the notched zone (19). This constriction is provided with an escape recess (22) allowing the control rod (5) to escape the throttling when the latter is off-axis. This allows in particular to be able to mount or dismount the control assembly, while it is normally taken through the nut with the tank lid. Figure 8 which consists of Figures 8A and 8B shows the locking means (10, 11). Figure 8A shows the proximal end of the control rod (5). This therefore comprises a threaded portion (31), a flange (41) delimiting the threaded portion. This flange comprises a locking means (11) consisting of two stops (42, 42 ') separated from each other by a recess (43). The stop (42) also includes a guide slope (44).

Figure 8B shows the distal end of the grip button (6). This end has a tapped bore (46) adapted to receive the proximal end of the control rod (5). On the flange (48) thereof, blocking means (10) complementary to that shown in Figure 8A is present. This locking means is a projection (45) of dimensions adapted to the recess (43) of Figure 8A. Thus, when the user screws the control rod (5) in the plug (6) (or vice versa), the projection (45) will meet the guide slope (44) allowing him to access the recess ( 43) in which the projection (45) will be blocked, making subsequent screwing and unscrewing difficult or impossible. This allows in particular in the school environment, or others, to prevent someone from being able to easily disassemble the device, or at least to prevent a user from disassembling the button (6) of the control rod (5). In order to activate the device (1), the user places the gripping button (6) in the desired position according to the volume of water that he wishes to drain (three liters or six liters), the two positions being at 180 ° from each other. Once this choice is made, the user pulls up the button (6), which causes the substantially vertical displacement of the control rod (5), and therefore the projection (12), which itself causes the valve assembly (2), since the rod holder (30) is attached to said control rod (5) at a notch (21), thereby releasing some or all of the present water in the tank (33). Once the volume of water is drained, the device will fall and the low position of the float (38) of the secondary device (35) causes the refilling of the reservoir, which once filled will be ready for a new use. This drop of the device, whatever the chosen indexed position, is accelerated by the fact that a portion of the water provided in the reservoir has penetrated into the float (23) by its truncated portion. Indeed, this action adds weight to the entire device. When the protrusion (12) is held by the curved hooks (17, 17 ') in the housing (14), this weight added to that of the device causes the stall to protrude when the reservoir is empty. In the case where the projection (12) is in the housing (15) opposite, this weight added to that of the device accelerates the fall of the device: it is thanks to this action that only three liters of water are removed, since the float falls before all the water in the tank has been released.

The invention also covers all the embodiments and all the applications which will be directly accessible to the person skilled in the art upon reading the present application, and of his own knowledge.

Claims

Flushing device (1), comprising:

means forming a control assembly (2) of the released volume of water (3); and

means forming a valve assembly (4), the latter being connected to the means forming the control assembly (2) of the volume of water released, in which the means forming the control assembly (2) of the volume of water water released comprises means forming an indexing assembly (6, 5, 12) connectable to each other, so that a predetermined index corresponds to a predetermined volume of water that can be released.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means forming the control assembly (2) of the volume of water released comprises a control rod (5) can move substantially vertically, and connected to gripping means (6).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the gripping means (6) are selected from the group consisting of a ring, a button, a chain, a bracelet, a pusher, and the like.

4. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control rod (5) is connected to the gripping means (6) by screwing one into the other, or vice versa .

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the control rod (5) and the gripping means (6) comprise locking means (10, 11) from one into the other, preventing the rod control (5) to disengage from the gripping means (6) and vice versa.

6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means forming the control assembly of the released water volume further comprises a cup (8) and means fixing the latter against the lid (34) of a tank (33 = flush, the cup and the fastening means being traversed by the control rod (5).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gripping means (6) has on its distal positioning means projecting downwards, (7 and T) which are guided inside. a groove (32) placed in the cup (8).

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the cup comprises an external thread adapted to receive the fastening means (9) by screwing or clipping.

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the fastening means (9) are selected from the group consisting of a nut, a lock nut, a snap clip, a spring washer, or the like.

The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means forming the indexing assembly and connected to each other comprise:

- a projection (45) provided in a distal end of the gripping means (6) accommodating in a recess (43) of a proximal end of the corresponding control rod (5), or vice versa;

- a projection (12), substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the control rod, and mounted on the same rod; and

- a stop element (13) of the stroke of the control rod (5) defining at least one housing (14, 15) for said projection (12) substantially orthogonal, fixed to the cup (8), all indexing device (6, 5, 12) thus defining at least two predetermined positions of the control rod (5), which respectively correspond to at least two different volumes of water that can be released.

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first housing (14) of the stop element (13) of the stroke of the control rod (5) comprises a guide means (16) of the protrusion (12), and a resilient setting means (17, 17 ') reversible for first guide, then temporarily maintain said projection (12).

12. Device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the second housing (15) of the stop element (13) is arranged at 180 ° relative to the first housing of said stop element, and this second housing defines a depth such that the continuation of the stroke of the control rod (5) until it stops in this second housing releases the second predetermined volume of water.

13. Device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the control rod (5) is provided in its distal portion (18) of a notched zone (19).

14. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means forming the control assembly (2) and the means forming the valve assembly (4) are interconnected by the control rod (5).

Device (1) according to claim 14, wherein the control rod (5) is connected in its distal portion (18) to the valve assembly (4) via a rod-holder member (30). ), located on a proximal end of the valve assembly.

16. Device (1) according to claim 15, wherein the rod-carrying member comprises a constriction (20) for fixing the height of the control rod (5) in the device by abutment with a notch (21). ) provided in the notched zone (19) of the control rod (6).

17. Device (1) according to claim 16, wherein the throat (20) is provided with an escape recess (22) allowing the control rod to escape the throttle when the latter is off-axis.

The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means forming the valve assembly comprises a float (23) whose distal end (24) is truncated.

19. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means forming the valve assembly (4) comprise at least one seal (25), on which comes to sit the float (23) after release of a volume of predetermined water.

20. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein all the constituent elements are composed of plastic materials selected from the group consisting of polyoxymethylene polymers or polybutylene terephthalic.

21. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein all the constituent elements are removable from each other.

A method of draining a controlled and predetermined water volume, comprising the steps of:

- select a first volume of water to release;

- Release said control rod so as to stop the discharge of water, and wherein the selection step has the effect of temporarily limiting the height of the control rod, thus defining the volume to be released.

23. Method according to the preceding claim, which is completed by at least one additional step consisting of:

- select a second volume of water to release;

- release said control rod.