WO2024025483A1

WO2024025483A1 - A compact flow regulating assembly for a water closet

Info

Publication number: WO2024025483A1
Application number: PCT/TR2022/050787
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ilker YELKENCI
Original assignee: Iz Yapi Malzeme Ve Ekipmanlari Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2022-07-26
Filing date: 2022-07-26
Publication date: 2024-02-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flow regulating assembly (10) for a water closet (100), comprising a backflow preventer (20) with a water inlet (21) attachable to a first conduit (60a) leading from a flow regulating valve and a water outlet (22) attachable to a second conduit (60b) for conveying the sprayed water; a shower device (11) arranged in a fluid communication with the second conduit (19b); and a main housing (15) for housing the backflow preventer (20) and the shower device (11). The flow regulating assembly (10) advantageously comprises a discharge reservoir (17) with a discharge channel (44) for collecting and discharging leakage from the backflow preventer (20) which is partly inserted into the discharge reservoir (17); and a check valve (40) provided at a channel outlet (45) of the discharge channel (44) for preventing any back flow water and returning.

Description

A COMPACT FLOW REGULATING ASSEMBLY FOR A WATER CLOSET

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flow regulating assembly for use in water closets, which enables the wastewater to be transferred back into the water closet in case of a possible overflow and prevents bacteria and viruses from mixing into clean water.

Background Art

It is well known to provide a shower device in water closets to allow users of a lavatory to cleanse themselves. However, when the water closet is clogged, polluted water may also return from the shower device. One of the problems encountered in the art is that in case of a possible clogging, the backflow water coming from the shower device mixes with the clean water of the system.

Recently, water closets have the safety water standards which require a safety device for safeguarding the usable water network from the ingress of contaminated foul water, which frequently is also simply referred to as "backflow protection". Accordingly, backflow preventers for water closets are provided to prevent the polluted washing water in the WC bowl flow backward to the clean water network.

Using backflow preventers requires a series of differences in the general structure of the water closet, and increases the cost due to their complex structure. Due to these variations and differences, production of the water closets becomes difficult and productivity decreases. Moreover, in order to implement such systems, it is necessary to switch from standard production to a tailor-made one. There is also a need for solutions enabling an effective return of the wastewater to the system in case of a possible overflow, especially in standard-size water closets.

A prior art publication in the technical field of the invention may be referred to as US9909294 (B2), which discloses a backflow inhibitor has a jet nozzle connectable to a flow entrance and has a capture part which captures the liquid jet that passes over a free jet path from the jet nozzle Summary of the Invention

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a flow regulating assembly eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages.

The present invention relates to a flow regulating assembly for a water closet, comprising a backflow preventer with a water inlet attachable to a first conduit leading from a flow regulating valve and a water outlet attachable to a second conduit for conveying the sprayed water; a shower device arranged in fluid communication with the second conduit, and a main housing for housing the backflow preventer and the shower device. The flow regulating assembly advantageously comprises a discharge reservoir with a discharge channel for collecting and discharging leakage from the backflow preventer which is partially inserted into the discharge reservoir, and a check valve provided at a channel outlet of the discharge channel for preventing any backflow water and returning. Thus, mixing of the wastewater coming from the shower device to the main installation is prevented. The returning water is delivered directly and securely to the water closet, and using any other connectors or devices is eliminated. Moreover, the proposed flow regulating assembly is arranged to prevent bacteria and viruses from mixing into the clean water. The flow regulating assembly is arranged to be at least partly placed within a main water intake channel of the water closet; this ensures the ability to adapt to different types of WC seats and/or WC bowls.

In a possible embodiment, the check valve is movable in between an open position in which the check valve is at least partly opened and a closed position in which the check valve fully closes the channel outlet of the discharge channel. This ensures the overflow water is discharged again into the water closet and prevents any fluid in the water closet to flow into the discharge channel.

In a possible embodiment, the check valve is formed as a cover with an attachment portion and is arranged to pivotable movable in a receiving section formed on the main housing. This arrangement offers an easy and quick installation of the check valve.

In a possible embodiment, the receiving section formed as a protrusion having a U-shaped cross-section which is arranged to receive a corresponding pin of the attachment portion of the check valve. Thus, the cover can be easily rotated and kept securely in its housing. In a possible embodiment, the backflow preventer comprises a first portion allowing a unidirectional flow and in communication with the first conduit, a flow chamber through which the flow from the first portion is sprayed, a second portion receiving the sprayed water with a connection end to which the second conduit connected; a leakage outlet disposed under the flow chamber for directing the backflow water coming from the flow chamber to the discharge reservoir. This arrangement prevents wastewater coming from the shower device of the water closet from mixing into the clean water line.

In a possible embodiment, the discharge reservoir has a discharge volume with a predetermined depth and the discharge channel extending along the longitudinal axis of the main housing. This ensures enough capacity to keep the overflow water.

In a possible embodiment, the discharge reservoir has at least one guiding portion formed at the inner wall of the discharge reservoir for guiding at least one guiding protrusion of the backflow preventer. Thus, the backflow preventer is securely aligned.

In a possible embodiment, the main housing has an inner conduit with an inner conduit inlet for receiving and conveying the sprayed water in the backflow preventer and an inner conduit outlet attached to the shower device. So, compact main housing is obtained and the water is securely transferred.

In a possible embodiment, the inner conduit has an L-shaped cross-section and is formed within the main housing. Thus, a compact design is obtained and the water is effectively transferred.

In a possible embodiment, the inner conduit outlet has internal threads for receiving the intermediate connection part to which the shower device is attached. Thus, the shower device is securely attached.

In a possible embodiment, the flow regulating assembly has a cover assembly for covering and positioning the backflow preventer. Thus, the backflow preventer is secured and positioned at the desired location.

In a possible embodiment, the cover assembly has an upper cover part and an attachable lower cover part configured to attach to a WC bowl of the water closet. In a possible embodiment, the lower cover part has at least one upwardly oriented positioning section for positioning the backflow preventer at a predetermined distance with respect to the bottom of the lower cover part such that a flow chamber of the backflow preventer is at least partly inserted arranged within the discharge reservoir of the main housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The flow regulating assembly of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings for better understanding thereof, which drawings are attached for better explaining the present invention and are not limiting the invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a water closet suitable for using a flow regulating assembly according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front exploded view of the water closet with the proposed flow regulating assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear exploded view of the water closet with the proposed flow regulating assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4a is a perspective view of the flow regulating assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4b is an exploded view of the flow regulating assembly show in Fig. 4a, according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5a is a perspective view of a main housing of the flow regulating assembly in which a check valve is a closed position, according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5b is another perspective view of the main housing of the flow regulating assembly in which a check valve is removed from its housing, according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5c is a cross-sectional view of the main housing of the flow regulating assembly, according to the present invention. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the flow regulating assembly attached with a cover assembly, according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the flow regulating assembly with the cover assembly shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8a is a rear view of the flow regulating assembly according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8b is a cross-sectional view of the flow regulating assembly according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9a is a rear perspective view of the water closet in which the flow regulating assembly is attached, according to the present invention.

Fig. 9b is a cross-sectional view of the water closet shown in Fig. 9a.

Fig. 9c is another cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal line of the water closet, according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flow regulating assembly (10) for a water closet (100), comprising a backflow preventer (20) with a water inlet (21) attachable to a first conduit (60a) leading from a flow regulating valve and a water outlet (22) attachable to a second conduit (60b) for conveying the sprayed water; a shower device (11) arranged in fluid communication with the second conduit (60b); and a main housing (15) for housing the backflow preventer (20) and the shower device (11). The flow regulating assembly (10) advantageously comprises a discharge reservoir (17) with a discharge channel (44) for collecting and discharging leakage from the backflow preventer (20) which is partially inserted into the discharge reservoir (17), and a check valve (40) provided at a channel outlet (45) of the discharge channel (44) for preventing any backflow water and returning. In addition, the invention proposes a water closet (100) comprising the flow regulating assembly (10). Thanks to the proposed flow regulating assembly (10), mixing of the wastewater with the clean water coming from a flow regulating valve is prevented in possible overflow situations. The flow regulating assembly (10) has the main housing (15) in which clean water is carried into the toilet and in which the overflowing water is kept and discharged.

Referring to Fig. 5a and 5b, the check valve (40) is movable in between an open position in which the check valve (40) is at least partly opened and a closed position in which the check valve (40) fully closes the channel outlet (45) of the discharge channel (44). Referring to Fig. 5a, the check valve (40) can be formed as a cover with an attachment portion (43) and is arranged to pivotable movable in a receiving section (41) formed on the main housing (15). When overflow water comes through the discharge channel (44), the check valve (40) rotates and the water is discharged. In normal usage, the check valve (40) fully closes the channel outlet (45) and prevents any cleaning water in the water closet (100) comes to the channel outlet (45). The cover is shaped and dimensioned with respect to the channel outlet (45) of the discharge channel (44). Referring to Fig 4b, the cover is in the form of a semilunar with a vertically arranged protrusion. With the help of a pivotable mounted cylindrical pin, the cover can rotate and allows the collected water to pass.

The main housing (15) is configured to place within an existing main water intake channel (103) of the water closet (100). So, the flow regulating assembly (10) requires less complexity and can be implemented in existing water closets (100) easily. The main housing (15) has two main sections, one of them is the discharge channel (44) and the other one is a through hole (13) which is formed under the discharge channel (44) and conveys the cleaning water coming from the clean water network into the water closet (100). The main housing (15) comprises a rear part (16) and a front part (18), both are cylindrically formed and the discharge reservoir (17) is arranged between the rear part (16) and the front part (18). The through-hole (13) extends through the rear part (16) and the front part (18) and opens to the inside of the water closet (100). The through hole (13) has a substantially semilunar cross-section and allows to convey the water to the inside of the water closet (100). The rear part (16) has a greater cylindrical cross-section than the front part (18). The clean water initially enters said rear part (16) and then advances the front part (18) which is arranged in the water closet (100).

The front part (18) has a flattened portion (42) which is flattened with a predetermined width and has a common end with the channel outlet (45). As can be clearly seen in Fig. 5b, the receiving section (41) is formed as a protrusion on the flattened portion (42). The receiving section (41) has a U-shaped cross-section and is arranged to receive a corresponding pin of the attachment portion (43) of the check valve (40).

Referring to Fig. 9b, the clean water firstly comes from the first conduit (60a) to the backflow preventer (20) and is then sprayed. Afterward, the clean water passes the flow chamber and goes through the second conduit (60b) to discharge from the shower device (11). The speed of the water changes depending on the water pressure, and when the water pressure is not enough, all of the clean water may not pass through the flow chamber (24) of the backflow preventer (20). In this case, excess water is poured into the discharge reservoir (17) and then conveyed to the inside of the water closet by opening the check valve (40) provided at the end of the discharge channel (44).

Referring to Fig. 7 and 9b, the backflow preventer (20) comprises a first portion (25) in the water inlet (21) allowing a unidirectional flow and in communication with the first conduit (60a), the flow chamber (24) through which the flow from the first portion (25) is sprayed, a second portion (26) in the water outlet (22) receiving the sprayed water with a connection end (27) to which the second conduit (60b) connected; a leakage outlet (28) disposed under the flow chamber (24) for directing the backflow water coming from the flow chamber (24) to the discharge reservoir (17). Moreover, the discharge reservoir (17) has a discharge volume with a predetermined depth, and the discharge channel (44) extends along the longitudinal axis of the main housing (15).

The present invention proposes different embodiments of the backflow preventer (20). Figs. 4a, 4b, 5a, 8a and 8b show a second embodiment of the flow regulating assembly (10) in which the backflow preventer (20) and the discharge reservoir (17) differ from the first embodiment of the flow regulating assembly (10). In the second embodiment of the invention, the discharge reservoir (17) has at least one guiding portion (17a) formed at the inner wall of the discharge reservoir (17) for guiding at least one guiding protrusion (23) of the backflow preventer (20). Referring to Fig. 4b, 5a and 5b, two opposite inner sidewalls of the discharge reservoir (17) have two vertically arranged protrusions as the guiding portion (17) in which the guiding protrusion (23) is guided in a vertical direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main housing (15). The number of the guiding portion (17a) can be increased. Preferably, the backflow preventer (20) has two oppositely oriented guiding protrusions (23) slidable between the vertically arranged protrusions of the corresponding guiding portion (17). In the first embodiment of the invention, referring to Figs. 1 to 3 and 7 to 9c, the discharge reservoir (17) has no guiding portion (17a) for guiding any guiding protrusion (23) on the main housing (15). In the second embodiment, the backflow preventer (20) comprises the first portion (25) in the water inlet (21) allowing a unidirectional flow and in communication with the first conduit (60a), the flow chamber (24) through which the flow from the first portion (25) is sprayed, the second portion (26) in the water outlet (22) receiving the sprayed water to which the second conduit (60b) connected. The first embodiment of the backflow preventer (20) has the connection end (27) as an extension of the water outlet (22). In the first embodiment, the water inlet (21) extends vertically and has circumferentially arranged threads for connection. In the second embodiment, the water inlet (21) extends horizontally. The first portion (25) is the inner water hole of the water inlet (21) and the second portion (26) is another water hole of the water outlet (22) with varying cross-sections.

The bottom of said flow chamber (24) may be configured to be empty and the flow chamber (24) also comprises a plurality of ventilation holes (29) located on its ceiling in order to regulate the inside pressure. The ventilation holes (29) are preferably arranged in a row on the ceiling of the flow chamber (24). In the preferred embodiment, since the interior volume and the bottom of the flow chamber (24) are empty, the wastewater that will return back flows directly to the lower part, i.e., the discharge reservoir (17), and then conveyed to the inside of the water closet (100). With this arrangement, backflow water is prevented. To restrict contamination with dirt in the interior volume of the flow chamber (24), at least one aeration opening in the form of an aeration slot is also provided in the walls of the flow chamber (24).

Referring to Fig. 9b, in the first embodiment, when the user operates a lever handle (not shown) of the water closet (100) to allow water to flow, clean water first moves through the first conduit (60a) and reaches the water inlet (21) of the backflow preventer (20). After having passed the first portion (25) formed in the water inlet (21), the clean water is sprayed through the flow chamber (24) and reaches the connection end (27) of the water outlet (22) connected to the flow chamber (62) at the opposite end therein. In the second embodiment, referring to Fig. 8a and 8b, the second conduit (60b) is directly connected to the water outlet (22). Then, the water flows through the second conduit (60b) connected with the intermediate connection part (12) leading to the shower device (11) which discharges the water into the water closet (100). The shower device (11) is formed as a bidet spray shower and functions for the anal and/or genital region of the user, and itself has an adjustable spray angle, which is preferably directed upwardly. The shower device (11) has preferably a spring-biased ball with a water channel, and the shower device (11) extends from the main housing (15) to the water closet (100) for supplying clean water to the user.

In order to prevent the contamination of the wastewater into the main installation (the mains water) in case of a possible overflow or due to the opening of the flow regulating assembly (10) during an overflow of the water closet, the flow regulating assembly (60) is provided that prevents the flow passing through the second conduit (60b) from flowing into the first conduit (60a). In case of a possible overflow, the wastewater coming from said second conduit (60b) passes through the connection end (27) and then the flow chamber (24), which is configured to be hollow, and is collected in the discharge reservoir (17) located underneath the flow chamber (24). Advantageously, the discharge channel (44) of the discharge reservoir (17), which preferably has an inclined surface, guides the wastewater so that the collected wastewater is transferred back into the water closet (100).

Referring to Fig. 3, the WC bowl of the water closet (100) has an attachment opening (102) onto which the lower cover part (30) is attached and the flow chamber (24) at least partially passes. When the backflow preventer (20) is placed on the lower cover part (30), the downwardly extending flow chamber (24) passes the attachment opening (102) and is guided within the main housing (15) positioned underside the attachment opening (102).

Referring to Fig. 5c, the main housing (15) has an inner conduit (19) with an inner conduit inlet (19a) for receiving and conveying the sprayed water in the backflow preventer (20) and an inner conduit outlet (19b) in fluid communication with the shower device (11). The inner conduit (19) is arranged in the through-hole (13) of the main housing (15) and has an L-shaped cross-section. Again referring to Fig. 5c, the inner conduit outlet (19b) has internal threads for receiving an intermediate connection part (12) into which the shower device (11) is attached. The intermediate connection part (12) having a plurality of threads is securely connected by rotating in the inner conduit outlet (19b) which is then attached to the shower device (11). A nut (12a) is preferably used on the intermediate connection part (12) to increase connection security therein. The nut (12a) is arranged to rotate on the threads of the intermediate connection part (12).

Referring to Fig. 1 to 3, the flow regulating assembly (10) has a cover assembly (30) for covering and positioning the backflow preventer (20). Said cover assembly (30) has an upper cover part (30a) and an attachable lower cover part (30b) configured to attach to a WC bowl of the water closet (100). The lower cover part (30b) has at least one upwardly oriented positioning section (31) for positioning the backflow preventer (20) at a predetermined distance with respect to the bottom of the lower cover part (30b) such that a flow chamber (24) of the backflow preventer (20) is at least partly inserted arranged within the discharge reservoir (17) of the main housing (15).

In order to fix the flow regulating assembly (10), the lower cover part (30b) is provided with at least one connection hole (32) through which a fastening member (50) can go through and engages with a corresponding attachment hole (101) provided on an upper planar surface of the WC bowl of the water closet (100). Opposite ends of the lower cover part (30b) are provided with the connection holes (32). Each attachment hole (101) has preferably a fastening nut (51) to securely attach the fastening member (50). In an assembly mode after the lower cover part (30b) is securely attached, the backflow preventer (20) is placed on two upwardly oriented C-shaped positioning sections (31) and then the upper cover part (30a) is closed. The C-shaped positioning sections (31) substantially hold the circularly shaped first portion (25) and the second portion (26) of the backflow preventer (20).

Referring to Fig. 9c, the WC bowl of the water closet (100) is provided with a main water intake chamber (103) in order to supply the necessary water into the water closet (100) and the flow regulating assembly (10) is partly inserted to the main water intake chamber (103).

Referring to Fig. 4a and 4b, a hollow cylindrically formed resilient gasket member (14) is provided to obtain fluid tightness between the flow regulating assembly (10) and the water closet (100), especially the main water intake chamber (103). The gasket member (14) has a plurality of circumferentially arranged flexible fins and is preferably placed and encircles the front part (18) of the main housing (15). Referring to Fig. 9a, this gasket member (14) is placed on the front part (18) of the main housing (15) and abuts the main water intake chamber (103) of the water closet (100).

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the water closet (100) has mainly the WC bowl and a closet cover assembly (110) which is hingedly-connected to form a unit which preferably is pivotably-connected to mounting members therein. The closet cover assembly (100) has a pivotably-connected cover lid (111) and a cover seat (112). In the closed position, the cover lid (111) is arranged to rest on top of the cover seat (112).

It is possible for the parts of the flow regulating assembly (10) to be produced as a separate component and to subsequently be fastened retroactively. The proposed flow regulating assembly (10) is configured to be suitable for use in sanitary furniture items, preferably water closets (100) and even preferably wall-hung water closets.

Reference list:

10. Flow regulating assembly

11. Shower device

12. Intermediate connection part

12a. Nut

13. Through-hole

14. Gasket member

15. Main housing

16. Rear part

17. Discharge reservoir

18. Front part

19. Inner conduit

19a. Inner conduit inlet

19b. Inner conduit outlet

20. Backflow preventer

21. Water inlet

22. Water outlet

23. Guiding protrusion

24. Flow chamber 25. First portion

26. Second portion

27. Connection end

28. Leakage outlet

29. Ventilation hole

30. Cover assembly

30a. Upper cover part

30b. Lower cover part

31. Positioning section

32. Connection hole

40. Check valve

41. Receiving section

42. Flattened portion

43. Attachment portion

44. Discharge channel

45. Channel outlet

50. Fastening member

51. Fastening nut

60a. First conduit

60b. Second conduit

100. Water closet

101. Attachment hole

102. Attachment opening

103. Main water intake channel

110. Closet cover assembly

111. Cover lid

112. Cover seat

Claims

1. A flow regulating assembly (10) for a water closet (100), comprising: a backflow preventer (20) with a water inlet (21) attachable to a first conduit (60a) leading from a flow regulating valve and a water outlet (22) attachable to a second conduit (60b) for conveying the sprayed water; a shower device (11) arranged in fluid communication with the second conduit (19b); and a main housing (15) for housing the backflow preventer (20) and the shower device (11) characterized in that the main housing (15) comprises: a discharge reservoir (17) with a discharge channel (44) for collecting and discharging leakage from the backflow preventer (20) which is partially inserted into the discharge reservoir (17); and a check valve (40) provided at a channel outlet (45) of the discharge channel (44) for preventing any backflow water and returning the leakage from the backflow preventer (20) into the water closet (100).

2. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the check valve (40) is movable in between an open position in which the check valve (40) is at least partly opened and a closed position in which the check valve (40) fully closes the channel outlet (45) of the discharge channel (44).

3. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to claim 2, wherein the check valve (40) is formed as a cover with an attachment portion (43) and is arranged to pivotable movable in a receiving section (41) formed on the main housing (15).

4. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein the receiving section (41) formed as a protrusion having a U-shaped cross-section which is arranged to receive a corresponding pin of the attachment portion (43) of the check valve (40).

5. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the backflow preventer (20) comprises a first portion (25) allowing a unidirectional flow and in communication with the first conduit (60a), a flow chamber (24) through which the flow from the first portion (25) is sprayed, a second portion (26) receiving the sprayed water with a connection end (27) to which the second conduit (60b) connected; a leakage outlet (28) disposed under the flow chamber (24) for directing the backflow water coming from the flow chamber (24) to the discharge reservoir (17).

6. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge reservoir (17) has a discharge volume with a predetermined depth and the discharge channel (44) extending along the longitudinal axis of the main housing (15).

7. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge reservoir (17) has at least one guiding portion (17a) formed at the inner wall of the discharge reservoir (17) for guiding at least one guiding protrusion (23) of the backflow preventer (20).

8. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main housing (15) has an inner conduit (19) with an inner conduit inlet (19a) for receiving and conveying the sprayed water in the backflow preventer (20) and an inner conduit outlet (19b) attached to the shower device (11).

9. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to claim 8, wherein the inner conduit (19) has a L-shaped cross-section and is formed within the main housing (15).

10. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the inner conduit outlet (19b) has internal threads for receiving the intermediate connection part (12) into which the shower device (11) is attached.

11. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow regulating assembly (10) has a cover assembly (30) for covering and positioning the backflow preventer (20).

12. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to claim 11, wherein the cover assembly (30) has an upper cover part (30a) and an attachable lower cover part (30b) configured to attach to a WC bowl of the water closet (100).

13. The flow regulating assembly (10) according to claim 12, wherein the lower cover part (30b) has at least one upwardly oriented positioning section (31) for positioning the backflow preventer (20) at a predetermined distance with respect to the bottom of the lower cover part (30b) such that a flow chamber (24) of the backflow preventer (20) is at least partly inserted arranged within the discharge reservoir (17) of the main housing (15).

14. A water closet (100) comprising: a WC bowl; a pivotably connected closet cover assembly (110); and the flow regulating assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. The water closet (100) according to claim 14, wherein the main housing (15) of the flow regulating assembly (10) is arranged within a main water intake channel (103) of the water closet (100).