PRIMED SIPHONIC FLUSH TOILET

Abstract

A siphonic flush toilet includes a tank adapted to hold flush water which includes a jet opening and a rim opening. A bowl assembly is also included which has a bowl with a rim conduit connected to the rim opening and a jet feed connected to the jet opening. A rim trap assembly is connected to a flush valve and opening of the flush valve allows flush water to enter the rim conduit and the jet feed. Closure of the flush valve stops flush water from entering the rim conduit and the jet feed while retaining flush water in the rim trap assembly to maintain a prime within the connected jet feed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a flush toilet that utilizes a jet feed conduit to deliver flush water that evacuates waste from a toilet bowl. More particularly, the present invention relates to a primed siphonic flush toilet with a fully primed jet feed conduit and a partially primed rim feed conduit.

BACKGROUND

Conventional toilets are configured with a storage tank that collects an amount of flush water that is supplied from a water main or water supply line, as needed. Upon the actuation of a lever or other control mechanism; a valve, such as a flapper valve, is opened and the collected flush water is released from the tank into a bowl. As a result of this release of collected flush water, solid and/or liquid waste material is evacuated out of the bowl, through a drain trap and carried away to an appropriate septic or sewage treatment facility.

In a siphonic toilet, the trapway and other hydraulic channels are designed such that a siphon is initiated in the trapway upon addition of water to the bowl from the tank. The siphon tube itself is an upside down U-shaped tube that draws water from the toilet bowl to the wastewater line. When the flush cycle is initiated, water flows into the bowl and spills over a weir in the trapway faster than it can exit the outlet to the sewer line. Sufficient air is eventually removed from a down leg of the trapway to initiate a siphon which in turn pulls the remaining water out of the bowl. The water level in the bowl when the siphon breaks is consequently well below the level of the weir, and a separate mechanism needs to be provided to refill the bowl of the toilet at the end of the siphonic flush cycle to reestablish the original water level and protective “seal” against back flow of sewer gas.

Many designs have been utilized to accomplish the delivery of the flush water from the tank into the bowl. For example, one approach of flush water delivery divides the flush water into two portions as it enters the bowl via a distributional manifold. In this approach, one portion of flush water is routed via a rim conduit to rim ports disposed in a rim section that circumscribes the upper perimeter of the bowl. A second portion of the flush water is routed through a jet feed conduit or passage to a jet feed port/hole or siphon jet that is positioned within the lower section of the toilet bowl. The jet feed conduit is typically positioned so that it substantially opposes a waste drain outlet into which the solid/liquid waste material exits the bowl; however, it may be located in any desired position. Thus, the flush water received in the rim conduit cleans the wall of the bowl and is combined in the bowl with the flush water delivered by the jet feed conduit. This combined flush water fills the toilet bowl and enters the waste drain outlet, which raises the water level in a waste trap with a velocity or rate sufficient to create the aforementioned siphoning effect in the toilet bowl. As a result, the flush water and any solid/liquid waste material is drawn out of the bowl into the waste drain outlet and through the waste trap, whereupon it is delivered to a septic or sewer facility.

Although splitting the flush water into two different conduits is effective in removing waste and keeping a bowl relatively clean, it is believed that further improvements can be made. In particular, it is desired to improve the performance of the jet feed so as to improve the cleansing function during flushing without sacrificing flush performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a primed siphonic flush toilet.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a siphonic flush toilet comprising a tank which is adapted to hold flush water, the tank having a jet opening and a rim opening, a bowl assembly having a bowl with a rim conduit connected to the rim opening and a jet feed connected to the jet opening, and a rim trap assembly connected to a flush valve, wherein opening of the flush valve allows flush water to enter the rim conduit and the jet feed, and wherein closure of the flush valve stops flush water from entering the rim conduit and the jet feed while retaining flush water in the rim trap assembly to maintain a prime within the connected jet feed.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a siphonic flush toilet, comprising a tank having a jet opening and a rim opening and maintaining flush water therein, a rim trap assembly maintained within the tank, the rim trap assembly having a dual inlet pipe, the dual inlet pipe having a valve seat with a jet water inlet at one end and a jet water outlet at an opposite end, the jet water outlet connected to the jet opening, the dual inlet pipe also having a rim trapway with a rim water inlet at one end maintained within the dual inlet pipe and a rim water outlet at an opposite end, the rim water outlet connected to the rim opening, a flush valve normally closed on the valve seat, and a bowl assembly having a rim feed connected to the rim opening and a jet feed connected to the jet opening, wherein opening of the flush valve retains flush water in at least the dual inlet pipe and the jet feed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the objects, techniques and structure of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a primed siphonic flush toilet in a starting point condition according to the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rim trap assembly utilized in the primed siphonic flush toilet according to the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a primed siphonic flush toilet in a flush-started condition according to the concepts of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a primed siphonic flush toilet in a flush-completed condition according to the concepts of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that a primed siphonic flush toilet is designated generally by the numeral 10. As is common with most flush toilets, a tank 12 is connected to a water supply 14 so that the tank receives and dispenses flush water as will become apparent as the description proceeds. An actuator 16, which may be hand operated but could also be sensor operated, is used to initiate a flush cycle which will also be discussed in detail. The actuator 16 is connected to a lift arm 20 which links the actuator to one end of a chain 22 wherein an opposite end of the chain 22 is connected to a flush valve 24. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the actuator 16 is maintained externally of the tank for access by the user and that appropriate fixtures link the actuator to the lift arm which is maintained within the tank. The flush valve 24 may also be referred to as a flapper valve.

A float 26 may be associated with the chain but may also be associated elsewhere within the tank so as to monitor the water level within the tank. As is well understood in the art, when the float drops below a predetermined level, the water supply 14 starts filling the tank 12 with flush water through a valve (not shown) until such a time that the float 26 returns to the predetermined level, whereupon the flow of water into the tank is stopped.

A rim trap assembly 30, which is best seen in FIG. 2, is associated with the tank 12 and controls the outflow of water from the tank. The tank 12 may provide on a bottom or lowermost surface a jet opening 32 and a rim opening 34. Both the jet opening 32 and the rim opening 34 are coupled to the rim trap assembly 30. The openings 32 and 34 may be spaced apart from one another but are typically maintained in relative close proximity to each other. Operation of the rim trap assembly 30 will be discussed as the description proceeds.

A bowl assembly 40 is coupled to or in fluid communication with the tank 12 via the rim trap assembly 30. The bowl assembly includes a jet feed 42 and a rim feed 44, both of which supply flush water to a bowl 46. In particular, the jet opening 32 is in fluid communication with the jet feed 42 and the rim opening 34 is in fluid communication with the rim feed 44. The bowl 46 may be generally segmented into an upper section 50 and a lower section 52 wherein the sections are generally delineated by a water line designated by the letters WL in FIG. 1. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the water line is where the water lever is maintained in the bowl after full completion of a flush cycle as will be described.

A rim 54 generally surrounds or circumscribes an upper edge of the upper section 50. The rim 54 includes a rim conduit 56 which is coupled to and contiguous with the rim feed 44. The rim conduit 56 provides a plurality of rim ports 58 about the rim such that when flush water passes through the rim feed and into the rim conduit, the water is expelled through the rim ports 58 into the upper section 50 of the bowl 46.

Maintained in the lower section 52 is a waste outlet 60 which is contiguous with an inverted U-shaped conduit 64. At the top of the inverted U is a waste trap 66 which provides a weir 68. On a side of the weir opposite the waste outlet 60 is a trap outlet 70 which feeds into a main drain outlet 74 which passes the flush water and any associated waste into the appropriate sewer or septic system. Skilled artisans will appreciate that in a starting point condition, the water line WL is maintained at a level defined by the weir 68.

The jet feed 42 is coupled to the jet opening 32 at one end and at an opposite end the jet feed 42 provides a jet outlet port 78 which is connected to and contiguous with the lower section 52 of the bowl 46. As a result, the jet outlet port 78 may be positioned substantially diametrically opposite the waste outlet 60. Other positional relationships between the jet outlet port 78 and the waste outlet 60 may be provided. Skilled artisans will appreciate that when the flush water is released from the tank, the water proceeds through the jet feed and the rim feed so as to push any waste material that settles in the lower section 52 through the waste outlet 60, the waste trap 66, and further into the main drain outlet 74. In order to enhance the flow of water from the tank and through the bowl 46, the rim trap assembly 30 facilitates the filling of water into at least the jet feed 42.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the rim trap assembly 30 provides for a dual inlet pipe 80. The dual inlet pipe 80 includes a valve seat 82 that is covered by the flapper valve 24 (See

FIG. 1) when the valve 24 is in a normal closed position. The dual inlet pipe 80 is sectioned into a rim inlet pipe 86 that is received within the dual inlet pipe 80 such that an interior of the pipe 86 provides for a rim water inlet 88. The dual inlet pipe 80 also provides for a jet water inlet 90 that is defined by the interior of the dual inlet pipe 80 and the exterior of the rim inlet pipe 86. In other words, the interior of the rim inlet pipe 86 serves as a conduit to allow water to flow from the tank 12 into the rim feed 44. In a somewhat similar manner, the area between the exterior of the rim inlet pipe 86 and the interior of the dual inlet pipe serves as a conduit to allow water to flow from the tank 12 into the jet feed 42. The edge of the inlet pipe 86 is recessed slightly from the valve seat 82. In some embodiments a check valve 89 may be provided at the inlet pipe 86 to ensure that water does not back flow from the rim inlet pipe 86 into the jet water inlet 90.

The jet water inlet 90 is contiguous with a jet water outlet 96 that is essentially opposite the inlet. In essence, when the valve 24 is opened the flush water flows substantially vertically, without any re-direction, from the inlet 90 to the outlet 96. The jet water outlet 96 is connected to the jet opening 32 and, as such, supplies the flush water maintained within the tank into the jet feed 42 at the appropriate time. The rim inlet pipe 86 extends through and from a sidewall of the dual inlet pipe 80 into a rim trapway 98 which is of an inverted U-shape. At an opposite end of the trapway 98 is a rim water outlet 100 which is connected to the rim opening 34. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the outlet 100 supplies flush water into the rim feed 44. Also provided by the rim trap assembly 30 is an overflow tube 110 which receives water from the water supply 14 via a bowl fill tube 112. The overflow tube 110 is contiguous with the trapway 98 and has an open end that extends upwardly above the water level of the tank 12 at its predetermined starting point level. An opening 114 near the bottom of the tube 110 provides a means to refill the rim trap assembly 32 with water from the water supply.

Referring back to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the toilet 10 is in a starting point condition. In this condition, the tank 14 is full of flush water and the entire length of the jet feed 42 is fully primed with water. Additionally, the U-shaped portion of the rim trap assembly 30 is also fully primed. And it can be seen that the flapper valve 24 is maintained in the valve seat 82. As used herein, the word “prime” or “primed” means to maintain fluid—flush water—in a feed or conduit, such as the rim trap assembly or the jet feed conduit, to expel air from the conduit or assembly and await the beginning of a flush cycle by actuation 16 of the actuator and opening of the valve 24. The valve 24 is a single valve which, when opened, allows the flush water in the tank to simultaneously enter both the rim water inlet 88 and the jet water inlet 90.

Referring now to FIG. 3, after waste material has accumulated in the lower section 52, the user actuates the flush cycle by depressing or otherwise actuating the actuator 16. The actuator 16 will, in turn, move the flapper valve 24 away from the valve seat 82. As a result, the flush water maintained in the tank 12 enters into the rim trap assembly 30. Accordingly, the flush water in the primed jet feed 42 begins immediately pushing the waste material accumulated in the lower section into the waste outlet 60 and through the waste trap 66 as previously described. Simultaneously, the flush water that enters the rim inlet pipe 86 begins proceeding through the rim feed 44 and into the rim conduit 56 so as to provide a portion of the flush water into the upper section so as to clean the upper section and continue with the flushing process.

As shown in FIG. 4, the dual inlet pipe 80 remains open until such time that the flapper valve 24 re-seats onto the valve seat 82. Skilled artisans will appreciate that when the flapper valve is closed that a significant amount of flush water still remains in the tank and the rim trapway 98 so as to maintain prime within the jet feed 42 for the next flush cycle. It can be seen that immediately after the valve closes, the tank water level is at its lowest, but still above the flush valve seat 82. The water within the jet feed 42 is fully primed and the main trapway 30 is partially primed. The flush water within the rim conduit 56 after the valve closes will continue into the bowl whereupon the flush water stabilizes at the WL when the siphon actuation is complete. Upon closure of the flapper valve, the water supply 14 continues to fill both the tank and the rim trapway 30 through the overflow tube 110 until such time that the float mechanism indicates that the tank 12 is full at the predetermined level.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that the toilet 10 is advantageous in that the jet feed and a partial rim feed are primed such that upon opening of the flapper valve there is an almost immediate supply of water to begin the cleansing process and to push the accumulated waste through the waste trap. It will further be appreciated by skilled artisans that the primed jet feed provides a significant amount of force versus un-primed configurations in that the water is immediately pressurized whereas in un-primed conditions the water has to travel through the length of the jet feed before reaching the accumulated waste. Further a primed jet feed is void of any air. In a traditional design, the air within the jet feed above the water line quickly becomes sandwiched between the rush of in-coming water and the residual water below. If no vent exists, then this air gets compressed and shoved down thru the jet feed and jet and eventually leaves the bowl in the form of a bubble. If a vent does exist, then the jet pressure is reduced adversely effecting flush performance. Also, in a traditional design, the volume of air within the jet feed needs to be displaced by an equal volume of water with each flush. This volume of water counts in the overall toilet flushing consumption. Therefore, a primed jet feed reduces overall water consumption necessary to achieve the same flushing power while eliminating the possibility of a bubble or the need for a vent.

Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been satisfied by the structure and its method for use presented above. While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment has been presented and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.

Claims

1. A siphonic flush toilet comprising: a tank which is adapted to hold flush water, the tank having a jet opening and a rim opening;a bowl assembly having a bowl with a rim conduit connected to said rim opening and a jet feed connected to said jet opening; anda rim trap assembly connected to a flush valve, wherein opening of said flush valve allows flush water to enter said rim conduit and said jet feed, and wherein closure of said flush valve stops flush water from entering said rim conduit and said jet feed while retaining flush water in said rim trap assembly to maintain a prime within said connected jet feed.

2. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein said rim trap assembly comprises: a dual inlet pipe having a rim inlet pipe associated therewith wherein said rim inlet pipe is connected to said rim opening and said dual inlet pipe is connected to said jet opening.

3. The flush toilet according to claim 2, wherein said rim trap assembly further comprises a rim trapway connected to said rim inlet pipe, wherein said rim trapway holds flush water after said valve is closed.

4. The flush toilet according to claim 3, further comprising: a float coupled to said flush valve and maintained in said tank, wherein said float permits closure of said flush valve prior to air entering said dual inlet pipe while said tank is filling with flush water.

5. The flush toilet according to claim 3, wherein said rim trap assembly further comprises: an overflow tube extending upwardly from and contiguous with said rim trapway; anda bowl fill tube which deposits water into said overflow tube when flush water in said tank is below a predetermined level.

6. The flush toilet according to claim 5, further comprising: a float coupled to said flush valve, such that when said float reaches said predetermined level said water supply stops delivering water to said tank.

7. The flush toilet according to claim 1, wherein closure of said flush valve maintains a partial prime in said rim trap assembly.

8. A siphonic flush toilet, comprising: a tank having a jet opening and a rim opening and maintaining flush water therein;a rim trap assembly maintained within said tank, said rim trap assembly having a dual inlet pipe, said dual inlet pipe having a valve seat with a jet water inlet at one end and a jet water outlet at an opposite end, said jet water outlet connected to said jet opening, said dual inlet pipe also having a rim trapway with a rim water inlet at one end maintained within said dual inlet pipe and a rim water outlet at an opposite end, said rim water outlet connected to said rim opening;a flush valve normally closed on said valve seat; anda bowl assembly having a rim feed connected to said rim opening and a jet feed connected to said jet opening;wherein opening of said flush valve retains flush water in at least said dual inlet pipe and said jet feed.

9. The flush toilet according to claim 8, wherein said bowl assembly further comprises: an upper section; anda lower section, wherein said sections are delineated by a water line maintained after completion of a flush cycle, and when said flush valve is opened;said rim water outlet feeds flush water into said rim feed and said upper section, andsaid jet water outlet feeds flush water into said jet feed and said lower section.

10. The flush toilet according to claim 9, wherein said bowl assembly further comprises a waste outlet maintained in said lower section and wherein said jet feed has a jet outlet port at an end opposite said jet opening, wherein said jet outlet port is positioned opposite said waste outlet.

11. The flush toilet according to claim 10, further comprising: a waste trap contiguous with said waste outlet, said waste trap having a weir which defines said water line at completion of the flush cycle.