The present invention relates to the field of tankless toilet devices and more specifically, to a toilet system with a flushing mechanism comprising a PVC pipe member that is structured and arranged to hold water under pressure in lieu of a toilet water tank that is not under pressure.
A toilet system is a sanitation fixture used for the disposal of human urine and feces. They are often found in a small room known as a toilet, restroom, or lavatory. A toilet can be designed for people who prefer to sit (by using a toilet pedestal) or for people who prefer to squat and use a toilet. Flush toilets, which are common in many parts of the world (particularly in more affluent countries or regions), may be connected to a septic tank, or more commonly in urban areas, via a sewer to a sewage treatment plant.
Unfortunately, the standard toilets comprising a water tank containing many moving parts, taking up a lot of space, and using about 3 gallons of water per flush; water has been becoming scarcer in supply and more expensive worldwide. The large number of mechanisms within the tank, to facilitate the flush, necessitates many adjustments, repairs, and replacements. In addition, the tank and the tank lid are easily broken and expensive to replace. Therefore, a need exists for a space-saving flushable toilet which takes up less space and operates with less expense.
Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in toilet systems having no tanks. Among these attempts are: U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,070, U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,159, U.S. Pat. No. 8,307,470, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,604.
A tankless toilet system for removal and flushing of human waste, and for holding water under pressure, comprises a toilet bowl and a flush pipe connected to the toilet bowl, for storing water under pressure for flushing. The flush pipe comprises an outlet opening for allowing water to flow from the flush pipe into the toilet. A water line connects to the flush pipe. A flush valve is disposed in the flush pipe above the toilet bowl and below the water line to the flush pipe. The water line supplies water while under pressure to the flush pipe; the flush valve is closed, the flush pipe is filled with water, and the toilet system is configured to flush the toilet bowl with water under pressure from the flush pipe when the flush valve is opened.
In a variant, a toilet system, comprises: a toilet bowl; a flush pipe connected to the toilet bowl, for storing water for flushing, the flush pipe comprising an outlet opening for allowing water to flow from the flush pipe into the toilet; a water line connected to the flush pipe; a flush valve disposed in the flush pipe above the toilet bowl and below the water line connection to the flush pipe. When the water line is supplying water while under pressure to the flush pipe, and the flush valve is closed, the flush pipe is filled with water and the toilet system is configured to flush the toilet bowl with water under pressure from the flush pipe when the flush valve is opened.
In another variant, an inlet valve is connected between the water line and the flush pipe, configured to turn on and off the flow of water into the flush pipe. The toilet bowl further comprises a lid and wherein the lid contains a compressible seal having air holes for ventilation. The flush pipe may be comprised of PVC. The flush pipe houses reserve water which is under constant pressure, and is continuously resupplied by a dwelling's water toilet system. Optionally, a maximum of ½ a gallon of water is used. The flushing action is complete in a maximum of 5 seconds and wherein the flushing action may be repeated as rapidly as an operator can open and close the flush valve.
In a further variant, the toilet system contains one moving part. A vent pipe is connected to the flush pipe for venting air directly from the toilet bowl. The flush pipe is vertically oriented, its long side parallel to gravity and a top end of the flush pipe comprises a cap, wherein the cap forms an airtight seal. The water line comprises a hose for feeding water into the flush pipe. Optionally, the hose is connected to an attachment for spraying water for cleaning purposes. The system has a cabinet wherein the flush pipe is disposed inside the cabinet. The present invention aims to reduce water use and sewer bills and use less physical space.
In a first embodiment, depicted in
In a variant, depicted in
In a second variant of the toilet system 20, depicted in
The flush pipe 24 may be comprised of PVC, or a material with similar properties.
In a third variant of the toilet system 20, the flush pipe 24 houses reserve water which is under constant pressure, and is continuously resupplied by a dwelling water system.
The toilet system 20 can be such that approximately ½ a gallon of water is used. This conserves water compared to current toilet systems 20. In addition, the flushing action can complete in approximately 5 seconds, and the flushing action may be repeated as rapidly as an operator can open and close the flush valve 28.
In another variant, the flush valve 28 only contains only moving part.
In a further variant of the toilet system 20, a vent pipe 36 is connected to the flush pipe 24 for venting air directly from the toilet bowl 22.
In yet a further variant of the toilet system 20, illustrated in
In yet another variant of the toilet system 20, the water line comprises a hose 40 (
In another variant, the toilet system 20 comprises a cabinet 44, depicted in
In a second embodiment, a toilet system 20 for removal of human waste, and for holding water under pressure, comprises a toilet bowl 22 with a lid 32. A bottom 32a of the lid 32 contains a piece of compressible material 34 with air holes for ventilation, plus a toilet seat 32b and a seal 32c (both illustrated in
In a variant of the toilet system 20, the flushing action is complete within 5 seconds and the flushing action may be repeated as rapidly as an operator can open and close the flush valve 28.
In a second variant of the toilet system 20, the water line is connected to an attachment 42 for spraying water for cleaning purposes.
Among the advantages of the invention are that it requires much less water, is less expensive to construct, and takes up less space, than a current toilet system. Also, it eliminates maintenance on components that are repeatedly having to be adjusted, repaired or replaced, including but not limited to the water inlet assembly, float and mechanism for opening the flushing valve to facilitate the toilet flush and flapper valve itself, all of which are expensive and time consuming. Optionally, the air vent is open all the time and vents directly from the toilet bowl.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/276,069 filed Jan. 7, 2016 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in the respective in its entirety.