TOILET FLUSH DEVICE FITTING

Abstract

A solution bottle in a toilet flush tank, connected with a nipple fitting having respective pathways for water and cleaning solution to mix together.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fitting to connect to a solution bottle to be suspended or otherwise placed in a flush tank and connected in fluid exchange relationship with the overflow tube.

BACKGROUND

The disposal of human waste has been a challenge going back in the centuries BC, there is evidence that the Greeks constructed palaces with large earthenware pans connected to flushing water supply. Later, the Romans rinsed in a water channel that ran in front of the toilet to be reused. In medieval England people used potties and simply threw their contents out through an open door or window into the street. The more affluent used a “garden robe” in the form of a protruding room with an opening for waste suspended over a moat. These were referred to as garderobes. Garderobes and public toilets were eventually replaced by “commodes” a box with a seat and lid covering a portion or copper pot to catch the waste.

It is widely believed that Thomas Crapper designed the first flushed toilet in the 1860's but evidence indicates it was actually much earlier. The credit for inventing the flush toilet generally goes to Sir John Harrington, god son of Elizabeth I, who invented a water closet with a raised cistern and a small down pipe in which the water ran through flushed wasted.

As the population of Britain increased in the 19^th Century, for over crowed cities such as London and Manchester, up to 100 people might share a single toilet. The concern was that the flush might find its way back into the drinking water supply. In 1848 the government decreed that every new house should have a water closet “WC”.

History tells us that in 1861 Thomas Crapper was hired by Prince Edward “later King Edward VII” to construct lavatories in several royal palaces. He patented a number of toilet-related inventions but did not actually invent the modern toilet, although he was first to display his wears in a showroom and offer them for sale. More on this below. Modern bathroom technologies arrived in the 20^th century with flushable valves, water tanks resting on the bowl itself and toilet paper rolls. Many toilets now have automatic flushes and the sealed vacuum closet as seen on planes and boats is used heavily.

The need for a practical flush toilet goes back centuries. Credit for the first flush toilet generally goes to Sir John Harrington, recognized for inventing the water closet with a raised cistern and a small downpipe for water flow and flushing waste. As noted, probably the most recognized name in the history of development is Thomas Crapper, a plumber who is reputed to have held nine patents, three of them for water closet improvement such as the floating ballcock, S-bend plumbing trap, and others. There is much dispute in history about how much credit should be given to him for his development. But it is recognized that the slang term “crapper” derived from Crapper's personal name.

In any event, throughout history many efforts have been made to improve on the construction for effective and economical flush toilets. Throughout these developments, it has always been recognized that unpleasant odors may be associated with a flush toilet. The conventional flush toilet incorporates an overflow pipe in the water storage closet. In one embodiment of my invention, I take advantage of this pipe to facilitate introduction of solution, such as a deodorant sanitizer or the like, to be mixed with the water stored in the tank.

There is some confusion in history as to whether Mr. Crapper invented the first patented flushing toilet. History seemed to reflect that the first patent for the flushing water closet was actually issued to Alexander Cummings, a watchmaker by trade. Cummings designed a toilet in which water supply was brought low into the bowl and some water remained after each flush.

A. Joseph Bramah, a cabinet maker, who regularly “fitted-up” water closets, sought to improve on Cummings' original idea and was granted a patent in 1778 which replaced Cummings' string valve closure with a crank-type mechanism. He provided an essentially airtight seal between the toilet and any offending odors which may be lurking beneath it. There were some problems with this new toilet and it was incredibly noisy and failed frequently.

Thomas Crapper was an industrious plumber and credited with invention a pull-chain system for powerful flushing and an airtight seal between the toilet and floor. While the flush toilet is recognized as an incredible invention for humanity, there still remains room for improvement.

As an example, it is desirable to introduce a solution with the water entering the inlet end of an overflow pipe to be introduced to the toilet bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention includes a fitting having a through water passage to be connected with a water tube and an auxiliary passage to be connected with a storage bottle of solution to be mixed with the water introduced to the overflow pipe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

With modern flush toilets, many different efforts have been made to add solution to the bowl for the purpose of sanitation and odor control. In the past it was common practice to suspend solid bars of fragrance emitting solids from the rim of the bowl in such a manner that the flush water will flow past and around the bar of fragrance to release and emit the fragrance. Such devices, while producing some results are not totally satisfactory in that there is no metering of the sanitizing solution to the flush water or control thereof.

It has been proposed to provide a bowl cleaning apparatus evolved from the toilet tank between the bowl and refill valve and overflow pipe. This apparatus includes a sealed container having inlet connected to the refill tube and an outlet connecting with the overflow pipe. The container is divided into two chambers with a screen therebetween. A device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,950 to Shawn.

Another proposal has been made to provide a flush toilet with a reservoir tank, bowl and a container containing water-soluble detergent and coloring agent mounted inline with the waterline leading from a riser tube to an overflow tube for adding detergent-containing makeup water to the bowl following a flush. A device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,507 to Johnson. Such devices, while adding to the utility of flush toilets, fail to provide satisfactory results where solution is dispensed in the overflow tube with each flush.

Other proposals have included the provision of an air regulated cleaner discharge with a ballcock for discharging water to fill the tank between minimum and full levels. The device includes a container for receiving a mixture of liquid or other chemical material therein with an air supply tube. A device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,612 to Dafau.

It has also been proposed to provide a toilet discharge device including a venturi nozzle to cooperate with a sanitizing solution to draw the solution into the flow pipe. A device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,612 to Dufau.

Such arrangements sometimes require air pressure regulation and, in any event, require precise design configurations and operational constraints to provide for reliable and long-term operation.

Another prior device includes a diverter to divert a stream of water from a conventional toilet valve to direct a portion into the toilet tank outside the overflow tube. A device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,376,984 to Moler.

Other attempts have led to the development of an automatic cleaning assembly with inner and outer chambers such that refill water may enter the inner chamber through a fluid flow path whereby a cleaning agent disposed in the inner chamber may be partially dissolved upon contact with the water. This device is show in U.S. Pat. No. 8,453,272 to Sim.

There still exists a need for an apparatus to add sterilizing fluid or the like adding their sanitizing solution of the like to fluid for flushing a flush toilet or possibly a bidet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded prospective view of a commode with the present invention installed and depicting a solution bottle connected with a fitting which also connects with a water tube;

FIG. 2 is a partial prospective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the components exploded and in enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section view taking along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 and depicted in enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view, in enlarged scale taken from the circle 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fitting shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view of the fitting shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The sanitizing system of the present invention, in one preferred form, includes a solution bottle (21) (FIG. 1) which may be suspended from the back wall of a toilet water tank (23) and, in some instances includes a pump (25) and nipple 26. In any event, the outlet from the solution bottle is connected via a tube (63) to the fitting (27) (FIG. 3) by means of a solution nipple (34) (FIG. 2) having a solution passage (31) which merges with a water passage (37) to form a mixture of water and sanitizing solution. Thus, each time there is a flush by actuating a flush handle (38), the sanitizing solution will be drawn with the intake water down passage to the toilet bowl, such as a conventional flush toilet or other flush systems such as a bidet or the like.

The bottle (21) may be carried from the back or inside wall (23) by an upwardly opening cup (42) suspended by means of a pair of hangers (39) or by taping the cup to the toilet tank wall.

Referring to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the cup (42) is suspended at an elevation slightly above the elevation of the top inlet of the overflow pipe (41) so that there might be a slight siphoning of the sanitizing solution. In some embodiments, I incorporate the pump (25) which might be actuated to pump the solution from the bottle to the fitting (27). In other embodiments, the relative elevation of the bottle provides for self-siphoning of the sanitizing solution.

In this combination, there is no requirement for any Venturi effect for drawing the sanitizing solution into the mixture.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, I formed the fitting (27) with a fitting body (40) hung from a mounting fork (51) to fit over the wall of the overflow pipe (41). The fitting body is formed with water passage (37) formed in part by a vertical water nipple (35) connected to the water tube (53). The solution passage (31) is formed with a solution nipple (34) which receives the end of the solution inlet tube (63) in press fit relationship. I form the fitting with a stub tube (62) at the outlet end of the passage (31) to project into the passage (37). In the preferred embodiments the stub tube (62) projects distantly beyond the center of the passage (37) to terminate in an end just short of the far side to leave a flow area of about 0.036 inches or so.

It will be appreciated that the nipples (35) and (34) may be formed integral with the fitting body (40) and fork (51) but, in some embodiments they can be formed separately and fitted together by press fit, gluing or other connections well known in the trade.

In any event, for the preferred embodiment, the solution passage (31) joins the water passage (37) at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. It is believed that with this arrangement, the fluid flowing through the water passage (37) draws a very slight partial pressure on the outlet (64) from the solution passage (31) to thus provide for a slight syphoning effect for drawing a solution into the mixture.

It would be appreciated that the fitting (27) maybe part of the OEM or maybe purchased subsequently as an add-on to enhance the operation of the flush toilet. The fitting (27) maybe fabricated of synthetic materials, such as plastic, metal or any other material well known to those in the art.

The fitting (27) may be conveniently mounted to the overflow pipe (41) by fitting the fork (51) on to the overflow pipe wall thereof and connecting the water tube (53) and solution tube (63). The bottle maybe mounted from the top edge of the tank wall as by hangers (39) (FIG. 2). With the tubes (53) and (63) connected to the associated nipples (35) and (34), the system is ready for operation. When the toilet is flushed, the re-fill water may pass through nipple (52) and through the tube (53) into the passage (37) to thus pass in close relationship with the end of the stub tube (62) (FIG. 4) to influence flow from the solution passage (31). With laminar flow interrupted by the stub tube (62) turbulent flow is generated to effectively draw and mix the solution from the passage (31).

It has been discovered 45-degree angle of the solution passage relative to the water passage (37) is ideal for affectively introducing the solution and producing a satisfactory mixture with the water. The mixture of solution and water will then pass down the overflow pipe (41) into the bowl and bowl rim to sanitize and disinfect the bowl upon subsequent flushing, pass from the bowl itself.

Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment the stub tube 62 preferably terminates in an end surface (64) perpendicular to the axis of the tube to produce a preferred flow pattern as the water is expelled out the end of the stub tube.

In some embodiments, I force feed the cleansing/sanitizing solution into the flow stream, but recognize that syphoning or drawing off the solution as described performs satisfactorily.

From the foregoing, it would be appreciated that the system in the present invention provides a convenient, effective and economical system to introduce sanitizing solution or other mixtures into the water stream of a flush toilet, bidet or the like. The device provides for essentially metering the quantity of flow of each flush and limits the volume introduced to an amount effective to produce sanitization and odor removal and possible perfuming but avoiding excess consumption of the sanitizing solution.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departure from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments described therefore are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Although the present invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A toilet bowl sanitizing system comprising; a fitting having a water nipple and a solution nipple, the nipples formed with respective passages merging into a through main passagea solution bottle having a solution outlet;a solution supply tube connected between the solution outlet and the solution nipple; anda water supply tube connected with the water nipple

2. The system of claim 1 wherein: the fitting includes a fork for mounting to the wall of an overflow tube.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein: the solution supply bottle includes a pump device including a solution nipple.

4. A flush toilet system for mounting in a flush toilet water tank comprising: a cradle to be suspended from the wall of the tank;a solution bottle carried by the cradle;a solution pump mounted to the bottle and including an outlet solution nipple projecting therefrom;a fitting to mount to an overflow pipe and having inlet nipples;a tubing system to connect with and project from the outlet to the inlet.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein: the fitting includes an upwardly projecting water inlet nipple formed with a through water passage; anda solution nipple angling upwardly and away from the water inlet nipple.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein: the stub tube terminates in an end surface which is not slanted relative to the axis of the stub tube.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein: the stub tube terminates with the end surface perpendicular to the axis of the stub tube.

8. A flush toilet solution mixing fitting including: a body formed with a vertical water inlet nipple defining a water inlet passage having a predetermined lateral cross section, a solution inlet nipple projecting 45 degrees to the water inlet passage, the solution nipple formed to connect with a solution tube; anda stub tube projecting from the wall of the water passage substantially one-half distance across the lateral cross section for disrupting water flow through the water passage to generate turbulence for mixing water with solution emanating from the solution passage and may be adjustable in the fitting.

9. A flush toilet water system comprising: a cradle mounted to the wall of a flush water tank for supporting a solution bottle;a solution bottle in the cradle and having an solution outlet;a fitting mounted to a tank overflow pipe and including a vertical through water passage including a water nipple;the fitting further including a solution nipple constructed with a solution passage in communication with the water passage and projecting at an angle of 45 degrees to the water passage;a solution tube connected between the solution nipple on the pump and solution outlet;a water tube connected between a water supply and the water nipple; andthe water passage and solution passage being so constructed that flow of water though the water passage is formed in a stream to join with solution from the solution passage to pass into the overflow pipe to mix in toilet bowl and bowl rim.

10. A system in a toilet storage tank comprising; a water tube leading from the water supply nipple to an inlet of a water nipple on a mounting fitting;a solution bottle in the storage tank; anda solution tube leading from the solution bottle to the inlet of the solution nipple on the fitting.