Subject of the Invention

The invention relates to a ceramic sanitary ware bringing together the hygienically and ergonomically positive aspects of a toilet bowl and a squatting toilet, intended for minimizing the health problems likely to arise as a result of long-time use of the toilet bowls or squatting toilets where it is not possible to ensure the hygienic and ergonomic conditions at the same time.

State of the Art

One of the basic needs of the living beings is excretion. Today, the toilet bowls as well as the squatting toilets are commonly used in the areas of private and public use. The choices of individuals regarding the type of the toilet are basically determined by the factors like habits, time spent in the toilet, age and health condition. These factors are in turn affected by the hygienic and ergonomic conditions.

In the toilet bowls also referred to as the European-style toilet, the users are able to excrete in a seated position by bending their knees. The use of the toilet for a longer time is possible with this mentioned type of sitting, as the weight of the body is not carried by the feet and the ankles. The negative situations like the feces and/or urine splashing to and smearing the user are avoided owing to the facts that the toilet seat is at a position above the floor and the excretion occurs into a bowl. However, the complete excretion is not possible in the seated position and it is necessary to assume the squatting position in order to achieve the complete excretion.

Other than the toilet bowls, the squatting toilets, also known as Turkish-style toilet, which enable the users to excrete in a squatting position where they bend their legs at their knees with an acute angle, are also commonly used. While excreting in the squatting position, the user is able to apply maximum push force with the power provided by the legs and the abdominal muscles, and further, the alignment of the feces-retaining muscle and the colon prevents the colon from being pressed, thereby enabling an easier excretion. However, the weight of the body is carried by the feet and the ankles while in the squatting position. Tingling or numbness feeling occurs in the feet and legs of the users as a result of the deceleration of blood circulation even in uses of short duration. In this case, it becomes difficult to stand up and it is not possible to use the toilet for long time. Moreover, the shallow depth of the pan into which the feces is dropped may have adverse consequences like the splash and smear of feces and/or urine. Some health problems emerge due to the inability to ensure the ideal hygienic conditions while using the squatting toilets. Further, the apparatus like cups or plastic hoses are employed for the purpose of cleansing when the squatting toilets are used, resulting in the negative conditions in terms of hygiene especially in the public spaces. The post-use flushing as well as the general-purpose cleaning for the currently used squatting toilets, where the water splashes onto the user during the flushing, also fail to ensure the desired hygienic conditions.

Hygienic and ergonomic ceramic sanitary ware have been developed with a view to combine the beneficial aspects of said toilet types for health and eliminate their negative aspects for the users. Such embodiments comprise the toilet bowls or squatting toilets designed in special forms to enable the user to excrete by being seated in a squatting position. The toilet bowls having a form approximating a squatting toilet used in the state of the art and being designed with a structure where the excretion region of the body is close to the floor while the legs are disposed above the floor and are supported from below by the rim of the inner bowl partially prevent the health problems possible to emerge from the inability to achieve complete excretion, as they enable the user to be seated in a squatting position; however, they fail to avoid the ergonomically adverse conditions of use mentioned above, which emerge during the excretion in a squatting position.

Unlike the existing embodiments, the invention relates to an ergonomic ceramic sanitary ware enabling the user to achieve complete excretion through the use of the same in a squatting position wherein the feet are supported by the foot support forms positioned in an inclined manner at a certain angle with the floor during the excretion in this manner, thereby relieving the foot joints and making the long-time use of the toilet possible. The ceramic sanitary ware according to the invention, offering the possibility of use that is proper health-wise and providing the convenience of use in terms of ergonomics, is also a ceramic sanitary ware, in which the problems of splash during the post-use cleaning of the area and the above- mentioned problems with cleansing associated with the use of a squatting toilet are solved by generating hygienically favorable conditions. With this invention, it is aimed to ensure ideal hygienic and ergonomic conditions in the toilets, eliminate the health problems possible to emerge during the excretion and thus satisfy the demands of a vast user group.

Object of the Invention

An object of the invention is to develop an ergonomic ceramic sanitary ware, which enables the users to achieve complete excretion in the squatting position without facing the health problems like joint pain.

An object of the invention is to develop an ergonomic ceramic sanitary ware, which has an ideal inner bowl form for preventing the splashes during the excretion, flushing of the toilet and personal cleaning and for enabling the clean water to be distributed to every point of the area of excretion during the flushing of said area of excretion and which also makes it possible to perform the personal cleaning, also referred to as cleansing, in a hygienic manner. Description of the Figures

Figure 1: A top view of the squatting toilet used in the state of the art

Figure 2: A side view of the use of a squatting toilet according to the state of the art

Figure 3: A perspective view of the ceramic sanitary ware

Figure 4: A perspective view of the ceramic sanitary ware comprising a flush tank as the water source

Figure 5: A view of the water distributor forms in the ceramic sanitary ware

Figure 6: A side sectional view of the ceramic sanitary ware

Figure 7: A side sectional view of the ceramic sanitary ware

Figure 8: A front sectional view of the ceramic sanitary ware

Figure 9: A side view of the use of the ceramic sanitary ware according to the invention

Figure 10: A perspective view of the ceramic sanitary ware comprising a flush tank as the water source and also comprising a seat

Figure 11: A side view of the use of the ceramic sanitary ware comprising a flush tank as the water source and also comprising a seat, with the user being seated on the same

Figure 12: A side view of the use of the ceramic sanitary ware comprising a flush tank as the water source and also comprising a seat, without the user being seated on the same

Reference Numerals

t: Width of the water distribution duct

u: Overall inner length of the inner bowl

v: Overall inner width of the inner bowl

x: Height of a point in the middle section of the inner bowl from the floor plane

y: Overall outer width of the inner bowl

z: Inner height of the inner bowl

a: Angle

b: Width of the rear block

c: Height of the rear block

d: Depth of the rear block e: Depth of the water source f: Depth of the front portion K: User

M: Squatting toilet according to the state of the art H: Water distribution line 1: Ceramic sanitary ware 11: Inner bowl 11a: Front portion lib: Water distribution duct 11c: Water distributor forms lid: Wastewater line inlet lie: Bidet pipe opening 12: Rear block 12a: Foot support form 13: Water source connection form

2: Water source 3: Bidet system 31: Bidet pipe 32: Bidet control piece 33: Connection piece

4: Seat

Description of the Invention

The invention relates to a ceramic sanitary ware bringing together the hygienically and ergonomically positive aspects of a toilet bowl and a squatting toilet, intended for minimizing the health problems likely to arise as a result of long-time use of the toilet bowls or squatting toilets where it is not possible to ensure the hygienic and ergonomic conditions at the same time. The ceramic sanitary ware (11) according to the invention basically comprises an inner bowl

(11) having a water distribution duct (lib) and the foot support forms (12a) positioned on either sides of the inner bowl (11). The ceramic sanitary ware (1) has been designed with ergonomically the most favorable positioning and dimensions.

The squatting toilet (M) according to the state of the art can be seen in Figure 1. Figure 2 represents a side view of the existing squatting toilet (M) according to the state of the art along with a user (K). The absence of the foot support forms (12a) in this embodiment causes the undesirable tingling, numbness feeling and joint damage in the body of the user (K) as well as the difficulty the user experiences while standing up in case of prolonged squatting. The cleansing in the existing squatting toilet (M) is performed via direct hand contact by using a cup or a plastic hose. In that case, the ideal hygiene conditions are not possible to be achieved and the health problems emerge.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the ceramic sanitary ware (1) according to the invention comprises an inner bowl (11) with a water distribution duct (lib) and the foot support forms (12a) for enabling the user (K) to get support from his/her heels in achieving his/her balance while in the squatting position and the upper surfaces of which contacted by the feet of the user (K) are positioned in a way to make a certain angle (a) with the floor plane. The structure of the inner bowl (11) is designed with such configuration and dimensions that the flush water coming from a water source (2) is able to flush even the farthest point of the inner bowl (11) with maximum efficiency and without splashing water.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a rear block (12). In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the foot support forms (12a) are integrated with the rear block

(12) that is positioned in the rear section of the inner bowl (11). The upper surfaces of the foot support forms (12a) where the feet of the user (K) are positioned have an inclined structure so that they make a certain angle (a) with the floor plane. Owing to this inclined structure, the user (K) is able to achieve his/her balance and maintain the squatting position without contacting the upper surface of the inner bowl (11) and without straining his/her joints. The dimensions enabling the ergonomic and hygienic use of the ceramic sanitary ware (1) developed within the scope of the invention are the values that have been determined as a result of the ergonomic studies involving the participation of a great number of users (K) and that ensure the most healthy and comfortable use for the users (K).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said rear block (12) is integrated with the inner bowl (11).

The flushing of the inner bowl (11) is achieved with the flush water coming from at least one water source (2). According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, said water source (2) is positioned on the rear block (12). There is a water distribution duct (lib) on the inner surface of the inner bowl (11) enabling the water coming from the water source (2) to flow to the inner bowl (11). The water distribution duct (lib) encircles the inner bowl (11) on the inside and carries thereon the water distributor forms (11c) positioned at certain intervals. The dimensions and the number of the water distributor forms (11c) on the water distribution duct (lib) are designed in a way to convey the water to every point of the inner bowl (11), wherein it is possible to change the dimensions and the number of the same according to preference. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said water distributor forms (11c) are preferably in the form of holes with equal diameter and they ensure that the water, which comes from the water source (2) upon the initiation of the flushing action for the inner bowl (11) after the use, flows towards the interior of the inner bowl (11), removes the contamination on the surfaces where it contacts and then proceeds towards the wastewater line inlet (lid). The water distribution duct (lib) and the dimensions and the number of the water distributor forms (11c) define the water distribution line (H) for the water coming from the water source (2). The front portion (11a) of the inner bowl (11) is designed in a form, preferably in a concave form, that prevents the splashes of water and urine during the flushing of the inner bowl (11) and during the cleansing, if the ceramic sanitary ware (1) contains a bidet system (3), and during the use. The distance between the inner bowl (11) and the floor plane decreases from the front portion (11a) towards the middle section. In other words, the height of the front portion (11a) of the inner bowl (11) is greater than the height of a point in the middle section of the inner bowl from the floor plane (x) and this prevents the direct hand contact with the ceramic sanitary ware (1) as well as the outward splash of bidet water or urine. Said front portion (11a) also assists in conveying the water to the farthest points of the inner bowl (11).

The ceramic sanitary ware (1) is designed such that the height of a point in the middle section of the inner bowl from the floor plane (x) in a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3 has a value in the range of 110-140 mm, the overall outer width of the inner bowl (y) has a value in the range of 250-280 mm, the inner height of the inner bowl (z) shown in Figure 8 has a value in the range of 50-80 mm, the overall inner length of the inner bowl (u) shown in Figure 6 has a value in the range of 450-550 mm and the overall inner width of the inner bowl (v) shown in Figure 8 has a value in the range of 200-250 mm. The rear block of the ceramic sanitary ware (1) is designed such that the width of the rear block (b) has a value in the range of 250-350 mm, the height of the rear block (c) has a value in the range of 220-250 mm and the depth of the rear block (d) has a value in the range of 120-150 mm.

The foot support forms (12a), having upper surfaces preferably with in the form form free of any recess or protrusion, have been designed with an inclined structure such that the upper surfaces contacted by the feet of the user (K) make an angle (a) in the range of 15-30° with the floor plane.

The clean water distribution duct (lib) and the water distributor forms (11c) located on said duct can be seen in Figure 5. The width of the water distribution duct (t) has a value in the range of 30-50 mm. The inner bowl (11) having the water distribution duct (lib) is designed in a form that ensures that the water coming from the water source (2) and flowing via water distributor forms (11c) to the inner bowl (11) follows the water distribution line (H) and is guided to the wastewater line inlet (lid). The water distribution line (H) for the distribution of the clean water in the inner bowl (11) can be seen in Figure 8. The front portion (11a) of the inner bowl (11) is designed preferably in a concave form. The depth of the front portion (f) of the front portion (11a) of the inner bowl (11) has a value in the range of 70-100 mm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, the water source (2) included in the ceramic sanitary ware (1) is preferably a flush tank, which is mounted to the upper surface of the rear block (12) of the ceramic sanitary ware (1) and is designed, as a result of the ergonomic studies conducted, with such dimensions ensuring that it is not contacted by the users (K) while in the squatting position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the depth of the water source (e) has a value in the range of 120-170 mm. In the embodiment where a flush tank is preferred as the water source (2), the ceramic sanitary ware (1) comprises at least one water source connection form (13) on its rear upper surface for providing the connection of the same with the water source (2).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is possible for said water source (2) to be flush mounted; in other words, in the form of a concealed flush tank.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is possible for said water source (2) to be in the form of a water tank built into said rear block (12).

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is possible for said water source (2) to be disposed in a suspended position in a surface-mounted manner.

In preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5, the ceramic sanitary ware (1) comprises a bidet system (3). The bidet system (3) comprises at least one bidet pipe (31) extending to the inner bowl (11) and at least one bidet control piece (32) mounted on the outer surface of the ceramic sanitary ware (1). The connection between the bidet pipe (31) and the bidet control piece (32) is provided by at least one connection piece (33). Said connection piece (33) is preferably a hose. The movement of the bidet control piece (32) is preferably limited by the flow reducers in order to ensure the controlled flow of water. By conducting various analyses, it is possible to design the flow reducers in such a way that the water will not pose the risk of overflow from the inner bowl (11) even when flowing at the highest flow rate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a bidet pipe opening (lie) through which the bidet pipe (31) extends, said bidet pipe opening (lie) being positioned on the rear part of the inner bowl (11) and enabling the water to be conveyed via the bidet pipe (31) and to flow to the inner bowl (11).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 10, the ceramic sanitary ware (1) comprises a seat (4) in case the user (K) prefers to be seated in the squatting position. Said seat (4) has a movable structure whereby the user (K) is able to bring the seat (4) into the vertical position and lift the seat (4) when he/she does not want to sit on the same, as in the case in Figure 12. The seat (4) is designed with such dimensions ensuring that the user will not contact the water source (2) when in the seated position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said seat (4) features the ability of being separated from the ceramic sanitary ware (1).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said seat (4) integrated with the ceramic sanitary ware (1).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said foot support forms (12a) are movable, whereby it is possible to position the same at different positions by preserving the angle (a) of the same with the floor plane and to move the same forward or backward according to the user's (K) preference.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the foot support forms (12a) integrated with the inner bowl (11).

This invention relates to a ceramic sanitary ware (1) comprising an inner bowl (11) with a ducted structure and the foot support forms (12a) and being able to be used by a user (K) in an ergonomically convenient manner in the squatting position. With the use of the ceramic sanitary ware (1) according to the invention, it is intended to improve the hygiene conditions particularly in the public spaces and to preclude, owing to the provision of the ideal ergonomic conditions, the health problems resulting from the use of the toilet bowls or squatting toilets.