TOILET

The present invention relates to a toilet provided with a water flushing system. In particular, the present invention relates to a toilet provided with a flushing system of the type that includes a water storage tank integrated in the body of the toilet bowl.

Background of the invention

Toilets are known of the type that include a water flushing system provided with a tank integrated in the body of the toilet bowl and propelling means for propelling water from the tank to the toilet waste disposal basin. Toilets of this type are, for example, those that the ROCA® brand markets under the name of In-tank.

The water discharge system of the toilets described in the previous paragraph must comply with the protection measures required by the European standard UNE-EN1717 to prevent pollution by backflow of potable water. To do this, the water supply circuit must include an overflow exposed to the air ("air break to drain") designed to give water outlet in the event of backflow to prevent accidental pollution of potable water.

Toilets that include a flushing system with integrated water storage tank in the body of the toilet bowl have the advantage that they enable compact designs that allow space to be gained in the bathroom by being able to dispense with the use of external water cisterns or reservoirs which must be positioned raised to take advantage of the force of gravity. However, the protection measures required by the aforementioned European standard UNE-EN1717 condition the technical design of this type of toilets.

It is, therefore, clear that there is a need to provide a toilet fitted with a flushing system with an integrated water storage tank, which has a significantly improved technical design, and which at the same time complies with the protection measures of the aforementioned European legislation.

Description of the invention

In order to solve the aforementioned drawbacks, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a toilet provided with a water flushing system, comprising a toilet bowl, and a waste disposal basin defined in a body of the toilet bowl; - wherein the water flushing system comprises a tank integrated in the body of the toilet bowl for storing water, and propelling means for propelling water stored in the tank during a water flushing cycle of the toilet,

- wherein a cavity of the bowl body is provided with at least one water supply path arranged so as to receive water from a water discharge conduit of the propelling means, and

- wherein said cavity comprises at least one water outlet port that discharges water directly from the discharge conduit into the basin.

The toilet is characterised in that the at least one water outlet port that discharges into the basin communicates with an overflow exposed to the air, and wherein the at least one outlet port is located so as to maintain an air gap with respect to a water outlet of the discharge conduit of the propelling means, said water outlet of the discharge conduit being exposed to the air, and the air gap being sized to provide protection against pollution of tank water by backflow.

In the toilet of the present invention, the cavity of the body of the toilet bowl comprises a water supply path and at least one water outlet port that discharges directly into the basin and communicates with an overflow exposed to the air, located in the body of the toilet bowl. As a result, polluted water may drain through said overflow in the event of a backflow. Furthermore, the toilet has an air gap designed to protect the water stored in the tank. This ensures that the water in the tank is protected against pollution by backflow.

Thanks to the claimed characteristics, the water tank integrated in the toilet is efficiently protected, complying with the protection standards established by the European standard UNE-EN 1717. At the same time, the toilet has an improved design, since the cavity of the body of the toilet bowl integrates the water outlet port that discharges directly into the basin and communicates in turn with the overflow exposed to the air, maintaining an air gap from the outlet port with respect to the water outlet of the discharge conduit. This air gap is designed to prevent pollution of the water in the tank by backflow.

According to one embodiment of the toilet, the overflow is located at a vertical distance “dv” with respect to the outlet of the water discharge conduit, and the air gap is comprised in said vertical distance “dv”.

This embodiment is suitable when the water discharge conduit of the propelling means provides a water jet in a substantially vertical or inclined direction up to 30° with respect to the vertical. Preferably, according to this embodiment of the toilet, the air gap that is comprised in the vertical distance "dv" is of the type Family A - Type B, sized to comply with the European Standard UNE-EN 13077 of protection against pollution by backflow of potable water.

According to another embodiment of the toilet, the overflow is located at a vertical distance “dv” with respect to the outlet of the water discharge conduit, and the air gap is comprised in a horizontal distance “dh” arranged between an inlet of the at least one water supply path and the outlet of the water discharge conduit of the propelling means.

This embodiment is suitable when the discharge conduit of the propelling means injects a water jet in a substantially horizontal direction. Preferably, according to this embodiment, the air gap, which is comprised in the horizontal distance "dh", is of the type Family A - Type D, sized to comply with the European Standard UNE-EN 13079 of protection against pollution by backflow of potable water.

Advantageously, according to any of the previous embodiments of the toilet, the vertical distance "dv" is a distance equal to or greater than 20 mm, preferably, a distance "dv" sized to comply with European standard UNE-EN 1717 of protection against pollution by backflow of potable water.

Again advantageously, the horizontal distance "dh" is also a distance equal to or greater than 20 mm, preferably a distance equal to or greater than twice the internal diameter of the water discharge conduit of the propelling means.

Preferably, the overflow is located and sized to give a possible outlet to the polluted water in the event of backflow when the polluted water exceeds a predetermined overflow height “HO” equal to or lower than the height Ή1” of the upper edge of the toilet bowl. In this way, the toilet can be designed with very small height dimensions, since the overflow is located below the upper edge of the toilet bowl (also called flange), while the water in the tank is also protected according to regulations.

However, alternatively, the overflow is located and sized to give a possible outlet to the polluted water in the event of backflow, when the polluted water exceeds a predetermined overflow height "HO" higher than the height "H1" of the upper edge of the toilet bowl. In short, in the present invention, the at least one outlet port of the water supply path or paths communicates with the overflow open to the air such that, thanks to it, in the event of backflow the water may always discharge through said overflow at an overflow height “HO” that may be equal to, less than or higher than the height “H1” of the upper edge of the toilet bowl. The height "HO" of overflow will, in any case, always be located at a vertical distance "dv" sized to comply with European standard UNE-EN1717 for protection against pollution of potable water. In this way, the outlet or drainage of water in the event of backflow is ensured.

Preferably, the overflow is provided in a water collection channel exposed to the air, wherein said collection channel communicates with the at least one outlet port of the cavity of the body of the toilet bowl through an opening provided in the at least one water supply path. Advantageously, an edge of said collection channel defines the height "HO" of discharge or overflow of the polluted water in the event of backflow.

In this way, in the event of backflow of water from the basin, the polluted water ascends through said outlet port and reaches the overflow provided in the water collection channel, through the opening provided in the water supply path.

According to one embodiment, the toilet comprises a water distribution body that is at least partially housed in the cavity of the body of the toilet bowl, wherein said distribution body comprises;

- the at least one supply path that discharges to the basin through the at least one water outlet port, and

- the water collection channel exposed to the air comprising the overflow that communicates with the at least one outlet port.

A water distribution body is thus obtained that includes the water supply path, as well as the collection channel comprising the overflow exposed or open to the intake of air. The collection channel is in direct communication with the water outlet port through the opening which may be configured, for example, as a slot at the lower end of the supply path, in the vicinity of the outlet port that discharges into the basin, and/or at the upper end itself next to the water inlet of the supply path.

Advantageously, said distribution body is a removable one-piece body that includes the at least one supply path, and the collection channel provided of the overflow. For example, the distribution body may be configured as a removable body of plastic material or a similar material. It can be a one-piece body, which is partially or totally housed in the hollow space that defines the cavity of the body of the toilet bowl. However, it may also be configured, for example, integrally in the body of the toilet bowl, for example, from a porcelain-based material with which the toilet bowl itself is manufactured.

Again advantageously, the at least one water supply path defines at least one water distribution conduit capable of directly discharging the water into the basin through the at least one water outlet port that communicates with the overflow. Preferably, said distribution conduit includes the opening that communicates the outlet port with the overflow.

Said at least one distribution conduit very efficiently guides the water from the discharge conduit to the corresponding outlet port that discharges into the basin.

According to an embodiment of the toilet wherein the water discharge conduit provides a water jet in a direction substantially inclined with respect to the vertical, the at least one water supply path, or distribution conduit, is arranged inclined forming an angle "a" with a horizontal plane, so that the flow of water flowing inside it is capable of being discharged into the basin while maintaining the substantially inclined trajectory of the water outlet jet of the discharge conduit.

Advantageously, said angle "a" is an acute angle with respect to the horizontal equal to or greater than 60° suitable to minimise the energy loss of the flow of water that is discharged into the basin.

In this way, the propelling speed of the water flow from the discharge conduit of the propelling means is not substantially slowed, but the flow is efficiently evacuated directly through this water supply path or distribution conduit arranged inclined, to the water outlet port that discharges directly into the basin.

Preferably, the basin of the body of the toilet bowl comprises an open perimeter rim, or “rimless” toilet rim, capable of distributing water from the at least one water supply path, or from the at least one water distribution conduit, through the at least one outlet port that communicates with the overflow.

A toilet bowl with an open perimeter rim for water distribution is known in the industry as a “rimless” toilet bowl. The open perimeter rim allows the distribution of the discharge water from the distributor body in a very homogeneous manner. Furthermore, as it is an open rim without holes, it can be easily cleaned and does not accumulate dirt in enclosed spaces.

According to an embodiment, said water distribution body comprises a plurality of water supply paths, or water distribution conduits, each capable of receiving a fraction of the water from the discharge conduit of the propelling means, said plurality of supply paths, or distribution conduits, defining a plurality of water outlet ports capable of discharging water directly into the basin, where said outlet ports communicate with the overflow of the collection channel of the distribution body.

According to another embodiment, the distribution body comprises a single water supply path or distribution conduit for distributing water from the at least one water outlet port through the open perimeter rim of the basin, wherein said single water supply path or distribution conduit is configured and arranged so as to enable a vortex water flushing system over the basin.

Thus, said distribution body may be, for example, a distribution body provided with one or more water supply paths. For example, the distribution body may include a first water supply path, a second water supply path, and a third water supply path, or water distribution conduits, to distribute water from the discharge conduit through the open perimeter rim of the basin.

When the distribution body includes three water supply paths, or distribution conduits, preferably, one of the three outlet ports is a first outlet port that is arranged to direct water towards the centre of the basin so as to form a central cascade when discharging water from the first supply path or distribution conduit, while the other two outlet ports define a second and a third outlet port located on either side of the first water outlet port and oriented so as to direct the flow of water from the second and third supply path, or distribution conduit, towards opposite sections of the open perimeter rim of the basin.

According to an embodiment, the water propelling means of the flushing system comprise a hydraulic device provided with a water propelling conduit connected to a pressurised water inlet, said propelling conduit including a Venturi tube which is arranged housed inside the integrated tank to pump by Venturi effect the water stored in the tank to the discharge conduit, when pressurised water circulates inside the Venturi tube.

This results in a very compact toilet design that includes a hydraulic water flushing system that complies very effectively with the European standard UNE-EN1717. In the event of a backflow, the polluted water rises to the overflow of the collection channel through the outlet port and the opening of the water supply path or distribution conduit. The overflow defines in the bowl body cavity a discharge or overflow height that preserves the regulatory vertical distance "dv" with respect to the water outlet of the water discharge conduit of the propelling means. Furthermore, the toilet has an air gap designed to protect the water stored in the tank. The Venturi tube and the storage tank water are thus protected from pollution by backflow.

According to another embodiment, the propelling means of the discharge system comprise an air injection device that is housed inside the tank so that it is capable of injecting air to pump the water stored in the tank to the discharge conduit. Devices of this type are disclosed, for example, in Spanish patent application no. 201630080.

This results in a very compact toilet design that includes an alternative flushing system that propels water by means of air injection and that complies very effectively with the European standard UNE-EN1717. Thanks to the present invention, the inlet of potable water may be submerged in the storage tank, since, in the possible case of a backflow of water from the basin, the polluted water ascends to the overflow exposed to the air through the outlet port and the opening of the at least one water conduit or supply path of the distribution body.

According to one embodiment, the integrated water storage tank is configured as a reservoir sized to be housed, preferably concealed, in an inner space of the body of the toilet bowl that defines the basin. However, according to another embodiment, the body of the toilet bowl is a porcelain body that defines a hollow space for the storage of flushing water. In this way, the porcelain body of the bowl itself defines the integrated water storage tank.

Optionally, the at least one water supply path, the at least one water outlet port that communicates with the overflow, and optionally, the collection channel, are integrally configured in the cavity of the body of the toilet bowl, from the material of the body of the toilet bowl itself, for example, from a porcelain-based material with which the toilet bowl is manufactured.

In the present invention, integrated water storage tank will be understood as a tank configured by way of a reservoir or hollow space, which is housed or forms part of the body of the toilet bowl and wherein, preferably, the bottom of the tank is located below the upper edge of the toilet bowl body (also called flange).

An overflow exposed to the air, or an outlet of water exposed to the air of the discharge conduit, shall be understood as an overflow, or an outlet of water from the discharge conduit, with the intake of atmospheric air.

Brief description of the drawings

In order to better understand the description made, a set of drawings has been provided which, schematically and solely by way of non-limiting example, depicts several practical examples of embodiment of the toilet of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet of the present invention that incorporates a water flushing system with integrated water storage tank, and a water distribution body provided with a plurality of supply paths or distribution conduits. The distribution body is housed in a rear cavity of the toilet bowl body. For reasons of clarity, the drawing of the open perimeter rim that the basin of the bowl includes has been deleted in this figure.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the toilet of the present invention incorporating a water flushing system with integrated water storage tank, and a distribution body of a single water supply path or distribution conduit, housed in a rear cavity of the toilet bowl body. For reasons of clarity, the open perimeter rim of the basin has also been deleted in this figure.

Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of the embodiment of the water distribution body of Figure 1, wherein the three supply paths or distribution conduits provided with three water outlet ports that communicate with the overflow provided in the water collection channel can be seen.

Figure 4 shows a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the water distribution body of Figure 1 , wherein the upper edge of the collection channel that acts as an overflow is seen, as well as the inlet port of the three water supply paths or distribution conduits.

Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of the embodiment of the water distribution body of Figure 2, which includes a laterally oriented supply path or distribution conduit, so as to enable a water vortex flushing system.

Figure 6 shows a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the water distribution body of Figure 5.

Figures 7a, 7b and 7c are three perspective detail views of the distribution body of figure 1 housed in the cavity of the toilet bowl body. Figure 7c shows a sectional perspective view of the distribution body and the toilet wherein the distribution body is housed.

Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a section of a toilet with integrated water storage tank incorporating the water distribution body of Figure 1, housed in the cavity of the toilet bowl body. In this figure 8, the overflow is located at a vertical distance "dv" with respect to the water outlet of the water discharge conduit of the propelling means, said vertical distance "dv" comprising the air gap sized to provide protection against pollution of the tank water.

Figure 9 is a detail view of the section of Figure 8 showing the overflow sized to give possible outlet of the water at an overflow height “HO” lower than the height “H1” of the upper edge of the toilet bowl. This figure also shows the angle "a" of inclination of the water supply paths or distribution conduits that allows maintaining the substantially inclined trajectory of the flow of water exiting the water discharge conduit of the propelling means.

Figure 10 is a detail view analogous to that of Figure 9. However, in this figure the overflow is located and sized to give possible outlet to the water at an overflow height "HO" equal to the height "H1" of the upper edge of the toilet bowl.

Figure 11 is another detail view analogous to that of Figure 9. However, in this figure the overflow is located and sized to give possible outlet to the water at an overflow height "HO" higher than the height "H1" of the upper edge of the toilet bowl.

Figure 12 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet of the present invention incorporating a vortex water flushing system with integrated water storage tank, and a distribution body of a single supply path or distribution conduit, housed in the rear cavity of the toilet bowl body. In this embodiment, unlike the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, the discharge conduit of the propelling means injects a water jet in a horizontal direction.

Figure 13 shows partially sectional schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the toilet of Figure 12. In this figure 13, the overflow is located at a vertical distance "dv" with respect to the water outlet of the water discharge conduit of the propelling means, while the air gap is comprised in the horizontal distance "dh" arranged between the inlet "A" of the water supply path or distribution conduit and the water outlet of the discharge conduit.

Figure 14 is a schematic representation showing the distribution body of the toilet of figures 12 and 13 housed in the cavity of the bowl body and the vertical "dv" and horizontal "dh" distances that provide protection complying with an air gap of the type Family A - Type D, sized according to the European Standard UNE-EN 13079 of protection against pollution by backflow of potable water.

Figure 15 is a representation analogous to that of Figure 14 wherein the distribution body incorporates a protective cover provided with openings to guarantee water outlet, which is coupled to the upper edge of the collection channel.

Description of preferred embodiments

Several embodiments of the toilet of the present invention are described below with reference to Figures 1 to 15. It is a toilet, preferably a "rimless" toilet, provided with a water flushing system that includes a water storage tank integrated in the body of the toilet bowl and propelling means to propel water stored in the tank to the waste disposal basin. For reasons of clarity, the propelling means have been represented schematically indicating only the water discharge conduit from the tank.

The toilet 1 of the present invention comprises a toilet bowl 2, and a body 3 of the bowl 2 that defines a waste disposal basin 4. The rear part of the same body 3 of the bowl defines a cavity 5 whose hollow space comprises at least one water supply path 6, or distribution conduit, arranged so as to receive the water from the discharge conduit 7 of the water propelling means, and it discharges it directly into the basin 4 through at least one water outlet port 6a, 6b, 6c.

As can be seen in the schematic views of Figures 1, 2, and 12, the disclosed embodiments include a water distribution body 9 that is at least partially housed in the cavity 5 of the body 3 of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1. This distribution body 9 may be, for example, a one-piece distribution body 9 incorporating one or more water supply paths 6 configured as water distribution conduits that discharge into the basin 4 through one or more water outlet ports 6a, 6b, 6c. The distribution body 9 incorporates a water collection channel 10 exposed to the air that communicates with the outlet ports 6a, 6b, 6c of said water supply paths 6, through an opening provided in the water supply paths 6 or distribution conduits. This collection channel 10 defines an overflow 8 exposed or open to air that is in direct communication with the outlet port 6a or ports 6a, 6b, 6c of the water supply paths 6, or distribution conduits.

Figures 1 to 11 correspond to embodiments of the toilet 1 wherein the discharge conduit 7 of the propelling means provides a water jet in a direction substantially inclined with respect to the vertical. In these embodiments, the overflow 8 is always located at a vertical distance "dv" that incorporates the air gap sized to provide protection against pollution of the tank water, according to European Standard UNE-EN 13077 for an air gap of the type Family A - Type B.

Figures 12 to 15 correspond to an embodiment of the toilet wherein the discharge conduit 7 of the propelling means injects a water jet in a horizontal direction. In this embodiment the overflow 8 is also located at a vertical distance "dv" with respect to the water outlet of the water discharge conduit of the propelling means. However, in this case, the air gap is comprised in a horizontal distance “dh” arranged between an inlet “A” of the supply path 6 or distribution conduit and the water outlet 7a of the discharge conduit 7. The horizontal distance "dh" is a distance equal to or greater than 20 mm, preferably, furthermore, a distance equal to or greater than twice the internal diameter of the water discharge conduit of the propelling means. In any case, this distance "dh" is sized to comply with an air gap of the type Family A - Type D as established by the European Standard UNE-EN 13079 of protection against pollution by backflow of potable water.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet 1 incorporating a water distribution body 9 provided with three water supply paths 6 or distribution conduits, while Figure 2 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the toilet 1 incorporating a water distribution body 9 provided with a single supply path 6 or conduit. In both embodiments, the water discharge conduit 7 of the propelling means provides the water jet in a substantially inclined direction forming an acute angle with respect to the horizontal.

In order to maintain the inclined water outlet trajectory of the discharge conduit 7 of the propelling means, the water supply paths 6, or distribution conduits, of the distribution body 9 have also been arranged inclined forming an acute angle "a" with respect to the horizontal, equal to or greater than 60° (see detail in figure 9). The substantially inclined path of the flow from the discharge conduit 7 is thereby maintained, minimising energy loss. Thanks to this, a very good washing efficiency of the basin 4 is achieved, since the water outlet speed of the supply paths 6 can be sufficient to ensure an optimal distribution along practically the entire open perimeter rim 4a of the basin 4 of the "rimless" bowl. Figures 3 and 4 show two front and rear perspective views of the embodiment of the distribution body 9 of the toilet 1 of figure 1. In this case, the three water supply paths 6, or distribution conduits, are arranged so as to receive at least a fraction of the water from the discharge conduit 7, and the distribution body 9 comprises the collection channel 10 exposed to the air and the overflow 8 sized to give possible outlet to the polluted water.

As can be seen in Figure 1 , one of the supply paths 6 discharges through a first water outlet port 6b arranged to direct the water towards the centre of the basin 4 so that it forms a central cascade. The other two water supply paths 6, or distribution conduits, discharge through a second 6a and a third 6c outlet port located on either side of the first outlet port 6b and oriented so that they can direct the flow of water laterally to distribute it along an open perimeter rim 4a of the basin 4. The rear view of Figure 4 shows the overflow 8 open to the air of the collection channel 10, which communicates with the outlet ports 6a, 6b, 6c of the three water supply paths 6 to give a possible outlet to the polluted water.

Figures 5 and 6 show two front and rear perspective views of an embodiment of the distribution body 9 installed in the toilet 1 shown in figure 2. This distribution body 9 is provided with a single water supply path 6, or distribution conduit, which discharges through a single water outlet port 6a. This outlet port 6a is oriented laterally so as to enable a vortex flushing system, such as that schematically shown in Figure 2. In this case, the distribution body 9 also includes a collection channel 10 that communicates with the outlet port 6a of the sole water supply path 6 through an opening to give a possible outlet to the polluted water, through the overflow 8 exposed to the air.

Figures 7a, 7b and 7c are three perspective views of the toilet 1 of figure 1 wherein the distribution body 9 housed in the cavity 5 of the body 3 of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1 can be seen. Figure 7b is a detail view wherein the cavity 5 of the body 3 of the bowl 2 has been sectioned, while Figure 7c is a detail view wherein the distribution body 9 has also been sectioned. The sectional detail view of Figure 7c shows the configuration of the collection channel 10 that includes the overflow 8 at the upper edge 10a and located at a height lower than the upper edge of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1 (also called flange). The overflow 8 is arranged in communication with the three outlet ports 6a, 6b, 6c of the three water supply paths 6, or distribution conduits, and the outlet 7a of the water discharge conduit 7 is exposed to the air so as to simultaneously discharge the water flow into the three water supply paths 6 of the distribution body 9. A schematic view of a section of the toilet 1 of Figure 1 has been depicted in Figure 8. This figure shows the integrated water storage tank 11 and the distribution body 9 housed in the cavity 5 of the body 3 of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1. It also shows the overflow 8 located at a vertical distance "dv" with respect to the outlet 7a of the water discharge conduit 7 from the propelling means and defining an overflow height "HO" lower than the height "H1" of the upper edge of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1 (see detail in figure 9).

Figure 8 also shows the open perimeter rim 4a of the basin 4 capable of facilitating the perimeter propelling of water from the water supply paths 6 of the distribution body 9. As discussed in the description of the invention, the toilet bowls 2 with open perimeter rim 4a are known as "rimless" toilet bowls and have the advantage that they facilitate the cleaning of the basin 4, since they do not accumulate dirt in enclosed spaces.

Figure 10 is a detail view similar to that of Figure 9 showing a section of a toilet that also incorporates the distribution body 9 of Figure 1. However, in this figure the overflow 8 is located and sized to give possible outlet to the polluted water at an overflow height "HO" equal to the height "H1" of the upper edge of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1. Figure 11 is another detail view similar to that of Figures 9 and 10. However, in this figure the overflow 8 is located and sized to give possible outlet to the polluted water at an overflow height "HO" higher than the height "H1" of the upper edge of the toilet bowl.

In the particular embodiment shown in the detail views of figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 9, in the event of backflow, the overflow or discharge height of the polluted water will always be a height "HO" lower than the height "H 1 " of the upper edge of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1 , which allows obtaining a toilet protected from pollution of very compact design, which integrates the overflow 8 in the cavity 5 of the body 3 of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1. Thus, the design of the toilet 1 can be an improved design, of reduced dimensions, wherein the water storage tank 11 can be configured as a reservoir or hollow space inside the body 3 of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1.

Figure 12 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet 1 incorporating a vortex water flushing system with integrated water storage tank 11 , and a distribution body 9 of a single water supply path 6 or water distribution conduit. In this embodiment, the discharge conduit 7 of the propelling means injects a water jet in a substantially horizontal direction.

As can be seen in Figure 13, in this embodiment, the overflow 8 is also located at a vertical distance "dv" with respect to the water outlet 7a of the water discharge conduit 7 of the propelling means. However, the air gap is comprised in the horizontal distance "dh" arranged between the inlet "A" of the water supply path 6 or distribution conduit and the water outlet 7a of the discharge conduit 7 (see detail figure 14).

As mentioned, the horizontal distance "dh" is a distance equal to or greater than 20 mm, or a distance sized to comply with an air gap of the type Family A - Type D according to the European Standard UNE-EN 13079 of protection against pollution by backflow of potable water.

Figure 15 is a representation analogous to that of Figure 14 wherein the distribution body 9 incorporates a protective cover 12 coupled to the upper edge of the collection channel 10.

As described in the description of the invention, according to one embodiment, the water propelling means of the tank 11 comprise a hydraulic device (not shown) provided with a water propelling conduit connected to a pressurised water inlet. The propelling conduit includes a Venturi tube housed inside the tank 11 to pump by Venturi effect the water stored in the tank 11 to the discharge conduit 7, when pressurised water circulates inside the Venturi tube. Alternatively, the propelling means comprise an air injection device (not shown) which is housed inside the tank 11 so that it can pump the water from the tank 11 to the discharge conduit 7, when it is in operation.

Both propelling means have the advantage that they are silent, since regardless of whether it is the hydraulic device or the air injection device, both are always housed inside the water storage tank 11 when they are in operation, protected by water that dampens noise. In addition, the toilet 1 has an air gap designed for the protection of the water stored in the tank 11. The Venturi tube and the water in the tank 11 or potable water are thus protected from pollution by backflow.

The operation of the toilet 1 of the present invention is described below referring to Figures 1 to 15.

When a user wishes to discharge water to evacuate waste from the basin 4 of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1, the user presses a button that actuates the device of the water propelling means to pump water from the interior of the water storage tank 11 to the discharge conduit 7. The discharge conduit 7 conduits the water to the water supply path or paths 6 provided in the water distribution body 9. In the embodiments of the toilet 1 corresponding to figures 1 to 11, the water supply path or paths 6 are arranged, preferably inclined, to maintain the inclined trajectory of the flow or jet of water and not significantly slow the speed of the water propelling, which is piped to the outlet port or ports 6a, 6b, 6c that discharge directly into the basin 4. The flow rate and the flow outlet speed of the water supply path or paths 6 will be sufficient to ensure an optimal distribution of water along practically the entire open perimeter rim 4a of the basin 4.

The outlet port 6a or ports 6a, 6b, 6c of water supply path 6 or paths 6, communicate with the overflow 8 open to air provided in the collection channel 10 of the distribution body 9. Thanks to this, in the event of backflow, the water can always be discharged through said overflow 8 at an overflow height "HO" that can be equal to, less than or higher than the height "H1" of the upper edge of the bowl 2 of the toilet 1. The overflow height "HO" will, in any case, always be located at a vertical distance "dv" sized to comply with the European standard UNE-EN1717 for protection against pollution of potable water, so as to allow the outlet or drainage of water in the event of backflow. In the examples described, this vertical distance "dv" is equal to or more than 20 mm.

In the embodiments corresponding to figures 1 to 11 , the vertical distance "dv" incorporates the air gap sized to avoid pollution of the tank 11 water. However, in the embodiment of Figures 12 to 15, wherein a flow or jet of water of substantially horizontal direction is injected, the air gap is comprised in the horizontal distance "dh" arranged between the water inlet "A" of the water supply path 6 and the outlet 7a of the water discharge conduit 7 of the propelling means. In this case, it is this air gap that prevents the pollution of the water in the tank 11 in the event of backflow.

Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the device described is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims. For example, although embodiments have been described with a water distribution body 9, with one and three water supply paths 6, the same distribution body 9 could be configured with a different number of water supply paths 6 or distribution conduits. Alternatively, instead of a distribution body, the toilet could include one or more of the water supply paths 6, as well as the overflow 8 itself, and/or the collection channel 10, all of which are integrally configured in the body 3 of the toilet 1 bowl 2, from the base material with which the body 3 of the toilet 1 bowl 2 is manufactured.