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Title:
WATER CLOSET UNIT WITH AN AIR SUCTION DEVICE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2003/087484
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A WC unit (10), manufactured from ceramic, plastic or other suitable materials, comprising a WC bowl (12, 62) with an upper edge (12', 64), a conduit (14) connected with the water mains for the discharge of water in bowl through openings (13), a seat (20, 60, 78) cover and at least a suction duct (50) connected to a suction device (53) and communicating with the inside of said bowl through one or more through-openings or slits (22, 68) included along an annular surface having a radius less than that of the slits (13) for water discharge are obtained. The through-openings or slits (22, 68) communicating with the inside of the bowl may be located directly on the edge (64) of the WC bowl, on the seat (20) or on an intermediate hollow ring (52) fixed between the edge (12') of the bowl and seat (60).

Inventors:
PERIN LUCIANO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IT2002/000243
Publication Date:
October 23, 2003
Filing Date:
April 17, 2002
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
PERIN LUCIANO (IT)
International Classes:
A47K13/30; E03D9/052; (IPC1-7): E03D9/052
Foreign References:
US4251888A1981-02-24
EP0814210A11997-12-29
US4402091A1983-09-06
US5809581A1998-09-22
US4222129A1980-09-16
US5345617A1994-09-13
GB2143872A1985-02-20
US2231161A1941-02-11
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Lecce, Giovanni (9 Milan, IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAiMS
1. A WC unit (10), obtained from ceramic, plastic or other suitable materials, comprising : a WC bowl (12, 62) having an internal surface (12") and an upper edge with an annular development (12', 64); one or more vertical slits (13) obtained along the annular surface of said edge (12', 64) and tangent to said internal surface (12") of the WC bow ! (12,62) ; a union (14) connecting said openings (13) with the water mains; and a seat (20, 52) with a possible cover that surmounts said edge (12', 64) characterized in that said WC unit comprises also at least an air suction duct connected to a suction device (50) and provided with one or more throughopenings or slits (22, 68) communicating with the inside of said WC bowl, and separated from said vertical opening (13) ; said through openings or slits (22,68) being obtained along an annular surface having a smaller radius with respect to the one wherein the vertical slits (13) are obtained.
2. The WC unit according to claim 1, characterized in that seat (20) is an annular hollow body having a lower front or base, and the throughopenings or slits (22 ? are obtained along said lower front or base in the peripheral part exposed and close to the internal surface (12") of bok (12) and communicate with the inside of said boW (12).
3. The WC unit according to claim 1, characterized in that seat (20) is an annular hollow body having an internal vertical strip (24), and the throughopenings or slits (22) are obtained along said intemal vertical strip (24).
4. The WC unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that seat (20) is provided with an integral hollow shaped extension (26) communicating with the cavity of said seat (20) and connected with a suction duct (50).
5. The WC unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the hollow shaped extension (26) comprises a hollow element (28) upwards oriented and communicating with the hollow tubular body (30) having closed opposite heads (32), and along the body at least two holes or openings (34) ; said tubular hollow body (30) being connected to a suction duct (50) by means of a couple of shaped connections (36, 38). provided each with an axial hole (40,40'), wherein said hollow body (30) is inserted, means (44,44', 46, 46') for fastening to bowl (12) and an extension (42,42') connected to the suction duct (50).
6. The WC unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the throughholes or slits (22) are obtained on a hollow ring (52) that covers the upper edge (12') and the rear flat part (18) of bowl (12); said hollow ring (52) being provided with an integral hollow connection extension (54) communicating with the suction duct (50).
7. The WC unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the hollow ring (52) is fastened to bowl (12) through fastening means (51, 51') and a seat (60) is superposed to said hollow ring (52).
8. The WC unit according to claim 1, characterized in that bcwi (62) is provided along its upper edge (64) with an annular channel (66) communicating with the suction duct (50) and the throughopenings or slits (68) are obtained along said chanrei.
9. The WC unit according to claim 8, characterized in that bowl (62) is provided with an integral hollow extension (70) communicating with the annular channel (66) by means of a slit (74), and a suction duct (50) is connected to said hoj : ow extension (70).
10. The WC unit according to any of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the annular channel (66) is closed in the upper part by a flat ring (76) forming the bearing base fcr a conventional seat (78).
11. The WC unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction duct (50) is connected to an electric suction device (53) of the centrifugal type with a minimum capacity of 70 m3/h and 12 mm in water column.
Description:
WATER CLOSET UNIT WITH AN AIR SUCTION DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The present invention relates to a WC unit with an air suction and discharge device.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a WC unit of the bowl type that can eliminate foul smells immediately.

Description of prior art As is known, the traditional WC units are installed in bath- rooms or service rooms. They comprise a WC bowl provided with an upper edge, a seat over the edge and possibly an overlying seat cover. The bowl is connected to the water mains with the possible interposition of a water collection tank, which is discharged, if need be, through slits or holes obtained along the perimeter edge of said bowl.

Both in homes and especially in service facilities open to the public, during the use of such toilets, ambient air is often foul, especially because of the use of the toilet by many persons. This drawback is the more relevant the less is the possibility of aerating the room, which often has no windows.

In these cases one has recourse to suction fans that are in communication with the outside and integrated in the masonry in a position adjoining the room ceiling. This solution involves many drawbacks. The fan, in fact, sucks the air present in the high part of the room, and in order to eliminate foul air, it should be kept working for a long time, in order to perform a total change of air. However, in this way also the heat of the room would be eliminated and in the periods when the heating system is activated there would be a tendentially cold service room, with the necessity of bringing it continuously to an adequate temperature with ensuing energy wastes. However, foul air tends to stagnate, at least in part, near the zone wherein it forms, i. e. the boX and the adjoining space; for this reason, a fan located far from such zone solves the problem only to a minimal extent.

The aforesaid drawback exists also in service rooms provided with a window, as the* latter'should be systematically opened and closed to remove foul smells. By'a low outdoor temperature, the opening of a window, also for a short time, creates thermal unbalances in the inside of the service environment and the adjoining rooms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Object of the present invention is to obviate the above drawbacks. More particularly, object of the invention is to provide an air changing system for air suction and discharge such as to allow to eliminate foul air, without substantially lowering the temperature of the room.

A further object of the invention is to provide an air suction and discharge system that can be activated in case of need and for a short time, without involving the dispersion towards the outside of the heat existing in the service room wherein the WC unit is installed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an air suction and discharge system for toilets or service rooms suitable to ensure a high level of resistance and reliability in the time, and also such at to be easily and economically realized.

In its more general aspect, the present invention allows to obtain these and other aims that will become clearer thanks to the following description, providing the WC bowl with an air suction and discharge means that allows to eliminate foul smells at the same time as they form and directly from the zone wherein they develop.

Therefore, object of the present invention is a WC unit obtained from ceramics, plastic or other suitable material, comprising a WC bowl having an internal surface and an annula development upper edge; one or more vertical openings, obtained along the annular surface of said edge and tangent with respect to said internal surface of the WC bowl ; a union connecting said openings with the water mains; a seat with a possible seat cover that surmounts said edge and, according to the present invention, at least an air suction duct connected to a suction device and provided with one or more through- openings or slits communicating with the inside of the WC bowl, and separated by said vertical openings; said through- openings or slits being obtained along an annular surface having a shorter radius with respect to the long one wherein the vertical openings are obtained.

The through-openings communicating with the inside of the boW may be obtained directly on the edge of the WC bowl, on the seat or on an intermediate hollow ring fixed between the edge of the bowl and the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The constructive and functional characteristics of the WC unit of the present invention shall be better understood thanks to the attached drawings which represent a preferred non limiting embodiment, and wherein : Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the WC unit with the air suction and discharge device of the present invention ; Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the same WC unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic exploded view of the WC unit of the preceding figures ; Figure 4 shows a perspective schematic view of the WC unit of the present invention according to a second embodiment; Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of the WC unit of Figure 4 4 ; Figure 6 shows a schematic exploded view of the same WC unit of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the WC unit of the present invention according to a further embodiment ; Figure 8 shows a schematic exploded view of the WC unit of Figure 7.

Description of the preferred embodiments With starting reference to figures 1-3, the WC unit with the air suction and discharge device of the present invention, indicated as a whole by 10, comprises a WC bowt 12, known per se, and obtained from ceramics, plastic or other suitable materials, having an internal surface 12"and an upper edge 12' having an annular development. Said bowl 12 is provided on the rear front with a conventional union 14 for the connection with the water mains, inserted in a bole obtained in bowl 12 to discharge water therein. Along the internal annular surface of the upper edge 12'one or more vertical openings 13 are obtained, tangent with respect to the internal surface 12"of the WC bowl 12, and communicating with said union 14.

Conventionally, to bowl 12 a tip-up seat 20 is traditionally applied, that covers the upper edge 12'and that can be closed in its turn by a tip-up seat cover. Said seat 20 and the associated cover are articulated with one another, and movably connected to bowi 12 through threaded pins and shaped supports of a known type. In particular, pins are inserted in through-holes 16, obtained on bowl 12 in its rear flat surface 18, which is in touch with, or in a position adjoining one of the walls of the service room.

According to the invention and with respect to a first realization, seat 20, which delimits the exposed upper front of edge 12'of bowl 12, is an integrating part of the suction and discharge device. Said seat 20, preferably made from thermoplastic material, is constituted of an annular hollow body provided with a plurality of through-openings or slits 22 on one of its fronts. In particular, said openings 22 are realized along the front or lower base of seat 20, in its adjoining peripheral part exposed to the internal surface 12"of bowl 12.

Said openings 22 communicate with the inside of the WC bowl and are obtained along an annular surface of the bow ! seat 20 having a radius smaller with respect to the one along which the vertical openings 12 for the discharge of water are obtained.

As an alternative, or additional, slits 22 may be obtained along the internal vertical strip, indicated by 24, of bowl seat 20 corresponding to the thickness of said seat. The latter is provided, on the rear front oriented towards the holes 16 of bow 12, with an integral shaped extension 26, constituted for instance of an element having preferably a quadrangular section 28 and preferably upwards angle-oriented that connects with a tubular body 30, oriented along a plane parallel to that of the upper exposed front of edge 12'of bowl 12.

Element 28 and the tubular body 30 are hollow and in communication with the inside of said seat. The opposite heads 32 of the tubular body 30 are closed, while at least two holes or openings 34 of any form are obtained along body 30. A couple of shaped connections 36,38 connect said body 30 to a suction duct, of which more will be said hereinafter.

Each of the shaped connections 36,38, made from plastic or other suitable material, is constituted of a sleeve provided with an circular axial hole 40, 41'and an integral extension or protrusion 42,42', having any section, for instance a quadrangular one. Each circular axiai hole 40,41'has an internal diameter greater than the external one of the tubular body 30. Extension 42,42'develops towards a direction opposite with respect to seat 20, which connections 36,38 are connected with. The lower front of said connections is provided with a threaded stem 44, 44', obtained integrally or added, suitable to insert into holes 16 of boW 12. Conventional nuts 46, 46'or like fastening means are screwed on stems 44,44'of connections 36,38 to fasten the same to bowl 12.

Before said fastening, the tubular body 30 of extension 26 of boW 20 is coupled to said connections 36,38 ; in particular, the opposite heads of body 30 are inserted in holes 40, 40'of each of connections 36, 38, and gaskets of the 0-ring type 37,39 ensure the sealing, allowing the movement of seat 20.

On extension 42,42'of each connection 36,38 there is fitted on and fixed by any suitable means a bellows 48,48'from rubber or the like, connected to and communicating with a suction duct 50. Said suction duct 50 is connected in its turn with an electric suction device 51 activated by a conventional switch, or by means of sensors of the photocells type and the like that sense the presence of a person, or also through the weight of the user on seat 20. The suction time can be adjusted by conventional timers. The suction device is preferably of the centrifugal type, for instance with a minimum capacity of 70 m3Jh and 12 mm in water column. Suction devices having these characteristics are commercially known, for instance by the names ARIET LL and VORT PRESS 110 LL.

The manual or automatic activation of said suction device determines the forced uptake of foul air direction from bow ! 12 Air is sucked from slits 22 of seat 20, the shaped extension and cavity 26 integral with said seat connections 36,38 and duct 50, and conveyed towards the outside of the service room.

Figures 4-6 show schematically the WC unit of the present invention according to an alternative embodiment. In said figures, wherein the same numerals as the preceding ones are utilized for the common parts, the WC unit 10 comprises a bowl 12, to which a hollow ring 52 is superposed which covers substantial the exposed upper edge 12'and the rear flat part 18. Said hollow ring is provided with through-holes or slits 22 of the same kind as those obtained on the previously described seat 20.

Said through-openings 22 are obtained along an annular surface having a radius smaller that than wherein the vertical slits 13 for the water flow are obtained.

The hollow ring 52 is provided in the rear part with an integral hollow extension 54, having for instance a rectangular section, to which there is connected and fastened with suitable means a bellows 56, similar to bellows 48, that communicates with duct 50.

According to this embodiment, a seat 60 of the conventional type, with a possible related seat cover (not shown) may be advantageously connected the hollow ring 52, that makes part of the device for water suction and discharge. The hollow ring 52 is fixed to bow) 12 by means of screws 51, 51'or like means inserted in through-holes 16'obtained on said ring close to extension 54 and aligned with holes 16 of bo 12.

Figures 7 and 8, wherein the same numerals as the preceding ones are utilized for the common parts, relates to a further embodiment of the WC unit of the present invention.

According to this embodiment, the WC boW, indicated by 62 and made from ceramic or plastic materials, is provided on its upper edge 64 with an annular channel. 66 along wich through-openings 68 similar to slits 22 of seat 20 or the hollow ring 52 referred to in the previous embodiments are obtained.

The through-openings or slits 68 are obtained along an annular surface having a radius smaller with respect to that 80 s'ong which water vertical openings are obtained.

Channel 66 flows into a connecting hollow extension 7C that protrudes from the rear front of bowl 62 and is prefer^-bly integral with said bowl. A bellows 56, connected to the suction device 50 is connected and fastened, as in the pre*. us embodiment, to said extension 70. Bowl 62 is provided 2ong the external strip 72 of channel 66, with at least a further 74 oriented towards extension 70.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, said channel 66 is closed the upper part by a flat ring 76, that forms the bearing base tor a conventional seat 78, possibly with the related sat cove- (not shown). The flat ring 76 may be fixed by fitting into the doper edges of the annular channel 66, preferably with ; the interposition of sealing gaskets from rubber and elastomeric material. Also in the embodiments of Figures 4-6 and 7 and 8, the working of the WC unit with an air suction and discharge device is substantially identical to the one described in the first embodiment; in all cases, in fact, air suction takes place directly in the inside of the WC bowl.

As can be inferred from the above description, the advantages provided by the invention are evident.

The WC unit of the present invention allows to eliminate effectively from service sanitary rooms the foul smells at the same time as they form, the suction of foul air being effected in direct correspondence of the WC bowl. It is worth stressing that such suction creates at the same time an air flow from up downwards, that re-flows into the WC unit, preventing therefore the possibility of foul smell dispersion in the ambient. Besides. the suction air flow does not interfere with water discharge in the bowl, as slits 22,68, 74 are always suitably spaced from the annular zone 80 wherefrom water flows.

While the present invention has been as described hereinbove with reference to some embodiments thereof proposed only by way of non limiting examples, many variants and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in the light of the above description. Therefore, the present invention intends embrace all the modifications and variants that fall within the spirit and protection scope of the following claims.