CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims priority from Israel patent application 202854, filed on 17 December 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention relates to toilets, in particular a toilet designed to conserve flushing water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] The need to conserve water is a common issue, especially in arid locations.

One of the areas where a considerable amount of water is typically used is in the use of toilets.

[004] In toilets of the type with a water tank, the amount of water used to flush is usually about a few times the amount of water in the toilet bowl (hereinafter "bowl water"). This is because the flushing water provides the force to flush the bowl water; and because the flushing water mixes with the bowl water upon flushing. Consistent with this flushing concept is that there is commonly a construction code requirement that there be a gap between the toilet seat and the rim of the bowl in order to provide "make up" air to avoid a vacuum or partial vacuum in the bowl upon flushing.

[005] It is believed that the following publications represent the current state of the art: CN 2486627 "Closed water saving water closet without cistern" (Lin); CN 201241375 "Air and water linkage type novel water-saving closestool" (Zhen); CN201224911Y "Toilet closet" (Wang); CN201074357Y "Water-saving toilet seat" (Chen); and CH 663144 "Lavatory lid" (Nyffeler).

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet designed to operate (i.e. perform the flushing operation) - using less water than typical toilets with water tanks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[007] The present invention relates to a water-conserving toilet; a toilet bowl sealing mechanism/accessory therefor; and method of flushing the toilet and retrofitting a standard "western" toilet.

[008] In accordance with embodiments of one aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet of the type having a water tank; a toilet bowl; a toilet seat; a toilet lid; and a water trap, the toilet further comprising: a toilet bowl air trap mechanism including: a seat air seal disposed between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat; and a lid air seal disposed between the lid and the toilet seat, wherein said seals are adapted to trap air in the toilet bowl when the toilet seat and toilet lid are in the down position. Securing the seat and lid in the down position can be performed manually, for example by pressing with one's hand or sitting on the lid.

[009] In some embodiments, the toilet further comprises a lid closure securing mechanism, which, in some embodiments comprises a gripping lid lockdown device having a gripper for engaging an inner side of a rim of the toilet bowl; and in some of those embodiments further comprises a mechanical automatic flushing actuation mechanism.

[010] In accordance with embodiments of a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet accessory for a toilet of the type having a toilet seat, a toilet bowl and a toilet bowl lid, the accessory comprising: a toilet seat seal disposed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl; and a toilet lid seal disposed between the toilet lid and the toilet seat, wherein said seals are adapted to trap air in the toilet bowl when the toilet seat and toilet lid are secured in the down position.

[011] In accordance with embodiments of a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of flushing a toilet having a toilet seat and toilet bowl lid, the method comprising: trapping air in a toilet bowl; and actuating flushing of the toilet. In some embodiments, actuating flushing of the toilet is automatic.

[012] In accordance with embodiments of a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of converting a toilet having a toilet seat and toilet bowl lid, into a toilet utilizing air pressure for flushing the toilet as, the method comprising: attaching a toilet seat seal to the underside of the toilet seat; and attaching toilet bowl lid seal to the underside of the toilet bowl lid, wherein said seals are adapted to trap air in the toilet bowl when the toilet seat and toilet bowl lid are in the down position.

[013] Some embodiments of the above aspects further include (or include installing) an inadvertent-flush prevention device.

[014] Advantages of the present invention include:

[015] 1) Water saving when flushing the toilet;

[016] 2) Reduction of water flow to the sewage system (less wastewater).

[017] 3) Preservation of the environment.

[018] 4) There is less chance of an overflow of water in case the toilet is clogged, as the volume of water flushed is typically less than the volume of the toilet bowl.

[019] These advantages are enabled by the sealing concepts of a toilet seat, allowing air to be locked inside the toilet space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[020] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[021] Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a toilet of the present invention;

[022] Fig. 2 is a front view of other embodiments of the present toilet illustrating exemplary flushing mechanisms;

[023] Figs. 3A-3F are views of the present toilet showing further embodiments thereof including exemplary toilet bowl lid closure securing mechanisms, wherein Figs. 3A-3B are partial side views and Figs. 3C-3F are side sectional views;

[024] Figs. 4A-4F illustrate another embodiment of the present invention including a mechanical toilet bowl lid closure securing and flushing mechanism, in an lid- open position, wherein Fig. 4A is a side sectional view of the mechanical toilet bowl lid closure securing and flushing mechanism; Fig. 4B is side sectional view of a flush actuating and releasing device of the mechanical toilet bowl lid closure securing and flushing mechanism; Fig. 4C is a top sectional view of a driver disk of the toilet bowl lid closure securing and flushing mechanism; Fig. 4D is a top sectional view of a driven disk of the toilet bowl lid closure securing and flushing mechanism; Fig. 4E is a perspective view of a disk power spring of the disks; and Fig. 4F is a perspective view of a driver/driven disk engagement device (area "G" of Fig. 4C); [025] Figs. 5A-5D are views of Figs. 4A-4D, in the closed position (lid held- down); and

[026] Figs. 6A-6E show an exemplary auxiliary device for preventing inadvertent flushing, wherein Figs. 6A-6B are partial side views and Figs. 6C-6E are perspective views.

[027] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[028] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features/components of an actual implementation are necessarily described.

[029] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a toilet of the present invention comprising a water tank 10 with a flushing handle 12; a toilet bowl 14 with a water trap 16; a tank water flow pipe 18 through which water flushes from the water tank to the bowl; a toilet seat 20 and a toilet bowl lid 22. Bowl 14 includes an upper edge or rim 24 and contains bowl water 26. For clarity, pipe 18 is shown as relatively long, i.e. water tank 10 is considerably elevated above bowl 14. However, it should be understood that the present invention is operable with short pipes and even with water tanks adjacent or abutting the bowl, as long as the water in the tank is above the water in the bowl - as will be understood from further description below.

[030] The toilet also comprises a toilet bowl sealing mechanism including a seat seal 28 and a lid seal 30. Seat seal 28 is disposed between toilet seat 20 and rim 24 of bowl 14 and is typically attached to the bottom surface of the toilet seat, for example by an adhesive (glue or tape) or other suitable means, although it may be attached to rim 24 of bowl 14, or adapted (e.g. shaped) to appropriately rest on the bowl's rim; or the rim can be shaped to hold the seal in position. Lid seal 30 is disposed between toilet seat 20 and toilet bowl lid 22, typically attached to the bottom surface of the toilet bowl lid. The seals 28 and 30 are adapted to produce a seal whereby air is trapped in the bowl 14, i.e. there is not free flow of air in and out of the bowl when seat 20 and lid 22 are closed (in the down position), resting on rim 24.

[031] The seals 28 and 30 are typically annular, corresponding to seat 20 and rim

24. They may be made of any suitable material, for example a closed cell elastomers such as a neoprene material as used in diving suits; and the seals 28 and 30 can be of any appropriate configuration, for example having an annular profile or "filled in".

[032] In some embodiments, seat seal 28 and lid seal 30 are adapted for retrofitting to existing toilets, in particular to existing toilet seats and lids (and potentially used along with a smaller water tank or a water tank wherein the float level has been lowered), and thus the seat seal is appropriately/correspondingly designed to interface correspondingly with the bottom side of those toilet seats which commonly include feet or supports that provide a gap between the seat and the bowl's rim; and the lid seal is adapted to sealingly fill in the gap between existing toilet lids and toilet seats. Such gaps are commonly part of the construction code of the toilet in order to allow "make up" air to enter the bowl to avoid a vacuum or partial vacuum in the bowl upon flushing.

[033] In simplistic implementations, the lid can be pressed down manually, or the user can even simply sit on the lid, to ensure suitable sealing of the toilet bowl (i.e. air trap). However, to help ensure a proper seal, in some embodiments the sealing mechanism further comprises a locking mechanism, as will be discussed below.

[034] Fig. 2 shows other embodiments of the toilet further comprising a flush actuation mechanism (which can be considered an alternative or replacement mechanism to the typical handle actuated flush mechanism). Here, the flush actuation mechanism comprises a sensor, such as pressure sensor 32 situated in a location that senses a secure closing of lid 22, and can be located for example in, or adjacent to, lid 22 lid or seal 30. When sensor 32 senses a pressure which is intended to relate to a suitable/proper sealing of bowl 14 thereby forming an appropriate air trap therein, the sensor actuates flushing of the toilet, by any suitable means (e.g. via an electronic cable, wireless connection, etc) for actuating an actuator, for example a solenoid 35. An alternative sensor, such as sensor 33 can be used. Sensor 33 is mounted in a location suitable to determine if lid 22 has been closed, upon which the sensor actuates flushing. Sensor is exemplarily shown disposed on tank 10 and is adapted to determine if lid 22 is in the down position, for example by means of an "electric eye". In embodiments with such sensors, handle 12 is not required. [035] Figs. 3A-3F show embodiments wherein the present toilet includes a toilet bowl lid closure securing mechanism (i.e. to secure lid 22 in the down position), intended to help ensure a suitable air trap in bowl 14 prior to flushing. Fig. 3 A illustrates a lid securing mechanism comprising a weight 34 to help press seat 20 and lid 22 sealingly to rim 24.

[036] Fig. 3B illustrates another lid closure securing mechanism comprising a clip 36, typically attached to lid 22 and adapted to grasp a part of the toilet, typically bowl 14 to help hold seat 20 and lid 22 sealingly down onto rim 24 at the time of flushing. Clip 36 may be made of a resilient material, for example a flexible metal or plastic so as to provide a biasing action to help secure appropriate closure of bowl 14 to produce an air trap therein.

[037] Figs. 3C-3F are side sectional views illustrating further lid closure securing mechanisms comprising a (gripping) lid lockdown device 38, which is assembled on lid 22. Figs. 3C-3D show a particular embodiment in the non-locked and locked position, respectively. The lid lockdown device 38 comprises a gripper 40 with a generally planar rim interface or rim gripping surface 42 and is pivotally attached to the underside of lid 22 via a gripper base 44 by a pivot pin 46. The lockdown device 38 further includes a gripper actuator, such as a piston 48 received in a cylinder 50, which is attachable to lid 22 via a connector, for example a threaded washer 52. Cylinder 50 passes through lid 22 and can be integral with or attached to gripper base 44. An O-ring 54 or other suitable sealing device is disposed between piston 48 and the cylinder 50 to ensure sealing; and an annular gasket or seal 56 is disposed between washer 52 and lid 22. A piston spring 58 is disposed between a top portion or head 60 of piston 48 and washer 52 which biases the piston upward when the piston is pushed downward. Connecting between piston 48 and gripper 40 is a crank device 62. Crank device 62 comprises a connecting rod 64 and a pair of rods; first rod 66 and second rod 68 forming a crank shaft like element. Crank device 62 connects between piston 48 and gripper 40. First rod 66 is attached to base 44 at pivot joint 70 and to second rod 68 at pivot point 72, which is in turn connected to gripper 40 at an upper portion of the gripper at a pivot joint 74. Connecting rod 64 connects to first rod 66 an intermediate pivot point 76 and to piston 48 at a pivot joint 78.

[038] Figs. 3E-3F show another particular embodiment of the lid lockdown device 38 in the non-locked and locked position, respectively, including a recess member 80. Recess member 80 allows piston 48 to stick out less, or potentially not all at, from the top side of lid 22.

[039] Alternatively or possibly in conjunction with the above exemplary lid closure securing mechanisms, some devices designed to secure a toilet lid closed, commonly used to prevent access by young children to the toilet bowl, can be implemented as, or together with, the securing mechanism, for example the toilet seat safety lock disclosed in US 2007/061954 (Watkins) or the toilet disclosed in US 2,886,826 (Shaleen). Other mechanisms such as electronic lid closure mechanisms can also be used.

[040] Regardless, the particular closure and sealing mechanism, upon closing of the toilet seat 20 and lid 22, air is trapped in the bowl 14, the trapped air space essentially defined by water in the water tank 10, bowl water 26 and seat seal 28 and lid seal 30.

[041] Figs. 4A-4E and 5A-5D show an exemplary mechanism for both helping ensure a high quality sealing of toilet bowl 14 when seat 20 and lid 22 are closed (in the down position) and for automatically actuating flushing. This sealing and flushing mechanism is essentially a combination of a lid closing and securing mechanism such as described above (e.g. in Figs. 3C and 3D or Figs. 3E and 3F), plus an automatic flushing actuation mechanism, for example a mechanical flushing actuation mechanism, as will now be described.

[042] The flushing mechanism comprises a first cable 82 attached at one end to gripper 40, typically at a rear portion of the gripper, for example near or at pivot joint 74. First cable 82 typically passes through a sleeve 84 and connects to a flush actuating and releasing device 86 (Figs. 4B and 5B), in particular a driver disk 88 of the device 86. Driver disk 88 has a cavity 90 in which resides a driver disk power spring 92; an annular recess 93 for receiving cable 82; and preferably three or more inclined recesses 94 having respective locking balls 96 therein - forming a driver/driven disk engagement device (best seen in Fig. 4F). Above and parallel to driver disk 88 is a driven disk 98 having a driven disk power spring 100. Driven disk 98 rests on locking balls 96. Driver disk 88 and driven disk 98 are rotatable around a pin 102 that has a connection nut 104 with an associated slider (friction reduction) shim or spacer 106. At the bottom end 108 of pin 102 is another slider (friction reduction) shim or spacer 110. Pin 102 has a pair of slots 112, one of the slots at driver disk 88 for holding one end 114 of driver disk power spring 92; the other slot at driven disk 98 for holding one end 116 of driven disk power spring 100. The other ends of power springs 92 and 100 are connected to respective holding slots 118 of the disks 88 and 98. Disks 88 and 98 are housed in a housing 120. Connected to disk 98 is a second cable 82a exiting housing 120 through a sleeve 84a and leading to handle 12; a portion of the second cable is received in an annular recess of driven disk 98, analogous to annular recess 93 and labeled as such.

[043] It should be understood that certain components of the present toilet can be manufactured integrally, e.g. lid 22, gripper base 44 and sleeve 84 can be formed as a single part, for example a single plastic part. It is also noted that the disks 88 and 98 can comprise one or more auxiliary annular recesses (like recesses 93, and shown in Figs. 4b and 5b) which can be used in case of wear - for such purpose, there may be auxiliary sleeves like sleeve 84. Similarly, driven disk 98 can comprise inclined recesses 94 as in driver disk 88 whereby the disks can be interchanged, in case of wear.

[044] Operation:

[045] To operate the toilet, one first closes (lowers) seat 20 and lid 22; and ensures a proper seal. Then, the toilet is flushed. The water entering the bowl 14 pushes the air trapped in the bowl into the siphon pipe of water trap 16 and the water that entered the bowl replaces the flushed water.

[046] If the toilet further includes a closure and securing mechanism, this mechanism is used and then the toilet is flushed. In the case where gripper 40 is present, the user closes lid 22; presses piston 48 downward against the bias of piston spring 58, whereby via crank device 62 causes gripper surface 42 of gripper 40 to move below the inner side 24a of rim 24. As a result gripper 40 grips rim 24 via friction, with the aid of piston spring 58. After flushing (whether manually or automatically), one presses down on lid 22 or on piston 48 thereby releasing gripper 40 from rim 24 and the lid can then be raised.

[047] If the toilet further includes a closure and securing mechanism plus an automatic flush mechanism: the user operates the toilet the same as described immediately above, however the flushing is automatic. Upon pressing piston 48, not only is lid 22 pressed/held downward forming an air trap, the gripper 40 pulls on first cable 82, initiating the flushing action. Pulling on first cable 82 rotates driver disk 88 (and inclined recesses 94 thereof) which rotates until locking balls 96 grip driven disk 98 at which point the disks 88 and 98 rotate together. The rotation of driven disk 98 pulls second cable 82a which operates handle 12. The handle 12 is released automatically because driven disk power spring 100 of driven disk 98 rotates the driven disk back to its original position; and locking balls 96 also go back essentially to their original positions in their respective inclined recesses 94. Lid 22 can be released so it can be opened once again by pressing down on the lid or on piston 48, as mentioned above.

[048] As understood from the above description, closing (lowering) lid 22, and securing the lid to help form an air trap in bowl 14, can be performed manually or by other means. Also, flushing the toilet can be performed manually using handle 12; or automatically, for example as describe above.

[049] Thus, during the flushing of water tank 10, the amount of water required can approach as little an amount as equal to the water flushed from the bowl 14. Obviously, somewhat more water can be used for bowl cleaning purposes, but it can be understood that since the air trapped by seals 28 and 30 in the bowl 14 produces the flushing - or at least the initial flushing or at least a partial flushing - the amount of tank water used can be reduced. It should be understood that the dimensions of tank 10 can thus be decreased resulting in space saving and potentially manufacturing costs. On the other hand, the same or approximately the same amount of tank water can be used whereby the result will be a tendency to achieve a cleaner bowl. Presently, in many cases more than one flush is required to achieve a desired flush, and the present invention can be useful to helps eliminate the need for repeat flushing.

[050] It should be understood that the better the air trap, i.e. the better the sealing effect of seals 28 and 30, the more effective the (temporarily) trapped air will be in pushing bowl water 26 through water trap 16, as air leakage will reduce the pressure of the air upon flushing. However, even with an imperfect air trap, there will be a tendency for the flushing to be more efficient using the present invention.

[051] Figs. 6A-6E illustrate an exemplary inadvertent flush prevention device for preventing flushing when lid 22 is in the up position, (more accurately, to prevent flushing when lid 22 is not in the down position). The flush prevention device comprises a first member, for example L- shaped member 130 connected to and projecting upward from the top rear portion of bowl 14; a second member, such as cable anchoring member 132 projecting from the top rear portion of lid 22; a flush prevention cable 134; a flush blocking element 136, comprising for example a blocking flap 138 adapted and positioned to prevent flushing and or access to handle 12, or in the case of "button-type" flushing actuators (Fig. 6D), for preventing flushing and or access to a button type flush actuator (buttons) 12a; a cable sleeve 140; and a flap biasing element 142. Flap biasing element 142 positions flap 138 in a default handle (or button) blocking position. Flush prevention cable 134 is attached/anchored at one end to cable anchoring member 132 and the other end to flap 138. When lid 22 is lowered, flap 138 is moved to provide access to handle 12 (or button 12a) and the toilet can be flushed. This inadvertent flush device is designed to prevent inadvertent flushing and does not relate to automatic flushing actuated by closing lid 22 (which may included other actions like depressing piston 48), which is presumably performed when the user wishes to flush the toilet.

[052] When lid 22 is in the up position (Fig 6B), cable 134 is moved so that flap

138 blocks access to handle 12 or buttons 12a (Figs. 6C and 6D). When lid 22 is in the down position (Fig 6A), cable 134 is pulled by anchoring member 132 thereby pulling flap 138 away from handle 12 (or button 12a) whereby access to the handle/button is no longer blocked (Figs. 6A and 6E).

[053] It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis, and that the features described in the above-described embodiments, and those not described herein, may be used separately or in any suitable combination; and the invention can be devised in accordance with embodiments not necessarily described above.