Subject of the Invention

The invention relates to a flushing system, which allows a flushing process to be performed for the inner bowl in a non-contact and effective manner following the use of a ceramic sanitary ware and thus enables to save time and preclude the hygiene problems.

State of the Art

Today, one of the main factors affecting the human health is hygienic issues. It is important to satisfy the ideal conditions of hygiene in relation to the use and cleanliness of the bathrooms and sinks located in the public spaces as well as the private spaces. Especially in the public toilets, the number of the objects contacted during the use of the toilet influences the hygienic conditions. However, the removal of the residues of the dishwashing, shaving and teeth- brushing actions and other residual matter from the inner bowl portions of the sinks used in the bathrooms or public spaces is still realized manually by the use of the cleaning tools. Also, in order to ensure an effective cleaning, the disinfectants are introduced into the bowls. This may cause the loss of time for the users carrying out the cleaning or other health-related problems originating from the inability to adjust the quantity of the disinfectant.

Today, the products like faucets and soap dispensers employed in the spaces where the personal cleaning is provided are now used in a non-contact manner, i.e. without the touch of hands. However, employing the hand contact for cleaning a product where the personal cleaning is provided, such as a sink, after the use of such product increases the necessary labor for cleaning and may also lead to adverse situations from the perspective of hygiene. In the sinks where the water flow is controlled in a non-contact manner, the cleanliness of the flushing bowl is not able to be achieved completely, since it is not possible for the water to access every point of the sink.

The system according to the invention enables the contaminants accumulating within the bowl after the use of the sink to be removed in a fast and effective manner without the touch of hands. In the flushing system according to the invention, the user may, according to his/her preference, mix the flushing water with a disinfectant and thus may achieve a more effective flushing action.

Object of the Invention

An object of the invention is to develop a flushing system, which enables a ceramic sanitary ware to be cleaned without the touch of hands after the use of the same. Description of the Figures

Figure 1: A top view of the inner bowl of the ceramic sanitary ware and the water distribution line in the inner bowl

Figure 2: A front sectional view of the ceramic sanitary ware

Figure 3: A perspective view of the distributing apparatus

Figure 4: A front sectional view of the front form of the distributing apparatus

Figure 5: A side sectional view of the mixing system

Figure 6a: A top view of the flushing system

Figure 6b: A rear view of the flushing system

Figure 7a: A front view showing the use of the embodiment of the flushing system where the triggering member is positioned on the faucet

Figure 7b: A side view showing the use of the embodiment of the flushing system where the triggering member is positioned on the faucet

Figure 8: A side view showing the embodiment of the flushing system where the triggering member is positioned into a metal body

Figure 9: A side view showing the embodiment of the flushing system where the triggering member is positioned on the front surface of the counter

Figure 10: A side view showing the embodiment of the flushing system where the triggering member is positioned on the side surface of the counter

Figure 11: A rear view showing the embodiment of the flushing system that includes a triggering member capable of detecting the vibrations as the triggering member

Reference Numerals

1 : Ceramic sanitary ware

11a : Distributing apparatus slot

lid : Surface to be flushed

2 : Distributing apparatus

2a : Body

2b : Distribution section

2c : Side channel 2d : Middle channel

2e : Partition

3 : Mixing system

3a : Mixing chamber 3b : Transmission channel 3c : First inlet

3d : Outlet

3e : Second inlet

4 : Reservoir 4a : Filling opening

5 : Triggering member

6 : Valve

7 : Triggering member body

8 : Flow channel 9 : Faucet

10 : Counter

12 : First line

13 : Second line

A : Sensor H : Fluid distribution line

K : User

Description of the Invention

The invention relates to a flushing system, which allows a flushing process to be performed for the inner bowl in a non-contact and effective manner following the use of a ceramic sanitary ware and thus enables to save time and preclude the hygiene problems.

The flushing system according to the invention comprises at least one distributing apparatus (2), which is suitable for use in a ceramic sanitary ware (1), is positioned on said ceramic sanitary ware (1) in a way to enable the flushing water or the mixture of water and cleaning agent coming from a source to be transmitted to the surface to be flushed (lid) in said ceramic sanitary ware (1) and comprises at least one hole enabling the transmission of the water or the mixture of water and cleaning agent to said surface to be flushed (lid); and at least one triggering member (5), which enables the activation of the flushing system.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distributing apparatus (2) contained in the flushing system developed comprises at least one body (2a), which enables the water received from a first source via at least one first line (12) to pass there through, preferably has an outer surface with a threaded structure for facilitating the mounting thereof on the ceramic sanitary ware (1) and is preferably in cylindrical form; and at least one distribution section (2b), which is connected with said body (2a) and enables the water passing through the body (2a) to accumulate within itself and to pass to said surface to be flushed (lid) in the ceramic sanitary ware (1) by means of the channels it bears.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distribution section (2b) of said distributing apparatus (2) comprises at least one partition (2e), where the water that arrives after passing through the body (2a) accumulates, and at least one channel, which is connected with said partition (2e) and enables the transmission of the water coming from said partition (2e) to the surface to be flushed (lid). In the preferred embodiment, said channels are in the form of at least one side channel (2c) and at least one middle channel (2d). Said side channels (2c) enable the transmission of the water to the surface to be flushed (lid) along the fluid distribution line (H) shown on said surface to be flushed (lid), while said middle channel (2d) guides the water to the lower sections on said surface to be flushed (lid).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the user (K) actuates said triggering member (5) after completing his/her personal cleaning in the ceramic sanitary ware (1) and the water received from the first source reaches the distributing apparatus (2) by means of the first line (12). The water, which has reached the distributing apparatus (2), distributes the ceramic sanitary ware (1), i.e. the surface to be flushed (lid), by means of the side channels (2c) and the middle channel (2d). Owing to the flushing system according to the invention, it will be possible to enable the surface to be flushed (lid) in the ceramic sanitary ware (1) to be automatically cleaned without needing any means like a sponge and cloth, thereby improving the hygiene quality in the personal cleaning areas.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one mixing system (3) connected with the distributing apparatus (2). An exemplary embodiment of said mixing system (3) can be seen in Figure 5. The mixing system (3) comprises a first inlet (3c) for the input of the water coming from a first source via the first line (12), at least one second inlet (3e) for enabling the input of a cleaning agent coming from a second source via the second line (13) and at least one mixing chamber (3a) for enabling the water and the cleaning agent to be mixed. The cleaning agent reaches the mixing chamber (3a) via at least one transmission channel (3b). The mixture of water and cleaning agent exiting the mixing chamber (3a) reaches the distributing apparatus (2) via at least one outlet (3d) and is transmitted to the surface to be flushed (lid) via the side channel (2c) and the middle channel (2d) on the distributing apparatus (2). In said embodiment of the invention, said triggering member (5) triggers the input of the water to said mixing chamber (3a). Said embodiment of the invention comprises as the second source at least one reservoir (4) where the cleaning agent is stored. The cleaning agent may be filled into said reservoir (4) by means of at least one filling opening (4a). The first inlet (3c) providing the water input is designed in the form of a funnel, wherein the water entering this part creates a reverse pressure resulting in a vacuum while passing through the system and draws the cleaning agent from the reservoir (4) according to a certain proportion. The proportion at which the cleaning agent is to be drawn is set by means of at least one dosage setting hole available in the second inlet (3e) section.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one control unit and a valve (6). Said control unit contains the information about the quantity of water desired to be transmitted to the flushing system for each flushing process and about the periods at which the flushing process is to take place (e.g. at every triggering action or after a predetermined number of uses of the ceramic sanitary ware). In this embodiment, the triggering member (5) transmits the information about each use to the control unit, the control unit in turn compares said information with the recorded data and enables the valve (6) to be in the open or closed position based on this comparison, thereby allowing the input of water via said first line (12) or keeping the valve (6) in the closed position. Said valve (6) is preferably a solenoid valve. In this way, it becomes possible to both prevent the unnecessary use of the flushing system and avoid the unnecessary consumption of water.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said triggering member (5) is positioned on at least one faucet (9) disposed on the ceramic sanitary ware (1). Said embodiment comprises at least one control unit. In this embodiment where said triggering member (5) is positioned on the faucet (9), said triggering member (5) is a triggering member that triggers the flow of water from the faucet (9), wherein said triggering member (5) activates a meter every time the faucet (9) is triggered and thus enables the number of uses to be transmitted to the control unit. After a certain number of uses recorded previously in the control unit, the control unit enables the flushing system to become activated.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the user (K) enables the activation of the flushing system according to the invention whenever he/she desires, by means of the triggering member (5) positioned on the faucet (9), thereby enabling the surface to be flushed (lid) in the ceramic sanitary ware (1) to be cleaned. In this embodiment, in addition to the activation of the flushing system being left to the control of the user (K), said flushing system may be activated also automatically by means of at least one other sensor (A) on the faucet (9). Said sensor (A) is a sensor via which the user (K) triggers the flow of water from the faucet (9), wherein the meter associated with said sensor (A) becomes activated after the flow of water being triggered by the user (K) and transmits the number of uses to the control unit and the control unit switches the flushing system into the active position after a certain number of uses, thereby enabling the flushing to take place for the surface to be flushed (lid).

In another preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 8, said triggering member (5) is positioned into at least one triggering member body (7) on at least counter (10) where the ceramic sanitary ware (1) is located. In this embodiment, while the actuation of the triggering member (5) is possible under the control of the user (K), it is also possible for the embodiment to comprise at least one control unit, wherein the information about the number of uses is transmitted by means of the triggering member (5) to the control unit and the automatic activation of the flushing system is provided once the number of uses has reached the number of uses previously recorded in the control unit.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 9, said triggering member (5) is positioned in the direction of use on a counter (10) where the ceramic sanitary ware (1) is located.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 10, said triggering member (5) is disposed on a counter (10) where the ceramic sanitary ware (1) is located, such that it is positioned on the side part of said counter (10). The activation of the flushing system will be provided upon said triggering member (5) being actuated by the user (K).

In another preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 11, said triggering member (5) is disposed in the lower part of the ceramic sanitary ware (1). Said triggering member (5) is preferably a triggering member (5) capable of detecting the vibrations, wherein the water flowing while the user (K) performs his/her personal cleaning will actuate the triggeri ng member (5), the flushing system will become activated after waiting for a duration previously recorded in the control unit and the flushing process will be performed for the surface to be flushed (lid). In said embodiment, it is also possible that the vibrations generated are counted by means of a meter and the automatic activation of the flushing system is provided once the number of uses has reached the number of uses previously recorded in the control unit.

A ceramic sanitary ware (1) where the flushing system developed according to the invention is positioned is also included within the scope of the invention. The distributing apparatus (2) in the flushing system according to the invention is positioned in at least one distributing apparatus slot (11a) on the ceramic sanitary ware (1). Said distributing apparatus slot (11a) is preferably positioned such that a predetermined distance is present between an upper side of the ceramic sanitary ware (1) and the distributing apparatus (2). In a preferred embodiment, the distance of the center of said distributing apparatus slot (11a) from said upper side is between 10 and 50 mm. The ceramic sanitary ware (1) developed comprises a fluid distribution line (H) with at least two flow channels (8), which are connected with the hole present on the distributing apparatus (2) and which are positioned opposite one another, so that the water or the mixture of water and cleaning agent exiting the distributing apparatus (2) may be distributed over the entire surface to be flushed (lid). The ends of these flow channels (8) distant from the distributing apparatus (2) join preferably in an inclined manner. Said flow channels (8) preferably have a structure that is inclined and that becomes narrower with increasing distance from the distributing apparatus (2). In this embodiment, the distributing apparatus (2) comprises at least two holes, one for each flow channel (8), and at least two side channels (2c) associated with each hole. The water or the mixture of water and cleaning agent exiting the distributing apparatus (2) passes through the holes on the distributing apparatus (2) and thus reaches the flow channels (8) and is distributed over the entire surface of the ceramic sanitary ware (1) by means of said flow channels (8). In this way, it is possible to obtain a reliable flushing system by enabling the flushing to take place in an effective manner without the touch of hands.

Said triggering member (5) may be selected from the radar, ultrasonic, capacitive, piezo, infrared or PIR sensors.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said triggering member (5) is a button.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said triggering member (5) is a valve controlled by way of rotating the same.

Owing to the flushing system according to the invention, the cleaning of a ceramic sanitary ware may be performed without the touch of hands and this in turn contributes to the achievement of the ideal conditions of hygiene.