BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to lavatory systems and in particular to a lavatory venting apparatus and/or a lavatory flushing apparatus.

(2) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Conventional lavatory apparatus comprise large cisterns positioned above the toilet pan and usually filling from a filling pipe positioned at the top of the cistern. In general, these cisterns may be unsightly and noisy. Therefore, this invention seeks to provide a toilet cistern which can be mounted within a wall cavity and which allows the toilet pan or similar to be mounted right against the wall if required.

Furthermore, filling such a cistern from the bottom of the cistern so that there is always a quantity of water above the filling entry point allows for a quieter refill of the cistern. When in combination with the cistern mounted within a wall cavity, the quietness is enhanced by the extra insulation provided by the wall panelling.

The lavatory equipment also includes a deodoriser comprising an extraction fan which may also be mounted within the wall cavity. Conventional extraction fans require activation only in the seated position and the activation equipment is exposed where it may be tampered with if mounted in a public facility. In contrast, the present invention actuates the extraction fan using a transmitted signal or the like where all the equipment may be mounted within a wall so that it is not exposed to tampering.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a lavatory venting and/or flushing apparatus which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in a venting apparatus for a lavatory, as herein defined, able to remove polluted gas from a substantially enclosed area comprising extraction means and an actuator for operating said extraction means, said actuator being operated by a person seated on said lavatory and/or a person standing adjacent said lavatory.

Iα a further aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a flushing apparatus for a lavatory, as herein described, said flushing apparatus being of a narrow elongate configuration so as to be positionable in a wall cavity or the like and comprising an elongate cistern, a fill conduit with a fill valve for filling said cistern with water and a dump conduit with a dump valve for emptying the contents of said cistern.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

The preferred form of the invention shall now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;

Figure 1 is a cross sectional side elevation of a lavatory flushing apparatus according to one preferred form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a control panel according to one preferred form of the invention;

Figure 4(i)-(iv) are plan views of the flushing apparatus and venting apparatus in relation to the lavatory according to alternative preferred embodiments of the invention;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the lavatory flushing apparatus according to one preferred form of the invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view through a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the apparatus of Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 is a detailed cross sectional view of the lower part of the embodiment

shown in Figure 6 through 8;

Figure 10 is an elevational view of the brace portion of an embodiment as shown in Figures 6 through 9;

Figure 11 is a cross sectional, plan view through section A-A on Figure 9; and Figure 12 is an electronic circuit diagram for control apparatus forming part of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In its first aspect the invention relates to a flushing apparatus for a lavatory. The term "Lavatory" when used herein is used broadly and covers toilets and/or urinals or the like apparatus. The flushing apparatus is of a narrow elongate configuration so as to be positionable in a wall cavity or the like such as that shown generally at 2. As shown in the various embodiments of Figure 4, the flushing apparatus 1 can be provided in the wall cavity 2 substantially behind the lavatory 3 or in the wall cavity 2 beside the toilet 3.

The flushing apparatus has a elongate cistern 4 shown in the form of a tall cylindrical housing. However, other shapes of the cistern 4 are envisaged within the scope of the invention. An overflow conduit 5 is provided substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to the cistern 4. The apparatus has a fill conduit 6 with a fill valve 7 and a dump conduit 8 having a dump valve 9. The dump conduit 8 has a larger internal diameter than the fill conduit 6. The dump and fill conduits (8 and 6 respectively) are connected to the cistern 4 substantially at, or adjacent, the base thereof and are in communication with the cistern 4. Desirably, the fill conduit 6 and valve 7 are provided below the dump conduit

8. This ensures that the opening 10 of the fill conduit 6 into the cistern 4 is always provided under at least a small amount of water in the cistern 4 and ensures that the cistern 4 fills relatively quietly. This is further enhanced by the ability of the complete flushing unit 1 to be provided behind the wall and in the wall cavity 2. The dump valve 9 desirably comprises a pressure operated loose ball valve such as that disclosed in New Zealand patent application no. 241303.

The overflow conduit 5 is attached near the distal end of the dump conduit 8

and is connected to the cistern 4 by a connection conduit 13 near the top of the cistern 4. This provides a route for surplus water in case the fill solenoid 7 or the level switch 12 fail to operate properly. Overflow water can thus drain into the pan of the toilet 3 rather than the outside of a building and the cistern 4 is not 5 pressurised in the case of malfunction. The overflow conduit 5 is for example formed from pipe having a 40mm diameter. A level switch 12 is provided near the uppermost parts of the cistern 4. This may for example comprise an electromagnetic switch. The level switch 12 may for example be in communication with the fill valve 7 by electrical componentry such as that shown at 16. 0 Desirably, a control panel 17 is provided. The control panel 17 can be physically separated from the cistern 4 and operates flushing of water from the cistern 4 by electrical componentry. The control panel 17 may have full and half flush facilities available (see 18 and 19).

The control panel 17 may also have a pilot light 21 which is activated when the 5 cistern 4 has refilled with water after flushing. The control panel 17 may be provided on the wall adjacent or behind the toilet 3.

In its further aspect, the invention pertains to a venting apparatus for a lavatory having being defined earlier herein. The venting apparatus is able to remove polluted gas from a substantially enclosed area such as the bowl of a toilet or an area near a urinal. The venting apparatus incorporates an extraction means which in the embodiment shown can comprise an electronically operated extractor fan 23.

The extractor fan 23 is desirably provided in or adjacent a conduit which opens into the pan of the toilet 3 and thus may comprise the overflow conduit 5. The fan 23 is desirably in the upper part of the conduit 5. Thus, contaminated gas within or adjacent the pan of the toilet 3 can pass through the conduit 8, up the overflow conduit 5, and escape to the outside of the building for example, via the outlet 24.

An actuator is provided which can turn the extraction means on and off. The actuator is operated by a person seated on the lavatory 3 or a person standing adjacent the lavatory. In the preferred embodiment, the actuator is in the form of a transmitter 20

— for transmitting a signal 28 and a detector 27 able to detect the signal 28 emitted by

• the transmitter 20. Of course, the signal 28 can be transmitted from a separate

component other to that shown in the control panel of Figure 3. The transmitter 20 and detector 27 are conveniently provided opposite one another. Conveniently, this can be achieved by providing the transmitter 20 on one wall adjacent the lavatory and the receiver 27 on the opposing wall or by using an infrared reflective sensor (transmit and receive in same panel).

Although the embodiments show the transmitter 20 and detector 27 on walls provided on either side of the lavatory 3 the transmitter 20 and detector 27 can be provided on the rear wall and the door in front of the lavatory 3 for example.

The signal 28 is desirably an infra-red beam which can be interrupted by a person seated on the lavatory 3 or a person standing adjacent the lavatory 3. Once the beam is interrupted, the extractor fan 23 is actuated. This is achieved by electrical componentry from the detector 27 to the extractor fan 23.

The method of using the apparatus shall now be described. When a person is to use the apparatus they may either stand and urinate into the lavatory 3 or may be seated on the lavatory 3. This interrupts the infra-red beam 28 and causes the extractor fan 23 to be activated. Polluted gas from the pan of the lavatory 3 is drawn into the conduit 8 and upwards through the overflow conduit 5. When the person is unseated from the lavatory 3, the infra-red beam 28 re-establishes itself and is detected up by the detector 27 which, in turn, inactivates the extractor fan 23. The half or full flush buttons 18 or 19 may then be pressed by the person using the apparatus. This activates the dump valve 9 which causes the contents of the cistern 4 to be dumped into the bowl of the lavatory 3 through the conduit 8. The pilot light 20 is then turned off. The level switch 12 detects the decrease level of water in the cistern 4 and activates the fill valve 7. The cistern 4 is quietly filled with water until the level switch 12 detects that the level of the water in the cistern 4 is sufficient and then turns off the fill valve 7. The pilot light 20 is then activated. In case of failure of the fill valve 7 or level switch 12, overflow passes through the connection conduit 13 and through the overflow conduit 5 into the pan of the toilet 3. A further preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 6 through

12. In this embodiment, a cistern 30 comprises a tall rectangular body with the overflow conduit 31 and ducting apparatus 32 for electrical ducting and like directly

adjacent the cistern 30 to provide a compact unit easily Stable within a wall cavity.

The cistern 30 again has a fill solenoid 33 and inlet 34 together with an outlet to the toilet pan or the like 35. The outlet to the toilet pan 35 is controlled by a ball valve 36 as disclosed in New Zealand Patent Application No. 241303. This also includes a flushing solenoid 37 to control the operation of the ball valve 36.

In this embodiment, the overflow tube 31 allows for overflow from the reservoir 30 through a hole in an adjoining wall 39. The hole 39 will allow an overflow of water from a reservoir 30 to flow down the overflow tube and pass a ball valve 41 and out through the outlet to the toilet pan or the like 42. During the venting operation, contaminated gas within or adjacent the pan of a toilet may be drawn from the toilet pan through the connecting pipe 42 and pass the ball valve 41 into the overflow pipe 31. This is drawn by an extractor fan 43 positioned high in the overflow tube and above the entry of any overflow from the reservoir 30. From the extractor fan 43, the contaminated gas may be expelled either sideways through outlet pipe 44 or vertically out outlet pipe 46.

The electrical ducting 32 may carry the necessary electrical wiring to the float switch or level sensor 47 and also be passed through to the extractor fan 43.

Furthermore, an inspection plug 48 may be contained behind the electrical ducting to allow access to the ball valve 36 should any maintenance be necessary. It should also be noted that the ball valve 41 will allow passage of contaminated gas from the connection to the toilet pan 42 through to the overflow tube 31 as well as allowing passage of fluid down the overflow tube and through connecting pipe 42. However, the ball valve 41 will inhibit the flow of water up the overflow tube during a flush cycle when the ball valve 36 is open and a large volume of pressurised water is passing through the outlet from the reservoir 35 and through the connection to the toilet pan 42.

As shown in Figure 7, a control panel 51 may be mounted on the electrical ducting and flush with a wall adjacent the toilet pan to allow activation of a full flush, a half flush as well as carrying the transmission and/or detection means for the actuation of the extractor fan and deodoriser.

As can be seen in Figure 8, this preferred form of the invention keeps the reservoir tube 30 and the overflow pipe 31 of uniform width for positioning within

the wall cavity.

Figure 9 also shows how the ball valve 41 will seat in a substantially circular aperture in a plate 52 to provide the close-off valve into the overflow tube during the flush cycle. 5 Figure 10 shows a convenient capping member 53 to be placed over the base of the adjacent reservoir tube, overflow tube and electrical ducting to provide a neat and tidy finish and hiding the solenoid valves 33 and 37.

The cross-sectional, plan view, Figure 11, shows the arrangement of the outlet pipes 35 and 42 as well as the ball valves 36 and 41 and the reservoir tube 30, 0 overflow tube 31 and electrical ducting 32.

In this preferred form of the invention, the tubing and ducting are all made from a rigid, impact-resistant plastics material.

Figure 12 shows a possible electrical diagram for the control apparatus for the control of the half and full flush operation using the flush solenoid 37 as well as 5 operation of the actuation means for the extraction fan being and infra-red sensing means.

In operation, a person seated on or standing by a toilet pan (not shown) may actuate the extract fan 43 which will draw contaminated gases from the region of the toilet pan through the communicating tube 42 and up the overflow tube 31 to be 0 vented out outlets 44 or 46.

Upon flushing, a user may press or activate either the half flush or full flush buttons on the control panel to put the flush solenoid into operation. The flush solenoid is used to open the ball valve 36 by a pre-determined period of time depending on the activation for either half flush or full flush action. 5 The reservoir tube 30 may then be refilled through the filling tube 34 activated by a filling solenoid 33. This filling solenoid 33 may, itself, be actuated by a float or level sensor 47 to control its operation.

It should be noted that in this preferred form, the filling inlet tube 34 is positioned below the lowest level of water in the reservoir 30 which can go no lower 0 than the base of the outlet tubes 35 and 42 and, therefore, the filling action always

— takes place underwater. This keeps the refilling of the reservoir tube 30 quiet. This

• is further enhanced by the units positioning in a wall cavity.

Thus it can be seen that in at least the preferred form of the invention a lavatory flushing apparatus and lavatory venting apparatus is provided. The flushing unit is completely enclosed within a wall cavity except for part of the outlet conduit which connects directly to the bowl of the toilet. This ensures that the apparatus cannot be tampered with and the overall appearance of the apparatus is aesthetically pleasing. The flushing unit can be conveniently positioned in a wall cavity or other locations where limited space is available. Safe and simple maintenance of the flushing unit is possible. Furthermore, the cistern refills quietly because of the location of the fill valve below the dump valve. This is enhanced by the double muffling resulting from the positioning of the flushing unit behind the wall.

The deodoriser unit is also totally hidden and electronically controlled. The venting apparatus can be activated not only by a person seated on the lavatory but also by a person standing immediately adjacent the lavatory. This is desirable for obvious reasons.