Technical Field

Invention is pertinent to a next-generation toilet construction designed to create a toilet system that may be used by people of any age and weight, compatible with human physiology, adjustable to required position and angle by means of electric and electronic mechanisms for health and hygiene purposes and with the view to combine advantages of both flush toilets and squat toilets.

Known State of the Technique

Toilet practices, which are representative of one of the most vital basic necessities of mankind is as ancient as the history itself. Examining the toilet practices of various societies living in different epochs, one may argue that toilets are an indicator for the level of civilisation. A comparison of the glamorous collective toilets built during the prosperous era of Rome with the mediaeval towns of streets infested by human excrement provides a clear proof to such correlation.

A plethora of changes created by the Industrial Revolution had had their impacts on the social structure and brought changes in many habits. Nutritional practices and accordingly, the manner of toilet use are amongst such habits. After the toilet bowl and flush were invented, the societies have increasingly despised their former squat toilets or chamber pots as objects for lower classes, which is a striking change by itself. New points of view introduced with the changing world order have caused to identify each imaginable object of the consumerist society with the social stratum an individual belongs to. For both manufacturers and consumers, the ‘toilet bowl’ is likewise an object that may act as an indicator for social changes.

Effects of toilet use habits on human health should be researched with conditions such as constipation, haemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as factors such as nutrition, stress and genetics. In light of such data, various solutions have been suggested as regards the conditions of hygiene and sanitation, particularly for toilets in shared areas of use. Although human beings have, since Antiquity, developed a range of toilet solutions, the solutions still most commonly known today have been the toilet solutions named squat toilets and flush toilets.

In the known technique, food items, prior to their receipt in the body, are large enough to prevent their use by cells. Therefore, these large parts are required to be converted to smaller particles that enable the cells’ utilisation. Breakup of food items, their absorption to blood and extraction of parts not utilised by the body are all functions due on the digestive and excretory systems.

Body processes the food in physical and chemical processes and systematically converts it into smaller particles. From the food, carbohydrates are converted to glucose, proteins to amino acids and fats to fatty acids and glycerines. The process for breakup of food items first start in the mouth. Afterwards, they are digested in the body by passing through the stomach, duedonum, small intestines and bowels and then, passing through the anal canal and anus, are extracted from the body by the faecal tract.

Faeces, prior to reaching the anal tract, is controlled by the muscles levator anii and puborectalis found in the interior of the pelvis (the pelvic floor). These muscles play an active role at defecation. Puborectalis muscle contracts the area between the rectum and the anal canal. Puborectalis that functions to contract while standing relaxes in sitting or squatting positions and has the canal straighten. Anal canal forms the final section of the digestive system and has an average length of 3-5 cm. There are two types of sphincter muscles surrounding the anal canal. Of these muscles, the exterior sphincter functions as a voluntary muscle, while the interior sphincter functions as an involuntary muscle. In order to enable defecation, it is required to relax the intra-abdominal puborectalis muscle, as well as interior and exterior sphincters. Faeces accumulating in the rectum during the day create stress and tension. By relaxation of interior and exterior muscles and increase in the anorectal pressure, one feels the need to defecate. In a convenient environment, the position of defecation is taken. Interior sphincter relaxes involuntarily and the exterior sphincter voluntarily and they lead to a decrease in the internal pressure of the anal canal. Meanwhile, puborectalis muscle also relaxes due to sitting or squatting and accordingly, by widening of the anorectal angle, defecation is enabled. Various studies have shown that, in a squatting position, the angle between the anal canal and rectum is wider than the angle in a sitting position.

Digestive system is a perfect food machine in its overall design. After the food items received in the body are converted to a useful form, their redundant part is extracted. After the food enters the body, there may be malfunctions due to various reasons and therefore, certain diseases may emerge. In today’s age of technology, people spend long times before computer screens, neglect sufficient care in nutrition due to lack of time, for easy comfort, the take drugs at teach minor ailment or suffer from stress due to this unnatural rat race. All these wrong attitudes, starting from unhealthy food intake to erroneous toilet practices, have negative impacts on human health, especially the digestive system.

Inflammatory bowel disease, constipation or chronic constipation and diverticulosis are diseases experienced commonly in developed countries. These diseases are rarely seen in the Third World. Studies have proven that the reason to this is the faulty toilet practices. Prostate diseases seen in men also arise from erroneous practices of toilet use.

In addition to faulty toilet practices, many diseases sourcing from toilets impose a serious threat to human health. Contact with too many surfaces at toilets cause infection of human body by a wide range of bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Today, three types of toilet solutions are available: Squat toilets, flush toilets and urinals. Nevertheless, since urinals are associated with urination, they fall out of the scope of our invention.

In squat toilets already in use;

1) Since they are placed lower than the sitting position, their use by individuals with articular or muscular problems, the elderly, patients and especially patients in recuperation after surgery, the overweight and individuals with physical disabilities is difficult or even impossible.

2) Although it is more hygienic in comparison to other toilets due to absence of contact with the user’s body, during defecation and afterwards, during cleaning, faeces or water may spatter on the user.

3) Since the toilet’s drain is exposed, it is hard to maintain the toilet in a clean and hygienic way.

4) Tall people or individuals with structural leg problems may experience difficulties in use.

As for flush toilets;

1) Since they require a sitting position, comfortable and healthy satisfaction of the need for defecation is physiologically jeopardised.

2) Since they fail to provide an angle convenient for defecation and urination, they lead to diseases such as colon cancer, pelvic area diseases, Crohn’s disease, haemorrhoids (piles), bowel inflammation or urinary tract infections due to failure to completely the drain the urinary bladder.

3) Due to the difficulty to defecate in a sitting position, excessive tension of the muscles may lead to heart attacks or strokes.

4) For women, given the absence of natural pressure in a sitting position, menstruation blood is kept longer inside the body and leads to toxic shock syndrome due to proliferation of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.

Nevertheless, it has been attempted to make defecation in flush toilets more comfortable and easy by adding a stool or a footboard but due to difficult and mandatory use of an auxiliary device and its failure to obtain the angle desired, negative impacts of flush toilets on human health could not be overcome.

Systems currently in use are not efficient or sanitary enough to meet human physiological needs and they fail to provide required assistance to individuals with health problems due to their lack of sufficient support.

Furthermore, there is also a patent application with the title ‘A TYPE OF TOILET WITH HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT’ and application number ‘2018/09606’, which we had developed for solution of certain aforementioned problems in the current technique. Abstract for the said invention is as follows: “Invention is pertinent to a toilet (1) that can be used by people of every age, compatible with human physiology and equipped with column (2), bowl (3), rail (4), pushing system (5) and lid (6) components and where height of the toilet is automatically adjusted. ”

In conclusion, due to the negativites explained above and the current solutions’ shortcomings in providing efficient remedies, it was deemed necessary to develop the next-generation toilet construction.

Concise Explanation of the Invention

This invention is pertinent to a next-generation toilet construction that meets the aforementioned necessities, eliminates all disadvantages and brings certain additional advantages.

The primary purpose of this invention is to combine positive aspects of squat toilets and flush toilets currently in use as an alternative to these two types of toilets. The primary purpose of this invention is to adjust the toilet to a correct angle by electronic or mechanical mechanisms.

A purpose of this invention is to provide ease in personal hygiene in terms of physiological, sanitary and comfort features.

A purpose of this invention is to descend easily to the level lower than the sitting position (i.e. the correct angle of defecation) or restore sitting position by electric or electronic mechanisms.

Thanks to the said advantage, the invention provides ease for standing up and ensures comfort to individuals with articular and muscular problems, patients, the elderly, the overweight and individuals with physical disabilities.

A purpose of this invention is to mitigate the risk of splattering faeces or water to a level that is almost none during defecation and cleaning after defecation.

A purpose of this invention is to maintain the toilet in an easy-to-clean and hygienic manner as long as possible. Invention provides this advantage with its enclosed drain and sides.

A purpose of this invention is to prevent constipation, urinary incontinence, capillary fissures, haemorrhoids, prostate problems, appendicitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

A purpose of this invention is to adjust the toilet to personal features. Invention can be positioned in different positions according to height and weight of the individual.

A purpose of this invention is to assure that the person entering the bathroom to defecate has the least contact with the environment.

The figures given below and the detailed explanation written in reference to these figures shall provide a clear understanding of the invention’s structural characteristics and all of its advantages and therefore, the assessment should be based on these figures and the detailed explanation. Figures That Are Helpful in Understanding the Invention

‘A satellite dish containing an apparatus’ that is the subject of this application is demonstrated in annexed figures, namely;

Figure 1 is a representative view of the next-generation toilet (1).

Figure 2 presents the methodological steps showing the next-generation toilet’s (1) mode of operation.

“Drawings that are featured in images are generally representative and do not require absolute scaling. Details not necessary to understand this invention may have been omitted. Moreover, components that are at least significantly identical or that have at least significantly identical functions are shown with the same number. ”

Explanation of the Part References

Our invention titled ‘Next-Generation Toilet Construction’ that is the subject of this application is numbered as shown in the annexed figures and part names corresponding to these numbers are identified as below:

Toilet system (1)

Bowl (2)

Moving section (3)

Push button (4)

Detector (5)

Motor (6)

Processor (7)

Control panel (8)

Reservoir push button (9)

Memory section (10)

Mobile device (11)

Application (11.1)

Upwards-Downwards movement (A) Angular movement (B) Explanation of Steps in the Procedure

Steps of procedure for our invention that is the subject of this application titled ‘next- generation toilet construction’ have been numbered as demonstrated in the annexed figures and the steps of procedures corresponding to these numbers are identified as follows:

• By the user’s entering the bathroom to use the toilet system (1), the detector (5) recognises the user or the user enters the desired commands or data through the control panel (8), the mobile application (11.1) installed in the mobile device (11) or a push button (4) (101)

• Commands or data entered by the user or pre-programmed information are transmitted from the memory section (10) to the processor (7) (102)

• Processor transmits the data required to be stored to the memory section (103)

• Processor transmits data or commands entered by the user or data or commands received from the pre-programmed memory section (10) to the motor (6) (104)

• On commands or data entered by the user or data or commands received from the pre-programmed memory section (10), the motor (6) starts to operate to achieve upwards-downwards movement (A) or angular movement (B) (105)

• Motion incoming from the motor (6) moves the bowl (2) through the moving section (3) (106)

A Detailed Explanation of the Invention

In this detailed explanation, the ‘next-generation toilet construction’ that is the subject of the invention is explained merely to assure a better understanding of the subject and in a manner that does not impose any restrictive effect.

Furthermore, certain components or steps of procedure designed to assure a better understanding of the invention, in order to safeguard the semantics in a sentence, may have been used in different forms. Components or steps of procedure used in different expressions do indeed represent the same component or the step of procedure as numbered.

The toilet system (1) subject to the invention is composed of the following:

• A toilet bowl (2) that combines advantages of both flush toilets and squat toilets, moves in upward-downward direction and by angular movement, ensures that the user is enabled to alter the sitting position in 90 degrees and passes to a squatting position and afterwards, restores the sitting position from the squatting position,

• A moving section (3) that enables the bowl’s (2) upwards-downwards movement and also enables circular movement to alter its angle,

• A push button (4) that enables manual control of the bowl’s (2) upwards-downwards movement and angular movements by the user,

• A detector (5) that serves to recognise the user,

• At least one motor (6) that enables upwards-downwards movement and angular movement of the bowl (2),

• A processor (7) in the toilet system (1), which enables movement by transmitting the data incoming from the detector (5), control panel (8), reservoir push button (9), mobile device (11) or push button (4) to the motor (6) or by transmission to the memory section (10) and transmission of the data stored in the memory section (10) to the motor (7),

• A control panel (8) that enables the user to enter the user’s personal data and weight, height, name, toilet position, angle or to select customised programmes pre programmed for the bowl (2),

• A reservoir push button (9) that enables discharge of the water or hygienic substance in the reservoir to clean the bowl (2),

• Memory section (10) refers to a memory section (10) that stores personal data of the bowl’s (2) users and programmes associated with toilet use,

• A mobile device (11) that connects the bowl (2) through mobile application (11.1) and activates all procedures by the push button (4), control panel (8) and the reservoir push button (9) with the mobile application (11.1).

Bowl (2) combines the advantages of both flush toilets and squat toilets. Bowl (2) moves in an upwards-downwards direction. Besides, by its angular movement, the bowl (2) ensures that the user is enabled to alter the sitting position in 90 degrees and passes to a squatting position and afterwards, restores the sitting position from the squatting position.

Moving section (3) enables upwards-downwards movement of the bowl (3). Moving section (3) that enables the bowl’s (2) circular movement to alter its angle. It may be constructed of pneumatic cylinder system or damper or gear or spring or chain rope or rail systems. By the movement incoming from the motor (6), the moving section (3) enables the bowl’s (2) upwards-downwards movement and also enables circular movement to alter its angle. Push button (4) enables manual control of the bowl’s (2) upwards-downwards movement and angular movement by the user. By use of the push button, the user is enables to adjust the bowl (2) manually not only to the desired angle but also to the desired height.

Detector (5) is a detecting section that serves to recognise the user. This detector may be composed of various sensors or cameras. Detector, by recognising certain features of the person entering the bathroom, adjusts the bowl (2) to an angle and position customised for the user.

Where the detector (5) is a camera, the person may be identified with its facial recognition nd the bowl (2) is adjusted to an angle and position customised for the user. Alternately, by use of the customised programme, as the user sits on the bowl (2), it is moved to the customised position and angle. Alternately, the detector (5) may detect the height and weight of the user and by propulsion of the motor (6) according to the user’s height and weight, the user sits in a customised angle or otherwise, motion starts after sitting. Where the detector (5) is composed of sensors the data above may be collected by the sensors.

Motor (6) enables upwards-downwards movement of the bowl (2). Besides, the motor (6) enables angular movement of the bowl (6). Invention has at least one motor (6).

Processor (7) in the toilet system (1), which enables movement by transmitting the data incoming from the detector (5), control panel (8), reservoir push button (9), mobile device (11) or push button (4) to the motor (6). It also enables movement by transmission to the memory section (10) and transmission of the data stored in the memory section (10) to the motor (6).

Control panel (8) that enables the user to enter the user’s personal data and weight, height, name, toilet position, angle or to select customised programmes pre-programmed for the bowl (2).

Reservoir push button (9) enables discharge of the water or hygienic substance in the reservoir to clean the bowl (2).

Memory section (10) stores personal data of the bowl’s (2) users and programmes associated with toilet use.

Mobile device (11) is a device equipped with mobile technologies used by the user, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer or smart watch. It contains a mobile application (11.1). User connects the bowl (2) through mobile application (11.1) and activates all procedures by the push button (4), control panel (8) and the reservoir push button (9) with the mobile application (11.1).

Mobile application (11.1) is an application where the user enters his/her personal data such as weight or height and activates the bowl (2) with its customised programme.

In the toilet system (1), before seated by the user, the bowl (2) is always in an upward position. Moreover, it is in a position that enables the user sit comfortably in a 90-degree angle.

When the user approaches the bowl to use the toilet system, the detector (5) can recognise the user. Therefore, if there is a position or angle pre-programmed specifically for the user, the bowl (2) may be adjusted to that position or angle or otherwise, after the user sits, the bowl (2) is automatically moved to the angle and position customised for the user.

Moreover, the user is enabled on the control panel (9) to enter his/her personal data and weight, height, name, toilet position, angle or to select customised programmes pre programmed for the bowl (2).

User may also move the bowl (2) manually by the push button (4). Through the push button (4), the bowl (2) may be moved in upward-downward direction (A) or in an angular fashion (B).

User may also activate all procedures by the push button (4), control panel (8) and the reservoir push button (9) with the mobile application (11.1) in the mobile device (11).

Alternately;

By the user’s entering the bathroom to use the toilet system (1), the detector (5) recognises the user and the pre-programmed information or data stored in the memory section (10) are transmitted to the processor (7). User-specific data and commands are transmitted to the motor (6). With the user-specific data and commands, the motor (6) positions the bowl (2) in the toilet system (1) in a customised position by upwards-downwards movement (A) or angular movement (B). Afterwards, the user sits on the bowl (2) and with user-specific data and commands, the bowl (2) passes from a sitting position to a squatting position. Likewise, when the user is finished with the toilet system (1), the bowl (2) restores its sitting position from the squatting position. Therefore, the user is enabled to comfortably stand up and sit down. The bowl (2) becomes very convenient, especially for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Alternately;

By the user’s entering the bathroom to use the toilet system (1), the user enters the desired commands or data through the control panel (8), the mobile application (11.1) installed in the mobile device (11) or a push button (4). Afterwards, the entered data and commands are transmitted to the motor (6). With the user-specific data and commands, the motor (6) positions the bowl (2) in the toilet system (1) in a customised position by upwards- downwards movement (A) or angular movement (B). Afterwards, the user sits on the bowl (2) and with user-specific data and commands; the bowl (2) passes from a sitting position to a squatting position. Likewise, when the user is finished with the toilet system (1), the bowl (2) restores its sitting position from the squatting position. Therefore, the user is enabled to comfortably stand up and sit down. The bowl (2) becomes very convenient, especially for the elderly and people with disabilities.