Rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge

Abstract

Rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge, adapted to allow a more efficient washing of the flushing toilet by directing the flushing water flow in a vortex adapted to complete a turn / revolution and a half on / along the side walls of said flushing toilet and thereafter is conveyed to a discharge sump or well; after being introduced in the flushing toilet through a rimless duct and after completing one turn and a half on / along the side walls, said flushing water flow is adapted to convey the waste water to the inside of the discharge sump in a direction defined by a discharge duct, optimizing the washing of the flushing toilet object of the invention; said flushing toilet is adapted to carry out a complete washing of the side walls by taking advantage of a difference between the curvature radii of front corners of said flushing toilet; the surfaces and edges of the flushing toilet being easily reachable in order to carry out effective cleaning and sanitization.

Description

[0001] “Rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge”

[0002] Description

[0003] Field of the art

[0004] The invention relates to an innovative rimless flushing toilet, adapted to perform a washing by means of a vortex discharge, completely unusual in rimless flushing toilets; more specifically, the flushing toilet object of the invention is adapted to carry out effective and silent washing, using the traditional amount of water.

[0005] Known art

[0006] The flushing toilet is a sanitary appliance consisting of a vessel, generally made of ceramic, intended for the disposal of waste water.

[0007] The toilet consists of a collection vessel, typically provided with a seat (often tiltable), connected to a discharge pipe by means of a siphon filled with water to avoid the spread of bad odors in the environment.

[0008] After each use, the inner part of the toilet is cleaned by a jet of water, usually coming from a small tank, usually called a "flush." Such a solution has progressively replaced the use of running water, as it allows an adequate and not excessive amount of water to be used for each rinse, limiting waste.

[0009] Certain measures (height and consequent increase in the fall, direction of the jets, pressure of the flush, use in certain countries, such as the United States, of the vacuum flush instead of the washdown flush) optimize the functionality of the jet. The waste water is thus pushed by the jet towards the discharge pipe or, with the vacuum discharge, drawn therein by a pressure gradient, until it reaches the septic tank (in which the biological activity carried out by the bacteria favors a pre-purifi cation of wastewater, liquefying and transforming the solid masses before the eventual passage into city sewers) or sewers.

[0010] The flushing toilet can have different types of rims, i.e., different types of upper edges: • open, classic solution, where to retain the washing water the edge retracts internally, creating an open chamber;

[0011] • full, in this case the edge features an increase in thickness with a relative profile to retain the water;

[0012] • absent, in this case the toilet ends without any particular expedient other than with the wall which curves slightly, in a very similar way to bidets.

[0013] The cheapest and most widespread flushing toilets on the market comprise the use of the rim, given the simple execution of the resulting washing.

[0014] However, the presence of the rim hinders the cleaning and sanitization of said flushing toilets, given that it is impossible to reach the washing water outlet channel, where encrustations and therefore unpleasant odors are created.

[0015] Over time, flushing toilets with rims become old and malodorous if they are not constantly cleaned and operated.

[0016] The aforesaid problem has led to the spread of flushing toilets which exploit the vacuum caused by a vacuum pump; however, said toilets cause an unpleasant noise and a completely insufficient washing of the side walls of the toilet.

[0017] In the current state of the art, the flushing toilet with rim is commonly used which, however, allows only one complete revolution of the washing water vortex. Said single revolution, starting in the rear part of the toilet, ends behind the discharge sump, conveying the waste water in the direction opposite the exit direction of the discharge duct. Such a phenomenon leads to a poor washing performance of the flushing toilet.

[0018] Not even patent IT201700085002 published on January 25, 2019 solves the above problems, as it claims a flushing toilet adapted to obtain a lower noise level, by means of the creation of a water inlet duct characterized by specific sections. Patent IT201700085002 does not propose any solution regarding the vortex which performs only one complete revolution making the washing inefficient, nor does it provide any remedy for the presence of the rim, which causes the formation of encrustations in the most difficult to clean areas.

[0019] The object of the present patent application is therefore to reveal a rimless flushing toilet adapted to carry out an efficient washing by means of the use of a standard waterjet, exploiting a difference in the curvature radius of the inner walls of said toilet.

[0020] Description of the invention

[0021] According to the present invention, a rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge is created which effectively solves the above problems.

[0022] The rimless flushing toilet, but with a vortex discharge, is adapted to facilitate cleaning and sanitization, limiting the prolonged presence of viruses and bacteria, the main cause of unpleasant odors.

[0023] The particular structure of the toilet object of the invention allows a vortex to be obtained, by means of washing water, adapted to complete one and a half revolutions before filling the discharge sump. Said vortex, starting from the rear side of the toilet, is thus adapted to inserting itself inside the discharge sump, in the same direction in which the discharge duct is oriented, obtaining a decidedly optimized washing of the entire toilet.

[0024] The flushing toilet object of the invention comprises at least an inlet duct, having a first portion adapted to convey the water from a supply plant to inside the flushing toilet; said first portion having a progressively reduced section by a percentage varying between 10% and 20%, thereby determining the creation of a second portion adapted to form a cone up to a third portion which is greater than the second portion by an amount comprised in the range between 40% and 60%.

[0025] In order to ensure an effective washing of the rimless flushing toilet, it is essential to faithfully respect the dimensions of the water passage portions.

[0026] Downstream of said inlet duct, at least a transversal outlet duct is installed, which is adapted to comprise an outlet portion with a size from 10% to 15% greater than the second portion; said transversal outlet duct is characterized by an upward slope ranging from 2° to 5° and is adapted to generate the vortex which, rotating inside the side walls of the flushing toilet, carries out a revolution and a half to convey the waste water into the discharge sump.

[0027] A step is installed inside said outlet portion, and is characterized by a height ranging from 2 to 5 millimeters, for the purpose of stopping the dripping caused by the last part of the water used for washing the flushing toilet. By way of non-limiting example, the step is adjustable according to the customer's needs, by means of the use of a knob installed on the side of said flushing toilet. By virtue of said installed knob, it is possible to increase the thickness of said step, exceeding 5 millimeters, in order to increase the oxygenation of the washing water.

[0028] Said step, in an embodiment thereof, comprises a plurality of grooves capable of making the water flow crossing them turbulent, obtaining an oxygenation of the water before generating the vortex; said oxygenated washing water is adapted to carry out an even more effective washing of the flushing toilet, reducing the noises caused by the vortex.

[0029] By way of non-limiting example, the oxygenation of the water coming from the supply plant is generated by an oxygenating valve, installed inside said inlet duct, optimizing the washing and reducing the noise caused by the vortex.

[0030] Alternatively, the oxygenation of the washing water occurs by means of a membrane reactor for breaking down the water, separating the hydrogen from the oxygen; said membrane reactor consists of a reaction chamber and two types of membranes, one selectively permeable to hydrogen and one selectively permeable to oxygen; said membrane reactor is therefore adapted to oxygenate the water coming from said supply plant.

[0031] In the first part of the transversal outlet duct, there is at least a backwash area, adapted to retain a minimum amount of washing water, by virtue of the presence of a convexity. Said backwash is adapted to interrupt the flow of washing water when the amount of water inserted inside the toilet is no longer sufficient to go beyond said step; the dripping problem is thus solved.

[0032] The flushing toilet object of the invention comprises at least four side walls, adapted to form the inner surface thereof, and further adapted to facilitate the creation of a water vortex which correctly carries out the washing and expulsion of waste water.

[0033] In fact, said walls comprise a difference in the radius of curvature, in their front corners, in order to force the vortex water flow to complete one and a half revolutions of the toilet before reaching the discharge sump.

[0034] The first front comer is adapted to accelerate the flow of washing water by means of a higher radius of curvature, while a second front corner is adapted to contain and slow down the flow of washing water by means of a lower radius of curvature.

[0035] An edge is installed above the perimeter of the flushing toilet, in an asymmetric manner, so as to make said edge aligned with the first front comer, but at the same time misaligned with said second front comer, so as to create, in the second case, a containing edge for the previously accelerated washing water.

[0036] To facilitate the flow of washing water, a discharge sump is installed below said flushing toilet, having a rounded shape, so as to increase the washing performance in the waste water discharge.

[0037] Finally, in the flushing toilet object of the invention, at least a redirection zone is provided, located in front of said discharge sump, characterized by a convex shape with the aim of stopping the vortex, directing the washing water inside said discharge sump.

[0038] The advantages offered by the present invention are evident in the light of the description presented thus far and will be even clearer thanks to the attached figures and the detailed description.

[0039] Description of the figures

[0040] The invention will be described hereinafter in at least a preferred embodiment by way of nonlimiting example with the aid of the appended figures, in which:

[0041] - FIGURE 1 shows a transverse section of the rimless flushing toilet object of the invention. More specifically, the present figure shows how the section of the inlet duct 10 varies, through which the water for washing passes, coming from the supply plant. In fact, four different portions A, B, C, D are adapted to determine the correct flow of the washing water, so as to generate a vortex 20 which can efficiently wash the side walls 12 of the flushing toilet object of the invention. An edge 14, installed above the perimeter of said toilet and in an asymmetric manner, is adapted to eliminate any risk of leakage of the washing water contained inside the vortex 20. After having completed one and a half revolutions of the side walls 12, said vortex 20 is adapted to reach a redirection zone 15, where the water is advantageously conducted through the discharge sump 13, in the same direction in which the discharge duct 11 is oriented. - FIGURE 2 shows a top view of the rimless flushing toilet characterized by a vortex discharge. In this case, the trajectory followed by the flow of water belonging to the vortex 20 which washes the side walls 12 is clear. After having been withdrawn by means of the inlet duct 10, the washing water is conveyed into the transverse outlet duct 16, where it meets a step 17 adapted to interrupt the dripping typical of the last washing step. Said step 17, by virtue of its thickness ranging from 2 to 5 millimeters, is further adapted to oxygenate the washing water, consequently and advantageously generating a more effective and silent vortex 20. Once said vortex 20 has been generated, the water encounters a first front comer 18, characterized by a greater radius of curvature, adapted to accelerate the flow of the washing water. Subsequently, the vortex 20 encounters a second front comer 19, which is instead adapted to slow down and contain said flow by means of a smaller radius of curvature. The vortex 20 continues its washing until it completes one and a half revolutions inside the flushing toilet, which allows said water flow to reach a redirection zone 15 where the water can enter inside the discharge sump 13, maintaining the same exit direction with which said discharge duct 11 is oriented. The edge 14 is installed asymmetrically, being aligned with said first front corner 18, while instead protruding internally with respect to said second front comer 19. The internal protrusion of said edge 14, at said second front comer 19, allows the flow of washing water belonging to the vortex 20 to be slowed down and contained.

[0042] Detailed description of the invention

[0043] The present invention will now be illustrated by way of a purely non-limiting or binding example, resorting to the figures which illustrate some embodiments with respect to the present inventive concept.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 1, a cross section of the rimless flushing toilet described in the present patent application is shown.

[0045] In this section, the inlet duct 10 is highlighted, adapted to make the water coming from a generic supply plant to flow inside said flushing toilet.

[0046] Said inlet duct 10 contributes to the creation of a vortex 20, adapted to carry out an effective cleaning of the side walls 12. In fact, there are four different portions inside said inlet duct 10. A first portion A is the first that the water, coming from the supply plant, encounters. Said first portion A has a progressively reduced section by a percentage varying between 10% and 20%, thereby giving rise to a second portion B adapted to form a cone up to a third portion C, which is greater than the second portion B by an amount in the range between 40% and 60%; compliance with the water passage portions is therefore essential for ensuring an effective washing of the flushing toilet.

[0047] A transverse outlet duct 16 is created after said inlet duct 10. Said outlet duct 16 comprises an outlet portion D characterized by dimensions 10% to 15% larger than the second portion B. Once it has crossed the plurality of portions A, B, C, D, the washing water is introduced into the flushing toilet creating a vortex 20 which washes the side walls 12, conducting the waste water obtained up to a redirection zone 15, located in front of the discharge sump 13.

[0048] Said redirection zone 15 is adapted to redirect the waste water in the same direction in which the discharge duct 11 is oriented, by virtue of the revolution and a half completed by said vortex 20 during the washing of the flushing toilet.

[0049] An edge 14 is adapted to limit any water leakage during the washing.

[0050] With reference to FIG. 2, a top view is shown, adapted to illustrate the path followed by the washing water belonging to the discharge vortex 20.

[0051] Once the water coming from the supply plant reaches the inlet duct 10, it is adapted to cross the transverse outlet duct 16, inclined upwards to reduce the dripping caused by the discharge in the final part of the washing.

[0052] The water crossing said outlet duct 16 meets a step 17, which has a thickness ranging from 2 to 5 millimeters, adapted to stop the dripping and further adapted to oxygenate the flow of water passing it, creating a turbulence adapted to increase the cleaning properties of the water, advantageously reducing the noises caused by the discharge vortex 20.

[0053] Once oxygenated, the washing water is adapted to meet a first front corner 18, adapted to increase the speed of the water flow by means of a first radius of curvature, which is greater than a second radius of curvature described in the following. Subsequently, the accelerated water meets a second front comer 19, this time characterized by a second radius of curvature, which is smaller than said first radius of curvature, in order to contain and reduce the flow speed of the washing water.

[0054] Said front corners 18, 19, together with the action of the inlet duct 10, allow the washing water to complete a revolution and a half of the side walls 12, creating an effective discharge vortex 20.

[0055] The washing water, combined with the waste water, is adapted to reach a redirection zone 15, which diverts the liquids towards a discharge sump 13 following the same direction of orientation as the discharge duct 11. An edge 14 is engaged above the perimeter of said flushing toilet, in order to be aligned at said first front comer 18, being instead internally protruding at the second front comer 19, creating an additional solution for containing the washing water.

[0056] Finally, it is clear that modifications, additions or variations that are obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the invention described so far, without thereby departing from the scope of protection provided by the attached claims.

Claims

Claims1. Rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge (20), adapted for allowing an efficient washing of the flushing toilet by directing the flushing water flow in a vortex (20), which completes a turn / revolution and a half on / along the side walls (12) of the flushing toilet and thereafter is conveyed to a discharge sump or well (13); wherein said flushing toilet is characterized in that after being introduced in the flushing toilet through a rimless duct and after completing one turn and a half on / along the side walls (12) said flushing water flow is adapted to convey the waste water to the inside of the discharge sump (13), in a direction defined by a discharge duct (11), optimizing in this way the wash / flush of the flushing toilet; wherein the flushing toilet is adapted to carry out an accurate / complete wash / flush of the side walls (12) by taking advantage of a difference between the curvature radii of front corners (18, 19) of the flushing toilet; the surfaces and an edge (14) of the flushing toilet being easily cleanable and sanitizable; the rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge (20) comprising:- at least an inlet duct (10) provided with a first portion (A) adapted to convey the water from a supply plant in the interior of the flushing toilet; said first portion (A) having a progressively reduced section by a percentage varying between 10% and 20%, thereby giving rise to a second portion (B) adapted to form a cone up to a third portion (C), the latter being greater than said second portion (B) by an amount in the range between 40% and 60%; wherein compliance with these passage sections / portions for the water is essential for insuring an effective cleaning of the flushing toilet;- wherein at least a transversal outlet duct (16), which is provided downstream of the inlet duct (10) and is adapted for allowing the outflow of the washing water, comprises an outlet portion (D) having a size from 10% to 15% greater than the second portion / section (B); wherein said transversal outlet duct or passage (16) has an upward slope of 2° to 5° and is adapted to generate a vortex (20) which rotates internally to the side walls (12) of the flushing toilet and completes one turn / lap and a half to convey the waste water into the discharge sump (13);- at least a step (17) provided inside said outlet portion (D), having a height between 2 and 5 millimeters, adapted for stopping the dripping caused by the last part of the water used in the flushing of the flushing toilet;- at least an undertow / b ackwash area realized in a first part of said transversal outlet duct (16), adapted for receiving a minimum amount of washing water by virtue of the presence of a convexity; said backwash area being configured to stop the flow of washing water when the amount of water introduced into the flushing toilet is no longer enough to overcome said step (17), thereby solving the dripping problem;- at least four side walls (12), which form an inner surface of the flushing toilet and are adapted for promoting the formation of the water vortex (20) so that the latter will properly carry out the washing / flushing and the discharge of waste water; wherein said side walls (12) have different curvature radii at the front corners (18, 19) of the flushing toilet, in order to force the water flow of said vortex (20) to complete one lap and a half of the toilet bowl before arriving at the discharge sump (13); wherein a first front comer (18) is adapted for accelerating the flushing water flow thanks to its curvature radius which exceeds the curvature radius of a second front corner (19), whereas the latter is configured to stem / retain and decelerate the flushing water flow;- at least an upper edge (14) of said flushing toilet, asymmetrically configured with respect to said front comers (18, 19), formed in such a way as to be aligned with said first front comer (18) but misaligned with respect to said second front corner (19), thereby giving rise to a stemming / retaining upper edge (14) above said second front comer (19), to stem / retain the previously accelerated flushing water and avoid its spreading out of the flushing toilet;- at least a discharge sump (13) provided in a lower part of the flushing toilet and having a rounded shape to facilitate the outflow of flushing water and increase the washing performance in the discharge of waste water;- at least a deviation / redirection zone (15) facing said discharge sump (13), provided with a convex shape for stopping the vortex and directing the flushing water to theinside of said discharge sump (13). Rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge (20), according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that said step (17) comprises a plurality of grooves adapted for making the water flow turbulent, so as to oxygenate the water before generating the vortex (20); wherein said washing / flushing water, after being oxygenated, is adapted for carrying out an even more effective flush / wash of the flushing toilet, also reducing the noise caused by the vortex (20). Rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge (20), according to the preceding claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an oxygenating valve is internally installed in the inlet duct (10) to further enhance the oxygenation of water coming from the supply plant, optimize the flushing / washing, and reduce the noise caused by the vortex (20). Rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge (20), according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a membrane reactor for splitting water by separating hydrogen from oxygen, wherein said membrane reactor consists of a reaction chamber and two kinds of membranes, one being selectively permeable to hydrogen and the other one selectively permeable to oxygen; wherein said membrane reactor is adapted for further oxygenating the water coming from said supply plant, by optimizing the wash / flush and reducing noise caused by the vortex (20). Rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge (20), according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said step (17) is height adjustable by means of a handle or knob mounted laterally on said flushing toilet. Rimless flushing toilet with vortex discharge (20), according to the preceding claim 5, characterized in that the thickness of said step (17) can be increased up to 5 millimeters and beyond by means of said handle or knob, in order to increase oxygenation of the flushing water that flows into the discharge sump by forming a vortex (20).

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