Mechanically sealable rapid opening stagger-flush residential toilet

Abstract

A frustum-shaped toilet bowl (26) includes a reversibly rotable saucer-shaped seal (46), or saucer. The saucer can automatically be rotated upward hermetically to compress closed against a sealing ring (48) that surrounds the outside of the bowl near its bottom outlet (32). The saucer is normally closed to prevent sewer gases from entering a bathroom from an adjoining drain line (36). The closed saucer can retain human waste or test balls in the bowl or, when opened, permits them to free-fall of their own weight into the drain line. The bowl has opposing water outlets (42) which are connected to flushometer valve (34), which is connected to a source of pressurized water. Depressing a button (74) automatically provides a wet spot in the bowl to prevent falling feces from sticking to the bowl. Depressing the button a second time opens the saucer and causes additional water to stagger flush solids while they are moving in the pipe. A two-stage staggered flush propels solids further than releasing the wet spot water and the additional water into the pipe together. A urine flush uses about 250 ml (0.25) gallons and a feces flush about 4.0 liters (1.0 gallon) of water. A 2.00 to 3.00-liter (0.50- to 0.75-gallon) flush carries 100 test balls about 18.2 meters (60 feet) in the drain line.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 928,702, filed May, 10, 2007, and Ser. No. 60 / 936,808, filed Jun. 21, 2006,FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]NONESEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM[0003]NONEBACKGROUNDField[0004]The field relates to mechanical-trap toilets, toilet bowl configurations, rinsing outlets, and drain line carry, specifically to seals suitable for indoor use.DEFINITIONS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0005]The following definitions and background information will help make this description clearer and easier to understand so that a reader can appreciate why a toilet having a hermetically sealable mechanical trap can meet the numerous technical criteria, or their functional intent, which the Uniform Plumbing Code currently requires for all indoor toilets before they can legally be offered for sale in the United States.Air Gap[0006]ASME A 112.1.2.-1991 defines air-gap as an unobstructed vertical ...

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