Leakage protection for a toilet cistern

Abstract

Leakage protection (10) for a concealed water dispenser (60), in particular a concealed cistern (60a) for installation in a room wall (5), a concealed flush valve, a concealed fitting or a concealed mixing valve, with a receiving element (15) forming at least one rear opening (15b) and surrounding the flush-mounted water dispenser (60) at the bottom, sides and front in the assembled state of the leakage protection (10) for receiving the flush-mounted water dispenser (60) and a closure element (20) closing the rear opening (15b) of the receiving element (15), wherein, when the leakage protection device (10) is mounted in the room wall (5), the closure element (20) completely covers the rear of the flush-mounted water dispenser (60), characterized in that the closure element (20) is flat.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a leakage protection device for a concealed water dispenser, its use and a set comprising a leakage protection device with a mounting frame arranged thereon and / or a concealed cistern accommodated therein.

[0002] Toilets, by definition, have a water flush, and the most common solution involves a cistern to store a sufficient volume of flush water. This water is released into the toilet bowl through a flush pipe upon operator command, after which the cistern is refilled from a supply line. Modern cisterns typically consist essentially of an injection-molded or blow-molded plastic tank. Regardless of the material chosen, there is always a certain small residual risk of leakage with cisterns. For example, minor damage to the cistern could occur during transport, on the construction site, or during installation and go undetected. This could result in a hidden water leak in concealed cisterns that are no longer visible after installation into a room wall.

[0003] Similar problems also arise with other concealed water dispensing devices, such as concealed flush valves (i.e. valves for flushing toilets without a cistern), concealed fittings, and concealed mixing valves.

[0004] The undetected leaks described above are particularly problematic for wooden houses or wooden elements within buildings and can cause significant damage. Therefore, additional protective measures are desirable or even required depending on the country concerned.

[0005] In this context, various solutions exist in the form of hard plastic trays or covers positioned more or less distant from the cistern, which are intended to direct water from a leak, for example, onto the bathroom floor and thus into a visible area. Reference is made to EP 2 821 557 A for example. Furthermore, it has already been proposed to wrap the cistern from the outside with a type of foil bag; for this, reference is made to EP 2 397 613 A.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a practical possibility for leakage protection of a concealed water dispenser.

[0007] This object is achieved by a leak protection device for a concealed water dispenser, in particular a concealed cistern for installation in a room wall, a concealed flush valve, a concealed fitting or a concealed mixing valve, with a receiving element forming at least one rear opening and surrounding the concealed water dispenser at the bottom, sides and front when the leak protection is in the installed state for receiving the concealed water dispenser and a closure element closing the rear opening of the receiving element, wherein when the leak protection is in the installed state in the room wall, the closure element completely covers the concealed water dispenser at the rear, and wherein the closure element is flat, as well as its advantageous use.

[0008] Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and are generally to be understood with regard to all categories of invention.

[0009] For the sake of simplicity and representativeness, only a cistern will be referred to below, although the invention relates generally to concealed water dispensing devices, and in particular to the specifically mentioned concealed cisterns, concealed flush valves, concealed fittings and concealed mixing valves.

[0010] The invention is based on a leak protection device for the cistern in the form of an at least two-part, watertight enclosure comprising a receiving element surrounding the cistern at the bottom, sides, and front, with a rear opening, and a closure element closing this opening. The orientation specifications refer to the installed state, with "front" referring to the direction pointing into the room, "rear" referring to the direction pointing out of the room into the wall, and "side" referring to the horizontal transverse directions.

[0011] The closure element is designed to be "flat," meaning its greatest spatial extent is in a direction perpendicular to its planar extent. Nevertheless, the closure element may have elevations, which are incorporated, for example, along its circumference and / or in a region of its surface remote therefrom. In this case, the closure element is "flat" in such a way that a component depth taken orthogonally to the plane of extent, i.e., a dimension of the closure element in the third spatial direction, is at most 10 cm, particularly preferably at most 8 cm, 6 cm, 4 cm, 2 cm, 1 cm, or even 5 mm, in the order mentioned (see details below).

[0012] The leak protection serves as a collecting container for any leaking water and is designed to be tight accordingly, whereby it does not necessarily (but preferably) have to reach the full height of the cistern and still be tight, and it does not necessarily (but preferably) have to enclose the cistern at the top by the receiving element.

[0013] Of course, draining the leaking water from the protective wall within the room wall does not limit the importance of watertightness; on the contrary, it is preferable. Instead of, for example, using an electronic sensor to detect the water level in the protective wall, it may simply be desirable to channel any leaking water through a pipe running inside the room wall into the room or the toilet bowl, thus attracting attention and prompting repairs.

[0014] According to the invention, the leak protection device is closed at its rear opening by the flat closure element, so that it completely covers the back of the cistern. Put simply, the closure element (when the leak protection device is installed) completely and tightly seals the cistern in a projection perpendicular to the room wall; any water escaping from the cistern is reliably collected.

[0015] The advantage of the invention is that the leakage protection has at least two mutually complementary components, one of which, namely the receiving element, implements all essential features for receiving the cistern in the room wall, and a second of which, namely the closing element, is flat overall and can therefore be produced easily and cost-effectively.

[0016] Unlike, for example, in the prior art EP 4 273 333A1, where according to Fig. 2 and the corresponding description, two shell parts each enclose half of the cistern. This leak protection device comprises a three-dimensional receiving element and an easily manufactured flat closure element. This has the further advantage that the cistern can be inserted into the receiving element during factory assembly, and the rear opening can then be sealed watertight, preferably completely, using the easy-to-apply flat closure element. This reduces the complexity of component manufacturing and simplifies the overall manufacturing process of the leak protection device.

[0017] Preferably, the closure element is also flat at least in the area covering the cistern. The closure element is considered to be partially or completely "flat" if it is free of elevations in the third spatial direction of the material in that area or over the entire surface, which elevations exceed 15%, particularly preferably more than 10%, further preferably more than 5% of a component depth averaged over the area or the entire surface of the closure element. The overall flat and partially flat design of the closure element contributes to improved manufacturability, e.g. with regard to the number of units to be achieved per unit of time (productive strokes), material usage and tool costs, a smaller space requirement for storage and transport, and to improved stackability and assembly.

[0018] The closure element is preferably designed to be dimensionally stable. This enables simplified assembly of the closure element and also allows the cistern to be protected from damage when installed. A closure element is described as “dimensionally stable” if it has a certain inherent rigidity, i.e. it essentially retains its shape under the various loads occurring during manufacture, assembly and installation, without deforming (outside the limits of a certain inherent elasticity of the material used). Dimensionally stable closure elements, e.g. made of plastic, are in some respects more stable than flexible ones and therefore pose less risk of injury, e.g. if a pre-assembled mounting frame with a cistern and leak protection accidentally hits something or even falls over on the construction site. The dimensionally stable closure element preferably has a medium, i.e.material thickness, averaged over its spatial extent, of a maximum of 3 cm, 2 cm or 1 cm (with possible lower limits of e.g. 1 mm, 2 mm or 5 mm).

[0019] Furthermore, in the leak protection device, the closure element has a reinforcing bead which rises from a plane defined by the largest spatial extent of the closure element and, when installed, projects into the rear opening of the receiving element. This reinforcing bead preferably runs along an outer circumference of the closure element and is spaced inwards from it. The reinforcing bead stiffens the closure element, which is advantageous, for example, during assembly, and can also serve as a positioning aid, facilitating the assembly of the leak protection device. In addition, the surface formed between a foot or base of the reinforcing bead and the outer circumference of the closure element can form a preferably circumferential sealing flange, by means of which the closure element can be joined to the receiving element in a watertight manner.Typically, both the receiving element and the closing element are made of plastic, so that a watertight connection is achieved, for example, using suitable adhesives or by welding the two elements.

[0020] Preferably, the closure element has a support section for supporting a flush pipe attached to the cistern and leading from the cistern to a toilet. More specifically, when the leak protection device is installed, the support section secures the flush pipe against horizontal displacement, for example, during installation of the toilet bowl. This prevents the flush pipe from being pushed into the leak protection device during installation of the toilet, thereby preventing an unwanted leak from occurring between the two.

[0021] Alternatively to this (and the reinforcement bead), the closure element can also be completely flat. Compared to a partially flat design, this has the advantage that the assembly element can be manufactured even more cost-effectively and easily, and potentially even sheets or rolls of a plastic starting material can be processed into closure elements by cutting.

[0022] Preferably, particularly in the case of a completely flat closure element, the closure element is flexible, in particular a film. "Flexible" in the sense of this application and with regard to the film means that the material can change its shape without damage (e.g., by breaking), i.e., it can be rolled up, folded over, or folded over. The idea is, for example, to apply the film to the edges of the receiving element during assembly and to join it to it in such a way that a watertight connection is created between the receiving element and the closure element. Of course, some areas can exhibit a certain degree of dimensional stability, although this is not preferred.

[0023] Preferably, the flexible closure element has an average material thickness of at most 5 mm, 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm or 1 mm (with possible lower limits of, for example, 0.05 mm, 0.10 mm, 0.15 mm or 0.20 mm).

[0024] In general, and especially in the case of a film, the flexible closure element has only limited strength, so that damage can occur during installation of the toilet body due to the flush pipe. Therefore, at least one locking device can be provided in the receiving element, which prevents axial displacement of the flush pipe (very similar to the support section described above). Of course, the locking device can also be used in addition to the support section, although this is not preferred.

[0025] Preferably, the contact surfaces provided for closing the rear opening of the receiving element by the closure element on both sides lie in a common plane, whereby this also includes cases of small angular deviations of the surfaces from one another, preferably of no more than 10°, particularly preferably of no more than 5°. Arranging the contact surface in one plane reduces the effort required to join the two elements, since only two preferably flat surfaces are joined together and, for example, the risk of leaks at radius transitions or step profiles is reduced. Furthermore, the plane is preferably vertical when the leak protection device is assembled; this offers advantages, for example, with regard to the required installation space and assembly.

[0026] The leak protection device can further comprise a flexible upper seal for sealing a front opening, in particular an inspection opening of the receiving element, from the front of the room wall located in front of it. After the leak protection device has been installed and, if necessary, after the front of the room wall has been formed (e.g., using a plasterboard or wooden panel), this seal is folded over against its outer side (facing the room) and covered with tiles, stone slabs, or similar. The room wall beneath this glued-on wall covering is preferably coated with a waterproof layer, particularly in the areas surrounding the cistern at risk.

[0027] Furthermore, the front opening of the receiving element can be closed with a protective cover, which is removed after the front of the room wall has been formed. For example, the protective cover can prevent contamination of the components located in the leak protection during the construction of the front of the room wall and also protect any existing upper seal from damage.

[0028] Preferably, the concealed cistern is held by retaining means arranged laterally on it on at least two side walls of the receiving element, which surround the cistern. The retaining means prevent the concealed cistern from falling out during installation and, for example, if the closure element is designed as a film, prevent damage caused by the cistern. The retaining means are formed separately from the receiving element and engage with the concealed cistern and the side walls of the receiving element through a positive fit. The retaining means can also be formed integrally with the receiving element or the concealed cistern and, for example, also be provided with a dimensionally stable closure element, although this is not preferred.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention is directed to a use of the leak protection device for installation with a concealed cistern, in which an outlet for any leaking water escaping from the cistern is provided, preferably in the area of ​​a toilet connected to the cistern and the front of a room wall. This outlet penetrates the front of the room wall and discharges the leaking water there. Leakage water can then flow through this outlet from the lower end of the leak protection device and, for example, reach the floor of the room in front of the wall. There, the water is discovered as a puddle, prompting the cistern to be replaced.

[0030] The leak protection device according to the invention can preferably be provided as a set with a mounting frame attached to it and / or a concealed cistern accommodated therein. The mounting frame enables the leak protection device to be securely and stably installed in the room wall; the matching concealed cistern, however, has the components necessary for flushing.

[0031] The invention will now be described by way of example for the purpose of illustration. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the front of a leakage protection device for a concealed cistern with a flush pipe; Fig. 2 shows a back side of the leak protection made of Fig. 2; Fig. 3a shows the closure element in a dimensionally stable design; Fig. 3b shows the closure element in a design as a flexible film; Fig. 4 shows a side view of the leak protection device installed in the wall; and Fig. 5 shows the leakage protection from Fig. 1 mounted in a mounting frame.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a substantially box-like leakage protection device 10 for a concealed water dispenser 60, namely a concealed cistern 60a, which consists of a receiving element 15 and a closure element 20 (see Fig. 2). The receiving element 15 is made of a dimensionally stable, solid plastic and has a front or inspection opening 15a and a rear or receiving opening 15b, the latter being intended for receiving the concealed cistern 60a. Fig. 1 shows that the box-like leakage protection 10 has at its lower end a flush pipe opening 19 for the passage of a flush pipe 65 from the concealed cistern 60a to a WC body (not shown) arranged on the front side 5a of the room wall.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows the back of the leak protection 10 from Fig. 1 with a concealed cistern 60a arranged therein, in a state in which the rear opening 15b has not yet been closed with the closure element 20. In Fig. 2 shows both the concealed cistern 60a and the flush pipe 65 arranged thereon, as well as a protective covering 17 for an additional cold water supply line in the case of a shower toilet. If leakage water emerges from the concealed cistern 60a or, for example, a supply line thereof (in the fully assembled state with the receiving opening 15b closed), it is collected by the leak protection 10 and directed to the front wall 5a via an outlet provided in the form of a gap between the flush pipe opening 19 and the flush pipe 65. Alternatively, the outlet can also be provided as a separate fluid passage (e.g., as a bore) in the area around the flush pipe opening 19 or even as a separate drain channel extending to the front wall 5a, as long as this allows the leakage water to be directed to the front wall 5a.In contrast, if the cold water supply line is leaking in the case of a shower toilet, the escaping leakage water is collected directly by the protective casing 17 and directed through it to the front of the wall 5a.

[0034] Out of Fig. 2 shows that the concealed cistern 60a, in the installed state of the leakage protection 10, is surrounded at the bottom, sides, and front by the receiving element 15 and is fixed therein by additional holding means 16. In the example shown, the holding means 16 are separately formed elements, by means of which a positive connection is established between the side walls of the concealed cistern 60a and the surrounding portions of the receiving element 15. In addition, Fig. 2 that the cistern is surrounded in its lower area by an insulation 61, which prevents, for example, the formation of condensate on its outer walls enclosed by the insulation 61 when filled with cold water. Fig. 2 also shows that the flushing pipe 65 is secured against slipping out by a securing means 21 arranged in the receiving element 15.

[0035] Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show alternative embodiments of the closure element 20. In Fig. 3a, the closure element 20 is dimensionally stable and made of a plastic with a material thickness of 3 mm and has a reinforcing bead 20a spaced from its outer circumference and running along this outer circumference. Furthermore, the closure element 20 has, in its lower region, i.e., in the region of the flushing pipe 65 running in front of it when installed, a support section 20b which protrudes from the closure element 20 and secures the flushing pipe 65 against displacement. In the example shown, the support section 20b protrudes 3.2 cm from the closure element 20; taking into account the component thickness of 3 mm (see above), this therefore has a component depth of 3.5 cm.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 3b shows an embodiment of the closure element 20, which is completely flat and formed as a flexible film with a material thickness of 0.5 mm. The closure element 20 according to the second embodiment therefore has no reinforcing bead 20a and no support section 20b; the component depth here thus corresponds to the material thickness of 0.5 mm.

[0037] Fig. Figure 4 shows the leak protection device 10 installed in the room wall 5, which is provided with both an upper seal 25 and a lower seal 30, and is connected watertight to the front side 5a of the room wall. In the example shown, the leak protection device 10 forms a complete enclosure for the concealed cistern 60a and the flush pipe 65 arranged thereon, so that any leakage water that may occur (as previously described) is collected and directed to the front side 5a of the room wall. Fig. 4 also schematically shows the construction protection cover 35, which is removed after the installation of the leakage protection 10 in the room wall 5.

[0038] Fig. 5 shows a rear view of the leakage protection 10 from Fig. 1 with a concealed cistern 60a installed therein and a mounting frame 70 for mounting the concealed cistern 60a in and a WC in or in front of a wall 5, ie a set comprising a leakage protection 10, a mounting frame 70 arranged thereon and a concealed cistern 60a accommodated therein.

[0039] The leak protection device 10 is positioned between the cistern 60a and the mounting frame 70 in such a way that any leakage is collected and directed to the front wall 5a of the room. If, with the leak protection device 10 mounted in the wall, a leak should occur at the cistern 60a or its flush pipe 65, the box-like leak protection device 10 directs the leakage to the gap between the flush pipe opening 19 and the flush pipe 65, allowing it to drain to the front wall 5a of the room. The water thus becomes visible as a puddle on the floor next to the toilet. List of reference symbols 5 room wall 5a Room wall front 10 Leakage protection 15 receiving element 15a front opening (inspection opening) 15b rear opening (receiving opening) 16 holding devices 17 Protective cover 19 Flush pipe opening 20 locking element 20a Reinforcement bead 20b Support section 21 Security devices 25 upper seal 30 lower seal 35 building protection cover 60 Flush-mounted water dispenser 60a Concealed cistern 61 Insulation 65 flush pipe 70 mounting frame QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 821 557

[0005] EP 2 397 613 A

[0005] EP 4 273 333A1

[0016]

Claims

[1] Leakage protection device (10) for a concealed water dispensing device (60), in particular a concealed cistern (60a) for installation in a room wall (5), a concealed flush valve, a concealed fitting or a concealed mixing valve, with a receiving element (15) forming at least one rear opening (15b) and surrounding the flush-mounted water dispenser (60) at the bottom, sides and front in the assembled state of the leakage protection (10) for receiving the flush-mounted water dispenser (60) and a closure element (20) closing the rear opening (15b) of the receiving element (15), wherein, when the leakage protection device (10) is mounted in the room wall (5), the closure element (20) completely covers the rear of the flush-mounted water dispenser (60), characterized by that the closure element (20) is flat. [2] Leakage protection (10) according to claim 1, wherein the closure element (20) is flat in an area covering the concealed water dispenser (60). [3] Leakage protection (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the closure element (20) is dimensionally stable. [4] Leakage protection (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the closure element (20) has a reinforcing bead (20a) which rises from a plane defined by a largest spatial extent of the closure element (20) and, in the assembled state, projects into the rear opening (15b) of the receiving element (15), wherein the reinforcing bead (20a) preferably runs along an outer circumference of the closure element (20) and is spaced therefrom. [5] Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims for a concealed cistern (60a) or a concealed flush valve, in which a flush pipe (65) attached to the cistern (60a) or the flush valve and leading from it to a WC is supported and secured against displacement by a support section (20b) rising from a plane of the closure element (20) [6] Leakage protection (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the closure element (20) is completely flat. [7] Leakage protection (10) according to claim 2, 3 or 6, wherein the closure element (20) is flexible, preferably a film. [8] Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims for a concealed cistern (60a) or a concealed flush valve with a securing means (21) by means of which a flush pipe (65) attached to the cistern (60a) or the flush valve and leading from it to a WC can be supported and secured against displacement. [9] Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which contact surfaces provided on both for closing the rear opening (15b) of the receiving element (15) by the closure element (20) lie in a common plane, which is preferably vertical in the assembled state. [10] Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the receiving element forms a front opening (15a) opposite the rear opening (15b), in particular an inspection opening, on which a flexible upper seal (25) is provided for sealing the front opening (15a) against a front side (5a) of the room wall and is designed to be folded over during assembly. [11] Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the front opening (15a) of the receiving element (15) is closed with a building protection cover (35). [12] Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims for a concealed cistern (60a), which concealed cistern (60a) is held by holding means (16) arranged laterally on it on at least two side walls of the receiving element (15) which surround the concealed cistern (60a). [13] Use of a leakage protection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims for mounting with the flush-mounted water dispenser (6). [14] Use according to claim 13 of a leakage protection device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which in the area of ​​a WC connected to the concealed water dispenser (60), namely a cistern (60a) or a flush valve, an outlet for any leakage water emerging from the concealed water dispenser (60) is provided on a room wall front side (5a), which outlet penetrates the room wall front side (5a) and discharges the leakage water there. [15] Set comprising a leakage protection device according to one of claims 1 to 12 with a mounting frame (70) arranged thereon and / or a concealed cistern (60a) accommodated therein.

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