Cistern, especially built in cistern, for a wc or urinal

Abstract

The invention relates to a cistern (1), in particular a flush-mounted cistern, for a toilet or urinal, comprising a cistern body (1.1) made of plastic for receiving water, a drain valve (3) which has a closure body (3.1) that can be moved from a closing position into a flushing position, wherein the closure body (3.1) has a seal (12) which sealingly lies on a valve seat (2) in the closed position, and an actuation device (15) for actuating the drain valve (3). The aim of the invention is to provide such a cistern (1) in a particularly inexpensive manner using little material. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the cistern body (1.1) has at least two, preferably at least three, substantially parallel elongated depressions (1.15) in the front wall (1.13) and / or rear wall (1.14) of the cistern body when viewed from the outside.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cistern, in particular a concealed cistern, for a water closet or urinal, with a cistern body made of plastic for receiving water (flush water), with a flush valve which has a closing element movable from a closed position to a flush position, wherein the closing element has a seal which rests sealingly on a valve seat in the closed position, and with an actuating device for actuating the flush valve, wherein the actuating device has a mounting frame on which an operating element for actuating the flush valve is movably mounted.

[0002] According to current standards, flush toilets and urinals must be emptied by flushing devices connected to a water supply. These are usually cisterns or pressure flush valves.

[0003] Cisterns for water closets or urinals are known in numerous designs, especially in the form of high-level cisterns, low-level cisterns, cisterns mounted on the toilet bowl and wall-mounted cisterns; the latter are also referred to as concealed cisterns.

[0004] The flush volume of toilet cisterns is typically around 6 to 9 liters. In contrast, the flush volume of urinal cisterns is typically around 2 to 4 liters.

[0005] Toilet cisterns with bodies made of enamelled cast iron or porcelain are known, for example, in the form of wall-hung or surface-mounted cisterns. For cost reasons, toilet cistern bodies are now mostly made of plastic. However, even with conventional plastic cistern bodies, material consumption is high. Furthermore, the cooling times required for the plastic to harden during the molding process are long for conventional plastic cisterns.

[0006] Storing and transporting conventional toilet cisterns requires a lot of relatively expensive packaging material. Consequently, a lot of packaging waste is generated.

[0007] When it comes to toilet cisterns, in addition to product quality and ease of installation, drinking water consumption plays a crucial role. In many countries, a relatively high percentage of drinking water is used for flushing. By reducing drinking water consumption with water-saving flushing technologies, consumers can protect the environment and save money. Significant amounts of drinking water can be saved using the well-known dual-flush system. With this system, a smaller flush is fixed at, for example, approximately 3 liters and is usually triggered by the full flush volume. The full flush volume can be adjusted on standard dual-flush valves to approximately 9 liters, 6 liters, or 4.5 liters. The two different flush volumes are typically assigned differently sized or marked flush buttons.Pressing the large flush button triggers the full flush, pressing the small button triggers the small flush.

[0008] As an alternative to dual-flush technology, cisterns can be retrofitted with the equally well-known flush-stop technology. This flushing technology allows for individual control of the flush duration and thus the amount of water flushed. Pressing the flush button initiates the flushing process, while pressing the stop button, or pressing the flush button in the opposite direction, ends the flushing process before all the water has been used.

[0009] However, implementing dual-flush technology requires a complex flush valve system. This is especially true for the components used to select one of the predefined flush volumes. Furthermore, conventional flush plates use springs to reset the flush buttons or pushbuttons, and these are complex to manufacture and install.

[0010] Another problem that sometimes occurs with conventional cisterns is an excessively high flush flow, which causes water to splash out of the toilet bowl during flushing. To solve this problem, flow restrictors have been developed, particularly flow restrictors with adjustable flow cross-sectional area, which are typically positioned below the valve seat. However, adjusting such flow restrictors is cumbersome.

[0011] EP 2 072 695 A discloses a concealed cistern with a cistern body and a connection piece with at least one connection spigot for connecting a water supply line of a water supply network and at least one inlet spigot for connecting a valve, wherein the connection piece is arranged inside the cistern body and the cistern body has at least one through-hole for introducing the water supply line into the cistern body.

[0012] From WO 2017 / 118759 A, a concealed toilet cistern is known which has a cistern outlet, a flush valve (flush valve) arranged in the cistern and connected to the cistern outlet, and a flush pipe, the flush pipe extending from the cistern outlet. The cistern also includes a leak protection bag to prevent leakage. The leak protection bag has a water inlet and a water outlet, positioned upstream of the flush pipe and downstream of the flush valve.

[0013] EP 1 039 050 A discloses a control device for a toilet cistern, the flush valve of which is actuated by at least one lifting lever via an actuating push button, the actuating push button being supported by a plate. The action of the actuating push button is transmitted to the lifting lever via a rocker body of a control element articulated to a frame and via a corresponding connecting arm. The connecting arm can be clicked onto the rocker body by inserting an end head of the connecting arm into a corresponding seat on the rocker body.

[0014] From BE 891 101 A, an actuating device for the flush valve of a concealed cistern is known, comprising a pivotable angled lever that opens the flush valve. A push rod engages this lever to raise a part of the flush valve that opens it. Furthermore, the actuating device includes an actuating lever as a push button, which is pivotably mounted on a cover plate in the valve opening direction and rests against a head of the push rod to open the flush valve. The actuating lever is designed with two arms and is pivotable back and forth within certain limits. A follower is provided on one arm of the actuating lever, which engages the push rod in a positive-locking manner.

[0015] Based on the prior art presented above, the invention aims to create a cistern of the type mentioned at the outset which reduces one or more of the problems mentioned and is preferably characterized by lower costs.

[0016] This problem is solved by a cistern with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the cistern according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims referring back to claim 1.

[0017] The cistern according to the invention is characterized in that at least one spring is integrally formed on the mounting frame, which returns the operating element to a starting position after a release from an actuating position.

[0018] By forming the at least one spring, preferably at least two springs, as spring(s) integrally molded onto the mounting frame, the number of individual parts of the cistern is reduced, thus advantageously decreasing the manufacturing effort, particularly during the assembly of the cistern components. The at least one spring can, for example, be designed in the form of a spring arm or a spring tab.

[0019] Furthermore, the problem derived above, which underlies the invention, is also solved by the fact that its box body has at least two, preferably at least three, elongated recesses running essentially parallel to each other in its front wall and / or rear wall when viewed from the outside.

[0020] This design of the cistern according to the invention significantly increases the structural rigidity and dimensional stability of the cistern body, allowing its wall thickness to be considerably reduced without any critical loss of stability. Reducing the wall thickness of the cistern body while maintaining the same stability, thanks to the inventive design of the cistern wall, leads to savings in material and cooling time, and thus to an advantageous reduction in the manufacturing and transport costs of cisterns of the type mentioned above.

[0021] Due to its high structural rigidity and shape stability, the body of the cistern according to the invention can, for example, have an average wall thickness in the range of only about 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably in the range of only about 1.0 mm to 2.2 mm, and particularly preferably in the range of only about 1.4 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0022] An additional advantage of the inventive design of the box body is that its elongated recesses result in better plaster and mortar adhesion, thus enabling simplified wet construction installation of the box body with cost-effective fasteners without a pre-wall mounting frame.

[0023] Preferably, the or at least some of the parallel elongated depressions formed in the front wall and / or rear wall of the box body form a rib structure.

[0024] The body of the cistern according to the invention is preferably designed as a one-piece plastic container and manufactured by blow molding. Alternatively, it can also be manufactured in two parts and / or by plastic injection molding.

[0025] The elongated recesses, which run essentially parallel to each other in the front and / or rear wall of the box body, preferably run essentially horizontally in the specified operating position (assembly position) of the box body. Furthermore, at least some of the elongated recesses are preferably designed as circumferential recesses in the form of grooves, troughs, or beads in the wall of the box body.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one or more of the recesses have a varying depth along their length. This allows the ratio of the structural rigidity or shape stability of the box body to be optimized with regard to a reduced wall thickness of the box body, so that, with constant or sufficient stability of the box body, particularly low material consumption and particularly short cooling times for the manufacture of the box body are achieved.

[0027] With regard to this technical effect, it is also advantageous if, in a further embodiment of the invention, at least one or more of the recesses have an arcuate or convex channel base along their length and / or if, in a further embodiment of the invention, at least one or more of the recesses have a varying width along their length. Preferably, the width of at least one of the recesses increases laterally from the center of the box body.

[0028] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the box body has one or more corrugations in its front and / or rear wall, extending to the base of the box body. This embodiment allows the wall thickness of the box body and / or the material consumption for its manufacture to be further reduced without any critical loss of stability.

[0029] For cost-effective and stable mounting of the cistern, it is also advantageous if, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the cistern body has at least one mounting hole in its rear wall, which is arranged above the flush valve's closing element at a vertical distance relative to the closing element in its closed position, and / or if the cistern body has at least one front-facing fastening element, preferably in the form of a mounting tab, wherein the fastening element preferably projects upwards relative to the top of the cistern body. This provides one or more advantageous screw-in options for cost-effective and stable mounting of the cistern.The at least one mounting hole arranged in the rear wall of the cistern body is, in the intended operating position of the cistern, preferably located at the same height as an inspection opening formed in the front wall of the cistern body, for example, at the height of the upper half, and particularly preferably at the height of the upper third of the inspection opening. Furthermore, this design (or these designs) contributes to a reduction in the number of components of the cistern according to the invention.

[0030] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the cistern body has a bottom inclined towards the valve seat. Preferably, the bottom is inclined from the narrow sides of the cistern body towards the valve seat, i.e., it is formed with a slope. The slope is preferably more than 10°, particularly preferably more than 15°. This embodiment is advantageous for achieving a relatively high flushing flow towards the end of the flushing process and thus a high flushing and cleaning power. At the same time, this embodiment is advantageous with regard to the flushing water volume of the cistern specified by standards, thus optimizing material consumption during the manufacture of the cistern body.

[0031] The problem underlying the invention, as derived above, is also solved by the fact that the cistern body is designed in such a way that it can be used as packaging for a multitude of components of the cistern, in particular as packaging for the actuating device, the sealing element of the flush valve, a filling valve, a flush pipe to be connected to the valve seat, a flush pipe extension piece, and / or a positioning piece with an integrated lever mechanism for actuating the flush valve. The cistern body thus also serves as packaging. Preferably, during transport to a point of sale or an installation site of the cistern according to the invention, all the aforementioned components of the cistern are housed within its cistern body. In this case, one can also speak of an "all-in-one package" design. The components can be housed loosely or at least partially secured within the cistern body.This design of the aforementioned cistern allows for savings in expensive packaging and a significant amount of packaging waste. The invention therefore relates in particular to the use of the cistern body of the aforementioned type as packaging, preferably as a so-called "all-in-one package," in which all components of the cistern are packaged within its body.

[0032] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve seat is materially bonded to the cistern body, preferably welded. This reduces the number of components of the cistern according to the invention. For example, compared to conventional cisterns, a sealing ring between the cistern body and the valve seat, as well as a nut for fastening the valve seat to the cistern body, can be eliminated.

[0033] The problem derived above, which underlies the invention, is also solved by providing the valve seat with vertically extending guide elements for guiding the closure body, wherein the guide elements are preferably formed integrally with the valve seat. This enables a particularly cost-effective manufacture of the drain valve with reliable function, in particular a reliable closing function.

[0034] The sealing element of the drain valve is preferably designed as an overflow pipe.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the closure body is coupled to a lever of a lever mechanism for actuating the drain valve, wherein the lever is pivotably mounted on a positioning element. Preferably, the positioning element has at least one integrally formed leg or web on which the lever is pivotably mounted. Such a mechanism can be manufactured cost-effectively and is characterized by high functional reliability. Preferably, the lever is pivotably mounted in a fork formed from at least two legs or webs, wherein the legs or webs are integrally formed with the positioning element.

[0036] The positioning element can preferably be detachably connected to the box body by a positive locking mechanism, wherein the box body has at least one positive locking element associated with the positioning element on its inner rear wall, and wherein the box body has an inspection opening in its front wall that defines an edge to which the positioning element can be positively connected. The positioning element, which incorporates the lever mechanism, can thus be quickly and easily mounted on the box body and just as easily removed for maintenance purposes.

[0037] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in the closure body having a diameter-enlarged lower end, which is preferably cylindrical. This embodiment improves the closing function of the drain valve. The diameter-enlarged lower end of the closure body defines a radial shoulder, the outer surface of which is preferably conical. When the closure body is in its raised flushing position and the flushing process is then completed, water remaining in the housing and flowing towards the valve seat presses against the outer surface of the radial shoulder of the closure body (or overflow pipe), thus supporting the closing function of the drain valve.

[0038] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve body is provided at its lower end with a funnel- or spherical-shell-shaped seal. This allows for further optimization of the closing function of the drain valve. The spherical-shell-shaped or funnel-shaped seal of the valve body compensates for any misalignment or angular error of the valve body, so that when the valve body is closed, the drain valve reliably prevents unwanted water from flowing into the connected toilet bowl. Furthermore, the spherical-shell-shaped or funnel-shaped seal of the valve body prevents water droplets from forming on the valve seat. This significantly reduces limescale buildup on the valve seat and makes maintenance work to eliminate leaks caused by limescale less frequent.Furthermore, the spherical shell section or funnel-shaped seal is aerodynamically favorable; it sometimes assists in lifting the closure body from its closed position into its flushing position.

[0039] The desired flushing volume can be continuously adjusted by the actuation time (press time) of the control element. As soon as the manually operated control element or pressure piece of the actuating device is manually released, the at least one spring returns the control element (pressure piece) from its respective actuation position to its initial position. This return preferably occurs immediately, for example, without any significant time delay.

[0040] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating device is provided with an adjustment device for variably limiting the stroke of the flush valve or closure element. This allows the flushing flow to be conveniently adjusted to prevent any splashing of flush water from the toilet bowl during the flushing process. By arranging such a flushing flow adjustment device on the actuating device, the adjustment mechanism is easily and conveniently accessible.

[0041] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the adjusting device includes a screw for stepless adjustment of the movement range of a push plate functioning as an operating element. The screw, which can also be referred to as an adjusting screw, defines an adjustable stop. By turning the screw in or out, the flushing flow can be continuously adjusted. The respective position of the screw limits the movement range of the operating element, or the stroke of the push plate, and thus the stroke of the flushing element of the drain valve. This means that, depending on the position of the screw, the flushing element can be raised more or less.

[0042] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in a drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a cistern according to the invention with a flush pipe connected to it and a plate-shaped actuating device shown above the cistern body, in a front view, wherein the cistern body is shown partially broken open; Figs. 2a to 2d show the cistern body in a front view ( Fig. 2a ), side view ( Fig. 2b ), a perspective front view ( Fig. 2c ) and a perspective bottom view ( Fig. 2d ); Fig. 2eden Box body in a horizontal cross-sectional view along the section line IIe-IIe in Fig. 2a ; Fig. 3a to 3c the valve seat of the drain valve of a cistern according to the invention with associated locking body in closed position and with a lever mechanism for lifting the locking body from the valve seat, in front view ( Fig. 3a ), side view ( Fig. 3b ) and a perspective representation ( Fig. 3c ); Fig. 3dden Valve seat with the lower end of the closure body in a vertical longitudinal section view along section line IId-IId in Fig. 3a ; Figs. 4a to 4d the actuating device in the form of an actuating plate, in front view, rear view, a perspective rear view and in a perspective front view, wherein in the latter the plate-shaped operating element (pressure piece) is unlatched on the mounting frame and pivoted forward; and Fig. 5 a cistern according to the invention, the body of which is used as packaging for a plurality of the components of the cistern, in a perspective view, wherein the body of the cistern is shown with dashed lines to better illustrate the components contained therein.

[0043] The cistern 1 shown in the drawing is designed for wall mounting, in particular for wet-construction installation in a pre-wall or wall niche. Alternatively, the cistern 1 can also be used for dry-construction installation in a pre-wall system.

[0044] The cistern 1 has a body 1.1 made of plastic. The body 1.1 is manufactured in one piece and preferably by blow molding. A drain opening 1.11 is formed in the base 1.10 of the body 1.1, which is provided with a valve seat 2 of a drain valve 3 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2d The valve seat 2 is formed on a pipe stub 2.1 to which a flushing pipe 4 is connected for conveying flushing water into a toilet bowl (not shown). The pipe stub (connection stub) 2.1 has a funnel- or flange-shaped section 2.11 with which it is connected watertight to an annular collar 1.12 surrounding the drain opening 1.11 and projecting downwards from the base 1.10 of the box body 1.1. This connection is preferably designed as a material-bonded connection by bonding or welding the funnel- or flange-shaped section 2.11 of the pipe stub 2.1 to the base 1.10 and / or the collar 1.12 of the box body 1.1 around its circumference.

[0045] The valve seat 2 is provided with guide elements 2.2 for guiding the closure body 3.1 of the drain valve 3. The guide elements 2.2 extend vertically and are designed, for example, as rib-shaped annular wall segments that are spaced substantially uniformly apart from one another along the edge of the annular valve seat surface 2.3. Preferably, the guide elements 2.2 are formed integrally with the valve seat 2. The valve seat 2 with pipe connection 2.1 and guide elements 2.2 is manufactured as a one-piece injection-molded plastic part.

[0046] The outer surface of the pipe stub 2.1 is provided with ring seals 5, preferably rubber O-rings, which serve to create a watertight seal between the pipe stub 2.1 and the flushing tube 4 fitted onto it. The ring seals 5 are, for example, inserted into axially spaced annular grooves 2.12, which are delimited by radial projections 2.13, preferably circumferential ribs. The length of the flushing tube 4, or its vertical position, can be adjusted by axial displacement along the pipe stub 2.1 of the valve seat 2.

[0047] The one in the Figuren 1 bis 2d The cistern body 1.1 shown, for example, has a flush water volume of approximately 6 liters. The average wall thickness of the cistern body 1.1 is preferably only about 2 mm or less. This results in considerable material savings and a significant reduction in the cooling times of the hot-molded plastic material compared to conventional cisterns. To ensure that the cistern body 1.1 has sufficiently high dimensional strength and stability despite its thin wall thickness, at least two, preferably at least three, elongated recesses 1.15, running essentially parallel to each other, are formed in its front wall 1.13 and / or rear wall 1.14.

[0048] In the Figuren 1 bis 2d In the illustrated embodiment, the box body 1.1 has, among other things, four such recesses 1.15, which are preferably formed as circumferential recesses in both the front wall 1.13 and rear wall 1.14 as well as in the narrow side walls 1.161, 1.162 of the box body 1.1. In addition, preferably, further recesses 1.17, 1.18 are formed laterally next to and at the level of the inspection opening 6 in the wall of the box body 1.1, of which a relatively short recess 1.17 extends from the front wall 1.13 into the narrow side wall 1.161, which has a through-opening 7 for the arrangement and fastening of a filling valve 8. The elongated recess 1.18 at the level of the inspection opening 6 extends from the front wall 1.13 over the other narrow or right side wall 1.162 and the rear wall 1.14 to the side wall 1.161 which has the passage opening 7.

[0049] The fill valve 8 is a float-operated valve that is attached to the through-opening 7 via a connecting pipe section 9 made of plastic, which has an external thread 9.1. The water inlet for the fill valve 8 is located inside the cistern body 1.1, preferably without an additional shut-off valve. Eliminating the shut-off valve, which is otherwise typically provided here, reduces the component costs of the cistern 1.

[0050] The circumferential recesses 1.15 formed below the inspection opening 6 in the wall of the box body 1.1 have a varying depth along their length. For example, along their length in the front wall 1.13 and also in the narrow side walls 1.161, 1.162, they each have an arcuate or convex channel base 1.151 (see in particular Figure 1). Fig. 2b , 2d and 2e ). Furthermore, in the Figuren 2b and 2cIt can be seen that at least one of the recesses 1.15 has a varying width along its length. In particular, it can be seen that the width of at least one of the recesses 1.15 increases laterally from the center of the box body 1.1.

[0051] To achieve sufficiently high structural rigidity with a thin wall, grooves 1.19 are formed in the lower region of the front wall 1.13 and in the lower region of the rear wall 1.14, extending into the base 1.10 of the box body 1.1. The base 1.10 of the box body 1.1 is inclined from the narrow sides 1.161, 1.162 towards the valve seat 2, i.e., it is formed with a slope. The slope is preferably in a range of 10° to 25°, and particularly preferably in a range of 15° to 20°.

[0052] The box body 1.1 offers several mounting options. One mounting option is that the box body 1.1 has, for example, two mounting holes 10 in its rear wall 1.14, which are arranged above the drain valve 3 at a vertical distance relative to the closure body 3.1, based on its closed position. Preferably, these mounting holes 10 are arranged in the upper third of the height of the inspection opening 6 (see figure). Fig. 1 and 2a). Another or alternative screwing option is provided on the front of the box body 1.1. There, for example, two fastening means 11, preferably in the form of fastening tabs, are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, these fastening means 11 project upwards from the top surface of the box body 1.1. Preferably, the fastening means 11 are essentially flush with the front surface of the front wall 1.13 of the box body ( Fig. 2a bis 2d ).

[0053] The closure body 3.1 of the drain valve 3 is designed as an overflow body. It has a diameter-expanded lower end 3.11, which is cylindrical. This lower end 3.11 is provided with a funnel-shaped or at least partially spherical seal 12. The seal 12 is associated with the valve seat surface 2.3. It is connected to the lower end 3.11 of the closure body 3.1 in a liquid-tight circumferential manner, for example, by a material-fit or a form-fit and force-fit connection. The lower end 12.1 of the seal 12, which is made, for example, of rubber or a soft plastic, has a significantly smaller diameter (outer diameter as well as inner diameter) than the circumferential valve seat surface 2.3.

[0054] The closure body 3.1, designed as an overflow pipe, is coupled to a lever mechanism 13 for actuating the drain valve 3. The closure body 3.1 has a U-shaped crossbar at its upper end, under which the lever 13.1 engages to lift the closure body 3.1. The lever 13.1 is pivotally mounted on a positioning element 14. For this purpose, the positioning element 14 has two legs or webs 14.1 defining a bearing fork, which are integrally formed with the positioning element. The positioning element 14 is detachably positively connected to the housing body 1.1. For this purpose, the housing body 1.1 has a positive-locking element 1.141 on its inner rear wall 1.14, which is associated with the positioning element 14. In addition to this positive locking connection, the lower edge 6.1 of the inspection opening 6 is used to also positively lock the positioning piece 14 to it.The positioning piece 14 has, for example, a rear plug-in section 14.2, which is inserted into the positive locking element 1.141 of the box body rear wall 1.14, and a front hook-in section 14.3, which is hooked onto the lower edge 6.1 of the inspection opening 6.

[0055] The inspection opening 6 is closed by an actuating device 15 for operating the drain valve 3. The actuating device 15 is essentially plate-shaped and can therefore also be called an actuating plate. It has a mounting frame 15.1 on which a control element (pressure piece) 15.2 for operating the drain valve 3 is movably mounted. The mounting frame 15.1 is attached to the edge of the inspection opening 6. For this purpose, mounting tabs 6.2 are provided on the inspection opening 6, into which mounting screws (not shown) connected to the mounting frame 15.1 can be screwed.

[0056] The operating element 15.2 is pivotally mounted on the mounting frame 15.1. The pivot axis preferably runs horizontally and is located near the upper crossbar 15.11 of the mounting frame 15.1, below the crossbar 15.11. Flexible hooks or spacers 15.21 project rearward from the rear of the operating element 15.2, having nose-shaped projections 15.22 at their ends. Stops or web edges 15.13 formed in a rear wall 15.12 of the mounting frame 15.1 are associated with the projections 15.22 and are engaged by the projections 15.22. The stops or web edges 15.13 are formed, for example, at through-openings 15.14 in the rear wall 15.12 of the mounting frame 15.1. The projections 15.22 can be disengaged from the stops or web edges 15.13 by lateral, elastic bending. In addition, the mounting frame 15.1 has integrally molded spring arms or spring tabs 15.16, which returns the plate-shaped, manually operated control element (push plate) 15.2 to its initial position after release from an actuating position. This spring-loaded bearing of the push plate is thus directly integrated into the actuating device 15. The spring tabs (spring arms) 15.16 press with their free ends 15.17 against the rear of the plate-shaped control element 15.2. The free ends (heads) 15.17 of the spring tabs 15.16 are preferably rounded, for example, spherical.

[0057] The operating element 15.2 acts on a push rod 16 having a thread 16.1, which is detachably connected to a threaded sleeve 17. The threaded sleeve 17 is pivotally connected to the lever 13.1 of the lever mechanism 13, wherein the pivot axis of the lever 13.1 and the pivot axis of the threaded sleeve 17 are spaced apart and parallel to each other ( Fig. 3a bis 3c ).

[0058] Furthermore, the actuating device 15 is provided with an adjusting device 18 for variably limiting the stroke of the drain valve 3. The adjusting device 18 comprises an adjusting screw 18.1, by means of which the movement or swivel range of the operating element (push plate) 15.2 can be continuously adjusted and thereby limited. The screw 18.1 is, for example, screwed into a threaded bore 15.18 on a vertically extending rear wall web 15.19 of the mounting frame 15.1. The head of the screw 18.1 defines a stop for the operating element.

[0059] The drawing and the description of the figures clearly show that the cistern 1 according to the invention is advantageously composed of relatively few components. The cistern 1 according to the invention is therefore characterized by a significantly reduced technical complexity.

[0060] To reduce packaging material and avoid packaging waste, according to an independent teaching of the invention, the cistern body 1.1 of a cistern of the type mentioned at the outset or of a cistern 1 of the type disclosed herein is designed such that it can be used as packaging for a plurality of components of the cistern 1, in particular as packaging for the actuating device 15, the closing body 3.1 of the flush valve 3, the filling valve 8, the flush pipe 4, optionally a flush pipe extension piece 20 and / or the positioning piece 14 with integrated lever mechanism 13 for actuating the flush valve 3. This inventive idea of ​​using the cistern body 1.1 as packaging is described in Fig. 5 schematically represented. It is in Fig. 5It can be seen that, with the exception of the valve seat 2, which is permanently connected to the housing 1.1, all other previously described components of the cistern 1 are enclosed within its housing 1.1 for transport and / or storage purposes. The housing thus also serves as packaging, preferably as an "all-in-one package".

[0061] The implementation of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, numerous variants are conceivable, which are covered by the subject matter of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Cistern (1), in particular a concealed cistern, for a toilet or urinal, - with a cistern body (1.1) made of plastic for holding water, - with a drain valve (3) which has a closure body (3.1) that can be moved from a closed position to a flush position, wherein the closure body (3.1) has a seal (12) which, in the closed position, rests sealingly on a valve seat (2), and - with an actuating device (15) for actuating the drain valve (3), wherein the actuating device (15) has a mounting frame (15.1) on which an operating element (15.2) for actuating the drain valve (3) is movably mounted, characterised in that at least one spring (15.16) is integrally moulded onto the mounting frame (15.1), which spring returns the operating element (15.2) to an initial position after it has been released from an actuating position.

2. Cistern according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one spring (15.16) is designed in the form of a spring arm or a spring tab.

3. Cistern according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that two springs (15.16) in the form of spring arms or spring tabs are integrally moulded onto the mounting frame (15.1), which return the operating element (15.2) to an initial position after it has been released from an actuating position.

4. Cistern according to claim 3, characterised in that the operating element (15.2) is designed in the form of a plate, with the spring arms or spring tabs (15.16) pressing against the rear side of the plate-shaped operating element (15.2) with their free ends (15.17).

5. Cistern according to claim 4, characterised in that the free ends (15.17) are rounded, preferably spherical.

6. Cistern according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the cistern body (1.1) has at least two, preferably at least three, elongated recesses (1.15, 1.18) in its front wall (1.13) and / or rear wall (1.14), viewed from the outside, which run essentially parallel to each other.

7. Cistern according to one of claims 1, 2 or 6, characterised in that the cistern body (1.1) is designed such that it can be used as packaging for a plurality of components of the cistern (1), in particular as packaging for the actuating device (15), the closure body (3.1) of the drain valve (3), a fill valve (8), a flush pipe (4) to be connected to the valve seat (2), a flush pipe extension piece (20) and / or a positioning piece (14) with integrated lever mechanism (13) for actuating the drain valve (3).

8. Cistern according to one of claims 1, 2, 6 or 7, characterised in that the valve seat (2) is connected to the cistern body (1.1) in a material-locking manner, preferably by welding.

9. Cistern according to one of claims 1, 2 or 6 to 8, characterised in that the valve seat (2) is provided with vertically extending guide elements (2.2) for guiding the closure body (3.1), wherein the guide elements (2.2) are preferably formed integrally with the valve seat (2).

10. Cistern according to one of claims 1, 2 or 6 to 9, characterised in that the closure body (3.1) is coupled to a lever (13.1) of a lever mechanism for actuating the drain valve (3), wherein the lever (13.1) is pivotably mounted on a positioning piece (14).

11. Cistern according to claim 10, characterised in that the positioning piece (14) has at least one integrally moulded leg or web (14.1) on which the lever (13.1) is pivotably mounted.

12. Cistern according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the positioning piece (14) is detachably connected to the cistern body (1.1) in a form-fitting manner, wherein the cistern body (1.1) has on the inside of its rear wall (1.14) at least one form-fitting element (1.141) associated with the positioning piece (14), and wherein the cistern body (1.1) has an inspection opening (6) in its front wall (1.13), which defines an edge (6.1) to which the positioning piece (14) can be connected in a form-fitting manner.

13. Cistern according to one of claims 1, 2 or 6 to 12, characterised in that the closure body (3.1) is provided at its lower end (3.11) with a seal (12) which is at least partially spherical or funnel-shaped.

14. Cistern according to one of claims 1, 2 or 6 to 13, characterised in that the actuating device (15) is provided with an adjustment device (18) for variably limiting the stroke of the drain valve (3).

15. Cistern according to claim 14, characterised in that the adjustment device (18) has a screw (18.1) for continuously adjusting a movement range of a push plate functioning as an operating element (15.2).

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