SILENT FLUSHING SYSTEM WITH SIPHON

Abstract

A flush toilet (10) comprising a cistern (110), a water supply means and a siphon (120), the siphon comprising a downcomer opening into a toilet bowl and an upcomer having at least one opening connecting the cistern to the downcomer, such that, after a flush operation, the water contained in the upcomer flows back towards the cistern, wherein:- the cistern has at its base a narrow portion forming a water collection cavity configured to collect at least a portion of the water flowing back from the upcomer to the cistern after a flush operation, and- the water supply means comprises a pipe provided with an end (131) opening into said collection cavity and positioned to be submerged by the water flowing back into the cistern after a flush operation. Figure for abstract: [Fig 1]

Description

Title of the invention: SILENT TOILET FLUSHING SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH A SIPHON TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a flushing system comprising a tank provided with a siphon for discharging water into a bowl.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to such a flushing system in which the cistern comprises at its base a narrow part forming a water collection cavity which is at least partly filled by the water flowing back from the rising pipe towards the cistern after a flushing operation, so as to immerse the end of a water supply pipe and to allow silent filling of the cistern between two flushing operations. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The prior art knows siphons positioned in a tank and initiated by the rise in the level of a liquid, usually water, in the tank up to a trigger threshold. The rise in the water level is usually caused by the action of a user, by pressing a button or rotating a lever for example. The rise in the water is then initiated by adding water to the tank, by a water supply means, or initiated by the immersion of a volume in the water contained in the tank, as described in patent BE 395179. In all cases, the rise in the water level has the effect of causing the water contained in a rising water pipe forming one part of the siphon to overflow into a descending pipe forming the other part of the siphon.A siphon effect then begins, which is maintained until air is introduced into the downcomer, which has the effect of disabling the siphon, i.e. interrupting the flow of water from the tank to the downcomer.

[0004] Prior to each flush, the cistern is filled to a predetermined height which is usually just below the height corresponding to the siphon trigger threshold. Usually, the means for supplying water to the cistern is placed at the top and on the side of the cistern and consists of a water supply pipe provided with a valve whose opening is controlled according to the level of water contained in the cistern by means of a float. The float closes the valve at a predetermined height.

[0005] The end of the water supply pipe opening into the tank is usually placed high in the tank, which causes flow noises throughout the duration of the tank filling. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention aims to improve the flushing systems known from the prior art. One objective of the invention is to reduce noise when filling the tank of the flushing system.

[0007] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a flush toilet comprising a tank, a water supply means and a siphon configured to discharge water from the tank into a toilet bowl when the water height in the tank exceeds a priming height of the siphon, the siphon comprising a descending pipe opening onto the toilet bowl and an ascending pipe comprising at least one opening connecting the tank to the descending pipe, so that, after actuation of the flush toilet and discharge of a portion of the water from the tank into the bowl, the water contained in the ascending pipe flows back into the tank, and in which: - the tank has at its base a narrow part forming a water collection cavity configured to collect at least part of the water flowing back from the rising pipe towards the tank after the flush has been activated, and - the water supply means comprises a pipe having one end opening into said collection cavity and positioned to be submerged by the water flowing back into the tank after the flush is activated.

[0008] A flush cycle is described below, which involves the discharge of water from a toilet cistern into a toilet bowl. Prior to a flush cycle, the water level in the cistern, and therefore in the rising pipe of the siphon, will have previously been raised just below a priming threshold. During the flush cycle, the water level is still to exceed the priming threshold. Beyond this threshold, water overflows from the rising pipe into the falling pipe of the siphon and primes the siphon. Water continuously discharges through the rising and falling pipes into the bowl, until air from the cistern or introduced by a depriming means deprimes the siphon.

[0009] Thanks to the provisions of the invention according to its first aspect, the end of the water supply pipe is submerged by the volume of water flowing back from the rising pipe of the siphon, once the siphon is unprimed. Thus, when water is brought through the water supply pipe to fill the tank, this water is brought through the submerged end of the pipe, which has the effect of reducing the filling noise. Indeed, when the end of the water supply pipe opens into the upper part of the tank, as is the case for most of the flushes known from the prior art, the noise of filling is mainly due to the fall of water which impacts the water already present in the tank or its bottom when the tank is empty.

[0010] It is emphasized that, in order to achieve this effect, the volume of water contained in the rising pipe flowing back towards the tank when the siphon is unprimed, must be sufficient to sufficiently fill the narrow part at the base of the tank, so as to immerse the end of the water supply pipe.

[0011] In other words, the volume delimited by the collection bowl is less than or equal to the volume delimited by the rising pipe.

[0012] It is further emphasized that, in order to obtain the effect intended by the invention, it is understood that the flush is configured so that the water flowing back from the tank flows towards the narrow part of the tank.

[0013] It is understood that the volume of the rising pipe corresponds to the volume of water contained in the rising pipe flowing back towards the reservoir when the siphon is unprimed. Thus, the dimensions of the rising pipe, the dimensions of the narrow part of the reservoir and the positioning of the end of the water supply pipe must be chosen so as to immerse the end of the water supply pipe by the volume of water flowing back from the rising pipe.

[0014] According to the first aspect of the invention, the reservoir comprises at its base a narrow part forming a water collection cavity. By "narrow part" is meant a part of the reservoir whose dimensions are smaller than the average dimension of the reservoir. Thus, the reservoir observed in cross-section will have, at the level of the narrow part of the reservoir, sections whose perimeter is smaller than the average perimeter of the sections over the entire height of the reservoir, for example. On the reservoir observed in longitudinal section, the narrow part may be characterized by the reduction in the width of the reservoir, in the bottom of the reservoir. Thus, the reservoir observed in longitudinal section may have a funnel shape or include a deformation constituting the water collection cavity.

[0015] It is emphasized that the narrow part of the tank may be delimited by the walls of the tank, as is the case in examples illustrated in the present application, or may be formed by added parts arranged in the tank. Thus, one or more parts weighted or fixed to the tank may be arranged in the bottom of the tank, so that the walls of said parts delimit a collection cavity within the meaning of the present application.

[0016] Due to the presence of the narrow portion, the water height in the water collection cavity formed by this portion of the tank rises sufficiently to submerge the end of the water supply pipe. Tanks known from the prior art usually have a flat bottom, so that the water rises little in the tank when water flows back from the rising pipe after actuation of the flush. On the contrary, the water rises high in the narrow part of the tank, even with the small volume of water flowing back from the riser pipe.

[0017] Another advantage of the presence of the narrow part forming the collection cavity lies in the fact that the dimensions and shape of the siphon can be selected to ensure good siphon performance, i.e. easy priming, good water flow and prevention of untimely loss of priming without being constrained by the choice of the volume of the descending pipe. Indeed, by adjusting the dimensions of the narrow part of the siphon and the positioning of the end of the water supply pipe, it will be possible to obtain the effect of immersing the end of the water supply pipe by the volume of water flowing back from the ascending pipe.

[0018] In embodiments, the at least one opening connecting the reservoir to the riser pipe is positioned in the water collection cavity.

[0019] By means of these arrangements, the quantity of water discharged from the tank to the bowl is increased. The reduced size of the narrow part of the tank has the effect of keeping the opening connecting the tank to the downpipe submerged for a longer time, when the water level in the tank empties following an actuation of the toilet flush. Thus, the entry of air through said opening is delayed.

[0020] In embodiments, the narrow portion of the reservoir has the shape of a cone truncation. Preferably, the narrow portion has the shape of a right cone truncation.

[0021] It is emphasized that any other shape making it possible to delimit a narrow part within the meaning of the invention can be implemented. As a non-limiting example, mention may be made of a narrow part of tubular shape, of parallelepiped shape or in the form of a truncation of a sphere.

[0022] In embodiments, the reservoir has a portion whose section is of reduced size and which is positioned at the priming height of the siphon.

[0023] In other words, the reservoir is formed from several reservoir parts superimposed on each other and a reservoir part positioned at the level of the priming height of the siphon has a reduced section size.

[0024] By reduced size section, it is meant that the perimeter of the section is smaller than the average perimeter of the sections of the tank.

[0025] Thanks to these arrangements, the volume of water that it is necessary to pour into the tank to increase the water height in the tank is lower in the part of the tank positioned at the level of the priming height of the siphon. Thus, the actuation of the flush is made easier or faster, because the volume of water to be moved to prime is less and the faster rise in the water level makes it easier priming the siphon. It should be noted that the same effect is achieved whether the siphon is operated by adding water to the tank or by immersing a volume in the tank to raise the water level.

[0026] In embodiments, the reservoir further has a reservoir portion positioned above the portion whose cross-section is reduced in size and whose cross-section is larger than the cross-section of the portion whose cross-section is reduced in size.

[0027] Thanks to these arrangements, a larger volume is present in the tank above the reduced section portion which is at the priming height of the siphon. This volume can be used to house elements of the flushing system, for example part of the water supply means or all or part of a depriming means.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention which can be combined with the first, the invention relates to a flush toilet comprising a tank, a water supply means and a siphon configured to discharge water from the tank into a toilet bowl when the water height in the tank exceeds a siphon priming height, the siphon comprising a downpipe opening onto the toilet bowl and an uppipe comprising at least one opening connecting the tank to the downpipe, the flush toilet further comprising a siphon depriming means, configured to allow the introduction of air into the downpipe of the siphon after priming of the siphon and thus prematurely deprime the siphon. These arrangements make it possible to reduce the volume of water discharged when a toilet is flushed and thus to save water.

[0029] In embodiments, the siphon depriming means comprises a pipe having one end connected to the descending pipe and one end connected to an air source, preferably arranged in the gaseous headspace of the tank, and in which the passage of air through the pipe of the depriming means is regulated by a solenoid valve.

[0030] Preferably, the opening of the solenoid valve is controlled by wireless remote control means.

[0031] Thanks to these provisions, it is not necessary to provide electrical wires between the solenoid valve of the depriming means and the means for controlling the solenoid valve, for example a human-machine interface or an electronic card. The space requirement is therefore reduced, as is the risk of electrical wires coming into contact with the water contained in the tank.

[0032] In embodiments, the siphon depriming means comprises a flexible pipe having one end connected to the downpipe and a movable end configured to be positioned at different heights in the tank.

[0033] The flexible pipe allows the circulation of air from the tank to the downpipe but only when the movable end is exposed to the air. On the contrary, when the movable end is completely submerged by water contained in the tank, the air does not circulate therein. Thus, when the toilet is flushed, the siphon is primed and the water flows from the tank to the bowl, until the water level in the tank has dropped to the height where the movable end of the flexible pipe is positioned.

[0034] In embodiments, the defusing means comprises a plurality of supports placed at different heights and a rod secured to the flexible pipe and provided with a means for suspending the rod from the plurality of supports placed at different heights.

[0035] For example, the plurality of supports arranged at different heights is a grid or a ladder-shaped metal piece, each of the rungs of which is a support on which the rod can be suspended.

[0036] For example, the means for suspending the rod is a curved end of the rod configured to be suspended from the supports placed at different heights.

[0037] In embodiments, the flush includes a variable-sized balloon that can be filled with a fluid, for example water or air, on command to vary its volume. The balloon is disposed in the tank at least partially below the priming height of the siphon. The variation in the volume of the balloon causes a variation in the volume of water below the priming height of the balloon, thereby modifying the volume of water discharged into the bowl when the flush is actuated.

[0038] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a flush toilet comprising a tank, a water supply means and a siphon configured to discharge water from the tank into a toilet bowl when the water height in the tank exceeds a priming height of the siphon, the siphon comprising a descending pipe opening onto the toilet bowl and an ascending pipe comprising at least one opening connecting the tank to the descending pipe, in which: - during a flushing step, the siphon is primed and part of the water from the tank flows into the bowl, - during a siphon depriming step, the water contained in the rising pipe flows back towards the tank, towards a water collection cavity and, - during a tank filling step, water is brought into the tank through a pipe opening into said collection cavity and submerged by the water during the siphon depriming step.

[0039] The aims, advantages and particular characteristics of the method which is the subject of the present invention being similar to those of the flushing toilet according to the first aspect which is the subject of the present invention, they are not recalled here.

[0040] In embodiments, after the flushing step and before unpriming the siphon, water is brought into the tank through the pipe opening into the collection cavity, so as to increase the volume of water discharged into the bowl.

[0041] These arrangements have the effect of preventing the siphon from being unprimed or of delaying the siphon from being unprimed because the water brought into the tank feeds the siphon. Thanks to these arrangements, the volume of water discharged into the bowl following a flush can be deliberately increased.

[0042] In embodiments, the step of filling the tank comprises a step of measuring a value representative of the height of water in the tank and pouring the water into the tank until a predetermined height of water, lower than the priming height of the siphon, is reached.

[0043] Thanks to these arrangements, precise filling, controlled by a sensor measuring a value for measuring the water height in the tank, is achieved. It is emphasized that these arrangements are particularly advantageous for a flush comprising a siphon as for the flush of the invention. Indeed, it is important that the water level in the tank is raised just below the priming height of the siphon between two flushes, in order to allow rapid actuation of the flush. On the other hand, precise control of the water height in the tank is useful to avoid overfilling the tank, which would result in untimely priming of the siphon and wasting water. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the flushing toilet which is the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0045] [Fig.l] represents, schematically and in longitudinal section view, a flush toilet according to a first particular embodiment of the invention,

[0046] [Fig.2] represents, schematically and in longitudinal section view, a chase of water according to a second particular embodiment of the invention, and

[0047] [Fig.3] represents, schematically and in longitudinal section view, a flush toilet according to a third particular embodiment of the invention.

[0048] The reference numbers mentioned in the figures relate to: 10, 20, 40 Toilet flush 110 Tank 112 Narrow part at the base of the tank 114 Collection cavity 115 Siphon housing 116, 118 Portions of the reservoir 130 Water supply line 131 End of the supply line 135, 136 Valves 170 Water height sensor 175 Electronic card 180 Toilet flush button 250 Defusing Means 252 Driving 254 Solenoid valve 290 Balloon 291 Stop 300 Siphon 305 Opening between the riser pipe and the tank 310 Upward Driving 320 Downward driving 350 Connector 380 Joint 438 Float 450 Defusing Means 452 Smooth driving 454 Flexible conduit end 460 Rod 461, 462 Supports 480 Lever 481 Diver Volume 800 Support housing the 110 tank 905 Water height corresponding to the priming threshold DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] The present description is given without limitation, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

[0050] The present description is given without limitation, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

[0051] [Fig.l] shows a toilet flushing system 10 for sanitary facilities according to a first particular embodiment of the invention, which comprises a siphon 300. The toilet flushing system 10 comprises a tank 110, mounted in a support 800 positioned above a toilet bowl (not shown). The support 800 housing the tank 110 is for example mounted on a wall above a toilet bowl, mounted in a box or even directly attached to the bowl.

[0052] The reservoir 110 is illustrated in longitudinal section. It is emphasized that the cross-section of the reservoir 110 may be circular or rectangular or adopt any other shape, provided that the reservoir 110 has a sufficient volume to dispense the desired volume of water. Advantageously, the cross-section (not shown) of the reservoir is rectangular to reduce the size of the reservoir 110.

[0053] The flushing system 10 comprises a water supply means configured to fill the tank 110. Said water supply means comprises a pipe 130 connected to a water source, for example to a municipal water circuit, a valve 136 being able to be opened or closed on command of the user of the flushing system or on automatic command. One end 131 of the pipe 130 is positioned in the tank 110, so that the opening of the valve 136 has the effect of discharging water into the tank 110 through the open end 131 of the pipe 130.

[0054] Advantageously, the valve 136 is a solenoid valve controlled by an electronic card 175. The opening of the valve 136 in order to discharge water into the tank can be controlled as a function of a water level contained in the tank 110 or as a function of an interaction of the user with a human-machine interface, for example a button 180. In order to ensure the proper functioning of a flushing cycle, as described previously in the present application, the valve 136 is opened prior to triggering the flushing and kept open until the tank 110 is partially filled with water to a height substantially lower than the height corresponding to the threshold 905 for priming the siphon 300.

[0055] Advantageously, the water level in the tank 110 is detected by a means for measuring a value representative of the height of water in the tank 100. For example, this means is an optical sensor 170 measuring the distance between the sensor 170 and the surface of the water. In other embodiments, one or more sensors of the optical, capacitive or resistive type are implemented.

[0056] In embodiments (not shown), at least one sensor detecting the water height in the tank 110 by immersion of the sensor is implemented. For example, a sensor is positioned just below the height corresponding to the priming threshold in the tank 110, so that, when this sensor detects that it is submerged, the valve 136 is cut off. A plurality of sensors detecting the water height in the tank 110 by immersion may be positioned at different heights in the tank to detect the water height in the tank.

[0057] During the flush cycle, following an automatic command or following a press of the button 180 by a user, the water level in the tank 110 can be raised above the priming threshold 905 by opening the valve 136. The water thus added to the tank 110 causes water to overflow from an ascending pipe 310 of the siphon 300 to a descending pipe 320 of the siphon and primes the siphon. The water continuously flows through the pipes of the siphon to a bowl, until the water runs out in the tank 110 and air from the tank enters the siphon 300 and deprimes it.

[0058] Advantageously, a second valve 135 is provided on the pipe 130 to stop the flow of water to the tank 110, for example in the event of a leak or during a maintenance operation on the flushing system 10. The valve 136 is for example a tap or a manual valve of the all-or-nothing type. During normal operation of the flushing system 10, the valve 135 is always open.

[0059] It is noted that the valves 135 and 136 are preferably positioned on sections of the pipe 130 which are housed inside the reservoir 110, so that water flows at the level of these valves, in the event of a leak or during the manipulation of a valve, flow into the reservoir 110.

[0060] The siphon 300 is for example a cylindrical, preferably tubular, siphon formed by an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder housed in the outer cylinder and a connector 350, configured to establish a sealed connection between the two cylinders. According to the example illustrated in [Fig.l], the siphon 300 is centrally positioned, vertically, in the tank 110. The siphon 300 is mounted in a housing 115 provided in the bottom of the tank 110. The siphon 300 comprises an annular seal 380 which can be inserted into said housing so that the siphon 300 is held vertically in place in the housing 115 and so that the descending pipe of the siphon 300 is made to communicate with a pipe for discharging water towards a bowl. One or more openings 305 are pierced around the perimeter of the siphon 300 at its base to allow water to circulate from the reservoir 110 to the rising pipe 310 of the siphon 300.

[0061] The reservoir 110 comprises a narrow portion 112 formed by a narrowing of the walls of the reservoir 110 at its base. The narrow portion 112 forms a collection cavity 114 water configured to collect at least a portion of the water flowing back from the riser 310 to the tank 110 after a flush actuation.

[0062] It is emphasized that the pipe 130 of the water supply means has an end 131 opening into the collection cavity 114. The end 131 of the pipe 130 is positioned to be immersed by the water flowing back into the tank 110 after the flush 10 is actuated. Advantageously, one or more openings 305 pierced around the periphery of the siphon 300 are also positioned in the water collection cavity 114.

[0063] In the example shown in [Fig. 1], the narrow part 112 of the reservoir 110 has the shape of a truncation of a right cone. In other embodiments, the shape of the narrow part is hemispherical or rectangular. It is emphasized that the narrow part can be formed by the walls of the reservoir 110 or be formed by any other structure, for example by inserts of suitable shape placed in the reservoir 110, provided that the structures implemented make it possible to form a collection cavity.

[0064] The reservoir 110 has a portion 116 whose cross-section is of reduced size. This portion of the reservoir is positioned at the priming height 905 of the siphon 300. This narrowing of the reservoir at this level makes it possible to raise the water level more quickly when the flush 10 is actuated.

[0065] The tank 110 further comprises a portion 118 of the tank 110 placed above the portion 116, the cross-section of which is of reduced size. The cross-section of the portion 118 is larger than the cross-section of the portion 116. Thus, the tank 110 has a larger interior volume on its upper part. This shape is advantageous because it makes it possible to house in the tank 110 elements, 130, 135, 136 of the water supply means, in particular the valves 135 and 136, which discharge water into the tank 110 in the event of a leak or during maintenance of the flush 10.

[0066] [Fig. 2] shows a toilet flushing system 20 for sanitary facilities according to a second particular embodiment of the invention. The elements of the toilet flushing system 20 bearing the same reference number as the elements of the toilet flushing system 10 are similar and are not described again here.

[0067] The flush 20 is distinguished from the flush 10 in that it comprises a means 250 for depriming the siphon, configured to introduce air into the descending pipe 320 of the siphon after priming the siphon 300 and thus prematurely deprime the siphon.

[0068] The depriming means 250 comprises a tubular pipe 252 placed vertically in the tank 110. The pipe 252 of the depriming means 250 comprises a first end secured to the connector 350 and connected to the descending pipe 320. The other end of the pipe 252 opens into the gaseous sky of the tank 110. A solenoid valve 254 is fixed on the pipe 252, preferably at the end opening into the gaseous sky. The passage of air through the pipe of the depriming means is regulated by a solenoid valve.

[0069] The opening of the solenoid valve 254 is controlled by wireless remote control means, for example integrated into the electronic card 175. In embodiments, an interface is provided allowing the user of the flush 20 to choose a water-saving flush actuation, in which the depriming means interrupts the discharge of water into the bowl prematurely, after a determined duration, counted from the actuation. This time can be pre-recorded or parameterized by the user of the flush 20.

[0070] In embodiments, the flush 20 comprises a balloon 190 arranged in the tank 110 at least partly below the priming height 905 of the siphon 300. The balloon is filled on command with a fluid, preferably with air or with water, conveyed to the balloon by means of a pipe and a pump or a valve (not shown). The balloon is preferably formed of a flexible and deformable polymer. Particularly when the balloon 190 is configured to be inflated by air, a stop 191 may be provided to prevent the balloon 190 from floating to the top of the tank 110. It is emphasized that the implementation of a portion 116 of the tank 110 of narrow section is particularly suitable in this case, because it has the double advantage of facilitating the priming of the siphon 300 and of forming the stop 191.

[0071] [Fig. 3] shows a toilet flushing system 40 for sanitary facilities according to a third particular embodiment of the invention. The elements of the toilet flushing system 40 bearing the same reference number as the elements of the toilet flushing system 10 or 20 are similar to the latter and are not described again here. It is noted that the toilet flush 40 differs from the toilet flushes 10 and 20 in that it does not include a support housing the tank 110. The tank 110 is therefore visible from the outside and self-supporting.

[0072] The flush 40 is distinguished in that the opening of the valve 136 is controlled as a function of the position of a float 438, so as to keep the valve 136 open unless the level of the water contained in the tank 110 exceeds a predetermined height. The actuation of the siphon 300 of the flush 40 is carried out by means of a lever 480 articulated with a plunger volume 481 configured to be lowered on command of the lever 480 in order to raise the water level in the tank 110 and thus prime the siphon 300.

[0073] The flush 40 comprises a means 450 for depriming the siphon, configured to introduce air into the descending pipe 320 of the siphon after priming the siphon 300 and thus prematurely deprime the siphon.

[0074] The siphon depriming means 450 comprises a flexible pipe 452 comprising a first end secured to the connector 350 and connected to the descending pipe 320 and a second end 454 which can be moved by the user and configured to be positioned at different heights in the tank 110.

[0075] To do this, the defusing means 450 comprises a plurality of supports, 461, 462, placed at different heights in the tank 110. Said supports, 461, 462, are configured to cooperate with a rod 460 secured to the second end 454 of the flexible pipe 452. The rod is for example a rigid rod, preferably metallic or made of plastic. A suspension means is provided for hanging the rod 460 from a support, 461, 462. The suspension means is for example a curved end of the rod 460 configured to be housed in a support 461, 462. The plurality of supports can be formed by a ladder-shaped part, each of the rungs of which is a support on which the rod 460 can be suspended.

[0076] The position of the end 454 determines the volume of water that will be discharged into the bowl when the flush 40 is actuated. In fact, the water will gradually descend into the tank after the siphon 300 has been primed, until the end 454 of the flexible pipe 452 is exposed to the air, which will have the effect of introducing air into the descending pipe 320 and depriming the siphon.

Claims

Claims

1. A flushing device (10, 20, 40) comprising a tank (110), a water supply means and a siphon (300) configured to discharge water from the tank (110) to a toilet bowl when the water height in the tank (110) exceeds a priming height (905) of the siphon (300), the siphon comprising a downcomer opening onto the toilet bowl and an upcomer (310) comprising at least one opening (305) connecting the tank to the upcomer (310), such that, after actuation of the flushing device and discharge of a portion of the water from the tank to the bowl, the water contained in the upcomer (310) flows back towards the tank,characterized in that: - the tank (110) comprises at its base a narrow portion (112) forming a water collection cavity (114) configured to collect at least part of the water flowing back from the rising pipe (310) to the tank (110) after actuation of the flush, and - the water supply means comprises a pipe (130) provided with an end (131) opening into said collection cavity and positioned to be immersed by the water flowing back into the tank after actuation of the flush and which comprises a means (250) for depriming the siphon (300), configured to introduce air into the descending pipe (320) of the siphon (300), wherein the means for depriming the siphon comprises a pipe (252) provided with one end connected to the descending pipe (320) and one end connected to a source of air, preferably arranged in the gaseous sky of the tank (110),and wherein the passage of air through the conduit (252) of the de-priming means (250) is regulated by a solenoid valve (254).,

2. A flush (10, 20, 40) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one opening (305) connecting the reservoir (110) to the riser pipe (310) is positioned in the water collection cavity.

3. A flush toilet (10, 20, 40) according to any preceding claim, wherein the narrow portion (112) of the reservoir (100) has the shape of a cone truncation.

4. A flush (10, 20, 40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (110) has a portion (116) whose cross-section is of reduced size and which is positioned at the priming height (905) of the siphon (300).

5. A flush toilet (10, 20, 40) according to the preceding claim, wherein the reservoir (110) further comprises a reservoir portion (118) placed above the portion (116) whose cross-section is reduced in size and whose cross-section is larger than the cross-section of the portion (116) whose cross-section is reduced in size.

6. Method for operating a flush according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a reservoir, a water supply means and a siphon configured to discharge water from the reservoir into a toilet bowl when the water height in the reservoir exceeds a siphon priming height, the siphon comprising a descending pipe opening onto the toilet bowl and an ascending pipe comprising at least one opening connecting the reservoir to the ascending pipe, characterized in that: - during a step of actuating the flush, the siphon is primed and part of the water from the reservoir flows into the bowl, - during a step of depriming the siphon, the water contained in the ascending pipe flows back into the reservoir, into a water collection cavity and, - during a step of filling the reservoir,water is brought into the tank through a pipe opening into said collection cavity and submerged by the water during the siphon depriming step.,

7. Method of operating a flush toilet according to the preceding claim, in which, after the step of actuating the flush toilet, water is brought into the tank through the pipe opening into the collection cavity, so as to increase the volume of water discharged into the bowl.

8. A method of operating a flush toilet according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the step of filling the tank includes a step of measuring a value representative of the height of water into the tank and a discharge of water into the tank until a predetermined water height, lower than the siphon priming height, is reached.

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