Dual trap toilet with improved pressurization and flushing

Abstract

The toilet assembly may include a toilet tank for holding flush water, a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a container positioned within the toilet tank, and a connecting pipe extending from an interior of the container to the trap drain. During a flush cycle, the tank may store a volume of flush water. The flush water may be distributed among different regions of the tank defined by the configuration of the container. During a flush cycle, the container and the trap drain may contain compressed air. A force exerted by the compressed air in the trap drain on the water in the lower trap may cause an upstream water level in the lower trap to be lower than a downstream water level in the lower trap.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 333,971, filed April 22, 2022, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 333,973, filed April 22, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 333,977, filed April 22, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to dual trap toilets. [Background technology]

[0003] A conventional dual trap toilet includes a trap drain configured to trap water in two separate locations. A first upstream trap may be located directly downstream of the toilet bowl and configured to hold water within the toilet bowl during a flush cycle. A second downstream trap may be located between the first trap and an outlet from the trap drain to the drain. The dual trap configuration may prevent sewer gases from escaping through the drain and out of the sewer pipe, as well as provide a quieter flush cycle than other flush toilets (e.g., single trap toilets). Summary of the Invention

[0004] As discussed above, the dual trap toilet may include a trap drain configured to hold both water and compressed air during a flush cycle. Specifically, the dual trap toilet may include a trap drain configured to trap water within the upstream and downstream traps during a flush cycle. During a flush cycle, compressed air at positive pressure may be contained within the trap drain between the upstream and downstream traps. This compressed air may be fluidly coupled to a second portion of compressed air at positive pressure contained within the toilet tank. When a flush cycle is initiated, water may be discharged from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl, causing a decrease in air pressure within the trap drain. The decrease in pressure may siphon the trap drain, drawing the contents of the toilet bowl into and out of the trap drain.

[0005] The location, shape, and size of various components of the trap drain, as well as the distribution of flush water and compressed air within the trap drain, can affect the efficiency with which fluid flows through the trap drain during a flush cycle. The present disclosure provides a dual trap toilet assembly configured to optimize the distribution of flush water and compressed air to provide a more efficient flush cycle. The trap drain can have variable diameters at different locations along the fluid flow path to reduce clogging. The interface between the trap drain and the toilet tank can be positioned and sized to optimize the flow rate of air and water during a flush cycle.

[0006] The first toilet assembly may include a toilet tank for holding flush water, a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank, a toilet bowl, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a container positioned within the toilet tank, and a connecting tube extending from an interior of the container to the trap drain. The container may be in fluid communication with the toilet tank and may have an open lower end and a closed upper end, the upper end of the container receiving a first portion of the compressed air when the toilet assembly is during a flush cycle. The trap drain may include a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion. The connecting tube may be coupled to the trap drain at a location between the water seal trap and the lower trap and may provide fluid communication between the container and the trap drain. The trap drain may receive a second portion of the compressed air when the toilet assembly is during a flush cycle. A volume of the first portion of the compressed air may be no more than 30% of a volume of the second portion of the compressed air.

[0007] In some embodiments of the first toilet bowl assembly, during a flush cycle, the first portion of compressed air is positioned above the flush water in the container.

[0008] In some embodiments of the first toilet assembly, discharging water into the flush valve core to initiate a flush cycle creates a reduced pressure within one or both of the first portion of compressed air and the second portion of compressed air.

[0009] In some embodiments of the first toilet assembly, refilling the toilet tank with water to end the flush cycle causes pressurization within one or both of the first portion of compressed air and the second portion of compressed air.

[0010] In some embodiments of the first toilet bowl assembly, during a flush cycle the first portion of compressed air and the second portion of compressed air are pressurized to at least 0.5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure and at most 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure.

[0011] In some embodiments of the first toilet assembly, the first upstream weir section is positioned above the highest point of the trap drain inlet by an offset distance of 2 inches or more.

[0012] In some embodiments of the first toilet assembly, the first upstream weir is positioned at a point vertically higher than the water seal of the toilet bowl by a distance of 0.2 inches or more during a flush cycle.

[0013] In some embodiments of the first toilet bowl assembly, the flush valve assembly includes a valve body extending from a valve inlet to a valve outlet, and a valve cover having a seal for enclosing the valve inlet.

[0014] In some embodiments of the first toilet assembly, the container includes a continuous side wall, a top wall, and an interior wall that together bound the vacuum chamber of the container.

[0015] In some embodiments of the first toilet assembly, the inner wall bounds the interior chamber of the container.

[0016] In some embodiments of the first toilet assembly, the vertical distance between the top surface of the connecting pipe and the inner surface of the top end wall is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm.

[0017] In some embodiments of the first toilet assembly, the inner diameter of the connecting pipe is equal to or greater than 12 mm and equal to or less than 20 mm.

[0018] In some embodiments of the first toilet assembly, the vertical distance between the top surface of the connecting pipe and the water level in the toilet tank during a flush cycle is greater than or equal to 45 mm and less than or equal to 55 mm.

[0019] The second toilet assembly may include a toilet tank for holding flush water, a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank, a toilet bowl, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a container positioned within the toilet tank, and a connecting pipe extending from an interior of the container to the trap drain. The container may be in fluid communication with the toilet tank and may have an open lower end and a closed upper end. The trap drain may include a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion. The connecting pipe may be coupled to the trap drain at a location between the water seal trap and the lower trap to provide fluid communication between the container and the trap drain. The trap drain may contain compressed air when the toilet assembly is between a flush cycle. The compressed air in the trap drain may apply a force to water in the lower trap such that an upstream water level in the lower trap is lower than a downstream water level in the lower trap by an offset distance of 15 mm or more during a flush cycle.

[0020] In some embodiments of the second toilet assembly, during the flush cycle, the container contains compressed air positioned above the flush water.

[0021] In some embodiments of the second toilet assembly, discharging water into the flush valve core to initiate a flush cycle causes a reduction in pressure of the compressed air in the trap drain.

[0022] In some embodiments of the second toilet assembly, pressurization of the compressed air in the trap drain occurs when the toilet tank is refilled with water to complete the flush cycle.

[0023] In some embodiments of the second toilet assembly, during a flush cycle, the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized to at least 0.5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure and no more than 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure.

[0024] The third toilet assembly may include a toilet tank, a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank, a toilet bowl, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a container positioned within the toilet tank, the container including an interior chamber and a vacuum chamber, and a connecting pipe extending from an interior of the container to the trap drain. The container may be in fluid communication with the toilet tank and may have an open lower end and a closed upper end. The trap drain may include a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion. The connecting pipe may be coupled to the trap drain at a location between the water seal trap and the lower trap and may provide fluid communication between the container and the trap drain. During a flush cycle, the toilet assembly may flush a volume of flush water. A first portion of the volume of flush water may be stored in the tank prior to the flush cycle, a second portion of the volume of flush water may be stored in the vacuum chamber prior to the flush cycle, and a third portion of the volume of flush water may be stored in the interior chamber prior to the flush cycle. The third portion is greater than or equal to 40% of the volume of flush water.

[0025] In some embodiments of the third toilet assembly, the first portion is 20% or less of the volume of the flush water.

[0026] In some embodiments of the third toilet assembly, the second portion is no more than 40% of the volume of the flush water.

[0027] In some embodiments of the third toilet assembly, during a flush cycle, the container contains compressed air in a vacuum chamber positioned above the flush water.

[0028] In some embodiments of the third toilet assembly, discharging water into the flush valve core to initiate a flush cycle causes a reduction in pressure of the compressed air in the trap drain.

[0029] In some embodiments of the third toilet assembly, pressurization of the compressed air in the trap drain occurs when the toilet tank is refilled with water to complete the flush cycle.

[0030] In some embodiments of the third toilet assembly, during a flush cycle, the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized to at least 0.5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure and no more than 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure.

[0031] The following figures show various views and / or associated data of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. The dual trap toilet shown in the figures may, in some embodiments, have any one or more of the characteristics described herein. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a cutaway perspective view of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A shows various cutaway and cross-sectional views of a dual trap toilet tank, according to some embodiments. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B shows various cutaway and cross-sectional views of the tank of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C shows various cutaway and cross-sectional views of the tank of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 5D] FIG. 5D shows various cutaway and cross-sectional views of the tank of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A shows a diagram of the toilet bowl and / or trap drain of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B shows a diagram of the toilet bowl and / or trap drain of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a dual trap toilet bowl and a lower seal offset height, according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a portion of a trap drain of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows the dimensions of the trap drain flow path of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the trap diameter dimensions of the trap drain of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows the interface between the manifold and trap drain of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The dual trap toilet includes a trap drain configured to trap water in two separate locations. In some embodiments, the dual trap toilet may have a trap drain, which may include a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion. A container positioned within the toilet tank may be coupled by a connecting tube extending between an interior of the container and the trap drain. The connecting tube may be coupled to the trap drain at a location between the water seal trap and the lower trap and may provide fluid communication between the container and the trap drain. During a flush cycle, the container and the trap drain may contain compressed air at a positive pressure. The positive compressed air pressure in the trap drain during a flush cycle may push water in the water seal trap upward, which may result in greater water spots in the toilet bowl than would exist in the absence of the positive compressed air pressure. Additionally, the positive pressure of compressed air in the trap drain during a cleaning cycle can force the water in the lower trap downward, so that the water level at the upstream end of the lower trap can be lower than the water level at the downstream end of the lower trap.

[0034] At the start of a flush cycle, the flush valve seal may rise up from the flush valve inlet to the flush valve, opening the flush valve, and flush water may be dispensed from the toilet tank and container through the flush valve and into the toilet bowl. As used herein, the term "flush water" may refer to any water that flows out of the toilet tank (or any of its subcomponents, e.g., a container positioned inside the toilet tank, an interior chamber of the container, and / or a vacuum chamber of the container) during a flush cycle. Dispensing flush water during a flush cycle may apply negative pressure to the air in the top end of the container, the connecting tube, and the portion of the trap drain between the seal trap and the lower trap. The negative pressure may reduce to atmospheric pressure or a partial vacuum. The negative pressure may help create a siphon to pull water and waste through the seal area and into and out of the trap drain.

[0035] During a cleaning cycle, cleaning water may flow out of the tank, a container positioned within the tank, an internal chamber of the container, and / or a vacuum chamber of the container. In some embodiments, some, all, or none of the cleaning water may flow out of the tank (considered separately from the container positioned within the tank) during a cleaning cycle. In some embodiments, some, nearly all, all, or none of the cleaning water may flow out of the container (considered separately from the tank) during a cleaning cycle. In some embodiments, some, nearly all, all, or none of the cleaning water may flow out of the vacuum chamber of the container (considered separately from the rest of the container and from the tank) during a cleaning cycle. In some embodiments, some, nearly all, all, or none of the cleaning water may flow out of the internal chamber of the container (considered separately from the rest of the container and from the tank) during a cleaning cycle.

[0036] One or more components of the dual trap toilet may be configured to optimize the proportions of compressed air under positive pressure located in various portions of the toilet during a flush cycle. In some embodiments, a first portion of compressed air under positive pressure is located at an upper end of the container in the tank during a flush cycle, and a second portion of compressed air under positive pressure is located in the trap drain between the water in the seal trap and the water in the lower trap during a flush cycle. (In some embodiments, the second portion of compressed air under positive pressure may also include air located in the manifold and / or in the interface between the manifold and the trap drain.)

[0037] The flush cycle may be considered complete when the flush valve is closed and the toilet tank, seal trap, and bottom trap are refilled. When the flush cycle is complete, new flush water entering the toilet tank may also enter the container through one or more openings positioned in the container wall. As water enters the container, air may be compressed within the top end of the container, and air contained within the area defined by the top end of the container, the connecting tube, and the trap drain portion between the seal trap and bottom trap may be returned to atmospheric pressure and / or a positive pressure above atmospheric pressure.

[0038] A dual trap toilet may have a trap drain shaped to optimize air and water flow during a flush cycle. The trap drain may flow from an upstream end that connects to the toilet bowl to a downstream end that connects to a drain. From the upstream end to the downstream end, the trap drain may include a water seal trap, a portion extending upwardly from the water seal trap, a first (upstream) weir portion, a connecting portion extending downwardly from the first (upstream) weir portion, a lower trap, a portion extending upwardly from the lower trap, a second (downstream) weir portion, and a portion extending downwardly from the second (downstream) weir portion.

[0039] An interface between (or included as part of) the manifolds may be positioned and shaped to optimize air and water flow rates during a cleaning cycle. The interface may have an upper end that connects to a lower end of the manifold and a lower end that connects to the trap drain. The lower end may connect to the trap drain at a location between the water seal trap and the lower trap so that positive compressed air can be delivered through the interface to a region of the trap drain between the water in the water seal trap and the water in the lower trap. The lower end may connect to an upper wall of the trap drain above the first upstream weir and / or to an upper / outer wall of the connecting portion.

[0040] The trap drain may be of variable diameter at different locations along the trap drain, and the variable diameter may optimize the flow rate of air and water during a cleaning cycle. The interface may have an upper end that connects to the lower end of the manifold and a lower end that connects to the trap drain. The lower end may connect to the trap drain at a location between the water seal trap and the lower trap so that positive pressure compressed air can be delivered through the interface to a region of the trap drain between the water in the water seal trap and the water in the lower trap. The lower end may connect to the upper wall of the trap drain above the first upstream weir and / or to the upper / outer wall of the connecting portion. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain may be measured at any of the trap drain components mentioned above, and in some embodiments may differ from one or more other components at any of the trap drain components mentioned above. When a diameter of a trap drain is mentioned, it may be understood to refer to the diameter of a circular trap drain, and / or the diameter in at least one direction of an elliptical and / or irregularly shaped trap drain.

[0041] Dual trap toilet A dual trap toilet includes a trap drain configured to trap water in two separate locations. A first upstream trap may be located directly downstream of the toilet bowl and configured to hold water within the toilet bowl during a flush cycle. A second downstream trap may be located between the first trap and an outlet from the trap drain to the drain. The dual trap configuration may prevent sewer gases from escaping through the drain and out of the sewer pipe, as well as provide a quieter flush cycle than other flush toilets (e.g., single trap toilets).

[0042] 1A and 1B show perspective views of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. Specifically, FIGS. 1A and 1B show perspective views of a dual trap toilet 100, including a toilet bowl 102, a toilet tank 104, and a trap drain 106. In some embodiments, the toilet bowl 102, the toilet tank 104, and the trap drain 106 may be in fluid communication. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1B, the toilet 100 may include a flush control 108. The flush control 108 may include one or more handles, push buttons, levers, chains, position sensors, and / or motion sensors, and is configured to initiate a flush cycle when engaged by a user.

[0043] During a flush cycle, the toilet bowl 102 may accommodate a volume of water. In some embodiments, the volume of water accommodated in the toilet bowl 102 during a flush cycle may be about 0.5 gallons, about 0.75 gallons, about 1 gallon, about 1.25 gallons, about 1.5 gallons, about 1.75 gallons, about 2 gallons, about 3 gallons, about 4 gallons, or about 5 gallons. In some embodiments, the volume of water accommodated in the toilet bowl 102 during a flush cycle may be 2.5 gallons, 3.5 gallons, 4.5 gallons, 5.5 gallons, 6.5 gallons, 7.5 gallons, or 8.5 gallons or more. In some embodiments, the volume of water accommodated in the toilet bowl 102 during a flush cycle may be 2 gallons, 1.5 gallons, 1 gallon, 0.5 gallons, or 0.1 gallons or less.

[0044] The toilet tank 104 may be configured to contain flush water. The toilet tank 104 may be configured to be fluidly coupled to a water supply. In some embodiments, when a flush cycle is initiated, the toilet tank 104 may be configured to dispense a contained volume of flush water into the toilet bowl 102. Towards the end of the flush cycle, the toilet tank 104 may be configured to replenish the dispensed volume of water by receiving water from the water supply.

[0045] When a flush cycle is initiated (e.g., by a user engaging flush control 108), the contents of toilet bowl 102 may be siphoned into trap drain 106. Trap drain 106 may be configured to be fluidly connected to a sewer system (or one or more drains that connect to a sewer system). During a flush cycle, the siphoned contents of toilet bowl 102 may be directed through trap drain 106 and into the sewer system.

[0046] The trap drain 106 may include a water seal trap and a lower trap. The water seal trap may be directly downstream of the toilet bowl 102, and the lower trap may be downstream of the water seal trap. When the toilet bowl 100 is between flush cycles, water may collect in both the water seal trap and the lower trap. The water collects in the water seal trap and the lower trap may form a series of water seals that prevent leakage of sewer gases out of the trap drain 106. The water that collects in the water seal trap during a flush cycle may be the volume of water contained within the toilet bowl 102 during a flush cycle, as described above.

[0047] When the toilet 100 is during a flush cycle, the toilet tank 104 and the trap drain 106 may be configured to contain compressed air at a positive pressure. The compressed air at a positive pressure contained within the trap drain 106 may be contained between the seal trap and the lower trap and may exert an upward pressure on the water that accumulates in the seal trap and a downward pressure on the water that accumulates in the lower trap. In some embodiments, the upward pressure exerted by the compressed air contained within the trap drain 106 on the water that accumulates in the seal trap may increase the level of water contained within the toilet bowl 102 during a flush cycle. The increase in the level of water contained within the toilet bowl 102 may reduce or prevent soiling of the toilet bowl 102.

[0048] In some embodiments, when a flush cycle is initiated and flush water is dispensed from the toilet tank 104 into the toilet bowl 102, a negative pressure may be applied to the air contained within the toilet tank 104 and the air contained within the trap drain 106. The negative pressure may reduce the pressure within the toilet tank 104 and / or trap drain 106 to atmospheric pressure and / or a partial vacuum. This reduction in pressure may cause a siphon to occur within the trap drain 106 such that the contents of the toilet bowl 102 may be drawn into and subsequently withdrawn from the trap drain 106.

[0049] Towards the end of the flush cycle, water may refill in the toilet bowl 102 and trap drain 106. Once the flush cycle is complete, the toilet tank 104 may be configured to receive new flush water from the water supply. As the toilet tank 104 refills with flush water, the air contained within the toilet tank 104 may be compressed such that the pressure of the air contained within the toilet tank 104 and / or the air contained within the trap drain 106 may increase to atmospheric pressure and / or above atmospheric pressure. Once the air contained within the toilet tank 104 and / or the air contained within the trap drain 106 returns to a positive pressure state, the flush cycle may be complete.

[0050] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. Specifically, Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a toilet 200, including a toilet bowl 202, a toilet tank 204, a trap drain 206, and a flush control 208. In some embodiments, the toilet bowl 202, the toilet tank 204, the trap drain 206, and / or the flush control 208 may include features of the toilet bowl 102, the toilet tank 104, the trap drain 106, and / or the flush control 108 shown in Figures 1A and / or 1B.

[0051] The container 218 and the flush valve 224 may be positioned within and in fluid communication with the toilet tank 204. The container 218 may have an irregular toroidal structure that defines a vacuum chamber, an interior chamber, and an exterior region within the toilet tank 204 that is exterior to and surrounds both the container 218 and the interior chamber. In some embodiments, the flush valve 224 may be positioned within the interior chamber defined by the container 218 such that the container 218 surrounds the flush valve 224.

[0052] During a flush cycle, the toilet tank 204 may be configured to contain flush water. During a flush cycle, a first volume of flush water may be contained in an exterior region within the toilet tank 204 that is external to and surrounds the container 218 and the interior chamber defined by the structure of the container 218, a second volume of flush water may be contained within a central cavity region defined by the structure of the container 218, and a third volume of flush water may be contained within a vacuum chamber contained within an internal irregular annular region of the container 218.

[0053] The toilet bowl 202 may be fluidly connected to the toilet tank 204 via a flow path 222. A flush valve 224 may be in fluid communication with the flow path 222, which in turn may be in fluid communication with the toilet bowl 202. In some embodiments, a flush valve gasket 210 may be positioned at the interface between the flush valve 224 and the flow path 222. The flush valve gasket 210 may form a mechanical seal between the flush valve 224 and the flow path 222 to prevent flush water and / or air from leaking out of the toilet tank 204 and into the toilet bowl 202 during a flush cycle (i.e., when the flush valve 224 is closed, it may prevent water and / or air from leaking out of the toilet tank 204).

[0054] The flow passage 222 may be in fluid communication with a rim channel 236 that surrounds the rim of the toilet bowl 202. During a flush cycle, a portion of flush water may be routed from the toilet tank 204 through the flow passage 222 and into the rim channel 236. The flush water may then be routed from the rim channel 236 into the toilet bowl 202 through one or more rim outlets.

[0055] The portion of flush water routed from the toilet tank 204 through the flow path 222 and into the rim channel 236 can be about 0.5-2 liters, about 1-3 liters, about 1-4 liters, or about 1-5 liters. Optionally, the portion of flush water routed from the toilet tank 204 through the flow path 222 and into the rim channel 236 can be 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8, 4, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, or 5 liters or less. Optionally, the portion of flush water routed from the toilet tank 204 through the flow path 222 and into the rim channel 236 may be 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8, 4, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, or 5 liters or more.

[0056] In some embodiments, less than 50% of the total volume of flush water delivered from the toilet tank 204 to the toilet bowl 202 during a flush cycle may be routed through the rim channel 236. In some embodiments, more than 50% of the total volume of flush water delivered from the toilet tank 204 to the toilet bowl 202 during a flush cycle may be routed through the rim channel 236.

[0057] A lower portion of the toilet bowl 202, hereafter referred to as the water seal area 214a, may be in fluid communication with a first upstream portion 214u of the trap drain 206 via a trap drain inlet 207. The first upstream portion 214u of the trap drain 206, the water seal area 214a of the toilet bowl 202, and the first downstream portion 214d of the trap drain 206 may together form a water seal trap 214 that may contain flush water during a flush cycle.

[0058] In some embodiments, the flow path 222 may be in fluid communication with the jet channel 238. The jet channel may be adjacent to the upstream end of the trap drain 206 and may be fluidly coupled to the water seal trap 214 via the jet hole 240. During a flush cycle, a portion of flush water may be routed from the toilet tank 204 through the flow path 222 and into the jet channel 238. In some embodiments, the flush water routed into the jet channel 238 may be routed into the water seal trap 214 via the jet hole 240 to siphon within the toilet 200. In some embodiments, the flush water routed into the jet channel 238 may be routed into the water seal trap 214 via the jet hole 240 at the end of the flush cycle to refill the water seal trap 214.

[0059] In some embodiments, the ratio of the volume of cleaning water channeled through the rim channel 236 during a cleaning cycle to the volume of cleaning water channeled through the jet holes 240 during a cleaning cycle may be approximately 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, or 1:7. Optionally, the ratio of the volume of cleaning water channeled through the rim channel 236 during a cleaning cycle to the volume of cleaning water channeled through the jet holes 240 during a cleaning cycle may be less than or equal to 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, or 1:7. Alternatively, the ratio of the volume of wash water directed through the rim channel 236 during a wash cycle to the volume of wash water directed through the jet holes 240 during a wash cycle may be 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, or 1:7 or more.

[0060] The trap drain 206 may include a first upstream weir portion 226 configured to contain water that accumulates in the water seal trap 214. The first upstream weir portion 226 may be a high point on the bottom wall of the trap drain 206 downstream of the first downstream portion 214u of the trap drain 206 and may be positioned above the highest point of the trap drain inlet 207. In some embodiments, the first upstream weir portion 226 may be positioned an offset distance of about 0.5 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.5 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, or about 3 inches above the highest point of the toilet bowl 202-trap drain 206 interface. In some embodiments, the first upstream weir portion 226 may be positioned an offset distance of 2 inches, 2.5 inches, 3 inches, 3.5 inches, 4 inches, or more above the highest point of the toilet bowl 202-trap drain 206 interface. In some embodiments, the first upstream weir portion 226 may be positioned an offset distance of 6 inches, 5.5 inches, 5 inches, 4.5 inches, or 4 inches or less above the highest point of the toilet bowl 202-trap drain 206 interface.

[0061] The trap drain 206 may be configured to be fluidly coupled to a sewer line via a trap drain outlet 220. As a result, sewage gas may enter the trap drain 206 through the trap drain outlet 220. Water contained within the water seal trap 214 during a flush cycle may form a water seal within the toilet bowl 202. The water seal may prevent sewage gas that may have entered the trap drain 206 from escaping from the toilet bowl 202. During a flush cycle, the water seal within the toilet bowl 202 may be vertically lower than the first upstream weir 226. In some embodiments, the vertical distance between the water seal within the toilet bowl 202 and the first upstream weir 226 may be about 0.1 inches, about 0.2 inches, about 0.3 inches, about 0.4 inches, or about 0.5 inches. In some embodiments, the vertical distance between the water seal in the toilet bowl 202 and the first upstream weir portion 226 may be 0.2 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.8 inches, or 1 inch or more. In some embodiments, the vertical distance between the water seal in the toilet bowl 202 and the first upstream weir portion 226 may be 2 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.5 inches, or 1.2 inches or less.

[0062] The trap drain 206 may include a lower trap 216 positioned downstream of a first upstream weir 226 between a second upstream portion 216u of the trap drain 206 and a second downstream portion 216d of the trap drain 206. During a cleaning cycle, water may accumulate in the lower trap 216 and form a pair of water seals to provide a second barrier to sewage gases that may enter the trap drain 206 via the trap drain outlet 220. The downstream water seal of the pair of water seals may be vertically higher than the upstream water seal of the pair of water seals. The trap drain 206 may include a second downstream weir 228 configured to contain water in the lower trap 216. The second downstream weir 228 may be a high point on the lower wall of the trap drain 206 that is downstream of the second downstream portion 216d of the trap drain 206.

[0063] The container 218 may contain a manifold 230 configured to provide fluid communication between the container 218 and the trap drain 206. The manifold 230 may extend from an interior region of the container 218 into the trap drain 206. In some embodiments, the manifold 230 may be coupled to the trap drain 206 at a location between the water seal trap 214 and the lower trap 216. The trap drain-tank interface 212 may be positioned between the water seal trap 214 and the lower trap 216 and may be configured to couple to the manifold 230. In some embodiments, the manifold 230 may include a backflow preventer.

[0064] Figure 3 shows a cutaway perspective view of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. Specifically, Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a toilet 300, including a toilet bowl 302, a toilet tank 304, a trap drain 306, and a flush control 308. In some embodiments, the toilet 300 may include one or more features of the toilet 200 shown in Figure 2 and / or the toilet 100 shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0065] The toilet tank 304 may include one or more features of the toilet tank 204 of the toilet 200 shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the toilet tank 304 may be configured to accommodate a container 318, a flush valve 324, and a fill valve 334. The container 318 and the flush valve 324 may include one or more features of the container 218 and the flush valve 224, respectively. The fill valve 334 may be configured to fluidly couple to a water supply to facilitate delivery of flush water from the water supply to the toilet tank 304. In some embodiments, the fill valve 334 may include a backflow preventer.

[0066] The toilet bowl 302 may be fluidly coupled to a flush valve 324 via a flow path 322. A flush valve gasket 310 may form a mechanical seal between the flush valve 324 and the flow path 322 to prevent water from leaking out of the toilet tank 304 and into the toilet bowl 302 during a flush cycle. In some embodiments, the flow path 322 may be in fluid communication with a rim channel 336 and / or a jet channel 338. The rim channel 336 may include one or more features of the rim channel 236 shown in FIG. 2. The jet channel 338 may include one or more features of the jet channel 238 shown in FIG. 2.

[0067] The trap drain 306 may include one or more features of the trap drain 206 of the toilet 200 shown in Figure 2 and / or the trap drain 106 of the toilet 100 shown in Figures IA and IB. The trap drain 306 may include a water seal trap 314 (defined by a first upstream portion 314u of the trap drain 306, a water seal area 314a in the toilet bowl 302, and a first downstream portion 314d of the trap drain 306), a first upstream weir portion 326, a lower trap 316 (positioned between a second upstream portion 316u of the trap drain 306 and a second downstream portion 316d of the trap drain 306), and a second downstream weir portion 328. The trap drain 306 may be fluidly coupled to the toilet tank 304 via a trap drain-tank interface 312. In some embodiments, the trap drain 306 may include an outlet 320 configured to fluidly connect to a drain to a sewer system.

[0068] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a toilet 400. The toilet 400 may include a toilet bowl 402 that is fluidly coupled to a toilet tank via a flush valve outlet 404. The toilet bowl 402 may be fluidly coupled to a trap drain 410 via a trap drain inlet 411. The water seal trap 412 may be defined by a first upstream portion 412u, a water seal area 412a, and a first downstream portion 412d of the trap drain 410. A first upstream weir portion 416 of the trap drain 410 may be positioned downstream of the water seal trap 412. The lower trap 414 may be positioned between a second upstream portion 414u and a second downstream portion 414d of the trap drain 410, and a second downstream weir portion 418 may be positioned downstream of the lower trap 414. The trap drain 410 may be fluidly coupled to the toilet tank via a trap drain-tank interface 408. In some embodiments, one or more features of the toilet 400 may include one or more features of the toilet 300 shown in Figure 3, the toilet 200 shown in Figure 2, and / or the toilet 100 shown in Figures 1A-1B.

[0069] Distribution of flush water and compressed air in toilet tank As described with reference to Figures 1-4, a dual trap toilet may include a toilet tank configured to contain flush water. The toilet tank may contain a container, which may be coupled to the trap drain by a connecting pipe, which is configured to provide fluid communication between the container and the trap drain. The container may be divided into multiple chambers. During a flush cycle, flush water in the toilet tank may be divided between an area of ​​the toilet tank outside the container and multiple chambers in the container. One of the chambers (the vacuum chamber) may have a closed upper end and may be configured to contain compressed air when the toilet is during a flush cycle. The compressed air in the vacuum chamber may have a pressure higher than the ambient pressure of the air in the toilet tank. The connecting pipe may fluidly couple the upper end of the vacuum chamber to the trap drain. As a result of the coupling between the trap drain and the upper end of the vacuum chamber, the trap drain may also contain compressed air when the toilet is during a flush cycle.

[0070] In addition to the vacuum chamber, the container may include an interior chamber and may have an upper end that is open to the toilet tank, allowing air to flow freely between the interior chamber and an area of ​​the tank that is outside the container. The interior chamber may also house a flush valve that is fluidly coupled to the toilet bowl of the dual trap toilet. At the start of a flush cycle, a flush valve seal may rise from an inlet to the flush valve, opening the flush valve, and flush water may be dispensed from the toilet tank and container through the flush valve and into the toilet bowl. Dispensing the flush water may reduce the pressure of the air contained within the vacuum chamber of the container and the trap drain of the toilet. This pressure reduction may induce a siphon that draws the contents of the toilet bowl into the trap drain and subsequently into the sewer system.

[0071] As the flush water leaves the toilet tank, the water level in the vacuum chamber may drop rapidly and the air pressure in the vacuum chamber and trap drain may drop from a positive pressure to a negative pressure (e.g., below the ambient pressure of the air in the toilet tank). Once the flush cycle is complete, the flush valve may be closed and the toilet tank may refill with flush water. The air pressure in the upper end of the vacuum chamber, and as a result of the coupling provided by the manifold, the air pressure in the trap drain may continue to rise until the toilet tank refills its flush water supply, at which point the toilet may return to the state it was in during its flush cycle.

[0072] 5A-5D show various cutaway and cross-sectional views of a dual trap toilet tank, according to some embodiments. Specifically, FIGS. 5A-5C show a cutaway top view (FIG. 5A), a cross-sectional view (FIG. 5B), a cutaway side view (FIG. 5C), and a close-up view (FIG. 5D) of various components of a toilet tank 500 of a dual trap toilet. In some embodiments, the tank 500 may include one or more features of the toilet tank 304 of the toilet 300 shown in FIG. 3, the toilet tank 204 of the toilet 200 shown in FIG. 2, and / or the toilet tank 104 of the toilet 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B.

[0073] The tank 500 may be formed from a tank wall 502. In some embodiments, a flush control 504 may be positioned in the tank wall 502. In some embodiments, the tank 500 may house a container 506, a fill valve 508, and a flush valve 510. The fill valve 508 may be configured to fluidly couple to a water supply via one or more openings in the tank wall 502. The flush valve 510 may be fluidly coupled to a flush valve outlet 520 that fluidly connects to a toilet bowl of a dual trap toilet. In some embodiments, the flush valve 510 may include a valve body that extends from a valve inlet to the flush valve outlet 520. In some embodiments, the flush valve 510 may include a valve cover with a seal 530 configured to enclose the valve outlet 520.

[0074] The flush control 504 may be configured to initiate a flush cycle upon receiving an input from a user. Specifically, upon receiving an input from a user, the flush control 504 may be configured to cause the flush valve seal 530 to lift away from the valve outlet 520 and up to the flush valve 510, thereby opening the flush valve 510 to cause flush water contained within the tank 500 to be dispensed into the bowl of the dual trap toilet. The flush water may be dispensed from the tank 500 through a plurality of openings 532. The dispense of the flush water into the bowl may induce a siphon in the trap drain of the dual trap toilet. In some embodiments, the siphon may be interrupted if the level of flush water in the tank 500 falls below a threshold level for the flush valve 510 (e.g., below the lower edge of the head of the flush valve 510). Once the flush cycle is completed, the flush valve seal 530 may close and the fill valve 508 may open, so that the supply of flush water in the tank 500 may be replenished. In some embodiments, a flush valve gasket 518 may be positioned between the flush valve 510 and the flush valve outlet 520 to prevent flush water from leaking into the toilet bowl during the flush cycle.

[0075] The container 506 may have an irregular toroidal (i.e., "donut" shaped) structure defined by an inner wall 514, a continuous side wall 516, and a top wall 512, which together define a number of interior chambers within the container 506. These interior chambers may form an irregular annular region and may include an interior chamber 523 as well as a vacuum chamber 522 including a lower portion 522a and an upper portion 522b. The vacuum chamber 522 may be bounded by the inner wall 514, the continuous side wall 516, and the top wall 512. The interior chamber 523 may be a central cavity region bounded by the inner wall 514. The flush valve 510 may be positioned within the interior chamber 523.

[0076] The vacuum chamber 522 may be fluidly coupled to the interior chamber 523 and the tank 500 through a plurality of openings 536 in a bottom end of the container 506. In some embodiments, the plurality of openings 536 may include at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, or at least 10 openings. In some embodiments, the plurality of openings 536 may include 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12, 12-14, or 14-16 openings.

[0077] One or more of the regions of the tank 500 defined by the structure of the container 506 may be configured to accommodate a portion of the total volume of wash water retained within the tank 500 during a wash cycle. Additionally, one or more of the regions of the tank 500 defined by the structure of the container 506 may be configured to accommodate compressed air during a wash cycle. The manner in which the total volume of wash water is distributed among the chambers may provide an efficient wash operation (e.g., provide a high MAP score with a small wash water volume).

[0078] Prior to the start of a wash cycle, the tank 500 (including the container 506) may store a total volume of wash water. In some embodiments, the total volume of wash water stored in the tank 500 may be about 0.5 gallons, about 0.75 gallons, about 1 gallon, about 1.25 gallons, about 1.5 gallons, about 1.75 gallons, about 2 gallons, about 3 gallons, about 4 gallons, or about 5 gallons. In some embodiments, the total volume of wash water stored in the tank 500 may be 2.5 gallons, 3.5 gallons, 4.5 gallons, 5.5 gallons, 6.5 gallons, 7.5 gallons, or 8.5 gallons or more. In some embodiments, the total volume of wash water stored in the tank 500 may be 2 gallons, 1.5 gallons, 1 gallon, 0.5 gallons, or 0.1 gallons or less.

[0079] A first portion of the total volume of cleaning water in the tank 500 may be stored in an area of ​​the tank 500 that is outside the container 506 (i.e., an area excluding the vacuum chamber 522 and the inner chamber 523 of the container 506). In some embodiments, the first portion may be about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, or about 50% of the total volume of cleaning water in the tank 500. In some embodiments, the first portion may be less than or equal to 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, or 5% of the total volume of cleaning water in the tank 500. In some embodiments, the first portion may be more than or equal to 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60% of the total volume of cleaning water in the tank 500.

[0080] In some embodiments, less than one-quarter of the wash water during a wash cycle may flow out of the area of ​​the tank 500 that is external to the container 506 (i.e., areas excluding the vacuum chamber 522 and the inner chamber 523 of the container 506). In some embodiments, the percentage of the wash water that flows out of the tank 500 (considered separately from the container and / or subcomponents of the container) may be 30%, 25%, 24%, 22%, 20%, 18%, 16%, 15%, or 10% or less. In some embodiments, the percentage of the wash water that flows out of the tank 500 (considered separately from the container and / or subcomponents of the container) may be 30%, 25%, 24%, 22%, 20%, 18%, 16%, 15%, or 10% or more. In some embodiments, the percentage of flush water that exits the tank 500 (considered separately from the container and / or subcomponents of the container) may be greater than or equal to 16% and less than or equal to 20%. In some embodiments, the percentage of flush water that exits the tank 500 (considered separately from the container and / or subcomponents of the container) may be greater than or equal to 14% and less than or equal to 22%. In some embodiments, the percentage of flush water that exits the tank 500 (considered separately from the container and / or subcomponents of the container) may be equal to about 18%.

[0081] A second portion of the total volume of flush water in the tank 500 may be stored in the vacuum chamber 522 when the toilet bowl is between flush cycles. In some embodiments, the second portion may be about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, or about 50% of the total volume of flush water in the tank 500. In some embodiments, the second portion may be less than or equal to 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, or 5% of the total volume of flush water in the tank 500. In some embodiments, the second portion may be more than or equal to 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60% of the total volume of flush water in the tank 500.

[0082] In some embodiments, less than one third of the wash water during a wash cycle may flow out of the vacuum chamber 522. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the vacuum chamber 522 may be 40%, 35%, 34%, 32%, 30%, 28%, 26%, 25%, or 20% or less. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the vacuum chamber 522 may be 40%, 35%, 34%, 32%, 30%, 28%, 26%, 25%, or 20% or more. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the vacuum chamber 522 may be 27% or more and 31% or less. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the vacuum chamber 522 may be 25% or more and 33% or less. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the vacuum chamber 522 may be equal to about 29%.

[0083] A third portion of the total volume of flush water in the tank 500 may be stored in the interior chamber 523 when the toilet bowl is between flush cycles. In some embodiments, the third portion may be about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, or about 90% of the total volume of flush water in the tank 500. In some embodiments, the third portion may be less than or equal to 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, or 50% of the total volume of flush water in the tank 500. In some embodiments, the third portion may be more than or equal to 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 70% of the total volume of flush water in the tank 500.

[0084] In some embodiments, more than half of the wash water during a wash cycle may flow out of the internal chamber 523. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the internal chamber 523 may be 40%, 45%, 50%, 52%, 54%, 56%, 58%, 60%, 65%, or 70% or more. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the internal chamber 523 may be 40%, 45%, 50%, 52%, 54%, 56%, 58%, 60%, 65%, or 70% or less. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the internal chamber 523 may be 54% or more and 58% or less. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the internal chamber 523 may be 52% or more and 60% or less. In some embodiments, the percentage of wash water flowing out of the internal chamber 523 may be equal to about 56%.

[0085] As shown, the upper end 522b of the vacuum chamber 522 may be closed from the interior of the tank 500 by the upper wall 512 of the container 506. This allows the vacuum chamber 522 to contain compressed air at a positive pressure in the upper end 522b when the toilet bowl is between flush cycles. A manifold 524 may be positioned within the vacuum chamber 522 to fluidly couple the upper portion 522b of the vacuum chamber 522 to the trap drain of the toilet bowl. As a result, the trap drain may also contain compressed air when the toilet bowl is between flush cycles. The manifold may include a manifold gasket 526 positioned between the manifold outlet 528 and the trap drain to prevent flush water from leaking out of the tank 500 and into the trap drain. In some embodiments, the positive pressure of the first portion of the compressed air in the vacuum chamber 522 may be equal to the positive pressure of the second portion of the compressed air in the trap drain.

[0086] In some embodiments, the positive pressure of the first portion of compressed air in the vacuum chamber 522 can be any of about 0.1 cm of water, 0.2 cm of water, 0.3 cm of water, 0.5 cm of water, about 0.8 cm of water, about 1.1 cm of water, about 1.4 cm of water, about 1.7 cm of water, about 2.0 cm of water, about 2.3 cm of water, about 2.6 cm of water, or about 2.9 cm of water to about 3.2 cm of water, about 3.5 cm of water, about 3.8 cm of water, about 4.1 cm of water, about 4.4 cm of water, about 4.7 cm of water, about 5.0 cm of water, or more. In some embodiments, the positive pressure of the first portion of compressed air in the vacuum chamber 522 may be greater than or equal to 0.1 cm of water, 0.2 cm of water, 0.3 cm of water, 0.5 cm of water, 0.8 cm of water, 1.1 cm of water, 1.4 cm of water, 1.7 cm of water, 2.0 cm of water, 2.3 cm of water, 2.6 cm of water, or 2.9 cm of water. In some embodiments, the positive pressure of the first portion of compressed air in the vacuum chamber 522 may be less than or equal to 3.2 cm of water, 3.5 cm of water, 3.8 cm of water, 4.1 cm of water, 4.4 cm of water, 4.7 cm of water, or 5.0 cm of water. As used herein, references to a positive pressure within a few centimeters of water may refer to pressurization above atmospheric pressure by an additional amount of pressure equal to a given few centimeters of water. For example, "a positive pressure of 5 cm of water" may refer to 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure, or an absolute pressure of about 1.0048 atm.

[0087] During a cleaning cycle, a first portion of the compressed air at positive pressure contained within the vacuum chamber 522 may have a first volume, and a second portion of the compressed air at positive pressure contained within the trap drain may have a second volume. The first volume of compressed air contained within the vacuum chamber 522 may be less than the second volume of compressed air contained within the trap drain. In some embodiments, the first volume may be less than or equal to half of the second volume. In some embodiments, the first volume may be less than or equal to 50%, 40%, 30%, 28%, 26%, 24%, 22%, 20%, 18%, 16%, 14%, 12%, or 10% of the second volume. In some embodiments, the first volume may be greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 24%. In some embodiments, the first volume may be greater than or equal to 18% and less than or equal to 26%. In some embodiments, the first volume may be equal to about 22% of the second volume.

[0088] The position of the connecting tube 524 within the vacuum chamber 522 can affect the timing of vacuum formation for siphon initiation during a cleaning cycle. The vertical distance 538 between the top surface of the connecting tube 524 and the interior top surface of the vacuum chamber 522 can be 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 mm or more. Alternatively, the vertical distance 538 between the top surface of the connecting tube 524 and the interior top surface of the vacuum chamber 522 can be 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, or 15 mm or less. The connecting tube 524 can be positioned within the vacuum chamber 522 such that the vertical distance between the top surface of the connecting tube 524 and the water level in the tank 500 outside of the container 506 during a cleaning cycle is 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75 mm or more. Alternatively, the connecting tube 524 may be positioned within the vacuum chamber 522 such that the vertical distance between the top surface of the connecting tube 524 and the water level in the tank 500 outside the container 506 during the cleaning cycle is 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, or 50 mm or less.

[0089] The size of the connecting tube 524 may also affect the timing of vacuum formation for siphon initiation during a cleaning cycle. The opening 540 in the top surface of the connecting tube 524 may have a diameter of about 2, about 4, about 6, about 8, about 10, about 12, about 14, about 16, about 18, or about 20 mm. In some embodiments, the opening 540 may have a diameter of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 14 mm or more. In some embodiments, the opening 540 may have a diameter of 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, or 10 mm or less. The inner diameter of the connecting tube 524 may be about 12, about 14, about 16, about 18, about 20, or about 22 mm. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the connecting tube 524 may be 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, or 24 mm or more. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the connecting tube 524 can be no greater than 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, or 16 mm.

[0090] Compressed air in the trap drain During a flush cycle, the trap drain of a dual trap toilet may contain a volume of compressed air at positive pressure. The volume of compressed air at positive pressure contained in the trap drain may be a second portion of the two portions of compressed air at positive pressure contained in the dual trap toilet. In some embodiments, the second portion of compressed air at positive pressure may also include air located in a manifold (e.g., manifold 524 of tank 500 shown in FIG. 5) and / or in an interface between the manifold and the trap drain. A first portion of the two portions of compressed air at positive pressure contained in a dual trap toilet may be contained in the toilet tank. During a flush cycle, compressed air at positive pressure in the trap drain may push water held in the water trap upward, resulting in larger water spots in the toilet bowl than would be present if compressed air at positive pressure was not in the trap drain. During a flush cycle, the positive pressure of compressed air in the trap drain may force the water held in the lower trap downward, so that the water level at the upstream end of the lower trap may be lower than the water level at the downstream end of the lower trap. In some embodiments, when a flush cycle is initiated, the discharge of flush water into the toilet bowl may exert a negative pressure on the air in the tank and / or the air in the trap drain, so that the pressure may drop to atmospheric pressure or a partial vacuum. This drop in pressure may cause a siphon in the trap drain, drawing the contents of the toilet bowl into and out of the trap drain. When the flush cycle is completed, flush water in the toilet tank may be replenished, and the positive pressure of the air contained in the trap drain may be restored.

[0091] 6A and 6B show views of a dual trap toilet bowl and / or trap drain, according to some embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 6A shows a bowl 602 and a trap drain 610 of a dual trap toilet 600. The trap drain 610 includes a water seal trap 612 (positioned between a first upstream portion 612u and a first downstream portion 612d of the trap drain 610), a first upstream weir portion 616, a lower trap 614 (positioned between a second upstream portion 614u and a second downstream portion 614d of the trap drain 610), a second downstream weir portion 618, and a trap drain outlet 620. The trap drain outlet may be configured to fluidly couple to a drain pipe that connects to a sewer system. FIG. 6B shows a portion of the trap drain 610 located between the downstream end of the water seal trap 612 and the second downstream weir portion 618. In some embodiments, a portion of the trap drain 610 located between the downstream end of the water seal trap 612 and the upstream end of the lower trap 614 may be configured to accommodate positive pressure compressed air during a cleaning cycle.

[0092] When a flush cycle is initiated, the toilet bowl 602 may be configured to receive flush water from a toilet tank of the dual trap toilet 600 via the flush water inlet 604. Flush water may be discharged from the toilet tank through the flush water inlet 604 and into the toilet bowl 602, applying a negative pressure to a volume of compressed air contained within the trap drain 610 between the downstream end of the seal tank 612 and the upstream end of the lower trap 614. Applying a negative pressure to the air within the trap drain 610 may reduce the pressure of the air within the trap drain 610 to atmospheric pressure or a partial vacuum. This reduction in pressure of the air within the trap drain 610 may cause a siphon within the trap drain 610, drawing the contents of the toilet bowl 602 (e.g., flush water and / or waste) out of the toilet bowl 602, through the trap drain 610, and into the sewer system via the trap drain outlet 620.

[0093] A portion of the trap drain 610 that contains the positive pressure compressed air during a flush cycle may be fluidly coupled to a volume of compressed air contained within the toilet tank of the dual trap toilet 600. In some embodiments, the fluid coupling between the trap drain 610 and the toilet tank may be facilitated by a manifold positioned within the toilet tank (e.g., manifold 524 of the toilet tank 500 shown in FIG. 5C). The manifold may be coupled to the trap drain 610 via a manifold outlet 606 that is fluidly coupled to a trap drain-tank interface 608.

[0094] In some embodiments, the positive pressure of the portion of compressed air in the toilet tank may be equal to the positive pressure of the portion of compressed air in the trap drain. In some embodiments, during a flush cycle, the portion of compressed air at positive pressure contained in the toilet tank may have a first volume and the portion of compressed air at positive pressure contained in the trap drain 610 may have a second volume. The second volume of compressed air contained in the trap drain 610 may be greater than the first volume of compressed air contained in the toilet tank. In some embodiments, the second volume may be more than twice the first volume. In some embodiments, the first volume of compressed air in the toilet tank may be less than or equal to 50%, 40%, 30%, 28%, 26%, 24%, 22%, 20%, 18%, 16%, 14%, 12%, or 10% of the second volume of compressed air in the trap drain 610. In some embodiments, the first volume may be greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 24% of the second volume of compressed air in the trap drain 610. In some embodiments, the first volume can be greater than or equal to 18% and less than or equal to 26% of the second volume of compressed air in the trap drain 610. In some embodiments, the first volume can be equal to about 22% of the second volume of compressed air in the trap drain 610.

[0095] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dual trap toilet and a lower seal offset height, according to some embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates a dual trap toilet 700 with a toilet bowl 702 and a trap drain 704. The trap drain 704 may include a water seal trap 708 (defined by a first upstream portion 708u and a first downstream portion 708d of the trap drain 704, and including a water seal area 708a of the toilet bowl 702), a first upstream weir portion 714, a lower trap 710 (positioned between a second upstream portion 710u and a second downstream portion 710d of the trap drain 704), and a second downstream weir portion 716. In some embodiments, the trap drain 704 may be fluidly coupled to the toilet tank of the dual trap toilet 700 via a trap drain-tank interface 706. During a flush cycle, the water seal trap 708 may be configured to retain a first volume of water. The volume of water retained in the water seal trap 708 may cause water spots in the toilet bowl 702. During a flush cycle, the lower trap 710 may be configured to retain a second volume of water. In some embodiments, the first volume of water retained in the water seal trap 708 and the second volume of water retained in the lower trap 710 may be provided in series.

[0096] In some embodiments, during a flush cycle, the trap drain 704 can be configured to accommodate a volume of compressed air at positive pressure. The volume of compressed air can be accommodated between the downstream end 708d of the water seal trap 708 and the upstream end 710u of the lower trap 710. In some embodiments, during a flush cycle, the compressed air at positive pressure can exert an upward pressure on the water in the water seal area 708a. This can result in larger water spots in the toilet bowl 702 than would be possible without the compressed air at positive pressure in the trap drain 704.

[0097] In some embodiments, during a cleaning cycle, the positive compressed air pressure in the trap drain 704 may apply a downward pressure to the water held in the lower trap 710. Specifically, the positive compressed air pressure in the trap drain 704 may apply a downward pressure to the upstream end 710u of the lower trap 710. This downward pressure may cause the upstream water level in the lower trap 710 to be offset from the downstream water level in the lower trap 710 by an offset distance 712. In some embodiments, the offset distance 712 may be 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, or 20 mm or more. In some embodiments, the offset distance 712 may be 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, or 20 mm or less. In some embodiments, the offset distance 712 may be greater than 14 mm and less than 16 mm. In some embodiments, the offset distance 712 may be greater than 13 mm and less than 17 mm. In some embodiments, the offset distance 712 may be equal to approximately 15 mm.

[0098] Trap drain shape The shape of the trap drain of the dual trap toilet may be configured to optimize the flow of air and water during a flush cycle. The upstream end of the trap drain may be fluidly coupled to an outlet in the bowl of the dual trap toilet, and the downstream end of the trap drain may be configured to fluidly couple to an inlet to a drain leading to a sewer system. Between the upstream and downstream ends, the trap drain may include a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a first connecting portion extending downwardly from the first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, a second connecting portion extending upwardly from the lower trap, a second downstream weir portion, and a third connecting portion extending downwardly from the second downstream weir portion. The shape of the first connecting portion may form an arc that extends laterally outward from the first upstream weir portion and then curves back laterally toward the lower trap. The first connecting portion may include a single arc portion, multiple arc portions (eg, having different arc radii and / or arcing in different directions), a single straight portion, and / or multiple straight portion.

[0099] Figure 8 illustrates a trap drain of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. Specifically, Figure 8 illustrates a trap drain section 800 including a first upstream weir section 802, a lower trap 804, a second downstream weir section 806, and a connecting section 808. The first upstream weir section 802 may be positioned downstream of the water seal trap of the dual trap toilet. The connecting section 808 may extend from a downstream end of the first upstream weir section 802 to an upstream end of the lower trap 804.

[0100] As shown, the first upstream weir section 802 may include a first arc shape 812 that arcs about a first center point 816. Similarly, the lower trap 804 may include a second arc shape 814 that arcs about a second center point 818. The connecting portion 808 may extend laterally outward (e.g., horizontally) and then arc laterally inward back while extending vertically downward. The connecting portion 808 may include a central arc path 820 between the first upstream weir section 802 and the lower trap 804. The first arc shape 812, the second arc shape 814, and / or the central arc path 820 may follow a center of a fluid flow path through the trap drain section 800.

[0101] An upstream end of the central arcuate path 820 may extend laterally away from the first upstream weir section 802 and a downstream end of the central arcuate path 820 may extend laterally towards the lower trap 804. In some embodiments, the connecting portion 808 may be 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, or 150 mm high or more. In some embodiments, the connecting portion 808 may be 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, or 150 mm high or less. In some embodiments, the lateral extent to which the connecting portion 808 extends laterally (e.g., horizontally) may be 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 mm or more. In some embodiments, the lateral extent that the connecting portion 808 extends laterally (eg, horizontally) may be no more than 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 mm.

[0102] The distance that a portion of the connecting portion 808 is disposed from the first upstream weir section 802 and from the lower trap 804 may be understood with reference to a first line 822 extending between a first center point 816 and a second center point 818, and a second line 824 that is parallel to the first line and forms a tangent to a central arcuate path 820 of the connecting portion 808. The first line 822 may be vertical, or, if extending outwardly or downwardly, may be angled in the same direction that the central arcuate path 820 projects outwardly, or, if extending downwardly, may be angled inwardly in the opposite direction that the central arcuate path 820 projects outwardly.

[0103] In some embodiments, a point 828 where the second line 824 is tangent to the central arcuate path 820 can be equidistant between the first upstream weir portion 802 and the lower trap 804. In some embodiments, a point 828 where the second line 824 is tangent to the central arcuate path 820 can be closer to the first upstream weir portion 802 than to the lower trap 804. In some embodiments, a point 828 where the second line 824 is tangent to the central arcuate path 820 can be closer to the lower trap 804 than to the first upstream weir portion 802.

[0104] The second line 824 may be offset from the first line 822 by an offset distance 826. In some embodiments, the offset distance 826 may be greater than or equal to 40, 50, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 80, or 90 mm. In some embodiments, the offset distance 826 may be less than or equal to 40, 50, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 80, or 90 mm. In some embodiments, the offset distance 826 may be greater than 64 mm and less than 68 mm. In some embodiments, the offset distance 826 may be greater than 62 mm and less than 70 mm. In some embodiments, the offset distance 826 may be approximately 65.7 mm.

[0105] The trap drain section 800 may be fluidly coupled to the toilet tank of the dual trap toilet via an interface 810, which may be located at a position between the water seal trap (which may be located upstream of the first upstream weir section 802) and the lower trap 804. The interface 810 may be fluidly coupled to a connecting pipe, which is positioned within the toilet tank and configured to provide fluid communication between the toilet tank and the trap drain. In some embodiments, the interface 810 may be a portion of the connecting pipe.

[0106] Interface 810 may have an upper end that connects to a lower end of the manifold and a lower end that connects to trap drain section 800. The lower end may connect to the trap drain at a location between the water seal trap (which may be located upstream of first upstream weir section 802) and lower trap 804 so that positive compressed air pressure may be delivered through the interface to connecting section 808. The lower end of interface 810 may connect to an upper wall of trap drain section 800 above first upstream weir section 802 and / or to an upper / outer wall of connecting section 808.

[0107] The lower end of the interface 810 may extend from a first edge 830 that joins the trap drain at its most upstream extent (pointing in the direction of water flow in the trap drain) to a second edge 832 that joins the trap drain at its most downstream extent (pointing in the direction of water flow in the trap drain). The lower end of the interface 810 may be wider in at least one dimension than the upper end of the trap drain section 800. In some embodiments, the lower end of the interface 810 may be wider in a first dimension than it is in a second dimension. Optionally, the interface 810 may have a generally triangular or "shark fin" shape that extends from a narrow (e.g., circular) upper end to a lower end that is wider in one dimension.

[0108] The first edge 830 may be positioned directly above the first upstream weir portion 802. In some embodiments, the first edge 830 may be positioned no more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 15 mm above the top wall of the trap drain from directly above the first upstream weir portion 802. In some embodiments, the first edge 830 may be positioned no more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 15 mm above the top wall of the trap drain from directly above the first upstream weir portion 802.

[0109] The second edge 832 may be positioned directly at the same level as the first upstream weir portion 802. In some embodiments, the second edge 832 may be positioned 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 15 mm or less above the trap drain / outer wall, directly at the same level as the first upstream weir portion 802. In some embodiments, the second edge 832 may be positioned 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 15 mm or more above the trap drain / outer wall, directly at the same level as the first upstream weir portion 802.

[0110] In some embodiments, the walls of interface 810 may be tangent to the upper wall of the trap drain at a first edge 830 at the lower end of interface 810. In some embodiments, the walls of interface 810 may be tangent to the upper / outer wall of the trap drain at a second edge 832 at the lower end of interface 810.

[0111] FIG. 9 illustrates the dimensions of a flow path of a trap drain of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates a flow path 900 of a trap drain of a dual trap toilet, including a water seal trap 902, a first upstream weir portion 904, a connecting portion 906, a lower trap 908, and a second downstream weir portion 910. The water seal trap 902 may be downstream of and fluidly coupled to a toilet bowl of the dual trap toilet. During a flush cycle, fluid may be directed along the flow path 900. In other words, during a flush cycle, fluid may be directed out of the water seal trap 902, over the first upstream weir portion 904, through the connecting portion 906, through the lower trap 908, over the second downstream weir portion 910, and out of the trap drain.

[0112] During a flush cycle, the water seal trap 902 may trap a volume of flush water within the dual trap toilet bowl, causing water spots to form within the bowl. During a flush cycle, a water spot depth 926 may be defined by a first water spot line 916 and a second water spot line 918. In some embodiments, the water spot depth 926 may be 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 mm or more. In some embodiments, the water spot depth 926 may be 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 mm or less. In some embodiments, the water spot depth 926 may be 50 mm or more and 60 mm or less. In some embodiments, the connecting portion 906 may accommodate a volume of positive compressed air that exerts an upward pressure on the water spot, causing the water spot depth 926 to increase.

[0113] The water seal trap 902 may be fluidly coupled to the toilet bowl via a water seal inlet centered at a water seal inlet center point 928 positioned along the flow path 900. In some embodiments, the water seal trap outlet inlet diameter 924 may be 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 mm or more. In some embodiments, the inlet diameter 924 may be 60, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 mm or less. In some embodiments, the inlet diameter 924 may be 60 mm or more and 70 mm or less.

[0114] The first upstream weir section 904 may form a first arc shape centered about a first center point 912. Similarly, the lower trap 908 may form a second arc shape centered about a second center point 914. A first radius 930 of the first arc shape may be a distance from a center of the flow channel 900 through the first upstream weir section 904 to the first center point 912. A second radius 932 of the second arc shape may be a distance from a center of the flow channel 900 through the lower trap 908 to the second center point 914. In some embodiments, the first radius 930 may be greater than the second radius 932. In some embodiments, the first radius 930 may be less than the second radius 932. In some embodiments, the first radius 930 and the second radius 932 may be equal.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first radius 930 can be 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 mm or more. In some embodiments, the first radius 930 can be 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 mm or less. In some embodiments, the first radius 930 can be 50 mm or more and 70 mm or less.

[0116] In some embodiments, the second radius 932 can be 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70 mm or more. In some embodiments, the second radius 932 can be 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70 mm or less. In some embodiments, the second radius 932 can be 20 mm or more and 70 mm or less.

[0117] During a cleaning cycle, the lower trap 908 may contain a volume of water. As described above, during a cleaning cycle, the connecting portion 906 may contain a volume of compressed air at a positive pressure. The volume of compressed air may exert a downward pressure on the volume of water held in the lower trap 908 during a cleaning cycle. This downward pressure may cause the upstream water level 920 of the lower trap 908 to be offset from the downstream water level 922 of the lower trap 908 by an offset distance 934. In some embodiments, the offset distance 934 may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mm or more. In some embodiments, the offset distance 934 may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mm or less. In some embodiments, the offset distance 934 may be 4.75 mm or more and 5.25 mm or less.

[0118] Trap drain diameter To optimize the flow rate of air and water during a flush cycle, a dual trap toilet may have a trap drain with varying diameters at different locations along the trap drain. The interface may have an upper end that connects to the lower end of the connecting pipe and a lower end that connects to the trap drain. The lower end may connect to the trap drain at a location between the water seal trap and the lower trap so that positive pressure compressed air can be delivered through the interface to a region of the trap drain between the water in the water seal trap and the water in the lower trap. The lower end may connect to the upper wall of the trap drain above the first upstream weir and / or to the upper / outer wall of the connecting portion. The diameter of the trap drain may be measured at any of the trap drain components mentioned above and, in some embodiments, may differ from one or more other components at any of the trap drain components mentioned above. When a diameter of a trap drain is mentioned, it may be understood to refer to the diameter of a circular trap drain and / or the diameter in at least one direction of an elliptical and / or irregularly shaped trap drain.

[0119] FIG. 10 shows trap diameter dimensions of a trap drain of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 10 shows a flow path 1000 of a trap drain of a dual trap toilet. In some embodiments, the trap drain may have variable diameters at different locations along the flow path 1000. The diameter of the trap drain at each location along the flow path 1000 may be the length of a straight line passing through the flow path 1000 from one side of the trap drain boundary to the other side of the trap drain boundary.

[0120] Location 1002 can be a water seal trap outlet into a trap drain. The cross section of the water seal trap outlet can be approximately "D" shaped. In some embodiments, the cross sectional area of ​​the trap drain at location 1002 can be 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or 55 cm2 or more. In some embodiments, the cross sectional area of ​​the trap drain at location 1002 can be 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, or 25 cm2 or less. In some embodiments, the cross sectional area of ​​the trap drain at location 1002 can be between about 20-25, 25-30, 30-35, 35-40, 40-45, or 45-50 cm2. In some embodiments, the cross sectional area of ​​the trap drain at location 1002 can be about 34, 34.5, 35, 35.5, 36, 36.5, or 37 cm2.

[0121] In some embodiments, the cross section of the water seal trap outlet may include additional or alternative shapes. In some embodiments, the width of the water seal trap outlet may be 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 mm or more at its widest point. In some embodiments, the width of the water seal trap outlet may be 60, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 mm or less at its widest point. In some embodiments, the width of the water seal trap outlet may be 60 mm or more and 70 mm or less at its widest point.

[0122] Location 1004 may be the downstream end of a water seal trap. The diameter of the trap drain at location 1004 may be greater than, less than, or equal to the diameter of the trap drain at location 1002.

[0123] Location 1006 may be the top of the first upstream weir section. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1006 (and / or one or more locations further downstream) may be 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, or 76 mm or more. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1006 (and / or one or more locations further downstream) may be 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, or 76 mm or less. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1006 (and / or one or more locations further downstream) may be 63 mm or more and 67 mm or less. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1006 (and / or one or more locations further downstream) may be 61 mm or more and 69 mm or less. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1006 (and / or one or more locations further downstream) may be about 65 mm.

[0124] In some embodiments, the trap drain may have a funnel-like shape between positions 1002 and 1006. In other words, the cross-sectional area of ​​the trap drain may gradually narrow between positions 1002 and 1006. This form factor may aid in the passage of solid waste.

[0125] Location 1008 may be the upstream end of the lower trap. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1008 may be 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, or 66 mm or more. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1008 (and / or one or more locations further downstream) may be 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, or 66 mm or less. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1008 (and / or one or more locations further downstream) may be 52 mm or more and 56 mm or less. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1008 (and / or one or more locations further downstream) may be 50 mm or more and 58 mm or less. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1008 (and / or one or more locations further downstream) may be about 54 mm.

[0126] Location 1010 may be the lowest point of the lower trap. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1010 may be wider than the diameter of the trap drain at location 1008 and / or wider than the diameter of the trap drain at one or more points downstream from location 1010 (e.g., locations along the second downstream weir section). In some embodiments, the wider diameter of the trap drain at location 1010 may reduce clogging at that location within the trap drain. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1010 may be greater than, equal to, or less than the diameter of the trap drain at one or more upstream locations (e.g., locations 1002-1006).

[0127] Location 1012 may be the top of the second downstream weir section. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1012 may be 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70 mm or more. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1012 may be 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70 mm or less.

[0128] Location 1014 may be a location downstream of the crest of the second downstream weir section. In some embodiments, location 1014 may be offset from location 1012 by an offset distance of at least 5, at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, or at least 50 mm. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1014 may be greater than the diameter of the trap drain at location 1012. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1014 may be less than the diameter of the trap drain at location 1012. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1014 may be equal to the diameter of the trap drain at location 1012.

[0129] Finally, location 1016 may be a trap drain outlet. The trap drain may be fluidly coupled to a drain pipe that connects to a sewer at location 1016. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1016 may be 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 mm or more. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1016 may be 60, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 mm or less. In some embodiments, the diameter of the trap drain at location 1016 may be 60 mm or more and 70 mm or less.

[0130] The interface between the trap drain and the manifold The tank of the dual trap toilet may contain a container configured to hold a portion of the flush water during a flush cycle. In some embodiments, a manifold configured to provide fluid communication between the container and the trap drain may be positioned inside the container. The dual trap toilet may have an interface between (or included as part of) the manifold, the interface positioned and shaped to optimize air and water flow during a flush cycle. The interface may have an upper end that connects to a lower end of the manifold and a lower end that connects to the trap drain. The lower end may connect to the trap drain at a location between the water seal trap and the lower trap so that positive compressed air can be delivered through the interface to a region of the trap drain between the water in the water seal trap and the water in the lower trap. The lower end may connect to an upper wall of the trap drain above the first upstream weir and / or to an upper / outer wall of the connecting portion.

[0131] Figure 11 illustrates an interface between a manifold and a trap drain of a dual trap toilet, according to some embodiments. Specifically, Figure 11 illustrates a portion 1100 of a dual trap toilet including an interface 1102 between a manifold outlet 1104 and a trap drain 1106. The manifold outlet 1104 may be fluidly coupled to a manifold positioned within a container housed within the toilet tank of the dual trap toilet. The toilet tank may also be coupled to the toilet bowl via a flush valve outlet 1110 adjacent to the manifold outlet 1104.

[0132] The interface 1102 may join the trap drain 1106 at a location between the seal trap and the lower trap of the trap drain 1106. In some embodiments, an upstream portion of a lower end of the interface 1102 may join the trap drain 1106 at a first point 1112 on an upper wall of the trap drain 1106 above a first upstream weir portion 1108. A downstream portion of a lower end of the interface 1102 may join the trap drain 1106 at a second point 1116 that is downstream of the first point 1112. In some embodiments, the second point 1106 may be defined by a first line 1118 and a second line 1120. The first line 1118 may be a vertical line that intersects the first point 1112. The first line 1118 may intersect a lower portion of the trap drain wall at a third point 1114. The second line 1120 may be a horizontal line that intersects the third point 1114. A second point 1116 may be located along the second line 820 on a side of the trap drain wall opposite the third point 1114 .

[0133] Exemplary embodiments Below is an enumerated list of specific embodiments. In some embodiments, any one or more of the features of any one or more of the following embodiments may be combined with any one or more of the other embodiments, even if the dependency of the embodiments does not explicitly indicate that the embodiments may be so combined. In some embodiments, any one or more of the features of any one or more of the following embodiments may be combined with any one or more features or aspects disclosed in other applications.

[0134] Embodiment 1. A toilet assembly comprising: a toilet tank for holding flush water; a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank; A toilet bowl portion, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl; a container positioned within the toilet tank; a connecting pipe extending from the interior of the container to the trap drain; Including, the container is in fluid communication with the toilet tank, the container having an open lower end and a closed upper end, the upper end of the container containing a first portion of compressed air when the toilet assembly is during a flush cycle; The trap drain includes a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion; the connecting pipe is coupled to the trap drain at a location between the seal trap and the lower trap to provide fluid communication between the container and the trap drain; The toilet assembly, wherein the trap drain receives a second portion of compressed air when the toilet assembly is during a flush cycle, and a volume of the first portion of compressed air is less than or equal to 30% of a volume of the second portion of compressed air.

[0135] Embodiment 2. The toilet assembly of embodiment 1, wherein the first portion of compressed air is positioned above the flush water in the container during a flush cycle.

[0136] Embodiment 3. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 2, wherein when water is discharged into the flush valve core to initiate a flush cycle, a reduction in pressure occurs within one or both of the first portion of compressed air and the second portion of compressed air.

[0137] Embodiment 4. The toilet assembly of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein pressurization occurs within one or both of the first portion of compressed air and the second portion of compressed air upon refilling the toilet tank with water to end a flush cycle.

[0138] Embodiment 5. The toilet assembly of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein during a flush cycle, the first portion of compressed air and the second portion of compressed air are pressurized to at least 0.5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure and at most 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure.

[0139] Embodiment 6. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned above the highest point of the trap drain inlet by an offset distance of 2 inches or more.

[0140] Embodiment 7. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned at a point vertically higher than the water seal portion of the toilet bowl by a distance of 0.2 inches or more during a flush cycle.

[0141] Embodiment 8. A toilet assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the connecting pipe is equipped with a backflow preventer.

[0142] Embodiment 9. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the flush valve assembly includes a valve body extending from a valve inlet to a valve outlet, and a valve cover having a seal for enclosing the valve inlet.

[0143] Embodiment 10. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the container includes a continuous side wall portion, a top end wall portion, and an inner wall portion that together bound the vacuum chamber of the container.

[0144] Embodiment 11. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 10, wherein the inner wall borders the interior chamber of the container.

[0145] Embodiment 11. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 10 or 11, wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the inner surface of the upper end wall portion is not less than 10 mm and not more than 35 mm.

[0146] Embodiment 12. The toilet assembly according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the inner diameter of the connecting pipe is 12 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0147] Embodiment 13. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein during a flush cycle, the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the water level in the toilet tank is greater than or equal to 45 mm and less than or equal to 55 mm.

[0148] Embodiment 14. A toilet assembly, comprising: a toilet tank for holding flush water; a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank; A toilet bowl portion, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl; a container positioned within the toilet tank; a connecting pipe extending from the interior of the container to the trap drain; Including, the container is in fluid communication with the toilet tank, the container having an open lower end and a closed upper end; The trap drain includes a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion; the connecting pipe is coupled to the trap drain at a location between the seal trap and the lower trap to provide fluid communication between the container and the trap drain; The toilet assembly, wherein the trap drain contains compressed air when the toilet assembly is during a flush cycle, and the compressed air in the trap drain applies a force to water in the lower trap such that an upstream water level in the lower trap is lower than a downstream water level in the lower trap by an offset distance of 15 mm or more during a flush cycle.

[0149] Embodiment 15. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 14, wherein the container contains compressed air positioned above the flush water during a flush cycle.

[0150] Embodiment 16. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 14 to 15, wherein when water is discharged into the flush valve core to start a flush cycle, a reduction in pressure occurs in the compressed air in the trap drain passage.

[0151] Embodiment 17. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 14 to 16, wherein pressurization of the compressed air in the trap drain occurs when the toilet tank is refilled with water to end a flush cycle.

[0152] Embodiment 18. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 14 to 17, wherein during a flush cycle, the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized to at least 0.5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure and not more than 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure.

[0153] Embodiment 19. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 14 to 18, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned above the highest point of the trap drain inlet by an offset distance of 2 inches or more.

[0154] Embodiment 20. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 14 to 19, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned at a point vertically higher than the water seal portion of the toilet bowl by a distance of 0.2 inches or more during a flush cycle.

[0155] Embodiment 21. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 14 to 20, wherein the connecting pipe is equipped with a backflow preventer.

[0156] Embodiment 22. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 14 to 21, wherein the flush valve assembly includes a valve body extending from a valve inlet to a valve outlet, and a valve cover having a seal for sealing the valve inlet.

[0157] Embodiment 23. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 14 to 22, wherein the container includes a continuous side wall portion, a top end wall portion, and an inner wall portion that together bound the vacuum chamber of the container.

[0158] Embodiment 24. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 23, wherein the inner wall portion borders the interior chamber of the container.

[0159] Embodiment 25. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 23 or 24, wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the inner surface of the upper end wall portion is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm.

[0160] Embodiment 26. A toilet assembly according to any one of embodiments 14 to 25, wherein the inner diameter of the connecting pipe is 12 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0161] Embodiment 27. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 14 to 26, wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the water level in the toilet tank during a flush cycle is greater than or equal to 45 mm and less than or equal to 55 mm.

[0162] Embodiment 28. A toilet assembly, comprising: A toilet tank, a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank; A toilet bowl portion, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl; a container positioned within the toilet tank, the container comprising an interior chamber and a vacuum chamber; a connecting pipe extending from the interior of the container to the trap drain; Including, the container is in fluid communication with the toilet tank, the container having an open lower end and a closed upper end; The trap drain includes a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion; the connecting pipe is coupled to the trap drain at a location between the seal trap and the lower trap to provide fluid communication between the container and the trap drain; During a flush cycle, the toilet assembly flushes a volume of flush water; a first portion of the volume of wash water is stored in the tank prior to the wash cycle; a second portion of the volume of the cleaning water is stored in the vacuum chamber prior to the cleaning cycle; The toilet assembly, wherein a third portion of the volume of the flush water is stored in the interior chamber prior to the flush cycle, the third portion being greater than or equal to 40% of the volume of the flush water.

[0163] Embodiment 29. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 28, wherein the first portion is 20% or less of the volume of the flush water.

[0164] Embodiment 30. A toilet assembly according to any one of embodiments 28 to 29, wherein the second portion is 40% or less of the volume of the flush water.

[0165] Embodiment 31. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 28 to 30, wherein during a flush cycle, the container contains compressed air within the vacuum chamber positioned above the flush water.

[0166] Embodiment 32. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 28 to 31, wherein when water is discharged into the flush valve core to start a flush cycle, a reduction in pressure occurs in the compressed air in the trap drain passage.

[0167] Embodiment 33. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 28 to 32, wherein the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized when the toilet tank is refilled with water to end a flush cycle.

[0168] Embodiment 34. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 28 to 33, wherein during a flush cycle, the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized to at least 0.5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure and not more than 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure.

[0169] Embodiment 35. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 28 to 34, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned above the highest point of the trap drain inlet by an offset distance of 2 inches or more.

[0170] Embodiment 36. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 28 to 35, wherein the first upstream dam portion is positioned at a point vertically higher than the water seal portion of the toilet bowl by a distance of 0.2 inches or more during a flush cycle.

[0171] Embodiment 37. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 28 to 36, wherein the connecting pipe is equipped with a backflow preventer.

[0172] Embodiment 38. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 28 to 37, wherein the flush valve assembly includes a valve body extending from a valve inlet to a valve outlet, and a valve cover having a seal for sealing the valve inlet.

[0173] Embodiment 39. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 28 to 38, wherein the container includes a continuous side wall portion, a top end wall portion, and an inner wall portion that come together to bound the vacuum chamber.

[0174] Embodiment 40. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 39, wherein the inner wall portion borders the interior chamber.

[0175] Embodiment 41. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 39 or 40, wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the inner surface of the upper end wall portion is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm.

[0176] Embodiment 42. A toilet assembly according to any one of embodiments 28 to 41, wherein the inner diameter of the connecting pipe is 12 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0177] Embodiment 43. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 28 to 42, wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the water level in the toilet tank during a flush cycle is greater than or equal to 45 mm and less than or equal to 55 mm.

[0178] Embodiment 44. A toilet assembly, comprising: a toilet tank for holding flush water; a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank; A toilet bowl portion, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl; a container positioned within the toilet tank; a connecting pipe extending from the interior of the container to the trap drain; Including, the container is in fluid communication with the toilet tank, the container having an open lower end and a closed upper end; The trap drain includes a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a connecting portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion; the first upstream dam portion includes a first arc shape that draws an arc around a first center point, the lower trap includes a second arc shape that describes an arc about a second center point; the connecting portion defines a central arcuate path between the first upstream dam portion and the lower trap, the central arcuate path extending laterally away from the first upstream dam portion and then extending laterally back toward the lower trap; a first line extending through the first center point and the second center point is offset from a second line by an offset distance of 60 mm or more, the second line being tangent to the central arc path and parallel to the first line; The toilet assembly, wherein the connecting pipe is coupled to the trap drain at a location between the seal trap and the lower trap 1, providing fluid communication between the container and the trap drain.

[0179] Embodiment 45. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 44, wherein the second line is tangent to the central arcuate path at a position closer to the first upstream weir portion than the lower trap.

[0180] Embodiment 46. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 44 to 45, wherein the first arc shape has a larger radius than the second arc shape.

[0181] Embodiment 47. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 46, wherein the first arc shape has a radius of 50 mm or more and 70 mm or less.

[0182] Embodiment 48. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 44 to 47, wherein the second arc shape has a radius of 20 mm or more and 70 mm or less.

[0183] Embodiment 49. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 44 to 48, wherein the container contains compressed air positioned above the flush water during a flush cycle.

[0184] Embodiment 50. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 44 to 49, wherein a reduction in pressure is caused in the compressed air in the trap drain when water is discharged into the flush valve core to initiate a flush cycle.

[0185] Embodiment 51. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 44 to 50, wherein the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized when the toilet tank is refilled with water to end a flush cycle.

[0186] Embodiment 52. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 44 to 51, wherein during a flush cycle, the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized to at least 0.5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure and not more than 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure.

[0187] Embodiment 53. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 44 to 52, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned above the highest point of the trap drain inlet by an offset distance of 2 inches or more.

[0188] Embodiment 54. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 44 to 53, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned at a point vertically higher than the water seal portion of the toilet bowl by a distance of 0.2 inches or more during a flush cycle.

[0189] Embodiment 55. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 44 to 54, wherein the connecting pipe is equipped with a backflow preventer.

[0190] Embodiment 56. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 44 to 55, wherein the flush valve assembly includes a valve body extending from a valve inlet to a valve outlet, and a valve cover having a seal for sealing the valve inlet.

[0191] Embodiment 57. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 44 to 56, wherein the container includes a continuous side wall portion, a top end wall portion, and an inner wall portion that together border the vacuum chamber of the container.

[0192] Embodiment 58. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 57, wherein the inner wall portion borders the interior chamber of the container.

[0193] Embodiment 59. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 57 or 58, wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the inner surface of the upper end wall portion is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm.

[0194] Embodiment 60. A toilet assembly according to any one of embodiments 44 to 59, wherein the inner diameter of the connecting pipe is 12 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0195] Embodiment 61. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 44 to 60, wherein during a flush cycle, the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the water level in the toilet tank is greater than or equal to 45 mm and less than or equal to 55 mm.

[0196] Embodiment 62. A toilet assembly, comprising: a toilet tank for holding flush water; a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank; A toilet bowl portion, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl; a container positioned within the toilet tank; a connecting pipe extending from the interior of the container to the trap drain; Including, the container is in fluid communication with the toilet tank, the container having an open lower end and a closed upper end; The trap drain includes a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion; The toilet assembly, wherein the connecting pipe is connected to the trap drain via an interface disposed at a position between the water seal trap and the lower trap, providing fluid communication between the container and the trap drain, an upper end of the interface being connected to the connecting pipe, a lower end of the interface being connected to the trap drain, and a first edge of the lower end of the interface being located on an upper wall portion of the trap drain directly above the first upstream weir portion.

[0197] Embodiment 63. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 62, wherein the second edge of the lower end of the boundary surface is positioned at a position above the upper wall portion of the trap drain channel and at the same height as the first upstream weir portion.

[0198] Embodiment 64. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 62 to 63, wherein the wall portion of the interface is tangent to the upper wall portion of the trap drain at the first edge portion of the lower end of the interface.

[0199] Embodiment 65. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 62 to 64, wherein the lower end of the boundary surface is wider in at least one direction than the upper end of the boundary surface.

[0200] Embodiment 66. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 62 to 65, wherein the lower end of the interface is wider in the first direction than in the second direction.

[0201] Embodiment 67. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 62 to 66, wherein the container contains compressed air positioned above the flush water during a flush cycle.

[0202] Embodiment 68. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 62 to 67, wherein when water is discharged into the flush valve core to start a flush cycle, a reduction in pressure occurs in the compressed air in the trap drain passage.

[0203] Embodiment 69. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 62 to 68, wherein the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized when the toilet tank is refilled with water to end the flush cycle.

[0204] Embodiment 70. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 62 to 69, wherein during a flush cycle, the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized to at least 0.5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure and not more than 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure.

[0205] Embodiment 71. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 62 to 70, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned above the highest point of the trap drain inlet by an offset distance of 2 inches or more.

[0206] Embodiment 72. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 62 to 71, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned at a point vertically higher than the water seal portion of the toilet bowl by a distance of 0.2 inches or more during a flush cycle.

[0207] Embodiment 73. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 62 to 72, wherein the connecting pipe is equipped with a backflow preventer.

[0208] Embodiment 74. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 62 to 73, wherein the flush valve assembly includes a valve body extending from a valve inlet to a valve outlet, and a valve cover having a seal for enclosing the valve inlet.

[0209] Embodiment 75. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 62 to 74, wherein the container includes a continuous side wall portion, a top end wall portion, and an inner wall portion, which together bound the vacuum chamber of the container.

[0210] Embodiment 76. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 75, wherein the inner wall portion borders the interior chamber of the container.

[0211] Embodiment 77. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 75 or 76, wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the inner surface of the upper end wall portion is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm.

[0212] Embodiment 78. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 62 to 77, wherein the inner diameter of the connecting pipe is 12 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0213] Embodiment 79. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 62 to 78, wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the water level in the toilet tank during a flush cycle is greater than or equal to 45 mm and less than or equal to 55 mm.

[0214] Embodiment 80. A toilet assembly, comprising: a toilet tank for holding flush water; a flush valve assembly positioned within the toilet tank; A toilet bowl portion, a trap drain in fluid communication with the toilet bowl; a container positioned within the toilet tank; a connecting pipe extending from the interior of the container to the trap drain; Including, the container is in fluid communication with the toilet tank, the container having an open lower end and a closed upper end; The trap drainage channel includes a water seal trap, a first upstream weir portion, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir portion, and the trap drainage channel is wider than the second downstream weir portion at a lowest point of the lower trap; The toilet assembly, wherein the connecting pipe is coupled to the trap drain at a location between the seal trap and the lower trap, providing fluid communication between the container and the trap drain.

[0215] Embodiment 81. A toilet assembly as described in embodiment 80, wherein the trap drain is wider at the bottom of the lower trap than at the upstream end of the lower trap.

[0216] Embodiment 82. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 80 to 81, wherein the trap drain is wider at the first upstream weir portion than at the upstream end of the lower trap.

[0217] Embodiment 83. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 80 to 82, wherein the trap drain has an equal diameter at the first upstream weir portion than at the lowest point of the lower trap.

[0218] Embodiment 84. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 80 to 83, wherein the trap drain is wider at the first upstream weir portion than at the lowest point of the lower trap.

[0219] Embodiment 85. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 80 to 84, wherein the trap drain is narrower at the first upstream weir section than at the lowest point of the lower trap.

[0220] Embodiment 86. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 80 to 85, wherein the container contains compressed air positioned above the flush water during a flush cycle.

[0221] Embodiment 87. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 80 to 86, wherein when water is discharged into the flush valve core to start a flush cycle, a reduction in pressure occurs in the compressed air in the trap drain passage.

[0222] Embodiment 88. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 80 to 87, wherein the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized when the toilet tank is refilled with water to end a flush cycle.

[0223] Embodiment 89. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 80 to 88, wherein during a flush cycle, the compressed air in the trap drain is pressurized to at least 0.5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure and not more than 5 cm of water above atmospheric pressure.

[0224] Embodiment 90. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 80 to 89, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned above the highest point of the trap drain inlet by an offset distance of 2 inches or more.

[0225] Embodiment 91. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 80 to 90, wherein the first upstream weir portion is positioned at a point vertically higher than the water seal portion of the toilet bowl by a distance of 0.2 inches or more during a flush cycle.

[0226] Embodiment 92. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 80 to 91, wherein the connecting pipe is equipped with a backflow preventer.

[0227] Embodiment 93. A toilet assembly described in any one of embodiments 80 to 92, wherein the flush valve assembly includes a valve body extending from a valve inlet to a valve outlet, and a valve cover having a seal for enclosing the valve inlet.

[0228] Embodiment 94. A toilet assembly as described in any one of embodiments 90 to 93, wherein the container includes a continuous side wall portion, a top end wall portion, and an inner wall portion, which together bound the vacuum chamber of the container.

[0229] Embodiment 95. A toilet assembly as described in embodiments 80 to 94, wherein the inner wall portion borders the interior chamber of the container.

[0230] conclusion In some embodiments, the dual trap toilet described and / or illustrated herein may share any one or more characteristics in common with the dual trap toilets described, illustrated and / or referenced in PCT Publication No. WO2022046876A1, PCT Publication No. WO2022051331A1, and / or PCT Application No. PCT / US2021 / 060307 (filed November 22, 2021), each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0231] Any one or more features of any embodiment (including claims) described, illustrated, and / or referenced in this specification may be combined, in whole or in part, with any one or more features of any one or more other embodiments (including claims) described, illustrated, and / or referenced in this specification.

[0232] The foregoing description has been described with reference to specific embodiments for purposes of illustration. However, the exemplary discussion above is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the techniques and their practical application. In order to enable those skilled in the art to optimally utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0233] Although the disclosure and the embodiments have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications should be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure and the embodiments as defined by the claims. Finally, the entire disclosures of the patents and publications referred to in this application are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. It is a toilet bowl assembly, A toilet tank for holding flushing water, A flushing valve assembly positioned inside the toilet tank, The toilet bowl section, A trap drain channel that is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl section, A container positioned inside the toilet tank, A connecting pipe extending from the inside of the container to the trap drain channel, Includes, The container is in fluid communication with the toilet tank, and the container has an open lower end and a closed upper end, the closed upper end of the container contains a first portion of compressed air when the toilet assembly is in the middle of a flushing cycle, The aforementioned trap drainage channel includes a water seal trap, a first upstream weir, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir. The connecting pipe is connected to the trap drain channel at a position between the water seal trap and the lower trap, and a fluid communication is provided between the container and the trap drain channel. The trap drain channel contains a second portion of compressed air when the toilet assembly is in a flushing cycle, and the volume of the first portion of the compressed air is less than 30% of the volume of the second portion of the compressed air, the toilet assembly.

2. The toilet assembly according to claim 1, wherein, during the washing cycle, the first portion of the compressed air is positioned above the washing water in the container.

3. The toilet assembly according to claim 1, wherein when water is discharged into the flushing valve core to start the flushing cycle, a pressure reduction occurs in one or both of the first portion and the second portion of the compressed air.

4. The toilet assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the toilet tank is filled with water again to complete the flushing cycle, pressurization occurs in one or both of the first portion and the second portion of the compressed air.

5. The toilet assembly according to claim 1, wherein during the washing cycle, the first portion and the second portion of the compressed air are subjected to a pressure of 0.5 cm or more above atmospheric pressure and 5 cm or less above atmospheric pressure.

6. The toilet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first upstream weir is positioned above the highest point of the trap drain inlet by an offset distance of 2 inches or more.

7. The toilet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first upstream weir is positioned at a point at least 0.2 inches higher vertically than the water seal portion of the toilet bowl during the flushing cycle.

8. The toilet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flushing valve assembly includes a valve body extending from the valve inlet to the valve outlet, and a valve cover having a seal for sealing the valve inlet.

9. The toilet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a continuous side wall, an upper wall, and an inner wall, which together form a boundary with the vacuum chamber of the container.

10. The toilet assembly according to claim 9, wherein the inner wall portion is in contact with the boundary of the internal chamber of the container.

11. The toilet assembly according to claim 9, wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the inner surface of the upper end wall portion is 10 mm or more and 35 mm or less.

12. The toilet assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the inner diameter of the connecting pipe is 12 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

13. The toilet assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein during the flushing cycle, the vertical distance between the upper surface of the connecting pipe and the water level in the toilet tank is 45 mm or more and 55 mm or less.

14. It is a toilet bowl assembly, A toilet tank for holding flushing water, A flushing valve assembly positioned inside the toilet tank, The toilet bowl section, A trap drain channel that is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl section, A container positioned inside the toilet tank, A connecting pipe extending from the inside of the container to the trap drain channel, Includes, The container is in fluid communication with the toilet tank, and the container has an open lower end and a closed upper end. The aforementioned trap drainage channel includes a water seal trap, a first upstream weir, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir. The connecting pipe is connected to the trap drain channel at a position between the water seal trap and the lower trap, and a fluid communication is provided between the container and the trap drain channel. The trap drain channel contains compressed air when the toilet assembly is in the middle of a flushing cycle, and the compressed air in the trap drain channel exerts force on the water in the lower trap such that the upstream water level in the lower trap is lower than the downstream water level in the lower trap by an offset distance of 15 mm or more during the flushing cycle.

15. The toilet assembly according to claim 14, wherein during the washing cycle, the container contains compressed air positioned above the washing water.

16. The toilet assembly according to claim 14, wherein when water is discharged into the flushing valve core to start the flushing cycle, a pressure reduction occurs in the compressed air in the trap drain channel.

17. The toilet assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein when the toilet tank is filled with water again to end the flushing cycle, pressurization occurs in the compressed air in the trap drain channel.

18. It is a toilet bowl assembly, Toilet bowl and tank, A flushing valve assembly positioned inside the toilet tank, The toilet bowl section, A trap drain channel that is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl section, A container positioned within the toilet tank, comprising an internal chamber and a vacuum chamber, A connecting pipe extending from the inside of the container to the trap drain channel, Includes, The container is in fluid communication with the toilet tank, and the container has an open lower end and a closed upper end. The aforementioned trap drainage channel includes a water seal trap, a first upstream weir, a lower trap, and a second downstream weir. The connecting pipe is connected to the trap drain channel at a position between the water seal trap and the lower trap, and a fluid communication is provided between the container and the trap drain channel. During the flushing cycle, the toilet assembly releases the volume of flushing water. The first portion of the volume of the flushing water is stored in the toilet tank before the flushing cycle. The second portion of the volume of the cleaning water is stored in the vacuum chamber before the cleaning cycle. The toilet assembly wherein a third portion of the volume of the flushing water is stored in the internal chamber before the flushing cycle, and the third portion is 40% or more of the volume of the flushing water.

19. The toilet assembly according to claim 18, wherein the first portion is 20% or less of the volume of the washing water.

20. The toilet assembly according to claim 18, wherein the second portion is 40% or less of the volume of the washing water.

21. The toilet assembly according to claim 18, wherein during the washing cycle, the container includes compressed air positioned above the washing water within the vacuum chamber.

22. The toilet assembly according to claim 18, wherein when water is discharged into the flushing valve core to start the flushing cycle, a pressure reduction occurs in the compressed air in the trap drain channel.

23. The toilet assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein when the toilet tank is filled with water again to end the flushing cycle, pressurization occurs in the compressed air in the trap drain channel.

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