System and method for flusing an object

Abstract

This invention discloses a flushing system for rinsing objects and flushing toilets. The flushing system includes a first closed container for storing liquid for rinsing objects; a second container for filling the liquid from a source; and a third closed container, at least partially located below each of the first and second containers, configured to contain both liquid and gas and in fluid communication with each of the first and second containers, and the first and second containers are configured to be in liquid communication via the third closed container. The gas in the third closed container is configured to apply head pressure to the liquid in the first closed container via one or more conduits to rinse the objects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments relate to rinsing objects, and more particularly, to systems and methods for rinsing objects. Prior Art

[0002] There is a need for a high performance, low volume, low profile toilet. With current low profile volume toilets, the performance and flushing capabilities of the toilet are reduced due to the limited amount of head pressure that can be generated in the reduced height tank. As the market moves to devices that use lower water volumes, current low profile devices are unable to generate sufficient head pressure to operate adequately with reduced water volumes. Therefore, a toilet that is able to generate sufficient head pressure in a low profile tank would be of considerable value in the market.

[0003] Currently, low-profile toilets are sold as designer products but do not flush effectively in low water volume conditions as people want to conserve water, which has become the status quo in today's market.

[0004] Currently available high performance, small capacity toilets require a toilet tank that provides approximately 8 inches of head pressure above the rim of the toilet bowl, making it impossible to incorporate current flushing systems into low profile toilets. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a completely self-contained flushing system whereby a low profile toilet produces high head pressures which enable improved performance at low water volumes and are independent of inlet water pressure, whereby the resulting flush is quiet and consistent.

[0006] The present invention allows greater head pressure to be achieved at a significantly reduced height above the toilet rim, for example, approximately twice the head pressure achieved at 8 inches of head pressure. This allows the flush system to be accommodated in a low profile toilet, which provides a wider range of applications and available design options for high performance, low volume toilets.

[0007] Additionally, because toilet fixtures are able to house the improved flushing systems disclosed herein within a low profile (reduced height tank), toilet manufacturers are able to gain more design capabilities.

[0008] The flushing system of the present invention comprises an upper closed container containing a flushing valve, which is connected to a lower container by a conduit (air delivery tube). Prior to flushing, the filling valve is opened to deliver water to a first upper closed container, which is already filled with water and connected to a second upper container by a series of vertical conduits, which is open to the atmosphere and houses the filling valve. As water fills the first upper container from the filling valve, air is moved or delivered to the lower container through the conduits. The delivered air causes water to move upward from the lower container along the (one or more) vertical conduits. Due to the delivery of air, a force (head pressure) is applied to the water in the first upper container through the conduit connected to the lower container. Therefore, this improved flushing system is able to flush toilets with relatively low tank heights and achieve relatively high head pressures, which in turn improves the performance of the flushing system and allows for a reduced flush volume, resulting in a quiet and stable flush.

[0009] Additionally, because the self-contained flushing system does not rely on water pressure entering the system to operate, the resulting flush will be quiet, unlike pressure-assisted systems currently on the market. Additionally, because there are no moving parts other than the typical fill and flush valves (which work by moving air and water between containers), the flushing system requires virtually no maintenance, resulting in a reliable, consistent, and powerful flush every time.

[0010] In one aspect, a flushing system for flushing an object is provided, the flushing system comprising: a first closed container, which is used to store liquid for flushing the object; a second container, which is used to be filled with liquid from a source; and a third closed container, which is at least partially located below each of the first closed container and the second container, the third closed container is configured to contain liquid and gas and is fluidly connected to each of the first closed container and the second container, and the first closed container and the second container are configured to be liquid-connected via the third closed container, wherein the gas in the third closed container is configured to apply a water head pressure to the liquid in the first closed container via one or more conduits to flush the object.

[0011] In the flushing system of any of the aforementioned aspects, the object is a toilet bowl.

[0012] In the flushing system of any of the foregoing aspects, the second container is at least partially open to the atmosphere.

[0013] In the flushing system of any of the foregoing aspects, the second container is closed.

[0014] In the flushing system in any of the aforementioned aspects, the bottom surface of the first closed container or the second container is higher than the top surface of the third closed container.

[0015] In the flushing system of any of the foregoing aspects, the first closed container is placed at substantially the same level as the top edge of the toilet bowl.

[0016] In the flushing system of any of the foregoing aspects, the head pressure is generated by the atmosphere and the liquid in the second container.

[0017] In the flushing system in any of the aforementioned aspects, the gas in the third closed container applies head pressure to the liquid in the first closed container via one or more conduits.

[0018] In the flushing system of any of the foregoing aspects, the second container is in fluid communication with the third closed container via one or more conduits.

[0019] In the flushing system of any of the aforementioned aspects, the first closed container includes a flushing valve.

[0020] In the flushing system of any of the aforementioned aspects, the head pressure is generated by the compressed gas injected into the third closed container and the liquid in the second container.

[0021] In the flushing system of any of the aforementioned aspects, the first closed container is fluidically connected to the third closed container via one or more conduits, and the one or more conduits include a check valve configured to selectively open or close the fluid connection.

[0022] In the flushing system of any of the aforementioned aspects, the third closed container is configured to inject compressed gas into the first closed container via one or more conduits.

[0023] The flushing system in any of the aforementioned aspects further comprises a gas valve located on one or more conduits for selectively opening and closing the gas injection from the third closed container to the first closed container.

[0024] In the flushing system of any of the foregoing aspects, the liquid is water and the gas is atmospheric air.

[0025] In the flushing system of any of the aforementioned aspects, the top surface of the second container and the top surface of the first closed container are higher than the top surface of the third closed container, for example, about 15 inches to 18 inches higher.

[0026] In any of the foregoing aspects, the flushing system is in a standby mode, a flushing mode, or a filling mode.

[0027] In another aspect, a toilet system is provided, the toilet system comprising: a toilet bowl; a first closed container fluidly connected to the toilet bowl, the first closed container configured to store liquid to flush the toilet bowl; a second container, the second container configured to receive liquid from a source; and a third closed container at least partially located below each of the first closed container and the second container, the third closed container configured to contain liquid and gas and fluidly connected to each of the first closed container and the second container, and the first closed container and the second container are configured to be liquid-connected via the third closed container, wherein the gas in the third closed container is configured to apply head pressure to the liquid in the first closed container via one or more conduits to flush the toilet bowl.

[0028] In the toilet system of any of the aforementioned aspects, the first closed container is placed at substantially the same level as the top edge of the toilet bowl.

[0029] In another aspect, a method for flushing a toilet bowl is provided, the method comprising: storing liquid for flushing the toilet bowl in a first closed container in fluid communication with the toilet bowl; receiving liquid from a source in a second container; and applying a water head pressure acting on a gas stored in a third closed container to the liquid in the first closed container via one or more conduits to flush the toilet bowl, wherein the third closed container is configured to contain liquid and gas and is configured to be in fluid communication with each of the first closed container and the second container, and the first closed container and the second container are configured to be in fluid communication via the third closed container. Simple diagram description

[0030] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the drawings which show exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a partial front perspective view of a flushing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flushing system in FIG. 1 .

[0033] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flushing system in FIG. 1 .

[0034] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flushing system in FIG. 1 .

[0035] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a flushing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the flushing system of FIG. 5 .

[0037] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the flushing system of FIG. 5 .

[0038] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the flushing system of FIG. 5 .

[0039] 9A is a side perspective view of a toilet system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] 9B is a top perspective view of the toilet system of FIG. 9A with the top cover removed.

[0041] Similar reference symbols may be used in different drawings to represent similar components. Implementation

[0042] 1 to 8 show exemplary embodiments of flushing systems 100 and 200. Flushing systems 100 and 200 may include a first closed container 102 or 202 for storing water to flush a toilet; a second container 104 or 204 for filling water from a water source; and a third closed container 106 or 206, which is at least partially located below each of the first closed container 102 or 202 and the second container 104 or 204. The third closed container 106 or 206 is configured to contain a liquid (e.g., water) and a gas (e.g., air). The third closed container 106 or 206 is configured to be in fluid communication with each of the first closed container 102 or 202 and the second container 104 or 204, for example, via one or more conduits.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment of the flushing system 100 and the flushing system 200, the water in the second container 104 or 204 is configured to apply pressure to the gas in the third closed container 106 or 206. When the first closed container 102 or 202 is actuated to discharge the water stored therein, the gas in the third closed container 106 or 206 applies a water head pressure to the water in the first closed container 102 or 202 via one or more conduits 108 or 208 to flush the toilet bowl 110. The water head pressure increases the speed of the water pushed out of the first closed container 202 into the toilet bowl 130, resulting in improved toilet flushing performance and reduced water consumption. The flushing system 100 and the flushing system 200 do not rely on the inlet water pressure and flush quietly and steadily. The toilet bowl 110 can also be any other selected object to be flushed.

[0044] In the present invention, the fluid may include water or air; water may also be any other liquid, and air may be any other gas. These terms are used interchangeably in the present invention.

[0045] The flushing system 100 in the embodiment shown in the examples of FIGS. 1 to 4 may include a first closed container 102 , a second container 104 , and a third closed container 106 .

[0046] The first closed container 102 is configured to store water for flushing an object (e.g., a toilet bowl). The first closed container 102 is in fluid communication with the second container 104 via the third closed container 106. Water is supplied to the first closed container 102 from a filling valve 115 held in the second container 104 via a conduit 116. The first closed container 102 may also include a conduit 128, for example, near the bottom surface 102b but above the bottom surface, to provide fluid communication with the rim channel 131 of the toilet bowl 110.

[0047] The first closed container 102 may house an actuator or flush valve 114. When the flush valve 114 is triggered, water stored in the first closed container 102 is discharged to flush an object, such as a toilet bowl 110.

[0048] In an embodiment of the flushing system 100, the second container 104 is open to the atmosphere. The second container 104 may house a filling valve 115 for filling water from a water source such as a water pipe into the second container 104. The filling valve 115 may be installed at any other location of the flushing system 100. The filling valve 115 is configured to be connected to the first closed container 102 through one or more conduits 116, so that water is also filled into the first closed container 102 via the conduits 116 to a desired level, such as substantially the entire volume of the first closed container 102. By filling the first closed container 102 with water, the air within the first closed container 102 is displaced by the water and is pushed through the one or more conduits 108 into the third closed container 106.

[0049] In an embodiment of the flushing system 100, the first closed container 102 is connected to the third closed container 106 via one or more conduits 108 to provide fluid communication, such as gas or air, between the third closed container 106 and the first closed container 102. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 4, one end of the conduit 108 is connected to the top surface 106b of the third closed container 106, and the other end of the conduit 108 is connected to the top surface 102a of the first closed container 102.

[0050] The second container 104 is configured to be open to the atmosphere. In this way, the atmosphere exerts a pressure P0 on the water in the second container 104.

[0051] The second container 104 is in fluid communication with the third closed container 106 via one or more conduits 123. The conduits 123 extend from the bottom surface 104a of the second container 104 into the third closed container 106. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 4 , the conduits 123 extend into the third closed container 106 near the bottom surface 106a of the third closed container 106. To ensure that gas does not escape from the third closed container 106 during the filling phase, the conduits 123 have openings extending below the top surface water level 106c but above the bottom surface 106a of the third closed container 106.

[0052] The third closed container 106 contains both water and air. In some examples, the amount of gas or air displaced between the third closed container 106 and the first closed container 102 is substantially equal and therefore operates at a 1: 1 ratio. Since the air density is lower, the air is located above the top surface water level 106c in the third closed container 106.

[0053] In another example, the second container 104 may include two or more containers open to the atmosphere and in fluid communication, as shown in the example of Figure 1. Each of the two or more containers may be in fluid communication with the third closed container 106 via one or more separate conduits.

[0054] The top surface 106b of the third closed container 106 may be lower than the bottom surface 104a of the second container 104. In the examples of FIGS. 1 to 4, the top surface 106b of the third closed container 106 is lower than the bottom surface 104a of the second container 104 by a height h. Therefore, the water in the second container 104 and the atmospheric air having a pressure P0 exert pressure on the water and air in the third closed container 106 via the conduit 123. For example, the height between the top surface water level 104c in the second container 104 and the water at the top surface 106b of the third closed container 106 is H, and the water head pressure on the air at the top surface 106b of the third closed container 106 is P=P0+ρHg, where: P is the pressure at the top surface 106b; P0 is the atmospheric pressure; ρ is the density of water; g is the acceleration of gravity; and H is the height between the top surface water level 104c maintained in the second container 104 and the top surface water level 106c maintained in the third closed container 106. Therefore, the configuration of the second container 104 and the third closed container 106 generates additional pressure on the air in the third closed container 106 via the water in the conduit 123.

[0055] In this way, the magnitude of the water head pressure P applied to the water in the first closed container 102 depends on the height between the water level in the second container 104 and the pressure of the air held in the third closed container 106. The water head pressure P applied to the water held in the first closed container 102 is related to the height between the top surface water level 104c held in the second container 104 and the top surface water level 106c held in the third closed container 106 and the atmospheric air pressure.

[0056] In some examples, the top surface 104b of the second container and the top surface 102a of the first enclosed container 102 are substantially at the same height and are located approximately 15 inches to 18 inches above the bottom surface 106a of the third enclosed container.

[0057] In some examples, prior to flushing, the head pressure is at a height equal to at least about 15 inches or more above the toilet bowl rim channel 131, and the head pressure decreases as the toilet is flushed.

[0058] In some examples, the volume of water filled in the second container 104 is at least the same as or higher than the volume of air trapped in the third closed container 106, so that when the first closed container 102 is filled with water and substantially all of the air is pushed out of the third closed container and substantially all of the air is pushed into the third closed container 106 during the filling phase, the second container 104 receives replacement water from the third closed container 106. The volume of air retained in the third closed container 106 is at least equal to the volume of water in the first closed container 102, so that the water in the first closed container 102 can be substantially pushed out and replaced by air from the third closed container 106 to flush an object, such as a toilet bowl 130.

[0059] The air in the third closed container 106 applies a water head pressure P to the water or air in the first closed container 102 by means of the conduit 108. The bottom surface 102a of the first closed container 102 may be higher than the top surface 106b of the third closed container 106.

[0060] When the flush valve 114 is opened, for example, by pulling a handle or pressing a button 126 mounted on the first closed container 102, as described above, the water stored in the second container 104, together with the atmospheric pressure, applies a water head pressure P to the air in the third closed container 106. The handle or button 126 may also be mounted on the second container 104. The pressurized air trapped in the third closed container 106 transmits the pressure to the water stored in the first closed container 102 via the conduit 108, and the pressurized air from the third closed container 106 pushes the water stored in the first closed container 102 to move through the conduit 128 to an object, such as a jet port and a rim channel 131 of a toilet bowl 130, thereby moving the contents of the toilet bowl 130 into the drain channel 132, while generating a strong siphon.

[0061] The head pressure generated by the pressurized air moving from the third closed container 106 to the first closed container 102 increases the speed of water being pushed out of the first closed container 102 into the toilet bowl 130, resulting in improved toilet flushing performance and reduced water volume, and a quiet and stable flush.

[0062] After the water in the first closed container 102 is drained to rinse the object, the flush valve 114 is configured to be closed, for example, by the biasing force of a spring, and the filling valve 115 is configured to be opened to automatically refill the first closed container 102 and the second container 104 with water. During the refilling process, as the water level in the first closed container 102 increases, the air in the first closed container 102 is replaced by water and is pushed through the conduit 108 into the third closed container 106. The air from the conduit 108 pushes the water in the third closed container 106 to the second container 104 via the conduit 123.

[0063] The water removed from the third closed container 106 stays in the second container 104 until the next time the user opens the flush valve 114 by actuating the handle 126 to flush the toilet.

[0064] In the example of FIG. 4 , when the flushing system 100 is used in a toilet system, the flushing system 100 may include a refilling tube 129 having a first end positioned above the bottom surface 106a of the third closed container 106 and a second end connected to the toilet bowl rim channel 132 at a predetermined height ht through a conduit 128. The height of the refilling tube 129 is adjustable and depends on the required amount of water. The required amount of water depends on the required flushing volume. For example, a 4.0L toilet requires more make-up water than a 3.0L toilet. During the refilling process, due to the pressure generated by the airflow from the first closed container 102, a portion of the water in the third closed container 106 may be driven upward to the second container 104 via the conduit 123. The water levels in the second container 104 and the refilling tube 129 rise at the same rate and maintain the same water level until a height ht is reached, at which the water will overflow the refilling tube 129 to reach the toilet bowl 130. The overflowing water is then conveyed through the conduit 128 and into the toilet bowl rim channel 131. The overflowing water refills the toilet bowl 130 to form a seal, such as a 50 millimeter (mm) seal. When the water level in the third closed container 106 reaches a predetermined height or level of the divider 134, the water stops overflowing the refill tube 129. The height of the divider 134 is adjustable and depends on the amount of refill water required. The amount of refill water can be increased or decreased by adjusting the height of the refill tube 129 or the height of the divider 134.

[0065] The refill tube 129 allows the flush system 100 to provide a refill water source and enables the flush system 100 to exchange a portion of the water held in the third closed container 106 with fresh water during each flush cycle to prevent the water stored in the third closed container 106 from becoming stagnant.

[0066] Before the refilling process is completed and the filling valve 115 is closed, an amount of water equal to the amount of water flowing through the refilling pipe 129 to the toilet bowl 130 for refilling is delivered from the water rising from the third closed container 106.

[0067] After the refilling is completed, the head pressure H is again formed on the air trapped in the third closed container 106 and is applied to the water in the first closed container 102 through the conduit 108.

[0068] In some examples, the flushing system 100 may include a backflow prevention device (not shown) to prevent water from flowing back into the filling valve 115 when the water generating the head pressure is below the surface of the water in the second container 104. Because the water in the second container 104 is below the level of the filling valve 115, the water in the filling valve 115 cannot flow back into the water supply and cross-contaminate any drinking water. The backflow prevention device may also be installed inside the conduit 116 as an additional way to prevent water from flowing back into the filling valve 115.

[0069] With the configuration of the flushing system 100, due to the water head pressure H generated by the second container 104 and the third closed container 106, the first closed container 102 can be installed at substantially the same height as the toilet bowl 130 while generating sufficient pressure on the water to flush the toilet bowl 130 with improved flushing performance, and the flushing generated thereby is quiet and stable. For example, the top surface 102a of the first closed container 102 has substantially the same height as the top surface of the toilet bowl 130. Therefore, the toilet system in which the flushing system 100 is installed can have a low profile or a tankless toilet system.

[0070] The volume of the first closed container 102 and the first closed container 202 can be close to or equal to the desired flush volume of the toilet. Therefore, in order to flush 4.0L of water, the first closed container 102 / 202 can be sized to hold approximately 4.0L of water or air. Since it is impossible to flush all the contents, the volume can be slightly larger than 4.0L (some water is inevitably retained when the flush valve 115 is closed). The third closed container 106 and the third closed container 206 can be sized accordingly and can be larger than the desired flush volume. The first closed container 102 is configured to hold the amount of air removed from the first closed container 102 plus the amount of water required to establish a head pressure in the flush system 100 or the flush system 200. Similarly, the third closed container 206 is configured to be large enough to accommodate a volume of air that is larger than the volume of the first closed container 202, as well as the water required to generate and apply a head pressure during the flushing process. The second container 104 and the second container 204 are configured to be larger in volume or capacity to ensure that the second container 104 and the second container 204 can hold the water removed from the third closed container 106 and the third closed container 206 without overflowing. In order to maintain the water head pressure throughout the flush cycle, the configuration of the flush system 100 allows the water head pressure to remain applied to the water in the first container 102 even at the end of the flush, and ensure that the water continues to flow to the rim of the bowl at an increased rate and with increased force. In some examples, the flush system 100 is configured to maintain a water column pressure of up to or greater than 5 inches between the top surface water level 104c at the second container 104 and the top surface water level 106c at the third closed container at the end of the flush.

[0071] 5 to 8 show another embodiment of a flushing system 200. The flushing system 200 may include a first closed container 202, a second container 204, and a third closed container 206.

[0072] The first closed container 202 is configured to store water for flushing an object (e.g., a toilet bowl). The first closed container 202 is in fluid communication with the second container 204 via the third closed container 206. Water is supplied from the second container 204 to the first closed container 202 via the third closed container 206, for example, through two or more conduits. The first closed container 202 may also include one or more conduits, for example, near the bottom surface 202b but above the bottom surface, to provide fluid communication with the rim channel 131 of the toilet bowl 110.

[0073] Similar to the second container 104, the second container 204 is also open to the atmosphere. The second container 204 may house a filling valve 215 for filling water into the second container 204. The filling valve 215 may be connected to a water supply 217, which may be connected to a water pipe for supplying water to the water supply 217.

[0074] The second container 204 is in fluid communication with the third closed container 206 via yet another conduit 221. The conduit 221 extends from the bottom surface 204a into the third closed container 206 close to the bottom surface 206b of the third closed container 206 but above the bottom surface of the third closed container. Similar to the system 100, in order to ensure that gas does not escape from the third closed container 206, during the filling stage, the conduit 221 has an opening extending below the top surface water level 206c of the third closed container 206 but above the bottom surface 206b.

[0075] The third closed container 206 is configured to hold a mixture of gas (e.g., air) and liquid (e.g., water). The third closed container 206 may also include one or more conduits 226 to receive compressed gas, such as compressed air, in the third closed container 206. The conduit 226 may receive compressed gas from an air pump or an air pump (not shown). The conduit 226 and the filling valve 215 may share a common inlet 219 for selectively injecting water into the filling valve 215 via the conduit 217, or selectively injecting compressed gas or air into the third closed container 206 via the conduit 217 and the conduit 226. The pressure of the compressed gas or air may range from 0 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 1PSI. The supplied air may also be at atmospheric pressure. When the gas or air is compressed to cause the water to rise via the conduit 221, the pressure applied is equal to the distance the water rises in the second container 204. The pressure increases as the water fills the second container 204. The water height difference between the top surface water level 204c and the top surface water level 206c starts at about 5 inches or water column and gradually increases until the filling cycle is completed, the water height difference is about 15 inches to 18 inches of water column, and is between about 0 PSI and 0.5 PSI and does not exceed 1 PSI. The third closed container 206 contains both water and air. The water / gas ratio changes as the toilet goes through different stages (fill mode, flush mode and standby mode). For example, in standby mode, there is about 90% air in the third closed container 206, and 90% water at the end of flushing, and there will be different mixing ratios between these numbers depending on the stage of the toilet flushing system 200. Due to the low density of gas or air, the air is higher than the water level in the third closed container 206.

[0076] In the examples of FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 , the top surface 206a of the third closed container 206 can be configured to be lower than the bottom surface 204a of the second container 204. In this way, the water in the second container 204 applies pressure to the water and gas in the third closed container 206 via the conduit 221. For example, the height between the top surface water level 204c and the top surface water level 206c of the third closed container 206 is H2, and the pressure of the gas in the third closed container 206 is P1. The head pressure P2 applied to the gas at the top surface water level 206c in the third closed container 206 is P2=P1+ρH2g, where P is the pressure at the top surface 206b of the water in the third closed container 206, P1 is the pressure of the compressed gas, ρ is the density of water, g is the gravitational acceleration, and H2 is the height between the top surface water level 204c at the second container 204 and the top surface water level 206c of the third closed container 206. Therefore, the configuration of the first closed container 202, the second container 204 and the third closed container 206 in the flushing system 200 generates additional pressure on the water in the third closed container 206.

[0077] In some examples, the top surface 204b of the second container 204 and the top surface 202a of the first closed container 202 are substantially at the same height and are located approximately 15 inches to 18 inches above the top surface water level 206c of the third closed container.

[0078] In the example of Figures 5 to 8, the first closed container 202 is in fluid communication with the third closed container 206 via one or more conduits 223. The conduits 223 extend from the bottom surface 202b of the first closed container 202 into the third closed container 206. In the example of Figures 5 to 8, the conduits 223 extend into the third closed container 206 near the bottom surface 206b of the third closed container 206. The conduits 223 have an opening extending below the top surface water level 206c of the third closed container 206 but above the bottom surface 206b of the third closed container.

[0079] The conduit 223 may include a check valve 225 configured to selectively open when the flushing system 200 is in a filling mode (as shown in FIG. 7 ) to allow water from the third closed container 206 to flow upward to the first closed container 202, or to close when the flushing system 200 is in a standby mode as shown in FIG. 5 and a flushing mode as shown in FIG. 6 to allow the first closed container 202 to retain water. The check valve 225 may be controlled by air pressure generated by the air pump (opening the check valve) and water falling in the conduit 223 during flushing (closing the check valve). For example, when air is pumped into the third closed container 206, the air pushes the water in the third closed container 206 upward through the conduit 223 and into the first closed container 202. The rising water opens the check valve 225. During this period (filling phase), the air / flushing valve 214 is closed, but the bypass exhaust port 214a is open, so that when the first closed container 202 is filled, the air retained in the first closed container 202 can be discharged. Once the filling cycle stops and the air pump stops, the water in the conduit 223 and the first closed container 202 will not fall due to the pressure exerted on the third closed container 106. The water and air in the flushing system 200 are stable in the standby mode. Once the air / flush valve 214 is activated and the bypass exhaust port 214a is closed, air immediately flows to the first closed container 202 via the conduit 208 and exerts pressure (pressure equal to H2) on the water held therein. When the flush is activated, the check valve 225 is closed due to the weight of the water trying to fall along the conduit 223. The check valve 225 is closed to prevent the water held in the first closed container 202 from falling back down into the lower container 106 during the flushing process and instead ensure that the water will flow to the toilet bowl rim 131.

[0080] In some examples, the flushing system 200 may further include one or more conduits 208 to provide fluid communication, such as gas or air, between the third closed container 206 and the first closed container 202. In the examples of FIGS. 5 to 8, one end of the conduit 208 is connected to the top surface 206a of the third closed container 206, and the other end of the conduit 208 is connected to the top surface 202a of the first closed container 202.

[0081] The conduit 208 may include an air / flushing valve 214 located on the conduit 208 (e.g., near the end connected to the first closed container 202). The air / flushing valve 214 is configured to be selectively in a closed state when the flushing system 200 is in the standby mode as shown in FIG. 5, or in an open state when the flushing system 200 is in the flushing mode as shown in FIG. 6, or in a bypass state when the flushing system 200 is in the filling mode as shown in FIG. 7.

[0082] In the flushing mode, when the user pulls the handle connected to the air / flush valve 214 or presses the button, the air / flush valve 214 is configured to open. When the air / flush valve 214 is opened, compressed air flows from the third closed container 206 into the first closed container 202 via the conduit 208 and the air / flush valve 214, and due to the water head pressure generated on the top surface of the water in the first closed container 202, the water stored therein is discharged to the toilet bowl 110 via the conduit 222 at a faster speed than when there is no water pressure. In the examples of FIGS. 5 to 8, the water in the first closed container 202 is discharged to the conduit 222 leading to the rim channel 131 of the toilet bowl 110 near the bottom surface 202b of the first closed container 202.

[0083] In the flushing mode, the magnitude of the water head pressure P2 applied to the water in the first closed container 202 depends on the height H2 between the water level in the second container 204 and the pressure P1 of the compressed gas or air held in the third closed container 206. As described above, the water head pressure P2 applied to the water held in the first closed container 202 is P=P1+ρH2g.

[0084] In flush mode, the head pressure generated by the movement of pressurized air from the third closed container 206 into the first closed container 202 increases the velocity of water being pushed out of the first closed container 202 into the toilet bowl 130, resulting in improved toilet flushing performance, reduced water volume, and a quiet and stable flush.

[0085] In the flushing mode, the compressed air from the third closed container 206 pushes the water stored in the first closed container 202, causing the water to move to the object through the conduit 222, reaching the injection port and edge channel 131 of the toilet bowl 130, thereby moving the contents of the toilet bowl 130 to the sewage channel 132, while generating a very strong siphon.

[0086] In the example of FIGS. 5 to 8 , the water in the first closed container 202 is discharged to the conduit 222 leading to the rim channel 131 of the toilet bowl 110 near the bottom surface 202 b of the first closed container 202 .

[0087] After the flushing mode is completed, the water in the first closed container 202 is basically discharged via the conduit to flush the toilet bowl 110. The flushing system 200 is configured to refill the fluid or water in the filling mode. In the filling mode, the filling valve 215 is configured to open, and the water from the water supply system 217 flows into the second container 204, and the water further flows into the third closed container 206 via the conduit 221. In some examples, the filling valve 215 can be controlled in the same way as a standard toilet, such as by using a floating mechanism. As shown in FIG. 7, in the filling mode, the check valve 225 is configured to open so that the water in the third closed container 206 flows upward into the first closed container 202. In the filling mode, the air / flush valve 214 is in a bypass state. In the bypass state, the air / flush valve 214 is closed so that the pressurized air stays in the third closed container 206, and the exhaust port 214a is opened during the water filling process in the filling mode to discharge any excess gas in the first closed container 202. By exhausting the gas in the first closed container 202, water is allowed to replace the gas in the first closed container 202 and the water is allowed to fill the first closed container 202. The exhaust port 214a is configured to be closed after filling to a predetermined level after or when the filling mode is completed.

[0088] In the filling mode, the third closed container 206 is configured to receive compressed gas or air injected through the conduit 226, such as compressed gas or air injected from an air pump. The compressed gas is injected into the third closed container 206 until the pressure of the compressed gas in the third closed container 206 is equal to the pressure generated by the water in the first closed container 202 and the second container 204 on the top surface water level 206c of the third closed container 206.

[0089] As shown in the example of FIG. 5 , after the filling mode is completed, the flushing system 200 is in the standby mode. In the standby mode, the water in the second container 204 and the first closed container 202 is substantially full, and the water levels in the second container 204 and the first closed container 202 are substantially the same. The check valve 225 is configured to be closed so that the first closed container 202 retains the water stored therein. The air / flushing valve 214 is configured to be closed in the standby mode and the water in the first closed container 202 is not affected by the pressure of the compressed gas in the third closed container 206. The pressure of the compressed gas in the third closed container 206 is equal to the pressure on the top surface water level 206c in the third closed container 206 in the standby mode.

[0090] In some examples, when the flush system 200 is used in a toilet system by connecting the conduit 222 to the toilet bowl rim channel 131.

[0091] In the embodiment of FIG. 8 , the second container 204 further includes a vacuum container 240 placed within the second container 204. The bottom of the vacuum container 240 is open and is placed above the bottom surface 204a of the second container 204 and below the top surface water level 204c in the second container 204. The vacuum container 240 has one or more conduits 242, one end of which is connected at the top surface 204b and the other end is configured to connect to the top of the toilet bowl's trapway (not shown). In the fill mode, as water rises in the second container 204 and the vacuum container 240, the air initially held in the vacuum container is transported to the toilet bowl's trapway via the conduit 242. The air is used to pressurize the trapway. In the flush mode, the air held in the toilet bowl trapway is drawn back into the vacuum container 240, which in turn creates a vacuum or pulling action on the contents or object (toilet bowl). This action helps initiate the siphoning action and improves the overall performance of the toilet.

[0092] With the configuration of the flushing system 200, due to the water head pressure generated by the second container 204 and the third closed container 206, the first closed container 202 can be installed at substantially the same height as the toilet bowl 130 while generating sufficient water pressure to flush the toilet bowl 130, thereby improving the flushing performance and generating a quiet and stable flush. For example, as shown in the example of FIGS. 9A to 9B, the top surface 202a of the first closed container 202 has substantially the same height as the top surface of the toilet bowl 130. Therefore, the toilet system in which the flushing system 200 is installed can have a low profile or a tankless toilet system.

[0093] 9A and 9B show an example of a toilet system 300 incorporating the flushing system 100 or the flushing system 200. As shown in the examples of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the toilet system 300 incorporating the flushing system 100 or the flushing system 200 has a low profile or is a tankless toilet system, and the top surfaces of the first closed container 102 or the first closed container 202 and the second container 104 or the second container 204 have substantially the same height as the top surface of the toilet bowl 130.

[0094] In the present invention, the first closed container 102 or the first closed container 202 and the second container 104 or the second container 204, the third closed container 106 or the third closed container 206 and one or more conduits 108, 208, 123, 217, 223 and / or conduit 226 can be made of suitable materials, such as PVC, ceramic, porcelain and / or metal.

[0095] In the present invention, conduits such as 223, 221 / 123 are configured to have sufficient size to allow water to flow and be transported between containers without obstruction. In some examples, the diameter of conduits 223, 221 / 123 may exceed 25 mm, but less than 100 mm. The diameter of conduits such as conduits 108 and 208 may be much smaller, such as 30 mm or less, because these conduits are used to transport air between containers.

[0096] Certain adjustments and modifications may be made to the described embodiments. Therefore, the above embodiments are considered to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0097] 100: Flushing system 102: First closed container 102a: Top surface 102b: bottom surface 104: Second container 104a: bottom surface 104b: Top surface 104c: Top surface water level 106: Third closed container 106a: bottom surface 106b: Top surface 106c: Top surface water level 108: Catheter 110: Toilet bowl 114:Flush valve 115: Filling valve 116: Catheter 123: Catheter 126: handle, button 128: Catheter 129: Refill tube 130: Toilet bowl 131:Edge channel 132: Sewage channel 134: Separator 200: Flushing system 202: First closed container 202a: top surface 202b: bottom surface 204: Second container 204a: bottom surface 204b: Top surface 204c: Top surface water level 206: Third closed container 206a: top surface 206b: bottom surface 206c: Top surface water level 208: Catheter 214: Air / Flush Valve 214a: Exhaust port 215: Filling valve 217: Catheter 219: Public Entrance 221: Catheter 222: Catheter 223: Catheter 225: Check valve 226: Catheter 240: Vacuum container 242: Catheter 300: Toilet system H: height, head pressure H2: Height h: height ht: height P1: Pressure of compressed gas or air P2: Head pressure

Claims

1. A rinsing system for rinsing an object, the rinsing system comprising: a first closed container for storing liquid to rinse the object; a second container for filling the liquid from a source; and a third closed container, the third closed container being at least partially located below each of the first closed container and the second container, the third closed container being configured to contain liquid and gas and being in fluid communication with each of the first closed container and the second container, and the first closed container and the second container being configured to be in fluid communication via the third closed container, wherein... The gas in the third sealed container is configured to apply head pressure to the liquid in the first sealed container via one or more conduits to flush the object.

2. The flushing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the object is a toilet bowl.

3. The flushing system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second container is at least partially open to the atmosphere.

4. The flushing system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the flushing system is configured to maintain a water column pressure of up to or greater than 5 inches between the first top surface water level at the second container and the second top surface water level at the third closed container at the end of flushing.

5. The flushing system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the bottom surface of the first closed container or the second container is higher than the top surface of the third closed container.

6. The flushing system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the first enclosed container is placed at a level substantially the same as the top edge of the toilet bowl.

7. The flushing system as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the water head pressure is generated by the atmosphere and the liquid in the second container.

8. The flushing system as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the gas in the third closed container applies the water head pressure to the liquid in the first closed container via the one or more conduits.

9. The flushing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second container is in fluid communication with the third closed container via the one or more conduits.

10. The flushing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first closed container includes a flushing valve.

11. The flushing system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the water head pressure is generated by compressed gas injected into the third closed container and the liquid in the second container.

12. The flushing system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first closed container is in fluid communication with the third closed container via the one or more conduits, the one or more conduits including a check valve configured to selectively open or close the fluid communication.

13. The flushing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the third closed container is configured to inject compressed gas into the first closed container via the one or more conduits.

14. The flushing system as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the flushing system further comprises a gas valve located on the one or more conduits for selectively opening and closing the gas injection from the third closed container to the first closed container.

15. The flushing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid is water and the gas is air.

16. The flushing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the top surface of the second container and the top surface of the first closed container are located approximately 15 to 18 inches above the top surface of the third closed container.

17. The flushing system as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the flushing system is in standby mode, flushing mode or filling mode.

18. A toilet system comprising: a toilet bowl; a first closed container in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, the first closed container being configured to store liquid for flushing the toilet bowl; a second container configured to receive liquid from a source; and a third closed container at least partially located below each of the first closed container and the second container, the third closed container being configured to contain liquid and gas and in fluid communication with each of the first closed container and the second container, and the first closed container and the second container being configured to be in fluid communication via the third closed container, characterized in that the gas in the third closed container is configured to apply head pressure to the liquid in the first closed container via one or more conduits to flush the toilet bowl.

19. The toilet system of claim 18, characterized in that the first enclosed container is placed at a level substantially the same as the top edge of the toilet bowl.

20. A method for flushing a toilet bowl, the method comprising: storing liquid for flushing the toilet bowl in a first closed container in fluid communication with the toilet bowl; receiving liquid from a source in a second container; and applying a head pressure acting on a gas stored in a third closed container to the liquid in the first closed container via one or more conduits to flush the toilet bowl, wherein, The third closed container is configured to contain liquid and gas and is in fluid communication with each of the first closed container and the second container, which are configured to be in fluid communication via the third closed container.

21. The toilet system as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the volume of the first enclosed container is substantially close to or equal to the flushing volume of the toilet bowl.

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