Sanitary device comprising a seat ring and a system for disinfecting the seat ring

Abstract

The invention relates to a sanitary device (1) comprising a bowl (2) having: a tubular inner surface (S); an upper passage (21) for allowing waste to enter an inner region of the bowl (2); a lower passage (22) for discharging the waste, wherein the sanitary device (1) comprises an annular seat ring (10) above the bowl (2) in order to define a seating surface. The sanitary device comprises a system (40) for disinfecting the seat ring (10), the system comprising a first wiper (41) for wiping the seating surface, a nozzle (42) for spraying the upper surface of the seat ring (10) with washing liquid and an ultraviolet radiation generator (43) for illuminating the upper surface of the seat ring (10); and a means (50) for moving the seating surface of the seat ring (10) relative to the disinfection system (40).

Description

[0001] SANITARY DEVICE COMPRISING A GLASS AND A GLASS DISINFECTION DEVICE.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of sanitary devices comprising a bowl for receiving excrement and a seat defining a seating surface.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] From the prior art, a sanitary device is known comprising a bowl having:

[0005] - a tubular internal surface;

[0006] - an upper passage opening onto the tubular internal surface to admit excrement to an internal zone of the bowl; and

[0007] - a lower passage for the evacuation of excrement from the internal area of ​​the bowl, the sanitary device comprising an annular seat arranged above the bowl to define a seating surface on an upper face of the seat which is above the bowl.

[0008] Such a sanitary device presents a problem of cleaning the seat between two uses.

[0009] It has been proposed to cover the upper face of the bezel with a disposable paper ring film after each use.

[0010] This solution is not optimal because it is expensive and generates single-use material waste.

[0011] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of the invention is to provide a sanitary device making it possible to resolve all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, the invention essentially relates to a sanitary device comprising a bowl having:

[0014] - a tubular internal surface;

[0015] - an upper passage opening onto the tubular internal surface to admit excrement towards an internal zone of the bowl;

[0016] - a lower passage for the evacuation of excrement from the internal area of ​​the bowl, the sanitary device comprising an annular seat arranged above the bowl to define a seating surface on an upper face of the seat.

[0017] The sanitary device according to the invention is essentially characterized in that it comprises:

[0018] - a device for disinfecting the bezel, the disinfection device comprising a first scraper of the annular bezel seating surface, at least one nozzle arranged to spray a portion of the upper face of the bezel with washing liquid and at least one ultraviolet radiation generator oriented to illuminate, with ultraviolet radiation, at least a portion of the upper face of the bezel; and

[0019] - a movement means arranged to generate a relative movement between the seat surface of the seat and the disinfection apparatus such that areas to be cleaned of the seat surface are sprayed with washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle, scraped by said first scraper and then illuminated by ultraviolet radiation generated by said generator.

[0020] The disinfection equipment allows:

[0021] - with the washing liquid delivered at least by the nozzle, to spray dirt present on the upper face of the window;

[0022] - scrape the upper surface of the window with the first scraper to remove dirt and washing liquid; then

[0023] - to disinfect the upper face of the bezel by projecting ultraviolet rays. The relative movement between the bezel and the disinfection apparatus under the effect of the displacement means makes it possible to orient the bezel with respect to the apparatus in order to thus disinfect the entire upper face of the bezel.

[0024] The invention, by providing a means by cleaning function, thus provides an effective solution for easily cleaning / drying / disinfecting the upper face of the annular bezel between two uses.

[0025] The invention, thanks to the combination of scraping, watering, drying and ultraviolet treatment of a previously dried surface, provides a reliable solution for removing a wide variety of dirt deposited on the window and for disinfecting it.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sanitary device comprises:

[0027] - at least one upper water inlet opening onto the tubular internal surface of the bowl; and

[0028] - a main scraper movable relative to the bowl, this main scraper extending against the tubular internal surface of the bowl to scrape it by moving the main scraper relative to the bowl.

[0029] Said at least one upper water inlet allows the scraped dirt to be moved towards the lower passage while washing the main scraper which extends at least partly below the level of said at least one upper water inlet.

[0030] The amount of water needed to clean the bowl can thus be limited thanks to the main scraper which contributes to cleaning.

[0031] Preferably, the main scraper comprises a wire stretched between first and second wire attachment zones, a first portion of the wire extending between said first and second wire attachment zones is in contact against the tubular internal surface so that the first portion of the stretched wire scrapes an exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface during movement of the main scraper relative to the bowl.

[0032] Preferably, the portion of stretched wire in contact against the tubular internal surface extends from the first and second attachment zones and is in continuous contact against the tubular internal surface which is exclusively convex over an entire zone extending from a level of the first attachment zone to a level of the second attachment zone.

[0033] Using a taut wire to scrape the exclusively convex part of the inner surface of the bowl is advantageous because under the effect of its tension, the wire necessarily comes into contact and presses against the exclusively convex part of the tubular inner surface. The wire also tends to roll on itself, which is favorable for its cleaning.

[0034] Preferably, the bowl comprises a first lower water inlet opening onto the tubular internal surface of the bowl, said at least one upper water inlet being placed between a high plane in which the upper passage extends and a low plane in which the lower passage and the first lower water inlet are located.

[0035] Thus, said at least one upper water inlet can be used to wash the internal surface of the bowl and the main scraper while the lower water inlet can be used to evacuate the excrement from the internal area of ​​the bowl towards the lower passage.

[0036] It is thus possible to specialize the water flow from the upper inlet for cleaning only and the water flow from the lower inlet for the evacuation of excrement / effluents towards the lower passage. This makes it possible to improve the washing of the bowl and the evacuation of effluents while consuming less water.

[0037] The excrement is also evacuated more efficiently since the lower water inlet can be located opposite the underpass where the effluent is evacuated.

[0038] As will be seen later, water can be introduced into the internal area via different upper and / or lower water inlets depending on whether the bowl is to be washed and / or the excrement removed.

[0039] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: [Fig. 1a] Figure 1a is a perspective view of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its seat in the raised position;

[0041] [Fig. 1b] Figure 1b is a perspective view of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its seat in the lowered position;

[0042] [Fig. 1c] Figure 1c is a top view of the sanitary device 1 illustrated in Figure 1a where we see the main scraper RO and its wire stretched against the internal tubular surface of the bowl which is convex when observed in vertical section;

[0043] [Fig. 1d] Figure 1d is a top view of the sanitary device illustrated in Figure 1b with its bezel disinfection device covering a radial edge of the bezel 10 to disinfect it;

[0044] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a view in a vertical sectional plane of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention, where we see upper water inlets 23, 23b and the lower passage 22 for evacuating the effluents from the internal zone of the bowl via a siphon downstream of the lower passage 22;

[0045] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of one half of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention cut along a vertical section plane to illustrate details of the attachment of the stretched wire of the scraper to the pivoting seat 10 and to the rotating lower part 4 which is at the bottom of the internal zone of the bowl to pivot freely in the bowl around a substantially vertical axis ZZ;

[0046] [Fig. 4a] Figure 4a is a perspective view from the front of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its covers 70, 71 made transparent to illustrate the drive of the orientation ring 3 and the supply of the upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c;

[0047] [Fig. 4b] Figure 4b is a perspective view of the left side of a part of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its covers 70, 71 made transparent to illustrate the drive of the orientation ring 3 and the supply of the upper water inlet 23, the seat being in the raised position;

[0048] [Fig. 5a] Figure 5a is a section along a vertical plane of a part of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention to illustrate the seat in the raised position and the disinfection apparatus 40 moved away from the seat to free access to the seat 10;

[0049] [Fig. 5b] Figure 5b illustrates the device according to the invention in the same sectional plane as in Figure 5a, while the seat is in the lowered position with the disinfection apparatus 40 placed on a radial edge of the seat 10 to disinfect it;

[0050] [Fig. 6a] Figure 6a is a top view of the device illustrated in Figure 5a with the cover of the disinfection apparatus 40 made transparent to illustrate the first and second scrapers 41, 41b, the nozzle 42 and the ultraviolet radiation generator 43 making it possible to clean and disinfect the upper surface of the bezel 10 which moves relative to the apparatus 40;

[0051] [Fig. 6b] Figure 6b is an enlarged view of the portion of the sanitary device 1 illustrated in Figure 6a;

[0052] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the disinfection apparatus 40 showing the flow of washing liquid projected by the nozzle 42 onto the upper face of the seat 10 and showing an indentation of a portion of the upper edge at the rear of the bowl 2 to form a channel 2x for guiding washing liquid flowing over the seat to the internal area of ​​the bowl 2;

[0053] [Fig. 8a] Figure 8a is a schematic view of the disinfection apparatus 40 observed along a radial direction of the annular bezel 10;

[0054] [Fig. 8b] Figure 8b is a schematic view of the disinfection apparatus 40 illustrated in Figure 8a, this apparatus 40 being observed here in a direction perpendicular to a radial plane of the annular bezel 10;

[0055] [Fig. 9a] Figure 9a is a sectional view in a vertical plane of the sanitary device 1 while water is admitted into the internal zone of the bowl via the upper inlets 23, 23b, 23c to generate a single vortex on the tubular internal surface of the bowl (the exclusively convex shape of the profile of this tubular part observed in vertical section associated with the narrowing of the cross-section of the tubular part going towards the bottom of the bowl contributes to the quality of the cleaning);

[0056] [Fig. 9b] Figure 9b is a top view of the toilet bowl of Figure 9a (without its seat);

[0057] [Fig. 9c] Figure 9c is a view of the sanitary device 1 in section in a vertical plane while the water intake via the upper inlets 23 is interrupted (the internal tubular surface of the bowl is cleaned) and pressurized water is admitted via the lower inlet 24 to evacuate effluents towards the lower passage 22;

[0058] [Fig. 10] Figure 10 is a side view of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention (without its side cover 70), the valve apparatus 25 being illustrated here with its hydraulic ports;

[0059] [Fig. 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a lower part of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention with its side cover 70 made transparent to view the hydraulic pipes connecting the valve device 25 to the different water inlets 23, 24 of the bowl;

[0060] [Fig. 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view from above of the sanitary device according to the invention showing the removable appearance of its side cover 70 and its upper cover 71.

[0061] [Fig. 13] Figure 13 illustrates a front view of a portion of the sanitary device of the invention while its seat 6 is in the raised position, this seat 6 carrying the first and second scrapers 41, 41b and several nozzles 42 for delivering a washing liquid and a generator 43 of ultraviolet radiation (in this raised position the upper surface of the seat 10 is completely accessible);

[0062] [Fig. 14] Figure 14 illustrates a top view of a portion of the sanitary device of Figure 13 while its seat 6 is in the lowered position, the first and second scrapers 41, 41b bearing against the upper surface of the seat 10 to scrape it by rotating the seat with respect to the bowl 2, the scrapers 41, 41b and the nozzles 42 are here inclined to direct the scraped dirt and liquid towards the internal zone of the bowl 2;

[0063] [Fig. 15] Figure 15 illustrates a partial sectional view of a part of the sanitary device of Figures 13 and 14, so as to show a particular angle of inclination A4 of the scrapers 41, 41b with respect to the horizontal plane Px in which the circumference of the circular bezel 10 extends.

[0064] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] With reference to figures 1a to 12, the invention essentially relates to a sanitary device 1 of the toilet type.

[0066] This device 1 comprises a bowl 2 having: - a tubular internal surface S; - an upper passage 21 opening towards the tubular internal surface S to admit excrement towards an internal zone of the bowl 2;

[0067] - a lower passage 22 for the evacuation of excrement from the internal area of ​​the bowl 2.

[0068] The lower passage 22 opens into a siphon intended to connect the lower passage 22 to an effluent evacuation network which is external to the sanitary device. This external evacuation network will therefore not be described.

[0069] The purpose of the siphon is to maintain a minimum water level in the bowl to prevent air from passing freely between the external network and the internal area of ​​the bowl via the lower passage 22.

[0070] Sanitary device 1 also includes:

[0071] - an annular bezel 10 arranged above the bowl 2 to define a seating surface on an upper face of the bezel 10 (the seating surface allows a user of the sanitary device to sit above the bowl); and

[0072] - a disinfection device 40 for the bezel 10.

[0073] As seen in particular in Figures 4a to 9a, the disinfection apparatus 40 comprises:

[0074] - a first scraper 41 of the annular bezel seating surface 10;

[0075] - at least one nozzle 42 arranged to spray a portion of the upper face of the seat 10 with washing liquid; and

[0076] - at least one ultraviolet radiation generator 43 oriented to illuminate, with ultraviolet radiation, at least a portion of the upper face of the bezel 10 to disinfect it.

[0077] Preferably, this at least one ultraviolet radiation generator 43 generates at least UV-C, that is to say UV radiation with a wavelength between 100-280 nm which is particularly suitable for carrying out disinfection, in particular of E. Coli germs.

[0078] The radiation generator is preferably equipped with several LEDs distributed to diffuse the radiation over a portion of the surface of the seat, each of these LEDs generating at least part of said ultraviolet radiation.

[0079] Preferably, the LEDs are arranged in several LED alignments.

[0080] Preferably, the movement means and the radiation generator are arranged so that when the telescope is moved relative to the radiation generator, a point of the seating surface entering an area illuminated by the ultraviolet radiation generator 43 is moved into the illuminated area so as to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation in this illuminated area for an exposure time greater than 0.3 seconds, preferably less than 1 second, preferably between 0.4 and 0.9 seconds, preferably between 0.49 and 0.84 seconds.

[0081] Preferably each LED has a specific power greater than 100 mW, preferably at least 200 mW.

[0082] The sanitary device also comprises a movement means 50 arranged to generate a relative movement between the seating surface of the seat 10 and the disinfection apparatus 40.

[0083] This relative movement of the seating surface with respect to the disinfection apparatus 40 is such that areas to be cleaned of the seating surface are:

[0084] - watered with washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle 42;

[0085] - scraped by said first scraper 41; then

[0086] - illuminated by ultraviolet radiation generated by said generator 43. Thanks to the disinfection apparatus 40, the dirt 100 present on the upper face of the seat 10 is sprayed with the washing liquid delivered at least by the nozzle 42, scraped at least with the first scraper 41 which makes it possible to evacuate the dirt and the washing liquid present on the seat 10.

[0087] Finally, the upper surface of the washed bezel is disinfected by projection of ultraviolet rays.

[0088] Since the moving means 50 moves the seating surface relative to the disinfection apparatus 40, the entire seating surface of the toilet seat 10 can be washed and disinfected efficiently and economically.

[0089] More particularly, the bezel 10 is circular and the displacement means 50 comprises an orientation ring 3 of the bezel 10 on which said bezel 10 is fixed.

[0090] The displacement means 50 comprises a motorization 5 and the orientation ring 3 of the telescope is mounted movably on the bowl 2 (for example via pads and / or rollers and / or slides) to be, under the effect of the motorization of the displacement means 50, oriented in rotation relative to the bowl 2 while maintaining the orientation ring 3 parallel to an upper plane of the bowl 2.

[0091] The bezel orientation ring 3 is here driven by the motorization 5 of the displacement means 50 arranged to generate the relative displacement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus 40.

[0092] The motorization M of the means of movement 50 comprises a toothed pinion driven by a motor.

[0093] The toothed pinion is meshed against complementary teeth formed on the slewing ring 3 so as to orient it relative to the bowl during rotation of the motor 5. The motorization M of the displacement means 50 may comprise a motor:

[0094] - of hydraulic type supplied by said valve apparatus 25 by pressurized water coming from a pressurized water supply network Rx external to the device 1; or

[0095] - of the electrical type selectively powered by an electric current delivered by a power supply module belonging to the control unit of the sanitary device 1.

[0096] The disinfection apparatus 40 is here carried by an arm movable relative to the bezel 10 between:

[0097] - a position for disinfecting the bezel (illustrated lb, Id, 3, 5b to 7 and 9a) in which at least a portion of the upper face of the bezel is covered by the disinfection apparatus 40 to be disinfected; and

[0098] - a position of use of the bezel (illustrated in figure 1a, 1c, 4a to 5a) in which the disinfection apparatus 40 is moved away from said upper portion of the bezel to completely free said upper face of the bezel.

[0099] An arm actuator 7 (particularly visible in Figures 5a, 5b and 9a) is mechanically connected to said movable arm to move it between the positions for disinfecting the seat and for using the seat.

[0100] The movable arm is here mounted to rotate relative to the bowl around a pivot of axis X which is substantially horizontal.

[0101] In the present case, as the arm and the flap are fixedly connected to each other, under the effect of the arm actuator 7 which also serves as a flap actuator, the arm and the flap move together relative to the bowl around this X-axis pivot. In the present case, the movable arm and the flap are fixedly connected to each other (the flap being able in certain cases to constitute the movable arm), the actuator 7 of the flap and the arm actuator are here a single actuator 7, in this case a linear piston cylinder 7.

[0102] This linear actuator 7 can be:

[0103] - of hydraulic type supplied by said valve apparatus with pressurized water coming from a pressurized water supply network Rx external to the sanitary device according to the invention; or

[0104] - of the electrical type selectively powered by an electric current delivered by an electrical power supply module belonging to the control unit of the sanitary device according to the invention.

[0105] As understood in particular from figures 6a, 6b and 7, the disinfection apparatus 40 comprises a second scraper 41b of the annular bezel seating surface.

[0106] In certain particular embodiments, such as those shown in figures 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, said at least one nozzle 42 is oriented so that said sprayed portion of the upper face of the bezel 10 extends at least partly between said first and second scrapers 41, 41b of the seating surface.

[0107] In these particular embodiments, with two scrapers in contact with the bezel 10, the first scraper 41 has the main function of drying the surface watered by the nozzle 42 before its illumination by the ultraviolet radiation generator.

[0108] The quality of ultraviolet disinfection is increased by first drying the irradiated surface.

[0109] The second scraper 41b has the function of scraping dirt carried by the upper face of the bezel upstream of the first scraper 41, relative to the direction of movement SI of the upper surface of the bezel relative to the disinfection apparatus 40.

[0110] In this particular mode, the nozzle 42 has the function of spraying at least a portion of the upper face of the bezel 10 located between the first and second scrapers 41, 41b to remove the dirt 100 scraped by the second scraper 41b before drying the portion sprayed by the first scraper 41, then disinfection by ultraviolet radiation.

[0111] In another particular embodiment illustrated in figures 13, 14 and 15, the second scraper 41b comprises first and second opposite sides 41bl, 41b2 formed on either side of the second scraper 41b, the first side 41bl of the second scraper 41b being opposite the first scraper

[0112] 41 and said at least one nozzle 42 being oriented to spray the second side 41b2 of the second scraper 41b with said washing liquid.

[0113] In this embodiment of figures 13 to 15, only the second side 41b2 of the second scraper 41b is sprayed with the washing liquid distributed via said at least one nozzle 42.

[0114] The second scraper 41b thus forms an obstacle preventing the washing liquid sprayed via the nozzle

[0115] 42 does not arrive directly on the first scraper 41.

[0116] The second scraper 41b is thus watered while it scrapes the upper face of the bezel 10, while the first scraper 41 is located in an area masked by the second scraper 41b, that is to say a relatively dry area compared to the watered area.

[0117] As the bezel 10 is moved (rotated) so that the part scraped by the second scraper 41b moves towards the first scraper 41, the second scraper 41b is thus cleaned with the washing liquid sprayed by the nozzle 42. This facilitates the wetting and detachment of dirt present on the second scraper 41b or on the upper face of the bezel 10, on the second side 41b2 of the second scraper 41b.

[0118] With this embodiment, when moving the bezel 10 with respect to the bowl 2, we obtain:

[0119] - scraping of the upper surface of the seat by the second scraper 41b, in the presence of washing liquid sprayed by the nozzles 42; followed

[0120] - draining of the seating surface between the first and second scrapers 41, 41b; followed

[0121] - a second scraping by the first scraper 41 to dry the seating surface by removing any residual pollutants; followed

[0122] - disinfection of the surface thus scraped by ultraviolet radiation emitted by the generator 43.

[0123] The disinfection quality of the 10 bezel is thus greatly improved.

[0124] In this embodiment of figures 13 to 15, the first scraper 41 extends in length along a longitudinal axis 41x of the first scraper 41, the bezel 10 having a circular shape extending in a main plane Px of bezel 10 and said longitudinal axis of the first scraper 41x being intersecting with a first radial plane Prl of the circular bezel when the first scraper 41 is resting on said bezel 10 (see in particular figure 14).

[0125] The first radial plane Prl of the circular telescope is perpendicular to said principal plane Px of the telescope.

[0126] The longitudinal axis 41x of the first scraper 41 forms, when the first scraper 41 is resting against the bezel and is observed in an observation direction perpendicular to the main plane Px of the bezel, an angle A3 extending between said longitudinal axis of the first scraper 41x and the first radial plane Prl of the circular bezel which is between 5° and 45°, preferably between 10° and 30°.

[0127] With such an inclination angle A3 of the longitudinal axis 41x of the first scraper 41, when moving the bezel 10, the dirt tends to move, under the effect of scraping, towards the center of the bezel, which facilitates its cleaning.

[0128] Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 15, the first scraper 41, in contact against the bezel, has an upstream longitudinal side which is flat and inclined towards the second scraper 41b, at an angle A4 of between 30° and 80° relative to the plane Px in which the bezel extends (the plane Px is a horizontal plane).

[0129] Preferably, in the embodiment where the second scraper 41b is not of the stretched wire type but of the scraper joint type, the second scraper 41b has an upstream longitudinal side which is flat and parallel to said flat upstream longitudinal side of the first scraper 41.

[0130] Preferably, according to any one of the embodiments having two scrapers, the first and second scrapers 41, 41b are preferably substantially parallel to each other (the longitudinal axes of these scrapers 41, 41b are preferably intersecting at a center of the annular bezel). Ideally, these scrapers 41, 41b can be identical to each other so that a replacement scraper can be used as the first or second scraper.

[0131] It should be noted that the washing liquid L1 delivered by said at least one nozzle 42 may be water but it could also be a solution of water and a bactericidal disinfectant product.

[0132] In the latter case, the sanitary device 1 may comprise a reservoir of bactericidal disinfectant product and a mixing chamber having: - a water intake inlet connected, possibly via the valve apparatus 25, to the Rx network for supplying water under external pressure;

[0133] - a disinfectant product inlet connected to the disinfectant product tank; and

[0134] - an outlet connected, possibly via the valve apparatus 25, to said at least one nozzle 42 to deliver said washing liquid to it (i.e. a mixture of water and disinfectant product).

[0135] It should be noted that the sanitary device according to the invention could also comprise a second nozzle for delivering a rinsing product onto a part of said upper face of the seat 10 located between the part sprayed by said at least one nozzle 42 (here called the first nozzle) and the first scraper 41.

[0136] Such a second nozzle could be connected to a valve apparatus 25 which will be presented below to be selectively supplied with water coming from a pressurized water supply network Rx external to the sanitary device.

[0137] This second nozzle would allow the washing liquid present on the seat to be rinsed with water.

[0138] In the embodiments where several nozzles 42 are supplied with washing liquid, it is preferentially ensured that each of these nozzles is connected to the same washing liquid distribution ramp 42x (see for example figure 14).

[0139] For this purpose, each given nozzle 42 can be hydraulically connected to the boom 42x via a transverse pipe of its own.

[0140] The ramp 42x and the nozzles 42 supplied with liquid via this ramp 42x are carried by the flap 6, which makes it easier to integrate the nozzles, and the ramp to position them precisely with respect to the seat (when the flap 6 is in the lowered position with the scrapers resting against the upper surface of the seat 10).

[0141] Preferably, one end of the ramp 42x is connected to a rotating connection Rxl with a rotation axis coaxial with the axis X of the pivot of the flap 6 (as illustrated in figures 5a, 13 and 14, this pivot with axis X is substantially horizontal).

[0142] In the case illustrated in Figures 6a, 6b, the second scraper 41b comprises a stretched wire extending between an external annular edge of the upper face of the bezel 10 and an internal annular edge of the upper face of the bezel 10 while being in contact against said upper face of the bezel 10.

[0143] This taut wire 41b of the disinfection apparatus 40 has the advantage of being able to roll over the bezel 10 to limit the risk of it becoming clogged.

[0144] This wire is self-cleaned over its entire periphery by the washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle 42. For this purpose, said at least one nozzle is oriented to spray the taut wire of the second scraper 41b.

[0145] Another advantage of the tensioned wire 41b is that it adapts to irregularities in the shape of the bezel profile 10 and can be compatible with different transverse profiles / bezel shapes (which is more difficult to achieve with scrapers having a predefined shape in length).

[0146] As can be understood from Figure 7 which shows a sectional view of the disinfection apparatus 40 in a plane where the stretched wire 41b extends longitudinally, the nozzle 42 is oriented to deliver the flow of washing liquid going partly towards the stretched wire 41b so that the dirt detached by this wire 41b is conducted towards the inside of the bowl.

[0147] The profile of the upper face of the bezel 10 observed in cross section is exclusively convex, which allows for continuous contact of the wire against this upper face of the bezel.

[0148] As illustrated in Figures 5a, 6b, 7, 9a, 9b, the bowl 2 also comprises an upper channel 2x inclined towards the internal zone of the bowl 2, this channel 2x extending below the disinfection apparatus 40 and below a portion of the annular seat 10 so as to collect washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle 42 and flowing under the seat.

[0149] The 2x channel extends beyond the outer annular edge of the annular bezel to collect any splashes or drops and guide them to the inner area of ​​the bowl.

[0150] The flow of washing liquid flowing over the seat is here separated into at least one liquid layer NI going towards the internal edge of the seat 10 and at least one liquid layer N2 going towards the external edge of the seat.

[0151] It should be noted that the upper face of the bezel is essentially inclined towards the annular internal edge of the bezel 10 to promote flow towards the inside of the bowl 2.

[0152] As seen in particular in Figures 3, 5a to 7, the disinfection apparatus 40 also comprises an upper cover 44 arranged to extend over an entire radial section S20 of the annular bezel 10 when the disinfection apparatus 40 is used to disinfect the annular bezel.

[0153] This cover 44 limits the area of ​​washing liquid projections and ultraviolet emission around the radial section of the bezel being disinfected.

[0154] This improves disinfection while limiting the risk of emission of projections and ultraviolet rays into the environment of the device 1. The cover 44 may have lateral seals between which are located all the areas of the bezel that the apparatus 40 waters and illuminates.

[0155] A control module belonging to the control unit of the disinfection apparatus 40 is preferentially arranged to selectively adopt a power supply state of the disinfection apparatus and a power supply stop state of the disinfection apparatus.

[0156] In the power supply state, the control module authorizes the supply of washing liquid to said at least one nozzle 42, authorizes the relative movement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus 40 and electrically powers the ultraviolet radiation generator 43 to generate said ultraviolet radiation.

[0157] In the power off state, the control module prohibits the supply of washing liquid to said at least one nozzle 42, prohibits said relative movement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus 40 and prohibits the electrical supply of the ultraviolet radiation generator 43.

[0158] The sanitary device here comprises a main scraper R0, movable relative to the bowl 2, and which extends against the tubular internal surface S of the bowl to scrape it by moving the main scraper R0 relative to the bowl.

[0159] The sanitary device 1 may also comprise at least one upper water inlet 23 opening towards the tubular internal surface S of the bowl to admit water towards the internal zone of the bowl 2.

[0160] The upper water inlet is here formed through a wall of the bowl, but it is also possible for the upper water inlet(s) to be carried by one or more distribution ramps located above the upper edge of the bowl, for example:

[0161] - between the seat and the bowl; and / or

[0162] - directly fixed to the seat.

[0163] The shape of the tubular internal surface S is flared going from a bottom of the bowl towards the upper passage 21.

[0164] The main scraper RO is mounted to move relative to the bowl 2 to scrape dirt from the tubular internal surface S.

[0165] Said at least one upper water inlet 23 makes it possible to move the scraped dirt towards the lower passage 22 while washing the main scraper RO which extends at least partly below the level of said at least one upper water inlet 23.

[0166] The excrement is evacuated, via the lower passage 22, out of the internal area of ​​the bowl using a flow of water injected towards the internal area of ​​the bowl.

[0167] As will be seen later, water can be introduced into the internal zone via different upper 23 and / or lower 24 water inlets depending on whether the bowl is to be washed or simply the effluent / waste is to be evacuated.

[0168] As understood in particular from figures 2, 3, 4b and 10 and 11, the main scraper RO comprises a stretched wire FO between first and second attachment zones ROa, ROb of the wire.

[0169] A first portion of the wire FO extends between the first and second attachment zones of the wire ROa, ROb, this first portion being in contact against the tubular internal surface S so that the first portion of the stretched wire FO scrapes an exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface S during the movement of the main scraper RO relative to the bowl 2.

[0170] The use of a FO wire to scrape the exclusively convex part of the internal surface S of the bowl 2 is advantageous because, under the effect of its tension, the FO wire necessarily comes into contact, under pressure, against the exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface.

[0171] Preferably, in all vertical section planes of the tubular internal surface S passing through a principal axis of symmetry of the surface S, with the exception of zones of the tubular internal surface S where at least one upper water inlet 23, or at least one lower water inlet 24 or the lower passage 22 open, the tubular internal surface S has an exclusively convex profile.

[0172] This convexity of the internal surface S is oriented towards the internal zone of the bowl 2, the exclusively convex profile extends in height at least up to a high level where said first attachment zone of the wire ROa is located and at least up to a low level where said second attachment zone of the wire ROb is located.

[0173] In other words, outside the areas where the water inlets 23 and the lower passage 22 for the evacuation of excrement open, from the high level where the first attachment zone of the wire ROa is located to the low level where the second attachment zone ROb of the wire is located, the tubular internal surface S is exclusively convex in all vertical section planes of the bowl 2.

[0174] Thus, when the main scraper RO is rotated, the scraper wire FO which is stretched against a portion of the exclusively convex internal surface can scrape / sweep it continuously while remaining in contact over its length of wire FO against this convex internal surface S.

[0175] Preferably, from the first to the second attachment zone ROa, ROb, the wire is in continuous contact against the part of the tubular internal surface which is exclusively convex. The use of the wire FO is advantageous since in the event of resistance to the movement of the wire FO against the internal surface S, the wire tends to deform elastically to catch any dirt forming an obstacle.

[0176] In addition, the wire tends to roll on itself when it scrapes the internal tubular surface, thus limiting the risk of it becoming clogged.

[0177] Ideally, the FO wire has a diameter between 0.2 mm and 3 mm and is made of at least one material included in the group of materials comprising one or more polymers, one or more metal alloys.

[0178] Ideally, the tension applied to the wire is greater than 100 Newtons, preferably between 150 and 400 Newtons.

[0179] While deforming elastically, the wire tends to roll against the internal surface of the bowl, which is favorable on the one hand to the detachment of dirt and on the other hand to the evacuation of dirt along the wire.

[0180] The main scraper R0 is pivotally mounted relative to the bowl 2 around a pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper.

[0181] The tubular internal surface observed in a section plane in which said pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper R0 extends has exclusively convex profiles respectively arranged on either side of the pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper R0.

[0182] More particularly, the tubular internal surface S is essentially (mostly) a surface of revolution with a main axis parallel to said pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper.

[0183] Preferably, said main axis is preferably merged with the pivot axis ZZ around which the main scraper R0 pivots. Thus, even if it is possible for the pivot axis Z—Z of the main scraper and the main axis around which the internal tubular surface S of revolution of the bowl is defined, to be slightly spaced from each other (for example to accept dimensional tolerances during the manufacture of the device 1), it is preferable for the main axis and the pivot axis ZZ to be merged.

[0184] In fact, in the case where these axes are parallel and not coincident, the tension of the wire of the main scraper necessarily varies during the rotation of the RO scraper and the wire undergoes an elongation which causes the quality of the scraping to vary depending on the orientation of the main scraper in relation to the bowl.

[0185] To homogenize this scraping of the internal surface S, it is preferable that the tension of the wire remains substantially constant during the pivoting of the main scraper RO.

[0186] Preferably, said first attachment zone ROa of the wire FO is mechanically connected to an orientation ring 3 pivotally mounted relative to the bowl 2 around said pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper RO.

[0187] The second attachment zone ROb of the FO wire is carried by a lower rotating part 4 relative to the bowl 2 around said pivot axis ZZ of the main scraper.

[0188] Preferably, said orientation ring 3 carries the annular bezel 10 (the bezel is fixed on the ring 3).

[0189] In the present case, the first attachment zone ROa and the third attachment zone ROc (which will be presented below) are directly fixed on a lower face of the annular bezel 10. As illustrated in particular in figures 3, 4a and 9b, 9c and 10, the wire FO is also stretched between third and fourth attachment zones of the wire ROa, ROb.

[0190] More particularly, a second portion of the wire FO which extends between said third and fourth attachment zones ROc, ROd is in continuous contact against the tubular internal surface S so that the second portion of the stretched wire scrapes an exclusively convex part of the tubular internal surface 2 during the movement of the main scraper RO relative to the bowl.

[0191] The first and second portions of the tensioned wire FO are in contact against opposite sides of said tubular internal surface S of the bowl.

[0192] The contact of the wire stretched on either side of the surface of the bowl makes it possible to simultaneously scrape the opposite faces of the tubular internal surface S, thus doubling the cleaned surface for a given movement of the main scraper RO.

[0193] Furthermore, this makes it possible to symmetrize the forces applied to the main scraper, which is favorable to an improvement in the longevity of the main scraper.

[0194] It is also possible to make the first and second portions of tensioned wire belong not to a single wire, but to two separate tensioned wires. This two-wire solution is, however, less interesting than the single-wire solution because it remains less efficient in terms of symmetrical distribution of forces on either side of the scraper.

[0195] As can be seen in Figures 3, 4a, 4b and 9b, the third wire attachment zone ROc is mechanically connected to said orientation ring 3 and the fourth wire attachment zone ROd is carried by the rotating lower part 4.

[0196] The rotating lower part 4 can be surmounted by a fixed part (relative to the bowl) with a curved upper face against which said wire extends, this wire bearing against the curved upper face of the fixed part in order to be able to scrape it when it is driven by the rotating crown 3.

[0197] In this case, the curved face of the fixed part is oriented towards said upper passage 21 and is delimited by a peripheral circular rim, the curved face of the fixed part thus tending to evacuate the dirt towards its periphery.

[0198] The wire driven in rotation by the slewing ring 3 pivots the rotating lower part 4 which is covered by a fixed part and, as this wire passes over and against the curved upper face of the fixed part, it can simultaneously scrape the internal surface of the bowl and the curved face of the fixed part.

[0199] Alternatively, the rotating lower part 4 could have a curved face delimited by a peripheral circular rim, the curved face being oriented towards said upper passage 21.

[0200] In this way, the curved face tends to evacuate the materials suspended in water from the internal bowl area towards the periphery of the rotating lower part 4, that is to say towards the tubular internal surface S.

[0201] In the present case, the lower passage 22 of the bowl opens into a part of the internal zone of the bowl which is located between said rotating lower part 4 and the upper passage 21.

[0202] Preferably, one side of the curved face of the fixed part arranged above the rotating lower part 4 or one side of the curved face of the rotating lower part 4 is located opposite the lower passage 22. The peripheral circular rim of the rotating lower part 4 may optionally comprise an annular seal coming into sliding contact against the tubular internal surface S.

[0203] Thus, the curved face of the part 4 associated with its rotation makes it possible to guide the suspended matter towards the lower passage 22, the annular seal limiting the passage of dirt under the rotating part 4 to avoid fouling of the bottom of the bowl 2.

[0204] Said displacement means 50 also allows the main scraper RO to rotate relative to the bowl 2 around said pivot axis ZZ.

[0205] In the present case, the displacement means 50 makes it possible to create additional tension on the wire F0 of the main scraper stretched between the crown 3 and the rotating lower part 4.

[0206] Increasing the tension on the wire has the effect of:

[0207] - to increase the scraping pressure of the wire against the internal surface S of the bowl; and

[0208] - to force the wire to move relative to the bowl to clean it.

[0209] The movement of the wire also has the effect of causing the rotation of the lower rotating part 4 relative to the bowl.

[0210] The rotating lower part 4 is here mounted freely to rotate relative to the bowl 2 while being immobile in translation along the ZZ axis.

[0211] This pivot connection is here achieved by a fixed vertical axis at the bottom of the bowl on which pivots a bearing associated with part 4.

[0212] Thus, the orientation torque of the crown 3 is transmitted to the lower part 4 by means of the taut wire. Of course, it could be envisaged to motorize the rotating lower part 4 so that the latter also allows the rotational drive of the main scraper relative to the bowl.

[0213] However, since the diameter of the lower part 4 is smaller than that of the crown 3, it is preferred to transmit the torque to the scraper RO via the crown 3.

[0214] Motor 5 is located outside of bowl 2, away from the wet areas of the bowl.

[0215] As seen in the detail of Figure 3, a circular profile 30 having a U-shaped cross-section with an upwardly oriented annular hollow zone extends in a horizontal plane, between a lower face of the bezel 10 and the bowl 2.

[0216] The lower face of the bezel 10 comprises a male annular shape coming inside the annular hollow zone of the profile 30.

[0217] Thus, a chicane is created between the circular profile 30 and the lower face of the annular bezel 10 / circular.

[0218] Such a baffle prevents the passage of water between the seat 10 and the bowl when water is admitted via said at least one upper water inlet 23.

[0219] The profile 30 may have a lower opening to allow water to flow from the annular hollow area of ​​the profile to the internal area of ​​the bowl.

[0220] An at least partially annular seal 31 can also provide an additional at least partially annular seal inside the profile 30.

[0221] This seal 31 extends between the crown 3 and an internal annular edge of the annular profile 30 to prevent the passage of water towards the crown 3.

[0222] This seal 31 is preferably fixed on the profile 30, in the hollow area. The sanitary device 1 also comprises a seat 6 movable relative to the bowl 2 between a lowered position in which the seat 6 obstructs access to said upper passage 21 and a raised position in which said seat 6 frees access to said upper passage 21.

[0223] An actuator 7 of the flap 6 is arranged to move the flap 6 between its lowered and raised positions, depending on a control signal.

[0224] The actuator 7 is here a telescopic linear cylinder, one end of which is mounted for rotation relative to a fixed point with respect to the bowl and another end of which is mounted for rotation on a fixed point with respect to the seat.

[0225] In this way, when the cylinder 7 is extended or retracted, it then moves the flap between the raised and retracted positions.

[0226] In the example shown when the cylinder 7 is retracted it moves the flap to its raised position, and when it is extended it moves the flap to its lowered position.

[0227] Of course, one could do the reverse so that when the cylinder is extended, it moves the flap to its raised position, and when it is retracted, it moves the flap to its lowered position.

[0228] The seat 6 is here mounted to rotate relative to the bowl 2 around a pivot of axis X which is substantially horizontal.

[0229] The toilet seat 6 has a transparent area 60 making it possible to view the cleaning status of the bowl and to know when the bowl is being cleaned. Thus, the user can simply view whether water is being sprayed into the internal area of ​​the bowl, whether the main scraper RO or the annular seat 10 are moving relative to the bowl 2. The use of the sanitary device 1 by the user is authorized only when the main scraper RO and the seat 10 are stationary relative to the bowl 2.

[0230] The control signal for moving the toilet seat can be generated by the control unit of the sanitary device.

[0231] More particularly, to avoid the risks of interaction with a moving part, the control unit is preferably arranged to authorize the operation of the disinfection apparatus (i.e. to authorize the relative movement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus 40, the supply of washing liquid to the scraper 42 and the generation of ultraviolet radiation by said generator 43) when the seat 6 is in the lowered position and to prohibit the operation of the apparatus when the seat 6 is in the raised position.

[0232] We will now present particularities of the bowl. In this case, said at least one upper water inlet 23 here comprises first, second and third upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c which are distributed around the periphery of the tubular internal surface S to bring water to the tubular internal surface. The number of these water inlets is here 3, but there could be more.

[0233] The first, second and third upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c extend in the same water inlet plane towards the bowl 2.

[0234] These first, second and third upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c are here distributed at 120° from each other on the tubular periphery of the internal surface S of the bowl 2. Each upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c is oriented so that the water arriving in the bowl forms on the internal tubular surface S the same water vortex.

[0235] To form the same water vortex in the bowl, each at least one upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c is oriented tangentially relative to the tubular internal surface so that the water brought into the bowl swirls there in a single swirl direction which can be a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when the swirl is observed from above.

[0236] Preferably, the direction of vortex is chosen to be opposite to the direction of rotational movement of the main scraper RO relative to the bowl.

[0237] Preferably, each upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c is inclined relative to the tubular internal surface by the same tangency angle value.

[0238] Preferably, this same tangency angle value is between 5 and 30° angle.

[0239] The angle of tangency for a given upper water inlet is the smallest angle formed between a main axis of water outlet via the given upper water inlet and a theoretical surface extending the tubular internal surface at the location of the given upper water inlet (the theoretical surface is the shape that the tubular internal surface would have if it were not locally hollowed out / crossed by the given upper water inlet. This theoretical surface is tangent with the tubular internal surface over the entire periphery of the given upper water inlet).

[0240] According to another aspect of the invention, the bowl 2 comprises a first lower water inlet 24 opening towards the tubular internal surface S of the bowl 2.

[0241] Said at least one upper water inlet 23 is placed between a high plane in which the upper passage 21 extends and a low plane in which the lower passage 22 and the first lower water inlet 24 are located, these high and low planes being horizontal.

[0242] Thus, said at least one upper water inlet 23 can be used to wash the internal surface of the bowl 2 while the lower water inlet 24 can be used to evacuate the excrement from the internal area of ​​the bowl towards the lower passage 22.

[0243] The principle of supplying these upper and lower arrivals(s) will now be presented.

[0244] For this purpose, the device 1 according to the invention comprises a valve apparatus 25 comprising:

[0245] - a pressurized water inlet port suitable for connection to a pressurized water Rx network external to the sanitary device;

[0246] - at least one first water outlet port connected to each at least one upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c; and

[0247] - at least one second water outlet port connected to said first lower water inlet 24.

[0248] The valve apparatus 25 is arranged to selectively adopt a washing configuration and a discharge configuration.

[0249] In the washing configuration, a pressurized water supply via the valve apparatus 25 is authorized towards said at least one upper water inlet and is prohibited towards said first lower water inlet.

[0250] In the evacuation configuration, a pressurized water supply via said valve apparatus 25 is authorized towards the first lower water inlet.

[0251] In the evacuation configuration, the valve apparatus 25 can either be arranged to prohibit the supply of water to said at least one upper water inlet or alternatively to authorize it according to a predetermined criterion.

[0252] This embodiment allows for example:

[0253] - firstly, to carry out the bowl washing with a reduced flow rate / quantity of water specifically defined / adapted for said at least one upper water inlet; then

[0254] - secondly, to evacuate the effluents containing the excrement by supplying to the lower water inlet a flow rate and a quantity of water specifically determined for the sole purpose of evacuating the effluents via the lower passage.

[0255] These characteristics of the invention make it possible to optimize the quantities and areas of water distribution towards the bowl depending on whether the aim is to wash the internal surface of the bowl or to evacuate effluents from the bowl.

[0256] Overall, due to this feature of the invention, the amount of water required to clean the bowl and flush the effluent can be reduced compared to a conventional flushing mechanism which delivers water only via an upper water inlet to both wash the bowl and flush the effluent.

[0257] Preferably, the control unit of the disinfection apparatus 40 is functionally connected to a human / machine control interface to control according to one or more predefined operating sequences:

[0258] - the movement of the main scraper RO relative to the bowl; and / or

[0259] - the movement of the bezel 10 relative to the bowl; and / or

[0260] - the movement of the seat 6 relative to the bowl; and / or - the movement of the arm carrying the disinfection device 40 relative to the bowl; and / or

[0261] - the water supply of said at least one upper water inlet 23, 23b, 23c opening towards the bowl; and / or

[0262] - the water supply of said lower water inlet 24; and / or

[0263] - the supply of washing liquid (which may be water) to said at least one nozzle 42; and / or

[0264] - the power supply of said ultraviolet generator 43.

[0265] Typically, a predefined operating sequence may include:

[0266] - moving the seat relative to the bowl to the lowered position and / or moving the arm carrying the disinfection equipment to the toilet seat disinfection position; followed by

[0267] - the water supply to said at least one upper water inlet opening towards the bowl and / or the washing liquid supply to said at least one nozzle of the disinfection apparatus; monitored for a predefined period

[0268] - the movement of the seat and / or the main scraper relative to the bowl while said ultraviolet generator is electrically powered and said power supplies to the upper water inlet and said at least one nozzle are maintained; followed by

[0269] - the water supply from said lower water inlet opening into the bowl; followed by

[0270] - stopping said upper and lower water supply and said at least one nozzle and said ultraviolet generator; monitoring

[0271] - movement of the seat relative to the bowl towards the raised position and / or movement of the arm carrying the disinfection equipment towards the position of use; followed by - the emission of a signal to the user indicating the end of the disinfection cycle.

[0272] It is also possible for the predefined operating sequence to include a plurality of reversals of direction of movement of said main scraper and / or movement of said bezel, which may be useful for promoting self-cleaning of the scrapers.

[0273] The invention can thus also relate to a method for controlling the sanitary device 1 according to the invention by its control unit so as to implement the predefined operating sequence described above.

[0274] The human / machine control interface may include a user presence detector in front of the device and / or a seat position detector and / or a position detector of the mobile arm carrying the disinfection equipment and / or a push button and / or a touch control detection device and / or a multifunction mobile communication device (such as a multifunction mobile phone also known as a smartphone) and / or indicator lights and / or a sound transmitter. Any interface without contact with the user is preferred here.

[0275] The progress of the predefined operating sequence may be conditioned by the detection of predefined conditions detected by said human / machine interface.

[0276] It should be noted that the sanitary device 1 according to the invention may comprise a buffer water reserve (not shown), which may be a simple water reserve flowing by gravity or a pressurized water reserve (i.e. under a pressure higher than the ambient atmospheric pressure), supplied with water by said Rx network external to the device and / or by a pump (not shown). In this particular embodiment where the device 1 would comprise a buffer water reserve, the buffer water reserve could be of the bladder tank type.

[0277] The buffer water reserve could be connected to the valve device 25 to selectively supply at least one of the lower water inlet (via the pipe C2), said at least one upper water inlet (via the pipe C1), said at least one nozzle 42 (via the pipe C3).

[0278] It should be noted that the pump, of the booster type, could be coupled to the water reserve to supply it with water from said external network Rx but having a pressure higher than that of the external network Rx.

[0279] Preferably, the water delivered by the water reserve and / or by the pump to said at least one nozzle 42 is at a pressure Pn of at least 5 bars, preferably at least 10 bars, preferably 24 bars.

[0280] In this way, the quality of cleaning can be improved while limiting the amount of water consumed.

[0281] Alternatively, a pump could be connected on the one hand to the external network and on the other hand directly to said at least one nozzle 42 to deliver water under pressure to it at said pressure Pn, without passing through the valve device 25.

[0282] In some embodiments, the buffer water reservoir and / or the pump could be coupled to the lower water inlet 24 to deliver a flow of water to the bowl at a predetermined minimum flow rate and a predetermined minimum pressure.

[0283] This is particularly useful in cases where the pressure and / or flow rate of the external Rx water network is insufficient.

[0284] The valve apparatus 25 may comprise a hydraulic distribution valve, a slide valve of which is moved by an electromagnetic actuator functionally connected to the control unit of the sanitary device 1.

[0285] Finally, as can be understood from the last figure (figure 12), the sanitary device 1 according to the invention can also comprise:

[0286] - a removable side cover 70 forming an external lateral face of the sanitary device 1, the bowl 2 being surrounded on at least three of its sides by said side cover 70; and / or

[0287] - a removable upper cover 71 constituting an upper portion of the sanitary device 1, this upper cover 71 having a first curved edge extending along a peripheral edge of the seat 10 and having a notch for the passage of a connecting mechanism between said seat 6 and the bowl 2.

[0288] Preferably, an external edge of the removable upper cover 71 is adjacent to an upper edge of the removable side cover 70 so as to form a continuity between these edges of the covers 70, 71, thus preventing the passage of dirt towards the external face of the bowl which is masked by these removable covers.

[0289] The fact that these covers 70, 71 are removable makes it possible to simplify access to the valve apparatus 25 and to the pipes C1, C2, C3 which respectively connect this valve apparatus 25 to the upper inlets 23, 23b, 23c to the lower inlet 24 and to said at least one nozzle 42 of the disinfection apparatus 40. It should be noted that these pipes C1, C2, C3 are here flexible conduits arranged around the bowl.

[0290] The pipe C1 extends from a first port of the valve device 25 to each of the three upper water inlets 23, 23b, 23c. The pipe C2 extends from a second port of the valve device 25 to the lower water inlet 24.

[0291] The pipe C3 extends from a third port of the valve device 25 to the nozzle 42, extending along the movable arm which carries the disinfection apparatus and which is located on an upper rear area of ​​the bowl 2.

[0292] It is thus possible to facilitate the maintenance of the sanitary device 1 according to the invention while limiting the risk of degradation of the valve apparatus 25.

[0293] Finally, these covers 70, 71 can be replaced to change the aesthetics or personalize / modulate the sanitary device 1.

[0294] In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in figures 8a, 8b, said at least one nozzle 42 is oriented so that:

[0295] - on the one hand a main axis 42x of the nozzle (i.e. the main axis of projection of the washing liquid by the nozzle 42) is, when observed in a direction perpendicular to a radial plane of the telescope 10 (i.e. the direction of observation of figure 8b), inclined by a first angle Al relative to a horizontal plane PI in which the annular telescope 10 extends; and that

[0296] - on the other hand said main axis (42x) of the nozzle is, when observed in a direction parallel to said radial plane Pr of the telescope 10 (i.e. the observation direction of figure 8a), inclined at a second angle A2 relative to said horizontal plane PI in which the annular telescope 10 extends.

[0297] The first angle A1 is between 20 and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50°. The second angle A2 is between 20 and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50°.

[0298] Thus, as can be understood from figures 8a and 8b, the washing liquid sprayed by the nozzle 42 is directed towards the first scraper 41, which is here a lip seal and towards an inner edge of the seat 10, that is to say towards the internal zone of the bowl.

[0299] The dirt 100 stuck on the upper face of the seat is thus sprayed with the pressurized washing liquid to detach it, then evacuate it towards the internal zone of the bowl with a movement forcing this dirt 100 to move along the first scraper 41. The scraper 41 makes it possible to block the dirt, guide the dirt towards the inside of the bowl and dry the upper face of the seat before its disinfection by the ultraviolet ray generator.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Sanitary device (1) comprising a bowl (2) having: - a tubular internal surface (S); - an upper passage (21) opening onto the tubular internal surface (S) to admit excrement towards an internal zone of the bowl (2); - a lower passage (22) for the evacuation of excrement from the internal zone of the bowl (2), the sanitary device (1) comprising an annular seat (10) arranged above the bowl (2) to define a seating surface on an upper face of the seat (10), characterized in that the sanitary device comprises: - a disinfection apparatus (40) for the bezel (10), the disinfection apparatus (40) comprising a first scraper (41) for the annular bezel seating surface (10), at least one nozzle (42) arranged to spray a portion of the upper face of the bezel (10) with washing liquid and at least one ultraviolet radiation generator (43) oriented to illuminate, with ultraviolet radiation, at least a portion of the upper face of the bezel (10); and - a displacement means (50) arranged to generate a relative displacement between the seat surface of the seat (10) and the disinfection apparatus (40) such that areas to be cleaned of the seat surface are sprayed with washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle (42), scraped by said first scraper (41) then illuminated by ultraviolet radiation generated by said generator (43).

2. Sanitary device (1) according to claim 1, in which the sanitary device (1) comprises at least one upper water inlet (23) opening towards the surface internal tubular (S) of the bowl.

3. Sanitary device according to claim 2, in which the tubular internal surface (S) is a surface of revolution around a main axis.

4. Sanitary device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a seat (6) movable relative to the bowl (2) between a lowered position in which the seat (6) obstructs access to said upper passage (21) of the bowl and a raised position in which said seat (6) frees access to said upper passage (21), an actuator (7) of the seat (6) being arranged to move, as a function of a control signal, the seat (6) between said lowered and raised positions.

5. Sanitary device (1) according to claim 4, wherein a control unit of the sanitary device (1) is arranged to authorize the operation of the disinfection apparatus when the seat (6) is in the lowered position and to prohibit the operation of the disinfection apparatus (40) when the seat (6) is in the raised position.

6. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 combined with claim 2, wherein said at least one upper water inlet (23) comprises first, second and third upper water inlets (23, 23b, 23c) distributed around the periphery of the tubular internal surface (S) of the bowl (2) to bring water thereto towards the tubular internal surface, the first, second and third upper water inlets (23, 23b, 23c) extending in the same water inlet plane towards the bowl (2).

7. Sanitary device (1) according to claim 6, in which each at least one upper water inlet (23, 23b, 23c) is oriented so that the water arriving in the bowl forms on the tubular internal surface (S) the same water vortex.

8. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 combined with claim 2, in which the bowl comprises a first lower water inlet (24) opening towards the tubular internal surface (S) of the bowl (2), said at least one upper water inlet (23) being placed between a high plane in which the upper passage (21) extends and a low plane in which the lower passage (22) and the first lower water inlet (24) are located.

9. Sanitary device (1) according to claim 8, in which: - a valve apparatus (25) comprising a pressurized water inlet port adapted to be connected to a pressurized water network (Rx) external to the sanitary device, at least one first water outlet port connected to each at least one upper water inlet (23, 23b, 23c) and at least one second water outlet port connected to said first lower water inlet (24), the valve apparatus (25) selectively adopting a washing configuration and an evacuation configuration; - in washing configuration, a pressurized water supply via the valve apparatus is authorized towards said at least one upper water inlet and is prohibited towards said first lower water inlet; - in the evacuation configuration, a pressurized water supply through said valve apparatus is authorized towards the first lower water inlet (24).

10. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the bezel (10) is circular and the displacement means (50) comprises an orientation ring (3) of the bezel (10) on which said bezel (10) is fixed, the displacement means (50) comprising a motorization (5), the orientation ring of the bezel being mounted movably on the bowl (2) to be, under the effect of the motorization (5) of the displacement means (50), oriented in rotation relative to the bowl (2) while maintaining the orientation ring parallel to an upper plane of the bowl.

11. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the disinfection apparatus (40) is carried by an arm movable relative to the bezel (10) between: - a disinfection position of the bezel in which at least a portion of the upper face of the bezel is covered by the disinfection apparatus (40) to be disinfected; and - a position of use of the bezel in which the disinfection apparatus is moved away from said upper portion of the bezel to completely free said upper face of the bezel (10).

12. A sanitary device according to claim 11, wherein an arm actuator is mechanically connected to said movable arm for moving the arm between said seat disinfection position and seat use position.

13. Sanitary device according to claim 12 combined with claim 4, in which the movable arm and the seat are fixedly connected to each other, the seat actuator and the arm actuator being one and the same actuator (7).

14. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which the disinfection apparatus (40) of the seat (10) comprises a second scraper (41b) of the annular seat surface.

15. Sanitary device according to claim 14, wherein said at least one nozzle (42) is oriented so that said sprayed portion of the upper face of the seat (10) extends at least partly between said first and second scrapers (41, 41b) of the seating surface.

16. Sanitary device according to claim 14, wherein the second scraper (41b) comprises first and second opposite sides (41bl, 41b2) formed on either side of the second scraper (41b), the first side (41bl) of the second scraper (41b) being opposite the first scraper (41), said at least one nozzle (42) being oriented to spray the second side (41b2) of the second scraper (41b) with said washing liquid.

17. Sanitary device according to claim 16, in which the first and second scrapers (41, 41b) are substantially parallel to each other.

18. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, in which the second scraper (41b) comprises a taut wire extending between an outer annular edge of the upper face of the bezel (10) and an inner annular edge of the upper face of the bezel (10) while being in contact against said face upper part of the bezel (10).

19. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the bowl (2) comprises an upper channel (2x) inclined towards the internal zone of the bowl (2) and extending below the disinfection apparatus (40) and below a portion of the annular bezel (10) for collecting washing liquid delivered by said at least one nozzle (42).

20. Sanitary device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, in which a control module of the disinfection apparatus (40) is arranged to selectively adopt a state of supply of the disinfection apparatus and a state of stopping the supply of the disinfection apparatus; - in the power supply state, the control module authorizes the supply of washing liquid to said at least one nozzle (42), authorizes the relative movement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus and electrically powers the ultraviolet radiation generator (43) to generate said ultraviolet radiation; and - in the power supply off state, the control module prohibits the supply of washing liquid to said at least one nozzle (42), prohibits said relative movement between the seating surface and the disinfection apparatus and prohibits the electrical supply of the ultraviolet radiation generator (43).

21. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, in which said at least one nozzle (42) is oriented so that: - on the one hand a main axis (42x) of the nozzle is, when observed in a direction perpendicular to a radial plane of the bezel 10, inclined at a first angle (Al) relative to a horizontal plane (PI) in which the annular bezel (10) extends; and that - on the other hand said main axis (42x) of the nozzle is, when observed in a direction parallel to said radial plane of the bezel 10, inclined at a second angle (A2) relative to said horizontal plane (PI) in which the annular bezel (10) extends, said first angle (Al) being between 20 and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50°, said second angle (A2) being between 20 and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50°.

22. Sanitary device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein said first scraper (41) extends in length along a longitudinal axis (41x) of the first scraper (41), the bezel (10) having a circular shape extending in a main plane (Px) of the bezel (10) and said longitudinal axis (41x) of the first scraper (41) being intersecting with a first radial plane (Prl) of the circular bezel when the first scraper (41) is resting on said bezel (10), the first radial plane (Prl) of the circular bezel being perpendicular to said main plane (Px) of the bezel, said longitudinal axis (41x) of the first scraper (41) forming, when the first scraper (41) is resting against the bezel and is observed in an observation direction perpendicular to the main plane (Px),an angle (A3) extending between said longitudinal axis (41x) of the first scraper (41) and the first radial plane (Prl) of the circular bezel which is between 5° and 45°, preferably between 10° and 30°.,

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