Pre-primed siphonic toilet

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9988802-B1
Application number	US-201615360434-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Nov 23, 2016
Priority date	Nov 23, 2016
Publication date	Jun 5, 2018
Grant date	Jun 5, 2018

Abstract

A siphonic toilet including a bowl, a passageway and a valve. The passageway includes an entrance fluidly connected to the bowl, an outlet, and a dam located between the entrance and the outlet, wherein the dam and bowl are configured to hold a first volume of water prior to a flush cycle. An inlet is located in the passageway downstream from the dam to introduce water into the passageway downstream from the dam. The valve is located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, and the valve retains a second volume of water when in a closed position prior to the flush cycle of the toilet to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A siphonic toilet, comprising:
a bowl;
a passageway having an entrance, an outlet, and a dam located between the entrance and the outlet, wherein the entrance is fluidly connected to the bowl, and the bowl and the dam are configured to hold a first volume of water prior to a flush cycle of the toilet;
an inlet into the passageway that is downstream from the dam, wherein a second volume of water is introduced into the passageway through the inlet; and
a valve that is located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, wherein the valve retains the second volume of water in a closed position prior to the flush cycle to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.

2. The siphonic toilet of claim 1 , wherein the valve is located proximate the outlet of the passageway.

3. The siphonic toilet of claim 1 , wherein the passageway further comprises:
an up leg extending from the bowl to the dam; and
a down leg extending from the dam to the outlet;
wherein the valve is located in the down leg.

4. The siphonic toilet of claim 1 , wherein the passageway further comprises:
an up leg extending from the bowl to the dam;
a down leg extending from the dam; and
a cross leg extending at an angle from the down leg to the outlet;
wherein the valve is located in the cross leg.

5. The siphonic toilet of claim 4 , wherein the cross leg extends substantially orthogonally to the down leg.

6. The siphonic toilet of claim 5 , wherein the valve extends generally vertically in the closed position.

7. The siphonic toilet of claim 1 , further comprising an air pressure release line that extends between a first opening in the passageway, which is upstream from the valve, and a second opening in the passageway, which is downstream of the valve.

8. The siphonic toilet of claim 7 , wherein the valve moves from the closed position to an open position during the flush cycle to affect the siphon, and wherein the valve covers the second opening in the open position and the valve exposes the second opening in the closed position.

9. The siphonic toilet of claim 7 , further comprising a check valve located in line with the air pressure release line to prevent water and waste from flowing from the first opening to the second opening.

10. The siphonic toilet of claim 9 , wherein the first opening and the check valve are located upstream from the inlet in the passageway, and wherein the check valve is located proximate the first opening to prevent water and waste from flowing into the air pressure release line through the first opening.

11. The siphonic toilet of claim 1 , wherein the valve is movable between an open position and the closed position, and wherein the opening and closing of the valve is controlled by at least one of an electromagnetic force, a pneumatic force, or a hydraulic force.

12. The siphonic toilet of claim 11 , further comprising a manual override to move the valve between the open and closed positions in the event of a power failure to an electromagnetic element that generates the electromagnetic force.

13. A siphonic toilet, comprising:
a passageway fluidly connected to a bowl and comprising:
an up leg extending from the bowl to a dam, wherein a first volume of water is retained in the up leg and the bowl prior to a flush cycle of the toilet; and
an outlet leg extending from the dam toward an outlet; and

a valve located between the up leg of the passageway and the outlet, wherein the valve retains a second volume of water in a closed position prior to the flush cycle of the toilet to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.

14. The siphonic toilet of claim 13 , further comprising an air pressure release line extending between a first opening in the passageway, which is upstream from an inlet of the passageway, and a second opening in the passageway, which is downstream of the valve, wherein the inlet of the passageway is downstream from the dam and the second volume of water is introduced into the passageway through the inlet.

15. The siphonic toilet of claim 14 , further comprising an electromagnet or a mechanical motor to move the valve between the closed position and an open position, wherein the valve in the open position permits water and waste to exit through the outlet.

16. The siphonic toilet of claim 15 , wherein the valve seals off the second opening in the passageway in the open position of the valve.

17. The siphonic toilet of claim 14 , wherein the outlet leg includes a first portion extending generally downward from the dam to a second portion that extends generally horizontally, and wherein the valve and the outlet are located in the second portion.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Smith Andrew L
• Ahola Billy Jack
• Baumgartner Mark
• Duwell Larry
• Bogenschuetz Don
• Swart Peter
• Vetting Tobin

Classifications

• E03D5/10

  operated electrically (E03D5/01, E03D5/12 take precedence), {e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl} · CPC title

• E03D11/02 Primary

  Water-closet bowls (auxiliary chambers with connections to flushing water for bowl-cleaning utensils E03D9/06; modified for using upwardly-directed sprays E03D9/08; seats or covers A47K13/00 ){; Bowls with a double odour seal optionally with provisions for a good siphonic action; siphons as part of the bowl (parts or details of bowls E03D11/13)} · CPC title

• E03D11/10

  Bowls with closure elements provided between bottom or outlet and the outlet pipe; Bowls with pivotally supported inserts · CPC title

• E03D2201/40

  Devices for distribution of flush water inside the bowl · CPC title

• E03D2201/30

  Water injection in siphon for enhancing flushing · CPC title