EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE

This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202241023111, filed on April 19, 2022, and titled A TOILET SANITARY- WARE SYSTEM.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of water supply and sewerage and more particularly to a toilet sanitary-ware system.

BACKGROUND

Open defecation is a human practice of defecating in open spaces. The open spaces may include fields, forests, ditches, streets, canals, and the like. The open defecation is happening because of various reasons such as lack of sanitation infrastructure, behavioral problems, and the like. The open defecation may cause several diseases. The diseases may include diarrhea, intestinal worm infections, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, polio, trachoma and the like. Introduction of toilets provides a way for disposing human excreta. There exists a plurality of problems associated with the toilets.

Wetness of the toilets may promote microbial growth, thereby causing transmission of diseases. Also, the wetness may cause accidents for persons using the toilets. Operating a flushing unit or a water dispensing mechanism associated with the toilets by touch may further increase chances of contaminating human body. Additionally, the toilets include a water trap to prevent entry of foul smell, insects, and rodents from drainage to a toilet room. Expelling the human excreta from the water trap to the drainage and replenishment of water in the water trap requires large amount of water. Also, drying up of the water in the water trap may cause entry of the foul smell, insects, and rodents from the drainage to the toilet room.

Further, majority of the toilets are composed of porcelain, thereby making the toilets brittle. Furthermore, the flushing unit and the water dispensing mechanism provided in the toilets are subjected to vandalism due to ease of access. The toilets are also subjected to smudging and soiling, requiring frequent maintenance. Also, uncontrolled use of water dispensing mechanism may lead to wastage of water.

Hence, there is a need for an improved a toilet sanitary-ware system to address the aforementioned issue(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a toilet sanitary-ware system is provided. The system includes a toilet pan mounted over a container to be placed in ground. The toilet pan includes a flush chamber including a predefined slope from a proximal end of the flush chamber to a distal end of the flush chamber. The flush chamber is adapted to guide human excreta received towards the distal end of the flush chamber. The system also includes a flushing unit operatively coupled to a lid connected to the distal end of the flush chamber. The flushing unit includes a lid operating unit adapted to open the lid to provide a discharge path for the human excreta from the distal end of the flush chamber to a sewage connector upon actuation of a flush button associated with the flushing unit. The flushing unit also includes an air supply unit adapted to provide one or more layers of air between the distal end of the flush chamber and the sewage connecter to restrict entry of one or more gases from the sewage connector to the distal end of the flush chamber upon actuation of the flush button.

The lid is interfaced with the distal end of the flush chamber by an air-cushioned gasket adapted to provide a vacuum tight sealing between the lid and the distal end of the flush chamber. The flushing unit further includes a water supply unit adapted to discharge predefined quantity of water into the flush chamber to expel the human excreta from the distal end of the flushing chamber to the sewage connecter thereby disposing the human excreta. The air supply unit and the water supply unit are mounted coaxially one upon another. The air supply unit and the water supply unit includes corresponding one or more spring loaded pistons adapted to discharge the air and the water from the air supply unit and the water supply unit respectively upon actuation of the flush button.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a toilet sanitary-ware system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system of FIG. 1 depicting a flushing unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1 , depicting operation of a lid operating unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting actuated state of a lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting sectional view of the water dispensing unit from in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting an air supply unit and a water supply unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of the air supply unit, an air pipe, and one or more nozzles in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of the water supply unit, a water pipe in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting relative position of the central shaft, the one or more spring loaded pistons when the flush button is in an actuated position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting sectional front view of the system depicting connection of the water pipe with the flush chamber in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a toilet sanitary-ware system. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a toilet sanitary-ware system is provided. The system includes a toilet pan mounted over a container to be placed in ground. The toilet pan includes a flush chamber including a predefined slope from a proximal end of the flush chamber to a distal end of the flush chamber. The flush chamber is adapted to guide human excreta received towards the distal end of the flush chamber. The system also includes a flushing unit operatively coupled to a lid connected to the distal end of the flush chamber. The flushing unit includes a lid operating unit adapted to open the lid to provide a discharge path for the human excreta from the distal end of the flush chamber to a sewage connector upon actuation of a flush button associated with the flushing unit. The flushing unit also includes an air supply unit adapted to provide one or more layers of air between the distal end of the flush chamber and the sewage connecter to restrict entry of one or more gases from the sewage connector to the distal end of the flush chamber upon actuation of the flush button.

The lid is interfaced with the distal end of the flush chamber by an air-cushioned gasket adapted to provide a vacuum tight sealing between the lid and the distal end of the flush chamber. The flushing unit further includes a water supply unit adapted to discharge predefined quantity of water into the flush chamber to expel the human excreta from the distal end of the flushing chamber to the sewage connecter thereby disposing the human excreta. The air supply unit and the water supply unit are mounted coaxially one upon another. The air supply unit and the water supply unit includes corresponding one or more spring loaded pistons adapted to discharge the air and the water from the air supply unit and the water supply unit respectively upon actuation of the flush button.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a toilet sanitary-ware system (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (10) includes a toilet pan (20) mounted over a container (30) to be placed in ground. In one embodiment, the toilet pan (20) may be detachably mounted over the container (30). In some embodiments, the toilet pan (20), and the container (30) may be fabricated by injection molding. In a specific embodiment, a gasket (210) may be provided between the toilet pan (20) and the container (30) to provide a vacuum tight sealing between the container (30) and the toilet pan (20). In such an embodiment, the toilet pan (20) may include a plurality of hooks (160) located at a first end and a second end of the toilet pan (20). In one embodiment, the plurality of hooks (160) may be adapted to link a detaching mechanism to the toilet pan (20) during detachment of the toilet pan (20) from the container (30).

Further, in some embodiments, the toilet pan (20), and the container (30) may be composed metal, fiber, polymers, and the like. The toilet pan (20) includes a flush chamber (40) including a predefined slope from a proximal end (50) of the flush chamber (40) to a distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40). In one embodiment, the flush chamber (40) may include an omni phobic coating adapted to reduce friction between the human excreta and the flush chamber (40). In a specific embodiment, the omni phobic coating may include a plurality of nano coatings. In such an embodiment, the nano coatings may include, but not limited to, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide and the like. In one embodiment, the omni phobic coating may also be provided on the toilet pan (20).

Furthermore, the flush chamber (40) is adapted to guide human excreta received towards the distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40). In one embodiment, the toilet pan (20) may include a button (200) adapted to operate a water dispensing unit. In some embodiments, a water inlet (220) may be associated with the toilet pan (20) to supply water to the toilet pan (20) from an external water source. The system (10) also includes a flushing unit (70) operatively coupled to a lid (80) connected to the distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40). In one embodiment, the flushing unit (70) may include a flush button (110) located on the toilet pan (20) to operate the flushing unit (70). The flushing unit (70) is described in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system (10) of FIG. 1, depicting a flushing unit (70) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The flushing unit (70) includes a lid operating unit (90) adapted to open the lid (80) to provide a discharge path for the human excreta from the distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40) to a sewage connector (100) upon actuation of the flush button (110) associated with the flushing unit (70). Operation of the lid operating unit (90) is described in detail in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the system (10) of FIG. 1, depicting operation of the lid operating unit (90) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the flush button (110) may be coupled to the lid (80) through one or more links (170) adapted to convert bidirectional movement of the flush button (110) along a vertical axis to bidirectional movement of the lid (80) along a horizonal axis. In such an embodiment, the one or more links (170) may be pivoted about a point (230) located underneath the toilet pan (20).

Further, in a specific embodiment, the lid (80) may include one or more springs adapted to push the lid (80) against the distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40) when the lid (80) is in non-actuated state. The lid (80) is interfaced with the distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40) by an air-cushioned gasket (FIG. 4, 130) adapted to provide the vacuum tight sealing between the lid (80) and the distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40). In an exemplary embodiment, the air-cushioned gasket (FIG. 4, 130) may be having a ‘U’ shaped structure. Actuated state of the lid (80) is shown in FIG. 4. Operation of a water dispensing unit (180) is described in detail in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system (10) of FIG. 1, depicting sectional view of the water dispensing unit (180) from in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the toilet pan (20) may include a water dispensing unit (180) located underneath the toilet pan (20). In such an embodiment, the water dispensing unit (180) may be adapted to provide metered supply of water for washing. In one embodiment, the water dispensing unit (180) may include a non-returning valve (190). In one embodiment, the water dispensing unit (180) may be operated by the button (200) located at the proximal end (50) of the toilet pan (20). In one embodiment, a water conduit and a water dispensing pipe may be coupled to a first point (240) of the water dispensing unit (180).

Further, in one embodiment, the water conduit may be a branch of the water inlet pipe (220). In such an embodiment, the non-returning valve (190) present in the water dispensing unit (180) may be pressed against the water conduit and the water dispensing pipe to prevent flow of the water from the water conduit to the water dispensing pipe. When the button (200) is actuated, a coupling mechanism (250) may pull the non-returning valve (190) away from the water conduit and the water dispensing pipe, thereby causing the water to flow from the water conduit to the water dispensing pipe. Furthermore, the non-returning valve (190) may again press against the water conduit and the water dispensing pipe after a predefined delay. The valve may experience lower resistance while moving away from the water conduit and the water dispensing pipe and the non-returning valve (190) may experience higher resistance while moving towards the water conduit and the water dispensing pipe. In a specific embodiment, higher resistance experienced by the nonreturning valve (190) while moving towards the water conduit and the water dispensing pipe may provide delayed stopping of the water dispensing unit (180). In one embodiment, the water dispensing unit (180) may include a metering screw to adjust the water flow. An air supply unit (120) and a water supply unit (140) located inside the flushing unit (70) is described in detail in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system (10) of FIG. 1, depicting the air supply unit (120) and the water supply unit (140) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The flushing unit (70) also includes an air supply unit (120) adapted to provide one or more layers of air between the distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40) and the sewage connecter (100) to restrict entry of one or more gases from the sewage connector (100) to the distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40) upon actuation of the flush button (110). In one embodiment, the one or more gases may include sewage gases. The air supply unit (120) includes corresponding one or more spring loaded pistons (150) adapted to discharge the air from the air supply unit (120) upon actuation of the flush button (110).

Also, in one embodiment, the air discharged from the air supply unit (120) may reach the distal end (60) of the flush chamber (40) by an air pipe (FIG. 7, 280). In one embodiment, the one or more layers of air may be provided by one or more nozzles (FIG. 7, 290) located above the lid (80). In one embodiment, the one or more spiring loaded pistons (150) associated with the air supply unit (120) may be adapted to be operated by a central shaft (260) axially passing through the air supply unit (120).

Additionally, the flushing unit (70) further includes a water supply unit (140) adapted to discharge predefined quantity of water into the flush chamber (40) to expel the human excreta from the distal end (60) of the flushing chamber to the sewage connecter (100) thereby disposing the human excreta. The air supply unit (120) and the water supply unit (140) are mounted coaxially one upon another. In one embodiment, the water inlet (220) may be providing water to the water supply unit (140). The water supply unit (140) includes corresponding one or more spring loaded pistons (150) adapted to discharge the water from the water supply unit (140) respectively upon actuation of the flush button (110). In one embodiment, the one or more spiring loaded pistons (150) associated with the water supply unit (140) may adapted to be operated by the central shaft (260) axially passing through the water supply unit (140). Operation of the air supply unit (120) is described in detail in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system (10) of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of the air supply unit (120), the air pipe (280), and the one or more nozzles (290) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. During an actuation of the flush button (110), the flush button (110) may move in downward direction. A central shaft (260) coupled to the flush button (110) may also move in the downward direction corresponding to a movement of the flush button (110). Movement of the central shaft (260) in the downward direction may trigger the movement of the spring loaded piston (150) associated with the air supply unit (120) in the downward direction. Movement of the spring loaded piston (150) in the downward direction dispenses the air present in the air supply unit (120) through the air pipe (280). The one or more nozzles (290) associated with the air pipe (280) may provide one or more layers of the air at the distal end (60) of the flushing chamber (40). The flush button (110) may retract automatically by a combined reactive force provided by the spring loaded piston (150) as well as the one or more springs associated with the lid (80). During retraction of the flush button (110), the air may be sucked in the air supply unit (120) through the one or more nozzles (290) and the air pipe (280) for a next cycle of operation. Operation of the water supply unit (140) is described in detail as follows.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system (10) of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of the water supply unit (140), the water pipe (270) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. During the actuation of the flush button (110), along with the movement of the central shaft (260), the one or more spring loaded pistons (150) associated with the water supply unit (140) may move in the downward direction. Movement of the one or more spring loaded pistons (150) associated with the water supply unit (140) in the downward direction may force water present in the water supply unit (140) to flow through a water pipe (270). The water pipe (270) may discharge the water around an outer periphery of the flush chamber (40) thereby assisting flushing operation. The water from the water inlet (220) may enter the water supply unit (140) when the one or more spring loaded pistons (150) associated with the water supply unit (140) move in the downward direction. Retraction of the one or more spring loaded piston (150) associated with the water supply unit (140) may be due to combination of forces generated by water pressure and a reactive force generated with in the one or more spring loaded pistons (150). In one embodiment, delayed interruption of the predefined quantity of water discharged into the flush chamber (20) may be achieved by a nonreturning valve associated with the water supply unit (140). Relative position of the central shaft (260), the one or more spring loaded pistons (150) when the flush button (110) is in the actuated state is shown in FIG. 9. Sectional front view of the system depicting connection of the water pipe (270) with the flush chamber (40) is shown in FIG. 10.

Various embodiments of the toilet sanitary- ware system described above enable various advantages. Provision of the omni phobic coating prevents microbial growth in the toilet sanitary-ware system thereby containing the spread of infectious diseases. The omni phobic coating improves drying capabilities of the toilet sanitary-ware system thereby preventing accidents which may occur due to slippery surfaces. The omni phobic coating is capable of imparting quick drying capabilities to walls and floors of the toilet, thereby enhancing hygiene. Provision of the one or more layers of the air above the lid instead of water traps prevents entry of sewage gases into the flushing chamber. Absence of the water traps helps to achieve water conservation and reduction in sewage generation.

Also, provision of the water dispensing unit provides metered waterflow further aiding water conservation. The toilet pan, and the container is composed of non-brittle materials imparting durability to the toilet sanitary-ware system. The flush button and the water dispensing button is capable of being operated by foot thereby reducing possibility of contamination of the human body. The toilet pan is detachable from the container thereby ensuring hassle free serviceability. The toilet sanitary-ware system may not require any power sources to operate, instead the toilet sanitary ware-system is being operated by human power, thereby achieving standalone functionality. The system is easy to set up and operate. Functionalities of the toilet sanitary ware-system is capable of being extended to enable touch free operation of doors of the toilet room. Provision of the non-retuning valve enables delayed interruption of water supplied by the water supply unit and the water dispensing unit even without using a ball float valve enhances standalone functionality of the toilet sanitaryware system.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.