Toilet

• US 20120180208A1
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Saflushmyss Limited
• Original Assignee: Saflushmyss Limited
• Inventors: White, Grahame
• Application Number:
  US13/388,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20120180208A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/300
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/242 Devices for locking the cover in the closed position
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/00 Other component parts of water-closets pipe-joints or couplings in general F16L , e.g. noise-reducing means in the flushing system noise-reducing means in combination with flushing valves E03D9/14, flushing pipes mounted in the bowl, seals for the bowl outlet, devices preventing overflow of the bowl contents; devices forming a water seal in the bowl after flushing, devices eliminating obstructions in the bowl outlet or preventing backflow of water and excrements from the waterpipe
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/00 Special constructions of flushing devices in motor vehicles or trailers B60R15/00; in railway carriages B61D35/00; in ships B63B29/14; in aircraft B64D11/02, e.g. closed flushing system

Abstract

Toilet unit (10) is located in a hospital room (12) and display (18) indicates whether occupied and if “available for use”. When the person wants to initiate the flush operation to begin, waving a hand in front of a flush-actuation sensor (34) instructs control unit (26) to start a sequence of actions including locking seat (28) and lid (26) together on the cistern, and simultaneously a delay timer (48) is initiated, set for a delay of 16 seconds being based on a flush duration of 8 seconds for a 4.5 litre flush and (8) further seconds for the miasma, generated by the flush, to subside completely. Accordingly, there is effectively or actually no risk of any contaminated or infected liquid or “miasma” water droplets exiting the cistern.

Claims

1. A toilet assembly having means to maintain the assembly enclosed during, and a period thereafter, the flushing operation.

38. A toilet assembly according to claim 1 and comprising a hinged lid securable for a predetermined period of time during, and extending beyond, the flushing operation.

39. A toilet assembly according to claim 38 and comprising means to secure the hinged lid in a closed position for a period extending from the start of, to beyond the end of, the flushing operation.

40. A toilet assembly according to claim 39 and comprising means to secure the hinged lid in a closed position for release at a predetermined time period after the start of the flushing operation.

41. A toilet assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly is operable to maintain it enclosed for a period of time extending from the start of the flushing operation and terminating in the range of 5 to 20 seconds after the end of the flushing operation.

42. A toilet assembly according to claim 1 wherein the toilet assembly is operable to effect power-off of part or all the assembly during the flushing operation and the specified period thereafter.

43. A toilet assembly according to claim 1 and comprising a lock operable to secure closed a lid at the start of the flushing operation and means to release the lid from the lock mode after a time period in the range of 5 to 20 seconds after the end of the flushing operation.

44. A toilet assembly according to claim 1 and comprising a turbulence sensor for monitoring of the flushing operation operable to determine the end of the flushing operation.

46. A toilet assembly according to claim 1 and comprising an indicator operable to show when the assembly is enclosed and/or a lid is closed/locked.

47. A toilet assembly according to claim 1 and comprising a motion sensor operable to detect the presence of a person in the vicinity of the toilet assembly.

48. A toilet assembly according to claim 1 and comprising an indicator operable to show the remaining time before termination of the assembly-enclosing or lid-closure/locking and in dependence of an output from a motion sensor.

49. A toilet assembly according to claim 1 wherein a lid and a seat have co-operable surfaces to effect a sealing engagement therebetween and/or with a surface region of the toilet assembly.

2-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A control unit for the operation of a toilet assembly, the unit comprising means to operate the assembly to maintain the assembly enclosed during, and a period thereafter, the flushing operation.

15. A control unit for the operation of a toilet assembly, the unit comprising means to operate the assembly to maintain a hinged lid securable for a predetermined period of time during, and extending beyond, the flushing operation.

16-37. -37. (canceled)