Toilet flusher for water tanks with novel valves and dispensers

• US 7,562,399 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2004
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arichell Technologies Inc. (Sloan Valve Company)
• Original Assignee: Arichell Technologies Inc. (Sloan Valve Company)
• Inventors: Mo, Xiaoxiong, Parsons, Natan E., Herbert, Kay, Guler, Fatih, Hadley, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Bastianelli; John
• Application Number:
  US10/961,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20050133754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,747 Days
• Field of Search: 251/30.01, 251/30.02, 251/30.03, 432/3, 435/3, 436/6, 137/426
• US Class Current: 4/323
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 1/36 Associated working of inlet and outlet valves
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/105 touchless, e.g. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7413 Level adjustment or selection means

Abstract

A tank-type flusher is located in the water storage tank for flushing a toilet. The tank-type flusher includes an intake valve and a flush valve. The intake valve is connected to an external water source and constructed to close water flow to the water storage tank at about a predefined water level in the water tank. The flush valve is constructed to control a flush valve member between a seated state and an unseated state allowing water discharge from the water tank into a toilet bowl. The tank-type flusher may be controlled by a sensor module located at a reference location external to the water storage tank.

Claims

1. A flusher for use with a water storage tank, comprising:

an intake valve connected to an external water source and constructed to close water flow to a water storage tank at about a predefined water level in said water tank;

a diaphragm-operated flush valve constructed to control a flush valve member between a seated state and an unseated state allowing water discharge from said water tank into a toilet bowl;

a diaphragm, separating a flush-valve chamber and a pilot chamber, arranged to seal said flush-valve chamber and thereby maintain pressure forcing said flush valve member to said seated state preventing said water discharge from said water storage tank to said toilet bowl;

a pressure control mechanism constructed and arranged, upon actuation, to reduce pressure in said pilot chamber of said diaphragm-operated flush valve to cause deformation of said diaphragm and thereby reduce pressure in said flush-valve chamber causing said water discharge; and

a sensor module located at a reference location external to said water storage tank being at an input line coupling said external water source to said water storage tank.

2. The flusher of claim 1 wherein said intake valve inciudes a float constructed and arranged without any fixed coupling to any valve member.

3. The flusher of claim 1 wherein said intake valve includes a float which freely floats within a float cage.

4. The flusher of claim 1 wherein said intake valve is actuated by a water level detector.

5. The flusher of claim 4 wherein said water level detector includes a reed sensor.

6. The flusher of claim 1 wherein said pressure control mechanism is controlled by a solenoid.

7. The flusher of claim 1 wherein said intake valve and said flush valve are located within a single housing.

8. The flusher of claim 1 wherein said water tank is an external water tank.

9. The flusher of claim 1 wherein said water tank is a concealed water tank located behind a wall.

10. The flusher of claim 1 wherein said intake valve enables a variable water level in said tank.

11. The flusher of claim 1 including a vacuum breaker arranged to prevent transfer of water from said tank to a water supply.

12. The flusher of claim 8 including a manual actuator constructed and arranged to actuate said flush valve.

13. The flusher of claim 12 wherein said manual actuator is a push button actuator.

14. The flusher of claim 13 wherein said push button actuator is constructed to actuate said flush valve enabling a dual water volume flush.

15. The flusher of claim 13 wherein said push button actuator is constructed to actuate hydraulically said flush valve.

16. The flusher of claim 1 further including an automatic actuator is constructed to be triggered by a signal from said sensor module.

17. The flusher of claim 16 wherein said sensor module registers presence of an object.

18. The flusher of claim 16 wherein said sensor module registers movement of an object.

19. The flusher of claim 16 wherein said sensor module includes an optical sensor.

20. The flusher of claim 16 wherein said automatic actuator is constructed to actuate said flush valve enabling a dual water volume flush.