Toilet

This application claims priority benefit of Provisional Application No. 63/632,287 (Docket No. 010222-23059A-US) filed on Apr. 10, 2024, and Provisional Application No. 63/747,664 (Docket No. 010222-23059B-US) filed on Jan. 21, 2025 which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates generally to toilets. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to toilets having features to reduce the consumption of water.

In consideration of environmental and economic concerns, it is advantageous to reduce the amount of fresh water used during a flush cycle of a toilet. Water is used to perform several functions during each flush cycle, for example, water is used to perform seal recovery, odor prevention, waste removal, bowl rinse, and drain line carry. Reducing an amount of water used with each flush may negatively impact one or more functions of the water during the flush cycle. Accordingly, there is a need for devices and methods for reducing an amount of fresh water used during a flush cycle, while maintaining performance of the several functions performed by water during the flush cycle.

The figures illustrate certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in detail. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details and methodology set forth in the detailed description or illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

The following embodiments related to toilets and related systems. One or more related systems may also be applied to any plumbing fixtures. The term “plumbing fixture” refers to an apparatus that is connected to a plumbing system of a house, building, or another structure. The term “plumbing fixture” may include toilets, bidets, faucets, showerheads, bathtubs, urinals, and dishwashers. The term “bathroom fixture” and “kitchen fixture” may more specifically refer to individual types of plumbing fixtures found in the bathroom or kitchen, respectively, and these terms may be overlapping in certain examples (e.g., faucets). While each of the fluidic devices described herein may be described as being included in a single type of plumbing fixture, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto and that each of the fluidic devices described herein may be included in or used in conjunction with any type of plumbing fixture. For example, a fluidic device described with respect to a bidet may be included or used in conjunction with any of a shower head, a faucet, a toilet, a dishwasher, and the like.

For each of the example toilets describes herein, it should be noted that the shapes and configurations of the tank, pedestal, seat assembly, and the internal components (including the trapway and other features) may vary from the embodiments shown and described herein, and that the embodiments disclosed herein are not intended as limitations. It should be noted that various components of the toilet may be made of vitreous china. It should be noted that various components of the toilet may be polymeric and/or over molded or otherwise fixed to the toilet. It should be noted, for example, that although the exemplary embodiment of the toilet is shown configured with the tank formed separately from the pedestal later coupled to the pedestal, the tank may be integrally formed with the pedestal as a one-piece design. In other words, the toilet may be a one-piece design, a two-piece design, or have any suitable configuration. The toilet disclosed herein may have a wide variety of skirted toilet configurations, and all such configurations are intended to be encompassed herein. The following description of various toilet features is therefore intended as illustration only of one possible embodiment, and it should be understood by those reviewing the present description that similar concepts or features may be included in various other embodiments. While actuators to initiate flush cycles may not be describes in each embodiment, all of the examples herein may include an actuator or another type of flush mechanism such as a button configured to activate when depressed (or pulled) a predetermined distance or when touched, a lever configured to activate when rotated a predetermined angular travel, or any suitable device configured to activate based upon an input manipulation by a user. Any of the embodiments described with regard to toilets and/or the trapway of a toilet may be applied to the structure of a urinal.

Seats and lids may also be sometimes omitted in the discussion of each embodiment. However, each of the following examples may include a toilet seat assembly including a cover member (e.g., lid), a seat member (e.g., ring member), and a hinge. The seat member may be configured to include an annular member that encircles an opening, wherein the annular member provides a seating surface for the user of the toilet. The seat member may also be pivotally coupled (e.g., attached) to the hinge, wherein the seat member may rotate (or pivot) about the hinge, such as between a first lowered or seated position and a second raised or upright position. The cover member may be configured to be round, oval, or any other suitable shape. Typically, the profile or shape of the outer surface of the cover member will be configured to match (i.e., to be substantially similar) to the profile of the outer surface of the seat member to improve the aesthetics of the seat assembly and toilet. The cover member may also be coupled to the hinge, wherein the cover member may rotate (or pivot) about the hinge, such as between a first down lowered or down position and a second raised or upright position. The cover member may be provided above the seat member in the down position to thereby cover the opening of the seat member, as well as to conceal the inside of the bowl of the pedestal. The cover member may be configured to rest against the outside surface of the tank, when the cover member is in the upright position, such that the cover member remains in the upright position in order for a user to sit upon the seat member.

Some toilets have just one option for flushing. Dual-flush toilets provide the user an option for a lesser water volume flush at their discretion—but often the large flush is used. Dual-flush toilets can save water at a ratio of 2:1. The following embodiments introduce other apparatus and techniques to consume less water in the flushing operation of a toilet.

illustrates an example vacuum toilet. For illustrative purposes, the vacuum toiletis shown exposed so that the operation may be observed. In an installation, the vacuum toiletmay be partially enclosed in a wall and/or partially enclosed within a housing. The vacuum toiletmay include a base including a toilet bowland include a vacuum tank. The housingmay extend to enclose both toilet bowland the vacuum tank. The housingmay include at least one vertical walland at least one horizontal wall. The vacuum tankmay be connected to the toilet bowlvia a passage. The vacuum tankmay be connected to a drain path. The vacuum tankmay be connected to a vacuum device, which may be any vacuum generator configured to apply varying pressures to the vacuum tank. The vacuum generator may apply a first pressure (negative pressure) during a flush cycle to extract contents from the toilet bowland apply a second pressure (positive pressure) during a drain cycle to empty the tankto the drain path. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

illustrates a block diagram for the vacuum toiletand corresponding control system. The tankincludes connections to multiple valves. A sump valveselectively and fluidly connects the tankto a sump of the toilet bowl. A vacuum valveselectively and fluidly connects the tank to the vacuum device. A drain valveselectively and fluidly connects the tankto the drain path, which leads to a sewer, a septic device, or another sanitary system. The path to the sanitary system may be referred to as a septic path. A reverse valvemay be a separate connection to the vacuum devicefor a reverse flow of air (e.g., reverse of the vacuum).

A controllermay operate the sump valve, the vacuum valve, the drain valve, the supply valveand/or the reverse valveto provide a flush cycle at the vacuum toilet. The controllermay operate the sump valve, the vacuum valve, the drain valve, the supply valveand/or the reverse valveusing one or more valve drivers. Each valve drivermay include a mechanism to open or close the respective valve. Each valve drivermay include a solenoid or a motor to open or close the respective valve. In addition, or in the alternative, the sump valve, the vacuum valve, the drain valve, the supply valveand/or the reverse valvemay include a manual handle to open and close the respective valve.

The controllermay operate the valve driversin a predetermined sequence for the flush cycle. Initially, the sump valve, the vacuum valve, the supply valve, and the drain valveare closed. The controllermay operate the valve driverfor the supply valveto release water into the toilet bowl. The controllermay operate the sump valveto open the passageto the tank. In some examples, the water is provided to the toilet bowlat the same time the sump valveis opened. The water rinses the contents of the toilet bowlthrough the passageand into the tank.

In other examples, the controlleropens the supply valveto provide water to the toilet bowlwhen the sump valveis closed. After contents are deposited into the toilet bowlby the user, and the flush cycle is initiated, the sump valveis opened by the controllerand the vacuum pressure in the tankprovides suction to the passageto extract the contents from the toilet bowl.

The controllermay also operate the vacuum deviceand the vacuum valveto create the vacuum pressure in the tank. The controllermay turn on the vacuum deviceincluding a pump to pull air from the tankand create a partial vacuum in the tank. The controllermay also reverse the vacuum device for the pump to blow air from the tankand empty the tankto the drain path. The air pressure to pull air from the tankand the air pressure to blow air to empty the tankmay be provided to the tank through vacuum hose. In some examples, the air is pull from the tankto create a vacuum using vacuum hose, and the air to empty the tank is provided through reverse hose(e.g. opened by reverse valve).

When the vacuum pressure is present in the tankand the controlleropens the sump valve, suction is provided to the passageto extract the contents from the toilet bowl. Thus, the toilet bowlis flushed to the tank.

The controllermay also causes the tankto be flushed to the drain path. The tankmay be flushed by opening the drain valvewhile apply positive pressure to the tank. The pressure may be provided by vacuum devicethrough the hoseand vacuum valve. In one alternative embodiment, the reverse valveis separately provided to provide the positive pressure. In other words, when the tankis flushed, or blown out, the vacuum valveis closed and the pressure is provided through reverse valveand the reverse path. The tankmay be flushed every time the bowlis flushed. The tankmay be flushed every predetermined number of bowl flushes. The tankmay be flushed in response to a user command (e.g., from user input device).

The pressure in the tankmay be monitored by a gaugeor other pressure sensor. A manual levermay turn on the pressure sensing. The pressure sensor may be connected a light indicator that indicates the status of the toilet. Example statuses include ready and not ready.

The pressure in the tank may be controlled by a pressure regulator. One example pressure regulator is vacuum valve. The pressure regulator is configured to pressurize the chamber. The controllermay operate the pressure regulator according to the flush cycle.

The controllermay also provide instructions or commands to one or more indicators. An indicatormay include a light, display, audio emitter or speaker (e.g., speakerof), LED, or other device configured to convey a status of the vacuum toilet. The indicatormay indicator which valves are being driven. The indicatormay indicate whether the vacuum deviceis being driven.

illustrates another example vacuum toiletincluding a base structure having at least a toilet bowlcoupled to a sumpat the bottom of the toilet bowl. The sumpis configured to contain water and other contents deposited into the toilet bowl. The toilet bowlor sumpmay be coupled to a sump pipe. The sump pipemay be connected to the sumpusing a sump connector. The sump connectormay be threaded to receive the sump pipe.

The sump pipemay include a sump valve assemblymounted to an exterior of the sump pipeand include a sump valve memberextending through the sump pipe. The sump valve memberis configured to selectively open and close an opening through the sump pipe.

The vacuum tankmay include one or more openings such as a top opening for the vacuum valvethat selectively and fluidly connects the tank to a vacuum device. A bottom opening may include a drain valve for selectively and fluidly connecting the tankto a drain path.

The sump pipeincludes a downstream end or outputthat extends into the vacuum tank. The leg of the sump pipemay be at a predetermined angle with the horizontal so that it is generally pointed upward. The predetermined angle may be equal or greater than 45 degrees or equal or greater than 60 degrees.

In the example of, the upward leg of the sump pipedefines a volumetric spacethat extends from the sumpof the bowland through the sump pipe. The size of volumetric spacedepends on the angle of the sump pipeso that the liquid level at the end of the outputis even with the level in the sump(when the sump valve memberis open). As shown in, the volumetric spacemay include a sump sideincluding liquid in the sumpup to the sump valve memberand a trap sideincluding liquid in the sumpup to the sump valve member. The sump side volumemay be substantially equal to the trapway side volume. In the example shown, the sump side volumemay be less than the trapway side volume(e.g., in one example the sump side volumewas measured at 452 milliliters and the trapway side volumewas measured at 523 milliliters).

illustrates an example vacuum toiletin which a trapway does not extend into the vacuum tank. The trapway may include a bottom portionand a top portionforming a S-shape and providing a water seal. The top portionof the trapway may be substantially horizontal. Accordingly, the volumetric spacefor the water seal also does not extend into the vacuum tank. The top portionof the trapway may be coupled to the vacuum tankvia a vacuum valve assembly. The vacuum valve assemblymay include a valve member to open and close the connection between the trapway and the vacuum tank.

As shown in, the volumetric spacemay include a sump sideincluding liquid in the sumpand a trapway sideincluding liquid in the trapway. The sump sideand the trapway sidemay be divided by a vertical line. The sump sideand the trapway sidemay be divided by a connectionbetween the sumpand the lower partof the trapway. The sump side volumemay be substantially equal to the trapway side volume. In the example shown, the sump side volumemay be less than the trapway side volume(e.g., in one example the sump side volumewas measured at 320 milliliters and the trapway side volumewas measured at 404 milliliters).

illustrates a toiletwith a gated chamber. The embodiment ofmay omit a vacuum device or a vacuum chamber. Instead, gravity may be relied upon to evacuate contents from the toilet bowlto gated chamber. As illustrated the gated chambermay be disposed below the toilet bowl, but other arrangements may be used. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

A flush gate valveis configured to selectively open a fluid connection between the toilet bowland the gated chamber. A sewer gate valveis configured to selectively open a fluid connection between the gated chamberand the sewer or septic pipe (e.g., sanitary line). The controllermay operate solenoids, motors, or other driven devices for opening and closing the flush gate valveand the sewer gate valve.

illustrates a toilet with a gated chamberand vacuum assist. The vacuum assist maybe provided by a vacuum device (vacuum generator such as a pump) connected to the gated chambervia a pressure inlet. The pressure inletmay be an extension configured to fit a hose or other connection to the vacuum device. The gated chambermay include an inclined wall to assist in pushing contents of the chamber through the sewer gate valve.

A sewer gate valveis configured to selectively open a fluid connection between the gated chamberand the sewer or septic pipe (e.g., sanitary line). The controllermay operate solenoids, motors, or other driven devices for opening and closing the flush gate valveand the sewer gate valve. The sewer gate valvemay include a check calve configured to close in response to pressure in the gated chamber. A vacuum valve may open or close the connection between the pressure inletof the gate chamberand the vacuum device. The controllermay operate solenoids, motors, or other driven devices for opening and closing the vacuum valve, the flush gate valveand the sewer gate valve.

The controllermay operate the vacuum valve to apply no pressure or low pressure during a flush cycle and positive pressure during a drain cycle. Contents (e.g., urine and/or feces) may be provided to the toilet bowlfrom the user. The controller, through user inputor initiated from sensor data, may open the flush gate valveso that water and the other contents of the toilet bowlempty into the gate chamber. This process may repeat a predetermined number of times. The process may repeat as selected by the user. The process may repeat until ended in response to sensor data.

For example, the gate chambermay include a fill sensor that indicates when the gate chamberis full and requires drain. For draining, the controllermay close the flush gate valve, if not already closed. The controllermay open the vacuum valve to apply positive pressure to the gate chamber. At the same time, or after a predetermined time, the controlleropens the sewer gate valve. Through gravity and the air pressure the gated chamberis drained to the septic or sewer line.

illustrates another view of the toilet ofincluding an example pressurized tankas the vacuum device or air compressor as the vacuum device connected to a gated chambervia a vacuum passage. The air compressor may be selectively connected to the pressurized tankthrough a manual leverconfigured to open and close a valve between the vacuum generator and the pressurized tank.further illustrates a controller electrically connected to the flush gate valveand the sewer gate valve.

illustrates another example vacuum toiletincluding a toilet bowl, a flushing tankand an air channel. The air channelconnected to the flushing tankand two different points. For example, the air channelmay be connected to the flushing tankat a top portion and at a bottom portion. The air channelmay include a vacuum pumpor otherwise be connected to a source of air pressure (e.g., negative air pressure) so that the air channelprovides low pressure at a first portion of the flushing tankand high pressure at a second portion of the flushing tank. As illustrated in, the vacuum pumpis in line with the air channel. The vacuum pumppulls air (e.g., provides negative pressure) from the flushing tankat the top portion. This causes the contents (e.g., water and human waste) in the toilet bowlto be pulled into the flushing tank. The vacuum pumppushes air (e.g., provides positive pressure) to the bottom portion of the flushing tank, which aids gravity in expelling the contents of the flushing tankto a sanitary path such as a sewer pipe or other passage. In the example, of, the vacuum toiletincludes a vacuum pump valveconfigured to selectively connect and disconnect the air channeland the flushing tankand includes an outlet valveconfigured to selectively connect and disconnect the flushing tankto the sewer passage. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

The vacuum toiletincludes an outlet ring. The outlet ring includes at least one input passage to receive waste from the flushing tank. The outlet ringincludes at least one input passage to receive air from the air channel. The outlet ringcombines the waste and the air to provide a pressurized waste path away from the vacuum toilet.

illustrate an example toilet outlet ring. The toilet outlet ringincludes a toilet flangeand an air annulus. The toilet outlet ringmay include a passage coupler on each side and a flange to create a pressed seal fit. The top of the toilet outlet ringincludes a toilet flangeand toilet passage coupler, as shown in the top view of. The bottom of the toilet outlet ringincludes a drain flangeand a drain passage coupler, as shown in the bottom view of. The annular paththrough the toilet outlet ringfor the air can be seen in.

also includes another view of toiletshowing the connected passages for the toilet outlet ring. The toilet outlet ringis coupled to the air channel. Also, a trapwayis illustrated between the toilet bowland the chamber. Additionally, a first valveand a second valvemay be connected to the air channel.

illustrates a flowchart for operation of a vacuum toilet in a flush cycle. Additional, different or fewer acts may be included.

At act S, the vacuum pumpis energized. For example, the impeller or motor is accelerated to a predetermined rotational speed (e.g., a rated RPM) to initialize or prime the system for a flush.

At act S, the vacuum pump valveis opened. A control circuit may provide power to a solenoid or another mechanical drive to cause the vacuum pump valveto open. The vacuum is formed in the flushing tankas air is pulled by the vacuum pump. The vacuum draws the contents of the bowlinto the flushing tank.

At act S, the outlet valveis opened. Act Smay occur at the same time as act Sor soon after (e.g., with 1 second or less delay between when the vacuum pump valveis opened and the outlet valveis opened). With the outlet valveopened, the water and waste in the flushing tankcan fall to the drain. This may be under the force of gravity. In addition, or in the alternative, the exhaust air from the pumpaids the flow of the water in waste in the flushing tankto the drain using the toilet outlet ring.

At act S, the vacuum pumpis deactivated or shut down. The control circuit may cause the vacuum pumpto deactivate by removing the power supply to the vacuum pump.

At act S, the outlet valveis closed and the vacuum pump valveis closed. The control circuit may case the outlet valveto close by removing power to the solenoid or other mechanical device that holds the outlet valveopen.

At act S, the toilet bowlis rinsed and/or refilled to prepare for the next flush cycle. The control circuit may open the water supply to the bowlto fill the water to the predetermined level.

illustrates another example vacuum toiletincluding a vacuum pump switchin place of the vacuum pump valve.

illustrates a flowchart for operation of the vacuum toiletof. The operation shown inis similar to that inexcept the vacuum pump valveis omitted. Additional, different or fewer acts may be included.

At act S, the outlet valveis closed.

At act S, the vacuum pumpis energized.

At act S, the outlet valveis opened.

At act S, the vacuum pumpis deactivated or shut down.