U.S. patent application number 17/533619 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-30 for toilet flush device fitting.
The applicant listed for this patent is Anthony R. Brandelli. Invention is credited to Anthony R. Brandelli.
Application Number | 20220205231 17/533619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220205231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brandelli; Anthony R. |
June 30, 2022 |
TOILET FLUSH DEVICE FITTING
Abstract
A solution bottle in a toilet flush tank, connected with a
nipple fitting having respective pathways for water and cleaning
solution to mix together.
Inventors: |
Brandelli; Anthony R.;
(Lomita, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brandelli; Anthony R. |
Lomita |
CA |
US |
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|
Appl. No.: |
17/533619 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17133976 |
Dec 24, 2020 |
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17533619 |
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International
Class: |
E03D 9/03 20060101
E03D009/03 |
Claims
1. A toilet bowl sanitizing system comprising; a fitting having a
water nipple and a solution nipple, the nipples formed with
respective passages merging into a through main passage a solution
bottle having a solution outlet; a solution supply tube connected
between the solution outlet and the solution nipple; and a water
supply tube connected with the water nipple
2. The system of claim 1 wherein: the fitting includes a fork for
mounting to the wall of an overflow tube.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein: the solution supply bottle
includes a pump device including a solution nipple.
4. A flush toilet system for mounting in a flush toilet water tank
comprising: a cradle to be suspended from the wall of the tank; a
solution bottle carried by the cradle; a solution pump mounted to
the bottle and including an outlet solution nipple projecting
therefrom; a fitting to mount to an overflow pipe and having inlet
nipples; a tubing system to connect with and project from the
outlet to the inlet.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein: the fitting includes an upwardly
projecting water inlet nipple formed with a through water passage;
and a solution nipple angling upwardly and away from the water
inlet nipple.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein: the stub tube terminates in an
end surface which is not slanted relative to the axis of the stub
tube.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein: the stub tube terminates with the
end surface perpendicular to the axis of the stub tube.
8. A flush toilet solution mixing fitting including: a body formed
with a vertical water inlet nipple defining a water inlet passage
having a predetermined lateral cross section, a solution inlet
nipple projecting 45 degrees to the water inlet passage, the
solution nipple formed to connect with a solution tube; and a stub
tube projecting from the wall of the water passage substantially
one-half distance across the lateral cross section for disrupting
water flow through the water passage to generate turbulence for
mixing water with solution emanating from the solution passage and
may be adjustable in the fitting.
9. A flush toilet water system comprising: a cradle mounted to the
wall of a flush water tank for supporting a solution bottle; a
solution bottle in the cradle and having an solution outlet; a
fitting mounted to a tank overflow pipe and including a vertical
through water passage including a water nipple; the fitting further
including a solution nipple constructed with a solution passage in
communication with the water passage and projecting at an angle of
45 degrees to the water passage; a solution tube connected between
the solution nipple on the pump and solution outlet; a water tube
connected between a water supply and the water nipple; and the
water passage and solution passage being so constructed that flow
of water though the water passage is formed in a stream to join
with solution from the solution passage to pass into the overflow
pipe to mix in toilet bowl and bowl rim.
10. A system in a toilet storage tank comprising; a water tube
leading from the water supply nipple to an inlet of a water nipple
on a mounting fitting; a solution bottle in the storage tank; and a
solution tube leading from the solution bottle to the inlet of the
solution nipple on the fitting.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation in Part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 17/133,976, filed Dec. 24, 2020.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fitting to connect to a
solution bottle to be suspended or otherwise placed in a flush tank
and connected in fluid exchange relationship with the overflow
tube.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The disposal of human waste has been a challenge going back
in the centuries BC, there is evidence that the Greeks constructed
palaces with large earthenware pans connected to flushing water
supply. Later, the Romans rinsed in a water channel that ran in
front of the toilet to be reused. In medieval England people used
potties and simply threw their contents out through an open door or
window into the street. The more affluent used a "garden robe" in
the form of a protruding room with an opening for waste suspended
over a moat. These were referred to as garderobes. Garderobes and
public toilets were eventually replaced by "commodes" a box with a
seat and lid covering a portion or copper pot to catch the
waste.
[0004] It is widely believed that Thomas Crapper designed the first
flushed toilet in the 1860's but evidence indicates it was actually
much earlier. The credit for inventing the flush toilet generally
goes to Sir John Harrington, god son of Elizabeth I, who invented a
water closet with a raised cistern and a small down pipe in which
the water ran through flushed wasted.
[0005] As the population of Britain increased in the 19.sup.th
Century, for over crowed cities such as London and Manchester, up
to 100 people might share a single toilet. The concern was that the
flush might find its way back into the drinking water supply. In
1848 the government decreed that every new house should have a
water closet "WC".
[0006] History tells us that in 1861 Thomas Crapper was hired by
Prince Edward "later King Edward VII" to construct lavatories in
several royal palaces. He patented a number of toilet-related
inventions but did not actually invent the modern toilet, although
he was first to display his wears in a showroom and offer them for
sale. More on this below. Modern bathroom technologies arrived in
the 20.sup.th century with flushable valves, water tanks resting on
the bowl itself and toilet paper rolls. Many toilets now have
automatic flushes and the sealed vacuum closet as seen on planes
and boats is used heavily.
[0007] The need for a practical flush toilet goes back centuries.
Credit for the first flush toilet generally goes to Sir John
Harrington, recognized for inventing the water closet with a raised
cistern and a small downpipe for water flow and flushing waste. As
noted, probably the most recognized name in the history of
development is Thomas Crapper, a plumber who is reputed to have
held nine patents, three of them for water closet improvement such
as the floating ballcock, S-bend plumbing trap, and others. There
is much dispute in history about how much credit should be given to
him for his development. But it is recognized that the slang term
"crapper" derived from Crapper's personal name.
[0008] In any event, throughout history many efforts have been made
to improve on the construction for effective and economical flush
toilets. Throughout these developments, it has always been
recognized that unpleasant odors may be associated with a flush
toilet. The conventional flush toilet incorporates an overflow pipe
in the water storage closet. In one embodiment of my invention, I
take advantage of this pipe to facilitate introduction of solution,
such as a deodorant sanitizer or the like, to be mixed with the
water stored in the tank.
[0009] There is some confusion in history as to whether Mr. Crapper
invented the first patented flushing toilet. History seemed to
reflect that the first patent for the flushing water closet was
actually issued to Alexander Cummings, a watchmaker by trade.
Cummings designed a toilet in which water supply was brought low
into the bowl and some water remained after each flush.
[0010] A. Joseph Bramah, a cabinet maker, who regularly "fitted-up"
water closets, sought to improve on Cummings' original idea and was
granted a patent in 1778 which replaced Cummings' string valve
closure with a crank-type mechanism. He provided an essentially
airtight seal between the toilet and any offending odors which may
be lurking beneath it. There were some problems with this new
toilet and it was incredibly noisy and failed frequently.
[0011] Thomas Crapper was an industrious plumber and credited with
invention a pull-chain system for powerful flushing and an airtight
seal between the toilet and floor. While the flush toilet is
recognized as an incredible invention for humanity, there still
remains room for improvement.
[0012] As an example, it is desirable to introduce a solution with
the water entering the inlet end of an overflow pipe to be
introduced to the toilet bowl.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The device of the present invention includes a fitting
having a through water passage to be connected with a water tube
and an auxiliary passage to be connected with a storage bottle of
solution to be mixed with the water introduced to the overflow
pipe.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0014] With modern flush toilets, many different efforts have been
made to add solution to the bowl for the purpose of sanitation and
odor control. In the past it was common practice to suspend solid
bars of fragrance emitting solids from the rim of the bowl in such
a manner that the flush water will flow past and around the bar of
fragrance to release and emit the fragrance. Such devices, while
producing some results are not totally satisfactory in that there
is no metering of the sanitizing solution to the flush water or
control thereof.
[0015] It has been proposed to provide a bowl cleaning apparatus
evolved from the toilet tank between the bowl and refill valve and
overflow pipe. This apparatus includes a sealed container having
inlet connected to the refill tube and an outlet connecting with
the overflow pipe. The container is divided into two chambers with
a screen therebetween. A device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,815,950 to Shawn.
[0016] Another proposal has been made to provide a flush toilet
with a reservoir tank, bowl and a container containing
water-soluble detergent and coloring agent mounted inline with the
waterline leading from a riser tube to an overflow tube for adding
detergent-containing makeup water to the bowl following a flush. A
device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,507 to Johnson.
Such devices, while adding to the utility of flush toilets, fail to
provide satisfactory results where solution is dispensed in the
overflow tube with each flush.
[0017] Other proposals have included the provision of an air
regulated cleaner discharge with a ballcock for discharging water
to fill the tank between minimum and full levels. The device
includes a container for receiving a mixture of liquid or other
chemical material therein with an air supply tube. A device of this
type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,612 to Dafau.
[0018] It has also been proposed to provide a toilet discharge
device including a venturi nozzle to cooperate with a sanitizing
solution to draw the solution into the flow pipe. A device of this
type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,612 to Dufau.
[0019] Such arrangements sometimes require air pressure regulation
and, in any event, require precise design configurations and
operational constraints to provide for reliable and long-term
operation.
[0020] Another prior device includes a diverter to divert a stream
of water from a conventional toilet valve to direct a portion into
the toilet tank outside the overflow tube. A device of this type is
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,376,984 to Moler.
[0021] Other attempts have led to the development of an automatic
cleaning assembly with inner and outer chambers such that refill
water may enter the inner chamber through a fluid flow path whereby
a cleaning agent disposed in the inner chamber may be partially
dissolved upon contact with the water. This device is show in U.S.
Pat. No. 8,453,272 to Sim.
[0022] There still exists a need for an apparatus to add
sterilizing fluid or the like adding their sanitizing solution of
the like to fluid for flushing a flush toilet or possibly a
bidet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded prospective view of a commode with the
present invention installed and depicting a solution bottle
connected with a fitting which also connects with a water tube;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a partial prospective view similar to FIG. 1 but
showing the components exploded and in enlarged scale;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a vertical section view taking along the lines 3-3
of FIG. 1 and depicted in enlarged scale;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view, in enlarged scale taken
from the circle 4 of FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fitting shown in FIG. 4;
and
[0028] FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view of the fitting shown in
FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The sanitizing system of the present invention, in one
preferred form, includes a solution bottle (21) (FIG. 1) which may
be suspended from the back wall of a toilet water tank (23) and, in
some instances includes a pump (25) and nipple 26. In any event,
the outlet from the solution bottle is connected via a tube (63) to
the fitting (27) (FIG. 3) by means of a solution nipple (34) (FIG.
2) having a solution passage (31) which merges with a water passage
(37) to form a mixture of water and sanitizing solution. Thus, each
time there is a flush by actuating a flush handle (38), the
sanitizing solution will be drawn with the intake water down
passage to the toilet bowl, such as a conventional flush toilet or
other flush systems such as a bidet or the like.
[0030] The bottle (21) may be carried from the back or inside wall
(23) by an upwardly opening cup (42) suspended by means of a pair
of hangers (39) or by taping the cup to the toilet tank wall.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the cup (42)
is suspended at an elevation slightly above the elevation of the
top inlet of the overflow pipe (41) so that there might be a slight
siphoning of the sanitizing solution. In some embodiments, I
incorporate the pump (25) which might be actuated to pump the
solution from the bottle to the fitting (27). In other embodiments,
the relative elevation of the bottle provides for self-siphoning of
the sanitizing solution.
[0032] In this combination, there is no requirement for any Venturi
effect for drawing the sanitizing solution into the mixture.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, I formed
the fitting (27) with a fitting body (40) hung from a mounting fork
(51) to fit over the wall of the overflow pipe (41). The fitting
body is formed with water passage (37) formed in part by a vertical
water nipple (35) connected to the water tube (53). The solution
passage (31) is formed with a solution nipple (34) which receives
the end of the solution inlet tube (63) in press fit relationship.
I form the fitting with a stub tube (62) at the outlet end of the
passage (31) to project into the passage (37). In the preferred
embodiments the stub tube (62) projects distantly beyond the center
of the passage (37) to terminate in an end just short of the far
side to leave a flow area of about 0.036 inches or so.
[0034] It will be appreciated that the nipples (35) and (34) may be
formed integral with the fitting body (40) and fork (51) but, in
some embodiments they can be formed separately and fitted together
by press fit, gluing or other connections well known in the
trade.
[0035] In any event, for the preferred embodiment, the solution
passage (31) joins the water passage (37) at an angle of
approximately 45 degrees. It is believed that with this
arrangement, the fluid flowing through the water passage (37) draws
a very slight partial pressure on the outlet (64) from the solution
passage (31) to thus provide for a slight syphoning effect for
drawing a solution into the mixture.
[0036] It would be appreciated that the fitting (27) maybe part of
the OEM or maybe purchased subsequently as an add-on to enhance the
operation of the flush toilet. The fitting (27) maybe fabricated of
synthetic materials, such as plastic, metal or any other material
well known to those in the art.
[0037] The fitting (27) may be conveniently mounted to the overflow
pipe (41) by fitting the fork (51) on to the overflow pipe wall
thereof and connecting the water tube (53) and solution tube (63).
The bottle maybe mounted from the top edge of the tank wall as by
hangers (39) (FIG. 2). With the tubes (53) and (63) connected to
the associated nipples (35) and (34), the system is ready for
operation. When the toilet is flushed, the re-fill water may pass
through nipple (52) and through the tube (53) into the passage (37)
to thus pass in close relationship with the end of the stub tube
(62) (FIG. 4) to influence flow from the solution passage (31).
With laminar flow interrupted by the stub tube (62) turbulent flow
is generated to effectively draw and mix the solution from the
passage (31).
[0038] It has been discovered 45-degree angle of the solution
passage relative to the water passage (37) is ideal for affectively
introducing the solution and producing a satisfactory mixture with
the water. The mixture of solution and water will then pass down
the overflow pipe (41) into the bowl and bowl rim to sanitize and
disinfect the bowl upon subsequent flushing, pass from the bowl
itself.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment the stub tube 62
preferably terminates in an end surface (64) perpendicular to the
axis of the tube to produce a preferred flow pattern as the water
is expelled out the end of the stub tube.
[0040] In some embodiments, I force feed the cleansing/sanitizing
solution into the flow stream, but recognize that syphoning or
drawing off the solution as described performs satisfactorily.
[0041] From the foregoing, it would be appreciated that the system
in the present invention provides a convenient, effective and
economical system to introduce sanitizing solution or other
mixtures into the water stream of a flush toilet, bidet or the
like. The device provides for essentially metering the quantity of
flow of each flush and limits the volume introduced to an amount
effective to produce sanitization and odor removal and possible
perfuming but avoiding excess consumption of the sanitizing
solution.
[0042] The invention may be embodied in other forms without
departure from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof.
The embodiments described therefore are to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Although the present
invention has been described in terms of certain preferred
embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *