Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a toilet device includes: a washing unit washing a surface of a bowl in a toilet bowl; a water supplying unit supplying washing water to the washing unit; a silicic acid polymerization inhibiting unit adding inhibitor for silicic acid polymerization to the washing water left on the surface of the bowl after the washing of the bowl, the inhibitor inhibiting polymerization of silicic acid component in the washing water left on the surface of the bowl; and a control portion executing a control starting an operation of the silicic acid polymerization inhibiting unit before the surface of the bowl is evaporated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary ware having a photocatalyst layer which has excellent durability even in an environment where the photocatalyst layer is exposed to an acid and an alkali alternately. The sanitary ware comprises a glaze layer, an intermediate layer provided on the glaze layer, and a photocatalyst layer provided on the intermediate layer, wherein the photocatalyst layer comprises titanium oxide in the amount of 95 mass % to 75 mass % and zirconium oxide in the amount of 5 mass % to 25 mass % and the intermediate layer comprises silica in the amount of 98 mass % to 85 mass %, and titanium oxide and/or zirconium oxide in the amount of 2 mass % to 15 mass %.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photocatalyst member including a glaze layer and a photocatalyst layer provided on the glaze layer, the photocatalyst layer is good in layer strength, water resistance, or abrasion resistance. More specifically, the photocatalyst member includes a base having a glaze layer and a photocatalyst layer that is provided on the glaze layer and contains titanium oxide and zirconium titanate, wherein the content of zirconium titanate in the photocatalyst layer is 15 to 75% by mass based on the total content of titanium oxide and zirconium titanate, and the content of zirconium titanate in an area from around an interface between the photocatalyst layer and the base to an median line in the thickness of the photocatalyst layer is larger than the content of zirconium titanate in an area near the external surface of the photocatalyst layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary ware having a photocatalyst layer which has excellent durability even in an environment where the photocatalyst layer is exposed to an acid and an alkali alternately. The sanitary ware comprises a glaze layer, an intermediate layer provided on the glaze layer, and a photocatalyst layer provided on the intermediate layer, wherein the photocatalyst layer comprises titanium oxide in the amount of 95 mass % to 75 mass % and zirconium oxide in the amount of 5 mass % to 25 mass % and the intermediate layer comprises silica in the amount of 98 mass % to 85 mass %, and titanium oxide and/or zirconium oxide in the amount of 2 mass % to 15 mass %.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a sanitary ware. The sanitary ware includes a glaze layer and a photocatalyst layer provided on the glaze layer. The photocatalyst layer is an oxide film including a co-fired product of a precursor of titanium oxide and a precursor of zirconium oxide and contains 65 to 85% by mass of titanium oxide and 15 to 35% by mass of zirconium oxide. The process includes the steps of applying a solution containing at least a precursor of titanium oxide and a precursor of zirconium oxide on a surface of a sanitary ware free from a photocalyst layer, and then firing the coating to form a photocatalyst layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are sanitary wares such as toilet bowls or wash bowls that have a glaze layer which can conceal the body of the sanitary wares satisfactorily without the need to use any opacifier and which is less likely to be contaminated. The sanitary ware includes: a sanitary ware body; and a glaze layer having a single-layer structure as a sole glaze layer on the sanitary ware body, the glaze layer comprising a phase-separated glass as the major part and the glaze layer having a surface roughness Ra of not more than 0.07 ?m. Thus, the body of the sanitary ware can be concealed satisfactorily, and, in a preferred embodiment, a good white color can be imparted to the sanitary ware.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photocatalyst member including a glaze layer and a photoctalyst layer provided on the glaze layer, the photocatalyst layer is good in layer strength, water resistance, or abrasion resistance. More specifically, the photocatalyst member includes a base having a glaze layer and a photocatalyst layer that is provided on the glaze layer and contains titanium oxide and zirconium titanate, wherein the content of zirconium titanate in the photocatalyst layer is 15 to 75% by mass based on the total content of titanium oxide and zirconium titanate, and the content of zirconium titanate in an area from around an interface between the photocatalyst layer and the base to an median line in the thickness of the photocatalyst layer is larger than the content of zirconium titanate in an area near the external surface of the photocatalyst layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary ware including a photocatalyst layer that has a high level of water resistance and abrasion resistance while maintaining a good photocatalytic activity. The sanitary ware includes a glaze layer and a photocatalyst layer provided on the glaze layer. The photocatalyst layer is an oxide film that is a co-fired product of a precursor of titanium oxide and a precursor of zirconium oxide and contains 65 to 90% by mass of titanium oxide and 10 to 35% by mass of zirconium oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed are sanitary wares such as toilet bowls or wash bowls that have a glaze layer which can conceal the body of the sanitary wares satisfactorily without the need to use any opacifier and which is less likely to be contaminated. The sanitary ware includes: a sanitary ware body; and a glaze layer having a single-layer structure as a sole glaze layer on the sanitary ware body, the glaze layer comprising a phase-separated glass as the major part and the glaze layer having a surface roughness Ra of not more than 0.07 ?m. Thus, the body of the sanitary ware can be concealed satisfactorily, and, in a preferred embodiment, a good white color can be imparted to the sanitary ware.

Abstract: A flush toilet is provided having a bowl portion with a bowl-shaped waste-receiving surface and a rim portion the inside wall surface on the top edge of which protrudes inward. A trap pipe is connected to the bottom portion of the bowl portion. A first shelf portion is formed to follow the rim and a second shelf portion is formed on the waste receiving surface below the first shelf portion projecting above the initial accumulated water level. An orifice for issuing water into the first shelf portion and forming a swirl flow in the waste receiving surface is provided along with a second orifice for issuing water into the second shelf portion for forming a flow to swirl water within the bowl portion is further provided with first and second flow paths for respectively supplying water to the first and second orifices.

Abstract: A flush toilet is provided having a bowl portion with a bowl-shaped waste-receiving surface and a rim portion the inside wall surface on the top edge of which protrudes inward. A trap pipe is connected to the bottom portion of the bowl portion. A first shelf portion is formed to follow the rim and a second shelf portion is formed on the waste receiving surface below the first shelf portion projecting above the initial accumulated water level. An orifice for issuing water into the first shelf portion and forming a swirl flow in the waste receiving surface is provided along with a second orifice for issuing water into the second shelf portion for forming a flow to swirl water within the bowl portion is further provided with first and second flow paths for respectively supplying water to the first and second orifices.

Abstract: A flush toilet is provided having a bowl portion with a bowl-shaped waste-receiving surface and a rim portion the inside wall surface on the top edge of which protrudes inward. A trap pipe is connected to the bottom portion of the bowl portion. A first shelf portion is formed to follow the rim and a second shelf portion is formed on the waste receiving surface below the first shelf portion projecting above the initial accumulated water level. An orifice for issuing water into the first shelf portion and forming a swirl flow in the waste receiving surface is provided along with a second orifice for issuing water into the second shelf portion for forming a flow to swirl water within the bowl portion is further provided with first and second flow paths for respectively supplying water to the first and second orifices.

Abstract: A flush toilet and a drain socket are provided that align the direction of waste passing through a drainage trap so as to prevent pipe clogging without impairing wastewater discharge performance by a siphon effect. The drain socket is for connecting an outlet of a trap drainage channel of a flush toilet unit and a drain pipe located external of the flush toilet unit. The drain socket includes a drain socket body provided with an inlet for coupling with the trap drainage channel and an outlet for coupling with the drain pipe, a siphon inducing region provided on an inner wall of the drain socket body for inducing a siphon effect, and a straightening vane provided upstream of the siphon inducing region of the drain socket body to extend from the inner wall in the inward direction of the channel.

Abstract: A flush toilet that uses a prescribed amount of cleansing water stored in a cleansing water tank to cleanse the toilet and discharge waste is disclosed. The flush toilet includes a bowl having a waste receiving surface, an overhanging rim and a shelf, a drainage channel whose inlet is connected to the bottom of the bowl for discharging waste, a first water spouting section for spouting cleansing water onto the shelf of the bowl to form a vortex; a second water spouting section for spouting cleansing water onto shelf of the bowl in the same direction as the swirling direction of the vortex, a first water channel for supplying cleansing water from the cleansing water tank to the first water spouting section, and a second water channel for supplying cleansing water from the cleansing water tank to the second water spouting section.

Abstract: Problem: To provide a flush toilet capable of effectively expelling waste using a swirl flow without utilizing a strong siphon action.

Abstract: A flush toilet and a drain socket are provided that align the direction of waste passing through a drainage trap so as to prevent pipe clogging without impairing wastewater discharge performance by a siphon effect. The drain socket is for connecting an outlet of a trap drainage channel of a flush toilet unit and a drain pipe located external of the flush toilet unit. The drain socket includes a drain socket body provided with an inlet for coupling with the trap drainage channel and an outlet for coupling with the drain pipe, a siphon inducing region provided on an inner wall of the drain socket body for inducing a siphon effect, and a straightening vane provided upstream of the siphon inducing region of the drain socket body to extend from the inner wall in the inward direction of the channel.

Abstract: A flush toilet that uses a prescribed amount of cleansing water stored in a cleansing water tank to cleanse the toilet and discharge waste is disclosed. The flush toilet includes a bowl having a waste receiving surface, an overhanging rim and a shelf, a drainage channel whose inlet is connected to the bottom of the bowl for discharging waste, a first water spouting section for spouting cleansing water onto the shelf of the bowl to form a vortex; a second water spouting section for spouting cleansing water onto shelf of the bowl in the same direction as the swirling direction of the vortex, a first water channel for supplying cleansing water from the cleansing water tank to the first water spouting section, and a second water channel for supplying cleansing water from the cleansing water tank to the second water spouting section.

Abstract: A sanitary ware comprises a sanitary ware body and a surface glaze layer provided on the sanitary ware body. The surface glaze layer has a center line average roughness Ra of less than 0.07 &mgr;m as measured with a stylus type surface roughness tester according to JIS B 0651-1996.

Abstract: A sanitary ware comprises a sanitary ware body and a surface glaze layer provided on the sanitary ware body. The surface glaze layer has a center line average roughness Ra of less than 0.07 &mgr;m as measured with a stylus type surface roughness tester according to JIS B 0651-1996.

Abstract: Sanitary wares having a controlled surface are disclosed which are less likely to be stained or soiled and/or possess excellent gloss. The first sanitary ware comprises a sanitary ware body and a surface glaze layer provided on the sanitary ware body, wherein the surface glaze layer has a center line average roughness Ra of less than 0.07 &mgr;m. This sanitary ware is advantageous in that stains or soils are much less likely to be adhered to the surface thereof and, even when adhered to the surface thereof, can be removed by a weak water stream. The second sanitary ware comprises a sanitary ware body and a surface glaze layer provided on the sanitary ware body, wherein the surface glaze layer has a kurtosis Rku of less than 2.70. This sanitary ware advantageously possesses excellent surface gloss.