Automatic Flush Toilet Tank Assembly

Abstract

An automatic flush toilet tank assembly is provided. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly includes a flotation assembly having a sealing device. The sealing device is adapted for releasably sealing a closure mechanism to prevent water flow through the closure mechanism. The device further includes a blocking mechanism releasably connected to at least a portion of the flotation assembly. The blocking mechanism has a first position for preventing buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly and a second position for allowing buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly. Buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly releases the sealing device and allows water flow through the closure mechanism. The assembly also allows the administration of anti-bacterial products without the need to come into contact with the potable water supply and contains an overflow mechanism in case the water supply cutoff to the toilet tank should fail.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application PCT/US2006/014844 filed Apr. 19, 2006 (pending), designating the United States, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Applicant claims, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the benefit of priority of the filing date of Apr. 20, 2005 of Spanish Patent Application Serial No. P200501082/0, filed on the aforementioned date, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet tanks, and in particular to a toilet tank that automatically empties the water contained inside when activated.

BACKGROUND

Previously, in order to use toilet tanks in bathrooms and the like, it has been necessary to continuously press a push button or else raise or pull a chain to flush the toilet. Pressing the button or raising or pulling the chain causes a seal that is located over the outlet drain on the floor of the toilet tank to rise. This seal was placed over the outlet drain by the action of the water weight inside the toilet tank. Thus, the act of emptying the toilet tank is accomplished contrary to gravitational force for the water inside the toilet tank. In other words, to empty the toilet tank, a force must be exerted that is greater than the weight of the water on top of the seal.

Furthermore, in current toilet tanks, anti-bacterial products typically are added directly to the water inside the toilet tank. However, in some countries and under some laws, anti-bacterial products are not permitted to be added to locations that come into direct contact with the potable water intake.

An automatic flush toilet tank assembly according to the present invention overcomes the aforementioned difficulties, because it includes a flushing system that does not need to overcome the force of the water weight inside the toilet tank. The present invention also allows anti-bacterial products to be applied directly into the toilet bowl without the need to apply them to the toilet tank water.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present invention, an automatic flush toilet tank assembly is provided. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly includes a flotation assembly having a sealing device. The sealing device is adapted for releasably sealing a closure mechanism to prevent water flow through the closure mechanism. The device further includes a blocking mechanism releasably connected to at least a portion of the flotation assembly. The blocking mechanism has a first position for preventing buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly and a second position for allowing buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly. Buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly releases the sealing device and allows water flow through the closure mechanism.

In another aspect of this invention the automatic flush toilet tank assembly includes a device that allows the water to empty automatically when placed inside the toilet tank, whether activated by a manual flushing mechanism or by infrared detection or a push button. This is used especially for handicapped persons, where the toilet tank flush takes place automatically without needing to overcome the action of the water weight contained inside the toilet tank.

The device contained inside the toilet tank to automatically empty the water is aided by the buoyancy forces which equal the weight of the volume of displaced liquid. After activating the flushing mechanism, it is unnecessary to exert any force whatsoever to overcome resistance, such as the weight of the water inside the toilet tank as required by conventional flushing mechanisms.

In order to accomplish this, this device is made up of a float firmly joined to a tube inside it. Within this tube runs another tube through which the anti-bacterial liquid is administered.

On the floor of the toilet tank is an additional closure assembly mechanism made up of a threaded closure piece onto which a nut is tightened.

At the bottom of the float and interior tube assembly is a seal that rests on and closes against the closure mechanism sitting on the bottom of the toilet tank. This entire assembly of float, tube and seal would tend to rise when faced with the entry of water inside the toilet tank. However, such displacement is prevented by a stem which strikes a flushing cap joined to the top of the assembly to prevent the assembly's displacement.

At the moment after the flushing mechanism is activated to empty the toilet tank, the stem that prevents the float and its conjoined parts from rising is displaced.

When this stem is displaced, the float begins its rise. That is the point at which the bottom seal separates from the closure mechanism located on the floor of the toilet tank, and the water starts to empty into the toilet bowl. All of this takes place without the need to overcome any resistance from the water weight contained inside the toilet tank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simplified representation of a toilet tank and different flushing mechanisms;

FIGS. 2A-2D show a filling and emptying sequence for an automatic flush toilet tank assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a partial exploded view of an automatic flush toilet tank assembly according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows an assembled automatic flush toilet tank assembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A toilet tank (1) is shown in FIG. 1, above which are arrayed flushing mechanisms to automatically empty the toilet tank. The flushing mechanism include an infrared flush device (2), a manual flush device (3), and an automatic or push button flush device (4) especially designed for persons with disabilities. The flushing mechanisms can be activated individually or in combination. FIG. 1 also illustrates a bacteriostat (5) with an “auto-flash” intake above the infrared flusher. Any type of anti-bacterial product dispensing device may be used with the present invention as will be understood by one skilled in the art.

In order to empty automatically after activating the flushing mechanisms and without needing to overcome the weight of the water on the seal inside the toilet tank, the toilet tank uses a flotation assembly that includes a float that tends to rise above the water in the toilet tank. Lifting displacement of the flotation assembly in the present invention is prevented by a closure stem or cap over the rise of the float as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and described below.

In FIG. 2A, the toilet tank (1) is empty and the flotation assembly by virtue of its own weight, including a float (6) and a seal (15), falls over the closure mechanism (13). At this point the water begins to fill the interior of the toilet tank. From the outset during the filling process the water exerts pressure on the seal (15), closing the seal (15) against the closure mechanism (13). Shortly thereafter, buoyancy forces come into play on the float (6) and pressure forces on the seal (15).

As shown in FIG. 2B, the float (6) is unable to rise, however, because a blocking mechanism, including the stem (19), is covering the flushing cap (11). This causes the seal (15) to remain pressed against the closure mechanism (13) and prevents water flow therethrough. The pressure exerted on the stem (19) is equal to the difference between the forces of upward buoyancy experienced by the float (6) and the force of the downward pressure born by the seal (15). As a result, the force born by the stem (19) is small.

In the present invention, the seal (15) is deformable, allowing for some play in the closure. For example, in the event of poor calibration between the stem position (19) and the flushing cap (11) at its highest point, the lack calibration will be absorbed by the seal (15). Exact positioning of the parts is not required to maintain the seal (15) against the closure mechanism (13) as shown in FIG. 2B when water fills the toilet tank.

Upon activation of the flushing mechanism (2), (3) or (4), the closure stem (19) is displaced as shown in FIG. 2C. In the displaced position, the stem (19) no longer covers the cap (11), and the float (6) assembly begins to rise. The stem (19) may be activated, for example, by an electromagnetic mechanism. Given a current, the electromagnetic mechanism will produce displacement of a magnetic core, which in this case is the stem (19), away from the cap (11). It will be recognized that additional mechanisms may be used to displace the stem (19).

As the float (6) begins to rise, the seal (15) separates itself from the closure mechanism (13) located on the floor of the toilet tank (1), as shown in FIG. 2D. This allows the water in the tank (1) to empty through the closure mechanism (13).

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of an automatic flush toilet tank assembly according to the present invention. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly includes a flotation assembly having a float (6) with a tube (7) inside that includes holes (8) and (9) near both ends to serve as an overflow mechanism in case the water shutoffs to the toilet tank do not perform properly. The float (6) is shown in FIGS. 2A-2D and has not been included in FIG. 3 for clarity.

On the bottom end of the tube (7) is the seal (15) and a bottom guide (16) for passage of the supply tube (12) for the anti-bacterial products. Similarly, there is another guide (10) at the top of the tube (7) with a threaded hole into which the flushing cap (11) is screwed.

The automatic flush toilet tank assembly also includes a closure mechanism sitting on the floor of the toilet tank (1). The closure mechanism (13) may include an adjustable rubber piece (17) on the underside of the surface resting on the toilet tank floor. The closure mechanism (13) may also include an open end that is threaded, and a nut (14) is adjusted onto it. A rod or supply tube (12) may be connected to the closure mechanism (13) to administer the anti-bacterial products directly into the toilet bowl.

FIG. 4 illustrates the assembled automatic flush toilet tank assembly of the present invention. The assembly is shown with the flotation assembly, including float (6), the closure mechanism (13), and the blocking mechanism (21) with the mechanisms responsible for releasing the closure stem (19), as well as a manual switch (24).

As described above, during the filling of the toilet tank (1), pressure is at first exerted on the seal (15). Then later, in addition to the growing pressure exerted on the seal (15), the force of buoyancy comes into play, which is exerted upwards on the float (6). Since buoyancy forces exerted on the float (6) are greater than the pressure exerted on the seal (15), in case of poor calibration or some play between the closing cap (11) and the stem (19), this difference would be absorbed by the deformation of the seal (15) as the seal (15) is pressed against the closure mechanism (13).

An elastic anchor ring (18) may be included on the top of the float (6) where the float (6) is joined to the tube (7).

The flushing mechanisms activate the blocking mechanism (21) to allow the float assembly (6) rise. In the present embodiment, the blocking mechanism (21) includes a motor (22). When the blocking mechanism (21) is activated through the manual switch (24) or another starting mechanism, the motor (22) begins to rotate. Rotation of the motor (22) frees a trigger (23) that allows the float assembly (6) to rise. The blocking mechanism (21) also is configured to cut off the power supply to the motor and hence its rotation, for example, when the blocking mechanism senses an increase in power draw as maximum rotation of the motor is achieved . Once the toilet tank has emptied and the float assembly returns to its original position with the seal (15) pressed against the closure mechanism (13) due to its own weight, the trigger (23) can return to its blocking position, for example due to spring action. The configuration described above makes it possible to power the blocking mechanism by batteries (25), since its power draw is very low.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An automatic flush toilet tank assembly, the assembly comprising:

a flotation assembly including a sealing device adapted for releasably sealing a closure mechanism to prevent water flow through the closure mechanism; and

a blocking mechanism releasably connected to at least a portion of the flotation assembly, the blocking mechanism having a first position for preventing buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly and a second position for allowing buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly,

wherein buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly releases the sealing device and allows water flow through the closure mechanism.

2. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the flotation assembly further comprises a tube extending through a float and having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion being connected to the sealing device.

3. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism includes an adjustable rubber piece for supporting the closure mechanism on the inside surface of the toilet tank and wherein an end of the closure mechanism protrudes on the outside of the toilet tank.

4. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 2, wherein the tube includes at least one hole for overflow.

5. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 2, wherein the tube further includes a supply tube extending therethrough for supplying a product directly into a toilet bowl.

6. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1, further comprising a flushing mechanism operably connected to the blocking mechanism.

7. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 6, wherein the flushing mechanism includes at least one activation device selected from an infrared, manual, automatic or push button device.

8. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the blocking mechanism further comprises a motor that rotates a trigger operatively connected to the flotation assembly, wherein the flushing mechanism activates rotation of the motor.

9. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 8 wherein a battery supplies the power to the motor.

10. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the blocking mechanism includes a magnetic core that is electromagnetically movable between the first position and the second position.