Air flush system

Abstract

An airflush system comprises a bowl, a seat, a seat cover, a pair of gaskets, and an air pressure device. The bowl has an interior configured to receive waste, a bowl rim forming an opening through which the waste is received into the bowl, and an exit pipe through which the waste is discharged from the bowl. The seat has an opening and is configured to rest on the bowl rim such that the opening communicates with the interior of the bowl. The first gasket is disposed between the seat and the bowl rim such that when the seat rests on the bowl rim the first gasket forms an airtight seal between the seat and the bowl rim. The a cover is configured to rest on the seat to cover the opening of the seat, the cover having a hole. The second gasket is disposed between the cover and the seat such that when the cover rests on the seat the second gasket forms an airtight seal between the cover and the seat. The air pressure device introduces pressurized air into the interior of the bowl via the hole of the cover while the seat rests on the bowl rim and the cover rests on the seat to discharge the waste in the interior of the bowl through the exit pipe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/151,236 filed May 6, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to toilet flushing systems and is particularly directed to an airflush system providing improved methods and means for effecting the flushing of toilets in a method by which the amount of fresh water can now be none.

2. Background Information

Conventional toilets require a substantially large volume of water to complete the flushing operation, generally averaging about 4 to 6 gallons of water for each such flushing operation. Such relatively large volumes of water are required by the relatively low water pressures and velocities normally employed within the toilet bowl so that a relatively prolonged flushing period is required to insure complete removal of the wastes. Prior attempts to decrease the amount of water employed, for example, by increasing the velocity or force of water employed in the flushing operation, have generally been unsuccessful. Moreover, the prior mechanisms and systems for such purpose have proved to be entirely unsuited for use with conventional toilets or like systems for the disposal of wastes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention is directed to improvements on conventional toilets including the low flow ones which are now found to be sometimes weak and is particularly directed to an improved method and means for reducing the amount of water required for flushing and also maintaining the strong flushing ability to ensure the waste gets over the water tape barrier. This invention is further directed to improved systems of this type adapted for use within the confines of relatively compact, self-contained units, such as might be easily employed within homes, and the like.

In general, a particular object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple, highly effective method and means for flushing toilets and eliminating any fresh water required for the flushing operation, thereby reducing to zero fresh water consumption.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and means of the above character which does not require expensive or complicated water accelerators systems, pumps or related machinery, and which is adapted to use in the compact space normally available for use with conventional toilet units. The invention is facilitated by the use of a conventional vacuum cleaner, which is regarded as a universal necessity, while allowing the use of other suitable air pressure devices in accordance with a user's customized owns choice.

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention are carried out by an airflush system comprising: a bowl having an interior configured to receive waste, a bowl rim forming an opening through which the waste is received into the bowl, and an exit pipe through which the waste is discharged from the bowl; a seat having an opening and being configured to rest on the bowl rim such that the opening communicates with the interior of the bowl; a first gasket disposed between the seat and the bowl rim such that when the seat rests on the bowl rim the first gasket forms an airtight seal between the seat and the bowl rim; a cover configured to rest on the seat to cover the opening of the seat, the cover having a hole; a second gasket disposed between the cover and the seat such that when the cover rests on the seat the second gasket forms an airtight seal between the cover and the seat; and an air pressure device that introduces pressurized air into the interior of the bowl via the hole of the cover while the seat rests on the bowl rim and the cover rests on the seat to discharge the waste in the interior of the bowl through the exit pipe.

The invention also provides a toilet comprising: a bowl having an interior configured to receive waste, a bowl rim forming an opening through which the waste is received into the bowl, and an exit pipe through which the waste is discharged from the bowl; a seat having an opening and being configured to rest on the bowl rim such that the opening communicates with the interior of the bowl; a first gasket disposed between the seat and the bowl rim such that when the seat rests on the bowl rim the first gasket forms an airtight seal between the seat and the bowl rim; a cover configured to rest on the seat to cover the opening of the seat; a second gasket disposed between the cover and the seat such that when the cover rests on the seat the second gasket forms an airtight seal between the cover and the seat; and means defining an opening in the cover through which pressurized air is introduced into the interior of the bowl while the seat rests on the bowl rim and the cover rests on the seat to discharge the waste in the interior of the bowl through the exit pipe.

The invention also provides a seat/cover unit for a toilet having a bowl with an interior configured to receive waste, a bowl rim forming an opening through which the waste is received into the bowl, and an exit pipe through which the waste is discharged from the bowl. The seat/cover unit comprises: a seat having an opening and a first gasket, the seat being configured to rest on the bowl rim such that the opening communicates with the interior of the bowl and the first gasket forms an airtight seal between the seat and the bowl rim; and a cover for covering the opening of the seat, the cover having a gasket that is disposed between the cover and the seat when the cover covers the opening of the seat to form an airtight seal between the cover and the seat, and the cover having a hole communicating with the interior of the bowl via the opening of the seat when the cover covers the seat and through which pressurized air is supplied to discharge waste in the interior of the bowl through the exit pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a detailed view of the airflush system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides an airflush system (apparatus and method) that eliminates the need for any fresh water requirement for flushing conventional American Standard Toilets or any other brand toilets, which uses the Standard seat and lid unit.

The modification of a standard toilet seat/lid becomes an important part of the water saving airflush system, most importantly because the airflush system does not in any way disturb the normal water flushing function of the conventional toilet to which it is being adapted. There is no risk of this airflush system having a failure such as an electrical shutdown or part malfunction rendering the toilet inoperable and creating a serious health hazard, as would be the case in other flush assist inventions, which introduce completely new water accelerator apparatus.

The airflush system of the invention is a flush toilet characterized by a zero fresh water requirement and comprises a standard toilet bowl which either is or is not hooked up to a fresh water line. In the case of a third world situation where it is impossible to have the toilet hooked up to a fresh water line the upper reservoir section is not required however the reservoir hole must be sealed off by duck tape. With a standard toilet which is hooked up to the fresh water line and is operating in a normal water flush way, the toilet will not be hampered or in any way interfered with by the addition of this new airflush system.

The flush toilet also comprises means for water flushing the bowl portion of the toilet by air pressure alone, which is accomplished by means of a reverse vacuum cleaner or other such air pressure device to flush out waste and water from the bowl portion.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying FIG. 1 of the drawings. The drawing is a detailed view of the airflush toilet system incorporating the easiest and lest intrusive way to accomplish the airflush task, and in this example a modified seat/cover unit and the use of an air pressure device for flushing the airflush toilet system are the only changes in the standard toilet. In the FIGURE, 1 is the tank cover and 2 is the bowl rim going down into the bowl, 3 is the tank which is filled with water and always ready to do its water flush when 4, which is the water release lever, is pressed. 5 is the beginning of the modification which is a gasket (first gasket) around the entire bottom edge of a seat 6 so as to form an airtight seal with the aforementioned bowl rim 2 when the seat is closed down. The seat 6 is mounted with hinges which are depicted here by dotted lines. 7 is the lid or cover which has a hole 10 and is connected to the seat 6 and bowl rim 2 with hinges depicted here by dotted lines. 8 is another gasket (second gasket) which makes an airtight seal between the seat cover 7 and the seat 6 when the cover 7 is down. 9 is shown in dotted line and represents a fender-shaped air flow diffuser on the underside of the seat cover 7. The diffuser 9 is a 4×4 inch rubber piece that deflects the air flow. The cover hole 10 is 1.25 inch which is the standard drill size for the mounting of lock key ways. 11 is the air pressure device, shown here as a vacuum cleaner, that has had the hose reversed to blow air out. 12 is the hose which has air going out from the vacuum cleaner to pressurize the bowl area. 13 is a 1 inch diameter adaptor which has been first fitted with a rubber hose section making the final diameter 1.25 and a snug fit into the cover hole 10.

With this newly invented airflush system, the flushing of the bowl can be performed by other then the releasing of the water from the water reservoir. It can be flushed by closing the airflush system seat/cover unit 6, 7, which is either a pre-manufactured seat/lid or a conventional seat/lid which has been modified with airtight sealing gaskets 5, 8 and has the hole 10 in the rear of the cover 7 for a vacuum cleaner adapter to be plugged in.

After the toilet has been soiled and the choice has been made to use the airflush system, the cover 7 is closed to seal the bowl area airtight. Then air pressure is blown into the sealed bowl area through the cover hole 10, forcing the waste over the trap which is a bend in the exit pipe which creates an air lock between the outside environment air and the foul in the pipes. This is done by means of connecting a compact conventional vacuum cleaner 11, like the Eureka Boss. This vacuum cleaner has not been modified in anyway shape or form and is now to become for a brief moment part of the airflush system. The hose must first be reversed which is part of the vacuum's design and is easy as unplugging the hose from one end and re-plugging it into the other.

The blowing end of the vacuum hose is then inserted into the hole 10 of the cover 7. The hole 10 is in the rear of the cover and on the inward side of the hole 10 is the airflow diffuser 9, which is a 4×4 inch rubber fender. The vacuum cleaner 11 is then turned on for 2 seconds and the force of the air flushes the waste from the bowl. Now the hose is removed or if a special 90-degree adaptor is used the hose can remain. Then either the flushing handle 4 which is mounted on the upper left of the tank 3 can be slightly pressed to let in small volume of water to ready the toilet for the next use or the seat/cover unit 6, 7 can be opened and water from a gray water source pored into the toilet bowl.

There are many ways, some more convenient then others, to introduce the air pressure into the sealed bowl area besides a vacuum cleaner. What is needed is a low air pressure with a high volume and when power is not so readily available a hand or foot bellows will serve well. In areas affected by drought an abundance of solar energy from the sun can power a solar powered air compressor that can charge a container with air pressure to be connected to the vacuum cleaner adaptor and used to airflush the toilet.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention makes possible a choice between the conventional water flush and advantage of a zero fresh water air flush depending on the availability of fresh water, whereby a conventional toilet can be effectively flushed conveniently in a never before zero fresh water usage mode. The airflush system is simple and easily adapted to existing facilities, since the only moving part can even be a household inexpensive vacuum cleaner, which can within an instant fulfill its design function as a cleaning tool. The Eureka Boss vacuum cleaner will work fine and has the capability of putting the hose in the reversal air flow direction required for the flushing operation. This flushing system is proven in field tests and is readily adapted to existing toilet facilities worldwide which use the standard seat.

The seat/lid unit, being the only modified part of the conventional toilet, can easily be removed and remounted on other standard toilets. This being facilitated by the nylon bolts which are already a standard non-rusting way of mounting toilet seats.

This low water usage will also provide a solution for persons that have problems with flooding septic-tanks insomuch as it has been the large volume of water from the water flushing mode which has been the reason for the flooding and now with this new choice of a minimum water flush the flooding problem will be rectified and even more importantly save the environment from a contamination runoff situation during rainy time.

This system also gives the advantage of sealing off the toilet by means of the airtight seat. During exceptional drought conditions and water rationing when multiple soiling of the toilet ecomes a necessity, this air tight seat now also functions as a health and comfort barrier, and provides the option of running the airflush system before opening the cover of the seat to get rid of the really bad air.

There is also a new problem which has now become evident in the laws enacted in certain municipalities, which it is a requirement for new homes to have low-flow toilets, and such low-flow toilet are now in household use. Complaints are coming in that these low-flow toilets are not able to flush down big soiling or small soiling that are accompanied by large amounts of paper products. Also as unhealthy as it may be, plungers are now being used to confront this blockage as the low-flow units are failing in the big jobs. Thankfully these low-flow toilets have not reduced the size of the seats. The airflush system of this invention does the heavy work and eliminates the necessity for a plunger, placing the plunger out from the reach of children and back 1 a secure place where its contamination will hopefully dry out in time.

Claims

1. canceled

2. An airflush system comprising:

a bowl having an interior configured to receive waste, a bowl rim forming an opening through which the waste is received into the bowl, and an exit pipe through which the waste is discharged from the bowl;

a seat having an opening and being configured to rest on the bowl rim such that the opening communicates with the interior of the bowl;

a first gasket disposed between the seat and the bowl rim such that when the seat rests on the bowl rim the first gasket forms an airtight seal between the seat and the bowl rim;

a cover configured to rest on the seat to cover the opening of the seat, the cover having a hole;

a second gasket disposed between the cover and the seat such that when the cover rests on the seat the second gasket forms an airtight seal between the cover and the seat; and

an air pressure device that introduces pressurized air into the interior of the bowl via the hole of the cover while the seat rests on the bowl rim and the cover rests on the seat to discharge the waste in the interior of the bowl through the exit pipe.

3. An airflush system according to claim 2; wherein the first gasket is disposed around an entire bottom edge of the seat.

4. An airflush system according to claim 2; wherein the air pressure device comprises a vacuum cleaner.

5. An airflush system according to claim 2; further comprising an airflow diffuser disposed on an underside of the cover for deflecting the air flow from the air pressure device towards the interior of the bowl.

6. An airflush system according to claim 5; wherein the air pressure device has a hose via which the pressurized air is delivered; and further comprising an adaptor connected between the hose of the air pressure device and the hole of the cover.

7. An airflush system according to claim 2; wherein the hole is formed at a rear of the cover.

8. A toilet comprising:

a bowl having an interior configured to receive waste, a bowl rim forming an opening through which the waste is received into the bowl, and an exit pipe through which the waste is discharged from the bowl;

a seat having an opening and being configured to rest on the bowl rim such that the opening communicates with the interior of the bowl;

a first gasket disposed between the seat and the bowl rim such that when the seat rests on the bowl rim the first gasket forms an airtight seal between the seat and the bowl rim;

a cover configured to rest on the seat to cover the opening of the seat;

a second gasket disposed between the cover and the seat such that when the cover rests on the seat the second gasket forms an airtight seal between the cover and the seat; and

means defining an opening in the cover through which pressurized air is introduced into the interior of the bowl while the seat rests on the bowl rim and the cover rests on the seat to discharge the waste in the interior of the bowl through the exit pipe.

9. A toilet according to claim 8; wherein the first gasket is disposed around an entire bottom edge of the seat.

10. A toilet according to claim 8; wherein the means defining an opening comprises a hole formed in the cover.

11. A toilet according to claim 10; wherein the hole is formed at a rear of the cover.

12. A seat/cover unit for a toilet having a bowl with an interior configured to receive waste, a bowl rim forming an opening through which the waste is received into the bowl, and an exit pipe through which the waste is discharged from the bowl, the seat/cover unit comprising:

a seat having an opening and a first gasket, the seat being configured to rest on the bowl rim such that the opening communicates with the interior of the bowl and the first gasket forms an airtight seal between the seat and the bowl rim; and

a cover for covering the opening of the seat, the cover having a gasket that is disposed between the cover and the seat when the cover covers the opening of the seat to form an airtight seal between the cover and the seat, and the cover having a hole communicating with the interior of the bowl via the opening of the seat when the cover covers the seat and through which pressurized air is supplied to discharge waste in the interior of the bowl through the exit pipe.

13. A seat/cover unit according to claim 12; wherein the first gasket is disposed around an entire bottom edge of the seat.

14. A seat/cover unit according to claim 12; wherein the hole is formed at a rear of the cover.