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.

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

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.