A Cistern

Abstract

This invention relates to a cistem (1010): More specifically, the invention relates primarily to concealed cisterns for toilets having integrated, and preferably adjustable, dual-flushing and odour extraction capability. The cistem (1010) includes a primary chamber (1020) for storing a volume of liquid, a liquid inlet (1026) for the primary chamber (1020) of the cistem (1010) with liquid, an air outlet (1028) for exhausting air from the primary chamber (1020) of the cistem (1010) operatively during filling; and a liquid outlet (30) through which liquid operatively stowed in the primary chamber (1020) of the cistem is dischargeable. The cistem (1010) further includes a fill valve for controlling liquid supply into the primary chamber from the liquid inlet (1026) and a flush valve (60) for controlling flow through the liquid outlet (30). The flush valve (60) comprises of a flush valve seat and a flush plug (1064) being moveable relative to the flush valve seat between an open position, wherein the flush plug (1064) is displaced from the flush valve seat thereby to open the liquid outlet (30) and enable the liquid in the primary chamber (1020) to discharge there through during flushing, and a closed position, wherein the flush plug (1064) is seated on the flush valve seat thereby to close the liquid outlet (30) and prevent the passage of liquid there through. The cistern (1010) also includes at least one actuator (1070) for actuating displacement of the flush plug (1064) from the closed position to the open position, and a controller (1123) for controlling one or more of a group of flushing conditions including: (i) flush type, wherein the cistem (1010) is adjustable between a single flush, dual-flush, on-demand flush or a combination of such flush type conditions; and (ii) flush time, wherein the time of the displacement of the flush plug (1064) by the actuator (1070) for each flush type condition is adjustable.

Claims

1. A cistern defining: a primary chamber for storing a volume of liquid; a liquid inlet for filling the primary chamber of the cistern with liquid; an air outlet for exhausting air from the primary chamber of the cistern operatively during filling; and a liquid outlet through which liquid operatively stowed in the primary chamber of the cistern is dischargeable; wherein the cistern further includes: a fill valve for controlling liquid supply into the primary chamber from the liquid inlet; a flush valve for controlling flow through the liquid outlet, the flush valve comprising of a flush valve seat and a flush plug being movable relative to the flush valve seat between an open position, wherein the flush plug is displaced from the flush valve seat thereby to open the liquid outlet and enable the liquid in the primary chamber to discharge there through during flushing, and a closed position, wherein the flush plug is seated on the flush valve seat thereby to close the liquid outlet and prevent the passage of liquid there through; at least one actuator for actuating displacement of the flush plug from the closed position to the open position; and a controller for controlling one or more of a group of flushing conditions including: (i) flush type, wherein the cistern is adjustable between a single flush, dual-flush, on-demand flush or a combination of such flush type conditions; and (ii) flush time, wherein the time of the displacement of the flush plug by the actuator for each flush type condition is adjustable.

2. A cistern according to claim 1, wherein for the dual-flush type condition, the flush time of the displacement of the flush plug is adjustable by the controller between a first flushing condition, wherein the flush plug is displaced to the open position for a first pre-set time, and a second flushing condition, wherein the flush plug is displaced to the open position for a second pre-set time, characterised in that: in the first flushing condition, a first volume of liquid is dischargeable through the liquid outlet; and in the second flushing condition, a second and larger volume of liquid is dischargeable through the liquid outlet.

3. A cistern according to claim 1 including flush plumbing for connecting the cistern to a toilet bowl, the flush plumbing having at least a first end connected to the liquid outlet of the cistern and a second end connectable to a flush inlet of the toilet bowl, wherein the actuator for displacing the flush plug is located near the first end of the flush plumbing.

4. A cistern according to claim 3, wherein the flush plumbing includes an actuator housing in which the respective actuator, for displacing the flush plug from the closed position to the open position, is housed, and further wherein the actuator housing comprises opposing connectable ends thereby to enable the actuator housing to be installable to and/e removable from the flush plumbing for maintenance, replacement or repair thereof or the actuator, or for accessing the liquid outlet of the cistern through which at least parts of the fill valve and the flush plug are installable into and removable from the primary chamber.

5. A cistern according to claim 4, wherein the actuator housing includes a connecting formation at each of its connectable ends for, with the actuator housing aligned with threaded piping or fittings making up the flush plumbing, connecting the actuator housing to the flush plumbing.

6. A cistern according to claim 5, wherein the controller is controlled via a flush plate comprising one or more flush buttons or flush sensors, through which a user is capable of operatively actuating the actuator, the flush plate being locatable over the actuator housing thereby to conceal the actuator housing from external view, and further wherein the actuator housing and the flush plate are locatable beneath the primary chamber.

7. A cistern according to claim 6, wherein the actuator housing is a length of piping, and further wherein the actuator housing is contained within a maintenance container having an access opening through which the actuator housing, the actuator, the liquid outlet of the cistern and at least parts of the fill valve and the flush plug are accessible, the access opening capable of being closed and opened by the respective connecting and/e disconnecting of the flush plate thereover, the flush plate being fastenable to the maintenance container by magnets or fasteners.

8. A cistern according to claim 7 including a tertiary chamber being in communication with the primary chamber via the air outlet, wherein the tertiary chamber defines: an extraction vent being connectable to: (i) an outlet through which the toilet bowl fumes are directable to atmosphere; or (ii) ventilation or extraction ducting; thereby to generate a negative suction pressure in the toilet bowl; and an overflow opening connected by the flush plumbing to the toilet bowl through which: (i) liquid overflow from the primary chamber is directable into the toilet bowl; and (ii) fumes are directable from the toilet bowl outwardly towards and beyond the extraction vent thereby to reduce offensive smells and airborne disease at or near the toilet bowl; and further wherein the flush plumbing includes a tertiary end connected to the overflow opening, the tertiary end being in fluid communication with the second end of the flush plumbing.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. A cistern according to claim 8 including a fan for generating a pressure to draw fumes from the toilet bowl, wherein the flush plumbing includes a fan housing in which the fan is housed, the fan housing having opposing connectable ends thereby to enable the fan housing to be installable to or removable from the flush plumbing for maintenance, replacement or repair thereof or the fan, and/or for accessing the overflow opening of the cistern; and further wherein the fan housing includes connecting formations at each of its connectable ends for connecting the fan housing to the flush plumbing.

12. (canceled)

13. A cistern according to claim 11, wherein the flush plate is locatable over the fan housing thereby to conceal the fan housing from external view; and further wherein the fan housing is contained within the maintenance container such that the fan housing, the fan and the overflow opening are accessible through the access opening thereof with the flush plate operatively disconnected from the maintenance container.

14. (canceled)

15. A cistern according to claim 13, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator comprising a cylinder, a piston movable within the cylinder and a piston rod connected to the piston, the piston and consequentially the piston rod being moveable between an extended condition, wherein the piston rod extends into the primary chamber beyond the liquid outlet thereby to engage and displace the flush plug into the open condition, and a retracted condition, wherein the piston rod is retracted from the primary chamber and liquid outlet such that the flush plug is free to seat on the flush valve seat in its closed position.

16. A cistern according to claim 15, wherein the hydraulic actuator includes an actuator supply inlet for supplying liquid to the hydraulic actuator thereby to drive the piston and piston rod into at least one or the other of the extended or retracted conditions; and further wherein the actuator supply inlet is connectable to a municipal mains or other liquid supply, the hydraulic actuator including a biasing means for biasing the piston and piston rod into at least one or the other of the extended or retracted conditions; characterised in that the liquid inlet for filling the primary chamber of the cistern with liquid is connectable to the same municipal mains or other liquid supply to which the hydraulic actuator is connectable, the liquid inlet and the actuator supply inlet being connectable to such municipal mains or other liquid supply by fill plumbing.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. A cistern according to claim 16, wherein the fill plumbing includes a liquid inlet valve, for opening or shutting off flow of liquid from the liquid supply into the primary chamber, and an actuator supply inlet valve, for opening or shutting off flow of liquid to the hydraulic actuator, and further wherein the valves are operatively actuated by a user via the flush plate such that: (i) in the first flushing condition, the actuator supply inlet valve is opened thereby to drive the piston and piston rod into the extended condition so as to unseat the flush plug momentarily to release the first volume of liquid from the primary chamber; (ii) in the second flushing condition, the actuator supply inlet valve is opened thereby to drive the piston and piston rod into the extended condition so as to displace and unseat the flush plug for a longer period of time thereby to release the second volume of liquid from the primary chamber; and (iii) in other conditions other than the first or the second flushing conditions, with the actuator supply inlet valve closed, the liquid inlet valve is opened to allow the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet thereby to fill the primary chamber.

20. (canceled)

21. A cistern according to claim 19, wherein one or more of the valves are solenoid valves, or magnetically actuated valves actuated by valve actuators located on or near the flush plate.

22. (canceled)

23. A cistern according to claim 21, wherein the valve actuators are at least one first magnetic body and the magnetically actuated valves comprise at least one second magnetic body located thereon such that actuation of the valve actuators actuates the opening and closing of the magnetically actuated valve; the first and the second magnetic bodies: (i) both being magnets: or (ii) being respectively a magnetic body and a member made from a magnetically reactive material, or vice versa; and further wherein: the valve actuators, through actuation by the flush buttons or flush sensors of the flush plate, are mechanically movable closer to and further away from the second magnetic body of the magnetically actuated valve thereby to cause the magnetically actuated valve to open and close; at least one of the valve actuators and the second magnetic body are electrically energisable to cause the magnetically actuated valve to open and close; the magnets being permanent magnets or electromagnets.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. A cistern according to claim 23, wherein the flush sensors of the flush plate, or other sensors mounted thereon, on the detection of a user within its vicinity switches on: the fan; and/or attention attracting lights and/or audio.

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. A cistern according to claim 26, wherein where the flush plug: is a buoyant, and as such buoyantly movable in the liquid relative to the flush valve seat between the open and the closed positions, the cistern further includes a flush plug catch for catching the displaced flush plug, the flush plug catch: (i) defining one or more apertures for enabling passage of liquid from the primary chamber there into so as to impinge on the flush plug, the flush plug catch being sized to enable movement of the flush plug between its open and closed positions; and (ii) being mounted within the primary cistern at or near the flush valve seat; or has a specific gravity greater than the liquid stowable in the primary chamber, the flush plug is retainable in the open position by the actuator, held for the duration of the flush time, in the extended condition.

30. A cistern according to claim 29 further including a hydro-generator for powering at least the controller and the solenoid valves, and a communications module for enabling the programming of the controller

31. A cistern according to claim 30, wherein the cistern has an overall dimension of about 1500 to 1800 millimetres (height), about 250 to 350 millimetres (width) and 80 to 120 millimetres (depth) such that when built into or behind a wall, everything other than the flush plate is concealed from view.

32-95. (canceled)

96. A method of operation of a cistern in accordance with claim 1 including the steps of: (A) filling the primary chamber thereof with liquid thereby to store a volume of liquid therein; and (B) actuating the actuator thereby to displace the flush plug from the closed to the open position for predetermined amounts of time controlled by a controller, such that: in the first flushing condition, the flush plug is displaced to the open position for the first pre-set time thereby to enable the first volume of liquid to discharge through the liquid outlet; and in the second flushing condition, the flush plug is displaced to the open position for the second pre-set time thereby to enable the second volume of liquid to discharge through the liquid outlet.

97-98. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0203] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrations, in which:

[0204] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cistern in accordance with the present invention;

[0205] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cistern of FIG. 1 in a first flushing condition;

[0206] FIG. 3 is a front view of the cistern of FIG. 1 in a second flushing condition;

[0207] FIG. 4A-4E are front views of the cistern of FIG. 1, showing various filling and flushing conditions;

[0208] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the cistern of FIG. 1 relative to a recess in a wall in which it is operably receivable;

[0209] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the cistern of FIG. 5A, showing the built-in cistern concealed from view by the wall with nothing by a being visible;

[0210] FIG. 6A-6D are front views of a second embodiment of a cistern in accordance with the present invention, showing various filling and flushing conditions;

[0211] FIG. 7A-7D are front views of a third embodiment of a cistern in accordance with the present invention, showing various filling and flushing conditions; and

[0212] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the working components of the second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0213] A cistern according to first embodiment of the invention is designated generally in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 by reference numeral 10. The cistern 10 comprises a primary chamber 20 for holding a volume of liquid (such as water, being represented in the figures by grey shading), a fill valve 50 operative at an upper end 22 of the primary chamber 20, a flush valve 60 operative at a lower end 24 of the primary chamber 20 and an actuator 70 positioned operatively beneath the flush valve 60 and outside of the primary chamber 20, which is one of many advantages of the cistern 10.

[0214] The primary chamber 20 defines the liquid inlet 26 for filing the primary chamber 20 with liquid, an air outlet 28 through which air is exhaustable from the primary chamber 20 and a liquid outlet 30 through which liquid stowed in the primary chamber 20 is dischargeable from the primary chamber 20 of the cistern 10.

[0215] The fill valve 50 comprises of a fill valve seat 52 and a fill float 54 being buoyantly movable on the liquid relative to the fill valve seat 52 between respective open and closed positions, which will be described in greater detail later in the description. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, and although the fill float 54 may be freely movable within the volume of primary chamber 20, the cistern 10 may include a fill float catch 56, mounted about the fill valve seat 52, for housing the fill float 54 and restricting its movement to within a zone near such fill valve seat 52.

[0216] In the open position of the fill valve 50, the fill float 54 is displaced from the fill valve seat 52 thereby to open the air outlet 28 and enable the air inside the primary chamber 20 to exhaust there through while the primary chamber 20 is operatively filled with liquid via the liquid inlet 26. In the closed position of the fill valve 50, the fill float 54 buoyantly seats against the fill valve seat 52 so as to not only close the air outlet 28 thereby preventing the flow of air or liquid there through, but also pressurise the primary chamber 20 beyond or equal to a pressure at which liquid is supplied thereto via the liquid inlet 26, temporarily terminating further liquid supply into the primary chamber 20.

[0217] It will be appreciated that the fill valve 50 operates like a scupper valve, commonly found on boats.

[0218] Furthermore, and together with or in substitution to the tapering upper end 22 of the primary chamber 20, the fill float catch 56 guides the fill float 54 into engagement with the fill valve seat 52 as the fill float 54 rises into the closed condition in use. The fill float catch 56, defines one or more apertures 58 or is in the form of a cage, allows liquid to pass therethrough and impinge on the fill float 54. In this manner, the fill float 54 becomes buoyant as the liquid level in the primary chamber 20 rises operatively upwardly into contact with and beyond the float catch 56 towards the fill valve seat 52.

[0219] The flush valve 60 comprises of a flush valve seat 62 and a flush plug 64 being buoyantly movable on the liquid relative to the flush valve seat 62 between respective open and closed positions, which will be described in greater detail later in the description. A trap 32 is located within the primary chamber 20 of the cistem 10. The trap 32 defines a secondary chamber 34 therein, a secondary chamber vent 36 and a fluid inlet 38, which fluid inlet 38 is located between the flush valve seat 62 and the secondary chamber vent 36.

[0220] More specifically, the trap 32 is substantially cup-shaped and located within the primary chamber 20 in a substantially upside-down configuration. The trap 32 comprises a base end 40 spaced further away from the flush valve seat 62 than an open mouth end thereof, which open mouth end is the fluid inlet 38 of the trap 32. For the cistern 10 to operate in the manner required, the secondary chamber vent 36 is defined at or near the base end 40 of the trap 32.

[0221] The trap 32 is mounted about and above the flush valve seat 62 on a trap mount 42, which trap mount 42 spaces the fluid inlet 38 operatively above the flush valve seat 62 and defines apertures 44 therein to allow liquid to flow from the primary chamber 20, through the trap mount 42 and outwardly via liquid outlet 30.

[0222] In a preferred embodiment, the trap mount 42 may be a flush plug catch, much the same as the fill float catch 56, capped at an operative top end with the cup-shaped trap 32. Furthermore, and together with or in substitution to the tapering lower end 24 of the primary chamber 20, the trap 32 and specifically the flush plug catch 42 guides the flush plug 64 into engagement with the flush valve seat 62 as the flush plug 64 moves operatively downwardly, due to a lose in buoyancy as the liquid discharges from the primary chamber 20.

[0223] In the open position of the flush valve 60, the flush plug 64 s displaced from the flush valve seat 62 thereby to open the liquid outlet 30 and enable the liquid in the primary chamber 20 to discharge there through during flushing. In the closed position of the flush valve 60, the flush plug 64 is seated on the flush valve seat 62 thereby to close the liquid outlet 30 and prevent the passage of liquid there through.

[0224] The cistern 10 further includes flush plumbing 80 (which in use would typically incorporate a flush pipe of a toilet) for connecting the cistern 10 to a toilet bowl (not shown). More specifically, the flush plumbing 80 comprises at least a first end 82 connected to the liquid outlet 30 of the cistern 10 and a second end 84 connectable to a flush inlet of the toilet bowl.

[0225] The actuator 70, located near the first end 82 of the flush plumbing 80, is housed within an actuator housing 86, in the form of a length of pipe, having opposing connectable ends 82, 88. Each of the opposing ends 82, 88 of the actuator housing 86 comprise slip nuts 82A, 88A (also known in the industry as a union fitting) thereby to enable the actuator housing 86 to be installable to and/or removable from the flush plumbing 80 for maintenance, replacement or repair of the actuator housing 86 and/or the actuator 70.

[0226] It will be appreciated that the liquid outlet 30 of the cistern is accessible with the actuator housing 86 removed from the flush plumbing 80. This is one of many advantages of the cistern 10, as access to the liquid outlet 30 enables any one or more of the trap 32, the fill valve seat 52, the fill float 54, the fill float catch 56, the flush valve seat 62 and the flush plug 64 to be installable to and/or removable from the primary chamber 20 for maintenance, replacement or repair.

[0227] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the cistern 20 also includes a tertiary chamber 90, being in communication with the primary chamber 20 via the air outlet 28. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the tertiary chamber 90 flanks the primary chamber 20 and, at an upper end thereof, extends above the primary chamber 20, such that the tertiary chamber 90 takes a substantially upside-down L-shape. It will be appreciated that the cistern may be designed in many different manners such that the chambers take different shapes and configurations.

[0228] The tertiary chamber 90 defines an extraction vent 92 and an overflow opening 94 connected to the toilet bowl by the flush plumbing 80, the overflow opening 94 being connected to a tertiary end 96 of such flush plumbing 80, such that the flush plumbing 80 takes a substantially Y-shaped form. It will be appreciated that the tertiary chamber 90 acts as one or both of an overflow chamber and an extraction chamber.

[0229] In operation, any overflow of liquid passing from the primary chamber 20 through the fill valve 50, under normal operation or failure of such valve 50, is directable via the tertiary chamber 90 (acting as an overflow chamber), through the overflow opening 94 and into the flush plumbing 80 to be discarded into the toilet bowl.

[0230] Simultaneously, and with the tertiary chamber 90 acting as an extraction chamber, fumes and/or germs from the toilet bowl are extractable therefrom via the flush plumbing 80, through the tertiary chamber 90 and outwardly via the extraction vent 92. This is yet another advantage of the cistern 10, which advantage reduces offensive smells and airborne disease at or near the toilet bowl.

[0231] It is envisaged that the fumes and/or germs from the toilet bowl may be drawn into and beyond the tertiary chamber 90 using multiple methods, two of which will now be discussed in greater detail. The first method, envisaged for use mainly in commercial applications, is by connecting the extraction vent 92 to existing extraction ducting infrastructure in a building. In this manner, the negative pressure in the extraction ducting is communicated into the tertiary chamber 90, thereby to create suction therein for drawing the fumes and/or germs from the toilet bowl.

[0232] The second method, envisaged for use mainly in domestic applications, is by including in the flush plumbing 80, at a location near the tertiary end 96 thereof, a fan 98 for positively displacing the fumes and/or germs from the toilet bowl into and beyond the tertiary chamber 90. It will be appreciated that the fan may be any form of blowing or suction device that would provide the same or similar effect as the fan.

[0233] The fan 98 is housed in a fan housing 100 (typically a length of pipe), which fan housing 100 is part of the flush plumbing 80 and includes opposing connectable ends 96, 102 having thereon slip nuts 96A, 102A for enable the fan housing 100 to be installable to and/or removable from the flush plumbing 80 for maintenance, replacement or repair thereof and/or the fan 98 housed therein. It will be appreciated that with the fan housing 100 removed, the overflow opening 94 of the tertiary chamber 90 is accessible.

[0234] It is further envisaged that both the actuator housing 86 and the fan housing 100 will be contained within a maintenance container 104, a maintenance box of sorts, having an access opening (i.e. a hatch) capable of been opened and closed by a 106 (i.e. a hatch cover), being removably fastenable to the maintenance container 104 over such access opening, thereby to conceal the actuator housing 86 and the fan housing 100 from view.

[0235] In this manner, and for example where the cistern is built into a masonry wall, all working components of the cistern 10 (i.e the trap 32, the fill valve seat 52, the fill float 54, the fill float catch 56, the flush valve seat 62, the flush plug 64, the actuator 70, actuator housing 86, the fan 98 and the fan housing 100) are accessible for maintenance, replacement or repair by, without having to break the wall, removing the flush plate 106 from the maintenance container 104 and thereafter, removing the actuator housing 86 and the fan housing 100 from the flush plumbing 80.

[0236] It will be appreciated that it may be difficult to remove certain of the components, i.e. the fill and flush valve seats 52, through the maintenance container. Accordingly, these may be manufactured from a harder wearing material, with the fill float 54 and the flush plug 64 being manufactured from a softer material such that only the latter (i.e. and not the seats) require replacement.

[0237] The flush plate 106, the operation of which will be explained in greater detail later in this description, generally comprises two flush buttons 108, 110, for actuating the flushing of the cistern 10 with dual flush capability.

[0238] It will be appreciated that instead of buttons, the flush plate 106 could have sensors for sensing the presence of a person (i.e. a microwave switch), thereby eliminating the need for a user to physically touch the flush plate 106 to flush the toilet. It will be appreciated further that such sensors, or other sensing means, could also be used to switch on the fan 98 and/or attention attracting lights 112 (preferably light emitting diodes) or audio. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the flush plate 106 will make use of novel markings to ensure that the user selects the correct flushing condition, possibly through touch-less or soft-touch capacitive sensors.

[0239] The actuator 70 is a hydraulic actuator comprising a cylinder 72, a piston (not shown) movable within the cylinder and a piston rod 74 connected to the piston and extending from the cylinder 72, the piston and consequentially the piston rod 74 being moveable between respective extended and retracted conditions relative to the cylinder 72.

[0240] In the extended condition, the piston rod 74 extends into the primary chamber 20 beyond the liquid outlet 30 thereby to engage and displace the flush plug 64 into its open condition. In the retracted condition, the piston rod 74 is retracted from the primary chamber 20 and liquid outlet 30 such that the flush plug 64 is free to seat on the flush valve seat 62 in its closed position.

[0241] The hydraulic actuator 70 includes an actuator supply inlet 114 for supplying liquid thereto to drive the piston and piston rod 42 into the extended condition. Preferably, the hydraulic actuator 70 includes a biasing means (not shown) for, on shutting off liquid supply thereto, biasing the hydraulic actuator 70 back toward its retracted condition.

[0242] A further advantage of the cistern 10 is its simple operation, owed largely to the ability to fill the cistern 10 with liquid, as well as actuating the flushing thereof with one and the same municipal mains or other liquid supply, represented in the illustrations by liquid supply line 116, via fill plumbing 118 comprising a liquid inlet valve 120 and an actuator supply inlet valve 122.

[0243] The liquid inlet valve 120 opens and/or shuts off flow of liquid from the liquid supply line 116 into the primary chamber 20 via the liquid inlet 26. The actuator supply inlet valve 122 opens and/or shuts off flow of liquid to the hydraulic actuator 70. The valves 120, 122 are operatively actuatable via the flush plate 106, which will be described in greater detail later in this description.

[0244] The cistern 10 further includes a control valve 124 located along purge plumbing, more specifically a purge line 126, connected at one end to the secondary chamber vent 36 of the trap 32, and at an opposite end to the flush plumbing 80.

[0245] The control valve 124 controls airflow through the secondary chamber vent 36 and is actuated, as are the liquid inlet and the actuator supply inlet valves 120, 122, by the flush plate 106 between closed and open positions to consequentially actuate one or the other of a first flushing condition or a second flushing condition, which will be described in greater detail below.

[0246] In use, and while the cistern 10 is being filled, the liquid rises upwardly from the lower end 24 of the primary chamber 20, to and beyond the level of the fluid inlet 38 (i.e. the open mouth end) of the trap 32. It will be appreciated that as the liquid, as it moves beyond the open mouth end 38 of the traps 32, traps a volume of air in the secondary chamber 34 thereof, as represented in the figures with the trap 32 shown without any shading when filled with air.

[0247] In a filled condition, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A, the control valve 124 is closed, consequentially closing the secondary chamber vent 36 thereby to keep the air trapped in the secondary chamber 34 of the trap 32, so as to prevent any liquid from entering into the secondary chamber 34 thereof.

[0248] In this filled condition, the cistern 10 is ready to be flushed in the first flushing condition or the second flushing condition. In the first flushing condition, attainable for example by depression of the first flush button 108 as illustrated in FIG. 4B, and while the control valve 124 remains closed, the liquid inlet valve 120 is momentarily closed and the actuator supply inlet valve 122 is momentarily opened.

[0249] The closed liquid inlet valve 120 shuts off flow to the primary chamber 20 such the liquid from the liquid supply line 116 is redirected through the opened actuator supply inlet valve 122, thereby to drive the actuator 70 into the extended condition such the piston rod 74 displaces the flush plug 64 from its seated closed position into its open position.

[0250] With the flush plug 64 being buoyant, the flush plug 64 rises upwardly toward the trap 32. Without any liquid present in the secondary chamber 34 of the trap 32, due to this space being occupied by the trapped air, the flush plug 64 is incapable of buoyantly rising beyond a force zone within which forces acting thereon, by the liquid now discharging out of the primary chamber 20 through the flush valve seat 62 and into the liquid outlet 30, return the flush plug 64 to the closed position after having operatively enabled a first volume of liquid to discharge from the cistern 10.

[0251] It will be appreciated, as previously indicated, that the force zone lies substantially between the flush valve seat 62 and the fluid inlet 38 of the secondary chamber 34 of the trap 32, within which force zone suction forces and/or other fluid dynamic forces act on the flush plug 64 to return it to the closed position. It will be appreciated further that following a strike of the flush button 108, and after momentarily closing and opening the respective liquid inlet and actuator supply inlet valves 120,122, such valves are returned to their respective normally open and closed positions.

[0252] With the valves 120,122 respectively returned to their normally opened and closed positions, liquid again enters into the primary chamber 20 thereby to return the cistern to its filled condition as illustrated in FIG. 4C.

[0253] With the cistern 10 returned to its filled condition, and with reference to FIG. 4D, the second flushing condition is attainable, for example, by depression of the second flush button 110, actuating the momentary closing of the liquid inlet valve 120, opening of the actuator supply inlet valve 122 and the opening of the control valve 124, consequentially purging the trapped air in the secondary chamber 34 therefrom via the secondary chamber vent 36 and into the flush plumbing 80 via the purge line 126.

[0254] The closed liquid inlet valve 120 shuts off flow to the primary chamber 20 such the liquid from the liquid supply line 116 is redirected through the opened actuator supply inlet valve 122, thereby to drive the actuator 70 into the extended condition such the piston rod 74 displaces the flush plug 64 from its seated closed position into its open position.

[0255] With the air purged from the trap 32, liquid from the primary chamber 20 enters the secondary chamber 34 of the trap 32 via the fluid inlet 38 thereof, thereby to flood the secondary chamber 34 with liquid. The flush plug 64, having been dislodged by the actuator 70 into its open position, buoyantly rises upwardly into the secondary chamber 34 of the trap 32 now flooded with liquid, and beyond the force zone, such that the flush plug 64 is returnable to the closed position only after having operatively enabled a second and larger volume of liquid to discharge through the flush valve seat 62 and into the liquid outlet 30.

[0256] It will be appreciated that the trap 32, particularly during the second flushing condition, acts to direct liquid exhausting from the primary chamber 20 to a location beneath the displaced flush plug 64 thereby to further assist the flush plug 64 to escape the force zone.

[0257] With all of liquid discharged from the primary chamber 20, as illustrated in FIG. 4E, the flush plug 64, no longer having liquid to remain buoyant, falls under the force of gravity back into its closed condition.

[0258] In this manner, using hydraulic and mechanical means, simple dual flushing capability is attained. It will be appreciated that following a strike of the flush button 110, and after momentarily closing the liquid inlet valve 120 and opening both the actuator supply inlet and control valves 122, 124, such valves are returned to their respective normally open and closed positions.

[0259] With the valves 120,122, 124 respectively returned to their normally opened and closed positions, liquid again enters into the primary chamber 20 thereby to return the cistern 10 to its filled condition as illustrated in FIG. 4A or 4C.

[0260] The valves 120,122, 124 are preferably magnetically actuated valves, each valve having thereon a first magnetic body being co-operative with respective second magnetic bodies, movement or energising of the latter being actuated by the striking of the flush buttons 108, 110 on the flush plate 106. The first and the second magnetic bodies may both be magnets, respectively be a magnetic and a member made from a magnetically reactive material, or vice versa.

[0261] During use, it will be appreciated that the striking of the flush buttons 108, 110 will also switch off the extraction fan during flushing as depicted by the directional arrows D in FIG. 4, where connection to extraction ducting does not already supply a negative pressure for constant extraction.

[0262] A further advantage of the cistern 10 is its shape and dimensions, which enable it to be built into a wall within a shallow recess defined in a wall between substantially vertical and parallel lines chased into such wall, as illustrated in FIG. 5. This makes installation quick and easy.

[0263] The first embodiment of the invention as described above is a mechanical low-cost version of the cistern, ideal for applications where electrical power is unavailable, and where skilled labour for fixing and maintaining electrical and/or electronic appliances are scarce. What follows is a description of a second embodiment of the invention, as depicted in FIGS. 6A to 6D, being an electrically powered version of the cistem.

[0264] With reference now to FIGS. 6A to 6D, and with like references designating like parts, what follows is a brief explanation as to the differences in the parts and operation between the first and second embodiments of the invention 10, 1010. It will be appreciated that other than the parts and operation differences described herein, the remaining parts and operation of the first and second embodiments of the invention remain substantially the same.

[0265] The cistern 1010 of the second embodiment may have the same general shape and character the cistern 10 of the first embodiment, or a slightly modified version thereof wherein the liquid inlet 1026, for filling the primary chamber 1020 with liquid, is located operatively above the overflow level, being the air outlet 1028 of the cistern 1010, thereby to define an airgap between the liquid inlet 1026 and the liquid air outlet 1028.

[0266] To comply with British Standards Air Gap Regulations, the air gap between the abovementioned inlet and outlet 1026, 1028 is preferably at least 20 millimetres such that if a negative pressure is experienced on the liquid inlet line 1026, air and not water is sucked back into such line, thereby to prevent contamination of a mains water supply.

[0267] By comparison of the cisterns 10, 1010 of the first and second embodiments of the invention, the more obvious part differences that can be observed is the exclusion in the cistern 1010 the trap 32, and consequentially the exclusion of the secondary chamber 34, the secondary chamber vent 36, the fluid inlet 38, the trap mount 42 and the purge line 126 and associate valve 124.

[0268] Less obvious part differences are: [0269] the substitution of a buoyant flush plug 64 with a flush plug 1064 having a specific gravity greater than the liquid stowable in the primary chamber 1020; [0270] the replacement of the magnetically actuated valves with solenoid type valves; [0271] the introduction of a controller 1123 for controlling an amount of time during which the actuator 1070 is retained in its extended condition, thereby to displace the float plug 1064 into its open position; and [0272] the requirement for an electrical power supply.

[0273] Furthermore, and with reference to the maintenance container 1104 of the cistern 1010, it will be appreciated that instead of depicting the components required for the actuation of the filling and flushing of the cistern 1010 therein, that a schematic representation (see FIG. 8) be used to better describe the operation.

[0274] With reference to FIG. 8, the liquid inlet 1026 is fed via the fill plumbing 1118 comprising a liquid inlet shut-off valve 1120 and an actuator supply inlet solenoid valve 1122, with at least the latter being controlled by the controller 1123.

[0275] In one version of this second embodiment, at least the controller 1123 and the actuator supply inlet solenoid valve 1122 is powered via a mains electricity supply. In another version of the second embodiment, and as depicted in FIG. 8, at least the controller 1123 and the actuator supply inlet solenoid valve 1122 is powered by a power storage device, i.e. a battery or capacitor, receiving power from a hydro-generator 1125 located along the fill plumbing 1118 and being driven by the liquid supply (i.e. a mains water supply) during the filling of the cistern 1010.

[0276] It is envisaged that the controller 1123 will comprise at least a printed circuit board (PCB), the power storage device and a communications module (i.e. a blue tooth communications module) for communicating with the controller 1123 via an electronic device, such a cellular telephone, via a software application.

[0277] After having passed through the hydro-generator 1125, the liquid from the liquid supply operative passes through a pressure-reducing valve 1127, then through a pressure relief valve 1129, which in an alternative embodiment could be integrated into the flush valve as a collapsible seal, and finally to the liquid inlet 1026 to fill the primary chamber 1020.

[0278] It will be appreciated that the controller 1123, during or pre-installation, is programmed with the required flushing conditions made up of a flush type (single flush, dual-flush, on-demand flush) and a flush time, the latter being associated with the volume of liquid the cistern 1010 must dispense for the programmed flush type.

[0279] In the filled condition, and as depicted in FIG. 6A, the fill float 1054 seats against the fill valve seat 1052, causing the pressure in the primary chamber 1020 to increase to a value beyond or equal to the pressure of the liquid inlet 1026, thereby to automatically shut-off further liquid supply into the primary chamber 1026. It will be appreciated that the pressure at the liquid supply inlet 1026, and consequentially the pressure in the primary chamber 1020 in the filled condition, is such that the force acting on the flush plug 1064 is less than the force exertable thereon by the actuator 1070 to displace the flush plug 1064 for flushing.

[0280] In most applications, it is envisaged that the controller 1123 will be set for a dual-flush flush type, having a first flushing condition, wherein the flush plug 1064 is displaced to the open position for a first pre-set time, and a second flushing condition, wherein the flush plug 1064 is displaced to the open position for a second pre-set time, characterised in that in the first flushing condition, a first volume of liquid is dischargeable through the liquid outlet and in the second flushing condition, a second and larger volume of liquid is dischargeable through the liquid outlet.

[0281] In use, and with the cistern 1010 in the filled condition as depicted in FIG. 6A, a user triggers a first flushing condition via the flush plate 1106 causing the controller 1123 to open the actuator supply inlet solenoid valve 1122 thereby to divert flow from the liquid supply to the actuator 1070.

[0282] As illustrated in FIG. 68, the liquid hydraulically drives the piston rod 1074 of the actuator 1070 from the retracted condition to the extended condition for a first pre-set time, consequentially displacing the flush plug 1064 and holding it in the open position to flush the first volume of liquid. Once the first pre-set time has lapsed, the controller 1123 closes the actuator supply inlet solenoid valve 1122, returning the piston rod 1074 of the actuator 1070 to retracted condition and consequentially the flush plug 1064 to the closed position enabling the primary chamber 1020 to be re-filled as depicted in FIG. 6C.

[0283] Similarly, the user may trigger a second flushing condition via the flush plate 1106 causing the controller 1123 to open the actuator supply inlet solenoid valve 1122 thereby to divert flow from the liquid supply to the actuator 1070.

[0284] As illustrated in FIG. 6D, the liquid hydraulically drives the piston rod 1074 of the actuator 1070 from the retracted condition to the extended condition for a second pre-set time, consequentially displacing the flush plug 1064 and holding it in the open position to flush the second volume of liquid. Once the second pre-set time has lapsed, the controller 1123 closes the actuator supply inlet solenoid valve 1122, returning the piston rod 1074 of the actuator 1070 to retracted condition and consequentially the flush plug 1064 to the closed position enabling the primary chamber 1020 to be re-filled.

[0285] As a further water-saving feature, the controller 1123 will monitor the operation of the hydro-generator 1125, which is expected to operate only during the filling of the cistern 1010. It will be appreciated then that if the hydro-generator 1125 is operative other than during filling, there is a high likelihood that there may be a leak, which under normal conditions, would only visibly manifest itself as brownish markings in the bowl of the toilet after many months of water losses. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the hydro-generator acts as a power supply and a leak detection device.

[0286] It will be appreciated that this embodiment of the cistern 1010 may, instead of working with a timed controller and incorporating a sinking flush plug 1064, could work on a similar principle to that of the cistern 10 described above having a buoyant flush plug 64 and a cup-shaped trap or catch 1032 for receiving such buoyant flush plug 64. The trap or catch 1032 need not be airtight, and needs simply act to catch the flush plug 64 and direct liquid exhausting the primary chamber 1020 to beneath the flush plug 1064 thereby to assist its release from the force zone. Furthermore, the cistern 1010 could also work with the sinking flush plug and trap combination so as to prevent the flush plug from straying to far away from the flush valve whilst the flush plug is in the open position.

[0287] With reference now to a further embodiment of the invention, as depicted in FIG. 7, and again with like references designating like parts, the cistern 2010 may have a pair of primary chamber 2020A, 2020B for discharging different first and second volumes of liquid under the respective first and second flushing conditions. In this embodiment, the first flushing condition is attainable by opening only the first of a pair of flush plugs 1064A (as depicted in FIG. 7B), while the second flushing condition is attainable by opening the second of the flush plugs 1064B, or both of the flush plugs 106A, 1064B (as depicted in FIG. 7D).

[0288] Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications or variations of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0289] For example, the cistern 10 may include pressure release plumbing extending from a first end thereof from within the primary chamber 20 and having a second end connected to the flush plumbing 80, wherein the pressure release plumbing includes a pressure reducing valve to reduce the pressure of the liquid supply entering into the primary chamber of the cistern via the liquid inlet, consequentially to maintain the pressure in the primary chamber such that the force acting on the flush plug by the volume of liquid in the primary chamber is less than the force exertable thereon by the actuator to displace the flush plug, as a function of at least the pressure of the liquid supply, the pressure and volume of the tank and the area of the flush plug;

[0290] Alternatively and/or supplementary to the aforementioned pressure reducing valve, the pressure release plumbing may include a pressure relief valve for opening or shutting off flow of small amounts of liquid stored in the primary chamber 20 thereby to release, with the pressure release valve opened during the first or the second flushing condition, pressure from inside the primary chamber 20 such that the hydraulic actuator 70 is capable of more easily moving into the extended condition.

[0291] Furthermore, the pressure release plumbing may also comprise of a further pressure relief valve to blow-off pressure in the cistern where the pressure therein exceeds a predefined maximum pressure.

[0292] In another example, and although the cistern of the present invention has been described with reference to use with toilets, it will be appreciated that the cistern may be used in many other applicationsfor instance, to flush urinals.

[0293] In yet another example, the depressurisation of the tank 20 during flush activation could happen by valve 120 being a 3-way valve that dumps water into chamber 86 and 80 during flushing.

[0294] It will be appreciated that by making the cistern smart, through the building into the controller of a communications module that enables communication with a software application on a mobile phone, many advantages may be unlocked. For example: [0295] flush type and time programming of the controller without having direct access thereto; [0296] auto flush programming for automatically flushing the toilet after its last flush thereby to prevent the water trap from drying out, and/or to prevent the water and piping from becoming stagnant and contaminated (particularly useful for holiday houses and seasonal facilities); [0297] access to on-demand installation manuals; [0298] end-to-end tracking of the cistern from production to installation, including at least installation date, location, user and installer information, as well as operational and usage statistics tracking; [0299] fan speed and duration settings; [0300] flush plate attention attracting light settings (and/or display settings where the flush plate is any one of a touch screen, glass, aluminium, stainless steel or plastic); [0301] warranty registration and tracking; [0302] proximity advertising; [0303] leak detection alarms; and [0304] service interval notifications.