Patent Publication Number: US-2007118981-A1

Title: Toilet apparatus with a vacuum breaker diverter

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/740,072, filed on Nov. 28, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to a fluid diverter device, and more particularly, to a toilet apparatus including a vacuum breaker diverter.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Recreation vehicles are known to include toilets with a hand spray nozzle for cleaning the toilet bowl.  FIG. 1  illustrates a partial exploded view of portions of a conventional toilet  10  including a conventional hand spray nozzle  28 . The conventional toilet  10  includes a main body portion  12  with a toilet bowl  14  and a flush rim  16  for dispensing water into the toilet bowl  14 . A foot pedal  20  can be pressed to open a flush valve  18  and thereby dispense water through the flush rim  16  and into the toilet bowl  14 . The conventional toilet  10  also includes a lid  13  and seat  15  shown exploded from the main body portion  12 .  
       FIGS. 1, 2A  and  2 B illustrate a conventional vacuum breaker diverter  24  of the conventional toilet  10 , in somewhat simplified, schematic form. The conventional vacuum breaker diverter  24  operates according to known principles to prevent an undesirable reverse fluid flow due to an underpressure condition that might develop after a flushing operation. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the conventional vacuum breaker diverter  24  includes a first vertical tube  32  with a first opening  34 . An upper end of a vertical pipe  22  can be placed in fluid communication with the first opening  34  of the vertical tube  32  while a lower end of the vertical pipe  22  can be placed in fluid communication with the flush valve  18 . As further illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the conventional vacuum breaker diverter  24  also has a second vertical tube  36  in fluid communication with a second opening  38  and a third opening  40 . A horizontal tube  26  includes the second opening  38  for supplying the flush rim  16  with water. In addition, the third opening  40  is configured for connecting to a flexible hose  30  for supplying water to the hand spray nozzle  28 .  
      In use, an operator can press a foot pedal  20  to open a flush valve  18 . Once the flush valve  18  is opened, water flows up through the vertical pipe  22 , through the vacuum breaker diverter  24  and out the flush rim  16  into the toilet bowl  14 . Additionally, while the foot pedal  20  is pressed, an operator can also use the hand spray nozzle  28  to assist in cleaning the toilet bowl  14 . Using the hand spray nozzle  28  can help clean the toilet bowl  14  with less water when compared to cleaning operations only using the flush rim  16 .  
      The conventional toilet  10  has proven effective to provide convenient cleaning of the toilet bowl with a reduced amount of water. However, the conventional vacuum breaker diverter  24  allows a significant portion of the water to be dispensed by the flush rim  16  while using the hand spray nozzle  28 . Indeed, when using the hand spray nozzle  28 , the conventional vacuum breaker diverter  24  is known to divide a water stream from a flush valve  18  such that slightly less than  41 % of the water stream is dispensed by the hand spray nozzle  28  while the remaining portion of the water stream is dispensed by the flush rim  16 . Therefore, more water may be required to perform the cleaning operation since a significant portion of the water continues to be dispensed by the flush rim  16  when using the hand spray nozzle  28 . In addition, water may be dispensed at a lower velocity from the hand spray nozzle  28  if a substantial amount of water continues to be dispensed by the flush rim  16  when using the hand spray nozzle  28 .  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to identify neither key nor critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.  
      In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a toilet apparatus adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid source is provided comprising a bowl, a fluid dispenser adapted to dispense a fluid into the bowl, and a flush valve adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid source. A spraying apparatus is further provided including a spray valve biased to a closed position, wherein the spraying apparatus is adapted to dispense a fluid upon opening of the spray valve. A vacuum breaker diverter is further provided in fluid communication with the flush valve, the fluid dispenser and the spraying apparatus. The vacuum breaker diverter is adapted to direct substantially all of a fluid stream from the flush valve to the fluid dispenser while the flush valve is open and the spray valve is closed. The vacuum breaker diverter is further adapted to direct greater than 41% of a fluid stream from the flush valve to the spraying apparatus while the flush valve is open and the spray valve is open.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a toilet apparatus adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid source is provided comprising a bowl, a fluid dispenser adapted to dispense a fluid into the bowl, and a flush valve adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid source. A spraying apparatus is further provided including a spray valve biased to a closed position, wherein the spraying apparatus is adapted to dispense a fluid upon opening of the spray valve. A vacuum breaker diverter is further provided including a diverter chamber and a diverter device movable within the diverter chamber between a first position and a second position. The diverter device is adapted to move to the first position when the flush valve is open and the spray valve is closed. The diverter device is also adapted to move to the second position when the flush valve is open and the spray valve is open.  
      In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a toilet apparatus adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid source is provided comprising a bowl, a fluid dispenser adapted to dispense a fluid into the bowl, and a flush valve adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid source. A spraying apparatus is further provided including a spray valve biased to a closed position, wherein the spraying apparatus is adapted to dispense a fluid upon opening of the spray valve. A vacuum breaker diverter is further provided including a diverter chamber and a diverter piston configured to reciprocate within the diverter chamber between a first position to direct substantially all of a fluid stream from the flush valve to the fluid dispenser and a second position to direct greater than  41 % of a fluid stream from the flush valve to the spraying apparatus. The diverter piston is adapted to move to the first position when the flush valve is open and the spray valve is closed. The diverter piston is also adapted to move to the second position when the flush valve is open and the spray valve is open. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a partial exploded view of portions of a conventional toilet;  
       FIG. 2A  is a front view of a conventional vacuum breaker of the toilet illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 2B  is a sectional view along line  2 B- 2 B of the conventional vacuum breaker of  FIG. 2A ;  
       FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view of structures of an example toilet incorporating aspects of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4A  is a front view of an example vacuum breaker diverter from  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 4B  is a partial sectional view along line  4 B- 4 B of the example vacuum breaker diverter of  FIG. 4A ;  
       FIG. 4C  is a top view of the example vacuum breaker diverter of  FIG. 4A ; and  
       FIG. 4D  is a sectional view of the example vacuum breaker along line  4 D- 4 D of  FIG. 4C . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS  
      An example embodiment of a toilet apparatus that incorporates aspects of the present invention is shown in the drawings. It is to be appreciated that the shown example is not intended to be a limitation on the present invention. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of toilets.  
      Toilet apparatus  50  in accordance with the present invention can include one or a plurality of structures shown in  FIG. 3 . The toilet apparatus can be incorporated as part of a toilet  51  shown in a simplified, schematic form. Various types of toilets can be configured for use in various vehicles, such as, for example, boats, ships, or recreational vehicles, and can also be adapted for use in a stationary structure, such as a home or other building. The toilet  51  can include a main body portion  52  having a toilet bowl  54  adapted to receive excrement (not shown), debris, and/or fluid from a user (not shown). The main body portion  52  can include various rigid materials, such as, for example, ceramic, porcelain, metal, and/or plastic. The toilet bowl  54  includes a first opening  56  disposed towards the top of the main body portion  52  and a second opening  58  disposed towards the bottom of the main body portion  52 . The first opening  56  can be adapted to receive excrement (not shown), debris and or fluids from a user (not shown) and the second opening  58  can be adapted to permit the excrement, debris (not shown) and/or a fluid to exit the bowl  54 . In the shown example, the bowl  54  has a generally concave configuration, adapted to direct the excrement, debris, and/or fluids from the first opening  56  towards the second opening  58 .  
      The toilet  51  can use a fluid (not shown) to clean the toilet bowl  54  during a flushing cycle. In the shown example, the fluid comprises water but, in addition or alternatively, may include various fluids capable of flushing the excrement and/or other debris (not shown) from the bowl  54 . For instance, fluid may comprise a single fluid type, a mixture of fluid types, or a mixture of solids and fluids. For example, the fluid  54  may consist of water, a detergent, holding tank additive and/or the like.  
      The fluid can be supplied to the toilet  51  by a fluid source  60 , shown schematically in  FIG. 3 . The fluid source  60  can be pressurized such that the fluid is caused to flow towards the toilet  51 . The fluid source  60  can be pressurized by a remote source, such as by a suitable pressure system located on a vehicle or by suitable structure connected to a municipal water supply. The fluid source  60  can also be located in a holding tank capable of being pressurized to provide a pressurized fluid source. In the shown example, the fluid source  60  comprises a pressurized water source, though, as discussed above, the fluid can be a single fluid type, a mixture of fluid types, or a mixture of solids and fluids. Further, where the fluid comprises a mixture of fluids and/or solids, the separate components of the mixture need not all originate from the fluid source  60 , but instead may be added and/or mixed before entering the toilet  51 . Accordingly, the toilet  51  can include appropriate structure (not shown) adapted to mix the various components to achieve a desired fluid mixture.  
      The main body portion  52  can further include a fluid dispenser  62  for dispensing the fluid for cleaning the toilet bowl  54 . In the shown example, the fluid dispenser  62  can be incorporated in a toilet rim  64  surrounding the toilet bowl  54 . In addition or alternatively, the fluid dispenser may be incorporated in other surfaces of the toilet bowl  54  and may even be located near or within the second opening  58 . The fluid dispenser can also comprise a separate device or may be incorporated as part of the toilet and can be adapted to dispense fluid in a wide range of manners. For example, the fluid dispenser  62  can include a hole (not shown), or a plurality of holes, in the toilet rim  64  to allow the fluid to pass from the toilet rim  64  and into the toilet bowl  54 . In addition or alternatively, the fluid dispenser  62  can comprise a nozzle having a spout (not shown), or a plurality of nozzles having a plurality of spouts (not shown). It is to be appreciated that the fluid dispenser can also comprise a wide range of further structures and configurations designed to dispense a liquid into the toilet bowl  54 .  
      In the illustrated embodiment, fluid from the fluid source  60  can be released into the toilet bowl  54  by the opening of a flush valve  66 . The flush valve  66  can be placed in fluid communication with the fluid source  60  and can be normally biased to a closed position. The flush valve  66  can be opened in various manners. For example, as shown, a foot pedal  68  can be operably connected to the flush valve  66  to allow hands-free opening of the flush valve. In addition or alternatively, the flush valve  66  can be provided with a lever, a push button, a chain pull, or other structure.  
      The toilet  51  can further include any number of elements to compliment functionality and installation of the toilet. For example, the toilet  51  can include a lid  70  adapted to cover the toilet bowl  54 . The toilet  51  can also include a seat  72  (shown in part) adapted to permit a user to sit upon the toilet  51 . The lid  70  and/or seat  72 , if provided, can be pivotally attached to the toilet  51  by one or more hinges  74 .  
      The toilet  51  can also include mounting structure  76  adapted to mount the toilet  51  to a drain (not shown). The mounting structure  76  can include a seal  77  adapted to provide a sealed connection between a base portion  78  of the toilet  51  and a discharge valve housing  80 . The base portion  78  of the toilet  51  can be in fluid communication with the second opening  58  of the toilet bowl  54 , and the discharge valve housing  80  can be in fluid communication with a flange  82 . The flange  82  can be adapted to attach to the drain (not shown), to thereby provide a discharge pathway for the excrement, debris and/or fluid out of the toilet bowl  54 . The base portion  78  of the toilet  51  can be secured to the discharge valve housing  80  by way of a clamping member  84 . The clamping member  84  can include a clamp element  86  and a retainer member  88 . As shown, two semi-circular clamp elements  86  can be adapted to engage corresponding structure of the base portion  78  and the discharge valve housing  80 . Next, the retainer member  88  can be adapted to fit around the clamp elements  86  and tightened to maintain a sealed connection between the base portion  78  and the discharge valve housing  80 . The retainer member can comprise various retainers, such as, for example, a hose clamp. The discharge valve housing  80  can be secured to the flange  82 , for example, with fasteners. A gasket  90  can also be disposed between the discharge valve housing  80  and the flange  82  to provide a sealed connection therebetween.  
      The discharge valve housing  80  can include a discharge valve  92 . The discharge valve  92  can be adapted to selectively close the communication between the base portion  78  of the toilet  51  and the drain (not shown). Thus, when the discharge valve  92  is closed, any contents of the toilet bowl  54  (e.g., excrement, debris, and/or fluid) can remain therein, and when the discharge valve  92  is opened, the contents of the toilet bowl  54  can be dumped into the drain (not shown). The toilet  51  can further include linkage structure  94  adapted to open the discharge valve  92  automatically upon an opening of the flush valve  66 . Upon opening the discharge valve  92 , any excrement, debris, and/or fluid contained within the toilet bowl  54  can be directed towards the drain (not shown). In addition or alternatively, the linkage structure  94  can be adapted to permit a user to manually open the discharge valve  92 . Further still, the toilet  51  can include a discharge valve cover  96  adapted to enclose the discharge valve housing  80  and/or the linkage structure  94 .  
      The toilet apparatus  50  can further include a spraying apparatus  100  having a spray valve  102  biased to a closed position. The spraying apparatus  100  can be adapted to dispense the fluid upon opening of the spray valve  102 . As shown, the spraying apparatus  100  comprises a hand sprayer  104  that can include a grip portion  106  adapted to permit a user to easily manipulate the hand sprayer  104  during use. Further, the hand sprayer  104  can be provided with a trigger  108  to open the spray valve  102 . It is to be appreciated that the spraying apparatus  100  is not intended to be limited to a hand sprayer, and can comprise various other types of spraying apparatus having various geometries.  
      Additionally, the spraying apparatus  100  can include a nozzle  110 . As shown, the nozzle  110  is disposed at one end of the hand sprayer  104  and can be adapted to discharge a fluid away from the user. The nozzle  110  can be designed to produce various spray patterns such as a focused jet spray to perform high-pressure cleaning operations. Alternatively, the nozzle  110  can be designed to restrict liquid flow and/or provide a dispersed pattern to perform low-pressure cleaning operations. The spraying apparatus  100  can also include a plurality of nozzles  110  forming various types of spray patterns. For example, a plurality of nozzles  110  including a plurality of jets can form a plurality of jet sprays configured to perform various high-pressure and/or low-pressure cleaning operations.  
      The spraying apparatus  100  can further be provided with a storage unit  112 . As shown, the storage unit  112  can include an aperture  114  adapted to receive a portion of the spraying apparatus. In the shown example, the aperture  114  can be adapted to receive the grip portion  106 . In addition or alternatively, the storage unit  112  can be adapted to engage various portions of the spraying apparatus  100  to store it while it is not in use. Further still, the storage unit  112  can be adapted to mount to a wall (as shown), the toilet  51 , or various other structures.  
      The toilet apparatus  50  includes a vacuum breaker diverter  116  in fluid communication with at least the flush valve  66 , the fluid dispenser  62 , and the spraying apparatus  100 . In the shown example of  FIG. 3 , the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can be in fluid communication with the flush valve  66 , the fluid dispenser  62 , and the spraying apparatus  100  through a first conduit  118 , a second conduit  120 , and a third conduit  122 , respectively. As shown, the conduits  118 ,  120 ,  122  can include flexible and/or non-flexible materials. For example, the third conduit  122  can include a flexible material to permit a user to easily manipulate the hand sprayer  104 . It is to be appreciated that the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can receive fluid from additional sources, and/or can supply fluid to additional elements. As shown, the vacuum breaker diverter  116  is located downstream of the flush valve  66  although other configurations may be provided in further examples.  
      The vacuum breaker diverter  116  can be adapted to direct substantially all of a fluid stream from the flush valve  66  to the fluid dispenser  62  while the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is closed. Additionally, the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can direct at least a substantial portion of the fluid stream from the flush valve  66  to the spraying apparatus  100  when the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is open. For example, although not required in each embodiment of the invention, the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can be adapted to direct greater than 41% of a fluid stream from the flush valve  66  to the spraying apparatus  100  while the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is open. In another example, the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can be adapted to direct at least about 45% of a fluid stream from the flush valve  66  to the spraying apparatus  100  while the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is open. In a further example, the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can be adapted to direct at least about 55% of a fluid stream from the flush valve  66  to the spraying apparatus  100  while the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is open. In yet another example, the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can be adapted to direct at least about 65% of a fluid stream from the flush valve  66  to the spraying apparatus  100  while the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is open. In still further examples, the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can be adapted to direct at least about 67% of a fluid stream from the flush valve  66  to the spraying apparatus  100  while the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is open.  
      Turning to the example shown in  FIG. 4A , an exemplary vacuum breaker diverter  116  will be described in further detail. The vacuum breaker diverter  116  can include a vacuum breaker portion  124  that can be adapted to prevent an underpressure condition in the system after a flush cycle. Further, the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can include a diverter portion  126  (see  FIG. 4B ) that can be adapted to divert substantially all of a fluid stream to the fluid dispenser  62 , or at least a substantial portion of a fluid stream to the spraying apparatus  100  as discussed above.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D , the vacuum breaker portion  124  can have a first chamber  132  having a first opening  134  adapted to receive water from the water source  60 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the first opening  134  can be in fluid communication with the flush valve  66  through the first conduit  118 . Returning to  FIGS. 4A-4D , the vacuum breaker portion  124  can also have a second chamber  136  that can be in fluid communication with a second opening  138  and a third opening  140  through a chamber opening  137 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second opening  138  can be in fluid communication with the fluid dispenser  62  through the second conduit  120 , and the third opening  140  can be in fluid communication with the spraying apparatus  100  through the third conduit  122 .  
      The vacuum breaker portion  124  can further comprise a check valve  142  in fluid communication with the flush valve  66 . The check valve  142  can be adapted to inhibit backflow from either the spraying apparatus  100  or the fluid dispenser  62  after a flushing operation. For example, the check valve  142  can comprise a poppet valve or various other valves adapted to inhibit backflow. As shown, the check valve  142  can include a seal  144  adapted to seal the first chamber  132  from the second chamber  136 . Thus, for example, any backflow of fluid from the second chamber  136  cannot enter the first chamber  132  after a flushing operation or otherwise. The seal  144  can be fixedly or removably attached to the check valve  142  in various manners, such as through a pin  145  or other fastener.  
      The vacuum breaker portion can comprise various structures configured to prevent an underpressure condition within the second chamber  136 . For example, the illustrated vacuum breaker portion comprises a cover plate  146  adapted to provide a cover for the second chamber  136 . As shown, the cover plate  146  can include an atmospheric vent  148  adapted to prevent an underpressure condition (e.g., a vacuum) from developing within the second chamber  136 . It is to be appreciated that the cover plate  146  as shown is not intended to provide any limitations upon the present invention, and that any cover plate  146  having various (or multiple) atmospheric vent(s)  148  can be used.  
      The vacuum breaker diverter  116  can also include other structure. For example, it can include a mounting bracket  143  adapted to mount the vacuum breaker diverter  116  to structures, such as, for example, the toilet  51  or the wall of a building or vehicle (not shown). The vacuum breaker diverter  116  can be removably or permanently mounted in various manners. Further still, the vacuum breaker diverter  116  can include an indicator  147  adapted to indicate the centerline of the seal  144 . For example, an indicator  147  can be used to ensure that the vacuum breaker diverter  116  is substantially level when it is mounted to the toilet  51  or other structure (not shown) to thereby achieve good performance of the vacuum breaker portion  126 . Further still, the seal  144  can include various structure adapted to seal against the first chamber  134  and/or the atmospheric vent  148 , such as, for example, a lip or a groove (not shown).  
      In operation, for example, fluid can enter the first chamber  132  from the first opening  134  when the flush valve  66  is actuated. The inflow of the pressurized fluid can cause the check valve  142  to move in an upward direction until the seal  144  sealingly engages the atmospheric vent  148 . The fluid can then flow from the first chamber  132  and into the second chamber  136 , where the diverter portion  126  can divert the fluid stream to the fluid dispenser  62  or the spraying apparatus  100 , as described more fully herein. Once the flush valve  66  is closed and the fluid ceases to flow within the first chamber  132 , the check valve  142  can return to its initial position and sealingly engage the first chamber  132 . As shown, the check valve  142  can return to its initial position by the force of gravity, although the check valve  142  can be resiliently biased towards the first chamber  132  with a spring or other biasing member. Thus, as the remainder of the fluid in the second chamber  136  flows to either the fluid dispenser  62  or the spraying apparatus  100 , atmospheric air can enter through the atmospheric vent  148  to prevent an underpressure condition within the second chamber  136 .  
      Turning now to  FIG. 4B , the diverter portion  126  can be adapted to divert at least a substantial portion of the fluid stream from the flush valve  66  to the spraying apparatus  100  when the flush valve  66  and the spray valve  102  are opened. For example, although not required in all embodiments, the diverter portion  126  can be adapted to divert greater than 41%, at least about 45%, at least about 55%, at least about 65%, and/or at least about 67% of a fluid stream to the spraying apparatus  100  when the flush valve  66  and the spray valve  102  are opened. In one example, the diverter portion  126  can comprise a diverter chamber  152  and at least one diverter device  150  movable within the diverter chamber  152 . The diverter device  150  can be capable of selectively directing the fluid to at least the fluid dispenser  62  or the spraying apparatus  100 . For example, the diverter device  150  can be configured to move within the diverter chamber  152  between a first position (shown in  FIG. 4B ) when the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is closed. The diverter device  150  can also shift to the right (from the position shown in  FIG. 4B ) to a second position when the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is open.  
      The diverter chamber  152  can be in fluid communication with the second chamber  136  through the chamber opening  137 . The diverter chamber  152  can also be in fluid communication with the second opening  138  through a flush chamber  154 , and the third opening  140  through a spraying chamber  156 . For example, the third opening  140  can be part of a spraying tube  158  sealingly attached to the spraying chamber  156 , or alternatively it can be formed with the spraying chamber  156 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the spray valve  102  of the spraying apparatus  100  can be in fluid communication with the spraying tube  158  through the third conduit  122 .  
      In one example, the diverter device  150  can comprise a diverter piston  151 . In addition or alternatively, the diverter device  150  can comprise other structure, such as may be found in, for example, a globe valve, a ball valve, and/or a butterfly valve. The diverter piston  151 , if provided, can include a first diverter seal  160  and a second seal  162 . The diverter seals  160 ,  162  can be fixedly or removably attached to the diverter piston  151  in various manners. The diverter seals  160 ,  162  can include various materials adapted to provide a seal between the diverter chamber  152  and the flush and/or spraying chambers  154 ,  156 . For example, the diverter seals  160 ,  162  can include plastic, rubber, and or metal. It is also to be appreciated that either, or both, of the diverter seals  160 ,  162  can be formed with the diverter piston  150 . In addition or alternatively, the diverter seals  160 ,  162  can include other structure adapted to provide a seal between the diverter chamber  152  and the flush and/or spraying chambers  154 ,  156 . For example, the diverter seals  160 ,  162  can include o-rings, or the like.  
      The first and second diverter seals  160 ,  162  of the diverter piston  151  can be adapted to seal against first and second surfaces, respectively, of the vacuum breaker diverter  116 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the diverter chamber  152  can have a smaller area than the flush chamber  154  to thereby create a first seat  164  for the first diverter seal  160 . Similarly, the diverter chamber  152  can have a smaller area than the spraying chamber  156  to create a second seat  166  for the second diverter seal  162 . Thus, the first and second diverter seals  160 ,  162  can be adapted to alternatively sealingly engage the first and second seats  164 ,  166 , respectively, to provide a seal between the diverter chamber  152  and the flush chamber  154  and, alternatively, between the diverter chamber  152  and the spraying chamber  156 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D , the first and second seats  164 ,  166  can have a circular geometry, and the diverter seals  160 ,  162  can have a corresponding frusto-conical geometry adapted to sealingly engage the seats  164 ,  166 . That is, a portion of the diverter seals  160 ,  162  can abut the seats  164 ,  166  to provide a fluid seal between the diverter chamber  152  and the flush chamber  154  and/or the spraying chamber  156 .  
      In addition, the diverter seals  160 ,  162  can have a rigid or flexible geometry. For example, the first diverter seal  160 , as shown, can have a substantially solid geometry that can provide a rigid seal. The diverter seal  160  is designed to seal against the seat  164  when the diverter piston  151  is in the second position (shifted to the right). In another example, the second diverter seal  162 , as shown, can include both a base portion  168  and a flexible portion  170 . Thus, the base portion  168  can have a substantially solid geometry adapted to sealingly engage the second seat  166  in the illustrated first position. The flexible portion  170  can have a solid configuration, or, as shown, can include a groove  172  adapted to permit portions of the second diverter seal  162  to flex and bias against the inner surface of the spraying chamber  156  at each position of the diverter piston within the diverter chamber. Further still, the diverter seals  160 ,  162  can include portions that are larger than the first and second seats  164 ,  166  so as to prevent backflow into the diverter chamber  152  from either of the flushing chamber  154  and/or the spraying chamber  156 .  
      The diverter piston  151  can be adapted to selectively move either the first or second diverter seals  160 ,  162  into sealing engagement with the first or second seats  164 ,  166 . In the shown example of  FIG. 4B , the base portion  168  of the second diverter seal  162  engages the second seat  166  when the diverter piston is moved to the first position. Alternatively, diverter piston  151  may be shifted to the right to the second position wherein the first diverter seal  160  engages the first seat  164 .  
      The diverter device can be configured to move within the diverter chamber between a first position when the flush valve is open and the spray valve is closed and a second position when the flush valve is open and the spray valve is open. The diverter device can move in a wide variety of ways from the first to second position. For example, the diverter device can reciprocate, translate, move along a linear or nonlinear path, pivot, rotate and/or otherwise move within the diverter chamber. In the illustrated example, the diverter piston  151  is configured to reciprocate, translate, and move along a linear path  153  within the diverter chamber  152  from a first position (shown in  FIG. 4B ) when the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is closed and a second position (shifted to the right from  FIG. 4B ), when the flush valve  66  is open and the spray valve  102  is open.  
      In operation, once the flush valve  66  is opened, pressurized fluid from the fluid source  60  (e.g., water or fluid mixture) can flow through the first conduit  118  to the vacuum breaker diverter  116 . The fluid can flow through the vacuum breaker portion  124  as discussed above to prevent an underpressure condition in the system after a flush cycle. The fluid can then flow through the diverter portion  126  by passing through the chamber opening  137  of the second chamber  136  and into the diverter chamber  152 .  
      When the spray valve  102  is closed, the diverter portion  126  is adapted to direct substantially all of the fluid to the fluid dispenser  62 . Thus, for example, the force supplied by the pressurized fluid can bias the diverter piston  151  to the first position shown in  FIG. 4B  wherein the second seal  170  seals against the second seat  166 . The fluid stream can then flow around the first seal  160  and through the second conduit  120  to the main body portion  52  of the toilet  51 . The fluid dispenser  62  then dispenses the fluid stream into the toilet bowl  54 . In addition or alternatively, a spring or other resilient member can resiliently bias the diverter piston  151  to one of the first or second positions. Furthermore, as discussed above, the flush valve  66  can also actuate the discharge valve  92  to an open position to provide a discharge pathway for the fluid, excrement, and/or debris.  
      When the spray valve  102  is open and the flush valve  66  is open, the diverter portion  126  can be adapted to direct at least a substantial portion of the fluid to the spraying apparatus  100  through the third conduit  122 . Thus, for example, a force differential acting the diverter device  150  can shift the diverter piston  151  to the right from the first position illustrated in  FIG. 4B  to the second position (not shown) wherein the first diverter seal  160  seals against the first seat  164 . Once the first diverter seal  160  seals against the first seat  164 , at least a substantial portion of the fluid stream is directed to the spraying apparatus  100  and at least a portion of fluid stream is inhibited from passing to the fluid dispenser  62 .  
      As the fluid flows around the second diverter seal  162 , the force from the pressurized fluid can compress the flexible portion  170  of the second diverter seal  162  to permit the fluid to flow around the second diverter seal  162  and into the spraying tube  158 . The fluid can then flow out of the third opening  140  and through the third conduit  122 , out of the nozzle  110  of the spraying apparatus  100 . When the spray valve  102  is subsequently closed, the flexible portion  170  of the second diverter seal  162  can be resiliently biased outwards to thereby prevent any backflow from fluid remaining in the third conduit  122  and/or the spraying tube  158 .  
      It is also to be appreciated that the flush valve  66  can be adapted to provide fluid from the fluid source  60  to the vacuum breaker diverter  116  so long as the flush valve  66  is open. For example, a user can keep the flush valve  66  opened for an extended period of time if it is desired to use the spraying apparatus  100  in a continuous manner. Further, when a user is using the spraying apparatus  100  and subsequently closes the spray valve  102 , the force supplied by the pressurized fluid can then bias the diverter piston  151  and the first diverter seal  160  back towards the first position (shown in  FIG. 4B ) such that substantially all of the fluid flow is discharged out of the fluid dispenser  62 .  
      Thus, if it is desired, a user can use the spraying apparatus  100  to clean the toilet bowl  54 . It is to be appreciated that the user can also use the spraying apparatus  100  to clean other items. As features of the present invention permit at least a substantial portion of the pressurized fluid to be dispensed by the spraying apparatus  100 , it may be possible to effectively clean the toilet bowl  54  with less water as opposed to using solely the fluid dispenser  62 .  
      The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.