Patent Description:
This invention relates to a feeding device according to claim <NUM> for a flush tank of a sanitary appliance.

As is known, a flush tank of a sanitary appliance, in addition to a discharge valve, is also generally provided with a feeding device connected to the water supply network for the filling of the tank after the water has been discharged into the sanitary appliance.

A commonly used feeding device comprises, in general terms, an inlet tube having a fitting for connection to the water supply network, a valve assembly housed in a casing and controlled by a float, an outlet tube that lets the water that has flowed through the valve assembly into the tank.

The valve assembly, in particular, may be of the so-called back pressure or diaphragm closing type, in which the float operates a cut-off acting on a vent nozzle of a back pressure chamber delimited by a diaphragm or membrane; the diaphragm separates two conduits from each other, connected to the inlet tube and the outlet tube, respectively. When the float, as a result of the discharge of water from the tank, falls, it opens the vent nozzle, and the diaphragm elastically deforms under the water pressure and puts the conduits into communication with each other, thus allowing the passage of water and the filling of the tank. When the float rises, it closes the vent nozzle, and the pressure in the back pressure chamber balances that of the incoming water and causes the diaphragm to separate the conduits again, stopping the water from entering the tank.

As also required by specific regulations and standards, the feeding devices must be equipped with systems to prevent backflow to the water supply network in the event of malfunctions.

To this end, for example, the valve assembly is provided with an air outlet opening, communicating with the outside of the feeding device to allow the exit of air from the feeding device and therefore avoid any suction of water from the tank.

However, the presence of the air outlet opening causes, during normal operation of the feeding device, the formation of a water/air mixture in the feeding device. Entry of air into the water flow circulating in the feeding device can cause turbulent motion phenomena with a consequent increase in noise during the filling of the tank.

Some anti-backflow regulations, for example the one that recently came into force in the United Kingdom, are also particularly stringent and require specific measures to prevent the backflow of water into the water supply network. However, these measures can be particularly complicated and costly to implement, resulting in complicated, poorly efficient, and extremely noisy feeding devices.

The need therefore arises to provide feeding devices that meet the most stringent standards and are fully satisfactory in terms of simplicity of construction and operation and noise-reduction capacity.

<CIT> discloses a float-operated feeding device for flushing tanks provided with a noise-reduction system. The feeding device comprises an internally hollow body, a valve assembly housed inside the body and operated by a float, a feeding pipe connectable to a water supply network to supply a water flow to the valve assembly, and a filling pipe for pouring water from the valve assembly into the tank; the noise-reduction system is positioned inside the filling pipe. The feeding device is not provided with any anti-backflow system.

<CIT> discloses, in very general terms, an anti-backflow system applicable to a flush tank. The system includes an opening formed at the top of the filling pipe (pouring water into the tank) and below the valve assembly.

Another feeding device according to the state of the art is disclosed in <CIT>.

It is one purpose of this invention to provide a feeding device, which ensures compliance with the strictest anti-backflow standards, while being simple, effective, and reliable, enabling a significant reduction in noise.

Therefore, this invention relates to a feeding device for a flush tank, as defined essentially in the appended claim <NUM> and, in its additional features, in the dependent claims.

The feeding device in accordance with the invention not only meets the criteria laid down by the most stringent anti-backflow standards, like those in effect in the United Kingdom, by being effectively capable of preventing water from backflowing into the water supply network, but at the same time avoids the problems related to entry of air into the water flow circulating in the feeding device. In addition, it particularly reduces the noise during the filling of the tank, while being simple to manufacture and simple and reliable in its operation.

Additional features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the reference number <NUM> indicates, as a whole, a feeding device for a flush tank (known and not shown for simplicity) of a sanitary appliance.

The feeding device <NUM> substantially extends along a longitudinal axis A, substantially vertical in use; here and below, the terms horizontal/vertical and high/low are understood to refer to the normal use position of the feeding device <NUM> in the flush tank.

The feeding device comprises an internally hollow body <NUM>, a valve assembly <NUM> housed inside the body <NUM> and controlled by a float <NUM>, a feeding pipe <NUM> that can be connected to a water supply network to carry a water flow to the valve assembly <NUM>, and a filling pipe <NUM> through which the water flowing through the valve assembly <NUM> is fed into the tank.

In the non-limiting example illustrated (but not necessarily), the feeding pipe <NUM> and the filling pipe <NUM> are substantially orthogonal to each other, extending along respective axes orthogonal to each other. In particular, the filling pipe <NUM> extends along the axis A and is, thus, substantially vertical in use and the feeding pipe <NUM> extends along a transverse axis B, which is perpendicular to the axis A and substantially horizontal in use, of the feeding device <NUM>.

It is understood that other configurations are possible: for example, the feeding pipe <NUM> and the filling pipe <NUM> can be substantially parallel to each other and to the axis A, both basically extending vertically.

The valve assembly <NUM> is a back pressure valve assembly substantially known in and of itself.

With reference also to <FIG>, the valve assembly <NUM> is connected to an inlet conduit <NUM> and to an outlet conduit <NUM> and comprises: an internal connecting passage <NUM> connecting the inlet conduit <NUM> to the outlet conduit <NUM>; an elastically deformable or movable discoidal diaphragm <NUM> selectively closing the passage <NUM>; and a back pressure chamber <NUM> delimited by the diaphragm <NUM> and provided with a vent nozzle <NUM>, which connects the back pressure chamber <NUM> to the outside of the body <NUM> and is closed by a movable cut-off <NUM> actuated by the float <NUM>.

The inlet conduit <NUM> and the outlet conduit <NUM> are formed inside the body <NUM> and are respectively arranged downstream and upstream of the valve assembly <NUM> and, specifically, of the passage <NUM> and of the diaphragm <NUM> (in the direction of the normal circulation of the water that flows from the water supply network to fill the tank).

When the nozzle <NUM> is closed by the cut-off <NUM>, the diaphragm <NUM> keeps the passage <NUM> closed because the water pressure in the inlet conduit <NUM> is counterbalanced by the pressure inside the back pressure chamber <NUM>, and the water in the inlet conduit <NUM> is unable to deform or move the diaphragm <NUM>.

When the nozzle <NUM> opens, following a downward movement of the float <NUM> as a result of a lowering of the water level in the tank (i.e. when the water is discharged from the tank), the water pressure in the inlet conduit <NUM> exceeds the pressure in the back pressure chamber <NUM> and the diaphragm <NUM> elastically deforms or moves, thus opening the passage <NUM> and allowing the water to flow from the inlet conduit <NUM> to the outlet conduit <NUM> and from here, through the filling pipe <NUM>, into the tank.

The float <NUM> (<FIG>) is axially slidably mounted on a guide element <NUM> positioned outside the filling pipe <NUM> and is mechanically connected, for example by means of a lever mechanism <NUM>, to the cut-off <NUM> cooperating with the nozzle <NUM> in order to control the operation of the valve assembly <NUM>.

With specific reference to <FIG>, the inlet conduit <NUM> extends into the body <NUM> and connects the feeding pipe <NUM> to the passage <NUM>. In the non-limiting example illustrated (but not necessarily), the inlet conduit <NUM> substantially extends parallel to the axis B.

The outlet conduit <NUM> has an inlet <NUM> that communicates with the passage <NUM>, and an outlet <NUM>, arranged at a height (measured parallel to the axis A) greater than the inlet <NUM>.

In the non-limiting example illustrated (but not necessarily), the outlet conduit <NUM> comprises an access portion <NUM>, communicating with the passage <NUM> through the inlet <NUM> and, for example, substantially parallel to the axis B; a head <NUM> above, defining an inverted U-shaped passage <NUM> and provided with an outlet <NUM>; and a connection portion <NUM> that connects the access portion <NUM> to the head <NUM> and is, for example, substantially parallel to the axis A.

The inlet <NUM> is, for example, formed through a wall <NUM> inside the body <NUM> substantially parallel to the axis A and perpendicular to the axis B; the outlet <NUM> is positioned in the head <NUM> and faces downwards and is axially aligned with a hollow <NUM> in the body <NUM>, so that the outlet <NUM> directly faces, as better described below, the filling pipe <NUM>.

The outlet <NUM> is provided with a flow regulator device <NUM> (or jet breaker), i.e. a device configured so as to adjust a liquid flow that flows through it, dividing the flow into a plurality of adjacent streams.

The device <NUM> can be variously shaped: in the non-limiting example illustrated, the device <NUM> (shown in greater detail in <FIG>) comprises a cup-shaped body <NUM> housed in a site formed in the head <NUM> at the outlet <NUM>, and a plurality of adjacent channels <NUM> formed in the cup-shaped body <NUM> and configured so as to divide the water flow that flows through the cup-shaped body <NUM> into a plurality of streams and to uniform and homogenise the water flow that flows through the cup-shaped body <NUM>.

In particular, the cup-shaped body <NUM> extends along and around a central axis C, parallel to the axis A; and the channels <NUM> are substantially parallel to the axis C.

For example, the channels <NUM> are defined by respective circular holes <NUM> that are formed to pass through the base wall <NUM> of the cup-shaped body <NUM> and arranged on concentric rings around the axis C of the cup-shaped body <NUM>.

Clearly, the holes <NUM> (or other similar elements, such as meshes or thin plates etc., defining the channels <NUM>) may be variously shaped and/or arranged.

The device <NUM> is configured so that the water flow that flows through the device <NUM>, in particular the cup-shaped body <NUM>, is divided into separate streams and takes on a substantially laminar motion overall.

In addition, the flow exiting has an aperture angle (understood as the angle formed by the flow in relation to the axis C) that is no greater than a prefixed angle, in particular approximately <NUM>°.

The outlet conduit <NUM> is, in addition, provided with a pressurization element <NUM> (<FIG>), positioned between the inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> and housed, in particular, in the connection portion <NUM> of the outlet conduit <NUM>.

The pressurization element <NUM> is configured so as to increase the pressure of the water flow that flows through the outlet conduit <NUM>, for example, by reducing the passage cross-section inside the outlet conduit <NUM> and, in particular, in the connection portion <NUM>.

For example, as shown in detail in <FIG>, the pressurization element <NUM> comprises a prismatic bar <NUM> that is substantially straight, extending, in particular, parallel to the axis A and having a plurality of longitudinal grooves <NUM> formed on an outer lateral surface of the bar <NUM> and defining, inside the outlet conduit <NUM> and, specifically, inside its connection portion <NUM>, respective parallel ducts <NUM>. The grooves <NUM> are separated from each other by longitudinal ribs <NUM> that radially project from the bar <NUM>.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the grooves <NUM> have curved cross sections, for example, shaped as an arc of a circle.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the grooves <NUM> have, at a longitudinal end of the pressurization element <NUM> facing towards the inlet <NUM>, respective tapered inlet edges <NUM>.

The pressurization element <NUM> is shaped so that the passage section available for the passage of fluid through the pressurization element <NUM> (the sum of the cross sections of the ducts <NUM>) is smaller than the internal section of the outlet conduit <NUM> and, in particular, of the connection portion <NUM>.

As shown, in particular, in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the filling pipe <NUM> extends along the axis A (or parallel to the axis A) between an upper end <NUM>, equipped with a mouth <NUM> facing upwards, and a lower end <NUM> equipped with a water outlet opening <NUM>.

The mouth <NUM> is positioned below the hollow <NUM> and faces and is aligned with the outlet <NUM>, so that the water flow leaving the outlet <NUM> through the flow regulator device <NUM> is entirely directed inside the mouth <NUM> and, thus, into the filling pipe <NUM>.

The mouth <NUM> has, advantageously, a cross section (perpendicular to the axis A) that is greater than the cross section of the outlet <NUM>.

Preferably, the filling pipe <NUM> is basically cylindrical and has a cross section that is smaller than the cross section of the mouth <NUM>; and the filling pipe <NUM> comprises an upper mouth portion <NUM>, positioned at the end <NUM> and provided with a mouth <NUM> and tapered downwards along the axis A.

The filling pipe <NUM> is preferably also provided with a flow deflection device <NUM> positioned inside the filling pipe <NUM>.

The device <NUM> comprises a pair of inclined and opposite baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, slanted in relation to the axis A and spaced axially along the axis A.

The baffle <NUM> is positioned in the mouth portion <NUM> and extends from a peripheral edge <NUM> of the mouth <NUM> downwards and radially towards the inside of the filling pipe <NUM>.

In particular, the baffle <NUM> defines an inclined lateral wall of the mouth portion <NUM> tapered downwards.

The baffle <NUM> has an upper surface <NUM> facing upwards and towards the mouth <NUM>, substantially flat and inclined downwards in relation to the axis A and ends with a free end edge <NUM>, for example, substantially straight and positioned, for example, near the axis A and of a middle diametric plane (passing through the axis A) of the filling pipe <NUM>.

The baffle <NUM> is positioned below the other baffle <NUM> and extends from an inner lateral surface of the filling pipe <NUM> downwards and radially towards the inside of the filling pipe <NUM>.

The baffle <NUM> has an upper surface <NUM> that is substantially flat and inclined downwards in relation to the axis A and ends with a free end edge <NUM>, for example substantially straight, positioned below the edge <NUM> of the baffle <NUM> and substantially aligned with it. This edge <NUM>, like the other edge <NUM> of the baffle <NUM>, is also, thus, positioned, for example, near the axis A and near a middle diametric plane (passing through the axis A) of the filling pipe <NUM>.

The pair of baffles <NUM>, <NUM> defines a narrowing <NUM> inside the filling pipe <NUM> that has the function of flooding the filling pipe <NUM> during the passage of the water through the filling pipe <NUM>, in particular filling the mouth portion <NUM> and creating, thus, a water chamber that takes up the whole of the cross section of the filling pipe <NUM> and prevents the inlet of air into the filling pipe <NUM>, so as to avoid or at least reduce noise during the tank-filling step.

The filling pipe <NUM> is, optionally, equipped with a lateral slide <NUM>, which begins at the mouth <NUM> and extends, then, parallel to the filling pipe <NUM> to define an auxiliary channel that can serve to convey water coming from the outlet conduit <NUM> into the tank and that, for some reason (in particular when there too much pressure from the mains water) does not flow regularly into the filling pipe <NUM>.

In use, after the water contained in the tank is discharged, the float <NUM> opens the nozzle <NUM> and the mains water pressure in the inlet conduit <NUM> deforms the diaphragm <NUM>, opening the passage <NUM>; a water flow then flows from the inlet conduit <NUM> into the outlet conduit <NUM>.

The water flow traverses the outlet conduit <NUM>, passing, in particular, through the pressurization element <NUM>, where the water flow is subject to an increase in pressure, and reaches the head <NUM> and, from there, having flowed through the flow regulator device <NUM>, exits through the outlet <NUM>.

When flowing through the device <NUM>, the water flow exiting the outlet <NUM> takes on a substantially laminar motion and a prefixed aperture angle, determined by the device <NUM>.

The water exiting from the outlet <NUM> enters the filling pipe <NUM> through the mouth <NUM> and then flows through the filling pipe <NUM> into the tank.

The filling pipe <NUM>, due to the presence of the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, is completely flooded, reducing noise.

Once the tank <NUM> is full, the float <NUM> closes the nozzle <NUM>, thus stopping the flow of water.

Claim 1:
A feeding device (<NUM>) for a flush tank, extending substantially along a longitudinal axis (A), substantially vertical in use, and comprising an internally hollow body (<NUM>); a valve assembly (<NUM>) housed inside the body (<NUM>) and operated by a float (<NUM>); a feeding pipe (<NUM>) that can be connected to a water supply network to supply a water flow to the valve assembly (<NUM>); and a filling pipe (<NUM>) for pouring water from the valve assembly (<NUM>) into the tank; wherein the body (<NUM>) houses an inlet conduit (<NUM>) and an outlet conduit (<NUM>) arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the valve assembly (<NUM>) and respectively connected to the feeding pipe (<NUM>) and to an outlet (<NUM>), the outlet (<NUM>) is facing a mouth (<NUM>) of the filling pipe (<NUM>) and is positioned above said mouth(<NUM>) and spaced apart therefrom; said outlet (<NUM>) being provided with a flow regulator device (<NUM>), configured so as to regulate a liquid flow passing therethrough by dividing said flow in a plurality of adjacent streams; characterized in that the outlet conduit (<NUM>) has an inlet (<NUM>) communicating with the valve assembly (<NUM>) and positioned at a height, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis (A), lower than the outlet (<NUM>).