GB1562052A

GB1562052A - Waterclosets

Info

Publication number: GB1562052A
Application number: GB6705/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-12-06
Filing date: 1978-02-20
Publication date: 1980-03-05
Also published as: DE2807689A1; NL7802161A; FR2411277A1; SE7802174L; BE864368A; NO780665L; JPS5479935A; DK88378A; ES467207A1; AU3360778A; IT1089913B

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WATER CLOSETS (71) We, ALDO BOSCHI of Via dei Grilli 459, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy, VAIS MARTINI and GUISEPPE MAR TINI, both of Viale Repubblica 61, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy, and SILVANO MARTINI of Via Viviani 46, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy, all Italian citizens, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to waterclosets.

According to the present invention, there is provided a water-closet comprising a body defining a bowl, impeller means operative to direct a whirling jet of liquid against the walls of the bowl for cleaning purposes, and cover means operative to prevent the projection of liquid towards the outside during operation othe impeller means.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a water-closet according to the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary section on line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the water-closet; Figure 4 is a section on line IV-IV of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a view on line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a section, to an enlarged scale, showing a washing impeller and associated components; Figure 7 is a section on line VII-VII of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a section on line VIII-VIII of Figures 6 and 7; Figures 9 and 10 are views similar to Figures 6 and 7 but showing the impeller in its working position; Figure 11 is a longitudinal section of another embodiment of the invention;; Figure 12 is a section similar to Figure 11, but showing a washing impeller of the water-closet in its working position; Figure 13 is a plan view of the watercloset; Figure 14 is a section on the line XIV-XIV of Figure 11; Figure 15 is a section, to an enlarged scale, showing the washing impeller and associated components in its inoperative position; and Figures 16 and 17 are sections on lines XVI-XVI and XVII-XVII respectively of Figure 15.

There is shown in Figures 1 to 10 a watercloset comprising a body 1 having a bowl or pan 3 which communicates with a siphon outlet 5. The body 1 has a peripheral edge 7 with an inner step 7A, the edge 7 being extended by two parallel edge portions 7B which are longitudinal with respect to the body and perpendicular to the wall against which the body stands. The rear part of the bowl 3 merges with a wall 9 which is joined to the rear portion of the body 1. The body is made is conventional manner in ceramic enameled material. The step 7A forms a slideway for a closure member 72 which closes the bowl 13 from above during a flushing and washing operation. A cirstern unit 10 is located above the rear portion of the body 1 on the edge portions 7B thereof.

The cistern 10 comprises a container or tank 12 for a charge of flushing and cleaning water. The container 12 is extended by a sump portion 14 which communicates with the inlet of an impeller pump 18. The pump 18 urges the water into a conduit 20, 22, 24 which terminates in a lower fitting 26 for the purposes hereinafter described. Above the container 12 there is located a small tank 30 for a substance which is to be mixed with the flushing water, e.g. a deodorant, a disinfec tant, or a mixture thereof. A small-diameter pipe 32 extends from the tank 30 via a solenoid valve 34 to the sump 14 near the water inlet 16 of the pump.The pump 18 and the solenoid valve 34 are actuated by the same control means so that when the pump 18 is operated, the valve 34 is opened and a dose of the substance is fed by gravity from the tank 30 and is mixed with the water drawn from the tank 12 and fed to the fitting 26.

40 indicates a pressure switch combined with a small-diameter pipe 42 extending into the container 12. The pressure switch 40 controls a supply solenoid valve 44 for the water supply to the container 12.

As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the fitting 26 is connected to a horizontal and longitudinal tube 46 having at its distal end a lateral opening 48 and a seak packing 50. The tube 46 is closed at its distal end by a small wall 52 provided with a small bore 54. There is located on the tube 46, which acts as a piston stem, and on the packing 50, a sheath 56. The sheath 56 slides on the packing 50 and is closed by a cap 58, the sheath being rigid with two small blocks 60, 62. The tube 46 and the sheath 56, in effect, form a hydraulic cylinder which is actuable under the pressure of the water to move the closure member 72 for the bowl from an open to a closed position as will be described hereinafter. The block 60 has a passage 64 extending between a lateral opening 66 in the sheath 56 and a tube 68 which extends to the block 62.The block 62 rotatably supports a rotor assembly 70, which forms a washing impeller. The closure member 72 for closing the bowl during flushing is rigid with the blocks 60,62. The closure member 72 is movable from a rear open position in which it lies between the edge portions 7B and beneath the cistern unit 10, into a closed position in which it extends to the curved front portion of the body. The impeller 70 is fed with water by the tube 68 via a manifold and discharges radially-directed jets of water which wash the bowl 3. The water fed to the impeller also causes rotation of the impeller by virtue of a thurst imposed by a tangential component of the force of one or more further jets.

The container 12 is filled via the valve 44 up to a level established by the pressure switch 40 which controls the supply valve 44.

In order to initiate the flushing and washing operation, the user presses a single pushbutton or a selected one of two pushbuttons each of which actuates the pump 18 for a different one of two preselected times accordind to whether a large or small discharge of water is required. When two pushbuttons are provided each is associated with a respective timer set to a different time; when only a single pushbutton is provided, this may also be associated with a timer which stops the operation of the pump before the complete emptying of the water in the container 12.

Means are provided to avoid emptying of the container by the effect of the siphon; for instance, a small hole for the ingress of air may be provided in the upper portion of the conduit 20, 22, 24.

When the pump 18 is actuated, it delivers water into the conduit 20, 22, 24, to the fitting 26, and into the tube 46; when the thrust of the water begins, the parts combined with the closure member 72 are located in the condition shown in Figures 6 and 7. In this condition, the closure member 72 is in its fully open position to permit use of the water-closet, the closure member being biased into this position in the direction of arrow F1 by resilient bias means, or (as shown) by means of a countenveight 76 carried by a cable 78 which passes over pulleys 80 and connected to the slidable unit formed by the closure member 72 and the parts connected therewith. In the drawing two such cables 78 are provided symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the tube 46 (see Figure 10).

The water is urged by the pump 18 through the small hole 54 in the end of the tube 46 and against the cap 58 which closes the end of the sheath 56 so that the pressure of the water urges the closure member 72 and the parts connected therewith in the opposite direction to the arrow fl until the closure member contacts the front arcuate portion of the step 7A; this movement takes place in a relatively slow manner due to the small cross-section of the hole 54. When the closure member 72 has reached its closed position, the lateral opening 66 of the sheath 56 is aligned with the lateral opening 48 of the tube 46 and with a corresponding opening in the packing 50 (see Figure 10).Therefore it is only in the closed position of the closure member 72 that water will be fed to the impeller 70 through the block 60, the tube 68 and the block 62; it is thus only at this point that rotation of the impeller 70 and the subsequent washing of the bowl 13 begins.

When the pump 18 stops, the water pressure ceases, and the weight 76 returns the closure member 72 and the parts connected therewith to the open position. The opening movement is also relatively slow owing to the throttling effect provided by the hole 54 and through which the water contained in the sheath 56 must flow.

An air fan is preferably provided in the cistern unit 10. This air fan is indicated by 84, and it is electrically operated either by a manually-operated switch or by a pressure switch directly operated by the pressure exerted on the seat S by the person sitting thereon. The fan 84 has an intake 86 (see Figures 2 and 4) and discharges the air directly towards an outlet communicating with the outside of the room, or to a sheath 88 which contains a filtering cartridge 90, by means of which the air drawn-in is purified to be returned to the room. The fan is operated when the closure member 72 is open, to draw air through a slot between the closure member 72 and an extension 10A of the cistern unit 10 above the closure member and substantially up to the upper opening of the bowl 3. The fan 84 is stopped upon delivery of the water by the pump 18.

In the embodiment of Figures 11 to 17, the water-closet comprises a body having an external wall 101, and a bowl or pan 103 which communicates with a siphon outlet 105 terminating in a lower discharge fitting 105A. 107 denotes a transverse vertical wall, extending across the width of the body at a position between the ends of the body. The wall 107 is traversed by the siphon outlet 105 and is integral therewith. The wall 107 is joined to the rear portion of the bowl 103 which has a portion 109 extending the wall 107, the portion 109 extending substantially horizontally and having side wall portions 110 and a rear wall portion 111 which define a recess 112.

Under the recess 112 and on one side of the logitudinal axis of the body, there is a compartment 114 defined by walls 113, 113A. On the side of the external wall 101, corresponding to the compartment 114, there is arranged a fitting, generally indicated by 116 (see Figures 13 and 14) for a float valve 118, the float 120 of which is located in the compartment 114. Instead of using a float valve, a solenoid valve may be used.

The external wall 101, the wall of the bowl 103, the siphon outlet 105 and the wall 107 define, together with a bottom 122, a tank 124 for the water which is to flush the bowl and to wash the bowl under pressure. The tank 124 is in communication with the compartment 114 through an opening 126 (see Figure 14) formed in the wall 107, immediately above the bottom wall 113 of the compartment 114. With the tank 124 communicating with the compartment 114 through the opening 126, there is obtained a water tank which is supplied with water in an automatically-controlled manner by means of the float valve 118 to a preset level indicated by L to be picked up by a pump for washing the bowl. In the lower part of the wall 107 there is formed an opening 128 which communicates with the intake of the water pump. The pump is located behind the wall 107 as indicated by the reference 130 in the drawing.The pump is actuated manually by a pushbuttom and is stopped by a float switch device comprising a float 132 and an associated switch 136. The float 132 is housed in a vertical column 134 located in the tank 124 adjacent the wall 107, the float 132 acting on the switch 136 located above the tank, the column 134 passing through a hole in the upper wall of the body. The switch 136 is operated to stop the pump when the level of the tank 124 falls below a minimum preset level.

The upper edge 138 of the body adjacent the front and sides of the bowl 103 is formed with a channel 140 which is of arcuate or other curved form at the front of the bowl and has rectilinear portions 140A on each side of the bowl. The two rectilinear portions 104A are parallel and form a slide track which is extended at 140B in an exposed manner beyond a fitting 142 which determines the interruption of the upper edge 138, and is connected to a vertical wall 144 extending parallel to the channel. Beyond the fitting 142, the extension 140B is stepped and is joined to the vertical wall 144 by means of a horizontal wall 146.

The tank 124 is closed from above by the edge 138 and by the fitting 142, and forms, in the upper portion, above the liquid level L, an intake manifold for bad-smelling air. For this purpose, window-like openings 148 are arranged along the vertical side of the channel 140 at opposed positions on the rectilinear portions 140A thereof. On the wall 107 above the level L, there is provided a hole 150 which communicates with a fan assembly which creates suction in the manifold to draw air from the upper portion of the bowl through the openings 148; the fan assembly generally indicated by 152 is located to the rear of the bowl 103 on the opposite side of the body to the pump 130.

The fan assembly includes a cartridge filter which is readily accessible for replacement through an opening 154 in the wall portion 109 as shown. Therefore, access to the filter cartridge is provided from above via the recess 112.

The channel 140 receives a closure member which closes the bowl 103 during flushing and washing and also carries the impeller. The closure member, a control system for automatically closing the closure member and the impeller form a unit which is accommodated, during use of the watercloset, within the recess 112.

The aforesaid unit includes a support block 158, to which a pump delivery pipe is connected by a fitting 160. The support block 158 carries a first horizontal tubular element 162 which serves as a guide for a cylinder member formed by a tube 164 having an end fitting 166 which slides in sealing engagement with the outer wall of the tubular element 162. The cylinder member 164, 166 is thus slidable parallel to the channel portions 140A and carries a closure element 168 which is box-like and which lies on the slide track formed by the channel portions 140A, 140B to slide thereon when the member 164, 166 is moved in the hereinafter indicated manner. The tubular element 162 has at its front end, an end fitting 170 from which an additional tubular element 172 extends back into the interior of the tubular element 162.

The end of the element 172 remote from the end fitting 170 is closed by a baffle which has a hole 174.

A piston 176, which sealingly passes through an end fitting 178 provided at the front end of the tube 164, can be accommodated within the tubular element 172. The piston 176 bears a bracket 180 at its outer, front, end. A second, flat, closure element 182 is engaged with the bracket 180 and is movable from a retracted position in the interior of the closure element 168 into an extended position in which it extends in front of the closure element 168 and is supported on the slide track. The closure element 182 has an outer arcuate profile corresponding to that of the channel 140 at the front of the bowl. The closure elements 168, 182 jointly form the closure member.

On the tube 164 there is mounted a support 184, which carries - in a position offset with respect to the axis of the tubes 162, 164, but lying centered with respect to the vertical plane of symmetry of the bowl 103 - rotational support means for an impeller 186 which is arranged under the support 184.

The hub of the impeller 186 is mounted on the support 184 by using suitable sealing means which allow the supply of the water to the hub from a passage 188 extending from the end fitting 166 (see Figure 16). The end fitting 166 communicates with the interior of the tube 164 through an opening 190 in the wall of the tube 164 and the tubular element 162 communicates with the interior of the tube 164 through an opening 192 at the end of the element 162.

The impeller has a set of holes distributed around its periphery and which are appropriately sized and inclined in such a manner as to provide jets for washing the walls of the bowl 103 and also for causing rotation of the impeller under the thrust of the jets. The impeller 186 is moved together with its support 184 in such a way as to be brought from a rearward position shown in Figure 11 (wherein the impeller is located at least partly in the recess 112) to a position shown above the central portion of the bowl 103 in Figure 12, wherein the closure elements 168 and 182 are arranged with their peripheral edges in the channel portions 140, 140A, 140B in such a manner as to close, and form a labyrinth-type seal with, the upper portion of the bowl with respect to the outside.

The assembly of the two closure elements is urged into the retracted position shown in Figure 11 by spring means which act either directly between the stationary parts and the units formed by the parts 168 and 166, and 176, 180 and 182, respectively or by two spring means which act one between the stationary parts and the unit formed by the parts 166, 164 and 168 and the other between this unit and the unit formed by the parts 176, 180 and 182. In either case, in the retracted position shown in Figure 11, the bowl 103 is open from above and is available for use.

In order to effect a flushing and cleansing operation the pump 130 is actuated by means of a manually operated switch, the level of the water in the tank 124 being, for example, that shown by L in the drawing, the amount of water in the tank being a sufficient amount for the aforesaid operations. The presence of a sufficient level of water in the tank 124 is determined by the float 132 and this sets the switch 136 in a state which permits actuation of the pump.

When the pump 130 is started, it draws water from the tank 124 and the compartment 114 and discharges the water under pressure through the fitting 160 into the interior of the tubular element 162. The water in the element 162 passes slowly through the hole 174 at the end of the element 172 into the interior of the tube 164, and the pressure of the water acting on the end fitting 178 at the front end of the tube 164 causes forwards movement of the tube 164 and of the parts 166 and 168 forming a unit therewith and also of the parts forming the unit 176, 180, 182. The parts move in the direction of the arrow fill against the action of the resilient bias into the position shown in Figure 12.In this position, the opening 190 is aligned with the opening 192 and thus the water can pass into the passage 188 and then to the impeller 186 to cause the impeller to rotate and to discharge jets of water against the bowl. Rotation of the impeller only starts when the impeller has reached the central portion of the bowl (as shown in Figure 12) or when the impeller is about to reach the central portion of the bowl. Small jets for washing the underside of the closure elements may be provided.

The various parts remain in the position shown in Figure 12 until the pump 130 ceases operating. This occurs when the float 132 which controls the switch 136 falls to a predetermined lower level. At this point, the pump operation is interrupted, the pump having discharged a sufficient amount of water to ensure that the bowl is flushed and washed. When the water pressure falls, the two units 182, 180, 176 and 168, 166, 164 will be returned by the resilient bias into the position shown in Figure 11.

It is to be noted that as soon as the pump starts operating, the water level in the tank begins to fall and the float valve 118 controlled by the float 120 (or the solenoid valve) is immediately opened to feed replacement water into the tank. Since the supply of replacement water begins before the existing water is emptied from the tank, the amount of water delivered by the pump 130 will be higher than the amount initially contained in the tank 124. However, when the pump ceases operating the tank will be filled via the valve 118 up to level L, the valve 118 being closed when the float 120 determines that the level L has been reached.

The fan assembly generally indicated by 152 may be actuated independeltly of the pump operation or may be actuated with the pump. The fan assembly may advantageously be started at the beginning of use of the water-closet and its operation may cease after the washing action, that is, upon the ceasation of operation of the pump. When the fan assembly 152 is activated, suction is created in the tank 124 above the liquid level, and this draws-in air from the bowl 103 through the two or more openings 148. Air drawn-in by the fan assembly 152 passes through the filter cartridge filter to be then discharged to the atmosphere or to be returned in a closed cycle to the interior of the bowl 103, for example to the recess 112.

The cartridge filter must be periodically changed and this is obtained through the access offered by the opening 154.

All the mechanical parts are available for access from the upper portion of the body and the assembly of the closure elements 168, 182 is removable from above (with removal of the support block 158) when it is in the position shown in Figure 11; this is particularly convenient for maintenance.

It is to be noted that the washing jets dis charged by the impeller may be very strong and may be oriented in the desired manner without the danger of the water (which may be dirty) reaching the outside, this being pre vented by the closure elements 168, 182 which close and seal the bowl from above.

In each of the embodiments described, electrically-operated heaters controlled by a thermostat can be provided in the tank 12 or 124 to heat the water contained therein.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A water-closet comprising a body defining a bowl, an impeller operative to direct a whirling jet of liquid against the walls of the bowl for cleaning purposes, and cover means operative to prevent the projection of liquid towards the outside during operation of the impeller.

2. A water-closet according to claim 1, comprising means defining a tank for liquid to be fed to the impeller, means for control ling the level of liquid in the tank, duct means for directing liquid to the impeller, and pump means for feeding liquid under pressure from the tank into the duct means, the pressure of said liquid causing rotation of the impeller.

3. A water-closet according to claim 1, further comprising means mounting the cover means for sliding movement relative to the bowl between a closed position in which the cover means covers the bowl from above and an open portion in which the bowl is open from above, said cover means carrying the impeller.

4. A water-closet according to claim 3, comprising pump means for feeding liquid under pressure along a feed path to the impeller, hydraulic cylinder means connected to the pump means to receive liquid under pressure, said hydraulic cylinder means being actuable by the pressurized liquid to move the cover means from its open to its closed position, bias means operative to return the cover means to its closed position when the feed of pressurized liquid ceases, and means for blocking the liquid feed path to the impeller until the cover means has substantially reached its closed position.

5. A water-closet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the impeller comprises nozzles directed radially of the impeller, and at least one nozzle inclined in a direction to exert a propulsive thrust on the impeller whereby to cause rotation of the impeller.

6. A water-closet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising fan means operative to draw-in stale air, and discharge conduit means for receiving the air flow from the fan means or deodorising filter means on the air flow path for the air drawn-in by the fan means.

7. A water-closet according to claim 1, comprising means defining a water tank, timer-actuated pump means operative to feed water from the tank to the impeller for a predetermined time, said pump means having an inlet communicating with the tank, means defining an auxiliary tank for a substance to be mixed with the water, and means for feeding the said substance to the zone of the pump inlet to be mixed with the water being drawn into the pump means.

8. A water-closet according to claim 1, comprising at least two timer means for the selective control of the quantity of liquid discharged in each cleaning cycle.

9. A water closet according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the body has means defining a depression to the rear of the bowl and communicating with the bowl, means defining parallel guides for the cover means, said guides being located on opposite sides of said depression and the cover means being slidable in the guides between open and closed positions, and the impeller is located beneath the cover means and is located in the said depression in the open position of the cover means.

10. A water-closet according to claim 9, comprising a cistern unit mounted on the body, said cistern unit defining a tank for the liquid to be fed to the impeller, means housed in the cistern unit for controlling operation of the impellerm and fan means

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

water is emptied from the tank, the amount of water delivered by the pump 130 will be higher than the amount initially contained in the tank 124. However, when the pump ceases operating the tank will be filled via the valve 118 up to level L, the valve 118 being closed when the float 120 determines that the level L has been reached.

The fan assembly generally indicated by 152 may be actuated independeltly of the pump operation or may be actuated with the pump. The fan assembly may advantageously be started at the beginning of use of the water-closet and its operation may cease after the washing action, that is, upon the ceasation of operation of the pump. When the fan assembly 152 is activated, suction is created in the tank 124 above the liquid level, and this draws-in air from the bowl 103 through the two or more openings 148. Air drawn-in by the fan assembly 152 passes through the filter cartridge filter to be then discharged to the atmosphere or to be returned in a closed cycle to the interior of the bowl 103, for example to the recess 112.

The cartridge filter must be periodically changed and this is obtained through the access offered by the opening 154.

All the mechanical parts are available for access from the upper portion of the body and the assembly of the closure elements 168, 182 is removable from above (with removal of the support block 158) when it is in the position shown in Figure 11; this is particularly convenient for maintenance.

It is to be noted that the washing jets dis charged by the impeller may be very strong and may be oriented in the desired manner without the danger of the water (which may be dirty) reaching the outside, this being pre vented by the closure elements 168, 182 which close and seal the bowl from above.

In each of the embodiments described, electrically-operated heaters controlled by a thermostat can be provided in the tank 12 or

124 to heat the water contained therein.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A water-closet comprising a body defining a bowl, an impeller operative to direct a whirling jet of liquid against the walls of the bowl for cleaning purposes, and cover means operative to prevent the projection of liquid towards the outside during operation of the impeller.
2. A water-closet according to claim 1, comprising means defining a tank for liquid to be fed to the impeller, means for control ling the level of liquid in the tank, duct means for directing liquid to the impeller, and pump means for feeding liquid under pressure from the tank into the duct means, the pressure of said liquid causing rotation of the impeller.
3. A water-closet according to claim 1, further comprising means mounting the cover means for sliding movement relative to the bowl between a closed position in which the cover means covers the bowl from above and an open portion in which the bowl is open from above, said cover means carrying the impeller.
4. A water-closet according to claim 3, comprising pump means for feeding liquid under pressure along a feed path to the impeller, hydraulic cylinder means connected to the pump means to receive liquid under pressure, said hydraulic cylinder means being actuable by the pressurized liquid to move the cover means from its open to its closed position, bias means operative to return the cover means to its closed position when the feed of pressurized liquid ceases, and means for blocking the liquid feed path to the impeller until the cover means has substantially reached its closed position.
5. A water-closet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the impeller comprises nozzles directed radially of the impeller, and at least one nozzle inclined in a direction to exert a propulsive thrust on the impeller whereby to cause rotation of the impeller.
6. A water-closet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising fan means operative to draw-in stale air, and discharge conduit means for receiving the air flow from the fan means or deodorising filter means on the air flow path for the air drawn-in by the fan means.
7. A water-closet according to claim 1, comprising means defining a water tank, timer-actuated pump means operative to feed water from the tank to the impeller for a predetermined time, said pump means having an inlet communicating with the tank, means defining an auxiliary tank for a substance to be mixed with the water, and means for feeding the said substance to the zone of the pump inlet to be mixed with the water being drawn into the pump means.
8. A water-closet according to claim 1, comprising at least two timer means for the selective control of the quantity of liquid discharged in each cleaning cycle.
9. A water closet according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the body has means defining a depression to the rear of the bowl and communicating with the bowl, means defining parallel guides for the cover means, said guides being located on opposite sides of said depression and the cover means being slidable in the guides between open and closed positions, and the impeller is located beneath the cover means and is located in the said depression in the open position of the cover means.
10. A water-closet according to claim 9, comprising a cistern unit mounted on the body, said cistern unit defining a tank for the liquid to be fed to the impeller, means housed in the cistern unit for controlling operation of the impellerm and fan means

housed in the cistern unit and operative to draw in air through a slot between the cover means and the cistern unit.
11. A water-closet according to any one of claims 2, 7 or 10 further comprising heater means for heating the liquid in the tank.
12. A water-closet comprising a body defining a bowl, an impeller operative to direct a jet of liquid against the walls of the bowl for cleaning purposes, cover means for preventing the projection of liquid towards the outside during operation of the impeller, said cover means being movable between a closed position in which it closes the bowl from above, and an open position in which the bowl is open from above, and support means mounting the impeller for movement between an operative position in which it lies above the central portion of the bowl and an inoperative position remote from the central portion of the bowl.
13. A water-closet according to claim 12, wherein the cover means carries the impeller support means whereby the impeller is moved into its operative and inoperative positions by movement of the cover means between its closed and open positions, said water-closet further comprising pump means for feeding water under pressure to the impeller, means actuated by said pressurized water for moving the cover means from its open to its closed position, and means preventing the passage of water to the impeller until the cover means has substantially reached its closed position.
14. A water-closet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 10, or Figures 11 to 17 of the accompanying drawings. ~ - -- - - -- -