GB2266955A

GB2266955A - Liquid level indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2266955A
Application number: GB9309622A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Devenish
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-05-13
Filing date: 1993-05-11
Publication date: 1993-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2013-05-11
Also published as: GB9309622D0; GB2266955B

Abstract

The invention relates to reservoirs and particularly to means for indicating an increase in the water level above a predetermined maximum level in flushing cisterns for water closet pans comprising means for introducing an indicator e.g. a colour dye, into liquid in the reservoir once the liquid has reached the predetermined level. In one embodiment a colour dye block 42 is housed in a block housing 38 which is clipped to a wall of a vessel 10. The housing 38 is arranged so that its base is at the predetermined level 34. In that way if the liquid in the vessel 10 rises above the predetermined level 34, the dye is dissolved from the dye block 42 providing a visual indication of the overfilling. <IMAGE>

Description

LIQUID LEVEL INDICATOR This invention relates to reservoirs, and particularly though not exclusively to means for indicating an increase in the water level above a predetermined maxiumum level in flushing cisterns for water closet pans.

Flushing cisterns are used to provide an intermittent copious water supply to flush away waste matter from toilets. Such cisterns usually use a float connected by a lever to a valve to regulate the level of the water in the cistern. When flushing occurs a siphonic action is initiated in the cistern and the water level drops. As the water level drops the float drops correspondingly, causing the valve to be opened. When the water level has risen to a predetermined maximum level as indicated on the inside wall of the cistern the float causes the valve to be closed.

In the event of a fault, say a breakage of the lever connecting float and valve, a puncture in the float, a surge in water pressure or a sticking or leaking inlet valve, the water level will continue to rise until it reaches an overflow level whereupon excess water should flow through an overflow pipe, to waste.

The 1989 Water Byelaw no. 80 requires that every flushing cistern installed in any premises supplying water to a water closet pan must be fitted with a warning pipe, i.e. an overflow pipe arranged so that its outlet, whether inside or outside the building is in a conspicuous position where the discharge of water can be readily seen.

This is difficult to arrange in a large building, for instance in a block of flats. It is also quite possible that the overflow discharge would go unnoticed by the users of the toilet as such discharge does not occur during flushing. Water is becoming more expensive. Even a small rate of overflow can be costly over a long period of time.

If overfilling is allowed to continue, damage to a building or its contents can occur, and so the sooner overfilling is brought to the attention of the user the better.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive device for providing a conspicuous indication that a cistern is filling above a predetermined level; the device should be suitable for mass production and be adapted for use in larger or sub-divided buildings.

According to the invention, there is provided a device to indicate overfilling of a reservoir comprising an indicator and means for introducing an indicator into liquid in the reservoir once the liquid has reached a predetermined level, the introduced indicator being capable of being sensed by a person.

In a preferred embodiment the reservoir is a flushing cistern and the liquid is water.

In that way the user is made immediately aware that the cistern is overfilling or has overfilled as soon as the toilet is flushed or overflow occurs from within the cistern to a water closet pan.

The indicator may be in the form of a substance which imparts a distinctive smell to the liquid. The indicator is preferably a substance which colours the liquid. In the most preferred embodiment the indicator is a substance which imparts a distinctive smell and colour to the liquid.

Preferably the substance for colouring the liquid comprises a colour dye block although a coloured liquid powder, paste or any other suitable dye form may be used.

Preferably the dye block also incorporates a fragrance which is imparted to the liquid when the dye is dissolved.

According to another embodiment of this invention the colour dye block comprises two separate colour regions arranged one above the other, the colours of the said regions being different from each other and the lower of the two regions being arranged to be immersed in liquid at the normal liquid level of the reservoir, thereby imparting a colour to the liquid, and the upper of the two regions being arranged at or above the normal liquid level such that a different, warning colour is imparted to the liquid in the event of overfilling of the reservoir. In the most preferred embodiment the two separate colour regions are two separate colour dye blocks.

The colour dye block or blocks may be retained in a block housing. The block housing is preferably attachable to a wall of the reservoir and is suspended at the reservoir's normal liquid level. Preferably the block housing is attachable to a wall of the reservoir by means of a clip. The block housing may be attachable to a wall of the reservoir by means of an adhesive strip. The block housing may be formed integrally with the reservoir. The block housing may be free standing.

Alternatively the device may include a clip for attaching the device to a pipe, preferably an upright pipe in the reservoir. Thus effective adjustment of the height of the block housing in relation to the normal liquid level of the reservoir can be made by sliding the device along the pipe or along the clip. The device could be attached to a flushing syphon or flushing valve.

Preferably there is further provided clip adjustment means for adapting the clip to the dimensions of individual pipes within the reservoir.

Such clip adjustment means may comprise at least one inner jacket which may be received by the clip in order to reduce the clipping diameter thereof and thus render the clip suitable for several pipe diameters.

Alternatively there may be provided a number of differently sized clips for use on pipes of different diameters.

The block housing may have a pipe attached thereto, the pipe being arranged to extend from the base of the housing towards the base of the reservoir. The pipe may be a drip pipe or preferably a siphon pipe. The block housing may be arranged such that the base of the housing is at the aforesaid predetermined level. The block housing may have a lid. Preferably the lid is arranged such that condensation forming above the housing and on the lid or liquid splashing above the lid will drip onto the lid and run off into the reservoir rather than dripping onto the dye in the housing.

Preferably the dye, when dissolved by the water, is heavier than the water. In that way the coloured water sinks in the reservoir, thus preventing it from being flushed out of any overflow of the reservoir.

The dye is preferably non-toxic.

In any of the above aspects of any of the embodiments of the inventions the or each dye block may be made from powdered fluorescein.

A device in accordance with the invention will now be described in detail by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Fig. 1 is an elevation of a cistern with overflow and inlet pipes entering through the cistern base; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the cistern of Fig. 1 with a device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 3 is an elevation of a cistern with overflow and inlet pipes entering through opposite side walls; Fig. 4 is an elevation of the cistern of Fig. 3 with a device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the device in accordance with the invention shown with parts omitted for clarity; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the device of Fig. 5 shown with a drip pipe; Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the device of Fig. 6 when installed;; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the device with part of the block housing cutaway to show a siphon pipe; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another aspect of the invent ion; Fig. 10 is a plan view of the pipe clip with inner jackets fitted; Fig. 11 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the pipe clip; Fig. 12 is a section of another aspect of the invention; Fig. 13 is a similar view to Fig. 3 showing the device on a pipe; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of part of a further aspect of the invention; and Fig. 15 is a section of part of the second aspect of the invent ion.

Cisterns such as those shown in Figs. 1-4 usually comprise a vessel 10, an inlet 12, an outlet 14 and an overflow 16 connected to a warning pipe (not shown).

In Figs. 1 and 2 the vessel 10 is arranged such that the inlet 12, outlet 14 and overflow 16 are located in the base 18 of the vessel 10.

The inlet 12 comprises a stand-pipe 20 disposed through an aperture 22 in the base 18 of the vessel 10. One end of the stand pipe 20 is connected to a water supply (not shown), the other end of the stand pipe 20 being disposed inside the vessel 10. The flow of water from the mains supply is regulated by a valve 24 in the stand pipe 20.

The configuration and operation of the outlet 14 are not important to the invention disclosed herein and will therefore not be described in detail. The outlet 14 includes a flush pipe 26 which extends through the aperture 28 in the base 18 of the vessel 10 into an area to be flushed by water in the vessel 10.

The overflow 16 comprises an overflow pipe 30 which is disposed through an aperture 32 in the base 18 of the vessel 10. One end of the overflow pipe 30 is connected to a warning pipe (not shown). The other end of the overflow pipe 30 is disposed inside the vessel 10, the inlet to the pipe 30 being arranged to be not less than 25 mm and not more than 32 mm above a predetermined level 34.

The valve 24 is controlled by the level of the water in the vessel, most often by means of a float-operated valve arrangement whereby a float is connected to a lever which opens and closes the valve as the water level falls and rises respectively. When the water level reaches the predetermined level 34 the valve 24 should be closed. In the event of a fault in the level controlling system the water level would continue to rise above the level 34 until it reached the level of the inlet to the overflow pipe 30.

The water would then begin to flow down the overflow pipe 30 to the warning pipe (not shown) and eventually to waste.

The cistern in Figs, 3 and 4 comprises a vessel 10 arranged such that the outlet 14 is disposed in its base 18, the inlet 12 and overflow 16 being disposed on opposite side walls 13,17 respectively of the vessel 10.

The inlet 12 comprises a pipe 21 disposed through an aperture 23 in the side wall 13 of the vessel 10. One end of the pipe 21 is connected to a water supply (not shown), the other end being disposed inside the vessel 10. The flow of water from the mains or gravity supply is regulated by a valve 25 in the pipe 21. The valve 25 may be a floatoperated valve as described above.

The outlet 14 is substantially similar in configuration and operation to the outlet in the cistern of Figs. 1 and 2 and so will not be described here.

The overflow 16 comprises an overflow pipe 31 which is disposed through an aperture 33 in the side wall 17 of the vessel 10. One end of the pipe 31 is connected to a warning pipe (not shown) and eventually to waste. The other end of the pipe 31 is disposed inside the vessel 10 and is arranged so that the inlet is not less than 25 mm and not more than 32 mm above the predetermined level 34.

The cistern of Figs. 3 and 4 operates in a substantially similar way to that of Figs. 1 and 2. In Figs. 2 and 4 the cisterns are provided with devices 36 in accordance with the invention. The device 36 is more clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8.

The device 36 comprises a block housing 38, a wall clip 40, a dye block 42 and a drip pipe 44. The block housing 38 comprises a front wall 46, a rear wall 48, side walls 50, a base 52 and a lid 53. The front wall 46 has three double rows of chevron shaped slots 54 therein. The rear wall 48 has two double rows of chevron shaped slots 54 therein and a row of slim apertures 56 extending from adjacent the base 52 to the top of the wall 48 along the centreline of the wall 48. The base 52 of the block housing 38 has a bore 58 therein, in order to receive the drip pipe 44. The lid 53 is removably mounted to the rear wall 48.

The lid 53 is of such a size and shape that splashing liquid or condensation forming thereon will drip into the vessel 10 and not onto the dye block 42. The lid 53 can be removed to insert the dye block. Alternatively the lid 53 is mounted to the block housing 38 by a hinge. The lid 53 could alternatively be fixed to the block housing 38, and in such a case the base 52 would be hinged to allow insertion of the dye block 42.

The wall clip 40 comprises an elongate body 60 having a row of slim protrusions 62 thereon, the protrusions 62 being arranged to snap-interengage with the corresponding apertures 56 in the rear wall 48 of the block housing 38.

At one end of the body 60 there is provided a clip head 64 having clip fingers 66,68 which are arranged to resiliently grip a wall 70 of the vessel 10 (indicated in dotted outline).

The dye block 42 is a cuboid block of water soluble dye and is located in the block housing 38. It will be appreciated that the dye block 42 may take any shape, such as a disc, cylinder or triangle.

The drip pipe 44 extends from inside the block housing 38 through a bore 58 in the base 52 towards the base 18 of the vessel 10.

In the event of a fault in the level controlling system the water will rise above the predetermined level 34.

The water will come into contact with the colour dye block 42 in the block housing 38, the water flowing into the housing through the rows of slots 54. The dye will be dissolved by the water and, being heavier than water, will sink toward the base 18 of the vessel 10. The drip pipe 44 is arranged to ensure that coloured water reaches the base 18 of the vessel 10. The next time the cistern is flushed the coloured water passes from the vessel 10 through the outlet 14 into the area required to be flushed. This coloured water fills the flushed area providing a conspicuous indication that the cistern is overfilling. The fault can then be remedied, preferably before overflow occurs.

Fig. 8 shows the device 36 with a siphon pipe 72 fitted in place of the drip pipe 44. This embodiment of the invention is substantially similar to the device of Figs. 6 and 7 except that in the event of overfilling occurring, when the cistern is flushed, coloured water flows towards the base 10 of the vessel 10 by the siphonic action initiated in the siphon pipe 72.

The device 36 may be attached to the wall 70 by means of an adhesive pad (not shown) instead of the wall clip 40.

The device may be fitted in or formed as part of any cistern with a predetermined maximum liquid level, even those cisterns which have an overflow arranged integrally with their outlet, as is the case in most continental countries.

The aspect of the invention shown in Figs. 9 to 13 comprises a block housing 38, a pipe clip 140, a dye block 42 and a drip pipe (not shown).

The pipe clip 140 is attachable to, or formed as part of, the rear wall 48 of the block housing 38 and comprises a body 160 and resilient clip fingers 166, 168 extending from the body 160. The clip fingers 166,168 define a substantially circular central portion 182. In use, the pipe clip 140 is pushed against a pipe 26 of the vessel 10.

The pipe 26 is received by the central portion and the clip fingers 166,168 resiliently grip the pipe 26.

Inner jacket 240 is also provided and is arranged to be resiliently received by the clip 140 into the central portion 182. The jacket 240 is substantially similar to the clip 140 itself, comprising a body 260 and clip fingers 266,268 extending therefrom and defining a central portion 282. The inner jacket 340 is substantially similar in shape to the jacket 240 again comprising clip fingers 366,368 extending from a body 360 and defining a central portion 382. The jacket 340 is arranged to be resiliently received by the jacket 240.The inner jackets 240,340 can be fitted to the clip 140 by push fitting, similarly to fitting the clip 140 to the pipe 26 and may be selectively fitted according to the dimensions of the pipe to which the clip 140 is to be fixed, e.g. the overflow pipe 30 is of smaller diameter than that of the large flush pipe 26 and thus jacket 240 may need to be fitted to the clip 140 in order to achieve a firm mounting of the clip 140 and thus the device 36 on the pipe 30. The pipe 20 is smaller still and may thus require the smaller jacket 340 to be fitted inside the clip 140 and the jacket 240.

The jackets 240,340 can be removed from the clip 140 by sliding them along the length of the clip until they are free of the clip.

Alternatively the clip 140 may comprise a plurality of sets of clip fingers 166a,168a,166b,168b,166c,168c, each set of clip fingers defining a central portion 82a, b, c of a different diameter. Such an embodiment can be seen in Fig.

11. In this embodiment the set of clip fingers 166,168 defining the central portion 82 which provides the best fit for the chosen pipe 20,26,30 can be used.

Once the clip 140 has been fixed to the pipe, the vertical position of the device 36 attached to the clip 140 can he adjusted by sliding the clip up or down the pipe to which it is fixed or by sliding the device up or down the clip (as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 13). Adjustment is necessary in order to position the device at the appropriate position in relation to the normal water level in the vessel, i.e. arranged so that the base of the colour dye block is slightly above the normal level.

The aspect of the invention shown in Figures 14 and 15 comprises a device 36 including block housing 38, a wall clip 40 or a pipe clip 140 or any other means to affix the device 36 at a predetermined level 34 in a vessel 10 and dye blocks 142a,142b.

The clips 40,140 are substantially similar to those described above.

The block housing 38 (see Fig. 15) comprises a front wall 46, a rear wall 48, side walls 50, a lower base 52, an upper base 80 and a lid 53. The housing is substantially similar to that described above except it also comprises an upper base 80 for supporting one of the dye blocks 142b.

The upper base 80 is substantially similar to the lower base 52 having a bore (not shown) therein and is disposed spaced from and parallel to the lower base 52.

The dye block 142a is located in the block housing 38 and is supported by the base 52. The dye block 142a carries a first colour. The dye block 142b is located in the block housing and is supported by the upper base 80. The dye block 142b carries a second, warning colour.

In use, the device 36 is located in the vessel 10 at such a point that the dye block 142a is immersed in water when the water is at the normal liquid level 34. The dye block 142a thereby imparts its first colour to the water denoting normal liquid level and thereby creating a more aesthetic effect than clear colourless water. In the event of overfilling of the vessel 10 the water will come into contact with the dye block 142b which will subsequently impart its second, warning colour to the water, thereby alerting the user to the problem of overfilling of the vessel.

In any embodiment of any of the aspects of the invention contained herein, the dye block 42,142 can be made from powdered fluorescein.

In any embodiment the device 36 may be preformed on a pipe such as 20,26,30. The device 36 may alternatively be fitted to the flush handle mechanism (not shown).

The colour dye block 142a may be retained separately from the block housing 38, positioned below the normal liquid level 34.

The dye material may impart a strong smell to the water such as chlorine or ammonia and an appropriate substance can be incorporated with the dye material to that effect. The dye material may also include a disinfectant material so that the flushed area is disinfected automatically by flushing.

The block housing 38 is preferably made from plastics material by injection moulding.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device to indicate overfilling of a reservoir comprising an indicator and means for introducing in use said indicator into liquid in the reservoir once the liquid has reached a predetermined level, the introduced indicator being capable of being sensed by a person.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the indicator is a substance which in use imparts a smell to the liquid.

3. A device to indicate overfilling of a reservoir according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the indicator is a substance which in use colours the liquid.

4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the indicator is a dye.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the dye is a liquid.

6. A device according to claim 4 wherein the dye is a solid.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the dye is powdered fluorescein.

8. A device according to any of claims 4-7 wherein the dye is scented.

9. A device according to any preceding claim and further comprising a housing for said indicator and attachment means for attaching said housing to said reservoir.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the attachment means is a hook.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the hook has a spring arm for resilient attachment to a rim of the reservoir.

12. A device according to claim 9 wherein the attachment means is an adhesive pad.

13. A device according to claim 9 wherein the attachment means is a pipe clip.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein the pipe clip is a c-shaped clip having at least one resilient arm.

15. A device according to claim 14 and further including insert means to adjust a clipping diameter of said clip.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein the clip insert means comprises at least one removable inner jacket to reduce said clipping diameter.

17. A device according to any of claims 14-16 and including a plurality of clips each having a different clipping diameter.

18. A device according to any of claims 9 to 17 and further intermediate said housing and attachment means to permit height adjustment of said device in use.

19. A device according to any of claims 9 to 18 and having an open pipe communicating with the interior of said housing and extending in use downwardly.

20. A device according to claim 19 wherein the pipe is straight.

21. A device according to claim 19 wherein the pipe is a siphon having an inverted U-bend within the housing.

22. A device according to any of claims 9-21 wherein said housing has an overhanging surface uppermost in use.

23. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the device comprises two dye layers arranged one above the other in use, the layers being different from one another and the upper layer being said indicator.

24. A device according to claim 23 wherein the dye layers comprise one or more solid dye blocks.

25. A reservoir having a device according to any preceding claim.

26. A device to indicate overfilling of a reservoir substantially as described herein.

26. A flushing cistern for water having a device according to any of claims 1-24.

27. A device to indicate overfilling of a reservoir substantially as described herein.

Amendments to the cbins have been fled as folows

1. A device to indicate overfilling of a liquid reservoir, the device comprising an indicator and means for introducing the indicator into liquid in the reservoir when in use the liquid has reached a predetermined level, the indicator bering adapted to colour the liquid.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the indicator is a substance which in use also imparts a smell to the liquid.

3. A device according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the indicator is a dye.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the dye is a liquid.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein the dye is a solid.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the dye is powdered fluorescein.

7. A device according to any of claims 3-6 wherein the dye is scented.

8. A device according to any preceding claim and further comprising a housing for said indicator and attachment means for attaching said housing to said reservoir.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the attachment means is a hook.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the hook has a spring arm for resilient attachment to a rim of the reservoir.

11. A device according to claim 8 wherein the attachment means is an adhesive pad.

12. A device according to claim 8 wherein the attachment means is a pipe clip.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the pipe clip is a c-shaped clip having at least one resilient arm.

14. A device according to claim 13 and further including insert means to adjust a clipping diameter of said clip.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the clip insert means comprises at least one removable inner jacket to reduce said clipping diameter.

16. A device according to any of claims 13-15 and including a plurality of clips each having a different clipping diameter.

17. A device according to any of claims 8 to 16 and further intermediate said housing and attachment means to permit height adjustment of said device in use.

18. A device according to any of claims 8 to 17 and having an open pipe communicating with the interior of said housing and extending in use downwardly.

19. A device according to claim 18 wherein the pipe is straight.

20. A device according to claim 18 wherein the pipe is a siphon having an inverted U-bend within the housing.

21. A device according to any of claims 8-20 wherein said housing has an overhanging surface uppermost in use.

22. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the device comprises two dye layers arranged one above the other in use, the layers being different from one another and the upper layer being said indicator.

23. A device according to claim 22 wherein the dye layers comprise one or more solid dye blocks.

24. A reservoir having a device according to any preceding claim,

25. A flushing cistern for water having a device according to any of claims 1-23.