Water-conserving toilet

Abstract

A water-conserving toilet is disclosed and includes a bowl for receiving waste and a waste outlet extending laterally from the bowl and defining a first, shallow trap arranged so that a relatively shallow body of liquid is normally retained in the bottom of the bowl for preventing gaseous flow through the trap. A flush system is provided and is arranged, when operated, to deliver a charge of flushing liquid into the bowl in a direction to cause said body of liquid to be discharged through said outlet. A waste holding tank communicates with said bowl outlet for receiving waste from the bowl and the holding tank has an outlet extending outwardly from the tank and adapted for connection to a sewer inlet. The holding tank outlet defines a second trap of substantial height capable of preventing reverse flow of sewer gas into the holding tank in use and the holding tank and second trap are arranged to contain a volume of liquid substantially in excess of the volume discharged from the bowl at each flush. A flexible diaphragm extends across the holding tank above the level at which liquid enters from the bowl and is sealed to the tank in gas-tight fashion. The diaphragm is adapted to flex upwardly and accommodate air displaced as liquid enters the tank from the bowl, so as to minimize air resistance to flushing of liquid from the bowl.