US20120210505A1

US20120210505A1 - Rimless toilet with flush water distribution apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20120210505A1
Application number: US13/410,095
Authority: US
Inventors: John Pearson
Original assignee: Ideal Standard International BVBA
Current assignee: Ideal Standard International BVBA
Priority date: 2007-09-05
Filing date: 2012-03-01
Publication date: 2012-08-23
Also published as: ES2569500T3; DK2203608T3; CN101835945A; WO2009030904A1; EP2203608A1; CN101835945B; GB2453319B; GB0717274D0; GB2453319A; KR20100049597A; EP2203608B1

Abstract

A toilet comprising a rimless toilet bowl and a water distribution apparatus arranged in use to communicate water in substantially horizontally opposing directions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/GB2008/002986, with an international filing date of Sep. 3, 2008 which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application Number 0717274.5 filed on Sep. 5, 2007, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toilet and specifically to a rimless toilet.

BACKGROUND

Various types of toilets have been available in the art for some time. An example of one conventional toilet is shown in FIG. 1, in cross-section. A conventional toilet typically comprises a toilet bowl or pan (reference A) and a toilet rim (reference B) extending around the top of the bowl. On flushing of the toilet water is directed from an inlet pipe into the back of the bowl. The majority of the water entering the toilet is directed in a generally vertical direction down the rear wall and towards the bottom of the bowl where the water enters the waste pipe or U-bend (as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 1). At the same time a smaller proportion of the inlet water runs around the toilet rim which is generally formed of an inverted U-shape allowing the water to flow through orifices as shown down the inner surfaces of the bowl to rinse the inner bowl surface. Water flows along the channel and passes through these holes and into the toilet bowl.
Despite the popularity and advantages of conventional toilets there are a number of significant drawbacks with toilets incorporating a rim. For example, because of the profile of conventional toilet rims, they provide a breeding ground for germs and bacteria and also a catchment area for waste matter. The profile of the rim can also make it difficult to effectively clean around the rim. Furthermore, parts of the underside of the rim are difficult to inspect which means parts of the toilet are often left un-cleaned for extended periods of time or indefinitely. This build-up of germs and matter under or around the rim is unhygienic which is of particular concern in public toilets, hospitals and so forth. Toilets with modified rims which attempt to address some of these problems are known in the art, see for example GB 2,431,937.
However, the prior art designs fail to provide a toilet arrangement which offers an efficient and effective flushing action in combination with a toilet which substantially eliminates the possibility of germs and/or bacteria building up or being cultured in or around the rim. There is therefore a need for a toilet which overcomes these problems and for a toilet with improved cleanliness. The present invention has been made, at least in part, in consideration of these problems and in view of the drawbacks of conventional toilets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect there is provided a toilet comprising a rimless toilet bowl and a pair of water inlets arranged in use to direct substantially all of the water flowing into the toilet in substantially horizontally opposing directions around the inner surface of the toilet bowl.
In accordance with the invention, substantially all of the flushing water received into the toilet is only directed in opposing and substantially horizontal directions by means of the two water inlets i.e. water is not directed from the inlet directly down and into the bowl as is the case in conventional toilets. In the prior art substantially all of the water received in the bowl is directed towards the U-bend to create the necessary flushing action as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 1. Directing all of the water horizontally creates a flushing plume at an opposing side of the toilet bowl which cleans the inside surfaces of the toilet bowl and creates the necessary flushing plume. The use of a toilet without any kind of rim minimises the regions around the bowl at which germs, bacteria and matter may build-up and furthermore maximises the visibility of the inside of the bowl allowing easy and convenient inspection.
Directing substantially all of the water in horizontally opposing directions has not previously been considered in the art because it is convention to create a necessary flushing action by directing a large volume of water directly down towards the U-bend of the toilet bowl. It will be appreciated that the term substantially all is intended to refer to almost all of the water entering the toilet but that some may remain in the toilet and/or evaporate or the like.
The term ‘rimless’ is intended to refer herein to a toilet bowl which is void of an overhanging surface extending around the upper surface of the rim. By removing the overhanging surface the visibility of the inside of the toilet bowl is substantially improved. In addition access to the bowl is improved for cleaning.
Water may be introduced into the bowl by means of a water distribution arrangement which may for example protrude from the inner wall of the bowl at the rear of the toilet bowl. Alternatively water may be communicated into the bowl from a pair of recesses formed in the wall of the toilet bowl and arranged in use to direct water horizontally as described above. Forming the inlets into recesses in the toilet wall further removes edges around which germs and bacteria may grow which might be associated with a protruding water inlet.
To maximise the flushing and cleaning action the flushing water may be introduced into the bowl close to the upper edge of the rimless bowl. Introducing the water at the top of the bowl maximises the area of the bowl over which the flushing water is arrange to flow and minimises the area of the bowl which is not cleaned.
Each of the two opposing water inlets may be formed of a single orifice arranged to communicate water into the bowl. Alternatively, each orifice may be formed of a plurality of apertures each arranged to communicate water into the bowl.
It will be appreciated that the term ‘substantially horizontally’ used herein is not limited to a purely horizontal flow of water but to a generally horizontal flow such that, in use, water is directed around the inner surface of the bowl to meet and collide at the opposing side of the bowl.
So as to advantageously communicate water all around the bowl, the toilet bowl may be provided with a pair of circumferentially extending water guides or ledges each having a first end adjacent to one of the flushing water inlets and arranged in use to guide or communicate the flushing water in the substantially horizontally opposing directions around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl.
In use water issues from the respective inlets and is directed along the top of the respective water guide and around the bowl. Each guide advantageously prevents the water from flowing in a manner as found in conventional toilets i.e. directly down towards the U-bend. In use the guides communicate water from the respective inlets and around the inner surface of the bowl so as to collide on the opposite side of the toilet bowl and to create a ‘plume’ of water which in turn flows into the U-bend. The arrangement of the guides advantageously provides a surface on which water may be communicated. In addition the guides are void of any concealed portions because there are no overhanging surfaces or rim and can be easily and conveniently inspected for cleanliness. As described above the guide surfaces are also advantageously convenient and easy to clean because they are readily accessible to a cleaner.
It will be recognised that in the prior art the inner surface of the toilet cannot be seen easily. Even in the document referenced above a rim is provided which prevents the inner surface of the bowl being inspected quickly and easily.
Viewed from another aspect there is provided a toilet comprising a rimless toilet bowl and a water distribution arrangement arranged to communicate water into the bowl, the bowl further comprising two generally horizontal water guides disposed on the inner surface of said bowl and arranged to receive in use water from a respective flushing water inlet and to communicate water along an upper surface thereof.
In effect the guides act as a surface along which water is communicated by virtue of the flow rate of the water passing into the bowl. Each guide or ledge may advantageously be formed as a surface protruding from the inner surface of the toilet bowl i.e. integral with the bowl inner surface. Guides may therefore be conveniently formed using conventional manufacturing techniques.
Each guide/ledge is formed of a proximal end adjacent to a respective inlet and a distal end located at some distance around the circumference of the bowl. In order to ensure the entire surface of the bowl is cleaned the ledge may extend around the entire circumference of the bowl so as to meet at the front of the toilet bowl.
The guides or ledges may be provided with any suitable profile or configuration comprising a surface on which the water is supported and/or directed as it flows around the bowl. For example, the guides may be in the form of a substantially horizontal surface on which the water is supported and along which the water flows. As discussed above, such a surface advantageously supports the flow of water around the bowl and additionally allows for convenient inspection of the toilet (for cleanliness) and furthermore allows the toilet inner surface to be easily cleaned.
All or a portion of each guide/ledge may be angled relative to the inner surface of the bowl to support water on the ledge for an extended period of time as it flows around the bowl. The guides may be adapted e.g. angled along all or a portion of their lengths to allow a portion of the water flowing along each guide to flow over the inner edge thereof so as to flow over the inner wall of the toilet bowl beneath the guide. In effect a portion of the water directed around the inside of the bowl is permitted to flow from the guide in a generally vertical direction down the inside surface of the bowl so as to rinse the inner surface of the bowl. It will be recognised that the water flowing from the guide in this fashion will have a generally horizontal component of movement as it flows from the edge of the guide and so the water will circulate around the bowl as it flows from the guide. This advantageously rinses the inner surface of the bowl as it flows around and down the bowl surface. This may be achieved by providing all or part of the ledges with a small angle away from the horizontal such that a portion of the water flows over the inner surface thereof. The ledges may for example be provided with an angle of between 1 and 15 degrees to the horizontal.
Alternatively, or additionally, this may be achieved by providing each ledge with a first width proximate a respective inlet and a second smaller width at a distal end of the ledge. Advantageously, the guides may be arranged to taper from the proximate end to the distal end so that the supporting surface along which the water flows narrows around the circumference of the toilet bowl. The distal ends of the guides may meet at a point on the circumference of the toilet bowl substantially opposite the water distribution apparatus to ensure that water is communicated around the entire circumference of the bowl.
To optimise the cleaning of the bowl and the flushing action for a toilet with a standard volume of flushing water the guides may be provided with a first end proximate the respective flushing water inlet having a guide width of between 40 mm and 65 mm, more preferably between 50 mm and 60 mm and most preferably 58 mm. The distal end of each guide may have a width of between 1 mm and 8 mm, more preferably 2 mm and 5 mm and most preferably 3 mm. It has been established that the most preferred values optimise the creation of the flushing plume whilst optimising the cleaning action of the bowl. The plume creation may also be optimised by making the inside of the bowl generally symmetrical.
Depending on the size of the bowl, the taper may alternatively be arranged such that the guide terminates a part way around the circumference of the rim i.e. the guides may taper into the bowl wall. It will be recognised that in such arrangement an increasing portion of the water flowing along each guide will be permitted to flow into the bowl.
The guides may advantageously be arranged so as to direct the two opposing flows towards each other so as to collide at a position diagonally opposite the inlet apparatus i.e. at the front of the bowl. It will be appreciated that the elevation of the collision point (relative to the height of the bowl from the floor) of the two flows is dependent on the specific configuration of the guides and the flow rate of water. The configuration of the guides is selected such that a sufficient proportion of water collides at the front of the bowl and is directed, by virtue of the momentum of water, in a general direction back across the bowl towards the back of the toilet. A ‘collision point’ is in effect created at which the two streams meet and which creates a turbulent region of water which rebounds across the toilet bowl.
At the portion of each guide proximate the respective flushing water inlet the inlet may, as described above, be formed in a recess in the inner wall of the bowl. The recess is in effect formed of a lower surface defined by the tapered guide and an upper opposing surface which acts as a cover to prevent any spray passing from the respective water inlets over the top of the bowl as the water passes at its highest flow rate onto the guides. Advantageously this surface may taper into the wall of the bowl to maximise access and visibility of the inner surface of the bowl.
The inner surface of the toilet bowl may also be provided with a further small orifice which is arranged in use to allow a small quantity of water to flow over the portion of the toilet bowl between the two opposing water inlets. This ensures that the entire surface of the toilet bowl receives a flow of water to provide a complete bowl surface rinse. Only a small proportion of the flushing water received by the toilet need flow over this portion of the bowl. For example the two opposing inlets may be configured to receive in excess of 90% of the water received into the toilet (45% each) with the remaining quantity passing to the rinse inlet disposed above and between the two opposing inlets. The rinse inlet may be arranged at any suitable height relative to the upper surface of the toilet bowl but is preferably arranged close to the upper surface to maximise the area of the bowl over which water flows
According to another aspect of an invention disclosed herein, there is provided a system comprising a toilet including a rimless toilet bowl; a water reservoir connected to said toilet for supplying flushing water to said toilet bowl; and a water distribution arrangement adjacent an inner wall of said bowl arranged to received said flushing water and comprising two bowl inlets arranged in use to direct substantially all of said water in horizontally opposing directions around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl.
According to another aspect of an invention described herein, there is provided a toilet comprising a rimless toilet bowl and a pair of opposing water inlets arranged in use to direct water flowing into the toilet in substantially horizontally opposing directions around the inner surface of the toilet bowl, and further comprising a third water inlet disposed above and between said pair of opposing water inlets and arranged in use to direct a small quantity of water into the bowl at a position above and between the inlets.
According to yet another aspect there is provided a method for flushing a toilet, said method comprising the steps of providing flushing water to a rimless toilet bowl via a water distribution apparatus comprising two inlets at an inner wall of said toilet bowl; and directing substantially all of said flushing water in first and second substantially horizontally opposing directions around the inner circumference of said toilet bowl so as to collide together at a portion of said inner wall of said bowl located opposite said water distribution apparatus.
It will be appreciated that the various features of the apparatus and method disclosed and described herein may be advantageously used in any suitable or convenient combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a conventional toilet comprising a toilet rim;

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of a toilet according to an embodiment the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the toilet;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the toilet;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the toilet taken on line A-A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a toilet according to the invention with the dimensions of a pair of suitable water guides;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the toilet bowl in cross-section; and

FIG. 8 shows a view of a section forming a rear portion of the toilet bowl.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, the toilet according to the invention comprises a rimless toilet bowl 1 and a water reservoir (not shown) for supplying flushing water to said toilet bowl. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 a water distribution apparatus or arrangement 3 is integrally formed with the inner wall of the toilet bowl 1. The distribution arrangement is discussed below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7A and 8.
As shown in FIG. 4, the water distribution apparatus 3 includes a conduit 4 for receiving water to be supplied to the toilet bowl. This is in fluid communication with the water cistern (not shown). The distribution apparatus also includes two inlets to the toilet bowl 5 and 6 for supplying water to the toilet bowl from the conduit 4. The inlets may be any suitable size depending on the particular water pressures and characteristics of the system into which the toilet is installed. In one example the inlets are provided with a diameter of 20 mm with a tolerance of +−1 mm.
In alternative embodiments the outlets 5 and 6 may be formed of a plurality of small apertures.
The toilet bowl includes a pair of water guides adjacent to the water distribution apparatus 3. The guides are first and second symmetrical guiding ledges 7 and 8. Alternatively a single ledge could also be used.
Referring again to FIG. 4, each ledge 7 and 8 has a proximal end adjacent a corresponding inlet 5 and 6. The ledge then extends circumferentially from its corresponding inlet 5 and 6 around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl 1 to a distal end. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ledges 7 and 8 extend around the circumference of the inner wall and their distal ends meet at a point which is located substantially opposite the water distribution apparatus. The ledges 7 and 8 also incrementally narrow (taper) in width towards the distal end.
An example of optimal tapering of the ledges 7 and 8 is shown in FIG. 6, where the width of proximal ends of the ledges 7 and 8 nearest the inlets 5 and 6 are approximately 58 mm, and the width of the distal ends at their meeting point is narrowed to approximately 3 mm.
In alternative embodiments, the distal ends may only extend along a portion of the circumference of the inner wall and hence not meet at a common point. The distance the ledge extends along the circumference may vary depending on the requirements of the system and the dimensions of the toilet bowl.
FIG. 7A shows a cut-away of one side of the toilet and FIG. 7B shows a closed cross-sectional view of the rim of the toilet through B-B shown in FIG. 7A. As shown in FIG. 7A, the ledge may be provided with a surface at a small angle ‘a’ relative to the horizontal in order to increase the flow of water running down the inner wall of the bowl during flushing and to reduce the likelihood of water remaining on the guide ledges after the flushing cycle is complete. The angle a (shown in FIG. 7B) of incline of the ledges 7 and 8 may for example range from 1° to 15° with respect to the horizontal. Advantageously the angle may be higher at a portion of the guide proximate the inlet and increase in angle along the length of each guide.
The water distribution apparatus may include a portion 11 disposed between the ledges 7 and 8 which extends upwardly from the rear inner wall of the bowl. This is illustrated in FIG. 7A. In effect this smooth portion is part of the chamber forming the water distribution arrangement within the toilet bowl wall. A pair of sidewalls 12 and 13 each intersects the portion 11 and extend rearwardly forming the two opposing surfaces in which the water inlets 5 and 6 are disposed. FIG. 7A illustrates side wall 13 comprising water inlet 5.
As also shown in FIG. 7A portion 11 and the associated side walls are arranged such that the side walls are disposed at an angle to the vertical. Thus, water issuing from the water inlet 5 is directed onto the upper surface of the water guide 7 and subsequently along its surface.
FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of the portion 11 and the associates dimension thereof As shown in the figure, the angle of inclination of each sidewall ranges from 7.5° to 9° with respect to the vertical. The width of the section may range from 39 to 50 mm at the base and from 56 to 67 mm at the top.
Referring again to FIG. 5, the ledges 7 and 8 are also provided with upper guiding ledges 9 and 10. As discussed above, guides 7 and 8 support and communicate water around the rim from their respective inlets. The upper water guides 7 and 8 provide an opposed surface forming a short channel into which water issues from the respective inlets. The channel retains the water as it leaves the inlets and prevents any overflow or splash from the bowl. As the water flows from the inlets it settles on the upper surfaces of guides 7 and 8. Consequently, the upper guides 9 and 10 are arranged so as to taper into the wall of the bowl therefore maximising access and visibility of the inner surface of the bowl.
It will be recognised that the extent to which the upper guides protrude from the inner wall of the bowl and their respective lengths along the inner surface of the bowl are determined according to the water pressure/flow rate and the angle at which water is directed from the outlets.
In operation water enters a chamber formed within the bowl wall (disposed behind the portion 11) and exits through inlets 5 and 6 into respective channels defined by the lower guides 7 and 8 and upper guides 9 and 10. The largest proportion of water is communicated along the upper surface of the ledges 7 and 8 and around the bowl. It will be recognised that water will flow from these guides down into the bowl. The arrows shown in FIG. 7A illustrate the increasing proportion of water which flows from the guides and into the bowl.
In most applications the flow patterns illustrated in FIG. 7A are sufficient to clean the entire surface of the bowl. However, in some instances some residue may remain on or below the portion 11 and would not normally be cleaned by the flows shown in FIG. 7A. The portion 11 may therefore be provided with a further small rinsing aperture 14 which is in fluid communication with the chamber disposed behind the section 11 and into which water collects before passing through the inlets 5 and 6. In use a small amount of water (approximately 6.5% of the total volume of flushing water) flows from the chamber through the aperture 14 and down surface of the portion 11. In effect the aperture rinses this region and also the inner wall of the toilet bowl beneath the portion 11. The addition of a rinsing aperture 14 advantageously increases the total surface area of the bowl which is rinsed during flushing. In this arrangement approximately 93.5% of the flushing water is arranged to flow through the inlets and around the bowl. Although FIG. 7A depicts the rinsing aperture at the centre of the portion 11 toward its base, the rinsing aperture 14 may be located higher on the portion 11 to allow a greater portion of the surface area below to be rinsed. Advantageously the rinsing aperture may be disposed above and between the two inlets for flushing water described herein which in itself constitutes an invention.
The amount of surface area rinsed may alternatively or additionally be increased by the addition of a pair of mutually opposed recesses or channels located at points 15 and 16 shown in FIG. 7A. These recesses are arranged to communicate a small proportion of water from each of the guides into the region below the section 11.
In use, when the user activates the toilet's flushing mechanism, water is supplied from the reservoir (not shown) to the conduit 4. The water then passes into a chamber disposed behind the portion 11 and through the inlets 5 and 6. The inlets direct substantially all of the water in horizontally opposing directions around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl 1. The guiding ledges 7 and 8 form the other half of a channel to direct the water exiting from the outlets in substantially horizontally opposing directions and prevent water flowing over the top of the toilet over the short portion of the water passage as it first enters the bowl.
When the water passes through the inlets 5 and 6 it forms first and second substantially horizontally opposing water streams travelling in opposite directions around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4.
At least a portion of the opposing streams then collide together at a portion of the inner wall of the bowl located substantially opposite the water distribution apparatus 3. The specific point on the wall where the collision of the streams will occur may vary depending on the pressure applied to the water and the specifications of the toilet bowl.
Upon colliding, the first and second streams form a water plume and are directed back toward the rear portion of the inner wall adjacent the water distribution apparatus 3. When this water collides with the water already sitting in the bottom of the bowl, the impact and volume is sufficient to move the water trapped in the toilet's U-bend and hence, ‘flush’ the toilet.
During trials using various ledge widths and tapers, the dimensions shown in FIG. 6 were surprisingly found to be optimum for enabling the water to flow around to the front of the bowl and form a strong plume suitable for initiating flushing of the toilet. However, the ledges are not limited to these dimensions as many variations could also be used to create a strong plume suitable for flushing a toilet.
In embodiments having flushing water inlets with multiple apertures, more than two water streams may be formed in each direction, however the streams will still be directed in substantially horizontally opposing directions around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl and function in the manner as described above.
Whilst a majority of the first and second water streams collide together at the front portion of the inner wall of the bowl located opposite the water distribution apparatus, a portion of the first and second streams also flow over an edge of the water guide to serve the function of rinsing a portion of the inner wall situated below. This is illustrated by the flow arrows in FIG. 7A. This effect may be emphasised toward the end of the flush cycle when the inlet pressure declines and the reach of the outgoing water stream is reduced, allowing it to fall over the side of the ledge.
In an embodiment where the distal ends of the guiding ledges 7 and 8 do not meet, a portion of the first and second stream may flow past the distal end of its corresponding guiding ledge and rinse a portion of the inner wall situated below.
In embodiments including a rinsing aperture 14, the aperture allows a small portion of the flushing water to rinse the area of the rear inner wall below. During testing, with a 4.5 litre flush cycle, approximately 6.5% of the flush water exited the water distribution apparatus via the rinsing aperture 14. The rinsing aperture 14 may also advantageously function as a draining aperture for draining water collected in the chamber of the water distribution apparatus during the flushing cycle. Hence, the amount of standing water left in the system after flushing may be reduced. This may be advantageous because standing water may be a potential breeding ground for germs.
It will be recognised that the various features, aspects and embodiments described and illustrated herein may be used in any convenient combination and constitute part of the inventions.

Claims

1. A toilet comprising a rimless toilet bowl and a pair of water inlets arranged in use to direct substantially all of the water flowing into the toilet in substantially horizontally opposing directions around the inner surface of the toilet bowl.

2. A toilet according to claim 1, wherein said toilet bowl includes a circumferentially extending water guide adjacent each water inlet for guiding said water in said substantially horizontally opposing directions around at least a portion of the inner circumference of the bowl.

3. A toilet as claimed in claim 2, wherein each water guide is provided with an upper surface on which the water is supported and carried.

4. A toilet according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein each water guide is adapted to allow a portion of said water to flow over an edge thereof to rinse at least a portion of the inner wall below the guide.

5. A toilet as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least a portion of each guide is arranged at an angle to the horizontal such that in use a portion of water flowing on the guide flows inward towards the centre of the bowl.

6. A toilet according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein each guide comprises a first end proximate an inlet and a second end disposed at a position circumferentially around the bowl, wherein each guide is arranged to taper from a first width at a first end to a second width at a second end.

7. A toilet as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the guides are symmetrically arranged around said bowl.

8. A toilet according to any preceding claim, further comprising a third inlet adapted in use to allow a volume of flushing water which is less than the volume passing through the pair of inlets to rinse a portion of the inner wall below said third inlet.

9. A toilet according to claim 8, wherein the volume of water exiting the third inlet is approximately 6.5% of the water supplied to the toilet for one flushing cycle.

10. A toilet according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the third inlet is located above and between the pair of opposing inlets.

11. A method for flushing a toilet, said method comprising the steps of providing flushing water to a rimless toilet bowl via a water distribution apparatus comprising two inlets at an inner wall of said toilet bowl; and directing substantially all of said flushing water in first and second substantially horizontally opposing directions around the inner circumference of said toilet bowl so as to collide together at a portion of said inner wall of said bowl located opposite said water distribution apparatus.

12. A toilet comprising a rimless toilet bowl and a water distribution arrangement arranged to communicate water into the bowl, the bowl further comprising two generally horizontal water guides disposed on the inner surface of said bowl and arranged to receive in use water from a respective flushing water inlet and to communicate water along an upper surface thereof

13. A system comprising a toilet including a rimless toilet bowl; a water reservoir connected to said toilet for supplying flushing water to said toilet bowl; and a water distribution arrangement adjacent an inner wall of said bowl arranged to receive said flushing water and comprising two bowl inlets arranged in use to direct substantially all of said water in horizontally opposing directions around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl.

14. A toilet comprising a rimless toilet bowl and a pair of opposing water inlets arranged in use to direct water flowing into the toilet in substantially horizontally opposing directions around the inner surface of the toilet bowl, and further comprising a third water inlet disposed above and between said pair of opposing water inlets and arranged in use to direct a small quantity of water into the bowl at a position above and between the inlets.

15. A toilet as claimed in claim 14, wherein the volume of water communicated by the third inlet is less than 10% of the total water volume entering the toilet.

16. A toilet substantially as described herein with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.