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PLUMBING CONNECTION
AUTUMN 2016
SMARTFLUSH EVOLVES TO
CLEANFLUSH
R
eaders of
Plumbing Connection
will have noticed over
the past four years a number of stories about the
progressive development of a new style of toilet pan
referred to as rimless.
Not surprisingly, it looks much like the name suggests.
And when the seat is down you can’t see the usual overhang
and shadow.
ISH 2011 in Germany saw the emergence of the
technology in a commercial form. Though fairly limited,
these early designs gained a lot of attention due to the
obvious cleaning advantages.
Things happened fairly quickly and by ISH 2013 major
European manufacturers had launched their own version of
rimless models and from there things advanced at a rate of
knots in Europe.
All the major players at the 2015 ISH had cottoned onto
the rimless design. New technology is much sought after
by the sanitary industry but there is more to it than meets
the eye. While it may appear easy on the surface, it certainly
isn’t. It is a new way of flushing after all.
WHAT ARE RIMLESS PANS ANDWHY DOWE NEED THEM?
As mentioned above, rimless creates a new way of
moving water into the bowl to provide superior cleaning
performance while removing waste and toilet paper from the
bowl and into the drainage system.
Rimless pans are visually different. Unlike traditional pans,
there are no undersides or concealed surfaces that can
capture grime and germs. They are easy for users to clean
and when you consider the health benefits, rimless is an
impressive advancement.
It was thought that such a product would have a ready
market in the healthcare sector, as well as high-use
commercial facilities (airports, hotels, sporting facilities
etc.) where a janitor traditionally cleans the toilets a number
of times a day.
However, it was soon realised that the style would also
be quite at home in residential premises. Don’t mums (and
a lesser number of dads) love cleaning under toilet rims!
That’s why the toilet duck toilet cleaner was invented.
While rimless is a great concept, it faces a number of
technical challenges.
The main critical issues are:
∫ Ensuring the required flow rate from the cistern or flush
valve is balanced with the rim design
∫ Avoiding splashing and complying with Standard
requirements
∫ Cleanse as much of the bowl area as possible
∫ Create an arrangement of water control that will flow into
the sump and provide effective removal of waste into the
drainage system.
RIMLESS TOILET TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN MAKING WAVES IN EUROPE IN RECENT YEARS AND WITH CAROMA ON
THE CUSP OF LAUNCHING ITS FIRST MODELS IN AUSTRALIA,
PLUMBING CONNECTION
TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AND
WHAT IT ALL MEANS FOR PLUMBERS AND END-USERS.
Modelling teammanager Lenny Conrad and head of research
and development Dr Steve Cummings of GWA Caroma.
COVER STORY:
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT