Toilet tank and channel disinfection

Abstract

A disinfection system for a toilet includes a toilet tank, a drain opening at a bottom of the toilet tank, at least one disinfection channel extending from the drain opening of the toilet tank to a pedestal for the toilet, and a valve system in the toilet tank, the valve system configured to empty the toilet tank through the drain opening to below a predetermined level.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disinfection system for a toilet, the disinfection system comprising:
 a toilet tank;   a drain opening at a bottom of the toilet tank;   at least one disinfection channel extending from the drain opening of the toilet tank to a pedestal for the toilet; and   a valve system in the toilet tank, the valve system configured to empty the toilet tank through the drain opening to below a predetermined level.   
     
     
         2 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve system includes a flush valve, and the predetermined level is below the flush valve. 
     
     
         3 . The disinfection system of  claim 2 , the valve system further comprising:
 a float, wherein the float is configured to maintain the float in an open state until water in the tank is below the predetermined level.   
     
     
         4 . The disinfection system of  claim 3 , wherein the float is coupled to the flush valve. 
     
     
         5 . The disinfection system of  claim 3 , wherein the float is electronically connected to a controller that controls the flush valve. 
     
     
         6 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve system includes a drain valve. 
     
     
         7 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined level is less than 5 millimeters from the drain opening of the toilet tank. 
     
     
         8 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a disinfection dispenser in the toilet tank, the disinfection dispenser configured to dispense a disinfection material into the toilet tank and the at least one disinfection channel extending from the drain opening of the toilet tank to the pedestal for the toilet.   
     
     
         9 . The disinfection system of  claim 8 , wherein the disinfection material is a vapor. 
     
     
         10 . The disinfection system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a fan configured to increase a mass flow of the disinfection material through the toilet tank.   
     
     
         11 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , wherein the toilet tank includes bottom surface including at least one slanted surface adjacent to the drain opening. 
     
     
         12 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lamp coupled to an inside of the tank and configured to irradiate the tank.   
     
     
         13 . The disinfection system of  claim 1 , wherein an interior of the toilet tank is glazed. 
     
     
         14 . A disinfection system for a toilet, the disinfection system comprising:
 a toilet tank;   a drain opening at a bottom of the toilet tank;   at least one disinfection channel extending from the drain opening of the toilet tank to a pedestal for the toilet; and   a disinfection material generator coupled to the toilet tank.   
     
     
         15 . The disinfection system of  claim 14 , wherein the disinfection material generator includes an electrolyzed water generator. 
     
     
         16 . The disinfection system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a sensor; and   a controller configured to activate the disinfection material generator in response to data received from the sensor.   
     
     
         17 . The disinfection system of  claim 14 , wherein the disinfection material generator includes a bacteria dispenser. 
     
     
         18 . The disinfection system of  claim 14 , wherein the disinfection material generator includes:
 a catalyst; and   an ultraviolet lamp configured to activate the catalyst and cause circulation of water through convection.   
     
     
         19 . A method for disinfection of a toilet, the method comprising:
 receiving an indication of an empty toilet tank;   generating a disinfection command for a disinfection system in the empty toilet tank; and   providing a material from the disinfection system to an interior surface of the empty toilet tank or a disinfection channel fluidly coupled to the empty toilet tank.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the indication of the empty toilet tank includes sensor data, timing data, or a flush cycle trigger.