US20100058522A1 - Toilet water saver - Google Patents
Toilet water saver Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100058522A1 US20100058522A1 US12/232,154 US23215408A US2010058522A1 US 20100058522 A1 US20100058522 A1 US 20100058522A1 US 23215408 A US23215408 A US 23215408A US 2010058522 A1 US2010058522 A1 US 2010058522A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- water
- valve
- tank
- toilet
- flapper
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D1/00—Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices
- E03D1/02—High-level flushing systems
- E03D1/14—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves
- E03D1/142—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves in cisterns with flushing valves
- E03D1/145—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves in cisterns with flushing valves having multiple flush outlets
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
- Y02A20/40—Protecting water resources
Definitions
- the present invention relates to toilet tanks, and particularly to a toilet water saver that economizes on the use of water when flushing a toilet tank.
- Water consumption potable or otherwise, can be costly to consumers, depending upon demand and the available water supply in the locality. In many metropolitan areas, wastewater is recycled, and the costs are passed to the consumer. In some areas of the world, water is a premium commodity because of geography, availability, economy, and/or weather conditions. Modern toilets consume much of the available water, but they are very inefficient because the same amount of available water in the toilet tank is employed to flush both liquid and solid wastes.
- the toilet water saver includes a compact tank and a flushing valve system having tank flush valves disposed at different heights with respect to the base of the tank so that the saver efficiently uses the optimal amount of water for the task.
- this arrangement allows a small volume of water to be used for liquid waste, the most common form of wastes, and a larger volume for solid waste.
- FIGURE is an environmental front view in section of a toilet tank equipped with an exemplary toilet water saver according to the present invention.
- the present invention relates to a toilet water saver that may include a tank and flushing assembly that efficiently uses the available water in the tank by allowing the user to selectively flush predetermined amounts of water, depending on the particular waste material or load.
- the toilet water saver 10 may include a tank body 2 adapted to hold a set volume of water. The water required to fill the tank is supplied through an inflow tube 4 attached to an inlet pipe 6 .
- a float 11 which is pivotally connected to a ballcock assembly via a float arm 12 , controls the level 8 of water in the tank 2 . As the tank 2 fills, the float 11 rises and gradually closes the ballcock assembly as the float 11 reaches a predetermined level 8 of water.
- the flushing valve assembly includes an elongated overflow tube 22 connected to a flush valve body 40 .
- the flush valve body 40 includes a substantially elongated pipe 28 having a first flapper valve seat 41 at the upper end to accommodate a first pivotable flapper valve 24 .
- the opposite end of the pipe 28 is connected to a tank outlet 30 leading to the toilet bowl.
- the flush valve body 40 has a Tee or branch pipe 32 extending at right angles from the pipe 28 to form a second flapper valve seat 43 for a second pivotable flapper valve 26 near the lower end of the valve body 40 .
- Each of the flapper valve seats 41 , 43 are disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal to ease the flow of water during a flushing operation. This angle is preferably between 30° and 60° with respect to the horizontal.
- each of the flapper valves 24 , 26 are disposed at different heights with respect to the vertical orientation of the flush valve body 40 , i.e., the first flapper valve 24 is disposed at a higher elevation with respect to the bottom of the tank 2 than the second flapper valve 26 .
- the branching tube 32 and the second flapper valve 26 are disposed near the bottom of the tank 2 .
- the purpose of these different elevations is to control the amount of water employed to flush liquid or solid wastes.
- the tank 2 holds water up to a predetermined level 8 .
- the first flapper valve 24 is located at a differential depth X below the predetermined level 8 .
- the volume of water contained in the differential depth X corresponds to the amount of water sufficient to provide the water pressure needed to flush liquid wastes from the toilet bowl. Preferably, the volume is less than one-third of the capacity of tank.
- the second flapper valve 26 is located at a differential depth Y with respect to the predetermined level 8 .
- the volume of water contained in the differential depth Y corresponds to the amount of water sufficient to flush solid wastes from the toilet bowl. Note that the volume encompassed by differential depth Y is much greater than the volume of differential depth X.
- An actuator 34 is provided to operate either the first flapper valve 24 only or both flapper valves 24 , 26 simultaneously at the option of the user.
- the actuator 34 includes coaxially mounted handles (at 34 ) with one handle being independently operable from the other handle.
- One end of an adjustable chain 20 is connected to the distal end of a first lever arm 16 , and the other end of the chain 20 is connected to the first flapper valve 24 .
- the first lever arm 16 is operably attached to a first one of the independently operable handles.
- a second lever arm 14 is attached to the second handle and is operably connected to a corresponding chain 18 , which is connected to the second flapper valve 26 .
- the second handle also actuates the first handle so that both valves 24 , 26 may be opened when flushing solid wastes.
- An exemplary dual handle actuator 34 of this type that may be used in the toilet tank saver 10 is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,129, issued Nov. 16, 1993 to Roy, which is hereby incorporated by
- the operation of the toilet water saver 10 will be described.
- the user actuates the independently operable first handle to open the first flapper valve 24 via the first lever arm 16 .
- the relatively small volume of water in differential depth X drains through the first flapper valve seat 41 into elongate pipe or valve body 28 to the outlet 30 .
- the user operates the second handle, which, in turn, simultaneously operates the independent first handle to open both flapper valves 24 , 26 via the first and second lever arms 12 and 14 .
- the much greater volume of water in differential depth Y insures flushing of the solid wastes.
- the toilet water saver 10 promotes water conservation by only using the necessary amount of water for the particular task.
- the majority of toilet flushes occur for liquid wastes, but conventional toilets consume the same amount of available water in the tank for both liquid and solid wastes.
- a substantial savings in water consumption, as well as financial savings, may be obtained by the above system, since it reduces the potential for wasting the water.
- the flushing valve assembly may be formed from PVC pipes, plastics or other sturdy waterproof materials.
- the piping thereof may be an integral unit or may be separate pipes threaded or adhesively connected to each other.
Abstract
The toilet water saver includes a toilet tank and flushing valve assembly that efficiently uses the water in the tank for the particular waste being flushed. The flushing valve assembly has two flapper valves, one flapper valve disposed vertically higher than the other, and an actuator that operates one valve singly or both flapper valves simultaneously at the user's option. The disposition of the valves with respect to the maximum tank capacity level defines respective first and second volumes of water to be used. The higher disposed flapper valve is operated to drain a smaller volume of water for the common liquid wastes while the lower disposed flapper valve is operated to drain a much greater volume for solid waste.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to toilet tanks, and particularly to a toilet water saver that economizes on the use of water when flushing a toilet tank.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Water consumption, potable or otherwise, can be costly to consumers, depending upon demand and the available water supply in the locality. In many metropolitan areas, wastewater is recycled, and the costs are passed to the consumer. In some areas of the world, water is a premium commodity because of geography, availability, economy, and/or weather conditions. Modern toilets consume much of the available water, but they are very inefficient because the same amount of available water in the toilet tank is employed to flush both liquid and solid wastes.
- Thus, a toilet water saver solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
- The toilet water saver includes a compact tank and a flushing valve system having tank flush valves disposed at different heights with respect to the base of the tank so that the saver efficiently uses the optimal amount of water for the task. When flushing waste, this arrangement allows a small volume of water to be used for liquid waste, the most common form of wastes, and a larger volume for solid waste.
- These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
- The sole FIGURE is an environmental front view in section of a toilet tank equipped with an exemplary toilet water saver according to the present invention.
- Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
- The present invention relates to a toilet water saver that may include a tank and flushing assembly that efficiently uses the available water in the tank by allowing the user to selectively flush predetermined amounts of water, depending on the particular waste material or load. As shown in the sole drawing FIGURE, the
toilet water saver 10 may include atank body 2 adapted to hold a set volume of water. The water required to fill the tank is supplied through aninflow tube 4 attached to aninlet pipe 6. Afloat 11, which is pivotally connected to a ballcock assembly via afloat arm 12, controls thelevel 8 of water in thetank 2. As thetank 2 fills, thefloat 11 rises and gradually closes the ballcock assembly as thefloat 11 reaches apredetermined level 8 of water. - The flushing valve assembly includes an
elongated overflow tube 22 connected to aflush valve body 40. Theflush valve body 40 includes a substantiallyelongated pipe 28 having a firstflapper valve seat 41 at the upper end to accommodate a firstpivotable flapper valve 24. The opposite end of thepipe 28 is connected to atank outlet 30 leading to the toilet bowl. Theflush valve body 40 has a Tee orbranch pipe 32 extending at right angles from thepipe 28 to form a secondflapper valve seat 43 for a secondpivotable flapper valve 26 near the lower end of thevalve body 40. Each of theflapper valve seats - As shown in the drawing, each of the
flapper valves flush valve body 40, i.e., thefirst flapper valve 24 is disposed at a higher elevation with respect to the bottom of thetank 2 than thesecond flapper valve 26. Note also that thebranching tube 32 and thesecond flapper valve 26 are disposed near the bottom of thetank 2. The purpose of these different elevations is to control the amount of water employed to flush liquid or solid wastes. Thetank 2 holds water up to apredetermined level 8. Thefirst flapper valve 24 is located at a differential depth X below thepredetermined level 8. The volume of water contained in the differential depth X corresponds to the amount of water sufficient to provide the water pressure needed to flush liquid wastes from the toilet bowl. Preferably, the volume is less than one-third of the capacity of tank. Thesecond flapper valve 26 is located at a differential depth Y with respect to thepredetermined level 8. The volume of water contained in the differential depth Y corresponds to the amount of water sufficient to flush solid wastes from the toilet bowl. Note that the volume encompassed by differential depth Y is much greater than the volume of differential depth X. - An
actuator 34 is provided to operate either thefirst flapper valve 24 only or bothflapper valves actuator 34 includes coaxially mounted handles (at 34) with one handle being independently operable from the other handle. One end of anadjustable chain 20 is connected to the distal end of afirst lever arm 16, and the other end of thechain 20 is connected to thefirst flapper valve 24. Thefirst lever arm 16 is operably attached to a first one of the independently operable handles. Asecond lever arm 14 is attached to the second handle and is operably connected to acorresponding chain 18, which is connected to thesecond flapper valve 26. The second handle also actuates the first handle so that bothvalves dual handle actuator 34 of this type that may be used in thetoilet tank saver 10 is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,129, issued Nov. 16, 1993 to Roy, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. - Next, the operation of the
toilet water saver 10 will be described. When a user desires to eliminate liquid waste, the user actuates the independently operable first handle to open thefirst flapper valve 24 via thefirst lever arm 16. The relatively small volume of water in differential depth X drains through the firstflapper valve seat 41 into elongate pipe orvalve body 28 to theoutlet 30. When the user desires to flush solid waste, the user operates the second handle, which, in turn, simultaneously operates the independent first handle to open bothflapper valves second lever arms - Due to the features above, the
toilet water saver 10 promotes water conservation by only using the necessary amount of water for the particular task. The majority of toilet flushes occur for liquid wastes, but conventional toilets consume the same amount of available water in the tank for both liquid and solid wastes. A substantial savings in water consumption, as well as financial savings, may be obtained by the above system, since it reduces the potential for wasting the water. - It should be noted that the present invention may encompass a variety of alternatives to the various features thereof. For example, the flushing valve assembly may be formed from PVC pipes, plastics or other sturdy waterproof materials. Moreover, the piping thereof may be an integral unit or may be separate pipes threaded or adhesively connected to each other.
- It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (7)
1. A toilet water saver, comprising:
a toilet tank adapted for holding water for flushing a toilet bowl, the tank having an outlet adapted for connection to a toilet bowl;
a water refill assembly extending into the tank, the refill assembly being adapted for maintaining the flush water at a predetermined level in the tank;
a flush valve assembly having:
a valve body including an elongated pipe having at an upper end at a first differential depth below the predetermined water level and a lower end connected to the tank outlet;
a first flapper valve disposed at the upper end of the valve body, the first flapper valve permitting a first volume of flush water to pass through the valve body and the tank outlet when the first flapper valve is in an open position, the first volume of flush water being defined by the first differential depth and being adequate to flush liquid waste from the toilet bowl; and
a second flapper valve disposed adjacent the lower end of the valve body pipe, the second flapper valve being disposed at a second differential depth below the predetermined water level, the second flapper valve permitting a second volume of flush water to pass through the valve body and the tank outlet when the first and second flapper valves are simultaneously in the open position, the second flush volume being defined by the second differential depth and being adequate to flush both liquid and solid waste from the toilet bowl; and
an actuator for selectively actuating either the first flapper valve alone or both the first and the second flapper valves simultaneously at a user's option.
2. The toilet water saver according to claim 1 , wherein said water refill assembly comprises:
an elongated float arm adapted for connection to a ballcock assembly; and
a float disposed on the float arm, wherein draining and refilling water in the tank lowers and raises the float for operation of the ballcock assembly.
3. The toilet water saver according to claim 1 , wherein the flushing valve assembly further comprises an elongated overflow tube adjacent said valve body.
4. The toilet water saver according to claim 1 , wherein said valve body further comprises a branch pipe extending orthogonal to said elongated pipe adjacent the lower end, said second flapper valve being disposed on the branch pipe.
5. The toilet water saver according to claim 1 , wherein said flush valve assembly further comprises a first valve seat disposed at the upper end of said elongated pipe and a second valve seat disposed in said branch pipe, said first and second flapper valves being seated in the first and second valve seats, respectively, when in a closed position, the first and second valve seats being formed at an acute angle relative to horizontal in order to promoted fluid flow when flushing said tank.
6. The toilet water saver according to claim 1 , wherein said first volume comprises less than about one-third of the entire volume of water defined by the predetermined water level.
7. The toilet water saver according to claim 1 , wherein said second volume comprises substantially the entire volume of water defined by the predetermined water level.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/232,154 US20100058522A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-09-11 | Toilet water saver |
PCT/US2008/011567 WO2010030265A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-10-08 | Toilet water saver |
US12/382,917 US20100058523A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-26 | Toilet water saver |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/232,154 US20100058522A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-09-11 | Toilet water saver |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/382,917 Continuation-In-Part US20100058523A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-26 | Toilet water saver |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100058522A1 true US20100058522A1 (en) | 2010-03-11 |
Family
ID=41797947
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/232,154 Abandoned US20100058522A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-09-11 | Toilet water saver |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100058522A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010030265A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD635219S1 (en) | 2010-04-20 | 2011-03-29 | Zurn Industries, LCC | Flush valve actuator |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2990728B1 (en) * | 2012-05-15 | 2014-05-02 | Valeo Sys Controle Moteur Sas | SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING ENERGY IN AN EXHAUST GAS CIRCUIT. |
Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3909856A (en) * | 1974-08-19 | 1975-10-07 | Elias Barney | Dual flush tank valve |
US4096591A (en) * | 1977-01-12 | 1978-06-27 | Edward Adam Awis | Dual flush valve |
US4172299A (en) * | 1977-12-30 | 1979-10-30 | Pozo Joaquin G Del | Flush valve for water tank in a toilet system |
US4173801A (en) * | 1978-06-23 | 1979-11-13 | Bresnyan Nicholas P | Apparatus for flushing toilets |
US4175295A (en) * | 1978-06-22 | 1979-11-27 | Cameron Robert L | Water saving toilet |
US4504984A (en) * | 1981-11-13 | 1985-03-19 | Burns John W | Two-stage toilet flush valve assembly |
US4878256A (en) * | 1987-07-27 | 1989-11-07 | Bagwell J Jewell | Single handle dual flushing toilet |
US5042096A (en) * | 1990-03-13 | 1991-08-27 | Bolli Michael C | Water-saving toilet flusher |
US5175893A (en) * | 1991-05-14 | 1993-01-05 | Navarrete Raul A | Dual flush valve assembly |
US5678252A (en) * | 1995-10-17 | 1997-10-21 | Ball; Daniel W. | Dual manifold flushing assembly |
US6041452A (en) * | 1998-12-24 | 2000-03-28 | Hsiao; Chien-Liang | Water-saving toilet |
US20020138899A1 (en) * | 2001-04-02 | 2002-10-03 | John Idone | Dual volume toilet tank |
US20030028958A1 (en) * | 2001-01-19 | 2003-02-13 | Hand Douglas P. | Toilet valve assembly |
US6651263B1 (en) * | 2003-01-28 | 2003-11-25 | Chien-Liang Hsiao | Toilet tank having a two-stage flushing device |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4110850A (en) * | 1977-07-21 | 1978-09-05 | Tedei Thomas C | Flush valve assembly |
US4829605A (en) * | 1986-10-31 | 1989-05-16 | Michael Agostino | Dual flush valve assembly |
-
2008
- 2008-09-11 US US12/232,154 patent/US20100058522A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-10-08 WO PCT/US2008/011567 patent/WO2010030265A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3909856A (en) * | 1974-08-19 | 1975-10-07 | Elias Barney | Dual flush tank valve |
US4096591A (en) * | 1977-01-12 | 1978-06-27 | Edward Adam Awis | Dual flush valve |
US4172299A (en) * | 1977-12-30 | 1979-10-30 | Pozo Joaquin G Del | Flush valve for water tank in a toilet system |
US4175295A (en) * | 1978-06-22 | 1979-11-27 | Cameron Robert L | Water saving toilet |
US4173801A (en) * | 1978-06-23 | 1979-11-13 | Bresnyan Nicholas P | Apparatus for flushing toilets |
US4504984A (en) * | 1981-11-13 | 1985-03-19 | Burns John W | Two-stage toilet flush valve assembly |
US4878256A (en) * | 1987-07-27 | 1989-11-07 | Bagwell J Jewell | Single handle dual flushing toilet |
US5042096A (en) * | 1990-03-13 | 1991-08-27 | Bolli Michael C | Water-saving toilet flusher |
US5175893A (en) * | 1991-05-14 | 1993-01-05 | Navarrete Raul A | Dual flush valve assembly |
US5678252A (en) * | 1995-10-17 | 1997-10-21 | Ball; Daniel W. | Dual manifold flushing assembly |
US6041452A (en) * | 1998-12-24 | 2000-03-28 | Hsiao; Chien-Liang | Water-saving toilet |
US20030028958A1 (en) * | 2001-01-19 | 2003-02-13 | Hand Douglas P. | Toilet valve assembly |
US20020138899A1 (en) * | 2001-04-02 | 2002-10-03 | John Idone | Dual volume toilet tank |
US6651263B1 (en) * | 2003-01-28 | 2003-11-25 | Chien-Liang Hsiao | Toilet tank having a two-stage flushing device |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD635219S1 (en) | 2010-04-20 | 2011-03-29 | Zurn Industries, LCC | Flush valve actuator |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2010030265A1 (en) | 2010-03-18 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |