Water displacement device for toilet tanks
A water displacement device for a toilet tank provides a hollow container that is configured and arranged to hold liquid therein. The container has a fill spout for entry of the liquid and a fill cap to secure the liquid therein. The liquid may be water or a combination of water and a disinfectant. The container defines a first aperture that is configured and arranged to be received around an overflow tube in a toilet tank and a first indention that is configured and arranged to be received about a fill valve of a toilet tank. The container further defines a second indention that is configured and arranged to permit clearance for a connecting member between a lever control arm in a toilet tank and the valve seat. The position of the first aperture is optionally disposed to the right or left of a center point of the second indention. When the device is filled with liquid, the device maintains buoyant repose within the toilet tank while maintaining downward pressure onto the top surface of water within the toilet tank. A pair of feet are optionally disposed about the bottom of the container to avoid contact with the bottom of the toilet tank and thereby permit free operation of a valve seat within the toilet tank.
The present invention relates to water displacement devices for toilet tanks. More particularly, the present invention relates to buoyant displacement devices that may be inserted into a conventional toilet tank to conserve water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe precise origins of the flush toilet are in dispute. However, in 1596, Sir John Harington published a book related to the flush toilet entitled “The Metamorphosis of Ajax.” This led to use of the British slang term “a jakes” or “jakes” to refer to the flush toilet. However, some attribute the invention of the flush toilet to Alexander Cummings, due to his award of English patent number 814 in 1775. Other sources attribute the origins of the flush toilet to Englishman Joseph Adamson for his 1853 design of the siphon flush toilet. Misunderstandings that Thomas Crapper invented the flush toilet are generally attributed to false advertising by Mr. Crapper himself, Wallace Reyburn's 1969 book “Flushed With Pride: The Story of Thomas Crapper,” and a number of British patents held by Mr. Crapper. The patents include British Patent No. 1,628, awarded in 1881 for ventilating house drains, and British Patent No. 11,604, awarded in 1893, for a mechanism to flush a lavatory by means of a foot lever.
The modern water closet relies upon the tendency of a moving liquid to continue flowing, even in defiance of gravity. The tank is kept nearly full, and during a flush, the water rushes into the bowl, thereby creating a surge over a weir (or dam). The flow stops when the bowl is empty, and the tank refills in preparation for the next flush. Originally, tanks were placed high above the bowl such that water would move forcefully to clear the weir. However, by 1915, narrower, smoother porcelain passageways allowed quieter, 5 to 7 gallon tanks to be mounted on the backs of bowls. These toilet designs remained constant until the 1970's, when water conservation became more of an issue. Toilet tanks generally became standardized to a design of 5.5 gallons per flush (gpf), then 3.5 gpf in the early 1980's, which was termed by the industry as a “Water Saver.” This standard lasted until the early 1990's.
On Jan. 1, 1994, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1992 (“EPCA”) became effective, and thereby prescribed water conservation standards for faucets, showerheads, water closets and urinals. The EPCA further provided that if the requirements of ASME/ANSI Standard A112.18.1M-1989 or ASME/ANSI Standard A112.19.6-1990 are amended to improve the efficiency of water use, the Secretary shall publish a final rule establishing an amended uniform national standard unless the Secretary determines that adoption of such a standard at the level specified is not (i) technologically feasible and economically justified, (ii) consistent with the maintenance of public health and safety; or (iii) consistent with the purposes of this Act. EPCA, Sec. 325(j) and 325(k), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6295(j) and Sec. 6295(k). Accordingly, all residential toilets, i.e. gravity tank-type toilets, flushometer tank toilets, and electromechanical hydraulic toilets, manufactured after Jan. 1, 1994 use a standard of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). All new homes built after 1996 are required to be equipped with toilets having 1.6 gpf. The final agency rule implementing the national standard is codified in Part 430 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In addition, many state and local governments have passed laws restricting gallons per flush for water closets within their jurisdiction.
In order to comply with the new government standards, many toilet tank manufacturers modified the internal components of their 3.5 gpf Water Saver models to provide 1.6 gpf, while retaining the standard size toilet tank. However, the new low flow toilet tanks were plagued by a number of performance related issues. In October of 2000, Jim Henderson and Gary Woodard prepared a report for the City of Phoenix and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation entitled Functioning of Aging Low-Consumption Toilets in Tucson. According to the study, 170 homes were monitored with water data loggers and specialized software to identify toilet flushes. According to the data, 42.9% of all types of toilets experienced some form of problem, while 14.2% required double flushing—thereby obviating the need for the low-consumption toilet. Since 1.6 gpf low-consumption toilets became the standard, there have been anecdotal reports of problems with their functioning, including a need for multiple flushes to clear the bowl, and frequent clogging. More anecdotal evidence suggests that the functioning of some early low-consumption toilets has continued to decline as they age. Even though low-consumption toilet performance has improved since the first models, many current models still rely on the same adjustments to the 3.5 gallon toilet. Lack of correct replacement parts seems a likely contributor to a possible decline in toilet performance with age, as early-close flappers are replaced with generic flappers which allow a 3.5 gallon flush, or as toilet dams are removed.
In view of the above, today's toilets are designed to minimize water consumption while still effectively eliminating waste. The latest ultra-low flush toilet models provide 1.6 gallons per flush, which is significantly less than older models which use 3.5 gallons per flush or even 6 gallons per flush. There are estimates of 350 million toilets in the U.S. alone. Almost 70% of those are still the old, 3.5 gpf and 6 gpf models. Their construction is very similar among manufacturers, with the supply tube being disposed towards the left rear of the tank and the overflow tube being central near the valve seat (i.e. flush valve).
The U.S. daily average of water used is 185 gallons per person, for a total of almost 450 billion gallons per day. Nearly 40% of personal water consumption is related to water flushed by toilets. Thus, a savings of 25% equates to a savings of over 18 gallons per day—per person. In other words, a savings of 25% translates into a savings of 45 billion gallons of water in the U.S. on a daily basis.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a device that can be used in conjunction with standard or older model toilets to reduce the volume of water flow while maintaining consistent and reliable performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one preferred form, the present invention provides a water displacement device for a toilet tank in the form of a hollow container that is configured and arranged to hold liquid therein. The container has a fill spout for entry of the liquid and a fill cap to secure the liquid therein. The liquid may be water or a combination of water and a disinfectant. The container defines a first aperture that is configured and arranged to be received around an overflow tube in a toilet tank and a first indention that is configured and arranged to be received around a fill valve of a toilet tank. The container further defines a second indention that is configured and arranged to permit clearance for a connecting member between a lever control arm and a valve seat in a toilet tank. The position of the first aperture is optionally disposed to the right or left of a line perpendicular to the center point of the second indention. When the device is filled with liquid, the device maintains buoyant repose within the toilet tank while maintaining downward pressure on water within the toilet tank.
In another preferred form, the present invention provides a unit that is configured and arranged to maintain buoyant repose with respect to water within a toilet tank. The unit has a width dimension between 12 and 20 inches, a depth dimension between 3.75 and 6.75 inches, and a height dimension between 1 and 4 inches. The unit further defines a first aperture having a diameter dimension between 1.25 and 4 inches to thereby fit around an overflow tube within the toilet tank.
The present invention also provides for use in older toilets that have a nearly standardized design in North America. The present invention provides for installation without the requirement of technical plumbing skills or specialized tools. Accordingly, a homeowner may reduce the amount of water consumption by up to 25% with each flush, without minimizing the effectiveness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSAdditional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
With reference now to the figures, and in particular
The internal components of tank 102 include a supply tube 112 that is connected to the water supply line 110 by way of connecting member 114. Supply tube 112 is connected to fill valve 116 (also known as a ballcock), which is generally disposed at a higher location than the highest water level in tank 102. Plumbing codes generally provide that fill valve 116 be an anti-siphon valve to prevent backflow of water from tank 102 into the household water system. In order to maintain the anti-siphoning effect, the water level within tank 102 is not permitted to rise above fill valve 116. By convention, the supply tube 112 and fill valve 116 are generally disposed in the rear left-hand side of tank 102.
As illustrated in
As illustrated, connection member 122 is a chain. However, connection member 122 may be a rigid member in accordance with different configurations of toilet tank components. After tank 102 has been discharged, float ball 118 lowers, which turns fill valve 116 on. Water is then transmitted from fill valve 116 into tank 102 through refill tube 126. The refill tube 126 is approximately ⅛ inch in diameter. The end spout of refill tube 126 is generally placed above overflow tube 128 with a clip (not shown), which directs the water downward into tank 102. Overflow tube 128 is generally 1 inch in diameter (5.08 cm) and is conventionally disposed adjacent to valve seat 124 near the center of tank 102. According to various configurations of interior toilet tank components, overflow tube may be greater or less than 1 inch in diameter. The pressure of water exiting refill tube 126 and flowing into overflow tube 128 is generally not powerful enough to displace a closed valve seat 124 and exist into bowl 104. However, should the water level in tank 102 reach the top of overflow tube 128, the pressure of the downwardly flowing water into overflow tube 128 is generally powerful enough to displace a closed valve seat 124 and thereby prevent overflow of tank 102. According to some models, fill valve 116 also includes a fill tube (not shown) that extends downwardly from fill valve 116 to provide a second pathway for filling tank 102.
The height of overflow tube 128 is significant, and the top thereof is generally disposed lower than fill valve 116 and lower than the level of handle 120. In the event of a malfunction in the control of fill valve 116 by float ball 118, the water would continually rise within tank 102. However, once the water level reaches the top of overflow tube 128, the water flows into overflow tube 128 and is directed past valve seat 124 and into bowl 104. This prevents overflow of tank 102. Likewise, by positioning the top of overflow tube 128 lower than lever 120, water leaks around lever 120 are avoided.
The overflow tube 128 includes trunion “mounting ears” that are approximately ⅛-inch diameter by ⅜-inch long shafts protruding out from overflow tube 128 near its base. These are the “ears” to which the valve seat 124 connects. In some cases the overflow tube 128 is void of these ears in which case, a “rubber” type round “trunion-ring” with two mounting ears slides down over the tube to provide the connecting points for valve seat 124. However, the overflow tube 128 in North American toilets is located adjacent to the valve seat 124 that is located in the center of tank 102. This position allows the water entering the top of overflow tube 128 to bypass valve seat 124 and drain into bowl 104.
The siphon action in bowl 104 is only engaged when a large flow of water enters bowl 104. Thus, if a cup of water was poured into the bowl, nothing appears to happen. In reality, the water level in the bowl rises but the extra water immediately spills over the edge of siphon tube 136 and drains away. On the other hand, if a bucket of water, approximately 2 gallons, is rapidly poured into bowl 104, the bowl flushes. Once siphon tube 136 is filled, the water is sucked out of the bowl and down the sewer pipe. When the contents of bowl 204 are emptied, air enters siphon tube 136, which stops the siphoning process.
Accordingly, the purpose of tank 102 is to hold and then rapidly dump about 1.6 gallons of water into bowl 104. Thus, it is not merely the amount of water that is displaced by into bowl 104 that triggers the siphoning action, but it is also the speed at which the water travels. When water travels from tank 102 into bowl 104, it is the weight of the water under the influence of gravity that influences the speed, and thereby the efficiency of the flush.
Fill valve 116 and supply tube 112 generally remain fixedly attached to the bottom of tank 102. Likewise, overflow tube 128 and valve seat 124 remain fixedly attached to the bottom of tank 102. However, refill tube 126 is generally held to overflow tube 128 by way of a clip that is readily removed by hand. Refill tube 126 is generally positioned above the top surface of overflow tube 128 instead of being disposed downwardly within overflow tube 128 to avoid suction of water from refill tube 126 during the siphoning action of the bowl 104. Float ball 118 (not shown) is readily movable about tank 102 by hand. The illustrated static positions of fill valve 116 and overflow tube 128 relate to the preferred embodiment of the subject water displacement device. However, different configurations of tank components exist and therefore the illustrated positions are by way of example. Alternate embodiments of the subject water displacement device are provided to correspond to alternate arrangements of toilet tank components, while achieving the same functionality and effect.
The dimensions of water displacement device 140 are configured to be received within the interior of tank 102. An aperture 144 is configured and arranged to be received around overflow tube 128, and a first indention 146 is disposed at the rearward left corner such that the device 140 does not touch fill valve 116. According to a preferred embodiment, aperture 144 is generally circular. A second indention 148 is provided about the frontward center of device 140 to allow the connection member 122 to freely control operation of valve seat 124. According to a preferred embodiment, second indention 148 is generally arcuate. Some models of toilet tank components provide the connection member 122 as a chain or a rigid member. Water is filled into device 140 until the device barely floats on the water surface within tank 102. According to a preferred embodiment, fill line 150 is provided on the side of device 140 to indicate to the user the amount of water that should be filled within device 140. When device 140 is installed in tank 102 around overflow tube 128, float ball 118 rests on the top thereof. As tank 102 is discharged, the device 140 falls along with the top level of the water, and the float ball 118 also falls along with the top of device 140.
The speed of water exiting tank 102 and then outputting from siphon jet 134 of bowl 104 is proportional to the amount of water in tank 102. The greater the amount of water in tank 102, the greater the weight of water, and thereby the greater the speed of water flow. The weight of device 140, when filled with water to the appropriate amount, is almost equal to the weight of water that is displaced within tank 102. Accordingly, the weight of device 140 pushes downwardly on the remaining water within tank 102 such that the speed of water exiting the tank is equal to the speed if no displacement device was in the tank. The speed of the water exiting the tank provides for normal siphoning action within bowl 104, and contributes to normal and effective operation.
Water displacement device 140 is preferably a plastic container having an outer dimension that approximates the shape of an interior of a standard tank 102. Device 140 is filled with liquid, approximately 1.5 gallons, and then placed into tank 102. Device 140 then floats (or “bobs”) on the water surface inside the tank 102. When the toilet is flushed, the weight of the approximately 1.5 gallons of liquid contained within device 140 provides a nearly identical amount of flushing pressure for the water within tank 102. However, the volume of water within device 140 is never used. The container sinks as the tank empties, but the design ensures that the normal operation of the flush valve is not impeded. Thus, for a 6 gpf “older style” toilet, 4.5 gallons of water contained in tank 102 is flushed, while 1.5 gallons is conserved. Likewise, as set forth above, toilets having 3.5 gpf or 1.6 gpf generally maintain the use of the standard 6 gallon toilet tank. Accordingly, for these toilets, the water displacement device can also be used to provide downward pressure on the water within the tank 102, and thereby maintain the desired water speed during a flush. When the water is drained, the flush valve closes, and the water is replaced via the fill tube.
By way of example, the user of the subject water displacement device will follow the steps set forth below:
a) Remove the tank cover 103 and carefully set it aside;
b) Remove cap 143 from device 140, fill device to fill line 150, and replace cap 143;
c) Remove refill tube 126 from attachment to overflow tube 128;
d) Slide the device 140 under float ball 118 and around overflow tube 128;
e) Replace refill tube 126 tube into position above overflow tube 128;
f) Flush toilet with lever 120 to verify operation; and
g) Carefully replace the tank cover 103.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, water displacement device 140 is filled with water and the fill cap 143 is permanently affixed to fill spout 142. In this case, the water level would be pre-filled prior to purchase by the end user such that the user would not be required to fill device 140 to the appropriate level. According to this embodiment, optional fill line 150 may be removed.
Alternately, water displacement device 140 may be filled with a solid, a combination of solid and gas, a combination of solid, liquid, and gas, or other material such as foam or gel such that the device is maintained in a state of buoyant repose while continually pressing downward on the liquid in the tank. Alternately, water displacement device 140 may be integrally formed of a solid material that has buoyant properties, and a weight similar but slightly less than water, such that placement in toilet tank 102 provides the effect as set forth above. Alternately, water displacement device 140 may be constructed out of a porous material that will absorb and hold water and remain buoyant as well. This material would offer the consumer the ability to actually cut and shape the device to fit their particular toilet design.
A more preferable range of dimensions is provided by Table 2 as set forth below.
The preferred dimensions of device 140 are provided by Table 3 set forth below.
While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.
Claims
1. A water displacement device for a toilet tank, comprising:
- a hollow container that is configured and arranged to hold liquid therein, said container having a fill spout for permitting entry of the liquid;
- said container defining a first aperture configured and arranged to be received around an overflow tube in a toilet tank; and
- said container defining a first indention that is configured and arranged to be received about a fill valve of the toilet tank.
2. The water displacement device according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a fill cap configured and arranged to mate with the fill spout to thereby seal the liquid when held within said container.
3. The water displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is water.
4. The water displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is a combination of water and a disinfectant.
5. The water displacement device according to claim 1, wherein the container further defines a second indention that is configured and arranged to permit clearance for a connecting member between a lever control arm in the toilet tank and a valve seat in the toilet tank.
6. The water displacement device according to claim 5, wherein the second indention is generally arcuate.
7. The water displacement device according to claim 5, wherein the second indention is generally rectangular.
8. The water displacement device according to claim 5, wherein the first aperture is disposed to the left of a center point of the second indention.
9. The water displacement device according to claim 5, wherein the first aperture is disposed to the right of a center point of the second indention.
10. The water displacement device according to claim 1, wherein said container is filled with liquid to maintain the water displacement device in buoyant repose within the toilet tank while maintaining downward pressure on water within the toilet tank.
11. The water displacement device according to claim 10, wherein said container includes a liquid fill mark on the side thereof to indicate the amount of liquid to be filled into said container through the fill spout to maintain the device in buoyant repose with respect to water in the toilet tank.
12. The water displacement device according to claim 1, wherein said container defines a second aperture to permit passage there through for a connecting member between a lever control arm in the toilet tank and a valve seat in the toilet tank.
13. The water displacement device according to claim 1, wherein said container has at least one foot disposed about a bottom thereof such that the bottom of said container avoids contact with the bottom of the toilet tank and permits free operation of a valve seat within the toilet tank.
14. The water displacement device according to claim 13, wherein said container has a second foot disposed about a bottom thereof such that the bottom of said container avoids contact with the bottom of the toilet tank and permits free operation of a valve seat within the toilet tank.
15. The water displacement device according to claim 1, the toilet tank including a valve seat that opens and closes to thereby control flow of water from the toilet tank, wherein said container does not have feet extending from the bottom thereof such that the bottom of said container contacts the valve seat as the water flows from the toilet tank.
16. A water displacement device for a toilet tank, comprising:
- a unit that is configured and arranged to maintain buoyant repose with respect to water, said unit having a width dimension between 12 and 20 inches, a depth dimension between 3.75 and 6.75 inches, and a height dimension between 1 and 4 inches; and
- said unit defining a first aperture having a diameter dimension between 1.25 and 4 inches.
17. The water displacement device according to claim 16,
- said unit defining a first indention having a depth dimension between 1.5 and 5 inches and a width dimension between 1.5 and 5 inches.
18. The water displacement device according to claim 16,
- said unit defining a second indention having a width between 2 and 8 inches and a depth between 0.5 and 3 inches.
19. The water displacement device according to claim 16, wherein said unit is a molded hollow container that is configured and arranged to hold liquid therein, said container having a fill spout for permitting entry of the liquid.
20. A water displacement device for a toilet tank, comprising:
- a molded hollow container that is configured and arranged to hold liquid therein, said container having a fill spout for permitting entry of the liquid;
- said container defining a first aperture configured and arranged to be received around an overflow tube in a toilet tank;
- said container defining a first indention that is configured and arranged to be received about a fill valve of the toilet tank; and
- said container further defining a generally arcuate second indention that is configured and arranged to permit clearance for a connecting member between a lever control arm in the toilet tank and a valve seat in the toilet tank,
- wherein when said molded hollow container is at least partially filled with liquid and said molded hollow container is placed within the toilet tank about the overflow tube, said molded hollow container is maintained in a state of buoyant repose with respect to the water within the toilet tank and presses downwardly on the water within the toilet tank during a flushing operation of the toilet tank.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 31, 2005
Publication Date: May 3, 2007
Inventor: James Gadomski (Alpharetta, GA)
Application Number: 11/261,718
International Classification: E03D 1/00 (20060101);