CA2124288A1 - Water saver for a toilet - Google Patents
Water saver for a toiletInfo
- Publication number
- CA2124288A1 CA2124288A1 CA002124288A CA2124288A CA2124288A1 CA 2124288 A1 CA2124288 A1 CA 2124288A1 CA 002124288 A CA002124288 A CA 002124288A CA 2124288 A CA2124288 A CA 2124288A CA 2124288 A1 CA2124288 A1 CA 2124288A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container portion
- water
- toilet
- tank
- support member
- 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
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
- E03D9/02—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
- E03D9/03—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing consisting of a separate container with an outlet through which the agent is introduced into the flushing water, e.g. by suction ; Devices for agents in direct contact with flushing water
- E03D9/033—Devices placed inside or dispensing into the cistern
- E03D9/038—Passive dispensers, i.e. without moving parts
-
- 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
-
- 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
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
Abstract
A water saver for a toilet has a container that fits within a toilet tank to reduce the quantity of water flushed from the tank. Small openings are provided in the tank so there is some circulation of water in the container. The water saving device has a support member with a clip at the top to fit over and grip an edge of the toilet tank and a container portion attached to the support member, adjustable for height and having at least one small opening adjacent the base to permit liquid to flow in and out of the container portion from the toilet tank.
Description
212~88 WATER SAVER FOR A TOILET
The present invention relates to a device for reducing the quantity of water needed for flushing a toilet and more specifically to a container to hang over the edge of the toilet tank that acts as a reservoir to restrict the quantity of water flushed from a toilet tank.
There is a requirement today to reduce the use of water and one savings that has been investigated is by reducing the quantity of water in a toilet tank for flushing a toilet. Water saving toilets are presently available in which the toilet tanks contain less water, however, there are many toilets in commercial and residential use today that are old and use more water than is absolutely necessary for flushing.
There are a number of different devices presently available on the market today to reduce the quantity of water needed to flush a toilet. Some of these devices include dams that are placed in the bottom of a tank to ensure that some water remains after the flap valve is raised to empty the tank. Other methods of saving water include placing bricks or the like inside the tank, however, after a time bricks tend to dissolve which can cause problems in blocking up the flap valve. Other methods of restricting water flushing from the tank include bottles filled with water placed in the tank, however, these are not fixed and sometimes move in the tank due to turbulence in the tank. This can result in the float jamming or the flap valve being held open which results in more water continually flowing from the tank.
The present invention provides a container that is attached to the edge of a toilet tank and is adjustable for height so that it can be fitted into different sizes and types of toilet tanks. The height of the container in the tank can be adjusted so that the volume of water prevented from flushing is also variable. If the volume of water flushing from the tank is reduced to too great an extent, then a toilet does not function properly.
The present invention has a container that fits within a tank. The container has a small opening therein which permits water to slowly fill the container from the toilet tank and slowly release water out of the container when the toilet is flushed. The release of water to the toilet tank lowers the level of water in the container by a small amount before the tank is filled up from the refill valve. Thus, water in the container does continually circulate, and does not become stagnant which would occur if there were no openings therein.
The container may be used for cont~;n;ng disinfectant.
The present invention provides a water saving device for a toilet comprising: a support member having a clip at the top thereof to fit over and grip an edge of a toilet tank, and a container portion for cont~;n;ng liquid, attached to the support member by adjustable attachment means to vary distance between the container portion and the clip, the container portion having at least one small opening therein adjacent the base, to permit liquid to flow slowly in and out of the container portion from the toilet tank.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the present invention, _ - 3 Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a water saving device according to one embodiment of the present invention located in a toilet tank, Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the water saving device of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front elevational view showing the water saving device of Figure 1.
A toilet tank 10 is illustrated in Figure 1 with an inlet valve 12 connected to a water supply and a float 14 to control the operation of the inlet valve 12. A flap valve 16 is shown at the base of the tank operated by a flush lever 18 for flushing a toilet. A water saving device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown clipped to an edge 22 of the toilet tank 10.
As shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3, the water saving device 20 comprises two parts, a first part or support member 30 which is formed of a flat sheet with a clip 32 where the sheet is folded over at the top. The clip 32 grips the edge 22 of the toilet tank 10. The clip 32 is sprung so that it grips and holds the support member 30 against the side of the tank preventing the water saving device 20 from moving around when there is turbulent water in the toilet tank 10 due to the flushing action.
The support member 30 slides inside a container portion 34 which is substantially rectangular in shape with a base, sides and an open top. The support member 30 has perpendicular flaps 36 at the side edges which fit within the container portion 34, and act as guides so the container portion 34 can be moved up and down on the support member 30, but cannot move sideways because the flaps 36 prevent it.
There is a hole 38 in the centre back of the container portion 34 through which a bolt 40 fits. A
slot 42 is provided in the support member 30 and a nut 44 can be tightened on the bolt 40 to grip the container portion 34 and the support member 30 together. The slot 42 provides adjustment so that the container portion 34 can be moved up and down varying the height from the clip 32 and thus the top edge 22 of the tank 10. The bolt 40 and nut 44 are preferably made of plastic material or other suitable material that does not corrode or rust.
The container portion 34 and the support member 30 are also made of plastic material, preferably clear plastic, as one is then able to see the level of water in the container portion 34 with ease.
An opening 46 is shown toward the base of the container 34. While one opening 46 is shown, it will be apparent that two openings or even more openings may be provided. The size of the openings are arranged to provide a small water flow so that the level of water in the container portion 34 drops only a short distance, for example one inch, before the toilet tank 10 refills.
The container portion 34 has a front edge 48 lower than the back edge so that in certain circumstances, this front edge 48 can be positioned below the top water level in a toilet tank thus, when the toilet tank refills, water flows over the front edge 48 to fill up the container portion 34.
A graduated scale 50 is shown in Figure 3 marked on the support member 30. These graduations allow the support member 30 to be positioned exactly within the container portion 34 and the nut 44 tightened on the bolt 44 to set the height of the clip 32 from the container portion 34. Thus, if the depth of the toilet tank 10 is known, it is simply a matter of setting the height from the graduated scale 50 to suit the tank 10.
The water saving device 20, as well as reducing the quantity of water to flush, may also be used for disinfectant tablets or capsules. One problem that exists with such capsules or tablets is that as they slowly dissolve in a toilet tank they may fall to pieces and pieces can occasionally settle on the lip of the flap valve 16 which does not seal and water continually flows from the toilet tank. By placing these capsules within the container portion 34, even though they break into pieces, these pieces cannot flow out through the opening 46 and therefore remain within the container portion 34.
In operation the water saving device 20 is placed within a toilet tank 10 ensuring that it is in such a position so that it does not interfere either with the flush lever 18 or the float 14 of the inlet valve 12.
The height of the container portion 34 is adjusted by tightening the nut 44 on the bolt 40, so the container portion 34 holds as much water as possible without effecting the flushing action of the toilet. In some toilets it is preferred to have the front edge 48 of the container portion 34 above the high water level in a toilet tank. When the toilet tank is flushed, the water level drops quickly in the tank, however, water flows slowly out of the opening 46 and the level of liquid in the container 34 goes down slowly. Once the toilet has flushed, the toilet refills and by the time the tank has refilled, only a small quantity of water has drained out of the container portion 34 through the opening 46.
The size of the opening 46 may be varied to suit particular toilets. Furthermore, in another situation, 21~42~8 the front edge 48 of the container portion 34 may be positioned below the high water level in a toilet tank and then when the toilet tank refills, water flows over this front edge 48 to refill the container portion 34 quickly rather than refilling the container portion 34 slowly through the opening 46.
When the clip 32 of the support member 30 is placed over the edge 22 of a toilet tank 10, and a cover is placed over the toilet tank, the clip 32 is held firmly in place and hence the water saving device 20 does not move due to turbulence in the toilet tank after flushing.
Various changes may be made to the embodiments shown in the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention which is limited only to the following claims.
The present invention relates to a device for reducing the quantity of water needed for flushing a toilet and more specifically to a container to hang over the edge of the toilet tank that acts as a reservoir to restrict the quantity of water flushed from a toilet tank.
There is a requirement today to reduce the use of water and one savings that has been investigated is by reducing the quantity of water in a toilet tank for flushing a toilet. Water saving toilets are presently available in which the toilet tanks contain less water, however, there are many toilets in commercial and residential use today that are old and use more water than is absolutely necessary for flushing.
There are a number of different devices presently available on the market today to reduce the quantity of water needed to flush a toilet. Some of these devices include dams that are placed in the bottom of a tank to ensure that some water remains after the flap valve is raised to empty the tank. Other methods of saving water include placing bricks or the like inside the tank, however, after a time bricks tend to dissolve which can cause problems in blocking up the flap valve. Other methods of restricting water flushing from the tank include bottles filled with water placed in the tank, however, these are not fixed and sometimes move in the tank due to turbulence in the tank. This can result in the float jamming or the flap valve being held open which results in more water continually flowing from the tank.
The present invention provides a container that is attached to the edge of a toilet tank and is adjustable for height so that it can be fitted into different sizes and types of toilet tanks. The height of the container in the tank can be adjusted so that the volume of water prevented from flushing is also variable. If the volume of water flushing from the tank is reduced to too great an extent, then a toilet does not function properly.
The present invention has a container that fits within a tank. The container has a small opening therein which permits water to slowly fill the container from the toilet tank and slowly release water out of the container when the toilet is flushed. The release of water to the toilet tank lowers the level of water in the container by a small amount before the tank is filled up from the refill valve. Thus, water in the container does continually circulate, and does not become stagnant which would occur if there were no openings therein.
The container may be used for cont~;n;ng disinfectant.
The present invention provides a water saving device for a toilet comprising: a support member having a clip at the top thereof to fit over and grip an edge of a toilet tank, and a container portion for cont~;n;ng liquid, attached to the support member by adjustable attachment means to vary distance between the container portion and the clip, the container portion having at least one small opening therein adjacent the base, to permit liquid to flow slowly in and out of the container portion from the toilet tank.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the present invention, _ - 3 Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a water saving device according to one embodiment of the present invention located in a toilet tank, Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the water saving device of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front elevational view showing the water saving device of Figure 1.
A toilet tank 10 is illustrated in Figure 1 with an inlet valve 12 connected to a water supply and a float 14 to control the operation of the inlet valve 12. A flap valve 16 is shown at the base of the tank operated by a flush lever 18 for flushing a toilet. A water saving device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown clipped to an edge 22 of the toilet tank 10.
As shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3, the water saving device 20 comprises two parts, a first part or support member 30 which is formed of a flat sheet with a clip 32 where the sheet is folded over at the top. The clip 32 grips the edge 22 of the toilet tank 10. The clip 32 is sprung so that it grips and holds the support member 30 against the side of the tank preventing the water saving device 20 from moving around when there is turbulent water in the toilet tank 10 due to the flushing action.
The support member 30 slides inside a container portion 34 which is substantially rectangular in shape with a base, sides and an open top. The support member 30 has perpendicular flaps 36 at the side edges which fit within the container portion 34, and act as guides so the container portion 34 can be moved up and down on the support member 30, but cannot move sideways because the flaps 36 prevent it.
There is a hole 38 in the centre back of the container portion 34 through which a bolt 40 fits. A
slot 42 is provided in the support member 30 and a nut 44 can be tightened on the bolt 40 to grip the container portion 34 and the support member 30 together. The slot 42 provides adjustment so that the container portion 34 can be moved up and down varying the height from the clip 32 and thus the top edge 22 of the tank 10. The bolt 40 and nut 44 are preferably made of plastic material or other suitable material that does not corrode or rust.
The container portion 34 and the support member 30 are also made of plastic material, preferably clear plastic, as one is then able to see the level of water in the container portion 34 with ease.
An opening 46 is shown toward the base of the container 34. While one opening 46 is shown, it will be apparent that two openings or even more openings may be provided. The size of the openings are arranged to provide a small water flow so that the level of water in the container portion 34 drops only a short distance, for example one inch, before the toilet tank 10 refills.
The container portion 34 has a front edge 48 lower than the back edge so that in certain circumstances, this front edge 48 can be positioned below the top water level in a toilet tank thus, when the toilet tank refills, water flows over the front edge 48 to fill up the container portion 34.
A graduated scale 50 is shown in Figure 3 marked on the support member 30. These graduations allow the support member 30 to be positioned exactly within the container portion 34 and the nut 44 tightened on the bolt 44 to set the height of the clip 32 from the container portion 34. Thus, if the depth of the toilet tank 10 is known, it is simply a matter of setting the height from the graduated scale 50 to suit the tank 10.
The water saving device 20, as well as reducing the quantity of water to flush, may also be used for disinfectant tablets or capsules. One problem that exists with such capsules or tablets is that as they slowly dissolve in a toilet tank they may fall to pieces and pieces can occasionally settle on the lip of the flap valve 16 which does not seal and water continually flows from the toilet tank. By placing these capsules within the container portion 34, even though they break into pieces, these pieces cannot flow out through the opening 46 and therefore remain within the container portion 34.
In operation the water saving device 20 is placed within a toilet tank 10 ensuring that it is in such a position so that it does not interfere either with the flush lever 18 or the float 14 of the inlet valve 12.
The height of the container portion 34 is adjusted by tightening the nut 44 on the bolt 40, so the container portion 34 holds as much water as possible without effecting the flushing action of the toilet. In some toilets it is preferred to have the front edge 48 of the container portion 34 above the high water level in a toilet tank. When the toilet tank is flushed, the water level drops quickly in the tank, however, water flows slowly out of the opening 46 and the level of liquid in the container 34 goes down slowly. Once the toilet has flushed, the toilet refills and by the time the tank has refilled, only a small quantity of water has drained out of the container portion 34 through the opening 46.
The size of the opening 46 may be varied to suit particular toilets. Furthermore, in another situation, 21~42~8 the front edge 48 of the container portion 34 may be positioned below the high water level in a toilet tank and then when the toilet tank refills, water flows over this front edge 48 to refill the container portion 34 quickly rather than refilling the container portion 34 slowly through the opening 46.
When the clip 32 of the support member 30 is placed over the edge 22 of a toilet tank 10, and a cover is placed over the toilet tank, the clip 32 is held firmly in place and hence the water saving device 20 does not move due to turbulence in the toilet tank after flushing.
Various changes may be made to the embodiments shown in the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention which is limited only to the following claims.
Claims (6)
1. A water saving device for a toilet comprising:
a support member having a clip at the top thereof to fit over and grip an edge of a toilet tank, and a container portion for containing liquid, attached to the support member by adjustable attachment means to vary distance between the container portion and the clip, the container portion having at least one small opening therein adjacent the base, to permit liquid to flow slowly in and out of the container portion from the toilet tank.
a support member having a clip at the top thereof to fit over and grip an edge of a toilet tank, and a container portion for containing liquid, attached to the support member by adjustable attachment means to vary distance between the container portion and the clip, the container portion having at least one small opening therein adjacent the base, to permit liquid to flow slowly in and out of the container portion from the toilet tank.
2. The water saving device according to claim 1 wherein the clip is sprung to grip the edge of the toilet tank.
3. The water saving device according to claim 1 wherein the support member and container portion are formed of plastic material and wherein the support member slides within the container portion.
4. The water saving device according to claim 3 wherein the adjustable attachment means is a plastic threaded bolt and plastic nut passing through a hole in the container portion and a slot in the support member.
5. The water saving device according to claim 1 including a front edge of the container portion lower than a back edge.
6. The water saving device according to claim 1 including a graduated scale on the support member for positioning the container portion relative to the lip.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002124288A CA2124288A1 (en) | 1994-05-25 | 1994-05-25 | Water saver for a toilet |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002124288A CA2124288A1 (en) | 1994-05-25 | 1994-05-25 | Water saver for a toilet |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2124288A1 true CA2124288A1 (en) | 1995-11-26 |
Family
ID=4153671
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002124288A Abandoned CA2124288A1 (en) | 1994-05-25 | 1994-05-25 | Water saver for a toilet |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2124288A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012072990A1 (en) * | 2010-12-03 | 2012-06-07 | Tim Robertson | Improvements in liquid displacement devices |
| EP2572051A1 (en) * | 2010-05-21 | 2013-03-27 | Dry Planet Limited | Fluid displacement device |
-
1994
- 1994-05-25 CA CA002124288A patent/CA2124288A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2572051A1 (en) * | 2010-05-21 | 2013-03-27 | Dry Planet Limited | Fluid displacement device |
| WO2012072990A1 (en) * | 2010-12-03 | 2012-06-07 | Tim Robertson | Improvements in liquid displacement devices |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |