GB2335665A

GB2335665A - Water saving insert for W.C. cistern

Info

Publication number: GB2335665A
Application number: GB9906073A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Devenish
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-24
Filing date: 1999-03-18
Publication date: 1999-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-18
Also published as: GB9806127D0; GB2335665B; GB9906073D0

Abstract

A water saving device for a flushing cistern comprises a pouch 2 having filling apertures 38,39. The pouch is adapted to fit to the siphon of a flushing cistern and retain a volume of liquid within the pouch when the cistern water level drops. The filling apertures may be adapted to fit over the siphon. The pouch is preferably formed from a flexible sheet material such as polyethylene so as to enable the pouch to be positioned within restricted or irregular spaces within the cistern. In one embodiment the pouch is provided with sealing means which isolate the filling apertures from the liquid retaining portion of the pouch.

Description

1 WATER CONSERVATION DEVICE 2335665 The present invention relates to a

device for conserving water by reducing the volume of water consumed per flush by a flushing cistern.

In a typical domestic household the flushing toilet system uses around thirty percent of the fresh water supplied to the household, with each flush of the system using between seven and twelve litres. With, among other things, the introduction of water charges based upon the volume of water used, and the ever present threat of water shortages, there exist obvious advantages in reducing household water consumption. Research has shown that in most systems the volume of water used per flush can be reduced with no significant drop in the flushing performance of the toilet.

Previous proposals to reduce water consumption per flush have included the displacing of water within a cistern by the use of bricks or water filled open topped containers. Both of these solutions are more suited to larger volume cisterns which have sufficient space to accommodate the bricks or containers, and there also exists the possibility that the discharge and/or filling systems may be accidentally damaged or obstructed.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for reducing the volume of a flushing cistern comprising a flexible pouch having an aperture to allow liquid into the pouch and air to vent from the pouch, and means to secure the pouch within the cistern.

2 The present invention holds a volume of liquid in the pouch which is retained when the cistern is emptied and thus the amount of water discharged is reduced. The flexible nature of the pouch enables it to be positioned within restricted and irregular spaces such as between a wall of the cistern and the cistern discharge and/or filling or overflow apparatus. The flexible nature of the pouch further enables it to retain its shape when fitted into a restricted and irregular space. The pouch of the present invention may thus be used in modem, "slim line" cistems which do not have enough free space to accommodate prior art water saving devices.

The aperture pernfits the filling of the pouch with water from within the cistern, or by utilising a tap at sink or wash basin. The aperture can also serve to release air from the pouch. This assists in the fitting of the pouch within a cistern by allowing the water level within the pouch to rise when it is compressed, e.g. by introducing it into a confined space. As will be described in more detail below, the aperture may further be shaped so as to allow the pouch to be fitted over, and hence retained by, apparatus within the cistern.

In one embodiment the pouch may be formed from plastics sheet, for example polyethylene, so as to comprise two walls having common edges joined e.g. by welding. In an alternative embodiment gussets may be provided between one or more adjacent edges of the walls. The walls may be rectangular or, alternatively, may be shaped so as to have a wider portion and a narrower portion. The aperture may be formed by cutting a hole in one or both of the pouch walls within the perimeter of the joined edges, by leaving a portion of the walls unjoined, or by removing a portion of the pouch which includes one or more of the joined edges. Where a hole is cut in both walls, these holes are preferably aligned and thus may act as a carrying handle or finger hole. The handle or finger hole may be provided to 1 3 one side of the pouch. In an alternative embodiment the pouch may be scaled on three of its four sides, with the unsealed side defining the aperture.

The means to secure the pouch within the reservoir may comprise holes provided in walls of the pouch. The perimeters of these holes are sealed so as not to provide a route for liquid to enter or exit the pouch. Preferably the holes are provided in or outside a joined edge of the pouch, for example, in a flap of material extending from ajoined edge. The pouch may thus be secured to a suitable anchor point within the reservoir by, for example, plastic ratchet ties passing through the holes and around the anchor point. In an alternative embodiment the aperture may be suitably shaped to enable the pouch to be secured within the reservoir, for example by hooking over the usual siphon moulding. In such an embodiment the edge of the aperture may be contoured so as to resist tearing of the aperture when it is hooked over the siphon moulding. The aperture may, for example, be star shaped or have a scalloped or crenellated edge. The aperture may be smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of the siphon moulding and require the aperture to be stretched. In such an embodiment the resilient nature of the pouch material both ensures the aperture grips the siphon and provides a degree of sealing between the aperture and the siphon In a further preferred embodiment the pouch may be provided with sealing means which are operable, in use, to seal a vo'lume of liquid within the pouch. The sealing means may surround the aperture or alternatively extend across the pouch between the aperture and the portion of the pouch containing the volume of liquid. In both cases the aim of the sealing means is to isolate the volume of water within the pouch from the aperture in order to prevent stagnation and/or evaporation. The sealing means may comprise a tongue and groove 1 4 arrangement of the type presently used in connection with self-sealable plastic bags. In an alternative embodiment the sealing means may comprise a zip-type fastener.

Preferably the pouch is provided with markings to indicate the volume of liquid contained therein. The markings may take the form of level indicia or pictorial representations printed upon the walls. In use, the pouch may be filled with liquid up to the required level either by submerging the pouch in the reservoir, or by filling the pouch at a remote location, such as a sink or wash basin.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pouch according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pouch according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a pouch according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a pouch according to the present invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a pouch according to the present invention; Figures 6A and 6B show front views of a six and seventh embodiments of a pouch according to the present invention; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a pouch according to the present invention; Figures 8A to SC show three different configurations of pouch aperture; Figures 9 and 10 show front and end views of a cistern fitted with a pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 11 and 12 show the cistern and pouch of figures 6 and 7 and including an overfill detection device.

Referring firstly to figure 1 there is shown a pouch 2 comprising a pair of rectangular polyethylene sheets 4,6, the edges 8, 10, 12,14 of which are joined by, for example, welding. Aligned holes 16,18 define filling apertures 38,39, one in each sheet 4,6, which are provided in the vicinity of what is, in use, an upper corner of the pouch 2. Two attachment holes 20,22 are provided in an edge 8 of the pouch which, in use, is the uppermost edge. One of the sheets 4 carries printed markings 24,26,28 which, in use, indicate the volume of liquid contained within the pouch 2. In the embodiment shown the pouch 2 is marked in one litre graduations from one to three litres.

Liquid may be introduced into the pouch 2 either by submerging the pouch 2 below the level of the filling apertures 38,39 in a body of liquid, or by directing a stream of liquid, e.g. from a tap, into the filling apertures 38,39. The pouch 2 shown in figure 1 is further provided with a printed marking 30 indicating a safe degree to which the pouch 2 may be tilted during installation without water spilling from the filling apertures 38,39.

The filling apertures 38,39 double as a carrying handle for use when the pouch 2 has been filled at a location remote from the cistern in which it is to be installed. The offset 6 position of the holes 16,18, i.e. in an upper corner of the pouch 2, result in the pouch 2 adopting a tilted position when carried and thus reduces the likelihood of liquid escaping via the filling apertures 38,39 in transit.

Figures 9 to 12 show diagramatically the installation position of a pouch 2 according to the present invention within a flushing cistern 32. The cistern 32 contains a siphon 34 and actuation means in the form of a handle 36 connected to the siphon 34. Not shown is a float operated valve which is used to refill the cistern 32 after it has been flushed and an overflow pipe to drain excess water from the cistern 32. The free surface of water contained in the cistern when it is filled is indicated by line 42. The embodiment of the pouch 2 shown has filling apertures 38,39 which are shaped to fit over the siphon 34. Preferably the filling apertures 38, 39 are shaped such that they must be stretched slightly to fit over siphon 34. The inherent resilience of the polyethylene is thus utilised to ensure the pouch 2 is firmly attached to the siphon 34 and to provide a seal between the filling apertures and the siphon 34. Alternatively the pouch may be secured in place by grip ties passing through the pouch attachment holes 20,22 and around the siphon 34.

The flexible nature of the pouch 2 means that it is particularly suited to fitting into restricted and irregular spaces such as between the siphon 34 and a wall 40 of the cistern 32. In this position the pouch 2 is not able to interfere with the operation of the siphon 34, handle 36, float valve or overflow. The pouch 2 of figures 11 and 12 includes an overfill indicator 44 which releases a dye and or a fragrance into the cistern 32 if the cistern is overfilled.

Figures 2 to 7 show alternative embodiments of pouches 2 according to the present invention. Reference numerals used to describe the features of the pouch 2 shown in figure 1 7 are used in the figures 2 to 5 to describe Eke features. Figure 2 shows a pouch 2 which is similar to that shown in figure 1 with the additional feature of a seal 46 around the periphery of the filling apertures 38,39. The seal 46 may comprise a tongue and groove arrangement which can be snapped together to form a liquid tight seal, or alternatively may comprise a zip type fastener. By isolating the filling apertures 38,39 from the interior of the pouch 2 the likelihood of evaporation andlor stagnation of liquid retained within the pouch 2 is reduced. The seal 46 additionally prevents liquid from spilling from the pouch 2 if it is being transferred from a filling location to a cistern.

Figure 3 shows a pouch 2 with a seal 48 which extends between opposing edges 10,12 below the filling apertures 38,39. The seal 48 maybeof the tongue and groovetype or zip type as described above. Figure 4 shows a pouch 2 with four filling apertures 38,39,50,52 which double as finger holes when the pouch 2 is carried. The pouch 2 includes a tongue and groove or zip type seal 48 below the filling apertures 38,39,50,52. In an alternative embodiment seals may be provided around the periphery of opposing filling apertures. Figure 5 shows a pouch 2 with a filling aperture 54 formed by removing a corner of the pouch 2. Thefilling aperture 54 is provided with a seal 56 of the tongue and groove type or zip type. In an alternative embodiment a seal may extend between opposing edges 10, 12 of the pouch below the level of the filling aperture 54.

Referring now to figures 6A and 6B there are shown pouches 2 having upper and lower portion 58, 60, wherein the lower portion 60 is wider than the upper portion 58. In the pouch 2 of figure 6A the edges 10, 12 of the lower portion 60 are convergent, while in the pouch of figure 6B the edges 10, 12 are convex. In both pouches 2 the edges 10, 12 of the upper portion 58 are substantially parallel to one another. Each pouch 2 is configured such 8 that, in use, the interface between the upper and lower portions 58,60 corresponds substantially to the water fill level (indicated by broken lines 62 and 64) in a flushing cistern. The wider lower portion 60 increases the capacity of the pouch below the water level and helps to prevent the pouch floating within the cistern.

Figure 7 shows a pouch having gussets 66,68,70 provided between the rectangular sheets 4,6. In the embodiment shown, the pouch 2 is provided with a rectangular gusset 66 between the bottom edge 14 of the sheets 4,6, and triangular gussets 68,70 between the side edges 10, 12. The gussets 66,68,70 increase the capacity of the pouch 2 and reduce the stresses imposed at the edges 10,12,14 of the rectangular sheets 4,6 when the pouch 2 is filled. Finally, figures 8A to 8C show different configurations for the holes 16,18 defining the filling apertures of a pouch 2. Figures 8A and 8C show respectively holes 16,18 having scalloped and crenellated edges, while figure 8B shows holes 16,18 having a star shape. The contouring of the hole edges reduces the possibility of the holes 16, 18 tearing when the pouch 2 is installed over the siphon of a cistern as described above in relation to figures 9 to 12.

9

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for reducing the volume of a flushing cistern

comprising a flexible pouch having an aperture to allow liquid into the pouch and air to vent from the pouch, and means to locate the pouch within the cistern.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the pouch has upper and lower portions of differing volume.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the upper portion has a lesser volume than the lower portion.

5. handle.

Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pouch includes a carrying 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the carrying handle is defined by the aperture.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means to secure the pouch to a cistern include holes of the pouch, said holes being adapted to receive securing means.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the means to secure the pouch to the cistern is defined by the aperture.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the aperture is adapted to fit to the interior of a cistern.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the aperture is adapted to fit to a siphon of a cistem.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the edge of the aperture is contoured.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and further including sealing means to seal the pouch.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the scaling means surround the aperture.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the scaling means extend across the pouch below the aperture.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the sealing means comprise a tongue and groove arrangement.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the sealing means comprise a zip-type arrangement.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and including markings on the pouch to indicate the volume of liquid contained therein, in use.

11 18. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pouch is formed from flexible sheet material.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the pouch comprises two walls of flexible sheet material having common joined edges.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein a gusset is provided between one or more adjacent edges of the walls.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the aperture is defined by a hole in one of the walls.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21 wherein the aperture is defined by aligned holes in each wall.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the aperture is formed by leaving an unjoined portion between the edges of the walls.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the aperture is formed by removing a portion of the pouch which includes one or more joined edges.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 18 to 24 wherein the flexible sheet material is polyethylene.

12 26. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

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