US20100313350A1

US20100313350A1 - Method and Apparatus Utilizing Flow Restrictors for Minimizing Water from Being Wasted in Toilets

Info

Publication number: US20100313350A1
Application number: US12/781,776
Authority: US
Inventors: John Joseph Bizon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-14
Filing date: 2010-05-17
Publication date: 2010-12-16
Also published as: US20100313348A1; US20100313349A1; US20100314328A1

Abstract

Various methods and apparatus are described and shown (FIG. 1) utilizing several positions within the toilet fill valve (10) and the water supply conduit (180) for minimizing water from being wasted in toilets. Several embodiments (FIG. 1-4) are shown consisting of flow restrictors being tube restrictors (100 a-d), base insert restrictors (130 a-f) and connector restrictors (150 a-b) that sufficiently slow the refilling of water within the toilet tank (70), thereby allowing the flapper valve (60) to close sooner rather than later. This action reduces the amount of water from being discharged into the sewer due to both the early and excessively fast refilling of water, and the unneeded water turbulence created by the toilet fill valve (10), thereby promoting water conservation and cost savings for the consumer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefits of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/186,868, filed 2009 Jun. 14 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field
This application relates to apparatus, such as flow restrictors (inlet, disc, washer, labyrinth path and tube diameter restrictors, water tube modifications, and the like), utilized together with innovative methods to manage the flow of water through toilet fill valves, conduit connectors, and the like, so to create water conservation opportunities in toilets. The embodiments described sufficiently slow the overall pace of water refilling by the toilet fill valve within the toilet tank, thereby allowing the flapper valve to close sooner rather than later. This action subsequently reduces the amount of water from being discharged into the sewer, thereby promoting water conservation and cost savings for the consumer.
Several Terms Identified: References to the terms toilet(s), water closet(s) and commode(s) used individually in this writing shall have the same meaning as the terms used together, unless otherwise noted. Likewise the terms restrictor(s), flow restrictor(s), labyrinth path restrictor(s), and the like, to be referenced later, while having unique designs sufficiently have a similar flow restricting function.
2. Prior Art
In the industry, toilets have evolved over time from the older non-ultra low flush (non-ULF) to the modern ultra low flush (ULF) water models, with many stages and versions in between. In a two-year observation and data gathering effort, the “Residential End Uses of Water” study was published in 1999, jointly by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation, and Aquacraft, Inc. One segment of the comprehensive study looked at water consumption in toilets, and identified that 14.5% of flushes were less than 2.0 GPF, 34.7% of flushes were between 2.0 and 3.5 GPF, and 50.8% of flushes were greater than 4.0 GPF. Further breaking down the statistics, 8.5% of homes studied used ULF toilets almost exclusively (less than 2.0 GPF), 26.2% of homes studied had a mixture of ULF and non-ULF toilets, and 65.3% of homes studied used non-ULF toilets almost exclusively. The study indicates that while there have been efforts made to improve the overall efficiency of toilets going forward with the advent of ULF toilet technology, overwhelming opportunities are yet to be realized with existing non-ULF toilets and their inefficiencies, found primarily as part of older, existing homes. Additionally, there are several other factors that were not included in the above study that impacts toilet water usage in households, regardless of whether the households utilize old or new toilet designs, that being:

- 1) in-coming water pressure from public or private water sources,
- 2) after-market toilet add-ons or modifications that incorporate upgrades over time, such as modern toilet fill valves replacing less efficient older fill valves, improved flapper valves, etc., and
- 3) varying pipe, tube or orifice sizes such as those within supply lines, discharge and drainage lines, toilet bowl fill tubes, and the like.
  The study results cited along with my personal observations suggest that there are several opportunities for toilet water conservation that exist, the greatest of which are those that can be achieved by focusing on the several parameters that are in common with all toilet types, styles and designs. Framed this way, the opportunities identified would be magnified by their application cutting across the largest number of toilet designs and models available. With this in mind, the first focus was the identification of the greatest common toilet water conservation opportunities, while the second focus was directed at concentrating on the least efficient, non-ULF toilet versions available. These are the methodologies used in the development of the embodiments that follow.

A first form of prior art involves toilet fill valve base inner restrictors claimed to reduce noise and water waste, but instead having limited effectiveness. Such devices are described in U.S. Patent 2007/0102053A1 to Le et al. (2007) and generally involve the addition of a restrictor to the toilet fill valve base inner cavity, claimed to possess a tortuous path while utilizing elastomeric material that is expandable and compressible. While tortuous paths help to control and limit flow, the spiral path and the other paths as described in Le's invention, are not very tortuous but rather simple with minimal obstructions as compared to true arduous labyrinth paths. Described to be made of an elastomeric material so to seal, compress and be pressure-compensating, Le's invention has sufficiently less pressure-compensating characteristics as compared to the better known pressure-compensating devices that utilize true arduous labyrinth paths. This fact is well known in the agricultural and landscaping industry where very effective pressure-compensating water drippers and emitters that utilize true arduous labyrinth paths, are deployed across very long water line runs. When utilized, the pressure-compensating drippers and emitters experience minimal pressure drops and water flow differentials, as measured from dripper to dripper. Water drippers and emitters found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,031,837 to Hannah (1991), 6,877,714 to Hall (2005) and in many more, do an excellent job of describing the effectiveness of the pressure-compensating effect found in true arduous labyrinth paths. It is also well known in the agricultural industry that simple drippers which do not utilize the true arduous labyrinth paths have little pressure-compensating characteristics and experience large pressure drops from dripper to dripper over long runs. In summary, the restrictors of Le's invention, and more generally for devices of this type: 1) still allow too much water to be discharged into the fill valve due to the lack of true labyrinth paths, 2) still create objectionable noise during operation, 3) are not sufficiently calibrated, 4) are still affected by changing water pressure, and 5) lack sufficient adjustability. The embodiments that follow sufficiently correct these deficiencies.
A second form of prior art is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,346 to Nichols-Roy (1998) and involves an elongated restrictor that is designed to be inserted into the toilet fill valve's inner supply tube. This device, primarily designed and claimed to suppress noise, also slows the pace of water flowing through the toilet fill valve by utilizing the elongated restrictor. Consequently, the device saves some water by slowing the refilling water which enters the toilet tank and thereby allows the flapper valve to fall sooner rather than later. This effect was closely observed in tests and experiments that I performed while comparing all of the major U.S. manufacturers of toilet fill valves to each other. The Nichols-Roy toilet fill valve with the elongated restrictor, commercially available, performed better than all of the other conventional fill valves observed. It did so by utilizing the least amount of water per flush, without exhibiting any objectionable quality or performance degradation. Two other characteristics were noted which seemingly had good correlation to the best water conservation features of the Nichols-Roy fill valve, that being the fill valve was also the quietest and took the longest amount of time to refill the toilet tank, albeit not objectionably long. Upon review, the slower pace while refilling the toilet tank was noticeable, as was the reduced turbulence in the toilet tank. Both of these characteristics appeared to be contributors to the good water conservation observed during the tests.
Also during the experiment, the worst water conserving toilet fill valve design was also found to be the noisiest and created the greatest amount of turbulence in the toilet tank. It was also apparent that the forcefulness and harshness, at which the water was being added to the toilet tank, created a very long and delayed closing of the flapper valve resulting in a large amount of water being wasted, unlike the Nichols-Roy design. The bottom-line from the experiment was that in order to conserve water, the incorporation of restricting devices that slow the water refilling process and allow the flapper valve to close sooner rather than later is beneficial for water conservation.
During the competitive fill valve evaluations, several positions were found within the water stream flowing through the fill valve and supply conduit for which to focus and affect improvements so to achieve water conservation. Briefly, upon properly restricting the water supply stream in any of these areas, a sufficiently significant amount of water will be saved with each and every flush cycle. These are the foundations for the embodiments that follow.

ADVANTAGES

The need for a better method that reduces water from being wasted in toilets due to the tank refilling too quickly, thereby delaying the flapper valve from closing, is well known. Firstly, during the flush cycle, water is released from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl as the flapper valve opens. Waste materials flow down the sewer from the toilet bowl, while water continues to drain from the toilet tank until the flapper valve finally closes. Normally, there is sufficient potential energy in the form of elevated water in the toilet tank to complete the flush, clear the toilet bowl of waste, and partially if not completely refill the toilet bowl. This has been proven during several of my experiments. My analysis also shows that there is really no need for the toilet fill valve to open for additional water supply, until the flapper valve has completely closed, otherwise water is wasted. This is due to the surge of water and the transformation of the water's potential to kinetic energy taking place, and the momentum underway within the column of water sufficiently clearing waste from the toilet bowl. Unfortunately in many toilets, the water level in the toilet tank needs only to fall about 1-2 inches, before the toilet fill valve fully opens and begins to refill the toilet tank while the flapper valve is still open. The toilet fill valve's attempts to refill the toilet tank this early with additional water before the flapper valve has closed, only serves to further delay the flapper valve from closing by fighting to raise the water level in the toilet tank, thereby wasting large amounts of water. The embodiments of this writing address this by sufficiently slow the water refilling process.
Secondly, the turbulent water flow from the toilet fill valve vigorously entering the toilet tank, actively pushes against the flapper valve to further delay its closing. This is further complicated by the range of manufacturers that utilize fill valve designs that vary greatly in the amount and speed of the water which is directed to refill the toilet tank. From best in class to worst in class, the water variation from manufacturer to manufacturer is noticeably large, with water utilization ranging from mildly efficient to highly inefficient. The embodiments of this writing effectively reduce the amount of water turbulence and minimize the effect of filling variation between the best in class and worst in class toilet fill valves, so to further promote water saving.
Thirdly, high water pressure, often exceeding 80 PSI in many areas of the country, further accentuates the delay of the flapper valve's closing. In such a case, the toilet fill valve's early activation at high pressure wastes considerable amounts of water with every flush. The level of efficiency and design of the consumer's toilet system and peripheral equipment installed, for example: utilizing a wasteful non-ULF toilet system, can further add to the amount of water being wasted. The embodiments of this writing sufficiently compensate for the added complexity and water waste associated with the problems as described.
As the examples show, there is significant water savings that can be achieved by effectively slowing down the refilling water that exits from the toilet fill valve, allowing for a quicker full-discharge of water from the toilet tank, and facilitating a more rapid closing of the flapper valve as compared to what would normally happen otherwise. With this in mind, the following embodiments will describe several positions for effectively restricting the refilling water stream by utilizing various methods and apparatus designed to slow the incoming water and improve the refilling efficiency within the toilet tank.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the embodiments and specifications being disclosed, several methods and apparatus are described for minimizing water from being wasted in toilets and their components.

DRAWINGS Figures

The objects and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For simplicity, like reference numerals within the several drawings shown designate functionally similar components, which may or may not be dimensionally identical. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Drawing descriptions follow:

FIG. 1 is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilet tank members interfacing with water saving apparatus contained within, consisting of flow restrictors;

FIG. 2 is a front cutaway view showing embodiments of FIG. 1 consisting of a toilet fill valve with the fill valve leg cutaway to expose tube restrictor(s);

FIG. 2 a is a front view taken of line 2 a-d-2 a-d of FIG. 2 showing an inner water tube and a second tube restrictor embodiment;

FIG. 2 b is a front view taken of line 2 a-d-2 a-d of FIG. 2 showing an inner water tube and a first tube restrictor embodiment;

FIG. 2 c is a front view taken of line 2 a-d-2 a-d of FIG. 2 showing an inner water tube and a third tube restrictor embodiment;

FIG. 2 d is a front view taken of line 2 a-d-2 a-d of FIG. 2 showing an inner water tube and a fourth tube restrictor embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front cutaway view showing embodiments of FIG. 1, consisting of a toilet fill valve with the fill valve base cutaway to expose an inner cavity for base insert restrictor(s);

FIG. 3 a is a front view showing an alternate embodiment of FIG. 3, consisting of a first base insert restrictor;

FIG. 3 b is a front view showing an alternate embodiment of FIG. 3, consisting of a second base insert restrictor;

FIG. 3 c is a front view showing an alternate embodiment of FIG. 3, consisting of a third base insert restrictor;

FIG. 3 d is a top view taken of line 3 d-3 d of FIG. 3 c showing the same embodiment;

FIG. 3 e is a front view showing an alternate embodiment of FIG. 3, consisting of a fourth base insert restrictor;

FIG. 3 f is a front view showing an alternate embodiment of FIG. 3, consisting of a fifth base insert restrictor;

FIG. 4 is a front cutaway view showing embodiments of FIG. 1 consisting of a toilet fill valve and a water supply conduit, with the conduit connector cutaway to expose a cavity for connector restrictor(s);

FIG. 4 a is a front cutaway view showing embodiments of FIG. 4, consisting of a shut-off valve and a water supply conduit with a conduit connector cutaway to expose a cavity;

FIG. 4 b is a front view showing alternate embodiments of FIG. 4, consisting of a second conduit connector restrictor;

FIG. 4 c is a top view taken of line 4 c-4 c of FIG. 4 b showing the same embodiment;

FIG. 4 d is a front view showing alternate embodiments of FIG. 4, consisting of a first conduit connector restrictor.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

- 10 toilet fill valve(s)
- 20 toilet bowl fill tube(s)
- 30 flush lever
- 40 angle adapter
- 45 water level
- 50 overflow tube
- 60 flapper valve(s)
- 70 toilet tank
- 80 fill valve leg(s)
- 90 inner water tube(s)
- 95 water tube inner diameter(s)
- 100 & 100 a-d flow restrictor(s)—tube restrictor(s)—simple/complex/labyrinth path, pressure-compensating, inner profiles, outer profiles, etc.
- 110 fill valve base(s)
- 120 inner cavity(s)
- 130 a-f flow restrictor(s)—base insert restrictor(s), for example—simple/complex/labyrinth path, pressure-compensating, calibrated, etc.
- 135 a-f insert restrictor path(s), for example—simple/complex/labyrinth path, pressure-compensating, calibrated, engineered, etc.
- 136 inlet end(s)
- 137 outlet end(s)
- 140 conduit connector(s)
- 150 & 150 a-b flow restrictor(s)—connector restrictor(s), for example—engineered washer, disc, tube, insert, etc.
- 155 inner diameter(s)
- 160 conduit connector cavity(s)
- 170 shut-off valve
- 180 water supply conduit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 2 b—First Embodiment

FIG. 1 (front cutaway view) shows a toilet tank 70 with components, consisting of a toilet fill valve 10, a flapper valve 60 and overflow tube 50 that is attached together as an assembly, and a toilet bowl fill tube 20, which connects the toilet fill valve 10 to the overflow tube 50. Upon activating a toilet flush lever 30, the flapper valve 60 opens, allowing water in the toilet tank 70 to empty into it, causing waste in the toilet bowl to be discharged into the sewer and new water to be added in order to replenish the toilet trap (both not shown) to acceptable water levels. As the water level 45 falls, often only 1-2 inches, the toilet fill valve 10 opens and indiscriminately adds more new water into the toilet tank 70. This continues, albeit while both new and old water discharges from the toilet tank 70, until the water level 45 falls sufficiently causing the flapper valve 60 to close and seal. With the flapper valve 60 now sealed, the toilet fill valve 10 continues refilling the toilet tank 70 until the water reaches a full water level 45. From the time that the toilet fill valve 10 opens until the flapper valve 60 closes, the toilet fill valve 10 needlessly delays the flapper valve 60 from falling and closing by adding copious amounts of water to the toilet tank 70. Until the flapper valve 60 closes, water added at this stage is just wasted into the sewer with each and every flush cycle. The amount of water that can be wasted is further accentuated by high flowing toilet fill valves 10, high water pressure, overly large toilet tanks 70, and water levels 45 that have been miss-adjusted so to be set too high. My experiments have shown that specially designed flow restrictors described below that are targeted for several areas of the water stream flowing within the toilet fill valve 10 and water supply conduit 180, achieve significant water savings. In this regard, the embodiments of this writing will focus on several areas that are shown on FIG. 1, and which will be identified further in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.
FIG. 2 (front cutaway view) and FIG. 2 b (sectional front view) show a first area within the toilet fill valve 10 having a fill valve leg 80 cutaway to expose an inner water tube 90. The inner water tube 90 provides a good location into which one of a plurality of acceptable tube restrictor(s) 100 is installed. Unlocking and disassembling the fill valve legs 80, opens the toilet fill valve 10 and allows the installation of the tube restrictor 100 into the end of the inner water tube 90. Reassembling and locking the fill valve legs 80 closes the toilet fill valve 10 and readies it for use. Utilizing the tube restrictor(s) 100 in the toilet fill valve 10 acts to restrict by slowing the water flow and allowing the flapper valve 60 to fall and close sooner rather than later. I contemplate that the tube restrictor 100 of the first embodiment be a pressure-compensating tube restrictor 100 b, utilizing an arduous labyrinth pathway for routing water, similar in concept to the pressure-compensating irrigation devices used in the agricultural and landscape industries. While this version is contemplated at this time, any of the other tube restrictor(s) 100 a, c, d (FIGS. 2 a, c, d) or the like, in any configuration or design is also acceptable. There are many benefits of pressure-compensating tube restrictors 100 b, consisting, that they: 1) are engineered and can be flow-rated, 2) are sufficiently unaffected by high or changing water pressure, 3) have no moving parts, and 4) are sufficiently simple, safe, effective and inexpensive to produce.

Operation

FIGS. 1, 2 and 2 b—First Embodiment

In the normal operation of a toilet, activating the toilet flush lever 30 causes the flapper valve 60 to rise, allowing water in the toilet tank 70 to empty, thereby removing waste from the toilet bowl into the sewer and allowing water to refill the toilet trap (both not shown). The water level 45 only falls about 1-2 inches in the toilet tank 70 before the toilet fill valve 10 fully opens and attempts to refill the toilet tank 70, albeit while the flapper valve 60 is still open. This is very wasteful since toilets are designed to utilize a certain amount of water in order to operate efficiently. My research shows in a special experiment that even when the toilet fill valve 10 is completely shut off, as long as the water level 45 in the toilet tank 70 is adjusted to the manufacturer's recommended water height, the toilet still sufficiently flushes and disposes of waste properly while emptying the toilet tank 70. Any water beyond this amount is effectively wasted.
The first embodiment, contemplated to be the toilet fill valve 10 with a pressure-compensating tube restrictor 100 b utilizing an arduous labyrinth path for the internally routing and restricting of water, is installed into the toilet tank 70. Upon flushing, the first embodiment of the toilet fill valve 10 sufficiently slows the water flow, allowing the flapper valve 60 to fall and close sooner rather than later. During the flush cycle, the water in the toilet tank 70 drops noticeably quicker, the previously visible water turbulence in the toilet tank 70 is now visibly less, and the flapper valve 60 falls and closes sooner, achieving water conservation as confirmed by measurement. The amount of water savings can be further accentuated if the user has a high flowing and wasteful toilet fill valve 10, high water pressure, an overly large toilet tank 70, and/or a water level 45 that has been miss-adjusted so to be set too high.

Additional Embodiments

Inner Water Tube—Other Tube Restrictors

While the first embodiment effectively addresses water conservation while focusing on the inner water tube 90, any of the other tube restrictor(s) 100 a, c, d (FIGS. 2 a, c, d) or the like, in any configuration or design is also acceptable. FIG. 2 (front cutaway view) and FIG. 2 a (sectional front view) shows a toilet fill valve 10 with a fill valve leg 80 cutaway to expose an inner water tube 90. FIG. 2 a shows a second embodiment of the inner water tube 90 with a single inlet tube restrictor 100 a having a simple straight path. Installation and operation of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, albeit the second embodiment will not be pressure-compensating. FIG. 2 c shows a third embodiment of the inner water tube 90 with a multiple inlet tube restrictor 100 c having a straight path. Installation and operation of the third embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. FIG. 2 d shows a fourth embodiment of the inner water tube 90 with a multiple outlet tube restrictor 100 d having a more complex path. Installation and operation of the fourth embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. It should be noted that many more potential solutions exist when focusing on the inner water tube that would become known to those familiar with the art upon review of the embodiments of this writing. For example, holes could be changed to slits, slots, darts, cut-outs, and the like, or vice versa. Single holes could be changed to multiple holes, and the like, or vice versa. Straight paths could be changed to curved paths and the like, or vice versa. Orifice and pathway dimensions and the like could be changed in size to affect the metering and movement of water.

Alternate Embodiments

Fill Valve Base and Base Insert Restrictors

FIGS. 1 and 3 (front cutaway views) and FIG. 3 a (front view) show a second area within the toilet fill valve 10 having a fill valve base 110 cutaway to expose an inner cavity 120. The inner cavity 120 provides a good location into which one of a plurality of acceptable base insert restrictor(s) 130 a-f is installed. Removing the conduit connector 140 from the toilet fill valve base 110, exposes the inner cavity 120 and allows the installation of the base insert restrictor 130 a-f into the inner cavity 120. Reconnecting the fluid conduit connector 140 to the fill valve base 110 readies the toilet fill valve 10 for use. Utilizing the base insert restrictor(s) 130 a-f in the toilet fill valve base 110 acts to restrict by slowing the water flow and allowing the flapper valve 60 to fall and close sooner rather than later. I contemplate that the base insert restrictor 130 a-f of the first alternate embodiment be a pressure-compensating base insert restrictor 130 a utilizing an arduous labyrinth pathway 135 a for routing water, similar in concept to the pressure-compensating irrigation devices used in the agricultural and landscape industries. While this version is contemplated at this time, any of the other base insert restrictor(s) 130 b, c, d, e, or the like, in any configuration or design is also acceptable.

Additional Alternate Embodiments

Fill Valve Base and Other Base Insert Restrictor(s)

While the first alternate embodiment effectively addresses water conservation while focusing on the fill valve base 110, any of the other base insert restrictor(s) 130 b-f (FIG. 3 b-f) or the like, in any configuration or design is also acceptable. FIG. 3 (front cutaway view) and FIG. 3 b (front view) show the second area within the toilet fill valve 10 having the fill valve base 110 cutaway to expose the inner cavity 120. FIG. 3 b shows a second alternate embodiment of the base inner cavity 120 being an additional pressure-compensating base insert restrictor 130 b, utilizing a second arduous labyrinth pathway 135 b for the routing of water. Installation and operation of the second alternate embodiment is similar to that of the first alternate embodiment. FIG. 3 c (side cutaway view) and 3 d (top view) shows a third alternate embodiment of the base inner cavity 120 being an additional pressure-compensating base insert restrictor 130 c, utilizing a third arduous labyrinth pathway 135 c for routing water. Installation and operation of the third alternate embodiment is the same as the first alternate embodiment. FIG. 3 e (side view) shows a fourth alternate embodiment of the base inner cavity 120 being a mesh base insert restrictor 130 e with a calibrated mesh restricted pathway 135 e having a more complex path. Installation and operation of the fourth alternate embodiment is the same as the first alternate embodiment. FIG. 3 f (side view) shows a fifth alternate embodiment of the base inner cavity 120 being a simple base insert restrictor 130 e with a calibrated restricted pathway 135 e having a more simple path. Installation and operation of the fifth alternate embodiment is the same as the first alternate embodiment.
It should be noted that a plurality of potential solutions exist when focusing on the inner cavity 120 within the fill valve base 110 of the toilet fill valve 10 that would become known to those familiar with the art upon review of the embodiments of this writing. For example, many simple, complex, specialized labyrinth paths or the like would also be acceptable. Orifice and pathway dimensions and the like could be changed in size to affect the metering and movement of water. The operation and benefits of the additional alternate embodiments of the inner cavity 120 are sufficiently similar to that of the first embodiment already described.

Alternate Embodiments

Water Supply Conduit Connector and Connector Restrictors

FIGS. 1, 4 and 4 a (front cutaway views) and FIG. 4 d (front view) show a third area which can be restricted. Attached to the toilet fill valve 10 is the conduit connector 140 of the water supply conduit 180, which when disconnected exposes a conduit connector cavity 160. The conduit connector cavity 160 provides another good location into which one of a plurality of acceptable connector restrictors(s) 150 a-b is installed. Reassembling the conduit connector 140 of the water supply conduit 180 to the toilet fill valve 10 readies it for use. Utilizing the connector restrictor(s) 150 in the conduit connector cavity 160 acts to restrict by slowing the water flow and allowing the flapper valve 60 (FIG. 1) to fall and close sooner rather than later. I contemplate that the connector restrictor 150 of the first alternate embodiment of the conduit connector cavity 160 be a calibrated tube restrictor 150 b (FIG. 4 d) utilizing a multi-orifice pathway for routing water. While this version is contemplated at this time, any of the other connector restrictor(s) 150 a (FIGS. 4 b, 4 c) or the like, in any configuration or design is also acceptable.
It should be noted that a plurality of potential solutions exist when focusing on the conduit connector cavity 160 of the water supply conduit 180 that would become known to those familiar with the art upon review of the embodiments of this writing. For example, many simple, complex, or specialized pathway devices that restrict, or the like, would also be acceptable. Orifice and pathway dimensions of devices that restrict, and the like, could also be changed in size to affect the metering and movement of water. The operation and benefits of the additional alternate embodiments of the conduit connector cavity 160 are sufficiently similar to that of the first embodiment already described.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

The need for: 1) a simple, safe, and effective device that offers low cost and maintenance-free operation, which 2) sufficiently minimizes water from being wasted in toilets by slowing the incoming water flow, and thereby 3) allowing the flapper valve to fall and close sooner rather than later, while being known in the toilet industry is not widely addressed. Little in the way of prior art is available commercially that addresses this form of water waste in toilets. While some existing toilet fill valves are more efficient than others, there doesn't appear to be a widespread conscious design effort to address this form of water waste in toilets. This is based on the lack of water conservation claims as part of the best in class toilet fill valve manufacturer's marketing strategy. Few toilet fill valves or other after-market devices are available to affect this form of water conservation, and even less information is available through publication to educate the consumer regarding this form of wastefulness. Presently, the only efficiency that can be achieved via prior art, would result by identifying the best in class, water efficient toilet fill valve available for the consumer, and then ask them to discard their non-best in class toilet fill valve, in order to replace it with the best in class manufacturer's model. This is not done presently, albeit if it was, it would be too wasteful just to throw away non-best in class fill valves. My embodiments identify water conservation savings regardless of the fill valve used. The embodiments in this writing offer to all consumers the benefits of efficient, inexpensive, and simple toilet add-ons, without having to discard toilet fill valves which may still function sufficiently well. The embodiments also provide a better and lower cost option for the consumer to sufficiently minimize the amount of water being wasted by allowing the flapper valve to close sooner rather than later.
Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of my method and apparatus utilizing flow restrictors for minimizing water from being wasted in toilets by allowing the flapper valve to close sooner rather than later, provides consumers meaningful water conservation solutions for new and old toilet systems.
While my embodiments and descriptions contain much specificity, they should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one or more preferred embodiment(s) thereof. It is clear that other variations are possible. For example: instead of manufacturing and commercializing any of the embodiments described, it would become obvious to those familiar in the art that upon review of the embodiments of this writing, that: 1) the original tube or orifice size(s) of redesigned toilet fill valves could be resized or rerouted so to restrict water flow, or 2) instructions could be created for how to make the embodiments, or their likenesses, so that the instructions could be sold as tutorials and educational materials for the handyman or the consumer's direct use in order to make their own water flow restricting devices.
Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for minimizing water from being wasted within a toilet.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said toilet consists of components, comprising:

a) providing a toilet bowl wherein having a first means for holding waste and said water, and having a second means for discharging said waste and said water into a sewer,

b) providing a toilet tank, comprising:

a. providing a toilet fill valve wherein having a first means for conveying said water to said toilet tank, having a second means for controlling a refilling of said water into said toilet tank, having a third means for setting a water level to start said refilling in said toilet tank, having a fourth means for setting a water level to stop said refilling in said toilet tank, having a fifth means for being mounted in said toilet tank, and having a fill valve base,

b. providing a flapper valve wherein having a first means for opening and closing, whereby when open said water discharges from said toilet tank into said toilet bowl and whereby when closed said water is held within said toilet tank, and having a second means when open for causing said water level in said toilet tank to fall,

c. providing a flush lever wherein having means for causing said flapper valve to open,

d. providing an overflow tube wherein having means for conveying said water to said toilet bowl,

e. providing a toilet bowl fill tube and an angle adapter wherein having a first means for connecting to each other, a second means for connecting to said toilet fill valve and said overflow tube, respectively, and a third means for conveying said water from said toilet fill valve to said overflow tube,

f. providing a water supply conduit wherein having means for connecting to said fill valve base,

whereby activating said flush lever causes said flapper valve to open, thereby discharging said water from said toilet tank into said toilet bowl and causing said water level in said toilet tank to fall, and

whereby said water level in said toilet tank falls sufficiently, causing said toilet fill valve to start said refilling in said toilet tank, while said flapper valve is still open, thereby excessively discharging said water into said toilet bowl and wasting said water into said sewer.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said method for minimizing said water from being wasted, comprising:

a) providing a first flow restrictor being a tube restrictor wherein having a first means for installing into an inner water tube of said toilet fill valve and having a second means for sufficiently slowing the flow of said water from said toilet fill valve,

whereby said water level in said toilet tank falls sufficiently, causing said toilet fill valve to start said refilling in said toilet tank more slowly, while said flapper valve is still open, thereby discharging less of said water into said toilet bowl and wasting less of said water into said sewer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said method for minimizing said water from being wasted, comprising:

a) providing a second flow restrictor being a base insert restrictor wherein having a first means for installing into an inner cavity of a toilet fill valve base and having a second means for sufficiently slowing the flow of said water from said toilet fill valve,

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said method for minimizing said water from being wasted, comprising:

a) providing a third flow restrictor being a connector restrictor wherein having a first means for installing into a conduit connector cavity of a water supply conduit and having a second means for sufficiently slowing the flow of said water from said toilet fill valve,