Water saving toilet flushing system

Abstract

A water saving toilet flushing system is disclosed having two substantially equally sized compartments contained within a single tank with each compartment containing a standard flush and fill control system including a water inlet connected to a water supply, a float control connected to the water inlet, a flush lever controlled by an exterior flush handle, and a flapper type outflow valve connected to the flush lever by a chain. The outflow of each compartment is through a Y-shaped outflow valve with one end in each compartment and an end connected to the toilet bowl. The compartments are sized such that the water from one compartment is sufficient to substantially remove liquid waste from the toilet bowl and each compartment is substantially similar in size so that either compartment may be used for the removal of liquid. Water from both compartments used together will substantially remove solids from the bowl. Accordingly, water consumption is reduced from that of a toilet using a standard tank.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A water tank for a toilet, comprising: 
 a tank body divided into first and second separate compartments;    a first intake valve located within said first compartment for providing water to said first compartment;    a second intake valve located within said second compartment for providing water to said second compartment;    a first release valve located within said first compartment and moveable between a closed position for storing water within said first compartment and an opened position for releasing water within said first compartment;    a second release valve located within said second compartment and moveable between a closed position for storing water within said second compartment and an opened position for releasing water within said second compartment; and    an actuating member operably coupled to one of said first release valve or said second release valve for moving said one release valve between the opened position and the closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The water tank of  claim 1  where said first and second compartments are of substantially equal volume.  
     
     
         3 . The water tank of  claim 1  which further comprises a second actuating member operably coupled to the other of said first release valve or said second release valve for moving said other release valve between the opened position and the closed position.  
     
     
         4 . The water tank of  claim 1  wherein said first and second compartments are configured and arranged such that each compartment contains a volume of water sufficient to substantially remove liquid waste, and a volume of water sufficient to substantially remove liquid and solid waste when flushed together.  
     
     
         5 . The water tank of  claim 1  wherein said first intake valve and said first release valve are configured and arranged to release about 1.0 gallons to 1.5 gallons of water from said first compartment and said second intake and said second release valve are configured and arranged to release about 1.0 gallons to 1.5 gallons of water from said second compartment.  
     
     
         6 . The water tank of  claim 1  wherein said first intake valve and said first release valve are configured and arranged to release about 1.1 gallons to 1.3 gallons of water from said first compartment and said second intake and said second release valve are configured and arranged to release about 1.1 gallons to 1.3 gallons of water from said second compartment.  
     
     
         7 . The water tank of  claim 1  which further comprises a Y-shaped pipe connecting said first release valve with said second release valve to form a common outflow.  
     
     
         8 . The water tank of  claim 7 , which further comprises: 
 a base of said tank body;    a base of said first and second tank compartments; and    a chamber defined by said base of said tank body and said base of said first and second tank compartments.    
     
     
         9 . The water tank of  claim 8  wherein said Y-shaped pipe is located within said chamber.  
     
     
         10 . The water tank of  claim 1  which further comprises an outflow chamber connecting said first release valve with said second release valve to form a common outflow to said toilet bowl.  
     
     
         11 . The water tank of  claim 10  wherein said outflow chamber is substantially within said water tank.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for a toilet, comprising: 
 a tank body divided into first and second separate water storage compartments by a vertical dividing member, each said first and second compartments having a bottom therein, said tank body including a common outlet;    said first compartment defining a first inlet aperture adapted and configured for supporting a water intake valve and defining a first outlet aperture in the bottom of said first compartment adapted and configured for providing stored water from said first compartment to said common outlet; and    said second compartment defining a second inlet aperture adapted and configured for supporting a water intake valve and defining a second outlet aperture in the bottom of said second compartment adapted and configured for providing stored water from said second compartment to said common outlet.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  where said first and second compartments are of substantially equal volume.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said first and second compartments are configured and arranged such that each compartment contains a volume of water sufficient to substantially remove liquid waste, and a volume of water sufficient to substantially remove liquid and solid waste when flushed together.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a first intake valve and a first release valve configured and arranged to release about 1.0 gallons to 1.5 gallons of water from said first compartment; and    a second intake and a second release valve configured and arranged to release about 1.0 gallons to 1.5 gallons of water from said second compartment.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a first intake valve and a first release valve configured and arranged to release about 1.1 gallons to 1.3 gallons of water from said first compartment; and    a second intake and a second release valve configured and arranged to release about 1.1 gallons to 1.3 gallons of water from said second compartment.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12  which further comprises a Y-shaped pipe connecting said first and second outlet apertures to said common outlet.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 a base of said tank body;  
 a base of said first and second water storage compartments; and  
 a chamber defined by said base of said tank body and said base of said first and second water storage compartments.  
 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12  which further comprises an outflow chamber connecting said first outlet aperture and said second outlet aperture to said common outlet.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said outflow chamber is substantially within said water tank.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said first inlet aperture is in the bottom of said first compartment and said second inlet aperture is in the bottom of said second compartment.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein each said first and second compartments include an upper region generally opposite the bottom, and which further comprises a first actuating member aperture defined in the upper region of said first compartment and constructed and arranged for supporting an actuating member and a second actuating member aperture defined in the upper region of said second compartment and constructed and arranged for supporting an actuating member.  
     
     
         23 . A water tank for a toilet, comprising: 
 a tank body divided into first and second separate compartments each of a predetermined volume;    a first intake valve located within said first compartment for providing water to said first compartment;    a second intake valve located within said second compartment for providing water to said second compartment;    a first release valve located within said first compartment and moveable between a closed position for storing water within said first compartment and an opened position for releasing water from said first compartment; and    a second release valve located within said second compartment and moveable between a closed position for storing water within said second compartment and an opened position for releasing water from said second compartment;    wherein the predetermined volume of said first compartment is selected so that said first release valve releases between about one gallon and one and one-half gallons, and the predetermined volume of said second compartment is selected so that said second release valve releases between about one gallon and one and one-half gallons.    
     
     
         24 . The water tank of  claim 23  wherein the predetermined volume of the first compartment is substantially equal to the predetermined volume of the second compartment.  
     
     
         25 . A water tank for a toilet, comprising: 
 a tank body divided into first and second separate compartments;    a first intake valve located within said first compartment and operable for providing water to said first compartment;    a second intake valve located within said second compartment and operable for providing water to said second compartment;    a first release valve located within said first compartment and moveable between a closed position for storing water within said first compartment and an opened position for releasing water within said first compartment;    a second release valve located within said second compartment and moveable between a closed position for storing water within said second compartment and an opened position for releasing water within said second compartment; and    wherein said first intake valve operates independently of said second intake valve, and said second intake valve operates independently of said first intake valve.    
     
     
         26 . The water tank of  claim 25  wherein said first release valve is moveable independently of said second release valve, and said second release valve is moveable independently of said first release valve.