Toilet Tank Flush Valve with Magnetically Assisted Closure

Abstract

A toilet tank flush valve ( 100 ) includes: a valve seat ( 120 ); a stopper ( 110 ) movable between an open position wherein the stopper ( 110 ) is displaced from the seat ( 120 ) and a closed position wherein the stopper ( 110 ) is in contact with the seat ( 120 ); and, a magnet arranged to urge the stopper ( 110 ) toward the closed position.

1 . A toilet tank flush valve comprising: 
 a valve seat;    a stopper movable between an open position wherein the stopper is displaced from the seat and a closed position wherein the stopper is in contact with the seat; and,    a magnet arranged to urge the stopper toward the closed position.    
   
   
       2 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is included in the valve seat, and the stopper includes a magnetic material that is attracted to the magnet.  
   
   
       3 . The flush valve of  claim 2 , wherein the valve seat includes a magnetized collar that comprises the magnet, and at least a portion of the stopper is formed from a base material having particles of magnetic material embedded therein.  
   
   
       4 . The flush valve of  claim 3 , wherein the collar has a magnetized iron core coated with a water proof barrier.  
   
   
       5 . The flush valve of  claim 3 , wherein the particles of magnetic material are iron filings.  
   
   
       6 . The flush valve of  claim 3 , wherein the particles of magnetic material are evenly distributed throughout the base material.  
   
   
       7 . The flush valve of  claim 3 , wherein the base material is one of rubber or vinyl.  
   
   
       8 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper has a degree of buoyancy.  
   
   
       9 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the stopper has an air pocket formed therein.  
   
   
       10 . A toilet including the flush valve of  claim 1  arranged operatively between a toilet tank and a toilet bowl.  
   
   
       11 . The toilet of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a filling mechanism that supplies water to the tank when a water level in the tank drops below a set point.    
   
   
       12 . The toilet of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a flush assembly that operates to displace the stopper from the seat.    
   
   
       13 . A method of operating a toilet tank flush valve, said method comprising: 
 (a) applying a force to displace a stopper from a seat such that a fluid is allowed to flow through an associated valve;    (b) discontinuing the applied force; and,    (c) magnetically attracting the stopper toward the seat.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the stopper is movable between an open position in which the stopper is displaced from the seat and a closed position in which the stopper is in contact with the seat.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the stopper is movable between the open and closed positions by pivoting the stopper about a hinge.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the stopper is movable between the open and closed positions by linearly translating the stopper.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein application of the force is achieved by manual operation of a handle.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is connected to the stopper through a mechanical linkage.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein discontinuing the applied force is achieved by releasing the handle.