Apparatus and method to control and adjust water consumption by a toilet during refill of the bowl and reservior

Abstract

This invention relates generally to an apparatus and a method for plumbing installations and more particularly to a mechanism and use of a mechanism contained within the water tank of a household toilet which improves the water consumption efficiency of the toilet by minimizing the amount of water consumed when refilling the toilet reservoir and bowl. The mechanism can be a constriction or water limiting device, such as an adjustable valve, pinching, squeezing or similar device, positioned in line with a refill tube, and between the fill valve and the overflow tube. By adjusting the flow-rate or maximum volume of water that can pass through the refill tube, the refill time for the toilet bowl and water reservoir can be synchronized, causing the reduction or elimination of water-wasting during refilling time.

1 . An apparatus that reduces water consumption in a toilet following the release of water from a reservoir, comprising:
 a bowl;   a reservoir that holds water from a water source;   a connection tube connecting the reservoir to the bowl;   a fill valve that includes a water level detection mechanism for detecting whether water in the reservoir is below a first predetermined water level;   an overflow tube that passes water to the connection tube;   a refill tube positioned to connect the flow of water between the fill valve and the overflow tube;   a water limiting device that limits the flow of water between the fill valve and the overflow tube;   wherein the water limiting device limits the flow of water flowing through the refill tube, thereby reducing the time difference between when the reservoir reaches the first predetermined water level and when the bowl reaches a second predetermined water level.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water limiting device is positioned between the fill valve and the refill tube. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water limiting device is positioned in the middle of the refill tube. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water limiting device is positioned between the overflow tube and the refill tube. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water limiting device is a component of the fill valve to which the refill tube is connected. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water limiting device is an adjustable valve. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable valve is a mechanical valve that constricts the flow-through rate of water passing through the valve. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable valve is a mechanical valve that measures a continuous volume of water that flows through the valve, and limits the volume of water passing there-through to a predetermined amount. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable valve is an electric valve that constricts the flow-through rate of water passing through the valve. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable valve is an electric valve that measures a continuous volume of water that flows through the valve, and limits the volume of water flowing there-through to a predetermined amount. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water limiting device is a pinching device that constricts the refill tube. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water limiting device is a compression tube that constricts the refill tube. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the water limiting device limits the flow of water flowing through the refill tube to synchronize the time when the reservoir reaches the first predetermined water level and when the bowl reaches a second predetermined water level. 
   
   
       14 . A method for reducing water consumption in a toilet following the release of water from a reservoir, comprising:
 detecting that the water in the reservoir is below a first predetermined water level;   passing water through a fill valve into the reservoir and an overflow tube, including passing water through a refill tube, positioned between the fill valve and the overflow tube; and   limiting the flow of water flowing through the refill tube to reduce the time difference between when the reservoir reaches a first predetermined water level and when the bowl reaches a second predetermined water level.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the limiting step is performed by a water limiting device positioned either in the middle of the refill tube, between the overflow tube and the refill tube, or between the fill valve and the refill tube. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the limiting step is performed by a water limiting device which is a component of the fill valve to which the refill tube is connected. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the limiting step is performed by an adjustable valve. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustable valve is a mechanical valve, and the limiting step includes constricting the flow-through rate of water passing through the valve. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustable valve is a mechanical valve, and the limiting step includes
 measuring a continuous volume of water that flows through the adjustable valve, and   stopping the flow of water when a set amount of water has passed through the adjustable valve.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustable valve is an electric valve, and the limiting step includes
 constricting the flow-through rate of water passing through the adjustable valve.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustable valve is an electric valve and the limiting step includes
 measuring a continuous volume of water that flows through the adjustable valve, and   stopping the flow of water when a set amount of water has passed through the adjustable valve.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the water limiting device is one of a pinching device or a compression tube that constricts the refill tube.