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

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.

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 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 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,   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 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.   
     
     
         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,   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 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.