US3732577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water saving cup device for toilet tanks
Assignee: MOON WATER SAVER Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-19
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1992-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A thin, flexible-walled, cup-like vessel surrounds a flush valve in a conventional closet water tank forming an open ended water column extending upward around the valve assembly thereby preventing water stored in the base of the tank outside the column from being discharged during flushing.
Inventors
- 👤 J Moon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:46
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
346 words
In a water closet of the type having a tank formed by bottom and sidewalls and providing a hydraulic head and storage of predetermined height and capacity, having internal tank mechanism including a movable flush valve mounted in the bottom wall of the tank and seated in one end of a conduit connecting the tank to a lower positioned bowl, having manual handle means adapted to open the valve to empty the tank and cooperative water supply means for refilling the tank upon the valve returning to a closed position, the opening of the valve normally causing initiation of flushing and bowl evacuation followed by substantial emptying of the tank and then closing of the valve, the improvement comprising, in combination: a. an auxiliary thin-walled, flexible, cup-shaped member having side and bottom walls and an aperture formed in the bottom wall and adapted to be vertically positioned within the tank whereby the edges of the aperture sealably engage selected internal peripheral surfaces of the tank outLet structure and said cup member forms in effect a tubular open top column extending above and immediately around the valve and closed at the bottom by the said cup member bottom wall, said cup member having a predetermined volume and non-cylindrical configuration selected such that said cup member adapts to being installed by flexing as required to avoid altering the normal position of any internal tank mechanism and to form said column in said tank without disturbing the normal functioning of the handle and water supply means or reducing the hydraulic head above the valve; and b. retainer means adapted to retain said cup member in said column form and with the respective contacting aperture edges and outlet surfaces in relatively tight sealing engagement to minimize water flow therebetween, said cup member and retainer means thereby being effective upon said valve being opened to prevent emptying of said tank below a level substantially equal to the level of said column top end and to cause said valve to seat and said tank to start refilling substantially immediately after said evacuation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
346 words
In a water closet of the type having a tank formed by bottom and sidewalls and providing a hydraulic head and storage of predetermined height and capacity, having internal tank mechanism including a movable flush valve mounted in the bottom wall of the tank and seated in one end of a conduit connecting the tank to a lower positioned bowl, having manual handle means adapted to open the valve to empty the tank and cooperative water supply means for refilling the tank upon the valve returning to a closed position, the opening of the valve normally causing initiation of flushing and bowl evacuation followed by substantial emptying of the tank and then closing of the valve, the improvement comprising, in combination: a. an auxiliary thin-walled, flexible, cup-shaped member having side and bottom walls and an aperture formed in the bottom wall and adapted to be vertically positioned within the tank whereby the edges of the aperture sealably engage selected internal peripheral surfaces of the tank outLet structure and said cup member forms in effect a tubular open top column extending above and immediately around the valve and closed at the bottom by the said cup member bottom wall, said cup member having a predetermined volume and non-cylindrical configuration selected such that said cup member adapts to being installed by flexing as required to avoid altering the normal position of any internal tank mechanism and to form said column in said tank without disturbing the normal functioning of the handle and water supply means or reducing the hydraulic head above the valve; and b. retainer means adapted to retain said cup member in said column form and with the respective contacting aperture edges and outlet surfaces in relatively tight sealing engagement to minimize water flow therebetween, said cup member and retainer means thereby being effective upon said valve being opened to prevent emptying of said tank below a level substantially equal to the level of said column top end and to cause said valve to seat and said tank to start refilling substantially immediately after said evacuation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A water saving device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cup member is formed of molded mating vertical half-sections and said half-sections are adapted to be releasably secured together at the edges by edge snap connection means thereby enabling said vessel to be readily mounted around existing flush valve assemblies without requiring disassembly or further adaptation of existing flush tank parts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A water saving device as claimed in claim 1 including wedges adapted to be positioned between the underside of the bottom wall of said vessel and the bottom wall of the flush tank to maintain said vessel in a substantially stabilized position when filled and during flushing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A water saving device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said vessel in plan presents a curved, concave-convex, shape adapting said vessel to fit within plural types of conventional flush tank assemblies so as not to interfere with the conventional placement and normal operation of said assemblies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A water saving device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said water closet includes a beveled gasket within the tank around the outlet, said vessel is of unitary fabrication and includes a base aperture adapted to seat above said beveled ring gasket and below said outlet valve to become sealingly secured therebetween during the initial assembly of a conventional flush valve mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A water saving device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said aperture includes tapered edges adapted to correspond to the angle of tapering of said beveled gasket outer edges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A water saving device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said aperture includes tapered edges adapted to correspond to the angle of tapering of said beveled gasket outer edges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A water saving device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said water closet includes a beveled gasket within the tank around the outlet, said vessel is of unitary fabrication and includes a base aperture adapted to seat above said beveled ring gasket and below said outlet valve to become sealingly secured therebetween during the initial assembly of a conventional flush valve mechanism.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |