US3874007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid dispensing apparatus and method for toilet flush tank
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-31
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Granted: 1975-04-01
•
Expires: 1992-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A concentrated liquid supply vessel is inverted within a toilet flush tank and suspendingly supports the closure cap which serves as a dilution vessel. The concentrated liquid within the supply vessel has a density greater than water and flows through the supply vessel outlet opening into the dilution vessel during the period when the flush tank water is lowered from its normal full position to the elevation of the supply vessel outlet opening. This concentrated liquid mixes with water retained within the dilution vessel. Upon refilling of the flush tank, the diluted liquid in the dilution vessel will migrate into the flush tank water.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Dolan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:06
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D9/00; E03D9/02; E03D9/03; E03D9/033; E03D9/038; E03D9/037; E03D2009/028; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
Apparatus for dispensing liquid into a toilet flush tank which is normally filled to a given water level, is discharged during a flush to reduce the water level and then is Refilled to the given water level preparatory to the next flush, said apparatus comprising the following: a supply vessel for a concentrated liquid, said supply vessel having an outlet opening, means for supporting the apparatus in a flush tank at an orientation where the supply vessel outlet opening lies below the level of concentrated liquid therewithin, said supply vessel outlet opening being in communication with the toilet flush tank at all times regardless of the water level, an upwardly open dilution vessel having an opening which is in free substantially horizontal communication with water in the flush tank to permit its filling by water in the flush tank, means for supporting the dilution vessel at a position under the supply vessel outlet opening, said dilution vessel being constructed to remain spaced from said outlet opening regardless of the water level in the toilet flush tank whereby lowering of the water level in the flush tank below the dilution vessel opening will result in a mixture in the dilution vessel of concentrated liquid from the supply vessel and water retained by the dilution vessel, thereby providing a dilute liquid which will be dispensed into the flush tank water after it returns to the elevation of the supply vessel outlet opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
Apparatus for dispensing liquid into a toilet flush tank which is normally filled to a given water level, is discharged during a flush to reduce the water level and then is Refilled to the given water level preparatory to the next flush, said apparatus comprising the following: a supply vessel for a concentrated liquid, said supply vessel having an outlet opening, means for supporting the apparatus in a flush tank at an orientation where the supply vessel outlet opening lies below the level of concentrated liquid therewithin, said supply vessel outlet opening being in communication with the toilet flush tank at all times regardless of the water level, an upwardly open dilution vessel having an opening which is in free substantially horizontal communication with water in the flush tank to permit its filling by water in the flush tank, means for supporting the dilution vessel at a position under the supply vessel outlet opening, said dilution vessel being constructed to remain spaced from said outlet opening regardless of the water level in the toilet flush tank whereby lowering of the water level in the flush tank below the dilution vessel opening will result in a mixture in the dilution vessel of concentrated liquid from the supply vessel and water retained by the dilution vessel, thereby providing a dilute liquid which will be dispensed into the flush tank water after it returns to the elevation of the supply vessel outlet opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having a concentrated liquid in the supply vessel, said concentrated liquid having a density greater than water whereby the concentrated liquid tends to flow downwardly into the dilution vessel rather than migrate laterally into the flush tank water during the initial portion of a flush before the water level in the flush tank becomes lower than the dilution vessel opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the dilution vessel is a stem which is attached to the dilution vessel and extends centrally through the supply vessel outlet opening to suspend the dilution vessel from the supply vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the supply vessel has a neck portion leading to the supply vessel outlet opening, a plug within the neck portion, said supply vessel outlet opening being located in the plug.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for supporting the dilution vessel is a stem which is attached to the dilution vessel and extends through the supply vessel outlet opening, said stem suspending the dilution vessel and having a transverse enlargement larger than the supply vessel outlet opening to prevent removal of the stem and the dilution vessel from the apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the plug is an inverted cup having the supply vessel outlet opening located in its upper wall; whereby air is entrapped within said inverted cup and forced into the supply vessel as the flush tank water rises above the level of the dilution vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the size of the supply vessel outlet opening is capable of discharging concentrated liquid when the hydrostatic head at the supply vessel outlet opening is decreasing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in combination with a concentrated liquid in the supply vessel, said concentrated liquid having a density greater than water whereby the concentrated liquid tends to flow downwardly into the dilution vessel rather than migrate laterally into the flush tank water during the initial portion of a flush before the water level becomes lower than the dilution vessel opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having an inverted cup attached to the supply vessel for concentrated liquid, said supply vessel outlet opening being located in the upper wall of said inverted cup whereby air is entrapped within said inverted cup and forced into the supply vessel as the flush tank water rises above the level of the dilution vessel.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of dispensing a concentrated liquid into a toilet flush tank which contains a dilution vessel, said method comprising the steps of a. simultaneously lowering the water level in the flush tank and feeding the Concentrated liquid into the dilution vessel to permit the concentrated liquid to mix with flush tank water retained by the dilution vessel to form a dilute solution, and b. raising the water level in the flush tank until it comes into communication with the dilute solution in the dilution vessel so that the dilute solution migrates into the flush tank contents.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of dispensing a concentrated liquid into a toilet flush tank which contains a dilution vessel, said method comprising the steps of a. simultaneously lowering the water level in the flush tank and feeding the Concentrated liquid into the dilution vessel to permit the concentrated liquid to mix with flush tank water retained by the dilution vessel to form a dilute solution, and b. raising the water level in the flush tank until it comes into communication with the dilute solution in the dilution vessel so that the dilute solution migrates into the flush tank contents.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of feeding the concentrated solution is performed while the dilution vessel is immersed by water in the flush tank, said concentrated liquid being released at a point above the dilution vessel and flowing substantially vertically downwardly into the dilution vessel by virtue of its having a density greater than water.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |