United States Patent (19) 11 3,877,081

Klein (45) Apr. 15, 1975

54 WATER SAVING DEVICE FOR WATER 3,732,577 5/1973 Moon........................................ 4/18
CLOSET OTHER PUBLICATIONS
76 Inventor: Walter A. Klein, 5200 Mt. Vernon Handbook On Water-Saving and Waste Water-Re
Hwy., Alexandria, Va. 22309 duction, Published by the Washington Suburban Sani
22 Filed: May 31, 1972 tary Commission, May, 1972.
21 Appl. No.: 258,416 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jones, Tullar & Cooper
52 U.S. C. .................................. 471; 4/18; 4/227;
4/228
511 Int. Cl............................................. A47k 17/00 57 ABSTRACT
58 Field of Search......... 4/1, 18, 12, 27, 228, 227, A means for reducing substantially the amount of
4/67, 57, 40 water used during the flushing operation of a water
closet comprising a flexible container mounted within
56) References Cited the flush tank and holding a quantity of water. The
UNITED STATES PATENTS container is so located within the flush tank as not to
- - interfere with its operation, while at the same time
3: 88: Elling a a - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4.1. serving to displace a quantity of the water in the tank,
2651.57 7|1961 E. .4/235 X thereby reducing the water flow during the flushing
35698 figs, W.S., is action and effecting a substantial economy in the use
3.334,359 - 8/1967 Weingartner. 467 of water. The container may be a flexible plastic bag
3,344,439 10/1967 Davies...................................... 4140 shaped to facilitate filling and sealing, and carrying ad
3,362,030 lf 1968 Mckinstry................................. 4/27 hesive means for securing the bag to the side of the
3,545,014 12/1970 Davis...................................... 4/228 flush tank.
3,618, 143 l 171971 Hill et al................................. 4/228 s w8
3,73,324 5/1973 Moon........................................ 4/18 13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
P TENTED APR 51975 3,877, O8l

A/6.3

A/G. 4 52 62 A/6.5

ÑINCK
 3,877,081
2
WATER SAVING DEVICE FOR WATER CLOSET or interference with the operation of the tank equip
ment, and which can be used in any existing flush tanks
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
regardless of the interior conformation so that it will
have universal application.
The present invention relates, in general, to devices 5 A further object of the invention is to provide a water
for reducing the amount of water used during the flush saving device that can be easily and inexpensively dis
ing operation of a water closet and more particularly to tributed and quickly installed so that it will have virtu
means for displacing a quantity of the water carried in ally immediate universal use.
the flush tank. Briefly, the present invention accomplishes the fore
In recent years, considerable publicity has been given O going objects by providing an inexpensive, flexible,
to the need for conserving water, not only because the plastic container in the form of a bag preferably having
supply is becoming more and more limited in populated an extended neck portion and a funnel-shaped mouth
areas, but because the cost of treating water for con to facilitate filling. The container is provided with an
sumption is increasing substantially. Thus, any reduc adhesive portion by means of which it can be secured
tion in usage not only benefits the consumer by reduc to the side wall of an existing flush tank so that it will
ing his cost, but benefits the utility companies which be held in place during flushing operations and not in
must provide ever greater quantities of water from a terfere with the flush tank mechanism. The container
constant or dwindling supply. Further, the increasing is filled with approximately 1 gallon of water, and the
usage of water in urban areas, and particularly in many flexible neck portion is tied to seal the container and to
suburban areas experiencing rapid growth rates, has re prevent loss of water. When placed in the flush tank,
sulted in a serious overloading of sewage treatment the container then displaces an equal quantity of water
plants. Such overloading often leads to a discharge of within the tank, thus reducing the amount used during
untreated or poorly treated effluent into rivers and the flushing action without reducing the head pressure
streams, creating untold damage in downstream areas. that is required for proper operation and without re
During normal household water usage, a great deal of quiring any modification of the tank mechanism. A
clean water is poured into the sewage system. Since suitable dye may be included in the bag to color the
every gallon of water flowing into a sewage treatment water in the container to provide an indication of bag
plant must pass through the entire treatment program, leakage.
it is evident that a concerted effort to reduce the The bag preferably is formed of a relatively light
amount of clean water that is poured into the treatment 30 weight flexible plastic material so that it can be easily
system would not only reduce the cost of water, but folded and packaged in a business-size or similar enve
would substantially ease the burden of the sewage lope, thus allowing it to easily be distributed to users by
treatment plants and thus substantially reduce the im utility companies, commercial organizations or govern
pact of such treatment systems on the environment. mental agencies, at a very low cost. The use of nonrust
35 able, noncorrosive plastic material assures long life of
According to a study by the Environmental Protection
Agency, up to 45 percent of the water consumption of the device, and its flexibility allows its shape to be ad
the average family in this country is used in flushing justed to match the configuration of any cxisting water
water closets. Thus, it is evident that by reducing the closet flush tank.
quantity of water and used during a flushing operation, 40 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
a considerable water saving can be effected.
A variety of devices for reducing the use of water in The foregoing and additional objects, features and
a water closet have been proposed, but none has re advantages of the present invention will become appar
ceived widespread acceptance since they are either ex ent from a consideration of the following detailed de
pensive, difficult to install, or are not usable in all exist scription of prefered embodiments thereof, taken in
ing flush tanks, and thus they have not met with ap conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
proval by the homeowners who must purchase and in which:
stall them in existing water closets. Since most home FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the water saving
owners will not be interested in installing such devices device of the present invention;
unless they are very inexpensive and simple to install, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1
50
a device meeting these requirements is needed if there taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;
is to be appreciable impact on the water supply and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of the
treatment problems. invention;
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a conventional
55 water closet, showing the installation of the subject
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention water saving device; and
to provide an inexpensive, easily installed universal de FIG. 5 is a partial sectional end view of the water
vice for reducing the amount of water used in any water closet of FIG. 4, taken along lines 5-5 thereof, show
closet. ing the installation of the water saving device of the
It is a further object of the invention to provide a 60 present invention.
water saving device that is so inexpensive that its cost DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
can be amortized over a period of a few weeks, and is
so simple to install in any existing flush tank that it will Considering now the illustration of FIGS. I and 2, the
find quick acceptance. water container of the present invention preferably
It is a further object of the present invention to pro consists of a flat, transparent bag 10 formed from any
vide a water saving device for the flush tanks of water suitable plastic material, the plastic preferably being
closets that can be incorporated into a conventional ex approximately 2 to 4 mils in thickness. The bag may be
isting flush tank without modification of exsiting parts manufactured by any one of several known methods,
 3,877,081
3 4
but for ease of manufacture may consist of tubular use. Preferably, the protective strip 38 is folded into a
stock material, heat sealed or otherwise welded along generally U-shaped configuration, as illustrated in FIG.
one end, as at 12, to form the bottom of the container. 2, to provide a tab portion 40 extending upwardly from
The side wall 14 of the bag thus may be generally tubu the location of the adhesive patch toward the neck por
lar in form, although it will be apparent that other tion of the container. This tab portion extends suffi
shapes may be utilized as desired. For example, the up ciently far above the adhesive to permit the protective
standing side wall 14 may be formed from a plurality of layer 38 to be stripped from the patch by pulling up
pieces heat welded together to form a container having wardly on the tab after the bag is in place within the
a shape other than tubular; however, such variations in flush tank. Removal of the protective layer 38 exposes
the configuration of the container will be apparent to 10 the water insoluble adhesive coating 36 which may
those of skill in the art. For simplicity of manufacture, then be pressed against the side of the flush tank to
and consequent reduction of cost, however, it is pre hold the container in the desired location.
ferred that the container be formed from tubular stock A number of double-sided adhesive tapes are com
material and sealed along its bottom, substantially as mercially available which will meet the requirements of
illustrated. 15 the present invention. One type now available is the
The side wall 14 tapers as at shoulder portion 16 to Scotch brand double-coated neoprene tape, Catalogue
form an elongated neck portion 18 which, in turn, is No. Y-922. This tape is available from the 3-M Cor
flared at 20 to produce a funnel-shaped opening 22 by poration in rolls with one side having an adhesive sur
means of which the container can be filled. The neck face exposed for application to the side wall 14 of the
portion 18 may, if desired, be sufficiently long to act as 20 container and the other side being provided with a pro
a hose, whereby filling of the bag from a faucet is facili tective strip or backing such as the layer 38. Another
tated, but in any event should be at least long enough suitable material is the double-sided Mystic Polykron
to allow a knot to be tied in it to seal off the container Film Mend-Aid tape made by the Borden Co. Although
after it is filled with water. a double-sided tape is preferred for ease of manufac
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the 25 ture, it will be apparent that a portion of the side wall
container of FIGS. 1 and 2 and demonstrates the use of of the container of the present invention could be
a circular base piece 24 as the bottom of the container. coated with a single layer of adhesive, with the side wall
In this embodiment, the container wall 14 is tubular, 14 acting as the substrate for the adhesive coating, and
meeting the circumference of the base 24 at an edge 26 a suitable protective layer 38 placed directly on that
which may be formed by a suitable heat seal or weld, 30 coating. Alternatively, various securing devices may be
to form a cylindrical container. This configuration pro used to hold the container in position; for example,
vides improved stability for the container when it is vacuum cups of various designs may be secured to the
filled with water, although it is somewhat more expen side wall, or formed integrally with it, and used to hold
sive to manufacture than the device of FIG. 1. It will be the container in position.
apparent that the base 24 may be rectangular or other 35
Although container 10 can be placed in any one of
wise shaped to provide a container having a desired several locations within a conventional flush tank, the
configuration. preferred location is illustrated in FIG. 4 as being adja
Preferably, the container is formed of a transparent cent the left-hand end wall 50 of the flush tank 52. In
plastic such as polyethylene, although similar flexible 40
this location, the bag will be supported not only by the
materials such as rubber or treated fabric can be used, wall of the tank, but by the water inlet pipe 54 which
if desired. The container should be so dimensioned as is conventionally located near the left-hand wall 50 and
to be capable of containing approximately gallon of which supports the filler tube 56 as well as the inlet
water (231 cubic inches) and the bag should be free of valve mechanism 58, the ball float mechanism, (not
leaks. The container should be of a material that is suf shown) and the like. FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of
45
ficiently strong that when filled no special reinforce the flush tank showing the location of container 10 ap
ment should be required to prevent the pressure of proximately mid-way between the front and back walls
water within the bag from bursting the container when 60 and 62 of the tank. The adhesive patch 30 is shown
it is standing in an unsubmerged condition. The mate in position, securing the container to the end wall 50
rial also should be sufficiently strong to resist damage 50 with the container full of water and the neck portion 18
that might be caused by accidental bumping of the con knotted, as at 64, so that the container will retain the
tainer against the mechanical equipment within a flush entrapped water. The adhesive patch 30 and the inlet
tank, thereby facilitating the handling of the device and pipe 54 cooperate to hold the container firmly in posi
insuring a greater degree of reliability. tion so that it will not shift unduly as the flush tank fills
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a unique feature of or is emptied by the operation of a ball valve 66 or
the present invention is the provision of an adhesive equivalent device.
patch 30 located on the side wall 14 of the container A tablet or powder 70 of a vegetable or other harm
and designed for use in securing the container to an in less dye may be included in the container to dissolve in
terior surface of the flush tank to hold the container in the water when the bag is filled. If the bag should de
place and to prevent it from interfering with the normal 60 velop a leak, the dye within the container will be re
operation of the tank. The adhesive patch may take a leased into the flush tank to provide an indication of
number of forms, but preferably comprises a commer such leakage. In the event the bag is damaged, the ad
cially available double-sided tape having a substrate 32 hesive patch 30 serves the additional function of retain
(FIG. 2) coated on both sides with a waterproof adhe ing the plastic container in the tank so that a flushing
sive, as at 34 and 36. The adhesive portion 34 is se operation will not cause it to be carried into the outlet
cured to the side wall 14, while adhesive 36 is covered valve where it would interfere with the operation of
by a removable strip 38 of plastic or the like which valve 66, the float valve, lift wires or the like, or other
serves to protect the adhesive until the bag is ready for wise prevent proper operation.
 3,877,081
S 6
In use, the flush tank water supply valve is shut off tion, and thus for the first time provides a means for re
underneath the tank and the tank is emptied by flush ducing on a large scale the amount of water wasted
ing. The empty water displacement container 10 is lo each day by the average household. Although the in
cated in the area of the flush tank where it is to be se vention has been described in terms of a single dis
cured and the bag is then filled with water by way of the 5 placement container located in a particular place
funnel shaped opening at 22. The flexibility of the bag within a flush tank, it will be apparent that these fea
material allows the container during filling to take the tures are illustrative of the use of the device, and are
shape of the space wherein it is placed and thus to be not intended to be binding. The container of the pres
supported in an upright position by the inlet pipes of ent invention may be positioned anywhere within a
the flush tank. The bag is filled until the water level () flush tank where there is sufficient room for its volume
reaches the top of the neck portion 18 and a knot is and where it will not interfere with the mechanics of
then tied in the neck portion while gently squeezing up the tank; for example, the container may be located be
wardly to insure that no air is entrapped within the con neath the tank float. A plurality of small containers
tainer. The presence of air can cause flotation of the may be used, if desired, and may be more satisfactory
bag and would increase the possibility of a shift in posi in some installations then a single, large container:
tion that would interfere with the mechanical operation thus, one container may be located as shown in the
of the flush tank. For convenience, a marker line such drawings, and a second similar container of the same or
as that indicated at 68 in FIG. 1 can be provided on the different size, may be located on the opposite side of
neck portion to provide the user with an indication of the flush tank, near but beneath the float. Various
how full the bag should be before the knot is tied. other modifications and variations in the invention as
The neck portion 18 of container 10 not only facili described will be apparent to those of skill in the art,
tates sealing the displacement container when it is full, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
but also provides a safety factor in that it prevents chil invention, as described in the following claims.
dren from placing the bags over their heads, and thus What is claimed is:
prevents accidental injury to the children. The use of 25 1. Apparatus for reducing the volume of water dis
a transparent plastic container provides the advantage charged by the flush tank of a water closet during a
of allowing the user to see whether any air is entrapped flushing operation, comprising:
in the container, while the funnel shaped portion at the a flexible, collapsible, watertight, lightweight bag-like
end of the neck allows easy filling of the bag. container having a side wall and a closed bottom:
After the container has been filled and the neck por means including a closable top for permanently fill
tion 18 tied, the bag is positioned within the flush tank ing said container with a quantity of liquid equal to
so that the top of the container is at or slightly below the quantity by which said volume of discharged
the normal water level. The person installing the con water is to be reduced; and
tainer may then grasp the upwardly extending tab 40, adhesive securing means for positioning said con
which preferably extends above the shoulder portion tainer within and below the normal water level of
16 of the bag, and gently pull it upwardly, thus stripping said flush tank to displace said quantity of water.
the covering 38 from the adhesive. As the protective thereby reducing the volume of water discharged
covering is peeled off of the adhesive patch 30, the during a flushing operation, and for securing said
weight of the filled container, together with additional 40
container to prevent contact between said con
pressure existed by the installer against the side of the tainer and the flushing mechanism of said tank.
bag, will press the adhesive against the flush tank wall 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including dye in
50, securing the container to the wall. dicator means within said container for providing an
After the bag is firmly positioned, any excess portion indication of container breakage.
of the neck 18 extending above the knot may be 45
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means in
trimmed off, and the flush tank may then be filled with cluding a closable top for filling said container com
water in the normal manner. If the container is properly prises an elongated neck portion on said container, said
positioned, the water within container 10 will displace neck portion being adapted to be closed to seal off the
approximately 1 gallon of the water normally used in interior of said container.
the flushing operation, thus reducing by that amount 50
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the free end of
the volume of water discharged during each flushing said neck portion forms a funnel.
operation. Since the displacement device does not re 5. The apparatus of claim 3, further including dye in
duce the level of water in the tank, the proper water dicator means within said container and releasable
head is maintained for correct flushing action, while upon breakage of said container to provide an indica
the amount of water used is reduced by approximately tion of such breakage in the water in said flush tank.
20 percent, depending on the exact design of the flush 6. The apparatus to claim 1, wherein said adhesive
tank. securing means comprises an adhesive patch located on
It will be seen from the foregoing that the displace said side wall.
ment container of the present invention provides a sim 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further including remov
ple, inexpensive, easily installed and universally appli 60 able protective strip means covering said adhesive
cable device for reducing the amount of water used by patch, and tab means for said strip to facilitate removal
a household. The flexibility of the container insures thereof.
that it will fit any existing flush tank, without requiring 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said adhesive
extensive fitting and sealing, and may be installed in patch comprises a double-coated adhesive tape secured
any water closet without the necessity of removing or 65 on one side to said side wall and covered on the other
modifying any of the mechanical structure within the side by a removable protective strip.
tank. Its simplicity and universality make the displace 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container
ment container of this invention ideal for mass distribu is of relatively thin plastic material of sufficient
 3,877,081
7 8
strength to retain said liquid during a flushing operation to prevent contact between said container and the
and of sufficient flexibility to permit application in sub flushing mechanism of said tank and below the nor
stantially any flush tank, whereby said container is of mal water level of said tank to displace said quan
substantially universal applicability. tity of water, thereby reducing the volume of water
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said closable 5 discharged during a flushing operation; and
top includes means for preventing entrapment of air in dye indicator means within said container and releas
said container to prevent flotation thereof. able upon breakage of said container to provide an
11. Apparatus for reducing the volume of water dis indication of such breakage in the water in said
charged by the flush tank of a water closet during a flush tank.
flushing operation, comprising: () 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means
a flexible, collapsible, watertight, lightweight bag-like including a closable top comprises an elongated, ta
container having a side wall and a closed bottom; pered funnel-like neck portion formed on said con
means including a closable top for permanently fill tainer for permanently filling said container, said neck
ing said container with a quantity of liquid equal to portion being adapted to be closed to seal off the inte
the quantity by which said volume of discharged 15 rior of said container.
water is to be reduced; 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means
means for affixing said container within said flush for affixing said container
ck k
comprises
>k k :k
adhesive means.
tank and for positioning said container in a location

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