Patent ID: 6205595
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: E03D

Abstract:
A supplemental tank for use with a low flow volume toilet equipped with an integral tank that serves to supply water for the flushing of the toilet, said supplemental tank being configured to rest atop the integral tank of the toilet, said supplemental tank having a top member, bottom member, and sidewalls extending in a vacuum-tight manner between said top and bottom members, means for providing communication between said supplemental tank and the tank integral with the toilet, said means including at least one elongate tube mounted in a sealed manner in said bottom member in a generally perpendicular relationship with said bottom member, a lower portion of said tube extending below said bottom member, said lower portion, when said supplemental tank has been placed atop the integral tank of the toilet, being of sufficient length to extend down into the water normally contained in the integral tank, a hollow fitting connected to an upper portion of said supplemental tank, said fitting enabling a connection to be made to a source of vacuum, so that the vacuum can create, on occasion, a reduced pressure in the upper interior portion of said supplemental tank, whereby upon the toilet being flushed, water is caused to flow out of the integral tank and into the toilet bowl, and as a result of the provision of said elongate tube, water contained in said supplemental tank is caused to flow under the influence of gravity into the integral tank, to aid in the flushing of the toilet, and activation means for bringing about the onset of the application of the vacuum to the upper interior portion of said supplemental tank subsequent to the flushing of the toilet, to cause a reduction of the pressure in such upper interior portion, with such reduction of pressure causing water to be drawn from the integral tank during its refilling, upwardly through said elongate tube to bring about the refilling of the supplemental tank, and means for causing a cessation of the application of vacuum to said upper interior portion when the water in said supplemental tank has reached a certain pre-established level.