Abstract:
Various methods and apparatus are described utilizing irrigation drippers ( 30 ) for minimizing water from being wasted in toilets. One of several embodiments (FIG.  1 ) is shown with a toilet tank ( 70 ) and an irrigation dripper ( 30 ) bisecting a toilet bowl fill tube ( 20 ). Contemplating a pressure-compensating dripper ( 30 ) provides a sufficiently accurate and engineered means for controlling and metering water economically. Dripper flow-rates are selected to deliver relatively consistent amounts of water under varying pressure conditions, in order to sufficiently minimize: the over-filling of water into the toilet bowl ( 80 ), the water being wasted into the sewer ( 90 ), and the wasting of consumer dollars.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefits of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/186,868, filed 2009 Jun. 14 by the present inventor. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND-FIELD 
       [0004]    This application relates to valve apparatus such as irrigation drippers, emitters, and the like, utilized together with innovative methods in order to achieve water conservation in toilets, commodes, water closets and other such devices. 
       Several Terms Identified 
       [0005]    In all aspects and contexts of this writing, the words fluid and water shall have equivalent meanings and shall be used interchangeably. Likewise for valves, the words dripper(s), emitter(s), drip emitter(s), irrigation dripper(s), irrigation emitter(s), and the like shall have equivalent meanings and shall be used interchangeably. While generally falling into one of three categories, known as standard drippers, pressure-compensating drippers and adjustable drippers, it is intended that all of these dripper types should be known as valves, and shall be used interchangeably. While the embodiments of this writing will generally be describing the application of pressure-compensating drippers and emitters to toilets, it is not intended to exclude the application of any of the other form of drippers or emitters to toilets, or to limit the application of the embodiments to any other devices that would so benefit in any way whatsoever. References to the terms toilet(s), water closet(s) and commode(s) used individually in this writing shall have the same meaning as the terms used together, unless otherwise noted. 
       BACKGROUND-PRIOR ART 
       [0006]    In the home industry, residential toilets have evolved over time from the older non-ultra low flush (non-ULF) to the modern ultra low flush (ULF) water models. In a two-year observation and data gathering effort, the “Residential End Uses of Water” study was published in 1999, jointly by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation, and Aquacraft, Inc. One segment of the comprehensive study looked at water consumption in toilets, and identified that 14.5% of flushes were less than 2.0 GPF, 34.7% of flushes were between 2.0 and 3.5 GPF, and 50.8% of flushes were greater than 4.0 GPF. Further breaking down the statistics, 8.5% of homes studied used ULF toilets almost exclusively (less than 2.0 GPF), 26.2% of homes studied had a mixture of ULF and non-ULF toilets, and 65.3% of homes studied used non-ULF toilets almost exclusively. The study indicates that while there have been efforts made to improve the overall efficiency of toilets going forward with the advent of ULF toilet technology, the overwhelming opportunities are yet to be realized with existing non-ULF toilets and their inefficiencies, found primarily as part of older, existing homes. Additionally, there are various other factors that impact toilet water usage in households, regardless of whether they utilize old or new toilet designs, that being:
       1) in-coming water pressure from public or private water sources,   2) internal add-ons, or changes that incorporate mild upgrades over time, such as modern toilet fill valves replacing less efficient older units, improved flapper valves, etc., and   3) pipe, tube or orifice sizes such as those within supply lines, discharge drain openings, toilet bowl fill tubes, and the like.
 
This would suggest that if the focus was placed on the areas in common, any opportunities identified should then cut across all of the toilet designs and models, the greatest benefit of which would be magnified when concentrating on the least efficient, non-ULF toilet versions.
       
 
         [0010]    During the flush cycle in toilets, water is routed from the toilet fill valve through a toilet bowl fill tube into the overflow tube, which then drains into the toilet bowl in order to complete its refilling cycle. Water in excess of what is necessary to completely refill the toilet trap simply overflows down the drain and is wasted. This is further complicated by the fact that there are many toilet manufacturers utilizing competing designs in the industry, and by way of experiment, my data shows that manufacturer&#39;s designs vary greatly in the amount of water that is directed to refill the toilet tank versus the amount that is directed to refill the toilet bowl. My data also shows that by manufacturer and from the best in class to worst in class, the amount of variation of the water being discharged in the toilet is very large. Unfortunately in many toilets and fill valve designs, the amount of water wasted can be nearly 95% of the water sent into the toilet bowl by the toilet bowl refill tube from the fill valve. This happens because during the flush cycle, the toilet bowl internal reservoirs first fills, then drains into the toilet bowl in a specific cleaning pattern, and continuous to refill the toilet bowl until the internal reservoirs are empty. All the while, the flapper valve closes to stop further water from being added, and while it does, there is still sufficient water draining from the toilet bowl internal reservoirs into the toilet bowl. My experiment and data collected during this part of the flush cycle has shown that the amount of excess refilling water sent to the toilet bowl to be quite shocking. As another experiment, when the toilet bowl fill tube was completely disconnected from the overflow tube and left to discharge directly into the toilet tank, approximately 80% of the time the toilet bowl still refilled completely without it, while only 20% of the time the toilet bowl level was down only about ½″ or less in height after refilling. After sufficient data was collected and analyzed, the bottom line was that there seemed to be only a marginal purpose to have any water at all coming out of the toilet bowl fill tube, and that it would be of a great benefit to only have a small amount of water added in a controlled manner to the toilet bowl as a measure of safety. It became obvious that there was a significant conservational benefit to control and sufficiently minimize the amount of refilling water diverted into the toilet bowl, by way of the toilet fill valve. 
         [0011]    The need to minimize water from being wasted into the sewer by excessively refilling the toilet bowl is well known in prior art. There are many methods and devices of prior art that have attempted to address the water wasted into the sewer from over-filling the toilet bowl by reducing the amount of water flowing out of the end of the toilet bowl refill tube. These devices have had a small amount of success in the marketplace, often limited by their manufacturing complexity, perceived effectiveness and overall cost versus benefit beliefs. Some of the different versions will be categorized and addressed in the following passages. 
         [0012]    A first form of prior art involves the end restrictors for the toilet bowl refill tube that come in all shapes and sizes, and that generally function sufficiently the same with limited effectiveness. Such devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,855,025 to Williams (1999), 5,887,294 to Yeung (1999), and 6,219,856 to Alles (2001), and generally involve the addition of a restrictor to the toilet bowl refill tube end that discharges water into the water overflow tube, which raises the level of water in the toilet bowl. Devices of this type: 1) allow far too much water to be discharged due to manufacturing limitations for creating a simple sufficiently small orifice size, 2) create objectionable noise during operation, 3) are not sufficiently calibrated, 4) are affected by changing water pressure, and 5) are not adjustable. End restrictors, depending upon the restrictor size and mounting method, can potentially obstruct the toilet tank water overflow tube&#39;s opening, affecting its ability to drain excessive tank water as a result of overfilling or malfunction, and potentially impacting the overflow tube&#39;s safety function as designed. Devices like these are not commonly found in the marketplace nor found to be in use in toilet tanks, consequently there are little economies of scale to be found 
         [0013]    A second form of prior art involves in-line adjustable valves for the toilet bowl refill tube, which can be adjusted to reduce the amount of water discharged into the water overflow tube and into the toilet bowl. Such devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,145,775 to Butler (1979) and 5,708,991 to DeMarco (1998), and generally involve the additional of an in-line valve to variably restrict and reduce the amount of water sent through the refill tube to the toilet bowl. While devices of this type can be adjusted to allow only a small amount of water to be discharged into the overflow tube, the devices: 1) are often sufficiently complicated, 2) are not sufficiently calibrated, 3) are affected by changing water pressure, 4) have too many moving parts, and 5) are not commonly found to be in use in commercially the toilet tank. While adjustable valves are not new, there are few versions which readily adapt to the toilet industry so as to realize the economies of scale. Consequently, such valves are a potentially more expensive form of prior art when considering the cost versus benefit impact. 
         [0014]    A third form of prior art involves in-line pinch clamps for the toilet bowl refill tube that can be adjusted by increasing the amount of pinching of the refill tube, thereby slowing the flow of water being discharged into the water overflow tube and to the toilet bowl. Such a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,996 to Pino (1988) and generally involves the additional of an in-line adjustable pinch clamp to restrict the amount of water being sent through the refill tube and to the toilet bowl. While devices of this type can be adjusted to allow only a small amount of water to be discharged, these devices: 1) are also sufficiently complicated, 2) are not sufficiently calibrated, 3) are affected by changing water pressure, 4) have too many moving parts, and 5) are only limitedly found to be in use commercially in toilet tanks While pinch clamps are also not new, there are few versions which readily adapt to the toilet industry so as to realize the economies of scale. Consequently, such pinch clamps are generally a more expensive form of prior art when considering the cost versus benefit impact. 
         [0015]    A fourth form of prior art involves an adjustable valve attached to the body of the toilet fill valve, which connects to the toilet bowl refill tube. The attached valve can be adjusted to slow down the flow of water being discharged to the toilet bowl refill tube and to the toilet bowl. Such a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,889 to Schuster (2004) and generally involves the incorporation of an adjustable valve to restrict the amount of water being sent to the refill tube end that discharges into the water overflow tube and into the toilet bowl. While devices of this type can be adjusted to allow only a small amount of water to be discharged into the overflow tube, these devices also: 1) involve a more complicated manufacturing process, 2) are not sufficiently calibrated, 3) are affected by changing water pressure, and 4) have too many moving parts. These valves are very unique and are meant to be mechanically attached to the toilet fill valve, and as a result they cannot be used elsewhere thereby sufficiently limiting any economies of scale. Consequently, valves like these are likely to be one of the most expensive of the prior art options. 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0016]    The need for a better method and apparatus that substantially minimizes the water being wasted from over-filling the toilet bowl and that offers simplicity, reliability and sufficient low cost is evident and very desirable. The embodiments of this writing offer these benefits and more to consumers when compared to that of prior art. 
         [0017]    The first group of prior art, which can be classified as non-adjustable end restrictors, have several limitations. They: 1) deliver too much water, 2) are too noisy, 3) cannot be adjusted, 4) are affected by changing water pressure, 5) can act as obstructions in the water overflow tube, and 6) have limited economies of scale since they are somewhat unique. The embodiments of this writing substantially correct the deficiencies of the end restrictors, while offering the features such as pressure-compensating water control, sufficiently silent operation, capacity for calibration, and low cost due to economies of scale since the devices are widely used in the agricultural and landscape industries. 
         [0018]    The remaining groups of prior art, such as in-line valves, in-line pinchers and the adjustable valves which mechanically attach to the toilet fill valve, can be collectively placed into one group based on their common deficiencies. This group of devices: 1) have several moving parts that sufficiently complicate the manufacturing process, 2) are affected by changing water pressure, and 3) have limited economies of scale since most parts are unique. Additionally, the unique adjustable valves that mechanically attach to the toilet fill valve: 1) are unique and only apply to a specific toilet fill valve manufacturer, 2) cannot be added to other existing toilet fill valve applications without replacing the entire fill valve, and 3) cannot be used elsewhere outside of toilet fill valve applications. The embodiments of this writing substantially correct the deficiencies of the in-line valves, the in-line pinchers and the adjustable valves that mechanically attach to the toilet fill valve, while offering additionally features such as pressure-compensating water control, sufficiently silent operation, capacity to be calibrated, and low cost due to economies of scale since the devices are commonly found in the agricultural and landscape industries. 
         [0019]    There are well known applications for controlling and metering the flow of water utilizing methods and devices deployed in the agricultural and landscaping industries. These industries desire to regulate the flow-rates of water with devices which compensate for the falling water pressure over long runs, in order to deliver relatively equalized quantities of water across all devices. The devices are known as drippers, irrigation drippers, pressure-compensating drippers, emitters, drip emitters and the like. Specialized drippers, known as pressure-compensating drippers, are engineered with unique internal labyrinth paths, specific orifice sizes, and defined distances to attain sufficiently accurate water flow-rates regardless of the variations in line pressure found in long runs. This added measure of control provides a relatively accurate amount of water while minimizing the undue waste from the unequal balance of water from pressure drops, and helps the agricultural and landscaping industry&#39;s profitability by minimizing the high cost of water, especially in arid regions. Standard drippers that don&#39;t compensate for varying line pressures are also widely used, albeit with lesser amounts of water equalization and control. Drippers, pressure-compensating drippers, and the like, are also widely available for home landscaping use. Enjoying such wide scale use in a large mature industry, drippers of all types have substantial economies of scale, and thus are sufficiently inexpensive. The methods and devices of this large agricultural and landscaping industry, advantaged by many years of improvements, such as pressure-compensating and calibrating features, and sufficiently low cost, are the basis for my embodiments for use in the toilet industry and as a benefit to the consumer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0020]    In accordance with the embodiments and specifications being disclosed, several methods and apparatus are described for minimizing water from being wasted within a toilet. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         [0021]    The objects and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For simplicity, like reference numerals within the several drawings shown designate functionally similar components, which may or may not be dimensionally identical. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Drawing descriptions follow: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilet tank members interfacing with apparatus consisting of a toilet fill valve and a toilet bowl fill tube modified to accept an irrigation dripper; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a top view taken of line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  showing a toilet bowl fill tube that is bisected with each end attaching to the two sides of an irrigation dripper; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a side cutaway view of toilet tank and bowl assemblies, interfacing with internal components, showing maximum normal toilet bowl water level when at rest; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a side cutaway view of toilet tank and bowl assemblies interfacing with internal components, and showing a water routing pattern, an over-filling of the toilet bowl with toilet bowl water and wasting of water into a sewer. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               10  toilet fill valve(s) 
               20  toilet bowl fill tube(s) 
               30  irrigation dripper(s), dripper(s), pressure-compensating dripper(s), emitter(s), or other such valves 
               40  angle adapter 
               50  overflow tube 
               60  flapper valve 
               65  flapper valve opening 
               70  toilet tank 
               80  toilet bowl 
               90  sewer 
               100  water level (ie.—low, proper, normal, etc.) 
               100   a  water level (ie.—over-filling) 
               110  internal reservoir(s) 
               115  toilet tank assembly 
               120  toilet bowl assembly 
               130  lower toilet assembly 
               140  toilet bowl water and contents 
               150  toilet trap 
           
         
       
     
       OTHER REFERENCES 
     Assembly Definitions Used in the Text and Claims 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             Toilet—a toilet tank assembly  115  mounted on a toilet bowl assembly  120 . 
             Bisected Toilet Bowl Fill Tube—a toilet bowl fill tube  20  that is bisected. 
             Contiguous Assembly—toilet components that are connected, consisting of: a toilet fill valve  10 , a toilet bowl fill tube  20 , an angle adapter  40 , an overflow tube  50 , a flapper valve  60  and a toilet bowl  80 . 
             Bisected Contiguous Assembly—toilet components that are connected, but temporarily bisected into two sections, consisting of: a toilet fill valve  10 , a toilet bowl fill tube  20  that is bisected, an angle adapter  40 , an overflow tube  50 , a flapper valve  60  and a toilet bowl  80 . 
             Modified Contiguous Assembly—toilet components that had been temporarily bisected into two sections, now reconnected, consisting of: a toilet fill valve  10 , a toilet bowl fill tube  20  that had been bisected, an irrigation dripper  30  for reconnecting, an angle adapter  40 , an overflow tube  50 , a flapper valve  60  and a toilet bowl  80 . 
           
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 —First Embodiment 
       [0049]      FIG. 1  (front cutaway view),  FIG. 2  (top view taken of line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ),  FIG. 3  (side cutaway view) and  FIG. 4  (side cutaway view) show four views, which detail the attachment of component parts within a first embodiment utilizing an irrigation dripper  30  for sufficiently minimizing water from being wasted in toilets. The views further show a toilet tank  70  with a toilet fill valve  10 , a flapper valve  60  and overflow tube  50  that is attached together as an assembly, and a toilet bowl fill tube  20 , which connects the toilet fill valve  10  to the overflow tube  50 . An irrigation dripper  30 , which can be located in a plurality of acceptable positions, is inserted in-line bisecting the toilet bowl fill tube  20 . I contemplate that the irrigation dripper  30  of the first embodiment be a pressure-compensating dripper  30  that is commonly found commercially, albeit drippers  30  of any configuration or design are acceptable. Pressure-compensating drippers  30  are engineered and flow-rated to deliver sufficiently consistent amounts of water under conditions of varying water pressure. Features of the pressure-compensating dripper  30  includes sufficient metering and control of water, utilizing arduous labyrinth paths, properly sized orifices and defined distances between elements, thereby restricting and delivering sufficiently predictable amounts of water through the pressure-compensating dripper  30  from the inlet side to the outlet side. Widely found throughout the agricultural and landscape industries, pressure-compensating drippers  30  are sufficiently inexpensive due to economies of scale and wide use. 
         [0050]    I conducted studies utilizing toilet fill valves  10  from all major manufacturers in the USA, focusing on: 1) the device&#39;s water use and routing priorities, 2) calculating the amount of water that the toilet fill valve  10  delivers, 3) the amount of water needed to safely refill the toilet bowl  80 , and  4 ) the amount of water otherwise wasted down the sewer  90 . In experiments, I observed and measured that a large percentage of the time the toilet bowl  80  refills with the toilet bowl refill tube  20  completely disconnected due to the toilet&#39;s internal dynamics. Surprisingly, only occasionally was a small amount of water needed in the toilet bowl  80  from the toilet bowl refill tube  20  when connected to attain the proper toilet bowl water level  100  once the toilet has been flushed. This was found to be true primarily due to the surplus of water that continues to drain after the flapper valve  60  closes from the internal reservoirs  110  within the toilet bowl assembly  120  during each flush cycle. Consistently with the proper flow-rated pressure-compensating dripper  30  in place and under normal operating conditions, only sufficiently small amounts of water were needed to top off the toilet bowl  80 , or to provide a margin of safety to allow for variation when refilling. From the results observed and devices tested, I was able to find standard pressure-compensating drippers  30  with flow-rated ranges and assorted designs available commercially, which fit well within the sufficiently low water needs of this embodiment. Further results also show that larger variations, such as those due to the capacity differences of the toilet tank  70  and bowl  80  from manufacturer to manufacturer, model to model, and style to style, are also easily contained within the range of the flow-rated pressure-compensating drippers  30  commonly available. 
       Operation 
     FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 —First Embodiment 
       [0051]    In the normal operation of a toilet during the flush cycle, the flapper valve  60  elevates, allowing water to discharge into the flapper valve opening  65  which was previously sealed. Water from the toilet tank  70  enters the lower toilet assembly  130 , filling internal reservoirs  110 , and causing the toilet bowl water level  100  to rise. Along with water being directed from many angles to increase the flush efficiency, the toilet bowl water and contents  140 , empties through the toilet trap  150  and into the sewer  90 . Since the toilet trap  150  acts as a barrier to stop dangerous sewer gases from entering buildings and impacting humans, the components within the toilet tank assembly  115  and the toilet bowl assembly  120 , are designed to replenish the water within the toilet bowl  80  to design levels. Simultaneously, water swirling around the toilet bowl  80  from the toilet bowls internal reservoirs  110 , serve dual functions. In addition to providing water to replenish the toilet bowl  80  to proper toilet bowl water levels  100 , the water also sufficiently washes solid waste and debris down from the sides of the toilet bowl  80  and into the sewer  90 , thus performing a cleansing function. The refilling and cleansing functions are well known to be very wasteful due to over-filling of the maximum normal toilet bowl water level  100   a , with water that is added after the toilet flush cycle has been completed. The embodiments of this writing address these wasteful concerns. 
         [0052]    The experiments that I have performed have revealed some rather shocking results. Upon the closing of the flapper valve  60  at the end of the toilet tank discharge cycle the toilet bowl  80  completes its empting cycle and starts to refill. Even without the toilet bowl fill tube  20  connected, I observed and measured that a large percentage of the time the toilet bowl  80  refills completely due to the internal dynamics involved in the complete emptying of the toilet bowl internal reservoirs  110 . Surprisingly, only a sufficiently small amount of the time is water needed in the toilet bowl  80  from the toilet bowl refill tube  20  when re-connected to attain the proper toilet bowl water level  100  once the toilet has been flushed. This was found to be primarily due to the surplus of water that continues to drain from the internal reservoirs  110  within the toilet bowl assembly  120  during each flush cycle. Experiments using major USA manufacturers&#39; toilet fill valves  10  showed that there were significant variation between the best in class to the worst in class operation of the toilet fill valve  10 , when focusing on the amount of water being sent to the toilet bowl  80 . In some cases even in modern low-flush toilets, the excess amount of water that was sent into the sewer  90  was over one gallon per flush. Utilizing the embodiments of this writing, and the contemplated pressure-compensating dripper  30 , the excess water wasted into the sewer  90  after the refilling of the toilet bowl  80  was sufficiently reduced through the proper selection of the dripper flow-rate. The experiments also showed that with proper pressure-compensating dripper  30  selections, the prior significant water variation observed between best in class to the worst in class operation of the USA manufacturers&#39; toilet fill valve  10  was brought down sufficiently to minimal levels. 
         [0053]    Bisecting the toilet bowl fill tube  20 , and installing the proper flow-rated pressure-compensating dripper  30 , sufficiently restricts and limits the amount of water being sent into the toilet bowl  80  to help minimize the water being wasted into the sewer  90 . Consistently with the proper flow-rated pressure-compensating dripper  30  in place and under normal operating conditions, only sufficiently small amounts of water are needed in the toilet bowl  80 , to achieve the proper toilet bowl water level  100 , and to provide a margin of safety as necessary and to allow for the variation in the amounts of refilling water sent to the toilet bowl  80 . 
       Alternate Embodiments 
       [0054]    A plurality of variations exist that will become obvious to those familiar with the art upon review of the embodiments described in this writing. For example: 1) developing a new attaching end(s) for the dripper  30  in order to connect one side directly to either the toilet fill valve  10  or to the angle adapter  40 , and then attaching the other end directly to the toilet bowl fill tube  20 , should it be beneficial, 2) sufficiently integrating the concepts of the dripper  30  with its water controlling properties directly into the toilet fill valve  10  or directly into the angle adapter  40 , thereby reducing the number of parts involved and/or achieving cost reductions, and etc. The operation and benefits of these alternate embodiments are sufficiently similar to that of the first embodiment already described. 
       Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope 
       [0055]    The need for a simple, safe, and effective device that offers low cost and maintenance-free operation, while sufficiently minimizing toilet bowl water over-filling both in new and old toilet installations are well known in the toilet industry. Various forms of prior art available commercially only accomplish some of the goals mentioned above, while failing to be sufficiently inexpensive, uncomplicated, and able to address the existing market already having older toilets with components that are still functioning well, albeit just not efficiently. In some forms of prior art commercially available to gain efficiencies, consumers are expected to purchase entirely new and more expensive toilet fill valves, which incorporate the features limiting the amount of excess water being discharged into the toilet bowl. Efficiencies are only achieved although by forcing the consumer to discard their existing toilet fill valves needlessly and wastefully. 
         [0056]    On the other hand, the embodiments in this writing, utilize dripper methods and apparatus, which adapt sufficiently well to both new and old toilet systems of every make, model and style, regardless of the components being utilized. The embodiments offer to all consumers the benefits of efficient, inexpensive, and simple toilet add-ons, without having to discard toilet fill valves which may still function well. The embodiments provide a better and lower cost option for the consumer to sufficiently minimize the amount of water being discharged into the toilet bowl and into the sewer from the result of over-filling. 
         [0057]    Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of my method and apparatus utilizing irrigation drippers for minimizing water from being wasted in toilets, provides consumers meaningful water conservation solutions for new and old toilet systems. 
         [0058]    While the above descriptions contain much specificity, they should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one or more preferred embodiment(s) thereof. It is clear that other variations are possible. For example: instead of manufacturing and commercializing any of the embodiments described, it would become obvious to those familiar in the art that upon review of the embodiments of this writing, that they would be able to create the instructions for how to make the embodiments, or their likenesses, so to be sold as tutorials and instructions for the handyman or the consumer&#39;s direct use. 
         [0059]    Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.