Flush valve

Abstract

Described here are flush valves for delivering a selected amount of water from a toilet tank into a toilet bowl, particularly collapsible flush valves having substantial durability and resistance to wear and deleterious chemicals. These flush valves have a collapsible member extending from above the surface of the water in the toilet tank to the tank outlet in the normal (closed flush valve) state. Collapsing the flush valve allows water to flow into the toilet bowl through the flush valve until the toilet tank is drained to the level of the collapsed flush valve and buoyancy is restored. Flush valves may be made of a material that does not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectants, and the outer surface (the water contacting surface) of the flush valves may be a single continuous piece.

1 . A flush valve for controllably delivering a selected amount of water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank, the toilet tank having a water surface and a tank outlet, comprising: 
 a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position,    wherein the collapsible member comprises one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions; and    wherein the flush valve has no valve seat.    
   
   
       2 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the flush valve further comprises at least one ballast weight.  
   
   
       3 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single piece by molding.  
   
   
       4 . The flush valve of  claim 3 , wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single piece by injection molding.  
   
   
       5 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible member is further configured to be relaxed in the extended position.  
   
   
       6 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a tipping actuator for collapsing the collapsible member of the flush valve.  
   
   
       7 . The flush valve of  claim 1  further comprising a base region and a float region that are fabricated with the collapsible member as a continuous single piece; and further wherein sinking the float region allows the collapsible member to collapse and allows water to flow through the collapsible member and out of the tank outlet.  
   
   
       8 . The flush valve of  claim 7 , wherein the base region, float region, and collapsible member are fabricated as a single piece by molding.  
   
   
       9 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible member is configured as a collapsible bellows.  
   
   
       10 . The flush valve of  claim 9 , wherein the collapsible bellows has a continuous spiral thread.  
   
   
       11 . The flush valve of  claim 9 , wherein the collapsible bellows is tapered.  
   
   
       12 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the flush valve is fabricated from a polyolefin.  
   
   
       13 . The flush valve of  claim 12 , wherein the flush valve is fabricated from a Very Low Density Polyethylene.  
   
   
       14 . The flush valve of  claim 12 , wherein the flush valve is fabricated from an Ultra Low Density Polyethylene.  
   
   
       15 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , wherein the flush valve is fabricated from soft vinyl.  
   
   
       16 . The flush valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a longitudinal shaft coupled to the collapsible member wherein the shaft is configured to substantially guide the flush valve when the collapsible member collapses.  
   
   
       17 . A method of using a flush valve in a toilet tank containing water comprising: at least partially sinking a flush valve comprising: 
 a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position,    wherein the collapsible member comprises one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions.    
   
   
       18 . A flush valve for controllably delivering a selected amount of water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank, the toilet tank having a water surface and a tank outlet, comprising: 
 a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position, and further configured to be relaxed in the extended position; and    wherein the flush valve has no valve seat.    
   
   
       19 . The flush valve of  claim 18  wherein the flush valve further comprises at least one ballast weight.  
   
   
       20 . The flush valve of  claim 18  wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single piece by molding.  
   
   
       21 . The flush valve of  claim 20 , wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single piece by injection molding.  
   
   
       22 . The flush valve of  claim 18 , further comprising a tipping actuator for collapsing the collapsible member of the flush valve.  
   
   
       23 . The flush valve of  claim 18  further comprising a base region and a float region that are fabricated with the collapsible member as a continuous single piece; and further wherein sinking the float region allows the collapsible member to collapse and allows water to flow through the collapsible member and out of the tank outlet.  
   
   
       24 . The flush valve of  claim 23 , wherein the base region, float region, and collapsible member are fabricated as a single piece by molding.  
   
   
       25 . The flush valve of  claim 18 , wherein the collapsible member is configured as a collapsible bellows.  
   
   
       26 . The flush valve of  claim 25 , wherein the collapsible bellows has a continuous spiral thread.  
   
   
       27 . The flush valve of  claim 25 , wherein the collapsible bellows is tapered.  
   
   
       28 . The flush valve of  claim 18 , further comprising a longitudinal shaft coupled to the collapsible member wherein the shaft is configured to substantially guide the flush valve when the collapsible member collapses.  
   
   
       29 . A method of using a flush valve in a toilet tank containing water comprising: 
 at least partially sinking a flush valve comprising:    a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position, and further configured to be relaxed in the extended position.    
   
   
       30 . A flush valve for delivering water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank comprising: 
 a base region configured to connect to the outlet port of a toilet tank;    a floatable and sinkable float region having an opening that is held above the surface of the water when the float region is floating, and wherein the float region is linked to the base region through    a collapsible member extending from the base region to the float region;    wherein the base region, float region and collapsible member are fabricated as a single piece, and further wherein sinking the float region allows water to flow through the opening of the float region and out of the outlet port of the toilet tank.    
   
   
       31 . The flush valve of  claim 30  further comprising at least one ballast weight.  
   
   
       32 . The flush valve of  claim 30 , wherein the base region, float region and collapsible member are fabricated as a single piece by molding.  
   
   
       33 . The flush valve of  claim 32 , wherein the base region, float region and collapsible member are fabricated as a single piece by injection molding.  
   
   
       34 . The flush valve of  claim 30 , further comprising a tipping actuator for collapsing the collapsible member of the flush valve.  
   
   
       35 . The flush valve of  claim 30 , wherein the collapsible member is configured as a collapsible bellows.  
   
   
       36 . The flush valve of  claim 35 , wherein the collapsible bellows has a continuous spiral thread.  
   
   
       37 . The flush valve of  claim 35 , wherein the collapsible bellows is tapered.  
   
   
       38 . The flush valve of  claim 30 , further comprising a longitudinal shaft coupled to the collapsible member wherein the shaft is configured to substantially guide the flush valve when the collapsible member collapses.  
   
   
       39 . A method of using a flush valve comprising: 
 at least partially sinking a float region of a flush valve in a toilet tank having an outlet port in fluid connection with a toilet bowl, the flush valve comprising:    a base region configured to connect to an outlet port of the toilet tank;    a variably buoyant float region configured to switch between a high buoyant state and a low buoyant state, and having an opening that is held above the surface of the water when the float region is highly buoyant, and further wherein the float region is linked to the base region through    a collapsible member extending from the base region to the float region; wherein the float region and the collapsible member are fabricated as a single piece from one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions.    
   
   
       40 . A flush valve for controllably delivering a selected amount of water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank, the toilet tank having a water surface and a tank outlet, comprising: 
 a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position; and    a ballast weight sufficient to collapse the collapsible member,    wherein the flush valve has no valve seat.    
   
   
       41 . The flush valve of  claim 40  wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single piece by molding.  
   
   
       42 . The flush valve of  claim 41 , wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single piece by injection molding.  
   
   
       43 . The flush valve of  claim 40 , further comprising a tipping actuator for collapsing the collapsible member of the flush valve.  
   
   
       44 . The flush valve of  claim 40 , wherein the collapsible member is configured as a collapsible bellows.  
   
   
       45 . The flush valve of  claim 44 , wherein the collapsible bellows has a continuous spiral thread.  
   
   
       46 . The flush valve of  claim 44 , wherein the collapsible bellows is tapered.  
   
   
       47 . The flush valve of  claim 40 , further comprising a longitudinal shaft coupled to the collapsible member wherein the shaft is configured to substantially guide the flush valve when the collapsible member collapses.  
   
   
       48 . A method of using a flush valve in a toilet tank containing water comprising: 
 at least partially sinking a flush valve comprising:    a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position; and    a ballast weight sufficient to collapse the collapsible member.    
   
   
       49 . A flush valve for controllably delivering a selected amount of water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank, the toilet tank having a water surface and a tank outlet, comprising: 
 a molding-formed collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position, and further configured to be spirally threaded,    wherein the flush valve has no valve seat.    
   
   
       50 . The flush valve of  claim 49  wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single piece by molding.  
   
   
       51 . The flush valve of  claim 50 , wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single piece by injection molding.  
   
   
       52 . The flush valve of  claim 49 , further comprising a tipping actuator for collapsing the collapsible member of the flush valve.  
   
   
       53 . The flush valve of  claim 49 , wherein the collapsible member is tapered.  
   
   
       54 . The flush valve of  claim 49 , further comprising a longitudinal shaft coupled to the collapsible member wherein the shaft is configured to substantially guide the flush valve when the collapsible member collapses.  
   
   
       55 . A method of using a flush valve in a toilet tank containing water comprising: 
 at least partially sinking a flush valve comprising:    a molding-formed collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position, and further configured to be spirally threaded.    
   
   
       56 . A flush valve for controllably delivering a selected amount of water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank, the toilet tank having a water surface and a tank outlet, comprising: 
 a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position, and further configured to be relaxed in the extended position,    wherein the collapsible member comprises one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions; and    wherein the flush valve has no valve seat.    
   
   
       57 . A flush valve for controllably delivering a selected amount of water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank, the toilet tank having a water surface and a tank outlet, comprising: 
 a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further configured to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position,    wherein the collapsible member comprises one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions, and    wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single continuous piece; and    wherein the flexible valve has no valve seat.    
   
   
       58 . A flush valve for controllably delivering a selected amount of water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank, the toilet tank having a water surface and a tank outlet, comprising: 
 a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further configured to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position,    wherein the collapsible member comprises one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions, and    wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single continuous piece, and further    wherein the collapsible member is configured to be substantially relaxed in the extended position.    
   
   
       59 . A flush valve for delivering water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank comprising: 
 a base region configured to connect to the outlet port of a toilet tank;    a floatable and sinkable float region having an opening that is held above the surface of the water when the float region is floating, and wherein the float region is linked to the base region through a collapsible member extending from the base region to the float region;    at least one ballast weight;    wherein the collapsible member is relaxed in the extended position, and further    wherein the base region, float region and collapsible member are fabricated as a single piece, and further wherein sinking the float region allows water to flow through the opening of the float region and out of the outlet port of the toilet tank.    
   
   
       60 . A flush valve for controllably delivering a selected amount of water to a toilet bowl from a toilet tank, the toilet tank having a water surface and a tank outlet, comprising: 
 a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, further configured to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position, and further configured to be relaxed in the extended position, and    at least one ballast weight sufficient to collapse the collapsible member;    wherein the collapsible member comprises one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions, and    wherein a region of the collapsible member is configured as a collapsible bellows having at least one continuous thread, and    wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single continuous piece by injection molding.    
   
   
       61 . A method of using a flush valve in a toilet tank containing water comprising: 
 at least partially sinking a flush valve comprising:    a collapsible member configured to extend from the water surface to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further configured to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position, wherein the collapsible member comprises one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions, and wherein the collapsible member is fabricated as a single continuous piece, and further wherein the collapsible member is further configured to be substantially relaxed in the extended position.    
   
   
       62 . A method of installing a flush valve in a toilet tank having an outlet port in fluid connection with a toilet bowl comprising: 
 providing a flush valve comprising:    a base region configured to connect to the outlet port of a toilet tank;    a variably buoyant float region configured to switch between a high buoyant state and a low buoyant state, and having an opening that is held above the surface of the water when the float region is highly buoyant, and further wherein the float region is linked to the base region through    a collapsible member extending from the base region to the float region;    wherein the float region and the collapsible member are fabricated as a single piece;    installing the flush valve on the outlet port of a toilet tank.    
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the flush vale is installed by tightening a nut.  
   
   
       64 . A method of fabricating a flush valve comprising: 
 injection molding a flush valve comprising:    a base region configured to connect to the outlet port of a toilet tank;    a variably buoyant float region configured to switch between a high buoyant state and a low buoyant state, and having an opening that is held above the surface of the water when the float region is highly buoyant, and further wherein the float region is linked to the base region through    a collapsible member extending from the base region to the float region;    wherein the float region, base region and the collapsible member are injection molded as a single piece.    
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the flush valve is injection molded from one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the flush valve is tapered.  
   
   
       67 . A method of fabricating a flush valve comprising: 
 injection molding a collapsible member configured to extend from the upper water surface of a substantially filled toilet tank to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further configured to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position, wherein the collapsible member is further configured to be substantially relaxed in the extended position.    
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 66  wherein the collapsible member is injection molded from one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions.  
   
   
       69 . A method of fabricating a flush valve comprising: 
 injection molding a collapsible member configured to extend from the upper water surface of a substantially filled toilet tank to the tank outlet in a first extended position and to maintain the water in the toilet tank, and further configured to release water from the toilet tank through the tank outlet in a second longitudinally collapsed position, wherein the collapsible member is injection molded from one or more materials that do not substantially deteriorate in the presence of halogen-containing toilet disinfectant solutions.