Flush valve leakage prevention device

Abstract

A flush valve leakage prevention device for a toilet tank is disclosed. The device comprises a closer portion adapted to be in resilient contact with the flapper portion of the flush valve and an attachment portion adapted to be attached to the toilet tank. The attachment portion is adapted to be attached in a position which allows the closer portion to remain in at least partial resilient contact with the valve flapper portion, and, in the absence or an external force from a flush actuating system of the toilet tank, to hold down said flapper portion to improve the seal between the valve seat and the flapper portion of the valve.

1 ) A flush valve leakage prevention device for a toilet tank comprising a flush actuating system, a valve seat and a valve flapper, said leakage prevention device comprising a resilient closer having a first portion customized to be attached to the toilet tank and a second portion that extends from said first portion wherein, when external force actuates said flush actuating system and initiates a flush cycle, said resilient closer is resiliently deformed to cause said second portion to remain in at least partial resilient contact with said valve flapper, and, when said external force is removed, said second portion returns to its original form and forces down said flapper, stopping said flush cycle and sealing said valve seat of said toilet tank. 
   
   
       2 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said closer is made from a sheet-like resilient material. 
   
   
       3 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 2 , wherein said material is high density polyethylene. 
   
   
       4 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said toilet tank further comprises an overflow tube and said first portion of said resilient closer is customized to be attached to said overflow tube of said toilet tank. 
   
   
       5 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said toilet tank further comprises an overflow tube and said first portion of said resilient closer is customized to be attached to said overflow tube of said toilet tank and to at least partially surround said tube. 
   
   
       6 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said second portion has a shape generally matching at least partially that of said flapper. 
   
   
       7 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said second portion has a shape generally matching the periphery of said flapper. 
   
   
       8 ) A flush valve leakage prevention device for a toilet tank comprising a flush actuating system, a valve seat and a valve flapper, said leakage prevention device comprising a resilient closer made from a sheet-like resilient material, said closer having a first portion customized to be attached to an overflow tube of the toilet tank and a second portion that extends from said first portion wherein, when external force actuates said flush actuating system and initiates a flush cycle, said resilient closer is resiliently deformed to cause said second portion to remain in at least partial resilient contact with said valve flapper, and, when said external force is removed, said second portion returns to its original form and forces down said flapper, stopping said flush cycle and sealing said valve seat of said toilet tank. 
   
   
       9 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 8 , wherein said material is high density polyethylene. 
   
   
       10 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 8 , wherein said toilet tank further comprises an overflow tube and said first portion of said resilient closer is customized to be attached to said overflow tube of said toilet tank and to at least partially surround said tube. 
   
   
       11 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 8 , wherein said second portion has a shape generally matching at least partially that of said flapper. 
   
   
       12 ) The flush valve leakage prevention device according to  claim 8 , wherein said second portion has a shape generally matching the periphery of said flapper. 
   
   
       13 ) Method of flush valve leakage prevention for a toilet tank comprising a flush actuating system, a flush valve, a valve seat and a valve flapper, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) adjusting first portion of a resilient closer to said toilet tank, wherein said resilient closer has said first portion customized to be attached to said toilet tank and a second portion that extends from said first portion;   b) adjusting said second portion of said resilient closer to remain in at least partial resilient contact with said valve flapper of said flush valve;   c) attaching said first portion to said toilet tank by a fastening member such that when external force actuates said flush actuating system and initiates a flush cycle, said resilient closer is resiliently deformed to cause said second portion to remain in at least partial resilient contact with said flapper, and, when said external force is removed, said second portion returns to its original form and forces down said flapper, stopping said flush cycle and sealing said valve seat of said toilet tank.   
   
   
       14 ) Method of flush valve leakage prevention for a toilet tank, according to  claim 13 , wherein said toilet tank further comprises an overflow tube and wherein said step a) is replaced by the following:
 a) adjusting said first portion of said resilient closer to said overflow tube of said toilet tank, wherein said resilient closer has said first portion customized to be attached to said overflow tube of said toilet tank and a second portion that extends from said first portion.   
   
   
       15 ) A kit for a flush valve leakage prevention of a toilet tank comprising a flush actuating system, a flush valve, a valve seat and a valve flapper, said kit comprising:
 a) a resilient closer having a first portion customized to be attached to said toilet tank and a second portion that extends from said first portion,   b) a fastening member adapted to attach said first portion of said resilient closer in a position wherein when external force actuates said flush actuating system and initiates a flush cycle, said resilient closer is resiliently deformed to cause said second portion to remain in at least partial resilient contact with said flapper, and, when said external force is removed, said second portion returns to its original form and forces down said flapper, stopping said flush cycle and sealing said valve seat of said toilet tank.   
   
   
       16 ) A kit for a flush valve leakage prevention of a toilet tank as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising installation instructions, describing installation steps, including:
 a) turning off water supply;   b) flushing said toilet tank to drain;   c) adjusting said first portion of said resilient closer to said toilet tank;   d) adjusting said second portion to remain in at least partial resilient contact with said valve flapper of said flush valve;   e) attaching said first portion to said toilet tank by said fastening member;   f) holding down said flapper by said resilient closer to seal said valve seat of said toilet tank for said flush valve leakage prevention in the absence of said external force; and   g) turning on said water supply.   
   
   
       17 ) A kit for a flush valve leakage prevention of a toilet tank according to  claim 15 , wherein said toilet tank further comprises an overflow tube and wherein said first portion of said resilient closer is customized to be attached to said overflow tube of said toilet tank. 
   
   
       18 ) A toilet tank comprising:
 a) a flush valve having a seat portion and a flapper portion sitting on said seat portion,   b) an overflow tube,   c) a flush actuating system, and   d) a leakage prevention device, comprising a resilient closer having a first portion customized to be attached to said overflow tube and a second portion that extends from said first portion wherein, when external force actuates said flush actuating system, and initiates a flush cycle, said resilient closer is resiliently deformed to cause said second portion to remain in at least partial resilient contact with said flapper portion, and, when said external force is removed, said second portion returns to its original form and forces down said flapper portion, stopping said flush cycle and sealing said seat portion of said toilet tank.   
   
   
       19 ) A toilet tank as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said closer is made from a sheet-like resilient material. 
   
   
       20 ) A toilet tank as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said closer is made from a high density polyethylene.