Method and device for timer-controlled flushing of water toilets

A method of flushing a toilet with at least one predetermined amount of water, said toilet having a flushing initiator, a water-containing reservoir, and a reservoir discharge valve for emptying said water-containing reservoir in response to said flushing initiator, said method comprising actuating said flushing initiator to therefore open said reservoir discharge valve, closing said reservoir discharge valve after a predetermined period of time, and determining said predetermined period of time by means of a hydraulic timer disposed in said water-containing reservoir whereby the water remaining in said water-containing reservoir operates said hydraulic timer, wherein said hydraulic timer includes a float chamber connected to said water-containing reservoir by means of restricted outlet having a predetermined outlet area, whereby said float chamber and said water-containing reservoir normally have corresponding water levels, said method including determining said predetermined period of time by connecting said flushing initiator to said reservoir discharge valve for opening said reservoir discharge valve and thereby permitting said water in said float chamber to flow into said water-containing reservoir through said restricted outlet while said water in said water-containing reservoir flows through said reservoir discharge valve, thereby lowering said water level in said water-containing reservoir below said water level in said float chamber, and releasing said connection between said flushing initiator and said reservoir discharge valve to close said reservoir discharge valve after the difference between said water level in said water-containing reservoir and said water level in said float chamber reaches a predetermined difference.

An apparatus for flushing a toilet including a water-containing reservoir with at least one predetermined amount of water, said apparatus comprising a reservoir discharge valve for emptying said water-containing reservoir, a flushing initiator for opening said reservoir discharge valve for a predetermined period of time, and a hydraulic timer disposed in said water-containing reservoir, said hydraulic timer determining said predetermined period of time based on the water remaining in said water-containing reservoir, wherein said hydraulic timer comprises a float chamber, a float disposed in said float chamber for vertical movement therein, said float chamber including a restricted outlet opening having a predetermined outlet area in fluid communication with said water-containing reservoir, whereby said float chamber and said water-containing reservoir normally have corresponding water levels, connecting means for connecting said flushing initiator to said float for opening said reservoir discharge valve and permitting said water in said float chamber to flow into said water-containing reservoir through said restricted outlet while said water in said water-containing reservoir flows through said reservoir discharge valve, and trigger means for releasing said connection means when said float has moved a predetermined distance in said float chamber, whereby said predetermined period of time is determined by said predetermined area of said restricted outlet opening, and said reservoir discharge valve is closed directly upon release of said connection means.