Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim,
1. A smart flush retrofit kit 200 comprises:
a conical plastic tassel 202 that functions as a knob to initiate flushing when pulled up;
a steel chain 212 with a metal string 206 is attached in between it where one end of the steel chain - metal string-steel chain link is attached to the conical tassel 202 while the other end is attached to the upper portion of the pre-existing trip lever handle, also called the syphon pipe handle and the lower part of the chain 212 in the steel chain 212–metal string 206 link is attached to the upper portion of the trip lever handle;
a small PVC pipe 204 is to be inserted into the hole of the same size made in the lid of the flush tank that allows the steel chain 212 to pass through it and also acts as a stopper which restricts the movement of the cylindrical tassel 208 and a screw 210;
a steel screw 210 is attached to one end of the cylindrical tassel 208 and this combination is suspended between the rings of the steel chain 212 with the help of the metal string 206 which passes through them; and
a cylindrical plastic tassel 208 which is little smaller than the hole in the PVC pipe 204 which helps it to get struck in the hole and ensure that water is flushed out of tank only to half of its capacity where the screw 210 prevents the slip of the cylindrical tassel 208 when placed in the flush tank,
wherein the smart flush retrofit kit 200 is fitted inside the flush tank of a standard Indian flush toilet that helps in reducing the volume of water used for toilet flushing and decreases the domestic consumption considerably.
2. Method, system and apparatus providing one or more features as described in the paragraphs of this specification.

Date: 07-08-2021 Signature………………………
OMPRAKASH S.N
Agent for Applicant
IN / PA - 1095
, Description:Form 2
The patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
Patent Rules 2003
Complete Specification
(Sec 10 and Rule 13)

Title: THE SMART FLUSH RETROFIT KIT
Applicant(s) Ramya S Adiga
Nationality Indian
Address Aryavartha,3-51, Hegde Temple, Handady
Brahmavara- 576213, Udupi district, Karnataka

The following specification particularly describes the invention and manner in which it is to be performed.

DESCRIPTION
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a flush toilet and more particularly to a method and system to develop a smart flush retrofit kit that reduces volume of water used for toilet flushing and decreases its domestic consumption considerably.
RELATED ART
[0002] A flush toilet is a device used to dispose human waste (urine and faeces) by using water to flush it through a drain pipe to another location for disposal, thus maintaining a separation between humans and their waste. The flush toilets are designed for sitting (in which case they are also called "Western" toilets) or for squatting, in the case of squat toilets. Most modern toilets are designed to dispose toilet paper also. The opposite of a flush toilet is a dry toilet, which uses no water for flushing.
[0003] The flush toilets are a type of plumbing fixture which usually incorporate an "S", "U", "J", or "P" shaped bend called a trap that causes water to collect in the toilet bowl to hold the waste and act as a seal against noxious sewer gases. Most flush toilets are connected to a sewerage system that conveys waste to a sewage treatment plant; where this is not available, a septic tank or composting system is used. When a toilet is flushed, the wastewater flows into a septic tank, or is conveyed to a treatment plant.
[0004] The drawback of these conventional flush toilets is that among the various means of domestic use of water, the use of water for toilet flushing constitutes around 30% of domestic water consumption. In a residential set up, out of the 150 to 200 liters of water utilized per head per day, 45 liters per head per day is used for flushing requirements and the remaining quantity for other domestic purposes. The average amount of water flushed per head per day ranges from 5 liters in a Hospital OPD to 20 liters in schools/educational institutions without boarding facilities and 150 liters in Hospitals with more than 100 beds. Thus, attention has been focused upon potential water saving measures with an intention to save water spent for domestic purposes, especially with respect to toilet flushing.
[0005] Hence, an effective and an efficient flush toilet system is required which reduces volume of water used for toilet flushing and decreases domestic consumption considerably is the need of the hour.

SUMMARY
[0006] In one embodiment, a smart flush retrofit kit comprises of: a conical plastic tassel that functions as a knob to initiate flushing when pulled up; a steel chain with a metal string attached in between it where one end of the steel chain-metal string-steel chain link is attached to the conical tassel while the other end is attached to the upper portion of the pre-existing trip lever handle; a small PVC pipe is to be inserted into the hole of the same size made in the lid of the flush tank that allows the steel chain to pass through it and also acts as a stopper which restricts the movement of the cylindrical tassel and a screw; a steel screw is attached to one end of the cylindrical tassel and this combination is suspended between the rings of the steel chain with the help of the metal string which passes through them; and a cylindrical plastic tassel which is little smaller than the hole in the PVC pipe which helps it to get struck in the hole and ensure that water is flushed out of tank only to half of its capacity while the screw prevents the slip of the cylindrical tassel when placed in the flush tank, wherein the smart flush retrofit kit is fitted inside the flush tank of a standard Indian flush toilet that helps in reducing the volume of water used for toilet flushing and decreases the domestic consumption considerably.
[0007] Several aspects are described below, with reference to diagrams. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the present disclosure. One who skilled in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the present disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the features of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of components of a conventional standard Indian flush tank.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a proposed smart flush retrofit kit in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 3A through FIG. 3D are schematic views of a smart flush retrofit kit used in the standard Indian flush tank in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 4A through FIG. 4D are schematic views of a smart flush retrofit kit used in the standard Indian flush tank with full and half flush adjustable settings in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic views of a smart flush retrofit kit fitted into the standard Indian flush tank in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLES
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a components of a conventional standard Indian flush tank. As shown in 100, a flush toilet has primarily two parts: a flush tank and a bowl. The conventional Indian flush toilet systems are usually flapper-less and work with gravity assisted flush valve system. In case, when an individual wants to flush the toilet, he pushes a lever, which lifts the flush valve from the valve seat. The valve then floats clear of the seat, allowing the tank to empty quickly into the bowl. As the water level drops, the floating flush valve descends back to the bottom of the tank and covers the outlet pipe again.,
[0014] The toilet tank is the upper unit of the flush toilet system. The components of the flush tank include an ‘inlet’ 114 through which water enters the flush tank. To control the water flow inlet is closed by inlet valve which is made up of stretchable rubber like material. To apply the pressure on the valve a pin is placed beside it. When pressure is applied on pin it closes the inlet hole. When the pressure is removed, the hole gets opened. When there is no pressure on the valve water enters the chamber around the inlet hole and exits through an extension. To reduce the noise of the water a hose is connected to it. Through this hose water enters the flush tank. To hold the pin in right position a pin holder is placed. To hold the pin holder another holder is screwed around the inlet. A plastic handle called the ‘float arm’116 is attached to it. A screw is fitted to the arm to control the water level in the tank. When the arm is rotated upwards the screw exerts pressure on the pin and does inlet hole gets closed. This is the method of controlling water inflow. A ball like structure called ‘float ball’124 is attached to the other end of the arm. This float ball 124 is hollow and is filled with air. It always floats in water. There is an outlet at the bottom fitted with the bottom fixture 112. A long pipe like structure called ‘trip liver’ 106 or ‘syphon pipe’106 is seen in the middle. A black rubber like material at the bottom of the trip lever is the ‘flush valve’ with washer 110. This washer seals the outlet of the tank. A cup like enclosure called the ‘float’ 108 is placed in the fixture. It is fitted into the grooves of the bottom fixture 112 so that it becomes non movable. When there is no water in the tank the ball 124 falls down, opens the inlet valve and water level in the tank starts raising. The air trap in the float 108 rises along with water until it reaches the bottom of the trip lever 106. When the air trap is completely submerged in the water two forces will be acting on the trip lever 106. One is upward force exerted by the air trap. Since the air trap always tries to float it pushes the trip lever 106 upward. A suction region is created around the outlet of the tank. Anything in this region is sucked downwards. Since the washer 110 is in this region and the washer 110 is attached to the trip lever 106 it is pushed downwards. But this downward force is greater than the upward force. Hence the washer 110 stands in this position only and the outlet is sealed. A Flush lever 118 is connected to the trip lever handle 104. And the flush handle 122 is connected to the flush lever 118. Both are fitted with a screw 120. When the handle 122 is pressed it lifts the trip lever106 and water comes out of the suction region. So, the downward force is removed. Since the outlet is open, water starts draining. When the water level falls below the air trap, upward force is removed. And the trip lever falls to the suction region and the hole gets sealed and the process gets repeated. The tank is closed by the lid. When the handle 122 is pressed, water is flooded to the bowl. This type of flush toilet systems consumes significantly more water and it is very much necessary to check the amount of water consumed for flushing out liquid wastes.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a proposed smart flush retrofit kit in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in 200, a smart flush retrofit kit is proposed to be one of the water efficiency solutions for toilets which are installed to convert the existing single flush into dual flush toilets. This smart flush retrofit kit comprises of a conical plastic tassel 202, a small PVC pipe 204, a metal string 206, a cylindrical plastic tassel 208, a steel screw 210 and a steel chain 212.Each component are explained in detail below.
[0016] The conical plastic tassel 202 that functions as a knob to initiate flushing when pulled up.
[0017] A steel chain 212 with a metal string 206 attached in between it [approximately at about 7-8 cm] where one end of the steel chain-metal string-steel chain link is attached to the conical tassel 202 while the other end is attached to the upper portion of the preexisting trip lever handle 104, also called the syphon pipe handle.
[0018] A small PVC pipe 204 which is proposed to be inserted into the hole of the same size made in the lid of the flush tank. The PVC pipe 204 allows the steel chain 212 to pass through it and also acts as a stopper which restricts the movement of the cylindrical tassel 208 and the screw 210.
[0019] A steel screw 210 is attached to one end of the cylindrical tassel 208 and this combination is suspended between the rings of the steel chain 212 with the help of the metal string 206 which passes through them.
[0020] The cylindrical plastic tassel 208 is little smaller than the hole in the PVC pipe 204 which helps it to get struck in the hole and ensure that water is flushed out of tank only to half of its capacity. The screw 210 however prevents the slip of the cylindrical tassel 208 when placed in the flush tank.
[0021] The Lower part of the chain 212 in the steel chain 212 metal string 206 link is attached to the upper portion of the trip lever handle. It is very much essential to note that the chain 212 is attached to the upper portion of the existing trip lever handle 104 to ensure that only half of the capacity of water is flushed out of the tank.
[0022] The smart flush retrofit kit 200 is to be fitted inside the flush tank toilet, with the conical plastic tassel 202 placed above the flush tank lid and the small PVC pipe 204 placed in a hole of its size made in the same lid. The smart flush retrofit kit helps in flushing water inside the flush tank only to half of its capacity and thereby reduces the volume of water used for toilet flushing which minimize the domestic consumption of water considerably.
[0023] FIG. 3A through FIG. 3D are schematic views of a smart flush retrofit kit used in the standard Indian flush tank in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in 300 through 340, where the smart flush retrofit kit is fitted inside the flush tank helps in flushing the water only to half of its capacity reducing the volume of water used for toilet flushing and decreases domestic consumption considerably. The method adopted to fit the smart flush retrofit kit is as follows: a hole of the size of the small PVC pipe 304 is made in the lid of the flush box 306 and the PVC pipe 304 is passed through it. The steel screw 310 is attached to one end of the cylindrical tassel 308. The metal string 312 is passed through the screw 310 and the cylindrical tassel 308. One side link of the steel chain (approximately at about 7-8 cm) is opened. The metal string 312 is attached in between one end of both the steel chain pieces. One end of this steel chain-metal string-steel chain link (the end with a shorter chain) is attached to the upper handle of the trip lever or the syphon pipe 314. The other end is attached to the conical tassel 302 outside, on the top of the flush tank, passing through the PVC pipe 304. This makes the screw 310 and the cylindrical tassel 308 get suspended between the handle of the trip lever or the syphon pipe 314 and the lower end of the PVC pipe 304. After the conical tassel knob 302 is pulled up, the chain 312 pulls the trip lever or the syphon pipe 314 along with it. The cylindrical tassel 308 and screw 310 restrict the complete free movement of the chain 320. This lifts the flush valve and the washer 318 from its seat only to half of its capacity, as a result, only some amount of water (approximately half of it in the tank) is emptied from the flush tank. It is of course, very much essential to note that one has to release the conical tassel knob immediately after pulling it up once so that the amount of water flushed is sufficient enough to flush liquid waste. On the other hand, the already existing in-built flush handle functions normally, thus completely emptying the flush tank.
[0024] FIG. 4A through FIG. 4D are schematic views of a smart flush retrofit kit used in the standard Indian flush tank with full and half flush adjustable settings in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in 400 through 440, a hole of the size of the small PVC pipe 404 is made in the lid of the flush box 406 and the PVC pipe 404 is passed through it. The steel screw 410 is attached to one end of the cylindrical tassel 408. The metal string 412 is passed through the screw 410 and the cylindrical tassel 408. One side link of the steel chain (approximately at about 7-8 cm) is opened. The metal string 412 is attached in between one end of both the steel chain 420 pieces. One end of the steel chain - metal string - steel chain link (the end with a shorter chain) is attached to the upper handle of the trip lever or the syphon pipe 414. The other end is attached to the conical tassel 402 outside, on the top of the flush tank, passing through the PVC pipe 404. This makes the screw 410 and the cylindrical tassel 408 get suspended between the handle of the trip lever or the syphon pipe 414 and the lower end of the PVC pipe 404. When the conical tassel knob 402 is pulled up, the chain 420 pulls the trip lever or the syphon pipe 414 along with it. The cylindrical tassel 408 and screw 410 restrict the complete free movement of the chain 420. This restricts the complete free displacement of the flush valve and washer 418 from its seat, lifts the flush valve and the washer 418 from its seat only to half of its capacity. As a result, only some amount of water (approximately half of it in the tank) is emptied from the flush tank. A little gap achieved by installing the retrofit kit allows flushing of a small quantity of water. Thus, the need of achieving half/ partial flushing with the adjustable settings of the retrofit kit is fulfilled.
[0025] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic views of a smart flush retrofit kit fitted into the standard Indian flush tank in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in 500 and 520, the smart flush retrofit kit is fitted inside the flush tank 506 where the steel screw 510 is attached to one end of the cylindrical tassel 508. The metal string 512 is passed through the screw 510 and the cylindrical tassel 508. One side link of the steel chain is opened. The metal string 512 is attached in between one end of both the steel chain pieces. One end of this steel chain-metal string-steel chain link (the end with a shorter chain) is attached to the upper handle of the trip lever or the syphon pipe 514. The other end is attached to the conical tassel 502 outside, on the top of the flush tank, passing through the PVC pipe 504. This makes the screw 510 and the cylindrical tassel 508 get suspended between the handle of the trip lever or the syphon pipe 514 and the lower end of the PVC pipe 504. After the conical tassel knob 502 is pulled up, the chain pulls the trip lever or the syphon pipe 514 along with it. The cylindrical tassel 508 and screw 510 restrict the complete free movement of the chain. This lifts the flush valve and the washer 518 from its seat only to half of its capacity, as a result, only some amount of water (approximately half of it in the tank) is emptied from the flush tank. It is of course, very much essential to note that one has to release the conical tassel knob immediately after pulling it up once so that the amount of water flushed is sufficient enough to flush liquid waste. On the other hand, the already existing in-built flush handle functions normally, thus completely emptying the flush tank.
[0026] In an embodiment, the tank 506 holds the water above the bowl 524, The lever 514 opens the flush valve which lets the only half of its capacity of water rush out of the tank into the bowl 524 either through rim holes, a siphon hole or both. In the bowl, the pressure of the water rushing down the drain creates a vacuum or a siphon effect that draws the waste with it and at the same time refills the tank too.
[0027] In one embodiment, the use of smart flush retrofit kit helps in water conservation. The use of retrofit kit plays a key role in water conservation in existing Single flush toilets. Some retrofit kits which are presently available do not function in flapper-less or pressure assisted flush valve systems. The Standard Indian flush tank systems are flapper-less and gravity assisted. So, a retrofit kit to fit the Indian standards is very essential. And it is not easy to shift to a totally different flushing system all together. Thus, making the mandatory complete change of system will not only affect the economy but also cause serious plastic waste disposal problems. Thus, a Smart flush retrofit kit is proposed to be economical way to save water. This is a water efficiency solution for toilets which works on this line by, converting the existing single flush into dual flush toilets when installed.
[0028] In one embodiment, the advantages which are appreciated with the installation of the smart flush retrofit kit are: its instant water savings capability, checking or minimizing the necessity to buy or install a new toilet with an intention to save water and its easy installation technique. The Smart Flush’s full & half flush settings are fully adjustable allowing it to work with all toilet tank sizes of standard Indian system (flapper-less and gravity assisted flush valve systems). Thus, the installation of smart flush retrofit kit reduces the volume of water used for toilet flushing and decreases domestic consumption of water considerably
[0029] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above- discussed embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.