Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toilet tank assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a toilet tank assembly that can be used both as a flushing water reservoir and to provide an environment to be inhabited by aquatic organisms and/or other objects.

Background of the Invention

A great variety of aquariums are available nowadays, ranging from small glass jars to panoramic aquariums having a capacity of many tens of gallons. Most of these aquariums are used for display and to decorate living rooms, guest rooms, bedrooms, and offices.

Toilet tanks (cisterns) are water tanks that are used as a water reservoir for flushing toilet bowls. Few attempts to incorporate aquariums in a toilet tank are known in the prior art.

US 4,364,132 {Lawrence D. Robinson) describes a bathtub- aquarium which has outer, front, rear, and endwalls, a floor member which extends from sidewall to sidewall and endwall to endwall and which forms altogether an enclosed water chamber which extends around the bathing section of the tub and can be used as a fish aquarium.

US 5,983,411 {Herbert Demoret) describes a toilet tank assembly aquarium comprised of a top, front, back, and a pair of sides defining an interior space, wherein a toilet water reservoir is located in the interior space of the tank.

D270,936 [D. Randall Everson) illustrates a combined toilet tank and aquarium which is partitioned into inner and outer chambers that function as a toilet tank and aquarium.

The above mentioned aquarium toilet tanks assemblies of the prior art do not efficiently exploit the volume of the toilet tank, and they are not suitable for conventional toilet tanks. More particularly, the toilet tank aquariums of the prior art are usually based on assemblies in which the space of the toilet tank is partitioned into separate chambers which are used separately as a flush water reservoir and for displaying aquatic organisms.

The toilet tanks aquariums described above have not yet provided satisfactory solutions for breeding aquatic organisms in a toilet tank while efficiently exploiting its flush water reservoir volume.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toilet tank assembly in which the volume of the tank is used both as a flush water reservoir and as an aquarium.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toilet tank assembly that is suitable for breeding aquatic organisms.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toilet tank assembly that is designed to maintain live aquatic organisms housed therein, thereby rendering said tank assembly decorative and entertaining.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a toilet tank assembly in which the flushing mechanism is

adapted to minimize the effects of the flushing on aquatic organisms maintained therein.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

It has now been found that it is possible to construct a toilet tank the interior volume of which may be conveniently used as a flush water reservoir and for providing a living environment for aquatic organisms. The toilet tank of the present invention is designed to allow fish and other aquatic organisms to live in the flush water of the tank while minimizing the effects of the flushing on said organisms.

Therefore the present invention is primarily directed to a toilet tank assembly that is suitable as a habitat for aquatic organisms. The toilet tank of the present invention is designed to maintain a minimal water level at all stages of the flushing cycle and thereby maintain suitable living conditions for aquatic organisms . Preferably the minimal water level is about 100 mm above the base of the toilet tank.

The term "aquatic organisms" is used herein to refer to any members of the animal or plant kingdoms which normally reside underwater. In particular, this term is used to refer to small fish, such as are normally housed in domestic aquariums, preferably fish having a length greater than 5 centimeters.

Minimal water level is preferably maintained in the toilet tank of the invention by providing a hollow water barrier sealably attached to the upper surface of the base of the toilet tank such that said barrier surrounds the draining

outlet, such that when the toilet flush mechanism is operated the flushed water passes through the interior space of said hollow barrier, thereby defining a minimal water level in the toilet tank equivalent to the height of said barrier. In another preferred embodiment, minimal water level is maintained by elevating the draining outlet inside said water tank, such that the minimal water level is defined by the height of the raised draining outlet above the base of the toilet tank.

In one specific preferred embodiment of the invention, the minimal water level is maintained by elevating the draining outlet inside said water tank by extending the draining pipe of the tank (e.g., by a supplementary pipe) . Filtering means is placed above the base of the toilet tank, and below the elevated draining outlet and the extended pipe passes via an orifice provided therein. A hollow water barrier is placed on the upper surface of the filtering means and concentrically around the extended pipe such that its upper end opening is above the water level in said toilet tank when fully filled. In this way the flushed water is driven downwardly via the filtering means and thereafter upwardly towards the elevated draining outlet through the bottom end opening of the hollow water barrier. The surface area of the filtering means are substantially the same as, or greater than, the area of the base of the tank.

In yet a further preferred embodiment, the aforementioned minimal water level is obtained by virtue of the draining outlet being installed in a side wall of said toilet tank, such that said minimal water level is defined by the height of side wall draining outlet above the base of said tank.

The toilet tank assembly may further comprise filtering means for preventing the washing away of the aquatic organisms living therein. The filtering means (e.g., a sheet of a meshwork material) preferably covers the draining outlet or is installed around it.

Preferably, the toilet tank is made from a transparent material, or comprises side and/or front window (s) made from a transparent material.

The filtering means may be further used for placing aquarium articles thereon. An opening in a top lid of said toilet tank may be advantageously provided for providing nutritional materials (e.g., blood worms, baby shrimps) and/or water treatments (e.g., melafix, pimafix, antistress) .

Furthermore, a light source may be provided inside the toilet tank or on the top lid for lighting the interior of said toilet tank. In addition, air supplying means may be also installed in the toilet tank for introducing air bubbles into the water of said toilet tank.

The refill pipe of the toilet tank may comprise a plurality of lateral apertures along its length for inducing water streams in various directions during refilling of the tank.

Preferably, the total area of the apertures of the filtering means used in any of toilet tank embodiments of the inventions is greater than the cross-sectional area of the draining outlet of said toilet tank. Most preferably, the total area of the apertures of the filtering means is equal ot, or greater than, twice the area of the cross-sectional area of draining outlet of said tank. Preferably, the toilet tank of the

present invention is designed such the about 3/4 of the water in the tank are flushed during each flush cycle while maintaining the minimal water level therein with 1/4 of the water left in the tank.

The toilet tank of the invention may be constructed in different shapes. For example, the toilet tank may have a spherical shape. In such embodiment the damming means may be implemented by a curved pipe attached to the inner bottom surface of the toilet tank. The curved pipe is preferably connected to the draining outlet via a bottom opening provided at a bottom apex thereof, and its end openings extend upwardly in said toilet tank.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numbers consistently indicate similar elements and in which:

• Figs. IA and IB are, respectively, front and top views of a toilet tank according to one preferred embodiment of the invention in which a concentric water barrier is used to maintain a minimal water level in the tank;

• Figs. 2A and 2B are, respectively, front and top views of a toilet tank according to another preferred embodiment of the invention in which the draining outlet is elevated for maintaining a minimal water level in the tank;

• Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a toilet tank according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention in which the draining outlet is elevated and provided at the side of the toilet tank;

• Figs. 4A and 4B are, respectively, front and top views of a toilet tank having a spherical shape according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

• Figs. 5A to 5E illustrate a mechanism that may be used for determining the minimal water level to be maintained in the toilet tank of the invention; and

• Figs. 6A to 6C illustrates another preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the water barrier and the filtering means are combined in a partitioning element.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention aims to provide a toilet tank assembly that is suitable for housing aquatic organisms. The toilet tank of the present invention is designed to maintain a minimal water level (e.g., 10cm) in the tank at all stages of the flushing cycle and thereby maintain suitable living conditions for aquatic organisms. The toilet tank of the present invention can be a conventional water tank made from a transparent material or having a transparent front and/or side window (s) , and it is designed such that the volume of the tank is used as a toilet flushing water reservoir and as an aquarium.

The toilet tank of the present invention is preferably designed such the about 3/4 of the water in the tank are flushed during each flush cycle while maintaining the minimal water level therein with 1/4 of the water left in the tank.

Minimal water level is preferably maintained in the toilet tank of the invention by providing a hollow water barrier surrounding the draining outlet of the toilet tank and extending from the upper surface of the base of the toilet tank upwardly such that the height of the barrier determines the minimal water level that is maintained in the tank. Preferably the hollow water barrier is in the form of a hollow cylinder having its lower end sealed to the base of the toilet

tank. In this way, upon flushing, the water passes into internal space of the cylindrical barrier prior to being drained from the tank. Alternatively, similar results may be achieved by extending the draining pipe upwardly inside the toilet tank such that the height of the draining outlet is raised above the bottom inner side of the water tank, which defines the minimal water level in the tank.

A filtering element (e.g., mesh) is preferably used to prevent the washing away of fish (or other organisms or objects) inhabiting the toilet tank of the invention. Such a filtering element may be installed concentrically around the draining outlet, and if the filtering element is implemented by utilizing a mesh, the mesh should comprise suitable apertures for allowing efficient flushing of the water in the tank while preventing flushing of the creatures and/or other objects inhabiting the tank.

In one specific preferred embodiment of the invention the draining pipe is extended upwardly (e.g., via a supplementary pipe) inside the toilet tank such that the draining outlet is raised above the base of the tank and above a filtering means placed above the base of the tank and substantially covers the cross-sectional area of the tank. The extended draining pipe passes through an aperture provided in the filtering means and it is enclosed within a hollow water barrier which is positioned on the upper surface of the filtering means and concentrically around the extended draining pipe. The upper end opening of the hollow water barrier is located above the raised draining outlet and above the water level in the toilet when it is in a filled state, such that the flushed water is driven downwardly via the holes of the filtering means and

thereafter upwardly towards the draining outlet via the bottom end opening of the hollow water barrier.

As will be further explained hereinafter, this specific preferred embodiment of the invention prevent the occurrence of turbulent streams that may appear in the toilet tank during the flushing, and thus substantially improve the maintenance conditions of the aquatic organisms that are housed therein.

Figs IA and IB are front and top views of a toilet tank according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. Toilet tank 1 comprises a refill valve 8 for refilling the inner space of tank 1 with water whenever the water level therein is decreased. The flushing mechanism of tank 1 is preferably substantially similar to the flushing mechanism used in conventional gravity-operated toilet tanks. For example, the flushing cycle may be initiated by pressing flush handle 2 downwardly, thereby pulling flush valve 7 and opening the seal of the draining outlet 5a of draining pipe 5. The opening of flush valve 7 is performed by means of actuating arm 9 that is attached to flush valve 7 via vertical rod 6. The refill stages of the flush cycle of water tank 1, as conventionally performed via float 14 and refill valve 8 will not be described herein for the sake of brevity, and are, in any event, well known to the skilled artisan in this field.

When flush valve 7 is in its open state, the water contained in toilet tank 1 can flush out via draining outlet 5a of pipe 5.The flushed water pass trough filter 3 and then enter draining outlet 5a of pipe 5 through hollow water barrier 4. Hollow water barrier 4 is placed around draining outlet of pipe 5 and it is attached to the inner bottom side of toilet tank 1 such that an upper opening 4a thereof enables the water

above the level of the upper opening 4a to pass therethrough and enter pipe 5. In this way, when the water level in toilet tank 1 approach the level of upper opening 4a of hollow water barrier 4, the remaining water in the tank can not pass hollow water barrier 4 and thus maintain a minimal lever of water, corresponding to the height of hollow water barrier 4.

This minimal water level will remain in toilet tank 1, even if the flush valve 7 remains in its open state. The upper opening 4a of hollow water barrier 4 should be high enough to allow fish to swim in the remaining water in the toilet tank 1. Of course, the height of upper opening 4a of hollow water barrier 4 should not be too high, in order to ensure adequate amount of flushing water and thereby allow the proper functioning of toilet tank 1.

Filter 3 may have identical cross-sectional shape as that of upper opening 4a which allows installing it thereon, or alternatively, it may be installed around upper opening 4a by attaching it to the upper surface of the base of toilet tank 1. While filter 3 may cover upper opening 4a, in another embodiment, it may extend upwardly inside toilet tank 1 such that its upper end reaches above the maximal water level in the toilet tank when in its filled state.

Toilet tank 1, may be a conventional toilet tank made from a transparent material (e.g., glass, plastic) or comprising a transparent front and/or side window (s) . Hollow water barrier 4 may be manufactured in a cylindrical shape from a plastic material, glass, porcelain, or rustproof or coated metal, its diameter is generally in the range of 50mm to 150mm, and its height (i.e., the minimal water level to be maintained in toile tank 1) is generally in the range of 50mm to 150 mm,

preferably about 100 mm. Filter 3 may have any suitable shape, preferably, it is made in a cylindrical shape and its diameter is preferably about the same diameter of hollow water barrier 4. Filter 3 is preferably made from a mesh manufactured from any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, porcelain, and/or rustproof or coated metal and having holes diameter generally in the range of 2 to 4 mm. Filter 3 is preferably attached to the upper opening 4a of hollow water barrier 4.

It is important that the filtering means used will have enough apertures having suitable cross-sectional area in order to allow proper draining rates during the flushing without impairing the toilet tank functionality. In the preferred embodiments of the invention the total area of the filtering mean apertures is preferably greater than the cross-sectional area of the draining outlet, most preferably about, or greater than, twice the area of the cross-sectional area of draining outlet.

Figs. 2A and 2B are a front and top views of a toilet tank 1 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention in which an elevated draining outlet 5c is provided inside toilet tank 1 for maintaining a minimal water level therein. Elevated draining outlet 5c may be obtained by using a supplementary pipe 5b which one end opening thereof is connected to draining outlet 5a of pipe 5, such that said supplementary pipe 5b extends upwardly inside toilet tank 1 and said elevated draining outlet 5c is implemented by the other end opening of supplementary pipe 5b. In this way, the water level in the toilet tank 1 can never be drained below the level of the elevated draining outlet 5c during flushing.

When the level of the water inside toilet tank 1 approaches the level of the elevated draining outlet 5c, further water can not be flushed out thus maintaining a minimal lever of water therein. Elevated draining outlet 5c should be high enough to allow fish and/or other aquatic organisms inhabiting the tank's interior to swim in the remaining water maintained therein. Of course, the height of elevated draining outlet 5c should not be too high, in order to ensure that enough water can be flushed out and provide efficient functioning of toilet tank 1.

Filtering means 3d, having a surface area about the same as the cross-sectional area of toilet tank 1, is placed above and substantially parallel to the base of the tank such that supplementary pipe 5b passes through orifice 19 provided in the filtering means. Hollow water barrier 16 is placed on the upper surface of filtering means 3d and concentrically around supplementary pipe 5b.

The upper end opening of supplementary pipe 5b should be above the water level in the tank when in its filled state, such that the flushed water is driven downwardly through the apertures of filtering means 3d and thereafter upwardly towards the raised draining outlet 5c via the bottom end opening 16b of hollow water barrier 16. In this way the appearance of turbulent streams in the toilet tank during the flushing is prevented, which substantially improves the conditions for maintaining aquatic organisms therein.

Supplementary pipe 5b may be manufactured from any material suitable for use in toilet tanks and aquariums (e.g., plastic, glass, porcelain, rustproof or coated metal) , its length is generally in the range of 80mm to 200 mm, preferably about

150mm, and its diameter is substantially the same diameter as of draining pipe 5 (e.g., 50 mm) . Water barrier 16 may be manufactured in any suitable shape, preferably it is cylindrically shaped having a diameter in the range of 60mm to 150mm, preferably about 70mm. The length of hollow water barrier 16 is preferably designed such that its upper end opening 16a extends at least 10mm above the water level in the tank when it is in its filled state, for example, in one specific preferred embodiment of the invention the length of hollow water barrier 16 is about 260mm, and it may be manufactured from any material suitable for aquariums such as plastic, glass, porcelain, or rustproof or coated metal.

Filtering means 3d may be installed inside toilet tank 1 , for example on top of supporting members (not shown) provided at the corners of the base of the toilet tank 1, or alternatively on respective protrusions (not shown) extending from the sides of the tank. Filtering means 3d may be further utilized for placing aquarium articles such as rocks and/or water plants thereon. Filtering means 3d is preferably installed parallel to the base toilet tank 1 and has substantially the same shape and size as said base. Filtering means 3d may be manufactured from any suitable material such as plastic, glass, porcelain, or rustproof or coated metal, its apertures are generally in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm, and it is preferably installed about 10mm to 50 mm above the base of toilet tank 1, most preferably about 30mm.

As was previously explained herein it is important that the filtering means used will have enough apertures having suitable cross-sectional area in order to allow proper draining rates during the flushing without impairing the toilet tank functionality. Therefore, the total area of the

filtering mean apertures is preferably greater than the cross- sectional area of draining outlet, most preferable about, or greater than, twice the area of the cross-sectional area of draining outlet.

Filter means 3d may be implemented in different ways (e.g., partially covering the cross-sectional area of the tank) . However, the inventor found that forcing the flushed water to pass downwardly through the filtering means (e.g., mesh comprising apertures diameter about 2 mm to 4 mm) covering the entire cross-sectional area of the tank substantially reduce the turbulent streams in the water during the flushing and thus provides better conditions for maintaining aquatic organisms maintained therein.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a toilet tank Ia according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention which operates with a lateral draining outlet 15a that is elevated and provided in a lateral side of toilet tank Ia. The flushing mechanism in this preferred embodiment is substantially similar to the conventional flushing mechanism, namely, the flushing cycle is initiated by pressing flush handle 2 downwardly, which pulls flush valve 7a via actuating arm 9a and rod 6a and opens the seal of lateral draining outlet 15a of draining pipe 15. The flushed water passes trough a filter element 3a which covers the opening of lateral draining outlet 15a.

When the water level in toilet tank 1 is below the level of lateral draining outlet 15a, further water cannot be drained out, thus maintaining a minimal water level therein. In other words, the minimal level of water maintained in toilet tank 1 is determined by the height of lateral draining outlet 15a

above the inner bottom side of toilet tank 1. The opening of lateral draining outlet 15a should be high enough to allow fish (and/or other aquatic organism inhabiting the tank) to swim in the remaining water maintained in toilet tank 1. Of course, this maintained water level should not be too high, in order to ensure an adequate amount of water to flush out and provide efficient flushing functionality.

Filter 3a may be manufactured from any suitable material (e.g., plastic, rustproof metal) and its shape and geometrical dimensions are adjusted according to the shape and geometrical dimensions of lateral draining outlet 15a. Preferably, filter 3a is implemented by a mesh element having suitable shape and geometrical dimensions and having apertures diameter generally in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm. The diameter of lateral draining outlet 15a is generally in the range of 50mm.

Figs. 4A and 4B show front and top views of a toilet tank having a spherical shape according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The flushing and refill mechanisms in this example are substantially similar to the conventional flushing and refill mechanisms, and thus, for the sake of brevity, will not be discussed at this juncture. The desired minimal level of water in this example is maintained by connecting draining outlet 5a to a curved pipe 4b. Draining outlet 5a is connected to curved pipe 4b about its center at an apex point thereof. Curved pipe 4b is attached to the rounded inner bottom side of sphere toilet tank Ib such that the flushed water passes therethrough via its end openings 4c before reaching draining outlet 5a of draining pipe 5. Filtering means 3b preferably covers end openings 4c of curved pipe 4b in order to prevent flushing of aquatic organisms (and/or other objects) inhabited therein.

An aperture 10 is provided in the center of the apex area of curved pipe 4b to allow passage of rod 6 in a sealed manner in order to allow rod 6 to move therethrough and manipulate flush valve 7 while simultaneously preventing passage of water there through.

The flushed water reaches draining pipe 5 trough filer means 3b (e.g., mesh) covering end openings 4c of curved pipe 4b, such that only the water above the levels of end openings 4c can be flushed out. In other words, curved pipe 4b is installed on the inner bottom side of toilet tank Ib and connected at its bottom apex to draining pipe 5 such that its end opening 4c extends upwardly inside toilet Ib and acts as a water barrier and thereby maintain a minimal water level therein during all stages of the flush cycle.

The height of end opening 4c should be sufficiently high to allow fish (and/or other aquatic creatures) to swim in the remaining water maintained therein. Of course, the height of end openings 4c should not be too high, in order to ensure adequate amount of flushing water and allow the proper functionality of toilet tank Ib.

This is only one example for a design of the toilet tank aquarium of the invention. Of course the different elements in this example can assume other shapes and configuration and may be placed in different locations in the toilet tank, while preserving their functionality.

The water tank is preferably made from a transparent material, such as glass or a transparent type of polymer, or alternatively comprises one or more transparent front and/or side window (s) . The toilet tank may assume different shapes

and is not restricted to the geometrical shapes which were exemplified hereinabove.

Refill pipe 17 connected to refill valve 8 and extending downwardly in toilet tank 1 may comprise apertures distributed along its vertical length such that when toilet tank 1 is refilled a plurality of streams emanating from said apertures and directed in various directions will appear in the tank and cause objects floating therein to travel in different directions .

It is of course possible to add decorative objects and materials inside toilet tank 1. Examples of such objects and materials include gravel, air pumps, light sources, and so on. Conveniently, one may choose to use plastic fish, or other imitation aquatic creatures, either together with such living creatures, or by themselves.

It should be appreciated that the toilet tank assembly may be conveniently used as an easy to clean aquarium, and/or as an aquatic environment for creatures or plants that need a constant supply of running water.

Conveniently, the lid (not shown) of toilet tank 1 may be provided with an opening adapted for feeding the aquatic organisms inhabited therein. The lid may further comprise a light source for improving the appearance of the toilet tank inner space.

Figs. 5A to 5E illustrate a mechanism that may be used for determining the minimal water level to be maintained in the toilet tank of the invention. This adaptable mechanism comprises a floatable water barrier 55 comprising a hollow

water barrier 52, filtering means 51 attached to the upper end opening of hollow water barrier 52, and a float 50 attached to the upper end of said filtering means 51. Hollow water barrier

52 comprises stoppers 56 formed (or attached) at its bottom end opening. Stoppers 56 are preferably relatively small protrusions which projects radially towards the longitudinal axis of hollow water barrier 52. Filtering means 51 is mounted over the upper end opening of hollow water barrier 52 such that it forms a hollow extension on top of said barrier and its upper end opening is covered by float 50 having a corresponding geometrical shape which closes from above the hollow interior of the hollow construction formed by said barrier and filtering means.

Float 50 comprises a concentric orifice suitable for sliding over vertical rod 6c when installing floatable hollow water barrier 55 over supplementary pipe 53, as shown in Figs. 5D and 5E. The closure obtained by float 50 of the upper end opening of the hollow structure of filtering means 51 and hollow water barrier 52 allows passage of water into the interior of said structure via the apertures of said filtering means .

Floatable water barrier 55 is concentrically installed over supplementary pipe 53, as shown in Fig. 5C. Supplementary pipe

53 comprises top limiter 54a and bottom limiter 54b, circumferentially attached to its outer surface. The location of limiters 54 may be adjusted, for example by applying to the outer surface of hollow water barrier and to the inner surface of limiter 54 corresponding screwings, as exemplified in Figs. 5B and 5C. By installing floatable hollow barrier 55 over supplementary pipe 53 such that stoppers 56 are located between limiters 54 the upward and downward movements of

floatable hollow water barrier 55 are confined therebetween, such that by adjusting the locations of said limiters one can conveniently set the topmost and bottommost confining levels.

As in the previous preferred embodiment of the invention which was described herein with reference to Figs. 2A and 2B, supplementary pipe 53 provides and extension to the draining pipe of the toilet tank, such that its upper end opening 53a serves as a draining outlet of the toilet tank.

Figs. 5D and 5E illustrates the floatable hollow water barrier

55 installed over supplementary pipe 53 when flush valve 7 is installed over elevated draining outlet 53a. when the toilet tank is filled with the water, float 50 forces floatable hollow water barrier 55 to its upper position wherein stoppers

56 are pressed against top limiter 54a. When the water in the toilet tank are flushed, the flushed water is drained via the apertures of filtering means 51 and the level of the water in the tank is gradually decreased, correspondingly, floatable hollow water barrier 50 moves downwardly over supplementary pipe 53 until stoppers 56 are engaged with bottom limiter 54b. Once the downward movement of floatable hollow water barrier 50 is stopped the flushing will also stop after the water in toilet tank reach the level of the upper end opening of hollow water barrier 52.

The dimensions of supplementary pipe 53 are substantially similar to those discussed hereinbefore with reference to Figs 2A and 2B. Float 50 can be manufactured from any suitable material and in a suitable thickness to assure the required buoyancy, or alternatively it may be implemented by a balloon filled by a suitable gas or liquid (e.g., air) . For example, float 50 may be manufactured from foamed polystyrene having

thickness in the range of 20mm to 50mm. The geometrical shape of float 50 is adjusted such that it fits over the upper end opening of the filtering means and hollow water barrier construction. Hollow water barrier 52 is preferably made from plastic, and its shape is adjusted to allow it to freely slide over supplementary pipe 53. For example, pipe 53 may be manufactured in a cylindrical shape having a diameter generally in the range of 60 mm to 150 mm, preferably about 70mm.

Figs. 6A to 6C illustrates another preferred embodiment of the invention wherein a water barrier and the filtering means (63) are combined in a partitioning element 64. As shown in Figs. 6A-6C, partitioning element 64 is placed adjacent to the inner back side of the water tank, and it comprises two filters, 63a and 63b, for example located at it lateral sides. Supporting elements 65 and 66 are used to attach portioning means 64 to the respective inner sides of the toilet tank.

Partitioning element 64 is formed in a "L" shape sealably attached to inner front side of the toilet tank and to the its lateral sides. The horizontal section 64a of partitioning element comprises a central orifice through which vertical rod 6 can be sealbly manipulated via actuating arm 9 and flush handle 2. the vertical section 64b of partitioning element 64 should be sealably attached to the lateral sides of the toilet tank such that the minimal water level 67 maintained in the toilet tank during each flash is determined by the height of the filters 63 above the base of the tank.

In this way, partitioning element 64 partitions the interior of the toilet tank into two separate section - i) back and bottom section: the internal space between the back and base

of the tank and the "L" shaped partitioning element; and ii) main section: the internal space between the inner front side of the tank and the "L" shaped partitioning element. Said separate sections have fluid communication therebetween via filters 63 located in the vertical section 64b of partitioning element 64. When the water in the toilet tank is flushed, the flushed water reach draining outlet 5a via filters 63, namely, the drained water pass via filters 63 from the main section into the back and bottom section.

Partitioning element 64 may be configured to contain one or more filters 63 having various shapes and locations thereon, and it may be manufactured from any suitable material, such as glass, plastic, porcelain, rustproof or coated metal and the horizontal length of its horizontal section 64a is about the same, or greater than, the horizontal length the toilet tank. In general, partitioning element 64 is designed such that about 3/4 of the water in the tank is flushed within each flush cycle.

All of the abovementioned parameters are given by way of example only, and may be changed in accordance with the differing requirements of the various embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the abovementioned parameters should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way. In addition, it is to be appreciated that the different tanks, pipes, openings and apertures, as well as other members, described hereinabove may be constructed in different shapes (e.g. having oval, square etc. form in plan view) and sizes from those exemplified in the preceding description.

The above examples and description have of course been provided only for the purpose of illustration, and are not

intended to limit the invention in any way. As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the invention can be carried out in a great variety of ways, employing more than one technique or material selected from those described above, all without exceeding the scope of the invention.